HAUL: Topshop, ZARA & Urban Outfitters Haul | January 2013

This year I did a little sale shopping online. Most years I do make an attempt to visit the sales although the atmosphere is not something I particularly enjoy; I tend to feel quite overwhelmed and lost :s.

Let me share a few of the items I managed to find.. (I've included links if the items are still available.. well one link!)

Blazer from Urban Outfitters. I think a good blazer is a essential in everyones wardrobe. They can instantly add class to an everyday jeans and t-shirt outfit. This one from Urban Outfitters is of the longer style which I prefer and has a slightly boyish feel. It'll be perfect over dresses on nights out when the weather heats up a bit here in London!

Ankle length trousers from ZARA. You may already know, coloured jeans and trousers are a great way off injecting life into a boring outfit. As someone who prefers black, I do struggle to play with colour but i've discovered its easy to mix black tops with khaki or oxblood jeans and create a new look.

Leopard print top from ZARA. I loved the print on this top combined with the peplum style.

Lace peplum top from ZARA. Another peplum style made of fine lace in my favourite colour black.. I just couldn't resist!!

Fringed boots from Topshop. Long suede boots are lovely in the Winter months. I am thinking to cut off the fringing eventually, so they're more "neutral"!

I think its safe to say I've spent enough money and won't intentionally be buying anything for some time!  

However, I'd love to know if you found anything nice in the sales..? 

Avene Cleanance K Cream-Gel | Review

Happy New Year everyone!

I thought i'd share a skincare item I've been loving recently..

AVENE Cleanance K -  £10.50

The Avene Cleanance K Cream-gel is something I picked up a month ago from my local drugstore. I had been searching for a skincare product that would help with the small blemishes I had been experiencing around my mouth and nose. Initially, I had intended to buy the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo which has been mentioned by many youtubers and bloggers as a great product for blemishes but unfortunately my local Boots was out of stock so I picked up an alternative instead. 

This product caught my eye as its list of ingredients included alpha hydroxy acids: glycolic acid and lactic acid and beta hydroxy acids: salicylic acid. If you haven't heard of these acids, they're all great chemical exfoliators which are quite hard to find in mainstream products on the high street. The packaging states its for oily, blemish prone skin which I must admit I didn't read until I got home (my skin is typically normal to dry!) 

I apply less than a pea size amount to the areas that need it (around my mouth and nose) and then use the remainder for any where else so I haven't found it to be overly drying. If need be, I do add an extra moisturiser on top which hasn't effected the product. I think the packaging is great, its a squeezy tube so you won't waste any product and is more importantly hygienic! 

So, the big question is has it worked? I've seen a definite improvement in my skin each day. The blemishes are noticeably reduced around my mouth allowing me to use less foundation. I've also seen a noticeable reduction in the pores on my nose, which were quite enlarged after not agreeing with a Nivea face wash I had been using before!

Will it work for you? I do feel there is a limit to the product as the strength of AHA's and BHA's isn't particularly high and therefore won't be able to tackle severe acne. However, if you have mild blemishes, like myself, its gentle yet effective and definitely worth a try. 

I'm quite glad La Roche-Posay's offering was out of stock otherwise I would never have found this beauty. 

Its definitely something i'll repurchase in the future.