REVLON Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel

I saw these advertised recently in a magazine and couldn't resist checking them out. Although I have far too many nail varnishes for my liking I couldn't resist these. If I could I would buy the whole range, but for now I have just selected Watermint (sparkly pale green) and Surf Spray (blue) (both ideal for the summer), although I am very tempted by Autumn Spice. I bought these in Boots and they must be quite popular as there weren't many in stock. You don't really smell the scent when you take the lid off, it's only until application that you can smell it. Not only is the scent refreshing, but also long lasting plus you still get to enjoy the pretty colours. They are reasonably priced at £6.49 and you can purchase them here.

http://www.revlon.co.uk/Revlon-Home/Products/Nails/Nail-Color/Revlon-Scented-Nail-Enamel.aspx

Steamcream Natural Moisturiser

For a long time I have been a huge fan of Steamcream, which not only acts as a facial moisturiser but can be used on the body and hands. The formula is wonderful, light and gentle enough on any kind of skin type (combination), the tins are available in many different designs and are very reasonably priced at around £12.95 to suit every budget!

They have also recently released a beautiful tin with an enhanced lavender scent called 'Always' - ideal for night time moisturising to help you relax before bedtime.

Buy it here: https://www.steamcream.co.uk/

The Body Shop Hair Chalk (Pink) Review

Katy Perry "Dark Horse" Egyptian Style Make-up

Benefit's Lollitint Cheek and Lipstain

So I received Benefit's new Lollitint Cheek and Lipstain today, rather pricey for £25 but you get a fairly big bottle and as I am student and bought it from asos with free delivery it was slightly cheaper than getting it from another site. I am a huge fan of Benefit and their lipstains and already have Cha Cha Tint (orange tone, in a small sample box, a freebie from a magazine, much prefer this size for trying), Posietint (pink) and the original colour, Benetint (Red). Personally, I found Benetint dried rather patchy on my lips so was a bit wary of trying the new tints, but the latter tints seem to have a smoother application and creamier formula. 

As for the Lollitint, the same nice creamier application and staying power, the colour itself was a bit scary when I first looked at, but it's not so bad on. It's definitely a cooler, blue tone pink, verging on pinky purple, so only a couple of applications are required if you don't want a too heavy and vibrant colour. I must admit, I have still got to make up my mind about this one, I may even prefer the lighter and brighter tones of Posietint and Cha Cha Tint. But it's ok for now, especially for darker and cooler seasons.

Buy it here

Application and tone after 3 applications with brush

Dry Shampoos

I have had a long battle with my hair and how quickly it gets so greasy. When I was younger I use to wash it everyday, but since getting older (and a little wiser) plus highlighting it, I try not too wash it as much, especially as my hair is drier at the ends. This apparently is combination hair, the only shampoo I know off for this type is the Charles Worthington range. So in a frantic effort to cut down on time washing it and damage, I have tried a number of dry shampoos, of which I have listed below. I also have a fringe that gets oily quickly especially in the summer or after I apply facial moisturiser. 

Batiste (Smaller purses)

Great for everyday use, easy to purchase and cheap price. Light to medium application, have to brush through quite a bit beforehand to get rid of telltale white. Strong smell.

Beehive Tigi (Medium purses)

Have recently acquired this and very impressed with the vanilla smell. I couldn't decide between this and the lovely Tigi shine hairspray, but interestingly he advised that it some shine hairspray a have serum in them which can make the hair oilier. It's a lighter and less messy application with subtle results.

Lush - No Drought Dry Shampoo (Smaller purses)

Pleasant smell and plenty in bottle. However messy to apply and takes ages to brush through which makes it cumbersome.

On the wish list (Megabucks purses)

I can't remember the name of this dry shampoo, but it was a red bottle with a built-in brush for easy application straight on roots. It was retailing at about £30.

If you think you might know what brand it was or have some tips on dry shampoo application etc please don't hesitate to leave a message below!

HD Brows Treatment

Sooooo, had my brows done today via the HD Brows treatment. I like my brows, but felt that there were uneven and needed tidying up desperately!
The HD Brows was completed by Anycia, of Anycia's Nails & Beauty. What is great about this treatment, is it is tailored to you and what suits you. A combination of threading and waxing helps tidy the brows, whilst a soft dye and some HD Brow shadow is applied.
As I am quite fair, Anycia used soft tones to gradually define my brows to frame my face, without them looking overpowering.
Anycia was very professional, she gave me a patch test beforehand and provided forms for reference and information. She even showed me how to use my HD Brows Foxy palette and most importantly, took her time to get perfect results! HD Brows is not just limited to the ladies, gentlemen can have the treatment too!
Would I do this again? Definitely!

You can read Anycia's column about the HD Brow treatment in the next issue of glean magazine, out 3rd January 2014 at www.gleanmagazine.co.uk

Molton Brown Shower Gels and Body Lotion

A few Christmasses ago, I was lucky enough to be given the gift of a Molton Brown Ginger Lily Body Wash and Body Moisturiser set. I remember how exquisite the smell was and it left me wanting more, but I never got around to buying anymore from the range.
Being a Birchbox Subscriber, I got the Molton Brown Ylang Ylang Body Wash and moisturiser sample sizes and fell in love with it all over again! This certainly is a sophisticated and uplifting scent, which lingers long after application.
I decided to make up for the lost years of MB deprivation by purchasing the Pink Pepperpod Shower Gel (which I had not smelt before) online. Since it arrived I cannot get enough, the smell is stronger and spicier than the previously mentioned scents, but it's a lovely warming fragrance for the oncoming colder winter months. And because it's less floral than the other two, you could easily use this as a unisex shower product. In fact, I can guarantee there will be a few fights over this!

