The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

I've been pretty loyal to my Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm for months now, it's been an essential product in my evening skincare routine and I hardly ever stray from it. Until now that is , because I have discovered another heavenly cleanser that works in exactly in the same way for a fraction of the price.

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil (£10) is a make up remover that effortlessly melts away every trace of make up, leaving the skin feeling clean and clear of impurities. This is such a lovely product to use, I like to squeeze a pump or two of this oil into my hands and massage it gently into my dry skin and eye lashes to remove my mascara. It's so easy to use and dissolves all my make up so quickly, even my stubborn waterproof mascara. Don't be put off by the oil texture, it doesn't feel greasy or leave a horrible residue behind, it rinses away easily and leaves my skin feeling impeccably clean and soft. The formula is very gentle on the skin too thanks to the camomile oil, so even those with the most sensitive skin will have no trouble using this. I love how fresh, soothed and calm this leaves my skin after every use, I really can't believe this only costs £10 because it feels like a much more luxurious product!

In my opinion, The Body Shop make some of the most effective and high quality products out there that don't cost the earth, I'm so pleased I picked up a bottle of this and you should too! I honestly can't recommend it enough.

Have you tried this?

My Purse Friendly Beauty Favourites

I find it quite a challenge to find good skin care and other beauty products on a budget- I would much rather spend my money on a high quality product that will give me incredible results than a cheaper alternative that won't work as well. Saying that, I have discovered a few affordable beauty treats that work just as well as higher end products (and some even better).

Una Brennan Super Facialist Salicylic Acid Purifying Cleansing Wash  (£7.99)
I've read nothing but good things about this cleanser, so the last time Boots were offering 3 for 2 on skin care, I decided to pick this up. This refreshing foaming gel is formulated with salicylic acid which deeply cleanses congested skin of excess oils and other impurities, leaving the skin more balanced and healthy. My skin feels purified and unlike many other foaming cleansers, this doesn't leave my skin feeling tight after use, just lovely and soft. I've only been using this for a few weeks and I'm so pleased with the results!

Avene Cleanance MAT Mattifying Emulsion (£12)
I am incredibly picky when it comes to moisturisers - they need to be oil free, light and hydrating, but not feel too greasy or heavy on my skin. I have tried a handful of high end moisturisers that have left me disappointed, so I was thrilled when I came across this offering from Avene, it's just perfect. As well as regulating oil production to keep the skin balanced, it deeply cleanses and purifies, resulting in a beautiful, shine free complexion. It feels lovely and refreshing once applied and sinks into my skin like a dream, which I just love. This is one of the best moisturisers I've come across for oily skin, I urge you to pick up a tube if your skin is similar to mine!

Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Intense Rescue Melting Balm (£10.99)
My favourite hair care brand to splurge on is Bumble and bumble, but many of their products never seem to last me long enough to justify the eye watering price tag. I could easily go through one of their masques in less than a month because my hair is so long and thick, so I was thrilled when I came across this. It's a mask that comes in the form a balm that melts into a silky oil, which intensely nourishes my dry thirsty hair. The formula is made up of a blend of exotic oils and butters which work quickly to help the hair soak up all the nourishment it needs without weighing it down.  This has transformed my dry and over styled hair, leaving it beautifully soft and healthy. 

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub (£5.50)
Flakey lips are my worst enemy in the colder months, so I need something that will gently buff away the dry skin - lip balm just isn't enough to keep my lips looking kissably soft. I've worked my way through a few of these pots of sugary goodness, they contain jojoba oil and caster sugar which slough away all the dead skin and leave my lips smooth, while injecting some much needed moisture into them. This is a great product to use before applying lipstick as it ensures it glides on smoothly as there will be no dry patches left on your lips for it to cling to, and stops the colour from bleeding too. 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask (£10)
This is the mask I turn to when I am suffering from hormonal breakouts or when my skin is just looking a bit rubbish. It works to soothe and cleanse the skin of excess oil and other skin nasties to reveal a clearer and more even complexion. It's instantly cooling and feels so refreshing on the skin, I love how I can really feel this mask getting to work! Along with tea tree oil, it's packed with skin loving ingredients which help to improve the skins healing process by generating new tissue, leaving my skin feeling calm and soothed, all in under ten minutes. The big tub lasts ages too!

Have you tried any of these products? What are your favourite budget buys?

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My Current Base

I've been loving my current base at the moment, it's fuss-free and perfect for every day, so I thought it would be a great idea to share with you all the products I've been using. I love a natural looking base which lets my actual skin show through, and these products help me achieve the complexion I've always dreamed of. 

I start by prepping my skin with the L'Oreal Infallible Mattifying Primer (£7.99), a new release from the brand that I'm really impressed with! I find it very similar to the Smashbox photo finish primer, the only difference is that it's so much more affordable. It's incredibly smoothing and really helps to even out my skin before I apply make up, leaving my complexion with a velvety, matte finish that lasts all day, while keeping my make up looking fresher for longer. This is one to check out if you have an oily skin type, I promise you won't be disappointed.

