GOSH AW17 Makeup Releases

July 31, 2017 - Vicki 4 Comments

I feel that not enough people talk about GOSH which surprises me because they’re one of my absolute favourite high street brands and the quality of their range is incredible. GOSH is sold in Superdrug and I guess because there are so many beauty brands fighting for our attention GOSH is a stand that most people overlook. Well I’m here to tell you that next time you’re in store you must stop and have a swatch and familiarise yourself with their range, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. As of July 26th the new GOSH AW17 Collection has hit stores so this is the perfect time to check out what this brand has to offer.

Their new range has a whole host of products for you to introduce to your makeup bag for the Autumn season. I have been trying a selection of products from this new collection and I have to say there are some stand out products that I’m really loving. So what have I been testing?

**Colour Corrector Kit 001* £11.99**

I’m not the most avid user of colour correctors and I’m always worried I put the wrong colour in the wrong place so it’s nice to see that GOSH have included a simple guide on the back of this kit just outlining where to place the colours. This kit has 5 colour correcting shades and I’m guessing that they balance any discolouration, combat any darkness as well as concealing blemishes. All 5 shades are creamy and easy to blend. Now I have this kit I have no excuses for not at least attempting to cover the redness around my nose or covering the dark circles under my eyes.

If you’re looking for a new colour correcting kit then this one contains 5 shades but is still super compact and easily fits into your makeup bag, it also has a mirror in the lid which is great for makeup emergencies on the go.

GOSH Metallic Eyeshadow Palette 005 To Party in London*

GOSH release some fantastic palettes and this new Metallic palette is beautiful. You get 9 metallic and pearl finish eyeshadows that range in colour from subtle pinks and warm browns to more bold shades like the gold and purple toned blue. Although these shadows are mostly metallic they’re not glittery or scratchy to apply, they have a smooth buttery consistency and are all very easy to blend. This is one of my favourite products from the collection because all the colours are so wearable and pretty.

Primer Plus Skin Adaptor Anti Pollution*

This is a fantastic anti pollution primer that adapts to your skintone to give you a healthy, even-toned glow. The product comes out of the tube looking white but once you apply it to your skin it actually changes to a flesh colour – it is beauty magic! I would compare it too a tinted moisturiser, it gives you a nice amount of coverage whilst feeling hydrating and lightweight on the skin and it also leaves your skin looking smooth & beautifully radiant. This primer is formulated with CityGuard+ which is a combination of anti-pollution ingredients and oak extract to keep the skin hydrated and protected so it is a great product to keep your skin looking fresh, radiant and the perfect product to combat the rising effects of free radicals and pollution on our skin. I really like this and it is nice to have something in my skincare regime that helps protect my skin from things like pollution which can cause premature aging.

Eye Shadow Primer in 001 Nude*

I’m terrible at remembering to apply an eyeshadow primer, mostly because I don’t wear powder shadows on a daily basis. This one from GOSH comes in a cream crayon which makes it so easy to apply. The formula is creamy and it makes a nice neutral base for your shadow to adhere too and I would say this did make my shadow look more intense so that is always a plus. I’m not going to say it’s a groundbreaking or must have product but if you’re someone who swears by using an eyeshadow primer then this is an affordable, great quality high street buy.

Brow Shape & Fill*

This is a 2 in 1 brow product with an angled eyebrow pencil on one end and a powder on the other. I have to admit for about a week I had no idea the powder was in the other end of the pencil. You have to unscrew the end and voilà there it is. I have very dark brows and the shade 03 dark brown was a perfect match for me. The angled pencil made it very easy to outline your brows and get a nice precise shape and the powder end is for filling them in. Although for me the sponge was a little big so I made a bit of a mess but the colour was a great match.

**24h Pro Liner in 001 Black* £7.99**

This is an intense black eyeliner with a very slim precise nib, so it is perfect for getting really close to the lash line. Oh and there is a handy smudger on the other end which is great for creating that smoky eye look. This pencil has a nice soft feel to it which makes it easy to apply and not drag across your eye. It is also waterproof so once in place it will not budge. A really great liner to have & for £7.99 you can’t really go wrong.

This is an exciting collection from GOSH and there are quite a few more products which I haven’t tested. Including a growth serum for your brows, mattifying powder, strobe & glow kit and quite a few more. So make sure you pop into your local Superdrug and check out the whole collection & get swatching.

