Clinique Clarifying Lotion

Clinique Clarifying Lotion

I realise that my previous post about the Clinique CC cream was a fairly negative one so I thought I should combat that with a much more positive clinique review.

When I bought my clinique CC cream I saw the 3 Step Skincare range (i think that's what its called but I'm not 100% sure on the actual wording) and, as I didn't have any kind of skincare routine at the time, I thought I should give it a go. Although I own all three of the 'steps' today I am just reviewing the Clarifying Lotion as it is my favourite out of the three.

As I have mentioned before my skin is quite dry and dehydrated and when I put this toner on I can feel my skin getting softer. My skin absolutely loves this stuff and just drinks it up. I apply it morning and night and can definitely see an improvement in my skin (although I'm sure that using the moisturiser also aids this). 

I have nearly used up all of this bottle (although it has lasted me an impressive six months of use twice a day) and already have it placed on my list of things to buy. I am in love.

Have you tried Clinique's clarifying lotion? What did you think?

xx Gemma

Room Inspiration

I have shown my room on this blog before but it has actually changed quite a lot since then and I thought I could make a second post about my room but recently I have grown bored with it so I thought perhaps now isn't the best time to make a post on it. Instead I thought I would share some photos of what I hope my room will look like sometime in the not so distant future. As I am a very messy person I am aiming to have as little unnecessary clutter in my room as is possible and am hoping that a quite neutral colour scheme will also help it look less chaotic. 

xx Gemma

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream SPF 30 Hydrating Colour Corrector in Very Light

I have nearly used up all of this CC cream and so I thought today would be an excellent time to do a little review as the sun is out and I have a day off (two very exciting things that don't often coincide in my world).

When my last foundation ran out I decided to treat myself to a more high end foundation and somehow ended up with a CC cream. As my skin is fairly good, aside from being ridiculously dry and a little red, I thought this would be perfect for me. Sadly I was not overly impressed with it.

I found that it clung to the dry patches on my face less than an hour after application. My cheeks and around my nose looked especially dry when I wore this and I my skin didn't feel noticeably more hydrated whilst wearing it or after taking it off. 

I also found it difficult to apply evenly, although this is my first cream foundation and I may find that I have this issue with all cream foundations not just this one. I tried to apply it with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and also with my fingers but unfortunately I didn't feel like it was working for me either way.

If this CC cream had been a drugstore purchase I may have been a little more forgiving but at $45 it has been a bit of a disappointment. It wasn't terrible but nothing stands out as incredible with this product and, as a student with a very limited budget, it feels like a bit of a waste of money. I wouldn't repurchase this at this price and, even at a lower price, I would probably reach for a different foundation before going for this one again.

Have you had similar results with this CC cream? Do you have tips on how I could have made it work better for me?

xx Gemma

A Mini Haul

Recently I have stopped buying things as I am saving up for my trip to Germany at the end of the year. However, when I realised yesterday that I was nearly completely out of both foundation and concealer I had to break my little saving streak.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer - 15 Fair I have actually bought this concealer before but in a tone that was slightly too dark for me and made me look very orange. From memory, aside from the orange tint that it added to my skin, I liked this concealer and I think almost every single blog that I follow has recommended this so hopefully with the right colour I will enjoy this.

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush I have a small confession to make on this one; from the moment I started to read beauty blogs I have heard the real techniques brushes talked about so much and for some unknown reason I assumed that you could not buy them in Australia. Thankfully, when I decided to google it finally last week, i discovered that this was not the case and they can easily be found at priceline! So, as real techniques are brushes I have wanted for so long I decided to pick up the Expert Face Brush. Originally I was planning on buying the Buffing Brush but I read this comparison of the two brushes and decided that the Expert Face Brush would probably work best for me. I can't wait to use this!

L'Oreal Lumi Magiue Light Infusing Foundation - Pure Pearl I had planned on buying a Borjois foundation today but all of the ones at the store were too dark for my pale winter skin. As I had read a good review of this a little while ago I decided to get this instead (and even managed to get a discount!). As soon as I got home I realised that the seal has actually been broken so I am going to return it tomorrow and get an untouched bottle instead but fingers crossed I will love it!

Favourites Of Life #02

Live

Yesterday I had brunch with my family and my best friend's family. I was actually really sick but managed to feel better just for the time we had with them. I must admit this picture is actually from the other week however because I was sick I couldn't take any pictures so you just get to see my lovely chai from last week!

Read

I started baking again this week! I got 'I Quit Sugar' by Sarah Wilson as a Christmas present and now use it as my go to recipe book. The recipes are simple and delicious and, as non of them contain any sugar whatsoever, there is never any guilt upon eating the little sweet treats

Listen

For far too long my wonderful friend Iona has been telling me to listen to Hozier and finally I did myself a favour and downloaded his song 'Take Me To Church'. The song is so so catchy and a wonderful thing to sing at the tops of your lungs!

A Little Housekeeping

Follow my blog with Bloglovin I know I have already put a link to my bloglovin' on here but I have changed the URL of my blog because it was just silly how long it was! So I have to claim my blog agin and all that shebang if you could follow e it would mean the world xx Gem

Sunshine And Surf

As I mentioned in yesterdays post I have spent the last week camping on the east coast, in a national park in New South Wales. Unfortunately, due to the lack of electricity I had to make my use of my phone, and by extension its camera, sparse. This meant I didn't get any pictures of the actual holiday, which is a shame as the beach where we stayed is probably my favourite beach in Australia. I did however get to take a couple of pictures during our stop over (the drive is eight hours!) at Lakes Entrance. It was a lovely day filled with sunshine and laughter, as well as an absolutely delicious chai.