L'amour de Caitlin: Clinique

Current Skincare Favourites

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The Sunday Post: Glamour, Cupcakes and Pimms

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Sundays have to be my favourite day of the week, totally made for Netflix, Summer BBQ's, spending time with family and friends and pampering. Now unlucky for me I'm working for the majority of the day like every other student out there *sigh* but i'm just gunna pray for 6 o'clock to roll, so I can indulge in a few of these treats...

I thought I'd use todays post to share some of the things I'm loving this sunday. First up my favourite read of the moment is Glamour Magazine, I absolutely adore the content its so fun and inspiring, ranging from beauty to lifestyle and fashion, its my little bible at the moment! So I'm definitely looking forward to a little flick through of that tonight, and the interview with one of my favourite artists Ellie Goulding! What more is theres also little Clinique Freebies in this months issue including the chubby sticks which I couldn't resist trying out. My favourite is in the shade Super Strawberry, I wore it out last night and thought it was so beautiful, will definitely be doing a look with this soon!

Im also going to treat myself to a little mani and pedi, trying out some of these sanctuary goodies, and using my favourite nail polish of the month Barry M's Rose Hip, which is a gorgeous pastel pink.

On to the more random favourites this sunday, Im dying to try out the new Pimm's in Blackberry and Elderflower, I've heard good things so I'm excited to give this a try, I got it on special in Tesco for only £12! This week I've also fallen for a little naughty treat, which are these Carrot Cake Cupcakes from sainsburys, they are soooo yummy (yes the extra letters are totally necessary) and they count as one of my 5 a day right?

I'd also love to know what kind of content you like seeing on Lamour de Caitlin, coming up with inspiration for content can be hard so I'd love to know what you like reading and what you want to see in the future, let me know in the comments!

I hope your all having a lovely sunday lots of love.

Caitlin B x

Batiste Benefit Clinique

Post Work Out Essentials

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So, I've been on a bit of a health kick recently and quickly realised that after working out you don't necessarily have a lot of time to be ready before you're needed elsewhere. Whether it's work, seeing friends or if you're in school and you need to get to class after P.E; here are the products that have made it into my post work out routine.

First, hop in the shower and wash all of that sweat away. And it may seem obvious, but deodorant is very much your friend after exercise, I don't tend to use a particular one but I like this Crystal Invisible one by Sure. If you're in a rush like me, it's unlikely you have the time to wash your hair so heaps of dry shampoo will sort out any greasiness you may have. Again, there are lots of options out there but I always stick to the cheap and cheerful Batiste.

It's important to use a light weight moisturiser as your skin may still feely oily, this Clinique Superdefense is really light but super hydrating at the same time. Next, I love using The Body Shop's Vitamin E Face Mist, it's so refreshing and cooling. As a primer, Benefits Porefessional will work wonders, and will leave your skin feeling velvety smooth. I quite often skip foundation and opt for a decent concealer to cover up and discolouration and a light weight powder to reduce any shine, the Rimmel Stay Matt powder is perfect for this. The next step is simply do your make-up however you like, I always go for something easy and simple if time isn't on my side! (Side note: you may be able to skip blusher if you're one of the ones that has a natural flush after working out). Next I go back to the Vitamin E Face Mist as it works really well as a make-up setting spray to hold it all in place.

Last but not least, to cover up any possible lingering nasty smells I always give my feet a spritz of The Body Shops Peppermint Foot Spray and finish off with a light, fresh smelling perfume. My favourite for this occasion is Dior Addict in the pink version.

And that's it, would love to hear any recommendations for products I should add to the routine!

Caitlin A

Clinique Dove Evening Essentials

Down Time Evening Essentials

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I am such a girlie girl at heart, I like to make out like I'm not that much of a princess of pamper, but lets face it, if prince Harry asked to marry me tomorrow the answer would 100% be yes with cherries on top and trip to that spa to celebrate thank you very much. Today, therefore I thought id share my little pamper and chill time routine I try and do once a week if I have the time, that always puts me in a nice chilled out happy mood. I usually try and do this on a sunday night because its the perfect way to end the week.

First things first I like to have a nice big bath with lots and lots of bubbles, if i've had cheeky shop in lush I love to use one of there bath bombs, to create lots of bubbles I use the: Pop in the Bath, Bubble bar slice. I then usually add something moisturising and soothing too like the soap and glory Calm One Calm All, as this smells super good and makes my skin feel all lovely!
If I'm going to fake tan I then exfoliate, for this I use the Soap and Glory - Pulp Friction and then go on to use my favourite smelling shower gel Clean on Me, this stuff smells so good, and is extra moisturising, this is my secret weapon for super soft skin!
After washing my hair I sometimes like to use a hair mask, at the moment Im using one from the Loreal Ever Sleek range and this gives my hair good deep condition, leaving it all super silky and soft. If I feel like a real chill out bath sesh I then either read a magazine or a book, and just really chill out!

Once out of the bath and dried, I then light my favourite scented candles, at the moment I'm loving the Bath and Body Works Bellini Cafe which is really rich and comforting, I've also just discovered one from Next called Apricot Blossom which is more of a fruity and pretty spring scent. I then moisturise up using Clinique Deep Comfort.
If I'm going to fake tan I tend to use a mix of both gradual and instant tan, because I like to see results straight away, (yes I'm very impatient) and for this I used the Dove Summer Glow and the Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan in Matte, I only usually do my legs if I'm going to get them out, which is very lazy but maybe its just because we haven't totally hit summer hard yet.
I then love a good old face mask, my favourite at the moment is the Lush BB Seaweed, which is a really good all rounder for dry to normal skin, and also minimises redness and doubles up as an exfoliator when you wash it off! I love the fact you keep this product in the fridge as its so nice and refreshing when you apply it to your face! To finish off I love to use Full of Grace, another Lush product which is a beauty bar which if you run under hot water and apply to your face turns into a really beautiful serum which give me really nicely moisturised skin in the morning, I didn't include a picture because mines nearly finished and looking a bit worse for wear!
I then give my self a little manicure and pedicure, Ive already done a post on this if you want to go check that out: Perfect Manicure from Home
This week I'm loving Essie's Bond with Whomever which is a beautiful pastel lilac tone!
For the rest of the night I just chill out in my favourite PJ's, eat lots of chocolate and catch up on Gossip Girl or a good film, my last fav was Breakfast at Tiffany's, oh how I love Audrey! I really hope you liked this post, if anyone else has done ones similar please link them below so I can have a read and see what products your loving!

Caitlin B
x

Amanda Seyfried Benefit Brown

Amanda Seyfried Elle Cover: Soft Brown Smokey Eyes

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So this week I've had a massive girl crush on Amanda Seyfried after reading this months Elle magazine, the interview for this by the way was so honest and eye opening so definitely worth a read! I also loved her shoot for this, it was a kind of pretty grunge look which I lovedddd, with a really soft brown smokey eye, which I attempted to re create this week. I slightly adapted the look to make it a bit softer and more day time appropriate but if you want to see how I create the look then read on!

So for my base I started with the Benefit Porefessional, one of my staple products when I want my make up to look extra flawless and want it to last! I've also heard that the Garnier Miracle Skin Cream is a great dupe for this, although I've not tried it yet myself but thats a cheaper alternative! I then go on with my new fav foundation the Nars Compact Foundation, to get a glowy, skin perfecting base. For my brows I stuck to my usual routine, using the Mac eyeshadow in Charcoal Brown just to fill in any parts that are sparse and to give more definition. I also used the Collection 2000 concealer to hide any blemishes.

For the eyes I used my staple Urban Decay Naked pallet (so worth the investment, I use it every day and have created so many looks with it!) along with the Mac Charcoal brown eyeshadow (multi use product alert!) I started by blending Toasted all over the lid, as a base colour which is slightly purpley in tone on a fluffy brush, similar to what Amanda is wearing, I also blended this all the way along my bottom lash line with a compact rounded brush, keeping it quite messy and low. To give definition I then began to blend Charcoal Brown into the outer corner and into the crease line to create definition. I slowly kept building and blending, building and blending until I got the darkness I wanted. I also blended with a clean brush into a winged shape, using the end of my eye brow as a vanishing point. I again ran the Charcoal brown under the eye, to create more intensity. One thing I would suggest it not to be afraid to go to low with the eye shadow underneath, as it create a really nice intense and smokey grungy effect. To create even more drama in the outer corners I then went in with Dark horse from the Naked Decay Pallet, and really just blended directly into the outer corners and crease to add intensity.

As I adapted this to a day look, I added Sin into the tear duct area just to brighten the eyes, making them look brighter and wider!

To thicken my lash line I used Dark Horse again on an angled brush, and just worked it into my lash line, to make them appear thicker and add to the smokey look.

Amanda went for quite a contoured look in this editorial, so I decided to use the Bourjois chocolate bronzer, as it gives a slightly more matte finish. I then sucked my cheeks in an buffed it into the hollow of my cheeks, working in a gigantic 3 shape starting at my temple round and through the hollow of my cheeks and and then along my jaw. I then opted for a browny toned blush- Clinique's Plum, and lightly added this to the tops of my cheeks rather then the apples of compliment the contouring.

To finish off I went for a peachy coral nude toned lip- Loreal's Dating Coral, I think Amanda went for a slightly lighter tone, however this didn't suit me so I slightly adapted, but any sheer, muted nude will work amazingly to compliment the soft smokey brown eye.

I'd love to recreate this as a going out evening look, opting for smog as a base colour and Dark horse used more intensely!

I hope you enjoyed this look and found it helpful, and hope your all having a lovely bank holiday weekend!

Caitlin B x

Beauty Clinique Garnier

'The Morning After' Pick Me Up

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Being a uni student, I go out a fair bit, and that may include a few drinks along the way... We've all been there, you can't resist the night out but you've got a lecture or a presentation the next day. Well have no fear, I have a quick and easy routine to make it look like you had your full beauty sleep on the outside (even though you may feel like hell on the inside!)

1. Try not to lay in bed too long after you wake up, I always feel worse if I roll around in bed feeling sorry for myself. So get in the shower, or the tub if you prefer, and get yourself clean. Use a really nice fresh smelling body wash that will give you a pick me up, at the moment I'm using the Body Shop's Passion fruit shower gel, or another favourite of mine is Soap and Glory's Sugar Crush body wash! It smells like heaven in a bottle! Make sure you wash your face to get rid of any left over grime from make-up or from when that drink got thrown over you last night. I'm using the Simple Kind to Skin moisturising facial wash at the moment, but there are loads of good ones out there.

2. Whilst you're in there, wash your hair. You need to get out all of the hairspray from the night before to hold your curls! I'm loving using the new Garnier Ultimate Blends shampoo and conditioner in Cocoa butter and Coconut oil, leaves you're feeling ridiculously smooth! If you're really in a rush, you can skip this step, with a good brush through and lashings of dry shampoo, no one will notice!

3. DRINK WATER! This is the most important step and always makes me feel ten times better. Make sure its icy cold, this will wake you up even more.

4. Use a good hydrating moisturiser for your face, this Clinique Superdefense SPF 20 does the job pretty well. If you have the time also use an eye cream at this stage, those eyes will need brightening!

5. Now for make up, you wanna keep things nice and simple whilst still looking fresh and pretty. This Garnier Miracle Skin Cream is a total game changer. It's a self adjusting moisturiser that turns into a tinted moisturiser when it touches skin. Its gives such nice finish and a light coverage, you can probably skip foundation! Just use some concealer to cover up any redness and any circles under the eyes, I'm loving Soap and Glory's Kick Ass Concealer, it's such good all rounder.

6. Fill in your eyebrows however you usually would and move onto eyes. You can skip eyeshadow if you like or if you want something easy just give your lids a quick wash over with a light champagne colour like Sin from Urban Decay. Using a colour like Virgin (also from UD) in the inner corners of your eye as a highlight will work wonders for looking more awake. Finish your eyes with a coating of your mascara of choice. Finish off with a pretty and subtle lip, like the Revlon Colour burst in Honey and you're done!

7. Drink more water!

And Voilà! Your hang over will be our little secret! Hope this is helpful to those of you old enough to drink, but you can also use it on extra tired days!

Caitlin A

Aussie Benefit Champneys

Samples Are a Girls Best Friend

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Now is it just me, or are things way more exciting and cute if they are miniture?! Ok I definitely think its a girly thing! So today I thought I'd share with you some amazing products I've discovered through samples. Its such a great way to try out different products and take them for a spin without splashing out on the full size to later discover you hate it! Whats even more of a bonus however, is when they're free. My auntie is the queen of convincing beauty consultants to give her samples of all the latest products, one year I seem to remember her coming away from the Clarins stand with about 15 samples! so its definitely a little shopping trick I've picked up from her and here are my top tricks:

1. Gift boxes: A great and cheaper way to try lost of products from the same range!

2.Magazine: Freebies in magazines are great, Benefit are amazing for this.

3.Ask beauty consultants: More often than not they're more than happy to hook you up with the latest product sample! So get talking to them and don't be worried about asking for freebies!

4.Ask your hairdresser and beautician, they always have product samples stashed away, so ask them if they have any new products in and what they would suggests for your hair/skin.

Anyway on with my discoveries...

First to mention is the Clarins Hydra Quench Range, including the Intensive Serum and the Cream-Mask, I tried these out in a little gift set from Clarins, which included a full size of the moisturisor, which I did go ahead and re purchase as soon as I ran out because I can't live without it. I also have a big love for these sistering products to, and have found that even though they're miniature they've lasted me for ages! I call these my hungover skin saviours, the Serum especially because it gives my skin an instant zap of hydration, and the mask is really nice for the evenings if you've had a long day!

Second is the Champneys Distant Shores range, again I was bought a gift box for christmas with the small sizes but I think its available all year round. I adore the smell of these products, they smell so so beautiful very exotic and fruity with extracts of passionfruit, mango and citrus. I think the gift boxes are just the best way to try out everything in the range!

Now Clinique, are one of the best brands of sample sizes, they always have bonus time, where if you spend over a certain amount you get 10 mini size products to try out, how good is that?! I have made so many discoveries through this, two of my favourites including the: Take the day off, make up remover, and the Moisture Surge Gel two of my swear by products. My latest however is the Sparkle Skin Exfoliator, its quite a harsh exfoliator, but I find this great for legs, especially to use before fake tanning to make sure you've removed all those dead skin cells, and well as dare I say it, small ingrown hairs (we all get it so I may as well be honest!). This nicely leads onto the Nip and Fab tanning gel, again a lovely product, I think i got it free in a magazine which is another great way to try new things.The product is really fast drying and I found the gel formula really hydrating, which was really refreshing for a fake tan, and I found the covering was really even and didn't leave any streaks, will definitely be trying out more from them!

Benefit are another amazing brand for sample, I always find the girls in there giving me lots of miniatures to go away and try out, and its how I discovered the Porefessional and the High beam highlighter, two products which I'm sure you've heard lovely raves about. If there are products you want to try, its definitely worth asking the beauty consultants and more often than not they're more than happy to help you! I think we always feel cheeky asking for free things, but why not?! They're there to be used right?

ESPA are another range I discovered recently. My beautician knows how sensitive my skin can be, and aways offers me samples of the new products they're using so I can test them out for myself. The products I have tried so far have been lovely, really rich and nourishing. My favourite has been the Super Active Skin Radiance Mask, which pretty much does what it says of the tin, definitely going to be purchasing the full size!

Finally the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle, is my favourite hair mask of all time, on recommendation from my hair dresser, I love all the Aussie products I have tried and will be doing a review on my most loved shortly so stay tuned! Although I now purchase the big size and use it two- three times a week, I still always buy the miniature for travelling, because it makes my hair so soft and luxurious!

Sorry this post was so long and rambley! But I hope I've given you some ideas of what products are out there that I'm loving, and how to make the most of samples!

Caitlin B x