Author: Vicki

Spring Awakening Skincare Products

- Vicki 2 Comments
Spring Products

Spring Beauty Products

Soap & Glory Heel Genius

My feet need some TLC after Winter & the fact that they have permanently been in socks or slippers for months. Now that the weather is getting warmer and I’m thinking about more Spring / Summer appropriate footwear I want my feet to look their best. My feet don’t get that dry but I do like to apply some of the Soap & Glory Heel Genius at night and let it soften my tootsies overnight before washing it off in the morning. It is quite greasy but it does a great job so I can live with that odd tacky feeling overnight, sometimes I put on some socks so it doesn’t get on my bedding. This smells lovely, as do all the Soap & Glory products and it’s just a great affordable product. A tube lasts for ages, I think I have had this over a year and its still going strong.

ESPA Naturally Radiant Gradual Tan*

I’m terrible at all things related to fake tan, I’m a complete novice and to be honest, the thought of fake tanning scares the hell out of me. So I tend to stick to the gradual tanners, I find them more subtle and a little more user-friendly. This ESPA one gives a gorgeous (natural) summer holiday glow. It’s extremely lightweight and feels nourishing and hydrating. It has a real no fuss or mess formula. You apply it like a body lotion and leave it to work its magic & give your skin a gorgeous natural glow which develops over four hours and intensifies each day. This smells incredible.

TonyMoly I’m Real Radiance Sheet Mask

I love using sheet masks – they force you to relax and take 20 minutes for yourself. These Tony Moly ones are affordable and come with 11 options for all different skin concerns. I use the radiance one the most, its infused with tomato fruit extract to boost radiance, smooth, and moisturise. Its also contains peach fruit extract, which brightens, hydrates, and refreshes the complexion.This mask is so good if like me you have naturally lacklustre skin. The sheet masks itself a great size for my quite small face and is very moist. I apply it to clean skin and leave it on for about 20 – 30 minutes, then I pat in the residue product and my skin looks so refreshed and glowing. These really are fantastic and so affordable.

Clinique Super City Block SPF40

This is one of my favourite lightweight facial sun protectors, I’m pretty disciplined these days and I wear quite a high factor broad spectrum SPF on a daily basis. It is now part of my daily skincare routine. I have been using the Clinique Super City Block for about a year now and I’ve found that it wears so well under makeup. It never leaves my skin feeling or looking greasy and It provides a high level of protection from UVA & UVB rays as well as environmental aggressors. The cream itself is a light beige and it has a slight tint but it fades once blended into the skin. I wouldn’t be without a tube of this & highly recommend if you’re looking for a new SPF that won’t break you out or feel heavy on the skin.

What products do you always repurchase to get you ready for Spring / Summer?

*PR Sample & this post contains affiliate links

Five Under £5 April 2016

- Vicki 13 Comments
FiveUnder5 April 2016

Five Under £5 April 2016

Last month got away from me & I totally missed the Five Under £5 post but I’m back and I have some great things to share with you. If you want to get involved and link up your monthly finds then head over to Julia’s blog at Rainbeaubelle. 

Pig Nose Black Head Mask

Korean skincare comes in the best packaging! I included the TonyMoly Sheet Masks in my February post & saw these recommended to me after I had checked out. I am obsessed with getting rid of blackheads (TMI) This is a 3 step mask & although its all in Korean there is a step by step diagram on the back which is easy to follow. I bought 4 packs & only have one left. Its safe to say I really like them & they’re very affordable despite being sent from Hong Kong.

Cute Sticky Notes

HEMA Sticky Notes

I am terrible at remembering things so I like to stick post it notes around my house & even have some in my car just to remind me to do certain things. These cute ones are from a Dutch shop called HEMA but don’t panic they have not only opened a few stores here (in London) but you can also order online from their shop. They carry a great affordable selection of stationery & so many other things. I often spend ages browsing the site and filling a very large basket. The arrows are also post it notes too, I couldn’t resist them.

Metallic Washi Tape

Now this is becoming quite a habit, I purchase at least two new rolls a month and have a growing collection. This is my newest addition and my current favourite. I order mine from eBay as they have such a massive selection and its pretty good quality.

Collection Lip Crayon

Collection Work The Colour Lip Butter 

I really like lippies in crayon form, I find them easy to apply, travel with and they are so fuss free. This is one from Collection which is a Boots only brand and their makeup is very affordable but don’t be put off by the cheap looking packaging because the products are very good quality. This is in the shade Vintage Rose, its a very pretty peach and perfect for the Spring. It has a slight glossy finish, feels comfortable on the lips. Oh & you don’t need to sharpen these – they just twist up! Easy peasy.

