Drugstore Products for Oily Skin

Garnier Moisture Match Shine Be Gone, Lush Aqua Marina, The Body Shop Tea Tree Facial Wash Reviews

Hi!  So, instead of a fashion-related post today, I have a beauty one instead, simply because there are some products that I have been using which I really like and which have been helping with my oily/spot-prone skin - so if this post can help anyone else out, then I'll be happy!  All of these are 'drugstore' or highstreet products, and all of them come in at under £7, so won't break the bank any time soon! I'm not expert on skincare, and these are just my opinions, obviously if you have problem skin, I would advise speaking to a proffessional.  But if you want to try something new, these are some products that I'd recommend!

Lush - Aqua Marina

The firs product is Lush's Aqua Marina, a cleanser which claims to 'smooth and calm' your skin, and is also mattifying, as I was told by the shop assistant.  It comes in at just over £6.

I think it's quite cute how there's a little yellow sticker on each product telling you who made it - plus the expiration date, which is 3 months, as Lush products don't tend to have preservatives.

The product looks like this - it is a pale pink squishy paste with green seaweed-type stuff running through it, which you either love or hate the look of!  The smell is also quite distinctive, very salty, the best that I can describe it it like the beach, so I'd recommend smelling it before you buy to see if you like it!

You are meant to use the product by putting a pea-sized amount in your hand and mixing it with water to a 'milk or paste' consistency - although this works, if I'm in a rush I find it easier to dot the product on my face and then rub water over it, as it is a little fiddly to do it the other way!

Overall the ingredients seem good, as with most Lush products they are natural, but I do wonder about the 'perfume' at the end of the list, as they don't say what it actually is!  As for how this worked on my skin, I can say that my face freaked out when I first used it, but don't worry if this happens, as your skin will usually change or break out if you change your routine.   It definitely mattifies my skin, but also leaves it very soft, which is great!  The only thing I would say is that after using this you must ensure to rinse your face very well, as - although none of the ingredients are bad for you - it isn't good to have a thick product like this clogging up your skin!  I do like it though, and it is quite a refreshing change from most of the harsh cleansers which are usually for oily skin.

 The Body Shop's Tea Tree Skin Cleansing Facial Wash

Our second product is from The Body Shop, and claims to be a 'daily-use for blemished skin facial wash' that will give 'clearer-looking skin when used as part of a regular regime', which costs £5.

It is of regular face-wash consistency: a runny clear green gel, with a pleasant sharp tea-tree smell.

I'm not sure whether it would be classed as a foaming cleanser - you can see in the picture though that it does lather up well, and I can definitely feel it cleaning my skin.

This is a full list of the ingredients:

 Aqua (Solvent/Diluent), Glycerin (Humectant), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (Surfactant), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Surfactant), PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate (Viscosity Modifier), PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil (Emulsifier), PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate (Emulsifier), Polysorbate 20 (Emulsifier), Alcohol Denat. (Solvent/Diluent), Panthenol (Skin/Hair Conditioning Agent), Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil (Natural Additive), Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Allantoin (Skin Soothing Agent), Citric Acid (pH Adjuster), p-Anisic Acid (pH Modifier), Benzophenone-4 (Sunscreen agent, Ultraviolet Light Absorber), Menthol (Cooling Agent), Sodium Hydroxide (pH Adjuster), Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Sunscreen), Limonene (Natural Additive), Leptospermum Petersonii Oil (Natural Additive), t-Butyl Alcohol (Denaturant), Denatonium Benzoate (Denaturant), Tocopherol (Antioxidant), Caramel (Colour), CI 19140 (Colour), CI 42090 (Colour).

Now, in comparision with the Lush cleanser, the ingredients are definitely not as good or as natural, so perhaps is your skin is very sensitive I would recommend the other product.  Sometimes I think hat The Body Shop pretends to be a lot more natural than it is - a simple rule that I have is: the more ingredients there are, and the less understandable their names are, the less natural the product is!  That said, it isn't overloaded with as many horrible things as some drugstore cleansers are!  I really bought this product when I was just at my wits end for skincare, and needed something that helped with my spots - I didn't want to keep on wasting my cash on stuff that didn't work!  And thankfully, this worked.  By no means does it completely clear up your skin or make it perfect.  But it does keep breakouts at bay, and helps to minimize oiliness, which is good enough for me!  It is great in summertime too, but in winter, if you get patchy or dry skin, I maybe wouldn't recommend it, as it is quite drying, however it can still work if you use a good moisturizer, as I can't always afford to switch up my skincare every season!

Garnier Moisture Match Shine Be Gone

This moisturizer claims to give a long-lasting mattifying effect, and to moisturize for up to 24 hours (it also says a bunch of other fancy stuff on the packaging, which all basically means the same thing!), and sells for around £4 (in Boots), although when I got mine it was on offer for about £2!

This is what the product itself looks like - in the picture it appears white, but it does have a slightly green colour.

If you look closely here, you can see that the texture of the moisturizer isn't your typical cream - I think they called its a gel-cream or mousse, the texture is really hard to describe because when you rub it in you can feel it separating into pieces then into a kind of almost grainy-velvety texture - its just really weird! I like that this product isn't scented, because nothing annoys me more than scented moisturizer.

These are the ingredients:

Aqua/Water, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Alcohol Denat, Acer Saccharinum Extract/ Sugar Maple Extract, Ammonium Polyacryldimethyltauramide/ Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Behenyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Camellia Sinesis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, C1 42090/ Blue 1, C1 47005/ Acid Yellow 3, Citronellol, Disodium Ethylene Dicocamide Peg -15 Disulfate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Limonene, Linalool, Mannose, Phenoxyethanol, Pyrus Malus Water/ Apple Fruit Water, Silica, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Parfum/Fragrance.

One thing that annoys me about the ingredients is that the fourth one in is an alcohol (ingredients are listed according to quantity, the most first) which can be drying for your skin (which isn't good even when you want to mattify).  On the whole, I quite like this moisturizer as it is quite light and oil-free, however it doesn't have an spf, so if you are going to be outside, layer it up with other products.   Unfortunately, I didn't really notice the mattifying effect and I don't believe the 24-hour-hydration claim (I'd apply it every 12 hours).  But it is a nice, non-greasy moisturiser, that doesn't impact on my oily skin in a bad way, so its fifty fifty.

Thanks for reading!  As I said, I have no expert opinion on these products, this is just what they did for me.  I do use them all together - first the tea tree cleanser, then Aqua Marina, then the moisturizer (I used two cleansers because I prefer the tea tree one after I've taken off my makeup to get rid of any left over bits, and I like the calming effects of the other cleanser afterwards, so I feel that together, they both do a better job than apart).

Have a fantabulous day!  Bexx xx

(disclaimer: products bought by me, opinions are my own, not sponsored or associated with any of these brands)

My Top 5 Shoes!

Hi! So, for today's post I was going to do a summer outfit post, but I woke up and it was pouring with rain (seriously, its been tipping it down since at least 8am!), so my plan was scuppered.  So instead, here are my five favourite and most worn pairs of shoes - I am definitely a shoes girl, but I tend not to buy them very often as once I have a pair that I love, I wear them to death! (so excuse any little marks on the shoes in the pictures - they're very well-loved!)

#5

OK, so I know that they're not the most exciting, but my Reebok trainers had to make the list!  I used to wear them all the time, and have recently rediscovered them, and I can tell you that they are the most comfortable shoes in the world. Possibly.  After all the year that I have had them, I think its a miracle that they are still white, and I love white trainers, especially clean new ones that are really bright!  In the summer, I love to wear these with shorts and t-shirts, or even skirts and little ankle-socks,and when its colder they look really good with simple jeans, or you can dress them us with black disco-pants (which I think gives a slightly 80s vibe, which I love!).

#4

This next pair of shoes I bought in Deichmann over a year ago, and despite being very affordable, they are lasting well!  They're high-heeled brogues, and I have to admit that, until I saw these, I wasn't particularly fond of the trend.  However these were the shoes that made me love brogues (or oxfords as I know they can be called outside of the UK), I just love the muted brown colour of them, and I think that the delicate little designs are adorable! I recently wore these with a yellow collared dress to my friend's birthday dinner, and overall the look was very vintage and cute.

#3

Without a doubt, these gorgeous sandals have got to be my favourite summer shoes - they were a recent buy from Primark for only £5 (and now are in the sale for £3!!! That's insane!), and I've worn them almost every day since buying them.  They are made of plastic (the best that I can describe them is grown-up jelly shoes!), but it seems doesn't seen to have worn at all, and they haven't given me any blisters on sore feet at all as you might expect with plastic.  They are also black, so go with almost any outfit, but my favourite thing about them is the tiny gold bumble bee on the front, I just thought that they were an especially unique and incredibly fun detail!

