SOCIAL MEDIA

Sunday 17 February 2019

Review: Procoal Marine Moisture Mask [AD]

Procoal_marine_moisture_mask

When it comes to weekend indulgence, I like to take some 'me time' to relax, think about self care and have a little pamper. As my weekdays usually consist of a face full of makeup (although I have to admit these have been pretty rare since having a baby!), I like to go makeup free and do a bit of skincare Sunday. What better way to do this than with a face mask? I love trying out new masks and this time I have a review for you of the Procoal Marine Moisture Mask (£13.99 per pack of three), a hydrating charcoal sheet mask. Is it any good, and does the charcoal add anything? Read on and find out!

Wednesday 13 February 2019

Stila SS19: Optimal Illusion - Review and Swatches

Stila_Optimal_Illusion_Collection

Stila have done it again! They have released the new SS19 collection and let me tell you, she's a stunner. This spring/summer nothing is what it seems with Stila's new Optimal Illusion collection. With a new primer, skin perfector, powder, highlighting palette, face gloss, eyeshadow palette and a number of eyeshadows and lippies to choose from, there is bound to be something in it for everyone. Let me talk you through some of the gorgeous new releases.

Wednesday 6 February 2019

Valentines Day Wishlist: Top 5 Things To Get Date Ready [AD]

This post is a paid advertisement in collaboration with Panasonic, however all opinions shared in this post are 100% my own.

Valentine's Day is just over a week away which means lots of limited edition beauty releases. Whether you have an important date planned with that special person, or whether you're planning a Galentine's Day in or out, with this wishlist I guarantee you'll be date ready!



1. Great Hair
For me personally, looking the best I can be starts with a good hair day. Unfortunately I am not blessed with a great head of hair. It's straight, thin and falls out easily. Any volume I manage to add tends to last all but two seconds! At least I can do something about the dull colour by adding highlights every once in a while. Anyway, if you have fine hair like me that lacks in volume, you might agree that a good hair dryer is key. One that I currently have on my wish list is a portable hair dryer by Panasonic.
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Panasonic Nanoe Ion Hair Dryer in Pink - Image credit: Panasonic official website
The Nanoe Ion Hair Dryer (£109.99) makes use of the Nanoe technology which is said to maintain up to 1000 times more moisture than a regular hair dryer, resulting in shiny, frizz free hair. I absolutely love the sound of this because with my fine hair I feel that I have to use a hair dryer to create volume, but with that comes damage caused by my brush and the hair dryer, and very dry ends. So I'm definitely up for anything that could reduce this! Besides, the hair dryer is available in trendy rose gold and hot pink, what's not to love?!


2. Flawless Base
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YSL All Hours Liquid Foundation - Image credit: YSL official website
To many of us, makeup and achieving that flawless base is just as important as having amazing hair (the song does state 'It's all about that base' after all!). The foundation that does that for me is the All Hours Liquid Foundation by YSL (£35). This foundation is definitely full coverage and has a matte finish. YSL claim the foundation offers a 24hr matte finish and they are not lying. It really does stay put all day. With this does come that you need to work it fast, because once it dries that's it! I work it in with a dense brush and finish with a beauty blender.

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Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick - Image credit: Hourglass, Harvey Nichols website

If you're looking for a quick fix, you might be better off with a foundation stick. I have been using the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick (£42). It's quick and easy to use and a little goes a long way. I use a brush to blend it in, which it does really nicely. It has a satin finish and can be built up to full coverage that lasts up to 12 hours.

Revlon Colorstay Foundation Combination/Oily - Image credit: Revlon, Superdrug website
In case the above two options are a little outside of your budget, I also love the Revlon Colorstay Foundation for combination/oily skin (£12.99). This drugstore foundation is my everyday go-to, offers medium coverage and a velvet matte finish that lasts all day. It's oil free which is perfect for combination/oily skin, but rest assured if you have normal/dry skin, because Colorstay also comes in a normal/dry version. I apply this liquid foundation with a dense brush and finish with a beauty blender.

3. Killer Lashes
Lancôme Monsieur BIG Mascara - Image credit: Lancôme official website
If you really want to get someone's attention, you need to flutter those eyelashes and show them what you've got! I find that mascara really finish the look and I know I wouldn't be the same without it. This Valentine's Day there are so many limited editions out there. One that I've got my eyes on is the Monsieur BIG by Lancôme (£21.50), because it's meant to provide thicker lashes than ever before without clumping. Besides, how pretty is the Valentine's Day Limited Edition?! Definitely one I am considering getting right now.


4. Bold Statement Lips
Of course it's not all about the eyes and a bold statement lippie is just as important. Whether you're a pink girl or love your reds, do whatever makes you feel comfortable. Personally I am a nude lip kind of girl, but I do like going for something a bit more statement every once in a while. One of my favourite lipstick formulas is the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine (£29) as it's pretty glossy without the sticky formula of a lip gloss. The lipstick is super nourishing, moisturises the lips and is super comfortable to wear. This Valentine's Day, YSL has released 5 new fashionable shades of the Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick lipstick with limited edition hearts and arrows on the packaging. How cute is that!
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YSL Rouge Volupté Shine - Image credit: YSL official website
If you are looking for an alternative on a budget, you must give Kiko Milano's Sweetheart lipstick (£6.90) a try. Super cute in its heart-shaped design and just like the YSL lipstick, creamy and shiny. I have previously reviewed the Kiko Milano Valentine's Day limited edition lipstick (read here), and this time they have released the lipsticks in a two-tone version to create that beautiful ombre effect. Definitely worth a try if you ask me.

5. A Touch of Bling

With Valentine's Day come gifts and in my opinion some bling to show off when you're out on a date. For me, the most elegant jewellery is a gorgeous tennis bracelet. I don't know what it is, but I love the way they sit around a beautiful wrist. Now I am a big fan of rose gold, so for the purpose of this wishlist I have picked out one by Swarovski and one on a budget by Warren James who always have some amazing deals.
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Swarovski Rose Gold Plated Tennis Bracelet - Image credit: Swarovski official website

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Warren James Sterling Silver Rose Gold Finish Friendship Bracelet - Image credit: Warren James official website

That concludes my little Valentine's Day wishlist. I hope it has inspired you for this year's Valentine's, no matter what your plans are.


Tuesday 5 February 2019

Pixi Beauty: The Skincare Edit [AD]

This post contains gifted items as part of an ongoing relationship with Pixi Beauty, as well as items I have purchased myself. All opinions however are 100% my own.

Hello 2019! By the time I am writing this, we are starting February so surely that means I am way too late with saying Happy New Year right?! Well, fact is we are in 2019, a new year, which usually means starting off with a mountain of new year's resolutions. I personally don't do them but it's hard to avoid the heaps of adverts about being healthy, getting fit and let's not forget all the numerous dating sites.


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Although I don't place myself in any of these boxes, it doesn't mean I can't jump on the bandwagon of wanting to be healthier and sorting out a good skincare routine plays a big part in that. Last year I spent the majority of the year being pregnant and with that comes naturally glowing skin which is pretty low maintenance. This time however, I am finding myself going back to the issues I had before: tired skin, puffy bags under my eyes and redness on my cheeks. Over the years I have tried many brands, creams and other skincare but there haven't been many items my skin agreed with until I tried Pixi Beauty. Last year I was incredibly lucky to get the opportunity to collaborate with them and try out some of their products, so it's only fair that I dedicate this blog post to Pixi and share with you the products I am currently loving.