Honest reviews, regular hauls and all things beauty.

Thursday 28 February 2019

Full coverage foundations without the cake!


Natasha Denona Foundation X, IT Cosmetics CC Cream Review, Huda Beauty #Faux Filter Foundation review, By Terry Terrybly Densiliss Foundation Review, Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Radiance Perfecting Foundation Review


When I was in my teens and early 20s, I always favoured a full coverage base but actually I probably only needed a full coverage concealer and a medium base. In more recent years, I've worn mainly light to medium bases, depending on how my skin is looking but there are also occasions when a full cover base is called for. That being said, I hate the way some full cover bases look and feel on the skin - I don't want to look like I'm wearing a mask! I have five foundations to share with you today that will give decent coverage but still look fresh on the skin.
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Wednesday 27 February 2019

Everyday essentials


This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, Nurse Jamie UpLift Facial Massaging Beauty Roller, Pixi Rose Caviar Essence, Phyto Phytokeratine Repairing Thermal Protectant Hair Spray, Emile Cordon lip balms, Dr Paw Paw Original balm, L'Occitane Intensive Foot Balm, CND Weekly Top Coat,  Everyday Essentials, Antipodes Joyful hand & body cream


It occurred to me recently that I post about skincare and makeup, which I rotate quite frequently, but the products that I reach for day in, day out are overlooked. I'm talking about the staple products that I can't be without and use consistently, almost without realising but if I were to stop, I'd see a difference pretty quickly.

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Tuesday 26 February 2019

Review: Omorovicza Revitalizing Scalp Mask


Omorovicza Revitalizing Scalp Mask Review


Regular readers will know that I am a massive fan of Omorovicza skincare and have been for a long time, so when they release a new product,  I instantly want to try it! I was kindly sent their two latest releases - Revitalizing Scalp Mask and Daily Vitamin C. I need to test the Vitamin C product for another few weeks before I can give you a full review but today, I want to share my thoughts on the scalp mask.
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Monday 25 February 2019

3 treats for 3 budgets


Pixi Rose Glow Mist Review, Illamasqua Iconic Chrome Review, Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming Eau De Parfum Review,


Have you been on a low buy this year? I haven't particularly but I have been more mindful with my spending and am consistently using products that have been open for a while and needed finishing, with great success I might add - I tend to do weekly/fortnightly empties on my stories (you can follow me here if you'd like!) I don't like the idea of a spending ban as I like to treat myself to something every now and then, which is why I like doing these posts as I think there is always something nice to buy, regardless of budget! I have three really gorgeous products to share with you this month!
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Friday 22 February 2019

The ultimate guide to treating textured skin


The ultimate guide to treating textured skin, How to treat scars, how to reduce pore size, how to treat textured skin



Regardless of skin type, texture is something that most of us deal with, whether through dry patches, acne scarring, blackheads, ageing skin, pores, milia etc. Because I have dry skin, my skin is prone to dullness but I would say that the issue I work hardest (or expect my products to work hardest) against, is texture. It may seem like a never-ending battle but with a few simple changes or additions to your skincare routine, improvements can be seen quite quickly and as a result, makeup applies more evenly, less makeup is required or you may even choose to go makeup free - I know that leaving the house without makeup is something I wouldn't have even considered for a number of years but I do it without even giving it any thought now (not every day as I love makeup too much but because I feel more confident in my own skin, I sometimes choose to do it!). There are a number of ways to treat texture and I want to share them with you today (I'm talking products rather than tools or procedures) - there is something for everyone, no matter how much or how little time you have on your hands. With products starting at £6.30, there is sure to be something for all budgets. This is going to be a long post, so grab a snack! I also have a Cult Beauty discount code to share with you too if you want to treat yourself to any of these products although it can be used site wide with some exceptions, listed at the bottom of the post. The code is CBBLMSKIN which will give you 15% off orders over £20, valid until midnight on Sunday 24th.
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Wednesday 20 February 2019

Hit Or Miss? Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look In A Palette Smokey Eye Beauty


Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look In A Palette Smokey Eye Beauty Review


I've wanted a Charlotte Tilbury Look In a Palette for a long time but never took the plunge to buy one for some reason. I was very lucky enough to receive one from my friend Dagmara from Mummy's Beauty Corner for Christmas! I think the reason that I resisted buying it for so long is that face palettes sometimes aren't of the same quality as individual products, although I have had one or two that proved otherwise. Is the Charlotte Tilbury version a hit or miss?
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Tuesday 19 February 2019

Jo Loves fragrances have stolen my heart!




I have declared my love for Jo Malone fragrances so many times on the blog but now that I have tried Jo Loves (created by the actual Jo Malone herself!), I am hooked! If you are unaware of the back story, Jo Malone created the brand Jo Malone London in her kitchen, with Lime Basil & Mandarin being her breakthrough fragrance. It wasn't long until her brand became a worldwide hit. In 1999, she sold the company to Estée Lauder Companies and after a period of ill health, she left the company completely. When her health improved, she began to play around with fragrances again and Jo Loves was born.
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Monday 18 February 2019

Pat McGrath Lust Lip Gloss - the perfect lip gloss formula?


Pat McGrath Lust Lip Gloss Review & Swatches


I don't have a huge Pat McGrath makeup collection, but everything that I do have, I love! Yes, her products are expensive but the quality is second to none. In the past year, she has been releasing sets of mini products, which I love because it makes the brand more accessible. I've wanted to try her glosses for a while so as soon as the trio sets were released, I quickly snapped two up - one for me and one for one of you! Enter here if you'd like to win! There are two shade selections - cool and warm. I kept the cool set for myself and the warm set is in the giveaway.
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Friday 15 February 2019

Review: Rå Oils Radiance Clay Mask and a £10 discount code!


Rå Oils Radiance Clay Mask Review, Rå Oils Discount Code


I was introduced to Rå Oils last year and quickly fell in love! I reviewed the Skin Rescue Oil here and it even made it into my 2018 favourites here. This vegan, organic brand was founded by a mother (Elin) and daughter (Frida) who had tried so many products in a bid to clear Frida's acne. Elin was a beauty therapist and an aromatherapist and decided to experiment with oils to create the perfect blend to treat Frida's acne, which she did, successfully. She then created an oil to help a friend who was suffering from psoriasis. From there, Rå Oils was born! All of the products are made in small batches using the best and purest ingredients. Today, I want to share my thoughts on their Radiance Clay Mask and also tell you how you can save £10 on any Rå Oils product!
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Thursday 14 February 2019

YSL Touche Éclat High Cover Concealer - a miracle worker?


YSL Touche Éclat High Cover Concealer Review


I've been a massive fan of YSL Touche Éclat Radiant Illuminating Pen for years and have repurchased it repeatedly for around 19 years, so when I saw that they released a new High Cover Concealer, I had to buy it!  Some people mistake the original pen for a concealer, but it's designed to brighten rather than conceal. If your under eye area isn't too dark then the original pen might suffice but it definitely isn't enough for proper dark circles, but is the new concealer up to the job?
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Wednesday 13 February 2019

GIVEAWAY! Win a Pat McGrath Mini Lust Gloss Trio




I am a massive fan of Pat McGrath makeup, with her eyeshadows and lipsticks among some of my favourites. Reviews here, here and here. I recently bought two of her Mini Lust Gloss Trio sets - one for me and one for one of you! The photo above is taken from Sephora because the lip glosses are housed in gold packaging with gold sequins, which I obviously didn't want to open as it's a prize! This is a worldwide giveaway. Want to win?
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Tuesday 12 February 2019

Beauty Expert The Vegan Collection


Beauty Expert The Vegan Collection


Increasingly, we are seeing people move towards a vegan life, which includes the products they use. Beauty Expert has created an edit of seven best selling premium vegan beauty products (full sizes), all housed in a stylish vegan wash bag with a retail value of £180 but a price tag of only £80. I think it would be a brilliant gift regardless of whether the recipient is vegan, but especially for anyone who is starting to embrace a cruelty-free lifestyle. So, what's in the bag? A nice mixture of skincare, bodycare, makeup and haircare.
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Monday 11 February 2019

Winter-proof your skin!


Winterproof your skin, skincare for winter for dry skin


Did you have snow recently? We just had a light sprinkling but the drop in temperature prompted me to up the ante and make sure that my skin was well protected from the elements. We have an open fire daily so between that and the central heating, I really should resemble a shrivelled prune but thankfully, I don't! It's not necessary to switch up your routine completely but a few small changes can make a big difference when it comes to winter-proofing your skin.
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Friday 8 February 2019

Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiére Radiance Perfecting Foundation



Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiére Radiance Perfecting Foundation Review


I seem to be on a foundation roll recently! I probably (definitely) didn't need another new foundation but I am almost finished two bottles so pre-empted the 'one in, one out' mantra that I should be following with this Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiére Radiance Perfecting Foundation. It's a few years since I used a Laura Mercier base - Silk Creme was the last one and I really loved that and repurchased it twice but then just moved on to other foundations. Everything about this one just screamed my name - the description said that it's undetectable, natural-looking, hydrating and with an illuminating finish. But does it live up to the description?
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Thursday 7 February 2019

Caudalie Premier Cru Serum


Caudalie Premier Cru Serum Review


Harper's Bazaar UK magazine voted Caudalie Premier Cru Serum 'The Best Of The Best' for mature skin with the beauty director, Katy Young, describing it as 'The most powerful product for improving the skin's health and appearance'. Quite the accolade, given that it has only been on the market for 12 months! So what makes it so special?
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Wednesday 6 February 2019

Bali Body Self Tanning Mousse


Bali Body Self Tanning Mousse Review


I love a good fake tan and apply it on a weekly basis throughout the year and have done for a good 20 years - #tanthursday is definitely a thing in my house!  I used to be very loyal to St Tropez, then I moved on to Xen Tan, which I used consistently for years (and still use) but in the last 1/2 years, I have enjoyed trying other brands (Bondi Sands, Loving Tan, NYK1 and more). I was recently sent a bottle of Bali Body Self Tanning Mousse and a mitt to try and I want to share my thoughts on it with you today.
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Tuesday 5 February 2019

The Hype Is Real #4 Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial


Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial Review


Welcome back to another installment of The Hype Is Real (see parts 1, 2 and 3) and this time it's all about a product that I loved from first use - Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial. Described as having 'magic hands' by Victoria Beckham, Sarah Chapman is both a trained facialist and cosmetic scientist and her products all focus on achieving glowing, radiant, healthy skin. I have tried a good number of her products and repurchased several - the one that I always have in my skincare stash is Overnight Facial and if you are new to the brand, it is the product that I recommend you start with.
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Monday 4 February 2019

Mugler Alien Fusion For Him & Her - perfect for Valentine's Day!


Alien Man Fusion, Alien Fusion For Her


With Valentine's Day fast approaching, it's time to start thinking about what to buy your other half - if you do gifts, that is! We always exchange cards but are irregular with gifts - some years, we'll buy each other something, other years, it's a takeaway & cosy night at home. One thing that both my husband and I are both big fans of, is fragrance - it's an everyday essential whether we're going out or staying at home. Today I want to share Mugler's latest fragrance releases for him & her: Alien Fusion Eau De Parfum and Alien Man Fusion, which may serve as some inspiration if you are in the market for a new fragrance or want to buy a new smelly for your other half for Valentine's Day!
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Friday 1 February 2019

REVIEW: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream


Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream Review


Another day, another hyped product! Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream was released late last year and I couldn't resist buying immediately! There is also a mini B-Hydra Serum in the box, which is a very welcome addition as it adds some hydration to the skin. Retinol (Vitamin A) is widely lauded as being the only proven anti-ageing ingredient but it is also known to improve acne. I have quite sensitive/reactive skin and I can tolerate retinols but I think that if you have extremely sensitive skin, it would be best to start with a very gentle form rather than this product. Drunk Elephant say that you can create a cocktail using a number of their products mixed and then applied to the skin but that just isn't how I like to do my skincare. They also say that this cream can be used both morning and night but my preference is to use it at night only.
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