tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76364393971837579372024-02-07T12:57:41.318-08:00RKECAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-38290026299414602122013-06-04T08:32:00.001-07:002013-06-04T08:33:02.559-07:00One-To-One with Emma Hardie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqGTzRTqasMUO31HOlL06-U2Ftg-PODsdMleJOUhyphenhyphensXJ9LvMZ1ezYvPeUqV6aqpl6GNrHryqICT5ZrkIRMyv_MD8y04nKkX6DQWUsgIG4llpkHfuUabsd47Xc_MCghvbz5GszFQCBfZU/s1600/IMG_5558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqGTzRTqasMUO31HOlL06-U2Ftg-PODsdMleJOUhyphenhyphensXJ9LvMZ1ezYvPeUqV6aqpl6GNrHryqICT5ZrkIRMyv_MD8y04nKkX6DQWUsgIG4llpkHfuUabsd47Xc_MCghvbz5GszFQCBfZU/s1600/IMG_5558.JPG" /></a></div>
Last Thursday Emma Hardie came to SpaceNK offering one-to-one consultations. Clients left knowing exactly what was going on with their skin, why, and how to combat their areas of concern. Emma is well known for her 'lift and sculpt' skin rejuvenation system which, when correct technique and products are applied, promises the appearance of brighter, plumper and toned facial tissue - a natural and effective way to show off the contours of your face and improve the condition of your skin without the need for Botox and professional help!<br />
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I began by telling Emma about how congested I felt my skin was, particularly from the cheeks down. Simply by looking at my face Emma told me she could tell my body was full of toxins and in need of a cleanse. We touched on areas of my lifestyle such as diet that are reflected in the condition of my skin. Just one of many valuable nuggets of knowledge that Emma imparted on me, is that areas of our face are a direct reflection of our internal organs. For me, my problem area being the lower region of my face, was due to digestive problems. This makes a lot of sense as my diet could certainly be in better shape. I explained that I often eat on-the-go and buy a lot of my food ready made. That's not to say I'm gorging on takeaways, simply that even the salads and 'healthy' breakfast options that I buy are more often than not packed full of salt and sugar. Cleaning up my diet, Emma said, would allow me to see a noticeable difference in my skin.<br />
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Emma Hardie takes a refreshing approach to cleansing. Whilst product is incredibly important, she stresses the importance of technique and understanding what techniques will improve the condition of your skin. Emma began by removing my eye make up with the infamous <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/Natural-Lift-Moringa-Cleansing-Balm/MUK200005032,en_GB,pd.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: black;"><b>Moringa Cleansing Balm</b></span></i></a> and went on to mix the balm with her <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/MORINGA-FOAMING-CLEANSER/MUK200007160,en_GB,pd.html" target="_blank"><i><b><span style="color: black;">cleansing foam</span></b></i></a>. Pairing the two, she said, would further enhance my cleansing routine. The reason for this is that the balm and foam perform two different but valuable functions. Both cleansers work together to gently exfoliate the skin and purify, minimising the appearance of pores and rejuvenating the skin with ingredients such as Moringa seed extract, