Saturday, 31 August 2013

Dermaflage Dermal Filler Starter Kit + Giveaway




It's no secret that I'm covered in acne scars. Some of them aren't that bad - tiny pigmentation marks that are easy to cover up - but others go deeper and end up making my skin look uneven and bumpy. No amount of concealer can cover these and it goes without saying that they make me feel exceptionally insecure. On a day to day basis I can deal with them but for more special occasions, I hate them and I've never managed to find a way to cover them up. Up until now (wow, doesn't that sound like a snazzy advert)! The Dermaflage Dermal Filler Starter Kit is a facial scar treatment that has been specially designed to cover up many skin imperfections including scars, wrinkles and cuts.

Dermaflage uses a patented blend of medical grade silicones, cosmetic pigments and tiny coloured rayon fibres which blend together to form a silicone mask that looks like your own skin. In fact, it's pretty scary how natural and real it ends up looking once set. Think of Dermaflage like a revamped, kick-ass concealer. At first, I struggled using this but now, I find it quick and simple to use. It took a bit of getting used to because it's unlike anything I've ever tried before. You pop it on top of your make up using three easy steps: prime, apply and texture and you're good to go for a full day.

The kit comes in six colour varieties: Golden, Fair, Rosy, Bronze, Tan and Dark and you view the different colours here. When you order from JD Harris, the kit comes with satisfaction guaranteed so if you order the wrong version you can simply return it and they'll swap it for you. The kit contains: two tubes of Dermaflage dermal filler in two different skin tones, extended wear primer brush-on, mixing stick, precision application tool, spatula, texture pad and instructions. I however, didn't follow the instructions and instead followed this YouTube video which shows you how incredible the product is.

I was worried that the silicones would react with my skin and cause me to break out however, they haven't done so yet and I doubt that they will. This product, like I've mentioned above, is a bit fiddly so I don't use it every single day - just for those special occasions (like my sister's graduation next Wednesday - eeek). It makes my skin look more even and comes my acne scarring better than any concealer I've ever tried. It is pricey, yes but after suffering with scarring for 5 years, it's definitely worth the price and it's a kit that I'll always have in my collection for those special moments.

To be in with a chance of winning your very own Dermaflage kit, you must be a UK resident and you must fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

You can buy Dermaflage here where it's currently on offer for £31.95 instead of £43.95 - you also get a 90 day money back guarantee so if you don't get on with the product, you can send it back for a refund. 

Have you ever tried Dermaflage? What are your thoughts on it?
*One kit provided for reviewing reasons, the other for me to giveaway
Written By Unknown at 12:18 pm
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Friday, 30 August 2013

NAILS | Models Own Velvet Goth Collection

L-R Sardonyx, Absinthe, Obsidian

L-R Sardonyx, Absinthe, Obsidian

Sardonyx

Absinthe

Obsidian

L-R Sardonyx, Absinthe, Obsidian
The Models Own collections are coming in thick and fast and after falling in love with Fireworks collection, I found myself loving the Velvet Goth collection even more. The first noticeable difference with these nail polishes is the beautiful bottles - with limited edition, colour-matched velvet caps they stand out from the rest of the Models Own polishes in my collection and gives them an instant luxe feel.

The polishes themselves are without a doubt stunning. Dark and mysterious these polishes leave a gorgeous 2D finish that's matte and sparkly at the same time. When they're first applied, they appear glossy but they dry down to a beautiful matte finish that emphasises the glitter inside of them. If you do prefer a glossy finish though you can easily add a top coat to these versatile polishes - I can't decide which finish I prefer.

As you can probably tell, I had a lot of issues photographing the polish. I tried in every lighting condition, different positions, different days - everything but nope, the photos never did the polish justice. So instead, I recommend checking out Fee's post here as her swatches are beautiful and true to colour. There's no doubting how stunning, original and perfect for autumn these bottles of joy are.

The collection boasts five different shades including: Valerian (a rich bottle blue), Sardonyx* (a blood scarlet red), Amethyst (a royal purple), Absinthe* (a burst of deep emerald green) and Obsidian* (a deep charcoal grey). Out of the three polishes I have my favourite has to be Obsidian - the most beautiful black I've ever seen that has fine glitter and bigger sequins inside of it - truly mesmerising. 

The polishes retail for £5.00 each and are available now from the Models Own Bottleshop, the Models Own website from 2nd September, Boots stores from 4th September and Superdrug stores from the 25th September.

And that's the end of nail week. I hope you've enjoyed it! Do let me know which collection out of the bunch is your favourite.

What are your thoughts on this collection? Which shade is your favourite?
*PR Sample
Written By Unknown at 8:28 am
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Thursday, 29 August 2013

NAILS | KIKO



Thumb, middle and pinky: KIKO's Laser Nail Lacquer in 27, Index and ring: KIKO's Multi Effect Nail Lacquer in 06

Thumb, middle and pinky: KIKO's Laser Nail Lacquer in 27, Index and ring: KIKO's Multi Effect Nail Lacquer in 06


































There couldn't be a Bamboozle Beauty nail week without a KIKO post. The brand is one that I've quickly come to love - their products are outstanding, their prices are incredible and their collections are even better. When it comes to their nail polishes, I've never been let down and their Sun Pearl Nail Lacquer in Amable Chartreuse is one of my all time favourite colours. So when these two polishes popped through my postbox, I immediately removed my current polish and whacked these on.

Laser Nail Lacquer in 27* - £4.90
From KIKO's stunning Autumn collection (blog post coming soon) comes the Laser Nail Lacquer which has special lightening effects that packs a punch when the light catches it. You can't see the effect that well in the swatch above as the sun was reflecting off of the pearls constantly so the effect became blurred in photos but you can see how shiny and delicious the polish is. The great thing about KIKO polishes is that the colour is instant and one coat is most definitely enough - the swatch above shows just one coat and it's without a doubt full intensity. It dries nice and quickly and lasts a couple of days without any chip wear. The Laser Nail Laquers are available in 6 dark and sultry colours that are a lovely Autumn addition.

Multi Effect Nail Lacquer in 06* - £5.90
I thought that these Multi Effect Nail Lacquers were going to be very interesting however, I'm a little bit confused by them. These nail polish duos have a full shade colour on one side and a glossy semi-sheer colour on the other. KIKO claim that you can create three different looks by varying the application. However, I can't seem to work this out. The red is no doubt stunning on its own but the glossy colour is the one I don't understand. I swatched it on its own and it just turned my nails a semi sheer yellow colour and when I swatched it on top of the red, it didn't do anything - it just acted like a top coat. On the plus side, like with all KIKO polish, the application is easy and the colour dries quickly and lasts a couple of days so I can't fault that. I'm just a bit confused about how this polish works. These polishes are available in 10 pairs of colours and if you've tried them, please do let me know how you got on with them. They're an interesting concept and I'm confused as to whether or not they don't work or I'm just being silly.

Have you tried KIKO polishes before? Which out of the two is your favourite?
*PR Sample
Written By Unknown at 10:25 am
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Wednesday, 28 August 2013

NAILS | Models Own Firework Collection

L-R Banger, Rocket, Sparkler, Roman Candle, Catherine Wheel
L-R Banger, Rocket, Sparkler, Roman Candle, Catherine Wheel
Banger


Rocket

Sparkler

Roman Candle

Catherine Wheel

L-R Banger, Rocket, Sparkler, Roman Candle, Catherine Wheel
Models Own can do no wrong and their latest collection proves this. Inspired by the 5th of November, these glitter polishes have been packed full of numerous glitters in varying shapes and sizes that really explode on the nails. The collection boasts five different polishes (which I've swatched above for you on a nude polish - Rimmel's Salon Pro with Lycra in 227 New Romantic to be exact): Banger* (five glitters incl. long blue strands and fuchsia polka dots), Rocket* (seven glitters incl. long red strands, a fine black and gold base with orange polka dots), Sparkler* (holographic glitter strands), Roman Candle* (six glitters incl. black and silver strands with a fuchsia polka base) and Catherine Wheel* (four glitters incl. mini gold strands and red polka dots). The swatches above show one thick coat of polish so you can see how well it covers and although the glitters are buildable, I don't believe you'd need any more than one coat. My favourite of the bunch has to be Roman Candle - it's absolutely beautiful and the black, silver and fuchsia go wonderfully together.

