Current Make Up Favourites - Mac Soar Lip Pencil

I'd read online and in magazines that Soar lip pencil by Mac was notoriously difficult to get a hold of due to it apparently being Kylie Jenners lip pencil of choice - Kylie Jenner for those who of you who don't know is part of the Kardashian/Jenner clan and caused a worldwide fascination with her now infamous pout. Apparently Kylie used Soar and a combination of other products to plump up her pout when in actual fact she had had lip fillers to achieve her look and it wasn't due to a magic lip pencil but still I liked her look and wanted to try the pencil for myself. 

Imagine my surprise/delight when I saw it in stock online at Mac, I knew I had to make an order. I initially ordered it to have it as part of my professional makeup kit, but once I had swatched it, I knew it had to be mine and mine only!  

Soar is a matte cool toned pinky, mauve colour which is the kind of colour I tend to gravitate towards anyway. It's also got a bit of a brown undertone as well in certain lights (which you can see in the above photo)  It's a perfect colour for an every day lip, it is one of those colours that is 'your lips but better' thing and the more product you add the deeper the colour, creating the perfect pout for a night out! And yes, if you do want to slightly over line your lips without looking like a clown - you really can do that with this if that's the look you're after. 

All in all, I absolutely love this lip pencil. It's been a great addition to my makeup collection. 

Do you have a favourite lip pencil? Are you fans of Mac makeup? 

Sarah X 

Review - Hydraluron

Now where do I start with this little bundle of joy? It's totally transformed my skin and it's love! 

After being somewhat of a skincare floozie at the beginning of the year, my skin started to flare up due to the amount of different products I had incorporated into my skincare routine. Now I know that I'm a sensitive wee soul when it comes to life in general however especially when it comes to what I slap on my face, so to start using products clearly laden with fragrance and lots of additives (I'm looking at you Nip & Fab!) clearly was not going to suit me. My cheeks erupted with bumpy, red spots, dryness, open pores and was so unsightly it started to make me feel really down in the dumps.  

I had read various different reviews about Hydraluron, claiming it to be the best hydrating serum they have used, but I was always put off by the price (it currently retails at £24.99 in Boots) however Boots had a special offer on where it was down to £16 and with enough Boots Advantage points I promptly made the order and have never looked back! 

I have definitely noticed a vast improvement in the texture and tone of my skin since introducing Hydraluron into my skincare regime. Indeed Laboratories who produce Hydraluron state that Hydraluron contains one of the purest forms of hyaluronic acid which is an extremely hydrating ingredient and holds up to 1000 x's its weight in water. Basically it acts like a glue to anything you put on top of it - so you apply this, put your moisturiser on - and it stays there - the water in your moisturiser takes longer to evaporate off the surface of the skin. It's a simple yet very effective serum, no fragrance, no added extras just plain and simple skincare. 

I use it in the areas where I struggle most which for me is the cheek area. I squeeze a pea size amount, rub between my fingers then pat it on. I then wait a minute or so until it sinks in then I apply my trusty Nivea moisturiser on top. So far it seems to be working! My skin feels instantly hydrated and plump. I also use Hydraluron in the mornings before I apply my makeup, this is really where I've noticed a vast improvement. Those of you with dry/dehydrated skin will know you must prep your skin with moisture beforehand otherwise foundation etc tends to cling to those awful dry areas, never a good look! But adding in this extra step, my makeup blends better, it's got a healthy glow and best of all no unsightly dry patches. 

As much as I am raving about this product, I'm also using it in conjunction with my other skincare essentials- cream cleanser and moisturiser. It's just this is an extra step I've incorporated and it seems to be working well for me. 

Have you tried Hydraluron? Let me know your thoughts! 

Sarah X 

My Winter Skincare Wonders

Every year as we enter autumn/winter, without fail my skin seems to be sucked of any moisture it has and take on the appearance of a dried prune. Attractive. This has been something that's bothered me for the last few years, last year in particular, where I was left with very dry, sensitive skin, my cheeks would turn beetroot red with one look at a cleanser! After years of relying on my old faithful, Nivea moisturiser and not much else mainly due to the fact I was sensitive soul to EVERYTHING, I did my research and finally decided to introduce natural skincare oils and moisture boosting creams into my regime. 

My previous skincare routine, as I mentioned briefly earlier, consisted of a splash of cold water and lashings of Nivea. Tut, tut! I still love using Nivea but my skin desperately needed some extra moisture oomph, so read on to find out what products have put a smile back on my now well moisturised face :) 

Una Brennan Superfacialist Vitamin C Skin Renew Cleansing Oil. I can be very wary of cleansers, I've used them in the past and it looked like I'd gone AWOL with a bright red blusher! Not a good look! I have to say, I was slightly apprehensive about using an oil based cleanser as I thought my skin might clog and feel overloaded but I have to say I've been pleasantly surprised. My skin does look and feel smoother - intact, my complexion looked brighter after just one use. The cleanser does leave a slight residue afterwards but it certainly doesn't feel sticky or greasy,  and it has a lovely, orangey fragrance. I use this mainly in the evening, however if I feel my skin is in need of a little something something, I will also use it in the morning. The Una Brennan Superfacialist Vitamin C Skin Renew Cleansing Oil contains Rosehip Oil which leads me onto my next Winter Wonder Skincare item. 

Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil. Rosehip oil contains fatty acids, vitamin E and the antioxidant, lycopene, all known as healthy skin promoters. As well as improving skin moisture and softness, it is also touted as a wonder oil that can decrease the appearance of fine lines, scars and stretch marks. I've only been using it for a couple of months but I can safely say that I've noticed a marked improvement in the texture of my skin. It really is much smoother, soft to touch and not a dry patch in sight! I use the oil in the evening all over my face as a moisturiser and it really does seem to have rejuvenated my skin!

Clarins Moisture Quench Moisturiser. I’d been on the hunt for a decent moisturiser for a while but after receiving a sample of this Clarins moisturiser, I just knew I had to invest in a full pot. It’s the perfect moisturiser for me as it contains SPF15, it's hydrating enough to combat my dehydrated skin and sort out dry patches, it’s not overly greasy or sticky and sinks into the skin like a dream. I've actually been mixing a small quantity of the moisturiser with the Rosehip oil at night time for a double hydration boost. 

So there you have my Winter Skincare Wonder products. Have you tried any of these products? Or if you have any winter skincare product suggestions, let me know! Thanks for reading x

**Please excuse the very poor lighting in the photo. I took the photo at night and had to add a few filters to brighten it up!