H&M Beauty: Facemasks

I went into my local h&M last week to see they had totally re-launched their beauty range. I'd never tried any of their beauty products from their old line as they never appealed but they're now packaged to look high end with a great selection of products.

These face masks in their bright packaging are what first caught my eye however I have since picked up other things from their make-up, haircare and bodycare lines and I'm sure there will be another post on those to follow.
What appealed to me with these was the names of each of them, involving fruits and plants with scents you don't often find. They are each priced at £1.99 and you can purchase them from here.

The 4 I decided on were:

Raspberry Leaf

A peel-off mask with vitamin E for combination skin

Kiwi and Watermelon

A self warming face mask with pear fruit juice for combination skin

Cucumber and Aloe

A cooling peel-off mask with passion flower and lotus blossom, for tired skin

Charcoal and Pumice

A exfoliating face mask with walnut and fig for tired skin

Although they come in individual pods (which are great for travel) there is 10ML of product which is enough for you and a friend or partner. Or you could also save what's leftover in a small travel container and use it up to two times more.

One mask that looked slightly unusual to me was the charcoal and pumice mask. Now charcoal is often used in face masks to help clear skin but I'd not used that paired with an exfoliant before. It's a gritty texture that you apply and leave for 10 or so minutes. It will harden like a typical mask but as you wash it off the pumice takes away any dead skin sells leaving your skin clean and smooth.

 I enjoyed using this however if you have very sensitive skin the exfoliation may irritate your skin as the grains are quite abravive for a scrub. I'm used to using a liquid/chemical exfoliant rather than a scrub however I would still use this and will do when my skin is looking dull. 

Have you tried anything from h&m beauty yet? Comment and let me know you're favourites!

Here's some other products from the range that are on my wishlist.

xox

Summer Make-up Bag

So it's not news I haven't written a post in a while. Okay, I haven't since February.

Since then there's been so many things I've found and have loved that I could write about. Rather than writing lots of reviews I thought I'd give you a peak into my make-up bag from the last couple of months.

Lots of things I've found and loved bundled into one!

The Base

So I've never spoken about the Dr.Jart BB cream before but it's incredible. It feels like it does wonders for your skin, it has a beautiful glow to it with a dewy finish and it's SPF 25. It just makes you look instantly healthy. Annoyingly it only comes in one shade so it's more of a summer product for me as I'm usually super duper pale. But don't get me wrong, it's not dark and will work for most people, I'm just the whitest person ever. It's often on offer so I'd suggest waiting to get the best price.

I've been wearing this just with the Collection concealer and sometimes a dusting of MAC Mineralize SkinFinish (which I couldn't find to photograph).

As for the All Nighter Setting Spray, you need this in summer. My skin used to eat make-up.

Cheeks

Mary-Lou Manizer is a bit of a full on highlighter. You need the smallest amount but it's stunning.

NARS Laguna is just, well, a classic bronzer. Love it.

Eyes

I was looking for a highstreet eye primer and came across the Soap and Glory one which definitely makes a difference. I put my most used MAC shades in quad and recently the look I go for is Naked Lunch all over, Charcoal Brown and Soba in the crease and Mulch for a smokey look in the evenings.

Lips

The YSL in Peach Passion is my go to summer shade. I think it's definitely worth the money. Recently I've found Macaroon by Topshop which is a pink shade with a bit of peach to it which I think is lovely too!

Dr.Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Soap & Glory It's About Prime

NARS Laguna Bronzer

The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Waterproof

Topshop Macaroon Lipstick

YSL Rouge Volupte Peach Passion

MAC Quad inc. Charcoal Brown, Naked Lunch, Soba & Mulch

Real Techniques Blusher Brush

Real Techniques Contour Brush

Zoeva 104 Buffer

Zoeva 227 Soft Definer (x2)

Zoeva 231 Petit Crease

MAC 266

xox

Face Masks

Skincare add-ons

So a couple of weeks ago I did a post on my basic skincare routine and it was exactly that, basic. It featured the five products I use every single day but on other days I add to my routine. So I decided it might be a good idea to do one or two add-ons to that post with treatment products, starting with masks.  

I chose to write about the two masks I reach for the most. One is perfect for when your skin is feeling dry and needs some life put back into it, the other great to really clean the skin and stop breakouts.

The moisturise boost

Origins Drink Up Intensive, Overnight mask. - 100ml, £22
I have dry skin and had my eye on this for so long. It's a little bit on the pricey side but it's been lasting me really well. It's called a 'mask' but I literally just slap it on at night and wash off in the morning so it's a great no fuss product. I use this probably once a week or more if my skin is looking a bit dull.
This is something you can really see the benefits of instantly. The next morning after using it my skin is so hydrated and looks more plump, it really is wonderful.
The big bonus is that it smells amazing. Apricots and Mango. Delicious.

On a side note: If this is a little too pricey for you the Soap and Glory Beauty Sleep Accelerator isn't the exact same but I do find it very similar. It also has the same wonderful texture and smell.

The Deep Clean

Super Facialist by Una Brennan, Tea Flower Pore Purifying Clay Mask what a mouthful - £8.99
I think it's always good to use a clay mask regularly and this is the one I always go to. Does the job at a wonderful price, what's not to love? It leaves your skin really clean and feeling fresh without drying it out. I use it once a week too and leave it on for five minutes before washing off. Absolutely love it, reduces breakouts as well as clearing any.

Two products that do exactly what I want from masks. However that won't stop me. Next to try on my wish list is the REN Glycolatic Radiance Renewal Mask and of course the famous Aesop Parsley Seed Masque!

Basic Skincare Routine

For the past 6 months I've been investing more money into my skincare and finding a good routine (which used to be a make-up wipe and slapping on nivea). Without a doubt it's worth the time and money because looking after your skin in the long run, will pay off big time. There's only so much make-up can do, a good base is so important.

Here's my basic routine at the moment and the products I'm currently in love with:

Clinique Take The Day Off cleansing balm - £21

For £21 it's not cheap but it's certainly not as expensive as other cleansing balms that do the same thing. Also because it's a balm a little goes a long way, personally I think this is a very good price for what you get.

 This will take ALL your make-up off and it will do it effortlessly. It's for all skin types and even works for those with sensitive skin as it's not fragranced. I literally rub it into my eyelashes and it does not irritate even slightly. 

To use: Take a small amount, and massage into face (dry) over all make-up. Use a flannel or muslin cloth to wash away. I keep mine with a stack of cloths so I have a clean one for every day. 

After cleansing I go to:

Pixi Glow Tonic - £16

This is my go to toner, it's amazing, it's so cheap and I'm really sorry it's a bitch to get hold of!

This sorts out any of my dry and flaking patches of skin, it will really help if you're prone to break outs, it's just an amazing exfolliator. 

However, I also use the Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfolliant (it lives at my boyfriends place) and I LOVE it! Little bit more expensive than pixi glow at £17 for 150ml but much easier to get your hands on.

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Toning Agent - £17 for 100ml

I have a tiny 50ml bottle that I got from the skincare starter set (worth a buy if you haven't used Aveda before) that seems to be lasting me ages. This is a toner I use on days when I'm taking a break from Pixi glow, or over Pixi glow. I can't really explain why I love it so much, but I really do. 

I love that it's a spray?! But honestly it's a great product that makes a difference. Lovely for dry skin. 

Hydraluron - £24.99

A hideous price but a great product, make sure you look out for when it's on offer at Boots. It's a serum you put on before moisturising and it absorbs instantly and absorbs your moisturiser. Works great with my dry skin, gives my skin a lovely plump appearance!

Origins Make A Difference + - £34

This is a new addition to my collection so I won't go into it too much. So far so good, feels lovely on the skin and really moisturising. I don't think you can go wrong with Origins when looking for a moisturiser.

I use it morning and night!

