Revlon Nearly Naked

Foundation has never been something I was into trying a lot of. Im lucky to have fairly nice skin, that I dont need a lot of coverage. My favourite thus far has been Revlons Photoready as ive said many times. It matches me perfectly and gives a great natural look to my skin, which is a must for me. When I saw everyone raving about the Nearly Naked (saying its comparable to Nars Shear Glow), I thought it was something up my alley and wanted to try.

I got the shade vanilla, which is the same as the Photoready but actually this one is a tad dark for me annoyingly. It offers light to medium coverage, which is exactly what I look for in foundations. It gives a healthy glow to the skin, but looks fairly natural giving just enough coverage where I need it. Its very light on the skin, and would be a great foundation for the spring/summer season.

Empties #7

I am actually amazed at the amount of things ive managed to use up/get rid of this time. I usually only have 4-5 things so im quite pleased with myself.

Fruits & Passion Field Berries Foaming Bath
I actually got this for my mum for christmas, and used it a few times myself so I thought id include it. This stuff smells amazing. Id buy it again just for the scent alone. Although id probably try a shower gel or body butter next time so I get to enjoy it more.

Biore 4-in-1 Revitalizing Cleanser
I received this in a glossybox long time ago and never touched it. Because its a foaming cleanser I never used it and it just kind of sat around unused in a box of samples. I saw it and thought it was time to throw it away since theres no sense in keeping something I have no intention of ever using. You may be asking "why wont you use a foaming cleanser?" The answer to that is that its bad for the skin. In order to make the foam, you need a surfactant, which in turn makes your skin alkaline, making your skin "a petri dish for bacteria", as Caroline Hirons would say.

Garnier Fructis Extra Strong Gel
This has been sitting in my cupboard for years. I havent used or even thought about using gel since I dont even know when. Why did I even still have this stuff?

Alpen Jasmin Bath Salts
I received a box of six of these for christmas. I throw some into my bath but honestly I dont really notice that it does much other than make the water smell nice.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Riche Moisturiser
This was my winter moisturiser, which is great for really dry, tight, itchy skin. Im glad to have used this up since ive had it since last winter, and its finally getting warmer out that this would be too heavy to use. I would purchase again, but I have other things on my list to try before I do.

Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer
Another really old product sitting in my collection. This ones actually used up, except for a little around the edges which have since dried up. This was discontinued and I was devastated as it was a great under eye concealer. Not sure why it wasnt thrown out a long time ago though.

Maybelline Mineral Powder Concealer 
This stuff was a great drugstore concealer. It lasted me a realy long time. Maybe over a year. It was nice for covering circles, and I also used it as an eye primer. It wasnt bad with creasing and had decent coverage.

Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara
Ive talked about this a few times. I was sad to see this dry up as it was a pretty nice mascara. No matter how much you put on it doesnt ever make your lashes clumpy. It would sometimes make them stick together and look like I only had 5 lashes though. Great for separating the lashes for a natural look, but buildable. If it gave me volume I would probably purchase this again, but for now ill continue with trying new things.

Cotton Pads
I used a pack of both the small regular cotton pads for my eye makeup, and larger ones that I like to use for the face with a micellar water.

Simple Kind To Eyes Eyemakeup Remover
This stuff is the devil. I received it in a glossybox quite a while back and because its in a small bottle I thought it would be good to travel with when I went away for a few days in the summer. I hadnt tried it and didnt bring my usual remover. Bad choice. This stuff stung like you wouldnt believe, and didnt even remove really any of my makeup. It took about five minutes to remove as much as I could possibly get off, which is a ridiculous amount of time to spend on the eyes alone. It left my skin dry and sore. I dont understand how they can call it Kind To Eyes. Im renaming it Torture For Eyes. Terrible product simple, im disappointed because I really like the cleanser I got with it.

Arbonne Ginger Citrus Sugar Scrub
Again, had this forever. Never really used to be that interested in baths or bath products. This was a mini size but lasted quite a while. Im not a fan of the scent, but it was a decent scrub.

My Skin Care Routine

I have a growing interest in skincare and have been adding a few things into my routine little by little. I used to be very lazy about removing even my eye makeup so a full skin care routine was once non existent. I now find pleasure(what?) in slathering my face in moisturiser and having that soft, clean skin feeling.

To remove my makeup, I use the same eyemakeup remover ive been using for about five years, the Avon Eye Makeup Remover Lotion. My eyes tend to be sensitive to most removers; they sting and leave me with sore, tight skin after. This stuff is very gentle and removes even the toughest mascara. Also great for your bank account as its about $2.99. Once I have all my makeup off my eyes, lately ive been using the Vichy 3 in 1 Cleaning Milk all over my face and eyes to remove the remainder of makeup left on my face. It leaves my skin feeling soft as its not stripping the skin. I dont find that I get a deep enough cleanse using this alone, so I then go in with the Simple Refreshing Facial Wash and then pat my face dry. Now onto the moistiriser, im finishing up using my Vichy Aqualia Thermal Riche, which is my winter moisturiser. Its great for dry skin, but only something I use in the winter months as my skin is more normal in the spring/summer and I find this can be too heavy. As of now I dont have an eyecream, so ive been having to skip this step. If you have any recommendations id love to hear them. 

Extras

When travelling,  I like to bring a micellar solution with me as it works well as an all over makeup remover/cleanser. Ill either use the La Roche Posay Effecalr Micellar Water, or lately ive been using the  Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Petals as I have a mini bottle and its handy to carry around in my makeup bag. I personaly am not a fan of this one and dont recommend, as it stings a bit and isnt as good at removing. I also am not really a fan of floral scents so it makes me feel a little ill. Ill be happy to see the end of this stuff and will reuse the bottle with the La Roche Posay instead. 

If my skin is looking particularly dry or flaky, Ill use an exfoliant. Ive been using the St Ives apricot scrub, which smells nice and is a little more abrasive on the skin from others ive tried. It does a good job at taking any dead skin off (yuck), and leaves the skin smooth and ready for moisture.

Again, if my skin is dry, Ill use the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask, which is great for hydrating the skin, and works at targeting breakouts. It leaves the skin plump and smooth as anything after 15 minutes. 

Sometimes ill spray the Vichy Thermal Water on my face, as it cools and soothes the skin, and is very refreshing if im feeling hot. I mostly use it over my makeup in the day to take away that cakey "im wearing makeup" look to the skin. As we all know I like a natural look to the skin so this stuff helps with that a lot. 

Ooh, Barracuda

(sorry for the badly done nails and not so nice quality photos)

I grew my nails..again. I dont know how many times ive bitten them off after weeks of growth. A new nail colour ive been loving the past few weeks is Sally Hansens Complete Salon Manicure in Barracuda. Its a beautiful baby blue colour, a great colour for spring. I love the formula of these polishes- most colours go on opaque in one coat, but this one needs 2-3 coats because its a lighter shade I guess. Regardless, its really pretty and has lasted me around a week without any major chipping. To me this is a big deal, because as a hairstylist I am constantly using my hands; in and out of water, etc. 

If youre looking for a nice spring colour, id try this one out. Ive had many compliments and even my boyfriend who isnt a big fan of nail polish likes the colour.

This Week Im Loving.. #2

Because ive been sick, I was grabbing the same things when getting ready in the morning. Ive been using this Covergirl and Olay Serum Primer out that someone gave me. I never would have picked it p myself, and I honestly didnt have high expectations for it. But I have been surprisingly reaching for it every time I apply foundation. It works pretty well at helping my makeup last throughout the day. The only thing I dont like is the smell. Smells a bit like sunscreen or something.

Ive gone back to the Rimmel Lash Accelerator mascara, which I used maybe a year and half ago and really liked. It gives nice length but doesnt do anything for volume unfortunately, which is really all I need. Layered over the marelle xtension plus mascara it looks really nice though.

Ive grown my nails again (we'll see how long it last this time). For a few weeks now ive been wearing Sally Hansen Salon Manicure in Baracuda. Its a beautiful baby blue colour and lasts quite well considering how much I use my hands. Ive had many compliments and its even one of few colours that my boyfriend doesnt give weird looks too. Score.

