Time For Sleep ...

Student life is exhausting; I swear 90% of the time you feel sleep deprived haha. Mainly from being social, long lecture days and binge watching Gilmore girls. So any things to help get me to sleep is an added bonus. So in today's post I wanted to share a few things that I have use to try and get the perfect night sleep.

Skincare

I do love my skincare; Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cacoon* is my favourite that I have previously mentioned in my blog. But it's a gel-cream formulation which contains a variety of nourishing oils;
tamarind seed extract to help hydrate the skin, wu-zhu-uu Extract to brighten the skin and persian silk tree extract to help with skin fatigue. The smell is so relaxing, reminds me of a spa which is lovely as it contains lavender oils.

The packaging is really cute, a little cylinder dispenser with the twisty lid to unlock and to push to get product out. It's really cute and I do love the Dermalogica packaging. 

The formulation is really nice and sinks into the skin really easily, leaving the skin feel and look so refreshed even if sometimes you don't.


Audiobook 

I'm not to much of a reader and recently I've got into audiobooks. I have just finished 'Becoming by Michelle Obama' which was so good. I've wanted to write this book for while, but I'm so glad I've finally got round to reading it as I love it. This audiobook I listened to on walks to uni and travelling. But at night I've been listening to Penguin’s ‘Sleep Tales’, some calming tales really help get you to sleep. There's also hours of them so plenty of tales to listen to.


Pillow Spray

This is more of a new one for me, I got this last year in my advent calendar and I love it! This is for the days that I'm really struggling to get to sleep or I know that I need to get up early in the morning. The one I've been using is This Works Deep Pillow Spray which contains lavender, camomile and vetivert.  Firstly I was quite spectacle on whether it would work, but to my surprise it does which is amazing! I love the fact it's also transportable so great for travel and tucking it into your bag.

Hope you like this post.

Please comment on things that help get you to sleep.

Sarah X

* this post contains products kindly gifted by Dermalogica but all opinions are my own.

My Past Week in Lipsticks #12

Another week has past, meaning another range of makeup looks and lipstick wore. So in this post, I wanted to share my the lipstick that I wore over the past week as I am a bit of a lipstick addict.

Monday
One of my favourite autumnal shades is the MAC Patrick Starrr 'Spank Me Santa' lipstick. This is a gorgeous dusty rose shade, which has lovely red undertones. Which goes with a range of makeup looks, I personally love it with the a simply bronze eye.

Tuesday
A simple lip look is the NYX Soft Matte Lip in 'Cannes', it's a gorgeous and goes with a variety of looks. Personally I love this lip with the CT Bronzed Garnet or any look really. It's also a good lip to put on and leave the door,

Wednesday 
Most people has a their pale nude lipstick of chose, MAC 'Patisserie' Lipstick is mine. It's a pale pinky beige lip which looks lovely with a slightly darker smokey eye, as well as a small amount of the lips and buffed in looks lush.

Thursday
Thursday is my day off uni day, so I usually go for my quick and simple no makeup makeup look, usually as I only pop out for some fresh air. Therefore Fenty Beauty Lipgloss was worn as it's a lovely natural gloss but adds something really nice and put together to the look.

Friday 
Sometime you can't beat a CT lipstick, Friday is one of my busiest days so I grab what lip I love and throw it in my bag. This past week was my trusty Charlotte Tilbury 'English Beauty' Lipstick, lovely pink shade which is like a your lips but better sort of look.

Saturday 
L'Oreal JLO Lipstick is a lipstick which I hadn't actually used for a while and got out of my collection. A lovely pink lipstick with a lush cream formulation which is goes with all makeup looks and also simple and elegant. I love this shade, with its pale pink undertones.

Sunday 
Matte liquid lipsticks are one of my favourites in the autumn, sometimes can be a bit drying on the lips. But the Sleek Matte Me 'Birthday Suit' Liquid lipstick is a lovely brown pinky nude with a velvet formulation which isn't drying on the lips. And as its a Sunday the long lasting formation was especially prominent after eating a huge roasts and coffees and it still looking like I just applied it.

Hope you like this post.

Please comment on your go to lipsticks of the moment.

Sarah X

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA Serum

The Ordinary is a brand that I've wanted to try for ages; as I've heard some lovely things. Also whenever I got to Covent Gardens the shop seems packed which is probably a good sign. Over the summer I went to the Topshop on Oxford Street not realising they have an ordinary stand, so when I found it I knew I had to pick at least one thing up. So I picked up the Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA.

I have a real interest in the chemistry of cosmetics, skincare and toiletries so I had previously read and researched a lot of acids on the skin. Also which are the most beneficial for your skin and certain skin concerns. Over the heat of the summer now the cold of autumn, my skin usually gets dry and red. But I have been using the Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA it has helped my skin. Lactic acid is a natural exfoliate which stimulates cell regeneration to reduce pigmentation and diminish acne scars. I have naturally red cheeks, what some people call 'English rose complexion', which I'm usually self-conscious of and hide under makeup. But since using this serum I have noticed a difference in the pigmentation on my cheeks, obviously it's not going to disappear but my skin is looking more even-toned.

The added hydraulic acid hydrates your skin; most of my moisturising that I use contain HA as I love the hydration benefits. Hydraulic acid strengthens the lipid barrier to improve the skin’s ability to attract and retain moisture. I usually apply this every evening as part of my skincare routine and I have seen a real difference in my skin in the morning, it also feels refreshing on the skin. Another reason for applying it in the evening is because of the slight exfoliate it enhance the sensitivity to sunlight. Therefore as you are exposed to less sunlight in the evening it's calmer/better on your skin, but if you do use on day-use extra suncream is recommended. 

I love also the fact that Tasmanian pepperberry has also been added to the formulation, I never heard of this ingredient before this serum, as in I have never seen it in any other skincare. But it's a natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and also protects your skin from UV damage. 

Gladly the serum hasn't caused any irritation on the skin, as sometimes acids pH can be too acidic for your skin causing redness. So I know for some this % could be too high therefore a slightly lower would be more beneficial, however, the addition of the Tasmanian pepperberry lowers the irritation that could be caused by the acid. 

Overall I love this product, as you can probably tell like the ingredients also and the science behind it( probably also helps I do a chemistry degree!) . I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a exfoliate hydrating serum and would love to try some more of the Ordinary products.

Hope you like this post and hope you have a lovely weekend.

Please comment on whether you have tried any the Ordinary products, and is so which ones.

Sarah X

Rimmel Magnifeyes Eyeshadow Palette Spice | Affordable Autumnal Palette

I LOVE autumnal makeup; the copper, red and gold eyeshadow look or smokey brown eyes. One of the best affordable autumnal palettes I have found is the Rimmel Magnifeyes Eyeshadow Palette Spice. Rimmel is one of my favourite drugstore or even my favourite drugstore brand. The formulations of their products and affordable as well. I have had my eye on the Urban Decay Heat palette for a while but this looks like a lovely dupe.

The palette contains 12 stunning shades; a range of warm orange, red, coppery shades. The formulations of the shades are so good; pigmented, blendable and no fall out which is a bonus! The pigmentation of the matte and shimmer shades also doesn't differ which sometimes happens in the cheaper more affordable palette.
The formulations are consistent; one of my favourite shades is the pinky copper (5th shade) - definitely my go-to lid shade. Then a mixture of the matte shades are lovely for the crease, light transition shade then blending it out and smoking it with the darker shades. It can create day soft looks or more of an evening dramatic looks. The undertones of the palette also really compliment my green eyes which is a bonus.

The packaging of the palette is quite simple; one thing which would be lovely if the palette had a small mirror. To make it better for travel hopefully, it's quite streamlined therefore fits in your bag easily. I don't use the brushes provided as they aren't the best; so I use my trusty Real Techniques blending brush and the Spectrum Collection lid brush.

Overall I'm obsessed with this palette!!!! Gorgeous shades, pigmentation and formulation, I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an autumnal warm tones palette.

Hope you like this post and I have changed my schedule to Tuesday and Thursdays as that works better for me. So hope you have a lovely rest of your week!

Please comment on your favourite autumnal palettes.
Sarah X

A Autumn Pamper Evening 2019*

In today's post, I wanted to share my autumnal pamper evening, as recently in the UK its been cold and rainy so a pamper evening is very much needed. Some of the products mentioned in this post are Nivea and Dermalogica which I was kindly gifted.

I love to start a pamper evening with a shower/bath, so for shower gel, I use the Nivea Clay Flesh Shower Gel in Ginger and Basil*. As suggested on the bottle, it's a green shower gel which I love and is really lovely on the skin. Makes you feel all nice and clean, and the scent is lovely too. Nice and fresh!

For moisturiser the Nivea Fresh Cucumber and Matcha Tea Body Mousse*; a lovely foam which absorbs quickly. I do love a foam moisturiser as there's something different about them also. The packing is also nice and as it's slim doesn't take up much shelf space. Also, another refreshing scent which makes you feel lovely and smooth.

 One of my favourite things on a pamper evening is the skincare; a good face mask, toner, intensive moisturiser the full works!

After a cleansed face usually using the Garnier Micellar Water, I like to use an exfoliate. So my one of chose atm is the Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant*, as suggested a really nice soft exfoliate. Which makes your skin feel lovely and smooth but doesn't make your face bright red.

For a face mask; the Nivea Urban Skin Detox Mask* which is lovely. I do like a peel-off mask as it's quite satisfying peeling it off at the end. But it also helps get any dirt out of your pores which is an added bonus. A little goes a long way.

One of my favourite toners is the Pixi Rose Toner, gorgeous pink toner. I have honestly seen a change in the brightness of my skin using this product which a very much an added bonus. After my toner, I love to apply an acid serum so at the moment my favourite on is The Ordinary Lactic Acid serum. So naturally moisturising and great ingredients.

Last but by no means least, moisturiser I usually go between 2 moisturisers; Hasoft Instant Boost and the Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cacoon*. They are both so hydrating and makes your skin feel so nice! The Sleep Cacoon I use especially on days when I'm very tired and just want to relax.

Hope you like this post and have a lovely rest of the week!

Please comment on your favourite pamper evening essentials,

Sarah X

Quick Autumnal Makeup Routine 2019

After a month break, I'm finally back blogging, some of you may have seen on my Instagram that I was on a volunteering holiday for a few weeks. But recently I've been getting back into the swing of uni so my little blog took a back seat.
So since the last post, it's been cold and windy in England - very autumnal. Therefore the autumnal makeup looks have made their yearly appearance. From the berry lip, smokey or copper eye and a bit more coverage on the skin. In today's post, I wanted to share my quick makeup look for the days when I'm in a rush.

Brows & Eyes

The brow product that I have been using for a while is the Rimmel Powder Duo in 002 Medium Brown. The powder duo contains a light brown powder as well as a slightly darker brown wax. The mixture of both powders creates the perfect brow shade for me. I do use the little brush also to apply product then the spoolie to shape the brows.


For a simple and quick eye, I am loving the Charlotte Tilbury Bronzed Garnet Eyeshadow Pencil. A lovely pigmented eyeshadow which is easy to apply. Some amount on the lid and blended with a bit of bronzer/brown shade in the crease creates an easy autumnal eye look. I love that the undertones in the Bronzed Garnet compliment my green eyes which is an added bonus.

I do love a good mascara, recently been using an old favourite the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara. Firstly I really like the limited rose gold/pink packaging which is perfect for the upcoming festival season. The formulation and the applicator brush are great, grabs every lash. Adds lengths and volume and doesnt transfer/flake which is a bonus especially in these colder/wet months.

Face

For the base I use this Rimmel duo; Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation and Rimmel Lasting Matte 'Illuminator' Concealer. The Rimmel foundation has lovely coverage and pigmentation, it is also lightweight on the skin. For under-eye circles I apply some of the illuminator concealers to cover any pigmentation and under-eye bags. It also helps neaten up any eye makeup and helps brighten up the face.

To add a bit more colour to my ghostly pale complexion I use the ABH Light Light-Medium Contour Kit. To set my face I use a mixture of the 3 powder shades, then a mixture of the bronzer/contour shades to add shape and warmth to my face.

To add a bit of a winter glow, the highlighter of chose is the Colourpop x Zoella 'Swipe Right' Highlighter. A pigmented highlighter with pink relexes and looks good on most skintones. The fine powder blends into the skin really quickly/easily. I apply it to my cheekbones, brow bone and inner corners.

Lips

Usually, I have 2 moods for autumnal lips; berry or nude. If it's berry lip; Rimmel 107 is a classic. Or more a muted bold lip, the Clinique Super Strawberry Chubby Stick. For nude, you can't beat a Charlotte Tilbury English Beauty for the finishing touch.

Hope you like this post and have a fab start to the week!

Please comment on your favourite autumnal makeup look.

Sarah X