Showing posts with label moisturising. Show all posts

Showing posts with label moisturising. Show all posts

New Holy Grail Skincare! Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask

For the first post of 2015, I wanted to start with a really positive one. A post about a product I really liked - y'know, start the year on good terms and all that!

Luckily for me, I was sent an amaaazing skincare product which has completely exceeded my expectations and makes a perfect subject for today's post....

New Holy Grail Skincare! Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask

A Trip To The Burberry Beauty Box!

I was in Covent Garden the other day and I suddenly remembered - there's one thing I've wanted to do in Covent Garden for quite some time now. Nope, not the Ballet, not the Royal Opera House either - I'm talking about the Burberry Beauty Box! (Obvs..)

Opened last Christmas, it is the ONLY store dedicated to Burberry Beauty - makeup, fragrance, scarves and a selection of beauty accessories designed by Christopher Bailey especially for the Beauty Box. I just HAD to go and buy something - y'know, since it's one-of-a-kind and everything.... right?

Ridiculous self-justifications taken on board.... I spent half an hour in there and ended up leaving with this special package.

Isn't it beautiful?! Lovingly packaged, one of the best bits of the Burberry Beauty Box experience was opening the bag (Once I managed to bring myself to undo the beautiful ribbon tie of course.)

Why? Because the great unveiling was a bit like opening Pandora's box - more and more just kept coming out! There was SO much more than just the lipstick inside... Should I have expected anything less?

Let's find out what's in the bag.

A Trip To The Burberry Beauty Box!

Product Of The Month: COLLECTION Cream Puff Moisturising Lip Cream

Nothing makes my day like getting a surprise bargain. I love surprises, I love bargains - I love surprise bargains ! That smug, happy feeling isn't something I often experience with my beauty products but today, I absolutely NEED to shout from the rooftops and tell you about a wonderful little product I've bought.

A £2.99 knockout, this lip cream performs well above its price band and is one of my new must-have makeup items!

Oh yeah - and I bought another one too. See?

No surprises here - of course my story, like most of my shopping stories, starts in Boots....

Picture the scene. Already late but desperate to buy something to jazz up my 9-5 makeup, I was headed to the beauty aisles of Boots in hunt of a lipstick.

Although this was a spontaneous buy, I didn't want to buy needlessly so I was looking for something new - something I hadn't tried before but something which was cheap enough to choose in about 2 minutes!

It was a snap decision - a bit like the feeling when the platform for your train has just been announced and you're trying to quickly pick an M&S sandwich whilst trying to avoid any of the yucky egg ones. (I know you know what I'm saying here guyss)

And what did I come out with? This adorable, non threatening little cream puff! Shall we take a closer look?

Product Of The Month: COLLECTION Cream Puff Moisturising Lip Cream

How To Get Natural Summer Skin: My fave BB & CC Creams

It is waaaarm outside! Isn't this weather great? A bit of sunshine makes me feel so happy. It's crazy how weather can affect your mood so much, I wonder why?

I have a theory that sunshine makes you happy because, hear me out here, with sunshine comes glorious things like ice cream, al fresco dining and the chance to fiiiinally wear that beautiful sundress you bought but never had the opportunity to wear... Sounds legit right?

Summer brings out the best feeling but of course, with the good comes the bad. The cruel balance of Cest La Vie means that photo perfect lipstick disappears around iced frappe straws and foundation stains end up on your new white dress - basically, hot weather and heavy makeup do nahhht get along.

So how do I get perfect but natural skin, without slapping on foundation?

What you need in hot weather is light coverage, with a barely there finish - oh and shiz loads of sun protection!!

The answer is simple, your summer salvation lies is the humble BB & CC cream. But which one?!

How To Get Natural Summer Skin: My fave BB & CC Creams

Orange Is The New Red: Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Has anyone started watching that Netflix series Orange Is The New Black yet? It sounds like Mean Girls in prison, I can't wait to get cracking on that one! Or should I read the books first? I actually really like knowing what's going to happen, is that weird?

Tedious link coming up, but from a makeup perspective, orange is actually the new pillarbox red! I showed you one of my favourite Orange toned lipsticks in my No7 Gay Geranium review which is a warm toned blood orange but, when it comes to Orange-Orange, a lot of you have said that it's too hard to wear!

I kind of agree, I feel like you have to have an occasion for orange-orange (ideally an east London house party one) - I only bust out a full orange lip when I want to look less girly and a bit more modern.

But that's not to say that orange can't be h-awesome. If you're looking for a more wearable shade then coral lipstick is your one and this Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy lipstick is officially my first buy for summer makeup!

I never normally like to spend more than a tenner on lipsticks but I have to say, I am HOOKED. Read on, for the reasons why.

Orange Is The New Red: Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

Undo The Damage: Dove Intensive Repair Self Warming Hair Mask

Heat styling, Hair colouring and Backcombing are like the three horsemen of the Hair Apocalypse to me. And when it comes to judgement time, I bet my hair will be pronounced by the Beauty Gods as an over processed, split-ended mess. Oh noes. But is there anything I can do to prevent the end of my hair as I know it?

PERHAPS. Today I'm seeking penance in the name of Dove Intensive Repair Self Warming Mask which is designed to strengthen and revive damaged hair from the inside out. Billed as 'the hair hero we've been waiting for', it uses heat to restore shine and gloss and is meant to leave hair up to TEN times more resilient against future damage. Ten times!

I was lucky enough to be sent the Intensive Repair Mask to try but was it a hair hero........or a hair zero?

First Thoughts.

Undo The Damage: Dove Intensive Repair Self Warming Hair Mask

Arm Yourself Against Aging: Nivea Cellular Anti-Age Range

Today’s post starts with a big sigh. A really big sigh. Why? I am imminently broaching that time in my life where my skin cell regeneration rate starts to head the other way. Yes, my friends, I have boarded that ship – and it's destination? Aging. Boo!

As I creep further and further towards 30, the days of being excited for birthdays are no more. Okay, I’m practically, basically, compleetely lying here - I will forever love birthdays because it means I get presents and lots of cake but you can see where my dramatic feeling-sorry-for-myself monologue is going right? Aging is inevitable.

However, it’s not over until it’s over - I’m a fighter. Obviously fighting in spirit, not physically (Face Value Fight Club any one??) and I’ve been meaning to step up my skincare routine for a while now.

Although I already follow the holy trinity of 'cleanse, tone, moisturise', the steps for moisturising past the age of 25 becomes “Serum & Moisturiser” and then “Serum & Moisturiser” becomes “Serum & Face Cream & Eye Cream”. Yup, that’s right – my new routine is now “Wash, Tone, Serum, Eye Cream, Face Cream” (and when I’m feeling like I could spend EVEN more time on my face, I sometimes throw “Pre-Cleanse” into the mix! Ker-azy.)

I’ve gone from three-step to six step!! Oh lord, growing up is hard work.

Thankfully, in honour of my next birthday coming up, Boots have sent me over a full Anti-Aging skincare set by Nivea. Can I get a hoo-ray?

Nivea Cellular Anti Aging Skincare Moisturiser Serum Beauty Review

This is the new Nivea Cellular Anti-Age range! There’s two moisturisers, a serum and an eye cream – it’s always good to use products from the same range as they are meant to complement and boost each other. Let’s take a closer look shall we?

Arm Yourself Against Aging: Nivea Cellular Anti-Age Range

NEW Burt's Bees Natural Lip Gloss & Lip Shimmers

Did you see last week when I went to the Burt's Bees Natural Lip Colour launch? I was really impressed with the event and now that I've had time to try out all the products..... I'm even more impressed!

Like I said last time, I've started to think more about the ingredients in my lipgloss - particularly as we swallow 2 kilos of the stuff in our lifetime!!

So the first thing I used to associated with "natural colour cosmetics" was wishy-washy colours, weird rose-tasting formulas and, quite frankly, just lacking that overall OOMPH that my favourite chemical-loaded cosmetics have.

Well - and I very rarely say this - I was wrong. Feast your eyes on these babies!

Burts bees lipgloss lip shimmer makeup beauty review

Lacking in OOMPH? Wishy-washy colours? First of all, they look great. This is a stunning picture, and truly representative of the stunning lipglosses contained within them.

Let's take a closer look!

NEW Burt's Bees Natural Lip Gloss & Lip Shimmers

Product Of The Month: Seventeen CC Cream

Pinch, punch, first day of the month!! (Kick and a flick for being so quick!!) Do you remember doing this at school? I swear there were loads of "clever responses" like that, and they were all very violent thinking about it..

Anyway - can you believe it's March already?! March is when the cobwebs of the New Year have finally blown away. I have now fully recovered from the holiday season, my new healthy living routine is no longer a new year whim and officially a real thing and the time for my 'this-year-I'm-going-to's is pretty much now or never! 2014 is well and truly here.

But what has been brightening my grey days and equally greyer skin since January 1st? This fab CC cream from Seventeen! HIYA.

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is "What's your favourite BB cream" to use? It used to be the Garnier Matte Miracle Skin for Combination/Oily - but then I started using this Seventeen CC Cream and I was completely blown over!!

Let's start from the beginning

I'll be honest, BB creams are neither here nor there for me - not quite as much coverage as a foundation, BB creams are effectively a tinted moisturiser with an SPF. I'm usually an all-or-nothing kinda gal. I wear BB creams on lazy sunday mornings, after a rare trip to the gym and on (even rarer) good skin days.

What's the difference between BB and CC?

Product Of The Month: Seventeen CC Cream

Pout Loud & Sheer with Bareminerals

Armed with a giftcard and the intention to SPEND IT ALL, I was browsing Boots for my latest victims when this lovely lip duo caught my eye. I'm a big fan of bareminerals anyway - the bareminerals READY SPF20 foundation was my go-to face fixer across the summer and I wanted to try more!

As i've mentioned before, i'm useless at drinking my 8 glasses of water a day and as a result of this, plus the horrid wintery weather we've had, my lips have been really paying the price. That’s right – return of the dreaded crispy lips!

Let’s be honest, sometimes there’s just not time to do a lip scrub every day is there? I was looking for a moisturising lip balm or gloss to hopefully treat and transform at the same time. Was I asking for too much?

This is the Pout Loud: Loud&Clear Lip Sheer Duo by Bareminerals. They look stunning and the colours are “pure pops of pink and berry” – sounds good enough to eat almost!

The Pout Loud Lip Duo is basically two of the Bareminerals Loud & Clear Lip Sheers. If you’ve not tried a Bareminerals Loud&Clear, you need to get on that train soon!

What's a Loud & Clear Lip Sheer?

Pout Loud & Sheer with Bareminerals

A Natural Clean with Korres White Tea Fluid Gel Cleanser

So one of my new year resolutions was to start washing my face properly. Not that I don't wash my face or anything gross like that - but I'm talking a twice-a-day soap and warm water routine. My 90 year old nan swears by a hot flannel and warm water wash twice a day, and seriously - she has skin as soft as *insert some sort of metaphor here other than a baby's bum*

I talked about the first cleanser of 2014 in my review of the Botanics Hot Cloth Cleanser I didn't really like that though (it's for sale in my Blog Sale) mainly because the oil/balm consistency was too heavy for my skin.

So let's change up the formulation. Something lighter, something a bit less oily. Mr FV's lil sister bought me this gorgeous Korres White Tea Gel Cleanser for Christmas and it.is.awesome. HIYA.

Minimalistic, natural and effective - this Korres White Tea Fluid Gel Cleanser is designed for all skin types. A lovely, silky gel which is a joy to massage over my face, it cleanses with a mild foam but without dehydrating the skin or leaving any of that squeaky-clean residue.

What makes it stand out?

A Natural Clean with Korres White Tea Fluid Gel Cleanser

Orange Lips: Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm vs Revlon Lip Balm Stain

It's happened. I've been shopping!! Ever since the new Revlon Matte Balms came out, I've been absolutely bursting to buy one but they've been selling out EVERYWHERE (and this comes from a girl who has FOUR Boots stores within walking distance of her house.)

This little shopping obsession started when I was testing the Matte Balms out of curiosity whilst waiting for a train. I didn't really plan to buy one, I'm on a "do I NEEED it" hype at the moment, but I did not expect to find a colour I really really really liked (and needed).

It had been a long day, I thought I'd treat myself so I put the tester down, reached for the new one and .... sods law, they had NONE!

Coming so close to the purchase before being turned away is possibly the worst thing EVER (after war, famine, domestic violence etc obvs) but four trips to the four Boots near me later and I'm now smiling like the cat who's got the cream.