#2

These shoes have been through a lot - I originally bought them for my cousin's wedding last summer, and they were also my prom shoes at Christmas time, as well as being worn to many other parties and occasions!  (they also featured in my last London outfit post - here they are in close-up now!) What really attracted me to them was the rose-gold shiny detailing at the front, along with the ribbon tie - when buying them I was at my wit'send trying to find a pair of shoes in this colour, and then these just stood out to me from the shelf in Miss Selfridge! (luckily they were in my size, because they were the only pair left!) They make it onto this list because, although they have sentimental value too, I just think that they are really gorgeous!

#1

Last on my list are these boots, my number one top pair of shoes.  They have appeared in a couple of other blog posts, so obviously, I love them very much!  They were a birthday present around three years ago, and I'd count them as my first pair of actual heels (what could be considered my first pair of heels might be a pair of black shoes with a teeny-tiny minute heel which I wore to my first junior prom.  But I didn't really like them, so I'm not counting them!).  They're really super-comfy, probably because I've worn them so often, and they're pretty much weather-proof - I've even worn them in snow!  You can also wear them with the tops turned down to show the lining, so two looks in one, and I wear them with almost anything: jeans, leggings, dresses, skirts, shorts, you name it!  If you couldn't tell, these are my favourite pair of shoes ever!

xxx Bexx

(Psssst!  follow me on twitter: @xB3ccA )

Liebster Award

Hi!  So today's post is something a little different - I was picked to do the Liebster Award by May la Faye, an awesome blog that you should definitely check out:  http://maylafaye.blogspot.co.uk/  there's fashion, beauty and beautiful jewellery - thanks so much for picking me, I really appreciate it!  The Liebster Award is for bloggers with under 200 followers, and the rules are simple:

1. answer 11 questions from your tagger

2. choose or 'tag' 11 more blogs (with under 200 followers, and no tag-backs!  also, give your tagger a shout-out to say thanks!)

3. ask 11 brand new questions for the blogs which you have tagged

4. contact the people you have tagged to let them know!

I will put the blogs that I have picked, and their questions at the end of the blog post!

1. Preferred hair style - straight or waves?

Straight - I'd love to be able to do waves myself, but I only wear my hair like that on days that its behaving - straight is just easier!

2. Your ideal red carpet dress and state designer?

This might sound a little odd, but I'd love to wear Hermione's dress for the ball in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, its just gorgeous, haha!  But if my dress had to be designed by a real designer it would be the fantastically creative people at Alexander McQueen, I'm in love with everything that I see from McQueen!

3. What is your favourite lipstick?

I don't tend to wear lipstick on a daily basis, but my absolute favourite is Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick in Sofsilver Rose (#430) - its a gorgeous shimmery pink, and it never dries out my lips, which is my pet peeve with lipsticks!

4. In this new age how do you preferr to read  - On a pad/tablet of your choosing or opening the pages of a book? 

I'd have to say books, definitely, although I do like the original Kindle as it doesn't have a backlight (I just can't read books on a glaring screen!) and reading through tablets opens you up to so much more options than just what is in the bookshop!

5. If you were given a £150 to spend on a handbag what would it be like and what brand?

Ted Baker's Saffiano Bow Tote - its insanely cute!

6. Describe your dream house? (no limits to your imagination)

No limits?  Then my house would be on a cloud, so that I could move it to whatever location I wanted!  It would be a slick, modern design, but obviously I'd still put my own girly spin on it!

7. If you were to be a superhero what would be your power?

Simple - my superpower would be to give myself more superpowers, then I could have them all!

8. Describe your ideal superhero outfit?

Something very, very shiny.  With a cape and a sparkly mask.  And probably pink.  Ok, definitely pink!

9. If pink was your only option what would your item be? 

A pink dress - you might as well make a statement!  Not baby pink but hot pink, as its my favourite colour, although it usually makes its appearance on my nails rather than in my wardrobe!  

10.  A beach holiday or the Country? 

Beach 100%.  Although I love the country, the town that I live in is already there, so for a holiday I'd like a change of scenery, plus on the beach you have the opportunity to wear all of the cute stuff thats in the shops at summmertime  - flipflops, swimsuits, cover-ups, hats!

11.  If you could only choose one what would it be arm candy or necklace? 

Arm candy, since I don't tend to wear necklaces that often, and I have an addiction to bracelets! 

I've also had a look at a few other Liebster Awards blog posts, and I've noticed that some of them also include 11 things about yourself, and since I haven't done this yet, I thought I'd take the opportunity to let you know a little more about me! 

1. I'm a twin

2. I'm a vegetarian

3. I'm Scottish

4. my favourite food is Doritos (its worrying how much I love them, seriously!)

5. I have a bunny rabbit called Wings (don't ask...)

6. I'm 16, and about to start my sixth and last year of school after summer (bloody terrifying!)

7. my favourite number is 21 (and I have no idea why!)

8. I love fashion, and blogging about it,who knew!

9. I have crazy taste in music - one minute its Justin Bieber, the Hoodie Allen, then Fall Out Boy.

10. my birthday is the 15th of November

11. I can't sleep with socks on (its weird. I know.)

So here are the blogs that I have picked - check them out, they're all fab!

Bows and Brushes

A Dot of Daisy

A Little Abstract

Carolyn (Brunette Wavez)

Little Bits of Sunshine

Sassy's Space

Pretty Eclectic

Ana Celine Labod

D is For...

Flawed Fairytale

Toad Road Fashion

And here are my questions for you...

1. Shoes or handbags?

2. Where would you most like to go shopping, London or Paris?

3. How did you pick the name for your blog?

4. You can only pick one item from your current wardrobe to keep. What is it?

5. What is your best (or worst!) joke or pick-up line that you've heard?

6. Who is your favourite designer, and what would you want them to design for you?

7. Who is your celebrity style crush?

8. If you could only buy one thing, would it be clothes or beauty products?

9. Who is your favourite band/music artist?  Are they reflected in your style?

10. What item is at the top of your wishlist right now?

11. What is your favourite blog and/or Youtube channel?

Thanks for reading, have a fantabulous day! xxx Bexx

Stepping Out in Style in London!

Hi! I know that I haven't posted in a veeeery long time, but I got very busy with exams and school, so life hasn't been very exciting!  However, I recently went on holiday to London with my lovely (at least until you spend two weeks straight with them, haha!) family, and so now I have outfits to post!  Unfortunately, I wasn't thinking about uploading on my blog when I was taking the pictures, so sorry, no close-ups, but these are items that I wear all the time, so they'll probably (i.e. definitely) crop up again!  This particular outfit was worn on an evening when I went to see a play with my mum and sister - we went to see 'The Cripple of Inishmaan' (starring Daniel Radcliffe!) which you should definitely go and see if you're in London, its hilarious and happy and heartbreaking all at the same time!  (but enough of that, onto the outfit!!)

My dress is from H&M (can't quite remember the price, but something like a tenner!) last summer, the lighting in the photo above is a little odd, but you can see the colours more clearly below! I love it because you can dress it up a bit for night, but it also makes a very comfy day dress on a hot day, which you can wear with trainers or flats.  It looks very short, and I can tell you that it is - I'm not sure what it would be like on anyone taller than me, and I'm only about 5"3!  My black blazer is from Zara, also bought last summer (around £50), but they do the same one in the same cut every year, just with a different lining and button!  This blazer is worn to death by the way - it works all year round and can be smart or casual, and it goes with everything!

Here's what the dress looks like without the blazer, and I teamed it with high-heeled pumps which are a kind of nude-pink, the same colour as the dress, but you could also go for black or hot pink to pull out  the colours in the print - if there's a colour that you want to stand out in a print, match your shoes to it!  The shoes are just heeled pumps with ribbon ties from Miss Selfridge, and I also like that they have a platform - so whilst making me look taller, they also don't kill my feet!  These shoes are also a very well-loved piece - originally bought for my cousin's wedding, they have also appeared at my prom (at which they survived continuous Ceilidh dancing!) , parties and trips into town, so I've got a lot of wear out of them!

I finished the look with a little silver necklace, and a baby-pink bracelet, just to bring everything together.  I even managed to achieve a hairstyle that wasn't just a ponytail!  Thanks for reading, and have a fantabulous day!  xxx  Bexx