Anna and Lily Cult Beauty Box Favourites (so far)

The Anna and Lily Cult Beauty Box is my first ever beauty box, and although I was very sceptical about spending £85 on products I had never tried before (£85 is a lot of money for a student!) I decided to bite the bullet because the box looked so damn gorgeous.

I received my beautiful marbled box last week ago so I haven't tried all the products yet but from my first impressions, these three are my absolute favourites!

Firstly, the product I was least excited about but definitely my most used so far!  The Pixi by Petra Hydrating Milky Mist contains Hyaluronic Acid and Black Oat which deeply moisturises my skin in a few, featherlight sprays.  This has been my go-to moisturiser in the morning or after I shower to stop my skin from feeling tight after I cleanse, but I've also been loving applying this throughout the day too.

Although I can't be sure, I think the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil has made the most improvements to my skin.  I've been using it religiously every night and noticed that after a few days my skin was spot-free and the pores on my nose had shrunk!  Previously, products that have claimed to do the same thing haven't been effective but I can see this product becoming a regular and crucial step in my skincare routine.  However, I do hate the scent of the oil and I think the price point is a bit ridiculous!  At £85 for the full 30ml, this is definitely an investment, and I will have to think twice about repurchasing this product.

After using my Jade Roller  for about a week now, I'm enjoying it, but still very curious.  Despite plenty of research, I'm still not entirely sure what the benefits are or exactly how I'm supposed to use it.  However, I love the cooling feeling on my skin, I find rolling this little tool around my face to be very relaxing and therapeutic!  I'm keen to see if this makes any changes to my skin in the long-term, but for now, I'm more than happy just using it to de-stress and look gorgeous on my desk.


Over the next few months, I aim to try out the rest of the products in the box and will report back with my findings!
If you're interested in buying the Cult Beauty Box, you can buy it here.

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A LIPSTICK FOR CAT LOVERS?

I admit, you've had to wait a while to hear from me but I think it's been worth the wait.  Every time a Beauty Bay email pings into my inbox I can't help but have a browse.  However, being on a student budget and all that, I rarely buy anything.  However once I saw a tiny cat face peeking out of a MLBB lipstick shade, it took me less than 30 to place an order.

Introducing the Paul & Joe Autumn 2015 lipstick in 'Cafe Espresso 095'.

I have to confess, I hadn't heard anything about Paul & Joe before and didn't bother to research it before I placed my order, how unlike me!  Yes it's a risk (especially for someone who hates wasting money!) but it's a lipstick, with a cat in it.  What was I meant to do?

After a little bit of reading, I found that it's actually created using a Japanese candy making technique called 'Kinatro - ame'.  This is when layers of candy (or makeup in this case) are rolled together meaning that the cat face shape runs through the whole bullet of lipstick.

I've spent too long for my own good staring at this lipstick - the gorgeous case and tiny detailed cat face! And yes I was scared to ruin it and actually use the lipstick but when I did I was actually very impressed!
The lipstick has a sheer and creamy formula, it contains cocoa seed butter, jojoba seed oil, lavender oil, orange flower water and white lily extract which makes the lipstick very nourishing and moisterising.  However, this also means they do also have a limited wear time and need re-applying after 2-3 hours but the neutral shade and sheer formula make this very easy to do without a mirror.
This was definitely my favourite shade, it's the neutral pick of the Autumn 2015 collection and is a great everyday shade.  A little more brown toned but very similar to MAC Patisserie which is my current favourite lipstick.  If I had the money I'm sure I would try to get my hands on the red shade which also looks gorgeous!

Paul & Joe Autumn 2015 lipstick in 'Cafe Espresso 095' - £14

Paul & Joe Autumn 2015 lipstick case - £7

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THE PERFECT FACE SPF?

Previously when I've looked into buying a facial sun cream any decent ones seem to be way out my budget and the cheaper alternatives still come with that greasy look which makeup just doesn't stick to.  But finally I've managed to find the middle ground, and it's fab!

The Eucerin Mattifying Sun Fluid for Face doesn't come with the greasy sheen associated with most sun creams but you can also pick it up in Boots for only £12!  I was a bit sceptical about this at first because I hadn't heard of it before, but I was pleasantly surprised.  Eucerin is known for being good to skin, catering for allergies and sensitive skin.  Not only does it have SPF 50+ and UVA and UVB protection due to it's UV filter system but it also helps with biological cell protection to help protect against sun-induced damage and contains licorice which is a well known anti-oxidant and protects cells in the deeper epidermal skin layers.  I like knowing that my skin is well protected, especially from the sun!

But possibly even better than that, the sun fluid has a very runny texture that melts into your skin easily and disappears!  There's no residue left, no weird white cast, and it doesn't look greasy!  It just looks and feels like skin, but with all that protection!  Because it looks and feels just like skin it goes well underneath makeup.  That brings me onto it's mattifying properties, I'm happy to report they got the balance just right here, no it's not shiny like a sun cream but it also doesn't take all the glow out of my skin either.
And just to top it all off, it comes in this handy little bottle which is perfect for travelling because, let's be honest, no one needs SPF 50+ in the UK. 

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5 PRODUCTS I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT

As a beauty blogger, I feel like we are often asked about our holy grail, favourite products.  So I thought I would share my very favourite products with you, most of which have never featured on my blog before but are well worth a mention!
Benefit's Hoola Bronzer has been a staple in my makeup collection since I got it as a present a few years ago.  I genuinely don't think it has left my makeup bag since then!  No other bronzer I've tried has the same natural bronze colour which also works amazingly well as a contour shade as it doesn't have a warm undertone and it's matte too.  I've even used this as an eyeshadow!  Yep, I don't think I could live without this bronzer!

The NARS Sheer Glow Foundation is a more recent addition to my collection having only started using this at the start of the year.  I wont babble on about this for too long because you've probably already heard it all but basically; it's dewy, but not shiny - medium coverage but buildable - I love it - packaging could definitely be improved.

L'Oreal's Superliner Perfect Slim was one of my firm favourites last year and I wore it almost everyday!  Since then I've gone off eyeliner, but if I ever fancy a winged liner look this is what I will use!  It's very user friendly as it has a sharp felt tip aswell as being very black and longlasting!

A slightly strange one here but the Nivea Hydrocare Lip Balm is amazing! I've tried my fair share of lip balms over the years and this one is the best!  It has a lovely subtle scent, SPF 15, and is very hydrating but what wins me over is the perfect balmy texture - it's not matte but not glossy either, meaning it applies smoothly to the lips and sits perfectly under lipsticks!  And the best bit?  It's only £1.55.

And finally, if you haven't tried the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer you've probably heard loads about it!  So I will keep this one short and sweet; it packs amazing high coverage with easy application, long lasting superpowers and all for a mere £4.19!  This concealer can do no wrong and I couldn't be without it!

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NOTD: PEACHELLA

Since I'm a bit obsessed with nail varnishes, I'm keen to upload more NOTD (Nails of the day) posts.
Peachella is a recent addition to my collection and I'm loving it!  Its part of the Rita Ora collection for Rimmel which launched earlier this Spring.  The collection features other bright and summer inspired shades but 'Peachella' caught my eye as a shade that would go perfectly with a tan.  As you can probably tell, I'm currently lacking in the tan department but once I've been on holiday and look a bit more bronzed I think this shade will be gorgeous!  However at the moment I think this shade looks a little bit odd on paler skin.  As usual, the Rimmel polishes are amazing quality for the bargain price!  I find this shade doesn't really chip for a good 3-4 days and it has a lovely glossy finish but does still require a top coat in my opinion.
Overall, I'm impressed with the quality of this polish and love the collection but I think this colour will be much better post holiday.  I will report back when I'm a bit more bronzed!

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YSL ROUGE VOLUPTE SHINE

Let me introduce you to my favourite summer lipstick; YSL Rouge Volupte Shine - Shade 15, Coral Intuitive.

I was gifted this gorgeous lipstick at Christmas and was so thrilled with it, but now its summer and this lipstick has really come into its own.  Firstly, how beautiful is this packaging?  This is my first and only YSL product and lets just say I love carrying this around in my bag (as you can see from all the scratches) and staring at it because its just that gorgeous!  But anyway, aside from the shiny luxurious packaging, the product inside is just as stunning.  The range of Rouge Volupte Shine lipsticks are the sheerer of YSL's lipsticks, they are designed to give a dazzling colour whilst also offering a luminous shine and comfort, and they don't disappoint.  This lipstick applies so smoothly and easily straight from the bullet and gives a wash of peachy pink/coral colour to the lips.  I'm obsessed with these sorts of colours, they look so natural but add a pop of pretty colour.  I'm also aware that these could be seen as just a glorified tinted lip balm, but what really separates them is the more pigmented formula and silky smooth texture as well as being very moisterising and comfortable.  However, you can expect with such a sheer, glossy formula that the lasting power of these isn't all that great and it has no chance of looking perfect after a burger!  But the amazing quality and sheerer finish means that this is no trouble to apply on the go and even without a mirror.
Yep, its fair to say I'm well and truly obsessed.  And rightly so!  If you've tried this or want to try it, feel free to leave me a comment, it would be nice to know I'm not the only one falling in love with a lipstick!

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BOURJOIS HEALTHY MIX

My makeup collection has always lacked a good, lightweight foundation or tinted moisteriser.  I fell head over heels in love with the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation back in December but since then my skin has cleared up and the weather has warmed up meaning my skin has been craving a lighter base but with the same dewy finish.

So, after hearing lots of hype about the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation I went into Superdrug and picked it up in the shade N52 - Vanilla along with the matching Healthy Balance Powder.

The foundation aims to give a flawless complexion whilst leaving the skin luminous and hydrated. It contains apricot to give radiance, melon for hydration and apple to protect youthful skin, giving it a fruity fragrance which I actually quite like. The foundation is enriched with crystalline pigments which evens out the complexion whilst also giving a natural glow.  I've heard from other bloggers that this foundation has low coverage which was just what I was after.  As promised the finish is luminous and healthy looking which I love!  As expected the coverage is low, therefore if you have blemished skin this product won't give you a flawless finish.  However, on good skin days this stuff is amazing! It looks just like healthy glowing skin!  This is going to be a summer staple for me.

The matchingpowder is very finely milled and aims to give a matte finish to the skin but with a natural and healthy glow.  I really love the packaging of this because the compact is well made and feels durable (unlike my great, but flimsy Rimmel Stay Matte Powder).  It also has a large mirror which will be great on a night out or in my handbag.  It also contains fruit extracts such as Yuzu fruit which helps to prevent shine and Sharon fruit to hydrate the skin.  As this powder is so finely milled it blends into the skin seamlessly and doesn't look cakey or heavy at all.  However, this powder is quite a bit more expensive than most drugstore powders, is it worth the money? I'm not sure, it's nice but I would rather invest my money in a lipstick or mascara.

P.S. There is currently 3 for 2 on Bourjois products at both Superdrug and Boots, thank me later!

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ZOEVA EYE BRUSHES

I've never quite got the hang of eye makeup, although I love a good mascara, eyeshadow has never been my thing.  I think it can go wrong so easily and I've been happy enough without it.
But recently, with a few events coming up I'm feeling the need to wear a bit of something on my eyes so I decided to encourage me (just as gym-goers buy new gym gear) I would update my (very) old eye brush collection.

Not wanting to spend a lot of money as I'm not sure how much use these brushes will get, I had a look through the Zoeva brushes on Beauty Bay (very quick delivery I might add!).  After eyeing up their classic eye collection I decided to just buy a few I wanted.

If I'm going for a full eye-makeup look I will use all of these brushes, and here's how:
The 232 / luxe classic shader is super soft and perfect for applying colour all over the lid for a great base.  I then use the 221 / luxe soft crease brush to blend colours together.  This brush has been likened to the famous MAC 217 as its so soft and fluffy!
The 226 / smudger is then ideal for applying shadow along the lower lashline due to the short bristles and thin shape which give lots of control.  Its also great for, as the name suggests, smudging pencil liner for a smoky look.
And finally, if I want to add some gel liner, I will use the 317 / wing liner to create the perfect feline flick!  I've needed a new liner brush for such a long time so this is a great upgrade from my grotty old one which I've used for years.

