Favourite Pieces of 2016

Quite possibly my favourite purchase of last year was my Mango chain bag in black. I think I found it at exactly the right time, it was in October and I believe it was half price and down to 22.99. The reason I love this bag and why I haven't left the house without since October is because it is just perfect! I have a habit of carrying way too much stuff in my handbag and end up regretting it after about an hour  or so of wondering around with it on my shoulder. The heaviness kicks in and it just becomes uncomfortable to carry. This bag however is just small enough that I have to carefully consider what I put in it, limiting the space so I don't just throw things in! The size also means that I won't just throw in my receipts and vow to sort them out when I get home (something that always ends up being neglected for far too long!) It's the perfect little black bag to dress up an outfit and I just wish I'd brought another!

Just before Christmas I was walking past Kurt Geiger and spotted they had a sale on, with some time to kill I decided to just pop in to see if they had any little black purses, although I didn't find a purse I did spot these Simona black mid heel ankle boots. I'll admit the stars where the thing that attracted me the most and even though I've never worn a shoe with such a point I over looked that and brought them anyway! 

Now I had a tester for this perfume for longer than I can remember but I only really rediscovered it half way through last year, Lancome La Vie est Belle Perfume is my perfect feminine fragrance! Its great quality - you literally need maybe two spritz and you'd ready to go. It's also long lasting on me and every time I've warn it I've receive compliments on the smell! There isn't anything I dislike about this perfume, the only thing I wish was that I had it in a roller ball, It would be more travel friendly and wouldn't take up too much room in my handbag!

I came across this Fringe 17 month planner in TK Maxx. I haven't used a planner like this since school, but oh my goodness I forgot how handy they are! I'm defiantly a more visual person, and seeing things drawn/written briefly in calendar section and then turning to the date and day part of the month helps to keep me organised and up to date on things I need to do. This planner will help me through the year, but you can bet I'll be looking for a replacement for next year! 

Before January 2016 I'd only ever worn a watch from perhaps a couple of days a year tops. They were always something I just couldn't be bothered to take the time to put on each day and as a result I never formed a routine of wearing one. However, everyday since the very first month of 2016 I haven't left the house without my Olivia Burton Watch. I'm at the stage where if I go out without it, I feel naked and lost! It surprising how much I rely on this watch at work especially!

All in all, these five objects have really been my favourite things through 2016. Things I have been using constantly and I'm sure I will still be using them at the end of 2017!

What have you been loving throughout the last 12 months? 
x

BLOGLOVIN' | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER 

Pure Clay from L'Oreal | First Impressions

I love to sit down, relax and just have a little pamper every once and a while. Face masks, freshly painted nails and a movie to relax too are part of the perfect pamper session. I have used a lot of different masks in the past, most packet masks or from tubs, which are quite thick in texture, but none  like the L'Oreal Pure Clay mask which seems to be a creamy consistency, which dried quickly on the skin.

There are three different targeting treatments to choose from...

1. Pure Clay Purity Mask  which helps to Purify and Mattify, suitable for oily skin

2. Pure Clay Detox Mask which helps to Detoxify and clarify skin

3. Pure Clay Glow Mask, a Brightening and Exfoliating Mask suitable to dry skin

( All of which, in my opinion, smell amazing and fresh! )

I had originally planned to get the Detox Mask, however once I visited Boots I saw a small information leaflet about each of the Masks. On it, it describes the use of each mask and how to figure out which one is right for you and your skin. There are three small test patches for you to try out, to use, press one of the small test patches against either your T-Zone, Chin or Cheek, to find out what that section of skin is trying to tell you. You can compare your skin test results against the information leaflet to identify which mask would be right for you in that area! After doing the tests, it showed me that I could use the Detox mask and the Purity mask. 

I have so far tried out the Detox Mask as I feel this is the best place for me to start. I plan to use it a few more time before moving onto the purity mask or even Multimasking as they have so cleverly put it on the packet! 