The two standout products that I have are the eyeshadow palette and the Primer Plus Skin Adaptor. These will be getting a lot of use over the coming weeks. What do you have your eye on from this latest GOSH Collection?

*This post contains PR samples.

YSL Beauty Travel Minis

July 28, 2017July 28, 2017 - Vicki 6 Comments

OK so not much gets me more excited than beauty minis, I know it is an exciting life I lead but you have to admit they’re just so flipping cute. When this bag of YSL Travel Minis * arrived on my doorstep I was ecstatic. I have a birthday trip booked for September and this set will be perfect to take with me, so I am saving everything for that.

For me when I was growing up, YSL was so well-known for its Black Opium scent, it is such a cult perfume and I’m sure everyone knows at least one person that wears it. Well included in my oh so sweet bag of minis is that iconic Black Opium fragrance and also their latest addition to the Opium family, Black Opium Floral Shock.

Black Opium Floral Shock Eau de Parfum

I would say it is a modern more youthful twist on an iconic scent. Not only have YSL updated the scent but the pretty black glitter encrusted bottle has also had a revamp. The bottle is just as luxurious as the classic version but it now has subtle frosted pretty pink hues but it still looks just as glam rock!

Top notes – Bergamot Essence, Pear Accord, Freesia Accord
Heart notes – Orange Blossom Absolute, Golden Gardenia Accord, Solar-floral accord
Base notes – Coffee Accord, Sandalwood Accord, Vanilla

The fresh mix of fruity and floral scents work really well together and the addition of coffee is unusual but gives the scent a warmth that is quite sexy, while the vanilla and sandalwood offer both sweetness and luxury. I am in love with it and I think if you find the original a little too heavy and heady, this Floral Shock version will feel more fresh and youthful but still with that edginess you expect from YSL Opium.

YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primer Blurring & Illuminating Primer

This is a lightweight primer with a nice gel consistency, formulated to smooth and blur pores and wrinkles which I have to say is a pretty accurate description. It is such a nice base for your foundation and is enriched with four nourishing oils—corn oil, apricot kernel oil, passiflora oil, and rice bran oil—to leave skin feeling incredibly soft without a greasy residue.

Not only does it help give your skin a soft focus finish but it also has subtle, tiny golden shimmer flecks which gives your skin luminosity and radiance. This is such a good product for people like me whose makeup tends to start looking a little dull after a while or whose makeup sinks into their fine lines. This is a really good primer for a special event or night out as it keeps your makeup looking fresh, flawless and in place for hours.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick

How sweet is this mini YSL Lipstick! The packaging is beautiful and has the YSL logo embossed on their iconic gold packaging. The shade is 52 Rosy Coral and it is a vibrant pink, it’s a lovely flattering shade and it brightens up any makeup look. It’s the perfect Summer holiday shade. It’s a lovely lightweight, hydrating formula which feels very comfortable on the lips and has an easy to wear satin finish. I also really like that the Rouge Pur Couture range has SPF15. I’ve never tried a YSL lipstick before so this is a very exciting addition to my makeup stash. With this in my makeup bag I feel like a sophisticated woman who has her shit together.

YSL Top Secrets Lip Perfector

This is a product I’ve also never tried from YSL. It is a 3 in 1 product and can be used as a primer, lip treatment or a lipbalm. It has a really comfortable non greasy formula and it gives the lips a nice glossy finish. It is clear and works well both under your lip colour as a nice smooth base which helps prolong the wear time of your lipstick or on top to give it a subtle glossy finish. I am for sure taking this away with me to Amsterdam as my fancy lipbalm!

What are your favourite mini products and do you have a drawer full of them just incase you need them for a trip?

To shop for your own YSL Minis and Gifts head to www.yslbeauty.co.uk

*This post contains PR samples

Rimmel Summer Glow Makeup

July 10, 2017July 10, 2017 - Vicki 1 Comment

With Summer finally in full swing it is the perfect time switch up your makeup look and go for more of a healthy, radiant glow. Rimmel have got you covered this Summer with their Ready For Radiance Collection which will help you get the ultimate Summer glow. I love wearing makeup with a cute beachy vibe and the fact that you can opt for more of a subtle radiance or go all out with that bronzed, golden sunkissed look it is completely up to you.

Rimmel Kate Sculpting Palette

This palette comes in two shades, I have the Coral Glow one which is the lighter of the two and perfect for my skintone. This is a handy trio to have in your collection and the packaging is super cute, I adore the rose gold touches it makes it look a lot more expensive. In this trio you get,

Soft shimmer powder to highlight
Shading powder to contour
Powder blush for colour and definition

The highlight shade is a pretty champagne shade but be warned it is a little on the light side, I wish it was more radiant but it still works and it makes a great inner corner highlight for your eye makeup too. The contour and blush shade are more pigmented and fantastic quality. The blush shade is my favourite from the three powders, it’s a gorgeous matte coral pink and is such a flattering colour.

Rimmel Radiance Brick

This is a new release from Rimmel for Summer 2017, it’s a multi tonal bronzing powder which will give you that pretty bronzed glow with a touch of highlight. It is available in three shades and I have the Medium shade which is a great shade for me during the warmer months. It has a very subtle shimmer running through it, just enough to catch the light and enhance that sunkissed, radiant look, as opposed to looking full on glitter face.

The powder is really finely milled and you can build up the intensity without it becoming cakey on the skin. It also makes a very pretty eyeshadow if you’re short on space in your makeup bag. I really like Rimmel powder products and this one did not disappoint.

Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan

This is a matte instant tan for body & face which comes in three shades, I have the medium one and it’s pretty dark (I have quite fair skin). I was shocked with how dark this looked when I first squeezed it out the tube but once I applied it to my skin it was a perfect caramel colour. It has thick gel texture which makes it really easy to massage in and get a very even coverage.

This contains no shimmer but gives the skin a nice glow and develops into a very believable tan, it isn’t orange or streaky but looks deep and natural. I use a mitt to apply and be warned that it dries down quickly so don’t dilly dally when applying it. It is buildable but for me one application is enough to give me a good natural looking tan and I love that the colour doesn’t transfer on to my clothes and the products leaves my skin feeling soft too. I think this is one of my favourite instant tan products and it has a really nice scent too. This tan is such an utter bargain, so make sure you check it out. Oh & this does come in a shimmer option too if you prefer.

Rimmel Insta Duo Contour Stick

If you like cream cheek products then these new Duo Contour Sticks from the recent Insta Rimmel Collection just might win you over. They are available in three shades, I have the lightest option and WOW is it pigmented. Both ends are so creamy and very easy to blend, the contour shade is very dark maybe a little too dark for me if I am honest. If you have the patience you may be able to blend it out enough so it works as a contour but I just looked like I have bronzed up the hollows of my cheeks & that wasn’t cute.

The Highlighter end of this duo was beautiful and the ideal tone for me. It gives my cheeks a pretty luminous glow. I do like the stick application, it makes it easy to apply and you can be very precise with where you place the product. Not my favourite Rimmel release but I am not the biggest fan of cream products – I always reach for powder when given a choice.

L-R Kate Sculpting Palette Bronzer & Blush / Radiance Brick / Insta Duo Contour Stick Contour & Highlight

What products do you have in your Summer makeup bag & will you be treating yourself to any of the new Rimmel releases?

Make sure you get involved with the latest Rimmel campaign by creating your Summer Glow look & tag your photos #ReadyforRadiance.

*This post contains PR Samples

Shopping My Stash Summer Edition

July 3, 2017 - Vicki Leave a comment

If you have read my blog for a while now you will know that I’ve been on a bit of a mission to use the products I already have and not spend as much money on makeup (the struggle is real). That way I get to shop my stash which is always fun and it leads me to rediscover so many lovely products. I like to rotate my everyday makeup at least once a month so I thought I would share a few of the products I’m using at the moment.

W7 The Naughty Nine : Mid Summer Nights Palette

I bought this last year and I love it, it might be more of an Autumnal palette but this is such a fantastic budget friendly selection of eyeshadows. The quality is very good and much better that you might expect from such an affordable brand. It’s dubbed as a dupe for the MAC Burgundy Times Nine Palette. I can’t comment on that but the colours do look quite similar. You get 9 shadows in the palette and I like the range of nude toned neutrals & the fact you get a good selection of coppers, cranberries and a few nude pink tones. There is a nice mix of mattes, satin finishes and shimmers all of which are pigmented and blend well. It’s unusual to find good affordable matte shadows but these are very good quality, in fact regardless of price this is an outstanding palette and one I highly recommend checking out. I like this palette a lot!

