Paring Back Round 2: They See Me Haulin' (Again)

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.

Skincare // The Emergency Kits - Cold Weather

Up until a couple of years ago, I was one of the lucky few who would maybe have one skin 'catastrophe' every couple of months despite a poor diet, not enough sleep and certainly no skincare regime. Those were the days...

These days, however, I'm considerably less fortunate and have many a skin-related woe. Dryness? Check. Blemishes? Check.  Sensitivity? Big ol' check. You get my point. As such, I've devised a few 'emergency kits' for when my skin is as its worst. Much of what I'm about to recommend I've learnt through various blogs (depending on how technical I'm feeling later, I might TRY and make a blogroll later today, how exciting) and through my own personal experience. Given that we're in the midst of changing seasons here in the UK, I thought I'd make my first emergency kit all about how to get your skin through winter.

Obviously, what works for one person might not work for another, which is something I cannot stress enough. Do your research, look at your own skin and think about what changed you could make to your lifestyle before you go and spend a fortune on skincare, no matter how hyped up a product may be. You'd be amazed at how much of a difference upping your water intake can make to your complexion.

The cold weather kit:

There's nothing quite like a change in the seasons to set your skin off on a mad one. For as long as my skin has been acne prone, the worst break outs have always come about at this time of year when the weather can be ever so slightly bipolar in the UK. To worsen the situation further, cracking up the heating has a nasty side effect of drying your skin out, brilliant. The solution?

Cleansing - I firmly believe that cleansing your skin properly is the most important part of a good skincare routine, regardless of the issue you're looking to tackle. Without a good cleanser in your arsenal, any other products you use just won't be as effective. In cold weather, I'd thoroughly recommend using a cleansing balm. Depending on your budget, there are plenty of options out there. If, like me, you're counting the pennies, the Botanics range at Boots has a decent offering in the form of its Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm. It's not the most refined balm out there and it does tend to leave a slight residue on the skin, meaning it certainly wouldn't be my first recommendation, but equally, it's not bad and is 97% organic (not that this guarantees a good product!). This balm is one of the few out there that is genuinely affordable, especially given that you can normally find it on some sort of offer in Boots, be it half price or on 3 for 2 so no complaints on that front from me. If you're feeling a little bit more spendy but are still unsure as to whether or not a cleansing balm will suit your skin, another option is the Merumaya Cleansing Balm (available from John Lewis), which at £15 isn't too unreasonable. This is much more emollient than the former option and does a great job of ensuring that skin is hydrated but also left feeling clean. The packaging is very travel friendly, which is never a bad thing in my books. In short, it does the job and it does it well. If, however, you're feeling a bit more flushed with cash and are looking for a bit of luxury, I give you two options. First and foremost, the oh-so-wordy Emma Hardie Amazing Face Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm. If you haven't heard of this, the chances are you've been living under a rock. It's pricey, at £34, but it's also effective and you can't argue with the results. It smells amazing, does a great job of removing makeup and can be doubled up as a mask and emergency balm for dry skin anywhere on your body. It's a cult product and a staple in many a skincare routine for a reason! Another more luxury option is the Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser. I've only just purchased this cleanser and so can't yet vouch for it entirely, but I've heard nothing but positive reviews. Again, it's not cheap at £34, but you get 120ml of product which should last you a good few months. From what I gather, it's more of a cream than a balm, but in theory you should be able to achieve similar results. As difficult as it can be to justify spending this much money on a cleanser, I do feel that it's worth it, even if they are more of an indulgence than a necessity.

Serums - Okay, so a serum isn't a 'must have' for a lot of people, and for the most part I do believe that the simpler the skincare routine, the better the results. Saying this, when cold weather comes skin can really benefit from layering products, especially hydrating serums. Nothing I'm writing here is particularly groundbreaking, but it does work. Two serums come to mind when I think of hydration: Indeed Laboratories Hydraluron and Caudalie's Vinosauce S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum, the latter being my personal fave. Neither are particularly cheap, but both are great at locking in moisture. Hydraluron, one of the most hyped up products in the blogosphere, contains a high grade form of hyaluronic acid, which the skin naturally produces but in smaller quantity as it ages. This 'miracle' acid can hold its weight in water 1000 times over, so you can imagine its effects on your skin. In effect, it makes your moisturiser work harder. It costs £24.99 and can be found in Boots. It's often on one offer or another so this would be my more budget pick. The Caudalie serum is more expensive at £29, but I personally get much better results when I use it. It smells amazing, does wonders for dry patches (which I don't find Hydraluron actually does very well) and definitely keeps blemishes at bay. For me, this is a Holy Grail product and I hate being without it. 

Moisturisers & Oils - In general, I shun moisturisers in favour of facial oils. From my personal experience, they do a better job of maintaining a glow even in the toughest weather and are much more easily absorbed by the skin. If you are partial to a good cream, however, my firmest recommendations would come from the Una Brennan Super Facialist range available at many a larger Boots store. The Rose Hydrate Radiance Day Cream SPF15 comes in at a mere £8.66  at the moment due to an offer, but is normally priced at £12.99. It really does a lovely job of keeping yourself hydrated and comfortable in colder weather. If you're looking for something a little bit more heavy duty, however, the Neroli Super Lift SPF15 Day Cream may be something to consider. This usually costs £15.99, but is also on offer, reducing the price to £10.66. Quite frankly, this is a bargain. I'm also a big fan of the Crème Fraîche de Beauté Light moisturiser from Nuxe, and the Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream from REN, which cost £25 and £27 respectively, both available from Marks & Spencer. If you are looking to try a facial oil, however, there are a myriad out there to try. I'd thoroughly recommend Boot's Botanic's offering, which is 100% organic and currently only costs £4.99 due to an offer, but usually is priced at a mere £9.99 - what have you got to lose in trying it? This is a blend of various oils, including sweet almond and rosehip. I find this to be great for keeping my skin feeling nourished and hydrated, whilst also eliminating any dry patches. Another great oil is Trilogy's Certified Organic Rosehip Oil, which is a little bit pricier but not by much - I found for it £11.75 at Escuentual.com. Rosehip oil works fantastically well on scarring and isn't too heavy, so if you also suffer from blemishes this may be the one for you. It does smell a bit funky - it reminds the boyfriend of chicken korma - but it's well worth it in my opinion. You can also mix oils with creams to make them more potent, so it's worth having both in your emergency kit. And don't forget your SPF!

Add-ons - Now the basics are out of the way, I often find that my skin really benefits from a little extra something every now and then. In cold weather, this means a mask and a good lip balm. My picks? Una Brennan Super Facialist Rose Intense Moisture Mask, currently £5.99, usually £8.99 from Boots, and the Nuxe Rêve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm, £9.50 from Marks and Spencer. This is the one lip balm that I won't be without. I'm onto my fourth tub of the stuff and always stock up on it when I'm in France, anything to save a couple of quid! It really is the best I've ever used and I deem it to be 100% worth all the hype it receives. The Una Brennan mask is also a lovely, rose scented treat. The fragrance is quite strong, but this cream-style mask does a wonderful job at instantly plumping up your skin, so it's definitely worth a shot.

To round this essay-style post off, here's a summery of what you need: cleansing balm, hydrating serum  and a nourishing oil/moisturiser. With these in your arsenal, you should be able to keep your skin content no matter what this winter throws at it.