Weekly Loves #4

Benefit Gimme Brow // Mac Pro-Longwear Concealer //
Origins Charcoal Mask

Another week has come and passed, and now we find ourselves into June! Half way through the year and I honestly couldn't tell you where it has went. This last week has been incredibly busy for myself with birthday, events, balls and work, Lord knows how I got through! Thank goodness I'm now off work for a whopping ten days - well deserved I would say!

This week has been quite a lazy one on the make-up front. As I mentioned recently, my skin has been pretty dry and dehydrated in certain areas so I've been trying to wear less make-up and drink plenty of water - both seem to be really helping. One of the things I've cut half the time down on is my eyebrows. Usually I wear wax and powder to give me that definition on the brows however, that always takes a bit of time to get them looking nice and even. This week I've been reaching only for my Gimme Brow by Benefit. A quick swipe through the brows to add a little volume a colour - Voila! Done.

My trusted Nars Creamy Concealer has finally gave up, it was an incredibly sad affair! A while back I had purchased Mac pro-longwear concealer and never got around to using it as I just couldn't part ways with my Nars. This week, after Nars untimely passing, I pulled out this new one and so far I am loving it. Is it better than my Nars? The jury is still out, but it's certainly leaving me satisfied with covering those pesky dark circles! 

I've became quite the face mask junkie over the last few weeks. I do have a mask that I use once a week, just for, although I don't ever get wowed with it and think it does much for my complexion. Last time I was at Origins and buying some of my products, I got a 4 pack trial of the charcoal mask. Last week, when my skin was being a pest, I pulled this out from the back of my drawer and I was completely converted to masks! Although it looks like I've stuck my face in a pile of cement, it certainly doesn't feel that way. It doesn't leave my skin feeling stripped or dried out, it gives my skin a refresher and new lease of life. Think I will need to head back to the counter and purchase the full size.

Are you a fan of any of these?

Lori x

Origins Drink-Up Intensive Mask | Review

Origins Intensive Mask £22

It is finally here. The review I'm sure you have all been expecting, perhaps wanting. The Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask - what a mouthful! You may have seen this product cropping up in my weekly /monthly favourites, instagram photos for a while now. This is my holy grail, overnight wonder product. 

So many people rave about this product and I have most certainly hopped aboard the mask loving boat! This replenishing mask is used once or twice a week, depending on how dehydrated your skin is. The formula is so different to any other type of mask I have used before. A clear cream almost with a gel-like consistency. You apply as the last step just before you head to bed so your skin can absorb the formula and when you wake in the morning? BOOM! Refreshed skin.

You only need a pea-sized amount, it is so easy to over-use this. The thick intense moisturiser smells absolutely devine - the reason why we lather it on! Its smells is a mixture of avocado and apricot, so fruity and refreshing on the skin. I would use this every night if I could! My skin has been feeling a lot dryer these days, not sure of the cause, and I have noticed slight tightness and flaking around my forehead/ eyebrow area. This product takes away any trace of dehydration - a wonder product indeed.

As you can see I have the full size and a travel size which I was lucky to receive last time I was in store. I am saving that one for my holidays in July when my skin may be feeling a little more dry in the summer sunshine. I honestly couldn't sing this masks praises anymore and no doubt you will see this kicking around my favourites for many moons!

Have you tried the drink-up mask?

Lori x

The Re-Purchase Test

Ghost Deep Night Perfume // Benefit High Beam //

Origins GinZing Moisturiser // Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

How many of us use up a full product and then go and repurchase it? Let's be honest, I know I'm guilty of thinking 'maybe I should try something else, it might be better'. Who's with me? However, in amoungst thinking of all the products I might be missing out on there are some products that just work. Things that you know you can't cope without, and when they are coming to an end you feel like your world is ending... Just me? Today I bring you The RePurchase Test, things that can't be replaced, only rebought!

Let's start with my signature scent: Ghost Deep Night. I have worn this perfume since I was about 14. Anyone who knows me can confirm. It's a gorgeous floral and fruity perfume without being overly sweet. A beautiful blend of vanilla (my absolute favourite), apricot and peach, not too over-powering making it perfect for everyday. I honestly couldn't count the amount of bottles of this perfume I have went through.

Another staple in my drawer comes from Benefit and can be the one and only High Beam. No matter how many highlighters I try, nothing will compare to my beloved High Beam. This was one of the, if not the first Benefit product I got and it is one of the only products that will be a constant in my make-up bag. Incredibly illuminating and perfect for my pale, translucent skin. Don't get me wrong, this may be a little too 'white' for people with more sallow/ tanned skin tones and may prefer Sun Beam instead. However, this is gorgeous multi-purpose product whether you want to use it one the highest points of the cheek bones, the bridge of the nose, on the lids to brighten the eye area, this product will not let you down! 

Moving on from my two greatest love stories throughout the years, comes my most recent affairs. Origins GinZing Moisturiser. I know, I know, i'm mentioning this again but this really is amazing stuff. I love it that much I have now just purchased my second tub, a first for myself and moisturisers. This means business! To hear more than jump over and read my full review (here).

Last, but certainly not least, is the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. This cult favourite was first purchased last year after reading Anna's review of it (I swear that girl could make me buy thin air). Having never failed on a recommendation before I took the plunge and have never looked back. This takes dull skin and turns it into the brightest, healthiest glow ever. I use this as a primer and/or mix it in with my foundation and it works absolute wonders. Late nights? Let me be havin' ya! I am now onto my second bottle of this lovely and doubt I'll ever switch from it. You can catch my full review of this product (here). 

What makes your repurchase list?

Lori x

Brand Focus | Origins

It is no secret that Origins is one of, in fact I would probably go as far as to say my favourite skin care brand. Ever. Every product I use just seems to be spot on (for me) and I am never disappointed. I thought I would show some of my favourite products from the brand and pop a little spotlight on them! I'm considering doing this monthly on different brands, what do we think?

First up has to be my ultimate favourite, the GinZing Energy Boosting Morning Moisturiser. I don't want to ramble to much about this one as I wrote a full review (here) a few months back. What is not to love about this moisturiser? The gorgeous citrus scent, the instant energising feeling on applying, the lightweight formula? This moisturiser is everything. So much so that I am now onto my second tub of the stuff.

To go hand in hand with my daily moisturiser has to be my night cream - GinZing High Potency Night-A-Mins. I purchased this recently upon having used up my sample that I recieved with my first tub of it's sister product. I feel the need to change up my moisturisers for day and night. I believe at night you need a thicker cream to really sink in your skin. This again has a gorgeous citrus scent minus the caffeine that is contained in the morning moisturiser, so that you get a good nights sleep! The thick formula really absorbs during the night leaving your skin feeling plump and revived in the morning.

A Perfect World Toner is a product I have been meaning to pop up a full review of for a while. I've had this since January and use it religiously morning and night and it is now just onto it's last legs - I'd say that's pretty good going, no? An age-defence treatment with White Tea, this lotion smells absolutely divine - let's be honest, Origins is never honking is it?. So fresh and soothing on my skin, oil and alcohol free so for anyone with sensitive skin this is perfect for you. Super hydrating for someone who tends to suffer slightly dehydrated skin, this work wonders.

Now I know that ramble on about the Drink Up Intensive Mask is a product I constantly ramble on about but it genuinely is that good. You can ask anyone, they will all agree. The gorgeous avocado/ apricot scent makes it so hard not to smother on your face. The thick consistency sinks into your skin throughout the night and gives your skin a new lease of life! You can notice on first use how much fuller and more plump your skin is the next day. If I was only allowed to recommend one of these products to you, it would have to be this mask! Especially if you suffer dehydrated skin!

Lastly, is the plantsciption anti-aging cleanser. Now I can't tell you much about this product as I haven't began using it yet - I'm trying to be good and finish up products at the moment! My Mum got the moisturiser to match and so once she's used it for a little while I'll find out some more on that too. Being curious, I popped a little to the back of my hand and it lathered up amazingly without any water.  I will keep you posted on this!

And that is it for my Origins love-in! Let me know if you love any of these products or if there is anything you would recommend from their range?

Lori x

Weekly | What I'm Loving

Bobbi Brown Foundation // Benefit Hoola Bronzer //

Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask

I have been swithering over adding a new section to my blog for a while and have finally made my decision - it is happening! As of this week I am going to start doing a round up of what products I have been loving and using the most. Little mini reviews and reasons to why I have been loving them. I personally love reading these type of posts as it gives me an insight into 1. the blogger and 2. products I may be interested in. So let me show you what I have been loving this week.

If you watched my April Favourites video (here) then you would have heard me talking about Benefit's Hoola Bronzer. Bronzer has never been a product I have used, in fact, whenever anyone ever mentioned bronzer I ran to the hills! This may seem hard to believe but I actually enjoy being pale and I hate counters trying to 'give me a bit of colour' by colour matching me to and way too dark foundation or putting on so much bronzer I need a chisel to take it off. However, over the last month, with it coming up to summer, I've decided to start playing around a bit more with the product I once thought of as the devil! Hoola seems to be the one that works best for me, with no under tones and/or glitter it doesn't highlight the fact that I am wearing any and it doesn't make me look dirty! 

Do you ever notice that all of your make-up seems to run out at once? Firstly my Bobbi Brown Corrector, then Nars concealer, my Maybelline mascara went next quickly followed by YSL Foundation! Let's just say I've been having a nightmare! On YSL spitting out it's last few ounces I decided to rummage through my stash and found an old favourite of mine - Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation. Why I stopped using this I will never know?! It is the perfect match for my skin tone - 00 Alabaster - although, this one is also on it's last legs and on looking on the website it seems they have discontinued this colour? Somebody please tell me this is a lie! Such a lightweight feel yet a medium, dewy finish. Enough glow in there for that healthy skin finish, yet not shiny enough to look like you are wearing make-up. A re-discovered favourite.

After scraping the remnants out of my sample size I finally ran to my nearest Origins counter and picked up the full size of the Drink Up Intensive Overnight mask. This stuff is my skin saviour! Pop this on once or twice a week (depending on how dry your skin in) and allow this gorgeous avocado scented mask to work it's magic! On applying this you don't need to do your full routine as this does everything you need and you wake with your skin looking more plump and feeling refreshed and replenished. This is a must have for everyone! 

What do we think of this style of post?

Lori x

Sensitive Skin | Skincare Series

No.7 Beautiful Skin Wipes // La Roche-Posay Physiological Soothing Toner //
La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water // Origins Super Spot Remover


The last post of my Skincare Series comes in the form of Sensitive Skin. Having sensitive skin can be an absolute nightmare, especially when it comes to finding products - skincare or makeup wise - which won't irritate/ aggravate the skin. Many people confuse combination and sensitive skin types. Combination is patches of oiliness or dry areas mostly around the T zone area whereas sensitive skin can be oily, dry, normal, combination and/or has cosmetic reactions. You could say nightmare skin instead?

One thing I have to say is that the fewer the ingredients, the better it will be for sensitive skin. For me, I avoid anything heavily scented. For years I used baby wipes - these were my pre-skincare routine days, don't judge! - and I found anything scented caused my skin to react! Then I found the No.7 Beautiful Skin Wipes. I use these if I am in a 'can't be arsed doing my full routine' mood or when I roll in from a night out and will definitely not be doing a full cleansing routine! Also, wipes are perfect for those of you who are regulars at the gym, looking for a quick cleanse afterwards. Non-scented and super gentle cloths, these don't irritate or scrub half your face away. At £7, this may seem pricey for wipes however, No.7 constantly have vouchers kicking around for £5 off skincare, stock up on them then!

La Roche Posay have blown up across the blogosphere and quite rightly so. For those who suffer from extremely sensitive skin I would give this brand a good look. I have been on the look out for a new toner, as much as I love my Origins Perfect World Toner I find it a little steep for a step in a routine that, quite frankly, can be missed out! I like something cool and soothing on the skin and the La Roche Posay Physiological Soothing Toner fit the bill. Soap free, alcohol free colourant and paraben free - perfect for keeping irritation at bay!

Another from this range that I use on sensitive skin days is the Thermal Spring Water. I have been so intrigued about this for months and spotting Boots 3 for 2, I decided there was no time like the present to purchase! Now a load of people will report this to just be 'water in a can' but I feel it does so much more. The nozzle makes this so efficient and the water helps to soothe any redness in the skin. It helps to cool the skin and absorbs almost instantly, keeping skin from dehydration. This is a must-have in the summer heat!

Last but not least, the Origins Super Spot Remover. For me this product has been an absolute Holy Grail since it was purchased months and months ago. Firstly, it may seem like a teeny tiny bottle but I have had mine since January and you are lucky if I have even used a quarter of it! This magical product soothes and rids of any blemishes. It takes the redness away from any that have already appeared and rid of any under-the-skin sorts before they can pop out! I have a full review of this product which you can find here.


And there we have it for the Skincare Series. I have really enjoyed putting this together for you all and hope that it has helped as many of you as possible who have been looking for better skincare. Would you like to see more series in the future?


Lori x

Dry and Dehydrated Skin | Skincare Series

For the next installment of my skincare series I am going to look into dry and dehydrated skin. Over the last few weeks my skin has taken a severe turn for the worst. I'm not entirely sure of the cause of it whether it is to do with the constant changing of weather, the air conditioning in my work or maybe just my skin is changing in general. Either way, my skin has started to become more dry and dehydrated. I have never suffered from dry skin before and took time to look into products I felt would help combat against this. Into my lovely stash I went.

I started using the Clarins HydraQuench Cream when my skin was at it's complete worse. May I also state I was suffering a severe cold and had been constantly blowing my nose so that area was particularly sensitive and flaky. This bad boy was an absolute saviour! Applying morning and night to my face and focusing a lot on my sensitive, poor nose this cleared up the flaking in no time and helped to keep my skin feeling much more hydrated. 

Another amazing product to help my poor, sore skin was the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask - what a mouthful! This only needs applied once a week, twice if your skin is particularly dry. I apply this about twenty minutes before I go to sleep to allow it to dry in a little and when I wake in the morning my skin looks much more plump and feels so much smoother and hydrated. This is honestly one of the best products I have ever used and would completely recommend it to anyone! As with all Origins products this smells insane! I actually can't wait to use it each week because it leaves my skin feeling amazing. *Please note this isn't included in the photo as I've ran out and need a new one!*

When suffering from dehydrated skin I opt for a thicker, heavier moisturiser to really soak into the skin and work it's magic. On these occasions I reach for Benefit's Total Moisture Facial Cream. Super thick in consistency so a tiny amount is needed to spread over the whole face. The packaging is huge so it will last you a very long time! The fresh cucumbers smell is absolutely delicious and refreshing. It definitely leaves my skin feeling more comfortable and less aggravated, Soothing it from its dehydrated state. It doesn't leave any oily residue and when foundation is applied on top, the foundation doesn't cling to any dry patches which you sometimes find on drier areas. A winner in my eyes. I have been using the travel size lately as I have been jetsetting throughout March and it has been absolutely perfect to pop in my travel bag!

For anyone looking for a good moisturiser but are on a budget and/or don't want to spend over the odds for one then the Nivea Refreshing Soft Moisturising Cream is an absolute dream! It comes in a huge amount of 200ml, it contains Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E making it super gorgeous to apply. I wouldn't say it has the nicest scent in the world, not compared to my Origins moisturiser, but it certainly does the job! Plus with the under a fiver price tag, you can't really go wrong!

These are just some of the products I head for when my skin is feeling dry and dehydrated. What works for me may not work for you, everyone knows their own skin the best. 

What products would you recommend for dry/dehydrated skin?

Lori x

Normal to Oily Skin | Skincare Series

After a recent post on my Facebook Page (here) I was asked to put together a post on skin care for certain skin types and decided I would break it down into a series. There are so many different skin types that it would be a novel by the time I finished on just the one post so I have divided this into sections; Normal to Oily, Dry and Blemish. The most common types among us. I am starting with Normal to Oily, my own skintype, I know a lot more products in this range due to it being my own type. Please Note* these are products that work well for me and may not necessarily work as well for you.

I start my day with a thorough cleanse and have recently moved onto the Clinique Liquid Facial Soap. I use one pump of this and massage it into the skin then wash off with warm water and clear with a flannel. The soap is very mild and doesn't aggravate my skin. It leaves my skin feeling very clean and fresh - exactly what I am after in the morning.

I then use the 2 step in the Clinique '3 step skin care' routine which is the clarifying lotion. Let me be clear, this is not a toner (my original thought)! It in fact, gets rid of any dead skin cells or dull surface flakes. To apply I simply use the tiniest amount of a cotton wool ball and sweep around my face avoiding the eye area - this is too harsh for the thin skin there. I've only recently started using this and the scent isn't exactly my favourite in the world however, it does leave my skin feeling fresher and looking brighter.

Going in with a toner I pop some of Origins A Perfect World Toner which is honestly like heaven in a bottle, on a cotton pad and swipe around my face. It smells absolutely beautiful and fresh and rids of any residue from the night before. This product is also oil and alcohol free which is perfect for the oiler skin type. 

Moisturiser wise I go for something light for day to day use. Over the last few months I have been using my Origins GinZing (full review here) religiously every morning. It is super lightweight in texture and the formula is so soft and hydrating. It is instantly refreshing and completely wakes me up with it's gorgeous citrus smell. I am actually starting to run low on this product and I am now having the repurchase debate. You know us girls, we find something we like but we constantly strive to find something better - I will keep you posted on my decision! It is also oil-free which is perfect for those of us with oily prone skin. This is another must with foundations if you lean more towards oily skin. Be sure to check if they are oil-free or not, if they aren't they will add more shine to your face and instead of giving that gorgeous dewy glow, you'll look more like a sweaty mess - not a good look!

These are just some products which I find immensely helpful at keeping my oily prone skin at bay. As I stated above, I am one of the lucky few who have pretty normal skin however, there are days when I can lean more towards the oily side of things and these products help to counteract that.

What are your favourite skincare products?

Lori x

Origins Super Spot Remover | Review

Origins Super Spot Remover

I am not one to suffer from bad skin, in fact, I have to admit I have been pretty lucky on the skin front. I hardly have break-outs and on the whole have quite a normal skin type however, when I do get that odd blemish it comes in mountain form. It's as though someone is punishing me, they let me have clear skin 90 per cent of the time and then BOOM! Everest has appeared on my face! Attractive eh? That's when this little bottle of magic comes in.

Origins Super Spot Remover claims to heal, fade and fight spots fast and I can't help but agree. This little baby does exactly what it says on the tin. When I purchased this product I had a slight breakout on my chin area, usually where I suffer from blemishes, and decided on a whim to get it while it was still in stock - it sells out constantly! To be honest, my first thought was how tiny the bottle is. Having had this since the beginning of January and it now being March and with me having to use this pretty regularly (my face and this weather are not on talking terms at the moment) it looks like I've hardly touched it. 

The gel dries quickly after application, with the formula containing Salicylic Acid it can be pretty nippy although I find this quite bitter sweet, at least I know it's working. This fades fairly quickly leaving a smooth coating over the skin where the blemish is. If the spot has already broke on your face then applying this will take redness away from the area and evens out the skin around it quicker than usual. If the spot is still under the skin (they are the worst ones) I dab a little of this on the area and it stops the blemish ever surfacing. See - magic!

