This Works

By Sarah Redman

I have tried many brands and products in the quest for clear, healthy skin. My skin is extremely sensitive so it didn’t take long for me to realise that natural products where much better and my skin was more likely to react the more chemicals in the product. I have been a fan of Liz Earle, a natural skin care brand for a while, so it was a logical step to take a look at the brand This Works. Beauty bloggers have been raving about their products for ages and I have finally taken the plunge. To be perfectly honest I am never that optimistic when it comes to skin care as I know how easily my skin reacts, but This Works does genuinely seem to work.

So far I have only tried three of their products, one from their skin care range and the other two products to aid with sleep. I first got into This Works after receiving their deep sleep pillow talk set, which includes both their deep sleep pillow spray and deep sleep less stress roll, for Christmas and recently I have tried their in transit first aid roll on.

(Review coming later this spring)

In transit first aid is my go to miracle product at the moment. I am prone to the odd break out especially when deadlines are looming so I really need something that can calm my skin down without me worrying. This roll on is packed full of natural oils from rosewood to lavender and works on everything from spots to cuts, grazes and even bites.

Not everyone is a fan of the roller ball top, but it makes it easy to use the right amount of this product and if you really are worried about bacteria you can always roll the remedy onto your finger and then apply to where it is needed. Although, this is a natural antiseptic so it should keep the germs at bay, just make sure to always clean your skin before applying. This product comes from the range In Transit which was designed to be portable, unbreakable, un-spillable and multi tasking and that’s certainly what they’ve done. Although you only get 10ml for your £16 this little bottle lasts for ages, so don’t worry about it’s running out too soon.

Have you tried This Works? How did you get on? Let us know and leave a comment below, Tweet us @thesarahsblog or leave a comment on our Facebook page.

Bluuuurrrrrrrrrrrr

By Sarah Redman

Garnier 5 Second Perfect Blur. Sold out almost everywhere when it was first released. It was the high streets new miracle primer for only £12.99.

This little pink tube promises to reduce wrinkles, imperfections, open pores and shine – all in one smooth, pink, gel like swoop. Whilst my house mate kindly pointed out that I’m not old enough for wrinkles, shine really winds me up and imperfections are rife. Being very pale even the slightest mark shows easily on my skin, so I was pleasantly surprised with this product. I did a half and half face test and I noticed an actual ‘blurring’ of imperfections and shine was reduced, leaving my skin with a soft silky feel and looking nice and matte. This product also created a great base for make up, which definitely stayed on for longer.

I have been using this product since it was first released and love its consistence performance. It really does work well for the price, whilst it may not be a super duper skin primer it is good if you need a little staying power in your make up or want that ‘blur’ effect, but you just aren’t too interested in the technicalities (and the price range) of the upmarket make up brands. I recommend completing your morning skin care routine as normal and waiting about five minutes after applying your moisturiser to let it sink in, then apply this primer and then continue with your normal make up routine. This is a great high street skin perfector which is suitable for all skin types.

Have you tried Garnier Perfect Blur or would you use a high street primer? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

Simple eyes

By Sarah Redman

I don’t know about you, but when I get stressed and tired my eyes are the tell tale sign. I become very aware of puffiness and the skin around my eyes just generally looking dull. So this lovely simple product has been my savoir for this term at uni.

This is the Simple ‘Kind to Eyes Revitalising Eye Roll-on‘. This little tube is great for waking up the skin around your eyes. The roller ball applicator is used to massage the skin around your eyes while it applies the product. The roller ball is also cold to the touch so will soothe the skin, this especially helps with puffiness.

I keep my eye roll-on in my room at uni, however my heating does leave something to be desired (heat!) so my room is constantly at a cool temperature. If you have the luxury of non-temperamental heating then I suggest keeping this little tube in the fridge to maintain the best effects of this product.

I love the cucumber extract in this product, it is great for my sensitive skin and hasn’t caused any blotches or breakouts! This product is a miracle if you have had one too many late nights.

Would you use this product? Or do you have a favourite eye product, leave a comment below or Tweet us @thesarahsblog to let us know.

L’Occitane Creme Mains

By Sarah Redman

Let me start off by saying: I love L’Occitane. I don’t know whether its the fantastic smell of their shops (even better in the heat of the South of France – Provence), the lovely variety of fragrances in their products or the shear luxuriousness of their entire brand. I don’t know, but i do know if you have never been in one of their shops you are missing out.