Sick Time Pamper

I havent blogged much in a few weeks, mostly due to the fact that I was sick and too lazy to take photos. If your anything like me, and get annoyed when you cant breathe through your nose, youll know that baths are a short term fix for this problem. I think one day I had about three baths just for this purpose. Probably not good for my skin, but it made me feel better.

In the bath water I used Bath and Body Works Midnight Pomegranate bubble bath, which smells amazing and makes the bath feel more luxurious. Rather then just sitting in the bath I thought I may as well do a little something for the rest of my body, and used the Body Shop Shea Butter exfoliant with the some exfoliating mits. Its not too abrasive but rids any dead skin. Because I hate how scrubs leave a film on the skin most of the time, I wash my body after and used the Body Shop Shea Shower Cream, which I have been loving lately as it leaves the skin feeling smooth and hydrated, even if you skip on moisturising. After about twenty minutes or when I can no longer take the heat or my pruney skin, ill get out of the bath and apply the Body Shop Beautifying Oil, which I think is great because it leaves the skin baby soft and smelling nice. 

  

This Week Im Loving.. #1

Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy pillow mist
I dont know how well this stuff works at helping me sleep, but the honey vanilla scent is so nice to spray on your sheets and pillows.

Benefit Girl Meets Pearl
Ive been loving this as a highlight on my cheek bones and down the nose to give my skin a subtle glow. Its a pinky tone and looks really nice on my pale skin.

Maybelline Dream Lumi concealer
This is great. Its meant as a hilighting concealer and I love using it in my cupids bows or under my brow, as well as under the eye.

Wet n Wild blush in Heather Silk
This is an old favourite. I used to use this everyday a year or two ago, and decided to bring it out again. Its a lovely berry pink shade and is super pigmented for the $5 that it is. It gives a nice pop of colour to the cheek and will probably always be one of my favourite products.

Planet Spa lip butter
This is my favourite lip product and I dont even know where I got if from. It smells amazing(shea butter) and leaves my lips super soft and smooth.

March Favs

Bath and Body Works Midnight Pomegranate body mist
I got this for christmas and have been using it pretty much everyday the last month or so. Its not a sickly sweet scent like some body mists can be. A few spritzes of this and I can smell on it on myself throughout the whole day.

Mac Syrup and Shy girl
Ive slowly been getting into lipsticks more and more. These have been my two go to colours. When I want more of a peachy nude, I go for Shy Girl. Its really easy to throw on and no fuss colour. When I want a bit more colour, say when im wearing an all black outfit, Syrup adds a slight berry mauve tinge to the lip without screaming "Im wearing lipstick". My favourite kind of lipsticks.

Nars blush in Sin
This has quickly become a favourite and possibly my all time favourite blush colour. With slight gold shimmer, this deep berry mauve is beauiful for fall/winter months when your skin is looking dull and in need of a pick me up. This gives a gorgeous flush to the cheek, and when the light hits it, gives a lovely glow that looks natural. If you dont have this you should give it a swatch.

Matrix Miracle Treat Lotion Spray

I talked about this is my hair post. I only have a sample but will for sure be picking up a full size as this has become a staple product in my hair routine. It is targeted towards colour treated hair to detangle, condition and strengthen, restore shine and tame frizz. I spray 2-3 times through my hair to help get a comb through and it makes my hair more manageable and also leaves behind a nice scent.

Body Shop Shea Shower Cream and Beautifying Oil
As the winter seems to never want to end, this has been a bit of a skin saviour. Because its a cream, it doesnt feel like its stripping everything off my skin, so when I get out of the shower my skin isnt tight and dry. It leaves it smooth and smelling lovely.(I totally forgot to photograph this, whoops). With the Beautifying oil on top, my skin has been feeling nourished and soft. I even use this on my face when its looking dry and flaky, and really works a treat. I never would have thought to try an oil on my body if I hadnt received this as a gift. 

Those have been my most used things in March. Tell me what youve been loving as im always looking to try new things.