TOPSHOP EDIT
Towards the end of 2016 I'd been wanting to start the process of stripping back my skincare routine and have a more relaxed approach to my beauty regimen and I feel like the guys at Deciem heard me. The Ordinary launched last year and though it took me a little while to get around to picking out and trying a few things (trust me there's quite the selection), I'm so glad I did. I've been trying out a few products from The Ordinary for a few months now, and it's really changed how I approach my skin everyday. The brand has a simple, stripped back approach in terms of style, application and it's contents, and that's exactly the ethos I'd been looking for. The one thing I would say is knowing what you are looking for can be tricky and those with little knowledge of skincare ingredients will need to read up, which The Ordinary have actually made super easy with a regimen guide which shows application and when to apply and even gives a couple of example routines. I would highly recommend checking out their website as there is a fair amount of information there that could be helpful if the range looks a little daunting on the get go.
That aside, I wanted to show you what I'd been using and my thoughts as I think this is a brand you'll be seeing me mention a lot more in the future! Now, it all started off with the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 which I thought would be a pretty safe starter as my skin can often be dehydrated and I've used seemingly similar products in the past. I use this after cleansing/toning and before any heavier/thicker products like oils or creams. I don't go too product heavy over top of this, mainly just applying a moisturiser quickly after to allow it to work most effectively with the hyaluronic acid. It's pretty similar to Hydraluron - that old blogger fave - in concept, so I treat it as such. I generally use this morning and night unless I'm using something else (generally only switch my routine on the odd night - AM stays the same), and tend to keep it to serum and moisturiser. Nice and simple.
A more recent purchase from them which has quickly become a huge love of mine is the Salicylic Acid 2% Solution. It's an exfoliating acid which is often used to fight blemishes. You may remember I'm a big fan of toners that use Salicylic Acid, and I do use these on occasion, however in my experience I've found that persistent, regular use can be a bit too much for my skin, so I do tend to use this at the first signs of blemishes and during my transformation in to spot-zilla, but not when my skin is completely clear. So far this has been working wonders for me and I've actually found my recent breakouts haven't scarred so much. *BREAKS IN TO CELEBRATORY DANCE* One little reminder is that as with any exfoliant, you're going to want to go in hard on the SPF after using this for at least a week - even if it's cloudy. I wear it every day that I leave the house so it's second nature to me, but for those that don't it's worth keeping that in mind. Same goes for the next product...
Then we have the Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%, this is one that I'm currently using in very small amounts a couple of times a week (PM) alongside the Hyaluronic Acid as I'm still building up my skins tolerance levels to it. Even just using a small amount leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth the next morning so I'm excited to continue using this long term and see how it works with my skin.
Then we have "Buffet" which is described as a "multi technology peptide serum", and if I'm honest this is the one I'm still a little unsure of so far. I question weather my skin is still a little too young for this as it's build to target signs of ageing, amongst other concerns. I haven't given this one too much of a road test as my skin recently broke out and I'm waiting for it to chill before I introduce it in to the rotation on a longer term basis. But I have friends who love and swear by this and it seems to be a popular choice in the range if you want something that does a little bit of everything.
All in all, my experience with the brand so far has been really positive. The product quality and performance for the price range has really impressed me. With so many acids in the range (which require SPF for at least a week after use) the one thing I do feel is missing from the selection is a kick ass SPF (correct me if I'm wrong but I can't see a dedicated SPF anywhere). It would be great if they could be a one stop shop for all skincare needs but I'm excited to try more and I think The Ordinary also works as a great stepping stone in to other Deciem brands. They're also Vegan and Cruelty Free as they don't retail in China AND they retail on ASOS, so if you have your VIP membership you can get a few bits and bobs from them delivered to you the next day (worth doing if everything you want is on ASOS, otherwise delivery from their website can take a few more days).
TLDR: Effective, affordable, vegan and cruelty free - reasons why this brand is worth a look in a nut shell. Now we know where I stand, I'd love to know your thoughts? Are you interested? Or does it all seem a little bit too science-y for your tastes?
THE ORDINARY
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Why The Chanel Rouge Allure Ink's Are My NO.1.
Prepare yourself for a lipstick love letter...