You can purchase Molton Brown here

Topshop Make-up Review including The Damned Collection

Highlighter Powder in Crescent Moon

A lower budget item was the Highlighter powder in Moonshine. Very pretty but use sparingly as tricky to apply especially with fingers. Just a little applied on top of cheekbones after applying blush and powder.

Eyeshadow duo in Harlow Sunset

Lighter shade which is a pretty shimmer is used on the eyelid and darker shade applied in the eyelid crease and outer corners of the eye. Can also be used as a soft eyeliner using an eyeliner brush.

Lipstick in Called Up

I loved the dark berry of this shade, it looks darker in the tube but is a lovely rich colour when applied. You need to be a but more careful when using darker lip shades - I tend to use a darker lip liner first and then 'fill in' my lips using a lip brush, this gives more control over colour application and stops lips from bleeding out or looking wonky. Also, always place your finger and pull it out to avoid embarrassing lipstick on teeth! A final blot with a tissue is good to finish.

The Damned Collection

Finishing Powder in White Lies

At £14 I felt that this was a tad overpriced and while the staying power and smell of this product is lovely, there is no mirror or puff to help with application. The packaging could have also more sophisticated.

Velvet Lips in Plush 
I didn't like this as much as the lipstick, it's a brave colour to try but I thought I would give it a go! The stain lasted until I drank something, then the colour started to vanish from the centre of my lips. Also, it's not the most flattering of shades and can make teeth look a little discoloured. I did, however, like the matte velvety texture on application.

*Please note all products are purchased by me and not sponsored by any of the companies mentioned.

My first time... Nail extensions

I was lucky enough to have nail extensions done for the latest issue of glean magazine by Anycia - a very talented, fully qualified and friendly Nail Technician, who also practices HD Brows. Having never had nail extensions before, I was a little nervous but Anycia put me at ease. Surprisingly, it's quite a long process but Anycia puts her heart and soul into work, nails are first buffed, extensions are chosen to fit the the nail, clipped, filed down and then trimmed, then a nail varnish and UV light are used to 'set' the nails, the latter of which stings a little but it's bearable! I chose a nice more natural and classic French Manicure with pretty butterfly detail transfers. The nails lasted for a fortnight and put up with a lot of abuse from me, including playing with my pup. I have now had them removed to give my nails time to recover, but boy do I miss them! Did I have a lot of compliments? Yes! Would I have them done again by Anycia? Definitely!

(c) Image by Neil Hunt

COMPETITION GIVEAWAY!

COMPETITION GIVEAWAY! WOO!

I have a little collection of beauty products to giveaway to one lucky winner! All you have to do is Comment below this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz3j5rIJY-g and Subscribe to my channel at www.youtube.com/Moniker192. The winner will be chosen on the 30th September. Good luck!

COMPETITION BOX CONTAINS: Cowshed Slender Cow Extra Firming Body Butter 50ml, Pure Gold Collagen 50ml, Nick Chavez Beverly Hills Plump ‘n Thick 59ml, Inner Me Lustrous Locks Vitamin Complex 28 capsules, Clinique High Impact Mascara 3.5ml.

Espa Mandarin Lipbalm

I was lucky enough to win the prize draw for the Espa Mandarin Lipbalm!

It comes in a little printed paper bag with purple tie and purple shredded packing material and there is a pretty marble effect on the lid, it has also got a really useful mirror as well for make-up check ups.

Application is light but moisturising and the balm has a pleasant smell, I will definitely be using this on a regular basis.

West Bay Spa (Yarmouth) & ESPA Beauty Goodies

ESPA
West Bay Spa had had an Open Evening earlier this month and I had dropped in, having (rather shamefully I may add) never been to a spa before! This was when I was first introduced to the ESPA beauty line, a UK based company. Pictured in the image above is the shower gel and facial beauty products that are currently on offer, if you buy a product you can choose from four samples from the ones available. Having rather sensitive, combination and problem skin, I find that their products are gentle enough for me to use, in particular I adore the Balancing Foam cleanser which I recently purchased (not pictured) which is fantastic to use in the morning! The products are softly scented with a smell rather addictive and are not tested on animals. Price range is roughly from about just over ten pounds upwards. The products seem to be aimed at an older market so perhaps in the future they may produce a slightly cheaper line aimed at younger skins. I loved the restorative oil set that I bought for £12.50, the body oil is non-greasy and easily absorbed with that fantastic smell!


West Bay Spa
Reflexology Treatment
This was the first time I have received a reflexology treatment and the second time I have visited the West Bay Spa located in Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.
Staff were courteous, friendly and professional at all times. The reflexologist spent 55 minutes on my feet and picked up on various health aspects that I had not even disclosed, by pointing out the tender parts on the foot. I was quite surprised at this and very impressed. Unfortunately, through no fault of her own (bless!) I still found it very hard to relax, but don't for a minute regret the treatment. They also stock all the ESPA goodies if you don't fancy ordering online.
The price for the treatment is currently £38 for 55 minutes.



ESPA products shown in the picture above:
Samples
Super ActiveTM Lift & Firm Eye Serum
Cleanse & Exfoliate Refining Skin Polish
Super ActiveTM Lift & Firm Moisturiser
Super ActiveTM Lift & Firm Intensive Serum
SpaFresh Balancing Herbal Spafresh Toner
Energising Shower Gel
Restorative Bath & Body Oil

http://www.westbayclub.co.uk/isle-of-wight-spa/isle-of-wight-spa.asp
http://www.espaonline.com/

Please note: I am not sponsored or paid to give the above reviews by ESPA or West Bay Club, opinions expressed are entirely my own and I always try to be constructive and fair in my reviews.