Testing More Argan Oil Hair Products💕

I used to be so good at treating my hair when it was long. Then, after I got the chop, I got lazy. However, I've decided I want luscious, shiny and healthy hair again, so started buying new items. If you cast your mind back a few months, you might remember me reviewing a hair mask and raving about it (read here), and as I was so impressed by the mask, I figured I'd branch out and try a few more of the Argan Oil products - at their inexpensive price tag, it'd be rude not to.

Argan Oil Hair Treatment || £1 - Years ago, I used a Lee Stafford hair treatment RELIGIOUSLY. I loved it, and unfortunately, after it ran out, I never replaced it nor bought a new one. But, when this hair treatment at £1 caught my eye, I instantly knew I had to add it into my basket. The hair mask leaves my hair feeling super nourished, so I had high expectations for this little treatment. I decided I'd use it on my hair after washing (before blow drying to really let the treatment sink into my hair) on the days I don't use the mask. As it's an oil, I only use a small amount because I don't want to apply too much and make my hair greasy. I ensure to only apply it in the length of my hair, completely avoiding the roots - so, from the nape of the neck down pretty much. My hair is thick, so can get tangled whilst damp, so when I brush it, this oil makes this process a bit more bearable as it almost acts as a detangler. After I dry my hair, the ends where I applied the oil are left feeling smooth and silky, and looks healthy too! I love it!

Argan Oil Heat Defence Leave In Spray || £1 - I bought this from Savers, however, the website is currently closed so I can't link you up. I've tried various heat protectors over the years, but always like to change it up a bit. This one smells nice; just the same as the rest of the range. I don't tend to use much heat on my hair apart from blow drying it, and occasionally straightening it. I think my favourite thing about it is that after using heat on my hair, it doesn't go static, which is a common problem I have, especially after straightening. It does leave my hair protected so feels a bit healthier and looks shiner, and in general, it's a not bad product for the price!

I know there are even more Argan Oil products out there, so I need to get my hands on them too to fulfil the whole range! So far, at £1 a go per product, I'm hooked!

xx

A Tanning Routine💕

Fake tan is something I never ventured to trying until last year. By no means am I an expert - if anything, I'm still an amateur with the whole world of tan and I'm still learning. I've only used St Moriz (it was in deal on Superdrug then discovered it's cheap in Savers, and I refuse to spend a lot on tan) but I've recently tried a different one from them and figured I'd share it with you all.

St Moriz Tanning Mousse Dark || £2.79 - Being a pale, Scottish burd, buying a dark tanning mousse is perhaps a risky game when all I'm using to is a light-medium mousse. But hey ho, let's WING IT.

It claims there's instant colour - definitely true. It claims it's fast drying - I'd say so. It claims streak free - well, if you're me, then to an extent, yes (I'm getting better at avoiding streaks!) The fact that it's instant colour rather than gradual makes life much easier as you can quickly identify the spots that require more attention and extra tan. Initially, I'd bought this one as I was looking for a new, darker tan for New Years, but didn't want to pay a hefty price nor have to apply numerous layers either. So, here we are...

When it dries, it dries pretty dark, and at first I did panic as it was NOT expected. However, after you wash the first layer off, it calms down a bit to a beautiful, golden tan, and doesn't look orange nor overly fake in the slightest. The scent also disappears too, but as I said, this didn't bother me much in the first place. It doesn't transfer much - I've read reviews where people say their bedsheets end up covered in tan, but this isn't something I've experienced (yet!) I find that I don't need to do too many layers with it - typically, I do two layers (over two days) just to ensure it's even. Of course, you could apply a few if you're after a darker tan! I don't tan my face, therefore I can't comment on how well my skin takes it. I ensure to shave and exfoliate at least the day before I tan so that the pores aren't open/fresh skin is exposed to the tan, and this helps it to apply evenly. Additionally, after shaving and exfoliating, I apply moisturiser in the areas I struggle to apply tan on/where the tan sticks badly, ie elbows, knees etc.

Velvotan Self Tan Applicator Original Body Mitt || £3 || I did buy this originally from Savers, but with their site down, I'm unable to link you up to this exact one I'm afraid. But, one of my favourite things about Velvotan mitts is how cute the designs are, as well as how inexpensive they are - so they don't break the bank when you replace them! They're the only tanning mitts I use, and I personally love them. I'm always guaranteed to be left with a seamless, gorgeous, mainly even tan once it's dried. They don't rip easily and aren't harsh on the skin either. I'll continue to use Velvotan mitts till the day I no longer tan!!

