Elie Saab L'Eau Couture Perfume Review.

This is the second perfume I am purchasing this year after my long affair with Lancome La Vie est Belle showed signs of coming to an end. I am never one to buy perfumes because I usually receive them as gifts and I hada few fragrances gifted to me during my birthday and Christmas but I wanted (not needed) a new one. And this one had a very strong incentive aka Gift With Purchase I could not resist. I blame no one else but the sales lady who told me she would still give me the beautiful mint green makeup pouch even if I bought the 30 ml (it was only meant to be gifted to anyone who purchased 50 ml). I could not say no so here I am with a review...
P.S. I went  a little cray cray with the pictures; I shot the photos twice. First time when I purchased it right after work with very bad lighting and second time in day light but I liked most of the pictures so I included them.. :-)







Packaging

I would not say the packaging blew me away or anything of the sort but it is a pretty packaging. I secretly expected more but I am happy with it. As expected with anything that’s just 30 ml, it is very small but even looks smaller than the average 30 ml perfumes especially compared with my beloved Lancome La Vie estBelle 30 ml already reviewed here if you wanted to check it out. Being this small means it can fit into a clutch, a handbag or makeup bag really easily and portable to travel with. One striking feature with the Elie Saab La Couture perfume is the cap/lid. It is not flimsy at all and it has a small groove which fits securely with the bottle so there is no chance of accidentally dropping it if you picked it up by the lid.

Little History

Elie Saab Le Parfum L’Eau Couture is a flanker to the 2011 released Elie Saab Le Parfum Original although it is a much lighter and greener version than the former and without the strong woody/musky fragrance of the former.

Notes

When I smelt this fragrance, it was love at first whiff. I really liked how the notes had a nice chemistry on my skin even though I could not specifically identify any of the ingredients. You know, there are just some fragrances that you just like and this is one of them for me.. Notes of this fragrance include Bergamot, Orange Blossom, Green Almond and Vanilla with the every so slight hint of woody musk. From the ingredients, it is safe to deduce that it is a mixture of fruity and floral fragrances with its fruity side sinking in once it settles on the skin before it fades into the faint woody musk and orange blossom which I think is the main reason why I purchased it.

Who can wear this?

I think this scent is not one for teenagers or the very young as I think it gravitates towards matured ladies because of the aura of sophistication it confers on the wearer. It is the kind of scent a lady you admire would be wearing. It just makes me feel really classy when I wear it like I am in control (lol, like anyone is ever really in control though but you get my drift I hope).

Cost

I purchased this tiny 30 ml for a whooping £31 without any discount which is really sad but I got the loveliest mint makeup/beauty clutch ever. It is so beautiful and it comes in an even more beautiful package. I think that’s amazing. I doubt if I would have purchased this if it were not for this lovely free gift. You need some incentive sometimes to make a purchase and I am glad there was because I have fallen in love with this scent. It is ever so long lasting and it comes through all day.

Personal Thoughts

Regardless of the pastel colored beautiful makeup/beauty pouch, I love this fragrance and I am so glad that the pouch lured me to try it. It’s my kind of fragrance because it is long lasting and although I still love my Lancome La Vie est belle, I think it’s time to give it a rest as it is already coming to its end. Have you tried any perfume form the Elie Saab range?

The Luxury/High End Mascara Minis

I have a little confession: The only mascara I have bought is the Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara which I purchased because I had heard many good things about it and I think that's about the only Drug Store Mascara I have ever owned. The rest are high end brands but I did not purchase them ..not even 1. I got them all as free beauty samples from counters in Debenhams, Boots, House of Fraser, John Lewis and from friends. The majority of them came as gifts with purchase where I purchased an item from one of these high end brands and the mascara was given as sample for me to try which is why I have quite a few. Some are already finished but I decided to do a little/mini review on how I got on with them...so here goes...

Clinique High Impact Mascara: This came included in a gift with purchase when I bought the Clinique Anti-Blemish System Solution (reviewed here). I was very pleased because I had tried it a little while ago. From the name alone you can easily deduce that it would gives the lashes very good length and volume. It "grips"  and captures even the tiniest lashes with a few sweeps and makes your lashes look much longer and fuller with minimal clumping which endears it to my heart (and eyes too!).

YSL Baby Doll Mascara: This mascara had a very successful launch and campaign and I was really keen to try it but I was not willing to splurge without testing it. This sample came with a free gift with purchase from John Lewis which they were offering during Christmas last year if you bought any two products from either Lancome, Giorgio Armani and YSL. I was a little sceptical about using it because the brushes seems to be designed for volumising and I was not after that but I was so wrong. It is indeed a volumising mascara but with a difference because you get both a good length and volume. The bristles are designed in a way to get right to the bottom of your lashes to ensure that the right amount of mascara coat gets on your lashes without any smudges or clumping. I love this.

Estee Lauder Lash Multiplying Mascara: I have no idea why Estee Lauder love really long names for their products..it's a bit tiresome for my lazy fingers to type..lol. I got this along with a free gift with purchase recently which I featured here when I bought the Estee Lauder High Coverage Concealer (reviewed here). I really like the wand of this mascara because it is different from others; it is like a cone shape with its end tapering in a nice way. This design means the tiny lashes can be emphasised along with the normal ones. It is a volumising mascara but it really lengthens the lashes as well.

Chanel Sublime De Chanel Mascara: I got this free when I purchased my Chanel Les Beiges Powder (reviewed here). The wand is a little similar to the YSL one but the bristles are more closely placed. This is a very good all rounder. It gives volume, length and separates the lashes so no case of clumping. The shade is deep black so it is really dark which is nice especially if you are going for the smoky look although it is such a pain to remove. I love it still and it is one of my favourites.

Bobbi Brown Smoky Eye Mascara: Dear Bobbi Brown, I love all your products and they are easy to use but this smoky eye mascara requires too much effort. I really liked this mascara which I got from a lovely colleague at work. It's designed for the smoky eye look as the name implies which is a look I don't really go for often because I have not quite mastered it (someday soon I will). If you love the smoky eye look then I strongly recommend it but I find that it clumps a little which may be my fault; maybe I am not using it the right way. The clumping leads me to rub my eyes (a huge no no especially if  you wear contacts) which results in me having huge black "panda" eyes. I love how much volume this mascara gives but it requires careful application from me so it's not one of the ones I reach for easily.

Lancome Hypnose Mascara (Volume): I have quite a few of these because Lancome always give it out even if you ask at the counter and they are always included in the Gifts with purchases that they always generously offer. I am on the fence with this one because I feel it is strictly volumising which it indicates on the packaging but the other mascaras listed above also give length as well. I am not saying this does not give you some length but compared to the others, it's not a very good contender. If you have a good length already and you are after volume, welcome to your new BFF as it's worth a try. One thing to note is that this mascara has the tendency to cause clumps and spidery lashes which makes it even more difficult to take off at night....it's not very flattering so you have to know how to work it to get the best use. I just don't have the time to be messing around in the morning with a mascara so we don't get on really well which is sad as Lancome is one of my favourite high end brand.



I hope you have enjoyed this little round up. I realise I have done a similar post to this sometime last year which you can check here but as I had a few new ones I thought it another round up was due. If I were to buy any full size mascara from this lot it would have to be the YSL Baby Doll Mascara or the Chanel Sublime Mascara because both of them blew me away but then their prices equally blow me farther away so I would keep using my samples although I am quite curious if mascara full size are better than the samples because sample sizes are so small and would grip the lashes better. What do you think? see you in my next post...x

Weekend Post #9: Free Eyeko Eyelash Curlers with InStyle Magazine May 2014 Edition

Spring/Summer time are one of my favourite seasons because many magazines try to outdo each other with the lovely magazine freebies and I always try and pick up a few of my favourite gifts from the whole lot. The InStyle Magazine May2014 Edition is doling out Eyeko Eyelash Curlers with every issue and I promptly had to pick one. I have never really been serious with eyelash curlers because my lashes are quite curly but I have been quite curious about them and I really wanted to try one. In fact, I was so close to ordering this very Eyeko Eyelash Curlers after reading a few glowing reviews and I am so glad I did not. I would have been well cross!!! Of course, the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers are the ultimate and creme de la creme of all eye lash curlers but I have ready a few reviews about the Eyeko ones and they seem to be good at doing the job.

This particular one has a blue suede/velvet grip which makes it look ohh so lush. I love it. I have tried using it a few times and I like what I see and I would be reviewing it more in-depth but I thought it would be good to put this post up now in case you are interested in trying them. InStyle Magazine retails for £3.90 which is quite expensive but then the Eyeko Eyelash Curlers normally retail for £12 so it's a bargain. Apart from that, you get some nice reads especially the interview with my #WCW extraordinaire (Woman Crush Wednesday) Sarah Jessica Parker. I just love her and I don't think anyone can be more chic than she is...she is uber chic and sets the bar to a standard that's almost impossible to meet (that's my silly opinion but I am sure you can agree especially if you watch(ed) Sex and the City and her excellent portrayal of Carrie Bradshaw).... Rambling aside, you also get 15% off TopShop and a free John Frieda Shampoo/Conditioner/Serum satchet in it so go pick your copy and free eyelash curlers and thank me later...x

Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Serum Review

Towards the end of last year , I did some research (nothing too serious) on the best way to clear dark blemishes without damaging the skin and I stumbled upon Glycolic Acid which is derived from natural sources with the most popular being Sugar Cane. Glycolic Acid can be classified as an AHA which is an Alpha Hydroxy-Acid and  it is effective to help clear the skin of fine lines, minimise pores and most importantly, exfoliate dead skin to reveal new skin which is the benefit I was interested in. The beauty market has already deduced that including Glycolic acid in skin care can be effective for a series of skin care problems. Armed with this knowledge, I decided to try out the Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Serum when it was on sales in Sainsbury's.

Packaging

It comes in a nice 30 ml bottle with a transparent lid and a press-down dispenser. I just use only one push and it dispenses enough for my face. It’s a small bottle but it means it is easy to travel with. There’s not much to say really about the packaging but it isone I really like because it feels really portable.

Formula

As stated above it contains its active ingredient as Glycolic Acid (4%) which is a good concentration of Glycolic Acid effective enough to show some improvement but not irritate the skin. It comes in a serum-like texture which I believe keeps the Glycolic acid as stable as possible. According to Nip+Fab, the Glycolic Fix Serum aims to minimizes pores and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles while brightening the skin which I thankfully don't have the latter (wrinkles and fine lines) but I do have enlarged pores and I really wanted to fade some Post Inflammatory Hyper pigmentation (PIH) I had (or still have).

Application

Its gel-like consistency makes it really easy to glide along the skin which I do right after cleansing and toning. If you have any open/broken skin, it is advisable not to use it because it can feel a little painful on the skin. Asides that, it goes on easily and it feels a little tacky right after application but it sinks in pretty fast and it's absorbed quickly into the skin so you can apply any other products you wish. I use this every morning and evening and I have not had any problems so far

Cost

To be honest I can't remember how much I got this from Sainsbury's but it was on offer and it wad definitely £9 or less but I bought 2 because it was so good. It's full price online at £15 but you can still get it on offer in Boots for about £9.95 and in other places. I suggest you check supermarkets like ASDA, Sainsbury and Tesco as they always have very good offers in their Beauty and Skincare section since most people don't buy skincare from them as much as they would buy from Boots, Superdrug and other beauty shops both online and in-store.

Results

I have become a fan of the Glycolic Acid inclusion as an AHA in my skin care regime because I know its benefits in relation to exfoliating the skin. It has helped my dark blemishes fade a little especially with the newer ones. I had a breakout sometime in February due to God knows what but I started using this afterwards and the new blemishes have almost faded completely. The only ones which seem to be very stubborn are the ones that have been there since which are slowly but surely fading. I won't attribute all the success of fading dark blemishes solely to this product but it has played a good part as expected with anything that contains glycolic acid. What I think is very striking is how smooth and soft my skin on my face is. I recently went for a Free skin care consultation in Bobbi Brown and the skin care consultant said my face was so smooth and soft and wanted to know what products I was using. I actually thought it was my imagination that my face felt smooth and soft but when confirmed by someone else after all makeup has been taken off shows that it really does work. 

Personal Thoughts

If I buy a backup of any product, it means i definitely like it and this is one serum I really like because I feel it does the work. It is not fast acting but it is consistent and you can see some results in relation to fading dark blemishes a few weeks after use depending on your skin type and other peculiarities. Of course, if you use any product containing AHAs (glycolic acid), BHAs (salicylic acid), Vitamin C, Kojic Acid, etc, you need to always wear sunscreen because it makes the skin more sensitive to the sun and can potentially burn your skin or even make the dark spots even darker (cringe). I bought a few other products from the range which I would be reviewing soon. See you in my next post....xx

Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser Review

I am somehow late on this whole Hot Cloth Cleanser shenanigans which has been making its round on the blogger and beauty world and the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser  has been quite popular here in the UK. Superdrug released their own version sometime last year (I think) and I only decided to try it last month even though I had spied it on a few occasions.

Packaging

The packaging is pretty basic but quite colorful and attractive I would say given the cost. Inside you would find the product itself and a muslin cloth and you get 200 ml worth of product. There is not much to the packaging really but its good to know what the tube looks quite solid and the flip lid is really good and easy to handle.

Formula

From the name, you can deduce that its main ingredient is Vitamin E which is very good for the skin and aids in cell renewal in addition to a host of other skin benefits. Superdrug says that the Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser is enriched with naturally sourced Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from against  the harmful free radicals in the environment. In addition, it also contains Vitamins A, B, H, F combined with Horse Chestnut Extract which all have skin benefits especially around protection and cell renewal.

How I use it?

It is easy to deduce that it is a cleanser which can remove dirt and makeup from your skin while providing a gentle exfoliation. It has a white creamy consistency which feels very good when it hits the skin; it kind of reminds me of Pond's Cold Cream.  I use this straight after using my makeup wipes or micellar water and cotton pad. I do this first step because I hate the idea of swishing around makeup on my face without removing the greasy bit first (gross sounding I am aware!). After the wipes, my face is considerably damp and I apply a dollop of this cleanser on my face and massage it in circular motions. I let it sit for a few minutes and let some hand-hot water run on on the muslin cloth. I wring the muslin cloth of excess water and use it to remove the cleanser which comes off really easily. It just melts away in the most pleasant and seamless way. I splash my face with some cold water to close the pores and that's it sorted.

Cost

It retails for about £4.99 in Superdrug but I spied it on offer for about £3 or less recently after I had purchased this already. I had £2 on my Superdrug Beauty Card (find out how these beauty cards work here) so I used it as a part payment for this and I think I only paid about £3 for this eventually which is a good bargain for the quality of product you get.

Results/Personal Thoughts
I really like this cleanser but more as a makeup remover. It is effective in removing my makeup and I am sure it would give good results even if I did not do the pre-cleanse with the wipes. The muslin cloth is really easy to wash and dry as expected although I was a little apprehensive about using same cloth over and over again but when you wash it (daily and after every use), it's like brand new. I like the feel of the hot muslin cloth on my face because it helps open up my pores and it just feels so refreshing especially after a long day at work. I just don't think it is an effective cleanser in respect to exfoliating. I prefer a gel cleanser for that especially one I can use with my Boots No 7 Cleansing brush (featured here) and many a time, I have gone back with my gel cleanser for some exfoliation and deep cleansing  after using the Vitamin E hot cloth cleanser . I think it's a great makeup remover for all skin types and the added vitamins especially Vitamin E makes it a great choice if you have dry or dehydrated skin...that's it folks...see you in my next post...x

Becca Rejuvenating Primer Review

Becca is a brand I have seen featured on many USA/Canada based beauty blogs (also on some UK blogs) and I have heard good things about them especially the Becca Ever Matte Primer but the price range always scared me. When I checked online and saw the price range of  almost £30, I was like Hell to the No. Then one day back in January,  I saw that Fragrance Direct was having a Becca Sales and this primer amongst other products was on sale. I quickly placed an order and crossed my fingers hoping for the best.

Packaging

I quite like the packaging as it looks expensive (which it is when it's full price) and  I was just lucky to get it in sales. It’s a basic tube but it contains 40 ml of product which is very handy to know because it has lasted me a long while. I bought this since January and I am still using it even till the end of March. It dispenses a good amount of the product with a gentle squeeze although if you are not careful, you may get more product than u want and there is no way to get it back into the tube.

What does Becca say?

According to Becca, this primer is a nourishing and lightweight primer which has an instant tightening effect on the skin and works to continually improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. I did not notice any tightening on my skin and I was not looking for that when I purchased it; all I wanted was a primer to help my makeup last longer and prevent my T-Zones from getting shiny at the end of the day.  I am fully aware this primer is better aimed for older ladies but this was the only one available and I just had to get it. I originally wanted the elusive Becca Ever Matte Priming Perfector which was already sold out by the time I got on the site so I settled for this one which in my opinion may be equally good. Becca also points out that it hydrates and softens the skin while creating a luminous base for your makeup and ensures it lasts all day which is actually the reason I purchased it.

