Skincare Haul

I do not know what's been going on with my skin recently - it's been breakout central. So I thought I would give my skin a much needed treat in the shape of some new skincare goodies. Also, as I purchased these a little while ago now I'll give you little bonus reviews as well!

Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks // Mud Pac Dead Sea - Manuka Honey Peel Off - Passion Peel Off

I remember when my mum used to treat me and my friends with these at sleepovers! I saw these when I was in Boots and wanted to try them again. I've only used the Passion Peel Off one so far and there wasn't a noticeable difference but it did make my skin feel so soft! Even if they aren't brillinat, I wouldn't mind, I bought them more for the novelty and they're only a pound!

Soap & Glory // The Ultimelt

This is my first hot cloth cleanser and I'll tell you what - I've been turned. This feels like such a luxury product despite the fact it's only £10. This has a gorgeous lavender smell when you use it so I love to use it before bed as it's very relaxing. However you do need a fair amount to do you're whole face and I only like to use it after I've taken off my eye makeup so I don;t use to much product.

Soap & Glory // Dr Spot

Yes..There was a deal on, pesky Boots. But this purchase was to address the breakout central situation I have going on at the moment so this little tube has been thoroughly tested. And it's been brilliant for those angry, hurty, red spots. The instructions advise you to use it overnight and then reapply in the morning but I've only been using it overnight and it's worked wonders. I'll warn you though, it usually gets a bit worse before it gets better but stick with it because the results are so good!

What skincare do you love using? 

- Millie xx

Haircare Haul

One of the positives of working a lot is having more pennies to spend and I decided it was about time I gave my hair some lovin'. As I've recently gone for the chop - I shall direct you to my Twitter for this - I thought it was the perfect time to throw myself into a decent haircare routine to try to prevent the awful state my hair was in previously.

John Frieda Frizz Ease Heat Defeat 

I'll hold my hands up here - I never use a heat defence spray. Big no no, I know, but I've just never really taken it into consideration and it's not like I blow dry my hair everyday. But then my hairdresser informed me that because of the curliness of my hair, any heat will dry it out. John Frieda's cheap and cheerful anyway so even if it does end up collecting dust of my dresser at least I won't be much poorer because of it. 

Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce Texturising Spray

This has been frequently described as a dupe for the Oribe Texturising Spray but the main reason I picked this up was because of the 3 for 2 deal on all haircare - I told you I was a sucker for those. And how could I resist a well known dupe?!

L'Oreal Paris Elvive Fibrology Thickening Masque

One of the banes of my life is my thin hair, I am constantly trying to give my hair the oomph it longs for (hence the above purchase). I haven't heard much about this hair mask at all but I thought I would give it a go. And even if it's not brilliant at thickening my hair, it smells amazing.

What haircare products do you love?

- Millie xx

Beauty Haul

I've been a bit uninspired with makeup recently as I've begun to work full time (in not a very glamorous job may I add) I only really experiment with makeup on the weekends - if I can be bothered to put it on at all. Even when I've been out in the evening recently I've only really stuck to a simple look and throwing on a bold lip, hence the majority of the products I've been buying recently are lip products.

Real Techniques Powder Brush

If you saw my 'Real Techniques' post you'll know that I have recently ventured into the world of the Real Techniques brushes. This particular one has already taken a firm place in my makeup bag after replacing and old kabuki brush I've had for aaaages. This brush is just so fluffy and big that just one sweep across my face leaves it perfectly powdered. 

Clinique Chubby Stick in 12 Oversized Orange

This was an impulse buy as there was a offer on Clinique products in Debenhams. A rushed five minutes later and thinking that my collection was a- missing a chubby stick and b- missing a orange lip product and I was left with this product in my bag. I've yet to use it but after a quick swatch I found that it's much sheerer than I was expecting but a really gorgeous orangey shade. I'll obviously keep you updated and there may even be a review in it.

Bourjois Color Boost in Peach on the Beach

Tayna Burr recently featured this in a vlog and I've been lusting after it ever since. It's a pretty pink colour and is fairly similar to the Rimmel Lipstick I've also bought but just a bit more glossy and suits me so much more. 

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet  in Ole Flamingo & Frambourjoise

It's no secret that I love these lip products. I've raved on and on about them and I've finally extended my collection - best decision ever. I recently wore Ole Flamingo on a night out and my friend actually text me the next day to ask what exact lip product I was wearing because she was amazed at the lasting power. Ole Flamingo is the gorgeous bright pink shade at the top and Frambourjoise is a muted down version that is much more wearable in the daytime.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate Moss in 16

I'm not 100% sure why I bought this product if I'm honest with you - there must have been a 2 for 1 deal on in Boots? This is such a pretty baby pink colour and the Kate Moss lipsticks are amazing, but it just isn't really my colour. The matte finish just doesn't really suit my skintone and washes my out completely. Maybe I'll try and pair it with a lipgloss to give it a bit more oomph but I'll probably pass this one onto my sister.

What have you been buying recently?

- Millie xx

Skincare Haul

Tea Tree & Witch Hazel with active Charcoal // Deep Cleansing Facial Scrub
I've used the Tea Tree & Witch Hazel facial scrubs for a while and because this one has activate charcoal in it, it really caught my eye. I've heard and read that charcoal is good for your skin and decided that this would be a good place to start trying it. It says on the back of the tube "Charcoal gently cleanses and attracts dirt like a magnet, drawing out deep down impurities & excess oil without over-drying."

Simple // Vital Vitamin Night Cream
Simple has always been a staple brand in my skincare routine because they're cheap and they work well. Although I wouldn't say I have sensitive skin, I think Simple works really well for my skin type, especially as a lot of their products are very moisturising. I bought this because I wanted an intensive night cream ready for thw colder months when my skin generally goes to crap and although I have been enjoying using the Garnier Moisture Match for Dry to Very Dry Skin, I wanted a change and thought this would be good to try out.

Simple // Moisturising Facial Wash
I've used this facial wash for ages and I like to use it in the morning whilst I'm in the shower. I like that this product is just a facial wash and doesn't have any other qualities and doesn't irritate my skin.

What brands are you currently using in your skincare routine?

- Millie xx

Real Techniques

Yes. I've finally caved in and bought my first Real Techniques brushes after a routine browse of the Feel Unique website. "Why did you wait so long to buy them?" I can hear you say. Well, I'll be honest with you, I didn't really believe the hype. Oh, how wrong I was. They are the best makeup brush related purchase I've ever made and you can be sure that I'll be expanding my collection very soon. As I'm not really sure where this post fits in, consider it a haul/first impressions/review.

Blush Brush

Probably my favourite out of this little haul. This is the softest brush ever. As soon it was out of the packaging I couldn't stop stroking my face with it - yes a little bit weird, but it tells you just how soft this brush is. Because this brush is tapered it holds the colour well and distributes an even amount of colour across your cheeks.

Expert Face Brush

When I first got this I was surprised at how small it was. "This is supposed to blend foundation over my entire face?" was my reaction. But because it's so dense it is great at applying liquid foundation if you're willing to put a bit of work into it. I like to use this aswell as a larger foundation brush to create a flawless finish and ensure that everything's blended in perfectly.

Shading Brush

This little brush packs so much colour onto the eyelid it's unbelievable. This is, again, a very dense brush that works so well at applying a base colour to your eyelid and is also brilliant at blending out a smoky eye look.

What are your favourite Real Techniques brushes? 

-Millie xx

Beauty Haul

Maybelline // Forever Strong Super Stay Nail Varnish (Rose Poudre)

I love the formula of these nail polishes and I just had to get this colour when I saw it. The dusky pink colour is so pretty and really wearable throughout summer and autumn.

Carmex // Classic Moisturising Lip Balm

You can't go wrong with Carmex and I've repurchased this so many times I've lost count. This is so moisturising, it's the only lip balm I swear by.

Rimmel // Brow This Way Brow Gel (Clear)

I didn't actually own an eyebrow gel before I got this. As much as I love the Maybelline Brow Drama, I wanted a clear gel for the days I didn't really feel like a bold brow.

Maybelline // Colour Tattoo Eyeshadow (Pink Gold & Permanent Taupe)

As you can probably tell by now, I love Maybelline Colour Tattoos. So obviously I had to get two more - I'm a sucker for a Boots '3 for 2' deal. I'm loving pink smokey eye looks at the moment, so the colour 'Pink Gold' was a must. 'Permanent Taupe' is also such a nice simple colour which I think will work really well throughout autumn and summer.

Hope you enjoyed seeing what I've bought recently!

- Millie xx

Beauty Haul

Well, it was payday the other day... So naturally, I popped into Boots and Superdrug and added a few bits to my makeup collection.

MUA // Undress Your Skin Shimmer Highlighter
This is such a beatiful highlighter. It appears so natural on the skin and it's only £3! I can't remember where abouts on the internet I saw this recently but I haven't been able to get it off my mind for ages. I love MUA products because the quality is so amazing considering the ridiculously cheap prices.

Bourjois // Healthy Balance Unifying Powder (52 Vanilla)
I am officially in love with Bourjois' 'Healthy' range. I already have the Healthy Fix Foundation and this powder is as equally loved. I only bought it the other day and it has already taken a firm place in my everyday makeup routine.

Sleek Makeup // Blush (Rose Gold)
You may have seen this in my recent Beauty Wishlist. Well, I've already gone out and bought it. I saw it in Superdrug and I just couldn't resist.

Bourjois // Rouge Edition Velvet (04 Peach Club)
I have heard good things about these so I just had to pick one up. I haven't used this yet so I can't really say more than that but if I like it I think I will definitely be picking some more up.

Have you bought any new makeup recently? Let me know if you have any recommendations!

- Millie xx

Mini Beauty Haul

Yes. I've been spending again. But it's only a little haul so I can just about justify it. The reason I wanted a few new beauty bits is that my Sixth Form Leavers Prom is coming up very soon and I like to get a few new products for every big event. Also there was a deal on for Rimmel products, so how could I resist?

So the first items I picked up were the three Rimmel products. The deal I mentioned earlier was that if you spent £9 or more you got a free bronzer. Therefore I decided to go for the Wake Me Up Foundation in Ivory. I've wanted to try this foundation for ages and the look I wanted for prom was a natural glowy look and the reviews I've read of this foundation seem to fit that look perfectly. I haven't used this foundation enough to give you my opinion on it but I'm sure I'll do a review once I've used it a bit more.

I also picked up the Exaggerate Undercover Shadow Primer. I didn't actually own an eyeshadow primer - shock horror - and I thought this might be a good place to start as it's cheap and cheerful. I quickly tried this out as soon as I got home and my first thought on this was that it took a while to dry. When it eventually did dry, I applied some eyeshadow and it honestly made the colour much more opaque. I can't comment on the staying power yet but I will let you know.

And the purchase of these two items left me with a free Natural Bronzer in Sun Bronze. Although I love my Bourjois bronzer I have a feeling that this might overtake that as my favourite bronzer for the summer as it's far less orangey and gives a really nice glow with the smallest amount of product. And because it's matte, it's great for contouring. 

The final beauty product I picked up was the Maybelline Forever Strong Super Stay 7 Days nail varnish in Hot Salsa - blimey, that's a mouthful. This is such a pretty summer colour and is just the right mixture of red and pink. This is also one of thoses colours that just makes your hands looked so tanned, even if you're a pale as me.

Hope you enjoyed this post! What makeup products have you been buying recently?

- Millie xx

Mini Haul

Again I am so sorry that I haven't been consistently posting but things have been pretty chaotic at home at the moment. But my exams are all finished and now I've finally got some time to myself so I figured I'd show you all what I've been buying recently. So here's the goodies..

The largest, and probably my favourite, purchase here is this bag from Tesco which you can see online here. This was such an impulse purchase as I was racing around my local Tesco picking up snacks for a day trip to London recently when I realised that I didn't have a bag to take. Luckily this beauty was in the very small collection of bags in the clothing section and it was only £15! I love the light tan with the gold hardware and it just goes with everything really well. It's a lot bigger than it looks and fits so much in there which suited my habit of packing too much stuff which I probably won't need (I'm a massive believer of 'just in case'). I can just tell that this is going to be my go-to summer bag.

My second purchase was John Green's An Abundance of Katherines which you can buy from Amazon here. I love John Green books and with a trip to London coming up I wanted an easy read for the coach journey and I knew John Green wouldn't disappoint. I am yet to finish this but so far it's amazing. I'm considering doing a book review once I've finished it if it's something people would like to see? 

I actually bought these last bits whilst I was in London at the Paperchase shop at King's Cross Station. I was in need for a new diary as I've always used July - July diaries (don't ask me why, it's just habit). I'm the kind of person that likes to write everything down and see it in front of me. This A5 sized diary caught my eye instantly because it's just the perfect handbag size and I like to cart it around with me everywhere. I also bought this orange A5 notebook. I never used to like the colour orange but since I've had my little orange Punto the colour has really grown on me. I needed a new notebook to organise all my blog posts and this is just what I was looking for. And it's also handbag size!

So that's everything I've been spending my pennies on recently. What have you been buying?

- Millie xx