Current Skincare Favourites | Winter 2016

Winter plays havoc with my skin, so now is the best time for trying out new skincare products!
Over the last couple of months I have slightly switched up my skincare routine and have been loving using some new finds along with some old favourites that are back in my life!

Antipodes Manuka Honey Day Cream*
I've never been one for day creams, I've always worried they make they skin look greasy and my make-up never seems to sit as well, but when I was sent this a few weeks ago I thought it has to be worth a go.
I have heard so much about the Antipodes brand but never actually tried anything so I was really looking forward to getting my hands on it and trying it out. I have used this- every.single.day. since receiving it!
Firstly, I am in love with the scent, anything honey scented and I'm a fan, even that old lady royal jelly stuff in Boots, I loves it! This is such a rich cream one on the skin feels so ! Once I've popped it on I leave it around 5 minutes to sink in after this my skin feels matte and ready for any make-up I want to throw at it!

Antonia Burrell Forest Dew
My holy grail for no make-up days..... which now I work at home most of the time seem to be very frequent! I got this way back before the Summer and seriously have fallen in love over these last few months.

Just 6 pumps and some relaxing massaging into the skin later and my skin looks hydrated, more even and in the mornings I look slightly more human #bonus! This stuff is also meant to be great for reducing wrinkles so I think it's about time I started using it everyday.... I need to get rid of those horrible lines that seem to be taking over my face!

Liz Earle Skin Tonic
I couldn't even tell you how many years I've been using this for now but it is a total favourite for life! I use this every morning and every night after cleansing to refresh my face and give it that squeaky clean feeling and I can tell you now if my bottle runs out I tend to see the difference in my skin almost immediately... I'm praying this is never discontinued!

Tropic Super Greens Nutrient Boost Serum*
Last but not least is the newest skincare product to hit my ever-growing beauty shelves!
Topic Skincare is a new brand to me, I have actually been trying out quite a few of their products over the last week or so (which I'm sure you will hear about soon!).
I don't think I've ever meant 'a little goes a long way' as much as I do with this serum!
The bottle comes with a pipette dispenser and with just 2 or 3 drops I have more than enough product to cover my (huge) face! I'm actually curious as to how long this will last me and I feel like it will last years.
The serum has such lovely fresh and 'green' scent... not planty but you can tell it's natural! It's really lightweight and although sometimes it feels like you have loads of product on your face it doesn't take long for it to all sink in! I love using this as an overnight treatment - my skin always looks that little bit brighter and awake in the mornings, which is something I seriously need this time of year!

What skincare products have you been loving lately?

January Beauty Favourites 2016

Monthly favourites are here once more ... it feels like forever since I've talked about what I've been loving.... in fact it feels like forever since I actually sat down, relaxed and wrote a proper blog post!
I've split my favourites this month into two post - beauty and non-beauty. First and foremost of course, it's the beauty bits.

Liz Earle's Skin Tonic has shot straight back into my skincare routine this month. Hands down my favourite toner/general face refresher this always clears my skin up and keeps it feeling super clean post cleansing.
I use it twice daily, once before I pop my make-up on in the morning and once in the evening before bed, it is THE best!

Earlier this month I decided to have a huge beauty clearout - there's only so many products one person needs and my over-flowing storage had become enough. So it was goodbye to bags full of unneeded bits and bobs and hello to those few things I had totally forgotten about!
This Lancome Juicy Tube was one of them.
Caramel Gospel is the most gorgeous shimmery brown nude - I've been pairing it with a No7 lip liner to create a gorgeous opaque nude daily - such an easy look and it smells SO good, just like toffee!

Bee Good's Hydrate, Smooth & Prime serum*  is something I started using back at the end of last year. Since then it's slotted itself in nicely with my other daily essentials giving me a lovely fresh base to start with every morning. It's said to target to signs of ageing.... which I definitely need... fingers crossed it's working!

Now onto a product that I completely used up this month - which in my life is a BIG deal! I Had to repurchase my Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer this week as quite frankly, I couldn't live without it.  This creamy light concealer is perfect for hiding my horrible bags. I love using this under and around my eyes and round my nose, it definitely helps on the 'radiance' side too! (I use the shade Ivory.)

Last but not least.... yes only 5 products this month .... we have my favourite perfume. 
I wrote about Thierry Mugler Angel a couple of weeks ago and it's still tip top of my most favourite things to use every day! I only have the 15ml but can tell it's going to last for month I'm so, so impressed with it!

What have YOU been loving this month?

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Liz Earle Eucalyptus & Rosemary Botanical Candle

This Christmas I was lucky enough to receive the gorgeous Beauty Icons Gift Set from Liz Earle - my best friend knows me so well and seriously spoilt me!

Everyone knows how much I LOVE Cleanse and Polish - I rant and rave about it monthly and honestly haven't found a skincare product I love more, so to receive a brand new bottle and some fresh muslin's was a god send... to have the beautiful candle alongside it - wow!

I'd smelt the candle before and had fallen in love. The scent is inspired by Cleanse & Polish and has the gorgeous relaxing and calming aroma of eucalyptus and rosemary. (I mean that's a little obvious with the name and all!)

The candle's scent fills to room within minutes creating a peaceful and uplifting space - perfect for when I want some 'me' time or when I'm working/blogging.

The scent is definitely something a little more mature than my other candles but it's becoming one of my most used throughout the home so far this year.

They are a little pricey at £40 individually but you don't actually have to burn it for a long time to get the full ambiance of the scent so you can really make it last with the 40 hour burning time. 

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2015 Beauty Favorites

With the final countdown to 2016 upon us (yes it is nearly here!) I decided it was only right to fulfill my bloggering duties and put together a favourite beauty list of 2015 for you all!

Yes... totally predictable and totally cliche but hey - the end of December wouldn't be the same without one now would it?

So here they are.... my favourite beauty bits from the past 12 months - including everything from hair to eyelashes!

Eylure 101 false eyelashes have become my go-to lashes - I've talked about them so much on here and over my other social media channels for so long now. For someone who has fairly small eyes and can't rock a huge pair of fabulous lashes these are the perfect size for me. I used to wear 107's but they changed the design slightly so they were way too big for me to wear so I thought I'd try these and they are the best - I love buying the trio packs!

Mascara fav of the year has to be L'oreal's Volume Million Lashes Feline. I decided to try this on a whim when it first came out as the brush looked similar to Benefit's Roller Lash which I had tried and loved but couldn't afford to invest in!

Such a great dupe for Roller Lash and I've already repurchased it once or twice, girls this is awesome if you have short stumpy lashes!

Two MAC favourites now - Velvet Teddy lipstick & Whirl lip pencil have to be my two most worn lip products of this year! I'm on the last couple of uses of VT now and not too sure what I'm going to do once it's gone, I'm just going to have to splash out again as to be honest I don't think I can live without this shade! Whirl is the perfect lip pencil to wear alongside it and as much as I've worn it I still have so much left, brilliant value for money!

theBalm are the brand that have taken 2015 by storm and these two face powders I've used nearly every single day. Bahama Mama and Mary-Lou Manizer have been raved about throughout the blogging world and they are two of my favourite products I own (which says alot when you see the ridiculous size of my make-up collection). The perfect matte bronzer and gorgeous shimmer highlight are my favourite duo for both everyday and 'night out' make-up! (Full post about the two - here.)

Lush is a store which, I'll be honest, I don't pop into that often. Mainly because I live on the Isle Of Wight and we don't have one haha but when I am in a town with one I don't always even bother going in. (As a blogger I know this sounds ridiculous but I've never been overly excited about it..... maybe I just need to try more products!) 

Something I had always wanted to try however was the Bubblegum lip scrub and back in June whilst in Victoria train station I decided to treat myself. I have been using it non-stop ever since. I am prone to dry, flakey lips - which is gross - so this is the perfect product for me to keep on my dresser and use most days! (It also tastes amazing!) 

Perfume of the year for me has to be Estee Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge. Oh my lord I've been obsessed, so obsessed that I have actually in fact I have none left. Which is so sad.... but I'm thinking I may treat myself for my birthday (less than 6 weeks to go!) .... plus I did just get Alien and Angel for Christmas so I'm sure that will keep me going for a while!

I can't believe I only have on hair product in this years favs but there we go! Aussie's 3 Miracle Oil has been my go-to oil, especially over the last few months. I love the scent, it's not too heavy on my short hair, it lasts for months on end plus it's affordable! So yeah.... go and try it!

Last but not least is something that seems to be in every favourite, holy grail and skincare post - but I STILL haven't found anything that I like better and that's the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. I love this stuff, it's the only product that I use that actually makes me feel like I have removed all of my make-up and it leaves my face feeling clean, fresh and totally bare.

If you are still yet it try it - get it on the top of your list for 2016, you won't regret it!

So there we have it. My 2015 beauty favourites.... what have been yours? I'd LOVE to know in the comments below :)

Shop my favourites :

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10 Holy Grail Beauty Products

I'm often asked what my 'favourite' this or 'favourite' that is and alot of the time I don't have a definitive answer.

But there are a handful of products out there that I can easily class as my holy grail's. Products that, since finding, I haven't turned my back on, replaced with anything else or haven't yet found better.

I always love seeing everyones ultimate beauty favourites (as beauty blogger's I mean... it takes alot to become number 1 in someones eyes) so I thought I would share 10 of my beauty products that I just cannot be without!

SKINCARE

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

My number one, my favourite, my desert island choice. I love this stuff.

 I am yet to find a product better than this when it comes to make-up removal and I really do struggle to live without it. I mean, I'm sure most of you have tried this by now but if not I'll give you a quick low-down. Cleanse and Polish is a lovely creamy hot cloth cleanser which you pop straight onto your skin. You then remove it (along with all your make-up) with a wam muslin cloth. I usually use 2-3 pumps depending on how much make-up I'm wearing and I also feel fresh as a daisy afterwards! THE best.

Nivea Hydration Primer

My everyday base. Yes I use other make-up primers such as Porefessional and Baby Skin but this is always my first step when it comes to my make-up routine.

I'm not a fan of day creams or thick moisturises as they tendd to clog up my skin alot and I hate that feeling. This however is a lovely light moisturiser which really does waken my skin each morning, leaving it feel hydrated and smooth - I couldn't even tell you how many of these I've been through in the last 18 months or so.

MAKE-UP

MAC Lipsticks

Duh! What beauty bloggers DOESN'T love MAC lippys! My collection is ever-growing and I don't think I'll eve get bored of the colours I own already. The amount of choice is insane and the quality is just fabulous! Want to know my most worn shades? Then check out my post - here.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

This is my everyday foundation. The foundation I wear to work, for days out, even when I pop to the shops - I love the coverage and haven't switched back to another foundation in nearly 2 years now! I'm always recommending this stuff and even mix it with my MAC stusio sculpt for girls nights out.I wear the shade Vanilla most of the year.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

The ultimate holy grail. This is my favourite eyeshadow palette of all time and the one which I always go to as my fail safe. I've had this palette for nearly 3 years now and it has been one of the best Christmas presents I ever got (Thanks Mum & Dad!). and as you can see from the photo - it really does last and last so it is so worth the price.

Eylure False Eyelashes

The greatest and easiest to use eyelashes out there. I'm pretty useless when it comes to eyelashes but slowly but surely I've learnt the nack of how to pop these on with ease ..... even after a couple of vodkas! 101 and 107's are my ultimate favourties.

BODY

Mitchum Deodorant

The greatest deodrant ever made? I think so. I've used this since I was a teenager and have dared to try anything else since! I've got so many of my friends using this too - no sweating, no smelling.... it's amazeballs.

St. Moriz Fake Tanning Mousse

I've tried a good few fake tanners in my time but I always seem to go back to St, Moriz, for the price the quality is insane - just as good as the more expensive brands, This is the tan I always send people too, plus they have so many different products and shades to choose from aswell so there is something for everyone. (I've only just started to brave using the 'dark' shade!)

ESSENTIALS

Bath & Works Anti-Bacterial Hand Gels

Well.... I couldn't live without these could I?! The amount I have gone through in the last 3 years is kind of embarrassing! Obviously I can't get them here in the UK so each time I have been in the US I have tried to fully stock up! (especially as they are so cheap, I think they are like 5 for $5 - bargain!) The scents to choose from are incredible, I akways have one lurking around in my handbag!

Tangle Teezer

Last but not least, my Tangle Teezer. Well.... one of the three that I own... yes 3! I hardly ever use a proper hairbrush anymore, only these. I feel like my hair is so much stronger from swapping over to these plus I don't loose as much hair whilst tugging and pulling like before! A total must.

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A Yellow Brick Blog's 2nd Blog Birthday : Liz Earle & Smashbox Giveaway

As I promised.... here it is!
I'm so excited to be holding this giveaway for you guys to celebrate A Yellow Brick Blog's 2nd birthday here on the interweb. 
Both prizes I have bought myself with my own money as a way of saying thank you for all the supporting, love and kindness I've been shown in the blogosphere these past couple of years.

I've picked two prizes which I hope guys will like as much as I do.

The first is a Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Starter Kit.
You all know by now Cleanse & Polish is my holy grail cleanser, I swear by it and I always urge everyone to give it a go! So I thought this was a fab way of giving one of you the chance to try it out, maybe for the first time? Maybe to enjoy all over again? I know it's not always in people's price ranges for a make-up remover/cleanser so again I thought, hopefully, it was a good idea. This kit comes with a 100ml pump bottle and 2 muslin cloths.

The second prize is the gorgeous Smashbox Double Exposure Eyeshadow Palette.
 I thought a high-end treat was a must for a special giveaway and this palette caught my eye for a number of reasons.
These shades have state-of-the-art coated pigments which actually makes the 14 shadows into 28 different shades. Magic right? The technology basically means that when the shadows are made wet they change colour, so just wet your brush and see the colours transform! 
Smashbox products are always amazing quality and can you ever have enough palettes? Nope!

All you have to do to enter is fill out the Rafflecopter below :) 

There will be ONE winner.

Winner announced on 19th June 2015.

(This giveaway is UK Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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My Skincare Routine : Video

I'm back on YouTube! I'm so sorry that there always seems to be such a huge gap between each of my videos... I promise I will get my butt in gear and sort my channel out as much as I can!

Anyway, today I'm talking all about my skincare routine - all those bits and bobs I use on my big round face day and night!

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Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator Review

Being an Isle Of Wighter born and bred, Liz Earle are a brand which feature heavily in my skincare routine. If you didn't know the brand was formed here on the island in 1995 and I have used it for years and years now - I don't think I could live without my daily Cleanse & Polish session.

Because I am such a fan of their products I'm always open to trying more from their constantly growing range and recently I have fallen hook, line and sinker for their Gentle Face Exfoliator.

To be honest I don't know how it's taken me this long to try this particular product out, I'm a big scrub fan and tend to try and use one at least once a week.

I don't have many skin problems, I have been very lucky in that sense, a few spots pop up now and again but come and go in a matter of days, but I like to have a good skincare routine I always have done.
Alot of the time the scrubs I use are fairly abrasive, e.g. the Nip + Fab Glycolic Scrub Fix, which are great but tend to be a bit much/harsh to carry out weekly so seeing this had the word 'gentle' in the title I thought it would be a great product to have as a weekly treatment.

The scent of the scrub is lovely, and reminds me of a few other LE products - but for the life of me I can't think which ones.
It is made which a range of natural ingredients (something LE are known for) including jojoba beads, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil and eucalyptus oil.

The Gentle Face Exfoliator is for 'congested or flaky skin'. This time of year with the hotter weather coming in I feel like my skin needs a good de-congestion now and again to get rid of build up and excess oils.
I have been using this about twice a week for the past few weeks. I keep it in the shower and once my face is clear of my grotty make-up I squeeze about a 5p sized lump onto my fingertips and gently massage it in circular movements around my face.

The jojoba beads help gently buff away dead skin cells while the cocoa butter is there to make sure the skin stays soft, moisturised and hydrated.

The results have been great and my skin has been looking fab with this added into my routine.
The version I have of this scrub is the 50ml tube, there are a range of sizes and tube/pump alternatives for it, but this is a great size when just trying it out.
Saying this I think I'll be investing in the largest pump version to get the best value for money once this is finished with.

Have you tried any Liz Earle products before? I highly recommend them!

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Beauty Wishlist : March

Nip + Fab Glycolic Instant Fix Mask

Well... if it's good enough for Kylie Jenner is totes good enough for me! I'ma  big fan of Nip + Fab and have loved everything I've tried from them before and the sound of this sounds right up my street!

