Morning Skin Care Routine

Hey Guys and Dolls

Today I'm sharing with you my morning routine.
 (Minus the incessant pressing of the snooze button and gentle screaming encouragement at my boys to GET READY FOR SCHOOL!!!)

It looks like a lot doesn't it?
I guess it is but it's all part of my bid to tame the queen of bitches that is my skin! Seriously it still hasn't decided if it wants to be sensitive, spotty, oily or flaky... often it can be all of those things at once!
LUCKY MOI!

I just know my Grandma will see this and say  (in your best Geordie accent please)
 "eeee al av ever used is watta nd a flannel nd av nivva had a spot yit, folk use owa much noo-a-days"

Clearly Grandma I've not been blessed with your genes!
Anyway...

CLEANSE
So basically I use a gel or foaming cleanser in the morning to freshen my face and help wake my ass up. Currently using Elemis Fresh Skin Gel Wash which is lovely and brightening and satisfyingly tightening! It's also aimed at younger skin so I find it a delightful little ego boost that it works well for me!... makes me feel all young and precious! 

I use the Clarisonic religiously and love the deep cleaning, pore emptying results it gives. That said I really must improve my attitude to replacing the brushes though... oopsie! 

QUIRK ALERT

I ALWAYS ALWAYS splash my face with cold water before allowing a towel to touch it. (or come within 10 metres of it actually... can't be too careful!)
 I've done it for years and it's an odd little 'quirk' but I was told many moons ago that ice water closes your pores and stops any dirt getting in. (I know i know) I'm set in my ways and it's too late trying to change me now :)

TONE

After washing  I give my face and neck a quick sweep of Clarins Exfoliating toner then Yves Rocher Clarifying lotion. I wouldn't be without the Clarins (I have stock) and the Yves Rocher is a mattifying gel that probably doesn't qualify for repurchase status.

OILS AND SERUMS

Tea Tree Oil is always a standard, I'm not sure I ever (EVAAAAH) have a day where there's not blemishes... yes plural *throws self on floor and sobs*  

If I'm having a no make up day then I use my Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules or my Decleor Aromessence Neroli Face Oil. I find these boost hydration and leave my skin supple. 

There's certainly nothing in the myth that adding oil to oily skin makes it worse... quite the opposite for me.

(That may of been another pearl of Grandma wisdom)

MOISTURISE

Sakare Eye Cream- I picked this up in London and the story behind it will require a post of it's very own. It's good though. If I can face the ordeal again I'd quite like to get another.

I rotate a few moisturisers at any one time (to keep my skin on its toes) and currently it's Elemis ProCollagen Marine Cream and Decleor Hydra Floral that are floating my boat. They are both UHMEZZING and PCMC is most definitely a holy grail product.

FINISHING TOUCHES

La Roche-Posay sunscreen- I always wear this if I'm doing the bare faced chic 'look' as I find it beautifully mattifying as well as being a shield against all the nasty UVAs and UVBs... apparently those guys penetrate even the darkest clouds on the coldest days so we aren't safe even if it's minus temperatures outside.

Bit dramatic like but that's how I roll!!

Aaaaand finally a bit of Blistex Relief Cream. The perfect lip protector. It smells satisfyingly medicinal so you know it's working. I do about three tubes a month. (excessive) 

So there we go. That's my morning routine which in fairness is keeping my complexion as near clear and flawless as I think I'll ever get, as finding the perfect skin care routine is something I'm yet to conquer. 

I've done it all, from just using face wipes to throwing triple the amount of products at my face!

Maybe there's a magic potion?Is there a miracle product out there? Is there? Is there?

I BET YOU I'VE TRIED IT :)

I know the answer doesn't lie within facial wipes though and I'll leave you with Caroline Hiron's theory about face wipes... they are for the THREE F's... festivals, flights and fannys!

On that note... Taaaaaaraaaaaa

Love 

k xxxxxxx

Ps  remember you can follow me on  bloglovin HERE and do keep in touch by following me on twitter here Oh and come over and see me on instagram HERE

August Monthly Haul

Hello, Hi, Hey and Hola

It's September, I'm back from my Summer Holiday and I needed to wear a cardigan the day I arrived home. A sure sign autumn is upon us. Well actually it's not quite upon as (annoyingly) the sun has persisted on shining the odd day or two! I'm so ready for boots, tights and chunky knits. But don't want to be looking all cosy and wrapped up if the weather changes its fettle half way through the day! I'm also majorly excited to shop for the perfect winter coat and I'm just in the mood to hoy the fake tan to the back of the cupboard and become lax with regularity of hair removal.

