The Skincare Device That I Can't Live Without: Foreo Luna 3

For the last couple of years, I have been prioritising skincare over makeup - mainly because we only have one skin, so it's important to care of it. As well a trying out a few different topical products, I also love skincare tools - and I'm going to be talking you through my absolute Holy Grail which is the Foreo Luna 3 which I have been using for the last 6 months. 

Foreo is a Swedish brand that specialises in cleansing brushes, toothbrushes and even skincare. Foreo stands out because of their tools are made from silicone. If we think of typical facial cleansing brushes, what makes them unhygienic is the bristles, they cling onto water and can harbour bacteria, especially as they never fully dry in between uses. The bristles on the Foreo device are made from silicone, which means that the device dries within 5 minutes so bacteria doesn't have an opportunity to thrive. The silicone bristles  are also hardwearing and so do not get damaged with continued use, so no need to replace any heads.

Foreo, like other facial cleansing brushes, vibrates to help the cleansing process. Foreo has T-sonic pulsations which stimulate the skin, increasing circulation and also cleaning out pores more effectively. I use this device because it cleans my skin without stripping it. To use it, I wet the device before adding my cleanser, turning the device on and then applying it onto my damp face, so that it lathers slightly. I move the device around the different sections of my face in 30 second intervals and then when the timer is done, I wash the lather off my face. I use this as a second cleanse, so that it's exclusively cleansing my skin, and not removing my makeup. 

Foreo have many makes and models, I used to have the Foreo Play (£29), the travel version that has a 100 uses, which is a great starter device if you are unsure. You are able to buy slightly older models and different sized models too. What is also nice is that the 'Full-Sized' device is tailored to your type of skin, whether you have oily, combination, dry or sensitive, they have tailored the bristles on the device to match the needs of the user. I have the combination skin, which comes in the blue colour.

The Foreo Luna 3  (£169) is one of the latest models, and comes with an app which means you can customise the vibration strength, the amount of time you want to use the device when cleansing, and also teach yourself how to give yourself facials. The Foreo Luna 3 has these specialised grooves on the back of the device, which are perfect for facials and also for applying skincare too, and so this device doubles up as both an everyday  and occasional tool.

Although the Foreo Luna 3 comes with an app, it doesn't have to be used with the app, but it's nice to have the option there. You can start the device by using the app, or by double clicking the circle indentation on the back of the device to start the pulsations. In terms of battery, you don't need to charge this product regularly, it definitely lasts a few months in between charges. I think I have charged it around 2-3 times over the past 6 months, and one time was purely because I was taking it abroad with me.

Personally, I love my Foreo Luna 3 I think they've made such an innovative product and after 6 months of using the Foreo Luna 3, it still looks brand new. I don't think you need the latest model, but I would recommend Foreo if anyone was on the hunt to improve their skincare routine. Although this was on the pricier side, I can pair it with more affordable skincare which gives me the same result.

I would love to know if you use any cleansing tools in your routine, if so leave me a comment. I am always on the hunt to discover more tools. If you would like to read more posts then be sure to follow me on Bloglovin to stay up to date! I have  some upcoming posts that you might also enjoy! 

15 things to do whilst self-isolating

So March has been a long month and a lot has happened. As we are all isolating ourselves in our homes, I thought I would share some things that you can do while you are at home, to break the monotony and take advantage of the time that we have got. I will be sharing some examples of what I have been doing too!

1. Read a book (I finished Heroes by Stephen Fry, and would highly recommend)
2. Do a jigsaw/ Play a game (I've found a deck of cards last weekend!)
3. Draw/ Colour
4. Listen to your favourite albums (I've been listening to old Muse Albums)
5. Plan a workout schedule

6. Listen to Podcasts (My Favourite Murder/ No Such Thing as Fish/ Is it Just Me?/ Science(ish))
7. Do a manicure/pedicure (my sister has kindly gave me both!)
8. FaceTime/ phone friends (I have been doing this while walking)
9. Bake a cake/ Cook a new dish (I helped bake my own birthday cake)
10. Clean or reorganise a space in your home

11. Give yourself a facial (I knew that Jade Facial Roller would come in handy!)
12. Practice Yoga/ Mindfulness (Yoga with Kassandra on YouTube is my favourite)
13. Watch a new movie with the lights dimmed for a cinema experience (I've done this once and it was great!)
14. Experiment and try a new makeup/ hair look
15. Give yourself a massage (I am planning on cracking out the Tonic Body Treatment Oil from Clarins!)


I hope you found at least one thing that was helpful on this list! Let me know if you have any more tips and tricks on new things to try as I would love to hear them.

If you would like to read more posts then be sure to follow me on Bloglovin to stay up to date! I have  some upcoming posts that you might find helpful!

4 Beauty Repurchases

With the makeup and skincare industry being completely over-saturated, it’s difficult to know what products really hit the mark and are the holy grail of all products, especially if you are like me and love reading blogs or watching YouTube. For me, the tell-tale sign that someone absolutely loves a product is if they would spend their money on the product again. When I write blog posts, I like to state whether I would buy a product again or not, as I want to be smart with my money, and if a product is not worth it then I will not purchase it again…

So onto products that I have repurchased and will continue to repurchase until something else slides it out of place. I have two makeup favourites and two skincare bits to share with you.

The first makeup product I want to mention is the Kiko Milano Highlighting Effect Fluid Concealer (£7.20/2ml). This is a concealer that is great for highlighting features.  If you are new to my blog, then it should be known that I am a massive Kiko Milano fan, I think they have quality products for affordable prices and they are by far my favourite high-street makeup brand.

I use Shade 5 in this product, which is slightly lighter than my skin-tone, but is just as warm. I love that this product is super lightweight on the skin, so it's not too heavy on top of my foundation and blends in seamlessly while still providing coverage. I use it under my eyes and in the centre of my face (forehead, bridge of the nose, upper lip and chin). For a whole blog post on this product, go click on this link!

The second makeup repurchase that I wanted to mention would be the Collection Fast Stroke Liner (£2.99/3.8g). This eyeliner is amazing, affordable and accessible. What I love about this product is that it is super black and also so easy to apply. I’ve tried more expensive eyeliners in the past, and although I would recommend them, liquid eyeliner generally runs out quite quickly so I would rather find a brilliant product on the high-street and save my cash for products that will last longer.

So onto skincare, I’m going to breeze over this first product because I feel like I mention it in most of my skincare posts. It’s The Ordinary ‘Buffet’ serum (£12.70/30ml). If you have problematic, congested skin that might leave you with spots then this is the product to try. It contains helpful peptides that work to de-congest the skin. I’ve noticed so much difference in my skin since using the product, I used to have a lot of texture on my skin and used to be prone to breakouts too. Now my skin is smoother in texture and just feels breathable.

The next product I have repurchased is the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream (£24.50/50ml). This is one of my all time favourite moisturisers. My skin just agrees with it. I love this one and also the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30 (£24.50/50ml) too. I find with the Kiehl’s moisturisers that they hydrate your skin on the inside but also moisturise the top layer of your skin too which is important as your skin does battle the elements daily, so it’s important that it’s protected. I generally have oily skin, and I find that this doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy or heavy. They sink in well and leave a nice amount of residue on your skin so that it is prepped for the day. I would be more than happy to buy this product again because I haven’t found a moisturiser that delivers as well as this one does.

So that’s my four beauty repurchases, as you can tell I love these products and it’s just so nice when you find a product or brand that you agree with and can advocate to other people. I would love to know what products you have repurchased, as like I said at the start of this post, it’s just a really good indicator of whether it’s stood the test of time! So let me know in the comments below!

Sephora Collection Smoothing Primer

I've been into trying and testing new makeup again, and today I wanted to talk about a new primer that I have reaching for the past few weeks....

The Sephora Collection Smoothing Primer (€12.00/15ml) is a product I bought whilst I was in Paris at the start of September, and I have been addicted to wearing it ever since. 

My skin type is predominantly oily which means I have noticable pores on my face. In a primer, I like products that are slightly more silicone based, as I find that they smooth over my pores nicely.

This primer is exactly that, sillicone based and, like the name suggests, smooths over the face so easily. I love the feeling of my skin after I have used this product, just because it feels baby smooth! I find that a small amount of this product goes a long way, so even though it's 15 ml's it isn't running out as quickly as I thought it would have been!

I find that my makeup is holding up throughout the day. The top layer of my skin is still oily, unfortunately that will never change, however once I've blotted the oil away, my makeup itself hasn't moved or worn off. Little things like my blush is still vibrant and the coverage on my skin is still there too. 

The packing of the product is something that initially caught my eye. I love the little frosted glass case, it's so nice to hold! I also love the fact that this has a pump, it's so hygienic and just a pleasure to crack out and use. I have total control on how much product is released so nothing is wasted too. Also, even though at times this product may be at the bottom of my makeup stash, weirdly it has never looked grubby! I can't say the same for other products in my bag...

I wasn't expecting to love this product as much as I have, however when I've just had a look online, it's not really widely sold on the American or British Sephora website so earlier I linked the Australian website which is the actual product I have, and here is the next closest thing to what I have described above! 

This product is also quite similiar to Lancôme La Base Pro Primer (£28.50/25ml), so if you were a fan of that, you might also like this product too! If you would like to see a round up of all of the primers that I have tried and tested click here! 

I would love to know your thoughts about this product or if you have tried anything similar! Let me know down below and be sure to follow me on Bloglovin to stay up to date with my posts!

Kiko Milano Highlighting Effect Fluid Concealer

I've been quiet on here for the past month however what I really wanted to talk to you all about was a new addition into my make-up routine that I have been in love with.