How do I use it?

I apply it right after my moisturiser with SPF and it acts like a barrier between my foundation and my skin. It just dispenses a pea sized amount and dot it all over my T-Zone (notorious for being shiny during the day) and around my cheeks and then I just pat it all over my face and that’s it. I apply my foundation and I am done. It really helps application of my foundation go on smoothly without any dryness or unevenness. It is silicone free so it does not have that silicon-y feeling but it has a really light texture and your skin really does feel hydrated once you apply it which is a massive plus for the skin.

Results

It’s so funny how you can almost disregard a product because it did not work out for you the first time and that was the case with this primer which is why I am writing this review up almost 2 months after purchasing this. I had read a few reviews of how effective the Becca Primer was which is why I expected a very dramatic result but that was not the case. It just seemed ordinary for me (especially after using the Benefit Porefessional Primer for a long time which is one of my favourite primers). I got another primer and I stopped using the Becca one and then it hit me. OMG, I was so shocked at the difference and I had to run back to my beloved Becca which is why I am lovingly writing this post up. I have always used good-ish primers so it's easy for me to take it for granted that my makeup should last all day. However, when I tried that different primer, I got so oily and my makeup was slipping with its longevity reduced, I realised that not all primers are created equal. The Becca Primer ensures my makeup is intact and my T-zones are not very oily.  It’s really wonderful and you may not notice a massive difference until you try other dodgy primers. I can't say my T-Zones are completely shine free and matte but their end-of-the-day shine has been drastically reduced with the use of this primer (maybe the ever matte Becca version would be the miracle primer; I would never know due to its cost). I am still on the hunt for the primer that would keep my T-Zones matte and if you are out there, make yourself known and be affordable as well :-).

Cost

I bought mine for £5.99 which is a massive steal and I am super impressed because the normal retail price is about £28!! To be honest, I think this is one where I would consider buying a backup even if it is full price because it is that good. If you are interested, Fragrance Direct still have some sales on Becca products which you can check here but sadly, all primers have been snatched off by beauty lovers/bloggers like me...:-)

Cons

1.Its full price is quite expensive.

2. If you prefer silicone primers, you may not like this one as it does not have the silcone-y primer feeling

Personal Thoughts

I am really pleased with this product and I am literally kicking myself for not purchasing a backup of this because it’s brilliant and does what it says. I still have a good amount of product left after almost 2 and half months which goes it’s really good value for money. I definitely recommend it...see you in my next post..x

March Non-Beauty Favourites 2014

April is going to be super busy for me so I may not be posting as much as planned but I have prepped a few posts ready so we can all stay in touch. As always, I will reply all my emails and comments which you all know I cherish and I can't wait for these busy times to be over just so I can get back to my normal routine. As mentioned in my Blogversary post, I recently purchased a Canon 600D DSLR Camera and I have been obsessed with it. I literally run back home after work everyday just to play with it; I feel like a child again with a new toy. Although, I have had a few cameras ranging from Nikon and FujiFilm which were point and shoot digital and Bridge cameras respectively, I still found handling my DSLR a little bit challenging. I bought it because I wanted to take my photography to a new level and I felt I had practised with the others really well. A DSLR is definitely different from these other cameras as there are so many things to learn and tweak to get really nice pictures. I did not want use the Auto setting so I have been using the Manual setting only because I wanted to experiment. I have been practising as much as I can in a variety of environments including low light, day light, night time and artificial light from the bulb in my room. It has been a little frustrating especially in the first week but practice indeed helps and I thought I would share a few pictures with you all. I am still very much a novice with using it but it seems every day gets better with practise.So, I thought I share a few of my favourites with you...enjoy...x

1. Black Seedless Grapes: I am obsessed with black seedless grapes and they satisfy most of my sugar cravings..

2. Grapes Special Bowl: So obsessed with grapes that I had to buy a special chalice for it and they taste even better in it...No, I am serious!!

