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Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts

Tuesday, 13 October 2015

The Art of Strobing


Have you heard of strobing before? Probably not as it's only become a big thing in the past couple of months, so much so that its dubbed to be even more flattering than contouring and much much easier!!
So here's the definition: The new way to define facial features and create a gorgeous glow, strobing is about highlighting the face using light and only light.
It's supposed to create the effect similar to that of an actual strobe light (hence the name). The best part!? It's super quick and easy to do! And a absolutely great product designed specifically for this new trend is MAC's strobe cream
MAC strobe cream £24.50

But if like me you don't want to splash the cash and only want to try it out then the high street offers some great cheap alternatives, such as the collection highlighting stick (4.99, boots) and MUA undress  me powdered highlighter (£3.99, superdrug) which is my favourite combo! As the collection cream highlighter is soglowyand fresh with out being sparkly (great on its own) but if you really want to push the boat out if you're going on a night out or just anywhere special add a little bit of the MUA undress me highlighter which will just give it a whole other dimension and make your skin all glowy and gorgeous!
At the moment I'm really loving the in your face glowy highlighter (but not glittery!), I know it's not to everyone's taste but there's just something about this technique that makes your skin look so healthy and flawless
 
Thanks for reading!
 
Robyn :)
 
 
 



Friday, 9 October 2015

One Heck of a Blot Instant Perfecting Power Primer Review

 
Recently I've been using a lot of primers to help with my make up, but I just can't find one that my skin agrees with!
They all feel great for about the first hour and then they proceed to make my skin feel greasy and cause my make up to separate, so not what a good primer is supposed to do!
 
The one I've been using the most recently is benefits porefessional, which is also guilty of feeling and looking great for the first hour and then just turns into a greasy mess on my skin.
 
 So naturally I went hunting for a new primer, one that would hopefully allow my make up to apply seemlessly and cover my pores, whilst having the staying power that is needed for my troublesome combination skin!
And along came this lil' stunner, Soap and Glory's one heck of a blot primer! I'd read a little bit about this new primer as well as being a fan of its powdered cousin! So naturally in my basket it went and I couldn't wait to try it out!
 
I've only been using it for about a week so far but from the first application I could tell that we were going to get on for quite some time (don't you just love that!).
The consistency of the primer is more like a cooling gel, which I love to refresh my face at silly o'clock in the morning, it's a translucent colourless gel meaning that it is perfect for all skin tones. It did not take any time at all to blend into my skin and unlike the professional it did not do that funny separating thing when I buffed it in to my skin(you know what I mean?), it's super comfortable and feels feather light on the skin almost as if wearing nothing!
It smoothed over all my pores and troublesome areas making my skin look flawless.
As the name would suggest it has a Demi matte finish to control oils but does not feel heavy or drying on the skin, like some other oil controlling products!
I first tried it with my favourite foundation of the moment (review to come) Estée Lauder's double wear light and I was amazed at how smoothly and evenly it applied. when I first try out a new primer I don't like to use powder over my foundation, just so that I can get a true feel for the lasting power without any extraneous variables, to my delight this primer held my face together for a full 6 hours before I even had to do the tiniest retouch!
Also after I'd removed my make up and cleansed my skin didn't feel clogged up at all, where as with other primers I feel like they clog your pores instead of actually covering over them, so I loved that and it hasn't broken me out yet, which is also a plus!
Over all I do really enjoy using this primer and will continue to continue trialling it and check back in a few weeks to let you know how I'm finding it!
 
Thanks for reading!
 
Robyn :)
 
 
 

Thursday, 8 October 2015

A Fragrance For The Modern Day Goddess!

Fortunately I'm very lucky in my line of work, which means I get to try some of the new products that are out.
Including the new womans fragrance by Paco Rabanne, Olympea!
It's described as a unique fresh oriental fragrance which, like her name is evocative and sensual!
Thekey notes are green mandarin, salty vanilla accord, water jasmine, ginger blossom, ambergris and cashmere wood. The luxuriousness of its ingredients ensure that this is a stay all day Eau de Parfum. It's sweet, warm and sensual without being overpowering, which is a very thin line to tread and may I say Paco Rabanne Have done it very well.
 
This is the hers fragrance in the his and hers duo that is Invictus and Olympea, it was about time Paco Rabanne brought out something just as amazing for us ladies isn't it!
Olympea is the "modern day" Cleopatra, meant for the victorious powerful and sexy woman.
 
The packaging on this bottle is just as gorgeous of the scent, with rose gold accents that are bang on trend right now. The shape of the bottle is supposed to be representative of a talisman that feature art deco references and the rose gold laurels which embrace the silhouette and are indicative of the mythological crown of victory.
 
This is a fragrance where everything really has been thought about creating a beautiful scent and bottle combining it all together to create something that would not go amiss in a high end jewellers, it's no wonder this beauty is flying off of the shelves as gold dust!
so what are you waiting for this is the perfect A/W15 scent for every women!
Available through Boots* (keep your eye open for some amazing gifts with purchase and gift sets exclusive to Boots)
*Also available in a luxurois shower gel and divine body lotion.

 
Thank for reading!
 
Robyn :)
 
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Monday, 5 October 2015

The Perfect Lashes For Bespectacled Ladies - Fleur De ForceXEylure

Eylure Fleur De Force Fleur Loves Lashes - feelunique.com
 
I have recently discovered a love for false lashes! they're brilliant aren't they?! It's the easiest way to add an extra lil' somethin' somethin' to your make up look and they really just pull everything together perfectly.
Whether you're a volume or length girl or both, there are lashes to suit all and some of my favourites are by Eyelure.
Recently there has been an overwhelming amount of bloggers and Youtubers releasing their own cosmetics and ranges, some which I have loved, some not so much. One that I do rave about and will continue to rave about is the lovely Fleur de Force's collaboration with Eyelure, I have only tried one product in the range but boy are they a beaut!
 
These are the Fleur Loves lashes that are 3/4 length, so perfect for girls who have smaller eyes (like me!) and because they are only 3/4 lengths they are perfect for glasses wearers (again like myself) as you don't get that annoying feeling of them constantly touching the lenses and having to wear your glasses halfway down your nose.
These are brilliantly light, as if you having nothing on your eyes at all, they blend beautifully with natural lashes and are perfect for everyday use as they aren't too out there.
I personally prefer a thinner band as I feel they look more natural and you can't feel them as much as the thicker banded lashes, I also find them easier to apply.
At £5.25 these are cheaper than other Eyelure lashes and considering I wore my first pair about 8 times you can get a lot of bang for your buck!
Also for those looking to bag themselves an extra bargin, right now at Boots it's 3for2 on selected nails and eyelashes, so it's the perfect time to try out fake eyelashes if you haven't already. It's really not that hard to master so don't be afraid to try them!
 
What do you think of Fleur's collab with Eyelure? Let me know in the comments!
 
 
Thank for reading!
 
Robyn :)
 
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Sunday, 24 May 2015

Smooth Skin Gold: IPL permenant hair removal device

 

Smooth Skin Gold IPL device: £299.99 available at Boots

I've recently been reading into IPL devices a lot lately and they really interested me.
basically an IPL device uses Intense Pulsed Light technology to deactivate the hair folecules that are in the growth stage, as not all of our hair grows at the same time the hair that is in the resting stage will then grow through and you use it again to deactivate those hair folecules. This is not an immediate permanent solution you will need to carry on using the device for a solid 12 weeks and then only when needed and you should see a significant decrease in hair growth! Brilliant right!?
And it's painless and doesn't cause any irritating ugly shaving rash which is amazing!

The only downside is that it can not be used on all skin tones (most not all) so check before you buy!
Another great thing about the IPL devices is that you do not have to wait for your hair to grow to be able to use it, unlike epilating or waxing, which means no more awkward hairy legs between uses!

It's recommended to do a skin patch test just to check your skin is suitable and you wont have any adverse reactions.

I was recently lucky enough to get my hands on the Smooth Skin gold IPL device which is unique in this market as it adapts the IPL to your skin tone as well as having a sensitive setting which is amazing! this device can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight so do expose treated skin to direct sunlight after use and always use an SPF (which you should use out in the sun anyway).

I am really excited to start using this device and see the results and I will be sure to keep you updated!

don't forget to like comment and follow, also let me know if you've used any devices similar to this one and how you've got on!

Thanks for reading
 
Robyn :)
 
 
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Saturday, 16 May 2015

Hero Product: La Roche Posay Serozinc

La roche Posay Serozinc: £8.50 for 150ml at boots
 
Now this is a product I know for a fact the beauty world is raving about.
Its from the same brand that gave you the Effaclar duo (review here) and it deserves just as much hype!
until now this has only previously been available in Paris and thank god they decided to bring it out in the UK!

This toner-come-hydrating mist is perfect for the long summer days (and nights). It aims to gently exfoliate and mattify oily skin with out drying it out and boy does it!

hold the bottle 30cm away from the face and close your eyes and spray away, then allow to sink in! It feels refreshing and light, perfect for dull or tight skin.

Since I've been using this product I have really noticed a difference in my skin, its brighter and smoother and more even in pigmentation, so much so that I would not go a morning or night with out using this little beauty!

Its perfect for even the most sensitive of skin as, like most other La Roche Posay products, it hypoallergenic, free of fragrance or perfumes and is also suitable for acne prone skin.

This wonder product is flying off the shelves right now and as its 3for2 mix and match on all skincare at boots, so I highly suggest that if you see this little blue and white beauty elixir in a bottle then snap it up! go on! what's stopping you!?

What products have you tried that you really enjoy from La Roche Posay? or any products you're enjoying in general, let me know in the comments! I'm always on the look out for new beauty buys!
 
Thank for reading!
 
Robyn :)
 
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Monday, 16 February 2015

The Wanderer Returns

Surprise! I'm back and more committed then ever!
I thought for my first post back I'd do a quick little FOTD and a life update to explain my long absence.

 I went for a very natural eye today but with a flick of liquid liner to really define my eyes.
I used my most recent purchase: the Make up revolution Ultra Eyeshadow palette in Flawless. It contains some beautiful warm and shimmery rose gold shades as well as some smokier matte shadows. This palette is beautiful for everyday use, but also includes everything you need for the perfect sultry "night out" eye look and at only £8 its a pure bargain, you can pick yours up from most local boots stores now!


Another one of my recent purchases in the Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara, it comes in this beautiful metallic pink packaging, and I have to say it is one of the best drug-store mascaras that I have ever tried, it's non-irritant and does not transfer at all, even if used on your bottom lashes, once this mascara is on, it will not budge (saying that it's still fairly easy to remove with a simple eye make up remover)

I have recently been using the Primer Plus by GOSH and love the way it makes my make up go on and last all day (although it is silocony, it's nothing like the Benefit Porefessional or the Maybelline baby skin) it's perfection transitional primer for the weird in between winter and summer phase.

I also recently picked up a Tanya Burr lip gloss in Just Peachy and it will definitely not be my last purchase from her range, not only is it a beautiful formula and goes on smoothly but it also smells amazing - just like Haribo Strawbs!

What did you think of the look? let me know in the comments!

Life update:
I know that I haven't posted in a LONG time (understatement of the year really) but everything just went so crazy, I left college and didn't seem to really know what I was going to do with my life.
but I think I've finally got it sorted, I've got amazing people around me who I love and care for and I have gotten rid of all the negative people (trust me it does you a world of good and if you think the negative people are going to change then sadly they're not, you're just better off without them in your life)
I have also been working as a trainee dental nurse for the past 5 months, which I am really enjoying, It's not something I ever thought I could see myself doing, but I'm glad I applied for the job. 
And if all that wasn't enough I've been quite ill recently, but don't worry I'm on the road to recovery, I've got my Roids (I'm not turning into a body builder dw, my immune system is so shit that my body needs extra help to to get me through this) and my antibiotics and lots of chocolate and cookies, right now I am one happy girl! 

Thank you for reading, don't forget to like, comment and follow, maybe even let me know how your life is going!

Thanks,

Robyn :)

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Tuesday, 29 April 2014

The MAC-Daddy Of All Presents


As you may, or may not know, Saturday was my 18th birthday, yep! that's right, I am now officially an adult (God help us all!). I also share my birthday with my beautiful twin sister charlotte, who is now my favourite ever person for buying me my first MAC palette, insert and eye shadows EEK!!

