Current Favourites

Hello Blogger. Long time no see. It's fair to say that managing my time is not my best attribute but studying and working at the same time doesn't give me much time to myself to manage! However, I am back and I can't wait to see what I've missed in the blogging world.

I'd love to check out your recent posts - Leave your links below!

Without further ado...

Smashbox - Studio Skin Foundation 

I had never ventured to the smashbox counter until a few weeks ago, seeking a new foundation I decided to give it a shot! The lady working there greeted me and asked what I was looking for, she showed me two best selling foundations, this one and 'Liquid Halo HD Foundation'. Both foundations were appealing in different ways but I decided to go with the Studio Skin Foundation as I prefer a medium buildable coverage to a light one. 

I'm in love already. This foundation does what it says and stays put for definitely close to 15 hours, without much fading or transfer. (My pet hate,  finishing on the phone to realise you a bang slap faceprint on your phone screen, not cool) Hydrating and oil free? Yes guys, we have finally a good foundation for multiple skin types, perfect for combination.  I own this foundation in the shade 1.1, which is the lightest shade that Smashbox make. At first I thought this was a little dark due to it being quite yellow toned but once blended well with a buffering brush, it looks flawless. 

Mac Lipstick - Lovelorn 

I admit it I have a lipstick obsession, I just can't stop buying them. Mac seem to make up the majority of my collection due to their many colours and formulas.  Lovelorn isn't a lipstick I would normally go for, as i'm not really a bright pink girl. However, this beauty was an unexpected christmas present which now happens to me a new favourite of mine. Mac describe Lovelorn as an 'emotive blue pink' with a lustre finish. This formula gives sheer coverage, with a sheen. Glossy, so not the most long-wearing. For a lustre this lipstick is very pigmented which I love. I feel this would be suitable on any skin tone and any for occasion day or night. Just Beautiful. 

Mac Pro longwear Paintpot - Vintage Selection 

This is a dirty rose/peach colour with a pearlescent glow. Looks stunning on the eyelid alone or great to build eyeshadow onto. I think this would look great as a base for a rose gold look. Comment if you'd like to see this!  This product is extremely long lasting, without a doubt lasts all day without moving. Highly pigmented, creamy at first, dries fast leaving an intense and vibrant finish. 

Remember to leave me a link to your blog!

HolleyMarie

All Things Lush

Granny Takes a Dip bath bomb - The Sacred Truth face mask - Phoenix Rising bath bomb 

Before busy September comes along and we say goodbye to the summer holiday I'm taking very opportunity to relax as much as possible! In my opinion there's nothing better than relaxing with a Lush product or two after a long week. Its true, I'm a Lush addicted, I also wrote a post recently about my Top Five Lush Products go check it out!

Lush - Granny Takes a Dip £3.25 

When wondering around Lush I noticed this little beauty that I'd never seen before.I believe that Granny Takes a Dip is one of their newbies, always wanting to try something new I had to buy it. I'm so glad I did, this bath bomb is probably one of the biggest I've seen, the colours pink, blue, red and green just slowly melt and bubble into each other which is so relaxing to watch.  Leaving your bath water a gorgeous baby pink colour

This bath bomb has a lemon scent which helps you feel refreshed. Lemon oil is known to boast your mood while ginger oil is antibacterial and refreshing. Black pepper is also an ingredient which is warming, making your bath even more relaxing. After soaking with this bomb in your tub your skin will feel soft, silky and moisturised. I would definitely repurchase and recommended this.


Lush - Phoenix Rising  £3.25

Phoenix Rising is one of my favourite bath bombs because its packed with colour leaving your bath water a bright purple-y fuchsia which is just gorgeous. This bath bomb has a lot of fizz making it spin around like crazy making pretty patterns in the tub. After the purple layer an unexpected minty green layer appears which you can see in the second picture (kind of).

Fair trade shea butter makes the skin feel nourished while organic jojoba oil naturally moisturises. Similarly to Granny Takes a Dip, this bath bomb will also make you feel uplifted and refreshed due to its ingredient bergamot oil which is in the citrus family. The thing I love the most about this one is its rich fragrance, it smells like cinnamon and other exotic spices. Just lovely and also well recommended to all of the Lush fans out there!


