Models Own HyperGel Polish - White Light  |  Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation  |  Melvita L'Or Bio Extraordinary Oil*  |  L'Orèal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Fresh Feel Gel  |  Rimmel London 60 Seconds Nail Polish - Mary Mary Quite Contrary  |  Caudalíe Vinosource S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum

I decided to write this post on a beautiful sunny day, it was a few days later when I actually got round to posting it and oh how things have changed... is it raining everywhere else like it is in Leeds?!  Hey ho, summer will be back with us soon, right?

Since the weather's been getting warmer I've felt more and more inclined to get my tan on.  I've not actually used fake in tan in a long time so was a little unsure of what to try first.  Having borrowed my mum's bottle of of the L'Orèal Paris Fresh Feel Gel before a wedding we recently attended, I was more than happy to go out and pick my one of my own.  This is really a Fresh Feel product, not something that you often find with fake tans, the light gel goes on incredibly easily and gives a decent bronzed look without too much 'biscuit smell' or orange side effects.  

I've had the Melvita L'Or Bio Extraordinary Oil for nearly a year, I use it all the time and still have nearly half the bottle left!  This dry oil can be used on the face, hair and body but I only ever use it on my body.  I can't get on with body butters on a regular basis, they are too heavy for everyday use in my opinion - I just don't have the time to wait for them to dry!  Melvita's Extraordinary oil leave my skin nicely moisturised without being remotely sticky or greasy. The best thing about the oil is that it smells amazing, just like the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse... basically, holidays and summer!

I'm so in love with the Caudalíe Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum, I'm never without a bottle!  It truly feels like a gulp of water or an injection of some seriously oxygenated moisture onto your skin, perfect on those warmer mornings.  I wish the feeling would last all day, but it definitely continues to work wonder for my skin, aided by the contents of hyaluronic acid for some serious moisture absorption.

I've never been a fan of heavy foundation, non that I've tried have ever sat very well on my skin - especially when the sun is out.  The Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation however is light enough for me to feel comfortable, and has just enough coverage that those pesky spots and imperfections are muted.  The serum consistency gives that healthy dewy finish that I fell like I've been striving for for such a long time, but that up until now has always fallen short with other high street foundations - that instead just look that little bit oily!

Finally light coloured nail polishes are a definite essential for me in summertime!  Two of my favourites at the moment are Models Own HyperGel in White Light and Rimmel London's Mary Mary Quite Contrary.  Both apply really nicely, and look nicely summery, they'll be even better if I ever get a tan!  The Models Own Hyper Gel doesn't have the longevity you'd expect from such a well known brand, it can chip within the day for me.  A good top coat goes a way to fix that though, nothing will stop loving a whit nail polish at the moment!

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Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Kabuki Brush

Real Technique make-up brushes have transformed how I use make-up, I've repurchased the Core Collection a number of times as it's such a great set for the basics - foundation, blusher, eye/ lip / brow detail.  I've got a fair few of the other Real Technique brushes, the Expert Face Brush and the Start Set I've already reviewed in this blog but I'm sure the others will all be popping up on here at some point - let me know in the comments below if you would like see more on my full collection.

We are no way near the stage where we should be buying ornaments or soft furnishings for our new house, but I can't go into TK Maxx without coming out without at least a few bits and pieces - it's an Aladdin's cave of loveliness for the home, and more!

When we popped in the TK Maxx Home Store, HomeSense, looking for a larger piece or furniture all thoughts of a coffee table or chair went out of the window when I spotted the glass trinket boxes for only £7.99 each.  Both trinket boxes came with a 'Passport to India' label - I wonder if this is a TK Maxx brand as I can't find anything about Passport to India on the web.  I'm not sure what I'll end up storing in these little beauties but I plan on displaying them on them the shelves we plan on installing in the alcove of our living room.

I can't ever resist giving ALL the candles in TK Maxx a good stiff, the Pecksniff's Gardenia & White Peach candle has that lovely fresh laundry smell and with a pretty little silver lid, I couldn't resist taking it home - to also sit on the living room shelves, once they're up!

The last, and possibly my favourite new item, is the cute little wise words journal.  As soon as I picked up the journal Chris asked whether I really needed another note book that I wrote next to nothing in - I suppose he's right, but of course my answer was YES!  how could I resist that little owl motif! 

Are you like me in TK Maxx or HomeSense - never able to leave without a little something?  Let me know if you've picked up any bargains recently!

RMK Cleansing Balm | £29 (lookfantastic.com)

It's been so long since I've posted a beauty review I've almost forgotten how to do it!  However, I've been thinking a lot recently about purchasing the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm, but I'm struggling to part with that much cash!  To placate myself I decided to shop my stash... I am try to save money to do up my new house after all!  A cleansing balm that I found hidden away and, on (re)discovery, loved so much that I used it all up in a few short weeks is the RMK Cleansing Balm.  One of my all time favourite scents is rose, so this product was an absolute joy for me to use - with one of the main ingredients boasted in the product being damascus rose oil, perfect for repairing dry skin from irritation, inflammation and breakouts.  

My skin feels seriously hydrated and incredibly clean after every use.  The solid texture of this balm at first is a little unusual but it melts into what feels like a completely different product, almost oil like, which is so silky and light it clears all make-up without leaving any residue... just that gorgeous rose scent!  The product is effective enough to clear all make-up (to really clear heavy mascara a double cleanse is most effective) though gently enough to use around the eyes.  When I had the product on the go I would use the balm morning and night, directly onto dry skin, after massaging a good amount all over my face and neck I would use a damp hot cloth to gentle remove the product - often resting the hot cloth on my face before removing the product so I could enjoy the beautiful rose scent!

I was so happy with my skin when using the RMK Cleansing Balm, it felt glowy and relatively spot free.  The biggest bonus was that the balm didn't dry my skin out at all - the all time turn off with a cleanser!  I'd happily repurchase, but what do you guys think?  Have any of you tried both this and the Emma Hardie Cleansing balm, if so let me know which you'd recommend... I'm still tempted that most popular product right now!