Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliant Toner

There is soooo so so much hype around this product. So much. I knew it'd be good, because how can so many people be wrong about it? And since when is Caroline Hirons wrong about skincare? Rarely, if ever. It's supposedly a dupe for P50, an exfoliant toner, with all the added goodness of being oil-free, alcohol-free and packed with wonderful Aloe Vera, which is so amazingly kind to the skin. I have very sensitive skin when it comes to certain products, so I was slightly weary at first; I didn't need to be, at all. This is gentle, but powerful. I noticed a difference the morning after I first used it, and no, I'm not just saying that... I actually did. My skin was a bit brighter, and if you suffer from under the skin-but-not-quite-developed-spots then this is a product that will work wonders for you too. I'm not going to say that it completely got rid of those blemishes, but they are certainly reduced - something that I hope will changed with prolonged use; I want to say bye-bye to those irritating little things. 

As part of my nightly routine, I use it after my double cleanse as a way to make sure that my skin is really clean, deep down before adding my oils and serums, which inject all of the moisture back into my skin. It's only a step that I use in the night, although it is suitable to use in the morning as well, although I would definitely not forget to use an SPF on top of it, otherwise your skin might become damaged very easily (see sun-damage, worsening of fine lines etc), although those are two things that this Pixi Glow Tonic Toner is used to diminish. Just keep your face protected if you use it in the day. That's a very important rule if you're going to use it in the morning and then go about your day, outside of your home. But back to the properties of this tonic; we already know that it has Aloe Vera to soothe, but it also has Ginseng to brighten, as well as witch hazel and horse chestnuts to boost firmness and bloody flow to the skin. It's one of those products that I swipe on with a cotton pad, and then enjoy the feeling of my face being so clean and vibrant; it's a must have. It's also £18 (here), which I think is incredible value for money, as this makes such a difference to my skin, and I would gladly repurchase it again and again, especially as the bottle is 250ml, incredibly durable and long-lasting. I only need a few drops to leave my skin feeling refreshed and healthy. This can be seen as a bit of an investment for those who are just getting into looking after their skin, but trust me, this Pixi Glow Tonic Toner will not let you down.

Have any of you tried this Toner? Are you loving the changes it's making to your skin? 

The Makeup products I keep reaching for.

You would think that reaching for the same makeup products each day, can be quite dull and then you can grow bored very easily... basically, your entire look can become unsatisfying. But for me, there is nothing boring about these products. I can do my face for work in 10 minutes, and know that this look is one that works for me. Glowy skin, bright eyes, peachy pink lips with a hint of bronzer on my skin, to make the whole look less pale, and more 'oooh has she been on holiday somewhere?'; it's pretty much a look I love to wear. There's nothing here that should be overlooked, as each product, for me, can stand up to a lot of others with more expensive price tags, and give an even better finish. Such as Makeup Revolution's Goddess of Love Highlighter, which at £3.99 is one of the most amazing purchases. It's a baked highlighter and one that I use every day as I adore the glow that it gives to my skin. I'm yet to try a soft, pinky-pearl highlighter that performs to the same standard as this one. Actually, the only products here that cost more than £10, are from The Body Shop, Estee Lauder and Mac, three brands that are well trusted for their quality and selection of shades. 

For the base, we have Estee Lauder's Double Wear Light, Maybelline's Eraser Eye Concealer and Collection's Illuminating Touch Concealer, three products that I have found work together wonderfully well, and can give me a glowy, yet not too heavy look, which makes me look healthy and not as if I've just chucked a load of makeup on my face. It's a base that's light and airy, giving everyone else the impression that you've had a good night's sleep, when really you've been staying up until 2am watching Community on Netflix (*cough* well, I've heard that people do that.. *cough*). A dupe product for Estee Lauder's Foundation, would be the new Air Mat Foundation from Bourjois, another glowy offering that is a key product in faking a 'wide awake look'. Another thing that I've found with these three base products, is that they're sturdy enough to cart around with you all day in your makeup bag, and there's no worry of things breaking, or leaking... they're well formulated and well made, perfect for on-the-go touchups. 

Additional base products are the gloooorious Makeup Revolution Highlighter, Bourjois Aqua Blush and The Body Shop's Honey Bronzer which add to that 'I look alive and well, but inside I'm full of cold and just want pizza' disguise - something which I think I'm close to mastering after years of being unwell, and mainly just wanting to curl up and watch movies, with pizza, as opposed to doing anything productive outside of my house. The Goddess of Love Highlighter is so so finely milled that it looks so incredibly natural and wonderful, that you get that 'glow from within' without a great deal of effort... because some days, you just can't be bothered at all. The Bourjois Aqua Blush wasn't something that appealed to me when it first hit the shops, but after umming and ahhing about it for a few weeks, I bought it for my holiday, with the view that it wouldn't be sweated off too easily in the heat: and the consistency is so light and creamy, it's a shame I didn't buy it immediately, as I would have professed my love for it, much like numerous bloggers out there. With a handy little pump to dispense as much or as little as you want, this hard wearing Blush is a brilliant buy from the French brand. Lastly for this section, we have the much raved about, universally loved Body Shop Honey Bronzer which I've had for what feels like ages, and I've still barely made a dent in it, despite me wearing it almost everyday. Light, blendable and made for layering, this Bronzer is the thing of dreams. 

Two eye products that I adore are from Mac in the shade Bare Study and L'Oreal's Volume Million Lashes Mascara, the former a wonderful Cream Paint Pot, and the other my new favourite mascara. The cream eyeshadow is soft and super blendable, one of those products that I apply and blend with my fingers, nothing fancy and not a product that requires an eyeshadow brush. Naaa, it's a gorgeous champagne shade, lighter and a bit less pink than my other favourite Mac Paint Pot, Vintage Selection, but nonetheless still super brightening when applied to the eyelids, and it stays put all day without wear or smudging. The same can be said for the mascara, except I do get a little bit of smudging on my undereyes, but I would say that it's more due to my oily skin, than the product. Last, but not least, is Bourjois' Rouge Edition Matte Velvet Lipstick in Peach Club, a bright peachy pink that instantly lifts the look and makes everything look brighter, which ties wonderfully in with glowy skin and highlighted cheekbones. 

What products have become your go-to's and what are you reaching for everyday? Let me know xx

Victoria's Secret Coconut Passion Body Spray

This was my only Duty Free purchase on my last holiday. Shock, I know. Gatwick Duty Free and I come away with only one bodyspray? Yes, that's right. But not any ordinary body spray, it's diviiiine. Coconut and Vanilla goodness all wrapped up in a wonderful 250ml bottle. There were so many bottles to choose from, and I was especially drawn to the Christmas scents; I really regret not picking any more up, as they were gorgeously scented. Maybe I'll book a last minute holiday, or make a trip to London at some point... because we all know that there's an amazing Victoria's Secret Store there, one that I've always wanted to go to. 

Victoria's Secret is usually associated with underwear (obvs) but their beauty section seemed so overwhelmingly beautiful, and I really do wish that I had selected more.. but that's a lesson I must learn for next time. I don't think it'll be the last time I fly from Gatwick, or mooch around the Duty Free whilst my boyfriend is asleep in a comfortable chair after a McDonald's Breakfast. To be fair, it was 4am, and those pancakes would make anyone in their right mind sleepy, but I was far too excited at the idea of looking around, plus there were so many brands to look at. Laura Mercier, Chanel, Dior... the list goes on and on, but I knew that I wanted something that I couldn't get anywhere else, or something that would be incredibly difficult to get - hence why this purchase was the best choice. Coconut and Vanilla are two of my favourite scents, and when combined, I knew that it'd be something that I would be drawn to the most. 

I love wearing this combined with my Pineapple Perfume from The Library of Fragrance, as it gives that sweet, Summery scent that I just don't want to give up. I know Winter is mostly for heavier fragrances, i.e. Opium by YSL but I don't want to cross over into the realm of those until I really have to (or it gets reaaaally cold, and I'd need a scent that smells quite warm and spicy). But until then, I'm going to keep spritzing myself with this gorgeous scent. It's perfect for warmer months, so yes, i bought it when it's out of season, but it's so wonderful, that I'll be spraying it regardless.