Botanics Facial Oil 100% Organic Review

Usually I'd wait at least 6 weeks before reviewing a skincare product, that usually gives it enough time to prove itself. With the Botanics 100% Organic Facial Oil I had to make an exception, I just couldn't resist! I've been using it a mere 3 weeks and I'm already seeing such amazing results that I felt them just too good not to share! 

First of all, let me just mention the price, with most high end facial oils costing from 35 upwards and most high street/drugstore versions being laden with mineral oil and therefore not worth the effort. This one seems to contain ingredients good enough to rival the most expensive of facial oils but for a mere 9.99, and as if that's not good enough it's currently on half price at just 4.99! 

So what's in it? Sweet Almond Oil, Argan Oil, Rosehip Oil and Bergamot Fruit Oil as well as lots of other skin loving ingredients. Rosehip oil is particularly good for fading hyper-pigmentation so if you have old spot scars, sun damage or any uneven skin tone this would work very well for you. 

The instructions say to work a couple of drops into the skin morning and night but I find the finish to be a bit too dewy for me in the day time, perhaps that should be reserved for just those with very dry skin. I tend to skip the day dose and double up on the night one, 4 drops massaged into the face and neck until it has completely sunk in, leave it a few minutes (while I brush my teeth), then follow with my usual night time moisturiser. 

In just the 3 weeks that I've been using it, I've noticed an incredible improvement in moisture levels and skin texture, my skin gets very dehydrated during the cold winter months and even has a tendency to turn into eczema if left unattended. This has managed to keep that completely at bay, with not a single dry patch in sight. It has also left my skin feeling incredibly soft and smooth come morning. It has also noticeably faded some relatively new spot scars and I'm hoping with continued use it will start to make an effect on the older ones too. 

All in all it is an incredible product that I would recommend to absolutely everyone! I just can't rave about it enough!  

Nail Rehab

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you'll know I'm very much a nail varnish addict. I repaint my nails once or twice a week and have built up quite the collection over the years. So, it's definitely fair to say that my nails need a break! Seeing as it's the start of a new year, I though what better time to give my nails a bit of a rest, fresh start and all.

My aim is to get through the whole of January polish free, fingers and toes that is. I've removed my nail varnish, trimmed my nails back, filed them and buffed them to within an inch of their life. I'll also be regularly slathering on Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream to keep hands soft and nails strong, and The Body Shop Shea Lip Butter will be used in place of a cuticle balm  (my usual one is packed away in a box somewhere) to keep them soft, pushed back and to ensure healthy nail growth. 

I'll also be keeping my Avon Nail Experts Gel Strength Base Coat to hand to give nails a healthy shine and a bit of strength. Think I'll make it through January?

December Favourites

As most of my beauty goodies are still packed away in boxes, I ended up keeping things pretty simple in december. 

The rainy, windy weather has really been playing havoc on my hair and Kerastase Nutritive Oleo-Relax Slim is about the only thing that's been able to keep it in check. A pea sized amount worked into lengths and ends smoothes out frizz and tames excess volume.

Seeing as I ran out of my usual eyebrow pencil and broke my spoolie in quick succession, I decided to pick up this Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown as it has a convenient little brush on the lid. I love a good multifunctional product! 

I know I said I've been keeping things pretty low key lately but what would Christmas and New Year's Eve have been without a little glitter? My weapon of choice was Essie Beyond Cosy, a super sparkly silver and gold glitter hybrid that just screams Christmas. Not sure I'll be able to wait till next december to wear this again!

My skin always takes a turn for the worse during the winter months, especially around my eyes, where skin starts to feel sore and parched. The Botanics 100% Organic Facial Oil has been doing wonders to keep it at bay, and it boasts some pretty impressive ingredients, enough to rival some of it's much more expensive alternatives. Expect a rave coming soon!

I've been using the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Astringent Lotion Micro-Exfoliant twice a day for a good few weeks now and so far I'm pretty pleased with the results. It's a toner containing chemical exfoliants which you simple swipe on with a cotton pad. Much gentler on the skin than scrubbing away at the skin with a harsh grainy product but delivers the same smooth results.

The Fragrance I've been wearing pretty much exclusively throughout december is Avon Far Away Exotic, it's a warm but fruity fragrance that's very easy to wear. I can definitely see it becoming a long term favourite that I'll be reaching for all year.

What products have you enjoyed using in December?

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to 2014! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a well deserved break! 

At this time of year I always like to reflect on the previous year and look forward to the next, setting myself some goals to achieve. One of my aims this year is to write a blog post everyday without fail as well as reading some classic literature and decorating my new home! 

What are your plans for 2014?

Apologies for being away!

Apologies for being MIA as of late, I'm in the midst of moving into a house that has decided to turn against me and I'm currently without internet. As well as that my entire makeup/beauty collection is packed away nicely in a box somewhere out of reach! I've been living off the few products packed into a wash bag and makeup bag for the last week or so and it's a very narrowed down selection! But more on that soon. In the mean time I hope you are all enjoying the run up to Christmas! 

Objects of Desire

The Ultimate Christmas party shoes! Just add an LBD.

Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Winter Makeup Bag

If ever there's a time to go a bit crazy with your makeup, the lead up to Christmas and New Years Eve is definitely it, it's definitely not the time for minimalism! I definitely like to take a more is more approach, especially when it comes to sparkle! Here's what I'll be stashing in my makeup bag!

I'll be using my Clinique Even Better Concealer in Honeycomb and Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal in Nude to brighten up the eye area as well as disguise any seasonally induced under eye circles. 

I find a good contour is essential with heavy eye makeup or a bold lip and Nars Bronzer Multiple in Malaysia is super easy to use, just swipe on and blend in. For highlighter I'll be upping the ante with my Sephora Illuminating Highlighting Powder in Golden, which is definitely one for the evenings.

For eyes I've dug out my Sephora Moonshadow Baked Palette in In the Dark which I picked up in America over the summer. It's full of shimmer packed shades that build up really well, the mix of darks, lights and brights means all outfits will be covered. I also couldn't resist the temptation to throw in L'Oreal Colour Infaillible Eyeshadow in Goldmine, purely for being the most shimmery gold shadow ever to have been created.

Everyone needs a red lipstick over christmas and mine is an ever so slightly darker than pillarbox red. It's Avon Colour Lipstick in Chilli which I'll be sporting with a slick of black gel eyeliner. 

What makeup will you be wearing this winter?

NOTD #17

As I change my nail varnish quite often Shellac has never really appealed to me that much, but when I saw my friend Jen last week she was rocking pillarbox red nails that were the glossiest I've ever seen! When she said they were shellac I was immediently curious and seeing as I had a voucher for my local salon, I thought I'd give it a go. 

I went for the shade Rubble by the official Shellac brand CND, which is a soft grey with a beigey undertone, quite similar to Chanel's popular shade particuliere. It's a great winter alternative to a classic nude and it goes with everything. I'm told it should last 2 - 3 weeks and so far so good! It would be a great option for before you go away on holiday.