Sephora's Minnie Mouse Collaboration

As we are both massive Disney fans, this news cheered our week! Sephora has announced that it will be creating a limited edition, seven piece makeup collection based upon Minnie Mouse, which will make its debut this April.

Rumour has it that there will be a white and black eyeliner duo, a twenty eyeshadow palette, a luminising blush, a cherry red lipstick and of course, a smattering of polka dots and bows! As Sephora now ships internationally, this means nabbing limited edition collections is far easier.

We can't wait to see Minnie's ideas....about time that she did something without Mickey being involved!

www.sephora.com

Beauty Treats for Valentine's Day

Hearts, flowers, chocolates, cheesey greetings cards... yep, Valentine's Day is filled with predictable clichés. But why not treat yourself or a friend to a gift this year? Here are a few of our favourite beauty treats....

Clockwise from top left:
• Project Sukuroi Gold Smoothing Balm £30
• Beauty Blender in Red Carpet £16
• Aerin travel gold-tone comb £25
• Nars semi-matte lipstick in Jungle Red £21
• Burberry First Kiss lip balm in No.03 £23
• Smith & Cult Lip Lacquer in The Warning £23
• Bella Freud Loving Tuberose and Sandalwood Candle £40

All items available from www.net-a-porter.com

Nude Progenius Omega Treatment

This product was a very lovely Christmas gift and so I hadn't done any research into the product or the brand. To be fair, I was pretty happy with my skincare situation. I was loving my coconut oil and still am, but I wasn't looking for any kind of addition. However, I have been using the Progenius Omega Treatment for six weeks and the combination of this, the Aveda Botanical Kinetics and Coconut Oil is making my skin look very healthy... even when I haven't had enough sleep and been at work for what seems like a million hours. 

THE PROS

• Consistency: It's a very thick oil and because of this, you only need two drops. It's almost like a moisturiser. I put it on the areas that need more moisture, or rather the areas that could do with rewinding a few years, such as my forehead, around my eyes, my laughter lines and chin. 

• Moisturiser/Foundation: As per the instructions, the product can be added to moisturiser or mixed with foundation for a more radiant and hydrated look. 

• Omega Oils: The product is an omega oil treatment and contains omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9. Those fatty acids are plumping my lines nicely! 

• Ingredients: Nude skincare is formulated without: Parabens, Sulphates, Metacrylate
Polyacrylamide, Phthalates, Mineral Oil, Petrochemical, Synthetic Fragrance, Synthetic Color, Urea, Sulfate Detergents, Pegs Silicones, Polypropylene, Glycol Poloxamer, Elastomer, Synthetic Chelating Agents, DEA, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium,

Their view is that you can have high performing skincare without certain ingredients and the ingredient list can be found on their site. 
 

• Combination: I use the product in the morning with Aveda's Botanical Kinetics Intense Hydrating Rich Creme and Energizing Eye Creme and in the evening with Coconut Oil. My skin has looked at its most hydrated since doing this and the Omega Treatment has been the extra thing that has really helped. Despite the price, I will be re-purchasing this and have stopped using any other serum/oil treatments since using it. 

• Skincare Routine: I will be doing a little trial over the next few weeks and substituting Coconut Oil for Avocado Oil. It will be interesting to see how the Avocado Oil works on its own (it's meant to soften and nourish skin) and then, how it works with the Progenius Omega Treatment. Nothing like a beauty experiment! 

THE CONS

• Oil: Be careful not to put too much around the eyes prior to doing makeup. Your eyeliner will slip right off! I forget and do this regularly! 

• Price: £62 for 30ml. Thank goodness you only need two drops a night. I'll be interested to see how long it lasts. 

www.nudeskincare.com 

Marc Jacobs makeup now available in the UK!

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It's been a long time coming but the entire Marc Jacobs makeup collection is now available to buy in the UK! A small selection has previously been available in the London Mount Street store, but the whole range can now be purchased in Harrods or online at www.harrods.com.

This is great news for those of us who have been lusting after products like the Le Marc Lip Creme Lipsticks or the new Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara. Since the range's launch in 2013 it has been readily available across the pond in Sephora but this is the first time the full range has been accessible in the UK.

Personally it's this rather beautiful La Parisienne eyeshadow palette I'm after...

Shop the full collection at www.harrods.com/brand/marc-jacobs-cosmetics/

'Would You Rather' - skincare edition

When Jen and I play a little game called 'Would You Rather...' it becomes disgusting and weird fairly quickly. That's the whole point of the game, neither option should be a pleasant one! (If you've never heard of it, Google it. You're missing out on a classic.) However, keeping it clean and family friendly, today I'm going to play a tame beauty version of the game. I know, how dull. But the good news is that it does narrow down the skincare champions from the last few months of reviews – particularly useful if you are trying to decide which of the items we have reviewed to spend your money on!

1. Would you rather use Coconut Oil or Barefoot SOS Repair and Renew Intensive Treatment? 

This is an easy one, definitely Coconut Oil. I use it nightly and although I intend to try Avocado Oil, this is one of the cheapest and best moisturisers I have ever used. I use the Barefoot oil as a body moisturiser. I really liked it on my face but it plateaued after a while. However, it has reduced redness on my arms and always feels as if your skin is really moisturised after a hot shower. It's been great in the winter months but the Coconut Oil is cheaper and just as good. 
Read: Coconut Oil, is it worth the hype?
Read: Barefoot SOS Repair + Renew Intensive Treatment Oil

2. Would you rather use Colbert MD Illumino Oil or the Alegenist Anti-Aging Repair Oil?
Colbert MD Illumino Face Oil. I am yet to try the Body Oil but I have already purchased the Face Oil. Yes, it is a lot of money for 30mls (£100) but it is one of the only products that you can see an immediate improvement the day after. I use it the night before special occasions and my skin looks visibly better. Lines are reduced, tone is even and skin is really hydrated. Don't get me wrong, the Alegenist is great but it doesn't have the immediate effects and, for me, you have to use more than a couple of drops to get results


3. Would you rather use Burt's Bees Citrus Face Scrub or Glam Glow Flash Mud Brightening Treatment? 

Glam Glow. I know it's a mask but I often use it as an exfoliater because of the exfoliating particles within it and yes, the product doesn't work as well as if you leave it on for 25 minutes but it works very well and leaves the face smooth. The citrus smell is gorgeous too. I want to love the Burt's Bees Citrus Scrub but it's so messy and goes everywhere, which drives me nuts. 

Read: Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub

4. Would you rather use Dr Jart's Ceramidin Oil Balm or Aveda's Botanical Kinetics Intense Hydrating Rich Creme? 

Aveda. They are both great products but the Aveda Creme absorbs better and works better under makeup. 

Honourable mention: Nude Progenius Omega Treatment. Review coming soon.