Lush Tea Tree Water Toner Water Review

I am not quite sure as to why I bought this product. I was in the Lush store in Bluewater picking up a new bubblegum lip scrub, saw this on the display and waltzed over to the checkout with it in hand. Tea tree is known for it's antibacterial nature and spot fighting properties. Even though it sounds like a wonder product for me who fights blemishes on a regular occurrence, I have certainly not had the best experience with other products using the same ingredient. Additionally, I have never been one for raving on about using toners in your skincare routine - honestly I have probably only ever tried one toner in my entire life. Evidently that didn't phase me and I bought the smallest 100g bottle to try out.

Without sounding too dramatic, I am so glad I bought this stuff. I normally use a skincare product for at least a couple months before reviewing it, but I have only been using this toner for just over a week and I can already see a difference in my skin. It has really helped clear up those pesky under the surface spots to an extent in which I can wear a tinted moisturiser and be content with how my skin looks. No concealer (except under the eyes, obviously). The ingredient of antiseptic acid has prevented my skin from gaining extra spots whilst also cleaning the skin after cleansing.

To use, I simply spray a little onto a cotton pad and apply it all over my face (avoiding the eye area). It feels super refreshing and gives a slight tingly sensation which, in my opinion, means something is actually happening! If you have active breakouts - ones you have recently aggravated - then it may sting, but not to the extent of pain. It does make the skin appear extremely red afterwards, but after a few minutes it should fade and you'll be left with perfectly clean skin.

After using this product I have realised how much of a necessity toner, in general, is in my skincare routine. Despite double cleansing in the evening, I still manage to remove scraps of makeup with the toner which just shows that cleansing does not clean everything. If you suffer from breakouts and are looking for a toner or a product that may help you out, I totally recommend this Lush tea tree toner.

Like I previously mentioned, as I have only been using it for just over a week, if anything changes or I have noticed anything, I will add to the end of this post. Have a great day and week x

L'Oreal Ever Riche Nourishing & Flowing Review

I find it really hard to discover shampoo and conditioner that doesn't aggravate my scalp. At one point, the only brand I could even attempt to use was Head & Shoulders which is possibly the least glamorous hair brand ever. Yes, it cleaned my hair which is the main purpose, yet nowadays hair products do and offer so much more than that. Since my hair has become a little more resilient to other brands, I've been using the TRESemme brand. I love all their shampoos and conditioners with my favourite being the salon silk line - they not only clean my hair but make it super soft and manageable for styling. Recently I have read so many reviews on the L'Oreal hair care line. I have never tried L'Oreal haircare, but as a huge fan of their skincare and makeup I thought I'd give the most blogged about L'Oreal Ever Riche a whirl.

So far I am really loving both the shampoo and conditioner. First of all I must address the scent. To me they both smell like vanilla with hints of macadamia and I absolutely love it. They are definitely the best smelling hair care products I have tried. Out of the different versions I opted for the "nourishing and flowing" duo and I am super happy with my choice. Not only do they make my hair feeling super soft to the touch but also tame a lot of the frizz I struggle with as well as making it easier for me to straighten and style in the morning. Thankfully they haven't aggravated my scalp so far *touch wood*!

Overall if you're looking for an affordable shampoo and conditioner that actually works, give the L'Oreal offerings a go. Both are normally £5.99, but you can always find them in special 3 for 2 offers! xo

REN Clarity Restoring Mask Review

Ever since I can remember REN skincare has been such a staple brand in my skincare routine. I religiously use the Clarifying Clay Cleanser every morning and evening and have done so for the past six months. When I first bought the cleanser I also picked up Clarity Restoring Mask from the same range and never actually got round to sharing my thoughts.

Marketed as an anti-blemish treatment and targeted at those with problem skin, the mask is said to combat the three key causes of breakouts and blemishes: excess sebum, the build up of dead skin cells and bacteria. It is said to visibly reduce blemishes and leave the skin looking clear, calm and even-toned by lightening the appearance of pigmented scars and reducing pore size and redness.

I've been using this for the past few months, twice a week, and it is really comfortable and refreshing to apply and wear. It isn't like your typical face mask whereby it dries and goes dry. Instead you just leave it on for 15 minutes and it is still the same as when you first applied it. Even though it is like I said more comfortable to wear on the skin, I do prefer masks where I can visibly see it removing dirt and actually clearing the skin. However, after the 15 minuets my skin does feel much cleaner without that "tight" feeling you get after some masks. I cannot comment on whether it lightens the appearance of pigmented scars, yet I do find it does reduce a little redness especially around my nose. The mask definitely does make your skin feel clean and refreshed, but honestly I don't think it has done anything to help with preventing breakouts which is unfortunate. Nevertheless I still enjoy using it and will continue to do so, I just follow it up with my favourite mask which does make a difference to my skin.

