July 2016 Beauty Favourites

July 18, 2016October 16, 2016 - Vicki 2 Comments

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic

I adore using this toner as part of my morning skincare routine. Its so soothing, calming and refreshing on the skin. It contains so many skin loving ingredients (as you expect from skincare experts Liz Earle), including active ingredients aloe vera to revitalise and soften and calendula, chamomile, cucumber and natural source vitamin E to soothe and refresh the skin.

This feels so gentle and soothing nice on the skin and the formula is alcohol free. It does have quite a strong floral / botanical scent, which I like and find relaxing. I pour a little product on to a cotton pad & sweep all over my face and neck every morning. Its not at all drying and leaves your skin feeling leans and hydrated, ready for the next step in your skincare routine. This paired with the Eye is the complete package! Now that Liz Earle is sold at larger Boots stores it is even easier to get hold of, which is ideal.

Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Gorgeous Berries

I always come back to this blush more than any other in my collection. Its just beautiful. I love the packaging, the fact that its a baked blush and the colour looks a little different each time I wear it. This blush has a marbling effect and I have heard them described as dupes for the much coveted Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blusher, I haven’t used those so I can’t compare. Although I can say its incredible quality for the price.

The Max Factor ones are buttery soft and extremely pigmented, I have the shade Gorgeous Berries which is a deep mauve berry shade. It is the darkest shade in the range and it gives the cheeks a beautiful flush of colour, if you want to build up the intensity you can go all out. These wear really well and the colour lasts all day. This shade does have a slight sheen to it but I wouldn’t say it was anything on par with a highlighter.

Maybelline Dream Flawless Nude

Again this is a foundation I have had in my collection for some time now and its one I love to go back to. The consistency is so fluid that I find it easy to blend and get a good even coverage. This is quite a dark shade compared to what I would usually wear but it works for the warmer months when I have a little more colour, so I am making the most of it. This gives quite a light coverage but it is build-able and it gives the skin a velvety smooth flawless (as the name suggests) finish. I really like the way it makes my skin look and it feels lightweight. Unlike some bases it actually looks better throughout the day, bonus!

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in BackTalk*

I have been wearing this lipstick almost everyday, the colour is so easy to wear. Its is a comfort matte finish but it doesn’t make my lips feel overly dry. Its not a faff to apply and it just makes me look like I have have made more of an effort with my makeup (when I am wearing bare minimal). BackTalk is a gorgeous mauve pink nude shade and I just can’t get enough of it.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Golden Pink

I know I am not alone in loving cream shadows, they are a lazy girls best friend. You just sweep the product over your eyelid & blend it out using your finger & it always looks amazing. This Golden Pink is not what I would call a pink, it is a lot more a golden and has a pretty metallic finish. These cream shadow sticks are easy to blend but after a couple of minutes they dry done and do not budge. These are very similar to the Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks which I have quite a few of and I’d say the quality of them is identical. I always travel with cream shadows, because they take up no space, they don’t break in your makeup bag and you don’t need a brush.

•PR Sample

MooGoo Skincare

July 16, 2016August 4, 2019 - Vicki 2 Comments

Let me introduce you to Australian skincare brand MooGoo who are dedicated to delivering all natural, gentle, sensitive skin friendly products. Their range uses all natural ingredients and contains absolutely no nasties or harsh chemicals. Their products are made for people with skin problems such as eczema and Psoriasis but are also a great choice for people that prefer to use products which are natural and won’t cause irritation.

For the past 2 months I have been testing out two products from their extensive range and they have been a real pleasure to have in my beauty stash. First up,

MooGoo Cover Up ButterCup SPF15 Natural Moisturiser*

This moisturiser has quite a thick consistency when you first squeeze it out but once you apply it to your face and massage it in, its very quickly absorbed. So don’t be put off by how heavy it initially seems. This is a daily moisturiser with physical sun protection – that consists of Clear Zinc and Red Raspberry Seed Oil which act like a hat or shade, a cream containing the Zinc Oxide reflects the UV rays away from the body rather than allowing them to penetrate and damage the skin.

Zinc Oxide would normally be white on the skin, but MooGoo use a special type of Zinc Oxide that is made in Australia, it’s dispersed within Jojoba Oil which helps make it clear and non-greasy. So there is no white cast left on your skin, and it wears well under makeup.

You get a huge 200g of product in a tube & that is going to last me ages. I live in Cornwall and it’s just too beautiful to stay indoors, so I like to be outside as much as possible (on the beach) so It’s fantastic to have product in my skincare stash that not only protects from harmful UVB & UVA rays but also provides a good amount of hydration. This is an SPF that covers all the bases, it’s hydrating, all natural and is not tested on animals. It is also suitable for both babies & adults which just reflects how gentle the formula is!