L-R: Sable, Wedge, Amber lights, Shroom, Retro-Speck and Nocturnelle
I had always wanted a MAC eye shadow palette and I was speechless when I woke up on Saturday morning to unwrap these beauties!!! do I have the best sister or do I have the best sister!?
I had written down a list of shades that I wanted and she got it spot on with the bronze/goldie tones that look amazing on my blue eyes! MAC eye shadows are really as amazing as everyone says they stay put all day, not a crease in sight! with their beautiful buttery soft texture with hardly any fall out. although they're £10 a pop I have definitely found my new obsession, I reckon I'll have about 3 more palettes by the start of 2015 (there goes my bank balance). I'd say although I'd wish that they were cheaper, they are definitely worth the money, I've never had eye shadow even half as good as the lil' circles of joy!

L-R: Sable, Wedge, Amber Lights, Shroom, Retro-Speck, Nocturnelle



 
Have you tried any MAC eye shadows? What did you think and what shade is your favourite (I need suggestions).
 
Thanks
 
Robyn :)
 
 
 

Wednesday, 9 April 2014

RED-dy To Face The Day



The products that I used to create this look.

Products used:
 
 
despite popular beliefs red lips are not just for A/W but are,  in fact perfect for spring and summer when paired with a bare face (the look I went for today) or a smokey eye if you are off to somewhere special.
 
the pictures I have taken of this makeup look really does not do the lip liner justice, it's a beautiful show stopping orangey, red yet it still has undertones of blue (don't ask me how that is possible) which means it suits almost everyone! Because I used a lip liner to fill in my whole lips it will stay put for hours and the Rimmel exaggerate liners feel lovely and light on the lips compared to other liners - so no Sahara desert like lips here! at only £3.99 it's cheaper then most lipsticks and is the perfect bargain buy!
 
I love pairing a bright lip with an almost bare face as I find I don't need as much coverage on my face as I normally would (therefore conserving foundation - it's expensive when your a student!) as the bright lip distract from this and can make any lazy makeup and hair combo look put together like you've spent at least an hour on your appearance when in fact it only took you 10 minutes!
 
 
What's your favourite way to wear a red lip and what products do you like to use to achieve this look? let me know in the comments!
 
 
Thanks
Robyn :)
 
 
 
 

Friday, 4 April 2014

The (Super)Powers of Sleep



So why do we sleep?
this questions has been asked for centuries and the answers is... that no one is really sure.
We have to sleep because it's essential for maintaining normal levels of cognitive (to do with the brain) skills such as speech, memory, thinking and therefore sleep is significant in brain development.

sleep also allows our bodies to rest themselves and prepare for the next day (I'm sure we all know what hell it can being having an early start at work on only a few hours sleep!)
Sleeping also allows our immune system to regroup to be able to fight off all sorts of nastiness, research shows that people who do not get enough sleep are more susceptible illness and recover more slowly from an injury then those who get more sleep.
It also help us live longer!

Sleep is one of the single most important health steps you can next next to a good diet and exercise to keep your body strong (what more reason do you need to sleep!?)

But how much sleep is enough?
If you're thinking the 6 hours you managed last night was sufficient enough, think again. the National Institutes of Health reports that although the amount of sleep differs for each individual the average adult needs 7.5 to 9 hours to be well rested and awake.

So there you go sleep is essential for a long and healthy life! now I'm off to sleep in the college library to restore my immune system and to help my brain concentrate ;)


Thanks
 
Robyn :)
 
 
 


Monday, 31 March 2014

Brows: The One Stop Shop


I'd had my eye on this nifty little brow product ever since I'd heard of it's existence about a month ago. 

you might not know but I'm absolutely hopeless at filling in what little eyebrows I have (for some reason they always end up looking like uneven, furry slugs?) and it is almost impossible to find the right colour to suit me, they're either to red or too dark.
So when I heard about the new Benifit Gimme Brow with it's tiny mascar-like wand and endless fibers to give your brows that effortlessly natural look, but with enough oomph to really frame the face, I just had to venture on down to my local benefit counter to have a closer look!



The lovely ladies at the Benifit counter in boots offered to try it out on me and my sister before I brought it (I was fairly sure I'd leave with it in my bag anyway). They showed me just how easy it was to apply and what a difference it made to my face but without making me look like they'd been drawn on in sharpie!
This Little product really did have me at hello with it's cute packaging and unique concept.

Before
(please excuse the state of my brows)

The brilliant thing about this is that the tiny fibers adhere to the hairs and skin to add colour and thickness, creating brilliants brows where previously there had been none!

After
It doesn't leave a crispy or sticky feeling like some fiber mascaras and the tiny wand means no brow gel were you don't want it. Although it does have that chemical smell that is associated with most mascaras but you can't smell it once it has dried.
I have the colour light/medium which is a really universal taupe colour that can be layered and built up to create your perfect brows.
I will definitely be repurchasing this although at £17.50 a pop (for how small it is) it does make me wince about handing over the money, but as there is nothing like this in the market I'm willing to part with my dinero.
Until the drugstores (hopefully) start developing a similar product I don't think I'll be without this one stop shop for my non-existent brows

Let me know in the comments what your favourite brow products are and if you've tried the Benifit gimme brow what did you think of it?

Thanks
 Robyn :)

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Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Liebster Award



First of all I'd just like to apologise for being MIA I've had a rather crazy month and have been unable to post as frequently as I'd have liked due to personal reasons but don't worry I'm getting back into the swing of things and I'm going no where!

Thank you so much to Emily for nominating me! make sure to go and take a look at her blog

 
 
Rules of the Liebester Award:

 
 
  1. create a blog post about the award - and remember to thank and link the wonderful person that nominated you
  2. share 11 facts about yourself
  3. answer the 11 question that the person who nominated you has created
  4. nominate other bloggers with less than 200 followers (do not re-tag the person that nominated you)
  5. and finally create 11 questions for your nominees and comment on their blogs to let them know about their nomination
Basically the point of the Liebester awards is to share the love around the blogging community which I think is a wonderful idea!
 
 
11 facts about me:
  1. I'm currently studying biology, chemistry and psychology for my Alevels
  2. I suffer from severe anxiety and often have anxiety and panic attack especially in college 
  3. I love Teenwolf and Stiles is my favourite character (I swear if they kill him off idgaf I don't know what I will do)
  4. I'm a twin and have been for almost 18 years now :P
  5. I love science and cosmetics/skincare and hope to combine these later in my career
  6. I work at a large Primark store
  7. I have a spending problem and cannot save money for the life of me
  8. although I love surrounding myself with my friends, I often need space and time to be on my own and blogging helps me relax
  9. I have 4 piercing (my nose, ear lobes and 2 on my ear cartilage, I did have my belly button but I took that out) I love them and I also love tattoos and can't wait to get my first one
  10. putting my makeup on and washing it off at the end of the day is my favourite thing to do
  11. I am quite amazing at cooking (if I do say so myself)
 
 Emily's questions:
 
1. Night in or night out? normally it would be a night in but recently I have become a social butterfly and love a good night out with great company
 
2. Sweet or Savoury? savoury, I can eat crisps for days!
 
3. Current staple beauty product of yours? Rimmel stay matte primer, you can read my review here
 
4. Any pets? I have one fluffy, old black and white cat called minstrelle, he's very lovely when he's not grumpy
 
5. What's the first thing you notice about a person? probably their smile
 
6. Summer or Winter? definitely summer!
 
7. What do you like most about yourself? features wise probably my eyes and personality wise I like that I'm a caring person and that I will always put others first
 
8. One beauty/hair regime that you can't get the hang of? using hair masks, sure they smell great but every single on I have tried has made my hair greasy and lank
 
9. What's your guilty pleasure? listening to one direction really loudly and scream/singing all the lyrics (not really a very guilty one)
 
10. Who is your style icon? at the moment I just love taking style inspiration from blogs and just people in the street
 
11. Current favourite song? it's either she looks so perfect by 5SOS (they are just beautiful human beings in every single way) or sweater weather by the neighbourhood


I nominate:
 
Make sure to go and have a look at all three of their wonderful blogs!
 
 
The Questions
 
  1. what do you love most about blogging?
  2. skincare makeup or fashion?
  3. what do you hope to achieve over the next year
  4. when it comes to fashion do you prefer comfort or style?
  5. what's the last thing that made you cry with laughter?
  6. favourite book of movie?
  7. how old are you?
  8. what country would you most like to visit?
  9. which person has the most influence on your life?
  10. day or night?
  11. favourite food?
 
 
Thanks for reading look out for my up and coming review of the Benefit Gimme Brow Gel; HINT, it's a good one!



Friday, 28 February 2014

Review: Rimmel Stay Matte Primer




Because of my recent disappointment caused by the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser, which just made my skin feel very slick and smothered and made my make up slide all over the place, I really wasn't expecting to fall in love with a drugstore primer..... but that is just what happened!

The Rimmel Stay Matte Primer has stolen m makeup loving heart. I really didn't expect it to have an almost creamy consistency, I was expecting the usual siliconey feel (although it does have a tiny, tiny feel of silicone) and was pleasantly surprised when I applied this to my face. It went on really smoothly and just felt like I was applying a face cream rather than a primer, it didn't feel heavy on my skin in the slightest which meant my skin was able to breathe throughout the day (always an added bonus).
when I applied my foundation over the top (at the moment i'm using a mixture of NARS sheer glow and Maybelline's better skin foundation) it applied much smoother and less streaky then with out the primer, although it does take a bit of working into the skin if you've waited a while after applying the primer, as it starts to set (but in no way does it set in that horrible sticky and tight way). Because of the way the primer sets it really does hold your makeup in place all day - although I have only been using this for about 5 days I can safely say it lasted amazingly (through 4 long bus journeys, a full day of college and a quick stop in town, and that was just on Monday!) when I came home from college I was shocked to look in the mirror and see that my makeup looked as good as it did when I first applied it.
It's unfragranced and so far has not broken me out but I do tend to double cleanse, especially if i use a primer just to make sure my is completely clean and clear of any debris.

I've got a rather busy weekend coming up (I'm going to NSC Yes Live on Saturday - So excite! and a full day of work on sunday - not so excite!) so I probably won't post for a couple of days.
Are you up to anything interesting this weekend? What's your favourite primer, I'd love to know what I should try out next, let me know down in the comments!

Thanks
Robyn :)

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Saturday, 22 February 2014

Mini drugstore haul #2.0

 
Okay, so clearly my plans to save my money haven't happened. today was such a lovely sunny day (which is rare in rainy Ol' England) so I ventured into the town centre - which is always a dangerous idea the day after payday! I desperately needed a new concealer and as if I needed any more reason to spend my hard earned cash there was a 3 for 2 offer across all of the makeup in boots.



of course I picked up what I originally went into town for the Collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer in fair 1 this is my favourite concealer and at only £4.19 it is a bargain buy!


 
This is a new release from Rimmel The Stay Matte Primer is described as "Skin Perfecting primer, ultra lightweight formula minimises the appearance of pores." sounds brilliant and it felt lovely when I tested it on the back of my hand, I have high hopes for this product and if it does what it says on the tin then it's a steal at £5.99 - I'll report back once I've tested it out for a while

I have been forever searching for the perfect nude and when I spotted this gorgeous new models own HyperGel nail polish in Nude Glow and I am so glad I picked it up because I think my search may actually be over. It's always been very hard for me to wear nude nail polish as I am extremely pale and it's never looked quite right but none the less I wanted a nude nail polish, and this one looks awesome the colour is true to that in the bottle and it's slightly ashy (only very slightly) with out making my hands look like zombie hands, it went on beautifully, opaque in 2 coats and extremely shiny, I can't comment on the longevity as of yet as I only just painted my nails about 2 hours ago but i'll be sure to let you know!
 
I've been trying to get my hands on Bioderma for A while and I just can't justify spending £19.50 on 500ml of special water but I desperately needed a pre cleanser/lazy day cleanser so when I stumbled upon the Garnier Micellar cleansing water just £4.99 for 400ml and from what I've heard, through the interwebs, it does the same job as Bioderma without irritating the eye area. it also says on the front of the bottle that you can get 200 uses out of this one bottle, I highly doubt that, but I will be bloody impressed if it last that long! look out for a post reviewing these products in more detail!
 
what are your drugstore must haves? let me know in the comments down below what I should be checking out!
Thanks
 
Robyn :)
 
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Wednesday, 19 February 2014

Currently Lusting after: DKNY Be Delicious City Blossom Urban Violet

DKNY Be Delicious Urban Violet £37
 
 
Oh Donna Karan you have done it again and just in time for spring! Now I'm not normally a fragrance person as I think they are quite overpriced for the amount of product that you get and you're mainly just paying for the brand...
But I have been converted!
 
I had just strolled into my local boots when I noticed a trio of beautiful looking new Limited edition DKNY perfumes Rooftop peony (Pink), Empire Apple (green) and my favourite Urban violet (purple).


 
 
The DKNY website describes urban violet as "The fresh fragrance of Urban Violet captures the spirit of a flowering oasis in the heart of New York City. The urban dream blends bursts of mandarin with delicious apple blossom and delicate violet to create an intoxicatingly vibrant, sensual experience" now who wouldn't to wear that!?
 
As I am currently on a spending ban (as I have previously mentioned I have a shopping problem) this would make the perfect birthday gift for my birthday in April (not so subtle) hint, hint!
 
it's the perfect fresh, not to floral spring fragrance that I can see my self wearing non-stop!
 
 
What's your perfect spring scent? let me know down in the comments!
 
Robyn :)
 
 
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Thursday, 13 February 2014

Mini Drugstore Haul

 
 
recently I have been on a spending ban on account of saving up to go abroad (I've never even seen a plane in real life!). My withdrawal symptoms were just too much to handle and with all the new drugstore beauty releases I had to cave! 
 
 
 
Revlon Colourburst Lacquer Balm in the shade in Demure: oh Revlon! with all these new lip lacquer and matte Balm releases you really didn't disappoint! although I prefer the Matte Balms (review coming soon!) I really enjoyed swatching the Lacquers and thought Demure would be the perfect lazy girl lip colour - and it is! it's a light baby pink, almost nude with a slight peachy tinge and some glitter (I hardly noticed the glitter whilst on my lips). It feels lovely on the lips and doesn't dry them out the way I feel some other "chubby stick" style products do; but beware, if you were not a fan of the original balm stain smell and "tingly feel" then you might not like these.

Maybelline colour show street artist  top coat in Alley Attitude: This is a really funky and fun topcoat that can make any nail colour pop, it's really easy to apply, it really look like someone has splatter paint over your manicured tips and has me staring at my nails for hours (does anyone else do that when their nail game is just so strong...nope just me?) I also feel as if this increases the longevity of my nail polish, probably because it's so damn hard to remove (as with any glittery/sequin nail polish) but that is the only down side!

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant pore eraser: I snapped this up the day it was released and it has taken me until now to decide my verdict... and my verdict is (drumroll please) I didn't really like it. It goes on with a very silicone/slick feel and although my foundation went over it smoothly and it did make my pores appear smaller, it slipped around my face and separated more than usual and it made my skin much more oily, I was hoping it was going to be an alternative for my Benefit Porefessional but sadly it's not.

L'Oreal Miss Manga Mascara: I have a love/hate relationship with this mascara it gives amazing volume but it doesn't do anything for the length (I actually felt it made my lashes look quite short!) and it's quite easy to go too far with this mascara and get the very clumpy "I can't open my eyes because my lashes are glued together by mascara" look. possibly might be better layered with a lengthening mascara like (my current favourite) Seventeen SUPERlash mascara


  I'd be really interested to know wether you have tried any of these products - in particular the Maybelline Baby Skin and the L'Oreal  miss manga mascara.
And as always let me know any of your beauty or skincare recommendations!
 
Robyn :)

Wednesday, 29 January 2014

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Healthy skin starts from within.



Image from: wiki fitness


 

Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients do wonders to achieve that "healthy glow" that us mere mortals crave so much.

sure you can spend £££'s on the newest serums or creams that all claim to improve the look of your skin OR you could just consume a bunch of yummy food containing skin loving ingredients, that will not only make your skin look better but are also a general all round pick me up for your health!

Vitamin A: if you don't have enough vitamin A then this could cause a dry and flaky complexion this is because vitamin A is necessary for the maintenance and repair of skin tissue (with out it you'll notice a difference) specifically it is Topical Vitamin A that makes a difference to your skin. be careful though too much vitamin A will not make a difference to your skin and will probably make you feel unwell.

Vitamin A in food: paprika, chilli powder, sweet potatoes, carrots, dark leafy greens, lettuce, butternut squash, dried apricots, cantelope (melon)


Vitamin B: perhaps the most important B vitamin is Biotin as it forms the basis for skin and hair cells, without sufficient levels of Biotin you may experience a dry and itchy scalp or even hair loss! your body is capable of making Biotin but it also has to be consumed from food. vitamin B is important for hydrating cells and improving the overall tone of skin. Niacin is a specific type of Vitamin B that helps to retain moisture to make your complexion look plumper and younger, it also has anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe dry and irritated skin. Niacin also helps produce energy from the food that we eat and to keep the nervous and digestive systems healthy, not only will your skin look great but you'll feel great as well!

