Saturday 31 May 2014

Skincare Routine

I know you all know the poem- “Patience is virtue, virtue is a grace and Grace is a little girl who didn't wash her face.” Well, for the longest time I was Grace,the little girl who didn't wash her face. Before I hear all your disgust ,I did, of course wash my face in the shower every morning or night but I just washed it with water and occasionally face wash if it was kicking around, but I didn't ever have a skin care routine. I was lucky enough to be blessed with naturally good skin (all in the genes -you should see my mum) and I was under the impression that, if it ain't broke don’t fix it!

I’d gone for years without doing anything to my face and had always been happy with it so didn't see a need to spend money on skin care I didn't think I needed.
I'm not going to sit here and tell you all that I am a convert to all skin care and I think you need to try every cleanser, toner and moisturiser under the sun and make sure you keep up face masks once a week, but I do think a little investment in your face is the way to go. As I said my products are not necessarily the most expensive or fancy ones on the market, I'm really just starting out and dipping my toe in the pond of skin care so wanted stuff I felt comfortable with and wouldn't break the bank.




Cleanser

I was convinced I had dry skin year round until I reached about 20 and realised during the hotter months I do tend to get oily, especially around my T-zone . So, I am now content to say I have combination skin. I can’t stand the awful feeling when you get face wash in your eye and the unbearable sting that goes on for what seems like hours. So, when I set out on my skincare quest I wanted a cleanser I could wack all over my face and eyes, that would hydrate my skin, remove make up and most importantly not sting! I know not asking for much aye!
I had heard great things about the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, but at the time wasn't sure where to purchase it so went for a root around in my local Superdrug and stumbled upon the Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser. 
On first application I knew it was a winner, the thick creamy consistency penetrated make up and grim and left my skin feeling clean but not dry. I used it to remove all traces of mascara and when that hideous stinging was nowhere to be found I was sold.
Like I say it’s a basic and if you do have specific skin care needs I would give it a miss but if you just want to cleanse your skin in the morning and night and keep your skin feeling plumped and refreshed I would most definitely give this a try. I only occasionally use the hot cloth that comes with it to buff it off, mainly as I'm lazy and always in a rush so just wash it off with water but if you’re in the mood for a pamper that feels great.



Toner

In the past I always thought this was a nonsense step. I honestly believed it was created by beauty companies to make a nifty three step programme to look after your skin and didn't really understand it. Now I actually use  a toner I think different!
I have used a variety throughout my trials on the skincare ladder but at the moment I use the Caudlie Beauty Elixir. I know contrary to all I have said about not breaking the bank, but I do feel the little bottle last a long time and I only ever use one spritz daily.
I apply it after cleansing and not only does it feel like a real pick me up on the grey British mornings but I think it tightens my pores and makes it ready for moisturiser. 
I am still on the hunt for a budget friendly version so if anyone has any suggestions please let me know, so I can give them a whirl.



Moisturise

The land of moisturisers has taken a huge 180 for me. I've gone from one, to a whopping three in the past 12 months… I know calm me down now!
I was just using the, Nivea all over body and face moisturise daily and I do still love the stuff and think it’s a great basic staple to have around, however, I have found far better ones now that prevent my make up from sliding.

Aveno radiance serum

This was a bit of a whim purchase, but I am now on my second bottle so you can tell I'm a fan. I use it during the winter and colder weather and I really find it make my skin glow a little more and helps prevent my make up from clinging to flakey patches. This little bottle lasted me nearly six months so defiantly worth the money and for a hydrating and radiance boosting serum it does not leave you,         a) looking like a disco ball or b) too greased up to apply make up for about an hour after application.




Seaweed mattifying day cream

I have mentioned this in my previous summer saviourspost but I couldn't leave it out as it really is my summer moisturiser of choice. It totally mattifyies my face without taking away any natural glow or dimension and creates a great base for products to apply on top of. I would say if you have very dry skin avoid this but for me its perfect when my oily skin starts to rear its ugly head.




Face masks

Now again this was one that I thought only really made sense at girls nights in or sleep overs, where packet masks and hundreds of selfies was almost a right of passage.
It wasn't until about a year of watching YouTube Videos and seeing how passionate girls were about masks and how overnight they saw results, I thought I would give it a whirl.
I currently have two that I am loving, one for those days/nights where you want to give your skin a boost and wake up feeling plumped and rejuvenated. The other for those hideous breakout days where you want to hideaway but realistically have to face the world even with a spot the size of planet earth on your face (least that’s what it feels like).

Moisture mask

Again, this was a whim purchase.  I think it was during an elusive Boots 3 for 2 where I had a mad 5 minutes of trying to make sure my third product was of equal value so I was really getting my money’s worth… (stinge I know, but those students loans don’t stretch far enough!) I grabbed this thinking it may be good for the summer when I have had a little too much sun and need to give my skin a drink. It was one of my better decisions, I love this! Its thick texture feels amazing and really sinks into the skin and I can honestly say I have a wow moment when I look in the mirror, especially when I apply make up and it applies seamlessly!
The tube in my opinion means much better value for money as you can use as little, or as much as you want on desired areas of your face and still have lots left. As I said I thought it would be best for holidays and it will definitely be the first thing packed in my make up bag for my holiday this year.



 Spot treatment mask 

Not having really suffered from horrendous acne or even serious break outs as a teenager I  always hate it when I have, as everyone does, a pesky breakout and its met with remarks like “oh what you moaning about” or “ God your so dramatic!”
After years of this getting on my nerves I thought I'd do something, so I headed to one of my favourite low cost beauty stores, Bodycare and had a browse. This whole tube was only 99p and even me with my limited skin care knowledge knew tea tree was good for spots so I thought what was the worse it could do. I am converted!
Similar to before, it’s very thick in texture and easy to apply so doesn't slide around your face. It doesn't really harden but definitely changes colour after 10 minutes so you can gauge when best to wash it off. I noticed visible reduction in the redness of my breakouts when used repeatedly that week I was amazed.





I would say like any product with tea tree in it, it will dry out the area so be careful where you apply it but if you use it directly on areas  you need it you will be fine.  As Bodycare don’t have an on-line shop I cant directly link but I would say if you have a store near, go and have a nose but if not any similar product I'm sure will do the same.

Wednesday 28 May 2014

Payday Wish list #1

You all know that feeling when you check your bank balance on payday and for that 24 hours it’s as if you’re a millionaire. You buy all those products you've had your eye on and get countless rounds in at the bar. Well...I know that feeling far too well, which is how this wish list compiling came about. I was sick of being skint by the second week of the month so started jotting down everything I planned on buying with my next pay.

As I was perusing my list for this week’s upcoming pay , I realised this would make a great post as not only can you all see where my hard earned pennies will be going this month, I can get ideas for next month’s list from all of you.
(GHD- £45, Light pink leather -look mini skirt- £25Clinque Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief- £32,

Eldora H105 - £5.25, Tesco round glass lantern large flamingo - £8, Yankee Candle Margarita Time - £19.49,

Benefit They're Real mascara - £15.48Topshop leather backpack - £80, Molecule 01 perfume- £65) 

GHD Straighteners 
Now from this first picture I know what you're all thinking – “how do you not own GHD’s in this day and age!” Well, I have had the large plated ones since I was 16 and although I do still love them I'm trying to avoid putting as much heat on my, already frazzled barnet lately. So, in my usual irrational head I have convinced myself that by getting the small plate ones I can use them simply for my overly frizzy unruly fringe and save the rest of my hair from its usual cooking. Makes perfect sense to me...

These ones I found on ebay at about half the price so even better.

River Island PVC mini skirt


You maybe able to see a distinct pastel theme across this wish list and you wouldn't be wrong. So the first offering, is this beautiful pastel pink leather look mini skirt from River Island. Not only is the colour amazing I think this shape is the most flattering on my body shape, as it nips in at the waist. I know its getting hotter and a PVC skirt may not be the most practical item but we all know British weather is never that hot so I reckon I will be ok… fingers crossed.

Clinque Moisture Surge


I'm lucky enough to have a holiday to Turkey coming up in 3 weeks and although I'm extremely excited my skin is not. A 5 hour plane journey followed by 30 degree heat, will absolutely drain my skin of any moisture it had at all. I have heard amazing things about this Clinque Moisture Surge Extended Thirst relief, so I'm planning on picking it up as a duty free treat before I jet off.

Eldora H105 lashes


Being a wannabe scouser no night out look would be complete without a pair of lashes and these are some of my favourites, Eldora H105. I have had these exact ones in the past and even with my heavy hand and slightly drunken pulling off at night, they have lasted me about 10 nights out! For the price they cannot be beaten I would definitely give these a go!

Tesco round glass lantern


My second dabbling into the pastel trend comes from no other than Tesco. Not only do I adore the colour, I think with a tea light in for the evening it will look beautiful. They do it in other amazing pastel colours and if I had a garden I would be stocking up for BBQ season. This beauty is not the only pastel lovely Tesco are stocking so check out the entire Sherbet Crush collection asap before it's snapped up- probably by me!

Margarita Time Yankee Candle


I love a candle but I will never forget the fear of God my mum used to put into me as a child about burning the house down with them. Thanks mum. It’s due to this, I now exclusively burn candles in glass jars to try and limit my chances of burning alive … Beside the obvious fire safety benefits, Yankee Candles are amazing and really fill the room with scent and this bad boy has an amazing summer time smell to get you ready for the hotter weather.

Benefit They're Real


Not sure this really needs an explanation. Benefit They're Real mascara is without a doubt my favourite mascara ever. It's on my wishlist as I have sadly used up all my Christmas and birthday ones and have this month resorted to another one I had in my stash. I need this in my life again and pay day seemed as good a day as any to treat myself and my lashes to the best!

Topshop leather backpack


This really is a wish list item and probably one that will sadly stay on the list this month as it's slightly too expensive at the moment, for a bag I will definitely mark. However, this beauty is from Topshop and is a real leather backpack in a gorgeous creamy colour. If it's in your budget it’s a perfect summer staple and will last you forever.

Molecule 01


This is more of a curiosity for me having never smelled it. I hear about the Molecule 01 a lot and how it adapts to your own hormones in your body. I do really want to try it but am a little worried it wont mix well and I will end up smelling like a granny or something slightly more unpleasant. If you've tried it let me know what you think.

So what are your thinking about picking up this pay day? Comment below and let me know...I can almost hear my bank card crying from here!

Sunday 25 May 2014

Summer Saviours...

With the British weather slowly creeping up the temperature gauge, it was sure enough time for me to have a makeup re-think. Being a dry skinned girl, I’m used to the creams, lotions and potions I have to slather on my face during the colder months in order to prevent the awful flakey face I know so well. So when the heat does start to kick in I definitely need to have a root around and rejig my stash so that my make up has not slid off my face by the time I leave the office at 5 o’clock.
So when this seasonal mix up happened this year, I realised I had several staples that my face – and sanity would not be intact without.


   (Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream - £10)

The first is my moisturiser of choice – The Body Shop's Seaweed mattifying day cream. Like I said before, during the winter months, I need to plaster on the moisture to keep my face under control but as soon as a glimmer of sun pops out I’m all about the mattifying moisturisers. This gel like product creates a great base for makeup and doubles up as a primer for me. The light cooling formula is great during a particularly hot summer morning and when applied to the T-zone it prevents all signs of oil or grease.

I am normally someone who will always powder before I leave the house and usually at the end of the day, but with this I don’t feel the need to at all. It has definitely saved my foundation on several occasions and has never dried my face out. For the price I would definitely give it a whirl, especially if you can catch one of The Body Shop's amazing online discounts they frequently have.


(L'oreal Nude Magique BB Cream - £9.99)

I am a firm believer that there is nothing worse than finding your perfect foundation, high end or budget and going on holiday and coming back only to find you need a brand new shade for the relatively short amount of time you retain your holiday glow. In the past I used to simply opt for just bronzer and concealer during those pesky in between months, but on days I feel I need more coverage, I leap for my L'oreal Nude Magique BB cream.

This whitey, purply liquid is at first a little alarming, especially as it tends to have a greyish tinge when you first apply it, but just go with it. As you work it into your face, some magical L'oreal technology kicks in and it adapts to your skin colour and within seconds you have an even beautiful face without the awkward pale moon face situation.

I would always recommend using your hand as I feel the heat of your fingers works the product in better, but if you are brush junkie, I would opt for the Real Techniques buffing brush as it’s not so dense, so gives a lighter finish.

I am, regardless of tan, always going to be fair so I use the light version but I find this spans a wide colour range and there are 3 options for all complexions.


(Caudalie Beuaty Elixir - £10.95)

As much as I did not want to give into the hype, I have to admit the Caudalie Beuaty Elixir is a real summer treat to combat that mid afternoon glow. Although I wouldn’t necessarily regard it is as staple, I would say the mini bottle is ideal for several uses throughout the hotter periods. I personally use it as a toner in the morning before I apply any make up and throughout the day over the top as a light spritz just to cool me down.

 Now, the smell is one that has divided opinions for a while, I would say if you are not a fan of anything remotely herbal/medicinal give it a wide birth but if you can handle it for a few seconds it fades almost instantly.


(MUA Matte palette - £4.00)

For me, the summer months are all about the, “no make up, make up look”. In the words of Beyonce,“ I woke up like this” kind of look. I find that in order to achieve this, I will always reach for matte shades over shimmer on my eyes. I have quite sparse, fair lashes so I feel I look odd and unfinished with just mascara, so I tend to use matte shade to contour my crease and give light definition under my eye. This year I have found the new MUA Matte palette takes the ticket.
It’s got a wide spectrum of tones all without a glimmer of shimmer in sight and all perfect for that effortless smoky natural eye. I know what your thinking- that looks suspiciously like a dupe for the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette, well that was my thoughts too and I will be doing a detailed comparison of the two to come, so watch this space.

However, for now I will say I enjoy the vast colour selection and the variety of tones and shades and for £4 it’s worth a go even if just for the hotter months.


(The Urban Decay All Nighter Make Up Setting Spray - £9.00)

My final product I fear will not be a surprise to anyone, especially for hotter climates, The Urban Decay All Nighter Make Up Setting Spray. Now, I don’t use this every day , mainly because I only have a tiny bottle and its slightly on the pricey side, but on a night out or on a day when I need my make up to last, it’s a must have.

Applied before you apply your foundation and then again once you have finished your base, it almost locks in the products and helps keep it in place all day. It’s also really refreshing and can be sprayed similar to the BeautyElixir throughout the day to refresh your make up. Urban Decay have several varieties of the spray for different skin needs, so I would recommend reading up or visiting your local counter for advice before purchasing, in order to get the one that’s suits you the best.


Thursday 22 May 2014

Who Am I

I’m Grace the girl who lived on super noodles for far longer than I care to remember in order to buy my dream Mulberry bag. 

Now don’t get me wrong although I adore “The Mulbs” (or my first child) as I affectionately call it. I am at heart a makeup and beauty fiend with constant aspirations to find the perfect; shade, formula, gloss or tone. I will- and have, spent hours staring down aisles and piling my basket high with products that only faintly differ to the ones I know I own at home, but what can I say … the heart wants what it wants!

I am a PR graduate and wannabe scouser currently living the dream in Merseyside's finest trying to not spend all my future student loan payments on the bright lights of Liverpool ONE. This blog will be a way for me to express years of built up  information stored in my tiny noggin from watching hours of YouTube videos, reading pages of blogs and trying far too many products.



Beauty, fashion and lifestyle, I aim to hit all bases and although I am far from an expert, pass on any useful nuggets I've gathered over the years.