MooGoo How Now Brown Cow Gradual Tanning Cream For Face & Body*

Who else feels the eternal struggle to find that gradual tanner which goes on like a dream & gives the perfect golden glow! It’s nice to hear I am not alone, but hold that thought because I think I have found a really really good one. My legs especially never seem to catch any colour and are very much on the pale side, so I do like to gradual tan. I like that gradual tans allows me to build up to a natural healthy bronze shade without the fear of looking like a wotsit.

This MooGoo offering uses their Full Cream Moisturiser as a base, so it keeps your skin very soft and the tanner itself is all natural and includes 2 tanning ingredients Canola Oil (a DHA, active ingredient) and Erythrulose (a sugar-based ingredient) so these two ingredients are responsible for giving you a natural tan without that biscuit smell!

It takes a couple of days for you to see a good amount of colour but once the tan starts to develop it is even, natural and makes me look so healthy. I have been using it on my face quite a bit too & I like that it’s subtle and makes my skin look radiant. This also contains Sweet Almond Oil, Raw Coconut Oil and Squalene which are nourishing and keep your skin looking and feeling its best. This is a whopping 200ml too and for £15.50 I think its a bargain.

MooGoo is fantastic at listing their ingredients and explaining all about their benefits in a very concise and easy to understand way. So if you want to learn a more about the brand and the ingredients they use pop over to moogooskincare.co.uk

This skincare duo is perfect for not only the Summer months but all year round. We really should be using SPF no matter what the weather or the season. It is also nice to have that healthy natural glow of a tan, so I will be using this gradual tanner to keep my skin looking its best all year round.

Have you tried anything from this brand?

*PR Sample

Look Fantastic Summer Lovin Beauty Box July 2016

July 13, 2016October 16, 2016 - Vicki 1 Comment

‘This July, get ready for some #LFSummerLovin with our fabulous #LFBeautyBox! This month’s box is worth over £50 and packed full of gorgeous treats to get your skin, hair and makeup summer ready and radiant for the warmer weather.’

The July Look Fantastic Beauty Box* has a great mix of skincare, makeup, haircare and it even includes a hair accessory. This Summer themed box is bright pink with beautiful gold detailing, I love to keep the boxes as they’re super handy for storing beauty products & other treasures. As with previous boxes you also get the current copy of Elle Magazine which will be perfect to read whilst relaxing in the sun (if it decides to show up!).

MiTi Bobbles x3

These are ideal for beach days or keeping your hair off your face in in the Summer. If you haven’t seen this style of hair tie before, they’re designed to tie your hair up without leaving any dents or marks. They’re also gentle on your hair and won’t break or damage your hair. So you can easily wear your hair up or down. You get 3 bobbles in the box and I will be keeping one in my handbag as I love being able to pop my hair up when I am driving or eating.

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse 10ml

I adore NUXE products but have never used their shimmer oil. This is a stunning golden shimmer dry oil which will help your skin look glowing and give it that golden sheen. Its not only looks beautiful but will also help to moisturise your skin as it contains 6 different plant oils and is enriched with Vitamin E to soften and smooth. So I am looking forward to applying this to my legs and getting them a little more Summer ready.

Benefit Poof Proof Eyebrow Pencil 0.11g

OK, so I did a squeal of delight when I saw this was included in the July Box. I have seen so many people reviewing the new Benefit Brow range & I am so excited to try this out for myself. This is a deluxe sample size and I have the darkest shade 6 which works out well as I have very dark brows. This is an angled eyebrow pencil which has been designed to allow you to sill in any gaps with ease and give you perfectly manicured brows. They claim it gives 12 hours of waterproof wear (I will put that to the test). Its a twist up pencil and the product does feel soft. I love the packaging of these brow products & I am so excited to have this in my collection.

This Works In Transit Camera Close Up 20ml

I have heard lots of wonderful reviews about the This Works range but I don’t think I have ever tried anything from them. So I am thrilled that I get to try a new brand product & a girl can never have too many moisturisers. This is a deluxe sample and at 20ml its perfect to take on holiday, I am going to save it for my trip to Amsterdam. This is a primer & a moisturiser in one, it is packed full of skin loving ingredients including, Hyluronic Acid and Starflower Oils. This promises to smooth out skin providing the perfect canvas for makeup and its caffeine infused formula boosts skins natural radiance and gives you a flawless finish. Sounds perfect!

Kebelo Silk Anti Freeze Cream Serum 15ml

Its always nice to get a hair styling product in beauty boxes. I had never heard of this brand before but I do have frizzy hair so this will be put to good use. It has a paraben free formula and contains Chamomile, Quinoa and Amaranth which work together to nourish, repair and revitalise your hair. Argan Oil and Jojoba Oil It will also give it a beautiful shine, so thats all bases covered. I can’t wait to try it out.

Bellá Pierre Lip and Cheek Stain 5g

I think this pink is a gorgeous Summer shade and I would use it more as a blush than a lip product. Its oil free and won’t clog pores or make the skin look greasy as the weather gets warmer. This is a very wearable shade I am starting to use cream products a lot more.

Another great beauty box, the Benefit Eyebrow Pencil & This Works Moisturiser are my stand out products this month. Let me know what you think about the contents and if you have used any of the products.

These boxes always sell out super quickly so if you want this months #LFSummerLovin Box then you best be quick. Look Fantastic Beauty Box is a monthly subscription.

LookFantastic Beauty Box £15

New in My Beauty Stash #1

July 11, 2016October 16, 2016 - Vicki 1 Comment

Benefit Dandelion Shy Beam Liquid Highlighter

This is a beautiful product for Summer – its a soft-matte nude pink and it gives the skin a Iovely radiant glow. I use it as a subtle highlighter on my cheek bones and it reflects the light and makes my skin look fresh and adds a glow. If you’re a fan of the classic High Beam then you will like this more subtle option for those days you want a more low key but fresh faced look. This is great for minimal makeup days just to give your skin that effortless glow without a hint of shimmer or shine. Oh & how beautiful is the rose gold packaging?

Redken Pillow Proof Blow Dry*

This is the first Redken product I have used and having thick hair a product that promises to reduce drying time is a product that catches my attention. So this new release from Redken is promises to

Reduce blow-dry time
Protect from heat up to 230˚
Help reduce breakage
Provide 24-hour lasting volume

I like that its a heat protectant as well as a styling product & any product that reduces the time I use heat on my hair is a plus for me. As I said my hair is very thick & usually takes an age to dry, I’ve used this a few times now & off the bat I noticed how soft and smooth my hair felt and looked after blowdrying. I would say it helped my hair dry a little quicker and I noticed my hair didn’t look as frizzy. Although its a cream and often cream products can feel heavy and make my hair feel greasy quickly this wasn’t like that at all. So if you want a product that protects against breakage and heart damage, as well as giving you a little added volume then thins new Redken release would be a great product to have in your haircare arsenal.

Bare Minerals Lash Domination

I do like the way this Mascara makes my lashes look but it seems to smudge on me so bad. This separates my lashes and makes them look so long and healthy but by the end of the day I have quite a lot of product under my eye and thats not a good look. Its such a shame because this ticks all the boxes, its jet black, I love the wand and it gives my lashes volume. The formula is quite wet so maybe as it dries out a bit that might make a difference. If you have tried this mascara let me know how you get on with it.

Bath & Body Works Hand Sanitiser

I love these hand sanitisers & my brother recently went to Dubai & kindly bought me back a stash of the summer scents. The one I am using at the minute is Vanilla Cupcake and is sweet and smells good enough to eat.

Vichy Dermablend 3D Correction Foundation*

This new addition to the popular Dermablend range from Vichy is quite an exciting one. Its a full coverage matte finish foundation, at first it appears to be quite a tic texture but once you start to blend it in to your skin its quite fluid and easy to blend. It gives your skin a smooth soft focus finish and if you have scaring or uneven skin tone that you like to cover then this works a treat. It gives you fantastic coverage without feeling heavy or looking cakey, and I found it to be really effective at counteracting redness. This foundation is 100% oil free and has,

Alliagel TM – which is a texture innovation exclusive to Vichy, the pigments and soft focus agents cover and blur imperfections to make the skin look even and velvety smooth.
Salicylic Acid – This is an ingredient in skincare that helps soothe irritated skin, prevent blackheads and unclog pores.
Eperulin – This is a great anti inflammatory so its fantastic at calming blemishes and any problems areas.

So its nice to see a makeup product that incorporates a good amount of skincare. This also has SPF 25 and is 100% oil free. Its ideal if you have oily skin, blemish prone skin. Its pretty fantastic and I love how the silky smooth my skin feels when I wear this. I have the shade Nude25 & my skin is quite fair & this is a great match.

What products are new in your beauty stash this Summer?