The Birthday Wishlist 2014

My sisters always buy me what they think I will like present wise, not what I ask for.  I have specifically asked for money this year, however a request for gift ideas have been asked for.  If they deviate from the simple request, hopefully they will choose something from this list of  carefully cultivated items.

Gentlewoman by Enitan Bereola

Never Wrestle with a Pig - Mark McCormack

Jack Wills Berridge Merino Crew - size 8 (Navy)

Jack Wills Latchmere Cardigan - size 8 (Pink)

Jack Wills Beckside Crew - size 8 (Navy)

Joules Islington Womens Postcard purse - Dark Aqua

Joules Islington Womens Postcard Purse - Dark Pink

Joules Brindley Pheasant Umbrella - (yes an umbrella, 

you know what the British weather is like)

TM Lewin knot cufflinks

TM Lewin Vouchers

MAC  Vouchers

Space NK Vouchers

Money 

The Skin Project - Face Masks and Treatments

Hello lovelies this post is a day late but could not be helped I'm afraid. I have been lain up in bed all weekend with all sorts of aches and pains accompanied by horrendous sneezing. Not to worry I am feeling  much better after plying myself with vitmain c, water and Innocent Smoothies all weekend. While I am on the mend, I thought I would write up this weeks entry for #TheSkinProjectSeries.

This week the skin project started by Lianne over at www.thebrunettesays.co.uk is all about face masks and treatments. I must admit that I do not have many treatment but I am someone who loves a face mask. High or low money is not a deciding factor when I purchase a face mask or treatment, I am in for the results aka the way my skin feels after I have applied the treatment/mask.

Face masks are used to treat a host of skin ailments, combat ageing,  provide moisturising/hydrating properties and some even offer gentle exfoliating. The number of active ingredients in facemasks vary according to skin type and remedy.

Due to my skin type being Oily/Sensitive and Blemish prone I tend to stick to clay based face masks and chemical exfoliators. However there is alot of love in my heart and space on my potions counter for the Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Face Mask, especially now during the winter months. I find myself popping it on here and there during the week to give my skin a quick boost.

My Favorite Clay masks:

The Body Shop Seaweed Ionic Clay mask - My absolute favourite from the bunch. This is highly effective as a spot treatment.

                                                         


Avon Clearskin Pore Penetrating Black Mineral Mask - Don't sleep on the Avon skincare, they currently own Liz Earle. This is a light clay mask, great for drawing spots to the surface.

                                                                     

Superdrug Mud Therapy Aloe
                                                               
These three are my favourites honorable mentions go to the Origins Active Charcoal Mask, it was nice but I can live without it in my skincare routine.

Treatments:

REN F10 Smooth and Renew Mask - this is a gentle chemical exfoliator.

                                                           


REN Glycolic Mask - This is a more suited to my oily blemished skin. It has a strong citrus scent. It is a bit stronger (stronger is a fluid term) then the Smooth and Renew mask but just as lovely if not even more so.

                                                           


Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel - A cult beauty product for a reason. The results of this are clearly evident withing the first few uses.

                                                                  

My skin slways has a very soft and plump feeling after a treatment with one of these chemical exfoliators. Products absorb better and the difference in makeup application is evident. I tend to treat my skin with a mask on Sunday and a chemical exfoliator on a Wednesday. That way my skin gets some recovery time in between two deep treatments.

Here's to hoping that you guys,

 are having a great new year so far.,

The Skin Project - Moisturiser

                                                 

The first post of the skin project for the New Year is all about moisturising. 

Moisturising is the process of aiding the body's natural hydration of the skin. Moisturising  prevents the upper layer of the epidermis from getting dry through loss of water which occurs naturally through evaporation. When the water in the cells within the epidermis (top layer of skin) is lost,  the skin tries to pull water from the lower layers of skin. This loss of water  will cause the skin to become dry. When moisturiser is applied to the top layer of skin, the skin absorbs it, the hydrating agents  within the moisturiser helps the water already present within the skin cells. Composition of products along with skin type determines the effectiveness of a moisturiser, ie whether or not the skin will absorb all or some of the product. Eg My skin type - Oily will absorb 50 - 90% of a light moisturiser, but only 30 - 45% of a rich moisturiser.

Since my skin is Oily I tend to go for light and oil free formulas. Price is not a determining factor for me in relation to buying a facial moisturiser. I usually test the products first and if I like how it feels on my skin after it has been absorbed then I will buy it. Sometimes I like it a product after trying it once, other times it might be after 3 or 4 tries the love comes. One thing I wont do is force a product, if it leaves my skin greasy, oily or with any sort of film/coating it is a no no for me. 

My current moisturiser for the daytime is the Origins GinZing moisturiser, which is a light hydrating formula. It has a semi gel like feel, spreads very easily and absorbs very quickly into my skin. After application my skin feels plump and supple without looking greasy. The Origins Ginzing moisturiser layers up easily under my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser, MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural and the MAC Studio Fix finish. 

                                         

Review

In the evenings I apply the Boots Botanics Hydrating Night Cream All Bright (pictured above) as my night cream. This product is another face cream with a gel like consistency. It has a bit more body to it than the Origins GinZing, but it goes on light and absorbs quickly. I have been using  these creams for almost 7 months and I am still happy with both of them. 

Happy New Year to you all, for more about #TheSkinProject read posts by the other participants and the creator Lianne @ www.thebrunettesays.co.uk.

Be Re-newed

xx

The Replacements

My Miss KG Lotus Black Pointed Ballerinas passed away to shoe heaven in September. In addition to that the Office Term time Loafers did not work out. I had to exchange the brown pair twice because the soles kept splitting. The black pair didn't do me the honour of splitting, one of the soles just fell off one day when I was at work. Suffice to say replacements needed to be drafted in.

The irony of this is I ran away from purchasing these Dune Laino Penny Loafers because The Office Term Time Loafers were cheaper, not by much but still cheaper. Now after all the the rigmarole, I had to buy the Dune Loafers anyway. If I had bought them in the first place I could have saved myself the trouble and the blisters. 

LAINO Black Leather Penny Loafer

I had a look at the Nine West Jowhona3 Black Flat Court Shoes in Debenhams while on my shoe hunt. However after realizing  the composition of the Jowhona3 Black Flat Court Shoes were synthetic just like the Faith Patent Bow Pumps I went with the Faith ones. I have 3 bows on my shoes instead of 3, making me a very happy bunny. 

Faith Patent Bow Pumps 

Love the 3 bow detailing

The life and times of a shoe-a-holic in training.
Happy New Year my lovelies 
xx 

BlogMas #10 - Fashion

A Tuxedo blazer is great for a different take on party dressing, great for glam looks.

Cosmopolitan Magazine

BlogMas #9 - Skin

"Zit emergency, don't squeeze.  Dab on a little bit of eye drops to reduce redness."

Sarah Chapman

The Skin Project - Exfoliating

Post #3 of The Skin Project started by Lianne of www.thebrunettesays.co.uk 

Exfoliating is the process of removing the dead skin cells from the epidermis, which is the top layer of the skin. Exfoliation can be done manually with face scrubs, muslin cloths, as well by chemical means. 

My method of exfoliation is by chemical means. In the past I have used the Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel, REN F10 Smooth and Renew Peel Mask and the REN Gycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask These were all very lovely as weekly treatments giving my skin a weekly boost. Since May I have been using the PIXI glow Tonic as my chemical exfoliator. After cleansing my skin at night/morning I give my face a quick wipe using the Glow Tonic on a cotton pad. 

xx

BlogMas #8 - Diet

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”  - Virginia Woolf

The foods that get you going and your brain going are all about protein, healthy fats Omega-3s and the kind of key nutrients you can only get from healthy grains, vegetables and “foods for thought.”

BlogMas #7 - Self

Remember to put yourself first this Christmas season. The shopping, cooking and everything else can wait. If you do not take care of yourself then you cannot take care of anyone else. Plan a little pampering such as a facial or a massage as a treat to ready you for the season. 

xx

BlogMas #6 - Legs

The sun might be hiding, but that does not mean you should drop the ball of exfoliating your pins. Keep up your exfoliating routine through the Winter, the same as you did during the Spring and Summer. This way your legs  will stay smooth, toned and flake free.

For some added oopmh apply shimmer lotion to legs before a night out. 

xx

BlogMas Day 5 - Decorating

    Decorating your home for the Christmas season can get tricky and sometimes expensive. Grab a clear glass vase from your nearest Ikea or ASDA home, craft glue and glitter. Apply the glue around the rim of the vase, sprinkle your choice of glitter onto the glue and leave to dry. 

