Products I am loving right now!

There are a few products that really stand out to me at the moment, so thought I'd share the love ;)

Estee Lauder Hydrationist Maximum Moisture Creme (New! £32)

"Our exclusive Bio-Mimetic Water is 'structured', so it is easily absorbed deep within skin’s surface. You can feel the replenishing benefits immediately."

Couldn't agree more with this - you feel the effects immediately. Really pleasant smell, sinks in quickly and leaves the skin feeling refreshed. I'm currently using a sample-sized version which is for a 'Dry' skin type. I have combination skin, so I would have thought this version would have been too heavy. But to be honest I wouldn't change anything about it! Definitely considering buying the full-size version when this runs out.

Nivea Soft Intensive Moisturising Cream (around £6)

 

SO so soft - I just want to smother myself in this every day! Lovely smell to it and just does what it says on the tin really - a lovely rich intensive moisturiser for the body.

 

Trevor Sorbie Beautifully Straightened Protect, Flatten & Shine Spray (£5.10)

My hair always feels silky smooth after using this multi-purpose hair product. I orginally bought the travel-sized version but had to purchase the full-sized one after impressing me with its results! Cheap & cheerful.

TIGI Bed Head Moisture Maniac Shampoo - Brunette (around £8)

 

"Tigi Bed Head Moisture Maniac Shampoo has a rich creamy lather that will increase shine and softness. Revitalizes the hair leaving it feeling soft and moisturised." Pretty much sums it up. A treat to the hair - this leaves mine feeling so much softer than regular shampoos do.

 

Olay Complete Care Eye Makeup Remover Cream (£3.05)

 

 

"Olay Complete Care Eye Make-Up Removing Cream is specially designed to gently yet thoroughly remove even waterproof make-up from the delicate eye area. Perfume & colour free."

This is so soft and delicate on the eyes - I've found that so many eye makeup removers in the past have caused my eyes to sting. It's effective at removing mascara/liquid eyeliner quickly. I picked this up for around £1.50 in a Boots clearance - yet the original price is still great for what it does!

 

 

Elizabeth Arden Color Intrique [Limited Edition] Eyeshadow Quad - Sueded Brown

 

    

I blogged about this product in this post - I've found myself reaching for this everyday, and lose count of the amount of compliments I recieve on it and questions from where it's from! The charcoal shade is my favourite for an everyday smokey eye. 

Estee Lauder Double-Wear Concealer SPF 10 (£18.50)

 

You may be shocked by the price but trust me it's worth it, it lasts for absolutely AGES, and I mean ages... I'm still on my first one, which I bought around August last year..?! Besides this, the coverage is great on spots, AND under the eyes. Only downside is the applicator is not so good for bacteria etc. I recommend this product to anyone - you will not be disappointed!

MaxFactor Second Skin Foundation (£12.99) 

This really does give a glow to the skin, and doesn't feel heavy nor cakey. I've been using it a lot this week - definitely an under-rated product. I've heard comparisons of this to NARS Sheer Glow

NOTD & Maxfactor Nailfinity nail varnishes

Maxfactor Nailfinity in 'Midnight Bronze'

I start my new job tomorrow (I say new, though I have previously worked there around 3-4 years ago!), so needed a neutral-ish shade that I could get away with. I opted for this golden shade today, rather than pink. I always prefer golds/browns. 

This is my selection of Maxfactor Nailfinity varnishes - though sadly I won't be purchasing any more. I'm not a fan of it's consistency, and the lighter shades seem to be really gloopy, take forever to dry, and need around 3 coats just to show up how the colour appears in the bottle. Most of these varnishes I've gathered through 'Gift with Purchase' sets, or I picked up on impulse because I liked the colour. 

Saying all this though, the brush application is actually okay, compared to that of Nails Inc (which I find too thick, and as a result, chips away quicker).

Recent mini-hauls

It's 3 for 2 across all make-up in Boots at the moment - So I picked up a 17 Eye-Shadow palette, Maxfactor Nailfinity varnish in 'Pearly Pink' and my everyday Maxfactor Under-Eye Concealer pen (not pictured). I also had a voucher from Cosmopolitan for £2 off an O.P.I nail lacquer from Sally's, so I bought 'Chicago Champagne Toast' - which at first glance is a shimmery brown shade, but once dry on the nails is more of a dark pink.

On a recent trip to Bristol I FINALLY bought a Laura Mercier foundation. Doing some research prior, I found that many reviews claimed Laura's was a better mineral foundation than BareMinerals, (more finely milled etc) so I've given it a go. The man who served me was really helpful, bar the obligatory efforts of selling accompanying products ;) (that aren't really necessary - I already have plenty of concealers, and my skin just doesn't react well to primers). Whilst talking to me about Laura's 'Secret Camouflage' concealer, he went on to tell me he's served Sarah Harding & Nicola from Girls Aloud and that they swear by it apparently. 

So anyway I've used this mineral foundation a couple of times, & I'm pleased :-) I'm definitely a mineral foundation convert ;)

  

Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation

 

Pros -

~ It feels extremely light upon the face, unlike liquid foundations

~ It's MUCH better for the skin, especially spot-prone types

~ It gives you a healthy 'glow'

~ It's neater to use than most minerals

~ Finely milled, great quality.

Cons -

~ The price. At £30 a pot, I'm sure as hell hoping it lasts a long time.

~ The packaging. As a high-end product, I think it could be improved a little. I do like it's simpleness in a way, and the brand font, but it's not as appealing as say, NARS or Estee Lauder.

To apply this product, I use a biiig brush (Model Co blush brush), and swirl it into the face from the outsides in. I've been advised it's best to apply concealer AFTER, but I've personally found it best to apply my concealer first, and smooth everything over with foundation to finish. 

I also picked up an Elizabeth Arden 'Deep Cleansing Mask' from TK Maxx, selling at around £8! It's a discontinued product, which is a shame as I've used it once so far & I LOVE it. It makes my skin feel so refreshed and clean. It's to be left on for 10 minutes, and rubbed off with a muslin cloth.

MaxFactor Nailfinity NOTD - 'Pearl Maron'