Vitamin B in food: bananas, oatmeal, eggs, rice, peas, wholegrain bread, milk, chicken, pork, beef, potatoes, salmon, cod, cheese, broccoli, soya beans, spinach, chickpeas and loads more!


Vitamin C: one of the most important new dermatological discoveries is vitamin C's ability to counter act the effects of sun damage on the skin, it works by reducing the damage caused by free radicals (a harmful by product of sunlight e.g. smoke and pollution, as humans don't have the ability to make their own vitamin C you need to ensure that your diet contains lots of vitamin C enriched food which can replace the loss of the vitamin through the skin. Vitamin C is also essential to help wounds heal.

Vitamin C in food: oranges/orange juice, strawberries, blackcurrants, potatoes, broccoli, brussle sprouts, red, yellow, orange and green peppers.


Vitamin D: Vitamin D is essential for Strong, teeth, bones and nails and also strengthens the eyes and prevent conditions such as Osteoporosis, as well as this Vitamin D is amazing for treating skin conditions such as Psoriasis. Vitamin D increases skin cell metabolism ( how quickly skin cells are renewed) It is very common to have a vitamin D deficiency (not enough) and this can cause a long list of harmful ailments, one of our main sources of Vitamin D is from the suns UV rays. vitamin D is also required for calcium absorption.

Vitamin D in food: Found in a variety of everyday food such as, eggs, butter and margarine, oily fish, milk, button and shiitake mushrooms ETC...


Vitamin E: Vitamin E is one of the best known Antioxidants (Antioxidants neutralise free radicals that could otherwise harm the skin- free radicals "consume" the collagen and elastin, which are the fibres that support skin structure, this produces wrinkles and other signs of ageing) and is frequently used in skincare as it is used to reduce the appearance of blemishes but it also boast anti-aging effects and can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles! Also "Adequate amounts of vitamin E can help protect against heart disease, cancer, and age related eye damage"
Read more at healthaliciousness

Vitamin E in food: Tofu, kiwis, mango, blackberries, spinach, almonds, sunflower seeds, avocado, shellfish, plant oils, tortilla chips, low fat popcorn, broccoli, squash and pumpkin to name but a few.

These are just a few of the vitamins we should be eating but remember like with anything, it is all in moderation!
I hope this post has taught you something new and feel free to leave any comment or questions and share this page!

Thanks
Robyn :)






Friday, 3 January 2014

Clarins; Lotus face treatment Oil

 



Recently my skin has been quite oily and no matter what skin base and setting powder I would uses, about 2 hours after applying "my face" all my make up would be separated and blotchy (not the look I was going for!) and I decided I need to treat my skin a little bit.

now you might be asking "AN OIL ON OILY SKIN!?" but don't worry, oily skin can often be dehydrated and instead of stripping your face of all natural oils and using hundreds of different chemicals, you should use a "balancing" and "nourishing" product and the Clarins lotus face oil for combination skin aims to do both of these things as well as minimizing pores and controlling the production of excess sebum (an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous gland, too much sebum causes blemishes and imperfections).

this face oils contains essential oils of rosemary and geranium to help balance the sebum production and purify skin, it also contains lotus extract (as the name would suggest) to help refine skin and is dermatologist tested (always a good sign)
I've recently been applying 3-5 drop morning and night and I have been extremely happy with the results, the oil absorbs into the skin almost immediately and leaves skin smelling lovely (quite floral, warm and herby) and felling soft and supple, don't be scared of it's bright yellow colour, it doesn't stain at all!
The morning after the first use I could see a dramatic improvement in my skin, my pores were in fact reduced and my skin looked much more even and my old sallow looking skin had completely vanished, and I noticed that throughout the day my make wore extremely well and there were no signs of separation until the very end of the day.
Although I have cut down to only using 3-4 drops at night on problem areas (my T-zone and the pores on my cheeks) as the end of my nose felt quite dry and tight so I've avoided putting any on that area just in case it's the oil that's drying it out (although I haven't experienced this on any other parts of my face)

Overall I am extremely happy with this purchase and I think it's wholeheartedly worth it's (quite) hefty price tag of £30 as you only use a few drops everyday which increases the longevity of the product.

have you tried this or anything else from Clarins? what are your favourite products for oily to combination skin?
let me know in the comments!

Robyn x