Boots Beauty Haul

Oh My Word!!! If it was ever possible for me to fall head over heels with a set of false nails it has happened... on my trip to Boots to buy some beauty essentials (and not-so essentials) I discovered these; Ted Baker Floral False Nails. They are stunning. Simple as that and they're £8 for the full set. I would have bought them had i not realised i'm now doing Manicures and Pedicures as part of my beauty course, so I wouldn't be able to wear them as i have to have my nails done every week (oh the horror!) 
So, after that epic pout fest in the middle of my local Boots store I proceeded to make myself feel better buy buying some new Barry M Nail Polish. The have a new "Aquarium" range which is filled with these beautiful pearlescent colours; I bought shade AQNP3- which is basically a gold/pink shimmer.

There are a few other colours, next on the agenda will be their AQNP6 which is a Teal/blue and looks like the Mermaid leggings from Black Milk. Link to the varnishes is HERE.

From Barry M i also bought myself some Matte Black nail polish, i have the Matte in a Nude colour for sensible occasions but i needed to let my old inner gothy rock chick out! Both of these were £3.99 in Boots (uk).

Next was a new beauty sponge from Real Techniques. It was £5 and boasted to be better than all the other shaped sponges for make up application as it has a variety of different surfaces for different areas of the face. I will admit i used it once and the Complexion Sponge is amazing. It doesn't eat up all your product and the odd angles and shapes literally does mean you can get your foundation into every single area of your face for even coverage. It also has some online tutorials which i've linked HERE. 

Last but not least, my new favorite blush; from Seventeen, is their Cheek Stamp Blush. I got mine in the shade "Blush" simply becasue it has a beautiful sheen to it when its on your skin. I've noticed a lot of reviews for this item and people seem to be unable to get their heads around that the blush product is actually in the lid, essentially behind the handy mirror you get with it, and when you puff the little spring-loaded pad back into the lid that loads up the pad with the pigment! When it's stored away again the act of screwing the pad side back in retracts the pad area away from the blush itself so it doesn't over-load, simple! :) 

As I said, it's the sheen that drew my attention to it. It just makes your skin look like it's glowing. The link to this is HERE and it is £4.99.

XxX

Skin Analysis: What is your skin type?

Sorry this is a week late but i have been having issues, namely HAIR issues, i shall explain that though in another blog post... for now, as promised here's a definitive way of determining what skin type you are so you can buy the correct cosmetic products to help enhance and even-out your skins' appearance, also featuring a few celebrities. After each type I've linked a few beauty products ideal for that skin type; some high end, some drug-store. 
HERE is Clinique's step by step choices using your skin type.

1)Normal Skin
 This skin type is very VERY rare- in fact it's quite likely that no one you know is going to have completely "Normal" skin all over. Your skin can Combine two skin types, as in one can commonly be "Normal" with an "Oily t-zone" (this is Combination skin as described in the next point) but it's highly unlikely they will be "Normal" all over. 
A Normal skin type is identified by it's even appearance, matte finish, no visible pours and no redness or "sallow" (yellow) appearance. - Usually someone with combination skin will have Normal skin on their cheeks and upper forehead. Basically, all-over "Normal" skin is only achievable through Photoshop. 

2)Combination Skin
Combination is the most common, simply because it covers most bases- it is literally a Combination of two or more of any of the mentioned skin types in this post. As simple as that. Obviously products in stores that are for "Combination" skin are usually designed around people with "Oily and Normal" combination skin. But some can be tailored to specific combinations like "Mature and Dry" etc.. so just read packaging carefully.
Dermalogica Normal/Oily Skin complete KIT
Nivea Oily to Combination Day Cream

3)Dry Skin
 Dry skin will have a naturally Matte appearance, will appear flaky on the surface (NOT to be confused with Psoriasis or Eczema). There will be very small or no visible pours when looking closely in the mirror, and skin will be quite thin, with capillaries on your cheek area (small, teeny-tiny thin red lines).
 You will want an oil-based or cream based make-up remover for daily use, and a cream cleanser. If you use toner (which you should!) it should have a very low or no alcohol content. If you want to pamper yourself you need a non-setting mask, aka: avoid clay masks! If you can still move your face while it's on then it's the one for you! And your daily moisturizer should be high in oil content. 
Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster
Dermalogica Dry Skin Kit
Eucerin Dry Skin Relief - Face
Garnier Skin Naturals Moisture Match For Dry Skin.

4)Mature Skin
 Believe it or not you can be classed as having "Mature skin" from the age of around 25 plus. No it doesn't mean you need to retire now and put away the hot pants! It's simply a way of categorizing your skin type. All it means is you've lost some of the elasticity in your skin, this happens over time to everyone and means your skin is no longer producing enough collagen to fight against gravity, so your skin may begin to sag around your neck and cheeks.
 You will have visible lines and wrinkles around your eyes, mouth, and on your forehead- perhaps small but if they're their i'm sure you'll have seen them! 
 Your skin becomes thinner, and more sallow (yellow) in appearance, and will seem quite dull. Older skin also begins to develop Pigmented areas or "Age Spots". 
Ideally you'll be wanting to use a cream cleanser and a refreshing toner. Any anti-aging beauty product will be great for your skin, although as a side note, do be aware that any product can claim to be anti-aging if it has a SPF factor. 
A great treat for your mature skin will be an Exfoliating Peel mask. It'll pull away the drying surface skin and reveal the newer younger skin underneath. 
Also ALWAYS use neck and eye creams. Daily! Make sure it has an SPF of at least 15 and that you keep up to date with your skin care, as well as looking after your skin dietary-wise; AKA drink plenty of water. Correct vitamins etc...(see skin health note below) 
Olay Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream
Boots Time-Delay
Cliniques Range of Anti-aging

5)Congested Skin
 This can happen to any skin type, it's usually known as acne or more commonly; spots and black heads. Full blown Acne can be a horrid thing to try and battle but always seek dermatological advice from your local beauty therapist and your GP there are a lot of things out there you can get to help. Do not be ashamed to ask for help. Although you may be finding it hard or even being bullied there are so many awesome things available now to help you! I'd hate to think some poor girl/guy will suffer through it without seeking help that could potentially clear it up for good!  
For the other people who merely suffer with the occasional spot or black-head bare in mind you become more prone to spots if your hormones change (puberty, before your period, or during the menopause) so get on top of it with exfoliating at least once every 28 days or using a very gentle exfoliant or mask every week. Never exfoliate every day as this wont give your skin time enough to recover from its intense scrubbing. 

Miss Diaz is always exploited in the press with her "Bad Skin". 

But as you can see here most of the time she's on top of it and seems to look after her skin well!

Dermalogica Pure Night TreatmentDermalogica Clearing Skin Wash. Dermalogica Concealing Spot Treatment
Visibly Clear Spot Stress Control Cleanser

6)Sensitive Skin
 Redness in the skin, plain and simple. It's the easiest way of diagnosing this. I have it. And i hate it. If the temperature of the room suddenly changes my cheeks go a lovely scarlet shade and stay that way for hours after. The redness can also be set off by make-up application, make-up removal and even just TOUCHING the skin. The redness and constant "Highly-flushed" look is easily treated with products designed for sensitive skin... it usually caters for combination sensitive too so it shouldn't be too oily or drying. It should just be a nice medium that is nice and cooling to the skin, to keep it nice and calm. 
You must avoid any Exfoliants that have sugar/seeds/beads etc in, anything gritty will tear-apart your skin and make it redder than ever. Should you need to exfoliate due to congestion etc... try and find one with a mild acidity- this will essentially burn away any dirt and grease. A non-setting mask, which keeps the skin nice and cool is ideal. 
Dermaligica Cream Mask/Exfoliator.

Clinique Redness Solutions


7)Oily Skin
This is a common skin type. Not many people may actually have surface oil nor a shine to their skin but it is an obvious identifier. It is also common to have large visible pours, commedones (black heads), thicker skin and a yellowish appearance.  
A make-up remover designed for oily skin is ideal, usually cream based. You'll want a slightly harsher toner, perhaps with higher alcohol as this will dry out the skin, and a good moisturizer that's light. 
If you want a treat a clay or setting mask with grab any dirt through that oily layer and cleanse the skin of the oily texture at the same time. 

Poor Katy Clearly has visible pores, and congestion as a result of her oily skin type. But we wont let that stop us from freakin' loving the girl.

