Lately I've Been Lovin' #9

I haven't done a favourites post since December but not many products impressed me enough to make it onto the list and there wasn't enough to include in a post so #9 is a mix of Jan, Feb and March favourites.

Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse: I don't want to keep repeating myself but this beauty is marriage material! If you're a regular reader of my blog then I'm sure you're well aware this is my HG cleanser.

Perricone No Foundation Foundation: This small sample came in my Latest In Beauty advent calendar and has lasted such a long time! I don't have much left now, maybe enough for one more use but I'm really considering ordering a bottle! It glides over the skin beautifully, offers just enough coverage and adds a lot of radiance.

Estee Lauder Zero Smudge Lengthening Mascara & Lash Primer Plus: I wasn't a fan of this at first, I always felt as if bits had crumbled into my eyes when it was first applied but once it dried out a bit it worked on my lashes like nothing else. My lashes are long but very straight, this added even more length and when used with Lash Primer Plus there was double the length and my lashes held their curl all day.

Liz Earle Healthy Glow Cream Blush 'Blossom'*: I think the cream blushers from Liz Earle are my all time favourites! They're creamy but don't look greasy or slide around your face, pigmentation is brilliant, they're easy to apply (I just use my fingers) and they can be used on lips. You can read my review here.

Rimmel 9-in-1 BB Cream 'Light': This is a fantastic everyday base. It's non greasy, lasts on my skin all day, only costs around £7 (or maybe less?) and the shade is a pretty good match for me.

Nourish Relax Hydrating Peptide Serum*: I raved about this lightweight serum in a post not so long ago (link) and it's still my serum of choice. I can't even feel it on my skin, it's like water yet really works to hydrate my skin. I'm sure I'll love it even more when/if the weather heats up a bit and my skin is more on the oily side.

Avon BB Cream 'Nude': If you haven't tried this yet, you need to! My tiny tube is only a sample but I'll be ordering the full size soon. If I used this without seeing the packaging I would be convinced it was high end.

MAC Blot Powder: God only knows how long I've owned this but I really couldn't stand it! I started using it again recently after shopping my stash and fell in love but look, I dropped and smashed it. For me, I don't find it works well with a brush so I just go old skool and set my t-zone with a puff.

Have you tried any of these products?

What have you been lovin' this month?

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December: Used, Abused And Reviewed.

Another month means another empties post so here we go.

Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo: Anything that enables me to go an extra day without washing my hair will always have a place in my overflowing cupboard. I always go for the tropical scent, it's lovely! I love anything that even slightly smells like coconut and this more than ticks that box. I found the cherry version after months of searching but it's safe to say I'll be sticking with tropical from now on.

Repurchase? Yes.

White Glow Extra Strength Whitening Toothpaste - Coffee & Tea Drinkers Formula: I ordered the Original, Coffee & Tea and Smokers versions of this toothpaste a few months back. I ordered all 3 to see which works best (I'm yet to try the other 2). I don't normally include toothpaste but I really liked this! It hasn't made my teeth pure white but there's definitely a difference and it left my teeth feeling really, really clean. Each tube come's with a toothbrush and pack of toothpicks which are rubbish but it's reasonably priced at around £4.

Repurchase? Yes

Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse*: I can't even explain how much I love this balmy, oily, milky cleanser. I've been banging on about it for weeks now and it even has a spot in my Holy Grail list. You can read my full review (link) for more details.

Repurchase? Already have.

Insette Clubbers Extra Hold Hairspray: This tiny bottle has been living in one of my old clutch bags for years now. I think it's been there since I was in Magaluf 3 years ago. I found it during the week and decided to use up the rest. It's handy for nights out as its so teeny and fits into almost any bag but the spray is similar to that of a supersoaker. I used it in the loo one night while I was a bit tipsy and shot the girl next to me in the face. Not good!

Repurchase? No.

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel: Does this tube of beautness really need an introduction? Smells gorgeous, leaves my skin feeling baby soft and is gentle on my sensitive skin. The tube is only 50ml and quite pricey but it lasted me a decent amount of time.

Repurchase? Yes

Moroccan Oil: Does absolutely nothing for the condition of your hair but thanks to the silicone overload it make's the hair look and feel alot healthier. It calms frizz, adds shine and made my hair easier to straighten. I think this bottle lasted me almost 2 years, you definitely get your moneys worth but every few months I would have a break from it to get rid of the build up it left.

Repurchase? Yes

Louise Galvin Nourishing Shampoo For Dry/Damaged Hair*: If you have a sensitive scalp, avoid parabens, SLS and other nasties then this is for you. Even though it's a nourishing shampoo I find it really clarifying and it doesn't leave my hair feeling heavy or flat. It helps rid the hair of any build up and leaves the most gorgeous shine. You can read my review here (link) the price is really good too for an SLS free shampoo.

Repurchase? I'm sure I will at some point.

The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Shampoo: I'm so glad to finally use up this 400ml bottle! It has lasted me a year exactly but not because a little goes a long way, I just wasn't a fan. My hair didn't feel clean when I used this, it left an almost sticky film over the hair which weighed it down. By the next day my hair always looked like it needed washed again. I wasn't impressed at all and woudn't recommend it.

Repurchase? Nope.

Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask*: I was able to get 5 uses from this small pot. After exfoliating I apply this clay mask and allow it to do it's thang for 20 minutes while my face feels like it's turning to stone. My cheeks (close to my nose) are way to sensitive but it works wonders on my forehead, nose, chin and cheekbone area. I get teeny bumps under my skin, I'm not sure what they are but they never turn into spots. This deep cleansing mask seem's to bring them to the surface and within a few hours the bumps are completely gone.

Repurchase? Yes

Good Things Bright Eyes Eye Cream: This eye cream claims to help with puffiness and dark circles. I'm unlucky enough to have both but I didn't notice any difference. It might be a good one for teens to start using but it's not going to be much good for anyone with eye concerns.

Repurchase? No

Dr.Organic Rose Otto Skin Lotion: I can't get enough of rose scented products. Last year I hated anything rose and always associated the scent with grannies. Maybe I'm just turning into a granny? I can't fault the scent of this lotion, it's not artificial at all but it didn't do a great job at moisturising. It felt nice when first applied but after an hour or so my skin felt as if I'd skipped moisturiser.

Repurchase? No

Yankee Candle Blueberry Scone: I've been buying this scent for years now and probably always will. The scent is sweet without being sickly and it really fills a room unlike some other scents. I've been using the empty jar to store my L'Occitane hande creams.
Repurchase? Yes.

L'Occitane Shea Hand Cream: For me this is the mother of all hand creams! It's thick, rich and heavy but my skin drinks it up within seconds. I prefer this original version to all the limited editions L'Occitane come out with. I can't fault it, it even made it's way into my Holy Grail list.
Repurchase? Mhm.

Have you tried any of these products?

What have you managed to work your way through this month?

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Review: Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse, Dynamic Defence Day Cream, Age-Repair Serum & Eye Recovery

Sarah Chapman launched her own signature product range in 2008 and has won various awards including Best New Skincare Brand at the CEW Awards 2009. Her products are even featured in the Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible (which I own and have read countless times). I've been testing out 8 products from the range but instead of squishing everything into one post it'll be split into two. You might want to go grab a cuppa, or a sick bucket - this is going to be a positive review.

Ultimate Cleanse 15ml £9/100ml £40*: If you've been reading my blog for a while now you'll know I have a weakness for cleansers. Cleansing is my favourite step in my skincare routine and it's also said to be the most important. I enjoy nothing more than spending a good few minutes removing all the dirt and grime of the day from my face so for me a cleanser needs to feel nice. Ultimate cleanse starts off as a balm but once you start massaging it around your face it melts to oil and keeps it's 'slip' so you're able to give yourself a good facial massage for as long as you want. The balm/oil works it's way deep into pores and removes impurities then when you add water it changes to a milk. Ultimate Cleanse is full of anti-ageing ingredients as well as ingredients to boost collagen production. It leaves my skin feeling smooth, soft, completely clean but never dry or tight and my lashes feel conditioned. I've just been using a flannel to remove the milk but you can buy the mitts online. I love the packaging too, it's airtight which means the last drop is as fresh and potent as the first. Ultimate Cleanse is the most gorgeous cleanser I've ever used! I'm really picky when it comes to cleanser but I can't fault it. I've been banging on about it to anyone who will listen and have even ordered the 100ml pump.

Dynamic Defence SPF 15 15ml £16/40ml £43*: My skin is at an awkward age. I'm 26 and have been using anti-ageing products off and on since I was about 20 (wrinkle phobia) but most anti-ageing moisturisers are too heavy and thick for me to use during the day. I usually only apply them at night but because they're just too much for my skin to handle ,I end up with spots. I still suffer from the odd spot but I'm at an age now where I'm starting to notice fine lines (only around my eyes but I want to prevent them appearing on the rest of my face) and need anti-ageing products. Trying to find a product to target fine lines without over stimulating my skin and causing spots is almost impossible. I've been using Dynamic Defence everyday for around a month now and I don't think I've had any spots in that time. The texture isn't what I would expect from an anti-ageing moisturiser, it sinks into my skin quickly and doesn't cause an oil slick halfway through the day. It sits well under foundation too and keeps my skin feeling plump all day. I either use it on it's own or on top of Age-Repair Serum depending on how my skin is feeling.

Age-Repair Serum 15ml £24/30ml £47*: This serum does it all really. It brightens, plumps, firms, boosts collagen production and targets fine lines, wrinkles and uneven dark pigmentation. It has a light cream texture and doesn't feel heavy or oily on the skin like some serums can but if your skin is dehydrated like mine you'll see a big difference. It's like an extra layer of protection for your skin - revolutionary  peptides protect against enviromental damage and it can be used day or night. Age-Repair Serum contains alot of fancy pants ingredients such as Syn®-Coll Tripeptide. Admittedly I have no idea what Syn®-Coll Tripeptide is but when I read the ingredient list I expected my skin to break out. It didn't.

Eye Recovery 5ml £13/15ml £39*: My eye area is my main concern. I have bags, puffiness, dark circles and fine lines. How lucky am I?! Eye Recovery contains an ingredient called Syn-Ake peptide which creates a botox like effect to instantly plump and smooth fine lines. My ears pricked up when I heard Botox like effect but I was sceptical. My eyes look more awake once I've applied this thanks to optical diffusers, and fine lines seem to disappear. I'm so pleased with this eye cream, it hasn't even irritated my sensitive eyes! I haven't noticed a difference in my dark circles but in all honesty I didn't expect to. Eye Recovery can be used around the lip area and between the eyes, it can even be used as a mask and left on for 20 minutes but I'm yet to try this.

Sarah Chapman Skinesis products seem to react really well with my skin, especially the cleanser. The products are going to suit a wide age range. If you're my age or younger you're going to visibly see and feel the change in your skin, and if you're older then the results are going to be even better. My skin feels and looks alot healthier - it's plump, less dull and foundation goes on smoother. My cheeks were badly dehydrated and had been for a long time even though I used products targeted towards dehydration but with this range I'm noticing huge improvements. If you're thinking about trying a new skincare range, make it this one.

All products listed above are available from SarahChapman.Net

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Lately I've Been Lovin' #7

Another month is almost over now. I hate to wish my life away but I can't wait untill Christmas so I don't mind these last few months going by so quickly. With the change in weather comes a change in skin care and I've upped my skin care game with some gorgeous products from Sarah Chapman. Worming their way into my favourites this month are..

Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse* & Dynamic Defence Anti-Ageing Day Cream*: I'll be reviewing both products at the end of the month so don't want to give too much away BUT, has Ultimate Cleanse made it's way into my No 1 cleanser spot? Ohhhhh. The products are paraben free which is always a plus, they smell great and are packed full of vitamins, antioxidants and omega rich oils. Dynamic Defence Day Cream also has SPF15.

Nars Blush in 'Douceur': Since receiving this beauty from Lina it's been the only blush I've used (I think). It's perfect for this time of year and adds just the right amount of colour. It's quite a sculpting shade which eliminates the need for separate blush and contour, and it's great for fair skintones. It's not the most pigmented shade in the world so you don't have to worry about being a bit cack handed with your blush application.

Chanel Vertigo: I'm having quite the love affair with Vertigo this month. I've lost count of how many times I've reapplied it. It's such a glossy, unusual, wintery shade and everytime I look at it the shade is slightly different but it chips like a mufuggah! See my swatches here.

L'Occitane Limited Edition Hand Cream in 'Rose Petals': I can't help but feel happy everytime I slather this on my mitts. The scent is exactly like roses - not artificial or granny-like in any way. It doesn't work any better than the original version but I've just really been enjoying the scent.

What's made it's way into your favourites this month?

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