Current top 5 moisturisers

I am always trying new products so my favourites are always changing but there a special few products that always seem to hold their place in my collection and get repurchased. I thought I would share my current favourite moisturisers with you because there are so many choices on the market it can be tough to make a decision! I have normal/combination skin with few breakouts so these products are based on my skin type and experience.

The chosen 5!

Xen tan face tanner luxe

Dermalogica Skin smoothing cream

Khiels midnight recovery concentrate

Embryolisse lait creme concentre

Ren Bio Retinoid anti-ageing cream

These first three are more suitable for daytime use and I mainly use these in the morning before makeup.

I am a tanaholic so the Xen tan is perfect for giving a subtle healthy tan in the morning and does a great job of moisturising the skin too. A lot of facial tanners can be lacking in enough colour for me but this one has a real golden finish which looks great alone or underneath makeup.

The Dermalogica skin smoothing cream is great for combination skin and truly does make the skin feel smoother and softer. I tend to use this on my days off or before bed because it is a little bit too much under makeup for my shiny t zone. It has no distinct smell so would be great for people who don't like strong perfumed products. 

Embryolisse is a makeup artist must have because it sinks into skin quickly and provides a great base for makeup. I first heard about this product through Pixiwoo and have loved it ever since! It is hydrating but feels super light on the skin and has a lovely creamy texture. A must have for under makeup!

My last two favourites I use only at night time. The first is a sample from REN of their bio retinoid anti ageing cream. I have yet to invest in this cream purely because I don't feel I need anti ageing products just yet (although not far off!) but for anyone looking for a luxurious moisturiser is a lovely product. It smells great as most REN products do and I love putting a layer on my skin before bed for a nighttime treat.

Kiehls midnight recovery concentrate is as the name would suggest to be used at night only. This is a recent discovery for me and I adore it! It can be worn alone or under moisturiser for a more hydrating treatment. It contains beautiful smelling oils and natural ingredients and glides onto skin like a dream. I would highly recommend this when you want your skin to look better by morning but haven't got time for a facial!

I have also just invested in a brand new skincare regime so will blog about that soon! 

x

Holiday wish list

I have officially booked my summer holiday which means the holiday shopping can commence! I am off to Portugal in July and will no doubt NEED an entire new summer wardrobe to take with me ;)

As an online shopping addict I am always on the hunt for new goodies so I thought I would share my current holiday wishlist with you!

Michael Kors Selma bag  

I have been lusting after this bag for a few months and this orange colour would be perfect for the summer season! It also comes in a beautiful emerald green which would be stunning alongside a tan. I love the shape and size of the bag which has enough room for everyday essentials (and alot of makeup) but doesn't look bulky. The short handles and long strap allow for both everyday and travel use. This is definitely top of my wishlist and I am considering putting aside money each week and putting a spending ban on beauty products in order to invest in this £315 beauty before I go away.

Bikinis

My favourite site at the moment for bikini browsing is ASOS who have a wide range of separate pieces which is ideal as I am much large on top than on bottom! They do a variety of swimwear for bust DD+ and this nautical bikini is one of my favourites! I am looking into buying 2 or 3 bikinis to add to my collection and will try to get different styles and colours to match different outfits I will be wearing in Portugal. I usually opt for bikinis over swimsuits for tanning reasons but need to get the summer diet going if I hope to look anything even close to this by July! I have also been looking at Victoria's secret bikinis however I believe only the underwear not swimwear is available in the UK :( 

In Transit No Traces - This Works

I am so happy to see a travel friendly range from skincare brand This Works! I have already invested in their primer/moisturiser/mask combo (review coming soon) and love the style and quality of the products. These makeup removing pads seem like a great way to remove makeup without leaving the skin feeling dry or being too harsh like most makeup wipes are. At £17 they are much pricier than makeup wipes however I would be happy to pay this for a product that cleanses, brightens and calms sensitivity. I love cleansing properly and removing all dirt and grime so I would probably use these as a pre cleansing step to take the initial layer of makeup off then cleanse with a balm/oil based cleanser to get that deep clean feel. It contains 60 pads which would be more than enough for my 11 night holiday.

Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Toilette

I fell in love with this fragrance about 4 years ago and yet I have never purchased it. It is more pricey than most perfumes I usually buy at £70/100ml and yet is probably much less than the amount I spend on makeup a week and so I have decided that this year I will try and invest! I love the scent, with notes of fig in it it truly smells like summer and is the cult fragrance by Diptyque. I love many of their perfumes but this one just has the edge for me. The perfume description online talks about the scent of Greek islands and warm sun which for me sums it up perfectly. 

Dermalogica travel kit Normal/Oily

I love trying new skincare products and am always finding new favourites but there will always be at least one Dermalogica product in my skincare routine! I always make sure that I have their products in my collection just in case I don't get on with a new cleanser! I like the fact that their products do what they say they will do and for someone who wear alot of makeup to work I can trust the brand to give me that clean skin feeling at the end of the day. For that reason I would like to buy the travel kit for my holiday so that I have my favourite essentials with me! I have normal to combination skin to the normal/oily kit would be best for me in the summer months. It includes two of my all times favourites, special cleansing gel and multi active toner. This means I won't have to pack all my full size favourites and this will fit into my suitcase no problem!

What are your holiday must haves?

x

Tan Time!

So as you may well know I am a total fake tan addict. As a naturally fairly pasty individual I am constantly on the hunt for the best fake tan in order to give me a healthy glow so when the people from www.tanland.co.uk offered to send me some tanning essentials I couldn't say no ;)

I promptly received a package containing lots of goodies including fake tan mitt, exfoliating mitt, headband and Fake Bake original lotion which is one tan I have never used!

I have heard rave reviews about fake tan original so I was keen to give it a try. What first shocked me about the product was the odd smell, for me it is far too strong so I would only use this for the great colour it gives. The second shock was the very dark guide colour but when washed off it gives a lovely natural golden glow and would be perfect for first time tanners or those of you who prefer a natural look. I am used to using much darker tans so for me this was best after two applications! 

The stand out products for me were the accessories themselves. The tanning mitt feels secure and good quality with a lovely smooth application side. The exfoliation mitt is a must have for all tanners because it removes all traces of old tan without feeling uncomfortable on skin. I simple used my shower gel with the mitt to scrub away the old before putting on the new! The headband is also fantastic for stopping tan from getting into the hair, being blonde I find this especially annoying so this is a neccessity for me! 

The tan land site offers free delivery in the UK which for me is a massive thumbs up and they stock a variety of well known brands including Xen Tan (one of my all times favourites) and tans I am very keen to try such as Makebelieve and He-shi. I will be using up my current collection of tans then placing an order to try these soon :)

What are your favourite tans?

x

www.tanland.co.uk

April empties!

I can't believe its April already! As a new month begins, I have suddenly run out of some essentials so I thought I would post my empties and whether I will be repurchasing or not! I have included some skincare, haircare and general grooming products. Luckily I haven't run out of any makeup pieces as I have been stocking up on mascaras and powders just in case of emergency ;) 

Here are my empties! L-R Dermalogica soothing eye makeup remover, Blanx white shock toothpaste with LED accelerator, Mitchum advanced control deodorant stick, Xen Tan dark lotion, Ojon Colour sustain shampoo, Kerastase Elixir Ultime hair oil.

I have had some of these over a year whilst others have been recent finds so here is a run down of what I won't be repurchasing and why!

Dermalogica soothing eyemakeup remover - I am a Dermalogica fanatic and most of my current skincare routine contains these fabulous products. So I thought I would give this remover a try. However it is the only product of theirs I would not repurchase. It is not a bad makeup remover, it simply doesn't removed the amount of makeup I wear! For work I am often sporting a dark smokey eye and this remover just doesn't have the power to budge dark colours and gel eyeliners but for someone who wears more natural eye makeup this is a lovely gentle remover. However I will be sticking to removers which are more specifically geared towards long wearing makeup products.

Mitchum advanced control - Again this is not a bad product by any means but running around at work I was not kept completely dry with this product so I am still on the hunt for the perfect deodorant! The mitchum brand has impressed me more than most others though so I may try another product from the same range and see how I get on with it. I do like the fact that the cream is hydrating and dries instantly but will be trying other deodorants before repurchasing this.

Ojon colour sustain shampoo - The conditioner of this range is still going strong however as always the shampoo has run out quicker. The size of this product is fantastic as I can simply keep it in the shower and not worry about when its going to run out! However that day has finally come and even though I have enjoyed this product I am unsure as to whether I will buy it again. I love trying new products so for me to repurchase a hair product I have to truly fall in love with it and this didn't happen with this shampoo. Its a lovely rich texture with an appealing smell however for my hair (fine and slightly oily at roots) it didn't give me enough body. I would highly recommend it for thicker drier hair types which have been coloured though.

Blanx White shock with LED accelerator - I was sent this toothpaste by Blanx to try and despite my scepticism of the LED, I was pleasantly impressed by this product! I love having a bright smile and after recently getting my teeth whitened at the Pro Beauty show, I wanted to keep up that white look to my teeth and this has certainly done that! It doesn't come with a colour chart but I can see that my teeth are a great shade and when I wear my favourite orange red lipstick they look gleaming! The LED light attachment activates the whitening agent in the toothpaste and even though it looks like a gimmick it seems to really work. I would repurchase this.

Xen Tan dark lotion - One of my all time favourites tans, I already have a back up ready to use. This tan gives a natural golden looking colour so even though I tend to use slightly darker tans for nights out this is the perfect everyday colour and lasts well on the skin. It is hydrating too so I get less flaking and patchiness. The colour guide is quite dark but when you wash it off in the morning you are left with a golden holiday colour. This tan will always have a place in my collection.

Kerastase Elixir Ultime hair oil - I love this hair oil! I have since tried L'oreal mythic oil and whilst that is a beautiful product there is something special about this one that makes me want to repurchase despite the higher price tag! The smell alone is enough to tempt me into buying again! The texture is rich but not greasy and it makes brushing and drying the hair so much easier. My hair always feel softer after blow drying when I use this and it now comes in coloured hair versions so I may try one of those too. A must have for anyone who likes to treat their hair! 

What have you run out of this month and are you rushing out to buy more?

x

Beauty dreaming...

So i've put myself on a beauty spending ban. This might seem easy but for a beauty addict like myself it is proving very hard! I have decided to try and use up my existing products before buying things I don't actually NEED. So far I have managed a week without spending which is quite an achievement for me! But this doesn't stop me from window shopping and I have created a wishlist of things I would love to treat myself to when I feel that  I have managed to save up some money and won't feel so guilty about!

Here is my beauty wishlist for this Spring:

1. Makeupforever HD foundation - Guru makeup/PAM approx £30

I have been desperate to try this for many years but because it is only available in select stores in the UK I haven't had the chance to find my perfect colour and am too nervous ordering a shade online without seeing it first. I think I may be #127 which is a yellow medium tone but am keen to go to the makeup shops in Fulham/Shepherds Bush which stock it. I love the idea of a flawless HD base and the reviews I have seen are great. I love a smooth finish that still retains a fairly natural look so will definitely be buying some this year.

2. By Terry Rose de Rose sheer liquid blush - Space NK £40

I literally fell in love with this liquid blush the moment I tried it but its hefty price tag has always stopped me purchasing it. I first tried it years ago on a make up course and the texture, smell and finish are stunning. The rose smell and light feel make it feel instantly luxurious. It has a luminous satin finish which instantly gives radiance to the skin. I love the pink shade for a winter glow and the coral/bronze tone for summer so I will definitely be investing in at least one colour this year.

3. Chanel les beiges retractable kabuki brush - House of Fraser £33

The new Chanel Les Beiges powders are stunning (can be used as powder, foundation or bronzer) and the most exciting launch for me is the brush that comes with them! The retractable kabuki is perfect for travel and the bristles are incredibly soft. I had a look and feel of the brush last week and could not believe how luxurious it was! It is not cheap but the feel of the brush hairs, the handy size and the beautiful packaging make this a must have for me! I am a total brush addict and currently own nothing like this so I am very excited about purchasing this. 

4. Hourglass Ambient Lighting powders - Space NK $45

These powders will be launching in Space NK UK this week and I am so excited about them! Goss makeupartist recently did a review on his channel and the way the product sat on his skin and improved luminosity assured me that I would need to invest in them. I have been keen to try something from this brand especially the skin products and brushes because the quality looks fantastic and it is exclusive to only a few places in the UK including Space NK and Liberty London. The powder comes in a variety of shades including Radiant Light a golden beige colour which looks perfect for Summer and Luminous Light a gorgeous champagne pearl tone. The powders are created to refine the appearance of the complexion and produce multi dimensional luminescence on the face - perfection! 

5. Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate serum - £35

This night treatment claims to improve radiance and the effects of ageing. I love night products because I wear so much makeup in the day for work that it is truly the only time that I can treat my skin. I usually use my regular moisturiser at night so I would love to invest in something more luxurious for the evening. It contains essential oils and 99.8% naturally derived ingredients. It is recommended to use 1-2 drops per night so despite the price tag I think this would be a worthwhile investment and many of the reviews have claimed that the skin looks instantly improved in the morning! 

What is on your beauty wish list? Have you tried any of mine?

x

Bloglovin!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3190244/?claim=tfnck4hvbce">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

So it seems that GFC may be coming to an end so I have decided to join Bloglovin! I am a total newbie to this so any advice is greatly appreciated !

x

Shopaholic tag

I saw this great blog post on Emma Kelly Glossy boutique http://www.glossy-boutique.com 

and decided I had to fill it out not only because I love blogging tags but because I am a self confessed shopaholic! So lets see just how bad my addiction is....

How old were you when you realised you were a shopaholic?

To be honest I have only recently realised just how bad I am! I have always loved pretty shiny things even as a young girl but only in the last few years since I started blogging and my make up career have I really noticed how much I spend time looking at products!

How do you feel after shopping, and do you have any weird habits you do after shopping?

I feel fantastic after a shopping trip although sometimes a little guilty if I've overspent! I usually bring the products home and show family or friends what I have bought. I also tend to keep them in the packaging or wrapping in my drawers until I use them for some reason.

What are your top 5 favourite stores to shop at and why?

For clothing I love Topshop and Miss selfridge because I can buy both basics and going out clothing there. My favourite beauty store is Space NK and any department store beauty hall such as Selfridges! I also love Liberty for browsing expensive products which I can put on my dream wish list! Thats not including the hundreds of online stores I love!

What item do you have the most of in your closet?

Black clothing! As a makeup artist I am wearing black 99% of the time!

Whats the most you have ever spent on 1 shopping trip?

I don't know exactly but probably about £250 on makeup and beauty products especially when I first started out in makeup and had to buy products for my kit so technically I couldn't feel guilty ;) On clothing I have probably spent about £200 in Topshop Oxford St before including clothing and accessories.

Do you ever experience shoppers regret?

I generally only buy things I know I will use so thankfully I never need to return products. I have bought a few beauty products which I hardly ever use which I do slightly regret but I tend to go into a shop thinking " If I don't want it immediately, I shouldn't buy it"

What was something you regretted buying?

I regret buying things like embellished tops because after one or two wears the beading has come off and I can't wear it again :(

What is your favourite thing to buy?

I have a makeup and beauty addiction first and foremost and makeup brushes are my vice. I am always keen to try new brands so I own many different brushes and brands. As far as clothing goes I like to buy dresses whether they be day or night styles. I also love statement necklaces!

Do you buy the same items in different colours?

Yes! A lot of my Topshop jersey tops and t shirts come in a variety of colours so if I find a style that fits I like to buy at least 2 colour variations because I know I will get a lot of use out of them

Do you ever use dressing rooms?

I always try on clothes because at 5ft1 and a size 8/10 with a large chest I really struggle to find a good fit!

Do you prefer to go shopping alone, or with others?... and who is your favourite shopping buddy?

I like a girly shopping day or a browse with my bf but I have to admit I tend to find more things I want when i'm on my own because I can really focus! I do most of my shopping online so i'm used to shopping alone!

If you could go shopping with a Celeb who would it be and why?

It would be a toss up between Lauren Conrad and Kim Kardashian! I love both of their styles despite being quite different. Lauren wears the beachy girl next door styles I like whereas Kim is more edgy and I love her designer accessories. I would probably invite Kim first so Kanye could lend us some spending money ;)

If you could go shopping with a Blogger/Youtube guru who would it be and why?

That is a tough one as I have so many favourites! I would probably invite my makeup guru Wayne Goss (Gossmakeupartis) because he could tell me his honest opinion on the best makeup products to invest in.

Whats your favourite, treat, snack, drink during or after shopping?

I like to keep hydrated while i'm shopping so a water or juice always has to be in my handbag. I will usually just grab a sandwich if I am shopping alone but if its a girls day out I like to make a day of it so will usually suggest a dinner after.

What is something you have always wanted to buy but never had the money to do so?

I have always wanted to buy myself a designer handbag such as an Alexander Wang or Chloe. I think this year I will stop buying so many beauty products, save up especially and treat myself ;)

If you had £1000 to spend on anything you want, what would you splurge on?

I would probably invest in some really expensive makeup brushes, an Alexander Wang bag and as many lipsticks as I could get my hands on!

Are you a proud shopaholic?

Strangely, yes!

I tag all of you to take part in this tag as I would love to hear your shopping confessions too!

x