Enrapture Amplify Jumbo Waver - Review

I knew when I recieved this product that I was going to adore it and I was not wrong! Read on and I am sure that you are going to fall in love too!

Amplify Jumbo Waver*

I like to start with packaging. If you read my blog you will know that I am a real sucker for a bit of nice packaging and this product has really pushed the boat out in that department. 

The top pictures shows the box with the cardboard sleeve around it. The sleeve has product information and some pictures of the tool in use on reverse. Underneath the sleeve is the gorgeous, sturdy blue box. I have since discarded the sleeve but I am using the box to store the product and it's extras.

The first thing I noticed about the jumbo waver is the size of it. It's much bigger than any other hair tool I have. I have long hair and find curling tongs time consuming and tricky because I have to use tiny pieces of hair. With this tool I can style large pieces of hair in seconds. 

Inside the box you get the waver, a heat resistant matt which also acts as a case and a style guide. I read the style guide but found that the video clips on the website were even more helpful to me.

The barrels are titanium plated for snag free styling. The handle holds both the on and off switch and a dial for adjusting the heat. The waver heats up very quickly and holds a high constant heat. The barrels of the waver are large at 25mm to allow for large, s-shaped waves. These an be used to create various looks such as the mermaid look or messy, rock chick waves. 

This tool is so easy to use. The 3m swivel cord means you have lots of movement when using the waver. I have used this in several different ways; using small pieces of hair for a more dramatic look or large chunks for everyday waves. 

My favourite look to use is the everyday waves. This takes me 5 minutes using large pieces of hair. Apologies for the strange picture! 

I have poker straght hair and getting a look like this is usually really hard work! The above style took me 5 minutes and stayed in all day. 

I shared this with my friends on Facebook and 3 friends ordered it that night! It really is a great product that can be used in many ways and is really quick and super easy to use. This retails at £60 but is currently £40 in the Boots sale! It is available in high street retailers such as Boots, Superdrug and Argos.

*PR Sample 

Christmas Gift Guide #1 Viva La Juicy Couture Essentials Kit

I recieved this amazing Viva La Juicy gift set from my boyfriend today for my birthday. It is from the Boots Christmas range and is currently available in store. I got a sample of this perfume in a recent Glossybox and fell in love with it. The fragrance is dark and deep and just what I like in a perfume. A bottle of this is fairly pricey but the gift set worked out as better value for money.

This gift set is presented in a lovely bright pink box with the contents pictured on the reverse. The box contains 5 items; a pink cosmetics bag, a duo nail lacquer, stiletto charm, duo lipgloss and perfume rollerball and 30ml of the scent.

 

As you expect from a Juicy Couture perfume this is in a lovely bottle with a cute pink bow. The makeup bag is a great size for putting in a handbag and features a JC logo in gold. The stiletto charm is perfect for a bracelet or the zip of the makeup bag and comes in a lovely gift box. I really like the nail lacquer and have never seen a duo one before. One side is black and the other is a deep pink. By far my favourite item in the box is the ingenius lipgloss and perfume duo. The lipgloss is lovely but the rollerball is just an amazing idea, holding a decent amount of the fragrance in a handy applicator. I am not sure if these can be purchased separately but I will be repurchasing if they can.

This is so much better than your standard body lotion and shower gel set and includes things that I will really get use out of. Thank you to my boyfriend for such a lovely gift.

This is currently available in Boots and would make a fantastic gift for any girly girl! 

Willow Organic Beauty - Review

The more I blog and research skincare products, the more I realise there is no need to be smothering our skin in unnatural and possibly harmful chemicals. Willow Organic Beauty do not test on animals, do not use parabens, SLS or mineral oils in their products. They also boast a Soil Association certification to guarantee that they use the highest quality organic ingredients in their products.

I have been trying three products from the range; a cleansing balm, toner and lip balm. The first thing I will comment on is the gorgeous packaging. Each product is in a sturdy, glossy box with product information printed on the front and back. Inside there is a slimline information sheet which fits neatly inside the box, even of the lipbalm. The boxes are really luxurious feeling and each has a black bow on the top. Inside the boxes the bottles are square, solid plastic with pumps for the toner and cleaner. The lids are a lovely silver which adds to the high end feel.

Gentle Cleansing Balm £38*

A gentle and nourishing cleansing balm with our super oil, Barbary Fig combined with the cooling and healing properties of Comfrey and anti-inflammatory Marigold that deeply cleanse and purify the skin and remove all traces of makeup.

This cleanser is a balm and has a fairly creamy consistency. I use 3 pumps to cover my whole face. I pump this onto my finger tips and apply to my dry skin, especially rubbing over my eyelids to remove makeup. It is incredibly gentle and doesn't sting my eyes at all. Using a cloth soaked in warm water I pat the cleanser off my skin. This removes makeup well, even from my eyes. The cleanser has a fairly subtle smell which reminds me of a glass of gin and tonic with a slice of lemon in it! It is a citrus smell but not overpowering and very fresh smelling. My face feels squeaky clean after using this product.

Brightening and Balancing Toner £22*

This revolutionary concentrated, gel formula, gentle toner to help hydrate and restore the skin’s natural balance.

Our super oil, Barbary Fig, combined with the healing properties of Marigold oil and balancing properties of Orange Blossom extract, leaves the skin feeling bright and refreshed. This wonderful toner helps to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and draw out excess oil from the skin.

With this product I was firstly a bit confused as the box doesn't contain any specific application instructions. After looking online I discovered that the product is meant to be applied on damp cotton wool. I find that I need quite a lot of this product, maybe 5 pumps, to get the required amount onto my cotton wool. This product has a very fresh smell, almost slightly medicinal but in a good way; a very clean smell. After applying this to my skin I feel my face tightens slightly. I then use a moisturiser or serum to relieve this feeling. It makes me feel like the product is really doing its job.

 Luxury Conditioning Lip Balm £24*

A highly concentrated botanical balm with a hint of Orange, soothing Comfrey and our super oil, Barbary Fig, which is packed full of vitamin E and antioxidants which help to plump and protect skin cells from free radicals and environmental damage.

Leaves your lips protected, plumped and feeling smooth and conditioned.

All the products in the range have high levels of organic ingredients but this one contains an impressive 99.80% organic ingredients! The lip balm has a lovely texture, very waxy and glossy on the lips. Given the price of this balm I originally started applying it before bed, thinking I would let it soak into my lips overnight and therefore not use too much as it is a fairly expensive product. I soon realised however that this balm is wasted overnight. On the lips is gives a girgeous glossy shine and makes your lips looks really full whilst keeping them moisturised and hydrated. It is definitely a balm to show off.

Have you tried anything from Willow Organic Beauty?

http://willowbeautyproducts.co.uk

*PR Sample 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Argan Organics Rice Bran Beauty Face Serum - Review

Rice Bran Beauty Anti-Ageing Face Serum £14.99*

Argan Organics was founded by mum of three Aileen Smith. From an early age Aileen was inspired by the natural beauty of her family's farm to create natural skincare using local healing herbs and botanicals. One of her earliest memories, age 5 is picking wild elderflowers in the farm hedgerows and taking them home to squash into a rudimentary face cleanser to try on her compliant family.

Aileen has developed her dream of using organic herbs and plants with the quite remarkable skin enhancing benefits of pure organic argan oil. A small bottle of argan oil brought back from a holiday trip to Essaouira in Morocco and combined in her natural creams and skincare products was a revelation, Arganorganics was born. The range combines the beneficial powers of organic herbs, flower waters and pure essential oils with this remarkable oil, so precious that it is called liquid gold in Morocco. All the products are made by hand in small batches and are free from parabens, petrochemicals and sulphates and contain no artificial colours or fragrances, only the fabulous aromas of pure organic essential oils. The result is a gloriously scented, luxurious, and completely natural range that will protect and nourish your skin.

When I recieved this serum the first thing I noticed was the gorgeous packaging. At £14.99 this is a very affordable serum but the bottle makes is feel high end. The gold colour of the plastic bottle makes it look really luxurious. The pump is really handy for application ensuring that not too much is dispensed.

The serum contains the oils of argan, rosehip, rice bran and camellia to produce a beautifully moisturising product. It is suitable for all skin types and free from parabens and SLS. Aileen told me that in Japan it is considered a high honour to be referred to as a Rice Bran Beauty. 

The serum absorbs quickly into the skin but I never like to have an oily product on my face during the day due to my makeup. I apply this product every night before bed. A little of this serum goes a long way. I use two pumps to cover my whole face and neck area. I massage the serum into my skin and then sleep in the product. The next morning my skin is positively glowing and is lovely and smooth. The smooth base allows for a smooth application of my makeup too. I have been using this daily for several weeks now and continue to love it. My skin is beautifully soft and smooth, I have had no break outs and I have a lovely glow. 

I do have one negative about this product however and that is the smell. This product is all about the impressive natural ingredients and an artificial scent would really take away from that however I really don't like the scent of the serum. When I apply the product I find the smell fairly unpleasant however minutes after application I can't notice the fragrance and it certainly doesn't linger on the skin. Although not great the scent does not me off the product at all and is really my only gripe with this lovely, luxurious skin product.

To see more products from the range or to purchase see the website http://arganorganics.co.uk

*PR Sample 

 
 

 

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge - Review

I have tried foundation sponges in the past and never thought much of them. I have also tried various foundation brushes but always find myself returning to use my trusty fingers to apply my foundation. However when I heard of this sponge I knew I had to try it. I am a big fan of Real Techniques and use my brushes everyday. The products are a high quality and I was expecting no less of this sponge. The product is a similar idea to the Beauty Blender which I have fancied in the past but never splashed out on. At £5.99 this is a fraction of the price and more suited to my budget. 

The miracle complexion sponge is a strange shape and different to other egg shaped sponges. It features rounded sides to blend large areas of the face, a precision tip to cover blemishes and a flat edge for the contours around the eyes and nose.

One thing that struck me about the packaging of this product is that there is very little information on the box. This is something of a dupe for the Beauty Blender which is used damp however the packaging doesn't clarify if you are supposed to use it wet. There are online tutorials so I watched  one and Samantha Chapman shows the sponge being used dry. 

The first thing I have to say about this product is that you end up using a lot more foundation than usual. This really soaks up product meaning I needed double the amount. Perhaps using the sponge wet would target this problem.

Although the surfaces of the sponge are designed for various areas, I find the most effective method for me is to dab the flat edge all over my face and then drag it around areas like my nose and eyes. The sponge gives a flawless finish which I really can't fault. I don't use a lot of concealer but do find the pointed end is useful for targeting areas although the flat edge works just as well. The sponge can be used for powder but I am happy using my Buffing Brush for this job.

After a few uses of my sponge I washed it with shampoo like suggested. I didn't like to squeeze it too much as the sponge is a lovely soft texture and fairly delicate feeling. I struggled to get all of the product out and my sponge is very stained but obviously clean as I get no residue. It dried well and had the same soft touch after washing.

I really like this product and will be using it regularly. I think I will stick to using it with a drugstore foundation and use my fingers with higher end ones simple because the sponge seems to eat product! However the finish it gives is light and flawless and really worth trying!

If you have a Beauty Blender, I would love to know how this compares! 

 
 

 

 

 
 

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation - Review

Since giving up the Estée Lauder Double Wear I have been on the search for a new foundation. Having heard good things about this product and then seeing it as part of an offer in Boots, I decided to give it a go.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in 200 Soft Beige £8.99

When testing this foundation on my hand in store I was really unsure of which shade to take. In the end I went for Soft Beige and worried about it being on the dark side. When I applied this to my whole face I found that it blends in really well and is a lovely match for my skin tone, although the swatch shows it rather dark.

This foundation is unlike any others I have tried in that it has a dewy finish. The product aims to give your skin a radiant glow to disguise signs of tiredness. Personally I don't often have skin that needs wakening up but I was keen to try something new. The foundation contains shimmer pieces which are lovely and not overpowering at all. In fact, on the face they are barely visible unless in the light. I use two full pumps of this, adding it slowly and building it up. The foundation applies well and has great coverage. I use a little powder over the top which slightly takes away the dewy look but helps to keep my makeup in place.The product has a lovely smell to it and feels very smooth on the skin. 

I use a primer with this product but even with a base I find this foundation doesn't last the day. When I go to remove my makeup in the evening I find that barely any colour is showing on my cleansing pads. Although it is not long wearing this doesn't put me off using it as sometimes, like for work, I am not requiring a long lasting foundation or high coverage. 

My search for a new foundation is not over but this is a lovely product which I will definitely get use out of, especially for lighter makeup days.

Can you recommend a foundation to me?

Foundation Review #1

 

Autumn Box Swap

Recently I took part in my first beauty swap which was organised by Kat from Tales of a Pale Face. I was paired with Carro from http://www.carroblogshere.blogspot.co.uk/. I'm not sure if Kat engineered these pairs of if it was a random match. I would guess the pairing was fairly blind because mine and Carro's blogs are very different. Kat contacted us both, giving us contact details for each other and advice on how to get started. I had a read through Carro's blog but her posts are mainly lifestyle and not beauty. When we began emailing she told me some of her beauty likes and dislikes and I went out shopping for her. I got a lovely selection of bits and hopefully Carro will write a post which I can share with you soon.

Today I recieved my package from Carro. Inside she had included a little note to explain that all the product she had bought were from one brand, Rimmel, because she was taking part in an offer to stretch the budget. She also include a packet sample of Stay Matte Foundation.

Stay Blushed Liquid Cheek Tint in 004 Sunkissed Cherry

I recieved one of these in my Glossybox last month but luckily it was in a different colour. I have get to try either but this is a lovely, blendable autumn colour and makes for a lovely natural look.

Scandaleyes Flex Mascara

I am assuming that this is the offer Carro was taking part in as I recently bought different items from Rimmel to get the same mascara! I love this mascara so I'm also happy to have an extra tube!

Lasting Finish Colour Rush Long Lasting Intense Colour Balm 

This product doesn't seem to have a shade or colour marked on it but is in a very bright red. I haven't tried one of these before but recently I have been really liking lip crayons so I look forward to trying this one.

Lasting Finish by Kate Shade 29

I have never tried one of the Kate Moss lipsticks but I have always wanted to. This is definitely something I would choose for myself. It's such a girgeous, bright berry pink colour. The packaging is gorgeous too. 

Thank you Carro for my lovely things. I can't wait to try them all!

If you took part in an Autumn swap then feel free to link your post below!

 
 
 

Vita Bella Spa Treatment in a Box - Review

VitaBella Spa Treatment in a Box £20*

VitaBella Hydrating Mask and Face Cream Treatment. Shown to increase skin hydration by up to 20%. 

My first thought on recieving this was what a lovely idea! This little box contains everything you need to give yourself a spa treatment at home. The product claims to hydrate your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. VitaBella products are made in Italy and include a combination of natural ingredients to enrich your skin with moisture. 

The little box has a luxurious feel and, to enhance the spa treatment feel I ran myself a bath, poured myself a glass of wine and lit some candles before use!

The box contains a small bottle of hydration complex, the mask tablet and a pot of face cream. The first step is to pour all of the hydration complex over the tablet in the little tub.

The tablet quickly absorbs all of the liquid and begins to puff up.

The tablet can then be unraveled to reveal the mask. Next you simply smooth the mask over the face and relax for 10 minutes. 

The mask has a lovely smell. It really reminds me of an expensive spa smell or the scent of products in high end shops. After 10 minutes I didn't feel quite ready to remove the mask as it wasn't dry like a normal mask but I decided to stick with the instructions and take it off. I used my fingers to rub the residue into my face.

My skin aw left feeling very soft and hydrated and the next morning my face had a lovely glow. The cream that also comes in the box has the same lovely smell. A little goes a long way and leaves your skin feeling lovely and smooth. The instructions suggest applying it twice daily to keep the hydration of the mask and help it last longer. This cream is especially nice as a base for makeup and I continue to smell the lovely scent all day.

At £20 this is fairly steep for a one use product but the results are definite and the cream will last much longer, keeping the hydration going. This is a really lovely and luxurious treat. It would be perfect for a girls night in and would make an excellent present!

For more infirmary on or to purchase this product, see the website http://myvitabella.co.uk

*PR Sample 

 

 

 

 
 

Opulentia Organics Body Oil - Review

No one wants to put nasty chemicals in their skin, which is why we only ever use the highestt quality  natural ingredients in our lovely skin care products. It's what makes our stuff so unusually good.

