Boujois Souffle de Velvet in Plum Plum Pidou

I love the original Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet. The finish is brilliant, a velvet matte that lasts well throughout the day. The pigmentation and the colour selection is great too.  Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet performs like a much higher end lip product so I’m always excited to try out a new release from the range.

Hotter Shoes

Last week I was invited along to the Hotter shoe store in Buchanan Galleries, Glasgow for a blogger event. What’s the first thing you think of with Hotter? I bet it’s along the lines of shoes for old people. This seems to be most peoples reaction- mine included. But! I had a look at the spring/summer catalogue and I was really quite pleasantly surprised. So I was more than happy to attend the event to learn more about this British brand.

Hotter are trying to change their perception on the high street. There’s certainly shoes in Hotter than can be described as for ‘old people’ but there’s a good mix of styles for everyone. I think it’s quite similar to Clark’s or Marks and Spencer in that regard. Not only is there a good mix of styles, the quality of the footwear is absolutely brilliant. You’ll be wearing these shoes for a very longtime. This ties in nicely to my recent interest in ‘slow-fashion’. That’s not to say I don’t like the rush of a frivolous purchase in the likes of Primark. But increasingly I’m looking for well-made items that will give me longevity.

There’s quite a few things I like about Hotter. The service was brilliant for a start. I know I was there for a particular event and they will try to make a good impression but I also watched how they served other customers and I’ve had feedback from others that their customer service is great. It’s the kind of old-fashioned customer service you used to get. Very friendly and helpful, and the kind that makes you want to return to a shop. 

Also, Hotter also have something called dual fit . Dual fit allows for the top insole to be removed. This is particularly useful if you have trouble finding shoes that fit or, like me, you have problems with your feet. I have arthritis in my left foot and my right occasionally swells because of leg problems, so shoes can be tricky and uncomfortable. It’s such a simple but brilliant idea, more people should do this.

Hopefully, you can see from my photos there’s a good selection to be found in Hotter. There’s also plimsole type shoes (which I think I’m going to go back and purchase, they’re so light!) and trainers. There’s also men’s shoes available and a nice selection of handbags and other accessories. I was very impressed!

I tried on a selection of shoes and I found it really difficult to chose between these ones and the ones I eventually picked. The ones I went away with are called Christie* and I absolutely love them. The suede-like material is so soft and cut so nicely, and despite their heel height they’re really comfy. They’re also available in silver and red but they’re pretty much sold out on line so if you fancy having a look you’ll need to pop into your local store. 

I think Hotter deserve to get a wider clientele. The British-made shoes come in a variety of styles, are really comfortable and are incredibly well-made. They’re well and truly on my horizon now.

Is Hotter a place you shop in (or would?)

*I was given the pair of shoes free of charge, all thoughts very much my own.

Sönd Skin: Anti-Ageing System for Sensitive Skin

Sönd is a new anti-ageing skin care brand for people with sensitive skin. The magic ingredient in Sönd products is the mineral silica. Silica is known to help collagen production and it also has anti-inflammatory qualities. I’m not entirely sure if silica works topically but I do really like the products I was sent to try. 

I’ve been using Sönd Starter Kit* for 2 weeks now and I have to say I’m very impressed. In the kit you get a hydrating face spray, revitalising face serum, replenishing face oil, and energising supplements. I think the inclusion of supplements is a nice touch as it recognises the importance of what we put into our bodies as well as what we apply topically. 

The starter kit is a decent size and you should get an idea if these products are for you. I’ll start with the hydrating face spray. This feels very hydrating and comforting on the skin and preps the skin nicely for the other products. It also gives a nice boost of hydration throughout the day. My only concern with this is that is contains paraffinum liquidum and many people with sensitive skin react to this. I haven’t had any adverse reaction with it though. A really nice first step in the routine.

Next is my favourite product in the starter kit; the revitalising face serum. This is a wonderful serum and I’d definitely purchase the full size. My skin absolutely loves this product. The light serum applies easily and sinks in completely leaving no horrible sticky residue. My skin feels plumped and smoothed thanks to the mix of silica and sodium hyaluronate. One of the problems with sensitive skin is that anti-ageing products can be too harsh but I’ve found the revitalising face serum to be really gentle and soothing while still doing a fantastic job of hydrating and plumping the skin. Love it.

Facial oils are still as popular as ever and I’ve really enjoyed using Sönd revitalising facial oil. The facial oil contains silica and coconut oil to hydrate and brighten skin. I find it has a slightly minty scent to it, nothing overpowering though. The oil sinks in nicely and doesn’t leave a greasy residue.My skin feels immediately hydrated and brighter. Like the other Sönd products the facial oil has minimal ingredients and is paraben free. Dehydrated, sensitive skin will particularly like this.

Finally, is the energising mineral supplements. Silica is known to have numerous benefits when ingested. It helps boost collagen production therefore helping to improve the look of skin, hair and nails. Silica also helps the body absorb calcium which helps maintain a healthy bones. The inclusion of supplements is important as it highlights what we put in our bodies has an effect on how we outwardly look.

I love that there’s only a few ingredients in the Sönd products, this is a definite bonus for people with sensitive skin. The inclusion of silica seems to help calm the skin as well as helping the skin to retain moisture. Despite me only using these products for just over 2 weeks my skin is already seen an improvement. It’s definitely smoother, softer and slightly plumper. If  “anti-ageing” products are too abrasive for your skin I think Sönd is definitely worth a look. You can currently pick the stater kit up here for £15 with the code welcome10. 

Have you tried Sönd?

*PR Sample

Brand Focus: Seventeen Cosmetics

I love finding a good budget foundation and when I read Alice’s review of Seventeen Stay Time Foundation I thought I’d give it a go. I had already picked up Tattoo Me Eyeliner so I figured I’d go all out and do a mini haul/review post of Seventeen as a brand. There’s lots to pick from but I decided on a couple of lipsticks and a lip and cheek tint too. I think the whole lot came to around £15 with buy 1 get 1 half price in Boots. I’m so impressed with what I’ve picked up I’m definitely going to go back and try out some more.

I’ll start with the Stay Pout lipsticks. Seventeen have a good selection of lip products: glosses, stains, crayons, and a range of different finishes on their lipsticks. I generally opt for long-wearing formulas so Stay Pout was the obvious choice for me. Stay Pout lipsticks offer long lasting coverage that’s also creamy and moisturising thanks to the shea butter. I picked Date Night, a true red that neither leans too warm or cool on my pale skin. One layer gives complete coverage. It feels really comfortable on the lips and not drying at all. I also picked Rule Breaker, this is a raspberry shade with cool undertones. Again this gives excellent coverage with just one application, feels comfortable and nourishing on the lips. 

Both Date Night (right) and Rule Breaker (left) are long-wearing and fade to a really nice tint after several hours wear. I’m so impressed with these lipsticks. Really great quality for the price (£4.49 currently and buy one get one half price).I also really like the shape of the bullet, it allows for quite a precise application without having to resort to a lip brush. I’ll definitely be picking up some more colours.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from a foundation I bought for under £7, my hopes weren’t too high despite reading good things about Seventeen Stay Time Foundation. The main reason is that it can sometimes be difficult to get a “drugstore” foundation to match my very pale skin BUT I am so impressed with this foundation. I bought the lightest shade Porcelain which is a really good match for my pale complexion with pink undertones. If I have a gripe with Seventeen Stay Time Foundation it’s that the colours are very limited, if you have a darker complexion you won’t be able to find a match which is a real shame. 

Seventeen Stay Time Foundation offers long-lasting, full coverage. 25 Hours wear to be precise. I generally don’t wear my foundation for as long as that but it does last really well throughout the day. I’d say it’s on par with Estee Lauder Double Wear for longevity. Seventeen Stay Time Foundation is a thick foundation so I’d start slowly with this, building coverage up. It does tend to cling to dry patches but a bit of blending sorts this out easily. It gives a matte finish but I’d say it’s actually less matte than Estee Lauder Double Wear and of course you can sheer it out or add a bit of liquid highlighter to give it more of a glow if you prefer. If you like long-wearing, full coverage foundations I’d highly recommend giving this a go, I am so impressed with this I’ve been opting to wear it instead of my beloved Estee Double Wear. 

I’m a sucker for a lip and cheek tint so I was really interested in seeing how Seventeen Cheek & Lip Stain Gel Tint in Perky Pink fared. One of the main problems with many lip and cheek stains is that it stains pretty much everything else it comes into contact with so the little sponge applicator on Seventeen Cheek & Lip Stain is a stroke of genius. The sponge also helps distribute the gel stain nicely so you don’t end up with an Aunt Sally look. Despite how strong the colour looks it goes on much more subtler. The semi-sheer gel is easily buildable and blends out really nicely. Perky Pink gives a lovely rosy glow on the cheeks that lasts almost the whole day for me. On the lips it feels quite drying but I find this to be the case with most of these types of lip and cheek tints. Again I’m really impressed with this. There’s another colour available too, a coral shade that’d be perfect for summer months.

And finally is Seventeen Tattoo Me in Raven Black. Seventeen Tattoo Me is a semi-permanent eyeliner that provides up to 48 hours wear. I have quite oily eyelids so finding an eyeliner that stays on all day and also remains black can be difficult. I usually use an eyeliner pen so I have found the little brush a bit tricky but I’ve got the hang of it now. It applies easily and is a deep black. You can apply this as a thin line or build it up for a thick cat’s eye. It really does last all day. To remove, an oil based cleanser is recommended or you’ll be scrubbing at your eyelids. I’d say this is a pretty good dupe for MAC’s much more expensive version. If you’re looking for a long-wearing eyeliner I’d definitely think about giving this a go.

Overall I’m really impressed with the quality of Seventeen makeup I’ve tried. Everything I’ve bought I’d definitely repurchase but without a doubt I’ll be buying the foundation and eyeliner again. Both are excellent quality and are just as good, if not better, than their higher-end counter parts.

Are you a fan of Seventeen makeup?

(Contains Affiliated Links)

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color in Passion

I love a matte lipstick and I also love a liquid lipstick so I was very much excited to try the reasonably new Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor. Liquid lipsticks are having a bit of a moment and it’s easy to see why. They offer a nice alternative to bullet lip products, they’re generally easy to apply straight from the tube and are mostly long-wearing which is a bit of a bonus if you’re low maintenance with your makeup. I’m a big fan. I have lots of liquid lipsticks and Revlon’s are a nice addition to my collection.

I picked up the colour Passion, which is a berry-red with cool undertones. The colour is really flattering on my pale skin (I think anyway!) and would suit most people, it’s a very wearable red. But if this colour doesn’t take your fancy there’s also another 6 to choose from.

The doe-foot applicator is easy to use and allows for quite a precise finish. Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in Passion is opaque with one coat and two coats darken it nicely. I find this to be a velvet finish rather than a matte but it’s definitely not glossy. It glides easily on to the lips to give a nice even coverage without patchiness nor does it sink into any lines. There is slight bleeding so if you like your lipstick to be precise I’d recommend a lipliner but it doesn’t bleed that much.

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in Passion wears well throughout the day but it didn’t survive a main meal. It does fade a bit but topping up with a new coat makes it look good as new, there’s no horrible pealing or patchiness that can sometimes happen with liquid lipsticks.

The packaging is lovely and sleek. You can see exactly what the lip colour is through the slightly frosted tube which is nice and handy. The packaging bears a lot of similarities with the much more expensive Hourglass liquid lipsticks. I haven’t tried the Hourglass products so I don’t know how they compare. But I do think there’s similarities with quite a few other products I’ve tried. Bourjois Rouge Velvets and NYX Soft Matte lip creams are very similar. The main difference between these products and the Revlon is that, for me, both Bourjois and NYX both dry down a bit more than Revlon. Saying that though it might be because I tend to wear a couple of coats of Revlon because I like the colour a bit darker so that might be preventing it drying down properly. 

The one product I think Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in Passion is really like though is Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro. Both products have an unusual texture, Armani’s is because of oil in the formula whereas Revlon’s doesn’t have any wax, it’s a largely gel-based product. Both products give a velvety finish that remain slightly moist on the lips and this unfortunately this means there’s a bit of transfer. I love Armani’s Lip Maestro but it is a bit pricey and I think Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor (at least the one I’ve tried) offers an affordable alternative to what I think it a rather brilliant liquid lipstick. I’ll definitely be buying more colours.

Have you tried Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor?

The Body Shop Oils of Life Sleeping Cream

I am such a huge fan of The Body Shop’s Oils of Life and the newest cream to the range Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Sleeping Cream* certainly is a very welcome addition. I previously reviewed the Oils of Life range here  but here’s a quick recap. The Oils of Life range uses 3 different precious seed oils: black cumin, camellia, and rosehip oil. All of which are known to intensely moisturise and protect the skin. The Oils of Life range will help restore vitality and suits most skin types and age ranges. The Oils of Life range is one of my favourite skin care ranges. Intensely moisturising and really kind to sensitive skin. I’ve just had a thought, The Body Shop should definitely add a cleansing oil to this range, that’d be perfect, thanks.

Unsurprisingly Oils of Life Sleeping Cream is used at night (!) and it is a very luxurious feeling treat for the end of the day. The Body Shop say the sleeping cream will help revitalise the skin, make it more supple, nourish it, make it appear visibly rested and also reduce the signs of ageing. And I have to say it’s doing a pretty good job at that so far. Oils of Life Sleeping Cream feels incredibly nourishing on the skin. The thick oil-in-cream sinks in relatively quickly and delivers an amazing amount of hydration. It really is a lovely cream to put on before going to sleep. In fact, it’s probably one of the nicest and best night creams I’ve used. One of the things I love most about the sleeping cream is that it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy on the skin like a lot of night creams can. It sinks in fully leaving the skin soft and comfortable, like a cosy pair of jammies ahhh.

The beautiful coloured glass packaging stores 80ml of product. A little goes a long way but if you feel you want to put extra on it still sinks in easily. I use Oils of Life Sleeping Cream as a very last step but if you want to add another oil, for example (I’ve been using an oil from Sond and the oil from Oils of Life occasionally), on top of this I’ve had no problems adding extra products. My skin doesn’t feel overloaded nor greasy. Or alternatively, I've also used serum and oil under the sleeping cream with absolutely no problems either. Given that the Oils of Life Sleeping Cream is a night cream it's surprisingly light yet still very hydrating. 

Oils of Life Sleeping Cream smells like the rest of the Oils of Life range. It has a warming, spa like scent that I adore but if you’re a bit wary of scents I’d definitely have a test in store. I should add that the fragrance doesn’t cause me any irritation and I do have skin sensitive to fragranced products. None of the Oils of Life range irritate my skin in fact and that includes the sleeping cream. I just find them to be really nourishing and comforting on my combination/sensitive skin.

I think The Body Shop Sleeping Cream would suit most skins, even oily, in fact it might help balance out oily skins. Dehydrated and sensitive skins would particularly benefit from this cream, but I genuinely think it would work universally. I’m so impressed with The Body Shop products lately, the packaging is just brilliant but more importantly the products actually seem to work. I’m really excited to try out their new Drops of Light range. 

Have you tried their Oils of Life range yet?

*PR Sample

(Contains Affiliated Links)

My Favourite Products from Lancome

Lancôme is one of the most consistently reliable makeup brands. They always bring out high-performing and quite beautiful products. Their brand, for me, just oozes class but they also have a fun twist to their products too, you can see this in their latest release Juicy Shakers (I’ve yet to try these). 

I’ve tried quite a few of their products and don’t recall being let down by any of them. Of course a brand can’t be good in everything they produce but I think in the main Lancôme can be trusted to give brilliant end results.

Lancôme’s skincare is also pretty damn good, Hydra Zen is one of my favourite moisturisers. It’s rich yet sinks in beautifully and just leaves my skin soft and plump. It is expensive though so I only repurchase it when I can. Really, Lancôme is a treat. It’s more affordable than say Guerlain but it’s definitely still high end without a doubt.

My first product is Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24h Foundation. This is a medium-to full coverage foundation that comes in an excellent range of colours. I wear 007 which is very pale with pink undertones. It has a more dewy finish than Estee Lauder’s Double Wear foundation but it’s still pretty matte, definitely not flat though. It blends beautifully and lasts for ages (not as long as Estee Double Wear for me though). I think this is a good alternative to Estee Lauder's Double Wear, having said that I don’t think it’s as long-wearing on my combination skin but it is more forgiving than ELDW and perhaps a better choice for older skins or drier skins.

The only thing I’m not so keen on with Lancôme Teint Idole is that it has quite a strong fragrance that doesn’t dissipate quickly on the skin, it lingers around for quite a while. I’d definitely recommend testing this out at a counter if you’re not keen on scented products.

Next are two of my favourite ever lipsticks. I’ll start with Rouge in Love (159B). Rouge in Love is Lancôme’s no.1 bestselling lipstick and I’m certainly not surprised. It’s one of the most unique colours and finishes I own. The colour is particularly pretty, a bright watermelon pink that’s semi-opaque. It is the perfect summer colour. It’s also really hydrating. And you can see I’ve used this loads, I’ll have to invest in a new one soon. The rest of Rouge in Love is also worth checking out. 

Next to Rouge in Love is Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge in 160 which I hate to say was limited edition (I think anyway). This might be the most perfect colour for me and it's one of those special occasion lipsticks but I'm finding I'm wearing it more and more, I think I might cry when it runs out. The colour is a beautiful red with pink undertones, very Snow White. Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge lipsticks are amazing in general though, the colour selection is incredibly pretty and interesting. They’re highly pigmented and last for a good while on the lips. The packaging on both Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge and Rouge in Love is just stunning. If you’re looking to treat yourself I can highly recommend picking up a Lancôme lipstick.

Finally is Lancôme Hypnose Volume a Porter*. This has knocked off Estee Lauder’s Sumptuous Infinite mascara from the top mascara spot. Hypnose Volume a Porter is super black, coats individual eyelashes beautifully, doesn’t clump or smudge and the volume is buildable. I absolutely love this mascara, it’s by far the best mascara I’ve ever used. 

Are you a fan of Lancôme? Anything else I should definitely try from them?

*PR Sample

Tasting the New Menu at Prezzo

I was very kindly invited along to Prezzo St Vincent Place in Glasgow to help launch their new menu. Prezzo is an Italian chain restaurant serving the best seasonal and fresh ingredients. This was my first visit there and I’d definitely go back.

Prezzo St Vincent Place is housed in a beautiful period building in the centre of Glasgow. It’s handily near Queen Street station and in easy walking distance from Buchanan Galleries car park and St. Enoch Centre car park. There’s also on the street parking nearby. 

The interior is bright and airy. The furnishings are classy with a relaxed atmosphere. There’s a good range of seating available. My husband and I chose to sit in the booths which I found very comfortable. I find eating out to be a bit difficult because of my spinal injuries and chronic pain so seating’s really important. The restaurant’s disabled facilities seem to be good overall. There’s a chairlift to aid wheelchairs up to the higher sitting area and the place is roomy enough for a wheelchair to manoeuvre easily.

The service was really good. Our waitress was attentive without being overbearing. We never felt we were putting anyone out. Service isn’t rushed as everything is cooked fresh so if you’re looking for a fast-paced restaurant similar to say Wagamama’s this probably isn’t for you. But if you enjoy a relaxed, leisurely meal Prezzo would be a perfect choice.

There’s several new dishes added to Prezzo’s menu such as the Italian Hummus (pictured above). The tasty hummus is topped with a spicy roasted red pepper tapenade and served with grilled flatbread. A perfect dish for eating while trying to decide on the rest of the meal. The menu really is quite extensive and I’d imagine most people would be able to find several things they’d like. There's also a children's menu available.

After some deliberation we decided to share a starter, I did have to make sure there would be enough room left for a dessert after all, priorities. We went for the Crispy Crab and Citrus Salad. This is a bright mix of contrasting flavours. The sweet roquito chilli pearls and citrus dressing balances the savoury and rich crab. This is a deceptively filling starter and I loved the chili pearls, something I hadn’t tried before.

Next we chose from the main menu, both our meals are new additions for the spring/summer. My husband picked the Italian Burger which is actually two burgers – one is served with crispy prosciutto and smoked scamorza, while the other has mozzarella and pesto. Both burgers are served in buns with fennel, black onion and sesame seeds, with garlic mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and red onion. He liked both of them but he especially loved the one with prosciutto. The burgers also came with a side of fries, although there’s other options available. The fries were perfect. 

I picked the new vegetarian dish asparagus & mascarpone panciotti for my main meal. The pasta parcels were filled with cheese and served with olive oil, mint butter, peas, asparagus, spinach and lemon. This was a little bit of sunshine on a plate, a perfect spring/summer meal. All the ingredients were nicely balanced. I was worried the cheese might make it too rich for me but thankfully it wasn’t, which meant, as planned, I had some room for dessert.

We accidentally ordered an extra portion of fries. These ones were a little special, they’re infused with truffle oil and served with bella lodi cheese and parsely. Oh God they’re nice.

For dessert I had Salted Caramel Arctic Slice. I did want to try the newly added Panna Cotta but unfortunately it wasn’t being served that day. The salted caramel arctic slice is a modernised version of the 70s classic. The vanilla ice-cream is served with salted caramel and honeycomb sandwiched between two slices of light sponge. Despite it being a decent slab of dessert I didn’t find it too rich or sickly. This was a perfect end to a very nice lunch. Both my husband and I had a relaxing time there while eating good food. Something we rarely have time for now being parents of a toddler. I'd definitely recommend giving it a go.

Have you tried Prezzo?

*The meal was paid for but all thoughts are very much my own.

The Body Shop Vitamin C: Sunshine for your Face

Finally, we’re out the depth of winter. The last few months are particularly difficult I think. Christmas is over and the excitement of the New Year is long behind us. February is cold, miserable and mostly very very wet. The cold weather and central heating takes its toll on the skin and I’m definitely suffering pretty lacklustre complexion at the moment.

I was very kindly given a goodie bag at The Body Shop at Home Bloggers’ Event I attended the other week (read about it here, there’s gratuitous shots of cake). Before the event I was asked to fill in a skincare diagnostic which you can do here too. This nice little touch meant I got a goodie bag tailored precisely to my skin’s needs. I received an assortment of items such as the amazing Oils of Life range (I reviewed here) and Vitamin E range, both which I love. Also included was The Body Shop Instant Glow Enhancer*. 

One of my favourite Body Shop products is the Microdermabrasion from the Vitamin C range but I’ve never tried the Instant Glow Enhancer* . This little gem of a product is a mix of skincare and makeup. If you’re not a fan of fake tan like me but still want a bit of a glow the Instant Glow Enhancer will give a gentle peachy tint to the skin to help perk the complexion up. The Body Shop Instant Glow Enhancer  just delivers enough colour to give a healthy glow. I’ve been using this a lot in my morning routine now and I liked it so much I decided to add the Vitamin C Energizing Facial Mist to my routine too.