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub

I have wanted to buy a lip scrub for so long and this has been on the top of my list. The last few weeks my lips have been dry, chapped, flaky - totally gross, so this would be a fab little treat....if only I lived near a Lush store!

Rimmel Lasting Fix Concealer

NEW new new product alert! I love Rimmel and get so excited for new releases from them.... and this little beaut is one of the things this spring that I am looking forward to trying most! Cream concealers are slowly becoming my fav kind of concealers so I'm hoping this is a winner.

MAC Lipliner - Beet

For months now I have been using an old elf lipliner with my Rebel lipstick - and yeah it's okay but it's not the best. Beet is meant to be the best lipliner to use with Rebel so I think it's about time I invested in it.

MAC Lipstick - Brave

Over the last couple of months I have bought THREE new MAC lipsticks.... this is not like me at all - naughty Kirstie! My wishlist of lipsticks is never-ending and this is top of it at the moment! I'm loving nudes and all the photos I've seen of this just look gorgeous.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Beauty Trio

My holy grail of all skincare is Cleanse and Polish and the amazing people at Liz Earle are celebrating their 20th birthday with this beauty trio! 3 different C&P's in a lovely collectable tin - I need this in my life.

ghd V Gold Styler

My ghd's are officially 11 years old.... so it about bloomin' time I got some newbies! These are top of my wishlist of things at the moment - they are so much prettier than my beat up old things!

Make-Up Revolution Salvation Intense Lip Lacquer - Depravity 

How stunning is this colour! It's sold out at the moment but I'm determined to get my mitts on it for summer!

Thierry Mugler Alien Perfume

After spraying this recently I have become obsessed. I love this so much .... one of my besties wears it but I think I may have treat myself to some on payday - perfect glam scent!

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October Favourites 2014

Happy end of month boys and girls AND Happy Halloween!

 I've done my favourites in video this form this month as I find it easier to show everything to you guys that way, otherwise it's a bit of a photo overload on here!
 I'm still not sure about youtube at the moment, I love doing it but still not sure whether it's for me or not but I'm going to keep on persevering for now :)

Watch below to find out what haircare, skincare, make-up and other random things I have been loving throughout this past month! If you like the video hen please like and subscribe - it takes 2 seconds and means alot to me!
And if you have any tips or advice for me regarding filming I'd love to hear it, I feel very beginner at it all!!

(oh and lastly... I can't believe my eyelash is wonky throughout this video making my eyes look crrrazy - so embarrassing :( sorry haha!)

What have been your favourite things in October? Do you mind these posts being in video form?

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August Favourites 2014

Whatssssuppppp! Wait... do people still say that? It always reminds me of Scary Movie... anyway....

I really wanted to film this as a video but time has slipped away from me so unfortunately it will just be the written word this month, I hope that's okay for you lovely people!

It it September - the month I have been looking foward to most this year.... it's only a matter of days (15 to be precise) until I'm on a plane to Florida - wahhhooooo! 

Anyway with a new month beginning it means it's time for me to share with you my monthly favourites for the month of August!

Of course it's mostly beauty related... I mean why else are you here reading this?... but in true Kirstie style there's a few random little picks in there too!

First up, a BIG love of mine which throughout my whole time doing this blogging lark I've always bigged up to the max. Yes I'm talking about Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, I'm an Isle Of Wight girl so am of course a big lover of Liz Earle and their products and this has got to be my favourite. For a few months now I have been trying out and using other cleansing products but coming back to this this month has reminded me of how amazing it is and how I should really never stray from it.
Next Nip + Fab Glycolic Scrub Fix*, you may remember I did a post on this a little while ago and my love for it hasn't died! I use this one a week, it's a little harsh for anything more, and it leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth with a gorgeous brightened look, definitely the perfect scrub for me. 
Skincare find of the month has to Aveeno's Skin Relief lotion. This has rescued my dry and itchy legs and made me feel a whole lot better - this is one that is going to be repurchased alot I feel.

Hair favourite this month have to be the Richard Ward The Chelsea Collection Keratin Volume Shampoo & Conditioner*. I've using this these for the last couple of weeks and have found a new fav to rival Lee Stafford! These two leave my hair so light and airy, like doing backwards hairwashing - you know when your hair feels really light and free of product, after every shower I can run my fingers through my hair before I've even gone near it with a comb or a brush. It's so managable and dries super quick aswell. Dry, my hair feels soft and I definitely can see and feel a difference in how quickly it gets greasy too!

