My Everyday Makeup

On an everyday basis, I don't like wearing too much makeup. This collection might look like quite a lot but it's a very natural look. I can suffer with quite problematic skin so tend to spend a little more time on my base. I keep my eye makeup very simple with a little mascara and eye liner. My lips again, are kept very simple with a slightly tinted lip balm to keep my lips smooth and soft.

Before applying any makeup, I apply my Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel which came as part of a trio with a cleanser and toner. It applies beautifully and allows my makeup to glide on effortlessly. Next, I apply my Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer (review here) and my Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat (reviewed here).

Next I apply my foundation which is L'Oreal Infallible Lasting Perfecting Foundation in the shade Porcelain and I apply this with my Real Techniques foundation brush. Next I fill in my eyebrows with Sleek MakeUP's Brow Kit. I then set my base with Rimmel London Clear Complexion Powder and apply my bronzer to my contours using an angled brush. I then apply my new favourite blush, Sleek MakeUP blusher in Rose gold (reviewed here) with my Real Techniques blush brush.

Next, I apply my Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara which is my favourite mascara at the moment. I sweep this across my upper and lower lashes for length and volume. I then apply my Barry M Super Soft Eye Crayon to the outer third of my waterline. Next, I apply Benefits Sun Beam to my cheek and brow bones. I then apply Nivea Soft Rose Lip balm (reviewed here) and away I go.

 

Review: The Body Shop Vitamin E Range

 

For Christmas, I got the Vitamin E gift set from The Body Shop which is great because like me, I'm sure most of you are suffering with a little dry skin in the latter part of these winter months. I don't actually own a lot of The Body Shop's products, so when I received this gift set I immediately set out to find out the most I could about the range. I found out about Vitamin E is that it is full of antioxidants which help protect the skin from damage caused by environmental factors and other cell damaging factors like ultraviolet light which can help prevent against sun burn. It also contains anti-ageing benefits by minimising the signs of fine lines and wrinkles (It's always good to start early!). In my gift set I got the Cream Cleanser, Hydrating Toner, Moisture Cream and the Nourishing Night Cream.

 

Vitamin E Cream Cleanser 



 

I have to say, I'm not totally into cleansers. I love trying them out but I tend to stick to my Simple Cleansing wipes. When I first used this cleanser I noticed that it has quite a thin, silky texture. It didn't have a strong perfumed smell which is a massive bonus for me as I hate putting too many "unnatural" things on my face. Before using the cleanser I removed the bulk of the make up on my face with  my facial wipes and to remove my eye make up. when using the cleanser I found that even a small amount of this cleanser spreads around my face really well with still enough to have a scrub for a slightly deeper cleanse. I found that it removed any left over bits of make up, dirt and oils from my face really well and it left my skin feeling clean, refreshed and silky smooth! I found that since using this cleanser on and off for 2 weeks it has helped prevent my skin for getting too dry or flaky and it leaves it looking dewy rather than oily. I really like this cream cleanser but I'm not sure if it's converted me from cleansing wipes. You can pick this Vitamin E Cream Cleanser up from The Body Shop for £8.

 

Vitamin E Hydrating Toner

 

I have a real problem with toners. I hate how most of them make my skin feel tight and dry. And it's quite difficult to find a toner with a small amount of alcohol when most of them have as much alcohol in them as a bottle of vodka! Let's be honest here, alcohol isn't good for your body so why put it on you face?! But luckily, although this toner does contain alcohol, it's a lot less than other toners I've used and thrown away. This means it doesn't leave my skin feeling tight or dry! The toner is a clear liquid that seems to be slightly thicker than water. It lays on my skin for a while but I always blot it with a tissue. This is the best toner I've used and even though I don't often use toners, it may have converted me. You can get this Vitamin E Hydrating Toner from The Body Shop for £8.

 

Vitamin E Moisture Cream and Nourishing Night Cream

 

 

Both these creams are advertised as being for all skin types. The Moisture Cream soaks into my skin really well keeping it hydrated all day with adding excess oils to my already oily t-zone. The Nourishing Night Cream is a little thicker that the moisture cream and sits on the skin for quite a while, which isn't a feeling I like but I wake up in the morning with super soft and smooth skin. You can buy the Vitamin E Moisture Cream and Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream from The Body Shop for £4 each.

 

 

Simple Spotless Skin Range Review

If you follow my blog then you will know that I love the Simple range! I featured the Simple Spotless Skin Anti-Blemish moisturiser in my October Favourites and I promised a product review along with the Simple Spotless Skin Quick Fix Cleansing Wipes. I bought these products on a whim at my local Superdrug. I had some pennies to spare and I must admit, I love trying new skin care products. I bought the moisturiser because the cold air has well and truly creeped in and it's always a sensible idea to get a moisturiser for the A/W months. I decided to get the wipes because I've used the regular Simple Cleansing Wipes for years and thought that if these wipes would truly make my skin 'Spotless' then why not give them a try. They contain Zinc and Chamomile and are advertised as having 2-4 spot fighting ingredients and 1 natural antibacterial ingredient along with their usual no perfumes or colours.

The Wipes
When I first opened the Cleansing Wipes I noticed that they have quite a strong smell which surprised me because the Simple brand have always said that they use no perfumes so I just put it down to being a natural perfume from the spot fighting ingredients. Sadly, I don't think these wipes helped with my skin at all, if anything they made it worse. I know that you have to give new skin care products enough time to work, as you skin has to get used to the new ingredients in the products but I've been using these wipes for a month and I haven't seen any benefits. I don't think I would repurchase these, I'll stick my good old regular Simple wipes. On a plus, I always found that the wipes never dried out as long as I kept the lid closed fully.

The Moisturiser
Although the wipes didn't work out for me, I love this moisturiser. It hasn't got any harsh smell and leaves my skin feeling super smooth. I apply it before I got to sleep and in the morning before applying my make up. My only grievance is that it takes a while to soak into my skin in the mornings which can be time consuming when I'm in a rush. Although I love this cream, I don't think I will be repurchasing this either just because I love buying and trying new moisturisers.

Now that I've used up all my wipes I'm going to continue using the moisturiser on its own to see if it works as an anti-blemish moisturiser. I will do an update post on this moisturiser at the end of the month to let you all know.