The Drugstore Duo.

Whilst they're not the most obviously of products to lump together in a power couple, they are a match made in heaven if you want to banish that tired sallow look in seconds. 

Despite slightly questionable shade choices, Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in 010 Ivory is a godsend for those pesky bags. I do a love a good drugstore concealer and this light consistency of this makes it the perfect weapon in the fight against the sleepies. You could actually apply this in the dark and still look passable. 

The Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me is a lovely flush of colour on the lips without looking too over the top. It isn't anything more or less than a lovely tinted chapstick, but I've been reaching for it enough to justify a little praise. The pinky red tone really adds a little life to your face without having to be too precise. Early mornings and precise are definitely not a match made in heaven. 

What are your relying on to look perky in the morning? 

xx

Love Me Beauty Box.

Firstly, a quick word on Love Me Beauty. BeauteCo Box have undergone a stealthy rebrand and now appear as 'Love Me Beauty'. Luckily all that has changed is the name, the ethos and quality still remain the same. 

Septembers chosen menu included: 

Matriskin Collegen Serum 

Murad Osmolyte Tonic 

Nip + Fab Dry Leg Fix

Anatomicals Eye Gel

Essentual Care Lip Silk 

I'm most impressed with my menu, I'd actually forgotten what I'd chosen so it was a surprise when I opened it up! This really is a skincare junkies paradise. The Murad Tonic is a gorgeous refreshing spritz that will slip seemlessly into my routine. I've been having a make up free day today and I've been sporadically spritzing myself all day. 

I'm also trés excited to try this Matriskin Collage Serum. I adore any sort of french skincare and the collagen aspect is just a bonus. The medicinal packaging is just the cherry on top. 

I'm also pleasantly surprised by the Anatomicals Eye Gel. Despite the gimmicky packaging, it's a lovely cooling eye gel that worked really well when I slapped it on this morning. Hopeful of great things from this. 

Finally, the Nip + Fab Dry Leg Fix isn't something I'll be rushing to use up but I'll certainly give it a whirl. Ditto with the Essential Care Lip Silk, I have a lip balm in every area code yo. 

Have you tried Love Me Beauty yet? 

xx

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator.

Since getting a bit more serious about my skincare this year, one step that didn't even factor in my routine has entered a star player. 

I'm talking 'toning'. The reason I've gone all air quotes with the term is the step itself has changed so much since the days of the C-T-M mantra. 

I'm talking acid toners. More specifically a toner with an chemical exfoliating property. I'd already introduced the hallowed Alpha H Liquid Gold into my routine once or twice a week but I wanted something more gentle with a similar property to fill in the gaps. 

Hello Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner. 

It basically does the same job as the Alpha H but on a much more gentle scale. It contains Glycolic, Tartic & Salicylic so will give you the chemical exfoliation without any need to reach for something more abrasive to scrub at your skin with. A quick word about the over cautious usage instructions: as very eloquently put by Caroline, you will always find brands like Clarins airing on the side of caution. Just be sensible and you'll be fine, I've been using it up to twice daily and I'm looking glowing, not burnt/shrivelled/affected! 

 RRP £25. 

xx

A One Bag Girl.

I'm sure I'm not just speaking for myself when I say that being a beauty blogger and all around beauty hoarder can get a little much in the storage department. 

Drawers upon drawers of immaculate acrylic storage and mounds of product can sometimes feel suffocating rather than liberating. It all began with a last minute weekend trip, everything I could possibly want or need fitted snugly into a solitary wash bag. 

The Angels Sang. 

So the search began for a wash bag to house my skin, hair and daily make up needs. All wrapped up in one perfectly formed pouch. 

Whilst initially straying from a bit of Cathy K, in the end it was the perfect fit. Robust, waterproof and all around good egg. 

It's almost enough to see me cast out the acrylic and live like a one wash bag girl. Wouldn't it be nice to be a one bag girl?! Back in the real world, the drawers will never be far from my heart but it has spurred me one to have a good sort out and work out what's just lingering and what needs using up. 

Do you hear the call of the hallowed project 10 pan? I think I do! 

xx

Tranquilty by NEOM.

I'm a firm believer in beauty sleep. You can slap every lotion/potion/acid/serum/concealer on your visage and still look rough around the edges if you're skimping on the zzz's. But, as the world seems to speed up by the minute I'm definitely guilty of finding it difficult to wind down in the evening. I've been working longer hours and finding less time to just relax in the evening so the NEOM Organics Tranquility Collection is a little miracle. 

NEOM have teamed up with the The Sleep Council for their 'Perfect Nights Sleep' range to promote the importance of good sleep...with a little help from the heady lavender notes of the Tranquillity range.  

You may have heard me raving about the delights Neom have to offer in the past but they deliver on every level. The brand ethics always kick things off to a flying start - all products are certified organic or natural, no nasties hiding in these beauties, not to mention the luxurious feel to everything they come up with. 

Like the hardened beauty blogger I am, I donned my pyjama's, lit my candle and let the lavender, jasmine and sweet basil fill my bedroom. If you're not a lavender fan I'd steer clear as it really is the overriding note to the scent but I find it incredibly soothing. I managed a quick bath and did the nessesary skin grooming before I popped into bed after spritzing my bed linen with the serenely scented pillow mist. 

Whether it is the tranquil scents or the added element of routine before hitting the hay, I really am enjoying this range. It's a thumbs up from me. 

Are you getting a good nights sleep? 

xx

Quick & Easy Plait Up Do.

I don't profess to being a whizz when it comes to complicated hairstyles. I've not even mastered the french plait well enough to leave the house, but this is a gorgeous up do that even a complete beginner could do. If you know how to do a basic plait you'll be able to create this! 

It's just four easy steps... 

Step 1. 

I find styling this works best with slightly damp hair, I've just sprayed some leave in conditioner through my willing assistant's hair. 

Step 2. 

Plait away! Just make sure the two plaits at either end of the row are plaited back across the ear, as it will form your first row. Repeat until all sections of hair are plaited. 

Step 3. 

Bring each plait at each end across the head and secure with kirby grips at both ends. 

Step 4. 

Repeat until plaits are securely gripped working in an alternate pattern across the head. If some plaits are too long simply grip then bring the remaining plait back across the head in the opposite direction. 

It's as easy as that! Spray with a little hairspray to hold and you're done. 

It's perfect easy up do that would be perfect for a relaxed day out or a bridal style, it's that versatile. 

xx

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm.

I mean, I love a good Cleansing Balm. Love one. More specifically, my evening skincare routine wouldn't be complete without a good dose of Emma Hardie. 

However, you just can't keep a good beauty addict down. Word on the street is the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm is a no nonsense, kinder on the purse alternative and I was always going to give it a whirl. 

Conclusions? It couldn't be more of a (to quote the excruciating phrase) 'does what it says on the tin' product. It's a balm...that cleanses. Clinique have kept it simple. No box, no super swanky packaging, no scent, no colour, no nasty ingredients. 

Do I like it? Of course, it gives good massage and melts into a great cleanser. Am I jumping around like a raving convert? Partially. It's a brilliant holy grail cleanser for those of you who find essential oils and bells and whistles too much in a daily cleansing balm. It gives a fresher cleanse than the Emma Hardie as it feels like a slightly lighter formula. I don't feel a second cleanse with a lighter cleanser is half as necessary with this.

But. 

I can miss the bells and whistles. It's taken the indulgent edge off my skincare routine and I miss the fragrant fancy when I'm using this product. I can't not review this product without mentioning it looks and feels like lard. I'm more than willing to forgive this for a quick simple cleanse though. I'll always reach for this if my skin is playing up (thankfully rare) as it's as gentle as it gets.

If you're after a great cleansing balm that suits sensitive skin and comes in at a comparatively pocket friendly £21 RRP, this is what you've been looking for. I will still use and love this, but if I'm looking for a more therapeutic evening treat, Emma will always win. 

xx