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Showing posts with label Origins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Origins. Show all posts

Sunday, March 24, 2013

My Skincare Routine & Favourite Skincare Products...


Hello lovelies, I hope you all had a fab weekend!

This year I finally decided to sort my skin out, up until now I've always spent a fortune on makeup to conceal my flaws but skimped on skincare products. I decided this was probably quite backwards as the better your skin is the less makeup you need so I decided to invest in some quality skincare products.

Here's my daily skincare routine & some of my favourite products...


Morning routine...

I start off by cleansing, this removes any product from the night before & the grime that's built up overnight, eww! My cleanser of choice is the REN Clearcalm Clay Cleanser, I've mentioned this many times & just love it. I then move onto a toner, this is a step I don't always take if I'm honest but when I do I use the Caudalie Beauty Elixir. After the skincare goddess that is Caroline Herons over at Beautymouth featured Hydraluron in her hall of fame I couldn't resist giving it a go. I use this before my moisturiser & have noticed a massive different in my skin since using it. I recently reviewed Hydraluron so if you want to read more click here. I recently picked up the REN Vita Mineral moisturiser and have really been enjoying using it, it's a little too early to post a full review but I find it moisturises my skin well & creates a great base for makeup. The last step in my morning routine is an eye cream and my choice of eye cream at the moment is the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream. Using an eye cream is new to me but I'll do anything to banish those pesky dark circles!


Evening routine...

If I've got particularly heavy make up on I'll start by removing it with Bioderma, the cult micellaire water that has taken the blog world by storm. I'll then give my skin a proper cleanse as the Bioderma does nothing to condition or nourish my skin, I use my REN Clearcalm Clay Cleanser again for this step. Like my morning routine I sometimes skip the toner stage but when I use one I use the Caudalie Beauty Elixir. The last three stages in my evening routine are the same as my morning routine except I swap my moisturiser for a slightly thicker This Works Perfect Skin Super Moisture, this moisturiser also contains a serum and whenever I use it I always wake with super soft skin. 


Other products...

There's a few products in my skincare collection that I don't use every day but they are all incorporated into my skincare one way or another at least once a week. Once to twice a week I'll soak a cotton pad in Alpha H Liquid Gold and sweep it across my face after applying toner, the trick is then to leave this product to work it's magic and not apply any products after. It was completely alien to me to go to bed without applying moisturiser but what Caroline Hirons says I do! This works as a topical skin exfoliator and helps to strip the dead skin cells from your face. Whilst I've gone off using scrubby face exfoliators once a week I'll use the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, this fine powder works great at removing dead skin whilst not making my skin feel overly scrubbed or sensitive. I recently posted a full review of this product which you can read by clicking here. Last but by no means least we have the masks that I use. When my skin feels clogged or needs a good clearout I use the REN Invisble Pores Detox mask, a great clay mask that rids the skin of grime and leaves it feeling uber fresh & clean. When my skin is feel a little dehydrated or dry I use the Origins Drink Up Intensive in place of my evening moisturiser, this amazing smelling overnight mask leaves me with the softest skin in the morning & it really feels nourished and hydrated. 

Phew! I know it seems like a lot of products but they all have a place in my skincare routine & I feel they all do a job. If you'd like a full review of anything that I haven't already reviewed then please leave me a comment below.

I'd love to know what your favourite skincare products are and if you would recommend anything, I'm always on the lookout for new skincare so feel free to leave a comment below!

Sarah xx

Sunday, March 03, 2013

February Favourites 2013


Hello my lovelies, I hope you all had a fab weekend.

We had family visiting this weekend which was lovely, living so far from home we don't get to see our loved ones as often as we'd like & we love it when we have people staying over. 

I can't believe it's March already, I'm going to have a baby next month! This scares me somewhat so I try not to think about it too much!

My favourites this month are mainly products I've loved & owned for a while with the addition of a couple of new finds. Here's what I've been loving this month...


Garnier Intensive 7 Days Moisturiser
£4.99
Available here

I'm sure this has featured in my favourites before but I just can't help but love this product. It's light and sinks in almost instantly but at the same time it leaves my skin beautifully soft. I can slap this on and get dressed almost straight away & it smells lovely, what more could you want?! I've lost count of how many bottles of this I've gone through and I can't see myself stop using it anytime soon.

Origins Super Spot Remover
£13.00
Available here

This is a firm favourite in the blogsphere and it's easy to see why. My skin has been playing up recently and I know I can rely on this little gem to eliminate any blemish I have. It isn't a wonder product and won't banish a breakout overnight but by the next morning the spot has always reduced in size & redness. I also find breakouts clear up a lot quicker when I use this product. The bottle may be tiny but I've had this since last summer & I'm only about halfway through.


Rimmel Exaggerate Shadow Primer
£4.99
Available here

I recently posted a full review of this product which you can read here so I won't ramble on too much but I'm sure I've used this everyday this month so couldn't not feature it in my favourites. This reasonable priced readily available eyeshadow primer makes applying eyeshadow a breeze and keeps my eye make up in place all day. If you haven't tried this yet I can't recommend it enough.

Nivea Lip Butter
£1.49
Available here

After Fee over at Makeupsavvy featured this product in her 2012 favourites I knew I had to try it. This super cheap lip butter tastes delicious and leaves my lips feeling beautifully soft. It won't cure severely chapped lips but it's a great thick lip butter to apply throughout the day. I don't even feel guilty about reapplying it too often because it costs less than a cup of coffee!


Chanel Coco Mademoiselle 
£45.50+
Available here

This has to be one of my favourite perfumes ever, I'm rubbish at describing scents but it smells sophisticated & I always get compliments when I wear it. i've had this bottle for 2 years now and as much as I love it I'm aware perfume does have a shelf life so I've been trying to use it up before it goes off. I'm nearly there!

So there we have it, my february favourites! It's so strange to think I only have one more favourites post to go before I become a Mum, how scary!

I'd love to know what your favourites have been this month so please pop a comment below.

Sarah xx

Friday, February 01, 2013

January Favourites 2013

Ahoy blogerinos!

It's finally Friday! i can't believe it's already time for my January favourites, where did January go?!

Here's what I've been loving in the month of January...



Soap & Glory Smoothie Star
Available here
£10.00

I received this in one of the many Soap & Glory sets I received last Christmas and I've been loving it all month. I'm a huge fan of the Soap & Glory body butters but had never tried any of their body lotions so was really excited when I saw this and I haven't been disappointed. It's great for those times when you haven't got the time for a body butter to sink in, for me this is in the morning when I'd rather have the extra 5 minutes in bed! I'm terrible at describing scents but you can definitely pick out the almond & brown sugar, it smells delicious! 

L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil
Available here
£8.49

I purchased this late last year on a whim when I saw it was on offer in Boots & I've pretty much used it every time I've washed my hair since. I'm still yet to try the infamous Maroccanoil, I just can't part with that much money at the moment so when I saw L'Oreal had produced their own version I was delighted. I really like the packaging, it's a heavy glass bottle affair which looks very salon-esque, the pump is also very handy for dispensing the correct amount of product. I rub one pump of product between my hands then apply to the bottom 3rd of damp hair before styling and it leaves my hair frizz free & with a lovely shine. I have really fine hair that can appear greasy really quickly but for those with similar hair don't panic, it won't leave your barnet looking like a grease ball like I thought it would! 


Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask
Available here
£20.00

I thought I lost this during the move & was gutted, you should have seen my grin when I spotted it at the bottom of a box! I apply this at night after cleansing & toning, I don't use a moisturiser when I apply this & then I head off to bed. My skin has really been suffering with the cold weather lately but the mornings after I've applied this I wake up with super soft deeply moisturised skin. I can't feature this product without mentioning the scent, it makes me want to lick the product from my hand! As you know I'm rubbish at describing scents but it smells very fruity, it's beautiful! 

Hydraluron
Available here
£24.99

I'd been lusting after this ever since I saw the skincare goddess that is Beautymouth recommend it & a few weeks ago I finally decided to use my Boots Advantage Card points & treat myself. I use this product once or twice a day before my choice of moisturiser & my skin has been reaping the benefits. No longer do I have 'tight forehead syndrome' & since using this product my entire face feels nourished & moisturised. I also find that when I use this before applying make up my make up sits a lot better on my skin, it doesn't tend to sink in or streak half as much. I really notice when I haven't used this for a couple of days & it will certainly be repurchased when this tube runs out.


Diesel Loverdose 
Available here
£34.50+

This had been on my wishlist since smelling it last year so I was over the moon when I received it for Christmas. With the unusual addition of Liquorice (strange I know!) this perfume is very unique, I actually don't like the scent just after I've applied it but leave it a couple of minutes & it's lovely! The bottle stands out nestled amongst my perfume collection & I've found myself reaching for it all month. If you haven't already smelt this I certainly recommend giving it a whiff next time you're in town!

So there we have my January favourites! If I'm not mistaken all products featured have never been featured in my favourites before, how fickle is the beauty world eh?!

I love reading this type of post so if you've done one similar please pop a link to it in the comments.

Sarah xx

Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Review | Origins Super Spot Remover...

Hello my lovelies, I hope you're all ok.

I can only apologise for my recent absence, to cut a long story short my mum nearly died so the last thing I've wanted to to is blog the past few weeks but she's all better now so I'm getting back into the swing of things! I have so many posts planned & my 1000 follower giveaway is coming up shorly so keep you eyes peeled for that!

I wanted to share with you a product that has been a life send in the past couple of weeks, due to the stress my skin has been awful & breaking out all over the place and this has been invaluable!

Let me introduce you to the cutest little bottle you'll ever see...
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What Origins have to say about this product:

'Red PMS blemish? Bad joke breakout? Heal, fight and fade it fast. Just dab on a dot and feel blemish-busting Salicylic Acid instantly help speed healing while anti-spot technology helps visibly correct post blemish darkening. Skin-calming Caffeine and Red Algae help visibly relieve irritating redness. And to help keep skin looking spotless, super exfoliators eliminate excess oils and pore-clogging debris.'
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Before I go on to talk about the product I just have to comment on the packaging, how cute is this little bottle?! I've compared it above to a Mac lippy just so you can see how diddy it is!

The product is dispensed through a stopper in the bottle, this stops you from wasting any product and allows you to dispense just the right amount. 
The product itself is a clear gel that dries to create a film on the skin. I dot the gel onto the spot/blemish and then wait for it to dry. The gel normally takes around 5 minutes to dry & then I continue with the rest of my skincare routine.
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As mentioned above my skin has been awful recently and this product has been a godsend. When I've noticed a spot or blemish I apply this during my evening skincare routine and by the next day the spot is alot less visible and it hasn't spread to the surrounding areas of my face as spots normally do. By the second or third day the spot has gone completely. I also find that this gel has stopped stops scarring as much, an issue I had particularly in the chin/jaw area. 
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I'm not gonna lie, this product stings like a bitch! If the spot is quite 'raw' {eww!} then the stinging can be worse but i actually don't mind this, it feels like it's really working. The smell is quite medicinal, it's by no means a nice smelling product but it's pleasant enough.  
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Overall I really can't recommend this product enough, I know the bottle is tiny but I've used this loads over the past few weeks & I've hardly made a dent in the product. I've tried a few spot creams but this is certainly the best without drying out my skin. 

Origins Super Spot Remover is available here priced at £12.00

Have you tried this product, if so what did you think?

Sarah xx

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

These Are A few Of My Favourite Things | July Favourites 2012

Hello my lovelies.

I know I say this every week but I can't believe it's time for my July favourites already, where is this year going?! 

Here's what I've been loving this month...
1 YSL Touche Eclat Foundation | 2 Garnier Summer Body Moisturiser | 3 Lush Rub Rub Rub Scrub | 4 Origins Super Spot Remover | 5 Essie Fiji | 6 Nars Angelika | 7 Seche Vite
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YSL Touche Eclat Foundation | I bought this on the day it was released & I've used it every day since. It provides a lovely natural coverage whilst adding a lovely glow, I'll be posting a full review very soon!

Garnier Summer Body Moisturiser | It's been a month since my holiday & I've started to lose my natural tan so I've been using this every day to top it up. I love how this feels on the skin & I love the colour it provides, I know i'll be using this all summer.

Lush Rub Rub Rub Scrub | I bought this after Gracie recommended it & I'm so glad I did! It's the best shower scrub I've ever used, I feel like it really works & my skin feels lovely after using it.

Origins Super Spot Remover | My month has been an utter bitch this month due to stress and I've broken out alot more than usual so this product has been a godsend! It's by no means a miracle product but it helps to reduce spots & I've found it also stops the breakout scarring, full review to come soon!

Essie Fiji | I think I've worn this nail polish for about 3 weeks this month, every time I took it off I was reapplying it! It looks lovely with a tan & I need to buy another bottle ASAP, you can see a NOTD with Essie Fiji here.

Nars Angelika | I bought this blush a couple of weeks ago on Buyapowa & I absolutely love it. I know it looks like a glitter ball in the pan but this really doesn't transfer to the face & I love the colour. I have a little Nars blush collection going which is awful for my bank balance!

Seche Vite Top Coat | This is somewhat of a cult product in the beauty world & it's easy to see why. I love how shiny my nails looks after applying it & my nail polish lasts so much longer after using it. I'll be posting a full review of this next week along with a link to where you can buy it for £6 so keep your eyes peeled for that!

I'd love to know what your favourite products ware this month.

Sarah xx

Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Haul | I've Been Shopping!

Hello my lovelies, I hope you're all ok!
I thought I'd show you what I've picked up over the past week, it's a mix of sale items & beauty items. Lets get cracking!
First up I picked up a few things from Lush...
Lush - Rub Rub rub Shower Scrub £7.75 | The comforter Bath Melt £4.15 | Happy Blooming Bath Melt £3.85 | Stepping Stone Foot Scrub £2.95
Next up is something I picked up from the Debenhams duty free offer...
Clarins Multi Active Day moisturiser - £39.00 £32.50
I recently picked up a couple of very similar nail polishes from Essie, they're different honest!
Essie Mademoiselle & Essie Fiji - £7.99 each
I've had a couple of Origins products on my wishlist for ages so I decided to finally pick them up...
Origins drink Up Intensive Mask - £20.00 | Origins Super Spot Remover - £12.50
As posted earlier in the week I hit the River Island sale and was lucky enough to get a wristband so got a further 50% off sale prices so I couldn't resist!
White & Navy Dress - £20.00 £10.00 £5.00 with wristband
Long cream top with flower detail - £30.00 £15.00 £7.50 with wristband
High waist navy shorts - £24.00 £12.00 £6.00 with wristband
I also picked this top up at full price...
London vest top - £16.00
The last thing I picked up was this Lipsy dress from the Bank sale, I've seen this in the shop a few times and have always really liked it, this is probably one of my favourite things I picked up...
Lipsy bodycon dress - £55.00 £19.00, what a bargain!

So that is everything I picked up, it looks like so much now I've photographed it all!

I'd love to know if you've picked up any bargains in the sales.

Sarah xx

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Wednesday Wishlist... #4

Hello my lovelies.

It's that time again... my Wednesday wishlist!

Here is what I'm lusting over this week...
1 Loreal Mythic Oil| 2 Clarins Multi Active Day Cream | 3 River Island Colour Block Top | 4 Origins Super Spot Remover | 5 River island London T Shirt | 6 H&M Mint Shorts

It's payday on friday & I'm desperate to buy this all! I especially love the colour block top & the mint shorts!

