Essence Cosmetics SS17 Releases

- Vicki 3 Comments
Essence Cosmetics Blush Sculpting Palette

Essence Cosmetics Blush Sculpting Palette

Essence Blush Play Sculpting Palette – Play it Peach

This has to be one of my favourite products ever from essence & I have tried quite a few over the years. It’s compact, travel friendly and the 3 shades included are just beautiful. You get one highlight and two blush shades. The swatch I did of the highlighter simply doesn’t do it justice, the powder feels finely milled, you get very little fallout and it just gives you that subtle healthy glow. I like that it is a highlight you can wear as part of your everyday makeup, it isn’t super dramatic but suits my makeup style and I’ve been wearing it most days.

The other shades in the palette are beautiful peachy blushers, the define shade has a touch of sparkle to it and immediately reminded me of NARS Orgasam. It has that peachy, coral feel with a subtle gold highlight (not glittery in the least). The middle sculpt shade is a darker peachy pink and is matte it adds a lovely pop of colour. So this palette is well worth checking out. I think it comes in another colour option too if this Play it Peach trio isn’t right for you.

Essence Blush Play Sculpting Blush Palette

essence makeup swatches

Essence The Cushion Eyeliner

I have tried a few cushion foundations and blushers this past year and it seems this Asian inspired beauty trend is set to stick around a little while longer. It is nice to see affordable brands releasing their versions and essence have added a cushion eyeliner to their range for 2017. I must say I was on the fence about this product because I’m very loyal to my liquid liner pen but I actually found this to be surprisingly easy to work with. It comes in a small jar with a sponge (cushion) soaked in the product and you dab your brush on to the cushion and viola you are ready to apply. It was so smooth and precise to apply and I managed to get a very neat cat flick without the product bleeding in to my creased eyelids.

The product was very moist (sorry if you don’t like that term) so just make sure you lightly dab your brush on the cushion, so it doesn’t dispense too much product. If like me you like your liner to be very black you will love this. It dries down to a semi matte finish and it has good staying power, it didn’t smudge but it isn’t waterproof so just be mindful of that. After wearing it for the day it did show a little wear and my flicks had worn slightly but it still looked OK and for an affordable version I am very impressed with how easy it was to apply and how well it lasted. This is currently only available in black but I am hoping essence release a brown & a fun vibrant purple too.

affordable essence products

essence volume stylist fibre mascara

Essence Volume Stylist 18h Mascara

I’d say the products I recommend the most from essence are mascara’s. They always have such a huge selection and they rival any high-end brands so I was excited to try this new release for Spring / Summer. It promises 18 hour wear and voluminous lashes, I love my lashes to look long and healthy and I have to say this mascara is ticking all the boxes. The wand is made out of synthetic hairs and is a great shape for coating every single lash and being able to get right into those shorter inner corner lashes too. Because this mascara has fibres it is so good at adding length and volume without looking clumpy or heavy. I didn’t experience too much fall out, I’m a nightmare for rubbing my eyelashes and this stood up pretty well. The pigmentation is very black and I have been wearing a single coat as my everyday mascara but you can add another if you want to build up a more voluminous effect.

There is also a curl & hold version of this mascara, which sounds great for creating more of an evening look. Like I said you can’t go wrong with an Essence mascara, so make sure you check them out.

essence shine shine shine wet look lipgloss

Essence Shine Shine Shine Wet Look Lipgloss in runway your way & red carpet starlet

These live up to their name & really have that wet look. They are very glossy and pigmented on the lips I wouldn’t say they are the most long wearing but they look vibrant and pretty. The applicator is a nice shape and tapers to a point which makes it easier to apply and get a neat finish. Due to them having such a wet look they don’t wear too long on the lips, I found 2 – 3 hours tops and then I had to reapply.

