September 2014 - Skin Face Beauty

Yes to Grapefruit Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream Review

Thursday, 25 September 2014

The eye area is the most thinnest and sensitive part of your face and it should always stay moisturised. The ingredients used in eye creams and specifically targeted to the eye area. There are a range of eye creams available in the market right now to calm puffiness, reduce dark circles or prevent wrinkles/lines.

Yes to Grapefruit Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream for Uneven Skin Tone 15ml

Boots £12.99

"Yes to Grapefruit Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream is a light-weight eye treatment that is clinically proven to help visibility diminish the appearance of dark circles in four weeks, naturally. The cream is formulated with Grapefruit, which is packed with Lycopene and fruits acids that help fade age spots and increase luminosity, Loquorice Root, which calms and soothes skin inflammation and helps combat dark circles around the eyes"

The first 2 things you will realise when you start using the product is the distinctive grapefruit smell and colour. The cream itself is very lightweight and moisturising. It is easy to blend using tapping motions with the ring finger.

All eye creams contain special ingredients to do its magic, leaving the eye area looking brighter and less puffy. This eye cream contains;

Glycerin: hydrates the skin and fades away pigmentation

Abyssinica Seed Oil: prevents dehydration and controls oil production

Licorice Root: prevents wrinkle formation and brightens the skin

A lentil sized amount is more than enough as a little goes a long way. Once blended in, it sinks into the skin- there will be no greasy residue left behind. The cream worked very well on my skin. I noticed my under eyes appearing slightly brighter within 3-4 days of using the product day (before makeup) and night (before bed). I would definitely recommend this product. Like all skincare products, you have to be CONSISTENT, in order to see a difference in 3-4 weeks.

Have you tried any of the Yes to Grapefruit range? What did you think of them? Did it correct the pigmentation on your skin?

Bourjois V Rimmel: Matte Velvet Lippys

Bourjois and Rimmel both released matte velvet lip products this year which are available in many different colours in Boots and Superdrugs. I am a sucker for matte finishes, so when I spotted these I just had to get my hands on the reds.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick in Hot Pepper
Boots £8.99

"Bold, matte and long-lasting colour with 24hr hold. It's lightweight, velvety texture and non-drying formulas gives extreme comfort that doesn't smudge! From sassy reds to vibrant pinks and everyday nudes there is a colour to suit every occasion."

The Bourjois Velvet Matte Liquid Lipsticks are available in 8 colours. They are all vibrant and extremely pigmented. I like to use this with Rimmel London Exaggerate Lip Liner in Obsession underneath- this will enable the lipstick last longer and prevent bleeding and smudging. With its smooth wand application, it looks glossy at first but dries matte within a few seconds. This isn't your usual dry, matte textured lippy that flakes off, it is quite moisturising. As it is very long lasting- it can be a pain to take off. It will not come off with normal face wipes, you may need to use a cleanser as it will also stains the lips. The orangey-red toned lipstick is very affordable. Boots and Superdrugs always have a 3 for 2 or buy one get 2nd half price deal on the Bourjois range, so watch out for those money saving discounts!

Rimmel Apocalips Matte Lip Lacquer in Burning Lava
Boots £6.49

"Apocalips Matte Lip Lacquer: Apocalips now comes in a splash of mousse-like texture that quickly sets to a unique velvety matte finish with a flattering soft-focus effect. Earth-shattering intense colour that stays true for up to 8 hours."

The Rimmel Apocalips Matte Lip Lacquers are available in 4 colours. Just like the Bourjois Liquid Lipsticks, this also has a smooth wand application and is super pigmented. Burning Lava is a glossy deep red which dries matte. It is very easy to apply and is not drying at all. Again, I like to line my lips underneath to prevent the lip laquer from budging. Its a lovely deep colour for autumn however its not as long lasting as the Bourjois- this only lasts 4-5 hours. It does however, stain the lips and will need a cleanser to take off. Boots and Superdrugs also do a 3 for 2 or buy one get 2nd half price deals on the Rimmel range aswell.

Overall, I prefer the Bourjois Matte Liquid Lipstick because it lasts much longer and the wand is smaller- this enables me to have a better precise application on my lips. There are also more colours to choose from however, as the Rimmel Matte Apocalips range is still quite new, they may release more colours in the future!

