Makeup

MUA Sweet Sheen Lipbalms

- Vicki 6 Comments
MUA Sweet Sheen Lipbalm 1

MUA Sweet Sheen Lip balms

MUA Sweet Sheen Lipbalms* are part of their new Spring 2015 Collection & I love them. They are available in 6 pretty shades all perfect for Spring. I have 5 of them & they all give the lips a light wash of colour, the darker shades are more pigmented as you would expect. They are all very wearable and it’s nice to finally be wearing some brighter colours after what feels like the longest Winter ever.

MUA Sweet Sheen Collection MUA Sweet Sheen Swatches

All the above swatches are one swipe, I think the colour payoff is quite good bearing in mind these are a tinted lip balm. The colours can be built up – but don’t expect the colours to be bold. They feel very comfortable on the lips and they have a light sweet vanilla scent which I like.

My favourite shades are Cherry Bomb which is a pinky red and French Violet which is a gorgeous lilac. Both are currently in my handbag and I have been loving wearing them. These tinted lip balms make perfect effortless daytime lip colours, subtle but pretty. I like the packaging too and think it is very functional, it’s nice to have a tinted lip balm in a twist up bullet like a lipstick.

Pink Lilly is the lightest shade & is a very light frosted pink colour, it didn’t really show up on my lips. Rouge Rumba is a berry red shade and is one of the most pigmented colour out of the 5 I have tried. Coral Reef is a very pretty peach pink and this looks pretty and fresh on the lips.

At £2 each these are extremely great value and highly recommend getting a few for Spring.

MUA Spring Collection 2015

Let me know if you have treated yourself to anything from MUA recently.

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.

RMK Vintage Sweets Spring Collection

- Vicki 8 Comments

RMK Spring Makeup Collection

I was kindly invited along to the RMK counter at Selfridges in Manchester to hear all about their beautiful limited edition Vintage Sweets Collection. Makeup inspired by tea parties and sweets how could I say no! I had seen the RMK counter whilst shopping in the beauty hall but never stopped to take a look, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to learn all about the brand as well as have a makeover using their new collection.

Japanese brand RMK is a unique cosmetics line that holds firm roots within the New York make-up artistry scene and is carefully brought to life in dedicated laboratories in Japan. It’s sold internationally and is most well known for promoting natural and have developed products which work with your so your skin looks natural, beautiful and fresh. I love that ethos and its wonderful to hear a brand encouraging you not to mask but to enhance your features.

RMK has quite a small but very well put together range of products, on my visit to the counter I had a mini facial and absolutely loved the Cleansing Balm. This product starts as a solid balm in a pot & you scoop out a small amount, rub it in between your hands where it transforms into a silky liquid much like an oil. Then you massage it on to your face where is emulsifies and breaks down your makeup and dirt to give your skin a very deep cleanse.

Its so hydrating and soothing on the skin, it contains Grape Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil and Avocado Oil. Its now at the top of my wish list. So don’t overlook their skincare as it is as impressive as their makeup,

RMK Vintage Sweets CollectionRMK Spring Makeup

Their new limited edition collection has been inspired by Vintage Sweets and Tea Parties which really comes through in the pastel colours and pretty scents. This collection has such a girly soft feel to it and it is all beautifully packaged too. Its a very pretty collection and I think it’s just perfect for Spring. The collection is made up of :-

Sugar Sweet Eyes – There are 5 eyeshadows, each has a stripe design. They are slightly shimmery but very pretty. You get two shades in each Sugar Sweet Eyes and they can be used together or individually to create your Spring look.

W Color Mascara – These come in 5 shades and are double ended with one colour on each for the upper lashes and the other for the bottom lashes. So you can really mix up your look and create something fresh and colourful. I opted for the Blue & Green, slightly safe but still very pretty.

Vintage Candy Cheeks – These come in 4 options & each one has two shades which you can swirl your brush in and create a pretty colour. These are quite reflective & give the cheek a healthy bronze or peachy glow. I loved these & thought they were just beautiful. They looked like candy bon bons in the pan & were just as cute on the cheeks.

Vintage Drop Gloss – available in 4 pretty shades. They all have good colour payoff on the lips & leave the lips feeling smooth and hydrated. There is no stickiness & they don’t feel tacky which is good news. You could layer these on top of a lipstick too. Each shade has a scent and they are all so good, good enough to eat. The scents are Rose, Maple Syrup, Cassis and Butter Scotch.

Vintage Sweets Face Color – These come in 2 options and each compact has blend of 4 pastel hues. They are both ideal as a finishing powder to give the skin an even luminous finish. These look so pretty in the pan and the packaging is compact and elegant, as is the whole collection.

Nail Color & Nail Art Liners – These are gorgeous pastel colours which are subtle but pretty and very feminine. I have tried the Art Liners which are quite tricky to use but I have heard the Nail Polishes are fast drying and quite long wearing.

RMK Brand IntroductionRMK Makeover

The lady at RMK did a great job of my makeup & I loved my look. If you live near a Selfridges you should pop in and visit your RMK counter for an introduction to this gorgeous collection. Or browse their collection online.

RMK Vintage Sweets Spring Collection

Vintage Sweets is a collection that will capture your imagination and give your makeup a pretty fresh Spring twist.

Thank you to the lovely RMK counter at Selfridges Manchester Exchange Sq for a lovely afternoon & the selection of RMK Vintage Sweets products they kindly gifted me to try at home.

A few February Purchases

- Vicki 25 Comments

Beauty Treats

Deliciously Ella – I saw this in Waterstones for half price & thought it sounded like a lovely healthy cookbook. There are so many Vegan friendly recipes & I can’t wait to try making something from it. I want to cook from scratch more & this book is the perfect place for me to start & find my feet. Its all about healthy but delicious food, nothing too difficult as I am the worlds worst cook. Also I failed at eating well in January so Im hoping this book helps kick start a more healthy eating 2015.

I will let you know what I pick first & also do a proper review of the book once I have used it for a while. I had never heard of Ella before this book, let me know if you own it and also what recipes you recommend from it.

Benefit Roller Lash – This cute deluxe sample came free with this months Elle magazine, so if you haven’t already picked up a copy you need to ASAP! Its not out to buy in shops / counters until March. I have been using this mascara for just over a week & I love it. I did a full review last week & to read it click here.

GOSH Prime & Refresh Illuminating Eye Roll On £7.99 – My under eye area is my more problematic – not with blemishes but its so dry and my makeup settles in to my fine lines. Often the makeup on that area looks terrible after a couple of hours so I thought this GOSH offering might be the answer to my prayers. Its illuminating, something my under eye area needs – refreshing, which will keep the skin looking fresh and feeling soothed and its also a primer so my makeup should stick around longer & not sink into my fine lines. I can’t wait to use this some more & let you know what I think. The dispenser is so neat & the metal balls feel cooling on the skin.

Revlon Highlighter

Revlon Rose Glow Highlighting Palette £8.99 – This is so pretty and I thought it would be perfect for creating that Spring fresh faced look. I love highlighters but don’t own many that are pink and I like how this has 5 shades. It is quite shimmery but if you use a light hand its not too OTT & looks very brightening on the cheeks. I love the packaging, the clear lid means I can see it in my collection & it feels sturdy. So far I really like it.

Collection Work The Colour Lip Butter in Vintage Rose £2.99 – This is a gorgeous soft peachy pink, its quite a subtle colour but you can build up the colour. It makes my lips look healthy and brightens up my face. It is the perfect everyday shade and the formula is creamy and glossy on the lips. I am going to go back and get the plum shade too. You can’t go wrong with a lip crayon & these Collection ones are budget friendly too.

Bourjois Colorbrand Eye Crayon in Brun dadaiste £5.99 – I love eyeshadow sticks and I have been seeing these everywhere. I couldn’t resist buying this brown shade. Its so pigmented and lasts all day on my eyes. I like to sweep the colour across my lids then blend it out with my fingers, its so easy & quick. I love low maintenance eye makeup for everyday & this is doing the job. I want the Rose & the Mauve shades too.

What have you treated yourself too lately, do you have any new discoveries or recommendations for me.

 

Dr Paw Paw Balm

- Vicki 5 Comments
Dr PawPaw Balm

Dr PawPaw Balm

Dr PawPaw* are a British made multi-purpose balm with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. The main ingredient in their balms is fermented Pawpaw, which is the fruit of the plant Carica Papaya. The Pawpaw has been found to have many soothing properties for our skin and hair, making it a real ‘go to’ product.

Dr PawPaw’s ingredients & benefits are

Carica Papaya (PawPaw)

This nutrient-rich fruit is full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, vitamins A and C and acetogenins which, when applied externally, helps in aiding skin repair, adding moisture and smoothing and tightening the skin.

Olive Fruit Oil

Olive oil has a variety of benefits for skin and hair due to its vast amount of antioxidants. Olive Oil contains Vitamin A and E but the most potent compound is Hydroxytyrosol. This rare antioxidant prevents free radical damage on skin cells and is absorbed deeply into the skin. It has many anti-inflammatory properties and is great for dry skin and hair.

Aloe Vera

Retains and restores moisture to lips, skin and hair. ‘Bathes’ skin cells and helps promote skin regeneration. Helps minimise the appearance of pore size and is an excellent ingredient for skin cleansing and toning.

Dr PawPaw Balm

Dr PawPaw Colours

These balms come in handbag friendly squeeze tubes and are perfect for taking with you on the go. I love the bold colourful packaging and think they’re functional & look cute too. I also like that they’re fragrance-free.

I’ve been using the Original Balm mostly as a lip treatment (as my lips are so dry this Winter) and I also like to massage it into my cuticles at night to help keep them soft. The formula is non-greasy and easily absorbed. It has quickly become a staple in my routine now & sits on my bedside table.

The Tinted Peach Pink* & Tinted Ultimate Red* Balms are pretty worn alone on the lips as they give the lips a subtle wash of colour and they also hydrate, protect and soothe the lips. I do also like to layer these on top of a lipstick to add more colour & a little shine. They’re so good for having in your handbag & applying throughout the day as a treatment & a lip colour. I’m never without mine & in particular, I love the Peach Pink, it’s such an easy colour to wear. I have also read that people use these tinted balms on their cheeks, I will be trying that out & think the peach shade will look cute.

You get 25ml of product in each tube and that will last you a very, very long time as a little goes a long way. The original balm is an excellent multipurpose product & the tinted options are fantastic lip colours, which not only give your lips a fresh glossy colour, but they also have the same great formula as the Original Balm which will protect your lips all day long!

These balms are a hit with me & I’m currently trying to keep them out of my mums reach as I know she will pinch one from me.

Dr PawPaw Multi Use Balms £6.95 each & available from www.drpawpaw.com

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However, if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.