Wednesday, 28 March 2018

Glossier Priming Moisturizer


I bought this months ago in my first ever Glossier order. The Glossier priming moisturizer is part of their phase 1 skincare set which costs £35 (saving £8), which also includes the balm dot com and jelly cleanser. I recently put up a post about their jelly cleanser which you can read here. I have been using this for a good month or two now, and I have to say I have really enjoyed using it.

It has a cream like consistency just like a moisturiser would. This is what contributes to it feeling as though it has really sunk into the skin. At first I was a little dubious about this as many people said to skip the priming moisturiser and go straight in with their priming moisturizer rich, but when I originally ordered this my skin did not need as much priming as it does at the moment. My skin is very dry currently, I apply this after my two moisturisers and it adds the last step to try to keep my base makeup looking the best it can. It evens the skin tone, but also you are able to layer it up if necessary without it feeling too thick on the skin. I have been adding an extra layer onto the areas where my skin is particularly dry to try and prevent my foundation from flaking, budging and most importantly creating an even application.

One of the things I love about Glossier is their simplicity. They contain simple ingredients and are not pumped with lots of parabens and fragrances, which often upset my skin. All round this is a great product, which I have very much been enjoying using. It is definitely a multi-purpose product. I read in the reviews on the Glossier that many people use this just as a moisturiser day and night. Like I have said, I use this as the last stage before applying my makeup, as I think it is a little bit more than just a moisturiser and it creates a good canvas. It has a much runnier formula than what I am used to but that creates a slightly tacky base. All round for £18 each, I think this would work well on all skin types and I will be recommending it to my friends.

Lucy
xoxo
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Sunday, 25 March 2018

La Roche-Posay Skincare



With my skin turning into what feels like a desert at the moment due to my medication, I was in desperate need of some skin saving products. I have used La Roche-Posay many times, and I have always been impressed. The pricing to their products stand somewhere in the middle of drugstore and high end.

I did quite a bit of research into what products would work best for my skin. Katie Snooks has been an absolute life saver and in this video talks about how La Roche-Posay have created a range for people who are on medication for their acne. It contains ingredients which are not going to be too harsh on the skin or cause any side effects.

I was in desperate need of a cleanser which wasn't going to strip my skin of any hydration which it may have left, and if possible add some moisture. I have been using the Glossier jelly cleanser and I have really been enjoying using it, however I needed something to go alongside it which had a lighter texture. The effaclar H cleansing cream states its target audience is skin made fragile by over drying treatments. That is the definition of my skin in one sentence. I have been using this for 3 weeks now morning and night and I love it. It is a light textured cream which lathers in your hands, I then apply it to my wet face and cover my entire face. The cleanser eliminates impurities without over drying or adding any uncomfortable tightness to the skin.

The effaclar H moisturiser has been working hand in hand with the cleanser. After drying my face after using the cleanser, I then apply the multi compensating soothing moisturiser to my entire face. I need something which is going to add as much hydration and moisturiser as humanly possible. This is targeted for weak and fragile skin. I like this a lot, it has quite a thick creamy texture which does add hydration. However, I use this in combination with my Kiehl's ultra facial oil-free cream as it is not quite enough on its own.

I have never owned Elizabeth Arden's eight hour cream, but I imagine it to be just like this La-Roche Posay cicaplast baume B5 which is a soothing repairing balm. This is a double action cream which soothes and protects skin which is irritated and sensitive. It is an all round product to keep in the bottom of your handbag for when you are in need. You can use it on your face, hands, lips and body. During the day I have found that my lips and hand are what have been taken the brunt of the side effects of the medication, and I can apply this for some quick relief. It is not too thick or rich which is great as it rubs into the skin easily.

Lucy
xoxo
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Wednesday, 21 March 2018

Benefit Badgal Bang Mascara




 



Well there’s no denying Benefit went all out with the launch of their latest mascara. There was bloggers whisked off to the Maldives and they only discovered themselves whilst on the holiday what the launch was for.

I have to say I was a little underwhelmed when I heard it was another mascara. However, the Benefit mascaras are definitely what put the brand on the map. Me being me I wanted to try it out, like any launch which has such hype surrounding it. If you have been a reader of my blog since the start, you will know how much I struggle to find great mascaras. I only have a few in my collection as when I find one that I like, I stick with it until it has run out. My most recent go to has been the L’Oreal Paradise. My lashes are long but sparse so I need one that gives me the most volume possible and this does the job perfectly.

The Benefit Badgal Bang mascara states to do literally everything you would want in a mascara. It promises to lift, lengthen and add lots of volume. A bold claim which I wanted to put to the test. Now this mascara also claims to contain brand new, never before seen gravity defying ingredients which are suppose to not weigh your lashes down. It states it is a “gravity defying formula containing aero-particles one of the lightest materials, derived from space technology”. It all sounds very new and exciting.

So the most important part of a mascara for me is the wand. I think the wand is what makes a mascara a hit or miss. This one is much thinner than what I had imagined. It is in a slight cone shape which starts thicker at the top and finishes smaller at the tip. I do not think the bristles are particularly long but they differ in size along the brush. I find that the bristles grip the lashes well which helps to build length from tip to root. I also find curling my eyelashes before application definitely helps to build the volume.

A downside to this product is how wet the formula is. After I apply it I have to ensure I leave a good few minutes before adding any setting spray as it easily smudges. This can also cause smudging when first applying, and the formula can end up catching on my eyelid which can be hell of annoying when I have spent 20 minutes trying to get the perfect blended eyeshadow. Therefore, I know that I have to apply it in smaller amounts and build it up to prevent any smudges from occurring.

This is a nice mascara that does work well at building length and volume. However, I am not particularly raving from the rooftops about it. I do not think it is quite as revolutionary as it makes out, and it is not a product which I would tell my friends to run out and buy. It's a good mascara which does the job, but it still does fulfil my dream mascara expectations.

Lucy
xoxo

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Sunday, 18 March 2018

Hamburg Sephora Haul


When I went to Hamburg I may have slipped, tripped and accidentally fell into Sephora. At the moment I am on the look out for any type of hydrating products, and I bought quite a few things from Sephora's own collection. I purchased the almond foot mask, which I have tried before in the lavender scent and I loved it. This is the comforting and repair sock mask, which you wear as they are an actual pair of socks which contain moisturising properties. I also picked up the shea lip mask which protects and repairs, it looks amazing and I cannot wait to try to this. I am excited to try the purple clay mask, which can be used alone or to multi-task in combination with any of the other seven masks in this line. The purple clay masks purpose is to moisturising and smoothes. This was only about 6 euros and I was really impressed as you get 4 uses out it, it comes with a screw on lid so hopefully it will not go hard and should stay fresh for future uses.

I bought two more items from the Sephora collection, the first is the rose moisturising cream. I have never seen this before on previous visits to Sephora, and I was intrigued to try it out. The moisturising creams have a smooth and lightweight texture that quenches and brightens the skin. What drew me into buying this is how it says it hydrates and adds nourishment to the skin, but does not leave any oily or sticky residue. As I spent over a certain amount of money, the assistant gave me a free lotus sleeping mask. I did not realise until now that this was not a sample and they actually sell these on an individual basis. This sleeping mask line has a rich cream-gel texture, and aims to lock in water and reduce any signs of fatigue. I also picked up the Sephora brush cleaning sponge, which I love the idea of. There is nothing worse than the prospect of cleaning makeup brushes, it is a chore which I hate to do.

The detailing to the packaging of this new Sephora's own brand line is stunning. I started swatching the #lipstories line and the formula felt really creamy and the pigmentation was beautiful. I picked up the shade spring break (36) which has a satin finish. It is a everyday, wearable pink nude (nothing new!) and I instantly added it into my basket. At the till I was looking at all of the extra items which always draw me in. I saw this Lanolips lemonade lip treatment, and I quickly tried the tester and I loved it. It felt super soft to apply, so without a second thought I threw it in at the tills and I cannot wait to put this to the test.

I am really happy with everything which I picked up on this Sephora trip. For once, I think I actually did not go overboard and I will get good use out of all of these products. If there is any hits which I totally love, I will report back soon.

Lucy
xoxo
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Wednesday, 14 March 2018

German Supermarket Haul


In my Hamburg travel post, I mentioned that there was a supermarket which we went a little crazy in. We had been on a hot and stuffy bus tour for 2 hours, and when we got off we were very thirsty. We went into this supermarket called Rossmann for just a quick drink, but our eyes were instantly drawn in to the confectionery aisle.

Firstly, we found some cute little chocolate bars with bunnies imprinted in them. I don't know what it is, but when you are in a different country the prospect of trying new chocolate is just so exciting. I bought one bar for myself and two for little presents for my friends. These were just 0.69 each. I also bought two big chocolate bunnies for presents for my grandparents, but unfortunately one got entirely smashed on the way home as they are hollow.

On the way to the makeup aisle which I had spied at the back of the store, I stumbled across an entire stand dedicated to lip balms. I have been buying lip balms left, right and centre recently as my lips are so dry. I was really intrigued by this lip balm which cost just 0.40, it was on promotion and I wanted to test it out. There was a really great array of brands in Rossmann, and I was really impressed by the amount of makeup on offer. I only had a few minutes to have a look, as my sister knows I can spend quite a long time browsing the aisles. I saw that there was a Catrice stand, and was instantly drawn in. I have bought a few items from Cartice previously when I have been on holiday in Italy, but the brand is unfortunately not sold in the UK. First of all, I picked up their liquid camouflage full coverage concealer. I am always on the hunt for new drugstore concealers which are great, so I shall be putting this to the test shortly. I also picked up one of their liquid metal everlasting cream eyeshadows in the shade daily dose of rose, as with one swatch of the tester it looked incredible. It was shiny and shimmering rather than glittery and it felt silky soft to apply. Both of the makeup items were 3.95 each.

Whilst waiting in the queue to pay I did a bit of panic buying, throwing into my basket anything and everything which looked vaguely interesting. I added to my basket the Haribo bunnies as these just looked so cute, and the Orbit strawberry chewing gum. Everything which I bought came to 17 which I think is really good value for everything I got.

Lucy
xoxo

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Sunday, 11 March 2018

Imperial Leather Unicorn Marshmallow Foamburst



Whilst browsing the aisles of the supermarket I saw this new Imperial Leather Unicorn Marshmallow Foamburst on a stand. There's no denying that the packaging caught my eye and made me drawn into the display. I have been a huge fan of Imperial Leather's foamburst for years, and when I was younger I remember my mum buying it me as a treat. There is no denying that this instantly took me back to my childhood. I am not quite sure where this recent unicorn phenomenon has come from, but I am definitely on board with it.

The thing which I love the most of the foamburst line is how once you spray it out of the can it is a soft pink thick liquid, as soon as it hits water it instantly disputes into a thinner white foam which feels incredibly soft to touch. The best bit is applying it to your body as it feels so silky smooth, and it leaves your skin feeling moisturised. I do like the scent of marshmallow, but sometimes in products it can be a little overwhelming. In this, it contains just the right amount of sweetness and does not smell sickly.

The bottle advertises that you get 40 showers out of one bottle. I think this is a little optimistic as I always get excited and I probably squirt out a little too much. A little does go a long way though as once the water hits the liquid the amount of foam doubles in size. All in all, this is not just a fun product. I think this is actually a very good body wash and it is not just all about the gimmicks. I like the scent, it feels soft to touch, and moisturises the skin. The normal price is £3.15 which is such a bargain, but even better it is currently on an introductory offer for just £2.00 in all retailers. I am definitely going to be stocking up as it such a lovely product.

Lucy
xoxo


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Wednesday, 7 March 2018

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser




In 2017 Glossier landed in the U.K. with a bang, and as always I needed a piece of the action. On the day of the launch I was online at the crack of dawn to buy everything in sight. As always I had done my research and I wanted everything.

The milky jelly cleanser is nothing fancy, but it does not claim to be. It is a cleanser which you can use day or night as a first or second cleanser. I have been using this mostly at night after removing my makeup with micellar water, as a deeper cleanse to ensure all traces of my makeup have gone. I feel that this is a great non fuss product, and that is the exact reason why Glossier as a brand is doing so well. The cleanser is £15, which I think is a great price. Glossier has put themselves slap bang in the middle ground between the drugstore and high end.

It says to use on dry skin to dissolve makeup, or to use on wet skin as a first daily cleanse. I use this day and night but I prefer to use it on wet skin, as I think it provides a more thorough cleanse. This has a creamy gel consistency which I find leaves my skin feeling fresh and most importantly clean. I hate that feeling after using a cleanser when your skin doesn't feel thoroughly cleansed. It claims to have five essential ingredients which when combined together create this beautiful concoction of this cleanser. Like I have already said, this is a no frills product. However, this is the exact reason as to why I like it. In terms of the product containing a scent, rosewater is used rather than standard water and that gives it a very subtle scent. I am not a big fan of my skincare products having scents which are too overwhelming, but the rosewater gives the cleanser the perfect finishing touch.

As you know my skin is very dry at the moment, and this has been really great at taking my makeup off. I think this is due to not containing any harsh ingredients which could cause any further dryness or making my skin react in anyway. Glossier you get a big thumbs up on this from me on this!

Lucy
xoxo

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