New In My Beauty Cabinet

One thing I have no trouble spending money on is clothes but beauty products are a different matter all together, once I find a product I like I become that loyal school friend terrified to mix it up incase I lose my security blanket so when Ocean finance* dangled a £50 carrot enabling me to refresh my beauty stash I jumped at the opportunity.

As with all of my disposable income its not long before it starts to burn a metaphorical hole in my pocket so the first thing I had to splurge on was a luxe shampoo and conditioner duo, now if you're a long time Cagney & Lacer you'll know I've been a Pureology devotee forever but after hearing all the praise for the Ouai brand and more than a good thing or two about the Kiehls conditioner I knew it was time to get spendy. Almost every product from Ouai sounds too good to be true but thanks to a rave review from Lily I decided the clean shampoo would be a good place to start and boy did I make a good pick. Not only does it have the most glorious scent but it manages to detoxify my hair of all the gunk and grime without striping away any of my colour unlike some (I'm looking at you Bumble Sunday shampoo) as it's paraben and sulphate free. I then pair this with the Kiehls amino acid conditioner which leaves my hair feeling healthy but not weighed down even though its packed to the rafters with goodness like jojoba and coconut oil. Winner.

My next must purchase was an old favourite, the travel size Caudalie beauty elixir in swish limited edition Jason Wu designed packaging - if you've never tried this facial spritz come toner and are a lover of peppermint then you're seriously missing out. Some bloggers have dubbed this a 'princess product' meaning its a nice to have but I beg to differ as for me personally I see a real difference in my skin when I use this which makes this product a real necessity. Sure it smells fabulous but there's something about this pint sized hydrating mist that I can't quite put my finger on. Promise me you'll give it a try if you haven't before?

Finally I broke my £50 budget (what's new?) with the Bobbi Brown Pot Rogue in Fresh Melon after learning about the merits of cream blush at a Mama Social event hosted by Emma, a Bobbi Brown make-up artist. While powder blushers will always hold a special place in my heart (especially those from Max Factor and Tarte) I've quite enjoyed using this peachy pink to bring a flush of colour to my cheeks that actually stays put all day.

What do you make of the new additions to my beauty cabinet? Have you tried any of them before?

*In collaboration with Ocean finance, all thoughts & opinions my own.

The Five Beauty Buys I Can't Be Without

Beauty posts are few and far between around these parts especially since I've had Sadie, what can I say? I've got my make-up routine down, read I throw my make-up on my face as fast as I can before Sadie wants to hold my make-up brushes but sometimes a new product, or two come along that are worth sharing, throw in a few old favourites and you've got my five beauty buys that I can't be without.

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue in Vanilla - If glow giving bases that you can slap on with your fingers are your kind of thing then you'll dig this lightweight complexion even-outer from Bare Minerals as much as me. I love how a little goes a long way and how quickly you can achieve fresh faced (almost) perfection. Day to day I don't reach for anything else.

NARS Creamy Concealer in Vanilla - After having a brief dalliance with the Urban Decay naked skin concealer and the Make-up Forever full cover concealer I'm back to my hide anything knight in shining armour from Nars. I've spoken about this favourite before (here, here and here) so I'll not drone on, all I'll say is that if you're looking for a new cover all I'd suggest this in a heartbeat.

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone - Think highlighters and I'm pretty sure BECCA will be the first high end brand that comes to mine. After reading a number of rave reviews I succumbed and purchased the powder version, for the record I like it but it's not a patch on the liquid version*. I've worn this mixed in with my base (a little too glowy for everyday) and just on the high points of my face for a pretty, more wearable look. My make-up just isn't complete without it.

Max Factor Creme Puff Blusher in Seductive Pink - Ever since Ruth recommended the Max Factor creme puff blusher I haven't looked at another blush since. I've been using the nude mauve pink for months and a few weeks ago I added seductive pink to my stash. It's got a really natural brightening quality and even when you've not had enough sleep (baby problems) you can look pretty perky with a swirl of this finely milled favourite.

