Lacura Beauty at Aldi

- Vicki 3 Comments

Lacura Beauty Aldi Products

I’ve tried a few beauty products from budget retailer Aldi and on the whole they have impressed me, especially their Argan Oil range. I love finding products that are not only affordable but also good quality. So I was excited to be given the opportunity to test out some new releases from Lacura Beauty.

Lacura Concealer Pen £3.49

This product was the one I was most looking forward to testing. I love using liquid concealers and this comes in a click pen style packaging, much like the cult beauty favourite YSL Touche Le Clait. The Aldi offering has quite a creamy consistency and I found it a little hard to blend under my eyes when using my finger or a brush, I got much better results when I used my beauty blender. It gave a more even coverage and it didn’t look as heavy. I didn’t like this for covering blemishes simply because it was the wrong shade. It was very good as a brightening product, to use under the eye to combat dark circles, down the nose or any other areas you want to reflect the light. I’m impressed with this and although it settled into my fine lines by the end of the day I think if you used a primer & powdered you would see it wearing a little better. I highly recommend testing this out.

Lacura Concealer Pen

Lacura Eyebrow Pencil in Brunette £1.99

I never expect much from a budget eyebrow pencil, simply because they tend to be scratchy and a little dry. This wasn’t the best eyebrow product I have tried, I liked the colour and it worked well for my dark brows. It was a little dry and it took a while to fill my brows in. I like the ease of a product like Benefit Gimme Brow but if you like to use a pencil to fill yours in you might want to pick this up next time you’re in Aldi and let me know what you think. This does have a brush on the other end which was handy. At the moment the eyebrow pencils only come in Blonde and Brunette but fingers crossed they add a few more shades soon.

Lacura Eyeliner in Emerald £1.99

This was in a really pretty emerald green shade and I love wearing green liners. Not 100% sure if that suits brown eyes but I try to rock that look. So the shade is pretty but it has a slight metallic finish – which in my opinion doesn’t leave the most even finish. This has a very creamy formula and would be a great shade if you’re heading to any festivals this year.

Affordable Aldi Makeup

Aldi Lacura Makeup Swatches

Out of the three products I tested, the Concealer Pen, was by far the product that impressed me the most. It was a great colour, consistency and I was not let down by the quality. I am now going to go and buy a few backups because from what I have read these sell out fast and are hard to track down.

Let me know what Lacura Beauty products you have tried from Aldi, I would love to have some recomendations.

These new releases from Aldi’s Lacura Beauty range will be available in Aldi Stores Nationwide from April 17th 2016.

*PR Sample

Duck & Dry Hair Styling Products

- Vicki 1 Comment
Duck Dry Hair Styling Products

Duck & Dry Hair Styling Products

Duck & Dry is a beautiful hair salon on the Kings Road which first opened its doors back in 2014. It specialises in Blow Dry Styles and Updo Looks, they offer a simple menu of 8 signature blow dries and 8 up-dos so you can get your hair spruced whilst you relax and sip Prosecco. With the success of the salon Duck & Dry have released a range of luxurious styling products which enable you to achieve that salon look at home.

‘Staying British to the core, their innovative formulas are dreamt up in London and masterfully crafted in Somerset using natural active ingredients fused with modern science that deliver real results whilst being kind to the hair, all of which are paraben and sulphate free. The initial two products of the six part series introduce Blow Dry in a Bottle, to create blow dry finished locks from your home, and Instant TLC, a magical leave-in conditioner to wave goodbye to straggly manes. Packed with Duck & Dry’s signature fragrance, expect touches of Wild English Meadows to dance on the hair.’

Duck & Dry Instant TLC Leave in Weightless Conditioner £18.00

If you like your hair to look healthy, glossy and smooth then this product is for you. I spray it on the the length of my hair whilst damp and it not only smells incredible but it also hydrates, nourishes, strengthens and adds shine. I really notice the difference when I use this product, my hair is naturally wavy and this tames my frizz, makes my normally dry hair look very healthy and bouncy. Its a lightweight formula and once your hair is dry you can’t feel the product at all.

Duck and Dry have added so many wonderful natural ingredients to this conditioner including, Honey, Shea Butter, Vitamin B and Coconut Oil these help hydrate, improve growth, ad softness, elasticity and strength. It is also paraben and sulphate free.

Duck & Dry Salon London

Duck & Dry Bow Dry in a Bottle Mega Volume Spray* £18.00

If you like your hair to look voluminous, sleek and glossy then you will love this. You spray it on to damp hair and blow dry for the full effect. It gave my hair body in the roots and so much volume and texture through the length. For days my hair had so much va va voom but without the dreaded frizz, I was pretty damn impressed. The scent is sophisticated and luxurious and you can smell it on your hair throughout the day (which I really liked).

As with the Leave in Conditioner it has so many lovely natural ingredients including, Honey Locust, White Nettle, Ginseng and Essential Oils to help give volume, natural root lift, add texture and deliver nourishment, health and sheen.

I don’t wash my hair everyday and when I use these Duck and Dry products my hair stays looking clean, volumised and glossy for at least 3 days. I have been enjoying using them so much and even convinced my husband to use them too (don’t tell anyone thats a secret). I just can’t tell you how lovely these make my hair look and feel (and smell). I 100% recommend them and I will be purchasing back ups so I’m never without them. I think for the quality of these they’re so well priced, I don’t really get excited about haircare but these have been working their magic with my barnet & making me look like I have made maximum effort.

I really like the packaging too, its simple, sleek and the product dispenses in a nice even mist on to your hair. You don’t get too much product so your hair isn’t left feeling greasy or weighted down. I think Duck & Dry are a brand to keep an eye on, I’m excited to see what other hair treats they will release and if I am ever in London I will pop into the Salon

Duck & Dry

335-337 King’s Road

London

SW3 5ES

*PR Sample

Urban Decay Summer Collection 2016 #UDgetaway

- Vicki 7 Comments
Urban Decay Beached Bronzer

Urban Decay Summer Collection-2016

#UDgetaway

The new Limited Edition Urban Decay Summer Collection is beautiful. The whole range has Summer vibes and I love it. I have 3 pieces from the collection and I am pleased as punch with them. I have to mention how pretty the packaging is before I talk about the products themselves. I especially adore the palm tree detailing on the bronzer packaging. Nothing screams Summer quite like a palm tree.

Urban Decay After-Glow 8 Hour Powder Highlighter in Sin

This is a gorgeous champagne shimmer highlighter, it’s not subtle but it is beautiful. It’s very finely milled which makes it easy to blend and means your not left looking powdery. I sweep this across my cheekbones and a little down my nose and it catches the light beautifully. It adds a luminosity to the skin and gives me that gorgeous fresh-faced look which is ideal for Summer when I like to wear as little makeup as possible.

The packaging is simple and sturdy, although I do wish it was a little more Summer themed like the bronzer. The outer packaging is pretty and metallic pink but the actual product packaging doesn’t scream Summer to me, it is still pretty and finished in a silver mirrored effect with the UD logo etched in the lid. That is the only negative thing I have to say about this though, the product itself is lovely and I really want to try the other shades.

The After Glow Highlighter comes in 3 shades.

Urban Decay One & Done Naked Skin

Urban Decay One & Done Naked Skin Hybrid Complexion Perfector* £25.00

I have the shade Medium and sadly it’s too dark for me but I did like the coverage, formula and finish. I’m going to pop to a counter and get matched to a better shade for me because I think this is going to be a great base for the warmer months. It gives a light to medium coverage and the formula feels light on the skin and it also helps smooth out your skin to give it that soft focused look by evening out skin tone so you look fresh-faced and radiant without wearing a tonne of makeup. It also has broad spectrum SPF20 so a very good base if you like a little coverage but still be protected against UVA & UVB rays.

Not only does this give your skin a natural look but its also packed with nourishing skin beneficial ingredients too – (including peptides, vitamins and moisturisers), you’ll be tempted to skip your skin treatment. Gatuline® Radiance—derived from the wu zhu yu plant—improves the look of radiance, tone and texture. And SPF 20 protects against sun damage. So during the warmer months, your skin won’t get parched from the heat and

The One & Done Naked Skin is available in 6 shades.

Urban Decay Beached Bronzer

Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Bronzed* £20.00

If you have been looking for a warming, matte bronzer then this is it! It’s perfection. It doesn’t look muddy or orange, it warms up your skin so you look more sun-kissed and less you’ve been tangoed. With a light hand, apply this to the places the sun would naturally hit my face and it gives my skin a lovely warmth and makes me look so healthy. 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 makes me want to book a Summer holiday ASAP. 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.

This bronzer come in two shades Sun Kissed & Bronzed.

Urban Decay Summer Makeup Releases

Urban Decay Summer Product Swatches

As I said I have 3 products from this new Limited Edition Urban Decay Collection and you can see the Collection in full here.

What are your favourites from the collection? I think it will be so popular this year for festival goers and those lucky enough to be jetting off on a beach holiday (I wish I was).

*PR Sample

5 From The Body Shop

- Vicki 6 Comments
The Body Shop Favourits

The Body Shop Favourites

I haven’t done a post in my Five From Series for a while now, so I thought I would get back into them and share Five From The Body Shop. This was so hard to narrow down because as a brand I love so many of their products and they continue to release wonderful products. If you have any recomendations of products I need to try from The Body Shop then leave me a comment.

The Body Shop All In One Insta Blur

I love products that give my skin that soft focus flawless finish & this Insta Blur does a pretty good job at doing that. Its has a thick gel like consistency and its easy to smooth over the skin. Its clear but it blurs imperfections redness and makes fine lines look less visible.  I tend to only use it on my cheeks, where I have quite large pores and it does a great job at blurring them out and mattifying my skin. This is also very good at controlling oil and shine so it works well under makeup and helps it last longer without going greasy.

Born Lippy Lipbalm

You can’t beat a fruity scented lipbalm from The Body Shop. These are such a classic product and I have been buying them for more years than I care to admit. They always smell so good, I think I have tried every flavour. They’re easy to have in your handbag to keep your lips feeling hydrated & they add a slight sheer wash of colour but that doesn’t stick around too long, but the glossy finish does.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In-Oil

I have used the Vitamin E range for many years and still go back to it, especially when my skin is irritated and quite dry. I find its a range that is gentle and never breaks me out. I spoke about this in a recent post, I have a lot of love for this serum / oil. Its an overnight treatment that gives your skin a boost of hydration and nourishes dull skin. Its a serum blended with a combination of oils including sunflower, jojoba, marula, soya, and sesame and it also has wheatgerm oil which is high in antioxidants. I only use a couple of drops, which is plenty & I like to use it when my skin is looking dull and feels dryer than normal. Its great at hydrating and reviving my skin and making it look like its well rested and radiant. Its just such a lovely product to have in your skincare routine.

The Body Shop Makeup Brushes

I have quite a few brushes from The Body Shop and although they’re not the most affordable on the high street they’re very good quality, cruelty free and last me years. This actually a foundation brush but I’ve found it works well at applying face masks, no mess and I get an even coverage. I also like the kabuki brush to apply loose powder. I get no shedding with these brushes and they wash up lovely.

The Body Shop Vitamin C Instant Glow Enhancer*

The whole Vitamin C range is a favourite of mine, the face mist, moisturiser and this Instant Glow Enhancer in particular. They all pep up my skin and make it look refreshed and radiant. It has a lovely flattering peachy tint to it, you see instant results with this product. It really helps combat the signs of fatigue, I apply this mostly to the centre of my face, focusing on my forehead, nose & chin as this is great at blurring pores and fine lines making my skin look smooth as well as giving it a slight peachy glow. I use it when my skin looks like it needs a little waking up, or at the weekend when I want to wear minimum makeup. My tube has lasted me almost a year and I still have a good amount of product left. So it is well worth picking up.

PR Sample