And, that's pretty much it! My tanning routine isn't complex, nor does it occur all that often (only for special occasions/nights out). I find that the tan tends to last at least a good 4 days before going patchy, and it's at this point that I'll exfoliate it off with a pair of exfoliating gloves and body scrub.

xx

Glitter Face Masks💕*

Hands up who loves glitter?! It's impossible not to. It's sparkly and pretty, and available in so many colours. I couldn't believe it though when these face masks from T-Zone came through the door. A GLITTER face mask? Surely not! But, oh yes. And how smart of them indeed.

Zone Glitter Peel Off Mask Silver* || £2.99 || I wasn't quite sure what texture to expect. A peel off but with glitter? But, it's just your typical peel off face mask consistency (fairly thin), but the glitter, in my eyes, resembles microbeads. I find that there's a lot of face mask in the one packet; even after I apply, I find myself having leftover mask in the pack. I left it on for 10-15 minutes roughly (until I felt it was totally dry) before removing. And, boy it was dry. The pain I felt trying to remove this mask was on another level. My eyes were streaming like mad! After I finally got it off, it was totally worth the pain. My skin felt incredible; pores felt unclogged and excess oils stripped. It didn't leave it irritated, despite being a nightmare to remove, but instead, looked healthy and fresh. The mask claims that it draws out impurities, which I felt it does. It's enriched with strawflower and firming centella asiatica extract which helps keep the skin looking vibrant and glowing. It's for all skin types, but I feel is probably best suited, in my opinion, to oily to normal skin, as I feel that it'd perhaps be too harsh on dry skin when it comes to removing. 

T-Zone Glitter Peel Off Mask Black* || £2.99 || When I first seen this packet, I originally thought "charcoal face mask" - I've had some messy experiences with these in the past so panicked! Unlike the last mask, I purposely didn't leave it on as long. This time, I left it on for 5-10 minutes, so that the majority of the mask was dry. I only applied a thin layer, and was left with mask in the packet again. Rather than peeling off, I decided to try an easier method - using my Beautybay cleanser (read more here) and my PMD electronic facial cleansing brush (read more here). This made it a bit easier to wash off, and I didn't have to experience the same pain as before. It didn't impact the mask in a negative way because it still was clearly effective on my skin: I can't begin to explain how smooth my skin felt! Not only this, but my pores looked more refined and my overall skin looked glowing and radiant. Again, it's suitable for all skin types but same as the previous mask, I'd say oily-normal skin purely for the reason that it's tough to remove.

T-Zone, once again, have produced some fantastic products. Slightly disappointed with the glitter (I expected a lot of glitter but it was more like sparse microbeads), but the face masks themselves worked wonders with my skin. 

xx

*PR Samples

A Face Mask For Under £1?💕

There's not many face masks I haven't tried. I have my favourites, of course, but I also like branching out and trying new, different ones too. One of my favourite body scrubs is by the brand Bio Glow, and I'm also a fan of their body lotion, so when I seen that they did a face mask, I just had to get it to try!

Bio Glow Clean Skin Orange Peel Off Mask || 99p || Yes, you read that right: it's less than £1! Sure, sometimes I can be a bit skeptical about bargain beauty products - can they actually prove to be effective if they're as cheap as they are? But, fear not. I had high expectations for this mask due to trying products by the brand in the past. I don't tend to use peel off masks that often, but nonetheless, went ahead with it anyways. As it's in a tub, I felt I had plenty of control over the application process. It's quite a thin consistency, so I felt I didn't need too much - I only use a thin layer of face masks anyways. It's an orange mask, but in terms of scent, I don't feel that it's overly strong anyways - I was expecting to be hit by the overwhelming scent of orange, but no. This didn't bother me but I know for some people scent is a big thing, especially when it comes to sensitive skin. As I only had a thin layer on, it didn't take too long for it to dry either.