To apply these masks I chose to use a foundation brush which I don't like to use for foundation, it actually worked quite nicely as I didn't put too much of the product on and it was actually less messy! 

I placed in on my T-Zone, my nose and onto my cheeks and a small section on my chin. These are the areas that I have a lot of clogged pores and tends to get the most oily. I left it on for around 8 minutes, until it was dry and then washed it off with water and a wet flannel. After cleaning of the mask my face looked a lot better, less shiny, smaller pores and a lot cleaner than it did pre mask. It defiantly soaked up the excess oil in my skin and as a result my cheeks, chin and forehead felt very dry, but after a quick cleans and a little bit of moisturiser my skin is feeling soft and subtle. 

Overall, after my first application I am fairly impressed by the Detox mask and I would look into apply this once a week for my skin. Anymore than once a week would perhaps be to much for my skin and could cause it to produce more oil, which is something I defiantly don't want, but for once a week, perhaps at the beginning of the week I think my skin could defiantly benefit from the mask. After the first application it did remove a lot of impurities but it also dried out my chin and cased a few big break outs for the next two days, however y skin looked a lot better afterwards.
Every since moving to Scotland my skin seems to react differently to the water in the shower and feels tight and dry after washing so I think I will try the purity mask and the glow mask at the same time in a couple of weeks, after I've given my skin a new lease of life by detoxing all the dirt out!

I think these little pots of masks are a good buy at £7.99 normally, but I just couldn't resist buying them whilst they were just £5 each at Boots! And who knows maybe they will be a weekly thing? Maybe I'll finally find a weekly routine for my skin care? Does anybody else use masks as part of a daily or weekly beauty routine? If so, what do you use?

Love Charlotte xo 

BLOGLOVIN' | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER 

My Current Skincare Routine

As it is the time of year where the the heat can make you hot and bothered I decided that i'd upload my current skincare routine. It has taken my years to figure out what my skin needs and should avoid and I am still finding things that I love and suit more than what I am currently using.

Cleanser
I decided to branch out from my comfort zone and try a different cleanser. When I first started using the Garnier Micella Cleansing Water I didn't like the feeling it left behind. My skin felt tighter and hand a horrible tingling feeling. However after continuous use, my skin reacted better than it did before. It no longer leaves my skin feeling tight or excessively dry but clean and fresh and helps with any blemish problems! A lot goes a long way and it really does get all the gunk off my face.

Exfoliater
Twice a week I like to use St. Ives Apricot Scrub in the shower with my 'A Brush with Greatness' from Soap and Glory (from Boots). I do this routine once on sunday night, ready for work in the morning and once on wednesday night. I find this keeps me fresh faced and generally happier in my skin for the week! I don't like to use this scrub more than twice a week as it can be quite a harsh scrub. I think twice a week is great and if you do use this one I recommend using it very gently.

Moisturiser 

Having oily skin was anything far from a nightmare when I was younger, but alas my skin seems to have sorted itself out and is much less oily. However every now and again it does get horribly shiny! When I have trouble with oil I just like to quickly cleans my skin with my Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water and then add a bit of Elizabeth Arden moisturiser just to the drier parts of my face i.e,  around my nose and the sides of my face. However after a shower my skin can get very tight, the moisturiser works wonders and the following morning my skin is perfect to apply foundation and everything applies so smoothly!

Face Mask
I don't always do a facial mask but when I do it's Sanctuary's 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask! Through out the last few years my skin type has changed a lot, from oily (and I mean oily!) to combination. Dry throughout the day and oily in the evening. However over the last few years I have been using Sanctuary's deep cleanse facial mask every so often. I maybe use this every other month or so. My skin feels a lot cleaner and fresher after and the results in the days after

Sunscreen

We all know how important it is to look after our skin, especially during the sunnier and warmer months.  Using an SPF 30 or higher apply liberally and wait a few minutes before applying makeup, this way the SPF can absorb into the skin properly.
I am still trying to find the right kind of sun screen that isn't too oily, for my skin. If you have any recommendations let me know in the comments below!

Charlie xo

Follow