July Empties

I've gone through another bottle of my beloved Lacura Aqua-Complete Multi Intensive Serum which is fast becoming one of my most repurchased items ever! It's exactly like Hydraluron just not in a purer form and does the exact same thing. I've used up the Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions All-Over Clearing Treatment which I use more as a serum rather than an all over moisturiser although it can be used as both. This has really helped with my blemishes and has helped prevent future ones. I've finished a tube of the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ which I use in conjunction with the Clinique one. The La Roche Posay offering however helps with scarring left from blemishes and patience is definitely key when using this. I've already started to notice a difference in my existing scarring so hopefully they'll all disappear soon enough. I've used up the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner which at first I fell in love with but fast forward a few months and I'm sat on the fence about. Whilst it is brilliant for using as an exfoliating toner, I'm not sure if it brightens up my skin quite as much as it used to so I'm not entirely sure if my skin has gotten used to it. I'm cheating slightly because I haven't finished both the No7 Melting Gel Cleanser and the No7 Cleansing Balm but if you read my review, you would understand why I'm throwing these out. I've finally finished the Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Moist Mist which its intended use is a setting spray but I found it worked better for wetting my sponges as it meant that my foundation applied better.

I've used up the Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner which I've had on the go since half way through America. This duo helped keep my hair extremely soft and hydrated during my holiday and has been doing so ever since. I've finally used up the Argan Oil Hydrating Hair Mask which has been a long time coming especially because I used up the matching shampoo and conditioner back in April! I used this every Sunday as a deep intensive treatment to help revive and nourish my hair after a long week of using heat and it certainly did the trick. Speaking of intensive treatments, I've also used up the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Deep Conditioner which I used the exact same way. I absolutely love the scent of Aussie products and what they do for me so I will always be repurchasing these. I've finished up another tub of the Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Scrub which although I do still like, I'm not finding it quite as gritty and exfoliating as I first thought. It still does the job okay but I'm currently looking for something to replace it but until then, I have my stash of these to get through. I've used up the Sanctuary Body Lotion which I didn't enjoy using as it was quite menthol which meant my legs tingled after use and it wasn't quite as hydrating as I liked.

I'm cheating again slightly as I haven't finished up the Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara but it's been open for way over three months now and I can't see myself using it. The name is quite deceiving as it gives more natural looking lashes rather than false lash effect but if you prefer natural looking lashes then this is definitely right up your street. I personally prefer the latter so I didn't really reach for it much. I've used up a pack of the No7 Quick Thinking Wipes which are cheap as chips when the No7 vouchers are out. I use these to take foundation off my hands or to fix little errors instead of taking my makeup off. I've used up a pack of the Skin Therapy Large Oval Cotton Wool Pads which feature in every monthly empties post now so I don't really need to explain these anymore. I've finished up the Pretty Perfect Twist & Out Instant Nail Polish Remover which is the only nail polish remover I use these days. It's quick and easy to use and takes off any nail varnish within seconds and it's cheap as chips which is always a bonus. Finally, I've used up two hand sanitisers in the form of Cuticura Passion Flower & Mango and the Wilko Fruity Berry. I like these both equally as they smell really good and do the job.

Yankee Candle Haul 003

As I've been working crazy hours lately, I've found myself needing some me time and what better way than buying new wax tarts. In recent weeks, Yankee Candle released their Indian Summer Collection which included Amber Moon and Honey Glow. These two remind me of Autumn so I'll be reserving these for September/October time.

As it's now Summer, I decided to get a few summer related scents so I couldn't resist picking up Vanilla Lime, Sicilian Lemon, Orange Splash, Sweet Apple, Citrus Tango, Margarita Time and Summer Scoop. I also decided to be a little adventurous and buy Cranberry Apple which sounded rather appealing when it came to ordering.

Do you have any favourite scents that you think I should try?

Samples I've Used Up 013

I've used up a decent sized sample of the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish which I've used in the past and absolutely loved. It's a two step cream cleanser that works to give the skin a deep cleanse whilst gently exfoliating the skin at the same time. Using this reminded me how much I missed using it so I couldn't resist buying one recently. I've finished up a sample of the No7 Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator for Normal/Dry Skin. This is definitely one of the most gentle manual exfoliators I've used and I'm pretty sure you could use on a daily basis as it truly is that gentle. This left my skin feeling refreshed after use although I didn't feel that it was exfoliating enough for me.

I've finished up generous sized tube of Sensodyne Gentle Whitening Toothpaste which has been helping keep my mouth clean and slightly whiten my teeth with every use. I've currently using a full size of this toothpaste as I quite like it as it helps with my sensitivity whilst helping keeping my teeth white. I've used up two satchets of the Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Multi-Correcting Cream which had enough in each satchet for atleast three uses. I didn't notice a huge difference with my skin whilst using these apart from that my skin felt really soft and felt more refined to the touch. It had a nice scent to it too but I wouldn't say I would fork out the money for it. I've used up two samples of Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector Serum which I absolutely loved! I noticed that whilst using this, my skin felt softer and looked more clear with every use. I have bought this in full size but since returned it after discovering something much cheaper that does essentially the same thing.

I've used up two samples of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye which I've been using every night. This felt really gentle on the skin and I felt that it hydrated my eye area and helped with dark circles. I will definitely be buying this in full size to use in conjunction with the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair II. I've finished up a sample of the Lancome Hydra Zen Soothing Anti-Stress Moisturising Cream which although was light on the skin, I didn't find it moisturising enough nor did I notice it doing anything for my skin. 

I've finished up a sample of Avene UV Legere Light Hydrating Cream SPF20 which I used on days where I knew I would be out in the sun. This was a extremely light weight moisturiser that sunk into my skin quickly that felt quite moisturising. I liked that it had an added bonus of SPF20 which I know isn't high enough for the sun we've been having recently. I may consider buying this in full size once I've gone through my stash of day moisturisers. I've used up a sample of the Caudalie Vinosource Riche Intense Moisture Rescue Cream which I used when my skin was feeling quite dry. This helped boost my skins moisture levels as it was very hydrating and sunk into the skin quickly. Lastly, I've used up a sample of Clarins HydraQuence Cream-Mask which I used mainly at night time and left it on till morning to get the full effect. This really is moisturising and I noticed that my skin didn't feel dry come morning.

July Love Me Beauty Box

LOVE ME BEAUTY BOX SUBSCRIPTION - £10 + £2.95 P+P

As many people declared June's Love Me Beauty Box a complete disappointment (I didn't!) Love Me Beauty decided to amp it up a notch and offer six-seven products in each box with the majority of them being full size! I opted for edition two purely based on the selection of tea bags included..

Ofra is a brand that I've never heard about until now so I was excited to see their Pressed Eyeshadow in Bliss. Bliss is a stunning neutral gold shade that reminds me of Stila's Kitten and MAC's Hoodwinked all rolled into one. The texture of this is really buttery and the pigmentation is intense - even after one swatch! I can definitely see myself getting a lot of wear from this.

Another product from Ofra which I'm sat on the fence about is their Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Hollywood. Hollywood is a dark pink-red shade which is reminiscent of Collections' Creme Puffs even with the scent! I cannot fault the pigmentation as it's really rich and vibrant just I didn't get on with the Creme Puffs so I can't see myself getting on with this either.

As I've been experimenting more with filling in my brows, the So Susan Dual Brow Powder is a welcome edition. It comes with two different brow powders that can be used on their own or mixed and matched to create the perfect brow shade. They're both quite warm toned shades so they may not be ideal if you have slight ash undertones but I think I could make them work for me. These aren't as pigmented as the likes of more known brow powders but it's perfect for a beginner like myself!

I've been playing around with mascara recently, layering two together to create voluminous lashes so the So Susan Flutter Mascara is another welcome edition to my stash. This has a thin plastic brush that I expect would be perfect for bottom lashes.

