The Big Three: Origins Masks

So I was lucky enough to get my hands on 3 full sized masks from Origins for Christmas, and boy I have been indulging non stop. As I had been suffering from very dry skin this winter I was keen to try out the overnight mask, a notorious product in the beauty world. I do however, suffer from break outs a lot (even without oily skin) so the charcoal mask was second on my wishlist.

Drink Up 10 minute Mask: A light mask that smells like apricots, great for a quick burst of hydration when your skin is feeling 'blahhh' and claims to act as 'a fountain of youth'. What more could you ask for eh? To sum it up - a quick fix of algae extracts aimed for very dry skin, and a little goes a long way with this product.

Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask: This mask has a thick night cream texture, designed to slowly sink into the skin and work it's magic overnight. whilst the cream is thick, it doesn't feel heavy - my skin can still breathe once applied. It contains a range of ingredients including; apricot kernel oil to replenish moisture, avocado oil and mango butters to prepare the face for the next day and Japanese seaweed to avoid further dehydration. It smells divine...think sweet mangoes!

Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask: Now, unfortunately this mask doesn't smell quite as amazing as the other two but that's not the selling point... This deep cleaning mask is aimed to unclog pores and remove pollutants. It applies really easily and fully dries in around 5 minutes. One bonus for me is that it doesn't flake one bit - something I hate in masks! (flaky masks and multitasking doesn't mix well) Once dry I remove it gently with a warm cloth and my skin feels immediately fresh and purified - making breakouts fear for their lives.

Are all three worth the hype? One word - YES!

Budget Buy: Boots Leave-In Conditioner Spray

I have found a drugstore gem in the form of Boots own Coconut & Almond Leave-In Conditioner. These leave-in sprays hit the spotlight last summer and I have recently finished the Dove Nourishing Oil Spray and picked up the boots own version to try.

This spray is aimed at normal to dry hair. I towel dry my hair then spray it all over, from root to tip, and brush through. Instantly it makes my hair tangle free and so soft to touch, adding moisture and smoothing out those unruly strays. Even two days after washing my hair still felt smooth and tame. I also found it meant less straightening, which is a bonus for me and my hair!

The best part is that this 100ml bottle is only £1.39!! - I mean that's loose change (or boots points)!

Oil Slick Nails

A collection of my multi-tonal metallics for you today. I sometimes go off metallic/glittery nails but right now, this second, I'm loving them! After a rifle through my polish collection I realised I have a few very similar metallic shades - all generally donning that oil slick look.

As I said, these five shades are relatively similar -  some more than others but it just shows what trends we are seeing across the polish world right now. Okay, I must admit, I've had the Naked polishes for nearly a year now but they are still firm faves in the nail department and still on trend! (full review here)

Rimmel Metal Rush in 'Pearly Queen': A very sheer lilac polish that shines green/pink in the light. Quite the girly shade in my opinion.

Angelica Nail Colour in 'Chameleon': The most 'oily' of the bunch, purple with hints of reds and greens and generally every colour of the rainbow. This polish really does look different in every light.

Models Own in 'Purple Blue': Part of the Beetlejuice collection, this polish is very glittery mainly shining purples and blues... I know, how did you guess?

UD Naked in 'Hustle' and 'Smog': Hustle is yet another purple based metallic with hints of brown whilst Smog is coppery with subtle hints of gold and red.

Eye catching nails eh!?

Travel Beauty

Just after Christmas I had a mini break to Amsterdam, I spent 4 nights there taking in culture and getting lost down endless canal lined streets. As we only had hand luggage on board the plane, I was limited in my beauty stash. I had to whittle it down to a few essentials, which was hard to say the least, but here I will show you what products made the final cut.

Make up

Clinique Anti-blemish Solutions liquid foundation |17 Phwoarr Paint | Maybelline Color Tattoo in 'on and on bronze' | Dainty Doll cream blush in '| Maybelline Brow Drama | Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara | Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette | Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in 'vanilla' | Blistex Raspberry Lemonade Blast lip balm | Soap & Glory Gloss Stick in 'Nudist' | 17 Supreme Shine Lipstick in 'deep secret'

Tools

Real Techniques Buffing Brush (cream blusher) | Real Techniques Expert Face Brush (foundation) | Topshop angled brush | flat topped stippling brush (concealer) | tapered blending brush (eyes)

Skincare and then some

Sure roll on deodorant | Batiste Dry Shampoo mini in 'original' | Umberto and Giannini Glam Hair 'Backcomb In A Bottle' | The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion SPF15 | Origins A Perfect World Antioxidant Cleanser (mini) | Origins Modern Friction Nature's gentle dermabrasion (mini)

The tip is to pack multi-purpose products. The Naked Basics Palette is an eye shadow palette, yet the shade 'faint' is a perfect match to my eyebrows and with the angled brush I can fill them in quite naturally. The same brush can also be used with the shade 'crave' along the lash line as an alternative to black eyeliner. Using your ring finger, 'venus' can be applied very lightly to the top of your cheek and brow bones as a highlighter.

