Monday 30 December 2013

Rounding up 2013

The year 2013 has been a pretty good year to me and I’m proud to say that I will be heading into 2014 will some fantastic memories.

This year I’ve celebrated numerous engagements, a marriage and a birth. I’ve gained new friends and spent more time with those who I have known for years. I’ve laughed a lot, cried a little and finally feel as if my feet are firmly on the ground.

Along with all of this, I’ve also discovered some fantastic beauty products too. They haven’t always been new, in fact some are old time essentials that I wish I discovered sooner. So here’s my round up of some of my best loved beauty products of 2013…

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos
Maybelline Baby Lips

Quite possibly my favourite lip product of all time, this year this little gem became a real staple for any beauty junkie. It’s perfect handbag sized, affordable and truly nourishes lips and to be perfectly honest, I won’t go anywhere without it. To read my full blog review on Maybelline Baby Lips, click here.

The foundation brush

Okay, I’ll admit. Before summer 2013, I had never owned a foundation brush (I was more of a sponge-applicator lover) but after seeing how flawless my sister’s skin was after applying her make up, I got make up envy.

The first foundation brush I purchased was by Eco Tools from Boots and I loved it. I was so impressed at how little product I was using and yet coverage on my skin had improved – with a couple of simple sweeps, my skin looked flawless and surprisingly lasted a lot longer than it ever did before.

I’m not that experienced when it comes to make up brushes, which is why I’ve promised to invest in a decent, worthy set in 2014.
Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos
L’Oreal Skin Perfection Day Moisturiser

I blogged about this moisturiser not that long ago (in fact you can read it here) and it has completely transformed the health of my skin. I relied on an intense daily moisturiser that gave protection again daily stresses like pollution, sun and wind damage, but I had never realised that hydration was actually what my skin needed.  

Since using this product, my face looks brighter, healthier and my complexion has improved. I love the texture and although it feels quite heavy when applying, it actually sinks into skin quickly and feels extremely light. This is definitely a repeat product that I will carry on purchasing into 2014.

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos
Nails inc.

Last but not least, my favourite nail brand of the year. The bright bods at Nails Inc. have bought us so many types of nail polish this year, from lettered nail art and beads to gel finishes and feather effects. Although they seem quite pricey on first look, I’ve never known a Nails Inc. polish to go gloopy or stringy and lasting a lot longer than any other polish I own.

In 2014 I hope to discover many other beauty products like these and share them with you. I’ve promised myself to up my blogging game and blog as often as I can (expect a post a week)!

In the meantime, I would like to wish all readers of Jade’s Beauty Blog, a very happy New Year.

Monday 23 December 2013

Santa's Lip Scrub from Lush

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

Dry, cracked lips are common in winter, so a lip scrub is essential for keeping lips super soft and mistletoe ready.

Santa's Lip Scrub from Lush is a cola flavoured scrub that when applied to lips, helps scrub away any dead skin and bring blood vessels to the surface, which is fact can help plump lips and make them look fuller, healthier and more kissable! 

The Lush Santa's Lip Scrub combines caster sugar, coconut oil and extract of cherries and dates to give a rich red lip scrub with cute little red hearts too. Perfect for adding a subtle Christmas touch to your makeup bag. 

Santa's Lip Scrub is available from Lush for £5.50. 

Thursday 5 December 2013

The Christmas tag!

 photo f0429b8bea132665d1154c8ee26834c9_zpsbbaec416.jpg

Courtesy of weheartit

So I thought, what with it being nearly Christmas it was time for the famous Christmas tag! I saw this one over on Kirstie's blog - A Yellow Brick Blog - so here goes... 

1. What's is your favourite Christmas song?
Oh wow, now that's a toughie to start with. I can't possibly pick one, but certainly a good contender has to be Mariah Carey's - All I Want for Christmas. It is a complete classic and reminds me of some of my best times at university. Every Christmas, my housemates and I would put this song on full blast and dance and sing around our flat until we lost our voices. My second favourite is by all means The Pogues - Fairytale of New York. The perfect song to have a drunken singalong down the pub.

2. Which is your favourite drink? 
Without a doubt, mulled wine. I'm really not a red wine drinker, so it's quite surprising how much I love mulled wine. 

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas film? 
I think there's one film everyone loves at Christmas and that's Elf. Close second is Home Alone.

4. What is at the top of your Christmas wish-list this year? 
This is one question I'm constantly asked and I honestly don't know. I would love a new camera and a set of hair rollers. To be honest, I'm more about the giving than the receiving.

5. What is your favourite festive makeup or nail art look?
Glitter nail polish is a must for perfecting a festive look. I'm currently loving Nails Inc. Sloane Gardens, a navy glitter polish that comes out perfectly opaque after two coats. I also have a bronze glitter too from Accessorize. As for my party makeup, I like to keep my eyes dark with smokey shades. I've always loved the red lips look, but I'm convinced red lips don't suit me. So 2014 is all about experimenting with more lip shades and finding the perfect one to suit my pale complexion.

6. What is your favourite outfit at Christmas time? (LBD? Christmas jumper? Pjs?)
My favourite Christmas outfit has to be an oversized cosy jumper with my Ugg boots. There's nothing more than that. Every girl loves a sparkly party number, but there's nothing I feel more comfortable in that a cosy outfit.

7. Would you rather play out in the snow or enjoy it from inside with the fire and a cuppa? 
There's no doubt about it, definitely out in the snow! I'm a keen skier and don't get to go as often as I'd like, so any opportunity to snap it up and I would.

8. Wrapping presents - love or loathe? 
I love wrapping presents, it's all part of Christmas!

9. What is your favourite Christmassy food? 
Pigs in blankets. I could eat those until I popped! 

10. What is your favourite thing about Christmas?
I love the smell of Christmas. That may sound odd, but there's nothing better than waking up in the morning and smelling a real Christmas tree. I also love the cosyness of it all, sitting in the warmth and the pretty lights. Finally, I love how it brings people closer together - I haven't met a person yet, who doesn't love Christmas! 

If any of you do this tag, please comment below with a link to yours. I'd love to read them. 

Friday 29 November 2013

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Day Moisturiser

It dawned on me the other day that after years of going back to the same old trusty moisturiser (FYI Neutrogena Daily Defence Moisturiser) that maybe I was too old to be using Neutrogena. So aged 26 I finally realised that it was time to invest in a grown-up moisturiser. Cue Skin Perfection Day Moisturiser, the latest innovation from L’Oreal.


Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos


Designed to help transform the appearance of skin quality by evening out skin tone, improving skin texture and minimising the appearance of unsightly pores caused by everyday stresses and an unbalanced lifestyle, L’Oreal have really cracked it with this product. The silky-smooth moisturiser helps lock in moisture for up to 24 hours, putting the glow back into a dull and lacklustre complexion and giving stressed out skin a sudden lift.

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

I must admit, at first this moisturiser felt like it was going to be far too greasy for my skin. But after a couple of weeks, I saw such a huge difference to my complexion. The pores on my nose are barely visible and I have my glow back – something that has been missing for a while. Plus, my skin doesn’t feel so dehydrated. In fact, on the odd day that I haven't used this moisturiser, I've really been able to tell. 

After a couple of weeks of using this product I’m almost coming to the end of the pot and I will honestly say I have been completely converted. Not only has this product improved my skin texture, but I now feel that my complexion will benefit from it over time. In fact, I've recently seen that they have a Skin Perfection BB Cream, which I will definitely purchase alongside the day cream on my next trip to Boots. 

I bought L'Oreal Skin Perfection Day Moisturiser from boots for £9.99/50ml. For more information visit www.loreal-paris.co.uk. 

Friday 22 November 2013

Yves Rocher France Cocoa & Raspberry Hand Cream

In my last blog post I said "there's always one treasure in each Glossybox" and boy I wasn't wrong. This was by far my favourite product and I haven't stopped using it since.

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

I never thought I'd be overly impressed with a hand cream. I mean come on, how exciting can a hand cream really be?! They moisturise hands and...and that's about it (unless you're convinced by their outrageous claims) but this one by Yves Rocher is so simple. That's why I love it. Oh, and because it smells frickin amazing too! The indulgent scent of cocoa and raspberry isn't at all overpowering or sweet and does in fact smell of chocolate and raspberries - something that seems so simple, yet so easy to get wrong - and it's long-lasting too. 

Yves Rocher France isn't a brand I'm overly familiar with and by the sound of the name, I expected high-end expensive products from across the pond. So I was surprised to see that the products were actually extremely affordable - this hand cream, you're looking at £1.95 for 75ml. 

I would definitely consider purchasing from Yves Rocher France in future - I've already got my eyes on their Moisture Boost Concentrate. Head over to www.yves-rocher.co.uk to see a selection of other treats. 

Sunday 10 November 2013

Eva Cosmetics Mystic Diamond Argan Oil Hair Elixir

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

There’s always one little treasure featuring in each Glossybox and during October it was this beauty.

If anyone knows me well enough, I’m sure they’ll tell you how in love I am with Argan Oil. To this day, I have never found any other product that will nourish my hair like Argan Oil does. I’ve always suffered with really dry ends and this can get worse after my hair has been coloured, so Argan Oil has become my hair-saver.

But you’re probably thinking, what makes this product different to others? The answer is simple…Diamond Dust.

This gorgeous little product contains a small amount of Diamond Dust - a special ingredient that gives hair an amazing shine. Combined with the Argan Oil for nourishment, it's a match made in hair heaven.

I received my sample from Octobers Glossybox, but you can buy the full size (100ml) for £22.70.  

Tuesday 29 October 2013

LancĂ´me Hypnose Drama gift set

Last week I turned 26. A milestone age in my opinion. I no longer belong in the 18-25 age category. It also dawned on me that I would be in the Overs category on X-Factor too.

However, being 26 isn't bad. I'm proud of what I've achieved and how far I've come. Aside from the soppy stuff, you also get the best gifts too! 

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

One of my favourites was this very special gift set from LancĂ´me. The Hypnose Drama gift set comes with two mini versions - the Bi-Facil and Crayon Khol Noir and the full sized version of the LancĂ´me Hypnose mascara. 

Being a beauty blogger, I'm embarrassed to say I've never, ever used a LancĂ´me product before. I could never justify the price tag, and so, I just awed from afar. But now I can definitely say the products are certainly worth the money.

Photobucket Pictures, Images and PhotosPhotobucket Pictures, Images and Photos 

In my quest to find the ultimate eye makeup remover, I think I may have found a very strong contender. The LancĂ´me Bi-Facil is a sensitive, non-oily liquid that almost melts eye make away in one sweep. A full bottle of this stuff costs a pricey £26, but you really don't need that much. 

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

Another product that came with this gift set was a mini pencil eyeliner. Pencil eyeliners are about as simple as they come, but this one has definite staying power and doesn't budge from the moment you apply until you remove it at the end of the day. In fact, I'd tested out on my hand and two days and two showers later, it still was there. I wasn't sure how I felt about that at the time, but it's actually a perfect day to night product. 

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

The last product in this gift set was the Hypnose Mascara. Mascara is my favourite kind of makeup product and I was gutted to be so disappointed by this one. For a £22 mascara, I thought it was going have a bit more of an impact. Instead I found the wand too clumpy and the mascara slightly flaky and there's a perfectly good reason for this - natural bristle wands and me do not get on. I find that they hold too much product and don't give lashes the natural look a plastic wand does. 

Apart from the disappointment with the mascara, I was really impressed with the other products. I'm not sure I'd pay out the amount to buy the eyeliner and mascara but I'd definitely invest in the Bi-Facil. 

For more information on LancĂ´me products, visit www.lancome.co.uk

Full-sized products are priced at:
LancĂ´me Bi-Facil £26/100ml
LancĂ´me Crayon Khol Noir £16
LancĂ´me Hypnose Mascara £22 

Monday 28 October 2013

nails inc. Lucky Dip #2

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

If any of you are signed up to the nails inc. newsletter, you would have seen the other day they were offering seven nail polishes for £18 - a bargain that I couldn't possibly miss and considering I've purchased from the nails inc. Lucky Dip before, it wasn't long before my bank card was out of my purse and I was typing the digits onto the screen.

My lucky dip this time around was just as good as the last. I love how they really mix up the colours.

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos
Left to right: mortimer street, chancery lane and sloane gardens.
Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

Left to right: richmond terrace, mayfair, pembridge crescent, mornington crescent.

I'm loving mayfair - a gorgeous pearly white;  richmond terrace - a rich, deep brown; and sloane gardens - a dark, glittery navy, perfect for the Christmas party season.

Nails inc. nail polishes are priced at £12 each. For more information visit www.nailsinc.com

Friday 11 October 2013

We have a new look!


 photo image_zps485f4bda.jpg

If you're a regular visitor to my blog, you may have noticed that it has adopted a whole new look!

I've been meaning to update my blog for a while, but once I started fiddling, I ended up breaking it and I felt I needed to get a professional in. This is where Felicity from The Pursuit of Felicity came to my rescue and by god, hasn't she done a fabulous job!

Felicity was so easy to work with and produced the most perfect design that was exactly what I was looking for. You should definitely check out Felicity's blog and have a look at her wonderful designs too! 


Face Soap and Clarity: 3 in 1 Daily Detox Vitamin C Facial Wash

 photo image_zpsd7488354.jpg
I'm a bit lazy when it comes to skincare and makeup removal. So in order to branch away from my usual routine, I took full advantage of the 1/3 off on selected Soap and Glory products in Boots and purchased this little gem.

Now I'm not the biggest Soap and Glory fan. I feel like I'm paying more for the packaging than the product itself and having not been wowed by previous products, it's not really my brand of choice. Needless to say, I was quite pleased I picked this one up.

For me, a good face wash is one of the hardest skincare products to find. There's plenty out there, but very few live up to their claims. I want one that requires a one-step process - that's removing my make up with me having to go back over it with make up remover and you know what, I may have found the one!

Face Soap and Clarity 3-in-1 Daily Detox Vitamin C Facial Wash is infused with soft jojoba beads for scrubbing, vitamins and minerals for detoxing, protecting and rejuvenating, glycerin for leaving skin super soft and SUPERFRUIT YUZU for skin energising, toning and brightening. Basic it's just one killer cleanser and it certainly lived up to its claims too!

What makes this face wash different from others is that it leaves you skin feeling squeaky clean from the moment it touches your skin. It has quite a refreshing feel and the jojoba beads aren't harsh either. In fact I was surprised to see that it has removed most of my makeup in the shower, where as previous face washes have meant that I've had to almost re-cleanse before applying my moisturiser.

Basically it was love at first sight (or use?!) and it is by far my most favourite product I've used this month. Considering I've used almost half product already, I will definitely re-purchase one it's finished!

I bought this product from Boots. Current price £8

Thursday 26 September 2013

Maybelline Baby Lips

 photo image_zps4ebc1b71.jpg

I recently had a bit of a haul in Boots and ended up spending a fortune on a huge range of products. One of those products was the much raved about Baby Lips from Maybelline. Yes, that's right I jumped on the Baby Lips bandwagon!

I'm sure you're all thinking the same as what I was - but its a lip balm, what's the big deal - and to be fair my opinion remains the same. But the fact that it was a Japanese and US only product gives it its exclusivity.

I'll be honest and admit, the reason I picked up this product was because my lips had become dry, cracked and sore in the sudden change in the weather and I was on a mission to fix them before they became a horrible mess. I picked up the moisturising lip balm and was quite impressed at the results.

Promising 8 hour hydration, it's actually a really good lip balm. The packaging is colourful and fun and rather than coming in a tiny pot that gets lost in your bag, it comes with a roll stick for quick application.

I would definitely consider buying another product from the range, and for £2.99 (Boots) each, it's definitely worth every penny.

For more information on Baby Lips products, visit www.maybelline.co.uk.

Saturday 14 September 2013

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer

 photo 32713EDF-097C-465D-8ADC-EAAFDC1468A2-337-00000008A4822761_zps9fb3c6ad.jpg

Since this product launched in January I've read many mixed reviews - some loving the product, others finding it mediocre, but each one commenting on the range of colours. With eight colours to choose from, I opted for nude. The reason for this being that I'm not exactly the most daring when it comes to lip colours. I don't ever believe I could pull off the red lips look and bright pink can make my lips look like they've disappeared, which is why I played it safe.

 photo 69DC0FCE-807F-42EF-BECE-2FE39A100DF1-337-00000008B1A493F0_zpsfbef9a71.jpg

On first impressions the consistency of the product is fantastic. I'm really not a fan of the sticky, tacky feel that you can get from similar products, instead this one provided a smooth, silky finish. The colour is fully opaque, even with the nude.

 photo 52E46BB9-5B01-4194-AA91-B69093C96C13-337-00000008AB62E252_zps890547c0.jpg

What I love the most about this product is the brush. It has a tiny hollow hole at the end, which holds more product than the usual lipgloss applicator. This is perfect and also means I'm not constantly dipping in and out of the pot for more product. 

I must admit I'm completely won over by this product and might even invest in another colour! I purchased this product from Boots for £6.49, but it is available from other drug stores. 

Saturday 17 August 2013

Glossybox: August 2013

So, it occurred to be the other day when opening my Glossybox that I have never, ever blogged about it, and considering I was so impressed with this months, it seemed like the perfect opportunity.

 photo 12508E0A-190E-440F-816C-17335B61E852-68757-0000093911360B31_zps17d6af0c.jpg

This month saw Glossybox appoint new CEO, Rachel Kavanagh, and you can definitely tell. August's  'High-Flyers' box was filled with impressive beauty goodies for girls on the go - which in my opinion is every girl on the planet. I was so impressed with the selection and for once I can honestly say I've used every product. The product I was most impressed with was the Urban Veda Purifying Day Cream.

I suffer from a really oily t-zone and have quite visible pores, and I struggle to find products to completely tackle this problem, but this product seems to be half way there. The day cream contains detoxifying botanicals of pure Neem oil, witch hazel and spearmint, working to reduce sebum, tighten pores and support healthy cell renewal. Although it hasn't exactly banished my oily t-zone, but I was surprised to see a difference in my pores. This is the exact reason why I signed up to Glossybox - to discover fantastic products I would have never have discovered otherwise, so thank you Glossybox.

Other products in this month box include a Jelly Pong Pong 2-in-1 Eyeliner & Shadow, Oceane Make-up Remover Pen, TRESemme Keratin Smooth Concentrated Treatment Shot and Emite Eyelash Curlers.

If you haven't yet signed up to Glossybox, I would highly recommend it, especially if you're a beauty junkie who loves discovering new treats like these.

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Eyelash extensions review

 photo 8B8B1F39-DE65-4D2D-B0CD-80362FE06C63-70494-000020CE6B38AC86_zps7db9d6f3.jpg

 photo 601EE894-C1AA-4ED1-952B-D422C1B56019-63155-00001FFAA4486B69_zps4eea38a0.jpg

I've always loved the thought of having eyelash extensions, but the price has always put me off, but with our best friends wedding on the horizon, I thought I'd treat myself. I was recommended Alex at The Beautiful Truth in Peterborough, by a friend who'd previously had hers done and wow, what a recommendation it was!

For those of you who are considering having eyelash extensions done, I would highly recommend it. The treatment is completely pain-free and strangely relaxing. The treatment lasted approximately an hour, with 30 minutes spent on each eye. Individual synthetic lashes were glued to my own eyelashes with strong, black, eyelash glue. Although they are attached to your own lashes, they cause no lasting damage and fall out naturally with the cycle of your own lashes.

After discussing with Alex the type of look I was after, I decided to go for a natural with extra volume and I was so impressed with how amazing they looked. Still, two weeks later they look just as good. Naturally, a few have fallen out with the growth of my own lashes, but they still look as full as they did on the day.

I would highly recommend lash extensions to every female out there. Not only do they give you amazing lashes 24/7, but you don't have to worry about applying mascara, saving no end of time in the morning! They don't drop, run or clump like natural lashes and with a simple comb in the morning they stay perfect all day.

My lash extensions were £50 from The Beautiful Truth in Peterborough. Lash extensions are available nationally at a number of beauty salons.

Sunday 28 July 2013

Palmolive Ayurituel

 photo image_zps73f04ec7.jpg
Every girl loves a gorgeous smelling shower gel and Palmolive do this perfectly. Especially now they have extended their sumptuous Ayurituel range. The range, which already includes two shower gels - Joyous and Energy - has now been joined by Peaceful, a shower gel designed to sooth your senses with Neem and Jasmine. 

This exotic range is inspired by the ancient Ayurvedic traditions, a traditional medicine native to the Indian subcontinent and a form of alternative medicine. The indulgently scented shower gels are said to create a harmonious body and mind experience that leaves you feeling balanced and energised - the best way to kick of any morning! 

Palmolive shower gels are available from Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda and Boots for £2.99. 

Monday 27 May 2013

Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred - Level One

So, at the weekend my boyfriend and I booked an 11 night trip to Tunisia with the aim of relaxing, spending some much needed time together and enjoying a cocktail or two. But there’s one thing that makes me anxious about stepping onto the beach in a bikini - the dreaded winter wobble.

Throughout winter, baggy jumpers and wholesome food get the better of me. I gouge on yummy food and my fitness regime turns to a mere thought in the back of my mind – why work out, when I can eat cake. But when summer time hits, so does my winter wobble and it’s out there for everyone to see. Now, considering I don’t have much time until I jet off abroad (6 weeks to be exact) I need a get fit, fast remedy and seeing so many fantastic reviews about Jillian Michaels’ workouts, I thought why not give it a try.

Now before I start I will be honest and say I’m a healthy weight, an average size with a boyish frame. I by no means need to shed the pounds, but be more toned, especially in the tummy area, which is why I thought this DVD was perfect for me. I have always enjoyed circuit training type exercises and Jillian’s 30 Day Shred works in a similar way. It combines strength, cardio and abs in a 3, 2, 1 workout. That’s 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute of abs, repeated three times. Each circuit uses a different exercise and works on strengthening different areas of the body. Plus the DVD is split into three levels, level one, two and three all of which you do for 10 days at a time.

After measuring my key areas and taking a before photograph (for my eyes only) I was ready to start level one.

I’m not going to lie but level one wasn’t the hardest workout I’ve ever done. The cardio is great for getting your heart pumping, but not enough to completely wipe you out but the strength and ab exercises are tough.

After a week or so, I definitely saw a change in my fitness. After day 5, the cardio became much easier and I became a lot stronger – instead of stopping for a 5 second rest during the push up exercise, I could carry on right through and the same with the bicycle crunches.

However, slight mishap on my part. When I started doing this workout I didn’t have any hand weights, so I used tinned tomatoes instead – not the heaviest of items! On day 8, I started using 2kg weights and really struggled with some of the exercises, which made it even harder when I started level 2 because my body wasn’t used to the strength.

Jillian Michaels on the whole does get a little irritating. Her Americanisms grind on you, especially when you’re caught in the middle of a bicycle crunch. But after a while you learn to ignore and concentrate on gaining a body like Natalie’s.

Day 1, Level 1 starting body measurements:

Arms 27cm
Thighs 54cm
Upper waist 76cm
Lower waist 81cm
Hips 92cm

Lets see how I cope with level two...! 

Sunday 5 May 2013

Pastel Perfection

Summer has officially arrived and what better way to brighten up your nails than with a pastel colour!

I've become slightly obsessed with the colour green at the moment, which is why I've opted for this mint green from Barry M and a little sparkle from Models Own Emerald City.

 photo 8991BF45-063C-40D0-87D6-2FD0FEC72CA5-1364-000001C873EFAAD3_zps466d0c69.jpg

What are your favourite summer nail styles? 

Saturday 27 April 2013

Garnier Moisture Match: Shine be Gone

I’m not one for bad mouthing beauty products on my blog, because I believe that everyone’s opinion is different. Just because I didn’t like the product, doesn’t mean that you won’t either. So I’m more about giving an honest opinion and sharing the positives and the negatives, rather than just the negatives. Needless to say, the reason I am blogging about this product is because I’m interested in hearing your views and opinions, because I didn’t seem to get on with it too well.

 photo 867D2065-23F7-4122-923B-83981153CEB4-3283-0000068AA9CB99FD_zps70008d6a.jpg
Not that long ago Garnier launched a new product to add to their collection, Garnier Moisture Match. I’m usually quite picky when it comes to a face moisturiser, but what attracted me to this one was the fact that there were five different moisturisers to choose from: Protect and Glow, Start Afresh, Goodbye Dry, Wake me Up and Shine be Gone - each one individually aimed at a different skin type and concern.

Now if I’m honest, I could do with every single one of those moisturisers, but I decided to opt for the mattifying one, simply because I’m prone to a shiny t-zone now and again and I would do anything to stop myself looking like a china doll in photographs! (If anyone has any products to recommend for this, please do!)

After using the moisturiser for the first time, I was quite surprised at how tacky it felt. Instead of sinking into my skin, it felt like there was a layer sitting on top, almost like a primer. But then again, maybe what mattes the skin, but I don’t know. When it came down to shininess, I didn’t notice a huge difference in how my skin looked, which is what made me believe that it wasn’t doing its job properly. Maybe I should have used the product for longer, but I just couldn't get used to the feeling on my skin. 

I think the reason I'm still pining onto the idea of this product is because I absolutely love the concept. Maybe I'll just have to try another one from the range instead. 

Have you tried any of these moisturisers? If so, how did you get on? 

Friday 19 April 2013

Models Own Fruit Pastel Collection - Strawberry Tart

I love a good scented nail polish. In fact the first one I ever used was a Revlon product a couple of years ago. I love Models Own too, so naturally this was a match made in heaven for me. The only problems I find with pastel polishes, is they're incredibly hard to make perfectly opaque, especially when painting yourself, but Models Own haven't done half bad...

 photo A73C8422-AC85-4F74-9BF0-59C3D297BB08-3283-0000068A9A761DED_zpsa2814873.jpg

I wouldn't say this polish has an overly strong strawberry smell or that it lasts very long. But I'm a sucker for a gimmick. Plus it's a gorgeous colour too!

Saturday 30 March 2013

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

 photo B1F8C7CE-9026-428D-8CB6-1F8F95180A90-2012-000004C3202DEF8B_zps2607e4b3.jpg photo A7072F97-D413-4024-BB53-B3FAFCB81EAF-2012-000004C332FB9BD0_zpsb6462975.jpg

 photo 2802E895-64B5-4F1E-89FA-3ABCC3B6093D-2012-000004C33CFD67A3_zps5cc469ce.jpg

Ever since this product was launched I have seen rave reviews, in fact I haven't read a bad one yet. So after browsing Boots the other day (and after picking up a really bad foundation previously) I wanted a piece of the action and to find out why everyone was such a fan.

After being a complete BB fan for a while, I wasn't used to applying a thicker consistency to my skin first thing in the morning. But when looking at it, it isn't actually that thick, I mean I have used mud-like formulas before, so this is quite light in comparison. It smooths onto the skin easily and provides a good coverage too.

When looking at the product inside the bottle, you can see a subtle shimmer. This is visible on the skin, but not overly obvious and more so in artificial light. I guess you could say this is what gives the skin a dewy finish, helping you're complexion look fresher than a daisy.

One thing this foundation promises to do is wake-up tired-looking skin and to some extent I agree. It evens out skin tone and like I said above, gives the skin a dewy finish. The only dislikes i have about this product is that you have to use quite a bit in order to cover the whole face. I have used foundations in the past where one pump is plenty, but with this one you easily have to use one and a half. Secondly, this foundation doesn't apply well with a brush. I have found that application is a lot easier with your hands (clean hands that is) and an applicator sponge.

Overall, I'm sure I would re-purchase this product. I've never really rated Rimmel foundations in the past, but I guess this one passes.

Friday 1 March 2013

Show your shoes some sparkle!

Girls are like magpies. As soon as we see something sparkly, our eyes widen and we're instantly attracted. Whether its as subtle as our nails or as extravagant as a piece of jewellery, as soon as we see it shimmer in the light it instantly makes us feel a million dollars. It's also the same with shoes. What girl do you know who doesn't love a pair of shoes?

The brains behind the brand 8ighteen know exactly how women work, combining our love of shoes and all things sparkly. Whether you're after a unique pair of customised heels or a subtle bit of bling to add to your favourite pair of shoes, 8ighteen have the answer. They will customise to suit you and your personality or come up with a completely unique design, never seen before, and at great prices too!

I definitely recommend you check out 8ighteen's Facebook page and have a browse of their unique range. They're constantly coming up with new ideas and great ways to add sparkly to a simple pair of shoes. Give them a follow on Twitter too!

Here's just a few of my favourite items...