A product that wasn't on my edition menu and I'm not sure how I've obtained it (unless it's from filling in their box surveys or put in by mistake) is the Jelly Pong Pong 2-in-1 Eyeliner & Shadow in Bronze. This can be used either as an eyeliner for thick, precise lines or as an eyeshadow although it doesn't blend out well to be used for the latter. It feels rather waxy to the touch and I can't see myself using this anytime soon.

The only sample sized product included in this months box is the Lashem Lash Enhancing Serum which despite being only 2ml it's still worth an astonishing £22.86! I'm quite happy with how my lashes are at the moment as I've been using my Eyelash Boosters on and off since I blogged about them. This will be getting passed onto a friend who has tried everything and still hasn't seen any results so I'm hoping this will work for her.

As I'm not a tea or coffee drinker, I'm not sure what I'll be doing with The Tea Shed 4am 20 Teabags that have been included in this months edition. These are naturally low in caffeine so if you drink this at 4am, it'll help you on your way to the land of nod and ensure that you'll still be able to sleep. I think I might just try one for the sake of it and hopefully like them.

The last extra product that I wasn't expecting at all is the Weleda Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Body Lotion which is aimed to dry skin. It sinks into the skin quickly once applied and the leaves the skin beautifully soft.

Overall, this box is worth almost £90 (if my maths is correct and if you include the two extras!) which means that it's definitely worth the money. I'm glad that Love Me Beauty made this month more beauty focused with a few extra additions thrown in as I've found new products that I cant wait to try. Hopefully they'll continue this theme for next month..

 

July Birchbox Review

BIRCHBOX SUBSCRIPTION - £10 + £2.95 P+P

After two months of good boxes from Birchbox, filled with many raved and popular products from a wide variety of brands, July's box is much more relaxed with the theme of Sun, Sea and Sand which is perfectly themed for those nipping away on a short mini break or staying somewhere closer to home this summer.

The first product that caught me eye is the much raved about Benefit The Porefessional (£24.50) of which I received 7.5ml deluxe travel size worth £8.33. The Porefessional is a product that I have dabbled with in the past as it's perfect for using as a base to help keep oil and shine at bay whilst prolonging the wear time of makeup. As I much prefer a more dewy base these days, this will be getting passed onto a friend.

Next up, a new product that I'm chuffed to have is the Balance Me Extra Care Wonder Eye Cream (£20) of which I recieved the 7ml trave size worth £9.34. Many bloggers rave about these as it's ideal for keeping the delicate eye area protected, nourished and generally make it a lot brighter. I'm excited to start using this as I've heard nothing but good things about it!

One of the products that caught my attention is the brightly packaged Whish Three Wishes Lavender Body Butter (£14.50), of which I received a 22ml travel size worth £2.13. This is described as a sweet-scented antioxidant-rich body butter that works to nourish the skin quickly and effectively after applying which I'm sure will become a staple for night time as it smells of dreamy lavender.

Carrying on with the purple theme, the next item that caught my eye is a vivid purple lip product in the form of Laqa & Co Sheer Lip Lube Pencil in Menatour (£14). A gloss-balm hybrid which has the most gorgeous creamy texture that effortlessly glides onto the lips to provide a sheer coverage. The shade itself is rather bright and daring however I'm determined to make this shade super wearing with minimal makeup for a big impact.

As a big nail varnish junkie, I was excited to see a Models Own Nail Varnish in Roman Candle (£5) included in this months box. Roman Candle is a jam packed glitter nail varnish with not one, but six different glitters all varying in colour and size. I'm excited to start wearing this as it only needs a one or two coats to be opaque enough over a base coat to get the true effect.

As a lifestyle extra, Birchbox threw in a Filosofille 4-sided Nail Buffer to help prep my nails ready for summer. I have quite a few of these already so I'm glad to add another to my stash as they truly are handy.

Overall, I'm impressed with the variety of products within this months box although I would much prefer beauty/skincare products. Regardless, the contents of my box is worth a rather impressive £38.80 which is a lot more than the £12.95 (Box + P+P) cost! I can't wait to see what is in next months box as there is a little spoiler included where there will be something to help us pack for all of our summer adventures.