From the #bbloggers chat the other night it seems as though we are all excited for the new season and my September haul is already filled with berry shades and nourishing moisturiser. BUT back to today... today I bring you my August purchases.

Ooh I must also add that lots of you have requested full reviews of certain products and they will posted in the next week or so... 

Alpha H Liquid Gold

 This is a much raved about product that promises miracles in transforming your skin. I won't say too much as I've actually written a full review about my results with before and after pictures (seriously scary stuff!) What I will say is notice there is TWO bottles and I restock what I lurrrrrve... 

Eau Thermale Avene Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover

Ok so despite spending almost three figures in boots before I went on holiday (I went in for sun cream and toothpaste) I found myself in Germany without anything to take my mascara off...  

Cooling, gentle and effective, it even dissolves they're real! What a prize for being disorganised!

Eau Thermale

Just because I'm incapable of buying only one thing at a time and the fact I've read like a million ravey reviews about it. I'm yet to use it but I think it will be ideal for refreshing and setting my make up on long days at work.

Perricone No Foundation Foundation-

This is a repurchase and I absolutely adore the trousers off it. It's like a second skin and I cannot express how much I love it. I've written a full review with swatches and stuff so if you are thinking of buying I hope that it's helpful as I often read that people find 'the one shade fits all' doesn't really fit you if you are pale.

Me? I'm like translucently blue and I think it's fine on me but maybe I'm swanning around with a tide mark? I'm pretty sure I'm not but the mirror can sometimes lie, I mean it used to tell me my unplucked mousey eyebrows were totally acceptable!

Anyway if you found the No Foundation Foundation too dark then worry not as they are releasing the LIGHT option at some point this month.  

Guerlain Meteorites Perles in Teint Rose

First off, apologies for the rubbishy blurry picture, I'm putting it down to shaky hand excitement as I was so dazzled by their beauty. 

Again I have a full review coming up of this delightfully pretty finishing powder.

Mally Easy On The Eyes Collection

 Anyone who reads my blog regularly will know that I'm a bit of a Mallynista (QVCers will get the reference) and I bought this kit whilst it was the TSV. I had been umming and ahhing over the Urban Decay Naked Palette for some time (see I am capable of exercising some level of purchase control) so I was in the market for some eye shadows...  aaaand the rest is history :) 

Mally's Palette in Buff has a primer plus 11 neutral shades which can be used wet or dry so in essence you get 22 colours to play around with. The kit comes complete with three BULLET PROOF eye pencils, mascara and some under eye brightener (which is also known as 'sunshine in a jar' ooh!). Not to mention a 60 page booklet with step by step instructions so you can create a whole spectrum of gorgeous looks.

YSL Touché Éclat

I've always lusted after this and for as long as I can remember beauty magazines have hailed it as a 'must have' and told me that I need it in my make up bag. I never took too much notice as dark circles aren't something I suffer from (blood shot eyes, yes, spots, yes, sensitive skin, yes, oh the list goes onnnnn!) but I thought I'd give it a whirl and see how it works as at covering blemishes.  (Of which I have many!) 

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in #18 Prune In Fire 

Right let's be fair. Does this lipstick not scream sexy? Everything from the sleek and seriously beautiful packaging to the vampy purple loveliness... Aaaah it makes me melt. 

Leighton Denny Colour Cocktail Collection

I also bought this as a QVC TSV as I can't resist anything Leighton related. The kit contains four colours plus two 'cocktailing' shades that transform the base colours to create a new shade with plenty of shimmer. If I'm being totaaaaaaally honest, I'm not a huge fan (anxiety set in as I typed that). It's simply a personal preference as I prefer a nice block of colour to make a statement. The shimmery sheerness of these shades just aren't really 'me'.

The Essential Remover Pot, the Diamond Buffer and Lip and Cuticle Balm were worth it alone though.

In other news, after buying like a million Nails Inc Remover Pots I've fallen out of love with them- a brand new pot dyed my fingers a dirty greeny grey. Tres ugly.

