REVIEW: 17 Make Up Collection

When this make up collection came on offer a few weeks back, I immediately asked my mum for it for Christmas. When I saw it in the Boots Christmas catalogue, I wasn't interested. But after spending a day surrounded by it, I fell in love. It's a beautiful collection that really doesn't contain everything that you need make up wise. I originally wasn't going to write a post on it as I didn't think there'd be any left but when I was at work yesterday, I saw that we had a few left (in Lincoln) so I quickly wrote this post in case any of you wanted to check out your local stores to see if they have any left. (There aren't any online).

It's no secret that I'm a big 17 fan. I've featured their products a lot on my blog and I'm constantly searching their make up stand to see if they have any new releases. I think the brand provide great quality products at a low price. Some gems from the brand include their mascaras, liquid liner, face powders and their eye shadows. So even if your local store doesn't have this exact collection in stock, I'd definitely recommend checking out the 17 make up stand anyway.

 Pink Ice, Twinkle Toes, Fuzzy Yellow Petal, In The Nude, Very Berry lipsticks.

All of these lipsticks are nicely pigmented and glossy. I don't usually like lipsticks that come in a pan but these ones are lovely. They last pretty well for drug store lipsticks and feel nice on the lips.

 8 baked eye shadow powders.

These baked shadows are wonderful. They contain just the right amount of shimmer in them and they really do not budge once they're on the eye. They're also a pleasure to blend.

5 eyeshadow powders in Natural, Pink, Brown, Light Blue and Black.

Just like the baked shadows, these are pigmented, blend-able and have great longevity. 

Metallic Cream for eyes, lips and face, Bramble Frost blush, Limited Edition Bronzer, gel eyeliner in black, eye pencil in black, eye pencil in coffee.

The Metallic Cream is a lovely and I can't stop using it as a highlighter. The blush is a great every day shade and the bronzer adds a beautiful glow to the skin. The gel eye liner is very easy to use and lasts all day long and the eye pencils are just okay. As well as all of the above, you also get the following: Blusher brush, Eye shadow brush, Angled eye define brush, Lip brush, Eye liner brush, 17 Photo Flawless primer, sharpener, Hints & Tips book, Eye lash curler, Limited Edition Mascara in black.

This set is a beautiful set and it's great for those who are just getting into make up or those who love playing around with make up. The brushes are also good quality (especially the lip blush and the eye liner brush) and I also love the 17 primer. The eye lash curlers are just as good as my No7 ones. What do you think about this set? Or as 17 as a brand?

xxx

2012 Favourites

I was originally going to post this tomorrow but good ol' Sunday night reading and all that... I couldn't end the year without a favourites post. I've come across a lot of new products this year and rediscovered a few ones too. It's been a great year for product releases and a lot of new and rediscovered ideas have found their way onto the market; BB creams, nail art, temporary tattoos to name a few. These are my favourites with little explanations as to why.

Skin Care -

Make up remover: Super Facialist by Una Brennan Neroli Lift & Hydrate Facial Oil* I've been loving pre-cleansers this year and this one melts make up away whilst hydrating the skin.

Cleanser: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish* A classic. Removes make up, exfoliates and hydrates the skin whilst still being extremely gentle.

Toner: Jurlique Citrus Purifying Mist* Such a refreshing mist that brightens the complexion.

Serum: Estee Lauder Perfectionist CP+R Wrinkle Lifting/Firming Serum* Leaves skin looking and feeling beautiful and I've also noticed a reduction in my scarring since using this.

Day Moisturiser: Clarins Multi Active Day Early Wrinkle Correction Cream I may only be 19 (nearly 20) but prevention is better than cure! Hydrating without being greasy.
Night Moisturiser: No7 Beautiful Skin Night Cream for normal/oily skin Adds the right amount of hydration to the skin overnight.

Spot treatment: HoMedics Tanda Zap Acne Spot Clearing Device* Clears up spots within a few days, isn't drying and is a pleasure to use.

Face scrub: Neutrogena Visibly Clear Blackhead Eliminating Daily Scrub* Removes blackheads instantly and leaves skin looking and feeling refreshed.

Face mask: Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask* Quick and easy to use and leaves the skin looking like it's had a facial.

Body Care -

Fragrance: YSL Parisienne & Liz Earle Botanical Essence No 15* I couldn't choose just one! These are completely different but very lovely.

Body scrub: Soap & Glory Breakfast Scrub Smells incredible and does the job.

Gradual tan: Dove Summer Glow Nourishing Body Lotion* Doesn't streak, smells decent and adds a lovely glow/colour to the skin.

Self tan: Xen-Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe* Doesn't streak, easy to apply, smells nice and lasts up to a week.

Body wash: Lush Shower Jellies Smell gorgeous and last a really long time. The scent lingers on the skin after use.

Moisturiser: Jergens Original Beauty Lotion* Sinks into the skin quickly, smells beautiful and hydrates without being greasy.

Hand wash: Burt's Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk & Shea Butter Hand Soap* Smells amazing and the packaging is lovely.

Hand cream: Renouve Anti-Ageing Every Day Defense* Hydrating, light, smooth, non-greasy and also a sanitizer. 

Make Up -

Face primer: Super Facialist by Una Brennan Anti Shine Pore Minimiser* Makes make up last longer and gives you a pore-free, airbrushed look.

Foundation: Lancome Teint Idol Ultra 24hr Great coverage, easy to blend, comfortable and lasts all day.

Concealer: Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Flawless coverage, lasts all day, doesn't cake.

Powder: 17 Shine Control Loose Powder Controls shine without looking "dead" matte.

Eye primer: Urban Decay's Primer Potion Perfection. Eye make up doesn't budge all day long.

Eyeshadow: Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette Beautiful colours, buttery soft, easy to blend.

Eye liner: Collection 2000 Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner Lasts all day, easy to use.

Mascara: No7 Exceptional Definition Mascara Versatile.

Bronzer: Liz Earle Natural Glow Bronzer* Natural looking and easy to blend.

Blush: Nars Outlaw* Warms the cheeks up beautifully.

Highlighter: No7 Deco Darling Loose Powder Highlighter* A gorgeous colour.

Lip care: Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner* Great prep to lipstick and tastes/smells nice.

Lipstick: Barbara Daly Cream Colour Lipstick in Tiger Lily* Allowed me to wear red lipstick! Great formula.

Lipgloss: Nivea Glamorous Gloss in Pink Sugar Natural, smells and tastes great.

Hair Care -

Shampoo: John Frieda Full Repair* Repairs the hair, doesn't weigh it down, great for everyday use.

Conditioner: John Frieda Full Repair* So moisturising but doesn't leave my hair greasy.

Hair masque: TRESemme Split Remedy Split Mend Intense Recovery Masque* Repairs the hair, smells nice and deeply hydrates.

Dry shampoo: Batiste Adds volume, clears up oil.

Hairspray: Schwarzkopf Got2b 2 Sexy Collagen Big Volume Hairspray* Smells incredible, volumising, lasts all day.
Heat Defence: TRESemme Heat Defence Styling Spray Doesn't leave my hair greasy.

Mousse: Tigi Bed Head Totally Baked Hair Meringue* Smells, oh my god, so nice! Adds volume.

Serum: TRESemme Split Remedy Split Mend Sealing Serum* Repairs the ends without weighing it down.

Others -

Blogger: The Sunday Girl Great swatches, lovely lady and interesting, informative posts.

YouTuber: Tanya Burr at Pixi2woo Such a sweetheart who's kind hearted and great with make up.

TV Programme: Hollyoaks I've been loving this! Easy to watch.

Album: Justin Bieber - Believe Perfection.

Film: Friends with Benefits Makes me laugh, smile and cry all in one.
Book: The Hunger Games Trilogy Changed my life.

Moment: University Just, breathtaking.

