La Roche - Posay Effaclar Duo + (Plus)

I have heard so many great reviews about the first version, the Posay Effaclar Duo, so when I found out there was a new and improved version I thought I had to try it. Also my cousin was kind enough to get me one when she went to the launch party, check out her blog This London Life.

This product claims to "target the key signs of oily and blemish-prone skin". It "eliminates acne marks from the moment they start to form". 
i.e. it gets rid of spots before and after they have formed and corrects any imperfections on the face

When I first applied this (before moisturising) it felt light on the skin, almost like applying a silky serum. It didn't feel oily or greasy and didn't sting which I find a lot of spot treatments do to my (sensitive) skin.

I've been using the product since Saturday the 25/01 evening and since then using it as a moisturiser morning and night.
I can see a clear improvement in my skin, it has not been the full 8 days you are supposed to use it for yet but already my skin is looking clearer and less red. 

I really like that this can be used as a moisturiser and can have makeup applied over the top of it. It is so useful and really does work.

I would recommend this product to all my friends, family and you.  You can purchase it from Escentual here (£15.50) or from Boots here (£11.62). 

L'oreal New Miss Manga Mascara Review

Extra beauty post as I missed last weeks:

So I've always liked L'Oreal mascaras, I won't lie Maybelline is my favourite "drugstore" brand for mascara,I've never been disappointed when I try out one of their new mascaras unfortunately this product did not have the same effect. 

I was really excited by this new mascara as I thought the concept of a 360 degree flexible brush was intriguing and innovative. I also liked that there are three colours: turquoise, violet and black. I'm not a big risk-taker with mascara I usually stick to black but I thought if I like the product I will go back and try another colour.

Unfortunately I do not think I will be trying out the other two colours due to the fact I was quite disappointed in this product. I felt the unique quality of the product (the brush) doesn't actually move at all when applying the mascara it just acts as a normal brush. 
When first applied this is far from "Mega Volume". Unless I apply pencil eyeliner to my tight line I find it only lengthens my lashes. When I apply more to help the volume it clumps my lashes together. With this mascara the more you apply the more volume you get but that comes with clumping for me.

This product is for those who want very natural looking lashes or quite heavy mascara. This is not my preference and as it was quite expensive for a highstreet mascara at £8.99 I feel it was a bit of a waste of money. 

However every cloud has a silver lining it will be useful for natural days because I quite like how it looks with only one coat.

This is quite a controversial view about this products, other reviews I have read said how much they love this mascara, I just feel that it is not my cup of tea. Oh well I'll stick to my Maybelline Volum' Express One By One for now.

Day to Night Make Up - Feat Naked 3 Palette

Here's my pretty make up look to get you from day to night this winter featuring the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette that my incredible brother bought me for christmas (I owe him big time for that).

Day Make Up:

Liz Earle Skin Repair moisturiser

MaxFactor Facefinity 3 In 1 foundation - Light Ivory

Collection 2000 concealer - 2 Light

Maybelline Super Stay 24H powder - Ivory

Maybelline Dream Sun bronzer - Blonde

L'oreal Super Liner eyebrow pencil - 03 Brunette

Rimmel Sofy Kohl eye liner - Jet Black (only for tight line)

Urban Decay Naked 3 palette 

- Dust to lids

- Buzz to crease

- Strange to brow bone and inner corner of eye

Maybelline the Falsies

Vaseline

In the early hours of the morning we do not want to spend hours on our make up but still want to look bright or presentable at least. This look leaves you looking awake (from the light and shimmery colours used on the eyes) and flawless (with the full coverage concealer) with ease.

Night Make Up:

Maybelline Dream Sun bronzer - Brunette

(to add emphasis to cheek bones)

Urban Decay Naked 3 palette

- Mooner between brow bone and crease to blend out

- Blackheart to outer corner of eye and under lower lash line

- Dust to inner part of lid for a touch up

Maybelline Master Duo eye liner (I forgot to do this)

Add emphasis with Maybelline the One by One mascara

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable balm stain - Crush Beguin

 *Of course touch up foundation, concealer if you need to

To glam up your day look so you're ready for a night out you want to add a bit of colour to your face. Do this by adding a pop of colour to your lips and some smokiness to your eyes to get that sexy look.

My Face Moisturisers for Winter

So this week I was going to do a make up tutorial featuring the Naked 3 palette but as I was ill yesterday and didn't have time that will come next instead. So as a result my on the spot thinking has left me with this...