Tips on Growing Your Nails

1. BE PATIENT

All our nails grow at different speed- some faster/slower than others. You won't wake up the next day after using a million treatments and expect them to have grown. It can take at least 3-6 months for all your finger nails to grow out to its full length. So be patient and those fabulous nails will grow in no time!

2. KEEP 'EM CLEAN

Keep your nails clean to encourage them to grow healthy and strong. Avoid using harsh chemicals such as cleaning products, directly onto your nails as it will weaken them and be more prone to breakages. Alternatively, wear rubber gloves when cleaning.

3. TREAT THEM
There are many nail treatments available in the market to encourage nail growth and strength. I like to use the O.P.I Original Nail Envy Nail Strengthener as a base coat, before applying a coloured polish. This strengthens as well as enables the nail polish to last longer. Sally Hansen (available from Boots) do a great range of treatments for dry & brittle nails, soft & weak nails and cuticle oils.

4. DO NOT BITE
Nail biting will slow down the process of your nail growth. It also makes them weaker as you use your teeth to bite or rip the nails off. There are 'stop and grow' products such as Orly Colour Blast Nail Treatment Stop Biting Polish which you use as a normal nail polish, but if you do attempt to bite them you will have a horrible, bitter taste in your mouth (this can be used as a top coat, over any other nail polishes of your choice).

5. SAY NO TO ACETONE
Acetone is a very strong chemical. It not only removes nail polish very easily but it takes away all the moisture and natural oils, leaving nails and the finger tips feeling and looking quite dry. My favourite nail polish removers are the Sally Hansen Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover and O.P.I Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover. If you only remove nail polish every 2-3 weeks, it is okay to use an acetone base remover as long as you moisturise your hands thoroughly straight after.

6. MOISTURISE
The area around your nails can get dry and rough. To prevent this from happening, it is important to wash and moisturise. A good moisturise such as the Soap & Glory Hand Food Hand Cream and Crabtree and Evelyn Rosewater Therapy Hand Cream will soothe the dryness and soften the cuticles.

7. DIET
Diet plays a big role in how your body functions and develops. As I've said before on the blog, there is literally nothing that water can't fix. Water keeps the nails and cuticles hydrated. Foods such as spinach, chicken and fish are high in protein and will help towards the growth of healthy looking nails.

8. SHAPING
When filing your nails, it is important to only file in one direction- this is to prevent chipping and split nails. Try to avoid using metal files as they can be extremely harsh on our nails. I like to use the Boots 4 Way Buffer Block to file, buff, smooth and shine.

9. PROTECT THEM
The best way to protect your nails is to not do too much to them too often. A quick 'home' manicure every 2-3 weeks is more than enough. Top coats are available in 2 different finishes; shiny and matte (my favourite). Using a top coat after every nail colour application, it creates a barrier and enables the nail polish to last longer. My current favourite top coats are Barry M Matte Top Coat, O.P.I Rapidry Top Coat and Essie Nails Super Fast Dry Top Coat.

10. TOOLS
Avoid using your nails as tools! Don't put too much pressure on them while picking something up- they can get flexible and bend backwards, it is extremely painful.

Problematic Under Eyes: Concealing

Sunday, 21 September 2014

Moisturise - Prime - Correct - Conceal - Set

Moisturising

Moisturise your face with your favourite face cream and apply an eye cream around your eye area. Using your ring finger, gently blend the cream in using a tapping motion. Eye creams are specifically targeted for the eye area as it is much more thinner and weaker than the rest of your face. I like to use Soap & Glory Puffy Eye Attack Turbo-Boost Hydragel (review will be up soon). You must allow the eye cream to dry before applying concealor so it doesn't look cakey.

Soap & Glory Puffy Eye Attack Turbo-Boost Hydragel 14ml
Boots £12.50

Priming

I prime my face using Laura Mercier Foundation Primer. I use a pea size amount all over my face and I gently blend the left over product around my eyes. A primer creates a smooth surface for your concealor and extends the lasting power. Alternatively, you could use an eyeshadow primer around your eyes such as the Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer 50ml
John Lewis £29.00

Correcting

A corrector is used underneath a concealor to neautrilise and brighten the area. I use the Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Bisque. I apply it under my eyes using the Real Techniques Detailer Brush and gently blend it in with my fingers using a tapping motion- I use the left over product on my eyelids.

Bobbi Brown Corrector 1.7g
John Lewis £19

Concealing
To conceal, I use Nars Radiant Creamy Concealor in Caramel. This is my staple makeup item! I've gone through so many and it is like magic! It is very creamy, pigmented and super easy to blend. I apply it in an upside-down triangle shape under my eyes and blend it in using the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. It is a full coverage concealor and covers anything from scars to dark circles to blemishes. I can't fault it at all.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealor
Selfridges £22

Setting
It is important to set your concealor to prevent transfers and a longer lasting wear. I use the Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder and pat it into the areas where I have concealed. A little goes a long way, you don't want to use too much and make the area look too powdery. This is an optional step- some people prefer not to set with powder as their eye area tends to be a little dry.

Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder 11.34g
John Lewis £29.00

My Favourite Mascaras!

Saturday, 20 September 2014

A layer (or 2) of a good mascara has been a vital part of my makeup routine since the beginning of my never ending makeup collection. Not only does it add volume, it makes me look more awake and sometimes, its the only makeup product I need to use before rushing out the door.

A good mascara is so important! You don't want to keep applying it throughout the day, or have it smudge- that is a pain! I usually stick to Boots/Superdrugs, as their mascaras are just as good as the higher brands and at a fraction of the price.

To find the perfect mascara, you need to ask yourself what kind of mascara you're looking for. Do you need more volumising, lengthening or thickening? Are your lashes straight? Fine? Short? Can't see them?

Here are a few of my favourites that make my fine-haired lashes looking its best. I curl my lashes before applying one of my favourites!
(These are in no particular order- I love em all equally)

LENGTHENING

LOreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Mascara in Extra Black
Boots £10.99

"The Millionizer brush has a multitude of bristles to separate lashes for a fanned-out lash effect. The elastomer applicator is ultra flexible with both long and short bristles to coat each lash evenly from root to tip."

First of all- the packaging! The classy gold and black and 'million lashes' written across has made this drugstore mascara look way past high end, how gorg! With only 2 coats, this mascara works wonders on making my lashes appear longer and fuller. As you take the mascara wand out, excess product is taken off so as you coat your lashes, so you're not left with any clumpy lashes.

VOLUMISING

Bourjois Volume Clubbing Ultra Black Mascara
Boots £7.99

"Bourjois Volume Clubbing Mascara gives you extreme volume, perfect for nights out.Its patented double-sided brush with its high volume of supple bristles ensures even coverage on the lashes. Its extremely resistant formula is enriched with vinyl for a look that won’t budge all night!"

This was one of my first ever mascaras. I loved the thickening and volumising effect it gave after 1 coat and to top it off it left not clumps! It is super easy to take off at the end of the night and is also available in a waterproof formula, which is great for people with an oily eye area.

WATERPROOF

No7 Extreme Length Waterproof Mascara in Black
Boots £12.50

"No7 Extreme Length Waterproof Mascara has a smooth formulation that will give you gorgeous clump-free lashes, plus the uniquely shaped brush grips and extends your lashes giving you maxiumum length. Its easy to build intensity by adding mascara to individual lashes, even those in the corner of your eye."

I'm not really into waterproof mascaras as it is a pain to take off. But I used this for a good 2-3 weeks and it started to grow on me. With only 1 coat, it left my lashes looking thicker and longer. I wore it for a good 13 hours one day and it lasted all day, no smudges and no flake outs- amazing right?

NON-CLUMPY

Maxfactor Clump Defy Volumising Mascara in Black
Boots £10.99

"Max Factor Clump Defy Volumising mascara allows you to saturate your lashes with stroke upon stroke of mascara to achieve more volume while still maintaining beautifully separated and defined lashes without clumping.This is thanks to the revolutionary brush technology. The new Anti Clumps brush is the first Max Factor clump-free lash loading brush. Its tight, evenly spaced bristles stops clumps forming and hugs the lashes to define and separate."

This was voted Best Beauty Buys 2014 and it sure was a 'best beauty buy' of mine. It has a curved shaped wand and is great to coat the lower lashes without smudging and getting messy. It does exactly what it promises- probably even better. Although this isn't a waterproof mascara- it does take a few extra rubs to take off.

ALL-IN-ONE

Lancome Virtuose Mascara - Curves & Length Mascara - Divine Hold
Boots £22.50

"Stunning lash curler effect with the unique KeepCurl™ brush. Extraordinary wear that’s virtually smudge-proof and tear-proof. Easily removable."