Kiko Milano is one of my favourite drugstore brands just because you get such good quality items for such an affordable price. Two months ago I popped into their store in Paris and found a gem that I can't wait to talk to you about...

The Kiko Milano Highlighting Effect Fluid Concealer (£7.90/2ml) is a product I think most people need in their life. This product is brilliant to use under the eyes, to help lift and brighten, however can also be used on other areas of the face. The consistency is super light, so I find that it blends in easily without looking too heavy. I like that it adds a bit of coverage, rather than being too pigmented and really noticeable on the skin. I think people who like makeup that enhances their complexion would really like this product.
I try to focus this product more on the inner corner of my eye, as I find that this makes my eyes look more brighter and awake. I either pat this on with my fingers or use a brush to blend...

I am in love with the packaging of this product, it's encased in a black pen-like structure which feels weighty, and just looks and feels more expensive than it is. There is a button on the end to pump more product out, and it has a brush to apply the product. I'm really careful not to pump out too much product since that would make the whole contraption super messy!

I love this brush on this concealer as it's so easy to be precise when applying the product. The product itself would be amazing to travel with, just because it's easy to slot into a purse or a pocket.

I use the shade 05 Caramel, and there are 8 shades within the collection, which I think is a decent range. I like that the shade of this colour is more yellow toned, and so really does help to cancel out any blue tones on the skin and so aids with the brightening effect.

This product is a product which I reach for daily, and has just become such a staple for me. So if you are on the lookout for a new lightweight concealer, this may just be the one for you!

I would love to know your thoughts about this product or if you have tried anything similar! Let me know down below and be sure to follow me on Bloglovin to stay up to date with my posts!

Birchbox: June 2017

I was lucky to receive the June Birchbox as a late birthday present this month. I love the concept of this brand, delivering new and upcoming, or well loved beauty products to try and test. This months Birchbox came in a bag, which is perfect for days at the beach as the material of the bag is easy to clean and very durable.

The first thing that popped out of this bag was the Scrub Love Coconut Mango Body Scrub (£12.95/200g). This product is so ideal for summer, I feel like sometimes we worry about facial skincare rather than body care! Still I was prepared to dismiss this product, as who wants to spend a lot of money on a scrub that you wash away right? When I used this product, I was completely blown away, I used around a tablespoon of the scrub and that was enough to scrub my whole body. The scrub itself is mostly particles with no gel or liquid which makes the scrub really do its job properly. It does have oil in it, so it's not all just grit. The smell is incredible, it did not overtly smell of coconut nor mango, but just a nice tropical scent, enough to make you wish you were in a tropical paradise!  The scrub was vigorous, but the coconut oil left behind just made me love this product even more, as my body was just ready for the day once I stepped out of the shower. For anyone who is looking for a real scrub, this is honestly the best product I have tried! 

I was also so happy to receive the Cowshed Cowpat Moisturising Hand Cream (£8.00/50ml), just because I haven't tried anything from the brand before, and I've heard such good things about it. This hand cream is a good staple for any handbag, it absorbs well into the skin and doesn't leave any greasy residue. The scent is really different, this product strives to be unisex which I find refreshing! This product contains Grapefruit oil and Coriander oil to help circulation and also Shea and Cocoa butter to help to nourish dry skin. In terms of texture, this feels like a lotion, however has the power of a heavy duty cream! I actually stick this product on my feet too because it really is good at hydrating dry skin. 

The amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo (£20.00/232ml), is a product I didn't think I would get much use out of. However, a week after the box arrived, I slept in after my alarm went off, and only had less than half an hour to get ready and this product literally saved my hair. I don't really use dry shampoo as I was my hair every day. I know, it's so bad for my hair. But what I especially liked about this dry shampoo was that it didn't leave a build up of product in my hair, and it just added an extra few hours of wear back into my hair. This would be great for anyone who likes to use dry shampoo period, but also those who like to use it over a period of days, as this is such a light spray.

The last few bits that were in the Birchbox was an Eyebrow Pencil from Meech and Mia (£12.99/1g), I haven't heard of this brand before but I was sceptical of trying an eyebrow pencil as I hadn't tried one in a few years! Once I tried this one though, I was sold. It's lightly pigmented, and has a slightly waxy feel to it, and just looks natural on the brows. It's weird, it's like a new generation of eyebrow pencils, that accentuates brows rather than drawing them on! This pencil is designed for sparse brows, and so if you are like me, and are not naturally gifted with full brows this pencil could be a game changer for you!

