Hello,

As you have probably noticed, I have been absent from the blog for a while. My blog, for me, is something that takes the backseat whenever my life gets busy or picks up pace. It doesn’t help that I have been utterly lacking in inspiration for posts. I never intended this to become a beauty blog – in fact, I started it originally to focus on my writing… clearly, that ended well. Obviously, I don't mind what my blog has become - I'm just lacking inspiration for it.

I haven’t known what to do with this. I haven’t had anything I wanted to post about. I have been busier with school (GCSE’s are fun) and naturally this has fallen off my radar.

I’m not going to try and make myself post when I don’t really want to write what I’m typing out. There will not be a set upload schedule anymore – instead, this blog is going to be a place for me to post my wonderings on life, it is going to be a place for me to post my writing, my thoughts – literally anything. I hope that’s okay with you and hopefully, I’ll pick this back up properly when my life isn’t quite so full.

Lxx 

Hi guys,

Today I am going to be doing an updated skincare routine. I did one of these a while back, but I have since changed the products I used, and I find this routine works much better for my skin. Please let me know of any products you’d recommend, so I can try them out!

This post is a bit different to normal as I am doing it in collaboration with Glossier. Glossier is a brand that is based on the foundation of ‘Skin first, makeup second, smile always!’ The #glossierpink of the brand can be found in many of my skincare products, so I thought this would be a perfect post to get across the glossier message :) Definitely go check them out!

The four main products that I use in my skincare routine are:

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Daily Scrub

Garnier Micellar Water

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash

Clean and Clear Advantage Spot Control Treatment Gel

I tend to use the scrub more in the morning as I find it’s really refreshing to help wake me up and it makes my skin feel more revitalised after use. This is quite a recent addition to my skincare routine, but I can already tell it will become a staple product for me as I find it works so well for my skin. I also have quite sensitive skin and none of these products irritate me in any way.

In the evenings I will use the Garnier Micellar Water to effectively remove any makeup I’ve been wearing, and will then cleanse my face with the Neutrogena facial wash – I really love the pink grapefruit smell of the Neutrogena products. 

I also combat any spots with the Clean and Clear gel. This is super effective, and very cheap, so I would really recommend this. It can also be put on skin under or over makeup, so if ever you've got a bit of a  spot situation while you're out, this is perfect.

I find this combination of products really helps my skin stay clear and prevent breakouts (which is exactly what anyone would want), so I would definitely try out these products if you’re looking for something new.

I hope you liked this post :) Let me know what your skincare staples are in the comments!

Lucy xx

Hi guys,

I am so sorry for the lack of blog posts that have been going up recently, but I should be back into it now and I have lots of posts planned for you!

Today I am going to be doing a review of the Benefit Goof Proof eyebrow pencil. If you follow me on Instagram (@frecklesandthoughts – shameless self-promotion ;)) you may have seen that I recently purchased the latest issue of Elle magazine. If I’m going to be perfectly honest, the main only reason I bought this was because it came with a sample of this new Benefit product, but it was well worth the £4.

I am a massive fan of Benefit products, so I had high expectations, and this has certainly lived up to them. This brow pencil is specifically designed to be easy and quick to apply and it definitely is. I am most certainly not an expert when it comes to my eyebrows but this product makes it so easy to define and conquer.

The colour payoff is fantastic and it lasts all day, even through rain and sport, (which is probably due to the waterproof formula which it advertises). The shape of the nib of this product also makes it super easy to fill in any sparse areas and define the edges at the same time.

I am actually in love with this eyebrow pencil; I will definitely be buying the full size when I am finished with this sample. The full size of this costs £18.50, which I would say is well worth it for what it is, but I would definitely recommend picking up Elle in order to try it out first. The only issue with this is that you can only get two colours, 2 (blonde-ish) or 6 (dark brown), luckily the dark brown is just okay for me – as long as I’m not too heavy handed ;)

All in all this is a wonderful product, and I am looking forward to trying out more of Benefit’s new eyebrow range.

Will you be picking up this new Benefit product?

Lucy xx

Hi guys,

Today, I thought I would show you what is in my bag.  

I received this bag from my aunties and uncles for Christmas and I love it so much, I think it is gorgeous! It was from Urban Outfitters (if you’re wondering).

What’s in my bag then?

I hope you liked this post, what’s in your bag?

Lucy xx

Hi guys,

I’m so sorry I haven’t posted for a few weeks, I’ve just been really busy and lost the rhythm of things… But I’m back and I should be posting regularly again.

Today I have a small drugstore haul / first impressions post for you. If you want any more detailed reviews, please let me know in the comments.

The first item I picked up was the Collection Illuminating Touch Brightening Concealer. I was actually going to pick up the lasting perfection concealer, as my Rimmel Wake Me Up is on its last legs, but they didn’t have it in the right shade for me, so I opted for this one instead. This is a really good high coverage concealer, however, as it is more pink toned I find it works better concealing my dark under eyes than my blemishes. It also has an applicator much like the Touche Eclat concealer by YSL – but I haven’t tried that one so I can’t say if it is a good dupe or not.

I then picked up the Tanya Burr Fairy tale eye palette. This palette has four gorgeous colours, which are perfect for a smoky look.  I am in love with alohamora. They are really pigmented, my only complaint is that they do have quite a lot of fallout, but for the price they are, they’re brilliant. Velvet Cushion is also a really good colour for me to use to fill in my brows, which is a bonus.

Another item I picked up is the Olay Hydration plus BB Cream. When I first used this I loved it, it is really easy to blend and applies really nicely, however, I think that this is giving me a slight reaction (which I have actually found with previous moisturisers) meaning my skin has been getting some really dry patches. So I don’t think I’ll continue using this unfortunately. However if you don’t have sensitive skin, this is a good BB cream as it gives a slight tint and coverage.

Finally, I picked up the Barry M Mani Mask in Birthday Suit. This is a really pretty nude shade, which looks really pretty, but it also strengthens damaged nails. I always find that when I go skiing, the cold means my nails split and just generally don’t look very nice, so I thought I would give this a go. I have used this a couple of time and I have actually noticed a difference in my nails. Another bonus is that as this is quite subtle I am able to wear it at school and with anything.

I hope you liked this post. Let me know if you’ve got any drugstore recommendations :)

Lucy xx