My Morning Skincare Routine

I know so many guys and girls have problems with skin. Whether it's acne, sensitive skin or redness, many people suffer from these and as a result, confidence is the first thing to go. I've suffered from sensitive skin and redness in the cheeks pretty much ALL my life, so I've never known what it's like not to have it. Although at times, I look at other women with amazingly clear skin and envy their fast makeup regimes, I have tried pretty much most brands and products that have said they will cure it. No luck. Either my skin is the most sensitive skin in the world, or their products don't actually cater for sensitive skin, I can never find anything gentle that won't sting my face. But this year, I've found all my dream products, and from here, it only gets better!
Let me introduce you to my spot busting, redness remover and super sensitive skin products! 

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit cream wash - £4.94 Boots
Garnier BB Cream - £9.99
Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser - £15.00

This was one of my first ever face wash, and to be totally honest, it wasn't the wash that drew me to it - it was the colour (I was 16 and that's really what I used to look for in those days). No days, I'm more into using products that feel like they're working. This cream wash works best when in the shower. If you smooth a layer over your face after a few minutes in the shower, you will feel this tingling your face. As I'm prone to sensitive skin, I was worried at first that this would sting my face, it doesn't at all.. It feels like it's opening and cleaning your pores.
I use this daily in the shower, and I've definitely had better skin since first using it. It has reduced my greasy T-zone to a slight shine - nothing some powder can't sort out - and it's also minimised my spots and breakouts.
I even bought this for my boyfriend because I love it so much, and he has seen a difference in his skin too - and so have I.
For best results: Use scrubbing mittens to wash it off after a few minutes in the shower.

This product was released about a month or two ago, and I first heard about it from ramz and the flock when Garnier were sending out 3 samples to the first couple thousand who signed up to try out this new cream. BB Cream, also known as blemish balm, is supposed to even out skin tone, create a smooth application for foundation, defend against UV rays with an SPF of 15 and to hydrate the skin all day. When I first used the testers, I fell in love. My foundation would look a lot more natural and it would stay put (even more so) after using it. I even gave my mum one of the samples to get her into it.
This product squeezes out into a thick lump of foundation-looking mush, but then glides onto my face into a conditioning, light paste which DOES calm my red cheeks down! Absolutely love this product, and will be repurchasing over and over.
 Only thing I will suggest is to buy the correct skin tone for you. I think there's two or three shades and I accidentally only thought there was one, so I picked up a medium instead of a light urghhh..

I'd always known I had naturally red cheeks, even when I was 1 years old. I've never known what it's like to have just one shade on your face, never. Although I really doubt I'll ever find that one product that will illiminate this skin problem, this one settles it down. I use this at night usually when I'm taking off my makeup and in the morning, my skin is pretty much one-tone but with my skin being so sensitive, this doesn't last long as any slight movement on my face, will bring my cheeks up again. Using it in the morning doesn't seem to work, unless I had an hour to spare, because it doesn't sink into my skin until an hour where I can see a difference.
It's an amazing product, and cleans my face without irritation. It's more of a cleanser for really sensitive skin than a redness solution, but oh well.. it still works!
Apply a small amount (roughly a 5 pence piece) into your hand and rub over face. Use a cottle wool pad to remove. I usually take MOST of my makeup off with another cleanser or makeup remover THEN apply this.

REVIEW: MAC Christmas Special Edition Brushes

For a while now, I've needed a good makeup brush. Not just a something that will help me apply my makeup - I already have roughly 4 foundation Brushes - but a "GOOD" makeup brush. My first ever brush purchase was from Body Shop: A Foundation brush and a Blusher brush. I didn't really know there were so many different brushes and types - but luckily chose well the first time.
I've been shopping at MAC for a few months now and love it. Although I've had to take back a foundation, everything else is great. I made the decision to splash out (I say splash out but I currently have little money in my account - so this WAS a splurge) on the Special Edition Christmas Brush Set. I was planning on buying a Blusher Brush and a Foundation Brush and the woman suggested I buy the set because the other three brushes came with the two. BARGAIN. It came to £31.30 (the brushes and a makeup bag included) in the end which I thought was a great deal - and for such gorgeous looking brushes.. WHY NOT?

Blusher Brush: 129 SE
It's a bit of a disappointment for my first ever purchase of an expensive brush and is very bristly and scratches my skin slightly rather than smoothing on my powder and blusher/bronzer. Although I've only used it once, I definitely won't be using it again.. It was of such bad quality (in my opinion) that the individual strands of hair (or whatever crap it's made from) would actually brush off onto my face, leaving me with having to pick strands off my face. It just doesn't meet to my expectations of a good Blusher Brush - Sorry MAC.
Foundation Brush:190 SE
This is by FARRRR my favourite Foundation Brush I've used to date. It's soft and thick - everything a Brush fanatic could wish for. I haven't found a down side to this brush yet - but I am looking. The only think I'm worrying about it getting round to cleaning it. I hate the first time you wash a brush and dread to think that the glue is unsticking!
Eyeshadow Brush:275 SE
I never normally wear eyeshadow, purely because it over-powers my face and it takes up even more of my time in the morning. But TODAAYY... I obviously had to try it out. This brush is made from the same hair type as the Foundation brush so it's silky smooth to touch and glides effortlessly over my eyeshadow pallet and onto my eyelid. FAB! There's not much more I can say, because I never use Eyeshadow that much.. (Maybe I should?)
Concealer Brush: 266 SE
Again, I never use Concealer, let alone Concealer Brushes, but it was one of those purchases where you think "maybe one day I'll start using concealer and I'll be forever greatful that I bought that Special Edition Brush Kit." Or.. Not.. Anyway, haven't used this yet, and doubt I will for a while. I just wanted to ramble on about not using Concealer ... (Another 'Maybe I should' moment)
Eyebrow Brush:226 SE
OK OK, this is SOO ME! I live for Eyebrows... They're my favourite feature on most faces (weird, I know) next to Eyes (saved myself).. I think they define a persons whole face and it really frustrates me when I see over-plucked eyebrows. I think we've all gone through that stage. I know I did. URGH absolute disaster = eyebrows + razor. I've learnt by mistakes.
This brush will come in SO handy as I've just received an Eyebrow kit (Benefit, if you must know) and the brush that came with it is just not flexible enough. OMG can't wait to use!!

Link to the Brushes kit here

Happy Halloween!

Just wanted to say... "HAPPY HALLOWEEN!"

This week I've been soooo busy (it was half term and I pretty much did something everyday) so I'm sorry that I haven't written a long post lately, I've only just got back to my 'normal' regime. Off to college later and then I'll post my Weekly GROW post.
I went to Tulley's Farm on Thursday with my boyfriend, and enjoyed it so much.. It was pretty scary and all the 'haunts' were definitely worth the £30 I spent on a ticket. It's basically a farm out in the country side somewhere in Sussex and every year they open it at night to the public and have 5 - 6 different attractions. This year they were; Haunted Hayride, Field of Screams, Mirrors Maze 3, Creepy Cottage, The Haunted Cellar? and the NEW attraction, Hell-ements. All-in-all it was a great night, and I definitely got my kicks when Az absolutely wet himself on the first ride (not literally).

Then for you girls that follow me on Twitter or read my last post, will know that I got a job at Debenhams in the Fragrance Section, so I had my induction training yesterday - which was so tedious. We watched a 2 and a half hour DVD on Health and Safety haaha... I tried to fall asleep, but couldn't because the volume was on full. GAH.
I hope you all have a fab week. I'll be Tweeting more frequently now and writing more posts...

HAPPY HALLOWEEEEEEEEEEN!

MAC Face and Body Foundation RANT

MAC Face and Body Foundation in C4

Ok, I don't normally hate products at all.. I sometimes dislike them, but never hate them. I think it's time to make an exception. This Foundation has to be the worst purchase of my entire Foundation-using life. No over-statement.. Some people may really love this Foundation, and I'm not against that at all... But I was wrongly advised by one of the MAC shop assistants and I'm just cross that I didn't go with my gut instinct not to buy it. First off, I found there's hardly any coverage, only if you apply and apply and apply - and I asked for a Medium Coverage Foundation. GRRR! Secondly, this Foundation seems to be for very dry skin, as I found after applying about 3 coats (and still not having GREAT coverage) my skin would be like oil on a plate. It was horrendous!
My mum actually commented on my skin, telling me whatever foundation I was using, was definitely too oily for my skin (which I already knew)...
I like to have a Medium Coverage light foundation for my base, and then a darker foundation on top (that's how I roll).. But with this foundation, it would get oiler throughout the day, and my other foundation would pretty much smudge off using any force (or even start melting off in high temperatures - Luckily I was in cold Wales at the time)..

I am in no means trying to make you not buy this product, but perhaps question whethere it is right for your skin. I'm heading back to MAC whenever I'm next in town to get my money back, or buy anothe (better) foundation.
This foundation may actually be your staple and one that you rave about.. That's great. But if you're oily - normal combination skin, this is definitely NOT for you - unless you lervvvvee that oily look..

On another note, these are some of the pictures I took in Cardiff, Wales. I haven't got round to editing the others just yet.. But I've got too many posts lined up to do individual ones. So here's a sneak peak.

Hope your week's been good! Speak soon!

Bloggers Secret Santa! CLOSED

So the beautiful Rani (from Cupcake Couture) has organised a Secret Santa 2011 for Bloggers! I, personally, am so excited because I love everything about Christmas and the occasional Secret Santa..
There are more details on how you can get involved on Rani's Cupcake Couture site by clicking HERE but the closing dates are TOMORROW, so better do it quickly!
I've already got some good ideas for my role as Secret Santa to someone and can't wait to go out and shop for it! Christmas is in 67 days, and it's not long AT ALL! I'm SO excited. Can you tell?

Anyway, hope you get involved! And hope to read some posts about what other Bloggers got for SS! ♥