*Also bonus, last Christmas i went in for a little look around for present inspiration and got offered a free glass of champers!

My mum has used L’Occitane products forever, i don’t remember a time when there wasn’t a pot of something amazing in the bathroom or a tube of their fabulous hand cream in her handbag. Their hand creams have always been great, their Shea butter enriched formulas are really nourishing, they also protect and soften. In the November 2013 edition of Marie Claire you get a limited edition Violet, Rose or Jasmine hand cream, I went with the violet as i thought it was such an unusual scent for a hand cream – it normally being lilac. I love this new formula, especially how great it is for my nails and dry skin.

L’Occitane have also released Hugs and Kisses Gift Sets, these contain one of the above hand creams (depending on which scent you go for) and also a lip balm in the same scent. The lip balm is also enriched with Shea butter!

Another favourite from L’Occitane is their Magic Key, a cute little key that you can use to roll your almost finished hand cream (or product of choice) and get ever last morsel out.

Do you like L’Occitane? Or have you tried their limited edition hand creams in the November 2013 edition of Marie Claire? Leave a comment below or Tweet us @thesarahsblog to let us know.

What I found in the post mans bag…

By Sarah Redman

My mum always sends me little cards and cute presents, i just thought i would share my latest one with you all. This card contained a lovely peal off face mask in Manuka Honey by Montagne Jeunesse.

This fantastic face mask is suitable for oily and combination skin and its really easy to use. Just apply, leave to dry and then peal off to reveal lovely skin! I love a good face mask and this peal off aspect makes the whole process a lot easier – just make sure you don’t get it on your eye brows or in your hair line – it really hurts.

Are you a fan of these face masks? Leave a comment and let us know or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

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• Popular Pomegranate
• And in the post today…

Make up mini haul

By Sarah Redman

I had quite a bit of fun doing my previous haul post, so i thought i would have a go at a make up one. This time it is only a mini one – minimal prices and minimal pieces.

Make up mini haul

First up, Rimmel London Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder in 003 Peach Glow (£3.99). I normally buy this product in 001 Transparent, i think a light translucent powder is a make up bag essential especially in the summer to sort out that excess “glow”. However, once in a while my skin has a ‘good skin day’ or i have a day off, where i’m not going out, so i want minimal coverage to give my skin a break. I used this product with a light BB cream in the summer, mostly in the evenings – to give some more coverage and achieve a more polished look.

Second is a new product for me, I have wanted it for ages but never justified the extra expenditure (to be perfectly honest i don’t know why i have now either): Barry M Nail Paint, Instant Nail Effects Foil 320 Gold (£3.99). I love the nail foil look and cant wait to try out Barry M’s version of this trend.

Lastly, my staple make up remover Simple Kind to Skin Radiance Brightening Wipes (£4.20). I love these, they are one of the only products and more specifically ranges i have found that do not irritate my skin when removing make up. These are a really great addition to any make up bag, there are also loads of variations for different skin types.

Have you had a little bit of a make up haul recently or do you see any products here you want to try? Leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog to let us know.

Friends with Benefits

By Sarah Redman
Yes, it is a some what misleading title and ironically I’m actually talking about a make over that included no Benefit products! A girly evening complete with chocolate, face masks and episodes from my Sex and the City TV box set turned into a lovely make over from my wonderful friend Georgia (Life’s Little Ponderings).

Her make up bag is always full of great products from a range of brands and luckily for my bank balance a range of prices! In the picture below are my three favourite products from the make over.

1. The Bourjois healthy mix serum in 51 is fantastic for a high street foundation, great coverage – not to heavy but not too sheer for those who like to even their skin tone.
2. The Chanel levres scintillantes glossimer 166, lip gloss for short, is absolutely fabulous, so light, yet has great coverage and also tastes great! It is definitely worth the price tag (I’m starting the Christmas list early this year) #InvestmentPiece
3. Lastly this Eco Tools eye liner brush, unfortunately is no longer available, however i use The Body Shop slanted eye brush which is basically the same. The precision of this brush is great for getting right against the lash line.

Here is the finished look and below are all the products that were used.