So these are my favourites. What are your favourites? I'd also just like to say another thank you for standing by me this year and I look forward to 2013 with you all!
xxx
*PR Sample but a lot of these I've then gone on to repurchase/will repurchase as they are my favourites after all :)

Favourite Pencourage Journals

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

I wrote about Pencourage a while ago and ever since the journals went live, I've fallen further in love with the website. Basically, it's a social network were everything that you write down in your journal is completely private. That's right, you can say whatever you want and your identity will always be kept anonymous. (If you do want to reveal who you are you can do though as you can edit what you want to see secret on your profile). Some of the journals that I've been reading are extremely heartfelt and beautiful. You can comment on people's journals, follow them, "love" them and basically just interact with people in way that you can't on any other social network. For me, it's a place to be 100% me and write down what I'm thinking that exact day. Some of my journal posts haven't been that pleasant and some have been uplifting. It just depends how you're feeling that day. So above I've linked my favourite journals. And I highly recommend checking this site out and possibly joining!

xxx

Have a lovely Christmas!

359 posts later and this will be the last post (ish) of 2012. I'm going to sign off for the year and spend some time with my family as I haven't been able to. I have scheduled a "favourites of the year" post and that is scheduled for New Years Eve but other than that post, this is the last one.

I hope that you all have a lovely Christmas and a wonderful New Year. I want to thank you all for standing by me this past year and supporting my blog. I've gotten so much into blogging this year that it's decided my future for me; I want to be an online journalist. For the past few years I've been umm-ing and ahh-ing over whether I want to be a magazine journalist or an online one. But I just love online blogging so much that I don't think I'd be able to live without it. Once again, thank you for your love and support and I look forward to "seeing" you in the new year!

xxx

REVIEW: John Frieda Frizz-Ease and Full Repair

John Frieda is a hair care brand that I absolutely love. I use the Full Repair range religiously and my mum has started using the Frizz-Ease range recently. I'm someone who doesn't tend to stick with the same hair care products however, since I started using the Full Repair range I haven't switched (other than for reviewing) yet. You can see all of my posts on the range here.

Full Repair Full Body Conditioner*:

This product is wonderful. I have long, thin hair that is prone to oilyness and tangles - basically, it's a nightmare. This conditioner (as well as the shampoo) cleanses the hair beautifully without weighing it down. It also helps to revive over-styled hair which is something that I have a problem with. Because my hair is so long and I used to use a lot of heat on it without heat protecting spray, it's prone to breakages. But since using both the shampoo and conditioner  I've noticed an improvement in the way that my hair looks and feels. I've also been able to stop washing my hair every single day as this doesn't grease it up whatsoever.

Frizz-Ease Original Formula Hair Serum*:

Until recently, I hadn't been able to using hair serums on my hair because of how quickly it produced oil and also because of how flat my hair gets. But since switching to the Full Repair shampoo and conditioner, I've been loving hair serums and oils. This serum is infused with silk proteins which aim to deliver a layer of crystal clear gloss that leaves you with shiny, frizz-free hair. I use this after I've washed my hair and before blow-drying it and it works a treat. My hair feels beautifully soft and it also does a wonderful job at making it look glossy and shiny. It doesn't weigh my hair down and it doesn't make it greasy either (I only use it at the ends). This serum is also safe to use on permed and coloured hair.

Frizz-Ease Straight Fixation Smoothing Crème*:

This Smoothing Crème is perfect for those of us that love straight hair! My hair can sometimes be a nightmare. I go through all of that effort of washing, blow-drying and straightening my hair for it to just look like a curly frizz ball in humid/damp weather. This crème aims to hold the hair straight without any heaviness. The formula is very lightweight and just like the hair serum, it doesn't weigh my hair down it make it greasy. It contains sweet almond oil and milk protein which aim to smooth and condition the hair, smoothing away frizz and keeping the hair straight. It also contains a ThermaGuard™ Complex which protects against heat damage so you don't have to apply this and also your heat protection. You use this on wet hair and blow-dry it straight and then style as usual and you're left with beautifully, glossy, straight, bouncy hair!

Here, you can see the entire John Frieda Frizz Ease range and the Full Repair range here. 

What is your favourite range from the John Frieda collection? You can also check out their YouTube videos which has videos full of expert hair styling tips and also step-by-step styles!

xxx

*PR Sample