SKINCARE ADDED EXTRAS

If you saw my Daily Skincare - Back to Basics post you'll have seen all the usual bits that I use from day to day, but I do quite like to shake it up a bit.

Sometimes I find the Lush Ultrabland cleanser can get a bit too rich for my skin, but I still like to use a creamy cleanser so I can get a good massage in there. My next port of call is the REN Hydra-Calm Cleansing Milk - it's not stripping at all, but it's also not as thick and hydrating as Ultrabland, it's a good middle ground. It's brilliant for sensitive skin, and my skin really drinks up all it's goodness, leaving it fresh and cleansed.

When any dry patches get a little too much or my skin is looking particularly dull I'll whack out the REN Micro Polish Cleanser. It really buffs away at any nasties and washes away the dead cells, nice. I love the effect this has, my skin looks super radiant straight after using it. I've recently been trying out The Body Shop's Vitamin C Microdermabrasion* exfoliator which is a little more harsh than this, but it's only the early stages!

Once or twice a week depending how my skin looks, I skip the Origins toner and opt for the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Toner. Packed with AHA's this gets rid of the dead cells sitting on the skin leaving a smoother, brighter complexion. It's super gentle, doesn't hurt, tingle, burn or anything else you'd associate with an acid. I still follow this step with the Lush Toner Water though, to give my skin that boost of hydration it needs after taking away the top layer.

I have a couple of serums on the go at the moment - Biotherm's Deep Serum and YSL Forever Light Creator - but I've been loving the MyChelle G2 Instant Firming Serum*. It smells a bit funky, incredibly floral (however it's all natural, no perfume!) but it makes my moisturisers smooth on so much easier and my skin feels thoroughly hydrated and smooth. I tend to use it in the evening, but I'm going to give it a go during the day soon.

I love using oils post-serum, pre-moisturiser - skin depending and if I'm feeling a little clogged, I miss this step out. The Body Shop's Vitamin E Facial Oil* is so lovely! It's quite light weight for an oil but it really packs a punch and is essential after a cleansing/clay mask. I can definitely tell a difference when this one gets left behind as it seems to even out my skin a little more and feelings really soothing.


So these are my most used skincare products - I have far too many to put into two posts, but these have really stood out to me. What are your must have skincare products?

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER

PRETTY IN PINK

If you told me six months ago that I'd do a post all about our rose shaded sticks and fuchsia flushes, I'd have laughed in your face and sworn that a pink blush and lip would be the last thing to enter my collection. Lately my inner Barbie has been released and I've been dipping my toes into the pink lagoon...

The newest and fast favourite of mine is the Clarins Illuminating Cheek Colour in Miami Pink which gives a subtle, skin like blush to the cheeks. It looks incredibly natural and blends so perfectly. NARS Orgasm, as infamous as it is, is one that doesn't get applied nearly as often as it should. Perfect for summer as it reduces the need to use a highlighter but still gives a sunkissed glow thanks to the golden infused shimmer. A very, very pink shade that slightly gives be the heebejeebies is Body Shop's All In One Blusher in Guava*. You need not worry though, as pink as it looks, a bit of blending ensures a sheer, incredibly natural wash of colour to your cheeks. It's shimmer free, so those of you who prefer a matte look, this one is for you. It holds skincare benefits as it includes Vitamin E and Marula Oil however I'm yet to see the effects - nevertheless, this has been a staple these past few weeks. Love love love.

Pink lips is probably my biggest fear, it genuinely scares me! I find the Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Roomiest Rose to be SO stunning though, faultless to apply in it's crayon form and after about 3 hours of wear it fades beautifully to a natural lip colour - go to. The Revlon Lip Butters are perfect for trying out new shades, and my favourite pinky, shimmery shade from the lot is Berry Smoothie. Sometimes I find it difficult to wear, but when it suits, it suits.

Are you a pink lover, or a bit scared like me? Let me know what your favourite rose shades are!

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER

The Friday Facial - Pre-Birthday Prep

So if you follow me on Twitter (@hayleybethadams) you will have seen a hefty load of tweets regarding my excitement for my birthday on Saturday. I'm a right big kid and LOVE birthday's and Christmas'. I'm ridiculously excited to open a cute, gift-wrapped box from Mike - I'm a sucker for pretty things. I'm going out on the Friday night and I really want to have amazing, HYDRATED skin as I know all the goodness will be sucked straight out by Saturday morning, so to accompany this, I'll have a post coming up on all the products that my face will be sluuuurping up.
As you can see, I took advantage of the sunny day and took aaaall my pictures outside for you all to see.

I'm going to be starting the whole shabang with a new product, but one that is pretty much already a holy grail - my REN Micro Polish Cleanser. It's amazing at sloughing off all the dead skin and revealing a glowy, radiant face. Perfect prep for yet another new product, the Lush Dream Steam Steamer Tab. This step is optional, but one I'm excited to do! I've never really steamed my face but after being sold on the essential oils these pack, it seems like the perfect time.
Staying with the glow-boosting theme, I'll be trying out the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal mask. Claiming to combat congestion, blemish and improve the skin tone, this is EXACTLY what I need. My skin hasn't been on it's best behaviour, so I'm welcoming any congestion buster! Once this is removed, I'll wipe the Clarins Daily Energizer toner over my skin to remove any last traces of dirt before putting on my Origins 10 Minute Mask to rehydrate after the potentially drying REN mask.
I'll slick on a very tiny layer of the uber-hydrating Marula Oil whilst me and Essie Muchi Muchi have a little nail time.

After a few hours of R&R, I'll run a cotton pad of Bioderma over my skin to provide a clean, oil free base so my makeup doesn't slide straight off. I'm not 100% sure which moisturiser I'll be using just yet, but Origins VitaZing, I have my eye on you!


What do you think to my facial?! I'm really looking forward to giving my skin a good ol' pamper! Look out for my hydration boosting facial tomorrow - it will be much needed!

You can find Hayley Loves on BLOGLOVIN' and TWITTER. 

ready for spring #4 - Balanced Diet, Skincare Saviours

Skincare is vital, no matter the season, and although we always want luminous, soft, clear skin, we seem to bare more of it during Spring/Summer.

All year round, I find myself reaching for Simple's Replenishing Rich Moisturiser. Whilst most people prefer the lighter version, I find this one is peeerfect. It makes a great base for my makeup, keeps my skin soft, hydrated and is very gentle.

You'll have seen me speak about this product here, and I am still in love with the Clarins Daily Energizer Wake-Up Booster. It's refreshing, hydrating and I really do find it kind of radiating.- I don't know if it's just because it's supposed to be or not though haha!

I received a sample of the Origins Balanced Diet Lotion and I need it! It's fairly pricey, but feels so lovely and luxurious, it also has a lovely scent which wakes you up nicely. Perfect base for makeup as it absorbs quickly but leaves your skin feeling hydrated and soft.
Another Origins product is the GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream. This is the perfect eye cream for S/S as it is super brightening as has a refreshing, zesty scent. It may seem a bit shimmery at first, but this subsides once soaked in.

Now I know I'm not the only one to neglect my body when it's comes to moisturising, I hate that awful, irritating feeling when you're blowing at it trying to get it to dry so you can get into bed without sticking to everything you touch. I was recently converted by the Soap and Glory Smoothie Star Body Milk, but I really want to try out the Body ButterCream, just out of interest!

The Caudalie Beauty Elixir was a tricky one - does it come under Skincare or Makeup, kind of? I thought Skincare seemed much more appropriate. This will be perfect for summer as I often find my makeup looking a bit crappy and cakey after a while in the summer. A couple of spritz of this and it claims to give you a smoother, glowing complexion, instantly refreshing your face without disturbing anything. I've also heard this makes you feel better in yourself too, what do you think?

I've bought plenty of goodies for my 100 ffollower giveaway so watch this space!

Clarins Daily Energizer Kit

Can I just say, sorry for the awful images! I've had a super hectic week!
For Christmas, I got myself the Clarins Daily Energizer Kit which includes the Cleansing Gel, the Wake Up Booster, the Cream and the Beauty Flash Balm, all from their Daily Energizer range. I don't have the box anymore, but I remember this kit is aimed at younger skin, from 18-30.

I had really high hopes for this, and I wasn't too disappointed! I'm not a fan of the cleanser, but that's only because I don't like gel cleansers, however it removed all my make up perfectly! My most loved product is the Wake Up Booster which I use as a toner. It's incredibly refreshing and has a really nice scent - perhaps a little artificial - but still super nice. The cream is really hydrating, soaks into the skin quickly and is light enough to use as a moisturiser under make up.
I did a review of the Beauty Flash Balm here, and although I wasn't won over there, it's certainly growing on me!

At first I didn't really believe that it was exactly energizing or brightening, but after using my Simple skincare products, I really did miss using this in a morning. It creates a lovely, smooth base for my make up and strangely, is a pleasure to wake up and use haha!

I definitely think I'd consider buying the Wake Up Booster once this smaller version is all used up. These are all great sized samples to say the entire kit costs just £15. I definitely recommend giving it a go, it's a great introduction to Clarins.

clarins beauty flash balm

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm is one of their most popular products. I know of many beauty bloggers who absolutely rave about this product, but then I know of people that can't find many words to say about it. I'm kind of in between.
This claims to brighten, moisturise, smooth the skins surface, restore a youthful glow and much more. I think it over-exceeded it's own expectations. It's very good at moisturising and smoothing, it gives a slight glow, but not too much. I think it's main property that it doesn't claim to do, but I think is very good at, is making my make up last all day. I guess it seems more like a primer than anything else.

I really enjoy the consistency, it's quite thick which is nice, it smells lovely. It retails at £28 which is absolutely craaaazy, I would never, ever purchase it. I managed to get this in their radiance kit, I received four travel sized products for £15.

I'm just not overly impressed. It's great at keeping make up on, but in no way is it worth £28. I'm sure one day I'll come across another primer that does the same job for half the price. I'd probably rate it 5/10, but it really is a product you need to try yourself.
So I'm sorry for not doing a particularly positive review!

Take care everyone!