Are We Stuck in a Product Rut?

On one of my occasional daily internet browses I came across a ton of products, each claiming to either give me Barbie-like perfect skin, false looking lashes, and Stretch-Armstrong length legs. (OK, slight over exaggeration on the last one. But you get me, right?) With which comes my wide-eyed, "I NEED this product" attitude and thus I'm hooked and will no doubt end up treating myself at some point. Until it arrives and I try it once, do I realise that I already had an equivalent that is, in my eyes, 110% better than the former.

Of course I don't speak for everyone when I say this, but with all sincerity, are we stuck in a rut when it comes to trying new things? My room (and spare room) is overflowing with products, insane amounts of samples, and tons of duplicates, so why am I using the same things every day?

Moroccanoil is something I've fallen head over heels for, and as much as I say I want to try Redken's Shatterproof shine, if I bought it, would it ever see as much action as my beloved Moroccanoil does? I think more so than anything else hair products are the ones I struggle to experiment with, given my hair is so high maintenance, applying a shampoo I know is going to make my hair look perfect seems much more appealing than trying something that could leave me looking like a scarecrow. When I plan on trialling new products I find myself last minute reaching for my old beloved and leaving the new sparkly product, unused and unloved on the bathroom shelf.

The confidence that comes with using your favourite products is of course, a huge benefit. Which means trying new ones is always a risk, despite being exciting, there's the chance it could turn out very ugly. (You only need one accident with a "cheap" fake tan to know this) My Kiehls serum is one of my favourites, EVER, yet the three bottles of different ones I have under my bed don't even have the chance of getting used anymore, given the flawless appearance I get from the Kiehls.

But, that said, being stuck in a rut is quite the issue when it comes to repurchasing. Given the price of some products now, I really should be using the alternatives that I have around the house, but I just can't bring myself to do it when there's the chance of using one of my favourite "holy grail" products, that just make you look so much better!

Surely, I'm not the only one? Despite having eyeshadow palettes in excess I find myself reaching for MAC's Naked Lunch daily. And on the days which I could play with my makeup, experiment with smokey eye ideas off Pinterest, or an iconic Monroe-esque look, I find bare skin to be my preferred look.

I need to implement some sort of rule that I try something new each week, but I do find the self-confidence from using your favourite, tried and tested, product like a highly addictive drug. It would seem that being stuck in a product rut is going to be a hard one to shake. For now, my repurchasing addiction will most probably live on.

Do let me know in the comments if you agree, or are also stuck in a rut. Or just let me know what you've had for your tea. Either, or...

Day of Birth* Wishlist

*Because calling it my "Birthday Wishlist" would be too darn easy.

With my 20th (sob, goodbye teen years) birthday coming up on the 24th July I thought it'd only be fair to do a wishlist so you all know what to buy me... FYI - Excessively cheeky hinting wasn't intended, but soon became completely irresistable.

I very rarely ask for jewellery on Birthdays and Christmas, for the simple fact of how fussy I am with it. I tend to wear only gold or rose gold, which of course has to be quite minimalistic and simple, and able to be worn alone or with a mixture of pieces. Yeah, I am fussy. These Dogeared pieces are so beautiful, and the meaning behind each piece just adds the little extra something, the lotus flower necklace is beautiful, and the Karma ring is so cute (I'm a size M, wink.)

It doesn't seem to be long ago I was obsessing with Chanel Spring, and well, now the Summer collection is here, I already treated myself to Tutti Frutti Le Vernis, so it needs a colourful companion, in the form of Sweet Lilac. Sticking with the Chanel theme (I'm predictable.) I love the look of Sublime De Chanel mascara, and given I'm in the market for a new one, why not? And the Charlotte Tilbury compact is just incredible, but a bit of a splurge to buy for yourself, who doesn't want bronzed and glowing skin from using one product? Charlotte Tilbury.. I salute you and your beautifully designed products.

I've been adoring these River Island courts for a while, and after trying them on, I'm still in love with them despite the fact that I had to size up to a 7. But seriously, they're so beautiful - WANT! And of course a Daniel Wellington Classic Winchester is wishful thinking, but think big, ey?

So everyone feeling generous enough feel free to take the hints, please do so, or give me anything dipped, covered and fried in chocolate.

Daily Necessities - A Look at my Inside Bag, Bag.

I'm single-handedly one of the nosiest people. Is anyone else completely eager to know what parcel the neighbours just received, or what lipstick the lady is wearing on the bus? I love "What's in my handbag" posts, and so I thought it'd be only fair to let you have a little glimpse into my overly messy handbag. Starting with my cosmetic necessities, and the one I usually call my "inside bag, bag."

The makeup bag is from Sew Lomax. She's a genius with a needle and thread, I usually pass on the most basic sewing jobs to someone else...

I hadn't realised I was so prepared for all occasions with my lip products, with the Bourjois Rouge edition (10) being a beautiful orange/red to take every makeup look through to night-time. The Burt's Bees is completely refreshing and an ideal lip balm for when my lips need a lot more TLC. My Clinique in Mighty Mimosa has been recently raved about here, I wont bore you with the details. Benetint is my go to for lips and cheeks, and without fail livens up my face whenever it needs it, so of course this is necessary to come EVERYWHERE with me. Nars Albatross highlighter is, in my opinion, disgusting. I just like the size of the mirror... 

 

I'm THE biggest clean freak and I hate not having hand gel with me, the idea of touching rails on public transport makes me shudder, so I'm the girl that goes through gallons of this stuff. Soap and Glory's hand maid is the only skin friendly, non-stinky version I've found yet, I love this stuff. Oh, and it's pink! And of course you can't wash your hands without hand cream afterwards, can you? The little, non-glamorous looking travel pot is filled with coconut oil, which I'm currently having a pure love affair with. I bought a pure version from Holland and Barrett in the penny sale, and now I carry a little pot with me everywhere. You'll wonder how you ever survived with only Vaseline...

 

Of course I need a little pot of Dior BB cream, because you never know when you may need impromptu coverage (I even used it on an angry looking bruise on my legs once!). My Tweezerman lash curlers have been demoted from my acrylic storage to makeup bag since I bought the Shu Uemera pair, but this somewhat well-worn set still do the eye-opening job for which they're intended. Of course all the lipstick and lash primping isn't going to make much difference if you have gross garlic breath, at which point comes in handy whatever gum or mints I'm carrying that week, and Dentek's super handy floss kit.

I'm really loving these at the moment, I've already gone through one little pack of six like this. The Dentek floss and toothpick is such a brilliant idea, and they really help when you spontaneously decide to go to Pizza Express...

Hope I've not bored you all to a near death. It's such a good job I tidied my handbag recently isn't it?

Have a good weekend everyone!

Spotlight On: Clinique Chubby Stick in Mighty Mimosa

You know those times when you're just completely stuck for things to blog about? And you feel like you have had an epiphany when you pull something out your handbag and realise you've never written about it before? Yeah, one of those. Hurrah! (I'm so over dramatic)

Clinique Chubby Stick in Mighty Mimosa is one of those products I bought on a whim, with arms filled with shopping and a hefty sum in Debenhams points on my Beauty Card. Wanting to know the best lip product for accompanying a barely-there look, I came across this, and being completely apprehensive about tinted balms I carried on shuffling around the store and covering my hands in numerous shades of muted pink.

Upon first application I knew I'd fallen in love with this rosy pink shade, with a slight sheen, which ends up looking like healthy lips with a slight slick of lip balm. The major selling point for me with this was that I didn't need a mirror to apply (someone reassure me that I'm not the only one that finds strangers stare at you applying lipstick in public?). It's the little things... but this is completely fault proof, and easy enough to use in a rush, whilst on a bus, in the dark, you name it!

Much unlike other coloured balms, Clinique's Chubby Stick does actually hydrate and treat your lips, whilst leaving a beautiful tint which lasts a good few hours before it wears down. With it being so sheer and long-wearing, this balm is the most low maintenance lip product I've ever used, and much unlike some lipsticks, you are never paranoid that your lip colour is worn away and similar to that of Heath Ledger's Joker.

So if you're in the market for a new lip product (or just a treat) get this, it won't disappoint.

Regular Nail Polish/Gel Finish

Having a slight fear of the idea of gel nails, I never have particularly paid attention to the brands that provide them. Two weeks of wearing a nail polish that's going to grow out, look unsightly, and then damage your nails during removal? No, thank you. But when the lovely Megan got in touch about Bio Sculpture I was somewhat intrigued to learn the company now makes nail polishes to match the gel nails they offer, minus the UV lamp and the need to be soaked off. Offering the chance to either patch up your current Bio Sculpture gels, or change the colour completely temporarily (only when removed with acetone free remover).

Being somewhat addicted to nail painting, longevity isn't normally something I take into consideration. Usually I'll be bored within 24 hours and change. A grey nude to a more pink-toned nude? ...How I rolllll. So it was quite the change for me experimenting how long I could make these last. To be honest, I got a couple days, with very minor chipping, at which point I was itching to change my nail polish. Slightly more than I would normally, so I'm quite impressed, but the selling point for me with these polishes was the finish. Its not thick looking like a regular gel colour, but instead has a show-stopping sheen, which makes your nails look freshly painted for days.

The brush is designed in a similar way to the likings of Dior and Essie brushes, with a fan-type soft bristle brush that somehow mimicks the shape of your nail and allows you to do one coat of colour in a single swoop.

The three shades I was sent are the kind that I'd choose for myself. The nude/grey being the show-stopper of the three, coming up slightly lilac in some lights. The other pink tone is exactly like the sheer pinks I regularly obsess over, (and clumsily forgot to take pictures of) but the neon pink was a complete break out of my comfort zone, a really beautiful colour for those that like bright nails.

Overall, I'm really impressed with these polishes. The colours are completely beautiful, have a brilliant finish and are something I'd definitely consider buying more of. Turns out breaking out of my Chanel and Essie comfort zone does benefit me sometimes...