3. Faux Flowers and Mini Vase: I fell in love with this flower and vase two weeks ago; it was staring at me off the prettiest crafts window shop...I could not leave it there.. I absolutely could not ...:-)

4. Selfie Phone Case: Yes, I shamelessly got a phone case of one of my favourite selfies...does that mean I am vain??

5. Stuffed Pets: I am not a teddy bear girl but I love my stuffed puppies (I can't have a real one in my flat) and piggie...they are so adorable, No?

6. These Nakd Bars are the real deal and they are definitely better than chocolate except Galaxy which, in my opinion, is irreplaceable..

   

7. My amazing Kit Lens (18-55mm) which came with my camera and we have had so many adventures within a short time....far too many I tell you..

8. Canon Lens EF 50mm 1.8: I could not resist buying another lens especially as I had a Canon £50 voucher so the purchase of the F 1.8 Lens was already destined to be and now the Kit Lens has a sister to play with...

9. My Lipstick Collection: Arranging them in my Muji Storage just makes me want to makeup all day ev'ry day ..I jest, I jest ....

10. My iPad Mini all prepped for NetFlix: This scenario keeps me sane when I am having a tough day because I know I can relax once I get to my room, slip under my duvet and watch Netflix.....

11. Drug Store Eyeshadow Palettes (Rimmel and L.A. Colours):  Just admiring my Drug Store Eyeshadow Palettes which were all bought from Poundland....how I love you my dear Poundland!!!...xo

I hope you have enjoyed my little post on a few of my favourite things. What has been your favourite thing this March? See you in my next post....x

Weekend Post #8: Volunteer work in Sierra Leone to support Millennium Development Goals(MDG)

Hi everyone,

Today is indeed a different kind of post but a very exciting one. It's a post on behalf of my dear friend Daisy who is volunteering in Sierra Leone come May 2014 and I am so excited for her!!!. She has to raise some funds to support her charity work so she would be needing a little help and I would appreciate any support anyone can offer to her. So, I am handing you over to her...

"Hi, I'm Daisy and I am a 23 year old from God's own country, Yorkshire! I am currently working as a web based intern for The Children's Society. I'm working on the Young Carers in Focus (YCiF) project and I'm based with one the projects partners, DigitalMe who are a non-profit organisation based in Leeds. I have really enjoyed being involved in this project and working as an Intern as it has confirmed my desire to pursue a career in the charity sector. As my Internship is a 3 month contract, I decided that I would try and achieve a lifetime dream to volunteer abroad. Thus, I applied to the ICS programme and there was good news!!..In summer, I will be volunteering for 3 months in Bo, Sierra Leone. The theme of the programme I will be volunteering on is Youth Participation and Empowerment. This is part of International Citizen Service  which brings young people together to fight poverty. I will be volunteering for an incredible charity called VSO alongside volunteers from Sierra Leone on a project which encourages community development and works towards the Millennium Development Goals. This is a competitive programme that is entirely funded by the Department for International Development . VSO works with communities that have specifically requested their help, and where the skills of young people can make a direct impact. 

When I found out I had been accepted to the ICS programme I was extremely pleased and excited! However, panic hit me when I realised I only had a month to fundraise £800! Although my trip to Sierra Leone is completely funded by the Department of International Development, we are encouraged to fundraise £800 to show our commitment to VSO and to raise awareness of the work they do. VSO needs to raise £10 million each year in the UK to continue its vital work. Although £800 is a fraction of the total cost to recruit, train and send a volunteer to share skills in developing countries, it can obviously help. Why donate? VSO currently works in 43 countries. It receives funding from the UK government and has some corporate sponsorship but it predominantly relies on fundraising and individual sponsorship. The money allows more projects to be established and more volunteers to sent out to impoverished communities. Just £25 can help VSO keep a nurse in Sierra Leone for a week educating local health workers and communities to combat malnutrition, malaria and dysentery.

I have already organised many fundraising events, including a bake sale at Barclays Bank, a bake sale at my Dad’s art exhibition, a charity abseil with a group of family and friends, and I also intend to do the #belowtheline challenge. The charity abseil will take place on the 13^th April at Ilkley Moor. We will be abseiling from a 20-metre rock! Everyone involved in this abseil is willing to gain sponsorship in order to raise money for VSO. As well as being an important part of fundraising, it will be extremely exciting and a fun activity to do. I will be organising other fundraising and sponsored events to raise as much as I can, as well as using my Just Giving Page for any donations and I would appreciate any support. Please also visit my Twitter @DaisyCWilde for updates on fundraising events and activities!" Thank you."

Candle Collection Loving

There is just something about bloggers and candles especially beauty bloggers. It makes your pictures look nicer especially if you have a blurry background but outside of all the blogging shenanigan, candles are beautiful and smell really nice. My love for candles has been heightened since I purchased my Desk. Although, I love them, I am not yet willing to splurge on it so I just purchased really nice, cheap and cheerful ones. I have always been intrigued with having candles around me because they just evoke a sense of calm and serenity that I can’t really explain. As much as I love candles, I cannot justify, especially at this point in my life, spending over £40 on a candle (Jo Malone and Diptique, I am looking at you!). That’s the reason why I settled with affordable candles which you can find in many places. Now, I prefer scented candles and I am willing to pay the extra £1 or so for a scented version and all the candles in my collection are supposedly scented. Yes, supposedly because not all of them actually give off their “so called” scent but I can’t really complain because I got the "culprit" very cheap (99p from IKEA).

IKEA Tindra Candle

Now this was a really tricky buy because I really like IKEA products but this candle did nothing for me to the exception of warming up my room which is of no use as I have a heater and it’s already Spring (allegedly). The packaging is a little deceptive as it has vanilla/ice cream on it which made me believe my room would have such a sweet smell. When you smell the candle itself, it actually smells really sweet but when it is burning, you get no smell whatsoever except  a normal candle smell but why on earth am I moaning? It cost only 99p so it’s very forgivable. Nevertheless, it serves its purpose as props for blog photos and I would use the glass packaging for storage when it is finished.

Yankee Candles

To me, these are the best affordable candles out there because they actually do what they say and you really don’t need an air freshener in your room after it has been burnt because the scent/fragrance actually lingers. I did not buy the larger sizes because I wanted to experiment with smaller ones first to decide what fragrance I preferred. I got the Sampler Votive Candles which cost only £1 in ASDA. The fragrances I got include Clean Cotton, Coastal Waters and Simply Home. I also got the cute candle holders from ASDA for £1 as well which is a perfect fit for the Yankee Candles. I will definitely splurge on the full sizes of Yankee candles because I believe they are worth it after testing out this little votive samples.

Sainsbury’s Tropical Fragranced Candle Set £7.99

I and my flat mate have been waiting for these candles to go on sales in Sainsbury’s because we love them but we have refused to splurge on it for its full price. One faithful day, our prayers were answered and this set of candles went on sales although it was just 1/3^rd off but it was better than full price.  The set contains Honey Papaya, Spring Meadow, Golden Fig and Wild Berry but Honey Papaya is my favourite and I think it lingers the longest after burning. The packaging looks so pretty and the dainty little candles look exquisite on my table but sadly, they do not give off their fragrance as well as the Yankee candles which is really sad as I had high hopes for it given the price. Don’t get me wrong, they do give off a nice fragrance but it is rather faint and if you want a stronger fragrance, you may have to light up at least 2 of these candles which is a sad waste!! However, they photograph beautifully and they actually burn really well. Some candles just burn so fast and it seems like you don’t get your money’s worth with their short lifespan but that’s not the case with this set. They are lovely and long lasting although they are just candles so they will eventually burn off and I will convert their glass packaging, as usual, to something useful.

Sainsbury’s Tu Fragranced Candles 

Last but not least are these ones also from Sainsubury’s. They went on sales shortly before Mother’s Day sales came on in full swing and I am pleased I grabbed me two of these. They cost £2.66 each which I think is a fair price for the quality. I can’t remember what their full price was; I think it may have been £5 but I am not quite sure. I chose the Orchid & Sweet Coconut and Wild Cotton fragrances because those were the ones that appealed to me the most. The Orchid and Sweet Coconut remind me of the beach and the Wild Cotton reminds me of a clean bed and laundry which I just love to have but hate to do the actual laundry L. I prefer this set of candles to the previous set because they are bigger, longer lasting and they leave a really nice fragrance that lingers in the room after burning it. That’s it folks. I love candles and ever since I got my table and organised my work space (I have a post on it here),I use different candles according to how I feel. I find that they just make my pictures look better especially as props when they are blurred out or even when they are in focus. I love them all including the naughty “faux fragranced ones”.  What’s your favourite candle?