Yup, I found it! (Look at my happy face)

What is all this fuss about? Only the new Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Mischievous.... in short, it's a velvety-matte finish version of the Clinique Chubby Stick. Let's take a look shall we?

Orange Lips: Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm vs Revlon Lip Balm Stain

Spring Clean Your Skin: Botanics Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm

This year, one of my resolutions is to maintain a strict and non-lazy skincare routine. By non-lazy I mean, stop using cheap face wipes and micellar water Zoe. They're only for late night and drunken cleansing. I should be giving my face a full wash off cleanse at least once every day!

But whyyyyyyy? Face wipes and micellar water (particularly Bioderma) are awesome! They take about two minutes and I don't even have to leave my room! Unfortunately, my skin didn't agree with this one bit and decided to dry out and erupt in protest.

So with a lazy sigh, I stepped up my skincare routine, and stepped up to the sink...

Boots Botanics Hot Cloth Balm Cleanser Beauty Blog Review

What is this!? This is the cleanser I was using over November and December (with the exclusion of late nights and hungover mornings) - it's the Botanics Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm.

A balm? For the face? Even for oily skin? Apparently for all skin types according the label.

The way that the Botanics Hot Cloth balm works is that it melts into the skin like a face oil. You rub it all over the face to dissolve makeup and then you wash it off. The oil in the balm binds to the oil in your pores so that the grime is washed off with the balm.

Beauty pros and other bloggers have been raving about balms and cleansing oils for a while, so I thought I'd jump on the wagon and give it a go..

So what did I think?

Spring Clean Your Skin: Botanics Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm

Extra Winter Protection with Antipodes Hosanna Skin-Pumping Serum!

This winter weather unfortunately has turned my skin into oily combi with dry patches aka the worst skin type ever. So I felt like I should get a serum - "it's winter", "it's pay day", "it's almost Christmas" - I did not struggle to justify this to myself in the slightest.

Being a teeeny bit of a beauty obsessive, I have the in-built need and constant desire to OWN ALL THE PRODUCTZ. I've always felt like I 'should' use serum but my combination oily skin can't handle the heavier formulations out there.

For this reason, one of my favourite serums was the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum as it dries really quickly and smelt delicious. However it's £50 and I just couldn't stomach splashing out on it.

So there was me, going through the Selfridges beauty hall trying on all the serums I could find and - revelation moment - I came across THIS...

This is the Antipodes Hosanna H20 Intensive Skin-Plumping Serum.

Extra Winter Protection with Antipodes Hosanna Skin-Pumping Serum!

Bye-bye Bags with Benefit Fake Up Concealer!

I don't know about you but I'm really not getting enough sleep these days. Even when I've finished work early and have a quiet night in planned, I somehow end up dilly-dallying around at the end of the night. More often than not I'll get carried away watching YouTube before realising that wait, it's actually now midnight. Waa.

Or I'll start a quick session of Candy Crush only to realise that it's suddenly been an hour and I still have to brush my teeth and take my makeup off.

And don't eeeven get me started on my night routine. I'll think about trying a new facial oil, a brow enhancing serum, a new eye cream and before you know its taken me 40 minutes to get ready for bed.

Of course, along with no sleep comes my good friend Mr Bags. You know, the morning after when you look in the mirror and Mr Bags has put up residency under your eyes. And that's when my Benefit Fake Up steps in.

What is Fake Up?

It's a clever, hydrating, crease-control concealer designed to hide Mr Bags and fake your awakeness! You stroke it under the eye and then pat it in. See ya later Mr Bags.

Bye-bye Bags with Benefit Fake Up Concealer!

Garnier Moisture Match Protect & Glow Moisturiser

It’s not quite 'the heat of summer' yet, but it is definitely a hella lot sunnier and you know what that means! SPF awareness is raising its head in magazines and beauty bibles everywhere. Wear SPF every day, even when its not sunny, drink eight glasses of water a day blah blah blahh.

I’m not here to preach, I’m here to HAVE FUNNN AND WRITE INCAPITALZ – so I’m not going to lecture you on the importance of SPF. If you want saggy face vibes going on when I’m looking like a young balloon, that’s your call...

I’ve got loads of foundations with SPF in, but I realised that they were contributing to “flat shiny screen face” in any photos with flash so I decided to buy a separate SPF day cream.

For those wondering why, no – it’s not so I can have lots of shameless photos in the daytime as well – the plan is that I buy foundations without SPF, and then I can opt in and opt out as I please. Plan, non?

And here we go! My latest purchase. The Protect & Glow moisturiser from the Garnier Moisture Match range.

Garnier Moisture Match Protect & Glow Moisturiser

Gotta be delicious with Got2b Oil-licious!

I've not been a fan of hair oils for a long time. I find them hard to apply evenly all over the hair and I can never get the right balance of too much vs too little. I normally end up with flat hair with lank patches and very messy hands.

But hey, Brad divorced Jen, the Spice Girls became 4 - sometimes THINGS CHANGE.

And I have officially changed my opinion on hair oil, thanks to a little trial of the new Got2b Oil-licious styling oil.

Schwarzkopf got2b oil-licious hair oil

This product is designed for everyday use to nourish, strengthen and provide glorious shiiiine to hair.

It contains Argan Oil - the wonderkid that's the heart of the Morrocanoil formula which has been taking the haircare world by storm - as well as some other goodies like vitamin E. MMMM.

What can you use this for?

1. Pre-wash : Applying oil before getting into the shower gives extra care to damaged hair. Wet hair breaks a lot easier than dry hair, so applying an oil beforehand helps detangle locks before they get wet.

Face Value Tip: You've heard of pre-cleanse for face, so why not for hair? A pre-oil treatment prevents over-cleansing of the hair which is great for scalps already stripped of moisture.

2. Pre-style : Apply a pump of this to towel dried hair for more manageable styling, frizz prevention and added protection

3. Dry styling : The oil can be used on dry hair, like a serum, for a touch of moisture, sleekness and calm whenever you need it

Gotta be delicious with Got2b Oil-licious!

The Elemis Adventure continues: FreshSkin Dreamy Sleep Night Cream

Lavender and Geraniums. A floral breeze, a soothing scent … is that the smell of Spring in the air?

Nah mate. It’s my latest cream, the Dreamy Sleep night cream by Elemis. Gotcha...hahaha..aha..ah.....hmm.

SO. After my review of the Softly Softly Day Cream, it was only natural that I would venture into the Night territory. And it did not disappoint!

Marketed as an overnight replenishing cream, the Dreamy Sleep night cream is designed to make your skin look like you’ve had your full 8 hours by intensely moisturising and nourishing your skin to reveal a radiant face in the morning.

What’s in it?

Following the Elemis philosophy, it’s derived from natural ingredients, combining the power of Nature with Science. Pow.

The Elemis Adventure continues: FreshSkin Dreamy Sleep Night Cream

Every Day is Spa Day : Elemis FreshSkin

I love wintery weather, especially going for walks (short ones) in the crisp, fresh air. But the cold wreaks absolute havoc on my skin - biting, harsh wind outside and then cosy but dehydrating central heating. Boo.

The results? Dull skin, partial to a bit of dryness, in need of protection and moisture. S.O.S- SAVE OUR SKINS!

How?

Moisturisers are VITAL for keeping your skin hydrated. Its in the name, duhh.

To skip moisturiser is a beauty sin - it helps seal water within the layers of the epidermis (posh word for 'skin' that I learnt in Year 10 Biology) and when your skin is hydrated, it is plump! It is radiant! It is HAPPY.

But moisturiser is not just for dry skin - even oily skin needs a moisturiser.

Honestly! Skin can have excess oil but still be dehydrated - an oil-free moisturiser is best in this case. (Trust me, a couple of years ago I had more volcanoes on my face than the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and now, after a good oil-free skincare routine, I am freeee!)

But what do I use now?

Well since you ask...

Every Day is Spa Day : Elemis FreshSkin

Are you The One?: L'Oreal Color Riche Boosting Serum Lipstick

I, like many girls, am on the hunt for the perfect....man? Job? House?

Red lipstick.

Pillar box, fire engine, blood red, ruby - why do all these shades look amazing in the flesh but just not on me?

This lipstick, S502, was one of my encounters in the quest to find `the One' and although the colour wasn't my happy-ever-after, I just HAD to blog about our time together.

Are you The One?: L'Oreal Color Riche Boosting Serum Lipstick

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