Avene Antirougeurs Jour Anti Redness/Combination Moisturiser //SPF20

Avene Antirougeurs Jour Anti Redness/Combination Moisturiser //SPF20

Hello my lovelies!

WOW* Two posts tonight beauties! I finally have enough time to just concentrate on my blog and it feels amazing. Tonight I want to introduce to you a moisturiser that I have rediscovered from my vast skincare collection, as I have absolutely fallen in love with it and feel that this product is definitely due a review. I'm just going to refer to it as the Avene moisturising emulsion as the name is a bit of a handfull and would make this post huge if I kept writing it haha. For so many years I was wondering why my make-up was vanishing, even though my skin didn't actually feel that oily ?! - Finally, a few years ago now the penny dropped, and I realised that I was often mixing an oil based moisturiser with a water based foundation or vice versa. So now I have got into the habit of making sure that if I'm using an oil based foundation I also use an oil based moisturiser and the same for my water and silicone based products. Once I started doing this I noticed how much longer my make-up was lasting and that I actually didn't even need a primer. The reason why I am posting about this water based moisturiser today, is because I have fallen back in love with my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation which is also water based! and the results have been absolultey amazing.

About Avene

I have always been a huge fan of Avene and I have a serious love for the thermale water which is so incredibly soothing. The main talking point of the brand Avene is the Thermale Water, which is the main component of Avenes products. (Avene) Very low mineralised, rich in silica and trace elements, the Avène Thermal Spring Water has been clinically proven to be naturally soothing, anti-irritating and anti-free radical. The Avène Thermal Spring Water is bottled at source and manufactured in a sterile unit at the Avène Dermotological Hydrotherapy Centre. The water is tested every day and a specific laboratory has been created to do fundamental research on the properties of the water. You can also watch a short video about the Avene Thermale Water Here

What I like ?

Since combining the Avene Moisturising Emulsion with my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation I have had lovely hydrated skin, with a flawless finish that really has lasted all day. I love that this product has such a large concentrate of the Thermale Water, as it really does feel like your skin is being properly hydrated. This particular product is designed for normal/combo skin types, as even though its hydrating it isn't thick or heavy in its consistency. Products with a high water content are also the best kind for dealing with combination skin types, as it hydrates but doesn't put too much into the skin. The emulsion also has a Green tint which helps to combat Redness, but don't worry! it sinks straight into the skin without leaving any trace of Green. It also has an SPF 20 which is amazing, as I can just put some on really quickly and enjoy the sunshine.

What I don't like ?

Overall this is a nice and simple moisturiser for girls with normal/combination skin who also have slight Redness. It's really soothing and makes your skin feel extremely calm and relaxed. This product does have a slight fragrance which reminds me of baby wipes, which I find quite a calming/comforting smell, but if you are sensitive with scents then maybe you would be better opting for a fragrance free option like simple skincare. I actually find the Simple hydrating light moisturiser to be quite similar to this, so that could always be another option if you wanted an orderless and colourless moisturiser.

Overall

I love this moisturiser and feel like it has become a real staple in my skincare. I often flit between products, but I have been loving the flawless effect of this product underneath my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua. Avene is always on offer online and you can also get it in boots! I think the brand is well worth checking out and the Thermale Spray Water is a personal favourite of mine. If you suffer with combination skin and you are prone to slight Redness, then I couldn't recommend a nicer or soothing product that the Avene Moisturising Emulsion.

Hope you have enjoyed reading this beauties :) and I would love to know what moisturiser you are currently using ?

Initial Thoughts - Maybelline Baby Lips - Peach Kiss

Initial Thoughts - Maybelline Baby Lips - Peach Kiss

Hi Lovelies!

So it seems that Sunday has become my "Boots" day, as I like to take a relaxed stroll around boots having a look at whatever takes my fancy. I say relaxed! but its not really, as I usually have my boyfriend nagging me to hurry up and also saying "you don't need this" "you don't need that" but do you think I listen ? noway haha! - I picked up some random goodies today which included some more Vita Liberata Tan a Yankee Candle some shower gel and a breast cancer support pen! and not to forget a Maybelline Baby Lips woohoo! I keep forgetting that they are in boots, but today I managed to spot some, but sadly there was only two flavours left.. I guess they must be popular haha. Anyway, I decided just to pick up "Peach Kiss"which is right up my street as I love anything remotely peachy. I also quite liked the fact it looked like a good shimmery nude, which is something I like for summer and holidays. I did want the Cherry flavour :( better luck next Sunday I hope haha. Anyway beauties! I will get into my initial thoughts post now, which I hope you will all like!

