Sunny day :)

Well hello everyone,

Today is such a lovely day (which is very rare over here) so I'll keep it short and sweet!

Took a trip to Costa to get my favourite hot weather drink a red berry fruit cooler - yummy!

What's your hot weather drink?

Claire

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Costa in any way. 

Review - First Impressions: Michael Todd True Organics Acne Oily Skin Regime

Well hello there,

So last week I told you all about the new skin care regime I have started using and a now a week since I started using it I am here to give you my first impressions!

I purchased the acne/oily skin regime from Michael Todd's True Organics line. It is an American company but they do ship over here to the a UK. I bought the regime when it was discounted at around $70 dollars instead of the usual $131 - though this has been discounted for a while so I suspect you would never actually pay 'full price' for it - plus an additional 20% off - discount code at bottom of page :) so all in all I paid about $60 dollars including shipping. As it is imported import tax is due on it but the company actually pays this for you so you don't have to worry about additional costs!

What I got:

The regime comprises 5 products. 

A charcoal detox deep pore gel cleanser, an organic lemon toner, a kaolin clay facial mask, an antiox serum and a jojoba charcoal scrub. All of which is meant to be a 3-4 months supply.

First impressions:

The first thing I noticed about these products is the smell and colour of everything. The face mask which I used first really does not smell great especially as it's something you are meant to leave on your face for 15 minutes! The other products are no where near as bad but you can definitely smell the Organics coming though!

The toner seems nice, it's a pale liquid in colour with the same consistency as water. You apply it to a cotton pad and wipe over your face. So far this is nice to use but I haven't seen anything that makes it stand out from toners I have used in the past. The one thing I will say about it is that when using it you are meant to use sunscreen of at least factor 15 so maybe this isn't the greatest product to be using during summer or if you have delicate skin. Also since ordering they have switched the toner in the regime from the organic lemon to the blue green algae one - I am pretty disappointed as I had heard good things about the blue green algae toner so pretty gutted I didn't get it. 

The scrub and cleanser seem pretty bog standard to me so for now I am not going to go into too much detail about them. 

Cleanser on the left and scrub on the right. 

The serum is a bit...odd. First it comes in rather large packaging, the instructions state to add two or three drops but it's a large pump so unless you are careful you end up with much much more than that. I find it quite sticky and it doesn't soak in very quickly so it doesn't feel like its's doing much apart from just sitting on the surface of my skin. 

Finally the last product is the mask and I must say I am not a fan. First of all it stinks and is not the sort of thing I really want to put on my face. The second thing is it looks pretty gross. 

Face mask. 

So if you are applying it I would suggest that you make it a time where no one will be swinging by. The last and probably worst issue is that it is a total nightmare to apply. The instructions say apply an even layer over cleansed skin. 

This is my best effort at creating an even layer...

Try as I might it just would not spread evenly - it clumped together so badly that despite a good 10 minutes of trying the above is the best result I could get. There was just no way it was going to happen. Getting it off is also a bit of an ordeal as the product seems to,stick to everything (apart from my face!) Honestly I really dislike this and I am so disappointed in it :(

Others have been raving about this line so much which is what encouraged me to go for it in the first place and I must say that my first impressions are average at best. In terms of the impact it has had on my skin - my skin is a lot oily now than before :(. As I have only been using this for a week I am not yet sure if my skin is just adjusting to the new products, that the products are making my skin worse, or perhaps i just hadn't given enough credit to the products I was using before. Either way I shall continue to use them and find out - check back for future (hopefully more positive) updates. 

Claire

Disclaimer: I bought all 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. The discount code is just one I found on the Internet and I am not in anyway linked to the code. 

Acne oily skin regime: http://www.michaeltoddtrueorganics.com/index.php/featured-products/acne-control-skincare-regimen.html

Discount code 20%: noacne

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

My Favourite Perfumes

Well hello everyone!

Today I am going to share with you a couple of my favourite perfumes. Technically there are 3 but I am going to count it as two as two are basically the same!

Number 1:

Chance by Chanel Eau De Parfum. 

