Sunday, 30 March 2014

Kerastase Elixir Ultime For Damaged Hair

Kerastase Elixir Ultime For Damaged Hair 

I thought I should dedicate a post to this amazing product I have came across this month from Kerastase. Now, if you have read any of my haircare posts, you will probably know I have colored hair and often get bleach highlights, which can be very drying and damaging on the hair. I am always looking for the next best conditioning serum that will reduce frizz and leave my hair looking and feeling strong yet smooth.


Whilst browsing online at http://www.lookfantastic.com I came across the Kerastase Elixir Ultime For Damaged Hair. This product is a oil type serum that can be used on wet or dry hair and leaves hair feeling deeply nourished.

This oil is £29.30 for 125ml, which is quite expensive I know, however you only need a 2-3 pumps so this should last a long while. This serum smells amazing on the hair, with strong notes of citrus it is very refreshing! This oil can also be used as a pre-cleanse and applied to hair before shampooing. I have been applying this product to wet hair and leaving my hair to air dry. Usually, if I leave my hair to air dry, it would be dry and frizzy, but with this product my hair is smooth and conditioned and only needs to be straightened a little with my hair straighteners.

Amazing product and I would highly recommend if you too have dry or damaged hair!!!!

XOXO

Victoria's Secret Limited Edition Lost in Love

Victoria's Secret Limited Edition Lost in Love

Just a quick post to share with you guys my thoughts on the limited edition scent from Victoria's Secret called 'Lost in Love'. I have never tried any of the scents from Victoria's Secret before, but since a new store opened close to me in the UK, I haven't been able to stay away!


I picked up the body mist and the body lotion and the scent of this stuff is to die for! It is perfect for summer and has notes of coconut and tiare flower to give a beautiful tropical and fresh scent. I love to smother myself in this stuff when I get out of the shower and I can still smell it on my skin hours later!

I am definitely going to try more of the scents from Victoria's Secret and think this limited edition collection is perfect for Summer and holidays.

XOXO

Sunday, 23 March 2014

NEW L'oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick by Color Riche

L'oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick by Color Riche

I recently picked up one of the new Liquid Lipsticks by L'oreal. I opted for the shade 201 Rose Symphony, which is a bright pink with almost a touch of coral. There a bunch of great shades available (9 in total) and these retail at £8.99.


First of all, this liquid lipstick has amazing pigmentation and can be sheered out if desired but can also give a real opaque finish in just one stroke! The formula is amazing. It smells fruity and good enough to eat and feels just heavenly on the lips. I loathe sticky, glupy lip products and this one from L'oreal is neither. This product is super moisturising, almost like a balm, yet it delivers the colour intensity of a lipstick and the shine of a gloss.


Application is made easy with a feather-soft wand and as I said before, one stroke is all you need for great color intensity. Alot of liquid lipsticks can be drying on the lips, which is why I think this one is amazing as it is super moisturizing and forgiving on slightly drier lips.


Overall, these liquid lipsticks have it all. They smell great, feel great and look great. They are affordable and come in some great shades. I will definitely be picking some more of these up for sure!!!!

XOXO

Revlon Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel

Revlon Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel

So, I recently spotted the new scented nail polishes from Revlon whilst out on a shopping trip and I knew I had to give them a try! These nail polishes are £6.49 and come in 20 awesome colors. I decided to pick one up in the shade 'Ginger Melon'. This shade is perfect for Spring/Summer and is a lovely, vibrant pinky/coral shade.

These nail polishes apply beautifully and the formula is great (not too runny or thick). I needed just two coats to get a great opaque finish and best off all they are scented!!! This nail polishes has an amazing fruity scent once dry, which makes this really fun and quite frankly amazing!


Overall, I LOVE these nail polishes. I have already ordered four more shades and I am extremely excited to find out what they smell like, I think that is the great thing about these nail polishes. I have had my nails painted in this shade for three days now and it hasn't chipped or peeled, although I do apply a Sally Hansen top coat and base coat.

Go give these nail polishes a bash, they are fun and girly and great for Spring and Summer!!!!

XOXO

Saturday, 22 March 2014

Chanel Gommage Microperle Éclat Maximum Radiance Exfoliating Gel

Chanel Gommage Microperle Éclat Maximum Radiance Exfoliating Gel

I purchased the Chanel Gommage Microperle Éclat Maximum Radiance Exfoliating Gel a few months ago and decided to do a quick post today of my thoughts on this product! Firstly, price wise, this exfoliator is pricey at £34.00 for 75ml. In terms of packaging; this product comes in a squeezy tube, which is very practical and has the simplicity of all Chanel beauty products (which I personally love!)


This product is a gel based face scrub, that uses pearl powder and jojoba microbeads as its exfoliation agents. It has a lovely silky, gel texture and did not irritate or upset my skin. I often stay clear of face scrubs and often opt for a exfoliating toner, as I find them less harsh on the skin, but this one from Chanel doesn't feel harsh or abrasive on the skin what so ever.


When I have used this product, my skin feels lovely and smooth and noticeably brighter. This product gives the skin a lovely natural and subtle glow, which I love! I apply this product to damps skin and gently massage the entire face with small circular movements. I feel this exfoliator would be great for anyone with sensitive skin, as I find it very gentle on the skin. The product glides easily onto the skin but I do find that I need to use a good amount of this stuff to get a good scrub going on, which isn't ideal as this stuff is pretty pricey!

Overall, I have been loving this product. It is a nice change for me as I don't often use face scrubs. I don't think I would repurchase again, just as I prefer the Alpha H Liquid gold, as I feel it does alot more to my skin, but I cannot fault this product, and it smells great too!!

XOXO

L'Oreal Superliner Perfect Slim

L'Oreal Superliner Perfect Slim

Hi Guys! So I have recently been trying quite a few liquid liners. My all time favourite is the Stila Liquid Eyeliner, but I have recently found a more cheaper alternative from L'Oreal.


The L'Oreal Superliner Perfect Slim, is similar to the Stila one in terms of packaging. This eyeliner comes in a slim 'pen' like form with a ultra fine felt tip nib, great for creating fine lines or flicks! This eyeliner is just £6.99, and I purchased mine from http://www.superdrug.com. I am not sure if they come in various colours, but I opted for the intense black, which is super black and pigmented.


The nib on this eyeliner is great for creating fine lines and flicks and can create precision lines as fine as 0.4mm. If you do prefer the more 'dramatic' look, you can easily build a thicker line with this eyeliner. In terms of application, this eyeliner applies really easily and is super pigmented, glossy and dries relatively quickly. As you can see from the above image, this eyeliner also has an 'easy grip surface' below the nib, which makes it easy to keep firm hold of the pen and create a steady, precise line.


In terms of wear, this eyeliner wears relatively well, but just not as well as my beloved Stila one. When I wear my Stila Eyeliner, it does NOT budge all day and will not run, smear or fade. I have noticed that this eyeliner does fade slightly throughout the day and does have the tendency to smear somewhat also. I must say, I do have oily eyelids and most products struggle to stay put so that doesn't disappoint me too much.

Overall, if you are looking for an affordable liquid liner then do give this a try. It applies beautifully but maybe just doesn't wear as long as the Stila Eyeliner.

XOXO

Thursday, 13 March 2014

CORALista Ultra Plush Lip Gloss by Benefit

CORALista Ultra Plush Lip gloss by Benefit

I know this lip gloss has been about for quite a while, but I only decided to pick this up recently. I have been a huge fan of the CORALista blush for some time, so figured I would give the lip gloss a try too. The lip gloss retails at £14.50 for 15ml.


The packaging of this product is great. It is simple, lightweight and easy to use on the go as comes in a small squeezable tube. This lip gloss is a really nice formula. it is non sticky and feels silky and smooth on the lips. This shade is a sheer coral and looks beautiful worn alone, for a lovely spring/summer look. This gloss is the perfect partner for the matching CORALista box blush powder by Benefit.


Overall, a lovely product. A pretty, sheer, lightweight coral gloss which would be perfect for Spring/Summer.

XOXO

Wednesday, 12 March 2014

ESPA Essential Cleansing Mask

ESPA Essential Cleansing Mask 

So, a new brand I have discovered lately is 'ESPA'. This is definitely a high end brand and their skincare range is very pricey, but also extremely brilliant! This brand is stocked at Harvey Nichols, John Lewis, Liberty's and also online at http://www.espaskincare.com.


The Essential Cleansing Mask is a deep cleansing clay mask to calm, ease congestion and balance the skin. This mask is suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive, oily, combination and congested skin. I purchased this mask as I suffer from combination/oily skin that is prone to breakouts and I have noticed a great difference in my skins clarity since using this product.


The packaging of this product, and all Espa products in general is very luxurious. It comes in a glass jar with a marble effect lid and looks wonderful sat on my counter top or dressing table. This face mask is definitely in my top 5 face masks of all time and is priced at £27.50 for 55ml.


This face mask is a thick, clay consistency and I like to apply this to my freshly cleansed face and leave on for a good 20 minutes, before rinsing away with warm water. This mask is fairly easy to remove and leaves the skin feel smooth and soft and not at all drying.