So that's it, my basic daily skincare routine! I think the most important part of skincare is that it is a routine, you need to stick to it. Even when you're tired or a make-up wipe is nearer! Do any of these ring a bell? Let me know what products you are using, I'd love to get some recommendations!

Hydraluron - 1/3 off!

Just a quick post today for all the other skincare junkies, Hydraluron is currently 1/3 off at Boots!

I'll just let that sink in...

Hydraluron is a serum that you apply before moisturising which increases your skins ability to retain moisture. It's heavily raved about over the blogosphere, by beauty gurus and skincare experts.  

Caroline Hirons mentioned it, so obviously I've been dying for it ever since.

If like me, you've been put off by the price (usually £24.99, now £16.66) now is the time to snap it up! 

It's consitency is gel like and feels slightly tacky but once applied absorbs almost instantly. If not, instantly. It's like magic! I've found it helps for my moisturiser to absorb very quickly too. This means you can apply a lighter moisturiser than you would usually (so great for those prone to breakouts, avoid a heavy cream but still leave skin hydrated).

 I'll do a more in-depth review of course but I just had to share!

Happy shopping!

Travel Beauty Bag!

So this is a really random thing to write about, so I'm sorry I'll keep it short, but this was just too cute!

Hanging Wash Bag, Primark £4.

See, cute right?
I saw this and couldn't stop myself from picking it up for my holiday to Greece (that's now only 3 weeks away!!). It's a folding wash bag that hangs on the back of doors, sounds boring but it would seem if you put a cute pattern on the front it turns into the best thing ever.

The hearts are like lattice cut outs with the pink material underneath showing through!

So I'll tell you about how very practical it is and what a sensible buy it was. It's great to keep things organised with four zip pockets including one that's removable. It hangs on the back of doors.. which is handy? Okay! Okay, so I bought it because it was pretty. 

 To make this post vaguely more interesting (for all of you who came to my blog hungry for a make-up post) I thought I'd include some travel size beauty products that I plan to take with me on my holiday.

So from top to bottom:

- MAC lipstick in Girl About Town
- NARS, Laguna Bronzer
- Aveda Botanical Kinetics Purifying Creme Cleanser, 40ml
- Soap & Glory, Flake Away 50ml

- Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant, 50ml

- Piz Buin Transparent Sun Spray SPF 30
- Phil Smith Colour Illuminating Conditioner, 50ml
- TRESemme Heat Defence, 60ml
TRESemme Extra Hold Hairspray 100ml

Let me know if you liked this post and what you take away with you for holidays!

Breakfast Scrub

Well it's only the best smelling thing on the planet.

Ever.

I couldn't not blog about this. I've probably smelt it 3874 times since buying it at the weekend. I've also held it up to my boyfriends face, my boyfriends brothers face and my boyfriends brothers girlfriends face and said "SMELL THIS, IT SMELLS LIKE PANCAKES".
And if I could unscrew the cap and virtually hold it up to your face, I would.

Yep, it's a body scrub that smells of Maple Syrup. To be precise it smells of Maple Syrup on warm pancakes in Vancouver. To be even more precise it smells of happiness.

This is £8 and personally I wouldn't care if it did nothing for my skin, I'd still slather it all over my body without complaint. Luckily, it's also a really good exfoliant and I would happily repurchase it.

I take a small scoop with my fingers and exfoliate in circles. This is a product that's perfect in a bath because it will fragrance the water too! It's a sugar scrub so will remove any dry skin but it's not overly harsh grains, like in Soap & Glory Flake Away which can sometimes be a bit full on. It's also very moisturising from the Shea Butter and will leave your skin feeling pretty darn soft (and smelling fabulous, have I mentioned that yet?).
Like all Soap and Glory scrubs, they've hit the nail on the head. 

If I could give you only one bit of advice in life, it would be to go into Boots and take a whiff of this.
Thank me later.

Beauty Haul

Gosh, and now it's April!
Hope you all had a wonderful Easter and, like me, have glorious food babies from all the chocolate!