OPI San Francisco Set

 Now these little beauties were a bit of a surprise. I ordered the OPI TSV (are we seeing a home shopping addiction here?) back in March and I selected the auto-delivery option which basically means you get a further delivery with new colours but held at the special discounted price. I wouldn't of actually ordered these but kept them as I needed a new nail envy and you can never have too much avoplex oil!

I need to remind myself that the surprise auto-delivs aren't actually gifts though! Oopsie!

SBC Collagen Gel

How bad is this...? This arrived and I had absolutely no memory of ordering it! I now have a vague recollection of doing it whilst half asleep! I think I saw the pretty pink gel and thought it'll look fabulous in the bathroom if nothing else! Perhaps I was drunk on tea and jaffa cakes? I haven't used it yet BUT it does indeed look beeeeeeowdifal in my bathroom!

The pictures below are repurchases which I've enthused and rambled about on previous blog hauls. The Decleor set was bought primarily to get my casper white mitts on their gradual tan again. You can read about why I LOVES it here 

My Elemis pots of joy are the Pro Collagen Marine Day and Night Cream- the ultimate in moisturising goodness. Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules are in the big pot and if you fancy reading about why they are loved like my children you can do that here

The ABC Skin Care Set for me is a must have. Espesh the HEEEEOWGE body wash which lasts for months (unless one of  your children 'plays' with the pump and fills the bottle up with shower water...) and it keeps skin clean and clear. The shampoo and conditioner smell amazing, well all of these products smell amazing if you happen to love the zingy fresh tea tree aroma? If not then (why not?) just skip to the next picture. 

The Pure Tea Tree Oil is perfect for adding to bath water or when you want a nice deep cleansing steam. I tend to dispense onto a cotton pad and wipe over blemishes (yes plural!).

The blemish sticks contain witch hazel too and they have a roller ball application, perfect for slipping in your bag to target them nasties that get bigger and angrier as the day progresses. You know the ones right? They often crop up on Friday ready to spoil your weekend!

The wipes are in my car and will probably be used a glorified baby wipes! (Think sticky fingers on a three year old!) Oh I is Glam!

Maybelline Baby Lips

Well I just had to didn't I? Absolute bandwagon purchase and unlike many they don't incite any strong feelings in me either way. A lip balm is a lip balm, tinted or not right? Cherry Me gives a gorgeous juicy flush of colour and Hydrate is fine to slick on as you would any lip balm. I did also get Pink Punch but I gave that to my sister in law who wears it far better than I ever could- plus these aren't available in Germany so I felt like I was bringing her treasure!

Organix Brazilian Keratin Shampoo and Conditioner

I like a high end shampoo and conditioner, Kerastase, Ojon or Aveda often take residence in my shower. In my pre-holiday panic I ended up 'settling' for the Organix set as I was rushed, in boots and needed something quickly (usually order my shiz off the net). I'd also read a rave review from Allana Beau and believe me when I say that girl takes some impressing! 

Emma Hardie Moringa Balm, Day and Night Cream (pictured on first picture). I forgot (bad blogger) to take a photo of these individually but essentially it's a repurchase as I need plenty of stock of the cleansing balm. The moisturiser I don't use regularly (Elemis loyalty for you right there!) but the odd occasion I have I did notice it was rather thick. Perhaps ideal for the colder season?

So that was August... Done. Dusted. Gone. 

September marks the end of the summer and the end of my haul. 

Any products you're loving? Ooh or have you seen anything and thought BIG MISTAKE KATE? 

Let me know if there's anything you'd like to see a thorough review on as I'm more than happy to oblige :)

Oh and slightly off topic but you know how I mentioned I'm super excited to go shopping to find the perfect winter coat? I don't why I said that as I've never ever actually found one. Each winter it's a constant disappointment where I trawl around the shops searching for perfection before buying something I actually hate and then spend the rest of the season having coat envy when I see girls who just get it right! 

Anyway

Looking forward to reading your comments and don't be shy, come say HIYAAAon my TWITTER

I also have a giveaway running to win a Mac Lippy or Paint Pot of your choice, click here if you're feeling lucky?