Another interesting product was the Arrow Enhance Waterproof Eyeliner + Brightener (£12.00/0.8g), which is a light pink eyeliner, which is perfect masking tired, red eyes! So although I love the concept of this eyeliner, and the longevity is also brilliant, the product itself slightly balls up on my eyes, and leaves residue in my eyelashes, which isn't ideal. Also I probably should address that on my eyes, the colour is quite noticeable, just because of how tanned my skin is. I think on lighter skin this product might look more natural! What I have been doing with this product is using this on my waterline and then adding my eyeliner of choice over it, as it extenuates the colour of my eyeliner, as it's such a light colour. So if I am wearing brown or green eyeliner, priming my waterline with this eyeliner is perfect as the colour just looks more vibrant and the eyeliner actually has something to stick to too, and so doesn't disintegrate as easily!

I was super happy with this Birchbox, as I just think the selection was things I needed but just didn't buy for myself! I would love to know if you have tried Birchbox and your experiences of it! Also be sure to follow me on Bloglovin to stay up to date with my posts!

L'Oreal Pure Clay Glow Scrub

I love skincare. When L'Oreal released their masks, it was a hit with the majority of the population! So I was excited when they released a scrub version, which could be used more on a daily basis. 

The L'Oreal Pure Clay Glow Scrub (£5.99/150ml) is super lovely to use. I've had it for around a month now, and I still get excited to use this. Like I said earlier it's for daily use, and so it's not an abrasive scrub, and has a creamy formula that encases the manual exfoliation beads. I find that it invigorates my skin and does add a nice glow to my face.

However as much as I love to scrub my face everyday, I find that sometimes I need more of a harsh scrub to fully get rid of my dry skin every now and then. So my trick with this product is to use it as a mask on dry skin, and leave it on for a few minutes because once the creamy formula has dried down, you are left with more beads to give your skin a nice proper exfoliation. I love how I can use this however I want, I love the traditional mask but I prefer the versatility of this product too. 

I actually also love the packaging, it's quite sleek, and I don't think it would be too much of a hassle to travel with because it's on the slim side. I think you also get a nice amount of product for your money. I think most people would love this product, as it's gentle and just a nice addition to my skincare without advertising a ton of benefits. My skin type is oily, which is sensitive and sometimes intolerant to certain products, so if my skin agrees with this, I'm sure most people will love this too!

Have you used this product? If so, let me know down below in the comments! I would also love to know what your favourite scrub is!
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Curently Testing

I've been on a bit of a make-up ban recently. In the last few months, I haven't bought much, just using everything in my collection, just to finally finish some products, so I can justify new purchases in the future. I had finally finished a few items so I treated myself to a couple of new products that I am now currently testing. So I'll give you my first impressions!

Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lipcolour (£7.99/1.7g)

This product is a hybrid between a lip colour and a lip balm. Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid, this product merges skincare and makeup, which I love. I find products like this so easy to use and need less maintenance throughout the day. You don't need to constantly reapply if you don't want to and just let it fade naturally, or you can reapply without needing a mirror. I just love how the ball is in your court, I think this is how make-up is supposed to be, you calling the shots rather than the product. Hopefully that made sense! I love the shade ranges of these, they were all quite wearable, but I love my nudes. This colour is a nude for me, but is probably a nice browney pink for anyone with lighter skin. 

Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof (£7.99/9.5ml)

Lash Sensational is one of the most hyped mascaras of the past year and this is the first time I am trying it. I know! I'm the worst beauty blogger! But since my mascara ran out, the Lash Sensational was the next mascara on my radar. I have to get waterproof, since my lashes don't hold a curl without a waterproof formula. My thoughts: I think I need to wait for the formula to dry out a bit, since it's so wet at the moment, it's a super messy mascara to apply, and my lashes are quite thin, so my eyelids get the brunt of the product, which is not the look I was hoping to achieve! Apart from that, when I can concentrate most the product on my eyelashes,  I do like this product - I think it lengthens and adds blackness and thickness to my lashes. I think it's super nice to layer this up too. It does hold my lashes up too, but I think that'll get even more better when the formula is more dry.

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner (£16.00/0.55ml)

I've heard amazing things about this liner, and it did not disappoint. I love how precise the nib is, like out of all the eyeliners I think  I have ever tried, this is the most precise application I have ever gotten. Surprisingly, the nib is an actual brush, which I thought would make the eyeliner more messy and more prone to mistakes. However, this beats my Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner which had a felt tip applicator. I'm so quick at doing a winged liner look, which is a feat because I don't apply liquid liner on a daily basis, it's something I have fazes of, and currently this eyeliner is prolonging my liquid winged liner faze for now.
In terms of it's longevity, this liner has withheld the most brutal of English weather, which included a waterfall-like rain on one occasion, and my eyeliner was still exactly as it had been when it was first applied! I would recommend this to every liner lover out there!

NYX Profession Matte Makeup  Blotting Sheets (£5.50/50 sheets)

My Sephora Blotting Sheets were life, and unfortunately they ran out so I wanted to try a blotting sheet for around the same price point and I knew NYX produced some. They have a selection of different types of blotting sheets, but I'm a believer in simplicity and there was just one job I wanted to be done properly, and that was to get rid of the oil and shine on my face. After using these from NYX I think I prefer the Sephora ones. These NYX ones feels like grease proof paper, which feels a bit cheap for me. it's not that thick either. I feel like I have to use two sheets for my whole face, whereas with the Sephora ones I found that I could use both sides, because the oil wouldn't really secrete through to the other side. I'm going to still use these NYX ones up, but I think I'm either going to have to head to a Sephora or find another brand which supplies them next time. 

So that's the few beauty bits I've been testing for the past few weeks! Some products I have had longer than others, so that's why I can give more of a full review of it! I would love to know what products you guys are trying out!
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Nip + Fab Makeup

Nip + Fab recently released makeup, I'm sure most of you have either gotten your hands on it already or have at least heard about it! But when I found out a few months ago, I was so excited. It's been a few months since I was truly excited to try new makeup. This range looks so well thought out, and I had to grab a few things for myself...

There was this super cool deal in Superdrug, where if you buy Nip+Fab products that total £12 and over, you get a cool freebies, which includes a makeup bag with a lip-liner, a liquid lipstick and a mascara. So I really didn't have to spend a lot of money to try out a nice portion of the range. 

When I got to the Nip+Fab counter in Superdrug, this Nip+Fab Make up Travel Palette (£9.99/12g) was the product which instantly drew me in, I hadn't seen anyone purchase this, and so I was so intrigued because the colours are just so flattering. I have a similar set from Sleek however I much prefer this one as I love how the contour shade is actually cool toned,  and it's super pigmented so a little really does go a long way. They do this Travel Palette in two shades, either Light/Medium or Medium/Dark, I purchased the Medium/Dark. The blush shade is a deep pink shade, which is not too light, and adds dimension and life to the face. The standout piece in this Travel Palette is the highlight. I think this highlighter is super subtle and is more reflective than most highlights I have tried. I would compare it more to the Becca highlighters and my Cover FX highlighter, as it leaves this sheen of reflective-ness rather than a super noticeable strobe of colour.  I like how you can build it up too. It really is a Travel Palette that I would actually use, and I have constantly been using. 

Spice. Need I say more. I think the Nip+Fab Liquid Lipstick  (£7.95/2.6ml) in the shade Spice is the most talked about product from the whole range, and it took three trips to Superdrug to get this product. The colour of this liquid lipstick is stunning, it's that mix of brown and pink that suits most skin-tones. In terms of application, I have no issues with the wand, and it's super easy to apply. Once applied, it does take a while to dry in, which I'm not fussed about because it's not too drying on the lips, and acts more like a cream lipstick during this stage of application. Other than that, it's your standard liquid lipstick!

The free kit was an exceptional promotion, I got another liquid lipstick in the shade Marshmellow (£7.95/2.6ml), which is a tad too light for me, but I have passed it to my sister who is enjoying it. Although the shade doesn't suit my skin-tone, I think the range of colours they do too are very flattering, in that most people would deviate to this range for their good selection of wearable colours. 

The Nip+Fab Makeup Lip-Liner (£5.95/0.3g) in the shade 02 Fudge is slightly dry in formula, but has a good colour payoff. This colour is slightly too light for me, but I like how it neutralises the colour of my natural lip line, so that when I apply a lip colour on top, my lips look slightly bigger. It also has a matte finish, so making sure your lips are hydrated beforehand is key!

The Nip+Fab Make up Mascara (£9.95/9.5ml) is a mascara that I think most people will like too. It doesn't hold up my lashes, nor was I expecting it to since my eyelashes don't respond to most mascaras. It does however separate my lashes and adds more length to them on top of my normal mascara. I love the traditional wand, and I think that the formula was not too wet nor too dry. If you have short, stubborn lashes like mine, then you can give this mascara a miss, however for anyone with normal lashes, I think this would be such a lovely go-to mascara!

From left to right: Lipliner in shade Fudge, Liquid Lipstick in Marshmellow and Liquid Lipstick in Spice. 

I think you can see how excited I was to purchase and try out this range. I love the small selection of products as I think it's been so well thought out to bring out a range which caters to everyone's needs, however doesn't contain unnecessary products.

I would love to know if you have tried this range? Is there anything I ought to try out? Let me know in the comments below! Be sure to follow me on Bloglovin to stay up to date with my posts!

Worth the Hype? The Beautyblender

I think it was around two years ago that the Beautyblender was one of the most coveted beauty applicators around the globe. Sounds dramatic, but every girl knew about it. So the hype has died down a bit but it's still widely used. 

I was one of those people who wanted a Beautyblender but also didn't want to fork £16 for a sponge. So when I received it as a gift, I was super excited to try it!

