Friday Focus: Aussie

My love affair with Aussie products has been going on for countless years now. I love everything about them ranging from how nourished they make my hair feel all the way to how they write cute things on the backs of their bottles. It's safe to say I always have at least one of their products in rotation, and whilst I may stray to other brands occasionally (the seaweed is always greener, right?) I always end up coming back to this brand, and mainly, these products.

Miricale Hair Insurance Leave in Conditioner- This is the product that is always in rotation. After every hair wash I spritz this all over my damp hair and either blow dry or let it dry naturally. When I use this product I just know that my hair will feel nourished and soft. This is the 'if you get one product from this post' product!

3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Deep Conditioner - Everyone needs a good ol' deep condition every now and again don't they? This is my favourite one (closely followed by the Loreal Ever Riche one) just because it's thick without being overpowering on my thin yet greasy hair, and smells amazing. I like to use this once a week after giving my hair a deep clean to restore some moisture in my ends for the week ahead! For a while I couldn't find it and I got really panicky, but it looks to be back now, so we can all breathe a sigh of relief.

Mega Instant Shampoo and Conditioner - These are the bees knees of shampoos and conditioners. I have quite an irritable scalp (boo) and quite a lot of shampoos and conditioners can build up and aggravate it. This is when I always end up coming back to these two products. They cleanse my hair really well, without stripping it or irritating my hair; and for someone who hates washing my hair, I can stretch my greasy hair 2-3 (sometimes 4 if I'm not leaving the house) days.

Do you like Aussie? What are your favourite products?

Laura xoxo

Friday Focus: Bourjois

Bourjois was a brand I never really gave much attention to but over the last year they have definitely grabbed and held on to my attention. As I am writing this I've just re-tweeted their tweet about a new release that looks pretty special. In this post I want to discuss my favourite products of their's.

Happy Light Primer - I am now on my second bottle of this stuff, and not much gets re-purchased by a beauty blogger, as I'm sure you're aware, so it's a pretty big deal. I love how this smooths out by skin whilst also giving it a lovely glow too. Perfect base product.

Colour Boost Pencils - If you love something buy it in every colour, and that's what I've done here. These crayons have the right level of pigmentation, moisture and longevity that mean they're the perfect grab and go lip pencils.

Shine Edition Lipstick in 20 - My favourite lipstick of last year by far. It has a lovely moisturising quality to it, but is also super pigmented. It is a lovely orangey coral that just looks so lovely on the lips. I really rate this lipstick.

Health Balance Powder - This is pretty much gone, but what I love about this powder is that it's a mattifying powder, but it doesn't look cakey. It doesn't have the illuminating factor of say the Hourglass lighting powder, but it's great at perfecting the skin.

CC Eye Cream - Finally my latest favourite from them. I love that this is lightest so that it really lightens the area under my eyes. I like to go over the top of it with my Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch for a final highlighting effect for special occasions, but I do really like this.

What are your favourite Bourjois products?

Laura xoxo

Friday Focus: Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks

Over the last couple of years I've gained quite the lipstick collection, but in terms of formula I haven't found one I like as much as the Rimmel Moisture Renew ones. In terms of colour collection in the range, I think you can pretty much find any shade you want. Obviously there isn't as many as you'd find in MAC, but I think there is definitely a colour for everyone there.

The colour's I have here are Nude Delight, Coral Crush, Berry Queen, Coral Queen, Mayfair Red My Lady and Rose Sorbet. I've just written them without them being in front of me, so I'm sorry if they're slightly wrong.

What's great about these lipsticks is that they apply opaque, however they have such a moisturising quality to them that you'd expect them to be sheer. If you suffer from dry lips or want a lipstick that feels like a balm on your lips, then these are definitely worth looking into.

They've recently been reformulated and I only have one from the new range, Mayfair Red My Lady, but from what I can tell, they've only gotten better. Whilst I find this shade doesn't really suit me, it's more moisturising and more opaque than the others.

If you haven't looked into this range, I really hope this post inspires you to. (Not sponsored, just think they're great!)

Have you tried any? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Friday Focus: Origins

If I could only use one skin care brand I would have to choose Origins. There is just something about the brand that I, and my skin, loves. Whilst it certainly isn't cheap and cheerful it doesn't break the bank either. I was going to do a 'top five products' post but I just love too darn many of them. There are a lot more products from the brand I've tried and liked, but these are the ones that I wouldn't want to be without for too long.

Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask - A mask most bloggers have tried or at least heard of. The aim of this mask is to moisturise your skin overnight, leaving you with plump and soft skin come the morning. Whilst I do love using this overnight when my skin is feeling particularly parched, I also love using it in the day over winter as it keeps my skin more hydrated than any moisturiser does.

Make A Difference Rejuvenating Cleansing Milk - This was a whim purchase but one I will continue to make. This is a great all round cleanser, I like to use it in the morning when I want more moisture in my skin, or in the evening for a gentle second cleanse. It isn't harsh on the skin but it also isn't too heavy to create spots either.

Clean Energy Cleansing Oil - I love using this whenever I'm wearing make-up as I feel it really removes every last scrap of it. I just pour it into my hands (definitely getting a pump next time as it can get messy) massage it on my face (which feels ah-mazing) and then wash it away. It comes off clean and doesn't leave my face feeling greasy.

VitaZing - Ah, the not quite tinted moisturiser that people seem to either love or hate. I began in the hate category but now stand firmly in the love. I think it's a great I'm going out in public, but don't want to make an effort product. This and a bit of concealer and you're away to go. For me it's more of a summer product as it does lean a bit orange in the winter, but one I love using. I also find it great to wear under foundation if my skin is going through a rough patch.

Make A Difference Plus + Rejuvenating Treatment - The latest and probably one of my favourite products, this treatment injects moisture whilst also clearing up blemishes at the same time. For someone with dehydrated but blemish prone skin this product has done wonders for my skin. I can't pin-point exactly how it works or what it does but I never want to be without it. It is one of those products you can really see making a difference to your skin.

High Potency Night-A-Mins - This is hands down the best night time moisturiser I have ever used. It has fruit extracts that aim to exfoliate your skin whilst you sleep, however it also has a thickness to it that hydrates your skin too. I find that I wake up with clearer and plumper looking skin. What more could you want?


Dr Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief - I like using this as my 'hydrating' toner as it has a real soothing quality to it. It soothes angry blemishes and leaves my skin feeling soft to touch. I also found this was really helpful when my skin had a reaction to a product I was using. (Although it's not pictured as I ran out and couldn't get a replacement before this post, I still wanted to include as I really rate it as a product.)


Have you tried Origins? What are your favourite products?

Laura xoxo