ARK Skincare Regenerating Skin Defence

Bonjour!  Today I have a product I very kindly received back in November. Which I know, was a fair while ago. Fail. So, why post about it now? Well I've used it so I want to put my two cents in... After all, there's no point posting about something you haven't used right?

ARK Skincare is a brand with a great company ethos, designed with your individual skin in mind, understanding how we all differ and to provide the tools to achieve 'your own personal skincare solutions'. They also do not test on animals, an issue close to many peoples heart with an ever conscious society. Brownie points already!

The Ark Regenerating Skin defence* is designed for under moisturisers to defend against ageing, environmental stress and is to aid skin regeneration. Big claims eh? As you can see, it contains a whole host of skin helping ingredients: vitamins B C and E, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid which plumps and improves firmness and camelina oil which boasts skin elasticity improving properties. 

The texture of the gel is quite thick and smells quite fruity. It does have a strong scent indeed so be aware. It is easy to apply, glides onto the skin and soaks it quickly which leaves the skin glowing and insanely soft. You really can feel a difference once applying this and I personally can see a difference, it makes my skin look radiant in a word. I have used this continuously now for months and it has been a saviour for my skin whilst the weather has been questionable. I haven't noticed any anti-wrinkle properties due to my lack of wrinkles but hopefully the use will keep my skin firmer for longer. I also find it helps the moisturiser you follow with sink in with ease leaving your skin with a healthy plumpness.

And the packaging.. Well who doesn't like a snazzy pot? This innovative pot.. You turn it so one turn is enough for the whole face! Solves that age old problem of hygiene, if you haven't washed your hands you don't have to keep calm and carry on because.. It will never happen! Only downside is not knowing how much you've actually got left!

So as I said I've been using this for a few months now and I can say, hand on heart, scouts honour etc that this is absolutely fabulous. My skin has improved, it feels softer and I when I stopped using it boy did I know about it. Skincare is subjective, not many are alike but in my case this stuff has provided results and is the bees knees.  However it is worth mentioning that all this doesn't come cheap. This product is £42, which whilst not up there in the high end category is still going to make a dent in your salary. The benefits I've found with it really do make it worth it though and when you have good skin, not only do you feel fabulous but you also look it too (insert imagery of me walking through Selfridges with people turning to stare at my clear and radiant skin.. wishful thinking perhaps).
Next time you are looking around for some products for a Skincare shakeup look towards ARK skincare perhaps as yes, a tad pricey maybe, but worth every penny?

Oui oui! 

 £42 here.

Read More

MAC 'Snob'

When in New York I ventured into the MAC store. Among many other things (and a very high credit card bill to pay) I left with this. MAC Snob (Satin finish). A Light pink, cool toned which on the lips is similar to the colour of candy floss. Being a MAC lipstick, it almost smells like candy floss too. On the lips it glides on but it is rather drying.. if you've flaking, dry lips stay clear of this bad boy as it highlights every little flaw (as you can see in the swatch down below). For the payoff, it performs, being opaque in one swipe and it lasts 2-3 hours if you don't eat. Or drink.

The only problem I've found with this shade is pairing it with eyeshadow. Unless you are going au naturale, I've found it a tad hard to pull off (for my liking anyway) without looking like a young girl playing with her first lipstick! (Incase you were wondering, I pair it with a light grey eyeshadow and lashings of mascara).

So, what do you think? A staple in your collection or something to pass up on?

MAC Snob is £15.

Read More

The Bakewell Soap Company Luscious Lips in Palma Violets

Whilst attending the #eastmidsmeetup back in October (oh so long ago) in the goody bag I recieved this little gem. At first I cast it off as nothing but a job move and a heater blasting in my face for 8 hours a day left with with a lip situation that made me look twice.

This is where I present to you The Bakewell Soap Co. Luscious Lips in Palma Violets*.  The Bakewell Soap Co. is handmade in Derby (not so far away from me at all, which is nice to know)  and make soaps and other products with natural and organic ingredients. A look around their website gives you a great insight into the company and their ethos. Normally not one for the homegrown product, I really like the way the website isn't too preachy and tells it like it is. Pretty awesome in my opinion and it will make me look twice at beauty products closer to home from now on.

