Nails of the week: Essie Angora Cardi

Well hello there,

Since the weather hasn't been that great recently I thought I would dig out one of my autumn colours - a lovey purple to vamp up my nails a little. Typically now the weather is beautiful but I love the colour nonetheless!

Claire

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned. I bought all the products with my own money. 

Nails of the week: Essie In Stitches

Well hello there,

I have renamed this as I think doing a nails of the week rather than a review makes a little more sense (especially as I am currently obsessed with my Essie nail varnishes) as I have roughly the same things to say each week!

Anyway - it's been the Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK and we have had a little sun - woop! Did a little shopping and a little sunbathing wearing my nails of the week :)

Essie In Stitches. 

I find this a hard colour to describe: it's a dark pink with purple but also brown... Well I really like it!

What have you been wearing?

Claire

Disclaimer: I bought these products with my own money - I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned and all links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any brands linked. 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Essie-Stitches-Nail-Polish-15ml/dp/B004ORDF1G

My thoughts on: my skin care regimes

Well hello there,

Today's post is all about my thoughts on all the skin care regimes I have used up until now. I am doing this post as I have just bought a regime of skin care products to start a new routine with ( first expressions post coming soon) and thought it would be nice to explain what sort of things I have tried using so far. 

When I was younger I used basically the most stripping overpowering products - think Clean&Clear, Freederm, Clearasil etc basically the average teenage products but I always went for the harshest, acne prone formulas even though I didn't really have acne prone skin believing I was doing the best for my skin. 

I used these for a long time until I realised that my oily skin was actually my main skin concern not acne and that the products I was using obviously weren't helping my oily skin. So after a bit of research I bought the Tea Tree range from the Body Shop. I like to think that using products from the same range work better together as they are complementary to each other (though I don't know how much truth is in this) so decided to buy products from a single range. I ended up with the facial scrub, toner, face wash, exfoliating pads, and the face mask all of which are designed for those who are prone to blemishes, blackheads and oily skin. I started using this and quite soon realised that this range was far too overpowering for my skin, it felt dry but not in an oil controlling way, after using the products my skin would feel tight which is never a good sign especially when it wasn't having any impact on my oily skin. 

So I ditched the Tea Tree range and again sticking with the Body Shop (I love the Body Shop) moved to the Seaweed range designed for combination skin hoping that taking things down a level would help. This range is designed to balance out skin and control excess oil and again I bought all my products from within this range these being: the facial scrub, face wash, toner, face mask, and the pore perfecter treatment. I have been using bits of this range for a long time now and felt it helped a little. I soon stopped using the mask and the pore perfecter as they weren't doing anything for my skin but the others I have continued to use until recently. 

I, like lots of others, have skin care products lying around that just don't get used so these have been gradually incorporated into my skin care regime meaning that it is full of random products. 

Current products used in my skin care regime. 

In the morning I wash my face with the Clean Slate face wash - this was one of the products from a GlossyBox a few months back - it's ok but there is nothing about it that stands out enough to make me purchase a full size version. I then use the Seaweed Toner from the Body Shop - toners are such a love hate thing, you either use them or you don't and for me there is something really satisfying about them so me me a toner in my skin care regime is a must. In the morning instead of a moisturiser I use my La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo and then apply my make up. 

I am one of those people who shower in the evenings as I am the worst morning person and there is no way I would be able to leave my bed sooner to have a shower. So when I get back from work the first thing I do is remove my make up using the Emma Hardie cleansing balm. When I shower before I get in I use the Lush lip scrub and then in the shower I use the Clean Mary cleansing milk. Sometimes I use Clean Mary with my Clarisonic but not always as I don't like to overuse my Clarisonic. Once I am out of the shower I use my toner once again and then moisturise using my Simple light moisturiser and finally a couple of times a week before bed I used the Origins Intensive Overnight Mask. (Check out my previous reviews for my thoughts on some of these products linked at the end of the post). 

However, since my skin care regime has become such a mishmash of various products I thought I would start again using products from one range. After some more research (I can't explain how important research is when considering products to buy) I settle on Michael Todd's True Organics. This company has been doing the rounds for a little bit and is all over the blogs and YouTube channels which some really great comments and reviews so thought it would be worth a try. 

I purchased the Acne-Oily skin full regime containing 5 products, a toner, face mask, cleansing wash, facial scrub and a serum. 

The reason I purchased the Acne-Oily skin regime is that recently I have had quite a lot of break-outs partly to do with my foundation so was looking for something to help with my acne as well!

