Diorshow Fusion Mono

The Dior Show Fusion Mono is a gel-mousse texture that gives a mirror shine effect when patted onto the lid, but when applied to the crease and intensified it gives a subtle matte definition. The above colour, 821 Chimere, is a rose gold on the lid but adds a little something extra to the 'No Makeup, Makeup' trend when applied to the crease. It's almost as if a contour powder has been used as a crease shade. There's no fall out and judging by comments on Instagram, it can be used as a highlight too. 

The colour lasts and although described as mirrored, it's too not glittery and transparent, it is multifaceted and buildable. I have used it daily and by looking at the product above, it's hardly noticeable, so it looks as if it will last a long while. 

The product is used in the crease to give subtle definition to the eye.

Having read Jen's post on Dior's spring line, I'm excited to see future products! 

£22.50 for 6.5 grams. 

www.dior.com

Nars Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

This product has become my favourite primer. Don't get me wrong, Urban Decay's Primer Potions are great, especially Eden, as it neutralises the colour of the lid. However, this Nars primer keeps eyeliner in place all day and night and quite possibly, the next day!

THE INFO:
'A polymer and mineral-powder blend establishes a firm grip on color ensuring hours and hours of gorgeous wear. Fortified with a special deep-sea extract and an antioxidant rice extract, the Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base dries on contact and keeps the delicate eyelid smooth and prepared for color application.'

THE PROS:

• Prevents creasing, smudging and caking. 

• Prolongs winged eyeliner (ensure that the product is applied to the edge of the eye too).

• Easy application.

• Works with any type of eyeshadow product (cream, powder, shadow stick etc.).

• Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested (i.e, skin and eye tested). 

• It lasts a long time. I have used it daily since July and I am only now going to need to re-purchase at some point soon. A little goes a long way. 

• £19.50 for 0.28oz, which lasts 5-6 months of daily use. 

• Fragrance free.

• Holds up in hot, humid weather and the rain. 

• You can use half the product from the applicator on one eye lid and half on the other. This is why it lasts for so long.

THE CONS:

• The doe foot applicator means that it often gets makeup on it and can get quite dirty.

• The packaging is prone (especially the lid) to attracting makeup, moisturiser, hand cream and anything else! Be prepared for it to look like you've had the product for years, after a week! 

• Once the product has been applied, you need to blend eye shadows quickly. Otherwise, you end up pulling at the lid because once the primer has dried, the colour is locked on! This isn't really a bad thing, considering that the product is doing what it says. It just means that you need to apply it as you are doing your eyeshadow and not when doing skin prep.
 

Overall, I think it's a very good product and I will continue to purchase it. 

www.narscosmetics.co.uk 

Christmas Reviews and Sales

Now that Christmas is over and the subsequent sales are under way, I thought I would share a few of my favourite beauty treats that are currently available for great prices.

Emma Hardie's 'The Midas Touch Tutorial Box' is a product design marvel. It comes with video screen, which shows tutorials. Yes, of course it's unique and eye catching, especially as there are buttons to press to select the tutorials, but the tutorials are really interesting and show the different ways to use the products, even down to the way to use the muslin cloth with the lines of the face. By doing it in the suggested way, the face immediately looks more toned and tight. It reminds me of the way the face looks after a facial. Actually, the music and soft spoken instructions make the whole experience very spa like! 

The products are gorgeous and include Moringa Cleansing Balm (see review), which is the best cleansing product that I have used to date. Dry skin is transformed and makeup is quickly removed.

I am yet to try the Midas Touch Serum and Age Support Face Cream but the Serum tutorial made it look like some kind of skin medication, where it is strategically placed on specific points of the face, so I'm excited to work that one out!  

The Midas Touch Box is £99 and an online exclusive. However, in the sale, Feel Unique are offering the Morninga Cleansing Balm for £32.30 and the Midas Touch Box for £69.30 

www.feelunique.com 

Space NK is one of my favourite shops and their gift boxes are a lovely present. However, in the 50% off sale, the products are even better! REN, Aromatherapy Associates, By Terry, Diptyque and others are included. Hurrah! 

www.uk.spacenk.com 

Debenhams are also doing some amazing perfume deals, especially perfume gift sets. Soft, floral scents, such as Marc Jacobs Daisy collections, Thierry Mugler, Jimmy Choo and Gucci are all down in price. It is also doing some amazing makeup deals, including Urban Decay and YSL. 

www.debenhams.com 

Amazon are doing deals left right and centre. This Christmas seemed to be the year of the watches in our house and I am particularly fond of the Daniel Wellington collection. I like the masculine, no nonsense design, which doesn't look overly manly for women, with a classic design. 

The watches have gone down from £159 to approximately £78, so it's an amazing time to nab a good deal. 

www.amazon.co.uk 

Happy shopping everyone! 

REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial

At my work's Christmas shindig, I received a lovely gift in the form of a REN facial. Whilst the bakers of the group were ooing and ahhing over cupcake stands (to be fair, they were very pretty), I stared lovingly at a product that I knew my skin desperately needed. Needless to say, it hasn't disappointed.

PROS:

• Vitamin C is activated when combined with water. You are advised to apply in circular motions but I've slapped it on and it still does the job. 

• I can genuinely see results after use. My skin was smoother and more plumped. My makeup applied beautifully after using it. 

• Like all REN products, the facial doesn't contain any parabens, mineral oil or sulphates (plus other unnecessary ingredients).

• It's quick to use. Bung it on for a minute, hence the name, and wash it off. Done. 

• You can literally feel dead skin cells being removed... I'm not sure if that's what it is but it feels as if you can, which then leaves skin silky and smooth. It is as if a serum is on your face. 

• It can be used on arms and décolletage. I often experience redness on the arms and it toned that down after one use. It is also delicate enough to be used on the chest area. 

• It has visibly reduced the lines on my forehead. Hallelujah!  

CONS:

• The product springs out of the tube a bit too easily! You can often waste product. 

£32 for 75ml 

www.uk.spacenk.com

Philosophy's Christmas Cookie

Philosophy's Christmas Cookie has been adding some festive flair to my shower! This shower gel/bubble bath/shampoo is thick enough to also be used as a shaving cream, whilst giving off the delectable scent of something extremely sweet. I'm not too sure what a Christmas cookie is but I seem to remember eating them in America and they were like sugar cookies, so the sweet vanilla/almond/marzipan scent is actually quite similar to what I remember.

I wouldn't say that the scent reminds me of Christmas but I am a fan of the sweet tones and it's not overpowering. If you enjoy Prada Candy or anything with cocoa butter you will definitely like this!

More than anything, it's the novelty factor that I enjoy. It's a bit of a treat for the festive period and I much prefer it to the Lush Snow Angel shower gel that I bought last year. It's far more 'Christmassy', probably because of the packaging. Dolled up in a red, green and silver sparkle (which looks like ribbon) box, it shouts Christmas. My favourite part is the cookie recipe on the front of the bottle, complete with ingredient amounts and baking instructions!

This would make a great gift for any friends who love baking but, from a non baker's perspective, it certainly has the nostalgia factor – it reminds me of coming home to my Mum's and creating some kind of Christmas kitchen concoction. Above anything else, I love smelling the yumminess every time I pop into the shower! I will certainly be buying it again and most definitely treating myself to a Christmas Cookie bubble bath.

£14 for 480ml 

www.boots.com

Benefit's Roller Lash Mascara

I know I'm late on this but I have only just tried Benefit's Roller Lash mascara. I received a full sized product in a goodie bag and decided to stop using Armani Eyes To Kill and give Roller Lash a go. Luckily, I have already got a back up one (actually, I nabbed a second goodie bag... remember, stealing is great kids!)

Why this works: 

• The wand is easy to manoeuvre and there are brush grabs (Benefit's term, not mine) that lift and separate the lashes. 

• The brush grabs are not painful to the eye area and do exactly what they say they are going to do. 

• The lashes look natural but with glamorous edge. 

• In my opinion, this product is much better than Benefit's 'They're Real' mascara, which I didn't like.

• Roller Lash wears well throughout the day. The lashes stay put and I haven't noticed any fallout. 

• The mascara itself is fairly wet, which I like but not to the point where the lashes look weighed down by it. 

• I will use the wand with other mascaras (tried it with Hourglass) and it works pretty well. Those grabbers really work. So, if you like a really wet, clumpy mascara but need something that will separate the lashes, the Roller Lash wand is much better than any lash comb. 

• I haven't needed to use a lash curler with this product. 

I would buy this product again.... after I have used up my two freebies! 

£19.50 for 0.3oz 

www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk

Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub

The Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub was one of the products I wrote about on my Beauty Wish List post last month. Now that I've had it for a little while and thoroughly put it to the test, I thought it was time to share my verdict...

On opening this, it smelt like Christmas. Forget citrus, it smelt like Christmas spice... I'm not going to lie, that made me very happy! However, when using the product, the citrus smell kicks in. It's subtle and refreshing.

The scrub itself is fine and non abrasive. Actually, to the point that I couldn't work out if I needed to add more. However, after using it, my chops were exfoliated and have looked less pore-filled. 

The ingredients are 99% natural and the product is designed to remove makeup as well as moisturise, thanks to the sweet almond oil.

