April Favourites

It's my turn for favourites this month! But to be honest, I can't think of that many. For the majority of April I was away on holiday so didn't use that many beauty products or have any fashion favourites - but here the things I have been reaching for this month.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser

I actually got this in a Birchbox a few months ago but was one shade too dark for my normal skin colour, however on holiday it was perfect - so perfect in fact I may pop down to John Lewis this week and pick up a full sized version in my normal skin colour! It left my skin looking healthy, radiant, even and dewy and it was so easy to apply too, I just gently massaged it into my face with my fingertips and done.

Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter in 001 Pink Truffle 

I bought this whilst I was away out in America and thought it would be perfect for beach days when I never wear full make-up but just need that little something. The colour is a really nice dull pink and the formula is so moisturising- it went straight into my handbag when I got home as I know it will be perfect for when im on the go.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Face Mask

This little guy was a bit of a life saver whilst I was away - I used it on the long haul flights to try and protect my skin against the dehydrating atmosphere then every night after I went skiing to try and keep my face hydrated after a day of sub-zero harsh winds. It also smells amazing and doesn't get all over your pillow at night which I was a little worried about at first.


Elizabeth Arden 8hr Cream

Bad blogger alert! - I've just realised I've left my 8hr cream back at home in Manchester and now I'm here at uni in Nottingham so sorry for the crappy online picture! Again, this was a life saver when I skiing - I always kept it handy in my ski coat pocket and used it mainly on my lips, I also got some really bad wind burn on my nose and it seemed to help that too.

Dermalogica Skin-Smoothing Cream 

This is definitely my all time favourite moisturiser, I only buy it when my skin is having a really problematic time as it is a little on the pricey side but it makes my skin feel so good. It leaves it completely hydrated and healthy looking and I also find it excellent to put make up on top as it leaves a really smooth base. I would recommend this to anyone who has skin like mine: dry, dehydrated and sensitive, because it really is amazing.

What have you been loving this month - also don't forget to come back in a few days and see Sophie's May Wishlist!

Winter Lips

In winter I love wearing deep, warm berry and wine sort of shades on my lips, as shallow as it sounds, the right lipstick really can brighten up a miserable winter day. My favourite lipstick this season is a YSL Rouge Pur Couture lipstick but we will get onto that later, first we need to go back to basics...

During the colder months I get the worlds most unattractive dry chapped lips; there are awful. When I know I want to wear a bolder and richer lip product like the YSL one, I need to make sure my lips are completely smooth and hydrated. To do this I begin with a little DIY lip scrub, I basically copy the recipe of the Lush Lip Scrubs which mainly just consists of olive oil and granulated sugar mixed together to form an exfoliator. I know it sounds disgusting but trust me, it works really well (it actually tastes really nice too).

I use this about 30 minutes before I do my make up to get rid of any dry flaky bits then slap on a bit of Elizabeth Arden 8hr cream to feed my lips a ton of moisture. When I come to do my make up I then blot off the excess Elizabeth Arden cream, put on a really thin layer of the Blistex MedPlus Cherry Berry lip balm, crack on with the lipstick and ta-da! done. 

Now onto the lipstick. Words cannot describe how much I love this lipstick, it is my all time favourite and think it will be for a long time. It is the YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in a beautiful berry shade. I have had a few issues getting the name of the colour as it has completely rubbed off the bottom of mine, my sister wanted it for Christmas so after a lot (I mean a lot) of me and my mum swapping all the YSL lipstick we came to the conclusion it was 40-Rouge Eros.  

The colour of this lipstick is really intense whilst the formula is one of the most hydrating and moisturising I've ever tried. I don't use a lip liner as I feel they tend to dry my lips out and the colour does not bleed at all. You can use this lipstick as just a wash to add a hint of colour in the daytime and really build it up in the evening into a create a more dramatic look. One more point, just look at the packaging... need I say any more?

Blogmas Day 8: Winter Skin Saviours

Your skin and winter are never going to be best friends, with temperature fluctuations, dry central heating and harsh winds your skin becomes much more dehydrated and irritated. I have very dehydrated skin all year round and during winter it becomes increasingly hard to keep hydrated, however, the following skincare products are what I have tried and feel work the best to keep my skin looking healthy and feeling hydrated. 

Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser

Dermalogica is my favourite skincare brand at the moment, I started using them early this year and have seen a massive improvement in my skin. This cleanser is perfect for sensitive and dehydrated skin like mine as it takes off any make-up and dirt off the face very very gently. 

Bioderma Hydrabio Micelle Solution for Sensitive Dehydrated Skin

Every time is use this I'm amazed by how it works, I use it to take off my make-up on a cotton pad just before I cleanse and it is fantastic. It is gentler to the skin than normal tap water yet removes even the toughest waterproof mascara in one stroke. It is quite hard to get hold on in England but if you can, I would definitely recommend for all skin types.

Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream

I recently got a few samples of this in my Birchbox and loved it straight away. It comes out like a wax and you rub it in your hands until it turns into an oil and then put anywhere that is really dry. I wouldn't recommend using this in the day as it leaves a very shiny finish but I find it perfect for the evenings just before I go to bed.

Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour Cream

I use this to keep my lips hydrated all year round and is constantly kept at easy reach in my handbag. It is not the nicest looking or smelling product but it really helps keep lips nice and soft. I find it also acts as a protective layer on top of my lips and shields them from the harsh weather conditions and temperature changes. 

Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque

Every so often if your skin is feeling particularly dry use a really hydrating masque to quench your skin's thirst. I use it when i have a bath and leave to soak in for about 20 minutes before gentally removing with the Bioderma Micelle Solution.  

Clarins Blue-Orchid Face Treatment Oil

Last but not least I use this face oil in the evenings after I have cleansed and moisturised. It helps replace the missing oils in your skin and helps to revitalise your skin. 

What are you skincare saviours in winter?