February skincare purchases

I heart skincare. I have for over 10 years & my love is still going strong. So every month when it comes to pay day I usually have a little list of items just waiting to be added to my basket. These range from the basics (cotton face pads, face wipes etc),  daily essentials (new moisturiser, cleanser, basically repurchases etc) and any new item I've had my eye on, researched and decided I want to give a go

On my February re-purchase list - Bioderma Hydrabio and the Origins Ginzing energy-boosting moisturizer. I first saw this bottle of Bioderma on Glamour magazine's Beauty Director Alessandra Steinherr's instagram, which she claimed was better than the famous red topped one. I completely agree! After reading the hype around the original Biroderma I purchased a bottle from Escentual but wasn't overwhelmed by it. I found the cleansing water made my skin feel quite uncomfortable immediately after use and it didn't seem ideal for my sometimes sensitive and dry prone skin. However, the blue topped version is very gentle on my face and eye area leaving my skin feeling moisturized, instead of tight, before going ahead with my evening cleanse.

Origins is one of my favourite skincare brands and the Ginzing moisturiser has been my go to day cream since last summer after it launched. It's lightweight with a slightly gel-like texture and is super hydrating and refreshing. This is helped by the fact it feels cooling on the skin and has a gorgeous citrus, fresh scent. Used with the Ginzing eye cream, my skin seems to be loving these radiance boosting treats.

My 'new item' purchase is the Indeed Labs Hydraluron serum which I first read about on Caroline Hiron's blog last year. It's a moisture boosting serum packed with hyaluronic acid which claims to significantly increase skin's hydration levels and ability to retain moisture. Over time it's meant to reduce the amount of topical moisturisers needed to maintain skin hydration (which means you use less of what you put on top of this serum). There is a lot of science behind this product and anything you really need to know about it is on Caroline's blog - she sums it up perfectly. Having only used this serum for a short amount of time (1 week so far) means I can't give a fair opinion on it yet but I have noticed my skin feeling significantly softer after using this post toner and pre-moisturiser in the mornings. Everything seems a lot smoother. Time will tell with this one but so far I'm impressed!

What's next on my 'new item' list? The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum in Oil which promises to replenish and recharge skin with moisture overnight. It sounds right up my street and it's only £12! I'm sold. 

Pinterest: January

I am a huge Pinterest fan. Having the app on my phone makes me browse through boards almost every day! I find it so inspiring and thought I would share my favorite pins from the month of January (This post is a little late I know, I'm still getting in the swing of blogging regularly again!).

If you'd like to follow me on Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/jessicaroses/




1. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Flights & hotel are booked to visit this beautiful & intriguing city in June with my friend Sophie. Last year Ibiza, this year we chose a city with a bit of everything. To say I'm excited is an understatement...I literally can't wait! Plus Game of Thrones is filmed here (it's Kings Landing!) which makes it even more appealing! Hurry up June 14th . .



2. It's safe to say that throughout January I was obsessed with Scandal. Obsessed. I got through the first 3 series very quickly and I've literally told everyone I know about it! It's a show that keeps you completely hooked in every episode, the acting is great and Olivia Pope's (Kerry Washington, who is just amazing & my new favourite actress) wardrobe is stunning!! That coat in the above picture . . . wow! Full of soft neutrals, luxurious fabrics and beautiful accessories she really does stand out in the very male dominated political world.



3. Kate from The Small Things Blog - http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/ , does some of the best hair tutorials (she also has a Youtube channel) I have found. This picture is from the Low Chignon tutorial which I have attempted a couple of times but it hasn't worked out exactly how I imagined. I think the secret is in the texture of your hair so next time I'm going to whip out my Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray & see what happens. Practice makes perfect.



4. I love everything about this outfit! Would you just look at that Celine bag!! My favourite has to be the Off Duty sweatshirt and I am now on the look for a similar piece! It adds a very casual/cool edge to an outfit which other than that is rather daytime dressy.



5. Not wanting to blow my own trumpet or anything but I do make very good cinnamon buns. It's all down to a recipe my mum recommended from one of her American cookbooks (the name of which escapes me) . My next baking project is to attempt this giant cinnamon roll cake (the recipe of which is also on my Food pin board). Gawwd it looks so good!!

Dreaming of Elie Saab Couture

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the King of red carpet dressing, Elie Saab and his divine Haute Couture S/S 14 collection. I certainly have, although my moment was more like an hour sat scrolling through pictures of his beautiful collection and daydreaming of what  it must be like to wear one of his creations.

If you haven't done so already then you can watch Elie Saab S/S 14 show here - http://www.eliesaab.com/#/en/home His past shows are definitely worth a look too for their timeless beauty.

Three of my favourites from the S/S 14 Couture show are below:

Who's that girl?

I don't think you could find someone who doesn't like Zooey Deschanel . Men love her. Women love her. She seems as nice in interviews as she does onscreen, especially her character Jess in New Girl. (I am a HUGE New Girl fan. It's definitely filled the Friends shaped hole in my life!)

So, it goes without saying really that my Best Dressed from last nights Emmy Awards was...Zooey! Her frothy, ice blue Reem Acra gown was just perfection. She posted a beautiful photo on Instagram showing her hair and make up look with someone comparing her to 'a modern day Audrey'. I completely agree. It was so very Zooey; a look that was just made for her.

Another photo she posted on Instagram was of her manicure where she'd had little televisions painted onto her nails! I was hoping she was going to show them on E! Live on the Red Carpet's Mani Cam - a little camera inserted into a box where the stars could 'walk' their fingers down a little red carpet! A great new addition to add to E! already brilliant red carpet coverage.

Although New Girl missed out on winning an Emmy my other favourite show Modern Family won Best Comedy for the third year running, a directing and two acting awards. If you have yet to watch it I urge you to! It's brilliant!

Follow me on Instagram at: @jessicarosesutherland

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Style Crush: Jessica Biel

If there's one person whose been pulling out all the stops in the fashion department its Jessica Biel on her Total Recall promotion duties. This look - Giambattista Valli Couture tailored shirt with a feather peplum and lace pencil skirt - has been my favourite! She topped it off with an incredible pair of Christian Louboutin neon pink heels; the best choice against an otherwise all white ensemble. 

Not only does she look amazing & have one beautiful wardrobe, she is engaged to Justin Timberlake. That is one very lucky woman . . . 

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Summer Buys!

Like many others, London 2012 Olympics have completely taken over my life this past week! I am absolutely loving it & have never watched so much sport in my life!! This is a quick post in between watching events on to some of my recent hair and beauty buys . . .

L'Oreal Paris Extraordinary Oil.
When I first saw this advertised in a magazine and heard great reviews I had to buy it! I use L'Oreal Elvive Colour Protect shampoo and conditioner and I'm always impressed with the way it leaves my hair, so I had high expectations for this product! I've found its results are very similar to Moroccan Oil (which I adore!) although it has a thinner consistency, meaning you can sometimes pump out a bit too much from the bottle! At £9.99 its a bargain too!

Max Factor Max Effect Mini Nail Polish.
These little pots of nail polish are so cute and come in a huge range of colours! I now have 4, with the most recent purchase being shade 09. Diva Coral. I chose it as my 'festival shade' to wear to Boardmasters and Reading this month! Its very pretty - bold and summery, and makes a nice change from my usual nail colour palette of purples, pinks and greens.

Stylfile S-file from Tom Pellereau.
Created by the 2011 winner of The Apprentice, the S-file is named after its shape and follows the nails natural curve which makes filing quicker and easier. The S-file does exactly what it claims to and I found it much easier to gain my desired nail shape than using a flat file. Although priced at almost £5, its meant to last up to 12 months! There is also an S-buffer and Emergency File (a mini S-file and S-buffer in one) which complete the collection.

Clinique City Block (25SPF)
This daily face protector is one of my favourite ever products! I recently started using it again and will now ALWAYS have it in my make up bag. Its a sheer UVA/UVB formula which can be used as daily sun protection and protect against environmental aggressors. It can be worn on its own and under make up. Personally, its the best primer I have tried and makes my make up extremely long lasting.


real Techniques Stippling Brush.
After reading many positive reviews of real Techniques make up brushes I have finally bought one! I am so impressed with the way my foundation looks after applying it with this stippling brush. I don't like to wear too much foundation so using a brush is the perfect way to apply it for me. Combined with my Clinique City Block it makes my foundation last for most of the day! Now what brush to buy next . . .

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Yes, I have touched glitter in the last 24 hours.

Number One on my wish list right now (along with the perfect white summer dress) are these silver glittery TOMS, as seen on Jessica Alba. 

I wouldn't usually go for glitter during the day, especially where my feet are concerned (I tend to keep this look for nights out) & the natural classic ones are more my typical style. But these have grown on me, they really do look great for day time! I can already think of various outfits I can throw these on with in my wardrobe!

& whats even better, with every pair of TOMS purchased, a pair will be donated to a child in need. 

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