The polishes retail for £5.00 each and are available now from the Models Own Bottleshop, the Models Own website from 2nd September, Boots stores from 4th September and Superdrug stores from the 25th September.

What are your thoughts on this collection? Which shade is your favourite?
*PR Sample
Written By Unknown at 10:00 am
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Tuesday, 27 August 2013

NAILS | Rimmel Salon Pro with Lycra by Kate

L-R 227 New Romantic, 317 Hip Hop

227 New Romantic
317 Hip Hop
Despite being one of the best drugstore brands, surprisingly Rimmel isn't a brand that I've explored much of - granted, I've tried a few of their base products but that's your lot unfortunately. I've heard great things about their latest Salon Pro with Lycra nail polishes and after trying them out for myself, I understand why. When it came down to choosing a nail polish in the past, I always based my decision on colour - the formula didn't matter to me. But recently, my nails have become stained and time has been of the essence so the formula of nail polishes has started to matter more and more to me.

The Salon Pro with Lycra nail polishes combine all the steps of a professional manicure in one. The base coat, top coat and gel colour are all delivered to you in one easy step that literally takes a few minutes. The swatches above were without a top coat so you can see how glossy and beautiful the finish is - just like a gel manicure. The colours were opaque in one coat but I applied two for good luck and they dried quicker than any other nail polish I've tried. Rimmel claim that these polishes will last up to 10 days but I found that they started to get a bit of chip wear after 5 days which is still incredible. 

There are 12 new shades in the Kate Moss collection which have been named and signed by Kate Moss herself. The two shades that I have - New Romantic* and Hip Hop* - are absolutely stunning. New Romantic is the most beautiful nude pink that I think I've ever come across. It's so easy to wear and looks gorgeous on the nails. And as for Hip Hop... well, isn't it just the most divine classic red nail polish, ever?!

What's better is the fact that these nail polishes retail for just £4.49 each which is outstanding. For quality that lasts, it's an absolute bargain. You can view the original polishes here and the Kate Moss polishes here.

Have you tried these polishes before? What are your thoughts on them? Are you liking "nail week" so far?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 8:18 am
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Monday, 26 August 2013

NAILS | Models Own Artstix Elements Collection

L-R Blue Spray*, Terra Crystal*, Cloud Drops*, Ember Red*

L-R Blue Spray*, Terra Crystal*, Cloud Drops*, Ember Red*

L-R Sea Spray, Pink Crystal, Dew Drops, Ember Glow

L-R Blue Maldives, Terra Firma, Cloud 9, Hot Red

L-R Blue Spray*, Terra Crystal*, Cloud Drops*, Ember Red*
The Models Own collections are coming thick and fast aren't they?! That's why this week is dedicated to the joys of nail polish. Over the next five days, I have five blog posts (including this one) dedicated entirely to nail polish. The Artstix Duo's have been around for a while now and it's about time that Models Own introduced four new colours and four new nail effects to the already extensive collection. 

The wonderful (and quite annoying) thing about these polishes is that you can't buy them as single shades - you can only get your hands on them through the Artstix Elements Collection. However, the polishes do have their own names so I'm hoping Models Own separates them soon as there are some I'd love to have full size.

The collection has been inspired by the elements - fire, air, water and earth - and each polish comes with its own base coat and top coat. If you go ahead and own the entire collection, you can mix and match accordingly to match your mood. I believe that Pink Crystal and Ember Glow would look beautiful on top of Cloud 9 - I must try those combinations out. 

I adore these polishes and I think that they're a great way for nail novices like myself. They add a little extra oomph to your manicure and really make your nails look beautiful. My favourite has to be Cloud Drops - when you add the gold glitter over the top, my oh my... perfection. Ember Red is also stunning and such a perfect collaboration for the autumn months. 

The polishes retail for £6.00 each and are available from the Models Own Bottleshop, the Models Own website, Boots stores and Superdrug stores now.

What are your thoughts on this collection? Which polish combination is your favourite?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 10:37 am
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Sunday, 25 August 2013

SKINCARE | Beetox Manuka Honey and Bee Venom Serum + Giveaway


After two weeks use, once a day





One skin care product that I've fallen head over heels for recently is the Beetox Manuka Honey and Bee Venom Serum*. I briefly mentioned it in my July Favourites post where I promised a full review of the product and after much anticipation, here it finally is. The science behind Beetox is extremely interesting and the product itself contains a lot of fascinating ingredients - so I apologise in advance for science-y terms and I will try and explain them the best I can.

Branded as Beetox's "hero product" of the range, the newly launched product contains both Bee Venom and Manuka Honey UMF®20+. Beetox is the first skin care range that contains the powerful UMF®20+ which stands for Unique Manuka Factor. UMF® has been praised for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which means that it's an effective soother for acne-prone individuals - the higher the UMF® the higher the antibacterial activity. 

The UK based skin care brand contains Purified Bee Venom which has been proven to be more potent and sustainable than Raw Bee Venom. The Bee Venom is extracted using a special process where the bees are not harmed in any way and you can read about the process on their Facebook page. Considering Beetox uses Bee Venom, the brand does not recommend their products to those who are allergic or react to bee stings. The oil-free serum has been designed the reach the deeper layers of the skin's dermis (where the majority of my scars are). Beetox helps to refine the texture of the skin by regenerating the cells quicker to help reduce the appearance of scars, fine lines, wrinkles and large pores.

Since using Beetox I've noticed that my scarring has faded a lot. The before/after picture above shows just two weeks use of the serum (I haven't taken any recently as I've moved out my university accommodation so the lighting is different which makes the photos look weird) and you can see that my most prominent scars have indeed faded. I've had my acne scars for around five years now and no other product has faded them as quickly as this one. As well as doing a wonderful job on pigmentation, the serum is also hydrating, balancing, soothing and I've noticed that my skin is more calm after application. It does have a strong scent to it - one that reminds me of "old lady perfume" - but it's not something that I actively dislike. 

Although packaging isn't the be all and end all of using a product, this one is definitely worthy of a mention. Not only does it look stunning on my dressing table, it's also extremely practical too. It comes with a pipette applicator which means that not a single drop of the product is wasted. I only need a small amount to cover my entire face and although I've been using this product everyday for over four weeks, I've only used around a quarter of the bottle. The bottle is glass which unfortunately means that it isn't that practical for travelling however, I took it away on holiday with me and it didn't smash. 

As you can see from the photo above, I have two bottles of Beetox which means that yes, I will be giving one of these wonder serums away. You can probably tell from my review that I absolutely adore this product and I really don't think my skin could be without it. It's calmed it down and reduced my scarring and pigmentation fast - and I can't wait to give one of you the opportunity to try it out too. To enter, you must be a UK resident and you must fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!
You can buy the Beetox Manuka Honey and Bee Venom Serum here where it retails for £45. You can also have a look at the rest of the Beetox range here which includes a face mask and a moisturiser. The products are expensive and they do sit in the high end category however here, you are most definitely getting what you pay for and like I've said, it's lasted me a long time so far.

Have you tried anything from the Beetox range before?
*Both bottles were PR Samples. One for me to trial and one for me to giveaway.
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Written By Unknown at 11:07 am
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Friday, 23 August 2013

The long lasting make up


L-R CARGO Water Resistant Blush in Ibiza, CARGO Water Resistant Bronzer, KIKO Eyetech Look Eyeshadow in 112, KIKO Long Lasting Colour Lip Marker in 108
I do understand that this post might be a little bit controversial but I for one, hate not wearing make up. My skin isn't good and I don't feel comfortable leaving the house without a little bit of slap on. When the weather is hot or you're away by the pool, I understand that for some of you, applying make up is a no-go but for me, it's a necessity. And luckily for girls like myself, there are some wonderful products out there that stay put no matter what.

