NYE Nails

I recieved this lovely Xmas present from Chloe.B. I thought I'll test out the purple instant effects and the white from 17. And man, white nail varnish is tricky. I always paint 2 generous coats regardless of the color, but, this time I had to apply 3 coats before I got full coverage. This normally applies to the lighter pigments as they always look quite pale with one coat.

First coat. There goes my ultimate pet peeve when I'm painting my nails. Girlies, please don't stop at one coat. This is what it looks like. RAARR.



Second coat.


Third coat.


Voila, the finished look :D

Happy New Year. May this new year bring you success and good health. Best wishes to you all. x

Chocolate Making

On boxing day I was lucky enough to indulge in a session of chocolate making. I learnt a few things about chocolates, but one thing I couldn't stand was how messy this process gets. My lips were sealed as my cousin's fiance was cooling the chocolate on the table, this involved folding the spactula through the chocolate gloop, sliding it around the table. The temperature of the ganache, which is French for chocolate filling is extremely important. The temp is key from the way it solidifies, the texture, to the gloss and shine. Yep, that shine you get on choclates doesn't form naturally girlfriend, it takes numerous folds and temp monitoring to get that smooth gloss.

The chocolatiers concurred orange genache was the way to go, although there were moulds for plenty other different genache filling, but not enough chocolate. My loose guide to choclate making (forgot the essential temperatures, damn!)
1. Melt chocolate in a bowl above water filled saucepan.
2. Using the spactula, fold the chocolate out onto the table and continue to fold it for it to cool.
3. Using the spactula, spread the cooled down chocolate onto a mold. This will naturally fall and form a thin lining of the mold, leaving a gap which will be filled with genache. Then that goes into the fridge to cool and set the 'shell' of the chocolate.
4. Repeating step 1, stir in orange juice into the chocoate and mix well and let that cool again.
5. This time, scoop into a piping bag and squeeze the chocolate into the mold, leaving enough space for the final layer to seal off and to form the chocolate base. Enters the fridge again.
6. Once the panache has hardened, a layer of choclate can finally slide on top to put to bed the panache which completes the little beauties. Then in goes the chocs into the fridge.
7. Delicately nudge the molds with patience and wait for the chocies to pop out. And voila, the glossy faces of the rose and parcel molds filled with orange truffle ganache is ready to taste. This was then followed by games of Rummikub, a very addictive game.

London Misc

London is probably the closest I will get to New York or Paris. Therefore I so naturally relish every moment I'm down there. As it's still the Christmas-new year period I've given up fighting procrastinating and chosen to do something far more useful with my time-visit Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park. Why the hell not? Who would pass on chomping a few German Sausages and sip glasses of steaming mulled wine. Unfortunately, we didn't get to go on any rides, as drinking beer from mahoosive pint glasses and staring at a group of men who had blatantly brought their Malamute Husky (to excite 'chicks') was quite satisfying for them. But I did have the joy of singing along to a Reindeer's head on a roof, that charmed the crowd with Christmas tunes. 'Twas worth it.



Losing my Macaroon virginity: I thought I knew what macaroons were-the delicious flaky coconut cakes you get from supermarkets, however these 'macaroons' meant business (expensive business) each macaroon worth £2 and more. They are so delicate and beautifully crafted that I wanted to just hold it in my palms and look at it all day. My purse didn't allow me to persue the latter so I nibbled one from the box of 6 for £8. My conclusion: I'm not sure whether I like that 'jammy' texture but the flavours were really rich, guaranteeing sugar rush after 2 of these badboys.



I must had been a disorientated magpie that day. My eyes were glaring at anything and everything colourful that I must've stared at the M&Ms 'hall' for a good 5 minutes. I was in awe with how many pretty colours they could coat M&Ms in, from super bright colours to mellow pastoral tones. I just wished they sold these in normal cornershops. When we finally left the gigantic M&M's World in Leicester Square, my friend and I were battling a frenzy of entering a colour comatose. It's a cool but strange tourist attraction. I still don't understand why we have one though?

Crazy Stupid Love

In the past week or so I've embarked on a Ryan Gosling movie binge. I'll stare motionless at Mr Gosling's IMDb database and scour through the films that I'd missed at the cinema. And the Christmas holidays certainly hasn't done me any favours in terms of getting on with my mammoth pile of uni work, but who cares...it's Christmas!

So yesterday I finally gave 'Crazy Stupid Love' a chance and I can gladly say I absolutely loved it. The plot is essentially about a middle aged man (Steve Carrell) and his journey to'single-hood' after his wife asks him for a divorce. He meets a charming bachelor (Ryan Gosling) who becomes his mentor, teaching him the ways of women.

First things first, you will without fail fall in love with Ryan Gosling regardless of your sex, his charisma and (body) will make you sort of, melt. Expect ongoing sub-plots about relationships and love but mainly about the failed husband. It satirises sex and culture; from the way women prowl around bars looking for men to men's pickup lines.

This is actually a funny romantic comedy, I won't spoil the plot but there is a clever twist towards the end that closes the film really well, all the characters meld together to create a great conclusion. I'm not usually a massive fan for romantic comedies because they most always turn our mediocre and suck, its either loaded with too many 'jokey' skits or cheesy romance. Of course with most romantic comedies the endings are always predictable, man and woman fall in love then comes a dispute which is resolved and they live happily every after, but rather than being that simple the leading up to the ending did pull at my heart strings. I had forgotton that it was a comedy and it sort of dissolved into a drama. It deals with a sensitive subject about MEN going through a divorce, usually we hear about women and their woes but rarely men. Steve Carrell makes it entertaining without losing the realities and the vulnerabilities of a divorce. As for the title I can sum up easily; Crazy for Ryan Gosling's abs- Stupid moments that will for sure make you laugh- Love (Gosling's abs) and the witty script.

So that's what I think of the film and will definitely recommend it to romantic and comedy enthusiasts. I'll leave you with one memorable quote that had me laughing for ages

“Are you in a fraternity?-No. Are you Steve Jobbs?-No. Hold on a second are you the billionaire owner of Apple computers?-No. Oh well in that case you got no right to wear new balance sneakers EVER”

Its snowing in Google

This is such a geeky app coded by Google a few days back as way of showing their festivity. Type in Google 'let it snow' and wait for the screen to frost up with snow. For all the scrooges out there, theres also a 'defrost' tab to make it all dissapear.

For laptop users tilt your screen back and click on the photo to enlarge and see my message.

In the Hood

I'm so excited that my order from Merrimaking (www.merrimaking.co.uk) arrived yesterday. I purchased this super soft and furry hood last week and it's been swiftly made in no time considering that the hoods are all handmade. Hoods have also been sported by the likes of Ellie Goulding and Rizzle Kicks. Its something different that can you set you apart from the standard furry animal hats from highstreet brand River Island. I had to make a difficult decision but in the end I opted for the 'Light Wolf' hood.

Basic hood starts at £28 not including P&P, with the choice of inner pattern. ALL items are handmade by a team of graduate 'Merrimakers' from Notts Trent Uni. I love the idea of supporting a local brand founded by recent graduates who actually spends time on each hood personalised by you, rather than mass production in some far east factory. Its definitely a good investment as its uber soft and warm so no more worrying about cold ears.









OOTD: Truly Madly Deeply tee-Urban Outfitters + Long Johns-Ark + delightful hood Merrimaking. Are you in the hood?

Blast from the Past

So I came across my original pride and joy the other day- my first blog post from 2009 just before I left for uni. I was generally listing how I was feeling at the time. 3 years later, I'm doing my last year of my English degree (minus the media...long story) and I can finally re-open this chapter of my life and mull over those stupid stupid things I did. (Beware, this is going to be a long post, but I promise it'll make you smile (at least) if not cry.)

"The idea of typing a journal of opinions and happenings from my extremely ordinary life seemed so appealing for the past year. I would go online and a voice in my head would start chanting ‘blog blog blog’, but as always the brainwashing site for student’s we call Facebook strangles me. By the time it releases me from the grips of constant ‘profile stalking’, and the endless notions of ‘liking’ a status, I would crawl into bed after a marathon session of pointless nosing around, forgetting all about writing an entry!"

Some things just never die. Till this day I will never be able to go on a Facebook detox, it's just a modern day etiquette now, you've got to follow it. Now Facebook no longer requires the basic complex of 'liking' things or having a cheeky 'stalking' fest', but social media has developed a new sensation of photographing food, which Guardian articles friends have read, or what their listening to on Spotify. So, nothing has really changed since 2009, instead, chuck in 2 dozen assignments in between Facebook and drinking = a very neglected blog that could give Miss Havisham a run for her money.

“So this is it, my first entry on what could only be said as an introduction into a Chinese girl’s life and mind. To be fair it’s not all that interesting and to answer all the obvious questions…No I do not eat sweet and sour chicken with fried rice every night, and No I will not teach you how to say ‘hello’ or expletives in Chinese. Ok, so maybe the constant wonders of my nutritional diet and the language I speak is a riddle, but these special requests tend to become as irritating as your dog pissing on the carpet time after time, or if you don’t have a dog then the scenario of realising that yet again a pigeon has shat on your windscreen.”

I think with age I have sort of just accepted that people will always ask you to say something in Chinese; its the same as petting someone’s dog and asking if it does tricks, these commands just come with the package, regardless whether we like it or not. It's still a tad bit annoying but people have generally accepted my repetitive answer: 'er no'.

“In all seriousness though, I hope that by achieving to write a daily blog I will be granted the confidence in people ‘liking’ my style of writing, or most importantly its all about the EXPERIENCE these days (truthfully that’s what most of us bloggers are in it for right?) Getting the experience show that you’re passionate about writing and that’s what the punters like to see! I thought it was best to get it up and running before term started, at least then I can begin to pester my course mates to check out the blog and actually have more than one post to read. Sorry to those who will be in my Media and English course.”

I may have already failed the quest of gaining experience as I haven't updated it since August 2009, so there's not more I can say but tell myself I'm an idiot, a lazy idiot. As for the Media part of my course, 'twas destined to get ditched in the first week of second year. I didn't quite see how watching X-factor and annotating my TV journal was particularly the academic path I wanted to lead.

“As we all know university starts in September, we’ve had a long run up to the big leap that’s occupied our summer, and now it’s just weeks away till we take our first baby steps into the adult world...FRESHERS!! So far my summer days have either been as slow as the OAP driving in front or as fast as a shot of vodka. Let’s just say neither was enjoyable! Work has mainly dominated my self titled ‘fastest summers break of emptiness’ so respectively uni is the only motivation left for me to survive August. And now as the prospects of having no parents around and being at the legal age of 18 in the neighbouring city, my mind can only process so much information of fun and FREEDOM as a guy on crack.”

Wow, this is by far my favourite paragraph, my enthusiasm is still installed so vividly in my mind. But the cursed events unfolded and interrupted EVERYTHING: A week before uni, clearing students were told they basically didn't have a place to move into. Halls were full and we were put into student housing and hotels, this will be decided on the day of arrival. September 28th 2009...I was put into a hotel...outside of the city...with only 4 other people. Most of 96 other students occupied the city centres Holiday Inn. And there we were, at least 40mins bus ride out of the city, SCORE, not. That definitely dampened my experience, but it got better.

“The excitement of moving out is buzzing in everyone’s minds, the lists of what to take/buy down to the finest I’ve heard so far, ‘what am I going to wear during freshers week?! I need new clothes man!’-I can only quote from what seems to be the priority on someone’s mind (no names but you know who you are, shame on you). The only thing on my dear old rents minds at home is the worry of money, sex and drugs oh and of course whether I will actually finish my degree, they didn’t actually say this aloud I just interpreted the expressions painted on my mum's face when I over excite myself at the dinner table.”

The beauty of loans meant that I didn't have to worry about what to wear, I could always walk to Leicester Highcross and buy a new outfit. In hindsight, I wish I had been more conservative with my money, but hey blame the government for spoiling 18 year old by giving them a couple of grand. The latter part of that paragraph still holds truth, but more worryingly the pressure is on what I'm going to graduate with.

“On the other hand there are a few things that are starting to dawn on me, such as how the hell I am going to transfer all my songs on my current iTunes to my new laptop?! How much effort and time will that involve? Mainly the mission of cooking raw meat is the most worrying, the nightmare of flipping over a piece of grilled chicken after indulging its perimeters and finding it still raw in the middle!! Note to self, make sure I can cook at least one type of meat, so far 0. I wouldn’t be surprised if came home after first year as a veggie. “

Finally I can end this on a positive note, I needn't worry about transferring songs as that was just a start of a nightmare to come- a burglary in first year left me with no laptop and no backup, therefore I had to download everything from scratch anyway. As for cooking, I love cooking, but its just time consuming and not so pleasant in a dingy kitchen-note to self: always look out for the nice kicthens whilst house hunting. I've come to terms that I live to eat not the other way round bullshit. Most of my money has definitely gone on food more than anything else. So, what has uni taught me so far?-I love my food and I need to get through my degree so I can eat yummy food...and feed my materialistic addiction.

PhotoHub

After a long a break I've returned to Blogspot after major spamming on my normal blog, but anyway I'll try and update daily. So to open with something light here are the belated photos of The Coyotes studio rehersal.

Day trip to Birmingham and the Mailbox

Birmingham and I have a love hate relationship, I love it when I have money to spend on shopping, but I despise it when my pockets empty and I'm having to drag myself window shopping because that's all Birmingham has to offer for me. Also the train journey there has never been enjoyable, as the train service there has always served a tray of only 3 carriages, 3! So about 60 passengers would be crammed into 3 carriages for a 2hour journey. Luckily this time I got there early so it was still reasonably quiet. This was too good to be true, there must have been a compromise with fate, and there was.

In exchange of having plenty of seats to choose from, I parked myself comfortably at a table seat, but mid journey a couple got on and demanded this man who was in their seat to give it up, as the seat was 'reserved' for them on their ticket despite the fact that there was about 5 other empty seats they could have chosen. I suppose it would have been necessary to do so if there weren't any seats, but there was plenty, how annoying. This bewildered man got up and duh duh duh the can of Strongbow showed its face, and as he strolled the aisle he spotted the empty seat next to me in the corner...and well, I had to to offer it him didn't I? So I endured an hour next to a speculated drunk that made everyone quite uncomfortable when he started laughing at other passengers jokes.

As it approached smaller stations around Brum the carriage was packed, it got to the point that I couldn’t hold my head up high without seeming like I'm staring at a passenger. I don't think I've grasped onto train etiquette, I never know where to look when the window area is vacant with heads in the way.

I didn't have much money to go all out but I managed to pick up a pair of black wedged ankle boots from River Island that would suit well with all outfits, plus I needed new shoes immediately as I picked up a pair of old wrecked pumps that morning in a rush.

The shoes wasn't the only treat, the bf and I headed down to the Mailbox for dinner. It was the first time I'd been and was pleasantly surprised at how chic it was. Very modern inside, hosting Hugo Boss, Aquascutum and Bang Olufsen. The restaurant patio and balcony area was a dream, and the sun was still beating down which created a picturesque setting.