Love 

k xxxxxx

June Is Hauling Out All Over

Hello all you gorgeous lovely people. It's been too long hasn't it? I'm pulling the been busy decorating" card... AGAIN! It's hard to believe but it's true, I'm queen procrastinator plus I've developed a rather unhealthy obsession with buying tester pots of paint. Seriously I'm buying them as if they were nail polish... CURAYZEEE or what. 

My walls are like a bonny piece of patchwork though :)

Anyhow lets get back to it. Before my June haul ends up being an August post!!!

As ever included in the monthly stash of splurges there is the great, the bad and the utterly pointless (as all compulsive shoppers can identify with I'm sure!)

We'll start with possibly the best invention for super duper skin evaaaaah. 

The Clarisonic Face and Body Brush has absolutely rocked my world this month. I use it morning and night with my regular cleansers. I'm converted, my skin has never looked as smooth or felt as soft. 

Word of warning though... 

My oh my never (ever) make the mistake of letting the battery go flat, I went to use it this morning and it was completely dead. Devastated doesn't even cover it. I was actually overwhelmed with despair, palpitations, catastrophising THE LOT!

There's a few bandwagon purchases this month and the Emma Hardie Moringa Balm was a conga line I just had to join. In this cute little set you get the cleansing balm, moisturiser and eye cream. 

The Moringa balm is everything it promises and I expected. 

In fact on balance I think it has the edge over the Elemis cleansing balm as it dissolves eye make without any stinging or aggravation. That includes complete annihilation of Benefits They're Real Mascara... Now tell me that ain't impressive?

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo. It's been blogged to death and its a Marmite product.

 For me though... J'Adore.

 I'm on to tube number three and as you can see I'm like madame scrooge cutting it open and making sure I get every last splodge of product! It did burn a bit at first but that was likely due to over zealous and excessive application, once a day is fine for me and it sort of keeps pores empty and in fairness who wants cloggy ones?

Slighty off topic but going back the Marmite phrase... I happen to LOVE Marmite (on toast with melty cheese) but I shudder when anyone describes themselves a Marmite character, "you'll either love me or hate me blah blah blah", I save myself time by instantly deciding to 'hate' them! 

Harsh? But to be fair you only usually hear big brother hopefuls uttering such words!

Lush treats... 

The Mask of Magnaminty is a repurchase and its so good for drawing out and drying out any impurities. Keep it by the bath and slap on whenever you have a spare ten minutes.

The CupCake mask is aimed at teenage skin so I avoided eye contact when buying... Bet the guy at till was dying to say, erm the wrinkle stuff is over there love! It was fine though, both he and I remained composed :)

The Catastrophe Cosmetic mask smells gorgeous and that's probably owing to the fact it contains bits of actual (fresh from the punnet) blueberries. Its cooling, calming and leaves you looking clean and rejuvenated. 

Elemis Elemis Elemis... Skin Bliss Capsules are indeed considered Holy Grail. You can read my review on these little beauts here (only if you want to of course)

Something a little bit different. 

Pure Pedi Exfoliating Boots. Now talk about the sublime to ridiculous one minute I'm in Lush trying pass as a 17 year old and the next I'm buying ANTI-AGING foot care! 

These boots are an alpha hydroxy acid treatment and 2-3 weeks after using your hard, manky, dry and cracked skin will have peeled off. Think of a snake shedding and you've got the picture.

Now there will be a good old review post about these as I'm currently awaiting results. Exciting!

Standard summer restock of fakey tan. I'm uber pale, in fact I look blue some lights so I need something that gives a natural sun kissed glow and He-Shi is the product to deliver that.

I've used this on and off for over the years and I keep going back to it. That is high praise indeed as I consider myself to know the false tan world inside out!

Now regular readers know my love for Mr Leighton Denny's nail varnishes so when he brought out the sun believable range I HAD to order (bad things would of happened if I ignored the urge). 

It's a gradual tan so I intend on applying every other day, just to you know... take the edge off!

I

Oh but what's a monthly haul without a nod to Soap and Glory. I've used this brand for years now and the first thing I ever bought was the Glow Lotion. It's been repurchased many a time as I find its the only product that make my sans tan legs socially acceptable!

The Beauty Blender... I've used it once, I was rushed, I was tired and it was a bad face day. So I'm thinking that is probably clouding my judgement as I wasn't blown away by this little pink egg.

.I'm wondering if I expected ridiculous miracles... like a swipe of the sponge around my face and then I'm Mila Klunis? 

I'll have another go though as a million amazing reviews can't all be wrong :)

Revitalash Volumising Primer. I do love an eyelash primer. I was at one time completely devoted to Loreal Double Extension mascara and I think that it was down to it having a separate primer! 

Oh mind it's the little things!

The bestest thing about this is applies as a bright electric blue so if you want to channel your inner eighties chick... then you can ditch the proper mascara and do so!

SIMPLY WOW KLAXON! 

YSL Touche Eclat Foundation and Illamasqua Gleam in Aurora. These both create luminous glowing beautiful skin, I love them.Just utterly love them.

 Espesh the foundation.

A huge thank you to the gorgeous Gemma of Miss Make Up Magpie fame for these! That gurl can certainly shop!

Mac monthlys... June was Rihanna's Riri Loves Mac launch and boy was I ready. I already have Riri Woo and was worried she was getting lonely (pathetic justification I know!) so I knew it when it came to adding to the collection it was going to be heart over head sorta purchase.

It launched at 12pm and by 12.20pm I was the proud owner of RiRi Boy (basically a matte up the amp) and Hibiscus Kiss which is a bronzer and blush combined.

Got a nice little Riri Loves Mac review coming up so keep your fluttery lash framed eyes peeled! 

My first ever Smashbox buy... A sweetly beautiful lip gloss in Pout. It's pretty, it's shimmery and no gloopy stickiness. Gold medal or what?

Maybelline buys... So I went to Superdrug for some paracetamols and this happened! It's rather tame and I'm blaming thanking the migraine! Me having unsupervised access to make up with a debit card could of been soooo much worse!

Maybelline gel liner repurchase as I do enjoy the brush applicator but I have so say I find it a tad smudgy.

A prime example of life giving with one hand and taking away with the other!

And filed under the POINTLESS purchase category... Maybelline Dream Touch blush. Again I'm relating this to the migraine, nothing wrong with the product but its a pale peachy shade and I know from many years of experience that that colour serves no positive with me. 

Final furlong people... thanks for staying with me :)

I could not even contemplate a month without showing my talons some love so first up is The Leighton Denny Moisture Collection. 

Perfect for a bit of nail TLC. I have long strong nails but they are prone to peeling (probably because they usually drenched in varnish!) so this little kit will keep pesky peels to a minimum. 

Oh and in the world of buffers... Leighton's one is

the cats cream. Gets nails so shiny you'd think you had a clear coat of polish on.

This Nails Inc bundle came as part of an auto delivery I signed up to in March with QVC and they weren't the colours they advertised. I had been expecting a hot pink leather so was DEVO when that didn't land. Saying that though  it's a good mix of colours with the blue and holographic silver being my personal favourites.

L-R pembroke square, royal mews, st james square, brighton, hampton court peace gardens, featherstone street

Now being a nail junkie and a slave to topshop it seems shocking that until two weeks ago I had never sampled a topshop polish... WELL I HAVE NOW! 

The packaging is cute and Green Room is my colour of the month... a real striking jade and no chips for two days.

Also picked up a Models Own nail art pen so I can get creative... shame I'm cack handed like!!

Phew that felt exhausting just typing it out, imagine how hurt and used my bank account feels :)

Anyone tried any of these products? Any thoughts or recommendations? As always I read and reply to every single comment and they put such a smile on my face.

Oooh and a spot of UHMEZZING news... my little blog has been shortlisted for a Cosmo Blog Award, Best New Beauty Blog :) 

I'm so unbelievably overwhelmed as I've not even been doing this 4 months yet! 

So if you like my blog and enjoy reading then I'd love you to vote for me and you can do it here or there is a button on my home page.

Until next time...

Love 

k xxxx

Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules

Hey Guys and Dolls, how is everyone? Hope you are all as fabulous I know you look :) I'm generally fine and dandy but still decorating (I'll be saying this come June next year at this rate) and I'm struggling with interior creativity, so things can feel a tad stressy from time to time... And when Kate is stressed her smile can hide it but boy oh boy does her skin show it!!! (Random bit of third person there... sorry about that!)

