Venturing into theBalm

I’m a complete newbie to theBalm. I’ve heard bloggers rave about their products but as they only seem to be available online or in &OtherStories in London, I was always a bit apprehensive about buying without actually seeing any of their products. Being as pale as I am, I tend to find some colour products are just a little bit much for me so I’m a lot more reserved with makeup purchases online than I am with anything else.  

I’d been eyeing up Mary-Lou Manizer on Feel Unique for a while now. I’d lost count of amount of blog posts I’d read talking about how gorgeous a colour it was so when Feel Unique were offering 25% off of theBalm (their Unique Treat offers have been amazing) along with the usual samples, I leapt for my bank card.

Mary-Lou Manizer is described as giving your skin a “subtle glow”. Now I don’t really think subtle is the right word. It’s by no means disco ball sparkly - it doesn’t actually have any glitter through it at all - but it is extremely pigmented and it’s very easy to go overboard (as I found out after I’d left the house…). It’s a warm champagne colour, which is very flattering on all skin tones. I normally opt for cooler colours but I find this adds just a touch of warmth to the skin without looking overwhelming. With highlighters, I would normally lightly dust my cheekbones, brow bone, on the bridge of my nose, little bit on my forehead and on my cupids bow, but for this I think Mary-Lou Manizer is a little bit too much for this. It’s perfect for cheekbones and brow bone, and I think I’ll stick to a highlighting face powder for the rest. I’ve been using the contour brush from the Real Techniques Duo Fibre Set as it’s great for a lighter application, and like I said, it’s so easy to go overboard.

I also decided to add FratBoy to my basket, another blogger inspired purchase. This is such a pretty peachy/pinky colour which is perfect for summer and once again, it’s extremely pigmented. Although it is a matte blush FratBoy has a lovely buttery texture and it blends naturally into the skin. In fact, I’d probably say this compares to cream blushers in terms of just how well it blends.  I’ve found the RealTechniques Stippling Brush is perfect for applying this blush as it’s a bit lighter and blends well.

Compared to other brands, theBalm is also pretty reasonably priced at £16 for Mary-Lou Manizer and £14.50 for their blushers.

Have you tried anything from theBalm? 

Back to Clarins

When I was first getting into premium skin care, Clarins was always my go-to brand. My entire routine was from Clarins. Since then, I’ve branched out and to be honest, over the last couple of years I’ve bought very little from the brand. A few weeks ago, Debenhams were offering 10% off for their Mega Week sale and as I had had my eye on a few things, I thought that I would treat myself.  

I had been looking into a more hydrating cleanser for mornings and I had heard great things about The Extra Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream. It claims to be a purifying, yet hydrating cleanser with Shea, mango and Moringa. Morgina is supposed to be great for detoxifying the skin and protecting from the effects of pollution. I’ve recently started a job in the centre of Glasgow, so me, this was definitely a selling point. I’ve currently got an almighty break out, so I’m avoiding switching cleansers until it calms down so I’ll have to report back once I’ve actually given it a proper whirl.

I’ve had a few samples of Lotus Face Treatment Oil, so I really don’t know why it’s taken me as long to actually buy the full sized product. I love face oils, but I find that sometimes they can a bit heavy for my combination skin. This oil purifies and balances with oily/combination skin in mind, yet it is still as hydrating as you would expect an oil to be. The oil is naturally astringent, so it helps with blemishes but it isn’t harsh on the skin. Generally, a well-balanced product. I’ve been using this as a treatment before moisturiser in the evening by pressing the oil into my skin, and also I’ve been mixing it with my moisturiser in the morning.

Another product I’ve had a few samples of in the past is the Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner and another blogger favourite. I love liquid exfoliators, I use Pixi Glow Tonic daily and Alpha H Liquid Gold once a week, but I was looking for something in between. My skin has been looking a bit uneven and bumpy, so I thought a middle of the range acidic toner would be a good option to use in rotation with the Pixi Glow Tonic. For more info about this, Caroline Hirons is woman to see, she is the Skin Care God.

As well as getting 10% off, Clarins were also on Gift with Purchase, so I picked up a mini Instant Eye Make Up Remover, a fab product which does exactly what it says on a tin. This used to always be my eye makeup remover of choice until I found cleansing oil. I also selected the Satin Smooth Body Lotion and the ExfoliatingBody Scrub for Smooth Skin.

What are your favourite Clarins products?

Bank Holiday Manicure

There’s something therapeutic about spending time giving yourself a manicure, don’t you think? I’ve always had a thing about well-groomed nails. The second I get a tiny chip or if they start to look worn at the tips I have to repaint them. As much as I can be pretty lazy when it comes to makeup, I probably do border on obsessive when it comes to my nails.

Sunday nights are normally my manicure night (or Monday night with it being a bank holiday). Before I have a bath, I rip cotton pads into quarters, soak them with nail polish remover then pop them on my nails for a minute or so to remove the nail polish I already have on. This is great for taking everything off in the one wipe so you’re not rubbing at your nails, which can damage them. It also means that you’re not as likely to get your fingers stained if you’re wearing a darker colour. We’ve all been there - it’s a nightmare.

Once everything is off I use the China Glaze Orange Cuticle Oil, massaging it on the bare nail bed and into the cuticles. I leave it on while I’m in the bath to allow it to soak into my nails. Once I’m out, I file my nails using the OPI crystal nail file. I’ve really noticed a big difference in the condition of my nails going from a standard nail file to the crystal one; I don’t get anywhere near as many tears or peeling. I tend to file them into a square/oval shape. I always think it looks very lady-like and there’s less chance of breakage or tearing then with a square or a point.

After I’m happy with the shape, I squeeze some of the Sally Hansen Cuticle Remover along my cuticles and leave it for a minute or so then gently push everything back. I find it useful to have a tissue on hand to wipe away any excess Cuticle Remover and also in case any cuticle needs buffed away. I’ll wash my hands and then give my nails another wipe with some nail polish remover to make sure there’s no residue and it also dehydrates the nails which makes nail polish adhere to the nails a bit better.

I’m a big believer in a base coat, 2 thin coats of colour and a top coat. My base coat of choice is OPI Nail Envy. This is my third bottle! Not only do I use this as my base coat, but once a month, I apply this every day for a week as a treatment. I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews about this product, but I personally couldn’t recommend this anymore. I’ve yet to find another nail product which has helped the overall strength and condition of my nails like Nail Envy.

I used Essie’s Status Symbol here, a recent purchase while Boots had the 3 for 2 offer on (it's currently on 3 for 2 in Superdrug). It’s a bright pink colour, but it’s not too bright. It’s like a baby sister to Essie Watermelon, which is probably my most worn nail colour. I love how the brushes with Essie polishes fan out, usually I can cover one nail with one stroke. It also means that you can get a nice neat curve at the top of the nail near the cuticle.

After 2 thin coats of colour it’s Seche Vite time. I love Seche Vite (another product I’ve repurchased a few times), it dries so quickly, the staying power is fab and it gives such a gorgeous glossy finish. Finally, I leave that to try for 10 minutes or so (purely because I’m paranoid), then pop some more Cuticle Oil to finish everything off.

And there we have it, nice neat nails!

What are your at home manicure tips?