July Favourites

18

30.7.12



July Empties

17

29.7.12

I usually do these posts in video format (you can watch the previous two here and here) but I haven't used up too many products this month and couldn't bring myself to move house with a bag of, what is essentially, recycling or rubbish. So here are the products I've used up in July:


Neom Inspiration Reed Diffuser* - This has lasted for months but I'm still not totally sold on the aesthetic of reed diffusers (although Neom's are by far the nicest I've seen). That said, I love this scent (violet, chamomile and cedarwood) so I'm definitely considering a purchase of this fragrance in candle form.

Mitcham Powder Fresh - Not glam, but I always repurchase this antiperspirant deodorant as it never fails me! The waterlily fragrance is my favourite, though.

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo* - This has been a relatively life changing discovery in terms of solving years of scalp issues. I had my hair dyed the other week with L'Oreal INOA which is great for not creating eye-irritating fumes, but the next day my scalp was blistered and painful. A quick wash with Pureology and it was pretty much back to normal. It's incredibly soothing for the scalp and actually works as haircare too.

Clarins Hydraquench Cream SPF15 - I'm sort of glad I've finally used this up! I much prefer the lotion version, which feels lighter for summer, but I still love this range from Clarins.

Caudalie Eau de Beauté - I'm now totally out of both sizes, partly due to the warm weather as it's an amazing pick me up in the afternoons. I'll definitely be ordering another bottle (and closing my eyes at the £30 price tag) as it works so well to keep my skin clear and refined when used as a toner in the morning. I don't think this product works for everyone though, which is the impression some seem to be under, and definitely not one for dry skin.

Clarins Relax Bath & Shower Concentrate - This is a favourite of both me and my boyfriend but has lasted since February as I reserve it for when he or I need it most! It has a gorgeous, calming scent with lots of soft bubbles, but I will probably hold of buying myself another bottle (this was a birthday gift) as I want to try This Works or Aromatherapy Associates relaxing bath products next.

Stella Peony - This fragrance has now been discontinued, which is a real shame as it's a lovely alternative to the original Stella EDP. It's a little lighter than the original, with slight peppery spice instead of citrus.

Redken All Soft Conditioner - This is still one of my favourite conditioners to use but I'm really enjoying the Pureology Hydrate conditioner at the moment so I might come back to it in future.

*PR sample

Glossybox - July

9

28.7.12



I didn't blog about last month's Glossybox as I honestly wasn't very impressed. The brush in particular seemed like a silly move as they really need to be done well or not at all in my humble opinion. However, this month's box is festival themed and, whilst I've done my unwashed time at festivals (Reading 2007 *shudder*), it contains lots of useful goodies. I was very pleased indeed to see the NUXE Huile Prodigieuse as I've been considering a purchase for a while, but wanted to try it first. It's a dry oil for face, hair and body, and it sinks in very rapidly to leave a soft sheen that would look beautiful on top of tanned skin. I think I might be a convert! Next is a Monu Eye Cool Gel intended to reduce puffiness and dark circles. I can't vouch for its claims but it feels delightfully cool and refreshing right now as, at the time of writing, it's about a squillion degrees. Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Moisture Mist is another product that will come in very handy. My hair is naturally quite dry and even more so in summer but I prefer using oils on damp hair. It has a refreshing, summery scent and the bottle says it can also be used on skin. Jelly Pong Pong are a brand I haven't used since I was at school. Their Lip Frosting in Irish Cream Pavlova is a hot pink, sickly-sweet smelling cream gloss that can be used on lips or cheeks. If you can get past the scent, it's a really pretty colour and I quite like the texture and tiny amount of shimmer. At the other end of the girly spectrum is a BEX London Londoner Urban Fragrance in SE1. I normally find fragrance samples pretty frustrating, particularly as this one has a fairly pretentious concept 'inspired by the unique character and idiosyncrasies of London', but I actually really like the scent. It's a slightly less peppery version of Marc Jacobs BANG, so it may prove a bit too masculine for some tastes. Unfortunately I don't like the look of the Elizabeth Arden skincare samples, partly due to the slightly scary ingredients list and partly as I find sachet samples of things that don't get used up all at once (i.e. skincare!) are difficult to store. However they are a bonus product!
  • I was kind of hoping my box might contain the HD Brows palette as I didn't receive it in the earlier box, but I really liked this month's box - in particular the NUXE Huile Prodigieuse which I've been wanting to try for months. There seems to be something for everyone in this month's box, which is always a great sign for a subscription service where there is no guarantee what you'll receive!

GlossyBox provided me with this box for consideration. All options are my own.

Shopping the Stash #1

22

27.7.12

I know Adrienne at The Sunday Girl does these posts quite a lot and I really enjoy them. Bloggers (and beauty fanatics) can be a fickle bunch, so it's nice to have a rummage through our drawers (the furniture kind...) every now and then to rediscover neglected products. I was packing up my makeup today and thought I would keep out a few pieces that haven't been loved enough recently.



Coral and bronze products definitely work best when there is actually some sunshine, so I picked out my Soleil Tan de Chanel bronzing palette in 537 Bronze Corail from last year. The packaging is completely gorgeous and a good 50% of the palette's appeal, but the colours are buttery smooth and perfectly complimentary so they work swirled together or individually when picked up with a smaller contour brush. Sticking with the high end, coral theme (this exercise has made me realise I really need to be less precious about expensive makeup...it's there to be used!) I also grabbed the Rouge d'Armani Sheer in 302.* I've already written a full review so you can find out more about this here.  


For eyes, I have a Sephora Moonshadow trio in Sunbaked no. 2, which is an uncharacteristically sparkly trio which I picked up in France last year. Despite how it looks in the packaging due to the fallout from the gold shade in the middle, the shadows are actually a really nice texture and easy to wear in the day or evening. 


Benefit's 'Gilded' tangerine-gold highlighter is another product that really needs a little sunshine and tanned skin to work, but looks very pretty in the inner corner or smudged along the tops of the cheekbones.


Lastly there are a few miscellaneous products, including one of my favourite products from L'Occitane, their 100% organic Shea butter. It's super thick and greasy but I find my skin actually becomes drier in places during summer so this is great to put along my shins at night time, or to use as prep for fake tan to hydrate the elbows and knees. I've also been meaning to try the RMK primer from a JolieBox a couple of months ago. The texture seems a little 'nothing-y' but I know a lot of people love it and it feels much lighter than Benefit's Porefessional in the warmer weather. Lastly I've put aside my La Roche-Posay Effaclar M mattifying moisturiser. This is my second (or possibly third!) tube and it's a nice light, simple, daytime moisturiser for combination to oily skin - particularly in warm weather.So there we go, that's what I'll be making a special effort to use for the next week or so. Have you rediscovered any products lately?
*PR sample

(untitled) l'eau by Maison Martin Margiela

15

26.7.12




I remember going to Italy with my parents a few years ago; I believe we were somewhere near the Amalfi coast which is famous for, along with handsome men, lemons. They grow all over the hillside as it slopes down to the sea. Oversized with thick, knobbly yellow skins. They heat up under the sun during the day so that by the evening the air is scented with an earthy, citrus fragrance - and that is exactly what (untitled) l'eau by Maison Martin Margiela reminds me of. 

Not to be confused with the original (untitled) eau de perfume, (untitled) l'eau is a unisex fragrance which was launched last year. It really packs a punch for an eau de toilette and easily outlasts some of my EDP fragrances. The official notes list 'mandarin, orange, lemon, leaves, mint and buchu' and on first spray the combination of mandarin and leaf, sweet citrus and bitter green, creates a really authentic lemon note. What I find really magical about (untitled) l'eau is that those sharp top notes dry down to something that is most definitely citrusy and fresh, but at the same time almost warm and comforting with a slight hint of masculine woodsiness. This is definitely one to try out on sun-baked, summer skin.

100ml / £62.50 from Selfridges

*PR sample

JolieBox - July

7

25.7.12



The July JolieBox appeared a few days ago and this month's theme is 'summer essentials'. I've already posted about my own summer essentials, but JolieBox's interpretation includes everything from self tan to the first thing I spotted, Etat Pur Pure Active A22- Salicylic Acid 300. I've been hovering over the 'buy' button for either Origins Super Spot remover, Mario Badescu Drying Lotion or Malin+Goetz Acne treatment, so this came just in time. My skin isn't exactly 'bad', but there is still the odd pesky blemish that needs sorting out. The packaging is awesome, you press the bottom to push a drop out of the top, which saves on waste and it's also a generous size. Whilst it is high in salicylic acid, it doesn't sting on application and, after using it for a couple of days, I've not found it drying. The Jane Iredale Tantasia Self Tanner isn't something I'd necessarily choose as it looks a little orange in the tube. However it blended out nicely onto the skin and the colour was very subtle. The was also another Insitut Esthederm product, the Bronze Repair anti-wrinkle tanning cream, although this wasn't listed on the menu card. I haven't had a chance to try either of the Institut products yet, but the sun has finally shown its face so I will be testing them soon. Next is a NailGirls Gold and Bronze from the Medal Collection inspired by the Olympics. I received Gold and Bronze which are both really pretty shades and they applied evenly (as some metallics can seem a little streaky). Finally there is a sample of WEN by Chaz Dean Sweet Almond and Mint Cleansing Conditioner. I'm not exactly sure what a 'cleansing conditioner' is meant to do (besides the obvious), but I was really happy to see  that it was free from detergents and Sodium Laurel Sulphate, which I try to avoid as it irritates my scalp. There were also some Joliebox branded toe separators in the box. 
  • Overall, not my favourite box so far, but there are some great brands in this month's box and I'm looking forward to giving everything a thorough test over the next few weeks.

Jolieboxes cost £10 plus £2.95 p&p.


Jolie Box UK provided me with this box for consideration. All options are my own.

NOTD: Essie 'Topless and Barefoot'

24

24.7.12

Since my beloved '365 Beige Style' from Rimmel Pro disappeared from the shelves and was replaced with the not-nearly-as-pretty '397 Beige Babe', I've been on the hunt for a good nude nail polish. Essie's 'Topless and Barefoot', my first purchase from the brand, is a little paler and pinkier but has been doing a great job at filling the Rimmel Pro shaped hole in my heart. When I can't decide what nail polish to choose (Oh, the trials of life, eh?) I find myself reapplying this one again and again.

I'm not completely in love with the formula (this is the old style, rather than the diffusion line, with the narrow brush) and I'm not sure I'll ever understand the hype around Essie, but it is smooth and opaque in two coats. I get a good 3 days wear from this before chipping, which is about equivalent to a Chanel polish, but it's such a gorgeous colour that I can forgive its foibles. It's the perfect polish for when you want hands that look well groomed and smart.

'Topless and Barefoot' is priced at £10 and available from Zuneta.

Soap & Glory 'Glow All Out'

23

21.7.12


Seeing as we've had a bit of a non-summer so far, I'm about two shades lighter than during a 'normal' July. This means my skin can look a bit flat and I like to use a bit of extra highlighter, but I don't necessarily want a full whack of sparkle incase the sun does show its face and it all gets a bit Glam Rock.

I've been trying out some of the Soap & Glory makeup line, and their 'Glow All Out' luminizing radiance powder in 'Shimmer Switch'* is perfect for the job. The powder is silky soft and definitely sits on the side of luminizing rather than glittery, giving a soft focus glow wherever it is applied. I ran this along the top of my cheekbones with a small, fluffy brush and dotted a little in the inner corners of my eyes using my ring finger. The pink tones are something I usually shy away from in highlighters, but this particular shade gives a very subtle 'rolled in the hay' (ooh err) flush that I quite like. I didn't even bother with blush.

Unfortunately I think this might look a little chalky on deeper skin tones, so this is definitely a shade for paler girls (or those bereft of sunlight), but hopefully Soap & Glory will consider bringing out a warmer alternative.

The highlighter contains 7.5g of product and comes in Soap & Glory's typical retro style packaging. In this case a magnetic-fastening, cardboard compact with a decent sized mirror. Thankfully it feels a bit sturdier than Benefit's box powders (which have been known to disintegrate in makeup bags) and also comes with a lighter price tag at £11.

Available from Boots.



*PR Sample
**Incase you're wondering, I'm also wearing their Fabu-Lipstick in 'The Missing Pink' but more on that later.



Treats from the USA

24

17.7.12











































NATorigin Lipsticks

12

16.7.12

I've been becoming increasingly conscious about chemicals lately. Not to an extreme level, but I've been trying to reduce the number of products I use, both on myself and round the house, that contain ingredients I can't pronounce. I've been researching homemade cleaning products (here's a great recipe post by one of my favourite blogs at the moment, A Thrifty Mrs) and generally giving my boyfriend a fair cause to start calling me a hippy (to be fair I do have hemp milk in the fridge and three yoga mats).

Subsequently NATOrigin's lipsticks sounded very intriguing. They are made from 100% natural ingredients and certified organic. There are currently six shades available and I tried 55 Bio Papaya* (subtle soft pink) and 50 Bio Fig* (plummy red). The lipsticks come in hot pink, predominantly plastic, packaging with simple branding.  

(Left: Papaya, Right: Fig)

These remind me more of the Korres lip butters than a typical opaque lipstick, but the colour they impart is still very pretty. The formula is just as moisturising as the Korres lip butters, with sweet almond oil, jojoba seed oil and Shea butter, and recommended for people with sensitive lips or allergies (they're the only cosmetic or skincare range approved by Allergy UK). NATorigin are cruelty free but the lipsticks do contain beeswax so they're a no-go for vegans. 

The £15.50 price tag is rather steep, especially as the packaging is so lightweight; even a recycled aluminium-type tube would feel a little more luxe. However if their certifications are important to you they are definitely lovely quality lipsticks. NATorigin lipsticks can be found at NATorigin.co.uk.

*PR sample

Boots Botanics Cleansing Balm

29

15.7.12



I've mentioned Boots Botanics Face Soothing Cleansing Balm a few times (most recently in my empties video) as a great option for an affordable balm cleanser. However Boots have recently repackaged and relaunched their Botanics range and I've just noticed on the Boots website that they have changed the formula. 

The new formula is 97% organic compared to the previous 92% but it now has 17 instead of 14 ingredients - and one of those new ingredients is fragrance. The previous formula was mostly Shea butter, this has now been bumped down the list and replaced with olive oil which is, generally, a cheaper ingredient but the price has gone up by around £2. I haven't tried the new formula myself so I can't pass judgement on it, but I just thought I'd give you a heads up as it could possibly be more irritating to sensitive skin types and basically isn't the same product I've recommended in the past!

Old ingredients: Butyrospermum parkii butter*, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil*, Cera alba (Beeswax)*, Cetearyl alcohol, Sorbitan laurate, Persea gratissima oil*, Citrus aurantium bergamia (Bergamot) oil*, Limonene*, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Linalool*, Rosa damascena flower oil*, Citronellol*, Geraniol*, Citral*

New ingredients: Olea europaea (Olive) fruit oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil*, Cera alba (Beeswax)*, Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) butter*, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet almond) oil*, Cetearyl alcohol, Rosa canina seed oil*, Limonene, Citronellol, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract*, Linalool, Citrus aurantium bergamia (Bergamot) fruit oil, Citrus medica limonum (Lemon) peel oil, Geraniol, Parfum (Fragrance), Citral



Expiration Dates

62

11.7.12

I recently had a clear out of makeup and found some products which I know have been kicking around for more than a couple of years...or, err, maybe since I was at school. 

I'd recently bought a labeller for a few pounds (mine is Motex via eBay) to use for organising things in our new house, but I thought I'd also put it to use on my makeup collection. Most cosmetics in the EU are labelled with with an expiration date of sorts, but it is usually just an 'open pot' symbol to suggest the life of the product once it is opened. This is great if you have a brilliant memory and can remember when 12 months is up, but I don't - and it's also fair to say my makeup collection has grown a bit in the last year, making this even less likely. 







So I've started to label new products with their opened date to remind me when their number is supposed to be up. It's very quick to do and, whilst this doesn't mean I'll throw them away after that time, at least I'll know to keep an eye on them and maybe use them up a bit quicker or pass them on to someone who will.





