Mini French Beauty Haul

 

 When Darren told me a few weeks ago that he would be going to Paris for work for three days, my first thought (after "can I go too?!") was Oooh...French pharmacies!!

 

Any beauty blogger or beauty lover worth their salt are well aware that the French hold a veritable Aladdin's cave of products and brands when it comes to beauty, and their pharmacies are truly the cave of wonders!

 

Stocking brands which we mere Brits can only find in very upscale or Central London pharmacies, or online, both with a very high price tag, the French truly know what they are doing when it comes to the beauty and skincare market, and I was very excited when Darren told me he would be heading there...so...obviously a list was drawn out!

 

Now my list contained about 6 things, which can be found in pharmacies and 5 things, which can be found in Sephora (seriously people, we need to petition to get Sephora reinstated in London!) Darren was very good and went to 3...yes...3 pharmacies for me, to try and find my bits. The boy didn't do too badly. They were out of stock of a couple of the Bioderma bits, so I ended up with 3 pharmacy treasures - the Caudalie Beauty Elixr (L'Wren Scott limited edition bottle), the Caudalie Micellar water and a tube of Homeoplasmine.

 

The two Caudalie products are divine! I fancied a change from my normal micellar water of choice, Bioderma, so I thought I'd give the Caudalie version a go! It's lovely. Does what Bioderma does and smells gorgeous. It's soothing and removed my make-up easily and effortlessly and the grape extract made it super hydrating.

The Elixr is a "beauty mist." The bottle is gorgeous (besides the point I know) It's plant based and soothes, hydrates and tightens the pores - miracle in a bottle. It sprays lightly onto the face and you feel instantly...well, I guess the word is "Ahhhhhhh." It has a lovely herby scent and makes an excellent refresher at any point in the day. I also spray it on before I moisturise in the morning and evening and it's just gorgeous really.

 

There has been a lot of hype about Homeoplasmine. A multi purpose balm or pomade, which has become a cult beauty favourite. It's talked about A LOT and I was keen to give it a go. It's been hailed as the "ultimate balm" and is a must-have for models, make-up artists, nail technicians...you name it. It's basically one of the items, like Vaseline, which helps soothe irritated skin, dry skin, sunburn, chapped lips, chapped skin...everything. It is also an excellent lip balm and a teeny dab on the old cheekbones makes them pop! Another score! 

 

Next was Sephora. Sadly, they didn't have the Hourglass products I wanted, but Darren did manage to get his hands on a couple of the Cream Lip Stains and an eyebrow pencil complete with spoolie (don't you love that word?!) The Cream Lip Stains have had a bit of hype, so I wanted to give them a go. I opted for a nude shade and a deep berry shade - perfect for day and night. They apply easily and smoothly, like a lip gloss, but they have SO much pigment! Seriously, these are as pigmented as a lipstick but have the creamy consistency of a lip balm. The staying power is brilliant, however, as with most stains, they are slightly drying, but I popped on a dab of Homeoplasmine and, perfection! Love, love, love them!

Not much to say about the eyebrow pencil, except it is the perfect shade for my almost black eyebrows and glides on and blends out nicely. Job done!

So there you have it. Not a bad mini haul really. The boy did good but I am already planning the next haul.

Have you tried out any of these products? What are your French Pharmacy must-haves? Enjoy x

Botanics Shine Away Face Mask

You know when you find a product you really fall in love with and you want to shout it from the rooftops?

OK, you might not all be as mad as I am, but when I like something...I like it a lot!

I recently came across the Ionic Clay Mask from the Botanics range in Boots and remembering reading about it on some of my favourite blogs, I decided to give it a go. I haven't bought a new face mask in a long time, as I find my skin doesn't always react well to them. I have uber sensitive skin and for some reason, masks always make me either break out or makes my skin go all red and dry.

What I loved about this mask is the fact that 1) it doesn't break the bank (it comes in at under £6) 2) you only need to use it once a week and 3) there were not a lot of nasties in the ingredients.

I picked up a tube and trotted home, where I used it in the evening after removing my make up and cleansing with the normal Bioderma and Liz Earl Hot Cloth Polish. The instructions recommend applying to clean, dry skin and leaving on for 10 minutes before washing it off. I left it on for slightly less than 10 minutes - right after the clay turned hard and started to crack when I smiled. A quick wash off and my skin was clear, squeaky clean, bright and refreshed! I finished off with my Pixi Glow Tonic and Origins Ginzing moisturiser and was left with very happy, very clean skin.

The clay in the mask really draws out impurities and leaves you feeling fresh and clean, without feeling dried out.

This is the first Botanics product I have tried and I really loved it! Have you tried this mask? What are your top budget masks? Enjoy x 

Pixi Glow Tonic Vs Ren Clarifying Toning Lotion

I have been a big fan of the cult product Glow Tonic by beauty brand Pixi for quite a while. I picked up a full size bottle from their Carnaby Street store back in August (read about it here) and I am only just running out now. Keep in mind I have been using it pretty much every morning and evening since August, so my £16 went a very long way.

However, now that I have only a few pumps left (sob) I thought about repurchasing OR trying out something new. Toning is such an important part of the skin care regime and I do not take it lightly.

I have been hearing some very good things about Ren's Clarifying Toning Lotion and after going back and forth between repurchasing or trying something new, I decided to give the Ren toner a go.

I picked it up at my local M&S (yes they stock Ren! How amazing?!) and at £18 for a bottle, it is £2 more expensive than the Pixi Glow Tonic, but seeing as these products last so long, it's worth the investment.

So what do I think? It might be a little too early to say it, but I love it! It is an exfoliating toner, much like the Glow Tonic, but it is very gentle. It contains Salicilin, Glycolic Acid and Tartaric Acid, which all help to unclog pores, get rid of dead skin cells, prevent breakouts and tone. I used it for the first time at night and my skin felt so refreshed and clean, and in the morning, I noticed a difference in the brightness and softness in my skin.

Overall, I am very happy with this toner. It really leaves your skin soft, bright and feeling utterly toned and cleansed. I use it after my Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm and Bioderma and always follow with either my Origin's Ginzing moisturiser or an over night Youth Code by L'Oreal.

Have you tried the Ren Clarifying Toning Lotion or the Pixi Glow Tonic? Which do you rate? Enjoy x

My "Go To" Smoky Eye

Since having my little man, I've had to device a quick and simple, yet still pretty, look, which I can wear everyday (weekdays mind you...on the weekends when hubby can take over for a bit and I have more time, I get a bit more creative).

So I came up with a subtle smoky eye using brown shades and a gentle glowing look. I have to admit, since using Bioderma and Pixi's Glow Tonic (check out the review here) my skin has looked far better, making it look more refreshed and glowing after each use.

The products I chose to create the look are: Maybelline The Rocket mascara, MAC Mineral SPF Foundation, Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer, Benefit Sugarbomb bronzer, Benefit Hervana blusher, Collection Work The Colour Eyeshadow Pencil, Maybelline Master Drama Kohl Liner and my Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Expert Face brush.

After cleansing and moisturising with Bioderma, Pixi Glow Tonic and Steam Cream, I apply the Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer with my fingers (I picked up a sample of this but will be purchasing it ASAP!) which gives your skin a really pretty dewy glow.

Once primed, I take my MAC foundation and apply it with my fingers before blending it into my skin with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, making sure it's blended perfectly into my skin. This foundation leaves a lovely, light coverage and maintains the dewy look.

To give my face a bit more colour, I apply the Sugarbomb bronzer just under my cheekbones (quick tip: roll your brush down your cheek until you feel your cheekbone for the best place to apply) with an E.L.F. brush. This makes your cheekbones pop and gives a nice contoured look.

Then I use the Hervana blush on the apples of my cheeks to add a pop of colour and highlight. Once both bronzer and brush are applied, I use the same brush to gently buff them together to it looks natural. You are then left with a subtle yet defined look.

