Claudia Louch Concealer Trio

Claudia Louch Concealer Trio* - £35

Long before I started wearing foundation I discovered the wonders of correcting & concealing. My mum used to have a massive influence on my makeup choices & I liked to poke about in her stash whilst she was getting ready. She always wore the Bobbi Brown Corrector & Concealer and I practically begged her to buy me some in my own shade. When you're young you really don't need a full face of foundation to look good & the transformative power of those products blew my teenage mind. These days I wear a lot more makeup than I used to but the whole correcting & concealing thing is something I still rely upon to make my base look flawless. In lieu of my trusty Bobbi Brown products I recently started using this little concealing palette from Claudia Louch & it gets a big thumbs up from me!

The Claudia Louch Concealer Trio features three different shades that you can custom mix to perfectly match your skin tone. The creamy consistency of these concealers enables them to blend seamlessly into the skin for undetectable wear. They provide full coverage with a matte finish making them ideal for covering all manner of skin problems. The formula is very lightweight yet feels hydrating on the skin due to the inclusion of castor oil & vitamin E. It's a great product to take out with you for touch-ups throughout the day as the concealers are best applied & blended using your fingers. Out of the three colours I find that I only really need two of them. The lightest shade is an excellent match for my pale skin so it works to cover any redness, scarring, blemishes & the dark circles underneath my eyes. The medium concealer is slightly more orange toned so I use this as the corrector shade. I apply this solely underneath my eyes to cancel out the blue tones of my dark circles & to brighten up the area. The two concealers layer up really well without looking cakey. However they definitely need setting with powder immediately after application or they will crease heavily. It's just something that comes with the territory of creamy concealers like this. The Claudia Louch Mineral Loose Powder fits the bill perfectly. If your skin is any darker than mine but still a Caucasian skin tone, you'll probably be able to get more use out of this palette with the lightest shade acting as a highlighting concealer rather than an exact skin match. Currently the trio only comes in one set of colours but I would hope that this is something Claudia Louch expands upon in future to suit those with darker skin as well.

The cosmetics available from Claudia Louch's Natural Skin Clinic are all supposed to work in harmony with the treatments & skincare products that she provides. Therefore this concealer is 94% natural, hypoallergenic, allergy-tested, non-comedogenic and free from fragrances & harsh chemicals. This increases it's compatibility with those who suffer from skin ailments such as acne or eczema. The creaminess allows the concealers to blend over any dry patches of skin that often come with those kinds of skin problems but it is still suitable for all skin types. At £35 it might seem like a pricey option, when in actual fact you get a whopping 10g of product and it works out a lot cheaper than buying a Bobbi Brown Corrector & Concealer set. It does it's job extremely well without irritating or clogging the skin so I have nothing but praise for this handy concealer trio.

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The Moroccan Argan Oil Co.

Moroccan Argan Oil Spray* - £14.99

I'm not about to make the switch to all natural products anytime soon but I do have a deep appreciation for natural ingredients. When used in the right way they can be extremely potent. One of the many natural ingredients that I love is argan oil & it's something that I think everyone should include in their beauty regime. Hailing from Morocco, argan oil is extracted from the seeds of the argan tree which is sometimes known as 'the tree of life'. It is renowned for it's amazing moisturising properties. This oil has so many different uses & the effects can be seen after just a few applications. Argan oil is a dry oil & therefore absorbs very quickly whilst providing maximum hydration. One of the most important things to look for when buying argan oil is the level of purity. All too often you'll find it combined with other ingredients such as almond oil, grapeseed oil or apricot kernal oil. Whilst these carrier oils still have their merits, it's better to look for 100% pure argan oil in order to achieve the optimum results.

I've tried lots of beauty products made with argan oil but I'd never gotten my hands on the real thing before. The Moroccan Argan Oil Co. kindly sent me one of their bottles to try and my hair, skin & nails have all been reaping the benefits. Their argan oil is completely pure, cold pressed & all natural. The bottles come with either a dropper or spray nozzle. I have the spray which I find really convenient as it's easier to dispense the oil into your hands before applying the product. The spray can also get to those hard to reach areas & it's great for travelling with. I love the packaging, it really reminds me of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair! The bottle is made from amber coloured glass to protect the oil from UV rays. The oil itself is a light golden yellow colour. Pure argan oil has a unique nutty scent that can alter from batch to batch. It's quite pleasant but soon dissipates after application.

