Review | Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot

Setting liquid foundation will help to lock product into place and if you find the right powder, it can also keep oily skin at bay for a lot longer than without. I recently picked up Soap & Glory's 'One Heck of a Blot' after seeing it in my local Boots. I have never really explored the S&G makeup range but have heard only good things. My usual powder preference is MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, which serves its purpose just fine, but with an affinity for beauty products, I'm always looking for the game changer. 

One Heck of a Blot is a blotting powder by nature - it's main purpose is to absorb excess oil, control shine and mattify skin. The powder comes in a handy compact with mirror and a puff for on the go touch ups and is translucent making it suitable for all skin tones. I like a natural luminosity to my base, so I usually sweep this powder on with my Real Techniques Duo-Fibre Face Brush (available in the Nic's Picks brush set), which picks up just enough product to hold everything into place, without things getting too cakey. The wear time of my makeup is definitely increased when I use this product, only needing to touch up once during the day, usually just in my t-zone. 

Overall it's a nice powder that gets the job done in all the right places. Game changing? No, but it will definitely be in rotation with my MAC powder. 

Have you tried any of the Soap & Glory makeup range?

June Favourites

It's time for this months beauty favourites post, with a random chucked in for good measure.  June 2013 has been one of those months I wont forget for a long time to come.  Just this past week I graduated from university with a 2:1 in Fashion Journalism, which I am beyond proud of and I'm now on to the next chapter of my life  - one that doesn't involve education for the first time in 16 years.  More of that in an upcoming post, now let's get onto my favourites for the month of June.  

I've begun running out of some of my favourite skincare products and as I don't have the cash to splurge on repurchases just yet, I've been pulling out products that have started to gather dust.  I've had the Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean Cleanser since January, but have only really gotten into it this month. It smells like peaches and has a peppermint twist which is cooling on the skin.  It's great at getting make up off and leaving your skin feeling clean and refreshed.  I've also been using Origins Drink Up Intensive in place of a moisturiser two times a week to give my skin a moisture boost.  This is a popular face mask in the bloggersphere - it's one you pop on and leave overnight.  It can be quite tacky so it's definitely one to put on 30 minutes or so before you get into bed, but by morning you're left with soft, plumped up skin that's ready for make up.  I also rediscovered an old favourite in the form of perfume this month.  I've had CK IN 2 U for a few years now and I love the smell around this time of year.  It has notes of Amber, Vanilla and Cedar.  

As I mentioned earlier, I graduated this week and so wanted to give myself a summer glow to take the edge of my extremely pale skin.  I've tried out a couple of different mousse tans but St Tropez is by far the best. If you're afraid of tanning, like I once was, the guide colour really helps to blend out any streaks and leave you with a flawless finish.  The product dries quickly and takes up to four hours to develop, so I usually pop this one before bed and let it do it's thing overnight.  I've also been enjoying Essie's Tart Deco, which turned out to be a great match for my graduation dress.  The formula is creamy and opaque, needed only two coats for maximum colour.  A lip product I've been reaching for all month is Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine in 'Boy', for a quick and easy swipe of colour that's easy to reapply during the day.  These lipsticks are extremely moisturising and have that iconic Chanel scent to them.   

A non-beauty related favourite this month is in the form of a TV series.  I've been bitten by the Grey's Anatomy bug, after my sister-in-law insisted I would love it.  I love American drama's, my favourite being One Tree Hill and I've fallen head over heels for Grey's.  If you've never watched it, it's set in a hospital and follows Meredith Grey who begins life as a surgical intern.  It features the likes of Katherine Heigl, Eric Dane and my newest crush Patrick Dempsey.  

So that's it, another month of 2013 done and dusted.  

What are you're favourites this month?

Soap and Glory Love

Soap and Glory is one of those brands I've heard a lot about, but had never delved in and tried for myself.  I have their infamous Hand Food sitting on my bed side table but other than that, I was pretty much a virgin.  Over Christmas I was given a couple of gift sets and ever since I've fallen completely in love with the brand.  Out of the products I've tried, these are my favourites. 

Smoothie Star Deep Moisture Body Milk - If you like the idea of moisturising your body with yoghurt, you'll probably like this product.  Smoothie Star smells edible with a mix of almond, cocoa butter, yoghurt, oat and honey and glides onto the skin leaving it full of moisture.  This is a great everyday skin treat.  

Peaches and Clean 4-in-1 Cleansing Milk - I was a bit dubious at trying this out to begin with, as I'm so used to my usual cleansers but I'm glad I gave it a go.  Although the instructions tell you to use in the evening to remove make up, I much prefer using this in the morning as the mint and peach extracts really leave your skin feeling refreshed and ready to go.  

Sugar Crush Body Scrub - The smell of this product is incredibly potent - in a good way! It smells strongly of limes, which is extremely refreshing.  I tend to alternate this with Pulp Friction, on days when I don't need to shave my legs as it warns you it could sting - ouch! It's a smashed brown sugar scrub with sweet lime and almond oil, which D the body smooth but doesn't leave an oily film.   

Pulp Friction Foaming Fruity Body Scrub - I've been eyeing this scrub up for a while, and I even went to buy it before Christmas but something told me not to.  I love this scrub, it's definitely my favourite out of the two pictured.  I use this on days I shave my legs, to scrub off dead skin cells and smooth the skin.  It's quite creamy as well as grainy, meaning it doesn't scrape your skin off like some scrubs can.

Butter Yourself Body Cream - This body moisturiser smells incredible, the new 'Fruitigo' fragrance contains frozen yuzu, orange oil, green fig and jungle pomelo essence.  It's extremely thick and is great to smother yourself in when you're just out of the bath or shower.  If my skin needs a treat, I'll be reaching for this, and it's paraben free - what more could you ask for?

Foam Call Bath and Shower Body Wash - This product smells exactly like the body cream, so obviously they make a great combination.  It's formulated to ensure it doesn't dry out your skin and does the job. 

I've definitely caught the Soap and Glory bug and I want to look into their skincare line some more.  Do you have and S&G recommendations?

Christmas Presents

I can't believe it's already been four days since Christmas. I hate how long it takes to get here, and hate how quickly it passes even more.  This year I was extremely spoiled by my family and got some great gifts, so I wanted to show you a selection of them.  Earlier this year, my Mum and Dad bought me tickets to see Girls Aloud on tour next year, which was a Christmas present, so I wasn't expecting to be getting much at all but they still bought me lots of amazing things!  This is by no means a bragging post, I enjoy reading these as I'm pretty nosey and I know some of you are the same! 

 I love receiving box sets at Christmas as I think they are just a great gift. This year I got the complete set of Laguna Beach, The Hills and The City which I've already begun watching from the beginning.  Running along the Lauren Conrad theme, I also got her latest book 'Beauty', which I've had a quick flick through and it looks interesting and a large curling iron to try and imitate LC's hair.  I got a couple of Cath Kidston tech cases, one for my iPhone and another for my iPad as well as some trusty Snow Fairy.  Another box set to add to my ever growing collection is The Vampire Diaries season three - I've completely shifted to Team Delena.  I also got some Soap and Glory goodies.  My parent's bought me the 'Showers that Glee' set and I loved it so much that I decided to use some of my Christmas money to get more.  I picked up the 'Best of All' set which was originally £60 but in the Boot's sale I managed to get it for £27 - bargain! My brother and his wife got me some Vans as my converse are looking a bit worse for wear - shame the weather has been so disgusting, I haven't been able to wear them out yet! 

What was your favourite Christmas present?

May Favourites.

Another month is very nearly over, is it just me or does every year fly by even faster?  We'll soon be entering June, an exciting month for me as I start my internship next Monday.  I love May favourite blog posts or youtube videos and decided to jump on the bandwagon.  I have quite a few favourites this month, so we best get started!

Beauty Favourites:

Skincare

(L-R)

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

La Roche Posay Effaclar M

Soap and Glory Hand Food 

Avon Solutions Perfect Tone Night Cream

I've had a great month, skin wise and I think it is thanks to my new routine.  Liz Earle is now a must have in my collection, I really look forward to taking my make up off at night, and it has helped my skin no end!  As I cleanse in the evening, I was looking for a nice night moisturiser and came across the new Avon solutions range.  It has helped even out my skin tone, but it's not 100% there yet.  During the day I use my La Roche Posay to sort out any oilyness before I apply make up.  Summer is all about being soft and supple, and my hands always seem dry so I've been loving my Hand Food, plus it smells amazing.  

Haircare:

(L-R)

Umberto Giannini Sex Bomb Mousse

VO5 Give Me Texture Oomph Powder

Elnette Hairspray

VO5 Miracle Concetration

Trevor Sorbie Heat Protection Spray

I'm all about trying to get beautiful bouncy locks, and all of these products have helped.  I use the mousse most days and it works a treat, but for days I don't use it, i've found the VO5 powders been a great alternative.  I've gone back to my hairspray love, Elnette and been loving it's lightweight feel on my hair.  Dying to try out argan oil i've been using this every time I wash my hair, I'm not sure how much of a difference it's made but my hair soaks it up and it smells gorgeous.  You should never attempt to blow dry or straighten hair without heat protection and this product smells great and really protects your hair.  

Fashion Favourite:

Primark

These shoes have been my go to heel for pretty much the whole month.  I love the colour, it's pretty versatile and goes with a lot.  

Now onto some lifestyle favourites...

TV Favourite:

One Tree Hill Seasons 1-7

I love my Tree Hill collection, and as season 8 has just finished in the US, I've been watching old episodes to hold me over until season 9 starts up!  

Book of the Month:

Alyson Noel; The Immortals: Shadowland

Since finishing university I've had more time to read fiction over fact.  I love anything to do with the supernatural and have been loving this series, which is completely different to Twilight (which I love so very much).  I really recommend this series if you enjoy easy reads that are along the same lines as Twilight/True Blood/The Vampire Diaries.  

So there you have it, what have been your monthly favourites?

Please comment below if you'd like any further reviews on any of the products mentioned or even a book review/TV series review!

What's in the Chiltern?

I've seen a few of these blogs around and decided to add to it - I think it speaks a lot for your personality what you covet in your handbag.  

Meet Chiltern - I adore her, she's a classy bird.  The charm on the bag is additional, my best friend bought it for me. 

It has three sections which each has a zipped pocket.  I don't really use the zipped pockets, except for a mirror (which i've forgotten to photograph - ooops)

So in my bag you'll find:

- Clutch purse from Accessorize

- Cath Kidston train pass holder

- iPod Classic 80GB (headphones were in my Macbook)

- Revlon handbag sized hairbrush

- Soap and glory 'Hand Food'

- Vaseline tub in Cocoa 

- Moleskine notepad and pen

- Benefit Boi-Ing in no.1

- MAC satin lipstick in Myth (depends on make up i'm wearing)

- Clinique High Impact mascara

- Limited Edition Ray Ban Wayfarers 

Case closed.  

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So other than this I just wanted to share the new Chanel 'Mademoiselle' Handbag campaign with Gossip Girls notorious bad girl Blake Lively.  I  cooed over these pictures for a good five minutes, she looks incredible, as do the bags.  Well done Lagerfeld.  Enjoy my pretties!

*Thanks to We Can Pretend for the pictures.