I will be doing first impressions post later this week so keep checking back to see what I think!

Claire

Disclaimer: I bought all these products with my own money apart from Clean Slate face wash which was in a GlossyBox which I purchased with my own money, I am not affiliated which any brands mentioned. All links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any companies linked. 

Links

Body Shop Tea Tree range:

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/shop-by-range/tea-tree.aspx

Body Shop Seaweed Range:

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/shop-by-range/seaweed.aspx

Clean Slate face wash:

http://www.lookfantastic.com/mama-mio-clean-slate-150ml/10556654.html

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo review:

http://kerfuffleclaire.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/review-la-roche-posay-effaclar-duo.html

Emma Hardie cleansing balm review:

http://kerfuffleclaire.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/review-emma-hardie-amazing-face-natural.html

Lush lip scrub review:

http://kerfuffleclaire.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/review-lush-lip-scrub-popcorn.html

Clean Mary:

http://www.asos.com/Soap-Glory/Soap-Glory-Clean-Mary-Cleanser-180ml/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1553750

Simple light moisturiser:

http://www.superdrug.com/simple-hydrating-light-moisturiser-125ml/invt/949073

Origins overnight mask review:

http://kerfuffleclaire.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/review-origins-drink-up-intensive.html

Review: Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

Well hello there,

Back again with a quick review of one of my current favourite products! I bought this along side the Origins United State Balancing Tonic (review here: http://kerfuffleclaire.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/origins-united-state-balancing-tonic.html) which I was a bit meh about but as I said then I do love some of Origins other products and this is one of them. 

I have such a love hate relationship with night creams - I love the way they make my skin feel in the morning but hate getting moisturiser all of my pillow, having one side of my face feeling more moisturised than the other because I have had one side smushed into the pillow all night and then sometimes the residue that's left in the morning. 

Thanks now to Origin's Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask it is now firmly a love relationship!

What they say:

Quenches moisture reserves and builds them up to prevent future dehydration helps skin become smoother and more hydrated. Costs £20 for 100ml. 

What I think:

Firstly the packaging is lovey - nice and simple. Second this stuff smells amazing! To apply you just massage onto cleansed skin before you head to bed - the instructions to say to tissue off an excess but I prefer you use a small amount and then more as required than waste some by creating excess. It soaks in really quickly which is one of the main reasons I love it - no more product all over the pillow! I was slightly concerned at first that using it on really oily skin might cause problems but this has just been an all round winner for me - think this would also work wonders for those with dry skin. My skin feels smooth, soft and hydrated in the morning so just what it claims to and you can't really ask for more than that! You are meant to use it twice a week or as desired so this isn't meant to be an everyday night cream really. 

Pros:

Soaks in really quickly

Looks great

Smells amazing!

Skin feels smooth and hydrated

Perfect for all skin types

Cons:

Sightly expensive

The big decision:

Will I be purchasing this again? A bit fat YES! This is by far the best night cream I have used even if it is only meant to be used just twice a week! I will still continue my hunt for a night cream that can be used more regularly but for me this is the best intensive mask night cream I have used and will duly continue to use it. It is a tad on the expensive side at £20 but as you aren't using it everyday it lasts for ages and for me it's totally worth the money!

Claire

Disclaimer: I purchased this with my own money and I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned. Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any companies linked!

http://www.origins.co.uk/product/3857/11647/Skincare/Category/Masks/Drink-Up-Intensive/Overnight-mask-to-quench-skins-thirst/index.tmpl

Review: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant

Well hello there,

Today I am going to review a product that I have just repurchased - Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream. I initially received this as a present at Christmas - I came in the set which contains the eight hour cream skin protectant, the eight hour hand cream and the eight hour lip balm and as you can see the skin protectant is now looking a little worse for wear. 

What they say:

A product which is suitable for all skin types it can help with the temporary relief of chapped lips, rough skin patches and softening tough skin. 

What I think:

Honestly as a general moisturiser I am not a fan, it's very heavy and sticky and doesn't soak in well, however, what I do love this for is my lips. I didn't like the actual stick lip balm that came in the gift set so started using this instead and quite frankly have never looked back! I have a terrible habit where I bite my lips and as a result my lips were really dry and sore until I started using this. Now lips feel healthy and properly moisturised and look so much better! I tend to use this at night as an overnight treatment for my lips and wake up in the morning with lovely soft lips ready for whatever lip product I feel like using. I do also like this as a deep treatment for really dry areas so for me it's totally worth the money. 

