A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

I shouldn’t really run with a post on a late-night whim but I was totally sucked in by the pretty visual in this newsletter mail out from British skincare brand, Oskia.  Look!

The 45 minute facial costs £45 but is fully redeemable against any Oskia products purchased on the day.

I thought it might be of interest to some of you London ladies!

Have you tried any Oskia products?

Hair dyes are taking the proverbial at the minute and I’m *this* far away from being brand loyal for once and going back to Superdrug for my essentials.

The reason I haven’t done so already is because I’m loving the (newish) mousse formula for a mess-free application.  I have previously reviewed the two other main contenders on the market if you’re interested in comparing.  Individually, I found them lacking… they had their strengths but also displayed weaknesses that I wouldn’t be able to overcome when it was time for a repurchase.

Which meant I was pretty excited to see a new mousse formula on the shelves when I trotted back to the chemist for a replacement.

L’Oreal Sublime Mousse in #40 Pure Dark Brown caught my attention in an instant.  I was practically clapping like a seal as my eyes drifted over the wonderfully ashy-looking shades in the range.  Ashy suits me well, red tones make my face look even pinker and as Summer approaches, I can do without the permanent flushed look.

Application was good, though I was a little disappointed to see the usual (too big) plastic gloves included.  I’ve been spoilt by the proper latex ones John Frieda’s product provided!  The instructions were precise and clear and didn’t incorrectly tell me to ‘shake the bottle’ as I experienced with the Clairol either…. so far, so good.

30 minutes of developing time later, at least it covers the greys….

Let’s just say… I’ve been using anti-dandruff shampoo daily in an attempt to fade it.

Not only that but the colour is leaching as a semi-permanent might.  How do I know this?  My white 500 thread count Egyptian Cotton pillowcase tells me so.  Yeah, I’m ecstatic about that one.

L’Oreal Sublime Mousse Hair Colour is available to buy from most usual stockists inc. Boots priced at around £6.99

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What are your preferred hair colourants at the moment?

Do you know the last time I did a mascara review?  No, me neither… but it’s been a hella long time.  I used to do at least one a month but I ended up disillusioning myself seeing such little overall difference between the various tubes available.

One Mascara that I’ve always meant to pick up and try is the Max Factor False Lash Effect which I know often gets loads of praise from MUA circles.  I umm’ed and ahh’ed in Boots over whether to go for the original or this new spangly looking purple one.  I lived up to my girly stereotype and went for the spangly one.

See?  Spangly.

How about more important things though, like brush… formula… ability to falsify lashes?

They say:

False Lash Effect Fusion combines Max Factor’s biggest ever volumising brush with its latest lengthening formula to create thicker and longer lashes. For those girls who want an extreme lash look, they’ve come to the right place.

I say, the chunky brush is pretty nice… but I imagine that for those with short lashes it could be a nightmare.  I always have difficulty trying to detect whether the bristles are indeed bristles, plastic or rubber… these feel like stumpy old-style bristles to me but I could be wrong.  It’s been known to happen!

The formula is pretty good.  I hate thin formulas that practically drip off the brush (I’m looking at you Bourjois 1001 cils) but I equally dislike mascaras that last about 3 weeks before drying up.  This is middle of the road.

Are the results middle of the road too?  See for yourselves…

I see a good amount of volume and I love how the Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion has emphasised my lashline so heavily but I’m not seeing the length I was hoping for from this mascara.

I’m gonna try combining it with my favourite length-boosting mascara… who knows, I may stumble upon the ‘ultimate’ pairing!

You can currently purchase Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion for a very reasonable £8.99 (saving £3 off the original price) at Boots.

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Have you tried Max Factor’s False Lash Effect Fusion Mascara yet?  How about the original?

I want to extend a really huge thank you to Gem at SparkleSparkle for guest reviewing the Elemis FreshSkin range for me.  1 month and 9 products later my head would be spinning – but she’s managed to keep her brain clear enough to provide some great analysis on the products from the new range!

Take it away Gem…

The new Elemis FreshSkin range is aimed at 16-24 year olds.

I am at the far end of that scale at 24, but my skin is exactly the same as it was as a teenager.  I’m getting to the point where I don’t think it is ever going to change.  I have combination skin which is very oily across my T-zone and can get dry in other areas.  I haven’t changed my skin care for years because what I have been using has left my skin reasonably spot free and balanced.  Before trying these products I was using the No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum and the No7 Balanced Results Day Sorbet.  I didn’t use an eye cream because all those I’d tried I was either allergic to (puffy eyes was the opposite of the effect I was going for!) or caused me milia.  So I’d given up on finding a good eye cream.

I was very pleased to try these products.  I had not tried any Elemis before and most young skin targeted ranges I had tried were quite harsh and targeted more at spots than normal skincare.  I can’t have much fun using normal skincare ranges as they all seem too rich for my skin and I need a lot of powder to get rid of the oily shine left behind.  After just over a month of using these products, I can say I really liked the range as a whole.  It had some really good parts and some bits I didn’t like so much.

Softly Softly Daily Moisturiser 50ml (£20.00)

This is my favourite product of the range!  The cream being nice is important for this range, because face cream is the item I think most people will judge it on.  It has a gorgeous lavender smell and leaves a really fresh feeling after you apply it.  It looks very creamy when you first see it, but when you spread it, it is very light and very easily absorbed.  Best of all doesn’t leave an oily layer, yet it still moisturises my skin really well, which is the most important factor to me.

It has lots of lovely ingredients to sooth and soften the skin such as, seaweed extract, sweet almond oil, chamomile, geranium, rosehip seed oil and lavender.  All these ingredients are focused on soothing, calming and moisturising, which I think is a good aim for the age group Elemis are aiming this range at.  There is one downside though, that it has no SPF.  Some people might say another downside is the price, but the No7 cream I’ve used forever is £17 for the same amount.  In fact I think I need less of the Elemis cream to cover my face.  The price difference really isn’t a lot.  I will be buying this cream when I run out!

Dreamy Sleep Night-Time Moisturiser 50ml (£22.00)

This cream is very similar to the day cream.  It smells of lavender like the day cream and absorbs into the skin quickly without leaving it oily.  I don’t know if you necessarily need both the day cream and the night cream, they are very similar.  I’m not sure if I would notice a difference were it not for the labels.

Tired Eyes Soothing Eye Rescue 15ml (£15.00)

This clear eye gel is de-puffing and cooling.  I’m not a morning person and will take anything I can get to wake myself up.  As I mentioned before I have had some trouble finding a good eye cream, so I was excited to try this.  I really like this eye gel.  It is very soothing, reduces any morning puffiness and feels nice and refreshing.

You only need a small amount to dab around the eyes so although the price is quite steep at £15, I think it is worth it if you are looking for an eye cream that is refreshing and de-puffs your eye area.  It isn’t all that moisturising, but it doesn’t claim to be.  For me this is ideal, but if you want a moisturising eye cream, you may want to look elsewhere.

Face Mask Duo Deep Clean and Magical Moisture 6 x 7ml, 3 of each (£15.00)

These face masks are a nice set.  The masks are individually packed in sachets containing a perfect amount of face mask goo. You just squeeze it out of the sachet, slop it on your face and relax.  The deep clean mask is a clay mask, which felt nice and cool when I put it on.  It tightens only slightly after 10 minutes and when I washed it off, it left my skin feeling really clean and soothed.

The magical moisture mask is more like a thick cream.  It smoothed on my skin nicely, and left it feeling nicely moisturised.  It didn’t leave my feeling extra oily, it just left me with nice soft skin.  My make-up seemed to go on really nicely after the moisture mask my skin just felt really nice.  I would recommend these face masks and the price isn’t too steep for 6 masks.

FreshSkin Make Up Away Cleansing Wipes (£8.00)

These wipes are ok, but I’m not sure if they are worth the £8 for 25 wipes.  It says it gently sweeps away impurities and make up, but I found it stung a little on my eyes.  Also, I wasn’t too keen on the smell of these face wipes.  It’s just a personal preference thing, but the chamomile and elderflower smell was a bit strange.  Most face wipes smell identical, whether you buy cheap ones or expensive ones, so I think I was surprised that these smelt different.  They did remove my make up, but I would say no better than my usual cleansing wipes.

Loving Lips Quenching Lip Balm 10ml (£8.00)

I wasn’t very keen on this lip balm.  I found it had a very greasy feel to it and wanted to rub it off straight away.  I am not a fan of using Vaseline on my lips and this felt quite similar to that.  If you like the Vaseline feel, you will probably like this.  It is a clear balm that is very moisturising and is peppermint flavoured.  I normally love all things minty flavoured, but I can’t get over the greasiness.

Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash 100ml (£12.00)

This is a great face scrub.  Like most of the products in this range it smells lovely, nice and fruity.  It is rough enough that you can feel that it is scrubbing away all the dead skin, but not too rough that I feel like my whole face is being scrubbed off as well!  It really leaves my skin feeling clean and looking radiant.  I’m not sure if it is worth the £12 though.  I think you can get a face scrub from the high street that is cheaper and does a similar job.

Peachy Perfect Gentle Face Wash 100ml (£12.00)

Again, this product smells gorgeous, quite fruity/citrusy.  It lathers up really well and leaves my skin feeling very clean, but not at all dry.  This seems to go further than the face scrub due to it lathering up so well, so is better value for money.

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Overall, I think the range has some good and not so good parts.

The day cream and eye cream are my favourites and they really suit my combination/sensitive skin.  The face washes and wipes are pretty standard really and I believe not worth the price that they are.  I think someone 16-24 will be happy to spend a little extra for a really nice cream and less likely to spend more for a face wash, unless it is amazing.

I think the range does fit the needs of the ‘average’ young person’s skin and has some quality products that aren’t too expensive for a young person’s budget.  I will definitely be purchasing the day cream and the eye cream when I run out!

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Have you tried the Elemis FreshSkin range yet?  Any thoughts?

It’s all go over at Batiste towers this week…

BIGGER CANS!

They’ve listened to the fans and SUPERSIZED three of the most popular fragrances.

Original, Blush and Tropical scents can now be purchased in 400ml cans… that’s double the size of the standard versions and promises to deliver around 20 applications.

The new size cans will retail at £4.99 each which I’m assured, represents a saving of almost 17% if you opt for the larger size over the 200ml version.

NEW PACKAGING!

Even the original sizes are getting a makeover.  The 150ml cans will be increasing to 200ml as standard which does mean a slight price hike, but from my quick maths this is fairly in line with the increase in volume rather than a sneaky way to squeeze more pennies from us.  Cynical? Moi?

If you’re unsure what to look out for next time you go shopping… here’s a visual of the new packaging changes.  Can you spot your usual fragrance?

NEW PRODUCT!

Finally…

Batiste have introduced another new product to the ever-expanding range…

XXL Volume promises to “provide a volumising makeover to help transform dull or limp hair into big and bouncy locks“.  I achieve a fair volume boost from the original range but will be interested to see how this aids in wrangling my flat locks into big, pouffy hair styles!

Batiste XXL Volume retails at £3.99 for 200ml and will be available from Superdrug, Boots, Sainsbury’s and Independent Pharmacies from June.

Phew! I think they need a nice cup of tea and a lie down!

Ahh a miracle… wouldn’t that be nice?  Let’s bottle some little miracles, tint them the same colour as our skintones and then buff ’em all over our face in the morning when we’re looking a bit ropey.  Et voila, we go from Linda La Hughes to Linda Lusardi in under 50 seconds.

Pop!  There goes that bubble…

a).  Only about half of you will know who Linda Lusardi is and I should really set my sights a little higher than page 3.

b).  I’m not sure I believe in miracles and if I did, I wouldn’t find them in a bottle (unless it was 70% proof).

and

c).  Shut up and review the damn foundation already.

Lancome Teint Miracle is the company’s newest base which has, they say, been 10 years in the making.  It comes backed with some pretty flowery statements.  Stuff like…

Lancome decrypts the inner light of perfect skin and recreates it.

To that, I simply raise an eyebrow and say…

O Rly?

Teint Miracle is a medium/full coverage foundation that somehow manages to defy the laws of physics by retaining a light, fluid texture that blends as easily as my MAC F&B whilst offering coverage to almost rival something as potent as Estee Lauder Double Wear.  The more I think about how it could possibly achieve this, the more respect I gain for those 10 years in development.

I need to take a moment to marvel at the packaging because it’s not only rather attractive but also functional.  The pump is see-through which stops the “how many more pumps ’till it all comes out in a rush” guessing game we all know so well and for me, one full pump covers my face pretty much perfectly.  Your mileage may vary!

Lancome Teint Miracle in 010 Beige Porcelaine (the lightest shade) is a good match for my complexion.  I would class it as fairly neutral, neither leaning too much toward pink or yellow in the spectrum.  The formula also contains a light pearlessence, not Cullen-esque in the slightest but there is a sheen that almost makes the foundation look a shade too light for me when I first apply.  This fades as the foundation sets before becoming imperceptible but leaving behind a subtle glow.

