Clarins Jolie Rouge Brilliant Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick "Coral Dahlia"

Here is something very exciting! When this little beauty arrived through my letter box I was dosed with the flu and badly in need of a pick me up. Needless to say it definitely did the trick!

Clarins Jolie Rouge Brilliant* are stunning sheer, glossy lipsticks. I have here the shade "Coral Dahlia" which is a new shade released as part of the Garden Escape Spring collection. When I opened this lipstick, I actually did gasp! The colour is just stunning, a gorgeous coral with very subtle golden shimmer. This is the perfect shade for Spring and Summer!

The lipstick is housed in a really sturdy silver tube. I must admit it looks very glamorous indeed. I am surprised by the weight of the packaging! It feels really solid. Twist up to reveal the gorgeous lipstick. That colour! I just can't get enough of it.

I took a close up of the swatch in the sunlight so you can see the shimmer in there. This lipstick is incredibly glossy, very smooth and creamy and is oh so comfortable to wear. I am a little nervous of wearing bold lipsticks, and I tend to stick to lip glosses or lip crayons (I was obsessed with last year's Clarins Lip Balm Crayons). I never thought that there would be a lipstick with sheer glossy colour like this! It's absolutely perfect and a real novelty for me.

This lipstick has properties of a lip balm too! It feels incredibly moisturising on, which is probably why I felt it so comfortable to wear. It has a wonderful scent too, very sweet and it reminds me of strawberry bon bons! Despite being very soft and creamy, it lasts a decent amount of time too, I had a good couple of hours wear time before I felt like I needed a touch up. It wears away evenly too, it's one of those lip products which doesn't require too much maintenance!

What a brilliant product to introduce a bit of colour into your make up routine for Springtime! I can tell that this will be my favourite lip product this season. It's just the right amount of colour, with the perfect glossy sheen. This lipstick will set you back £19 and there are now 15 shades available, including the new Spring releases "Coral Dahlia" and "Rose Petal", which also looks gorgeous!

Clarins really know how to do lip products! I don't think I have ever been as excited about a lipstick before, honestly! If you get the chance to swatch these at a counter, definitely do & you will see what I mean!




*Product provided for review

Bobbi Brown Gel Sparkle Shadow & Liner

This little pot is something that I bought with my Christmas vouchers. I used to really love cream eyeshadows, and since doing a huge makeup clear out a few months ago I only have one cream eyeshadow left in my collection! So I wanted to add to it. I wanted something kind of neutral, but sparkly too. I was looking at MAC Paint Pots but they seemed more metallic than sparkly. If there are any nice shades I should check out, do let me know.

Anyway, while browsing I ended up looking at Bobbi Brown eyeshadows, and with "sparkle" in the name, this one caught my eye. I looked at a few reviews and swatches, and finally decided to order the shade "Smokey Topaz".

When it arrived I was a little taken aback by how small the little pot actually is. It contains 4 grams of product (compared to 5g in a MAC paint pot). I know it is called "Shadow and Liner" but to me the design of the pot is more geared towards using it as a liner. I don't intend on doing that (I only use black liner) and I always apply my cream shadows using just my fingers. So the small jar opening is a little disappointing for me.

Swatch time! What I actually really like about this product is that it is very sparkly and not shimmery or glittery. That is exactly what I wanted.

Smokey Topaz is not the colour I expected it to be. I expected it to be more of a bronze but to me it's more like a pewter type shade, but still it is perfect for everyday wear. 

The shadow is very easy to apply. I just use my ring finger and then blend out the edges with a fluffy brush. It definitely is very easy to apply and I have had no problems! Wear time is really good, the Bobbi Brown website states up to 12 hours wear. I definitely got a good 8-10 hours wear time before it started creasing on me (and that was after using a primer as well). 

I think it looks fantastic all over the lid on its own, a bit of eyeliner and plenty of mascara! Sometimes I blend a darker eyeshadow into my crease for a bit of definition. But it's one of those quick, easy to apply eyeshadows for fuss-free make up! Especially in the sun light it looks incredibly sparkly for that little something "extra".

I haven't experimented using this as an eyeliner yet. I'm not sure how it would look to be honest because the shade isn't too deep.  I'm sure it would apply really well though as the texture of this gel is so smooth.

The Gel Sparkle Shadow & Liners cost £20 which honestly is quite expensive for me. There are 5 shades available, and they all look lovely. But I wouldn't mind trying different cream shadows from other brands. If you have any recommendations please let me know (particularly MAC paint pots!).

Do you like the look of this product?

January Favourites

Is it just me or has January been a very long month? I had been feeling a little under the weather (hence the lack of blog posts the last couple of weeks!) but I am now ready to get back into the swing of things! Starting with the products I was reaching most for in January.

1. Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze - I just did a review of this one so I will not go into too much detail why I love this! But basically, it gives me the most beautiful hint of tan which has seen me through the Winter months and I shall be continuing to use it in the Spring/Summer months! I find it so easy and fuss-free to apply, and there isn't too much maintenance involved. So happy with this product!

2. Soap and Glory Sugar Crush - I bought these 2 in Boots a few months ago on a whim…basically because I liked the smell of them! But I have been using away at them both and have completely fell in love. The  body scrub is a little on the gentle side which is absolutely perfect. I use it on wet skin in the shower and it really works a treat (plus the bathroom smells amazing afterwards!). The body cream is just amazing, I love the smooth and light texture of it. It absorbs really well and doesn't leave a horrid sticky feeling. Honestly the Sugar Crush range smells good enough to eat!

3. YSL Baby Doll Mascara* - When I first tried this mascara I actually said "Wow!". It has a great wand with a flexible tip, really great formula (with a light scent). It makes my lashes so long and perfectly separates each one, no clumps here! Plus the packaging looks ultra glam. Definitely reaching for this one a lot more than my regular Lancome mascara!

4. Real Techniques Nic's Picks brush set - Somehow over Christmas I ended up with 3 sets of these brushes! Of all the Real Techniques brushes I own, it is Nic's Picks which really made me stand up and pay attention. They have completely changed the way I apply my make up. The face brushes are fantastic and so soft. The eye brushes are just amazing and great for more precise application.

5. La Roche Posay Nutric Intense Riche - Over the last couple of months I am suffering with terrible dry skin, for the first time in my life and I don't know why! A few weeks ago, after trying what felt like every product under the sun, I was recommended this moisturiser and it has made such a difference. I still get dry patches around my nose but they are definitely getting less and less. Hopefully by the time I finish this jar my skin will be back to normal! I just love taking my make up off and using plenty of this moisturiser. It's very thick but it feels very comforting and nourishing.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Moisturising Stick - The dry skin wasn't just contained to my face, it affected my lips as well! I actually went to the chemist to get the Reve de Miel lip balm that comes in the jar. They didn't have that so I bought this little stick version instead. It has a lovely light, kind of citrusy scent. It is lovely and smooth and glides onto the lips. It doesn't really last as long as I would have expected it to, cue me obsessively re-applying it every half hour! But it really is a saviour for dry lips and has helped me a lot.

Thierry Mugler Angel Perfume* - This has become my signature Winter scent. I wear it every day now! Where perfumes were concerned, I was into fresh/fruity scents only. Angel changed all that. It is oh so unusual, and a completely unique scent in my opinion. It is quite woody and spicy, almost like a masculine scent. I honestly haven't came across a perfume like this before. It is quite a heavy scent, you only really need a spritz or two as it is so strong. I also quite like spraying a bit on my scarf or on my hair. I also love how the bottle is re-fillable! Mine is the limited edition Glamorama bottle which came out at Christmas. (I did a full review of Angel here )


Have you tried any of these products? I'd love to know what your favourite products were from January!

Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze Review

Am I a little late in reviewing this? Gentle Bronze, which is Cocoa Brown's gradual tan, was released last year but truthfully it is only since Winter began that I have gotten the most use out of this! I don't want a full on tan, but I need something to take away the horrid purple/grey of my skin tone.

Back in the day, when I was a complete tanophobe, I would have used Johnsons Holiday Skin for a subtle "glow". Now, from what I remember, Johnsons Holiday Skin was horrible in texture, similar to that of wallpaper paste. It had a horrible smell and it took an age to dry, leaving you with that awful sticky feeling for hours on end. Plus, you would have to apply it every night for about a fortnight to notice any sort of colour at all. Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze is the complete opposite of this!

I had been so accustomed to using Cocoa Brown One Hour Tan, which gives me the perfect tan that I want and has never let me down. It's quite nice actually to try something a little bit lighter, and a little easier (for me) to apply.

It has a beautiful, light texture and has a nice but subtle scent, similar to that of the One Hour Tan. I apply this with my hands, just like a regular moisturiser. Not once have I experienced any difficulties with this application method, no streaks or anything! It absorbs really quickly so you don't have to sit around with that awful sticky feeling. I also like to put a little bit on my face (I love tan on my face!) and have not experienced any breakouts or anything of the kind. This product is very kind to my skin.

Think it's time for some before and after photos!

 Before

After

These pictures show what just ONE application of Gentle Bronze can do! You can continue to build up your colour with further applications if you want, but I am absolutely thrilled with how I look after just one application. This is exactly what I want, when I want to be just a little bit tanned however it looks quite natural in Wintertime. 

I love Gentle Bronze for a perfect bronzed glow, ease of application and best of all it is only £5.99. I am definitely going to be stocking up on this stuff for Spring coming in!

Lancome French Innocence Collection for Spring 2015!

I cannot get over how beautiful Lancome's Spring collection is! "French Innocence" is all about pretty nudes with a pop of colour. So I think there will be something for everyone! I have my eye on the eyeshadow palette in particular…. I love the packaging and the image on the front of the palette. So here is a closer look at the collection…

My French Palette €55.00

Vernis in Love €19.00

Kohl Hypnose Waterproof €23.00

I've got to say, I am really taken with the My French Palette, and I shall be taking a closer look at it next time I am at a Lancome counter. Maybe it will even be coming home with me…. 

Do you like the look of this collection?

YSL Baby Doll Mascara

A quick little post from me today, just had to share what I think of this fabulous mascara which I had been using over the past few weeks. I received this as a Christmas present (huge thanks YSL!) and honestly, it has blown me away. You all probably know that I am particularly fond of Lancome mascaras, and dare I say it, I now believe that YSL Baby Doll is better than any Lancome mascara I have tried.

The brush has those rubber bristles and is flexible at the end of the wand. It makes it really easy to apply. The actual formula isn't too wet nor too dry. It perfectly separates every lash and I cannot believe how it delivers in terms of creating length and volume. When I compare it to the likes of Lancome Grandiose, which has a slightly more wet formula and doesn't quite separate every lash, I would have to give YSL Baby Doll preference!

No need to wear falsies here - below are some before and after photos.

Before - no mascara

After - One coat of YSL Baby Doll Mascara 

I have really been enjoying this mascara - it is one of those products that makes you go "wow!" the first time you use it!

Revlon Hollywood Lighted Make up Mirror

This was a little gift I bought for myself over the Christmas holidays, and honestly it is one of my best buys ever! The mirror at my dressing table is a little too far away when you are doing your make up, particularly your eye make up. I really fancied a small, cosmetic mirror and even better one with lights, as the lighting isn't great in my room! My search quickly led me to the Revlon Hollywood Lighted make up mirror, which I got in Argos for £19.99.

I thought that it may have the option for battery power, but it is mains powered only, which is a little disappointing but I can live with that. I would be wary of travelling with this mirror anyway incase the bulbs smashed in transit.

You can swivel the mirror too if you need it a little more magnified!

There are 2 little secret compartments (one containing a spare bulb) which is very handy dandy if you wanted to store hair grips or cotton buds in there!

Best of all it folds down flat and fits perfectly in my dressing table drawer.


If you need a cosmetic mirror which doesn't take up too much space and if you struggle with poor lighting this is a great mirror, I am so delighted that I bought this and it is exactly what I need!