No.7 Product Review

I brought some new products this weekend from Boots. They currently have a promotion whereby if you spend over £5 in store you receive a £5 No.7 and Ruby and Millie voucher. I had two so got some wipes and a sauna mask.

I always like to have a packet of facewipes handy for those nights where you just too tired or had one too many to wash your face properly. Leaving your makeup over night is unhygienic and really bad for your skin, I once heard that leaving make-up on overnight can age your face by five days!

The wipes have a 4 in 1 action as they claim to remove make-up, contain an eye make-up removing property as well as toning and moisturising so are perfect for when you’re feeling a bit lazy! They  left my skin feeling really refreshed and not at all dry. I also like the fact they have a plasic lid you can snap shut to keep them from drying out.

The wipes cost £6.50 but only £1.50 with a voucher!

My second purchase was the Purifying Sauna Mask. I often buy sachets of facemasks and really like the self warming ones as they open your pores and give a deep cleanse.

My skin was looking a bit dull and I had a few blemishes around my forehead this weekend. Whilst it didn’t do much to reduce the blemishes, it has exfoliating beads in it and left my face feeling so soft! It makes your face feel so smooth it almost left a powdery finish to my skin so would make a really nice base for make-up.

The mask cost £9.75 for 75ml but £4.75 with the voucher.

My Current Favourites

I got this idea from Bubblegarm and have treated myself to new products recently, so here’s what I’m using at the moment.

Shampoo and Conditioner: Tres Semme 24 Hour Body shampoo and conditioner. Creightons Beautiful Brunette shampoo and conditioner. 

It’s a good idea to alternate between a couple of makes so your hair doesn’t get used to one brand. The Creighton products are fantastic and cost £1 each from Poundland... really! I’ve used John Freida and TIGI’s brunette products in the past but prefer these, would highly recommend them.

Treatments: I use straighteners far more than I should so make sure I use hair masks regularly to prevent it drying out. Montagne Jeunesse do some lovely ones like Hot Miracle.

Styling products: Tres Semme products are fantastic for doing what they say on the tin. Im loving their 24 Hour Body root boosting spray and Freeze Hold hairspray.

Shower gel: Soap and Glory’s Clean Girls body wash. It smells super girly.

 

Body moisturiser: The Daily Smooth body butter by Soap and Glory. Nice and rich, perfect for winter and matches my shower gel.

Fake Tan: Fakebake Beyond Bronze lotion.

Make-up remover: I swear by Simple’s Moisturising Face Wash and wipes.

 

Foundation: As a base I apply a mixture of Nivea Visage Q10 moisturiser and Este Lauder Equalizer foundation in 02 Pale Almond. I don’t like to wear foundation alone as it can look to heavy and the moisturiser leaves a dewy look to my skin. If my complexion’s looking a bit dull I also mix in a dab of highlighter.

Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder in 005 Silky Beige

 

Concealer: Benefit Boiing – definitely a desert island product for me, dark circles, blemishes, this one does it all. Also Benefit Lemon Aid on my eye lids.

 

Blush: Bourjois blush in 33 Lilas D’Or

 

Bronzer: Benefit Hoola

 

Highlighter: Opia Face Highlighter. I used Benefit High Beam for years before I found this little gem. You can buy it in Primark for a pound and I can’t tell it apart from the Benefit version!

 

Eyeliner: I’ll use Rimmel Glam Eyes liquid liner for nights out but usually just stick to mascara for the daytime. I also use a little of Boots Natural Collection khol pencil in Soft Brown on my eyebrows.

 

Mascara: L'Oreal Telescopic in Carbon Black

 

Lipgloss: Benefit Lip Plump as a primer, followed by Soap and Glory’s Sexy Mother Pucker plumping gloss in Candy Floss.

 

Nail colour: Fairy Dust by Jessica

Scents: Chloe is my all time favourite and signature scent but for day to day I wear Juicy Couture.  

Have you got any products to recommend? What can't you live without? 

St Moriz Tanning Review

When a friend told me about an ‘amazing new fake tan’ which was only £3, I wasn’t convinced. As a loyal Fakebake addict I wondered if it would dry out my skin or worse turn me a Jodie Marsh shade of orange. But after my first use of St Moriz, I must admit I am a convert. My friend told me it was just like St Tropez’s tanning mouse and having used both, it’s very similar to St Tropez’s tanning mousse, without the £20 price tag.

Pro’s:

One of the benefits of using a mousse is that you can achieve a nice light golden colour which is good for fair haired girlies but may also be used more regularly to achieve a darker tan. I would definitely recommend using a couple of night in a row instead of applying double the amount. It will look more natural, even and will last longer.

It dried really quickly and felt much more comfortable to sleep in than other lotions which tend to feel sticky and leave your bed sheets in a mess!

Its £3! On a student budget that is a huge benefit. It came in the 200ml size so should last quite well too, even with my tanning habits!

Con’s:

It’s not difficult to apply, but because it dries so quickly you have to be fast rubbing it in or it will dry unevenly. My tip is to apply to small areas at a time, top half of your arm, bottom half etc. It takes a little longer but makes for a expertly even tan.

There’s no getting away from it, it is more of an orange colour than Fakebake which I particualy noticed on my face, tan snobs should perhaps steer clear. For the rest of my body however I was really happy with it. It’s fantastic for using on your legs as its cheap, super quick and to be honest I don’t really mind what colour my legs are so long as they’re not white!

Over all verdict:

Tan perfectionists may not love St Moriz, but the £3 price tag (along with it’s other benefits) is certainly enough to wean me off the expensive stuff for now. Easy to apply, comfortable to sleep in, a nice golden colour and change for a fiver!

I brought my St Moriz tanning mousse from Fragrance Direct.

 Always use gloves...For more tips on application read my previous post for fool proof tanning.

Girls Aloud False Eye Lashes

"I believe it is better to be looked over than it is to be overlooked"
Mae West

Who doesn’t want to look like Girls Aloud? Anyone?

Well high-street favourite Eylure is offering one step closer with their new range of false eyelashes designed by Girls Aloud.

Cheryl, Nadine, Kimberly, Nicola and Sarah all have a design each. I tried Sarah’s for a night out and Kimberly’s for a wedding...

Eylure – Sarah

Sarah’s design is the second most dramatic of the range, Cheryl’s being the biggest of course, so were perfect for a night out. The lashes have a spiky look to them and are designed to add volume as well as length.

To apply, I held the middle tip of the lashes whilst using the applicator inside the glue tube to add the adhesive along the lash line. I then quickly applied it to my eyelid securing it first in the middle then gently pressing down either end. You want to apply the false lashes as close to your natural eyelash roots as possible without it actually being glued to your natural lash. If you do this then you risk pulling out your natural lashes when you remove them at the end of the night.

Me in the Sarah lashes

Pros:

Applying false eyelashes yourself is difficult but the Sarah lashes are fairly thick making them easier to apply. They don’t bend as much as thinner versions.

I found the lashes lasted really well on a night out, they felt secure but were still easy to remove at the end of the night

I love the look of these eyelashes. With dark eye shadow they really accentuated my eyes and gave a brilliant party look.

Cons:

Because the lashes are thick and dramatic they have to be applied properly. It is easy to notice if one is slightly to the left, lower down etc. Give yourself an extra ten minutes for application.

Eylure – Kimberly

These lashes are just as long as but less thick so were perfect for a day time look. They are slightly longer at the outer corners which give a nice natural look. I wore them with natural eyeshadow and liquid eye liner which I also flicked out at the outer edges. I like to wear liquid eye liner with false eyelashes as it covers up the join line nicely.

Me and my sister in the Kimberly lashes

Pros:

These also stayed on really well considering they were on for about ten hours.

They were looked and felt quite natural. Some lashes can feel quite heavy and are difficult to get used to but these felt light.

Cons:

I found these ones difficult to apply, they were long and quite bendy so took a few attempts to get right.


Top tips

Dont sleep in them! Pretty obvious but after a night out you must remember this. It will do your eyes no good and one will probably come off half way though the night and attach itself to your top lip giving you a nice suprise in the morning. Possibly!

Be realistic. Big eyelashes are lovely but choose ones you think will suit you. If you are blonde or wear all of your hair away from your face, big dark lashes can look very fake and over the top. My sister who is blonde tried the Sarah lashes and just didn’t feel comfortable in them. Steer clear of dramatic styles like Cheryl and Sarah’s.

Try not to add mascara. They often look better without it and you won’t be able to reuse them as easily.

Reuse. I would say if you look after your falsies they will last a good four applications. Gently use eye make up remover and cotton wool to remove and dried up mascara or liner you may have applied to them and keep them in their box in between uses. You will also need to GENTLY pick off some off the glue from previous applications to keep them looking fresh.


Where to buy

Girls Aloud eylure lashes are available individually at Boots. Alternatively ASOS sells all five in a pack for £20 saving you a fiver!

Facemasks

“Luxury is a necessity that begins where necessity ends.” Coco Chanel

Under eyes looking a bit dark? Some monthly blemishes on your chin? There are times your skin definitely needs a pick me up and a face mask is the perfect solution. I honestly believe it’s your right as a female to indulge in a facemask and relax in a bubble bath once in a while.
But before you dash down to salon to revive your winter skin, try one of these DIY facemasks.

Chocolate indulgence for a pound

High street brand Montagne Jeunnesse have a range of facemasks tailored for different skin types. I use the chocolate mud mask because it smells yummy and suits my T-zone skin but the self warming Sauna mask lovely too.
The deep cleansing chocolate mask is designed to unblock clogged pores which can cause spots and blemishes. It also has moisturising properties so would be good for dry skin too. 

