Good morning! If you've been reading my blog for a while you may be aware that I have a slight love affair with Clarins. I don't know if I'm the only one but do you ever feel like there are certain brands out there that you just feel are right for you? Well that's how I feel about Clarins, I just love everything about this brand. I don't know if its because it's a French brand, and anyone who knows me knows that I have an, as yet unfulfilled, desire to live in France, specifically Paris or whether its just because every experience I have had of their products has been a darn good one. So, on that note, I went to my local Clarins counter last week to re-purchase my cleanser and moisturiser and was rather excited to see that there was a special offer on. On purchasing two full size products you could receive three (very generous) travel sized samples of products to try. There was a choice of ten and the lovely lady at the counter talked me through each one and I am here to show you my choices! And boy am I pleased! 

First just (another) quick rave about the cleanser and moisturiser I use, because I love them so very much! I've been using them for about a year now and have not looked back. I use the Daily Energizer range, which is specifically aimed at 18-25 year olds, and I feel has seriously improved the overall appearance of my skin and significantly reduced the amount of breakouts I get. I use the cleansing gel which claims to 'deliver fresh-looking complexion radiance' and the Cream-Gel moisturiser (there's a choice of this one and just the cream version for drier skins) which claims to 'visibly diminish imperfections to provide...a healthy looking radiant complexion'. I honestly could not recommend them enough, but obviously everyone's skin is different so what works for me might not work for you! 

Now, onto the exciting little freebies I got. First off I chose another cleanser (the Gentle Foaming Cleanser) which, with hindsight probably wasn't the best choice seeing as that was what I was buying anyway. But that's neither here nor there, I haven't actually used this yet because I just can't stop using my daily energizer one, but when that runs out I will definitely be giving it a go and I'll let you know how it goes. I am a bit dubious because I've used a foaming cleanser from Clinique before and absolutely hated it! Seriously, I don't know if any of you have used it, it's called the Rinse-off Foaming Cleanser and it leaves the weirdest feeling on your skin which I can't even explain, it just feels kind of sticky but not tacky. It's really strange (and really stung my eyes)! Anyway, here's hoping this one is better! 

Next up is this absolute beaut! I probably wouldn't have gone for a bath or shower type of product as my freebie in the beginning because I already have far too many samples to use up, but after I smelt this at the counter there was no looking back! This smells absolutely incredible! Now, I will warn you, this scent is not for the faint hearted. If you are not one for a strong fragrance or if you like your fragrances very girly and sweet then this is not for you! Seriously, this product packs a heady punch. It's got a herbal, aromatic scent with essential oils to relax tired muscles and can be used in the bath or shower. It hasn't got a thick lather, it's lightweight and I actually find it quite refreshing to use in the shower. I've not poured it into a nice warm bath yet but I can imagine that breathing in the scent of this before bed would send me to sleep pretty quickly! Absolutely love it and would recommend it for anyone who loves a bit of an assault on the nostrils now and again! 

And finally, I chose the fragrance 'Eau des Jardins'. And let me tell you, I am in love. This is everything I have been looking for in a summer scent, and so much more! It is absolutely beautiful and not only is it a gorgeous smell, it is also described as a treatment fragrance which 'moisturises, soothes and ensures beautifully soft skin'. The lady at the counter said to gently press it into your skin when you apply it  to ensure the fragrance lasts longer as well as making sure the benefits, such as the essential oils and plant extracts, really get into your skin and work their magic. The only thing I would prefer from this was that the travel size came with a spray applicator, because I'm just lazy and it's harder to dab it on from the bottle! But apart from that I cannot complain, it is the most gorgeous fragrance and a happy addition to my collection. I think the lady said that the freebies would total up to something like £61 so I was pretty darn cheery when I walked away with my bag full of goodies! 

So that's all for today folks, I hope you don't mind me ranting on about Clarins all hours of the day! Do you have a favourite brand that you love for reasons unfathomable to others? If so, let me know and I hope you're al having a great day and enjoying the sunshine (or what's left of it anyway). I'll be back tomorrow with another post, I'm having a writing day today to try and get back on track and will definitely be putting some more nail posts up soon. Speak soon and au revoir! 

Left Vegas Volt (again, sorry it looks horrible); Right Costa Chic

Left Vegas Volt; Right Costa Chic

Well hello there! I am so sorry that I haven't posted in what seems like forever, there's just been some stuff happening recently which has made it difficult to get posts up. However, I am back now and hope never to leave again! So how have you all been?! I have so missed sitting down and writing, I know it has actually only been a week but it feels like a LOT longer. Anyway, I was down in good old London again at the weekend for one of my friend's birthdays and whilst I was had some time to kill I happened to be around the Covent Garden area and, as many of you may know, there is a MAC store there which was just calling to me! I mentioned in a previous post (read all about it here) that I wanted to pick up Costa Chic lipstick, and whaddya know, I just went and got it! I'm just that crazy. Even though I haven't actually tried that many MAC lipsticks yet, I think the price you pay for the quality that they are (I've not tried a bad one yet) is really fantastic. (Also, before I get onto the colour, why has no one ever told me that MAC lipsticks smell and taste like Mini Eggs? I think this is a pretty huge selling point!) Anyway, Costa Chic is a really bright pinky-coral with a frost finish. It really brightens up your face and would be perfect for one of those days where you can't really be bothered to do anything with your eyes but still want to look somewhat interesting.

I did mention in my previous MAC lipstick post that I had been recommended Vegas Volt as an alternative to Costa Chic and I can see why - they are extremely similar, with Vegas Volt being more orangey and fiery and Costa Chic more pink toned. I don't see this as a problem in the slightest though. I love both but possibly prefer Vegas Volt due to the finish. I'm not a massive lover of a frost finish but I do think that with a lovely golden tan and beach babe hair this finish would work perfectly. Even though I have a really quite ridiculous (and ever expanding) collection of all manner of lip products, it still excites me so much when I get a new one! Does anyone else get that? It's really quite unnerving. I've finally managed to finish the next book for my new years resolution so will be putting a review up tomorrow. That's all for today folks so I shall speak again soon and I really do hope you're all swell :) Byebye! 

Hello there lovelies! I think know I have a problem. I really need to stop watching Vivianna's videos and reading her blog (here and here!) because I am obsessed and want everything she owns! So here I am again with something I saw her talk and write about - the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in the shade Apricot Shimmer 02. There was no need for me to buy another lip product, I already own far too many, but I just couldn't resist! Clarins is without a doubt one of my favourite beauty brands and after hearing so many good things about this product I thought it would be rude not to give it a go! So, what do I think? Well firstly, it smells absolutely gorgeous. It's really quite sweet and tastes like caramel, which is definitely not a bad thing in my books and the texture is extremely smooth and silky. It actually claims that it 'nourishes, repairs and protects' and makes lips visibly more beautiful day by day and, whilst I don't know just yet (I've only had it for a few days) about the repairing or beautifying results, it definitely does leave your lips feeling moisturised and hydrated. It also gives the lips a gorgeous (very slight) apricot sheen with no stickiness at all, which is always a good thing with lip products. At £16 a pop it's definitely not the cheapest lip product out there, but it feels luxurious and so far does what it says on the tin. So if you're after something really nourishing and aren't afraid to spend a little hard earned cash then I would definitely recommend it. 

I'm now so close to buying the Caudalie Beuaty Elixir that I've also heard Vivianna (and pretty much everyone else) talking about - she just makes everthing sound so good and it's so bad for my bank account! However I did just buy a MAC Fix+ and I don't know how much spray my face can take, so I may have to wait for that one, but I'll keep you posted! Off to get my hair cut again this afternoon in my ongoing effort to have healthy, flowing locks - I think I'm getting there, slowly but surely. Hope you're all having a great Friday and looking forward to the weekend, speak again soon and bye bye!

One of my gorgeous girlfriends was amazingly kind and bought me a lipstick the other day as my secret Santa present (yes we were long overdue exchanging these presents haha!). We have been terribly disorganised when it comes to seeing each other but we finally all managed to get together not too long ago and we had a fantastic time, topped off by receiving this beauty! She knew I wanted something from MAC because I was going on about it so off to the counter we went and I picked up the seriously gorgeous 'Vegas Volt'. I originally went with 'Costa Chic' in mind, but they were sold out and I was kindly directed to this colour as a near alternative (I'll just have to go back and get the other one at some point). It's much more orangey than Costa Chic, but personally I love an orange toned lip product, so I was not disappointed. I took an Instagram shot because the colour in natural light was just not doing it justice, it's much more orangey-red than it appears in the second picture and also a lot brighter. I really do love it. I wore it out the night we were all together and, as well as loving the colour, the staying power was very impressive. I made sure to layer up the product in thin coats to ensure maximum staying power and, boy I was not disappointed! It's an Amplified finish so it's very pigmented and the texture is a lot more creamy than I was expecting which was a big bonus! I would highly recommend this colour as a nice alternative to a classic red lip, something a bit more modern and still really wearable if you apply only a thin layer. 

I would like to apologise, both to you lovely readers and to my friend, for its slightly dishevelled appearance. As I said I did wear it on a night out (and therefore took it with me for top-ups) and somehow it got a little bit bashed around. But hey-ho, that is so not the point! The point is I am in love with this lipstick, I can't recommend it highly enough!

I thought I'd include a (blurry) picture of me wearing it, here with my gorgeous girl Flo. What do you think? Are you a red lipstick kinda girl, or do you prefer something more natural and nude? I hope you enjoyed this review and be sure to let me know if you've tried this colour, or if there are any you'd recommend for me to try! Hope you're all having a fantastic day. Speak soon, Byebye!