I wouldn't say I'm converted to an everyday eyeshadow/liner wearer just yet but that time might be coming!

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MOLECULE 01

Is there a blogger who hasn't tried this perfume?  Probably not!  And I can see why it's such a cult product!

I have to say I bought this solely on it's great reviews and actually had no idea what it smelt like as I bought it online.  At first sniff I was disappointed, it was nice, but not as amazing as I expected.  But a few days and load of compliments later, I was convinced I loved it!

First of all, the science of this perfume is so cool!  It's created using a single ingredient called 'Iso E Super' which is often used as a base note to many perfumes which adds a sense of allure. To the wearer it has a subtle velvety-woody note which melds with your pheromones to create a different fragrance which is equally amazing on everyone.  The scent vanishes and then resurfaces after some time but I notice that other people detect it more than I do!  This perfume is definitely a people-pleaser!
The scent is very unisex which I love more because I'm not a fan of very sweet and girly fragrances.

The fact that this doesn't have a lid is inconvenient because it means it's hard to travel with.  I bought the travel version which comes with a aluminium case that prevents leaks and breakage but I find this is bulky and heavy to carry too!

Aside from that I absolutely love this perfume!  It's perfect for everyday and evening wear and will definitely be repurchasing!

Escentric molecules - Molecule 01 perfume

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SKIN PERFECTION?

Hellooo!  Sorry I've had a few weeks off but as I mentioned in my Fitness Fix post, I've been on holiday!  I jetted off to Lanzarote for a week and although I didn't take any photos you can take a look at my instagram here.

Next year I will hopefully be off to university and that means my budget for skincare will go from Liz Earle and Clarins to some cheaper alternatives.  So I've started early to try and find some great products at a uni-friendly price.

I was given this L'Oreal Skin Perfection gift set for my birthday and I have been giving it a go over the last month.

I was excited to try the micellar water as it has been compared a lot to Bioderma.  I have been using Bioderma for the past year but I am about half way through and I'm reluctant to use the rest so this makes a nice substitute.  It doesn't work quite as effectively as Bioderma and leaves a slightly sticky residue on the skin but that drys down in a matter of minutes.  Aside from that, this is a lovely alternative for a fraction of the price (currently only £3.33!)!  It removes makeup gently and doesn't irritate my skin.

The set also came with the day moisteriser and I was surprised at how much I loved this!  It's made for ladies in their 20s and 30s and although I'm not there yet it won't be long!  The cream is lightweight but still very hydrating and has a cooling effect on the skin.  But what I love most about this product is the primer-like quality it has.  It smooths out and reduces the size of pores and fine lines (should you have any) which saves me having to apply a primer in the morning too!  My only grudge is the very bulky and heavy packaging which is impossible to travel with and a bit excessive really.

Overall, L'Oreal have done a great job here!  These products are very affordable and have a high quality feel to them, I will be buying both products again!

Let me know if you have any great budget skincare buys!

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THE SUNDAY FACE

Sundays are made for cosy jumpers, slipper socks and no makeup.  But if I find myself  going for a walk, visiting family or out for lunch and need something to make myself a little more presentable I grab four products and go.

My skin isn't exactly perfect and I need a bit of coverage so the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer helps to even things out a bit and brighten up my face.  I love this stuff!  I think I've gone through about five of these now, the coverage is so good for the tiny price!
Recently Iv'e been sporting a more defined brow and I've been loving the Soap & Glory Archery brow pencil and brush in 'hot chocolate'.  The quality of this is also great, it's precise and has a good spoolie (always a must!).
I rarely step out of the house without some mascara on!  I find that mascara makes the biggest difference to my makeup and really makes me look more awake.  Currently I've been loving the Benefit They're Real mascara, you can buy this cute mini mascara from Boots stores.
A lip product is optional, some people are fine with a lip balm but personally I like a bit more colour so I dabbed some of my Rimmel Apocolips Lip Lacquer in 'celestial' on the centre of my lips and blended it out a bit with my finger to create a stain.

What's your makeup choice for a lazy Sunday?

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ROSE GOLD GHD'S

I've never been into styling my hair much because I know how damaging it can be and I wanted to grow my hair.  Now its near enough the length I want it and I can start styling more!  So I decided it was about time I invested in some ghd's but my mum beat me to it and bought me these gorgeous rose gold ones for Christmas!

The rose gold set comes with the professional ghd V styler, roll bag (including heat resistant mat) and two clips.
Let's start with the styler!  It heats up so quickly which makes styling so much less of a chore and the results are so much better than my Babyliss straighteners that I have had for years!  It takes so much less time to straighten my stubborn hair!
You are also able to create curls and waves with the styler.  I've tried to achieve this and I'm improving but its not easy!  So if anyone has any tips about curling with straighteners please leave them in the comments!

The roll bag is a thing of beauty! I'm slightly in love with the rose gold hardware on this handy bag which just helps to keep everything neat and tidy (and stop me losing things).  The bag comes with a detachable heat resistant mat which is so practical!  I use this for my curling tong too!
The set includes two clips which is a lovely edition!  I haven't used these much because I don't usually have the time to section my hair but they have good grip and I'm sure they will be useful when I have more time!

What is your favourite styling tool?

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NARS NEWBIES

It's no secret that NARS is by all means my favourite makeup brand and I was lucky enough to receive a few items for my 18th birthday recently from friends and family.

One of my closest friends knows me far too well and bought me this gorgeous pure matte lipstick in the shade 'amsterdam' along with vodka!  I've never tried the pure matte lipsticks before and haven't heard much about them but I have been very impressed!  The colour is just beautiful, amsterdam is described as a garnet red (warm and deep) that's very wearable.  The formula is also lovely as expected!  The lipstick contains wild mango butter and vitamin E which prevent your lips from drying out and have antioxident benefits, whilst it's also long wearing due to the matte finish.

My mum bought me the hyped up sheer glow foundation which I have been longing to try for months now!  I have the shade 'mont blanc' which is the second lightest and it's a perfect match.  The shade is slightly yellow toned which helps to even out redness in my skin.  As I'm sure you will know, the sheer glow foundations have a dewy finish which brightens up the skin, I was concerned that this might not work well with my slightly oily skin but I've found that a bit of powder stops things from getting too shiny.
However, the fact that you need to buy the pump separately annoys me because my mornings seem to get a bit messy! I've also noticed the slightly odd scent, I can deal with it but it's got nothing on Rimmel's Wake Me Up!

What have you added to your makeup collection recently?

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APOCOLIPS

Big shout out to my laptop which has once again decided to crash, hence the lack of posts around these parts! 

Rimmel released the apocolips lip lacquers over a year ago but I never picked any up because I hated the idea of shiny, sticky lips. A year on and I have moved on from my beloved matte finishes and I'm opting for something a little more glossy. Lip lacquers are highly pigmented lipglosses which last well on the lips and I'm loving them!

I picked up two shades, the first is celestial, a peachy-pink nude shade. This one is fairly natural and is a lovely everyday shade that's easy to wear. The second is galaxy, a slightly deeper plum toned shade with some shimmer. I have been wearing celestial on an almost daily basis recently and have had a few compliments when wearing it, galaxy is lovely when I want something a bit more bold but without the hassle of a red lip.

Aside from the lovely shades, the formula of these is a winner! They are so comfortable to wear and after half an hour or so they dry down from their shiny finish to something more satin and natural which lasts pretty well. I also love the doe-foot applicator which holds a little 'pool' of product and makes outlining your lips so damn easy!  I've found that if you apply a very thin layer using the back of the applicator, the finish is immediately less glossy and it lasts far longer.  Last but not least, the packaging of these is just lovely and for your money's worth, you can't really go wrong. I can now see what all the hype was about! I'm so impressed with these, need I say more?