Delilah Brow Line in Ash - For as long as I can remember I've been loyal to Soap & Glory's Brow Archery but ever since I got this as a gift with purchase from Space NK I've been smitten and I've even received brow compliments. Brow Line is literally the most fitting name for this product as the nib is incredibly fine which means you can give colour to even the tiniest of brow hairs. I doubt I'll be giving another brow product a look in again.

Which beauty buys can't you be without? Do you love any of my faves?

*PR Sample.

Exploring Space NK York

For a long time Space NK has been my happy place, that destination store that I have to find whenever I'm in a new city so you can imagine my glee when I discovered a store was finally coming to York. I can't tell you the number of times I've visited York ready to hit up my favourite beauty boutique only to remember there isn't one so walking through those newly painted doors I had a real 'about time' moment. Located on busy Davygate sandwiched between Hobbs and Accessorize you can't miss the beauty and lifestyle mecca complete with an elevated luxe interior - think the usual chic Space NK interior you know and love but with modern finishes and sleek new signage, LOVE. 

Visiting on opening day (the 10th December) I was treated to a mini make over by Space NK artist Grace - check out the results on Insta. One of the best things about Space NK is the breadth of brands available, don't get me wrong a make up counter refresh is always awesome but it's so much better when the artist isn't forced to push just one brand, the end result is more considered and reflective of your own make-up bag. With so much beauty knowledge at my finger tips I asked Grace which brand she'd use if she could only pick one and was surprised to discover the answer was BECCA, a brand that's now at the top of my to try list. When it came to skincare Grace and PR maven Jini agreed Sunday Rileys Luna was the best thing since sliced bread, I managed to get my Cult & Smith painted mitts (SO worth the hype) on a sample so watch this space for my thoughts.

I've been a huge fan of Space NK Leeds (my local store) for a long time but I think it's safe to say my heart has been won by another - York has all of the brands from Margaret Dabbs to the aforementioned Sunday Riley and Cult & Smith plus amazing and knowledgable beauty lovin' team.

So when are you planning a visit to York?

Dinner At Rub & Beauty Chat Live

Thursday eves are always a fave, it's nearly Friday which means it's almost the weekend, you feel me? Throw into the mix a trip to Space NK Nottingham for Beauty Chat Live with babin' bloggers Lily and Anna and you've got a pretty spot on evening. 

After finding ourselves near the Lace Market with rumbling stomachs we stumbled into Rub, with just an hour to spare before things got beauty we were ready for fuel. From the exterior Rub looks like your standard American fare but once you're inside the vibe is instant, making you feel like as though you're in the only place to be in Nottingham. The staff are amazing, not only are they incredibly attentive but accommodating too - managing to find us a table and getting to us super quickly as they knew we were against the clock. Claire and I shared the Bigfoot Burrito which was pretty epic and quenched our thirsts with homemade cloudy apple lemonade, so good. Definitely one to check out if you ever find yourself in Nottingham.

After getting our American fill we dashed to Space NK full of excitement and beauty filled brains - when there's a £50 gift with purchase at stake you know things are gunna get spendy. The girls at Space NK were super sweet offering elderflower presse and mini macaroons before Lily and Anna appeared for the casual beauty chat. Both girls looked even more beautiful in real life and we couldn't help but admire not only their make-up but their outfits too, I've had my eye on Lilys top for a while and after hearing it comes up big it could just be a winner for my pregnancy bump.

Fashion aside the girls answered questions from Twitter and the audience before chatting to anyone who was interested. Claire and I had a lovely convo with the girls who are incredibly down to earth and articulate plus they don't just know their MAC from their Charlotte Tilbury - we discovered Anna used to work in Mothercare so I couldn't help but ask a few pregnancy related questions! I could have quite easily spoke to the girls all evening which is a true testament to just how lovely they are.

Rave aside I know you're all wondering what I splurged on - after discovering Nars Sheer Glow was sold out in Deauville (damn you Nars stock issues) I settled on a repurchase of the Nars Creamy Concealer as like my foundation it's almost empty and a full size Diptyque Baies candle. While there was a million and one things I could have splurged on my make-up drawer is fit to burst and my skin is looking pretty good right now so I didn't want to rock the boat. I may already be the queen of candles and have around three full size Jo Malones still to burn but I don't think there's anything more chic (and fragrant) than Baies. The gift with purchase was pretty killer too, definitely better than Space NKs usual offerings - keep your eyes glued to my Insta for a cheeky peek.

Do you rate Lily and Anna as much as me? What would you have splurged on in Space NK?

The Story Of January

My favourite birthday boy - Snug as a bug in a rug in the Peaks - The stunning Derwent Valley - Birthday eats - Reliving my teenage years - My favourite ensemble of 2015 - A £4 Topshop steal - Forever being photo bombed by Kez - Love this girl

Looking over my Instagram it seems like January was the month I didn't take any snaps, promise I'll do better in February. I'm not a negative kinda gal but even I'm feeling quite happy about kissing goodbye to January, saying farewell to the first month of the year means we're edging that much closer to Spring and I'm more than ok with that. January you've been a chilly mofo. That said the months been a good un' - I celebrated the fiancee turning 28, caught up with friends near and far, booked my ticket for Beauty Chat Live with Anna & Lily (too excited) and got my roots refreshed. 

Obsessed With - My love for baths is nothing new but something that's been making me not move until the water goes lukewarm (shudder) is the Aromatherapy Associates Ultimate Bath Jewels set. Picked up in the Space NK sale I finally get what all the fuss is about, I've never experienced bath oils quite like them. The scent pay off is top drawer, filling the entire room and the combination of essential oils is another level - I'm obsessed with Deep Relax and Support, I mean who wouldn't like peppermint and lavender? 

A real non beauty fave this month has been the humble pitta bread and hummus combo, the perfect eleven am pregnancy snack. Much better than devouring a bar of Dairy Milk right?

Lusting After - Wavy hair. How do hairdressers get hair so perfect? After my last trip to the hairdressers I was given the most perfect waves and I never wanted to wash my hair again. True story. They lasted days. Since becoming pregnant my already thick hair hasn't stopped getting thicker, I know I shouldn't complain but it refuses to hold any shape when I try and add it. Now the jurys out on which styling tool I should get, do I go for a run of the mill wand or one of the new, singing all dancing GHD curve collection? Answers on a postcard.

I've loved - Discovering how many people are pregnant. From Ruth from Model Recommends who's exactly one week further than me, Frankie from The Saturdays, Abbie Clancy, Keira Knightley and more recently the lovely Gem From Gem With Love. Pregnancy is a real mixed bag, that's the best way I can describe it so it's nice to take comfort in the fact that you're not the only one who's feeling ugh, getting grumpy, feeling tired and shouting at your other half for nothing! Gem hit the pregnancy nail on the head with her recent post here, so true yet so funny.

Excited For - This week. The lineup is epic, depending on when you read this I'll be heading to Manchester (or already be there) for an evening with Peter Kay and the rest of the Phoenix Nights cast. It's a family affair and we're all catching the show then staying over at the Malmaison but that's not where the fun ends. Thursday I'm off to a spa near York for my friend birthday, a bit of pregnancy pampering and a girlie catch up is just what the doctor ordered. Friday we're heading into York (hello White Company) and the weekend holds a brunch date, birthday beverages and a Sunday lunch out with one of our fave couples. It's jam packed but awesome. February, I think I like you.  

How was your January? What are you looking forward to this month?

Empties #8

It's not only the most wonderful time of the year but the time where I finally wave goodbye to a stash of empties that have been cluttering my bedroom windowsill, let's just say things haven't been looking so Instagram-able around those parts. Empties are still one of my favourite kinds of beauty posts to read, it's all dandy reviewing things but I love to know which products bloggers have actually finished, and more importantly what they really thought of them.

