Tuesday 7 December 2010

Nivea Aqua Sensation Anti-shadow eye cream

Ok, I am not one for getting a good nights sleep however much sometimes I want it. My hubs is a snorer, A kicker and a general trying to push you off the bed sort of bloke. Mix with that 3am finishes at my other job and ............ Dark circles appear.

This is not a good look and all women and men would like to cover these.
Right the first thing you could do is use concealer to cover them which can work very well, however, I am not a massive fan of putting a lot of product on the under eye area.

I always think the pervention is key so I use this product. And it can be used by men and women.

This product is meant to be used in the mosturising stage of your morning routine and it will help with those nasty shadows. Maybe it is just me, but this doesn't work on me during the day, so recently I have started using it at night time.
I have found that apply this at night help stops the shadows being as visible in the morning and also makes the skin softer.

It comes in a cute blue and white  glass tub and is very small. This is not a problem as you only need a little bit at a time,
It is a white cream with a lovely fresh smell. It is very easy to apply and very workable. 

It is very important not to overload the under eye area as it struggles draining liquid away and the skin is very fine here and so this is one of the first places that wrinkles will appear. When applying any eye cream, afterwards, gently tap the area with your ring finger as this helps it not to be clogged up.

I would recommend this but I would say it is better for evening use rather than morning.
I can't remember how much this product cost me, I am guessing around the £10 mark.
Cute little product but you will never beat a good night sleep.

Sweet dreams x

Sunday 28 November 2010

Bronzer in Winter?

Ok, Winter is here and we are starting to look a bit pale, (well me more than others lol).

Im not a big fan of the super bronzed look unless you have a natural tan and even then, sometimes it is dodgy. You also have to be very careful with bronzer if you have very pale skin, as you could end up resembling something from Adam and the Ants.

Right, you have a few options at this freezing time of year.
  1. The sun bed - These will give you a nicer (terrible word) fake tan, no streak marks and no patches. And no scrubber knuckles (you know, that lovely sight when the knuckles are bright orange or dirty brown). Be careful not to go to dark tho, you can if you really want, but a healthy glow is a much better sight.
  2. Fake tan - Make sure you prep before have, get rid of all that dead skin and make yourself silky smooth. Also be careful of the slapper knuckles which I mentioned above. Also be careful around the knees, elbows, ankles, knuckles, toes. A lot of my friends asks someone to apply the fake tan for them, which is a lot better as they will have a better view.
  3. A natural tan - Well, who could resist a quick break away before Christmas, or go away for it. Best way to get a natural tan however be careful.
  4. Bronzer -  Good way to quickly achieve a glow of the face and body. As I have mentioned, be careful where you but it, you don't want racing stripes. Cheeks, forehead, centre on nose and chin are good. If you are very pale, be extra careful, you could try going one shade darker in foundation but pay extra attention to blending it into the neck and hairline.
I apply a liquid bronzer to the hollows of my cheeks, sides of the nose and the temples before I apply my normal foundation over the top. This helps my face look more chiseled and can help create killer cheekbones. I will do a step-by-step guide to this soon.

*WARNING*
Remember that exposing yourself to the sun or a sunbed can cause skin cancer. I know people keep trying to drum it in to you but it is important and so feel like I have to say this to you.
Sunburn is also, never sexy.
Sun cream is very important, the higher the better. Yes you may not get the tan you wanted but you will be safer.

I have said before, I am not a fan of the OTT fake tan but then again, if it makes you happy .... who am I to judge.

x

Thursday 25 November 2010

Review: Benefit Bad gal Lash Mascara

 I LOVE IT!

OK, from the beginning. Im sure that everyone has heard of benefit make up. I really like it but it is a tad bit on the expensive side sometimes but some of the products are really worth the added expense. This mascara is defo one of them.

I wanted to start reviewing all of the less expensive products in my kit first but I love this item way too much.

I am one of those people that love huge, beautiful, breath taking lashes and so I will invest in anything that will help me with this.
I am known for my love of false lashes as well but these are not always practical especially when you are in a rush. This is why, this mascara is a god send.

OK, the packaging is simple yet very effective, using only 4 rock chick colours, Black, pink, white and silver.
You can not help but like the look of it when you open it up.

The brush is amazing. It is large headed and full of bristles that really does seperate each lash from the first coat. I always put a couple of coats on as I like my lashes really dark but this mascara will achieve all effects.

This product is also avliable in blue and plum. This is great for adding a unexpected flase of colour to your lashes and making a bold statement.

I really adore this mascara. I think it is around £16 so not cheap but not expensive. I couldn't be without this mascara it does the perfect job every single time. LOVE IT!

Monday 15 November 2010

Botanics - Quench Your Face Foundation

What the label says:

With Ginger and Jojoba to help mositurise. Botanics Quench your face foundation hydrates and protects with SPF 12. Light reflecting properties enhance the appearance of your complexion. Provides light to medium coverage.

As anyone who reads my entries will know, I love packaging. This one is very cute. The outer box is simple and easy to read. The contents are in a glass jar, is compact and again, easy to read. You can see the product clear through it which I like as You can see what you are getting.
When you twist the cap, the foundation is dispensed on a spactular, which can sometimes give you too much product, so be careful of wasting any.

This foundation smells lovely. It reminds me of baby power but an adult version. It smells clean which I think is important. You want something to smell nice when you apply it to your face as this is part of the luxury.

When I despense it from the bottle, I thought it seemed thick and thought I was going to have a problem with application. I was wrong. A little product goes a long way, it is very easy to blend and glides across the skin.
Once applied, it leaves the skin able to breath and feels soft to the touch. It is long lasting and covers well, but you will still need a concealer.

It is suitable for all skin types but I would still recommend using a good primer underneath. And as always, make sure that your skin is well hydrated, especially as winter is fast approaching.

As it say on the packaging, it can be applied for light to medium coverage, but make sure that you blend well.

I like this product. It is roughly around £12 but it will last a while. I have seen them avaliable on ebay for a lot less but make sure you buy it from a seller you trust.

Saturday 13 November 2010

A wedding make up idea I quickly put together.

Practice halloween look. Still needs some adjustments but pleased with it so far.

 OMG! Check out MAC Cosmetics. They are creating looks for venomous villians, Cruella, Evil Queen, Maleficent & Dr Facilierhttp://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/whats_new/collection.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT30149

eview: Maybelline The Colosaal Volume Express Waterproof Mascara

What it claims on the back:
  • Waterproof Mascara
  • Up to 7x more volume
  • Instantly - In just one coat
  • No clumps
I always keep waterproof mascara in my kit, it is a must. No just if there are going to be tears (water resistent mascara is even better for this problem) but also in hot weather or anywhere you are going to sweat. Disgusting but its something you have to think about.

I wore this a lot when I was on holiday in Turkey this year and it is brilliant for staying put all day and night.
I admit, I wasn't always in a fit state to try and remove make up when I got in most nights (tut tut) and there was some still on when I woke up in the morning. Pretty eyes lol.

OK, would recommend this product highly. It is waterproof and last for a very long time, which some don't. It does a great job at seperating the lashes and the colour looks really good.
Lashes do appear fuller after  one coat, but I love very dark lashes so I always apply a couple of coats and it does give me the "Bambi eye" effect.

I think the price for this product is roughly around the £7-£8 mark. I have had this in my kit and personal kit since June and wear it a lot and its still going strong.
It is certainly worth the price tag.

Packaging is cute, like a bright yellow ickle bullet so it is always easy to find.

A thumbs up for this.
Only downside is that can dry quicker if cap is not tightly on.

Review: Beauty UK Glitter Dust

I think I have every colour for this product. I can't get enough of it!

They are avaliable at superdrugs, and online, and cost around £2. Bargain!

I would say my style is very rock, with a little punk and a touch of emo. But there are days when I love a good bit of glitter, and I grab this with both hands.

Warning: You are going to make a mess and probably get glitter all over yourself but it just shakes off.

What I love about this, is how fine it is. Some cosmetic glitter I have can feel ready heavy and a little scratchy which is never a good thing for the skin. This is really really light and you can not feel it once you have applied it.

Because of the fineness of it, you can apply to however you like. Wether you want a light dusting on your cheeks and lids or want a full on Bowie or GaGa.

It sticks well to any skin, ether it has make up on or not. But if it is going to be a long night and I want a bit of added support, i apply it over a cream eyeshadow or blush, just to give it a bit moire staying power. Also, if applying a lot, I put a very fine veil of eyelash glue or something similar (NOT PRIT-Stick, someone honestly asked me that, tut) and then apply.

The pots are super cute and small but pack a lot of punch. Colours include: Silver, Green, Blue, a reddish colour, Hot Purple (my fav) and a brown. I have all of these in my kit and wouldn't go anywhere without them

So come on kids, let's sparkle!

Review: MISS SPORTY Fabulous Eyes, eyeshadow pencil, 090 black beauty.

Ok I can't decide if I love or hate these pencils. I really am sitting on the fence. They are great for some things but not what they claim to do.

On the product it says - "Eyeshadow pencil to shade and define".
mmm maybe im the only on having problems with this.

You can apply the colour to achieve different levels of darkness. It does create a really stong harsh line and this I will rate it for. However, I have found that it doesn't have that much staying power. It doesn't smudge, it just seems to fade.

It says that you can shade and define. well ......... yes if you don't mind the obvious pencil lines, or if you try to smudge it, most of it will come off on your finger. Not really the thing we tend to want.

However it is a handy ickle thing to pop in your purse for a quick, carefree top up, but don't expect amazing results.

I don't like giving bad reviews so I will do a pros and cons:

Cons
  • Can not be smudge well, easily.
  • Does not stay on for long.
  • to achieve a dark, solid line, you have to apply the product quite thick (not everyone likes the sleepy powder looks)
Pros
  • Handy size for your bag.
  • Can achieve a black  line (see cons).
  • Can achieve very very faint shading which can be good for a minimal look.
  • Very cheap.
As I have said, I can't make my mind up about this product. For the price of it, there is no harm in giving it a bash but try not to have high expectations.
But then again, it might work great on you.

Cow Jumped Over The Moon


This was created using Stargazer White Foundation & Rimmel Liquid Eyeliner. Foundation was by Leichner and Concealer by Rimmel.

Review: Studio Secrets Professional by L'OREAL PARIS

Smoothing resurfacing primer.

I was recently given this which I was pleased about as I had been wanting to try it for a while.
As i have mentioned, I am big on first impressions and the magazine and tv adverts make this look very impressive. So i was desperate to try.

For a while now, i have been testing another primer from the previous range, which I will review later. This product is completely different.

  • This primer comes in a tiny glass jar, and for £12.99 I thought this wouldn't last me long but It is lasting longer then expected.
  • The contents is pink in colour and it has a very faint, pleasent smell. Eventhough it is pink, it does not appear on the skin after blended.
  • It feels thick in texture but spreads and blends really well.
I have a very oily T Bar at times and this works really well at combating that issue. Once it is applied, you can't feel it which is great as I have had problems with some primers in the past.

My advice is once you've applied it, put off putting your foundation on for a couple of minutes so that it has time to sink into the skin. Make sure to blend in well around the corners of the nose. Use this time to get a refreshing glass of water. (Always good for the skin). 

This product is really super. My skin looked great for hours, tho after running around for quite a while it did start to faulter, however I can't blame it at all.
SOme primers I have use din the past have made my skin feel tight after application, which thankfully this didn't and it also made my skin feel lovely and soft to the touch.

Would recommend this to everyone that will listen. The pot is small but it will last you the month depending on how many times you apply it. Only a small amount is needed on each application.
It's a MUST BUY!

Review: MAC Face and Body Foundation

I had never used this product until earlier this year when I have a make over and the make up artist used it on me. I always tried before to use a thickish foundation to try and hide the redness on my nose. I also thought that this product would be too light for me. Boy was I wrong.

As I have mentioned before, I have ALABASTER skin so I need to choose my colour of foundation carefully.
In the MAC Face and Body FOundation range, I am actually a C1 but I wear a C2. I love my skin colour but something I would like it to look slightly darker.
This colour is brilliant as I still shows how pale I am however it stops the really stupid people saying I look ill because I am so pale.

This product goes on really well. As the product is so light, I don't really recommend using a cosmetic sponge as it soaks a lot of the product up, however I do use one for blending around the jaw line (VERY IMPORTANT!)
I like to use a MAC 187 brush for application. The brush is a bit pricey but it is a brilliant investment to any kit.

I am lucky as I really look after me skin so it is in good condition so I can wear this foundation. It is very light and gives a very slight coverage. If your skin has redness, spots and other imperfectiobns, this isn't the product for you.

I love this foundation. I try other ranges all the time however, I will always come back to this. It gives me enough coverage, is easy to apply and lets my skin breathe.

At £23 a bottle, this is a star buy. 

Johnson's 24 hours Facial Moisturiser

This isnt the moisturiser that I have in my kit but it is in my personal collection so I thought I would share it with you anyway.

The one that I am currently using is the one for dry and sensitive skin (as winter seems to have appeared its ugly head early). This product is soothing with SHea butter.

I really like the first impressions (these mean a lot to me).  The pot is small, glass and has a cute lid. Just the right amount of information has been put on the jar and it is easy to read.

I love products in little glass containers. Super cute.

Back to the product. This is a white coloured moisturiser and it smells lovely. It may smell strong in the pot but it won't when it is applied to the skin.
As this is the one that is design for the drier skin types, it is thicker and the one for combination skin. Eventhough it is slightly thicker, it can be applied with smoothly and does not feel heavy on the face.

I always use this when the weather changes as I can get very drier around the corners of the nose, and this moisturise sorts that problem out in no time.
It can leave a slight shine on the skin, however, I just blot my skin with a tissue to soak up excess oil before applying make up.

This really is a nice little product. I was shocked at how well this works and it will certainly be one of my favs for a long time to come.

Review: Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Water

On the can it claims that it have soothing actions on: SUnburn, After anti-acne treatment, Diaper rash, various forms of irritation, RAzor burn, After hair removel.
Comforting, refreshing action: To complete cleansing, to "set" make up, after outdoor activities, in summmer and when travelling.

A lot to live up to. It is completely true. This is a little god send in a can and my handbag is never without one.

I tend to use this in my cleansing rountine. After removing the eye make up and cleansing the face, I spray this lightly onto my skin and then pat in very gently. My skin instantly feels refreshed and clean. It also soaks into the skin very quickly with lasting results.

I have very delicate skin, which can become dry very quickly when the weather changes but this helps sort the problem out straight away. It is also very handy to have in the heat, as the can always stays cool and is great for a instant burst of freshness.

This is great for all skin types.

I haven't tried it on diaper rash however.

A must for every woman's and make up artist's kit.

Rimmel Passion Red 535

OMG! I love this lipstick. I admit, I had my doubts but I was proved wrong.

I love it! The colour is amazing, really bright.

*Caution: Red is not a colour for the easily shy. You will become a head turner.
The colour is thick but not heavy and goes on it on smoothly with one application.

Remember to apply a lip liner, otherwise, you are going to have a problem.

This lipstick stays put really well however, I made certain with some lipfix.

I also like, then when you wipe away this lipstick, it will leave a lovely stain on your lips, if you want something a little more low key.

Amazing lipstick. May keep this to myself.

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Review: Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Plum 05

As i have said before, I have very pale skin (which I love) so I have to choose my blush carefully for what I am doing. 
During the day, I usually wear the Dolly Pink cooler which is super cute as it gives a subtle hint of colour. But I will review that product another time.

In the evening or when I want to achieve I more dramatic look, I ump my colour up to this Plum colour. As it gives a lovely colour to the cheeks.

What I like most about cream blushes is that they soak a bit more into the skin. I find sometimes, depending on skin type, these can achieve a more natural colour. As they don't cake on top of the skin like some poweders can when your skin gets hot.

They are very easy to blend (I use my fingertips), once you know where you want the product to be.
I also love that you can build up the colour very slowly or very faster. If you do make a mistake, I wipe a bit of with a tissue and then concentrate on blending to achieve a natural colour.

This product comes in a nice little range of colours. There are not many shades but, as I have said, you can build the colour up so a wide range is not needed.

Once it is applied to the skin, you can not feel it as the formula is so light and it will stay put all day I find, depending on the activity I am doing. If you are going to the gym, you have no chance.

They come in cute little glass pots, with lids matching the contents colour.
They do appear small, however, the contents will last you a long time.
I think is product is roughly around  the £6 mark which is a total bargain for what you are getting. This is a product that I would hate to be without .
Totally love it!

No7 Smokey Eyeliner Brush

 I was planning to show you a range of brushes first however, I have decided to mix it up a bit.

It is important to have some good quality brushes in your kit. You could have the most amazing product but if you don't have the tools, your money could be wasted. Think about it, you wouldn't apply a Chanel foundation with a brush you found in a £1 shop.
Also, take your time with brushes, just cos you have great brushes, doesn't mean you are going to get amazing results first time. It takes practice to find out what brushes work best for you and for different effects.

Make up artists try to go for the best brushes that they can or the ones they feel they work the most comfortable with.
My personal favourites are MAC and Crown brushes.
If you want the same thing that is fine but remember to really look after them and spend time cleaning them has they have a high price tag.

No7 have a range on nice brushes for different tasks and they work really well I find without the huge price tag. So I would recommend these for your home kit.

The first brush that I am going to review is this one.

Now, it is the most expensive one in my kit by far however, it is  (I think) a super little brush.

It is black and gold in colour and very smoth, with lettering in gold. The bristle are very short to give great control. The are also packed very tightly together to achieve a soft and full brush.
The handle is short enough that you can work without having no control over it however, its not so short that you are right up in your client's face.

As the bristle are so soft and full, it does help to achieve a stunning smokey effect without a major hassle. I love using it for under the eye areas and smokey V's.

It is designed to be used for lining the eyes, but I have also used it  for tiny amount of concealer and even as a lip brush when I wanted a very soft look.

Remember to clean well afterwards, contamination is not sexy. I base it on the same rule as underwear, wear it once and then wash it lol.

Back to the brush. Amazing product, easy to use, achieves great effects, looks great on its own or in a collection and a resonable price tag.

Monday 23 August 2010

Benefit Lemon Aid Corrector Eyelid Primer

"The soft, lemon yellow cream helps to hide redness and discoloration on your eyelids. In a snap, eyes look refreshed, frisky, and ready for fun."

I am in love with this product. It is amazing.

The  product is small, however, you only need a small amount for each eye. Lemon Aid does look thick but it blended extremely well on any skin type, tone or colour.

After using this product, my eye make up really did stay on longer then ever and didn't crease.
Without eye make it, my eyes look refreshed and you could be trick to believe I have had hours and hours of sleep (I wish).

I does seem a tad pricey when you see it in the shops, however, it will last you for months, so they price is really good when thought about that way.

I promise, after using this product, you won't look back and you will wonder how you have lived so long without it.

Saturday 21 August 2010

Leichner Foundation 30ml

"World famous Leichner Foundation is a professional foundation used by Photographic studios, televison, theatre and professional make up artists worldwide. All day moisturising foundation."

Leichner Foundation 30ml


I have to admit, I had not heard of this product before. I stumbled upon it and read some amazing reviews so I thought that I would give it a go.

Ok, where to start?

One of the reviews I read was that it was great for people with drier skin. I have combination skin and I tend to get very dry around the corners of the nose and occasionally down the bridge. This product wasn't great for that. I have a slightly oily forehead and it wasn't great for this either.

To be honest, I was quite sure how to apply it. A brush applied the product too thick, fingers weren't bad but you get a lot of product on the hands and I found it difficult to apply without streaks. 
I found the best way to apply was with a cosmetic sponge. It went on well and without streaking.

Leichner is very thick but very workable and so you don't need that much product with each application. 
A 30ml pot will last.

Even though it wasn't brilliant on my skin, I would really recommend it to people with slight combination skin, and maybe with oil, if you have an extremely good skin/foundation primer underneath.
My skin did feel smooth all day while wearing Leichner, and it didn't feel like I was wearing anything.

Leichner covers very well on dark circles, (even my panda eyes), and over imperfections. Leichner can go on very well after a bit of practice and will last a long time.
A brilliant product at an amazing price.