Recent Homeware Additions #2

It's been a quite a while since I purchased some new bits and pieces for the flat me and my boyfriend share; life has just got in the way and getting the place organised hasn't been my main priority. But with my ever growing homeware wish list getting out of control, I decided it would be sensible to purchase a few things on it before the list got any longer.

Firstly, if you are wondering what the background to the above photo is, it's this amazing Cats Map of the World Print (£20.99) that I purchased from Etsy. The walls in our flat are so bare and I've been looking for some different pieces of art to hang up for some time now, so when I seen this I just had to have it! I can't resist buying anything with cats on it; I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a crazy cat lady, I fully embrace it and this poster is really quirky and very me. I still need to buy a frame for this, I can't wait to finally get one so I can display this in our living room. 

Oliver Bonas is one of my favourite stores when it comes to homewares, they have such an incredible range of beautiful products that are amazing quality too. On my last visit to the store I treated myself to this Zig Zag Frame (£18) - I adore the cool design, it really stands out and goes perfectly with everything in our living room. Me and Marshall are going to Paris in less that two weeks and I think a photo of us with picturesque Paris in the background will look perfect in this frame. I also picked up this Champagne and Elderflower Scented Candle (£18), a limited edition candle from the brand that smells incredible. 

I guess this is technically not homeware, but I thought I would still give this Design Bloggers at Home Book (£19.99) a mention. I have quite the collection of interior books now, they are great sources of inspiration and this one is no exception. Written by journalist Ellie Tennant, she introduces us to the beautiful and unique homes of some of the worlds leading design bloggers. The book is full of stunning photographs and so many clever styling ideas; it even has a chapter at the end offering advice on setting up your own blog too.

Finally, is there anyone out there who doesn't have these cute little cactuses (£4.50) from 
Ikea dotted around there home? Plants add so much life to a room and cactuses are so easy to care for and last forever, so they are a good investment. I decided to put these on a shelf high up in my kitchen so that they are out of reach and my cat Rory can't get near them (he loves plants and is always trying to chew them). I love the little white pots they come in too; so simple but chic and they're such a bargain. I'm planning another Ikea trip soon to buy a coffee table and possibly a few other essentials, so I'll definitely be picking up more cactuses and a few more plants for the rest of my flat. 

What do you think of my latest purchases? 

Jouer Anti-Blemish Matte Primer

Can you believe that up until a year ago I never used primers? I had actually never heard of them before I started reading beauty blogs- it's hard to believe now that I went so long without using one as priming is an essential step in my make up routine. I have quite the collection now but I couldn't resist adding the Jouer Anti-Blemish Matte Primer (£29) to my shopping basket while I was repurchasing a few things from Cult Beauty. 

This primer is quite different to any other primer I've used before. As well as instantly blurring imperfections and controlling oil, it aims to improve the skin over time so that your complexion gradually becomes naturally flawless. The clever oil-free formula is lightweight and contains Salicylic Acid, which works to alleviate congested skin and unclogs blocked pores while fighting any existing spots and stopping new ones from popping up. Now I don't suffer from too many blemishes, but I do have enlarged pores on my nose and my t-zone is very oily. It also contains skin friendly ingredients such as Vitamin E which provides anti-oxidant protection, and Aloe which works to soothe and calm the skin. 

To use, I squeeze a pearl sized amount out of the tube and smooth it all over my face, paying particular attention to my t-zone. It has a gel like texture which smoothes over the skin and dries in seconds to create a natural looking, semi matte finish. I've been using this every morning after moisturising for the past few weeks to prep my skin before applying my make up; I have to say I haven't noticed a huge difference in my skin, but it does help my make up last longer and my skin looks so flawless once I've applied foundation over the top.

As much as I do like this primer, it's not impressed me as much as other products I've tried from Jouer. It is a really good primer and it's lovely to use, but it's just not as good as other primers I've used in terms of oil control (nothing beats MAC's Prep and Prime Skin Refined Zone Treatment in my opinion) and I think it's a little over priced. Saying that, when I first started using this primer I had a few spots on my forehead and they cleared up in a few days, and my skin has been looking really clear too. If you suffer from blemishes and other imperfections I'd highly recommend this though.

Have you tried this?

Face Masks for Oily Skin

There’s nothing I enjoy more than getting home after a long day and sticking on one of my most loved face masks. I have quite the collection of face masks now and I always make sure to use them regularly to keep my skin in check. Here is a rundown of my current favourites.  

Origins Out of Trouble Face Mask (£23)

I absolutely adore origins, they’re one of my favourite skin care brands and this mask is one of my all time favourite products. It's a clay mask that works in ten minutes to decongest and deeply cleanse the skin, while absorbing excess oil and removing impurities. I always notice instant results when I use this, it does an incredible job unclogging my pores and lifting away any dirt and grime, leaving my skin looking balanced and clear. It's the perfect mask if your skin is in need of a detox too, it feels incredibly cooling and gives amazing results!

The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask (£10)

This is the mask I turn to when I’m suffering from one of my hormonal breakouts – despite my complexion being generally clear most of the time, I do have several blemishes to deal with during those dreaded few days of the month. Like the Origins mask, it’s instantly cooling and feels so incredibly refreshing on the skin, you can really feel this one working! It soothes and cleanses the skin, while removing impurities and absorbs excess oil to reveal a clearer and healthier complexion. Along with tea tree oil (natures wonder ingredient for oily, spot prone skin), it's packed with skin loving ingredients including tamanu oil extract which helps to improve the skins healing process by generating new tissue; just what I need when my skin is freaking out. This mask really does help my skin get back to it's good old self, and it's so affordable too.

Elemental Herbology Facial Detox Purifying Facial Mask (£27)

This mask is very similar to the Origins mask, it’s anti-bacterial and deep cleansing action helps to balance and decongest the skin, while gently exfoliating and unclogging pores to reveal a softer and more radiant complexion. It's packed to the punch with natural skin loving ingredients such as amazonian clay, which helps to eliminate  toxins from the surface of the skin while gently softening and exfoliating, plus oat flour, fig extract and essential oils, which work to resolve congestion, balance sebum production and protect against pollution and environmental extremes. The list is pretty impressive!  The price tag put me off at first, but it really is worth the money as you only need a thin layer and it’s lasted me quite some time.

Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque (£27)

The most recent mask to be added to my collection is this offering from Aesop; it was a pay day treat for me last month after lusting after it for what feels like forever! It’s been a much loved and raved about product amongst the beauty blogging community and rightly so; it deeply cleanses the skin, brightens up the complexion and gently draws out impurities and debris clogging the pores. Along with Rosehip and Parsley Seed extracts which pump the skin full of anti oxidants, it's formulated with superior clays which decongest the skin and Aloe Vera which leaves the skin feeling impeccably. I’m really keen to try more skin care from this brand after being so impressed with this mask. 

What are your favourite face masks?

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My Autumn Make Up Look

As the seasons change, so do the contents of my makeup bag- the pretty pink blushers, understated lip colours and tinted moisturisers I've been wearing all summer are replaced with warmer, bolder shades and heavier bases more suited to the Autumn months. This look will most likely be my standard Autumn make up look over the next few months. I've been wearing these products for the past few weeks and I just love them, many of them have been stored away my in Muji drawers for months and there's nothing I love more than rediscovering old make up favourites and getting the chance to wear them again. I've listed below all the make up I'm wearing to create this look, let me know what you think in the comments!

Face

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch  (£26)

Clinique Stay-Matte Oil Free Make Up in Fair (£22.50)

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly (£22)

Estee Lauder Invisible Powder Makeup in Spice Sand (£29)

MAC Pro Longwear Blush in Rosey Outlook (£20)

Eyes

LOreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara in Magnetic Black (£10.99)

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler (£20)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in Ebony (£17)

Lips

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturing Lip Colour Balm in Roomiest Rose (£17)

More Autumn Wardrobe Additions

So I've been very spendy again this month, meaning I am now officially on a shopping ban....until I go to Paris in November of course. I only just published a post a few weeks ago on some of my recent wardrobe additions (you can read that post here ), but that’s not stopped me from picking up a few more things. There are just far too many lovely things in the shops at this time of year, it’s impossible to walk into any of my favorite stores and not be tempted by anything.

I’ve been on the lookout for a black shoulder bag for months now, and it was love at first site when I spotted this beautiful Croc Bucket Bag (£29.99) from Zara. It’s exactly what I had in mind and was the last one on the shelf too, so I snapped it up. It really is perfect in every way; it looks so chic, it's ideal for everyday use and is just the right size to hold all my daily essentials. The thing I love the most about this bag is that it can be worn casually or more dressed up depending on the occasion. I’m already getting so much use out of it, there’s not one day that’s gone by since I purchased it when I've not used it, it’s amazing quality too and it goes with absolutely everything in my wardrobe. 

I also couldn't resist treating myself to these gorgeous Lace Up Leopard Print Pony Effect Boots (£75) from Office. I normally stay away from heels as I just don't feel comfortable in them and I don't have the best balance either (ha), but these are just the right height for me and super comfortable too. I've only worn these once and I was so pleased at how easy they are to walk in. They are quite pricey, but boots like these are a good investment as they will never go out of style and complete any outfit.

What do you think of my latest purchases? 

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Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser

Kiehl's are quickly becoming my favourite skin care brand, I've tried a number of their products this year and I've been so impressed with everything I’ve used so far– the results have been incredible and their products do so much for my skin.  My most recent purchase from the brand is the Rare Earth Purifying Cleanser (£18), I’ve used their Ultra Facial Oil Free cleanser in the past and loved it, so I was excited to give this a try.

This gentle, mildly foaming cleanser is formulated for normal to oily skin types to deeply cleanse and purify the skin, resulting in a healthy and fresh looking complexion. The mineral rich formula provides gentle exfoliation to slough away dead skin cells, toxins, surface debris and other nasties from the skin which can clog your pores; perfect for me as my enlarged pores are my biggest skin complaint. It is also packed full of amazing ingredients including Amazonian White Clay, a wonder ingredient that has so many benefits for every skin type - it removes surface oil, hydrates, improves skin texture, helps correct and balance, and gives an overall smooth and even appearance to the skin (Oooft). A pretty impressive list indeed!

This cleanser has a very thick, creamy consistency and feels lovely and gentle on the skin. To use, I take a generous amount and massage it into my skin for a minute or so, then rinse with warm water. I’ve been using this morning and night for the past week now and already I’ve noticed such a big difference in my overall complexion. It looks brighter, clearer and so much healthier. And most importantly, my pores are clear and look so much smaller. I've been a little run down lately so my skin hasn't been looking it's best, and I believe that this cleanser is just what I needed to restore my skin back to it's good old self. I'm so happy I purchased this as I'm so pleased with the results!

Have you tried this cleanser? Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and Twitter to keep updated with my blog!

Make Up I Couldn't Live Without

All the beauty fanatics out there will agree that no matter how much make up you own, there will always be those few products that you repurchase time and time again and simply cannot live without. Here are some of my favourites. 

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (£29)
This product really is perfect in every way, I don't have a bad thing to say about it! When it comes to bases, a matte finish is always top of my list and I'm a big fan of light formulas which offer buildable, natural looking coverage. This moisture tint blends seamlessly into my skin to even out imperfections, giving a dewy matte finish that lets my actual skin show through. The oil free formula contains antioxidants that allows my congested skin to breathe and keeps my complexion shine free and fresh looking all day. This really does give me the skin I've always dreamed of, my complexion has never looked so perfected and flawless!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo (£17)
Ever since purchasing this in the States last summer I’ve been hooked. I use this along with the Anastasia angled brush, the duo consists of a pair of complimentary shades that you can blend together to create the perfect match for your brows. Up until I purchased this brow powder I had always used a pencil to fill in my brows, but I sometimes found that using a pencil could leave my brows looking quite harsh and unnatural. This powder however helps me create beautiful natural looking and defined brows with minimal effort.

Benefit POREfessional (£24.50)
This is the one product I never leave the house without. I always remember the first time I tried this primer, I received a sample of it along with a Benefit product I had purchased and I couldn’t believe how well it worked to minimise the appearance of my pores. I was so impressed that I rushed to my nearest Benefit counter the next day and picked up the full size tube. This is definitely the best primer I’ve come across in terms of blurring the appearance of pores and controlling shine; the finish is so natural and makes my skin look 
so flawless. It’s perfect for touch ups and you only need a tiny amount, so the tube lasts 
ages.

NARS Blush in Desire (£22.50)
In my opinion, NARS blushers are the best in the business- the formulas are incredible and their staying power is second to none. My all time favorite is the shade Desire, a striking, bright pink powder blush with a matte finish. NARS are famous for their bold and intense shades and this one is no exception, it’s very attention grabbing but still manages to look so flattering and pretty against my fair skin. I love how it really lifts my complexion and gives a fresh look to my cheeks, it creates an almost doll-like look which I just adore. I hardly ever need to touch up when I wear this, the colour never seems to fade even after hours of wear, it still looks so bright and fresh. A word of warning though, you really need the lightest hand possible so you don't go overboard as it’s very pigmented!

MAC Lipstick in Peach Blossom (£15.50)
This has been my most worn lipstick in the past few months, it’s the perfect everyday lipstick as it’s so understated and wearable. It’s a very pretty, pinky nude shade and always seems to go with whatever other make up I’m wearing – perfect for days when I’m rushing about in the morning and don’t have time to think about what lipstick to wear. It’s always in my bag, and the formula is super creamy so it keeps my lips feeling soft and nourished.

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara (£18)
I never feel that my make up is complete without a few coats of mascara, it transforms my whole look and makes my eyes stand out. This mascara is truly amazing, the bristles on the curved brush grab every lash, even the tricky ones at the corners of the eye, making lash building quick and effortless.  There's not a clump in sight and gives my lashes this incredible 'doll eyed' effect which I just adore. They look so long, pretty and fluttery-  it gives my lashes such a boost! I also love the packaging, the squeezey tube meaning there’s no waste and you get every last drop of mascara out of it.

What products can you not live without? Have you tried any of these?

Beating Dull Skin

I've spoken countless times about the products I love to use on my oily skin to keep it balanced and clear, but being a girl with oily skin also means my complexion can often look dull and lifeless too. Along with products to control oil, my skin care routine is made up of products that brighten my complexion to give it a natural, radiant glow. Here are a handful of the products that I'm currently using at the moment. 

The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion (£14)
The key to a brighter complexion is to slough away the dead skin cells that build up and make your skin look dull and lifeless. I use this once a week and I have to say it's the most gentle exfoliater I've ever come across. Some exfoliaters can feel so harsh on the skin, but the thick and creamy texture of this is so lovely and gentle. My skin always feels so smooth and super soft after use! It's packed with skin loving ingredients like shea butter and Amazonian camu camu which transforms my tired looking skin, leaving it looking fresh and radiant with a natural healthy glow. The Body Shop always have incredible products that are so effective but purse friendly, so this is one to add to your skin care stash. 

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser  (£23)
I absolutely adore this moisturiser, I use it every morning without fail as it wakes up my skin and the orangey scent smells incredible too. I can be pretty fussy when it comes to moisturisers; they have to be light, oil free and hydrating, but not feel greasy or too rich on my skin. I love this as it absorbs quickly and doesn't feel heavy on my skin at all. It feels lovely and refreshing once applied and really perks up my complexion. It certainly revitalises my skin an makes it look so radiant! Origins never disappoint and this is one of their many skin care products I cannot live without. 

Balance Me Radiance Face Oil (£30)
Facial oils have so many benefits no matter what your skin type; I always presumed that using one would make my oily skin feel even more greasy and clog my pores, but how wrong I was. I have only been using this facial oil for the past week and already I'm really impressed! I warm two drops between my palms and massage the oil all over my face in a circular motion just before I go to bed. It feels lovely and light and contains skin loving ingredients which combat congested skin and make the complexion look radiant with a vibrant glow. It's quite pricey, but facial oils last forever so it's worth investing in a bottle if you don't already have one. 

Have you tried any of these?