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Solution - Another empties, another Bioderma. Over the last few months I've become incredibly lax with evening cleansing and have been using just Bioderma to take away my days face. I don't need to give myself a good telling off for this sin as my skin did that for me #notahappyface. Don't get me wrong, Bioderma doesn't break me out but shouldn't just be used solely for your PM routine, this baby excels as a pre-cleanse to remove the bulk of your make-up. At £15 a bottle it's a pricey habit so I'm currently road testing the much blogged about Garnier alternative, review pending.

Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Candle - It's a sad day when a Jo Malone candle takes it final breathe, especially when it's your Blackberry & Bay scent with limited edition packaging. Blackberry & Bay is my everyday fragrance so you can probably guess just how much I love it - if you've never have the pleasure of sniffing B&B think of it as a burst of fruitiness mixed with a fresh sweetness. This isn't my first Jo Malone candle and it certainly won't be the last, the scent pay off is incredible. Sure they're an indulgent treat (this was actually a birthday gift) but boy are they worth it.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - This may just be the third tube of Radiant Creamy Concealer I've finished (in Vanilla FYI). As a combination skinned gal I never thought I'd be singing the praises of a concealer with the word creamy in the title but this just packs a punch, covering both blemishes and dark circles with ease. My only complaint? I've been using way more than usual which may be something to do with the change in seasons, that said one tube usually lasts at least three months. Cost per use means this is one item I'll keep repurchasing, Nars you've done it again.

Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Body Creme - If you've ever eyed up a Laura Mercier Christmas gift set you'll know just how luxurious these products look. Aesthetics aside the Almond Coconut Milk scent doesn't smell to shabby either, providing you like incredibly sweet (almost sickly) scents that is. The huge plus to these body cremes is how long the scent stays around, I can pop my pyjamas on the following day and still smell the fragrance! While these body cremes are fantastic for scent pay off I don't find them anywhere near as moisturising as something from Soap & Glory or The Body Shop especially in the Winter months. For such a hefty price tag I'd personally go for a high street alternative although they do make the most fantastic high-end gift.

Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Body Butter - Battling it out for best body butter in the land is this new fragrance offering from The Body Shop. I did a post on the launch of the Wild Argan Oil scent but for me the body butter is the stand out product from the collection. The smell is out of the world, think a souped up, slightly deeper smelling cocoa butter and the moisturising properties of this wonder tub are something else. Right now I'm working my way through some Soap & Glory but it'll not be long before this tub of goodness is repurchased. A must smell product.

Have you ever tried any of my empties? Have I tempted you to?

Another Space NK GWP

If there are three words that whip me in to an unconsidered spending frenzy it's gift with purchase. There's something about the notion of rewarding you for spending more than you should have that I'm strangely down with, even if it does make my credit card weep. Space NK are the queens of such GWPs and I'm sure by now you know the drill, spend £150 on an event day and you walk away with a huge bag of goodies, I mean who wouldn't want a mini By Terry Baume de Rose? 

With my moisturiser almost on its last pump and my Nars creamy concealer having seen better days it didn't take long for me to have two items sitting in my virtual basket, may as well repurchase when there's an offer on right? My next addition was one I've eyed up forever, say hello to the And God Created The Woman palette, another team Nars purchase. Perfect for travel this just larger-than-a-debit-card sized palette has everything you need to create that smouldering brown smokey eye including the much hyped smudge proof eyeshadow base (cannot wait to give this a bash) and the wide contour shadow brush. To complete the Nars trio I just had to get my mitts on Mandore, a limited edition shade from their Satin Lip Pencil range - I blame Suzie the enabler for this purchase, if she didn't look so babin' in this berry hue this pencil would never have entered my beauty brain.

If you're a regular around these parts you'll know my skin has been a real beyatch a lately getting seriously above its station thinking it's ok to bring me a spot or five with zero notice #cheeky. The beautiful and nearly almost blemish free Anna forever raves about Oskias skincare offerings so with this in mind I had to try the much loved Renaissance Cleansing Gel. Formulated with zero nasties this baby has got my name written all over it, expect a review coming your way soon.

