Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask

I’ve been using the Liz Earle face system for a while now and have been really loving it.  It has reduced the amount of spots I get; my skin is much clearer and I feel happier about the way it looks.  I still get the occasional breakout due to those blasted hormones but overall my skin’s been pretty good as of late. Compared to what it used to be anyway!

It really is true, as I’m sure most of you will know, that when you’re skin is bad it can make you feel really low about yourself.  Ok, so you can apply makeup but it’s one of those things that’s stuck between a rock and hard wall.  You don’t want to apply loads of make up because it will clog your pores and give you more spots, but you feel like you need bucket loads to cover up all those spots.

I have learnt though that the spots you see on yourself are much worse than the same spots that other people see on you.  It’s part of who we are to notice a flaw and over exaggerate it.  Really, at the end of the day there is no quick fix, you have to be patient and treat your skin the best you can and hope for the best.  Unfortunately, unlike celebrities we can’t be having regular $600 oxygen facials and chemical peels, but that’s life! 

Anyway, I decided I would buy a face mask that I could use once or twice a week that would help to keep my skin clear.  There are quite a few in the Liz Earle range, but I went for the deep cleansing mask.  It costs £12.75 for a 50ml tube and it comes with 2 exfoliating sponges.  The colour is a really murky sea weedy green and the smell...well the smell is a bit strange.  I kind of like it though because it makes me think that it’s working those natural ingredients really hard!

1. Remove all make up and traces of dirt with Cleanse & Polish
2. Apply mask generously to face
3. Chill out with a magazine whilst the mask sets for about 15 mins
4. Remove with cleansing sponges
5. Apply toner and moisturiser
6. Reveal a nice fresh, clean face!

Like I said, I use this about once or twice a week and it really helps to make my skin feel fresh and rejuvenated.  It’s no miracle worker and it certainly doesn’t get rid of all your imperfections, but I wasn’t expecting it to. I do think that I might try and give myself a proper homemade deep cleansing facial and before applying this I might steam my face just to get all my pores open so that it can work deeper into my skin.

I do really love the Liz Earle products and I would recommend them to anyone.  From what I have seen in the beauty community it is a great all rounder, suitable for most skin types and the range they offer for certain skin complaints is fantastic.  When I have finished all my existing shampoos and hand creams I am going to try the ones from Liz Earle.  I think I have developed a little bit of an obsession.  Oh well, I think it’s safe to say I’m probably not the only one.

Top 5 Tips for a Clear Complexion

1. Drink as much water as you possibly can
2. Always remove your make up and cleanse your face thoroughly before bed and  don’t just use a face wipe
3. Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! No one likes patches of dry flaky skin
4. Treat yourself to a weekly face mask, not only will it give your skin a boost but it will also give you some ‘me time’ to relax
5. Exfoliate regularly to get rid of dead skin cells and keep your skin looking fresh

Love and Kisses

Vintage Beauty

  xXx

Dove Colour Radiance Shampoo and Conditioner

My parents have an apartment in the Lake District which is absolutely gorgeous and really nice when you just want to get away.  We stayed there over Easter weekend and the weather was just beautiful.  Needless to say I got absolutely no work done and this week I am going to be living in the library! I just hope the weather is rubbish so then I won’t be sad that I have to be stuck indoors.

Anyway, I needed a shampoo and conditioner that I could keep in the bathroom there so I decided to pick up Dove’s Colour Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner as they were on offer in Sainsbury’s and they smelt truly scrumptious.   I have used them about eight times now and each time I am annoyed and angry because they make my hair so greasy.  I keep wanting to wash it over again because it’s just greasy and horrible.  I don’t put the conditioner on my roots, only at the ends and I use them in exactly the same way I do any other shampoo and conditioner.  I’m really disappointed in them because the smell is so nice and I really wanted to like them. I guess they just aren’t for me. L

On the plus side I did use them to clean my make up brushes.  Normally I use Johnson’s baby shampoo but I don’t have any of that at the flat and they needed cleaning so I just reached for the dove shampoo.  It did a fantastic job, normally I can’t get the tip of my MAC 187 sparkling white - it seems to stay a bit discoloured but the dove shampoo restored it to its original self which made me wonderfully happy.  So there are a couple of upsides to these products – 1) excellent for cleaning make up brushes 2) an excuse to go shopping in Boots! If only I could find my advantage card....

Love and Kisses

Vintage Beauty

xXx

Haul

I recently popped into town for the sole purpose of buying a pair of tights, but ended up coming back with two tops, a pair of shoes and a denim jacket as well as things from Boots and Superdrug.

Lets start with Boots & Superdrug

Garnier Fructus Bamboo Flexihold Hairspray (£2.34): I'm nearing the end of my L'Oreal Elnett hairspray and this time fancied something a bit different so I got this one. I haven't used it yet but when I do, be expecting a review!

Ambre Solaire No Streaks Bronzer Body Mist for Medium Skin (£7.72)  This had 1/3off  in Superdrug so I thought I'd give it a go.  It sprays on well at any angle but it does take a while for it to develop.  If you're looking for a quick tan I don't think that this is the answer.  I've used it each day for 3 days now and I was hoping to be much browner.  I think I go browner quicker with the Dove Summer Glow.  At the moment, I don't think I would buy it again and I'm certainly glad that I didn't pay £12 for it!

