La Roche-Posay Serozinc

Back in April La Roche-Posay listened to the pleas for the Irish and put more of their products on our shelves. Seroinc was one of them and even the cats mother needed a bottle in their live. Naturally I picked one up and have been using it the past few months to really get a feel for it. And to sum it up before I even begin, I'm just not seeing what all the fuss is over.

Serozinc is a liquid toner solution of zinc sulphate and salt being some of the main ingredients. Its aimed at those who have oily and acne prone skin. Its also meant to tighten pores, be anti shine and anti grease without stripping or leaving your skin tight. You simply shake the bottle and spray it over your face evenly, while closing your eyes and thinking relaxing thoughts. The last two are optional, but you could burn your eyes or be extra stressed out. Just a few handy tips from your friendly neighbourhood Big Blonde Girl, you lucky devils!

I use this after I take off all my make up last thing in the evening or when I get out of the shower before putting on moisturiser or my make up and giving it a few minutes to dry in. It was refreshing to spray on and it does taste strongly of salt (don't judge, I dare you not to lick your lips too!) While I didn't have any reactions from it, I haven't seen any improvement in my skin and I am still getting the same amount of break outs, if not a little more then normal in the past two weeks or so. I've never felt that its stripped my skin, nor have I felt it tight after use but man have I had serious shiny face when I use it. Even after letting it dry or patting it in, I would feel like a traffic light if I knew I wasn't headed to bed or putting on make up over my face after. 

So, personally I haven't found any real benefits of using it apart from it being refreshing and something different to use as an extra toner. But for €10 I don't think its something I'll bother picking up again. - Side note, I've seen this in Boots for over €11 and also in some pharmacys for €12 and up. So make sure your not forking out loads for it if you do decide to try it out!

April/May Favourites

As I'm sure some of you will have noticed I've been really crap the past month at getting posts out. Half due to no time with work and then half cos' I'm in a bit of a funk. Its the hardest thing to get back into once you've had some time away. But I'm going to try get my arse in gear for the rest of the month. (Don't go holding your breathe though, you know me!) For the first time in forever, I didn't do a monthly faves, so this month I'm combining the two together. 

First off has to be the bloody fab stuff that is Vo5 give me texture spray. This gives the perfect bit of somethin' somethin' to my hair and I find that I can go longer without having to use dry shampoo or the feeling of really needing to wash my hair. Plus, all that volume! I'd highly recommend picking this up if you have hair. I about my third bottle, best stuff.

Theres nothing like a nice body oil, but I've found it really hard to get one that doesn't go all over the place and doesn't leave a greasy residue. I picked up the Nivea firming body oil about two months ago and never went near it for some unknown reason. But last month when I ran out of shaving cream I tried this out and it worked really well. I've also been using it on my legs and arms to add a little mote moisture. I don't think theres much truth in the firming claims, but its a nice oil that goes on really easily, smells nice and sinks in well. If you were in the market for one, then this is half price in Boots at the moment for €4.49 if the mood struck you! - It does need a good shake first though.

New to me, but two beauts that have fast become my go to products are Revlons colour stay foundation for combination and oily skin and Maybellines eraser under eye concealer. I bought these both at the same time, on the hunt of something new to try out. I wasn't expecting anything much from either of them, but after almost daily use for two months and they are just finished. I can't get over the coverage and staying power of the foundation and will be buying it again asap. Its the perfect shade for my skin tone and although I haven't used many of Revlons products before, this alone would make me linger a lot longer at the stand in future. Really can't praise this enough.

The world and his wife have been going mad over the past few months for Maybellines eraser under eye concealer and because of the hype, it was really hard to come by in my shade. However I managed to nab one and its safe to say that the hype is justified. It covers blemishes (yes, I use it all over my face, sorry!) and dark circles, it brightens and stays put all day. And its so handy to use as your not getting make up all over your fingers. The one down side is that the applicator is a sponge so if your any way afraid of the buld up of bacteria on your sponges and make up brushes this will freak you out. I managed to clean it a few times, but I did end up breaking off a piece by accident. This wouldn't deter me from picking it up again however. Utter gems!