Do you crumble at the sight of a gift with purchase? Have you ever tried any of my buys?

Empties #7

With a brightly coloured array of plastic packaging building up in my bedroom window sill I thought it was about time I tidied up, got friendly with the recycling bin and introduced you to my collection of empties...

Rituals Yogi Flow Shower Gel - As a bath lovin' gal shower gels are never something I go crazy for, that said my first venture into brand Rituals was a happy one. With just one pump of the canister this Yogi Flow shower gel quickly changed into a fragrant foam of almonds and roses, a luxe Imperial Leather if you will. For me the scent is the real winner here although at £8.50 I'm not sure if I'd repurchase, plus life's too short to buy the same shower gel again. It did last an age though.

The Body Shop Raspberry Body Butter* - Oh Body Shop, do you ever get it wrong? If you're a regular around these parts you'll know how much I dig a body butter and this raspberry scent is no exception - I absolutely adore raspberries so this one was a no brainer for me, I mean who wouldn't want to smell like raspberries? Next time you pass a Body Shop you need to give this a sniff.

Cane + Austin Acne Treatment Pads - This is my third tub of Cane + Austin pads and I've already got another tub winging its way to me as I type, they're that good. These play a crucial role in my newly streamlined skincare routine and I'm crediting them (along with a few other gems) with taming my breakouts. Packed to the rafters with salicylic and glycolic acid these miracle pads slough away at the skins surface to reveal brighter and clearer skin. Due to the high concentration of acid involved these are pretty pricey (£48 for 60 pads, say it quickly) but beyond worth it to me.   

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo - Before team Pureology stepped into my life my hair was one crazy individual - thick, unruly, wavy and colour treated it was a real magnet for frizz and looking, well a bit lacklustre unless I straightened it within an inch of its life. Enter the Hydrate range and as they say, the rest is history. Will I ever use another shampoo? I doubt it. This stuff is the bomb and manages to keep my mane in check without the use of sulphates or nasty parabens. I love it that much that I already had a back up in my stash before I finished this bottle, and I am never that organised.

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray - I've used this every night since picking this up in a sale gift set in January 2013 and now I can't sleep without it, a bold but genuine claim. There's just something about this lavender and wild chamomile scent that sends me into slumber quickly, which is amazing as I think of everything you could possibly imagine as soon as my head hits the pillow. A truly worthy repurchase and one to check out should you struggle with knocking the zzzzs out.

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara - I may never be a mascara (or eye make-up) expert but I know what I like and what I don't when it comes to mascara. The False Lash Effect offering from Max Factor is one I come back to time and time again as it's well priced, gives a real fluttery, full and separated lash look without looking over the top and it stays put all day long.

Have I tempted you to try any of these products? Which shower gel do I need to try next?

*PR Sample, all thoughts my own.

So I Went Into Space NK...

For the last few months my skin has taken the role of embarrassing uncle, you know the one who causes a scene at parties and is generally one to avoid? Well that has been my face, I think it all started when I used a Chanel foundation but we'll not dwell on that. I don't want to tempt fate but since introducing a few noobs and an oldie into my routine things have been getting a whole lot better so without further ado I present to you my Space NK purchases...

Talking oldies but goodies say hello to a long lost friend, the Rodial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Moisturiser. I stopped using this in a quest to find something more bank balance friendly and that's where I went wrong. From this day forward if my skin likes something, I'm sticking with it. I love how this leaves both my combination skin suitably moisturised and how make-up glides on smoothly afterwards. 

A more than welcome noob entering my bathroom stash is the Elemental Herbology Cool & Clear Facial Cleanser. Now this cleanser is dreamy stuff, not only does it smell amazing but it works brilliantly with my skin morning and night to remove make-up and general grime all while keeping pesky blemishes and crazy congestion at bay. Elemental Herbology you've knocked it out of the park again.

Purchased but not pictured (I may have got a little snap happy before realising) is a babe of a face exfoliator from Caudalie which in the realm of Space NK was a bargain at £18. As the name would suggest the Gentle Buffing Cream really is a sympathetic prod that packs a serious skin munching punch leaving your visage feeling soft but nourished, perfect for those with sensitive skin a la moi.

Now for the piece de resistance a Laura Mercier Luxe Travel Brush Collection which I snapped up in the on-line sale for an amazing £22.50 (I had £10 on my N-dulge card FYI). I've had my eye on this since Christmas so I'm thrilled to finally own this beautiful collection. Inside are four double ended travel sized make-up brushes and a full size cheek colour brush which retails on it's own for £39! Feeling spendy? The Space NK sale is still happening now and it's pretty damn awesome for Laura Mercier goodies.

Do you ever allow yourself to splurge in Space NK? What skincare buys keep your face in check?

Space NK & The Gift With Purchase

When I hear the words Space NK and gift with purchase in the same breathe my heart starts to beat that little bit faster and my bank balance inevitably starts to sweat, but for once it needn't worry - with a minimum spend of £75 (instead of the usual £150) and with a wish list collecting cyber dust in my Notes section of my iPhone a strike was inevitable.

The first item in my basket was an easy repurchase, the REN Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser is a product I'll forever have in my stash, it's that good and I got an extra 33% for exactly the same price as usual. What a win! My second add-to-bag came in the form of Kevyn Aucoins Celestial Powder, which I've eyed up for longer than I can remember. What finally pushed me over the edge? Using my friend Claires on her hen weekend that's what. Discovering cheek bones I never had before that weekend was something I refused to say goodbye to. Naughty Hannah, happy cheeks.

My last buys came in miniature form, one the Kiehls Creamy Eye Treatment and the other a Rococo nail polish in the shade Wild Roses, well for £3 why ever not? My Kiehls addition wasn't so much of a whim purchase but a seriously thought out one, I'm quickly approaching my mid twenties (plus one) and feel an eye cream should be part of my routine. Have my bags disappeared? Not quite but things are feeling a whole lot hydrated.

Now for that thing they call gift with purchase, Space NK know how to pull it out of the bag with their freebies (pardon the pun) and teaming up with Sewlomax was a stroke of genius. I'm absolutely thrilled with this cutie of a make-up bag and can't wait to give these prods a trial.

Do you have a huge Space NK wish list? Do you get giddy at the words gift with purchase?

I've Been Sale-ing

Landmark Ring Dish was £10, bought for £3.95

Vintage Sweets Book was £16.99, bought for £7 & Spoiled Milk Greeting card was £2.50, bought for £1

I Have A Dream Set was £75, bought for £37.50

Sweet Shop Measuring Cup was £12, bought for £6.95 & Cranberry Spice Candle was £14, bought for £5.95

I'd never call myself a bargain hunter. There I said it. I just don't have the drive to sharpen my elbows, scramble along a floor (I'm looking at you Topshop) or queue at ridiculous o'clock in the morning. On-line sales however are a completely different ball game - being able to check out the discounts a day early, and getting notifications of the final reductions all from the comfort of my sofa without any of the in store chaos is my kinda shopping. Is there anything more satisfying than getting your mitts on pieces that were out of your price range but are now affordable? I think not. 

Whistles, Topshop, Anthropologie and Space NK are four stores that have really tickled my fancy this sales season. Clearly old habits die hard as I picked up the same This Works set from Space NK as last year, let's just say team This Works know how to make me fall into a deep slumber. 

Anthropologie is my go to homeware destination for cool pieces so I'd be cray not to check out their sale offering. As soon as I spotted the landmark dish I knew it'd be perfect for Craigs bedside which is littered with coins and random bits and bobs unlike mine which is actually pretty tidy - when I took the above picture he asked if I was doing a post on 'the boys bedside', not quite Mr! Additions to my Anthropologie basket include a spiced cranberry candle and a measuring cup which is a constant reminder to bake more.

In Topshop I discovered the super cute Vintage Sweet recipe book (the perfect gift) and the amusing spoilt milk birthday card, which I may have to keep for myself. Does anyone else do this with cards or is it just me? 

Fast becoming my I-wish-my-wardrobe-was-made-up-of store Whistles had the most epic sale and I picked up a few pieces including a lace dress for my buds wedding (expect a wedding outfit of the day early March), a leopard print clutch and maybe another clutch too which sadly refused to be photographed. No doubt it'll be making an appearance on Cagney and Lace soon.

Have you been sale-ing in January? Are you a fan of my cheeky picks?

Empties #5

Tomorrow marks the end of an era as Craig and I wave goodbye to our bathroom as we know it and welcome (roughly) two weeks of general chaos as it begins it's transformation from ugly duckling to beautiful swan. I. cannot. wait. With a general clear up taking place just this morning I couldn't think of a better time to share my recent empties with you...

Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturiser in Ivory - I'm currently on my fourth bottle of the Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturiser since welcoming it into my life last April, my only criticism of my go to base would be that a bottle only hangs around for about two months. That said this tinted moisturiser would take some serious beating - thicker than any TM I've tried before, a little goes a long way to achieve that flawless, glows-from-within, natural finish. I can't imagine ever being without this complexion miracle worker.

La Roche-Posay Serozinc - This cheeky French number was easily the most talked about toner of 2013 thanks to skincare expert Caroline yet after using this for the last couple of months I must admit I'm on the fence. I adore the fine, refreshing spray mist and how it seems to soothe my skin after cleansing but personally I feel like that's all it does. Am I asking too much from a humble toner? Could this be down to the hype? Honestly I don't know and frankly I'm in two minds whether to repurchase or not. 

Clarins Instant Eye Make Up Remover - As I frequently resemble a panda the morning after wearing mascara (FYI I don't wear mascara daily as I can't get to grips with wearing it to work with my glasses) I thought I'd give the Clarins offering a go after hating on almost every high-street eye make up remover I've ever tried. Now here's where I went wrong, I don't wear waterproof mascara or heavy eye make-up and I think this could be the key to using the Clarins IEMR. Don't get me wrong it removes nearly all my mascara without a struggle but the oily residue is not my friend. At £17 I won't be repurchasing but in no way am I product bashing, this just isn't the one for the gal who rarely rocks mascara.

Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub - This could be is the most divine smelling body scrub I've ever tried, who doesn't want to smell like maple syrup morning or night? This scrub is not only fantastic value for money (this huge pot has lasted me months) but a brilliant body exfoliator that comfortably sloughs away dead skin cells without leaving your skin feeling stripped, just silky smooth. An easy repurchase, well done team S&G - I'm yet to try a product from you that I don't love.

Dove Hair Nourishing Oil Care Leave In Spray - I have a teeny amount of this leave in conditioner left which is awesome as it's become a real staple in my hair care routine. As someone with seriously thick and unruly hair, frizz has always been an enemy but since using this oil spray (along with a couple of other products) I've noticed a huge change in the finished look of my barnet, with frizzy days being mostly a thing of the past. I spray this sweet smelling oil liberally after washing my hair but before combing it through, allowing the spray to act as an all round nourisher and a detangler too. At £3.65 this is a serious bargain especially since it's lasted over six months. What else do I need to try from Dove?

REN ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser - Yes I've used another bottle of this seriously calming but not stripping cleanser from REN and I've got a replacement in my bathroom cabinet, that's how much I love it! I really need to control my product pumps though, I slap this on like it's going out of fashion which in some ways is a testament to how much I love this cleanser but not so much to my purse. You can read an in depth review of my favourite everyday cleanser here.

Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer - They say good things come in small packages and they weren't wrong, the Mineral Veil from Hourglass is the best primer I've ever tried by a mile and that's coming from an I-don't-need-primer gal, that's got to mean something right? Sure it's pricey but your make-up will not budge nor will your skin feel clogged. This tiny sample size lasted me a good few months so next time you attend a Space NK event you better hope there's one of these in your goodie bag. Hourglass, you've done it again.

Have you tried any of these products before? Are you tempted to give any a go?