So, is it worth the £30? If you're on the hunt for a mask that will cure your blemish prone skin then this isn't for you. But if you are looking for a mask that will thoroughly clean and reduce a little redness, then this REN offering may be what you need. Skincare is tough to recommend so I hope this helped :)

Full Coverage, Luminous Foundation Routine

In foundations I tend to look for ones with medium to full coverage. But the problem I find is that I normally hate the finish of majority of them; way too matte, normally cling to dry areas and just don't look as nice as a lighter coverage, dewy finish foundation. And that's where specially formulated primers come into action.

Pairing a matte foundation with a dewy skin primer will give you the coverage of the foundation yet the appearance of luminous and fresh skin. My favourite for this is the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light primer. It's a white lotion with small light reflecting particles that instantly make the skin appear more awake. It absorbs really quickly and feels so lightweight and cooling on the skin, I love it. I do prefer it to the Laura Mercier Radiance Primer - this L'Oreal dupe is cheaper and just as effective.

The foundation that I love to pair the primer with is Esteé Lauder Double Wear. It is medium coverage that can be built up to a full coverage. The reason why I particularly love this pairing is because the Esteé Lauder foundation can be a little drying and, especially if you have dry skin, a radiant primer will help make any foundation in fact more comfortable to wear.

I suggest you give this primer a go, in particular if you love the Laura Mercier one and may want a cheaper alternative that's equally as good. You can pick it up for £9.99 at most stores x x x

Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara Review

Brows are one of those features that complete any look. I use charcoal brown eyeshadow by Mac on an everyday basis as it's the perfect shade for dark brown hair and I set it with a clear brow gel also by Mac. I have never tried a coloured brow gel before so I thought I'd try the new Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara - it comes in three shades, I went for the darkest which is dark brown.

And I'm afraid to report there isn't a single aspect I can rave about for this product.

First of all the wand is a ridiculous shape. The majority of people have thicker eyebrows that lead into a thinner tail, right? Yet the bizarre circular wand tip of this mascara certainly is not suitable for this. As it is a dark colour - it really is hard to cover all the hairs, especially on the thinner areas, without getting it all on the skin! Regardless of the colour, I just don't think that it's a good brow mascara in general. Granted the majority of gels do make the eyebrows feel "crispy", but none are as a extreme as this. It seems to take a while to dry and the colour seems easily transferable if you don't wait for it to set.

I can most definitely see where Maybelline are coming from in terms of design with this product, but I just think the practicality of the wand just isn't there. All in all, I think I shall be sticking to my trusty clear Mac brow gel in the future. If you are interested in trying this, it costs £4.99 x x x

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette Details

I for one am super excited about the release of the new Naked palette by Urban Decay.

The palette, which will be called Naked 3, will feature 0.05oz brand new and exclusive eyeshadows. Now you may be thinking: what's the difference between this and the previous two Naked palettes?

Firstly, the hues. The new offering has focused the eyeshadows around pink and brown hues in a range of both matte and shimmer finishes. Compared to the original Naked palette which had bronze hued neutrals and the second edition with taupe hued neutrals.

All of the eyeshadows in the new Naked 3 palette are completely brand new. What I didn't like about the second edition was how similar, and how many replicates, of the original palette were included. It was a bit pointless for people who already had the original, in my opinion. So I'm glad that Urban Decay have used twelve new shades in the latest edition. Also, there is wide range of finishes - perfect for all looks.

The shades:
Strange - a very light pink, almost beige (matte)
Dust - light metallic pink (metallic)
Burnout - almost peachy pink (satin)
Limit - pale dusty rose (matte)
Buzz - metallic light rose gold (metallic)
Trick - warm pink peach (metallic)
Nooner - medium pink brown (matte)
Factory - light pink toned mauve (shimmer)
Mugshot - metallic taupe (metallic)
Darkside - deepest taupe (matte)
Blackheart - almost black with red accents (glitter)

Freebies! With the original Naked palette came with a double ended 24/7 eyeliner and the second came with a mini lip junkie plus a double ended good karma brush. In the new Naked palette we are treated to a brand new good karma duo brush plus four mini primer potion samples of all the shades. I personally adore the Urban Decay brushes as they are of a really high quality and last forever.

