Monday, 28 April 2014

The high street foundation face-off #2




My "foundation face-offs" are without a doubt my favourite posts to write. Having bad skin means that I adore foundation and if I could only purchase one make up item for the rest of my life, it would be foundation. I'm constantly on the lookout for the "perfect one" which means that often, I find myself perusing make up counters trying to source out a new love. If you have any recommendations, please do let me know and link me to your reviews. You can view the first high street foundation face-off here which includes Bourjois Healthy mix, Rimmel Wake Me Up, Maybelline Fit Me, MaxFactor XPerience and more. And you view the first high end foundation face-off here which includes Estee Lauder Double Wear, Laura Mercier Silk Creme, Vichy Dermablend, MAC Studio Sculpt and more.

SEVENTEEN On the Spot Foundation - £6.99
Coverage: Medium to full coverage that can be built up. This foundation works best when it's applied in light layers.
Longevity: It's not bad. Standard wear.
Finish: It's quite masking and doesn't let your natural skin shine through.
Formula: Lightweight and easy to blend.
Overall: I like this foundation. I don't use it much but it's one that I can always trust to "work" on my skin.
Would I recommend it? Yes.

Coverage: Light to medium. It can be built up but it only really covers redness.
Longevity: I've not had any issues with it breaking down throughout the day when a primer and powder has been used.
Finish: A lovely natural finish that's perfect for summer.
Formula: Really easy to blend and almost melts into the skin.
Overall: When I'm having a good skin day, this foundation is lovely. It looks natural on the skin and lasts well.
Would I recommend it? Yes.

Coverage: Full coverage but not in a nice way. It cakes.
Longevity: As I mentioned above, this foundation cakes and breaks down throughout the day. 
Finish: Full on matte. Almost too matte as it clings to any dry patches.
Formula: It's a shame that I don't like this formula because the coverage is wonderful and it feels lightweight on the skin. But it's drying.
Overall: Aside from the coverage, I can't find one good trait in this foundation. It might be wonderful for those with incredibly oily skin though.
Would I recommend it? Not for combination/dry skin.

Coverage: Medium. It doesn't feel extremely lightweight on the skin but it's barely noticeable.
Longevity: With a primer and powder it lasts throughout the day nicely.
Finish: The finish is beautiful. It doesn't cake at all and looks natural.
Formula: I find this a complete doddle to blend. It's seamless.
Overall: I sort of forgot about this foundation when I discovered MaxFactor's FaceFinity but it truly is wonderful and definitely worth checking out.
Would I recommend it? Definitely. When I was using this foundation, I didn't have one breakout. Might not be a coincidence! 

Coverage: Full. It's on par with Estee Lauder's Double Wear however it can't be built up without looking cakey. Although one layer is all you'd need.
Longevity: Lasts all day incredibly well. It still looks as flawless in the evening as it does when it's first applied.
Finish: In the middle of dewy and matte. It's not dead matte but it doesn't leave the skin looking dewy either.
Formula: I originally thought it'd be a nightmare to apply but I find it very easy to blend and apply.
Overall: 10/10. I can't fault it.
Would I recommend it? Yes, definitely. It's the high street version of Estee Lauder's Double Wear.

Coverage: Full but it can't be built up without looking cakey.
Longevity: Lasts throughout the day. It doesn't budge.
Finish: Very mattifying.
Formula: This foundation is hard to blend and I'm left with streaks.
Overall: It's a shame that this foundation is hard to blend because the coverage for me is perfect.
Would I recommend it? No. It's too hard to blend. It's a nightmare to work with.

Also just a quick warning that I'm now in my final two weeks of my degree (scary!) so sadly, I won't be blogging much because I'm guessing it's going to be hectic. I will try my hardest as I love a good break from work, but I can't guarantee it. Just thought I'd give you a little heads up. Oh and wish me luck, I think I need it!