I've raved about this product before and I'll continue to rave it about it every summer until I'm at least 60. This product is what I've been waiting for my entire life - an SPF that gives you damn good coverage. This protects you against UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 30 so although it's not ideal for nights out or weddings, it's perfect for when you're out and about in the sun. This provides medium coverage that covers my scarring with no need for extra concealer. It set to a matte finish that doesn't dry the skin out and keeps it hydrated all day long. Literally the most perfect summer base product, ever.

This blush is great for injecting a bit of colour into your cheeks and the colour is an instant perk-me-up that makes me happy. The longwearing formula of this blush means that you don't have to bother with reapplication so it's perfect in hot weather. I absolutely adore CARGO as a brand - their pretty and simple packaging is gorgeous and the formula of this blush is outstanding too. It's finely milled and looks gorgeous swept over the cheeks.

This bronzer has tiny shimmer particles so although I wouldn't recommend it for contouring, I'd highly recommend it for adding a natural glow to your skin. The colour is deep enough to bronze up your complexion but light enough to stop it from looking muddy. There isn't a hint of orange insight just lots of little golden flecks of shimmer that reflect when the sun hits them - absolutely beautiful.

I was going to include a mascara in this post but unfortunately, I don't own a waterproof mascara and I never have done. I've never had an issue with mascara lasting all day long on my lashes and I'm quite blessed with long ones so a quick squeeze of the eyelash curlers and I'm good to go at times. There are a few bad reviews about these lash curlers on the Boots website but I for one can't find a fault in them - they do the job afterall and with the £3 off No7 voucher, they're a right bargain.

Oh I couldn't go anywhere without my brows on. I love many brow palettes but this offering from HD Brows really does earn its place at the top of the leaderboard when it comes to longevity. Once my eyebrows have been shaped and filled in with this, they do not budge. I'm telling you now, I've showered and bathed and the powder still doesn't move until I use a proper make up remover. Pretty good.

If you're going away then you need to invest in one of these. Not only are they small, portable and perfect for your luggage but they're highly pigmented and last all long without the need for a primer. I don't know what it is about the summer that makes me bring out the blue eyeshadow underneath my lash line but I do quite like it - especially this blue. It's deep but bright and has the most gorgeous shimmer running throughout it. KIKO also claim that these little eyeshadows last 150 applications which is outstanding for the price.

It was hard for me to swatch this baby for you. Not because it's awful but because the swatch - no matter how hard I scrub - will be left on my hand for days. When KIKO say "long lasting colour" they sure do mean it. The pigment is intense and these lip markers are easy to work with. Essentially you can line and fill in your lips quickly and easily and not have to worry about transferring the colour onto anything you touch. These really are fantastic in terms of longevity and you can see my full review with further lip swatches here.

What are your favourite long lasting make up products? Have you ever tried any of the ones mentioned above?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 10:00 am
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Thursday, 22 August 2013

The importance of essential oils


More recently, I've been getting into essential oils. Many products these days are full of nasty ingredients that aren't necessarily that good for us but pure essential oils can be used in many different ways to help comfort, uplift and soothe the mind and body. You can massage them into the skin, inhale them, use them as bath oils or even pop them into a home diffuser. 

Miaroma Lavender Pure Essential Oil*
Late uni nights have well and truly messed up my sleeping pattern. So when it comes to working on Sunday's, I struggle to wake up. I'm not a fan of the smell of lavender oil - in fact, I hate anything to do with lavender - but this essential oil isn't that strong and I can tolerate it. I add a couple of drops to the underside of my pillow before going to sleep and it helps to relax me. I don't know whether or not it's a placebo effort but I've been sleeping pretty well lately. My sleeping pattern has been restored and I wake up feeling content.

Miaroma Tea Tree Pure Essential Oil*
Tea Tree Oil is well known for its antibacterial properties so it's well worth having a little bottle of this in your beauty/medicinal cabinet. I've been using this on my spots and on my nasty bites (thanks insects!) and it's cleared them up in no time. Tea Tree Oil is good for your skin and the reason why I prefer this to the usual spot treatments is because it doesn't dry the skin out like most. The scent is strong and spicy and you only need a teeny amount. I personally use it on a cotton bud to get straight to the infected area.

Miaroma Sweet Almond Oil*
Although Lavender and Tea Tree oils are considered safe to apply topically, you can always dilute them in water or using a base oil. I've been using the Sweet Almond Oil to dilute my oils down to stop the scents from being strong and overpowering. A couple of drops of the oil in a teaspoon full of this and you're good to go. It also helps your essential oils last that little bit longer too.

Miaroma have an exclusive range of 36 expertly blended aromatherapy essential oils and they're available exclusively online and in Holland and Barrett stores. I've really enjoyed using these essential oils recently and because they're affordable and last a long time, I'll definitely be investing in a few more recently as they're great to clear your mind.

What essential oils do you own? Are there any that you'd recommend?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 10:00 am
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Wednesday, 21 August 2013

Walls Ices Lip Smacker in Starship




I can hold my hands up and say that "yes, I am a lip balm addict." I'm not someone who is prone to dry lips (despite my minor breakdown on Twitter last week when my lips sadly blistered a little bit) but I adore keeping my lips in tip-top condition with beautifully smelling and tasting items. Lip Smackers and Walls Ices have recently collaborated to bring us the ideal summer beauty accessories. Yup, that's right... Lip balm that tastes and smells like our favourite ice creams.

I have the Walls Ices Lip Smacker in Starship* which tastes just like grape. I personally haven't had a Starship ice lolly in forever but the taste of this balm instantly took me back to my childhood. Taste aside as I could rave about it all day, the lip balm itself is beautiful. It makes the lips soft and prepares them for lipstick nicely. The lip balm isn't so moisturising that it leaves a nasty film on your lips as it sinks into the lips quickly leaving them soft, subtle and did I mention tasting gorgeous?

Lip Smacker do many other delicious flavours including Twister, Feast, Strawberry Split and Mini Milk. I'm definitely trying to hunt down the Feast flavour at the moment - chocolate lip balm?! Count me in. These retail for £2.50 from WHSmith.

Have you tried these Lip Smackers before?
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Written By Unknown at 10:00 am
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Tuesday, 20 August 2013

SKINCARE | Dr Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask


I do love a good face mask and the latest to my collection is the Dr Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask.* This face mask reaches deep below the surface of the skin which means that my deeper acne scars get a little bit of pampering - definitely good news for them as they tend to feel a bit neglected. As this mask goes further into the skin, it prevents pores being blocked with dead skin cells. This basically means that is refines the pores and makes them look smaller. As well as this, it balances the skin out - moisturises dry patches and mops up any excess oil to leave you with normal looking skin. 

However, the best part about this mask for me is how instant it is. It contains a whitening tri-complex with Azelaic, Glycolic and Lactic Acid which means that it produces a faster cell turnover and lightens pigmentation while brightening the skin. I leave this on for 5 to 10 minutes then rinse away with warm water and tada, I'm left with beautifully soft skin that looks glowing in an instant. Although this mask is expensive, it's one of the few ones that gives you instant results so if you have a big event coming up soon and your skin is looking a little bit congested, I highly recommend giving this one by Dr Sebagh a go.

You can buy this from Harrods here where it retails for £59.00 for 50ml.

Have you tried this face mask before? What's your favourite face mask?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 10:00 am
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Monday, 19 August 2013

MAKE UP | The Primers



L-R: Barbara Daly Even Smoother Eye Primers in Vanilla, Bamboo and Nectar, KIKO Pearly Eye Base.
Eyes
I do have pretty oily eyelids and before I discovered primers, eyeshadow was a big no-no for me. My eye make up always ended up half way down my face, creased or nowhere to be seen. I can hand on my heart say that eye primers are a big part of my make up routine whether I'm using them to even out my eyelids or to cling to eyeshadow so it doesn't budge, I use them every day. 

Urban Decay Primer Potion - £15.00
This was the first eyeshadow primer I ever used and I've had it for nearly three years now. The secret is to depot it once you think it's ran out as there's always so much product left inside. This is a wonderful product and you only need a teeny tiny amount as a little goes a long way. Eyeshadow really does adhere to this beauty and once set, it isn't going to move. I find that this makes my eyeshadow more vibrant too which is always a bonus.

KIKO Pearly Eye Base* - £6.90
This eye base by KIKO has an innovative "gel cream" texture which is soft to touch and glides over the eyes nicely. It sets pretty quickly and has a slight pearlescent look to it which brightens up the eye area and really emphasises eyeshadow and makes the colours stand out. Blending eyeshadows on top of this is easier than ever and once an eyeshadow has been applied and blended, it isn't going to budge until you want to remove it. The formula has been enriched with antioxidants and active ingredients to make it more supple, adherent and quick-drying which is reason why it's so strong and long lasting. It's also an absolute bargain as it retails for just £6.90. 

Barbara Daly Even Smoother Eye Primer in Nectar*, Vanilla* and Bamboo* - £10.00
These primers by Barbara Daly are fantastic and because they're from Tesco, they're perfect for throwing into your trolley during your weekly shop. Exclusive to Tesco, these primers are exceptionally versatile and can be used as cream to powder eye colours or as a base to help your eyeshadows last all day. I've been wearing these a lot and I haven't noticed any creases or fading with my eyeshadow even in the heat. The eye primer comes in three different colours: Bamboo which is a natural wheat tone that is perfect for everyday use, Nectar which adds a hint of warmth that helps to deflect dark circles and Vanilla which lightens and brightens for an uplifting eye effect.

Face
I've tried a lot of face primers over the years: high end, middle end and some that are cheap as chips. And whilst I've liked using a few (Benefit's Porefessional, I'm looking at you) I've never bothered to repurchase them or even blog about them. It's safe to say that I've been trying to find a few perfect primers to get me through the day and night. I'm someone who can't go out without using a face primer. Not just because they make your make up last longer but because make application is a lot easier and smoother with one.

KIKO City Filter Sunscreen SPF 50* - £12.90
This is my every day primer because it contains an SPF of 50 which in summer, is exceptionally important. First thing's first (and I'll get this out of the way now), this product smells incredible. I could sit there smelling it all day. It doesn't have a distinctive smell but it smells very fresh and clean - like a faint sunscreen. It glides over the skin and leaves it looking poreless, smooth and almost blurred and perfected. Make up applies beautifully on top of it and lasts throughout the entire day - even in this hot and humid heat. At £12.90, it's an absolute bargain. Not only is it affordable but it's incredible and I'm addicted.

NYX Shine Killer* - £12.50
This is the primer I wear at night time and to work. You see, SPF flashes back in cameras which leaves you looking like a ghost so on nights out, that's the last thing I want. This is a gorgeous gel-like consistency that smooths over the skin and leaves it looking matte and shine-free. The reason I love wearing this to work is because my usual combination skin becomes overly oily at work. I'm not sure why but it does and by the time I come home, I end up looking like an oil slick. When I first wore this to work, I was shocked when I looked at my skin after I got home - it was completely matte and my make up hadn't moved a millimetre. I'm incredibly impressed with this primer and like the KIKO one, I'm addicted. Both of them will have a place in my heart and my make up collection for a long time. 

Tada, there's my primer posse and I shall continue to repurchase these ones for a long, long time. Primers are incredibly important step in your make up routine - particularly if you have oily skin - as make up adhere's to it and stays in place all day long. I'm not someone who carries make up around with me so a good primer is essential.

What are your favourite primers? Have you tried any of the above?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 10:00 am
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Thursday, 15 August 2013

A guide to Freshers Week

I'd like to think of myself a "professional fresher" nowadays. You see, in September I shall be entering my third and final year at university so that means that I've experienced the infamous Freshers Week a grand total of two times. So if you're going to be a fresher this September, I've compiled a list of "must-have" items to help you get through what will probably be one of the most scariest but exciting week of your life.

Painkillers/cold & flu tablets
Freshers Flu is a real condition. Living in a confined space with other people, drinking constantly and staying up late will almost guarantee you an illness. It's not the worst illness in the world (although it may seem that way at the time) but I definitely advise you to stock up on essential medication to get you through your cold. A hot water bottle is also recommend.

Yup, that's me dressed up as "litter." 

Blister plasters
Heels are the work of the devil. I'm prone to blisters - badly - so for me, blister plasters travel with me wherever I go. But if you're not used to donning a pair of heels every single night then I'd highly, highly recommend investing in a packet of these life savers. In fact, to save yourself the pain pop a couple of blister plasters on before your first night out and tell your new found friends to aswell - you'll be a little genius.

A foot spa/foot cream
For Christmas, my mother bought me a foot spa and it was a wonderful gift. Every morning after a night out, I pop on a face mask and place my feet into my foot spa - an hour or so later, my feet are renewed and ready to face the next night out. You really won't regret investing in one. If you think a foot spa is a little bit expensive and excessive, then a good old foot cream will be your best friend.

Oh the shame...


A bear/items from home
I have a lot of bears at university and one of them is known as my "cuddle bear." He's an absolute hero as he isn't wearing any clothes or shoes which means that he's perfect for cuddling up to. Leaving home for the first time is a little bit daunting so taking items with you that makes your new accommodation feel like home is key.

Pre-drinks/chocolate
You can always go shopping before going out but buying your drinks beforehand will save you a lot of stress and hassle. When you're moving into your accommodation and leaving your family, the last thing that will be on your mind is drinking so having them there and ready is key. Oh and who doesn't love chocolate?! It gets the entire flat together.


Face wipes
A quick one here: I don't condone the use of face wipes but Freshers Week is tiring and cleansing your face at 3am every single night becomes a chore so I will allow the use of face wipes/micellar waters this once. That's all. Then it's back to the full on cleansing routine. Promise? Okay, good.

Food
Like alcohol, it will save you a lot of hassle. My grandma packed me a couple of boxes up when I first moved into university and it was a wonderful gift and saved me a lot of time. Don't get me wrong, I love weekly shops but when you're first moving into university, I'm sure you'd rather be socialising than food shopping. Food that's quick and easy to make it key - you have plenty of time for a la carte meals that show off your culinary skills later on.

DVDs
In second year, me and my friends didn't go out every single night. Some nights, we just went to the pub or stayed at home watching a couple of DVDs. In fact in first year, me and one of my best friends bonded over the Hannah Montana Movie. So taking a couple of DVDs with you will help bring the entire flat together. After all, it's hard to socialise and bond over loud music and drunkeness - some of the best nights are nights in.



Money
It seems obvious but it's so, so important to over budget when it comes to Freshers Week. You're not going to be wanting to turn anything down in case you "miss out" so it's important to have some spare cash with you. I can remember spending £500 in my first three weeks at university - crazy, right?! Thank god for my overdraft - just on socialising and buying items that I never imagined I'd need. It's a hard life when you suddenly have to buy toilet brushes and toilet roll.

A camera
Seriously, capture every moment. I can assure you that the next three years are going to be some of the best of your entire life. I have two photo albums full of pictures and I get incredibly emotional looking at them. The pictures in this post are from my first Freshers Week - we all look like babies! Photos are important. Very important.

And finally, I'd like to say congratulations for getting into university. It's a wonderful experience and I wouldn't change mine for the world. I get upset when I think that I only have a year left. When I was first looking into university, I kept thinking to myself; "three years?! That's an awfully long time." But it flies by so quickly. Too quickly. So enjoy and cherish every moment that you have.

Will this be your first Freshers Week or do you like to think of yourself as a professional these days? What are your must have items for the week?
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Written By Unknown at 9:49 am
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