So there we have it! The new Naked 3 palette will be available here in the UK mid December and will cost presumedly around the £36-£40 mark. Just in time and perfect to add to your Christmas wish list...

What Beauty Products Does Kylie Jenner Use? Her Makeup Must Haves

Kylie Jenner is the youngest Kardashian member and, at just sixteen, already seems to have adopted her own style. Following in the footsteps of her three older sisters, Kylie is a regular face on the red carpet in America and, in each photo it appears, she leans towards a neutral eye with a bright bold lip.

Flawless skin
Her skin looks immaculate in all red carpet photos. Her secret? Celebrity favourite Giorgio Armani luminous silk foundation. This cult foundation is used by the likes of her sisters Kim and Kourtney as well as the gorgeous Megan Fox. Available in a vast shade range there will be a shade to suit everyone. For concealer, Kylie has admitted to using Chanel Vitalumiére Aqua makeup for under the eyes and for extra coverage on blemishes. Her shade is 20 beige. Her favourite concealer that she can't live without is the YSL Anti-Cernes. Lastly, to set everything Kylie either uses the Make Up Forever HD Powder or for extra colour, the bareMinerals Matte SPF foundation in Fair 1C. The latter she claims to wear every day.

Adding colour and dimension
Kylie seems to wear natural pink and coral blushes such as Blush Of Youth by MAC. It is limited edition however Tarte's Amazonian Clay blush in Tipsy is very similar. For bronzer, she uses Sun Dipped by MAC.

Opening up the eyes
Her eyelashes always look incredible and Kylie constantly praises two Lancôme mascaras. First is the Hypnose Doll House Lashes which she uses on her bottom lashes, and the second is Hypnose Drama for the top lashes. Her mascara obsession must cost a lot - each mascara is worth nearly $30! Kylie also seems to rave about the Hypnose Star mascara, also by Lancôme. In each of her looks Kylie 9 times out of 10 is sporting a cat eye with winged out liner. For this dramatic look she uses Stila's Stay All Day waterproof liquid eyeliner in Intense Black. Her eyeshadow always looks very neutral and it appears to mainly uses the Lorac Baked Eyeshadow Trio in Starry-Eyed, a mix of shimmery gold shades.

Bold lips
With her sisters mainly gearing towards a nude lip, Kylie on the other hand opts for a bold lip. And it definitely suits her. That being said, she does sometimes wear a baby pink lip (pictured above is Angel by MAC). Her go-to red lipstick is Red Racer by MAC and for a matte red, she loves Ruby Woo also by MAC.

So there we have it!

Kylie's simple, yet put together, regular makeup look. Don't forget to check out my Megan Fox and Kylie's half sister, Kim Kardashian's most used beauty products post! Next week: Mila Kunis!

Products mentioned: Giorgio Armani luminous silk foundation, Chanel Vitalumiére Aqua makeup in 20 beige, YSL Anti-Cernes concealer, MUFE HD powder, bareMinerals matte foundation in fair 1c, Blush of Youth blush by MAC, Sun Dipped bronzer by MAC, Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in tipsy, Lancôme Hypnose doll house lashes mascara, Lancôme Hypnose drama mascara, Lancôme Star mascara, Stila Stay All Day waterproof liquid eyeliner in intense black, Lorac Baked Eyeshadow Trio in starry-eyed, MAC lipsticks in angel, red racer and ruby woo

MAC Divine Night Flair For Finery lipstick and cremesheen lipglass

I was debating whether to post this as I believe both are already sold out on the Mac cosmetics website, but I have just checked other websites such as Debenhams, House of Fraser and Selfridges and they still have some of the products available. Hurry though, as they are limited edition!

By the way, I must start by saying the lipstick swatches on the website for this collection are horrifically wrong. On the website, the lipstick Flair for Finery appears as a medium, rose toned pink which is totally the opposite of what it is. Just make sure you research the shades before you buy online :)

Flair for Finery is the name of both the lipstick and cremesheen glass in the new Mac holiday collection called Divine Night. I would describe both as a light pink-based nude (just think of a hybrid of Creme D'Nude and Creme Cup). Basically, my idea of the perfect lip colour. The lipstick has really good colour payoff and, for a cremesheen formula, lasts a decent amount of time. And the cremesheen glass is really surprisingly pigmented and I absolutely adore the milky pink shade. Together they make a perfect nude lip.

I also love the packaging of the collection with gold accents instead of the regular silver. I'm not really a fan of completely revamped packaging (anyone remember the outrageous Hello Kitty collection?) so the simple addition of gold detailing this year looks really nice. My only criticism is not about the product itself but about the price! As they are limited edition the prices seem to rocket with the lipstick being £16.50 and the cremesheen glass at a crazy £19. Bit annoying, but all is redeemed by the shades.

Definitely check to see if they are still available online and in stores x

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub Review

It's nearing the winter season which means cold mornings, hideous weather and, unfortunately, dry skin and dry lips. Although I do love this time of year (bonfire night, Christmas and the new year), I am not particularly a fan of the weather. Today I thought I'd share my favourite lip treatment that will definitely come in handy during these next few months. Warning: you may get slightly addicted to the taste and just start eating it randomly and not actually use it for it's true purpose...

Lush have a range of lip scrubs that I think are amazing. They come in four amazing flavours including one that tastes like mint chocolate chip and one of actual popcorn. My favourite is the the bubblegum lip scrub which tastes like a hybrid of bubblegum (obviously) and candy floss. It's so tasty, I can't even describe.

What I love the most about these however are the fact they are edible and, once you've applied it, you literally get to eat it. They are obviously beneficial for your lips - by clearing dead skin and flakiness whilst leaving them moisturised and smooth - but, come on, skincare you can eat?!

They have just released a special limited edition flavour named Santa's Lip Scrub which apparently tastes just like coca-cola. A little random for a christmas scent, but I'm not complaining! You can pick these up for £5.50 at Lush stores and online x x x

Why you need Hydraluron in your routine

Everyones skincare routine is tailored to suit specific needs and requirements. Some may include a skin renewing serum whilst someone else may religiously use an acne treatment gel. There are some products, however, that I believe everyone should use, regardless of skin type and condition. Including this.

Hydraluron is a facial moisturise boosting serum used to increase skin hydration. Simple as that. The geniuses behind this product, Indeed Labs, are the first to produce a product containing a pure form of hyaluronic acid, the star ingredient that holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. The hyaluronic acid reaches deep skin layers to boost the skin's ability to moisturise itself whilst also minimising the appearance of deep wrinkles and improving skin's elasticity. The other key ingredient is red marine algae. Sounds gross, I know, but incredibly important as it increases cell turnover (when dead skin cells are replaced with younger, new ones), firmness, elasticity and smoothness. 

Applying the product couldn't be any easier. Simply apply a small amount of the serum onto clean skin before using any other creams, lotions and your moisturiser both in the morning morning and at evening. 

When I first tried it I was surprised at how non-sticky and how easily the product sinks into the skin. Marketed as a serum, and having used Esteé Lauder ANR, I assumed it would leave a slight greasy feel. Not the case. It dissolves instantly after working it in which is perfect for mornings if in a rush and perhaps don't have the time to wait. It has no scent which is what I love in skincare products and great for those with sensitive skin. Every time I use the product, especially at night, I can 100% see the improvement in my skin. For me, the main difference I notice is the change in texture and how much smoother and softer my skin is. It makes my skin look more awake, like I've had a caffeine kick.

The result? Hydrated, nourished and plumped up skin.

So far, I absolutely love this product and highly recommend to everyone. It's such a simple to use product that has insane, and noticeable, benefits. Check out Indeed Labs other products, too x x x

October favourites: Beauty, fashion, music

Happy first of the month!

It's favourites time yet again! October is definitely of one of my favourite months and I'm sad to see it ending, but it also signifies and brings into realisation that christmas is just around the corner (8 weeks, precisely). I have a wide array of favourite this month in all categories; beauty, fashion, music and, of course, randoms.

Starting with beauty favourites, I've been using Laura Mercier's oil free tinted moisturiser on a near enough everyday basis. I love how lightweight the product feels on the skin and yet still covers the majority of imperfections. I would class it as medium coverage with definitely the power to create fuller coverage. It's super easy to apply and helps to keep oils at bay for the whole day. Laura Mercier definitely know how to create perfect bases and this tinted moisturiser is one of my all time favourites in general.

