Evening Skincare Routine

I made a video all about my morning skincare routine a while ago and here I am with the promised Evening Skincare Routine to carry on from where I last left off. I hope you enjoy watching it, all products are linked over on on youtube, don't forget to like and subscribe if you haven't already!

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January Favourites

It's favourites time again, but for the first time ever, I'm going to talk you through them in a video. I'm so excited to now be doing my favourites posts as videos so I hope you enjoy watching them as much as I enjoyed filming them! You can also check out my last video, my Morning Skincare Routine, here and don't forget to subscribe to my channel over on YouTube!

Products mentioned:

Nars Narssist Palette

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Stay on Shadow Paint in Chained

MAC Select Cover Up in NC45

Nars Multiple in South Beach

By Terry Baume de Rose Nutri-Couleur in 3. Cherry Bomb and 4.Bloom Berry

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella

Soap & Glory Archery Pencil in Hot Chocolate 

Aurelia Miracle Cleanser

Time Bomb Youth Juice Secret Oil

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me and Other Concerns by Mindy Kaling

Cold Weather Skin Saviours

If ever there's a time when my skin feels a bit dry, dehydrated and lacklustre it's at this time of year. The bitingly cold weather and central heating are recking havoc on my skin not to mention the after effects of one too many late nights in December. My skin has a tendency to get very sensitive in the cold but over the last few years I've managed to come up with an arsenal of products to keep it in tip top condition. 

Cleansing is so important in the cold, anything foaming will just strip the small amount of moisture there is in the skin. I've been using the Nude Perfect Cleansing Oil in the evenings and the Aurelia Miracle Cleanser in the mornings and as a second cleanse at night. The combination of the two have left my skin feeling fresh and clean but still plumped up, nourished and soft. 

The Clarins Special Eye Contour Balm is one I seem to come back to every winter, I spoke about it more in my Morning Skincare Routine Video which you can see here. It's rich and moisturising but still sinks in easily and sits well under makeup. I've also upped my usage of Time Bomb's Youth Juice Secret Oil from a couple of times a week to 3 or 4, I've also been piling it on on at-home, no makeup days. It too sinks in easily and the lovely scent makes it such a pleasure to use. 

I generally moisturise my body all year round but in winter I love an oil or a super rich body butter. The Bliss Lemon+Sage Body Butter is so thick it's almost solid, it takes a bit of rubbing in to get it to sink in but boy is it worth it! I've been quickly working my way through this deluxe sample tube but a full size purchase may be in order! 

Two things I definitely couldn't forgo are hand cream and lip balm, Soap & Glory Hand Food is everyones favourite for a reason, it smells lovely, is lastingly moisturising and most importantly doesn't leave a reside on the hands. The Body Shop's Coconut Lip Butter is thick and moisturising enough to heal even the most cracked lips but unfortunately does leave a bit of a pale cast on the lips. For that reason, I reserve it for overnight use and I always have super soft lips come morning!

What are your favourite cold weather products?

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Video: Morning Skincare Routine

Exciting news! I filmed my first ever video for the blog, I decided to talk about my Morning Skincare Routine and did mini reviews of the products I'm using along the way. I'll be filming my Evening Skincare Routine soon too so stay tuned for that one!

I really enjoyed the experience of filming and editing this video so I really hope you like it. I have a whole list of others I'd like to film but if there's anything in particular you'd like to see me do let me know! I'm so excited about this new venture and can't wait to get stuck in!

Products Mentioned;

Elemental Herbology Delicate Cleanse

Rodial Dragon's Blood Hylauronic Tonic

Clarins Special Eye Contour Balm (full review here, it's an oldie!)

Elemental Herbology Cell Food

Delarom Acquaconfort Cream (full review here)

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturiser SPF30

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Sale Edit

I love a good sale but I always seem to leave post christmas sale shopping till january. I don't like the stressful and frenzied atmosphere that comes with shopping as soon as the sale starts. It does usually means that most of the popular stuff has already gone but to me that's part of the fun! I like to take my time looking around and I always end up finding some hidden gems. 

1. I love this Marc Jacobs iPad Case, it makes me feel like spring is on it's way (if only!) I'd be snapping it up myself if they did a version for iPad minis. Perhaps I could use it as a makeup bag? Because obviously I don't have enough of those!

2. This Caudalie trio from Space NK is an absolute bargain at just £11, the body butter alone is usually £21! All 3 products work brilliantly and smell delicious too.

3.  I love the cut of this Flowy Vest from Zara, it could easily be dressed down with jeans or up with leather skinnies and a statement necklace.

4. Another versatile basic that I could probably quite happily wear everyday. The Ribbed Sleeve Dress from Mango has a really great fit, it strikes just the right balance between slouchy and smart.

5. I imagine my self wearing this ASOS Sheer Panel Skirt, to a spring wedding in the country. Now all I need is an invitation to one. 

6. I love having hot, steamy baths, I'd like to say just in the winter but really I have them all year round. The Aromatherapy Associates oils are absolutely lovely, they're so potent that they fill the entire bathroom with scent by just using a few drops. This set is a great way to try a range of different scents. 

7. I usually dress in monochrome but I love adding a pop of colour with accessories. These sunglasses by Finds would fit nicely into my wardrobe and go with any outfit!

8. A smart black clutch is an absolute wardrobe staple and I love this minimally chic one from Alexander Wang. 

9. I've always loved the look of an Aviator Jacket but have yet to own one, I tried this one on the other day and am seriously tempted to go back and get it. It would be a great piece to throw over jeans and a white tee on weekends.

10. I love the scent of Life's Jump Start range, this set contains a mini body wash, sugar scrub, body lotion and candle. It smells like freshly squeezed orange and grapefruit just, great for mornings and perfect for beating the January blues!

11. I always get scarves in sales, I can't help but feel they're almost always overpriced for what they are. This Houndstooth Bicolour Scarf looks both cosy and smart, a combination I think can sometimes be a bit hard to find.

12. I wear my black boots 99% of the time but I really like the look of these beige Suede Ankle Boots, I could see myself getting a lot of wear out of them come spring.

I hope you liked my better-late-than-never sale edit! Have you found any gems in the sale recently?

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The Bathory Bespoke Bath Soak

I love a good bath product, especially when it feels a little bit luxe and the Soothe Bath Soak from The Bathory definitely does. It contains a base of pure epsom salts, oatmeal, honey and buttermilk which together leave skin feeling nourished and soft. The best part by far though, is the scent, you get to create it yourself by choosing 3 essential oils when you order it and it's hand blended just for you here in the UK!

I decided to go for Lavender, Ylang Ylang and Bergamot, all scents which I love but I had no idea how they would work together. I decided to risk it and I'm so glad I did because the combination smells amazing, I'm so pleased with it! 

The directions recommend either using 1/4, 1/2 or the full jar in your bath, I initially thought that seemed like a lot so I just put in a couple of capfuls and was a bit disappointed as there wasn't really any scent at all. The next time I tried it I decided to just go for it and poured in half the jar and it created such a lovely bath. The water went cloudy and took on the scent of the essential oils and the whole bathroom smelt lovely. Add to that the skin softening ingredients and I felt cosy and relaxed after my bath.

A Bathory Bath Soak would make a great treat to yourself or as a gift for someone else, they also have a couple of other bases and a good selection of oils to choose from. I'll definitely be experimenting with another combination next time, although I won't be using them too often as they work out quite expensive per bath, especially if you were to use the whole jar at once! 

Lastly, how pretty is the jar! I just love it, to me their packaging is just perfection. I almost can't wait till it runs out so I can use the jar to store my makeup brushes! 

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Christmas Gift Guide - Under £50

1. Nars Digital World Lip Coffret £32

This brilliant little lip crayon set contains 2 velvet matte lip pencils and 3 satin lip pencils, both have excellent formulas and lasting power. There's a great mix of shades that any makeup lover would be very happy with. Alternatively you could always split the set up and use the individual pencils as stocking fillers/mini presents, a great budget option as if you buy the set they work out to just £6.40 each!

2. Kate Spade Le Pavilion Laptop Sleeve £40

Kate Spade do lovely accessories and this laptop sleeve is no exception. To me the white polka dots on a black background strike the perfect balance between chic and sophisticated and cute and girly! Just make sure it's the right size for the recipient's laptop!

3. John Lewis Lace Print Pyjama Set £35

It's always nice to receive a good pair of pyjamas, especially when they feel a bit luxe. These ones are 100% cotton, feel super soft and have such a beautiful lace print that's right up my street. Make sure you click though so you can have a look at the print close up, this picture really doesn't do them justice! 

4. River Island Black Split Front Bowler Bag £40

When it comes to handbags, I like mine black, minimal, boxy and with gold hardware. This one fits the bill exactly and would be liked by most people as it's such a classic design that would go with any outfit. A particularly good choice for a professional or anyone who likes to look smart.

5. Urban Decay Naked Palette £37

This is a product that every beauty lover either already has and loves or really wants. It's a classic for a reason, it's most people's favourite eyeshadow palette! Also a great option for someone who's just getting into makeup.

6. Aromatherapy Associates Miniature Bath & Shower Collection £35

These bath oils are wonderful for anyone who loves a bath, they're just so incredibly potent. You only need a few drops and the entire bathroom is filled with the wonderful scent. The bottles may look small but you actually get quite a few uses out of them. This set is a great way to try lots of their fragrances rather than having to chose just one.

7. REN Sensitive Gift Set £32

I love these skincare trial sets that brands bring out at christmas, they're such a great way to try out lots of high end skincare without having to part with lots of cash. This set would be great for anyone but particularly those with sensitivity. I've previously had full sizes of 3 out of the 4 products and thought they were fantastic. 

8. Ottoman Hands Rose Quartz Delicate Necklace £40

Have I mentioned I like delicate, understated jewellery? Maybe a few (hundred) times! This piece is particularly beautiful, it's a great choice if you want to give something that can be kept and treasured forever but don't have a massive budget. It's a great price considering it's gold plated and has a semi precious stone.

9. Liberty London Black Leather Notebook £45

This would definitely be the ultimate gift for a stationary lover. The notebook is beautifully bound in leather embossed with an elegant Art Nouveau Liberty design. It also comes in lots of other colours and designs. 

10. Diptyque Epice Candle £45

I love scented candles at this time of the year, particularly with the christmas tree up, a hot drink in one hand and a good book in the other. This is one of Diptyque's limited edition christmas offerings and it smells of candied plums, cinnamon and nutmeg, absolute perfection! Of course any Diptyque candle would make an exceptional gift but I think this one looks extra special in the festive red and gold jar.

I hope you liked my gift selection, if you want to see my under £25 guide you can see that here. Will anything from this guide be making it's way onto your wish list?

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Christmas Gift Guide - Under £25

1. Ren Grab & Go Kit £25

I couldn't believe the value of this set when I spotted it! It contains a selection of 8 Ren products in mini form. Great if you want to introduce someone to the brand but don't want to just give them one product.

2. The White Company Winter Candle £20

This beautifully scented candle contains notes of cinnamon, clove and orange and comes in a beautifully chic and minimal glass jar. 

3. ASOS Oversized Scarf £18

This oversized scarf looks so warm and cozy, perfect for this bitingly cold weather. Plus the dark oxblood shade is one that anyone would love.

4. ASOS Open Square Necklace £6

It's always nice to gift jewellery as it's not always something that people like to buy for themselves. This gold square necklace is so understated and simple it would work with almost any outfit.

5. L'Occitane Grasse Collection Gift Set £19

Fragrance seems to be such a popular gift at christmas time, surprisingly as most people are very sure of what they do and don't like. This set would be a good option as it gives them a chance to try a few, there's nothing worse than receiving a massive bottle of perfume that you don't really like, especially since they don't come cheap! It's also something a little different to the perfumes you usually see around the highstreet at christmas time. 

6. L'Oreal La Palette Nude £14.99

Every beauty lover loves a good neutral eyeshadow palette and this is definitely the best one on the high street. A great option, both for someone who is just getting into makeup or someone who is a complete palette hoarder! 

7. Soap & Glory The Soapremes Gift Set £20

Soap & Glory do brilliant bath and body products and there isn't a single dud in this set. It contains lots of my previously used and loved products and is excellent value for money. 

