Foreo Luna Mini Cleansing System

Hello everyone! 

Hope you are all well! First of all, I'm sorry that I haven't posted in a while, things have been pretty hectic since going back to uni for my final year with lectures, assignments (already?!), placements, PGCE applications and of course my dreaded dissertation, haha! I will try to find a new routine with my blogging and keep posts as regular as possible. Also, a big hello to my new followers! I've noticed recently a little flurry of notifications from Bloglovin' letting me know that I have new followers, it's always lovely to see, especially as my blog is still very new and only has a small following. I write my blog because I enjoy it, I don't make any special efforts to gain more followers or anything so it always surprises me and makes me smile to see that someone has found Lilybet Loves and has liked my posts enough to follow me, thank you :)

Now on to what you came to see, the Foreo Luna Mini. I'll admit that I hadn't even heard of this until I received an email from Bzz Agent (a product testing panel which I am part of, more info below) inviting me to try this out at a discounted price of £27 instead of the £99 RRP. I did some quick Googling and read a few reviews but what actually swayed me to take part was seeing that the Luna Mini was being sold in Selfridges and Harvey Nichols, that's probably really silly but I thought that if they're selling it then it must be good! The Luna Mini is a smaller version of the original Luna which is obviously larger in size and comes in three colours which correspond to different skin types; white for ultra-sensitive, pink for normal/sensitive and blue for combination skin types. The Luna Mini doesn't have different versions for different skin types but does have much more choice when it comes to colour as you can choose from pink, turquoise, magenta, grey and purple; I chose the magenta.

On receiving my Luna Mini I was first impressed with the packaging, which was minimal with a clean design, sleek and stylish- very Apple-esque! The Luna Mini itself was a perfect size to fit comfortably in my hand and to use on my face, and I love the bright pink colour that I chose! The Luna Mini is very simple to use, there is just one button and the instructions were clear and easy to follow. The Luna Mini also comes with a small white USB charger (no mains adaptor but I plugged the USB into my iPhone charger and it worked fine). 

 The Luna Mini uses T-Sonic (transdermal) pulsations to deep clean the skin (don't ask me how!) from dirt, oil and make up whilst still being gentle and suitable for all skin types. The silicone body has areas of different sized bobbles that you rub over the skin whilst cleansing and a contoured edge meaning that you can easily tailor how you use the Luna Mini for different areas of your face, ensuring an all over cleanse. This design is also a lot more hygienic and cost effective than traditional cleansing brushes as the silicone is much easier to clean and doesn't hang onto dirt and residues as much as a brush does and also means you don't have the expense of buying replacements, bonus!

Using the Luna Mini makes cleansing a little more fun and as you only use it for one minute at a time, it's a very easy addition to make to your cleansing routine.  I love that there are two modes available as the vibration took a little getting used to when I first started using it but now I mostly use 'normal mode' unless my skin is feeling super sensitive, then I will switch to 'sensitive mode'. The Luna Mini will buzz when it's time to move to the next area of your face whilst cleasning so that the skin is cleansed evenly all over, this is really useful as I do tend to linger on my right cheek and forehead, neglecting my left cheek if not prompted to move on. A cute little blue light will come on when your one minute cleanse time is up too which is handy for reminding me not to overdo it! Foreo recommend avoiding cleansers that are clay or silicone based aswell as grainy cleansers when using the Luna Mini as these could cause damage to the silicone bobbles. Having tried a few different cleansers with mine I have found that although it works just fine with my cream and gel cleansers, my favourite to use it with is a balm or oil cleanser (my favourite is the Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter) as they seem to help the Luna Mini glide over the skin and amplify the pulsations, making me feel more relaxed and thoroughly cleansed. I love using my Luna Mini in the evenings as the face massage that Luna Mini gives is really relaxing, however, it is also great in the morning with a fresh and fruity face wash to give you and your skin a wake up call. I have seen a difference in my skin after using the Luna Mini, it feels smoother, softer and cleaner, which I think helps my skincare products (moisturisers etc.) to work better and leaves my skin looking clearer and brighter. Finally, the battery lasts for ages! I fully charged mine when I received it, as per the instructions and a month later, after daily use, I'm still waiting for it to need charging again. I would definitely recommend this product, although I'm not sure if I would pay full price for it, that seems a little expensive, however when compared with similar products (facial cleansing brushes etc.) the Luna Mini does a better job in my opinion and doesn't have any ongoing costs associated with it so would probably be better value in the long run.

What's your favourite way to cleanse? Have you tried the Luna Mini?

** For those of you who don't know Bzz Agent is a product testing panel, it's free to join and open to everyone. I joined  in March this year and have already taken part in 15 campaigns ranging from food and sweets to beauty products, deodorants, clothing dyes and stain remover! The more campaign activities you complete (reviews, conversations, social media updates etc.) to a good standard, the higher your Bzz score and the more likely you will be invited to participate in future campaigns. I've put a link in so you can check it out if you're interested (this is not sponsored by Bzz Agent or anything like that I just think it's a great way to try new things for free or at a heavy discount and thought I would share it with you all.)

Face Mask Friday #10

Happy Friday everyone!

This week I have used the H&M Coconut Water Moisture Mask. This is the second of the H&M face masks that I have tried, you can read my review of the H&M Blueberry Burst Nourishing Mask here and as with the Blueberry I was impressed with the Coconut.

My skin has been feeling dehydrated lately, especially around my forehead so when I saw this mask as I was in the queue of H&M I thought I'd give it a try.

As expected this was a white colour and more of a cream, putty like texture than a clay. The scent was lovely, just a gentle coconut fragrance, not too strong or artificial smelling and actually quite refreshing. The mask was really easy to apply, not drippy or sticky at all and whilst I used all of it in one go there probably was enough for two thinner applications. I left the mask on for around 20 minutes whilst I put my feet up and during this time the mask didn't really harden like a clay mask, it just got a little drier as if my skin had sucked some moisture out of it! After washing this the mask off with warm water and a flannel my skin did feel plumper, more hydrated and also incredibly soft. Whilst the effects don't last much more than a day or two I would definitely recommend and repurchase this mask and I think it would be great if used regularly to maintain moisture levels or just as a thirst quenching treat now and again depending on your skin type.

Laidbare Beauty

Hi everyone!

Today I have two products from Laidbare that I recently came across in TKMaxx. I hadn't previously heard of the brand but was attracted by the simple, colourful packaging and the bargain prices! After a quick look at the boxes it became apparent that Laidbare products contain a lot of natural ingredients and leave out the nasties, which is perfect for me as my skin is fairly sensitive. So here they are...

(Please excuse the coffee mug ring, my bad! *slaps wrist for not using a coaster!*)

From Dusk till Dawn is a serum containing vitamins A,B.C and E, all derived from natural oils and brilliant for the skin. This serum is actually more like an oil in texture and consistency which I personally really like as I find serums a little too silicone-y (not actually a word I'm sure!) and heavy sometimes. I'm currently using this as part of my evening skincare routine under my moisturiser as I ran out of my Eve of St. Agnes Hydrating Facial Silk. This feels lovely to apply, only one pump is needed to cover the whole face without leaving it feeling too greasy or shiny and it smells of lavender which is perfect before bedtime.

Secondly, I have Spot the Difference treatment cream. I recently suffered a hormonal breakout at that time of the month (*sigh*!) so reached for this to see how I got on. Well, it honestly was amazing! I noticed a visible difference in the redness and size of my blemishes after just one use which further improved with continued use. The breakout was completely gone within a couple of days of using this! I found the formula to be a really light cream, which was quickly absorbed and pleasantly fragranced with a fresh orange scent. It did leave my skin feeling a little tight but as I used it underneath my moisturiser this wasn't a problem and I believe that's what helped to dry out my spots so quickly.

I think I paid £5.99 for the serum (RRP £9.99) and £3.00 for the spot treatment cream (RRP £6.99) in TKMaxx but if you can't find them in your local store then there are a few online stockists, including Holland & Barrett although Naturismo seem to have the widest selection.

I would definitely recommend these products and will be trying out more from the brand in the future, especially if  see them in TKMaxx again!

Face Mask Friday #9

Hey girlies and happy Friday! This week I have a mask that isn't really a mask, it's the Soap & Glory Peaches & Clean cleansing milk. Whilst this is a very effective cleanser, Miss Budget Beauty also recommended using it as a mask and so as I already owned the product I thought I would give it a go!

First of all I will say that this smells gorgeous, almost like you could eat it! I usually use two pumps which I just apply to my face using my fingers. When I use this as a mask it's usually in the morning just before I get into the shower so I don't have any makeup on however, because this is actually a cleansing milk you probably could apply it over your makeup if you were using it at the end of the day. I leave it on whilst I'm in the shower for about 10 minutes then use the Soap & Glory Face Massage Mini Mitt to buff my skin before rinsing. 

I took warning from Miss BB that this is a very active formula that you can feel tingling your skin as you wear it, so if you have sensitive skin or don't like that feeling then this product/way of using it may not be for you or you may want to leave it on for a shorter amount of time. The first time I used Peaches & Clean in this way I left it on a little too long (about 15 mins) and ended up looking very red in the face! This wouldn't have bothered me if it had been just before bed but it was in the morning and I was worried that it wouldn't go away, it did though after about an hour! Now I'm much more careful about how long I leave it on for (maximum 10 minutes) and still experience a little redness afterwards but it calms much quicker.

If you haven't been put off by that (I wasn't!) then I'll tell you that this is a fab cleanser and is equally great as a mask! My skin feels deeply cleansed, invigorated and super soft after using this and combined with the Face Massage Mitt my skin is exfoliated, looks plumper and more radiant. 

Face Mask Friday! #8

Hello and happy Friday! Firstly, I'm sorry I missed FMF last week, I went to collect my Granma's dog as I'm looking after her this week and she's been keeping me so busy that I just didn't get done in time. We've had a great week anyway, it's been so much fun having her to stay and I'm writing this whilst she takes a nap beside me snoring!

Onto this weeks mask, which is the Montagne Jeunesse Lemon Zest Peel-Off Detox and Pore Cleansing Masque. Designed for normal, oily and combination skin types the mask contains a medley of natural ingredients including crushed ginger, green tea, seaweed,  evening primrose, aloe vera and of course lemon, which all aim to deeply cleanse and revive skin, leaving a more radiant appearance.

As expected the mask was a clear, yellow colour and the formula quite runny but wasn't as sticky as other peel-offs I've tried. Applying the mask was easy, although slightly messy due to the consistency but not so much that I would be put off using it again, although I had to be more careful around my hairline and eyebrows as peel-off masks in hair are not fun! The mask felt cool and refreshing on my skin but one thing that surprised me was that it didn't smell of lemon! I was quite pleased by this as I'm not too keen on strong citrusy scents and whilst I can't describe what it did smell of (almost musky perhaps?) I did like it and it wasn't too strong. I wore the mask for the recommended 15-20 minutes, by which time it had dried evenly and was easy to peel-off.

After using the mask my skin was left feeling clean, soft and refreshed. My face was slightly oily before using the mask, but this oil was gently stripped away and didn't return the whole day, amazing! I also felt that my skin looked clearer and brighter after use and felt much smoother making makeup application easier and the results look better. You'll probably know by now that I'm a big fan of MJ masks, they've got a fantastic range, are affordable and really do the job. The Lemon Zest Peel-Off is no exception and I would definitely recommend and repurchase!

I'll leave you with a couple of pictures of Poppy that I've taken this week as she's a cutie!

Face Mask Friday! #7

Happy Friday! It's such a lovely day already, here's to a sunny bank holiday weekend for everyone!

I have something different for you this week, this was one of those impulse buys whilst queuing for the till but I'm glad I spotted them and will be returning for more! It is the H&M Blueberry Burst Nourishing Mask and at 99p for a 15g sachet, you can't go far wrong. Containing extracts of raspberry, blueberry, grape  and cranberry this mask claims to be full of antioxidants to nourish your skin whilst aloe vera and peach kernel oil help to moisturise and protect.

I just had to take a picture as I was squeezing this out of the sachet as I was so excited by the colour, this gorgeous shimmery lilac! I was also pleasantly surprised by the texture which is similar to a clay mask, quite thick and so easy to apply as it isn't sticky or runny. There was a very generous amount of mask in the sachet which could probably stretch to two applications, however I just put a thick layer on my face and spread it down over my neck (and plonked a dollop on a spot on my chest!) which took less than a minute as the formula was so easy to work with. 

As expected the mask had a really fruity scent which I could smell throughout wearing it, which for me was great! I wore the mask for about 20 minutes (the sachet recommends 10-15 mins) and it definitely felt cooling and refreshing to wear and set hard in places (where it wasn't spread on so thick). Removing the mask was as easy as application, I just washed mine off in the shower and my skin was left feeling fresh, clean and soft (btw, it didn't appear to do anything useful to the spot on my chest). The mask also appeared to brighten my skin and upon closer inspection bits of the shimmer from the mask had been left behind on my skin to illuminate it, a brilliant bonus of this product if that is something that interests you! I used this mask in the morning before my shower and I would recommend that as the best time to use it due to its benefits!

Garnier Moisture Match Protect & Glow Moisturiser

I probably would never have purchased this had I not ordered a sample online, but I'm so glad I did! I was using the Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit moisturiser but I was looking to try out something new as I started using Neutrogena when I ran out of my Biore Shine Control moisturiser and realised that you can't get it anymore! I'd been using it for years (again, after receiving a sample) and loved it so was really disappointed to see them discontinue it when they re-branded their range. I like a moisturiser to be oil-free, light and refreshing to apply in the morning and wasn't expecting to like the Garnier Moisture Match after past experiences with their moisturisers. I received 3 samples and was originally interested in the Shine Be Gone (green) formula for combination/oily skin as I sometimes get an oily t-zone, however after trying the sachet I was put off by the alcohol content which doesn't smell great (similar to the Garnier Oil Free BB Cream) and tends to dry out my cheeks where my skin is less oily. What made me try the Protect & Glow sachet (for normal skin)  was taking my make up off after spending the weekend enjoying the sunshine to find my face quite red and sore. I hadn't realised that the sun was that strong as it wasn't very warm but it prompted me to look for a moisturiser with SPF which is when I remembered the Garnier samples sitting in my drawer! I whipped out the Protect & Glow sachet with SPF20 and gave it a go when my skin had calmed down.

The colour of the moisturiser seems to match the colour of each tube which I think is quite a cute idea! So this was a pastel yellow colour and a light, almost runny, lotion texture- a small amount goes a long way! The scent isn't amazing in my opinion but it's pleasant, not too strong and the overall application was nice and refreshing! I didn't have to wait long until the moisturiser had sunk in and my skin was ready for make up. This provides a pretty good base for make up application, not the best but definitely acceptable and it lasted pretty well all day.

Protect & Glow also contains 'light reflecting pearls' and I genuinely think this makes my skin look brighter, which is great! I do have a sample of the Wake Me Up (orange) formula still to try which is a gel formula for dull skin  and is described as an 'immediate splash of freshness' so I'm looking forward to trying that too and will let you know how I get on. I have already purchased the Protect & Glow as I think it's great value for money at £5.99 a tube,  especially as it contains SPF (it's a shame they don't all have SPF!) and does such a lovely job!

The samples are available to order free from here so I'd recommend you try some out and see what you think! Plus if you send Garnier your feedback before then end of May, you'll be entered into a competition to win a years magazine subscription, bonus!

Face Mask Friday! #6

Happy Friday guys! I've been planning the series and have enough face masks to get to week 10, then I think we will take a break as I have a few pots of masks to use up before I buy anymore.

