Remember how I was going to implement that 'one in, one out' policy? Yeeah, it's not really working for me. Payday came, payday went... And a whole lotta makeup came with it, much to the Boyfriend's distain. Having not had a high-end splurge since January, things got a little bit cray, but nothing has been a disappointment as of yet.
There were three major crime scenes: Escentual.com, SpaceNK (duh) and, somewhat inevitably, Boots. Some purchases were made for nostalgic reasons, some because I have two jobs now so why the heck not (girl logic at its finest, I believe), and some to test out blogger hype. But enough of the rambling - let's get to the good stuff. Brace yourself for a rather word-y post here.
Escentual.com - AKA the online French Pharmacy
Sometimes, a girl's just got to stock up on her goods. This was one of those times. Throughout March, Escentual.com has up to a third off of its French pharmacy brands, including one of my all time faves, Caudalie. I mentioned in my latest wish-list how I was craving their Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum, and oh boy, it is good to be reunited. I may have stocked up on two bottles due to a price reduction of 20%... And I may be planning to stock up on a couple more later this month. It's a fantastic serum, considerable better than the much-hyped Indeed Labs. Hydraluron, with which I don't particularly get on very well. Within one use, my skin is calmer, softer and generally happier. This with a lick of Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm (which also entered my shopping basket) = a happy, hydrated Sophie.
Also from the Caudalie Vinosource range came the SOS Morning Eye Rescue. My eyes can be crazy puffy, which isn't the easiest thing to mask with makeup - trust me, I know. I was expecting this to be a gel formulation for some reason, but it is, in fact, a light cream. I've only been using this a for a few days, but so far it seems nice. Nothing revolutionary, perhaps, but maybe I expect too much. It's hydrating and cooling on the eyes, which is always a relief, it sits really nicely under makeup and has a pleasant cooling effect. So far, so good.
Next on my hit list was a new cream cleanser. Don't get me wrong, I've really been missing my Aurelia Miracle Cleanser, but I wanted to try something new. Enter the Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream. This has been doing the rounds on the blogosphere of late, but I can easily see why. This stuff is lush. I like my balm cleansers a lot, but I find them to be a bit heavy when used repeatedly day in, day out. Cream cleansers are a bit lighter, it seems to me, but have similar effects. Not only was this £5 less than the RRP of £25, it's a massive 200ml, so should last for a while. On application, it feels like a heavy moisturiser that won't absorb, meaning it can easily be massaged into the skin. It feels uh-mazing. Again, we've not been together long, but so far I'm enjoying using it as my morning cleanser and to take my makeup off at night, as it is so bloomin' gentle on the skin.
I also popped the Crabtree and Evelyn 60 Second Hand Fix in Citron Honey and Coriander as a little Mothers' Day gift, and although can't report back on that for obvious reasons, it must be said that the packaging is adorable. Within the cute little box, you can find their Hand Recovery and their Hand Therapy. I don't honestly know what the difference is, but I shall get my mother to report back with the results.
Space NK - AKA the beauty lovers' Spiritual Home
I'm always wary to take a list with me into Space NK, or else I get tempted by just about everything, actually. This time around, the list served me well. First on my list was an old favourite I had been missing: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in the shade Light 2 Alaska. This was the first high-end base I ever bought, so it holds something of a special place in my heart. It's a brilliant tinted moisturiser, in my opinion, and I prefer it to the Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturiser SPF25. It's sheeny, light, has a slight burring effect and covers well, not to mention the broad spectrum sun protection and SPF30. My only gripe is the colour range. The next shade up, Finland (which I used to wear, gooo anaemia) is too light, whilst Alaska is a little on the dark side. It's not a deal breaker, however, and the Boyfriend has given it his seal of approval ("You look very glowy and it matches the back of your neck"), so it's become my new base of choice, for the time being, at least.
Next up on my list was the NARS Pure Radiant Creamy Concealer in the shade Custard. Sadly, it was sold out, so no joy there... But I've signed up to be notified when it next becomes available. Someday, we will be together.
My consolation prize? NARS Blush in the shade Douceur. This little pan of joy has been on my hit-list for well over a year now, but due to it's somewhat 'meh'-ness in the pan, it got overlooked in favour of other goodies. But no more. This stuff is just the bomb. It's so beautiful on the cheeks. I use it where I would usually use bronzer to add a bit of life to my face. It's difficult to say what this does, exactly, but it just looks good. The matte formula doesn't draw attention to the textural issues on my cheeks, flatters my skin tone and adds a touch of contour and definition when used with the right brush. I don't honestly know how I coped without this stuff for so long. I haven't touched my bronzer since I bought it, and that, my friends, is saying something.
Lastly from Space NK came a terrybly naughty purchase. By Terry has long been a brand that, for me at least, captures what luxury beauty should be. Unfortunately, this is reflected in the price tag. However, I couldn't resist their Ombre Blackstar "Color-Fix" Cream Eyeshadow in the shade 4. Bronze Moon. Holy cow, this stuff is the shizz. Long-lasting, smooth, complex in colour and hella pricey to match, I'm in love with this little stick of wonder. The colour is comparable to the Maybelline 24h Colour Tattoo in the shade On and On Bronze, but infinitely more beautiful. It just looks very sophisticated, elegant and understated when worn with nothing but a lick of mascara. More please.
Boots - AKA the beauty lovers' budget Spiritual Home
3-for-2. Why are you doing this to me, Boots? This trip was mostly stocking up on basics, with a couple of exciting things thrown in for good measure. Namely a second No7 Shade and Define Eyeshadow Stick in the shade Glistening Ray and the EcoTools Tapered Blush Brush. The formula of the former lives up to its pinker counterpart, Pink Pearl, which has already earned its place in my stash. Slightly on the sheer side, this provides a golden champagne wash of shimmer across the lid, and works exceedingly well when pared with it's By Terry cousin. The latter, although used only once thus far, has already proved itself. The Tapered Blush Brush picks up just the right amount of product to create a light wash of easy colour. Maybe not an essential brush, but I'm glad I have it.
Soap and Glory was my next stop, and shower gel was the target. I find that theirs last for months and they just smell amazing. I picked up Sugar Crush Body Wash, with its sweet and zesty lime scent, for my gym bag, and Foam Call for at home. This smells like hot buttery popcorn to me, so it should be enough to get me out of bed in the morning.
I also repurchased the L'Oréal Fibrology Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner. Certainly not the most exciting purchase ever, but its testimony to how good these are. My hair is noticeably thicker and fuller for having used these and I would recommend them to anyone with fine hair.
So that's that. I had to pull out a couple more MUJI drawers to fit this lot in, but it was worth it. I'll try and do some more in-depth individual reviews in time, but this should wet your palette a bit... Until the next haul, keep my purse away from me.
There were three major crime scenes: Escentual.com, SpaceNK (duh) and, somewhat inevitably, Boots. Some purchases were made for nostalgic reasons, some because I have two jobs now so why the heck not (girl logic at its finest, I believe), and some to test out blogger hype. But enough of the rambling - let's get to the good stuff. Brace yourself for a rather word-y post here.
Escentual.com - AKA the online French Pharmacy
Sometimes, a girl's just got to stock up on her goods. This was one of those times. Throughout March, Escentual.com has up to a third off of its French pharmacy brands, including one of my all time faves, Caudalie. I mentioned in my latest wish-list how I was craving their Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum, and oh boy, it is good to be reunited. I may have stocked up on two bottles due to a price reduction of 20%... And I may be planning to stock up on a couple more later this month. It's a fantastic serum, considerable better than the much-hyped Indeed Labs. Hydraluron, with which I don't particularly get on very well. Within one use, my skin is calmer, softer and generally happier. This with a lick of Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm (which also entered my shopping basket) = a happy, hydrated Sophie.
Also from the Caudalie Vinosource range came the SOS Morning Eye Rescue. My eyes can be crazy puffy, which isn't the easiest thing to mask with makeup - trust me, I know. I was expecting this to be a gel formulation for some reason, but it is, in fact, a light cream. I've only been using this a for a few days, but so far it seems nice. Nothing revolutionary, perhaps, but maybe I expect too much. It's hydrating and cooling on the eyes, which is always a relief, it sits really nicely under makeup and has a pleasant cooling effect. So far, so good.
Next on my hit list was a new cream cleanser. Don't get me wrong, I've really been missing my Aurelia Miracle Cleanser, but I wanted to try something new. Enter the Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream. This has been doing the rounds on the blogosphere of late, but I can easily see why. This stuff is lush. I like my balm cleansers a lot, but I find them to be a bit heavy when used repeatedly day in, day out. Cream cleansers are a bit lighter, it seems to me, but have similar effects. Not only was this £5 less than the RRP of £25, it's a massive 200ml, so should last for a while. On application, it feels like a heavy moisturiser that won't absorb, meaning it can easily be massaged into the skin. It feels uh-mazing. Again, we've not been together long, but so far I'm enjoying using it as my morning cleanser and to take my makeup off at night, as it is so bloomin' gentle on the skin.
I also popped the Crabtree and Evelyn 60 Second Hand Fix in Citron Honey and Coriander as a little Mothers' Day gift, and although can't report back on that for obvious reasons, it must be said that the packaging is adorable. Within the cute little box, you can find their Hand Recovery and their Hand Therapy. I don't honestly know what the difference is, but I shall get my mother to report back with the results.
Space NK - AKA the beauty lovers' Spiritual Home
I'm always wary to take a list with me into Space NK, or else I get tempted by just about everything, actually. This time around, the list served me well. First on my list was an old favourite I had been missing: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in the shade Light 2 Alaska. This was the first high-end base I ever bought, so it holds something of a special place in my heart. It's a brilliant tinted moisturiser, in my opinion, and I prefer it to the Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturiser SPF25. It's sheeny, light, has a slight burring effect and covers well, not to mention the broad spectrum sun protection and SPF30. My only gripe is the colour range. The next shade up, Finland (which I used to wear, gooo anaemia) is too light, whilst Alaska is a little on the dark side. It's not a deal breaker, however, and the Boyfriend has given it his seal of approval ("You look very glowy and it matches the back of your neck"), so it's become my new base of choice, for the time being, at least.
Next up on my list was the NARS Pure Radiant Creamy Concealer in the shade Custard. Sadly, it was sold out, so no joy there... But I've signed up to be notified when it next becomes available. Someday, we will be together.
My consolation prize? NARS Blush in the shade Douceur. This little pan of joy has been on my hit-list for well over a year now, but due to it's somewhat 'meh'-ness in the pan, it got overlooked in favour of other goodies. But no more. This stuff is just the bomb. It's so beautiful on the cheeks. I use it where I would usually use bronzer to add a bit of life to my face. It's difficult to say what this does, exactly, but it just looks good. The matte formula doesn't draw attention to the textural issues on my cheeks, flatters my skin tone and adds a touch of contour and definition when used with the right brush. I don't honestly know how I coped without this stuff for so long. I haven't touched my bronzer since I bought it, and that, my friends, is saying something.
Lastly from Space NK came a terrybly naughty purchase. By Terry has long been a brand that, for me at least, captures what luxury beauty should be. Unfortunately, this is reflected in the price tag. However, I couldn't resist their Ombre Blackstar "Color-Fix" Cream Eyeshadow in the shade 4. Bronze Moon. Holy cow, this stuff is the shizz. Long-lasting, smooth, complex in colour and hella pricey to match, I'm in love with this little stick of wonder. The colour is comparable to the Maybelline 24h Colour Tattoo in the shade On and On Bronze, but infinitely more beautiful. It just looks very sophisticated, elegant and understated when worn with nothing but a lick of mascara. More please.
Boots - AKA the beauty lovers' budget Spiritual Home
3-for-2. Why are you doing this to me, Boots? This trip was mostly stocking up on basics, with a couple of exciting things thrown in for good measure. Namely a second No7 Shade and Define Eyeshadow Stick in the shade Glistening Ray and the EcoTools Tapered Blush Brush. The formula of the former lives up to its pinker counterpart, Pink Pearl, which has already earned its place in my stash. Slightly on the sheer side, this provides a golden champagne wash of shimmer across the lid, and works exceedingly well when pared with it's By Terry cousin. The latter, although used only once thus far, has already proved itself. The Tapered Blush Brush picks up just the right amount of product to create a light wash of easy colour. Maybe not an essential brush, but I'm glad I have it.
Soap and Glory was my next stop, and shower gel was the target. I find that theirs last for months and they just smell amazing. I picked up Sugar Crush Body Wash, with its sweet and zesty lime scent, for my gym bag, and Foam Call for at home. This smells like hot buttery popcorn to me, so it should be enough to get me out of bed in the morning.
I also repurchased the L'Oréal Fibrology Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner. Certainly not the most exciting purchase ever, but its testimony to how good these are. My hair is noticeably thicker and fuller for having used these and I would recommend them to anyone with fine hair.
So that's that. I had to pull out a couple more MUJI drawers to fit this lot in, but it was worth it. I'll try and do some more in-depth individual reviews in time, but this should wet your palette a bit... Until the next haul, keep my purse away from me.
