Review : Revlon ColourBurst Matte Balm in 'Striking'

Hi everyone!

I originally set out to find myself a little orange lip but I decided that it just wouldn't suit me so I shelved that idea but I had kept picking up the Revlon ColourBurst Matte Balm in 'Striking' but for some reason kept deciding I was not feeling brave enough.

So when I was in boots a few weeks back I decided to just go for it.  Even though this is not necessarily a colour I would try out ordinarily, I did a little test on the back of my hand and really liked it.  It was such a different colour and I do love a red lip but I only have maybe one bright red lip colour and that is a gloss.

I had also seen a lot of adverts for the new Revlon Matte Balm crayon collection (they also do a super shiny one called Lacquer Balm) and I have already tried the Balm Stain but unfortunately the lid came off in my bag and it totally ruined it.

I really love the colour, I would say the best way to describe it would be a really bright red but it also has the slightest hint of orange in it too.  

This product because it is a balm goes on really well and it doesn't dry out the lips at all.  It also has a really nice minty smell when you apply which I love.

I was in awe of the staying power of this lip colour.  After taking this photos early afternoon, post-lunch and post-dinner this was still very much in place.  This will be such a great product to wear on a night out and I can't wait to have somewhere to wear this.

All in all, a big thumbs up from me in terms of colour, application and how well this stays put.

Usual price is £7.99 but they are currently on offer in Superdrug, link is here. 

Review : M.A.C. Eyeshadow in 'All That Glitters'

Hello everyone,

I was after a really natural shade that I could get away with wearing everyday and I picked up this beautiful golden eyeshadow from M.A.C. called 'All That Glitters' recently and wanted to share the results with you guys.

I really love this shade as it is a lovely rose gold colour but with a really natural shimmer so it doesn't look 'too much' and I am currently wearing it to work every day, just to a bit of colour to my day look.

This applies so well and really has some great staying power (it will last for HOURS) and does not crease.

You can build this shade up as much as you like or just apply lightly for a little extra colour on the lids.  Alternatively, this is also a really fantastic shade to blend with other colours.  This shade will pretty much go with anything and I have recently been trying out a few combinations with my Sleek palette and it blends so, so easily.

As you can see this is just really an easy, wearable shade and golden eyes are set to be on trend for Spring/Summer 2014.

Paired with a berry coloured lip, this is such a great day look that I really enjoy wearing.

Usual Price is £12.50 and link is here (this shade is the top row, first on the left).

Review : Soap & Glory "The Ultimelt" Deep Purifying Hot Cloth Cleanser

Hi everyone!

I bought the Soap & Glory Hot Cloth Cleanser recently and after using it for a about a week and a half now I reckon I should share with you guys how I am getting on it with it.

So I did not set out to buy this specifically but I have not tried any Soap & Glory products before and it was a third off in Boots when I went in to get something else and I thought, why not?  As much as I love my No 7 foaming cleanser (I have only just run out but a brand new bottle is ready and waiting!), I really wanted to see for myself what all the fuss was about with hot cloth cleansers and so I thought if I didn't get on with it, then I have not spent an absolute fortune on a product I couldn't use.

Contained in the pack is the product itself and also a little cloth for you to use when taking off the product.  This is for all skin types but I would suggest if you have skin sensitive to oils then perhaps give it a miss.

When I started using it, I have to be honest, I didn't really think much of it.  I was just about to reach for my trusty No 7 when I thought I would give this a second chance.  I re-read the instructions and I realised I was doing it wrong.

At first, I wasn't putting enough on and then I wasn't really rubbing it round, just leaving it on for two minutes instead and then I was wiping it off.  When I was wiping (which you shouldn't do) I was thinking, goodness this cloth is rough this is not going to do my skin any good.

What you are actually supposed to do is put a fair amount on (grape size) your face and neck, then rub round for two minutes.  I have to admit I do find this quite laborious because I'm just used to wash and go but nothing good comes easy as they say so I make sure stick with it. I also make sure I concentrate on any little areas where I can feel a breakout coming or somewhere there is already a little blemish.  Then you just run the cloth under hot / warm water, rinse slightly and then placed right over the whole of your face, pressing off the product as you go, working down towards the neck. I usually put the cloth over my face twice in order that I make sure I get this all off properly.

And there you go.  That is how I use it and now I know where I was going wrong and seen the error of my ways I'm glad I took the plunge on this one.  I think my skin looks fresher after use and you get a super duper deep down clean feeling. Smell is okay, not really my cup of tea but skin feels baby soft afterwards. I would purchase this again in the future and it has made me want to try more Soap & Glory products (The Fab Pore Daily Micro Smoothing Moisture Lotion is going on my wish list!) as well as some more hot cloth cleansers going forward.

Usual Price is £10.00 and link is here.

Hope you enjoyed my post and hopefully this helped if you're in the market for a new cleanser or if you are (like I was) just looking for an inexpensive hot cloth cleanser to try out.

Life \\ Wonders : Cold & Flu Miracle Cures

Hi everyone,

So I was feeling a bit sorry for myself last week because I had a rotten cold and to help me through it, I was using some vitamins and herbal, all natural supplements to just give me a little bit more of a chance to help fight it off.

In view of this, I thought I would share with you guys what my little tricks are to either help shorten the duration or to nip them in the bud before they happen.

Echinacea

This is an all natural substance which contains plant leaves and roots and can be used to fight upper repository infections such as colds, amongst other things. 

This is such a great product to stop that little tingle of a sneeze developing into a full on cold.  I have it in two forms.  First is a tincture form which basically you put a few drops in some water and swirl it round, swallow it down and there you go.  The second I have is just in tablet form which do not taste that great. I prefer the tincture as I find it more effective but it is also more expensive. 

I have done a little research on the internet and it appears that they have done clinical tests in 2007 and this revealed that 26% of the adults they tested were found to reduce the combined number and duration of a cold over a four month trial compared to the placebo.  If you want more information, link to NHS website is here and for some further information on Echinacea itself then link to WebMD is here.

To be honest, I don't really need to know about the research because I know this works for me every time.  It might not prevent a cold / virus every time I take it (because lets face it, if it did it would be flying off the shelves!) but I know it helps to prevent one from developing the majority of the time and when I do take it when I'm not very well, it helps clear it up within 4/5 days instead of say 7 days I would probably suffer a cold without taking it.  

This has been a winter essential of mine for many years now and I always make sure I maintain a good supply. 

Prices range from £3.50 to £13.50 and link is here if you are interested. 

Vitamin C Effervescent

Well we have all heard of Vitamin C haven't we?  It comes in the forms of oranges and Ribena.  But you can also get a great dose from an effervescent when you really need the help by popping a little tablet in water and letting it fizzle away into a refreshing drink.

Vitamin C (if you didn't already know) helps to keep your immune system in tip top shape and these can be taken once a day every day or just if and when you feel you need a little boost.

Usual price £2.55 and link is here

Cold & Flu Defence Nasal Spray

I have only just recently tried this one out but by far my current favourite cold essential.  First I was a little sceptical; "Clinically proven" did have me raising my eyebrows.  

But truly this has worked wonders for me.  You can use this three times a day at the first sign of a cold or during the duration of a cold to help shorten the suffering.  Alternatively, it does say you can use this several times a day at the beginning of a cold as a preventative measure but to be honest, I wouldn't want to use it more than three times because it's not exactly a 'pleasant' experience.

As the name suggests, it is a nasal spray and the first time I tried this, it was hideous but you do get used to the sensation.  You just hold one nostril, spray up the other and then repeat.  Have a tissue handy.  Don't try in a public place.  

As for the clinically proven part, what the small print says is that is contains Carragelose which apparently is "clinically proven to help defend against colds and flu, as well as help shorten the duration and severity of both colds and flu".  

In any case, clinically proven or not I love this little wonder and I have already replaced it since getting my first bottle. 

Usual price is £6.95 and link is here. 

I must admit, I probably suffer from one cold a year, two at most.  Maybe I have a good immune system or perhaps I just have so many wonderful products which I know how to and when to use that it keeps any little coughs or cold at bay.

Hopefully this is a helpful post if you're currently suffering as it appears to be doing the rounds at the moment.

Review : No 7 High Shine Intense Lip Crayon in 'Sultry Kiss'

Hello everybody,

I am still on the quest for the perfect red lip!  I was recently in Boots and I had already picked up their monthly magazine and seen the No 7 Lip Crayon but in 'Romantic Soul' and I got straight their Website only to see they are currently out of stock and despite my best efforts, I am yet to find it in store either.

But I did manage to pick up 'Sultry Kiss' which when I did a little back of the hand tester, looked just as good.

First of all, lets start with the colour of this, so so nice! I really love the colour. The best way to describe this is 'berry' I guess, its sort of in between red and dark pink / purple.  I really like this, so ideal for day looks, like work but still a nice colour for a going out look. 

And look at that shine.  They really do mean it when they say 'high shine intense'.  I didn't think you would be able to achieve a shiny look from a lip crayon, seeing as the majority of lip crayons available have a 'matte' effect, but here No 7 is proving me wrong. 

It is a big thumbs up from me on this one! I really enjoy using this lip crayon, it is moisturising, is in a lovely colour and awesome shine and its got some staying power. 

What more could you want?

Usual Price is £9.00 and can be found here.