This week we have the Montagne Jeunesse Red Hot Earth Anti-Stress Sauna Masque for normal, oily and t-zone skin. This has been a favourite of mine for quite a few years and was one of the first face masks I ever tried. With self-heating therapy clay this mask claims to open and cleanse pores whilst the aromatherapy oils help you to relax and de-stress. 

This mask is messy to apply as it's quite runny and sticky so be warned! It comes out a lovely pink, strawberry milkshake kinda colour (not the deep pink/red depicted on the sachet!) and smells nice and fruity. You start to feel the mask heating up as soon as it makes contact with the skin so I always try to get it on as quickly as possible so that I get the full effect. I personally love the self-heating masks as they're perfect for a cosy evening in and as I've mentioned before, they always remind me of the sun beating down on my face. 

Whilst wearing this mask, it's best to lie down and relax as it can get a little drippy if you're up and about and tie your hair well back or else it will drive you mad getting stuck in your face (I learnt the hard way, haha!). It's better to lie down an enjoy this mask anyway as I think it feels very pampering and luxurious to wear- another reason why I love it so much! The sachet says to leave the mask on for 5 minutes but I got away with 10 before it started dripping off my face as this mask is one that doesn't dry. It's very quick and easy to wash off compared with other masks, I used a Botanics facial sponge but a cloth or flannel will work just as well. 

As always with MJ masks, my skin was left feeling super clean and soft and looked much brighter and clearer, even the next morning. Due to the anti-stress nature of this mask I also felt very relaxed and consequently I fell asleep quicker and slept well, a welcome benefit that you don't often find with a face mask! The MJ Sauna Masque remains a firm favourite of mine which I will continue to purchase again and again.

Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer

I was sent this primer a while ago, just before it was released, to test and at first I wasn't sure about it. It wasn't that I disliked it but I just couldn't see when I would use it as I always  moisturise before applying my make up and wouldn't put this on top of moisturiser as that would just feel too much for my skin. However, now I sometimes use this as an alternative to my moisturiser and have to admit that it provides a better base for applying my make up. I'm gradually finding that the more I use it, the more I want to use it so it's quickly becoming a part of my daily routine.

I really like the texture of this, it's light and absorbs into my skin quickly leaving a very soft and smooth base. It's very different from the silicone based primers, much nicer to use, so if you don't like those then definitely try this! The box says that it's for 'normal and combination skin' types which I fall into as I have pretty normal skin but my t-zone can become slightly oily and I go through stages of dryness too, this primer works well whatever my skin is doing so I'd guess that it's suitable for most skin types, although Nivea also do this in a 'dry and sensitive skin' version. 

The product is slightly fragranced with a nice, fresh scent, another reason why I sometimes reach for this over my moisturiser in the mornings as it feels so refreshing on my face. As mentioned this provides a good, smooth base for applying make up and helps to keep my make up looking good all day whilst keeping my skin feeling hydrated, bonus!

Face Mask Friday! #5

Happy Friday! Sorry this post is up later than usual, I was finishing my last two assignments of 2nd year so I will now have (hopefully!) much more time for blogging! 

We're back to Montagne Jeunesse this week with the Tropical Peel Off Revitalising Cleansing Masque, our first peel off in the series! With red grape and mango extracts, this mask claims to deep cleanse the pores, lifting away impurities and dead skin cells to leave skin revitalised and glowing, sounds great to me!

The mask comes out like a clear, orange gel and smells really fresh and fruity. I slathered on a thick layer of this which wasn't the best idea as it didn't dry all the way through in some places which made removal more difficult, therefore I would recommend just using a thin layer. 

I left the mask on for the recommended 15-20 minutes and found it very refreshing to wear and I didn't get that slightly annoying restrictive feeling that you get with hardening clay masks. As mentioned, when it came to removal of the mask I wasn't able to peel all of it off as some areas were still wet as they were too thick but the parts that were peel-able (not a real word but it works!) came off easily and were very satisfying (anyone else used to put PVA glue on your hand to take pleasure in peeling off?!)! The thicker, wetter patches I just washed off using warm water, which was also pretty easy but the formula did feel a bit sticky by then.

After the mask was completely removed my face was left feeling revitalised and refreshed, as promised and felt smoother. I really enjoyed using this mask and think it will become a particular favourite during the warmer months due to it's cooling a refreshing qualities.

Face Mask Friday! #4

Happy Friday!

After 3 weeks of MJ masks, I decided to go with something different this week. Here we have the French Kiss Clay Mask from Bomb Cosmetics, made from purifying kaolin clay and rejuvenating geranium and rosemary essentials oils.

The first thing I noticed about this mask as I opened the tub was the smell. Due to the geranium and rosemary essential oils the scent is very floral and honestly not my cup of tea! However the mask did look appealing, a light, dusky pink and very clay like. 

Putting this on to my skin, the mask felt more watery than I had expected it to be but after adding a second layer I felt suitably covered without feeling caked in it. It was a lovely smooth texture and I liked the fact that it wasn't as thick as other masks. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that the scent didn't put me off using the mask as I barely noticed it once on. Initially I didn't think that the mask would harden but it did slightly and felt very refreshing to wear.The tub recommends leaving the mask on for a minimum of 5 minutes so I left mine on for around 20 minutes, until it started to flake. Once I had rinsed the mask off my skin was left feeling refreshed, cleansed and very soft. My make up seemed to go on easier afterwards and I think my skin actually did look more radiant (it's so hard to tell on yourself!). 

Overall, I would definitely recommend this mask as a refreshing treat, I used it in the morning which was probably the best time for me as I felt more awake all day. The tub I have is 110ml and after one use I think there would be enough for about 10 applications, making the tub great value for money too.

Beauty Blogger Tag!

1. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?

It's wavy, so I usually wear it straight but sometimes go natural and if I give it some help it can get quite curly.

2. What is your natural hair colour? 

 Medium/dark ash blonde.

3. Do you dye it yourself or go to a salon? 

I used to get highlights through my natural colour at the salon, but it's expensive to maintain so I now dye it myself.

4. How often do you wash your hair? 

Every other day normally.

5. Do you wear the same style every day or change it? 

 Mostly the same but occasionally I'll mix things up a little.

6. Do you do your own mani/pedi or go to a salon? 

I do it myself, the only time I've had a pedi is when I had Minx put on my toenails. I've a few manicures at the salon but don't see the point in paying for it when I can do it at home just as well. Having said that, I love the hand massage you get with a mani at the salon and it's not the same if you do it yourself!

7. How often to you change your nail polish? 

Once a week at most as I find that my nails get quite dry if I have polish on them too long/often so I have to give them a break sometimes.

8. Do you polish your toes in the winter, too or just in the summer? 

All year round! My toe nails are almost always painted, during the winter I try out some crazy colours and combinations because no one really sees them!

9. How long does it take to put on your makeup? 

About 10 minutes, I'm not a morning person so have minimal 'getting ready time'. If I don't have anywhere to be then I can drag it out and try out new things as I've got time to redo it if things go wrong!

10. What do you do first? Face or eyes? 

Face.

11. Do you "collect" makeup or just buy what you need when you need it? 

I'm definitely a collector, much to my boyfriend's annoyance! 

12. How often do you wear false eyelashes?

Hardly ever, I've only worn them twice.

13. Do you do a full face of makeup every day?

Pretty much, but I don't wear loads of make up so a full face for me may not be what others would consider a full face.

14. Do you wear makeup when you are home alone (or with family)?

Yes, it may sound silly but I don't feel properly awake if I haven't done my make up, even if it's just a touch of mascara.

15. Will you leave the house without makeup? 

I will, but I don't very often.

16. How many high end products do you have? 

I love Benefit and have quite a few of their products, a YSL eyeshadow compact, Lancome nail polish and a couple of others. Most of these were gifts and the majority of my make up is from drugstore brands. 

17. How often do you wash your makeup brushes? 

Not as often as I should!

18. Do you plan your OOTD every night or decide when you are getting dressed?

Noooo, haha! I just wear what I feel like on the day, it depends on what I'll be doing, what the weather is like etc.

19. How often do you change your handbag? 

Not very often as I tend to hoard things in my handbag! Only when it becomes really heavy do I swap to another bag (leaving the non-essentials/junk in the other bag!). I also change with the seasons, so mostly use dark coloured bags during winter and get the lighter, more colourful ones for spring and summer.

20. What time do you get up & go to sleep? 

On a work day I'll get up around 7am and go to sleep around 10.30-11pm, on a weekend I get up around 10am and go to sleep around 11.30.

21. How often & when do you workout? 

During the summer when I don't have lectures, assignments etc. I go to the gym 4-5 mornings per week. During term-time I have less free time so I don't get to the gym as often and may just go for a walk or do a DVD at home a couple of times a week.

22. Left-handed or Right-handed? 

 Right.

23. How tall are you? 

5ft 6in.

24. Do you speak a foreign language? 

I've got a GCSE in French but I wouldn't say I can speak it. I'd love to learn Italian.

25. How many pets do you have? 

None, I'd love to but it's just not practical right now. I had a cat (Tinkerbell) but she stayed with my mum when I moved out.

26. How often are you on Blogger? 

Every day.

27. Do you read the comments posted on blogs? 

Not always, but quite often.

28. Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts? 

Yes! I keep it on my phone so that when I'm shopping I can remind myself and keep an eye out for offers.

29. How did you come up with your blog name? 

Lilybet was a nickname I had at school and my boyfriend also calls me it.

30. What kind of camera do you use for photographs? 

I have a pink Casio Exilim, but sometimes I just use my iPhone.

31. How often do you clean your house? (Daily, weekly, other)

What a random question! 

32. What is your favourite colour? 

That light aqua/duck egg colour but also pink, every shade of pink and especially coral/salmon pink.

33. What is your favourite beauty/fashion magazine? 

 I don't read magazines very often but I do subscribe to Cosmo.

34. Do you swear?

Yup...

35. What are you doing with the rest of your day?

Ordering an indian, doing some uni work then relaxing in front of the tv.

Face Mask Friday! #3

Happy Friday! Is it just me or did Friday creep up on us this week? I almost didn't have this up in time! Anyway, I thought I'd continue the Easter fun a little longer and I'm hoping that you're not all sick of the sight of chocolate because this week we have the Montagne Jeunesse Chocolate Masque! With skin healing sea salts and moisturising cocoa and shea butter, this chocolate mud mask claims to unblock pores, draw out impurities and leave skin renewed and hydrated.

This was so much fun to use as it really feels like you're smothering your face in chocolate and I think a self-heating version would be even better! The colour, smell and texture were all spot on, I was so tempted to taste it! Luckily, I had some Easter egg left to satisfy my chocolate craving!

I left the mask on for about half an hour which is longer than recommended (I was on the phone!) but, other than the mask starting to flake off, this didn't cause any problems. A word of warning here, this mask is probably best used before a shower because the only downside is the mess! I rinsed mine off over the sink which took ages and it got everywhere! It would've been much quicker and tidier to just stick my face under the shower. Anyway, once rinsed, my face was left feeling gorgeous- super clean and soft. I also noticed that my skin felt less oily the next day, which I didn't expect but was an added bonus! All in all, another great mask from MJ!

Face Mask Friday! #2

It's that wonderful time of the week again, it's Friday! As if that wasn't good enough, it's also Good Friday which for many means an early start to a 4 day weekend, happy days!

As I hinted on Twitter during the week, this week we have another newbie from Montagne Jeunesse, the Dragon Fruit Sauna, a dragon fruit and kiwi self-heating mask for a 'skin sizzling cleanse' and let me tell you, I think it's a favourite!

I've always liked the self-heating masks from MJ and this was no exception. I find that I relax more when using a heating mask and it's also very comforting on a cold day, like those we have been experiencing recently (snow? in March? Really?!), and if you close your eyes you can almost imagine the sun beaming down on your face... bliss...

Ok, enough daydreaming and back to the mask! This was super drippy to apply, (so make sure you do so over the sink, don't wear your best clothes etc.) but was fine once applied and came out a gorgeous, bright pink! It smelled lovely and fruity, although I'm not sure what real dragon fruit smells like so can't comment on the authenticity of the scent but either way it was good! There were also little seeds in there so that when it came to washing off the mask I was able to get a nice exfoliation from it too, you gotta love a product that does double duty! 

The ingredients include natural clays, and a number of fruit juices and extracts including lychee seed, dragon fruit, watermelon, pear and kiwi which the sachet claims will deeply cleanse, removing oil and dirt from pores. The mask lived up to this expectation and left my skin looking and feeling fresher, clearer and even brighter. I was really impressed and think that this is one of the best masks that I've tried, ever!

That's all for this week, I hope you have a lovely Easter weekend!

Lilybet x

Face Mask Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! 

I thought I'd give this series a go as I've seen quite a few bloggers do it and I enjoy reading them. Not to mention the fact that I've also got about 15 face mask sachets sat in my drawer waiting to be used. Also, as I'm a bit of a workaholic (I'm just coming to the end of my 2nd year at uni, have 2 part time jobs, a volunteer job and assignments coming out of my ears!), this will be perfect for making sure that I take some time out to relax each week.  Life is never dull, but with so much to do I usually feel guilty if I'm not doing something.

So, onto the first face mask and this week I've tried the new two step Shine Control mask from Montagne Jeunesse. Step one is a deep cleansing mud masque with acai berries and argan oil to balance oily skin and nourish it with protecting antioxidants. Aesthetically,  the mask was a little disappointing if I'm honest, it's very superficial but the colour didn't match the pink shade on the packet and was instead a less than glamourous nude colour, making me look as though I'd had some kind of foundation disaster! The smell was also, well, odd! I was expecting a fruity, berry scent but was surprised to find what I can only describe as 'children's toothpaste scent' (I hope at least someone knows what I mean by that!). Whilst neither made this mask unpleasant to use, the experience could have been enhanced if they were better. This aside, the texture was very nice, a little drippy, but fine once applied. The mask felt cooling and refreshing to wear and hardened over time. The packet recommended wearing the mask for 15-20 minutes but I think I went slightly over that as the mask started to crumble and flake off which became quite messy! After rinsing my face off my skin was left feeling soft, clean and refreshed with not a hint of oil, perfect!

Now for step two, the balancing moisturiser. First of all, there was loads of this, easily enough for two applications so I squeezed the excess into a pot to use another time.  The smell was the same as the mask and I still cannot find a better way to describe it! This was quite thick (it was a similar texture to Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Moisturiser) but soaked in well and provided a good base for applying make up. My face stayed almost completely shine free all day and the effects were still noticeable the next day. 

Overall, this treatment really seemed to do its job and keep shine at bay without drying out my skin, particularly my checks where I don't suffer oiliness. I was very impressed with this new addition to the Montagne Jeunesse range and will definitely be using it again!

Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Blemish Stick

Ok, no messing around, this is magic! I recently suffered a monster breakout and all of my usual products and tricks just weren't working (even my trusty Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturiser!), although I am lucky with my skin and don't get spots very often so don't have many spot fighting products. I remembered someone mentioning this before so thought it was worth a try as it's only £2.59. 

Resisting the temptation to squeeze my spot, I rubbed the blemish stick over it after applying my moisturiser and went to bed. By morning a drastic difference could be seen, the spot was much less red, less raised and the 'head' (yuk!) had gone! I applied the blemish stick again before putting on my make up and the spot was much easier to conceal due to its reduced size and redness. I applied the blemish stick one more time before bed and by the next morning it had gone completely! I've since tried this on smaller blemishes and they have disappeared overnight. The stick itself couldn't be easier to use, you can't even feel that it's on your skin apart from a nice tingly, cool feeling for a few minutes and it has a menthol like smell. This is definitely my go-to product for spots and blemishes as it works like a dream, is so quick and easy to apply and is easy to carry around for top-ups or emergencies!

Read more reviews or purchase here