Breakout Busters

So the other day I was planning out my next few blog posts, (trying to get organised, I know) and I felt something itching on my face so I grabbed a mirror and discovered a delightful spot trying to make its way to the surface. How wonderful. Now I've suffered from acne on and off for the past 5 years. I'll go through a few months of pretty darn perfect skin after a course of antibiotics, and then suddenly I'll wake up to an army of spots trying to take over my face and I'm back to square one.

My skin at the moment has been pretty good for a while now, but like everyone else on the planet - except Victoria's Secret models and the Kardashians - I still get the odd, very annoying breakout. So I thought I'd do a post on my favourite breakout-busting products, or those that just keep my skin nice and clear. I'm hoping this will be useful for anyone else that suffers with annoying acne too.

(Products listed clockwise from left)

 1. Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask - £6.75

2. Nip and Fab Glycolic Scrub Fix - £9.95

3. Benefit Total Moisture Face Cream - £29.50

4. Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer in 3 - £21

5. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion - £12.50

6. Kiehls Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution - £36

Tea-totally!

Hey cuties!

Have I mentioned before that I like tea? Because I most definitely do. To be honest, I'm tea-totally obsessed with the stuff! I pretty much drink it by the bucket load - not exaggerating one bit - and I think it's hereditary, my Nana usually has two pints of it before starting her day, she even fed me luke-warm tea in my baby bottle when I was a little tot as I preferred it to milk!

Anyway, cute anecdotes aside, I figured as I'm quite the connoisseur I would share all my favourites of the moment for anyone that is equally as obsessed as me. (Also if there are any brands or flavours you love, let me know in the comments!)

NYC Sephora Haul

Hey lovelies!

So I just got back from New York, which was absolutely amazing. I went with my family and we were really lucky with the weather, so we got to do loads of sightseeing, exploring and of course shopping. I was posting every day on my Instagram and Snapchat (@izzymariehill) cause I didn't have my laptop with me!

So I went a little crazy with the shopping, (big surprise I know) but I'm really happy with everything I bought, as the majority of my purchases were from brands that we just can't get in the UK, or are simply way cheaper in the US! Side note: MAC single eyeshadow refill pans have been permanently reduced to $6 in the US compared to £10 here in the UK, so I'm kicking myself that I didn't buy a couple of the shades I'd had my eye on whilst on holiday cause they work out at double the price in England now. MAC WHY YOU DO DIS TO ME?

It all just fell out like that I swear...

Jet Set Essentials

Hey guys! So as a few of you may know, I'm gong to New York next week, and I am little kid in a candy store excited. I have been once before, around three years ago, but I've been so desperate to go back ever since. Can you blame me?

I really enjoy reading travel-related blog posts and videos, so figured this was the perfect opportunity to do one for myself! So without any further waffle, here are my in-flight essentials. (Mmmm waffle)

Skincare

So with it being a long haul flight, (around seven and a half hours), I usually take my makeup off a couple of hours into the journey, re-apply it just before landing and do a bit of a treatment somewhere in the middle. I find this just helps to keep my skin feeling healthier and prevents breakouts, otherwise the recycled air on planes turns my skin drier than the Sahara desert. Plus I'm far too attached to my makeup bag to put it in the hold. Anyone else surgically attached to their makeup?

(Products Clockwise from Left)

March Lust List

Hey guys!

A friend of mine asked if I was going to do another 'Lust List' post, so I thought, why not! I had hoped that blogging about things I was lusting after might curb my shopping appetite ever so slightly, but sadly, I don't think my plan worked all that well.

I am trying to shop less. Do I at least get points for effort? - Flashback to my primary school years where I finished last in the obstacle race and got the 'Good Try' sticker along with a pitiful pat on the head..

The Eyeshadow Edit

From day one of my makeup-loving life, eyeshadow has always been the thing that excited me most. The colour possibilities, the formulas, whether it was a shimmer, glitter or matte finish, I was obsessed with covering my eyelids in the stuff. Obviously, little eight year old Izzy didn't know any better than to run for the bright pink glitter, (I blame Sabrina's Secret and Mizz magazine for that!)

Anyway, History lesson over.

I'd like to think I have refined my taste in eyeshadow ever so slightly since then; so I thought I would show you my absolute favourites of the moment, as well as a more in-depth review and explanation of the Makeup Geek shadows at the end!

Winter Skin Saviours

Hey everyone!

Having a good skin care routine is obviously a necessity for anyone, whether you suffer from acne prone skin (like myself) or simply to keep you looking as gorgeous and glowing as possible. With it being so bloody cold at the moment, products need to be extra hydrating to make up for the sub-zero temperatures we Brits have to put up with. (Ok maybe sub-zero is a slight exaggeration but you get my point.)

So, here are my Winter Skin Saviours; 5 products that my skin and I simply could not have lived without these past few months!

 

Scentsational

I'm going to start this post with a little disclaimer:

If you are from the UK and are offended by images of Bath and Body Works candles then look away now...

But seriously, why don't we have a Bath and Body Works in England? *cries*

I like candles as much as the next girl, but up until recently, have never actually bought one for myself, usually opting instead to spend my money on makeup and clothes (shocker!). I've always wanted to like Yankee Candles but they don't have a shop near me, and anywhere that does stock their candles only seems to have the scents that I find a little too sickly-sweet. Anyone else? And also big candles are such a commitment, that I wouldn't dare order them online!

So when I was on holiday in Florida, I went to a Bath and Body Works outlet that had their biggest, 3 wick candles for $12 instead of $22 so naturally I bought twenty!!!! (Not really, I just got two, my suitcase wouldn't have fit any more sadly - Damn you Virgin Airlines baggage restrictions)

The two I bought are Citron Cedarwood from their 'Cork and Vine' collection, and Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin from their Autumn/Halloween collection.

FALL On Your Face!

Before you read the title and get all confused, no I'm not telling you all to fall on your face, I was trying to be witty and come up with a punny title for this post on my FAVOURITE makeup for Autumn. But there we go.

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to any of you that I, Izzy am a makeup hoarder. I sound like I should be at an Addicts Anonymous meeting with that last sentence...

Anyway, I recently went to Florida with my family and bought a few beauty products I'd had my eye on - AKA anything from Anastasia Beverly Hills. I also used my Boots points back in the UK on a couple of bits from Maybelline.

So here are my faves: