SKINCARE ROUTINE // ORIGINS

Lets face it, it is all too easy for women in their twenties to take beautiful skin for granted. Gone are the teenage days of raging hormones and spots, but the idea of frown lines and wrinkles seems too distant. However, having recently turned 25, I am more aware of the need to invest in my skin now. The skin starts to age naturally in your mid-20s so preventative care and early treatment is key to maintaining a youthful glow. 

Cue Origins... I must admit I have only started getting into the brand within the past six months, but as well as delivering noticeable differences to my skin, I also love the fact that all the products are natural. I have been loving my skincare routine lately [and i think my skin has been thanking me] so I thought why not share it with you guys...

After cleansing my face in the morning, I lightly massage and dab in the Starting Over Age-Erasing Eye Cream with Mimosa, which is designed to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. This was my first ever eye cream and I love it. The skin around my eyes just looks so much more youthful and it really does help to fill out lines. As an extra bonus I have also noticed my concealer's staying power lasts a lot longer. I use this cream both in the day and night. 

Next step, is the much raved about GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser, and I bought the limited addition super-size. If the smell of sweet citrus isn't enough to wake you up in the morning than the skin-boosters like panax ginseng and coffee bean certainly will. This moisturiser is perfect for the summer, because it is lightweight and oil-free. It makes my skin feel super silky and soft and totally hydrated. This is definitely a product I will be re-purchasing. 

When it's time for bed, I switch to High Potency Night-A-Mins mineral enriched renewal cream. It has a complete different texture to GinZing - a lot thicker and richer. It has relaxing aromas to help you doze off, which I love, and best of all you wake up radiant and refreshed. I can honestly notice a difference when I don't use this, and I just love how renewed my skin feels. No more dullness - that's for sure. 

Possibly one of my favourite products, is the much talked about Original Skin Renewal Serum with Willowherb. I use this both in the day and night and I swear it's the product that has really helped to restore the glow in my skin. Not only does it shrink my pores [perfect for making my skin look flawless], but it also minimises my flaws and smooths out any roughness. I let it sink in for about 30 seconds and I'm left with a face that just feel vibrant and replenished. 

Finally, who doesn't like nothing more than putting on your favourite film, with a glass of wine and your favourite face mask. It's one of my favourite things to do and my mum recently bought me the Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to clear pores. I am a big fan of the Lush fresh face masks but this is right up there with the best. The charcoal acts like a magnet to draw out pore-cloggers and the white china clay absorbs environmental pollutants,  so you are left with luscious looking skin that not only feels but looks great. It's lovely and thick and I leave it on for a good 15/20 minutes before washing off with a flannel. 

If you have me on Instagram, you will see I posted this picture below, as part of Origin's weekly competition #MaskMonday. All you have to do is post a picture of yourself in your mask and you could be in with a chance of winning three masks. I was over the moon when I got picked as this week's winner and I cannot wait to try the other masks - Thanks Origins! 

Let me know if you have tried any of these products and what you think, particularly if you have tried some of the other masks!

Love Nic

x

Ps. follow me on Instagram @nickygibbons

WEEKEND AWAY // ALEXANDER HOUSE HOTEL AND UTOPIA SPA

From sensuous spas, delicious food and beautiful grounds waiting to be explored, the Alexander House and Utopia Spa is truly somewhere unique.

In need of some relaxation and a country getaway, I booked two nights with my friend Sophie in the five-star boutique hotel set in 120 acres of grounds at the heart of the Sussex countryside. 

As soon as we drove up the path, a sense of calm, comfort and relaxation came over me and that was just for starters...

OUR ROOM

Alexander House, which has history dating back to the 17th century, has 39 beautiful rooms - we stayed in the Laburnum room which as you can see had great views of the outside spa. Not only does it have everything you would expect, but it's the little touches that I like, such as the white linen gowns and slippers, the Temple Spa products in the bathroom and the wide range of herbal teas... truly heaven.

THE FOOD

Who doesn't want to indulge in food when you are away, I certainly did, and was not disappointed. You can choose from either the three-AA Rosette restaurant or the less formal but creative Reflections restaurant. We went for the second option and not only was the food perfect but also the service - one very happy customer. We also ordered some food to our room on the second night and as you can see from the pictures - quality remains throughout.

AFTERNOON TEA

Now if you do stay here, you have to try the afternoon tea. Ours included  delicious home-made cakes and puddings, as well as flavour-packed sandwiches and scrumptious scones... and just to make it extra special we ordered some champagne - what more could you want! Just incase you were wondering my favourite had to be the pistachio macaroon, soft and chewy, with a crisp bite YUM!

Unfortunately I didn't take a camera down into the spa, but it truly is a treat for the eyes as well as your body and mind. As you walk down to the lower ground in your robe and slippers you are met with a spa that stemmed from the concept of a basement monastery. There are arches and pillars, a special staircase hand painted on one of the walls surrounding the main pool and stars painted above one of the pools. As you can imagine we spent hours in the spa and after two nights we felt completely replenished and refreshed. 

If the hotel and facilities wasn't enough, the staff made it even more special, and nothing was ever too much trouble. I really had the best stay and can't wait to go back. 

If you fancy staying here check out www.alexanderhotels.co.uk for more details.

Love Nic x

REVIEW // DIORSKIN NUDE BB CREME

It's fair to say that I am in LOVE with this product. On a recent trip away I spotted this little beauty in duty free. As you know from my other post, I have been on the look out for something to wear in the day when I don't want to wear hardly any other make-up. I had heard positive reviews about the Diorskin Nude BB Creme so I popped over to the counter to test it out and wow it did not disappoint...

Firstly I'm a sucker for packaging but how beautiful is this. So as the product suggests it is a nude glow skin-perfecting beauty balm with an SPF 10 sun protection (exactly what I need now that the weather is warming up). It comes in 5 expert shades that match every skin tone, I have 002, and claims to moisturise, smooth, protect and correct the skin. The product itself has a light airy formula and the lady at the counter told me it is enhanced with mineralised floral water and a blend of antioxidants.  What I particularly like about the creme is that it has a surprise pump once opened as you can see below. Let's face it, there's nothing worst when the product gets everywhere when you are trying to dispense it. 

I blend it in using just my fingers and it glides on really easy as if you were rubbing in a moisturiser. My skin instantly absorbs it and I can honestly say I am left with an even skin tone that has a fresh glow and dewy finish. It simply illuminates my skin and I never thought there would be a day when I left the house with just a BB creme on. Yes it does have a light coverage, but it is just perfect for those days when you want minimal effort with great results. As you can see from the before and after shots below, it really warms the skin, great for summer, and also helps to fill out fine lines. If you are after a dewy finish then I would totally recommend this, however, for those who are a bit more oily than perhaps you might want something slightly more mattifying. Once I apply I do tend to sweep over some loose powder on my T-zone but apart from that I like to let my skin do the talking.

While it is in the high-end price range, I totally think it is worth the money. This is the first BB creme I have ever purchased, but after buying this, I think I may be make some more BB purchases in the future. 

For something with a bit more coverage than, check out my review of the Estee Lauder Double Wear Light foundation. 

If anyone else has tried this let me know, or if there are any other similar products you can recommend, comment below. 

Love Nic

x

MAY FAVOURITES

May is my favourite month, not just because my birthday falls in this month, but everything is just so much brighter and fresher - clothes, weather, makeup and even people. Long gone are the dark, dreary evenings and helllooo sunshine. 

There's just been so many products that I've been loving so far this month, so I thought why not do my monthly faves now - especially since my birthday is coming up and I will be doing a lot of blogging around then. I have used all the products featured for quite some time now so I feel I can give you quite an honest review...

So I've been on the lookout for a light day foundation for a while now and last month after testing out the popular Estee Lauder Double Wear and the Double Wear Light I went for the latter. I tend to stray away from heavy matte looking foundations and love products that give me fresh dewy looking skin. Like the DW the DWL has a 15-hour wear and this is definitely the case. It leaves you with a natural finish and compared to the DW, which feels much heavier on the skin, the lighter version is just that. It is so comfortable to wear and apply. It blends into the skin so easy - I use a damp beauty blender - and I just can't express enough how natural looking it is while still giving you good coverage. I would say this foundation is definitely for the day and perhaps if you wanted something more matte than DW would be more suitable. I have the shade intensity 2 which is a light to medium creamy beige, but I think there are about 6 different shades to choose from. So if you're looking for something light for the summer - you have to give this a go. 

I've always been a fan of the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector - its non-sticky formula, pretty smell and the way it made my lips feel so moisturised. Well if you haven't tried the new-ish Clarins Natural Lip Perfector Balms then you have to. The stick form balms have the same sheer colour and truly feel so nice to use. They have nourishing mango, vitamin e and natural peptide to help boost hydration - perfect.  I think the packaging is also so sleek and pretty I just love getting it out. It comes in 6 shades - getting more pigmented as the range foes along. I have the shade 03 My Pink, which you can see in the picture above. 

For some reason I just can't get enough of Clarins this month. I was given this Bronzing Duo Mineral Powder Compact in the shade 02 medium as a freebie when I was bought some other products. I normally use Nars Laguna as my bronzer, but it was nice to try something different for a change. You have a darker bronze colour on the right and a lighter shader on the left for a highlighter. I just sweep my brush in both colours and apply. What I do like about this is the natural sun-kissed look it gives you. While it may not be as pigmented as Nars Laguna on days when you want an effortless bronzed look this is perfect. It does make the skin look dewy which I love. However, I would say if you want something to contour with than this doesn't give you as much definition. 

Since my brother's wedding last summer I have been growing my nails. Before that I was a serial nail-biter since I can remember. I still think my nails could be a lot stronger and less brittle, but boy do I love painting my nails. At Christmas I was given the Ciate Manor advent calendar and this Cupcake Queen colour was one of the 24 minis included. It's perfect for the summer and I must say it looks wicked with a tan. It also looks great with gold rings. 

It takes a lot for me to move away from my dear St Tropez tan, but when I was in boots recently I was looking for a moisturiser and noticed this Dove Summer Glow Self Tan Nourishing Lotion. So while this lotion is infused with intense moisturisers to pamper and nourish dry skin, it also provides a subtle self-tanning agent. When I first applied it I made sure I had exfoliated, and my skin just absorbed it really quickly. It does give an instant sheen to the skin, you know that look when it looks like you're wearing tights. However, it was not until the next morning that I really noticed the results. I had a lovely glowing bronzed look which was subtle and really made me look healthy, I was really impressed. It obviously wasn't as intense as fake tan, but in a sense, that's great because it's a much more natural look. However, one thing I would say is you have to make sure you wash your hands after application because otherwise you will have orange hands. Also I would pay particular attention to dry areas like elbows and ankles, because if you don't exfoliate properly the colour tends to build up. This lotion is available in fair-to-medium and medium-to-dark, which I have and you can also get it without the shimmer. 

Lastly, perhaps not a scent for summer but still one I have been loving -  Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. It has a sexy, fresh and oriental fragrance made up of orange blossom, rose, jasmine and mimosa. I must say at first spray it can be quite strong but I love it and have had so many compliments when I wear it. So if you're near a Chanel counter make sure to give this a smell.

Has anyone tried these products? If so, let me know I would love to know what you think of them.

Love Nic

x

DKNY BAG // BRYANT PARK TWO-TONE LEATHER TOTE

I love bags there's no doubt about it but my problem, when I find one I like, I use it for ages and forget about all the rest in the closet. I was given this DKNY Bryant Park black and taupe saffiano leather tote as a Christmas present and have used it non-stop since. Its sophisticated and sleek style means it's great for work, while also  being perfect for the evening. As summer draws nearer I think it's time to switch up my bag so I thought I would show this one off one last time...

So the details... this bag has a detachable adjustable shoulder strap (perfect for when at work especially when I'm interviewing on the go), gold tone hardware, hanging tag, internal zip fastening pocket, patch pocket and printed lining. It comes with a dust bag and the shoulder strap is 22 inches. Also just in case you were wondering its 14in x 8in.

When I first started using this bag I had so many compliments and I personally think it just oozes sophistication and quality. It is also really easy to clean - just with a damp cloth very durable. It's the perfect size for work and for a day out shopping!

This was my first DKNY bag, but after using this one I would love to purchase more and more and more. If anyone can recommend one please let me know especially one for summer. 

A bag lover? Read my other post about my Michael Kors bag here.

Love always

Nic

x

HAIR ROUTINE // JOHN FRIEDA

I'm forever on the look-out for hair products that will give my flat and thin locks some va va voom! When I tried this Luxurious Volume line from John Freida about a year ago I instantly fell in love and to be honest nothing has come close since. They truly give body to lifeless hair, so if your in need of some volume, give it a go...

So from left to right we have the Luxurious Volume styling spray, root booster, shampoo and conditioner.

John Frieda claims the shampoo and conditioner adds noticeable more volume to fine hair and gently cleanses the hair without weighing it down - making it easy to comb through. Even after one use my hair feels really cleansed and so light and airy. It doesn't leave any build-up behind which could weigh my hair down, and let's face it, no one wants that. By using the conditioner too, it is so easy to comb through my hair. I used to use the Tresemme 24-hour Body and while the two are comparable - JF has my vote any day. 

Out of all the products my favourite by far has to be the root booster. You spray the lotion on towel-dry-hair focusing solely on the roots before blow drying. I do spray quite a lot into the roots but the results are the worth the extra effort. Once dry, my hair is noticeably thicker and fuller and with a little back combing, hello va va voom! I think a good test of a product is when you don't use something, and let me tell you, when I don't use it I can tell the difference and my hair goes back to being lifeless. I'm sure this little wonder will be part of my routine for a long time! 

Unlike the root booster, you use the styling spray throughout towel-dry-hair, and it claims to create the illusion of more hair and make the lengths and ends of the hair thicker from the inside out. I wouldn't go that far, but it does add thickness to the hair. I don't use this product as much, only on a night out when I want a lot of volume, however I don't think it's as good as the root booster. 

With this spray you do have to blow dry your hair to activate the product, so if your the type that likes to let your hair dry naturally than this is not for you. 

For more details on the type of hair dryer I use to blow dry my hair check out my Phil Smith post.

Have you tried these products? What do you think?

Love Nic

x

LIBERATION SPECIAL // 1940S MAKE-UP

"And our dear Channel Islands are also to be freed today ..." 

Winston Churchill

It was on 9th May 1945 that Guernsey was liberated from 5 years of German rule in the Second World War. Today marks the 70h anniversary of Liberation Day - a time when islanders can look back and reflect and remember all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Without their sacrifice Guernsey and Europe could have been a very different place. There are plenty of events taking place today and tomorrow to celebrate, but I thought I would pick out some Liberation inspired products to get that perfect 1940s look... #Liberation70 

So when I think of 1940s make-up, the first thing that springs to mind is lipstick and red, red, red! This was the colour of the decade, though there was variation in the red, from the classic pillar box to reds with undertones of blue, brown, orange and pink. Lipstick was matte so if a shine was required, a dab of petroleum jelly was applied. Lipsticks were also really staining so a little went a long way - perfect for wartime skimping. For my 1940s inspired look I picked out the Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick in 111 - Kiss of Life. This lipstick glides on the lips and feel quite weightless, with the deeper shades in particular they are very smooth and even. Although it is matte, it has a slight sheen to it, which I love and it feels quite moisturising. Plus this range is quite affordable. 

Very little make-up was used on the eyes but during the late 1940s eye started to be seen on the upper eye lids. My go-to eye liner at the moment is the Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner. The liner is a deep-black with a glossy finish and the tip is firm and comes to a fine point. Although you can create thick or fine lines, I find it much easier to create thicker lines, perfect for the vintage look. However, I tend to use it by pressing it sideways on your lid and sweeping the pen across. The tip seems to dry out quickly, so applying the liner straight on is not the best. 

To finish the eye look off, a coat or two of mascara is needed and all I have been using in the past year has been the Benefit They're Real. There's no denying it I love, love, love this product. This jet-black mascara lengthens, curls, volumes, lifts and separates lashes like no other and the brush is specially designed to maximise the performance of the long-wearing, glossy formula. The bristles grab close to the root, give you an instant boost in length and volume. 

Lastly blush, or back in the 1940s, rouge. Back during the war, rouge came in little cardboard pots of compressed powder and popular colours were in peachy, coral and pink tones. Colours were also geared towards a healthy glow, so fast forward 70 years and my favourite for creating a soft fresh look is the new Max Factor Creme Puff Blush. I have the colour 5 Lovely Pink and if you haven't tried this range then I promise you need to give it a go. It just leaves the skin looking so soft and youthful and with the added shimmer it makes your skin look so dewy.

Just as a bit of fun I thought I would also include some nail varnishes to represent the Union Flag colours. To create the blue I think this Ciate in Frozen Daydream would be perfect and because it's a glitter it's sure to add a sparkle to any look. I also bought this Rimmel Rita Ora 60 Seconds in 703 White Hot Love, which is a true white colour - looks particularly good if you have a tan. Lastly and my favourite the Nails Inc. Gel Effect The Boltons. It just oozes deluxe and that's the effect you get on your nails and lasts considerably longer than other polishes. 

So on this 70th anniversary of Liberation, let us not forget all those that paid with their lives to give us our freedom. 

For a live blog of all the events going on today visit www.guernseypress.com

Love Nic

x