Stripped Skincare

As we near the end of 2016...I'm back on the blog and have a skincare post for you all, and I can safely say, it's my favourite skincare discovery of the year!

The lovely team at Stripped kindly sent me their skincare set to try and 2 of the products have barely been out of my clutches since receiving them. The set (which is currently on sale with a £14.50 discount) consists of;

- Full size (50ml) Lavender Eye Make Up Remover Oil

- Full size (50ml) Calendula & Mandarin Hot Cloth Cleansing Oil

- Full size (50ml) Spearmint & Lemon Exfoliating Oil

- Full size (30ml) Rosehip & Mandarin Moisturising Oil

- Full size (10g) Peppermint Lip Balm

They say that pictures speak a thousand words don't they? The Hot Cloth Cleanser & the Eye Make Up Remover Oil have been well loved to say the least!

So, you may want to know some more about the company, right?
Stripped offer 100% natural, organic skincare, there are no chemicals, preservatives or synthetic ingredients in sight, and they never test on animals - if that's not enough, it's 100% British - and I'm all up for supporting companies here on our home turf.

Stripped's current skincare offerings are geared towards oily/combination skin types (for those with other skin types - watch this space!) Basically, right up my street. As a 30 something year old I was hoping the days of acne, spots and troublesome skin would have been long gone, but hey, we can't have it all can we?!

Skin plays such a big part in how I feel, we all know that 'good skin day feeling'- I do and want it as often as possible.

I am right at the front of the 'sceptical queue' for any products that claim to help with troublesome skin, because let's face it, we've all been on the endless search for the last *insert number of years here* I will also hold my hands up to not sticking with products - it's very rare I use up skincare items - especially in such a short amount of time.

So let's take a look at my two faves from the brand;

Calendula & Mandarin Hot Cloth Cleanser; £15.00 / 50ml

The photo says it all, it's an empty! This cleanser fights bacteria, tackles blemished areas and prevents breakouts. On top of that, it smells delicious and gives me spa-vibes every time I massage it in. It's citrusy and fresh.
Make up is removed effortlessly and leaves my skin feeling cleansed, smooth and nourished.
After using this cleanser over the past couple of months, I can also say that I have noticed a big difference in my skin - barely any breakouts, and just all round healthier looking skin.
A fresh bottle will be in my routines very shortly.

Lavender Eye Make Up Remover Oil; £8.00 / 50ml

I've not really been faithful to one particular brand of eye make up remover, just more so the routine of pouring it from the bottle onto cotton pads and wiping away.. so I wasn't sure how I was going to get on with a different technique (I don't like change, ok?!) Fast forward a few months (and nearly a full bottle of the stuff!) and I am a changed woman. Rubbing the oil in means no tugging at my eyes and it removes every.single.trace of mascara (even waterproof) eyelash glue, glitter liner, shadow - and I'm convinced the lavender essential oil in there has made my lashes grow longer!

I only have good things to say about this brand so far - I've got to get stuck into the Spearmint & Lemon Bamboo Exfoliator next. And as a last little note - if like me you are currently removing (and by removing, I mean eating) all traces of Christmas chocolates from the house then the Peppermint Lip Balm should just about satisfy your cravings for After Eights well into diet season...

What skincare brands have you discovered in 2016 ?

Lauren x

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Monthly Favourites | May 2016

Back again with a (much overdue) monthly favourites, this year is flying by.

Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette
I don't think I have used a palette so much since getting it, I am in love with it. Cute packaging, 18 shadows, and the most amazing peach scent, there is nothing I can find that I don't like.. apart from how upset I'll be when I hit pan! The shadows are exactly what we've come to know and love from Too Faced, buttery, soft texture and super easy to blend.
My favourite shades are; Peaches N Cream, Luscious, Puree, Summer Yum.

Too Faced Sweethearts Blush "Sparkling Bellini"
Swirled together, this creates the perfect peach colour. Looks gorgeous on the cheeks and gives a subtle sheen. Will be lovely as we head further into Summer too.

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Facial Washt
This will for sure be in the empties pile after a few more uses. I've been using this pretty much every morning, it's really refreshing and wakes me up. It doesn't sting my eyes, lathers up to just the right level of 'latheriness' too. I can't really say that it's helped my skin, I've still had the odd breakout, but all round it's a good, zesty scented facewash.

Niod Photography Fluid Opacity 12%
The name is strange, I have to just get that out there. The product is lovely. It's described as having light reflecting prisms which tone hue & irregularities.
I've been using as a primer and I really do find that it evens out my skin tone, reduces the appearance of pores, gives a lovely glow and a bit of an airbrushed effect too - who doesn't want that? Exactly. A must have for the upcoming Summer months. This would be a fab product to take away on holiday to wear alone to give a J-Lo glow.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick "Sexy Sienna"
A gorgeous warm, coral shade. Another one that's got me excited for Summer, holidays and tanned skin. The formula of Charlotte's matte lipsticks are perfect. They are lightweight and comfortable to wear and have a smooth, almost creamy texture. I get about 4 hours wear before I need to touch up/re-apply.

Nuxe Prodigieux Le Parfum
Without being super cliche, this is Summer in a bottle, literally. I put this on and I'm transported to the beach at sunset, I'm wearing a big floppy beach hat, bare feet, walking across bright white sand.... ahem, apologies, got a little carried away there! If that isn't enough to encourage you to have a sniff, I don't know what is!
Head notes; Orange Blossom & Plum
Heart Notes; Rose, Geranium & Magnolia
Base Notes; Coconut & Vanilla

Maybelline, The Eraser Eye
A great under eye concealer. Good coverage, no creasing, glides on really nicely. My only gripe..... the foam applicator. If I stop and think about the germs hibernating within the applicator I'd possibly never use it again, however let's not think about that and concentrate on the fact that it's a great product, very affordable, and let's never speak of the applicator business again.....

Creightons Vanilla & Macadamia Bath & Shower
A Lidl special, coming in at less than £! - this is one of the best bubble baths (aside from Matey, obviously) that I have ever used. The scent is gorgeous, nothing too overpowering. It makes the perfect amount of bubbles / lather too. It's worth socking up if you spot it instore - their Avocado and Almond hand wash is also a winner.

Marc Jacobs Re(Marc)Able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate
Mention 'full coverage' when it comes to foundation and I am all ears. This foundation amazes me every time I use it. The applicator is like a dotting tool - you need the tiniest amount and it goes a LOOOONG way. It;s insanely pigmented. Even with it packing all this punch in coverage, it feels completely lightweight on the skin and gives a very natural finish. Pores blurred, conceals all blemishes, too good to be true you say? It is THAT good. The only drawback for us in the UK is having to order it online from Harrods - I took a gamble on the shade Bisque Medium which is a perfect match for me. This foundation has taken top spot above my Etee Lauder Double Wear and is 'The One' I save for 'special occasions'

Would love to hear if you have tried any of my favourites and what you've been loving throughout May!

Lauren x

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Monthly Favourites | February 2016

So another month has passed and this month I really feel that I've dedicated myself to certain products and found a lot that I've loved!


Patisserie de Bain Sugared Violet Handcream

If you like hand cream and you like the Parma Violet sweets, you will love this! I've had this a little while but been strict on applying it every night night before bed and it's now an empty. The smell is divine. The other reason I like it so much is it doesn't leave a film on your hands afterwards, it absorbs straight in. I reviewed the range separately a few months back, I still another 2 scents to use up so I will crack open another one now!


Wet Brush

I have been using a Tangle Teezer for a little now but recently I found it just wasn't cutting it. I had heard a few people mention that the Wet Brush was a better alternative, so I popped one in my basket when I was shopping on Beauty Bay and I'm so glad I did - this gets through my hair so much better than the Tangle Teezer and doesn't seem to make it as frizzy by brushing through the knots.


Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub

We all love a bit of Soap & Glory, right?! I think the Sugar Crush range has got to be my favourite. It smells sweet and sour at the same time! I love it. It's taken me a while to get through this large tub, but with my skin being a little more dry in Winter I've found having a good scrub 2 - 3 times a week and then using a really thick body butter has kept things feeling nice and soft.


