August Favourites

You may or may not have noticed a brand new widget on my sidebar, I've added a little slideshow so that you guys can see my monthly favourites all month round!

This month I have a varied collection of favourites ranging from beauty to music. A lot of the makeup I've been loving this month is the same as last month, so instead I thought I'd make this a bit more random. 

This month I've been testing out the new foundation from YSL, the Fusion Ink foundation. I wasn't expecting to love this satin finish foundation as much as I do. Not only does it blend like a dream but it gives you a flawless finish and lasts all day! This has quickly become my favourite foundation for my oilier summer skin. 

Next I have a few skincare items that have been keeping my skin in top condition. The first is the Origins Gin Zing Eye Cream, something that I have an on-and-off again relationship with. I've been feeling very tired lately and this little guy has been helping me wake up my baggy eyes in the morning. It makes my eyes feel fresh and takes away that heavy under eye feeling. Then we have the Lush Grease Lightning Spot Treatment. My face really hated me this month and I had a lot of breakouts. Applying this at night helped take the redness away from angry spots and with constant use, it helped erase all traces of horrible blemishes. 

Another skincare product I've been loving is a small jar of the Lavender Face and Body Moisturiser from Primer Spa Shop. I got this in my goodie bag from the Manchester Bloggers Meet, I was a little worried about the inclusion of lavender as my skin has had reactions to it in the past. However I need not have worried, it is actually amazing at making my skin look plumped and healthy and I've had no reactions what so ever.  

A bit of a strange favourite to include but it needed to be in here, the Sure Compressed Deodorant. We've had a fairly warm summer so I've been on the hunt to find a deodorant to keep me dry as well as smelling fresh. The Sure Linen Dry has really helped keep me dry all day, especially when I've been running around in work. 

Finally, my two random favourites. The Troye Sivan EP TRYXE, an awesome electro pop album with some genuinely amazing tracks on to chill you out and the Complete Fairy Tales by The Brothers Grimm. Like I say in my video, this is not a fairy tale book for children, there's a lot of violence and there's a few bits that are laugh out loud ridiculous. 

What products have you been loving during August? Any music, books or beauty products you want to recommend? 

Face Masks To Renew & Hydrate

I have to admit I'm not a big lover of face masks, I have to be super careful because of my sensitive skin and I always find that I'm forever being let down by them. Never the less I'm a sucker for good publicity and these guys have had nothing but. I don't have a great deal of specific skin problems so all I really need for a good pamper sesh is a hydrating mask when my skin is a little dehydrated, and a good exfoliating mask to rejuvenate.

What I love the most about these two is that I haven't been disappointed by them, they've served me well and for that I bow down to them. The Origins Drink Up-Intensive Overnight Mask is a thick and luxurious treat. I tend to stick with this in the winter when my skin is really dry and needs a little help, but occasionally I'll whack it out in the summer for a little pampering (that whole sentence didn't sound appropriate, I apologise). It continuously gives me plump and hydrated skin the morning after and in the colder months it's an essential in the nighttime routine. 

The REN F10 Smooth and Renew Mask is a great way to get exfoliating if you have very sensitive skin and find scrubs a bit harsh. This gel mask is extremely thick and sticky but leaves the skin looking brighter and renewed after use. It has a strange citrus smell to it, which some people may love but I'm not overly keen. But in the cases of facemasks it's how they work not how they smell that is the main factor. 

What face masks are a must have in your skincare routine? Do you care about the smell of masks or is it substance over style? 

Origins GinZing Moisturiser

The Origins GinZing moisturiser was one of those hyped up beauty releases that everybody wanted to get their hands on. It claims to 'Jumpstart hydration levels' and 'revitalise to create a healthy, vibrant glow'. I'd never tried the coveted GinZing eye cream, so the release of this fresh and fruity moisturiser went straight over my head.

I was recommended this by the very friendly and bubbly sales guy, I have combination/oily skin in the summer (when I purchased this) and the oil-free label appealed greatly. I wanted something that wouldn't make my t-zone oilier than it already is and would also hydrate my dry cheeks. I love the lightweight texture and my skin really drinks it up. 

However, and this is a pretty big however, I wasn't overly impressed with it as a day moisturiser. If you have super duper oily skin than I think this would be great, but as someone that has dry areas, it just didn't really do much. I didn't notice any extra 'glow' after applying and it just didn't give the hydration my face needed, especially during the transition into the winter months.

The orange smell is amazing and it really is nice if you want a really light weight moisturiser that soaks in like water. I'm just a bit dissapointed that it didn't live up to my expectations after all the hype. 

Have you tired Origins GinZing moisturiser? Do you think it's worth all the hype surrounding it?  

Origins GinZing Eye Cream

The Origins GinZing eye cream is widely renowned in the blogging community; tales of its brightening and de-puffing properties have been hyped up throughout the land. I myself have never really seen the need for eye creams, I know that they are there to make sure us ladies don't get the dreaded crows feet as we age, but to be honest I've never really been that fearful of 'looking old'. I did however get a little tube of this in my Origins gift set, so thought I may as well see what all the fuss is about. 

Origins claim that the GinZing eye cream:

"Helps to reduce the look of dark circles. Unsightly bags and puffiness seem less visible. And Origins proprietary complex of Caffeine from Coffee bean, Panax Ginseng, Magnolia Extract and natural optic brighteners rapidly wakes up, refreshes and restores radiance to tired eyes." 

For me, there are just far too many scientific words in that description, but what I can gather is it's just telling us that it makes you look more awake. I don't have an issue with dark circles or puffiness for the most part, but sometimes when I've had a heavy night it shows. After using this I do find that any darkness has reduced a smidge and my puffiness does go down noticeably, giving me more of an awake look. 

The product feels quite rich, but when applied to the eye area it's very refreshing and light weight, not to mention it smells amazingly fresh and has a hint of orange. Also, a little really does go a long way with this, even though the product feels quite thick at first, it does melt into the skin and spread fairly easily.  

The version of the GinZing that came in the gift set came in a tube instead of the usual orange tub. I honestly prefer it, using the tube makes it super easy to get the right amount of product, so no major wastage. I also noticed that the product is a nude shade instead of your usual moisturiser white, I don't know if there is a slight bit of tint in this, but if there is it isn't that noticeable. 

I'm not sure if I would purchase this again, in conjunction with my normal face moisturiser, it seems like a very unnecessary pricey extra. It is definitely a luxury product so maybe I will treat myself, my tube is probably going to last me a while so we shall see.  

RRP: £23.00 

Winter Skincare Essentials ❄

During the summer months my face turns into an oil slick, my cheeks always stay a little drier than my T-Zone, but generally it's fairly oily. When the winter months roll around, my skin gets super dry and flaky. This means I have to have some emergency products in my cupboards to pump my skin full of lovely moisture. 

The Mask

This year I've been loving the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. This not only smells heavenly, but really gives your face the moisture it's craving. I always wake up after applying this to plump and hydrated skin. It doesn't completely erase the flakiness, but it definitely helps.

The Night Cream

On days when I don't use the overnight mask, I love to use the Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins Night Cream. This also smells amazing but is also nice and thick and nourishing, perfect to give your face a bit of night time loving. My skin drinks this up and my skin always feels happier in the morning. 

The Body Moisturiser

I make no secret of the fact that I am one of the laziest humans you will ever encounter, the Vaseline Spray & Go Body Moisturiser is therefore my body moisturiser of choice. I don't know about you guys, but I tend to get sleepier in the winter and therefore I need a quick hit of moisture before I collapse into bed. This smells amazing and gives my skin that little bit of extra moisture it needs. 

The Hand Cream

I'm a bit of a connoisseur of hand creams, I pretty much have a different hand cream in every bag and pocket and on every shelf. The L'Occitane Hand Cream in Passionate Jasmine has been the one I've been reaching for the most this winter, it smells divine and soaks in super quick, so no greasy hand issues. 

The Lip Treatment 

The Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Skin Protectant has been my choice of intensive lip treatment for about 2 years now. Elizabeth Arden also do a specific lip balm version in the 8 hour collection, but I love this for a really intensive night treatment for the lips. It's super thick but the next morning your lips look and feel more plump and hydrated.

What are your skin care essentials to survive the winter months?

August Lust List

2 posts in 1 day! Wahhh! Well the last post of my Decorating Diaries was supposed to go up days and days ago and it never did. And so my friends I am back again this fine evening. I've bought a fair few goodies this month (Ooops!) but there is always more on my shopping list!

1. YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Corail Incandescent

Oh YSL, why you make lipsticks so beautiful yet so expensive. I already have one of these beauties in Coral Intuitive but the Corail Incandescent is such a gorgeous shade, it would be rude not to add it to my collection.

2. Granny's Attic Makeup Bag 

My clear makeup bag from boots has been driving me insane lately as it keeps falling over on my desk. I really want to get one that stands up firmly and doesn't throw my makeup everywhere. I spotted this makeup bag by Disaster Designs and fell in love. I love the vintage design and it's just the size and shape I need! 

3. Origins Make A Difference + 

The Origins Make A Difference moisturiser has been on my list for a very long time. I got a sample months ago, but when I went in to the store to buy it, I couldn't find it anywhere! They've recently changed the old Make A Difference to Make A Difference + so I'll have to get a new sample to test it out. I'm not sure whether to go for the moisturiser or the treatment so I'll have to have a test first. 

4. Urban Decay Setting Spray 

Since going back to work I've noticed my foundation looking really cakey at the end of the day. I wouldn't mind trying one of the Urban Decay setting sprays to see if it helps but if you know of any better solutions for my cakey problem, let me know.

5. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder 

Anastasia Brow Powder is a name I hear/read a lot about and have never tried! It's a bit hard to get hold of here in the UK, but it is possible. I'm in the market for a new brow powder set so I've got my eye on this little gem. 

6. MAC Paint Pots 

MAC Paint Pots, which ones Cat? I hear you ask, all of them is my reply. There are so many paint pots I want I'm not even going to list them. But if you absolutely need to know, the Rubenesque shade is my no.1.

7. Smashbox Primer  

I'm starting to run out of my beloved Seventeen Photo Flawless Primer so I need another gel type primer and this is always raved about. It's a wee bit more expensive than the Seventeen primer, but if it's worth it, why not eh?

Have you tried any of my lusted after products? Got any recommendations for me?