I use two different moisturisers in winter to prevent my skin becoming dry. I am someone with normal/dry skin, i.e. combination skin, which means in winter I have to do all I can to keep my skin hydrated and looking radiant rather than looking like the peeled white bits of an orange (you know the bit I mean).

What I use:

In the mornings, before applying my makeup I use Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser Dry/Sensitive. It's a light moisturiser that only needs a thin layer to hydrate your skin as it feels like you are applying a smooth, water-based cream to your face.

This is one of my all time favourite moisturisers because I really feel like it is doing its job as soon as it touches my skin. My skin can get really dry and rough in winter but using this prevents it from EVER getting to that stage which is incredible. I really would recommend this to anyone who has dry skin or if your skin tends to dry up just a little this time of year try this moisturiser for different skin types because I am almost certain you will love it as much as I do.

After I have taken off my make up in the evening I apply Jason Revitalising Vitamin E Creme. This is a thick creamy moisturiser which is almost the complete opposite to the Liz Earle one. 

I find this moisturiser is perfect for the evening and during the night as, if you are a fidgeter like me, it is likely your moisturiser rubs off onto your pillows. Having a thick moisturiser helps keep your face protected from becoming dry overnight. I won't lie the smell of the product isn't great but it's something I have learnt to put up with for hydrated skin. 

Tip for dry skin:
Use liquid foundation rather than powder based as they powder clings to dry skin making it more obvious on the face.

2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR - may this be your healthiest and happiest yet!!!!

I decided after Blogmas I would take a little break just until New Years and WOW what a New Years, anyone else still feeling a bit tired? No just me... ok.

I hope you all had a lovely night and have a good list of "New Years Resolutions", I know I have, that we all hope we'll keep this year.

This post is just a "to let you know what's happening". 
So I will be sticking to posting every other day - 

Monday - fitness

Wednesday - catch up

Friday - beauty/fashion

Sunday - food

(mostly healthy with the occasional treat)

I hope this is ok with you guys as I want to be posting as much as possible without going back into Blogmas mode.

My posts will go up early in the morning on post days so those of you who wake up early and like to read blogs, or workout, or cook can see my blog before work/school/the day/whatever it may be.

What they will be:

Fitness:
Each Monday I'll post different posts relating to fitness. This will include workouts, mini workouts, diets, DVD reviews and more.

Catch up:
So this will be my "Mid-Week Rambles" which consists of me talking about my life, other people's lives, the news and whatever else has occurred in that week. 
I'm not certain yet but I may also do reviews as well, first impressions, long term review etc. 

Beauty/fashion:
This will be about make up or fashion or anything beauty related. I'll do tutorials, likes/dislikes, look-books, reviews and more.

Food:
Every Sunday I will post a healthy recipe (most of the time) that will help you on your quest for healthy balanced lifestyle. As I am a fussy eater I will make sure they taste delicious (this will be judged by me and my family) and look appealing because we all know "you eat with your eyes".

So I hope you will enjoy reading my blog this year as well as having a lovely and prosperous 2014 and I will see you next Monday!

Blogmas Day 23

New Years Fashion

ALL Asos Sale - 

Effortless & Cool

Glamorous Check Shirt

ASOS PETITE Exclusive Crop Top With Cross Front And Cut Out Detail

ASOS Plaited Chain Choker Necklace

ASOS Leggings in High Waist with Leather Look Front Panel

ASOS POSY Platforms

Classy Blue

EmBOSSED VELVET DRESS                                         OCTAGONAL MINAUDIÉRE

POINTED HIGH HEEL SHOE

Party All Night

Motel Gabby Bodycon Dress In Sequin

ASOS iPhone 5 Purse And Case In Metallic Grid

Poison

*links on names

Sorry for the white stripes don't know why they show up?

Blogmas Day 19

Christmas Party Makeup Look

Apply Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid foundation - Light Porcelain

Cover blemishes and dark under eye circles with Chanel Correcteur Perfection - #10

Contour with Maybelline Dream Sun Triple Bronzing Powder - Blonde

Highlight with Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact - Beige

Apply Loreal Colour Appeal eyeshadow all over lids - Patine Golden Shimmer

And Loreal Chrome Shine eyeshadow into the crease - Brown Lamé

BLEND!!

Apply Maybelline Master Precise liquid eyeliner as close as possible to your upper lash line

Fill in those brows with Loreal Super Liner Brow Artist - Brunette

Line water lines with Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal eye liner pencil - Jet Black

Use Maybelline the One by One Volum' Express mascara on lashes

Apply Rimmel Apocalips  - Apocaliptic

And you're done!!

 Have fun and don't get too boozy!!

