Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette!

Hey Beauty Lovers! Too Faced always come out with fun eyeshadow palettes and this time it's all about chocolate! If you are chocoholic you will absolutely love the Too Faced Chocolate Bar, the palette looks like a chocolate bar [obviously] and the eyeshadows smell like chocolate! The eyeshadows are really beautiful, it's a nice mix of mattes and metallics. Most of the eyeshadows are warm toned chocolaty browns but there are also a couple of purples.

To create the eyeshadow look that I'm wearing: Apply MAC Paint Pot in Nubile as a base. Then all over apply Salted Caramel [matte soft brown] from the palette, also taking it under the lower lash-line. For extra dimension blend Semi-Sweet [matte brown] through the socket and again under the lower lash-line blending the two shades together. Champagne Truffle is a gorgeous pinky metallic highlight, it looks beautiful on the brow-bone.

LOVE

SkinCeuticals Foaming Cleanser Review!

Available at skinceuticals.co.uk

Hey Beauty Lovers! SkinCeuticals Foaming Cleanser is formulated for all skin types in particular it's great for oily/combo skin which needs gentle care to avoid aggravating the skin further. This cleanser is a super lightweight and gentle foam that helps to balance the excess oiliness and lift impurities. Can be used morning and evening, dispense a small amount of the foam, apply on dry skin [face + neck] and massage gently then wash off with warm water.

LOVE

Topshop Lipstick Obsession!

Top L-R: Charmed, Infrared, Fire Cracker, Rio Rio.

Bottom L-R: Petal, Innocent, Rumour Has It.

Left, Top to Bottom: Charmed, Infrared, Fire Cracker, Rio Rio.

Right, Top to Bottom: L-R: Petal, Innocent, Rumour Has It.

L-R: Charmed, Infrared, Fire Cracker, Rio Rio, Petal, Innocent, Rumour Has It.

Hey Beauty Lovers! I thought it was about time to share my slowly expanding Topshop lipstick collection. If you've been reading my blog for a while you will know that I have a thing for their lipsticks. The formula and pigmentation could easily be mistaken for a high end lipstick, the quality is great. They are moisturising, last well, and have a wide range of colours! One of my very first and most used Topshop lipsticks is the Rumour Has It, which I have featured so many times. It's a beaut nude that looks super chic with a smokey eye!  Charmed [pale orange] and Petal [pastel pink] have a white pigment in them, which is great for retro inspired lip! Infrared and Fire Cracker are both orange reds, which look cute with a tan during summer. Rio Rio is a cool toned red with a velvet finish. And finally Innocent is the perfect Rosie Huntington-Whiteley tawny pink. 

LOVE

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation Review!

Hey Beauty Lovers! As a seasonal foundation change-over I have decided to try the new Revlon Nearly Naked foundation. The concept behind this foundation is a lightweight texture with dewy finish and a light coverage. Although it's a light coverage foundation it can be build up to a medium. I would recommend Nearly Naked for normal to dry skin types, but definitely not combo or oily. I have oily/combo skin type and this foundation looked pretty when first applied but even though I set it with mineral foundation about an hour in it started to break down and looked way too shiny.

LOVE

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Sun Protection!

 New La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL  Compact-Cream SPF50+

[comes in two shades]

 New La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra-Light Fluid [face] 50+ 

[also comes in a tinted version]

 La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Nutritive Oil [Body] 50+

and La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Sensitive Lipstick 50+

Hey Beauty Lovers! At the La Roche-Posay event it was all about sun protection, the event was organised with one and only mission: to get us ready for the summer! La Roche-Posay Anthelios [SPF30] and Anthelios [SPF50+] is their sun protection range. As the sun starts to come out and skin gets exposed to the dangerous UVB and UVA rays, skincare with a high protection becomes vital! UVB is the light that causes damage on the surface of the skin without penetrating the epidermis, which results in sunburn. Although a sunburn may appear to be only a temporary skin issue it can actually cause permanent damage. A sunburn is essentially dehydrating the skin which leads to premature aging such as wrinkles.

UVA however, penetrates deep into the skin dermis and causes long-term or permanent skin damage that can take years to develop before it becomes evident. UVA just like UVB but worse causes premature skin aging: age-spots, skin pigmentation, deep wrinkles. But the main danger is a potentially life threatening skin damage, that is why you should insure at all times when exposed to the sun that both UVB and UVA protection factors are in your sun protection products! 

Here are a few interesting facts: 80% of premature skin ageing is due to exposure to UVA or UVB rays. What was surprising to find out is that 70% of consumers use the same sun screen product on their body & face. Obviously the skin on the face is a lot more fragile and therefore needs a much higher sun protection factor, ideally SPF30 for the body and SPF50 for the face. 

The two new products are the Cream Compact and Ultra Light Fluid, both already available. The Cream Compact is SPF50+ foundation that is basically make-up and skincare in one, comes in two shades. It has a soft matte finish, creates a smooth texture for a perfect complexion, and doesn't feel heavy. Ultra Light Fluid is a lightweight SPF50+ facial sun protection with no white residue that is great for combination skin, it also comes in a tinted version. So make sure you are protecting your skin this summer!

LOVE

DHC Liquid Eyeliner Review!

Wearing on the Eyes: 

MAC Eyeshadow in Mulch, DHC Liquid Eyeliner + DHC Double Protection Mascara in Black.

Lips: Topshop Lipstick in Rumour Has It

 

Hey Beauty Lovers! As much as I have been enjoying the DHC Double Protection Mascara, I am also quite fond of their Liquid Eyeliner. It doesn't seem to have the shade name on the packaging so I assume it only comes in black. Just like the mascara it's the blackest black, which I absolutely love! It comes in a pen with a ball inside that helps to deposit the product into the bristles of the applicator by shaking it. The tip has a sharp point that is not too soft and not too dense, which is just perfect for a precision application. You can create the ultimate fine line or build it up to any desired thickness. Zero transferral and super long lasting. It dries to a super chic matte black, j'adore!!

LOVE

DHC Double Protection Mascara Review!

Hey Beauty Lovers! This is the much talked about mascara amongst make-up artists and beauty editors. The DHC Double Protection Mascara is great for lengthening yet keeping the lashes looking beautifully natural, this is the type of mascara that I prefer over any of those thick and heavy clumping formulas. The shade I'm using is Black, it's an intensely saturated black. The formula is gorgeously creamy, it goes on incredibly smoothly and has a beautiful shine to it. Apart from the great formula when it comes to mascara the brush plays a significant role. The brush on this mascara is small and has an oval elongated shape with bristle slightly longer on one side, which enables you to get right into the roots and create a thicker looking lash base. Hands down this has to be one of my top fave mascaras!

LOVE

Trevor Sorbie Big Hair Powder Review!

Hey Beauty Lovers! Another Trevor Sorbie hair product I have been loving is the Big Hair Powder from the Volume range. It's a mighty little bottle with a nozzle that deposits the powder to the targeted area. It can be applied only on dry hair, straight into the roots for a big lift and immediate volume or it can also be lightly dusted over the mid-lengths and worked in for a matte modern texture. It's super lightweight and doesn't build up as much as some of the other volumising hair powders I have tried but a little goes a long way!

LOVE

Trevor Sorbie Styling Range!

Hey Beauty Lovers! Here are some great and affordable hair styling products that I have been enjoying lately. All three are from the Trevor Sorbie Styling range and have a gorgeous summery scent, so I'd definitely recommend to check these out in the coming months! Another reason why they are great for the summer is their lightweight texture, they are non-heavy and non-sticky. The Dry Shampoo has the most delicious floral scent, and what I love about it beside the über sexy scent is that it doesn't leave a powdery cast on the roots as dry shampoos tend to. It's great for refreshing oily roots and also for some volume and texture through out the length.

Invisible Hold Mousse is another great lightweight hair styling product from this range. It creates volume and leaves your hair looking shiny and pretty, use it on wet hair before blow-drying with a round-brush. And finally Natural Hold Hairspray is the perfect light summer time hair spray!

LOVE

James Read Sleep Mask Tan Review!

Hey Beauty Lovers! Earlier this week I have been introduced to James Read's at-home tanning products. It was lovely meeting James himself, who is the UK's leading self-tanning expert. He has worked with many celebrities giving them that perfect sun-kissed skin. His tanning products have been developed for a natural looking tan that doesn't smell or make your sheets and towels dirty. I'm currently obsessed with his newly discovered facial tanner, which was highly recommended by James during a chat we had over champagne...

James Read Sleep Mask Tan is a hybrid of skincare and self-tanner, which makes it the best facial tanner that I have come across so far. You can use it as an over-night treatment or in the morning for a gentle tan that will develop throughout the day. The formula has a transparent gel texture, which is incredibly lightweight. Sleep Mask Tan is infused with moisturising and soothing ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Cucumber, Hyaluronic Acid and Red Algae. It also has Citric Acid and Benzoic Acid, which are great for those of us with problematic skin. I have oily/combo skin type which is also acne prone and I had absolutely no break-outs, waking up to flawless skin with a natural golden glow! 

LOVE

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet Review!

shade: 20 Beige

Hey Beauty Lovers! I have finally tried the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet, which is their new foundation. The foundation has a smooth texture and almost feels like a silicon based primer when applying it. It has a gorgeous finish which is not matte and looks very natural, creating a flawless skin. In terms of coverage I'd say it's a medium, so if you are on a good skin-day then you won't need any additional concealing. On my skin, which is oily/combo it stays looking perfect upto four hours then it needs a bit of powdering on the T-zone. The packaging is just like the Vitalumiere Aqua but in black, which looks rather chic!

LOVE

Optex Brightening Eye Drops Review!

Hey Beauty Lovers! Here is something a little different. For some reason I have never noticed brightening eye drops before, but this woman that was in the queue at Boots started enquiring about these drops so I decided to give them a go. Brightening Eye Drops are great for when your eyes look tiered. Usually if you have a hint of yellow or red in the white of your eyes naturally your eyes are lacking a glow. To combat the dull eyes just squeeze a drop or two in each eye for immediate results. If you are a contact lens wearer then I'd recommend to use the drops before going to bed, which on me lasts well into the evening next day. They make the white of my eyes dazzling white almost with a hint of blue, which instantly infuses the face with freshness!

LOVE

Bronze Buffer Self-Tan Remover Review!

Hey Beauty Lovers! The Bronze Buffer Self-Tan Remover has now made it to my self-tanning itinerary! As mentioned in the previous blogpost Bronze Buffer is an exfoliating sponge that helps to remove the remaining patches of a self-tanner after it starts to wear off. This enables you to reapply the self-tanner onto smooth skin without caching on the remaining self-tanning patches. However if you have really soft skin make sure to be very gentle with this sponge to avoid irritation. I find it works best after a long soak in the bath, just wet the sponge and very gently go over the patch that needs to be removed by going into one direction. And make sure to really moisturise your skin after exfoliating!

LOVE

Perfect Sun-Kissed Skin with James Read Tanners!

Available at jamesreadtan.com

James Read BB Gradual Tan for the face that develops into a light but golden complexion. It has a brush applicator so you can tan on the go. The vital skincare ingredients include hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, anti-ageing Co-Enzyme Q10 and cell-renewing Red Algae. 

Bronze Buffer Self-Tan Remover comes in a box with two exfoliating sponges.

Hey Beauty Lovers! I'm very excited to share with you the tanning products that I have been introduced at the event tonight! James Read personally showcased his tanning line and I also met the lady behind the Bronze Buffer Self-Tan Remover that goes hand in hand with the self-tanning products. James Read is very passionate about skincare and sexy sun-kissed looking skin, which is exactly what his award-winning tanning products stand for. His tanners are loved by celebrities in UK and US, so much so that they even were featured in the last Vogue US issue [the one with Kim & Kanye on the cover]. 

There is a wide range of tanning products for face and body to choose from but I'm particularly looking forward to trying the new Sleep Mask Tan, which is a facial skincare product with Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera, Cucumber and Red Algae, which moisturises and soothes the skin overnight, by the time you wake up next morning your skin is plumped up and beautiful tanned.

When it comes to body tanning you always get the first few days of perfectly tanned skin, then the tan starts to subside and the last few days before it completely washes off you are always left with tiny bits of remaining tan so this is where the Bronze Buffer comes in! It's  basically an exfoliating sponge that removes those tanning bits, which I'm also looking forward to try! 

LOVE

New BareMinerals Lasting Line Eyeliner!

 Wearing: BareMinerals Lasting Line  Long-Wearing Eyeliner in Absolute Black.

 Top to Bottom:  

Absolute Black [matte black], Always Charcoal [matte taupe], Forever Brandy [matte aubergine], Lasting Brown [dark warm brown], Infinite Sage [olive gold], Nonstop Navy [metallic dark blue].

Hey Beauty Lovers! These are the new BareMinerals Lasting Line Long-Wearing Eyeliners that I have been enjoying lately. They come in eight shades six of which I have swatched, all the shades from matt to metallic are very pretty. What I love about the BareMinerals Lasting Line Eyeliner is that they are really long lasting and they glide over the lid easily without being too soft, so you are not going to run out of it as quick as it is usually the case. Another bonus point is the double ended sharpener and smudger, so you don't need an extra brush to create a quick smokey eye.

LOVE

Bio Sculpture Nailpolish in Neon Pomegranates On Ice!

Hey Beauty Lovers! I think this is the most über-cool hot pink I have ever come across. Bio Sculpture Neon Pomegranates On Ice is a duo-chrome neon pink with a blue/purple sheen, the name couldn't be a better fit! As you know I have discovered Bio Sculpture nailpolishes fairly recently and grown to love them. Although Neon Pomegranates On Ice is more of a sheer texture two coats are more than enough for the perfect finish!

LOVE

Smashbox The Santigolden Age by Santigold!

Super glossy and pigmented with light staining!

...some pina coladas and some mojitos...

Hey Beauty Lovers! Earlier this week I was invited to the Smashbox event showcasing the new releases and of course the super fun Summer 2014 Collection for which Smashbox has done a collab with the LA artist Santigold aka Santi White. This collection reflects the true hot LA sunshine and Santigold's artistic hipsterness, along with a few delicious summer cocktails the beauty fun begun... 

The Santigolden Age Collection consists of Eye Shadow Collage, which is an eyeshadow palette that was inspired by Santigold's distinctive collage art - they can be used wet/dry [shades: Earth As We Know It and Apocalypse Now]. Also part of the collection is the Be Legendary Lip Gloss - they are super shiny [shades: All Gold E'rything and Hot Lava]. Then Double-Ended Limitless Eye Liner in bright popping shades [El Dorado/Azurite Is Never Wrong and Yellow Dwarf/Green Martian]. As well as the Be Legendary Lipstick Ring, which is a statement ring that encapsulates a lip product [shade: Still Kickin'] and Nail Polish Art Strips in Serpent Charmer and Eye of The Beholder.

Both the Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream and the new Smashbox lipglosses caught my attention. I was colour-matched with the shade Light/Medium for the CC Cream, which I was given a sample of to try, so I will let you know soon how I get on with it and what I think. The CC Cream is already out and The Santigolden Age Collection will be available online smashbox.co.uk from 14th May and on counter 28th May 2014. Available from Boots stores nationwide or online boots.com. Now all we need is some sunshine!

LOVE

On-Trend: Reversed French Manicure!

Nails Inc Old Bond Street + Essie Good As Gold

Hey Beauty Lovers! This week has been predominantly all about nails and if you are a nailjunkie just like me you will love this new look! Reversed French Manicure is one of the current on-trend statement nailart looks. It's all about contrasting two nailpolish colours, I'm obsessed with this look. Dark navy with cool toned gold make a super chic combo. To create this look I have applied two coats of Nails Inc Old Bond Street and then using a thin artist's brush I painted half moons at the base of the nail with Essie Good As Gold. To intensify the gold detail go over it twice. Et voilà!

LOVE