The glow doesn’t look at all greasy or shiny until after the foundation has worn in for many hours but if you fear the glow, I’d suggest looking for something that offers a fully matte finish.  Me?  I embrace any and every glow I can get my hands on and this is one of the better ones out there.

Excuse the nightie and the early morning “oh God, it’s another day” expression.

Before is on the left if you hadn’t already sussed that.

The Lancome Teint Miracle gives me great coverage over my redness and veiny bits without looking too heavy and I’m really happy that it still allows my natural skin texture to peek through.  I really dislike medium/full coverage foundations when they make it abundantly clear on my face that they are indeed medium/full coverage foundations.

If you have any larger blemishes (like I did on the side of my nose) you’ll still need concealer to disguise the blighters.

As for longevity, I achieved good all-day wear from this foundation albeit with a bit of slippage on the nose toward the end of the day.  If  you have particularly oily skin you will need to powder at lunchtime.

My only bugbear with this rather lovely product is transfer.  For some reason, I have issues when I wear this.  Dab my nose on a tissue?  More foundation on tissue than nose.  This is obviously a problem and one that I’m not used to experiencing, if anyone has any ideas… let me know!

I’d also like to point out that I prefer to apply this with a brush.  Sponges are a no, no… even when damp my beauty blender likes to EAT this foundation.  Oh also, I think that if you already have a primer you’re in love with… you probably need to try this foundation ASAP.  I tried it over MAC Prep+Prime and it made an already smooth finish, incredible.  And I don’t even really like Prep+Prime!

Hope that wasn’t too indepth… I do totally advise a little trip to your local Lancome counter to see if they’ll colour match you or part with a sample so you can try for yourself.  I may not be one for miracles but Lancome Teint Miracle does come pretty close!

Lancome Teint Miracle SPF15 Foundation is available to buy instore or online priced at £26.00

* press sample

As one of many Pro-Collagen Marine Cream devotees, I’m always happy to discover an opportunity to purchase my beloved anti-ageing moisturiser in a tub big enough to drown myself in.

Due for a strictly limited release this June, the Elemis Anti-Ageing Super Duo combines two of Elemis’ most sought after skincare offerings…

Pro-Collagen Marine Cream – 100ml (usual price £127)

Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules – 60 caps (usual price £59)

The Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules are a new one on me.  I have to say, I usually overlook anything that comes in little pods like that… I’m quite old-fashioned about my moisturisers being cream based!  However, the capsules contain pure Moringa Oil and promise to renew skin elasticity and counteract the external effects of our environment thanks to a healthy dose of anti-oxidants.

The set doesn’t come cheap (but we knew it wouldn’t right?) at £128 but does offer a saving of over £59 were you to buy these two products separately.

It will be available online at timetospa.co.uk or at Elemis spas, salons and selected department stores nationwide.

Quick, sell your grandmothers!

And so my MUFE Aqua Cream collection grows because I wasn’t able to help myself when I saw a swatch of Aqua Cream #19 and couldn’t stop thinking about it for weeks afterward!

MUFE Aqua Cream in #19 is a blue-toned purple with an almost electric quality.  Like most Aqua Creams, it can be a bit tough to blend and I’d recommend applying it more as a base than an independent eyeshadow.  Unless you got the skillz of course.  And if you have?  Come show me how to do it!

Look, ain’t she purdy?

Lasting power is more than adequate on my lids, without any primers I get around 7/8hrs before creasing… the more heavy handed I am with it, the faster the product heads for my creases.

I particularly enjoy pairing this one up with NARS Ashes to Ashes eyeshadow, creating a KILLER violet-taupe from the combo.

MUFE Aqua Creams are available to buy online from Guru Makeup Emporium and PAM priced ar around £16.75

Do you own any MUFE Aqua Creams?

… get in my basket.  Well, maybe not ‘cos I’m pretty skint this month but I am genuinely having a hard time trying to decide what to get.  I’m not sold on the palette (pretty though it is) but I am a-hankering after either the beach tint in Guava or those powder blushes….

If you’ve got a spare 15 minutes, make yourself a cup of tea and have a look as the MUA runs us through the products in the collection courtesy of Zuneta’s great video.

