Great Skincare Under £10 ❀

Something I hear a lot is that it's "better to splurge on skincare and save on makeup", and whilst I think splurging on skincare can be a good thing, it just isn't feasible for everyone. I've been a full time student for the last four years so most of the time I'm bound to a student budget. However, I think this has been a positive restraint because as I've become more conscious of skincare, I have gone digging for some drug store gems, & boy have I found some!

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water 
This is one that gets a lot of love from beauty bloggers, and it's no surprise why! A dupe for the much loved BioDerma, it gently and effectively removes makeup in a flash. Garnier say 'designed for sensitive skin and loved by all skin types' and I can safely tell you all that my skin adores this stuff. This is my go-to product for removing makeup quickly on a lazy evening, or the first step in a 'double cleanse' routine. Gone are the forbidden makeup wipes, as this stuff has taken their place! 
Usually £4.99 but currently on offer at Boots for £3.33 and Superdrug for £3.32

Garnier Express 2 in 1 Eye Make Up Remover
This is the most recent addition to my skincare routine as I've been wearing a lot more waterproof mascara and have been finding it impossible to remove, until this bad boy. It's a biphase solution, so shake before you use and apply to a cotton pad just as you would with the micellar water. I like to hold this over my closed eyelids, pressing into my eyelashes to help break down the waterproof mascara. With a little gentle rubbing the waterproof mascara easily wipes away and my eyes are left feeling fresh, not sore. Garnier claim that this stuff even helps to care for your lashes, and whilst I haven't seen any remarkable difference in my lashes, I do notice less lash-fall-out (am I saying it right? Who knows!) Wonderful. Even removes stubborn eyeliner.
Usually £3.49 but currently on offer at Boots for £2.33

Botanics All Bright Toner
❀Dupe Alert, Dupe Alert!❀ Ok, I want to call this a dupe for a much hyped skincare product, but I actually think that (for some skin types, not all!) this is better than the original. The original that I'm talking about, is the much loved Pixi Glow Tonic which is a really effective and very loved chemical exfoliator. I tried the Pixi Glow Tonic almost 5 months a go, and whilst I found it to leave most of my skin glowing, bright and fresh looking I also unfortunately found that it caused me to break out quite badly, with deep, large spots that never fully came to a head. I was so disappointed as I really wanted to love this product, but my skin just didn't like it! On the hunt for another chemical exfoliant I came across this, Botanics claim that "Natural AHA's from the flower act as mild exfoliators to help leave skin smoother and brighter" and it really is leaving my skin smoother and brigher. I have acne-prone skin and have suffered with break outs for years, which is probably why I had a bad reaction to the Pixi toner, but this toner from Botanics is actually helping to clear up my break outs and leaving my skin so much fresher and younger looking! Who can argue with that?
Usually £3.99 but currently on offer at Boots for £2.49

Botanics Hot Cloth Cleanser
I have been loving using this in my skincare routine lately. This is not only a hot cloth cleanser, but also a balm cleanser. I currently have my 'lazy skin routine' where I just use the Garnier micellar water (usually two goes of it, to really get rid of all the make up and grime!) or I have my proper routine, where I will remove makeup with the Garnier Micellar water, and save this stuff for actually cleansing my skin. It always seems a bit peculiar to me to put a really expensive (or even fairly affordable) skin cleanser on your face while you still have make up on, because then it can't get to your skin! So, after removing my makeup I massage this stuff into my skin and then soak my cloth in hot water to remove it. I like to really get the heat from the hot cloth all over my skin and spend a bit of time, rinsing the cloth and re-wiping over my skin to get really clean. It's also just really soothing and relaxing to have a hot cloth on your skin so I like to go to town! 
Usually £8.99 but currently on offer at Boots for £6.49

All these beauties for less than £10 each! Great skincare doesn't have to break the bank, it's really about finding what works best for you! Do you have any cheaper skincare favourites? Thanks for reading xx

L'Oreal Collection Privee Lipsticks ❀

This is a post I've been wanting to share with you for ages. 

I'm a massive lover of Nude lipsticks for any makeup look, whether it be evening or daytime. However, when I say nude I don't mean flesh-toned lips... I mean the 'Your Lips But Better' type of shade where your lips look flawless, but almost as if you have nothing on. So when I first discovered this gorgeous collection back in November last year I of course, fell head over heels for it. In the last few months I've been using these pretty frequently and every time I do, I love how they finish a makeup look off. 

EVA'S NUDE

This is without a doubt my favourite shade of the three I own. It's described by L'Oreal as 'barely golden' and I can see why. It's a really warm colour, verging on a muted coral. Perfect for brightening your look without being OTT or high maintenance.

CHERYL'S NUDE

For me, Cheryl Cole is an ideal portrait of great make up and hair and I can see why L'Oreal love her as an ambassador, so when I spied her colour in the collection I knew I had to get it. It's probably the colour that suits me the most from the whole collection, a subtly nude pink with enough brown and grey tones in it that it's not too pink. L'Oriel claim this is the perfect shade for brunettes with fair skin.

FRIEDA'S NUDE

Of course, the gorgeous Frieda Pinto and I don't have remotely similar complexions, but this colour in the tube and swatched just looked so beautiful that I had to try it. It's slightly purpled toned which looks amazing on Frieda but makes it a little harder to wear for me, but I love it for evening/night time makeup looks as it adds a subtle sexiness to your look. 

This L'Oreal collection is still available and can be found in local drugstores in the UK. There are a few more shades in the range from Julianne Moore, Doutzen Kroes and Liya Kebede and each of the girls also have a nude nail varnish too.

Have you tried anything from this collection? I'd love to hear your thoughts Xx

Smashbox Brow Tech To Go ❀

I have a confession. My 'brows are something I've been struggling with for some time. I 'shape' them myself by plucking them, and have tried various methods for filling them in for the last couple of years, mostly sticking to using powder with a slim angled brush but never being completely satisfied with the end result.

I've been longing for the perfectly shaped 'brows I've been seeing on so many women recently and I feel like I'm finally getting closer to achieving brow heaven after using the Smashbox Brow Tech To Go mechanical pencil. 

I'm using the shade Brunette which is just perfect for me - it's perfectly ashy without looking grey and isn't too soft in texture which means it glides on without applying too much product in one go, and is easily buildable to achieve your desired look. It comes with a clear gel to set your brows which is great - and dries completely clear without leaving any white specks. I use the clear gel for daytime looks but intensify my brows by using the Maybelline Brow Drama in Dark Brown for evening looks. 

This is by far my favourite brow product and will be running out to by a back up for my collection pretty soon! 

What's your favourite brow product? Xx

#LDNbloggerdinner ❀

April, Sarah, Monica & Elena

Sam, Laura, Kitty, Em & Anouska 

The first ever #LDNbloggerdinner {London Blogger Dinner} happened last night - and it was a little bit fabulous. 

A couple of weeks ago the lovely Em from mypaleskin.blogspot.co.uk announced she wanted to run a monthly London blogger dinner and asked interested bloggers to sign up, I jumped at the chance because I've loved getting to know a few bloggers over the time that I've been running this blog, and this felt like a great opportunity to discover new blogs and make new friends simultaneously. 

We met up in Pizza Express on Greek Street and had some yummy food and discussed all sorts of bloggy stuff. Em had the great idea of using it as an opportunity to turn twitter chats into real life discussions in a fun social environment, so we each prepared a question along with a whole bunch that Em had prepared and proceeded to discuss the topics throughout the evening. It was a great opportunity to get honest and unguarded answers from some fellow bloggers. It was a relaxed, fun environment were we all got the chance to discuss our mutual love for blogging. 

I'm quite a socially awkward person and don't find it all that easy to mingle with new people and make new friends so I was a little nervous before the evening, but we were all there for the same reasons and I can safely say I had a great evening and can't wait for next months! 

A massive thank you goes to Em for organising the event and making it such a success for all of us who came, I had a great night and really loved meeting everyone.

For more information about the #LDNbloggerdinner you can read Em's blogpost here

Don't forget to have a browse of the other girls blogs too!
April // Sarah // Monica // Elena // Sam // Laura // Em // Anouska

Xx