Review: Top 3 Face Creams

Okay, I haven't blogged in ageeeees but today after work I was really looking forward to writing up this post. 

Recently I have been  trying out new skincare and updating my routine to suit the cooler autumn weather. One part of my skincare regime that is very important to me is moisturizing facial creams. I think it is very important to keep your face hydrated and nourished and the best way to do this is to find an everyday moisturizer  that suits your skin type best.

I have tried so so many face creams but finally I believe I have discovered my top 3!

Firstly, the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, this for me is the best I have ever tried. This 30ml bottle actually came with the Clinique 3 step skincare treatment set that I brought when on holiday in Zurich. This lotion sinks into the skin beautifully making it easy to quickly apply all over the face. What I like best about this is the difference it makes in the look of my skin. It appears more plump, bright and radiant which for me makes it the ultimate face cream.

Next up is the Balance Me Balancing Face Moisturizer. I actually got this as a sample in a Glamour magazine a few months back. I wasn't expecting to like it as I had never heard of the brand previously (however since I have heard great reviews of the brand!) This has the most amazing smell which is a great plus point, but for me the best thing about this is the calming effect it leaves on your skin. It feels so smooth and hydrated which leaves your skin looking fresh. I recently saw this in my local Waitrose so will be picking it up very soon!

Lastly is the REN T-Zone Balancing Day Fluid. This also came in a skincare set that I brought from Liberty's a little while back. It is most suitable for combination to oily skin which is perfect for me. I love this as it really evens out and balances the moisture in my skin. It also has a very fresh scent which is lovely.

What are your favourite face moisturizers?

Zurich: Day 1

Our first day at Zurich was amazing, the weather was gorgeous (32 degrees!)  so we spent most of our time walking along the lake with ice creams. I can honestly say Switzerland is somewhere I would love to live, life is so much more relaxed and the scenery is lovely. 


Come back tomorrow for Zurich day 2!

Bronzed summer glow

I have been longing for some lovely summer weather and finally the sun has made a satisfying appearance. In the summer, I like soft, glowing, radiant and bronzed makeup. The summer is also the perfect time to try out some new looks, maybe a bright lip but always keep the base of your makeup light as you don't want to look matte and dull. 
This morning I woke up to the sun rays shining through my bedroom window, quite an unusual appearance for us Brits! I love experimenting with new looks for the summer, especially as it is my favourite time of year. I love the sun it always makes me feel so cheery, I think London is lovely in the sun. I have created a glowing, bronzed makeup look on my sister this morning which I love. I used only five products as in the summer I like to look natural. I used the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation in ivory lightly over the areas she needed it like her nose to cover any redness and blemishes. I then applied the Body Shop Lightning Touch under eye brightener to highlight the eye area and cover any dark circles. Next I used one of my favourite cream blushes from Topshop in 'Head Over Heels'. This is the most gorgeous bright peachy pink and when applied just on the apples of the cheeks makes you look very flushed and glowing! The most important part of this makeup look was the bronzer as I wanted her to have a healthy glow. I used the NARS Laguna Bronzer which is the best bronzer I have ever tried. Unlike many bronzers it doesn't have too much golden shimmer so it doesn't make you look like a glitter ball in the sun. It is also a very good bronzer to contour with, but for this look I decided just to gently sweep it all over the high points of her face like the forehead, cheeks and nose. It adds a lovely bronze to the face and makes you look more radiant. Lastly, to complete this look I used the Revlon Colourburst lipgloss in Crystal lilac. I brought this as it was recommended by Fleur De Force so obviously I had to get it and add to my ridiculous collection of lip products. This finished the look of perfectly adding just a hint of pink shimmer with  lilac undertones to the lips.
When the sun shines in London, the whole city is transformed, everyone seems happier, the outdoor bistros are crowded with people lunching and any green space is crammed with sun worshipers. For me however, the sun calls for the perfect time to experiment and have fun with makeup.

Hope you are all enjoying this fab weather as much as I am, it has been long awaited.

 Let me know your favourite looks for the summer! Also, check out my sister's blog all about fashion: www.foxtrotbravo.blogpsot.com

Travel essentials

There is something enjoyable about searching out the best travel size products but it definitely helps with Boots having their own isle full of travel sized items. I have always loved going on holiday and luckily I am very well traveled with my first ever holiday abroad being when I was just 6 months old. I think it is the build up of excitement and knowing that you will be leaving behind your everyday tedious routine to enjoy a relaxing holiday that makes me look forward to holidays so much.

As you may already know, I love cosmetics, skincare and all things beauty, so rounding all my products up to only the essentials was not an easy task. Seeing as I am only away for four days I didn't want to over-pack so to help me with this I made a list of all the 'necessities' and then made a special trip to Boots to get these products in the travel sizes (under 100ml).

These are all my essentials that I use everyday, I don't feel I have gone overboard with the amount. I am planning on doing some serious duty free shopping at the airport, this has become almost routine before going on holiday.

The pharmacies in Switzerland are incredible, the range of skincare and beauty products is amazing. Also, they have many brands that we cannot easily find in the UK, as for this I am most definitely saving some Swiss francs for a trip there.

Before I leave I will be posting several more travel posts and when I get back I will upload a day by day diary of photos. Hope you are all okay,   

wardrobe essential: shirts

                                                                       
             

                       From left.. Forever 21,  Zara,  Jack Wills,  Topshop,  Jack Wills,  Zara


I love shirts... I bet you guessed that already. As you can see my collection is building up quite quickly, it seems that every time I go shopping, at least one shirt will catch my eye.  I think that shirts are a great wardrobe essential, you can dress them up and also dress them down. At the moment, I am loving the casual  and effortless look and therefore I have been pairing my shirts mainly tucked into skinny jeans and a jacket on top. 
Shirts come in different fits, colours, materials and designs which means that they are all so different from one and other meaning that you can alter your style of outfit depending on the shirt you choose to wear. 
These are all the shirts I own (minus one that was in the wash!) and I love wearing them as each time I pair them with something different and different accessories to make the outfit different. The best place to buy a good quality, fashionable shirt for me is Jack Wills. The first shirt I ever brought was from there and as I loved it so much, i ended up buying more and more and even more!
Yeh so I love shirts basically but I think I will take a break in buying more for a while, otherwise I may need a separate wardrobe just for shirts.. and that could be kind of strange!


                                                   so what is your wardrobe essential?




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Review: Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

Finding a perfect foundation is a hard process as matching the perfect shade and best type of foundation for your skin takes a lot of trial and error. I think finding the right foundation for you is the key to any makeup look as you always need a flawless base on which to build upon. This Rimmel 'Wake Me Up' foundation has had some fantastic reviews within the blogging community and I can sure see why!
Since I have been extremely interested in beauty products I have had a vested interest in searching out the perfect foundation. I have read endless reviews on high end and drugstore foundations and found that this has been rated one of the best drugstore foundations and as for this I ran to Boots to pick it up and have a try.


I really enjoy trying out new foundations, I don't really know why but there is something exciting about finding that perfect foundation that works perfectly for you. I picked up this foundation in the shade '001 Ivory' which is the lightest shade. I do find matching up foundations to my skin a challenge as although my skin is very clear it is quite uneven and by this I mean I have red cheeks, a tanned forehead, lots of freckles and pale round the side of my face. For this reason It is difficult to match up the correct colour that blends well into my skin and doesn't look ashy or too orange. 


I absolutely love this foundation, It creates a light to medium coverage which is build-able and leaves your skin looking dewy, fresh, radiant and flawless. It claims to have an 'anti-fatigue effect' which I definitely agree with as it makes your face look bright and radiant and this is exactly the effect I am after. Even though this foundation is from a drugstore, it has great staying power and I found that when I applied it at 7am it pretty much lasted throughout the whole day until around 7pm.


