Fresh Spring Make Up!

Spring is definitely well on the way and as such, I always  feel the need to change up my make up slightly. Winter is a time for heavier make up and I like to go a bit "lighter" when Spring comes along. I have some new products to play with today, and decided to show you what I am using.
Just yesterday I treated myself to a new foundation, I got Chanel Vitalumiere. I heard it is quite good for dry skin and so far today it looks great and has lasted a good few hours without emphasising any dry patches! MAC Cinderella is also making an appearance, as is the Clarins The Essentials palette which I won in the amazing Make Up Monster's blog giveaway! Thank so you much again!

Here are the products I used with shade names:

Chanel Vitalumiere Foundation - 10 Limpide

Sleek Eyebrow Kit - Light

Clarins Instant Concealer - 01

MAC Paint Pot - Painterly

Clarins The Essentials Eyeshadow Palette

Lancome Grandiose Mascara

YSL Babydoll  Kiss & Blush - 10 Nude Insolent

MAC Cinderella Iridescent Powder - Coup d'Chic

Clarins Jolie Rouge Lipstick - Coral Dahlia

I decided to go quite light on the eyes and I have ditched the eyeliner, instead I am favouring just using a dark eyeshadow and blending it up from my lash line. The Chanel foundation is lovely and so lightweight, I am really happy with it so far. Maybe I will do a full review of the foundation when I get to grips with it.
The MAC Cinderella powder I use as a highlight. It is way too sheer to use as a blush and it just adds a little luminosity to the face. It is lovely to use, perhaps not the best highlighting product out there, but it looks cute!

Hope you all have a great Sunday!

MAC Cinderella Collection has arrived! See what I got..

I am too excited about this collection! I was really looking forward to the release of this collection from MAC and when I got the email to say that it was available online last Friday, I quickly logged on and ordered myself a couple of things. I knew I really wanted the powder. The eyeshadow palette looks lovely but I already have a few of the shades, and the lipsticks look a little too light for me. I only bought the glitter on a whim! Here is a closer look…

This is the Iridescent Powder "Coup d'Chic". It is so, so beautiful. I love the stylised packaging, it looks incredibly Disney. The iridescent blue with the gold inlay definitely is very Cinderella. The product itself is extremely shimmery. I was looking for a new highlighting powder and I couldn't be happier to own this one. It didn't swatch too well to be honest, but I will do a more detailed post on these products soon.

This is the Cinderella glitter Reflects Pearl. I absolutely love the look of this! It is so sparkly, perfect for Cinderella! I have never owned a product like this before, currently I am researching on what kind of adhesive would be suitable to use this with on my eyes. I pressed it onto my eyes with a flat eyeshadow brush but I would like a little bit more intensity, and something to hold it in place all day!

Iridescent Powder Coup d'Chic as a highlight

Cinderella Reflects Pearl in inner corners 

I couldn't be more excited about this collection, being a lover of shimmery things, beautiful packaging and of course Disney! I can't wait to have a proper play around with these products - I only got them yesterday so still kind of getting to grips with them, especially the glitter. I am hoping to do a full look with them in a post soon!

Is there anything that has caught your eye from the MAC Cinderella collection?

Comforting Products for Lazy/Sick Days...

You know those kind of days when you are not wearing any make up and feel a little under the weather? Or maybe it's just a lazy Sunday, after a busy week and you just don't feel like doing anything! It's  a little bit of both for me today. I don't quite feel so good and didn't intend on leaving the house at all today! Choosing to lay around in my sweats instead. Sure why not! Anyway, here's a few products which I find a little comfort in on such days like this.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse - I got this oil on a whim a couple of weeks ago. I didn't quite know what to do with it, I just liked the smell! But since I got it, I haven't stopped using it. I use it on my face and on my hair. I just love applying this. It works wonders on my skin, and on the ends of my hair too!

Nuxe Masque Creme Fraiche - This one I got free once with a Cloud10Beauty purchase! I'm not really one for face masks normally but I love this one. I just slap it all over my face and go about my business for maybe an hour before washing it off. It's great!

Nuxe Prodigieuse Candle - wow, I'm using a lot of Nuxe products here aren't I! That is totally not intentional, I'm just really loving their stuff at the moment! I placed an online order with Nuxe recently and was quite intrigued by this candle and added it to my cart. It's amazing! It smells exactly like the Prodigieuse oil! The scent fills the entire room, and smells rather spa-like. It really relaxes me. I wish they sold these in bigger sizes!

La Roche Posay Nutric Intense Riche - I have been suffering badly with dry skin over the Winter, and this product has been a real saviour. It is so thick and nourishing, I just love applying a generous layer of this when I'm giving my face a break from make up.

La Roche Posay Eau Thermal - This little can came with a La Roche Posay gift set I got at Christmas, and I honestly didn't think I would have much use for it. It's just a can of water after all? But there is something incredibly pleasant about spritzing your face with a bit of this. I don't quite know the other benefits of using this water other than it feels nice and refreshing! But I have enjoyed using it.

Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Gel - Again I bought this on a complete whim. I bought this when I stayed at the Galgorm Resort and Spa, it was recommended to me when I had a back massage (apparently I am full of knots!). But I guess due to the fact that I work at a desk and have somewhat bad posture, I do sometimes end up with a sore back or shoulders. I just rub a little of this gel in to any sore spots and it is amazing. It feels a little cooling and really loosens up any tense muscles. Plus it smells amazing and will forever remind me of being at Galgorm!


Have you tried any of these products? What do you like to use on lazy/sick days?

Empty Products #2

I feel like it takes me forever to completely finish a product! But I seem to have amassed quite the collection of empties in the last couple of weeks. I will show you what I have used up!

1. Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub & Body Buttercream - I absolutely loved these! The scrub was really great to use (and effective too) and the body buttercream was so light and creamy. Plus, these smell absolutely amazing! After using the body scrub in the shower, the entire bathroom smelled incredible. I have said it before but the scent is not unlike Yankee Candle Vanilla Lime if you are familiar with that! Would definitely repurchase these, but I might try something different next time. Will definitely come back to Sugar Crush though!

2. Clarins Instant Eye Make Up Remover - I am a little obsessed with this stuff and have gone through countless bottles now at this stage! I can't remove my eye make up properly without it and it is definitely a holy grail product for me. I will have to manage with a micellar water until whatever stage I get to a Clarins counter to repurchase!

3. YSL Touche Eclat - I used to really love this, and this is the second one which I have finished. However I think the bags under my eyes need something a little "stronger" to counteract them. The Touche Eclat is fabulous but I just feel like it hasn't been working for me the last while. A change is as good as a rest, so I have ordered the new Urban Decay Naked concealer for under my eyes to see what it is like!

4. The Body Shop Raspberry Scrub - This is the body scrub that looks like jam! I really enjoyed using this too, though it kinda took a back seat when I got the Soap and Glory scrub. It is almost like a very thick gel but the seeds in it are really good for getting a good scrub! I am quite keen to try more stuff from The Body Shop, I think I would like the honey one next time.

5. L'Oreal Wild Stylers Next Day Hair - This is the only texturising spray I have ever used, but I loved it! I would curl my hair and give it a good spray with this Next Day Hair. My hair can be quite "slippery" so this worked really well for me. I bought this last summer and it has only run out now! Which just shows how often I actually style my hair!

6. Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Moisturising Stick - I have been using this religiously every day! It is such a lovely lip balm, I loved the texture of it and of course the scent. I have a habit of liberally re-applying lip balms even when I don't need to, so this one I used up fairly quickly. I'd like to try the other Nuxe lip balm in the little pot next time!

7.  The Body Shop Honeymania Lip Balm - This is the lip balm that I keep at my desk at work. Honeymania is such a nice flavour! I really enjoyed using this and will kind of miss it now that it has run out :( though like I say, I will be trying the Nuxe lip balm next time!


What products have you used up lately?

Great Lengths Large Paddle Brush - the hairbrush that changed my life!

OK perhaps a slight exaggeration in the title there! But I have got to say, that this is the best hairbrush I have ever used in my life. Now, I do not have Great Lengths hair extensions myself, however I first spotted this hairbrush in my hairdressers and I could not believe how it literally glided through my wet hair. That had to be a miracle! I went straight home and ordered myself one right away, such was my awe at what this hairbrush could do to my hair. I ordered it from ebay here incase you are interested.

It arrived very quickly and in a fancy little pouch. It's the most expensive hairbrush I have ever bought but it is certainly very well made and of excellent quality. It's good and sturdy and feels quite heavy. The bristles remind me of the old fashioned hairbrushes from Victorian times!

I have really knotty hair, it is terrible! I have dabbled in quite a few hairbrushes targeted at this, namely the Tangle Teezer and the Wet Brush. While I liked both brushes at the time, I came to realise that I was losing far too much hair with every brush. And I also needed a detangling spray before even attempting to put a brush near my hair (the Mane n' Tail Detangler is my favourite). The Great Lengths brush requires no effort from me at all. I can glide it through the lengths of my hair with ease. This has never happened me before! And after I have finished brushing my hair, there is hardly any hair in the bristles, compared to the ball of hair I had to pull out of my Wet brush and Tangle Teezer after each brush!

So I just thought I would share my amazing new discovery! If you have tangly hair like me, it may be worthwhile looking into this brush. Yes it is very expensive, but I do not regret my purchase for a second, and cannot go back to using any other hairbrush now!

Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfectors *new* Spring 2015 Garden Escape Collection

Here we go, another Clarins lip product review! I was kindly sent three of the new Instant Light Lip Balm Perfectors to try out, and I have really been enjoying them! (as with all Clarins lip products!)

Left to right, they are "My Pink", "Orange" and "Rosewood". They are all extremely wearable colours though they are pretty sheer. I love the packaging, they look so slim and elegant! They smell incredible too.

The top swatch is "My Pink" which looks like a barely there colour. However when applied, it works with the natural PH in your lips and adapt to a unique shade. How amazing is that!

"Orange" is an absolutely gorgeous shade, I am quite partial to an orange lip and can't wait to rock this one when Spring arrives!

The one which surprised me the most however, was Rosewood! I initially thought this shade would be too dark as it looks a little brown in the tube and when swatched. But when applied it is the most gorgeous and wearable nude lip product I've ever tried! 

These are an absolute delight to wear, they give a subtle hint of colour with a glossy sheen. As I have found with all the Clarins Instant Light lip products, they don't really last that long on me, leading me to re-apply them quite regularly. They do wear off in a natural even fashion though. The formula is so soft and light, and actually I like them a lot more than the original Instant Light Lip Perfectors. The lip balms aren't as sticky and are a lot easier to apply in the twist up tube.

Wearing "My Pink"

Another success for me! I am a huge fan of any Clarins lip product and the Lip Balm Perfectors are no exception. They are just perfect if you want a very subtle hint of colour and gloss on your lips while at the same time they feel very comforting. They are great if you want a low maintenance lip, and who doesn't love that!

Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfectors are available now and cost £18.00.

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