I must admit I've been struggling to use anything but the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (£30) for months now, it's just perfect skin in a tube! It's everything I need from a base- it's really creamy and blends seamlessly into the skin, covering all imperfections, pores and redness without looking cakey. I wear the shade 'Porcelain' which is a perfect match for my fair skin, but they have a good range of shades to suit darker skin tones too. If you've been following my blog for a while you're probably getting bored of me talking about it, but this is one of my most loved products and I can't stop raving about it. 

To cover my dark circles and any other imperfections, it's a job for the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (£22). I didn't give in to the hype around this concealer until recently, but it really is as incredible as everyone says. I use this on my under eye area and to mask any redness around my nose - the coverage is second to none but doesn't look heavy or obvious on the skin, it blends seamlessly and becomes one with the rest of my make up. The doe applicator makes touch ups a doddle too, so it's a perfect hand bag staple. 


I finish off my base with a dusting of an old favourite of mine, the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural powder (£23). My make up never feels complete without a dusting of powder to set everything in place, I actually forgot I had this until I recently found it hiding in my Muji drawers! I use a big fluffy brush to apply this all over my face, it's not chalky like some powders, so leaves a lovely matte finish that is so natural looking. 

What products make up your base? Have you tried any of these products?

Two for Perfect Feet

I think we are all guilty of forgetting to take care of our feet, myself included. After spending the colder months hiding away in tights and thick socks, my feet were in desperate need of some tender loving care. On my last visit to The Body Shop, I picked up a couple of treats for my feet and they've made all the difference!

Peppermint Soothing Pumice Foot Scrub (£7)
My poor feet have been extremely dry with cracked heels (I know, gross), so this scrub sounded like the answers to my prayers. The formula is made up of volcanic rock granules which work to slough away rough, dry skin to leave your feet super soft and smooth. To use, I massage a generous amount over my feet when I'm in the shower, paying particular attention to any rougher patches of dry skin. It's gentle but very effective - you can really feel the little granules getting to work and the peppermint scent is so refreshing! Even after the first use my feet looked summer ready, it's impressive stuff. 

Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion (£8)
As well as buffing away the dry skin, I also needed something that would soothe and moisturise my feet, so I picked up a bottle of this. I've been smothering my feet in this dreamy lotion every night since I got it, it's light but very nourishing and leaves my feet feeling oh so soft. It's formulated to be cooling and refreshing, so after a long day this makes a wonderful soothing treat . I can see the big bottle lasting me for months too!

These two products are a dream team for beautifully soft feet! Have you tried either of these?

Morning Skin Care Routine

It's been a while since my last morning skin care routine post, I remember it being one of the first ever posts I did on this blog! So I thought it was time for a long overdue update on the products I use every day that keep my skin clear and healthy. I'm not a morning person at all and I'm always in a rush to get ready, so my routine is pretty quick and fuss free.

I start by cleansing my skin with the Origins Zero Oil Deep Pore Cleanser (£18.50). This is starting to run low and I usually change my cleanser every time one runs out, but I can see myself repurchasing this at some point. It's the perfect cleanser for oily skin as it cleanses the skin thoroughly, working deeply to remove excess oil and impurities, while gently sloughing away dead skin cells that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. It leaves my complexion looking brighter  and more balanced, and the refreshing minty scent really helps to wake me up.

After cleansing, I add a few drops of the REN Clarifying Toning Lotion (£13) to a cotton pad and gently sweep it over my face and neck to remove any remaining traces of dirt and oil. This has only been part of my skin care routine for the past few weeks, but it's already made such a difference to my complexion. This is the first exfoliating toner I've tried and I love how it works magic on my congested skin and makes my complexion look more balanced. It reduces excess oil without stripping the skin of moisture and is gentle enough to use every day - my pores have never looked clearer!

Another new addition to my morning skin care routine is the Odacite Clogged Pores Serum (£22). It smells lovely and contains natural ingredients such as lavender and jojoba oil, which have anti bacterial properties and prevent excess oil production. This little wonder works by binding to sebum blockages and embedded skin impurities to help minimise blackheads and blemishes, while flushing out all those nasty skin toxins. I love to mix a couple of drops of this with the Avene Cleanance MAT Mattifying Emulsion (£12), which is one of my favourite moisturisers as it's so light-weight and sinks into my skin almost instantly. I love it because it's hydrating, but doesn't feel greasy and leaves my complexion shine free.

I have a terrible habit of staying up way past my bed time, so anything that is going to make me look bright eyed and more awake is a must. The Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream (£23) has been my saviour in the mornings; it brightens up and refreshes my under eye area instantly, making me look like I've had a full nights sleep. This cream has a slight shimmer to it, which really helps to illuminate and add some radiance to the skin. Containing ingredients such as caffeine and magnolia extract, it really soothes the delicate skin around the eyes and reduces any puffiness and signs of fatigue. I couldn't be without this in the mornings!

Have you tried any of these? What products make up your morning skin care routine?