I apply this mainly using my fingers, I normally use my Real Techniques stippling brush to apply foundation but I found that this foundation works better by warming  it up between my fingers first and starting from the center of my face gently applying across the whole face. It really leaves your skin looking fresh and dewy which is so lovely, especially in the summer. In addition to this, the packaging is gorgeous which to me is another huge plus point, the glass bottle makes it look expensive and the pump design allows you to easily gather the right amount needed.I really recommend this foundation, its a great cheaper drugstore alternative to some of those higher end expensive foundations. 


What foundations are you loving this summer?

June wishlist

Okay, so this week I have my eye on a few things, as always I have a shopping list that remains in my notebook that seems to grow in length day by day. As my wage packet arrives through the letter box at the end of the month my face beams a happy smile of the thought of some serious retail therapy, after all I deserve it after working 8 hours every weekend right?
Anyway, here are a few bits that I am thinking of purchasing soon. I love Converse and Vans, the effortless and casual cool style they add to any outfit looks brilliant, the white classic converse are perfect!
I am in need of a new pair of jeans, I love skinny jeans as you most probably already know and find them great for casual as well as dressy outfits. I really love these Topshop Leigh fade wash jeans as they are a little different and the washy effect adds a touch of grunge
As I work in Cath Kidtson, my staff discount card is screaming to be used. I love this spot overnight bag as it is perfect for a weekend away and the huge plus point is... look how beautiful it is!
I am forever searching for a perfect peachy gloss that has a touch of gold shimmer in it. This has received brilliant reviews from another you tuber/blogger that I follow and it looks lovely. I think a peach shade looks lovely in the summer
I have a slight obsession with denim at the moment, not too sure where it came from but again I love the casual look of denim jackets and shirts. This one from Topshop is amazing! I absolutely adore the fabric print at the top, it makes it unusual and makes it look more boho which is such a lovely look for a summer evening
Okay, so I am going to unleash my excitement.. I am going to Wireless festival in Hyde Park in July and need to buy an outfit, these khaki shorts with gold studs are just what I am looking for. I am loving kakhi at the moment, it actually suits my skin tone and looks good with my brunette hair.. maybe I should just purchase these before my wage packet arrives?!
Hope you are all having a nice week, this weather is making me depressed, I am a true lover of the sun and it uplifts my mood so much. Lets all cross our fingers that the sun will make a little appearance next week, yes, maybe?

one night in...

Hey Guys! I know what your thinking its been a long long time since I last posted! I have had a levels exams that I have been revising for (well trying too) and I finally landed myself a fantastic job at Cath Kidtson in Windsor! So, my life has been pretty hectic as of late and I just couldn't find the time to blog. Thankfully all my exams are now over and ahead of me is a long relaxing summer which I am really looking forward too, plus lots of time for blogging-yay! 
I have been wanting to write a post like this for a long long time as there is nothing I love more than traveling to new places and picking out outfits for special occasions and different holiday destinations.
Hope you are all okay,




LONDON
6.30pm Rooftop Cocktails

Trousers: Net-a-porter   Jacket: Topshop  Watch: Micheal Kors  Vest top: H&M 
Clutch: Warehouse




PARIS
9pm- Dinner with Friends

Trousers: Zara  Shirt:H&M  Shoes: Net-a-porter  Blazer:Topshop  Bracelet: River island




NEW YORK
10.30pm- Cocktails at that hot new bar

Scarf: River Island  Blazer: Net-a-porter  Shorts: Net-a-porter  shoes: Zara  Blouse: River island




BARCELONA 
1am- clubbing till dawn

Dress: Topshop  Earrings: Net-a-porter  Lipstick: MAC  Heels: Office  Clutch:Aldo

Recent buys

These are a few things I have bought over the last few weeks. After my March shopping ban I was desperate to go out on a shopping spree as there was so so much I had my eye on. I have been loving Zara at the moment and I believe they are seriously at the top of their game this season. However, I have had my eye many on beauty products lately just because I enjoy trying new products and finding what suits me best. Boots have had me captured with their '3 for 2' deal, it always makes me buy more than I planned... thats not a good thing!
       
