A MAC Lipstick Haul | Pinks

When times get tough and I need to de-stress my favourite job is tidying my makeup draw, crazy perhaps but it is so therapeutic! During a cleanse last week I found that I had quite a supply of pink MAC lipsticks ranging in colours and tones, so I am going to do a little swatch and review of each in a pink series! 

The lipsticks in my MAC Pink Series are (from left to right):

1. Candy Yum-Yum

2. Please Me

3. Pink Nouveau

4. Giddy

5. Raspberry Swirl

6. Viva Glam Lusture

So keep your eyes open for my MAC Pink Series, which will include swatches of me wearing each shade so you can see what it looks like on a pale skin tone. 

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser Review

Oh Aurelia Probiotic Skincare you have done it again with the Miracle Cleanser! This super cute pot of creamy goodness is a bit of a game changer, may I introduce the Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser! 

What they say

Combining probiotics and peptide technologies with BioOrganic plant and flower essences to hydrate and sooth dull and dehydrated skin to promote a luminous, dewy, radiant glow. 

Fragranced with a blend of Eucalyptus, Chamomile, Rosemary and Bergamot this creamy cleanser buffs away dead skin cells and makeup whilst stimulating the skin. Increasing cell turnover, resulting in brighter complexion with fresher, younger skin cells ready for hydration on the surface. 

What I say

Now it's not just the smell that is dreamy but the Aurelia Probiotic Miracle Cleaner's buttery soft cream melts into the skin. The bamboo muslin cloth that comes with the cleanser buffs away any dead skin cells leaving my skin feeling fresh and smooth. Unlike a lot of cloth cleansers my skin didn't feel tight after washing and it even removed the waterproof mascara that often leaves panda rings under my eyes! 

To top it off I like to use the Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Cell Repair Night Oil (review here) to lock in any moisture. 

Aurelia Probiotic Miracle Cleanser*

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Cell Repair Night Oil Review

How pretty is this bottle?! It is just so cute and it looks amazing on my bedroom shelf! I did a brand background on Aurelia Probiotic Skincare (here) a couple of days ago and thought I would do a little review of each product for you as they are slightly on the premium price bracket but the quality speaks for itself. 

The Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Cell Repair Night Oil is 100% BioOrganic, so only kind ingredients which are ethically sourced will be touching your skin as you sleep. The small chemist style brown bottle comes with a delicate glass pipet to extract the exact amount your skin needs. 

What they say

An intensive overnight booting treatment which works in tandem with the skin's nightly repair mode. Kalahari oil provides abundant essential fatty acids, Mongongo oil reconstructs and regenerates the epidermis, Kigelia firms and tones, Baobab delivers precious Omega 3, 6 and 9. Hibiscus contains antioxidant properties fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. 

What I say

Sounds fancy ey? I was sold on the on the Baboba oil...... When this little beauty landed on my desk the first thing that hit me was how nice the packaging was. No detail was overlooked from the cute little pipet to the fine while lines that ran through the pale pink label and the gold letters that hugged the elegant curve. 

I have quite oily skin and I have always worried about using oil, it seems to go against everything my brain is saying- how can oil fight oil? After cleansing I apply a few drops into the palm of my hand and warm the oil in-between my finger tips before gently rubbing it onto my face. 

This has become a bit of a night time ritual, mainly because of the incredible smell. I often has problems drifting off into the land of nod and perhaps it is a coincidence but I find the scent incredibly relaxing. A mixture of lavender and other essential oils reminds me of having a massage. 

Within a few days of applying the Aurelia Probiotic Cell Repair Night Oil seemed to be having the desired effect. I certainly felt like my skin was softer and the tiny lines under my eyes appeared to have been plumped so they were less visible. 

The price of this little bottle of miracle oil is slightly on the pricey side, but I have to admit that if my skin continues to look this good from a few drops of oil then my heart and my skin are 100% invested. From the packaging to the oil to the results, what's not to love about Aurelia Probiotic Skincare!

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Cell Repair Night Oil*

Have you tried any of the products? What do you think of oils?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Brand Focus | Aurelia Probiotic Skincare

Skincare is something I have always struggled with; I often swap from one product to another in the endless hunt to banish my acne scars or reduce my rapidly appearing fine lines. As a beauty PR this is a bit of a sin, I have access to so many different brands and yet I just don't use them. As for premium skincare, I would rather pay £50 for a new dress and a night out than a cream I may not see any difference in.

I recently attended a CEW mentoring talk held by Claire Vero, founder of Aurelia Probiotic Skincare and fell in love with her story and the beauty of her products. So much detail has gone in to every aspect of the product, from the ethically sourced ingredients to the high quality Italian card used for the packaging - it is a product of my dreams. You can see this is Claire's baby; the joy it has brought her over the two years since it has launched and the many awards it has already won are a credit to her and her determination. 

I will be the first to admit I have no idea what probiotics are, in-fact I thought it was the bacteria you got in some type of yoghurts. Aurelia Probiotic Skincare's ingredients work to manage the levels of inflammation which is the main cause of skin ageing. It also prevents DNA damage and boosts hyaluronic acid and collagen levels. 

I was kindly sent a couple of products to try and not only to I love the smells of each but the packaging is so beautiful that it looks amazing on my bedside table. I am going to be reviewing each of the products separately but get excited as these two beauties have given my skincare routine a kick up the bum! 

You can read all about the Aurelia Probiotic Skincare range here.

Stay beautiful

xoxo

A Red Lip for Pale Skin | LOLA Lipstick in Chilli Red

I have always been nervous about wearing a red lip. I have fairly pale skin and different tones of red can leave me looking washed out. I was recently sent a LOLA Lipstick in Chilli Red to try after seeing one of their fabulous PR girls wearing it and totally falling in love! It thought I should be brave and grab the red lips but the smacker and give it a try. 

What they say

Enriched with antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, with Hyaluronic Acid to moisturise, plump and condition the lips. 

What I say

LOLA Lipstick in Chilli Red packaging is sleek, matte black which is small and compact enough to fit perfectly in a clutch bag. When I opened the lid I have to admit I was terrified of the colour, it smacks you in the face with a perfect red punch. But as soon as I started to apply it the buttery soft texture melted into my lips and I fell in love.

The red lipstick is moisturising and after blotting some of the colour off the stain is so pretty and lasts through a night of cocktails with only minor touch ups. 

I can't wait to try some more products from the range! You can pick up some products in your local M&S beauty hall. 

LOLA Lipstick in Chilli Red*

What are your favourite red lipstick's ?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Soap & Glory Archery 2in1 Brow Filling Pencil & Brush Review

I have been using the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz (review here) for a couple of months and after it coming to the end of its life I just couldn't bring myself to pay another £15.00 for a brow product! So I went in search of a dupe. 

I stumbled on the Soap & Glory Archery 2in1 Brow Filling Pencil & Brush , £8.00, when I was buying a gift for my sister. After forgetting to give it to her I decided my need was greater and gave it ago on my sparse hairs! The Soap & Glory Archery 2in1 Brow Filling Pencil & Brush comes in two shades Blondeshell and Hot Chocolate. I have Hot Chocolate and it suits mid tone brown hair. 

What they say

Super skinny, retractable brow filling pencil and brush. Giving you maximum control for a thicker, fuller and more natural finish.

What I say

The first thing I noticed about the pencil was the formula. It isn't as good as the Anastasia Brow Wiz, it drags across the skin slightly and so the colour pay off can be a little patchy. Having said that I was able to quickly fix it by blending it into the hair using the little spoolie brush. I love that you don't need to sharpen it and that the little brush comes attached, saves carrying a separate tool.

The effect is very natural and you can easily spend time drawing on little hairs if you want to make it look even more brow like. I often don't have time, but even for a quick morning brow the Soap & Glory Archery Brow Filling Pencil does a pretty good job. I even prefer it to a lot of powder products I love!

