Lady Blush

With winter firmly making itself known here my staple summer bronzed look is steadily being replaced in favour of a light sweep of blush (although I have to say New Zealand Winters in the North Island are so much milder than back home so I can't complain too much)

Mac Ladyblush has been in my collection for years, and my love of it is pretty cyclical. I don't think I've used it in maybe a year, but this last week or so it's been making an appearance every, single, day!  It really is just the perfect, natural looking blush, it's not too pink, or too red, or orang, nope, the undertones are super flattering.

I'm not really a huge fan of cream blushes, I always want to love them (I have a weak spot of all cream products I think) but I just find them a pain to apply and blend over a foundation - tell me I'm not the only one that all too often has ended up with patchy foundation because of blending cream blushes! But I've just been dabbing it on with the Real Techniques Stippling blush and blending it out with the buffing brush to get a beautiful, and easy, finish

I kept everything else really simple today, Laura Mercier primer, Lasting Perfection foundation and concealer (a lovely little combo for full coverage), and then my everyday maybelline liner and benefit they're real mascara - I decided to skip eyeshadow since I was in a rush 

Now we get to the real reason for this post, Ladyblush on the lips is amazing. Firstly the colour - stunning, i've actually been wearing it on my lips more than my cheeks recently as its just a gorgeous natural-ish pink-y sort of shade. Not only is the colour amazingly flattering but the finish and texture actually works so well! It's velvety finish that feels amazing on, and I suppose because it's actually a cream blush it doesn't bleed or settle into any lines. 

I've heard a lot about people applying their lipsticks onto their cheeks to get a dewy flush of colour, but putting a cream blush onto the lips is new to me at least. And I can't get over how using one product on the lips and cheeks suddenly makes everything looks so 'put together'!

Today was just a minimal effort day, but Ladyblush really turned it into something pretty! I'm already looking at mac's over cream blushes, as the price is so much easier to justify if you know you can use it as a blush and a lipstick! 

Cold Cream

 I recently got a couple of boots vouchers through the post so, when I popped in I picked up a couple bits and pieces I wanted but I was £3 short of getting my double points so I picked up a tub of Cold Cream – something I’ve been meaning to test out for months.

 It’s a measly £2.42 for a whopping 200ml and is a bit of a cult product as it's the original make up remover that a lot of your grandparents probably used. If your looking for an extremely gentle nightly make up remover that will moisturise while taking off your make up - this might be the one for you. 

I personally only reach for this when I'm wearing more make up than normal as I find this a touch too heavy for every-day-use but, say after a night out this is perfect as it really cuts through the most long wearing foundation. I should also mention it does a pretty good job of getting through eye make up - without it stinging your eyes. Its not really cut out for waterproof mascara though.

 If your trying to fight/prevent ageing, one of the best methods if to keep your skin hydrated and plumped up, and nothing is going to moisturise your skin like this.

I use this by rubbing it over dry skin then leaving it a good 10 minutes or so (I usually use this time to get ready for bed) then using a muslin cloth - or a normal face cloth I just remove the cream and my make up with warm water. This is my night time saviour when I'm too lazy to do a full routine as i feel like it takes my make up off and moisturises my skin in one step. 

Overall I like this for days I want to treat my skin, however its not going to be part of my daily routine any time soon as its just too heavy. If you've got dry skin, or your looking into anti-aging and want something to really help plump up your skin, this might be something to look into as most make up removers can be quite drying however that's not to say that if you've got oily skin this isn't for you, you'd probably just have to use it much more sparingly.

I should also point out it has a relatively strong scent, that I'm personally not too keen on but my mum really enjoys. The smell also lingers for quite a well, it’s up to you whether that’s a negative though.

Let me know if you’ve tried cold cream and what your thoughts were on it :)

Hope this has been helpful!! x

Origins GinZing

I’ve put off doing this review for months now as it’s definitely going against the grain on popular opinion but as an eye cream junkie I really want to throw my thoughts on it out there. I’ll start with the basics, Origins Gin zing eye cream is available for around £21 for 15ml which is pretty average for a mid to high end eye cream it’s also pretty easy to get hold of.

