5 Steps To Glowing 'Summer Ready' Skin

Summer is upon us....well maybe and well-cared for skin has natural and radiant looking glow. So, If your planning your summer holiday or just sitting I the garden (when we get the sun) follow these 5 steps to getting that naturally radiant and glowing skin.

Step 1: Wear SPF Daily

If there's one thing that woman with beautifully glowing skin have in common....would be they use a daily sunscreen. Sunscreen protection not only helps prevent sagging, wrinkles, sun spots but more importantly skin cancer.  I use Clinique City Block SPF 25 daily under my makeup as a primer but can be used on its own. This also comes in a SPF40 version too. It has a gorgeous tinted glow on the skin so looks perfect on any skin tone when wearing alone. Clinique also do a great body sun care ranging from SPF30 and SPF40

Step 2: Exfoliate 

Create a smooth, holiday-ready body  with regular exfoliation. If like me you like the 'ol fake tan...you'll love Garnier Tonic Sugar Scrub. I'm obsessed with this product and currently on my 1millionth tube (slight exaggeration) and it never ceases to amaze me. This helps to remove any dead skin cells to reveal nourished, smooth, firmer looking skin. It's made with natural fruit extracts so smells amazing too.

For my face I'm loving Lush Dark Angels. This smells a little iffy but the results are amazing. My skin feels amazing,just after the first use. 

A gentle scrub also encourages blood flow to the skins surface for a fresh, healthy glow. 

Step 3: Hydrate

No matter what the temp is, hydration is VERY important for keeping yourself and your skin, as glowing as it can be. Drinking enough water during the day is one way to keep you skin moisturised. Applying a moisturiser is also key. I have a dry skin on my body so I use and love L'Occitaine Shea Body Butter. I'm currently on my second tub of this. It's blooming amazing. A cheaper alternative is Dove firming moisturiser. This is my 'go-to' when I'm out of my L'Occitaine. 

A really lovely daily moisturiser is Dior Hydra Life Pro-Youth Silk Creme. I also like Dior Hydra Life Beauty Awakening Mask as a night treatment. I use this every couple of weeks to keep my skin supple and,well, hydrated. 

Oh, and don't forget those under eyes. Keeping this area well moisturises will help minimise the look or fine lines and dark circles. I blinking love Clinique All About Eyes Rich, this makes a brilliant base for applying any concealer. Go get it!

Step 4: Fake It

Laying out in the sun can be one of the worst things you can do skin on holiday. Create a healthy-glow without exposing yourself go harmful rays with the help of trusty self-tan. Now, I've tried a lot...I mean a lot of self-tans over the years and the one I'm enjoying using just now is the new Aussie Tan Bondi Sands. This is a lovely golden tan but most importantly looks so real and no horrid orange undertone. I'm almost out so need to get it repurchased. 

Or maybe something like Garnier Summer Body if you want a more subtle hint of colour rather than a full on colour. Great for paler skin tones. 

Step 5: Get Your Beauty Sleep

I know it can be easier said than done and work having a child of my own I can sympathise that I can be difficult to get a good nights sleep or even an early night. Overnight, your skin cells regenerate and facial muscles that create lines relax, giving your skin recovery time and leaving you with a well-rested face the next morning....result. So, all you weekend goers, what you give up on party hours, you'll make up in beauty. Get it? 

Thanks again for reading. 

Laura x 

My Current Brow Routine

Hi lovely's, hope your all well. Now, today I'm talking brows. There is something about a strong defined brow that can't be knocked. They really do help define the shape of your face and a lovely enhancement to any make up look.
I for one have really struggled with my brows, I am not naturally blessed with lovely big brows. Then again the over tweezing in my teens wouldn't have helped. They are quite sparse at the front but a little fuller in the middle.
Luckily now a days there are some great products out there to give the illusion of fuller brows.

I am very happy with my current routine...it took me a while to get here, I tell you. Ha.
So what do I do...Firstly, I line the top and bottom of my brows with Clinique Superfine Liner (pic.1) and slightly fill in to get the right shape I want. This is a great retractable pencil so no need to sharpen. It's more of a powder finish for a pencil.
Once happy with that I use MAC Eyeshadow in Brun to fill in the sparse areas,using an angled brush (pic.2). This is a brill colour for my brows. I use a spooly (little brush at the end of a brow pencil) to brush off any excess shadow.
As in like my brows that little bit darker at the ends in use MAC Fluidline in Dipdow (a brown shade) again with the angled brush just in the fuller parts of my brows (pic.3). Almost creating an ombre effect. This product is great for a long - lasting finish.

To finish off I use Maybelline Brow Sculpting Gel and brush this through to enhance the smaller hairs to make my brows appear fuller and not so much of a 'block' of colour. This product is waterproof and does not smudge. So it's brill for lasting all day. Lastly on under my Brow arch I use Clinique Airbrush Concealer to highlight. This give a strong finish, neaten up the lines. Also brighten and open up the eye area.

If you have any questions about filling on your brows or about shape or colours to use, please don't hesitate to contact me. 

Once again thank you for reading.

Laura x

Micellar Water: What Is It?

Micellar Water has recently been growing in popularity. It's not a toner. Nor is it a cleansing milk, or a face wash.....it's a skincare product that removes makeup and cleanses skin, without the need for rinsing. Micellar Waters have been widely available in French pharmacies for many years, and gained a cult following internationally as skincare enthusiasts, make up artists and bloggers (like myself) descovered them. Today, this well - kept beauty secret is loved by many for its gentle but powerful one - step cleanse.

SO.....HOW DOSE IT WORK? Micellar Water takes its name from micelles - tiny round balls of cleansing molecules that float in the water. When applied to your skin the cleansing agents come into contact with oil and dirt on your face, allowing them to swept away quickly.
There is no tingling or tightness on the face, and it's powerful enough to remove eye make up.

HOW DO YOU USE IT? It's best to soak a cotton pad with the product and gently sweep it across your whole face, paying particular attention to your eyes and lips. There is no need to rinse afterwards. Just enjoy the fresh, clean sensation. Your now ready to apply your suitable serum and moisturiser.

My skin has never looked so clear since using Micellar Water and I've been using these waters for a while.  I'm trying out different brands (L'Oréal being my fave so far) but they are all pretty much on par with one another. I found there to be no scent from them but the B.Pure version has a funny taste,which I discovered by accidently licking my lips aftet I used it. Yuck.

They are definalty a must in your bathroom and will be part of my skincare for a while I reckon.

Go get yours. If you have tried them or other brands,let me know what you thought.

As always thank you for reading.
Laura x

Soap & Glory Pillow Plump

So, there seems to be a must for the perfect Kardashian pout the days. I too am looking for that perfect pout. Trying everything from lip liners to lipstick to create a fuller lip.

I received this Soap & Glory Pillow Plump for my birthday as I've wanted to try one of theirs for a while. I have used a lip plumper before like recently the Dior Lip Maximiser but compared to Soap & Glory I never noticed a visible difference. They have a few lip plumper and this is the newest in the range.

It has a rubber tip making application easy and smells like chocolate orange,yum.
I applied the gloss all over my lips, concentrating on the outer edge. Gave it 30 seconds...then...felt the burn. The tingle is very intense but man it really does plum my lips.

The gloss comes in five shades but I went for the clear one (boring I know) as I like to wear my lipstick...not really a gloss fan. So, once the tingle stops, roughly about 5 minutes, I wiped off the excess gloss and applied my chosen lipstick. The difference is amazing. My cupids bow area is so plumped up. I'd say the effect lasted a couple of hours but can be applied again. It's great.

This can be found in Boots stores and cost £10.

Have you tried this new one from Soap & Glory? What did you think?

Natural World Coconut Water and Shampoo

I am on a mission to grow my hair. I am determined this time. I was recommended to use this Natural World Coconut water oil, but alsp came across the shampoo too. It was a sample in Glossybox but I amazingly found it in Bodycare last week. Couldn't believe my luck.

I gave it a go and it must say my hair has never  been so silky and soft. The shine is incredible. The coconut water is meant to clean and I care for your scalp to encourage hair growth. This is the hope anyway.

When I first tried it I wasn't impressed with either of these as the shampoo never lathered that well and when I was blow drying I could still fell an oily residue in my hair. Yuk. Now that I have been playing around with it for a week now I must say it's great. The key is not to use the oil and the shampoo at the same time. I have been using the shampoo daily and the water every couple of day and only at night. I have quite soft hair anyway and this made it horrible to work with during the day.
However, the shampoo on its own is brill. It makes my hair feel fuller and squeeze clean, plus it smells amazing.

In this range there is also a caffeine shampoo which is also great for growing hair as it stimulates the hair folicles. I will try that next.

RRP £2.99-£4.99. Great value for money.

Let me know if you have any hints or tips to growing hair. I would love to hear from you. 

NEW: Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

When I noticed on the Benefit Facebook page that they were collaborating with Elle magazine on an exclusive launch of their new Roller Lash mascara.... I just HAD to go investigate.

It's brand new (not in store yet) and benefit's biggest mascara launch since They're Real...which I really loved. Roller Lash has a amazing power which comes from a union of brush & formula. As always, it's about the tip...Roller Lash has a unique hook 'n' roll brush that grabs lashes, hooks 'em in and curls them up. The tiny-little hooks on the brush gives Roller Lash unmatched curl power-it's like a roller for your lashes, if you will. 

The brilliant ink black formula works with the roller to set your lashes...a bit like what hairspray does for your hair. It has amazing lash conditioning ingredients & easy to remove. Compared to They're Real, this comes off way easier. 

I have never tried a curled mascara before as I like my lashes to look thicker but this definatly does both without looking clumpy. 

I'm glad of these little samples sizes to try...I will definatly be purchasing the full size.

The launch date of Roller Lash is Februray 27th. So why not buy your copy of Elle magazine and try it for yourself.

Have your already gave it a go? Let me know what you thought.

Laura xxx

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation

I actually got this foundation back in July last year. When I first tried it,I wasn't that impressed. I found it didn't wear that long and slid off my face.

But....I seen it in my make up drawer last week and thought I'd give it another go and been using it every day since. I have to say I really like it. It's a thick liquid foundation but lightweight with a medium to full coverage with a matte finish and builds really well. I apply with my Real Techniques Buffing brush and bluff the foundation into the skin. I then use my sponge to add more and blend out. I found this was the best way to get an even finish. They claim this foundation to have 12 hour wear. I did have to touch up in the afternoon, especially round my nose and mouth. As I get oily in these areas I usually do have to powder anyway, so nothing new there. I think the key to making your make up last longer is to apply a primer suited to your skin type and leave it to soak in to your skin before applying foundation as this can also make it slide off.

The formula is hydrating yet oil-free. With glycerin and Shea butter the skin is kept feeling moisturised while the gel base creates a light finish that stays true to colour. There is nothing worse than foundation that oxidises on oily skin....getting darker as the days goes on. 

It is quite expensive at £31 but I this it's worth the price. I will definatly use this up. What I like about Bobbi Brown foundations too is they have a yellow undertone to most colours. Which I love. 

Have you tried this? What did you think?

Laura xxx

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer

Clinique's Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer is a high coverage liquid foundation with the unique positioning of 2-in-1 product with concealing benefits. The foundation contains a "magic wand" to allow all-over application and spot concealing. Cool, huh? The despensing method is hygienic, easy to use and offers the perfect amount dose of product.

Beyond perfecting literally covers everything yet feels like nothing. For a full coverage foundation it's very lightweight. I'm a fan of a full coverage foundation so this was right up my street. Providing 12 hours wear without fading or disappearing, my colour stayed true and even through heat and sweat. When I wore it for the first time I didn't use a primer or a setting powder just to see how it wore all day.....especially at work under the lights and heat......this didn't budge.  I get oily in my t-zone and this did get a little shiny half way through the day, so I did have to blot. 

The finish is a natural matte, so I didn't feel I had to powder over the top and you have to work it in as soon as you apply as it starts to set quickly. It's oil-free and available in a staggering 21 shades...wow.

I love this foundation, and I have tried a lot of foundations recently. Ha. It's a keeper.

This foundation is available on counter 6th Feburary and priced at £25.

Make sure you keep that date in your diary and go get yours.

Laura xxx

Clinique Sonic Cleansing Brush

I have always wanted to add a cleansing brush to my Skincare routine but looking at them I always ever read great things about the Clarisonic but they are waaaay out my price range for something I've never used before. So, I was absolutly delighted when Clinique launched one shortly after I stared with them. Eek.
We were very lucky to recieved one for our Christmas pressie. Really glad I never bought one after all. 

I use the brush twice a day for up to a minute. It is recommended to use the brush for 30 seconds either day or night for a couple of days until your skin is used to it, building up to 1 minute. I found this to be the best advice as after the fist use my skin was red and tingly. After a few uses it did calm down.

I drop a dollop of Clinique Liquid Soap on the brush head and work into a lather with my finger. I dampen my face, switch the brush on and start to massage over my face in an up-and-down motion for 30 seconds on each section (15 seconds on t-zone with green bristles and 15 seconds on cheeks with white bristles). There is no need to press hard as the brush works with the natural contours of your skin, making sure you get into any hard to reach areas. The brush head doesn't rotate, which is brill as it's less abrasive on the skin. The bristles are rounded at the ends, making it great for cleaning pores and removing oil, dirt and makeup your cleanser didn't get.

This is waterproof so can be kept in the shower no problem.

Once your Sonic Brush has had a full charge it will last for up to 180mins. I last charged mine back in September when I got it and eventually ran out last week. Wow. 

Since using the brush I feel I'm not using an exfoliatior as often. My skin has become more clearer. I'm finding the moisturiser also sinks in better. As for my make up, it sits better on my skin and lasting longer through the day.

It really does "Take cleansing to another level". I couldn't imagine not using it now.

RRP £79 (replacement head every 3 months £20) but compared to other high end cleansing brush this is a great price and worth every penny.

GO GET ON....you won't regret it.

Laura x

My Highlighter Hits

My brain has gone into overdrive this last few days of what my next post should be....too many ideas, so they'll all be up at some point. Ha. Gone are the Christmas sparkly makeup trends and glittery nails. So, with Spring around the corner.....(uh hum) I thought highlighters would be a good place to start. With everyone looking for that perfect dewy skin and healthy glow, here are a few of my faves.

PRIMERS - An all over dewy finish product that can be used along, under or mixed with foundation. These are the ones I reach for if my skin is lacking a bit of hydration or looking a little dull. In the summer my skin is oily combo but in the winter it's very dry and these are a great pick me up. Dior Skinflash Primer is great for this. It brushes onto the skin - I apply to my nose, cheeks and forehead. Immediately afterwards I blend with the brush working outwards across the rest of my face. My skin is left with a flawless surface. Containing photo-smart pigments it attracts the light giving skins lovely glow and looks amazing on all skin tones.

If my skin is really needing more moisture MAC Strobe Cream. I got the travel size to try to start off with to see if I'd like it.....I love it. It's a thick cream and glides on beautifully, leaving a pearlescent glow on the skin. My foundation sits better too.

CREAM & LIQUIDS - If your a fan of creamy, velvety textures then you'll love what I have here. Benefit have a great range of highlighters. To start with, Watt's Up is a delicate champagne highlighter. With a cream-to-powder finish, you'll adore the smooth luminous sheen. This is in a stick form and glides onto cheeks and brow bone....then sculpt with the sponge provided. Beautiful. High Beam has a satiny pink glow. This is in liquid form, in quirky nail polish type packaging. It can be dotted onto cheekbones and brow bone or mixed with foundation or moisturiser.

Now, Girl Meets Pearl is my fave. This looks amazing in the summer months with a golden tan, mixed with a coral coloured blush. All you do is twist up and pat on over make up or wear alone for a dewy lit-from-within glow. This can also go into the primers section too, for an all over bronze glow.

POWDERS - These I use on a more daily basis. If, like me you have oily/combination skin, some matte foundations can look a little mask-like. So, a powder highlighter can look softer on the cheekbones. MUA Undress Your Skin (available at Superdrug) is a great one to start with, plus it's at a bargain price of just £3. It's a lightweight, baked powder - providing sheer coverage and a radiant soft-focus effect. It comes in two colours, a pink finish and gold. Creating a natural healthy glow. 

One that I have used for a while is the Soap & Glory All Glow Out Luminizing Powder. I love the pale pink colour of this one, although it doesn't look pink on the skin. It looks like your own skin but better. Just a gorgeous colour.

For powders I use a brush such as Real Techniques Contour Brush as it has a great small tapered tip to apply and buff the powder. 

Let me know what highlighting products you've tried and love.

Thanks for reading.

Laura xx

Younique Fibre Lash 3D Mascara

   

     

I do love a good mascara, so when I have noticed a few of my Facebook friends were raving about Younique Fibre Lash, I was intrigued. I done some investigating but I was a little put off by it's price tag as I spend less than that on the Dior one. So, I was very happy when I received this as a gift at Christmas. I shrieked with excitement.

Now, when I first used it I had mixed feelings about the result, thinking that it didn't do much more for me than my regular mascara.  I have persevered with it and been using it for a couple of weeks and I think I have mastered it. 

So how does it work....well, I'll tell ya.... 

It's a three step process using your own mascara, Younique Transplanting Gel and Natural Fibres to help create the appearance of incredible thickness and volume to your own lashes without ruining them. 

Step 1 ~ Apply a thin coat of your favourite regular mascara to both sets of lashes and let it dry. I've been using my Dior it-Lash. This is to add extra volume to the lashes.

Step 2 ~ Once lashes are dry, apply a even coat of Transplanting Gel.  It's best to one eye at a time as it needs to still be wet when doing step 3.

Step 3 ~ Immediately before the gel has time to dry, apply fibres 

onto lashes. I found applying too many fibres to the root of my lashes caused them to look clumpy, so I just used a small amount of fibres to the middle and tip of my lashes.

Step 4 ~ Lastly, seal fibres with another coat of Transplanting Gel. 

This process can be done as many times as you like, depending on the result you want to achieve. I am fortunate enough to have long lashes so twice was enough for me. Also, I would recommend a lash comb to use once your done to take out any clumps (if any). 

As you can see the results are amazing. I'm definatly hooked now and no need for false lashes with sticky glue. What's great too is Fibre Lash removes with ease using an eye makeup remover. 

RRP is £23, which can only be purchased for a Younique representative or online at youniqueproducts.com 

GO GET IT....!

As always, thanks for reading. xx

Xen Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe

(Result after colour guide has been showered off)

Anyone who knows me, knows I love to self tan....much to Pete's annoyance. I like how it makes me feel, I feel glowing and good about myself. I do like to experiment with different self tan products but for the last couple of years St.Tropez has been my 'go-to' tanner. 

......But, on Friday I received my Xen Tan Dark Lotion Absoloute Luxe. I have read blogs and watched YouTube videos for a few years now on makeup and beauty products and this has always been a tanner that everyone raves about. So, I was eager to find out what all the fuss was about. This is a weekly self tan, claiming to last 7 days.  This excites me as I hate having to tan just about every second night. I applied it Friday night and want to share my thoughts and results.

Pre-Tanning ~ The night/day before I know I'm going to be tanning I do the following....I exfoliate use a Clarins Body Scrub all over to get rid of any dry skin and rough areas. I also applied Clarins Body Butter to areas such as my elbows and knees. 

Smell ~ Omg! This.smells.AMAZING, Like vanilla icing on a cake...you actually want to eat it. However this does fade after a while and does have that fake tan 'biscuit' smell but not too strong I thought. Once I showered the smell did fade.

Application ~ I found the application quite easy, it's quite a thick lotion but a little does go a long way. It blends in really well but did feel quite tacky to begin with and didn't take too long dry. Don't rub too much though as it does start to flake. If this happens I recommend using a soft mitt such as Superdrugs own to buff the product in.

 Even though it states that it has a colour guide, I didn't think this was the case. It's quite faint so you do have to watch where your applying. When I fake tan and finished doing my face, I use a damp cotton pad round my hairline and brows as these are the areas I don't want to be too dark. I also do this to my knuckles, elbows and knees. I applied it before bed and washed it off in the shower the next morning....looking in the mirror like "WOW"!

My result ~ Well what can I say, I looked as if I just walked off the beach. The colour is gorgeous. A beautiful dark olive tone, not orange at all. My skin feels so soft too, this is due to the product containing Shea Butter. I'm very happy with how it looks.

I feel I would have to apply to my face more often than my body as I use the Clinique Sonic brush twice a day so this takes the tanner off. That doesn't bother me though.  Even after day two after application my skin still feels soft and looks glowing.

The price is a little hefty at £40....The reason it's put me off in the past but I made the most of the Black Friday deals and got it for £26.66 on Amazon.  It can also be picked up on Feel Unique for a Simular price. It's defo my new love...sorry St.Tropez. 

Thanks for reading, 

Laura :) x