A Few Recent Beauty Buys

I try really hard not to buy anything beauty-related too often as it feels so incredibly counterproductive since I’m always on a mission to try out/use up the many products I already have, but occasionally, you just have to have a little binge, don’t you? Plus, there are certain products that I’ll always replace to ensure I always have ample supply.

The Body Shop, in my opinion, do the very best toners.  I have used the Aloe Calming Toner for ages – I think this is my 3rd or 4th bottle – as I’m one of those people who needs a toner in their routine to feel like skin has been thoroughly cleansed, to ensure all cleanser is removed, and to re-balance skin in preparation for any treatment products.  The Aloe Calming Toner is fantastic for all those things, plus it’s gentle enough to use over the eyes too.  I visit the Galleria in Hatfield a couple of times a year where there is a TBS outlet, so I stock up when I’m there, which leads me nicely to my next purchases which were…

…The Vitamin E Hydrating Toner! There are certain ingredients that my skin responds terrifically too, with Vitamin E being one of them, so I decided to pick up a couple of TBS Vitamin E products to see how I’d get on.  The Vitamin E Hydrating Toner is really interesting as it’s quick thick for a toner that it’s almost essence-like, but it still works really well to fulfil my aforementioned toner needs whilst adding a touch more hydration.  I also picked up the Vitamin E Aqua Boost Essence Lotion, mainly because I just can’t say ‘no’ to an essence product.  I haven’t used this that often – mostly because I have quite a set routine at the moment and would struggle to squeeze it in, but the few times I have used it I’ve found it pleasant enough, providing a little boost of hydration as and when needed.  As I said, I got my TBS bits at the outlet, but you can find all three online here – link.

Whilst at the Galleria, I also popped into TK Maxx and found their make-up counter (predictably) where they had a few great bits from Illamasqua including the Katie Blusher, which I was so surprised to see as I remember having to hunt it down when I first purchased it as it was out of stock.  It’s probably one of the palest pinks around and to be honest, I’m not sure it’s that flattering on me anymore, but I still love having it and I think I paid around £8 for which was a bargain.  There are a few Illamasqua brushes online at TK Maxx here – link.

The final product is the Hourglass Girl Lip Stylo in shade Seeker.  As soon as I saw that Hourglass were available at my local Fenwicks (Brent Cross) I knew I just had to get something – ANYTHING – so I went in and picked up a lipstick.  The formula is creamy, as is the finish, but it isn’t greasy or slippery and there’s not a lot of shine, so it’s quite like a traditional lipstick in that sense, meaning it shouldn’t slide off your lips as soon as you eat or drink anything.  The shade I went for is Seeker, which is like a blue-leaning, mid-toned pinky berry shade.  It’s pretty and flattering, but it won’t be jumping to the top of my favourite list anytime soon.  Having said that, I will, of course, be picking up more shades…You can find this one here – link – for £29.

*Everything purchased by me