Recent Empties #1

Hey,

As I was packing up for uni I came across a few empty products; as you do, so I thought I would share them with you before they go in the bin :)

Elemis Fresh Skin Moisturiser
This came as a freebie mini in a cosmo magazine a few months back.
As it was Elemis I did have high hopes of falling in love with this but I didn't as I did nothing for my skin at all! It has a very light/watery consistency and with the name 'softly softly' I thought it would make my skin soft but I was very wrong, if anything it made my imperfections more noticeable.
This problem could just be my combo/oily skin, but the two really didn't get alone. Although i will be willing to try more of there products in the future.

Relvon Colorstay Normal/Dry
Love, Love, LOVE this product!! This one is in a shade too dark so when I repurchase this when my combo/oily version has ran out, I will be getting the lighter shade in this formula as I can not fault this in any shape or form. I have already done a review on both of these here.

Loreal Skin Perfection Mircellar Solution
I loved this when I first brought it but then we fell out for a while.
It was causing my skin to dry out which sounds weird coming from someone who has combo/oily skin I know, but it was creating dry patches on my cheeks, nose and chin so my skin felt vile.
I double cleanse now so this is no longer needed within my skin care routine; problem solved!!

Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo
Before I brought this I read a tonne of reviews on how to get my hair softer and in better condition as it was super dry and lifeless. Every review was positive so I went out and got it along with the conditioner, but when it ran out I wasn't very wowed to go and get some more of it as it didn't do anything more special than a normal bottle of shampoo that doesn't claim restore moist. So again I'm on the hunt....any suggestions greatly received.

Sanex Dermo Kids Bodywash and Foam Wash
Now I'm a big kid when it comes to bubble bath as I love the fruity smells of the kids variety; I'm having an off day if you see me rave about a bubble bath that isn't meant for kids!
Iv not actually used this for the body wash but David has and i got good reviews back about the smell and the bubbly-ness!!
You don't need a lot in the bath for it to make a bit pile of bubbles with wins me over as some you need half the bottle.
I will be repurchasing this when i have the luxury of a bath again!

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush 
This dry shampoo is a life saver! With oily skin my fringe is the first thing to go greasy everyday, so this is whacked out to get rid! I will always repurchase this but quite like to change the scent!

Sarah x

Iced Crystal Face Mask!

I feel like I've neglected my poor blog a little over the past week or so, but I've been so busy with uni prep and birthdays that its been push aside...terrible I know!

Anyway, I thought I would do a review on this face mask I used by Montagne Jennesse that I was gifted without out the blue by Davids sister. I'm a big fan of these face masks and try to use them when I remember to throw one in the trolley and my way around wilkos.

This one is the cooling iced crystal exfoliating and cleansing salt face mask*!

"Wake up your skin and senses with our Iced Crystal Masque! spearmint and cooling menthol cleanse and tone you skin while exfoliating Dead Sea Crystals gently refresh and renew"

my first impression of this was very good as its quite thick and very salty and the smell was actually quite pleasant! once I has equally spread it around my face it said to massage, so I gave my face a little gentle rub; this is were I was starting to freak a little as my face started to tingle and go red....slightly worrying when it states the word GENTLE!!

I waited the 15 minutes out and rinsed with cold water and oh my goodness I had beautiful skin!

Once you get passed the tingle and red soreness this is a fab face mask which I will be repurchasing as I had lovely skin for days after. I wouldn't say it makes the skin feel super clean, so if you are one of those people that likes a face mask to do that every time, this probably isn't for you, but the skins appearance after is amazing and putting my foundation on the next morning was so much easier!

I'm thinking of doing a little series of face masks as I love them so much, so watch out for that in the coming week or so when I'm settled with uni!

Sarah x

Current Hair Care!

Now hair is the one thing I can’t mistreat without serious consequences.  

Since forever I've had super thick hair with the lovely added extra called frizz and to add to this already disaster hair it’s been dyed in the past so my ends feel nasty even after a good cut at a salon.

To help with these problems I have a nice amount of products I use after a shower or when I just do my hair in mornings. To some this may be a little excessive but you got to do what you got to do!

Now I've not mentioned my current shampoo and conditioner as I don’t think they really contribute to taming my crazy frizzy thick hair!

The first thing I put on my hair once I walk out the shower is Aussie’s dual personality anti-frizz and conditioning milk available for £4.99. Now this works a treat at taming the frizz from root to tip and smells divine. I only have to use one pump which means this product could actually last a good while. I would recommend this to anyone with uncontrollable natural frizz.

I then put on Renewing’s Moroccan argon oil to the tips; I have done this religiously for about a year and I'm still using the original bottle so it’s well worth its £6.99 price tag. The smell is beautiful and using the right amount for your hair makes it feel great.

