Escentual French Pharmacy Haul

I seemed to have run out of what feels like everything at once so a spot of shopping was in order! Escentual had 25% off all french pharmacy brands throughout October so and I managed to squeeze in an order right at the end! Here's what I picked up.

First thing into my basket was Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk, which I've been going on and on about lately (full review here). I'm almost at the end of mine so I thought I'd stock up while it was on offer. I also got the Caudalie Grape Water which I tried a few years ago and loved, it's not as good as their Beauty Elixir, but it's a great moisture boosting spray and it's a lot cheaper.

I've been wanting to get an exfoliating toner for a while now and tried out a sample of Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner, which I spoke about in my Streamlined Skincare post, I loved it but decided to try out the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Astringent Micro-Exfoliant Lotion instead as it was less than half the price. I have high hopes for this product as I've read some good reviews!

Lastly I picked up the Klorane Mango Butter Shampoo and Conditioner, I've never tried anything by this brand before but Amelia recommended it on her blog and seeing as she has the best hair ever I immediately knew I had to try it! I'm hoping it will restore my dry hair which I'm really trying to keep long!

Have you tried any of these products before? What did you think of them?

Kerastase Hair Saviours

As I've mentioned several times recently, my hair is in terrible condition. It's extremely dry and damaged from heat styling, colouring etc. So I thought I'd share with you the 2 products that I've have been using in an attempt to help the situation.

The First is Kerastase Nutritive Oleo-Relax Slim, which is described as a volume control intense smoothing cream designed to tame the dreaded frizz. I apply a tiny amount just to the bottom third while it's damp, you definitely don't want this anyway near your roots, it is after all designed to get rid of volume! I then blow dry it as usual, I find it tends to keep frizz at bay even when the weather is a bit on the damp side. It's also brilliant for touch ups on dry hair, a tiny amount applied to straggly ends and frizz is a great quick fix. 

They always say that prevention is better than cure right? Well that's where Kerastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique comes in, described as nourishing care with heat-styling protective agent, it's an essential if you heat style hair. It's really moisturising, I use it like a leave in conditioner, a pea sized amount distributed evenly though lengths and ends before blowdrying means hair gets damaged less and dries to a smoother finish. 

I love both of these products, a little goes a long way so they last ages. I'll definitely be buying them again when they run out!

October Favourites

I hate to start a favourites post with a cliche, but I really can't believe october is over already! Christmas will be here before we know it and I am in no way prepared! But then, that's what november is for! Anyway, on with the favourites!

The first thing I've been loving and using no end of this month is the Palmers Coco Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil (Full review here). When the weather turns colder, my skin really starts to suffer, so I've been slathering this on post bath/shower to keep skin soft and hydrated. 

Next is Yardley London Peony Body Spray, if you're thinking, Isn't Yardley for grannies? I'll forgive you, because I thought the same. Then I spotted this and because I love the scent of peonies, I thought I'd give it a try. I'm so glad I did because I love it. I believe they make an Eau De Toilette as well which I'm planning on tracking down.

My Avon 8 in 1 Eye Palette in In the Nudes has been used non stop this month, I did a full review with swatches earlier on in the month which you can see here. It contains a selection of matte and shimmery neutral shades housed in a compact the same size as my iPhone, perfect for traveling. The formula is really good too, very pigmented and buttery soft!

Next is the Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder which I've been using constantly since my beloved (and discontinued) Chanel bronzer breathed it's last. It's the perfect shade, brown enough to add definition and ever so slightly orangey, just enough to warm up your face without leaving you looking like an Oompa Lumpa.

I've been being rather brave recently and rocking a dark berry lip, see it in action here. My lipstick of choice has been Avon Mega Impact Lipstick in Divine Wine, which suits my skin tone really well, looking autumnal rather that gothic. It has a smooth formula which lasts really well on the lips.

Last but not least I've been piling on The Body Shop Mango Lip Butter during the evenings and at night, the extremely nourishing formula helps to counteract the dryness which often goes hand in hand with wearing dark, long lasting lip colours. 

What products have you been loving this month?

Skinted or Minted? Leather Jackets

Skinted

Dove Grey - Whistles

Quilted Sleeve - Mango

Tan - Oasis

Black Basic - New Look

Black Angled - Whistles

Navy - Muubaa

Black with Double Studds - Selected Foama

Black with Faux Fur Collar - Asos

Minted

Black Relaxed - J Brand

Grey - DKNY

Black Structured - Oak

Royal Blue - Alexander McQueen

Patent Contrast - Victoria Beckham

Leather and Jacquard - Helmut Lang

Matte Black - Current/Elliott

Black Basic - Proenza Schouler

Review - The Body Shop Hemp Face Protector

I'm generally a lover of all things from The Body Shop, and this brilliant moisturiser is no exception. Come the colder months, there are a few skincare items I like to add into my routine to keep moisture levels up and dreaded dryness (and eczema) at bay. I find prevention is most definitely better than cure!

One of these products is The Body Shop Hemp Face Protector, it's a brilliant skin hydrator that's ultra gentle, making it ideal for sensitive skin. It's quite rich so I tend to use it as a night cream, although I have on occasion used it in the day as well, as it sits well under makeup.

The great thing about it is, despite being a rich and nousishing cream, it leaves skin with a really natural looking finish, not at all shiny or greasy, it just sinks straight in.

If you have dry/very dry skin which has a tendency to be sensitive, or if you have eczema or psoriasis, I would definitely recommend giving this a try! 

NOTD #13

I've spoken about Nails Inc polishes before, I love the formulas but wish they would improve the brush! Today's shade is Maddox St, it's a deep grey-black with a pearlised finish, perfect for this time of year. It's a good, dark, 'goes with everything' type shade that I've really been enjoying wearing. Unfortunately these mini sized bottles make the whole process a bit fiddly so I think I'll be sticking to the full sized bottles in the future! 

My Favourite Shampoos

My hair is pretty awful, it's course, frizzy and very dry. To make matters worse, I colour it, blow dry it and straighten it, so left to it's own devices, it resembles brittle straw.

After a lot of experimenting I've finally found 2 shampoos that work amazingly well for me. The first is Redken Extreme Shampoo which contains protein to help strengthen weakened hair, I felt a major improvement after using it for just a few weeks, my hair was breaking less and felt more resilient.

The second is Kerastase Nutritive Bain Oleo-Relax Smoothing Shampoo, which is formulated for dry, course and rebellious hair. This is hands down, the best shampoo I've ever tried, I've been using it for a really long time and have repurchased it more times than I can count! I leaves hair feeling clean but also really soft and nourished, which makes styling a lot easier. I don't know how it works, it just does!  

With both of these shampoos, a little goes a long way as they foam up really well, so a bottle lasts a lot longer than most, making them worth the higher price tag. I tend to alternate them, which I find works the best for me, my hairdresser informed me that you shouldn't use protein products too much because your hair needs moisture as well as strength. 

  

What's in my Makeup Bag?

I've recently changed up what's in my everyday makeup bag so I thought I'd share what I've been using. Base starts with L'Oreal Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer and MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC45, both of which I mentioned in my Project Use Up post. The foundation is a bit on the matte and heavy side for my liking at the moment so I've been mixing it with a bit of my daily moisturiser. 

To bring a bit of warmth to the skin I dust on Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder, and pat in a bit of Revlon Photoready Cream Blush in Flushed. I've also been reaching for Benefit Sun Beam, my favourite highlighter at the moment which gives skin a soft glow. 

For eyes I've mostly been keeping things pretty simple, a swipe of Avon SuperShock Eyeliner in Black, which is completely foolproof, and a quick curl and swipe of mascara on the lashes. For days when I want to put in a bit more effort, I've been using my Avon 8 in 1 eye palette in In The Nudes, which has some lovely neutral shades that I've been experimenting with. 

For lips I've been using Clinique Almost Lipstick in Luscious Honey, which is a tinted balm that leaves lips with a subtle stain or Avon Ultra Colour Rich Mega Impact Lipstick in Divine Wine (see it in action here) for when I want full on colour!

Also in my makeup bag I have Avon Glimmersticks Brow Definer in Soft Black, Sephora Eyelash Curlers and Avon SuperExtend Extreme Mascara. 

What's in your Makeup Bag?