Make-up now and my favourite product from August is the new Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Fatigue Blur Primer in cool rose. I've used this probably every day since purchasing it at the beginning of August, another great product by Maybelline they've really gone up in my books over the last few months.

Montagne Jeunesse face mask sachets have to be in my monthly favourites this month - how they haven't made it into one so far is a mystery to me! These are my faourite little pamper treat and tend to do one a week! These are normally around £1 (and sometimes on offer for even less) total bargains! My favourites have to be the hot spring sauna and the clay fabric mask ... I've got a few newbies here too which I can't wait to try out!

A food favourite now! I have a major sweet tooth but I have been trying for the last few months to avoid the chocolate temptation that is constatnly in my mind and stomach!
In doing this I have been finding alternatives to tackle the sweet tooth that controls my diet and in so found these Boots Shapers Blueberry & Yogurt Nougat Bars.
These are soooo good, a chewy yogurt flavoured bar with yummy blueberrys dropped in - these have become my evening sweet snack (normally when watching the first look episode of Hollyoaks on E4!) they need to start selling them by the box!

TV fav's this month have got to be Long Island Medium, Scandal, Hollyoaks & Pretty Little Liars! I'm not sure I can cope with waiting 4 months until I can see more PLL.... that show is so addictive - I need answers! Long Island Medium & Scandal are both new shows to me, I found them on Netflix and was hooked after the first episode of both - love love love.

Music wise OF COURSE I'm going to say Ariana Grande & Taylor Swift. Yes my 2 favs have released new music and I am obsessed. 
Taylor's first single of the new album Shake It Off is amazeballs.... that girl can do no wrong, roll on October when 1989 is out!
And the album I have been waiting for all year My Everything from Ariana Grande is everything I hoped it would be - I've had it on repeat since downloading it the second it was available on iTunes and I'm just praying she goes on tour here in the UK! My favourite songs are Break Free, Break Your Heart Right Back, One Last Time.... and of course Bang Bang!!
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Kirstie's Beauty Buys Of The Week

So Monday hit this week and I was overwhelmed with the Monday morning blues ("boooo you whore"). Best thing for that you ask? A spot of shopping, duh!
 Retail Therapy makes me VERY happy (don't act like I'm the only one) and I've had my eye on these bits for a while now and I thought today was the perfect time to splash out and purchase them! (Also included is some basic necessities which I was in desperate need of!)

So I hit TWO shops, crazy I know, (.... I live on a small town and I was on my lunch hour alright!) Boots & Liz Earle and actually ended up spending alot less than I thought I would (got to love promotional deals!)

First up Liz Earle...

I went into the Liz Earle store for one reason and one reason only - I had run out of cleanse and polish and was on the verge of a breakdown without it!

 The thought now of taking my make-up off with anything else sets me on edge! I think I wear quite a bit of make-up (especially layers of mascara) and I haven't found anything else that gets off 100% of it and leaves me feeling fresh as a daisy!

I seriously love it and would recommended it to anyone! I needed some new muslin cloths aswell so I went for the "starter pack" which actually works out cheaper than buying the polish and cloths separately (little tip for you there!) 

As Liz Earle are lovely people I got to choose a free miniature aswell to go with my purchase and guess what I chose .... Yup - cleanse and polish! (you can never have too much of a good thing!) and at least it will keep me going for a bit longer!

Now onto Boots - this includes things I have been looking at for a while to buy and some basic necessities that I had run out of ......

First up, some Lee Stafford hair products! I am obsessed with Lee Stafford products and have been using the hair growth shampoo and conditioner along with the hair growth treatment religiously for months and months and have loved the affect they have all had on my hair! 

Saying this, recently I've noticed my hair isn't as blonde as I would like (I'm blaming lack of sunshine) so these two products look like the perfect choice for me! These products are for getting rid of brassy and orangey tones from blonde hair which is exactly what I want!

I'm sure you've all heard of the "silver shampoo" that everyone uses to get their hair a whiter blonde, well this stuff more or less seems like the same thing.... Just a nicer brand/name/scent!

 I trust Lee Stafford (and would buy his products over any on the market) so I don't mind paying the extra for his products! (also Boots have a buy one get one half price deal on at the moment so it worked out perfectly!) 

I'll be using these once a week from now on and I'll keep you updated with the results! Have any of you tired these?

Next I've got some of the boring basics that us beauty lovers can't live without! 

Number one - cotton buds! I can't tell you how many of these I get through, mainly on dodgey bits of mascara on my face and fixing my eyebrows after I've penciled and powdered them! They are so so handy for so many things! I buy the "baby" ones as I think they are more or less exactly the same as any other normal cotton buds BUT half the price - why pay more? Secondly I got some cotton pads. But no, not just any old cotton pads  I buy the 'Cotton Wool Double Faced Oval Pads' (posh right?.... no? okay...)! I love these as they are super thick and perfect for using For both my Liz Earle Skin Tonic morning and night and for nail varnish removers!

Lastly - some No7 face wipes! Now I'm not a big facewipe user (anymore) but it never hurts to have them around!

 I thought they would also be handy for giving my make-up brushes a quick spruce up when needed when I don't have enough time to full on clean them)! At the moment Boots are giving out No7 vouchers everytime you spend £4 or more so I used my voucher to get these and because you receive £5 off skincare with it it made these JUST £2! (originally £7 .... duh!) What a barry bargain!

People with straight white teeth are probably the people I envy most in the world! 
If I could have one thing perfect about myself it would be my teeth! I love trying out new whitening products but because I can get quite sensitive teeth I don't like to use to really harsh abrasive stuff (also I'm a massive wimp!). 
So a few weeks ago on twitter I asked everyone for their advice! 'A good whitening toothpaste which will is not harmful, super abradive or that will make my teeth sensitive.' (see I'm not even asking for alot....). Most people agreed with me and said most of the good ones are strong and can leave your teeth quite sensitive but a couple of people (including a friend who is a dental nurse) recommended this - Sensodyne's Pro Namel Gentle Whitening. This is also apparently the only whitening toothpaste recommended by dentists so I thought I would give it a go and hopefully I'll notice a change soon!

If you are anything like me then you never leave home without this stuff.

 Anti-bacterial hand gel has become a staple in my handbag wherever I may be going!

 This, along with the bath and body works products, has got to be my favourite anti-bac (it's from Soap & Glory so of course I'm going to like it!)

It smells amazing and reminds me of the first half of my travelling  in the USA as this was in my bag constantly! I love the scent and like paying a bit extra for a nicer smelling/looking gel.

Finally were onto the last two products and my favourites! 

You've seen me rave about Barry M lipglosses before on here and this one has got to be my favourite. 

I've lost count with how many I've bought over the years and being that my current tube is more or less empty I decided it was time for a new replacement! (Boots have also got make-up on the buy one get one half price offer so again, this worked out perfectly!) 

Not only is it an amazing bright pink colour but it also smells like Bubblegum! I love it so much, there's nothing worse than a lip product with a horrible smell and Barry M have got the scent just perfect on this AND the formula is amazing too smooth and pigmented.

Along with this I purchased the Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang. 

Now I've you've read my blog for a little while you know that I have been after a good thick pigmented red lipgloss for a long long time.

Not so long ago I had the Barry M red lipgloss which, like all their others, was amazing but it was limited edition so when it was gone - it was really gone! After not being able to find one which compared I was extremely excited when I bought the Apocalips in the colour Nova (a gorgeous dusty pink) a couple of weeks ago! 

This formula is amazing and I can see why everyone has been raving about them! As soon as I used Nova for the time I knew I was in love and realised I must have completely overlooked the red shade on the stand (schoolboy error!)

After asking the beautiful people on twitter I found out there was a red shade and everyone seemed to have the same opinion - it was the one!

 So happy I finally have a lovely red lipgloss that I don't have to pair with a lipstick -sometimes I just find it so much easier to keep re-applying a nice lipgloss throughout the day/evening rather than faffing around with a lipstick - the colour is so so great and I can't praise Rimmel enough for the Apocalips range.

Anyway that is just the few things I bought on Monday! I hope you have all had a lovely start to the week! Let me know in the comments below what you have been upto and what you have planned for the week along with your thoughts on this post :-) 

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