Sunday, 17 May 2015

Too Faced Selfie Powders

IMG_3739
IMG_3741
IMG_3737
IMG_3719
Too Face Light Filtering Photo-Enhancing Powders* (£32) | available from Debenhams

With a social media world absolutely saturated with selfie photos left, right and centre, it was only a matter of time before a beauty brand jumped on this camera craze and created your very own selfie compact complete with their very own hashtag - #TFNoFilter. The perfect powder trio for those filter fanatics, Too Faced have launched the Selfie Powders - light filtering photo-enhancing powders which mimics the effects of your favourite photo filters!

Everyone loves the sympathetic touch of an Instagram filters, whether it is to brighten, smooth, diffuse or blur out those imperfections, add warmth or an inner glow to any complexion. This portable palette promises to instantly give you that flawlessly filtered look in real life with a collection of three velvety, weightless powder-cream options to soften, cut shine and brighten the skin.

Sunrise - instantly brightens with diffused warmth, great to highlight with a warm tone along the cheekbones. Totally Toasted - bronzes with a smoothing glow and is sheer enough to buff over the face to add an overall sun kissed look or great to use as a contour. Moon River - adds a cool ethereal light to the skin. This purple powder is probably the most feared and confusing from the palette but actually the lavender tones help brighten sallow skin that needs neutralising and is probably the most useful out of the three. It adds radiance without shimmer or sparkle. Each powder can be used individually or swirled together to customise your photo-ready finish.

Obviously these powders are not miracle-workers and I wouldn't get rid of your instagram app just yet but they do all have a purpose and work well together to cut shine, add radiance and warmth to the complexion without feeling powdery or flat on the skin - plus it is great to have all you need in one palette, great for travelling and being ready for that selfie in a flash!
View Post

Friday, 15 May 2015

YSL Instant Plump-Up Glossy Stain

IMG_3570
IMG_3584
IMG_3594
YSL Vernis A Levres Plump-Up Instant Push-Up Effect* (£26) | available from YSL Beauty

There is no denying that full, plumped lips are the thing of the moment. You only need to scan through the Kardashian's instagram feeds but see that exaggerated lip liner and full lips are the order of the day in the beauty world. To help achieve a pushed-up effect in a natural way YSL Beauty have launched their new Plump-Up Glossy Stain which gives a immediate long-lasting push-up effect from the first application. The moisturising formula stimulates the lips by the contrast of cooling menthol and the warming effect of a heat active to give that a burst of volume and plumpness. Squalane oil helps reinforce the lips' lipidic barrier whilst hyaluronic acid delivers hydration and suppleness leaving lips with a feeling freshness..

This Push-Up Effect Glossy Stain can be worn alone as regular lip conditioner with added oomph for naturally enhanced lips or underneath your favourite lip colour for an instant push-up result. The formula is smooth and softening and glides on beautifully giving you a natural shine and subtle plumpness for up to 6 hours. This product is best regarded as a high shine, clear lip gloss at first with hydrating, moisturising and plumping properties as an added bonus! Basically a great lip conditioning, gloss-giving lip product for your makeup bag which you will love, especially if you were a big fan of YSL's originally Glossy Stains.
View Post

Thursday, 14 May 2015

REN Limited Edition Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask

IMG_3379
IMG_3385
REN Limited Edition Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask* (£32) | available from Cult Beauty & Look Fantastic

Whilst I am sure most of you have heard of Swedish skincare brand, REN who have grown from a stand alone store to international success, I know you will definitely have heard of their best-selling face mask product - the Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask. REN, meaning 'clean' in Swedish, was founded 15 years ago in 2000 by Antony Buck and Robert Calcraft and has gone from strength to strength and is now recognised as one of the leading skincare brand out there. Offering cutting-edge, effective formulations for all skin types without any skin-unfriendly ingredients, I personally love this brand and have tried and adored many of their products over the years.

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of REN, the skincare giants have released a limited edition super-sized 75ml bottle of everyone's favourite face mask, the Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask for the same price as the standard 50ml version. Bargain! This mask is potent and very effective giving you fast and fabulous results. It is a bio active peel that is designed to renew the complexion, reduce the appearance of fine lines and dramatically improve skin tone. It is literally the one thing I reach for when my skin is dull, feeling congested and basically just blah! It perks it up instantly, transforming the appearance of my complexion after one use and makes it feel incredibly plumped and renewed like never before.

If you fancy giving this holy grail product a try then there is no better time than now to celebrate REN's 15th year of fantastic skincare by picking up a super-sized bottle of this super-effective face mask and giving your skin a seriously fruity and fabulous treat!
View Post

invisibobble. The Traceless Hair Ring

IMG_3772
IMG_3755
IMG_3750
IMG_3760
IMG_3762
invisibobble: the traceless hair ring (£3.75 per pack) | available from Boots, Topshop & Urban Outfitters

Hair bands, ties and bobbles. Granted they are probably not the most exciting of beauty products to discuss but let's face it, pretty much every girl will use them and they are always a must-have to keep in your makeup bag, on your vanity table or buried deep at the bottom of your gym bag. When I first saw the craze of the invisibobble burst onto the hair-trend scene I definitely did not get it. Colourful bands slightly reminiscent of phone cord wire baffled me and I fiercely clung onto my old school elastic hair ties.

Fast forward a month or so and having actually tried out these magic little hair rings I can hold my hands up and say "I am converted"! The invisibobble isn't the most glamorous of looking hair tools but functionality-wise they are just awesome! So what makes them so good? The list of positives is almost as long as Rapunzel's locks but I will try and summarise why I am reaching for an invisibobble every morning, after the shower and on my way to my favourite exercise class.

You know that age old hair problem - your hairband is just too loose when wrapped round twice but too tight after three twists?! Cue endlessly having to re-tie your hair up or having to suffer from those hairband headaches! Due to the invisibobble's unique design it wraps evenly and securely around the hair, never feeling too tight or too loose, and can be used for simple ponytails, chignons or top knots - whatever takes your fancy. The other major plus with the invisibobble is that it doesn't rub, ruin, snag or kink your hair as your wear it which is perfect for when you want to shake down your ponytail after a long day to head out for a fancy night out. The flexible, soft and smooth plastic coil sits gently in your hair and is removed leaving absolutely no trace. Another reason why these hair tools work so well for me is the fact you can sleep in them without fearing any snags or tangles. I try not to ever tie my hair up when it is wet, as a soggy hairband can damage and kink my hair and I always end up regretting it in the morning, but with the invisibobble I feel less guilty bundling my hair up after a shower. It also has swiftly become my new workout buddy as it keeps my hair in place when pounding on the treadmill and doesn't get soggy after that swimming session.

Whether you opt for natural and inconspicuous with the clear, brown or black bobbles or go bright and festival-fun with a more daring shade, the invisibobble is the ultimate hair accessory of the moment and is ideal for all hair types and lengths. Are you a fan of this latest hair craze?
View Post

Tuesday, 12 May 2015

Clarins Aquatic Treasures Summer Collection

IMG_3804
IMG_3857
IMG_3819
IMG_3809
IMG_3827
IMG_3941
Clarins Aquatic Treasures for Summer 2015* | available online and on counters now

Every year, without fail, Clarins always releases a truly sumptuous Summer makeup collection that will literally make you want to pack up your kaftan, skimpiest shorts and oversized sunglasses and head to sunnier climates. Summer 2015 is no exception and Clarins has once again treated us to a paradisal, sun-kissed collection of beauty bits that have been inspired by the enchanting treasures that lie beneath the waves.

The limited edition Clarins Aquatic Treasures Summer makeup collection plunges us to the depths of the glittering turquoise-blue ocean and captures the textures and shades from an idyllic island. Picture the harmony of rich golds and bronzed hues to mirror the silky sands, the iridescent pearly shades of mermaid-quality that scatter the ocean floor combined with a splash of glittering grey echoing the water as it sparkles in the sunlight. Are you packing your suitcase yet?! This collection is all about an illuminated, glowing complexion and a lustrous finish on the eyes and has a perfect ensemble of products to transport you off to a sun-drenched haven.

Possibly one of the most recognisable products from passed Clarins Summer collections is that beautiful oversized round bronzer that is reinvented and released each year. This time we have a gorgeous palette that warms the complexion with a blend of four mattes shades ranging from beige to terracotta. The Aquatic Treasures Summer Bronzing Compact (£30) is embossed with a marine-inspired motif and offers us a harmony of shades that will complement most skin tones and complexions. The formula cares for the skin and gives us a luminosity and radiance once swept lightly all over the skin that will instantly fake that two week holiday away.

Another complexion product from the new range is the Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base (£26) available in two shades, 04. Apricot and 05. Golden Bronze. Now I really love this product and its versatility - whether you want to wear it alone after your morning moisturiser to give you a light, luminous base or mixed in with your normal foundation to give your complexion a inner radiance and glow whilst helping eliminate imperfections. You only need a pea-sized amount to transform your skin from dull to dazzling!

Finally we have two new limited edition Ombre Iridescente (£19) available in shades 01. Aquatic Rose and 03 Aquatic Grey. These cream-to-powder eyeshadows beautifully enhance the eye with a pearlescent veil for an easy day or night look. The consistency is creamy but firm and is best applied with a fingertip, warming the cream slightly in the pot then blending it over your eyelid. Aquatic Rose is my absolute favourite shade and one that I can see myself wearing a lot over the Summer. It is similar in colour to MAC's All That Glitters but the finish and intensity is even more lustrous and is so pretty applied all over the eye for a simple, bronzed look. Pair this with light yet luminous skin and  warm, bronzed cheeks and you are pretty much Summer ready!

What bits have tempted you from this new Clarins collection?
View Post

Monday, 11 May 2015

Zoeva Bamboo Vol. 2 Brush Set

IMG_3877
IMG_3868
IMG_3872
IMG_3880
IMG_3904
Zoeva Bamboo Brushes* | available from Zoeva online for £55

I feel like I have only just finished swooning over Zoeva's gorgeous rose gold brush set, which I reviewed earlier this year, when their new Bamboo Vol. 2 brush set bursts onto the scene and adds a eco luxe feel to the vast Zoeva brush collection. The new range of eight vegan brushes are made from three renewable materials - soft vegan talon hair, bamboo wooden handles and golden coloured aluminium ferrules, all individually crafted and refined by hand. 

This new brush range from Zoeva is a sharp juxtaposition from their previous sleek, high shine and ultra luxe collections but I love the earthy, natural feeling and texture it brings to my beauty table and all the eight brushes are so versatile and useful for my everyday makeup routine. The set includes a variety of brushes for your complexion and eyes and comes complete with the handy brush holder and large nude clutch bag, perfect for transporting your brushes about when heading off for that weekend getaway! 

From this set you can expect a defined buffer brush, a highlight brush, a face paint brush, a cream cheek brush, concealer buffer brush, a soft definer brush, classic shader brush and a wing liner brush. Phew! Literally everything you could possibly need to apply a full face of makeup and this would be a great starter kit for anyone wanting to add some essential tools to their collection. And it goes without saying that the bristles of these brushes are beautifully soft, never shed and give you a flawless application.
View Post

Sunday, 10 May 2015

Bourjois '70s Inspired Limited Edition 1 Seconde Mascara

IMG_3518
IMG_3527
IMG_3530
IMG_3525
IMG_0972
Bourjois Limited Edition 'Flower Power' 70s inspired 1 Seconde Mascara (£9.99) | available from Boots/Superdrug

With the high street stores flooded with fringing, bell-bottoms, crotchet, suede fabrics and laid back, boho prints it is fair to say that the '70s trend has well and truly landed and this Summer I, for one, will definitely be stepping out in floaty designs and bold floral prints.

Bourjois have embraced this retro revival and have given their best-selling mascara, the 1 Seconde Mascara, a 70s makeover - a nod to the flower power days with a punchy lime sorbet and hot coral print. The mascara itself remains unchanged, and you can read all about my love for this beauty hero right here, but from 13th May until the end of August you pick up their popular mascara in this limited edition design. A must-have accessory for the festival and Summer season!
View Post
Blogger Templates By pipdig