May Favourites!

Here comes that little cliché again: I can't believe how quickly May has gone by. And to be honest, I can't really remember which products I've been using the most, but these three (plus one book) are the things that spring to mind when I think about what I've been loving recently.

First up, we have the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Laquer in Nude Eclipse. This shade. I've never been one for nude lips, but this caramel shade has converted me. It glides on beautifully and sits really nicely upon the lips. Perfect paired with lashings of mascara! Next we have Soap & Glory's Hand Food hand cream, a delicious-scented lotion that is a little greasy but sinks effortlessly and quickly into my skin. I've been getting really chapped hands lately and this has been great to keep flakiness at bay! And the honorary Lush product this month is: the Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly. I can't even rave about this stuff enough. With a scent like blackcurrant jelly babies and the perfect lather, I adore it. It's also the most refreshing thing ever to use in the shower after a hot day! Finally, my book choice this month: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare. I finished City of Bones two days ago and have been reading this at every moment since. For a fuller write-up on this book, check out my post on my new blog What Lauren Did Today: here.

 

My Little Links:

 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/laurennpiper#

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/laurenpiperx/

Figment: http://figment.com/users/207140-Lauren-Piper

 

xx



NEW BLOG: What Lauren Did Today

 

Hello everyone!

 

This is just a quick post to share my new blog with you all: What Lauren Did Today. It's going to be more of a lifestyle blog, with posts on books, food and writing amongst other things. I decided to take this new direction with my blogging because, as much as I love being a beauty blogger, I feel like there's so much more for me to share than just my current favourite lipstick. Loving skincare and make-up is just a small part of my life and I didn't feel like I was giving my whole self on this blog, so I just decided to take a chance and created the new one. I'm still planning on uploading posts on this blog, but a majority of my time and attention will be switched over to my new one.

 

I'd love it if any of you would be interested in following my new blog as I don't want to lose any of my readers, but I understand if it isn't really your thing.

 

This is the Bloglovin link: http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12340871 and the general URL: www.whatlaurendidtoday.blogspot.co.uk.

 

xx



The In-Between Foundation Shade

As a pale girl, I find it very hard to find foundation shades that suit me. The lightest shade available is almost always too dark for me and if I do find one pale enough, it's always that touch too pale. So instead of continuing with my search and foundation-buying obsession, I tried the next logical step: mixing a too-dark shade with a too-light shade and voila: the perfect shade.

I use the Rimmel Match Perfection foundation, which I reviewed here, in the two lightest shades: Light Porcelain and Ivory. I find that Ivory is the perfect shade for me well into the summer-time and Light Porcelain in the dead of winter, but between the building and fading of a tan, I have to mix it up.

In order to create my perfect foundation shade, I apply one squirt of the Light Porcelain foundation onto the back of my hand, with half a squirt of the Ivory shade. I then simply mix the two together with my finger tip until they're fully blended together and apply as normal with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush.

 

I'll adapt the mixture when it develops further into the summer time to accommodate my hopefully tanned skin, but until then this works well for me!

 

xx

 

My Skincare Storage

Hello everyone! And welcome to part two of my little skincare series, the first part showing my updated skincare routine. Here I'm going to show you how I store my skincare bits and pieces, as well as a few other things that share the drawer.

 

As you can see, this little drawer (which is the top drawer of my TV stand by my bed) has been split into four separate sections, each holding different things. The bottom left box is an old sweet box, similar to the one I use for my make up storage, as is the box on the top left which is actually an old take-out box that has been washed several times before using. The top right is an old tin that I received as part of a lip balm gift set (minus the lid) and the bottom right is just the last little gap of drawer that was sectioned off by the other storage pieces.

 

The bottom left box holds most of my skincare bits and pieces: my Boots Simply Sensitive Toner & Cleansing Lotion (which I have a back-up of), the L'Oreal Miccellar Water, an Avon Peel-Off Mask, the Avon Eye Make-Up Removing Lotion and a Clean & Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion. The top left box holds a few fake tanners that I never use, mostly the Primark Wash Off Tan but there's a bottle of a Fake Bake tanner in there, too. The top right tin holds a few Lee Stafford hair minis which I adore, as well as a few Primark hand sanitizers, a random pot of glitter and a spare Jelly Belly lip balm. The bottom right section is my favourite section. It holds my Johnson's Day Cream (as well as a back-up), a pack of Primark Sensitive face wipes, my M&S Coconut and Shea Butter body butters and a few small sachets of the Avon Mediterranean Olive Oil face masks which I adore.

 

So there you have it. That's how I store most of my skincare products! Aside from a few other bits such as my Boots moisturiser (which I keep by my bed side) and my Johnson's Exfoliating Wash (which is stashed in my bath room), I hoard everything in here. I find the organisation so handy for when I'm preparing for bed and just think it looks pretty, too. (I'm an organisation freak)

 

xx

 

 

My Updated Skincare Routine (Sensitive Skin)

Welcome to a little impromptu two-part series that I've just thrown together to show you guys my updated skincare routine and storage! I last posted my routine at around this time last year and I've gone through a bit of a half-switch up as only a few products have changed. As you can see from the photos below, I use only budget-friendly high street products on my skin. Paired with drinking a lot of water, my skin's sensitivity, dryness and redness is tackled easily with these products.

