The New Healthy Mix

I'm pretty sure I could count on less than one hand the amount of lower end 'drugstore' foundations that I actually get along with. I'm no snob when it comes to make up but premium brands are always the ones I turn to with confidence for a flawless base.

Bourjois's Healthy Mix however, I have always been quite loyal to through all three of it's variations; Original, Serum and now the new Radiance Revealed. The original healthy mix was a light/medium coverage that could be built up well. It had a satin finish with a slight amount of radiance. The new formulation is very, very similar, so much so I can't really tell the difference, not even in the colour (which I am 51 for reference). The packaging has been given a sleek update and it now sits in a glass bottle as apposed to plastic. Bourjois claim to have enhanced the formula rather than completely changed it to now incorporate a whole lot more 'fruit therapy' goodness for added radiance and hydration. The products still contains that same fruity scent, but no more so than before.

The only downfall (and I can safely say this applies to all the variations) is the lasting time, which for my combination skin is usually around four or five hours before I notice a lot of shine on my t-zone. That being said though, Healthy Mix is still one of my go to foundations for a light feeling base that gives my skin a polished finish. For a budget foundation, I don't really think you can go wrong here and especially now that the colour range has been increased to eight different shades which is rare for a drugstore brand, there should be something for everyone.

Have you tired the new formulation? How do you think it compares?


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The Lip Crayon Roundup

The Lip Crayon seems to be the height of popularity at the moment with brands bringing them out left right and center. From the glossy to the matte, well pigmented to sheer formulas there seems to be one to suit every preference and in the absolute sea of these lip products I've picked out three of my favourites.

Balmy, rich and with a glossy finish the Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Sticks are some of the most hydrating I've come across. The shade Fuchsia-ristic looks almost neon in the stick but translates to a soft bright pink on the lips. The colour lasts well but not all day but the balmy texture keeps on moisturising the lips for a good few hours. If you're looking for longevity though the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick really sticks around. I wouldn't really class it as a balm but it definitely has a slick glossy finish too it and a colour that will last you all day long. Last up, the Laura Mericer Lip Crayon is the most lipstick-like of the three. It's extremely pigmented and has a matte finish to it, although it does't dry my lips out and reapplies well after an hour or so. The colour of this one is my favourite. Mayan Sun; a peachy pink neutral shade which is currently part of their Folklore Collection, so hurry as this one might not be around for long!

Have you bitten the lip crayon bullet yet? What's your favourite?


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The One Step Smokey Eye

When it comes to eye make up these days I'm edging more and more towards the simple. If I can get away with a single colour swept over the lid and a touch of mascara I'm more than happy to walk out the door and a smokey eye has been no exception.

Chanel's Illusion D'Ombre have been calling my name ever since they arrived at counters in 2011. Originally the sheer pink shade Emerveille was on my wish list, but after many a swatch session I had to walk away with Ebloui. A rich, chocolaty aubergine with a hint of burgundy and an array of multi-coloured micro-glitters, I don't think a better colour colour possible exist for a one step smokey eye. I pat this all over the lid with fingers, then blend out the edges to a haze with a fluffy brush and continue layering all around the eye until the colour becomes rich enough. It could't be more straightforward. The formula is almost a mousse texture, but a lot denser. It glides on like a sheer powder, but does't take much to build up an intense shade.

Now it absolutely pains me to say this but after a few hours it does start to crease on me, even with a primer. Honestly though I can't help but forgive and forget as everything else about this product is just so incredibly beautiful. At £24 they're not the most easily purchasable of eyeshadows but I know I won't be able to stop myself buying another one (of four) in the future!

Also wearing:
Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation, Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara,
Rimmel Santa Rose Blusher, Laura Mercier Mayan Sun Lip Crayon

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April Birchbox

Birchbox* - £10 + P&P;
The monthly subscription beauty box is something that we should all be familiar with by now. First Came Glossy Box, then Feel Unique, and now the company previously known as Jolie Box has transformed itself after joining forces with the cult American service that started it all to become; Birchbox.