Once or twice a week I will then go in and use Charles Worthington’s moisture seal hair healer leave-in conditioner. Now this has got to be my hair care holy grail without a doubt. I've never measured how much I actually put in my hair I just put it in until it all feels covered and then a tiny bit more for good luck! This is a beautiful product and leaves my hair feeling super soft, especially when left to dry natural, which is my case is normally always as I shower in the evenings and try and use as little heat on my hair as possible.

Shampooheads Awesome Annie fuzz free detangler gets used on those days my hair needs a little more of a brush than normal, as I don’t want to damage it with pulling on it so hard. I picked this up after looking at many brand and this won the battle based on its tropical scent and built in heat protectant.

Even after I've just used my detangle stray I will still spritz the Schwarzkopf got2b guardian angel heat protection on before using any styling tools. I would say this is good, but I've never really noticed anything special with it, that makes it stand out from others I've used, but it does its job of looking after my hair.            

Now I have never been much of a hairspray girl but since I've had my fringe it’s become a necessary to keep it in place and for this I use Tresemmé Freeze Hold! I don’t think I will repurchase this for the purpose I use it for as this was brought when I first went on my nursing placements to keep my hair in place but it made my head itch so stopped using it for that so just finishing the tin off, and will get their lighter hold version as this is like glue!

Lastly, I used my salt spray from Schwarzkopf got2b range to give it a little texture and I'm ready to go! This is good as I have natural waves so this gives them a little bit of body and makes me feel like iv done something to my hair before walking out the front door. But also good for when you have straight hair you don’t want to be perfectly straight. 

Hope this helps you if you are stuck on products to use on frizzy hair. let me know if you think I would benefit from trying out a new product as I'm a sucker for new hair care.

Sarah x

University Accommodation Stress!!

What a stressful couple of weeks!!!

Now if there was a better word for being stressed it belongs in this post ALOT...!!

Two weeks ago I received an email saying that my uni accommodation was nowhere near finished and I would need to live in a hotel room until the place become liveable! THREE WEEKS BEFORE MOVE IN!!

This place cost a lot more than the place I was in last year so this made me very angry as I'd be paying rent for living in a hotel room for up to 6 weeks and not getting what I was paying for! After finding this unacceptable and unsettling for someone who needs somewhere to feel safe (uni is nowhere near home), I went on the accommodation hunt again- this is not fun at the best of times!

Luckily because the agreement was broke I was able to get the deposit back to put straight on a new place.

I've been super lucky and have found a place at a company ran student flat block and have paid before the original move in date which he great, as the move in date stays the same! (I will be doing a post on my accommodation when I'm moved it)

The start of uni or in my case the start of a new year is stressful enough without the added stress of accommodation!  So here is a few tips I have learnt over past year:

1. Make sure the place you are moving into is complete when you sign the agreement
2. Do not leave finding accommodation to the last minute, you want to find somewhere as early as possible
3. If your a first year go into halls or HMOs (private places managed by the uni) as these are 100% easier than finding a landlord.

Sarah x

Beauty Wishlist #1

Now I love to shop!! So i thought id share with all you beautiful people what i have my eyes on! Now with my birthday in a few weeks, I did have that in mind when browsing for products...and if you cant put high end makeup on your birthday wish list when can you!

1.     Benefit Primping with  the Stars - £26.50

Lately, as my sister (mamanclarke) found out I have a new obsession with benefit! I can stand and look at their beauty products for forever.  This was something I came across when browsing their website for a set which contained products id look to try.

1.     Real Techniques Core Collection -£21.99

Now this collection never used to really appeal to me because I’m in more need of eye brushes so always said id buy the Real Techniques Starter Set which has them in! But lately I feel I have been using more brushes and want to expand my range of face makeup; such as adding contouring.

2.     BourjoisParis Shine Edition Lipstick in Pou P - £7.99

Isn't the packaging just gorgeous? I’m very much into my lipsticks at the moment and this would fit lovely in my ever growing collection…and the packaging may have won my heart a little! I love the sound of the ‘shine’ so this is a must buy, soon!  

4.     Real Techniques Shading Brush - £7.99

As the start set contains brushes I’ll never use I decided to just by the brushes I would use, singly! Most days I’ll just go for an all over colour without contouring the eye lid so thought this was the best brush to start with.  

5.     MUA Matte Palette - £4.00

Oh my, I love MUA palettes! I have the undress me palette currently which gets so much use on a daily basis. I love the thought of a whole palette full of matte colours and come on who wouldn't want more eyeshadow palettes?!  

Sarah x

Revlon Colorstay Foundation....Review

If I’m honest this is post was what made me make this blog because I've never come across one that compares the two and my god they have some differences!

This is my all-time drugstore foundation and will repurchases and repurchase until I get bored…and I don’t get bored of makeup!!

First I tired the normal/dry skin in 180, sand beige. This was actually by accident and although I have oily skin I love it! The formula is amazing and the application can’t be faulted. I definitely think that this can be used on any skin type and the only difference between them is that the oily one is oil free…which leads me onto the combination/oily skin version.

This is my current wear as I am running super low on the other and I like it but not as much…and this is my reason…

The first time I opened it and put it on I was fighting with it to get it out the bottle and I think this is because it’s thick and gloopy although the part where you put it on the face is fine and it goes on well.

I've never had to fight with a foundation bottle unless it has ran dry and for that reason I don’t think I will be repurchasing the combination/oily skin formula again and will be sticking with the normal/dry skin.

I hope this has helped you, if you didn't know which to go with the first time around or, like me, picked the wrong one up and wanted to know the difference :)

Remember these are only my opinions and you may like the thick gloopyness :)

Sarah x

Two Week Count Down....The Plan!!

Oh my I have like 2 more weekends until I must be back down south for uni!!

I'm not going to lie to you; I've been very lazy this summer. After weeks and weeks of placements the thought of doing anything to do with uni made me want to curl up in a ball in bed and sleep!... well that was weeks ago now and I need to get my bottom in to gear and sort stuff out so I'm not rushing as I don’t want everything to be a rush this year!

So, I have a plan and I thought I’d share it!

Today I started to go through my draws, which are just a plastic tower consisting of 4 draws; these 4 draws haven’t been touched since I pack up at the beginning of July; so you would think they consist of very important uni stuff….your wrong, I had a whole draw full of rubbish that is not coming back with me or went straight in the bin….why did I even pack it?!

I also have the lovely job of organising my pc!! I have one folder that has my assignments in and the rest of everything else is everywhere!! I like to be organised when I'm actually at uni; so I don’t spend my time looking for , but this goes pear shaped when I'm on my placements.

I also want to go through my work folders to refresh everything and get a bit of reading in beforehand!!... We will see how much of this happens!!

Sarah x

Maybelline Baby Lips!!

Hey,

These have become my new fave.

After watching tonnes of  American YouTube beauty channels which have all mentioned these in some way or another....I was so excited when I heard they were coming to England!

I brought myself one of these as soon as they walked into boots stores. I got Cherry Me for one reason and that was because they only had that colour on the shelf, but my goodness I'm so glad I did as its my everyday wear if I don't want to wear anything heavy on my lips. I feel that the formula is nice and light and the colour stays longer than any other tinted lip balm. I think this will be my new lip balm while on placements as i love a bit of colour :)

As I have very dry lips, it's important I wear lip balm as I get into bed and while putting my makeup on, so the Intense Care won me over by its name! I do think this is very thick and heavy but I guess that is the intense for you so cant moan, as I do think its very good.

You can find these here and at most places that stock Maybelline :)

Sarah x

Only One....Makeup Tag!!

Hey,

For a while now iv loved beauty tags, but never had a blog to do one on, so now iv finally got one i thought i make one :) so here goes....

Blush or Bronzer

This will be blush hands down, I NEVER wear bronzer even in the summer, it’s just not me. I love blush especially pinks, I have quite the collection growing

Lip gloss or Lipstick

Lipstick, every lip gloss I have tried has always been sticky and vile in taste…straight off it comes. Lipsticks are always part of my daily makeup routine

Eye liner or Mascara

I’m going to say mascara because who would wear eye liner without it!! Inparticuler the L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes. I've tried so many mascaras and that one is the only one I plan to re purchase once it goes.

Foundation or BB cream

Can I not pick both…I want to pick both!! OK only one… BB cream. I can have my lazy days when the feeling of putting a full face on makeup on makes me want to get back under the duvet. Also very good for early mornings at uni!

Neutral or vibrant eye shadow

Neutral every time! I love eye shadow and wear it most days but I’m not daring enough for vibrant colour even when I go out.

Pressed or loose powders

I've never actually tried loose powder but that doesn't bother me because I love pressed powders. They are great for oily skin and don’t ever go without it!

Brushes or hands

This is a tricky one as I use brushes for everything but foundation; I’m too lazy to spend 5 minutes blending it in with a brush when I could have half my face on in that time…all about the time.

High-end or Drugstore

Drugstore, but I do love a bit of high end when I can afford to splash out on nice makeup...’hello birthday soon’!!

I tag anyone in this that would like to do it!

Sarah x