Tom Ford Noir

This scent is heaven. I love it. It has a real edge to it and is super sexy and seductive. I am yet to develop my 'blogger' skills in describing a fragrance, so I will just leave you with the words of Tom Ford;

"Fusing decadent floralcy—the signature of a refined sophisticate—with mysterious Eastern delicacies and sensual amber and woods. Opening notes of citrus and spice form an enticing prelude to the dramatic sensual heart which pulsates with a provocative bouquet of florals. A warm and addictive background emerges from the feminine florals. Delectable vanilla and seductive amber add a compelling allure, with smooth sandalwood completing the signature, sensual warmth. The complete impression is of a femininity that is both elegantly assured and daringly sensual: an intoxicating dance of refinement and intimacy"


RMCA No Color Powder

I picked this up after I heard Wayne Goss & Kathleen Lights saying how good it was, and not only that, but it was a alternative to the Laura Mercier Loose Translucent powder, which I have used for over a year. I ordered mine from love-makeup.co.uk where the 3oz bottle is £8.95 - compared to the LM powder at £29.00. I have been using it to set my under eye concealer and my entire face and it's just as amazing as Wayne & Kathleen said it would be. My only gripe is the packing, to be fair most loose powders don't have the best form of packaging. I'm not complaining too much as the product and the price more than makes up for it!


Colab Dry Shampoo "Monaco"

I am a dry shampoo junkie, I use it every day - even if my hair is freshly washed as i like it to have some texture to it. I was super pleased with one of my favourite You Tubers, Ruth Crily (A Model Recommends) launched her own line. Out of all the scents, this is my favourite - again I am rubbish at describing, but if Ruth's description isn't enough for you to go buy it, I don't know what is!

The Monaco scent, by the way, was inspired by some of my favourite summer fragrances; those heady, unisex ones with classic cologne notes. Think Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino, some of the lighter and fresher Acqua di Parma scents, the solid, original 4711 cologne… I wanted that absolute headiness that you get with neroli fragrances and then a lovely lightness from the citrus and a bit of sexy warmth from the amber – glamorous but completely wearable. And I must say, very moreish.

The fragrances come in 2 different versions, Sheer & Invisible or Extreme Volume. I have tried both and love them both. I get some white casting from the Extreme Volume version, but nothing that can't be fixed when you rub it into the hair, I have bright red (coloured hair) and it doesn't alter the colour of my hair to the point you'd know I'd sprayed dry shampoo.
They are availalbe in large and small cans, and I like the small ones as they are easy to throw in my handbag.


Loreal False Scuplt Lash Mascara

This mascara has such a unique brush, I've never come across one like it before. When you apply the mascara, the shape of the brush creates a tight-lining effect and acts as not only as a mascara, but a lash sculptor, Loreal say. It's super black, makes my lashes appear fuller and adds length and volume. Everything I want from a mascara. 1 coat would be enough, but I like 2 as I perter a more voluminous, verging more towards the clumpy / 60's lash look, which this mascara will give if you build it up.


Nyx Jumbo Eye Pencil "Milk"

For priming my eyes before eyeshadow this works really well, but more recently I've been using it to line my water line and it just pulls everything together and makes my eyes look super bright and awake. One of the best NYX products I've used.


Bourjois Radiance Reveal Concealer

This is light, creamy and hydrating and brightens up the under eye area like a dream. It has a doe foot applicator which I like for the under eye area and Bourjois they say use water from the glaciers of Mont Blanc and hyaluronic acid which provides 24 hour hydration.


Barry M Mani Mask "Birthday Suit"

Barry M have launched their first nail care / treatment products and I was excited to try something from the line. The Mani Masks come in two shades, Bashful and Birthday Suit. I'm not a fan of pink shades so Birthday Suit was right up my street, a neutral barely there shade. The Mani Mask conditions your nails whilst leaving them looking manicured. They leave a semi matte finish, like a concealer for your nails and this product would be perfect for people that cannot wear coloured polish to work or school.

Mac Blush "Springsheen"

I have pretty much used this blush throughout February and at one point I had to ban myself from it and start using something else! It's a golden peach with a sheertone shimmer finish and just so pretty. These are the type of blush shades I like to go for because they go with any look and you don't really have to worry about it clashing with eyeshadow, lipstick etc.

Would love to hear what you've been loving throughout Feb and if you've tried anything I've been loving!

Lauren x

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Monthly Favourites | January 2016

So, we're a month into 2016 already and it has flown by.

Here's what I've been loving this month;

Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm

I did a recent blog post on this cleanser. I love this for my second evening cleanse, it removes all traces of make up and my skin feels lovely after using it. As you can see it's nearly all gone - it will definitely be a repurchase.


Bioderma

I bought the duo set of this while I was in Paris back in October last year, however Bioderma is now available at Boots, so much easier to get hold of for those of us in the UK! Bioderma was the first micellar water introduced to the beauty world, so for that reason it's a popular one and highly blogged about. I can't fault the product and really enjoy using it - I've been reaching for it every night this month. It doesn't sting my eyes, and removes the top layer of my makeup ready for me to go in with cleanser.


Imperial Leather Fruit Salad Shower Cream

This smells divine! Just like the sweets. I love anything that smells like sweets, especially retro sweets. It's named a shower cream, it is a thick consistency, and this feels very nourishing and luxurious on the skin. It's only £1 in Boots at the moment too! They also have a Marshmallow one (which of course, I have!) and a Sherbet Lemon one too, which I definitely want to pick up.


Rimmel Stay Matte Primer

I've had this in my collection a little while, but seem to have been reaching for it a lot this month. For a drugstore primer it's actually really good at mattifying and better than some high end ones I have tried! It creates a great base for my makeup, great price and actually does what it says! I still powder, my skin is seriously oily, but for someone with less oily skin I think this primer would hold shine at bay really well.


NYX Blush "Taupe"

Another item I've had sat in the depths of my drawers and found while I was having a tidy up (as you do!) is this blush. I've had this since Next had NYX stands in various stores, why did they have to stop selling it?! I know it's easier to get in the UK now online, but it was so handy being able to go swatch the products. The reason this one made it onto my list was Gracie Victory mentioning that it was a great contour shade - and it is, it's absolutely perfect. Been using it a lot this month and if you can get hold of it by any means, maybe Ebay, do it, you won't regret.


Real Techniques Bold Metals 301 Flat Contour Brush

This brush not only looks like heaven, but applies product like a dream too. I use it as it suggests, for contour. It applies powder and cream products so well, I've been using it with my NYX blush (above) and my Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel. It's a dense brush, but extremely soft and so easy to work with.



Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder "Translucent"

This powder sets like no other. For anyone with oily skin, you need this! I know loose powder isn't the most convenient or easiest to work with, I tend to use this at home and if I take a powder out with me, I will take a pressed powder, Rimmel Stay Matte is next in line after my LM. It's another product that I've nearly finished and I have no hesitation about repurchasing. It lasts forever too, I've had this over a year.


NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream "Stockholm"

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll have seen my love for this lipstick this month. I've been feeling nudes recently, and this one just ticks all the boxes for me. It's the perfect nude shade. Even though it's matte, it's not one of these that you have to be super careful when applying. I have applied it at my desk at work without a mirror, you can't really go wrong. It's also really comfortable to wear.


So that's all my favourites this month. I'd love to know if you have tried anything in post or if you have any recommendations for me!

What have you been loving this month?

Lauren x

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Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm

The blogger in me would have ensured there was nice fancy shot of this cleanser to accompany this blogpost, however my impatient streak made me dive straight in and here we are a few weeks later with a nearly empty pot, but accompanied with a pineapple candle to make it up to you!

On the plus side, you can see how much I have been loving using it.


This is a balm to oil cleanser, it's super thick and luxurious texture makes removing makeup a dream. It's the heaviest feeling cleanser I have ever used, but this is most definitely not a bad thing. It feels very thick when applied to the skin, then when you massage it in melts into a more oil based formula which removes every inch of your makeup.

It contains sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, shea butter and vitamin E - which makes for super nourished and smooth skin. You may think that this cleanser is best geared to dry skin types, however I have oily skin and this has worked so well for me, and in fact I'm confident that it's helped improve my skin.

It's worth noting that this cleanser is not the type that will emulsify when you add water, and you won't be able to simply rinse it off with water, you are going to need to remove it with a muslin cloth / flannel or damp cloth - whatever you'd prefer, I don't mind this little bit of extra effort as the results when you wipe it off are second to none.

Pixi suggest that this is used as a PM cleanser, which is exactly what I do. I find it works best for me as my 2nd cleanse in the evening, and go in with a cleansing oil first.

A little goes a long way, which is another reason I love this product. This large pot contains 90ml for £18, it's lasted me since early November and I've used it pretty much every evening since opening it.


Other favourites of mine are the Pixi Glow Tonic and the Beauty Sleep Cream - I'd love to hear of any other Pixi products you've tried that you recommend!

Lauren x

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Makeup Geek - My (Growing) Collection, Part One...

For months, I sat and swooned over Jaclyn Hill & Nikkie Tutorials makeup videos using Makeup Geek eyeshadows, wishing there was an easier (and import tax free!) way of getting them in my clutches... If I'd have been a bit cleverer, I could have done an order and had it shipped to my hotel when I visited America in November, why do we always have the brilliant light bulb moments when it's too late?!

It was a very happy day when I discovered that Beauty Bay were stocking the brand.

At first the stocks were very limited and I don't think they had realised just how much demand they would get for the brand, shades sold out SUPER quickly and the order took ages to process. To be fair to Beauty Bay, they have since given me £5 to spend on the site due to the delay, which I think is really good customer service. I have always had a brilliant service and delivery time from them in the past (and there's been a lot of orders!)

So onto the shades I have chosen, which, if you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen the various snaps of the collection has it's been growing...

So far, I have 5 of the foiled eyeshadows and 10 of the standard eyeshadows.

Makeup Geek describe the foiled shadows as; "With these rich and intensely-hued shades, the new Makeup Geek Foiled Eyeshadows go beyond your standard line of cosmetics, introducing you to a new and powerful cosmetic experience.

This cutting-edge formula offers a creamy texture that is a hybrid between a powder shadow and a cream shadow that is on a level of its own.

The intense pigmentation combined with an opaque, metallic finish make these shadows a dream to work with. These can be applied effortlessly in just one swipe with no primer required! Our lineup includes a diverse array of rich colors and a smooth silky formula that we believe help elevate pressed eye shadows to the next level of exceptional quality."

I do completely agree with this, they are buttery, blend so well and look heavenly on the eyes, by far my favourite type of eyeshadow.

I've done swatches of each line of shadows so you can get an idea of them individually.

First up, Untamed & Desert Sands
Untamed is one of the foiled eyeshadows and is a bright coppery orange/golden shade and Desert Sands is a matte shadow in a camel brown shade with yellow undertones.

Now onto the dark, purple-ly shades we have Showtime (foil) Burlesque & Bitten.
Showtime is a rusty brown with warm undertones and a foil finish, Burlesque is a deep burgandy with a hint of bronze and Bitten is another matte finish shadow in a deep maroon shade.

Flamethrower (foil) Cocoa Bear & Americano
I think I can safely say that Flamethrower is my favourite of the bunch, it's a true, bright copper with a foiled finish, beautiful. Cocoa Bear is a warm, reddish brown and has a matte finish. Americano is a classic dark brown with a matte finish.

Magic Act (foil) Cosmopolitan, Brown Sugar.
Magic Act is beautiful inner corner highlight shade, a light, yellow toned gold. Cosmopolitan, a beautiful rose gold shade with gold flecks. Brown Sugar is a warm coppery toned brown with a shimmery finish.

Now onto the lighter shades, Grandstand (foil) Shimma Shimma, Beaches & Cream, Mirage.
Grandstand is a beautiful light rose gold shade with a foil finish, Shimma Shimma is a metallic champagne colour, another good one for inner corner / brow highlight. Beaches & Cream is fabulous as a transition shade at the outer corner of the eye, it's a creamy shade with a hint of peach and a matte finish. And last but certainly not least, Mirage - stunning as a brow highlight, it's a warm buttercream shade with a satin matte finish.

I store the eyeshadow pans in a large Z Palette. The normal pans are £4.95 each from Beauty Bay, the foiled shadows are a little more expensive at £7.95 each, but they are so worth it!

I hope this post has helped, if you're looking for some inspiration for new shades to add to your collection, or for someone just starting your Makeup Geek pallete.

I'd love to know if you have any shade recommendations for me too, there's a big space to fill in my Z palette!

Lauren x

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