The one I have is the scented version as I don't find the scent as overpowering as others do, I'm fact I actually think the unscented version smells worse!

This is £25 for a 50ml tube. I think the packaging looks great and even if I don't the product inside would more than compensate!

I know for many this is a beauty essential and I have to say I wholeheartedly agree!

What are your beauty essentials?

Claire

Disclaimer: The original tube was given to me as a present by a family member and the second tube was purchased by me with my own money and I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned. Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any companies linked. 

http://www.boots.com/en/Elizabeth-Arden-Eight-Hour-Cream-Skin-Protectant-50ml_9783/

Review: L'Oreal Glam Shine Stain Splash Colour 300 Juliet

Well hello there,

Today I am doing to do a review on the fairly new Glam Shine Stain Splash by L'Oreal. They are priced at £7.99 (through currently at Boots there is a two for £15 promotion on L'Oreal cosmetics) and come in a range of 6 different colours. The one I have is number 300 Juliet. 

What they say:

It's a water based formula which creates long lasting colour whilst giving shine. Easy application with it's unique wand. Colour can last up to six hours without drying out. 

What I think:

Firstly I think the packaging is great, they look great and seem way more expensive then they actually are. The wand is quite large but not too cumbersome and the product goes on smoothly. At first it feels quite watery but soon feels more like a normal gloss on your lips. The colour is really buildable - I myself put two coats on for maximum colour saturation, and the pigmentation is really great.  As it's a stain your lips stay a lovely colour for hours after the product has worn off so it's perfect for those busy days were you don't have time to be constantly reapplying your lipstick. This is a great dupe for the Yves Saint Laurent Rogue Pur Couture Glossy Lip Stains. The finishes are pretty much identical so at £23.50 each the L'Oreal version is my clear winner. The only downside to the L'Oreal versions is that there is a rather limited colour selection and to be honest the one I purchased was the only one that really appealed to me so I wasn't too wild about the colour selection. Compare this to the YSL version and they have a huge 22 shade colour selection meaning there will be something for everyone!

Bare lips - before application. 

Two coats of colour number 300 Juliet after application. 

Colour number 300 Juliet after several hours wear with a little lip balm on top. 

Pros:

Great pigmentation and staying power. 

Super cheap. 

Great feel on lips and very moisturising. 

Buildable colour. 

Great dupe for the YSL version. 

Looks great even once the gloss has worn off and only the stain is left. 

Cons:

Limited colour selection. 

The big decision:

This is a bit of a two parter for me... Will I buy this product again - yes but not for a while, as the answer to the second part, will I buy any of the other colours is a no. I did't really like any of the other colours available so I will be buying this again but only once this one has run out which I doubt will be any time soon!

Claire

Disclaimer: I purchased these products with my own money and I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned. Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any companies linked. 

http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Paris-GlamShine-Stain-Splash_1309088/

http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Yves+Saint+Laurent+Rouge+Pur+Couture+Glossy+Lip+Stain/D323308,default,pd.html

Review: Essie Fondola Gondola

Well hello there,

Just a quick post on Essie's Fondola Gondola. It's a lovely pink colour, not too bright so perfect for everyday wear! The colour goes on fairly opaque so you an easily pop just one coat on if you are in a hurry!

Sadly this colour is discontinued - i believe it was originally in the spring 2006 collection but having recently discovered it I am loving it all over again! This is still available to buy on some websites but is no longer part of the main Essie collection :(

What's your favourite daywear colour?

Claire

Disclaimer: I bought this product with my own money and am not affiliated with any brands mentioned.  Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any companies linked. 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Essie-Fondola-Gondola/dp/B0052LYOTA

Review: Lush Lip Scrub Popcorn

Well hello everyone!

Today I am going to be looking at another product I have been using for a little bit. 

It's one of Lush's lip scrubs, they come in three 'flavours' bubblegum, mint julips, and popcorn for £5.25 for 25g. 

The reason for me buying this is that I have a terrible habit of biting my lips, it's one of those things that I have always done (my sister does it too) and it's an infinite circle of biting and making my lips uneven and then biting more as my lips felt uneven.  In order to try and stop myself doing this as I know it is really bad for me, I got this scrub hoping that if my lips were smooth it would remove one of the main temptations for biting them.  

What they say:

The ingredients create a perfect mix to leave your lips smooth and moisturised once you have buffed them to perfection. 

