Thursday 30 August 2012

Amie

I'm no longer a teenager (sob) but I see no reason to not use Amie skin-care - they say it's 'natural skincare for young and teenage skin' and I'm unsure if by young they mean younger than a teenager. Anyway, I did start using these products when I was still a teen, barely though, and I LOVE them and their pretty packaging.


The Morning Clear Purifying Facial Wash truly is something else though. First of all the smell is the most gorgeous thing I've ever smelled. I think they should make a perfume of it. It's very creamy and thick and it doesn't dry your skin out at all, this is probably because it's soap free. I always go for soap free, otherwise your face is too tight. It contains 'harmonising natural extracts' of orange blossom, mayblossom, elderflower and raspberry. I originally bought this because it has elderflower. I LOVE elderflower cordial. I always brought it to sleepovers when I was in primary school. But I think this is one of the best face washes I've ever used. It's so delicious, I love washing my face with it because you can smell it for the rest of the day. It's a really comforting smell. But I love how my skin looks once I've washed it, just so clear straight away and my pores look smaller and it cleans better than any face wash I've used, I'd normally use a scrub to get my skin looking as clear as this leaves it.
The Morning Dew Matte-Finish Moisturiser has an entirely different scent but is also really, really lovely. I don't know how I could describe it, but it's quite fresh and sweet. This is the sort of thing I'd have went for when I was younger and my skin was oily but now my skin can get quite dry it's sometimes not enough. It really depends on the day, but what's so good about it is the areas like my nose than can be oily look really great after I've used it. It's light enough to use on those areas and you should always moisturise an oily T-Zone. It's 'harmonising natural extracts' are bilberry, rosehip and vitamin E.
I do think that these products really would be brilliant for younger people. Especially if you're just starting your first skincare routine. I always thought the choices for teenage skin were so harsh, which seems really counter-productive to me. Things like Clearasil or Freederm sound like they're full of chemicals, although I know that's not true for every product. The Amie products are pH balanced, suitable for sensitive skin and if it matters to you, vegans and vegetarians too. Also, does anyone else sing the song in the Freederm advert when they're washing their face - even if you don't use it? If you don't know what I mean, this is it here.

I don't know if you still can, I certainly couldn't find it last time I went, but I have bought this in Superdrug and more recently in Tesco. But you can go straight to the Amie website where they have a whole host of other products.

Tuesday 28 August 2012

ASOS and piano lessons


I was excited to receive this in the post yesterday. It's so much easier to look at than trailing through their busy website. I was wondering, did anyone ever go on ASOS like 7 years ago when they mostly sold things like Urban Outfitters does? I was just thinking they never used to sell as many clothes.
On the Cover is Juno Temple, I've only ever seen her in Atonement but her she seems lovely in her interview and what they've dressed her in is really nice. There's also an interview with Kaya Scodelario from Skins. Features on tomboy jackets, textured jumpers, plaid trousers (so cute when Jennifer Anniston wore them in Friends) but my favourite is the beauty section at the back.
ASOS WANT
1. Nails Inc Autumn Winter Mini Collection - if I can stop biting my nails long enough, these will look gorgeous when it's starting to get colder. STARTING?
2. ASOS Chunky Tres Cool Jumper - I'm not Tres Cool, but I still love this.
3. Johnstons Merino Wool Check Scarf - There was so many patterns and colours to choose from, but I think this is my favourite. So cute.
4. ASOS Tortoiseshell Watch with Brown Dial - A cheaper version of Michael Kors? Love this anyway.

Today my piano lessons start up again. My piano teacher had a small summer holiday and I can't wait to get back into the routine of going to the lesson and watching how I progress. I've really slacked off so I'm looking forward to tonight.
Oh and I only started learning this year. I'd love to do a piano recital, so if you're super into The Old Grey Mare or For He's a Jollly Good Fellow, I'm your girl.
But I have progressed quite fast, it's probably because I already know how to read music a bit. It'll definitely get harder.

Last night could tell it was really starting to feel colder at night, so I guess Winter's on its way. I don't care, I love it. Did anyone else always squish those red berries? Those poisonous red berries?

Sunday 26 August 2012

Review | Sanctuary Therapist's Secret Facial Oil


When I was younger I thought I had very oily skin, until I went to a facialist who told me that my skin was actually very dry. This was definitely down to me using a facial scrub every day, morning and night like it was a facial wash. My nose would be oily after a few hours, but once I had my first facial my skin was transformed because I started buying the right products for my face. And this included oily products. Which I know makes no sense, but it's a stupid cycle. 

You try and get rid of the oil, your face is too dry so it produces more oil to try and compensate and you continue trying to get rid of it, using harsher products unaware that you're making it worse. 
Ever since, I always look out for oil based products. For me, they make my skin really soft and even out my complexion. I especially love using oil face washes, when they're washed off you're left with the smoothest, plumpest skin.


Today I'm reviewing Sactuary's Therapist's Secret Facial Oil. I've never been to one of their spas before, but according to their website this is the secret to their spa facials.
What really drew me to this product was the packaging. It's very grown-up and classic looking bottle looks beautiful on my dressing table and I find the dropper on the top really helpful and much easier to use than if I had to pour it on my hand. It's simple, cleaner and gives you the right amount of product. Inside the bottle, the oil is said to include a 'potent' mixture of different oils; sunflower, jojoba, rosehip and wheatgerm oil.  

I prefer products I use to have little or no scent, or to be natural. I know that a floral scent is indicative that it's very natural but I still dislike it. That is how this smells, however, I let my friend use it and she really liked it so it's really about personal taste. 

You do not have to use a lot of this, I use the dropper (love this) and put a single drop on three or four fingers and rub it together with the finger tips of my other hand and pat around my face. Then I smooth it all in and those areas I thought were so oily before just soak it right up and my skin fells really hydrated. Normally I'd use oils only at night but I like using this in the morning, before I put on my foundation. I think it gives a really healthy glow. Another thing I decided to do, only because I love it so much, was to put a few drops in with my body moisturiser. This was really moisturising and much easier than using oil all over the body, it lasts longer that way, too. I would say though that it's not particularly better or worse than other facial oils, but I like how natural this product is and how many oils have been packed into it. And, I can say that it has made my skin look better the longer I've been using it.


The bottle is 30ml and I bought it from Boots for £17.35. You can get it here. I've been using a couple of Sanctuary's products one of which is also from the Youth Boosting Facial range which I'll review when I've used them long enough. Have you had great results from this product like me?

Saturday 25 August 2012

BACK

It has been eight months and I'm deciding now, at 10pm ish on Saturday the 25th of August to start blogging more. It might just be boring things about my life, but I love the look of my thoughts written down. Starting second year of Uni in September. Now the PRESIDENT of the Film Club, learning piano, going to the gym. That's about it. Sure can't afford the newest beauty products. But I'll be uploading pictures of what I've been doing and what I will be doing, beauty, fashion, food, life related.