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THE POUCH POST

Bit of a strange title? Yes.  But what most people call a makeup bag, I call a pouch because not only does it keep all of those essential beauty bits in one place but it also holds various other day to day items.  So, without further ado, here is my pouch:

The 'pouch' itself is from The Body Shop, it came with a range of Vitamin E products in but due to its small-ness and see-through-ness it is now my pouch!

First up; hair saviours.  A dry shampoo can solve a multitude of hair issues and this tiny batiste one does the job well.  Along with that, I also carry around a texturising spray (Umburto Giannini - backcomb in a bottle) and a few clips, grips and hair bands/elastics to create a hairstyle in minutes.  Oh, and I never forget my mini hairbrush, complete with a mirror.

For makeup, I have the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer, a mini They're Real mascara, Avon glimmerstick eyeliner, lip balm, Nars velvet matte lip pencil in Dolce Vita and oil absorbing sheets.  It doesn't seem like much but it corrects many a makeup malfunction, shiny face? Sudden spot?  Dry, chapped lips?  Worn off eye-makeup?  Faded lipstick?  I've got it all covered!

On top of that I also carry around a mini Aveeno moisteriser (which works on face, body and hands), mini Black Peony by ZARA perfume, ibuprofen (surprisingly handy!), safety pins (in case of a wardrobe malfunction), gum, and blister plasters.

It may seem like a lot but the beauty of the 'pouch' is that you can simply move it from one bag to the next and know that you will be covered!

What's in your 'pouch'?

P.S. I have to apologise for my blogging break.  I have been so busy lately and haven't felt inspired to post anything.  I don't want blogging to become a chore for me so decided it was best to take a break, hopefully I will be posting a bit more regularly now though.

GREAT SKIN IN 5 MINUTES?

Myself and face masks have never quite agreed.  It was probably because I can't sit still for 10-15 minutes without moving my face and avoid scaring the cat!  But, I have found a game changer!  The Sanctuary 5 minute thermal detox mask (quite a mouthful!) has become a bit of a skin hero over the past month or so.

I love applying this mask to a damp face once or twice a week after cleansing and then washing it off in the shower, minimal effort?  Yes please!
As this mask is designed for oily skin it's right up my street.  The warming properties open up your pores, allowing the charcoal and kaolin clay ingredients help to de-congest skin and draw out impurities.  This mask also contains myrrh which calms and soothes skin, leaving your complexion silky soft and deeply cleansed.

I have noticed that after use, my skin looks brighter, less congested and redness is reduced.  Unfortunately there don't seem to be many longer term benefits but for a quick skin fix, this mask is a must!

The Sanctuary 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask - £10.50

#BROWTHISWAY

Please give a big round of applause to my new found brow hero; brow this way!

For months now I have been searching for a new brow gel/crayon/pencil as mine just wasnt doing the job quite right, and I think I have found it in Rimmel's latest brow release!
Although it seems like a take on Benefit's 'gimme brow', a product I have been debating whether to pick up for months now.  It is similar in the fact that it is a tiny tinted brow gel which adds both colour and keeps everything in place, the shade range is also very similar, it offers a light, medium and dark brown (I have dark brown).  Although I have not tried 'gimme brow', the main difference I have noticed is the wand.  The Rimmel wand is larger and picks up a little too much product which makes application a little difficult and it takes longer.  However, the formula of the product itself is lovely!  It gives my brows a natural thickness in just the right colour and keeps them in place all day, its not as pigmented or precise as I would like for an evening look but for an everyday makeup look, this works perfectly.
But, lets not forget the unbelievable price of this!  At £3.99 its not going to make much of a dent in your bank balance, so why not?

What is your brow hero?

Rimmel - Brow this way - £3.99

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS: ST TROPEZ BRONZING MOUSSE

For years now I have used gradual tanners and recently been getting into wash off tanners and once or twice had the occasional spray tan.  But proper self tan at home?  The idea has always made my knees shake!  The risk of being tangoed seems so much higher but today I thought I would bite the bullet and go for it! Eeek!