The peeling process was actually really simple and pain-free. With some peel off masks, I find it comes off in lots of tiny sections and feels as though it's ripping my skin off with it, resulting in some watery eyes! But, this one came off with ease and didn't feel sore when peeling off. To ensure it was removed fully and no excess residue was left on my face, I rinsed my face with warm water. The mask claims to unclog pores, removes dirt and impurities from the skin, leaving your skin silky, supple and fresh. This, I feel, is a pretty accurate description of the mask. My skin did feel super clean after use, and I could tell the mask had been effective. My skin was soft to touch, and to look at, appeared radiant and glowing. Sometimes some masks leave your skin feeling too tight, making it itchy, but this one thankfully doesn't have that impact on the skin.

I follow up by lathering my skin in a rich moisturiser to help keep it in tip-top condition. I really like this mask, it's one that you could probably use within your skin care routine without it being too harsh on the skin (not a daily routine, I'm talking more 2-3 times a week!) It's also cruelty free and vegan friendly, so what more could I say to try convince you?

xx

Testing Beautybay's Skincare Range💕

In the last few months, I have discovered the wonders of BeautyBay. I quickly became obsessed with their eyeshadow range (read more here) then one day, got an email to inform me that they had introduced their own skincare range. You bet I was all over that - and ended up buying a fair few items from them. After all, they were affordable too!

Super Jelly Cleansing Gel || £6.50 - The formula of this is slightly different to other cleansers I've used in the past: normally they are milk based/creamy, however this one is more of a gel and on the thicker side. Used with or without my PMD beauty brush, I love how fresh and radiant it leaves my skin. If I have foundation on, I use this to melt and remove the makeup from my face and it removes the last, final traces really well. I have found that 2-3 pumps is the perfect amount, so the bottle will last me a while. It doesn't foam up as such, but it does leave my skin feeling clean and hydrated too! 

Acid Trip Exfoliating Toner || £6.75 - As it's an exfoliating toner, I thought it might work really well for my oily skin, keeping excess oils at bay! The name "acid trip" did kind of nerve me a bit too, but after researching deeper, discovered: there are a few forms of acid-based exfoliants. These all work on different layers of the skin. A combination of AHA (glycol and lactic acid) help to refine, brighten and even the skin tone, and PHA (gluconolacctone) helps with leaving the skin softer and smoother. It does have a scent, one I can't quite describe other than being clean. I like this toner because unlike many, it actually feels beneficial: as if your pores have been closed and skin tightened yet refreshed. It doesn't make my skin feel too tight and itchy either.

Skinhit Soothing Serum || £5 - Very rarely do I use a serum, normally I just use a moisturiser and I'm good to go. However, I thought I'd treat my skin a bit more this year. Typically, I apply it after moisturiser, and truth to be told, I'm not entirely sure if that's the right or wrong thing? The idea of this serum is to help reduce the levels of sebum produced as well as the appearance of pores to provide you with a clearer complexion. It is made with niacinamide which is a skincare ingredient which prevents the build up of sebum, and copper which helps aid oil control. As a result of this, I felt it was ideal for my oily skin! So it comes with a droplet style applicator, and usually drop 2 drops worth onto my fingers. It looks as though it'll be quite oily and greasy, however, when applied to my skin, it's the complete opposite: super light-weight, almost water based too. It takes next to no time for my skin to absorb it too. I only use it at night, and when I wake up in the morning, my skin looks glowing and feels incredible too! 

Thirst Trap Rich Moisturiser || £7 - No offence to beauty bay, but the first time I smelt this, I thought of Walkers Ready Salted Crisps... sorry!! But now, all I smell is wholeness and goodness: almost like wheat or oatmeal or something?! Looking at it in the tub, it looks as though it'll be a really thick formula, but it isn't, and I kind of prefer that. I only need a tiny amount and it covers my entire face. Much like the serum, it doesn't take long for my skin to absorb the moisturiser, and when it does, doesn't leave me looks like a shiny, greasy mess. Instead, I look hydrated and moisturised. When I apply it, it doesn't even feel as though there's anything on my skin, therefore know it doesn't clog up my pores either. It would be suitable for any skin type, but especially dry skin. 

Skin Fixer Clay Mask || £7.50 - I love face masks. I always find the clay masks effective cause when they dry, they feel tight on the skin, so you know that the effects will be noticeable. This one has a thick consistency, but doesn't take long to dry - I apply a thin layer. It does have a scent, but nothing overly strong; it's rather natural, a bit like the moisturiser. Although it's a clay mask, when it washes off, it feels really creamy, like a cleanser. After, it leaves my skin looking healthy and glowing, and super soft too. I have oily skin, and it helps to keep the excess oils at bay. It's designed for oily, dry and combined skin, so no matter your skin type, it's ideal. It's not harsh on the skin, as sometimes I find if I accidentally leave my mask on too long, it almost burns my skin, but not with this one. After using, I follow up with using the cleanser, toner, moisturiser and serum to complete my skincare routine. 