The Chanel Rouge Allure Ink's were released back in September and I quickly fell head over heels in love with them, so I thought it about time they had their own spotlight on hello-october.com. Don't you agree?
Let's get one thing settled before we start this review. These are not the dry matte formula you associate with a liquid lipstick. In fact, these have entirely changed my preference when it comes to a liquid lipstick. I no longer reach for those with a matte finish, but those with a velvet feel, and my lips have well and truly thanked me for it.
Despite not being 100% matte, these lipsticks still fall in to the afore mentioned category as they do dry down to a matte looking finish. However the feel is anything but. They're comfortable and don't feel dry at all, and last for a good few hours without the need for a touch up. I say a good few hours because, let's get real, I eat at least every four hours and drink frequently. So naturally most lip products on the market don't get past this wear time with me. And then we have the colour range. Whilst there isn't a vast selection of colours, the eight in the range are all gorgeous and there's a little something for everybody. There are even a few reds which allows us a better chance at finding our perfect rouge tone in the collection.
My personal favourite shades are the lightest and darkest of the collection, Amoureux (a nude, rosey pink) and Expérimenté (a gorgeous dark red). I wear both on a daily basis and will happily repurchase them once I've used both up. And if Chanel do decide to expand the shade range in the collection I will be first in line at my local counter to purchase. They're that good.
SIDE NOTE: These are limited edition, but you can still get them online and I've seen them on a few counters so they're worth giving a swatch if you spot them!
SHOP.
Barcelona Travel Guide.
Places to eat, sleep and play in Barcelona...
It seems to me that Barcelona is the city that keeps on giving. Two trips down and I feel as though there is so much more still to do and see. Even once I've marked everything off on the recommended list I think I could still happily wander Las Ramblas for hours and hours and not tire of it. Speaking of that "recommended list", today I wanted to share it with you. Though I haven't had the chance to tick every single item on this off (not yet anyway), I thought it might be helpful if you're planning a trip and looking to add a few things to your list.
EAT.
Chök the chocolate kitchen
I discovered this five minutes after buying all the chocolate from the market and en route to grabbing an ice cream. I still bought and ate a chocolate donut with a cake on top. Nuff said.
Amorino Barcelona - La Rambla
This is where I got the rose shaped ice creams! It's not an cutsey independent place, but boy is the ice cream yummy.
Ciudad Condal (Tapas)
Still dying to go here.
Milk. (Bar & Bistro)
Flax&Kale
DelaCrem
SLEEP.
I'm a creature of habit when it comes to hotels, as I like familiar places that make me feel at home. So this list isn't the longest...
W Hotel.
I can't resist the W Barcelona. I get the same room on the 21st floor every time and it really feels like home. As someone who can experience severe travel anxiety this is always a welcome detail. The pools at this hotel are also amazing and it's right by the beach. It's not a far walk from the Gothic Quarter and El Bourn but is tucked out of the way on the sea front. The views are incredible though and if you're looking for a relaxed and luxurious vacation this will fit the bill perfectly.
H10 Hotels.
From my research the H10 hotels came so highly recommended, and they're all over the city. My favourite is the one in the Gothic Quarter. As it's close to everything and it has a pool on the roof. You get a bit of everything, however if you're looking for the west side, or even the north if you're going a Gaudà tour, they have you covered.
PLAY.
W Hotel Bar
Did I mention the W has a bar and the views are incredible? This is available to the public as well as hotel guests and everyone I know recommends cocktails here, even if you're not staying.
Plaça Reial
I just enjoy mooching around in this cute little square.
Mercado de La Boqueria
This market is incredible. I bought all the chocolate!!
Sephora on Calle Pelayo
It's insane. One of my favourite Sephoras of all time.
Soho House, Barcelona
If you have membership this is a lovely place to hang out for an afternoon. There are rooms to stay in, a roof top pool and the food is always great.
Also...
Casa Batlló
La Sagrada FamÃlia
Plaça de GaudÃ
Parc de la Ciutadella
THE OUTFIT.
Barcelona in the autumn is all about dresses and boots during the day (at night, totally different story, cover up!). I was over the moon about this as dresses and boots aren't often the right mix for the UK temperatures. This dress from Glamorous, mixed with my Chloé boots was a mixed print match made in heaven. The heavy florals mixed with the serious studding on the boots shouldn't work at all, but it did and this has to be once of my favourite outfits of last year because of it.
I also wore my Chloe Drew bag (I've turned in to a bit of a Chloe fan girl) and my new Dior Reflected sunglasses. All topped of with a lot of Monica Vinader pieces, as well as my own rings from my line with Mejuri (still obsessed with them - like, I will still want to be buried wearing these when I'm old) and my Olivia Burton watch.
If you want to see my outfit from the previous day in Barcelona, click here and if you want to see the vlog on the full two days we spent in Barcelona then click here.
Nars Velvet Lip Glide: The New Product That I Can't Leave The House Without.
(Yes, it is just that good)
When it comes to new lip product launches, chances are you name it I've tried it. More often than not, when it comes to Nars lip launches, it's more a case of you name the launch and I've most likely already tried it about three weeks ago - the Nars team are very very good to me (thanks guys).
When it comes to the new Velvet Lip Glides from Nars, our story goes back to early September. I was perusing the Chichester Space NK when the incredible staff in store gave me the heads up about these (and of course I knew I had to have them - but they weren't out until October!). As if by magic I arrived home and there they were, all perfectly wrapped up, sitting on my coffee table. I get a lot of cool opportunities in my line of work, but HELLO NEW LIP PRODUCTS - this is the stuff my dreams are made of.
As you can imagine, I swatched, I trialled, and it wasn't long until I had two staple colours constantly packed in my bag. They have been everywhere with me, from Fashion Week to date nights. My favourite colours are Stripped (a pinky, nude - of course) and Playpen (a subtle coral with a little more pink than orange). They glide on with the same creamy feel of a traditional lipgloss, but once on your lips they instantly feel different, more velvet-like, but still a little creamy and definitely not matte. Nars describe them as a semi matte hybrid lip colour that combines the fluidity and effortlessness of a gloss with the coverage and comfort of a lipstick. During the winter months our skin can be a little more dry and that makes these perfect for the coming months in my eyes. They're long lasting, highly pigmented and just feel incredible, but come without the glassy sheen of a traditional lipgloss.
In addition to launching a great new product, I'm also really pleased that Nars didn't follow the same old Matte Lipstick trend and released something of the same vein but a little more unique. I love liquid lipsticks but there's only so many more times you can try a matte liquid lipstick and get excited about it. I definitely think we're now seeing a curveball, with more comfortable, creamy matte lipsticks and I'm excited to see which brands really get such a formula right!
The Lip Glides retail for around £22, come in 13 shades and are available to buy now at John Lewis and from the Nars website. They're available nationwide as of October 1st, but I think they're still rolling out to some retailers like Space NK (the Brighton store didn't have them in earlier this week, but check your locals as I know some have had the stock for a while now).
WHERE TO BUY: NARS VELVET LIP GLIDES
NARS AUDACIOUS MASCARA.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ve having a bit of a mascara moment right now, there’s a new launch on the horizon I can’t wait to tell you about, a beaut of a new mascara from Max Factor in the form of their Velvet Volume mascara (the review for that is also about to drop) and now the Nars Audacious Mascara. It took me a long time to come around to loving this one (I even turned down work on it as I wanted to test it out for longer), but after finally giving it a good run for it’s money I can officially give my verdict on this one. It’s making an appearance so of course it’s love, but let me tell you why…
THE FORMULA:
Okay so the consistency is good, really good. Not too liquid based so you end up with five clumps of lashes, and not too dry that you end up with your mascara in your eye by 3pm. It’s also jet black. Any mascara that’s not super black won’t make it past one application run with me, but this one is super SUPER black after just one coat. Thumbs up all over for the formula. It’s not too crispy either so layering later in the day is a breeze.
THE WAND:
Looks like it shouldn’t work, but some how it just does… There are different lengths of bristle that catch the lashes and give a totally un-even flutter. It shouldn’t look good, and definitely doesn’t sound good. But something about it just works! It gives serious length and volume. The only area where it needs a little help is separation. However I find that for me most mascaras need this when brand new (heads up a Max Factor FLE brush is the best for giving a perfectly separated fan of lashes - I advise always keeping one to hand) so in I go with a different wand at the end to break things up a little.
The end result is a full lash look that almost mimics the effect of some of my favourite false lashes. Given the fact that I’ll do anything to avoid wearing lashes unless I absolutely must, this one’s got my seal of approval stamped all over it.
As the collection name might have already indicated, this isn't a summer drop made for those who love the bright and pigmented, however for those of us who love a beach babe-esque, neutral look, or for anyone who has an onslaught of weddings over the next few months, this is perfect!
I'm going to quickly whizz past the packaging, as this is Chanel and we all know it's drop dead gorgeous on the outside, but the inside? I've listed my loves and likes below for you...
LES BEIGES HEALTHY GLOW MULTI COLOUR No.02 (L.E): A multi toned powder that creates a healthy post-holiday glow without the holiday. Could you have already guessed that this would fall into the "LOVE" category? It's super finely milled making it a breeze to blend and has SPF 15 too!
LES BEIGES HEALTHY GLOW SHEER COLOUR STICK No.20 A cream contour/bronzer in stick form - normally this would be on my love list one hundred percent, but with my current skin tone I just can't get the right pigmentation out of it. It's almost a cream to powder formula and is incredibly blend-able, to the point where it's unnoticeable on my skin. This will be amazing on lighter skin tones and come winter I'm sure I'll be cracking this out to add some extra warmth to my skin.
LES BEIGES LE VERNIS - PRECIOUS BEIGE & BEIGE PUR: Chanel, you are slowly winning me over with your nail polishes! The few I've tried recently have actually had decent wear time - no more chipping five minutes after application - Say WHAAAA?! It's still not the best but I feel there's been some kind of change recently, whether that's in the formula or just my own nails are less prone to chipping? Either way These are two lovely neutral shades that are perfect for more formal summer occasions - they're a little on the sheer side though, so a little more time is needed to get round to a third coat.
LES BEIGES HEALTHY GLOW HYDRATING LIP BALM (L.E) And last but most definitely not least - I think I've found my perfect nude! Sods law it's limited edition. The hydrating lip balm is a beautiful nude rosey pink. It sits in between the formula of a balm and the rouge coco lipsticks - pigmented but not too sheer and not too lustrous. If you want to see what it looks like on then keep your eyes peeled for this in an upcoming video!
It's available in stores from the 19th June, so keep an eye on your local counter and let me know if you pick anything up!
*PR SAMPLES
THE DETAILS:
DRY SKIN FRIENDLY: With it's gel texture this one seems to smooth over the skin, locking in the moisture and providing long lasting hydration all day long.
LIGHT WEIGHT AND LUMINOUS: One of those - light weight but build-able situations, this is my perfect good/okay skin day base. It's so easy to blend that it makes up for the slightly strange shade situation where both shade 3 and shade 5 have very little difference once applied to the skin. Potentially one to watch out for if you are either end of the skin tone spectrum. It's hydrating properties are not only great for dry skin but leave a luminous sheen to the skin which only gives more glow throughout the day.
BEST WITH BRUSHES: Ignore what the instructions on the bottle tell you - brushes are best with this base, creating a flawless complexion that evens out skin tone and texture. For me this makes it less of an "on the go" type of base, so it's not my number one addition to my travel makeup bag.
NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY PLEASE: SPF 30+ makes the CR a great choice for daily wear over the summer months, but not the best for nights out.
It's definitely not a one stop base for every single occasion, but it's an excellent day base and my current number one for every day use. If you have dry/normal skin (or oily skin and you really like a glow!) then this is definitely one to grab a sample of asap!
*PR SAMPLE
With this in mind you can imagine the joy on my face when I saw that the foundation had not only been reformulated in the form of the Oil Free Silk Cream Moisturising Photo Edition Foundation (longgg name!), but there was also a new Moisturising addition to the range.
