Cleansers that have improved my skin

Its been a while since I posted about anything beauty related, or posted anything at all in fact. Its been a rocky road for the past few months and I haven't been feeling it so I gave my personal hobbies a break so I could concentrate on looking after myself a bit more. My skin was looking drab and lifeless with more breakouts than I have ever experienced and it was really getting me down. What you learn through your 20s is that having good skincare is a much better life decision than having the best makeup on the market. So here are my top 4 picks that I have been loving the past few months.

Chidem Vitamin Cream Cleanser / For radiance, firmness & sensitive skin

I found this in a my draw as I was having a sort out and have been addicted to it ever since. Vitamin based skincare has always been a hit with my face, it really does take to it like a duck to water. Vitamin C is especially a firm favourite with my 26 yr old skin. Its really helped with minimising my spots and imperfections, with my skin feeling freshly clean and radiant after every wash. This was actually gifted to me at a Blogger event and I'm so grateful as this is always the best way to discover new brands. Its not the cheapest in the cleansing world but at £36.50 I personally feel like it is totally worth it, plus the packaging is something you can proudly keep on your bathroom sink.

I massage 2 pumps of this into my face with a dab of water and wipe it away with a muslin cloth, first with warm water and second with cold to close those pores. The smell isn't going to wow you but it has a naturalness to it which is bearable once you get used to it. Great for sensitive skin and perfect for a wiping away all the dirt from the day without feeling dried out .

Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser / For clearing pores and dirt

I happened to pick this up when I was buying some Biore nose strips at Boots. It was on offer at the time, costing only £3.75 (originally £5.24) so I thought it was a good one to try considering it was quite cheap and stated it was great for pores. Charcoal based products are proving quite popular at the moment, especially when its in its natural form as it can transform your skin by drawing out dirt from deep down or whitening that smile. Since using this is have noticed a difference, my skin feels so much cleaner after each use and my pores have minimised in size.

I use this in the same was as all my cleansers, as this is my favourite way to clean my face. The gel consistency feels soft on the skin and I love the minty fresh feeling of this on my face once I have washed this off, although it can give quite a tight feeling after use so make sure you give it a moisturise. It states to use this everyday but I have oily/normal skin so I only use this a couple times a week to make sure this doesn't dry me out. 

La Roche-Posay purifying gel / For a excess sebum & acne prone skin

I use this cleanser on days when I need a thorough clean. You know those days where your face feels gross and you want to get every ounce of make up off and feel fresh. This foams up really well so it does just what I need. With added thermal spring water this makes a great cleanser for sensitive skin. This active water helps to soothe the skin and acts as an anti-irrirant so there should be no cause for concern on this reacting with your delicate skin. 

As I have normal cheeks I tend to concentrate this on my t-zone where I get the biggest build up of sebum on my face. I add product to my hands and add a little water, foam it up in my hands before I apply it to my face. This helps with the control of the foam so you can concentrate it on the areas you need it the most. You can either splash your face with water afterwards or use a muslin cloth to wipe it away. This retails at £11 in Boots, which is mid-range for a cleanser but you can find it on offer for around £7 most of the time so keep an eye out on the skincare deals. 

InsitU cosmetics face scrub / Made for you (personalised)

I came across this brand at a blogger event and what attracted me to it first of all was that I could get it personalised with my name and product based on my personal preferences. Now I have one of those names that is spelt differently from what you find in the shops, Im sure you can guess I got a little bit over excited at this prospect. InsitU is on the pricer side of skincare but I think its totally worth getting if you have the budget, even if its one thing. This particular one retails at £31 and I have since noticed they have improved the formula and it now comes with a natural loofa to help those pesky dry patches.

When choosing your skincare you have a few options to choose from. Picking if you want a moisturiser, cleanser etc is your first call but then you get to make it your own. Adding in your name to get written on the bottle is the first thing, you then decide what mood boost you want added to the product, you then tick what kind of skin you have before finally telling then your biggest skin concern. This then gets made and delivered to your house for you to use. 

I love to use this with my cleansers for an added boost of exfoliation. As I have sensitive skin Im always aware about being careful with exfoliators as I tend to react to them. This is an exception so I have been sticking with this for a long time. My skin feels so smooth afterwards, giving my skin a dry free complexion. 

I hope this has been helpful to some of you with your with skincare problems. Just know that one cleanser/toner doesn't fit all and mix it up and I have found using the same one day in day out doesn't always benefit you. Especially being a girl with ever changing hormones with my acne prone skin. I'm still on my way to achieving the skin of my dreams but just making sure you wash every night before you go to bed and give your face a cleanse in the morning, you will quickly notice a difference if you don't do this already.

Enjoy your week!

I've got my new shoes on...

Simple weekend outfits are my favourite. A subtle combination of trousers and a t-shirt, when paired together well, created a stylish harmony that could fool even the savviest of fashion goers. I'm not saying I have it all but I try. I try with all my lazy mindedness to fit into the London fashionista category.

Now if your thinking, this is way too much effort for me then listen to my one simple trick. Its all about the shoes... The drabbest of outfits can be easily saved with a fabulous pair of booties or personality ridden flats. These are two of my newest pairs of shoes, not that I have many but I am starting a new thing where I have a wardrobe of shoes, simple clothes and thats all.

You can make your personality shine in what ever way you please and its amazing how the simplest pairs of shoes can make a difference to how you feel too. These Miss KG boots £49 are a new favourite of mine, simple in shape but quirky with its gold buckle and heel cap. They are from a Kurt Geiger's sub brand. More affordable than your average pair but still give the same impact style wise. These aren't my everyday, go to work shoes but a pair I tactically wear with those outfits I want to spruce up a little bit.

Now the second pair are a pair of silver pewter brogues £45, that bring out the tomboy in me. Great paired with some tailored trousers and a blazer for a simple look that I would wear out shopping or for a trip to the cinema. I got them from Cloggs where they host a variety of shoes from numerous brands, these being from Clarks. So you can imagine how comfy they are.

Both of these shoes are in the sale at the moment, so get them while you can.
What are your favourite shoes at the moment?
Love Khrissie x

#Blogmas Day 14: Perfect party nails

Party time is upon us and its time to get your glad rags on. Panicking to find that perfect dress that will hug you in all the right places, show off your best assets and give you the confidence of Beyonce on stage while performing 'Who run the world!'.... Girls! Because yes we do! This is the time of year where we show what we've got, our energy and personality shines through (once we've had a tipple of course) and there a feeling that nothing is going to stop us!

Avalanche Nails £8.99 - Boots

Make the most of the rest of the year we have, do it your way but do it in style. Whether your having hot chocolate on the sofa and watching films or your up until 4am with your squad, dancing the night away. Whatever it is, make it the best day, week or and end of year you can remember... its never too late to make memories!

La Croux Nails £12.99 - Elegant Touch

This christmas edition of nails by Elegant Touch in collaoration with House of Holland are the perfect way to make a statement this Christmas and New year. Wear them how you like. Avalanche are perfect for the day time, having drinks with friends or to even make you feel better about yourself. La Croux add some glamour whatever you are doing and I can tell you now, I will be donning these on Christmas day as I lounge around, eating everything in sight. I will look a mess but my nails will be on fleek!

If you have any dress, makeup or style plans this Christmas. Comment below, I would love to know!
Enjoy bringing out every side of your personality this Winter!
Love Khrissie x

Summer Favourite - No7 BB Cream

I'm going through one of those stages at the moment where I hate the feel of makeup on my face. As soon as I have foundation on my skin I want to take it off and I think this is because I have started going to the gym in the mornings without makeup on and it feels invigorating to not have to worry about what you look like in front of strangers.

On my weekly hunt in Boots for makeup, which is one of my favourite things to do. I tweeted and asked if anyone had an foundation recommendations for oily/sensitive skin. Someone mentioned about the No7 foundation as they loved the coverage. I went to check out the stall, not because of the coverage but because I had completely forgot about the brand. I completely love their advertising but in terms of in store stand out, I never gravitate towards it.