So onto the review. Firstly.. yes. It smells EXACTLY like those childhood favourites which is especially nice on the lips, really pleasant. Made with Shea butter, Cocoa butter and Vitamin E they go onto the lip and stay there for a while, to guard against the dry and harsh elements. Unlike vaseline you can really feel that there is a layer there and it applies like a lipstick, not too hard and not too soft so you end up with it half way up your face and one touch and its gone forever. I used this solidly for a week and I really did feel an improvement. And let's just point out the applicator shall we? Easy to apply with a little dial so the product doesn't get smushed. Perfect.

As I'm sure you have gathered, I really like the product. It is £2.95 which is on par with high street lip balms so it's not going to break the bank. It is also free from parabens and petroleum based ingredients so you are paying for quality products rather than... well less than quality stuff.

What do you think? Will you be trying them?

Have a look for yourself here.

Read More

No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in 'In the Stars' and 'Star Shower'

If you read this blog, you will know I'm a big fan of the No7 Stay Perfect Range. I'm especially a fan when those lovely £3 off makeup vouchers come around. As they are out once again, I thought it only fitting that I shared some of the new polishes available to you.

As always, these polishes only require one coat and are long wearing. They do have a a high shine element but a top coat will add that extra diamond shine, so to say.

My favourite is 'In the Stars'. A multi tonal top coat glitter that adds subtle shimmer to any polish. Add it to a nude = work acceptable glam. Add it to pink= super girly barbie nails. Add it to a dark blue= an interesting, comment inducing stunner. It's not one to wear alone as you really don't experience the full benefit of it. This polish is a must have, an essential for any nail lovers collection as it gives you so many more options for your nails. Jazzy!

Star shower is a metallic brown shade with tiny blue and gold glitters giving it a interesting shimmer when hit by natural light. It isn't too IN YOUR FACE so again, one that you could style on your nails in the working environment. It's a sophisticated colour, and not one that many will like but it is a hidden gem, something you may well look over whilst perusing the stands at No7.

So there we have it, two options on which you could spend your money on.

Now just call me an enabler.

£6 here.  Or wait until the money off vouchers are knocking around :)

Read More

MUA Luxe Power Brow in Mid Brown

Last year was the year of the bow, a trend that is still going strong and looks unlikely to be fading into makeup history anytime soon. Wether it be a tad defined, bold and beautiful or thick the brow is the perfect tool to finish the face off, tidy it up and polish up your appearance without having to do too much.

A not so new contender for being the ultimate brow tool is the MUA Luxe Powerbrow. A wind up eyebrow pencil with a highlight to lift the brow as well as add definition. I've been using the shade mid brown, and lets just say I won't be putting it down anytime soon. The pencil is soft, but not too soft, making natural looking strokes easy to achieve but with more pressure a defined brow is in within reach too. The highlighting aspect of the pencil is a bit hit and miss as it is very gold, but once blended properly it does give the illusion of a higher lift.

The packaging of the MUA Luxe line is just that.. luxurious (when compared to their other offerings). The gold lettering does rub off however the tube is sturdy enough.

As you can see it adds a lot of definition without breaking the bank. Please excuse the tired eyes, but I wanted to show the product on its own to show how good it really is in polishing the face up without any other makeup. Super awesome, am I right? And quick. Like 'I-have-2-minutes-to-get-ready-for-work' quick.

So.. why do I love it so much?

It's £3.00 here!

Thats cheaper than a Starbucks!

Read More

NOTD - China Glaze 'Fast Track'

Perhaps a little belated, baring in mind this came out a while ago, but now the new Catching Fire movie is out I'm kidding myself into thinking that this late post is ok. Yes, I forgot about this little gem. China Glaze 'Fast Track' from The Hunger Games Capitol Colour Collection.
It is a beige, nude shade with very finely milled gold glitter throughout which gives it shimmer rather than shine. In normal light it can look quite subtle and plain but when it catches the light it really does shine. Meaning that for all you ladies that are restricted from wearing anything jazzy on your nails due to work can sport this colour and get away with it.*

And its £4.52 here.

*this isn't guaranteed, I take no responsibility if not!

Read More

MAC eyeshadow in 'Coppering'

Recently I went to New York, and whilst watching the bright lights of Times Square flash and amaze I saw it. A MAC store. And that can only mean one thing....

Presenting Coppering! A Veluxe Pearl Finish with a rich copper colouring. It applies like an absolute dream, blends amazingly and lasts forever. The colour is either hit or miss.. for my colouring, Coppering goes superbly and brings out the blue in my eyes but for others it could leave you washed out. Wear with lashings of mascara - not necessarily black. A slick of dark grey or (if you are really daring) dark green eyeliner looks really fab with this. 

Got Cranberry? Great paired with it as a transitional colour on the lid, my favourite way to wear this personally.

L- Coppering next to Cranberry R- Coppering swatch

So have a look for this colour, I personally took a risk on it. I went in, swatched like a maniac and hoped for the best as I'd never read anything about it online.  And now its love. 

£10 on the MAC website for the pro refill.

Read More

SEVENTEEN Quicker Slicker Colour in 'Wishing Star'

Beautiful, beautiful nails! SEVENTEEN Quicker Slicker Colour in Wishing Star.

Another new polish found whilst perusing Boots. This time a duo chrome, a silvery gold mix that in certain light looks purple. In the above photo it is layered over a metallic gold polish which really sets the colour off. This polish really is a compliment gainer, it catches the light and changes colour so it looks different all the time. Perfect, and fitting, for the holiday season ahead. 

If you really layered it up I think it could become opaque but over a similar rosy gold toned polish it really does become a show stopper.

£2.99 here.

Read More

Lush 'Dream Steam' Calming Toner Tabs

Good evening all!

I bring you today a review of something that I bought on a whim. And we all know how they go. Epic win or epic fail. So what do we have here? These are the Lush Dream Steam Calming Toner tabs. A mouthful? Totally. So what are they? A steamer mask to help clear skin and doubling up as a toner that you can use after the steaming (so not a total waste!). What does Lush say about them?

'A blend of oils for both mind and skin, skillfully presented in an easy to use tab. Steam clean your face whilst you inhale the mood-adjusting essential oils.'

 The main oils are lavender, rose, tea tree and chamomile blue which mix together to create a calming smell, not overpowering , and easy to inhale. When I purchased these the lovely sales assistant assured me they would help my dire skin clear itself up, and this point I was desperate so I would have tried anything. It's the same set up as any steaming.. you need a bowl, a big towel, some hot water and to ensure your woodwork stays in tiptop shape, a mat (that might just be me who needs that, after all I've already spilt a whole bottle of nail varnish remover over said table).

A little bit of fizzing later you are left with a yellow tinted water, and under you go. After 5 minutes I emerged, calmer, and with nicer feeling skin. No miracle though. The best bit is you don't throw the water, you keep it. You are left with a toner for your face which makes it pretty good value for money. If you use toner....

So I haven't really said what I thought up to yet and that is simply because I don't really know. To me it's a bit of a meh product. Yes, it is a steamer mask and did that job but it didn't work miracles and the toner water is okay if you use it. I tried and it rid my face of grime but I wouldn't hail it as an essential. I think it is just safe to say that I personally wouldn't repurchase but that doesn't mean to say I regret buying it. But I also don't regret buying another nail polish..

For £2.50 here, it may very well be worth you giving it a go. If you use toner, of course.

Read More

Bourjois Cream Blush in 03

Having never really tried a Cream blusher previous to this, plus the lure of Boots' recent 3 for 2 offering, picking up a Cream blush seemed to be a rather savvy idea. I decided on trying the Bourjois pots after recent reviews saying they were easy to apply and being the beginner that I am I wanted ease over skill.

I decided on 03, a soft pink which peachy tones. Perfect for fair skin. I'd just like to point out here the disappointment of 4 shades. Not exactly catering for every girl here now is it? I'd hope that in the future they will expand, because lets face it, they are onto a money maker here.

The Cream to powder formula seems to be a winner here meaning that there are no hair stuck to cheek incidents which I thought would happen (see I told you I knew nothing of Cream blush). Easy to apply? I like the blend ability of them (yes, now a word). You can pat them into the cheek with your fingers as they don't dry too quickly. Lazy girls take note though - a Real Techniques buffing brush seems to be the quickest, easiest and fuss free way to apply this. Literally, 5 seconds. Done. Dusted. Moving on...

I find they last a fair few hours - a touch up will be needed at some point in your day (good job they have a mirror!) and they are build able meaning if you want to rock the strong cheek then you can, with ease. They also smell of soap. A nice, floral soap way. Not a medicinal soap.

Finally, the price. £7.99, which is a decent enough price until you realise the tiny amount you get (2.5g). However, in this case, quality does prevail making this, in my eyes, a savvy purchase.

Read More