Garnier toner review

Cleanse, tone, moisturise.

All beauty guides chant this like some sort of creepy mantra. I understood the cleansing and the moisturising, but what's the point of toner?

I read a Wikipedia page did a little research - toner cleanses the face and apparently minimises the size of pores. I talked to a doctor (messaged a family member who's a GP) and it's not possible to actually change the size of your pores, it's just part of your face. When pores are clogged they dilate, so keeping them clean can make them less noticeable.

I started using toner a few years ago to see what it's all about. I've used a few in my time and so far I like this one the best.

Garnier Fresh Refining Toner Shine Be Gone!

This is a high street brand and is very affordable. I used to avoid toner that contained alcohol as I was worried that it would be too harsh on my sensitive skin. However, I suffer from blackheads so I fancied trying something stronger.

It's quite gentle and leaves a tingly feeling on the skin. I've used this daily for about a year now* and my blackheads aren't as bad as they used to be. I put a little on a cotton pad and sweep it over my nose and forehead. It seems to help clear the oil that builds up in the pores and manage the oil on my skin. This hasn't banished all blackheads, but it's helping me manage them.

Overall - very nice product.


Price? £3.29
Where can I get some? Boots or Superdrug
Size? 200ml
Cruelty free? No


*the bottle looks full because I photographed this a while ago

Readathon Wrap Up - Seasons of Reading 'Winter's Respite'

I did the Seasons of Reading readathon - this one was the Winter's Respite which runs from 18 - 24 Jan. Actually managed to make another video, so this is my wrap up - you can see what I read and how I did!

My links:
-Goodreads
-Youtube
-Twitter
-Instagram

Seasons of Reading Links:
-Blog
-Facebook group
-Twitter

Books mentioned:
'The Road' - Cormac McCarthy
'On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft' - Stephen King
'Wuthering Heights' - Emily Bronte
'The Bone Clocks' - David Mitchell

My Reading List - Seasons of Reading Readathon 'WintersRespite'

I'm trying to do the 50 book challenge this year, so I'm taking part in several readathons throughout the year. I didn't manage to complete the January AYearAThon as I started so late. But, I managed to blast through The Road by Cormac McCarthy - which may not be such a good thing as it's pretty depressing to say the least.

Seasons of Reading hold four readathons throughout the year (one for each season) and I believe they do an extra one at Christmas. I'm taking part in the Winter's Respite which runs from 18 - 24 Jan. If you want to see how your fellow participants are doing, the hastag on twitter is #WintersRespite.

The rules are very relaxed and there isn't a theme for this season. They have a big giveaway at the end of the readathons but you have to sign up on the site and link your wrap-up at the end, as winners are chosen from that.

I'm still busy getting back into university, finding motivation in this miserably cold month and I'm travelling across the country this week to visit friends, so it's hectic but train journeys are perfect for reading. Also, this is why I'm writing a blog post rather than trying to plan, film, edit and upload a book video. I might do a wrap up video, but we'll see.

My list consists of:
- On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. This is a rollover from the AYearAThon, as I could only get halfway through.
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. It's a classic that my friends are obsessed with, and it's been so cold and windy recently that it's perfect.
- The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell. I only got halfway through when I first read it, so this is a great excuse to finish it.

If you want to follow my progress, I'm here on GoodReads.

Anyone else taking part? Let me know what you're reading!

Lush 'Honey I Washed My Hair' Shampoo Bar Review

This is amazing.

The 'Honey I Washed My Hair' shampoo bar' is a little round bar and looks tiny (mine's 55g) but it's fantastic. I can't get over how good this smells - it's like caramel and sweet without being overpowering. Before I used it, it gently filled the room with the amazing scent and now my bathroom smells great.

AYearAThon #1 & New On Booktube

YouTubing has begun. No more am I just a viewer, I make things now. I've been on YouTube as a viewer for five years now and want to feel like I'm actually part of it, rather than just taking it other people's work.

The booktube community is very small which I like. People say they miss the old YouTube, how it was back in 2009-2011 when it felt like a shared secret. I like how the smallness of it means we all have to work together because we need each other, and it's interesting to engage with that.

Also none of my friends are that into YouTube culture so I'm hoping to find other people who are.

My links:
-Goodreads
-Youtube
-Twitter
-Instagram