Things That Made Me Go 'Mmmm' in 2015...!

Bonjour and a very belated Happy New Year!

Yet again it's been a while! Oh well these things happen and mojos go astray from time to time don't they and I could never seem to find the time to sit down and get stuck into a good blog post!! Anyway ... thought I'd make an attempt at posting my favourite products of 2015 so here goes ... 

Bouffe Dry Spray - I was sent this to review back in June and I've never looked back!  It's not one I'd go for if you don't like the feel of product in your hair but that doesn't bother me, used correctly it adds thickness, oomph and texture and I don't want to be without it now - I've since repurchased ... full review here.

Makeup Revolution Blush & Contour Palette in Hot Spice - I can't tell you how good this palette is ... well I can actually in my full review here.  I use it for a warm pop of peachy toned colour rather than contouring.  The blushers are amazing quality and pigment with a lovely finish that's long lasting and a complete bargain at £6.00 ... yep that's just £6.00!

Pixi Glow Tonic - a fairly recent addition to my skincare routine.  Despite all the hype I wasn't sure I 'd get on with the Pixi Glow at first - as I found it was a little drying but ... used in the evening, followed with a good dose of facial oil over the top ... works a treat! It smooths and brightens and I use every night when I'm not using Alpha H Liquid Gold - I'll definitely repurchase.

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara - as impressed as I was with this mascara - you can read my review  here  - I didn't think I'd repurchase because of the high end price but when my brother's wedding came along last year I knew I could rely on Roller Lash to stay put and perform all day with no clumps, smudges or flakes ... so repurchase I did and I've not looked back! Although I am partial to/and will use other mascaras I reckon this all always be a firm favourite ... my daughter informed my hubby he should get me one for Christmas so I have another waiting in the wings!

L'Oreal Expertise EverRiche Shampoo, Elixir Masque Spray Oil and Conditioner - the EverRiche products are said to be suitable for 'dry, fine hair' ... yep that's me! You can use the Elixir Masque Spray either in between shampoo and conditioner (for very fine hair) or as a final step after conditioner, rinsing out after application.  I've used it both ways but it seems to do better used in between the shampoo and condition stage for me.  I wouldn't say it replaces a 'session' with a decent hair masque but I find it's good on those in between days for just keeping a bit more condition in your barnet, which - I don't know about you but I definitely need at this time of year when everything is dried out and de-hydrated! Can't seem to find the shampoo and conditioner online at the moment (which is a bit worrying) but the Oil Elixir Spray seems to be around!

SBC Collagen Skincare Gel - a great multi-tasker this one - it was part of a set from SBC reviewed here and I use  it every day in some form or other, either on my kite or on the neck/de-colletage as a bit of a hydration boost.

Pure Super Active Eye Serum and Super Grape Overnight Treatment Oil - I'm a big fan of these two (in fact I've been impressed with everything I've tried from the Pure Skincare range from M&S so far!) and have repurchased both. You can read my reviews here and here.

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue - this has proved to be a great little product. I thought it would just be a Summertime favourite but I'm still using it on non-work days and weekends and it's still doing it's job and doing it well I might add so I've just repurchased another.  You can read my full review  here.

OPI Nail Envy - I have a really bad habit of regularly picking or peeling my nail polish off once it starts to chip - obviously not good for the old nails!  I think they'd had enough and had been splitting really badly down the length of the nail. I bit the bullet and got hold of the OPI Nail Envy a couple of months ago as it has such good reviews. You just paint it on every other night and it feeds and strengthens the nail bed ... it definitely seems to work as my nails are starting to look 'normal' again and is a great treatment for a week or so 'off the polish' - the only snag is remembering to paint it on!  

And last but not least my Babyliss Big Hair  - which you can see it nestling inbetween the products there!  I'd ummed and ahhed about this styling tool for a while but just went for it in the Summer and I've never looked back ... it great for smoothing out hair and adding shine and eliminates the need for struggling with a brush and hairdryer at an awkward angle! It's also a godsend on those mad mornings when my hair resembles a haystack (that would be most mornings then) for adding shape and tidying up the barnet before running out the door!   

So that's it then ... my favourites or 'Mmms' from last year.  Have you used any of this lot? Which were your 'Mmmms' of 2015?

Jen x

A Long Overdue Haul ...!

Bonjour!

Well it's been a while ... ended up having a bit of an impromptu blogging break (as you do) ... either didn't have the time and when I did the old 'mojo' had wandered off! Anyway here we are back with a haul type thing ...obviously all this lot was not bought in one fell swoop but rather more of  an ongoing, slow burning affair over the last couple of months ...

The only body care item is the Garnier Body Oil Infused Nourishing Scrub, I'm trying to run down my stash (heard that before haven't we?) but it was on offer in Sainsburys, although I've not even cracked it open yet so can't pass any judgement!

Skincare wise,  Marks & Spencers had one of their 20% off beauty events a few weeks ago so I ended up  with the Pure Beauty Gentle Refreshing Face Wash - it's been pinched by my young daughter who's using morning and night and says she likes it as it 'feels gentle'. The Pure Beauty Moisture Plus Miracle Balm is for me - it can be used as a cleanser, face mask or skin salve so I'm intrigued! And ... the 20% off event coincided with the launch of Pixi Beauty within M&S so I ended up with the iconic Pixi Glow Tonic - which I've wanted to try for ages! Oh and not forgetting the random Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water in the background there, which was cheap as chips in Boots so I grabbed it as my current Nuxe Micellar is coming to an end.

Nails then ... I felt like they deserved a little TLC as the old things have been cracking and splitting and so enter the OPI Nail Envy - which I've started using on and off and seems to be working so that's a winner then!  Also actually did need a new top and base coat so decided, again, to give OPI a go - the one I had, a top and base in one (I won't mention the brand!), was simply not cutting it on either front and my nails had become badly stained - looked like I'd dipped them in a bowl of turmeric - nice!  Lastly - the mini bottle of Jessica Polish is from the Autumn in New York collection  - this colour is NY State of Mind - love it!

Make-up wise it's definitely been a 'lip thing' recently ... apart from the little Collection Nude Palette there, which was at a stupid price of £2.50 or similiar in Superdrug!  The L'Oreal Color Riche in Eva's Pure Red, I grabbed back in August (see told you this haul went back a while!) when my brother was about to get married just as a back-up red lippie mind!  Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Beau Brun was more of a recent 'addition' (see what I did there?) as I thought it was a good Autumnal shade and then there's a little treat in the form of a MAC Lipliner (my first) in Chicory, which I'm intending using as an all over lip colour.  Lastly, a few nude lippies - my excuse is as follows, I've lost my favourite Naked Beige lippie from Soap & Glory - no idea where it is and every time I pop into Boots to repurchase it's never in stock, really hope it's not discontinued as it's the perfect mix of pink/brown and the exact tone I need for my skin! Anyway ... Maybelline had 3 for 2 on, I was in a hurry, did a quick swatch and bobs your uncle! Turns out the two at the back (one is Nude Embrace and the other Tantalizing Taupe) are a little pale and will have to be mixed with other lippies - hate it when that happens!  The Colour Drama Lipstick Pencil in Nude Perfection however, is actually ok - I had read that this particular colour is a bit of a dupe for MAC's Velvet Teddy so it'll do me for now!

And lastly ... Feel Unique had up to a third off specialist skincare (think this is still on actually here) so I grabbed a couple of essentials from the La Roche Posay Lipikar range - so good for those dry, sore, eczema prone days! I also thought this a good opportunity to try the Bioderma Micelle Solution for dehydrated skin and then noticed the huge pot of  Bare Minerals Original Foundation in my exact shade of Medium Tan (plus brush) was at the silly price of £11. The tiny sample of Marc Jacobs Decadence is complimentary!

So that's it ... as I said this lot has evolved over a decent length of time ... I think it's safe to say that it will be a while before I post another haul - definitely time to shop one's stash!

Have you used any of these products? What have you hauled on recently?

Jen x

A Few Beauty Buys ...!

Bonjour!

So over the last month or so I've been picking up a few bits and bobs, here and there ... as you do ...

Actually the first two products aren't 'buys' as such but thought I'd add them in as recent acquisitions!
Pixi Lash Line Ink in Black Silk - I won this in a Twitter comp a while ago - have swatched but not had a proper go yet - to be rectified shortly!
Bobbi Brown Blush in Tawny - a belated Christmas pressie from my brother (chosen by myself of course!) - my first Bobbi Brown product - thanks bro!

Picked up the following items when Boots had their recent 3 for 2 offer on a couple of weeks ago ...
Avene Hydrance Optimale Light Hydrating Cream - couldn't get hold of my usual Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light so thought I'd give this a go and first impressions are favourable!
Nails Inc Kensington Caviar Top and Base Coat Duo - my current Sally Hansen Instadri has gone rather gloopy so thought I'd give this duo a bash.
Max Factor CC in Tanned - this is one of those products that you grab in a rush - when you're faffing around in Boots - trying to choose the third item in a 3 for 2 offer - and running out of time! I wanted a CC - actually the Bourjois CC but couldn't get hold of a suitable colour so ended up with this one - I think it's going to be too light for me having now tried it although it's the darkest of shades available!

Soap & Glory Endless Glove 2in1 Moisture Mask & Hand Cream - I had a Boots voucher to get £3 worth of points on a S&G purchase - my hands need all the moisture they can get at the moment and you can never have too many hand creams right?
Dove Refresh and Care Dry Shampoo - on offer with a third off in Sainsburys - I can't live without dry shampoo (or rather my hair can't) so thought I'd give this a whirl as a change from my usual brands.

And last but not least I took advantage of the current offer of a No7 Pink Blossom Box with 2 No7 products...
No7 Instant Radiance Foundation in Warm Beige - I was recently colour matched and given a sample of this and a couple of other foundations to try by the nice No7 lady - Instant Radiance won the vote and I used my £3 off voucher!
No7 Natural Blush Tint Powder in Coral Flush -  actually wanted the No7 Brush Cleaner as my 2nd product but it was sold out and I was running out of time (again) in my lunch break.  I have an ongoing blusher addiction so this seemed like an obvious choice!
Inside the 'Blossom Box' were sample sizes of No7 Exceptional Definition Mascara, High Shine Lip Crayon, Skin Illuminator and Stay Perfect Eye Shadow - I've not tried any of this lot so all welcome!

So that's that for a while - I definitely need to start 'shopping my stash'! I've had to physically restrain myself from going for the current Bourjois offer in Boots of spend £12 on Bourjois and get a free blush or eyeshadow  - I need  help ... help me please ...!

What have you been tempted by recently?

Jen x