I haven't been let down by the Beauty Bay skincare. Their makeup range continues to impress me, so I knew that their skincare would be top of the range too. I've only got a selection of products, there are more available too. Go on, treat yourself and your skin!

xx

A Coconut Micellar Water💕

One of the best products I've found to remove makeup is micellar water. I've always trusted the Garnier one, but over the years, have branched out to trying other ones too. A brand I've always been intrigued by is Yes To Skincare. Back in the day when I used to spend hours watching YouTube and reading blogs (when life was easy), I remember everyone talking about Yes To, but somehow never managed to get my hands on their products. Last time I made a Beauty Bay order, I stumbled upon some Yes To skincare products, some of which were in the sale, so I grabbed a micellar water of theirs since I had recently ran out of my Superdrug one.

 Yes To Coconut Ultra Hydrating Micellar Cleansing Water || £6.25 || There were a few different micellar waters available, but the coconut one did draw me in the most. I love anything coconut scented, so this one just had to be. I was really intrigued to the pump on it, and it's actually a lot easier to use than I first imagined. It ensures that I don't use too much cleanser but still provides me with enough. At first, I was a bit hesitant cause I thought it'd sting my eyes with it being coconut scented, but it doesn't bother them at all. I find it removes my makeup thoroughly, but I always double cleanse with another cleanser, followed by toner too.

It claims that it's ideal for dry skin, and I must admit, although I don't have dry skin, I could see how it'd be beneficial because it doesn't feel dehydrating nor cling to any areas. It feels very natural, almost resembling water in a way. It doesn't feel harsh or irritating on the skin; instead, it's very gentle and soothing. Thankfully, it doesn't leave that horrible greasy residue that some removers can use, and my skin does feel clean after using (I just continue my skincare routine though cause I'm obsessed, lol).

All in all, it's been interesting trying a new micellar water. I'm always intrigued by them; see how they differ from each other, if there's one better than the rest etc. It's been a nice introduction to Yes To, and I think I want to try some of their other products. Their range seems interesting, with some of the scents they have; tomato, cucumber and so on. I managed to grab this at a bargain half price of £3 and don't regret it.

xx

Expanding On My Impulse Body Mists💕*

Never over-estimate a body mist. I feel that people think of body mist and are immediately transported back in time to around 2014. Don't let your mind trick you. Remember Impulse? Well, they're still a brand, and in fact, they're actually creating some bomb-ass products at the moment. Sure, I love my perfumes, but as a top up throughout the day, body mists are my go-to, especially the Impulse ones. At £6 a go, and so many scents available, they're ideal for putting into your bag for when you're on the go. Oh, and did I mention that they're super easy to get your hands on too?

Tropical Beach + Espresso* || £6 || I don't know what it is, but I'm always immediately drawn to this one. Perhaps because the scent reminds me of holidays and Summer (not that we experience that here in Scotland...) It is a combination of coconut (my favourite) and espresso, but also a hunt of patchouli as well. It is on the sweet side, but it's not too sickly sweet - it's one I could never get bored of. It's quite a strong scent, so does last for some time. 

Purple Petals + Smoky Sky || £6 || Maybe I'm being biased by liking this one as it is infused with jasmine, white gardenia and nectarine. Although looking at the blends, you'd assume it's a floral scent: wrong. It's actually the opposite, it's sweet and somehow really nostalgic? It's one of those scents that if someone else was to spray it, I'd instantly recognise it! It's interesting that Impulse compare it to a city haze as it's not what I'd put it with. To me, it makes me think of Saturday nights, getting ready to go out with friends; a desirable and empowering scent. 

Fizzy Apple + Festival Fields* || £6 || The most unusual and fruitiest scent of my collection! The name definitely sums up the scent: fizzy apple. With a blend of citrus, apple, freesia and vanilla, each blend is noticeable and combine together to create a beautiful, summery yet fruity scent. I'd describe it as being a fresh and crisp scent; a happy and energetic one too. It's actually quite strong, and does last probably the longest out of the 3!

In all honesty, I love all 3; I couldn't pick a favourite. They're all very different to each other, and I like carrying them in my bag for handiness. I've received compliments whilst wearing all 3, and once you smell them for yourself, you'll realise why!! There are more body sprays available too, so there's something suitable for everyone.

PS: Don't forget to read about more of their body sprays here.

xx

*PR Samples

IT Cosmetics Pillow Lips💕*

My love for trying new lip products out has never faded out over the years. You can never own too many reds or too many nude shades either. Some undertones work better with different makeup looks, and different formulas are required sometimes! It was so surprised I was ecstatic when IT Cosmetics got in touch with me to try their new Pillow Lips Moisture Wrapping Lipsticks*. I was absolutely spoilt for choice with the colour selection available, and to top it off, each and every one of the colours are available in both a matte and cream finish!

I opted for 3 shades: Stellar, Vision and Like a Dream. I absolutely adore the packaging of the lipsticks: it really does match the name as it resembles a pillow in my opinion. They retail at £20 per lipstick, which for me, is quite a splurge. There is a strong scent of peppermint, but after applied, it isn't noticed.

Shade: Stellar || Looking at the lipsticks, the matte and cream versions are practically identical - to avoid confusion, I still keep them in their boxes, which are just plain white. They are a vibrant, striking red colour with some blue undertones. I, personally, outline my lips firstly with a red lipliner (just whatever I have to hand, I don't own many) before applying this just to avoid smudging and uneven application (I want to avoid the dreaded "bleeding" where the lipstick is a bit of a mess!). I find that they apply very similarly in terms of formula, regardless of the fact that one is matte and the other cream - it's the lasting power and finish that differs. The cream version has more of a shine, providing you with a glossy red lip, whereas the matte version is the complete opposite. If I'm wearing red, I like it to be bold and a block colour (because it's empowering and I live for that), however, when I wore the matte one out the other weekend, I found myself having to regularly top up as it was beginning to rub off and fade. Apart from that, its a gorgeous red lipstick that applies so well and would suit a variety of skin tones, as well as work with a lot of makeup looks. It's a classy red, so regardless of whether your wearing a natural or full-on makeup look, it'll tie it together well.

Shade: Vision || Oh how years ago, I'd never have went near nude lipsticks, now I can't get enough of them! I already own a few nude lipstick, varying in formula, so I was glad to have the same shade in both a nude and matte lipstick; I like to wear nude lipsticks for casual makeup looks, but also for more glam looks too. I really like this shade though. It's quite a warm toned nude, almost on the pink/peach side. As a result of this, it would suit a variety of people; it's one of those versatile nude shades. Again, both formulas are creamy and application is a lot easier with these due to it being lighter in colour. They don't smudge much, but I would recommend carrying if you're intending on going out for the day/night just to top off - because it is so creamy, even the matte (they aren't drying at all), it will rub off. For a nude shade, it's rich in colour too, but I love it.

Shade: Like a Dream || At first sight, I thought "oh, a pretty berry colour, my A/W favourite". However, when I apply it, it reminds me VERY much so of MAC's "Diva": a much loved lipstick by me, so I was excited to try it to see the comparison! (For those who don't know MAC Diva, it's basically a deep plum matte lipstick). When I apply it, I am very wary as I don't have a lipliner so a steady and light hand is the way forward as it is super pigmented. Thankfully, I somehow avoid making too much of a mess, but if I do need to clean it up, it doesn't stain too much and will come away easily. I wore this one day when going for lunch and ordered curry (duh!), but the lipstick didn't smudge all over my face! It came off slightly so needed a top up, but survived my food nonetheless. I know it'll be a staple during Winter/Christmas. So basically, if you love the shade Diva but hate the fact it's matte, then perhaps the gloss version of this lipstick is your desired lipstick!

Overall, I love these lipsticks. I like having the option of wearing matte or cream too. The cream is as it sounds on the tin, and the matte isn't overly drying in the slightest either - it's actually quite creamy for a matte. The colours are super vibrant due to oozing pigment, and as already mentioned, the colour range is great. There's definitely something out there for everyone!

xx

*PR Samples

£1 Hair Mask You Didn't Realise You Needed💕

Hair masks aren't something I tend to use all that often. I won't lie, I would say I'm lazy when it comes to my hair - don't bother with hair treatments, heat products or anything. Literally wash it, dry it and straighten it, that's all. Occasionally I dye it, but only dark brown - ends up not looking much darker than it actually is which is frustrating. However, on one of my many visits to Savers, I thought to myself "I'll treat my hair for a change"! I went all out with this £1 hair mask, and let me tell you something - I love it.

Argan Oil Hair Mask || 99p - one thing I've always said on this blog is to never underestimate cheap, budget beauty products, and this is one of them! I'm pretty certain I've seen a range of this Argan Oil products, which is why I ended up opting for this one over the other available masks. I felt that for 99p, a 220ml tub was pretty damn reasonable, and now that my hair is shorter, I shouldn't need as much product. I was right - I only need a small handful, and even at that, I could get away with less as it's quite a thick yet creamy formula. I wash my hair, then apply it, and I feel it just glides into my hair. Normally I just apply it, tie my hair into a bun and leave it in for 5-10 mins before washing out. It smells really nice, I expected it to not be overly pleasant, I won't lie, due to it being argan oil, but it exceeded my expectations for sure; I can't quite pin-point a scent. 

What I often find with conditioners and hair treatments is that they can be challenging to thoroughly wash out; no matter how long you rinse, there's always leftover product which result in your hair becoming greasy quicker. This being said, it's one of the main reasons why I only apply hair treatments on the length of my hair and completely avoid the roots. I like to rinse my hair for a good 1-2 minutes when washing this out as I like to ensure every last remaining product is properly removed. As soon as I wash it out, it leaves my hair feeling silky smooth, as if it gets to work almost instantly as I don't leave it in for all that long. But, the real reason why I love it so much is because it makes life easier for brushing my hair. Sometimes when I brush my hair after washing and it's still wet/damp, it has the tendency to have tugs and noughts, but when I use this, it makes my hair much more manageable and I don't feel the need to brush quite as harshly. Definitely makes a difference that way. Following blow-drying, my hair doesn't feel too dry and dehydrated, and when you touch it, it does noticeably feel softer.

I try to use this once a week if possible to keep my hair in the best condition possible. If I knew it'd leave my hair shiny and as soft as it does, I would've started using it earlier - especially for the price of £1! I know for a fact it'll be a hair mask I repurchase, and might even look into their other hair products too - a girl got to keep her hair looking slick always!

xx

The Body Shop Himalayan Face Mask💕*

I love face masks. I've tried lots of different ones and I've never settled for one. It's not because I haven't found one I love religiously, but instead, I like trying out new options and exploring the world of face masks a bit further. However, one brand's face mask I haven't ever tried is The Body Shop. I've tried their scrubs, body lotions etc, but never their masks. So, I was intrigued when this little tub of joy arrived through my letterbox.

Himalayan Charcoal Face Mask* || £18 for 75ml || In the past, I've tried charcoal face masks, and when I say they're weird, trust me, they're weird - mainly because they can be difficult to remove and then I'm stuck with a face mask on my face. So, when I seen that this Himalayan face mask was charcoal, I was low-key hesitant. It has quite a strong scent, and to me, it's quite a minty scent - the scent and texture reminds me of the Lush "Mask of Magnaminty" mask! As the scent is so strong, I feel that it may not be ideal for sensitive skin.

It has quite a thick formula, you don't really need all that much when applying, meaning the tub will last quite long. It is textured, so it feels quite odd. It's described as being a "tingling" face mask, and it's absolutely correct: it feels effective whilst on the skin, not in a burning sense but definitely a tingling effect. It doesn't take that long to dry - less than 10 minutes - and you know it's dry as it feels hard and tight on the skin, and also appears "light green" in colour. As soon as warm water touches the mask, it washes off instantly - almost in a smooth, creamy way, but mess-free at the same time.

After washing, I follow up with a cleanser and toner before moisturising. It leaves my skin feeling super soft and looks radiant. My skin definitely feels clean as it removes any impurities in the skin and absorbs excess oil. I know it's a face mask I'm going to try incorporate at least once a week.

xx

*PR Samples

The Real, Honest Truth - eBay False Lashes💕

2019 was the year I ventured into false tan; so for 2020, I discovered the world of false lashes. I wore some for my birthday last year, but my friend put them on for me. So, for NYE, I thought I'd go all out and treat myself - 45 minutes later, I finally had a pair of lashes on. I would've fallen into the novice category of false lashes - by no means am I an expert now, I'm still learning - but I bought Eylure lashes from Savers as I didn't mind paying £2.49 for a pair. I've had a fair few designs by Eylure since, but after discussing eBay lashes with my friend, I decided to order a pack - after all, if they're crap, it's only a matter of a few pounds lost.