    There you go sparkly festive Christmas decor. 
David Tutera

BlogMas Day 3 - "7 (surprising) Beauty Dos" for you this Christmas

Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into shampoo to help remove build up from hair. - Ted Gibons, Hairstylist

Use a paint roller to apply tan in tricky areas like your back. - James Read, Tan Expert

Use half an eyelash curler to shape unruly brows. - Cher Webb MAC Cosmetics, Senior Makeup Artist

No nail polish remover? Apply a top coat and quickly swipe off. - Benjamin Puckey, Makeup Artist

Mix a pea sized amount of a darker foundation with your usual shade for a sunkissed glow. - Sarah Jossel, Glamour Junior Beauty Editor

To slim your nose sweep non shimmer highlighter down the middle. - Wendy Rowe Make-up Artist

Dab Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream on the top of cheekbones to look super glowy in photos. Phillipa Pearne, glamour Deputy Beauty Editor.  

Glamour Magazine October 2013 

Family Time

These are just some pics my cousin took of me today, after our  mad dash to the supermarket.  Sundays we get together at my aunts house to eat, chill and hang out. 

Sitting on the picnic table in the garden. 

God, Food and Family, perfect day. 

Shades - Giorgio Armani

Jacket - Joules Oakwaood

Shirt - Dorothy Perkins

Jeans - Bershka

Loafers - Dune

Stay blessed and centered my lovelies.

xx 

The Skin Project - Cleansing

                                                   

     Cleansing is a way of cleaning our skin to get rid of dirt, dead skin cells and other pollutants which have come in contact with our skin through the atmosphere. No matter what your skin type, you should cleanse your skin thoroughly twice a day, in the morning as well as the evening. 

     In the morning cleansing is important to get rid of the dead skin cells which have flaked off during the night while you have been asleep. To continuously refrain from morning cleansing could possibly cause a buildup a dead skin cells, which over time could lead to clogged pores and cause breakouts.  (No one wants that now do we?) Evening cleansing gets rid of all the sweat/makeup on your skin and also  any chemicals/pollutants/antioxidants which have come in contact with your skin as you have gone through your day to day activities. 

     To cleanse my skin in the morning I use the Neutrogena 3 in 1 mask/cleanser. It is a clay based cleanser which is great for absorbing oil from the skin. I remove it by using a cotton flannel damp with warm water, taking special care to thoroughly remove the product from my hairline and eyebrows.  I only cleanse once in the morning.

     In the evenings/night I cleanse my face using the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm. I apply the cleansing balm to dry face, massage in the product and remove using a flannel damp with warm water. I go through this method twice taking care to completely remove the product from my hairline and eyebrows.

My Current Skincare Edit 

The Current Skincare Edit - Budget Friendly Version

                       The skin Project was started by Lianne - www.thebrunettesays.co.uk .

You can follow the series on twitter my lovelies,

 using the hashtag. #TheSkinProject

xx

BlogMas #1 - Nails

If there ever was a time for sparkle it's Christmas time. 

Get your nails in the festive mood with brilliant gold and silvers. 

Soho Silver, Uptown Glamour

These are the two main polishes which will be on my nails over the next few weeks. 

Sparkle my lovelies.

xx

Luxury Christmas Wishlist - Space NK Edit

This is my luxury Christmas wishlist of all the things I lust over. 

These are the things I would buy, if I had £247 of spare cash lying around after all my bills and day to day needs were met. quite a few of them are gift sets and mini collections, which I love. For some reason with the mini gift sets I get more value for money by being able to try different liners, glosses, products, all in all I to sample without the commitment that comes with purchasing a full priced item. Plus minis are GREAT for travelling and tucking into a clutch bag or jacket pocket.  

NUXE - Cocooning Must Haves

Laura Mercier - Line & Define Mini Longwear Creme Eyeliner Collection 

Stila - Colour Me Glossy Lip Glaze Set

Laura Mercier - Bold Brights Mini Lip Glace Collection

Caudalie - Hancream Trio Set 

Laura Mercier - Shimmer Effects Mini Caviar Stick Eye Colour collection

Laura Mercier - Bare Nudes Mini Lip Glace Collection

What is Christmas if not for wishing.