Favourite Summer Products 2016

August 15, 2016October 16, 2016 - Vicki 1 Comment

Roger Gallet Fleur de Figuier Ultra Nourishing Oil

This is a beautiful body oil and its perfect for keeping your skin soft, and nourished during the warmer months. I like to use it either in the evening after a bath / shower, to lock in moisture and too soothe my legs after shaving. Or alternatively its nice to apply to your skin if you have your legs / arms out, it gives them an added healthy radiance without looking greasy. It is also really good at hydrating those more stubborn areas like elbows / knees. Oh and how could I not mention that it has a gorgeous fresh juicy fig scent – yes we all know fig is my favourite scent and its the perfect sweet Summer scent. This body oil is enriched with fruit oils (grape, pomegranate, blackcurrant, apricot, passionfruit and sweet almond oil)

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue

This is one of my favourite makeup bases but I especially like to using it when the weather is warm because it has broad spectrum SPF30, it feels light on the skin whilst giving you just the perfect amount of coverage and it makes my skin look radiant. I also like that it’s not only a great makeup item but it’s also full of skin loving ingredients too, including

Marine botanicals – help refuel thirsty skin and enhance skins appearance
Water loving humectants,Tehalsose and glycerine- which locks in moisture
Heart leaf globe daisy – an antioxidant, defends skin from from environmental aggressors
Calcium and Magnesium – help replenish the skin and promote the skins moisture balance

I really enjoy wearing this and find it easy to apply (I use my RT sponge), it gives a nice, even, & very natural coverage and it lasts well even on warm days. Even my lovely Mum who is in her 50’s bought it and uses it as her everyday foundation.

essence Blush Up Powder Blush in Heat Wave

Everything about this blush screams SUMMER – look at that beautiful peachy / pink / orange ombre colour. I like to use this by swirling my brush through all the pretty shades getting a little of each colour and then applying it to my cheeks, with a very light hand. This is very pigmented and a little product goes a long way so bare that in mind.

Kiko Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

I always wear SPF on a daily basis, no excuses. I like to (where I can) have it in my moisturiser or foundation (like the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue). That being said I like to be prepared when I am out an about and I like to carry a facial SPF in my handbag. This solid Kiko Sunscreen Stick is very convenient and travel friendly. Just twist it up and swipe it across your face where needed. Its fuss free, mess free and super quick. This is quite creamy but blends in well without leaving your skin looking white and its perfect for keeping your nose from getting burnt when out & about. It also helps that the packaging is cute and pink.

eos Lemon Drop Lip Balm

This smells of Lemons which just makes me feels so Summery. I know these spherical lip balms are a little gimmicky but this one has SPF15 in and it does make my lips feel hydrated and soft. Its not the best lip balm out there but its pretty decent and these eos ones are quite readily available in the UK now. If I was going to recommend my all time favourite Summer Lip Balm it would 100% be the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant SPF15 – the stick one though not the pot, its incredible but I don’t currently have one so this eos one is my backup option.

TonyMoly I’m Real Sheet Mask

I have used all of the masks in this I’m Real Collection, there are 11 in total and to be honest they are all pretty good. I like how instantly cooling and nourishing they feel on the skin. They are literally dripping with essence and I try to keep them on as long as I can – well for as long as I can sit still and relax. These fit perfectly on my small face, the eye and mouth holes are in the right place which doesn’t often happen with these sheet masks. This lemon one is targeted at brightening the skin which is a really nice one for the warmer months, when you want most of your days to be makeup free.

These TonyMoly masks are very affordable and I buy mine as a set of 11 masks from Amazon, they arrive quickly and they come in the most adorable bright packaging.

Exploring Cornwall Week #10

August 12, 2016February 24, 2018 - Vicki Leave a comment

Exploring Cornwall Series

I have missed a few weeks of my Cornwall posts, since returning home from Scotland back in June we have been busy, busy with work and in all honesty until recently the weather has been pretty pants. When we do have a nice day we try and make the most of it, this Summer the nice days seem to feel few and far between.

We have kept our days out very local lately visiting Fowey, Truro, Falmouth and our local village (Charlestown). We do love a pretty harbour town and along the South Coast of Cornwall, we are quite spoilt for choice. So we tend to head out for walks along the coastal paths & end up in a harbour – wishing we lived in one of the sweet cottages that line them.

Big news (for Cornwall) a beautiful new Waitrose opened in Truro and they have a lovely separate shop dedicated to Cornish produce and its so nice, they also have a Cornish cafe serving locally sourced produce too. So we have been doing much of our shopping there and stopping for lunch too.

Cornwall is getting busy with Summer holiday visitors so every journey takes so much longer, so that is another reason we are staying closer to home. Our local beach has some cute pop-up restaurants, cafe’s and a small outdoor theatre, it feels like you are on the Mediterranean coast and we have been spending many an evening down there sipping cocktails & enjoying the sunshine. The water is still too cold for me but lots of people are getting out in the sea and I have seen people doing Yoga classes down on the beach too. I feel lucky having such a nice beach so close by & plan on spending as much time down there as possible.

I hope you’re all having a lovely Summer so far, maybe some of you are planning a visit to Cornwall this year?

Makeup Setting Powders

August 11, 2016August 22, 2017 - Vicki 5 Comments

Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder

This loose powder is so fine & lightweight, it never feels heavy or drying on the skin. Its a translucent powder so its not going to add coverage or leave a white cast to your skin. It is great at setting makeup and keeping that oily t zone in check. I like to apply this with a big powder brush & sweep the product across my t-zone & chin, it has a really nice floral scent and my go to powder for eliminating that dreaded shine but leaving the skin with a slight matte velvety smooth finish. It contains these key ingredients

– Corn Starch & Rice Starch act as natural substitutes for talc, while Silican imparts a smooth texture on skin.
– Glycerin helps to moisturise and prevent moisture loss.
– Arnica helps soothe and cool the skin.

The packaging feels and looks high quality, you do get a powder puff with it but I do use a brush – but I leave the puff in the lid to stop the powder coming out when I travel. There is also a mirror in the lid which is very handy and you get 10g of product which will last you for ages. This is a powder I highly recommend if you have more oily prone skin.

bareMinerals Bareskin Perfecting Veil Mineral Powder

This is such a lovely compact and the pressed mineral powder is so smooth, lightweight and gives the skin a beautiful healthy finish. I have the lightest shade and it has a nice natural finish without adding too much colour too the skin. It is a nice powder for achieving a fresh, silky smooth and healthy look to the skin, its just the perfect way to set your makeup and stop your skin becoming oily throughout the day. Its such a great quality product and it never looks heavy or powdery on the skin. I also like the bareMinerals loose powders but this is just so much easier to travel with and creates a lot less mess.

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot

This is a pressed powder and one of my all time favourites. It ticks all the boxes. If you want an affordable powder that will control oil, leave the skin looking flawless but not add any colour then this is your guy. Its also compact and sturdy to travel with. Seriously you need this powder in your life.

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

I used to love this and use it all the time but over the past year or so I have noticed its not getting used as much. This is still a great powder for giving the skin a matte finish and setting makeup but I like the Soap & Glory one better, the finish is more natural. This is a good option if you are on a budget or travelling and don’t want your more expensive powder to get broken.

L’Oreal True Match Powder

This is a good powder for adding a little extra coverage and evening out skintone. I have the shade rose / beige and its a good match for my fair complexion. Its not overly pigmented but you can build up the coverage. It gives a nice flawless finish to the skin and blurs pores and leaves skin looking fresh, even and velvety smooth. I love using this when I’m wearing a more full coverage look and want my makeup to stay in place and look its best all night. This also works well on its own at add a subtle healthy colour to the skin and reduce the appearance of redness. Its a pretty decent all round powder and I do rate L’Oreal base products and this one doesn’t disappoint either.

What are your current favourite makeup powders and have you tried any of the ones I have mentioned?

Product Empties – Black Liquid Liners

August 10, 2016August 11, 2017 - Vicki 3 Comments

So I have been having a makeup clear out these past few weeks in an attempt to streamline and minimise my collection so its more manageable. I am by no means finished so I would say Its a work in progress. I’m a complete beauty addict but I noticed I wasn’t using a lot of my collection because I reach for the same products because I am lazy and get stuck in a rutt. I have a few of these de clutter style posts lined up over the next month,

I’m terrible at keeping eyeliners & mascara’s past their best, so I thought it best to start my de cluttering with those as they were easiest. This post is all liquid eyeliners & these are all either dried out or older than 5 months (at least). I am a real liquid liner addict, as some of you may know so I do have quite a few on the go at any one time.

Urban Decay Ink For Eyes

This is a waterproof liner & the fine nib on this is so precise and flexible. Its very, very good at achieving that neat, close to the lash line eyeliner look. It glides on easily and you can apply the liner to look quite subtle or build up to a more bold look. Its extremely pigmented and a deep black which dries quickly to a nice glossy finish. It also stays put, without smudging all day / night long. The colour also stays intense all day.

Soap & Glory Supercat Eyeliner Pen

This has a more of a felt tip style nib and is a lot thicker than the others. I like it for quick application and you can achieve a bold, thick, dramatic line with ease. Again the pigment is very black and it dries quite quickly. This does bleed a little on me so I would recommend using an eye primer if you have wrinkly eyelids like me. The liner lasts a really long time which makes it a great affordable option.

L’Oreal Super Liner Ultra Precision

The sponge style nib on this eyeliner is SO long, which makes applying the liner incredibly fuss free. One application / line looks smooth, neat and is effortless. I love the flexibility of the nib and I find it makes doing a winged / cat eye look extremely easy. You don’t have to go over the same spot again & again with this liner, the colour is intense even after just one application and it never smudges. I have repurchased both of the L’Oreal liners included in this post so many times. They never seem to dry out & the colour never looks dull on the eyes. I just LOVE these so much.

Charlotte Tilbury The Feline Flick*

This is a fantastic liner for doing the classic cat eye look. The nib is quite short but tappers to a very fine nib, making it easy to get up close to the lash line & also create that winged out flick that goes to a lovely precise point. This liner glides on with ease and never looks patchy or dull. This is such a great quality liquid liner and very easy to use. What I would say (and it makes me a little sad that I have too) is this did dry out quite quickly. I might have been to blame for that as you have to make sure the lid is on properly but mine didn’t ever snap shut. Its still a fab liner & even I can do a killer feline flick with this!

L’Oreal Super Liner Black Lacquer

This has the same sponge nib at the previous L’Oreal liner and I love the flexibility and length of them. This Black Lacquer liner has a more rich black colour which dries with a vinyl matte finish. It looks so good on the eye and I think the finish makes the colour a lot more intense. This is one of my favourite eyeliners ever because the colour is just so intense and out of them all its the oldest and still going strong but it needs throwing out because it is old not because the colour isn’t good.

I would repurchase all of these, even the Charlotte Tilbury one, which was a really good liner, despite it not lasting as long as I hoped. If I was pushed to say which ones I would recommend the most it would have to be the L’Oreal liner, any of them because in terms of price and quality they always deliver, always!

What are your favourite liquid liners and are you like me and hang on to them longer than you should?

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