Products I cannot live without.

OK, so the title may be a bit overly dramatic, but I thought I would short-list a few of the products I have been using consistently over the past 6 months or longer at least, and that I honestly do not think I could do without.

 Jan Marini Bioglycolic Cleanser & Bioglycolic Bioclear cream

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I use a whole range of products from Jan Marini and I am really torn between whether to say Bioglycolic  Bioclear Cream or just the Bioglycolic cleanser. The fact is that both these products have done wonders for my skin, and whilst I hate to be without the Bioglycolic cleanser for a prolonged period, there have been occasions where it has run out before my next order has arrived and I can just about manage to go a few days without any pimples deciding to rear their ugly head... so long as I have the Bioglycolic Bioclear cream.  If I do not have the Bioglycolic Bioclear cream to help to gently exfoliate my skin, then it all starts to go a bit wrong; dullness starts to set in again and then spots start to slowly re-appear.

The clarity of my skin since I have been using this stuff, which has been for over 6 months now, is just incredible. I have just started on my second little pot and I honestly don't think I could ever be without it. Yes, it is expensive at around approximately £50 for 28g, but it has lasted me best part of 6 months and you only need to use a teeny-tiny amount. I order mine from The Cosmetic Practice and every once in a while they do some great sales, so I keep my eyes peeled for their Jan Marini offers! I often forego foundation in all its forms on a daily basis now, opting only to use it for a more special occasion, and I get no end of compliments to how good my skin looks. Only word of warning is that these products do contain acids! So please do get professional advice before using it and don't be shocked if you feel a bit 'tingly' when you first use it, this is normal - the acid is doing its job!!

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

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I used to use this religiously. My mum has used it for god knows how long (and has incredibly skin at 60 yrs old by the way) and when I hit around 16/17 she bought me some and told me to never stop taking care of my skin - she believes in wrinkle prevention rather than trying to treat something when it has already manifest itself. 

Now, I honestly do not know why I stopped using this stuff. I just decided randomly to stop, probably because I took it for granted and didn't think it was doing anything any more... well I am an idiot for doing that. My skin just started looking less plump and I was noticing all these fine lines starting to crop up (probably not noticeable to anyone but me, armed with my 10x magnifying mirror - I can assure you they were there!). 

I decided it was high time I re-investigate getting myself a decent serum when I realised I still had best part of a full bottle of the Advanced Night Repair. I didn't want to be wasteful, so promised myself I would use it all up before I bought anything new. Well, I won't be buying anything 'new' once this is finished (which it is now getting closed to being) because it's bloody marvellous. Skin all soft focused looking and plump? Check! Skin all nice and smooth and hydrated? Check! Skin spot and irritation free? Check! So there you go. I was a total idiot for not using this stuff and will not stray again, ever!

Redken Extreme Anti-Snap

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This stuff is liquid gold as far as I am concerned. My hair is quite weak and fine, couple that with constant highlights and years of abusing the straighteners and my hair has ended up one giant frizz ball mess; well that was the case until I discovered this stuff. Every time I wash my hair I apply it liberally throughout my damp hair before either air drying or blow drying. The final result is much softer, sleeker, more manageable hair. I am now half way through my 4th bottle and never foresee giving this stuff up. It has made such a difference. I tend to order mine from Feel Unique.

BeneFit Blush Wars: Hervana Vs Coralista

So I noticed whilst looking at my stats that a ton of people seem to reach my blog by searching 'Hervana vs Coralista' on Google. Now I am glad that they stumbled upon my little blog, but at the same time I think that they probably didn't get the information they were after! So I have decided to sort that shizz out for you all and do a post that basically answers the Hervana vs Coralista debacle!

First up Hervana:

Now this is probably my favourite blush of all (not that I am some kind of blush queen or anything, quite the contrary). I love the way it looks in the pan with all those different complimenting colours, some matte and some every so slightly shimmery.

Hervana is a really lovely, natural looking and quite matte blush; it imparts a nice soft colour that makes you look more healthy and radiant. The idea behind most blushes is that they promotes that 'flush of youth', that we naturally presume as an indicator of good health, and this one really does just that.

It's a really nice blush, probably more suited to fairer skin tones, although I haven't seen what it would look like on a darker skinned lady so I may be mistaken. It's understated, but not underwhelming. It's one that I am happy to apply on a daily basis without fear of looking too made up. However, if I want to really emphasize my cheeks then you can build this colour up gradually to get a more full on, check out these cheeks effect should you wish.

Coralista:

My this is one scary looking blush when you see it in the box - bright and what looks like just too much shimmer. Yes, it is bright, but it applies quite sheer so you can steadily build up the colour to your desired level, or you can just go all out with a massive brush and a heavy hand to have a nice pop of beautiful colour on your cheeks; and even then it't not that full on.

In fact if you look very closely you will see that the Coralista colour is incorporated in the Hervana: the shimmery coral colour next to the lightest pink swirl in the Hervana (pic 2 for Hervana). And when you look at the swatches side by side, the colour difference is quite subtle and the main difference is that one is quite matte, the Hervana, and Coralista is more shimmery and slightly my peachy.

As you can see, neither is actually that scary once you apply it (and both have been swatched heavily, just  f.y.i.) They are both very nice pink-toned blushes which have quite a nice natural effect overall. Without a doubt Coralista is a bit brighter in not just colour but finish, due to the shimmer, but its not an obnoxious shimmer just more of a sheen, similar to what you would get with a MAC satin finish eye shadow for example. Here's another more zoomed in picture of the swatches:

If you are torn between which one to get, then I would probably recommend the Hervana over the Coralista, but only because the colour is matte and slightly more subtle, which makes it a more useful blush  that can be worn easily everyday and leave you looking naturally flushed and healthy. However, I do really like wearing them both, so you should just get both!!! :0) 

Well, I hope that has helped all those of you who kept stumbling on my blog looking for a good comparison of both of these gorgeous blushes!

So which one will you chose?

xxx

Jana

Watches, watches, watches

So about 3 or 4 months ago I broke my beloved Michael Kors watch... I had this one, the 'Jet Set':

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I really, really loved my watch and have finally decided it is high time I sought a replacement to adorn my naked wrist. I have had this particular watch since 2008/2009 so it's lasted me fairly well considering how clumsy I am!

I have decided to go for a two-tone watch this time around, so that it helps tie in all the jewellery that I wear, which is often a mix of both yellow gold and white gold... or sometimes just white gold or sometimes all yellow gold... Basically I want it to complement everything and anything that I may possibly decide to use. I have short listed a few options and wanted to find out what your thoughts were?

Currently my favourite is this one below, the 'Camille' watch:

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Closely followed by the 'Bradshaw', although this one is really a joint 1st place:

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And the 'Ritz' two tone option is also rather fetching:

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Then there are a couple of other beauties to throw into the mix: 

the 'Large Layton' and the 'Ritz' that is triple tone - it combines silver, gold and rose gold: 

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I am guessing mixed metals must be making some kind of a comeback as I didn't expect to be overwhelmed by so many options from Michael Kors!

Which one do you like the best? 

I have to admit the more I look at them the more confused I get as to which one I should go for!

xxx 

Jana