Pro’s:
The mask is easy to apply and has a nice thick consistency.
 Suitable for sensitive skin. I sometimes find deep cleansing masks too harsh for my sensitive skin, but this one doesn’t sting or tingle at all.
Your skin feels really soft and clean afterwards.
Each sachet should be enough for at least two applications. (After opening I advise you fold down the top and seal with a hair slide until you need it next but use within the week so it doesn’t dry out.)

Con’s:
 It is fairly difficult to remove once the mask has dried on. Use lots of warm water and a flannel.

Peel off cucumber

A friend of mine recently brought me a peel off mask from the Mudd range as a little treat and although I rarely use peel off masks I was pleasantly surprised.
Peel-off masks should be applied as a thin layer and when completely dry, slowly peeled off. It is supposed to work as a gentle exfoliate as it removes the top layer of dead skin cells and any impurities which could lead to spots.

Pro’s:
I used the mask the morning after a night out when my skin was looking a bit dull and it really brightened my skin.
Its a really gentle way to exfoliate your skin so would be perfect for sensitive skin.

Con’s:
For the mask to work effectively you need to apply a thin and even layer which is quite difficult. Areas where the mask is too thick won’t dry properly and will be difficult to remove.
It’s fairly time consuming. It took about twenty minutes for my whole mask to dry and be ready to peel off.

Homemade masks

If you want a completely organic facial treatment why not try a homemade mask?
I hear raw eggs are fantastic for the complexion but have never really fancied applying one to my face, so here’s my recipe for a simple oatmeal face mask:

Add a small amount of natural yogurt to a bowl of oatmeal/porridge oats, to form a paste. Rub onto face in circular motions. Wash off after ten minutes for smooth and soft skin.
Alternatively you could use a small amount of warm water instead of the yoghurt.
To give your skin an extra treat could add:
A tablespoon of Almond Oil.
Benefits: Moisturises, Improves complexion, delays aging and lightens dark circles.
Or
A tablespoon of honey.
Benefits: A natural antioxidant, supports the skin's ability to rejuvenate, absorbs impurities from the pores on the skin.

Top tips for facemask use:

Use regularly: Your skin will really benefit from a facemask being used regularly and you will start to notice a difference in your skin with continued use.

Choose the right one for you: High street brands provide a range of facemasks so for maximum benefit take time to choose one which suits your skin type. Beware of any which describe themselves as ‘deep cleansing’ if you have sensitive skin.

Careful application: Always avoid applying the facemask to your eye area, lips, eye brow and hair line.

Beauty SOS

"Who said nights were for sleep?” Marilyn Monroe

Everyone has those mornings where your reflection suggests that you have a lot of work to do before you walk out the door. One too many spritzers, a late night, fell asleep with your makeup on, perhaps all of the above?

Here are my tips on damage limitation.

Eyes:

Often the first place to show signs of a late night, eyes can sometimes look puffy and darker than usual. Cold tea bags and cucumber are supposed to work well but i’ve found teaspoons are even better! Pop a couple in the fridge until they are cold and hold on your eyes for two minutes. The coldness will reduce puffiness and make you look wide awake.

Skin:

If you didn’t take your make up off last night, do so as soon as you wake up. Leaving make up on over night blocks pores making it look dull and blemish prone. Use a foaming cleanser and rich moisturiser to replenish your tired face. Simple’s Daily Radiance Foaming Cream Cleanser is designed to brighten and refresh skin.

Moisturising tip:  Use your finger tips to massage your face as you apply the moisturiser. It will boost blood circulation and make your face look a bit fresher.

Make up:

There’s a classic mistake of covering your face with every cosmetic in your makeup bag in a bid to perk yourself up after a late night. It’s a mistake I’ve often made and can make you look even more run down. Steer clear of anything too heavy like bronzers and switch to a natural pink or peach blush to give your cheeks a natural colour. Dig out anything in your make up kit that describes itself as ‘light reflective’, I recommend Benefit’s High Beam highlighter which describes itself as a luminescent complexion enhancer. Mix a blob with your moisturiser or foundation, it will give your skin a gorgeous dewy look and no one will be able to guess how late you got to bed!

Fragrance:

Its a subtle change but switching to a fresher, lighter fragrance to the one you were wearing the night before will make you feel a lot brighter and will stop your friends from wondering if you actually saw your bed last night. I love Channel Chance Eau Fraiche.

Offers and Discounts

Save some pennies on your beauty budget by checking out these latest offers and promotions...

10% off Benefit orders with this promotional code.

St Tropez Everyday Perfect legs. Was £35 now £25, Save £10.

Dove Products. Receive 50p off your next purchase as well as receiving free samples and special offers by signing up at their website.

Save up to half price on selected Boots Beauty range at the reduced to clear section.

Beauty sale now on at ASOS, up to half price on products including St Tropez tanning range