Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Lotion

The Body Shop vitamin E range has been one of my best skincare buys in ages. It's really working with my skin type (oily but dehydrated). This is a great moisturizer for the day - it's light but really nourishing and creates a great even base for my make-up. Coming in at £12 this is a lot better than much more expensive moisturizers I've tried. If you have dry skin I'd recommend the night cream from this range that is stupidly hydrating. I've been so impressed with all things skincare from the Body Shop so I'll definitely be doing another haul soon. I also highly recommend signing up to their newsletter and buying online as they have some amazing deals. I ended up getting 40% off the order that this was included in making it stupidly reasonable. 

Georgina x.

Origins Haul

Shopping on Origins website is so great because it has the same benefits of visiting an Origins counter but you can do it from the comfort of your own home. I picked up the Super Spot Remover as I ran out months ago and I've missed it so much. I first blogged about it in September 2012 it was a dream product for me then and it still is now. It's the smallest little pot of spot killing magic and I'm so happy it's back in my life. The Zero Oil is again a repurchase for me it's super brilliant at mattifying the skin without leaving any residue. I haven't blogged about this before but I think a full post might be in order as it's wonderful and I never hear people really talk about it or the zero oil range. 

Finally some masks - I've wanted to try both of these for ages I bought the Clear Improvement mask as I have so many face masks I didn't really need a full tube and thought these little pods would be perfect. I got the mini 7ml version of this for free with the order too which has a good couple of uses in it alone - I'll write up a full post when I've given this a good test. I also got 30ml of the Drink Up Intensive mask for free as I spent £30 this is such a decent sized sample. This product has featured on way too many wishlists and I just have never got around to buying it so I'm excited to have a smaller version to try out before committing to buying the full size. Finally I got a little sachet of the Modern Friction exfoliate which is a fun addition. I highly recommend buying from Origins directly they have free delivery that arrived within 2 days from dispatch and you get to choose a couple of samples at the checkout so it's a good way to try some other bits without having to buy the full size.

Maybelline Better Skin: Foundation & Concealer Review

Foundation on left and concealer on right 

I'm always looking to improve my skin and what better way to do so than through a foundation with such qualities. I think we always look to clogged skin stemming from the makeup we put on our skin so the idea of a product going against this immediately caught my eye. I picked up shade ivory which was a good match for my skintone and concealer shade light which again was a good match and a nice partnership of shades.

Foundation: I'll start with the less favorable review which is the foundation. I like the formula and finish of this foundation it left a nice natural look to the skin that wasn't too dewy but had a nice glowing boost to it. Unfortunately this foundation just doesn't last on me I found it literally slipped off the skin by midday. It's such a shame and I've tried all my primers to try and find a match but it just didn't work out for me. In terms of the 'clear skin' claims it's not a heavy foundation at all so didn't cause my any blemishes however I'm not sure it did anything favourable either. There's a lot of barriers between my skin and my foundation now - serum, moisturiser, primer that I can't really comment if it could directly 'better' my skin. It is however super light and natural in its application so goes give the look of 'better skin.'

Concealer: I really do like this concealer! For me this is the perfect touch up concealer it blends effortlessly into any makeup I have on and can be quickly dabbed over red marks or blemishes and then blends out really quickly. I found this gave good coverage and a small amount covered the reddest blemishes I have. It's firmly staying in my handbag makeup bag as the shade is perfect for my right now. I don't think this has many 'better skin' qualities at all as again it doesn't make any noticeable differences to blemishes or pigmentation of the skin but it is a nice little concealer. Again it does however give you the illusion of better skin after application.

The foundation comes in 8 shades and is £8.99 - The concealer comes in 2 shades and is £5.99.

Bourjois Bronzing Powder - Review

The Bourjois bronzing powder has been on the market for ages I've always looked at it as being a little gimmicky with it's chocolate shaped packaging but I needed a new bronzer and had heard good things about this so thought it was worth picking up. It cost £6.99 from Boots. I wanted a matte bronzer really so was a little concerned as you can see small specks of shimmer when it's in it's packaging however applied to the skin you can't tell that they're there at all. I think the shimmer might just help with the warm glow the product gives the skin. The packaging is cardboard with a magnetic strip ensuring it stays shut in your handbag. It has a gorgeous scent to it which isn't actually chocolate I think it's more vanilla than anything. 

I've used this product everyday since picking it up a few weeks ago - I've been applying it with my real techniques contour brush and then blending out with my real techniques powder brush. My favourite bit about this bronzer is that it has not a hint of orange in it and when applied and buffed out gives the nicest natural glow to the skin. I'm glad I finally picked this up as I can see this being in my collection for a long long time to come. 

Garnier Moisture Match Shine Be Gone

I didn't mean to but I've really fallen for this little moisturiser. It retails for £5.99 but it's always on offer currently £3.99 at Boots. I picked it up as I love something that mattify's my increasingly oily face. What I love about this product is it does exactly what it says in the box. It mattify's oily skin, absorbs super fast and gives great hydration at the same time. I only use this is in the morning as I like a lot more moisture over night but for the day it's great at holding my make-up in place and keeping oil at bay. 

There's 5 moisturisers in Garniers range for different skin types Goodbye Dry for dry to very dry, Start Afresh for normal to dry, Shine be Gone for combination to oily, Wake me Up for dull, and Protect & Glow for normal skin. I would definitely recommend this range if you are on a budget and looking for a day moisture that is designed specific to your skin type. 

February Favorites - 2014

February is over already :o - except to see this after every month this year - how is time going so fast, scarily coming up to my 25th birthday. That's a quarter of a century - how has that happened?! Anyway onto my February favorites. Firstly is the e.l.f maximum coverage concealer I picked this up a while ago in one of e.l.f's 50% sales it retails for just £3.95 anyway. It's super creamy and pigmented so dabbing a teeny bit on any blemish covers it up straight away. I've been using this a lot this month and I love how it comes in a little squeezy almost foundation like tube. I'll definitely repurchase this as a small amount goes such a long way. 

I had to include Alpha H Liquid Gold - I won't go on about it because I blogged about just a few days ago so you can read my full thoughts here. I found my Maybelline on and on bronze in an overnight make-up bag at the beginning of the month - it had been treated badly and left amongst a bag I'd completely forgotten about. I first bought this in April 2012 and the lover affair has continued all that time. It's the only shadow I've ever finished and repurchased I use it as a base and a stand alone shadow.

I use the Vo5 Dry Texturising Spray like it's going out of fashion this is my 4th or 5th can. It's so versatile and fits into any styling I do or don't do to my hair. I won't go on about it any more than I have it's been used thoroughly during this month though and you can read my full review here. Finally I had to include the REN hydra calm cleansing milk which I reviewed last month. It's been a huge part in getting my skin back on form and also in making my skincare routine work again. It's so soothing and gentle yet really removes all the days grime from my skin. I love REN and this product is a part of the reason why. 

Alpha H Liquid Gold with Glycolic Acid - Review

I've been wanting to try Alpha H Liquid Gold for probably a year or so when it first burst onto every blog I read. I was however a little scared of it acid and a price tag that was out of my league meant that I just never got around to buying it. However my new years resolution was to buy just one thing each month that was expensive but has been on many a wishlist. This month was finally the time for Alpha H after spending hours reading everything Caroline Hirons had to say I knew this was a better early purchase than any of the make-up on my wishlist. I picked it up from Beauty Expert in a duo bundle for about £40 but it RRP's for £31.50 for 100ml. 

I'm having a little skincare refresh at the moment as everything I was doing just wasn't working - this is working. I've been using liquid gold 2-3 times a week after fully removing all make-up and then not applying anything after it for what they call an intensive treatment. If I'm honest I'd read so much about it that I kind of imagined waking up looking in the mirror with my 15 year old skin. It isn't a miracle worker but after just a few weeks my complexion is more glowing, my pores less visible and all the dark marks and redness caused by previous break outs is heavily reduced. 

Alpha H is an exfoliant and it really does all the things it claims - I feared I'd have dry angry skin when using this but I haven't found any bad side effects whatsoever. It is pricey but it's so worth it. You only need the smallest amount on a cotton pad (as much as  a toner) lightly sweep it across the skin and you're done. I would highly recommend this product as I change up my skincare routine this has helped me the see the light - if you're in any doubt google Alpha H Caroline Hirons you'll see all of the most gorgeous skinned girls raving about it too. 

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - Review

I saw the Garnier miceller cleansing water in an instagram post a month or so ago and have been trying to get my hands on it for ages. It finally seems to be popping up everywhere and I picked it up in Asda a few weeks ago. I had become a little reliant on micellar water after falling in love with both Bioderma and the L'Oreal offering but I've started using it properly as a make-up remover rather than a cleanser and my skin is loving me for it. I read Charlotte's post 'why bioderma is so 2013' and it completely summed up my current skincare problems. I'd become really lazy and was relying completely on micellar water for all my skincare needs. 

I went cold turkey for a week after reading her post and began properly cleansing, toning and moisturising. My pores are less visible, my skintone less red and I am having fewer breakouts. In the last few days I've reintroduced micellar water as a pre-cleanse to get the most from my REN cleanser and to also remove all my make-up. It's working brilliantly - massive thank you to Charlotte at Lil Miss Chickas  for pointing out my obvious laziness in her post. 

So the Garnier micellar water has had a thorough testing and I have to say it's nothing groundbreaking and is equally as good as L'Oreal (review). I genuinely couldn't tell you any differences between them and I have really tried. I like the bottle a lot more on the Garnier version the chunky round shape and pink lid appeal in the same way Bioderma's very similar packaging does. This version removes my make-up just as well. I think this is a product that all UK skin care brands are going to bring out at some point this year and I can't imagine any of them being particularly awful as the concept is so simple. I currently have no loyalty to any of them and will be picking up my pre-cleanse micellar waters purely based on price. Most new entries to the market are on offer for just £2 - £3 so a bargain for an everyday purchase. As for the 400ml = 200 uses slogan on this bottle, are you kidding! This is based on 2ml per use so you'd have to extremely light make-up on for this to be anywhere near close. A silly claim that is so unnecessary - it lasts just as long as all other brands and for the price I don't think anyone would expect 200 or 100 days worth out of it. 

Dr Jart + Up-Tighten Serum

I adored the Dr Jart waterfuse BB cream  so had high hopes for the up tighten serum. I've mentioned many times on here that the main problem I have with my skin is large and very visible pores. When a product claims to help with this in some way it normally ends up in my basket. I'm yet to overcome the problem completely but this is helping. The Dr Jart + Up Tighten Serum helps tighten and refine pores and also helps to prevent the build up of impurities. The key pore tightening ingredients are sage and rosemary extract. It gives a nice matte finish which makes it a lovely serum to use in the morning as well as evening. I've really noticed a difference when using this - I did have a small breakout as I started with it but after a little perseverance my skin is less red and my pores are much less visible.  It contains a little witch hazel too which I think is helping keep my spots under control right now. For £13 I think this is very good value as it does live up to it's claims and like most serum's a small amount goes a very long way. 

REN Hydra-Calm Cleansing Milk

 

REN Hydra-Calm Cleansing Milk £16 Cult Beauty

I really love REN - have I ever mentioned that? Part of my new years beauty resolution plan was to properly cleanse tone and moisturize much more. I tend to steer away from face washing due to laziness but this year it's time for a change and this product has made me stick to that every single day so far - granted it's only the 5th but that's pretty good for me.

It's blurb describes how it's been developed for those with blotchiness, redness and extreme dryness. As the cold is really setting in right now my skin is always up for some extra moisture and my skin is really red in places so this really appealed. I find a lot of face washes foam and dry out my face but this is really the opposite to that. It says it has some cutting edge science that boost's the skin natural process of protection and even though I've only been using it a little while my skin is looking better than it does most of the year and given it's January I'm pretty happy with that. It's completely fragrance, paraben and oil free so is super gentle to the skin and feels ever so nourishing in the evenings.

I picked up this Hydra Calm cleansing milk from Marks and Spencers for just £10.50 after Christmas it's currently sold out online but I did see a couple left in my local branch so I recommend checking out they're sale if you're after this one - otherwise Cult Beauty have it for just £16.

REN Invisible Pores Detox Mask

REN Invisible Pores Detox Mask - £18 (Marks and Spencer)

I've been using this product for quite a few weeks now and its fast become one of my favourite masks of all I own. I've always had a problem with overall skin texture small pimples that don't really want to go away nor turn into full blown spots and also I have very visible pores that I'm always on the hunt to minimise. This clay mask does draw out the impurities from the skin and I do find I have a little break out after using it however this doesn't last long when using the REN AHA concentrate in my evening skincare routine. Once the mask is dry it begins to flake off you can then even wash it off or rub it off in flakes for a light exfoliation with it. After even the first use I noticed my pore size had really reduced and my skin overall just felt smoother. Again I can't sing the praises of REN skincare enough - since starting to use a combination of REN products on my skin I have noticed such a difference and this mask is no exception. 

REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate

REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate £30 Marks and Spencer Space NK

I've wanted this product for ages so when my job was made permanent last month it was time for a few treats to be bought for myself and this most definitely going to be one of them. This is my first full size REN purchase I've had so many mini's from beauty boxes and as extra's to orders and I've loved pretty much everything I've tried. 

The resurfacing AHA concentrate claims to be formulated to resurface the skin and renew the complexion giving a radiant youthful glow. The main attraction for me that it contains both glycolic and lactic acid. AHA's (alpha hyproxy acid's) really interest me and are showing up much more frequently than I ever remember in so many different products. They make pores appear smaller, make spots struggle to surface, improve hyperpigmentation and just rid you of all dead skin leaving you with a better texture overall. 

The REN AHA concentrate dispenses using a pipet which is built into the lid - I didn't think I'd like this that much but it's the perfect way to get the product out as you literally just need 3 or 4 drops to cover your whole face. The concentrate has the texture of a serum and the citric acid in it means it has a lovely orangey scent. It kind of feels like the serums that always end up breaking me out but obviously the acid's in it ensure this is avoided. 

The results: I've been using this product now for a good few weeks every single night and it has made such a difference. The first morning I woke up to a much healthier complexion and immediately noticed an even skin tone. A few weeks on some of the scarring from old acne has nearly completely gone and it's taken nearly all of the red out of these area's. My skin isn't perfect yet but this is really improving it, it also stops spots in their track each night so I'm avoiding future pigmentation that will then need attention. 

I'm currently enjoying a little love affair with REN skincare they are a brand that I wouldn't once question spending the money on. I love how it never feels like a gimmick of fancy packaging or clever marketing their products just speak for themselves and I wouldn't hesitate to repurchase this once I've finished. 

Skincare Wishlist - June 2013

After giving the Clean Start Welcome Matte moisturiser holy grail status and talking about it all the time I now have my eye on the whole range Clean Start All Over Clear £11.50  & Clean Start Ready Set Scrub £12.30. Still haven't gotten around to buying Alpha H Liquid Gold £31.50 not sure what's wrong with me as I know as it will do wonders for the dark marks and red blotches on my skin from spots. I've adored the little samples I've had from Ole Henrikksen and have my eye on this reasonably price set of mini's, Ole Henrikksen 3 Little Wonders £15. Again had my eye on this for ages - I adore everything Origins I've ever tried and I'm sure the Origins Out of Trouble 10 minute Mask £20 would be the perfect mask for my skin right now. Finally the No7 Cleansing Water for Normal/ Oily Skin £9 has caught my eye with it's specific skin formulation. I love the purity of cleansing waters and No7 have never done any wrong in my skin care book so far. 

Georgina x

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Micellar Solution

L'Oreal Micellar Solution RRP £4.99 Currently £3.33 in Boots

Bioderma has been a hit in my skin care routine for a since about October (read my review here). I absolutely adore it but it's not hugely accessible so I thought I'd give L'Oreal's offering to the micellar solution  as it comes in at under a fiver and is available in pretty much all the shops. Firstly the dispenser on this is really annoying you literally tilt it a little and your cotton pad is completly soaked. I still can't get used to it - I always have an over soaked pad whenever I use it. 

It doesn't feel quite as pure as bioderma but does take off make-up pretty effortlessly. It struggles with Benefit's They're Real mascara but to be honest most make-up removers do that stuff is so stubborn. My skin didn't mind the change from Bioderma to this product, it didn't cause any break outs or changes and it's the perfect product for between Bioderma purchases. The price point is spot on but there's something about the completly pure and clean finish to Bioderma that it doesn't quite replace. This is the go to product though in supermarkets and if I run out of Bioderma and money's pretty tight I will definitely be repurchasing this. 

Georgina x

Dermalogica Welcome Matte Clean Start Moisturiser

I have had a few miniature 15ml samples of this from various Glossyboxes and the range has been a skin saviour but this moisturiser in particular is easily my favourite and the first Clean Start full size I've needed to purchase. My skin type has always been pretty normal and if anything on the dry side - not sure why or where it's come from but my skin has got seriously oily in the last few years. I seem to have reverted back to my 13 year old self with regular pimples popping up on my t-zone. 

When I went to buy this the dermalogica lady tried to upsell me into the oily adult range which is a whole lot more expensive. She was probably talking sense considering my age however having used the ranges mini's I know that this ticks all my skin care needs. The Dermalogica Clean Start range has been designed for teenage skin with products that mattify and reduce oil in the skin. The range contains daytime/ night time moisturisers, scrub, face wash, face mist, lip shine & targeted spot treatment.  The moisturiser retails for £15.50 but can be bought for £13.30 here. A little goes a really long way with this it mattifies the skin and provides the most amazing base for make-up. I also find it controls oil during the day so helps my make-up stay on longer whilst I'm at work. 

I'm so glad I bought this full size it's the best moisturiser I've ever tried and this alongside some other clean start products is finally relieving me of my many skincare woes. When I need to stock up I will 100% be buying this limited edition Welcome Matte pack for £15.50 which includes a full size welcome matte moisturiser as well as 2 samples of wash off and bedtime for breakouts so turns out to be a bargain. 

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation - £10.99 Superdrug

I'm pretty fickle when it comes to foundation and always have quite a few on the go partly because my skin colour is always changing and partly because I'm a make up whore and always want to buy more. I picked up shade 51 which is the lightest offering I could find in boots. It's perfect for my skin without any tan as shown above. It smells gorgeous and has a lovely gel formula that glides onto the skin and gives a slightly dewy finish. My favourite thing about this foundation is how long it lasts for it stays intact throughout the day and I only need a small bit of concealer for it to take me into the evening. It's a really lovely high street foundation and I can't really fault it. The pump applicator is perfect in foundations and I think this will now stay solidly in my collection for pale days. It gives really good coverage for me and I only need the smallest amount of foundation for blemishes. I know they've had a little rebrand since my purchase too the radiance reveal healthy mix serum foundation which from reading reviews sounds pretty similar apart from the packaging and hopefully when I repurchase it isn't different from this formula as I love it. 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Lotion

La Roche-Posey Effaclar Lotion £11 Boots

I picked this up in a bit of a La Roche-Posay 3 for 2 frenzy a few months ago. I'm weirdly into the clean and clear cleansing lotion for sensitive skin. Most people hate this stuff it's very alcoholic and stings the skin a little on application. I like this though - it really gets the dirt off your skin and when you're having an oily breakout there's nothing like sweeping it over your face after removing your make-up and not using any moisturiser afterwards. It drys out the oil and makes the skin a sponge for all the serum and moisturiser goodness you want to throw at it the next day. 

As much as I do love this stuff it's not an everyday product by any means. I picked up the La Roche-Posey effaclar lotion after reading a few reviews in the hope that it would be a good post make-up removal middle ground. This product unlike the clean and clear is actually clear (it's the bottle that's blue) I liked this straight away it appears more natural immediately. It also has no scent which again ticks my skin care boxes. Even after a few pads of bioderma - which I swear by to remove every single trace of makeup - this stuff gets right in your pores and removes the final traces of any dirt or oil that may be in your skin. It's not as alcoholic as the clean and clear but it does still pack a punch. 

It has really helped with my skin's overall texture and has reduced the amounts of little pimples I've been getting. I can't really comment on how much it's reduced my pore size as I've begun using 3 pore reducing products at the same time but they are smaller and I'm sure this has had something to do with that. I really enjoy using this overall it gets rid of all the dirt on my skin without being quite as harsh as my beloved clean and clear cleansing lotion. It offers more of an exfoliant compared with the clean and clear which is far more of a deep cleansing lotion. Will it buy it again? Going to be honest I love it but clean and clear even though a little harsh is a third of the price so unless I see this on some amazing deal I won't be repurchasing but I do highly recommend it if you find something like clean and clear to harsh but are still looking to deep clean your pores.  

Dr Jart + Re-Tighten Mask

I've read lots of good things about Dr Jart and headed to Boots to pick a few things up to try. I found picking a few things extremely hard - pretty much every single product by the brand sounds amazing. However I'm always on the look out for smaller pores so the pore refine range did stand out for me.

This Dr Jart + Re-Tighten Mask retails for £19 here and is currently on a 3 for 2. I bought it because it claims to both tighten pores, control blackheads and remove excess sebum. My skin isn't happy at the moment so it was the perfect time to give this tube a go.

It's a clay based mask that is nothing like any clay mask I've used - it's nowhere near as thick. It glides onto the skin and as it drys turns clear in many patches. It's almost like my skin is absorbing it but I can still feel it's there unlike a moisturiser. I use this once or twice a week as suggested and I love using it. It's such a lovely light face mask that really has helped with the size of my pores and the overall clearness of my skin. My skin is nowhere near where I want to be but I know using this product is really helping it on its way.

This product is pricey however it's always on a save 1/3 or 3 for 2 offer at boots which makes it a little more purse friendly. It is also a massive 100ml tube and as it's smooth consistency spreads this mask out really evenly I know this will last me quite a while. There are so many more Dr Jart + product I want to try actually more like ranges I want to try. The Most Moist Water Sleeping Mask and the V7 renewal serum are most definitely on my Dr Jart wish list. I'd love to hear any other recommendations from the range too please leave them below or tweet me @georginacallen :)

MAC Pro Sculpting Cream - Accentuate

MAC Pro Sculpting Cream - Accentuate £17.50

Going to be honest I'm not a huge MAC convert - I've never enjoyed the store experience and a few products I've tried from them have been quite disappointing for their price tag. That mixed with the fact there isn't a single MAC counter in the whole of Southampton leaves me with little knowledge about most of their products overall and I often don't get the hype. The only thing I've been completely sold on is their lipsticks I'd have them all if I could... anyway ...  

The MAC pro sculpting cream is a cream to powder formula designed for sculpting and shaping the key features of your face. All of the shades in the range are neutral and go from this very light shade for highlighting into much deeper browns for contouring on a range of skin tones. I actually love this product and I'm so surprised to find it within the discontinued section on the MAC website. It's so so soft and is perfect for adding a really natural highlight to cheek bones and eyebrows. I so wish I'd picked up naturally defined or pure sculpture for contouring too as it blends effortlessly. I've worn it every single day since I bought it and it's absolutely perfect for picking up my cheekbones when I don't want an overly shimmery look. It also works really well with cream blushers as the two blend in so well. I really can't sing it's praises enough it is a welcome addition to my every day make-up routine and I will now be trying to get my mitts on one of the contouring shades before they disappear forever.