So on to me and my temperamental skin... the time of the month, hormones and stress levels play havoc with what should be (by now!) a perfectly flawless complexion. 

So what specific havoc do these components play?? Well breakouts are more stubborn and are difficult to treat because my skin is so sensitive... we are talking FRAGILE and HANDLE WITH CARE!!

An example for you...

Now what? Now what? When my skin is screaming out for hope and love then Elemis Skin Bliss Recovery Capsules are my actual saviour, my Goddesses of skin therapy. 

Slightly off topic but these silky little capsules remind me of bath pearls that you used to get in bath gift sets from The Body Shop. These were the only acceptable present to give/receive if you went to my middle school... espesh if you were 'going out' with someone! If you were lucky you got Dewberry or Ananya set, but for me and a canny lad called Sean, a White Musk basket meant we could no longer be exclusive!! Sorry Sean!

Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules contain pure moringa oil and anti oxidents to cleanse and erradicate the harmful and damaging effects of everyday pollution on your skins delicate cell structure.

Morniga oil is hailed as the oil of the moment and Emma Hardie fans will know what I mean! 

Moringa oil is jam packed with anti-aging properties working to rejuvenate skin tone, improve elasticity and blast them toxins out of the water.

You'll notice that there's a mix of pink and green capsules. 

The Pink Rose is your day time treat and the Green Lavender is your night time indulgence. 

Super easy to use you just twist to open and the perfect amount for your face and neck is dispensed... massage in after cleansing and toning then apply your moisturiser (Pro Collagen Marine Cream if you are after further miracles!) and let the healing commence.

I find that my skin is calmer, clearer, fresher and certainly gets it glow back after using these. They fix the redness and dryness and actually combat the breakout by repairing the skin so quickly.

The idea is to use every morning and every night but to be honest with me having combination skin it can feel a little excessive plus I like to keep them as an intensive kiss of life when my skin is dying

Spot the little cat hair... invisible to naked eye but captured on camera!

I discovered these in a set bought from QVC and they have a ton of Elemis products which are always great value.

Oh and in case I didn't make it abundantly clear... these are (and have been already) a repurchase!

What's your sos product? Have you tried these before?

Looking forward to your gorgeous comments and I reply to all

Love k

xxxxxx

May-be Hauling

Hey Girls and Boyos! Its June, AND it's almost double figure days into June, and only now am I bringing you my haul from the month of May! *hangs head in shame* But to throw a few excuses cliches at you, it's better to be late and great... better late than never... it's about the pace not the race... and all that jazz!

So lets get straight down to it: May welcomed a few products into my life but primarily it was more about the repurchases, the clothes, the decorating and the half term holidays. So by my crazy expectations this haul is smaller than my beauty cave anticipated. 

Emma Hardie's magic moringa balm not shown... awaiting replacement tub as mine was cracked on delivery :(

So this is the No No No Hair Removal System and as I'm such a die hard Girls Alouder I involuntarily call it the Sexy No No No! A little piece of irrelevant trivia for you there. I didn't actually buy this in May, I bought it in March but I FOUND it in May... in a wardrobe whilst looking for minty green wedges (they still haven't turned up!) if you're wondering. I'm on the fence with this one as haven't used it long enough to see true results but essentially it is a laser treatment that in the short term singes away and buffs off visible growth and over time eradicates hair follicles with the big beautiful picture being permanently perfectly smooth pins... (that's my take on their promise!) What I will say its quiet, easy and painless, I do it watching Corrie!

Innocently showing MAC some love... and avoiding eye contact with my husband when the postie knocked on the door... :) 

Ok so this happened like this. All about orange collection came out... Bought Flamingo and the Strobe Cream, didn't need the strobe cream really but if its in the name of free delivery then I WILL add another item to basket. I have Gemma the ultimate make up magpie to thank for the other four lippys!

 That is four limited editions you see there... makes it all the more necessary surely?

Now tell me these colours aren't pretty?? At time of typing of I've yet to swatch some but I'm planning a post dedicated to my collection (which only started in March!). I have worn Silly which was BRIGHT and looked fabulous with my (fakey) tan, it's not the dizzy heights of Candy Yum Yum for me though! Flamingo is simply gorgeous BUT it does look suspiciously identical similar to my Betty Bright from the Archies Girls collection, the only obvious difference being the finish, Betty Bright is a satin finish and Flamingo is Lustre.