Facial mists are something I wasn’t too bothered about until recently. I bought Mario Badescu Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater Facial Spray (my review here) and fell in love. I’m not sure about any substantial longterm effects of facial sprays but they’re sensorially really lovely and give an instant boost of hydration. I especially like them if you’re feeling a bit tired or just fancy a bit of a nice pick-me-up. Also, I find a little spritz of facial spray enhances your makeup whether you’ve just put it on or needing a bit of a freshen up. So yeah I’m now a complete convert to them. Next on my list is Neal’s Yard White Tea Facia Mist, doesn't it sound lovely? 

Back to The Body Shop Vitamin C Energizing Facial Mist . Like all the Body Shop’s Vitamin C products it smells of oranges, not overwhelmingly so but if you don’t like oranges this isn’t the product for you. One spritz of this mist gives a good amount of product on your face. It dissipates pretty quickly and leaves your face feeling freshened up. The Body Shop Vitamin C Energizing Facial Mist is lovely to use at anytime: after makeup application, after cleansing, or as a little pick me up throughout the day. All my family loves this, including my husband. 

The Body Shop Vitamin C Energizing Facial Mist and the Instant Glow Enhancer are like little blasts of sunshine for the face. They’re both perfect for perking up tired, sallow skin and make me think of sunnier, warmer days. Lovely.

Have you tried anything from The Body Shop Vitamin C Range?

*I received The Body Shop Instant Glow Enhancer in a goodie bag at a bloggers’ event.

(Contains Affiliated Links)

Blushers to try for Spring

Spring has finally sprung! Well, it’s kind of popped its head quietly round the door said to say hello then disappeared again, but technically it is Spring now. With Spring comes bright, fresh colours to sweep away the dark murky days on winter. Subconsciously I tend to wear more berry colours on my cheeks that give a just bitten look, or a shade up from looking like death, you know however you want to spin it. So come Spring it’s nice to go brighter and fresher. I’ve been having a little rummage through my makeup drawer and found some shades that I think are perfect for Spring.

I have a mix of powder and cream blushers. Cream is perfect for giving a glowy finish and as I get older I’m definitely appreciating them more. I’ll start with one of my favourite cream blushes from MAC called Posey. Posey is a warm peach that gives a beautiful flush of colour on the cheeks. It’s one of the longest wearing cream blushes I’ve used, it lasts pretty much all day on my combination skin. MAC Posey blends out easily, wears brilliantly and gives a beautiful flush of colour.

Next is another cream blush but it turns to powder on the skin, it’s Sleek Creme to Powder blush in Amaryllis (shown on the left in the above photo). Sleek Amaryllis is a hot, bright pink that would look amazing on darker skin tones. Paler folk can still get away with it too as it blends out easily on the skin to give an instantly brighter and perked up look to the complexion. I think Sleek blushers are some of the best you can buy whether it’s the creme to powder or their powder blushes, well worth having a look at if you haven’t already.

Next to Sleek Amaryllis is Illamasqua powder blusher in Tremble. Illamasqua Tremble is a warm pink with peach undertones that always instantly just brightens my face up. I love Illamasqua blushers, my most worn blusher is by far Katie by Illamasqua but there’s just something about Tremble that makes me think of fresher, brighter weather. Tremble blends easily, is super-pigmented and lasts all day. You can’t go wrong with a blusher from Illamasqua.

I couldn’t not include the cult classic Nars Orgasm. The peachy-pink gold shimmer blush is perfect for blasting any remnants of winter away. Nars Orgasm is a beautiful mix of highlighter with blusher. It should suit most skin tones to give a healthy glow to the skin. Everyone should have this in their makeup collection. Alternatively, Sleek have an excellent dupe for Orgasm called Rose Gold, this is a beautiful blusher at a fraction of the price.

Finally, next to Nars Orgasm is Bobbi Brown blush in Apricot. Bobbi Brown Apricot is simply beautiful. It’s a bright peach-pink that gives a natural, healthy flush of colour on the cheeks. In the pan it looks very bright but on the skin it gives that lit-from-within look. Bobbi Brown blush in Apricot wears really well throughout the day and should suit most skin tones. If you haven’t tried a Bobbi Brown blusher I really recommend them, they last for ages, the pigmentation is just right and they mimic the natural flush on the skin.

Do you have a favourite blusher for Spring?

March Beauty Favourites

It’s been absolutely ages since I’ve did a monthly beauty favourites post. I always enjoy reading these types of post as I think they’re a bit more interesting than a straight product review (which I still love btw) but I think there’s something a bit more personal and reflective with favourite posts. I think it’s the nosiness in me that loves them. Do you like them too?

I should also mention a couple of products I haven’t included in this round up purely because I’m going to do separate posts on them. First is The Body Shop’s Vitamin C Energising Facial Mist and Vitamin C Instant Glow Enhancer** . They’ve both been making my face very happy and making me think of sunnier times. Also not included in this post is Lancome’s Hypnose Mascara* ( I reviewed it here ) which I’ve also been absolutely loving. I’m planning on doing a post on some Lancome products I love which will include this mascara.

Another product I’ve been loving is the Peter Thomas Roth Brightening Bubbling Mask. I’m planning on doing a post on some of my favourite masks so I was going to talk about it there but it has to go in my March favourites too. Peter Thomas Roth Brightening Bubbling Mask is one of the most unusual masks I’ve used, it’s a blue gel that once applied to the face turns white and starts oxygenating on the skin. It bubbles and cools the skin to leave a smooth bright complexion. Really brilliant at perking the skin up instantly.

Onto the products photographed. First up is a selection of Kiko lipsticks . I bought these a wee while ago at the new Kiko store at The Fort, Glasgow. I think all of these came to under £7, what a bargain! I hadn’t tried anything from Kiko before and handily they had a sale on which allowed me to purchase quite a few items to try out. From left to right is Kiko Luscious Cream in 504, this is a browny-pink, and next to that is Luscious Cream 514, a bright magenta pink. Both if these lipsticks are incredibly hydrating with completely opaque coverage. Really lovely lipsticks. And the furthest one on the right is Luminous Chrome Metallic Lipstick 708, this is a blue-toned red that’s also completely opaque and really hydrating. I’ve had these on rotation since I bought them and they’re just brilliant lipsticks. The only thing is that because they’re more on the creamy side they’re not as long wearing as say a matte is but that doesn’t particularly bother me. I’ll definitely be buying some more Kiko lipsticks.

Next are a couple of products from Hylamide. On the left is Hylamide HA Blur*, you can read my full review here. This innovative product gives the skin hydration while providing a perfected base for makeup. It’s probably the best blurring product I’ve tried. Spurned on by the success I’ve had with HA Blur I purchased Low-Molecular HA Rehydration Booster Serum which my skin is absolutely loving. It’s too early to do a full review but it absorbs easily, leaves my skin feeling hydrated and smooth. There’s also been no irritation with this. I’ll do a proper review in a few weeks’ time.

I did a review of Armani Maestro UV Skin Defense Primer SPF 50++ here . This is such a good all-rounder. It gives super high broad spectrum coverage while providing a smooth base for makeup application. One of the things I particularly love about Armani Maestro UV  is that it is so lightweight, it only takes a couple of seconds to disappear completely on the skin. There’s absolutely no greasiness or tackiness plus I’ve had no breakouts while using this, something that can be problematic with sun screens. If you’re looking for a new sun screen I’d really recommend giving Armani UV a go.

What beauty products have you been loving?

*PR Samples

**I received Vitamin C Instant Glow Enhancer in a goodie bag at a Bloggers’ event.

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