CHANEL Soleil Tan De Chanel

Hello lovelies,

Last month I finally took the plunge and purchased by first Chanel product. After a year of swooning over their foundations and lipsticks I put my sensible head on and decided to go for a product I couldn't buy from another brand. I hear you, there are plenty of non-powder bronzers out there, but non quite like this one. So if the packaging hadn't already, let me tempt you in to buying this little beauty...

For me, the texture of this product really sets it apart from other cream bronzers. In the pot the product is solid, it is only once the heat of your skin touches the product does it become a lovely buttery texture. This allows the product to be worked on to your skin, but also means that once applied this sets beautifully and stays in place all day. 

I think this is the perfect winter bronzer as not only does it add a bit of warmth to a snow white complexion, it has a lovely subtly dewy finish. 

I like to lightly buff this on to my skin after applying my liquid and powder foundation. By applying it after powder it will keep the coverage of your foundation intact and create a smother finish. This can be applied as your bronzer or as a base to your bronzer depending on the finish and intensity of colour you prefer.

Priced at £32 for 30g of never-ending product I did not think the price was too bad. This product could last you a good couple of years even if you used it everyday. buy here

I clean all my products once a month with The Pro Hygiene Collection's make up antibacterial spray which will help increase product shelf life. I also never put my brush in to the pot, I swirl my clean finger in the pot and then wipe this on to my brush. This keeps the product clean and allows for buildable application. 

Let me know what you think of this product or if it is on your christmas list. Also I would love to know your favourite Chanel products, I'm thinking of buying a soft pink or nude lipstick; any shade suggestions? 

Ciao

  xxx

Bumble and Bumble: Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Set

Hello Beauties,

I love a bit of Bumble and Bumble and their travel sets are just a little too hard for a blogger to resist, and with my combination, frizzy locks I couldn't just walk past The Hairdresser's Trio. The set costs £19.50 and contains the Invisible Oil sulfate free Shampoo, Invisible Oil Conditioner, and Invisible Oil heat and uv protecting primer all 60ml bottles. buy here

Hairdresser’s invisible oil sulfate free shampoo 

This is a sulfate free shampoo with six 'feather light' oils as they have promoted it. I knew this was going to nourish my hair but 'invisible' to me suggests that my hair will look shiny but will feel light and oil free. Unfortunately this shampoo just makes my hair greasy, it looks really heavy and more like 3 day hair than salon washed hair. I do have oil prone hair near my scalp but even the dryer ends of my hair looked oily when I used this. I would only recommend this if your hair is very dry.

Hairdresser’s invisible oil conditioner 

Surprisingly I really like this conditioner, it makes your hair look sleek and prevents dry frizzy hair. I only use this in the ends of my hair but I really love how smooth this makes it feel. I wouldn't say it aids in de-tangling your hair but if your are using a Tangle Teezer or a Wet Brush it is not really a problem.

Hairdresser’s invisible oil heat/uv protective primer 

This is my favorite of the trio. I use this in the ends of my hair when it is wet or dry as like a protecting leave in conditioner. This is perfect if you have dry frizzy hair, used before straightening it really does make the hair look sleeker. 

I have always been happy with Bumble and Bumble products in the past but with this set I feel the high street has some great alternatives and the products are just not worth the price tag. If its a leave in treatment you are after then Aussie have a great range of leave in conditioners at more affordable prices. 

Let me know your thoughts if you have tried these products in the comments. Also see my reviews of the Surf Set and the Ultimate Blow Dry Set for some more of my rambles.  

Ciao
  xxx

Estée Lauder Perfecting Loose Powder

Do you ever find it is the products you use most often are the ones you neglect to review?

You may have read my previous reviews of the Estée Lauder Double Wear foundations and The Double Wear Stay In Place pressed Powder, well let me introduce you to the Perfecting Loose Powder that completes the dream team for perfect skin. 

At £28.50 for 10g this is a little costly so here is why I think its worth parting with your hard earned pennies...

As you can see the powder is very finely milled and therefore perfectly lightweight. You can apply a few layers of the powder without looking like you have powdered at all. It mattifies and softens the finish of your base creating a more even looking complexion. 

I find most loose powders are more long lasting than pressed powders as they do not oxidise as easily. This one in particular lasts forever, it does not seam to encourage the production of oil at all and hardly ever needs re-touching. 

I am also a big lover of the Yves Saint Laurent Souffle D'Eclat Loose Powder (read review) which costs £9.50 more for 5g more of product. To be honest they are both investment products that are equally great. I differentiate the two on the finish of the foundation you are applying them on to. If you wear a more sheer finish foundation, you will probably prefer YSL's Souffle D'Eclat, where as if your base has a more matte finish and is more full coverage, then Estée Lauder's loose powder may be more for you. 

With both of these powders I have found the realTechniques Blush Brush to be the best at holding the right amount of product and applying a light, even amount all over your skin.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this product, or what your favorite loose powder is. And for those of you that are looking for a drugstore alternative try the Soap & Glory Kick Ass powder; see my review here.

Ciao

  xxx

C'est la vie... #1

Hello Lovelies

While I tend to stay clear of lifestyle blogs from time to time I think it is nice to update you. So if you see a c'est la vie post, it will just be me sharing my thoughts; good, bad and reflective.
 

I am currently finding it a little difficult to juggle my work, social and social media life. I am studying my Masters in Legal Practice this year, as well as working two days a week in an office for a home care company. Honestly, I'm finding it hard to blog as much as I would like with my excessive work load.

I just wanted to say that I will continue to blog, I just may be a little quiet sometimes, and thank you all for reading my ramblings.

Ciao

  xxx

Autumn Favourites

Hello lovelies,

As I did with my Summer favourites I thought doing a seasonal collective favourites post may be a better depiction of things that I am currently loving, rather than just things I have been using a lot because I tend to get ready in a rush. So enough with the rambles, here are the things I have been enjoying more as the weather has started to get colder and the days are shorter.

 Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Ink Foundation 

My T-zone has become really oily with the recent weather change and this foundation just seems to be perfect at preventing shiny skin whilst still having a really natural, subtly dewy finish. It is a little lighter coverage than I normally go for but with a foundation brush this is a medium coverage. (review)

NARS And God Created The Woman Palette

Firstly NARS eye shadows full stop are amazing, they have a creamy velvet like texture that don't crease at all even without applying a lid primer (that comes with the palette). Secondly, how perfect are these shades for this time of year. There are transitional and festive shades, but can just as easily be paired for subtle day looks. At £35 for 6 shadows, a primer and a brush I think it would be a beautiful gift for someone...namely yourself.

Chanel Soleil Tan 

I Bought this a few weeks ago and after hearing mixed reviews I think this is a bit of a Marmite product but I love this. I apply it as a base for my bronzer if I want a matte finish, or alone when I want a dewy finish. I rub my finger on to the product then wipe my finger on to a buffing brush. This allows for buildable coverage and keeps the product clean. 

Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara

I Thought this looked awful when I first saw how thick the product was on the applicator. Seriously, this looks as though it would create some overly clumpy lashes, but I was massively mistaken. My lashes have never look so long, curled, fanned out and voluminous than when I wear this. I will definitely be buying the full size product. 

Rimmel London Professional Eyebrow Pencil

Again I wasn't too sure on this pencil at first. I am a massive fan of the YSL brow pencil is Ash but my sister assured me this was just as good, at at a fraction of the price (£2.99!) it had to be worth a shot. Verdict; well it's my new fave. I miss my spooley, but the texture and shade are perfect. 

Essie Nail Polish Bahama Mama

Honestly I love this shade all year round but with me wearing darker lips at the moment I love wearing a matching nail varnish and I just can't get this shade off my nails at the moment. 

If you would like to know my current skincare faves I posted my Evening Skincare Routine the other day so check that out if you would like some combination skin care inspiration.

Ciao
  xxx

Evening Skincare Routine

Hello beauties,

With every season my skincare products get a reshuffle and with combination skin, weather change has a big affect on it's condition. It is so important we use great products that work for us, and if you are going to splurge out anywhere then it should (unfortunately) be on skincare. The way I convince myself is that your skincare products are as much of a base product as your foundation; even if the packaging isn't as showstopping. 

Step one of my skincare routine is based on pure laziness if I am honest. When I get home form work or university the last thing I want to be doing is a lengthy cleanse and polish. A quick wipe off of the make up with the Bioderma Sensibo H20 or Yves Saint Laurent Top Secret Toning and Cleansing Water with a cotton pad is super fast and makes your skin feel lovely and fresh. I have found Bioderma to be a little drying, so I reserve this for days when I am feeling a little more oily. The cotton pads I like the most are actually from Primark. I find these to be the most gentle on the skin without all the cotton separating leaving fluff all over my fingers. 

Whilest I realise I am getting no younger, and good skin means good skin care, I still try to go for the lazy girls approach to cleansing. This Lancome Gel Eclat is perfect for a super fast deep clean. It is gentle on the skin and does not irritate the eye area, and most importantly it removes all make up; including waterproof products. I massage this all over my face and remove with warm running water. The warm water helps to open your pores so no dirt is trapped. I then dry my face using a cotton pad; simply because I am so bad at cleaning face towels in time this is my solution.

Once cleansed I always go straight in with my toner on a cotton pad, this will close your pores preventing any dirt from clogging them. It also assists in firming the skin. A lot of toners have a drying quality, but this Vitamin E Toner from The Body Shop is a little more nourishing, it will not cause dryness and also assists in reducing uneven pigmentation and redness. (see review)

Your evening routine is the best time to treat your skin, you have the whole night to allow products to really work so this is where I treat my skin by locking in moisture to my dry areas and reducing excess oil from my problem areas. 

For cream I have found Lancome (albeit expensive) to have the most nourishing products that work well on my very sensative skin. For my eye area I love their Rénergie Multi-Lift Eye cream, I massage this in gently with my ring fingers. I then use the Rénergie Multi-Lift Cream which has Firming and  Anti-Wrinkle benefits as well as an SPF of 15. I massage this over the rest of my face and on to my neck with any excess product. 

For the areas of my skin that I have excess oil I apply the Malin + Goetz Sulfur Paste with a cotton bud. I also apply this directly to any blemishes and leave on over night to wash off in the morning. (see full review)

As you can see I love really creamy products that make my skin feel healthy and nourished. The cold weather can make my skin feel so dry but this cleanser and the creams really help to combat any damage the cold wind can do. 

I would love to know your current skincare must haves and if these products are part of your routines. Let me know in the comments below. 

Ciao

  xxx