Bordeaux Shopping...

A couple of days into our holiday we decided visited Bordeaux and this provided the perfect opportunity to check out some of the pharmacies that France is famous for. The one I headed for was called CityPharma. Surprise surprise, I ended up buying a few things! 

The first product I popped into my basket was the famous Bioderma. I picked up two travel size minis as they were on offer and I thought it would be better to trial it first. I'm currently using the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water which I like, but I've wanted to get my hands on the Bioderma for ages to see if it really justifies the hype - so far so good!
I usually use a hot cloth cleanser to take off my make-up (my new love is the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser - review coming soon) but for those lazy days, I can see that this would be the perfect product!

The next product I purchased, La Roche Posay Serozinc, I saw on Amelia Liana's French Pharmacy Haul. She purchased 5 bottles of this, so I just had to see what it was like! Basically, it's their cleansing soothing toner in spray form. So far, I'm really enjoying it, I've only been using it for a couple of days, but I love the fact that its a spray - its great to freshen up your makeup but also great after taking off your makeup. This toner doesn't strip the skin like many toners as it doesn't use alcohol, instead it uses zinc which is much better for your skin.

Avene Eau Thermale was the next purchase and yet again, it was a repurchase. I'd bought this a couple of weeks before I went on holiday whilst shopping with my best friend (who happened to do a review on it here) and we are both now completely addicted. Its a great refreshing product. Some would have you believe its a gimmick, but this is a gimmick I'm happy to pay the price for. It's basically water in a can... but it can be used in different ways e.g. a makeup setting spray, spray for red or irritated skin and acne or just a quick refreshing 'spritz' on a hot day.

When in France, a visit to 'Sephora' is a must and of course I ended up buying a few bits,
one of which was Sephora Colour Waterproof 24HR Liquid Eyeliner. The blue eyeliner trend of this summer has been something I've wanted to try for a while,  but yet again I haven't had the confidence to, in fear of the fact that it might end in disaster. Instead of embarrassing myself with bright blue liner, I thought I'd try some more subtle colours when I came across this little beauty. It's a purple glitter liner that can appear almost black in some lights. I've yet to use it, but I'm really looking forward to trying it out.

As we were about to depart Bordeaux, I couldn't help but notice that there was a Kiko shop, being a brand that isn't readily available in the UK I just had to go in!
They've just released their new limited edition range - Daring Game. Being the natural smokey eye lover that I am, when I saw the gorgeous palettes they had to offer, I couldn't resist. I bought the Queen of Hearts Eyeshadow Palette in the number 03 Elegant Ebony. So excited to try this!

I'll let you know how I get on!

Thanks for reading,

Martha x

*All images unless stated are photographed and copyrighted by Martha Sanders

French Pharmacy and Beauty Haul...

As you may be aware from my previous blogs, I've just returned from holidaying in France - despite this I still managed return pasty white! Eugh!

For a while now I've been compiling a list of 'beauty items' that I wanted to purchase whilst in France. Many of you may know, that France is renowned for their amazing skincare products. This seemed an ideal opportunity to take advantage of this and check out a few products that aren't so readily available in the UK.

Before even arriving in France, the charm and appeal of duty free was just too difficult to resist, resulting in me picking up a couple of items.
I'd wanted to repurchase these products for a while now... every time I'm in John Lewis or Debenhams I gaze longingly at the well stocked beauty counters, but never summon the courage to buy them. There's something about Duty Free however that instantly dispels those doubts and worries regarding the hole that will result in my bank account and, before you know it, it's already safely stowed in my basket as I waltz towards the checkout. Anyway, to the products...

The first thing I acquired was the Estee Lauder 'Lucidity Translucent Powder' in 01 Light. I first bought this product, funnily enough, in duty free a couple of years ago. I used it for a while but soon forgot about it and got swept up in the craze of Rimmel London's Stay Matte Pressed Powder. I've used this for as long as I can remember and repurchased it many times in the colours 005 Silky Beige and 006 Warm Beige.
About 2 months ago however, I found my Estee Lauder Powder whilst sorting through my collection and thought I'd give it another go. I have to say, I haven't looked back since.
I tried the Rimmel Powder again a few weeks ago but it just didn't compare to the Estee Lauder product. I'm not sure if that is because my Estee Lauder product is 'high end' and feels more luxurious, but whatever it is, I just kept reaching for it. So, when a couple of weeks ago I 'hit pan', I thought it might be the end, but I finally plucked up the courage, repurchased it and I'm absolutely loving it.

The next product is also an Estee Lauder repurchase. This is the Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volumising Mascara in 01 Extreme Black - what a mouth full! It's a really volumising mascara (as the name suggests) that doesn't have a plastic brush applicator. I really like the fact that the bristles aren't plastic, as recently my eyes have become a lot more sensitive and this particular applicator doesn't irritate them. This product 'does what it says on the tin' and gives you really black volumised lashes whilst still managing to keep them looking natural and not 'clumpy', like many mascaras have a tendency to. It's 'buildable' so you can achieve a more intense look but a 'quick lick' of this and you're good to go with luscious natural lashes.
As I bought the mascara in a two set (my mum decided she wanted one too) I qualified for a free eyeliner - Estee Lauder Pure Colour Intense Kajal in 01 Blackened Black). I'm really excited to try this as I'm currently trying to find a really good pencil liner - any suggestions would be much appreciated!

More to follow tomorrow!

Thanks for reading,

Martha x

*All images unless stated are photographed and copyrighted by Martha Sanders