Review: Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

Hello Girlies! How is everyone? Hope the weekend is treating you well? I'm not working today and have a lot on this week so thought I would spend a bit of time blogging today :) I have also just signed up for a 10k run in Leeds and should be training today for that but hey it's Sunday - the day of rest ha! 

So today I'm going to be reviewing a product that I have been using recently which is - Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief Moisturiser. I have been using this for a few weeks now. This moisturiser is described by Clinique as:

Light, comfortable cream/gel plumps skin with hydration for a full 24 hours. Fine lines, flakiness and tightness are washed away. in their place a sense of supple, firm, vibrant well-being, even through shifts in humidity. One 'drink' and skin looks and feels happier, healthier.

I have to agree with the description of this product - upon application my skin felt smoother and more hydrated and any tightness was instantly relived. I tend to use this on an evening however it can be used throughout the day just bear in mind that it doesn't contain an spf so you would be best to add one. 

For reference I don't have dry skin, my skin is combination and never ever get flakiness in my skin due to dryness, however my skin in very dehydrated due to me stripping it most likely through scrubs and masks! and also being in air conditioned places, which is rubbish for the skin. I can be prone to breakout if I use the wrong products therefore I am very weary about 'moisturising' products as I have in the past found them too rich and emollient for my skin.

This moisturiser is not like any other I have used before due to its texture and also the fact that its highly hydrating but is oil-free - therefore excellent for my skin! I have noticed such an improvement in my skin since sing this and have found that I can tell the difference when I don't use it too. 

I started using this after getting a sample after I burnt my face (don't ask - I'm accident prone! Lol!) and a few colleagues recommended this a few times so I thought why not!? Also I knew I was dehydrated so it came in good time! Although I work for the brand this is something I hadn't personally tried (and no, I didn't get it free! Lol), although I knew it was well loved by consultants and customers alike. Before using this I tended to stick to products designed for breakout prone skins but seen as I'm getting older I thought I needed something more 'grown up'.

It can be used as a daily moisturiser,  as a 'top up' throughout the day over make up (this may be better for the drier skin type though!) and also as a five minute moisture mask an then tissue off. I tend to just use it on an evening though or before the gym. Although I like the sound of using it as a mask i probably wouldn't as 1. it would use too much too quickly and 2. they now have the moisture surge overnight mask that I would use for that :) When I wake up my skin feels smoother and in better condition and also use it along side any spot treatments, during the times of the dreaded breakout arghh and it works a treat!

The cream contains a high level of aloe which makes it a perfect holiday or summer moisturiser that wont feel too slimy or greasy in high humidity. It feels cooling on the skin and so would benefit someone with sensitive skin, especially because it contains for fragrance what so ever. If your looking for a simple hydrating moisturiser that wont clog your skin then I would highly recommend this product  it is designed for all skin types even the driest, however there is an intense version of this product that might be more suited for the very dry which is more of a cream texture. 

Overall this is something that I would certainly buy again and definitely found a new favourite! The product is £32 for 50mls which I think compared to other premium products is a great price. If your skin is dehydrated then I would recommend giving this product a second glance, if like me your worried about breaking out then don't be as its non comedogenic and non acnegenic meaning it been tested to not clog pores or cause breakouts. If your very dry to dry and feel this just might not be enough for you then the intense version might be up your street! However this can still be used by the very dry and think most people would also love this product. 

So what do you think? Have you tried this product before? What did you think of it? Anyone using something similar that they would also recommend?

Siobhan xxx

Read more

SHARE:

Why Do You Wear Makeup Tag

Hey everyone. Hope everyone is having a good weekend? I was recently tagged by the lovely Julz AKA 'J-Bean' at Julz Obsessions to do a 'why do you wear make-up  post which I actually find very interesting to read myself so here it is :)

And here is a picture I took the other morning after doing my make up, you know as you do :)

1. When did you begin to love make up?

Gosh, probably as long as I can remember  I have always been a very girly girl and always loved looking in my mums make up bag as a kid and as I got older I loved reading magazines and getting tips and tricks on make up - I never wore loads as a teenager as I always thought it was bad for the skin and so would only wear it for 'special' occasions lol. However as I got older and became specially trained as a make up artist I found myself experimenting more and more. I guess I've always loved make up and the more I learnt the more I loved :)

2. How do yo feel without make up?

I actually quite happy without make up on - I'm comfortable in my own skin now, however if you had asked me a few years ago I'd have said I wouldn't leave the bedroom without it on haha - well not quite but you know! But as I have to wear make up for work (I work on a make-up counter) I feel quite naked without it lol. I think too many people think they have to wear make up to look good but I personally think people are being too hard on themselves and everyone is beautiful - warts and all! But yeah overall I'm happy without it - just so long as I have mascara though! I would never give up make-up as I love it too much and just love creating new looks and getting dolled up is one of my favourite things to do :)

3.What do you like about make up?

I love how it can change how someone feels about themselves, I can't tell you the amount of times I've done someones make-up who weren't feeling that great about themselves to suddenly leaving with a smile on their face and to me that's what make up does - it can make you feel great about yourself! It's not about masking its about enhancing ;) I also like how you can experiment with different looks and to me it never gets boring trying out new make up - even though I have tons of it, there's always room for more! Plus another thing I love about the UK actually is the fact that a lot our 'high street' make up is good too.

4. Three 'Holy Grail' items?

Ooo this is a toughie! To be honest I switch products so much when it comes to make up but I'll think of what I tend to use the most of. Or have bought a few times

Collection 2000 Lasting perfection concealer - Just a bargain and does what it says on the tin!

Benefit Hoola Bronzer - this has been one of my favourite bronzers for 7 years.

MAC Shy Girl Lipstick - This is one of them lipsticks that I have just bought over and over again.

So there you have it! So what does everyone else think of when it comes to make up?  I tag everyone to do this tag! Please leave me a link on here or twitter if you do it so that I can read them :)

Siobhan xxx

Read more

SHARE:

New In: The Weekly Edit #4

Good Evening Ladies! How is everyone this evening? I've been enjoying my day off to doing absolutely nothing :) It's been fab! Felt like a student again! Lol... And seen as the Football is on tonight I have this evening all to myself too... Total bliss! So thought that I would do my weekly round up edit of what's new in the shops at the mo! 

I'm really looking forward to the weather perking up as I really can not cope with the cold weather any more, dramatic I know! It just makes me want to wrap up all warm every day and drink Tea, and you cant drink Tea without some form of chocolate! But looking at all the new bikinis in stores at the moment has made me think twice about that Mars bar calling my name ha! Anyway I'm going off on a tangent so here goes for the post! Expect a lot of spring bits in this one...

River Island

1. Grey Paisley Sleeveless Shirt £25 - Gorgeous little top that would look fab with some white cigarette trousers.

2. Black and White Sequin Flower Top £25 - This design is hot right now. Be bang on trend with the designer inspired piece!

3. Cream Chain Detail Textured Jacket £40 - This is so cute and would look great just thrown over a little cami.

4. Black Sheer Panel Bodycon Dress £32 - Show off without showing everything in this LBD.

5. Black and White Jacquard Print Trousers £35 - Gorgeous trousers and would look great day or night dressed up or down! :) 

Topshop

1.Bright Leaf Print Pencil Skirt £32 - I just love the print on this and think it would look great any time of the day!

2. Sleeveless Lace Panel Shell Top £30 - Pastel colours scream Spring to me and that's all I can hear looking at this!

3. Petite Tribal Bodycon Dress £26 - This is such a bargain price! Would look great with high heels and a drink in hand ;) Me want!

4. 60s Lace Panel Shift Dress £46 - Be on trend with this little number: white and 60s!

5. Textured Cigarette Trousers £40 -  I love these - I would only worry about getting them filthy but who cares I love them - I would wear these to a Summer BBQ or garden party.

French Connection

1. Aloha Spring Strappy Dress £220 - This also comes in a different colour that I also love - would look great at a Summer Wedding maybe?

2. Feather Ruth Panel Trousers £85 - I love the White panel down the side of these babies!

3. Spotlight Flame Fitted Dress £135 - Another Dress that would look great at a Wedding lol - Shame I don't know anyone getting Married this year :(

4. Mosaic Me Jacket £250 - If you fancy flashing the cash on a Spring/Summer Jacket this one has it covered! 

H & M

1. Jacket £29.99 - Looks great teamed with Trousers or Dresses - I love the detail of this and for the price too!

2. Printed Trousers £14.99 - These are some statement Trousers right here! Love them! :) 

3. Grey Slit Skirt £12.99 - You really can't argue with the price of this Skirt! Wear it with a white tee for a casual look :)

4. Bomber Jacket £14.99 - On trend little jacket that you can throw on and doesn't weigh you down if you needed to take off! 

5. Polka Dot Dress £12.99 - Nice little summer dress- add a belt and cute Jacket for an instant outfit :)

So there you have it! What do you think? Anything caught your eyes? Anyone else fed up of the weather!? Lol...  Let me know what you think! 

Siobhan xxx

@siobhansparkles

Read more

SHARE:

Haul Alert! Hello New Buys

So I've been trying to save for a while and it's getting there but to be honest nothing makes me happier than a little retail therapy to I thought I would show you some recent purchases :) they were not all bought on the same day thank god! Lol... I'm thinking of doing the 100 day spending ban but then all these occasions keep popping up! Lol I might start with a 30 day one instead! Has anyone else tried this? Did you actually save anything?

Anyway enough about saving, here is what I've been buying

Chanel Lippy in 88 Evanescente £25 and Lipliner in 34 Natural £17.50

I love these and have been lusting over both for a while and now I have them in my clutches! The Lipstick was actually bought by a friend for my Birthday so I had to have the Liner to match of course! When I was taking the pictures the pencil kept rolling along so I had to put the sharpener there to hold it in place lol! You have the pencil on one side and then a lip brush on the other side - I probably wont use the brush as I tend to use my own but its good for in a rush though!

Tom Ford Wicked Blusher £45 (!)

This is something I couldn't resist buying as I have a few Tom Ford bits and haven't been disappointed yet! I have a few things on my wishlist from the brand - The contouring pallet most of all! I know it's pricey but they are great quality and will last a considerable amount of time!

Clinique Moisture Surge £32

Everyone at work raves about this but I just hadn't got round to buying it - anyway I got a sample and fell in love so I ordered the full size as soon as I could! Making full use of the staff discount I also got a new mascara lol, it would be rude not to I say! As you can see from the pictures it is a gel like consistency therefore feels lightweight on the skin but it does the job of hydrating your skin really well. It is also oil-free.

Bobbi brown Lipstick in Pink Lily 12 £18

This is a lovely creamy yet matte bright pink Lipstick, it is a joy to use and would recommend it! A review to follow :)

Bobbi Brown Lip Pencil in Red 34 £15

I have a few Red Lipsticks but haven't been happy with many liners as find them to dark or pink.. But this was described as a 'true red' and I find that this description is pretty darn close! And I give extra kudos for the pencil sharpener included too, it's a gem! And I hate it when they don't include one..

ILLAMASQUA Powder Blusher in Tremble £18

I bought this blusher after seeing it on Beth's blog Birds Words (check out her blog it's fab) and thought it looked beautiful and had to have it! I was in a rush when I bought it, but I wanted to look at everything - so going to go back on my day off and have a good ol' nosey in the shop :)

Topshop Spree :) 

Just picked up a few bits and bobs from Topshop, you know as you do - Spring essentials and all. Well ish anyway! :) The dress was £65 and I can not wait to wear it - I have a few big birthdays coming up so will be wearing it to one of them so expect an OOTN coming up! You can find this here.  Sorry about the creases it was shoved my the bag and I forgot to take it out lol! The crop top I bought and I should have tried it on as its too big :( but never mind I'll have to make it work! I can't actually find this online so it could have sold out! The cami top was £18 and though it would make a cute summer staple in my wardrobe!

Warehouse Jacket 

I've already worn this Jacket from Warehouse when I went out for a meal with my friend, I wore it with my asos peplum shirt and dark Jeans it was £46 but I got discount on the day as it was some kind of discount day? Score!! and I can see myself getting a lot of wear from this item! :) You can buy it here. The picture doesn't do it justice as it looks fab on :)

Expect to see reviews on all the make up items separately :) So how is everyone? Anyone tried these products? What do you think of them? Anyone else after anything? 

Siobhan xxx

Read more

SHARE: