What's in my Birchbox? | January 2015

Hello!

First of all, apologies for the delay in this post! I did receive this right at the beginning of January- which was weird to see when I came home because I never receive it earlier than around the 15th. But as long as I get it it doesn't really matter does it?

The first 2015 Birchbox is in partnership with Woman's Health- the go to for all things health. what better time to partner up for the month that nearly all of us are deciding to improve their wellbeing. 

Let's have a look inside...

Korres Citrus Showergel | £18

This smells divine! A get-up-and-go citrus body wash will ensure skin stays hydrated all day. I used this after doing a workout and it is energising an revitalising.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum | £45

I love anything tat is going to make me look more radiant and alive in the morning! I usually use my Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask mixed in with the Cleanse and Polish just to give my skin a morning pick up. This oil free serum evens skin tone, boots radiance and moisturises for a glowing complexion. Wit Woo!!

Activbod Cooling Finish Lotion | £12 

This is to be used after a workout to re-energise and get moisture back into the body. I'm hoping that this is a quick dry lotion, because there is nothing worse that just wanted to get your casual gear on and having to wait for lotion to dry when all you want to do is relax after a hard workout.

Green People Intense Repair Shampoo | £11.95

I've started to get a right little collection of shampoo and conditioners! I always like receiving little samples because they are perfect for travelling (as I will soon enough!) and it's also great for trying new products without breaking the bank.  This natural shampoo strengthens and repairs without any nasties.

Stila Lip Glaze | £15 

Finally some makeup!! A gorgeous sheer lipgloss from Stila is a suits-all complexion colour and its obvious its a cult classic.

Embrace Matcha Green Tea | £24.99

Il'll admit - I'm a green tea lover! Matcha is 100% natural and has 10 times the antioxidants of regular green tea. Oh hello! You can even blend into smoothies and juices. I really cannot wait to try it!

LIFESTYLE BONUS

Birchbox Pilates Band | £7.99

I have one of these with my Beachbody Brazil Butt Lift Workout. They tone, increase strength and improve muscle endurance. And now my sister can do the workout with me and still get the same intense workout as me. Thanks Birchbox!!

WHAT DID YOU GUYS GET THIS MONTH??

Liss xxxxx

New Year Skin Detox - Changes for 2015

Everybody says it come January 1st- New Year, New Me. Resolutions can be hard to stick to, be it dieting, quitting smoking or drinking less alcohol, most of us never see it past January. 

I admit I am one of those people who always says " right, this year is the year, I'm gonna be the healthiest person come summer!" and I get to about half way through February and fall off the band wagon. 

I think the easiest way for me to stick to something is to set realistic targets. There is no point in someone like me depriving myself because I'm going to want it even more.

So this year, I've decided that I'm going to pace myself to try and become more healthy. I want to concentrate on my skin and feeling better about myself physically. So here are a few changes that I've decided to make :-

SKIN

Being a beauty blogger I am always tempted by products. I am so easily influenced! And 9 times out of 10 I go back to what I'm used to- mostly to fix the problem that my wandering eye has caused :(

I think the best thing for me, (and for my skins sake) is to stick to products that I know work, and have a simple routine. As you may know from a previous post- I am a Liz Earle girl at heart. 

STEP 1- CLEANSE

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish 100ml - £15.50 

This is the most important step in any skincare routine. One or two pumps to a dry face, I gently massage for about a minute and half to a dry face or full face of makeup. I then run the muslin cloth included and "polish" away the remains of the cleanser. The muslin cloth gently exfoliates the skins, without irritation, to leave the skin refreshed and revitalised. I usually do this twice if I have been wearing makeup- one to get rid of the makeup, and one to actually cleanse the clean skin. 

STEP 2- TONE

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic 200ml - £14.50

I use this on a cotton pad and sweep over the face after cleansing. You can buy the toner in a spray form for a refreshing spritz, even throughout the day. I think this product really helps to give some radiance back to the skin and make your skin feel clean and luxurious. 

STEP 3- MOISTURISE

Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser 50ml - £20.25

The last step in simple skincare is to moisturise. This is probably the best moisturiser I have ever used- I know thats a dramatic statement to make, but it's no exaggeration. It is perfectly balancing, softening moisturiser which conditions the skin for a natural glow. I massage a pea-size amount onto my face and neck after toner, and that is the basically my morning routine down.

