Skincare part 3: Let's moisturize!

Nourished

How good does it feel to moisturize your skin? Especially the face! It gives me such a boost and I love my face feeling soft and nourished so moisturizing is the most important part of my skincare routine. 

In the morning -
I have been wanting at least one Ahava product for it feels like ages and I finally went for one of their moisturizers to try it out and I love it. It's packed with minerals from Israel's Dead Sea which are all skin-friendly making it a lovely little treat for your face. I'm really pleased with this so I think it will be a must in my skincare products collection (big smiles). I use the one suited for combination skin (left).

For night time - I use Olay's Sensitive night cream which has anti-aging properties. When I first bought this I thought it might be a little light with it being specially for sensitive skin but it's actually very lovely and creamy, and I do like a night thick moisturizer on my face before going to bed to really let it sink in while I sleep. After using this I wake up in the morning with my skin feeling so soft - and what's more lovely than that?

Stay beautiful!
E, x

Skincare part 2: Recipe for Exfoliant!

Like Baby Skin

After cleansing it's exfoliation time! And this is a wonderful way clear your skin of dead skin cells, flakey patches and it's great for keeping your skin clear of spots and blackheads, making your skin soft as a baby's bottom. 

I have got into the way of using this mixture on my face which is simply rice flour and water. Personally I don't like using foaming scrubs and the likes on my face as I find them quite harsh and drying. (I've had bad experiences with them and so now I'm not brave enough to try anything new in that area, ahh!)

All you do is mix into a paste and very gently rub all over the face and rinse off with luke-warm water. 

I can't remember where I heard about using rice flour as an exfoliant but after a little research I tried it out and have used this method ever since. I exfoliate once or twice a week so my skin has the chance to naturally reproduce the oil it needs to stay moisturized instead of stripping it off every day.

Rice has emollient, exfoliating and anti-oxidant properties. It's also good to help reduce shine on you face because it contains starch which helps to absorb excess oil on your skin.

E, x

Skincare part 1 - Cleansing & Toning

Be Squeaky Clean!

As much as I love applying make up, at the end of the day I think I like taking it off just as much. I find cleansing my face so relaxing and I actually look forward to getting all that muck off, it just feels so refreshing.
I cleanse my face at night and in the morning I just to use warm water and then a little toner to freshen up.

My skincare routine is pretty basic and over time I have found products which suit my skin and which I like to use. Of course, everyone's skin is different and I don't think there is any strict rules when it coming to cleansing and toning but I do think it's really important and I personally can't settle down for the night until the job is done!

 I start with the usual eye cleanse using this eye make up removing lotion from Avon which seems to have lasted me forever. I tell you the truth that I don't actually know how long I have been using this bottle but it has just lasted and lasted. Just as well, because I think this product is great. I squeeze a little out onto damp cotton wool pads and lay these on my eyes for a couple of minutes, and wah-lah, dissolved eye make up.

 Next is this lovely cream, which I have been using on my skin for quite a while now and still love. I've read reviews on the Skin Perfection range from L'Oreal and everyone seems to rave about it and so will I. I massage this into my skin with my fingertips for a couple of minutes to really break down any make up on my face and wipe it off with warm damp sponges...feels lovely! 

And finally on the cleaning agenda is toner. I use Boot's Botanics Rosewatr Toning Spritz and I tell you, if you haven't had the chance to smell the beautiful scent of this you are missing out. Rosewater does wonders for skin and it being safe to use on sensitive skin and all the rest it's worthwhile giving it a go. I 'spritz' as it says on the bottle,  this onto cold damp cotton wool pads and gently wipe over my face, avoiding the eyes, and up my neck. 

 Here are a few links to browse or purchase some of these cleansers and toners

Avon Cleansing Range
L'oreal Cleansing Range
Boots Botanics Cleansing Range

After the cleansing routine my skin just feels so uplifted and fresh and I think it actually has the ability to lift my mood as well and put me in brighter spirits.  
Take care of your skin and stay beautiful!

E, x

Chevron Nails

New to me!

Ok so I'm probably lagging way behind when it comes to nail trends because apparently this variation of the French Tip is becoming quite popular yet today was the first time I've heard about it (is that bad?). This is what we were shown in college this morning and this is my first time I've attempted this design and I have to say I'm really liking it. Please excuse any rough and untidy edges on the polish but nail art can be nerve-racking if you're not used to it! I firstly kept it a simple mono colour design...

...And got a little bit more adventurous by adding a slick of glitter pink and a heart gem on the pinky nails. 

I'm definitely going to look up other people's work on this pattern and continue to practice - I think it's just lovely. You can add so many colours or keep it as simple as you want, any-occasion-friendly! 

Stay beautiful ♡
E, x

Inspired Glam Make Up: How to Steps

Munroe Chic

So after a bit of time browsing Youtube and watching plenty of make up tutorials (again) I came across one which inspired me. It was a Lisa Eldridge's tutorial for Marilyn Munroe's make up. Of course my version isn't as dramatic as Lisa's but I thought I could tone it down a little, making Marilyn's make up perfect for daytime wear. It's such a pretty look and also very simple and versatile, making it a great standard make up look that can be glammed for the evening. 

As I'm sure you know, fellow make up gurus, Munroe's make up is such an iconic and classic look, teaming bold red lips with a more natural but gorgeous eye. This version I used a more pinkish shade of red and, not that I usually wear them, but a pair of falsies which is vital for this look. (I say vital, just my opinion I suppose!)

I'm going to avoid naming all the products I used but as you can see above all the shades are pretty neutral and there's nothing you can't buy from the drugstore down the road that wouldn't work just as well!

The Steps

1; (Lisa Eldridge says) Apply a thick layer of Nivea (I know, not something I'd usually do either) before foundation to give a dewy glow. But, I found it actually works well.
2; Prime your eye and apply a shimmery white shade on your entire eyelid.
3; Contour the socket of your eye with a medium brown shade and blend with a fluffy brush to give depth.
4; Use gel liner to give yourself that beautiful feline flick.
5; Apply lots of black mascara and a pair of false lashes.
6. Contour and highlight your cheekbones to give more definition and shape to your face.
7; Give that lipstick a go! Line your lips first with red a red lip pencil then use a lip brush to apply the colour.

Glam! Enjoy practicing this look and stay beautiful.

E, x

Pick-Me-Ups of The Week

Time To Smile

This is, I suppose, another spur of the moment post but I wanted to spread a bit of encouragement around!
Sometimes we need to take some time to just stop what we are doing, take a look around and see all the little things in life that make us smile. Sometimes the littlest things make the biggest influence on us and they remind us to be thankful. I just wanted to share some photographs of things that have cheered me up throughout the week. 
Waking up to a beautiful sunrise and the glittering frost on the grass last Sunday morning was just a start.

For me, buying new make up is a dream and there's nothing more I enjoy doing that opening up that new purchase and trying it out for the first time. In my last blog post you seen the Avon products I bought earlier in the week but I also treated myself to L'oreal's new Miss Manga Mascara which was on an introductory offer in Boots. Well, why not? 

Plenty of cups of tea and cakes are also a must to add to the little perks in life. Baking scones and eating them warm is the highlight of any day or even better, sharing little treats on a coffee stop with friends on a shopping trip.

Stay beautiful and don't be afraid to be grateful for even the smallest things. Sometimes it's hard but always remember that life is good full of hope!

E, x

Little Avon Haul

The goodies! 

So I was browsing through the Avon catalogue and before I knew it I had already written out my order form with all these little goodies. With my mum being an Avon representative, knowing that I can get Avon products at a discounted price the temptation it just too much! It's so exciting waiting for the make up to arrive and when it comes through the door it's like Christmas. Here is what I bought this time.

Luxe Foundation in Porcelain

Magix Face Perfector Primer

Colortrend Concealer in Light 

Ultra Colour Lip Crayon in Risque Rose

Colour Trend Lipstick in Poppy Love (I actually ordered the lipgloss in Poppy Love but this came instead)

Angled Liner Brush

I must say, the products are all lovely! I've tried them all and so far I can't complain about them. The new Luxe foundation Avon brought out is fabulous and my favourite buy from this haul, the texture is so creamy and very easily buffed into the skin (I think it's actually the best foundation I've tried after looking around for the perfect foundation for ages). 

 

Before

After

Very chuffed with all the purchases. Avon is such good value aswell, if you are on a budget I would certainly recommend a look through the catalogue.

Stay beautiful!

E, x

Thick and Volumisous Hair

Crimping! 

This hair styling technique from the good old 80's might not be everyone's cup of tea but I think crimpers are a brilliant invention. I love my hair feeling thick and full of volume so this is what I do and think it really works to add a little boost. I like to use moose in my hair before drying at any time because my hair tends to be pretty flat and lifeless but of course it gives the crimps a helping hand too.

I usually just do my whole head of hair with these but I suppose you could also use them on just the roots for a little root boost.

Today was the first time I tried this moose. It's quite sticky, but then again I probably just put a little too much in, oops! 

 A section of crimped hair beside some straight hair

The finished result... thick and bouncy hair. When I wear my hair like this I often get compliments on it and they ask if I am wearing my extensions, that's not a bad question to be asked!
Hope you like the look, as I say it might not be for everyone but it's worth a try if you're looking to change the look of your hair a little bit. Of course, don't forget the heat protector!

E, x

Recent Beauty Buys

 You've got to treat yourself! 

Here's a few bits and bobs I picked up over the holidays while I was out shopping (out shopping a lot). I get so excited when I go out and buy new make up, it's what cheers me up and looking at those isles of make up in a shops like Superdrug and Boots put a smile of my face...it's just like being a kid in the 'pick n' mix' section of the supermarket.

I am all for buying drugstore brands of make up and believe that if you treat them right they will work well for you. I'm not one for spending heaps on one product (partly due to being on a budget) and also because I think you can find cheaper alternatives elsewhere so there's no huge need to splash out on single products.

Wearing Glam Plum Fulham

I was beginning to feel a little left out with not having one of these Real Techniques buffing brushes. Well, needs must!

Product list from the top

Maybelline Lip Liner in Midnight Plum 338
Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Glam Plum Fulham 470 (I love that quirky name)
Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in 103 True Ivory
Lengthening Mascara from H&M
Real Techniques Buffing Brush
Elf Lash Curlers
Avon Eyeshadow Duo in Warm Cashmere
Seventeen at Boots Supreme Shine Nail Polish in Mink
EcoTools 'Airbrush' Concealer Brush
Seventeen at Boots Instant Glow Cream Bronzer

If buying and trying make up makes you happy then I say go for it! These pretty little things make all the difference in the life of a beauty guru. I'm currently putting these products under trial you could say but so far they all seem to be doing a good job and I am pleased with them.
Be happy and beautiful!

E, x