The Oil Free is pretty much your old Silk Cream in a new bottle (for me anyway, religious wear-ers may see some differences but for me it feels just as terrifyingly uncomfortable on my skin) but the SK Moisturising Photo Edition Foundation is it's dry skin loving counterpart. It's incredibly similar to Nars Sheer glow, but with a hint more coverage and a little bit more moisture and far better longevity. It also doesn't break me out which is something I've had to grin and bear with Nars SG.
The coverage is anything from light to medium depending on application. I find the product blends into the skin in a much more natural way when applied with fingers (my preferred application method for daily wear) and for a higher coverage with more of a glow a brush is the best way to go!
Naturally it gets extra points for the continued use of slick, travel friendly packaging. It's my current go to for filming days, nights out and photo shoots. So much so I'm considering a foundation clear out *gasps*!
The latest CC release is luminous and lightweight, with a good dose of coverage. Unlike previous CC Creams it has a whopping SPF 50 (a blessing or a curse dependant on how you feel about added SPF) but still sits in the skincare division of the Chanel beauty range.
Everything about it lends itself towards summer use. The dewy sheen over the high points of the face that gives that "I've just been out playing in the sun" glow - even if you've been inside staring at a screen for the past eight hours. The high SPF factor that is perfect for when you do get to play outside in the sun and super light bottle that makes packing and traveling a breeze!
I currently use the shade 20 beige, but in a few months time I'll definitely need 30! The glow factor definitely lends itself towards use on dry/normal skin types, with oilier skins finding that things need a dose of primer/powder/both to keep things in place!
*PR SAMPLE
-SPONSORED POST-
Earlier this week something very special dropped in to my hands (thank you Mr Postman). The Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Palette launched on February 1st and, like most Nars products, I was itching to get my hands on it. Limited edition, with a super slick mirrored casing that houses a variety of eight beautiful dual intensity eyeshadows - sounds good right? (PSSTTTT - if you want one for yourself then keep on reading)The Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadows are a wonderful creamy consistency and can give a gorgeous sheen when used dry or super metallic finish if applied with a wet brush. They're long lasting, non creasy (well, not on me anyway) and very pigmented. The shadows in the palette range from peachy pink and subtle shimmery bronze to deep, rich purple and intense black. There's a little something for everyone, but enough consistency between shades on each row to be able to work for a majority of beauty lovers, whether you love a neutral or bold eye.
The top row is my daily go-to, containing: Europa, Himalia, Ursa Major and Subra. Whilst the bottom row is a cool blue lovers dream with Andromeda, Lysithea, Giove and Sycorax.
The good news for Nars fans is that the price of the palette is £45 - much more affordable than some past Nars palettes and a brilliant saving when you compare to purchasing the individual shadows. It also comes with the specially designed wet/dry eyeshadow brush that was released along with the individual shadows last summer. (It's a good'un, trust me!)
The even better news is that to celebrate the launch of the palette Nars are running a UK giveaway using facebook via instagram, giving away palettes every day!
From Friday 20th March (TODAY!!!) to Monday 24th March 2015, Nars are encouraging their UK NARSissists to tag their friends in a group photo via instagram and tell them the best part about being a #NARSissist for a chance to win a palette for you and up to five of your friends.
HOW IT WORKS:
From Friday 20th March 2015, NARS are asking UK Nars lovers to take a group photo with their friends, post it to Instagram and tell them why they are Narsissists in the caption and using the hashtag #NARSissistUK. Finally making sure to tag your friends in the picture for a chance to win palettes for yourself and up to five friends.
TO ENTER:
* Download the Instagram App
* Upload the photo onto Instagram tagging Nars and your group of friends with the hashtag #NARSissistUK and a sentence on what makes you a Narsissist(just like the entry below!)
* Make sure the hashtag #NARSissistUK is included in the photo description
*Make sure to post the photo to Facebook as well as the winner be be notified via Facebook message.
*Make sure to post the photo to Facebook as well as the winner be be notified via Facebook message.
* NARS will select the most creative submission each day to win Narsissist Dual Intensity Eyeshadow palettes for you and up to five of your friends.
**Contest runs 20th – 24th March 2015, on facebook.com/narscosmetics.
One entry per Facebook follower per day.
For more details, visit the NARS Exclusives Tab and click here for terms and conditions.
*SPONSORED CONTENT WITH NARS
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