The Vans I have been wanting for ages, I already have the navy blue pair but they are old and taty now! I really love Vans, I think the boyish edgy look of them is really nice. I have been wanting these black pair for some time now and bought them in Office at Westfield. 
       
Recently, my hair has been flat and looking lifeless. I am a fan of thick, wavy, beachy hair and unfortunately I have quite thin hair so to achieve this look I have to search out the perfect hair products. I brought this Charles Wortington Volume spray in Boots last week and have been seriously impressed with the results. It leaves my hair volumized, bouncy and thick. I finally think I have found my holy grail hair product, it really does wonders to my hair.
       
This Real Techniques Stippling Brush has really done its rounds in the blogging community, the reviews have been fantastic. I couldn't wait to use this to apply my liquid foundation as it intends to leave the skin looking 'airbrushed' and yes it really does. It makes applying foundation much much quicker which is a huge plus point. I now know why there was such hype with this brush!
        
 I have sensitive, quite dry/combination skin as for that finding the right products for my skin is essential. I used to use the clean and clear exfoliant but this left areas of my face very dry so I was on the look out for a gentle cream cleanser. This Nivea cream cleanser is just what I was looking for. Its gentle on my skin and leaves it feeling so smooth! I apply this every morning and wash it off with cold water, an everyday essential for sure!
        
E45 cream is perfect for many skin complaints or for generally dry skin. I have quite ruff, bumpy skin on my upper arms and was told by the pharmacy this was the best cream to use essentially to reduce this problem, it works very well. I cant say it makes a huge difference but it definetly leaves my skin much smoother and less irritated. 


                                                 Hope you are all having a lovely Easter!

Something for the weekend

Moto super-soft skinny Leigh jeans £38 Topshop.  Office Walk over wedge natural 

suede £65.  Urban Outfitters Cambridge satchel £82 

Topshop sleeveless knitted tee £22.  ASOS washed camel skinny jeans £35.

  ASOS weave hobo bag £35.  YSL Candy Volupte lipstick no.3 £23

The unexpected...

I have always been a big fan of the Body Shop body butters, they smell so so lovely and are nourishing on the skin. The range of smells is brilliant ranging from coconut smells to more fruity and juicy smells. I love the coco and shea butter as well as the fruity ones like grapefruit. I have never been enticed to try the 'Olive' just because it doesn't sound as nice as the others and I cant say I have ever loved the smell of olives BUT this body butter has the most gorgeous smell and is by far one of my favourite. My sister brought a mini set of the body butters on the ferry back from Paris and she gave me this one. I was dubious at first as to whether I would like the smell but as soon as I put it on the next day I was amazed by the subtle hint of  juicy olive that had been transferred onto my skin. 
Every time I put this on now my mum comments on the smell, it really is lovely! This surprised me a lot as I would never have brought this before as the fact it was olive didn't appeal to me, but now I have realised that I should be more adventurous and try different scents! I will be re-purchasing this when I have finished my first mini tub. Overall, I am loving using this as I just cant get enough of the smell, I would reccomed this to anyone, even if, like me... you don't like olives!

What are your fave Body Shop body butters?

Nailed it

Wow it has been such a long time since I last posted! I am currently on my Easter Holidays yet all I have done is revise, revise, revise for my A level exams in May. Its a stressful time so I have found that blogging has sadly been deprived! I love writing posts so this was high on my to do list (after 9 hours of revision!)

I painted my nails last week with these two colours and couldn't wait to write a post about it. Firstly I applied 'Venus Was Her Name' by Jessica. This is the most beautiful colour as it appears like a grey shade but in the light it shimmers with pink purple and blue undertones. It is a great colour for all year round and a beautiful base colour to layer ontop another. 

The last time I went to Westfield I ended up purchasing the cheapest nail polish  (£1) from Beauty Base! I loved the pretty colour and of course the tempting price! I wasn't too optimistic that the colour would transfer onto the nails as it was so cheap however I was pleasantly surprised. If applied on its own two coats are needed however I prefer this layered ontop of a base colour.

I knew that these two colours would compliment each other because of the blue and purple undertones in each. I love the effect that the glitter has on the Jessica nail polish, a perfect combination in my opinion!

Im absolutely love painting my nails at the moment! I have been loving the Topshop range and cannot wait to get my hands on some more!

What nail polish's do you recommend?

Sunday Post

01. So its Sunday again, this week flew past!  Mothers day today which means... Happy Mothers day to all you wonderful mums out there! It was a casual morning for me, went to Costa Coffee, took the cheeky box of chocolates I brought my mum with us and just chilled as you do! I couldn't resist a quick glance in Zara and Topshop though so I casually 'browsed' making sure that my purse retained the same amount of money as when I went in. (March shopping ban is a nightmare)


02. The sun was out this morning, but as I look at the window the rain is beginning to fall, what can I say... typical British weather


03. I have had tonnes of sixth form work to do, a list as long as my arm in fact. A levels really are a challenge but at the end of the day you get what you put in, effort and hard-work are essential. I always try to balance work with doing stuff I enjoy, that way it is less stressful.


04. Next Sunday, I am off to Westfield with my sister. I cannot wait as it is the first day after my March Shopping ban. I have written a list of things I have my eye on, the shopping ban has been hard but definetly effective as my purse isn't looking as empty as normal. However, Im not sure I will be able to say the same after my Westfield Shopping trip. 

I will update you with my purchases next week hopefully. Hope you are all pampering your mothers today, let me know what you have been up-to

xo

Today's Makeup

  Mac Studio fix foundation plus (NC20) Bourjois Healthy mix foundation (52)

Mac Melba blush    Mac Creme Cup lipstick Lancome Hypnose mascara 

At the moment I am loving the dewy, natural look. I have never been someone who likes to cover my face in a high coverage foundation and so the Bourjous healthy Mix is perfect for me as it leaves me with light coverage whilst making my skin look healthy and radiant. 

I didn't have much planned today, except from a quick look round the shops in Windsor so I didn't see the need to whip out all my makeup, a natural look was what I wanted. 

I always dust some of my Mac studio fix foundation around my t-zone as this is the oiliest part of my skin, it just mattifies  this area slightly so It doesn't look shiny. I love this blusher as it gives my cheeks a peachy glow which looks lovely in the spring/summer. I kept my lips neutral with my Creme Cup lipstick which is a creemsheen so it leaves my lips creamy and glossy with a subtle hint of pink. 

I wanted to keep to the natural, minimalistic look today and therefore I only used a few products of which are mainly neutral and low coverage. 

Hope you all are having a lovely weekend, let me know what you think of this look.

Spring Wishlist

This weekend really felt like the start of spring, the sun was shinning and it felt positively warmer. As for this, I knew it was the right time to write a spring wishlist. I am looking forward to updating my beauty collection and wardrobe with some new spring pieces. I went shopping on Saturday and was so pleased to see some gorgeous pieces in my favourite stores. Zara and Topshop have some lovely pieces in at the moment, pastel shades and naturals are really taking my fancy this spring.

• I am also loving flower/ditsy patterns this spring. This Topshop dress would be perfect paired with a cream cardi or a grey biker jacket to add that boyish edge. 
• I popped into House Of Fraser a couple of weeks ago and couldn't help myself having a spray of the testers in the perfume section. This Nnarciso rodriguez perfume is absolutely gorgeous, It really has the most beautiful smell!
• Again loving coloured Jeans, these hot pink Topshop ones are a great shade for the spring evenings.
•  Jack Wills have a great new 'gym range' which features some nice athletic pieces (as you guys may know I really enjoy running and keeping fit!) so this fashionable gym range is exactly what I am looking for when going for a run on a Saturday morning, in style!
• Okay, this summer I would love to have a natural golden tan. The reviews for the St.Tropez gradual tanner are brilliant so I will buying that soon!
• In the spring I love my face to look glowing, this Benefit 'Hoola' bronzer is fantastic for adding a hint of shimmer, highlight and bronze.

I love writing these posts, especially at the start of a new season. There are just so many pieces that have stood out for me in the shops so far.. bring on pay day!

So this is my spring wishlist, have you any recommendations of a new blusher for my spring collection?

xo

                                                                                 xo

The Sunday Post

01. The weather was gorgeous today, true signs that spring has sprung! It is also starting to warm up which reminds me the summer is on its way. Seeing as it was such a lovely morning, we walked along the Thames Brocas. 


02. I walked down to Jack Wills in Eton to pick up the Easter handbook. (If you haven't yet seen any of their handbooks make sure you get your hands on one, they have beautiful pictures in them) Their spring collection is brilliant, some lovely pieces I cant wait to get my hands on. I am also loving their gym range, featuring the 'GB' logo special for the Olympics. I love love Jack Wills!


03. As per usual we stopped off for a morning coffee in Costa's. I normally order a caramel latte but seeing as it was a spring morning, the sun was shining and my mind is raving for summer I decided to order an iced version! 


04. I brought Company magazine and as usual it was amazing. I am really into reading magazines, especially Company as it focuses on high street style which I prefer. Dont get my wrong I love flicking through the glossy pages of Elle and Vogue but I just cant afford anything in there so its hard to relate. The images however inspire me so much! My feature in this months Company is the 'Beauty awards 2012'.


05. Finishing this beautiful day off at the gym. I will be going for a 30 minute run around Langley and finishing off doing some more cardio and free weights. I love finishing my weekend off at the gym! 

My weekend has been pretty chilled, apart from a serious pile of sixth form work. So that's how I spent my Sunday, how did you spend yours?

February Favourites

Toni & Guy Sea Salt Spray- This has to be the best sea salt sprays I have ever tried, and trust me.. I've tried many! This provides me with texture, body and a tousled wave which is ultimately what im looking for. I am loving the effortless hairstyle at the moment, I spritz some of this onto the ends of my hair and scrunch, it leaves me with a gorgeous 'just got out of the sea' look. ps It has such a lovely smell.
Charles Worthington Heat Defence spray- I am a sucker for using heated appliances on my hair, yet I feel extremely guilty if I don't spray some heat protector on it beforehand. I spray this all over my hair (concentrating on the ends) when damp and before applying heated appliances.
Victoria Secret Fragrance Mist- I have 'Coconut Passion' it smells delicious just like rich vanilla and warm coconut. The only thing I don't like about body mists is the fact the smell disapears quickly, yet I have found with this the small lingers for much longer which is a definite positive. This is handy to chuck into your bag and spray whenever you feel like it.
Boots Vitamin E Moisture Day Cream- I think having a moisturising face cream that suits your skin is very important in any skincare regime. This suits my skin perfectly. I am left with smooth and moisturised skin and a huge plus point is it feels light on my skin. 
Soap And Glory 'The Scrub Of Your Life'- This continues to be my favourite body scrub. The smell wins me over every time and it leaves my skin ultra smooth and flake free. I like to scrub my skin ant least once a week to get rid of dead skin cells. I suffer from dry elbows so I use this to scrub this area, it works a miracle and leaves my elbows silky. A scrub that can conquer all!
MAC Melba blush- Again, this raved about blusher is my day to day fave. I tend to stick to peachy/pink blushers so this delivers just what I am looking for. 
Boots cleansing wipes- To me expensive makeup wipes are not what im looking for, I just want something that will successfully remove my makeup quickly without drying the skin. These wipes are cheap yet they work and do exactly what they are supposed to do, I don't see much point in paying more for makeup wipes.


                                               What have you been loving recently? 
                                                                           xo