Near enough all the rest of my beauty faves fit in the eye category. For my most used eyeshadow combo this month I have been loving applying Mac eyeshadow All That Glitters on the lid with Quarry quite heavily packed through the crease using a 217 brush. The 217 is the perfect tool for effortlessly applying colour to the crease and I can't live without it; I'm almost contemplating purchasing another. I have found myself reaching for L'Oreal's False Lash Telescopic more than my favourite American duo.  It lengthens the lashes like you would not believe and looks exceptionally amazing on the bottom lashes.

I've been wearing this Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in the shade Tokyo and I really like it. The colour is a gorgeous rose pink and looks super pretty on. My only criticism is that, as they are so creamy, they don't have the best staying power and I find myself reapplying every hour or so. Annoying, but the colour is great.

- Urban Outfitters ecote motocross drape jacket, £68
- Zara checked shirt with contrasting collar, £25.99
- American Apparel corduroy circle skirt, £44
- Miss Selfridge gold trim faux leather biker jacket, £52
- American Apparel disco pants, £74

Autumn fashion basically involves layers. Now that we are transitioning into winter however I've been wearing tights with pretty much every outfit - yes, even with jeans. I get that cold. I love wearing tights with high waisted skirts, especially the American Apparel circle skirts (my favourites are burgundy and navy blue) - they come in very autumnal appropriate colours and go with almost anything. Collared shirts, in particular, look so cute tucked into skirts and very put together. This one by Zara, a tartan inspired checked shirt with contrasting white collar, is my absolute favourite. It can be simply dressed down by pairing it with dark skinny jeans or dressed up by adding leather shorts, black heels and statement jewellery.

Another go-to piece for autumn/winter has to be disco pants. For the best quality and colour range check out American Apparel (loving the cranberry colour)! Jackets are also a autumn into winter staple - not as warm as a fully lined coat, but still something for the cold weather. I love this Urban Outfitters ecote motocross drape jacket, it just looks amazing. For more warmth, faux leather jackets are a must. Pictured is a gorgeous biker jacket by Miss Selfridge which will go with almost every outfit and looks super stylish.

Music favourites!

I have been loving Miley Cyrus' album Bangerz which came out at the start of the month and especially the songs Maybe Your Right and Adore You. She has certainly received a negative reputation over the past few weeks, namely for her two recent music videos (you know the ones), but nevertheless the songs on her album are really well produced and executed. Definitely check my two favourites out, even if you're not particularly a fan of her. Haim's The Wire has been on repeat for this month. It's way too catchy and will get in your head and stay there for the whole day. I still love it regardless!

One of my closest friends has an obsession with the band Fall Out Boy. I never understood their obsession and wasn't a fan of their rock-esque music. Now after listening to their new album Save Rock and Roll I've completely my opinion. My favourite songs on the album are Young Volancoes and Just One Yesterday. Check out the full album here! Now it cannot be a proper music favourites without a One Direction song. Just yesterday they released Story Of My Life on iTunes and I have already played it over ten times. I'm so excited for their new album out at the end of November - hurry up!

Ok. I'll be honest. My "random" favourites this month hands down beat my fashion, beauty AND music favourites. And the collage above possibly is one of the most bizzare and unusual group of photos ever.

The first picture is of the cast of my new favourite show The Walking Dead. Quick synopsis: a group of Americans try to survive by killing zombies. Now I personally am not a fan of gore, and yes they didn't rate the show an 18 (or R in America) for no reason, but I thoroughly recommend watching an episode or two. I watched series 1, 2 and 3 in around two weeks, and now that season four has just started, I'm hooked again. I love the storyline, the characters are amazing with a good amount of British actors - Rick, the lead character, was in Love Actually, and it's so gripping. Definitely start from the first series though and I promise you'll be hooked in no time. Season four is on every Friday at 10pm on Fox.

Next is a book, The Fault In Our Stars, that I haven't been able to put down since I started reading it. I have yet to finish, but I am nearing the end, but I still think it deserves a mention in my favourites post. John Green, the author, perfectly depicts the life of a young girl suffering from cancer with heart and emotion yet with small doses of static humour and, of course, a beautiful love story intertwined. I've already cried, laughed and smiled like an absolute idiot at the pages, and I highly suggest you give it a read.

If you don't know who the boy in the third picture is then what is your life. I'm kidding, but still, Luke Friend from the current series of The X Factor is, in my opinion, the best contestant who I sincerely hope will win. He's so unique and has such an amazing voice. I'm no Simon Cowell, but it's a "yes" from me :P

Another favourites post complete, another month finished! I'm not particularly looking forward to November, but at least it means that December is getting closer. And we all love December, adios x x x