Skincare

Pixi Beauty Purchases

- Vicki 14 Comments

I have been using Pixi products for about 6 years now, ever since they had a stand in the Manchester Selfridges (which is no longer there). I love their makeup but had never used any of their skincare. I knew I wanted to try the now infamous Glow Tonic and had my fingers crossed that it was in stock. The skincare god that is Caroline Hirons had a great review of it on her blog and at £16 for 250ml I was keen to give it a go.

Pixi Haul

Pixi

I have been using the Glow Tonic for 2 weeks now and I use it morning and night, 3 pumps on a cotton pad is enough to sweep all over my face after I have cleansed. It has left my face feeling really smooth and very clean. I have sensitive skin that is prone to alot of redness and this is gentle enough not to flare that up. I have to say that I am loving this so far and will be stocking up on a few backups.

The other skincare item which the lady in Pixi recommended to me was the Vitamin Liquid Serum. I explained that my skin has been looking dull over winter and that I wanted it to look more youthful and radiant for Summer, she said this Vitamin C and Aloe Vera based serum would help with all those things so who am I to argue.

Word or warning it is a very thin liquid and it took me a few goes to pump out the right amount of product, if you push the pump too hard you get way too much and end up wasting it. I use this in the morning and one pump is plenty, I rub it between my palms to warm it up and smooth it all over my face. It smells amazing, very summery and citrus it’s so nice for the morning. Feels like it wakes the skin up. I have also been using this for 2 weeks and so far my skin has reacted well to it, no breakouts or negative effects in fact dare I say my skin is looking better and I have gone a few days without wearing foundation or a base so that is great.

Between this and the Glow Tonic I have added two great products to my skincare regime and I am so happy with them. They work well together and after a couple more weeks I hope my skin is looking even better.

Pixi Eyeliner

The Pixi Lash Line Ink £12 is another product I’ve heard alot of love for, I am a girl that likes quite a thin sweep of eyeliner and with this having the smallest nib ever I knew that I would be able to achieve that. I have heard Lilly Melrose talk about this quite a few times and she always has cute eyeliner. I haven’t used this yet as I have a L’Oreal one that I want to use up first, but as soon as I use it I will let you know what I think.

Pixi Haul

As I spent £35 I got a free Nail Polish and Eyeshadow Kit. I gave the eyeshadow kit to my mum but the nail polish is a cute light beige pink with a hint of shimmer so kept that for myself. Altogether I had a very successful trip to Pixi, I love their London shop its small and friendly and I always lust after so many things. I have to be good and only buy a couple of bits, it’s so hard to be good in there.

The Pixi Glow Tonic is only available to purchase in store or if you call the London Store on 0207 287 7211 or email [email protected]

Have you tried anything from Pixi? I’d love to hear your recommendations.

Travel Essentials From Space.N.K

- Vicki 6 Comments

In June I am going to San Fransisco (so EXCITED!) for a well needed holiday and I’ve been thinking about what skincare / beauty items I want to take with me. I know it’s a wee while away yet but I like to be organised. Whilst in Space.N.K I noticed a Caudalie set with sample sized products and thought that would be perfect. I also picked up a small bottle of their Laughter perfume which is one of my all time favourites. Whenever I wear it I get lots of compliments, it smells so nice.

Caudalie Travel Set

In the Caudalie Must Have Set you get 5 products for £20. (Feel Unique have it for £18). I’ve tried the Caudalie Beauty Elixir before and liked it so thought the small bottle would be great not only for the long ass flight but also whilst I am there as SF can be quite hot and it will be nice to spray this on my face to cool down. You get a 30ml bottle.

Also in the set are a few things that I’ve wanted to try for a while like the Divine Oil, which can be used on your face / hair / body I’ve heard some great reviews of this and very excited to use it. I think I will mostly use it on my body. It smells amazing and luxurious too. You get a 15ml bottle.

The Lip Conditioner is the item in the set I’m least excited for. Only because I have a million lipbalms yet to be used. I’m sure this is a nice one and I will take it away with me but I’m not as excited about it. The hand and nail cream I’ve already started using and so far I like it. It feels very hydrating and non greasy. So far so good. You get a 30ml tube.

Caualie Skincare

The makeup remover is such a cute size and perfect to take with me. I wont need any more than this bottle whilst I’m away as I don’t wear too much eye makeup on a daily basis, other than a little mascara. I am interested to see how this measures up to the Garnier one I usually use. You get a 50ml bottle.

So I may be a little too excited about this little travel skincare kit but I have a thing for products in miniature as they look so cute and these are no exception. Oh & the bag they come in is great too & that will get alot of use I ‘m sure.

The other thing I bought as I mentioned is the Space.N.K Laughter perfumer. I have been wearing this on & off for over 7 years. I love it so much. When I haven’t worn it for a while and pop in to Space.N.K I smell it & have to buy it as it’s such a familiar scent that brings back some very happy memories. I am happy I have a small bottle to take with me to San Fransisco as it’s a perfect summer scent. It is one of the perfumes that seems to last the longest on me. I can still smell it hours after I have sprayed it.

Laughter Perfume

What is your summer perfume? Do you have something that you always go back to or dig out at this time of year? Also let me know if you have tried any of the Caudalie products and what you thought of them.

Bedside Table

- Vicki 4 Comments

I have loved seeing people blog about whats on their bedside tables. I change mine up on a regular basis but this is what is on there this week.

Bedside Table

My bedside table is infact a set of IKEA draws (not very glam). on it I have a standard Ikea metal lamp and a Positive Slogan Sign – to try and keep me motivated. So far it’s not working, but I like it.