This was given to me as a present by a family member and I love it so much. This is by far my favourite perfume and so it is the one that is reserved for special occasions!

Number 1.5

Chance by Chanel Eau Fraiche

Now you can see why I have included this as similar to the first! It is basically the same - it does smell slightly different and doesn't last quite as long but this is the cheaper version. I bought this one for myself many years ago and it was my favourite until I was given the Eau De Parfum version as a present. I use this more often as the other one is special occasions only!

Number 2

Anna Sui - Sui Dreams

This is a bit of a sad one as most people will recognise this as a scent worn primarily by teenagers! I must confess that I did originally have this when I was much younger but rediscovered it many years later and still love it, partly as a throw back to my teenage years!

What are your favourite scents?

Claire

Disclaimer: Chanel Chance Eau De Parfum was recieved as a first from a family member all other products were bought 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. 

Chanel Chance:

http://www.theperfumeshop.com/fcp/product/chanel/chance/1525

Anna Sui, Sui Dreams

http://www.feelunique.com/p/Anna-Sui-Sui-Dreams-Eau-De-Toilette-Spray-30ml

Lets talk about... Eyebrows

Well hello there,

Today is a slightly different post! There is a whole lot at the moment about eyebrows - the bushy Cara Delevinge look is mostly definitely in leaving people like me who are victims of years of over plucking with some catching up to do!

I realised over a year ago now just how much of a toll my eyebrows had taken when I started looking through some photos and realised that in most of them my eyebrows were barely visible! At first I went out and bought various eyebrow pencils to try and fill them in but pretty soon realised that this would never solve the underlying problem. 

I have been plucking my eyebrows for at least 7-8 years and it really shows - they are sparse and patchy in places where I have been overly keen with the tweezers. Also as I find plucking my right eyebrow easier than plucking my left my right is considerably worse than the left as it has taken much more of the brunt of my tweezing obsession. 

So in July last year (2012) I set out on a mission to try and regrow at least some of my eyebrows. Naively I thought this would be much easier than it turned out, at the time I figured I would just leave them for 2-4 months then get them professionally shaped - problem solved?! No chance. Nearly a year later and there hasn't been much progress. 

Right eyebrow - unplucked since July 2012. 

Left eyebrow - unplucked since July 2012. 

As you can see from the photos nearly a year later and they don't look great. They are still sparse and patchy. I much prefer the shape of my left eyebrow as it has a much more defined arch something than even with lots of filling in is still hard to achieve on the right!

So I, like a lot of others at the moment, have resorted to drastic measures. The natural route wasn't working so after a bit of research I purchased the RapidBrow Eyebrow Enhancing Serum. 

This product claims:

Formula helps healthier I looking eyebrows by transforming weak, sparse and uneven eyebrows. Helps to restore and repair the appearance of eyebrows in 60 days using it's special formula. 

What I think:

I am always skeptical about these sorts of products but having drawn a blank trying myself thought it was worth a go.  I have only used it for about a week so far so am not currently going to comment on it's claims and whether or not I think it actually works - keep checking back for updates! What I will say is that firstly it's not that great to apply - you are meant to apply it twice a day but I struggle in the morning as I don't want to put it on with my make up as I don't want the brush clogged with old make up! The brush also is pretty scratchy and I feel it's not really the best brush to apply product to your eyebrows with!

The only thing I have noticed in the week or so I have been using it is that I have been getting spots and blemishes around both of my eyebrows where I have been applying the product. They aren't huge or really severe but I thought it was a really strange reaction! 

The only other thing to currently note is the price, it costs £37 for a 3ml tube which is a ridiculous amount of money. I justified it to myself that I had already been trying for a year without much success and so this was the only other option really available though I must confess I didn't (and probably would't) have paid full price for this! I bought it from lookfantastic when they had a site wide discount automatically applied and then managed to find another discount code which took the price down to about £26 (I do love a good discount!). 

I will keep updates on how this is progressing to see if it has been worth the money and a year of my life!

Claire

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

http://www.boots.com/en/RapidBrow-Eyebrow-Enhancing-Serum_1252036/