BEAUTY: Drugstore haul with my first impressions

You know when everything in your make up bag and skincare routine all seem to run out at the same time? Well that happened to me recently, so it was the perfect excuse to mix things up and try new products. Cue a trip to Boots to update/transform both my make up bag and skincare routine. I thought I'd combine this drugstore haul with my first impressions of the products, as it's always helpful to know if a product is worth buying or not. 

 
L'Oreal Infallible Foundation in Porcelain (£9.99). I have tried the matte version of this foundation (read my full review here) and after initially not really liking it I ended up really liking it's medium-full coverage. It's not the easiest foundation to blend into my skin but with a lot of buffing I got a pretty flawless finish. So I was intrigued to try the more satin/glowy version of the Infallible foundation. This one is aimed at people with drier skin, which is certainly me at the moment (since giving birth my skin has become the driest ever!)

L'Oreal 4D Mascara in Black (£10.99). My trusty Maybelline Cat Eyes mascara was running out, so I needed a new one that did everything that mascara did and more! This L'Oreal mascara had some pretty impressive claims about making your lashes longer and with more volume. However on first impressions I don't like this mascara, it's a pretty dry formula which I don't like. It didn't seem to coat my lashes with anything, so I certainly didn't get the volume or length I was looking for. After three coats my lashes still looked like I hadn't applied anything, not the best first impressions for a relatively expensive drugstore mascara. I'm not giving up on it just yet, I will continue to try it out and I'll keep you updated.


 
L'Oreal True Match Foundation in Rose Ivory (£9.99). Boots had a 3 for 2 offer so I thought I'd restock on one of my favourite drugstore foundations. They don't currently have 3 for 2, it's 2 L'Oreal products for £12. I love this foundation, it has a medium coverage, blends well and covers almost everything I want it to. Personally, I like quite a full coverage foundation, like Estee Lauder Double Wear. True Match has a lighter coverage but still covers dark circles, blemishes and  uneven skin tone.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Light (on offer for £4.49). This is another repurchase - this concealer is just perfect for the summer months. I don't tend to use it much during the winter, just because I like to use something with a better coverage (like Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer or Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer). We are now entering the summer months and I love to 'wake up' my skin with products that have a more dewy finish. This concealer is perfect for lightening up the under eye area and using as a kind of highlighter. I apply it in a triangle shape under my eye, blend with a duo fibre brush from Real Techniques and set in place with Rimmel Stay Matte powder in Translucent.

Dior Nude Foundation in Ivory (reduced to £10). This was the absolute beauty bargain of the year so far, in my local boots they had a basket of reduced make up. If you go to Boots I'm sure you know the one, it usually has broken eyeshadows, lipsticks that have been opened and generally not great things. However every once in a while there will be a gem, a bargain that cannot be resisted and the day I went in it was this Dior Nude foundation IN MY SHADE! I couldn't believe it, despite only just buying two L'Oreal foundations the day before, I couldn't turn down this bargain. Dior Nude usually retails for £32, so with a price tag of £10 you can probably see why I couldn't walk away without purchasing it. It was unopened, never been used and even in the box - complete winner. This is probably the lightest coverage foundation I've tried in a long time, yet it somehow gives a good amount of coverage. The kind of coverage that is perfect for a summer day when heavy make up would probably just melt off your face. I actually really like the light texture of this foundation, which is such a contrast to my usually pretty heavy textured foundations. I think this is going to become my new favourite foundation for the summer.

L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray (travel size). I'm currently using the Fudge Urban Iced Raspberry & Vanilla hairspray, which has a pretty strong hold and you can tell when I have it on. I wanted something a bit lighter on the hair but with the same hold. As this is such a popular hairspray and I had never tried it I thought I'd give it a go. First impressions of the hold and feel on the hair are really good, however I don't like the smell of it. The Fudge hairspray smells really nice, so it might be that I'm used to that scent but either way I don't like it.

Ogx Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo and Conditioner (travel size). I was watching someones (I forget who) YouTube video recently and they mentioned this shampoo and conditioner as being amazing for your hair. I've been in such a hair rut for about a year now, always using the same products but not really liking how they make my hair feel. So I thought it was about time I tried something different. Instead of buying full size products straightaway I like to try them in a travel size first, to see if I like it without wasting lots of money. I've washed my hair a couple of times with this duo and I'm seriously impressed! After the first wash my hair felt so soft and smooth, a real improvement. It didn't give my hair the shine I wanted it to, but it did make my hair feel amazing.

Nivea 2 in 1 Eye Make Up Remover (£3.89). Another repurchase - if you need a good eye make up remover that does actually remove waterproof mascara then this is a great budget alternative to something like the Clarins Instant Eye Make Up Remover.

Nivea Cleansing Wash for sensitive to dry skin (£3.15). I currently use the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanse and Polish to take off my make up at night but wanted something to use in the mornings that will help to rehydrate my dry skin. So far I like this as a cleanser, it's creamy, moisturising and doesn't leave you with that tight feeling so many cleanser give you. 

Garnier Softening Toner for normal to dry skin (£3.29). Although I don't have sensitive skin I thought that this isn't going to be too drying on the skin due to it's gentle formula. I've liked using this after cleansing to make sure all of my make up is removed and it leaves my skin feel refreshed. 

What have you been enjoying from the drugstore recently?

Feel free to comment :) 

Helen x 

SKINCARE: Surviving the Colder Months

I don't know about you but my skin is starting to fall apart. The cooler days and heating on always send my skin into panic mode, it starts peeling away and no amount of exfoliation seems to help. This year my skin seems to be the worst its ever been, my forehead, chin and apples of my cheeks are all beginning their peeling marathon of the winter months. But this year WILL be the year I manage these problems and sort my skin out.

I began prepping my skin, ready for the colder months, at the end of summer with finding/trying/buying a range of moisture rich products. During the summer my skin is so resilient, if I forget to moisturise (due to the relaxed holiday vibe of the summer) my skin isn't fazed. It just gets on with it. The autumn/winter is another story all together, my skin is so sensitive to any changes - whether that be weather, my skincare routine or make up I use.

I've come up with a collection of products that I've been using to try to combat the whole 'autumn peeling look'. I'm really happy with how they are all working together to help keep my skin moisturised and more resilient to temperature changes.

My 'Surviving the Colder Months' Kit:

Garnier Fresh Essentials 24hr Hydrating Day Cream - Normal + Combination Skin

This is a great daily moisturiser, which helps to hydrate those dry areas and it does keep my skin feeling moisturised all day.

Sanctuary Spa 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask

I have noticed such a difference since using this twice weekly. When I don't have time to use it twice during a week I can really tell the difference with my skin. It has a slight warming feel as you apply it, which is always welcomed during these colder months. I don't find this mask helps with hydrating my skin but it is perfect for targeting the t-zone and doesn't dry my skin out at all.

Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Rose Face Mask

I got this sample size free with a magazine a while ago and I've been really enjoying using this mask alongside the Sanctuary Spa 5 Minutes Thermal Detox Mask. I apply the Sanctuary Mask over my t-zone and this mask over the rest of my face. It's a light, clear gel so it's easy to use and feels really hydrating.

Nivea Daily Essentials Sensitive Cleansing Milk

In the past I have found some cleansers quite drying, an attribute no one wants during the colder months. This cleansing milk is really gentle yet effective, removing all of my make up (except waterproof mascara). It never leaves my skin feeling tight or dry, consequently making it the perfect daily cleanser.

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub

I think this must be one of those skincare products that has been in my weekly routine since I started a skincare routine as a teenager. It's a well loved staple by many, due to its fresh scent, fantastic ability to gently scrub away dry skin and the fact it seems to last forever. I've had this mini tube for what feels like a very long time, despite using it weekly.

Sudocream Antiseptic Healing Cream

This product is usually associated with nappy rash and babies but it's actually an excellent moisturiser for those especially dry areas. I use this on target areas that are really playing up, which at the moment is around my nose (thanks to all that nose blowing) and just in the centre of my forehead. I like to layer it on at night and allow it to soak in throughout the night. Easy, fuss free and very hydrating.

Which products do you use to get your skin through these colder months?

Helen x