Bomb Cosmetics Lip Care*

Posted on 07/21/2014 by laurengdall

Whenever the weather picks up in the summer, I’m quick to down-size my makeup routine. My lip glosses are relegated to my storage containers, and I dig out my favorite balms. I always think it looks and feels so much better in the heat to have a subtle glow rather than full-on-sticky glosses. Recently, I’ve been reaching for my newest two balms which come courtesy of Bomb Cosmetics. They come in the cutest little pink pots, and they smell delicious – just like candy. Whenever my lips are feeling a little parched, a quick slick of the balm really works to hydrate and smooth, and the scents are just so fun!

What I also love is how affordable they are – they only cost £2.49 each, which means with such delicious flavors you don’t even need to choose!

The balms are available here.

Elemis Advanced Brightening Even Tone Serum*

Posted on 07/20/2014 by laurengdall

Whenever a product promises to even skin tone and brighten complexions, I will be first in line to try them. Despite the fact I love makeup and I love getting all dolled up, I think there is nothing nicer than when my skin is in good enough condition for me to leave my tinted moisturizers and foundations squarely on the dressing table.

Elemis’ Advanced Brightening Even Tone Serum is a new release, and it promises big things. Basically, if you’re looking to brighten up your skin, reduce pigmentation after 28 days, and reduce previous scarring, this serum is for you! It comes packaged in a nifty blue tube, with a top button which keeps everything nice and tidy. After cleansing I use a pump or two and cover my whole face and décolletage with serum. It sinks in quickly, and it feels lovely and cooling to use.

Like most people, the serum’s claims of brightening complexions really appealed to me. I mean, who doesn’t want that glow? I’ve been using it religiously for just over a week, and I have to say, I’m completely loving the results. My skin just seems to look fresher and more rested than normal. It’s such an easy addition to my skincare regime, and I have to say, I’m super impressed!

The serum costs £59.00 and is available here.

Dr. Ceuticals Firm & Sculpt Arm Gel*

Posted on 07/19/2014 by laurengdall

Since the weather is heating up, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been hitting the gym harder than normal. No matter how many weight routines I do, I’m always looking for a quick fix to get Michelle Obama-esque arms.

Thankfully Dr. Ceuticals is making my quest a whole lot easier with their Firm & Sculpt Arm Gel. Designed to be used alongside regular exercise, rubbing the gel into upper arms using a circular motion to firm up skin and increase circulation. It’s recommended that you use the gel twice a day for three months to achieve the best results, and although I’ve only been using it for a week or so, I am loving the results. After showering, I apply a little of the gel, then let it sink in for a minute or so before getting dressed. It’s not greasy or sticky, and the main difference I’ve noticed is in my skin tone. My arms feel like they’ve gotten firmer, and my skin feels moisturized too!

It’s currently 1/2 price at Boots, so grab it while you can here.

Tanya Burr Lips and Nails*

Posted on 07/18/2014 by laurengdall

I think it’s every girl’s dream to have a line of makeup with her name on it, so when mega beauty blogger Tanya Burr released a range with drugstore-favorite Eye Candy, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on some of the goodies.

Despite the high-street prices, the range comes in chic black-topped bottles, not dissimilar to classic Chanel packaging. There are 10 varnishes to choose from, and they are a great selection of classic colors – think bright cherry reds, vampy darks and gorgeous nudes. I think I got the two most unusual colors to review – Peaches and Cream on the left, and Little Duck on right. Peaches and Cream is a stunning dusky nude, which is just a shade or too darker than the natural colors I normally choose. I’ve seen these type of shades described as ‘dirty bridesmaids’ and it’s pretty apt. Rather than drying to a bright pink-tone, Peaches and Cream has an almost grey undertone. It’s a great update on a classic colour, and I can’t wait to wear it with a tan! Little Duck is one of brightest fun-shades in the collection. The turquoise is such a departure from my regular choices of pinks and darks, and it’s such a fun choice for summer. Like Peaches and Cream, the polish dries down to slightly grey-tone, but it makes the colour feel sophisticated. I can’t wait to wear this as a pedicure!

The Chanel-esque packaging continues with Tanya’s lip glosses. There are twelve shades to choose from, and like the nail polishes, they cover all bases from dramatic reds and purples, to far easier to wear nudes and sheers.

Just Peachy is possibly my favorite of the glosses. It’s a flattering pinky-nude with a surprising amount of pigment. It’s definitely a ‘your lips but better’ kind of a shade, and it’s absolutely perfect if you’re wearing a smokey eye, but don’t want your lips to look too bare. It smells delicious, and the colour stays on all night!

Champagne Toast is probably the most every-day shade of the lip glosses. It looks seriously expensive – a warm apricot base colour filled with golden shimmer makes lips look full and pouty effortlessly. Like Just Peachy, is smells good enough to eat, with a warm brown sugar, vanilla type fragrance, and it stays glossy for over an hour on me.

Tanya’s nail varnishes cost £5.99 each, and the lip glosses cost £6.99 each, and they are all available here.

Chanel Beaute Des Ongles Extreme Shine Nail Lacquer*

Posted on 07/17/2014 by laurengdall

I have, what might be called ‘fussy nails.’ They don’t really grow too long, they don’t like certain brands of polish, and they chip super easy, so in my attempts to appease my oh-so-fussy nails, I stumbled apron the awesomeness which is Chanel Beaute Des Ongle Extreme Shine Nail Lacquer whilst I was browsing on the Click Fragrance website. It’s an absolutely genius site which has all of my favorite brands (think Chanel, Dior, Clarins and Bulgari among hundreds of others) at reduced prices. They have an amazing selection which includes everything from designer perfume to lipgloss all at cheaper than regular prices – you can check them out here.

It may not have the catchiest name in the bunch, but this is some serious top coat! It comes packaged in an achingly chic black bottle, complete with detachable cap.

For the past year or so I’ve been using the Chanel Protective Base under all of my polishes, so I thought it was high time I tried out the top coat too!

After applying a thin layer of my base coat, and two coats of my beloved Chanel Ballerina, I painted a layer of the Extreme Shine on top. It didn’t snag or pull on the colour, and thankfully there were no bubbles. Instead, I was left with gorgeously shiny tips which have remained chip free and super shiny for the past three days! (an absolute age for my picky nails) I am absolutely in love with this top coat, and I can’t believe I haven’t gotten round to trying it before now! The fact that I now know where to find cheap Chanel nail polish just makes me so happy!

The Chanel Beaute Des Ongles Extreme Shine Nail Lacquer costs £20.95 from Click Fragrance, and it’s available here.

Glossybox July 2014*

Posted on 07/16/2014 by laurengdall

Spending July in the US is one of my favorite things in the world. Independence Day is one of the best holidays – warm summer day, parades, bonfires, and of course, s’mores! Obviously Glossybox agrees because their new July box is Stars and Stripes themed, packed full of amazing US brands.

I’m completely obsessed with this month’s packaging – a stars and stripes box with a beautiful bright red ribboned package to unwrap!

Inside is a veritable treasure trove, with old favorites as well as new products which I’m super excited to try out.

I’m not sure I’ve come across anyone who hasn’t tried and loved carmex. It’s one of those staples which I’ve had in my stash since I was 8 or 9, so a new tub is always welcome!

Color Club have an exclusive shade this month, with a full size polish. The denim blue is gorgeous, and I’m currently wearing this as a pedi colour. It applies evenly, and two coats is enough for a perfectly finish.

Tarte’s Lights Camera Lashes mascara review was one of the products I was most excited about trying. I’ve never tried anything by Tarte before, and it’s a great everyday mascara. It goes on without a hint of clumping, and it makes my lashes inky black. The fact that it’s natural too is just amazing.

The Bellapierre lipstick is a gorgeous pop of colour for summer. It’s an orange-red shade with is perfect for wearing with a hint of a tan. I’ve not had a chance to properly test the longevity of the shade,but I love the colour!

Last but not least is the fab Nicka K NY Eyelid primer. This couldn’t come at a better time for me – I’ve just run out of my trusty Laura Mercier primer, so I was on the lookout for a replacement. The primer comes packaged like a lipgloss, so after applying my foundation and concealer, I just dot a little of the formula over my eyelids and blend it in. It’s a light, almost shell pink, and it’s great for layering under shadows to prevent creasing and adding to wear time,

This was such a great box, and there isn’t anything I can’t see myself using! It costs £10 for a single box, and 3 month subscriptions start at £30.

Jo Malone Velvet Rose & Oud Dry Body Oil*

Posted on 07/15/2014 by laurengdall

Whenever one of those glorious Jo Malone boxes plop through the door, I have to stop myself ripping it open! I had such a wonderful surprise when the new Velvet Rose & Oud Dry Body Oil arrived – it’s a perfect way to wear scent for the summer, and I’m obsessed with how it smells.

A new product for July, the Dry Body Oil is part of an extension of the Velvet Rose & Oud fragrance, which also includes a candle. Packaged in the chicest black glass bottle, there is an atomizer for easy application. After showering, you only need a couple of spritzes for glowing skin which smells delicious.

The fragrance itself is rich and heady, and instantly reminds me of my time in the Middle East. When first applied, the rose is the most dominant note, and as the oil heats up with my body, the richer, warmer notes of oud become stronger. It’s the most glamorous scent – quite rich and deep (the scent is part of the intense range) and it’s definitely very sexy and sultry. You only need a couple of spritzes to smell heavenly, and it sinks into skin almost instantly, leaving the most perfect glow which is perfect if you want to show off you’re newly tanned shins and shoulders!

The Dry Body Oil (and the candle) costs £48 and both are available here.

Weleda Almond Soothing Facial Lotion*

Posted on 07/14/2014 by laurengdall

Since I have sensitive skin, enjoying the summer can sometimes lead to my skin feeling dried out and sensitized. I’m pretty sure it’s a mix of sitting out in the sun as well as having to use things like sunscreen which aren’t regular members of my skincare routine. To combat any irritation I might otherwise suffer from, I’ve been turning to Weleda’s Almond Soothing Facial Lotion. It is just the most gentle moisturizer I’ve tried in forever, and my skin completely drinks it up. After cleansing, I simply pat a little on, and do my makeup as normal. I don’t get too dry or too shiny as the day progresses, and it feels so calming to use!

The lotion costs £12.95 and is available here.

FoM Mini Cosmetics*

Posted on 07/11/2014 by laurengdall

Mini travel sized goods seem to be a theme this week, so if you’re packing to head off somewhere exotic, I would check out FoM Cosmetics try out section where you can find the most adorable, shrunken down versions of their best-selling products.

Each product comes in an adorable glass bottle, and contains enough for a good 3-4 uses, so you can really decide on which products you like best. If you’re already a fan of the brand, these are also perfect travel companions!

For the past couple of evenings, I’ve been using a couple of pumps of the Orange Blossom Facial Cleanser. It smells absolutely gorgeous – a light neroli-esque scent which feels super calming to use. If you suffer from sensitized skin, this is a great product to use because it’s so gentle, and it does’t strip or damage the skin.

The Antioxidant Facial Mask is probably what I was most excited about trying. The bottle is filled with a grey, chalky-looking powder which you mix with water to create a paste.

It’s completely perfect for traveling since it isn’t a liquid, and it’s so easy to use! Once I had mixed the mask into a paste, I applied it to clean, damp skin and left it to dry. When I toweled everything off, my skin felt soft and wonderfully cleansed.

Last up is the Overnight Rose Repair Serum. It’s has a luxuriously rich consistency which feels so nourishing when applied. The formula is filled with anti-oxidants, nutrients, fatty acids and lipids to nourish and hydrate skin, and it is glorious to use.

These are just the cutest little minis, and they start at a teeny £4.00 and they are available here.

Lust List: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Globe Trotter

Posted on 07/08/2014 by laurengdall

Whenever people talk about summer and exotic foreign travels, attention inevitably turns towards packing. I have to admit, I’m not one to travel light – I hate not having options, and I’m super fussy. What I also hate is having to decant all my lovely options and potions into ugly little plastic bottles. Maison Francis Kurkdjian, however has solved the problem of packing bulky fragrance bottles with his swoon-worthy Globe Trotter travel spray case which comes in either zinc or gold. I love the almost architectural detailing in them – can you imagine how chic they would look in your purse?

You can also choose whatever Maison Francis Kurkdjian fragrance which you want to nestle inside – I’m liking the sound of Aqua Universalis for a fresh, summer-time fragrance.

The cases cost $105 and are available here.

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