Now the general premise of the eye cream is that it’ll lightly hydrate your under eyes while it’s distinctive peach colour will help to cancel out any blue tones and the tiny light reflecting particles will ‘lift’ the look of dark circles. This sounds great, I have two problems with it. Considering it’s designed purely as a day time eye cream the fact is has no spf is surely a bit rubbish no? Especially with the skin around your eyes being so delicate.

The other issue I have with it is that I just don’t feel like it keeps my under eyes moisturised. I like my eye creams to be pretty hydrating but even so I feel like after 30 minutes any moisturising properties seem to have disappeared.  

Regardless this is a good eye cream and I can definitely understand why so many people love it and continually repurchase it but if you’re after something to use day and night, this isn’t it. And for me I just don’t feel like the ingredients do anything long term – it makes my under eyes look better when I first apply it but it’s not going to prevent anything.

Overall, I’ll definitely use it all up but I’m not going to be repurchasing as I just think there are so many better eye cream that are so much more versatile as this really is just a one trick pony. It brightens and that’s about it.

Hope this has been helpful!

A short and sweet little review to try and get me back into the swing of blogging :)

Good Things

I was sent these two products a few weeks ago from a relatively new company which you don’t hear that much about – Good Things. The basic idea is their products supply the same quality of skincare as other brands but without all the nasty ingredients. So it’s free from parabens, sulfates, mineral oils and animal ingredients which is great, it’s also meant to be full of natural ingredients to ‘boost’ your skin.

Face the Day moisturiser 100 ml -£7.99
This is my lleast favourite of the two purely because the scent is too much for me. It is lovely and hydrating though and works quite nicely under foundations and tinted moisturisers. It’s the sort of cream I’ll reach for during transitional months (so autumn and spring when my skin can’t make up its mind what to do!) and it does have UV filters which is a great added bonus

Bright Eyes Eyecream 15ml - £5.99
It’s a good standard eye cream which would work really well for someone who doesn’t really have any issues with their under eyes and is just looking for light soothing moisture, for me though I feel like I need more nourishment from my eye cream as my under eyes are my main hold up and need a fair bit of TLC
Both of these smell delicious and fruity however for me that’s a double edged sword. I don’t mind the strong scent in my eye cream as my eyes aren’t sensitive but I feel like that strong a scent is better suited to a body lotion over a face cream and I generally feel uncomfortable applying as surely something that strongly scented is the result of perfumes and added fragrance which doesn’t really appeal

Overall I doubt I’ll purchase these two again but not because I don’t like them, I do, I just don’t love them as they’re not quite right for me. I do think they’re worth the money though as they’d be perfect for someone who is just getting into skincare, who doesn’t want to spend too much and just wants something that isn’t too drying or too moisturising to introduce them into skin care

Have any of you given Good Things a go? I'm tempted to give their face masks a go!

Hope this has been helpful!! x

Collection 2000 Cream Puff

I first heard about these through Lisa Eldridge, and for those of you who haven’t heard of her she’s amazing at what she does. And quite simply if she recommends something you know its going to be good!
Now aside the slightly strange name, that I just cant help but smile at, these are quite a new release and have a distinctive finish and texture.

They’re described as being velvety soft matt finish lip creams and although that’s a mouthful it’s pretty accurate. The texture is light and soft with an almost whipped texture while it dries to a lovely matt finish.
These supply all the bonuses of a stain, longevity and a natural matt finish but with one huge advantage. They’re incredibly creamy making them lovely and non drying (I wouldn’t say they were moisturising themselves but they don’t need to be)

The colour range is a little limited as there are only four shades. There’s Fair Cakes a pretty coral, Cotton Candy, a mid toned pink, Powder Puff a light nude and Angel Delight a mid toned brown. So despite the lack of colours I can’t help but think there’s something for everyone whatever you like!
All the shades are quite muted so don’t expect anything too bright but again I like this feature as it makes them all really wearable.

The only downside is it doesn’t wear amazingly, after a few hours it will become a little patchy but I haven’t found it to be anything major – quickly reapply and your sorted for another hour!

Have you tried these yet? If not are you tempted?
Hope this has been helpful!! x

Head Over Heels

I normally ensure I use new products for at least 2-3 weeks before writing a review (I always test out skin care products longer) just so I know I’ve thoroughly tested the product out. But I’ve only have this for a little over a week but I honestly love it!
(the packaging is definitely a bonus – so cute and yet so simple)
Topshop make up has been out for quite a while now and despite praise from other bloggers I was just never sure. I did however take the plunge last week and ordered Head over Heels Cream Blush online, along with a few other bits I got in the sale…

And I regret not trying it sooner! It’s the perfect blend of peach, pink and coral which makes it instantly flattering on my pale skin and looked just as pretty after I fake tanned!
The formula is creamy, easy to blend and dries to a powder finish. I’ll admit I would prefer it to have the dewiness associated with cream blushes but the powder formula does allow for a slightly more natural finish and for you to add your own highlight

Topshop make up is available in most large Topshops as well as online at £6 for 4g which is a pretty standard. The formula makes this definitely one of the best drugstore cream blushes out there at the moment!

I’ll definitely be checking out their other colours however for me Head over Heels is the blush that really stands out as shades like this are always a bit of a rare find at the drugstore!

Hope this has been helpful!! x

Maxfactor miracle Touch 'creamy blush' Soft Rose

I’ll start of by saying I love this blush.
I love the consistency, colour, finish, price – everything :) So you’re now officially warned this review is likely to turn into me raving about it!
First of, you get 3g for around £7 which I generally wouldn’t be impressed with as you don’t get a ton of product. However I’ve been using this non stop for the past 3 or 4 months and I barely seem to have made a dint in it. So as far as value for money goes- I’d say it’s pretty damn good as I’m not sure I’m ever going to get to the bottom.
As for the colour range goes it does seem pretty poor. I can only find 4 different shades available at boots – Soft Pink(this one) Soft Murano, Soft Copper and Soft Candy. But even though the colour range is somewhat limited I do think the colours available are pretty versatile and I’m sure there’s something there for most people.
Soft rose is a mid toned bright pink which initially scared me a little as it looks quite bright but when applied it blends out into a lovely soft pink (or you build it up no problem for a bright statement blush)

I’m only going to mention the consistency and finish briefly – it’s not as pigmented as mac blushes nor is it as heavy instead it’s light and incredibly easy to blend and it dries to a pretty natural finish – neither matte nor dewy.

Overall I know I’ll repurchase as this is a great basic to have that I can throw on without much thought knowing it will go with any look and unlike some cream blushes I’m not worrying about trying to blend it.
I actually prefer this in many ways to some of my mac cream blushers!


Hope this has been helpful!! x

Yummy Yummy Yummy

This was my first lush shower gel and after hearing mostly good things I was sooo excited! I ordered yummy yummy yummy online, and I know ordering online can be a little iffy – you never know if you’ll like it, but it’s described as –

“a deliciously fragrant strawberry and almond cream for the skin. Helen created it with wonderfully natural ingredients: fresh strawberries, soothing honey and moisturising almond oil, with a drop of rejuvenating olibanum. It's not common shower gel, it's the yummiest strawberries and cream wash ever.”



So me loving all things almond and strawberry I thought this would be sorta thing… and it’s just not that great. I guess it does smell of almonds and strawberries but.. not nice strawberries and almonds or maybe it’s the combination of the two I don’t like.. aside from the smell though there was a major flaw.

It was gummy… (can’t think of a better way of describing it…) it was bumpy and really hard to get to lather up. It also didn’t smell any better in the shower. Luckily for me the smell didn’t linger on my skin afterwards (it didn’t even give me that ‘sqeaky clean’ feeling other lush products do!)



I got it in the 100ml bottle and I could NOT squeeze it! The plastic was super hard!! I had to use both hands to get even the smallest bit out…

Definitely not going to be repurchasing… has anyone else tried this shower gel? Did I get an odd one? On the plus side, it is a pretty colour and looked nice sitting in my bathroom :)

Oh and another little annoying thing is the expiration date was really short! I think it was about 2 or 3 weeks from the time it arrived is this normal when you buy shower gel from lush online? It’s apparently being discontinued too, which I don’t think is a bad thing :p so i recomend sniffing this one before you buy!

(don’t forget to enter my give away! :])