Overall, a fantastic face mask for anyone with congested or combination/oily skin. A little bit pricey, but in my opinion, worth the splurge.

XOXO

Sunday, 9 March 2014

CHANEL GEL PURETÉ FOAMING GEL CLEANSER

Chanel Gel Purete Foaming Gel Cleanser


I purchased this cleanser from Selfridges, as kind of an 'impulse buy', around 3-4 months ago. It is not the cheapest of cleansers and cost £30.00 for 150ml. Packaging wise, it is very 'Chanel' in that it is simple, chic and minimalistic. The cleanser comes with a pump, which also makes it very practical.


This cleanser is perhaps suited more towards those with oily/combination skin as it helps eliminate excess sebum and leaves your skin visibly mattified.

This cleanser is a gel but once worked into your skin with water, turns into a foam. I do think this cleanser does an amazing job at removing all the makeup and grime from my skin, but it does leave my skin feeling tight and sometimes a little dry in areas. I find this cleanser to be a little drying on my combination skin so wouldn't recommend for anybody with slightly drier skin.

In terms of breakouts, this cleanser did a good job at keeping any blemishes at bay, and did 'calm' my skin down alot. I know alot of people love the scent of this cleanser, but I really dislike it. It doesn't smell unpleasant at all, but has a string smell of 'soap', and do not get in your eyes as it will sting like mad!!!

Overall, not a bad cleanser, just not a great cleanser either! Definitely not a cleanser I could use every day as I think it would be slightly drying on my skin, but great for those days my skin is feeling really oily and acting up. Not one I would purchase again as unfortunately it wasn't for me.

XOXO

Wednesday, 5 March 2014

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

So, I was undecided for a long time about purchasing this mascara. This mascara just seemed a little gimicky to me and I felt like I was just buying this mascara for a slightly 'smaller' wand, when I could just use my regular mascara on my bottom lashes!? Surely enough curiosity got the better of me and I decided to give this mascara a try!


This mascara is priced at £12.00 for 2ml, and if you already didn't know is a mascara specifically designed to be used on the bottom lashes. Since the very first time I used this mascara I LOVED it!! I always thought I was fine enough using my regular mascara on my bottom lashes, but I get much better result using this mascara on bottom lashes.

Besides the very small, easy to use wand, the formulation itself is amazing. This mascara doesn't run at all and it leaves the lashes looking much more longer, separated and overall more noticeable and groomed. I experience no flaking and the mascara doesn't irritate my sometimes sensitive eyes!


The tiny wand on this mascara allows you to really get close to the roots of your lashes and separates each lash with ease. I also like to use this product on my top lashes on the inner and outer corners to really get in there and separate the lashes!

Amazing product and I would highly recommend!

XOXO

Garnier 5 Second Perfect Blur Primer

Garnier 5 Second Perfect Blur Primer

I purchased this primer from Garnier around 2-3 months ago whilst wondering around my local Boots store. This primer claimed to do ALOT and seemed similar to my all time favourite primer 'The POREfessional by Benefit', so I could not resist in giving it a go!




This product retails at £12.99 for 30ml, which is great and claims to take just 5 seconds to apply and improves the look of your skin immediately. This primer works by diffusing light in all direction to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, open pores and uneven skin tone.

This primer has a velvety texture than immediately leaves the skin feeling incredibly smooth, soft and matte and makes a superb base for your makeup.



Once applying, I did notice a 'small' improvement in the appearance of my fine lines and pores, but nothing really impressive. Although I did not see the 'wanderous' effect this primer claims to provide I did love that it made my skin feel incredibly smooth and appear shine free.

As a face primer, this one is great. It made my makeup apply beautifully and it definitely did make it last longer. The formula did not break me out and it was easy and effortless to apply. Although this product is great I will not be repurchasing. In comparison with my Benefit Primer, this one just isn't as good I'm afraid. If you are looking for an affordable primer however, do give this one try. It is almost £10.00 cheaper than the Benefit one and still is pretty good!

XOXO

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipstick

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipsticks

I picked up a couple of the Color Sensational Vivids Lipsticks from Maybelline a few months ago, but only recently have I really started to use them and appreciate how amazing they actually are!



I chose two shades from this collection; Hot Plum and Shocking Coral. These lipsticks retail at just £7.19 each and are available from http://www.boots.com. These lipsticks are very creamy and comfortable on the lips and the color payoff is amazing. These lip colors wear nicely on the lips for a good length of time and do not dry the lips out at all.


HOT PLUM (906)
This color is my favourite of the two and I have been wearing this shade of an evening with a neutral smokey eye. I would describe this shade a a bright magenta pink with a creamy satin finish. Although it looks very bright, it looks amazing and is very wearable as can be sheered out if desired. 


SHOCKING CORAL (910)
This lip color is amazing and is definitely going to be one I am reaching for this Spring/Summer. I would describe this shade as a wearable coral/pink. I often find some corals too orange for me but this shade is definitely more pink, which is what I like. A lovely shade that can be worn day or night.

Overall, I am impressed with these lipsticks. The color range is so lovely and I am defiantly interested in trying out the red shade from this collection. Would definitely recommend!

XOXO

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss

I purchased the Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss from Clinique a few months ago at an airport, whilst on vacation.  This lip balm/gloss instantly soothes the lips and provides an amazing glossy shine. I found this product amazing whilst on holiday as it does a really good job at the lips moisturised, but gives a lovely bit of colour and shine at the same time.


This superbalm is available in 7 shades and provides very sheer colour for a natural look. I opted for the shade Apricot , which is a pink/apricot shade, but too be honest with one layer, looks almost clear. The formula feels soft and smooth on the lips with no stickiness what so ever.


As you can see from the image above, this balm/gloss looks pretty clear, unless you layer it on, then you get a subtle hint of pink/apricot to the lips. I personally like to layer this product over a nude/pink lipstick for a little extra moisture and shine.

The Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss retails at £16.00 for 15ml and is available to purchase online at http://www.clinique.co.uk

XOXO

Tuesday, 4 March 2014

Benefit They're Real Mascara

Benefit They're Real Mascara

I know this mascara as been about for a while but believe it or not I only tried this a couple of weeks ago! I purchased this mascara from http://www.boots.com and it was £19.50.



This mascara is AMAZING!! This mascara gives you everything that you want; volume, lift and length, and as the name suggests, 'a false lash effect look'. This mascara does not clump and gives the lashes a groomed effect separating the lashes effortlessly.


The brush on this mascara, I really like! I am a huge fan of large brushes anyway as I believe they provide more volume and the staggered bristles on this brush grab close to the root, providing length and volume beyond belief. The formula itself is very long wearing, glossy and does not smudge, clump or dry out.

Overall, this mascara is definitely one of my favourites and I would absolutely repurchase again.

XOXO

Benefit High Beam

Benefit High Beam

I have had this highlighter from Benefit for a LONG time. I have never really been impressed with it but recently I have been trying this again and I think it is 'pretty amazing'! This award winning liquid highlighter comes in an interesting packaging, similar to a nail polish. but actually makes application much more easier!


This satiny pink liquid highlighter is brilliant at creating a radiant glow on cheek and brow bones or even blending in with your foundation for an all over glow! This highlighter looks great on all skintones and is £19.50 for 13ml/0.45 US fl oz.


I like this highlighter as it is not too 'glittery' like some highlighters, and once blended gives a lovely subtle yet noticeable glow. This highlighter has a pink undertone, which I really like and I find it really compliments my skintone.

Overall, a really versatile and lovely liquid highlighter. I love the innovative packaging and I love to wear this in my cheekbones, brow bones and on my cupid brow. Awesome product!

XOXO

Rimmel BB Cream 9 in 1 Make up

Rimmel BB Cream 9 in 1 Make up

I recently picked up the new Rimmel BB Cream 9 in 1 Make up whilst at my local Boots Store. This BB Cream is just £6.99, has an SPF 25, and I opted for the shade Medium.


I am not a huge fan of BB creams and the only time I really choose to wear them is when I am on vacation. Lately, my skin as been the best it as been in years, so I have been opting for lighter coverage foundations and bases. This particular BB cream offers 'some' coverage but definitely not the coverage of a foundation, so if you do have blemishes, etc, then this is probably not going to cut it!


Shade wise, this BB cream was available in 3 shades, light, medium and dark. I firstly swatched the light shade, which was far too light, so I opted for 'Medium'. The medium shade is perhaps a little too dark but when blended into the skin, actually looks quite natural.


This BB cream claims to create the perfect 9-part regimen in one easy step, Moisturises, Minimises Pores, Covers, Conceals, Mattifies, Smoothes, Brightens and Protects. As far as BB creams go, this one offers good coverage. It is not going to cover any stubborn blemishes by any means, but it covers any redness or uneven skintone easily enough.

This BB cream left my skin feeling really smooth, hydrated and noticeably brighter. It did cover and conceal to some extent but in terms of being 'mattyfying'?, not so much on my oily skin! My skin was oily again within an hour and so if I was too wear this BB cream, I would definitely need to carry about a mattyfying powder to touch up during the day!

Overall, I wouldn't repurchase this product again. I cannot say how it would work for combination of more dry skin types, but for my skin type, it just didn't cut it!

XOXO



Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder

Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder

As someone who has oily skin, a setting powder of some sort is vital for me! I have been wanting to try the Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder for some time and managed to pick one up a couple of weeks ago. The powder retails at £14.50 and is available from http://www.boots.com


This setting powder is a translucent, light weight powder that provides the skin with a natural matt finish. It is advised to use this this powder in conjunction with the Vichy Dermablend foundation, but I have been using over my usual foundation and it works great. This powder definitely helps my foundation stay put SO much longer, but in terms of keeping my skin matt.....not so much!

This setting powder doesn't keep my face oil free all day and I definitely need to touch up during the day. This powder is suitable for those with sensitive skin and is hypoallergenic, non-acnegenic and fragrance free and has an SPF of 30.

As far as setting powders go, this one is pretty good! I don't love this one as much as my Laura Mercier Setting Powder, just because it doesn't control my oiliness that well. This powder does however make my makeup last a hell of a lot longer, which is awesome!

XOXO



Monday, 3 March 2014

Soap & Glory Make Yourself Youthful Rejuvenating Facial Serum

Soap & Glory Make Yourself Youthful Rejuvenating Facial Serum

I am a huge fan of serums and believe they can benefit the skin in various ways. I am a HUGE lover of the Estee Lauder Even Skintone Illuminating Serum, but it is a little pricey, so was on the hunt for something a little more affordable!



This serum from Soap and Glory, retails at £16.00 for 50ml, which is very reasonably priced for a serum, I think! The name obviously suggests that this serum has many anti-ageing benefits, however it is also great for anyone with enlarged pores, acne scarring and uneven skintone. 

The packaging, is very chic and attractive,  in a mirrored tube complete with a pump. I have been using this serum for a little over 6 weeks and although I can't say I have noticed a 'significance' different in my skintone and acne scarring, I still love this serum all the same.


The consistency of this serum is simply amazing. It is so light on the skin and simply dissolved into the skin with no effort at all. It doesn't feel tacky or heavy on the skin, but leaves a lovely veil on the skin that preps it perfectly for makeup. This serum instantly smooths the skins surface and allows the foundation to glide on the skin effortlessly, creating a flawless finish.

As I said, I can say that I personally have not noticed an improvement in my skintone and pore size, however, this serum makes a great base for my foundation and makes my skin look and feel amazing! Great product, and a great value for money. A great introduction for anyone who is looking to incorporate a serum into their skin routine!

XOXO

Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean 3-in-1 Wash-off Deep Purifying Cleanser

Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean 3-in-1 Wash-off Deep Purifying Cleanser

For anyone who reads my blog regularly, you will probably know that I tend to 'splurge' when it comes to my skincare. I had heard alot of good things about the Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean cleanser, so I thought I would give it a try.



This cleanser is just £8.00 for 200ml, which is god value for money indeed! The packaging is super practical too, with a pump, which makes it perfect for use in the shower! In terms of removing makeup, this cleanser does a pretty good job. I will say that I wouldn't use this cleanser in the evening, as I much prefer a balm cleanser as I believe they offer a deeper clean, but I think I would make a great morning cleanser!

This cleanser is deep purifying, T-Zone declogging and melts away any makeup and blackhead causing buildup. This cleanser is suitable for all skin types and I can say that it works well on my combination/oily skin.

Overall, a fantastic cleanser and very handy to have in the shower, i think! I don't think this cleanser will replace my REN clay cleanser, but it is great for anybody looking for a good, affordable cleanser.

XOXO

The Bodyshop Seaweed Night Treatment

The Bodyshop Seaweed Night Treatment

I thought I would do a quick post dedicated to an amazing little product I have recently discovered from The Bodyshop. Last month, my skin was a bit up and down and I was breaking out badly! My skin as cleared up for now and is looking pretty amazing, but during that time I tried out tons of products and discovered a few treasures!



The Bodyshop Seaweed Night Treatment is a gel for combination skin that balances excess oil as it moisturises. I really like this product as it really helps clear up any blemishes and although it absorbs excess oil, it is still really hydrating and doesn't leave my skin feeling tight or dry!

This product is a night time treatment and I apply this to my face and  neck after I have cleansed and toned. It feels really light and refreshing and I have really enjoyed using this treatment!

Overall, I think this is a handy little product to have in your skincare. It is priced at just £11.00, and is already one of The Bodyshop's Best Sellers. An amazing night treatment and definitely one to try!

XOXO

No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation

No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation

I have had a bit of 'a thing' for foundations the past month. This is the second foundation I have tried from the No7 range and although I don't like this one as much as their Superlight Foundation, it is still a nice foundation.

