How To Get Glowy Skin

You know how glowy and fresh your skin looks after a facial? That’s exactly what I aim for after doing these steps. Glowy skin is the epitome of beauty goals and achieving that fresh, dewy look is important if you want to pretend like you drink 2 liters of water a day and get eight hours sleep. Because honestly, who actually does that??

Exfoliate!

Exfoliating is one of the quickest and easiest ways to get glowy skin. This is because it speeds up the skin shedding process to remove dead cells and product buildup that’s clogging your pores. You can use a traditional exfoliator for this but I prefer to use a liquid/chemical one and my favourite is the Pixi Glow Tonic. It uses glycolic acid to exfoliate your skin and ginseng to improve circulation. It also has a huge cult following so you know it’s good and there’s no need to wash your face afterwards so it’s hassle free.

Moisturise

Dry skin will never look glowy so it’s really important that you’re regularly moisturising in the winter. It’s best to moisturise everyday, especially in the morning if your skin is looking a little dull. My go-to at the moment is the Vichy Mineral 89 Serum which is a gel based moisturiser. It’s really light but the effects last all day and it absorbs really quickly so it’s perfect under makeup.

Use A Mask

If your skin is looking really dull and you need a quick fix then it’s definitely worth investing in a mask. I always keep a few sheet masks in my skincare stash in case of emergencies and I find they’re the best at de-puffing and making your skin look dewy. I have a few favourites that I always go back to including the Garnier Moisture Bomb which is REALLY hydrating, the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Sheet Mask which is basically an instant facial and also her Goddess Skin Clay Mask which brightens, tightens and reduces your pores.

Highlight

Fake it till you make it honey and by fake it, I mean using a TON of highlighter. I remember at uni I went through several bottles of Benefit’s High Beam trying to hide how exhausted I was! Highlighters have come an awful long way since then though, so there’s really no excuse not to have one for emergencies. I was recently sent two from Topshop beauty and I’ve been really loving them for a quick fix. The first is their Glow Powder highlighter in Solstice which you can sweep over your cheek bones using a fan brush and the second is their liquid highlighter in Blaze which you can either dab on top of your makeup or mix into your foundation for a more serious glow.

Drink Loads Of Water

I know it’s really obvious but this is the one thing that will help above all else. I always notice how dull my skin looks when I’m not drinking as much water, so if you know you need to look fresh tomorrow then get drinking. Water also helps to flush out toxins which is good for beating blemishes so it’s definitely worth it. Something that really helps with this is getting a water bottle, that way you can carry it around with you everywhere you go. There are loads of cute ones in Homesense if you’re on a budget but I’m currently coveting a fancy one from S’well.

Try Charlotte Tilbury’s Wonder Balm

I’ve been using this for so long and as you can tell by how battered the bottle is, I really love this product! It gives you an instant supermodel glow and if I could afford to, I would cover my whole body in it. It’s not as glowy as a highlighter but is way more natural so I either apply it all over my face before makeup or mix it in with my foundation. It’s honestly worth the crazy price tag and it’s the absolute best thing to revive your skin.

Bronze & Blush

So, if all else fails or if you’ve simply run out of time then the quickest way to look more glowy is to bronze and blush. Even if you’re having a bad skin day it’s amazing how much difference a flush across the cheeks can make. Just start by using your bronzer on the high points of your face where the sun would naturally hit you and then use your blush to add a rosy glow to your cheeks.

These tips are so simple but they really help me when I’m feeling tired or when my skin needs a pick me up. These products are also cult classics so they’re worth investing in and will last you forever as they’re such good quality. If you liked this post i’ve also written one on the Pixi Beauty Toners which is worth a read if you love skincare.

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The Acne Fighting Bubble Mask You Need To Try Out

Last week I was sent the 7th Heaven Charcoal Detox Bubble Mask to review and to say I was intrigued was definitely an understatement. I LOVE face masks (if you watch my insta stories you’ll definitely know that already) but I’ve actually never tried a bubble mask before. This one is a little bit different though because it doesn’t come out of a pot it’s a sheet mask. Weird right? Which made me even more excited to try it.

As you can see from the pics this isn’t the most flattering face mask ever but what it lacks in good looks it makes up for in good ingredients. As soon as it arrived I had to put it to the test and have popped my thoughts below incase you wanted to try it out.

What it promises

The main ingredient in the 7th Heaven Charcoal Detox Bubble Mask is charcoal, which is the best ingredient for cleansing your pores and removing any excess oil that can lead to spots. It’s used in lots of acne fighting products and paired with the bubble effect of this mask it can really dig deep into your skin for a much clearer and fresher complexion. The mask also includes Star Anise which is a natural antioxidant that will help to soothe any breakouts and fight spot causing bacteria. It’s also good for making your skin look really glowy and fresh, which is always a good thing!

Easy to use?

There’s way more product on this mask compared to any other sheet mask I’ve tried and it’s quite hard to open without it getting everywhere. Once you’ve unfolded it though it’s super simple to line up and press onto your skin and it doesn’t slide around at all. In fact because there was so much product it held on really well, especially under my chin so my whole face could benefit from the mask. Once it’s on you just leave it for 5-10 minutes before pealing it off so it’s a really easy process altogether.

How does it feel?

I wasn’t sure what to expect but in terms of how it felt there wasn’t any tingling or stinging at all. The mask was really light and it felt gentle on my skin so I could barely feel it working. I also couldn’t feel it bubbling but I could hear it and it’s quite relaxing which is perfect if you’re having a pamper eve.

How did my skin look?

When I took the mask off my skin looked really dewy and fresh and it really helped to brighten my complexion. I also noticed that the skin in my t-zone looked a lot clearer and it helped to take down some redness I had from breakouts. I actually think this would be a good pick me up before a night out or a special occasion as my skin was so clear it gave me a good base for applying makeup.

The day after

For the sake of being really honest I wanted to mention that I did get a little spot on my nose the day after using this mask. I’m guessing that this is because the charcoal helped to draw out some of the junk that was deep in my pores so it’s definitely not a bad thing. I think that’s something to be careful of though whenever you use skin clearing products, especially if you have something planned the next day!

Tried this out? Let me know your thoughts and mask recommendations below, I’m always up for testing new skin care…

7th Heaven Charcoal Detox Bubble Mask

Wishtrend’s Mandelic Acid is here to give you flawless skin…

Wishtrend reached out to me a few months ago and asked if I would be interested in reviewing their Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water. As it promised to brighten up my complexion and reduce pigmentation I was more than happy to try it. Turns out this is the secret ingredient I’ve been waiting for my whole life as I’ve finally found an acid that doesn’t irritate my skin. It does however still give me all the benefits of something a little bit stronger. Here’s everything you need to know…

What is Mandelic Acid?

Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates your skin in the same way as salicylic or glycolic. It also accelerates skin cell turnover and with that reduces fine lines and improves skin tone, texture, pigmentation and acne scarring. Mandelic acid is also anti-inflammatory so it helps to keep break outs under control as well as taking down any redness.  Not only that but it’s way more gentle than salicylic as it’s molecules are bigger so it doesn’t penetrate your skin as deeply. Sounds perfect right? So if you have sensitive or acne prone skin this is going to be amazing for you.

How do you use it?

I apply Wishtrend’s Mandelic Acid to clean skin using a cotton pad and gently pat it on without being too rough. I don’t tend to use it in the morning, but if you do just make sure to apply an SPF afterwards as it can make you more sensitive to the sun.

Ingredients?

Mandelic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract and Sodium Hyaluronate.

Recommended skin types?

It’s perfect for sensitive skin types as it causes less irritation because of it’s bigger molecular structure. The skin prep water also includes Panthenol which is perfect for dry skin and it’s also great if you’re prone to acne or have scarring/pigmentation.

Why I love Wishtrend’s Mandelic Acid?

The first time I tried this I put a small amount on my skin before going to bed as I was worried about how I would react. I haven’t tried a lot of acid products before and my skin doesn’t like salicylic so I wasn’t convinced that it would work for me.

The next day I woke up looking insanely fresh and with way less pigmentation and redness but without a single bit of irritation. I feel like it really helped to clean up the texture of my skin too, it was way softer which gave me a better base for applying makeup. I also feel like my skin looks a lot fresher and brighter after using this. I’m not sure if that’s just because it softens the pigmentation but I definitely thought I looked healthier!

Shop here: Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water

Best Beauty Products of 2017

_{I’m wearing my amazing Custom Dressing Gown by TuneToo UK}

I get that some highly organised internet people had their favourites together last December and a post about the best beauty products of 2017 might now seem a bit late, but nevertheless her I am with mine! I’ve really changed up my beauty routine this year and fallen in love with new products and brands that have really changed my skin, makeup and hair routines. At the start of this year I was working as a Visual Merchandiser at M&S and having a discount card for their beauty department has a lot to do with that. Even though I no longer work there though my desire to discover new things and try new looks has definitely stuck with me.

Before we get into it, I want to warn you that this post is a little bit long. So get comfy, put your feet up and be prepared for your beauty wishlist to get a lot longer.

Makeup

Foundations: My skin has been the best it’s ever been this year and so trying out foundations has become way more exciting. My two favourites are the Nars Sheer Glow (which I’ve talked about a million times!) and the Kat von D ‘Lock It’ Foundation which is absolutely game changing. Before I get into both products I want to mention something that I think might be useful. I’ve started to swap out my normal shades this year for slightly darker ones, with a yellow base and I’m finding that it makes me look way more alive. For example in Sheer Glow I’m normally Mont Blanc, which is a really popular shade but I’m now wearing Fiji. It just makes me look a little sun kissed while still blending into my neck. I’m not sure if this is useful but I just thought it might be worth mentioning! As for Sheer Glow itself, it’s an iconic product for a reason and the healthy, dewy glow it gives me will never be matched by another product. The Kat von D Lock It gives me a much higher coverage though and has become my go-to night out/dinner/want to look flawless beyond belief foundation that is also 100% vegan and cruelty free. If you want to learn some more about it though you can read my full review right here.

Kat Von D ‘Lock-It’ Setting Powder: Baking was a big thing this year and became way more mainstream thanks to our favourite beauty guru’s on YouTube. I love baking my face. Yes, I’ve had some shockers with it already (flash photography is a no no) but if you want to look ‘snatched’ this is how you do it. I was given the Kat von D ‘Lock It’ Setting Powder with the foundation and it’s so glowy and light. It mattifies my face longer than anything else but doesn’t make me look cakey at all.

Bronzer: I’ve included this Laura Geller one for the sake of a pic but honestly, this year I’ve been loving bronzer in absolutely every way, shape and form. I use it to contour and also as an eyeshadow and there just isn’t any other product that makes me feel quite as alive as a good bronzer!

Mascara: I got these two Dior products for Christmas, so they’re a last minute addition to my list but still amazing. The lash primer is so ridiculously good, it makes your lashes look HUGE and helps you to separate them all evenly to get the best look. The mascara is the one Bella Hadid has in the advert where she squeezes the tube and combined with the primer it gives you the biggest lashes ever. It has a high concentration of wax and elastic fibres which plump and lengthen each individual hair.

NYX Lip Liners: These are quite a new discovery too and they’re also £3 so definitely the cheapest on the list. As I have super thin lips I like to just overdraw them and colour them in with liner and the NYX ones come in so many shades I can always find one I love.

Makeup Brushes: This year my two most used makeup brushes have to be the PUR Cosmetics foundation brush and the Zoeva crease brush. The PUR brush is the key to flawless coverage and makes my foundation look really even and well blended. It takes a while to get used to the shape but I’ve found it helps to work in a small amount at a time. The Zoeva one is what I use to put bronzer on my eyelids and it just makes blending and getting the powder in the right place so easy. I couldn’t find the exact brush on their website but I think this one is pretty much the same shape.

Skincare

Charlotte Tilbury: Charlotte Tilbury is good at literally everything to do with makeup, so it makes sense that she would bring out the best products to prep your face. The Goddess Skin Clay Mask has been one of my go-to products all year to tighten my pores and brighten my skin, especially before weddings or going out for dinner. It’s so good and definitely does what it says on the tube, giving you baby smooth skin. I’ve also written a full review here if you want to take a look. The second thing I wanted to mention is Wonder Glow, an illuminating face primer that seriously saves my skin when it’s looking tired.

Avene: I love Avene products and use the micellar water and cleansing foam everyday. Their products are so gentle and work really well for sensitive and acne prone skin like mine.  I’ve also recently picked up the Physiolift night balm and it makes me look super fresh in the morning.

Glam Glow super-mud mask: This is the best face mask if you have oily or acne prone skin and you can literally see it draw the dirt out of your pores. It works really well to clear spots and calm redness without being too harsh or leaving you feeling dry. I’ve actually written a full review of this here if you want to take a look.

Emma Hardie Amazing Face: Finding a good day cream is so hard but this has been my holy grail find of the year. This cream makes your skin look so glowy and fresh, as well as having SPF 30 to protect you from the sun. Unfortunately it’s really pricey, so you might want to keep an eye out for offers if it’s something you want to try. Like most of the things on this list, I have a full review of the cream right here too. 

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Blemish Formula: My go-to spot product is the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo but it’s pretty pricey so I was up for finding a cheaper dupe. The Ordinary was definitely one of the biggest beauty brands of 2017 and is so forward thinking and affordable, it’s definitely made me re-think the products in my skincare routine.  Their Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Blemish Formula works in a similar way to Effaclar Duo and soaks up the excess oils leaving my skin mattified. It also reduces congestion and regulates sebum production to prevent spots and keep breakouts under control.

Liz Earle Eye Bright: I can honestly say I will use this product for the rest of my life. It’s insane. If you have dark circles or puffy eyes this gets rid of everything and makes you look totally refreshed.

Haircare

Paul Mitchell Express Dry Wash: I’m a bit of a dry shampoo junkie. Not just for greasy hair days but to add some much needed volume to my messy buns. I was sent this one to try and wasn’t sure how I would like it seeing as I’m quite picky with hair products but it was actually amazing. It sucks up any oil without making your hair look dull and adds lots of texture too, making your hair look fuller and freshly washed.

Kenra: I was also sent some stuff from Kenra to try this year and can tell you that the hype around their products is 100% justified. I have two faves and my first is the Blow Dry Spray which cuts down drying time and also helps my hair to hold a style making my blow-dry last longer. The second is their Silkening Mist which basically gives you super shiny, healthy hair immediately and is great at hiding dry, crispy ends. I’ve actually written a whole guide to Kenra haircare that you can read here.

Josh Wood Radiant Hair Oil: This is hands down the BEST hair oil I’ve ever tried and works really well to make my locks look healthy and shiny, especially after lots of heat styling. The oil is really nourishing and smells amazing and I love putting it in my hair when it’s wet so that my blow-dry looks super shiny.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme: If you’ve over bleached your hair, this is exactly what you need to bring it back from the dead. The Elasticizer hair mask is really nourishing and repairing and replacing moisture that is lost from dying and heat styling. It’s a holy grail product for me and has really helped this year while I grow out my awful hair cut.

Body

Autograph Tan: I love wearing a thin layer of fake tan to take the edge of how pale I am and I also think it helps to cover any redness in my skin tone too. The worst part about fake tanning is getting streaks and over the years I’ve found it really hard to find a formula that works for me. The Autograph tan range from M&S is the best I’ve ever tried, even over the more expensive ones. My favourite is their dry oil as it’s easy to apply, smells amazing and never leaves me streaky.

Hotel Chocolate Body Butter: I was given this butter for Christmas last year and it’s by far one of my favourite scents ever. I’ll be honest, before this I didn’t even know they did skincare but I’m so glad I’ve found out about it. It’s a great moisturiser and is really rich but not too sticky or oily.

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs: I get that this has been around for a million years but my friend suggested it to me for a wedding this year and now there’s no way I would go bare legged without it. It’s essentially a foundation but gives your skin a golden glow while making your legs look completely flawless. Just make sure to avoid white sofas!

Fragrance

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle: This bottle makes me happy every time I look at it because it’s just so beautiful and I’m so excited to have it back in my collection. I actually used to wear this scent when I was younger too and it’s one of my absolute favourites as it’s girly without being overly sweet or floral. It’s main notes are orange, violet and rose making it a really sophisticated take on a feminine fragrance.

The Scent Intense by Hugo Boss: This is a new discovery of mine and was sent to me for a collaboration with Fragrance Direct. It has top notes of honeyed peach and freesia blossom which are feminine but not too sweet. This is mixed with the warm scents of cocoa and vanilla which combined makes it a perfect shout for the winter months. I am also completely in love with the bottle, it’s so luxurious and the colour is totally divine.

Velvet Rose & Oud Cologne: This is my all time favourite scent and if I had to name a perfume that was most me, it would definitely be this. I love rich fragrances and anything that includes Oud or Amber I’m instantly drawn to. It’s unfortunate that this is unbelievably, ridiculously and outrageously expensive though but I guess in a way, that’s what makes it so special. If you’re not into typical girly or floral fragrances I would definitely recommend this.

Marc Jacobs Decadence: Of all the perfumes I’ve ever had, this one has brought me the most compliments. It’s mix of scents like Italian Plum, Iris and Saffron that make it a really rich and glamorous fragrance. I think this year they have developed a new version of this too, so it’s definitely one that’s sticking around.

If you’ve made it to the end of this post, thank you so much for reading! It’s a little bit crazy how many beauty items I’ve worked through this year but I’ve definitely learnt a lot about what works for my skin. If you have any 2017 favourites of your own or have tried any of these, let me know what you think in the comments below!

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Glam Glow Super-Mud Mask Review

I’ve been obsessed with face masks ever since someone bought me a Liz Earle one about 10 Christmases ago and in 2017 my fascination seemed to reach total fever pitch. Like everyone, I’m a sucker for instant results and when it comes to skincare, there’s nothing better than a pick me up you know will work. That’s where the Glam Glow Super-Mud Mask comes in because on bad skin days when I’m breaking out, this literally saves me.

The Super-Mud contains four of Glam Glow’s revolutionary formulas in one mask. Firstly the Acnecidic-6 a blend of 6 acids, including salicylic which is designed to clear and repair your skin, then the Pore Matrix which contains activated charcoal to absorb bacteria and toxins. Then there’s the Bio Life Cell Science which soothes and regulates oil production and lastly their Teaoxi technology which uses Eucalyptus oil to freshen you up. It promises to be effective against a whole list of issues too including pores, imperfections and spots as well as razor bumps and ingrown hairs which is great for guys who shave regularly.

When you first put it on it feels quite light in comparison to conventional mud masks and it’s really gentle on the skin. Sometimes masks that specifically target acne or congestion can be really harsh or sting but I didn’t get that at all with this. The magic happens when it starts to dry though as you’ll start to see black dots on the very oily areas of your face. This is basically the charcoal working to unclog your pores and remove the build up of sebum and bacteria which causes spots. Afterwards, my skin feels so fresh and it’s perfect for controlling oil and breakouts as well as redness. After washing it off my face doesn’t feel really dry either, just clean and soothed and the oily areas are way more under control.

I managed to pick this up on sale at the M&S beauty hall however the full retail price is £42. It’s a little bit expensive but I’ve had at least 10 applications out of this pot already and the results are really impressive. I think if you’re looking to invest in something special and you have particularly oily skin it would be totally worth it.

Shop the Glam Glow Super-Mud Mask here

_{ps. thank you to my little brother Flynn who helped me take these pictures 🙂}

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Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Skin Clay Mask Review

I’ve been using this mask for a while now, I actually bought it when Charlotte Tilbury first opened in Cardiff so I’m surprised how long it’s taken me to write this. Recently I’ve been trying to use up everything in my bathroom cupboard and I’m slowly rediscovering things that were pushed to the back. This is one of them and not because it’s bad but because it’s so bloody expensive I want to savour it!

The Claim

Charlotte Tilbury says “Darlings, forget EVERYTHING you think you know about clay masks! My Goddess Skin Clay Mask features ingredients to tighten pores, moisturise your skin and clear imperfections, with 85%* of users agreeing their skin appears brighter. Now everyone can have flawless, glowing Goddess Skin!”

Usability 9/10

This is a very luxurious face mask, from the packaging to the scent and the colour it’s all perfectly feminine and instagramamable. For me, I like that it’s in a squeeze tube, especially after reviewing the Niod Flavanone Mask, I now fully appreciate anything I don’t have to scoop out of a small pot. You don’t need a lot to cover your face so the bottle actually goes a long way. The texture is really smooth, it’s not gritty like some other clay masks can be and it feels really light on the skin. There is no tingling or drying sensation at all, in fact it’s really nourishing and gentle. With other masks you can sometimes get that really tight, dry feeling (I call this botox face) but this isn’t like that, even after 10 minutes it’s set but it’s not uncomfortable.

The Results 9/10

When I first tested this at the counter I put a small circle on my hand and there was literally a little circle of perfect skin left when I took it off. So I had very high hopes. There is a marked change in my skin after using this and it really does give you instant results. The biggest difference is that it completely shrinks my pores and gives me that soft, airbrushed effect. It also takes down redness and helps to sooth my skin so that it feels nourished and well prepped for makeup. It’s the best mask I’ve tried and the only one that gives me an instant boost and a marked improvement in the condition of my skin. For me it’s far too expensive to be in my everyday routine but it’s perfect for special occasions when you want your skin to look it’s absolute best.

Shop Here / Goddess Skin Clay Mask £38

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Charlotte Tilbury Instant Dry Magical Sheet Mask Review

Last week I had the facial to end all facials at Charlotte Tilbury in John Lewis and part of my treatment included the new Instant Dry Magical Sheet Mask that everyone has been raving about. As a self proclaimed connoisseur of the sheet mask, I have to say that it’s a bit weird to use one that’s dry. I’m not aware of any other sheet mask on the market that isn’t dripping in serum so it’s amazing that this achieves anything, considering there’s no liquid product.

It promises the results of a facial in 15 minutes and to brighten, lift, hydrate and reduce lines (yasss). The mask is described as a “bio-mimetic revolutionary system that gives a prolonged release of the ingredients”. Apparently the serum in wet sheet masks will evaporate off your skin after 45 minutes so by being dry it prolongs the effects for up to 8 hours. It also doesn’t harbour bacteria so you can use it up to 3 times, which is good news considering it costs £18! The sheet is quite thick too, far thicker than other ones I’ve tried and you can feel a dry residue on the side that you place on your face. The best thing is that it fits really well and the hooks around your ears help to keep it taught across your face so you get the most of the mask. Certainly worth look like Hannibal Lecter for!

The Results    

It really does give you a moisturised, fresh and plumped finish. The fine lines on my forehead disappeared which was so exciting and overall I looked more dewy and well rested. It’s strange because while it’s on it doesn’t feel like it’s doing anything. With the other mask I use, like the Garnier Moisture Bomb, the coolness of the sheet makes it feel like it’s actively working but this one is nothing like that and yet delivers even better results. It gives a glow rather than a heavily moisturised finish and I felt my skin was better prepped to apply makeup than if it was saturated in product . Even while I’m writing this I put the mask on 2 hours ago to take a picture and my skin still looks amazing. I think this is a perfect product for a special occasion or for when you need to really perk up your skin.

Shop it here

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Charlotte Tilbury comes to Cardiff

 Finally Cardiff is stepping up on the retail front and we’re getting some really good brands coming to the capital. Most recently, in terms of beauty we’ve got Jo Malone, Tom Ford, Giorgio Armani and now Charlotte Tilbury. It’s really nice to feel like the city is growing and getting more interest from the bigger luxury brands and it means you don’t have to do all that shopping online.

The counter is in the John Lewis store at the end of the Hayes and occupies a pretty big space. It’s totally gorgeous, kind of like an old Hollywood movie star’s dressing room and they have a huge product offering. I tried out some pieces while I was there and the first thing I went for was the Goddess Skin Clay Mask. It’s so brightening and perfecting, I felt like this would be perfect for days where my skin is looking dull or tired.

I then picked up the Lipliner in Pillow Talk because the girl serving me had the same skin tone as me and it looked amazing on her. It’s the perfect pink/nude shade and works really well under a gloss. Lastly I went for the Filmstar Bronze and Glow Palette because this was something I had read the most hype about. I loved the way it blended on my skin and the shade was a good match for my skin tone, which is hard to find to find with bronzers (as I’m super pale!). I was planning on getting the foundation but I didn’t feel like it suited my skin that much, however if your looking for a good colour match they had every shade imaginable.

For more products and tutorials or to find your local Charlotte Tilbury click here.

Paul Mitchell’s Marula Oil

 If you read my post about the Salon Success diner a fortnight or so ago, this is me finally getting around to reviewing some of the products from that night. I decided to start with this range because it sounds like it’s what my hair has been crying out for. It promises to hydrate, repair and moisturise…perfect.

 I guess I should begin by explaining my hair type as a starting point. I have very dry, frizzy, thin hair, that takes a lot of effort to look shiny and healthy and it’s been dyed several times every possible colour. I always look for products that are nourishing, moisturising and replenishing but not so heavy that they drag my hair down.

So firstly I want to talk about the rare oil treatment, which is my favourite out of the four products. This is probably one of the best oils I’ve tried of late and it’s really lovely to use. It smooths out my hair and feels weightless instantly, meaning it doesn’t get weighed down but looks shiny and healthy. I find it works really well as a finishing product just to smooth any fly aways and polish the look. You can use it on your body which is just as lovely, giving you a glowy finish and it smells great too.

 Onto the shampoo and conditioner, I really loved these two. I found that my hair felt instantly nourished and looked more shiny and it lasted even after styling. The smell is amazing and it doesn’t feel heavy but actually quite light. I can feel residue on my hair when I use it but it doesn’t feel greasy or weighed down. I can tell that the oil has smoothed my hair and it has a thicker, healthier texture overall.

Once or twice a week I used the Intensive Mask too but I struggled with this to begin with. It’s a lot stronger than your average mask and as I usually slather them on generously it didn’t work that well for me. I used too much product and my hair was weighed down and felt greasy really quickly. I think what is testament to the quality of the ingredients is that you really don’t need to overdo it. I started using a smaller amount and really working it into the ends of my hair and that gave a much better result. It’s definitely a once every now and again treatment because it’s a heavy product. However, it does leave your hair super shiny and moisturised.

If you want to find out more about the range click here or if you’ve tried anything out let me know your thoughts below. I’m going to be using this for a little bit longer also, so I can keep you posted on the progress.

Current Favourites

I get the majority of my beauty inspiration from monthly favourites and I think it’s such a good way of discovering new things. I follow a handful of people who share similar tastes to me which is both lovely (as I hear about great stuff) and painful (because I want to buy everything).

Being new to the whole video thing, I thought it would be an easy one to do and some extra practice. I’ve also been shopping a lot and trying a few new things, so I had a good chunk of items I could talk about.

I hope you like the video and as always, please let me know what you think in the box below.

 

 

STILA Stay All Day Foundation & Concealer
CLARINS Instant Concealer
KIKO MILANO Skin Trainer CC Blur
LORD & BERRY Ultimate Lip Liner in Romantic Rose
SLEEK Eyebrow Kit
AVENE Micellar Water
CLARINS Moisture-Rich Body Lotion
ZARA Pineapple Minaudière
ELSA SHIAPARELLI by Meryle Seacrest