As you've probably noticed i've been attempting to switch my content up a bit, as i've been looking at back at the kind of content I was posting a year or so ago and I felt like it had been ages since I properly did a what's in my actual everyday handbag post. So I thought today i'd do an update of my current go to bag and the essential bits I carry around on a daily.

Last month I didn't get round to doing a favourites post, as I hadn't really been loving or trying out many new products and I still haven't  really been loving many products in all honesty but I wanted to at least talk about a select few products that I had been appreciating over the past few weeks, that definitely deserved you all to know about.

It has been a while since i've posted a good old everyday makeup post, one of which i've been turning to quite a lot recently. As I have an hour commute to work i'm always trying to savour the minutes in bed, rather than spending the extra time putting my face on for the day. I thought today i'd share the five products i've been reaching for recently that make me look ready for the day, but takes no time what so ever.

Last weekend I succumbed to the mammoth task of washing my many makeup brushes that i'd be putting of for far too long, and having no clean foundation brushes left I thought I had no other choice. This got me thinking that I haven't really updated the way in which I wash my makeup brushes and the products that I love to use, so I thought i'd finally sit down and share a few recommendations.

Last month one of my all time favourite makeup brands Makeup Revolution celebrated their second birthday, which they threw what looked like an amazing birthday party in London for all of the wonderful bloggers that have supported them over the past two years and unfortunately I couldn't attend. However they were ever so kind to still send me a goodie bag from the event and I thought i'd share with you the amazing products I got spoilt with.

I've been thinking of sitting down and writing out a post like this for quite some time now, as i'm sure i'm not the only blogger out there to be feeling the same disconnection and change within the blogging community over the past year or so. I'm not one to really sway from my beauty reviews, but I thought i'd go a little of theme and open up about why i've begun to fall out of love with something that I once gained happiness from.

Recently i've been trying to get my skincare routine back on track, as i've somewhat neglected it for a while and my skin has definitely suffered - as i've mentioned in a few of my recent posts. As i've been on a quest to get my skincare routine back in order i've been adding some new products into my routine and so far i'm really loving how my skin is looking, so today I thought i'd share some thoughts about these recent additions.

As my skin has changed a lot, I thought that the products that I used to go for probably wouldn't work in the same way as they used to so i've been trying to add products into my skincare that I haven't really used before to see how my skin would react and i've been seeing some pretty good results so far.

Starting off with cleansing, and cleansing is the only part of a skincare routine that i've actually kept up with as face wipes/micellar waters have always been a big no no for my skin as they always dry out my skin, so i've been making my way through the cleansers within my collection and I thought it was about time I tried out a new one. Initially I was going to repurchase my trusting Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish (£15.50), but when I saw that they had released a limited edition Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Rose & Cedrat (£20.99) I just knew I had to try this out. Firstly what drew me to this product was the larger sized tube and the fact that it comes with 2 muslin cloths, for quite an affordable price and it smells absolutely amazing! Compared to the usual Cleanse & Polish, I find this version is so much more soothing and smoothing on the skin as the rose really helps my skin to look a lot less irritated and the cedrat helps to make my skin look and feel more awake. Overall i've really been enjoying this cleanser as it has worked wonders for my skin, i'm just a bit gutted that it is limited edition as it really is amazing!

Another part of my cleansing that i've switched up is by using a facial cleansing brush, which i've never used before but since bringing the Sensio Spa Deep Pore Cleanser* (£45) into my skincare routine I now understand why some people really do swear by them. I've been using this for around two months now, at least two times a week as I find I don't need to use this every time I cleanse and it really works to get into your pores and give them a good clean. What I find really interesting about this product is that it's completely different to your typical cleansing brush as it doesn't have any harsh bristles, instead it pulsates and the silicone bristles work to get into pores so it doesn't damage or irritate your skin. The only thing I did find with this product is that it does bring out blemishes the first few times you use it, which is to be expected as it does work to draw out all the crap from your skin, but so far it's been working to give my skin an overall really good cleanse.

Moving onto the after cleansing products that i've recently introduced into my routine, of which i've already spoken about this first product a few times as I love it so much! This is the Sanctuary Spa Illuminating Beauty Balm* (£), which I won't bang on about too much as but i've been loving using this beauty balm to give my skin a much needed vamp of radiance as it gives this lovely glow that my skin doesn't possess naturally - fake it until you make it ha! This next product has been my go to moisturiser as of late and this is the Claudia Louch Hydrating Mango Cream* (£61.50). First of all, the packaging of this moisturiser is absolutely stunning and so slick, I just love it! Secondly, the smell of this is anything to make anyone want to try this product as this has a lovely fruity mango scent that I just can't get enough of. What I really like about this moisturiser is that it is not only moisturising but it is also really soothing on the skin and provides a lovely amount of hydration that my skin needs and i'd highly recommend trying out this product if you're looking for a more high end moisturiser.

So those are a few recent additions into my skincare routine that I have been absolutely loving as of late!

Have been enjoying any skincare products recently? Leave me some recommendations.

Some of you who have been longtime followers of this blog will know that my natural hair colour isn't brown, the paleness of my skin usually gives it away but i'm actually a natural red head and one day I might go into why I dyed my hair but for today I thought i'd talk about the steps I take to maintain my hair in between re-dying the dreaded roots! 

When I first dyed my hair, I was definitely a little young and naive to see how much work actually goes into maintaining a hair colour that you don't possess naturally but over the years i've found a large range of products that really help to keep my hair looking bright and alive, whilst also ways in which to cover up any roots as I try to leave any regrowth for as long as I can, but these products are also great for all you natural brunettes out there too!

Lets starts off with the products I use to keep my hair looking healthy and glowing, as any hair can look dull and lack lustre, and often can do with a little tlc. Over the year i've tried out a fair few brunette targeted shampoos that help to revive your colour and enhance your colour, which I personally love for maintaining my hair colour. My current favourite and probably the best one i've ever used is the Charles Worthington Colour Enhancing Brunette Shampoo* (£5.99), which as the name suggests is help to enhance your hair colour with natural extracts of henna and caramel to improve the vibrancy of your hair colour, whilst also making your hair look radiant and glossy. This shampoo is works to help protect your hair colour and works to prevent your colour fading, which is always an added bonus as I rarely ever dye the lower ends of my hair. I also use the Charles Worthington Colour Enhancing Brunette Conditioner* (£5.99), but when it comes to conditioners i'm usually not too fussed as long as they make my hair nice and soft, which this definitely does whilst also helping to further enhance your hair colour.

Another product that is great at reviving your hair colour that little but further is the Charles Worthington Colour Revive Dark Brown Tinted Mousse* (£9.99), which again as the name suggests is a hair mouse that you apply to towel dried hair and then blow dry into your hair. What I love about this product is that it not only revives your hair colour and makes your hair just look better, but it lasts a good 2-3 washes, which is perfect for me especially when i'm getting closer to dying my roots as it helps to conceal them and make them a little less noticeable. What is also great is that this product comes in two different tones for brunette hair, so if you're hair is a lighter shade of brown you can opt for the light brown option.

Moving onto the root concealing products that I always reach for, now I don't always use these to conceal as some have dual purposes but I find that I can usually prolong dying my roots for an extra two weeks, which ultimately means causing less damage to my hair. First off is the Batiste Dark and Deep Brown Dry Shampoo (£3.99), which I use as a usual dry shampoo as this doesn't leave any white streaks across your hair, which is great! Also what is great about this product is that it comes out brown so it's great to spray down my parting line to help conceal my roots, absolutely genius!

Secondly is a new product that i've recently been trying out and it has changed my life! The Charles Worthington Dark Brown Instant Root Concealer Powder* (£14.99), which is very similar to some beauty powder products i've previously owned when the product comes through the brush allowing no mess and no fuss. This powder is great as it's really pigmented, so the tiniest amount is needed and it conceals my roots like no other product. I'm still to master how to deal with the excess product, as it does transfer onto your clothes but i've found using hairspray helps a little, but overall I can sing praises on this product as it instantly changes the appearance of my hair.

So those are a few product that I use to help maintain my brown hair and also to help conceal my roots in between dying. If you are like me or are a natural brunette and you're wanting give your hair a little tlc, then i'd highly recommend trying out these products! Also, Charles Worthington have products targeted towards other hair colours, so no one is left out!

What products do you use to maintain your hair colour?

Ever since the new year rolled in I vowed that i'd start taking better care of my skin as i'd been slacking a lot throughout 2015 and my skin showed through the awfully dry stages it has gone through. I've recently been trying out some of the new Sanctuary Spa skincare products, which i've spoken about briefly before but I wanted to share a little more into how they've been working for my skin.