November Beauty Favourites

Review: Origins High Potency Night A Mins Mineral Enriched Renewal Cream

In early September I went to an Origins Event hosted by Company Magazine which was a great opportunity to play around with all of Origins' skincare and I also was fortunate enough to leave the event with a 30ml sample of their High Potency Night A Mins Mineral-Enriched Renewal Cream*. I hadn't ever considered trying this moisturiser before - something about the name and, if I'm totally honest, the colour of the jar had always put me off it. However, I've used this as my night cream since the end of September and it lasted me two months so now that I've finished it I thought I would give it a full review.

The cream itself is quite thick and a little goes a long way. I always would apply it sparingly and then reapply anywhere that I felt needed some extra moisture, this would normally be my cheeks. I found that although it was intensely hydrating it didn't aggravate my skin and it didn't break me out (something I'm always worried about when I try new moisturisers, especially night creams). I would apply it at night and would then wake up the next morning with really soft, plump skin and I had no issues with any eczema or dry patches the entire time I was using it (which is rare for me). I found that it deeply hydrated my skin banished any hint of dullness that I might usually struggle with. It really did perform wonderfully, as you might expect from Origins skincare. I also loved the smell of this cream, it had an incredibly subtle scent but there was a fruity edge to it that made it really refreshing to use without smelling fake or overwhelming.

All in all my experience with Origins' High Potency Night A Mins was really positive and if I had my way I would definitely repurchase this. I also think it would make a wonderful gift for a parent as the packaging is quite a unisex colour - I certainly think my Dad might enjoy using it and I think that it's a cream that could suit many different skin types at many different ages. A full size 50ml tub costs £34 and is available with free delivery from Origins' website.

Have you tried any of Origins' moisturisers? What night creams do you love?

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Review: Essence I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base

Essence isn't a brand that's easily available in the UK at the moment - but this is something that may potentially begin to change, as Essence is slowly being introduced into the UK in select Wilkinsons stores. Anyway, whilst I was in Amsterdam and had the opportunity, I picked up some Essence goodies (you can see my Amsterdam Haul post here) and among them was Essence's I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base.

This eyeshadow primer isn't tacky, so it won't be much good for loose pigment shadows. But it is good for normal pressed eyeshadows as well as a base for cream eyeshadows (especially if you have hooded or oily eyelids like me and you're worried about creasing). The primer itself is very opaque and is quite a dark nude shade so it isn't the best to use under very light eyeshadows as it does tend to affect their colour. However, under all other eyeshadow shades it works perfectly. It definitely increases the longevity of my eye make up and I notice that creasing wither ceases to be a problem or it doesn't occur until a lot, lot later in the day than I would normally expect it to had I not applied an eyeshadow base.

I apply I Love Stage onto my eyelids by swiping the applicator across the back of my hand and the using a finger to sparingly apply the product to my eyelid. I then continue to dab and blend using my fingertip. I personally find that the product applies better and definitely more easily this way compared to when I've applied it using a brush.

If you're looking for an affordable eyeshadow primer then I'd definitely recommend Essence's I Love Stage. it only costs a few euros, or a couple of pounds, and it performs really well. Hopefully it will soon be easily available across the UK but until then us Brits will have to keep our eyes peeled for it when we're on holiday, and if you do stumble across it I would definitely recommend picking up a tube (or even two).

What eyeshadow primer do you use? Have you tried any Essence make up before?

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Don't forget to enter my Christmas Giveaway - you could win two Origins face masks!

Christmas is Coming! Stocking Fillers for Under £5

None of the photos pictured were taken by me and they are not owned by me- credit to Lush.co.uk, TheBodyShop.co.uk, Boots.com and Superdrug.com

  1   Soap and Glory Minis - 3 for £5

Soap and Glory do miniature versions of some of their range and not only are they a practical way to try out new products but they're also dinky and adorable. I can never walk past them whenever I'm in Boots and I think that they'd make great stuffing fillers. I personally would recommend The Righteous Butter and Hand Food (reviewed here) but there's a whole range of miniatures for you to take you pick from!

  2   The Body Shop Lip Butters - £4

I love a good lip balm, especially when they're creamy and hydrating. The Body Shop's Lip Butters are lovely products and they come in such a gorgeous array of scents that it's hard not to love them. They may be small but they last a heck of a long time and my nightstand is rarely without one. I think they'd make a great stocking filler for just about anyone.

  3   Sleek's Lipsticks - £4.99

If you're looking for some high quality, affordable make-up to give to a partner, friend or family member then Sleek is a great place to look. Their lipsticks are among my favourites and they come in a great range of colours and different finishes. I would highly recommend the shade Barely There (reviewed here) but there is a colour for everyone in their collection!

  4   Aussie Take The Heat 3 Minute Miracle Hair Mask - £4.99

There's nothing nicer to receive (in my opinion) than pampering products that will keep on giving long after Christmas is over! Aussie's Hair Masks are affordable without compromising on quality and effectiveness and it will last you for months. I've used their Take The Heat 3 Minute Miracle Hair Mask in the past and I would definitely recommend it.

  5   Amie's Spring Clean Cooling Face Mask - £4.95

This is another product that will keep on giving for longer than just the Christmas period! A tube of face mask will last you a good few months (even with regular use) and I find that they make excellent gifts as they remind you of the person who gave them to you every time you reach to use them.

  6   Lush's Snowcake Soap - £3.25 for 100g

Do it for the smell! If you want a stocking to smell like a gift from the angels themselves then pick up a hunk of Lush's Soap. My personal preference this year is for Snowcake which smells a lot like Marzipan (my Christmas 'sweet' of choice) but there are a whole range of scents to suit every nose out there.

Would you like any of these to show up in your stocking? 

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Don't forget to enter my Christmas Giveaway - you could win two Origins face masks!