Dermalogica Oil Control lotion

Garnier Skin Oily Skin Cleanser


8)Dehydrated Skin
Now this isn't necessarily a skin "Type" as such- as it's usually a temporary problem that can be fixed with the correct intake of water and changing the products you're using on your skin. I'm featuring it as a type because so many people do have it- and it will have an obvious lack of moisture, the skin will feel tight, almost like its pulling, and it will be flaky, especially if your flaky areas are appearing in your oily t-zone. I am guilty of suffering from this so this leads nicely onto my final section; 
(Drink This)

Skin Health
All of the above can change rapidly dependent on the factors listed below, so it's a good idea to check none of these things have changed before you continue using the wrong products for your skin and making it worse;

Hormones
Products Used
Diet
Water/Lack of fluid
Exercise
Alcohol
Weather/climate/holiday
Allergies
UV/Sun Exposure
Smoking
Health issues (illness)
Stress
Medication
Sleep (lack of)
Genetics 
Drug use. 

I have Red Hair!!!

I finally decided, after months of drooling over fellow bloggers' red hair that i was going to ditch the blonde and go Red... I freakin love it. I kept a slice of blonde in my fringe thats a tad pink now but its amazing. One thing i've noticed; i get a lot more attention from guys. Usually i dont notice men looking, i'm married i dont give two poops about other blokes... But i have to admit it's been noticeable and quite a bit confidence boost.
Only downside ive noticed so far is it hasnt taken too well to the ends on my long side,.. I think its because it has been bleached ao much from my white blonde it's too damaged to absorbe anymore dye! I've been to sallys today and picked up a Indola red (think thats how you spell it) and a 6% peroxide. So im going to just try and keep on top of it fading for the next week or so until it's a solid colour. But even the faded part looks LUSH it's like a rasberry colour! Nom! Overall i love it!

Beauty Tips, My Night-time Face care routine; for younger-looking glowing morning-time skin!

Since starting Beauty Therapy i have learnt a lot about Skin, (obviously) and my own skin in particular, for instance; I'm 26 and i have not one line nor wrinkle yet...YET. It WILL happen. It comes to us all... but that compared to some of my younger friends, between the ages of 19-24, who have un-believeable crows feet, brown furrows and even cheek/chin sagging. I thought it was mere good-fortune and excellent genetics, but no! Alas it is my years of methodically and almost obsessively looking after my skin.
Not one make-up wipe (mostly), i don't smoke, i don't drink, my caffeine intake is minimal, i drink plenty of water, i wear SPF15 moisturizer daily, without fail, despite my Italian heritage my skin stays a pasty white, there's no olive tones here! And apparently because I've done this since i started wearing make-up when i was 13/14 my skin isn't far off the condition it was back then. Obviously naturally you'll loose collagen, time and environment and stress are all factors but this is your basic list of things you need to keep yourself and your skin young and healthy;

Night- after the makeup comes off!

1- Take your make up off without fail!!!

Next morning-No make up

No! a night out on the town and you coming home drunk ISN'T a good enough excuse to neglect your skin. You still need to take that make up off, all the damage you've already done tonight drinking and smoking/passive smoking is enough to keep your skin desperate for air for a few days so you must do all you can do to relieve if of the stress it'll be under, and taking off your slap is essential. Soap and water is only acceptable if you put on lathers of excellent non-greasy moisturizer after, as soap doesn't tend to help your skins natural PH levels and can dry your skin out, and the fact your pours are open and exposed from cleaning, if your prone to break-outs or spots a non oily or greasy moisturizer is the only option, there's no point in cleaning your face and replace it with more stuff it has to flush out...
Ideally you want to be using a good Cleanser, Toner and Moisturizer and get yourself into a good routine. The products don't necessarily need to all be the same brand- but test a few out, avoid high alcohol toners if your skin is dry, they're more for people with oily skin as the alcohol dries your skin out, (that is also why makeup wipes are bad, nay TERRIBLE as they're basically just scented cloths of alcohol) Obviously most beauty products are labelled for your skin type so Dry, Combination, Oily, Mature etc... Get used to doing this Cleanse-tone-moisturize routine EVERY NIGHT without fail. You'll end up with breakouts if you miss a couple, and after a good few you'll notice it in dry patches on your face, and eventually in the future as lines on your face!



2- Drink Water.
Simple, and what it says on the tin, drink your 2Ltrs of water a day to stop your skin drying out and becoming a flaky mess.