As I already have a beauty product collection thats bursting at the seams I love trying out samples before committing to a full size. The great thing about these boxes is getting to try things from lesser known brands as well as being given some quite generous sized samples. A great little extra which really sets Birchbox apart is the mini magazine that comes with each box, packed full of information on all the brands from your box and host of other beauty articles. That my kind of reading!

The first thing that jumped out to me was the beautiful vintage packaging of the La Société Parisienne de Savons Cold Cream Soap. It has a very distinct fresh herbal smell with some deep lavender notes running through. I couldn't quite bring myself to tear open the gorgeous little package hidden inside so for now I'm using this as a draw fragrance. How very classy of me! The Weleda Skin Food is a product I've heard a lot about and have been meaning to try for some time. It's a fragrant, balmy cream which sees to all dry patches and leaves skin supple and soft. Victoria Beckham is a fan apparently so that can't be a bad thing!

Love them or loath them, I think beauty subscription boxes are a very smart way to try out products you wouldn't necessarily have though about. I've discovered some real gems from these boxes (Philip Kingsley Elasticizer and Emma Hardie Amazing Face Cleansing Balm to name a few!) and think Birchbox have created a great box with varied products here. And after all, who could say no to a special delivery of beauty goodies to look forward to each month!

* Gifted PR Sample

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Revlon Lip Butters - New Shades

When the Revlon Lip Butters originally launched back in 2012 people couldn't seem to get enough of them. Hailed as an all-in-one wonder lipstick/balm hybrid, they flew off the shelves and into everyone's pockets.. except mine. As much of a bandwagon-jumper that I am the hype never really swayed me, the colours weren't my cup of tea and the glittery filled formulas dried out my lips far too quickly.

Enter Revlon's new spring colours. Bright, luscious colour with no trace of the dreaded shimmer. I picked up two of the new shades, Juicy Papaya which translated to a soft pink with a hint of peach on my lips, the prefect day to day colour and Wild Watermelon, a beautiful red with pink undertones it brightens up my face instantly when applied. This one would be great for those who want a quick and easy to wear red without the commitment of a thick opaque lipstick.

I have to admit, I'm in love with these Lip Butters now. They've been a constant in my makeup bag/coat pocket/anywhere I can stuff them! Juicy, rich and packed with moisture they might just be the perfect lip product. I'll definitely be taking myself down to boots and picking a few more colours from the range. Sorbet, a bright fuchsia and Pink Lemonade, a baby pink both look perfect for the sunny weather!

Have you tried these new shades? What's your favourite moisturising lip product?


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Topshop Macaroon Lipstick

It's not often I feel compelled to blog about a singular lipstick shade, but I've absolutely fallen in love with Macaroon from Topshop. As far as my relationship with lipsticks go, I'm a bit all or nothing. I love a good bright red and have even been known to do the weekly Tesco run in a floro orange hue, but when it comes to anything slightly neutral I tend to shy away and just slick on a bit of lip balm instead.

I think my problem has always been getting the right tone for a neutral lip. I usually end up with something that has too much blue and makes me look slightly zombie-fied, or a colour with a lot of brown that doesn't do anything for me. Macaroon sits perfectly in the 'pink zone'. A slightly warm toned pink with the smallest hint of coral. I've been a big fan of the Topshop formulas for a while and this one doesn't disappoint. It has a slight matte finish but still hydrates the lips feeling creamy as well as being super pigmented. I think it's neutral love!


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Brand Spotlight: Dr Jart

Dr Jart Waterfuse BB Cream, Water-Max Sleeping Mask & Bubble Foam
Every now and then a brand will come along that I just won't be able to get enough of, and this month it's Dr Jart that's dominating my beauty regime.

It all began with a purchase of their signature BB Cream, the first of the brands products to be launched in the UK in four different variations. I chose the Waterfuse which claims to be an Oil-free yet hydrating product, keeping the skin's water levels balanced for a dewy, fresh look and protected with SPF 25. I find this gives more coverage than the average BB and leaves the skin with a subtle glow that lasts all day. The one drawback however is that it's only available in one shade. It is slightly darker than my skin, but I find if I blend it in well and make sure I take the product down the neck it becomes very wearable. This is actually the only one of these much overhyped BB Creams that's ever impressed me enough to earn a place in my collection of most used bases.

After discovering Dr Jart had brought out a range of skincare too, albeit a highly priced one, I went a little mad and purchases two products on a whim. The Water-Max Sleeping Mask jumped out to me as (need I explain again) I'm already a big fan of the Origins version. I find this isn't quite as hydrating but is great for layering on top of serums when you want to stick to your normal evening regime but add some extra moisture into the mix. I also find this works exceptionally well when mixed with another product that I've been using liberally this month (post to come soon!).

Last of all the Bubble Foam, a rich foaming cleanser which aims to deeply cleanse and refine pores, has probably become my favourite of them all. I mainly use this along with my Clarasonic as the consistently is perfect for giving enough product for the brush to work with without overwhelming my face with bubbles! It's packed with Sage and Witch Hazel extracts which help to calm the skin and leave it mattified without any drying or tight feeling.

I think I should also add, as it is one massive criteria for me, that not one but all of these products smell amazing too. Fresh and fruity, and all extremely pleasant to use on the skin. I highly recommend Dr Jart to anyone that want's to try it. I'll be hopping over to Boots to stock up on the rest of the range!


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Origins Plantscription Concealer

Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Concealer - Light £16.50
I'm sure you all know by now (probably due to the fact I've talked about their Overnight Mask in practically every post/video I've ever made) that Origins is a brand I absolutely love. Believe it or not though I've never actually tried a product from their Make Up range, something I swiftly decided to put right a few weeks ago after a trip to my local counter. I went for their Plantscription Anti-Aging Concealer after hearing it had been widely compared to my Holy Grail item (and probably everyone else's for that matter) the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, another product I ramble on about far too much.

Usually I need a combination of two concealers to cover the dark circles under my eyes; a warm toned corrector to cancel out the blue tones then a light reflecting colour to brighten up, so I was pleasently surprised when this managed to do it all in one. The consistency is similar to the Collection concealer in that it gives really great coverage, but where it differs (and probably for the better) is that it's a lot more moisturising. The only problem I have (dare I say it) with the cheaper counterpart is that it can tend to look a little dry and cakey after a few hours, but I was really impressed that the Origins offering looked fresh for a lot longer and didn't gather in all those nasty creases which I find a lot of hydrating concealers can do.

It's even a shock to myself that I've now shelved my beloved Collection item for the time being and am really enjoying using the Plantscription concealer, so much so I'm looking at maybe investing in the matching foundation. Origins, you've done it again!


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Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette - £20
I think Urban Decay managed to create something extraordinary when they brought out the original Naked Palette back in 2010. Everyone had to get their hands on it at the time, myself included, and this magic power seems to have extended to not one but two additional palettes in the Naked range. The Naked Basics isn't the type of thing I usually go for and I'm not sure I even owned a matte eyeshadow before buying this, but once again something about this cute little compact drew me in.

Despite my sceptical first impression though, I've managed to get so much use out of it and have worn pretty much nothing but these six colours since buying the palette at the beginning of the month. I've always admired the formulation of the Urban Decay eyeshadows, and the Naked Basics is no exception. Well pigmented and smooth to blend, they last all day on my eyes. From right to left the colours are Venus, just off-white with a shot of subtle shimmer running through, Foxy a yellow based cream, Walk of Shame a slightly more pinky beige, Naked 2 a very light greyish brown, Faint a richer brown and Crave a completely matte black. The one downfall with these and something I've actually noticed in all the previous Naked palettes is that the colours are very cool toned. I can just about get away with this but I'm not sure how well they would work for those who need a bit of warmth from their eyeshadow.

