Friday, 28 February 2014
Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Caudalie Hand & Nail Cream
I tend to suffer with dry hands all year round so I’m always trying out new hand and nail creams. My key points for a good hand and nail cream have to be non-greasy, soaks in quickly, long lasting nourishment, and lets not forget the fragrance!
This hand cream by Caudalie was in my You Beauty Advent Calendar and I was eager to try it. The Caudalie website states that 98% of the ingredients in this product are natural - pretty impressive huh!!!
Now lets get on with the nitty- gritty.
Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream is very impressive stuff. I’ve been using this for just over a week and can really see the difference in the condition of my hands and nails. My hands feel softer and I have less dry areas (mainly between my fingers and knuckles, caused by hairdressing). My nails have also felt nice and strong; I normally have soft nails that can split very easily. However while using the Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream my nails have been in lovely condition.
The fragrance is very pleasant too. It’s a soft Blackcurrant scent, which isn’t overpowering in any way. The cream soaked in quickly and didn’t leave a greasy film over my skin. I was able to apply it, then get on with my day with ease…….perfect :)
All things said and done, this is top on my list of hand creams for daily use.
Have you tried the Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream?
30ml - £6.00
Monday, 24 February 2014
L'Oreal Absolute Make-up Remover
Some of you may remember my last makeup remover review (Link). I really liked the Clinique makeup remover in that blog post, but when I ran out I couldn’t get to a Clinique counter to buy some more.
This bi-phase makeup remover is specially formulated to remove waterproof and long-lasting eye and lip products. The non-greasy formula removes all signs of makeup with ease. Simply shake the bottle to activate the bi-phase liquids and dispense onto a cotton pad. Then hold the cotton pads on the eyelids/lips for a few seconds and voila….makeup removed.
I have to say I’m very impressed with this product. The only downside for me is getting the product out of its bottle. The bottle is an elongated oval shape. Under the flip lid you discover a small hole from which you dispense the remover. I find it very frustrating, as I always end up with product dripping down the bottle! Personally I feel this would have been better in a round bottle so you could tip the product out without wasting any.
Do you have the same problem with it?
£5.49 125ml
Friday, 21 February 2014
Model Co Mascara
My new mascara love comes in the form of Model Co Lengthening Mascara. This arrived in my You Beauty Advent Calendar 2013.
Model Co (also known as Model Cosmetics) was founded in 2002 by Australian Model Agent Shelley Barrett. Now the global cosmetic brand has a massive celebrity following including Dannii Minogue and Elle Macpherson.
I’ve been testing this for a week now and its a-maz-ing. Not only does this mascara lengthen my lashes perfectly but it also leaves them looking glossy and very black. On application this mascara glides on easily and defines them very quickly.
I applied the Model Co Lengthening Mascara three times. As you can see from the picture below, the first application gave lenght to my lashes and left them looking very natural.
Second application the mascara bulked up my lashes nicely. They looked longer, thicker and more defined.
Third application again made my lashes look thicker although they did start to look a bit clumpy. My advice would be to only apply two coats, three seems to be too much.
Over all I’m very impressed with my Model Co Lengthening Mascara and was pleasantly surprised to find it costs only £10!
£10
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Stila Lip Glaze
I have always wanted to try Stila Lip Glaze, yet somehow never got around to buying one. So you can imagine my delight when I opened my YOU Beauty advent calendar and discovered one!
This one is called ‘Kaleidoscope’. It has a very pretty peach shimmer which enhances the look of the lip glaze; I feel it would be very plain without it.
You can wear Stila Lip Glaze alone or over your favourite shade of lipstick. This particular one would look fabulous over a lipstick, as you’d really see the shimmer in it.
“The formula in Stila lip glazes has been created to provide strong lasting power, without drying out your lips.’’
I found the lip glaze to be a little on the sticky side, however it wasn’t unpleasant. The lip glaze also lasted very well and didn’t need to be reapplied too frequently (about 3 times in 7 hours).
The Stila Lip Glaze from the YOU Beauty advent calendar is 1.5ml.
The Stila website sells them in a 2.4ml tube; which is a better size really. There are also 36 shades to choose from in the range, so there is bound to be one you’ll love!
Have you tried the Stila Lip Glaze?
RRP £15
Monday, 17 February 2014
Jimmy Choo - Flash
Here is one of three perfumes that will feature on my blog over the coming months. Today’s is ‘Flash’ by Jimmy Choo.
‘You can now have head to toe Jimmy Choo glitz and glamour, with the glittery shoes, the handbag and now the fragrance to complete the party look. Get ready to dazzle and set the night alive.’
This fragrance will be a hit with anyone who loves floral perfumes. Containing top notes of White Flower and Tuberose, mid notes of Pink Pepper, Tangerine, and Strawberry, and base notes of Powdery Woods. ‘Flash’ is a wonderfully unusual fragrance, not one I’d normally go for but I’m so pleased with it!
Some of these scents I’ve not come across before in perfume, or atleast not been aware of them. Tuberose is one of those.
In my opinion this is one to wear in the evening due to it being a strong perfume. You certainly don’t need to spray too much of this and the fragrance really does have staying power.
Have you tried Flash by Jimmy Choo?
If so what do you think of it?
xx
RRP from £35.50 (40ml EDP)
Friday, 14 February 2014
My Current OPI Collection - Part 2
As promised I’m back with the second part of ‘My Current OPI Collection’. To read part 1 if you missed it, simply click on the link HERE.
This part contains the Purples, Pinks and Nude/Neutral shades. Again I’ve grouped them into colour families to make them easier to work through.
Purples -
A Grape Fit!
Lincoln Park After Dark
German-icure By OPI
Houston We Have a Purple*
My Pointe Exactly (LE)
Honk if You Love OPI
Midnight in Moscow
Pinks -
Italian Love Affair
Passion
Privacy Please
Princesses Rule!
Pink-ing of You
Not So Bora-Bora-ing Pink
My Address is ‘Hollywood’
Nudes/Neutrals -
I’ll Take The Cake*
My Very First Knockwurst
You Don’t Know Jacques!
Alpine Snow
Skull & Glossbones (LE)
Pirouette My Whistle (LE)
Care to Danse (LE)
You Callin’ Me A Lyre? (LE)
Barre My Soul (LE)
Don’t Touch my Tutu! (LE)
Treatments -
Original Nail Envy
And there you have it, my full collection :)
I’m sure as the year goes by I will gain more OPI polish, and will know doubt have to throw some away (what a horrid thought!).
Which brand polish do you have lots of?
*Retired Colours
LE = Limited Edition Colours
Wednesday, 12 February 2014
Spectrum Collections
The lovely people at Spectrum Collections kindly sent me some information about their makeup brush range which will be officially launched this April.
Spectrum Collections specialise in boldly designed makeup brushes, applicators and tools. The vibrancy of the brushes means they are easy to distinguish from other brands.
All of their brushes are hand finished, vegan and animal friendly. They are composed of the highest quality synthetic hair, making them super soft on the skin.
Spectrum Collections debut range features 22 individual professional brushes. This range consists of 'essentials' for professionals and makeup lovers alike. The 22 individual brushes are;
*Large Fan Brush*Large Powder Brush
*Angled Foundation Brush
*Angled Blusher Brush
*Small Contouring Brush
*Oval Foundation Brush
*Large Blending Brush
*Tapered Blending Brush
*Angled Shading Brush
*Concealer Brush
*Eyeshadow Brush
*Pencil Brush
*Small Fan Brush
*Flat Definer Brush
*Short Shader Brush
*Angled Brow Brush
*Lip Brush
*Small Shader Brush
*Eyebrow / Eyelash Comb Brush
*Pointed Eyeliner Brush
*Angled Eyeliner Brush
*Smudger Brush
Spectrum Collections are also doing a limited edition 7-Piece Travel Set (pictured above). The brushes in this set are slightly smaller, making them perfect for putting in your suitcase or handbag when traveling; and they are housed in a faux leather triangular case to keep them safe. The 7 piece set consists of:
*Powder Brush
*Angled Foundation Brush
*Angled Blusher Brush
*Angled Shading Brush
*Angled Brow / Liner Brush
*Lip Brush
*Concealer Brush
Spectrum Collections will also be launching blending sponges and neon tip kabuki brushes; and lets not forget the most exciting part! They aim to deliver a series of ‘limited edition’ collections throughout the year; all inspired by the current beauty and catwalk trends.
These look amazing and I'm very excited for the launch in April. I'll be back with an update review once I've tested out these brushes. To stay up-to-date with the launch you can sign up to their mailing list at www.spectrumcollections.com
Stay Beautiful xx
Monday, 10 February 2014
Clinique 'Blushing Blush Powder Blush'
This blusher by Clinique has been my go-to product for several months now!
Clinique ‘Blushing Blush Powder Blush’ (yes that really is its name!) in Sunset Glow, is a beautiful warm red-ish tone. Its silky consistency makes it easy to sweep over the cheeks giving them a natural flushed appearance. The colour is long lasting and the pigmentation is very good so it doesn’t fade as the day goes by. This blush isn’t a matte effect one but don’t worry, it contains the perfect amount of shimmer for a subtle glow.
This has been the perfect blusher for this time of year because it’s very ‘buildable’; allowing you to apply just the right amount of colour to your cheeks. I’ve been using my Real Techniques Blusher Brush and have found it ideal for application.
Anyone who has yet to find the perfect blusher for their skin, Clinique’s ‘Blushing Blush Powder Blush’ range could well be it!
£21
Friday, 7 February 2014
LUSH FUN - Pink
This is amazing…….Think play doh that smells fabulous plus you can bath and wash with it!!!
FUN was introduced to me while shopping in LUSH for stocking fillers for Mr KME and Little Miss; I’m so pleased I bought some!
If you are unfamiliar with FUN then let me give you some details about it from LUSH;
‘Ideal for children (of all ages), Pink Fun packs a lot into its plasticine-like body. A 4-in-1 product, it can be used as a solid shampoo, bubble bar, soap, or even a toy. One of five colours in the range, this is a nostalgic trip back in time to childhood smells of vanilla and sweets.’
This has been a huge hit with Little Miss at bath time. It’s perfect for crumbling into the bath and gives masses of bubbles…..that last and last. I also like to use it as a body wash, as it leaves her skin feeling super soft and smelling delicious. We’ve yet to play with it as a moulding doh; from what I’ve seen when taking it out of the packaging, it’s very pliable and would be great to roll out and make things from.
If you have little ones (or even if you don’t), this is well worth buying :)
£5 each
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