January Beauty Favourites 2016

February 3, 2016February 3, 2016 - Vicki 6 Comments

Inglot Freedom Palette

I have two Inglot Freedom Palettes, this is my 10 pan but I also have a 5 pan palette and I love them both. You get a magnetic board & can pick from so many colours to fill your palette. It took me ages to decide on the 10 colours for this palette but its my dream palette. The shadows are incredible quality, pigmented and great value for money. I think Inglot eyeshadows are amongst the best out there, I use this palette so often and its a really good one to travel with as its slim and you know that you like every shadow because you filled the palette yourself.

Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blusher in Ecstasy

This has to be one of the most pigmented blushers I have ever used, to say you need very little product on your brush is an understatement. You get two beautiful cheek shades in this blush, the outer shade is a dark peachy pink with a pretty frosted finish, and the shade in the middle is a more true pink with the most gorgeous gold shimmer running through. I absolutely adore wearing it. The packaging is weighty, it looks and feels luxurious, with the added rose gold touches that Charlotte Tilbury includes making it look extra special.

PS Love Velvet Matte Lipstick Crayon

You never know when buying more affordable products if they’re going to be any good but I am pleased to say this Velvet Matte Lip Crayon is pretty damn good. Its not too drying on my lips and the colour is really pretty, it is a deep raspberry plum shade which is one of my favourites to wear. Its pigmented and for a budget matte lip colour its surprisingly long wearing.

Max Factor Velvet Volume False Lash Effect Mascara*

I really like the plastic wand on this mascara, it helps coat every single lash and give the illusion I have considerably more lashes than I do. I wear two coats of this mascara which makes my lashes look long and fluttery, not heavy or weighed down. Your lashes still feel flexible even after a couple of coats – not brittle at all. Its a great mascara to have in my collection & I have worn it so much in January.

Chloé Eau de Parfum

I instantly fell for this perfume. Its a lot more of a feminine scent that I usually wear but OMG its beautiful. How cute is the bottle too? The perfume features top notes of Lychee, Freesia and Peony, middle notes of Lily of the Valley, Rose and Magnolia and base notes of Virginia Cedar and Musk. Its light scent but one that you can smell all day long and I think as the perfume settles on your skin throughout the day the becomes a lot more rich and smells so good. I only have the 30ml of this right now but I will be treating myself to the larger size as soon as its all used up.

INIKA Mineral Foundation

I like this because its lightweight and looks so natural on my skin, I use concealer as normal then sweep a light application of this all over my face with a kabuki brush. It gives a good amount of coverage and gives your skin that velvet smooth finish. I also like that it has SPF15 in & Its very easy to reapply throughout the day. It is a little messy to travel with but its a good everyday foundation and it won’t break you out. Also this pot has lasted me months & it doesn’t look like I have made a dent in it, there is so much product left. Its great value for money.

What have been your most used products this past month & have you used any of ones I have mentioned?

*PR Sample

Pixi by Petra Lash Primer & Mascara

February 2, 2016February 2, 2016 - Vicki 4 Comments

Pixi By Petra Lash Products

I first discovered Pixi about 10 years ago when they had a small stand in the Manchester Selfridges, since then I have been addicted to their makeup and skincare. They have so many fab products but I have never tried their mascara’s (until now). I have been using two of their newest releases – Black Lash Primer* and Lengthy Fibre Mascara* for the last couple of weeks and thought I best let you know how I am getting on.

Pixi By Petra Makeup

Pixi Black Lacquer Lash Primer £15

The first few times I used this it felt very wet and I made the mistake of applying too much & looked like I had spider lashes. Once I had got to grips with it & it had dried up a little I managed to make it work. This lash primer is jet black and I have to admit a couple of times I have worn it as a mascara & it looks pretty good.

It contains ingredients that condition your lashes – vitamin A, vitamin C and panthenol. This primer is a great first step in making my lashes look full and thick. I’m not sure it is a necessary step for everyday makeup but if you like your lashes to look long and your mascara to stay put all day its a product worth adding to your makeup bag.

Pixi Mascara

Pixi Lengthy Fibre Mascara £16

This is the product for people who like their lashes to have that false lash effect. It is jam packed with stretch fibres that add length and volume to your lashes in one sweep. I do have to wipe off the end of the wand before applying the Mascara because the fibres tend to gather there.

If you add two coats of this it will take your lashes to the next level – va va voom! Its definitely a product I would use on a night out, I tend not to wear false lashes (I’m hopeless at applying them) so this would give my lashes that effect without the hassle. This mascara contains Vitamin E, panthenol and chamomile which will strengthen and protect your lashes

These are two releases that will be perfect for anyone that likes their lashes to be Have you tried any Pixi products?

PR Sample

Eloquence Skincare Review

February 1, 2016 - Vicki 3 Comments

Luxury skincare brand Eloquence is a new brand to emerge onto the UK skincare scene and its already getting some fantastic reviews. Its a natural premium brand that’s dedicated to giving their customers the very best products with a real emphasis on value for money. So you’re getting products that are affordable and that deliver great results.

Eloquence products include the very best ingredients in their products, with a focus on anti-ageing, skin hydration and skin health. A common ingredient that features heavily through their range is Sachi Inchi Oil, its a superfood which comes from Peru and is found in seed form. Its known for its high levels of vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids and its oil has a unique blend of

Omega 3 which helps to restore the skins elasticity
Omega 6 helps to combat skin dehydration
Omega 9 helps against premature ageing by intensely nourishing and protecting the skin from environmental stress.

Eloquence skincare comprises of a four step daily routine that is so easy to follow, each product comes in elegant green packaging with its step 1 – 4 clearly marked so this will help you keep your skincare steps in order. There is also a nourishing treatment oil which a multi use product.

Step 1 Purifying Facial Cleanser*

This is a refreshing cleanser thats infused with Sacha Inchi Oil, Cucumber and Coconut Extracts. So its gentle and extremely hydrating. I massage a small 5p sized amount on to dry skin then I dampen my fingers and massage for a further minute just to make sure I’m breaking down all my makeup & grime from the day, then I use a hot cloth. It removes my makeup with ease and it leaves my skin feeling lovely and smooth, soft and most importantly (for me) not tight or stripped of moisture.

Step 2 Firm and Tone Serum*

The Firm & Tone Serum with Glycerin and Coconut oil will illuminate the skin and give it a flawless appearance. Added Hyaluronic Acid will give a boost of Collagen, which will keep your skin plump, smooth and supple. This is an extremely lightweight serum & if you’re someone that worries about having too many steps in your routine or that the products feel heavy on your skin then this isn’t like that at all. I felt like it almost evaporated once it touched my skin (in a good way). It 100% left it feeling velvety soft and almost like it had a soft focus element to it. I adore this serum & I feel like its helped my skin beat the January blues.

Step 3 Firming and Moisturising Eye Gel*

The Firming & Moisturising Eye Gel targets dark circles and puffiness, and with added Hyaluronic acid will keep your eye area plump and will smooth out fine lines. It feels cooling when you first apply it and its not greasy at all but helps wake up my tired eyes each morning. I find my concealer sits well on top and a little goes a long way, the gel is so easy to pat in around the orbital bone. I am an eye cream addict and never go a day without using one, I have tried very few eye gels and I am smitten with this one. Its just so lightweight and nourishing.

Step 4 Protect and Repair 24hr Cream*

This cream can be used either am or pm (or both if you wish). It contains added Hyaluronic Acid making it an intensive moisturiser and UVA & UVB protection so your skin is protected from the harmful effects of the sun. Its a lovely moisturiser and I have found it helps keep my skin blemish free and also feeling supple. I like how it wears under foundation, as my base looks smooth all day. Its been a welcomed addition to my skincare regime and think this product from the range will appeal to people of all skin types and ages.

Nourishing Treatment Oil

This is one of those multi purpose products and I love those, this has been getting a lot of love these past few weeks. I have enjoyed massaging it into my dry cuticles just before I go to bed, I like to use the excess as a hand treatment and I wakeup to the softest healthy looking hands. Its instantly nourishing and it is an oil that absorbs quickly too. This product is blended with Coconut and Sweet Almond Oil which will help to Renew, Repair and Revitalise skin, hair and nails.

All Eloquence skincare products contain no Artificial Perfume or Colour, no Parabens, no Harsh Chemicals and are Cruelty Free, which makes them suitable for all skin types, even dry and sensitive skin areas.

This is a fantastic skincare brand and when I first started testing out these products at the start of the new year I didn’t for one minute think I would enjoy using them all. There is normally one product I like least or that didn’t really fit my needs but this skincare regime is simple, effective and jam packed full of ingredients that nourish, replenish and rejuvenate your skin. This is a brand to keep your eye on & if like me you enjoy skincare then you need to add these products to your shopping list asap.

Eloquence Skincare is available to purchase via their online shop

Products For Getting That Glow

January 28, 2016April 28, 2018 - Vicki 4 Comments

REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial

This comes out a really vibrant green shade which is cool and odd in equal measure! The product itself is so good and I have been through a few tubes of this over the past 2 years. Its amazing if you are pushed for time and want your skin to look fresh and bright as you only need to leave it on for 1 minute (so fast). You massage a small amount of warm water to activate the Vitamin C and let it get to work brightening your complexion. You leave the product on your skin for 1 minute then you rinse with warm water and that’s when the tiny exfoliating beads get to work by buffing and removing dead skin and help fight the signs of fatigue, boost skins radiance levels and reduce imperfections.

Soap & Glory Wonderbronze

This is a very pretty bronzing highlighter, it’s a great way of giving your skin that sun-kissed look without having been in the sunshine. I just swirl my brush round all the colours and apply it with my duo fibre brush, using this type of brush I find I don’t pick up too much product on my brush. I am all about a subtle glow. I really like Soap & Glory face powders and I also like the Solar Powder too for days I want an even more low-key look but still a nice subtle glow.

Liz Earle Eye Bright Soothing Eye Lotion

This is such a lovely part of my morning skincare routine, it’s so soothing and cooling. I keep it in the fridge so its nice and cold, I put a little liquid on each cotton pad then I hold them on my tired eyes for about a minute and it feels amazing. It contains naturally active ingredients including eyebright, witch hazel, aloe vera and cornflower to help tone, cool and refresh tired, puffy eyes. Nothing feels more soothing in the morning & I apply this whilst I’m waiting on the kettle to boil every morning. Does that count as multi tasking?!

Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes in Bountiful Beige

This is quite a new discovery for me but I like how bright and pretty this cream shadow is. It’s a champagne colour and helps make your eyes look bright and awake. It’s a really nice everyday colour and I have been wearing it alone all over the lid. These apply really smoothly and are easy to blend, they contain vitamin E for soothing and smoothing the delicate eye area. So it’s an eyeshadow with a little extra skincare benefit too.

Elemental Herbology Facial Glow Radiance Peel

This mask came in a beauty box a while ago and I rediscovered it when I moved house last year and Its become my go to mask this Winter. The Facial Glow peel contains natural actives derived from apples, papayas, and orange peels to gently exfoliate dead skin cells; there’s also Kombuchka and Lumiskin to help refine the skin and boost radiance. It’s a great product for getting rid of dead skin leaving your face looking bright and glowing. I only have a small travel size but I will be purchasing the larger tub because I can’t be without this in my routine.

Apply peel to clean, damp skin from neck to forehead. Do not scrub.
Leave for 4 minutes.
Remove with a face cloth soaked in warm water.

Estée Lauder Even Skintone Illuminator

I have been mixing this with my foundation to give my skin that extra radiance. It’s not glittery or shimmery it just reflects the light and adds a luminous glow to your skin & mixed in with my foundation it looks natural and really healthy. Its oil free so it’s not going to make your skin look greasy its a really great product for brightening tried looking skin and I have been using it daily over the Winter months.

What are your favourite products for achieving that fresh-faced glow?

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