Get the hottest skincare trend with Clinique!

Spring is on the way and it's time to get this seasons hottest catwalk trend, the fresh faced, no makeup look. With a little prep of course, it's possible to achieve naturally clear and even looking skin with a full coverage but lightweight foundation - something that drugstore brands haven't quite achieved yet.

Clinique have recently launched their 'beyond coverage' two in one foundation that combines the colour correction of a foundation and the coverage of a concealer into one product. The formula is really creamy and lightweight which is surprising for a foundation combined with a heavy duty concealer, and is perfect for coverage as well as comfort. When applied, it doesn't sit on the skin - which can sometimes make it obvious that you're wearing makeup - instead, it LOOKS LIKE SKIN! This is something I've been looking for a while now. I used to be obsessed with Loreal True Match but after looking in a mirror that was a little too honest, I could see every little pore in my face which did not look attractive at all.

With Benefits Porefessional for prep, this foundation stayed on my face all day without any patchiness or slippage which is great for anyone with oily skin. Clinique also do a foundation in their anti-blemish range to target these problems but I find the formula harder to blend which can make my makeup look a bit unnatural. The 'beyond coverage' foundation is easily bendable with my Real Techniques expert face brush and keeps some of the dewiness, perfect for the healthy no-makeup glow.

Also, the doe foot applicator really deserves a mention. Hats off to whoever decided to incorporate this into the packaging because I haven't seen anything like it and it makes application soooo much easier. It prevents wastage, which I hate when you've spent a bit of money on the product, and it's loyal to the concealer aspect of the formula. Simply dot a little around the eyes or on any spots for coverage where you need it!

The Real Techniques expert face brush is perfect for blending and buffing foundation into the skin. It's the best brush I've ever used for foundation application and it has to be my favourite part of doing my makeup! It's also super soft and easy to clean which is an added bonus! There's nothing worse than a bristly brush that can be itchy and malts like no tomorrow!

Finally, the fresh faced catwalk look can only be achieved with clear skin. Like many people I'm sure, there is never a time when I don't have blemishes. This is when I reach for my anti-blemish solutions clinical clearing gel, something that I've been using on and off over the years as the beauty blogger inside always wants to try new products. It's a light gel with salicylic acid in the formula, that can be applied twice a day over cleansed skin and spot-applied for leave-on blemish treatment. It's perfect for those 'oops I left my makeup on' mornings when those blighters make an appearance!

Tanya Burr, Tiny Tea and treats

Hi guys! I'm back and with a slightly cleaner and sleeker looking blog! I've been contemplating changing it... well ever since I started blogging which is about a year ago now, but I've always been reluctant to pay a stupid amount for professionally made templates. I'd always look at the really confusing HTML and think 'whaaaaaaaaat', never knowing what I was doing as I'm not the computer whizz I once was (never). So, I loosened the purse strings a little and spent a couple of pounds on a template from Etsy - if you're a blogger beginner and want a professional looking page, check out Etsy for easy to install and affordable designs! I know it's simple and the change maybe isn't noticeable, but I'm liking the vibes, it's very clean.. (as clean as a blog can be) anyway, moving on. 

It's been quite a long and stressful week for me with uni work and not feeling 100%, but I've been taking some time to unwind, gain a little perspective and get back to feeling myself. Firstly, Sam bought me some gorgeous white, pink and red roses for Valentines which was really sweet and have really lifted my mood. When I have flowers in my room I feel all grown up and girly and whether they're £20 or £3, they can make everything seem brighter and happier.

Secondly, to start looking after myself from the outside, I need to look after myself from the inside. So, I've started drinking the Your Tea Tinyteatox which I've heard great things about. The herbal blend is designed to assist with bloating, indigestion, reduction of excess weight and increase energy - all things I need after the festive season. I know it's been a couple of months since Christmas and New Year but I still feel a little bloated and sluggish, no matter how healthily I eat or exercise, so I'm really hoping my 14 day teatox will make a difference. If it does I'll be sure to write a post on them!  It's a great way to get you feeling motivated because I'm sure some of you will agree, but if I'm not being productive or pro-active in getting fitter or where I want to be, then I start to get deflated and demotivated. Going on a detox, or in this case teatox, is a perfect way to incorporate 'pro-activeness' into your everyday life! (btw the packaging is adorbs!).

Now, Tanya Burr Tanya Burr Tanya Burr! I'm so excited to finally get hold of her book 'Love Tanya' (half price in Waterstones btw guys!). It was only a matter of time before she brought a book after her successful nail polish, eyelash and lip gloss lines but I love her style, makeup tutorials and how down to earth she is - seriously fan-girling right now! but the confidence she has in herself and her skin is so inspiring to me.
The other day I was sitting in a pub, crowded with families and football hooligans, and I just snuggled in the corner, kicked back, and read this book. I love all of her little tips to tackle stress and keep happy so I read the chapters on happiness and body confidence. After a long day or even on a weekend, I really want to start sitting in coffee shops and little cafes with my laptop to do my work. I think it's so relaxing and a change of scenery can be good when you're swamped with work. There also isn't any distractions so it's easier to get in the zone... there's also lots of hot chocolate which isn't too bad either hehe.

Finally, I thought I'd treat myself to my favourite EVER perfume, Chloé (original) because I tried to find something similar and nothing appealed to me. Like a love sick puppy, I just keep coming back to this one. Even though I haven't had any Chloé in a year, maybe 2 Christmas's ago now, it's always been on my mind. It's so fresh, floral, womanly and comforting to me now. It's gorgeous so if you come across it at any point, give it a sniff from me!

Anyway, this went on a little longer than planned so i'll wrap it up and I hope you have a good weekend ladies! (p.s. i'm hoping to do more chatty posts like this so I hope you liked this little set up :))

How has your week been?