 

 

I can't wait till I grow my Lob

I'm loving the new summer hair trend this year, the Lob. Its about time that people has acknowlegded the awkward shoulder length hair as being quite trendy. Its not long nor short and its usually a make or break stage, you either endure its annoying length or give it the chop. In the past few months I've given up each time and restored it to my Sanford bob. For once this year I'm looking forward to growing it out into a lob. It helps that at the moment I'm loving Ferne Cotton and worshipping her style, but also the A listers such as Jennifer Aniston has opted for the Lob.

Illamasqua The Final Act Of Self Expression after Death

Who are Illamasqua? What is The Final Act?

Illamasqua was founded in 2008 possessing one moto: self expression for the inner person hiding in all of us, that acts as a statement of confidence and self ownership. This year from July Illamasqua have teamed up with Londons prestigous Leverton &  Sons family funeral directors, to create one of the most innovative and slightly morbid funeral rituals.

"Illamasqua is the product of a heady mix of influences. Its roots stem from the dark and illicit 1920s club scene, and combine a rich heritage in the manufacture of make-up for film and theatre. It also takes inspiration from members of the ‘alternative scenes’ for whom self-expression is paramount. Alternative cultures have always dared to be dramatic. They have an emotional attachment to making up. It’s an expression of their darker side, a release for their alter ego."

Illamasqua encourages people to self-express and embrace their alter ego in every way. Why should this be any different when you pass away?

What Illamasqua aims to do with this collaboration is to give beauty lovers one final act and chance to indulge in a glamourous look before entering the passage to afterlife. The more common tributes to celebrate a passing is normally a choice of the finest coffins or  beautiful flowers, so why should the final expression be missed out? Afterall the celebration of life commences personality and individuality.

A professional make up artist will be arranged to provide excellent and professional quaility service.  To Achieve the ultimate statement services start from £450, and will only be available in London areas. The Final Act of Self-Expression service can be booked as part of a pre-arranged funeral plan by calling Leverton & Sons on 020 7387 6575.

At first this service recieved a morbid reaction from me, but from looking more into it and seeing Illamasqua integrity it doesn't seem that creepy anymore. I think this is quite a indulgent and exclusive service that may deem unnecessary and vein to some people, but I know of some eastern asian cultures that already offers this expression's service in burial rituals; so its a step ahead that Illamasqua has spotted this gap in the market and using it to cash in the bucks with their make up.

I believe in magic

When I think of magic I think of cheesy card tricks, same old 'sawing' the girl in half blah blah blah BORING. Its entertaining for about a minute and then I forget about it, nothings really stayed with me. I'm really skeptical because all the tricks are done using certain techniques and the trick of the eye, there is no such thing as magic same as saying Candyman in the mirror, you want to believe in it but its a lie. So, when I had friend over last night she was raving about some guy called Dynamo from Bradford, who has a new show on TV and has performed for A list celebrities. At first I was thinking it can't be that great, but when I checked him out on Youtube I honestly had chills going down my spine.





I just don't get it. Someone please tell me what the hell went on with the Tinie Tempah cd trick

My 2 favourite eyeliners MAC Fluidline vs Bourjois Liner Feutre

MAC Fluidline vs Bourjois Liner

Bourjois is underrated. I never really paid attention to Bourjois until a friend recommended me to check it out before I turned to MAC for a new liquid eyeliner. Hate putting a price on cosmetics but me being a student, I'm on the cheaper ones towards the end of the semester; Bourjois is cheaper with the Liner Feutre costing £5.99 and MAC Fluidline £13. I guess to me it was just one of those brands hiding in the shadows of the more expensive range. This didn't fail to suprise me though, and has lasted longer than the MAC Fluidline which I've stood by for so long. This just proves to show that the brand isn't all that important.

This 'feltip' like liner has a great fine tip to get those neat lines in, which I find easier to achieve rather than using an eyeliner brush. I'm really happy with this product as it doesn't smudge as much throughout the day unlike pencils.

The MAC Blitz & Glitz is great for nights out as it settles really well on top of eye shadow, whereas Liner Feutre ends up fading by the end of the night, plus it doesn't shade over eyelash glue booo. The greatest downfall to this product is that it dries out really quickly. I was using this religiously till I took a break from it to go back to the pencil, when I finally came back around to it not long after, the surface had hardened and dried up. It hadn't dried up previously because I was using it everyday, so when it isn't managed daily it goes dry. I can still use it now, but I would have to remove the top layer, but even then its not that pleasant to apply. Therefore it loses brownie points on that basis.

If you're a fan of liquid eyeliner than give Liner Feutre a chance, its ace to achieve Kate Mosses Dior Addict look. Who'd thought drawing on your eyelids could be so fun :|

Whats your favourite eyeliner?

Looks like Will has a handful during a visit to Canadian school

I love Wills and Kate, but I couldn't resist being immature about this and had to share. Surely this made you lol.

 

Daisy is confusing me

Post holiday skin means I'm constantly moisterizing to fight dry skin, and I don't particularly want to smell like cocoa butter all day everyday especially when I've got a driving lesson in a small confined car, he'll think I brought him a small chocolate suprise of something. Now I don't want to overload myself with perfume to block out my cocoa goodness when I'm in the car because it'll be over powering (you know what I mean when someone gets in a car and aftershave/perfume is really saturating the air because the car is small) so I've resorted to using the the lotion from perfume gift sets. Works a treat, I'm moisterized and I'm smelling good.

I recently got the Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume and lotion which is so refreshing and long lasting. I love its fresh, sweet and floral scent, in one word it just spells pretty. Call me stupid but the lotion bottle top confused me. Its got a bizzare screw top that I haven't came across before. So I'm fiddling with it for 5mins till I realised that you turn the cap like you would open, and squeeze the lotion out of the hole instead of traditionally opening the cap.

Was it worth the headache? I think so :) Its a quick fix to use perfume lotions, I'm not using it before bed everynight becuase its quite expensive and its a bit of a waste. Now I can avoid getting the gas mask out when my perfume is over powering a smalll space.

This week's nom noms

I'm back in Leicester taking a few hours break from Jersey Shore and I'm hungry, so we're shopping around for somewhere decent priced to eat out and we stumble across Black Rock Grill. Not only was it £25 for two 3 course meals but its really unique. I ordered a tuna steak and what they do is they serve the steak on a black slate and you the customer cook it to how you like it right in front of you e.g if you like it rare then you flip the steak a few times and you put it on a side plate.

At first I was quite iffy and uncomfortable at a piping hot slate as a plate, but that eased off as soon as I tasted it. It unlike steaks from restaurants as its not losing heat when its served from the kitchen, because its cooked in front of you its nice and hot with all its juices and its not uncomfortable hot either. I can't complain about how my steak is served because I'm in control of cooking it, so no pointing fingers when its over done or undercooked. Its supposedly meant to reduce kitchen cost and the concept drives people back. This place is awesome and pulls plenty of customers in as you can smell the aroma from outside mmmm.

Secondly, its all about Milka ChocoMinis. I've only started liking Milka chocolate as I'm a predominate Cadburys only girl. But this new line of cookies is so yummy. Its on offer at the moment so I snapped a pack up whilst I was in my 'munchies' supermarket mode where I find anything and everything is delish.

There goes my food ramble.

Its Jersey Shore Mania Here.

Recently Geordie Shore finished and straight away I was itching for a new reality show to kill time with, so I turned to the dark side and began my marathon of Jersey Shore. After a mammoth 3 and a half days I've finished all 3 series BOOM. Some say programmes like this makes you dumb, but I honestly find it addictive and so entertaining. If you don't have any drama in your life then I wouldn't recommend this, because I sure felt involved in every episode shouting 'bitch' at the screen.

So what have I learnt from this during my hiding these past 3 days?

T-shirt Time- every man needs t-shirt time to smelling fresh before a night out. Wearing your t-shirt during pre drinks is a no-no because when you head out you're no longer fresh. So just moments before heading out the t-shirt comes on. This is ridiculous but it makes sense though.