L-R Raspberry Swirl, Silly, Speed Dial, Flamingo, Feel My Pulse

I honestly thought it would of been rude not to take advantage of Daniel Sandler's 20% discount over the bank holiday weekend. I've been dying to try the water colour blushers for a while now and after tweeting the man himself to ask for advice on my perfect shade (to which he replied!) I ordered So Pretty which is a rosy pink with shots of shimmery gold running through it... The swatches of So Pretty are indeed so pretty and I can't wait to use this properly. 

I'm Soap & Glory devotee and tend to impulsively pick up something from the brand every time I'm in Boots. The shower cream smells delish and I have a million Soap & Glory body lotions and butters to layer the scent too. I toyed with the idea of the body spray but decided against it... unsure why now! 

Sexy Mother Pucker is worth buying for the name alone :) I have the original and it's been a repurchase a few times (because its A) wonderful and B)I keep losing things... it's an illness!) but this has some pink to it and gives a little wash of colour as well as the famous TINGLE. 

*Sound the fanfare* Yes it's my monthly Elemis tribute dance :) Shown here is the Pro Collagen Marine Day and Night Cream. Bought simply to keep my stock levels in check :) You can read about my Elemis raves and reviews HERE and HERE and that includes my May Elemis purchases

... Happy skin care! 

Bit of unusual one as not available in the UK...

My husband is German and although he lives in this country (after snaring him I couldn't allow him to leave me and go back.. good god no!)  all of his family are still in Deutschland which means aside from lots of lovely trips across there we often have delightful packages sent to us.

 This month my gorgeous Mutter-in-Law sent us some Ricarda M skin care cream which is a top seller in Germany and all my husband used when I first met him (he has lushy skin!)

 I'm going to do a full review of this which will mean it replacing my Elemis pro collagen (can you's hear the palpitations? can you's feel my anxiety?) but I have faith and got to keep things fresh, skin gets bored and lazy if it gets used to a product. That's my experience anyway. Plus if it's a total disaster I can always opt for divorce ;)

Love anything that comes with a spatula!

Got some nail loving for you now... This Pro Strong kit was about £30 from QVC and I attribute the fact my nails don't bend or break easily to this delightful little set... These are treatments so if you are wanting sustained protection  then whip out your nail envy and use alongside. For me Pro Strong means bye bye to soft, brittle and peeling nails. Oh and they all sink in over polish so no interruptions to your summer manis... bonus!

Another little restock of the Nails Inc Express Nail Polish Remover... I'm a big fan of these removing pots as they are so handy plus I hate the feel of claggy cotton wool, espesh when it leaves its dirty fluff behind...Seriously BAH!

 I have the Leighton Denny remover pot too and I actually far prefer his formula as it leaves nails looking nourished and healthy BUT the actual shape of the pot is a tad awkward in comparison to the Nails Inc one. 

I can't vocalise my love for Baker Street enough (you are all thinking.. "urgh yes you can and have... shaaaadup already!"...sorry!) so when I saw on QVC that the were selling it alongside Caviar Top Coat and a funky lil magnetic number I justified it to myself and ordered... My current Baker Street is a almost a third used, practically unsightly! 

L-R Caviar Top Coat, Magnetic Polish in Whitehall, Baker Street

Those of you that read my Nails Inc Sprinkles Post will be aware that Nails Inc Royal Botanical Gardens was catapulted into an all time favourites category (high praise indeed!). I loved it so much that I decided to buy the complete spring/summer set from Nails Inc which included this polish too (yes another duplicate but if you think something is UH-MEZZIN then it pays to have plenty!)

 I think these colours scream sunshine and ice creams... there's a coral, a minty green, a sky baby blue and a peachy pastel... What is not to love? I mean really!

Those of you that didn't read my spinkles post you can catch it HERE and it includes swatches of Royal Botanical Gardens too

L-R St James Park, Chelsea Physic Garden, Royal Botanical Garden, Kensington Palace Gardens

So that was May and wasn't May canny? Anyone else tried these products? Or is there anything that has grabbed your attention?

Love reading all your lushty comments and I reply to all. If you need something answered quickly then tweet me... all links at top of the page :)

Taaaaaraaaaaa

k

xxxxxx