January was a bit spendy for me. Traditionally it’s a month when people tighten their belts after the excesses of Christmas, but I had a horrible head cold. I haven’t been ill for years and I’ve never had Covid so this head cold, along with a raging headache, ringing in my ear, loss of voice and a hacking cough that just wouldn’t quit, knocked me for six.
You know things are bad when lying on the sofa watching soppy films feels like too much effort. However, I did muster up enough strength to buy a few bits and pieces.
TRAINERS
I bought a gorgeous, comfortable, pair of Michael, Michael Kors Canvas Geena Slip-On Wedge Trainers. They are now back up to £190.00. I bought them for £85.00 from John Lewis in the January sales.
I bought three pairs actually. I couldn’t get my foot into the size 6 pair and bought sizes 6.5 and 7 in case this Michael, Michael Kors diffusion range was a small fit. It turns out they are true to size and I hadn’t removed the tissue from the toe area.
These are some of the other things I purchased, though I returned anything silly I bought when I was completely delirious.
CLARINS
Clarins Eau Ressourçante Treatment Fragrance Spray 100ml (usually £39.00) £35.05 AllBeauty*
Not a huge discount!
Eau Ressourcante contains pure plant extracts to soothe and balance your world.
With essential oils of Basil, Iris, Cedar-wood, Sarsaparilla and pure plant extracts, this treatment fragrance creates a feeling of complete relaxation while moisturising the skin.
I don’t wear this as perfume which is why a bottle lasts a couple of years at least. I use this to scent the bathroom and bedroom. It’s spa-like and uplifting and was also my fragrance when I was expecting my boys which is why it holds happy memories for me. Fragrance equals memories and I always buy a new one when I know there’s going to be a big event in my life.
I also use the matching body cream after each shower, even if I use other body lotions, it’s great for parched shins too.
Clarins Eau Ressourçante Silky-Smooth Body Cream (usually £31.00) £27.25 200ml Escentual
ESTÉE LAUDER
Estée Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Foundation SPF20 3N1 Ivory Beige 30ml. Usually £37.50 but you should be able to get it for £30.00 at Boots or Look Fantastic
Sheer makeup with all-day-long wear staying power.
Double Wear Sheer is weightless, fresh-feeling, matte makeup with lasting, all-day-long wear. Visibly perfected with a softly diffused matte finish.
Cool (C) undertones: Bare skin has a rosy tone and burns easily in the sun. (Me)
Neutral (N) undertones: Bare skin is more even-toned, not too pink or golden.
Warm (W) undertones: Bare skin has a golden or olive tone and tans easily in the sun.
THE find of the year, though it has horrible reviews! The only reason I bought it was that my shade 3N1 – which in theory, shouldn’t suit me as I’m cool-toned, was in stock and it seemed to be a very light formula.
Plus all the negatives – it’s thin and watery, matte, coverage is very sheer etc, was exactly what I was looking for.
When I first opened it I thought I’d messed up with the shade as it looked very dark, but then I swatched it (above), Double Wear Sheer on the left, and compared it to a precious blob of my remaining Double Wear Light (probably not safe to use, it must be years old) and they were very similar. I’ve edited the swatch to lighten it but the colour still isn’t a true representation of the shade, but just look how watery it is – perfect.
It is absolutely not a substitute for the amazing Double Wear Light which Estee Lauder should not have discontinued, although you can still buy Truffle and Deep Amber from Look Fantastic.
This is not a foundation to cover up blemishes, but it does even out skin tone. I find it’s not completely matte, which is good, there’s a very slight non-shiny, flattering sheen.
I’m not sure why, but my skin since I’ve been unwell has been perfectand clear. Though unfortunately, there are definitely new wrinkles that have suddenly appeared, I don’t know if that’s from illness, coughing, rubbing watery eyes, or the fact that I’ve not used any anti-ageing devices for 7 weeks, just a simple moisturiser.
I’ve used all three products below from the Double Wear range.
- Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup – Full coverage, loved it but now as my skin is more mature, it’s just too heavy for me. £29.50 AllBeauty *
- Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup – I bought two of these by mistake , but received a full refund after sending a photo with a swatch on my skin. The coverage is insane as in crazy heavy. It’s like cakey stage makeup, but, if you need to cover scars or birthmarks and you nail your shade, then it’s ideal. £32.85 AllBeauty *
- Estée Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Foundation SPF20 – My new BFF £30.05 AllBeauty *
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Flawless Wear Concealer £21.15 AllBeauty * Wider choice of shades for £22.95 Look Fantastic *
When I was desperate to cover up a rash this concealer was a lifesaver. Click on the image below for my review and a link to photos of one of the most horrendous allergic rashes you’ve ever seen.