The new love of my lip lip wise is Sleeks Exxxagerate. Its a beautiful deep matte purple that is to die for. I've been wearing this all month and at the rate I'm going, I'll need another one soon. I don't think that Sleek lipsticks get enough love and considering their pigmentation, gorgeous packaging and range of shades, its crazy theres not more lovin'. Plus €6.49 for a lipstick? Where else would you get that kind of bargain. 

Lastly I've been slapping on a hella lot of La Roche Posay targeted break out corrector the past while. I break out when I'm under stress and the past month and a half has not been a pretty site. I think this works well if you have a few small breakouts that are past the worst point. I wouldn't be using this on a load that are brand new painful ones, but its good with small ones as its gentle and theres no strong smell from the product either. 

What have been some of your favourites over the past two months?

Aprils Powder Pocket

 Its starting to feel like Spring and this months Powder Pocket is on the ball with their theme, 'the weekender'. I'll be honest, I have been thinking weather or not to continue on with this subscription box. Not because I find the quality poor or the customer service lacking, I just wonder if theres bigger and better things out there for me to spend my money. But after seeing the contents of this months box I am very glad I decided to keep it. Theres so many great things and three full sized products too! 

Its becoming a regular thing for me to comment on how gorgeous the packaging is and this month is no different. I always think no matter how crappy the contents of something, if its presentation is top notch then its half sold in my opinion. The greeny blue tissue paper makes me think Spring has sprung and is just lovely. Yup, Powder Pocket peoples, your doing it right!

The first thing that caught my eye was that there were 3 full sized products in this months box, very impressed girl here thanks very much! I love brushes so much and have heard nothing but rave reviews about Blank Canvas so I was delighted to get their E26 blending brush! Oh man its so soft and pretty. I'm going to have loads of fun doing my make up with this brush and it might even give me a little nudge to invest in more of them. It never hurts to have lots of brushes, no sir! This one costs €6.99.

The next full size product is a Bia Beauty stop the clock eye gel. Every month Powder Pocket seems to have one Irish brand in it and I really love it. We've seen Pixy, water wipes and more. I love that they support and work with such amazing Irish brands while also giving everyone who subscribes to their box the chance to try out something that could be new to them but is local and well, Irish! (pause for moment of feeling proud to be Irish!) Anyway Bia Beauty is from Cork and I have tried some of their products before, they are nothing but lovely. I can't wait to try out this eye gel and see if its as great as the rest! A 15ml bottle costs €16.95.

The last full sized product is Etre Belle Cosmetics longlasting eyeshadow pen.  I've never heard of this brand before so I was excited to get it. That and who doesn't love a new piece of make up to play around with!? I got mine in a lovely dark grey colour with a hint of shimmer through it. Dark smoky eyes are something I've really been getting into wearing the past few weeks so this is just perfect for me! This costs €9.95.

The 2 sample products that were in the box were the eva professional mystic diamond elixir for your hair to help give it shine and regenerate it. I'm all for putting oil in my hair recently, hoping that it might make it soft and solve the never ending story of split ends. This costs a mad €25.99 for a full size 100ml bottle. I will use this up and its a lovely treat to be able to try out, but I highly doubt I'll be forking out for the full size!

The last sample was a La Roche Posay anthelios ultra light fluid SPF50.  I'm a big fan of la roche posay so I was happy to find this in my box, but I'm awful for not using any spf products so maybe this might give me the kick up the arse I need to start using some! A full 50ml size costs €19.95. 

I haven't got a bad word this month to say about the box. I am in love with the make up brush and also really can't bang on enough about all the Irish brands that keep coming up month after month in Powder Pocket. Theres nothing I like better then finding new Irish brands to try out or seeing old favourites coming up.