I am 33 and for the longest time my skin has been normal, i rarely got spots or had an oily T zone. This past 4 months my skin has become like an alien. Its spotty, red & really really oily. Its horrid and i am getting fedup with it. I have been stressed lately and spending alot of time in a dry stale environment (the hospital).

I have always taken care of my skin and am not afraid or unwilling to spend money on products that work. In the past i have enjoyed using skincare products from both ends of the beauty price spectrum. Ladies i need some skincare help / advice. I need products first and foremost to combat this crazy amount of oil coming from my t zone. I am using blotting paper like a crazy person throughout the day, although this works for a short time its no way a solution.

If you have any products that have worked for you id love to hear about them. At the moment i am using alot of No7 & Garnier products.

Thanks in advance. x

 

I am always on the hunt for beauty brands that span both low and high end. Most of us just cannot afford to buy high end all the time and where possible its great to get a cheaper alternative esp when the cheaper product is better. This isn’t always the case i know, but there are many YouTube videos about dupe products. I love watching them. Let me know if you have any great dupes for expensive products id love to hear about them.

I am road testing a few of Tesco’s cosmetics range called Vivo, i pick up a couple of items each time i am in doing my food shopping. They are really good value and have quite sleek packaging for a low end beauty item. So i picked up their Ultimate Brow and Eye Kit, two Eye Liners and a Baked Shimmer Palette with 4 eye-shadows and a blush.

The Baked Shimmer Palette in Chocolate Box is so nice and will be perfect for the spring. I thought the colours were rich and pigmented. I have been using this for about a week now, the eyeshadows wear really well and with a primer last all day. The blush is nice and fresh looking if used lightly. It gives you that glowing look without being sparkly. I really recommend this palette

You will have to excuse my dry skin, winter kills my hands – but i really wanted to swatch the colours for you. Sorry i forgot to swatch the blush!

I have only used the eyebrow kit once & it was good,the colour range is good i use the darkest shade as have dark brows, but i want to use it a little more before i give you my opinion, same with the eyeliners. They seem really creamy and glide on with no pulling of the skin. Colours are deep and if you set them with a shadow stay on well.

Prices for each product are

1. Ultimate Baked Shimmer Palette in Chocolate Box £6

2. Ultimate Brow and Eye Kit £5

3. Eyeliners £1.50

Have you tried any vivo products? How do you rate them.

 

I was very excited the other day when a catalogue was sent to me letting me know that a new Jo Malone collection English Blooms was being released. Inspired by English flowers, it looks beautiful. The bottles have floral details on them. This is something different from their normal bottles which are classic and plain.

Jo Malone are releasing three new scents – 1. Iris and Lady Moore 2. White Lilac and Rubarb and 3. Peony and Moss. I am so looking forward to trying them out in particular the Peony and Moss. I have almost run out of my Jo Malone perfumes and want to replace it so am hoping that one of these is a winner. I will have to wait until i am in London on the 22nd of April (time for me to save), as where i live there isn’t a Jo Malone shop or counter

These are my Jo Malone Perfumes. All of which are on their last squirts. I have been using them sparingly. I have enjoyed using all three, but the one i have liked the most is English Pear and Freesia so fresh and a great scent for spring. When i get to try the new English Blooms Collection i will let you know how i get on. Have you smelt them? If so what do you think.

I am a product Junkie and my hubby really thinks i have a problem. I thought i would share with you some of the products i have been loving and using alot lately.

So the first thing is Boots No7 BB Cream. I have been using this product for around one month now and i have been really liking it. I use it as a tinted moisturiser, on the days i don’t want to wear full foundation. Its light wearing and gives your skin a glow without looking too madeup. I think it would look better in the spring/summer when i have a little more natural colour. But still i have found it to wear well. I prime my skin first as i have found is stays on longer – i get about 7 hours good wear. Not bad. I purchased it using my No7 voucher that Boots always do & this made the product £7.95. Not sure i would pay the full price of £12.95. I have shade medium for Normal/Oily Skin

Next item is from Tesco, it’s their new (fairly new) makeup line called Vivo. I have heard alot of great things about this makeup line and was shocked at the variety and range of products they had. The item i have been using the most is an eyeshadow in the colour Mink. It was only £1.50 and has amazing colour payoff and the quality is very good. I have a few other items to try and will let you know how i get on. If your in Tesco i recommend picking up a few bits to try. Let me know how you get on too.

I have been loving using my Bourjois Volume Clubbing Eyeliner in Ultra Black. I can confirm it is super black. I have been using this for a good few months and its showing no signs of drying out and i have lots of product left. Its really easy to apply and has a small thin wand applicator, this is great for getting really precise lines (which i like for day time). It lasts for the longest time and i have had no smudging. This stuff goes nowhere! Again its a great price £6.99 and Superdrug always have 3 for 2 on lots of their makeup. So you can always get a bargain.

Now for a little skincare, when i was visiting family i went to the Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village & persuaded my hubby to spend like an hour in the Cosmetic Company Outlet (CCO) — where they sell discounted Mac, Bobbi Brown, Origins, Clinique & a few other high end brands. Its heaven for the beauty obsessed. If you love makeup you need to head to one. I think their are 4 at various Outlet Villages, like Portsmouth, Bicester, Cheshire Oaks & Designer Outlet Swindon. Really worth the trip if you can get to one.

I picked up a few bits, but the main thing i am loving is my Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Set. I like to use it at night not in the morning as i find it quite thick and having oily skin it doesn’t wear too well for me under my makeup. It smells really grown up and herbal, which i like. A little bit goes along way and a pot would last for the longest time. It helps calm my skin down and gives it a real moisture boost. I can’t remember how much i paid as it was in a little set with the Mega Mushroom Face Cleanser & Soothing Treatment Lotion. It was no more than £25.

Let me know what products you are loving as i’m always on the lookout for new tried and tested things to buy.