Bourjois Foundations: Healthy Mix in Light Beige (53) and Bio Detox in Vanilla 52 (approx. £10 each)

I've been watching Tanya Burr on YouTube and whenever she does drugstore make up tutorials she always uses the Healthy Mix foundation so I've been wanting to give it a try.  The shade I picked up is a little dark for me naturally, but as I'm planning to fake tan a bit now that its nearing summer, it should be ok.  The thing I love the most about both of these foundations is the smell, they're just so fruity and delicious.

Bourjois Mascara Elastic - (free in 3for2 offer but usually around £10) LOVE this mascara.  I really thought that I was in love with the Revlon Grow Luscious mascara until I found this one.  It is so lengthening and thickening and I've worn it twice and on both occasions people thought I had false eyelashes on.  The brush is really thin and the bristles are very fine but it works!

Boots Hairbrush £2.55- not much to say really, just wanted a hairbrush I could carry in my handbag.

Next Sandals £18

I thought these would be great for summer as I don't have any sandals only flip flops.  They are really comfortable and I have not been able to stop wearing them.  I think I might invest in another pair but in blue or maybe gold.

Primark and Dorothy Perkins

I have been wanting a denim jacket for a while now and I didn't want to spend £40 in the likes of Topshop so when I found this little beauty in Primark for £16 I just had to snap it up, along with the turquoise ring for £2.  I also went into Dorothy Perkins on a whim and I picked up two tops, the same style but different patterns.  They were £12.50 each and I think they're just really cute for summer.

Really need to stop spending money now though so don't be expecting any hauls for a while. :)

love and kisses

Vintage Beauty

   xXx

Witch Anti Blemish Skin Clearing Primer Review

So I've been needing a new primer for a while now.  I still can't quite make up mind about primers though - do they actually do anything or is it all a con?  I can't seem to notice whether or not they actually make that much difference in making my make up last longer.  I know people swear that they are the secret to flawless, long lasting foundation but I am yet to see it in all honesty.

My first ever primer was the Laura Mercier oil free primer which I bought in New York when I got sucked into the Laura Mercier brand and since then developped a love-hate relationship with.  LOVE the products, HATE the whole it burns in my purse! :( I liked that primer but I didn't take much notice of whether it actually did anything.  But as an optimistic human being or rather someone who overspends and gets caught in the trap of how much life can't go on unless I buy a primer I bought another when that finished.

That time I bought MAC Prep & Prime and again still don't notice that much of a difference.  So why did I find myself after finishing that one trying another? Well this one got me intrigued, not only is it a quarter of the price of the Laura Mercier one it also contains ingredients that are meant to reduce redness, prevent blemishes and make your make up last all day!

(apologies for poor lighting/bad photos - they were taken on my iphone!)

So what do I think? It has a slightly weird smell, you don't really notice it when its on your face but after sniffing my hand I got a good ol' whiff.  I think it must be the witch hazel.  It's quite a thick consistency and smooths onto the skin nicely.  However, I find myself repeating myself again.  I think I need to be honest and just accept that primers are not going to be something that I rave about it.

Q: Do they really make the skin a smooth surface?

A: I don't think so, if they did they would be called Miracle in a Bottle, imagine something that could make unsightly bumpy spots just disappear and not stick out from your face like a planet.

Q:Do they really make your make up last all day?

A: I don't see that either, not unless I was to apply about 4 coats of foundation I suppose my make up would last all day, but surely that wouldn't be anything to do with the primer?

So here I am in a state of ambivalence towards primers.  No doubt when this one has finished I'll be trying another one.  Anyway for argument's sake and as this is meant to be a beauty blog and this is meant to be a review I'll sum up what I think about this product.  If primers work for you and you believe they make your face stay all day then I wouldn't say no to this product.  It doesn't cost much - less than £5 I think and it rubs in well.  However, as I have said I don't think primers do anything for me so the best advice I could give is go out and give this a try for yourself.  I've used it everyday for about 2 weeks now and I haven't had any trouble with my skin from using it although I can't be sure how much it actually prevents blemishes.

Hope this was helpful...probably not, but at least it's honest!

love and kisses

Vintage Beauty

  xXx

There's no place like home

I am finally home for Easter now.  After spending 12 weeks at uni I could not wait to get home and get all settled back to the luxuries of clean kitchens, free food and showers without curtains sticking to you the whole time. I love being at uni with my friends but there really is no place like home.

Anyway now that I am home and hopefully shall be getting an SD card for my camera soon I will be trying to put posts up more regularly.  Here is a list of some of the ones I hope to do over the next few weeks, they probably wont be up in this order.

1. What's in my bag
2. Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara Review
3. Revision Tips and organisation for school/college etc
4. Witch Anti Blemish Primer Review
5. A few recipes :) 
6. Liz Earle Face Mask Review
7. Book Reviews and recommended reads 

Hope you're all loving life atm. I am - even though I have a lot of uni work to do :( 

love and kisses

Vintage Beauty 

   xXx

March Favourites

So this is my first ever favourites blog post and I have to say I am excited!  I must admit I am quite fickle when it comes to favourite products as one day I'll be loving something so much that I just want to use it all the time and then all of a sudden I'll be like "eugh..why did I buy this?!"  Only to like it again at a later date.

At the moment I am in adoration of these products that I haven't been able to stop reaching for.

RJ's Natural Raspberry Licorice 

I am not a fan of licorice but this is to die for. It is divine.  I think you can get quite a few flavours but the raspberry one is the only one I've tried and to be honest I don't want to try any other because I dont want to get any more addicted than I already am!  I like to buy the ones in the long stick just so I have a bit of self control whereas you get a lot in the bags and I will eat them til I am sick otherwise.  You can get it in Holland & Barrett.

PROS

• really good when craving a bit of sugar 
• can buy them in long stick or a bag of little pieces 
• tasty tasty

CONS

• quite expensive, the sticks are around 75p but the bags are like £4.  

FCUK Pure Bodywash

I've had the body spray of this for a while now and I love it, so when I saw this has 1/3 off in Boots I decided to buy.  It comes in a large pump bottle which I think is great for the shower.  I use about 2 or 3 squirts either on my hands or on a body puff.   It has extracts of pink grapefruit and pomegranate, vitamin E and jojoba oil, which in my opinion make a great shower gel!

PROS 

• smells really fresh and clean 
• comes in a big bottle so will last ages 
• at the moment there is still 1/3 off all FCUK body products in Boots 

CONS

• would be too big for travelling 
• I wouldn't usually spend £5 on shower gel 

Revlon GROW LUSCIOUS Mascara 

I needed a new mascara and recently I have been loving Revlon nail polishes and their Colorstay foundation so I thought I would try one of their mascaras.  I had enough points on the good ol' Boots Advantage Card so I technically got it for free. HOORAY for free stuff :)

I am going to do a review on it pretty soon but for now here is a little summary.

PROS

• didn't have to spend a penny 
• makes lashes really long 
• separates lashes really well 
• keeps the curl 

CONS

• brush is mahoosive - can be a bit tricky first thing in the morning when half asleep

The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter

OMG!  This has been my all time favourite.  I am in love.  It smells like angel delight.  I want to eat it twice as much as I want to use it for its proper purpose.  Being honest this is a bit of a cheeky insertion as I actually only purchased this yesterday! But that just goes to show how fantastic I think it is. I did actually discover it in March, thanks to my friend Jess (hi babe!)  Honestly its the smell that really gets me excited - so scrummy and it just makes me think of eating strawberries in the summer.

Pros 

• smells of strawberry angel delight
• non-greasy 
• really easy application 
• pretty packaging 

Cons

• costs a whopping £12.50! for only 200ml of product*

*However when I bought it I received a free £10 off voucher for The Body Shop which I am going to use to buy another one and then they will work out at £7 each! Annoying that I couldn't use it on the same day.

Revlon Nail Polish  

Recently I've been loving Revlon's nail varnishes.  I think they are a great quality, they last a decent time without chipping and some of the colours are really nice.  I have to say there isn't a great selection and I was disappointed when I was recently in Boots and saw that they had released a line of scented nail varnish but all the colours I liked were so similar to the ones I already had.  I haven't bought one so I don't know whether they even smell like they say or not.  However my favourite ones that I have been loving are Tropical Temptaion and Pink Nude.  I would swatch them for you but I actually painted my nails a completely different colour last night - not thinking about this post!

The Only Way Is Essex 

My friends and I have been hooked.  With exams and coursework all on our minds at the moment this show seems to be the only thing that gets us through the week.  I am not lying if I said that we secretly live for Wednesday and Sunday nights.  I love it when we all sit on the sofa and makes cups of tea and just chill out.  Its our last year all together at uni and its so nice just spending quality time together.

Favourite Essex Girl - Lydia

Favourite Essex Guy - I have developed a bit of a soft spot for Arg.  He's so sweet and funny. HIm and Lydia make a really sweet couple and I was sad to see her upset in the last episode.  Hopefully they'll sort it all out. :)

Favourite Quote - Kirk to Maria "Shut up, you're only an extra!" Brill.

That's pretty much it for my March faves. Hope you enjoyed seeing what I've been using and I seriously recommend trying some of the products especially The Body Shop Body Butter and the raspberry licorice!

Hope everyone reading this is having a good day! :)

love and kisses

    xXx

Vintage Beauty 

M.I.A - I am back :)

So its been a long time since I last wrote a blog and to be honest I am really disappointed in myself.  March was a hectic month for me with lots of uni work to do in terms of really long books to read, essays to write and group presentations to give!  I also missed a whole week of uni for family reasons and then I had to catch up with that and to top it all off my boyfriend and I decided to end our relationship after four years  so its been a very eventful and trying month.  However excuses out of the way I am back with a million and one blog posts to do (well not quite that many but I have a lot of ideas).

Keep your eyes peeled for my first 'real' blog post in too long!  I shall be uploading it tomorrow!

love and kisses

Vintage Beauty

  xXx

Vintage Beauty