Probably the best thing about the Naked Basics palette though is the fact that it's so multi-use. Faint is a great eyebrow colour and Walk of Shame and Foxy are perfect for setting concealer in place. My favourite little extra use of this is the highly pigmented matte black Crave which has pretty much replaced liquid liner in my life. When applied with an angled brush it gives a much softer line to the eyes while still defining them well. I've actually filmed a short video demonstrating how I use the palette in this way for an everyday look, so if you'd like to get some ideas, click here!


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This Works Black Spice & Cedar Candle

This Works Black Spice & Cedar Candle
I don't think theres anything quite as comforting on a cold day than sitting in a room with a candle burning in the background. I picked up the Black Spice & Cedar candle from This Works in TK Maxx (which is fast becoming an unexpected wonderland of beauty finds for me) and have been burning it ever since.

When it comes to candles, I always go for something warm and spicy and the combination of Black spice and Cedar balances this one just between a Christmas scent and something that could be acceptable all year round, the perfect New Year candle!

Although some may be a bit sceptical about spending more than a few pounds on a candle (one reason I still haven't taken the Diptyque plunge) I think this one falls nicely in the 'reasonable' category for a higher end burn, and let me tell you, this thing lasts! The burn time is stated as being around 40 hours which is a whole lot of candle time. I've had this going most nights since the beginning of the month and I've barely even used a quarter of it.

After loving this one so much however, I'm already lusting after the Deep Sleep Heavenly candle which I'm sure would be the perfect companion for the Sleep Balm I picked up in the sales. This Works is definitely a brand I'm getting very excited about at the moment!

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The Ciaté Mini Mani Round Up: Top Five

It seems like forever ago I started opening up the Ciaté Mini Mani Month at the beginning of December, and although the countdown is finished and Christmas has been and gone, I've only just about managed to use all of the colours and pick a few favourites to show you! These lovely little numbers are my top five polishes from the set.

Starting off with Cookies and Cream, a subtle greige nude colour, perfect for toes. I've found myself wanting to wear nude nails a lot more this month and love the clean look they give. Completely opposite to that however, Big Yellow Taxi is possibly the brightest of all the bright yellows and an absolute pain in the bum to get on. Despite that I absolutely love the contrast of nearly neon nails against darker clothing. Power Dressing was going to be a winner for me from the start as deep navy blues are always my favourite tone to wear in the winter as they give the nails a dark vampy look that's just slightly less harsh than a full on black. Enchanted Rose was one of the three exclusive shades brought out just for this calender and is everything you could want from a red glitter polish. This was all I wore over Christmas! Finally Candyshop is one of the coveted Ciaté Caviar blends which I've been wanting to get my hands on for a long time. There were four mini Caviars in the set, my favourite of them being this multicolour mix of pinks, blues and oranges. These are so great as an accent nail and really easy to use.

I thought the whole idea of this Advent Calender was great and was so sad to finish it, even if it was incredibly hard not to cheat and open all the windows! Hopefully next year I'll be able to find another beauty Advent (I've got my eye on Liz Earle..) but for now, I'm happy playing with my new little collection of these amazing minis!


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This Works Beauty Balls

This Works Silent Night & Glamour Glitter Beauty Balls
This Works is a brand I've been very tempted by recently, and when I saw their adorable Christmas themed Beauty Balls (te he) were in the sale I had to get them both. There are two different variations; the Silent Night Ball, containing the Sleep Balm and the Glamour Glitter Ball which comes with the Shimmer Balm instead. Both of these products are available all year round in the regular This Works collection but the added bonus of the free baubles had me sold.

First up, the Sleep Balm has to be one of my favourite sale purchases this year. I've never been that much of a fan of lavender products, but the smell of this balm is so soothing as soon as I rub it on to my temples and pulse points I feel instantly relaxed, perfect for the bedside table!

The Shimmer Balm is the type of glowy highlighter I've been looking for, for years. Blended on top of foundation along the cheekbones it gives an impossibly dewy glow to the skin. I wouldn't say that this was out-rightly glittery but has tiny shimmer particles within it that give a subtel radiance wherever it's applied. This would also be a great one for highlighting the tops of collarbones to give that added bit of polish on a night out.


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New Origins Purchases

Origins Never A Dull Moment & High-Potency Night-A-Mins
Origins is a brand that always excites me. I've loved everything I've tried from their range so far and wouldn't mind buying the whole lot to be honest! These are my two most recent purchases and although I haven't quite tested them out to the fullest, I though I'd do a little post on my first impressions.

The High-Potency Night-A-Mins is something I've been after for a long long time. Its a mineral enriched radiance booster that's full of vitamins and moisture replenishers to help reduce the appearance of dullness. I went for the regular Night-A-Mins, however there is an oil-free version as well. The first thing I noticed when using this is the beautiful orange smell it has, very soothing to use right before bed. Used alone I did find it quite hard to work into the skin, but when applying my usual night time Serum, Estée Lauders Advance Night Repair, it became a lot easier to smooth on. The product feels very hydrating at first but by the time I wake up this tends to completely sink into my skin leaving it feeling slightly tight and uncomfortable. I've actually been using a thin layer of the Origin's Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask on top to give it a bit of a boost, so I think this is going to be better for those with a normal skin type whereas mine is quite dry at the moment.

The Never a Dull Moment Scrub was also slightly different than I was expecting. I did mention in a recent haul video that this was ridiculously priced at £31 - astronomical for a face scrub, but it seems that I've been overcharged as everywhere except Boots is selling it for around £24 (which angered me just tad). The exfoliating beads in this are very small and sparse in the thick gel formula. I was a bit worried at first thinking I'd wasted all that money on something that barely touched my dry patches, however after a quick scrub I left this on for about five minutes, letting the Papaya enzymes work away at removing the top layer of dead skin cells very gently. I've used this two or three times now and each time my skin has looked radiant afterwards with little effort at all. I think this is going to turn out to be very similar to the Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel, one of my favourite exfoliating masks!

Have you bought anything from origins recently? What are your favourite products from the brand?


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Super Facialist by Úna Brennan

Super Facialist Tea Flower Pore Purifying Clay Mask £8.99 & Anti-Shine Pore Minimiser £12.99
I seem to have the isles of my local Boots memorised these days, so when something new pops up I'm usually straight on it. Úna Brennan, a well known facialist to the stars has launched her own range of products designed to give you a DIY salon experience at home. The line consists of three different ranges; Rose Hydrate, Neroli Firiming and Tea Flower Deep Clean. I went for Tea Flower as my skin has been quite oily and congested recently, deffinitly in need of a deep cleanse.

The first product that caught my eye was the Anti-Shine Pore Minimiser. This feels like a smooth, silky primer as it goes on and I've been using it under my make up on areas of larger pores and shine (nose and forehead especially!). This instantly reminded me of Benefit's Porefessional which I do really like but can't use as it dries my skin out terribly. This product however feels hydrating as well as mattifying and definitely makes my pores look smaller under foundation.

I've been looking for a new clay mask ever since they changed the formula of my beloved Botanics one so the Pore Purifying Detox Mask was another obvious choice and is actually fast becoming one of my favourite beauty extras. The formulation is quite thin compared to other similar masks which saves a lot of drying time and it tingles slightly as the Tea Flower works into the skin, clearing out impurities and unclogging pores. My favourite thing about this product is that after it dries you can see tiny dark spots where all the excess oils have been drawn out of the pores which really gives you an idea of how much it's working.

