Review: Clinique Smart Custom Repair Serum

Clinique Smart Custom Repair Serum 30mls £48 50mls £68 100mls £110

Hey guys, I love trying out new skincare and I've been using this for about 2 months now so think it's time for a review. 

What they say: 

Clinique Smart Custom Serum.

 A serum that can change your skin’s future. Now there’s a custom serum smart enough to understand your skin’s past and change its appearance in the future. - Addresses the appearance of uneven skin tone, lines and wrinkles, firming, or radiance - For all ages, all ethnicity - Five years of research. Patented technology

What I say:

I used this not expecting much to be honest as aging isn't one of my main concerns but thought 'hey I'll just it as 'insurance' for my skin' if you like. After about a week of using this (on a night generally) I actually forgot to put foundation on - it wasn't till I finished my make up I realised I hadn't applied any base (VERY unlike me) I couldn't believe it my skin actually looked good enough to go foundation less! It must have been doing something. Then to top it off a few nights later after taking my make up off before bed and doing the whole skincare routine, I went to get into bed and my boyfriend said are you not taking your make up off before you go to bed!!?? What!! Now let me start by explaining first that he's very much your typical bloke and doesn't even notice when I change hair colour never mind not removing my make up before bed. I asked if he was joking and told him I'd just washed my face. He then said 'wow your skin looks really nice like make up' (very blokey thing to say). Well that comment alone sold this product to me and I will 100% be repurchasing after this runs out only I'll be going for the large size next time!  

This serum would be suitable for a lot of skin types. In particular I think this would be a fab starter serum for someone who doesn't know where to start in the world of serums as it targets each different personal skin concern. It 'knows' your skin and targets problem areas that you're not even aware of yet hence why this is a 'SMART' serum. I would work well under your usual moisturiser therefore it just slots right into your routine easily. I love the fact it targets a range of skin problems, it just makes it a multi tasker in it's own right.

The consistency is almost gel like and it instantly absorbs into the skin, I never notice a residue left on my skin which is perfect as I'm more on the oilier side, it does leave a nice velvety finish on the skin and would be suitable for all skin types. A very oily skin may want to skip using this on the mornings and just save for evenings but personally I've worn it under moisturiser and make up and it sat beautifully.

All in all I really recommend this serum and feel most skins would benefit from using this, if you have a few concerns you want to target and don't want to buy separate products then this is the serum for you, I also think this is just perfect for a persons first serum and it targets the majority of skin complaints.

There's no doubt that I'll be using this serum in for a long time and will certainly be stocking up. 

What do you guys think? Have you tried it?

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Harvey Nichols Leeds: Charlotte Tilbury Pop Up Counter

Wow! Harvey Nichols have really pulled it out of the bag with this one. The Charlotte Tilbury counter is a first for Yorkshire - in fact it's a first in the North! Harvey Nichols Leeds has managed to snap up an exclusive as no other Harvey Nichols store stocks it yet... Ooo err! 

I wish I'd have taken more pictures because the pop up counter looks so inviting and fun. The counter is temporary until 28th August - the permament will be available on the 29th. The pop up counter serves as a teaser, as at the moment you are only able to purchase the miracle cream and the wonder glow primer - although the wonderful girls will treat you to an eye look of your choice just to tease us even more. You also have the opportunity to be booked in with one of Charlotte Tilbury's backstage make up artists (on selective days). The whole line will be rolled out when the permanent counter arrives on the 29th.

The make up is absolutely beautiful and the packaging is just screaming to be left on your dresser for all to admire. I'm looking forward to the new counter arriving so I can go treat myself to a whole host of goodies... Watch this space!!

Siobhan xxx

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Leeds Blogger Meet Up: Saturday 31st August 2013

This isn't actually outside the Leeds venue but a picture from google :) Source

On Saturday 31st August I had the pleasure of attending the Leeds Blogger meet up, which was my first meet as a blogger, so very exciting and nerve racking at the same time. The venue was the always chic Patisserie Valerie on St Paul's Street in Leeds and despite living in Leeds for my whole life and formally working very close to the venue, I got lost, so lost in fact that I was almost an hour late! Luckily for me there was another late comer in the form of Lauren who I met up with so it didn't feel quite as terrible turning up all wind swept and red cheeked! The weather didn't hold up as well as I hoped and wore sandals (rookie mistake!). 
This was my outfit of choice for the day:

It took me ages to peel myself out of a maxi dress to actually wear a skirt, as at the moment nothing in my wardrobe actually fits. Which means that my bump was on full display for all to see, I think it might be time to finally give in to maternity clothes! 

In the end I went for my French Connection T-Shirt and Skirt. Topshop Sandals. Topshop Blazer. DVF Bag. 

After catching my breath and ordering a drink (Tea, of course!) I started to relax and got chatting to some lovely bloggers. It was lovely speaking to like minded people and being around people who didn't find it odd to take pictures of tea and cake! 

Hayley did a great job of organising the meet up and managed to get loads goodies for us all to take home and try. Here's a sneak peak of the treats:

Expect some reviews to come up shortly of the products, I'm already really excited by a few of them.

Me and Bump!

Lauren enjoying her cuppa

My yummy Carrot Cake and Tea

Shortly after the treats arrived Hayley started a little prize draw and I was one of the lucky winners! My prize was the Enrapture Amplify Jumbo Waver (!) I was a very happy lady indeed. I can't wait to give them a try and will no doubt feature it at some point on the blog too. I'm already considering taking this to the hospital with me for after giving birth but my other half told me I was being ridiculous lol! What does he know anyway? So watch this space :)

Soon after everyone said their goodbyes and either went off for food or for shopping. I had to be on my way, but not before popping into the new Victoria's Secret store in Trinity Leeds and Harvey Nichols with Heather for a Nars Lip pencil in Bolero that I have had my eye on for a while, as you do! I will be doing a full review of the Nars Lip pencil but for the time being here it is:

While in Harvey Nichols we unsurprisingly bumped into a few of the other bloggers too who were making their indulgent purchases :) I saw Michelle pick up a gorgeous berry shade lipstick from MAC.

 All in all it was a lovely day and I would encourage everyone who has the opportunity to go to their local meet ups as scary as it may seem at the time. Everyone was really lovely and I'm looking forward to attending any future events now. 

Hope everyone else had a lovely weekend? Has anyone else recently been to any meet up events? 

Siobhan xxx

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My Birthday Stay at Malmaison Leeds: OOTN

For my birthday (which is today by the way) my boyfriend took me to stay at the Malmaison hotel in Leeds for the night and we went out for a meal and drinky poos :) We've stayed at this hotel a few times now, and other Malmasion hotels in Liverpool and Manchester and I've also stayed in the Edinburgh and London hotel for work as well. I would definitely recommend this hotel as every time time I have been to any of their hotels for business or pleasure I have completely enjoyed myself and the staff can not do too much for you.

I will warn you now this post is a tad picture heavy haha! and also sorry but the lighting was not great for photography at all  :)

I decided as we were only going for a meal and a few drinks I wanted to wear something less dressy uppy so I decided to go for my Black Zara wax coated Jeans, a little silk Black top which you can't see in the pics and my Cream lace peplum jacket from River Island and some Black court heels

You can't see the shoes in that picture actually as my boyfriend is rubbish at taking pictures ha!

After a few tipples I was like 'I'm going to take a picture of my make up for my blog' (does anyone else do this??) Probably not the best idea after a glass or two of wine haha! Anyway the pictures were rubbish and instead I decided to make funny faces and my boyfriend laughed at me so yeah sorry about that.

 

But for anyone who cares I used my Urban Decay NAKED palette for a gold and bronze smokey look and a bright Red lip - although I forgot to bring my lip liner which annoyed me haha! I'll list the colours  I used here even though my pictures are rubbish lol *mental note to learn to take better pictures* 

Naked colours for eyes:

Half baked 

Smog

Darkhorse

Virgin (for highlighting)

UD Primer original

Bobbi Brown Gel Liner in Black

Lip:

MAC Ruby Woo

Face:

Laura Mercier Original Primer

MAC Studio Fix  Foundation - NW25

MAC Matte Bronzer

Nars Deep Throat Blusher

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection 

Any way I hope everyone has had a lovely weekend? I'm gutted the weekends over but tomorrow on of my best friends is taking me to a spa so I'm quite excited for that actually. 

Siobhan xxxx

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