Current Skincare Essentials

When it comes to skincare it a routine that I love and I religiously follow. I have combination skin with my t-zone being quite oily whilst the rest of my face is normal. I do suffer from hormonal acne and when I haven't washed my brushes for a while. (ew!) Since I struggle with my skin, quite a lot I try and keep my routine the same. So I, double cleanse, acid exfoliate (if I need to), toner, eye cream, serum, moisturiser and a face mask of some sort. At the moment I tend to change up my cleansers, exfoliator, toner, eye cream and serum, depending on what my skin needs. So I thought I would talk you through my essentials: micellar water, moisturiser and face mask. 

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Micellar water is one of the best products for getting all of your make up off in one easy sweep. It is just so easy and fuss free and can be done in nearly every situation that you find yourself to be in where you need to take off your makeup. The difference is that I find the Garnier one really does work and doesn't really have a scent to it which is good for my sensitive skin. It is nice and gentle and leaves my face feeling nice and fresh afterwards. 

Origins Out of Trouble Mask 

I love face masks, they are so relaxing and do wonders to your skin. It include Zinc Oxide and Sulphur for absorbing all that oil, Camphor to calm the skin and Salicylic Acid, which we all know is good for defeating spots. I leave this on for ten minutes (or more if I get carried away watching YouTube videos) and then wash off with warm water and a flannel. This leaves my skin feeling so soft and calms all the redness that I had on my skin. 

Olay 3 Point Super Age Defying Cream

This is a lovely lightweight cream, which quickly absorbs into the skin leaving it feeling nice and moisturised. Perfect for when you are in a rush in the mornings. This does not leave me feeling greasy, in fact it gives me the perfect base for me to apply my make up straight on to, no need for primer then.

La Roche Posay Toleraine Ultra 

This has been a favourite of mine for years now. And I am currently using it as my night cream, although I do use it as my day cream sometimes too. It is quite light in consistency and although this isn't the usual sort of consistency I still feel like it moisturises my skin well enough for a night time moisturiser. It also makes for a good base for make-up if you are wanting to use it during the day. It has also been proven to make your skin less sensitive, which I am always for. 

Have you tried any of these products? I would love to know your thoughts on them. Don't forget you can also find me on Instagram and Twitter.

See you soon.

Jess

Lip Of The Day!

So I thought I would do a quick little post for you on my favourite lip combo at the moment. Now that it has started to become a bit sunnier *touch wood* I have been reaching for this gorgeous YSL lipstick in Peach Passion. It is one of my favourites for when the weather is a bit nicer, for me spring and summer mean peach. 

I have also been pairing it with the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk. This is my favourite lip liner of all time it just makes your lips look just a bit more full than they actually are. I also have found that you can pair it with any shade as it is very similar to my natural lip colour.

This lip combo is great for work as the lipstick fades away evenly and the lip pencil lasts all day, so I only have to top up the lipstick whilst at work. And I don't have to worry it smudging all over the place whilst having my fiftieth coffee of the day. 

What is your favourite lip combo at the moment? 

See you soon. 

Jess
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Disappointing Products

Now I am going to start off by saying that I am not usually one to moan and all of my posts on my blog so far have been very positive, but I feel it is only right of me to share some products that I don't like too so you don't waste your money on them. 

If you think I am using these products in the wrong way than let me know, so maybe I can get some better use out of them. 

Lush Lip Scrubs: I was so disappointed that these have not worked out for me as I love most things I buy from lush. Now I don't know if it just me I just do not find these scrubby enough for me. All I want to do when I put them on is lick them back off again, and this is what I end up doing half the time. The other time I do scrub them in and I just don't feel like it does anything significant to my lips. They do taste good though! 

Maybeline Dream Lumi Touch: Now this isn't just a problem with this highlighting concealer but all highlighting concealers. They are just not light enough for me. I realise I have pale skin but most of the time I wear fake tan and even then it doesn't show up much unless I have really gone to town with the bronzer. 

Benefit Porefessional: Luckily, I have only ever had sample sizes of this and I don't think I would ever buy the full size version as this seemed to nothing for me. I applied just like I would a normal primer, however, I did not see a difference in pore size and it didn't make my make-up last any longer. So really, there is no purpose for this product for me. 

