Favourite Skincare Beauty Tools Worth the Hype

I am a big fan of beauty tools and I remember popping into Boots to buy the No.7 Cleansing Brush (I sadly don't have it again or can't find it) a while ago because I wanted something more for my cleansing routine. Over the years, I have tried quite a few beauty tools which are mainly skincare and one or two for body care. I also have reviews for majority of them so I will link them where appropriate.

I just wanted to share these tools especially now that I have used them for at least 4 years or more and provide updates. I also filmed a video which I will above. I would greatly appreciate it if you also subscribed to my channel over here.

Exfoliating Cleansers I Love

I am a big fan of Exfoliating cleansers because I like the feeling of a smooth skin. Gone are the days when anyone ever used the St Ives Apricot Scrub on the face as people are now more aware of what's best for their skin and I think social media may be a part of that awareness. When it comes to exfoliating cleansers,  I look for products that contain ingredients  that work well for exfoliating the skin which are not abrasive and drying. I have three exfoliating cleansers that are on rotation and I have enjoyed using them. They are gentle on my skin and my skin feels smooth after each use. Some of these exfoliating cleansers can be used everyday because they are gentle but it's always best to do what works for your skin.

Best in Beauty 2017 Skincare Edition

I know this is coming slightly late but better late than never. I was recently chatting with my good friend Sal from Ummbaby Beauty and she really encouraged me to start blogging again. So if you are reading this, thank you so much babe!!  It's already started out being a busy year and I am hoping that I am able to write on my blog as much as I would love to. Writing my best in beauty for the entire year is one of my favourite posts to put together and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do. Without doubt, it will be a long post (no surprises here!!) but I will try my best to cut it down as much as I can. I looked back at my 2016 Skincare Favourites and I can already see some products being featured this year again which goes to show how much I love these products. Let's get started...


Best Beauty Tools //Link
I am sure without doubt everyone can guess that my FOREO beauty products are my all-time favourite products. I am just obsessed with them and I cannot get enough of them. I have used at least one FOREO product every single day since I got them. My FOREO Luna Mini 2* is my most used FOREO product. I doubt if I can ever be satisfied with just using my hands to wash my face because I don't think my skin will be clean enough. My FOREO Luna Mini 2 gets rid of all the dirt, grime, makeup and works well with any cleanser I pair it with. I usually still travel with the FOREO Luna Mini 2 but sometimes I opt to go with my Luna Play which I adore. It's the cutest gadget ever and I don't use it often only because I don't want the battery to run out (it's not rechargeable). The FOREO Iris Eye Massager* is one product I use to ensure my eye creams and serums go a longer way. I don't use it everyday but whenever I use it, my eye area feels so much better. I also use it for my spa night because it feels like a little relaxing facial. Lastly, I bring out my Luna Exclusive* when I want to give my face a proper pamper as it has an anti-ageing side which can be used with moisturisers, serums, etc. to help them get better absorbed or just for a quick massage. FOREO products are really good investments and they go a long way in helping the skin.


Best Makeup Remover
I have always been an advocate for the double cleanse so I usually start off with removing my makeup before opting for a cleanser. I use a variety of products for this step and they stem from cleansing balms to makeup wipes to micellar waters. My favourite micellar water is still the Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water but the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is also a strong contender and I love both of them. For wipes, my absolute favourite has to be the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Makeup Remover Wipes and I am so glad discovered them this year. I usually stock up when they are half price so I never run out. For cleansing balms/gels, I have been loving the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel which is a gel-balm hybrid that is excellent at removing all my makeup. I thought I would never get the hype of this product but sadly I have been sucked in and loving it. For cleansing oil, I really enjoyed the Tropika Coconut Cleansing Oil* which smells fantastic and removes every bit of makeup from my face including waterproof makeup. I knew I could not stick to only one product for this category but the ones I chose were my most used in 2017 :-)


Best Eye Makeup Remover
I am very picky when it comes to eye makeup removers because I wear contact lenses/glasses and my eyes are sensitive. I also love eye makeup because I can get creative with different looks and that's why a good eye makeup remover is important for me. I always look out for eye makeup removers that remove both waterproof and non-waterproof eye makeup which are non-greasy, no residue, no panda eyes and non-irritant. Two products that stood out for me in 2017 were the My Skin Matters Bi-Phase Eye Makeup Remover* (from Sainsbury's--> I know right?!!) and the La Roche Posay Respectissime Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover*. They tick all the above boxes and are very affordable. They are already on the repurchase list and I highly recommend checking them out.