In between scoffing Easter eggs (actually, my mum bought me an Easter caterpillar!?) I've been spending all my pennies. Here's a little haul on all the beauty products I've picked up recently!

Who else went completely mental over the boots 3 for 2 Mix and Match?

Hair products!

Firstly, I picked up this Dry Shampoo by Toni&Guy. Recently I've been experimenting with dry shampoo's to find something other than Batiste. I'd heard lots of good things about the TRESemmé one and, for reasons I can't describe, I don't really like it.
I really like this Toni&Guy range (I also stocked up on my shampoo's and conditioners, from my Haircare Favoruites) so I'm hopefull this will be it!

Also from Toni&Guy I picked up their Sea Salt Texturising Spray. I love sea salt sprays, especially in the summer. My last one had run out and probably because it was a cheaper brand, it dried out my hair more than it should. So far I'm really enjoying this.

You know that I love using coconut oil and rave about how good it is as a hair mask, but this sat on the shelf, softly calling my name and I had to go buy it.So far, so good. I use one pump just over my ends so that they're smoother when dry and it's a really good product. 

Skincare!

Picked up this intense moisturiser from Vichy. I'm fairly sure the product name is "Vichy Nutrilogie 1 Intensive for Dry Skin". Wow, catchy right?

I think it's too soon to say if this is a life changing product, I'm trying lots of intensive moisturisers at the moment because my dry skin is just not improving. Any recommendations?

So this is a little weird but I thought I'd include it anyway. I absolutely love Piz Buin sun screens but they are pricey! They're currently under half price at Superdrug though so I stocked up for my Summer holiday.  I'm an extremely pale English rose, and these definitely help me tan. They also feel nice on the skin and have a nice smell to them.
I was tempted to pick up a spray one too but had never tried them - anyone know if they're better?

Make-up! 

I picked up the new Rimmel Apocalips Lip Laquers, the red in 400 Big Bang and the other 301 Galaxy. I can't quite make up my mind on these. I was expecting them to be like the Maybelline Superstay 24hour Lip Colour (which I love love love). In ways they are, they're quite a good stain but I don't think they last as long as the Maybelline ones. I really like the finish as it's a gloss but not sticky. I also really like the shade Big Bang, I love my reds and this is a lovely colour. Hmmm, I'm just not sure.

Lastly, I picked up the Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation. I don't think this is a life changing product, but I do like it. I'm a girl where if I don't have fancy plans, I will happily not wear foundation. This is a good, light product for those days when wearing my expensive high end foundation would be a waste. It's like a your skin but better product and it's just nice really.
S'nice is the word.

So there you have it! Is it bad I don't consider that to be a lot?
What have you been trying lately, let me know!

Handbag essentials and making them fit!

Handbag essentials that actually fit inside your handbag. 

I'm somebody that has so many handbag essentials that they no longer fit into my handbag.

To the point that it's tempting to carry round a separate bag filled with toiletries and another one for my purse and keys. Realising that was completely mad, I  recently experienced the absolute joy that is organising the crap I carry around daily after buying a new handbag. 

I thought I'd share with you my now shortened list of essentials, and ways of actually making it fit.

Deena and Ozzy Leather Handbag, urban outfitters.

Use solid perfume!

Solid perfumes are perfect if you want to avoid carrying round a glass bottle of perfume with you!
 Mine's in a tin from Lush in "American Cream". I've owned this for years and I mean years, these things last a life time! I've actually owned this for so long it's now out of date but I continue to use it anyway as I've noticed no difference. They've also now changed the packaging, haha!
I do highly recommend the lush ones though, they have such a variety and the scent lasts all day!

Samples/Smaller Sizes!

Benefit, Triple Performing Facial Emulsion (sample size).
Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector, 30ml, grab it here.
Benitint, Benefit (miniature freebie, from.. somewhere).

To make room in my handbag, I've replaced many of my essentials with the smaller versions. My Hemp Hand Protector is sold in two sizes and the smaller one is fantastic for popping in my bag. When smaller sizes aren't available I just carry round a sample in case of a beauty emergency.
The Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion is actually a product I don't own, a sales assistant was pretty generous with samples and gave me the equivalent of a bottles amount. I put some into a container and carry a spare with me!
Sample perfumes are also great to have in your handbag if you're not a lover of solid perfumes! I have tons from magazines that I never do anything with until now!

Remove packaging!

This may sound really patronising as it's so obvious but it's something I never really did. I'd just throw things in my bag on my way out. Now I look at it though some packaging is so bulky and unnecessary. 

I now cut up pill packets to only carry a few with me. I also now take one or two plasters (or blister plasters if your new nikes are a bitch) and keep them in a compartment in my purse. 

There you have it!

My favourites chop and change all the time, but here's just a few ways I've cut down my essentials!

I also always carry with me tissues, a lip balm, Kirby grips, hair bands and a nail file!

What do you always need in arms reach?

Winter Rescues

Just like to say, sorry for the stock images, my camera has gone walkabouts.

The weather in England has been bitter this winter.

I don't know about you guys, but my skin, hands and lips have become ridiculously dry - fantastic!

Here's what I've been using to rescue it!

Lips

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub,£5.25. Get it here.

This is something I've been using for years and over time I must have bought 5 or 6 of these.

They're sugar scrubs for your lips to exfoliate any dry skin. However your lips are sensitive so you need a very small amount. All you do is pop a little on your finger, rub over lips and lick off (it's mostly sugar based and completely vegan)!

Mines in Bubblegum and they honestly taste delicious.

(I quite often catch my boyfriend tasting mine, then denying it!)

Skincare

No7 Beautiful Skin Day Cream for Dry/Very Dry Skin, £12.50. Buy it here.

I use this as a daily moisturiser and have done for probably 5 months. It's a thick consistency so takes a while to sink in but is great for my dry skin. However I still have small dry patches that show when I wear make-up and causes it to flake. 

No7 Beautiful Skin Dry Skin Rescue, £12. Buy it here.

I bought this and so far so good.

You need the smallest amount and I apply it after my moisturiser to areas that need extra attention. I'd say it's similar to a balm and it's made using shea and cocoa butters. It smoothes my skin and creates a great base for my make-up. Where the weather has dried out my hands too I sometimes pop this over my knuckles and it works wonders.

Hands

So I have two hand creams that I think have been fantastic saviours in this weather!

Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector from £5, buy it here.

Nothing about this smells good but your hands feel instantly better after using it! I really do love it and will be buying another one despite what I find to be a high price. It takes quite a while to sink in after use and feels slightly oily on your hands so I tend to use it before bed. It's made with Community Trade Hemp Seed Oil and it leaves my hands beautifully soft. 

For use on the go I've been using:

Garnier 7 Days Hand Cream, £2.99
You can currently buy it for £1.99 here.

It does as it says and sinks in (almost) instantly so is fantastic to use on the go! It's completely different to the Hemp Hand Protector but I think it's just as good (although I still need both in my life). I think they have a few different ones in the range as this one says "soothing" but personally I choose purely on the smell. 

I've also been loving the Garnier 7 Days Gel Cream which is a body lotion that's also designed to absorb instantly. Both products have been fantastic in this weather.

As an extra treat for my hands I've also been sleeping in cotton gloves after generously applying a hand cream. Personally I've been using the Botanics Bamboo Spa Gloves, sold here but as long as they're pure cotton it really doesn't matter!

Hope this was helpful and everyone cross your fingers that the temperature will start to rise now!

I realise that to those fortunate to live in sunny areas this might have been a bit pants.. 

but it's still important to give your skin a drink!

What are your winter favourites?

No7 Cleansers for all skin types!

With the money off vouches and the 3 for 2 offer this month, I'm in No7 heaven. At the start of the year I picked up a gift set (a gift to myself!) in the Boots Sale to try out some products in the Beautiful Skin range. 

I was pleasantly surprised and purchased some cleansers from the range. 

I decided to review for you a selection of their cleansers aimed at different skin types. All No7 are hypo-allergenic and just plain dandy really.

All products from the No7 Beautiful Skin Range
Top to bottom:  No7 Hot Cloth Cleanser £9.95,
 Cleansing Water for normal to oily skin £9,
 Cleansing Balm for dry/very dry skin £9.

So I'll start with the Cleansing water for normal to oily skin. I'll say now that this is not my skin type. So although I have tried it and find it nicely refreshing as a cleanser, I'm reviewing it on how it's transformed my boyfriends skin. (Yes, yes, I'm a pushy girlfriend that gets him to look after his skin and no he doesn't know what a cleanser actually is).

He is a typical oily skin type and I can say that I have noticed a difference in him using this. From what he tells me he uses this at least once every day followed by a toner. A pump or two onto a cotton pad to be wiped over the face does the trick. It's definitely reduced the appearance of excess oil on his skin (less of a shine) and it's now also softer to touch. As I said I've used it too, I think it's a refreshing alternative to the usual cleansers you find but I don't think it removes make-up as well (hopefully not a problem for Laurence).

His personal review on it - 

"This one smells nicest" and "I like it". 

Maybe I should suggest him to start a blog too, where he can say if products are "alright" and fellow men can say "cheers" and "mate".

Next up: The Cleansing Balm for Dry to Very dry skin. So I'm a typical bloody combination skin, I have very small oily areas such as my chin but mostly my skin is dry as a bone. I always look for products for very dry skin hoping it will change my life forever. 

This does everything a cleanser should do. It removes make-up very well and it leaves my skin beautifully soft. I don't find that there's anything in particular that I can fault with it. In fact it's pretty high up there when it comes to high street cleansers. What I can say about all the No7 products I've tried is that they do feel luxurious and my skin thanks me every time I use them.

However, I still don't think this is the best.

It's very thick when on the skin rather than one that sinks straight in, thus alluring me into believing that it can only be a saint for my dry flaky skin. I don't think it's any more hydrating than a cleanser intended for normal skin would be. Oh well, maybe it's just me. It does remove make-up very well and very quickly though which is a sneaky bonus.

Luckily for me the search for a cleanser that changed my life is over.

Lastly, the Hot Cloth Cleanser.

- ta dah!

This is a cleanser that comes with a Muslin Cloth. If you haven't used a cleanser designed for this purpose I highly recommend that you do. Right now! They just feel soooo beautiful during use and after! This one especially. 

It's rubbed in over the top of make-up on dry skin, and removed by dampening a muslin cloth with hot water which is then draped over the face leaving the heat to do the work. You can then use the cloth to slightly polish off any left over product, which also gives a slightly exfoliating effect. 

This does not feel more laborious than using a cotton pad!

                                                                                           - excuse my sister used earlier this week for not giving it a go!

It feels wonderful and as sad as it sounds, I look forward to it. It's intended for all skin types and I think it does fit that but is so moisturising on the skin it leaves even my dry skin very soft to the touch after use. It removes make-up very well, even eye make-up such as mascara. 

It comes in a box, like so! And it contains a 200ml bottle (actually larger than the other cleansers) and one muslin cloth. I wash the cloth with just warm water and a little soup after use and hang to dry for the next day. I love the feel of it so much that I sometimes reheat the cloth with water and drape over my face multiple times. This isn't necessary and can be considered mad, but I just love it.

I've already re-purchased this item!

I love a pump dispenser me. This might seem like an odd thing to write about in a review but because of the size it dispenses the perfectly right amount in one pump. Exciting right? No.. just me?

Last but not least I'd also recommend this, the No7 Soft & Soothed Gentle Toner for £8, to use after any of the cleansers listed above as it's just a very good toner for all skin types. 

How much can one person write about cleansers? Good lord! 

Have you tried out any other products of the No7 range? Let me know what you thought.