 

As a side note, I'm really sorry about the quality of these photos, the weather has been so cloudy lately I had to make a mad dash to snap these before the sun disappeared again!

Left To Right: Back Row - Boots Simply Sensitive Hydrating Moisturiser // Johnson's Daily Essentials Exfoliating Wash // Boots Simply Sensitive Toner // L'Oreal Skin Perfection Miccellar Water // Boots Simply Sensitive Cleaning Lotion. Front Row - Planet Spa Mediterranean Olive Oil Face Mask Sachets // Johnson's Daily Essentials Day Cream // Simple Kind To Eyes Eye Make-Up Remover // Boots Simply Sensitive Hydrating Eye Cream

 

My Night Routine.

 

This is when I do the bulk of my skincare routine. First off, I use the Simple Eye Make-up Remover to remove all of my eye make-up (including waterproof mascara!). Next, I use the fail-safe combo of the Boots Simply Sensitive Toner & the Cleansing Lotion also from that range to double cleanse my skin. Finally, I'll apply a few dots of eye cream to my under eyes and coat my skin in a generous helping of either the Boots Simply Sensitive Hydrating Moisturiser or the Johnson's Day Cream depending on how tight and dry my skin is feeling.

 

Twice a week, I wedge in my little mask-and-exfoliation slice of the routine in after the double cleanse and before the application of moisturiser. I tend to leave a gap in between this stage and the cleanse, where I hop into the bath and give my skin a good steam with what comes off of the hot water. Then I scrub my skin with the Johnson's Exfoliating Wash, pull on some pyjamas and apply the Planet Spa Mediterranean Olive Oil face mask before jumping into bed with a good book (currently, a re-read of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows).

 

My Morning Routine.

 

A little naughty of me, I know, but in the mornings I have other things to rush around and do rather than a good, in depth skincare routine. So a quick sweep over my skin with the L'Oreal Miccellar Water and another application of either of my two moisturisers and I'm good to go!

 

-----

 

I think when it comes to skincare, finding products that work for your skin is half the battle. The other half is that old cliché about a balanced diet and good water intake. Cliché as it may be, it's definitely true! Since ditching the fizzy drinks and drinking a lot more water, I not only feel rejuvenated in my energy levels but my dryness has definitely been helped. Overall, I'm very happy with my skincare routine, which is proven by my loyalty to the Boots Simply Sensitive Range ever since I discovered it last year.

 

What do you think of the products I use?

 

xx



Dry Skin Heroes

Following my post a few days ago on my new obsession with the M&S Coconut Body Butter, I got to thinking about the other products I rely on to help battle my dry and dehydrated skin. Here is a little compilation of my favourite products to use!

 

Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub Body Scrub - £8.00 - Boots.

 

One of my favourite Soap & Glory products and favourite scents to boot, I nearly had a meltdown when I couldn't find this in Boots last year, only to discover that it had been re-packaged and re-branded as part of their Smoothie Star range. This scrub packed with oats, shea butter, banana and almonds is the perfect thing to tackle dryness. It's not harsh at all and it perfect for sensitive skin(although I recommend skipping the chest area if you are sensitive as the skin is delicate). Using this once a week leaves my skin feeling refreshed and soft.

 

Lush Butterball Bath Bomb - £2.50 - Lush.

 

A firm favourite of mine and a repurchase, the Lush Butterball Bath Bomb is filled with moisturising cocoa nibs that dissolve into the bath and leave your skin coated in a gorgeous non-oily film that sinks into skin quickly and comfortably. I adore chucking this into the bath when I'm feeling a little too lazy to moisturise afterwards as it does the job for you!

 

Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturiser - £2.85 - Sainsburys.

 

I've had this product for a while now and always reach for it during a last-minute shower. It kind of work like a conditioner for your body - after washing, you apply this much like you would a hair conditioner and then simply rinse off for nourished, moisturised skin. For my full thoughts on this product, click here.

 

M&S Naturals Shea Body Butter - £5 - M&S

 

This is the shea variation of my much beloved Coconut body butter. The thick but light-weight cream is perfect for slathering onto dry patches and flaky bits without being heavy or tacky at all. Despite it's thickness it takes mere moments to sink in and leave you with beautifully soft skin. To read my thoughts on the coconut version, click here.

 

xx

 

NEW IN: My Muji-Inspired Lipstick Storage

On an impromptu trip to TK Maxx with my dad the other day, I came across the most awesome little surprise: clear acrylic make-up storage. I'm a fan of MUJI but I'm not a fan of their prices, so after quickly rushing over to check out these little beauties I was more than happy when I saw that this 24-space lipstick storage was just £5.99! I've seen a few floating around on eBay, but after reading reviews from others on their poor quality I gave them a miss and invested in this set instead.

