Review: The Body Shop Lightening Touch Concealer

Well hello there,

Today I am reviewing the Lightening Touch concealer from The Body Shop. It's a product in the same niche as YSL Touché Éclat, Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch and Soap and Glorys Wizard of Flaws. Some of these are more highlighter based some more concealer but I think most people tend to use them as a bit of both. 

The Lightening Touch markets itself as a concealer and comes in three shades depending on your skin tone. I have number 01 the lightest shade and bought is for £14. 

What they say:

A light diffusing liquid concealer, masks under eye circles and fine lines. 

What I think:

As with the other products mentioned above it's pretty bog standard packaging with the integrated brush. The outer cover is nice but I must say it gets dirty very quickly and so the nice shiny packaging doesn't stay that way for very long! You click the bit at the bottom and the product comes out the top (very simple really!). 

I tested this under my eyes and boy is it shiny. The light illuminating particles it says it contains are pretty bright. 

My under eye area looked like I had put tons of shimmer underneath :( and throughout the day I noticed that my mascara smudged quite considerably. Now I wear the same mascara nearly every day and it NEVER smudges so there is something about this product that must cause it. Finally it didn't really work as a concealer - it didn't cover my under eye circles in any shape or form, although you probably did notice them less as you would be too busy wondering what on earth I had under my eyes. 

Pros:

Blended well

Good colour match for me

Cons:

Too much shimmer!

Terrible coverage

The big decision:

Will I buy this again? A big fat no. It's just too much shimmer for my face to handle. I might try and use it up solely as a highlighter but there is no way I'll be putting this anywhere near my eye area again, the coverage is simply terrible and the shimmer too much. The Dream Lumi Touch by Maybelline is a much better product if you are looking for a highlighting concealer. 

Claire

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned and I purchased this product with my own money. Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any companies linked. 

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/make-up/face/lightening-touch.aspx

Review - First Impressions: Michael Todd True Organics Acne Oily Skin Regime

Well hello there,

So last week I told you all about the new skin care regime I have started using and a now a week since I started using it I am here to give you my first impressions!

I purchased the acne/oily skin regime from Michael Todd's True Organics line. It is an American company but they do ship over here to the a UK. I bought the regime when it was discounted at around $70 dollars instead of the usual $131 - though this has been discounted for a while so I suspect you would never actually pay 'full price' for it - plus an additional 20% off - discount code at bottom of page :) so all in all I paid about $60 dollars including shipping. As it is imported import tax is due on it but the company actually pays this for you so you don't have to worry about additional costs!

What I got:

The regime comprises 5 products. 

A charcoal detox deep pore gel cleanser, an organic lemon toner, a kaolin clay facial mask, an antiox serum and a jojoba charcoal scrub. All of which is meant to be a 3-4 months supply.

First impressions:

The first thing I noticed about these products is the smell and colour of everything. The face mask which I used first really does not smell great especially as it's something you are meant to leave on your face for 15 minutes! The other products are no where near as bad but you can definitely smell the Organics coming though!

The toner seems nice, it's a pale liquid in colour with the same consistency as water. You apply it to a cotton pad and wipe over your face. So far this is nice to use but I haven't seen anything that makes it stand out from toners I have used in the past. The one thing I will say about it is that when using it you are meant to use sunscreen of at least factor 15 so maybe this isn't the greatest product to be using during summer or if you have delicate skin. Also since ordering they have switched the toner in the regime from the organic lemon to the blue green algae one - I am pretty disappointed as I had heard good things about the blue green algae toner so pretty gutted I didn't get it. 

The scrub and cleanser seem pretty bog standard to me so for now I am not going to go into too much detail about them. 

Cleanser on the left and scrub on the right. 

The serum is a bit...odd. First it comes in rather large packaging, the instructions state to add two or three drops but it's a large pump so unless you are careful you end up with much much more than that. I find it quite sticky and it doesn't soak in very quickly so it doesn't feel like its's doing much apart from just sitting on the surface of my skin. 

Finally the last product is the mask and I must say I am not a fan. First of all it stinks and is not the sort of thing I really want to put on my face. The second thing is it looks pretty gross. 

Face mask. 

So if you are applying it I would suggest that you make it a time where no one will be swinging by. The last and probably worst issue is that it is a total nightmare to apply. The instructions say apply an even layer over cleansed skin. 

This is my best effort at creating an even layer...

Try as I might it just would not spread evenly - it clumped together so badly that despite a good 10 minutes of trying the above is the best result I could get. There was just no way it was going to happen. Getting it off is also a bit of an ordeal as the product seems to,stick to everything (apart from my face!) Honestly I really dislike this and I am so disappointed in it :(

Others have been raving about this line so much which is what encouraged me to go for it in the first place and I must say that my first impressions are average at best. In terms of the impact it has had on my skin - my skin is a lot oily now than before :(. As I have only been using this for a week I am not yet sure if my skin is just adjusting to the new products, that the products are making my skin worse, or perhaps i just hadn't given enough credit to the products I was using before. Either way I shall continue to use them and find out - check back for future (hopefully more positive) updates. 

Claire

Disclaimer: I bought all these products with my own money and I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned. Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any companies linked. The discount code is just one I found on the Internet and I am not in anyway linked to the code. 

Acne oily skin regime: http://www.michaeltoddtrueorganics.com/index.php/featured-products/acne-control-skincare-regimen.html

Discount code 20%: noacne

Nails of the week: Essie In Stitches

Well hello there,

I have renamed this as I think doing a nails of the week rather than a review makes a little more sense (especially as I am currently obsessed with my Essie nail varnishes) as I have roughly the same things to say each week!

Anyway - it's been the Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK and we have had a little sun - woop! Did a little shopping and a little sunbathing wearing my nails of the week :)

Essie In Stitches. 

I find this a hard colour to describe: it's a dark pink with purple but also brown... Well I really like it!

What have you been wearing?

Claire

Disclaimer: I bought these products with my own money - I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned and all links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any brands linked. 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Essie-Stitches-Nail-Polish-15ml/dp/B004ORDF1G

Review: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant

Well hello there,

Today I am going to review a product that I have just repurchased - Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream. I initially received this as a present at Christmas - I came in the set which contains the eight hour cream skin protectant, the eight hour hand cream and the eight hour lip balm and as you can see the skin protectant is now looking a little worse for wear. 

What they say:

A product which is suitable for all skin types it can help with the temporary relief of chapped lips, rough skin patches and softening tough skin. 

What I think:

Honestly as a general moisturiser I am not a fan, it's very heavy and sticky and doesn't soak in well, however, what I do love this for is my lips. I didn't like the actual stick lip balm that came in the gift set so started using this instead and quite frankly have never looked back! I have a terrible habit where I bite my lips and as a result my lips were really dry and sore until I started using this. Now lips feel healthy and properly moisturised and look so much better! I tend to use this at night as an overnight treatment for my lips and wake up in the morning with lovely soft lips ready for whatever lip product I feel like using. I do also like this as a deep treatment for really dry areas so for me it's totally worth the money. 

The one I have is the scented version as I don't find the scent as overpowering as others do, I'm fact I actually think the unscented version smells worse!

This is £25 for a 50ml tube. I think the packaging looks great and even if I don't the product inside would more than compensate!

I know for many this is a beauty essential and I have to say I wholeheartedly agree!

What are your beauty essentials?

Claire

Disclaimer: The original tube was given to me as a present by a family member and the second tube was purchased by me with my own money and I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned. Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any companies linked. 

http://www.boots.com/en/Elizabeth-Arden-Eight-Hour-Cream-Skin-Protectant-50ml_9783/

Review: L'Oreal Glam Shine Stain Splash Colour 300 Juliet

Well hello there,

Today I am doing to do a review on the fairly new Glam Shine Stain Splash by L'Oreal. They are priced at £7.99 (through currently at Boots there is a two for £15 promotion on L'Oreal cosmetics) and come in a range of 6 different colours. The one I have is number 300 Juliet. 

What they say:

It's a water based formula which creates long lasting colour whilst giving shine. Easy application with it's unique wand. Colour can last up to six hours without drying out. 

What I think:

Firstly I think the packaging is great, they look great and seem way more expensive then they actually are. The wand is quite large but not too cumbersome and the product goes on smoothly. At first it feels quite watery but soon feels more like a normal gloss on your lips. The colour is really buildable - I myself put two coats on for maximum colour saturation, and the pigmentation is really great.  As it's a stain your lips stay a lovely colour for hours after the product has worn off so it's perfect for those busy days were you don't have time to be constantly reapplying your lipstick. This is a great dupe for the Yves Saint Laurent Rogue Pur Couture Glossy Lip Stains. The finishes are pretty much identical so at £23.50 each the L'Oreal version is my clear winner. The only downside to the L'Oreal versions is that there is a rather limited colour selection and to be honest the one I purchased was the only one that really appealed to me so I wasn't too wild about the colour selection. Compare this to the YSL version and they have a huge 22 shade colour selection meaning there will be something for everyone!

Bare lips - before application. 

Two coats of colour number 300 Juliet after application. 

Colour number 300 Juliet after several hours wear with a little lip balm on top. 

Pros:

Great pigmentation and staying power. 

Super cheap. 

Great feel on lips and very moisturising. 

Buildable colour. 

Great dupe for the YSL version. 

Looks great even once the gloss has worn off and only the stain is left. 

Cons:

Limited colour selection. 

The big decision:

This is a bit of a two parter for me... Will I buy this product again - yes but not for a while, as the answer to the second part, will I buy any of the other colours is a no. I did't really like any of the other colours available so I will be buying this again but only once this one has run out which I doubt will be any time soon!

Claire

Disclaimer: I purchased these products with my own money and I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned. Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any companies linked. 

http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Paris-GlamShine-Stain-Splash_1309088/

http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Yves+Saint+Laurent+Rouge+Pur+Couture+Glossy+Lip+Stain/D323308,default,pd.html

Review: Essie Fondola Gondola

Well hello there,

Just a quick post on Essie's Fondola Gondola. It's a lovely pink colour, not too bright so perfect for everyday wear! The colour goes on fairly opaque so you an easily pop just one coat on if you are in a hurry!

Sadly this colour is discontinued - i believe it was originally in the spring 2006 collection but having recently discovered it I am loving it all over again! This is still available to buy on some websites but is no longer part of the main Essie collection :(

What's your favourite daywear colour?

Claire

Disclaimer: I bought this product with my own money and am not affiliated with any brands mentioned.  Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any companies linked. 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Essie-Fondola-Gondola/dp/B0052LYOTA

Review: Nuxe Reve de Miel Baume Leveres Ultra Nourrissant Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm

Well hello there,

I am going to tell you something, it's about difficult but here is goes. I am obsessed. Lip balms I hoard them, entirely addicted. So when I hear lots of people raving about a particular one, well there is an inevitable result...

Nuxe Reve de Miel Baume Leveres Ultra Nourrissant Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm. 

What they say:

A repairing and nourishing lip balm creating comfort for chapped lips. 

It comes in quite a heavy glass pot and costs £9.50 for 15ml. 

At first I must say I was a bit unsure about this, it's got a really waxy finish to it and so feels quite heavy on the lips unlike a traditional lip balm. It also means if you put too much on it kind of congeals at the corners of your mouth (not the best look). 

But it does what it says on the tin (glass pot) - my lips feel soft and nourished and I find myself now reaching for this when my lips are really dry instead of my Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream (which I never thought would happen). 

Pros:

Works great - can see this being my go to product in winter. 

Looks lovely. 

A little goes along way. 

Cons:

Quite waxy, easy to over apply. 

Not really handbag friendly. It's surprisingly heavy for a lip product. 

£9.50 for a lip balm... Enough said really.

The big decision:

Yes I think I will buy this again. I really like it as almost a deep conditioning mask for my lips, left on overnight you wake to find wonderfully moisturised lips and I find the waxy finish actually really helps with it's staying power so it's not all over your pillow 10 minutes after you get into bed. Yes £9.50 is a lot for a lip balm but I have been using this for over a month now and as you can see from the photo have barely made a dent in it so I am kind of justifying it in that I am sure it will last an awfully long time before I even need to think about buying another one.

What is your beauty obsession?

Claire

Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own money and I am not affiliated with the brand mentioned. Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any companies linked. 

http://www.feelunique.com/p/NUXE-Reve-de-Miel-Baume-Levres-Ultra-Nourrissant-Ultra-Nourishing-Lip-Balm-15g

Review: Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm

Well hello there,

Today I am going to review a product I have been using for a good month or so. It's Emma Hardie's Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm (phew! Bit of a mouthful). 

What they say:

Skin is cleansed and moisturised whilst minimising the appearance of open pores. Revitalising and calming. Can also be used as a rescue balm or a soothing mask. 

 

It comes in a glass tub, which I must say looks rather good in my bathroom and costs a hefty £34 for 100ml. The directions say you take the balm and mix it with some water in the palm of your hand and then mix until it turns into a milk. You then apply to your face and gently rub to remove all make up, dirt and excess oil, you then take one of Emma Hardie's Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Dual Action professional Cleansing Cloths (again bit of a mouthful), dampen it with warm water and then gently remove the balm.

The cloths are sold separately in packs of three for £10 (or £8 at feelunique) and come rather cutely wrapped!

The cloths are dual action as they have a slightly rough side for exfoliating and then a soft side for the areas which need a slightly more gentle touch. 

They also have a rather handy loop so after you have washed them they are easy to hang up to dry (it really is the little things!). 

So...what I think:

I think this is a great cleanser, it gets rid of all my make up really easily and I have noticed the difference when using my Clarisonic later. I wear MAC Prolongwear foundation which is super difficult to remove, usually even after cleansing my Clarisonic brush would still be stained with foundation that was let on my skin, but since starting to use this cleansing balm my Clarisonic brush still looks brand new!

Unlike a lot of cleansers it doesn't leave your skin really tight afterwards but nice smooth and moisturised. The balm is lovely, it smells great and you only need a small amount so a little does go a long way. It comes out a yellowy/cream colour but when mixed with water turns a white milky colour. 

I have 't noticed any difference in pore size but really like the cloths, the exfoliating side works really well for getting the days gunk and grime off my skin!

Pros:

Works well - gets rid of all make up, dirt and grime superbly. 

Smells and looks great. 

I love these cloths, they are great multi purpose cloths and I can see myself using them for a long time. 

You only need a small amount so it lasts for a long time. 

Cons:

Is expensive £34 for a 100ml is a rather large price tag, especially when you consider the extra £10 for the cloths on top. 

The tub does not travel well, I tried to take it away with me once and cracked the glass on the lid (which you can probably see in some of the photos) so unless you out some balm in another container I recommend you leave it at home. 

The big decision:

Ultimately would I buy this again?

Yes and no. I am around halfway though the tub now but have decided when it runs out not to buy a new one (at least not straight away). I have a couple of others I want to try out and I think one of the greatest strengths of this actually is the cloths. I want to experiment with using the cloths with other cleansers as if I find using them with other products works well I will struggle to justify spending £34 on another tub. It is however, lovely if you do want to splurge or just treat yourself!

What's your favourite splurge item?

Claire

Cleansing balm: http://www.feelunique.com/p/Emma-Hardie-Amazing-Face-Natural-Lift-and-Sculpt-Moringa-Cleansing-Balm-100ml

Cloths: http://www.feelunique.com/p/Emma-Hardie-Amazing-Face-Dual-Action-Professional-Cleansing-Cloths-x3

Disclaimer: I bought these products with my own money and I am not affiliated with any of the brand mentioned. 

Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with an companies linked. 

Review: Sleek Blushes in Rose Gold and Flushed

Well hello there everyone,

I went shopping at the weekend as as my current obsession is blushes I picked up a few from Sleek! I have heard great things about Sleek blushes and initially wanted to get one of the blush palettes which contain three complementary blushes for £9.99. However, the Superdrug near me didn't have any of the palettes so I picked up a couple of the single blushes I instead. The singles are £4.49 each and are available to buy either at Superdrug or on Sleek's website. 

The first one I picked up is colour 926 Rose Gold. It's a lovely peachy toned blush with gold shimmer running through it. 

The other one I picked is 935 Flushed which is a lovely raspberry/cranberry colour. Which has a little shimmer but much more of a matte finish. 

 I have switched both of the colours with Flushed on top and Rose Gold underneath. 

I love both of these. The pigmentation is great and the packaging is great - both have mirrors in the kids so they are perfect for handbags! The Rose Gold colour is very shimmery which is great bunt means for me (oily skin) it's not something I could wear during the day or for a long night as shimmer plus oil equals a very I attractive look! I also think it works great as a highlighter. 

Loving both of these and will be investigating the Sleek stand more fairly soon!

What products have you been discovering this week?

Claire

Flushed: http://www.sleekmakeup.com/face/blusher/blush

Rose Gold:http://www.sleekmakeup.com/face/blusher/blush

Disclaimer: I purchased both these blushes with my own money and am not affiliated with the brand mentioned. Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any linked sites or companies. 

Review: OC Eight

Well hello there,

Up until now it seems all my reviews have been something I haven't been completely bowled over by but this product is the absolute exception!

OC Eight is a mattifying gel that you use before makeup in order to control oil though out the day. The idea is that the gel contains small particles which are able to absorb oil as it is produced throughout the day. The gel is meant to give 8 hours of shine free wear and it doesn't last that long for me but this is mainly due to my skin being far more oily than most!

I started using this product when I was 15 or 16 after tremendous amounts of research, at the time in America it was listed as a prescription product from dermatologists (though this isn't the case any more) and it was this that was the main reason for me trying it initially. I thought if it was strong enough to be available on prescription then it might stand a chance against my skin!

It is a creamy gel, thicker than a moisturiser and quite similar to a primer in texture. You smooth it onto your skin in small circles before applying your make up but after any moisturiser (or in my case La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo) and wait for it to dry before applying any foundation and the rest of your make up as usual. It dries fairly quickly but if you are a bit too keen sometimes it can make your foundation go a bit patchy or cause white marks to appear. 

I must say I LOVE this product. It is the only product I have ever used that I will without fail always continue to repurchase. Since first buying it at 15/16 there has not been a day when I have applied make up without using this first. It is the only product that has ever really made a difference to my oily skin, although it might not seem a lot to most people having a product that keeps your skin vaguely matte for up to 4 or 5 hours depending on what foundation I am using as opposed to my make up looking a mess after 30-45 minutes without is a huge achievement in my book. I usually apply it around 8am in the morning and notice by around half one/half two my face is beginning to shine. As I said it doesn't seem a lot but considering then difference when I don't use it last until after lunch is pretty remarkable!

This product doesn't seem to be that we'll known in the beauty world (as far as I know) so I really wanted to say how much it has changed my skin! It's priced from between £8-£10 depending on where you get it though I find you can get it in multipacks of 3 tubes for about £22-£25 making it a little cheaper. There aren't that many places that seem to stock it - online pharmacies are usually the place I find it!

There we have it - a product I am pretty convinced I shall continue to use and repurchase as long as it's still available to buy!

What do you use to keep your make up looking fresh?

Claire

OC Eight: http://www.expresschemist.co.uk/category_1991_oceight.html

Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own money and I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned. 

Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any companies linked or mentioned. 

Review and how to: Nude nails Essie Eternal Optimist

Well hello everyone,

Today I thought that along with doing some reviews I would do a little how I do my nails demonstration!

First I remove my previous nail polish. I was wearing Essie Nice is Nice and removed it using a Sally Hanson nail varnish remover.

 I love Sally Hansen and all the nail varnish removers are great but today I am using the one for soft and brittle nails as although my nails aren't that bad, since they always have nail polish on them and get nail varnish remover on them quite regularly I feel using a strengthening nail varnish remover helps them stay in good condition.

Once the old polish is all gone I start with a base coat. Even though I am not using a dark or bright polish today I still use a base coat. Today I am using Rimmel 5 in 1 base and top coat. This works great as a base coat as it dries quick enough for you to paint over the top straight away without having to wait for each layer to dry.

The nude colour I have chosen is Essie Eternal Optimist, I love this colour, I love the name, it's all good things from me for this polish! For the first coat I paint over the nail leaving a gap between the cuticle and the polish to make sure the cuticle doesn't get painted with nail varnish. For the second coat I simply go over the lines I have already created, again making sure I stay away from the cuticle. I find that once I have done both hands with the first coat it's dry enough to go straight back over with the second coat.

Finally I do a quick layer of top coat, today I am using Essie Good To Go quick dry topcoat. This stuff is a lifesaver! I never have enough time to just sit and wait for my nails to dry and a quick dry topcoat is the perfect solution to this. The only thing I would say is that this topcoat has the tendency to make your nail varnish peel rather than chip.

Then I am good to go!

What are you wearing on your nails?

Claire

Essie Nice is Nice: http://www.lookfantastic.com/essie-nice-is-nice-nail-polish/10448761.html?ProdDetail=2
Sally Hansen nail varnish remover: http://www.boots.com/en/Sally-Hansen-Strengthening-Nail-Polish-Remover_1255886/
Rimmel 5 in 1 base and top coat: http://www.superdrug.com/rimmel-lycra-pro-nail-polish-5-in-1/invt/208756
Essie Eternal Optimist: http://www.superdrug.com/essie-nail-polish-eternal-optimist/invt/435652
Essie Good to Go: http://www.boots.com/en/Essie-Top-Coat-Good-To-Go-13-5ml_1255517/



Disclaimer: I bought all this products with my own money and am not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned. Links are for reference only and are not affiliate links.

Review: Essie Nice Is Nice Nail Varnish

Well hello everyone,

I received my April Glossybox a few weeks ago and inside was an Essie nail varnish.

Firstly I must say I am a huge fan of Essie polishes. I love painting my nails and have a Sunday night ritual where they get painted once a week.

I find they stay on really well without too much chipping and have a great colour pay off. I finally got the chance to test out the new colour and although I was initially disappointed with the colour I received (after seeing others blog about their boxes) I actually really love it.

Nice is Nice is a soft pastel lilac with a hint of grey. Pastels are always huge over summer so it should be getting a lot of wear.

What will you be wearing on your nails this summer?


Claire




Disclaimer: I was sent this product in the April Glossybox which I purchased with my own money. I am not affiliated with any brands or products mentioned.

Origins United State Balancing Tonic - Product Review

Well hello there everyone,

Today I am going to do a little product review on Origins United State Balancing Tonic.

This is essentially a toner designed to united the oily and dry areas of your skin into one perfectly balanced face.

It's designed for combination to oily skin (I have oily skin) and comes in a 150ml bottle all for £17. http://www.origins.co.uk/product/3861/11393/Skincare/Category/Toners/United-State/Balancing-tonic/index.tmpl

The first thing to say is that for me this didn't work. It didn't balance out my skin, didn't make my skin any less oily, and to be honest I didn't actually notice any difference when using it! The actual tonic itself has the same consistency and looks like water but with a very chemical smell, much more than other toners I have used.

The bottle does look cute on your dressing table but it is a real pain, the top screws off entirely and there is no stopper underneath, just the opening meaning that when you try and get some product onto a cotton pad it gets a bit messy. This really deterred me from using the product as I felt that I wasted a lot just by the bottle not being designed very well, this was backed up in that I used this much quicker (around a month) than most other toners I have used which have lasted a good 3 months or so.

I do love other Origins products (reviews to follow) but won't be repurchasing this one.

What do you think?

Claire




Disclaimer: this product as with all the products I review were bought by myself with my own money. Links are for reference only and I am not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned.