My Pamper Routine!

Hi Lovelies!

This post is going to show you the products I like to use when I feel like having an 'at home' pamper.

First of all, I think it is important that everybody takes the time at least once every two weeks to have time to themselves and relax. Whether this is just watching tv for a few hours or reading a book or pampering yourself. Whatever you like to do to relax, you should set time aside to do this.

Personally I like to have a calm bath and make myself feel as glamorous as possible. This is usually followed by watching a movie with my boyfriend and painting my nails...sometimes even a takeaway too...Opps!

GETTING STARTED...

The first part of my pamper routine consists of running myself a deep bath and either selecting the best bath bomb to use or using The Body Shop's Bath Tea...

My favourite bath bombs are from Lush. My top three are; Rose Jam, Sex Bomb, and Rose Queen.

If I decide not to use a bath bomb then i'll use The Body Shop's Fuji Green Bath Tea, this has a lot of health benefits whilst also making the bath relaxing.

Once i'm in the bath, the first thing I do is wash my hair...

I like this shampoo and conditioner from Herbal Essences, it's the Bee Strong range. It smells gorgeous and helps to give my hair strength.

If my hair is feeling particularly dull, lifeless or unhealthy i'll use a hair mask...

I like this one from the same Herbal Essences range because it maintains the strength of my hair whilst giving it a good condition so that it becomes soft and shiny.

The next thing I do is use a body scrub...

I like to use body scrubs because they help to exfoliate the skin which makes it soft and smooth, a useful fact as well is that if you use a body scrub before you shave it helps to make the hairs stand up so you can get a closer shave!! I really like scrubs that are 'gritty', this one from The Body Shop in Coconut is perfect, it's got loads of beads whilst also smelling great!

The next thing I do is shave...

I have super sensitive skin, and I rash super easily, so to prevent that I use a sensitive shaving cream and the Gillette Venus Breeze razor...I know that this razor comes with Shave Gel Bars, so most people wouldn't need to use a separate shaving gel, but I do because of my sensitivity. I like this razor because the Shave Gel Bars provide an extra layer or protection, and I find I get the smoothest and closest shave with this razor...Sorry if this is TMI for some of you.

Next in the routine is washing...

I use any shower gel as long as it smells nice and lathers well. The one that's been my favourite lately is the Soap and Glory Clean On Me shower gel.

Finally for in the bath I use an in bath/shower body conditioner...

This one from Lush is the Ro's Argan Body Conditioner. I bought this because I saw so many people rave about it on their blogs and on YouTube, and after having tried it myself I can see why...it has now been a religious part of my pamper routine for about a year. It's so easy to rub in and then wash off, and it leaves my skin feeling super soft and hydrated...not to mention the amazing smell!!

Once I'm out of the bath I like to double up on moisturizer...

Depending on my mood i'll either use a lotion like the Vaseline Spray & Go body moisturiser in cocoa radiant which is quite a light moisturizer and drys really fast. Or i'll use a thick moisturiser like one of the many Body Butters that I have from The Body Shop. These are thick creams that require a lot of working into the skin and take a while to dry but they give loads of moisture to the skin.

The last part of my pamper routine that I normally do just before I go to bed or after I've painted my nails is apply a foot cream...

I like this one that I got as a free gift from The Body Shop, it's the Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion. It smells really nice and soaks in super quickly. I like to lather this on my feet and then put on my socks so that it has plenty of time to soak in and I don't get it everywhere. I especially make sure to use foot creams during the summer months because it's more likely for my feet to be on display and I don't want them to look dry.

That completes My Pamper Routine! 

If you have any questions please leave them in the comments :)

Thank you for reading my blog. Please subscribe and don't forget to check out my Twitter @astutebeautycon and my Instagram @astutebeautyconnoisseur

Love,

        Astute Beauty Connoisseur x

Makeup Haul!!

Hi Lovelies!

Today I thought I'd share with you the makeup bits and pieces I purchased from House of Fraser and Debenhams when they last had an offer on.

Some of these products are things that i've seen so many people fall in love with so I finally bit the bullet and got them myself!

I hope you enjoy...

The first things I got were a couple of Mac brushes...

I picked up the 217 which I already have in my collection, but I use it so much that I needed another! I also picked up the 239 which I think will be great for packing colour on the lid, and for using with pigments.

The next brand I bought from was Nars...

I've NEVER tried Nars before believe it or not...So I thought it was about time I tried some of the things that so many people have loved before me. I got the Radiant Creamy Concealer in 'Light 1 Chantilly'. I wanted to pick up the Sheer Glow foundation but since I have to order Nars online (because my local shops don't stock them), I wasn't sure what color to get...I got the concealer because of all the good reviews on it, but also as a little test of what colour suits me, so next time I can pick up the foundation. I also picked up Nars blush in 'orgasm'. This has been loved by many...So why not?

Next I stopped by Illamasqua...

I got the Cream Pigment in 'Hollow', I've had this before and it's the perfect contour shade for pale skin so I had to repurchase it. I also got the Skin Base Foundation in '01' which is white. I got this to use with a couple of my foundations that are too dark for me. I'm so pale that sometimes even the lightest shade foundation that some companies do still register as orange on me so I need something to make them paler...haha.