8. Essie Baby It's Cold Outside Quad Box £24.99

In my opinion, you just can't beat Essie polishes. They have the best colour range, brush and formula hands down. This set contains best selling shades Mademoiselle and Chinchilly as well as a couple of sparkly festive numbers. 

9. Elemental Herbology Moisture Replenish Starter Kit £22

Skincare can be an expensive thing to invest in, it's always nice to be able to try before you buy. This set has everything you need for a good starter routine. Great for someone just getting into high end skincare or wanting to try a few bits from the brand.

10. ASOS Diamond Shape Necklace £8

Another pretty, minimal, gold necklace. I struggled to choose between the two! This one would look great with just a plain black T-shirt and jeans. 

I hope you liked this gift guide! Will any of these item's be making their way onto your list? Look out for my under £50 gift guide coming next!

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Time Bomb Youth Juice Secret Oil

I've always loved using facial oils, they balance combination and oily skin and add much needed moisture to dry skins while being such a pleasure to use. The Time Bomb Youth Juice Secret Oil is no exception, it boasts great ingredients, a blend of 10 natural oils such as olive, avocado and jojoba which have been blended to closely replicate the skin's natural sebum. 

I've been using it for about 6 weeks now and it's managed to keep dry, sensitive, winter skin at bay. My skin feels soft and healthy, which is very unusual for me at this time of year! I've been using it 2-3 times a week and I don't ever feel like it's too greasy or that it just sits on the skin. It always sinks right in and smells of lavender which makes it very relaxing to use last thing at night. 

If I was being really fussy I'd have to say that my one issue with it is the packaging. There is no pump or pipette dispenser like other oils, just an open 'pour' top which almost always means product ends up getting wasted. The thin plastic bottle and lid also feels a little disappointing compared to other oils in this price range which would usually come in a glass bottle. That said you do get a whopping 60ml of product rather than the usual 30ml so I guess you win some, you lose some! All in all it's a great product, definitely worth a try!

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Object of Desire: Rachel Zoe Shiloh Cutout Jumpsuit

Rachel Zoe Shiloh Cutout Jumpsuit

It's no secret I love pieces I consider to be 'wardrobe essentials'. Although a jumpsuit isn't necessarily something that would fall into that category I absolutely love this one for how versatile it is. It could easily be dressed up or down and I can definitely see it becoming something I'd wear for a long time!

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Skinted or Minted?

Mango - Double-Breasted Wool-Blend Coat 

Stella McCartney Gordon Wool-Blend Felt Coat

The leaves are starting to yellow and the weather is definitely getting colder so naturally my thoughts are starting to turn towards winter coats. I like to add a new one to my wardrobe every few years, something that will last that amount of time both in terms or wear and looking current. England being England, I'll probably be wearing it almost everyday from September to April so it needs to go with everything. I've been searching high and low for something classic, black, minimal and not too fitted, so I can wear a cosy jumper underneath if need be. These ones fit the bill exactly. The Mango number has already been ordered online and is on it's way to me as we speak! 

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REVIEW: The Body Shop Shea Lip Butter

No thanks to the cold weather, cranked up central heating and the cold I had for most of last week, my lips have been feeling dry, sore and generally a bit worse for wear. After trying quite a few lip balms, none of which did much, I tried The Body Shop Shea Lip Butter. It completely brought my lips back to life in the space of about a day and a half.

Obviously I was seriously impressed and have been using it non stop ever since. It has an extremely thick formula, so you only need a tiny amount. I spread a thin layer over the lips and top it up when ever I feel like I need a bit more. It has a sweet, nutty fragrance that makes it lovely to use, and I think it's really good value considering how long this pot will last me. The only slight downside to it is if you're a bit heavy handed with the application it can leave a slight white cast but as you only need a tiny amount that isn't too much of a problem. 

Have you tried any of The Body Shop's Lip Butters? 

REVIEW: Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup

When I think of Benefit, their boxed blushers and quirky packaging come to mind. I've never really paid much attention to their base products. A while ago, I spent a long time at a counter, chatting away with a lovely sales assistant and walked away with a few purchases, a couple of which are are some of my absolute favourites. Seeing as I was buying so much, she very kindly gave me a few samples of the Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup to try!

