Winter-Spring Transition Skincare

The current weather in London is definitely deceptive as it is sunny but remains super cold with bursts of wind here and there. I know Spring is officially here but I can’t wait until it becomes permanently Spring. I usually switch up my skincare with the weather which always changes my skin in one way or the other . On a good day, my skin is combination/oily with a shiny T-zone and I tend to reach for products that are hydrating and moisturising. I would avoid anything that makes my face dewy or shiny. However, the winter-spring transition season makes my skin feel super dehydrated and even dry in some areas which is not the best. I thought I might share some of these skincare gems with you all as I feel they would also work well for people with dry/dehydrated skin. Right let's dive in as it's a long one...

Makeup Removers

Many makeup removers may leave the skin dry or stripped so I tend to reach for products that are more nourishing. My micellar waters are more commonly used during the warmer season while my balms and oils are for the colder months. For removing my makeup, I am obsessed with my Fake Bake Beauty Cleansing Melt* (£17.50) which removes my makeup with the littlest effort. I love how it melts into my skin and leaves it nourished while removing my makeup. Sometimes, I use my cleansing oils and my current favourite is the L’Oreal Skin Perfection Cleansing Oil. (£7.99) I love how light it feels and it does a spanking job at getting rid of all my makeup, dirt and grease ready for my second cleanse. I have recently been trying out the Clarins Anti-Pollution Cleansing Milk (£19.00) which is just perfect after a day commuting in London. It is super gentle and takes off my makeup really well without stripping my skin. I think this is one cleansing milk that would suit every skin tone. Lastly is my favourite weekend makeup remover/cleanser - The Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (£15.50). It still remains one of the best hot cloth cleansers I have tried in ages. It removes my makeup so well with either the muslin cloth or a flannel (run under hand hot water). It is the closest to a spa-like feeling in my opinion and I think it is suitable for all skin types. 


Eye Makeup Removers
I still stick to my Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover (£20) all year round because it is amazing at removing my eye makeup. It removes all kinds of makeup including the difficult waterproof makeup. However, I have been using two other eye makeup removers on days when I don't wear heavy or waterproof eye makeup. The first one is one is the L'Oreal Gentle Eye Makeup Remover (£3.99) which I have spoken about on here so many times. It is one of the best drug store eye makeup removers I have come across. I have also been really loving the Grown Alchemist Eye Makeup Remover* (£19.00) with Azulene and Tocopherol. It is a milky eye makeup remover which is so gentle and I am so surprised at how effective it is at removing even waterproof eye makeup. It is small but very effective and I absolutely love it.

Cleansers

I always do a double cleanse because I am aware that removing my makeup is not the same as cleansing. Even on days I don’t wear makeup, I would at least wipe my face with a micellar water to remove any dirt from the atmosphere. If you don’t remove your makeup first and dive in with a cleanser, you would only succeed in redistributing the dirt around your face without the cleanser working. I have four cleansers which have knocked my socks off. The first cleanser (as you can see from the photo) has been well loved to bits and it’s none other than the Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser* (£29). This cleanser is the perfect one for all skin types especially with the current transition weather. It goes on so smoothly and feels very moisturising. The texture is beautifully creamy and does not strip my skin at all. I reach for it both morning and night and it works well . I have spoken about the Foreo Cleansers here so I won't dwell too much on it. I use the Foreo Day Cleanser* (£25) during the day and it is just the most indulgent thing I can offer my skin in the morning. Its creamy yoghurt-like texture just removes any left-over oils from the night before and gets my skin ready for the day. I love to use my Foreo Night Cleanser (£30) at night because it is designed to give the skin a perfect cleanser after a long day at work/school/outside, etc.  Last but not least is my La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel* (£11) which I absolutely love. The gel like texture feels very refreshing and it’s perfect for day and night. I tend to reach for it more on days when my skin is acting up because I know it would address any issues. I pair all these with cleansers with my Foreo Lunas because they help me get a more thorough cleanse. All these cleansers are non-stripping and I think that’s really essential for this season when you want to preserve as much moisture and natural oils on your skin.

Toners

One good way of introducing a glow to mask any skin dullness is through using a toner. I feel like toners are still underrated but they work so well if you choose the right one. I have three current favourite toners which are gentle and effective. The first one is the Grown Alchemist  Balancing Toner* (£22) which contains Rose Otto, Ginseng and Chamomile which is amazing at hydrating, soothing and refreshing the skin. I love this formula so much and I use this after using an acid toner. The second toner is a new entrant to my stash but I am already in love with it. It’s the Clarins Toning Lotion (£19) which is perfect for combination/oily skin. It is as gentle as you can get and also hydrates, refreshes and preps my skin ready for the rest of my skincare. I love Clarins products because they always deliver good results. Last but not the least is the Pixi Glow Tonic (£18) which I love. It’s not necessarily the gentlest or the most hydrating of the lot but it is one of the most gentle and effective AHA acid toners I've tried. It contains Ginseng, Aloe Vera and Glycolic Acid and I love how it gently exfoliates my skin. It gives my skin such a natural glow which lasts longer provided I follow up with other amazing skincare products.

Serums

I have built up quite a stash of serums which have been super effective for my skin. I love me a good serum and I find that’s one way to treat your skin as serums are quite concentrated. The first on my radar is the La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Serum* (£19) which I absolutely love and it is without doubt one of the most hydrating serums I have tried. It hydrates my skin so well and its effective are long lasting so it does not really matter what the weather decides to do. Another serum I love is the Grown Alchemist Detox Antioxidant Serum* (£39) which is just incredible. It feels just like water but a whole lot better and it refreshes my skin. It is so perfect for prepping the skin for the day. The third serum is the Body Shop Drops of Youth Serum* (£25) which is also one of my favourites for this season. This is a glow boosting serum which also has hydrating properties as well. It’s so easy to use and I love how smooth my skin feels afterwards. The last but not least is my REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot Serum (£36) which adds a youthful glow to my skin especially when the weather is threatening to steal it all away.

Day Creams and Night Creams (Moisturisers)
Once my serums are working their wonders, I reach for moisturisers. Again, I always aim for moisturisers that are hydrating and glow boosting with a smoothing effect. The first moisturiser which I have been reaching for is the La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra* (£11) which leaves my skin very soft and hydrated. It goes so perfectly with the La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Serum* and there is no dryness to be seen through the day. The second moisturiser/primer hybrid is the Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentrate (£13) which is a multi purpose skincare product. It can be used in various ways but I save it for days when I want everything really minimal. It works as a lovely moisturiser and provides a really good base for my makeup.  For days when my skin needs an extra boost, I reach for the Body Shop Drops of Youth Cream* (£20) which does everything. It is hydrating, glow boosting and contains salicylic acid to help keep my pores clear. I really highly recommend giving this a try if you want a multi-acting product for this season. Last but not the least is the Vichy Skin Sleep* (£20) which was a favourite last year and I still love it. I use this mainly at night and it makes my skin look so fresh and radiant the next morning. I am always tempted to use this during the day because I love its beautiful silky texture. I have to mention that I use these moisturisers for both day and night except for the Vichy Skin Sleep which I use mainly at night. 

Facial Oils 
I have been a huge fan of oils lately and my skin is absolutely loving it. I have three oils that I have been rotating because they serve various purposes. The first is the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Oil* (£29) which I have been testing out. It is definitely one of the lightest oils I have used in a really long time and it's ideal to use in the morning. I love that it can be used on the face, hair and body but I stick to using it mainly on my face. It is the perfect Winter-Spring Transition oil and my skin has such a beautiful glow each time I use it. The next two oils are mainly for my night time skincare because they are super nourishing and slightly heavier for day time (because I have combination oily skin). The first on the line is the Grown Alchemist Antioxidant Facial Oil* (£25) which contains Rosehip and Camellia Seed Oil and it has been an absolute saviour to my skin. It has been instrumental in clearing some hyper-pigmentation on my cheeks. I love using a few drops with the pipette and it's one of my favourite oils. The last but definitely not the least is the Balance Me Radiance Face Oil* which I have been reaching for on colder nights. My skin gets dry when the temperature drops at night and I find that the Balance Me Radiance Face Oil* (£30) helps seal any moisture /hydration from my serums. I always have a lovely glow in the morning which I look forward to. I still have a lot left because you only need the littlest amount and I love the pipette which minimises any wastage. I am obsessed with anything with pipettes (it's crazy!!)

Masks
I have not been going too crazy with my masks because I have just been sticking to only two masks. In the past, I always have a regular mask and one for acne but my skin has been on its best behaviour lately. I have been focused on introducing some glow to my skin to cancel out any dullness which accompanies this transition weather. The two masks are from REN and I am absolutely in love with them. The first is the REN  Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask (£32) which is by far one of the best glow boosting masks I have tried. It contains Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid which help with gently exfoliating the skin to reveal fresh and radiant skin. I use this every week or so and I love it. The second mask is the REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial (£32) which is my quick fix mask. You only need to have it on for a couple of minutes and it adds some radiance to the skin. If you are pressed for time or you are really tired after a long day, I really recommend trying this mask as it works so well for this season.


Lip Care
One of the things I dislike about this weather is how dry my lips and hands get.I won't be talking about my hands today because I have a full post here on all my hand creams. For Lips, I just reach for products that work quickly and effectively. The first is the Lanolips 101 Ointment Lip Balm* (£10.99)which is one of the best I have tried in a long while. It is made from Lanolin so it has super nourishing properties for dry, chapped and cracked lips. I mainly use this at night as it sits slightly heavy on my lips. The second is the By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Balm (£39) which I absolutely love. I use this almost every morning because it preps my skin for my lipstick or lip product. It is pricey but believe me, it would last forever. I have not made a significant dent and it's been six months of consistent use. 

Body Care 

Before we transitioned to Spring (or the faux Spring weather we are blessed with), I was always using Body Oils because they feel very nourishing. However, I have recently switched to my Body Butters and Balms. I can't decide which one I love the most from this lot so I have featured them all. The first is from the Body Shop Polynesia Body Balm (I think it may have been discontinued)  which I love because it just melts into my skin and smells so lovely. The next Body Butter is the Roger and Gallet (Fleur de Figuier) Precious Body Butter* (£17) and it is just so gorgeous. This is my pick me up Body Butter and I have been reaching for it more as the weather is changing. It smells so lovely and I also reach for my Fleur de Figuier Fragrance* as well to maximise the fragrance. Last but not least is the Fake Bake Beauty Dolce Dreams Body Whip* which smells like a Lemon Meringue (no seriously, it totally does). This is the lightest in texture of the lot and I reserve this for pamper days and weekends. It's just a lovely treat for my skin and it really keeps my skin moisturised.

Overall Thoughts
I know it seems like a lot of products (which it is) but I love to switch up my skincare and body care when I can. Of course, there are some products that always feature in my stash but I am so thankful that I can change it up every now and again. I think I would be sticking to these products even when Spring shows up properly. That's all my Winter-Spring Transition Skincare faves. What are your must have for this season?
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What's new in the Drugstore? (Boots and Superdrug)

I am sure many people, including me, love the drug store especially for their new releases. I remember back in the days drugs store brands released far fewer products. I still think the US drug stores are way better than the UK ones but I am glad our drug store brands are improving. So, there I was having a nice mooch around Superdrug and Boots and checking out what's new.There are so many new releases that it is quite difficult to keep up but I am loving them. I picked up a few products that I loved especially from brands that cater to a wide a range of skin tones. Anyway, I found some amazing gems which I am so delighted about and I can't wait to share them with you all. I also filmed a video if you fancy seeing these products rather than pictures. The video can be found here and below:

Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Caramel// Link // £12.99
I know you all thinking "erm Revlon ColorStay has been there for a while" yes, indeed but it never had a pump. Now, Revlon Color Stay foundation has a pump and you guys can't even understand how delighted I am. I had put off purchasing it for a log time despite hearing so many amazing things about it. I finally gave in and purchased it because I could not resist and the rest is history. Anyway, I absolutely love it and I am so happy it now has a pump. I dislike foundations without pumps as they are so messy and difficult to control. Anyway, I picked up my usual shade Caramel even though I still have some left from my previous bottle. Having an extra bottle would definitely come in handy so check it out if you were waiting for Revlon to finally add a pump. Thankfully, they have not messed around with the formula as it is still the same.




Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Colour// Link //£8.99
I think these lip colours may have come out earlier this year and I had it on my wish list but never got around to purchase it. I got it half price as I purchased it at the same time as the Revlon Colorstay Foundation and that's why I love the drug store. There is always one amazing deal or the other going on. Revlon is one brand I really like and I have enjoyed all the products I have purchased from them. I believe there are up to 8 (or more) shades within the Ultra HD Matte Lip Colours but I picked up the shade Seduction. I got this shade because I know I would get a lot of use from it. First off, it smells so lovely just like candies or something sweet (but not sickly sweet). It has such a beautiful texture as it is not too matte at all and it's not too drying as well. It just sits so right on my lips and I even forget it is there. I think I definitely need to go back and get more shades. It has a good lasting power on the lips but I don't mind reapplying. I am a huge fan and it's definitely one to check out.



MaxFactor Facefinity All Day Flawless Foundation// Link // £12.99
Now this is another foundation that has been around for a long time. I have to admit I only have ever purchased only one MaxFactor product (The Creme Puff Blush) because their bases never catered for darker skin tones. However, they have woken up to smell the coffee (and cocoa) and they finally released a couple of shades for darker skin. Halleluya!! I actually picked this up back in January or February and it's one of my favourite drug store foundations. I need to do a quick review of it sometime soon. I picked up the shade Toffee 90 and it is a good match for my complexion. There are even a couple of shades darker than mine which I think is incredible. So, a big well done to MaxFactor and I am looking forward to trying more products from them.





Barry M Chisel Cheeks Contour Kit (for Medium to Dark Skin Tones)// Link //£6.49
I remember when this Barry M Contour Kit was launched last year and I really wanted to try it but alas! it was too light. Anyway, they recently released another shade for Medium to Dark Skin Tones and I absolutely love it. I picked it up quickly to try it and at first, I was a bit meh about it. However, I found out that I was not using it the right way. I thought the middle shade would not show up on my skin and I used the darkest shade (which looked ashy and muddy on me). I finally decided to try out the middle shade and voila!! it was perfect. I could not believe my silly self and right now, I use it every day. I also love the peach highligting shade which is perfect for setting my under eye concealer as it has a realistic brightening effect which I love. It particularly pairs well with the Bourjois Radiance Reveal Concealer which I would be talking about below.




Bourjois Radiance Reveal Concealer// Link //£7.99
I have to say Bourjois is one brand I buy the least from because their base products (foundations, concealers and powders) do not cater for darker skin tones. I do like their eyeshadow sticks and lip products and I have a few of them. Anyway, I spied that they had a somewhat darker shade for the Radiance Concealer so I proceeded to test it out (a swatch in-store). It looked like a good match so I purchased it and there was only one left so I promptly grabbed it. I got the shade Dark Beige 3 and at first I was alarmed because I tend to stay away from anything beigey (as it always looks ashy on me). Anyway, I tried it out and I have to say it looks lovely and has a brightening effect on my eyes. It has a peachy undertone which really helps with dark under eye circles, etc. It also has a lovely light texture with minimal creasing. I always set it with a setting powder (usually the Barry M Contour Kit Highlight which matches it so well). I do have to mention that if you are darker than me, it may come up looking slightly ashy. To combat it, you can set it with a yellowish powder or a skin tone powder. I did not expect it to like it this much but I do. I still wish they could release more shade for darker skin tones as they do have some lovely products.





Rimmel London Sculpting Palette// Link // £6.99 (currently £4.99 in Boots)
I had checked the Rimmel counter a little while ago but I didn't see anything I fancied until I spied this beauty last week. I was like where did this come from? Basically, Rimmel London have launched their first sculpting palette which was designed by Kate Moss (according to the Rimmel London). I was very impressed to see that there were three shades and I am glad there was one for darker skin tones. I got the Golden Bronze 003 Palette which has a higlighter, contour and blush.  I just love all the sections in this palette as they are perfect for my skin tone. The contour section is actually a proper shade for darker skin tones and I think this would be my new fave palette. The blush reminds me of Sleek's Rose Gold Blush and the highlighter is also great. I do wish the packaging was a little more sturdy as I feel this may break if I am not careful. Nevertheless, I think this is such a great buy and I am very impressed with Rimmel lately especially when it comes to expanding their shades to suit other skin tones. They also have two darker shades in their Rimmel Match Foundation and their Rimmel Kate Nude lipsticks.



L'Oreal Color Riche La Palette Lips// Link //£12.99
I already spoke about these Lip Palettes here so I won't dwell on them. I just want to say they are definitely one of the best things I have ever bought from the drug store. Okay, let me rephrase that- the best lip products I have ever bought from the drug store. Yes, that sounds so much better. The packaging is so lush and I love to whip it out to touch up. There are two shades available to purchase- Nude and Red. The colours in these lip palettes cater to many skin tones including darker skin tones which I am most delighted about. I think these palettes would be amazing for anyone who is looking to have all their lipsticks in one place. I know I would be travelling with these for short weekend trips as it is so compact. I love that you can mix and match the shades and create your own customised colour. I highly recommend checking them out!!



Makeup Revolution British Beauty Blogger Eyeshadow Palette //Link //£9.99
Ladies and Gents, have you ever come across a palette as gorgeous and affordable as this? Me neither!! When I saw this palette on Jane from British Beauty Blogger's Periscope and Instagram, I told myself I need it in my life when it launches. Immediately, she posted that it was now available I was on the website with the speed of light. The palette is called Fortune Favours the Brave and it is such a befitting name for this palette. It is a very beautiful and practical palette and I can't imagine anyone not loving this palette. The shades are gorgeous and they are nicely pigmented. The packaging is splendid and I just love this palette so much. Of course, I have a full review coming very soon so watch out for it. (I have been a little ill so please bear with me if I slack a little on the blog). There are 30 eyeshadows in this palette with various finishes- matte, baked, shimmer, etc. I seriously can't believe it is only £9.99. Like how is this even possible?. I would still have purchased it even if it was £20 as it is so worth it and more. I don't think it is available in many Superdrug stores but you can find it online (which is where I bought mine from).




Overall Thoughts
That's all the products from the drug store I have been enjoying. I highly recommend checking them out. Also, if you have any products that you have been loving from the drug store, leave them below in the comments section so we can all check them out. Thanks for reading and see you in my next post. What new products from the drug store have you been picking up and/or loving?
Affiliate links, read my full disclaimer here.

Beauty Resolutions for 2016

I know many people make resolutions at the beginning of the year but I have left mine for later because I find that I stick to them when I have tested them out for a short time. Many of these beauty resolutions or things I want to change don't bother me a lot but I would be glad if I experience an improvement. One of these resolutions is not beauty related per say as it is more of wellbeing and I know quite a few women have this issue as well. Right, let me stop rambling and get on with the post. Do let me know in the comment box what beauty resolutions you have, planning to start or have been done and dusted.

