Budget Skincare - Does It Work?

It's true, I'm a bit of a skincare snob. I've struggled to find skincare from the drugstore that's even come close to my less affordable products, hence my built-in distrust in how they'll perform. I know it's not a great mind-set to have, but it's something I'm trying to break away from! It's only in the past year that I've become really interested in taking care of my skin, and with that has come with lots of experimenting! My most recent discovery has been the brand The Ordinary. I'd spotted this on different beauty websites, but never paid any attention as I was stuck in my own routines. Let's just say, I found the mother-load with this brand! The Ordinary is a brand that puts aside the frills of a product, and focuses on the actual contents of the bottles they sell. Rather than upping prices with fancy bottles and packaging, they give us the straight ingredients we need!

Let's discuss!

I actually picked up five items to try, but at the time of shooting these images, I'd only put these four fully to the test, (and continue to use as I'm writing this). I've since gone on to use the fifth item, Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%, and I'm not convinced it's the right product for me. Anyway, lets talk about these serums first!

Advanced Retinoid 2%

Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%

Here's some fancy, complicated looking products! I know, the facts and figures don't make much sense to me either. The Advanced Retinoid is something I've heard of many a time, particularly involved with high-end skincare, so to see this listed on a product that costs £5.50 is an instant sell! I use this as my evening serum, and I've found my skin isn't breaking out as much, and I'm also seeing a much more even complexion. It's super lightweight and a little goes a long way, as with all of these products to be honest.

Next up is the Lactic Acid! Well, somehow I got it into my head that this was my 'daytime' serum.. I couldn't have been more wrong, and I tell you why. This is a 'peeling' serum. I was popping this on every morning before my moisturiser and make-up, and after a while, I noticed my skin was shedding here, there and everywhere. I don't mean shedding like a snake, more like natural exfoliation, but it looked horrendous under my make-up! I've stopped using this in the daytime, but let me tell you, it clearly works! If you find your skin is a little congested, I'd pick this little bottle up and you'll unveil brand new healthy skin!

Natural Moisturising Factors + HA

This was a tough transition for me, using a new moisturiser. I'm hopelessly devoted to my Clinique Moisture Surge, and trying something else had never been on my agenda, but for a mere £5, I decided to give it a go. This is such a gorgeous, rich moisturiser, and yet is still able to remain oil free, making it suitable for everybody! I lather this on of an evening, and use it underneath my primer in the morning and my skin feels plump and hydrated. You really need such a small amount of this, I actually bring any excess product down to my neck. 

High-Adherence Silicone Primer

This primer is EVERYTHING. Seriously, go and order it asap. It's £4 for a start, which is absolutely insane considering this is the best primer I have ever used. I've already purchased a second one of these. I really feel like I don't need any other primer after using this one. As a total make-up junkie, it's a little unrealistic, but this will remain my holy grail. Don't be afraid of the word 'silicone'. This is the silkiest, smoothest primer, and totally smoothes out imperfections without that slippy silicone feel. 

So there's a little round up of the products I've used from The Ordinary so far! There's even more things I want to try, including their foundation, so I'll keep you updated as I try new bits and bobs out! I've also tried a few more drugstore skincare products, so if you'd like any reviews, please let me know!

Have you tried anything from The Ordinary? 

NYX Matte Lipsticks - Collection/Review

(From L to R - Butter, Tea Rose, Whipped Caviar, Euro Trash, Strawberry Daiquiri & Sierra).

I remember picking up my first NYX product. It was when I worked at Next, and NYX occupied a very small space in the stores for a short time. I spent a lot of time gazing over the products, and eventually decided on picking up the matte lipstick in 'Tea Rose', a gorgeous delicate 'everyday' pink. After the disappearance of all things NYX in the UK, I gave up on trying to get a hold of more products, until they came back with a vengeance and can now be found in Boots stores, Selfridges, and online websites such as Feel Unique & ASOS. 

It's only recently I added an additional five shades to my collection, and that's down to the arrival of the NYX counter in my local Selfridges. (Honestly, I could browse that counter for hours!).

As you can see, there's a bit of a colour theme.. What can I say, I'm consistent!

I've been a big fan of the brown-y pink tones for a while now, but it's only somewhat recently that I've added muted/burnt oranges to my ever-growing collection. I'd say since the release of Kat Von D 'Lolita II', and Ofra x Kathleen Lights 'Miami Fever', I'm hooked on the shade!

'Tea Rose' and 'Whipped Caviar' are fairly similar, (not to a lipstick junkie, but you get what I'm saying). Both are clearly pink shades, however 'Whipped Caviar' has the slightest brown undertone, making it the more 'trendy' shade of the two. 

'Euro Trash' is my absolute favourite of the bunch. It's a shade I've never managed to find in lipstick form, don't get me wrong, I have about million liquid lipsticks in this shade, but I do love having a classic lipstick bullet!

'Butter' is probably one of the most sought after shades at the moment, not necessarily this lipstick, but the 'greige' shade is massively on trend, and doesn't seem to be leaving any time soon! This isn't particularly a colour I generally get on with as it can wash me out, and this is no exception, but I can't resist having them in my collection! It's definitely more wearable for me mixed with a lip liner or another lipstick.

'Strawberry Daiquiri' and 'Sierra' are both of the burnt orange variety. They look a lot more vibrant in the pictures, but on my actual lips, they're exactly what I'm looking for. I'd wanted 'Strawberry Daiquiri' for a while, but 'Sierra' was definitely an impulse purchase, no regrets though! I wore it on Saturday night for an evening of dinner and cocktails and only re-applied once I believe!

The formula is super creamy and pigmented, it doesn't dry down completely matte, so if you're looking for that super flat, dry finish, then I'd probably suggest an actual liquid lipstick, however don't let that put you off these lipsticks! For only £6.50 each, I think they're great to add to your collection, and to even experiment with colours! 

You can purchase them here, here, here & here! 

Which shades do you own if you have any? Which shades are you after? Comment below and give me suggestions too!

New In Beauty: Masque Bar Charcoal Mask

Hello! 
Okay. I think I've found my dream face mask. Seriously, I've tried so many face masks, and this one is absolutely incredible, and one that I won't just 'forget' to include in my beauty regime. 

I received this in the mail recently, along with the eye patches, and decided to give it a go a few Sundays back. Peel off masks are my favourite as they're super low-maintenence. I've tried lots of peel off masks before and found them to be 'okay'. Nothing life changing! That was until I started the tug at the edges of this product once it had solidified onto my face. The product itself is a black liquid, and has quite a refreshing, 'spa-like' scent.  It takes around 30 minutes to dry, depending on how thickly you pile it on!  30 minutes after application, I'd peeled the mask off and was absolutely amazing by what I saw. It had drawn out ALL of the built up gunk from all over my face.. like a Biore strip for your face! I was staring at the back of the mask for what felt like hours, in complete and utter awe of what just happened! My face felt so smooth and so clean and fresh. I used the mask again a week later and it did the same, incredible job!
The box comes with three sachets, (so three applications), and retails at £9.99 a box! They sell Masque Bar products at Boots, (I'll directly link you below!), and I'm absolutely picking up a couple more boxes. I couldn't recommend this products enough, it's now 100% a staple in my skincare routine, and I can't wait to treat myself to my next application!
Masque Bar Luminizing Charcoal Mask - Boots Have you tried any Masque Bar products? What's your favourite face mask?