Guido/Guidette-I had no idea what this meant until I went on urban dictionary, I was like 'greedo'? But its the tag given to the working class Italians who love to tan, go to the gym and is a 'juicehead'.

Juice Head/juice monkey/meat head- A guido kitted out with big muscles.

Grenade- *drum rolls* this is by far my favourite word. An expression to indicate a person is ugly. Jersey Shore has some of the most comical characters and these guys aren't shy of telling girls to their face that they are a grenade.

D.T.F- Down to fuck

G.T.L-Gym Tanning Laundry, and this is acronym the guys used not the girls!

Catch all 3 series on Jersey Shore <-here.
Season 4 is in production and I can't wait....

My skin is crawling...

Creep creepcreep. Nuff said this is weird. This looks more like a memorial picture with its black and white portrait in a bed of flowers. Whats with this? It looks like a stalker has made this.

Its all going cat's eye

During Wimbledon I noticed that the vintage cat's eye style glasses were back in game. This retro number is hitting the fashion runway with this summer, with a number of celebrities sporting a pair. No wonder guests at Wimbledon were sure to catch on and have them ready especially to catch the mens matches.

I love this style and it looks fun!  Why not combine this into an ourfit to get that sophisticated and hip look. Arguable it can appear slightly naff, but with everyone wearing them from Jessica Alba to Scarlett Johansson then you're spot on trend this summer.



Alternatively reigning king of sunglasses Ray Bans are still extremely popular, but there are also the TOMS collection which is identical to Ray Bans, providing additional colors AND with every purchase it goes to eyecare for those who are less fortunate.





 

I'm not dirty, those are my tan lines!

I was in a different country but my lifestyle hadn't changed, differences being that there was a beach on my door step. I love Wimbledon and couldn't bare missing a game, an extremely sad truth but I was prepared to sit in the hotel and watch Wimbledon rather than lying on the beach. Nonetheless I did get myself down there when the women's matches were on.

My day to day activities might not have altered but my skincare certainly did. Shamefully I avoided moisterizer the entire time, why? I simply didn't need it. I have combination skin and I didn't have problems with dry skin on my cheeks or excessive oily T-zone and thats all down to the help of Clarins Water Comfort One Step Cleanser. Seriously this product is awesome, one the best cleansers I've had that I could compare with the SKII cleasner.

Why do I love it so much? Firstly it smells gorgeous and it fended off dry skin so well that I was applying it on flakey skin on my arms that was dried out from sun bathing and the heat. This isn't just only a on-the-go product to cleanse the face with after a session from the gym, flight on an airplane, or out and about in the busy city, but a lock to keep the moister in. I used it as a toner rather than a cleanser because I personally like to wash my face with water, but that usually makes my skin feel really tight and dry, awful to apply moisterizer onto but this illiminated that tightness.

My regime that is simple and worked was: 1) wash my face with Lancome Clarifying Cleanser Pearly Foam (£19 Boots) 2) with a cotton pad apply Clarins peach water and give it a few minutes for the skin to absorb (£14 Debenhams) 3) apply Clarins factor 30 Sun Wrinkle Control Cream (£17.50 Debenhams)

The peach water is absolutely lush and gave my skin a smooth touch, great to apply makeup straight on as its so so moisterizing. This product for me banishes other toners, I hope to continue  using this in the winter, which in time will test whether it can fight off wintery complexions. For now I'm nearly past the half way mark in just 2 weeks (100ml) as I apply generously, the only flaw is that I hadn't discovered this sooner.

I say this would be ideal for travelling, especially long haul flights. I used to just use face wipes that didn't do much for moisterizing but this is refreshing. I give it 5/5 stars fo' sho'.

 

Vacation

Apologies for not updating yesterday but I've been quite busy. So this is a quick post to say that I'll be away for a week in Spain. I'll be back with plenty to talk about on the 2nd July, see you then :)