1. Minimise Bloating around my stomach
 I have to admit this has been a recent development like towards the end of last year. I know that bloating is somewhat a health related issue and it can happen at different times of the month. My bloating is just very naughty and has been happening rather frequently which is why I have adopted some new lifestyle changes to reduce any incidences. I have a whole post on bloating which I would post later this week. When my period is approaching, I find that I could potentially get bloated but if I am mindful and take care of my body, I don't get too bloated. One new change I have incorporated to my lifestyle is trying out the  OptiBac Probiotics One Week Flat*. I actually received this in December which would have been perfect for the festive bloat but I decided to use it in February instead. I have to say I am very impressed and I used to have little faith in any bloating reduction claims. OptiBac Probiotics 'One Week Flat' is a food supplement which contains natural bacteria (live cultures) in powdered sachets.




They can be taken daily as a one week course or a monthly course. I had the one-week course and I really enjoyed using it. I was really excited to try this and I am happy to report that I saw a good difference. I took it every morning with breakfast by dissolving it in a glass of water. It does not taste like anything at all which I was pleased about. It just dissolves almost clear and I just drink it like I would a regular glass of water. The first day I noticed that I did not feel bloated after my lunch (because that's when I usually feel bloated). I was super impressed but keen to see if it would last long (and it did). I was consistent for the next few days and I got the same amazing results every day which I loved. At the end of the seven day course, I felt so much lighter, less bloated and happy with myself. I still have less bloating even though I have completed the 7-day course. I have to mention I also upped my exercise and drank more water to ensure I maximised the effects. The best part is I still don't feel as bloated as I used to which I attribute to OptiBac Probiotics 'One Week Flat' for at least helping kick start the whole process. It is suitable for vegetarians, gluten free, yeast free, flavourless, no artificial colours and safe for pregnancy. I can't fault at all and I would recommend giving it a shot if you are looking to kick start bloating reduction. As always, it is best to consult a doctor before use if you have any serious medical conditions. You can purchase OptiBac Probiotics 'One Week Flat' from their website here , check out their stockist here or Superdrug and the OptiBac Probiotics 'One Week Flat' retails for £8.99. 




2. Grow out my brows (and lashes)// Link //£15.00

I am not a hairy girl at all and I have never actually shaved my legs (I know this would surprise many people but I am really not hairy at all). This is mainly because there is barely anything on there and I think I inherited this from my Mum. I am surprised my 'fro is actually quite healthy and grown out. The downside of not having a lot of hair is that there is also little growth in areas where you indeed need and want hair. My eyebrows and lashes are some areas of my body where I would like more hair but alas! they have a mind (and growth) of their own. I recently started using the Shavata Brow Strengthener* (£15.00) and I have to say I am seriously impressed. It is made of 100% Organic Castor Oil and it comes in the cutest tube ever which allows for easy dispensing. It retails for £15 which may be classed as expensive as it can be argued that it’s just Castor Oil but I beg to differ. It’s not very easy to get certified Organic Castor Oil as there are many dodgy ones on the market that claim to be organic but they are not. I think it is amazing to find a reputable source. Also, I find that the tube complete with a roller ball makes it super easy to dispense and less messy. I can travel with this and pop it in my bag without fear of any wastage or spillage.




Although I was kindly sent this tube, I would definitely repurchase it when it runs out. I have seen such amazing results with my brows especially in areas where there were some sparse growth. I had my brows threaded and they are all grown back in a  super short time. They are not just grown back but they look healthy and I honestly cannot fault it. I even use it in my lashes and I have seen some improvements in the volume and slight improvement in the length. I doubt if I would ever be able to apply Castor Oil directly to my lashes/brows if it did not come in this lovely tube from Shavata. One thing I do have to mention is that you need to use it consistently to see sustained growth. I use mine at night as part of my skincare and it is does not feel heavy or greasy at all. It’s fantastic and I highly recommend trying it out.

