Skin Care Haul

I've always been a bit lax when it comes to my skin care routine, relying mainly on face wipes which aren't the best, so after obsessively reading Caroline Hirons blog (you can find it here, I strongly recommend it!) I realised it was time to invest more in my skin care.

So I thought I would share some of the products or samples I have bought so far...

I bought 2 packs of 3 face cloths for £1.50 from Primark - I have read on different blogs including Caroline Hirons that face cloths are just as good at cleansing and a much cheaper alternative to muslin cloths.

REN Mayblossom T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel 150ml for £18 - This is more than I would normally pay for a cleanser but I have been using it the last few days and I love it, my skin has been much more balanced and my pores have appeared smaller.

I got some free samples of Elemental Herbology products from Space NK, I haven't tried these yet so I don't know how good they are. Have you tried anything from this brand?

A free sample of Decleor Paris Purifying Serum in Ylang Ylang, a lovely face oil to help balance my combination skin and it smells gorgeous! I have really liked trying out this product, but the full size is very expensive at around £40, so I may treat myself if I come into money somehow!

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light (Travel Size) 12ml for £12 - I had went to the Smashbox counter to try out their foundations, but they didn't have a tester in my shade and the sales assistant suggested I give the primer a try as it would enhance my current foundation, the full size primer is £27 so I thought I would get the travel size primer to test before I spend that much money on a new product. 

I have downloaded the Make-up Alley app on my phone which is really useful to look for reviews on new products I see when I'm out and about, it's definitely helped me make more informed purchases! If you have a smart phone I would recommend this app or something similar!

Elaine

Free Lancôme Mascara with Tatler Magazine

Get a free Lancome Hypnose Star mascara with the September issue of Tatler, for only £4.10.

I saw this in the supermarket and had to have it, I have never tried a Lancome mascara before so can't wait to use it, and I haven't read Tatler before so I'm looking forward to reading this magazine on the long journey to work!

I'm looking forward to using this mascara, and will let you all know my thoughts.

Elaine

NOTD: Essie Sew Psyched

This is my current go to nail varnish, although its rather autumnal I just can't resist wearing it now. I've been looking for the perfect khaki for awhile, but I've found most of cheaper brands were a bit too bright, not quite what I wanted, so I was chuffed when I found this Essie one. For me Sew Psyched its the perfect dull khaki with a grey sage green hint. As with all Essie nail varnishes it wears well and it went on extremely easily, it would look fine with one coat - I've done two.

What do you think? Khaki nails a good look or just a bit wrong?

Rachel

NOTD: Rimmel Peppermint

This Rimmel Lycra Pro nail varnish has been my favourite summer colour, I love it! I originally bought it as a dupe of Essie's Mint Candy but it is actually more of a brighter colour when it is applied. I have been wearing this constantly! 

In the photo I have applied one coat of my Essie ridge filling base and 2 coats of the peppermint. The varnish has quite a large brush so it is very easy to apply.

However I wouldn't say that it lasted 10 days, I've had it on for 2 and it has already started to chip on the edge of my nails. But I would still highly recommend it for the colour alone.

You can get Peppermint here.

Elaine

Birthday Haul

It was my birthday last week and I thought I would share with you all the lovely presents my family and friends got for me... they all know me very well!

Ralph by Ralph Lauren

Sweet Delicious by DKNY

(2 of my favourite perfumes!)

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

Flying Fox Shower Gel from Lush

Urban Decay Nail Varnish in Carnival (NOTD here)

17 Nail Varnish in Parma Violet - one of my favourite nail varnishes you can see an earlier post where I have used this colour - here.

17 Nail Varnish in Forever

Benefit Sugar Bomb Lip Gloss

Elaine 'Carrie'style necklace (lovelovelove)

Accessorize Necklace

3 month subscription to She Said Beauty (Yay) - My friends obviously were listening to my ramblings about Glossybox! haha!

My mam and sisters were asking me for ages what I wanted for my birthday and the only thing I could think of was a bag for when I go to Paris in a couple of weeks (yay), and it was the typical thing of when you go shopping for something specific you can never find it so they gave me some money towards a bag when I find one.

So I went shopping a couple of days ago and found this gorgeous bag from Zara for £29.99, perfect for nights out in Paris!

Sorry for the stock photo - my camera broke when I was trying to take pictures of this bag!

I'm not sure if you can tell in the pictures above but the bag consists of two pockets on either side of the bag, so the bag itself is quite a bit smaller inside than it looks, but I don't mind it will just encourage me to stop carrying around as much stuff!

I really love the metal stud detailing that goes around the middle of the bag, and the cute small box shape of the bag. 

With the rest of my birthday money I got this cute bag from Primark for only £4 and got a new contract iPhone 4!!!! I love my new iPhone, I have been dying to get one for ages and I haven't put it down since I got it! 

Rachel also got my this 'hilarious' extra present! I guess I go on about my annoyingly large pores a bit too much! haha!

Watch out for a new series of posts on my hunt for a new foundation with a medium coverage that really compliments my skin but can handle how oily it can become. 

I finally built up the courage to ask the shop assistants for samples of foundations instead of buying straight away (although how nice the assistants have been has varied!!) and I am really pleased that I did or I would have wasted a LOT of money by now! 

Are there any foundations you can recommend?

Elaine