There are quite a few things that annoy me in life... like people who leave their indicators on, or don't indicate at all, people eating loudly (does anyone else hate that?), and I also hate when brands don't display the ingredients on their products, what are they trying to hide? The ingredients are the main reason why I buy the product! ...But those are not relevant to this post, and if I carry on I'll go on a rant and break my keyboard from typing so hard!  

Anyway, back to this post....! One of those annoying things is false skincare advertising. It annoys me so much that I have been known to shout at the TV, and anytime one of these adverts comes on, my boyfriend will say "oh yeah that's really good stuff that is!" - just because he knows it winds me up.

When I first started this blog I decided I wouldn't 'slate' brands on here, as I thought it might not come across very well. Then I thought, I want to help and educate people! So today I thought I would just pick out a few products/adverts out there at the moment that are misleading.
Before you carry on reading, if you haven't already, please read my cleansing post here and my exfoliating post here as the things I talk about in this post will make sense more.



Loads of clients I do facials on, tell me they use Simple skincare products, because their skin is 'very sensitive'*. I ask them what they use, and 9 times out of 10 they use Simple face wipes, or one of their face washes. Well.. maybe that could be the reason why your skin is irritated? 
Just because Simple advertise on their packaging that they contain "no artificial perfume or colour", doesn't mean they don't contain sulfates, alcohol and parabens. All of which are irritants to the skin. 
Some of the Simple products are quite nice, like their eye make up remover, and their micellar water to remove make up. Just don't buy into the whole 'natural' facade that they portray throughout their whole range. 

*On a side note: Most of the time, when you think you have 'sensitive skin', it's usually because whatever you've used in the past has been too harsh on your skin (using harsh face scrubs everyday, using foaming face washes loaded with sulfates, using face wipes full of alcohol) and has left it red and sore...so you automatically assume you have sensitive skin. There is a difference between sensitive and sensitised skin.
Sensitive skin is a skin type - something you are born with, you will most likely have had redness in your skin ever since you were a child. Common signs are very red cheeks, with almost a 'hot' feeling, reactions to many products, eczema, rosacea, and normally one of your parents suffers with sensitivity too. When you apply pressure onto your skin (like press your arm with your finger), it can stay red for a while afterwards.
Sensitised skin is something that has been caused by something you have used, or experienced. For example; harsh weather conditions, and using the wrong products!
Annoyingly, within skincare, to call a product 'natural', you only have to have 5% natural ingredients within the product itself! 5%. Think about it, 'natural' products can still contain synthetic ingredients, alcohol, sulfates, and other irritants.
The only products I would really call 'natural' are organic products. Truly organic products must be certified by the Soil Association, and have to be grown and harvested under strict conditions. The ingredients within the product cannot be exposed to pesticides, fertilisers and other synthetic farming aids.
Natural is not always best, for example; I like to use a mixture between 'natural' and chemical led products. Face oils that contain natural ingredients are always good, and if you're a regular reader you'll know I'm quite substantial to acids...they are of course, not natural, but in a good way. It just depends what you're looking for! 

• look at the ingredients within a product before you buy it. Just because they have clever advertising ploys, doesn't mean they are worth your hard earned money.
• the cheaper the product, nearly always, the cheaper the ingredients used within them. There's a reason why these products are always between 99p - £4.99 ish! I'm not saying you should spend LOADS on everything you buy, but just think about what you're putting on your face. 
• 'Budget' products to me, are anything under £15.

I think lashes are one of the most important features on your face, they can really widen your eyes and make you appear much more awake.
There are lots of different options to make your lashes stand out, today I thought I'd go through the different options, and my favourites. 

1. Eyelash Tinting
This is basically dyeing your eyelashes, a bit like your hair. Darkening the colour of your lashes can make them appear longer, and really defines them. It makes a big difference on lighter hair colours (blondes, redheads), and it's a great option if you're going on holiday and you'll be swimming, but you don't want to wear mascara.
I'd always go to a professional to get this done, rather than buy one of those at home kits, you have to be so careful around your eye area. Wherever you go to get it done, if you haven't been there before, they should require you to pop in at least 24 hours beforehand for a patch test, even if you've had it done elsewhere before - the place you're going to may use different tinting equipment than the last place you've been. I don't understand people who get angry if they have to come for a patch test first, why would you risk a reaction, or in extreme cases, blindness, just for your convenience?


2. Eyelash Perming
3. LVL (Length, Volume & Lift) Treatment
This treatment has only become popular very recently, and there aren't that many places that seem to offer it so far (near me, anyway.) It's basically a treatment where your lashes are straightened rather than permed, and tinted, this creates a longer eyelash look, that lasts for a while. It's become a favourite amongst celebrities such as Michelle Keegan. See the video below by celebrity make-up artist Lisa Eldridge for more info: 




4. Strip Lashes
These are probably the most common types of lashes, as they are relatively cheap, and easily applied and removed as and when you need them. It does take a bit of practise applying them properly, otherwise you can end up with the edges of them hanging off and you looking like you have dead spiders hanging off your eyes! Sometimes you also need to trim the lashes to fit your eyes. It's best to hold the lash against your lashes first to see what the fit is like. I find it easiest to apply these with tweezers, looking down into a mirror. When you apply the glue onto the lashes, blow on it for a bit before you apply them so the glue is tacky, and doesn't move around when you try and secure them. Another tip: don't try and apply these in a rush, you'll end up with shaky hands, glue everywhere, and getting really angry...from my experience anyway. With these ones, it's important to choose the right type, as some of them can look really tacky and you can instantly tell if someone is wearing them. 
Some of my favourites are: 




5. Eyelash Extensions
There are a couple of different types of eyelash extensions, express, and semi permanent/individual ones. There are different lengths, thicknesses, and curls to suit everyone's lashes, so you won't end up looking silly! The technician will choose variations based on your natural lash length, curl and thickness.
Express ones typically take around 30 minutes to apply, and the lashes are applied on top of, and in between your natural lashes. They last up to two weeks, depending on your home care of them. Express ones are good for special occasions or holidays, but are not suitable to be worn constantly, as the way they are applied can affect the growth of your own lashes. 

Semi permanent/individual ones normally take 45-60 minutes or more to apply, (depending on the experience of the lash technician) and the lashes are applied to each one of your natural lashes, which is why the process is longer. They typically last longer than express ones, again, depending on how well you care for them at home. These are good for all occasions, and can be worn all of the time, as the way they are applied allows your natural lash to grow as normal, and the synthetic lash falls out as your natural lashes shed. 
Both of these types of extensions normally require a patch test, although some lash companies don't do a patch test, as the glue is not supposed to come into contact with your skin...it just depends where you go and what brand of lashes they use.

I have semi permanent ones applied, and have done for about 3 years now! I originally had them put on to go on holiday, and then just kept having them done ever since. I have them topped up every month or so, and it makes such a big difference to how I feel. I love waking up, and not having really small looking eyes, and I only have to apply mascara to my lower lashes. I will, on the odd occasion apply some to my upper lashes if I want more of a dramatic effect. 

Thank you for reading! 
Until next time. x

Today's post is going to be about facemasks, I love using a mask about once or twice a week. It's like giving yourself an at home 'facial' and is a great pick-me-up for your skin. Plus, you can put one on and get on with your housework, or watch tv, etc. It doesn't have to be an 'effort'. 

There are a few different types of masks on the market, and the most common ones are;

• Hydrating masks - typically creamy or gel in texture, glycerin based, or hyaluronic acid based.
• Purifying masks - typically clay texture, and almost always contain kaolin clay.
• A mixture of the two above - clay, plus glycerin/hyaluronic acid and carrier oils (sweet almond oil, or similar) and essential oils. 

Following on from my last post, I thought I'd share some of the products I've been loving this week. 

1. ESPA Optimal Skin Pro-Serum, £48













I've spoken about this on here before, it's one of my favourite serums, and I've been using it almost every day recently. For more information on this, read my serums & face oils post here.

2. Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, £33















This is the eye cream I'm using at the moment, and I'm really enjoying it. I love the consistency, it feels really hydrating and smooth to apply. This is a great eye cream for anyone who's never used one before. I've been a bit run down recently and this has helped me look a little less tired and dark around my eyes! I've talked about this on here before too, see my eyes post here for more info. 

3. Herbal Essences Clearly Naked Dry Shampoo, £2-£3.00




















This is my favourite dry shampoo, I've tried loads and this is the one I always come back to. It smells really nice, and doesn't leave a weird grey/white colour to your hair like some of them do. It's great for when you just want to go that extra day without the effort of washing and drying your hair!

4. Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer, around £10-£12.00















I use a primer every day, after my moisturiser, and before I apply my foundation. I've used lots of different ones, my favourite one I've tried so far is 'Porefessional' by Benefit. I've only had this one for a couple of weeks, and I'm liking it so far. Most primers are silicone based, because it sits on top of the skin and kind of acts like 'polyfilla' to blur any imperfections. As mentioned on here before, your skincare products shouldn't contain silicone, however it's fine in make up products. For anyone who hasn't used a primer before, it's applied before you put your foundation on, to give it a smooth base to stick to, blurs your pores and makes your make up last longer. Who wouldn't want that every day?!

5. Mitchum Ultimate 48 hr Cream Deodorant, around £5.00















This may seem like a strange thing to include in my favourites, and to some it may seem like 'T.M.I' but I felt I may aswell include it, as it is one of my favourite products ever!! It's the only deodorant I've tried that actually works, really, really well. It basically completely stops any chance of you sweating or smelling, at all. It has lots of tiny holes at the top, and you twist the bottom to push the product up. It's a creamy texture, that dries really quickly, I hate that sticky feeling you get with some roll on ones...euurgh. It smells really fresh too. If you're struggling to find a deodorant, I'd definitely recommend trying this one.

6. Essie 'Ballet Slippers' Polish, around £7-£8.00
















This is my second bottle of this polish, and I really like it for an everyday, natural look. I can't wear bright colours in my work, but I don't like wearing nothing on my nails, so a couple of coats of this is perfect. There are lots of similar colours out there, but I particularly like this one. Essie and Jessica are my favourite nail polish brands, as they are such good quality, and kind to the natural nail.


Thank you for reading, until next time! x

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas & New Year! I can't believe it's 2016. I know I haven't posted in a while...I've just been busy over the Christmas period, as I'm sure you all were too.
Today I thought I'd go through my current favourites. These are not all skincare related, they include body, haircare and make-up.