Here's a rough guide to the lifespan of products. A quick Google will show you these numbers are fairly inconclusive so, as with food, I rely more on my common sense than what the label says. If it smells bad, doesn't look 'right' or the texture has changed it is going in the bin!


Lips So Facto is ONE!

76

10.7.12


My little blog is one year old today!

Thank you so much for every comment, tweet and email. I don't reply to comments as often as I'd like (mainly because I don't think you get notified when I do) but know that I appreciate every single one and my Twitter and email accounts are always open.

I wanted to tell you a little story about how I got into beauty blogging. It's not something I talk about very often but, during recovery from an eating disorder, makeup became something safe and normal. Makeup doesn't come with sizes and it allowed me to shop with friends without the anxiety of clothes sizes and mirrors. I don't, and never have, used makeup as a mask but I appreciate the way it can improve your mood, allow you to experiment and generally be a little creative. If you hate it, you can wash it off.

Without it I think my way back to normality would have been a lot harder. It gave me something to focus on and both that and your support has been more valuable to me than I can ever express. I was hoping to have a little giveaway today but I couldn't settle on a prize I thought everyone would like, so I'll keep thinking and look out for it sometime in the next week or so.

Thanks again, and here's to another year! xx


p.s. Thanks to my mum for making those gorgeous biscuits! This is starting to sound like a bad Oscars speech so I'm going now...BYE!

Candle Jar to Brush Holder

40

6.7.12

Two empties for June are my Jo Malone 'Pomegranate Noir' candle (the one that smells like Oscar Wilde) and Diptyque Mimosa candle. To be honest I'm not sure I would buy a Diptyque candle again because they are just so sooty, even when cared for properly. However, that said, I am a complete sucker for their branding so I love to reuse them as brush holders once they are used up. 

This is another ridiculously easy DIY but I had a lot of requests on Youtube and actually made a rather dangerous mistake the first time I tried to empty out a finished candle jar...I put it in the microwave with the intention of melting the residual wax and pouring it out. Darwinism in action there. Thankfully I didn't die in the process (though I probably should ask that my university rescind my degree certificate) but that is recommendation number one: NEVER PUT CANDLES IN THE MICROWAVE. The wax vapour is combustable and the whole thing will burst into flames.

Anyway here's how you do it safely:

Pop the candle(s) into the freezer for an hour or two. I forgot about mine and left them chilling with the frozen peas overnight.

Take them out and using a blunt knife, gently pop the remaining wax out. It might come out as a whole piece like the Diptyque candle, or in chunks like the Jo Malone candle. If you are using clean burning candles, you can save this wax and combine the pieces to make a new candle. Although in my experience these types of candles, e.g. Neom, produce little to no waste wax. Unfortunately neither of these candles are particularly clean burners, as you can see from the soot on the jars, so I wouldn't advise trying to reuse contaminated wax.

Wash out the jars being careful not to get the labels too wet if you want to keep them on. If not they should come away easily with warm water. You can wipe off any residual wax or adhesive with dish soap, rubbing alcohol, white vinegar or baby oil, depending what you have to hand.

All done!


Fringe Benefits

12

5.7.12

Since I had my fringe (bangs) cut back in, quite a few people have asked how to avoid getting forehead breakouts. My first tip comes from my mum who, when I first had my fringe cut in around age 17, told me to always pin the hair away my face and take my makeup off as soon as I got home. So I've been sporting either the Forever 21 headband or some kirby grips (below). You can also do this when you sleep, but my hair tends to adopt the position I pin it in, leaving me looking a little 'Something About Mary' when I wake up in the morning. (By the way, I picked up the little Kent comb from Boots and it is seriously handy to keep in your handbag if you have a fringe! It's really sturdy so you won't find it missing teeth after a week bouncing around against your keys.)