I would imagine that most people will have already used argan oil as hair treatment. It's a very inexpensive way of adding softness & shine to your hair. I normally apply some to my wet hair before blowdrying and a little bit afterwards to smooth down any frizz. However my favourite way to use argan oil on my hair is to mix it with my conditioner to create a luxurious hair mask. This can really help to restore the condition of your hair & provides some much needed nourishment for dry, damaged locks. Argan oil is also an excellent way of keeping your nails strong & healthy. I always like to treat my cuticles to a good lashing of oil after painting my nails. Taking care of your cuticles can make all the difference to the finish of your manicure & this argan oil is working wonders on mine. I just got into using the Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil but this product absorbs so much quicker & I don't have to worry about getting grease marks on my laptop afterwards. I love using argan oil to massage my feet at the end of the day too. My feet always get really achy & my heels get very dry in the Summer when I wear sandals so this is helping to soothe the tired feeling & my cracked heels.

Argan oil is also something of a wonder product for the skin. I've mentioned my experiences with eczema many times before & I originally used pure vitamin E oil to clear it up when things were at their worst. I mainly control it through my diet but I still get the odd patch now & then. I currently have an unsightly pink flare-up on my neck & have been struggling to get rid of it. Argan oil is exceptionally rich in vitamin E & essential fatty acids so I started applying some to it every night & it's improved so much! In my experience going to the doctor with eczema problems was an utter waste of time & a nourishing oil is far more effective than any aqueous cream or bath product. You can also use argan oil on your face as either an oil cleanser or moisturiser. It makes your skin feel super soft & puts paid to any dryness. Another one of my favourite ways to use this oil is mixed with foundation. Obviously not my regular base products but in particular the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer works brilliantly with a dry face oil. It dilutes the highly pigmented colour & sheers out the product so that you can use it on your entire face without looking cakey. It's important to do this with a dry oil because a regular oil will make you look greasy as hell so this product is the ideal candidate. Those in need of a hefty dose of hydration should not be without a bottle of 100% pure argan oil in their lives & The Moroccan Argan Oil Co. website is a great place to start.

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Black Magic

Top - River Island / Trousers - Patrizia Pepe* / Sandals - New Look / Necklace - Rock 'N' Rose
Watch - JORD* / Bracelet - H&M / Rings - Regal Rose & River Island

I'm probably wearing more black clothing here than most would deem suitable for the Summer but I like to indulge in my gothic tendencies all year round! Cold shoulder tops aren't normally my thing as I'm quite broad but I thought the shape of this one from River Island was really cute. The body is relaxed & floaty so it's very comfortable to wear when the weather is hot. I love the neckline & it dips down at the back as well. I definitely want to get it in a few more colours & they've just brought out a lovely polka dot version too! I think it looks great with jeans or trousers so I paired it with these black Patrizia Pepe jeggings from Repertoire Fashion. For some reason I've avoided jeggings in the past but these are such brilliant quality. They're so well made & very flattering on my figure. I don't think regular leggings are acceptable as trousers but these are completely opaque & quite thick so they really hold you in. They also look smart enough to pass off as work trousers whilst providing all the comfort of leggings. Repertoire Fashion offer some amazing discounts on designer brands. The jeggings normally cost £109 but Repertoire Fashion sell them for just 40 quid so it's well worth checking out all the designer bargains on their website!

As this is quite a plain black outfit I wanted to dress it up a bit with my accessories. I went for my gorgeous white sandals from New Look which I consider to be the perfect Summer shoes. I got these last year but they have some similar ones in store now. They're so comfy & easy to walk in. I love a good statement necklace & it doesn't get much bolder than this gold pentagram choker from Rock 'N' Rose. I've become completely obsessed with Quay Australia sunglasses lately. The Kitti glasses are one of my fave styles but the matte black material sometimes leaves black marks on my face, boo! Red lipstick goes beautifully with a black outfit & Illamasqua Tramp is the ultimate. Sadly I think they've discontinued it now but they do loads of other fab red lippies too.




