Top 3 Micellar Waters

You may have read my Soap & Glory Micellar Water Review and after positive feedback, I thought I'd share my favourite bunch of Micellar cleansers with all you wonderful beauty addicts! I've previously mentioned that I find, along with many, that make-up removal can be a tiresome task. But since the 2015 micellar explosion, I've been converted and unless something miraculous emerges, I don't think I'll be reaching for your average Joe make-up remover any time soon... It's simple, easy and most importantly, fast! Prices vary from a couple of quid to £20 plus (?!) but is there really a significant difference between the brands? I feel like I've tried every version of Micellar water from Bioderma to Simple but it's safe to say that these are my top three! 

Soap & Glory Drama Clean

I'm currently on my third bottle of this magical 'de-clog water' and since using it my skin is more supple, less irritated and clearer (probably because it actually removes each spec of make-up). It also contains vitamin A and C; well renowned goodness for healthier, younger looking skin and it's infused with a variety of beneficial juices such as, cucumber which leaves your skin feeling fresh and aloe vera to soothe and hydrate. I must admit I do like scented products and this has a fresh cucumber and peach fragrance; which I love! In fact, I like it so much I actually look forward to removing my make-up now and the best aspect is it leaves no residue or make-up traces just fresh, clean skin. 

Garnier Skin Naturals

This hypoallergenic non-oily cleansing water easily removes make-up and impurities, without vigorous rubbing. It's not a complex solution, with added vitamins but it does exactly what it says on the tin; removes make-up. This product comes in a generous 400ml bottle (or travel sized) so I found it lasted absolutely ages! Plus, it's fragrance free so perfect for those with sensitive skin. I find it easily removes even waterproof mascara, without causing irritation to the eye area and there's no need to rinse. I also found my skin was mattified after each use so for all my fellow oil-skin sufferers, this product is definitely worth a try!

Nivea Daily Essentials

At just a few quid a bottle, this is the most affordable product so if your watching the pennies, this won't break the bank! I would recommend this to young/ teenage skin and those with normal/ sensitive skin as it's gentle formula soothes and hydrates as it cleanses. Similarly, to my other to favs, it gently removes make-up quickly and efficiently. It makes my skin feel squeaky clean after use but I do find I have to use more of this product than other Micellar waters I've tried.

February Empties!

Aloha!

End of the month already? Seems like only yesterday I was reflecting the ups and downs of 2013 and beginning to devise a plan for the new year ahead. Now, 2 months in, it's hard to believe that we're almost a quarter of the way though 2014! I'm not usually one of those people who make a big song and dance about how the new year is going to be amazing and how I'm going to fulfill all the things I wanted to do last year, but didn't. I'm more of a 'well let's just see how it goes' kinda gal but to be honest the beginning of this year has been better than I'd first imagined. I started the year by making the hard decision to withdraw from university and after that I was struggling to find over time at work now I'm delighted to say that I have a new job! Which is a huge relief and complete weight off my shoulders. 

Anyway enough life-reflecting! February seemed to be one of those months where I seemed to run out of absolutely everything, consequently I found myself stocking back up on pay day, trust me the day couldn't have come soon enough! The main things I ran out of this month are my skin care products, it's a rarity that I actually finish all these at the same time but in some ways it's more convenient. I despise having 4 or 5 different cleansers, all half empty in my bathroom, that I'll sadly but most likely never reach for. So the current skin care items I ran out of are the Nivea Daily Essentials Range. First of all It's no wonder why I ran out of the Nivea Express Hydration Primer (Click to see my review) and secondly, I've come to the conclusion that if I'm gonna have a break out It's inevitable and there's not really that much I can do about it. I'm fed up with spending money on expensive skin care items, that probably don't actually do much good, but the deceivingly legit packaging and adverts promising invisible pores, no shine and blemish free skin, presented by a beautiful fresh faced model seem to hypnotise me into buying them. And you know what? Since I've been using simple solutions and steering away from complicated regimes the quality and complexion of my skin has actually improved! So there we go. 

I also previously emptied my much loved Diesel Loverdose Body Lotion. I remember the first time I got a wiff of the perfume in Boots, of course I immediately sprayed it on myself, and asked for it for Christmas. I love it because it puts a mysterious twist on a sensual scent, with the heart notes of liquorice and vanilla it's definitely intriguing and what's more the body lotion leaves a light scent and absorbs easily, unlike a lot of perfumed body lotions. 

What did you empty this February?  

Neeks x

2013 Beauty Favs

Aloha!

Well 2013 is coming to an end so I thought I'd reflect on all of my beauty life savers! There have been many ups and downs, highs and lows, bad times and good times (you get the idea) but these top beauty pics have never failed to support me so I thought I would give them the recognition they deserve and share them with all you beauty fanatics out there!

1) Nivea Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover- £2.99 Boots

I must confess I am a bit of an eye make-up junkie and this is the only product that will gently remove my primed eye shadow/ 24 hour gel liner and 3 coats of mascara mix. It gets absolutely everything off in seconds without having to rub my eyes and doesn't leave them red and puffy. 

2) Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor- £4.99 Boots

My hair is very long and fine so prone to combing damage and dry ends. Even after neglecting it with crimping, backcoming, curling, straightening (and the rest) this magic Australian potion brings my long locks back to life, leaving it soft, moisturised and doesn't weigh it down. Seriously I really don't know what I would do without this. 

3) Rimmel London Professional Eyebrow Pencil (Hazel)- £2.99 Boots

Naturally I have practically invisible blonde eyebrows that do no favours in shaping my face. I have had them tinted but it's hard to keep up regular salon trips so I usually only do that in the summer time. However, this eyebrow pencil has been my absolute brow savior and being a light redhead it's hard to find a shade that matches but this brow pencil in 'hazel' is a perfect match and cheap as chips. 

4) Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer- £2.99 Savers

I did a review on this primer not long ago click here to have a peak. Thanks to this little pot of wonders my make-up stays put all day long and my skin stays heavenly hydrated . 

5) Salonservices Stippling Brush (403)- £8 ish Sally's Beauty Supplies

This was supposed to be for my uni make-up kit but after trying it out it made it's way into my personal brush wallet. Forget foundation brushes, sponges and fingers THIS is the brush to use to apply your foundation. It buffs the foundation right into the skin and gets in all the nooks and cranny's that an ordinary brush wouldn't reach, leaving you with a light and even complexion.  

6) L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Diamond Hold Hairspray- £6.60 (400ml) Boots

You know how it is, you spend hours in hot rollers and styling your hair for a big night out with the girls. You spray your hair with a generous amount of so called 'strong hold' hair spray and BOOM after an hour in the club the humidity and dancing makes it look like you've just rolled out of bed and pulled on a party dress. Well not with this, this hairspray has got me through hours (and I mean hours) of dancing and getting merry on the dance floor with my friends. Now you can use this and go out knowing that even if you have one too many (we've all been there ladies!) at least your hair will still look fab! 

7) MaxFactor False Lash Effect Mascara- £10.99 Boots

This mascara and I are in a committed 5 year relationship. In those 5 years I have tried to find other mascaras that could be (dare I say it) better but I always come crawling back to my trusty False Lash Effect Mascara. I wouldn't say it actually makes your eyelashes look fake but it naturally lengthens, volumises, curls and fans out all the corners. Plus it has a big fat brush (which I love) and gets right to the roots. 

8) Urban Decay Naked Palette Original- £37 Debenhams  

I'm sure this is on a lot of people's top favs, this palette has got me through every occasion that could have possibly popped up (I'm sure you guys can relate) including a wideee range of.. 

work looks

everyday looks

dinner party looks

hot dates

birthdays

big nights out

trying not to look hungover

trying not to look ill

trying not to look tired

'i'm not wearing any eye make-up' 

day trips

photo shoots

fancy dress

it's raining outside..

breakup make-up

i'm a new woman make-up! 

work do's

gatherings

cinema looks

summertime looks

baby showers

holidays 

christmas

And probably new years eve aswell! Although I am debating on whether or not to use the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette click here for swatches, but I'll save that for another post! 

These are my 2013 beauty favs, what's yours?

Neeks x

Nivea Express Hydration Primer REVIEW

Aloha!

Ahh primers, we seem to be in a love/hate relationship don't we? On 10 hour work days I am relying on you! I'm not asking for much, just that you do your job! The ONLY thing you were put on this planet for was to keep my make-up in place but a lot of the time you let me down. 

Having given up with primers and realising that touching up throughout the day isn't so bad, I then received a message from my friend Nicole, raving about how she'd bought the Nivea Express Hydration Primer in Savers and it's worked wonders. Of course the next day I went out and bought it. 

Savers- 50ml £2.99

Nivea says their cosmo reader recommended primer will 'moisturise & provide a smooth base for effective make-up application and helps your make-up stay in put'. It also claims to provide 'long lasting moisturisation'. And at £2.99 it's definitely worth a try.

I bought the primer suitable for dry and sensitive skin purely because they didn't have any others in stock and I'm impatient. I don't think it made much of a difference, apart from the first time I tried it. After using my usual moisturiser I applied the primer over the top, which left my skin very oily. So the next day I tried it without my usual moisturiser and it worked really well, no shine at all! And my skin still felt hydrated.  

It smells very clean and fresh. The texture is similar to a gel or serum, you only need a tiny bit and it glides over the skin with ease. It definitely made applying my foundation easier and more effective. The best part is it actually kept my make-up on all day *very happy* and it also prevented oily-ness and left a healthy dewy finish. 

I can't really fault this product. The only thing is I'm not able to use it with my regular moisturiser and it doesn't work underneath eye make-up but overall a really really good primer for the price and it now has a permanent place in my foundation routine.

Thankyou Nicole! 

Anymore magical beauty products you've stumbled across?

Neeks x