My iPad Mini is never far away & has a cute pink bear cover on which my friends toddler loves alot more than my husband does. I read lots of magazines on my iPad and I also blog on there too, it’s really handy. I do read books on there too but often I enjoy reading a standard book and the one I’m currently reading is William S  Burroughs – The ‘Priest’, They Called Him and its completely fascinating. What a life he led. This is quite possibly the most beautiful book I own – Its stunning.

William S Burroughs

I have my Jo Malone candle that I only every burn for 30 minutes at a time, I really don’t want it to run out EVER! I have the English Pear & Freesia scent. This is a little bit of luxury in my bedroom and I savour it. I love this perfume too especially in the Spring / Summer its perfect. My white ceramic bird was a Christmas gift a while ago and is cute just sat there.

Skincare

The Skincare on my bedside table is never the same one week to the next I love to change it up. My skin at the moment is looking really dull and in need of much TLC so I have quite nourishing products on there.

My Aesop Parsley Seed Serum is so loved, it’s a product that I wouldn’t be without. Clarins Lotus Oil is nothing short of a miracle worker It’s very hydrating and great for oily / acne prone skin. My face mask of the moment is my Origins Drink Up Intense and I’ve been using this twice a week, it gives my skin a real moisture boost and helps it look & feel plump and gives it more of a healthy look. Burt’s Bees Honey & Grapeseed Oil Hand Lotion – this is really hydrating but I am not a fan of the scent so wont repurchase it. Every girl needs a lipbalm to hand and mine is the Smith’s Rosebud Lip Salve. I have been suffering from tension headaches and try not to take pills where I can and so I have been using Tiger Balm and it seems to work. I love the smell of it.

Russian Dolls

I just love my Russian Stacking Dolls for no other reason than they make me smile & that’s reason enough for me. How cute is my iPad case.

Hope you enjoyed seeing what on my bedside table. What do you keep on yours?

Put on Your Mask

- Vicki 6 Comments

Face Mask

I don’t have a huge collection of Face masks and looking at this photo I seem to have a few similar ones. These are what I am using at them moment and the only one that is a repurchase is the Origins Drink Up Intensive.

Face Mask

First up is the Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask £6.99 – This was in my stocking at Christmas and I’ve only used it a couple of times. Not because I don’t like it but because I seem to have a few Clay Masks at the moment. I tend to use this if I need my makeup to last all day. So I use this the night before as it helps keep my skin less greasy and as it says in the tube keeps the shine away. This is a really thick mask that you allow to dry and I then wash it off with a flannel. It seems to do the job and I am a huge fan of these Clay Masks. If you have combination or oily skin then I would recommend this.

I have two Avon Mask’s in my collection, first up is the Pore Penetrating Clay Mask £6.95 this is the second Clay Mask in my collection. This isn’t as thick as the Botanics one but it really helps keep my skin breakout free. I leave it on for 10 – 15 mins and it dries quite tight on the face. I find this to be a really gentle mask and it leaves my skin feeling soft and clean. Next up is the Blackhead Clearing Deep Treatment Mask £4.95 I picked this up for my husband as I tend not to suffer too greatly from Blackheads. Once in a while I will use this just on my nose and chin to keep them at bay and help clean our my pores. It’s a fab mask and as I only use it on those two areas this tube is going to last me ages.

Origins Face Mask

The dynamic duo – I picked these up from The Cosmetics Company Outlet Store it was £17.75 for them both and I have been using them every week for about 3 months and they’re both still going strong. The Origins Clear Improvement Mask is my third Clay Mask. Are you noticing a trend?! This works wonders to keep my complexion clear and also combat excess oil. I only use this once a week and can say it really does keep my pores clear. I also cut out dairy last november so that could also have something to do with it. I leave this mask on for about 20 minutes and wash it off with a warm flannel. I highly recommend this if you suffer from breakouts.

The Origins Drink Me Up Intensive Overnight Mask is my second favourite Mask. I adore this. I look forward to using it and have to stop myself using it too often. I tend to use this if I have had a late night or feel run down. I take my makeup off and put a generous amount of this on. I massage a small amount on first leave that for 10 minutes and pop some more on. You leave it on your face all night smelling nothing less than AMAZING. I wake up to plump, hydrated skin that looks really healthy. I tell everyone how much I love it. I will forever repurchase this. It gives your skin a real intensive boost of hydration and I need that at least once a week

Face MasksUp next is my all time favourite mask. I picked this up whilst in the most beautiful skincare store in Amsterdam. The lovely gentleman in there recommended it too me. I have really sensitive skin on my cheeks and can often be really red esp in the winter and this Aesop Mask is so gentle and hydrating. I LOVE it, it’s my little bit of luxury. This is the Aesop Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque £33 I’ve wrote an in-depth post on it here. I will say that this doesn’t dry out my skin and a little bit goes a long way. I am trying to use it sparingly as it costs £33 – but it smells botanical and calming and leaves my skin feeling smooth, hydrated and like I have pampered it.

Last but not least is a lovely sample that I was sent last year its the Dead Sea Spa Magik Delicate Boosting Mask £7.70. I took this with me to my friend’s wedding a few weekends ago as I wanted something gentle and great for sensitive skin I didn’t want any nasty breakouts as I was a Bridesmaid. This was perfect. It left my skin feeling clean and soft and didn’t irritate my skin at all. It’s a really good price and would recommend it if you have really sensitive skin

Let me know if you use any of the same masks as me. Or if you have any recommendations for oily/ combination skin that is also a little sensitive.