So for all of you who don't know the Beautyblender (£16.00) is a make-up sponge which has completely resurrected the age of the makeup sponges. I actually love this sponge. I am a  total convert and I use mine daily now.  When used damp the Beautyblender just has this ability to apply makeup with coverage, however eliminates any excess product, so you are never left with a cakey finish. On the flip side, the Beautyblender , like with most other sponges, does eat up your product, so you will finish products sooner, but for me once I saw the results I was just sold. When my skin is more dry, I find that using the Beautyblender damp really helps to hydrate my skin, as I'm pressing more water into my skin than I would be with a brush or with my fingers. I like to pat product onto my skin, as I find that I get the best results in terms of coverage and even application! 

Another reason I like sponges is because you can use them damp therefore you can clean them more frequently and it won't affect your schedule. When I clean my brushes, I find that I have to do it the night before I use them to give them enough time to dry, however with a sponge, you can clean it 2 minutes before you use it, if you use it damp. So for all of you guys who are guilty of cleaning brushes, this might help your game a bit more. I also find that it is easier to layer up product when using a sponge, as it doesn't look as noticeable!

I also have the Real Techniques Miracle Sponge and I have to say that I do prefer the Beautyblender, it's texture is just better, however out of all the dupes, I feel like the Real Techniques have got the  texture of the sponge the most accurate. I would say that if you haven't tried the Beautyblender and you do use sponges on a daily basis, then I would definitely recommend that you purchase it. I'm a massive brush fan and it still converted me, but I think the type of foundation you use is also an important factor. I find that more liquid foundations like my NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation is easier to blend out then my Dior Forever Foundation which is less runny in consistency. 

So is the Beautyblender worth the hype? I certainly think so. I think it's so nice to have a product which emphasises a more natural, hydrated look, rather than painting on layer after layer of foundation. 

Have you tried it? I would love to know your opinions on this! Be sure to follow me on Bloglovin to stay up to date with my posts!

One Mask to Rule Them All: GlamGlow SuperMud Clearing Mud Treatment

So it wasn't that long ago that I decided to share with you three high street masks which I loved. Over Christmas I was treated to a massive Sephora box full of the cult favourites, and I discovered a product which blew everything out of the water. It sounds so dramatic, but I have never been this impressed with a mask before...

The mask I am talking about is the GlamGlow SuperMud Clearing Mud Treatment (£39.00/34g). I've heard about GlamGlow around two years ago when it was getting popular with the YouTube and blogging world, however it was hard to get a hold of and frankly quite expensive for a product I had no chance of trying before. So getting a sample of this for Christmas really was a long lost wish come true. 

So this mask has quite a strong fragrance, it's like a mix between a herbal scent and mint. However for me, as long as the product itself works well, the scent doesn't bother me too much. The product is a dark grey colour, that's easy to smooth on to the skin, and this dries down to a lighter grey colour. Now, for me, as soon as I apply this on to my skin, I feel tingling and my skin heating up. I have a mixture between sensitive and intolerant skin, so I was concerned that I was going to come out with rashes, however after watching a few reviews online, I found this was pretty common place. Another thing I noticed was that dark grey dots were starting to come out of the mask, all around where my pores are located, and not going to lie, there was a ton of them. So these dots were where the amsk had extracted the oils within my pores. It's like a car crash, horrible to look at but you can't help yourself. There is also something satisfying seeing a mask do something. 

So after 20 minutes, I washed the mask off with warm water and a muslin cloth, and my skin felt brand new, like totally soft and smooth. In fact, the results were similar to the results I got when I used my ASDM Beverly Hills Glycolic Peel Kit. So I was super happy about this as I get the results of a glycolic peel but without the different steps. This mask contains a mix of lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic as it's first few ingredients, and so is chock-full of the chemical exfolients, which explains the results that I experienced. 

I think it's natural that you can feel the effects of a mask straight after you used it, so when I woke up the next day, I wasn't expecting anything different to happen however I felt like my skin actually looked even better than it had the night before, in the same way a night oil would work. My skin just felt less textured in appearance, and actually these effects lasted a good few days, so using this mask as a weekly treatment would be the best course of action to take. 

All in all, I love this mask and honestly, I want to buy the full-size, especially now that I have tried it. However, it's more expensive than the other ones, in terms of the quantity for the price offered. So the original GlamGlowYouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment mask retails for £39 for 50ml, which is a good price, however the GlamGlow SuperMud Clearing Mud Treatment retails for £39 for 34g, which is classed as a travel size product. So this kinda sours the deal, as when you find out that you are paying more for a travel sized product, it's not the best thing to find out. 

It's annoying because my opinion still hasn't changed after finding out about the price differences. I'm still annoyed, but I know I would still purchase this product because the results were that great. I know, I'm annoyed at myself that I would still pay, but if it's a product you love, and you know is going to work, then yes, I would spend my money on it. 

This was a really chatty post, and I think this product does deserve a discussion because I know some of you guys won't agree with actually purchasing it. I would love to know what you guys think, and actually if you have tried this, have you had a similar experience to me? Or is there another product you think is worth spending your cash on. Be sure to follow me on Bloglovin to stay up to date with my posts!

Brand Review: bareMinerals

I love doing brand reviews, I think it's good to see a collection as a whole rather than individual products. Today I'm going to be guiding you through one of my favourite brands, which is bareMinerals. I found that I own a lot of their items, and it's no wonder I gravitate to them as they are a brand which really aim to enhance your look rather than making you look like a different person all together. It's also the brand I recommend to people who are starting out with make-up, as you get quality for your money.

So to start this all off, I have to mention the cult favourite bareMinerals Matte SPF15 Mineral Foundation (£26.50/6g). I've tried both this foundation and also the Original SPF foundation, and I love both. I tend to use this as a powder, after my foundation for extra coverage because it gives a poreless matte finish. You can use this alone as a foundation, and it works well to even out the complexion.  I use this in the shade Golden Tan, which is a great match for my skin-tone.

The bareMinerals Warmth All Over Face Colour  (£20.00/1.5g) was actually my second product from the brand. This is a product I don't tend to talk about as much, although I use it so often! This is a mix between a bronzer and a blush, it's red toned and so matches well with most undertones and just acts to really warm up the face, adding both colour and definition. Another thing I like is that it leaves a satin finish, it's not shimmery or overly powdery and works so well with a variety of looks, it's my go-to blush when I am stuck on how to finish off my look.

I have two brushes from bareMinerals, the Flawless Face Brush (£19.00) and the Brighten and Hydrate Brush . bareMinerals have a great selection of brushes, and I don't normally believe you have to buy certain brushes for specific products, but bareMinerals brushes are created to work really well with their products that actually maximises application and coverage, especially with the foundations. The flawless face brush is a good example of a brush that was formulated to work with the foundation, I actually don't use that brush for anything else apart from bareMinerals products! However the Brighten and Hydrate brush is the softest brush I own and I reserve it for my Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder, because this brush just feels so luxurious that I have to use it with my most expensive powder!

bareMinerals Pop of Passion Lip-Oil Balms (£17.00/3.1g) - I feel like I've raved on and on about these lip products - full review here. They are just the most comfortable and practical thing to wear on your lips. They are a sheer lip oil, which delivers a nice amount of pigment without you having to use a mirror to apply it, also since it's an oil, it's so moisturising to wear, especially for this time of year. Also the wear time is good, and most importantly when it does wear off, it does so gracefully. I feel like sometimes the maintenance of lip products is just too much hassle, which is why it took me such a long time to delve into them, but upon discovering these, I'm so happy with my mini collection of these, I have the shades: Nude Passion, Pink Passion and Plumberry Pop.

bareMinerals The Neutral Attraction Palette (£35.00) - So as a makeup addict, I have accumulated so many eyeshadow palettes. Don't blame this one on me, it was a gift for my birthday last year. So what makes this palette any different from the rest? Simple. The colours. The selection of colours in this palette is so different from anything else I've seen on the market, having matte greys and yellows, shimmery pinks and silver. It's totally unique, and not just another palette. Also there is the addition of  two blushes, a bronzer and a highlighter, all of which can double up as eyeshadow too. So it's a diverse palette that super compact and light, and can create a variety of different looks.

I know bareMinerals has a bunch of other amazing products that I haven't tried, so I would love to know what you would recommend and if you've tried any of the products I have mentioned. All in all, bareMinerals is a brand that knows what it's doing, aiming to enhance your features and making you feel like the best version of yourself. Be sure to follow me on Bloglovin for more beauty posts!

Sephora Blotting Sheets

I am a recent convert to blotting sheets. I was blotting my face with tissue and realised that there was a specific product for what I was doing that was probably a lot more hygienic and also more effective. So after a trip to Italy, I managed to get my hands on the Sephora Blotting Sheets (€6.00/50 sheets) and if you guys aren't already in on the action, I think I need to get you hooked.

If you don't already know, blotting sheets are designed to remove the excess surface oil that your face produces, so if you are a greasy mess like me, you really need to blot and remove the layer of oil before reapplying make-up over the top. Grease and powder mixed together can lead to a cakey finish on your face, and also harden your pressed powder. I didn't realise the reason why my powder became hard was due to the transfer of the oils on my face being repeatedly patted into the powder with my applicator.

The actual product is a blotting sheet on one side and has a slight powder on the other side, I tend to blot my face first, just pressing the sheet on to all the shiny areas of my face and then use the other side if I didn't bring any powder with me. So this product actually saves you from having to lug around a powder and an applicator, so if you are low on space, then this is the product you need.