Womens Wood Watches
One of my newest acquisitions is this wooden JORD watch. I think it looks absolutely stunning & so unique! I've never seen anything like it before. The watches are all handcrafted in the USA. Each watch also looks slightly different due to the nature of the wood so you end up with a one of a kind timepiece. I chose the Ely Cherry watch as I loved the colour of the wood & I like to have a date window on the clock face. It feels incredibly light & comfortable to wear. The style is elegant & goes with everything. It has a smaller dial & band than some of their other watches so it's perfect for my delicate wrists. One thing I dislike about buying a new watch is having to get it sized at a jewellers. For just $10 JORD will actually take care of this for you. Simply measure your wrist before ordering & your watch will arrive ready to wear. It's an excellent service & I'd definitely recommend taking advantage of it. I had no problems with UK customs which is something I often worry about when ordering from abroad & delivery was extremely quick too! I'm completely in love with this watch & I've had so many comments about it lately. A wooden watch certainly attracts lots of attention. If you're after something a bit unusual or want to get someone a very unique gift then I'd highly recommend taking a look at all the wonderful wooden watches that JORD have to offer.

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A New Purse

Ted Baker Black Patent Marilyn Purse* - £63.20

I've been clinging on to my old River Island purse for years now. As it was made from real leather it lasted really well & although it wasn't completely falling apart, I felt like it was time for an upgrade. I'm kinda picky when it comes to choosing a new purse. I carry a ton of cards so I like it to have plenty of slots & I always go for black leather with gold hardware. It's such a classic combo & all of my handbags fit that colour scheme. My old purse was also very chunky as the card & coin sections were on separate sides so I wanted something a lot more slimline this time around. Ted Baker are one of my favourite accessories brands. I do like their clothing but it's their accessories that really set my heart aflutter. When I spotted this black Marilyn purse on the Repertoire Fashion website, it was love at first sight!

The Ted Baker Marilyn purse certainly ticks all the boxes on my list. Black patent leather is even better than regular leather in my books & gives the purse such a luxurious feel. I love the yellow gold hardware & the bow engraved with the Ted Baker logo is a gorgeous finishing touch. I think it's the perfect size & is very slim. It fits in my handbag so much better than my old one & feels much lighter too. On the back is a slot which I use for easy access to my bus & train tickets. The interior looks even more sophisticated with high quality real leather adorning the slots & coin pocket in the middle. On either side are two long slots which I store my notes & coupons in. Each side also has four card slots & these are very tight so you can only fit one or two cards in them. When I switched all my cards over I decided to just keep the most important ones. The cards I reach for most often are my debit, credit, Nectar, Boots & Superdrug cards so they're all on one side. On the other side I keep my driving licence, national insurance, library, gym, Space.NK and Holland & Barrett cards. There is a lot less room in this purse but it encourages me to carry less rubbish around which can only be a good thing! The coin section is still a decent size & has a lovely monochrome floral lining.

I couldn't be any happier with my new Ted Baker purse! It's everything I could've hoped for & more. I expect I'll be keeping this one around even longer than my River Island purse. It's such a classic piece & goes with absolutely everything. The quality is exceptional & yet it's fairly affordable for a luxury leather product. A designer purse is always a worthy investment & a fab way of treating yourself if you can't quite stretch to a new handbag. The Ted Baker accessories range hits the perfect balance between girly & chic. I also have a beautiful Ted Baker pencil case but I'd love to buy a few more of their pieces. I'm especially fond of the makeup bags & iPad cases! All of the items have such a cute aesthetic. Are you a fan of Ted Baker accessories?

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Helmies Nail Helmets

Helmies Nail Helmets - £7.99

I'm not sure what's wrong with me because when I first heard about Helmies I thought they were an excellent idea. I can spend ages manicuring my nails to perfection, only to smudge them five minutes later when I need to get on with things. It's an annoying ordeal & I seem to get dents or fabric imprints on my nails every time I paint them. No matter how many fast-dry top coats, drops or sprays I use, at least one nail always gets ruined. That's where these things come in. Helmies are soft silicone gel helmets that promise to protect your freshly painted nails from the perils of everyday life. They're kinda like thimbles but with the texture of Jelly Babies, right down to the powdery finish. The gel texture cushions your nails & allows them to finish drying without damage. On the underside of each helmet is a hole so that you can still use your laptop & smartphone or do whatever you need to do.

After painting your nails you have to wait until they are touch dry - roughly 15 minutes. Then you can slip your Helmies onto each finger. This is where the trouble begins. My fingers are a little bit chubby & yet at least half of these nail helmets are way too big for my fingers. They just slip off immediately after putting them on. The worst offender was my ring finger & I lost this helmet several times within the space of twenty minutes. That was how long I could stand to have them on my fingers before I got ridiculously fed up. The pack comes with two larger pink helmets for your big toes & two smaller pink helmets for your pinkie fingers. The rest are white & are exactly the same size. They really need to make a pack with smaller sizes as the pinkie helmets fit my fingers a lot better.

The hole on the bottom is even more useless. It's placed in an awkward position so I found it extremely difficult to type on my laptop & use my iPhone. One thing that I always struggle with after painting my nails is pulling my tights up & down when I need to use the bathroom. The helmets all fell off during this process & I'm lucky that none of them went in the toilet! The only way that these things can be useful is if you're planning on sitting perfectly still, in which case you may as well not have bothered putting them on in the first place.

If you can manage to keep these helmets on your fingers then they do actually work & your nails will be kept perfectly smudge-free. However for me, Helmies are totally impractical to use & a complete waste of money. Save your pennies for a proper gel manicure instead.

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Cohorted Beauty Box

Cohorted Beauty Box* - £19.99

The Cohorted website is one of my favourite places to shop for beauty products. They offer some amazing discounts on a huge range of popular brands including MAC, Bobbi Brown, NARS & Dior. A little while ago they started up their very own beauty box service & it is incredibly good value for money! The Cohorted beauty box will always feature at least four different items with a variety of skin, hair, cosmetic & body products. Unlike many other beauty box services, Cohorted have made these boxes available for purchase on a monthly basis only. The box that I'm reviewing is from March 2015 which should give you an indication of how far behind I get with blogging sometimes! Even though this particular box is no longer available, I would consider it to be one of the best beauty boxes that I've ever received & the products are well worth writing about.




Bare Minerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment
The most intriguing product from this box has to be the Bare Minerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment. I've tried the regular Bare Minerals powder foundations before but beyond that I have little experience with them as a brand. Products that blur the lines between makeup & skincare are becoming increasingly popular. This is a treatment powder that you apply to your skin before going to bed. It features the RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex which is supposed to reduce the appearance of pores, increase luminosity & speed up the skin renewal process. The powder is available in Light, Medium, Tan & Clear. Here I have the Light version which is slightly too yellow/dark for my skin but a good colour match isn't too important when you're in a dimly lit bedroom. Removing your makeup at night & then reapplying a powder feels a little odd, I have to admit. I was worried about making my bed dirty but luckily the product doesn't come off on my pillow despite how much I move about during the night! This product looks really gorgeous on the skin. It makes my face look like it's been airbrushed & adds plenty of radiance to my complexion. Best of all it doesn't clog my pores in any way. I don't think it really adds anything to my regular skincare routine but it definitely has it's uses. If you're staying over at a guy's house for the first time & aren't quite ready to let him see you without makeup then this would be a fab skin-friendly way of covering up your imperfections.






Sleek Precious Metals Highlighting Palette
My heart practically skipped a beat when I set eyes on this beautiful palette from Sleek. Highlighters are my main makeup obsession. I can't go a single day without adding some form of illumination to my skin. The Precious Metals palette features three cream highlighters & a powder bronzer. My favourite shade is Renaissance Gold which is what I'm wearing in the above picture. I like to use it on the top of my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose & over my cupid's bow. It adds such a wonderful sheen to my skin. Royal Gold is quite similar in colour but has a few more glitter particles. The formula of the creams is really lovely. They blend into the skin easily & have some real staying power. The brush that comes with the set is a bit useless, you can achieve a much better finish just by using your fingers. The bronzer has beautiful golden tone to it & adds a Summery glow to the complexion. I absolutely love this little set! There's a nice mix of colours here & the four pans are all very high quality.





Too Faced Exotic Color Eye Shadow in Copper Peony
I don't think I have ever tried a Too Faced product before! Everything in their lineup just looks so pretty & I had no idea where to start. I've been meaning to check out their eyeshadow palettes as I see a lot of people on YouTube going on about the Chocolate Bar one so a single eyeshadow is a good way to try out the formula. This is the shade Copper Peony & it looks totally stunning! I never go for warm eyeshadows like this as I don't think they suit my colouring very well but this blends out into a shimmery golden peach & I'm kinda liking it. The quality is outstanding. Normally with shimmery shadows like this you tend to get a lot of fallout & end up with glitter all over your face. This stays exactly where you apply it. The colour is highly pigmented & the texture is so smooth. I feel like this is better quality than a lot of the shadows in the Urban Decay Naked palettes. Too Faced, you've got a new fan!





Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
Speaking of Urban Decay, the final product in the box was their Perversion mascara. I've been a fan of Urban Decay for many years & I remember how different their products were when they first launched in Boots. They used to have loads of amazing mascaras & although I don't love the brand as much as I used to as a teenager, I was excited to give Perversion a try. This mascara is super black & looks quite dramatic on the eyes. The formula is just the right consistency, not too wet or dry & it doesn't smudge or flake throughout the day. My lashes still feel fairly soft after applying a couple of layers. It provides both decent volume & length but can get a bit clumpy. The brush really gets into the roots of your lashes which in turn makes them look thicker. However it is quite large & I kept blobbing this mascara on my top & bottom lids no matter how carefully I tried to apply it. Not sure if it's just me being cack-handed but I don't really have this problem with other mascaras. In my opinion it's a good all-rounder mascara, just not quite as good as what I normally use.

Overall I was very impressed with this Cohorted beauty box. My favourite product was the Sleek Highlighting Palette & I've already gotten a lot of use out of it. I really liked that there was loads of makeup in this box with a good mix of full sized products & generous samples. The total value comes to £74.99 so you're definitely getting your money's worth here! The main reason I stopped reviewing other beauty boxes was because the products & brands in them had started to get far too repetitive for my liking. All of the brands featured in this box are incredibly well known but luckily I hadn't tried any of these products before. For me that is the main appeal of beauty boxes in general so Cohorted have certainly delivered in that respect. If you're interested in trying the Cohorted beauty box then you can pre-order next month's by clicking here.

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Eucerin Sun Protection

With the current UK heatwave, there's no better time to talk about sun protection! I often ignore the expiry dates of products but when it comes to sun cream it's especially important to buy a new bottle every year. This Summer I've turned to Eucerin to keep my skin safe from the sun. Their skincare products are incredibly effective & I'm massively into their lactic acid-heavy DermoPurifyer range. Knowing that my skin reacts well to their other products, I was keen to find out how their sun protection range measures up. The product lineup is very impressive with different sunscreens for normal, dry, oily, sensitive & even blemish-prone skin types. I have combination, blemish-prone skin & also react quite badly to the sun. I always get heat rash & my skin is incapable of tanning. SPF 50 is essential for my lily-white complexion but they also have products with SPF 20, 25 & 30. All of the Eucerin sun products feature licorice extract which helps to further protect skin cells against sun-induced damage alongside the highly effective photostable UVA/UVB filter system. No matter what your skin's individual needs, Eucerin have got you covered.

Facial sunscreen is a must for me, whatever the weather. I frequently use skincare products that can increase sensitivity to the sun so I always make sure that my face is adequately protected. Over the years I've really struggled to find sun protection that my skin can tolerate. Most things would either look greasy, feel sticky or smell horrendous. Products with SPF often cause me to breakout & I hate the white cast that physical sunscreens give you. I normally reach for the Soap & Glory Sunshield Superfluid SPF 50 but more recently I've been loving the Eucerin Sun Fluid Mattifying SPF 50+*. This sunscreen is suitable for normal to combination & sensitive skin. It's a very lightweight fluid with a slight yellow tint. It doesn't make your skin look oily & it feels very comfortable to wear. What really makes this sunscreen stand out is that the finish is very matte. The sun can make you look sweaty enough on it's own so you don't want your sunscreen to make you look any worse. It also sits nicely under my makeup & doesn't make it any more likely to slide off your face during the day. The only downside is that it doesn't smell quite as a nice as the Soap & Glory one but the scent soon dissipates after application. Otherwise this is a lovely high SPF facial sunscreen that will keep any shine at bay.



Personally I prefer to use transparent sprays to protect my body. They are easy to apply, quick to dry & less likely to ruin your clothes. The Eucerin Sun Spray Transparent SPF 50* is a really fantastic sunscreen. It doesn't feel greasy or sticky at all. The product doesn't pill on the skin after reapplication either. It is also water resistant. This spray is suitable for all skin types including those with very sensitive or blemish-prone skin. People tend to think of spots as a problem that only affects the face but as someone who has suffered from bacne in the past, it's important to use a product that my body can tolerate. Sun cream can be hard to apply to your entire body without someone to help you out but this spray is able to reach every area without difficulty. You can also spray it on your scalp if you've forgotten your sun hat!




