The Comparison | Maybelline Baby Skin v

The new primer on the block has been likened to the beloved Porefessional many many times since it's introduction into the UK and I'm not surprised. As someone who loves Porefessional and finds it pretty much the only primer that will really do anything I was definitely interested in snapping up this cheaper version. So how does it actually marry up?

Porefessional is a skin toned matte-eque primer, it absorbs straight into the skin and smooths it. Baby Skin is a clear gel like formula, that again smooths the skin. Both do a really fab job of priming the complexion, they are both very mattifying so definitely get a thumbs up from me. One of the things I love about Porefessional is how mattifying it is and how it keeps my make up from looking too shiny throughout the day. Baby Skin does a very similar job however it just doesn't last quite as long as Porefessional.

Price wise Baby Skin wins this hands down for me - Porefessional is very pricey, I haven't actually ever bought a full version as I have so many little sample versions around and they last for a good little while. I'm sure I will cave soon and buy myself the full version, but Baby Skin has a much more attractive price tag, under a tenner, with Porefessional over twenty. 

The main difference for me is the affect it has on my skin. Porefessional I can wear again and again and it makes no difference to my skin. However Baby Skin really doesn't get on with mine. It just makes me break out something awful and I've had to put it aside for now. It's really annoying as otherwise it's almost as good as Porefessional. Otherwise the only real difference is how long it keeps the shine at bay throughout the day. 

I would still encourage you to try it if you really like Porefessional. Your skin might not react the same way as mine and if not then you've found yourself the perfect dupe.

Which of these do you prefer? 

The Review | Effaclar Duo (+)

Effaclar Duo (+) £11.62*

When this landed on my doorstep to review I think I must have squealed in my head slightly. I LOVE the original and use it religiously in my skin care routine, if I don't have time (ie too lazy) to go through the entire skincare routine this gets slapped on. I am going to do a comparison post as well next week so you can take a peek at the differences in action but basically...

The idea behind this beauty is that it has one up on the original Effaclar Duo, it get rid of any marks or scarring from previous breakouts or acne. For me personally I thankfully don't have too much, I do have a touch but not an awful lot. Since using this the appearance of these has gone down drastically. I'm not sure what it would be like on those with a lot of scarring, but for me with subtle scarring it's brilliant. It still has all of the magic of the Effaclar Duo, but as the name suggests, that little something extra.

I use this in the morning before I pop my make up on, as a pre treatment and a primer if you will. It smooths my skin and helps with any trouble areas. I would definitely pick this up if you need a bit of help with break outs. I've only been using this a couple of weeks and so far I love it. I will definitely be giving you guys an update as I use it more and I'm sure it will feature in a skin care routine very soon!

Will you be trying this new launch?

The Outfit Post | Simple Tings

For some reason most of my outfit posts mainly consist of Topshop items. Whoops! Today is no different. This is the outfit I wore on Saturday, very simple and very comfortable. However I managed to jazz it up with some gorgeous pieces kindly sent over from Rings and Tings.

Simplicity is sometimes so so nice, no pattern, no tricks, just nice and quiet. A quiet outfit. Throwing a shirt over a top and jeans can make an outfit go from dull to a little something extra. Pop on a fab short necklace and you have yourself an outfit. I LOVE this necklace. I think it is absolutely gorgeous. Goes with everything, delicate and girly, yet chunky so still has a bit of edge. The earrings just finish them off perfectly.

Not only that, but the price is so reasonable. For what you're getting, it's really nothing to pay for good quality beautiful pieces.

Items used...

Shirt: H&M | Vest: Topshop | Jeans: Topshop | Shoes: Topshop | Necklace: Rings & Tings* | Earrings: Rings & Tings*

What's your simple Saturday outfit?

The Top 5 | Repurchased

I think it says a lot, especially in beauty blogger world, when we go and repurchase a product. I use so many new and different products all the time, sometimes it's hard to really pick our your favourites. A good way I think to see this is by looking at what people repurchase. With that in mind these are my top 5 repurchased items - the one's I've bought more than twice and will continue to do so for a long long time.

1 | Soap & Glory Whipped Clean
I use this as my shaving cream for my legs. Before this I got horrible shaving rash all over my legs but since they've stayed supple and smooth. I'm on my fourth bottle of this in the past year, as soon as it looks like it's about to go I'm out and down to Boots. At £8 a time it's not the cheapest 'shaving cream', but I couldn't be without it now. I class it as an essential.

2 | Chanel Intense Eye Pencil in Kohl
Again, not the cheapest repurchase by a long shot but I will always have this. On average it lasts around two years a pencil so it's not bad going really. I've tried others but none match up to this for me, no smudging, waterproof and is the perfect waterline pencil. At £17 it is pricey, but so worth it and I definitely want to try it in some new and different colours.

3 | Bourjois Magic Nail Varnish Remover
I have since found another that I do love more, but it doesn't seem to exist anywhere (boo.) This however is still amazing and I love it for removing normal varnish (not glitter or toes). So easy, simple to use and really affective. There are cheaper alternatives on the market but none I've found that I prefer using to this. £4.99 is it's usual price but it does last for a long long time. I think I've gone through 2 since it launched around 18 months ago, so not bad going really.

4 | Nivea In Shower Moisturiser
I bought my first of these in November and am now on my third bottle - I should really buy the 400ml bottle, may last longer. Anywho, I'm so lazy when it comes to moisturising my body - it's such a chose and let's face it, there's a lot of it so takes a while. This is perfect, I pop this on when I do my hair conditioner, wait a couple minutes, rinse and voila. Silky smooth skin without much effort. What's not to love?! Usually on offer, it's currently around £2 but is usually more around the £4 mark.

5 | Benefit Helo Flawless Foundation in Ivory Believe In Me
The first time I tried this was in a little trial pot when it first launched, and then I got gifted one from an event last year and it's been my go to foundation ever since. The colour is spot on, the formula is beautiful, it works perfectly with my oil prone skin and doesn't aggravate it. At £25.50 it is pricey, maybe I just have a knack for repurchasing the pricey stuff eek! I am now on my second bottle but will be buying again and again cause I love it.

I would love to know if you like these types of repurchased posts etc cause I'd love to do more if you like. Also let me know what you like to repurchase!

Which of these would you repurchase?

The Review | Bourjois Java Rice Powder

Up until recently I was just very blah about the necessity of powder. I just didn't really understand what it was meant to be used for or why I should bother adding it to my routine. But lots of people raved about different types so I decided to bite the bullet and get one. I'd heard loose powder was the one to go for and I fell in love with the packaging of this product so voila - it was now mine. At the same time I told myself to buy a proper powder brush as well so I went for the Real Techniques Powder Brush.

Bourjois Java Rice Powder is one of their "vintage" products which was re released last year as part of their anniversary. I love the packaging, it's so kitch and very cute. It smells like make up - if that makes sense. It's very heavily scented and really does smell like face powder. Luckily I don't mind it too much. It's an illuminating powder, but I find it's not too in your face, it just makes the face look like it has a really healthy glow. I actually love it. I was very worried it was going to bring my skin up in break outs but it's fine. It keeps my face looking nice and matte and my foundation stay in place.

For just £9.99 it's really not a bad buy and it's converted me completely to loose powder. You can get it here from Boots or your local Boots/Superdrug store.

What's loose powder would you recommend?