It would be great if there were a few more colours to pick from, luckily this shade is perfect for me but wouldn't suit everyone! This product is perfect if you don't fancy splashing out £15 on the Brow Wiz!

Soap & Glory Archery 2in1 Brow Filling Pencil & Brush 

Which product do you prefer?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Easy Contouring | Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour Review

I am always looking for the new cheat for chiselled cheek bones. I suffer from baby face, a condition passed on from my mother where the face is cherub and round, no matter what diets you go on (*this is not a real condition). It also means that no matter how old I get I still get asked for proof of age when I am buying a lottery ticket or a packet of paracetamol. 

I love contouring! I have different powders and creams at various price points, all promising me cheeks like Angelina Jolie. I used to work at the Clinique head office and I really love their stuff so when I heard they had launched two new contouring products I was quick to snatch one up. The new Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour comes in one shade but there is also a highlighter to match. 

What they say

Glide onto bare skin or foundation to hollow out cheek bones or define the jawline. The swivel design means there is no need for a sharpener.

What I say

I applied my base as normal using my favourite Joan Collins Timeless Beauty First Base Foundation (review here) and used the Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour over the top. The texture is really creamy and it is very matt, so there is no simmer that you get in a lot of bronzing products - perfect for this. I ran it along the hollow of my cheek bones and put a few dots on my temple. 

When I first applied the Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour I was a bit scared of the colour. I am pretty pale and this is quite bronze so I thought it would really stand out. But after using my foundation brush to blend the product in I was really impressed with the result! The effect is subtle but noticeable, if that makes sense? Also... hello cheek bones! Where have you been hiding?

Perhaps this isn't a product I would use every day. It is quite a lot of effort to go to for my office job of sitting at a desk all day. But I love this for a night out or a special occasion, basically any time I may run into my future husband. 

Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour

Have you used any contouring sticks? Any drugstore recommendations?

Stay beautiful
xoxo

The Best Benefit Mascara | Roller Lash Review

Its not often a product comes along and seriously knocks my socks off and I am not one to listen to bloggers banging on about 'cult' products. Yes I have a few products that have cut the mustered, see the Clinique CC Cream or the Boujour Rouge Edition Velvet liquid lipsticks. But then I tested the new Benefit Roller Lash and I am not going to lie this product is the shitaque mushroom of the mascara world! 

Having had my eyebrows waxed at the brow bar the makeup artist lured me over to the testing area to look at their new mascara. I am always on edge around these women, I don't like to feel conned or pressured into buying something. But she was very helpful and explained all about the brush having little hooks that grab and pull on the lash to create a curl. She dutifully had one eye sporting the mascara and the other was bare, but until she pointed this out I had thought she just had one eye bigger than the other; amazing what a bit of mascara can do.  

What they say

The Benefit Roller Lash is a roller for lashes. The eye-opening 'Hook 'n' Roll' brush grabs, separates, lifts and curls for a hold that lasts 12 hours. It contains Provitamins B5 and Serin to condition the lashes with a satin finish. 

What I say

So lets talk about the Benefit Roller Lash packaging... I really don't like it, but that is not to say you wont love it. I can't quite work out why, but it may have something to do with the pink lid.

But packaging aside it is what's inside that counts and I blooming love this stuff. The Benefit Roller Lash formulation is creamy, jet black and really build-able. I put about three coats on before it started to look a little clumpy. The Benefit Roller Lash brush is patent-pending and I can see why, actually grabs all the little hairs and gently pulls them up and outwards; you can feel it working! The brush head is curved and unlike other curling mascara's you use the highest point of the curve to push upwards, if that makes sense? There are also little teeth at the bottom to delicately coat the bottom lashes. 

The price isn't cheap at about £19.50 a pop, another thing I resent a bit. But after I brought it I found that you can get it on QVC a little cheaper for £16.00, so worth a look. When I think about it and consider that I use mascara every day and would pay that price for a top I wear once a month it equals out! Plus at the end of the day the pictures pretty much speak for themselves, don't you think?