What I think:

I really like this, at first I was unsure about the flavour, it came off as tasting just salty but once you get used to that it's great. I use it before I shower and just take a small amount out and rub it into my lips then as it is edible I lick it all off. My lips are left smooth and looking fab, creating a great base for any lip products I use during the day. 

Pros:

Works great

Tastes really good

Perfect for scrubbing any dry skin away before applying lip products

Cons:

It is a tad on the expensive side for what it is

I find that you can't leave it in the bathroom as the damp air can get into the container

You can make a bit of a mess as the grains tend to fall off when you are rubbing them into your lips

The big decision:

Would I buy this again? Yes, absolutely. I find it one of those addictive products that once you have felt how soft and smooth it make your lips feel you are never going to want your lips to feel different again! I might be tempted to dry one of the other flavours next though. 

How do you feel about lip scrubs?

Claire

Disclaimer: I bought this product with my own money and am not affiliated with any brand mentioned. Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any brands linked. 

Popcorn scrub: https://www.lush.co.uk/product/6080/Popcorn-Lip-Scrub

Review: Nuxe Reve de Miel Baume Leveres Ultra Nourrissant Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm

Well hello there,

I am going to tell you something, it's about difficult but here is goes. I am obsessed. Lip balms I hoard them, entirely addicted. So when I hear lots of people raving about a particular one, well there is an inevitable result...

Nuxe Reve de Miel Baume Leveres Ultra Nourrissant Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm. 

What they say:

A repairing and nourishing lip balm creating comfort for chapped lips. 

It comes in quite a heavy glass pot and costs £9.50 for 15ml. 

At first I must say I was a bit unsure about this, it's got a really waxy finish to it and so feels quite heavy on the lips unlike a traditional lip balm. It also means if you put too much on it kind of congeals at the corners of your mouth (not the best look). 

But it does what it says on the tin (glass pot) - my lips feel soft and nourished and I find myself now reaching for this when my lips are really dry instead of my Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream (which I never thought would happen). 

Pros:

Works great - can see this being my go to product in winter. 

Looks lovely. 

A little goes along way. 

Cons:

Quite waxy, easy to over apply. 

Not really handbag friendly. It's surprisingly heavy for a lip product. 

£9.50 for a lip balm... Enough said really.

The big decision:

Yes I think I will buy this again. I really like it as almost a deep conditioning mask for my lips, left on overnight you wake to find wonderfully moisturised lips and I find the waxy finish actually really helps with it's staying power so it's not all over your pillow 10 minutes after you get into bed. Yes £9.50 is a lot for a lip balm but I have been using this for over a month now and as you can see from the photo have barely made a dent in it so I am kind of justifying it in that I am sure it will last an awfully long time before I even need to think about buying another one.

What is your beauty obsession?

Claire

Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own money and I am not affiliated with the brand mentioned. Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any companies linked. 

http://www.feelunique.com/p/NUXE-Reve-de-Miel-Baume-Levres-Ultra-Nourrissant-Ultra-Nourishing-Lip-Balm-15g

Review: Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm

Well hello there,

Today I am going to review a product I have been using for a good month or so. It's Emma Hardie's Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm (phew! Bit of a mouthful). 

What they say:

Skin is cleansed and moisturised whilst minimising the appearance of open pores. Revitalising and calming. Can also be used as a rescue balm or a soothing mask. 

 

It comes in a glass tub, which I must say looks rather good in my bathroom and costs a hefty £34 for 100ml. The directions say you take the balm and mix it with some water in the palm of your hand and then mix until it turns into a milk. You then apply to your face and gently rub to remove all make up, dirt and excess oil, you then take one of Emma Hardie's Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Dual Action professional Cleansing Cloths (again bit of a mouthful), dampen it with warm water and then gently remove the balm.

The cloths are sold separately in packs of three for £10 (or £8 at feelunique) and come rather cutely wrapped!

The cloths are dual action as they have a slightly rough side for exfoliating and then a soft side for the areas which need a slightly more gentle touch. 

They also have a rather handy loop so after you have washed them they are easy to hang up to dry (it really is the little things!). 

So...what I think:

I think this is a great cleanser, it gets rid of all my make up really easily and I have noticed the difference when using my Clarisonic later. I wear MAC Prolongwear foundation which is super difficult to remove, usually even after cleansing my Clarisonic brush would still be stained with foundation that was let on my skin, but since starting to use this cleansing balm my Clarisonic brush still looks brand new!

