The Packaging

The powder comes inside a handy, rounded compact with a covering that is a mirrored gold effect. The dimensions 76 x 84 x 16 also mean it’s easy to store away in your make-up bag. Down the centre of the compact is the classic Charlotte Tilbury design and branding which I find very sleek and elegant. The packaging feels sturdy enough without being overly heavy and contains a fair amount of product: 8g. Inside there is a good sized mirror and the name? “Charlotte Tilbury” is emblazoned along the edging. Overall, it is very in-keeping with the brand’s luxury image and, as usual, you feel like you are holding something special and glamorous. Like many of her products it oozes old Hollywood glamour. The only slight negative to the packaging would be that the mirror glaze on the outside is susceptible to mucky finger prints and marks. However, this is a mere niggle and nothing a good buff with a cloth and these come right out.

The Product

Charlotte Tilbury calls this product her “powder revolution,” and claims that it has ingredients designed to prevent unwanted skin shine whilst simultaneously brightening the complexion – big promises. It is available in three shades (1 – Fair, 2 – Medium, 3 – Dark) that are meant to cater for all skin types. The unique selling point of this product is the, “soft focus micro powders” that come from “nano-particles,” aimed at blurring away imperfections. As expected with Thai brand the product description is jam-packed with scientific terms. I am a huge Tilbury fan (and I love that her products are so well researched) but, sometimes I can’t help but feel the inclusion of so many terms is merely for the “oo-ee,” or “wow,” factor.

The idea for this powder is that it could be used on it’s own, over something like the Light Wonder Foundation (for a more subtle natural finish), or to set a fuller make-up look. It does seem to pitch itself as a very versatile product. It also contains rose wax and almond oil to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day and smooth the skin. It also includes, “nourishing actives” that also soothe as well as restore the skin. If that isn’t enough it’s supposed to have light reflecting properties that diffuse and reflect for a luminous complexion all day.

The list of what this product can do seems never-ending and, on paper, it certainly would certainly seem like a wonder product; which I think is the intention. But, does it live up to all it says it will?

The Results

Well, I can’t vouch for the hydrating properties this powder promises to give you. Having such dry skin I layer on many moisturising products and primers anyway so, it would be unfair to say definitively that this product was responsible for keeping my dry skin at bay. The same could be said for the luminosity features – I use the NIOD photography fluid, a dewy foundation and copious amounts of the Charlotte Tilbury, Hollywood Beauty Light Wand Highlighter with the MILK Holographic Highlighter slathered on top.

What I can say is that there are things I really love about this product. Firstly, I love the colour tone. Having pale/fair skin I opted for shade one. Having this skin tone I often find that powders are too dark or too much on the yellow side for me. However, this powder is so light in colour and texture that it glides on almost unseen. I feel it lets my foundation (and the dewiness of it) shine through and doesn’t make me look like I am caked with make up or turning an unnatural hue. Moreover, it does an excellent job of keeping my make up in place all day. It’s also really easy to reapply later without building up and clumping.

This leads me onto my second point – it doesn’t sink into fine lines. This is a real hallelujah moment for me. As said previously, my skin is so dry that other powders work their way into every line in the skin before I know it. After that touching up make-up is a nightmare. It looks patchy and lumpy.

However, this product has been a game changer for me. I love that it holds my make up in place, lets me keep my glow and doesn’t accentuate every wrinkle, smile or frown line. Having just turned thirty youthful looking skin is at the forefront of my beauty routine and this product helps me achieve that.

Overall, this is definitely a product I will be repurchasing again and again. Have you used the Airbrush Flawless Finish? Thanks Charlotte Darling!

Let me know your thoughts on Instagram and Twitter: @theprettypoetic x

Kandee Johnson, American Youtube sensation and Make-Up Guru has long been a personal idol of mine. Now, she’s teamed up with one of my favourite make-up brands, Too Faced Cosmetics, for what I can only describe as one of the best collaborations to date. Read on to find out my thoughts on the, ‘I Want Kandee‘ Eye Palette! 

Who is Kandee Johnson?

With close to four million subscribers on Youtube and 1.7 million followers on Instagram Kandee Johnson is a well-established icon in the social influence sphere. Known mostly for being a beauty guru with a particular talent for facial transformations Kandee has also gained credit for her upbeat and inspiring personality. She defines her channel as the “happiest channel on Youtube” and openly talks about how a positive attitude has helped her through tough times. At 39 Kandee is older than most influential vloggers and bloggers who fit in the statistical 18-24 bracket. None-the-less her influence on the growth of the Youtube sensation has been huge and she is very much considered to be one of the pioneers of her industry. Click here to read her interview for Forbes Magazine where she talks about life as a Youtube star.

The Collaboration

In August this year the Too Faced and Kandee Johnson collaboration finally launched and the result is the stuff of beauty dreams. Too Faced founder, Jerrod Blandino and Kandee are close friends in real and creative masterminds in their fields so it seemed inevitable that what they produced together would be amazing. And it was…say hello to the I Want Kandee Collection. Suitably themed on the idea of all things sweet the collaboration contains several items including eye-liner, matte lipstick melts, luminizers, the now iconic banana powder and of course the gorgeous I Want Kandee eye palette. It was no surprise that this range sold out as quickly as it did and now there are only a few items remaining – people are now even selling the out-of-stock banana powder on ebay for between $50-70

I Want Kandee Eye Palette

I love eye-shadow palettes and I quite often have declared a new purchase my favourite ever. Quite often those palettes are from my favoured Too Faced. But, my love for this palette has reached new heights. Being a fan of Kandee I knew I had to have it so the novelty factor in itself is what drew me in but, as soon as it arrived it was love at first blink. Too Faced write:

“Step into your own beauty dream world with this delicious blend of Kandee’s most coveted eye looks.”

Cruelty free and free from gluten and parabens this products has a lot going for it. It was genuinely curated and created by Kandee Johnson and contains a combination of matte, satin and shimmer style shadows. The colours are broken down into three “candy clusters” that let you create day to night looks easily. Think of the Charlotte Tilbury desk-to-dance floor format and you will get what I mean. All of the colour names tie in with the “sweet shop” theme and include things like, “Sparkling Cider,” “Sugared Strawberry,” “Sugar Plum,” and “Cream Puff.” My personal favourites are found in the first cluster of colours in the combination of “Butter-scotched,” “Pastry,” and “Sweet Toffee.”

If the colour range and ease of use isn’t enough to lure you in then the smell will – wow! As soon as you open the lid the sweet smell hits you; it’s good enough to eat. For me the scent provoked an instant flashback to my younger years and my love for the sweet infused cupcake dolls. This kind of little detail makes the product that little bit more special in my eyes and really shows commitment to the theme.

Also, included in the product is the “Kandee’s Signature Beauty Recipes” slip which includes a step-by-step advice on how to create the looks. Simple as it may sound this little handy-helper has actually really influenced an improvement in the eye-looks I create and for that I am very grateful.

The Packaging

The box is created to mimic the style of a vintage chocolate box which is a concept I love. On the back you find information on the products included in the style of a chocolate flavour map – a nice touch. The box itself is tin, pink (in keeping with the Too Faced and Kandee brand styles) and features a cartoon illustration of Kandee which is super cute. The lid of the box is dome shaped which some people feel makes it more difficult to store. This is true is you are a stacker but, I think that would missing the point here. A lot of time has went into making the packaging of this something note-worth so, for me, its certainly a dressing table feature. The only downside to the tin lid is that if bumped it can pop out of shape and trying to fix it is a bit of a nightmare. however, this certainly isn’t a deal-breaker for me by any means. Inside they also include a opaque cover sheet much like you would find in the inside of a real chocolate box which was, once again, another lovely touch. The box  doesn’t contain a mirror inside which has been a gripe for some. I always like the inclusion of a mirror but, I can understand that it wouldn’t necessarily be tying in with the sweet box concept. So again, I admire the commitment to style in that respect.

The Results

The great colour selection, combination and pigmentation of these shadows have meant this is a product I definitely think is worth a purchase. The shadows blend well together and last a really long time. I also like the fact that there is little fallout when I apply them and any that does appear could be avoided with a lighter touch. The palette is heavy on the side of shimmer shadows which I think will make it a staple for the festive season but may be off putting for matte lovers out there. I wouldn’t let this stop you from giving this palette at try. There are enough matte colours in there to give you a solid eye look and the shimmers can be used sparingly if you wish only a slight glimmer.

Where Can I Get It?

This is perhaps the only negative for us UK Kandee and Too Faced lovers – we have to ship it from Too Faced directly. That is unless you hunt it down on Amazon or Ebay. It costs £36 and taxes and VAT are added at check out. It is a limited edition collection so get in there fast if you want it. I know I will certainly be making another purchase before it’s too late.

But, what other things can you get up to this winter to get that festive feeling? Read on to find out! 

It’s finally here – December. It’s the month when we can feel shamelessly festive, get in the Christmas spirit and hang those sparkling fairy lights with pride. After-all, as Williams famously sang, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” This year I really want to focus in on the little things that make Christmas great; the warm fuzzies if you will. I want to make the most of times with friends and family and savour the moments on my own. In other words, I want to find a little but of hygge in my Christmas. So, with that in mind here’s my list of twelve  things to-do during the festive season to get you in the holiday mood.

1. Put Up a Christmas Tree and Decorate Your Home

Putting up the Christmas tree is one of my favourite things to do this time of year. I love how pretty everything looks in my living room and I always think the room looks bare when it’s gone. It’s nice to see my home filled with sparkles and glow that add a little bit of magic to my day when I get home from work. To really get the festive feeling I like to light a few festive candles around the place and create a full sensory festive feeling – Yankee Candle, Woodwick and The White Company candles do some of my favourite festive scents.

However, it’s the actual process of putting up the tree that I love the most. Every year I pick a date in my diary that I will the tree up in our home. My husband and I always like to make a night of doing this. We pop on some Christmas tunes, rock our festive jumpers, make some savoury nibbles and literally rock around the Christmas tree. It’s a night full of simple things but. it never fails to get me in the festive spirit.

2. Make a Day of Christmas Shopping

It’s so easy to let Christmas shopping become a stressful experience – we get caught up in the crowds, we overspend, we impulse buy. But, it doesn’t have to be this way! If you take time to plan ahead Christmas shopping can actually be very enjoyable. Planning can come in many forms. It could be something as simple as saving away Christmas cash every month throughout the year or, writing a list of what you want to buy and who it is for. I also like to plan out the shops I will be heading to and why. Whilst I love to browse round the stores, when places are busy I find it best to avoid aimless wandering – it becomes far too intense for me.

I also like to make a day of my Christmas shopping. I  head out with my friends or family, have a nice lunch, people watch and enjoy each the good company I’m in. In the past I’ve even been known to start the day with a little spa treatment to help me feel rested for the day ahead. Including more activities in the day means it becomes about so much more than just buying things. It stops being materialistic and starts being a memory.

3. Snuggle Up with a Christmas Movie

Most people love a Christmas movie. And, one of my favourite things to do at this time of year is to spend the day on the couch, wrapped in a blanket and watch Christmas films. There are so many great films out there that picking a favourite is near impossible but ‘Elf,’ ‘Miracle on 24th Street’ and the ‘Home Alone’ films are certainly up there. I pop the kettle on and add a cup of tea or festive coffee to my routine, snuggle in and enjoy. Once the Christmas decorations are up in the house this becomes even more of a festive treat.

4. Send Out Christmas Cards

Sending out Christmas cards has recently become something people don’t look forward to at Christmas time. I can understand why people feel like this. After all, buying bundles of cards can be expensive, writing them is time consuming and the never ending list of who to send them to can be overwhelming. (There’s nothing worse than thinking you’ve missed someone out:  “Did I send Alice in the office one already?” – the horror!)  I once felt the same way. However, I’m glad to say I haven’t quite stooped to the mass Christmas E-Card year but, I suppose never-say-never.

However, for now I see writing Christmas cards as a moment to feel really festive and to think about the people who are important in my life.

I love to pop on the Christmas music, have some nibbles (well out the way of the cards of course)  and as I write I find myself thinking about the recipient of my card and the memories we’ve shared together. A once laborious process is now one that really makes me think about what I’m thankful for.

There are so many stores nowadays that offer great deals too if budget is an issue e.g. both Tesco and Marks & Spencer do a great three for two offer on greetings cards. A lot of the cards nowadays also have charity links so the purchases you make support charity causes. There are ways to reduce the time it takes too. Instead of writing a card to everyone in your work place why not pen one, thoughtful card to all your colleagues and place it in the staff-room? In my workplace, we now buy one large card, place it in the staff room and have everyone sign their name. This may seem a little impersonal but, as we sign we all pop the money we would have spent on cards for our workmates into a charity box and put it to a good cause.

5. Splash Out on a Festive Candle

I mentioned this earlier on in point one but this is a really simple way to add some festive cheer to your home. I love candles in the home all year round but festive candles are amongst my favourite. Not only do they add a sense of cosiness to any room, the smells are amazing – cookies, cinnamon, cedar-wood. Delicious! You can pick up festive candles from as little as a few pounds of shell out a little more one one from somewhere like The White Company. Their candles are amazing and always look so elegant. However, the Woodwick candles are perhaps my favourite because of the beautiful, crackling sound they make when you light them. On the more high-end scale you have companies like Jo Malone London who have some beautiful fragrances but if your pocket is a concern consider seeking out the Aldi Jo Malone dupes – they are amazing!

6. Get Crafty with Wreath Making or Pottery Painting

This year I’ve been trying really hard to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. I’ve tried new make-up products, spa treatments and even went along to new classes. And, I don’t want that to stop this winter. So, along with some friends, I’ve signed up for a few festive classes: wreath making and pottery painting. I actually can’t wait to get stuck in, learn something new and maybe meet some new people. With the dark nights and mornings drawing in it’s nice to get out there, do something, meet new people and learn a new skill. If I do well at the wreath making I think it will be lovely to have a really personal wreath in the home this season.

7. Rock a Christmas Knit

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to get into the festive spirit – wear a Christmas jumper. There was a time (not too long ago) where wearing a Christmas jumper would have been a major fashion faux pas; a big no-no. However, this classic crimbo number has seen total revival in recent years and it’s seems Christmas isn’t Christmas without one. You can pick them up in almost any store from Primark to New Look to M&S to Topshop. Even the high-end brands like Karen Millen can be seen to add some Christmas charm to their knitwear (albeit in a more sophisticated manner) if you head over to their website. Picking out my Christmas jumper for the year is a personal highlight and knowing it’s reserved for this time of year means I can’t help but feel festive in it. Why not get your friends or workmates involved in the jumper joy and take part in the Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day on 15th December. It’s a great chance to wear some holiday fashion and give back through charity as well.

8. Take Part in a Secret Santa

Gift giving is a big part of Christmas and whilst I want to try and avoid letting it take over this year it is still something that can spark a lot of joy. I love giving people gifts and seeing their reactions. But, I like them to be well-planned out and considerate. I hate how Christmas panic can make us buy the first random thing we see and hope for the best – simply because we, “need to get them something.”  You might not want to over-spend this year so organising or taking part in a ‘Secret Santa’ is a great way to still have the thrill of buying a thoughtful gift for someone without the excess expensive. “Secret Santas” can be done with family, friends or workmates and offer up the chance for sentiment, comedy and/or thoughtfulness. It can often mean you are only buy one or two well-considered presents. Everyone gets a gift and gets to experience the joy and fun of the gift exchange.

There are various ways to organise a “Secret Santa”. You can keep it old school and have everyone draw names from a hat or you can try the digital way. There are quite a few apps on the market to make the process fuss free and that allow you (the organiser) to remain oblivious to who has who. This year I’ve used the Secret Santa Iphone App by to plan a gift exchange with all my cousins in the family. It’s already been a great talking point and we are having great fun teasing each other about possible gifts.

9. Create a Christmas Playlist

So simple, yet so effective. Does anything get you in the festive mood than Christmas songs? Whilst I’m not a fan of these jingly tunes blaring out of every store speaker in early November, I do love the nostalgia feeling these songs bring. There is something comforting about hearing them again after a long while – like old friends arriving back after a trip away. Don’t get me wrong there a few that drive me mad – I love this time of year but no, I don’t “Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday.” So, knowing this I keep my playlist full of my favourite festive numbers: “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree,’ ‘Driving Home for Christmas,’ ‘I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,’ to name but a few.

10. Visit a Coffee Shop

I love drinking coffee at the best of times but nothing gets me more excited for the Christmas season than when the festive coffees appear on menus – gingerbread or toffee nut lattes, millionaire shortbread or fudge hot chocolates; yes please! . The annual red take-away cup from Starbucks or the decorative Costa cups have become staples of the snowfall season (and a bit of an Instagram “must-do” at this time of year). And, there is no nicer feeling than enjoying one of these whilst meandering through a Christmas Market or even on your way to work. However, spending sometime in the actually coffee shop also adds to your festive feeling. The ambience is everything here – cosy chairs and cushions to lounge on, low lighting, seasonal songs through the speakers and the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg floating through the air. The cakes and pastries also get their on festive flair through decorative stencils or characters shaping – the Costa ‘Mini Rudolph Chocolate Cake’ is so cute!

But, if the Instagram trends are too much for you and you like to keep the festive feeling muted there are tons of places (independent and franchise) that cater for you.” Only today Tinderbox, Glasgow  posted the a cute photograph on their Instagram promoting their simplistic approach to crimbo caffeine. They wrote: “No red cups…no festive music but we do have MINCE PIES” In the accompanying caption they put: “We love to make Tinderbox a “festive free” zone for you as we know it can be overwhelming. But we can’t resist these bad boys.” Many places also now offer non-caffeinated or cold drinks with a festive flair like the Starbucks “Cold Brew with Oranges and Cranberries.” So, no matter what your festive vibe or style is there is a coffee shop out there for you somewhere.

11. Visit a Christmas Market

Visiting a Christmas Market is another activity that seems to be experiencing a total resurgence and worthy of an Instagram story or snap! Everyday I am hearing about people planning their days out to the Christmas Market. In Scotland, the Edinburgh and Glasgow Christmas Markets are the two everyone makes big plans to visit. There is music, stalls, great food and even some fairground shows. People love bundling up in their winter wear and heading to the stalls for a pint of warm cider or a carton of cinnamon churros. It quite often a great opportunity to find Christmas gifts that are a little more unusual or personal – many stalls are independent companies selling unique or handmade products. However, there are always Christmas fayres and fetes happening in smaller communities and if you are looking for something more adventurous places like Prague, Lisbon and Hungary have some of the best Christmas Markets in the world. More and more people are now taking long-weekend trips to Europe at this time of year to experience these famous shoppers!

12. Head to a Pantomime or Show

Pantomime is a type of musical, stage comedy that is pretty unique to Britain and is synonymous with Christmas time. Many of us will have great childhood memories of going to see pantomime performances with family and friends or as part of an annual school trip. There’s nothing quite like piling into the theatre, seeing all the colourful costumes and shouting out the classic lines, “He’s behind you…Oh yes he is!” with a cavalry of strangers. Many theatres around the UK put on pantomime performances with some even enlisting celebrities to take on roles. But, you don’t have to head into the city or spend loads of money to be part of the panto fun. Many local theatre groups get together to put on shows for small costs of even for free. Closer to Christmas Day some of the larger scale ones even televise their productions.

But, if pantomime isn’t really your style there are many other shows on at this time of year that can be just as festive. The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for example puts on a variety of Christmas themed productions from choir recitals to orchestra performances. This year Katherine Jenkins is presenting, “Christmas with Katherine” there and the the annual Yuletide Music Concert (featuring ‘The Snowman’) is also very popular. Similar shows can be found all over the UK. One of my favourite things to do this time of year is also to visit the ballet – it always makes me feel festive and in the past I’ve seen productions of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.

I hope this is has given you some ideas of how to add a little festive feeling to your life this Christmas. What kind of things do you like to do at this time of year? Let me know on twitter or Instagram: @theprettypoetic

Keep reading to find out why these products from the The Body Shop’s ‘Tea Tree Range’ have earned the top spot of October’s ‘Product of the Month’.

Getting your skin into the best condition possible can be quite a tricky process. There are, after all, a lot of things to consider. Firstly, you have the natural ailments that come with your skin type; dry, combination, oily, sensitive. Then you have to think about your diet, the amount of water your drink, the physical environment you live in, how much sleep you are getting and the weather. And, if that’s not enough there is good old genetics to contend with.

For me, this means that when I find something that soothes my skin woes (or an unexpected blemish) I want to shout about it from the rooftops. Hooray for The Body Shop’s cult classic, ‘Tea Tree Oil!’ This little bottle (available in dinky 20 or 10 ml quantities) and “on-the-go” gel formula have been skin saviours for me. They are quickly becoming products I don’t want to be without and a staple in my beauty routine.

The ‘Tea Tree Range‘ from The Body Shop has been on the go for sometime now and contains everything from oils to cleaners to hand-creams. However, it was never something I paid much attention to. In all honesty, this was somewhere I hadn’t shopped in quite some time. Over the years, my love of beauty and skincare has grown and I’ve ventured further afield for my products. The Body Shop became nothing more than a symbol of nostalgia linked to my teenage years. Even now I can’t think of this store without the smell of ‘Dewberry‘ flooding back;  did anyone else spritz this obsessively when they were in school? Or perhaps you were part of the ‘White Musk‘ crew?

So, unsuspectingly I came across this product whilst watching Desi Perkins‘ Youtube video: ‘Flawless Skin with Acne Breakouts‘. If you have acne or blemish prone skin and haven’t watched this video then you should; it’s amazing. I noticed that Desi applied this to her blemishes and commented on how effective she felt it was. Intrigued, I set off to find out a little more about it. So, what do we know?

The Product

If you didn’t already know tea-tree essential oil is renowned for its powerful, purifying properties and its anti-bacterial components. Following on from a make-artist tip I have – for a long time -used tea-tree oil to clean my make-up brushes to ensure a thorough de-germ. Thus, I figured that using it as part of my skincare routine might actually make sense. The Body Shop state that the tea leaves they use are sustainably grown in the foothills of Mount Kenya and “hand-harvested within 12 hours” to ensure the “purest, most potent oil.” Both the bottled oil and the gel stick are designed to “reduce blemishes” and to be used on “targeted areas of concern”.

The packaging is simplistic; a green bottle and white label. There are no over complicated instructions or jargon included which hammers home the concept of simplicity – something I really like. The products are also reasonably priced:

• £7.00 for the Target Gel for 2.5ml
• £8.50 for a 10ml bottle of Tea Tree Oil
• £12.00 for a 20 ml bottle of Tea Tree Oil

Don’t be put off my the small quantities as each product should be used sparingly and a little goes a long way. It’s also worth nothing that The Body Shop have their own loyalty card scheme which sees you earn around £5 back for every £50 spent. They also regularly run in-store offers; I picked up these products as part of a recent three-for-two campaign. If you are a beauty club member the company will also send you a complimentary £5 voucher for your birthday (valid for one month) whether you have made a purchase or not; just make sure you have registered your card online.

The Application

How you apply this product is totally up to you. You can rub a few drops over your entire face, the inflamed area or you could use a cotton swap or pad and apply directly. I vary from day to day in how I apply this. If you are spot-applying then remember to let it air dry for a few moments before you apply your foundation or make-up. Sometimes, I even mix it in with my foundation for ease; doing this has shown no negative effects when it comes to the foundation’s consistency or application. I like to apply it both morning and night but, some people prefer to do one or the other. The Targeted Gel stick is excellent for throwing in your handbag and taking “on-to-go.” It comes with a small, soft applicator brush that you simply dab straight onto the targeted area and then carry on with your day – simple.

The Results

This product has worked wonders for me. It’s really fast acting and any large blemishes are almost gone within a day or two. It feels really calming on the skin and it hasn’t caused any further irritation. I’ve been have large, cystic acne flair up and I was feeling so low at the thought nothing was making it better. This, however, has been an invaluable addition to my skincare routine. I will be using the other products I am now using in a future post.  My skin has had no new breakouts and those from recent flairs ups are starting to disappear altogether. My make-up is going on much more flawlessly and people have commented on how good my skin is looking.

The ‘Targeted Gel’ also works really well when I want to “touch up” on a blemish or if I can feel one appearing under the surface. What I love is that these can be used not only as a treatment but as a preventative measure as well. One thing to note when it comes to the “Targeted Gel” however, is that if you pop it on your face over make-up  it will dissolve your foundation and/or concealer and you will need to re-apply.

The smell of tea-tree oil is generally quite strong and there is not exception made with this range. If you don’t like over-powering smells or the particular scent of tea-tree you may well be put off by these products. Luckily for me, it’s not something that I’m offended by – in fact there is even something I like about the medicinal nature of the scent.

Whilst I know that there have been more factors at play here when it comes to improving my skin than the tea-tree oil, I know it has played a significant role. It’s fast acting, calming and feels really fresh. So, there was no doubt in my mind that it deserved its title of, ‘Product of the Month’.

Finding a nail polish that provides long-wear has always been something I’ve struggled with. I’m quite an active person and subsequently rather hard on my hands. Thus, “chipping” for me is inevitable. I’ve tried so many polishes from the high street classics – Rimmel, Collection, Tanya Burr, Autograph – to the more high end favourites: Ted Baker, OPI, Illamsaqua, YSL. But, alas none have won me over. Don’t get me wrong! Some of these colours and formulas are lovely and on my toes look great and last well. But, again they are no match for my hard-hitting fingernails. 

My usual solution it to head to a salon and have the beauty therapist work her magic with some Gelish or Shellac. This is always successful and I have lovely, groomed nails for the promised two weeks. But, doing this on a regular basis can be pretty pricey depending on where you go and what you want done. It also requires quite a bit of time. You have the extra effort of planning appointments in advance (to ensure  you are “fitted in”) and planning your day and week around it to ensure you can make it along. So, as much as I love this kind of pampering session it’s not always the most practical option. 

Yes, you can now buy yourself your own “at home” Shellac or Gelish kits but they also throw up their own host of problems. Again, when they work they are brilliant but the process can still be time consuming: setting up the light, adding the layers of polish and setters and clearing it all away. Working full time and running a house means I don’t always have the luxury to set aside the time to do all this.  In reality, I want something quick and easy that gives good results. Is that too much to ask?

Shopping in Boots one afternoon I spotted the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish selection. I hadn’t heard or read too much about this product. However, it branded itself as fuss-free and was on a limited time price offer. Even now you can pick these up as part of the 3 for 2 deal in stores. I did a quick “google” on my phone and saw that it was a 2016 Allure “Best of Beauty” winner so, I decided to give it a go. 

What’s Included?

It’s important to note that (on your first purchase at least) you need to pick up two bottles:  one colour and one top coat. Each bottle has a £9.99 price tag but one gel top coat can be used for several colours. As I stated earlier I picked it up as part of a “2 for” deal and it’s still part of the Boots classic “3 for 2 offer.”  There are over 47 shades to choose from and stores are stocking a generous selection from this range; Boots online for example offers an impressive 52 colours from the brand. I opted for a hot-pink shade called, “Shock Wave,” a light pink-nude called “Plush Blush” and a classic beige-nude called “Birthday Suit,”  I don’t know about you but I have always found that nude or pale pink shades never stay on and are a nightmare to apply. No matter how long I sit motionless to allow for ample drying time it always events up smudging, chipping or glooping. Oh how I long for the Instagram worthy nude-nail! So, from the outset I was already putting a lot of pressure on this product to perform.  I later went back and picked up a few more shades to add more variety of colour to my collection: “Boho-a-go-go” and “Pretty Piggy.” 

The Packaging

The packaging is pretty simplistic; I wouldn’t say it’s anything special. It’s not as pretty as the bottles from ranges such as Ted Baker or Reiss but, if it was going to do the job I was willing to let that slide. After all, my motivation for buying the product was one of practicality not prettiness.

In the overall shape of the bottles I can see some attempt has been made to make them appear feminine and vintage looking! But it’s the garish text smeared all over the brush lid that is the most off-putting. On the colour bottle the words “no light, sans lampe, ” are emblazoned in a repeating pattern. Meanwhile, on the gel top coat you will find an annoying, orange circle that looks like a peel-able advertising sticker. You’ll want so badly to pull this off but you can’t.  This sticker contains the words: “Miracle gel 2x volume coat,” which isn’t the best articulation of what the product does and therefore fairly pointless in my eyes. 

The instructions meanwhile are on a peel-able label found on the back of the bottle. This seems a little odd as this is the removable part but the one you are most likely to want to look at. And, it’s yet another disappointment as the labels are written in the smallest font possible. I consider my eyesight to be fairly good but I struggled to read this. Thus, I certainly wouldn’t class this as the most accessible of products. 

How to Use  

So, in the likelihood that you won’t be able to read the instructions provided how do you actually use this product? Well, the brand tells us that we should: 

“Apply two coats of colour. Activate with top coat. No base coat needed”. 

This is certainly simple and to the point but, it doesn’t provide any advice on how long to leave the colour on for before you apply the top coat. If you are used to counting the seconds or waiting for “the beep” on an at home Gelish system this might be a bit of a bugbear. Basically, common sense is needed here – wait until the colour is dry to touch. My advice would be to apply very thin layers of the colour coat. I found myself applying three or four coats doing it this way as it certainly dries quicker and smoother. 

If you do go for the standard two coats approach then try not to move or do anything that could cause the colour to chip at this stage. If you apply the top coat over any lumps. bumps or gaps then they will be stuck there. It’s then time to apply your gel top coat. I opted for two layers of this for extra strength although this isn’t a necessity.  

The Results 

I can honestly say that I do like this product. I love the colours on offer and the finished look. The pigmentation of the colours is very good and the staying power is also credible. However, I do think the 14 -day longevity the brand promises is a little exaggerated. I managed to get through a whole week without any drastic chipping. And, in the case of the odd chip it was easy to touch up. So, if you’re more light-handed than I am you may find you will achieve closer the 14 days. I was particularly impressed with the quality of “Plush Blush” and “Birthday Suit.” I can’t believe I have found a product that lets me wear these kinds of shades with no streaks or blobs. However, I did find it easier to apply the polish on to some clear false nails rather than my natural nail bed. To be fair, I do think this is down to the make up of my own nails and not necessarily a reflection of the product. 

However, that doesn’t mean this product is without flaws. The application is fairly straight forward if you have the time to let the layers set properly. If you do this then the product goes on smoothly with no stickiness or “gooping.” Rush things however and disaster will strike! My key piece of advice would be to keep an eye on the amount of product you have on the brush. There seems to be quite a lot when you take it out of the bottle and if you don’t wipe off the excess first you end up applying way too much. This seems to lead to the dreaded “gooping.”  Thinner layers are the way to go but this obviously adds to the time it takes to complete the process. I did have to wait a bit longer that I wanted before it was dry and I could go on my way. However, it’s still less time-consuming than setting up a gel lamp and you can get round this by applying it when you sit down to watch TV or a film. 

Therefore, despite the few niggles here and there I will most certainly be purchasing this product again. For the price I think the quality is great. It’s a good alternative to achieving quality, long lasting nails without heading to the salon. I can’t wait to start trying out more of the colours on offer. 

Happy polishing everyone! 

As we all know, the state of our skin is constantly changing. These changes can be brought on by our age, our health, our environment and many other factors. But, it’s not only the condition of our skin that changes but the colour. 

Sun-exposure (or lack as is often the case in Britain,) health conditions, spray-tans or self-tans are only a few of the reasons that the colour of our skin can alter. For some people the changes may be subtle whilst for others they are more pronounced. This concept in itself is nothing offensive. After-all, we are only human and change is natural. However, where it can become frustrating is when it comes to our foundation.

We can spend ages in stores swatching and sampling products trying to find our, “perfect match.” Then we splurge on the entire bottle. We’ve spent our hard earned money on a foundation that fits our skin only to discover that, all of a sudden,  it no longer matches. What a nightmare!

Sure, we could slap it on anyway and persevere. Cover it with concealer! Buff on the bronzer! However, any true beauty lover knows that wearing a shade that doesn’t match your skin tone is a major faux pas. But, can we really afford to be purchasing and repurchasing foundations in multiple shades? In an ideal world we would have our own spectrum of colours to choose from but – in reality – most of us make do with what we have. I know there have been countless times when I could be found scraping the corners of the foundation bottle to salvage every last drop.

That’s why I was so excited when I heard about the NYX Pro Foundation Mixers. These aren’t a case of, “hello skin-changer” but “hello skin-saver.” These little beauties have proven very popular in the make-up world. Across websites like Boots, Cult Beauty and Feel Unique they are averaging a score of 4 and-a-half stars out of five.  NYX describe this product as being the “ideal way” to adjust the tone, shade and finish of any liquid foundation – an easy way to ensure you have a perfect match. And, at only £8.00 per bottle it’s a budget friendly way to deal with those shifting skin tones.

The concept of make-up mixing isn’t new; make-up artists have been doing it for years. Let’s face it – it’s the perfect way to produce personalised make-up looks in an industry where many products can be all too generic. And, NYX aren’t the only beauty brand to have jumped on this bandwagon. The likes of MUA offer their own version of the product (The Professional Colour Foundation Mixer) for a pocket-friendly £4.00. What wins me over here though is the quality of these products. The consistency is substantial, creamy and blends seamlessly into your base foundation. It warms it up and cools it down effortlessly. There are six different “colours” or “shades” to choose from which means the versatility of this product keeps on going. You can choose from: ‘White,’ ‘Opal,’ ‘Luminous,’ ‘Deep,’ ‘Olive,’ and ‘Warmth.’ The £8.00 price tag means that if you were to go all out and buy each shade you would total £48.00. This isn’t far off the price of some high-end foundations. This could mean that that same £48.00 could be spent on giving you the ability to customise almost any foundation to any shade or tone you want, whenever you want.

A product that is easy to use and is fuss-free is always a winner in my book. And, the fact that these mixers don’t appear to alter the quality of the base foundation makes them all the better. I love the simplistic brand packaging and the easy-to-use squeezeable tubes mean that the mixing process is virtually mess free.  In the images I have included you can see the mixing process in action and how just one little drop can make big changes.  There is no need to go crazy with amount of mixer you use which, in turn, means, it lasts longer! Here I have used the L’Oreal Infallible Pro Glow Foundation in 204 as a base. You can read my thoughts on this foundation too and find out where to buy it by clicking here .

All-in-all this NYX product has become a beauty box staple for me and is certainly one I will be repurchasing again and again.

]]> http://theprettypoetic.com/2017/08/31/nyx-pro-foundation-mixers-august-product-of-the-month/feed/ 0 http://theprettypoetic.com/2017/05/01/hourglass-ambient-lighting-blush-april-product-of-the-month/ http://theprettypoetic.com/2017/05/01/hourglass-ambient-lighting-blush-april-product-of-the-month/#respond Mon, 01 May 2017 09:41:38 +0000 http://theprettypoetic.com/?p=316 Want to achieve that perfect glowing, summer blush? Keep reading to find out why the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush will be my go-to blush this summer! 

Hourglass Cosmetics is one of my favourite make-up brands. Not only are their products high-quality, their branding is sleek, classy and elegant. And, whilst their products can be on the pricier side I do always feel like I am getting something special; a real treat. Sometimes, I can invest in high-end products and I don’t get that feeling which is always very disappointing given I’ve spent my hard earned money.

Over the years I have tried lots of different Hourglass products from their foundations to their primers and even their cult classic, ‘Ambient Lighting Palettes.’  Each of these have lots to offer in different ways but it has been the ‘Ambient Lighting Blush’ that I have been particularly loving. So, I have named it my ‘April ‘Product of the Month.’

The Packaging

As I said before, the Hourglass packaging is very appealing. Everything always feels well made (and robust) whilst still oozing that little touch of luxury. The blush comes in a reflective, gold mini-palette with the brand name emblazoned on the top and a fairly good-sized mirror inside. I always like when a product is large enough to contain a good-sized mirror; it offers a dual purpose in your make-up bag this way, and makes touch-ups so much easier.

The Product

‘The Vamp Stamp’ via Cult Beauty.

Eye-liner is one make-up product and technique that I really struggle with. And, I know I am not alone in this fact – I am forever coming across people who speak of their daily struggles to achieve the “perfect wing.” In addition to nailing the technique itself you also have to find the perfect product. After-all, what good is having that perfect, “feline-flick” if the product goes on blotchy, smudges, melts at the first sign of moisture or has an applicator that doesn’t flow smoothly? No one wants that, “so-not-perfect” shaky line! Add to this the drama of trying to get out the door in a rush and the prospect of eye-liner can be rather a daunting one.

I have tried my fair share of eye-liner products and, whilst I know I might be fussy, I haven’t yet found one that works of me. There are some I have liked – The Boujois Liner Feutre Slim has saved the day on a few occasions – but I am generally disappointed. I have even splashed out on some of the higher end liners in the hope that it will turned me into a winged wonder woman. But, alas! No success.

So, I decided I had to be realistic about what kind of product I was looking for – what was going to work for me? I was looking for something that could make the process of winging, flicking and mod-ing fuss-free and fabulous.  The internet is a world of information (particularly for beauty hacks and reviews) so that’s where I started my quest.  Soon, I noticed that there were loads of new, “stamp like” products emerging to help people in my kind of predicament. The boomerangs and demo-videos made it look so easy – lid off, stamp on, done! Hooray! I had found my answer. So after some consideration I opted to buy the ‘Vamp Stamp.‘ The brand seemed to be answering all my prayers when they claimed:

“Heralding the end of cat-eye catastrophes and feline flick fiascos, you simply ink it up,

stamp it on and vamp it out for perfect, uniform flicks in two seconds flat.”

But, it was’t all fabulous in the beginning. In all honesty, I made an error with my purchase. In the end I bought the VINK Eyeliner Ink and VERGE Angle Brush for £18.00 from Cult Beauty. However, I didn’t realise that the brand also offer the VaVaVoom Stamp (£22.50) which gives (as you can imagine) more of a statement result. It’s the VaVaVoom stamp that actually aims to provide the two second result they speak of. On closer inspection my product description did say to be used in conjunction with the stamp but, in my haste and eagerness, I overlooked this.

So, it’s no surprise that when the product arrived in the post I was a little confused. I didn’t understand – how was this brush going to act as a stamp? The fact that the branding is simply, “Vamp Stamp” also adds to the confusion. At the end of the day a stamp is what you think you are getting – or at least, I did.

The Packaging

Aside from this, the packaging is very edgy and cool. The box is black with the brand name emblazoned in purple and pink. The tagline: “the only way to wing it” finishes the box off. One one side there is also a lovely illustration (a combination of pencil and water colour) of a glamorous, edgy woman sporting purple-hued hair, a pink lip, killer eyebrows and – of course – a wonderful winged eye! I really like the branding and packaging. The instructions can also be found on the side – pictorials included. I like the simplicity of including image directions with written; it speeds up the process of understanding what to do.

The Product

Now, despite not having the VaVaVoom stamp (that I apparently needed) I decided to give using the product a go anyway. Inside, was a small pot of the VINK eyeliner in black (much like those that contain gel eyeliners) containing a product soaked sponge. Normally, this is what you would dip the VaVaVoom stamp into. Then, you would use the VERGE angle brush to touch up and refine. The brush itself is very compact. It has a black handle  and features tight, angled bristles which are also purple in-keeping with the brand.

I popped the brush into the pot (instantly it seems like there is a lot of product which is great) and ensured the entire brush was covered – as instructed. I then “stamped” the angled brushed onto the outer corner of my eye and…I was shocked! The angular shaping and firmness of the bristles actually created a perfect wing. I continued the line down across my lash line and before I knew it I was done; in not far off five seconds. I then repeated the process on the other side; no fuss involved. There was no un-evenness, no smudging, no blotching. I had managed a perfect wing on both eyes! What was also great was that because the brush was fine, so was the wing. It wasn’t over-whelming of too dramatic (as I imagine the VaVaVoom Stamp would create). This is something I can wear everyday.

So, in some strange way, my purchasing error has worked out as a blessing in disguise. The liner itself is really pigmented and glides on smoothly. It’s also water-proof so it has been staying put all day. This is particularly important for me for two reasons. Firstly, I tend to always rub my eyes and cause a terrible mess. Secondly, I wear contact lenses and suffer from dry eye so, my eyes tend to water or I have to apply drops every so often. But, with this product there has not been a liner smudge in sight.

I am going to keep using this product and hope that the positive first impressions continue. But, so far I am loving it and it’s doing just what I needed it to do.

Have you tried any of the Vamp Stamp products? Let me know your thoughts on my twitter, instagram or facebook pages @theprettypoetic

This post is one that I have been really excited to write. I have been loving all my ‘Pixi by Petra‘ products of late but particularly the brand collaboration with Caroline Hirons. If you hadn’t already noticed ‘Pixi by Petra’ have collaborated with four leading beauty-gurus to create a line of new and exciting products: Caroline Hirons, Aspynovard, It’s Judy Time and Maryam Maquillage. Petra and her team worked with these women from the beauty and lifestyle worlds to create what they would term their, “dream products.” You can watch a short promotional video on the Pixi by Petra website. On the site they detail how:

“With Petra’s guidance, each of the four taste-makers have created their “dream” beauty products that not only represent their individual points of view but parallel Pixi’s philosophy of fuss-free in a few minutes.”

For Caroline Hirons this meant the creation of a double cleansing product. If you follow her blog (and if you don’t you should) you will know that she is a strong advocate of the double-cleansing process. She has spoken about it on her blog, Instagram and Youtube and even in interviews with magazines like Elle.

In basic terms, the “double cleanse” is the process of cleansing your face in two parts, with more than one product. The name is pretty self-explanatory but, if you want to know more about it the I would suggest reading Hirons’ ‘Cheat Sheet‘ on the topic. She also outlines how important cleansing is and explains why the double cleanse is such an important process – basically, one cleanse isn’t enough to ensure all that dirt and grime is gone!

So, when I heard that she had created a double cleanse product I was so, so excited to try it. You can purchase it on the Pixi Beauty website or through other stockists like Cult Beauty or ASOS. I bought mine through ASOS along with a few other Pixi products. I will be doing a blog post on my favourites from the brand soon so, watch this space.

The Packaging

The packaging of this product is in keeping with the entire Pixi brand – which I love. You will find soft, green hues paired with shades of white along with gold lettering and edging. Collectively, this makes the product look both fresh and luxurious. The design of the product is a round pot featuring a “ying and yang” style design. It contains one section for  the solid cleansing oil and one side for the replenishing, cleansing cream. Directions and product information can be found on the square box the pot comes in – this also features the pastel shades of green and white with the addition of some baby pink. On the side of the box you will find a photograph of Hirons and a little message from her – a sweet and personalised addition.

The Product

The solid cleansing oil is my favourite of the two halves simply because I can really feel it melting away all the dirt and grime on my face from the day. It’s designed to break down any make-up you have on along with everyday dirt and even sunscreen. It smells really nice and avoids the overly sticky and slimy consistency you can find with some cleansing oils. It melts quickly when you touch it making application to the face easy and fuss free – no lumps or bumps. In addition, it is also credited as containing vitamin E to protect and condition the skin; camellia oil omega which is rich and nourishing; and evening primrose oil to heal and moisturise the skin.

Step two involves using the second half of the pot; the cleansing cream. This also smells lovely and has a really luxurious and indulgent feel to it. With the majority of make-up and products now removed from your face – thanks to the oil – this part aims to prep your skin for the rest of your skincare regime. There are lots of lovely ingredients in this to leave you feeling instantly refreshed. The inclusion of vitamin C promotes collagen and protects the skin whilst a unique peptide complex helps to relax lines and plump the skin. So, as well as giving you a good cleanse its helping your skin to glow and look youthful. This is further enhanced with the inclusion of arginine to improve cell renewal and elasticity – what more could you want?  Oh I know! It’s also fragrance free, contains no parabens and isn’t tested on animals – jackpot! But, if you want a more detailed look at all the ingredients included click here.

The Results

I can be very fussy when it comes to skincare products and so can my skin. Due to its sensitivity a lot of skincare can be too harsh and make it very distressed. But, thankfully I haven’t had any problems with this – I love it. I would go as far as to say I adore it. It has made the process of the double cleanse so much easier. I don’t have to faff about with different bottles and pots; I open one lid and off I go. This is definitely something I think Hirons would have considered in its creation – she is certainly someone who appreciates ease of use with maximum impact – for that I love her! I also love how fresh and clean it leaves my skin feeling. My make-up is thoroughly removed (no more morning panda eyes) and my skin feels nourished; no tightness like some cleansers can cause.

I’ve been using this product every day for over a month now and I can honestly stay it will be remaining in my skincare regime – I love it and I’m ready to purchase my second pot.

If you have read my previous blogs you will know that I have typically dry skin with some areas being blemish prone and oily – classic combination skin. So, as such, there are a multitude of factors to take into consideration when I am applying my make-up. So, I have complied a list of my three favourite foundations of the moment along with explanations of why they are my favourites and when I use them. Please bear in mind these are just my personal experiences with these products – depending on your own skin type and influencing factors your experiences may be different but, I would love to know your thoughts if you have used any of the products I list below.

In testing and reviewing the L’Oreal and Le Metier de Beaute foundations I applied them with a dampened Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. This is my favourite way to apply foundation and feel for my de-hydrated skin it gives a more flawless finish and avoids any skin irritation or disturbance I can often get from buffing or blending brushes. In terms of the MAC foundation I used my cleaned hands – I find this particular product doesn’t blend well on my skin with a sponge or a brush.

L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation: Best for Full Coverage, Long-Wear, Glam-Looks

This is by far my favourite foundation of the moment. It has been really popular on the YouTube and Blogging scenes and I first came across it when American Youtuber Kelly Strack did a review – if you haven’t watched her videos then you should; she’s amazing! Before long I started noticing it was popping up everywhere but, I couldn’t find any stores in the UK that were selling it. I soon realised that it wasn’t available here yet and I would have to source it online – don’t confuse this with the L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte or other items from the Infallible range which you can get here easily. If you take to the likes of Amazon looking for the L’Oreal Pro-Glow you will find places charging ridiculous prices of up to £40 to get your hands on it. Don’t be fooled! There are other sources selling this foundation. I headed over to ebay on the recommendation of other online bloggers and found reputable sellers offering the product at reasonable prices of between £9 and £13. Delivery was prompt and the foundation arrived in the condition as promised.

L’Oreal claim this is a radiant foundation offering medium coverage. The “radiant” part is accurate – this is a lovely, natural-looking, glowy foundation without being too overpowering. However, I do think the consistency of the product means it leans more towards a full coverage foundation than a medium. It claims to be “hydrating,” “lightweight and creamy” and “long lasting” – everything I look for and it also includes a low SPF of 15.  I loved this foundation from the start. It definitely is hydrating and it doesn’t go cakey or flakey when I wear it. It lasts a really long time which is what I need for long days at work or nights on the town. However, I don’t know about the “24 hour” claims – I’ve never worn it for this length of time and can’t see any instances when I would need to. The overall finish is just beautiful – you can see why celebrity and lead L’Oreal make-up artist Sir John chose to use it on Beyonce for her 2017 Grammy Performance. Who wouldn’t want to glow like Queen B?

This is my “go-to” foundation for those days I want to look really made up, have something that lasts all day or when I want to look glamourous and fabulous. It’s also great for those occasions when I want that full-face without actually feeling like I am wearing tons of make-up. It wouldn’t be my choice if I wanted a light foundation day or that oh-so-coveted, “no make-up, make-up look” but, this will certainly be a staple in my make-up collection for a very long time. I hope we don’t have to wait to long before we are seeing it stocked in out high-street stores.

Le Metier de Beaute After-Glow Foundation: Best for Medium Coverage, Glowing Skin, Special Occasions

This is by far the most expensive foundation I own (£71 per bottle) and is a product I stumbled upon by sheer chance – I received a sample in my customer bag after making a purchase at Space:NK. This wasn’t a brand I had heard of or came across before. The company, Le Metier de Beaute specialise in high-end beauty products which includes cosmetics and skin-care. But, there is something extra special about this brand and that is their mission statement. They have a genuine commitment to the customer experience, support local communities and the field of make-up artistry as well as a commitment to ethical and moral products. If you haven’t already head over to their website and read their history and their mission statement – it’s truly inspiring!

LMdB have built a name for themselves within their industry through reputation and quality of products; not flashy advertising. They let the products speak for themselves and – to an extent – rely on word of mouth for the promotion of their products. This explains why I feel like I came across this product, “by chance.”

The brand describe this as a, “lightweight, skin enhancing fluid foundation” that  “evens out skin tone and imperfections flawlessly.” In order to aid hydration it also contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. For the price you would be expecting miracles and – whilst I can’t quite fully use that term – I can say that this foundation comes very close. It is really easy to apply to the skin, blends well and offers a good medium coverage – I do think with additional layering this could build to a full coverage product.

The first thing I noticed about the After-Glow foundation was how a small amount of product went a long way. So, for those of you flinching at the price please note you are actually getting a lot of bang for your buck. The overall finish of the foundation is very radiant and glowing – I felt it made my skin look really healthy and fresh. It also photographs beautifully and has proven (after several charity balls and dinner-dances) that it offers longevity. It’s hydration features mean it doesn’t skink into fine lines too much or leave the skin cakey and patchy.

Due to the price I do find that this is my “go-to” foundation for special occasions. And, to be honest, even if this was a little cheaper I think I would still feel this way. It really does feel like a luxury brand. Everything oozes quality from the streamlined, minimalist packaging to the gliding consistency of the product. The added bonus is that if you have a Space:NK N:Dulge card and you purchase this product from their store rack up quite a few points to spend on another treat later.

MAC Cosmetics Face & Body Foundation: Best for Light Coverage, Natural Skin, Everyday Wear

The MAC Cosmetics Face & Body Foundation has been around for a really long time. It has become a bit of a cult phenomenon in the beauty world and loved by many – even those who are not the biggest fans of the brand itself. I tend to fall into the latter category. Don’t get me wrong, there are a few MAC products that I really like but I couldn’t honestly say it would be one of my, “go to brands.” Face & Body has been a product that has truly surprised me. I tried this foundation years ago when everyone was raving about it and I hated it. I didn’t get the hype! It was only recently (when I started to hunt for something I could wear everyday that was lighter and sheerer on my skin) that I gave it another go. This retails for £23.50 which is fairly competitive for those higher end products. I would term this a “mid-range” product and is great for people who want to invest a little more (money-wise) without breaking the bank.

To apply this foundation (as I mentioned earlier) I use my hands and work it into the skin. This takes a little bit of effort and elbow grease but, I like the overall finish much better than if I use a brush of a sponge. With these kind of applicators I find the product doesn’t move at all to blend. Instead it simply sits on the skin and quite often clumps. However, with my hands, once I have buffed it in the final look is really lovely – it’s sheer and gives the skin a nice, natural glow. It genuinely doesn’t look like you’re wearing any foundation and does a great job of creating that, “my skin on a good day” effect. I follow up with a little concealer and bronzer and then I am left with a sun-kissed look. This also lasts  very well on the skin but what I love most about Face & Body is that it doesn’t go all over your hands when you touch your face. So, I manage to avoid becoming the King Midas of make-up turning every item I touch into a foundation swatch.

This is my “go-to” product when I want something lighter to wear day-to-day and when blemish coverage isn’t a huge concern. It is ideal for those moments when I want my skin look like my skin but with an added little glimmer and glow.

Adventure Awaits

Travelling is considered to be one of the best things you can do for the mind, the body and the soul. In addition to this, we are often encouraged to engage in travel to widen our horizons, experience new cultures and see new things. It is during these travels that we make some of our greatest memories and greatest discoveries.

There are millions of people around the world that fall victim to the travel bug and can’t wait to set off on their next adventure. But, what about the others? Those who love the idea or travelling but find the prospect and the actual act of travelling to be a source of anxiety?

There are many people nowadays who suffer from travel anxiety and quite often it can put the breaks of the many adventures they dream of having. I know first hand that anxiety can be over-whelming and often discourage people from heading off to see the world. Everyone should have the chance to see the places they wish to see and have the chance to relax away from home. But, what do you do when a relaxing holiday presents you with nothing more that stress?

In my experience the most effective way to dispel travel anxieties is through proper planning and organisation. We can never guarantee that things won’t wrong of there won’t be a little stress along the way but, there are certainly many things within our control that can our trip more enjoyable and hassle free.

1. Do Your Research

The first (and in my mind the most important part) of travelling is doing your research. This means ensuring that you know where you are going and (to the best of your knowledge) what it will be like. It’s a given that there will always be instances where hotels or resorts don’t live up to the images plastered across their websites but, there are lots of  sources out there to help us get a better understanding of the place we are going to. The internet is a wealth of information to put your mind at ease. Websites like TripAdvisor or Holiday Watchdog are great for getting reviews and “real time” images of a venue or area. However, do take these with a pinch of salt! There will always be people who will say negative things about anything and don’t necessarily provide an accurate representation of the place. Try and suss out if the bad reviews are just people being negative for the sake of it (perhaps trying to scope a freebie or refund) or if they are genuine warnings to travellers. Look at the overall ratings given to a place by travellers and consider if the percentage of positive outweighs the negative. I enjoy popping onto TripAdvisor  before I book a hotel to see if it is what I am looking for. I also find the comments to be a great for getting bits of advice from fellow travellers. In my recent visits to Malta and Crete I learnt what the best bus and train links to use were, where the best local shops could be found and the best times and ways to book restaurants in the hotel. In stays in Scotland I found that recent travellers comments told me about roads or places that were shut for maintenance of works. As someone who can suffer from terrible travel anxiety knowing these little extra bits of information about the area and hotel really helped me to plan ahead and avoid being caught off guard.

It’s also worth making sure you research how you will get from all your different As to Bs. This could be from the airport to your resort or the best ways to get around the area you are staying within. In many cases visitor centres and hotel concierges will be able to help you with this but – for the sake of reducing anxiety – take time to look for bus timetables or train links.I often print these off and take them with me so that I never feel stuck.

2. Create An Itinerary

Once the planning stage is complete I like to create my own travel itinerary; a step-by-step outline of the journey. Many may laugh at such “OCD tendencies,” but I’ve always been thankful in the end when I have all the information I needed at hand. To start. I include information such as:

• Route to airport, taxi pick-up times and/or car-parking bookings and prices.
• Time of arrival at airport.
• Flight times and gates (if known).
• Luggage  weight allowance, drop off times and penalty charges.
• Flight departure times and length of journey.

I will also include details of travel from A to B, the address and contact details of my hotel and the number of a local taxi firm if all goes wrong on arrival. I also ensure I have these details for the return part of my journey as well so that when I am finally on my vacation I don’t have to think about any of these things while I am there.

I then like to plan out how I will spend my days during my time away. This section of the itinerary can be a little more flexible – I (or those I am with) might change our minds about what we want to see and do when we arrive. This is alright and is an organic element of travelling I love. But, pre-departure I like to have some ideas of a starting point or places I would like to see. I also find it useful to make sure I know how much these things will cost of if there are are any offers available at the time.

I then keep this itinerary and all my pre-booked trip details etc. in a nice travel wallet/document folder.

3. Plan Your Travel Bag

The next thing I like to get organised before I fly is my travel bag.

More often than not I will travel with carry-on luggage but whether this is the case of not I like to ensure that my “handbag” or “travel bag” is equipped with everything that I might need for my time in the airport or during my flight or journey. I also like to make sure that I have what I need in the event that any of my luggage in hold goes missing – I would hate to have an incident like this ruin my holiday. I like to use a rucksack or a large over the shoulder bag for travelling – something that is easy to carry, has plenty of room and is easy to navigate through. This is something people often don’t think about but, rooting through your bag for passports or boarding passes when you are in a moving line can become very stressful, very quickly. So, pick something with ease of access and several compartments. Plan ahead where you will keep each item and return it to that place instantly after you have used it.

So, what do I include inside my travel bag?

• Passport, Tickets, Boarding Passes and Travel Documentation (I always make sure I have copies of my travel insurance and hotel information as part of my documentation.) 
• Phone Charger and Emergency Charging Pack
• Sunglasses, Prescription Glasses and Contact Lenses Case (If you wear contacts don’t forget your contact lenses case. This will be important if decide to go for a sleep on route and need to remove them to do so) 
• Perfume and Deodorant (To let you feel as fresh as you can when you travel) 
• Small Toiletry Bag (Containing: Tissues, Wet Wipes, Plasters, Hand Cream, Lip Salve, Mini SPF and Paracetamol. Miniatures like shampoo etc also if needed) 
• Small Make Up Bag (I try to travel light with my make up these days to avoid the stress of changing bottles into the liquid allowance bags and to keep my bags clutter free. I have loved using the Charlotte Tilbury Look in a Palette products for travelling. They contain an eye-shadow set, bronzer, highlighter and blusher all in one. It has certainly become a travel essential for me.I also have a travel make up brush set to keep this hassle and fuss free too. )
• Kindle (I also ensure I have the charger for this as well in case I am delayed anywhere or my bag goes missing – a good read next to the pool is a must for me!)
• Swimsuit, Light Play-suit or Sun-dress and Spare Underwear (These may seem like random choices but, if your suitcase goes missing there are brilliant essentials to have to ensure you still have something to wear to start your holiday). 

4. Have Contingencies

I think it’s always important to prepare for the unexpected as much as you can – “reduce the risk,” as my mum would say!

Think about the basic things that could go wrong or could cause you stress during your travels and have plans in place for dealing with them. If you don’t like the airport and your plane time is delayed – what will you do? Why not make sure you have your kindle prepped with plenty to read, have a film pre-loaded ready to watch or have some extra cash to treat yourself to a coffee or meal.

Worried you forget something or leave something behind? Have some emergency cash in case you leave your essentials at home (e.g. a phone charger or swimsuit) and pick them up at the airport before you leave or in local stores on arrival. You may find yourself paying a little more than you would have liked doing this but having the extra cash to hand (and a plan) to do so will help ease any worries.

Perhaps the idea of arriving at a horrible hotel fills you with fear? Well, before you go why not survey the others in the surrounding area to know what/where else is close to hand and available. It may even be worth seeing what their availability is like before you travel. I know for me it’s really all about having “plans” or “back-up” options in the back of my mind that help me relax

5. Be Positive!

In all likelihood your travels will go smoothly and you will enjoy each stage of them. Try to focus on all the good things that will come out of you trip. But, take the time to plan ahead and prepare. Think about what worries you have and the steps you can take to reduce those anxieties in a way that suits you. Don’t worry about what other people will say instead focus on yourself.

Why not talk it out with those you are travelling with and see how you can support each other? After-all, that’s what friends and family are for.

Remember, travelling should be something that brings joy into your life – don’t let nerves or natural worries keep you from living life to the full!

Happy Travels Everyone! x

Facial cleaners are one of my favourite “new products” to try. However, it can be a risky business trying new things when it comes to skincare. Quite often we won’t take that leap of faith and try something new. Usually this is because we worry it’ll, “cause a break-out,” “irritate our skin” or “cost too much money” when we don’t know if it “really works.” Let’s face it, we can tell a lot from a lipstick or foundation sample, but when it comes to creams and cleansers those tiny pots or packets don’t reveal much. We can get the, “gist” with a sample but knowing a skincare product well requires investment; we need to invest time. As a shop attendant at Space:NK recently told me, “samples are really just there to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction to the product.” What this ultimately means is that we hold back from making those big skincare purchases because we don’t really know how we will get on.  The continued result (whilst totally logical) can mean that our skincare regimes remain stale and stagnant.

So, whilst I am an avid supporter of spending money where it matters, and investing in good products, I don’t think we should shy away from what is available to us on the high-street at affordable prices. Many beauty and skincare brands are really “up-ing their game” when it comes to what they offer for skincare – just look at Deciem’s The Ordinary or Garnier’s Moisture Bomb range. Soap & Glory are just another high-street brand showing us what they can do.

I love so many Soap & Glory products but, I have to be honest and say, this particular product was one that (in the past) I would have given a total body-swerve. If I was looking at face cleansers I would stick to what I knew and loved: Emma Hardie’s Morninga Cleansing Balm and Liz Earle’s Cleanse & Polish. However, this Christmas I was gifted the Soap & Glory, ‘Whole-Glam-Lot’ Gift Set (you can read my post of this here) and found the ‘3-in-1 Daily Vitamin C Facial Wash’ inside. Not one to waste products I decided this was an ample opportunity to give it ago.

Well, it was love at first wash. I couldn’t believe how fresh and clean my skin felt after using this!

The Product

So, what does the product promise to do for customers?

Well, the company claim that this is a “cleansing, foaming and smoothing” product that “gently polishes and purifies.” So far, so good. But, that’t not all! They also state that it, “rejuvenates, energises and brightens” your skin. It could all seem too good to be true but, given that it’s “strategically formulated for oily/combination skin” it seems to have done the trick for me. My skin does feel polish and purified, it does feel rejuvenated and it does feel energised and brightened.

It’s really easy to use as well – simply take a “grape-sized amount” and apply it to damp skin. Don’t be afraid of the whole, “foaming” aspect of this product; you won’t be covered in bubbles. It does thicken in consistency slightly but it is in no way harsh or offensive. Normally, I would stay away from anything that terms itself as a “foaming cleanser” because it’s usually bad news for the skin. Skincare guru Caroline Hirons talks often about how these can dry and alkaline the skin – which is particularly bad for those of us with combination skin. I have been victim this kind of drying and tightening before but, this is not the experience I have had with this product. I have been using it first thing in the morning as a face wash (pre morning skin prep) and as the first stage in my make-up removal routine at the end of the day. It certainly hasn’t been used as my only cleansing product – I use it as a starter product and follow up with a good balm or cleansing milk. But, its been fantastic for those moments when you jump in the shower and was to get the superficial layer or all that make up, dirt and grime off.

You will also find little jojoba scrub-beads within the product that act as an exfoliating agent – these are really gentle and so make it a friendly product for those of us with sensitive skin. In some cases beads can be known to aid any breakouts people with problem skin may have (they can spread the infection) but these are quite small and, they don’t litter or overwhelm the product. I certainly haven’t found that my breakouts have been exasperated with this; in fact quite the opposite.

There is also a lovely, fresh scent from the cleanser; it has an almost menthol aroma. However, what I love most about this is that the fact that it’s packed full of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and the brand’s, “SUPERFRUIT™ YUZU complex.” All of which seek to help keep skin fresh and healthy.

I have been using it for over a month now and the improvement in my skin has been amazing. It is visibly clearer, my pores are reduced and the dry areas of my face have been aided too. Thanks to this for the first time in over ten years I have been confident enough to leave the house with no foundation – yes really, no foundation! A little concealer under my eyes and bronzer for a little colour and glow and I’ve been out the door. I can’t believe it!

So, for the bargain price of £8 and easy to pick up through their online store or in Boots I wholly recommend this product. This has now become a must have for me – I’m onto my second bottle already!