Sunday 10 February 2013

Nails Inc. Lucky Dip

I’m not sure how many of you have heard of Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert website, but recently it has become my go-to place for finding out how I can get more for less. Whether you’re after beauty product, the best savings accounts or vouchers for money-off, it offers a mine of information in one place.

Each week, Martin’s newsletter lands in my inbox and I scour it to see if I can bag myself a bargain. Two weeks ago I struck gold when I saw an offer from Nails Inc. – A lucky dip offer which allowed you to purchase 6 nail polishes for a total price of £19 including P&P. A fantastic offer, considering a single Nails Inc. nail polish costs around £10-£12. But what made this more exciting was the 'lucky dip' aspect - the 6 nail polishes were picked completely at random and not by me. I was a little apprehensive that they might not be the nicest colours, but for £19 I couldn't turn it down!

I waited two weeks for the package to arrive and I wasn't disappointed by the colours either...



Left to right: St Marks Square, Royal Ascot, Blenheim Terrace, Fitzroy Square Special Effects, Boltons Place and Camden Special Effects.


So far I have only worn Blenheim Terrace so far but I can't wait to try the rest.

www.moneysavingexpert.com
www.nailsinc.com

Saturday 19 January 2013

My favourite products of two thousand and twelve


2012 was a strange year. A lot of things changed and unfortunately this took strain on my blog, therefore I don't have many blog reviews to fall back on. I have still managed to keep my beauty hat on this year, so this is my chance to share with you some of the products I have rated but might not have had a chance to blog about. So here goes...

One of my all time favourite products this year is The Sanctuary Spa Polishing Hot Cloth Cleanser. I heard fave reviews about the Liz Earle version so wanted to try this version as an alternative. I love how clean my skin feels after using it and it smells amazing too. I'm really lazy with my skin care routine - often just a make-up wipe will do - but this gives me the chance to give my skin a deep cleanse, something it doesn't get very often!

As for mascara's, in 2012 I used some fab products and some shockers, but there's one I always run back to as a safe choice - L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara. It's a fail s. afe mascara that gives full, volumous lashes in minimal strokes, and it lasts from morning till night. I have recently been testing the luminizer version. A blog post is expected soon.


After ombre-ing my hair two months ago, it has really suffered and become damaged, so Lee Stafford's Nourishing Miracle Oil became my savour. Just adding a small, 1p sized blob to the ends of my hair before blow-drying helped smooth it out and keep it looking and feeling healthy.


Despite its launch in 2011, the MUA Heaven and Earth Eyeshadow Palette was one of my favourite products last year and still remains one of my ultimate party make-up essentials. I won't go out without using one of the 12 eyeshadows.


Another L'Oreal product and that's the Nude Magique BB Cream. I bought this BB Cream back in the summer as a lighter alternative to my foundation and in fact I love it that much, I have bought it twice over. Whether you want subtle coverage or to use as a base, the L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Cream is perfect. It's incredibly light, gives great coverage and lasts much longer than other BB creams I have tested. I'm praying L'Oreal don't discontinue this one.


Last, but certainly not least is the Neutrogena Multi-Defence Daily Moisturiser for Normal to Combination Skin. I have tested many moisturisers throughout the years. I've had my favourites and one's where I didn't even get round to finishing the bottle, but non that I've liked as much as this one. I was first introduced to this product a couple of years ago after picking up a sample. I loved it that much that I went out and bought a bottle and I've carried on buying it ever since. I find some moisturisers too heavy on the skin, which is fine for night but there's nothing I hate more than applying a tacky, thick moisturiser to my skin in the morning when I'm strapped for time. The Neutrogena Multi-Defence Daily Moisturiser is completely different. It's extremely light and sinks in within a matter of seconds. What I love about it the most is it protects against different daily elements from, sun, heat, cold, pollution and wind. Plus it comes with SPF15 too!

This year I plan on blogging more and coming up with a completely new list of products ready for the beginning of 2014. I can't wait to see what new launches the beauty brands bring.

Lastly, I want to thank every one of you for reading my blog and commenting. Getting that email to tell me one of you has commented brings a huge smile to my face and its why I blog. I love beauty, as do you and I love sharing that with you all. So thank you again.
Blogger Template Made By pipdig