– Laura mercier radiance primer
– Real techniques expert face brush
– Bourjois healthy mix serum – 51
– Laura Mercier cool toned eye pallet – no longer available (special edition)
– 17 doll’d up mascara
– Rimmel stay matte power
– Laura Mercia second skin colour blush – lush nectarine
– Mac 217
– Brush unknown blender
– Bobbi Brown blush brush
– No7 perfectly bronzed bronzing pearls
– Bourjois healthy mix concealer– 51
– Chanel – levres scintillantes glossimer 166
– Eco Tools eye liner brush (Not pictured) – no longer available, however i use The Body Shop slanted eye brush

Popular pomegranate

By Sarah Redman

This is my new favourite drink and old favourite fruit. Bottle Green have a great range of fruity drinks, from sparkling elderflower to pomegranate and elderflower cordial, but this is a new find for me. I love the taste, especially when the cordial is mixed with lemonade, I have yet to try this syrup over vanilla ice cream as the bottle suggests!
At the moment i am loving all things pomegranate having just used this great face mask from Montagne Jeunesse in ‘Passion Peel Off‘. This mask is great as it is a peal off so it is really simple and not messy at all. Be warned though, you may get a shock if you look in the mirror when you have it on – it kinda looks like you spent too much time in the sun… and remember try not to get any on your eyebrows or in your hair line, it’s a little painful to get out!

Are you loving a particular fruit, is it in your face wash to your body butter?
Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

Colour me green

By Sarah Redman
I recently acquired this fantastic concealer set; ‘No Show Camouflage Fix‘ from POP via asos.com from their flash beauty sale and have been loving the green redness corrector section. The green blends with your skin, changing red marks into the same colour as your skin, evening out your skin tone – great if you have problem skin or for when you get that one pesky spot just before a night out!

With everything I buy, whilst i may love a brand or product, i am also a sucker for a bargain. So i am always combing the high street for a cheep version that still works, or a great offer on that product i love. For this product, whilst i cannot find a replacement that meets the standard set in being able to buy four different types on concealer in one, I have found a ‘Green Corrector Stick‘ from Natural Collection (boots.com) for only £1.99, bargain as this is the bit i use the most. Queue, me and Nicola running across to Boots after work and snapping up the last two there before they closed!

(The green is more of a pastel colour than shown in the picture)
Are you a fan of a green concealer or will you be trying this out? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

3 holiday beauty essentials

By Sarah Redman
Each year I have a different product I can’t live without on holiday, whether it is a new frizz serum, a BB cream, or plain and simple but classic eye lash curlers. This year is no different, so here are my 3 holiday beauty essentials for 2013.
No.1
The Body Shop – Vitamin E Cool BB Cream

This is a new find for me, I have normally struggled with BB creams as I have problem skin and find they either upset my skin; drying out sensitive areas or inflaming the oily patches and they just didn’t provide the right kind of coverage.
But I have started looking at this product as my halfway house between tinted moisturiser and full on liquid foundation. The vitamin E really is cooling just as the packaging says, great if you are battling sea salt or chlorine.

This light formula blends easily into the skin, (it comes out quiet dark at first, see photo above, but it will adjust to your skin shade) leaving an even, glowing skin tone, without shine (although if you want more coverage then a light powder works well). I also love this look for dinner, if you aren’t going anywhere too fancy, just add some bronzer. Great if you are looking for less coverage – especially during the day, letting your skin breath in the heat – £10.
*Also, 50p from each BB Cream sold goes to the teenage cancer trust #Bonus #Charity
No.2
17 – Smoky Eye Palette

This is by no means a new piece of make-up for me, it is a Christmas present from my parents. But each time I go back to this palette I love it even more, it is very easy to blend and you have the choice between a goldeny brown and a bluey grey smokey eye hue.

Depending on the occasion this palette can take you from day to night – just add eye liner and mascara. Simple and easy for when the weather is warm – price not available.
No.3
Clinique – Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Colour Balm (11 Two Ton Tomato)

I love Clinique’s chubby stick, one of the first of its kind on the market and pure genius as far as I am concerned. Whilst on first glance it does kind of looks like you are colouring your lips in with Crayola, but persevere, the formula glides on nicely, leaving a hint of colour and moisture. I now have four shades in the original chubby stick and love every one of them.

They even upped their game and introduced their range of Chubby Stick Intense Lip Colour Balm‘s (for a more intense colour) and then Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes (next on my beauty list) – all £17.
What are your holiday essentials, leave us a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog to let us know.