 

The perfect width for a variety of products of different shapes and sizes, this unit measures three spaces down and eight across, giving 24 holes in total. The rows raise slightly higher as they go back, giving you a good over-view of all of your lipsticks without having to rummage around.

 

Featured on top of my new Ikea Billy Bookcase alongside a beautiful copy of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and a strawberry and melon candle, I adore my new lipstick storage!

 

xx

Review: Lush Granny Takes A Dip Bath Bomb

 Making my rounds in Lush the other day and I spotted something that made me very excited: a new bath bomb. Naturally eye-catching with it's bright colours and design, the new Granny Takes A Dip bath bomb is something a little different from the regular Lush standards: It's flat. Well, not exactly flat but it's shape isn't that of a ball - it's more like a ball that's been flattened. A few inches thick and quite a good width around, this is one of the largest bath bombs I've seen at Lush. So naturally I had to bring it home with me.

It's fresh citrusy scent is the perfect pick-me-up after a long day and the ginger and pepper elements are very warming and refreshing. This is the kind of bath bomb whose scent lingers long after the water has been drained away. And the water, it's such a pretty colour! A kind of mulled wine shade, kind of a pink/purple/red if that makes sense. As this bath bomb is quite a frothy one, the water is clouded by a little bubbliness but it soon fades away. Whilst the bomb is fizzing away (which takes about 4 - 5 minutes in total) it releases a lovely array of colours as each circle melts away. So pretty.

Overall, I think this is one of my favourite bath bombs from Lush. The price is perfect (£3.25) as I think it's well justified and it's pretty colour show is lovely to watch.

xx

Birthday Gifting: Lush's Dirty Range

In just three days time, it's my boyfriend's birthday! He's turning the ripe old age of 22 and this will be the fourth birthday I've shared with him. Add in four Christmases and this means it will be the eighth load of presents I'm going to be showering him with. Needless to say it's getting more and more difficult each year to find him something unique and special, simply because he is the kind of guy who doesn't want a lot and buys himself what he does want. 

 

But this year, I think I've done pretty good! Aside from what's pictured below, I've bought him the Game Of Thrones Season One on DVD and a cute little travel mug with a Marvel design on it from Primark.

Pictured above is I think all of the Dirty range from Lush: the shower gel, the toothy tabs, the shaving cream and a mini piece of soap. Lush's Dirty range is aimed towards their male customers and the fresh minty scent is refreshing and stimulating. I also picked up the Squeaky Green shampoo bar. I know that some people might think that this isn't something that he'd like, but I know he's going to love it! He already enjoys using the shaving cream (which is conveniently running out), has always been intrigued by my shampoo bar and always picks up the toothy tabs when we're in store. As we're planning on going on holiday sometime in the summer, the shower gel and soap seemed a good idea as he can just chuck them into his suitcase. Altogether this Lush goodie pack came to about £17.50, which I think it completely worth it.

 

What do you guys think of this gift idea?

 

xx

NEW LOVE: M&S Naturals Coconut Body Butter

 First things first: I hate moisturiser. I find it tacky, heavy and uncomfortable. I've dabbled in a few different methods of moisturising before (in-shower moisturisers, cocoa butter bath bombs ect) and haven't been able to find anything that I'm 100% happy with. Until now.

 

I got a 50ml pot of the M&S Naturals Coconut Body Butter for Christmas, but cast it aside without a second thought. But my hands, shins and elbows have been so dry lately that desperate times called for desperate measures and I tentatively slathered a layer of this gorgeous cream onto the dry patches and waited with expectations for it to take forever to sink in and to stick to my clothes. It didn't do either of these things. This thick yet light cream takes mere seconds to dissolve into my skin, taking my dry patches with it. Applied twice daily and my flaky bits are looking and feeling so much better. It isn't sticky at all and leaves behind the most delicious, mouth-watering coconut scent.

 

For just £5 for a huge 200ml tub, I'm definitely-nearly converted to moisturiser and am going to be making a mad dash to the nearest M&S when I run out.

 

xx

LIMITED EDITION: Lush May Day Bath Bomb!

Just a quick post today to share with you this adorable limited edition bath bomb from Lush. The May Day bath bomb is only available until the end of May - meaning a quick dash to your nearest Lush store is necessary! It features the cutest badger design and a subtly sweet liquorice and chocolatey scent. It's a quick fizzer, meaning that it gives off a pretty smokey effect in the bath. All proceeds from this bath bomb (minus the VAT) are being donated to a badger-supporting charity! I'm as yet to try this one, but I'll pop up another little post to show it's effects in the water and what I thought of it.

 

A bargain at £2.95, plus it's double feel-good factor of a lovely bath and a charity donation means this bath bomb is a must for any Lushie out there.

 

xx