 

Maybelline Baby Lips Peach Kiss

New Baby Lips lip balm from Maybelline New York gives intense care and 8 hour hydration, and is nourishing for baby soft lips. Its clinically tested formula has a hint of colour and leaves lips feeling soft and smooth.

The Review

I think what stands out to me initially is the fun packaging! as much as I like my classy Chanel Rouge Coco's I still like to inject a bit of colour into my make-up bag. I love the different coloured packaging and the bold writing and think it makes the product look cute, summery and not too serious. Moving onto the shade "Peach Kiss" its a bronze peachy nude with some shimmer.

I decided on Peach Kiss because I love anything with a Peach scent or shade, but I also liked the fact it would probably be a no fuss kind of lip product, and that is definitely what it is. The colour pay off is very little with this particular shade, but it does give a hint of a peachy glow, which I thought would be nice for my up and coming holiday to Florida. I wanted something quick to apply with a slight hint of colour, so this product ticks those boxes quite nicely.

They do feel quite moisturising at first, but I think these products are more of a quick fix and won't help with damaged lips. I think at the most they will give some moisture and shine for a few hours. They do have some great moisturising ingredients like aloe and honey, but they do have a large proportion of petroleum, which usually only masks dry lips.

Overall, I think that for £2.99 you get a fun product, which will add moisture and some colour to your lips. If you are looking for a long term fix then I would probably look elsewhere and for a product with more natural ingredients within it. I'm pretty excited about purchasing some more shades though, as they are a really nice little product for the price.

I hope you enjoyed this review lovelies! I am currently planning some new posts, so I hope you will keep checking back to see them :) - I just wanted to say how much each comment means to me! I really appreciate you as my followers and friends and if you ever need me I'm just a tweet away!

The Celtic Manor - Picture Post

The Celtic Manor - Picture Post

Hi Beauties!
It feels so good to be finally getting back into a regular blogging routine and I hope you are all enjoying my latest posts :) - I have just come back from probably one of the best night stays I have ever had! - I had great company, amazing food and our room was absolutely stunning. I managed to get me and Daniel (The Boyf) an overnight stay in a deluxe suite room at The Celtic Manor Resort, which is a five star hotel that hosted the 2010 Ryder Cup! and I'm lucky to work there in the award winning Forum Spa! - It's hard work being part of such a large hotel, but I do really enjoy my job and my stay at the resort has made me love it even more. The stay was to celebrate mine and Daniel's five year anniversary and we couldn't have had a more enjoyable time! - This post is going to be VERY picture heavy, as I was taking loads of snaps with my I phone haha! - Hope you enjoy this post beauties, and I would love to hear from you in the comments section below, as it really makes my day seeing that I have had comments from my loyal supporters. PS! I'm sorry if some of the photo's are different sizes, but I forgot to tell Daniel to take them all the same way haha!

Our lovely room! which had a cute sitting area just to the right hand side

Before this tidy space was filled with my make-up!

Drugstore Gems - Bourjois Color Boost Lip Crayon & Cream Blush!

Drugstore Gems - Bourjois Color Boost Lip Crayon & Cream Blush!

Hi Beauties!

I just had to write this review, as I have honestly been head over heels with both of these products. I tend to use more high end make-up as you have probably seen via my blog! but at the same time I do have a fair old collection of drugstore gems! and I'm the first to admit that there are products from the drugstore that can 100% rival and even better the higher end brands. Bourjois is a brand that I really enjoy and I'm sure you already know of their connection with Chanel, which is one of my favourite make-up brands of all time. The two products that I am going to be talking about are perfect for spring, as they add a pop of colour, but in a subtle way if that makes any sense ?! they are both really good for boosting and brightening the complexion, and I'm genuinely really excited about this review.

Bourjois Colour boost Lip Crayon - Peach On The Beach £7.99

Firstly, I must admit I never jumped on the Clinique Chubby Stick Bandwagon, as at the time I was a traditional lipstick kinda gal. I had seen a few mixed reviews (despite there being many good ones) and to be honest I just never ended up trying them out. However, recently I had been eyeing up the Bourjois stand, as I liked the look of the Lip Crayons and also the Cream Blushes. Anyway, after two weeks of decisions.. I just took the plunge and its probably the best decision I have made beauty wise in a long time, as these products are really great.

The Bourjois Lip Crayons are very velvety and extremely moisturising and probably one of the most comfortable lip products I have found since my beloved Chanel Rouge Coco Shines. With an added bonus of SPF 15 not only are these Lip Crayons gorgeous, but also very practical. Peach On The Beach is the real stand out shade for me in the collection, as it reminds me of a summery cocktail shade with the perfect balance of Peach and Pink. It also isn't a million miles away from YSL's Peach Passion shade which is a favourite of mine. This has been my go to product! and I love wearing it with minimal make-up like a BB Cream, Bronzer and a few flirty flicks of mascara, as it adds a real injection of summer to my face without being too colourful and circus esque haha!.

Bourjois Cream Blush 01 Nude Velvet £7.99

After seeing these beauties on the blogosphere I decided to go ahead and purchase 01 and 02 (the brighter coral) even though I love 02 I do have a few bright Coral's and it has been 01 that has been my go to cheek product. Its the perfect apricot shade for us lighter toned gals! if you have a warmer complexion then you would love 02! - It's packaging is fantastic, and the little mirror is very handy actually! I love applying this by tapping it onto the apples of my cheeks with my fingers. In my opinion this product is a lot better without a brush. 01 is quite a brightening blush, which helps to give you a summery peachy glow. It has a smooth velvety finish, which helps to make it look really natural and comfortable on the skin. It can also be used as a light peach lip colour, but make sure you have a really good lip balm on first, as it is quite drying on the lips. It is designed to have a cream-powder finish on the cheeks, but it looks just as lovely on the lips! so its a great little product for dual use. 

Overall

Two fantastic products that are well worth the money! - They have both honestly been my go to products, and I would really recommend checking them out, as well as the other lovely shades in both product lines. If you are looking for for a comfortable yet fun lip colour then Peach on the beach would be a great option. However, if you are looking for a nice brightening hint of apricot to bring out your inner glow then Nude Velvet would be a fantastic product ;) but to be honest I couldn't pick between them, and think they are both worthy of a purchase. I hope you have enjoyed this review beauties, and I hope to hear from you in the comments section below!

NARS SHEER GLOW - Punjab - Initial Thoughts!

NARS SHEER GLOW - Punjab - Initial Thoughts!

Hi Beauties!

Oh my god! how nice has this UK weather been ?! I'm sure I can speak for most of us as we are totally not used to heat waves haha. I'm so sorry that I have been a little distant, but I have had total drama with uni, as i'm approaching the final year now in my Business and Management Degree, plus work has been demanding as ever! who thought spa life would be so hectic haha. I also just wanted to say congratulations to all my lovely blogger girlies and guys that got through to the COSMO blog awards. I wish that I had of been able to get a bit more involved with the blog awards, but at the time I was so busy with a uni final and I was really struggling to blog, travel, work and do uni at the same time - So I'm going to be voting for my favourite blogs and routing for you all!

Anyway, today I'm going to do an initial thoughts post on my first ever NARS foundation! Considering i'm a make-up junkie I only have a few NARS products (Blushers) as NARS are extremely well known for them. I decided to take a trip to John Lewis in Cardiff and I met a lovely girl who I found out was also a blogger!! I was so happy and I love meeting new bloggers. She matched me up to the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Punjab and so far I have been really impressed. I love my Chanel and YSL foundations to bits, but after I broke out after using Laura Mercier I felt like I needed to try something new and NARS was my next mission! 

Pretty Please check out http://phazestyle.blogspot.co.uk her blog is gorgeous! and she is just getting back into blogging, and I think it would be great to show some true blogger support! 

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
The night before I visited the NARS counter I was checking out the NARS website doing my research true BBlogger style haha! and I was so so impressed with how NARS give details of the tones and shades of their products and I found it so helpful to know whether the products were pink, neutral, golden or peach toned. When I made my lovely new blogger friend we talked about what foundation would suit my normal to combination skin, and I was super happy when I found out that the Sheer Glow foundation was perfect for normal/combo skin - but sadly when I come to buy it my shade "Punjab" was sold out :( boo! so as you can imagine it was straight on order when i got home haha.

I have worn the foundation twice so far and I am really enjoying it! my older sister said that it was the best match she had ever seen on my skin. The shade I was matched too was Punjab which is a light/medium shade with gold/peach undertones. Even though I'm quite pale I have neutral undertones opposed to pink! - plus I always opt for more yellowy/golden tones as it helps combat the slight redness on my cheeks. I love the silky fluid texture and I find it extremely easy to apply, as well as feeling super hydrating and comfortable on the skin. I love weightless foundations, but I feel that this foundation is going to be great to also build into a more medium coverage, which is great for events or going out!

The only thing is I haven't used a foundation without a pump since using Chanel's Teint Innocence and a Bobbi Brown foundation a few years ago, so it might take me a while to get used to using a foundation without a pump, but apart from that I really love the NARS packaging and think its sleek but also edgy at the same time. I'm really looking forward to using this foundation more and I can't wait to do a full review for you lovelies in a few weeks time. I am actually going shopping tomorrow and can't wait to pick up some more NARS goodies :D



Have you used this foundation ? I would love to know your thoughts and any advice!

Neil's Yard Beauty Sleep Concentrate - A Real Miracle

Neil's Yard Beauty Sleep Concentrate - A Real Miracle

Hey Beauties!

Today's post is going to be about The Neal's Yard Beauty Sleep Concentrate. Neal's Yard is a skincare brand that specialises in cruelty free, ethical and safe skincare. Neal's Yard really are quite firm when it comes to their safe approach to skincare, which you can see for yourself here - I think its great when skincare brands really put effort into ensuring that their products are the very best they can be. Its very easy and tempting for brands to load their products with cheap "safe" Chemicals, but when a brand really goes that extra mile to ensure that the end product is really safe it gives me faith to use and trust the brand. Theres even a little story behind the Neal's Yard Blue Bottles, as they are made in the UK and fired from scottish sand and soda ash from Cheshire in line with the brands CarbonNeutral status. I honestly couldn't believe how interesting the Neal's Yard website was when I first started researching, and I can tell you its well worth theread.

My sister very kindly gave me the Neal's Yard Beauty Sleep Concentrate as a gift which retails for £31.50 and I have been really loving trying out a new brand with such good values. I'm a complete skincare geek and recently I have been really getting into trying new products, plus I work for one of the best skincare brands in the world Elemis who are another fantastic and ethical skincare brand, and I'm sure you have seen me rave about them before. However, I was so intrigued by the Beauty Sleep Concentrate, as it sounded right up my street.. I mean who doesn't want beauty sleep in a bottle haha ? - I hope you enjoy my review sweeties! and I'm always free for skincare advice, so you can either tweet me, or leave me a message in the comments section below.


About

PROVEN IN CLINICAL TRIALS TO INCREASE SKIN'S MOISTURE LEVELS BY UP TO 98% OVER 12 HOURS.Infused with naturally regenerative narcissus tazetta bulb extract, a smoothing tri-peptide and antioxidant-rich nourishing grape seed oil, for skin that looks and feels beautifully moisturised, replenished and recharged. With a delightful blend of aromatherapy essential oils renowned for their calming, relaxing properties.

The Review (Sit back and relax! its a long one haha)

I have been testing this out for just over a week now and I'm actually beyond amazed with this product.  It's a lovely thick (ish) serum that has a really unusal scent not like your typical lavander/camomile scent used for bed time serums/remedies. It actually smells quite spicey, but this might be down to the ylang ylang and patchouli within the ingredients. Ylang Ylang is also very well known for calming and balancing the mind, which really helps make it a soothing nightime remedy.  Patchouli is also fantastic for mood enhancing, as well as treating anxiety and depression.

I thought maybe 1 or 2 nights of good sleep could be a co-incidence, but over a week of deep sleep since using this product ?! surely it has something to do with it. I come from a family with sleeping problems and most nights it takes me a minimum of 1-2 hours to drop off, and then I wake up throughout the night a few times as well. However since using this product I have slept right through the night! its amazing :D -

However, I don't want to promise these kind of results for everyone, as we are all different... but in terms of its claims of being a sleep enhancing night serum I would 100% agree. It leaves your skin looking completely rejuvenated in the morning, which is amazing! I have been waking up looking half alive! so thats a huge bonus haha.

It's also really suitable for all skin-types and it hasn't left my combination skin oily in the slightest. It's still early days with this product but just over a week of perfect sleep and rejuvenated has left me feeling pretty good. The combination of aromatherapy and skincare benefits makes this product the perfect night time treat, and I really look forward to using it at night.



I hope you have enjoyed this review lovelies! I would really love to know what you think about this? - Would you give it a try ? - I appreciate every single one of my followers and really love hearing from you! also feel free to leave your links in the comments section below.

Guest Post - A Mermaid's Summer Essentials

Guest Post - A Mermaid's Summer Essentials

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to take the opportunity to introduce the lovely Jessica from "The Mod Mermaid". Recently, I have been looking for guest writers for my blog and was thrilled when Jessica tweeted me about posting on my blog. Her blog is really lovely and as you can see from the images below, she takes gorgeous photo's! and really embraces her inner mermiad! so please stop by her blog if you get a chance (www.themodmermaid.com). I absolutely love helping other bloggers and I would love for you to leave a comment below if you would like to feature a post of my blog sometime. I'm thinking of having two guest blogger's a month, so from now on I will always be on the look out for new writer's. Hope you are all doing well lovelies and enjoy this fabulous post from Jessica.

Hello everyone! My name is Jessica and I write a beauty blog as well called The Mod Mermaid. Before I begin this post I'd just like to extend a huge thank you to India for allowing me to write a guest post for her blog! I really enjoy reading her blog, especially her Chanel posts that I live vicariously through! I'm really excited that I get to share a little something with all of her lovely readers. So today I'm going to share some products that every mermaid shall need for this summer, a.k.a. some of my summer essentials! I've included products for your eyes, lips, cheeks, nails, and even body! 

Even though it's the summer time and your lips may not be getting as dry and chapped as they would in the colder months it's still important to keep your lips hydrated, if not for the moisture but so your lip gloss or lipstick can apply smoother! My favorite, that I always come back to, is the EOS Lip Balm in the flavor Passion Fruit. The flavor/scent is summery and sweet and my lips become soft and smooth! I find myself whipping this out even when I don't really need a reapplication! Next, every mermaid's got to have her nail painted in some sparkly and bright colors! My favorites have been Julie G's Oh Em Gee, Barry M's Hi-Shine Greenberry, and Julie G's Mermaid's Tale. Oh Em Gee is a fun and bright pink shade that steps back from all the blues and turquioses. Greenberry and Mermaid's Tale, on the other hand,  are gorgeous blue's that reflect the sea and always make me think of a mermaids! 

For cheeks and eyes I like to keep things really natural as i don't like being all dolled up. Urban Decay's Naked Basicshas been my favourite not just foe the summer but all year long! The shades are matte and help you create a natural look that only accentuates the natural and gorgeous feature of your eyes! NARS Laguna bronzer is my one and only for getting a summery glow to my cheeks. A little dusting on the high points of my face and I get the light bronze I would expect when popping up to shore. Usually I'll leave it a bronzer because I like the sun-kissed effect, but when i'm feeling i need a bit more colour I'll pop on NARS Orgasm which is the perfect peanut butter to the jelly that is laguna.

Now being a mermaid, we can't have our mascara smudging all over our face so waterproof mascara is your best friend. Wether you're at the pool or at the beach, mascara is usually that one product us beauty lovers can't leave the house without, so a waterproof formula, like CoverGirl's LashBlast 24HR, really helps to keep your lashes defined without smudging about. Although I forewarn you, it's a nightmare to remove when you want it to finally come off, haha! To make my eyes look bigger and brighter I've been loving Rimmel's Scandaleyes Waterproof Khol in Nude.When I crave a bit more color my go to has been Urban Decay's 24/7 liner in Freak, a gorgeous metallic green that really does wonders to bring out a sparkle in your eye.

Lastly, every mermaid loves to sparkle and I'll give you one of two ways to do it! The first is with a bit of shimmery gloss and my favorite's got to be Bobbi Brown's High Shimmer Gloss in Bellini. It's a super sheer-peach with flecks of gold and pink shimmers that looks absolutely gorgeous on. Plus, it's not sticky, which I love! Don't have time to be pulling our hair from our lips this summer! Now if you're like me and are totally in love with shimmer, I'd say Bath & Body Works Shimmer Mists are a must! I have three and can't choose which I love most! I know that not every country has a Bath & Body Works (which is such a shame) but I'm sure if you search "shimmer mist" you're bound to find some great ones!

So by this list it seems like we're going to need a very hefty "essentials" shell bag (get it? shell bag? I promise I'm not a complete nutter!) All these products are essential for my summer beauty routines and they'll be getting a lot of use from me. I'm loving bringing the natural and not so natural sparkle to my face and body this summer. None of these products will distract from your natural beauty, but only enhance your mermaid shine.

KORRES Lip Butter Guava Review

KORRES Lip Butter Guava Review

Hi Beauties!

I'm back with another post and I must admit I'm feeling very proud of myself for getting into a more regular blogging pattern. Even if I'm not posting I'm always active via twitter on my I phone so never feel like you can't talk to me just because I'm not posting as much. I'm there for every single one of my lovely followers and if you ever need to chat then just send me a tweet or a personal message via Twitter. If you don't already know I used to make and sell my own lip balms, and i was surprised at how well loved they became overtime. However, with my new job and uni I just didn't have the time to continue. So! that leads me onto the story that I had always fancied trying out a Korres lip balm, but had never really got around to it. I always see them popping up on my blogger feed, so the other day I decided it was about time I bit the bullet and so I invested in a new Korres lip balm. I decided on the shade Guava as I wanted something clear or something with a slight milky tint and that is exactly what Guava is. I have so many different shades in my collection and for once I fancied something a little more plain! so instead of having a good old ramble :D I will get into my review, which I hope you beauties will enjoy reading! - I also love hearing your thoughts, so make sure you leave them in the comments section below.

The Review - KORRES Guava Lip Butter £8.00

Before I get started I just noticed I missed out the A on the picture caption oops* I'm still trying to get used to my new keyboard cover for my Mac haha. Onto the review - Guava is a lovely rich lip butter that feels absolutely amazing in the pot and also on the lips. The application is fantastic and you really feel like you are going to achieve lovely supple lips. I must admit that this product doesn't last half as long on the lips as I expected, but I quite like applying lip products.. so pulling it out of my bag a few times a day isn't a biggie for me. However, if you are looking for long lasting moisture then this might not be the product for you. Don't get me wrong! because this product does really make your lips feel great, but you do have to apply it quite a few times for it to feel like its really working. I do really love the tropical scent and the way it adds a tiny milky tint to the lips without making them look ghostly.. Plus this lip balm is free of nasties such as parabens and sulphates (which is always a bonus) - The packaging is also super cute and really quite robust, which makes it great for traveling around with. I also like how the lid is colour coded to the shade, which I think is quite a thoughtful and cute touch from Korres. I'm sure that some of you will understand the frustration of having to turn your lipsticks upside down to see what shades they are! haha true beauty blogger style.

Overall

A really gorgeous lip butter with a lovely scent, luxurious texture and great packaging. The only down side is the fact that it maybe doesn't last as long as it should for its price point. However, If you don't mind a few applications a day then this lip balm would be a brilliant choice, as when its on the lips it feels so comfortable as well as adding a tint of colour to the lips. I couldn't be without this lip butter now and its definitely one of my go to products at the moment. I would also like to try some of the other butter's as they have lovely colour tints to them. I hope you have enjoyed this review lovelies and if there are any special request for reviews, then please leave them down below.

DIOR BB REVIEW - 002

DIOR BB REVIEW - 002

 Hi Lovelies!
I'm actually so excited to be writing this post as it's probably one of the biggest beauty shocks of my life!! - I never ever thought in a million years that I would be head over heels with a BB cream of all things. I started looking through my beauty samples draw trying to find something new to love haha, as my beloved Laura Mercier Foundation broke me out really badly. I came across some Diorskin Nude BB samples in my samples draw and thought I would give it a whirl. I have only ever dipped in and out of Dior products and Chanel has always been the winner for me. I was quite surprised that I initially liked the samples in the shade 002, and I was impressed by the amount of coverage this product gave me. I have tried a few BB creams ranging from drugstore to Estee Lauder and Urban Decay (which i like) - but BB creams definitely haven't got me excited in the slightest. I actually don't even really wear tinted moisturisers, but instead my make-up collection is full of light but build-able coverage foundations. Anyway, after getting through two samples I decided that I really liked this product and decided to order it online. I have been using this product for a while now and I'm still really loving it, so I thought it would be a great idea to share with you how I have been finding wearing it as an everyday product. I hope you enjoy this post lovelies and feel free to ask any questions either below, or via my social media icons on the right hand side of my blog.

What I like ?

Firstly, I can't say how shocked I was to actually find a BB Cream that made a difference for me. I had pretty much given up in my hunt to find one, but luckily Dior have created a fantastic product that I love and can genuinely recommend to my followers. The coverage is still very light in terms of foundation coverage, but for a BB the coverage its pretty darn good. Some of my favourite beauty guru's like Viviana Does Makeup and Lisa Eldridge have spoken highly of this product as well, and I can totally see why. The finish is very similar to my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, as it gives the skin a Velvety finish, which means its not too dull and not too luminous. If I want a bit of extra coverage I will either layer a pea sized amount of my Chanel or YSL foundation over the top. The staying power on my skin is at least four hours, which is fine as long as you keep a concealer near. I also really like the packaging for this product and the pump is nice and easy to use. 

[Not Blended]

[Blended]

What I don't like ?

The shade range is extremely limited, but luckily for me the shade 002 is a perfect match. 002 has more Beige/Yellow undertones for fair skin, but if you are light skinned with Pink undertones 001 would be more ideal. Then finally 003 would be for overall warmer complexions, but as you can see the range is limited. Despite the coverage being very good for a BB I would still have a concealer near by, just to touch up. Finally, the price of this product is around £30.00 which is expensive.. but it falls into the usual range of Dior products.

Overall ?

I always think to myself I would love to leave the house with just a BB or TM on my face, but I always opt for a light coverage foundation to give me a bit for coverage and security. However, since buying this Dior BB cream I have had about 3 days where I have just worn the BB out on it's own.. which is a pretty good sign to me. It will suit a range of skin types, as its not oily and not drying either. However, if your a luminous kinda gal you would probably benefit by using a highlighter with this product. I have included a before and after and I think that it has done well to even out my complexion and to help combat my redness. 

Exotic Bliss With The Elemis Spa@home Frangipani Range!

Exotic Bliss With The Elemis Spa@home Frangipani Range!

Hello Beauties!
Do you ever imagine or just close your eyes and wish you were somewhere lovely and exotic ?! If so then I honestly believe that The Elemis Frangipani range is the best way to make that dream seem even more realistic. The Frangipani Flower (Hawaiian Lei Flower) is also known as the Flower of Gods because its so beautiful and distinctively scented. The Elemis Spa@home range uses Frangipani flowers in combination with Coconut Oil to really create a luxurious moisturising range. I have actually been given the nickname "Frangi Queen" (weird i know) in work because even though I have the products at home I'm always picking up the testers and smelling and using them in work. It's such a temptation working at an Elemis Spa, so as you can imagine I do make a few cheeky purchases at work haha. So my lovelies..If you love sweet/floral fragrances then you might just become addicted to Frangipani too!

About the Brand

Winner of Best British Brand at the 2010 CEW (UK) Beauty Awards, Elemis is the leading luxury British spa and skincare brand chosen by over 6.5 million spa-goers every year. Elemis do not use harmful ingredients within their products, and also do not test on animals.

