Elizabeth Arden – Visible Difference Skin Balancing Lotion

I find it difficult to get a Day Cream that's perfect for under my make-up. With combination skin, I find that some just aren't hydrating enough for the drier areas of my face. I have the common problem of an oilier T-zone and dry skin on my cheeks so getting the balance right is essential if I want hydration in the right places and a good surface to apply make-up over.

I am a massive fan of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, as this was such a hit with me (see my review here), I thought I'd give some more products a go. This product has been a god send. Visible Difference Skin Balancing Lotion for combination skin is SPF 15, so is perfect base under foundation. It's light but hydrates the skin perfectly, not forgetting the dry areas and not overloading the oilier areas. In essence, it does strike the perfect balance for me and my skin feels great all day long. I love the packaging, it looks great and has a handy pump-dispenser. It  is slightly fragranced, it's a fresh not overpowering scent which doesn't last long.  The only negative is the price, it costs around the £30 mark, however, as I only use as a day cream, I have had this for quite a while and find 1–2 pumps are adequate. I would highly recommend, if you want to spend a little more. Its available here for £27.50 at Feelunique.com, which slightly less than I paid and in my books, worth every penny. I'll definitely be trying out a few more products from this range.

Rose Gold - Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Illuminator

Being pretty slow off the mark on what I believe was Elizabeth Arden's spring Rose Aurora range, for once did me a huge favour - I picked this up in the seasonal sales for 1/2 it's original price tag! And, it's absolutely gorgeous to boot. I'm a huge fan of the dewy look, being matte quite scares me, I'd just prefer to glow (without looking like a disco ball, of course!) The Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Illuminator in Rose Gold is just the ticket for a soft-focus light reflecting shimmer to the cheek bones. The shade is warming and natural on the the skin and not at all icy as I have had with highlighting powders and creams I've tried in the past. It's the perfect shade for my skin tone, which is fair with pink undertones. In fact, I think it has overtaken the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, as my favourite highlighter. As I'm singing the praises of this lovely product, I can't fail to mention the packaging - aside from the pretty floral box it comes in, the rose gold mirror compact is a super-chic addition to any make-up bag.

I'd say, get your hands on it whilst you can!

Winter Essentials

I am sure, like me you've noticed the start of December has seen a drop in temperature and a bit of a chill in the air - it's FRRREEEEZING! So, I thought I'd write a post on three of my winter handbag must-haves.

I'll start from the top ...

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream - Skin Protectant
This cult product is something I simply won't leave the house without, especially when there is a bite in the air - it claims to soothe and calm irritated skin, and that's exactly what it does. During the colder months, when the central heating is blasting, I notice I get dry patches on my skin (and as scaly is not such a good look), dabbing this on moisturises, eases itching and quickly sorts out any such problems. I also find this is good as a lip balm and on any dry or cracked skin on my hands. It is quite costly, though lasts absolutely ages - I've had this tube for over a year as you can probably tell from the packaging, which has been updated. One of the only downsides to this products is it's strong smell. I don't mind it's almost herbal scent, it smells like it should be good for you! I think I have read somewhere Elizabeth Arden have toned it down slightly.

Vaseline Lip Therapy - Rosy Lips
This is my go to product for those low maintenance days, all the goodness of Vaseline Original with a hint of a rosy colour. I love the pinky feminine twist on the classic blue and white tin, it's a perfectly sized for pockets or make-up bags and keeps my lips moisturised and chap-free throughout the colder weather.

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
This is the absolute daddy of hand creams! I seem to be able to tell winter is round the corner by the state of my hands, the minute the temperature drops, I see chapping and cracked skin, especially between my fingers and on my knuckles. I have tried SO many hand creams - ranging from high end to own brand cheapies - this, my friends wins hands down - if you'll pardon the pun. Just a little bit, goes a very long way - sorting out all the winter skin problems above and leaving my hands soft and smooth. I also have to mention, it has a slightly 'waxy' texture, which I think is it's winning formula, you can still feel it working even after giving your hands a good scrub. If you don't have a tube, don't wait, get yourself some of this budget-friendly wonder cream!

What are your favourite winter must-have beauty items? I'd love to hear what your winter saviours are!