Oral B Sensitive + Gentle Whitening Toothpaste

I don't like to spend a lot on basics like cotton wool pads and toothpaste as you go through them at an alarming rate especially when you use them on a daily basis. I recently bought the Oral B Pro-Expert Sensitive + Gentle Whitening Toothpaste when it was on special offer and have been putting it to the test ever since. 

The Oral B Pro-Expert Sensitive + Gentle Whitening Toothpaste (£3.60) has been formulated to protect teeth against sensitivity and enamel erosion by creating an acid-resisting protective shield. With regular brushing it helps to prevent cavities, plaque, tartar, enamel erosion and gum problems whilst building increased protection against painful sensitivity, helps whiten teeth by removing surface stains all whilst leaving your breath fresh.

I've been using this for a little over two months and whilst I have noticed a difference in the level of sensitivity, I can't help but disagree with some of its claims especially with leaving my breath fresh. It does have a minty taste which seems to fade after an hour or so after brushing which may be good for others but for me on the other hand, I still like to be able to taste it. I also noticed that whilst using this, I feel like that I'm not getting a proper clean even when using it in combination with my electric toothbrush. I just feel that my teeth aren't clean enough whilst using this toothpaste. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this toothpaste purely based on that it doesn't leave my mouth feeling clean enough to my liking.

Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions All Over Clearing Treatment

Have you ever gone through a sample and then immediately purchased it in full size the day you finished it as you realised that you simply cannot live without it? That happened with me with the Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions All Over Clearing Treatment which I first received as a sample when I bought their infamous Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. After using it both day and night for two weeks straight, I knew I had to have in my life but in full size.

The Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions All Over Clearing Treatment (£19) , formerly known as the Anti-Blemish Solutions Moisturizer, is a light weight moisturising serum that is jam packed with powerful blemish fighting ingredients that help treat existing blemishes and prevent future breakouts. It creates an invisible barrier on the skin which protects it from blemish-causing agents all whilst control excess oil, reducing redness and calming and soothing the skin.

I've been using this since May, applying it both morning and night, and it is by far one of the best products I've invested in for my skin. I use this as a serum so I apply it straight after toning but before my moisturiser and I find that it sinks into my skin almost immediately after applying it. It really helps to calm down any existing blemishes whilst keeping my skin soft and hydrated. It may not exactly help prevent future breakouts but it does certainly treat them as and when they appear and it usually takes about three to four days until they disappear altogether. A little goes a long way with this and my first tube which I've just finished has lasted me two and a half months which although it may not seem long enough to some, I don't mind buying it every so often as the results are worth it in my eyes. I use this in conjunction with La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ for a blemish busting duo and I've had no problems at all with using both at the same time.

MAC Haul 001

MAC is a brand that I've dabbled with a little as I only own a few products from their as their prices are getting beyond silly now. As I had leftover holiday money/I've been paid, I decided to visit one of their counters when I was in York and finally got a few things ticked off my wishlist.

Despite having more than enough foundations, I asked if I could get colour matched and preceded to buy their Studio Sculpt Foundation which they didn't have in stock in my particular shade (NC20 for the record) so I settled instead with their Mineralize Moisture SPF15 Foundation which is aimed for those with dry skin. It's light to medium coverage which feels weightless and comfortable on the skin once set. I haven't yet played with this since having it applied almost a month ago as I'm waiting until I've finished a foundation or two.

I've been on a one woman mission recently since being home from the states to get my mitts on their Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade after they didn't have any in duty free. So when they told me that they had only one left in stock and if I wanted it, I couldn't have said yes any louder! Lightscapade is one of those must have shades that is absolutely beautiful on the skin once applied. I would say it leans more to being an off beige shade with a little white thrown into the mix. As I'm no stranger to highlighters, I will be applying this as if it's going out of fashion as I've been wanting it for so long!