Barry M Eyeliner: I really don't know why I still have this as I have it for ages now. I don't know whether I have just got a particularly dry version of this but I feel like I have to press down so hard to get any product to show that it actually hurts my eyes. I prefer something that glides on a lot more easily. 

Have you got any suggestions on what I can buy to replace these? 

See you soon. 
Jess

Bobbi Brown Art Sticks Photos and Swatches

So today I thought I would do a quick post on my recently purchased Bobbi Brown Art Sticks in Rose Brown and Dusty Pink. As I have not had these for very long there is not much for me to say about them, but I wanted you to see them as I think the shades are just so beautiful. 

I think they would look good on their own and on top of each other and as they are pencil, there is no need for liner either. Win!!!!! Also very helpfully there is also a sharpener included with each pencil, so need to rush and buy a bigger sharpener. 

Hopefully I will be back later in the week with a little more of a detailed post for you all but until then.... 

See you soon. 

Jess
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Review: Kat Von D Tattoo Eyeliner in Trooper

So kindly, after my friend (Jessica, The Northerner) came back from travelling she bought me a couple of things from the Sephora in Dubai. What is even more strange about it is the fact that I had tweeted just a couple of weeks before saying how much I wanted this eyeliner, little did I know that she had already bought it for me. And for me this has lived up to all of the hype. 

This is what the packaging looks like, the box itself is beautiful and even though I have had this for around a month, is the reason I still have it. I love to keep the boxes of things until they become all broken and torn, then I finally make myself chuck them away. (Weird fact about me there) 

Here is a closer look at the tip of the brush, it is a pen style so is very easy to use and means even unprofessional eyeliner applier like me can do still use it and not go completely wrong. 

I have drawn a number of different lines on my hand so you can see all of the different widths of line you can do. As you can see it also very black in colour. 

The second picture is after I rubbed over the eyeliner, as you can see they look almost exactly the same. 

This truly shows the staying power of this eyeliner. For some reason makeup never seems to last very long on me, well it probably does but I have very long days at work and so I never feel like it does but even this will last over twelve hours and will be still be on my lids when I come to take it off at the end of the day. 

This is my favourite liquid liner and I would recommend everyone to try it, although I know it is very hard to come by in the UK. So maybe if you are near a Sephora definitely pick it up especially if you love your liners. 

I will try and do a makeup tutorial soon with it.

See you soon, 

Jess
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Zoella Beauty: Kissy Missy Lip Balm Review

Some I know this may come as a shock to you, especially hardcore dedictaed YouTube fans, this is the first Zoella beauty product I have ever tried, although I was intrigued by the line when it came out I didn't actually go and purchase anything, mostly due to the swarms of young girls in front of the counter, but one weekend just before Christmas I was feeling spendy so I bought this along with a couple of other things including the Tanya Burr Nail Polish in Duvet Day. 

Although I haven't heard a lot about this product beforehand I didn't really mind with a small price tag of £3 it wasn't going to break the bank. The packaging I must say is adorable although kind of appeals to a younger audience, I mean it doesn't look the most sophisticated when you are getting it out of your work bag. 

This lip balm is part of the Tutti Frutti Collection, when I saw Zoella explaining it on her channel I imagined it to smell similar to the Estee Lauder Bronze Godess perfume, I don't know why I just did. Just to warn you, it doesn't. I don't really know what it smells of but I am not the biggest fan.

Now on to the actual lip balm, when I applied this to the lips it didn't feel very moisturising, it almost felt a bit greasy on the lips. Although I do have to admit it does give a good colour, so if you are looking for a lip gloss, this may be for you. For me personally, however, when I am applying a lip balm I want my lips to feel extra nourished and not greasy and chapped. 

I weary to give this a bad review, as Zoella is one of my idols and I have been following her for six years now. (I think). But this product is just not for me. 

See you soon. 

Jess
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Party Makeup Inspiration

I feel like once the festive season has gone people stop posting so many make up tutorials especially for parties. People still have birthday parties to go to in January so I thought I would post a party eye make up inspiration. Now I know I am still a novice at make up but I hope you can appreciate what I was trying to go for. This is what I did to create the look: 

Tools:

• An eye primer - I used the Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin but which ever one you have available will do. 
• Sticky tabs - I use these to help me get the cat eye flick but if you are good at doing it you probably don't need to bother. 
• A neutrals palette - I used the Collection Uncovered Palette in the shade Nude but again any palette that has a good highlight and shimmer base colour will be good. 
• A shimmery bronze brown - I used shade three from the Avon True Colour Quad in Mocha Latte. 
• A liquid black liner - I used the L'Oreal Super Liner Superstar not my favourite liquid liner but I had no other options. 
• A black kohl liner - I used the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Zero but use anyone you have and that you like
• A blending brush 
• A flat brush. 