If you want a more traditional sun cream then the Sun Lotion Extra Light SPF 50* is a great choice. It feels light on my skin & absorbs right away. The lotion refreshes the skin upon application & feels more moisturising than the spray. Those with very sensitive skin or a skin condition like dermatitis or eczema should get on well with this product. If you tend to get heat rash like me then using an after sun cream is imperative. I feel like most people forget about this step but it's the perfect antidote for allergy-prone skin. The Allergy Protection After Sun Creme-Gel* is a fab way to rehydrate your skin after a long day in the sun. The texture feels wonderful on the skin & sinks in quickly. It features an ingredient called Alpha-Glucosyl-Rutin which helps to strengthen the skin & reduces the likeliness of developing an allergic reaction. This product is free from perfume, emulsifiers & preservatives to reduce the risk of irritation. The calming properties of licorice extract also reduces the redness of the skin. I like to keep my bottle in the fridge to add even more oomph to it's cooling powers!

Have you tried any of Eucerin's sun protection products before?

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June Favourites

Bioderma White Objective Lightening Fluid SPF 25
I recently ran out of my Bioderma Sensibio micellar water & as Escentual had 1/3rd off all French pharmacy products, I decided to place an order with them. They exclusively stock the Bioderma White Objective range which is aimed at those with hyper pigmentation. I picked up the White Objective micellar water & also added this Lightening Fluid onto my order. The cleansing water is pretty much the same as the Sensibio version. It apparently contains a patented complex that can brighten the skin & prevent the development of further pigmentation. I can't really tell if it's working but it can't hurt to try & only cost £1 more. I've been much more impressed with the Lightening Fluid which is a really lovely day moisturiser. It's the perfect consistency for the Summer, light yet hydrating. As well as the White Objective complex, this moisturiser also boasts a high dose of vitamin C & SPF 25. It contains everything you need to keep your skin looking bright, even & youthful. I'm so glad I gave it a shot!

MAC Fix+
Fix+ is something I've been meaning to purchase for years. I've always heard so many good things about it but felt bad about paying £17 for what could just be glorified water. There are some misconceptions about this product. It is not a setting spray. Fix+ is a finishing spray that you can use after applying your makeup to prevent it from looking powdery or cakey. It makes my base look soft, dewy & fresh. I especially like to spray it over my powder highlighter as it really adds some oomph to the shimmer. I also use it with eyeshadow to intensify the colour. I had my doubts about it but this is a fab multi-tasking product that can make such a difference to the finish of your makeup.

Michael Kors White
The name White is very apt for this limited edition fragrance. White floral scents are my very favourite kind and this Michael Kors perfume delivers a delicate blend of freesia, tuberose & white musk. It is sweet & feminine with a sensual, oriental base. When first sprayed the scent is very floral & green but as it dries down the vanilla & amber base warms it up a bit. It's certainly seems a lot more glamourous & sexy than the other floral perfumes in my collection. The packaging looks really cool & chic but the spray mechanism tends to squirt me with a stream of liquid instead of misting me with the scent! Technical faults aside, I absolutely love this perfume.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid
This purchase was inspired by Wayne Goss & the good people over at /r/SkincareAddiction. I've used loads of products containing salicylic acid before, with Stridex pads being my previous BHA of choice. However the SkincareAddiction subreddit is forever inundated with rave reviews of the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid & I couldn't resist trying it out any longer. There was just so many different people saying how this product had saved their skin & unearthed clogs that other acids couldn't touch. I would consider my main skin problem to be recurrent closed comedones located mainly on my forehead. Most people told me that AHAs were the answer to this problem & although they did help immensely, this BHA product is exactly what I needed all along. BHAs are better for people with oily skin because they can get through the oil that's clogging your pores. It works on all kinds of blemishes & is especially effective on sebaceous filaments. Unlike Stridex it doesn't contain menthol so it's less likely to irritate the skin. It also features butylene glycol which allows the BHA to further penetrate the skin without drying it out. This is a seriously brilliant product & a must-have for anyone with acne-prone skin.

Barry M Gelly Nail Paint in Coconut*
I used to be obsessed with the Barry M Nail Paints but I hadn't tried any of their newer formulas. The Gelly range is supposed to be a high-pigment, high-shine collection of polishes that provide a glossy, gel-like finish with a single coat. Coconut is a creamy off-white shade & I think it looks gorgeous! I'm so impressed with the formula. It wasn't quite opaque with one coat but it applies very smoothly & evenly with a super shiny finish. The polish is quick to dry & very long lasting. The colour is surprisingly flattering as the slightly warm tone compliments the skin. There's no sign of Tipp-Ex here! I love white nails in the Summer as they look so fresh & clean. Coconut would also make a great base for nail art.

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