NYX Vivid Brights Liner

These came out last Summer and would be ideal for a cute Festival look, I have the violet shade which isn’t as bright as some of the other shades in the range but it is still a pretty colour. This has a very fine brush which makes it easy and fuss free to apply, it gives you a very clean, precise line. The colour is quite bold but not overly bright and it lasts all day without smudging. I like wearing this violet shade in the warmer months it is a nice change from my usual black or brown liner.

Bioderma Sensibio AR BB Cream

This is a fantastic base if you suffer with redness or have acne scarring as this has amazing coverage without feeling heavy on the skin. It is a multi action skincare and makeup hybrid and gives you that perfect combination of dermatological care and a great tinted coverage. This will cover uneven skin tone, redness and give you a radiant, glowing finish without feeling heavy or greasy on the skin. It is a great Summer base because of its incredible skin loving ingredients – Ginkgo biloba, green tea and soy which help to inhibit the factors that cause persistent redness. The active ingredients also work to reduce inflammation and immediately soothe your skin. It is also feels very lightweight and comfortable on the skin but gives you great coverage and I love that it has SPF30 protection too.

Clinique Chubby Stick Super Strawberry

These crayon style lip products are some of my favourite to use and Clinique have some really lovely shades available. This strawberry one gives your lips a wash of hydrating colour. It has a fresh glossy finish and this light berry pink is very pretty and flattering, perfect Summer lip colour.

Rimmel Super Gel Polish in Coral Queen*

I have all the shades from this new Super Gel Beach Ready Collection but I really like this bright orange shade the best. I have worn it on both my fingers and toes and it is a fun Summer shade. It is vibrant and looks great with a tan. Rimmel nail polishes are always very good quality and the formula is easy to apply, fast drying and pretty long wearing too, so for me they tick all the boxes!

Garnier BB Cream 5-in-1 Eye Roll-On Light

This Garnier BB Eye Cream has a roller ball applicator which makes it a great travel concealer – fuss free and no brush needed. It has quite a hydrating / liquid consistency which is what makes it perfect to use under my eyes. It feels refreshing and it perks up my skin and makes me look more awake. It’s that ideal shade which brightens but still provides good coverage for those pesky dark circles. I love that the product doesn’t sink into my fine lines which is often a problem for me. This little tube lasts me for months and as I said it is perfect to travel with or pop into your everyday makeup bag.

Essence Blush Up Powder Blush

How beautiful is this peachy pink blush from Essence – it screams Summer.I love that this blusher has a ombre gradient effect and you get 3 different shades going from a stunning orange to a pretty pink. You can either use the colours individually or sweep your brush across the shades and pick up a mix of all three colours. This is really pigmented and not too powdery or chalky. I like that all three colours are matte so no shimmer in this at all. I’m excited to use this over the Summer to create some pretty looks.

MUA Luxe Glow Beam Highlight Cushion in Gold

Over the past few years we’ve seen quite a few of the luxury high-end brands like YSL, Dior and Chanel bringing out cushion products inspired by the Korean beauty market and it’s never long before the high street follows suit. I love MUA as a brand and their product selection is fantastic and really good quality too, so when I saw that they had released a cushion highlighter I was very excited to try it out. It is a peachy gold highlight and it can look quite subtle or if you want more on an intense look you can build up the colour & effect to be more intense. I use it on the tops of my cheeks and under my brow bone and it applies so well to the skin, it doesn’t accentuate my fine lines and when it catches the light it looks so pretty

Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Bronze*

This is a really nice warming, matte bronzer, Its perfection. It doesn’t look muddy or orange, it warms up your skin so you look more sun-kissed and less like you’ve been tango’ed. I think for £20 that this is a great product to add to your makeup bag for Summer, especially if like me you like to avoid getting a tan but like to look bronzed and healthy. The packaging is adorable and the palm tree detail on the compact and the packaging is good quality, slim and you get a great sized mirror in the lid which is handy for reapplying your lipstick throughout the day.

What products have you added to your makeup bag for Summer?

*This post contains PR Samples and Affiliate Links

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