Blotting sheets are designed to blot on the go, and so they are super travel friendly, having packaging that dispenses sheets like a tissue box, which is super convenient. It's also super thin in design and also very compact so it's easy to add in your daily handbag and even in a tiny clutch. For the price, I think this is a great product which helps eliminate residual oil on your face and also ensures non-cakey makeup for when you are reapplying! I highly recommend investing in one if you are one to carry products around with you!

I would love to know if you've tried blotting sheets. If you have, be sure to leave me a comment telling me what your favourite one is! Be sure to follow me on Bloglovin for more beauty posts!

4 Autumnal Beauty Picks

Autumn is now in full swing and I find myself drawn towards my more red/purple toned makeup products. Lately, I have been so into switching up my makeup on a everyday basis, so I'm excited to show you guys the main products I have been reaching for...

One of my favourite palettes that I own is my M.A.C Burgundy Times Nine Palette (£30.00/0.8g). I just love the mix of neutral and bold colours which makes it perfect for both day and night looks. The purple and burgundy tones are just what I want for this season, I find they warm up my complexion while still adding depth and intensity. This is a great investment product if you want to try more M.A.C shadows for the least amount of money, I've had this palette for a year now and I still haven't made a dent in it! 

The Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge Lipstick in the shade 'Bois de Rose 272' (£23.50/4.2ml) is a product which works with any type of makeup look. It's a pink toned brown which is lovely for all skin types and just finishes a look without being too overpowering, especially if you are not a massive fan of bolder, brighter colours. This is a product I pick up regularly because of the colour and also the cream finish which feels super moisturising on the lips and so is perfect for these colder months! 

Another autumnal product that I have been obsessed with is my M.A.C Mineralised Blush  in the shade 'Love Joy' (£22.00/3.2g). I picked this product up ages ago and I had forgotten why I had even bought it until a few months ago when I rediscovered it. This blush is amazing, firstly the colour is lovely, it's a red toned blush with super fine particles of shimmer. The shimmer actually adds to the formula of the blush, making the product smooth and even in texture, rather than being super powdery and dry on the face. So for this season, I like that this blush enhances the radiance and health of my skin by the colour and the formula. If you haven't tried this formula of blushes, I would highly recommend it!

My last autumnal beauty pick is the BarryM Daylight Curing Nail Paint (£4.99/10ml) in the shade 'Dark Side of the Shroom'. I love love love this product. It is one of my most used polishes because the colour is just so wearable, as it is a lovely mauve colour and it holds that balance of being a fun colour while also looking sophisticated. I think that this shade really compliments my tanned skin-tone and I even wear it on my toenails! BarryM has a great formula and for the price, I would absolutely recommend this to all of you as you can't go wrong! 

So that was a quick roundup of my top 4 Autumnal Beauty Picks. I have to say I reach for these products so often in these past few weeks. For me, they just nail the autumnal feel and they are all awesome products. 

I would love to know if you have tried any of these and what your beauty picks are in the comments below. 

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A Trio of Masks for Any Occasion

I love to spend time pampering myself as it helps me to unwind and relax. Using facial masks is one of my favourite ways to feel pampered and refreshed. Such a small thing can have such a massive effect on your mood and I'm a fan of feeling good. I wanted to share my new trio of masks that can see you through any occasion and the plus is that they are all available on the high-street! 

I'm going to start with my favourite mask that I think everyone needs and that is the Kiko Energy Mask Detoxifying Black Mask (£5.90/55ml). I've tried to look for this online, and there is no mention of this so it might be discontinued! If you do spot this, be sure to grab a bottle because it's amazing. It's a black mask that just seems to help congested skin and make your skin noticeably clearer and brighter. It's leaves your skin matte without being too drying uncomfortable! I think this makes an excellent weekly mask to just help get things balanced again. I like to remove this mask with a muslin cloth because it takes the mask off within seconds! 

The mask that is perfect for any early risers is the Soap and Glory The Fab Pore Mask (£10.00/30ml). This mask aims to purify and reduce the appearance of pores through the minty flavour which is probably the reason why this works so well! The minty smell also helps to wake you up if you put this on in the morning. It also has medium size beads that I like to work into my skin while I apply the product and take it off. This is a good one to just concentrate on the nose area before make-up application, it just makes everything smooth and pores less crater-like for people who suffer with craters on their face (like me!).

The next mask I have to mention is my newest mask which is the L'Oreal Pure Clay Glow Mask (£7.99/50ml). This mask contains Red Algae and also has little beads so you can exfoliate the face to achieve a brighter, more glowing complexion. I think this is a great product to use all year round as who doesn't want to look like they are glowing from within? For the price, I think it's a great investment, it gives you a lot of product with the addition of a scrub. This also smells like Cardamom which I like, however it was really unexpected coming from a product like this! This is the one I would recommend for someone who is looking for an all-round mask to help their skin look a bit more youthful and brightened. 

Have you tried any of these masks? Also what masks would you recommend - I would love to know!

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