Fourth is Too Faced...

Yet another brand that i've never tried before. I got the Better Than Sex Mascara that everybody loves, and I got the Melted Lipstick in 'Melted Fig' simply because I can not resist the colour!

Next is Bobbi Brown...

I've been wanting to try an eyeshadow stick formula for a long time. A friend recommended Bobbi Brown's Long Wear Cream Shadow Sticks because apparently they're super durable...I'll find out if this is true I guess. I got the colour '24 Goldstone'.

Make Up For Ever is new to the U.K as far as I'm aware...

I had to try the new Step 1 Primers that EVERYBODY is so ecstatic about. I got the 'smoothing' one since I have a few large pores around my nose. I also picked up the Aqua Brow Kit is '30 Dark Brown'. Sharon Farrell (A woman's blog and YouTube channel I'm obsessed with) loves this so of course I got it!

Cover FX Custom Cover Drops...

This are everywhere, need I say anymore? I got the colour 'N10'.

Lastly I stopped by Urban Decay (one of my favourite brands i'll have you know)...

I picked up a 24/7 glide-on eye pencil in 'Roach' because i've been looking for a nice warm brown eyeliner with a bit of shimmer...and I think I may have just found it. I also picked up the Naked Skin Concealer in 'Fair Neutral'. This is loved by Kathleen Lights, who I also love on YouTube so I had to buy it.

Thank you for reading my blog. Please subscribe and don't forget to check out my Twitter @astutebeautycon and my Instagram @astutebeautyconnoisseur

Love,

        Astute Beauty Connoisseur x

My Favourite Brushes

Hi Lovelies!

This post contains information on my top favourite brushes! I thought i'd let you know what i'm loving in terms of brushes at the minute and why I love them so much. I hope you enjoy.

SO LET'S GET INTO IT...in no particular order

Real Techniques Multi-Task brush

I think i'll start by telling you that I LOVE Real Techniques brushes...along with the creators Sam and Nic from the YouTube channel Pixiwoo who also have a blog. I don't love these brushes just for that reason but I find that these brushes are super soft, and they wash so easily...they don't misshapen or lose hair, they're the perfect brush at a reasonable price if you ask me. ANYWAYS, back to the multi-task brush. It's brilliant for multiple purposes (as the name would suggest) depending on my mood, i'll either use it for blush, or for bronzer, or even with a setting powder. This makes it perfect for travel; you've got one brush that can do it all.

Real Techniques Base Shadow brush

This brush is amazing for blending out colour due to its tapered end and fluffy bristles. I use it to apply colour in the crease of my eye, as well as blending out the colours that meet in the crease of my eye. If you then wipe the brush off well, you can use it to blend the crease colour you've used so there are no harsh lines. Therefore this is another one of those brushes that can do so many things. You could do a full on smokey eye (pretty much) with just this brush and your fingertips.

Real Techniques Contour brush

As the name would suggest it's great for contour. But alternatively I prefer this brush for highlight. This brush tapers at the end making it a great size for sweeping highlight along the top of the cheekbone, down the bridge of the nose and dabbing it on the cupids bow. 

Real Techniques Sculpting brush

Again as the name advocates this brush is brilliant for contour/sculpting. I think the slant to this brush makes it perfect for applying contour. I pick up a bit of product on the smaller bristles and allow the longer bristles to help blend it out. This way I don't end up looking like I just painted a line on my face, and more like I have a natural shadow there.

Mac 210 brush

This is a Mac pencil brush. It's wonderful at smoking out the lower lash line. I find that this brush is neither too thin or too thick, which is a bonus for work on the lower lash line. Due to the sturdy but soft hair I find that the 210 is also great for creating a cut-crease look.

Mac 217 brush

This brush is a life saver when it comes to blending and putting transition colours in the crease. I use it everyday without fail. The hair is soft too so I find that it's not scratchy on the eyes like some blending brushes can be.

Real Techniques Expert Face brush and Buffing brush

I use both of these for my foundation. I've included them both because I use them equally and honestly, picking the better one between them is impossible. They both blend in foundation so seamlessly.

Real Techniques Bold Metals brush in 300

This brush is great for blush. I find that the brush is dense enough to apply product directly where I need it, but also not too dense, meaning it doesn't apply too much product.

Real Techniques Duo-Fiber Contour brush

I like this brush for setting my under-eye concealer. As it's a duo-fiber brush it picks up less product meaning I don't cake the setting powder on underneath my eyes making me look older. It's also small enough to fit underneath the eyes nicely.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge

This sponge is awesome for concealer. I find it's great wet and dry. A sponge like this is great in anyones collection because it can fix any problem!

That completes my favourite brushes!

If you have any questions please leave them in the comments :)

Thank you for reading my blog. Please subscribe and don't forget to check out my Twitter @astutebeautycon and my Instagram @astutebeautyconnoisseur

Love,

        Astute Beauty Connoisseur x