Monday 19 August 2013

Benefit Go Tropicoral

As you may have seen in my July favourites post, I paid a sneaky visit to the Duty Free shop on my way home from holiday a few weeks ago, and I just couldn't say no to this pretty gift set from the Benefit counter!




Really, I did this the wrong way around and should have purchased this on my outgoing trip because it contains some ideal basics for when you're on your travels. The set contains a deluxe Cha Cha Tint mini (4ml), a deluxe High Beam mini (4ml), Coralista blush (3g) together with a mini blush brush that fans will recognise from their standard powder boxes, and a Coralista lip gloss (6.5ml). On the lid there is a tips and tricks guide for the products which conceals a decent sized mirror.

I first used High Beam a few years ago and wasn't a fan but I'm now a firm advocate of liquid highlighters and High Beam is amazing for giving a beautiful glow to the skin. I've not used a liquid blush before so I was really keen to try Cha Cha Tint. I won't lie, I am still trying to get the hang of it but the colour is super pretty when applied right. Less is most definitely more thanks to the amazing pigmentation. I've used Coralista before, and ended up selling it. Over the past few weeks I've been having a full on love affair with it again and I've used it every single day. It gives a lovely natural peachy flush to my cheeks which I absolutely adore. The one product I wasn't too keen on is the Coralista lip gloss. I had high hopes but its just not for me. It leans too much towards orange andd the colour payoff isn't as great as I'd hoped. Its definitely glossy but just not what I'd hoped it would be. I just need to find the perfect lippie to pair it with. Any suggestions ladies?

Overall, I think this is a great set and I'm really glad I bought it. Go Tropicoral retails at £25.50 in the UK although I managed to snap it up for just under £22.00.

♥ ♥ ♥

Have you tried Go Tropicoral? Do you recommend any other Benefit gift sets?
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Friday 16 August 2013

Review: Living Nature Summer Bronze Pressed Powder

My favourite bronzer ever from UK high street brand 17 has unfortunately been discontinued. I'm now on the hunt for a replacement before I run out. The opportunity to try Living Nature's Summer Bronze Pressed Powder* popped up and I decided to give it a go, having previously tried and liked their cosmetic products.




The compact is quite heavy as it's made from metal and it wasn't quite what I was expecting. It contains a mirror and a brush and whilst ideal for on the go touch ups, I wasn't a fan of the brush. I think its more suited to blush but that's just my personal preference. The bronzer itself is a buttery soft powder, a completely natural mineral product and certified organic. 

The Summer Bronze Pressed Powder currently comes in one shade, so it's not going to be for everyone. Personally I find it a little too warm for my skin tone but if you have a good medium colour this would probably be ideal for you.

Living Nature Summer Bronze Pressed Powder retails at £26.00 in the UK for 14g and is available from My Pure. If you're in New Zealand you can purchase for $50.00 from Living Nature.

♥ ♥ ♥

What's your favourite bronzer? Do you prefer to use natural brands?
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Wednesday 14 August 2013

Illamasqua Imperfection Speckled Eyeliner

So it's taken me forever to get around to trying out the beautiful speckled eyeliner look from the Illamasqua Imperfection range and I was surprised at how simple it is to create, and how stunning it looks.


Products Used

Bioderma Sebium Hydra - Moisturising Replenishing Care
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in Light 2
Missha BB Cream in #21
Illamasqua Brow Cake in Gaze
Sleek Blush in Chantilly
Urban Decay Primer Potion
MAC Brule
Illamasqua Medium Pencil in Vow
Illamasqua Precision Ink in Abyss
Illamasqua Precision Ink in Scribe
YSL Faux Cils Mascara
Topshop Lipstick in Confession
MUFE HD Powder

♥ ♥ ♥

I love how striking this look is and I got lots of compliments on it! Have you tried the look? Send me your links!
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Monday 12 August 2013

Review: Ahava Softening Butter Salt Scrub

To keep my legs in tip top condition for summer, I like to use a good exfoliating scrub to help them stay silky smooth and hydrated. I recently had the opportunity to review the Ahava Softening Butter Salt Scrub* so I was excited to try it when it landed on my desk. I've only ever used sugar scrubs in the past so I was intrigued to see how a salt scrub would differ.



I've really loved the Ahava products I've tried in the past and I'm pleased to say this is yet another favourite. Combining a blend of Dead Sea salt crystals, Jojoba and Coconut oils all of which soften and hydrate the skin's surface to provide a renewed glow and energy, and Dunaliella Algae which is naturally rich in antioxidants and Vitamin A which help to reinforce skin's natural protective processes and moisturize skin, this rich-textured, energising scrub exfoliates and hydrates, leaving skin to feel amazingly soft and smooth. 

The scrub feels like any other regular exfoliating scrub I've tried. The texture and consistency is the same however I find its a lot easier to rinse off with no sticky residue left behind. My legs are left incredibly smooth and soft and there's no need to use a separate moisturising product. It smells clean and fresh like the rest of the Ahava range which is a refreshing change from the super sweet sugar scrubs. 

A 350g tub retails for £25.00 and is available from Ahava

♥ ♥ ♥

Do you prefer salt scrubs to sugar? Let me know your favourite! :)
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Monday 5 August 2013

Products of the Month: July 2013

Hello all! I'm back. I had a longer than extended absence but things have been a bit crazy lately with my holiday, holiday blues and work related stuff. I lost my blogging mojo for a while but I'm trying to get back into the swing of things :) First up this week, a bit of a belated July favourites!


♥ Benefit Go Tropicoral ♥ 
So, when you're on holiday it's a bit rude not to check out duty free right? Exactly what I thought. On the ferry back to Blighty, I found the onboard shop with a treasure trove of make up goodies. As you all know I am obsessed with coral, it's my absolute favourite colour and my go to make up shade. When I saw this Tropicoral I had to have it. It contains the relatively new (to me anyway) Cha Cha Tint, High Beam, Coralista powder and Coralista lip gloss. Anyone fancy a review? I picked this up for £21.65 and it's RRP is £25.50. 

♥ YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Waterproof ♥
Another duty free purchase and now my absolute HG mascara in the whole wide world. A bit of a sweeping statement but I flipping love it! It's super black, lengthens and volumises my lashes giving a true false lash effect in a mere few seconds. It's a pain to remove but its a small price to pay for fabulous lashes! I bought this for £18.80 and it's RRP is £23.00.

♥ Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 Hour in On & On Bronze ♥
This has been my go to product for my eyes for ages now. I took it with me on holiday along with a couple of other regular powder shadows (restrained much?!) and I wore this the entire week. It's so long lasting, and doesn't crease which is exactly what I wanted. And it really brings out the colour of my eyes. Bonus!

♥ Make Up Forever HD Powder ♥
Another amazing IMATS purchase that I wouldn't be without. MUFE's HD powder is nothing short of amazing. It's so finely milled and instantly sets my makeup, keeping it in place all day without any need for touching up. My skin feels so silky soft when its on too!

♥ Nivea Anti-Perspirant Invisible for Black & White ♥
A bit of an odd favourite you might think, but I seriously have been loving this! And to think I had only picked it up because Boots was out of stock of my regular choice. Invisible smells gorgeous and its perfect for wearing with dark or light colours (no pesky white marks) and keeps you dry.


Listening to: The Script #3

♥ ♥ ♥

Have any of these products been your favourites lately? Are you loving any of the above?

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