Steps: 

1. Apply eye primer over lid and crease. 
2. Put the sticky tabs on the corner of your eyes if using.
3. Apply the highlighter colour from nudes palette over your brown bone and then apply the gold shimmery base colour over your lid with the flat brush. 
4. Apply the shimmery bronze brown shade in your crease and blend out. If the colour is not intense enough for you, do this process again. 
5. Next the tricky bit for me, apply the liquid liner with a cat flick. 
6. Now pull off the sticky tab and continue the liner to the bottom lash line. 
7. Use your kohl liner to line your top water liner and your bottom lash line.

If you want me to do a post on the rest of my make up let me know. 

See you soon.

Jess

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Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Love

As you may be able to guess from the title this is my favourite scent from the Soap and Glory range although I think I like all of the scents from the Soap and Glory range, this is my absolute fave. I just want to write this post to let everyone know how great it is. 

When I saw that there was a Sugar Crush Hand Food and Hand Maid (so sad that the Hand Maid was out of stock...I think I have a problem), I knew I had to write about my love for the scent. 

Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub 
300ml/£8 - Boots
I think this is the first ever product I bought from the Soap and Glory range. As a big lover of removing fake tan with Soap and Glory exfoliators and this one did not disappoint, it is just as scrubby as the rest of the body scrubs but has a delightful citrus scent to it too. Although the only down side of it is that it only comes in a pit and means that I always end up with water all inside of it. 

Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Buttercream 
300ml/£10 - Boots
Now this is probably the second thing I got from the line as I love the buttercreams they are so thick and moisturising but not too sticky although I would probably just buy this on scent alone it is nice that it is actually a decent moisturiser. 

Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Hand Food
50ml/£2.50 - Boots
This is what started this whole blog post inspiration was when I saw the Sugar Crush Hand Food in Boots I knew I had to have it. Although hand moisturiser is not a product I regularly use but probably should but I love this scent so much that it actually encourages me to use it a bit more. 

What is your favourite Soap and Glory range????? 

See you tomorrow. 

Jess
x

P.S Sorry about the shadows in the pictures. 

Review: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

So this is not the first time I have had the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, the first one I had, mysteriously went missing and for a while I didn't need a new one telling myself I didn't really need it. But when I kept going to get it to apply my make up on more than one occasion I realised I could not be without it. So I went to Boots to buy a new one and it was the last one left. It was a sign. So I thought I would do a little review for you, although I am sure you know how it is going to go already. 

Having never tried the actual beauty blender I can't do an actual comparison between the two. But for now this is good enough for me and achieves the look that I want. 

I tend to use the sponge when I have a lot of time on my hands or for special occasions, it just gives a much nicer finish to the foundation than stippling the foundation into my skin, which I find can leave me brush marks on my face. (If anyone knows a solution for this please let me know). 

I have tried normal cosmetic sponges in the past but the this miracle complexion sponge is ten times better. I don't know what it is maybe that it holds a lot of water in it but application of foundation just looks a lot nicer. 

The sponge has three different sides to it and I tend to use it damp. When it is damp I would say it doubles in size and makes it light and bouncy, makes it sooo much easier to bounce the foundation into the skin.

I feel like with this sponge I can achieve flawless foundation and concealer. It is perfect lightening up your under eye as your not really blending it is just blending the edges to get flawless under eyes. 

What do you think of the RT Miracle Complexion Sponge? Let me know.

See you tomorrow. 

Jess

Christmas Gifting Beauty Edition

Hi,

So it's that time in year again. It's Christmas and time to start buying Christmas gifts.

Buying beauty gifts can be difficult, you don't necessarily know what people want or whether they already have something. Unless this said person has kindly provided a list for you here are some of my suggestions for beauty gifts.