Geranium & Mandarin Body Oil £16.99*

This body oil comes in a lovely silver net bag making it a lovely gift. The packaging is simple, classy and sturdy and the added label tells you that the product is UK blended, not tested in animals and full of natural and organic ingredients.

A body oil is nothing something I use very often which is why I was keen to try this. This bottle contains 100ml of product and a little of this product goes a really long way.

The above picture shows one full pump of product. I apply one pump on my palm, warm it between my hands then apply. One pump covers both my arms then I use another pump for each leg. The product is quickly absorbed, leaving my skin feeling silky smooth. I apply this after a bath or shower and originally started using it before bed however this oil absorbs well and can easily be applied in the morning before dressing. It leaves a sheen on the skin which I really like. My only problem with the oil is that it is fairly messy to use. I combat this by taking half pumps at a time for trickier areas. 

This paragraph is going to seem a little obsessive but I am in love I the scent of this product! I apply this to my arms and then I can't stop smelling them! Although this is orange scented, it's not a false orange smell like a packet of Haribo! Instead it has the natural smell of citrus mixed in with a flowery scent. It really remind me of Ghost perfume and of expensive Turkish delight. As I say, it smells divine!

This is a lovely product and feels like a luxurious treat for your body. It would make a lovely gift either for a friend of for your own skin!

To view more varieties or to purchase an oil, see the website http://www.opulentiaorganics.co.uk

*PR Sample 

 

 
 

Vivo Cosmetics Colour Block in Dreamy - Review

Recently I have seen more and more bloggers begin to rave about Vivo Cosmetics. I have never tried anything from the range before and I put that down to the fact that, in my local Tesco, the display is always poor and everything is damaged or in the wrong place! On a recent trip to Tesco I found the stand had been semi restocked and this palette took my eye.

What first attracted me to this product was the apparent value for money. This is a decent sized palette of 12 shawdows and retails at a bargain £4! 

Currently I use MUA Undress Me Too as my neutrals palette but I have hit pan on a few of my favourite colours so thought it might be a good idea to try something new. 

Swatches below are row by row from top to bottom. I have not applied a heavy amount of product and have instead swatched each once from my finger to my hand to truly show the colour payoff. 

All shades are highly pigmented and the colour pay off is fantastic for such a budget product. I also find that these last much longer on the eye without fading than the MUA palette. Dreamy is a favourite of mine and I also love Twinkle. Sand and Neutral are great for highlighting the brow bone and I use Stone in the inner corner of my eye. I'm not a fan of Night as I find it is the only chalky shadow in the palette. 

This palette is an absolute bargain and I can see myself getting plenty of use out of it! I am definitely encouraged to try more Vivo products in the future.

What is your favourite Vivo product? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glossybox - October 2013

The last few boxes have been so good that I had a suspicion this one would be a let down. I was right. Although there are some decent products, this is the most disappointing box I have had. The theme is Dark Romance although I fail to see how the products match the theme.

Killer Queen Katy Perry 1.5ml Sample 

I am not impressed to see this in the box at all. Firstly I have said no to perfume samples when asked in the beauty profile. Secondly I recieved this last month in the cheaper Miss Glossybox! That being said, I really like this perfume and have finished the sample I already recieved so I will use it.

MONU Illuminating Primer 20ml Sample

For me this is the saving grace of the box and I am looking forward to trying it. I have only heard of this brand before through  Glossybox but I always love to try a new primer. Although this is a sample size I think 20ml is pretty decent for a primer as you don't have to use much.

Premae Multi-Vit Smoothie Serum 20ml Sample

A rather uninspiring product in boring packaging. I do like a serum but I currently have one that I am very happy with and wasn't looking for a new one. I will give this a go though and do appreciate the lovely smell.

Eva Cosmetics Mystic Diamond Argonoil 6ml Sample

This is a pathetic sized sample and not much better than a sachet of product. I am not really into hair oils but I do like the sound of this one and will definitely try it with an open mind. 

MeMeMe Cheek & Lip Tint Full Size Worth £5.50

This is the only full sized item in the box and another decent product in a fairly rubbish box! I have tried this brand before but again only from Glossybox. A cheek and lip tint is something I don't have many of though so I am always willing to try a new one.

4 samples and 1 full sized item. 1 sample I have already recieved and 2 that are brands we have already had samples from in the last few months. Glossybox ..... are you losing your touch?!

What did you think of this months box? 

 

Top 5 Product Discoveries

I made it! This post is my 100th. I can't actually believe that I have written so many but here we are and I decided I wanted to do something different to mark the occasion. I started my blog with my top 5 favourite products; things that I had been using for a while and were firm favourites. Since starting my blog I have comes across loads of new products. Whether it's through reading other blogs or being sent PR samples, I have started using lots of new products and these 5 are my favourites to date.

Cocoa Brown by Marissa Carter*

If you read my blog you will know that I am a tan fan! I try new tans and always go in with an open mind but often find that nothing lives up to my old favourites. I have been using Cocoa Brown for a month now and it is an absolute winner! This tan is honestly unlike any other tan I have tried, and I have tried many! The amazing thing about this is that you don't sleep with it on! No more ruined sheets, orange pyjamas or horrible dog biscuit smell to wake up to! No more tan patches on my boyfriends arms where he has dared to cuddle me! This tan develops in an hour although I leave it for 2 for a darker tan. Then I wash it off and go to bed! The colour is perfect for me and would suit many skin tones as it adapts to your own colour. It doesn't have a strong smell and doesn't leave white diamonds on your inner arm or weird snake skin marks on your underarms. It is also a really great priced product at only £7! An absolute favourite product that I fully recommend to everyone! 

MUA Undress Me Too Palette

This may be hard to believe but, before blogging, I hadn't heard of MUA. Often I moan about the awful shopping opportunities in the small town I live in and MUA is not available in my local Superdrug; hence my ignorance. When I saw this palette on other blogs I knew I had to have it. My boyfriend kindly picked this up for me while he visited another town and I have used it daily ever since. 

Bourjois Bronzing Primer

Since starting my blog I have been joining in in the Twitter chats and a much talked about product is this bronzing primer. I love this product. It is perfect for adding colour to my foundation when I am tanned, smells lovely and has a lovely feel on the skin. 

Real Techniques Brushes

Although I have photographed the Blush Brush, I mean all the brushes from Real Techniques. I don't think there is a blogger out there who doesn't rave about these brushes and when my blog began my boyfriend kindly treated me to the Core Collection. I have been a fan ever since and am slowly building up my collection. I don't have a bad word to say about these brushes. They are well made, lovely to look at and wash well. I use my brushes daily and don't know how I ever coped without them!

Amie Skincare*

Again, here I have pictured the clay mask but I actually mean the whole Amie range. Before blogging I had not come across this brand and! after recieving a sample in a beauty box, I have been lucky enough to try several items from the range for review. I love everything Amie make and find them the perfect brand for my skin. Their products are natiral, smell lovely and leave a fresh feeling face.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my 100 posts so far! Here's to the next hundred :) 

 

Iconic Body Art - Review

Iconic Body Art Female Kit £10**

At a recent blogging event, I received this product as a gift after having it tested out on my wrist. Iconic Body Art is a new way of having a temporary tattoo. It is incredibly real looking and lasts at least 24 hours with no smudging or rubbing of the colour.

This kit includes: 

50ml of the spray in black

6 alcohol wipes

3 stencils

The kit is extremely easy to use. Firstly you clean the area that you want your tattoo to be on. Secondly you open out the stencil and peel off the backing paper. The back of the stencil is sticky and sticks onto your skin, keeping it in place. The sides of the stencils act as guards to keep the spray away from the rest of your skin.

Next you hold the can a slight way away from the stencil and spray until the area is covered. Only a little product is needed for this to be achieved. The spray dries very quickly but I also give it a blow to speed up the process.

After 20 seconds or so the product is dry and the stencil is ready to be gently removed. After removal of the stencil I pad it down with a cloth to get any excess product off before reapplying the backing paper and folding the stencil back up.

These temporary tattoos are unlike others in that they are extremely realistic. I have several pure black tattoos and you honestly can't see the difference. I kept my tattoo on for the whole day and night and it didn't budge. In the shower you can either scrub this off or you can leave it on by patting it dry after the shower! This is a great fun product, really easy to use and with excellent results.

For more information follow on Twitter @IconicBodyArt

**Item received at an event