FOTD: The 'I Swear I Don't Have A MAC/Bobbi Brown Addiction' Edition

Well hey diddly ho neighourinos! *channelling her inner Flanders today*

I thought I'd post what makeup I've been using lately, as I don't switch it up too often and it's nice to look back on how my everyday makeup has changed. 

Ever since I started Roaccutane, my skin has completely changed, going from quite oily to extremely dry, and with that change comes a change of foundation. 

I went to Debenhams and bought this on a whim and it has been the greatest impulse buy I've made in ages! The Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation is quite sheer but buildable, it helps cover any redness I have and allows my skin to shine through which I love - it looks so natural! I love that it has SPF40 so I don't have to put on another layer under my foundation.

Not too sure about the serum part of this but at the end of the day when I take it off, my skin doesn't feel as dry as when I have taken off any other foundations - so maybe it does work!

I still have acne scarring, and for this I use the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer. It's very opaque which is great, but you do have to work fast or it gets a bit difficult to blend if you wait too long. I don't use it much for under my eyes as I thankfully don't get eye bags or dark circles.

For the eyes I tend to just stick to top liner using MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack - not as dark as I like it to be but it does the job. I really prefer the Bobbi Brown Gel liner to be honest! 

If I can be bothered (I'm so lazy when it comes to my eyelashes), I use the Maybelline Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying mascara, which I don't really like too much to be honest, so any recommendations are welcome!

I set my face with my trusty MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder, and blush it up with MAC's Coppertone blush. I really like MAC's powder products, definitely would recommend.

My favourite lip combo these days is the MAC Pro Longwear lip pencil in Morning Coffee with the Bourjois Rouge Edition lipstick in 05 Brun Boheme. They go together absolutely perfectly!

It's safe to say I'm obsessed with Bobbi Brown and MAC lately now that I look back at this post. Oh well, what works works eh ladies? 

So tell me! Anyone else out there who wears the same makeup for a while everyday or is that just me? Let me know in the comments below that I'm not alone! ;D

Disclaimer: All products were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise. All opinions are my own. Pinky promise^^

Skincare Routine: Post Roaccutane

Hello there beautiful people! Long time no see. Like a whole year today actually.
*awkward pause* My bad. Heh.

Aaaaanywho, now that I'm off of Roaccutane, I thought I'd share the skincare routine I've been using these past couple of months or so. 

1. L'oreal Skin Perfection Soothing Gel-cream Wash

I really like this, and not just for its packaging and lovely smell! My face always feels thoroughly cleansed after using this beauty.

Once I've taken my makeup off, I take a little of this and lather it up over my damp face; it even helps take off any residual mascara I've got left. Yes, it is so good that you can use it on your eye area too. Not once have I had any irritation around the eye area or on my actual eye with this stuff. Brilliant!

This is actually my second tube; I wouldn't however recommend it if you've literally just gotten off of Roaccutane, as it can be a bit drying right off the bat, despite it claiming to be for dry skin. I think what they meant was it's for normal dry skin, not the massively dehydrated skin Roaccutane users have!

2. Rio Rosa Mosqueta Skin Brightening Exfoliator*

A couple of weeks or so before I got put on Roaccutane again last year, I was very kindly sent this Godsend of an exfoliator by Rio Rosa Mosqueta. Unfortunately, my dermatologist told me to stay away from exfoliators while I was on Roaccutane, so this got put in my drawer for a while.

However one day, I was getting really quite sick of how flaky my skin was from the medication, and reached into my drawer to give it a go - and you have no idea how thankful I was that I did! This didn't irritate my skin one tiny bit; it's literally the best exfoliator for someone on Roaccutane no word of a lie. I've found that the St Ives ones are too harsh for Roaccutane skin, and any others I've tried that were less harsh, weren't doing anything at all.

I think what set this exfoliator apart from the St Ives one (that I usually reached for) was that its texture was a good, happy medium: it has large enough grainy bits in, but the cream base is just runny and moisturising enough to not be harsh on the skin. And I only need a light moisturiser after using this!

3. Olay Beauty Fluid: Day for Normal/Dry/Combo skin

When I was actually on Roaccutane, I used a thicker moisturiser, but now that my skin has been changed forever, I've moved onto a different version of an old favourite of mine - the Olay beauty fluid. I either use this one, or the sensitive version, but both are fine.

The great thing about this one is that if I find that if one layer isn't enough, I can put some more on without it feeling strange on this skin. Great for people who wash their face several times a day.

You're wondering why I wash my face several times a day aren't you? Well don't be alarmed, there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for that: it's because I'm a muslim, and we pray five times a day, but before we do that we splash our face (amongst other things^^) with water a few times a day to become ritually clean. :D

4. Eucerin Dry Skin Intensive Lip Balm

Something I found researching for skincare products for Roaccutane users before I started - and I've never looked back. Nothing.. and I mean NOTHING.. compares to this anymore.

If I ever get another lipbalm, I always end up comparing it to this, and I almost always go back to this. When my lips and the corners of my mouth literally cracked from dryness, it was this that saved it.

I've gone through countless of these, and every single time Boots have a 3 for 2 offer on skincare, I stock up on them. I'm actually running a little low on my stash of these.. I really ought to pick some more up next time I have a chance!

5. Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

This mask is the only facemask I've used on a regular basis. Although I didn't use it whilst I was on Roaccutane, pre- and post-Roaccutane, I've used it at least 4 out of the 5 times I wanted to use a facemask - the other time I want to use a mask, I use korean sheet masks.

Dry patches? Under the surface spot? Looking tired? Use this! The amount of times I've put this on and woke up to those problems halved.. honestly, this is 100% worth the splurge! 

I don't recommend it if you're actually on Roaccutane though, as your skin is too sensitive for anything with a scent as strong as this - I would know, I've tried! Get it after - you won't regret it. :D

Apologies if that was a tad long! I haven't blogged in so long, I've forgotten what it's like to be concise.. Bear with me, I'll get back my blogging mojo properly soon enough.

 If you have any questions or post requests for anything Roaccutane related, drop me a comment below and I'll get on it! 

Disclaimer: All products were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise. All opinions are my own. Pinky promise^^

Perfume wishlist

Hey there beautiful people~ Hope this post finds you well!

These past few months, I've developed a massive love for perfume, and I've come up with a little wishlist to remind myself of what I need to buy next time they're on offer..

I'm not very good at describing perfume scents, but I'll try my best!

1. Dot by Marc Jacobs

Top notes: Red Berries, Dragonfruit, Honeysuckle

Heart notes: Jasmine, Coconut Water, Orange Blossom

Base notes: Vanilla, Driftwood, Musk

A few weeks ago, I smelt Dot and Honey by Marc Jacobs. I fell in love with them both equally, and went into any perfume shop any time I had a chance to smell them, to compare them, but I still couldn't decide which one to buy. They both smelt like they were made for me, but I couldn't decide which one to pick.

Then one evening I saw that Honey was on offer on Amazon and I just thought 'why not?' and bought it there and then! 

But.. I still feel like I need Dot in my life. I feel like Dot is a slightly more.. mature version of Honey. I don't know what it is about it, but it smells amazing on my skin. Out of the three perfumes on this list, this is what I'm definitely getting first!

2. Le Parfum by Elie Saab

Top note: Orange blossom

Heart note: Jasmine Absolute, Patchouli

Base note: Cedar Wood, Honey Rose

I don't usually like woody perfumes, and I smelt this on the off chance because I thought the bottle was pretty (I know, I know. What can I say? I'm such a sucker for pretty packaging..).

I actually thought it was too strong when I sprayed it on a tester strip, but when I sprayed it on my wrists and let it settle I knew I had to have it! Too bad payday wasn't anywhere near that time... Sigh.

3. Blossom by Jimmy Choo

Top notes: Sweet Pea, Rose

Heart notes: Berries, Citrus, Cocktails

Base notes: White Musk, Sandalwood

Guys. This smells MOUTHWATERING. It's so sweet, even sweeter than the original Jimmy Choo perfumes. I feel like this is one of those perfumes that is like Marmite. You'll either love it or hate it. I LOVE IT!! And I must have it. Might just buy it with my Boots points..

What perfumes have you been lusting after lately?

Any recommendations? (^__^)

Long Time No See :o)

Hey there beautiful people! Hope you've all been well while I've been away.

I stopped blogging because life got in the way, but I'm back now

with more time and energy than ever before - so lets get this show on the road! (^__^)

A little update for you guys - I've changed my blog URL from

'themaryfairy.blogspot.co.uk'

to

'ReflectionsAndAffections.blogspot.co.uk'.

I thought it was about time I shed my childhood nickname

and choose something more grown up instead ;D 

I'll be slowly making changes to my blog layout too -

once I remember how I did it the first time I set up my blog.. XD

That being said, if you are, or you know of, someone who does

blog designs, please drop me a link below and so I can check out your/their portfolio :)

In the meantime, look forward to more regular blogposts - I'll be

posting a variety of beauty and skincare related stuff, and maybe even outfits too!

If you have any requests or ideas, do comment below and let me know!

Till next time, stay beautiful my lovelies ♥

What's In My Bag: The Bare Minimum Edition ☼

Salaam and hello my lovelies! Hope you're all doing well :o) It's been about a year since I did my last one, so I thought why not do another what's in my bag post? I love reading other WIMB posts.. I can't be the only one right? I think it's in the human nature to be curious (read: nosy) about such things! ^^

 The lovely weather has led me to stop being such a hermit and stepping outside to explore my little city, and being one who usually has a massive bag full of books and notes and many other things 'I might need just in case', I found I needed to cut down on it all in order for me to get around more easily without all my stuff bogging me down!

So lately I have slowly been figuring out, through trial and error, what things I will definitely need and use, and it has culminated to this.. these.. THESE are the things I definitely need and use! It took me a bloody long time and willpower, I'm telling ya..

[ My bag is a gift from my mum, if anyone is wondering (^-^) she randomly got me it one day because she felt like it. I love my mum! ]

[clockwise from left]

Let's do this~

1. Brecon Carreg Natural Mineral Water - The only mineral water I like to drink~ Being on Roaccutane makes you incredibly thirsty - ALL the time, and keeping hydrated is a definite must, especially in the summer time and when I'm out exploring.

2. Sticky Note pad, pen, and clip - Pad and pen for when I need to write something down, and the clip for when I have had a packet of something to eat and didn't finish it. I just clip it on so it doesn't spill everywhere in my bag :D I always keep one with me in each bag hehe. Works a treat! Better than an elastic band in my opinion.

3. Roaccutane tablets - I prefer to have my tablets when I have had a meal, so I keep some with me in case I have gone out and eaten. I find my body prefers it when I have my tablets earlier in the day. 

4. Portable Mobile Charger - Just in case my phone battery runs out of juice! Which it usually does, the stupid thing -.- and by lunchtime too.. *sighs*

5. Eucerin Aquaphor Lip Repair - LITERALLY the best lip treatment in the world. Recommend it 1000000%! I have one in every room, and in every bag.. A Roaccutane users best friend!

6. Origins Make A Difference Rejuvenating Hand Treatment - it really does make a difference! Hehe. And it's a small deluxe sample size so it fits perfectly in my bag. Since I've been on Roaccutane, my hands have gotten extremely dry, so I need to use hand cream almost every time I wash or sanitize my hands. Alongside my Aquaphor, I have a hand cream in each bag and room too. For the full review on this hand cream click here~

7. Bath & Body Works Sweet Pea PocketBac Antibacterial Hand Gel - a gift from my best friend. For when there is no tap and hand wash available! I'm such a germaphobe. (>.<)

8. Victoria's Secret Perfume in Simply Breathless - I've almost run out of this! My best friend got me this too hehe. I love how fruity it is~ I adore fruity scents! And yes, I know this isn't exactly a necessity, but I can't live without my perfume!

9. Purse - From New Look! I got it in the January sales. I adore the colour and the gold metal detailing. It sort of matches my bag now that I look at it!

I also usually take the lipstick of the day with me, but that varies from day to day. There's also my phone, iPod and headphones, but they're usually in my pocket. (^__^)

Wow that's a lot more than I thought I had - and yet somehow they all fit into my little bag, and don't give me back pains ;D

What are your bare minimum bag essentials?☺

Disclaimer: All products were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise. All opinions are my own. Pinky promise^^