Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleansing Gel

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleansing Gel - £17*

I was kindly sent this cleanser to review and it couldn't have come at a better time! I've been searching for a new morning cleanser for what feels like months now, and I have finally found the cleanser. I like something light that I can rinse off in the shower for my morning cleanse as my skin does get oily throughout the day, so I reserve my balm and oil cleansers for the evening. This cleanser is particularly aimed at combination/oily skin types so I was apprehensive that it might be quite drying, which is the problem I always have with cleansers or face washes which are foaming or aimed at oily skin.

The packaging is great, it comes in a massive 225ml squeezy tube but because the product consistency is thick, it doesn't run out of the tube creating product wastage. I have to use quite a bit of strength to actually squeeze the product out, especially in the morning when I'm not quite awake yet! You only need to use the tiniest amount of product as it's quite concentrated, so I can see this huge tube lasting a long time. To me, it smells light and refreshing which is what I want when I'm washing my face in the morning. It does foam slightly, but it feels more like a creamy lather which is gorgeous on the skin. What's even better is that my skin doesn't feel the slightest bit dry or tight after using this! Most foaming cleansers leave me gasping for the moisturiser, but this just leaves my skin feeling soft, clean and comfortable. I can't lay all the praise with this product, but I also haven't had a spot since using this... Coincidence? Maybe.

I've also trialled this as a make-up remover to see how it fares in that sense, and I can happily report that this removes all of my makeup (and stubborn eye makeup) without irritating my eyes! This is the first product from Philosophy that I've tried, and I'm excited to explore what other products they have to offer as I'm very impressed so far!

What type of cleanser do you prefer in the morning? And if you've tried Philosophy products, recommend me some products!

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Rimmel Kate Moss 107

 Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick in shade 107 - £5.49

I know, I know. It's Spring now and I should be cracking out the peachy pinks and coral lip colours, but I have to admit I'm still stuck in an Autumn/Winter lip rut. I'd actually been hunting for the perfect deep red, blue-toned lipstick and I just couldn't find any despite countless trips to Boots. Eventually, I realised that I actually already owned this seemingly nonexistent perfect deep red lipstick! Just goes to show you what you can find when you have a proper raid through your makeup storage... I definitely wouldn't classify this as one of my 'daily' lipsticks as it's one that I almost always reserve for special occasions or nights out. I simply don't have the guts to wear it during the day, I'm so self-conscious that people would be saying 'what is that girl thinking?!'.

Paranoia and rambling aside, this is a gorgeous lipstick. The packaging is matte red casing with a black Kate signature scrawled on the tube. The lipstick smells amazing, almost like watermelon I think. For a matte lipstick, it's surprisingly creamy. It doesn't tug on application or accentuate any dry patches on the lips, it simply glides on and provides an opaque colour with just one swipe. I do find it difficult to apply 'neatly' as it's such an intense colour, but that's easily fixed with the use of a good lip liner and a lip brush (products which I am yet to invest in... whoops!). Longevity wise, this lasts a good 3-4 hours on me and even then, it usually just needs a little touch up and I'm good to go again. Even once it wears off, it tends to leave my lips slightly stained with a flush of colour which isn't such a bad thing!

Have you made the transition to Spring lips yet, or are you still stuck in the dark ages with me?!

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A Nearly Naked Face

Apologies for the bad quality face shot - I need to wean myself away from the front-facing iPhone camera!

I'm not one of those girls who refuses to leave the house without make-up on. In fact, I've been known to roll out of bed and nip out to the shops with a completely bare face. But for those days when I'm feeling lazy, but it's likely that I'll bump into someone I know, I tend to go for a 'nearly naked' face using minimal products. And what better excuse to test out the aptly named new foundation offering from Revlon? I'm still not 100% sold on Revlon Nearly Naked foundation. I love the finish when it's first applied but I find longevity lacking on my skin. Equally, the Revlon Nearly Naked powder gets a thumbs up where application is concerned - it's a really nice, finely milled powder that doesn't apply cake-y or heavily. I'm planning a full review of this duo in the near future, I think I need to give it a couple more trial runs!

As always, I use Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer to cover up any blemishes or red areas that foundation hasn't covered. I'm loving Topshop Cream blush in Head Over Heels for adding a little pop of Spring colour to my cheeks - it's the perfect coral, and a little goes a long way! MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade is the most recent addition to my make-up stash, and I have to say I'm loving it so far. It seems to brighten up my dull skin with ease, but doesn't leave my face covered in chunks of glitter which I've found with other highlighters. Eyewise, I've stuck to my trusty MUA Undressed Palette using a shimmery bronze colour all over the lid to liven my eyes up a little bit. I smudge some Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner in Taupe on my lower lashline, chuck some Lancome Hypnose Star mascara on my lashes and brush a little eyebrow powder from the Look Beauty Brow Perfect palette on to my (currently in need of a good wax shaping) eyebrows and I'm good to go.

Most definitely not the most glamorous of looks, but it's a nice 15 minute job and I can run out the door - almost always accompanied by hair that's still a little damp, wavy and completely untouched by heat or styling products!

What are your go-to products for your lazy day make-up?

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Purity Skincare

 Purity Facial Wash - £4.99*

Purity Conditioning Cleansing Lotion - £4.99*

I've been trialling these products from organic skincare line Purity over the last few months. My skin has been acting up recently, going from dry and irritated, to oily and breaking out all within the space of a few days - a definite temper tantrum! So naturally, I've been seeking out skincare remedies which contain less chemical nasties and more natural goodness to try and bribe my skin to behave!

I've been using the Facial Wash as my morning cleanse and really enjoying it. I like something quite light to cleanse with in the morning as my skin does get oily throughout the day, but equally I can't seem to use anything specifically for oily skin because it dries my skin out. This face wash seems to have the balance just right, it leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh without stripping it and leaving it dry. It has quite a runny consistency and a little goes a long way!

I've been using the Conditioning Cleansing Lotion in the evenings to remove the majority of my makeup before I do a 'real cleanse'. This is a light, milky solution that you massage all over your face to remove makeup. I remove it with cotton pads, and it leaves my skin feeling baby soft. It doesn't remove all of my makeup, so I always follow up with a hot cloth cleanse. It leaves my skin feeling calmed and prepped for cleansing, and if I'm feeling really lazy then I sometimes just finish this off with a swipe of toner to remove any excess makeup then jump into bed.

Overall, I'm really impressed with this affordable skincare line and if you're in the market for natural, organic skincare products, Purity would be a great place to start!

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London Calling

My first trip to London was indescribable, but I'll try my best. I didn't manage to do half of the things I'd planned to, despite accidentally having to stay another night. I arrived at Kings Cross late Wednesday night, jumped in a black cab and headed off to my hotel which was pretty much across the road from Spitalfields market. The next day, I braved the London Underground and hopped on the central line to Bond Street where I was overwhelmed by designer boutiques and important looking people in suits. I traipsed around Mayfair feeling sorely out of place in my scruffy jeans and baggy hoodie, but it was snowing and miserable so I was more concerned about that. I spent around 40 minutes trying to navigate my way to the US Embassy, which was the primary reason for my trip to London. Around 30 minutes later, I emerged from the embassy having been officially granted a US visa for the summer - cue one very happy, if slightly bedraggled from the weather, Scottish girl dancing her way on to the tube at Green Park station.

I headed back to the hotel and was all set to take a nap, but I decided instead to jump back on the tube and head down to Oxford Street. I was feeling all pro with this tube business, I even managed to help a woman catch the right one! I think I've managed to perfect my "I'm not a tourist, I get these trains all the time" non-expressive face whilst being squashed like a sardine in the tiny capsule trains. Although, it was clear that I was indeed a tourist since I must have squealed 'sorry, excuse me' around 10 times every journey. People in London seem to find it strange if a stranger acknowledges them, everyone appears to be in their own little bubble and I couldn't quite grasp that concept.

I only spent around 2 hours shopping, by which time I'd had enough of the bustling streets, queues and being shoved out of the way everywhere I went. Having grown up in a rural area, I'm not exactly used to seeing famous people, like ever. So when Scott from last year's Big Brother walked past me on Regent Street, I had to try my absolute hardest not to scream. I phoned my mum squealing down the phone that I'd just seen a 'celebrity', and she didn't exactly sound impressed when I revealed said celebrity was an ex-BB contestant. It was a big deal, alright!

One of the main things I wanted to see when I was in London was the famous Tower Bridge, but I stupidly got mixed up between that and London Bridge. I made my way down there on Friday evening just as the sun was going down, and I ended up at London Bridge. It didn't take me long to realise that I was in fact at the wrong bridge, but at least it gave me an opportunity to take some photos of Tower Bridge. I also kept catching glimpses of the 'pickle' as I had been affectionately referring to it as, until I was eventually corrected (rather embarrassing) and informed that it was the Gherkin. Tourists, eh...

I was supposed to head home at lunch time on Saturday, but I missed my train by about 10 seconds. I ran around Kings Cross like a headless chicken for a bit, trying not to cry or have a meltdown. I eventually ended up staying an extra night at a Premier Inn in North London (was cheaper than staying another night in central!) and catching an 8am train the next day. I can honestly say that I didn't want to leave. Despite the crowds, the complete culture shock and the city stress, I think London has stolen a little piece of my heart. I'm so, so excited to be moving closer this year and even more excited at the prospect of eventually working and living in this city. I only wish I'd had more time there last week to do more exploring and adventuring. There is so much to see and I don't think I'll ever have enough time.