La Roche Posay Effaclar A.I. Targeted Breakout Corrector Review

Everyone and their mother must have heard about the La Roche Posay brand especially their best selling Effaclar range including the Effaclar Duo and Effaclar A.I. Targeted Breakout Corrector. I have been in the know for a long while now and I always say I will try something from LRP soon. Thankfully the day came when Boots was offering 1/3rd off La Roche Posay brands so I quickly snatched up both the Effaclar Duo and A.I but today I will be concentrating on the Effaclar A.I. Targeted Breakout Corrector. 

La Roche Posay Brand

There is something about French Skincare that makes other non-Parisian ladies just go gaga. Could it be that we think that using French Skincare can make us as chic and pristine as French ladies? I would never know but I know I love French Skincare products because they just seem to know their onions when it comes to skin care. The Effaclar range is targeted at oily skin which is prone to acne, imperfections and dullness and this is the only range I have tried from the brand so far.They are one brand that I have heard and read so many consistent glowing reviews which goes to say a good product always sells itself...no need for excessive adverts.

Packaging

For starters, I think white and blue look very good for skin care items and I have noticed that most of my skin care currently in my bathroom are white and blue. Very bizarre I know. The outer packaging has some instructions on how to use it and an ingredients list. The packaging of he product itself is a tube which is quite small (it's only 15 ml). I really like the tip because it is narrow and pointed which means you get the right amount of products and there is a very little space for cross contamination. 

Ingredients

To begin with it's paraben-free which is good to know. The active ingredients are Salicylic Acid which you all know is excellent for zapping acne/spots/pimples, Benzoyl Peroxide which targets acne that is deep in the pores and dries it up. The Effaclar A.I. formula has a unique approach to treat acne by combining Lipo-Hydroxy-Acid (LHA) which has an exclusive exfoliating property to prompt cell renewal and Benzoyl Peroxide in a micronized form which makes it even more stable. Together, they work in synergy to reduce spots and prevent scarring in the most effective way I have experienced. The unique combination makes this product really effective on different skin types.

How I use it

I use this whenever I have any breakouts or pre-breakouts especially those associated with that time of the month. I never wait for breakouts to become full blown before using this to kill them off...I know that sounds rather harsh but honestly, that's what those pesky breakouts deserve. I cleanse my face thoroughly and wash my fingers afterwards. I apply a tiny amount, not even up to a pea size, directly on the area and massage it a little bit and that's it. Most times, I follow up with Effaclar Duo to prevent any dark blemishes and that's all.It is a white cream and it is really easy to apply and blends out easily which is great if you want to wear your makeup underneath.

Results

Seriously, this has to be my favourite spot/breakout treatment because it is super effective; I daresay it is more effective than my Holy Grail Mary Kay Acne Treatment Gel which I think may be because my skin is used to it or because Effaclar A.I. contains a slightly higher percentage of Benzoyl Peroxide. If I use this at night, guys no joke, my spot is significantly reduced by morning. In fact, there have been times when they have actually disappeared. You need to use it to understand and I remember reading many reviews and narrowing my eyes saying "Hmmm how dramatic can this be though?" but it truly is. However, I would say if it's not a full breakout (you know those that are deep in the pores and not ready to pop), it takes a few days to be completely cleared but if it's already there and ready to pop (Ewww!! I know that sounds super gross!!), then it would definitely reduce its size significantly or it may disappear completely. It's all up to your skin type really.

Cost

It normally retails for £9.50 for a tube which I already said is only 15 ml but trust me, it lasts for a really long time provided you use it as instructed. A little goes a really long way. The best time to purchase this is when Boots is having any of their offers either 3 for 2 or 1/3rd off so keep your eyes peeled. However, Escentuals are currently having 1/3rd off all French Skincare Brands so, you can pop over and get your hands on it while it's still on. I got mine for £7.12 when it was on offer in Boots and this was since February and I still have a good amount of product left.

Personal Thoughts

I really, really love this product so much that I went to get a backup even though it was full price. It has saved my skin a great deal and it is non-comedogenic and it is suitable for use under makeup. It is an amazing product and if you suffer from pimples/spots/zits, it's definitely worth a try.  Watch this space for the Effaclar Duo Review...See you in my next post...x