Skincare Recommendations for Dry Skin

Combatting my crusty skin is something I'm passionate about... That was a strange sentence, but it's true! My skin is very dry and often flakes off so I'm constantly looking for hydrating skincare products to help prevent this. So today I thought I would tell you about my favourite skincare products for dry skin that I would absolutely recommend.

I've only featured one cleanser in this post and that's because it is my favourite! I use the No7 Cleansing Balm to take my make up off or if my skin is feeling particularly dry and sensitive. This has more of a cream texture than a balm and is so gentle and calming. It's great for dry or sensitive skin as it isn't irritating as all yet leaves skin feeling soft and clean.

My favourite serum is the Pixi Hydrating Milky Serum which I use most evenings before moisturising. This feels so cooling on the skin and really hydrates without making my face feel greasy. When I wake up in the morning, after using this serum, my skin is plump, bright and hydrated. I cannot recommend this serum enough!

Another Pixi product I love is the Glow Tonic which I use in the evening after cleansing. As my skin is dry and flaky this acid toner really helps to get rid of any dead skin in a gentle and effective way. I'm looking into trying the acid toner by La Roche Posay to compare! Sometimes even after using the Glow Tonic I can have some flaky skin in the morning, so to help this I use the Foreo Luna Mini with just a basic (non-foaming) gel cleanser which is much less irritating than an exfoliating cleanser. I chose this over the Clarisonic as it has soft silicone bristles which is more hygienic and gentle. Another bonus is you don't have to buy replacement heads and I've only had to charge my Luna Mini twice in a year and a half!

Lastly, I also really like the Hydraluron serum and masks. The serum is great for days when I'm not really dry and so use it in place of the Pixi Hydrating Milky Serum. I would really reccomend the Hydraluron masks if you need a quick fix of hydration. Both of these products leave the skin feeling plump, soft and hydrated.

What products do you use for dry skin? Any moisturiser recommendations, as I have yet to find one I love!

Harriet
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Favourite Rimmel Products

Continuing my series where I talk to you about my favourite products from a certain brand, this weeks post is about my Rimmel favourites!

Theres a lot of lip products I think are great from Rimmel so lets tackle them first. Although the versions I have are in the old packaging I'm sure the Lasting Finish and Colour Show Off lipsticks still have the same formula. The Colour Show Off lipsticks I have here are Pink Gossip and Red Fever which are a lovely pink and classic vintage red. I also have another red lipstick from Rimmel in the form of the Lasting Finish lipstick in the shade alarm which is a hint more orange than Red Fever. I really like both of these lipsticks, the Colour Show Off formula leans more matte than the Lasting Finish but both provide a luscious, pigmented coat of colour on the lips. Unfortunately I couldn't find a link for the Colour Show Off lipsticks so they must be discontinued and possibly replaced by The One lipsticks :(

Next let's talk lip liners! I only have two from Rimmel but they are both different formulas and I love them both! The retractable Exaggerate lip liner in the shade East End Snob that everyone raves about. I do like this shade but I think it's a bit too light for me however the shape and texture of the pencil is great so I would love to get some more shades. The darker pencil is the Lasting Finish lip liner in Space, a shade I often lean towards in lip products as it is similar to the 'Kylie' brown-ish nude. Both of these lip liners apply nicely and have good pigmentation; the Lasting Finish is a bit drier than the Exaggerate so lasts longer on the lips.

The last lip product is a liquid lipstick: the Provocalips lip colour in Make Your Move. A strange name but I love this! You have to apply the colour then wait for it to dry down to a matte texture, you can then apply the clear moussey gloss if you want some more moisture but the product still stays relatively matte. I really like the colour of this shade and am on the hunt for more tradtional lipsticks in this colour.

I've featured two foundations from Rimmel here, the Match Perfection and Lasting Finish Nude, which are two very different foundations. I've talked about the Match Perfection many times as it provides light to medium coverage while still looking fresh and feeling light on the skin. Somehow the Lasting Finish Nude also feels light on the skin while providing medium to heavy coverage (more than the Match Perfection but less than the original Lasting Finish). I find this foundation perfect for long days when I want to look my best or going out for a drink in the evening as it really does last a long time and provide great coverage whilst still looking natural. Although if I was going out dancing and sweating all night I am more likely to wear the original Lasting Finish, I prefer the Nude version more.

Lastly, my favourite concealer EVER (I think!). I have talked about this so many times, so I won't go no too much, but the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer is amazing. Providing good coverage whilst also feeling light and looking natural on the skin, but not too glowy. For me you just can't beat it!

What are you favourite Rimmel products?

Harriet
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Speedy Summer Beauty

So I'm now one summer break before returning to university which means I'm doing the typical student thing and barely leaving the house. Which, for me, means minimal or no make up days, yay! When I have been been doing daytime activities I've been opting for a light, natural look rather than what I would usually wear so I thought I would share with you my favourite products for this. 

First up is the L'oreal Nude Magique Cushion foundation because it is so quick and easy to apply! It doesn't give a full coverage look but the packaging makes it portable so I often take it with me, especially if it's warm (unlikely in the UK) and I may need to reapply.

As I mentioned in my Current Favourites post on my cheeks I have been leaning towards a light shimmery blush rather than my usual bronzer. My favourite for this at the moment is MAC Mineralise Blush in New Romance. 

In summer I like to wear a bright lip but also give my lips the hydration they needs, a good option for this is the Lancome Juicy Shakers as they come in a large range of colours, from a pinch of nude to bright red. Some are more pigmented than others so there is something for everyone and the oil that is mixed with the pigment feels very moisturising on the skin.

This summer I have also been loving eye crayons! Mostly I have been using the My Little Beauty Amazing Eye Crayon but I don't think this is very accessible so I have also featured the Rimmel Kate Shadow Stick (which I used to use a lot for work) and the Kiko Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick, which is my favourite formula of them all! Just a quick swipe of the crayon then smudge with your finger and you are good to go with a quick, light wash of colour on the lids.

What are your speedy summer beauty products?

Harriet
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Current Favourites (July 2016)

If you follow me on Twitter you will know that recently I've been struggling with my blog posts and ideas but I realised it's been a few months since I last did a current favourites so here I am again telling you my favourite products of the moment!

Firstly I have been loving the L'oreal Nude Magique Cushion foundation as it's quick to apply whilst also evening out my skin tone and covering my redness. It doesn't provide a high coverage finish but for every day and work I really have been enjoying how it looks. I also find it lasts really well on my skin and even if it doesn't the packaging means I can take it in my handbag for touch ups. This was especially important when I cried on my last day of work recently!

The NYX soft matte lip cream in Cannes is a really lovely colour on me, the typical 'my lips but better shade'. If I don't know what lip colour to wear I always reach for this! And of course, the formula is incredible as you probably all already know.

I mentioned it in my Most Used Brushes post but I had to give it the praise it deserves: the Zoeva Wing Liner brush. I cannot say enough how much I love how this brush makes my brows look! Feathery and full without looking fake, this brush does things others don't. For more details see my Most Used Brushes post. Another product I've been using regularly is the MAC mineralise blush in New Romance which provides a gorgeous sheeny flush to the cheeks, perfect for minimal make up days in the summer. For daytime I've been leaning more towards this blush rather than using my usual bronzer.

The last beauty product is a rediscovered favourite! Lately I've been loving using the Urban Decay Volume 2 palette on my eyes as it has lovely neutrals for day time, smokey colours and bight pops of colour! An oldie but a goodie, this palette has me sorted for every situation. It goes without saying that the Urban Decay eyeshadows are creamy and pigmented.

Lastly, a lifestyle favourite. Now I've finished work for summer I have been really getting into using my planner. I use inserts but organise them in a sort of bullet journal style but also use stickers, it's just the way that works best for me and I've really been enjoying it. Going along with this I've been building up my washi tape collection, it's so addictive to just keep purchasing! I found my favourites on Aliexpress at a super low price.

What are your current favourites?

Harriet
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