I’m not a massive fan of lipgloss but I can appreciate how pretty these are and how comfortable they feel on the lips. I do have two of the more vibrant shades but if these are not your go to colours fear not because these are available in so many shades, from subtle neutrals right through to more bold pinks and purple shades. I think I’m going to pick up more of an everyday shade like So Into It! and wear it over my favourite Urban Decay Lipstick in Back Talk, I think the two will make a gorgeous duo. Let me know what colour you have your eye on? Oh & I can’t believe these are only £2 each.

Affordable essence makeup

Essence Colour Boost 1 Coat Nail Polish in Instant Match

This is currently on my toes and looks perfect for Spring / Summer. All I need now is some warm weather so I can wear some cute sandals. This range of polishes promise to deliver vibrant colour with just one coat, I have to say I did apply two but that is just because I like my colour to be super vibrant and I am terrible at applying nail polish. I think I could have got away with one coat though.

The formula was easy to work with and applied streak free and dried very quickly too. I already have my eye on the mint shade from this collection too. You can’t go wrong with mint for the warmer months.

What do you think you will be picking up from the new Essence releases? Their range is available in Wilko stores and online at www.wilko.com

  • This post includes PR Samples

nspa Fruit Extracts Range

- Vicki 1 Comment
nspa Summer Body Care

nspa Summer Body Care

nspa kindly sent me a selection of products from their new Fruit Extracts Range which is bursting with natural vitamins and real fruity goodness. Not only do they smell incredible but they’re super bright and Summery.

This range is exclusive to ASDA and comes in so many fruity scents, and it includes body washes, scrubs and body butters. There is a fruity scent to suit everyone’s taste.

nspa Shower and bath gel

nspa Sweet & Fresh Strawberry and Seriously Intense Passion Fruit Shower & Bath Gel

These come in huge 550ml bottles, so they’re going to last a very long time which is always great. Both have really intense fruity scents and I would say the strawberry is my least favourite of the two, just because it is a little too sweet for me but the passion fruit one is so nice. It smells really tropical and the scent fills my whole bathroom. These are so affordable and great if you have a family and go through a lot of shower gel because the bottles are just so big and very affordable.

nspa Raspberry Shower Scrub

nspa Coconut Bodycare

nspa Fresh Sweet Raspberry Daily Refresh Shower Scrub

Although I found the strawberry scent a little too sweet I enjoyed the raspberry. I think because it has that fruity sweetness but it also has a tartness to it too. It has a good amount of scrubbies but still feels gentle and not abrasive. I like to use this before I gradual tan just to give my skin a nice smooth feel so it applies evenly.

nspa Exotically Creamy Coconut Rich Body Butter

Coconut for me is the scent of Summer holidays and this body butter is so coconutty, I love it. I have been using in the evening after showering as it is a body butter and it takes a while to fully absorb. It is creamy and hydrating and that coconut scent lingers for quite a while after applying it. It is formulated with A, E & B5 Vitamins so your skin will feel smooth, hydrated and ready for Summer!

So if you’re on the hunt for some fruitily scented body care then you should check out the nspa Fruit Extracts range. It is cruelty-free and exclusive to ASDA and prices start at £3.

  • This post contains PR samples

YSL Beauty Releases

- Vicki 2 Comments
YSL Beauty

YSL Beauty

YSL Black Opium Floral Shock Eau de Parfum

This is the fragrance to accompany the mascara and it is a modern more youthful twist on such an iconic scent. Not only have YSL updated the scent but the 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, Vanila

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. Whilst 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 Éclat Blur Primer

This is very lightweight, not sticky at all and it sits so well on the skin. It instantly visibly smooths, blurs pores and brightens the skin. It has tiny (very tiny) gold flecks which help give your skin that subtle glow without looking like a disco ball. It gives the skin a subtle matte finish without looking flat. I am one of those people that tends not to wear a primer on a daily basis but for a special occasion this is the perfect product to help your makeup look flawless, last for hours and help your skin look fresh. If you’re feeling spendy and looking for a new primer then this is a great one to try.

YSL The Shock Mascara

YSL The Shock Mascara

Off the bat I have to say the packaging isn’t as glamourous or what I would have expected from YSL, it doesn’t look or feel as luxurious as the price tag but if you’re willing to overlook that the product itself is pretty amazing. It has quite a long, slim wand and its helix shape helps give volume and drama to your lashes without having to apply layer upon layer of product.

It does have a tendency to clump but if I apply whilst doing that magic trickery of wiggling the brush through my lashes it helps separate my lashes and ensure the product is applied evenly from root to tip reducing the clumping and giving the ultimate high impact look. I love the jet black formula and think this is a fantastic mascara for evening and making the most of your natural lashes without the need to apply falsies.

• This post contains PR samples

Berlin Travel Photo Diary #1

- Vicki 1 Comment
Berlin Photo Diary

Berlin Photo Diary

Berlin Graffiti

Titanic Chaussee Berlin

Titanic Chaussee Berlin

Berliner Dom - Cathedral

Memorial to Members of German Parliament Murdered by the Nazis

Berlin TV Tower

Berlin Architecture

Humboldt University Berlin

Equestrian Statue of Frederick the Great in Berlin

Pariser Platz Berlin

Sinti and Roma Memorial in Berlin

The Reichstag Berlin

I have visited Berlin a few times & I lived in Germany for 14+ years so Germany holds a very special place in my heart, the last time I previously visited Berlin almost 6 years ago and have been eager to go back for a while now. I wasn’t planning on booking a European trip but after browsing trips in the UK & realising I could go abroad for less I thought what the heck lets go to Berlin.

I got such a great deal & went from Monday – Friday flying from Liverpool to Berlin Schoenefeld (which is without doubt THE worst airport I have ever been to). We stayed at a relatively new hotel called Titanic Chaussee – they have a pool and spa facilities as well as a lovely restaurant, bar and lounge area. I would stay there again in a heartbeat. We found it very well situated for public transport and also it is walking distance to a lot of the major tourist attractions like Alexanderplatz, Checkpoint Charlie & Brandenburg Gate.

We had previously visited most of the major sites so we spent most of the trip just taking our time and exploring, walking around the side streets and popping in and out of cafes. It was beyond freezing, I know it can be cold there as we last went in March and that was bitterly cold but I thought going at the end of April we would be a little more lucky with the weather but it snowed and the temperature was -2, I just used this as an excuse to drink lots of warm drinks in cute coffee shops.

Alot of the major attractions are quite close to each other so we spent the first day walking to Alexanderplatz, Museum Island, Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag. We have been inside the Reichstag already so didn’t need to revisit but this is one spectacular building and always worth seeing. I remember when I lived in Germany I visited in 1995 and the glass dome was not finished, it looked very different.

There are quite a few streetside memorials and galleries throughout Berlin dedicated to the thousands of people who lost their lives during Nazi Germany and quite honestly the whole city has such a rich history so you will never run out of things to do. The architecture in Berlin is imposing but beautiful and so many of the buildings still have bullet holes and very visual reminders of a violent past.

  1. Berliner Dom – This is the beautiful Berlin Cathedral and is on Museum Island
  2. Street Art – Berlin is full of street art
  3. Titanic Chaussee Hotel – This is the hotel lobby
  4. Titanic Chaussee Hotel – This was our double room & I loved the pops of yellow
  5. Berliner Dom
  6. Memorial to the Murdered Members of the Reichstag – This is in front of the Reichstag
  7. The Fernsehturm – This is the famous Berlin TV Tower also St Mary’s Church which is one of the oldest churches in Berlin
  8. Rotes Rathaus – Berlin Town Hall
  9. Humboldt University in Berlin
  10. The Equestrian Statue of Frederick the Great
  11. Brandenburg Gate
  12. Memorial to the Sinti and Roma Victims of National Socialism
  13. Reichstag