I first used this in the summer when I took it away with me on holiday. I used it a couple of times but didn't really get on with it very well, I found it looked a bit too dewy on me, almost sweaty! It was then stashed away and forgotten about until recently. 

My skin is completely different in the winter so I thought I'd give it another go, and I'm so glad I did! I now find I need the extra moisture and this foundation sits really well on my skin. It has a medium build able coverage that never cakes up or looks overdone. It's the only foundation I've been using for the last couple of months and I've only got through one little 5ml sample, so it lasts ages. Once I've used up the second one I'll definitely consider buying the full size as a 'winter foundation'. It even has an SPF of 25 which is an added bonus!

Have you tried this foundation?

REVIEW: The Body Shop Aloe Eye Defence

When it comes to good quality skincare with no added nasties on a budget, I think The Body Shop is one of the best. I particularly love their Vitamin E and Aloe ranges.

I thought it would be a good time to review their Aloe Eye Defence as it's been designed for sensitive skin and my eyes are feeling particularly sensitive at the moment, are you fed up of hearing about that yet?

It has a really light texture and the formula is the mildest I've ever found. A tiny dot of it patted into the eye are immediately cools, soothes and moisturises skin. It also contains prebiotics which are supposed to 'reinforce the skin's natural barrier', I'm not sue if it does this long term but I can definitely say that skin feels a bit more resilient while it's on.

All in all it's a great budget eye cream for sensitive skin, or any skin for that matter! It's light texture makes it sink in really quickly so it creates a great base for eye makeup, because I've been using it mainly in the day time, I find it's also a good shield against the elements. In the evenings I've been using Clarins 'Special' Eye Contour Balm (full review here) which much is richer and creamier. 

Do you use an eye cream?

January Favourites

The miserable weather as of late has meant one thing, more hot baths to soothe dry winter skin and cold toes! Here are some of the products I've been loving this month.

The Boots Extracts range has been a brilliant discovery I've been using the Cocoa Butter Sugar Scrub (full review here) and Body Butter (full review here) non stop since I got them, in fact I'm already nearly halfway through both! The Scrub has a really tightly packed consistency that really gives skin a good scrub leaving it feeling super smooth. The body butter somehow manages to be really thick and creamy but still sinks in really quickly leaving skin feeling supple and nourished.

I've been burning my Milk Bath Remedy Candle in Coconut Milk constantly in the evenings, it fills the room with a lovely relaxing scent and it a cozy ambience. Full review here.

Boots Coconut Body Oil has been an absolute life saver this month with my skin being in the condition it's in. My eyelids have been dry and sore and my skin has been feeling super sensitive. I've been using this to remove makeup, as a facial oil, a hair treatment and adding a scoop into the bath! I wrote a post all about different ways to use it here.

I fallen back in love with my favourite lipgloss lately, it's the Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss in 56 Imaginaire. It's just the easies colour to wear, I even apply it without a mirror. A flatters all warm toned peachy pink. 

REVIEW: Clarins Super Restorative Replenishing Comfort Mask

The Clarins Super Restorative Replenishing Comfort Mask is well named, because it does just that, restores, replenishes and comforts. Technically it has been designed for skin aged 50+ but I think if it does something for you then why not use it!

It has a super rich, creamy texture that really feels like it’s feeding the skin with all the nourishment that cold weather and central heating has stripped away. That’s thanks to the Mango Oil and Shea Butter. It also contains parsley extract and fruit acids to brighten the skin and eliminate dead surface cells, which it definitely manages to do while still being really gentle, I haven’t had any problems with it all in spite of my super sensitive winter skin.

The instructions suggest applying a thick layer and leaving it for 10 minutes, I’ve been leaving it on a bit longer than that. I just put it on when I get into the bath and I find all the hot steam makes it do an even better job. On some occasions, which has been rather often as of late, when my skin has been feeling extra dry, I’ve actually been using a thin layer instead of a night cream. I works really well for me this way because I wake up with skin that feels a lot better than it was the night before.

One point I have to address with this mask is the price, it is expensive, I have a mini size that came free as part of a gift with purchase offer that Clarins often have on.  That said, it’s so good that I definitely buy a full sized version when it runs out, not to use every night as a night cream or every week as a mask but just to whip out every now and then when my skin needs it or as a treat for a special occasion.