Thursday 30 May 2013

Lately I've Been Lovin' #10


There's so many products I wanted to include in this post but I hadn't been using a lot of them from the start of the month so instead I've decided to hold off and if I'm still loving them, they will make an appearance next month.

Weleda Citrus Deodorant*: You can read my review here (link) I've really been making an effort to switch over to more natural deodorants rather than antiperspirants that block the sweat glands to stop you sweating. I hate sweating but I'm determined to make the switch and so far this is the only one that allows me to sweat without turning in to a smelly beast. I originally had the travel size bottle but the PR company saw how much I loved it and were kind enough to send me the 100ml bottle. The tops screw off so I'm keeping the empty travel bottle to decant in to.

Maybelline Baby Lips 'Pink Punch': I'm addicted to this. The pigmentation is so much better than I was expecting. It's not the most moisturising balm out there but it keeps my lips soft, adds colour and it smells good. :) I ordered mine on ebay a while back but I heard Baby Lips will be hitting the UK soon so I'll hold off on ordering a back-up just yet. For more info and swatches see my post (link)

Fresh Skin Organic Rosehip Oil: I've been using rosehip oil a lot recently to help fade scarring on my hands. I started of with a mini sample from Trilogy and really loved the results but instead of going for the full size bottle from the same brand I went for a big bottle from Fresh Skin which cost me less than a tenner. On my hands it works just as good as the one from Trilogy and this big bottle will last such a long time. I slather it on my hands every night before bed yet it still looks full. Not only has it helped fade the scars but it has really improved the condition of my skin.

Dior 'Rosy Bow': This beauty hasn't made an appearance on the blog yet but you can check out the swatches on my Instagram (link) the colour, brush, formula: perfection! It looks like just another pink which it kind of is but if you're a pink nail polish freak like me, you'll love it. It looks great against tanned and fair skin. On me it looks pink but once I'v slapped on some tan it leans more coral.

YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat: I love this foundation. I was so excited when it was first released but over time I moved on to other things and my once beloved YSL got pushed to one side. But now I love it even more than I did when I first got my hands on it which is all down to the Sephora Classic Mineral Powder Brush: I gave it a post all of it's own a few days back (link) it gives the most flawless finish and doesn't leave any brush strokes behind.

Pur Minerals CC Cream 'Light'*: I also love this paired with the Sephora brush. It gives a lot more coverage than if I apply it with my fingers. I don't need to set this at all, it lasts all day on my skin and is perfect for everyday wear. It's broad spectrum SPF 40 so is great for slapping on when you just need to go the the shop but don't want a full face of makeup. You can read my review here.

Have you tried any of these products?
What have you been lovin' this month?

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Wednesday 29 May 2013

NOTD: Essie - We're In It Together

Essie 'We're In It Together'

My current NOTD is Essie 'Neo Whimsical' but I found these photo's from a few weeks back and thought why not upload them. Please ignore the icky looking scratch at the side of me finger, thankfully it's gone now.

The weirdest thing has happened, Essie polishes are lasting longer than one day on my nails! I think this shade lasted around 5 days before chipping.

Products Used:

O.P.I Nail Envy Matte
Essie 'We're In It Together' (2 coats)
Nails Inc Kensington Caviar Top Coat


Do you have problems with Essie polishes?
What colour is on your nails today?

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Don't forget to enter my Essence giveaway.

Monday 27 May 2013

Love: Sephora Classic Mineral Powder Brush #45


If you've been a reader of my blog for a while now you'll know Real Techniques are my go-to brushes. I adore the Delux Crease Brush and Buffing Brush but I have a confession to make - I've been cheating. Yes that's right the unthinkable has happend, since owning Sephoras offering I've barely reached for the RT Buffing Brush. I still love it, it's fantastic quality and the price is great but our relationship has gone from being lovers to just great friends. As you probably guessed from the name, this brush is designed to be used with mineral foundation but let me tell you something - this beauty of a brush works amazingly well with liquid foundation, so well infact that I haven't even bothered to try it with minerals/powders. I'm seriously in love with the finish I'm left with when using this to apply YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat or any liquid foundation for that matter.

In terms of size it's more or less the same length as the RT Buffing Brush and easy to hold. I can't stand brushes with really long handles so this size is great for me and they're easier to pack away when going on holiday. The bristles are synthetic, very soft and easy to clean (I use Dr Bronner's Liquid Soap) even though the bristles are soft they don't bend like crazy as they're so densely packed but there's still a bit of movement and because the top is domed, it's easy to get into places like the corners of the nose. I haven't had any problems with shedding and the brush retains it's shape well after washing.

If you're like me and don't live anywhere near the magical land of Sephora, i feel your pain. If you know anyone who will be going on holiday to America, France or any other Sephpora-fied countries I really recommend getting them to pick one up for you. As you've probably already guessed, Lina  got it for me.

Do you own this brush?
What foundation brush do you always reach for?

Sunday 26 May 2013

Essence Giveaway

I know Essence products are hard to get hold off in the UK so thought I would do a giveaway including a mix of products from the brand. I'm from Northern Ireland and even though we're part of the UK I've managed to hunt down one chemists which has a huge Essence display. I haven't delved into the makeup apart from one cream to powder blush a few years back but I really rate the nail polishes and the fact that they're really affordable makes it even better!

What you could win:

Colour & Go Nail Polish '107 Naughty and Pink!'
Colour & Go Nail Polish '125 Absolutely Blue'
Colour & Go Nail Polish '106 Free Hugs'
Kiss Care Love Lip Balm '02 Purple Berries'
Lash & Brow Gel Mascara 'Clear'
Metallic Effect Eyeshadow '35 Party All Night'
Get Big Lashes, Volume Boost Mascara 'Black'

To Enter:

-You must be a follower of this blog via GFC & Bloglovin' (link) (1 entry)
-For additional entries you can follow me on Twitter (1 entry) & SheSaidBeauty (1 entry)
-Tweet 'I've entered @lippybblogger 's Essence giveaway' and link this post. (1 entry)
-In the comments section instead of saying you would like to enter, let me know what brand/product you're lusting after most at the minute and tell me how you've entered.

You must have a UK postal address to enter.
Include all entries in 1 comment please.
Leave an email address for me to contact you if you win.
This giveaway will close on 25/6/13

Good Luck!

Friday 24 May 2013

May 2013: Used, Abused & Reviewed.

Another month is almost over which can only mean one thang: Monthly Empties! I don't know about anyone else but Empties posts are one of my favourite posts to read. I love seeing what products people work their way through and if you're anything like me, you have a weird sense of achievement everytime another bottle/jar/tub bites the dust. Here's what I've worked my way through this month and my thoughts on each product..

 
Philosophy Pure Grace Hand Wash: It's no secret that I'm obsessed with all the Grace scents from Philosophy. They smell so clean and fresh and never bring on one of my dreaded migraines. I've had this for ages now, think it came as part of a QVC TSV last year. It foams up nicely and I think I'm right in saying it contains SLS but for some reason I didn't have any problems with it drying my hands out. If anything it felt quite moisturising and the scent lingers on your hands for hours after. It's a really lovely hand wash but expensive for what it is.
Repurchase? Not at full price but definitely if it was on offer or included in another TSV.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish: This product needs no introduction. For many years it was my Holy Grail cleanser and even though I prefer balm cleansers now I ALWAYS make sure I have atleast 2 of these in my cupboard. It cleanses the skin brilliantly without ever leaving my face feeling tight or dry and it's fab at removing eye make up.
Repurchase? Yes, always.

Yves Rocher 3 Detoxifying Teas Micellar Water: I think everyone knows my thoughts on micellar water by now so I'll leave my rant for today. If you want to know more about this product check out my post here. The reason I use micellars is to remove the bulk of my eye make up before cleansing as my flannels and muslin cloths were starting to look very grubby no matter how often I replaced them. It removes makeup well but not in one swipe of a cotton pad, no micellar water does. If you have sensitive skin, give this a wide berth as it really stings any dehydrated areas.
Repurchase? No.

Cath Kidston Bluebell Hand Cream: I wasn't a fan of this at all. The scent is horrendous (to me) - extremely floral and overpowering. It just felt like a budget hand cream, not a patch on my beloved L'Occitane.
Repurchase? No.

SBC 3in1 Complete Cleansing & Toning Gel: This is one of those cleansers that claim you don't need to use water to remove it. The texture is a runny gel and it does leave the skin feeling refreshed but only if you rinse it off with water and a flannel. I tried to tissue it off as directed just out of curiosity but I could feel residue on my skin and had to wash my face again to feel clean.
Repurchase? No.

Frederic Fekkai Glossing Conditioner: I had wanted to try the Glossing range from Fekkai for ages but it's on the pricey side so I always talked myself out of it but in a swap with Lina she included the Glossing Conditioner. It's not at all what I was expecting! It's lightweight and rinses easily yet does a great job of smoothing the hair and adding a glossy look once styled.
Repurchase? I would but it contains parabens. Booo!

Weleda Wild Rose Creamy Body Wash*: I posted about the mini Weleda products at the start of the month (link) and have been more than impressed with all of them. This body wash moisturises the skin without leaving any residue behind.
Repurchase? I still have a lot of body washes to get through but I'm sure I'll order a tube at some point.

Dove Colour Radiance Express Treatment Conditioner: This is a lot better than I was expecting. It's a great budget conditioning treatment and smells lovely but it made my roots really greasy after a day. My roots are on the oily side anyway but this conditioner just sped up the process even though I only applied it to my midlengths/ends.
Repurchase? I've still got a couple of tubes left but once they're gone I don't think I'll be in any rush to repurchase.

Lavera All-Round Cream: Love this stuff! The texture is similar to a body butter but unlike a lot of butters it sinks into my skin immediately. It can be used all over the body, even the face and the scent is lovely! It's a creamy, lemon scent but not sharp at all.
Repurchase? Yes.

Yankee Candle 'Christmas Cookie': This is one of those scents I could quite easily eat! It's sugary sweet but not sickening over overpowering. Think walking into a bakery and smelling all the freshly baked goodness.
Repurchase? Definitely but I've got enough candles to keep me going for a while.

Rodial Life & Style Candle 'Rehab': I raved about Rodial Candles here and they're still a firm favourite. The only thing I don't like about them is the price - £45! I managed to find them in the Debenhams sale for a tenner last year and stocked up. I think there's 3 different scents in total but I only own Rehab (roasted almond & honey milk) & Lounge (honeycomb & vanilla) they smell divine and make pretty brush holders once they're finished (link)
Repurchase? Not at full price. I still have 2 left but will stock up if I ever find them on sale again.

AUSSIE Dual Personality Curl Defining + Shine Mousse: I'm not the biggest fan of Aussie haircare. Yes the products smell nice and the 3 minute miracle conditioner leaves the hair incredibly smooth (because it's packed full of silicone) but the products always leave my hair looking flat and feeling like I need to give it another good scrub. This mousse is the exception though, it's actually quite good but as with most if not all mousse products, it makes the hair look wet and crispy. Once my hair is fully dry I re-scrunch my waves with clean, dry hands to get rid of that look. It still defines my waves without looking like I have product in my hair.
Repurchase? I prefer the TIGI Bed Head Foxy Curls Hi-Def Curl Spray.

Apivita Anti-Fatigue Moisturising Eye Patches With Rose: Apivita aren't winning me over when it comes to their eye products. These patches were a lot better than the overnight eye cream/mask but didn't do anything worth shouting about.
Repurchase? No.

100% Pure Coconut Nourishing Body Cream*: From the same brand I was raving about on Wednesday and guess what, I love the body cream too! It smells good enough to eat and the scent lingers on the skin for hours after. It absorbs into the skin straight away so there's no waiting around doing the naked dance before you can get dressed after a shower.
Repurchase? I have the same lotion in a few different scents that I haven't tried yet. Once I've used them up and know which one I prefer I'll be placing an order.

Fresh Skin Pina Colada Fragrance Oil: I adore anything pina colada scented so of course I had to choose it when I was making room sprays and fragrance sachets. You can read more on that here.

I used up a deodorant too and even though I mainly use my Weleda Citrus Deodorant now I still have a lot of deodorant to get through thanks to my bulk buying habit. The Nivea Double Effect Violet Senses has been in my empties posts a few times before but I still don't like it.

Did you finish many products this month?

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Wednesday 22 May 2013

100% Pure: Pink Champagne Luminescent Powder, Peppermint Candy Blush & Peach Bellini Lip Glaze


I've always said it's easier to find skincare which is free from nasty ingredients than it is to find makeup. There are a lot of natural cosmetics brands out there but finding one that actually delivers everything you want from a product is a complete nightmare. It's even harder as most organic/natural brands aren't available on the highstreet and more often than not we have to blind buy online which usually ends with me feeling disappointed. If I'm going to make the switch from conventional to natural then the products need to perform equally as good or that switch just isn't going to happen.

100% Pure is as the name suggests, 100% pure. 100% Natural, 100% Vegan, & Gluten Free. The colour of the makeup comes from antioxidant rich fruit and vegetable pigments rather than synthetic dyes.

Fruit Pigmented Pink Champagne Luminescent Face Powder - 9g, £21*: The description states that this powder will make you sparkle & shine which instantly made me think it was going to be a glitter bomb but thankfully there's no glitter in sight. It's a soft, silky powder that make's the skin appear lifted, healthy and glowy. The light reflective pigments add life to the skin and from what I gather from the website, it can be used all over the face to cancel out sallow looking skin. I've been using the Luminescent Powder in the same way I use any highlighter and it feels no different to any conventional powder highlighter I own. Result! Pigmentation is fantastic, you barely need to touch your brush to the pan. The finish is very natural thanks to the lack of glitter and I have no compliants when it comes to staying power.

Fruit Pigmented Peppermint Candy Blush - 9g, £21*: The formula of this blush feels exactly like the Luminescent Powder. It's silky soft and illuminating but again it's glitter free. There's the tiniest flecks of shimmer that just help make the skin look more awake and pigmentation is great. The packaging is insanely gorgeous! The blushers & Luminescent Powder come in adorable pale pink reflective pots with engraved designs. Instead of being just a normal compact, the lids lifts off completely and inside the lid there's a great quality mirror. Peppermint Candy Blush smells like peppermint but I can't detect any scent from the Luminescent Powder.

Peach Bellini Lip Glaze - 2.5g, £15*: Again, the packaging is stunning! Like the rest of the products, the Lip Glaze colours come from fruit pigments. The base is made from avocado and cocoa butters so feels extremely moisturising and comfortable on the lips. If you're a fan of products like the Revlon Lip Butter's or any type of tinted balm then the Lip Glazes would be a good product to go for. As with most lip products that add a sheer wash of colour, staying power isn't all that great but even when the shine has faded you're still left with a slight tint. There's a faint fruity scent but no taste.

I know it shouldn't be but packaging is really important to me. I like my products to look nice and if I'm spending a lot of money on make up I want it to be worth every penny. All 3 product I've had the pleasure of trying have more than impressed me and I'm sure it won't be too long before I'm placing an order for more beauties from the brand! If makeup isn't you're thing but you like the sound of the brand, don't worry. They also sell skincare, bath & body care, hair care, hand care and products for kids.
Have you heard of this brand before?
Do you struggle to find natural makeup that works as well as you would like it to?

All mentioned products are available from www.100percentpure.co.uk

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Friday 17 May 2013

My Summer Saviour: Ultrasun Face 30 Anti-Ageing Formula


Ultrasun Face 30 Anti-Ageing Formula

I struggled for years to find an SPF that suited my skin. I don't care if what I'm using on my body is a bit greasy and slippy but I don't want my face to look like a big sweaty mess. I've been using Ultrasun for over a year now and recommend it to anyone who will listen. I love how fuss free it is, I can apply it in the morning and know my face is protected throughout the day. If I was on holiday and out in the blistering hot sun for hours I would probably reapply it once more just to be on the safe side but here in the UK you really don't need to.

Ultrasun Face 30 Anti-Ageing Formula is a once a day SPF with UVA & UVB protection. The formula is oil free and binds to the skin in a matter of seconds leaving no trace of residue behind on my dehydrated/combination skin. The reason I love it so much is that it doubles up as my daily moisturiser. I don't need to layer a separate moisturiser on top which saves me time, money and a whole lot of blotting. It make's a great primer too! I've mentioned before about my lack of love for primers. They work for some people but for me they're just an extra step that I can't be arsed with and in all honesty I've never found one that makes enough difference to make me want to use it everyday. This without a doubt beats every primer I've ever tried! There's no roll off when you layer foundation on top and because I'm using just one product as my SPF, moisturiser and primer, my make up lasts a whole lot longer.

It's free from perfume and emilsifiers so shouldn't irritate sensitive skin. My skin is very easily irritated but not once has it caused any problems for me which is why I have no problem recommending it.

Sun damage ages the skin like nothing else. If you're worried about wrinkles, pigmentation etc then the best thing you can do is use SPF. We're all going to end up with wrinkles at some point in our lives, we can't stop it happening but we can prevent it to some extent. Spending mega bucks on fancy lotions and potions is a waste of money if you aren't protecting your skin but the main reason I use it is to hopefully avoid skin cancer. I use Ultrasun Face 30 on days where I'm not wearing a foundation containing SPF. I only recently found out that layering products containing SPF alters their effectiveness so now I make sure to only use one SPF product at a time. I also use it on the backs of my hands (when I remember)

As I'm sure you can tell, I bloody love this product! It's my SPF, moisturiser, primer and hand cream. :) If you're new to Ultrasun you can see all the different variations on QVC which is usually where you'll find the best deals/try me kits but I bought mine from Amazon last year.

What SPF do you use?
Have you tried Ultrasun before?

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Thursday 16 May 2013

Worth The Hype: Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush 'Cherub'


Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush 'Cherub'*

I first became aware of Daniel Sandler and his products through my obsession with QVC but up untill last year I'd never tried anything. On QVC he come's across as such a lovely man and really explains how to get the best results from his products, and if you follow him on Twitter (link) you'll know how hilarious he is.

I'm sure the famous Watercolour Blush is on everyone's radar, you'll either own and love it or have it on your wishlist. The only hard part is deciding which shade to go for as they all look stunning and really wearable. I decided to go for 'Cherub' as it's the one I've heard/read about the most.

I need to talk about the texture first! For some reason I was expecting the texture to be the same or atleast similar to Benefit Posie Tint which I'm not the biggest fan of. I know a lot of people love it but whether I use my fingers or a brush to apply it, I always feel like it's removing my foundation. The Watercolour texture is very thin, it has a silicone feel to it but it's almost watery and doesn't remove my foundation at all! You can't feel it on your skin, it's really lightweight and it lasts all day. You can buy the Watercolour Brush from Daniel Sandler but I've just been using my Real Techniques Buffing Brush or MAC 187 and it works perfectly fine. I dab it on with the brush then blend out any edges if I need to. You can go for a subtle look or layer it up for a more intense finish which makes it great for most skintones.

The bottle is teeny and only holds 15ml of product but you need such a small amount for each use that it's bound to last a long, long time. I've lost count of how many rave reviews I've read on this product but for me it's definitely worth the hype.

Is there a Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush Appreciation Society? There should be.

Are you a Watercolour Blush lover?
What shades do you own?

Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush £14.49 available from www.hairtrade.com

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Tuesday 14 May 2013

On A Budget: Dirty Works Power Berry Detox Mask


Dirty Works Power Berry Detox Mask*

I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to skincare. I often dismiss budget beauty products without actually trying them for myself but over the last 2 years or so I've been a bit more open minded and am willing to give products from all price points a go as long as the ingredient lists aren't too bad. Dirty Works is a brand I've spotted numerous times in Sainsburys but my inner skincare snob always stopped me investigating any further than a quick look at the packaging. I was recently asked if I would like to try the Power Berry Detox Mask which I've used a good few times now and thought I would share my thoughts.

The Power Berry Detox Mask is a bargain at only £4.99 for 100ml! It's designed to deep clean and replenish the skin, leaving it glowing, clear and fresh. With clay masks I tend to only use them on my forehead, nose and chin as my cheeks are very sensitive and dehydrated plus my t-zone is the main area I need a good detox. It's very fragranced, reminds me a lot of the Good Things Cream Cleanser. I really love the scent, smells like a berry smoothie but unfortunately it did cause a few hives to pop up around my chin about an hour after use. I did find the mask really effective at adding a glow to my skin on days when I was feeling really tired and my skin looked dull. It also left my skin feeling really clean without being dry as I only used it on my t-zone.

I would say the Power Berry Mask would be great for anyone in their teens - early 20's as long as they don't have sensitive skin. It's a very effective mask at a great price.

Have you tried this mask or any other products from Dirty Works?
Any you think I should try?

Dirty Works Power Berry Detox Mask £4.99 available from Sainsburys

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Monday 13 May 2013

Swatched: The Pinks


I've downsized my nail polish collection quite a lot over the last few months. I sold loads in my blog sale, gave some to friends/family and some were gloopy beyond repair so into the bin they went. Pink is my favourite colour to wear on my nails - sheer pinks, bright pinks, white pinks, peachy pinks, baby pinks. Any type of pink really so it's no surprise that the majority of my collection is made up of pink.

I've swatched all the ones I've kept so this is going to be a very pic heavy post. All swatches are 2 coats with no base/top coat.

Milani '513 Digital'

O.P.I 'Feelin' Hot-Hot-Hot'

Virgin Vie 'Shocking Pink'

Nails Inc 'Oxford Circus'

Essie 'Van D'Go'

BarryM '279 Bright Pink'

Nails Inc 'Brook Street'

Orly 'Lola'

Filthy Gorgeous 'Rosy Posy'*

Nails Inc 'Shoreditch'

BarryM '119 Baby Pink'

Nails Inc 'Picadilly Circus'

Rimmel 'Pop Rose'

Nails Inc There's no name but I think it's 'Peach Sorbet'

Chanel 'Rose Insolent'

BarryM '309 Strawberry'

Leighton Denny 'Talk Of The Town'

L'Oreal 'Opera Ballerina'

Nails Inc 'Belgrave Square'

O.P.I 'I'm All Ears'

O.P.I 'If You Moust You Moust'

Nails Inc 'Elizabeth Street'

Essie 'We're In It Together'

Nails Inc 'Brompton Place'

Essie 'Cascade Cool'

Dior 'Rosy Bow'

BarryM 'Pomegranate'

Essie 'Fiji'

My all time favourite and most used pink polish (apart from Opera Ballerina) is Nails Inc Brompton Place but lately my favourite has been Dior Rosy Bow, it looks lovely on pale skin and after slapping on some tan, coral tones start to appear. It doesn't look like anything special in the bottle but it's a gorgeous colour! The formula is brilliant, lasts around 4 days on my nails. The brush is great too, reminds me a lot of the Rimmel pro brushes but shorter and thicker.

Do you own any of these shades?
What colour is the majority of your collection made up from?

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