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Diamond Whites Black Edition Liquid*

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Undoubtedly, the most fashionable things in the world of dental care have to be coconut oil and charcoal. They’re a seemingly odd combination (after all who would think that something completely black would whiten teeth?!) but rather amazingly, Diamond Whites have managed to combine the two in their new Black Edition Liquid.

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The Black Edition Liquid basically makes oil-pulling incredibly easy, as it’s a mix of coconut oil and charcoal. Diamond Whites recommend swishing it about for 15-20 minutes, but that can be a little hard, so I normally use it for around ten. Since it’s liquid already, you don’t need to faff around in the bathroom melting coconut oil. Instead, it’s ready to go, and within a single use I can see and feel the difference. Teeth look whiter and my mouth feels incredibly clean.

Diamond White Black Edition Liquid is priced at £9.99 and is available here.

Lancome Juicy Shaker – Show Me the Honey*

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Ok, so it’s not exactly news that I’m a big fan of Lancome’s Juicy Shaker lip glosses. When they were released earlier this year, I kind of binged on them – collecting a handful of colours in a few weeks, and honestly, they’re still one of my most used products.

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Show Me the Honey is probably the most neutral of my collection (which even contains a blue one) and it’s the perfect shade for everyday use. It’s a sheer, warm toned peach which makes lips look pretty and juicy – and really, what more can you ask for?

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Like all Juicy Shakers, Show Me the Honey, has a bi-phase formula which you shake prior to using. Then, using the foam applicator, you just dab the gloss onto lips. It has a moisturizing and super lightweight formula, so it’s perfect if you’re not a fan of a sticky gloss. Instead this just smoothes on, leaving lips feeling hydrated and looking gorgeous!

Lancome’s Juicy Shaker in Show Me the Honey is priced at £18.00 and is available here (UK) and is priced at $21 and is available here (US)

Urban Decay XX Vice Reloaded*

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Whenever Urban Decay release a new palette, it’s almost as if you can hear the world’s intake of breath. There have been a couple lately, and I got my hands on the brand new XX Vice Reloaded Palette, and spoiler alert – it’s a good one!

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Packaged in a slick black compact, complete with jewelled logo, XX Vice Reloaded is something special to behold. It’s big, weighty thing, with a push button which releases the spring-loaded lid. I just love it, and it looks incredible. There’s no doubt about it, this palette is all about celebrating the best of Urban Decay!

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Inside there are 20 shades (to celebrate 20 years of the brand), some new, some classic, and some re-releases, as well as a double ended brush, and a huge mirror. At first I was a little daunted by the shades selection – there are some true jewel colours in there – particularly ones like Acid Rain and Asphyxia which are just breathtaking. But there is also a great selection of neutrals in there too! Perfect for using on a more regular basis.

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The beauty of XX Vice Reloaded is in it’s adaptability. Day looks revolve around the colours Suspend, Shallow and Midnight Cowboy. They’re a mix of matte and satin finish shades, which provide a subtle wash of definition without looking too dramatic.

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In the evenings, I’ve been smoking everything out with shades like Oil Slick, Smog, and Twice Baked. As we’ve come to expect from the brand, Urban Decay’s XX Vice Reloaded’s shadows are buttery smooth and apply like a dream. I’ve noticed that the matte shades do seem to have the very best colour payoff, whilst the shimmers and glitters are a touch sheerer, so when I want a really vivid look, I apply using a dampened brush.

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Like most of the brand’s palette, this one comes with a double-ended brush which is surprisingly useful. I just love that Urban Decay include real tools in their kits, rather than the usual sponge applicators which I throw out immediately!

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Since both ends have quite long and fluffy bristles, it’s a good tool for creating subtle blended looks – and what more can I ask for in the mornings?!

Urban Decay XX Vice Reloaded is priced at £43 and is available here (UK) and here (US)

Real Techniques Ultimate Base Set*

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I’m a big believer in getting your base right, and then everything else will follow. It’s true in most things, but especially in makeup. Start off with a streaky or blotchy base, and there’s no way your makeup is going to look right! So, with that in mind, Real Techniques have released a limited edition Ultimate Base Set.

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The set contains the trio of tools necessary for perfecting your base – the much loved miracle complexion sponge, expert face brush and a deluxe concealer brush.

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I’ve never tried a Real Techniques sponge before, and I’m not really too sure why. It feels soft and firm to the touch, and it expands when damp, feeling a little springier than when dry. It applies foundation smoothly, leaving me with a medium coverage, and it doesn’t soak up too much product either!

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To be honest, I was a little apprehensive before using the Expert Face Brush. It’s described as extra firm, and I’m never really a foundation-brush fan. Usually it takes me an age to buff foundations in using the regular ones, but this one has completely changed my mind! Super soft acrylic bristles don’t soak up my foundations, and I only need a pump or two each morning. The brush doesn’t leave any sort of brush marks in my makeup, and leaves me with the perfect level of natural-looking coverage.

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Last up is the Deluxe Concealer Brush – another tool I had no idea I needed! At the moment, I’m pretty lucky in the fact I’m only wearing Diorskin Star concealer under my eyes (review here) I’ve upped my green tea consumption, and I’m sure it’s made a difference to my skin! So, after applying a light base, I paint on the concealer-triangle under my eyes, then use the Deluxe Concealer Brush to buff everything in. It feels so soft, and doesn’t pull or tug on my delicate eye area. Instead, it just erases dark circles, leaving me ready for a dusting of bronzer and a slick of liner and mascara and I’m good to go!

Real Techniques Ultimate Base Set is priced at £20.99 and is available here (UK) and similar here (US)

Arconic Curved Paddle Brush*

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If you’ve got medium or long hair, I’m pretty sure you know the hassle of blow dries! Since my hair just looks weird if I don’t wash it every morning, I’m well acquainted with numerous blow dry techniques (I can’t even tell you how many big round brushes I own!), but I’m always looking for something to make my mornings easier!

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The Arconic Curved Paddle Brush is one of those inventions you wonder why no-one thought of previously. It’s like your favourite paddle brush fused with your favourite barrel brush, and it means that blowing your hair out has never been easier or quicker!

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The brush has been designed especially for medium to long hair and as a result, it’s quite a big thing to wield, but the size of the brush head, means that it really gets through hair – detugging like a dream and it’s comfortable to hold, as well as easy to use.

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Thanks to the design, the brush pulls hair taught as you blow dry it, and the bend gives hair the perfect amount of bounce. It means that getting a salon-worthy blowout has never been easier, and I swear it’s taken at least ten minutes off my regular blow dries!

The Arconic Paddle brush is priced at £19.99 and is available here.

 

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