how to| Get good skin...

My skin has been problematic since i started getting into makeup, its oily yet dry. (I have since found it to be dehydrated rather than dry.) As a teenager i didn't suffer from spots and only now have i linked my breakouts to the fact i use products on my skin. when i was a teen i rarely wore face makeup or fancy scrubs and cleansers but here i am now spending a fortune on skincare to achieve amazing skin and finding my poor skin suffering from more and more breakouts.

I recently went on holiday and could only take a few products, considering my normal skincare routine consists of using a different cleanser every night, a scrub twice a week and a couple of different masks, now i was having to pick only a few products to take with me...nightmare!! I settled on taking a few samples as i could try out something new and also not take up a lot of room in the case.

While away in the sunshine my skin looked glowing and flawless. Looking back on photos i had barely any makeup on yet my skin looking amazing after only a couple of days of giving up my many skincare products  I got back home and started using different cleansers again, big mistake!! i had several breakouts, my skin looked red and dull.

Then it hit me...here i am using a balm, a gel, a micellular etc etc cleanser. when while away i stuck to the same cleanser  it was a Murad cleanser, but i have now stuck to one oil of olay cleanser and my skin has cleared up amazingly  I did use a couple of different moisturizer but they both broke me out so here are my tips on solving your skin issues:

• Stop using products! stick to one cleanser at a time. this way you can see what is breaking you out and stop using that one product. 

• Once you have found the cleanser that doesn't break you out start using other skincare products, IE one scrub (if your skin still doesn't break out after a couple of uses your safe, try another!)

• Use products specific to your skin type. If you have dry skin use products for dry skin! make sure you know your skin type, i always thought mine was oily and dry but its actually just dehydrated and only oily in one place.

• If you want to use a new product use it on only one part of you face, perhaps your cheek as its easier to hide breakouts. 

• Try using natural products, make a face mask at home or try one from lush that doesn't contain chemicals. 

• once you have your skin routine sorted don't forget and start using new products even if they are the new bloggers favorite!

• drink water, i am forever saying i need to drink more water but always forget, but when i do you can see the difference. 

• Take off your makeup before bed, how many times have we all heard this? just do it :) 

so those are my tips for achieving good skin, any products you think help blemish prone skin?

Rach xx

Sally Hansen No chip Acrylic Top Coat| Product Put Down.

I love Sally Hansen products. I don't think i have come across something I haven't liked before.. until now.
This is probably the worst nail product, maybe even the worst product full stop, ever!

I saw this in Superdrug and my usual top coat (Rimmel 60 second) was almost out and loving all other Sally Hansen nail products thought this would be great. 

They should instead call this...extra chips, ruin any nail polish you have, shiny nails that last 2 hours( if you're lucky). 

Take a look at this picture...

There is huge chunks of polish missing...where did it go? how can a top coat do this?

This photo shows the weird lines that happen just before your beautifully applied nail varnish chips off. Its almost like this a top coat with a crackle effect..with an added instant chip off!

I didn't do anything strenuous that would make my nail varnish chip off, I didn't stick my hands in polish remover. I used OPI nail envy, Essie Fiji and this awful product. 

I read a few reviews to see if i some how used this wrong but every review i have read has said the same thing. Do not buy this product!!!!! This has got to be the worst product i have spent my hard earned money on! 

Have you got any tips on how to use this polish? Has it worked for you? 

Rach x

Review | NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream Amsterdam

So I put an NYX order in last week and have had a chance to play with some of the goodies...I was most excited about trying the Matte lip creams as from the reviews they sounded amazing. Plus i think the fact we can't get it over here makes you want it more!

Now you can get similar products from collection in the form of there cream puff lip stick formula but the colours are very nuteral and I prefer a bright lip.

So here is Amsterdam...

It is a beautiful pure red. The texture is lovely, it goes on with a slight gloss but dries to a matte finish.

My lips are the driest they have ever been right now and this stuff didn't dry them out. I found applying a lip balm (i used Elizabeth Arden eight hour balm) first them this over it made it perfect for the harsh winter weather.

It lasted a lot better than I thought it would, around 5-6 hours. But lip colours wear off me really fast.

I love this, its pigmented, long wearing and cheap!

I paid £5.00 which is a bargain for such a great lip stick. I also picked up a pink colour which i am trialing now!

Have you tried any of the colours?

Rach xx

Skincare | La Roche Posay

Just a quick post that I will do a follow up on when ever it works...if it works!

I have managed to stalk some Effeclar Duo to test out on my blemish prone skin.

Effeclar astringent micro exfoliant lotion and Effeclar Duo. 

I have breakouts and also scaring from past break outs. 

Let see how this goes...fingers crossed the next picture I post will show clear none scared skin!! haha...

Rach xx

London calling to the faraway town | Rimmel apocalips

Drugstore lip products in 2012 were some of the best we have seen...2013 looks to be another amazing year if the new Rimmel Apocalips are to go by.

Galaxy, Nova, Stella, Big Bang, Apocalips.

They are beautifully packaged and its great you can see the product  and see the actual colour.

These are a mixture of lip cream, lip stick and a gloss. They are SO highly pigmented it is Crazy!!

apocolips, nova, galaxy, stella, big bang.
on the bottom is YSL glossy stain in 13.

You can see the Rimmel are much more pigmented than YSL glossy stains! also the colour of 13 and Apocolips are so similar! 

I have only swatched them on my lips so far and not worn them for a long period of time but they feel  none drying and like they would last a good 6 hours on lips. 

They are currently 3 for 2 in boots...I wasn't planning on buying all of these shades but i could not resist!! 

These are the pink/red/coral shades there are also some nudes which were sold out! 

Have you tried these yet?? what do you think?

Rach xx

Purchase | NYX

Just a quick one but I have totally gone n brought some NYX products... Why did no one tell me they had a UK site now! Picked out some Lil gems... Hopefully! It should arrive in the next couple of days... So excited! Hoping the snow stops so our postman comes!!

Rach xx

That happiness I seek When we're out together Swinging cheek to cheek | MAC pure sculpture

I could simply do this review in one sentence....How did I live without this???
But i shall elaborate...

I cannot imagine what my life was like before this product! Its A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

It is a creamy brown shade for using as a contour, I usually use a powder but i found this product makes the job 10 times easier and more natural. So if your no pro and new to contouring i think this will work so well for you.

It blends incredibly, you can make is super super natural or add a bit more for Kim k cheeks! You can add it more as a bronzer to warm up your face too.

I have not loved a MAC product like this for a long time and am so pleased I picked this Gem up!

Go now and run to your nearest store, i promise this will make contouring a breeze!

Swatch and then blended. 

Weird facial expression wearing the wonder product. 

Rach xx