Talking of BECCA, I currently can’t get enough of the BECCA Creme Blush in Hyacinth I bought earlier this year. It gives a fresh, dewy finish with a powder-dry formula once set.  Effortless “finger makeup” as I like to call it.  Boy am I getting lazy in my old age or what?

I suggest you check out Makeup4all for some great product shots from the new collection and ModestyBrown who has an awesome interview with BECCA’s founder Rebecca Morrice Williams.

Have you got your sights set on any new collections at the moment?  Spill the beans!

Bare Minerals have added a new shade to their popular High Shine Eye Color range just in time for Summer!

Rose Gold* is (as the name suggests) a pinked bronze that looks pretty damn awesome combined with a pair of green eyes (if I do say so myself!)

The pigment contains enough warmth to pop the green tones in my eyes whilst keeping the overall feel of the shadow to that of a more wearable neutral.

The applicator sadly still suffers from my original complaints against it and whilst lovely, I’m not making any claims that the shade is particularly undupable.   However, the formula is remarkably creamy and blends out beautifully with my fingers for a super-quick stroke of colour.

Bare Minerals High Shine Eye Color in Rose Gold will be available on counter and online from June priced at £15.

* Press Sample

How completely bloomin’ cheerful does this new Summer nail collection from Cosmetics A La Carte look huh?

The British company who are well-known for their bespoke makeup have released 5 bold shades that promise to extend this season’s hottest trends beyond our clothes!

Flash: An envious bright green
Inka: A warm shade of zesty tangerine
Viola: A tranquil lilac
Bonheur: A bold hot pink
Rhythm: A classic red go-to shade for timeless style.

Perfect poolside shades if ever I saw ’em!

The Cosmetics A La Carte Purely Floral collection are priced at £10 each and available to buy instore or online from their website.

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Do any of those shades set your fingertips a-quivering for Summer?

We don’t like it but we can at last be excused a bit of roughness in the Winter as the harsh weather takes its toll on our poor extremities.  Our hands are usually the first to succumb to the Gods of dry skin and those rough bits that catch on your sleeves *ouch!*

In the Summer though, there really is no excuses for general skin dryness… so give yourself a helping hand and check out some of the hand creams below for a sure-fire way to get some silky softness back in your life!

Woods of Windsor True Rose Conditioning Hand and Nail Cream 125ml (£7.75)*

A lighter option for those who dislike the heavy feeling of cream on their hands.  This Woods of Windsor lotion absorbs quickly and efficiently whilst leaving behind a delicate rose scent.  I recommend keeping this one nearby though as you’ll need to top up regularly to ensure long-lasting softness.

Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream 75ml (£18.40)

I picked this up in Debenhams a little while ago and true to its name, the Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream delivers a welcome boost of moisturisation which means I can apply at night before bed and wake up in the morning with noticeably smoother digits.  A good choice to stash in the bedside table but perhaps not for you if you dislike the feeling of a rich cream on your hands.

Liz Earle Hand Repair 150ml (£19.65)*

If greasy residues are your main concern, the Liz Earle Hand Repair is the product you need!  The larger sizes come with a convenient pump dispenser which releases a rich, awesome smelling (as you’d expect) hand cream.  It absorbs with blistering speed, leaving my hands feeling silky to the touch.  Not as heavy duty in the moisturisation department as some, I’d recommend this for those with normal/dry skin concerns.

All for Eve Hand Cream 100ml (£7.50)

My top pick for Summer hand creams is the All for Eve offering I bought last month.  I keep this at my computer and would recommend this as the perfect every day hand cream.  It smells delicious, leans toward a lighter, more easily absorbed formula and at under £8 for a generous 100ml, it’s a bargain!  And don’t forget that all proceeds from ‘all for eve’ products go towards ‘The Eve Appeal’ fund.

Heathcote & Ivory Vintage Mimosa Mini Hand Creams 30ml (£4.00 for 3)*

Super cute mini hand cream that’s perfectly sized for some handbag toteing!  This Heathcote & Ivory Vintage Hand Cream is surprisingly potent for the money.  Again, more suited to normal/dry skin than those in need of severe replenishment, I particularly love the Shea Butter based formula which spreads itself thinly without taking all day to sink in!

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If you’re in particular need for something a little more intense, you might also be interested in taking a look at my review of the Lanolips Rose Balm Intense.

Are you getting your skin in shape for Summer?  What are your favourite hand creams at the moment?

* Denotes PR Sample