The only negative is getting the product out of the jar. That may sound ridiculous but because it's a thick product and it's quite dry, I have been known to ping citrus scrub across the bathroom. It can also break up when you first combine it with water, which all in all makes it a messy product. It's not the kind of thing that I would take away with me, for fear of leaving a trail of citrus scrub behind me, but I like that it has natural ingredients and that it has improved my skin tone. Also, the Christmassy smell will work out over the festive period! 

£10.99 for 2oz 

www.burtsbees.co.uk

Barefoot SOS Repair + Renew Intensive Treatment Oil

Up until recently, I have been using Algenist Advanced Anti-Aging Repairing Oil (see review), which is amazing but not wanting to pay out 60+ pounds, I have turned to Barefoot SOS Repair and Renew Intensive Treatment Oil.

PROS:

• Oil absorbs into the skin quickly but skin still feels moisturised. 

• I can use it under makeup and my makeup stays put (I do use primers) 

• I haven't had used other moisturisers with it

• Not overly greasy

• Sensitive enough to be used around the eye area so I haven't been using eye cream

• Thick enough to use on the body and hands

• Good value for money – £28 for 25ml 

• Vegan 

• All ingredients are naturally derived, so I feel all at one with the Earth! 

• This has made my skin tone more even and toned down some of the redness

• A little goes a really long way

• My wrinkles seemed to have plumped up

CONS:

• The applicator does not hold the oil when it is taken out of the bottle. It immediately starts dripping, which is annoying.

• I am unsure how those with oily skin would find this. I have dry to combination skin, which the product has moisturised but not made oily or caused any breakouts. However, people with oily skin might find this too much. 

Despite the applicator irritation, this is a really good product and one that I wasn't expecting to like very much. I thought it would be a gap filler until I forked out for the Alegenist Advanced Anti-Aging Repairing Oil again but I was wrong. I am going to buy another bottle to use as a body moisturiser and now I have got a handy flick technique sorted, there shouldn't be oil dropping all over the carpet! 

www.naturisimo.com 

The Body Shop – Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

If you're prioritising where to spend money on skincare, then I personally feel it makes sense to spend on the products that stay on your face (serums, moisturisers etc.) and save on the ones that don't. With this in mind I've been looking at various high street makeup removers, and the Camomile Cleansing Oil by The Body Shop has been on my 'to try' list for a long time. It is only £11 for 200ml and frequently receives rave reviews from beauty journalists and bloggers.

THE PRODUCT
The Body Shop website states that this cleanser will effortlessly remove makeup from the whole face quickly and effectively. It also states that it is suitable for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers.

APPLICATION
I have normal/combination skin and find this product removes all my makeup (including waterproof mascara) very easily. It dissolves makeup on its own and then you can add water and use a face cloth to remove everything quickly. If you are lazy about makeup removal and resort to using the dreaded wipes, I would encourage you to try this instead. It makes the whole process incredibly hassle-free, no matter how late at night it is or how many glasses of wine you have consumed!

RESULTS
Regardless of how much or how little makeup I am wearing this cleanser always does a great job. I think it would be suitable for any skin type – even oily skin – as it removes makeup thoroughly and leaves no trace of oiliness when followed by a cleanser.

THE VERDICT
Fantastic value for money, I've been using it for several months now and I'm not even a third of the way through the bottle. The only downside is that it is not ideal for travel. I have taken it on several trips and even when the pump has been turned to the closed position, I still find an oily film coating all the cosmetics in my wash bag! The Clinique Take Off The Day Cleansing Balm is definitely better suited for travel as it is a solid balm.

£11 for 200ml, www.thebodyshop.co.uk

The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser

This was a bit of an impulse buy whilst browsing in The Body Shop. My beloved Clinique moisturiser had almost run out and I thought I would try something new – especially as this particular product is targeted at 'dull, tired, grumpy skin'! My skin has been looking a little dull lately for the usual reasons (I still don't understand why my vitamin-packed diet doesn't completely counteract the effects of too much alcohol or not enough sleep but there you go...)

THE PRODUCT
According to the Body Shop this mosturiser takes a three-pronged approach to improving your skin:
• Boost glow: Skin is clarified, revealing your natural healthy-looking glow.
• Energise: Fresh, lightweight formula fights signs of fatigue, with an invigorating fragrance. 
• Hydrate: Infuses skin with moisture.

APPLICATION
It is a gel like consistency that is very light-weight as promised. It absorbs quickly and has a cooling effect (possibly one of those products that would be particularly effective stored in the fridge, although I haven't tried that yet). The scent is really nice and 'orangey' without being too overpowering. The only downside is that it comes in a pot and, like many of you, I find a pump to be a more hygienic option.

RESULTS
I had high hopes for this moisturiser. The Body Shop has a good reputation for using great ingredients and at £16 it is on the pricier end of high street moisturisers, so I assumed I would notice a dramatic difference. (By comparison Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion is £18 for the same amount of product.)

Although it is a nice refreshing moisturiser I can't say I have noticed any real difference in my skin in terms of 'glow'. As it absorbs quickly it is a great pre-make up moisturiser first thing in the morning, but as we move into autumn/winter I prefer a cream to a gel and will be looking for something that is nourishing as well as hydrating.

THE VERDICT
This is a perfectly nice moisturiser and I really don't have anything bad to say about it. However, as the main claim is 'glow boosting' and I haven't seen any evidence of this I don't think I would buy it again. There are high street moisturisers that are far better value and high-end ones that might cost a little more, but that are truly worth it for the benefits that you see.

£16 for 50ml, www.thebodyshop.co.uk

Aveda's Energising Eye Treatment

So, Jen and I have been writing about inner beauty, which for us means a kind heart but also looking after yourself by eating well. However, looking after your skin is also important, which is why I felt the need to share this review. 

Yesterday, I went to 'Treat' Hair and Beauty, which is an exclusively Aveda salon in Battle, East Sussex. I was having the 'Energising Eye Treatment' and simply thought that I was going to rejuvenate my sleepy looking eyes but it was so much more than just the eyes. Actually, the treatment should be called 'Whole Skin Enerising Treatment Whilst You Relax'. Perhaps a tad long for a name but it sums everything up.

Before I go into details, here's a quick summary: 

• It is a treatment that is relaxing and although it focuses on the eyes, the feet, back, neck and face get attention too. 

• It uses hot and cold techniques to encourage lymph drainage, which reduced the discolouration of the skin under my eyes. 

• Rollers and a brush are used, which enhances the experience. It means a variety of sensations encourage relaxation, as well as sorting out the eye area. 

• It lasted about 40-45mins, which for me, is a perfect amount of time. 

• It costs £32 but Treat had a special offer and it was £24. It was worthy of so much more than £24. 

• My skin felt different after the treatment. Not just my eye area, my whole face felt hydrated and as if collagen had come alive! 

• My skin stayed moisturised and hydrated for the rest of the day and my makeup applied so smoothly that evening. 

Before and after, no filters used. My skin felt healthier and the darkness under my eyes had been reduced.

The treatment and experience

As soon as I walked into the salon, one of the owners, Jess (who runs and owns it with her sister Sam) greeted me and I went straight into the treatment room. First, I am a big fan of not waiting. I get bored easily...yes, I am a complete child when waiting is involved. Second, it was cold out (where is spring?) and to get all snuggly in a robe and into a heated duvet was the best moment of the day. Third, the aroma in the room was calming and not overwhelming. I can get a bit queasy with strong scents, so this was perfect. 

Jess introduced Aveda's new Botanical Kinetics range, which uses plant extract to stimulate hydration and recharge the skin. There is an Intense Hydrating Soft Creme for normal to oily skin and a Rich Creme for dry to very dry skin. What interested me the most was that organic cupuacu butter (nope, I can't pronounce it either) has been used, which contains lipids, like our skin, which helps to create a barrier and prevent moisture loss. As Jen and I have been looking at a more 'natural beauty' way of life, I am becoming more and more of a fan of ingredients that mirror what our bodies would naturally do, plus the words 'organic' and 'butter' make me happy!

Jess also explained that the idea of the treatment was to rejuvinate all of the skin, but paying attention to the eye area to decrease puffiness, discolouration from lymph blockages and reduce dark circles. Lymph drainage would be encouraged through using products and techniques, which would feel hot and cold on the skin. 

So, after Jess had explained the range and the aims of the treatment, she placed a towel under my feet, for extra comfort and hot towels around my toes. I was loving life at this point! Apparently, this treatment is also about recharging the whole body, which includes the feet, as they touch the earth and, therefore, energy escapes from them. Whatever the reason, I do love to have snuggly toes, so I was all for it. 

Next, I was asked to select an aroma that would be used throughout the treatment. I chose lavender and with that, the treatment began. The hot towels were removed from the feet, and dried with a small massage. My face was cleansed and freshened and two products were applied all over the face. One was fairly cold, which is all part of the treatment. It was explained that hot and cold products would be applied to stimulate the skin, including collagen. 

