Beauty

Elemis beauty bargain thanks QVC

Beauty, self care, skincare

If you like beauty and a bargain then QVC has some great deals. Now I sound like my mother. This deal was ridiculously good. So good my mum got one for her and one for me as a nice birthday treat.

Rose fragrance

So Elemis is one of my favourite brands and last year I tried the rose balm cleanser and fell in love. I know this smell is not for everyone. Roses always smell like people’s nan . But I am telling you it’s because nans got it right.

As a flower, roses aren’t my favourite but I can appreciate their beauty and I love there fragrance. Every time we visit a garden and there are roses you will find me having a good sniff.

Lots of fragrance mimics roses as powdery but I find them fresh with a hint of citrus. I love the smell I truely do. So this set it beyond perfect for me.

The smell is heavenly.

What’s in it

First of all the gorgeous makeup bag! I find Elemis do the perfect makeup bags and this is the perfect colours for me!! I am obsessed with this bag it’s suck a pretty colour and it will be coming away with me this Christmas!

What’s inside the bag

  • Rose cleansing balm
  • Apricot toner
  • Marine cologen moisturiser
  • Rose face oil
  • Rose hand and nail cream
  • Rose shower wash
  • Rose body cream

Do they work?

Well it’s Elemis so yes and they smell wonderful. I am trying to buy less and only replace instead of trying new things but this was a gift!

I also have the Marks and Spencer calendar to try out! I may even try and do a mini blog on it to see what I think about the products.

I have put my rose shower milk on the side ready to replace my flamingo shower gel. This will be coming to France with us at Christmas.

The details

I have used the moisturiser for years and it’s a firm favourite. My skin loves it, it feels light and moisturising which is what it’s supposed to do. It gives instant relief to my combination skin and I love it.

The facial oil

I have combination skin so I thought that meant stay away from oils. I was getting break out from trying the Drunk Elephant marula oil. So I forgot that when ever you try new products your skin may not take to them straight away and that you are probably using too much.

So I used less and had no more breakouts. Oily skin doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use oils! Just find the right one. I am hoping I fall in love with facial oil, smells so good I will let you know how I get on.

Apricot toner

Again I have used this one for years and I was sort of running low. Apparently Elemis has a two year life span before you open them. So I have enough time to use it all up. Hopefully they will bring out a rose one!

Hand cream and body creams appear to be similar if not the same as the other ones I have tried just with the rose smell.

Was it worth it?

I was lucky, this was a gift but for £48 and all these products yes it really was a bargain! I would have paid my hard earned cash for this deal. The cleansing balm akin is over £40!! And the amount of product in it is amazing, plus I will use it all.

Without sounding like my wonderful mother you really can grab an amazing offer at QVC.

Gym skin my routine has changed

Beauty, self care, skincare

A few years ago when I joined the gym I didn’t see much improvement. In fact it got worse for a while.

But now I am training regularly and showering at home I have seen improvements. When I was showering at the gym I decided to mainstream my beauty products. Let’s face it I went from 5 items to an entire shelf.

Slimlining

I have gone too far with my beauty routines and products. I haven’t bought anything new in about 6 weeks.

I mean I wanted to, I just didn’t.

When I went to the gym I had one bag that I used and since then I have been using the same products every day.

  • Cleanser Sunday Riley
  • Matryxal the ordinary
  • B-hydra Drunk Elephant
  • Elemis Toner
  • C Tango serum Drunk Elephant
  • Azaleaic acid The Ordinary
  • SPF Drunk Elephant

That’s is!

That’s all I need in the morning.

I cleanse in the shower. I have started taking a bit longer really working the cleanser into my skin. Massaging it and giving myself a bit of a facial. I love it.

Then I go in with either my mytrxal or my azelaeic acid. The two don’t appear to like each other when I layer them so I just alternate then on a daily basis. Then I use my Bhydra and CFirma mixed together for ease.

My last layer is of course my SPF. This needs time to settle down it does make my skin appear white and greasy but it soon fades down.

I generally don’t wear makeup to work unless I feel like it or I am going out afterwards but generally I am bare faced with my skin fully protected.

Gym help

I have seen improvements in my skin from going to the gym. This is down to consuming more water but mainly it’s down to me eating less sugar.

I know that there is no direct link to chocolate and bad skin but my skin always reacts to it if I have too much which I often do. My choices in the last few weeks have been healthier.

Smarter with a few mistakes thrown in for good measure.

I am not drinking ale before the wedding! And am eating a healthy lunch every day. I still drink Diet Coke but it’s my vice!

So that’s it. After the wedding I won’t be trying as many products just repurchasing what I like and what I use.

Beauty products for a weekend in the sun

Beauty, Planning, self care, skincare

Madrid in the sun is glorious but I need to be careFul about what I pack in my beauty products. I need to be a bit more minalist when it comes to packing. It is only a few nights so I don’t need much and In the Frow sorted me out with a cute travel bag full of products.

what I need to pack for

  • Protection
  • Skin
  • Hair

Sunscreen & essentials

A bit over the top but I will be taking my body spray factor 30, my little diddy handy sized Lacura one which I love because it fits in my hand bag. My latest edition my Drunk Elephant SPF for my face. I will also be taking a mini can of mosquito spray just in case. I don’t like to travel any wear hot without my bug spray. Mosquitos eat me alive.

Prescription sunglasses. I bought these a few years ago and haven’t looked back.

Also have

  • Toothbrush
  • Sensodyne toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Venus mini razor in case
  • Ear buds for sleeping
  • Hair-grips
  • Mini Mitchum dioderant

First aid

I have my own first aid kit that I have made. It just contains pills, plasters, face shield and all sorts of things I may need.

Tech

I am just taking my iPhone and iwatch so I just need the chargers for those. I bought a Amazon multi usb plug and I love it. It means you can charge 3 usb items at once and I only need two! Also taking my European plug so I can use my charger.

Night skincare

So I am taking my Omorovitzca cleanser because I love it so much, my elemis night cream with is really indulgent but if I have any red bits of skin them this will sooth it. My matryxal from the I can be without it My azelaic acid which I use in the morning as well. I will take some of myDrunk elephant minis because I still have my Marula oil but I wont take any retinal because there will be a lot of sun there.

Day routine

Cleanser is the same

Then I will take my Mini lavender toner from elemis because its cute and gentile. I will apply my drunk elephant duo of B-hyra and CFirma. Add my Drunk elephant Spf and that should be me set for the day when it comes to skin care.

From the In The Frow Travel bag I will keep the Guerlain night mask in case I need it, the hand cream and face mister.I never really got face misters till I used this. I know that when I run out it will be replacing a long with the cleanser from Omorovizca . I will also be taking the Sleep mask and hair bobbles. I really do love this set.

Body

I have a shower gel mini from the body shop which is heaven and for my hair I will be taking my new Philip Kingsly trio, my boots cream or Sainsburies hair gel ( can’t believe it’s 50p) decanted and a body lotion for hydration.

I won’t have time for anything fancy so I will try and keep my beauty routines nice and quick.

A packing list helps

I am trying to keep it simple but I have a lot of space in my suitcase so I may through a few things in at the last minute which I hate doing!

I live by my packing lists. Planning this all out is my favourite bit and it helps me not to over pack! Although I probably still have a few too many items.

I will do a mini blog on what I did and didn’t use when I get back and see how it goes.

It will be a good lesson.

What are your essential packing bits?

What’s in my make up bag for my hen do!!

Beauty, Make Up

This is a slight joke as I don’t have that much makeup but I have decided to show you my new purchases and what I am taking on my hen do.

My hen do is so close I can almost taste the Rioja! It’s going to be hot which normally means a bare face for me however this is a special trip and I want to look nice so my skincare is already packed.

This is about my face!

Let’s start with my base layer. I bought a cheap primer from and am trying that at the moment but from what I am learning about skincare a good moisturiser is all you need so I may leave that and just use my moisturiser.

Foundation I have the Tarte Amazonian clay base. Plus a little concealer but I am not sure if I will take that yet need to practice a bit more. It is lovely if you apply it with the brush. I will take it and also my La Roche Posay as that is a tinted sunscreen for the day.

Eyes I bought my Tarte palette but also treated myseflf to a gold metallic sparkle eyeliner just to add a bit of glamour. I don’t want to do to much. I have my normal eyeliner from Loreol which I find doesn’t last and also my eyebrow pencil from Elizabeth Arden which is great.

Nars duo is brilliant it has orgasm blusher and Laguna bronzer. I bought it because it was a great price and perfect for travel.

This Maped sharpener is the best. It’s from any art shop and it is so sharp I have one for my make up pencils and one for my drawing!

Lipsticks I am going with my trusty red Chanel CoCo Rouge and my little bobby brown I got with my Birchbox.

So this it’s.

That’s what’s in my makeup bag.

Not too much but more than I have ever had before. I had a little practice with everything on Sunday and was pretty happy with the results.

Curly hair update: how the plop are you doing?

Beauty, curly hair

Okay so it’s been over two weeks now since I started the curly hair method. So I thought you may be interested in a wee update.

Plopping

I am getting used to this now. The tricky part has been remembering to put my hair T-shirt back in the morning which has lead me a few times to using the wrong T-shirt.

Is there such a thing?

Well they all get my hair dryer but I get a tighter hair wrap (plop) with long sleeved tee. Gav was chucking out one from Pull and Bear and so far it is the best.

As for my curls

Well I can’t credit the method entirely. We have had perfect sunny weather with little humidity. So I normally have better hair days in the summer.

However, my curls never look great the next day so I normally have to wash them or at least wet them everyday.

Not with the curly girl method.

My curls are fluffier but shiny. I am impressed with how nice they look. I know I need a haircut as my hair is so big now. But I haven’t had a bad hair day in two weeks. I have had a few meh days but nothing terrible!

This is making me so happy. That and the fact that the scales told me I was 9 stone. This is a lie.

I know it, the scales know it but never mind.

Need to Tarte up my Make Up bag!

Advice, Beauty

First impressions

So I said in my last blog that I am working on my hair at the moment! This curly girl method appears to be working with the plopping.

Sounds so good doesn’t it.

I said that makeup isn’t really a priority for me but that doesn’t mean I am not interested in it. My last makeup trial went really well and I have booked Kelly for my wedding yay. She made me look and feel beautiful!

Which is all I wanted.

Happiness

Plus Gav and my mum were happy. It’s not long now till I walk down the fricken isle. Sorry wee bit excited then.

My friend Jess keeps telling me how good I look recently which is so nice to hear and I have been wearing a wee bit more makeup. I also think it’s just my happiness showing through but who knows.

So I decided to treat my self to this! It was on offer on QVC and has subsequently gone up to £60 which is a lot so I thought I would give my humble first impressions review.

Firstly the packaging is gorgeous! I love it. Everything looks well made and the eyeshadow pallet is the stuff of dreams.

Make up bag

I already have my palm tree makeup bag so I don’t need another one, however I am going to use it for my brushes. Because I have 3 now and they definitely need there own bag… I am such a joke! This is wear all my tools will live. Beauty blenders and eyelash curlers etc!

The lip gloss

Oh how I hate lip gloss what is the point of it? Really it’s sticky and makes your lips look shiny. It generally doesn’t hydrate your lips that much! Give me a Lanolips or Vaseline any day.

So I didn’t like the colour of this. It’s a neutral which again I don’t get. It smells yummy and was nice but I think my sister or mum will get more use out of it then me.

I bought this set for 3 things

The foundation is supposed to be amazing! and as I don’t normally wear it I would like to play with. This also comes with an application brush which excites me no end.

I wanted the brush a lot

The third reason I bought it was the eye palette. The case is me to a t! But the colours are quite soft and neutral. This meant that I can actually have a play with the colours.

I am out of Mascara so that was a blessing in disguise!

I haven’t tried anything but the lip gloss but I can’t wait to sit down on Sunday and give it a try.

Summary

So I am pleased as punch with my order. I think it is a really beautiful make up set. Tarte isn’t a well known brand over here so it’s a really great that I can try it without spending a ridiculous amount.

I will let you know how I get on with it!

The curly girl method: time to focus on my curls: plopping time

Beauty

We know I have big hair.

I love my curls and sometimes I just embrace the frizz but this curly girl method means that I don’t have to put up with it.

I am happy with my skincare.

I need to work on my makeup but this isn’t a priority!

My fitness eeek okay I need to put some more effort into my diet, running and exercise. I am not drinking Monday to Friday this week but let’s see how long that lasts.

Hair care

So my mum insisted I buy the Phillip Kingsley hair care. I did, it’s my mum ( she secretly works for QVC) Which is agreeing with my scalp so that’s good.

I still swear buy the boots hair curling creme.

But I am still having bad hair days and then I watched a YouTube video on the curly girl method.

The method simplified

  • No sulphates ( I am already cautious of this)
  • No heat ( I always let my hair dry naturally)
  • Lots of conditioner
  • Plopping ( drying your hair in a t-shirt) I knew about this but don’t do it!

That’s the main points I think.

This isn’t a new method so why haven’t I tried it?

Gav has just thrown out a few T-shirt’s so I am going to rescue one and turn it into my plopping towel

First plop, not bad

so except for the towel I follow pretty much all the rules.

Heat

I do have straighteners and a curling iron but I rarely used them maybe 4 times a year. So my frizz has nothing to do with heat but I have always tried to cut out the heat.

This is very hard in winter. So when it’s really cold I wake up an hour early, wash my hair then crawl back into bed for a snooze! My hair is still set but not soaking.

Long sleeve T-shirt is a winner!

No sulphates

Again I have been doing this for the last 10 years not because of my curls but because of my psoriasis. Sulphate irritates my poor scalp. So I am a bit concerned with the amount of product that is supposed to go on the roots.

I hope my hair can cope!

Washing my hair

I have to wet my hair every day because my curls go crazy when I sleep. I have found that now my hair is longer I actually get better hair days the next day. I look a bit like a fluffy lion but I quite like that look! I just don’t have the right products to tame my hair the day after so I will have to look into that!

I don’t actually wash my hair everyday day but I do condition and run my brush through when it’s wet. When it was shorter I didn’t brush at all just casually with my fingers and once a month when I ran a bath. But now it’s so long I have to brush it. I bought a massive paddle brush from Primark about 6 years ago and it’s great. So great in fact I bough a mini version for travelling.

New plopping wrap but it’s not working!

Summary

There are a few more rules to the curly girl method but I am just starting off. You are not supposed to use shampoo at all but with my scalp that will never work.

So I am following curly Susies method for beginners!

I do need to get some hair gel and other curly girls recommended Umberto and Sainsburies gel but I will be using a lot of it so I may have to find a cheaper alternative.

I will be using my boots curling creme up as I love it but I am happy to try other products if I get results!

This will be a journey for my curls!!