I’ll probably buy Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Matte Powder Foundation SPF10 as my shade, 3N1 Ivory Beige 12g is in stock – was £39.50 and now £32.40 AllBeauty *
Though once again, Look Fantastic has all the shades at just a pound off the full price £38.50 *
MAYBELLINE
Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara Brown £11.99 Look Fantastic *
Lash Sensational Sky High mascara delivers full volume and a limitless length look.
Our exclusive Flex Tower mascara brush bends to volumize and extend every single lash from root to tip.
Washable mascara formula infused with bamboo extract and fibres for long, full lashes that never get weighed down.
Allergy tested. Ophthalmologist tested. Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Removes easily.
I’m always on the lookout for cool-toned, brown mascara.
It was the brush shape that sold me on this one, the wand head is very flexible and coats every little eyelash, ideal for those of us with sparse lashes, it’s easy to remove as well. I find the formula quite wet so always dab it first on kitchen paper – toilet tissue leaves fibres behind.
What would make it absolutely perfect is a waterproof formula in brown, but it seems to only come in black, which is annoying.
I bought mine from Boots as they have brown in stock and paid £11.99, though I’m sure you can shop around for a better price. Look Fantastic sells value multipacks but only in the shade black.
BEAUTY PIE
I love you Beauty Pie, why don’t you love me, i.e. make me an affiliate?
Actually, I think I do know why. I don’t love everything they produce and I’ve been vocal about it on here. I find their products are either exceptional or mediocre, but here are four products that do deliver.
One was only available to members in a limited edition. One is a repeat buy and the other two are amazing new finds.
SUPER HEALTHY HAIR™ ELASTIC-REPAIR TREATMENT 160ml £8.50 if a Beauty Pie member.
For bond repair, hair cuticle smoothing and shine, and heat damage reversal.
Use after conditioner, as a bond-repair and elasticiser, once or twice a week, to strengthen the hair cuticle from the inside out, reverse and repair heat and colour damage, smooth split ends, protect colour and leave hair looking healthier, stronger and shinier. *Note, this is NOT a nourishing treatment. It’s a strengthening formula, for body, elasticity and shine. Suitable for damaged hair.
I LOVE this! It’s like an after-conditioner Olaplex No. 3 – at a fraction of the price.
It has a clean spa-like scent and my hair feels fantastic and looks shiny afterward. I bought another two just in case it sells out.
BLUSHER
Supercheek™ Cream Blush (Blazed Apple) 5g £12.00 for Beauty Pie members.
Gorgeous little pans of rub-on colour pop – perfect for adding life back into your cheeks.
With a super blendable pillowy matte texture that melts into your skin, cushioning oils and a super-natural finish, you’ll want them in every makeup bag. Deluxe. Italian.
What a find!
The shade seems extreme for someone who suffers from mild rosacea, you think, aren’t you red enough? But it’s so flattering and can be built up in ultra-thin layers. It makes me look fresh (yes, really) and wide awake. Plus it doesn’t emphasize pores. I also use a dot of colour as the base shade for my lips.
I have to eat my previous words when I said coral was a no-no for mature skin, though this leans towards a cool red. Sure, I’ve over-applied it a few times and went out looking like I’d been caught in a blazing inferno but it is MY perfect shade of blush.
Here are the other gorgeous shades, suitable for all skin tones.
SUNSCREEN
Super Heathy Skin™ Featherlight UVA/UVB SPF 50 Sunscreen + Primer 50ml £13.50 Beauty Pie
A state-of-the-art, must-have 2-in-1 SPF 50 sunscreen-plus-primer.
A featherlight SPF 50, with light-absorbing DNA Shield + Chromophores to help fight inflammation and sun damage, Vitis Vita Grape Extract for skin detoxification and rehydration, plus VitaFreeze active Tomato Stem Cell Extract – a natural blend of Peptides and Sugar Molecules that reduce the level of stress-induced reactive oxygen species.
Apply every day.
The best anti-ageing cream you can buy is sunscreen – my new tagline!
This is an essential repeat purchase and I buy the multipacks of three now – saving myself a whooping 50p!
It’s perfect, light with a non-shiny finish, and behaves nicely as a very slightly sheeny primer under makeup, just let it sink in for 5-10 minutes. I use it on my face including my ears, neck and chest.
There’s an SPF25 one available too, but I’m more than happy with this one, it doesn’t leave a white cast and works beautifully as a primer.
Whatever brand you choose, buy sunscreen and use it every day. Your skin will thank you later – much later.
HAIR
Super Healthy Hair 237ml £13.50 Beauty Pie
A highly-vitaminized pre-wash glossing seal to soften and smooth unruly hair.
Give wild-child hair its silkiness back with this fast-acting Vitamin C and Biotin-infused pre-wash luxe hair treatment.
Contains FLEXEXTEND™ for long-lasting damage repair, an UBERSMOOTH™ SYSTEM conditioner and a 5-VITAMIN ELIXIR™ to strengthen and moisturize the hair and scalp.
This was a limited-run insider product and after only two uses I went to buy more and it had sold out.
You know I can’t resist a hair product and this one exceeded all expectations. It’s a little bit ‘wet’ to apply pre-shampoo as you have to saturate hair, but I only use it on the middle and ends of hair now as my bottle is running low and there’s no more to be had unless they bring it out as a permanent product, which they will I guarantee. I used it alongside Beauty Pie’s Repair Treatment and my hair was glossy without flatness or a feeling it was coated with product.
8 GREENS
Daily Greens – 8 Greens Effervescent Tablet is made from 8 real greens; spinach, kale, aloe vera, wheatgrass, blue-green algae, barley grass, chlorella and spirulina.
I don’t know if it was a coincidence or not, but in the run-up to Christmas ie from November onwards, I didn’t take any vitamins or supplements, I just didn’t have the time. Did this make my illness worse? Prolong it even as I still have a random cough irritating my throat every now and then?
I can’t remember where I first heard about 8 Greens, but I was unwell and was looking for different supplements.
Experts say effervescent vitamin C products are a waste of money as they leave the body when you wee, but I don’t know, surely something takes?
Anyway, I bought 60 tablets for £78.00, which does seem insane to me now. I think I’ll take them every other day to get my money’s worth. You can, of course, buy them in packs of ten.
I bought Blood Orange but there are also Melon and Lemon and Lime flavours. The smell is a little bit ‘wet cardboard’ at first but then the orange kicks in.
A free tube of 10 melon tablets was included in my order which was a nice surprise, and now I prefer that flavour to the orange ones.
8 Greens
There’s an interesting back story to the formation of 8 Greens and its founder, Dawn Russell which is a good read here.
CHARLOTTE TILBURY
Hypnotising Pop Shots Diamond Eyes £25.00
Single iridescent pearl eyeshadow with a veil of sheer shimmer for a multi-dimensional eye look.
I love a little shimmer but only dotted in the centre of the mobile eyelid. It lifts eye makeup plus that area usually remains the last crepe-free eye zone if you’re of a certain age.
It’s a perfect match for Charlotte’s Colour Chameleon eyeshadow pencil in shade Champagne Diamonds. A favourite of mine as a liner on the lower eyelid.
Now, the first one I received didn’t seem right. The shadow was super soft and the brush would make a huge dent in it. Loads of glittery particles fell away as I was trying to apply it. It was as if I was applying glitter and it went everywhere.
It turns out it was a dodgy one and Charlotte Tilbury sent me a replacement within 24 hours – you can’t fault their customer service. Oh, and the case is super cute, not that you’re going to whip it out in public to reapply eyeshadow.
The new one is perfect, the shadow is still buttery soft but there’s no fallout. For a full-on glamour look you can blend it out all over the eye but I experimented and found the best way to apply it for me, is with a foam applicator in a light dabbing motion just in the centre mobile lid.
Boots and Superdrug are taking the mickey for charging £2.00 for just 10 applicators, but on Amazon you can buy 100 dual-sided ones for £5.00.
On younger line-free, eyes, this shade is going to look spectacular and it really will pop on darker skin tones.
It comes in 6 shades but Diamond Eyes is currently sold out – of course, it has it’s gorgeous!
Magic Vanish Colour Corrector 2.5ml £26.00
Neutralise and smooth the complexion with Charlotte Tilbury Magic Vanish, a colour corrector and concealer that helps to disguise pigmentation, blur imperfections and brighten the under-eye area.
Apply by tapping it under your eye area using your ring finger. Then apply Magic Away Concealer to bring it back to your skin tone. Not sure about that. I bought Magic Away Liquid Concealer when it first came out and didn’t get on with it too well. The applicator sponge felt clunky and I found the formula was too heavy and creamy.
This corrector, however, is a powder but the texture is creamy, it melts onto fingers but is as light as air and does a great job of brightening under eye darkness and the inner corners of eyes.
I have colour correctors that I’m more than happy with but I was seduced by all the positive reviews from mature women – though for balance there are a fair number of people saying it’s cakey or didn’t cover circles completely.
The biggest gripe appears to be how little product there is for the money, just 2.5ml for £26.00. I blame the compact, it looks as though there should be far more product in it. The compact is as gorgeous as you’d expect from a Charlotte Tilbury product but proportionally it is more casing than product.
The thing is it’s so much easier to access with your finger. I don’t really like to dip my fingers into products but it seems to be the preferred method of application and the mirror is just the right size when you apply it on the go. As for the hygiene aspect, I just dap the surface gently with a little kitchen paper to lift off any oil from my fingers.
Touch-ups are definitely necessary during the day, the formula is ultra-light and never settles into lines or looks cakey in my experience. If I find I’m looking tired during the day, I just dab on a little more to lift that area.
I bought everything from the official Charlotte Tilbury website for 20% off, but that was because I had been automatically enrolled into ‘Charlotte’s Loyalty Programme’, I must have built up points from past purchases and the discount was one of the perks.
ELEMIS
Elemis Anti-Ageing Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask 15ml £45.60 (from £57.00) AllBeauty *
The Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask is a rejuvenating treatment that minimises the visible signs of ageing around the eyes. It targets puffiness and dark circles, removing them for a more youthful appearance.
It infuses the skin with powerful Hyaluronic Acid and Watermelon Snow Algae which smooth and perfects the skin, locking in moisture. Bush Clover provides essential antioxidants that protect the skin against environmental aggressors.
To use: Apply 3 times per week to the eye contour area. Apply mornings under or over makeup. Alternatively, apply in the evenings and leave overnight to absorb.
Forever a fan of Elemis Pro-Collagen range, I felt I needed to do something about the fine lines around my eyes. I’m going to use this in conjunction with the LED Eye Perfector mask. I was seeing a tangible improvement and then I stopped using all LED devices as I just felt so yucky. But, with ten cough-free nights, I’m getting back on board this week.
REVOLUTION
Revolution Skincare Gold Eye Hydrogel Hydrating Eye Patches with Colloidal Gold 30 pairs £15.00 £9-9.50
These luxe hydrogel eye patches are infused with Vegan Collagen and Collodial Gold to help lift and firm the appearance of the delicate eye area.
We’ve also added a powerful moisturising complex of Glycerin, Allantoin, Algae Extract, and Hyaluronic Acid that work together to draw and bind moisture into the skin.
In just 10 minutes, the gold patches work hard to deliver intense cooling hydration, leaving your eye area looking positively glowing and refreshed.
I used to buy Koelf Gold Royal Jelly Eye Masks from Yes Style, an Asian beauty and fashion website based in Hong Kong selling products from Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. I rate them highly but delivery can take a while so I found these by Revolution and bought them to help with my dark circles – which I had almost eliminated – I’ll post up the regimen that worked for me. Dark circles are inevitable with age and there’s just so much you can do cosmetically, but eye patches, creams and light tapping around the eye area all seemed to improve them.
These patches are almost identical to the Koelf ones, they’re a slither thinner and a couple of them had tiny tears but they work in exactly the same way. I leave them on until they shrivel up and my skin has sucked up all the moisture. If you have the luxury of time, apply the mask before makeup and everything will go on smoother and look brighter. I leave mine next to my toothbrush to remind me to slap them on in the morning.
Yes Style has had a makeover and the website is less hectic looking and easier to navigate now. I particularly love the vast array of shades of eyeshadows, lipsticks and lip glosses. I’ve bought makeup from them in past and the products are clean and new. The prices are fairly competitive though always check out how much product you’re getting, it might be my giant hands – not that big really, but I find a lot of the palettes quite small.
I steer clear of the fashion side, I probably couldn’t even get my arm into any of the clothes.
CLINIQUE
Aromatics Elixir™ Body Smoother 200ml £34.50 £28.95 AllBeauty * I bought mine for £26.05 prices go up and down on AllBeauty!
Aromatics Elixir™ Body Smoother 200ml £34.50 £28.95 AllBeauty *
A shimmering gold gel that gently washes the body with fragrance.
This calming Body Smoother helps relax you with a combination of rose essence, sandalwood and camomile while keeping skin hydrated.
Clinique’s Aromatics Elixir™ has a unique, fairly heavy fragrance that won’t appeal to everyone. In fact, I find the Aromatics Elixir™ perfume very cloying and sickly, it’s the sandalwood. The bath and body products smell luxurious though and the scent lingers in the bathroom long after you’ve had a shower.
The body smoother, meaning body lotion, of course, there are no smoothing properties here, has the same indulgent fragrance which lasts on the skin throughout the day. I have a lot of similar body products but these two crank up the luxe factor.
Looking back on my purchases it’s obvious I felt in need of some self-care when I was unwell. Foundation, makeup, hair products, eye masks, supplements and bath skin products. All designed to make me feel and look better.
Mark is great to run around and get me anything I need, but sometimes you want to spoil yourself – and I certainly did that.
