Review: La Roche-Posay Lotion Astringente Micro-Exfoliante

Hey everyone. I bought this a few months ago, in the hope that it would reduce the size of my pores around my nose and my cheeks. It claims to "Tighten and help unblock pores, due to the combination of cleansing agents and micro-exfoliant LHA", and I had heard good things about the moisturiser so I decided to give this toner a go. I bought this from Boots for £10.21 and hopped off home with high hopes. However, I was quite disappointed. My skin type is combination/oily, but it can also be quite sensitive. As soon as put this onto my face with a cotton wool pad, my eyes were stinging and watering; I found the formulation just too strong for my skin, and found it very uncomfortable to use. Nevertheless I perservered, hoping that the strength of it would be really effective at unblocking my pores. I used this twice a day after cleansing for around 2 months, and so far, nothing has changed. My skin looks exactly like it did before, if not worse!

So that is my experience with this toner. Of course, it could be completely different for you, but for my skin it was totally not right :(

Have you ever tried any of La Roche-Posay products?

Elise

xxx

Patriotic Nails!

So, with royal wedding fever everywhere at the moment, I decided to paint my nails red white and blue as my little tribute to Kate and Wills! I attempted painting the Union Jack on one of the nails too like FleurdeForce, but that didn't work out so well! I have never been very good with nails...

Are you doing anything for the royal wedding on Friday? Or aren't you fussed about it? Everyone up my street is having a street party and BBQ. Knowing Britain though it will rain! Hope you're all good :)

Elise

xxx

Benefit 15% Off Online and Free Delivery

Heya everyone, just a quick post. Just in case you didn't know, Benefit are offering 15% off online at the moment until the 1st May to celebrate the royal wedding. Just enter the code ROYALVC1 at the checkout!

Hope you're all having a great day!

Elise

xxx

ASOS Wishlist

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Anyone who knows me will tell you just how much I love, no ADORE, asos.com. I think they have such an amazing selection of clothes, accessories and beauty stuff and are always really on trend. So this is my current wishlist. If only I could afford them all! Oh the joys of saving up for university...

1) This is a River Island dress and I think it is so pretty. I love the back of it, sort of a cape style. The print is quite vintage looking too which I love.

2) Ohh this bag...this would look perfect with everything. It is a good size too which is great because I always carry so much junk around with me!

3) The midi-dress style is something which I want to try, but with some trepidation. I think you would have to wear high shoes with this length of skirt, but I might be wrong. I was thinking the high-heeled sandals I bought (in my Oxford St Haul Post)

4) Again, the palazzo pant trend is something which is new to me, but I love the way they look on other girls. They look so floaty and wispy and girly and just adorable!

5) I personally think I need these.I think I only have one pair of high-heeled black shoes, so I can justify getting these. Maybe.

6) Bang on the 70s trend, I love this floppy hat. I reckon it would look lovely in the summer with a pretty floral dress and flip flops.

7) I love NARS products, and this is one of the limited edition spring lipglosses which they have brought out. I love the brightness of this, it is different to anything I have tried before.

8) I just think these earrings are so cute and vintage looking. I loving the pale pink of them.
9) I love the simplicity of this sleeveless blouse. I'd wear it with skinny jeans or denim shorts.

What are you looking to buy at the moment? Are you all set for summer?!

Elise

xxx

Soap and Glory Collection and Review

Ok, ok, I admit it, I'm a bit of a Soap and Glory addict:

But I'm an addict for good reason. The products look pretty, smell amazing, are very reasonable and work brilliantly! I am yet to try a S&G product which I don't like and I would recommend them all :)

The Scrub of Your Life

This scrub is quite a mild one, as the pink beads inside it are rounded, leading to an overall gentler exfolation. I love this as a daily exfoliater, it makes my skin so smooth.

The Righteous Butter Body Lotion

This a lovely light moisturiser, which I find is great during the summer as it is absorbed quickly and does not feel very greasy or sticky. Apparently it contains fruit acids which help smooth skin too which is cool. It makes my skin feel lovely.

Glow Lotion

This is meant to be used as a lotion/moisturiser on the face, giving you a healthy glow and false tan effect. It contains "micro-bronzer beads" which pop when you rub them in:

I do like this, and it does defintely give a fresh radiant look to the skin. It is great for days when you just want to look natural and healthy. It is nothing like a tinted moisturiser though, as it provides none or very little coverage.

Scrub Actually

This is a slightly rougher exfoliator then the Scrub of Your Life, as brown sugar is used as the exfoliating granuals. It contains kukui oil, mango butter, apricot kernel oil and vitamin E. Again, another amazing scrub.

Hand Food



Ah, the holy grail of all hand creams. This is amazing. It moisturises very well and does not feel greasy at all. It contains shea butter, macadamia oil and marshmallow.  I always keep this is my hand bag.

Flake Away

This is described as a body polish, and I would say it is the strongest of the three scrubs I own, due to the sea salt within it. Therefore I use this at most twice a week. I love how it makes my skin feel and look after I get out of the shower. It manages to moisturise my skin as well as exfoliate, and I love it.

Clean on Me

This shower gel smells so gorgeous, and it lathers up really well. It is very moisturising. I often use it to shave my legs, as it is so creamy. It is 500ml and I have had it for around 3 months and I'm only half of the way through! You only need the smallest bit.

iFoam Ultra Creamy Body Wash

This is from a different range of S&G to the others, which are from the Original Pink range. This is from the Spa range, and contains antioxidant grapeseed oil, orange oil and uses an m-suds moisture system. I didn't know what the latter was either until I read the back; "When you massage, it releases moisture molecules". Pretty cool huh? It is, and it works!

Hair Supply

This is an intensive conditioner, which you can use as your daily conditioner or leave it on longer as a hair mask. It works so well, leaves my hair soft and shiny and does not weigh my hair down.

The Daily Smooth Body Butter

This is the ultimate body moisturiser. It is so thick but absorbs quickly. It makes my skin really smooth but makes it look sort of 'glowy' too. Could not be better in my opinion.

Heel Genius

They recommend using this foot cream at night, rubbing it onto your feet then covering with cotton socks. This works really well, but sometimes I use it just whenever my feet feel dry before going out.

So that is my Soap and Glory collection. I would recommend all of the above products. If you have any questions feel free to ask! They are available from Boots stores or Boots online: http://www.boots.com/en/Beauty/Skincare/The-Beauty-Boutique/Soap-Glory/

What is your favourite S&G product? Do you have any recommendations for ones I haven't tried?

Elise

xxx



My Favourite Make Up Items

These are my top make up items, which I have been using for months. In my opinion, they all work really well.

Favourite Foundation

Estee Lauder Double Wear. This is a full coverage foundation, so I'm currently searching for a lighter one for summer. But it is a brilliant base, makes the skin look completely flawless, and once it is on and has dried, it stays there! You have to blend it in quickly because it dries so quickly, so I like to use a brush like the ELF Powder Brush:

Favourite Blush:
NARS Penny Lane

Without Flash

With flash

This is a creme blush, and gives a lovely dewy look on the skin. It is a very pale peachy pink, and goes on very sheer and first but is buildable. Looks very natural.

Favourite Concealer

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

This is such a reasonably priced product for how well it works. It gives very good coverage and lasts all day. I think it is only £3.99.

Favourite Highlighter

MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl

This is the most amazing highlight ever. It is not at all shimmery, but just makes you look 'glowy'. It blends so easily into your skin/foundation. I apply it on my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose and under my brows. Apparently you can use it as an eyeshadow, but I have tried that myself.

Favourite Moisturiser

Nivea Pure and Natural Moisturising Day Cream

Ok, I know this isn't make up, but I thought I would include it anyway! This is quite a creamy

moisturiser which once absorbed makes your skin feel really soft and non-greasy. It is apparently 95% natural, which is good to know. It smells really nice and fresh too.

Favourite Eyeshadows

Sleek Storm Palette.



Excuse the broken mirror! I love Sleek products but this palette is my favourite, as it has such a beautiful range of colours, which are all really well pigmented. There are 9 shimmery colours and 3 matt colours, all you need to create 100s of different looks. Really reasonably priced again, around £6, available in Superdrug.

Favourite Lipstick

MAC Creme D'Nude

I've lost this at the moment which I'm really annoyed about because I love it, but I'll have a big search for it and find it hopefully. It is so creamy and moisturising, and isn't too pale or too dark, yet still manages to be nude. I love it, looks lovely with smokey eyes.

I need recommendations for good mascaras and eyeliners, as I am still yet to find my HG products in those areas!

Elise

xxx

Oxford Street Clothing Haul

The other week I popped to Oxford Street and had a little browse, and came home which a few nice things.

This maxi dress was from H&M, and was £12.99. It is a really light fabric - perfect for the summer, and looks pretty cinched in with a brown leather belt.

This chiffon shirt was from Primark and was £10 I think. I love this rust colour at the moment which seems to be everywhere. It's such a summer colour, and looks great tucked into jeans.

Again this chiffon blouse was from Primark and was £10. It is so pretty, I love florals. Very see-through but its perfect with a vest top underneath.

This was from Primark too and was £15. I love the 70s style of it, and the rust colour again! Looks so nice with a brown belt, and can be dressed up or down.

Yet another chiffon blouse from H&M and was around £15. It is so so sheer but really pretty, and a very flowy material.

I love these! I got them from Primark and they were £18. I love the chunky heels which are really fashionable this season, and I also love the gladiator style. They also came in a nude colour but I decided to be good!

Elise

xxx

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

Hey there! First post and I wanted to start with something good. I have been using the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser for a few months now, and it immediately became one of the best skincare products I have ever used. I'm sure you have heard of it before, and for good reason. It's one of those products which once you start using it, you wonder how you lived without it.

The cleanser is a thick creamy consistency, and it includes extracts of rosemary, chamomile, cocoa butter and eucalyptus essential oil. No wonder it smells so yummy! You rub this cream into your skin, over your makeup and even into your eyelashes to remove mascara.

Liz Earle sell their own muslin cloths to remove the cleanser, but to be honest you can get pack of 100s of muslin cloths from places like Mothercare. You soak the cloth in hot water, then buff the cleanser off you skin. One thing which really suprised me when I first used it is how easily eye makeup just wipes off! You then splash your face with cold water. The result is baby soft, beautifully cleansed skin. I use the 100ml tube and this lasts for several months, but it also comes in 200ml.

You can buy Liz Earle from John Lewis, and a 100ml tube retails for around £11.75 and the 200ml for about £21. I would thoroughly recommend trying it out!!

Elise
xxx