When I first received a sample size of this clump-free mascara, I was like a little child, so excited to use it. I used it whilst I was sitting at home doing nothing and even whilst I was sick. When that finished, I obviously had to purchase the full size! On my thin lashes, 1 coat was more than enough. It gave so much volume and length and the lasting power is amazing! The wand is curved, so it is easy to coat the inner and outer lashes as well as the roots.

Problematic Under Eyes: The Reasons

Friday, 19 September 2014

AGEING
Ageing causes the under eyes to become very delicate, thin and weak. The blood vessels
start to show, wrinkles start to develop and yes, this is a major sign of ageing!

ALLERGIES
Allergies that make you rub your eyes could be hay fever, a dusty environment or a cold. These can lead to itchy eyes and puffiness, which in time develop into dark circles.

HEREDITARY
In some cases, dark circles could be passed down to you if it is in the genetics. You can not prevent this from happening, but its appearance can be reduced.

NO SLEEP
This is the excuse we all give when we are asked 'Why are your eyes like that?'. Lack of sleep, tiredness and looking at a screen for too long can strain your eyes and cause irritation.

NUTRITION
Dehydration causes the under eyes to become very dry. A nutritional diet including iron and vitamin encourages healthy looking under eyes.

Types of Dark Circles

BLUE TONE: caused by lack of sleep, stress and allergies

Solution: taking allergy tablets, using eye creams and getting enough sleep

RED TONE: caused by ageing, genetics and lack of sleep

Solution: getting enough sleep and using eye creams

BROWN TONE: genetics, hyper-pigmentation and sun damage

Solution: using eye creams with SPF and increase vitamin C intake

| Keep an eye out for Problematic Under Eyes - Part 2 |

London Fashion Week 2014 - Bloggers Event

Thursday, 18 September 2014

I was invited to the London Fashion Week Bloggers Event hosted by Bloggers_love. It was held at Penthouse London, Leceister Sq and, as you can see, it was quite busy. There was a great selection of brands ranging from fashion to hair to beauty. I discovered a lot of new brands and met a bunch of lovely bloggers- it was an evening worth spent!

RUSH HAIR

I’m sure the majority of you guys are familiar with the award winning salon RUSH who have branches all over London. I am big on natural, heatless volume in my hair so these products are a great edition to my collection.

GHD TOTAL VOLUME FOAM

GHD Website £14.95

“An easy-use mousse that creates soft but lasting volume and fullness in all hair types. Best for: Adding all-over body to your style; creating root lift; giving fullness to finer hair types”

L’oreal Professional Tecni Art Volume Lift

Rush Store 250ml £10.99

“volume with movement , leaving your hair with flexibility and a natural hold”

OPTIMUS PERFORMANCE MARKETING

Optimus are a marketing agency that promote and attract people to your business and blogging industry. They also consult and train their clients to improve their brand. They kindly gifted us bloggers products from their clients Elemis and Chemist Direct.

Elemis Pro Radiance Cream Cleanser

QVCUK 150ml £29.00

“a new generation anti-ageing cream facial cleanser which deeply moisturises to reveal a youthful complexion”

Derma Oil

Chemist Direct 200ml £10.99

A specialised skincare oil for:

“Ageing skin – proven to increase the firmness and elasticity of the skin. With benefits for; scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone”

WANT HER DRESS

Want Her Dress (WHD) are an online fashion boutique designed for women of all shapes and sizes. I met the lovely Chelle Shohet (a London Trained Stylist) who gave me the most amazing advice on how to dress for my figure. She’s definitely persuaded me to go out and purchase my first ever pair of jeans! Watch out for that! She also gifted me a lovely pleated maxi.

Black SAFIA Pleated Maxi Dress

SALE PRICE £20.00

“This gorgeous pleated maxi dress also has a long pleated skirt which falls gracefully from the waist and flirty side splits to show off your legs!”

NADIA MINKOFF

Nadia’s collection had the most gorgeous handbags ever! I can’t wait to get my hands on one. She is a British based brand who has showcased her collection worldwide such as Tokyo, New York and Copenhagen. She also has her own jewellery collection which is made with Swarovski elements, ranging from charm necklaces to bracelets.