Benefit Roller Lash

What do you think?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Best Drugstore Brow Product | Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Mascara

I do love a good eye brow product! They do so much to frame the face and thanks to Cara we are all taking more care of them . Eye brow gel was something I dabbled in during the 90's as an awkward teenager with not a lot going on in the face department. I brought my first make up in Tammy Girl, cheap, nasty and with a plastic smell that I can still imagine. One such product was a clear eye brow gel that looked a lot like a lip gloss and left my eye brows looking wet and gloopy. 

It is only in the last few months that I have dipped my toe back into the murkey waters of brow gels. For my first adventure I didn't want to spend a huge amount and while feeling spendy in my local boots I picked up a rather weird looking product from Maybelline. The Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Mascara comes in 4 colours from Deep Blonde to Dark Brown and a transparent for those of you blessed with dark brows. I picked up a Medium Brown and gave it a try. 

What they say

Our ultimate fashion finish for brows. Detailing ball brush and no clump, no streak formula.

What I say

Well the Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Mascara brush is weird but I have to say it works. There is a little ball of bristles on the tip wand but I am not sure why they have the bristles going half way down the stem, I think the ball is enough. It is easy to use and brush just the right amount of product through the hairs; it even picks up the small ones. I would suggest wiping the excess off the brush before you apply it because that can cause clumps and blobs to end up on your face and not your brows. 

The formula is fairly thick, exactly like a mascara texture but it doesn't make your brows overly layered. I think it looks like hair, only better. The colour was exactly the right shade for me, although it would be good if they had a few more for the people in between. This slightly thicker formula means that it holds the hairs in place and actually lasts all day, great for windy weather or light rain. 

Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Mascara

Do you have any brow gel recommendations? 

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Best Drugstore Lip Product | Boujour Rouge Edition Velvet Review in Peach Club

Sometimes we fancy a change. Perhaps we are done with the drying, cakey lipstick era or past the sickly sweet lipgloss' brands are pedalling to the adult market. Perhaps it is time to combine the two into the ultimate weapon in our beauty armoury. That's right, this year is the rise of the liquid lipstick a product that promises to deliver the pigment of a lipstick with a texture of a gloss, that sets matte! Oh you had me a the alteration, say no more! 

One such product is the Boujour Rouge Edition Velvet liquid lipsticks which are being hailed as a dupe for the pricey YSL Kiss & Blush Lip & Cheek Stain's. When it comes to splashing my cash I like to feel I am getting some bang for my buck; the product should reflect the price. So when I saw that the Boujour Rouge Edition Velvet's were £8.99 against the YSL £27 I snapped up a few shades in my local Boots drugstore, this one is Peach Club.

What they say

The Boujour Rouge Edition Velvet's soft, melting texture glides on to the lips and turns into a matt, velvety and incredibly light colour. Lips are left smooth and soft as velvet.

Enriched with evanescent oils, it’s incredibly sensuous formula provides a soft, second-skin feel, without drying or fading lips.

What I say

First off, I haven't loved a product as much as this since my love affair with the Clinique CC Cream. The Boujour Rouge Edition Velvet's little tubes of liquid colour are the best things since banana and peanut butter. The texture is liquid and when applied feels very soft and as the name states, like velvet. A little colour goes a long way and the colour pay off is amazing. Once you apply the liquid it sets matte and there is not stickiness like most lip glosses. I love a matte lipstick and once it was on there was no transfer after eating and drinking.

If you are looking for something new to add some sun to your winter blues' then I highly recommend you pick one of these up. There are 8 shades in the collection and I am dashing out to buy them all! They are often on a Boots 3 for 2 or buy one get one half price deal as well!

Boujour Rouge Edition Velvet, £8.99

Have you tried a liquid lipstick? What other brands should I try?

Stay beautiful

xoxo