As the seasons change, I think everyone likes to mix up their beauty stash and experiment with different looks. What better reason do we need to go and splash some cash and find some new additions to our stocks. To make up for a few months of a beauty-spending ban, I headed to Space NK and picked up some items to arm me against the A/W weather. I think that defeated the whole object of the ban, but hey, it was my birthday at the weekend (#feelingspendy). Of course, extravagant hauls like this don't occur on a regular basis and I did get a bit greedy, but I think it's good to treat yourself once in a while! Some products I've already tried out, but most are still waiting in the wings, before I give them a good going-over. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for these products making an appearance in upcoming posts.
I've been using balm cleansers both morning and evening for a couple of years now. But, often I want to use something a bit more refreshing to wake me up in the AM. Foaming formulas can be drying, so I was on the hunt for a richer, creamy alternative. As my skin is dry all year round and even more so in winter, I need every step of my skincare routine to be as hydrating as possible. The Radical Skincare Hydrating Cleanser immediately caught my eye. A 3-in-1 product, this will remove makeup, cleanse without drying skin out and tone. Trying it on the back of my hand, it feels light, fresh and not at all oily. Once rinsed, my skin feels nourished and plumped. After I've given it a proper road-test, I'll let you know how I feel about it, but things look promising!
The Sarah Chapman Skinesis Morning Facial was top of my list when I hit Space NK. After being obsessed with the Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial, as soon as I heard this had been released, I wanted to get my mitts on it ASAP. Intrigued as to how it would compare, I cracked this open as soon as I got home. Similar to the night-time treatment, this sits somewhere between a serum and an oil. Rich and instantly hydrating, it seems very intense for a product used in the morning, at first. I was dubious, but after trying it, it doesn't leave my face like an oil-slick. You can layer this underneath your daily moisturiser, to take on the role of a serum or smooth some on top of your cream, as a final step before makeup, like a primer. Delivering a noticeable, instant glow, this is the perfect skin booster for the coming months. I don't want to give too much away yet, but I can assure you a full review is coming very soon.
Along with the Morning Facial, I decided to pick up the Sarah Chapman Skinesis Intense Hydrating Booster. Hailed as an amazing serum for dehydrated skin, this sounds like the perfect addition to my skincare regime for A/W. I'm still in love with the Indeed Labs Hydraluron serum, but unable to quash my urge to always find something better, I thought I'd give this a try. It is extortionately priced, but I always like to invest in skincare and if there was only one product I'd splash out on, I'd choose a treatment or serum, hands down. This one is not only meant to significantly increase skin's moisture levels, but also creates a bacterial shield to fight blemishes and protect skin from irritation. I'm sure this is music to many beauty addict's ears, as products that tend to fight acne, tend to dry skin out, rather than hydrate. As I'm just about to finish off the last dregs of my current tube of Hydraluron, this hasn't graced my face, yet. But, it feels amazing on the back of my hand and seems to do exactly what it says on thetin pump.
What stops me from using face masks or treatments more often? Unless I've dedicated an entire evening to pampering or it's a weekend, it's difficult to find the time to use them. That's where the REN Flash Rinse 1-Minute Facial comes in. Claiming to transform and recharge skin with water-activated Vitamin C, this treatment should leave skin smooth, glowing and feeling firm. All in one minute, too. Quicker than your average treatment, this facial could be slotted into your morning or evening routine, without racking up too many, extra minutes. If you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, or don't manage to go to bed at all and need to add some zing to your face, this sounds like it could come to the rescue. I'm thinking this could be a hungover hero.
If you haven't heard about my wild hair woes as of late, you've had a lucky escape. The heat and humidity of the past few months left my mop frizzy, but I managed to find a light leave-in spray that calmed everything down. Seeing as the cooler months are ahead, I wanted to add a thicker, leave-in treatment to my routine. Despite hearing mostly positive things about the brand, I'd never tried any Bumble & bumble products before now, so I'm super excited to try out the Bumble & Bumble Quenching Complex. Designed for thirsty hair, this silicone-based cream promises to drench the hair in moisture, smoothing the cuticle and leaving behind a healthy shine. For any girls that can't be without their straighteners or curling tongs, this complex will keep your strands protected from the high temperatures and repair previous, mechanical damage. Grouped with the other products in my current haircare routine, any damage from the summer sun should be reversed in no time.
I'm not one to use primers very often at all, with the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm being an exception. I just hate how they feel on my skin. But, there's a pattern that's formed in my abandoned primer drawer; they're mostly silicone-based and are targeted towards plastering over pores. Mine aren't perfect by any means, but instead, I want primers to add an extra, hydrating layer underneath my makeup, to smooth out the complexion and prevent things from getting dry. The By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Primer blurb was speaking my language. Since purchasing, I've used this primer every day and even took the risk of using it on my birthday, which is an occasion usually reserved purely for products that I've loved for years and I can guarantee won't let me down. Texture wise, the mousse-cream hybrid is light and silky feeling. Non-oily, the formula leaves skin plump to the touch, with a matte finish. So far, so good.
Lastly, I added the Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Himalia to my pile. It wasn't so much the multi-use element that drew me in, but just the fact that Nars eyeshadows are some of my favourites. Despite having many shadows of a similar colour, the metallic, frosted, warm, bronze shade was too beautiful to leave at the counter. Usually, if I'm considering using a shadow with a wet brush, I just opt for a cream formula instead. But, I'll be making a concerted effort to change that and try not to be as lazy. After having a quick swatch, the pigmentation seems decent when dry, but becomes pretty much opaque and intensified significantly, when used wet. However I wear it, I'll definitely be getting my moneys worth from this eyeshadow, especially with the rich, jewel-toned eye trends of A/W.
What goodies have you bought recently?
AGB X
Along with the Morning Facial, I decided to pick up the Sarah Chapman Skinesis Intense Hydrating Booster. Hailed as an amazing serum for dehydrated skin, this sounds like the perfect addition to my skincare regime for A/W. I'm still in love with the Indeed Labs Hydraluron serum, but unable to quash my urge to always find something better, I thought I'd give this a try. It is extortionately priced, but I always like to invest in skincare and if there was only one product I'd splash out on, I'd choose a treatment or serum, hands down. This one is not only meant to significantly increase skin's moisture levels, but also creates a bacterial shield to fight blemishes and protect skin from irritation. I'm sure this is music to many beauty addict's ears, as products that tend to fight acne, tend to dry skin out, rather than hydrate. As I'm just about to finish off the last dregs of my current tube of Hydraluron, this hasn't graced my face, yet. But, it feels amazing on the back of my hand and seems to do exactly what it says on the
What stops me from using face masks or treatments more often? Unless I've dedicated an entire evening to pampering or it's a weekend, it's difficult to find the time to use them. That's where the REN Flash Rinse 1-Minute Facial comes in. Claiming to transform and recharge skin with water-activated Vitamin C, this treatment should leave skin smooth, glowing and feeling firm. All in one minute, too. Quicker than your average treatment, this facial could be slotted into your morning or evening routine, without racking up too many, extra minutes. If you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, or don't manage to go to bed at all and need to add some zing to your face, this sounds like it could come to the rescue. I'm thinking this could be a hungover hero.
If you haven't heard about my wild hair woes as of late, you've had a lucky escape. The heat and humidity of the past few months left my mop frizzy, but I managed to find a light leave-in spray that calmed everything down. Seeing as the cooler months are ahead, I wanted to add a thicker, leave-in treatment to my routine. Despite hearing mostly positive things about the brand, I'd never tried any Bumble & bumble products before now, so I'm super excited to try out the Bumble & Bumble Quenching Complex. Designed for thirsty hair, this silicone-based cream promises to drench the hair in moisture, smoothing the cuticle and leaving behind a healthy shine. For any girls that can't be without their straighteners or curling tongs, this complex will keep your strands protected from the high temperatures and repair previous, mechanical damage. Grouped with the other products in my current haircare routine, any damage from the summer sun should be reversed in no time.
I'm not one to use primers very often at all, with the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm being an exception. I just hate how they feel on my skin. But, there's a pattern that's formed in my abandoned primer drawer; they're mostly silicone-based and are targeted towards plastering over pores. Mine aren't perfect by any means, but instead, I want primers to add an extra, hydrating layer underneath my makeup, to smooth out the complexion and prevent things from getting dry. The By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Primer blurb was speaking my language. Since purchasing, I've used this primer every day and even took the risk of using it on my birthday, which is an occasion usually reserved purely for products that I've loved for years and I can guarantee won't let me down. Texture wise, the mousse-cream hybrid is light and silky feeling. Non-oily, the formula leaves skin plump to the touch, with a matte finish. So far, so good.
Lastly, I added the Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Himalia to my pile. It wasn't so much the multi-use element that drew me in, but just the fact that Nars eyeshadows are some of my favourites. Despite having many shadows of a similar colour, the metallic, frosted, warm, bronze shade was too beautiful to leave at the counter. Usually, if I'm considering using a shadow with a wet brush, I just opt for a cream formula instead. But, I'll be making a concerted effort to change that and try not to be as lazy. After having a quick swatch, the pigmentation seems decent when dry, but becomes pretty much opaque and intensified significantly, when used wet. However I wear it, I'll definitely be getting my moneys worth from this eyeshadow, especially with the rich, jewel-toned eye trends of A/W.
What goodies have you bought recently?
AGB X
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