3. Using a Facial Oil Frequently
I recently noticed that my skin looked its best last year when I incorporated facial oils in my night time skincare routine. Facial Oils are usually avoided by many because they feel greasy, messy and people fear it may break them out (particularly people with either oily skin or acne/blemish prone skin to both). Well, I am sure you may have heard this over and over again but oils do not necessarily break you out if you have oily/combination skin. Of course, it is best to use the best quality oil to get the best results. I have a few beautiful oils on rotation which I use it mainly at night and I love them. The Balance Me Radiance Face Oil* (£30) is one of my favourite oils and I love that it comes with a pipette because it allows for easy use/dispensing. It is a lightweight oil that also gets absorbed really well into my skin and works effectively. It is really lovely to use and it is 100% natural oil so you can be sure that nothing would be breaking you out. The second one in my stash is the Grown Alchemist Rosehip and Camellia Seed Oil* (£25) which I am currently obsessed with. It is what I describe as small but absolutely mighty and it has been helping with my hyper pigmentation. I would be posting a full review once I am done testing the entire range out. Last but not least is the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Oil* (£29) which I am also testing out. This has to be the lightest oil in my stash and it can be used both on the face, body and hair. It is light enough to be worn in the morning for that healthy glow but I do stick to it mainly at night. Facial Oils are a real game changer for my skin and I am keen to carry on with them even during summer (fingers crossed).

4. Taking Care of my Hands and Nails
I had no idea I go through so many hand creams until I recently looked through my Empties Box and saw loads of hand creams.  I have already written a whole post on my hand creams here. I have hand creams everywhere you can think of- My Night stand, Handbag, Desk at Home, Desk at work, Bathroom, etc. They are everywhere because my hands get super dry and during Winter I take extra care. I have been lucky to test out a wide range of Hand Creams and I am focusing on those that keep my hands and nails more moisturises for a longer time. One of my favourite hand creams for both hands and nails is the Elemental Herbology Hand Nutrition Cream* (£16). I love how beautiful it smells and I am quite pleased it works well on the nails and cuticles. The second hand cream I love is the Lanolips Antibacterial Hand Cream* (£9.99) which is absolutely amazing. It smells so beautiful and has a slim package that you can easily slip into your bag. Last but not least is the Amouage Fate Hand Cream* (£55). It is just divine and I love to use this at night. It's a very expensive hand cream but it is so worth it. It really keeps my hands very moisturised and my hands feel so soft in the morning. It is one of my feel good hand creams and I also use it for my pamper sessions.


5. Caring for my Eyes: 
I feel like taking care of my eyes goes beyond using an eye cream and all whatnots. This is more about ensuring my eyes are as healthy as possible utilising both lifestyle changes and skincare products. I don't particularly have dark under eyes circles and I am very lucky about this given that my eyes are subjected to quite a lot of stress. I also don't have eye bags and I intend to keep it that way and not cause further distress to my eyes. I do have some very fine lines around my eyes which are more like laugh lines because I am a laughing jackass. I know the infamous Resting Bitch Face (RBF) prevents wrinkles but I would choose fine lines and wrinkles that allegedly come with laughing a lot rather than a RBF . In terms of skincare, I have been very dedicated to using an eye cream for almost two years now (every morning and night) and I have seen such improvements in my under eye. Last year, I got a chance to try the FOREO Iris Eye Massager* (£99) and I have not looked back since. It's one of the best innovative devices I have tried and it gently makes my eye cream work even better. I have a full review of it here if you fancy a read. I have used the same eye creams for a long time (and repurchased them). The first is the L'Oreal Revitalift Eye Cream (£11.75) which is one of the best drug store versions I have tried and the second is the Lancome Pearl Light Eye Serum (£46). The latter is super expensive but absolutely worth it. I had the sample for a little while and it made a massive difference to my eyes.


That's pretty much some of my beauty and lifestyle resolutions for this year. I have actually been sticking to them for a good while so I feel confident writing and talking about them. I am keen to see if I continue with all of them through the year. I would love to hear what your beauty resolutions are. I hope you have had an amazing weekend so far and see you in my next post....xx
*PR Samples + Affiliate Links, read my full disclaimer here.