My favourite part of the treatment came next. Jess used pressure points on the neck, back of head, temples and forehead and it was as if all tension had just scarpered away. After this came the eye treatment, which had several stages. First, product was pressed into the skin around my eyes, followed by a figure of eight motion, which did not pull at the skin at all. Rollers were then used, which were cool to the touch and felt so rejuvinating. Next, a brush applied product and, again, in a figure of eight motion, which warmed the skin. Product was then removed from all of the skin and final cremes were applied.

Finally, relaxation was amped up through the pressure points and the finale, the bed being raised and essential oil being rubbed into my upper back, with a heat pad placed around my neck and shoulders, whist I relaxed with a glass of water. 

My initial thoughts were: 1. my skin feels puffed up (in a good way) and 2. this is so much more than just an eye treatment (thought whilst snuggling into the heat pad!) 

Aveda has only recently launched this treatment and it is available in a variety of Aveda salons for £32. However, Treat has a special offer that lasts until 11th April, for £24. Well worth it.

I have bought the treatment for my friend's birthday and I am looking forward to hearing what she thinks of it too. 

www.treatbeauty.co.uk 

www.aveda.co.uk

Kure Bazaar – nail polish without the chemical nasties

For the final post under this month's theme, Kay passed a nail polish my way to try by Kure Bazaar (a shade called September), that contains up to 85% natural ingredients. Having faced up to the fact that we absorb a lot of the product we apply to our skin directly into our blood stream (you can read all of our 'Healthy January' posts here), it has become important to me to find some good options for nails.

I'm a nail polish addict, I'll admit it. I've been wearing nail varnish of one shade or another almost every day for the last 20 odd years. I recently tried to give my nails a detox and went out with bare nails (oh how exposed I felt!) for a good couple of weeks. It was necessary, as years of slapping on one chemical-laden shade after another and removing them with equally chemical-laden products has left them weak. It definitely did my nails some good but as soon as Kay handed me this incredible shade of pink I had to slap it on my mitts immediately. It's beautiful....

I'd probably describe this colour as a raspberry pink; it's bright but not your typical hot pink. It's so pigmented that one coat is all you need, although a second coat and a top coat add extra shine and make your manicure last that much longer. The brush is a very nice size and shape and the polish glides on evenly. As an extra bonus it dries very quickly – a relief for every cab driver who has ever had to wait impatiently in my driveway when I inevitably decided to paint my nails at the eleventh hour!

So what makes Kure Bazaar so special and worthy of the £14.95 price tag? Well, it's the brainchild of Brazilian model Kartika Luyet, who aims to give us all better nail health by preserving our nails' natural vitality. These polishes are being billed as revolutionary due to the lack of 'toxic baddies' and inclusion of natural ingredients like cotton and wheat.

According to online natural beauty shop Love Lula: Kure Bazaar Nail Colours have NO Toluene, NO Formaldehyde, NO Dibutyl Phthalate, NO Synthetic Camphor. I'll admit I don't know exactly what all of these are but I sure as heck don't want them on my nails!

I feel the packaging is worthy of a mention here. I know that one concern Kay and I have had when looking for beauty products that contain fewer chemicals, is that the packaging should look high end – especially if the price tag is. You often have to pay a little more for natural products but if the product is great and the packaging looks sleek then it tends to be worth it. And this scores very highly.

In conclusion, due to the fact that I get through a horrendous amount of nail polish, I don't normally spend this much on it. However I do believe in almost every case you get what you pay for. Nothing about your typical nail polish is natural – the smell, the colour, the list of unpronounceable ingredients – but this nail polish is different. I'll hold my hand up and say I think it is well worth the price.

Sadly we often associate natural products with a poor performance, leaving a frustrating conflict – do we want fantastic, effective products or ones that are kind to our bodies? Thankfully companies like this are raising the bar and giving us both. This product is vibrant, lasted the best part of a week without chipping, and who knows, in the long term it might even help a nail polish addict like me to improve the condition of my nails.

Kure Bazaar Nail Colours, RRP £14.95. Check out the other fantastic shades on offer at www.lovelula.com

Bellapierre Coral Cheek and Lip Stain

This was a freebie I received through glossybox.co.uk and is a coral cheek and lipstain by mineral makeup company Bellápierre.

It is so much better than I thought it would be! It's a subtle coral colour, which adds warmth to the cheek and is not overly coral or orange. Actually, it reminds me of a rose gold. It blends really easily – far easier than other cream blushes that I've used previously. A little colour goes a long way and it gives a lovely healthy glow. 

However, it's on the lips that this product really comes into its own. When applied, it looks like a subtle pink nude and reminds me of the L'oreal Collection Privee 'Exclusive Nudes' collection, especially the Julianne Moore Barely Peach. 

It is moisturising and although not totally natural, it's paraben free and does include some natural ingredients, such as Vitamin E, which explains the moisturising-ness. 

I am using it as a lip balm as my Naked Lips Superfruits has run out. Sad times. But it's the kind of product that can be applied without a mirror, on the go, will prevent chapped lippies and add a warming colour. It also doesn't leave that gross residue like some products.

A few snaps getting ready for a night out. Even in artificial light, it holds its own, giving a subtle enhancement to cheeks and lips. 

www.bellapierre.co.uk 

Burt's Bees Lip Shine in 'Flutter'

Lip Shine is a sheer gloss, that's not sticky and smells like blackcurrant cough sweets. It's 100% natural and a great staple to have in your handbag. It's moisturising enough to take the place of a lip balm and doesn't require a mirror or extreme precision when applying. Although it is a red/pink colour, when applied it is clear but it enhances the natural lip colour.

It's not hugely long lasting. An hour and a half is about the max before it needs to be reapplied. 

www.burtsbees.co.uk

ILIA Neon Angel Pink Lipstick

I set out to find a hot pink lipstick that I intended to wear tirelessly through the summer, which is not totally synthetic and makes use of natural ingredients. It needed to last, be pigmented and vibrant.

After much trawling and testing, I found it. ILIA Neon Angel is described as a bold magenta pink and will be my new favourite summer colour.....and I wore it yesterday too. I know, it's still winter but not sorry. 

When I first opened the lipstick, there was an 'AAAAH...' moment – heavens parted, that kind of thing. The packaging was sleek. It shows that products that have natural ingredients don't have to look hippy dippy and flipping boring. It looked high end and sleek. The metallic case said 'I am a hot lipstick and I'm classy'.

Next, I sniffed it. This may seem strange and yes, I did end up with lipstick on my nose but I am someone who really loves the smell of MAC lipsticks, so I needed to judge whether it was even vaguely similar. It's not as strong but it smells coco buttery. Good enough. 

I then swatched it. I was a little disappointed as I wanted it to be similar to MAC Nicki Viva Glam or Sephora Cream Lip Stains. You know, something 'umphy' but it seemed a little lacklustre. The swatch didn't match the lipstick itself. However, the end just needed to be used a little bit (mind out of gutters please, or is it just me with a dirty mind?) to get the colour going and now, on the first swatch, it's beaut. It is buildable and with two coats you go from pink lips to super duper pink lips.

I put it on and went about my day. I had lunch and a snack whilst wearing it and it stayed in place for five hours without a touch up. It didn't fade from the middle of the lips, which is brilliant because that looks so awful. The colour was consistent.

Left: Concentrating while I applied the lipstick. Right: Five hours later, colour still intact!

I usually wear lip gloss or a balm when wearing lipstick. This is because: 1. I get quite dry lips and 2. I am a big child and constantly lick my lips, rub them together etc, hence why I need to moisturise. With this, I just wore the product. It was moisturising and I didn't feel as if it was drying out until the five hour mark. This may have something to do with the ingredients, including beeswax, various oils, coco butter (that explains the smell!) 85% of which are organic.

I paid £22 from naturisimo.com, so yes, it is expensive for a lipstick. You could pay £10 or so more and have one from Tom Ford. However, the price reflects the quality. Buying organic vegetables at Tesco is more expensive than Tesco Value ones and this is certainly not a value product.  

For me, at the moment, finding products that make use of natural ingredients is really important.... if this means that I scrimp on everything else, so be it! If the price makes you raise an eyebrow or two, perhaps put aside a few extra pennies, as the difference in longevity and moisture is noticeable.

We are not sponsored by naturisimo.com but if you fancy having a look, it is a great site to explore naturally based products. There is also 10% off when you enter TREAT at checkout. So, actually, that's £19.80 for a lipstick..... she says, whilst reaching for the credit card. 

www.naturisimo.com

www.iliabeauty.com

Balance Me – Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm

As you will know by now, we are devoting January to looking at a healthier approach to beauty. Kay wrote this post about the not-so-pleasant ingredients that can crop up in some products and, after reading it, I thought it would be a good time to review a cleanser that has been in my rotation for a while. It is a great cleanser and most importantly it is free from the kind of ingredients that many of us try and avoid.

TYPE OF PRODUCT

Cleansing balm for normal to dry/sensitive skin

INITIAL THOUGHTS

I received a selection of Balance Me samples at an event last year. This UK brand has won several awards and its products contain no parabens, sulphates, petroleum, mineral oils, silicones, artificial fragrances and colours, or other nasties. You can find a full ingredients list on the website which is another bonus.

APPLICATION

Massage a small amount of the balm into your face for 30 seconds. Add water and continue massaging for a further 30 seconds, before removing any residue with a warm cloth. A cloth is provided but I prefer my usual white flannels; they are better at removing residue and I can grab a clean one every day.

If you haven't used a cleansing balm before, it might feel a little oily initially – not what you want if you are trying to avoid breakouts – but it massages beautifully into the skin and trust me, it does a great job.

THOUGHTS

This is a very effective cleanser and feels nourishing for the skin. It contains fine oat powder to smooth the skin yet I find it gentle enough to use around the eye area. I typically use it as a second cleanse and it removes any remaining, stubborn makeup effectively. It leaves your skin feeling thoroughly cleansed and ready for any serums/moisturisers, although I prefer to use a toner on a cotton pad in between, to ensure that all traces of the cleanser are removed. I love that the brand use natural ingredients and the products are great value for money.

REPURCHASE?

By the time I was halfway through the 15ml sample (which lasted a surprisingly long time!) I had already ordered a full size tube. Delivery from the Balance Me website is quick, you build up discounts as you purchase, and I even received a free sample of their Radiance Face Oil. You can buy the sample sizes too, which I think is a reflection of the brand’s confidence in their products – the perfect way to try before you buy and ideal for travel.

I think that my more recent discover of Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser might just beat this one for me, but both are great cleansers and worth a look if, like us, you are paying attention to the ingredients in your products.

£20 for 125ml

www.balanceme.co.uk 

Keihl's Ultra Facial Cleanser

 

TYPE OF PRODUCT

PH balanced liquid cleanser for all skin types.

INITIAL THOUGHTS

This was another sample from the Selfridges box that just seemed like an ideal size to take on holiday, so I didn’t really have any expectations as such. I just threw it into my wash bag and didn’t give it another thought until I came to use it. It’s a liquid cleanser that you apply to a damp face. As it is quite thick, I like to massage it into my skin when it’s dry, then add a tiny bit of water to thin it out. It lathers up without feeling like a nasty foaming cleanser full of sulphates that will strip skin of all its moisture.

THE VERDICT

I’m very happy with the current cleansers I have on rotation and wasn’t really looking for another one, but this really surprised me! It is very gentle yet it thoroughly removed all of the residue that can left behind when you’ve just removed your makeup with a balm or oil. I use it most nights and used it in the morning too while I was on holiday, and I'm really pleased with the results.

Kiehl's is a particularly good brand if you are interested in knowing exactly what goes into the products you use. They always list ingredients and make it very clear that an ingredient will never be used based on aesthetics, only if it is beneficial to the skin.

REPURCHASE

Yes! As I said, I really wasn’t looking for a new cleanser but this one has stolen my heart. Good work Kiehl’s! And thank you Selfridges for introducing me to yet another fab product.

£8.50 for 75ml

www.kiehls.co.uk

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

TYPE OF PRODUCT

A gentle rice-based exfoliating powder that activates upon contact with water.

INITIAL THOUGHTS

As I've mentioned before, I normally prefer chemical exfoliators to physical ones, as I find they can be unnecessarily abrasive. However, this product is incredibly gentle. You put a small amount of the powder onto damp hands and it transforms into a paste, which exfoliates the skin without scratching it. Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes are released, hence the smoother, brighter skin.

It's a bit hard to demonstrate how the product looks/reacts with water using photos, so below is a video from Dermalogica demonstrating the product in use. It's very cheesy and over the top, but turn the sound down and go with the visuals!

 

THE VERDICT

I love it! My skin immediately looked brighter and felt smoother. I don't feel the need to use it every day but it is so gentle that you could if you wanted to. No artificial fragrances or colours which is always a plus.

REPURCHASE?

Definitely. I wouldn't normally spend this much on an exfoliator but it will last me a long time as I'm not using it on a daily basis.

RRP £41.50 for 75g

www.dermalogica.co.uk

Long-haul Flight Skincare Routine

As you may have noticed, I have been a little quiet on the blog front lately, having taken a much needed getaway to Florida for some fun and sunshine. A big thank you to Kay for holding down the fort and reviewing some great products in my absence. I definitely want to get my hands on that Benefit Majorette blush!

Now normally I don’t give my skin too much thought on aeroplanes and then I wonder why I land looking red-eyed, dehydrated and generally in need of some TLC. So this time I did my research and put together a selection of products to protect my skin from the nasty re-circulated air.