My lip products of choice were the S&G gloss stick in 'nudist' (review here) and the 17 Supreme Shine lipstick. My reasons? One word... moisture. Going to a cold country calls for all the nourishment you can get on the lips. Of course I had my trusty Blistex lip balm in my pocket at all times but for when you want a bit of colour, tinted lip balms/glosses are the way to go and this nude shade is great for everyday wear.

The Nars concealer was thrown into my travel stash as I knew I would be spending long days out without returning to the hotel before the evenings. This concealer is great at refreshing your make up look by applying to the areas where you're looking a little dull... chuck on some red lippy and hey presto!

I am going to Glastonbury again this year where I will almost certainly need to downsize my make up to travel friendly portions.

Oh, Sundays!

Almost every time Sunday creeps up on me I think, I haven't done a single thing I planned to do this week. I feel 9 to 5 jobs take their toll on blogs, especially at this dark time of year, it's very easy to loose track of your aims. Sunday should definitely be renamed 'sort your life out - day' and that is what I shall do.

As it goes without saying, the key to blogging is planning. I am an avid planner, however, my flaw is completing said plans. I can make lists for England but a 'job-done' tick is rarely seen. 

Sundays from now on (honestly) will consist of reading, planning and doing! I have blog ideas coming out of my ears but I get very few down on paper - there's just not enough time in the day. So, let's go grab a coffee, get comfy and do this!

What are peoples tips for getting in the zone and keeping on schedule? 

My Empties

So here is my first empties post, an array of products I've been squeezing the dear life out of over the past month or so. I can safely say I have been loving all of the above products and here's why...

Dove Hair Nourishing Oil Leave in Spray 200ml (£3.59) - I bought this product back in summer and I have only just got the bottom of the bottle, serious value for money here. It's a leave in conditioner to be sprayed on wet or dry hair and as I don't condition my hair in the shower, this was a great and easy product to apply to my hair before de-tangling and styling. I can honestly say it kept my hair in great condition preventing dry ends, especially in the summer months.  The smell is also amazing, it reminds me of hot summer days and cocktails!

Would I repurchase? YES - I am, however, currently trialing Boots own version of this.

L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution 200ml (£3.33) - I purchased this when I had finished my beloved Bioderma Sensibio H20 as a possible alternative. At a miniscule of the price, this Loreal micellar works just the same. I feel it isn't as kind on the eyes (Loreal have since released a gentle eye make up remover in a similar range) but removes make up with ease and doesn't feel as if you are applying anything to your face at all.

Would I repurchase? YES

Lush Big Shampoo 330g (£11.50) - Now, this was a splurge! I'm usually one to pick up the cheapest shampoo on offer but when I impulsively had my locks chopped earlier this year I felt I needed some 'oomph' and in turn went for this Lush shampoo. The texture is exactly what it says on the tin pot - coarse lumps of rock salt - which is weird at first but this product certainly lathers up and once dried my hair felt voluminous yet soft. It's not an everyday shampoo but worth the money if you save it for nights out.

Would I repurchase? YES

The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector 30ml (£5.00) - I won't go on about this product as I think every woman on earth has had their hands on this cream. A classic Body Shop hand cream that doesn't smell too good but really does sort out dry hands. Often on offer too - score!

Would I repurchase? NO... only because I wish to spread my hand cream wings...

Wilkinsons Fruity Citrus Instant Hand Sanitiser - I go through these like there's no tomorrow. Dries quick and isn't sticky, not much more you can ask for from a hand sanitiser. 

Would I repurchase? YES, battle that bacteria!

Mac Powder Sheertone Shimmer Blush in 'Peachtwist' (£18.00) - Very much a 'going out' blush here... almost a bronzer with a deep, shimmery peach tone. My view is that this product can work as a bronzer, blush and highlighter all in one and it brightens up the face with even the smallest amount of product.
Would I repurchase? NO, I tend to steer towards more affordable blushers on the highstreet. Sorry MAC!

Rimmel Scandaleyes LYCRA Flex Mascara in '001 black' - This is my all time favourite mascara!! I am really fussy about how my eyelashes look and this lycra flex mascara can be layered and layered without any clumps in sight. It's large brush is fantastic at separating lashes and giving a wide eyed fluttery look. In fact, the whole scandaleyes range is uhh-mazing!

Would I repurchase? YES (as soon as I get through these other mediocre ones I have on the go ;))

Soap & Glory Gloss Sticks

For me, Christmas 2013 was the year of Soap & Glory. I unwrapped ample S&G goodies and of course 'ahhhhh-ed' at the smell of every single product. Soap & Glory are one of my favourite brands, with their luxurious offerings of bath and body, and a side of humorous wit.

These Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Sticks are described as super-light, ultra-hydrating lip crayon's and I couldn't have worded it better myself. These crayons are glossy but not at all sticky, no unfortunate hair-in-mouth disasters here! There is absolutely no hint of any tingling sensation (I'm looking at you Lip Plumping Gloss) and lashings of moisturising goodness.

This nifty gift set presents 3 colours. Covering all bases we have a nude, berry and bright shade...

'Nudist' as you may expect is a nude pink shade, perfect for every day wear. Can't go wrong.

'Fushia-Ristic' is the brightest of the bunch, but I feel it has the least colour pay off. The bright orange/pink colour adds major shine to your lips but not much else.

'Plum Jam' is a deep red and my favourite of the three. The easiest product to achieve a carefree bold lip EVER, ya'know for those days where you want to flaunt a red lip but don't have the time or energy for anything fancy.

If you are looking for highly pigmented lip laquers, these aren't the thing for you. But if you want a hint of sophisticated colour in the form of a nourishing gloss then look no further chums! Unfortunately I think this particular set was a Christmas limited edition however you can certainly still buy them separately online - with more shades too!

Desk Side(kicks)

January 2014 - the month of 'new beginnings' and 'fresh starts'.... 

We all throw around cliched phrases at this time of year and so I thought I would start the new year with a 'a tidy desk is a tidy mind' kinda post. I am a keen organiser (if I do say so myself) and I pretty much function in neat piles and coordinated stationary, with ample list making on the side. Today, I have put together some desk necessitates that I feel should remain at arm's length at all times. A day doesn't go by without me using at least two of these essential holy grail products.

We have the obvious choices of hand sanitiser and hand cream. The Wilkinson's own branded 'fruity berry instant hand sanitiser' is a bargain at less then £2 and doesn't leave your hands feeling sticky or wet. The Body Shop's 'Almond Hand and Nail Cream' is a personal fave, additionally to it's amazing smell this cream sinks deep into the skin and moisturises like a dream.

A lip balm is everyone's saviour during winter. Whether we like it or not - we must keep those dry lips at bay! This Blistex number is in the flavour 'raspberry lemonade' and tastes good enough to eat... oh and it hydrates my lips pretty well too.

It's always handy to have a spare nail polish at the back of a draw somewhere in case you get caught short before a night out straight from work. This Essie shade 'Fondola Gondola' is so easy to wear it's perfect paired with any outfit (any season!). One coat leaves the look quite translucent for a subtle effect, or you can build the colour for a more girly pink.

And then of course there's the not-so-glam essentials. The trusty bulldog grip to briskly remove annoying fringe hair when your trying to get down to business. This one I picked up from Primark in a set that more than likely cost a mere £1 but you can find similar here.
A trusty compact mirror to stare wondrously into and paracetamol, to ya'know, get you through the hard times.

Let me know what non-luxury items you can't live without...

The Instagram Report #02

kate spade iphone case // cute cups by blond amsterdam // breakfast in bed // homemade oreo stuffed cookies // clothes show live 2013 // amstel park // amsterdam light festival // amsterdam // early christmas present // mulberry // throw back // cheese antics

instagram: alisonruthxo

Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow by Maybelline

I don't think there is a single blogger out there that hasn't come across these little pots. However I have now found myself in the possession of three, so thought it was a perfect time to sing their praise.

The three editions to my maybeline trio include;

Permanent Taupe - A sophisticated shade perfect as a base for most smokey eye looks but also a great colour to compliment brown eyes.

On and on Bronze - The peoples fave! A simple bronze that is probably the easiest eye shadow ever to work with, even I can produce a fairly professional looking attempt at a smokey gold eye, in less than 3 minutes!!

Metallic Pomegranate - The red craze really came to town in 2013 and I predict it will continue throughout winter. Pomegranate is a very safe and subtle option for us scardy cats. Paired with a dark brown or charcoal shadow this ruby shade works a treat (and did so on Christmas Day!).

No doubt this collection will grow in no time, what shade next?