What's your favourite high street foundation? Any recommendations?
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Written By Unknown at 11:21 am
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Thursday, 24 April 2014

NAILS | Models Own Polish for Tans





L-R Sun Hat, Beach Bag and Flip Flop
Remember when Models Own released their Ice Neon Collection last year? Well, I absolutely fell in love. I'd never rocked neon shades before, but even now, I find myself sporting Bubblegum on my toe nails. Whereas Ice Neon was bold and bright, Polish For Tans are more muted. Still neon, but the shades are more pastel-esque. The neon colours have been mixed with a white base which balances the intensity to create a hybrid of neon-pastel hues.

There are five different shades in the collection, Flip Flop* (green), Bikini (yellow), Beach Bag* (coral), Shades (hot pink) and Sun Hat* (pink). The collection has been designed to enhance and complement a natural tan but at the moment, I'm extremely pale and these polishes instantly make me look less ghostly. My favourite shade? Beach Bag. It's extremely unique and matches the colour of my phone exactly (iPhone 5c, in case you were wondering).

As always with Models Own polishes, they're opaque in two coats and last a good five days on the nails without any chipping. They dry to a matt-ish finish but I like making them shiny with a top coat. You can buy the polishes on the Models Own website, Boots and Superdrug where they retail £5 each.

Have you tried this new collection yet? Which shade is your favourite?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 3:05 pm
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Tuesday, 22 April 2014

The lazy girls guide to moisturising


When it comes to facial skin care, I am extremely religious with my routine. However, when it comes to moisturising my body, I will hold my hands up and admit that I'm lazy. Nivea's In Shower Moisturiser? Vaseline Spray & Go? They're great little inventions but for me, they're too much effort. As far as I'm concerned, they're still an extra step in my routine. Recently, I've found two products that work incredibly well together to add moisture to my skin without adding an extra step to my routine. 

I start my routine off with the Argan+ Skin Renewal Body Scrub*. The scrub instantly banishes dead skin cells and reveals healthy, glowing skin that is soft to the touch. The formula is rich in nutrients and vitamins and the consistency is creamy, helping to add moisture to the skin. Using olive stones and pumice to exfoliate and a combination of 5 precious African oils including Argan, Baobab, Kukui, Moringa and Sacha Inci, this body scrub is perfect for scrubbing away dead skin cells and revitalising the skin. I then follow this step with the Argan+ Super Creamy Body Wash* which makes showering a complete pamper experience. The formula is ultra-gentle and includes the same 5 precious African oils as the body scrub. These oils work together to keep dryness at bay, assist in cell renewal, prevent future damage to the skin and maintain skin health. As well as this, the body wash has been further enhanced by Shea Butter which is renowned for its intensive moisturising properties. The fragrance is beautiful - subtle, indulgent and exotic.

Both of these products work incredibly well together to leave my skin feeling nourished and moisturised and looking glowing. After using both of the products together, my skin isn't left feeling tight and it doesn't require any body creams - perfect for someone as lazy as me!

What are your favourite products for adding moisture to the skin?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 2:22 pm
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Saturday, 19 April 2014

The best summer collection? KIKO'S Life in Rio with Swatches


Sun Lovers Blush in Copacabana Coral
Sun Lovers Blush in Copacabana Coral
L-R Creamy Touch Eyeshadow in 104 and 101 

L-R Creamy Touch Eyeshadow in 104 and 101 
L-R Tropical Heat Waterproof Eyeliners in 04 and 06

L-R Sun Show Nail Lacquer in 475 and 470


L-R Exotic Shine Lipstick in 101 and 104
Life in Rio Face Brush Duo Flat Foundation end
Life in Rio Face Brush Duo Dense Angled end
Life in Rio Face Brush Duo Dense Angled end
L-R Essential Bronzer in Warm Melange, Sun Lovers Blush in Copacabana Coral

Wearing Sun Lovers Blush in Copacabana Coral, Essential Bronzer in Warm Melange, Creamy Touch Eyeshadow in 101 and Exotic Shine Lipstick in 101
"The collection showcases vibrant colours with an unexpected elegance and unparalleled quality." 
First of all, I must apologise for how the pictures are displayed above. I had a complete nightmare with Blogger and this was the best order I could get in them in. If it's confusing, I do apologise, however I didn't want to miss out any images as the collection is stunning. Anyway, as you all probably know by now, KIKO is my favourite make up brand, ever. I wish their products were more readily available in the UK - I'd kill to peruse at my leisure in Boots - but nonetheless, it doesn't take away from their stunning collections, fabulous quality products and affordable prices. The next time I'm in London, I'll be making my way to their store on Regent Street and swatching until my heart can't take it any more... ooh I get all excited thinking about it. Anyway, their latest collection is well, look at it, it's stunning. Life In Rio has been inspired by the colourful street life in Rio, Brazil's capital city. 

With a whopping 20g worth of product, this baked bronzer is absolutely huge. Encased inside the stunning packaging is a nicely sized mirror and a silky bronzer that smells of vanilla. The complementing marbled shades work beautifully together creating an easy to blend powder that doesn't look orange or muddy on the skin. I use this where the sun would naturally hit my face and it warms up my complexion and makes me look sunkissed.

A smaller version of the Essential Bronzer packaging, this blush also comes with a decent sized mirror and the most beautiful looking blush I've ever seen in my life. Copacabana Coral has a Barbie pink on one side and a blue/bronze on the other side. The blue colour looked scary at first but when sweeped onto the cheeks you're left with the perfect balance of colour and a healthy glow. The blush is silky to the touch and easy to blend. There are also three other shades available.

These eyeliners are something else. I doubt I'd wear the blue shade as it isn't a colour that I'm a fan of but the sparkly brown is stunning. There are six vibrant waterproof eyeliners in this collection and they glide on easily and stay put throughout the day. Removing them proves to be a pain, but when you're on holiday and humidity is high, that's a risk I'd be happy to take. The eyeliner brush is extremely fine and gives off precise definition.

These Creamy Touch Eyeshadow Duos are incredible. They're highly pigmented and the creamy formula glides onto the eyes for a super smooth application. They're easily to blend and once set, they aren't going to budge throughout the day. There are six shades available in the collection however, 101 is perfection for me. A beautiful cream on one end and a matte purple-brown on the other; the perfect understated smoky eye. The sparkly pink of 104 looks stunning in the inner corner as a highlight and the bright pink surprisingly works a treat on the lips.

I have quite a lot of KIKO lipsticks and despite the reasonable price tag, they're some of the best I own. The Exotic Shine Lipsticks have a creamy formula that provides a satin finish. They look like a lipstick, apply like a lipstick and have the pigmentation of a lipstick but with the shine of a gloss. There are six shades available in the collection and out of the two I have, 01 is my favourite. It's the most perfect pinky nude shade that completes a make up look.

KIKO's nail polishes are lovely and these don't bring the standard down. The limited edition colours give off a full colour with a special gold pearl that really makes them pop. As always, they're quick drying and long lasting. There are ten shades available in this collection and I need to get my mitts on 469 Delicious Mango.

This brush is a must-have if you travel often. It comes with a flat foundation end for applying creamy formulations and a dense synthetic angled end for application of powders. The flat foundation end is pretty standard however the angled end is incredible for contouring the skin. When used with the Essential Bronzer it warms up the complexion and gives me cheekbones that Kim K would be envious of.

What's your favourite product from the collection? What do you think about the collection?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 9:59 am
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Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Canvas Design & Discount Code





I adore photos. They capture a special moment and ensure it's never forgotten about. One moment that - even without photos - I doubt I'll never forget is when I danced onstage with Britney. I won't gush too much as you probably already know, but I'm quite frankly the biggest Britney Spears fan in the whole world. My love for her runs deep, it's an obsession, and I'm sure I know more about her than she knows about herself. So when I got the opportunity to go onstage with her, it was without a doubt the greatest moment of my life. If you're interested, you can read more about it here.

I have the photos in albums, on my laptop, printed in large print, they're everywhere. You can't get away from them. But I've always wanted the photos on canvas. I love canvases, they look beautiful and since I started working in Boots' photo department, my love for canvases has grown deep. So you can imagine my excitement when I was offered two canvases from CanvasDesign*. I immediately knew which images I wanted displayed and when they finally arrived at my door, I fell in love instantly.

