Skincare Haul + First Impressions

I found these pictures on my computer - I completely forgot about them. Last month, I bought a few new skincare products mainly due to the 3 for 2 offer on at Boots. As it has been a month since purchasing them, I thought I would do a haul plus my first impressions because I have now had a month to try them out.

I have been wanting to try some products from La Roche-Posay for a while now. Mainly Effaclar Duo as I was curious if it worked for my skin or not. I had read many reviews about it and some people appear to love it and about half say it did nothing for them. When I saw the 3 for 2 offer in Boots, I couldn't resist any longer. I was tempted to just get 3 but I was worried in case it wasn't for me. So I decided to explore and see what else they had to offer. I picked up their Micellar Water to compare it to the one I picked up in Superdrug by B and some SPF for my face. 

La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution

So far, so good. I think it's better than the one from Superdrug by B as it dries quicker on my face allowing me to cleanse afterwards. (I only use Micellar Waters to remove make up.) I haven't tried it to remove eye make up yet as I'm scared of it irritating my eyes as they are sensitive but I will give it ago soon! It does a good job of removing my face make up, I use three small cotton pads soaked and it does a great job. It doesn't irritate my skin and it hasn't broken me out. 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

There has been quite a lot of attention surrounding this product lately, some good, some bad. I have suffered from spots half of my life and hormonal acne for the last few years. I really wanted to try it out and see if it worked for my skin. After just one week of using it day and night, I noticed such a difference in my skin. I used up a full tube and I knew instantly I was going to purchase another one. However, it was about a week before I could and my spots came back! I knew it was down to not using this super product. I have since purchased another tube and my skin is slowly calming down again. I will now make sure I always have at least one stocked up! 

La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 30 Melt-In Cream

I had seen a few people mention La Roche-Posay SPF before but when stood facing all the products, I was overwhelmed as there appeared to be so many different varieties. I had decided on a facial SPF though as I take more care over protecting my face so I'm willing to spend more on facial products. I knew I wanted a high SPF for my face so 30-50. I saw this melt in cream and saw it was for sensitive skin. I don't particular have sensitive skin, sensitive eyes but not skin. I thought it must be gentle enough and shouldn't break me out. That's what worries me about SPF, I don't want it to clog my pores. I like the texture of this one but I do find it takes a while to soak in so if I'm applying make up afterwards, I have to wait a while. 

I have used Simple skincare for a few years now, in particular the eye make up remover which I purchase over and over again. Why fix something that isn't broken?! As mentioned above, I couldn't resist the 3 for 2 offer so I decided to see what else Simple had to offer.

Simple Eye Make Up Remover

For some reason, I didn't take a picture of this on its own. I think it may be because I have repurchased it a million times. To be honest, I thought I'd have a photograph of it but I don't! This is an effective eye make up remover and it does the job of removing my eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara. I cannot comment on waterproof mascara as that's not what I use but I think it does mention waterproof. 

Simple Pore Minimising Toning Cleanser

I was attracted to this product as it promised smaller pores. To be honest I haven't used this much as I'm not sure I like the texture. It's like a thick, but watery, gel. Also, I'm not entirely sure if I use it as a cleanser and toner so cutting two steps into one or as a cleanser or as a toner. For that reason it's just sat in my basket of skincare products. If you can enlighten me, please do so!

Simple Deep Cleansing Face Mask

Last but no means least, I bought a deep cleansing mask. I think they are favourite types of masks, I love a bit of clay. I usually use Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask but I'm running low so I thought I could see how this compares. So far I like it. It definitely deep cleanses. If I use regularly, it keeps me skin looking clear and healthy. If I forget to use it for a while and then use it, I break out as it brings all the dirt to the surface of my skin. Lovely! I must try and get back into my face mask routine of Wednesday and Sunday. I seem to have fallen out of it.

Which skincare products have you been buying lately? Which products do you recommend I should add to my wish list?

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick

My Haircare Routine - Shampoo

This is going to be a three part post - shampoo, conditioner and then after care/treatments. I love reading haircare/skincare posts so I thought I would share my routines and the products I use. First up is shampoo. I'm not loyal to a particular brand as I haven't found a miracle shampoo just yet. There are currently seven shampoos in my 'collection'. Is seven a bit excessive? They all have different jobs, well mostly, so I feel like they are justified! They are in no particular order. I photographed them in height order (roughly!). My hair is pretty dry and damaged from years of heat and colour. It's naturally curly and very frizzy but I often wear it straight. 

Keratin Complex Keratin Color Care Shampoo - This is almost empty. I'll probably get one or two more uses out of it. My mum got me the shampoo and conditioner last Christmas. They've lasted because I have so many other shampoos and I've tried to make it last as long as possible. This shampoo is sodium chloride and sulphate free, so no nasties are being put on your hair! I think it has quite a weird scent to it that I'm not so keen on. But it does leave my hair feeling super smooth and nourished.
Edit: Since writing this I have finished all of the shampoo!

Herbal Essences Smooth & Soft Shampoo - I think I picked this up in Boots because it was on offer, I can't remember though. I have used this shampoo before and I think it's quite good for the price. It's for dry, damaged and frizzy hair, which are the three words I would use to describe my hair! I don't have the money to use high end haircare products every time I wash my hair, so I use drugstore brands in between. This has a lovely fruity smell and leaves my hair feeling clean and fairly conditioned. Some shampoos make my hair feel really dry and knotty but this is quite moisturising for a shampoo.

Paul Mitchell Strength Super Strong Daily Shampoo - My parents seem to like buying me hair products for Christmas as this was in a set I received this year! I absolutely love this range. It makes my hair feel nourished and I have actually noticed a difference in the strength. I wouldn't describe it as 'Super Strong' just yet, but I have noticed less breakage. I have been finding I need quite a bit of both the shampoo and conditioner though, which is not good! I don't think they will last a lot longer. They leave my hair feeling soft, silky and shiny! It's like looking at someone else's hair! 

Tresemme Deep Cleansing Shampoo - I use this shampoo once a week, usually on a Sunday, as my detox shampoo. I can't afford Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo but I would love to try it out. Until then, this is a cheap alternative. My hair can sometimes feel heavy from build up as I do use quite a few products and this is great at thoroughly cleansing my hair. I like having freshly washed and 'squeaky' clean hair on a Monday. I do find it leaves my hair a little 'squeaky' but once I have applied conditioner I don't have a problem. 

Trevor Sorbie Beautifully Straightened Protection Shampoo - I picked this up just after Christmas in a set for £7 but I actually used Boots points so I got it for free! However, it wasn't till I got home that I noticed the shampoo was for fine/normal hair, which is the complete opposite of mine! It doesn't moisturise my hair and it actually makes my hair feel dry but it cleanses it so I use a hair mask when using this shampoo. I don't really have anything else to say about this. I would like to try the version for thick hair though. 

Avon Advance Techniques Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo - This a fantastic product from AVON. I prefer it over other shampoo products from AVON. However, I much prefer the oil and mask from this range (more to come on these when I discuss the treatments that I use.) After just one use of this range my hair felt amazing. However, each time I've used it since, it just doesn't feel the same. Maybe in the long run I will notice a difference. This is my second bottle but I'm not sure I will purchase it again. 

Pro:Voke Touch Of Silver Twice A Week Brightening Shampoo - Even though it's called twice a week brightening shampoo, I only use it once a week as I don't wash my hair enough times in the week to use it twice. That might sound disgusting to some people but my hair is very dry and I only wash it when it's greasy, which is usually 3 times a week. If I wash it any more, my hair would just be in worse condition. I use this shampoo along with the conditioner to keep my colour fresh so it doesn't appear brassy. I have noticed a slight improvement but there has been weeks where I've forgot and I desperately need to do my roots. I say roots but it'll look like I've had Ombre done soon!

How many shampoos do you own in your 'collection'? Do you recommend any shampoo based on my hair type?

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick

MUA Brow Kit - Review

MUA Brow Kit £3.50

I'll start this post by stating the fact that I hate eyebrows! Mine are just like my hair; wild, unruly and curly! This means they are extremely difficult to groom and tend to do their own thing! My eyebrows are fairly thick as well. I don't always have to use something on them just certain days and only in certain areas of my brow. The start of my eyebrows are a darker shade of blonde but have gaps in them, I'm not sure if this is due to over plucking when I was younger or not. Then the ends of my eyebrows are very thin and are very fair, this is definitely due to over plucking. The moral of the story is do NOT over pluck!

I began using an eyebrow pencil a few years ago, which was No7 in blonde. Again this wasn't everyday, usually just when I could be bothered. I was aware of my eyebrows from quite a young age and other people's for that matter! I just seem to always notice eyebrows, good or bad! I knew I should not apply the pencil in one long stroke, instead I used small feather like strokes. Besides looking like I only have half an eyebrow on some photos, I didn't really make any huge mistakes when I was younger when it comes down to eyebrows.

Some days though, mostly special occasions and nights out, I want to try and make everything perfect and your eyebrows frame your face. Or some days I just get carried away! (I love applying make up!) It's days like this when I pull out MUA's Brow Kit. MUA launched their Brow Kit in September. I actually bought it then but I wanted to thoroughly try it out before I blogged about it. Then I moved house and everything was hectic but here it is!

When I saw it on sale for £3.50, I couldn't resist. I hadn't used an eyebrow kit before so it was perfect to see how much I actually used it and if I preferred it over a pencil. The packaging matches other MUA products and for £3.50 I cannot complain. It's very sturdy and doesn't easily open if you were to carry it around in your handbag. There is a mirror inside the lid, which is actually fairly huge. The kit also comes with a pair of tweezers, which are useless to be honest. They are so small, it's very difficult to hold them and they are quite blunt. It also includes a double ended angled brush, which I use to apply the product to my brows. Although personally, I want the Real Techniques Brow Brush from the starter set but I'm obsessed with their brushes and I feel it would be easier to apply with a longer handled brush.

The kit comes with four products inside. Two shades to use on your eyebrows, personally I use the lighter one of the two as I am fair. The shades can be used on their own or mixed to create your perfect shade. There is also another powder which MUA suggests using underneath your brows to lift them but this can be used on your eyebrows if you have very blonde brows or mixed with the other shades to make a custom shade. Lastly, there is a gel to finish off your look and set your brows. I use the angled brush to apply the powder in small strokes onto the areas of my eyebrows that need it. Then I use a brow groomer to blend it all together. Using my finger, I apply a small amount of the gel, which is actually more like wax, to hold my eyebrows in place. Finally, I finish with another comb through with my brow groomer to set it all and I'm done.

I am very happy with this brow kit and I don't feel the need to purchase any other and I much prefer using it over a pencil. MUA have done extremely well with this product but I have a feeling it was being developed for a long time. Some people have complained about it not being suitable for them as the shades don't match and I have a feeling MUA will bring out a darker version. If they made a light, medium and dark or even just light and dark lots more people would be as happy as I am. Overall this item is fantastic for £3.50, a complete bargain!

What do you use on your eyebrows? Have you tried the MUA Brow Kit?

Rachel x
Lost In Lipstick

Topshop Lipstick in Rumour Has It - Review

Topshop Lipstick in Rumour Has It £8

I only have two Topshop lipsticks but I am a huge fan. The first shade I bought is Mink, which is very similar to Rumour Has It but is much darker. Topshop describes Rumour Has It as a 'dusty rose' shade, which as descriptions go, I love! It is a pinky brown nude shade, which is perfect for the day. The shade is buildable meaning you can create a completely different look for the evening. One coat of this is actually very similar to my natural lip colour, it just emphasises my lips. The finish of the lipstick is matte but it applies smoothly onto the lips. I wouldn't say it was a completely matte finish, maybe just semi-matte. It is very moisturising and nourishing on the lips and not at all drying. If you're not a fan of matte lipsticks, you can apply a gloss on top for a high shine look. I really like the vanilla scent of Topshop lipsticks, they remind me of MAC lipsticks. I've said it before but I HATE the usual lipstick smell! The lipstick lasts 2 - 3 hours before it needs reapplying which isn't bad.

Do you have any Topshop lipsticks? Which shade should I get from Topshop next? 

Rachel x
Lost In Lipstick