And for a little something extra :- 

• Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate- I love this at night before my moisturiser just for an added little boost of conditioning for my skin. The smell is so aromatic and actually calms with its use of 100% pure plant oils! It softens dry and mature skin and can balance oily/ combination skin. 
• Liz Earle Soothing Eye Lotion- Suffer from tired puffy eyes? This is the answer to your problems! Simply pour some lotion on some cotton pad and place on eyes for 10 mins. I even sometimes put them on when in the bath and it feels great!
• Bare Minerals Blemish Remedy- You all know I love me some Bare Minerals. This blemish remedy is great to just pop on either over makeup or just after your skincare to really get deep down and destroy those buggers! 

BODY

If you know me personally, you will know that I have a bit of an obsession with Miranda Kerr. Her beauty, fashion and lifestyle has always interested me and I've always tried to incorporate that into my own lifestyle. I was reading through her Kora Organics Skincare Line's blog just to look closer into the world of the former VS angel. She regularly talks about the benefits of dry body brushing. So when I was online looking at Liz Earle products, I noticed that Liz Earle actually sells her own body brush -why not go for it?

Dry body brushing is a natural healing practice which involves brushing all over a dry body, followed by a shower or bath.

Benefits of Dry Body Brushing:-

• Lymphatic Drainage
• Removes Toxins
• Decreases the appearance on cellulite
• Exfoliates the skin
• Strengthens skins pores
• Assists stimulation

You can buy Liz Earles Body Brush Here!

So far it seems to be working really well, I've been doing all of the above plus exercising and drinking a lot more water and green tea. Hello beautiful skin!! 

WHAT ARE YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS?

Liss xxxx

Foundation Review #2 | Revlon Colorstay 24hr Foundation

Hi Guys, and Happy New Year! 

So I thought I'd start 2015 off with a quick foundation review. I was getting ready for a night out with friends to bring in the New Year and wanted to try a new foundation. I'm having a real love/hate relationship with the Makeup Forever HD Foundation that I bought in New York in October- the coverage and longevity is impeccable, but it breaks me out!!! *sad face* And although you all know I love my Bareskin Foundation (review here) but unfortunately it tends to have a little flashback- and when you are on a night out- you want Kim K style coverage. 

I took a little trip to Superdrug to see what foundations where out there that wouldn't really break the bank just to try out. I remember that Revlon Colorstay was one of the first foundations I ever tried. I guess my makeup obsession kind of took off and forgot all about it. 

Revlon says-

‘' Want makeup that is flawless and weightless for 16 perfect hours? Revlon has the solution - ColorStay™ Makeup Normal/dry. Specially formulated for normal or dry skin, this oil-free, moisture-balanced formula gives you flawless looking skin. Makeup looks fresh and feels great for up to 16 hours thanks to the lightweight, comfortable feel from the SoftFlex ColorStay™ Formula. Medium to full coverage, with SPF 15 protection'' 

I'm so glad they have a different formula for two skin types. I obviously went for the normal to dry option. I seem to remember that they formula was quite thick, cake and matte looking the first time round- or maybe that was just my 15-year old self deciding that "more is more".

I tried this foundation for my New Years celebrations and I can say that I really enjoyed everything about it. The coverage is definitely medium- but buildable without being cakey. It felt light and I didn't even have to wear concealer for any blemishes- always a plus in my book!

I decided to get the shade "Buff" which I think it the second lightest shade they do. I wasn't wearing an fake tan for New Years so it seemed to match really well- and I could even wear it in the daytime too as it looks so natural.  They sen to have a really good colour selection of about 10 shades.

I used both my Real Techniques buffing brush and then pressed over with a damp beauty blender to make sure everything was evenly blended- and the results were really smooth flawless looking skin- that still looked like my own. 

The thing that I like most about this foundation is its longevity. Even after a lot of dancing, sweating, alcohol and even being rained on!- my makeup was still in place. If anything I had to top up a little which comes with every visit to the club toilets-  but thats just a habit. Even with the product having an SPF of 20 it didn't seem to flashback at all. Woo!!

 

The only thing I wish this foundation had is a pump. You don't really have much control on how much you are using and if you pour too much- its just a waste. I would imagine that with this foundation being retailed at £12.49 that it would come with some sort of pump?? Sort it out Revlon!!

Overall, I really love this foundation and feel like I have re-discovered an old favourite! 

Hope it you all had a lovely Christmas/New Year and Happy 2015!!

Liss xxx