Be Quick! Urban Outfitters 50% Off Sale Preview

I do enjoy a bargain, but it's all too often disappointing to log onto an online sale to find that all the good stuff's gone, or worse, it's still being displayed but is "out of stock" when you try to purchase it. Well if you're an Urban Outfitters fan, today you can get in there first.

The Money Saving Expert website is offering a preview sale discount code, giving you 50% off before the sale proper launches tomorrow. I'm particularly a fan of the Urban Outfitters homeware which offers both quirk and quality, and there are some great buys in the extensive sale. The ladiesware sale doesn't disappoint either.

Simply enter the code "MSE50" at the checkout to receive a 50% discount. If you spend over £60.00 you get free delivery too.

Here are my sale picks:

Cat Kaleidoscope Tapestry Throw, was £40.00, now £20.00
So bad it’s good. Yes, my crazy cat lady tendencies have revealed themselves again.

Karma Kitchen Wash Bag, was £12.00 now £6.00
You can’t get much more kitsch than this adorable make-up bag – love it!

Title Unknown Indian Bloom Tee, was £28.00 now £14.00
Lovely colour, even lovelier print. The boxy shape is surprisingly flattering (even on those of us not blessed with a flat stomach) and looks cute paired with a high waisted skirt or denim shorts.

Floral Pink Rug, was £55.00 now £27.50
There are some gorgeous rugs in the sale but this is my favourite. I love the red, pink and green colour combination. It’s just the ticket to perk up a dull living room.

Spangled Ravey Rhino Sunglasses, were £35.00 now £17.50
If only I were brave enough to wear these brazen shades. Do you dare?

BDG 90s Breton Stripe Sweatshirt, was £38.00 now £19.00
I do enjoy a stripey top and this one is perfect Spring attire. Want!

So many lovely things! Is there anything that tickles your fancy? If there is, get in there quick!

x

Double cleansing

Double cleansing has become quite a thing in the blogging world of late. The principle behind it is that the first cleanse removes make-up and SPF, whilst the second cleanse removes the day’s grime. We all know that we should remove our make-up before bed, but the focus on removing SPF was new to me - did you know that it can cling to the skin even after washing your face? 

I have to admit that I was initially loathe to add another step into my routine. Like so many women I’m time poor and impatient at the end of a long day. However, I wear make-up most days and SPF every day, and I was increasingly finding make-up on my clean white towels after using my preferred face wash. I figured the extra time it takes - a minute tops - is worth it. After all, what’s the point of rubbing expensive serums and moisturisers into dirty skin? 

I’m a big fan of the Superfacialist range from skincare specialist Una Brennan. The two standout products which form the basis of my current cleansing routine are the Vitamin C Skin Renew Cleansing Oil and the Rose Hydrate Calming Creamy Cleanser. Both outperform far pricier offerings on the market, removing even stubborn eye make-up and leaving skin feeling nourished, hydrated, and most importantly, really well cleansed. 

If you’ve got oily skin you might think this method isn’t for you, but read on anyway. The theory goes that like attracts like, so using an oil-based cleanser can actually be the most effective way of cleansing oily skin. Those with dry and normal skin can wave goodbye to tightness after cleansing too, so its win-win.

One cleanse is sufficient in the morning - I use the Rose Hydrate Calming Creamy Cleanser - but it’s in the evening when double cleansing comes into its own. 

Cleanse one: Oil cleanser

• Start by applying a small amount of the Vitamin C Skin Renew Cleansing Oil on to dry skin, focussing on the face and eyes, moving downwards to include your neck. If pouring straight from the bottle, you’ll need a decent glug or enough to give you good slip. My only gripe with this product is the impractical packaging - why hasn’t it got a pump applicator!? I’ve remedied this by using a (thoroughly washed out) pump from an old bottle of hand-wash which fits perfectly. Two pumps is plenty. 
• The key thing at this stage is to massage the oil in really well to dislodge everything. I even use it around my sensitive eyes without experiencing any irritation. Pay particular attention to the hairline to avoid any grubby tide marks.
• I then go in with a couple of splashes of running water. It doesn’t emulsify per se, but there’s a noticeable shift in texture.
• Next, begin wiping away the oil with a hot flannel or muslin cloth. This step is essential because water won’t remove the oil on its own. Without it you’ll be left with an oily film on your skin. 
• Repeat until all the oil is removed, rinsing the cloth frequently. Dry your face with a clean towel.

Cleanse two: Cream cleanser

• Take a 50p sized blob of the Rose Hydrate Calming Creamy Cleanser and massage it into your face, neck and around the eyes. Use the well rinsed cloth to remove all traces of the cream.

And that’s it. The extra step takes virtually no time, but skin really does feel better for it. I no longer find make-up on my white towels and haven’t had a major breakout since starting this routine a few months ago. 

Of course, you could just use the cream cleanser twice or replace both with your favourite products - the principle of cleansing twice is still the same whichever products you use. 

What do you think: Do you double cleanse already? Will you be giving it a go? Do you have oily skin and are willing to try an oil cleanser? Let me know!

x

Save your Face | Staying in The Beauty Scriptures Know

I've been getting lots of enquiries about how best to keep up to date with the latest posts from The Beauty Scriptures, so here they all are, wrapped up in one neat package of a blog post for you.

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Mojito Loves | Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter

Despite my addiction to lip balm I’ve never been a fan of the tinted varieties. Neither moisturising enough, nor packing enough of a colour punch, I’ve struggled to find one that does any of the things it professes to do very well.

One particular foray into the world of tinted balms resulted in a nasty jam-coloured ring around my mouth (never a good look). Another left me with a frosted pink pout which I’m sure looked great in 1987.

However, I've just discovered the Wild Rose Lip Butter from all-natural Greek brand Korres, and in the week since I got my hands on it, I’ve not reached for a single other lip product. That’s practically unheard of for me who would happily change up my lip colour on an hourly basis.

So what’s good about it? First up, it’s super pretty in the pot with a pleasant but not overpowering rose scent. On first dip the butter connection becomes apparent – it feels gorgeously slippy, without being at all greasy or sticky. You can feel the natural ingredients (including shea butter, vitamin C, and linoleic and linolenic acid) working their magic, leaving lips feeling protected, softened and well moisturised. Any good lip balm should do those things but what sets this one apart is the gorgeous colour it imparts. Neither glossy nor matt, the dark shade in the pot gives way to a very subtle red with pink undertones and it is truly lovely.

You know the whole “your lips but better” thing? That. Granted, neither the colour nor the moisture hit are particularly long lasting, but it fades evenly (no nasty ring in sight) and I happily reapply it throughout the day because it’s such a joy to use.

This balm is the first of Korres product I’ve tried but I’ll definitely be giving some of their other offerings a go. I’ve already got a Guava Lip Butter winging its way to me in fact.

Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter is £8.00 including free delivery from Look Fantastic.

 

Guest Post: The Vintage Eyewear Guru

Say hello to Lindsay Markovits, my first ever guest on The Beauty Scriptures. Self-confessed eyewear geek, Lindsay is the face and brains behind vintage eyewear brand Lunettes London. I caught up with her recently to find out about the brand, the vintage trend and her own unique sense of style.

 

So first off, tell us about Lunettes London.
 
"I launched Lunettes London four years ago. I had been working on a vintage project in collaboration with my friend Brenda, now owner of cutting edge boutique opticians Eyeworks London. She hooked me up with contacts in the eyewear industry and helped me get started on sourcing products." 

Happy customers at Brick Lane Vintage Market.

"I've always been into vintage style and am a total sunglasses geek so running the company is my dream job. Buying trips can be arduous as I am frequently faced with boxes upon boxes of dusty glasses but there's no feeling quite like that when I unearth a rare vintage Cazal model or a rhinestone encrusted Nina Ricci design."

"I need to ensure I'm at the forefront of trends and street style so that I am able to buy commercially for my customer base. Ultimately I try and include something for everyone in the collection. Prices start at just £15.00 and we offer simple classic styles as well as outlandish statement designer pieces and everything in between."
 

The vintage trend has been around for a while now and only seems to be growing - why do you think that is?

"I can't see vintage ever going out of fashion because each season the collections are influenced by a different era. As time goes on new eras are added to the vintage spectrum. For example in recent years the 90s have become vintage and are a huge influence on current fashion."

Proving big is beautiful.

What are the current/upcoming trends for eyewear?

"Eyewear trends are not as fickle as fashion trends so a style will remain in fashion for a longer period of time. For example the cat eye shape has been on trend for a few years now and is still going strong."

The cat eye trend is here to stay.

"Round 90s sunglasses are my current bestseller and are especially popular with younger fashion forward customers. With the 90s obsession in full swing, oval shapes are becoming more covetable too."

"I have a feeling oversized sunglasses will be making a comeback after American Hustle. Thick rimmed vintage style glasses are always popular and convey timelessness, but on the flip side many high-end optical brands are choosing to experiment with innovative new materials and shapes."

"Other recent and emerging trends include mirrored lenses, white frames, chunky frames and semi-tinted lenses."

What advice do you have for people looking for a new pair of glasses?

"There are so many rules that are supposed to be followed when it comes to choosing a frame - your eyes should be central to the lens, the frames should not protrude outside of the face, square faces should go for rounder shapes and so on... However I feel that this is a very boring way of shopping."

Vintage graduated lens sunglasses.

"These codes can be useful as guidelines, but ultimately your glasses should reflect your personality and complement your overall style. So if your everyday look is 50s rockabilly, then chances are a cat eye frame will work perfectly for you even if they're a theoretical mismatch to your face type."

How would you describe your personal style? 

"I'm shamefully fickle when it comes to fashion and often reflect in horror upon an outfit I wore just weeks ago. I wouldn't say I'm an avid trend follower although I am interested in high fashion. Because of my vintage connections I am lucky enough to be able to constantly recycle my wardrobe at a reasonably low cost." 

Bold yellow aviators and red lips.

"I find it difficult to pin down my personal style but for a while now I've been into chunky shoes, oversized sihouettes, unusual fabrics, print clashing and statement jewellery and sunglasses."
 

Who or what inspires your style?

"Anna Dello Russo is an inspiration for me. She lives and breathes fashion and is fearless in her outfit choices. but I guess I am a bit of a sponge in that I absorb influence from everything. As a rule I always love the Celine, Marni and Prada shows and I admire Japanese and Scandinavian styles of dressing." 

Girlband Major wearning Lunettes London frames.

"I am lucky enough to live in arguably the most fashion forward city in the world so get to see street trends developing first hand, some of which no doubt infiltrate my style."

The Lunettes London vintage eyewear collection can be accessed online at Lunetteslondon.com or visited in person Thursday-Sunday at Brick Lane Vintage Market in East London. They also have concessions across the Uk, details of which can be found on the website.

Lust List | Season Straddling

Straddling the seasons presents me with somewhat of a quandary. With longer days and the first floral bloomings upon us (yay!), I'm not willing to part cash for wintery items, but with the still chilly temperatures nor am I ready to invest in summer wear. So this month, I'm lusting after accessories which can be worn come rain or shine. 

Claw Necklace 

Window Dressing The Soul at Collard Manson | collardmanson.co.uk | £18.00

With more than a hint of the creepy gothic, this stunning piece will give an edge to even the prettiest of outfits. It looks far pricier than it's £18.00 price tag belies too. Loves.

Equus Scarf 

Bonbi Forest at Moonko | moonko.co.uk | £30.00

The buyers at Moonko have an exceptional eye - I could happily purchase everything in there. It was this scarf that stood out for me though and it's perfect for pepping up a spring outfit. And really, what’s not to love about a herd of horses and zebra gallivanting around your neck?

Spoon Bangle 

Tea Wear at TNB Indie Arcade | tea-wear.co.uk | £25.00

It’s no mean feat to pull off both quirky and chic, but this bangle does just that. Hand crafted by Sheffielder Terry Cooper using Sheffield steel cutlery, I love its heritage which will translate far outside the borders of South Yorksire. It would make a lovely gift me thinks.

Budget Beauty #5 | Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo

Many people have cottoned on to the wonders of dry shampoo for its ability to eek out another day between washes, and I've included the Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo in my list of budget favourites because it's a hard working multi-tasker that offers great value for money.

Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo | £2.99 | Widely available

 Yes, things can get a bit powdery if you don't rub it in well, and premium brands' dry shampoo offerings are a tad more refined, but Batiste's tropical scent is just the ticket when your locks are on the turn. It's also great for giving texture to freshly washed hair in need of a boost, and for adding grip in preparation for up-dos.

At a bargainous £2.99, it's definitely worth having a bottle in your grease-busting, volume-inducing armour.

The brand has also released versions for different hair colours - red, blonde, brunette and dark - which I've heard very good things about and these may go some way to diminishing the powdery effect. My current bottle is on its last legs so I'll be giving the blonde one a go next time me-thinks.

What are your favourite budget beauty products?

Budget Beauty #4 | Cotton Flannels

Soaked in icy cold water for a morning pick-me-up and steaming hot at the end of the day, the humble cotton flannel has been a revelation since I introduced it into my skincare regime a couple of months ago.

Cotton flannels | £1.50 | Primark

Skin is left feeling super clean when used to wipe away cream or oil cleanser and they make light work of removing stubborn eye make up. At £1.50 for a pack of three in Primark and widely available elsewhere, you can quickly acquire a plentiful stockpile. 

A grubby flannel equals a grubby face though, so don't be tempted to re-use each one more than twice. I use a fresh flannel each morning and pop it in the laundry basket after cleansing in the evening. 

Word to the wise: Using fabric conditioner in your wash removes the flannel's gentle exfoliating qualities so is best avoided.

What are your favourite budget beauty products?  

Budget Beauty #2 | Palmolive Milk and Honey Shower Gel

Moisturising and nourishing with a sweet, soothing scent and a rich lather, Palmolive Milk and Honey Shower Gel offers a little bit of soapy luxury for the grand total of £1.20. 

Palmolive Milk and Honey Shower Gel | From £1.20 | Widely available

Granted, the cheery packaging doesn't exactly look luxe, but as the saying goes, it's what's inside that counts and this stuff is mighty fine. I just really enjoy using it. Enough said.

What are your favourite budget beauty products? 

Budget Beauty #1 | Hask Argan Oil

Sometimes it's worth spending a few extra pennies, and sometimes it ain't. I've got plenty of time for pricier products which do what they promise on their (no doubt beautifully packaged) tins, but I've often been let down by their bold claims to revive my lacklustre locks or eradicate my ever increasing wrinkles.

Look, it's me!

 To coincide with the launch of my first column in Toast magazine, over the next five days I'll be sharing an extended version on The Beauty Scriptures. This month it's all about my tried and tested favourites which offer more bang for their buck. First up is a surprising little find from Primark...

The trend for serums has passed and oils are where it's at. As the owner of wayward puffy hair, this can only be good news. Previously underwhelmed by the over-hyped (and significantly pricier) Moroccanoil Light, I had low expectations of the Hask Argan Oil when I popped a bottle into my Primark basket a few months back. 

But seriously, it is one of the best hair products I've ever used. 

Hask Argan Oil | £2.50 | Primark

I'm a low maintenance girl when it comes to my locks, preferring to leave my hair to dry naturally for all but the most special of occasions. Unfortunately, the results can be wildly inconsistent. No longer. This £2.50 bottle of goodness produces smooth, shiny hair every time. And teeny though the bottle may be (18ml), I use a hefty glug on damp hair after every wash, then run a small amount through when it's dry to take away any remaining frizz and it lasts me about a month. 

If Primark ever discontinue it, I may cry.

So there we have it, the first of my five favourite budget beauties - what are yours?