 

Five Favourite Spring Nail Polishes

- Vicki 12 Comments
five favourite spring nail polishes

Five Favourite Spring Nail Polishes

 

Essence Play With My Mint

Essence has such a huge selection of nail polishes in so many colours, textures and finishes. They also release so many cute limited edition collections throughout the year. I think their polishes are incredible quality and have a good opaque consistency. This mint green is a classic Spring shade for me and it lasts without chipping for at least 6 days. These shade looks glossy and vibrant and I like the thick brush, it makes applying my polish so quick and easy. Oh & Essence is cruelty free.

Rimmel Mind The Gap, Victoria

I adore this soft blue shade, it always looks so pretty on my nails. The formula of the 60 Seconds polishes from Rimmel is so good, they dry very quickly (maybe not in 60 seconds) but it is quick. 2 coats gives you a perfect opaque finish, it looks glossy and its such a fresh bright shade. The brush is similar to the Essence one, quite thick and easy to use.

Spring Nail Polish Colours

Deborah Lippmann She Bop

This is my only Deborah Lippmann nail polish and I love it, this shade is beautiful. Its a pink with purple undertones. It applies so well and evenly but its not very glossy so I like to use my Essence gel top coat to give it that pretty glossy finish.

Sally Hansen Casting Call

This is a gorgeous coral peach and it makes my hands look a little healthier when I wear it. I think it gives the illusion I have a tan (when I 100% don’t). It has a lovely smooth finish and is a pretty spring shade, looks cute on your toes too. These Sally Hansen Salon Manicure polishes are really long wearing and are one of my favourite formulas.

Topshop Barefoot

I always have to have a nude polish in rotation, its a shade I wear so often & this one from Topshop is the perfect go to nude. It has a pink undertone and looks classic and sophisticated on the nails. I also really like to wear Nails Inc Porchester Square. The Topshop polishes are very good quality and apply smoothly and dry with a lovely glossy finish. I love the packaging too, the polka dot lids look pretty and these are small enough to travel with too.

I have had a massive clear out of my nail polish collection these past few weeks as I had so many similar shades and polishes I just was never going to wear. I have also noticed that I very rarely wear glitter polishes so have only kept 3. I will do an updated nail polish collection in April so keep an eye out for that.

Let me know what nail polishes you will be wearing this Spring?

Four Affordable Skincare Favourites

- Vicki 6 Comments
Five affordable skincare favourites

Five Affordable Skincare Favourites

We all love a bargain, right!? So I thought I would share 4 of my favourite affordable skincare products.

Garnier Micellar Water All-in-1 Waterproof Makeup Remover & Cleanser

Micellar waters are great if you wear quite heavy eye makeup and like to remove the bulk of it before you cleanse. I have found the Garnier ones to be the best I have tried, they now do a few versions for different skin types, but I think they’re all pretty much alike. This one in the blue bottle is for removing waterproof makeup & I have to say it’s pretty damn good. You don’t have to tug or rub at your eyes, just hold the cotton pad on your eye for about a minute and gently wipe the makeup away. It’s also very good at removing lip stains & matte lip products. This new Garnier skin active version is a bi phase formula so you need to make sure you shake it up first. You get a lot of product for your money, and a bottle lasts me a couple of months. This is fragrance free and contains no alcohol.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In-Oil

I simply love this product, it’s like liquid silk. It’s a serum blended with a combination of oils including sunflower, jojoba, marula, soya, and sesame, and it also has wheatgerm oil which is high in antioxidants. I use a couple of drops in my evening skincare routine when my skin is looking dull and dryer than normal. I massage a few drops on to clean skin and let it work its magic whilst I sleep. It’s great at hydrating and reviving my skin and making it look like it’s well rested and radiant. This is so affordable and a lovely product to have in your skincare routine. I love the vitamin E range, but this is by far my favourite product from the range.

Lacura Anti Ageing Handcream With Argan Oil 

Lacura is Aldi’s skincare brand so all their products are affordable, I like quite a few of their products but have been using this a tonne over the past few weeks. I am not 100% keen on the scent of this hand cream, but I like how non-greasy it is. I use hand cream so often throughout the day I just can’t deal when it leaves my hands feeling tacky or greasy, so it’s important I have one that instantly absorbs and lets me get on with what I am doing without having to wait for it to dry down. This Lacura one from Aldi does just that, and it leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft.

Soap & Glory Face Soap & Clarity 3-in-1 Daily Facial Wash

This face wash has a gel like consistency and lots of tiny soft scrub beads which are great for lightly exfoliating your skin. They’re not at all abrasive or scratchy. I like that it feels cooling on my skin and is lovely to massage in and really give your skin a thorough cleanse, leaving it looking radiant. I rinse this off with a hot cloth, and it’s great at removing makeup without leaving my skin feeling tight or dry. It smells so good too, really uplifting and fresh. I have a huge bottle of it too which has lasted me so long & I’m only about halfway through it.

Let me know what your favourite affordable skincare products are.