Thursday, 27 February 2014

LIPS | Collection Deluxe Lipstick in Speakeasy


I love a good bargain, me. And when I saw this lipstick popping up almost everywhere, I instantly knew I had to get my paws on it. I bought the Collection Deluxe Lipstick in Speakeasy when it was on offer for a mere £2.99, but it's full RRP is still just £3.99 - and it rivals some of the more expensive lipsticks I own. The formula is creamy and the colour glides onto the lips adding a hint of hydration and a full on pigment of colour. Speaking of colour, isn't it beautiful?! A stunning muted down pink-nude shade that will suit almost every complexion out there. The collection itself includes five colours ranging from tempting nudes to perfect reds - a collection that I will most definitely be delving further into (and one that Collection should consider expanding further). Currently on Boots' fabulous 3 for 2 mix and match offer, you can buy this entire collection of lipsticks for just £15.96 (and get another make up item absolutely free if under £3.99); that just 96p more than one MAC Lipstick and personally, I think the formula is much better. You can buy this lipstick here.

Have you tried any lipsticks from this range before?

Monday, 24 February 2014

Skincare Spotlight #1












I know I said that I wouldn't keep changing my skin care routine now that I've found one that truly works for me however, I'm a beauty blogger and an addict and if I find a new product, I have to play around with it. Although if I'm being honest, these extras are just that. Extras. Most of them don't form the basis of my skin care routine, so I'm allowed to try them. Right? I'll keep telling myself that. Anyway, I was originally going to post about a few of these separately as they're worth their own post. But then I realised that would take weeks so instead, I'm starting a "Skincare Spotlight" series. Like a little round up of skin care products I've been trying recently.

Many years ago (when I first subscribed to Glamour Magazine) I fell in love with Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant however, I then become a beauty blogger and started trying out hundreds of different exfoliators so sadly, never returned to it. This product is basically the exact same idea (except much cheaper - Dermalogica's offering is a whopping £40.30) and I do believe I'm actually addicted to the stuff. You pour out what quite frankly looks like cocaine into damp hands and then massage into the skin. The water activates the enzymes which accelerate cell renewal. The gentle exfoliator brightens the skin, gets rid of dead skin cells and over time, helps fade scarring. It really is quite the little genius and I have no idea why so little brands do their own version.

I'm not quite as in love with this as I am the Exfoliation Powder but it's still a nice product to use (and the packaging is to die for). This uses enzymes of pineapple and papaya which work to naturally remove dead skin cells to reveal luminous, smooth skin. The aloe extract included inside the mask ensures that the skin is kept hydrated and moisturised. It's a nice product, feels cooling on the skin and definitely reveals a brighter complexion however the Good Things mask further down does the same for under a fiver.

I do love me a good mud mask and this one is no different. It uses Pascalite which was used by Native Americans for its incredible healing properties and is a popular remedy for insect bites and stings. Inside this mask it unclogs the pores and eliminates impurities while the cucumber extract soothes and calms the skin and the salicylic acid gently exfoliates and renews it. After use, my skin is left feeling soft, looking brighter and my pores have been tightened. This mask doesn't dry the skin out, instead it balances it and leaves it looking and feeling "normal." However, I do find that the majority of mud masks do the same thing and you can find one similar for a much cheaper price.

Now isn't this a little expensive treat?! Yet much cheaper than actual salon chemical peels, so who's complaining. This set comes with a 20ml gel peeling masque and five wipes which work together to deeply cleanse and renew the skin by eliminating dead cells, erasing imperfections and bringing back brightness to the complexion. After just one use, I found that my skin looked much healthier and now I'm nearing the end of the treatment, my scarring has faded significantly - all while being very gentle on the skin. Working out at £11.20 per "session," this certainly isn't cheap. But the results are most definitely effective.

I have been loving my Super Facialist Cleansing Oil and Clearasil Face Wash combination for a really long time now however this cleanser by Korres has become a welcome addition to my little family. I now use this in the morning (and the Super Facialist/Clearasil routine at night) and I've fallen in love with it. The exfoliating beads aren't harsh in the slightest but do a wonderful job at buffing away the skin and leaving it feeling soft. I find that make up applies much better after I've used this, hence why it's now my morning cleanser.

First thing's first. The scent. I hate roses and I thought that I'd hate this product as a result of that. However, the Wild Rose scent is beautiful - not at all florally or overpowering. Now that's out of the way, this moisturiser comes with Corn Powder which absorbs oiliness, reduces shine and leaves the skin looking matte. The Wild Rose oil (which is a natural source of vitamin C) repairs fine lines and skin colour disorders. Imperata cylindrica desert plant extract ensures the skin is kept moisturised and hydrated throughout the day, White Willowbark extract promotes cell renewal and Turmeric enhances the formulation's brightening properties. As you can tell, there's a whole host of skin goodness packed inside this moisturiser and from first use, you can tell they work together to do a good job. Originally, I was going to get the Normal/Dry combination as Oily/Combination versions aren't usually great for my combination skin. However, this moisturiser really does keep the skin hydrated, scale-free and matte for the entire day. It's a miracle product. The skin is left feeling beautifully soft to the touch, smelling delicious, moisturised and looking bright and glowing. It's love and at £20, it's pretty affordable too.

The majority of products in this selection are quite pricey so I'm going to finish on a nice little bargain for you. Every product I've tried from Good Things has been loved by my skin and this is no exception. This 3-in-1 mask has been specially formulated for problem skin as it targets blemishes, spots and excess oil using superfruits like mango and lychee. The mask is a gel formula that absorbs easily into the skin and doesn't tighten it or leave it feeling uncomfortable.

What skin care products are you loving at the moment?
*PR Sample

Friday, 21 February 2014

MAKE UP | NYX Xtreme Lip Cream




L-R: Absolute Red, Pinky Nude, Nude Peach Fuzz (I do apologise about my skin. I took these after a long day and I didn't realise how awful my make up looked)

Previously, you could've branded me as a lip product hater. Most were sticky and heavy, and I never seemed to get on with them. But these past couple of years, lip products have triumphed and my collection has quickly become over-saturated with them (if that's possible). Aside from lip crayons, my favourites are without a doubt NYX's Xtreme Lip Creams.

I currently only have three in my possession - Pinky Nude*, Absolute Red* and Nude Peach Fuzz* - and I will most definitely be expanding this when my next loan instalment is due (April seriously can't come quick enough; Candy Land needs to be mine). My favourite colour is Pinky Nude which isn't very nude at all; it's a vibrant Barbie-pink that despite it's brightness, is very wearable. 

What really sells it for me though is the formula. Described as being an "all-in-one lip perfector," this hybrid of a lipgloss and lipstick provides extreme pigmentation with a glossy finish that isn't sticky. Leaving your lips moisturised all day, these Creams hydrate and last a good few hours on the lips without bleeding. They're everything I wanted the Rimmel Apocolips to be.

These Lip Creams are available to buy here where they retail for £7 each or of course, in selected Next stores nationwide.

Have you tried the NYX Xtreme Lip Creams?
*PR Sample

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

BODY | Imperial Leather Limited Edition Tempting Shower Creme




First of all, I must apologise for taking photos of the bottle half empty. Once I'd had a whiff of this stuff, I couldn't wait to use it and that meant the good blogger in me quickly went out of the window. If there's one thing I love it's shower gels. I have many of them in the bathroom at the moment (eight I do believe, don't ask me why). But the Imperial Leather Limited Edition Tempting Shower Creme has knocked all of my others ones off the shelf.

As a brand, I love Imperial Leather. Their shower gels are always high quality in formulation, delicious in scent and a bargain in price. Their new collection has been inspired by tropical land and using exotic scents and indulgent aromas, the brand have created a beautiful shower experience. Tempting* combines Guava with Lotus Flower which fills the bathroom with the most mesmerising smell my nostrils have ever had the pleasure of smelling. Fruity yet luxurious, one sniff and you'll be in love.

The other shower gel in the collection is Mesmerising. With a combination of delicate Shea Butter & Honeysuckle, this indulgent scent is less fruity and more warming. If I can track it down, it'll be in my trolley in an instant. Despite the price, the formula of Imperial Leather's shower gels in second to none and is better than more expensive brands I've tried. Only a small amount creates a rich, thick and creamy lather that leaves your skin soft to the touch.

Both of these are available to buy at Tesco where they retail for just £1.89. You can also buy them online here and here.

Have you tried these shower gels yet? What's your favourite Imperial Leather scent?
*PR Sample

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

FREE personal training session



I know that this offer won't apply to all of you as I know that people from all over the world read my blog. But if you do happen to be in the Nottinghamshire area then please feel free to take up this fantastic offer that I have for you.

Whether you're lacking motivation, or in need of someone to come up with a work out plan for you, a personal trainer is without a doubt a good thing to have - especially now it's February and our New Years Resolutions are well and truly out of the window.

Last year, my sister became a fully qualified personal trainer. So far, her own little business has been going fabulously and I'm incredibly proud of her. Between us, we came to an agreement and decided to offer you guys a free personal training session with Amy. No contract, no fees. Absolutely free.

All you have to do is email amp.precisionpersonaltraining@gmail.com and let her know that I sent you. From this, she will give you all of the details you'll need to know and arrange a date and time to suit you for your free session. You can also find Amy on FacebookTwitter and check out her brand new website here.

Will you be taking this offer up? Happy personal training!
*I wasn't compensated for this at all. I'm just a sibling helping out my lovely sibling.
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