As I mentioned, I work in Boots' photo department so I do know how to make a canvas. And the ones from CanvasDesign are beautifully made. They look stunning on the wall and really do complete a wall and showcase a special memory. They were easy to put onto the wall - if my dad can do it, anyone can! I find myself constantly admiring them, it most definitely is a precious memory to me and it's wonderful to have it showcased so beautifully on my wall. I'd highly recommend going to CanvasDesign if you're looking to invest in something pretty for the wall. Their prices start from just £7.99 and if you use the code "BLOG15" then you can get a 15% off of your order.

Do you have canvases on your wall? Is it something you'd consider?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 10:17 am
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Monday, 14 April 2014

MAKE UP | The best priming duo feat. Pur Minerals and NYX


Primer is such an important step in my make up routine. It evens out my base, makes my skin feel smooth and ensures make up remains flawless throughout the day. Recently, I've been looking at my skin at the end of the day and noticing that it's almost as perfect as when I applied it hours earlier. And that's all down to this incredible primer duo that I've been using.

First up, I apply the purmineral Hydrate & Balance Correcting Primer* all over my skin. The purple hue helps to offset the look of blemishes, particularly scars. It contains salicylic acid, lavender extract and Ceretin Complex which helps to calm, clarify and mattify problem skin. This primer is oil-free, silicone-free and provides instant hydration that lasts throughout the day. When make up is applied over the top of this, it doesn't budge throughout the day - it essentially acts like glue, but without the stickyness. Not only does this primer do a wonderful job at priming, but the ingredients are also wonderful for the skin, making it a lovely last skin care step. 

Secondly, I apply the NYX Pore Filler* to my nose and cheek area, where I'm prone to enlarged pores. This primer effortlessly fills in pores and makes them appear reduced. After application, the skin looks and feel extremely smooth, ensuring that make up glides over the top. The primer is talc-free and oil-free and has a tinted cream to instantly perfect the skin. This primer has been giving my skin a perfected look that I absolutely adore. Make up looks better when it's been applied over this as pores are instantly filled in and reduced. 

The purminerals primer is available in M&S where it retails for £22.50 and the NYX primer is available in Next where it retails for £12.50.

What's your favourite primer?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 11:49 am
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Friday, 11 April 2014

MAKE UP | Cargo Cosmetics Essential Lip Color


L-R Las Vegas, Bombay

The Cargo Cosmetics Essential Lip Colors* are truly beautiful. Smooth and creamy yet lightweight and highly pigmented, they leave the lips feeling hydrated and looking glossy and full. The two I've been sporting the most recently? Las Vegas and Bombay. In terms of colour, they're on completely different ends of the spectrum. Las Vegas is a true nude, swaying just on the good side of "concealer lips" whilst Bombay is a nude pink. In terms of formula, the Lip Colors are second to none and beat the likes of MAC any day, but sadly, there are only 12 shades in the collection. Yes, there's a broad range; Barbie pinks, deep purples, classic reds, true nudes, but if you want variants, there isn't much choice. If there was, at just £13 each, these lipsticks would without a doubt become my "go-to high end" lippies. But for now, I'll make do with a couple in my collection and hope they expand the range further.

Have you tried these lipsticks before?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 3:13 pm
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Thursday, 10 April 2014

M&S Beauty Discovery Event


In terms of beauty, Marks and Spencer have really upped their game recently. I remember going into their Meadowhall Beauty Hall over Christmas and actually losing my dad because I ended up getting too engrossed in their products. With top brands such as Ren, NUXE, Murad, Jurlique, James Read and a few of my favourites including Purminerals, FILORGA, H2O+ and Fake Bake, M&S are now giving other Beauty Halls a run for their money.

If you're thinking of investing in a few new beauty products, or wanting to discover other brands then now is the perfect time as M&S are running their Beauty Discovery event. The event has been on for a few days and will continue to run until the 16th of April. When you purchase 1 (or 2) of the same brand, you will receive a free gift with purchase. There are 39 branded beauty lines to choose from and you can see the fabulous gifts on offer here.

My choices?

\Will you be taking advantage of this wonderful event? What brands do you want to explore?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 2:11 pm
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Wednesday, 9 April 2014

MAKE UP | MeMeMe Cosmetics and discount code








MeMeMe Cosmetics is a brand that despite hearing a lot about, I never delved far into it before. Well I did, when I was younger and still in school, but make up wasn't taken seriously by me then and I really had no idea what I was doing. If you haven't heard of the brand before it's influenced by Ancient Greek Mythology, The Renaissance and The Bohemian free spirit, meaning that the brand has its own unique identity. The packaging of every product is not only stunning, but extremely useful and compact too. I've been trying out a couple of their products for a while now and I've loved using them so much that I thought I'd let you know how I got on.

The moment I laid eyes on this trio, I fell in love. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore my nude palettes but sometimes they're way too bulky, especially if I'm going to be staying round a friends or at a hotel. This trio allows me to create a beautiful smoky eye with just three shades. The shimmering champagne is a beautiful highlight shade, the shimmering taupe is wonderful all over the lid, and the deep matte brown is perfect in the crease. The eyeshadows themselves are nicely pigmented, easily blendable and last all day long with a primer. If Sultry Eyes isn't your thing, MeMeMe offers four other different colour combinations including pinks, greens, blues and blacks.

I love concealer, I love how it can change an entire look, and this concealer kit has everything you need in one compact container. The concealer on top is nicely hydrating and perfect for under the eyes. I've tried it on blemishes but the coverage wasn't enough for me. However on the eyes, it brightens, hydrates and conceals beautifully. The lightweight mattifying powder ensures the concealer stays put all day long. It doesn't settle into any fine lines or highlight any dry patches; it simply disappears on the skin. The kit is wonderful for touch ups throughout the day and it always manages to find its way inside my handbag due to the perfect little mirror. The concealer kit comes in two shades.

If you're interested in trying out anything from the MeMeMe Cosmetics brand, then you can browse their website here. They have everything from skin care to brows, from nails to accessories. When you spend £40 you also receive a free Seventh Heaven Moisturising Face Base, worth £15. What's more, if you're a new customer then you can receive 10% off of your order by entering the code "WELCOME10" at the checkout. The code is valid until the 18th May 2014.

Have you tried anything from MeMeMe Cosmetics before? What products would you recommend?
*PR Sample
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Written By Unknown at 10:57 am
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Sunday, 6 April 2014

Three products under £10 for summer ready skin


The sun has just started peeking out of the clouds and despite the fact that it’s still quite chilly outside, it’s no longer bitterly cold which means that we may start turning our central heating down and embracing the sun. Less central heating is great news for our skin but it also means that our skin care routines may need a bit of a revamp. You can view my entire skin care routine here and find out more about these products.

You can kiss your heavy duty moisturisers goodbye and say hello to SPF and lighter bases. As mentioned, SPF is an incredibly important step that you should definitely be adding to your skin care routine. The sun’s rays are exceptionally harmful to the skin and as well as ageing the skin, they also can increase the risk of skin cancer. Gone are the days of heavy SPF’s that clogged your pores. Technology has advanced and there are now some wonderfully light formulas out there that not only protect the skin from the sun, but also have further beneficial skin care ingredients. The high street has been in need of a good, affordable SPF and Soap & Glory have answered our prayers. Their Make Yourself Youthful Sunshield Superfluid SPF 50+ (currently on offer for £10) is not only lightweight and protecting, it mattifies and evens out blotchy skin tone too. 

Instead of smothering your skin in a heavy moisturiser, it’s worth changing your skin creams so that they are lighter in formula. A gel-based moisturiser is great for smoothing onto the skin as they moisturise dry patches and balance out oily patches. Garnier's Revitalising Hydrating Gel (currently on offer for £3.99) fits the bill nicely. It's smells delicious, balances out the skin and isn't heavy on the purse strings either. Not only is this a lovely moisturiser, it's also a beautiful base for make up. 

Another good idea is to use an oil, even if you have oily skin. If you completely strip your skin of its oils, it will go into overdrive and produce more oil than necessary to make up for it. Using an oil balances the skin and leaves it “normal.” Bio-Oil* (currently on offer for £5.99) is a cult classic that's loved by many. It's a dry oil which means it won't leave your skin looking overly shiny. Instead, it's the perfect night-time moisturiser as it evens out skin tone and helps reduce scarring and pigmentation.

What products are your favourite for summer?
*PR Sample
Written By Unknown at 9:08 am
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Friday, 4 April 2014

My current skin care routine feat. Garnier, No7, Lush, Epiduo, Ponds & Bio-Oil









I think it's safe to say that I'm a complete and utter skin care addict. Skin care was the reason I started blogging; I have bad skin - that's no secret - and I'd tried out a lot of products so I wanted to get my opinions out there. Since then (over four years ago) I've tried out even more products and nothing makes me happier than seeing a comment, tweet or email from you guys letting me know that my recommendation has helped your skin care woes. Skin care, in general, makes me happy. I was watching skin care routine videos on YouTube last night and I was literally like a little girl in a sweet shop. But enough of that, here's my current skin care routine. It's changed a little bit since the last one and my skin is doing well at the moment.

Make up removers:
At first, this eye make up remover seems quite expensive however with No7's £5 vouchers (and my staff discount), this ends up being a bargain. I'd compare this to Lancome's Bi-Facial as they work in the same way and get the same results. The oily formula instantly dissolves all eye make up and makes removing waterproof mascara a doddle. I don't use this daily, just on those days when my eye make up has been particularly heavy.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - £4.99 (currently £3.33)
I have fallen head over heels in love with this product. I was always a Bioderma fan but I still find it hard to get a hold of in the UK and it works out quite expensive. So when I saw Garnier's version on the shelves, I had to get it. Dare I say it's better than Bioderma? I certainly think it is. It's a fraction of the price, breaks down make up instantly (I only need one cotton wool pad to completely remove a face of make up) and leaves the skin feeling soft and nourished. This is a product that I use when I'm feeling lazy with make up removal.

On most days, this is the make up remover I use. I thoroughly believe in the double cleanse and you may know that I use to be a massive fan of Super Facialist's Vitamin C Cleansing Oil. However, since getting this cleansing cream from LUSH, I haven't gone near the oil. I adore this product as it breaks down make up exceptionally well and leaves my skin feeling incredibly nourished and soothed. A lot of people comment on the scent of this and while it's nothing to rave about, it certainly isn't unpleasant like many people say. I doubt I'll stray from this cleansing cream, it's perfect, and dare I say, a wonder product?

Cleansers:
I'm not going to lie, I bought this because of the scent. It smells like fudge and leaves my face smelling good enough to eat. However, I've now been using it a couple of weeks and it's become my favourite cleanser. All you have to do is a scoop a little bit out of the pot, mix it with water to create a paste and you have your very own exfoliating face wash. It buffs away dead skin cells and leaves the skin looking glowing and feeling incredibly soft and subtle. Since using this I've found my make up application to be flawless - foundation glides onto the skin. 

Once again, this is another product I use if I'm having a lazy day. It's not something I believe I'll repurchase once I've ran out as I can't see many benefits when using it but it's a nice little extra. I keep it next to my bed in case I'm in need of a quick pick me up throughout the day as the scent is really uplifting and soothing. It doesn't really do much to my skin other than gently cleanse it (when I use it first thing on a cotton pad) or refresh my make up.

Moisturisers:
Garnier Moisture Match Wake Me Up Revitalising Hydrating Gel - £5.99 (currently £3.99)
I've been in need of a lighter moisturiser for a while now. I originally wanted to invest in the Origins GinZing Moisturiser but I saw this gel doing the rounds on blogs. It was on offer for £3.99 in Boots and of course, with a price like that I just couldn't resist. I'm very glad I picked it up as it's lovely. It's really refreshing on the skin and feels lightweight but nourishing. It doesn't interfere with my make up but instead, creates a beautiful 'awakened' base. One of the best moisturisers I've tried.

Bio-Oil* - £8.99 (currently £5.99)
Bio-Oil is a product that I've dabbled in since my teenage years but over the past few months, it's become a firm favourite of mine. I use this as my night time moisturiser as it's wonderful for balancing the skin and diminishing any scars and redness. I have noticed a reduction in my scarring since using this and the other day my housemate commented on how calm my naked skin was looking. Bio-Oil really is the perfect night time moisturiser as it's moisturising, sinks into the skin quickly and rejuvenates the skin whilst you sleep.

Treatments:
Epiduo - prescription only
I won't go into too much detail about this product as I've mentioned it a few times before. But if you don't know, this is my daily spot cream that I use every single night on top of Bio-Oil without fail. A combination of this and Yasmin (the contraceptive pill) has really helped to clear my skin up no end.

Ponds Eye Contour Cream* - £7.99
I don't have any problems with my eyes - the only area of my skin that's actually decent - but I do believe that prevention is better than cure. I use this eye cream every morning and every night as it isn't heavy and sinks into the delicate eye area nice and easily. The long term benefits include: reduced puffiness, smoothed out wrinkles and nourished eyelashes.

What products are in your skin care routine? Do you use any of the above?
*PR Sample
Written By Unknown at 11:20 am
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Tuesday, 1 April 2014

MAKE UP | glo minerals Pretty in Pink





I am quite the fan of glo minerals as a brand, their lipsticks in particular. I have a few in my collection and they're the ones I tend to reach for. Sadly, I don't tend to read much about them on blogs, which is a shame because in terms of quality, their make up is second to none. The name says it all; they're a mineral make up brand meaning that their products are pretty much good for your skin. Their make up has been created by dermatologists too so you know you're getting added benefits. And when you've suffered with bad skin your entire life, this is a miracle. 

The brand set me a challenge to create a "pretty in pink" make up look using the products shown above. If you like my look, then please feel free to vote for it on their Facebook page. If not, it's worth going to check out the other blogger's fabulous looks anyway. Oh and a little incentive, if I win, I'll be given three glo mineral goody bags worth £100 to give away to you guys - not bad. (Just letting you know that the Facebook competition isn't live yet. When it is, I will be tweeting about it).

Anyway, onto how I created the look. When I first saw the Eyeshadow Trio in Ballerina* - £22, I was a bit nervous. You see, it's quite colourful and with my array of nude palettes you can tell that I'm not a "colour-on-eyes" person at all. But alas, I proceeded and I'm extremely happy with how the look turned out. I used the darker pink shade all over the eyes, the green in the crease and the lighter pink under my brow bone and my inner tear duct. It created the most beautiful smoky eye I think I've ever seen and the trio itself was a wonderful way for me to dabble into colour, without going too OTT.

Next up I used the Shimmer Brick in Gleam* - £27.50 which I instantly fell in love with. I'm a big blush fan and considering I use a lot of mattifying products on my base, I need blush and highlight to inject life and a glow back into my skin. This Shimmer Brick does exactly that. It comes with four colours - a champagne highlight, a beautiful Barbie pink blush, a deep rose-toned blush and a gold highlight. Oh it's perfection in every way. Easy to blend, last all day and nicely pigmented and glowing, you can create a multitude of looks with this one palette. It's one I'm most definitely taking on holiday with me. For this look I used the Barbie pink blush and the deep rose-toned blush on my cheeks and the champagne highlight on the tops of my cheekbones.

Finally, I finished the look off with the brand's Lipstick in Blush* - £15.00. As I said earlier, I really do love glo mineral's lipsticks. Despite being nicely pigmented and long lasting, they're instantly nourishing and hydrating and this beautiful nude finished the look off perfectly. It brought the make up together and complemented the smoky eyes nicely. Also for reference... my foundation is MaxFactor's FaceFinity, my powder is Rimmel's Stay Matte, my eyeliner is NYX The Curve*, my mascara is Green People's Volumising Mascara* and for my eyebrows I used Urban Decay's eyeshadow in Naked 2.

UPDATE: You can vote for me here.

What's your favourite way to experiment with colour? Have you tried anything from glo minerals before?
*PR Sample
Written By Unknown at 9:59 am
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