Onto the eyes. Using the Collection Eyeshadow Pencil, I draw on colour all over my eye lids then using an eyeshadow brush, I gently blend the colour into the sockets and up to the eyebrow, creating more depth at the outer corners and in the sockets.

Using my Maybelline Master Drama Kohl liner I draw carefully over the lash line. This kohl is super soft and blends beautifully. Once drawn on, I gently buff the black kohl so the line is not so intense but creates a gorgeous smoky look, without being too dramatic.

I then take the Rocket mascara and apply to both the top and bottom lashes and with the same brush I used to buff the kohl and eyeshadow into the top lids, I gently buff the bottom lid to give just a touch of the colour and add a tiny bit more definition to the final look.

And there you have it. An easy very wearable smoky eye, which lasts all day and can be made more evening appropriate by simply adding a touch more kohl to the bottom and top lids.

I haven't applied a lip colour yet, as that totally depends on where you are going. For daytime, I use a Benefit crème lipstick, which lasts well and leaves enough colour and sheen to look natural yet gives a bit of a statement.

What do you think of this overall look? Do you have a "go to" look, which you use frequently? Enjoy x

Skin Care Haul

Well I have been a bit naughty over the last week. I've spent a little bit of money on a few skin care goodies, which I have had my eyes on for ages.

A couple of these are cult skin care must haves, which, bloggers in particular, deem as Holy Grail products and I felt it was about time I tried them out for myself...the hype was worth buying into.

The first beauty product I picked up was last weekend from the gorgeous Pixi boutique in Carnaby Street, where I walked straight in and asked for a bottle of Glow Tonic, and made sure I left before I could spend any more money...a tricky thing to do let me tell you! I did grab a couple of samples of their new primer, which after trying, is now on my birthday list. Anyway, back to the Glow Tonic. Yes this is fabulous. Pixi Glow Tonic is a an alcohol and oil free astringent toner, it contains aloe and witch hazel to smooth and tone the skin and glycolic acid to loosen the dead skin and exfoliate. The glow tonic claims to "firm and tighten the skin, remove dead skin cells and is for dry, dull and ageing skin"

OK, so I've been using it for a week and I'm already in love. At £16 for 250mls this is a bit of a treat, but you only need a couple of pumps on a cotton wool pad so it will last ages. I use it in the morning and in the evening after cleansing. My skin looks so much brighter and it feels so soft. It feels so hydrating and the witch hazel helps to eliminate blemishes. 

Worth the hype? Yes I think so! The only issue is you can't get this online so you need to pick it up in store or order by mail order.

Next up is a definite cult product - Bioderma. Pretty much only available in France, this super popular cleanser is now available at limited stockists in London, yay! Bioderma's famous micellar water cleanser is both thorough and gentle, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin. The range is developed with significant input from dermatologists and renowned research centres and was initially intended for medical prescription. Which explains why it it is so amazing. Again, I use this every morning and evening. It removes make up like a dream and leaves my skin feeling silky soft, totally clean and looking great. I got my hubby to pick me up a bottle from John Bell and Croyden on Wigmore Street and I love it. Again, it's not cheap (£14 for a 250ml bottle) but yes, it is worth the hype (and the schlep to pick it up)!

Finally I picked up a tin of Steam Cream yesterday at none other than Tesco! The Tesco Extra in Watford has just had a massive make over and now has an incredible beauty section. I had a quick look today and my eyes immediately fell upon the display of limited edition Steam Cream. I had to do a double take because I love Steam Cream and I couldn't believe they are now sold at Tesco. Yes darling I'm just doing the weekly shop...and picking up a beauty treat for myself too...well, it is next to the cereal aisle! If you've never used Steam Cream before, it is freshly handmade in the UK and Japan with natural ingredients, which have been infused with a shot of steam, which makes it super hydrating and perfect for sensitive skin. If you haven't tried it, give it a go, you won't regret it. For £12.95 you get a gorgeously decorated tin and quite a bit of product so it is well worth it. 

So those are my new goodies. Have you tried out any of these out? What are your favourite skin care treats at the moment? Enjoy x