As I was having a little browse, this little number caught my eye. Now I have never been a fan of BB creams in the past as they are always way too orange for my fairly pale skin tone, plus the consistencies of them can be a bit off putting. I gave the little tester a go and the colour didn't seem too bad and the consistency was velvety smooth.

 No7 BB Cream in Fair / Chloé L'Eau de Chloé perfume / New look necklace / Frassy earrings 

Since that day I have been in love. Now for a pale girl, the colour can seem quite dark but I have actually been mixing this with 'Wake me up' concealer for a radiant glow and it has made the perfect tone for me. The coverage is enough to even out my skin tone but not too much so I feel I have a lot on my skin. It has UV protection, which is always a plus side for me and it hasn't given me any breakouts yet which is a no1 win in my books.

I have just been blending this onto my skin with my fingers, adding a touch of concealer on my breakouts with a dash of highlighting blush and a lashing of mascara, oh and lets not forget the brows. Hello no makeup, makeup look in just a few easy steps! The BB cream blends really nicely and doesn't have too much of a fragrance. I would say it smells like moisturiser which is quite a nice smell to me. There are also two other types of this BB cream for normal and dry skin, so there is something to suit everyone.

What makeup have you been loving lately? I would love to hear any recommendations, especially with new launches.

Have a wonderful week!
Love Khrissie x

Review: Yes to...Moisturiser

Today I want to share with you a moisturiser I have been loving lately. Since starting my blog 6 months ago I have started to really take care of my skin as my world has been opened up to such lovely products that I just need to try. For the longest time I have struggled to find the right products for my skin and I have oily/combination skin, especially on the t-zone. How is it possible to have an oily AND dry nose? Nothing has really worked in preventing the problem as of yet, but I am definitely on my way to achieving the skin I want.

I found this moisturiser while I was picking up some essentials in Boots. I was walking past the isle and spotted this brand with the weirdest ingredients in it. Tomatoes? and I'm going to put that on my face? I then noticed it was 97% natural which got the thumbs up from me. I was more intrigued than anything to see how the tomato extract could benefit my skin, so in my basket it went.

The three main ingredients in this to help with redness, inflammation and clogged pores are the tomatoes, which has fruit acids to help control the extra sebum in the skin, red tea which has great antioxidants and watermelon which helps to keep the moisture in your skin without stripping it bare and causing more dry patches, which a lot of combination products can do.

Since first use of this moisturiser I have been impressed. First off the smell of the product is amazing as its smells quite fresh but with a fruity undertone, not too overpowering either. I added a pump to my hands after cleansing and rubbed in circular motions around my face. It sinked in so quickly I couldn't believe it! After having oily skin and being used to having this film of oil over your skin in the day to having a product that sinks in and makes your skin feel like silk, I could not have been happier.

The formula has a nice smooth texture which feels light on the skin, not the lightest moisturiser I have ever tried but with how quickly my skin absorbed it, it really didn't bother me. I would say it has some qualities of a serum with its silky texture, just like one of those foundations that turn to powder on the skin but not as heavy. It leaves your skin feeling like skin should without the feeling of a product heavy face, which is exactly what I am looking for in my morning and evening routines.

I love using this is the morning although it states you can use it in the evening too, but with SPF15 in it (another thumbs up) its not recommended as this can clog your pores. Saying this I do use this in the evening sometimes as I have not experienced any problems yet.

I say YES to tomatoes! I'm currently looking into what I can get from the range next. The prices are quite reasonable for a natural product retailing at £11.99, I would certainly buy this again without hesitation as I believe spending more on skincare than makeup is important. How can makeup look good on bad skin? I would give this 4 out of 5 stars, 100% natural would nudge it up to 5!

Have you tried anything from this range lately?
Love Khrissie xx

Beauty | Recent Buys

So there comes a point in a girls life when we need want more makeup. This is usually every month when I get my pay check. I went on my weekly visit to Superdrug & Boots to track down a few items that I wanted to try and came across all these beauties.

Sleek Precious Metals Highlighting Palette £9.99

I saw this highlighting palette grace the Blogosphere not so long ago and instantly added it to my wish list of things I wanted. The great thing with Sleek is that it is so affordable, you have no worries about breaking the bank with an instant purchase. What I love with this palette is the choice of colours you get with 3 velvet cream formulas and one powder to cater for all your highlighting needs.

Sleek i-Devine Vintage Romance

Another Sleek purchase I made while I was at the counter was this gorgeous i-Devine palette, which I have had my eye on for a while now. I just love the colours which I think are perfect for A/W as you could achieve so many looks with this whether you want more of a subtle or 'out there' look. Ah its just so pretty! Just looking at it, makes me happy.

Soap & Glory Brow Archery with Brush £8.00

One thing I fail at in life is eyebrows. I get them threaded and then leave it months before I give them some loving again, which just ruins the shape and yeah! not a good look. So I have brought this in the hope that it will make me be less eyebrow lazy...I'll get back to you on that one.

Next up are two mascaras I should have tried a long time ago! Bad blogger award..! It came to the time where I needed a new mascara as I tend to use one at a time so I dont forget how long I have been using it for as the thought of bacteria building up on the wands that I am going to put on my eye, kinda freak me out. Weird I know! So this time I thought if I brought two then I can flick between the both for different results, plus I thought I would give into the hype of Benefits They're Real after it being shoved in my face at every given moment at the checkouts. Let me know what you think of these?

Last up is a lipstick...like all beauty addicts we all love a good lipstick and can never have enough. I always buy the same shades just from different brands, which is alright but its not really pushing the boat out in terms of mixing up my look. Everyone has been rocking the dark purple and red lips at the moment, which I think looks so gorgeous that I wanted to jump on the bandwagon myself. I have gone for a lighter version than everyone is wearing just for the mean time to see how it suits me, so I can then go a bit darker when I'm feeling brave...

So that is all I have brought lately from the drugstore. I have already brought more but I dont currently have it as its being sent to me as we speak but I will update you on some more buys soon. What have you been buying lately? I would love to know...or if you have any recommendations then please leave a comment below.

Hope your having a wonderful weekend? I'm off to the cinema now to
watch Intersteller...I hope its as good as everyone says?

Love Khrissie x

OOTD | Checked Out

Hello there lovelies! Today I have an outfit for you that I just love! All these items I keep grabbing on a daily basis are relatively new (Sorry wardrobe for neglecting you) which has made me realise I'm really starting to understand my own style. Lately I have been all about comfort but I still want to look cute so wearing a simple outfit like this ticks all those boxes.

ASOS Fashion Union Jacket - £45

I got this jacket when I was having a quick browse through ASOS (as you do) and I fell in love with it straight away. I love the boyfriend style of jacket anyway as I find they sit well over anything and are a classic shape which will always stay on trend. The fact that this had a checkered pattern on it and it was in a monochrome print, I knew I had to have it.

Topshop Brit Lace up Boots - £42

One of my newest purchases are these boots! My favourite ones broke while I was in Paris and while I wait to get them fixed I had to get some more as I can't bare getting wet feet in the UK rain. I've always had a love for the Vagabond Diion boots but for £90 a pop I was unsure, seeing as my last ones were at this price and they broke on me. I was having a little browse in Topshop and saw these hanging there, I ran towards them to see they were only £42 compared to the £90 I was considering to pay! They are so similar and oh so comfy that I could not resist.

Topshop Jamie Jeans £42

At the same time as finding the boots, I also saw these Topshop Jamie jeans. I loved how they were an off black with a hint of blue in them and having a ripped knee just hit the nail on the head. I didnt even bother trying them on as I know how well Jamie Jeans fit. They felt like butter on my skin so I knew I wouldnt be able to put them down anyway.

To top off the outfit I added a simple grey tank and an old tartan scarf of mine just to add some colour to my dark outfit. I think the whole outfit really works and it great for day to day duties or a day at the office.

By the way...Welcome to my roof terrace! You'll be seeing a lot more of this over the next year. I cant get enough of it, especially when it decides to stop raining!

What are your favourite A/W pieces?
Khrissie x

Holiday Travel Essentials

Happy Monday everyone, although most people don't see Monday as a good thing, I'm trying to get back to my positive self. I used to be a super positive and happy person and that person has got a little lost along the way. This is my goal at the moment. 

So today I thought I would show you some of my travel essentials that I photographed by the pool on holiday. These are things I would struggle to live without and I love them all dearly, as if they were my children. ha!

The Body Shop / Vitamin E Body Butter & Face Mist

These two products are so amazing! The body butter really helps make my skin soft and helps with damaged skin. The face mist is perfect for cooling you down and giving your face a refresh. Perfect for the aeroplane too!

Soap and Glory Hand Food

Lots of people love this product and I'm so exception. It comes in a handy bag friendly size and makes you smell amazing!

Blistex Lip Balm

I love this lip balm and its lovely and moisturising and ti gives you a small tint of colour to your lips to make to feel that little bit more fabulous! I also think its 15 SPF? Good huh!?

Canarian Aloe Cream
I got this while I was on holiday as I was burning so easily. This was helping cool my burn and helping it to turn brown from pink and it really worked! I tanned for the first time this year...yeah!

Garnier Sun Cream
I was using this thinking it was protecting me but it didn't protect me at all, after 4 days I had nearly used the bottle I was applying it so much! I then realised that its main ingredient was alcohol! Which clearly isn't good for your skin. I have become a lot more skincare wise after this and know to try and find a suncream that doesn't have alcohol or aqua as its first ingredient.

Olay Sunkissed Moisteriser
I've been using this for the past few months now and I'm hooked. It smells amazing and its been very kind to my skin and keeping it looking healthy and glowing. It has SPF 15 in it so perfect for daily use and has 7 total effect in it. Its purse friendly and a clear winner in my beauty routine.

Vintage Hat
I've been trying to find one of these hats for ages now! and non I tried on really seemed to fit me properly or the shape was a bit funny. I found this in a market in London, sitting on its own on a hat stall, £10 cheaper than the ones I have seen in shops. I tried it on and it was perfect. I just love it and it now stops my head from burning and makes me look super cute! ha!

Primark Neck Pillow 
This thing is better than sliced bread..... There you go I said it! It perfect for the plane so I can actually sleep and not end up on someones shoulder. Yes that did happen.... Its also perfect to use on the sun lounger for some extra comfort. I wouldn't go on holiday without it and if I did I would have to buy one from the airport straight away.

Sunglasses
Everyone and their dog loves sunglasses but I find it really hard to find ones to fit my wide face. Damn those cheekbones :P I always want to wear those super trendy ones and have a great collection of them but I cant :( boohoo! Aviators suit almost everyone, including me! yay! So in a rush I brought a £2 pair from Primark and they done the job perfectly. Next up is saving for some Raybans!

Kindle
This little but of technology makes reading so easy. I love picking up a good book at the best of times but a hard copy is no fun in the sunshine, nor is it good for luggage allowance. This is perfect as it doesn't reflect the sun so no matter where you hold it, you can still read the words without the sunlight shining into your soul. Its easy to hold too..kindle in one hand, cocktail in the other! Perfection!


I hope you enjoyed my roundup of some of my holiday essentials.
What are your holiday essentials? I'd love to know :)

Seeya!
Khrissie x

Drugstore Festival Makeup Kit

Drugstore Festival Makeup Kit "Rio Rio' / Bag from Superdrug

Base: Body Shop BB Cream / Rimmel Stay Matte Powder / Rimmel Wake me up concealer / Eco Tools Travel Brush

Eye Shaddow & Nails: Sleek i-devine palette in Rio Rio / 17 eyes in Seagreen / Barry M in Matte Cancun & Barry M Aquarium Collection in Pacific (How gorgeous is this! So mermaid!)

Eye Shaddow: Sleek i-devine palette in Rio Rio

Lips, Cheeks & Eyebrows: L'oreal Liquid Lipstick in Rose Symphony / Sleek Eyebrow Kit in Light / Revlon Highlighting Palette (Blush & Highlight in one!) / Eco Tools Travel Set

Eyebrows: Sleek Eyebrow Kit in Light 

Eyes: Kate Moss Rocking Curves Mascara in Jet Black

Eyes: Rimmel Scandaleyes Mirco Liner in Black

Hello there you wonderful lot,

Here I have put together a Festival Kit for you based on products at the drugstore. If your a beauty lover and make up enthusiast I know you wouldn't go a day with at least a lashing of mascara. 

When your at a festival you never want to take your best things and somehow they always get lost!...Hello Nokia 3310! So I thought why not show you how you can pack your own little make up bag away for the weekend with products that you don't have to worry about and give you so many different looks in one, just by having the right palette with you. 

My favourite stand out item has to be the 'Sleek i-devine Eyeshadow Palette in Rio Rio'. It's limited edition for the summer and its perfect. I mean..just look at those colours! Festivals are the time to experiment with shadows and put away your neutrals that we are oh so attached to! This palette is a perfect transition from that and they are mineral based so they feel so soft and they blend really well, so get experimenting people! 

I've got a second post coming up with 2 looks using all these products, I had great fun with them and I'm looking out to trying more. I hope this was helpful to you and gives you some inspiration on what to take if your heading to a festival soon.

What festivals are you going to this year?

If you try out any looks based on the 'Rio Rio' palette please tweet me so I can see

all your wonderful creations / @khrissieloves

See yo' later!

Khrissie x

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A piece of America...

I hope your all having a lovely weekend! Here are a few shots of me on the canal in Camden, London.
(Im such a doofous I know but I'm still getting used to a camera in my face and I find it harder being serious ha!). I'm lucky to live near the canal as its a lovely place for a weekend walk in the sun and its not overcrowded like most of London on the weekend, check it out if your visiting!

So this is a new top that I brought from the new up and coming app 'Depop'. This is an app where you can sell old/new things that you don't want anymore. Its like a combination of ASOS marketplace and Ebay. I like how you can gain followers and follow other people, so when they post a new item you can make sure you grab it first or they can see what you post next. There are some well know bloggers on there too so check it out!

Top / Depop

Trousers / H&M

Shoes / Topshop

Depop @khrissieloves

I love this shirt, its one of those styles which are really 'in' right now as I think its one of those nice trends where you can look effortless really easy. I've also been loving these shoes at the moment, they are oh so comfy and I'm really into white this season and they go with almost anything. 

Life is quite busy work wise at the moment so I don't have much energy at the end of the week when I want to do my own thing. I brought a new notebook so I can start organising my hobbies and interests as I really want to make a go at blogging and get better at writing etc etc...

Rambles over... hehe! Catch you soon!

Khrissie x

*this is not a sponsored post

When in Brussels...Loving Lilac

Top , Bag & Tights: Primark / Skirt: River Island / Shoes: Urban Outfitters / Necklace: New Look 

Hello & welcome to my blog 'Khrissie Loves'

Writing a first blog post is so daunting as I'm not the best writer in the world but I have been reading and watching bloggers on Youtube for the past 5 years and it has come to the point where I really want to do my own. I love blog posts which are more photographed based as I am more of a visual person (I work as a Graphic Designer full time) so this is how my blog will be presented. I am going to document some fashion, beauty and lifestyle posts once a week, as thats all I have time for at the moment and just see how it goes.

So on to the photos.... My boyfriend Nick decided he wanted to treat me to a few days away in Brussels as a birthday present to me! It was the nicest surprise ever and I couldn't wait to go..eep!
So the day arrived, we hopped on to the Eurostar and off we went. It was a breeze to get there and the metro was so easy to work that we were at our little apartment in no time at all.

While we were there I asked Nick if he could take a few photos of me to start the blog off. It was so much fun prancing around and jumping off a roman bench in the most beautiful park with the most wonderful weather. Hopefully this gets across some of my personality and you like my top/skirt combination. White, lilac and mint are my most favourite colours for spring so I was excited to come across this cheap top from Primark, I paired it with this cute skirt and my favourite boots for a comfy spring casual look!

See you next time!
Khrissie