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In the last few months of 2015, I got my skincare down to a few products that really work for me, leaving my skin looking the best it's looked for a long time. I do this morning and night and it also doesn't take too long as generally at night I just want to get straight into bed. I've thrown in a couple of extra products that I use when i'm in the mood to pamper myself and take extra time with my skincare.



First up I use the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, which I must have used for the past 5/6 years showing how good a product it is. It gently removes all traces of makeup and dirt and leaves my skin looking and feeling smooth and i genuinely can't imagine using anything else.

Once I've cleansed, I use the Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic on a cotton wool pad all over the skin. It removes any traces of dirt or makeup that the cleanser may have missed and refreshes my skin. I used this with my first bottle of cleanse and polish however once it ran out I didn't repurchase and used alternatives. Fast forward 4 or 5 years later and my skin was looking really dull, lifeless and generally not good. I think this was from using harsh products that were meant to get rid of spots and blemishes. I decided to give the tonic another whirl and I am so glad I did. It made such a difference in only a couple of uses; brightening, calming and evening out my skin and it has been a saviour. 

On an average morning or night, I finish with the Simple Kind to Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser which has definitely aided with the Skin Tonic to clear my skin. I generally had quite good skin, getting the odd few spots (mainly on my chin!) every couple of weeks however I went through a stage when my skin was the worst it's ever been. I found myself getting quite a few, big, ugly spots (still mainly on my chin) constantly, becoming quite self conscious about it and nothing would make them any better. I would use products that were designed for targeting spots and blemishes however nothing would change. I then started to use this moisturiser and they gradually started to disappear and my skin was getting better and better. I don't know whether it was something in the harsh 'spot prone skin' type moisturisers that reacted with my skin or Simples' products having no artificial ingredients and chemicals but it has worked wonders and it is only £3.99, what a bargain! I obviously do still get spots every so often but my skin is so much clearer and smoother. 



Normally whens it's that time of the month, is when I break out, so when I do or when I'm feeling a lil' groggy i'll use a face mask, either (another Liz Earle product) the Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask or the Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2-in-1 Wash & Mask. Both really good, one on the cheaper side and one more expensive. 

If my skin is behaving badly I also sometimes use the Teoxane Perfect Skin Refiner at night and only on a weekly or twice weekly basis as it is a harsh product however it does work well. 

I throw in some other products every so often but the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, Instant Boost Skin Tonic and the Simple Moisturiser make up my every day skincare routine. Quick, easy and simple!

Every girl seems to have the same obsession with berry/ purple/ plum in Autumn and Winter and it has been no different for me over the last few months. So.. here is my pick of the bunch to help you follow the trend.

We're in to 2016 (on a side note- how?!) and so i thought it was only right that i do another ASOS Wishlist. I've actually only just received an ASOS parcel but my 'saved items' page is ever growing and i might as well make the most of the January sales, right?


                              
               

                             
Can you tell i'm into monochrome? Oops!

I received a 30% off beauty email from ASOS in my lecture and i knew exactly what i would be doing when i got back. I had to constrain myself from spending all of my student loan but you've got to make the most of a sale, right?!

Stila Convertible Color Dual Lip and Cheek Cream- Peach Blossom
I've wanted to try this for ages after hearing very good reviews but I've never got around to actually buying it. First of all i love the packaging, its small, cute and pretty. I think the shade works for all year round but will be especially good in Spring and Summer. On first glance it also seems to be really pigmented and blends like a dream, why didn't i get my hands on one sooner?!

Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder
I only ever really use the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder and i've been wanting to try something different for a while. I love the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundations and so i thought this would be good to try, especially as it apparently still leaves a glow to the skin which i'm liking at the minute.

Bourjois Gold Bronzing Powder
I actually bought the wrong bronzer here and i'm gutted! I meant to buy the matte version so i could contour with it as well but bought the shimmery one by mistake and i'm not the biggest fan of shimmery bronzers. It still smells amazing and blends really nicely and i'll probably make good use of it in the summer but for now its going to the back of my makeup collection. 

Rimmel Kate Moss Nude Collection Lipstick- 43
I love nude lips and i love the Kate Moss Rimmel lipsticks and so what is not to love about this? I did actually buy a shade darker than i wanted but i still love it and i'm definitely going to get good wear out of it. I'd say it is a brown peachy shade which would definitely suit a lot of skin tones. Rimmel and Kate Moss just seem to smash it when it comes to lipsticks and they are such a good price, definitely one of my favourites!

Like so many people, i'm a big advocate of Real Techniques. Most of my brushes are RT; they're soft, high quality and affordable, just to name a few of the long list of their plus points. Sam and Nic have just nailed it. I've managed (with difficulty) to narrow my collection down to my 3 favourites, going for the 3 that i use the most!

The Buffing Brush
Probably the most well known and well loved RT brush and deservedly so. I owned this a few years ago, loved it, lost it, used the Expert Face Brush for a good year instead and then re-bought it and i've barely used anything else to apply foundation since. As the name suggests it just buffs foundation in flawlessly as well as being speedy.

The Multi- Task Brush
Another perfectly named brush. I mainly use it for bronzer but when i'm feeling lazy i use it for the whole works, powder, blusher and even highlighter. Its super soft and is the perfect shape and size for the cheeks.

The Setting Brush
I also use the setting brush for a number of things but i mainly use it for blending in concealer. It is the perfect size to fit under the eye and really leaves a flawless but not cakey finish. I also love this brush for highlighter as it gives you lots of control so you don't go overboard on the glow. As the name suggests it is also great for setting your makeup if you only want a small amount of powder in certain places.

I'm sure most people already own Real Technique brushes but if you don't, get on it now, you won't be disappointed! This may just give you inspiration on the next RT brush you want to own.