Unlike a lot of cleansers it doesn't leave your skin really tight afterwards but nice smooth and moisturised. The balm is lovely, it smells great and you only need a small amount so a little does go a long way. It comes out a yellowy/cream colour but when mixed with water turns a white milky colour. 

I have 't noticed any difference in pore size but really like the cloths, the exfoliating side works really well for getting the days gunk and grime off my skin!

Pros:

Works well - gets rid of all make up, dirt and grime superbly. 

Smells and looks great. 

I love these cloths, they are great multi purpose cloths and I can see myself using them for a long time. 

You only need a small amount so it lasts for a long time. 

Cons:

Is expensive £34 for a 100ml is a rather large price tag, especially when you consider the extra £10 for the cloths on top. 

The tub does not travel well, I tried to take it away with me once and cracked the glass on the lid (which you can probably see in some of the photos) so unless you out some balm in another container I recommend you leave it at home. 

The big decision:

Ultimately would I buy this again?

Yes and no. I am around halfway though the tub now but have decided when it runs out not to buy a new one (at least not straight away). I have a couple of others I want to try out and I think one of the greatest strengths of this actually is the cloths. I want to experiment with using the cloths with other cleansers as if I find using them with other products works well I will struggle to justify spending £34 on another tub. It is however, lovely if you do want to splurge or just treat yourself!

What's your favourite splurge item?

Claire

Cleansing balm: http://www.feelunique.com/p/Emma-Hardie-Amazing-Face-Natural-Lift-and-Sculpt-Moringa-Cleansing-Balm-100ml

Cloths: http://www.feelunique.com/p/Emma-Hardie-Amazing-Face-Dual-Action-Professional-Cleansing-Cloths-x3

Disclaimer: I bought these products with my own money and I am not affiliated with any of the brand mentioned. 

Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with an companies linked. 

Review: Sleek Blushes in Rose Gold and Flushed

Well hello there everyone,

I went shopping at the weekend as as my current obsession is blushes I picked up a few from Sleek! I have heard great things about Sleek blushes and initially wanted to get one of the blush palettes which contain three complementary blushes for £9.99. However, the Superdrug near me didn't have any of the palettes so I picked up a couple of the single blushes I instead. The singles are £4.49 each and are available to buy either at Superdrug or on Sleek's website. 

The first one I picked up is colour 926 Rose Gold. It's a lovely peachy toned blush with gold shimmer running through it. 

The other one I picked is 935 Flushed which is a lovely raspberry/cranberry colour. Which has a little shimmer but much more of a matte finish. 

 I have switched both of the colours with Flushed on top and Rose Gold underneath. 

I love both of these. The pigmentation is great and the packaging is great - both have mirrors in the kids so they are perfect for handbags! The Rose Gold colour is very shimmery which is great bunt means for me (oily skin) it's not something I could wear during the day or for a long night as shimmer plus oil equals a very I attractive look! I also think it works great as a highlighter. 

Loving both of these and will be investigating the Sleek stand more fairly soon!

What products have you been discovering this week?

Claire

Flushed: http://www.sleekmakeup.com/face/blusher/blush

Rose Gold:http://www.sleekmakeup.com/face/blusher/blush

Disclaimer: I purchased both these blushes with my own money and am not affiliated with the brand mentioned. Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any linked sites or companies. 

Review: OC Eight

Well hello there,

Up until now it seems all my reviews have been something I haven't been completely bowled over by but this product is the absolute exception!

OC Eight is a mattifying gel that you use before makeup in order to control oil though out the day. The idea is that the gel contains small particles which are able to absorb oil as it is produced throughout the day. The gel is meant to give 8 hours of shine free wear and it doesn't last that long for me but this is mainly due to my skin being far more oily than most!

I started using this product when I was 15 or 16 after tremendous amounts of research, at the time in America it was listed as a prescription product from dermatologists (though this isn't the case any more) and it was this that was the main reason for me trying it initially. I thought if it was strong enough to be available on prescription then it might stand a chance against my skin!

It is a creamy gel, thicker than a moisturiser and quite similar to a primer in texture. You smooth it onto your skin in small circles before applying your make up but after any moisturiser (or in my case La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo) and wait for it to dry before applying any foundation and the rest of your make up as usual. It dries fairly quickly but if you are a bit too keen sometimes it can make your foundation go a bit patchy or cause white marks to appear. 

I must say I LOVE this product. It is the only product I have ever used that I will without fail always continue to repurchase. Since first buying it at 15/16 there has not been a day when I have applied make up without using this first. It is the only product that has ever really made a difference to my oily skin, although it might not seem a lot to most people having a product that keeps your skin vaguely matte for up to 4 or 5 hours depending on what foundation I am using as opposed to my make up looking a mess after 30-45 minutes without is a huge achievement in my book. I usually apply it around 8am in the morning and notice by around half one/half two my face is beginning to shine. As I said it doesn't seem a lot but considering then difference when I don't use it last until after lunch is pretty remarkable!

This product doesn't seem to be that we'll known in the beauty world (as far as I know) so I really wanted to say how much it has changed my skin! It's priced from between £8-£10 depending on where you get it though I find you can get it in multipacks of 3 tubes for about £22-£25 making it a little cheaper. There aren't that many places that seem to stock it - online pharmacies are usually the place I find it!

There we have it - a product I am pretty convinced I shall continue to use and repurchase as long as it's still available to buy!

What do you use to keep your make up looking fresh?

Claire

OC Eight: http://www.expresschemist.co.uk/category_1991_oceight.html

Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own money and I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned. 

Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any companies linked or mentioned. 

My skin story

Well hello everyone,

I though I would give you a little background into myself and my skin as I feel this will shape a lot of the products I review and things I talk about and so giving you a little insight into what I am all about will help you much better understand where I am coming from.

The first thing to say is that although I have been into beauty and makeup for a long time it is only the past couple of years where I have really started experimenting and trying lots of new things. I tended to just buy the same things time and time again without giving much thought to what I was buying or how it would affect my skin. But a few years ago I really for the first time noticed just how bad my skin was and from there have been on a quest to try and find anything that would help

My skin type is oily, not just the run of the mill a little oil, but full on oil slick skin. When I am wearing no makeup in a matter of minutes my skin is covered with an oily sheen. Up until recently I was one of those strange cases where although I had really oily skin I didn't really suffer with acne, just the occasional spot or blackhead but through trying out all the different products to try and combat my oily skin I have actually made my skin worse and am still no closer to finding anything that can help.

For my skin I have done or gone through most of the phases and crazes to try and bring my oil to a more manageable level. I have tried everything from not putting anything on my skin so that it naturally balances itself out, to trying to strip away oils and everything in between and so far I have only found products that keep my oil at bay for an extra few hours (which is not great).

I find myself constantly checking in the mirror to make sure my make up hasn't slid off my face and would love to be able to go out for the day without the constant worry of what my makeup is up to.

I use a variety of products currently (all of which I will do full reviews on later), but to give you an idea of what I use of a daily basis: first La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, then OC Eight mattifying gel, MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC15, Urban Decay All Nighter makeup setting spray and then Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in 003 Peach Glow. This is just the basics and it still doesn't make a huge difference.

I will do a proper post on my skin care and make up routines another day but from this I hope you can get a feel of what sort of things I am looking for in my beauty and makeup purchases.

Phew this has been a bit of a long one but I hope it gives you some insight into what I am about and to all those girls who also struggle with their skin sometimes it's just nice to know you are not alone!

What's your skin type and how do you manage with those not so great skin days?

Catch up soon,
Claire

Origins United State Balancing Tonic - Product Review

Well hello there everyone,

Today I am going to do a little product review on Origins United State Balancing Tonic.

This is essentially a toner designed to united the oily and dry areas of your skin into one perfectly balanced face.

It's designed for combination to oily skin (I have oily skin) and comes in a 150ml bottle all for £17. http://www.origins.co.uk/product/3861/11393/Skincare/Category/Toners/United-State/Balancing-tonic/index.tmpl

The first thing to say is that for me this didn't work. It didn't balance out my skin, didn't make my skin any less oily, and to be honest I didn't actually notice any difference when using it! The actual tonic itself has the same consistency and looks like water but with a very chemical smell, much more than other toners I have used.

The bottle does look cute on your dressing table but it is a real pain, the top screws off entirely and there is no stopper underneath, just the opening meaning that when you try and get some product onto a cotton pad it gets a bit messy. This really deterred me from using the product as I felt that I wasted a lot just by the bottle not being designed very well, this was backed up in that I used this much quicker (around a month) than most other toners I have used which have lasted a good 3 months or so.

I do love other Origins products (reviews to follow) but won't be repurchasing this one.

What do you think?

Claire




Disclaimer: this product as with all the products I review were bought by myself with my own money. Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned.