Garnier - Pure Active Exfo-Brusher Wash Review

Hello Lovlies,

I went into Boots just over a month ago looking for a gentle exfoliant for my face and I wanted to try something new. I have spot prone skin, especially on my forehead and I've tried a number of lotions and potions but have yet to find one to help clear the pesky feckers up. I came across this Garnier Pure Active Exfo-Brusher Wash €10.69 and was curious to see how the brusher head would work. It claims to remove dead skin cells and fade marks by unclogging impurities from pores and visibly reduces sebum levels. Sebum is produced by the body and clogs the pores of your skin, this causes acne.

There are easy to follow instructions on the packaging on how to use the brusher head.  After wetting your face you open the brusher head by turning it 180 degrees. Holding it upside down you squeeze the bottle to release the product inside. You then close the brusher head by turning it again and then proceed to apply it to your face in circular motions. Simply rinse your face afterwards and you're done. 

The concentrated formula contains 2% purifying salicylic acid, an effective antibacterial ingredient which helps to clear pores and protect against spots before they have a chance to invade! It also contains herbasoothe which is known for its caring and soothing properties. 

The bristles themselves, scary they may look but there is no discomfort when applied to my skin at all. 

I've been using the Exfo-Brusher wash in the evenings after I have removed my make-up and sometimes in the morning while in the shower. I have noticed a visible different in my forehead as the spots I could not shift before have dramatically decreased and some have gone altogether. The only downside to using this product is that for the first two weeks I experienced the acne purge!! I broke out in places I normally wouldn't break out like on my nose and the side of my cheeks. I'm putting this down to the product and its extreme pore de-clogging actions. After a full month of using it my skin has settled down and I am loving it. I can happily say that I will re-purchase this product without a shadow of a doubt. 

I'd love to know what you use to keep your acne at bay. Let me know in the comments below.

Love,

Sarah

Pucker up with LUSH - International Kissing Day - Power liquid Lipstick, Mint Julips scrub and Lip service Lip balm.

Hello Lovelies,

I don't know about you but this bi-polar Irish weather is really taking it's toll on my lips. Unlike skin on the rest of our bodies the skin on our lips is exceptionally thin and has no oil glands which makes the lips even more delicate and prone to dryness and chapping.

Follow the steps below for supple, smooth and chap free lips (and of course utterly kissable!)

Step 1. Scrub

Using a lip scrub is a great way to remove dead skin and Lush have three flavours to choose from, Mint Julip being my personal favourite. Their lip smacking cocktail contains castor sugar and jojoba oil. €6.75 each and contain 20g of product. Another way to exfoliate your lips would be to give them a gentle exfoliating with your toothbrush.

Step 2. Moisture

After you have removed the dead skin from your lips you will need to protect them as much moisture as possibly by using a lip cream or balm. Lip Service has been around since the dawn of time, I mean since the start of Lush and keeps proving to be a best seller. It contains shea butter, cocoa oil, beeswax and tangerine oil.Not only can you use it on your lips but also on you elbows, knees and heels. It can also act as a protective primer if you plan on wearing a drying matte lipstick. M.A.C Ruby Woo springs to mind for me.

Step 3. Pucker Up

I've mentioned the Emotional Brilliance range by Lush before and next month will celebrate it's first birthday. The range features lip and eye colours that offer show stopping colour that's actually good for your skin. Check out this Liquid Lipstick in shade Power €17.95. The lip range consists of thirteen different amazing colours that can also be used as a cream blusher. Power is a very bright orange-coral colour with gold shimmer. I'm still perfecting my application with these sponge top applicator lipsticks but I love how creamy they are and as always animal cruelty free. 

"A kiss symbolises kindness but there is noting kind about testing on animals so lets join together and kiss goodbye to cosmetic cruelty" LUSH. 

 This week Lush are promoting #crueltyfreekisses in association with International Kissing Day which is on Saturday the 6th. Lush are attempting to set the new Guinness world records title for the most lip prints collected in 12 hours. If you would like to take part then head on over to your nearest Lush store on Saturday where you will be able to pucker up and get your kiss on (Kissing strangers not advised!!)

Love,

Sarah

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte - Rose Paris #27 with SPF 15

Hi Girlies, I put a picture up on facebook of this Yves Saint Laurent lipstick (€31.50) I wore yesterday and got such a great response from it that I decided to natter about it here on the aul blog! I won the lipstick in shade Rose Paris well over a year ago and when I got it thought I would never EVER be able to pull it off so it sat looking pretty with the rest of my lipstick...until now!

So what made me take the plunge and pucker up with this Bright pink with coral undertones lipstick?! Well ladies, I bought the dress below on sale in Dunnes Stores for just €12 reduced from €35 and teamed it up with a turquoise beaded necklace that I bought in Portugal last year for a whopping €3. I usually always wimp out and wear a nude lipstick or something that won't look too messy if it smudges while eating or drinking. I'm not one for running to the ladies every few minutes to fix my make-up, I actually rarely bring make-up out with me. However, yesterday with such a bright outfit on I felt like today was the day to be daring and as soon as I applied the lipstick in shade Rose Paris it was a match made in heaven!

I could not get over how creamy and soft the lipstick felt as I applied it and WOW the colour pay off is amazing. Apart from the Rimmel Apocalips lip lacquers I don't think I have ever used a lipstick so pigmented in all my days! The consistency is so creamy that I was sure it was not going to be long lasting but fortunately for me I was wrong and it lasted far longer than I had expected. And get this, it's SPF 15 too. 

Check out the gold luxurious packaging too, it's super classy and sophisticated. I usually hide or re-apply my lipstick super fast to avoid people looking at me but with the packaging of this award winning lipstick I had no hesitations at all re-applying my make-up in public. I especially like how the tube has the corresponding colour shade to the lipstick.

Now I have to admit paying over €30 for a lipstick is something I have ever done before. If I win the lotto or become super rich from one of my crazy ideas presented on Dragons Den I would gladly re-purchase this lipstick in many different shades but until then I will enjoy this little beauty until it hits pan!

Thank you for all your kind comments on Instagram and Facebook, let me know what you think of this lippy in the comments below. Question of the day: What's your favourite lipstick this summer?

Love,

Sarah