Clarisonic Mia Review

I got my Lavender Clarisonic Mia at Christmas but wanted to give it a good couple of months use before I wrote a review and so this is my experience of using the clarisonic so far, I use my Clarisonic Mia every day in the evening for 60 seconds.

I got my clarisonic Mia on Christmas day but had to wait 18 hours of charging before I could use it.

Boxing day - First use, with the cleanser it came with. My skin felt amazing, so soft and smooth. My face was a little red as I used it too hard in my over excited state, but my skin felt so clean!

Weeks 1 - 5 - 'Purging phase', still using the cleanser it came with. I had breakouts in different areas of my face at different times, my skin is already prone to breakouts and it wasn't much worse than it normally is. Every week I made sure I cleaned the brush and handle thoroughly, my skin felt quite dry after using it however I counteracted this with a thick moisturiser.

Week 5 - 7 I switched Cleansers to Philosophy Purity. Purity foams so much better, feels gentler and makes my skin incredibly soft. My skin cleared up instantly and for the first time in a looong time, I have clear skin! I feel more confident without make up on, although I do still have some discolouration and acne scarring my skin looks healthy, clear and smooth. The combination of the Clarisonic and Purity Cleanser works So well for me, I have such difficult skin and Finally it seems to be happy!

The Clarisonic has changed my skin, although it is pricey, I use it everyday and I love it. The only downside for me is the charging time. It has really improved the texture and clarity of my skin. I take my make up off with a Make up wipe and then use the Clarisonic and Purity combination to gently exfoliate my skin everyday. Purity states that it cleanses and tones so you do not need to tone separately which is a bonus! Purity also doesn't dry my skin so I just finish with a simple moisturiser.


Has anyone else got a clarisonic?

Coral Summer Make up

Revlon Photoready foundation Golden Beige, Topshop Blush neon rose, Topshop Highlighter Sunbeam, Topshop Lipstick Infrared, Topshop crayon Sunshower, Barry M Lipgloss 11, Barry M eyeshadow 77, No7 Brown pencil, Mac studio fix concealer NW25, Bobbi Brown corrector Bisque, Bourjois Volume perfect mascara, Loreal carbon gloss liquid eyeliner.

I used Corals and Golds to create a Summery look that could be worn on a hot summers evening. 

I brushed Topshop Sunbeam gold highlighter on my brow bones, top of my cheeks, down my nose and a tiny bit on the top of my lip to give a glowy summery shimmer. I blended the Barry M coral eyeshadow towards the brow bone and smudged gold eyeliner underneath my eye. I contoured with bronzer and used a coral blush (topshop neon rose). 

To finish the look I used a small amount of orangey lipstick and coral pink gloss. 

I look a little pale in the pictures, I should have really used more bronzer to make the look more warm and sunkissed, I think a bit of fake tan would have helped too!    xx

Lush Butterball

Lush - Butterball

I love this simple, little bath bomb so much that I thought I would dedicate a whole post to it! I find a lot of Lush bath bombs can be quite drying for my skin, but not this little beaut!

This has a subtle vanilla scent and as it fizzes it releases small flecks of coco butter that float to the top of the bath. I scoop these up and massage into any dry patches - knees, elbows, heels etc and so when you get out of the bath your left feeling lovely and moisturised.

This is my favourite Lush bath bomb I've tried so far, I also really want to try Honey Bee - has anyone got any good Lush bath bomb recommendations?

Instagram #2

Real techniques Stippling brush, Valentines day make up, Company and Glamour Magazines, Magic Mushroom Lush Bubble bar bath, Cold days & wooly jumpers, Vday pressie - Sigma Brushes!

Fave apps of the moment:

Instagram - (username dollyfaces7)

Temple Run - I'm so rubbish at it though! Quater of a million is my highest score, pls help?!

Wunderlist

Jelly defence

I've got so much love for Instagram at the moment, its the only photo editing app I use now and I'm so addicted to it! Heres a few pics I've added over the last couple of weeks xx

Philosophy's Hope in a Jar

15ml - £10

I bought a small size of Hope in a jar to try after I became obsessed with The Vampire Diaries and had read somewhere that Nina Dobrev uses the Philosophy Hope line of skincare. I had forgotten that I bought this and so only started using it a few weeks ago. 

Initially, when opening the pot I was surprised to see that the moisturiser looked like it had curdled! It looked like curdled milk and smelled like cleaner. I quickly opened my laptop and read a few reviews online to see whether this was normal. I thought it had gone off! 

Luckily, my moisturiser was fine. The smell I'm guessing is the lactic acid, which acts as an exfoliator. The curdled texture or 'mousse' transforms into a watery, light weight, non greasy substance as you massage into your skin.

Philosophy's Hope in a jar is meant to provide a rosy glow to the skin, act as an antioxidant, soften, calm the skin and protect against environmental damage.

The first time I used this I noticed the effects almost immediately after using. my skin was smoother and started to glow. I use this at night and any blemishes I have appear reduced by the morning.

Philosophy hope in a jar moisturiser works great for me, it does what it claims to do and has really started to help improve my skin. The only downside for me is the smell. It smells like acid or cleaner, its soo strong! This makes me a bit weary as I don't like using anything too harsh on my skin. I'm glad I bought the small sample size as i use this twice a week and my normal simple night moisturiser for the rest of the days. You only need a small amount so I think this will last me quite a while, when I run out i will definitely repurchase a small pot of hope in a jar as it works so well for me.

Valentines Day Make up

MAC BARESTUDY PAINT POT, MAC NAKED LUNCH AND QUARRY E/S, BENEFIT BELLA BAMBA & HULA BLUSH AND CONTOUR BENEFIT EYE BRIGHT, TOPSHOP LIPSTICK IN INNOCENT, MAC MSF NATURAL MEDIUM PLUS, MAC HUSH, BOBBI BROWN CORRECTOR IN BISQUE, LOREAL CARBON GLOSS LINER, BOUJOIS MASCARA
 

It's Valentines day in 2 days and I still haven't got my bf anything yet - eek! 

This is probably the kind of make up I'll be wearing on valentines day, minus the lashes and probably a lip stain instead of lipstick as its longer lasting! I wanted to keep it very neutral with pretty flushed pink cheeks and fluttery lashes, you can also switch the pink lipstick for a red lip depending on what your doing on the day.

I'm torn about valentines day - It's so commercial and surely a random act of loveliness is more touching? But then on the other hand, it's so nice taking time to spend together and who could say no to roses and chocolates! 

I'll be spending Valntines day at home with the bf, I'll cook a nice meal and we'll probs watch a film. I don't like going out on valentines as I find it so busy and un-romantic!

What are you doing for valentines?

Mac Naturally Collection

L- Redhead R- Summer Haze

I've been checking the MAC website every day since I've seen reviews of MACs new 'Naturally' collection on blogs and youtube. I was out shopping on Friday when I spotted the MAC Naturally advertisement in the shops window, lol I literally squealed and ran straight into the shop!

I picked up Summer haze mineralised eyeshadow and the Redhead MSF. I also loved the 'In the sun' mineralised eyeshadow which is a gorgeous deep gold/brown with hints of violet but at £16.50 each for the eyeshadows and £21.50 for the MSF, I couldn't really justify getting it aswell as I rarely wear dark eyeshadows.

Summer haze is a pale gold with deeper gold running through it, I would use this all over the lid for every day wear but it could also be used for a highlight in the inner corner and under the brow. 

Redhead Mineralised Skin Finish has a gradient of gold to salmon pink, it gives a lovely peach/pink glow and can be used as a highlight or just as a blush on its own. 
xx

2012 SAG Awards: Best Dressed

The Screen Actors Guild Awards aren't quite as glamorous as the Golden Globes, but a little more laid back and fun - allowing some fashion risks. Although I'm more a fan of classic looks, I can appreciate risk takers such as Rose Byrne's Elie Saab jumpsuit even if they aren't my favorites. The SAGs brought some pleasant surprises (Naya Rivera actually makes my Best Dressed list! Lea Michele actually tops my Best Dressed list!) and disappointments (Shailene Woodley, you were on such a roll), and while I wasn't terribly won over by the fashion, I did love seeing all the vibrant hues mixed in with the usual blacks and neutrals that popped up on the red carpet. Here are my top 10 best dressed picks.

#1 - Lea Michele - Atelier Versace 

I still feel she tries too hard, but there's denying this gown is absolutely gorgeous.

#2 - Stacy Keibler - Marchesa

I thought only Kate Middleton could make black lace look this classy and sophisticated.

#3 - Viola Davis - Marchesa

The Outstanding Leading Actress winner looked like a greek goddess in this ethereal gown.

#4 - Emily Blunt - Oscar de la Renta

Hands down, best color of the night - and the dress is simple but stunning.

#5 - Naya Rivera - Naeem Khan

Usually a miss on the red carpet, she has never looked better in this embellished gown.

#6 - Angelina Jolie - Jenny Packham

I love how the gown looks like liquid metal.

#7 - Natalie Portman - Giambattista Valli

Such an elegant and simple look - and I love the burgundy color!

#8 - Dianna Agron - Carolina Herrara

She looks so fresh and pretty in this lovely fuchsia (another gorgeous color) gown. 

#9 - Jessica Chastain - Calvin Klein

The electric blue gown looks amazing against her fair skin and red hair.

#10 - Emma Stone - Alexander McQueen

I usually don't like this kind of silhouette, but if anyone can rock it, it's Emma Stone in head to toe Alexander McQueen.

Who gets your vote for Best Dressed?

Lush Soaps

I'm not going to lie, I've always bought a 2 pack of Dove for 99p and never really thought anything of it - I use soap first and then shower gel so I'd usually invest in a nice shower gel and not normally think twice about which soaps I bought! 

Recently in Lush, I've been drawn to their soaps. I actually went in to buy the sweetheart valentines soap but ended up buying these three instead! The Lush assistant pointed out that I bought three of the most moisturising soaps which is good for this time of the year!
I've tried the Figs and Leave soap and i'm already in love. This soap gently exfoliates with the fig seeds and is so creamy and moisturising, my skin felt so soft after using it. All of the soaps range from about £3-£5 per 100grams which is quite a lot I think for soap, however I got just over 100g for each of these soaps and there is more product than a bar of Dove so its not too bad lol. I love the fact that theres so many natural ingredients in Lush soaps, i'm converted!


Lush Honey I washed the Kids Soap - This smells exactly like 'It's raining men' shower gel which is my fave ever lush product. Its a gorgeous Honey-toffee smell, seriously the most amazing smell ever (if you like sweet scents). The use of Honey, Beeswax and Aloe vera extract are soothing and moisturising however the main thing about this soap for me is how good it smells!


Lush Porridge soap - This is a winter must have. It has a really comforting smell, the oats are meant to gently exfoliate whilst the oat milk moisturises. This also has a lot of natural ingredients such as rapeseed oil, orange oil, orange juice and coconut oil - it doesn't smell like any of these ingredients though!


Figs and Leaves soap - This also smells gorgeous, it has earthy notes from the leaves but also is quite sweet from the figs. You can see the tiny fig seeds and pulp in the soap and it gives of a really creamy moisturising milky lather which left my skin feeling super soft and nourished. 

2012 January Favorites

I've missed a couple months, but with the new year I'm bringing back "What I Loved This Month" and renaming it the much simpler "[Past Month's] Favorites" (because that's what I do lol). I've also added several more categories and divided them by Beauty, Fashion, Entertainment, Etc.

Beauty Products

Eyes: Urban Decay Naked2 Eyeshadow Palette

Lips: Revlon Lip Butters

Face: Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser

Body: Kiehl's Creme de Corp Whipped Body Butter

Nails: China Glaze For Audrey

Hair: Redken All Soft Shampoo & Conditioner

Fashion

Style: Emma Stone

Clothing Purchase: Anthropologie Eleveses Pansy Corset Trench Coat

Trend: Mullet Skirts

Entertainment

TV: BBC's Sherlock

Movie: Winter's Bone

Anime: Highschool of the Dead

Music: Luke Conard

Book: The Hunger Games trilogy

Game/App: Tiny Tower

Actor: Gary Oldman

Actress: Jennifer Lawrence

Etc.

Food: Vegan Funky Monkey Pie

Place: Earth Fare

Candle: Bath & Body Works Coconut Leaves

P.S. This is my first post on my BRAND NEW laptop!! My old one finally bit the dust, and now I'm going through the slow process of transferring what data I can from the old one to the new. It's a bittersweet goodbye, but one that was inevitable after so many months of problems.

P.S.S. I applied and got a sales associate job for BCBG at my local mall!! I also got chosen as a Victoria's Secret PINK Street Team Member, which I'll probably talk more about in a later post...

Hope you all had an AMAZING first month of 2012 and here's hoping February is even better!! (: