Boots Drugstore Haul

After 6 months away I had serious Boots cravings so I popped in a few days ago to pick up a couple of treats. After some serious self restraint this is what I walked away with.

Top of my shopping list was a new mascara and the one that caught my eye was the L'Oréal False Lash Flutter mascara. This mascara is the BOMB, capitals all round! It is thickening and lengthening and it leaves my lashes clump free. The first night I wore it I got asked which false lashes I was wearing so it definitely lives up to its name! It is definitely going to have a home in my make up bag over the next few weeks.

Next up and encouraged by the Boots buy one cosmetic get another half price offer, I bought the Maybelline EyeStudio Lasting Drama Gel Liner in Ultra Violet. This is the first coloured eyeliner I have bought since the days of baby blue eyeshadow and bright blue liner combo - NICE. However this time I think I got it right as this looks absolutely gorgeous. The packaging is great, it comes in a dinky little pot perfect for your make up bag and the brush it comes with is surprisingly good. This colour is beautiful, I have blue eyes but I think it would look even better on dark brown eyes. Only criticism is that, even though it lasted fairly well on me for an evening, I remain sceptical on the 24hr wear claim

Ever since I got home I have been dying to get my hands on the Real Techniques expert face brush. The buffing brush and blush brush have been permanent in my make up bag over the last few months, so I had high hopes. Well I can announce that the buffing bush has been officially replaced by this little guy as my new foundation brush. Like all Real Technique brushes it is super soft and the narrow brush head means that you can easily get into all the nooks and crannies to create flawless coverage.

Finally I picked up the Garnier Moisture Match for combination to oily skin. This moisturiser claims to keep your face matte for 24hrs, which on me isn't the case and I don't have particularly oily skin. The product doesn't blow me away but it has positives in that it sinks into the skin quickly and has a pleasant fresh smell. However I think the packaging could have been improved and the texture feels slightly grainy to touch. I like the idea of the Moisture Match collection though and might try out the Radiant one next to see if that is a better match for me.

 

Have you been to Boots recently? Please comment below with what you picked up or what is on your wish list.

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Sanctuary 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask Review

I have quite congested skin, prone to the odd blemish and if I don't look after it, it has a tendency to look dull! Thus the obvious solution is a deep cleanse, as I can't afford the facial option I opted for this Sanctuary mask which I picked up from Boots!

It comes in a 100ml squeezy tube and you get a lot of product! I have been using it once a week for a few months now and have over half left. This mask is a very luxurious product for a drugstore purchase. It is a self-heating mask so as soon as you massage it into the skin it warms up. This opens up the pores to make it easier for the charcoal and kaolin clay in the mask to draw those pesky impurities out! This does not harden, unlike other clay masks, so it doesn't crack or feel uncomfortable. The product also claims to rebalance your skin's oil levels leaving it silky smooth and soothed. I definitely agree with this as my skin looks smoother and has a matte-finish after use.

I typically use this product on a Sunday night when I am doing a full pamper session. This is such a lovely product to use before bedtime, as the scent and the heat of the mask makes me so sleepy!

To use this product, I first cleanse my skin thoroughly, removing all my make up. I then slightly wet my face as I think this makes the product easier to blend over the skin. I typically take two squeezes and massage it all over my face and sometimes down my neck and décolletage. The mask will then heat up and you must wait till its cooled before removing, they suggests to leave it on for 5 minutes but I typically leave it on for 15-20! I then use a muslin cloth to remove it with warm water.

Be warned this product is very very effective so if you have any spots beneath the surface they will be drawn to the top. This is why I typically use it on a Sunday so my skin is clear by the weekend. Remember though, these spots are going to appear whether you help draw them out or not, so it's better to do in a controlled manner, so they aren't popping up the day of your hot date or important meeting! Also if you keep up using the mask regularly all your impurities will be drawn out leaving your skin clear!

I think this product is well worth its £10.20 price tag and is easily available in your local Boots store. It is currently included in their 3 for 2 offer on No 7 and 'indulgent bathing' products!

I have tried a number of charcoal masks and this is the best yet! It has stayed permanently in my skincare routine for a number of months now so I know it's a keeper!!

Please comment below if you have used this product and what you think, or if you think my Sanctuary mask might have some competition!