Empties (1/2022)

My first empties for the year and there are a lot of products I buy over and over again and a really great new way to recycle your old beauty products. 

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel (double size)
Skin + Me 
Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream
Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes
Byron & Co Soothing Magnesium Bath Salts 
VO5 Volume Boost Gel Spray
Lumi Spa Cleansing Tool (choose the one for your skin type, the tool is the same, the cleanser is different)
Garden of Wisdom Hyaluronic Acid
Origins Make a Difference Plus +
Roen Cake Mascara
This Works Pillow Spray
Percy & Reed No Fuss Fabulous Dry Shampoo
Jason Lavender Shampoo
Drunk Elephant Slaai Cleanser
Naturismo Recycling Bag 

August 2017 Empties

First video since having a baby and as you can see my brain is still on the go-slow! But my empties bag was full so here they are. All products listed below.

Waitrose Bath Foam
Mane 'n Tail Deep Moisturising Conditioner
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Body Lotion
Dove DIY Hair Treatment for Aging Hair
The Body Shop Nutriganics Cleansing oil
Origins Gin ZIng Eye Cream
Mama Mio The Tummy Rub Oil 
Le Marsaillais Hand Soap
This Works In Transit Camera Close Up 

My Reviews:
Waitrose Bath Foam
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Body Lotion 
The Body Shop Nutriganics Cleansing Oil
This Works In Transit Camera Close Up
Mama Mio The Tummy Rub Oil

This Works In Transit Camera Close-up - Quick Review

As you can probably tell I'm a bit undecided on this product. It has made the dramatic difference to my skin that I was hoping for but it's a really good all-rounder moisturiser and works well under make-up.Would I re-buy? Maybe

If you haven't already then please subscribe to my channel and follow me on Twitter and Instagram @corinnaharrod


You can read my full review here

You can get This Works In Transit Camera Close-up from:

Feel Unique
Look Fantastic
This Works 
Space NK 

Face of the Day - 9th March 2017

I love wearing a bright lip in the spring and recently found one of my all time favourites, Dangerous Retro Matte from MAC. This will be too dry for some but I love the fact that this is a very wearable colour that lasts all day - I only reapplied it once and that was with eating a millionaire's shortbread, having a coffee and eating lunch!

If you haven't already then please subscribe to my channel and check out the blog www.londonmakeupblog.com.

I've linked to all the products used below (some are affiliate links so if you don't feel comfortable using them then do google the products yourself). Below that are links to any full reviews, from me, of products featured.

Products Shown:
This Works In Transit Camera Close-up
Lola Eye Base
Louise Young Essential Eye Palette
Louise Young LY19 Brush
Soap & Glory Supercat Fat Eyeliner 
Lancome Artliner
Benefit Rollerlash mascara
Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation
Clinique Bottom Lash mascara
Clarins Instant Concealer
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush (Rose Glow)
Daniel Sandler Waterbrush
Maybelline Brow Drama (in Dark Blonde)
Rimmel Exaggerate lip liner (in discontinued Passionate)
MAC Retro Matte lipstick in Dangerous
Real Techniques Brushes
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit (which was a limited edition - you can buy the powders separately. I used Dim Light and Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powders and Iridescent light highlighter).

Product Reviews:
My current morning skincare routine
Soap & Glory Supercat Fat Eyeliner
Lancome Artliner
MAC Retro Matte Lipsticks 
Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation 

Morning Skincare Routine - March 2017

As you can probably tell I am in the middle of a horrendous cold while filming this. It makes me a bit vague. This is my morning skincare routine - basic, gentle products that will soften the skin, prep it for the day and not irritate. Everything is listed below.

If you haven't already then please subscribe and I'd love to hear if any of you have an alternative to the sadly discontinued Body Shop cleanser. All my full reviews of the products are below and links to buy the products are below that.

My reviews:
The Body Shop Nutriganics cleanser -
This Works Gentle Skin Cleanser
Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser
Pixi Glow Tonic
Face Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
Origins Gin Zing Eye Cream
Origins Spot Remover -
This Works In Transit Camera Close Up
Origins Make a Difference plus

The Products:
The Body Shop Nutriganics Cleanser
This Works Clean Skin Gentle Cleanser
Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser
Pixi Glow Tonic
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance pads
Medik8 C Tetra
Origins Gin Zing Eye Cream
Origins Spot remover
This Works In Transit Camera Close-up
Embryolisse Lait Cream concentre
Origins Make a Difference + 

This Works Clean Skin Gentle Cleanser

I've been using this every morning for a couple of months. I'm still using Coconoil in the evening to remove my make-up but as I use retinol at night I wanted a gentle, non-greasy, quick cleanser to use in the morning. This Works Clean Skin Gentle Cleanser... well it pretty much has it all covered in the name so I thought it was worth giving it a go.

It's pretty much just what I was needing though it's one of the least exciting cleansers I've used - that's no necessarily a bad thing. Two pumps into my hands, rubbed onto my face and rinsed off with a warm flannel and that's it. My skin is always completely cleaned and although there is occasional redness it does not sting or stay red and my skin does that for everything at the moment but it's rare for it to not burn - and it doesn't burn when I use this.

While it's not deeply moisturising it's in no way drying, as a lot of cream cleansers can be, and you don't get any tightness after using. All of this makes it a very nice morning cleanse - it's not adding too much to your face pre-make-up though some may want something a bit more moisturing - i.e. those people who love a balm/oil cleanser.

This Works In Transit Camera Close-up

I've been using This Works In Transit Camera Close-up for months and yet still undecided on whether I love this product or just don't really need it. I've heard great things about it and I can see that it would be a great moisturiser to have in a pro-kit but there is something a bit lacking for me. Maybe it makes to many claims. It promises a greatness that is very hard for any cream to live up to.

This is a mask, moisturiser and primer in one. It is absolutely fine as a moisturiser and very nice under make-up so I suppose in a way it's a primer. I haven't noticed any effect on the longevity of my make-up. If you have very dry skin this isn't going to do much moisturising for you. But it's also quite hard to find a good moisturiser for the mornings. You can use this over an oil, or under an SPF. It's quickly absorbed, hence why it's so nice under make-up. Do wait for it to be fully absorbed first thought - about 10 minutes.

A lot of people seem to find that this reduces the appearance of fine lines. I have not noticed this but I actively avoid noticing anything to do with my fine lines. And I just don't see how it's a mask. Suggestions welcome.

I would say that this would be a good product if you are going away and want to take hand luggage or are able to pack a small wash bag. I'm not though I find myself imagining that maybe I'll just be taking this with me to France in a couple of weeks. This and some SPF. And my Environ AVST 2 moisturiser. I did originally buy the This Works In Transit Camera Close-up to take in my hospital bag when I went to have Jim - it did the job then.

What's in my hospital make-up and washbag - Friday Video

Here's a little peak inside my make-up and washbag that I've packed to go to the hospital to have the baby. I'm really sorry if I seem a little lack luster - I was feeling exhausted and not very well when I filmed this but bare with me - it may be useful! I've listed below all the products I mention that I have used and would recommend. There are some here that I wouldn't necessarily buy again or that I haven't tried so I'm not linking to them...

• Balmi 
• Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray 
• This Works In Transit Camera Close Up 
• Blistex Lip Brilliance
• Avon Quad in Mocha Latte
• Maybelline Better Skin concealer
• MAC Eye Kohl in Smoulder
• Benefit Sugarbomb
• Real Techniques Shading Brush
• Daniel Sandler Smudger Brush
• MAC Blot powder
• Paperchase Watermelon Washbag
• Halo Antibacterial Wipes
• Soap and Glory Clean on Me 
• Soap and Glory Righteous Butter 

Baby Soft Skin

The lovely Ani Difranco has given birth (I hate that expression, it makes her sound like a dock) to a baby girl called Petah Lucia. I know that Ani is probably not hugely interested in beauty products or make-up but this was very nearly a music blog so I feel that today's post should be dedicated to her and her righteous baby. So this time we're going to be tackling dry skin, something I've had to put up with for years, and I'll try and give you some tips that will get you on your way to making it baby soft.

I find this time of year particularly difficult. The cold weather seems to aggravate my skin more then anything - I think I've got through about a ton of hand cream since November (my favourite is L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream). A great bathroom constant in our house is Oilatum Bath Formula. This is great if you suffer from excessive dry skin or eczema, containing light liquid parafin it prevents the top layer of skin from drying out, its best to pat yourself dry and throw on some talcom powder after using this rather than towelling properly as this removes the Oilatum goodness. With regard to talc its really a personal preference as to which brand you choose. We'd all love to be able to afford the one that corresponds to our scent but most of us can't afford to be that luxurious so to be honest they are all much of a muchness. I use Johnsons Baby Powder or Boots own brand (which smells a bit less like you've waded through a creche). Nivea also do a great talc (Nivea Talc). Be warned though, too much talc is bad for you. It can suffocate the skin so sprinkle sparingly you really don't need too much.

I don't really know where to start as there's so much skin to cover! So I'm going to go from top to bottom as usual starting with a great facial moisturiser. Unfortunately Hammersmith does not really cater for the lover of Clarins so I decided to break the habit of a life time and try out a new moisturiser. Now, don't get me wrong, I love trying different creams but will only spend over £25 on my favourites. But Estee Lauder's DayWear Plus for Dry Skin is really great and worth its reasonable £28. Personally, I like my moisturisers to smell (lightly) of scent, Origins is an exception as I love the smell of everything in their range, and I have to say I was slightly put off the Estee Lauder by the smell of cucumber. But I got over that almost immediately and I'm actually a complete convert. The Estee Lauder is great for a morning cream (as the name suggests) it is quite thick without being too much and contains sun factor 15 which really protects your skin no matter what time of year. Its super long lasting and really light. Highly recommended.

For years I have been put off showing the tops of my arms and thighs because of terrible dry skin bumps. They are bad enough for people who touch these areas to enquire as to whether I would like a coat or jumper. This is not a pleasant experience. My mother always told me that I would grow out of it, and I suppose I have to a certain extent. My eczema now only rears its ugly head when I'm really stressed and the areas of bumps are now smaller. But they are still there. I've tried all sorts of exfoliators, I've even tried mild application of a brillo pad but nothing really worked. Until now.

Now once again I think part of the cure is to find the right moisturiser. I love Nivea Soft Intensive Cream. Its amazing of all the body moisturisers I have tried this is the best. It doesn't irritate sensitive skin at all and when applied to an irritated area it immediately soothes. This even beats the dermatological creams I was prescribed by the doctor. I use this on my arms, legs and back everyday. But what about the bumps? Mr J and I managed to track down one of the toughest naturally made exfoliators in the form of Korres Grape Seed Scrub which i have to say is one of the few exfoliators I have found that actually works properly. I find that you can spend so much money on these kinds of products which do work a little but usually not enough to match their prices, I'd definitely say that Korres have earned their £15. I use this three times a week on the back of my arms and the top of my thighs and it really softens the skin, removing dead skin cells without irritating or aggravating. But this wasn't sufficient. As I am weary of over-using products I really didn't want to use this too excess and make the problem worse.

It was then I tracked down Botanics Sisal Buffer. I've heard a lot about the benefits of brushing your skin to tone it and get rid of cellulite and dry skin but I was never really convinced. But this has almost eliminated my dry skin bumps. I alternate it with the Korres exfoliator and make sure I moisturise properly afterwards and for the firs time I can really feel the difference. It's really worth it and amazingly priced at around £4. After exfoliating or buffing your skin apply some toner over the dry skin bumps as recommended by Miss L - we both swear by Simple's Soothing Toner.

For those whose lower legs have a tendancy to look more like they are covered in scales rather than skin a saviour is at hand. If like me you have scrubbed and rubbed til you are literally blue in the face and still suffer from dry pins look no further than This Works Skin Deep Dry Leg Oil. As will all of This Works products it does exactly what it says on the bottle so beware, it is an oil so it is best to do this on the edge of the bath in your dressing gown rather than in your new Gharani Strok over your bedroom carpet.

So even though we no longer qualify for having baby soft skin I hope that these will help you cheat time and be as smooth and soft as a baby's bottom! xx