Frangipani Shower/Bath Cream £22.00
This was the first product I purchased from the range and I absolutely love it. It doesn't really lather that much, but instead its creamy and so luxurious to wash in. I love using it with a mesh bath scrubber to really give my body an exotic cleanse. I would recommend this product for travelling as well, as its hugely popular in the spa for when people are looking for a nice body wash to take away with them.

Frangipani Salt Scrub* £36.50
This is honestly the most indulgent and beautiful body product that I have ever used truly a Spa in a Jar!!. The consistency is quite moist, but the salt lightly buffs at your skin and then dissolves into the bath leaving a beautiful aroma. It also has a high concentrate of the original Frangipani oil, which means that once you have use this you can get away without using an additional body moisturiser unless you wanted to opt for the oil as well. My skin feels absolutely amazing after using this product and its honestly so good I wish I could just use the whole pot at once *slightly obsessed with this product*

Frangipani Monoi Oil £31.50
The original Frangipani Oil is probably the most versatile product out of the range, as it can be used as a body, hair and nail conditioner. I am yet to try it in my hair (but I have heard good things about it as a hair treatment), I tend to use this after my bath for even more moisture. I never used to moisturise my body, but now I'm obsessed with having beautifully nourished skin. The Oil absorbs really quickly and I can promise you that this won't leave you feeling oily in the slightest. This oil also solidifies in cooler temperatures, but just a quick dip in the bath and it turns back to an oil.

Overall ?
I must admit I have become pretty obsessed with the Frangipani Range! its just delicious and makes me feel pampered every single time I use it. If your not into sweet/floral scents then this may not be for you as it does have quite a strong aroma. However, if you love exotic scents then you will probably love Frangipani just as much as me! - Elemis is a high end skincare brand which means that their prices are higher than what you would see with the drugstore, but actually Elemis are one of the most reasonably priced high end brands on the market. I love supporting British Brands and besides that Elemis have fantastic brand values and really go that extra mile to ensure that their products are safe and not tested on animals. If you don't fancy something as sweet/floral as Frangipani then you could always try the Elemis Skin Nourish range, which has a more soft and comforting scent.

Lifestyle Post - Cucumber Water

Lifestyle Post - Cucumber Water

Hey Beauties!

Tonight's post is totally spontaneous and probably quite random... considering I was just writing a beauty review haha. Recently, I have been following a lovely Instagram "Rensaskincare" they honestly post such amazing skincare and health posts, that actually make you want to give some of the stuff a try, so I would definitely recommend you checking their Instagram account out if you get the chance. So.. I was in Sainsbury today with the boyf and after seeing a post from Rensa I decided to go ahead and buy myself a jug, cucumber and some lemons to make water with a difference! - I had no idea what difference adding a few slices of lemon or cucumber could make to your water and being a Spa girl I have had to up my water intake to stay nice and hydrated whilst at work.

[Weheartit]

Cucumber Water 

How to ? - Buy yourself a big jug, water and a Cucumber and get slicing :) leave the cucumber in the water for around an hour to subtly flavour the water.

About Cucumber Water ?

Cucumbers contain loads of goodness such as.. vitamin C and caffeic acid, two antioxidant nutrients that can help protect the skin from sun damage. Vitamin C is amazing for boosting collagen and elastin, which helps keep skin looking lovely and radiant while caffeic acid protects skin cells from UV radiation. Cucumbers also have natural anti-inflammatory properties and help to prevent water retention. Cucumbers also contain silica, an essential component of healthy connective tissue. So all in all Cucumbers are a great ingredient to infuse in your daily water intake.

There are other ways to create Cucumber water and by blending them you can get a stronger taste, or you just chop the cucumber into chunks and let it settle like I did. If you want it to be a little more interesting you could always add some Mint leaf.

I'm currently sipping on my Cucumber Water as we speak and it's so lovely and refreshing... plus I'm loving all of its benefits, and another tip for you beauties, Cucumber water can be used as a toner for your face! - I hope you enjoyed this post lovelies and would love to know if you would like to see more posts like this.