After talking about how nicely scented the Ted Baker range was in my haul. I had to include a Ted Baker product as part of my gift guide. This Ted Baker Body Souffle Bauble would make the perfect stocking filler or maybe even a secret santa present due to its small size. The packaging alone makes it look luxurious and the size of the moisturiser is perfect for travelling.

Another cute little stocking filler, maybe for a girl who wants to try different higher end tan is this St Tropez Cracker, which has a 50ml St Tropez instant tan suitable for face and body. A bit of a bigger set here but still affordable is this set of three 50ml body buttercreams from Soap and Glory. This is perfect for someone who maybe hasn't tried the brand before or people who just like a good pamper.

One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six

See you tomorrow!

Jess

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Ten Weekend To Do's

Hi!

So the working week has finished and the weekend rolls around, sometimes I feel like doing nothing but other times I try a tackle a list of things to do. Of course they are all beauty related.

1. Clear out. I finding that clearing out your make-up can make you feel like your de-cluttering you life. Finding that old lipgloss you've had since you were 12, it definitely needs to be chucked in the bin, can feel like your decluttering your mind as well. Tidy space = tidy mind. 
2. Clean brushes. I feel that this is a job a lot of people hate but I make it a bit more fun by putting some Justin Bieber to sing along to at the same time makes it a whole lot easier and makes the times go a lot more quickly. 
3. Clean up. Going over everything with the duster, will make your storage seem brand new and will stop you from looking at muji every other day for new storage...well... at least for a week anyway. 
4. Repaint nails. I find that by the weekend my nail polish from the week before has chipped in at least one place if not more... The weekend is the perfect time to look through your nail varnish collection and decide which one to wear for the week. 
5. Beauty rejig. If you are anything like me, you'll have your everyday makeup in one bag and all the rest stored away. The weekend is a good time to choose new make up to try for that week or discover old faves. 
6. Skin treat. I love treating my skin at the weekend, most weekends I will try to have a makup free day, in which I will try and smother my face in serums and masks to make it nice and hydrated for the week. 
7. Make a wishlist. At the weekend I catch up on all of the beauty YouTube videos and blogposts I have missed during the week. I then create a huge list of things that I want, even though I hardly ever go on to buy them all, making a list is quite satisfying. 
8. Get inspired. This goes along with no7, watching YouTube videos I like getting inspiration for new looks to try especially for going out out. 
9. Fake tan. Like to take time at the weekend to tan. As a naturally ghostly white person I like to take the edge off a bit by adding a bit of colour to my skin. At the moment I am just using a gradual tanner as it gives just enough colour to last me until the next weekend. 
10. Deep condition. If I'm not going out anywhere in particular, I like to take the opportunity to put a hair mask in. I leave it in my hair all day and all night and then afterwards my hair is nice and silky smooth afterwards. 

What's on your beauty to do list this weekend?

See you tomorrow!

Jess
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Fifty Youtubers You Should Be Subscribed To

Hello!

So after a long day at work, one of my favourite things to do is to come home and chill out and watch some Youtube videos. I love to sit down with a nice hot chocolate and make a huge wishlist of things that I want. Here is my top 50 favourite to watch, it is a bit of a mixture, mostly beauty and fashion but also vloggers and even some fitness channels. 

At Home with Abby

dizzybrunette3

JazzybumVlogs

extrasunbeamjess

Rachel Leary 

Laura Byrne 

Britpoplife Vlogs 

Freddy My Love

Emily Canham 

SophieBelle

Lucy Wyndham-Reed

FitnessBlender

Lucy Wood

Claire Marshall 

Hannah Gale

EvanEdinger

Jazzybum

LoveLaughAndMakeup 

Meg Says

ZOE LONDON

Tati

Zoella

lydia millen

Onnas Little Blog

Melanie Murphy

Patricia Bright

Yoga with Adriene 

Liv Learns Life

sunbeamjess

Gem Lo Valentine

Sam Flockhart 

Emily Valentine Parr

Megan Baker

Helen Anderson 

Kaushal Beauty 

The Little Magpie

PsycheTruth

Stephanie Toms

Carley Musleh 

Samantha Maria

Nicky Lazou

KatesBeautyStation

Olivia Newman-Young

emmerliejay

Catlin Rose

ALittleObsessedUK

ThePersianBabe

JemimaLou

Jonathan Joly

Inthefrow

Hope you have found some new channels to watch. Comment down below with some of your faves.

See you tomorrow!

Jess

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