The result? For the first time ever, I got off the plane with skin that looked considerably better than when I boarded! My husband was giving me some strange looks as I made him touch my face, saying “seriously, I’m not being funny but look how great my skin is!” He might have thought I was crazy but ladies, I know you'll understand my excitement, so here is my new routine:

OLE HENRIKSON 'THE TRUTH TO GO' WIPES

I don’t wear makeup to get on a flight (well maybe I whack on a bit of concealer and fill in my brows but that doesn’t count right?!) but I still start by giving my face a quick cleanse. I know face wipes are generally a massive no-no but these ones are great. They are gentle on your skin and infused with brightening Vitamin C and firming micro algae. They have a delicious vanilla-orangey smell too! 
Currently £25 for 100 on lookfantastic.com, (half price) 
Note: I believe they have now been re-branded as The Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths.

CLINIQUE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT MOISTURISER

I then give my skin a quick moisturise using my old faithful Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, which you can read a bit more about in my July Skincare Routine here.

£17 for 50ml, www.clinique.co.uk

CAUDALIE BEAUTY ELIXIR

Next up is a spray of Beauty Elixir. This product is a bit of a cult classic with an impressive following but one that I hadn’t tried before. It was inspired by the centuries old ‘elixir of youth’ used by Queen Isabelle of Hungry and a quick spritz adds an instant burst of radiance to your complexion. I wasn’t sure if it would live up to the hype, but the 30ml was perfect size for a flight so I thought I’d give it a go. My verdict? I love it! The scent doesn’t really do it for me but it is refreshing and it certainly perks up my complexion. Very happy with this one! I also used it regularly after a tiring day on holiday before putting on makeup for the evening and it definitely rejuvenated the ol' face.
Currently £9.50 for 30ml from www.feelunique.com 
Note: Usual RRP approx. £11.50

ESTEE LAUDER RESILIENCE LIFT FIRMING/SCULPTING EYE CREAM

This is a long name for a little product! It’s a nice, hydrating, quickly absorbed eye cream, but as always I haven’t seen any spectacular differences. I have only been using it for a couple of weeks though, and while I was on holiday I was sporadic in my application of eye cream to say the least, so the jury is out until I’ve given it a fair trial. It did the trick nicely on the plane however and kept the skin around my eyes well moisturised.

£46 for 15ml, www.esteelauder.co.uk

ORIGINS DRINK UP INTENSIVE OVERNIGHT MASK

Next I slap on a layer of this mask. When I purchased it in Selfridges, I asked if they had any samples and they gave me a small travel size to take on the plane. (Always ask for samples when you're making a purchase ladies, they'll happily hand them over and the small sizes are perfect for travel.) It’s a clear mask which is exactly why it’s ideal for a flight (you’re going to get some funny looks if you slather on something white or green). It’s pretty thick but exactly how quickly it absorbs depends how much you put on. Don’t be afraid to apply a generous amount on a flight though, it really does prevent your skin from drying out! A little goes a long way and you would normally only use this a couple of times a week, so the full size tube will last a long time.

£23 for 100ml at www.selfridges.com

COCOA BUTTER VASELINE

It might be an idea to use something a bit more hydrating on a plane, but as I was just trying to protect from dehydration I felt Vaseline was enough, so I packed my favourite cocoa butter. As we all know, Vaseline's useful for everything from moisturising cuticles and removing makeup smudges, to taming brows and highlighting cheek bones, so it's a useful multi-tasker to have in your hand luggage.

£2.18 for 20g, www.boots.com

EOS HAND LOTION

This came in a bargain of a Selfridges Beauty Box I purchased a while back (£120 worth of products for £30? Yes please!) and was a nice size to pop in my hand luggage. It absorbs quickly, has a 96% natural formula and is hypoallergenic and paraben-free. The packaging isn’t very glamorous but it has a nice scent and it does the job so no complaints here. It's now on my desk and I enjoy slapping it on throughout the day.
£8 from www.topshop.com, although I’m pretty sure you can get it for as little as $1.99 in the US!

And that's about it! I topped up the Beauty Elixir, Eye Cream, Mask and Lip Balm mid-flight, used another face wipe before landing, moisturised and put on a bit of concealer and I was good to go. Like I said, my skin was better when I arrived in Orlando than when I left England! It might seem like a long list of products but it really isn’t, they only take a matter of minutes to apply and the results were really worth it. The Origins mask and Caudalie Beauty Eixir kept my skin looking good all holiday and are now firm favourites.

There is one other secret to looking good when you get off the plane. Don’t touch the plane food! I took all my own healthy snacks and it was the best long haul flight decision I’ve ever made, I can't tell you how much better I felt for avoiding all the nasty pre-packaged processed food. Lastly, remember to hydrate your skin from within and drink plenty of water. If you end up being that annoying person that has to go to the bathroom 10 times then so be it... And on that delightful note I'll wrap things up! But if you have any of your own recommendations for in-flight skincare then please do let us know, we'd love to hear them.