Origins and La Roche-Posay Life Savers

I had been looking for products that suit my dry skin for a while, because my skin was just not playing ball. Now that I think of it, the cold winter, foot operation and a bad case of glandular fever  may have had something to do with it. After my foot operation in late October, I felt that my skin was in desperate need to be moisturised  I took a trip to boots (when I could walk again) and purchased the La Roche-Posay 'Hydraphase UV Intense' which is a rehydrating moisturiser. I applied a generous amount of it before I went to sleep, and my skin felt so smooth and moisturised when I woke up the next morning, it was amazing! When I came to applying my makeup, my foundation didn't rest in any dry patches, and I had a smooth finish. I continued to use every night and even as my morning moisturiser, but found that because of it being an intense hydrating product, my foundation tended to 'slip off' my face during the day. But overall, a brilliant product, that helped me so much with my dry skin, without breaking me out, and smells lovely!

I then tried looking for a morning/everyday moisturiser, and by this time Christmas was approaching. I had wanted to try the 'Origins - Drink Up Intensive' over night mask for ages, seeing as every beauty bigger had parsed it so highly. As well as the 'Make a Different Plus' Rejuvenating moisturiser. I had seen that there was a special Christmas skincare package that was selling these two products, as well as the 'Make a Different Plus' hand cream and rejuvenation treatment lotion.' I had to have a box, and I put it straight on my Christmas list. As soon as Christmas day came, I couldn't wait to try my new products! The 'Make A Difference' moisturiser is brilliant. It sorts out my dry skin, and really makes it feel amazing! Te product does have a smell, but it isn't harsh at all, I do like and can ignore it. This is my current daily moisturiser, and unlike the La Roche-Posay product, I can use it underneath my foundation without it slipping and sliding everywhere but still give me the moisture that I need.

The 'Drink up intensive' mask is hyped up for a reason, I use it two or three times a week, depending on how my skin is feeling, to really treat my skin, and get the moisture levels where they need to be. It sinks in incredibly quickly, and isn't sticky when I want to put my head on my pillow. Its such an amazing product and I switch this and the La Roche-Posay one regularly because I love them both.

Have you tried them, what do you think?

Rachel x

Revlon Lip Butter - Peach Parfait

Literally every beauty blogger has been obsessing over the revlon lip butters, so I just had to go out and buy one! I was interested due to its 'butter' texture, which I think describes it perfectly, because its half way between a lipstick and balm. 

'Peach Parfait' - £7.99

So after looking at all the various shades, I finally decided on one of their newer spring/summer shades called 'Peach Parfait.' When I tested it on my hand, I was surprised that it really isn't a peach shade, in fact its much more on the darker pink side, with added shimmer. Its not a light as Mac's 'Hue', but I find that it is just slightly lighter than my lips which causes it to give definition without being too overpowering. Its super easy to apply straight from the tube, because its more towards the texture of a balm rather than a lipstick, and doesn't bleed into the foundation around my mouth. The lasting power is also not bad at all, although reapplication will be needed every so often. The packaging is lovely, especially with the quilted effect on the outer tube which makes it look much more luxurious than just a drug store product, as well as the colour of the tube matching the colour of the product which I find to be a really nice touch! Overall I am extremely impressed with this little product, and I have almost used the entire tube, I would defiantly recommend it, and will be purchasing more shades in the range! 

On a break until after my exams!

I've not been posting as much as I would have wanted recently, because my final A level exams are creeping that much closer everyday, so I'm dedicating my time to revision. I look forward to reviewing everything that I have bought recently (and its a lot!) after the stress of my exams is finally over! Until then, its hard work for me! x

Elizabeth Arden Haul

Recently I've been getting more and more into skincare. Now I'm lucky, and have nice skin that hardly ever breaks out (having said that, a nice one broke out on my forehead!) But for the vast majority of the time, breaks outs are not a problem for me! I always say to myself that, alright I don't have any acne, but I do have freckles that cover the entirety of my face, and have veeery pale skin. So I always think of it as some sort of compromise. 

Iv'e been researching into different high end skincare, and came across various people raving about the 'Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream,' due to its almost near 'miracle' way in which it works on the skin. After hearing many great reviews about the product, I went onto the Boots website and had a right old nosy at their products. I wanted a daily moisturizer that would hydrate and soften my skin, so I decided upon the 'Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturizer for Face SPF 15PA++ 50ml' - £29

Now when I was ordering, Boots had an offer that if you bought something from their skincare range and makeup range no matter what price, the you also received a free gift worth £77.

I really liked what I have received, although there are a few specific  'anti-aging' products that I gladly gave to my mum ( she's enjoying them!)  The large make-up bag was great for packing my essentials in it when I went to London a few weeks ago!

London Haul

I was in London last Tuesday, because I was down there for a dance audition. So my mum and I thought it was a good idea that afterwards we make our way to Oxford Street to have a nice little shop and something to eat! I went a bit wild and couldn't stop myself really, my mum had to physically take my purse off me! In saying that, it didn't help that I had just been paid too! 

1. Real Techniques - Core Collection - £21.50

2. Mac - Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle - £21.50

3. Revlon- Photoready Cream Blush in 100 Pinched - £7.99

4. Revlon - Matte Super Lustrous Lipstick in Smoked Peach - £7.49

5. Revlon - Nearly Naked Foundation - 110 Ivory - £8.99

6. Shu Uemura - Eye Lash Curlers - £20

7. Bobbi Brown - Corrector in Bisque - £18

8. Bobbi Brown- Creamy Concealer in Porcelain - £18

9. Revlon - ColourBurst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait - £7.99

Hurm.. Overload on the Revlon products there! (Boots had a 3 for 2 offer on, I couldn't resist!) 

I went into Selfridges for the High End stuff, and the woman who served me at the Bobbi Brown counter was so rude to me! I wanted to just walk away, but I really really wanted the products. That puts me off going up to makeup counters, because I find them to be quite intimidating!

What do you think?  

Sleek Blush - Flamingo Review

After receiving my April GlossyBox, I just had to do a review on this product, just to tell you all about my first impressions. Sleek is a brand that I have wanted to try for a while now, because all the beauty Youtubers rave about how good the products are, and how affordable they are. Their blushes especially are what gets people talking! So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I opened the GlossyBox to find a Sleek blush sat in there waiting for me.

Now when I opened it, the first thing that I initially thought was 'ahhh! the colour is far too bright and in your face for me!' But, despite that, I do think that the colour itself it gorgeous, despite the fact that I'm cringing at the thought of applying it to my very pale skin. However, I have a feeling that if I just apply a very small amount to my cheeks, it will just give me the glow that is needed, without looking like an ill clown!

(Yikes!)

In person, it does appear just slightly more brighter than it does in the photo, but its a beautiful bright fuchsia colour, that is very well pigmented. So like I said, if your brave enough to embrase this daring colour, then be my guest! But  for myself personally, I will be carful when applying this shade, because I don't want to end up looking too ridiculous and it being far too overpowering on my face. I think it would look good and any skin type, however, if your pale like me, I would recommend just applying a small amount to the cheek area. 

                                              

April GlossyBox

The April GlossyBox arrived at my house today, and because this is only my second box that I have received, I was excited on how it would be different to the March box last month. I decided to subscribe to GlossyBox after hearing that practically the whole world and its cat receives them, and with it generally being more than worth its £10 price tag. Last month I was happy with the products that I were in the Box, so I was waiting to see if this months box was just as good as the last one.

For starters, I love how it delivered in the special GlossyBox cardboard box, it kinda makes you feel like you are receiving some secret gift that only 'special' people get their hands on! (haha!) This month's box was designed by 'Pearl Lowe' who is an English singer songwriter turned both fashion and textiles designer. I have to say, that I would have bought the box just for the amazing print on the front of it! (The print is sooo me!)

How beautiful is that!? I can't wait to use the box for storing products in it!

I didn't know anything about which products would be in the box, so I was very keen to find out!

I was so happy with what was inside! Especially with the 'Sleek' Blusher and 'Essie' Nail polish. 

Above

1. Nip + Fab - Dry skin fix body butter in Coconut Latte

2. Yves Rocher France - So Elixir Purple Eau de Perfum 

3. A-Derma - Intense Repair Lip Balm

4. Sleek - Blush in Flamingo

5. Essie - Nail polish in Sugar Daddy

I can't wait to try everything! All in all, I think that this is a strong box this month, and if you haven't got yours yet, or subscribed.. then what are you waiting for!?

x