Last week I picked up a miniature of the St Tropez Bronzing Mousse 50ml for £10 *insert shocked emoji face* as I wanted to reduce the risk of being tangoed as much as possible and I have heard great things about this line.  I also bought a the cheapest tanning mitt I could find for application.

I watched this video about how to apply the tan, then exfoliated with Rub Rub Rub by Lush and moisturised with the Vaseline Cocoa radiant moisturiser (save £1.51 at Superdrug) concentrating on the dryer areas of skin such as elbows, knees, hands and feet.

As instructed, I started by using 2 pumps per arm, then 4 pumps per leg using the mitt to blend everything in and use any excess on my hands and feet.  I focused the colour on places that my skin would naturally tan, such as the tops of my arms and legs to create a natural looking tan.  I also applied 4 pumps to the rest of my body, although I wouldn't usually do this step, I know that I am going to be in a bikini next week on holiday and therefore want an all-over colour.
The tan didn't feel uncomfortable on my skin whilst I waited for the colour to develop and the 'biscuit' tan smell was almost undetectable! (it actually smells quite nice)
I then waited 4 hours and took a shower.  The result?

I was left with lovely bronzed skin that looked like I had just spent a few days in the sun.  As I am already a little bit tan from that heatwave the other week I just wanted a top up before I go away again but would be intrigued to see how this works on paler skin and leaving it to develop for a bit longer.

Overall, the process of using this was very easy, stink free and it gave a lovely, even colour.  I look forward to using this more and promise to report back!

St Tropez Bronzing Mousse 120ml (currently on offer at Superdrug) - £18.49

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VISIBLY CLEAR PINK GRAPEFRUIT WASH

So, a little while back I ran out of my Liz Earle cleanse and polish hot cloth cleanser and in a panic I picked this up from the supermarket.  In all honesty I wasn't sure what to expect, although I remembered trying a sample of this yonks ago!

The Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit cleanser by Nutrogena is a gel cleanser, a formula I have got along with in the past but have recently been loving creamier formulas, it smells (not surprisingly) of pink grapefruit which makes it very refreshing and a great pick-me-up in the morning.
It claims to 'eliminate spots and blackheads with a fresh clean feel'.  Eliminates spots? I don't think so! Although this cleanser reduces them I am yet to find any cleanser that eliminates them!  However, you are left with a lovely fresh feel as promised.

So, after trying and testing this for over a month, I have actually noticed a slight improvement in my skin.  I honestly think that this is because it is so quick, completing a morning cleanse is no biggie and my skin has loved the change!
The only downside, my skin no longer feels as smooth or deeply cleansed on a regular basis as it did when I was using the Liz Earle cleanser.  It has meant that I have started to introduce a regular exfoliant into my routine.

Overall, I love that this cleanser makes cleansing so easy and quick which really encourages me to cleanse every morning (as well as night).  And I haven't even mentioned the best thing ... its under a fiver!
Perfect for those on a budget!

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit wash - £4.94


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THE WET BRUSH

When I first heard about this brush I was a bit sceptical to be honest. I mean, what can one brush have over hundreds of others? 

But I have to say I have been proved wrong by this release. The wet brush, despite the name, can be used on both wet and dry hair and works well on both but is defiantly more impressive on wet hair.
The brush features very flexible and soft bristle tips which make brushing easy and are 'guaranteed' not to fall off.  It also helps to prevent hair loss (luckily not a problem for me) and split ends.  Together, this creates noticeably smooth brushing with no tugging whatsoever!
This wonder brush also claims to keep hair healthier and younger, which I can certainly see happening as it has lived up to every other claim!

Admittedly, it's not the cheapest brush on the market, however it does such a good job I would happily pay more!  Also, it's not the easiest to get hold of.  I can't find any main stores that stock it, I bought mine from TKMaxx for £7.99 (reduced from £12.95) so I would recommend looking in your local TKMaxx but my hairdresser also sells them so next time you go for your trim, there is no harm in asking!

One of the best things about this, is that there is no need to bring a wide-tooth comb and hairbrush on holiday.  It's all in one beautifully smoothing and tug-free brush!

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