Premae Harmony Balm - Product of the Week

When I get sample sizes of things I usually put them in my make-up or wash bag to use when I'm away from home. That way they don't take up too much space and I get to try that one thing out for a continued period of time rather than trying out lots of different things at once. Premae's Harmony Balm was in my washbag for a recent visit to Norfolk and was the only facial moisturiser I took with me.

It is not only a lovely moisturiser but a fantastic primer for make-up or perfect if you are going for bare skin reducing oil and redness and giving a really silky finish. I was surprised how in love with this I was. When my spending ban is over I shall definitely be buying a full sized version of this.

Blue Liner - Friday Video

I always wear black eyeliner so the other day I was brave and went for blue instead... You don't have to use as many blues as I did and it's also a great look for those of you who hate using brushes most of this can be done without.

Products used:

NARS Sheer Glow in Santa Fey
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 03
Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in 13
Sleek Oh So Special Palette
Zao Pearly Eye Shadow in 104
Eyeko Skinny Liner in Navy Blue
Barry M Supersoft Pencil in No 4
Inika pencil in 08 Peacock Blue
Rimmel Scadal'eyes
Cover FX Setting Powder in Light
Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow
Maybelline Dreamtouch Blush
Lancome L'absolu rouge in 66
Real Techniques brushes

Dermaviduals Soothing Toner - Product of the Week

For mainly hormonal but partly heat related issues I've been a bit spotty this week and my Dermaviduals Soothing toner has been really helping it all calm down. The weather in London has been so humid and sticky that your face feels grubby by the end of the day whatever you've been doing so do properly look after it in the evening feels even more necessary than usual - I love this toner.

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Cleansing Balm

A couple of weeks ago I had the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm as my Product of the Week and it may well have to be my product of the year (yes yes I know we're only in July... ) as I am totally in love with and very evangelical about it.

I heard about the Amazing Face Cleansing Balm through the wondrous Caroline Hirons of BeautyMouth fame who recommends balm cleansers if only because they make you actually wash your face rather than naffing around with cotton pads and never actually cleaning it properly. This made sense to me and as 30 looms and the baby continues to be well behaved but exhausting nonetheless, I thought maybe it was time to kick my skincare routine up a notch. No more scrubbing away with Bioderma Crealine Micelle Solution and slapping on any old moisturiser I'd been sent. Well that still happens but there are now so many more stages in-between involving toners, face oils, serums and most gloriously of all... the Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm.

Love the packaging but cracks already beginning to show

First off though I would like to say that the lid on mine has cracked and broken and that is incredibly annoying as little bits fall off all the time and sometimes it's hard to get the lid off but I DON'T CARE really because what is in the pot is so lovely. I just felt I should mention it in case that's the kind of thing that's going to piss you off... (UPDATE 2017 - they've changed the packaging and this is no longer a problem)

This cleanser is recommended for mature skin and although I don't have that yet it's also great for sensitive skin which I do have in some places and it's not at all harsh so there's really no harm in using this on younger skin. The texture is absolutely gorgeous, especially if you have dry or dehydrated skin, you can feel it moisturising, so I leave it on for as long as possible - applying it after removing most of my make-up with Bioderma Crealine Micelle Solution and washing it off last thing before I get out of the bath. If, however, you only want to cleanse once this will get your make-up off which is pretty wonderful.

Eyebrow Blocking - Friday Video

The trend for big, natural eyebrows may be ongoing but in case you fancy changing it up here's a video on how to block them out completely! Great for creative make-up, fancy dress and face painting.

MAC Full Coverage