What have you got your eye on this week?

Sarah xx

Thursday, June 07, 2012

These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things... May '12

Good evening my beauts, I hope you're all well!

I know I'm a few days late to the party with my May favourites but I had such a busy Jubilee weekend I didn't have time to get the post up *slaps wrist.*

Here is what I was loving in the month of May '12...
1 - Nars Laguna | 2 - Origins A Perfect World | 3 - Bioderma Sensibo | 4 - Loreal Lumi Magique | 5 - Sure Maximum Protection | 6 - Loreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick | 7 - Clarins Liquid Bronze For Face & Decollete

Nars Laguna - With the warmer weather I've been adding a touch of bronzer to my make up & Laguna is perfect for giving a sun kissed glow.

Origins A Perfect World Moisturiser -  I got this when Origins were hosting their trade in day & I've used it every day since! It leaves my skin feeling lovely & it smells amazing. I'll certainly be purchasing this when I run out.

Bioderma Sensibo - I really don't need to say too much about this as it's all been said 1000 times! I love using this to remove my make up at night & to refresh my skin in the morning, I recently posted a full review of this so if you want to read more click here.

Loreal Lumi Magique - I was on the hunt for a new foundation that I could take away on holiday with me & I think I've found the one! This foundation provides medium coverage and leaves a beautiful dewy glow, i'll be posting a full review soon!

Sure Maximum Protection -  I've already talked about this product in great length here so I won't ramble on but this is my number one deodorant and it will certainly be coming away to Turkey with me! Click here to read my full review. 

Loreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick 'Dating Coral' - This is my perfect summer lipstick, a gorgeous coral shade with a balmy sheer finish. This is so easy to apply you don't even need a mirror so it's perfect for on the go touch ups. I've since picked up a couple of more shades from the range but this is still my favourite.

Clarins Liquid Bronze For Face & Decollete - I picked this up after Anna raved about it in a YT video & I've loved it ever since. I use it every few days and it leaves my skin looking tanned and glowing. Once again I will be posting a full review on this soon so keeps your eyes peeled!

Other than that I've just been loving the sunshine, celebrating the Diamond Jubilee & flat hunting with my boyfriend for our first pad together!

What were your favourites from May '12?

Sarah xx

Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Wednesday Wishlist... #3

Hello my lovelies!

I hope you all had a fabulous Diamond Jubilee weekend! I spent the weekend in Bicester village & last minute holiday hauling, more on that later in the week!

Here is what is on my Wednesday Wishlist this week...

1 Origins Drink Up Mask| 2 Navy Blue Flossy's | 3 River Island Peach Shorts | 4 River Island Gold Wing Earrings | 5 Essie Fiji | 6 Soleil Tan De Chanel

I'm seriously considering the shorts & Flossy's for my holiday but I NEED to behave =[

Sarah xx

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Origins Trade In Day - Receive a FREE Full Size Origins Moisturiser!

Good evening my lovelies, I hope you're all ok!

April is 'Earth Month' and to celebrate this Origins have an amazing offer. On April 21st 2012 simply take any empty skincare product from any brand to an Origins stockist and you will receive a complimentary full size of either 'Starting Over' age erasing moisturiser or 'A Perfect World' SPF 25 Age Defense Moisturiser. Starting over is priced at £36 and A Perfect World is priced at £32 so you are getting an incredible deal.


Besides this amazing offer for every product purchased within the 'A Perfect World' range between 15th-28th April 2012 Origins will plant a tree in an area damaged by wildfire. 
One thing I will say is that the complimentary products are on a strictly first come first serve basis so I would get to an Origins stockist early to avoid disappointment. 
I personally cannot wait to get my hands on 'A Perfect World' moisturiser and I will of course pop up a review once I've tested it.
Will you be partaking in this unbelievable offer & supporting Earth Month?
Sarah xx
Origins is available at Boots, Selfridges, House Of Fraser & John Lewis.