7 Pair False Eyelashes Set || Set 6D02 || £2.99 - At that price, it equates to rough 42p per pair of lashes, and I can't complain at that price. There were so many different types of lashes - some longer than others, some more natural, some extremely dramatic and the list goes on. I opted for 6D02 because they didn't look too extreme, but damn, I was taken by surprise. They are extremely long and extra, but I love it! They don't feel like tacky plastic and certainly don't look as cheap as they were whilst on either. I felt that the band was quite long too, so I had to trim the lashes so that they would fit across my lash line as well - not necessarily a bad thing! Looking at them, I thought that they'd feel heavy on my eyes, but in actual fact, they're so lightweight I actually forgot that I was wearing any.

As I used Eylure lashes in the past, it's just the Eylure lash glue that I use to apply these, and it does the job. Perhaps my skills have just improved significantly, but I found application with these super easy! It only took me 2-3 attempts per eye - that's good for me. Because they're so long, I did struggle to put on my eyeliner and top up my eyeshadow, but this is just a minor inconvenience. When I apply them, I stick the middle part down, leave for about 15-30 seconds before fixing the ends, allow to set for around 1-2 minutes then curl them to ensure my natural lashes blend with them before coating both my lashes and the false ones with mascara. I wouldn't say that the lash band is overly noticeable due to being on the thin side as sometimes, the band can be thick and take away from the lashes themselves. They last super well too! I wore the same pair for the 3 nights I was in Dublin, and they stayed on all night, every night whilst out - and it was super windy one night, my friend and I were paranoid we hadn't glued them properly and the wind would take them off! I did fear that maybe they'd only last the one use, but they looked like new lashes each night! 

Here's some photos from two nights wearing the same pair of lashes. They're dramatic and super long, but I love it - I feel so extra! Honestly, for the price, I cannot get over them. And, you're able to reuse the same pair a few times before needing to bin them, so I think this little palette of lashes will be lasting a while. I know for a fact that I'll be trying different designs and styles in the future!

xx

Skincare Routine 2020💕*

It's been a while since I last did an in-depth, updated skincare routine! My products of use have changed slightly, with some newbies and some oldies. I used to be right into my skincare, then I started slacking, and now that it's 2020, I want to have that glowing skin back, so I've forced myself to get back into my old ways and love my skin again.

Beauty Formulas Cucumber Scrub || 99p - One of my many finds in Savers: never underestimate the place, I find some right bargains! In terms of a facial scrub, I don't use them on the daily; I just use some soap to wash my face, but a face scrub 2-3 times a week.  Some facial scrubs I find can be quite harsh on the skin - they feel extremely gritty and sore - but this one is the opposite. It's gentle on the skin, yet feels effective at the same time. As it's cucumber, it's very soothing and beneficial on the skin. It lathers up surprisingly well for a facial scrub, and I love how smooth and radiant it leaves my skin. Definitely recommend it - so go have a nosy in your local Savers! I hadn't ever heard of the brand "Beauty Formulas" but I certainly want to try more of their products.

Garnier Natural Rose Cleansing Milk || £2.49 - I absolutely love a good cleanser, especially if it's a milk based one. The Garnier one I have used before, in conjunction with the rose toner, and I loved it, so when I decided to get a new cleanser, I immediately opted for this one. The scent is beautiful - floral, as the name would suggest - but the cleanser is designed for sensitive skin so it wouldn't irritate it too much, especially as it's not overpowering and is rather delicate. It has quite a thin formula, so I find that only a small amount, about the size of a 10p coin, is all that's require. I use it alongside my PMD.

PMD Clean* || £89 - I've never used a facial brush, so I was extremely excited to try this one by PMD! I've read a lot about PMD, so was intrigued to see if they're worth investing in. It has a total of 4 vibration modes, and which one you select depends upon the thorough cleanse you wish for. I tend to choose either option 1 or 2 as I feel it works best with my skin. I won't lie - the first time I used it, I felt dizzy. It was the weirdest sensation ever across my forehead, but after that, I never noticed this apparent dizziness. I apply the cleansing milk after washing my face, then use option 1 or 2 to help "work" the milk into my skin, then rinse it off using warm water, and oh my - I can't express how fresh, glowing and healthy my skin looks, plus it feels super soft and all round amazing! It's waterproof and suitable for all skin types, so I can't recommend it enough. If you feel you have a problematic area, PMD recommend spending up to a minute using the brush purely on this one area as it helps improve the issue. Recommend for people of all ages with all skin concerns as it's not too harsh whilst using.

Boots Fragrance Free Facial Toner || £1.50 - I feel a toner is an essential product for finishing off a skincare routine as you really feel the benefits of it as soon as you use it - it helps to remove any final traces of dirt, oils and impurities, close the pores as well as tighten them. For me, it leaves my skin feeling super fresh and cleansed. Use it before moisturising to prepare your skin for the final product. I've tried a fair few toners, but always end up repurchasing this one because I find that it works the best, and the price is purse-friendly too. It's fragrance free, meaning it'll work for all skin types. I've never had any problems with this toner, and it's one my skin likes (ie doesn't break me out, cause redness etc) therefore will keep repurchasing. Boots also do a cucumber version of their skincare range too if you're looking for something different!

Boots Fragrance Free Moisturising Cream || £1.50 - I used to believe the myth that if you have oily skin, you shouldn't moisturise.. if I could tell my younger self, it'd be to ignore that! I now love moisturising my skin. I like to use one that has a fairly thick consistency, which is why I opt for this Boots one. Although it's kind of on the thick side, it feels very lightweight and non-greasy on the skin: my skin soaks it up fairly quickly. It's enriched with vitamins and anti-oxidants, so it's also friendly on your skin. I like how hydrated it leaves my skin, and helps lock in all the goodness from the previous steps. As it's fragrance free, I think it'd work really well on all skin types, especially dry skin due to it's thick formula. I love slapping this on both morning and night as I don't need to wait around for a while waiting on it drying.

I'm really glad to have got back into the swing of things in terms of skincare. I have noticed that my skin looks healthier, and I haven't had many, if any, break outs this month. Additionally, I have started drinking more water and green tea, and eating more fruit too, so perhaps combining this with a skincare routine has worked wonders.

xx

*PR Samples

A Makeup Remover Stick?💕

I go through phases where I pay carefully attention to my skin and how I remove makeup as I do the whole works; micellar water, toner etc. Then, other times, I'm really lazy and just use a wipe. In general, there's no in-between. I didn't intend on buying a makeup remover stick, but when I was buying items from MUA in Superdrug, they had a deal and the stick was a "free gift". So, here we are. Let me tell you all about it.

MUA Pro Base Makeup Remover Stick || £5 - So the idea behind this stick is that it helps dissolve your makeup, making the removal process quicker and easier. I will be brutally honest and admit that it is quite messy. Perhaps I just haven't found a solution to use it properly yet. All I do is scroll the stick up and in circular motions, wipe across my face, dampen my hands and work the remover into my skin. However, when I wash it off using a wet face cloth/flannel, it does actually remove all traces of makeup really well, including foundation and mascara. Yes, it removes eye makeup so no need to worry about it irritating your eyes.

One thing I do hate about this product is the way it leaves my skin feeling after using a cloth to remove - it feels extremely greasy, and almost waxy in a sense. Therefore, I find I need to use a face wash of some sort to remove the excess greasiness, but this also throughly cleanses my skin too. However, after washing my face properly, it does leave my skin glowing, radiant, and feeling clean and soft. It is more time consuming than using other makeup removers, such as micellar water. If I'm wearing a full face of makeup - which would include foundation, contouring etc - sometimes I carry out the routine twice, just to ensure that I've properly removed everything. But, I find I often end up with foundation and other makeup all over the stick, which is a bit disgusting as it builds up rapidly. This means that I'm essentially spreading bacteria across my face, so maybe I need to find an alternative way to use it. Apart from that, it does remove the makeup quite well, and for the price, I can't complain.

All in all, it's not a bad product. It does have a few cons, but I can deal with them as it does serve it's purpose and works well. As I said, I can't complain too much as it is only £5. It'd be ideal for perhaps travelling as it's small therefore wouldn't take up much room in a case/bag.  If you're looking to try a new makeup remover, give this a shot! You'll be surprised.

xx