Hello loves,

I thought it may be fun to write a post about 'What is in my handbag?'.  I really enjoy being nosey and finding out what other ladies may be hiding in their bags.

Often girls can be so resourceful on what they manage to fit into their bags, but my resourcefulness may not reach these levels. I'll leave it for you to judge.

So without further ado....

My handbag is just a small black faux-suede mini satchel bag from River Island. If you wanted to get your mitts on this little bag, just click here. These are also available in other colours, but I'm particularly liking the oxblood one and the leopard print hybrid. There is plenty of room for everything you need to carry, and the magnetic latches are very sturdy. The price is also not too bad!

And this is literally all the goodies that I tend to carry in my little bag. I've really been into carrying smaller bags, compared to my usual larger totes. I just think that my poor shoulders needed a good break! The time to downsize had come along and now I'm just embracing it.

  

I have my wallet in my bag from River Island also. I know that there is a bit of a trend here for River Island, however I just found it a really convenient size. It has a white flap and gold/grey clasp with the main body being a lime green. It is a really nice colour combination and was perfect to celebrate the start of summer. I've always used the River Island large purses, and they have enough space for cash, cards and coins. They are literally all I have been using. However, please watch this space on the blog for some 'lust-have' accessories, which should be coming up soon! 

Another essential is my gold iPhone (not pictured here) and my iPhone headphones. The headphones aren't very comfortable but I just suck it up as they fit so nicely in the little case. I also carry a small diary and a pen to keep up-to-date with appointments. I know I could use my phone in this wonderful digital age, but I'm a bit old school and still like to keep a diary on hand.

 

My sister-in-law also kindly bought me a Gucci hand-mirror which is beautiful. It is quite heavy but such a nice piece to carry with you and whip out to fix make-up. I also keep Kleenex blotting sheets with me, in case my T-zone gets oily. Previously I've also used the DHC ones (which I really like). 

I keep minimal make-up on me during the day, however lippy is a MUST. My latest lip muse is MAC's Snob, which is just the prettiest pink that is a hint off your own lip colour. It is not too garish or too bold and hits the right notes for a pretty look.

The other pieces that I have to carry with me is without a doubt my Soap and Glory Hand Maid anti-bacterial gel. This is scented quite heavily so if that is not your thing, steer clear! The scent is definitely not unpleasant and it really keeps those nasties at bay. I also carry Soap and Glory's Endless Glove hand cream, which is super nourishing on my mitts. I've had dry hands on quite a few occassions lately, and this whips my skin back into shape.

I have to always have a lipbalm on hand and my current favourite is the Burt's Bees Mango lipbalm. The butters in this baby is awesome and keeps my lips amazingly soft and kissable. I also keep a lipgloss on hand just in case I need some sheen on my lips and at the moment that is in the form of Urban Decay's Naked gloss in Sesso. This is a rose colour with pink shimmer in. It looks great if you want to give your look a boost or polish. And the final items I always keep on hand is the Yes to... cucumber wipes in travel size and some polo mints. They are fairly self explanatory. Wipes if something spills or my face needs a wipe and polo mints for minty fresh breathe. Not the biggest fan of gum anymore, so mints are great.

What do you keep in your bag?

Burt's Bees Almond & Milk Hand Cream

The creamy texture of the hand creme

Funnily enough, my travels dictated that I buy myself a really good hand creme.  I'd been eyeing the Burt's Bees Almond & Milk Hand Creme for some time and decided to take the plunge.  I purchased it for 9.99 at my local Waitrose.  

My first impression of the hand creme when I applied it entailed a lot of ooohing and aaahing.  It is very rich and creamy in texture, and could be classed as slightly greasy.  However, this creme will quickly put any lost moisture back into the delicate skin on the hands.

The smell is absolutely amazing, with the smell resembling a soft cherry smell.  It takes a while to become accustomed to the thick consistency of the beeswax that can be found in the creme, but that is what makes it such a genius product.

I would highly recommend using this hand creme before you go to bed, as it gives the creme enough time to melt into the skin.  It also allows the formula of the creme to penetrate deeper into the skin layers to allow for soft, silky skin.  I'm using mine with gloves in the evenings.

Have you tried any of the Burt's Bees range?  What do you think?

xoxo,
Angelique

7 Oils That Can Transform Your Skin

I remember when Bobbi Brown Extra Face Oil, £40, first launched. Everyone was shocked and amazed that you could put oil on the skin but the skin care oil trend was blowing up -- all the mainstream brands were clamoring to get one on the market.

The Bobbi Brown version came in a hefty glass jar, smelled appealingly earthy (patchouli and lavender oils will do that), and was luxurious in that classic Bobbi Brown way. I dabbed some on the back of my hand; it felt lovely. However, despite being curious about face oils, there was absolutely zero chance I was going to put it on my face. Oil on my acne-prone skin? That seemed like a terrible idea.

One of my co-workers routinely rubbed a few drops between her palms and patted it on -- like a man applies aftershave -- right over her makeup. I was disgusted -- I could just imagine the oil mixing with her foundation and clogging her pores. However, I never saw any evidence of that happening -- her skin was amazing, and the oil made her makeup look refreshed and more luminous.

It wasn't until I came across Sundari Essential Oil for Oily Skin, £75, that I dared to try a skin care oil for myself. The formula is extremely light, the instructions call for only two drops (how much damage could that do?), and the website explains that peppermint helps control skin's oil production. Of course I was hesitant the first night I used it, but when I woke up to glowing, more even skin I knew it was the oil -- and I haven't looked back since.

I've been using face oils regularly for at least five years now, and I'm hooked. In fact, I'm such an oil fanatic that I also use cleansing oils, body oils, and hair oils -- all of which used to scare me as well. My skin isn't as likely to break out as it used to be, so I've swapped out peppermint and tea tree oils for anti-agers like Argan and antioxidants like rose hip seed.

Despite the popularity of face oils, I realize that there are still plenty of people who are as intimidated as I was. Here's the key: You have to figure out which face oil is right for your skin, and start slowly with just a drop or two. These seven skin care oils are some of the most popular, and they come highly recommended by experts. Read on to find out which one you should try.

Tea tree oil

Best for: Acne
Even though I was afraid of face oils, I remember using The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil, £5, as a blemish spot treatment when I was in high school. It feels and smells more like an astringent than an oil, so it doesn't have the same ick factor that turned me off with the others. And tea tree oil really works: Studies have found that 5 percent tea tree oil is as effective at treating acne as 5 percent benzoyl peroxide. Dermatologist Leslie Baumann recommends it as a gentle, natural alternative to harsher acne treatments.

Try: Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick, £10.29

Grapeseed oil

Best for: Oily skin
If you have oily skin -- even if you don't have acne -- you're probably as averse to oils as I was. In the middle of the afternoon I needed blotting papers or pressed powder -- definitely not more oil on my already shiny forehead. But grapeseed oil (like peppermint oil, which I mentioned earlier) can actually help regulate your natural oil production. Plus, it's packed with antioxidants, including skin-brightening vitamin C. Still not convinced? I often tell people who are interested in skin care oils to start using it on your body, and if you like the results, try it on your face.

Try: Caudalie Vinosource Nourishing Concentrate, £19

Argan oil

Best for: Anti-Aging
When I think about Argan oil, supermodel and skin care guru Josie Maran immediately comes to mind. Her entire line is based around this miracle ingredient -- and her perfect complexion is proof of how well the stuff works. The oil contains a high concentration of vitamin E and fatty acids, and it's more stable in sunlight than other antioxidants -- so it's perfect to wear during the day. It's also very rare and expensive -- so it's a good thing that you only need a tiny amount for it to be effective. If you see 1 ounce of Argan for £15 that's not right. And these cheaper versions may have added ingredients that make them less effective.

Try: Josie Maran Argan Oil, similar found here. 

Black currant oil

Best for: Repair
I asked an expertwhat she would recommend for a client whose skin had been traumatized in some way -- like after a laser treatment, too much time in the sun, or even wind-burned from skiing. Her answer? Black currant oil. It's her favorite reparative treatment because it's rich in fatty acids and has anti-inflammatory properties. It even works on eczema.

Try: Cecilia Wong Reviving Black Currant Serum, £58

Chamomile oil

Best for: Sensitive skin
The same way you can drink chamomile tea to relax, you can use chamomile oil to calm your skin. It soothes redness and irritation in a matter of seconds. "It has amazing anti-inflammatory properties that make it ideal for patients with rosacea," says Baumann.

Just be sure to dab some on your wrist and wear it for a day to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction, she says. And be especially careful with organic versions. Since organic ingredients are treated with fewer chemicals, they're often growing alongside weeds and other allergens, which means organic essential oils are more likely to have traces of those allergens than conventionally farmed varieties. The result? They're more likely to cause allergic reactions on the skin.

Try: Darphin Organic Chamomile Aromatic Care, £36

Rose hip seed oil

Best for: Discoloration
Mally Steves Chakola, the founder of M. Steves Skincare, first realized the healing power of rose hip seed oil after applying it to an 18-year-old scar for two weeks -- it faded significantly. So she developed her brand around the ingredient, which contains essential fatty acids, an antioxidant (vitamin C), and a natural retinol (vitamin A). It's ideal for protecting your skin as well as increasing cell turnover. She recommends using it as a boost for your moisturizer -- just mix in a few drops before you apply. If you're skeptical about putting oil directly onto your face, this is a great option.

Try: M. Steves RHSO Power-Packed Ultra-Nourishing Boost

Olive oil

Best for: Dry skin
We've all heard stories about women in Italy bathing in the stuff -- and I'm sure they have beautiful skin. But using olive oil as a face oil is the scariest of all. I may have become an oil enthusiast, but I've never been able to use this one for anything other than cooking and salad dressing.

However, some people swear and love extra virgin olive oil for people with very dry skin. (Note the word "very.") You can buy it at the grocery store -- just be sure to look for the term "first cold press" on the bottle. (These formulas are higher in antioxidants than other varieties.) Not only is it super moisturizing, olive oil is also rich in compounds like polyphenols, squalene, and fatty acids -- all of which are nourishing and help fight aging.

So there you have it, oil up!

Budget beauty buys under a tenner

Nobody loves budget beauty as much as I do.  A good bargain absolutely makes me salivate and my greedy little fingers itch to remove my debit card from my wallet, ready to push those buttons for the machine to confirm my purchase.

Then the girl at the till will almost readily pushes my purchases into a plastic bag, and shove it towards me.  With a mad glint in my eye, I'll take the bag and go home to try out everything I'd bought. 

It made me look at some of the best budget beauty out there at the moment, and makes me assess what is worth buying.  Here on my guide, I'll show you what is worth it and what is not. 

1. Violent Lips natural leopard temporary lip tattoos, £7.99
They may look a bit wacky but temporary lip tattoos are the hottest way to liven up your look. From Jessie J to Kelly Rowland, Violent Lip tattoos have taken the celebrity world by storm and you can also get the look and stand out from the crowd. Easy to apply and remove, not only is the finish smooth and glossy but each tattoo is enriched with vitamins so your lips are left feeling soft. Choose between coral giraffe, red glitteratti, pink polka dot or show off your wild side in natural leopard.

2. Broadway ImPRESS press-on manicure, from £7.99
Quick and easy, Broadway ImPRESS press-on manicure has already been making waves in the beauty world and the former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger is also said to be a fan. The main selling point of this salon-perfect manicure is that it is so instant. All you do is peel the false nails off and press them onto your nails. The gel-like manicure lasts for up to a week and protects your nails at the same time. Available in a range of different styles, Broadway ImPRESS press-on manicure is a revolutionary way to update your nails.

3. Bourjois Shadow & Light Duo Noir & Blanc, £5.49
How much do I love Bourjois' new shadow and light duo Khôl and Contour eyeliner pencil? Let me count the ways -the white shade illuminates and opens up the eye (it's a common trick to use white on the inner rim of your lower lid to make your eyes sparkle) and then you can use the black matt shade to outline your peepers and intensify the effect. Hypoallergenic and ophthalmologically-tested, this double-ended eyeliner pencil is also suitable for contact lens wearers (like me!). Add to your make-up bag and style your eyes with shadow and light.

4. Burt's Bees lemon poppy seed facial cleanser, £9.75
Put some zest into your beauty regime with Burt's Bees lemon poppy seed facial cleanser. This duo cleanser/exfoliator combines the cleansing properties of lemon oil to remove make-up and impurities with the exfoliating properties of poppy seeds. Rich in botanic oils, this facial cleanser does the job without over-drying the skin surface. The result is clean skin that is soft to the touch. It also smells sweet enough to eat so why not treat yourself this spring in a way that doesn't involve any calories?

5. L'Oréal Hair Expertise, from £5.99
Indulge your hair with L'Oréal's latest non-sulphate cleansing system. Enriched with natural products, including rosemary and juniper oils, L'Oréal Hair Expertise range will help protect over-processed hair. Recent reviews on the boots.co.uk site suggest L'Oréal Hair Expertise really does leave your hair feeling soft and easy to detangle. If you're suffering from straw-like hair after too much bleaching or colouring, try this latest hair innovation from L'Oréal, which is available in a whole range of different products.

6. Clearasil Vitamins & Extracts wash and mask, £4.99
Instead of simply banging on about how good their new range is, Clearasil set up a blind test so that beauty journalists and readers of the magazine Glamour could give their verdict on this mystery product. Clearasil asked users to guess the ingredients and brand with very good results - eight out of 10 Glamour magazine readers recommended the Clearasil Vitamins & Extracts 2-in-1 mask. If you're looking for a product to help keep spots at bay without drying out your skin, check out the new range. Boasting both soothing and pimple-fighting ingredients such as avocado and salicylic acid plus skin-nourishing vitamins, the new range is not just aimed at teenagers.

7. Johnson's skin perfecting oil, from £9.99
Are you suffering from stretch marks? It's a common problem that affects many women but now, thanks to Johnson & Johnson, you can visibly reduce the signs of them. Not only does Johnson's skin perfecting oil work to moisturise and improve the appearance of these marks but this moisturising formula can also improve skin suppleness and elasticity.

8. Maybelline Nude Dream Airfoam, from £7.99
If you're looking for light coverage with the added benefit of SPF16, then Maybelline's new Nude Dream airfoam is your perfect beauty buy for spring. The lightweight formula and mousse-like texture delicately covers the skin surface leaving you with a flawless finish. You can, of course, build up the layers to provide better and longer-lasting coverage but overall, this latest addition to Maybelline's extremely popular range is a good choice for that fresh and natural look.

9. Revlon ColorBurst lip butter
Inject some colour into your make-up regime with Revlon's glorious new ColorBurst lip butters. Available in 20 different shades, including raspberry pie and tutti frutti, these lip butters add a lovely sheen to the lips. Plump up your lips and make them shine while keeping your pout hydrated thanks to the combination of mango, shea and coconut butter found in the lip butter sticks.

10. E45 intense recovery lotion fragrance free, from £4.49
Dry, flaky skin? It happens to the best of us, especially after months of hiding our bare legs under tights. Ensure your body is in tip-top condition for spring by introducing a suitable body lotion into your beauty regime now. E45 intense recovery lotion is just the ticket as even the most sensitive of skin sufferers can benefit from its skin-softening formula. Enriched with intense moisturisers, the Recovery Lotion helps prevent the viscious dryness cycle by replenishing and locking in moisture, which in turn helps to restore the skin's natural moisture levels.

Which products do you like from my list?  Are you willing to try any of them?