Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm

I'd have been lost this past week without my little yellow tube of Carmex! Battling the snow, Braving the cold weather, Suffering from a cold- Carmex has seen me through!

'Carmex'

Carmex does exactly as it says on the tube. It soothes, It relieves, It moisturises.

Since starting out in the 1930's, formulated by Alfred Woelbing, Carmex has grown and evolved. Originally coming in a little yellow capped pot, Carmex now comes in pots, tubes and sticks and in a variety of flavours! 

The one im using at the moment is the orignal flavour. It has a slight Vanilla scent and taste but the menthol dominates the balm- making my lips feel fresh and tingly!

Ive been suffering with a cold this week and its been my best friend- it hasnt left my side- ive even been dabbing some on my poor little chapped nose! 

My friend, Ratchel, bought me the cherry version of this one for christmas and at the Clotheshow Live i bought a stick version in lime flavour so im nicely stocked up for the rest of the winter!

M.A.C Morange- Amplified Creme Lipstick

I'm braving a new colour... M.A.C's loudmouth Orange-Morange!

Morange is one of M.A.C's amplified creme lipsticks and although it is Orange(!) it has just enough of a red hue for it to not be too 'out-there'

 'Morange'

I was quite surprised, when I applied Morange, to find that it was a lot softer in colour than it looks! It's creamy on the lips and not at all drying. I don't find it too glossy either, you could add a gloss for a high shine or dust over some powder in a similar colour to mattify and update the look (as seen on the catwalk!)

'Wearing Morange'

I can't wait to wear this in the summer with a golden tan and a shimmery eyeshadow but for now ill wear it with simple black flicks of eyeliner and a porcelain skin-let Morange do the talking!

Clinique's NEW Repairwear Laser Focus, Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream

I normally use Estee Lauder's Advance Night Repair for eyes but Clinique have just brought out a new eye cream, Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream, to replace the original Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream and seeing as I was given one, it'd be rude not to try it out!

'RWLF Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream'

I have to say- I have been converted! I still love the feel of my Estee Lauder ANR but this Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream has surprised me!

The eye cream is aimed at people that have advance signs of ageing around the eyes- which I dont but I do feel that my eyelids arent as young and tight as they used to be! This can be used on the actual eyelids, unlike many other eye creams, so it's ideal for me because thats where my main concern around the eyes is.

Clinique did a 'Smile Test' on this product and results proved that over 12 weeks use, there was a 54% reduction in "active" smile lines. Visible improvement can be seen at around 4 weeks if you are using this product morning and night as recommended but i've been using it for about 3 days and already I can see a difference! 

The skin around my eyes is looking so much more healthier and more awake, when i'm poorly or tired (right now, im both of those!) my eyes are the first place to show it but i've been using the cream and it's perking them right up!

 My makeup is also sitting better around my eyes and i've been using the matching day and night cream on the rest of my face and I love the teamwork between the products!!

Topshop Face Wipes

By now, i'm sure you all know how obsessed I am with Topshops makeup range so now I've branched out and i'm trying their Face Wipes. At £2.50 they are priced similarly to other wipes you can get in Boots, Superdrug, etc and are of equal quality.

'Topshop Face Wipes'

They contain Aloe Vera and Cucumber and are suitable for all skin types. Aloe vera is good for nourishing the skin and protecting it, it's often used to repair the skin after minor injuries such as sunburn, burns,cuts and abrasions whilst Cucumber has the same pH balance as the skin so it'll help to restore the skins moisture and freshen you up!

The face wipes claim to be a 3 in 1- Cleansing, toning and moisturising but i'd still recommend following with a toner or clarifying lotion and then a custom fit moisturiser as wipes arent going to give a very deep clean- they remove the makeup but dirt goes deeper...unless you want to clog your pores- you need to cleanse deep!

I found these wipes quite moist which is the main thing I look for in a wipe but I did find that they dragged too much on my eye area so I wouldnt get away with taking these on a camping trip- I'd still need my eye makeup remover.

I'd give these wipes a 4/5 because I liked how refreshing they felt and the cucumbery smell but I still prefer my Boots Botanics wipes!!

Estee Lauder; Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex

Ok, so I'm firmly in my early 20's now (as of December 25th, if you didnt know!), so naturally im starting to worry about the dreaded ageing process, but as I have Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex (ANR eye) I'll be giving my eyes a younger looking future!!

'Advanced Night Repair Eye'

This silky serum-gel is developed to target fine lines, Wrinkles, Puffiness, Dark circles, Dryness and Uneven skintone around the eye area.

ANR eye contains Estee Lauders exclusive Chronolux™ Technology which helps skin optimise its natural renewal processes to reduce the look of the fine lines and wrinkles. This technology also helps with the damaging effects of daily UV light (UV rays can get us even on cloudy days!), smoke, pollution and emotional stress that can accelerate visible signs of ageing around the eyes. It can also reduce the past damage caused by these harmful assaults.

ANR eye locks in moisture and strengthens the skins moisture barrier (kind of your skins shield- so look after it!) with Hyaluronic acid and the soothing anti-irritants and targeted technologies take care of dark circles, puffiness and crepiness so create a happier, smoother eye area!

I use ANR eye morning and night- It says night repair but instructions tell you to use it morning and night- your eyes need the protection and comfort during the day but at night it needs the recovery and strengthening!

I love the texture of this serum-gel, its velvety and silky and works perfectly under a concealer- It acts as a primer to stop the concealer going cakey. You only need a few dots for each eye and pat dont drag- dragging will only traumatise the eye area!!

Reviews online give this product 5/5 stars and I agree!!

 

Topshop Nails 'Zodiac'

I've been reunited with an impulse buy! I'd totally forgotton about this nail varnish, 'Zodiac',  that I got a while ago from Topshop but I found it and I've finally used it...

'Zodiac'

Zodiac is described as Black on the Topshop website but I'd describe it more as a multi- tonal jade greeney, sorta washed out black!

It seems to have a watery black base with greeny gold metallic finish. I found this one seemed to take longer to dry than the others, but only a little bit longer!

I wasn't too keen on 'Zodiac'  when I first put it on but it's really grown on me and I got a lot of compliments on it so I may get a bit more wear out of it...and possibly try out a few more metallic varnishes!

When I bought this I paid £6.50 as it was part of a seasonal collection but its now £3 in the Topshop Sale! So you may as well try it!

Soap & Glory-Sugar Crush Body Scrub

I'm getting fruity in the shower with Sugar Crush Body Scrub from Soap & Glory!

 

'Sugar Crush, Body Scrub'

With smashed brown sugar and sweet lime, almond oil and macadamia grains, this scrub leaves me feeling silky smooth and smelling goooood! 

The smashed brown sugar and Macadamia grains buff the skin and take away dead skins cells, The almond oil in the scrub leaves the skin feeling nourished and baby smooth, And the Lime leaves a fruity, fresh fragrance on the skin.

Soap&Glory' s quirky packaging makes me want to have the whole colletion lined up on my bathroom windowsill! The range is fun and doesn't take itself too seriously with instructions on this scrub telling me to;

   'Use in the shower once, twice, or three times weekly, depending on the level of scaliness you struggle with. (Four times-even-if you’ve ever been labelled ‘old lizard legs’.)'

Sugar Crush Body Scrub is only £8 for 300ml and in Boots they often do 3 for 2 so for christmas my Mum got me 3 scrubs (obviously things im a scaley old lizard legs!!)

It'll take me a while to work through this one though because a little bit goes a long way!

Miss Dior (Cherie) Eau de Parfum

Miss Dior is my most favourite perfume ever! 

'Miss Dior'

Formerly known as  Miss Dior Cherie, This elegant fragrance is warm, floral and fruity, and makes me feel so good! 

It smells so sophisticated and romantic but makes you feel spontaneous and free.

Miss Dior is a chypre that develops step by step. It starts out all fresh and fruity with citrus notes then blossoms into floral notes, then when it really warms up, the scent of patchouli and musk linger- leaving you smelling of rich romance!!

Its pretty pricey but totally worth it. I layer the fragrance by washing with the Miss Dior shower gel- bit decadent, but i cant get enough!- It helps to build the fragrance if you also use the Miss Dior moisturising lotion too before spraying the fragrance but even with just the fragrance, it lingers long enough - in a good way!

Miss Dior comes in a toilette and also a parfum, The parfum is always the better buy- the smell is richer and longer lasting- slightly more expensive though!

Available from most departments stores and perfume shops, just make sure you get the right Miss Dior (formerly Miss Dior Cherie) as Dior also still do the original Miss Dior...massive confusion for poor husbands/boyfriends/other males relatives that have been sent to purchase it for wives/girlfriends/other female relatives!

Topshop Nails: 'Velvet Underground'

New Year...New Nails! 

Introducing my latest addition to my Topshop Nails collection...'Velvet Underground'

'Velvet Underground'

Velvet Underground is such a deep shade of purple that it's almost black, a nice nod to the gothic chic trend without looking like a 12 year old wannabe goth! 

There's no shimmery tones, just a slick wet look finish which can be enhanced with a glossy topcoat for a more glam look.

As with all the Topshop varnishes, Velvet Underground dries in seconds which I love as I always get impatient with dark colours- they always seem to take longer to dry!

I also find darker colours harder to apply neatly but the brush is idiot proof! I applied two coats whilst waiting for last nights takeaway to arrive and within 10mins, it was on and dry...not the neatest result but considering the speediness of the application-you can see for yourself- not too botched!

So thankyou to my lovely friend Becca for buying me Velvet Underground- keeping me on trend!!

Available in Topshop stores or online