If your hair is like mine and only needs washing every couple of days, you may find a dry shampoo handy to prevent your fringe becoming stringy. Obviously it is best to keep the hair as clean as possible but, if I'm pushed for time or my hair has become a bit too clean, I love the Full Detox Rub-Out Dry Cleansing Spray by Ojon* to put some texture back in without leaving a powdery finish. It's also a good idea to avoid silicone based styling products (or at least avoid using them in the fringe region) to prevent skin congestion; I like Philip Kingsley Weatherproof Styling Froth (full review here) to prevent frizz without weighing the hair down. If you still have issues with build-up try using an anti-residue shampoo, such as Bumble and Bumble's Sunday Shampoo, once a week.


This is probably the most obvious tip but make sure you are thoroughly cleaning your skin, twice a day. Alongside this, day-to-day, I don't bother with makeup on my forehead (top marks for laziness, Meg) to reduce the potential gunk under my fringe and I also use a clay-based mask once a week. My current favourite is REN Invisible Pores Detox Mask which seems to draw out impurities and balance oil production. If you don't have these sort of issues anywhere else, try just using it across your forehead and temples and treat the rest of your face to a hydrating mask while you wait for it to dry. Be sure to moisturise well afterwards. I go on about it a lot, but Alpha H Liquid Gold (full review here) is perfect for refining skin and, in this case, clearing away dead skin cells that could combine with oils and impurities in the hair to clog the pores.

Finally, It's handy to have a little arsenal of spot fighters if you do feel a breakout is brewing. I'm currently using the Super Breakout Solution* (full review here) or Witch Blemish Stick*. I just apply a thin layer in the evening after cleansing and toning, either over my entire forehead or directly onto blemishes. Neither are miracle workers but they are both invisible and non-oily so perfect for use during the day too as a preventative measure. 


*PR Samples

Japonesque Lipstick Palette Kit

27

2.7.12

I had a little bit too much fun doing this. I'm not a makeup artist, clearly, and as such I don't necessarily need a lipstick palette. But boy is it fun creating a bespoke selection of your favourite lipsticks (or mixture of lipsticks). Japonesque have released a little Lipstick Palette Kit* which has room for 8 of your favourite lipsticks, or combinations of lipsticks, and it's about the size of a business card holder, so ideal for travelling.

So today I'm Frankenstein and here is my monster (did you know that it isn't the monster that's called Frankenstein, but the scientist? Did'ya?!):

[17 'Beehive', 'the monster', Sleek 'Bare All']

Cut off a little bit of the lipstick (or scoop the dregs out of an almost empty tube) and put it into the 'lipstick melting cup' - a nifty little silicone bowl. Pop it into the microwave for up to one minute (I found it only needed about thirty seconds); make sure it doesn't boil! Pour the melted lipstick straight into the palette and repeat with the rest of your lipsticks. Be quick about pouring it into the palette if you want it to look smooth and neat, as lipstick firms up remarkably quickly. I was a bit slow with the first one (bottom left) hence it looking a little scruffy. That was the hybrid; Sleek 'Bare All' is a lipstick that I love, but the matte formula doesn't always love me so I thought I'd mix it with 17 'Beehive' super sheen lipstick. I melted down a chunk of each and stirred them together before pouring into the palette. The outcome was a perfectly blended mix of the two (rather than the slightly patchy look of just layering them on top of each other) and just what I was after - something like the big sister of MAC's Shy Girl. 

I'll be honest, I didn't have the guts to chop a chunk from my higher end lipsticks, but when they start to run out this would be a great way to avoid waste. If you are a makeup artist, you can achieve a similar thing with the Muji pill container for a few pounds, but for day-to-day use this is ideal as the wells hold just the right amount of product and the palette holds a lip brush and mirror. 

The set retails at £13 and is available from HQ Hair.

*PR sample

July

27

1.7.12


Happy July!

I'm not going on holiday this year but, if I was, here are some high street picks I would take with me! Has anyone tried the REN body scrub? It sounds like it smells incredible and I'm loving the brand in general at the moment. I've included a book this month as 'The Sun Also Rises' is such a perfect holiday read. It isn't one of Hemingway's best regarded works but it's a fairly easy read, following American and British expatriates from Paris to Pamplona, with just enough 'think'. The partying and debauchery of the mid-twenties masks significant pain and loss.

And here are some songs I've been listening to a lot:




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