Like many people, Clinique was my first foray into 'higher end' make up and skincare. It all started when I was in Boots just wandering around aimlessly and I was approached by one of the women who worked on their counter, asking if I would like a makeover.

Normally I just politely said no when asked, but I had nothing better to do and I had always been curious about the counters of expensive things. So off I went and had my skincare and make up done. I left with some trial size products and a new interest in make up and skincare.

Over the years I've tried a lot of the products in their range. Some I didn't get on with, some have ingredients that I never use on my skin (SLS and mineral oil) but others have remained firm favourites.

Clinique have always been a brand that is better known for their skincare than their make up and I personally think while there are hits and misses in both, there are definitely some stand out products.

1. Take the day off balm - £24.00

The one you now hear every beauty blogger talk about. I have been using this for years and I have only just finished my first tub. I don't use it exclusively and switch it up with other products but I know I can rely on this to remove the most hardcore of waterproof make up.

It's extremely gentle on the eyes and leaves skin beautifully soft without stripping it. A little goes a long way, so it lasts a long time.

Basically if you can only buy one thing from Clinique, make it this. You need this in your life!

2. Moisture surge moisturiser - £36.00

Another staple and I have gone through multiple pots of this. I've never met anyone who doesn't get on with this product.

The reason I love it is it's an oil free gel type mosituriser which is suitable for all skin types. Gel type formulas are my favourite for my combination skin as they keep it hydrated without making it greasy.

3. Lip pop lipsticks - £17.00

These got loads of hype when they first came out and I think they're still some of my favoutite lipsticks of all time. I have 7 of these but my most worn colours are Cherry Pop, Plum Pop and Sugar Pop.

You only need one application for maximum pigmentation and they stay put for a surprisingly long time, with minimal touch ups needed.

There's a huge range of colours so there's something for everyone.At £17 they're not exactly cheap but I think these compare to far more expensive lipsticks (Chanel, NARS, Charlotte Tilbury etc).

4. Colour pop blush - £17.00

These have to be some of the prettiest blushes available. Who doesn't love their adorable little flower design? But more importantly they're actually really good.

These apply really smoothly and give a soft, natural glow. I have the shade Heather Pop and it's a really pretty pink that blends beautifully.

5. Chubby sticks intense - £18.50

I like the original chubby sticks, but personally find them a little underwhelming and overpriced for essentially a tinted lip balm.

The intense versions though are far more unique. These are lipsticks in a twist up crayon and the pigmentation and staying power is remarkable. These are so perfect for popping in your handbag as they can be applied in an instant.

Curviest Caramel is easily my most worn lip product ever but the whole range of colours is lovely and there is definitely a colour in the range that you would like.

6. Fresh bloom blush - £26.00

One of my very fist Clinique purchases that I never once seen anyone else talk about.

The peony pattern on this blush is stunning. Can there be anything more classically beauty blogger than pretty make up combined with peonies?

More importantly this blush is actually really good. It does have a slight shimmer and very subtle shimmer which personally I like. But it blends nicely and is easy to apply. 

Do you have any favourites from Clinique? Let me know as I'm always looking for new things to try. 

Top 3 Budget Face Masks

Can you even call yourself a blogger if you don't love a good face mask? Life is all about enjoying the little things and there are few things more relaxing than a mini weekend pamper at home on a Saturday morning. 

Saving to buy a house has meant that I've been really watching my money for the last 18 months or so, which has meant I can't really afford to indulge my love of high end skin care. 

Luckily these three are actually my favourite face masks that I reach for over all of my others and they're all very affordable too!

1. Quick Fix Facials Purifying Charcoal Mask - £5.29

This is described as being for congested and lifeless skin and I think that is a very fair description. It is definitely the one I reach for when my skin is playing up as it does exactly what it says. This is a charcoal mask so comes out a very dark colour so I find it is best to remove it with a dark flannel or it can make your white ones look a little grey. It also has a pleasant tingling sensation when its on so you can actually feel it doing something. I can sometimes find charcoal masks to be too drying but this one leaves my skin feeling soft, without that uncomfortable tight feeling. 

This range is super affordable too and there is a mask for every skin concern. However, if you have combination skin like myself and sometimes have a break out you should definitely try this one!

2. Good Things Manuka Honey Radiance Mask - £5.99

I bought this after seeing Jasmine Talks Beauty rave about it in a post and I am so glad I did. This is a super soft clay mask with ingredients that include honey (obviously), beeswax and various fruit extracts such as papaya. The result is skin that looks brand new after use. This is actually my favourite mask out of the three and although I haven't had it as long I've used quite a bit of it! It really does improve the radiance of your skin which can be something I struggle with. This product smells like honey as well which is another part of it that I love.

I now really want to try other things from this range so if you have any recommendations, let me know!

3. L'Oreal Pure Clay Glow Mask - £7.99

Everyone and their dog has been raving about these masks and I picked this one up in Tesco when they were on offer.This one is slightly different to the other masks in that it contains a physical exfoliant so it is a mask that is combined with a scrub.

The red algae and three clays it contains are meant to help with brightening and they definitely do. I apply this in a thin layer and leave it to sit for 5 minutes before massaging it into the skin to make use of the scrub action and then rinsing away. For the price, this product certainly feels and smells like a far more expensive product. It has a gentle, almost spa like scent to it which I really like. The packaging is fantastic, with a solid glass pot that means you can get every last bit of the product out. It also looks great on my bathroom shelf! The quality of the product itself is lovely and it has a really smooth, creamy texture. 

I think I'll be looking to try more from this range!

The best part is all of these masks are under £10 so they are an affordable way to treat yourself! Do you have any bargain skin care favourites? Let me know in the comments as I'm always looking for good quality skincare that won't break the bank!

Clinique Take the Day off Range

I've spoken about it a lot on this blog but Clinique have to be one of my favourite brands. I like that their products are a mid price point and that they do what they say on the tin with no fuss.

While I don't love all of their products, my favourite range of theirs has to be the least glamorous: the Take the Day off range.

Let's face it, taking your make up off isn't exciting and is at a best a mildly annoying chore. But for those of us that are lazy when it comes to face washing, then the Take the Day off products are life changing.

There is a product for every need, they don't contain any fragrance, don't irritate my eyes and most importantly? They work. 

They last for ages and although they aren't the cheapest in the world, I've found them to perform either as well or better than more expensive alternatives.

On top of all of this, I love the packaging. While it is most importantly functional and practical I really like the purple and silver theme, which makes it seem a lot more luxurious than the price suggests.

Even the make up wipes from this range are pretty good. I haven't included them in this post because I don't use make up wipes as part of my usual routine, but as far as make up wipes go, they are the best I've ever tried.

As a disclaimer, this post is not in anyway sponsored, I just really love this range!

1. Take the Day off Cleansing Balm

If you buy one thing from this range, make sure it is this. I've had my tub of it for YEARS and use it frequently. I've just purchased my first replacement, so that should give you some idea as to how cost effective this product is. You only need a small amount but it is always my weapon of choice for dealing with the thickest of make up. Particularly gel eyeliner and waterproof mascara as it just melts these away.

Like most cleansing balms this has a solid texture that melts into an oil when you massage it into the skin and then remove with a damp flannel. As with all Clinique products this does not contain any fragrance and I find that this makes it exceptionally gentle, particularly on the eyes. I always use this as a first cleanse to remove makeup and it's so simple and fuss free I even manage to use it after a night out.

If my skin isn't looking so great, I revert to using this daily because I know it will remove every last scrap of make up. Just try it, you won't regret it. 

2. Take the Day off Cleansing Oil

This is my most recent addition to my collection but it is already a firm favourite. I prefer to use oil based cleansers to remove my make up and like the cleansing balm, I only ever use this as a first cleanse to remove makeup. It is actually remarkably similar to the melted texture of the balm, which is probably why I like it so much. It removes make up easily and doesn't sting my very sensitive eyes. You only need a small amount for it to do an effective job.

Do you need this and the cleansing balm? Probably not, one or the other would be fine. I just wanted to give it a try mostly and I am as equally impressed with it as I am with my beloved cleansing balm.

The only downside to this product (as opposed to the cleansing balm) is that a liquid oil is messier to apply and riskier to travel with. Although the pump has a locking feature, I would make sure to pack it very carefully as I once had a very big mess (and a lot of product wasted) with the cream version of this product which has an identical pump.

3. Take the Day off Cleansing Lotion

This is the cream cleanser in the collection and was the first part of the range that I had ever tried. It's also by far the most versatile product in the range. I use this as  a first, second  and morning cleanse depending on my mood, how my skin feels and how much make up I am wearing. You can also take this product off using cotton wool instead of a damp flannel. While I always prefer to wash my face with actual water there are times when this isn't practical and this can be a good alternative to the dreaded make up wipe.

While this does remove make up well, it doesn't melt make up off like the balm and the oil do, so I tend to use this as a first cleanse on lighter makeup. It will take eye make up off but it isn't as effective as the other products so I tend to use a separate eye make up remover if I'm going to use this as a first cleanse. The lotion texture is extremely soothing so I often use this as a second cleanse after using the oil or balm if I've been wearing a lot of make up.I also reach for it a lot if my skin is being problematic or feeling irritated.

Will I repurchase this when I finally use it up? Probably. I do love it, but I also have a lot of other cream or lotion style cleansers that cost less but none of them are as effective at actually removing make up. I tend to use other ones for strictly second or morning cleaners whereas this is a jack of all trades.

As mentioned above, though, I am super careful when I travel with it now after it exploded all over my bag despite having the pump locked. Just something to bear in mind.

4. Take the Day off Eye Make Up Remover

I bought this after receiving so many samples of this during bonus times and loving them. I always try to save the sample size ones for traveling so having the full size is great. I've tried many of the two phase style eye make up removers that need to be shaken and this is one of the few that I actually like.

The oil part of this actually does melt eye make up off just like the cleansing balm/oil does which makes it perfect for traveling or situations where removing make up properly is difficult.

Like all the other products in the range, a little goes a long way and I find it cuts through even my Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner (by far my hardest eye make up to remove) with ease. It also does not irritate my eyes which many dedicated eye make up removers do.

It is also excellent for removing lipstick. Particularly matte red lipstick which always stains every little crevice of your lips so you look like an extra in a low budget vampire film the next day. This product though melts it off without you having to resort to scrubbing your lips.

The good thing is if you time your Clinique purchases right you can almost always pick things up during bonus time and chances are a little bottle of this will likely be in there, so you can try it for free. 

Have you tried any of the Take the Day off Range? Which one is your favourite?

 

Skincare - The Cleanser Edit

In the past year or so I have upped my cleansing game considerably. Gone are the days of make up wipes and foaming cleansers. Like practically everyone else on the internet I stumbled upon Caroline Hirons blog and have never looked back. To say this has worked miracles for my skin is no exaggeration.

I've always struggled with spot prone combination skin and I didn't realise I was probably creating a nasty cycle of using cleansers that were too harsh, which caused my skin to produce more sebum and in turn created more spots.

I now have quite a ridiculous collection of cleansers. Seriously I know one person probably doesn't need this many but I do use them all.A fair bit of this collection is made up of the Caroline Hirons x Cult Beauty box that came out last year and I discovered some of my favourites through this.

As you can see from the pictures I've used a considerable amount of a lot of these products. Some of them are repeat purchases, others will be when I finish them.

Balm Cleansers

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm - £38

This is the absolute best product. The one I reach for over all others. It strips make up very effectively but it pains me to use it for this when it costs so much money and feels so luxurious on the skin. I only use it as a second or morning cleanse. This can also be used as a mask if you leave a thick layer on for 10 minutes. It smells like you're at an expensive spa and a little goes a long way. It never fails to calm my skin when it is being troublesome and the scent of it also helps me feel relaxed. If you buy one cleanser make it this one.

Clinque Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm - £22

Destroys make up with no effort at all. This is the total opposite to the Emma Hardie one. No frills, no fuss, it just does the job. There is no fragrance to this and its just plain white in colour. But despite its unassuming appearance I've yet to come across something it can't remove. Red lipstick? No problem. Thick night out foundation? Easy peasy. Waterproof gel eyeliner? Gone in a flash. I personally think this is a seriously underrated product from Clinique and although it might initially seem pricey it lasts a seriously long time.

Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm - £18

Removes make up really effectively and smells like delicate roses. I always think that this is like a hybrid of the first two. It removes make up effectively but also melts into a gorgeously soft oil that feels great on your skin. I use it anytime of the day and I've actually almost finished it. The price is very good considering how long it lasts and how versatile it is.

Oskia Micro Exfoliating Balm - £48

The only scrub based cleanser I use. This has very fine silica (no microbeads) and gently polishes skin. I like that its in a balm formula as it feels more nourishing and doesn't strip the skin. It smells expensive and has an eye watering price tag to match. I prefer to use it in the mornings because it feels refreshing but it could be used as a second cleanse as well. I tend to use it once or twice a week and my only complaint is for your money I wish the pot was a bit bigger.

Cream Cleansers

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Milk - £21

The first non foaming cleanser I ever bought. This is specifically designed to take off make up so I like its balm based sister I only use it as a first cleanse. As I mentioned above this is another underrated product (actually the whole Take the Day Off line doesn't get shouted about as much as it should). Again it contains no fragrance but feels lovely and cooling upon the skin. I always loved using this after nights out at uni as its so gentle when you're not at your best!

Amie Morning Clear Facewash - £4.95

A seriously underappreciated brand that offers excellent value for money. Although it sounds like it might be a foaming product this is a cream based cleanser. And it works brilliantly for a bargain price, leaving skin feeling smooth, soft and nicely hydrated. I use it either for a second cleanse or in the morning. It has a delicate scent and the tube packaging is nice and convenient.

MV Organic Gentle Cream Cleanser - £35.50

Really nice cleanser that smells incredible but has pretty much the same results as some cheaper ones I've purchased. I didn't find the results to be any better or worse than other cream cleansers I've tried. If you're in the market for a high end cleanser I would recommend this one as I found it to be excellent at reducing redness and irritation. However if you're looking to save some pennies there are ones that do a similar job for a fraction of the price.

Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean Deep Cleansing Milk - £8

Almost always on offer from Boots this is a real multi tasking product. It removes make up effectively but is also effective at actually cleansing the skin. Really good value for money as the bottle is huge and lasts ages. I'm on my 3rd bottle as I use it all the time and also let my sister borrow it. It actually does smell like peaches (with some vanilla) but unlike other Soap & Glory products it isn't too overpowering. This one product that I know I'll keep buying over and over again.

Oil and Gel Cleansers

REN Everclam Gentle Cleansing Gel - £15

Really gentle and effective. I also had the cream version which I think I liked better but it disappeared while I was still at uni. I decided to try the gel version as I hadn't tried a cleanser this texture before. While it isn't too harsh, if you have dry skin I would buy the cream version instead as it is more hydrating. I like how simple this is and the pump is really convenient.

Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser - £54

This is so expensive it makes me want to cry a little. It does work extremely well, smells amazing and leaves my skin feeling soft. But at that price I'm unlikely to replace it once I've run out even though I will miss using it. As its an oil cleanser it removes make up as well but its too nice to waste on that. I tend to use it as a second cleanse after I've worn a lot of make up as I know that as well as cleansing my skin it will obliterate any last scraps of make up. If you have the money and want to treat yourself, absolutely go for it. As for me, I will just enjoy using every bit of this bottle and see if I can find something cheaper that works as well.

Super Affordable Jo Malone Dupes from Waitrose Heritage Collection

Is there even a blogger in existence that isn't obsessed with Jo Malone?
Every time I walk past John Lewis I dive in there for a whiff and end up sampling absolutely everything. Every birthday and Christmas I debate over whether I should ask for anything from my (very long) wishlist.

But so far I never have because try as I might I *just* can't quite justify the price tag when I have loads of lovely perfumes and body products already. It just seems too extravagant. I mean I get that's the whole point of the brand but I need something a little more affordable.

And then low and behold I stumbled across some totally unexpected gems in the most unlikely of places. Waitrose.

Just to be clear, I don't normally shop in Waitrose (probably not a surprise as I can't afford anything from Jo Malone) but I do work opposite a very large branch and I tend to pop in there on my lunch break for random bits. Like emergency diet coke.

My absolute favorite Jo Malone Scent is English Freesia and Pear and the Waitrose Heritage Collection stocks a range of body products in this EXACT scent. It was not what I was expecting to find while I was looking for some Waitrose Essential shower gel. As soon as I opened the bottle and sniffed it I knew I had to buy it. I was even more excited when I realised there is a whole range of products in the same scent. There are also two other scents in the range which are White Jasmine & Peony and Orchid & Honeysuckle, which are lovely but cannot compete with my favorite fragrance of all time.

I snapped up the bubble bath, the body butter, the hand wash and hand cream. All for £12. Yes that's right. I worked out the purchases of the same products from Jo Malone would have cost around £150.

The packaging is actually really lovely and although its not as classy as the real thing from Jo Malone it is stunning in its own right with delicate floral patterns. To top it all the products are also superb and do exactly what they are meant to.

Overall I will continue to purchase this as a fantastic everyday alternative to the luxury brand. It might not have the indulgence and opulence of Jo Malone but it does mean that you can enjoy a little bit of that lifestyle every day. And without the hefty price tag.

How to get the most out of Clinique including things for free!

I am a huge fan of Clinique. There's no hiding it. My bathroom and make up bag are littered with their products and I'm forever harping on about them. However it is a relatively expensive brand and as a poor student I can't really afford it. Below is a list of the ways I have used to make it as affordable as possible and get as much for my money as I can.

1. Get yourself a Boots and/or Debenhams card depending on where you most frequently shop. I personally prefer Boots and its more convenient and you get more points with every spend. Always use your card when you buy your Clinique products. You will be amazed how quickly they add up and it is an easy way to make the most of the money you spend. Download the app on your phone to keep track of points and take advantage of the offers that are frequently available. In a few months I earnt enough Boots points to spend £30 on Clinique. That's £30 worth of stuff I effectively got for free.

2. Spend a little time choosing a favourite counter. This is really important as if its in a convenient location that you are likely to go to frequently you are more likely to pop in. I would advise frequenting your local Boots counter so you can also build up your Boots points with every purchase.

3. Develop some loyalty. By repeatedly visiting the same counter you will get to know the staff that work there. The guy who runs my local Boots counter in Southampton is absolutely awesome and so helpful. I always go to this counter and as a result he now knows me well and I can use his expert knowledge of the products on offer to my advantage.

4. Get involved with their social media. Follow them on Twitter and Instagram, sign up for their newsletter and like them on facebook. By doing so you can keep up to date with all the promotions that are on offer. Clinique almost always have some sort of promotion running and if you make an effort to time your purchases you will always save some money or get some products for free. For example I got an email yesterday to say there was a 24 hour offer on the Clinique website where you got two freebies with every £30 spend.

5. Make the most of Bonus Time. I only buy things from Clinique when its Bonus Time so I can get as much for my money as possible. In the UK you usually have to buy two items (one to be skincare) so I keep an eye on the Bonus Time website and carefully time my purchases to take advantage of these offers. Another thing worth bearing in mind is the more exclusive department stores (eg. Harrods) usually have better stuff in their Bonus Time than say Boots does. If you happen to live near a larger department store it may be worth popping in there for a visit as the value of the products you receive is probably more than you would earn in reward points from Boots or Debenhams.

6. Choose your products carefully. This is why it is useful to always visit the same counter and get to know the staff. Only go in when you know it will be quiet so that the staff have got the time to advise you properly. The people who work at Clinique counters have a genuine passion for beauty and skincare so taking the time to chat to them will help you get the most out of your purchases. Don't be afraid to ask to try products either as trying before you buy is essential. You don't want to spend £17 on a lipstick only to find it doesn't suit you. Never buy a product that you haven't tried in store or received a sample of during a promotional offer. That way you know it will work for you.

7. Make the most of new launches as there is usually a free or promotional offer to go with it. For example when the new Beyond Perfecting Foundation launched there was a free colour matched sample for every customer in store. You need so little of this foundation to make it work that my sample pot is still going strong so a quick trip into store was well worth it.

8. Don't be afraid to shop around as there are often deals available online that aren't available in store. Check the Clinique website carefully for offers. Sites such as Fragrencedirect.com often have Clinique products at discount prices and is always worth a look. Feeluinique.com allows you to choose your favourite brand and you always get 10% off with free shipping on orders over £10. This is very useful if you are too busy to go into the store and need to stock up on essentials.

9. If buying online always use Quidco which is an online cashback website. So far I've earnt £80 using this site so its well worth doing.

10. Most importantly always take advantage of instore services such as the Foundation Fit or skin type assessment. The key to getting the best value for your money is to only buy the products that will actually work for you. The more time you invest into choosing your products the better.

These are the methods that have worked well for me, if anyone has any other suggestions or tips I would love to hear them!

New Beauty Buys all under £10

So ok I might have gone a little mental in Boots and Superdrug last week. I only went in there to return a nail varnish I wasn't happy with and before I knew it the three for two offer had sucked me in...

Anyway I'm actually really pleased and impressed with all of these products so wanted to share them as I feel they are really good value for money. Just goes to show you need not spend a fortune to get good quality products providing you make an informed choice.

First off I got myself three new Rimmel lipsticks. I am a big fan of their lipsticks (and Maybellines but I've already got most of theirs) as they last a long time and give a great buildable colour. I got two from the Kate Moss range in shades 01 (far right) and 30 (far left) which are a bright red and a berry colour. My favourite though is from the standard line and is shade 016 called Heart Breaker (centre) and is a lovely rose pink.

I always end up with nail varnishes and I am really loving Barry M ones at the moment. I picked up two from their new Speedy Quick Dry range in Pole Position (far right) and In a Heart Beat (far left) as well as an iridescent shade called Pacific (centre). This looks amazing over my Gelly Hi Shine in Blueberry.

As an extra nail varnish I got an Essie one in Bikini So Teeny which I've been waiting all winter to get. Its such a lovely pastel blue and is perfect for Spring. I've had my eye on the Bourjois cream blushes for ages now so got one in Rose Tender and it comes in the cutest little pot! I'm currently wearing it at work and it just gives the most natural looking flush I've ever seen which is perfect for Spring. The second blush I got was the Max Factor Creme Powder blush in Seductive Pink. I am loving this so much and I've worn it to work twice this week.

In addition to make up I also got some more Nivea extra gentle eye make up remover as its such good value for money and a Boots essentials 3 minute clay mask. At only £1.50 this is a bargain for anyone with oily skin. I also decided it was time to lose my waxing virginity to got some wax strips (not pictured) and sweet jesus does it hurt! Won't be doing that again in a hurry.

Thank to a combination of Boots Points and the Three for Two offer I got the Essie Nail Varnish, 1 Barry M Nail Varnish, 1 Rimmel Lipstick, the Make up remover and the wax strips for free. Boots, you really are the best.

I also dropped into Superdrug to pick up some blackhead removing strips after trying one for the first time last week (soooooo satisfying!) and to grab the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer as they had ran out of my shade in Boots. Have you tried any of these products? Do you have any favorites?

Things that have made me Happy this week.

Since I've started this blog I have found writing these posts on happiness to be particularly helpful. It gives me time to take stock of the week that has just passed and encourages me to be grateful for my life. It can be easy to get caught up in todays pressures from social media to be 'better than everyone else'. But really I am becoming happier to go my own path and to enjoy things just because I like them. Not because I've been told to by the media.
This self reflection is good for my overall happiness. Funny how writing about happiness is somehow making me happier, but there you go.

1. This week I decided to try out something called the Pink Parcel which is where they send you everything you need to make your period less of a torture each month. They have a great introductory offer as well, which was what persuaded me to give it a go. The website is easy to use and you get to choose your normal tampons/towels. The whole process took a few minutes and before I knew it I had an email to say my parcel was dispatched. The packaging is discreet and the box inside is a gorgeous muted grey with pink.
Inside you will find your tampons in little matching boxes and a small drawstring bag to put in your handbag. There is also some delightful goodies and this months box contained a face mask, nail file, lip balm, eyeshadow palette and brush.
There is also some chocolate and a herbal tea bag for you to relax with and pamper yourself. I am so impressed and I had a long bath with my facemask on. You should definitely give it a go!

2. Its Clinique Bonus time at John Lewis at the moment and I popped in to get some more Instant Foaming Cleanser. At the same time I picked up a new Chubby Stick Intense in Mightiest Maraschino which is a brilliant red colour. I've found this to be a great alternative to wearing lipstick as it has the same colour intensity but a lovely light feel.
With this came a little bag of bonus time goodies that you got to choose from a selection. I absolutely love this idea as sometimes the bonus time products aren't really suitable for me but this means you get real value out of your freebies.
As well as the Smart Serum (which I've wanted to try for ages!) and the new Aromatics in White fragrance (which is lovely) I also picked up the new Repairwear Sculpting face and eye creams. The face cream is a gel which is perfect for my oily skin and the eye cream glides on so smoothly. I also got a bright pink nail varnish and a chubby stick in whopping watermelon. Felt very smug and satisfied with my haul. Go me!

3. Made some progress on sorting out where I am going to live next year and the girls I am potentially going to live with seem really nice. Spent a nice afternoon with them chatting and eating cookies. Finding somewhere to live as a student is really stressful and it would be great if I could get this sorted.

4. My Mum has decided to pass down some of her rings to me and my sisters this week and my one is absolutely beautiful. Its an opal with sapphires and it has to be one of the nicest things anyone has ever given me. Big thanks to my Mummy! Maybe one day if I have a little girl I might give it to her as it is such a special gift. I will always treasure it.

5. Spent several evenings this week cuddled up on the sofa under the duvet with a cup of tea watching Harry Potter. I bloody love HP and its such a great way to unwind. It literally never fails to cheer me up. Yep I realise this made the list last week too. That's how much I love it.

6. I did something a bit different this week and went to watch my Unis 'Strictly Come Dancing' competition. I admit I only went because two of my friends were competing and I am so proud to say they won! I've never been to watch anything like this before and surprised myself by really enjoying it. Its encouraged to me to maybe check out some of the other events the uni puts on.

Major new addition to my skin care routine: Clinique Sonic Brush

Say hello to my new Clinique Sonic Brush I promised I wouldn't get. Whoops, well I did. Today is my first day using it and its pretty damn great.

I'm justifying this as a reward for finishing my dissertation and as part of my 'doing what makes me happy campaign' I said I would do once the work was done. And taking care of my skin makes me look great, and that in turn makes me feel amazing.

My plan is to continue to use this alongside my normal 3 Step routine for 1 week and then we'll have a little review of what I reckon the results are.

So far I am impressed with it, it has added a grand total of 30 seconds to my morning routine (although after a month of use I plan on upping this to a minute) and its so simple to use. The reason I was attracted to this face brush over many others on the market is it does not have a rotary head. This makes it very gentle and it feels like a dream on your face. I do not want something that feels like it is scrubbing every last cell on my face off and this does not have that affect at all.

I used it in the shower with my normal Clinique cleanser for oily skin as part 1 of my 3 step routine. I followed this up with step 2 (exfoliate) and step 3 (gel moisturizer) before using All about Eyes cream and Superdefence SPF 20 Moisturizer. In total this whole process took about 4 minutes which is hardly an excessive amount of time. Plus its nice to leave the house each day feeling pampered.

Here is my mug after my first use today. So watch this space for the second part in a weeks time where we will have a look to see what the results are.

I'm really hoping its going to be as good as the rest of my Clinique Products.

The Clinique products I'm currently lusting after

Now first off, the work situation is currently dire. I am in the grip of a tortuous two week exam period and only a few days after my final exam is the hand in date for my dissertation. In case I hadn't gone on about it enough. I've been staring at a computer screen ALL DAY drawing lines in order to make my interpretive map. The good news is I've done one of my exams, submitted a deadline and my map is slowly but surely getting there. Also almost half way through the dissertation. BOOM.

Instead of revising tonight I am procrastinating by making this post. I am a top student.
I've already spent several hours watching Him & Her (rapidly becoming my favorite show of all time) and Orphan Black (only just discovered this, it is so darn gripping!). And I've had a ready meal. But I have spent 8 hours today making that fecking map so I think its only fair enough.

Just as a side note, Clinique have not bribed me in anyway to make this post (although if they want to I would be more than happy to accept aforementioned bribary). I am actually a genuine fan. Also a very poor fan, who would already own all the things on this list if I actually had any money. So please indulge me in another whiny post about all thing stuff I want. This really is way more fun than actually doing any form of work.

1. Turnaround Overnight Radiance Night Cream

I love a good night cream. There is something so luxurious about taking the time to pamper yourself before you go to sleep. Also I am a bit of a sucker for thinking I genuinely look like a model when I wake up after I use one. The reason why I've got my eye on this one is it is oil free and designed for my skin type (which is type 3 in case anyone is interested). I currently use Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask which is great but I think it is a teeeeeeny bit too rich for my shitty oily T-Zone. It also has 95% recommendation rate. Sounds pretty ace to me.

2. Turnaround Instant Facial

Another one from Clinque's turnaround range. I love their other cleansers but I am looking for something that can create a real at home treat. This product (according to the reviews) has sparkly bits in which sounds exciting! I need something that will repair damage done from a late night binge watching Breaking Bad or from too much wine. I feel like I could use this product and skip off to lectures with nobody having a clue how exhausted I am. I want people to be like "Amber's skin is always so radiant! I wish I knew how she did it!". I can dream.

3. Clinique Sonic Brush

I've mentioned this bad boy on here before. But its because I really REALLY WANT ONE. I tried one at my local Clinique counter when they first came out and it was so good. Felt so soft on my skin and I'm certain it could zap the greasy bits by my nose. I feel like it would boost my 3 Step to a whole other level but the expense is certainly holding me back on this one. The huge amount of positive reviews on the website promise I wont regret it, but I still just can't quite bring myself to part with the cash. Maybe I'll spend my birthday money on it... (By which I mean, I will.)

4. Smart Custom Serum

Now this is also a relatively new product from Clinique and I have a free sample of it somewhere. I'm desperate to try it but it has vanished into the depths of my room. This promises to address uneven skin tone and to improve radiance. Sounds pretty incredible to me. Again, this is quite pricy for a student budget so I think I'll have a good look for that free sample and see what I make of it. But serums are all the rage at the moment and I'm keen to see what all the fuss is about. This little beauty also has over 95% recommendation rate and I can't imagine all those people are wrong. I shall prepare for a trip to Boots in the near future.

5. Airbrush Concealer 

My flatmate has this and I find myself stealing it before every night out. I also tried it last time I was at a Clinique counter. Mostly cos I was looking like shit that day and wanted someone to patch me up. I haven't bought it yet because I am too poor. But I am going to. At some point. I need a concealer that will work perfectly with my foundation and I suspect that this is probably the answer. Also I just love that its a pen cos thats so handy for emergency spot hiding. I suspect when I eventually own one I will go though it pretty quickly and it will become a handbag staple.

6. True Bronze Pressed Powder

Another one that I've tried during a makeover at a counter and I loved it! I use bronzer all the time but I am always stressed my cheap one makes me look like an orange amateur. This gave me such a healthy glow and I got so many compliments that day on how great I was looking. I already own Cliniques Fresh Bloom All Over Colour and I think its incredible so hopefully I would love this one just as much.

7. Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm

This is not an essential purchase. I already have several blushers that are all great. This is purely something I want. As I already have 3 Chubby Sticks I am confident that this would be a flattering, long lasting colour. I've never owned a cream blush but I constantly read that they give a very natural flush which sounds good to me. I like to go for the natural look on a daily basis so anything that can help me achieve that has to be on my wishlist.

8. Long Last Lipstick

I already own two of these and they are by far my favourite lipsticks. They are soft, creamy and really do last for ages. Ive already mentioned my newer of the two called So Sweet here and I am devastated that Clinique decided to discontinue it. What will I do when it runs out!! There are several different colours that I like the look of available such as Black Violet, Watermelon, Pink Spice, Rose Shimmer, Violet Berry, Heather Moon, Dubonet... Basically all of them! I probably need to go into store and spend a delightful hour trying them all on. I highly recommend these lipsticks. You need one in your life. And for a high end lipstick they are very reasonably priced.

So in conclusion: I need to get saving. When I finish this exam hell I plan on going on a splurge to reward myself. What the hell.

Pictures all from Clinique,