I've really enjoyed using these two and I think I'm definitely going to be looking into more products from Úna Brennan. The double cleansing regimes look quite intriguing too and as the whole of Super Facialist is a third off at Boots at the moment, I think I'll be trying a few more things very soon!

Have you tried anything from the range?
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Dr Jart Water Fuse BB Beauty Balm

Dr Jart Water Fuse BB Beauty Balm
I'll admit that I haven't been swept up in the BB phenomenon that's been taking over the beauty industry so far this year. It seems like every brand out there has jumped on the bandwagon and the whole original concept of BB Creams has been lost amid a sea of glorified tinted moisturisers. When I first saw the Dr Jart brand appear on shelves a few months ago my initial thoughts were "oh God not another one". However, after reading some quite worthy reviews and discovering this was in fact one of the leading brands in Korea, the land of BB, I really had to give it a go.

There are four in the range, catering to different skin types and concerns. I went for the Water Fuse which claims to be an Oil-free yet hydrating product, keeping the skins water levels balanced for a dewy, fresh look and protected with SPF 25. I think the main problem with other BB Creams is that most tend to be far too greasy and for my oily/combination skin. I found though that this product did live up to it's claim, giving a radiant finish without leaving skin overly shiny or uncomfortable at all.

Now, I'm a girl that likes a good full coverage, don't get me wrong, but recently my skin seems to have calmed down and I think (touch wood) I might finally be out of that annoying late-teen phase of life where I don't quite suffer from spots but always have the odd patch of redness and a few pimples. Growing old does have some advantages.. The formula is understandably quite sheer which I've actually been enjoying, although the coverage is quite buildable enabling you to get a reasonably flawless finish.

The one drawback I've found is that the product only comes in one colour. It is slightly darker than my pale skin, but I find if I blend this in well and make sure I take it down the neck it's very wearable. Unfortunately though I think anyone with very fair or dark skin would struggle with this.

All in all I actually really like this product and have been using it quite a lot lately. Shockingly enough I'm actually favouring this over my coveted Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation at the moment. I think I'll get a lot of use out of it in the coming weeks too as I love the contrast between fresh clean skin and a rich smokey eye, something I tend to wear a lot more in Autumn and despite it's £18 price tag I really would recommend this to someone looking for a light coverage base.


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Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask - £20
When I first walked up to the Origins Counter in my local John Lewis a few weeks ago, I was desperately after the Drink Up 10 Minute Mask. Unfortunately they didn't have it in stock, but being the impatient and impulsive person that I am I had to walk away with something so the assistant recommended my the overnight version. I was a little bit miffed but after using this for a few weeks I'm so glad I went away with it instead!

My skin is bordering on the oily side, but I still feel I get tightness and dry patches in places so I prefer using really moisturising treatments to heavy creams. I've been using the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask instead of my moisturiser about twice a week and waking up with glowing, radiant skin thats fully moisturised and not at all greasy.

The mask is quite rich but it glides on very easily. I like to put as thick a layer as I can on and wait about half an hour for it to sink in before I go to bed. It smells delicious too, kind of fruity thanks to its lovely natural ingredients such as rose water, sweet orange oil and blackcurrant seed extract to name a few.

I also thinks its quite good value for money for a high end skincare product at only £20. I'd probably pay double for it though as I absolutely adore Origins! Everything from their philosophy to the fact that they're a skincare based brand pulls me in. Surprisingly though this is only my fourth purchase from them but after the success of this mask I don't think I'll be able to say no. Next on the list is the Night-A-Mins moisturiser or the Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask, I can't decided!

Have you tried any Origins products? What are your favourites?

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Avène Micellar Lotion

Avène Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make Up Remover £12.50
As much as I know we all hate taking our make up off at the end of the day, ever since discovering the absolutle holy grail that is Bioderma Crealine H2O Cleansing Solution I've actually come to enjoy it. A few squirts on a cotton pad, sweep over the face, cleanse and it's done. Much to my dismay however, last week I completely ran out of the huge 500ml bottle I got back in March. Not wanting to wait a few days for a new one to be shipped from my regular seller I went into Boots and found the Avène Micellar Lotion Make Up Remover. I had actually had my eye on this for a while after seening Tenneil's post about it. The word 'micellar' got me very excited because as of yet I'm haven't found any brands other than Bioderma and Taaj selling a remover that uses this technology to litterally dissolve away make up.

As for how Avène's offering lives up to the name, I can't quite say it outdoes Bioderma. It takes off all my foundation beautifully and leaves my skin feeling refreshed but not tight. It also dissolves away the majority of my eye make up, but I've been finding I need to use a second product to remove the last traces, where as the Bioderma takes everything away in one go.

In terms of availability this is a lot easier to pick this up from your local chemist that having to order online, but at roughly the same price you'd be paying for the Bioderma if you're looking to save this might not be the best option. I do still think it's a great product though and one that I'll definitely be using up!

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Glossy Box Natural Beauty Edition & Giveaway

Caudalie Vinsource SOS Thirst-Quenching Serum, Monu Professional Hand & Nail Cream, Philip B Styling Gel, Figs & Rouge Peppermint and Tea Tree Lip Balm, Inika Certified Organic Lip Liner via Glossy Box*
It seems that Glossy Box have cottoned onto the success of their limited edition boxes that we've now been seeing since January and bought out another themed selection. This month its natural beauty with 'ethical goodies' all packaged into a 100% biodegradable box. Now, to be honest I don't really think to much about things being organic or eco-friendly when it comes to beauty products, but its nice to know that there are some brands out there that cater to those who do!

My skin has felt awfully dry at the moment, partly due to the central heating at work I'm sure, so the Caudalie Thirst-Quenching Serum has come at exactly the right time. A little goes a long way with this one and although it sinks into the skin immediately it gives an instant hydration. It also boasts to be 100% paraben and nasties free and I think this one was definitely my favourite of all the products.

I seem to have a pile of hand creams all received through sample boxes waiting to be thrown into my bag and lost at some point! The Monu Spa hand & nail cream smells very herbal and I've actually been putting it on my feet (strange?) as its got a really refreshing feeling to it.

Inika are a brand that create ethical, cruelty free and environmentally concious beauty products and one I've been wanting to try for a while now. I got their certified organic lip liner in the colour Moroccan Rose and its really unlike any other I've used before. It's got a pearlescent sheen to it which is almost multi-tonal in different lights. Not my usual colour, but one I think would look great worn just on its own all over the lip.

I'm already a huge fan of Figs & Rouge Lip Balms and own pretty much the whole collection. The nearest thing I could think to compare these too are Vaseline but so much better. They have the same think slick texture but feel no way near as oily and actually penetrate the lips to give them moisture instead of sitting on top not doing a whole lot. Sorry Vaseline!

I don't usually like doing these Beauty Box reviews without using everything properly but I'm afraid to say I couldn't see myself benefiting from a styling gel! I've heard a lot about Philip B and would love to try some other products from the range but this one was swiftly given to Darren. He said it was 'alright' as gels go (typical infuriating man response) but I don't see him paying £13.00 for the full size. I'm sure this would be great for anyone with a cute little pixi crop or shorter hair though!

All in all I think this has been one of the better boxes. Although there's no stand out product, I actually see myself using the majority of these on a daily basis and the serum especially has now been added into my skincare routine. Luckily for you readers, this month I've found myself with two of these boxes so I'm giving one away! I'm sure the majority of people are signed up to Glossy Box now, but I think I'd be a great way for those of you who aren't to try out the service for a month. All the boxes vary slightly so the products inside wont be exactly the same as mine, but I've had a sneaky peak and they're all good, trust me!

Rules:
- To enter, comment below leaving your name and email so I can contact you
- You must be a follower of this blog
- Open to all UK readers
- There will be one winner chosen by random.org
- Giveaway ends at midnight on Sunday 20th May
- Winner will be notified the day after

Extra entries:
- Write a separate comment below linking me to either:
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Current Foundation Favourite

Benefit High Beam £18.50 & Rimmel Wake Me Up Founation £8.99
When it comes to foundation, I have to admit I've become a bit of a snob and only tend to head to the premium counters for new purchases. Recently though Rimmel Wake Me Up has had so much hype I couldn't resist any longer! At £8.99, its probably the least expensive foundation I own and I've actually really liked using it over the last week.

I tried this on its own to begin with and found that it gave my skin a really fresh glow, while at the same time being quite a satin finish and not dewy and 'wet' looking as I expected. This is down to the tiny particles of mineral pearls which you can just about make out in the bottle. It's pretty similar in principle to Revlon's Photoready foundation but the pigments are no way near as large and glittery as they're actually unnoticeable on the skin. Its quite a creamy formula which works really well buffed in with a flat top brush and I've even found it smooths out my skin quite a bit. The coverage is medium at first, but very easily buildable to give a flawless finish.

All in all I'm really impressed with this 'drug store' foundation and have found myself reaching for it on a daily basis. The only bad things I'd have to say about it are the staying power, which doesn't quite get me through a full day at work without a top up, and the colour range! Obviously a brand like Rimmel are only going to make room for the most popular colours on their shelves but I wish there would be a better colour choice for the paler minority! This shade Ivory is the lightest they offer and it's still a little dark for me.

What I've found makes this foundation really amazing however, is Benefit's High Beam. I've been loving using the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Primer that I mentioned in my March Favourites, so much so that I've used it all up! Having yet to repurchase it (which I still very much intend to do) I dug out my old bottle of High Beam which is pretty much an identical pink version. I have a bit of a love hate relationship with this product as I've always thought it was beautiful but never really mastered putting a cream highlighter on top of foundation. I've never actually used it all over as a base though so I popped it all over before using Wake Me Up and wow, the glow this combination gives is really amazing!

Has anyone else tried this primer/foundation combo?

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Philosophy Purity Cleanser

Hello there everyone, yes I'm still alive and I do realise it's been an actual decade since I last blogged! Naughty me. I've been so uninspired lately and pretty much think I'm boring you all with my rambling but hey ho, hopefully not!

As avid readers will be aware I've been stuck in a bit of a rut with my Clarisonic ever since I started using it nearly a year ago. I've gone through a very strained relationship with this nifty little tool, loving the way it made my skin feel but never really getting into a routine of using it properly and therefore never seeing it's true benefits. I decided it was down to the fact that I was yet to find the perfect cleanser to use with it which surprised me seeing as I'm a bit of a cleansaholic. I wanted something that foamed up, but not too much, was refreshing but still substantial and that really cleaned my skin without leaving it feeling tight and dry. It got to a point where I didn't thing such a cleanser existed until I was came across Purity. I'm not sure why I don't own any other Philosophy products considering how beautiful they all smell but I'm sure I'll be investing in a few more after trying out this cleanser!

It claims to be a 3-in-1 gel which removes all traces of make up but I still like to use a hot cloth cleanser like Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish before hand to take away the majority of what's on my face. It comes out as quite a thin white liquid which foams up just enough to feel like it's working and leaves my skin clean, fresh and moisturised at the same time. It smells amazing too, almost lemony. Ever since I got this I've been sticking to my Clarisonic and actually enjoying using it every night!

As for the price, its pretty steep at £28.50 for the full size, although you do get a huge 450ml bottle. I picked up this little 90ml bottle from boots for only £8.00 which I think is great if you just want to try it out. I've been using it for about two weeks now and am yet to make much of a dent, so I think its going to last a good long time!

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