Their Beautifully Matte Foundation provides medium/full coverage, has a matte finish and is definitely better for those with oily skin.  This foundation retails at £13.50 and comes in 14 shades. I have the shade Warm Ivory, which suits my skin tone pretty perfectly.


The packaging of this foundation is faultless. It looks amazing, is transparent, so you can see the shade you are selecting and comes complete with a pump. If you are looking for a foundation that will keep your oil at bay and give your skin that flawless matte look, then this foundation is for you! Just a little bit of this foundation covers amazingly and it is buildable so you can achieve a 'full coverage' look if desired.

This foundation as been tested to ensure it won't block pores and salicylic acid has been included in the formula to help unblock pores as you wear. This foundation is Hypo-allergenic and is suitable for those with sensitive skin, and I have personally never experienced 'break outs' with this foundation. This foundation has an SPF 15 and contains Ethanol, to leave your skin feeling cool and refreshed.

What I will say about this foundation is if you have slightly drier skin or even combination skin, I wouldn't recommend this foundation. I sometimes suffer from dry skin around my nose, and I noticed that this foundation 'extremely' emphasized this and made my skin appear even more dry and flakier, which is never a good look. Also, I prefer to use this foundation sparingly, as I found that if you build up it can border line on looking 'cakey' and settling into any fine lines.

Overall, as far as full coverage, matte foundations go, this foundation is pretty good! It isn't too highly priced and so long as use sparingly, looks flawless and amazing on the skin!

XOXO

No7 Stay Perfect Superlight Foundation

No7 Stay Perfect Superlight Foundation

Ok, so I recently purchased the Stay Perfect Superlight Foundation from No7, and I have to stay I am in LOVE with this foundation. I usually opt for a medium/full coverage foundation, but lately my skin as been pretty good so I wanted something with light/medium coverage, that looked natural and was light on the skin.

This foundation comes in 14 shades and retails at £14.50. I chose the shade Warm Ivory, which is perfect for me, when I am not fake tanned! This foundation is fragrance free, non-pore blocking and has SPF 15 and Vitamin E to protect and care for your skin.


This foundation is looks and feel 'superlight' on the skin, as the name suggests. This foundation provides light, buildable coverage and provides a natural finish. Most impressively, this foundation claims to stay perfect upto 24 hours and is weather-proof, transfer-proof and will not cake or flake on dry skim, or slide or shine on oily skin. 

In terms of wear, I can vouch that this foundation lasts amazingly on the skin! Whether it has 24 hours wear, is debatable, but this foundation certainly has some staying power. I have oily skin and I can say that this foundation wears beautifully on my skin! It surprisingly controls my shine throughout the day, even better than many 'matte' formulas I have used. This foundation is also hypo-allergenic and so is suitable for sensitive skin, and this foundation has not caused me to break out in anyway what so ever.

This foundation is super thin and runny in consistency, so be sure to give this product a good shake before use. The packaging is practical, with a squeezy nozzle and I although it is advised to apply this foundation with a sponge or fingers, I have had no problems in using this with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush.

Overall, this foundation is the BEST foundation I have tried in the past year, which is a pretty huge statement to make since I have tried so many! If you are a fan of natural, light coverage foundations, definitely give this one a go! It is very similar to the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation, and is a fraction of the price!

XOXO

Friday, 28 February 2014

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

When it comes to eye primers, I have tried them all (or, that's how it feels!). I have oily skin and oily eye lids, which is quite a pain when it comes to shadows lasting! If I do not use an eye primer, the eye shadow will simply slide of my eyes within hours and crease like crazy, which is never a good luck!


The Nars Smudge Proof Eye shadow Base is THE best eye primer I have ever tried. It is the ONLY eye primer that keeps my eye shadows put all day. It is priced at £19.00 and comes in a lip gloss type of packaging with a wand applicator.

This primer stops cream and powder shadows from smudging, creasing and caking and is so lightweight and easy to blend. When I have used this primer, my shadows are much more pigmented and the colors more vivid, which is great.

Overall, if you too need to or like to use an eye primer, then this one is a must! Granted, it is not the cheapest, but its amazingness makes it worth every penny!

XOXO

Wednesday, 26 February 2014

KÉRASTASE CIMENT THERMIQUE

KÉRASTASE CIMENT THERMIQUE

I have been having bleach highlight in my hair now for nearly a year and for those of you that have had your hair colored or bleach you will know how this can take a toll on your hair. My hair had some breakage and so my hair stylist recommended the Ciment Thermique by Kerastase.


This product is £14.10 and is available from your selected salons or http://www.lookfantastic.com. Kerastase Ciment Thermique is the first heat-activated reconstructor milk for weakened hair. This product strengthens the hair fibres internally, smoothing the hair from root to tip. This product is specially developed to use with heat, so applying heat to the hair increases the effect of this product and allows this product to essentially do its magic! Since using this product, my hair i much more smoother and noticeably more stronger!

I apply a walnut sized amount of this product to my towel dried hair, concentrating on the ends and then blow dry. This product smells great and does not leave your hair feeling sticky and does not weigh the hair down. An amazing hair treatment and the improvement in my hair over the last few months as been impressive, and I owe it all to this product! Would definitely recommend.

XOXO

My Favourite Neutral MAC Eyeshadows

My Favourite Neutral MAC Eyeshadows

When it comes to eye shadows, nobody can do it quite like MAC. I have been a huge fan of MAC shadows for many years and they are a staple product for most make up artists, me included!Today, I have selected 6 of my favourite 'Neutral' eye shadow shades from my MAC palette.

Top; without flash, bottom; with flash

  • SHALE - My most recent eye shadow that I have bought from MAC is 'Shale'. This has a satin finish and what I would describe as a brown/purple/grey shade. Not a dark or even extremely pigmented shade, but a great lid or crease colour. I personally think this looks great on people with pale skin.
  • KID - This is one of my most used shades. In the pan it doesn't look very exciting, but this shade is a great crease colour when I just want a little bit of definition. This shadow is a beige/taupe colour and has a matte finish. A very useful shadow to have in your palette! Great for those with pale skin.
  • WOODWINKED - A beautiful warm gold/bronze with a pearl finish. Looks great on all skin tones but particular darker skin tones. I love to wear this alone all over the lid and under the eye. Stunning!
  • BLACKBERRY - This shade is matte burgundy/plum/brown shade. I love to wear this shade on the lower lash line and blended in the outer corners of the eyes for a soft smokey eye. A lovely shade and the burgundy/purple undertone gives it that added pop!
  • NYLON - This shade is the perfect highlight shade for me. It is i a pale gold/champagne shade with a frost finish. I love to wear this shade in the inner corner of my eye and under my brow bone. Looks great on all skin tones.
  • SABLE - This is a go to shade for me when I want a soft smokey eye. It is a gold/bronze with a plum undertone and a frost finish. I love to wear this shade through the crease, in the outer corners of the eyes and on the lower lash line. A lovely shade and I find it really compliments my blue eyes.

I could have chose lots more neutral eye shadows as I have ALOT and love them all, but these are the ones that I use more often. MAC eye shadows are amazing quality and are just £10.00 each and fit lovely into the MAC Pro palettes. 

XOXO

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Sisley Cleansing Milk with Sage

Sisley Cleansing Milk with Sage

I don't often use milk cleansers, but this was an impulse buy whilst at an airport recently. I was able to buy a smaller 100ml size, which was useful as the full size (250ml) retails at a hefty £63.00. Sisley is a 'very' luxurious and high priced brand but I have tried a few of their products and they're always amazing.



This cleanser is specially formulated for oily/combination skin, but as it is a milk cleanser, it doesn't dry the skin out at all. The formula eliminates sebum secretions in combination to oily skin and the skin feels instantly clean and smooth. This cleanser does a brilliant job at removing all my makeup and it did not break my skin out all.

Overall, is this a brilliant cleanser? yes! Would I buy this again? Probably not! Although this cleanser is brilliant, there are more cheaper cleansers on the market. If you do not mind splurging on skincare then do give this one a try but in my honest opinion there are similar products out there that are just as good and won't break the bank!

XOXO

Monday, 24 February 2014

REN ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser

REN ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser

A new addition to my skincare has been the REN ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser. This cleanser was mentioned by the amazing Caroline Hirons in her skincare blog and I knew I had to have this. This cleanser is priced at £18.00 for 200ml and I purchased mine from http://www.renskincare.com.

This cleanser  is a brilliant cleanser for those with blemish prone skin and does a good job at really cleaning the pores and soothing the skin. This cleanser contains french clay that absorbs excess oil and purifies the skin and Zinc Gluconate that reduces the production of sebum, so if you are someone who has oily skin like myself, this cleanser will be your savoir!


Since using this cleanser I can honestly say that my skin has been so much clearer and the congested areas I had around my jaw line are almost non existent. Although this cleanser absorbs oil, I love that it doesn't leave my skin felling tight and dry. After using this cleanser, my skin feel soft and smooth and fully prepped for my makeup.

Overall, and amazing cleanser and one of the best cleansers I have used. I usually find cleansers targeted at blemish prone skin too drying and harsh on the skin but this one is just amazing. I find that it really targets any active breakouts and soothes and nourishes the skin. The difference in my skin since using this cleanser is pretty unbelievable and I cannot see myself using any other cleanser now!

XOXO


New L'Oreal Infallible 24H Foundation

New L'Oreal Infallible 24H Foundation


So, whilst shopping recently, I picked up the L'Oreal Infallible 24H Foundation. This foundation was £9.99 and I chose the shade Golden Beige, which is a pretty good match. This foundation comes in around 8 shades, which isn't a fantastic selection and they don't seem to have any shades for dark skinned ladies, which is a little disappointing!


Packaging wise, I cannot fault. It is nothing exciting but practical, which for me is most important. This foundation comes with a pump (Hooray!) and has a glass bottle with a plastic lid. This foundation claims to provide 24 hour wear and high coverage. This foundation does provide excellent coverage and conceals my redness and blemishes with ease. In terms of 24 hour wear!? I am not so sure! This foundation does last a LONG time, alot longer than most foundations, but it definitely does not last 24 hours on my oily skin!

Overall, I like this foundation alot! It provides excellent coverage but does not look or feel 'cakey' or heavy on the skin. It gives my skin a subtle glow and leaves it feel quite moisturised but not overly shiny. I do need to set this foundation, but this is the case with most foundations as my skin becomes oily throughout the day.

Anybody else tried this foundation?!?! If so, please comment below and let me know what you think!
XOXO

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

I am a 'huge' eyeliner wearer and always wear some sort of eyeliner on my eyes, whether it be liquid, gel or kohl pencil. I recently picked up the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner whilst at my local Boots store and have been trying out this product for over a week now. It is priced at £13.00 and comes in 12 awesome shades and I opted for 'Intense Black'.


Packaging wise, this liner comes in a sleek, black pen like container and has a 'felt tip' like nib. This is a waterproof eye liner and I can say that this is definitely true. I have oily lids and struggle to get liners to sit nicely all day on my eyes, but this one did just that! 


The felt tip/marker like nib makes application incredibly easy. The nib applies the liner smoothly to eyes and allows you to create a sharp,fine line or build up for a more dramatic bold line. The formula itself is pretty brilliant. It is super pigmented, which I LOVE and has a lovely glossy finish that looks neat and flawless on the eyes.


Overall, this is by far the BEST liquid eyeliner I have used. It is super pigmented, lovely to wear and stays on the eyes a long time, what more you could you ask for!? If you too are a huge fan of liquid liner, definitely give this one a try, you wont regret it!

XOXO

Sunday, 23 February 2014

My Favourite 'Everyday' Lipsticks

My Favourite & Most Loved Everyday Lipsticks

I have been loving lipsticks lately and decided to do a post on my top 5 most loved and most used 'everyday' lipsticks. During the day I tend to wear pink, nude and coral shades and usually nothing too bright or bold (unless I am feeling super brave!).



One of my 'all time' favourite lipsticks is definitely by Nars in the shade Niagara. This shade is the perfect coral-pink with a light sheen and amazingly comfortable to wear. I am a huge fan of Nars lipsticks and this one as been a favourite of mine for a long time. I love to wear this shade during the day and it looks amazing when I have a light tan! 
From left to right; Nars - Niagara, Bobbi Brown - Pink Kiss, Mac - Angel, Revlon Lip Butter - Sorbet &  Mac - Costa Chic

A newbie for me and already a staple in my make up bag is Pink Kiss by Bobbi brown. This shade for me is the perfect nude! I am not a fan of brown based nudes and usually opt for pinky nudes. This is the perfect pastel pink/nude. This shade is limited edition I believe so I need to stock up pronto!!!!


The third shade (as shown in the swatches above), is a classic by MAC and it is the shade Angel. This is a shade that I come back to time and time again. It is a pale rosy pink that is creamy on the lips and leaves a natural sheen with no shimmer. On my lips, this is the perfect pinky/nude shade and I reach for this shade ALOT when I am opting for a natural make up look during the day.

The next shade is alot brighter that the rest and it is the Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in the shade Sorbet. This is a lovely raspberry pink shade that is quite sheer so not too bold for an everyday look. I love to wear brighter pinks in the spring and this formula is so hydrating and comfortable to wear, aswell as being super affordable!

Lastly is one of my favourite coral shades and it is Costa Chic by MAC. This is a lovely frost light coral shade that is perfect for everyday wear as it isn't too bright and is very wearable. Frosty lipsticks aren't my favorites but as long as you do not pack on tons of this one it is fine! Beautiful for spring and a shade I love in the summer when I have a light tan.

XOXO