The last item I bought was a bit of an impulse purchase as I didn't truly need it albeit I wanted it. The product in question is the Eye Brow Pencil in Lingering which from afar looks too light but once applied, you can barely notice it's there as it blends in so well. I've never really used a pencil to fill in my brows as I've been using an eyeshadow to do the job and it matches my brows down to a tee but I'm hoping I will be able to make this work just as well for me like the MUA did.

Have you bought anything from MAC recently?

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Plus

Remember how every blogger and their aunt were raving about the original La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo and how they declared it their must have holy grail product? I was one of those people that bought into the hype but didn't really get along with it. Fast forward a few months and La Roche Posay have bought a new supped up version, a 2.0 if you will in the form of La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Plus.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Plus (£15.50) is of course a continuation of the original winning formula but improved. Much like the original, this helps to prevent blemishes as well as heal existing breakouts, combat redness, minimise the chance of blackheads as well as offering oil control as well as reducing red marks and scarring that blemishes can often leave behind. This is by its biggest selling point as how often can you find a blemish wonder product that claims to heal and prevent blemishes as well as treat blemish scarring? 

Whilst La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Plus works almost immediately when it comes to blemish and oil control, you will have to stick with it for atleast a month to see any signs of reduction when it comes to scarring. As I've been using this since March, applying it both morning and night, I've noticed that any new blemishes that have left a scar have disappeared whilst older scarring have been faintly disappearing altogether. Whilst it isn't a wonder product that does everything within first use, persistence is key when it comes to using La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Plus and I'm so glad that I've stuck to using it. One tube of this easily lasts three months or so and thats with applying it both morning and night so whilst it may be a pricey investment at first, it's definitely a pricey investment thats worth it. 

No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Oil

No7 have really been bringing it this past year with many new and exciting launches including their new and improved Protect & Perfect Advanced Serums and their Lash Impact Mascara which promises to give intense volume in just two coats. As an avid No7 fan, I was surprised to hear about their Beautiful Skin Cleansing Oil which has just launched in stores and online this week! This launch, unlike others, was quietly introduced without a huge fuss but I can guarantee that you'll be making a big fuss of this product once you've tried it for yourself!

The No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Oil (£11) is a luxurious, light weight oil that once massaged onto dry skin, it instantly melts away all impurities and makeup including waterproof mascara. Once you add water into the mix, it transforms into a nourishing milk that doesn't leave a residue on the skin. It is enriched with vitamin E and rosehip oil which helps keep the skin hydrated whilst locking in moisture all whilst leaving the skin feeling soft to the touch.

As I've only played with this a few times since it launced, I haven't had long to truly get to grips to the product however I can definitely see myself repurchasing it. You can use it as a first cleanse to remove the bulk of your makeup which is my favourite method as I take quite a few pumps and massage it onto my skin before taking a few more pumps and massing it into my eyes to help remove all traces of makeup. Alternatively, you can use it to cleanse the skin in general by taking a few pumps and massaging it into dry skin, spending longer than usual to massage it into places where it needs it most essentially giving yourself a little mini facial. You can also add a little warm water to it which transforms it into an oily milk before removing it completely. I much prefer using it a first cleanse however as it's whilst it is very effective in removing the bulk of my makeup, it's gentle on the skin and doesn't irritate it.

Will you be trying out the No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Oil?

Make sure you enter my American Beauty Products Giveaway which ends on the 17th July!

A No7 Cleansing Duo

With more and more people jumping onto the double cleanse bandwagon, I thought I better join in and grab myself a few cleansers which would be fit for the job. On a recent No7 voucher splurge, I picked up both their Melting Gel Cleanser and Cleansing Balm which I've been using over the last few weeks together in a bid to not only see how beneficial a double cleanse is but to see if these two products are worth the hype.

The No7 Melting Gel Cleanser is a refreshing gel that transforms into an oil once massaged onto the skin, dissolving all traces of makeup and impurities which then turns into a cleansing milk once you remove it with water. Whilst this does remove makeup brilliantly, I couldn't help but notice how tight it left my skin feeling. It felt as if it stripped my skin completely instead of locking in moisture in which it claims. No matter which way I applied it - on wet or dry skin, with or without makeup - it still left my skin feeling the same which makes me wonder if this product is better aimed to oily/combination skin rather than normal/dry.

The No7 Cleansing Balm on the other hand is a rather misleading product. When I hear or see the word balm, I instantly think of a product which you have to scrape out as it's rather thick and wax like consistency that feels oily on the skin. This on the other hand is more of a cleansing lotion that I used primarily as a second cleanse to remove any traces of the first cleanser and to truly cleanse my skin. Just like with the Melting Gel Cleanser, I found that this too left my skin feeling tight which meant that I had to use a lot of hydrating products to get my skin back to how it was. It also felt very cheap/basic when using it which makes me beg to differ if it's worth the price.

Whilst this is a rather negative review that doesn't mean to say that they won't work for you as they could be the best thing you've used on your skin and completely transform your life. I have however found that double cleansing my skin has got its benefits so I will continue to do so.

Do you double cleanse your skin?

Boots Haul 013

I've recently noticed that I'm running low on a few of my must have beauty products and as I didn't want to risk running out of them any time soon, I hot footed it over to Boots to buy a back up (or two!) where I ended up taking advantage of a few deals.

As I've just started my forth tube of Hydraluron, I knew I would need another tube two months down the line and as there is a £5 off any Indeed Laboratories coupon included in the Boots Health & Beauty Magazine, I decided to take full advantage and save a few pennies on it. Seeing as it's 3 for 2 across all of skincare in Boots which sadly ends today, I picked up two of my beloved La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ which has been helping with any blemishes and the odd scar left over from them. I much prefer the improved version over the original as I don't break out from it and I've noticed a huge improvement in my skin already.

Another skincare wonder product that I can't bare to be without is the Clinique Anti-blemish Solutions All Over Clearing Treatment which helps treat existing blemishes and prevent future breakouts all whilst lightly hydrating the skin. I'm not sure if it this product alone or when used in conjunction with Effaclar Duo+ but I haven't had any major breakouts for a few months now and any blemishes that I've had, have disappeared within a couple of days.

One of my favourite foundations is the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum and is one of my most used foundations as it's perfect for mixing with others to create the perfect base. As I'm nearing the end of the Healthy Mix Radiance Reveal, I picked up another as I love the glowy, flawless finish it gives. It's medium coverage which can be built up and reduces the appearance of pores, redness and blemishes. If like me you mix your foundations, this when mixed with another gives a dewy, velvet finish that I've received many compliments on. As it was 2 for £14 across all of Bourjois, I picked up another Healthy Mix Concealer as I feel like I'm nearing the end of my current one. I use this as a highlighting concealer under my eyes as it reduces the appearance of my dark circles all whilst brightening up the area.

Now I know that I didn't really need to buy any more skincare nor makeup especially after buying tons from America but these are products that I simply cannot live without which makes it rather justifiable if you ask me.

 

Lush Popcorn Lip Scrub

 LUSH POPCORN LIP SCRUB - £5.50

My first venture into Lush's infamous lip scrubs was their Pow Wow offering which was a mixture of popping candy, jojoba oil, organic rose hip oil, caffeine powder and a touch of lime which made it by far their most chunkiest lip scrub which technically didn't use sugars or salts to create the exfoliating base. Fast forward a few years later and I decided to try out another in the form of Popcorn which is quite the blockbuster success amongst fellow bloggers.

Lush's Popcorn Lip Scrub  contains sugar, sea salt, polenta (cornmeal boiled into porridge and then either eaten directly or baked/fried/grilled), coconut oil and jojoba oil which creates the perfect buttery, sweet and salty delicacy that we seem to chow down every time we go to the cinema. I for one wish I had tried a little bit in store as when I brought it home and tried it, I thoroughly disliked it. It's not so much the texture which is very fine and powdery but it's more so the taste. It tastes just how it should do just it's far too salty for my liking which tastes slightly buttery at the same time.. Buttered salt anyone?!

Taste and texture aside, I cannot fault it's exfoliating properties as it definitely removes any dry patches and leaves my lips feeling softer than before. As with any exfoliating lip treatment, make sure you pop on a little lip balm afterwards to make sure you keep your lips soft and moisturised. Despite it doing a good job at exfoliating, I just cannot get on with the taste and for that reason, I shall never repurchase it in this particular scent/flavour. I think I should perhaps give their more famous Bubblegum one a go next..

Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner

BOTANICS ALL BRIGHT CLEANSING TONER - £3.99

I've always been a little scared of exfoliating toners as I've always wondered what would happen if I got them into my eyes which may seem a little extreme but true. Fast forward six months and I've dabbled with a few including the infamous Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner which I use primarily in the evenings. I've been wanting to use something in conjunction with that in the morning so after a little research I discovered the Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner which is a lot more gentle on the skin.

Despite the Botanics All Bright Cleanser Toner being marketed as a cleansing toner, it is infact an exfoliating toner as it contains natural AHA's. Alpha Hydroxy Acids are amazing for the skin as they help to chemical exfoliate the top layer of skin away which reveals a new, brighter layer underneath. It contains hibiscus flowers which are one of natures brightness boosters when the natural AHAs are extracted. It comes housed in a simple pour bottle which may not be the best packaging I've encountered as it can get a little messy.

I've been using this for almost two months now and I couldn't imagine my skincare routine without it. I wouldn't say that it does a lot in the brightness stakes but it certainly helps remove any impurities and generally leaves the skin feeling fresh and ready for the day. As it is so gentle, I've been sweeping this up and around the eye area without any problems and I expect you could use this both morning and night on a daily basis if you really wanted. The scent may not be to everyones tastes and may be a slight problem for those with extremely sensitive skin but for me, I don't have a problem with it. I haven't experienced any breakouts from this and I'm very keen to try more out from the Botanics All Bright range.

June Favourites

June has been a whirlwind month as I've spent the majority of it on holiday with being in America then heading up to Yorkshire a few days after I got back with a bit of shopping thrown in inbetween. As it's been such a fast pace month, I've been reaching for a few handful of products that are quick and easy to apply.

The La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ is a hyped up product within the beauty blogger community that I couldn't imagine my skincare routine without. The original version broke me out whereas the new and improved + version appears to be getting rid of blemishes entirely as well as removing stubborn blemish marks as well. Granted that it does take a few short months for some marks to disappear completely but with every product, it does take time to see the full benefits. I've recently stocked up on this so I'm all good until next year.

Another product that I couldn't imagine my skincare routine without is Hydraluron which should really have Caroline Hirons' face on it with the amount of times she sings its praises. Hydraluron is essentially a moisture boosting facial serum that contains the purest form of hyaluronic acid which can hold up to a thousand times its weight in water. It basically acts as a magnet and helps moisturise your skin deep down. I use this both morning and night before I apply my moisturiser and I find that it just somehow makes my skin look more hydrated.

A product that has been featured in a few of these posts now is the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer and rightly so as it's the primer to use if you desire dewy skin. I apply this all over before applying foundation then dotting it on the tops of my cheeks for a really dewy effect. I've received so many compliments from people asking me what I've used and they always seem really surprised when I say that it's all down to this badboy. Another product that I've been using which gives similar effects is the Revlon Photoready Skinlights in Pink Light. Unlike the L'Oreal offering, I mix this in with my foundation which gives a certain glow to any base. I've been reaching for this every time I've worn makeup and it's definitely one of those must have products to have in your beauty stash.

The last product that I've been reaching for during June has been the Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent. As the days are now getting warmer, I'm finding that using a primer alone is not enough to make my makeup last so I've been loving dusting this all over. I've also found that if you apply your primer and then set it with a powder before applying foundation, it makes your base last a lot longer which is what I've been trialling the past few days.