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

Malin + Goetz Sulfur Paste

With the recent weather change my skin has has decided to have a colossal breakout, and whilst we all long for younger looking skin, I'm not sure a teenage breakout is what we all have in mind. Whether you have actually broken out, have clogged up pores, blackheads or just oily skin, this handy little sulfur paste may just be your new best friend. 

First things first, don't make the same mistake I did and open the pot thinking this is a paste. This is a liquid; if you do not open this carefully you will have it everywhere, and this does stain. Warnings done this is an amazing skin care product. My oily T-Zone now has healthy normal skin, and while my spots have not completely gone yet, I have not got any more since using this. 

As you can see this dries your skin so it is not a great idea to use this everyday. I use this every other day, and I still moisturise; the aim is not to dehydrate your skin, this just kills the bacteria reducing excess oil and spots forming. 

This costs £16.50 for 14ml and can be bought in SpaceNK (buy online). I apply this with a cotton bud on to my skin, this keeps the unused product clean and is very easy to apply to a blemish alone or to a larger area. For best results leave on over night and wash off with water in the morning. Apply it after cleansing fully, and moisturise as normal in the morning to prevent dry skin. 

Obviously if you have dry skin or dry patches this is not one for you, but if you are someone that has suffered with excess oil and breakouts then reducing bacteria is key. This used to be known as a treatment for acne, now I think it is important to not rely solely on a product. Healthy lifestyle, sleep, keeping hydrated will also keep your skin looking great, but for a little extra help in keeping blemishes at bay, Malin + Goetz have got it spot on. 

Ciao

  xxx

Lush: Popcorn Lip Scrub

Hello lovelies,

While I'd love to follow the crowd and swoon over all Lush Cosmetics products, having not owned a bath for 4 years and being a firm lover of showers has meant that the shop tends to get sidetracked whilst on my spending sprees. That said I have a couple of Lush product reviews coming your way so lets start things off with their impulsive till point purchase; the Lip Scrubs.

The Scrubs come in 3 different flavours; Popcorn, Mint Julips and Bubblegum and retail for £5.50 buy here. There is also a christmas edition Santa's Lip Scrub if you are feeling a little more festive.

The Good Bits: Well most importantly, it actually works. My lips always feel perfectly exfoliated, smooth and healthy looking after using the scrub. This product is great if you too like wearing mate lipsticks. I always use a balm on my lips after using this to make the benefits last longer. My choice of balm is The Body Shop Vitamin E lip care; this nourishes your lips even in the coldest of weathers. Together they make the perfect dream team against chapped lips.

The Bad Bits: This tastes horrific, I haven't been sat here eating it I can assure you but of course rubbing this on your lips you do get a little taste and ergh! I have started using this before brushing my teeth that way I counteract the taste with some mint. This does smell amazing but keep your lips firm shut when scrubbing.

The other thing I think could easily be improved, is that it seams to have a little too much sugar and not much scrub. There is very little oil or balm holding the sugar together so it tends to go everywhere. 

While I am am very happy with the results the product gives, there are a few tweaks that could be improved before I would make another purchase.

Let me know what you think of this product, and if you are using a better lip scrub please share your finds! 

Ciao

  xxx

Yes To Cucumber Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Wipes

Hello ladies,
I realise wipes are a bit of a love hate in the beauty world, and although we all know a little wipe does not amount to a skincare routine, these lazy girl favourite do have their uses so we may as well use the good'ns.

Im such a sucker for packaging, a cute message always makes my day but on with the stuff that matters...

Price: £3.99 for 30 wipes Buy here

Smell: Well as you would expect, the cucumber wipes smell of just that. There are no nasty surprises just a lovely fresh scent.

Quality: The wipes themselves are not as soft or quilted as most other brands, however, they are far from rough. The feel as though they are good at getting the muck off your face. They are relatively large wipes so you can do your full face without having to use a dirty section of the wipe. 

I personally do not use these to take off my make up, they will not cleanse your face fully. If you are in a rush in the morning and have cleansed your face fully the night before then these do a good job at making your face feel cleansed. As they are oil free it also feels as though they have some toning qualities. 

If you were on the hunt for drug store make up wipes for on the go I would suggest Garnier Skin Naturals cleansing wipes as they are quilted and take off more of the make up. However, if you are looking for wipes just to freshen up in the day then these are perfect.

Range: There are four different wipes available in the range, all for different purposes including

-Yes To Blueberries Cleansing Facial Wipes 

-Yes To Grapefruit Brightening Facial Wipes  

-Yes To Carrots Gentle Fragrance Free Cleansing Wipes

The standard size packs are all sold in Boots. There is also a Yes To Cucumbers On The Go Facial Wipes that contains 10 wipes, however, I am not sure where stocks this pack.

Let me know if your have tried these wipes and which are your favourites, also check out the Yes to website to to see full product details.

Ciao

  xxx

Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Ink Foundation

Hello Beauties,

I know you are probably used to seeing the trusted Touche Éclat foundation round these parts, but Yves Saint Laurent have stepped up their game and created this little beauty. So let me tell you why Fusion Ink, or Le Teint Encre De Peau for all you mademoiselles, should be on your wishlists...

Starting with the packaging, before opening the bottle I was a little disappointed that there was no pump, but don't fear ladies, YSL has added their signature shaped wand to the inside of the lid. The wand makes layering this foundation so much easier. No more pouring out too much product; which is super helpful with this foundation because a little really does go a long way. 

The Foundation itself I really couldn't flaw. With my combination skin I often find other foundations drying out my skin or making my skin look oily. This seams to sidetrack all the things you don't like creating beautifully flawless looking skin that stays put all day. It has a velvet like touch and look to it, but it does not feel heavy on the skin at all. 

I have found this foundation to be best without adding powder, I do still wear bronzer and blush but somehow they have made the liquid foundation feel like a powdered matte foundation but still keeping a natural glow.

At £30.50 it is hardly the cheapest product on the market but if good natural looking skin is what you are after then I haven't tried better than this. 

The reason this foundation is so perfect for all skin types is that the formula contains a combination of sensorial and volatile oils. The texture of the foundation changes from a regular liquid foundation to a velvet type texture once blended on to the skin. They say the oils evaporate once blended, and while I can't understand the science behind it, I can confirm both the dry and oily areas of my skin looked like normal healthy skin throughout the day. 

The only downfall I can see is that she shade range is much smaller than other YSL foundations. There are still 16  shades but there are very few available for darker skin tones. Hopefully they will come out with more shades but for now, most of the lighter shades do correspond with those of the Touche Éclat.

This may not be buildable to full coverage but it is a good medium and it looks so natural, provided you get the perfect match I'm sure a few people will be fooled into thinking you were born flawless.

Ciao

  xxx

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Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Ink Foundation