Sunday 30 November 2014

My Christmas List 2014...



Christmas 2014 is only 24 days away; and today I'm sharing with you all my list to Santa. I'm not looking for a light blue convertible, platinum mine or a yacht, but here a few things that will hopefully inspire your list too. I love Christmas, the joyful spirit of you all really takes your breath away. The songs, the food, the presents, the family, the friends, the tree, the decorations - I love it all. 

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Monday 24 November 2014

Brand Review: Origins



Considering my last brand review was quite successful, I've decided to do another. This time, I'm taking it from haircare to skincare. Origins, my ultimate favourite skincare brand, are being put to the test. I've tried and tested many, many products - some have just been testers, most have been full-sized but I've still got a strong opinion. Above are the products I currently own but below are a list; split into love, like and leave categories; of the products that I've accumulated over the years...

LOVE:
  • Drink-Up Intensive Mask - The winter weather can really take its toll on skin; slurping up every last drop of moisture. Likewise in summer, the hot sun can also dry up our skin. Look no further than this product; this provides hydration and moisture, and plumps and smooths the skin.  I've asked for this again for Christmas as I seriously love it so much. I find it also helps with my acne and scarring. A serious recommend for all skin-types.
  • Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser - This exfoliating cleanser wakes up skin in a second; adding luminosity and radiance straight back into skin. The gentle exfoliating beads, jojoba and carnuba wax gently slough off dead skin cells, while the panax ginseng, grapefruit, lemon, spearmint and caffeine (phew!) instantly make the skin glow. Only slight critisim? It can be a little drying if you apply too much; only use a 1p size amount and slather with water. 
  • Ginzing Energy-Boosting Moisturiser - Following in its mother's footsteps; the moisturiser is just as brilliant. With the same powerful ingredients; this gel-formulated product ensures light moisture to the skin; perfect for summer.
  • High Potency Night-A-Mins - Wake up with glowy, radiant, plump, hydrated and healthy skin with just one product. With vitamins C, E and H, minerals and moisture-rich replenishers helping to repair and renew your skin, while the relaxing aromas lull you to sleep. 
  • Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream - Yes, the whole of the Ginzeng range is simply beautiful and so effective! The eye cream is awakening, stimulating, brightening, hydrating and refreshing - that's no exaggeration, it really does do all that. Unsightly bags and as-dark-as-can-be circles are instantly yesterday's news.
  • Make a Difference Plus Night Cream (NEW!) - Oh how I adore this - I hope to buy the full size soon as I currently only have a small sample. This product is very similar to Night-A-Mins however the ingredients are slightly different but just as powerful; they ensure your skin is fully repaired, and help to create a reservoir to help replenish surface moisture after dark. I would say this is better for ageing skin, whereas Night-A-Mins I would recommend for all skin types.
LIKE:
  • Origins Smarty Plants CC Cream - This glides on like a dream, and blends beautifully. My only slight criticism would be one; the colour range and two; the colour shade itself. I use the lightest colour but it's quite orange for me, however, I just mix it in with a lighter foundation for a flawless finish.
  • Super Spot Remover - Besides the hefty price considering the size of the bottle, this products works wonders. Dab continuously on a blemish throughout the day, or leave on overnight and your blemish will be gone in just a few days. You can really feel the product working on your skin (it's slightly tingly) and even after a few hours, results are already showing.
  • Clear Improvement Mask - Don't get me wrong by putting this product in the 'like' category. I have a slight love-hate relationship with this mask. I think the best way to use it is to apply a thick layer onto skin and then place your head over a bowl of steaming water for 20 minutes to really open the pores and let the mask work its wonders. On the other hand, I think just left on the skin, it can dry a bit flaky and not work as effectively. Another good tip: mix this with a hydrating mask too (Drink-Up Intensive for example, or I hear Aesop also do a brilliant alternative).
LEAVE:
  • Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Pads - I only tried two of these are part of a tester so I don't hold a particularly strong opinion on them however, I wasn't totally convinced. I noticed no difference in my spots and found they tended to make my skin peel a little. However, I really can't make a good argument on just using two pads. 
  • Dr Weil Mega Bright Cleanser - Again, I only tried a small sample of this but I didn't like this product at all. The texture is strange; it's fluffy, like whipped-cream but when mixed with water it becomes far too foamy and was very stripping for the skin. 

ON THE 'TO-BUY/ - TRY' LIST:

Thanks for reading!
This post is not sponsored by Origins.