3- STOP TANNING
Yes, okay pasty white isn't a fashionable look, but when you're 40 and look 60 and us pale-faced sun-avoiders are 70 looking 40 you'll be the one who's miffed. If you must have your glow, or orange hue- fake it! But make sure you still use a good high SPF Everywhere on your body. On top of your fake tan. UV rays can get you even on a cloudy day, the sun always emits this radiation, so if its light out, there's rays about... and that means your skin's going to be working its butt-off to protect itself and you. So help it out a bit!

4- Treat yourself.
Your skin needs a good deep-cleans every month, so use a light slightly abrasive facial scrub, or a mask...or even go and get a facial treatment at a local salon. You'll love it, your skin will love it and if you cant really afford premium salons, go to your local collage's beauty school. they will require models and the prices are usually significantly reduced, and you'll be in good hands as no college tutor would let their therapists in training do a bad job.

5- All beauty products have use by dates
Every single thing you put on your face has a use-buy date, from 3 months, to 34 months, as indicated by this little symbol on every product you own. If its out of date it wont do anything it says its supposed to, no anti-aging, no SPF, no nothing... so use it up or if its out of date...get rid!

 





















So thats the basics, I'll be doing a post on identifying your skin type next week. So stay tuned for that. As usual don't forget to follow me on all my usual haunts;
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March Birchbox

Hey followers! Thanks for checking back, i haven't disappeared i've just been super-busy!

This months Birchbox may well be my last for a few months, and i'm so sad that i'm going out on such an AWESOME BOX. I was kind of hoping it'll follow the usual trend of a few good boxe's and then a rubbish one, but i can safely say Birchbox havent been a let down yet.


Anyway in this months box we had;
NOMS! Thats right this moths boxs' theme was "Good Enough to Eat" and boy it was!!!

This months "Lifestyle Extra" was Propercorn usually £0.90 per bag. I got the flavour Sweet Coconut and Vanilla, they also do Lightly Seasalted, Soured cream and Chive, Fiery Worcester Sauce & Sun-Dried Tomato and Sweet and Salty.
The Coconut and Vanilla Flavour i tried was a bit bland at first, but it was so yummy after a few mouth-fulls. Something i will definetly be buying.




The Balm Cosmetics 'How 'bout them Apples' Cheek and Lip Cream, £26-£32 for full size pallet with all 6 Shades price depending on where you buy it from.
I don't usually use a lot of blush as i spend most of my morning trying to cover up my red cheeks. But this creme adds a nice healthy glow, i found i would use it along with bronzer to add a fresh sun-kissed look to my skin. The fact its a cream also means you can choose the opacity of the product, and its multi use so lip balm and cheek colour. I got mine in the shade "Pie" plus there's some FIT Cowboys to perv at on the inside so the packaging gets a million thumbs up! :p


RMK Make Up Base Soft, silk, smooth and slightly toned, has a really light vanilla smell to it, leaves your skin easy to work with for foundation and concealer base. A tad pricey at £28 but i've used my 15ml sample every day since i got my box at the begning of the month and it's not even half empty, so a good investment. It doesn't leave me with breakouts after either like some primers do, as it's so light i find it doesn't clog up my pours.


Colour Club Nail Polish last month Birchbox sent out and e-mail asking subscribers to choose a nail polish colour from this amazing brand, i choose the pastel green colour called "Breakfast At..." as i understand most people did indeed get the colour they selected and i'm totally in love with it. Of the four colour options (green, blue, gold and white) i choose the green because it was something different for my polish collection. I have a lot of different shades by different brands but they're all mostly warmer reds, pinks, golds browns and blacks, i just love this colour. Only downside, that even with my hardest wearing base and top coat's it still chipped after a day or so. :( £15 for the full set of 4.


Laura Mercier Souffle Body cream is AMAZING that is all...
But seriously i want to eat it. I know i cant and it's such a shame but it smells edible and the scent lasts all day on your skin. £27 for an average size tub, but worth it! I haven't even used a quarter of my sample in 3 weeks so it really lasts. Highly recommend it, everyone's been complimenting me on it.


Yin Yang Natural Moisturiser £13.95. this is my least favorite, i don't like the smell at all, it does the job and leave your skin feeling awesome but i'm not sure i want to put it that close to my nose every day.


So that was all in this Month's Birchbox. As i said i doubt i'll be getting one next month but i have a few awesome things coming up so stay tuned. And as usual dont forget to follow me on
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Thanks! XXX