Lush - The Scared Truth £6.25

Basically Lush face masks are probably the best you'll ever use, if you haven't tried one, you need to! This one is called The Sacred Truth and its the first time I've ever used it. I actually received this face mask as a freebie for returning 5 black plastic tubs with the Lush recycling scheme, check it out here. This one was recommend by a Lush staff member for dry skin and it worked absolute wonders!

 The application was easy, the formula was thick but smooth and really soothing on the skin, I placed a thick layer on my face for 5 - 10 minutes then washed it off. I was really happy with the results, my complexion was brighter, very moisturised and smooth. Lush face masks are recommend twice a week and have a use by date of three weeks due to fresh ingredients. 

 This face mask uses 99% natural ingredients such as fresh papaya to stimulate and brighten skin, shea butter making skin nourished and hydrated, honey which as an antiseptic ingredient and ginseng root for skin conditioning.   

Whats's your favourite bath bomb or face mask? 

HolleyMarie

Great products for problematic skin

The Body Shop Vitamin C Facial Polish, The Body
Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser  & Dark Angels by Lush

Over the last few years I've  found it impossible to up keep with my skin, one day I'm dry the next I'm dull not to mention them days when I break out due to excess oil. Well, I've finally found a skincare combination that suits my skin even on its bad days.  

Oily skin solution 

DARK ANGELS - LUSH - £.6.40 per 100g

Dark Angels comes in the trademark classic recycled tub by Lush in both 100g and 250g. Inside the tub is a thick black powdery formula, one that might be considered strange as a facial cleanser. When applying  Dark Angels I only use a small amount of product, I usually mix it together with water on the palm of my hand before applying it to my face. This makes the product into a liquid rather than powder, when in this form you can see grains of the ingredient black sugar which works as an excellent natural exfoliant leaving the face smooth and fresh. 

The application can be a little messy due to charcoal being the other main ingredient. (So, be sure not to touch anything with them black fingers when trying to check out your coal face in the mirror) Never the less the charcoal helps dry up and wash away them oily patches. 

Dark Angels is great for acne prone skin because it has an natural antiseptic ingredient which removes any bacteria causing spots.  Rosewood oil in this product leaves your face silky soft by moisturising and cooling the skin, leaving an overall great result.  

Dry & Dull skin solution 
Vitamin C Facial Polish - The Body Shop - £11.00 per 100ml

Unlike Dark Angels, this facial polish by The Body Shop comes in tubes of 100ml only, this is not disappointing as product lasts a really long time. (This one has lasted me around 8 months of using it 2-3 times a week and I've still got a fair bit to go!) The product inside is a transparent liquid with orange micro beads to gently buff them dull and dry skin patches away.  This enhances the skin's natural radiance and making you look fresh. 

Similarly to Dark Angels when applying this facial polish I also only need to use a small amount as it buffs into a lovely lather, which smells fruity and gorgeous. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that slows down the process of any other that elements that could be damaging the skin, such as the sun. This means that vitamin C helps protect collagen and prevents dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles. In my opinion this is a real must have in your skin care routine. 

Open pore & blemished skin solution 
Tea Tree Pore Minimiser - The Body Shop - £7.50 per 30ml

After using either Dark Angels or the Vitamin C Facial polish depending on how my skin is feeling I always use this pore minimiser by The Body Shop. It comes in a thin green tube that holds 30ml of a thick creamy yellow liquid. This tube is quite small and doesn't last too long but at only £7.50 it is very affordable to go out and buy another. 

The application is easy, I tend to rub it into my skin in a circular motion on my cheeks and nose. After time this product really does minimise the pores on the skin, this doesn't happen at first but after a few weeks of using it I saw a significant difference.  Tea tree oil has disinfecting and soothing properties which make it a brilliant acne treatments, tea tree will not strip your skin of its natural oils and cause further damage like chemical spot treatments often do. This product also primes and mattifies making it an ideal base for make up. 

I hope this helps
Holley

Links - 
Dark Angels by Lush - https://www.lush.co.uk/products/cleansers/dark-angelsVitamin C Facial Polish by The body Shop - http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/shop-by-range/vitamin-c/vitamin-c-facial-cleansing-polish.aspxTea 
Tree Pore Minimiser  by The Body Shop - http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/shop-by-range/tea-tree/tea-tree-pore-minimiser.aspx