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Monday 17 November 2014

What's On My Face #13:



Feeling rather retro were we today Emma?

To begin the classic look / to channel my inner Audrey, I begun with a very light base, using just a tiny amount of the Nars Tinted Moisturiser, and the Creamy Concealer in areas where I needed more coverage. I love the dewy finish these products leave my skin, especially in the winter when my skin tends to get dry.

For bronzer, I opted for the Benefit Hoola Bronzer - which was placed delicately along the cheekbones and temples, while the Nars Deep Throat blusher sat happily in the apples of my cheeks; giving a peachy flush and touch of shimmer. These two were not too over-powering for the bold lip to follow.

To balance out a bold lip, I wanted to cause a little drama to the eyes but in a natural way - to keep things minimalistic. Therefore, I defined my eyebrows using the Soap and Glory Archery Pencil and brushed them through with the Maybelline Brow Drama, to give a bold look. To achieve fluttery, voluminous lashes, I used the Clinique High Impact Mascara. Clinique seriously do the best mascaras, no drugstore or even another high-end brand will ever match the quality.

Now for the daring part of the makeup. I swiped on the Rimmel London Kate Matte Lipstick in 111 with a lip brush then smudged the product in with the bullet for extra impact. I love the matte finish; it makes your lips look bigger, is long-lasting, and a modern look is easily achieved, however, it can be a little drying and sinks in to the lines. Hello lipbalm!

Do you wear a red lip during the day?

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Tuesday 11 November 2014

Makeup Inspiration for EVERY Holiday Party On Your Calendar...


Which look will you sport this party season?


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Wednesday 5 November 2014

When Alexa Turns 31...

When Alexa Chung turns 31 - there's nothing better to celebrate her birthday than a look back at her thirty-one best looks. Alexa will always be one of my favourite style icons, for her androgynous and eclectic style (or as she names it, 'awkward boy style'). Perhaps it's that sexy-but-sweet winged liner or the I-woke-up-like-this bob; but I'm sure it's her impeccable style that everybody drools over time and time again (and her beauty looks of course). So influential she's had a Mulberry bag created in her name, designed clothes for Madewell, released her own book of musings, been the face of Maje and Superga, sat front row at every LFW show known to man and been tapped by L'Oreal and Eyeko for beauty collabs (as well as inspiring those breton tops, pinafores and brogues seen on EVERY high street), there's no denying the fashion power of the Chung. And you all know I'm a sucker for true British style. Lust and turn green with envy over Alexa's best ever looks...








All images from Getty Images

Ah Alexa - lend us your clothes!
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Tuesday 4 November 2014

If You're A Blogger, You Should Read...



I'm always looking for ways to improve this blog - and sometimes (okay, most of the time) I turn to other bloggers. Fellow bloggers inspire me with their words of wisdom (Jennypurr I'm looking at you) and blogging advice. I may have been writing this blog for four years now, however, I'm certainly no pro at it. Here are a few fave links that I turn to in my times of need - and hopefully, if you're a blogger too, these may help!



Amber on how to grow your blog

Me (woo!) on Blogging 101

Bethany on Know Your Limits



Jenny on everything

Enjoy!
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Monday 3 November 2014

What's On My Face #12:





Let's get straight into it! For the skin, I wanted something luminous, light and quite matte - so opted for a combination I have not tried previously, but is now a current fave! The Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector gives your skin with a glow and radiance, while the Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation provides a medium coverage and a matte finish for perfect skin. I topped up with the Maybelline Fix Me Concealer under the eyes and on a couple of blemishes. 

Finishing with the skin, I lightly dusted the Body Shop Honey Bronzer along the temples, cheekbones and slightly down onto the neck. Then, I turned to a trusty favourite, the Bourjois Blusher in Rose D'or and swirled this onto the apples of the cheeks and upwards for a lift. 

Only one product was used for my brows: Bobbi Brown Brow Gel. I've raved about this product so many times so I won't bore you all again - let's just say I love it! For the eyes, I made the teeniest little line of eyeliner (no wing, just a tightline) for definition. After this, I swiped on a light coat of the Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara. This product gives a beautiful, natural, fluttery finish for the lashes. 

Finally, for the lips - I grabbed a new product; the Rimmel London Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick in 30. This is a gorgeous autumnal fuchsia lip. I lightly dabbed on a bit of lip balm to blend it all in for a natural, glossy finish. 

Hope you all have a good week!

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