Avon

Passing Along #1

- Vicki 7 Comments

I have been meaning to do this for a while, I quite often keep things in my collection just because I can’t bear to let them go & also keep items that I no longer use or enjoy. I have been trying to get better at letting go & passing these products on to friends & family. Being a beauty addict I review lots of products but there is no way I can keep them all & quite often they’re not right for me.

I remember earlier this year Jennie from SailorJennie did a series of Spring Cleaning posts & those inspired me to do a little Spring (Autumn) cleaning of my own. I’m due to move within the next two months so this is a task that needed to be undertaken. There will be a few more of these posts over the coming months but this is the first wave of products I’m letting go of.

Makeup Im Passing On Make Up Im Passing On

Avon Ultra Colour Lip Crayon – This is a pretty glossy pigmented jumbo lip crayon in the shade Carefree Coral. I love the vibrant colour but it has quite a lot of shimmer in it too & when I bought it from the Avon catalogue I didn’t know that. I’m not a fan of shimmery lip products and for that reason I just won’t wear it & I know someone that will love it.

L’Oreal Lumi Magique Base – This is a light infusing primer and It looks pretty under makeup or I also like to add a few drops to my foundation and that helps my complexion look radiant. I wouldn’t say it works particularly well as a primer so I don’t use it that way, I stick to using it as a skin illuminator. But I’m passing this along because I have a NARS one that I’m using & also a Clarins one. So before this gets to its use by date I’m passing it along.

Covergirl Eye Enhancers in Urban Basics – This is a palette full of neutral colours, I bought it in America last year but I’ve reached for it so few times since coming home. I have quite a few palettes with similar shades & that are better quality too. So its time to let someone else enjoy this one, my niece is only young & I think she would love experimenting with these.

e.l.f Jumbo Eyeshadow Stick – I have a few of these & really like the consistency and pigmentation. This one is in the shade Rock Out. I’m quite addicted to eye crayons as they’re so easy and effortless to wear. This is a pewter shade with a hint of gold shimmer & its just not getting enough love in my collection. I’m keeping the colours Little Miss Thing & French Lace.

Shu Uemura Pressed Eyeshadow Duo – Light Pink 125 & Soft Pink 155. These are beautiful buttery pigmented shadows but what was I thinking buying Pink, especially as there are 70+ colours to pick from!? I love the thought of wearing these & have tried to make them work but I just don’t suit pink & so these will be passed on with a much sadness & I will treat myself to two more neutral colours from Shu Uemura & make sure I use them a lot!

Avon Ideal Flawless Pressed Powder – Its amazing how many powders I have accumulated & this has been languishing at the bottom of my drawer for a few months now. I have 3 powders currently on the go so don’t really need this one. This is a great powder & is good for oil control, the packaging is sleek, black and feels luxurious so I know someone will give this powder a lot of love.

NYX  Roll On Shimmer* – I was lucky enough to win a few NYX products last year on Twitter & I have a few of these roll on shimmer eyeshadows but this silver one isn’t really me. It will be perfect for the Festive Season & will glam up someones look. I know exactly who to pass this on to, Jillian if you’re reading this keep any eye out for this coming your way.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer*- I love this concealer & its been getting a lot of love from me but I have a couple of new ones to test out & don’t want to risk this going out of date with a lot of product left. This is a great concealer for blemishes & under eyes. It is quite thick so takes some blending. I have heard a few people say this broke them out but I haven’t had any issues.

Let me know what you do with unwanted or overspill makeup, do you pass it on or do you find it hard to part with it.

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.

Glow On & On

- Vicki 6 Comments

Makeup

I like to wear minimal makeup during the Summer months & these are a few of my favourite products to achieve that Summer Glow. First up are a few skincare products. The lovely but very expensive Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask* is great if you’re pushed for time, I apply this in the morning and leave it on for 20 minutes, if I’m not wearing makeup I will just massage the excess in to my skin and this looks very glowing (not shiny). It is very hydrating and plumps my skin and is packed full of vitamins and anti ageing ingredients to restore the vitality and freshness of young skin. I’m scared to say I’m contemplating purchasing the full size. The Origins Brighter By Nature Peel Pads are like my secret weapon in the fight against dull skin. I love products that promise to give me radiant skin and these peel pads are damn good. The fruit acids exfoliate your skin and remove all the dead skin to keep your skin looking healthy – perfect in somewhere thats quite polluted as they help remove that deep down dirt to reveal healthy bright skin.

Helping to revive my dull complexion is the Clarins Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base, I either mix this with my foundation or apply it as a primer.  I have the shade Champagne, a gorgeous slightly golden colour which adds a subtle highlight to your face, evens out my skin tone and helps cover my redness. This is very lightweight but still hydrating (which is important for the warmer months) this sits nicely on my skin, not greasy in the slightest. I think I am going to pick up the rose shade too.

The Benefit Hollyood Glo is a liquid bronzer in a bottle. This is perfect at giving you that sun kissed, healthy look without having to have stepped foot outside. I love that you can use this to achieve a subtle glow or apply lashings to make it look like you have been on a two week holiday to the Maldives. This bottle has been my go to Summer Holiday in a Bottle for years, I like to apply it to my cheek bones & down my nose, I love how little product you need, its my best kept secret (so don’t tell anyone …. it is discontinued). This is perfect for a night out as it keeps the skin looking fresh, healthy and dewy.

My under eye area is naturally dark so I always need a little extra help in brightening under there. I have been really enjoying this Avon Magix Eye Radiance Brightening Wand, it dries to a velvet texture and feels very smooth under my eye. It just adds that little extra pinky cream brightness to what can look a little dark. This isn’t a concealer but an extra step in hiding those pesky dark circles. The only thing thats a little annoying about this product is the doe foot applicator, I wish it had a pump.

Adding a little powder highlighter to my cheeks is a fool proof way of giving the skin an iridescent sheen / glow and I have quite a few products that I love. I managed to narrow it down to 3, the Milani Baked Blush in Rose D’Oro which is a beautiful pigmented peach blush with a gorgeous golden shimmer running through. For those of you that don’t like to wear shimmer this won’t be for you but I like to use this when I have a tan to give my cheeks a flushed look & add a glow to my cheekbones. Its gorgeous but not subtle!

USA Products

Mac MSF Soft & Gentle this isn’t shimmery but adds a flattering sheen to the skin, its beautiful when the light hits & makes you look like you have had the best Summer Holiday! This is also baked and very finely milled, it never looks powdery or too over done just beautiful on the skin. The Me Me Me Shimmer Stack in Bronze is another gorgeous bronzer & I often use this as eyeshadow too as you get 5 gorgeous shades. This adds a golden bronzed glow to the skin & looks sun kissed and healthy. I like that you can achieve a subtle glow by using the lighter colours or if you prefer to for a little more colour the darker colours add a deeper wash of colour. Very versatile. The packaging is a little bulky but you do get a decent sized mirror which is a big plus.

Me Me Me Makeup

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick  in Golden Pink – this cream eyeshadow is great for those days you don’t want to wear much makeup but want to enhance your tan & make your eyes look bright and pretty. I sweep this all over my lids and just blend out with my finger, its as easy as that. This has great colour pay off, blends really well and has a metallic looking finish . You can add as much or as little colour as you like. Its easy for on the go & lasts all day long, even in the heat it won’t end up sliding off your face!

Golden Pink

When it comes to Summer lips I like to wear something subtle and nourishing. My lips tend to really dry out in the sun but I have found the No7 BB-Lips add a subtle wash of colour & sheen to the lips whilst keeping them hydrated. This contains Anti- Oxidants and SPF15 help to prevent UV damage by protecting the lips from the environment and sun. A great lip product to throw in your beach bag.

Let me know what your top Summer Skin products are, I’d love to know if you use any of my favourites.

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own. 

Luscious Locks

- Vicki 7 Comments

I don’t have a strict haircare routine, but these are a few of the products I’m currently using to style my hair. Some hits & a few misses.

Current Haircare

TRESemme Argan Oil Salon Sleek Straightening Spray 250ml for £4.99

This spray is meant to tame those stubborn fly away hairs and also to keep your hair straight and looking glossy. I have just got to the end of this and I have to say I really didn’t rate it. I still had so many fly away hairs & frizz. So I wouldn’t recommend it. It didn’t live up to the claims.

TRESemme Tres Two Extra Hold Hairspray

I bought this mini bottle in America as it was quite humid and my hair was BIG. A few sprays of this and it kept the majority of the frizz at bay. I kept it in my handbag incase I needed to tame my mane throughout the day. It gave my hair a good amount of hold too without it feeling crispy or giving me flakey bits. So it gave the perfect combination of hairspray & fighting the humidity. I need to get a full size bottle.

Avon Advance Techniques Moroccan Argan Oil Leave in Treatment 30ml

This is a wonderful budget friendly hair oil. I apply it to wet hair but I’ve also used it on dry hair to add a little more shine and keep my hair looking healthy and nourished. It just adds enough glossiness without looking greasy or weighed down. I like that it has a pump, so you can dispense just enough product without wasting any. I’ve repurchased this 3 times now, so it is safe to say I am a fan. In fact I like this whole range from Avon and think it is well worth trying.

MoroccanOil Treatment*  25ml for £13.45

I do really like this and think it makes my hair look glossy and feel healthy and generally keeps it in great condition. I like to use this on day 2 hair as it makes it look clean and healthy and gives it a little bounce. This oil smells lovely too, always a bonus. It is pricey and after discovering the Avon one not too sure if I would buy this one, as the results on my hair feel the same.

TommyGuns Weather Protect Dew Drops Serum 50ml for £6.50

This is so good at keeping hair looking glossy and fighting frizz. I use this when I wear my hair up, to tame those fly away hairs at the sides that won’t behave. It is also really good on the ends of my hair, to stop them looking dry, I like to apply it throughout the day to keep them looking healthy.

Charles Worthington Balancing Act Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo isn’t something I use very often as I find it makes my hair feel more unclean, if that makes sense. In the event of a day 3 hair emergency I have been using this Charles Worthington Dry Shampoo. It does give a slight white cast to my hair, but if I leave if for a couple of minutes to absorb the oil and I rub away what white powder is still left and that seems to work. This adds volume to my hair which I like as I have quite thick hair which often gets weighed down. I bought this from the Poundshop and it is lasting me a long time. I have found with other dry shampoo’s they are empty after a few uses and that bugs me.

Neal & Wolf Smoothing Blow Dry Balm* 200ml for £12.50

This is a lightweight cream which I use each time I blow dry my hair, I use it before I add my hair oil and i find it doesn’t feel greasy or like I have used too many products. This balm makes sure my hair is nourished and doesn’t dry out. I find a ten pence piece size amount is enough, I apply it from root to tip whilst my hair is damp. My hair is thick and can feel course after using heat but this keeps it glossy, smooth and hydrated. Oh and have I said it smells so good ….. SO good! All Neal & Wolf haircare has the most wonderfully sweet uplifting scent. I can smell it on my hair throughout the day.

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.

A Few Empties

- Vicki 6 Comments

Empties

Avon Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil Mask – This mask left my hair very soft & glossy. It was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. Its 150ml and lasted me for 7 months using it once a week, I left it in for a good 30mins and found that worked well. I have the Hair Oil from this range too and love that. I would re purchase this.

L’Oreal Gentle Eye Makeup Remover – I liked this but I used it up very quickly. I bought it when it was on offer for £2 so that was quite a bargain. It is good removing mascara, I’m not sure about waterproof mascara as I don’t wear it. I think I prefer my Garnier one & will stick to that.

VO5 Miracle Concentrate Elixir With Argan Oil – This was the first hair oil I used and I have re purchased it a few times now. You only need a little and the pipet dispenser makes it very easy to get just the right amount of product. This is good at taming fly away hairs and keeping your hair in tip top condition. I have dark brown hair & it looked glossy and healthy after using this.

Giorgio Armani Si* – I have a post about this perfume here. It is safe to say it was beautiful and was the first Armani perfume I tried. It won’t be the last and I loved using this.

Empties

Avon Solutions Truly Radiant Vibes Brightening Eye Roller – This felt nice and cooling in the mornings. I used it before i applied my eye cream. I don’t think it was very effective at brightening but it did feel quite hydrating. I wouldn’t repurchase this.

Botanics Skin Relief Ultra Calm Serum – This was a nice serum, I only used it in the morning. I think my skin may be a little old for this. It was calming but I need something which has more hydration and anti ageing properties. This would be more suited to people in their early 20’s.

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate – I also have the full size of this and really like it. I use it at night & when I wake up my skin looks well rested and plump. If you have dry patches this will see them off within a week. It feels quite oily and a little greasy when you first apply it but don’t worry it will absorb very quickly. 2 – 3 drops is plenty for your face and neck. I always have a bottle of this and I will be saving this mini bottle to decant some in to when I travel.

Wet n Wild Mega Protein Mascara – Wasn’t a fan of this at all. I thought it was watery and it ended up on my eyelids as the day went on. It also smells a little odd too, not pleasant.

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer – I think I am the only blogger that isn’t in love with this concealer. It ends up looking cakey and heavy on me. I can never get it to work. I think the Rimmel Wake Me Up & Seventeen Phwoarrr Paint works better. I won’t be repurchasing this.

Bath & Body Works Island Nectar Hand Sanitiser – This smelt like cocktails and holidays. I have more in my stash & this makes me happy.

I know it’s not quite the end of the month, but I’m moving house in a couple of weeks & my husband keeps threatening to bin my empties so I thought I’d do the post a little early. Let me know if you have tried any of the products I’ve used up.

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.