Review: No7 Stay Perfect Foundation & Natural Blush Tint Powder

 

On my recent trip to Boots, I stopped by the No7 counter to try out their 'match made service' to find the best-suited foundation for my skin. I found out that I am 'Cool Vanilla' (which is actually the second fairest shade! Wow!) and was really keen to give this a go! The No7 advisor explained that the foundations come in lots of different variations and coverages and I would probably be here all day if I had to name them all but it's a fabulous idea that everybody will be catered for, whether you need lots of coverage or just a small amount for a natural-looking finish.

 

I opted for the 'Stay Perfect' foundation which is a natural/semi-matte finish with medium coverage. I am super happy with the results! Good riddance to them awkward make-up lines around your face; this liquid foundation blends into the skin beautifully and I needed just a small amount to feel fully covered. I felt like my face was glowing and looked incredibly healthy after use. Of course, if your natural skintone is pale (like mine) then sweeping a bronzer or blusher across your cheeks will solve all problems and result in a natural, truly stunning finish. I would definitely recommend using the match-made service to all girls out there. It takes only a few seconds of your time and the finished result is amazing.

 

Would I repurchase? Oh yes - this foundation isn't going anywhere!

 

http://www.boots.com/en/No7-Stay-Perfect-Liquid-Foundation_1273498/

 

 

Whilst buying my foundation, I also picked up No7's Natural Blush Tint Powder in 'Coral Flush' which is a light but elegant pink blusher. I have been on the look out for a good blusher for a long time and I picked it up and bought it without even thinking or trying it out first... because I just fell in love with it and knew that it would work. On the cheeks, it isn't as crazily vibrant as it looks; it's so natural and subtle and finishes off any look. I particularly love wearing this with my match-made foundation. I have heard lots of people raving about the 'Soft Damson' shade of this product so maybe I will give that a go next time too. Yep, I'd repurchase - without a doubt!

 

http://www.boots.com/en/No7-Natural-Blush-Tint-Powder_1273442/

Review: Soap & Glory 'No Clogs Allowed!' Face Mask

 

Im sure you all know by now how much I love Soap & Glory products. Im so dangerous when Boots have a '3 for 2' offer across the whole Soap & Glory range! So yep, as usual I went crazy buying pretty much everything in sight.

 

I really wanted a good quality face scrub/mask and loved the sound of this one, and it's received fabulous reviews too. It's super easy to use; you apply a grape-sized amount to your fingertip, wet your hand and rub together before scrubbing into the face, where it will heat up. Then you have the option to wash off straight away or leave on for a few minutes before cleaning off with a wet exfoliating sponge - which comes with the product for free.  I decided to leave on for a few minutes and now use twice a week.

 

Now with my very mixed review! I love how soft and even my skin felt afterwards; I could really feel the benefit from leaving it on my face for a few minutes. I genuinely had a glowing complexion afterwards and my face looked much more brighter and awake. This costs £11.50 from Boots which I believe is very fairly priced and considering you do only have to use a small amount, it would last a long time. HOWEVER, the only downside is that it is supposed to be a 'deep pore detox' but my (very stubborn) blackheads have not budged yet. Perhaps it requires quite a few uses for this to happen? (I'll be sure to let you know if my opinion changes!)

 

So overall - I love this product, but it doesn't really do what it says on the packaging.



Products I use everyday

This is something that I have been intending to do for a long time because it sums up all of the products that I love, and perhaps don't give enough credit to. Also, I didn't realise how many things I actually view as 'essentials' before posting this... wow!

 

 

 

MAKE-UP:

Soap & Glory - Great Kisser Lip Balm in 'Juicy Peach'

Collection - Fast Stroke Eyeliner

Colletion - Lasting Perfection Concealer in 'Fair'

Soap & Glory - Show Good Face 2in1 Foundation & Primer in 'A Good Light'

Jelly Pong Pong - Fairy Lashes Mascara

Soap & Glory - Thick & Fast High Definition Mascara

Soap & Glory - Solar Powder Bronzer

 

Eco Tools - Foundation Brush

Forever 21 - Eyebrow Brush

Seventeen - Powder Brush

 

 

FACE & BODY:

Nivea - Facial Cleansing Wipes

Boots Natural Collection - 'Passionfruit' Body Lotion

Elizabeth Arden - Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant

Elizabeth Arden - Eight Hour Cream

Soap & Glory - Hand Food

Monu - Gentle Cleanser

Soap & Glory - 'Catch A Wrinkle In Time' Moisturiser & Anti-wrinkle Cream

 

 

HAIR:

TRESemmé - Heat Defence Spray

Silvikrin - Maximum Hold Hairspray

TRESemmmé - 24 Hour Body Blow Dry Lotion

Richard Ward - Hair Couture Volumising Spray

 

 

FRAGRANCE:

Marc Jacobs - Dot 100ml

Boots Natural Collection - Passionfruit Body Spray

Q - Body Spray

 

SHOWERING:

Alberto Balsam - 'Juicy Green Apple' Shampoo

Alberto Balsam - 'Mandarin & Papaya' Conditioner

Original Source - Lemon & Tea Tree Shower

Soap & Glory - Face Soap Clarity

 



May Favourites [features lots of S&G]

Hello lovelies! The weather is beautiful here in sunny Britain - it feels as though we are going to have a proper summer for once, which seems to be such a rare occurence. I have been super busy lately but things should be slowing down a little now so I will hopefully be able to post more often. Again, I apologise for being distant - I've been working a lot recently but I am pretty much back to normal now so am hoping to get back on track with my blogging.

 

ANYWAY there are several products that I have been loving this month and I am super excited to share them with you as I believe that a few of them haven't received as much recognition as they deserve.

 

Headline Colours - 'Poolside Party' Nail Polish

 

I received this nail polish in the May Glossybox and I absolutely love this! It is such an amazing quality and doesn't chip straight away and delivers a gorgeous, bright blue colour from just one coat. I received a number of compliments while wearing this and even though I don't often go for light-coloured nails, I believed that this was too stunning to not wear. Headline Colours are a fairly new brand but I could definitely see them going really far.

 

 

Soap & Glory - 'Hand Food' Hand Cream

 

So you'll notice that I have particularly been loving Soap & Glory products this month - I went a little crazy at Boots, as always. I'm usually really bad when it comes to using hand cream as most of them leave your hands feeling awkward and greasy. However, 'hand food' sinks into your hands really nicely and leaves them feeling soft and smelling beautiful. Id heard so many wonderful things about this product so I finally decided to try it out and yep, I agree with everyone else.

 

 

Soap & Glory - 'Solar Powder' Bronzer

 

I've always been a little scared of bronzers to be honest but I have finally found one which has become a massive essential to me. Solar Powder is light and easy to use and adds a bit of colour to your face, without looking orange. I apply this by brushing a small amount across my cheeks using a powder brush - and a little really does go a long way!

 

 

Soap & Glory - 'Face Soap Clarity' Face Wash

 

I know, I know... I have a serious S&G addiction! I was on the look out for a gentle, exfoliating daily face wash and I found exactly that with Face Soap Clarity. It's super easy to use: you squeeze a small amount on to your fingers, rub it in to create a foamy substance and rub in to your face for a squeeky clean and clear complexion. I've had so many problems with products like this making me break out in spots but I've not had a single blemish at all since using this - which is exactly how it should be. I now use this religiously every day - perfection in a bottle, wow!

 

 

Jelly Pong Pong - 'Fairy Lashes' Mascara

 

This is the second Glossybox product which has made it into my May Favourites; it was an amazing box this month! Jelly Pong Pong is such a little-heard-of brand but Fairy Lashes has got to now be my favourite mascara. Just a few strokes and my lashes are longer, thicker and remain this way all day. In fact, it's ridiculously hard to take off at night! This mascara is waterproof which is a bonus for the summer months and I will definitely be taking this on holiday with me as I know I won't have to worry about it leaking everywhere.

 

 

Rimmel - Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick in shade 01

 

I couldn't work out the full name of this shade but it is shade '01.' I was desperate for a simple, bold red lipstick and spotted this shade in Rimmel's new 'Kate' collection. The shade is a classic dark red and looks lovely with a simple smokey eyed look. I recently wore this on a night out and it behaved all night; it didn't smudge or fade and lasted for hours, which is fantastic considering it costs just £5.49 from Boots. I will probably buy more products from this range.

 

Are there any more great products that I need to know about?



Review: BM Beauty 'Dewy Perfection Finishing Powder'

(UPDATE/CHITCHAT: Hi everyone! Im really sorry about how distant I have been this week. Like I said in my previous posts, I've been very busy but I'm pretty much back to normal now. I've followed back and replied to all comments left - sorry it took so long! I was hoping to do a Spring lookbook this month but it is currently snowing at the moment - typical British weather - so I'm going to wait until it brightens up a little. Any requests are always welcomed but I've still got plenty of posts planned.)

 

 

I am currently loving the Dewy Perfection Finishing Powder by BM Beauty. I've always had trouble when it comes to finding the right powder for me, which lasts all day and gives me amazing coverage but this product has solved all problems. I received a tiny 1g sample of this product in a Glossybox a  few months ago and loved it so much that I purchased it - and it is quite rare that I purchase a product after receiving a sample of it in a Glossybox.

 

 

As you can see from the image above, I have used nearly all of it and am definitely going to repurchase when I get paid. So why do I love it so much? The powder is fantastic for applying after foundation and concealer as it keeps your make-up in tact for the rest of the day. You genuinely feel 'photoshopped' after using as it gives you such flawless coverage with light diffusing radiance. It's perfect for covering up any bits you don't like - including spots and fine lines. Also, it gives you a great colour. It's a celebrity-style product, famously used by Kimberley Wyatt, but without the price tag. It retails at just £8 and lasted me around 6-8 weeks.

 

 

The only issue I've noticed is that the product only comes in one shade - or at least, I've only been able to find one shade of it. Luckily, it is my colour but I'm wondering whether some girls may feel a little bit limited due to it not being their colour. (Please inform me if I am wrong and it does come in mulitple shades!) I'm very keen to try out other BM Beauty products.

 

http://www.bmbeauty.com/internal/product_info.cfm?dewy_perfection

Recycling my Glossybox's

(This isn't necessarily a 'beauty post' - it's just something extra for my fantastic followers!)

 

 

Like all the other beauty box subscribers out there, I have lots of empty Glossybox's lying around. I hate throwing them away because they are just so useful for pretty much everything. I am using the February box for all of my make-up:

 

Here's a few other ideas on what to keep in your empty beauty boxes:

 

Jewelry

Nail polish

Gift boxes - you could wrap it with gift-wrap?

Make-up brushes

Make-up products you don't always use

Perfume

'Lush' bath bomb storage

CD/DVD's

Stationary

Art stationary: paint brushes etc

 

 

I also always keep the tissue paper and ribbon as it is handy for either wrapping presents or putting at the top of a gift bag so they can't see inside.

February Favourites!

(First of all, I apologise for being a little distant this past week or so. It really isn't good enough, I know! I've been pretty busy and I guess I'm still trying to 'find myself' in this whole blogging thing. I've decided to be much more organised. Of course, I'm new to all of this so any feedback would be fantastic and Id love to check out other bloggers, especially if you're just starting out too.)

 

 

Anyway, today's post is about my February favourites; it's quite a weird combination of every day products but I have just been loving them this month. You can find love in such unlikely places sometimes!

 

 

I honestly believe that it was love at first sight for me and the Ayuuri face cream. Their products use only natural extracts making it suitable for all skin types. On top of that, the Indian rose, jasmine and aloe vera scented combination smells fresh and floral, which is why I think their products will be a huge hit this Spring. I feel like this face cream will last a very long time as it is a 200ml bottle yet you only need a tiny amount of it on your face for it to work wonders.

 

The Ayuuri Indian Rose Face Cream leaves your skin feeling moisturised and ready for whatever the world has to throw at you. I can't even describe how smooth skin feels after use. It blends in beautifully, without feeling greasy. It's such a bargain too - just £4.95 on their website and I believe it is available in some supermarkets too. I can't wait to try out more of their products!

 

http://www.ayuuri.co.uk/products/Moisturising_Indian_Rose_Face_Cream-18-8.html

 

 

This will probably seem like such a strange thing to show you but I have fallen head over heels for this essential. The Tresemmé Heat Defence spray is an amazing product to add to your daily routine. Of course, using heat on your hair can cause a lot of nasty damage so if you regularly straighten/curl or even just blowdry your hair, it is well worth the investment. I fell in love with this particular brand for a few reasons: the scent was the first because I felt as though my hair was being given a new lease of life through every spray. Also, it works! My hair felt soft and unharmed after both blow-drying and straightening on a daily basis. This works even better when combined with Tresemmé shampoo and conditioner.

 

http://www.boots.com/en/TRESemme-Heat-Defence-Styling-Spray-300ml_14150/

 

 

I purchased the Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips after reading about them on a few other blogs. Those who used them were literally just raving about the product so when I came across them on the Boots website, I decided to give them a try. Like a lot of young women and teenagers, I suffer from blackheads on my nose but I've never found anything which has helped get rid of them. The Pore Strips really work and you can see that they work due to what you 'find' on the strips after use (I don't know how something that looks so disgusting can feel so pleasurable to see!)

 

I used the product after showering so that the steam would open my pores. I wet my nose and stuck the strip on. I chilled out for around 15 minutes (laughing at myself in the mirror - i looked ridiculous with a big, white plaster-type thing on my nose) and when that time was up, the strip was rock solid. I pulled the strip slowly at the same time from both sides and the results are literally right in front of me. Though my pores felt very open and prone to bacteria afterwards, I was content with the result. I have decided to only do this once a month as I feel that weekly may be too often and I may not see as much of a result.

 

http://www.boots.com/en/Biore-Ultra-Deep-Cleansing-Pore-Strips-6-Nose-Strips_1250117/

 

 

I received the Miners lip colour in the February Glossybox and I have been using it a lot this month. I don't often wear lip products on a daily basis but this shade is very natural so you can easily get away with it. The shade is cinnamon; a light pink but not too pale - it's perfect for wearing day to day. It sticks to your lips really well and gives them a beautiful, natural shine. Also, it has a strawberry taste to it, which will always make it a winner for me. I have had a look around the Miners Cosmetics website and they stock a variety of girly make-up - all at affordable prices. This lip colour is only £3.99 - I wonder why it is so cheap?

 

http://www.minerscosmetics.co.uk/lips/lipstick/lip-colour/lip-colour-cinnamon.html

 

 

So you're probably thinking: why is she showing me a pack of face wipes? Because this badboy gets anything off! With every pack of face wipes I've ever bought, I've never found one that will easily take off waterproof make-up (especially mascara). But the Nivea Refreshing Facial Cleansing Wipes take your make-up off so easily. I literally just wipe it over my eyes and it's all gone. It saves so much time and the fresh, creamy scent reassures you that its good for your skin too. As with all Nivea products, it is suitable for sensitive skin with no nasty, hidden surprises. I've had a lot of trouble with face wipes recently; they usually just make me break out so I'm really greatful that I've found something that not only is kind to my skin but also works incredibly well.

 

http://www.nivea.co.uk/products/face-care/aqua-effect-essential-care/normal-skin/Refreshing-Facial-Cleansing-Wipes



Monu Gentle Cleanser: Review

I have been using the Monu Gentle Cleanser for a few weeks. I purchased it shortly after receving the January 2013 Glossybox as there was a different Monu product inside which i loved. After trying the sample of the Monu Micro-exfoliant, I had a look on their website at what other products they have on offer. At the time, I was on the look out for a new cleanser or moisturiser which doesn't irritate my skin (because my skin breaks out so easily) and I spotted the Gentle Cleanser.

Monu had a variety of cleansers on their website but I went for the 'gentle' one because it said that it was suitable for sensitive skin. Monu use only natural products, which assured me that my skin would improve and not get worse through use. It is reasonably pricey: £17.50 a bottle, but I wasn't bothered as long as it worked.

I applied the cleanser by putting a small amount on my finger tip and gently massaging it into my face. I took it off with a muslin cloth; on the bottle, it recommends that you take it off with a tissue or cotton pad but I preferred to do it this way so you don't get unwanted bits on your face. I didn't 'dry' it as much, just kind of dabbed and rubbed slightly. Afterwards, my skin felt so soft that I didn't even feel the need to moisturise. My face looked noticeably brighter and my complexion has improved in general. I now use it on a daily basis, usually just after I've had a shower as the steam helps it to seep in more.

On the back of the bottle, it always gives a tip on how to have a mini-facial with the product, which I now follow once a week. It states that you should take a little longer massaging gently into the skin, keep on the face for a couple of minute longer before using a hot, damp muslin/facial cloth to take it off. I like to just place the hot, damp muslin/facial cloth on my face and hold it there for a little while before just 'dabbing' it off.

Almost a 2-in-1 product; I will definitely be repurchasing. Also, Monu send a mini brochure of their products when you order online.

To purchase the Monu Gentle Cleanser, click here

www.monuskin.co.uk