Clinique Skincare

Clinique Skincare

This is another post that I have been meaning to write for so long! But I guess the fact that it is probably nearly two months after I took these photos, and I still want to talk about these products means they really are that good!

Sadly, unlike a lot of my friends, I was not one of those people who was blessed with the genetics of perfect skin. My skin is something that I have had issues with ever since I started Secondary School and I still have some problems with now. I can't even being to imagine how many skincare products I have tried from so many different brands, all claiming to left my skin perfectly clear, and most leaving me pretty disappointed.

Clinique is a brand pretty well known for their skincare, with products that a lot of people (including some of my "perfect skin" friends) swear by. I first came across the Clinique anti-blemish solution over a year ago now after it was recommended by my doctor. At £20 for a little bottle of gel, it seems a little expensive. I thought the same when I first look the plunge and bought it. But this is one of the few products in my skincare routine that I use almost everyday and have continued to repurchase ever since.

Thankfully for my purse, a little bit of this really does go a long way. Particularly if you have fairly sensitive skin like I do, you don't want to be using too much of this stuff. When I first used it I thought I needed it on every single spot I had, so I literally slathered it all over my face, which just left my face feeling very tight! I have found that the best way to use this is after my cleanser and toner, morning and night on specific spots. And then if I have a particularly nasty one I will reapply this a couple of times throughout the day too. What I really love about this is as soon as I start to feel a spot coming I can apply this a few times during the day and often the spot will disappear without ever coming to the surface!

The Clinique dramatically different moisturiser is something that is slightly newer to my skincare routine. Not long ago while I was really trying to get rid of my acne I was using a moisturiser for spot prone skin that wasn't actually particularly moisturising. I thought that the best way to get rid of my spots was to dry my skin out. And to some extent that does work, to get rid of a spot you want to dry it out, you just don't want to dry your whole face out in the process! Especially if you have dry/combination skin like myself.

One of my best friends who I am currently living with swears by this moisturiser (and most things from Clinique). So when last Winter I was complaining about my skin feeling really dry she let me use her bottle of this for a few days. And it only took a few days for me to be completely sold and go and buy myself  a bottle. This is just the nicest moisturiser than I have used. It doesn't smell weird, its so easy to apply and feels really lovely. It sinks into my skin quickly and feels moisturising without being greasy. And on top of all that I also find that it is the perfect base moisturiser underneath makeup.

Let me know if you have tried either of these products or if you have any other favourite products from Clinique.

Speak soon xx

The Cutest Summer Bag

The Cutest Summer Bag

I like to think of this purchase as an upgrade to a very similar handbag that I used almost everyday last Summer. The previous one was from Primark in an almost identical shade but more of a satchel style. For £6 it was a total bargain, but sadly by the end of the Summer the thread was unravelling and there were some black scuff marks that weren't going to come off.

I think I spotted this one on the Mango website (my favourite store right now) quite a while ago. And this colour that I wanted must have been out of stock at the time because I clicked remind me when back in stock and then forgot about it. So when I got a surprise email from Mango to let me know the bag was available it was love at first sight all over again! And this time I did manage to get it!

I think this has to be the smallest bag that I own, hence the cutest. But despite it being so tiny I can still fit everything I need in here. And it is actually quite refreshing knowing I am only carrying around the bare essentials and not half my bedroom like I usually do! I love the silver hardware and the lovely chain strap but it is honestly the colour of the bag that had me sold. The bag is described as pastel blue, but it looks a little grey as well. The colour is really unique yet will still go with nearly everything in my wardrobe. I also feel like it adds a little bit of colour rather than a black or white handbag, but that is just because I only really wear neutrals!

The lock mechanism has to be opened at the bottom and then the flap pops outs. Its a little more complicated than a regular popper and sometimes a bit of a struggle if you only have one hand, but it feels sturdy and looks pretty.

I am so in love with this beautiful bag right now and can't wait to start using it even more as the weather gets warmer. It's so chic and simple and I feel the design, details and colour make it look much more luxurious.

Cross-Body Small Bag - Mango 

Speak soon xx

Hats and Pouts

Hats and Pouts

I really wanted to share some photos of an outfit that I wore to uni last week, but then the weather went really hot and suddenly it didn't seem appropriate to post about wearing felt hats and blanket scarves. However typical British weather means we are back to chilly winds and heavy rain again and I am spending my Sunday snuggled up in bed with my laptop. But I thought I would make the most of it and finally post this outfit.

As you can probably tell, I am still really feeling the monochromatic minimal style. I can't stop wearing my Zara trench coat at the moment, it feels classic but stylish and is the perfect Spring transition piece when the weather is still all over the place! In this outfit I have kept everything really simple, trench coat, white jumper and denim jeans, but I've played around a bit with accessories.

This black hat is actually from Primark, but I think the simple design and colour make it feel so much more expensive. It is also the perfect compliment to this beautiful blanket scarf from Joules, which is so soft and looks great draped around the neck showing off the subtle print.

What I am wearing:

Trench coat - Zara
Scarf - Joules
Jumper - H&M
Hat - Primark
Necklace - Accessorize
Watch - Nixon
Rings - Accessorize

I do actually have another little outfit post that I can't wait to share which was from when the weather was really lovely. So now I feel like I am going to have to wait until it has warmed up again before posting those photos! Blogger problems!

Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend. Speak soon xx

New and Nude

New and Nude

I have finally taken my umbrella out of my handbag and swapped it for my sunglasses, which means Summer is well and truly on the way. And while I will be the first to admit that I do not need to be doing anymore shopping I somehow ended up buying two new pairs of shoes yesterday. Such is life! So in an attempt to make myself feel slightly less guilty about my purchases I thought I would share them on my blog.

Last Summer I bought a pair of beige slip-ons from Accessories for only £10, and my love for slip-ons was born. They were comfy, went with everything and just looked cool. Sadly like most things in life, they didn’t last forever. To be honest I am actually embarrassed by the state that they are currently in and the fact that I hadn’t replaced them sooner.  I spotted these beautiful replicas in Schuh and fell in love. They are exactly what I was looking for and I actually prefer that they are slightly more pinky. They also feel much better quality so hopefully if I look after them they will last a little longer! And at £25 I think they are a total bargain as I know I will be living in these this Summer.

 

The second pair of shoes were slightly less justified, however I have been looking for something similar for a while now. I saw these in a haul by FreddyMyLove, and immediately clicked the link to have a look at them. So when I saw that they had gone down to £20 in a recent promotion I was sold. I have wanted a pair of Summer sandals with a small heel that would still be wearable for a smarter everyday look. These clog style shoes, which are everywhere at the moment still feel pretty and feminine and the nude colour will work with most of my wardrobe. I think these are also going to be really versatile and work well with skirts and dresses but also cropped jeans and a pretty blouse.

Now that I am writing this and looking back at the pictures I have absolutely no regrets! I can start to pack away all of my Winter boots and look forward to wearing these beauties.

And in case you wanted to treat yourself too the links of both products are below.

Schuh Natural Slip On Flats 
River Island Pink Leather Clog Sandals

Happy Friday everyone! xx

Recent Randoms

Recent Randoms

I recently found a few pictures that I took over the Easter holiday so I though I would upload them today. Looking at this one from my bedroom back home is making me miss it a lot. It looks so much prettier and whiter! Especially with my favourite flowers.

This was the most amazing box of chocolates that Jack brought when he came to visit me after my operation a couple of weeks ago. He knows the way to my heart!

A few weeks ago I also got a few more pieces from VS PINK! Think I might have to do a huge haul soon!

Finally starting to catch up on all of the blog posts that I wanted to write last week! Thank you for being patient! xx

Spring Shade

Spring Shade

So I actually got my hair recoloured over a week ago now while I was still at home, but coursework and life have meant that I am starting to fall behind on blogposts. Either way I thought I would share a couple of photos with you now.

At the end of last Summer I took the plunge and first dyed my hair. I say dyed, but what I really got was something called Balayage, a mix of highlights and ombre all the way through the hair. I still wanted to keep my natural colour, but add some depth and lighter shades too. I was so happy with the results, and how the colour made my hair look healthier and glossier. So last week I got a trim and the same again but slightly lighter.

Once again I love the results, particularly when I have curled my hair like this and you can see all the different shades. I know that dyeing hair isn't the healthiest thing, however I am careful about looking after my hair and making sure that it stays as hydrated as possible. I like to use a hair mask almost once a week as well as serum and leave-in conditioner whenever I wash my hair.

Please let me know if there are any hair products that you love to use, especially ones for hydration. For now I am so happy with my new look for the new season and hope you like it too. Speak soon xx

Pandora Moments

Pandora Moments

Firstly sorry for the short break, I am now back at uni in Manchester after Easter and had a few things to sort out (coursework to catchup on!). I'm so sad that my Easter holidays are over, especially when my brother and my friends at home are still off. Although it has been lovely to come back and see all of my friends at uni.

During the Easter holidays I spent a bit of time helping my mum sort out her wardrobe and bedroom. I am someone who loves to have clear outs and keep my wardrobe very streamline and my mum is totally the opposite. We found clothes that she didn't even know she had from about 20 years ago! So during my recovery from my op, while I wasn't ready to do work but still wanted to get out of bed my mum and I sorted her closet and the rest of her bedroom. I won't really go into details, it was a very long process! But we managed to fill quite a few bin bags and her wardrobe doors can now shut!

We also sorted all of her jewellery, which consisted of a whole morning of untangling necklaces! Sadly there were a lot of broken things and single earrings but we did find a few treasures. In the depth of one of the drawers I found this Pandora box with the most beautiful earrings inside. My mum had completely forgotten that she even had these as she doesn't really wear stud earrings. And I think she caught me admiring them, because after days of sorting her wardrobe, jewellery, makeup, books and paperwork she gave them too me!

The studs are little silver ones with a blue stone and look so beautiful and delicate. I have already worn them once and love how classic they look. But for now I am going to keep them safe in the little box with the ribbon on as they have become some of the most precious jewellery I own.

I should probably try and get back to my coursework now, but I hope you are all well. Speak soon xx