LEAVING WORK HAUL

You may or may not (but probably don't know) that for the past 11 months I've been working as a healthcare advisor at Boots (and I won't say which one, but it is probably the best Boots out there in the coolest location). Alongside this came the single greatest thing in my life, a discount card. As Sunday was my last day at work, my mum and I did a huge Boots shop before I had to give back my discount (</3), so I thought I'd share some of the things we bought.

Skin Care
I did a stock up on my favourite skin care staples, which are the Boots tea tree and witch hazel foaming face wash and cleansing and toning lotion, the Neutrogena oil-free moisturiser (life saver) and the Quick Fix anti-blemish mud mask. Oldies but goodies, all of them.

Makeup
The first lot of makeup is stuff I bought myself. Firstly, I bought myself a new Natural Collection concealer stick, which is my current favourite concealer, and the Rimmel soft kohl eye liner pencil, as my current one from Body Shop is nearing the end of its life. I also bought, because there was an offer on Rimmel, the Lasting Colour Rush balm in 'Keep Mauving', which I have been lusting after for absolutely ages after buying a different colour a couple of years ago and loving it. The last makeup item I bought was the No.7 extreme length sensitive mascara. I was on the hunt for a good mascara, and I had this one years and years ago and really liked it. I don't need my mascaras to do too many fancy things, just simple length and colour, and I have really, really sensitive eyes, so this one ticks all the boxes for me.

All the other makeup products are Essie nail varnishes that I was given as my leaving present from my colleagues, as they know how much I love Essie nail varnishes. Firstly, I was given 'Chinchilly', which everyone knows is my all-time favourite nail varnish, and I was also given two duo sets. The first one is the 'Anchors Aweigh!' set, which contains two slightly shimmery nail varnishes, 'Naughty Nautical' and the immensely population 'Bikini so Teeny'. The other set is the 'a Sprinkle in Pink' set, which contains the also immensely popular 'Fiji' and the 'a Cut Above' glitter top coat. I am very spoilt and very emotional over this.

Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous products, aka the ones that didn't fit into their own category but I wanted to mention. Firstly, a set of three clear wash/makeup bags, always useful; then my favourite Denman hair brush because I haven't had a new one in over ten years. Finally, a new electric toothbrush that I can bring away to uni with me (plus spare heads, not pictured).

Rosie

Significantly poorer than I was before

SUPER SKIN

In honour of our Baby Lips throwback to September 2013 at the end of September 2014, I thought we'd do another throwback to October 2013- the aforementioned 'Skin Month'. So as a celebration of a month dedicated to talking about skin products this time last year, I am doing my current skin care routine.
I don't know if this is because of simply getting older, but my skin has got a million times better in the past six months, and it's only fair that I share my skin secrets (the main one being that I secretly really enoy washing my face).

Morning:
I wash my face twice a day (as everyone should) using the Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel foaming face wash, and the cleansing and toning lotion of the same range. I occasionally use the Body Shop Tea Tree facial toner, but personally I prefer Boots' one. It should be noted here that Boots normally have a three-for-two offer on their Tea Tree and Witch Hazel range. Next I moisturise my face using my trusty Neutrogena moisturiser; the Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel range and the Neutrogena moistuiser are the only products that I have been constantly repurchasing for about the last 6 years.

Evening:
In the evening I wash my face again, though this time I don't moisturise. Before I wash my face, I take off my eyeliner and concealer (just general everyday makeup) using the Body Shop Vitamin E gentle facial cleansing wipes; though these wipes are quite expensive, I am actually allergic to Simple wipes so I have to use them. Personally though, I think that they work better than Simple wipes, and the packet actually lasts a very long time. In the evening I also use the Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel spot wand, which, despite having a 'Day' and a 'Night' side at either end (something which I personally love), I am bad and sometimes don't bother with it in the mornings. As it is part of my nighttime routine, I thought I'd add that I use the Body Shop Lip Butter in Shea every night before I go to bed and it is probably one of my most favourite lip products ever, it keeps my lips super soft and smooth and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Extras:
These are things which I am trying to make part of my weekly routine, but I am bad and neglect them, and most of the time I also forget to use them. It is recommened that you use a face mask and exfoliate your face at least once a week (I never do them on the same day), and I am trying really hard to make this happen. I have never been all that keen on exfoliating scrubs as I never used to like the gritty, sandy feel of them, but I do quite like the Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel exfoliating face scrub. You can read my post from 'Skin Month' last October to see how I got on with a Body Shop exfoliating face mask but I warn you, it is not good at all. However, the Body Shop face mask that I have always loved and can always see myself loving is their Tea Tree face mask, which I would highly recommend. I would also suggest getting some of the sample packet version of this mask as it comes in little sachets for £1 each and you can get at least three face masks out of each one, depending on the size of your head.

SEPTEMBER FAVOURITES

Hello October!

I am so happy that October is finally here, I've been waiting for this all month (pun intended, I am so funny)! I love October, now we can finally stop saying 'oh well it's still sort of summer' and embrace the comforts of autumn and comfy clothes. It is my opinion that October is the official start of autumn, and summer will be sorely missed, but now the weather has an official reason to be crappy (and also it's nearly Christmas).
So, hello to October and the autumn months, and here is my official September favourites list:

1. Neutrogena moisturiser - September is the official start of my winter dry skin and, no matter how many different moisturisers I try, I will always come back again and again to Neutrogena and it is a permanent staple in my bathroom.

2. Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine in Lychee - This is the perfect nude colour that I have been loving this month, (sad to admit) I felt all grown up swanning into sixth form with my nude nails. I cannot rave enough about the Barry M Gelly line, I wore the nail varnish for nearly two weeks without having to repaint it because it doesn't chip! I am so excited about this and I can't wait for Barry M to bring out more colours (hint hint a black one please).

 

3. Soup - I feel like I don't need to explain this one, soup is amazing in every way.
4. New stationary - The highlight of the school year.
5. Thick jumpers - Praise the Lord, jumpers are officially back! Thick jumpers are the best item of clothing ever invented, apart from maybe onesies...
6. Maybelline  Baby Lips in Peach Kiss - Yes, I talk about these a lot, but I have fallen in love with Peach Kiss, it's simply the best (cue break into Tina Turner impression).

7. Twinning's Lemon and Ginger tea - Looks a bit like piss (to put it politely), tastes amazing.
8. Body Shop concealer - I have found the perfect concealer, it's my exact skin colour! Body Shop makeup is always brilliant and this is no exception.
9. THE NEW YOU ME AT SIX SONG IT IS AMAZING OMG NEW ALBUM IN JANUARY 2014 SOMEONE HOLD ME. Sorry.
10. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - I have been hooked on these since I got back from  America and, much to my great joy, you can get them in England too!

This month I aim to take better care of my skin and use my Balmi more (and try unsuccessfully not to buy any more lip balms).

(Apologies for these next couple of posts being a lot later that I originally planned them to be).