Best Cleanser
It was very difficult for me to narrow down on my absolute favourite cleanser because I have quite a few which I loved through the year. However, I was strict and decided to pick just two- one budget friendly and one expensive one (but great value). My absolute favourite cleanser for 2017 is *drum rolls* none other than the Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser*. I have used it consistently since I received it and I cannot get over how effective it is. It contains glycolic acid, lactic acid and saliycylic acid which work wonders in revitalising the skin. My skin always feels fresh and smooth after use and the results are well sustained. My second favourite cleanser is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser* which I adore because it ticks all the boxes for me when it comes to a cleanser. It keeps my skin clean, lathers well, non-stripping and comes in a great packaging.


Best Toners
For toners, I did not have a tough time choosing a favourite one because it was just staring at me on my dresser. My all time favourite toner (although it is called an exfoliating lotions) is the Biologique Rechecher Lotion P50. It is incredible at keeping my skin in optimum condition. It is packed full of skin loving ingredients especially AHAs which my skin responds well to. There are two other toners that impressed me this year and are worth mentioning. They both contain Glycolic Acid but they work differently for me which is why I could not chose one. The first is the The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution which I am so glad I finally got my hands on. I am currently using it and I love it because it contains a slightly higher glycolic acid content (7%) which has been really good to my skin. Sometimes it feels slightly stinging on my skin but I love how well it works. When my skin is feeling sensitive but I still want to continue dealing with my hyper pigmentation issues, I opt for the Vichy Idealia Skin Peeling*. I know the name sounds scary but it is one of the gentlest and most effective glycolic acid products I own. It really exfoliates the skin and I believe it will be suitable for anyone who has sensitive skin. Other Holy Grail products worth mentioning are the Pixi Glow Tonic (will always love it) and the Alpha H Liquid Gold as they are very effective and I featured them in my previous yearly favourites.


Best Eye Cream/Serum
I always feel like eye creams work the same but I tried out quite a few this year and I was able to come up with a checklist. I prefer eye creams which are lightweight, hydrating, quickly absorbed and refreshing. My favourite eye cream/serum has to be Lancome Advanced Genifique Yeux Light Pearl which does all the above including being housed in a gorgeous bottle. I also noticed the appearance of my laugh lines are getting less visible with consistent use. Another Eye Cream/Serum I loved in 2017 is the Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Eye Serum* It feels slightly silkier than the Lancome one and it sinks in really easily. Two budget friendly ones I loved in 2017 were the Vichy Slow Age Eye Cream* and the Neutrogena Hydroboost Eye Awakening Gel. I used both of them at different times of the year and they were marvelous. I think I reached more for the Neutrogena Hydroboost one through the end of 2017 and it quickly became my favourite. The texture is gel-like but very refreshing and it really helped my tired under eyes look better.


Best Serums
Now this is the category I knew I will struggle with because I love serums that pack a punch. Naturally, serums are meant to do that because they are designed to contain a high concentration of active ingredients that get absorbed and deliver skin benefits. I have different serums for different uses but right now I am concentrating on getting rid of all my hyper pigmentation so I am leaning towards those with such skin benefits. Based on that, my favourite serum has to be the Biologique Recherche Placenta Serum. Together with the  BR Lotion P50, I have seen a tangible difference in my skin. I took a little break to try out other skincare products but I am already back to the BR products. My other all time favourite serum has to be the Lancome Advanced Genifique Serum because it is hydrating, balancing, smoothing and helps with skin renewal. Other serums worth mentioning including the Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum*, The Ordinary Serums (Alpha Arbutin, Niacinamide and Alpha Lipoic Concentrate), CULT 51 Immediate Effect Serum* and the Institut Esthederm Intensive Retinol 2% Oil Serum*. I will talk a little bit more about my other serums in another post because I think they deserve a standalone post.


Best Day Cream
This was an easy category for me because these day creams stood out for me the entire year. The first is the CULT 51 Day Cream which I am obsessed with. It does everything you want in a moisturiser and more and my skin is always on its best behaviour whenever I stick to it. Other moisturisers I loved in 2017 were the Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Day Cream*, Vichy Slow Age*, Murad City Skin Overnight Detox Moisturiser* and the Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel Moisturiser*. They are hydrating, smoothing, refreshing and don't interfere with my makeup. They are perfect for many skin types (mine is combination oily & dehydrated) and they don't feel greasy at all which is a winning solution in my books.


Best Night Cream
For night creams, it was really easy to narrow down my choices because I only loved a few. Topping my list has to be the CULT 51 Night Cream* which I am still obsessed with. It is hydrating, smoothing, refreshing and gives a great glow especially the next morning. I can't fault this night cream except that it comes at a hefty price. If you keep an eye out on their social media channels you can hear about offers/deals. They also have mini sizes which is a good way to try out the brand.


Best Sunscreens
For many years, the La Roche Posay Anthelios Sunscreen XL has been featured in my yearly favourites and it still remains one of my top sunscreens. In 2017, I decided to give other sunscreens a chance and a few impressed me and some have even become favourites. Top of my list is the Institut Esthederm Bronze Repair*. I love everything about this sunscreen from the design of the packaging down to how well it works. It is non-greasy, easily absorbed and I know it protects my skin because my dark spots don't get any darker (this happens if I don't wear sunscreen mainly because I use a lot of skincare products that make the skin photosensitive such as AHAs, Vitamin C and Retinol). Another sunscreen worth mentioning is the Neutrogena Hydroboost Hydrating Lotion with SPF 25* which I am surprised about. I have been using it more towards the end of the year and I still find myself reaching for it even till now. I think it is such a great budget option for a sunscreen as it is hydrating, does not give off a whitish/bluish cast and works well to protect the skin.


Best Products for Acne/Hyperpigmentation
I feel like I could write a whole book regarding dealing with hyper pigmentation issues and I know I am not  alone on this subject. I have tried many skin care products and I am making progress which is being documented. Of course, I will be sharing all my experience when I arrive at the results I am aiming for. One of the products which has impressed me in this regard is the Biologique Rechercher Serum Placenta. I just finished all my tiny samples and now I am moving onto the bottle I purchased back in October. For breakouts (which I am getting less of now - thank God for that), I always turn to La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo* and Effaclar A.I. Targeted Breakout Corrector. They always work for me and I have used them for many years now without fail. They are my HG products and have been featured countless times on this blog an even yearly favourites. For helping with hyper pigmentation, I still love the Alpha Intensive Rejuvenating Serum which contains 14% Glycolic Acid. This is not for the fainthearted but it works really well. The only snag is that it is sold only in the US but it is very affordable. The Oskia Renaissance Bright Light Serum was a recent purchase but I enjoyed it. I loved it mainly for the extra radiance it gave my skin. Lastly, I loved my Murad Intensive C Radiance Peel* which I saved for when my skin was playing up. It works wonders and provides immediate results (super radiance and fresher skin).

Skincare Brands Worth Mentioning
I just wanted to give a mighty shout out to some skincare brands I tried out in 2017. I dedicated time (at least a month) to try out these brands exclusively to see how well they worked and they blew me away. Some of these brands include CULT 51, Murad Skincare, Biologique Recherche, Neutrogena Hydroboost, Jurlique and The Ordinary. I am not always a one brand skincare type of girl but I sometimes think there are merits to sticking to one brand at a time. I really enjoyed and still enjoying these products. If you made it to the end, a massive thank you for doing so. I hope you enjoyed this post and do keep an eye out for my Best in Beauty 2017 Makeup Edition coming soon once I get around to editing my photos. It will be a long post because I loved a lot of makeup products. What was your one favourite Beauty Product in 2017?
*PR Sample + Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here.

Christmas Gift Guide- Stocking Fillers

I am so happy I am finally writing this post as I love to read Christmas Gift Guides. I almost didn't do one this year but there are some amazing gift options that I could not resist talking about them. I always want my Christmas Gift Guides to work as Gift Guides and Wish lists and I hope you see them that way too. I do have to mention that these stocking fillers cover all budgets so majority of them are affordable (under £15 and under £25) while a few are a bit expensive (with great quality though). Without much ado, I am just going to dive in....



                                                                     Skincare 
Most people will agree that skincare tends to be slightly expensive however some brands still have amazing stuff at affordable prices. One of such brands is Deciem who own The Ordinary. I love The Ordinary products and I have purchased quite a few products and enjoyed them. I particularly think their serums will make great stocking fillers because they look pristine, have great quality and actually work on various skin tones. I think a good all round serum is the Hyaluronic Acid  2% +B5 //£5.90 Link which is not in this photo. If your loved one is struggling with blemishes, you can check out the Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA//£7.00 and Lactic Acid + HA //£5.80 Link. For matured skin, I would recommend trying out the Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalene// £11.95 which helps with cell renewal and is less irritating compared to the other versions of retinol. Skincare is very tricky to get as a gift but you know your loved one best and can choose something that works.


If you are not keen to try out any intense skincare products, I will suggest trying out the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel //£16 (mini) which has the cutest packaging ever. I actually prefer the mini size packaging to the full size. These mini size (40ml) usually comes packaged in a Christmas cracker but this year I think it just has its own packaging. It is such a great cleansing balm and removes all my makeup. I believe it will work well for all skin types and it is very travel friendly.






Lastly, I have the Glossier Phase 1 Set //£35 which is such a gorgeous gift for anyone. It is not necessarily a stocking filler but you could buy the products individually to make nice stocking fillers. The Balm Dotcom//£10 is one of their best selling universal skin salve which can work both on the lips and any part of your body that feels dry. I love that this balm comes in a variety of shades/flavours but my favourite one is Cherry. Another great stocking filler is definitely the Milky Jelly Cleanser//£15 which has been the rave for a long time. It works out cheaper if you buy the set (and you get free shipping) however as a stocking filler, you could buy the products individually. They always offer some discounts and if you go through my code, you get 10% off 



                                                                      Makeup
For the festive season, I am all about makeup. I opt for brighter colours/shades without any shame and I absolutely love it. I will talk more about high end makeup in my Luxury Gift Guide post coming soon. However, I found some gems which I wanted to share with you. The first is the My Sign- The Elements (Fire) Eyeshadow Palette //£6. Last year, I talked about My Sign Makeup (which is produced by TAM Beauty/Makeup Revolution). I got the Color Wheel (Capricorn) last year with the matching lip shade and I have loved it through this year.



I was super delighted to see that they were launching four new eyeshadow palettes- Fire, Earth, Water and Air which match to zodiac signs. I chose the shade Fire because it had my name written all over it. It has such great quality, intense pigmentation and an amazing lasting power. It's only £6 and it seriously does not get better than this. For a stocking filler, I think it makes the perfect gift!!



 If you have a little more money to spend, I will suggest checking out the Stila Star Studded Eight All Day Liquid Lipstick Set*//£45 *blows whistle*. I cannot even describe how excited I was to get this in the post. It contains 8 beautiful Stila All Day Liquid Lipsticks in the most gorgeous wearable shades. I can't think of any shade in this set that I won't wear. There are even two limited edition shades- Beso Shimmer and Patina Shimmer which have such beautiful shimmer effect. The pigmentation of these lipsticks are intense and lipsticks are long lasting too. They are very forgiving on dry lips and they stay on even when I eat. I actually prefer the mini sizes to the full size because I never really get to finish lip products so mini sizes work best. The set costs £45 which is quite expensive for a stocking filler but you get 8 fantastic shades including two new shades. It can work as a stocking filler for your friends (one or more for each special friend) or gift the set to a very special person. If you don't want to spend £45, they have a set of 3 Liquid Lipsticks for £20// link which is very affordable for a stocking filler.  They also have other beautiful Christmas gift sets here and many are selling out so if you see anything you want, just purchase it. I am still so gutted that I missed out on the Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow Sets here


                                                              Makeup Tools
I feel like makeup tools and technique can make or break a makeup look. When I got into makeup, I decided to invest in good makeup tools and it totally changed my makeup game. One of the first brands I purchased tools from was Real Techniques and till this date, they are one of the my favourite makeup brush companies ever. I have almost all the brushes they have launched except a few new ones. I popped into Boots the other day and spotted these cute mini brushes. I squealed and purchased a few products- Dual-Ended Expert Sponge //£5.99 and Mini Expert Face Brush// £5.99 (you can find it near the till in Boots or Superdrug as I can't find a link online). I also picked up back ups of my other brushes which were on offer. I feel these tools will make amazing stocking fillers for that loved one that loves makeup/ applying makeup on the go.



There's no way I can ever talk about makeup tools without talking about Beauty Blenders. I still maintain that they make the best Beauty Blenders/Sponges out there. I have quite a few sets from them which may look expensive but you are getting a great deal. I have the All About Face Kit*//£35 and the Summer Fling Set*//£40. If you don't want to get a set, you can try out the Original Beauty Blender //£16. I just got the black one (Pro Black) and love it so much. If you have a loved one who loves Beauty Blenders, they will be so happy to receive the Beauty Blender Liquid Cleanser //£15 which is a life-saver for my beauty blenders. It keeps all my Beauty Blenders so clean and I know any beauty lover will appreciate this because it can be used for other regular makeup brushes too.


Lastly, I have the Fenty Beauty Precision Makeup Sponge //£13 which I purchased recently because I am a big fan of Fenty Beauty. I love how well packaged this beauty sponge is . It is quite affordable and has such a unique shape compared to the other Beauty blenders.




                                                                Body Care
If you are regular reader of this blog or you follow me on Instagram, you would know I am a huge fan of Roger & Gallet. I love their  body care, fragrance and their skin care. They just make everything so perfect and I personally think they are very underrated given the quality of their products. I already featured their Perfumed Soaps in this post but I wanted to talk about them again because they are one of the best stocking filler items for this season. These Roger & Gallet Perfumed Soaps can be purchased individually*//£6.50 or in a set of 3 // £15. Whichever you choose, they are beautifully packaged and I can't get enough of them. I also love their hand creams especially the Bois D'Orange Hand Cream*//£6.50 which usually comes in a Christmas cracker.


If you have a loved one who prefers natural products, I will highly recommend checking out the Kind Natured products. I have a  review of some products I have tried. They are very moisturising, natural (at least 95% natural) and affordable. They also have a good variety of products to choose from including Body washes, Body scrubs, Shampoos, Conditioners, Bath soaks, Moisturisers, etc. They also smells so gorgeous and my favourite is the Coconut & Monoi which smells heavenly. Their products start from £5.99 and you can not tell because they look great and work so well.


                                                             Hand Creams
If you have a loved one who loves hand creams, I highly recommend the Molton Brown Hand Creams* //£10. I have used different ones year on year and repurchase quite a few because they just work so well. They look so beautiful on the desk, in your hand bag or even in the car and I love refreshing my hands with them. They come in beautifully wrapped gift sets for £28 which is super affordable. For stocking fillers, you can either buy them individually or as a gift set of 3 for a loved one as a proper Christmas gift.


                                                                 Hair Care
This year, I got to try quite a few hair care products which have impressed me. The great thing is these brands have their Christmas gift sets or Christmas crackers so you can purchase these products as their full size or the mini sizes. For this post, I have used the full sizes because that's what I currently have. The first brand I highly recommend has to be Aveda which is a brand I have enjoyed so much especially in the past two years. Their products have such great quality and the ethos behind the brand is very impressive. Their ingredients are well chosen and this reflects in the quality of the products. My current favourite range is the Pramasana range (review here) which I have spoken about on the blog. It has helped my scalp so much and I will definitely repurchase when I run out. I love how compact the packaging of this range is and can fit into nice Christmas stocking.




If you have a loved one that loves hair styling, I will highly recommend checking out the Aveda Texture Tonic* //£21 and Thickening Tonic*//£21 which add lovely volume to the hair. For the loved one that has colour in their hair, I will recommend the After Sun Hair Masque*//£24 and Sun Care Protective Hair Veil* //£22.50 which help protect the hair as well as the colour. For the loved one who is always busy, I will recommend the Aveda Shampure Thermal Dry Conditioner* //£26 which is an absolute hair saviour. I love how cute these products are and I can't think of anyone who won't be delighted to find them in their Christmas stockings. The great thing is that they also come in travel sizes smaller than the ones in this blog post so they still work out well as great stocking fillers for any budget.


The second hair care brand I love is OUAI. I just cannot get over my love for this brand and I have introduced my friends to the OUAI (way-->pun intended all the way). They have a huge selection of cult products to choose from and for stocking fillers I think their styling products are amazing. I got to try the OUAI Rose Hair and Body Oil* //£26  which I am so obsessed with because it smells incredible. I love that it can be used both on the body and hair and feels very lightweight without feeling greasy.


The OUAI Wave Spray* //£22  will be a winner for that loved one who likes looking effortless with beautiful waves in their hair. This spray really helps the waves last longer and can be used to either style, hold and refresh the waves.  I also have the OUAI Hair Oil // £24 which is one of the best hair oils I have ever tried (this is my second bottle and will happily repurchase again when I run out. It just brings my hair back to life and can be used in a variety of ways. I believe OUAI have these products in mini sizes and as gift sets which will also make great stocking fillers. The full sizes are also the perfect size for any Christmas stocking.


Lastly, I have the Sachajuan Ocean Mist* // £18 which is one of their best selling products and I totally understand why. First off, it has beautiful packaging and sprays with a fine mist. It is excellent at styling waves and preserving waves to look perfect and effortless the next day. I have used this on my natural hair and extensions and it works so well. It will make a great stocking filler for a loved one who loves effortless waves.

                                                           Fragrance
I always get fragrances during Christmas and on my birthday because they are pretty special. I will feature a few fragrances in my upcoming Luxury Beauty Gift Guide however I wanted to talk about these Woods of Windsor Fragrances Link. They are one of the few fragrances that are affordable and good quality. They retail for £11.99 each (currently on offer for 1/3rd off) so that's such a great deal. I love their new revamped packaging complete with the gorgeous illustrations and they will make excellent stocking fillers. For EDTs, they do last quite a decent amount of time and I love the blend of ingredients used in each fragrance. My three favorite scents are the Blue Orchid & Water Lily*, White Jasmine*and Pomegranate & Hibiscus* 



I also could not resist throwing in their recently launched Blackberry & Thyme range (from £4.66 ) which is part of their Gardeners Collection. The fragrance is so unique and I absolutely love it. It has a slight festive scent to it so it will make a perfect gift this season. It is my current hand wash in my bathroom and I am enjoying it so much . The range comes with a Hand Wash, Exfoliator Hand Scrub and Hand Cream. For the quality you get, I think it will make an amazing stocking filler especially for someone who just moved houses or purchased a new house.


I hope you enjoyed this post and you have found some great options for stocking fillers for loved ones. I have a couple more Christmas Gift Guides planned so keep your eyes peeled for them. See you in my next post. What's your favourite product from this post?...xx
*Gifted PR Samples + Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here