Blogmas Day 16

Feelin' Rosy

So if like me you are not a fan of the cold weather but want to look as though you're the adventurous walking in any weather type here's a pretty make up look for you that leaves you look gorgeously blushed!!

Step 1:
Apply a moisturiser - I use Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser (good for dry skin)

Step 2:
Apply foundation - I use Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid - colour Light Porcelain #004

Step 3:
Apply concealer to hide blemishes, redness or dark under eye circles - I use Chanel Correcteur Perfection Concealer #10

Step 4:
Set foundation and concealer with pressed powder - I use Maybelline Super Stay 24hr - colour Ivory #10

Step 5:
Apply a light bronzer to contour face - I use Maybelline Dream Sun Triple Bronzing Powder - colour Brunette/Brune #02 (I only use the lightest colour)

Step 6:
Apply blusher to cheeks - I use bareMinerals Rose Radience

Step 8:
Fill in brows, apply eyeliner to upper water line and apply mascara - I use Loreal Super Liner - colour Brunette #3, Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Liner Pencil - colour Jet Black #061, Maybelline One by One Volum' Express

Step 9:
Apply a pinky lipstick and lipgloss - I use Revlon Pink Pout #002, Gosh Tea Rose #03

Finnito!!

Blogmas Day 13

Lazy Day Wavy Hair

I'm quite lucky with my hair - as in I don't do much to it and it looks ok(ish).
My hair is quite naturally wavy and although this is a post more suitable for summer (I'll probably re-post it then as well)  I'm going to show you how I get my hair wavy (my everyday look) with no heat and minimal effort.

Step 1

Wash your hair.
I use any Pantene product I switch it up all the time - currently using Smooth and Sleek, but any brand will do.

Step 2

Tie hair in a bun on top of your head - I do mine by pulling it into a high ponytail then wrapping it round on my head, nothing fancy.

Step 3

Leave for as long as possible - I always wash my hair at night so I leave it until I go to bed, which can be 10 minutes or 2 hours.

Step 4

Take hair out of the bun and leave to dry naturally (this probably won't work for those with naturally curly/frizzy hair) - I place a towel on my pillow and leave my hair to dry during my sleep.

Step 5

Part it the way you want and you're done. (If you hate leaving your hair unbrushed this is probably not the method for you)

Simple!!

*I'll do some research into ways for those with curlier hair to get no heat waves

Advent Calender Day 13:

Encore

*link on pic

Blogmas Day 11

Mid-Week Rambles

Hey so this week I've come down with this nasty virus where all I seem to do is sleep. I've eaten practically nothing since Sunday and I am constantly tired.

But this morning I got a lovely surprise as I reached 50 followers on Bloglovin. Now to big time bloggers this wouldn't be much to be this is a big deal and I just want to thank everyone who follows  and reads my blog it means so much to me and I can't wait to earn the next 50.

Other than a big thank you I don't have a lot to share with you this week so I thought I'd just show you what I've been getting in my advent calendar so far, I know it sounds boring but I like it so here we go!!

Ciaté Advent Calendar:

Day 1:

Snow Globe

Day 2:

Boudoir

Day 3:

Amazing Gracie

Day 4:

Caviar Metallic Pearls - Silver

Day 5:

Hoopla

Day 6:

Sugar Plum

Day 7:

Main Stage

Day 8:

Caviar Pearls Midnight In Manhattan

Day 9:

Candy Floss

Day 10:

Pillow Fight

Day 11:

Pepperminty 

*excuse the poorly-lit pictures but links are on them as usual.

Blogmas Day 10

Relax Before it's too Late

So for Christmas this year my friends and I decided instead of buying each other a present or doing Secret Santa we would buy ourselves something that we could all do together - Spa Day at the Sanctuary Spa!! We thought this was a great idea because it meant we didn't have to worry about how much to spend on each other or what they wanted, we could have what we wanted and all enjoy it together.

The Sanctuary Spa, Covent Garden, is the ultimate relaxation destination. You lounge around the calming coy fish pond, drink tea or if you prefer champagne and sweat in the saunas and cool down with a dip in the pool. 

*images from Sanctuary Spa website

This is a great Christmas present as it's something you can all enjoy. You can give vouchers, experiences and more.
But be quick because it is shutting in May 2014.

My friends and I had a 55 minute facial, I then had a 25 minutes body scrub (not for the ticklish) and the others had a 25 minute back massage.
As a group indulged in a lovely pre-paid lunch which made things easier and made the entire experience more relaxing. 

So if you want a relaxing present full of gossiping and pampering put the Sanctuary Spa on your Christmas list.