Don't get me wrong, this isn't going to make your spots disappear mysteriously overnight. You will notice a significant difference in irritation and redness as well as size, removing the spot quicker than it would normally take to disappear. For applying I use a cotton bud, using your finger to dab will only spread infection and create blemishes elsewhere. For £14 it may seem pretty steep for the size of bottle but I do find this makes a huge difference and the bottle actually lasts a very long time. 

Have you tried Origins Spot Remover?

Lori x

Origins GinZing Moisturiser | Review

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Whether you are hopelessly in love and spending the day with your other half or you're single and enjoying a night out on the town with the girls, either way I hope you have a fabulous day! I am heading to an engagement party tonight and then off for an overnight away tomorrow with my lovely boyfriend. No presents for us this year, just the gift of time together - feel free to vomit in your mouth at that last statement!

I decided that my posts will be outfit heavy next week so I wanted to pop up a review for you all, change things up a little! My skincare routine is pretty solid, I am very religious when it comes to using the right toner, cleanser, serums etc, I also have my set days in which I use my mask and when I exfoliate - OCD much?! I have taken the time to get to know my skin and shopped around for what products work best for me. A few weeks back, on buying my new Origins A Perfect World toner (will do a review later) I realised that there is one part of my skincare routine I am very negligent about; Moisturiser! The funny thing is, this is probably the most important of them all! 

I have had a massive bottle of Dove which has lasted me an absolute lifetime (not literally, but a very long time!) and over the last few weeks, noticed that I am scraping the remnants of the bottle out. Don't get me wrong Dove is a great brand but I don't feel it's doing very much for my skin. Time to wise up on the moisturiser front. The most hilarious/ridiculous thing is that I got so many skincare and make-up sets throughout the festive period, from Christmas and my Birthday, and not one contained moisturiser! Yes, I am inundated with cleansers and eye creams and serums, but moisturiser? Nada.

Whilst in Origins I asked the assistant about moisturisers; what should I be using? Should I have a separate day/night one? How important is this? etc, etc. She pointed me in the direction of the new Origins GinZing Day Moisturiser and it was love at first sniff - one of the strangest statements ever made, however anyone who has smelt this moisturiser will know exactly how I feel and know I am not being a complete weirdo!

I absolutely love fresh, citrus smells and this product certainly ticks those boxes. It smells like Terry's Chocolate Orange, which I abso-bloomin-lutely love! The gel formula is so lightweight however, on application you can feel an instant hydration to the skin. It is defined as a 'Energy Boosting Moisturiser', which I can definitely notice in the mornings. The formula contains Caffeine and panax gensing which give you that perfect kick-start to the day ahead. Naturally my next purchase shall be the night time moisturiser to coincide with the daily one, due to the caffeine this is certainly not one for bedtime - unless you are nocturnal of course! Being oil-free, this is also the perfect formula for my slightly oily/combination skin. The gel works perfectly as a base for make-up with is light-boosting effects giving you a great glow through your foundation.

Overall, I am super impressed with this moisturiser and cannot wait to get my hands on the Night-time one too! At £23 it may seem pretty steep, however only using it in the mornings means that it will last you for a very long time, so it's definitely worth the price.  I also got this on special offer, I got four free Clear Improvements Charcoal Masks which are usually £22 alongside my purchase - what a steal! I would also like to say that it is has be one of the best, if not the best, customer service experiences I have ever had. I went to the Origins counter in House Of Fraser, Glasgow, where the lovely Angie gave me lots of samples including the drink up overnight mask and the sister Night-time moisturiser, to let me try before I considered buying. She gave me a full consultation without me even asking and was just so friendly and helpful! 

Will you be trying to GinZing Moisturiser? Or have you already done so?
Let me know what you thought!

Lori x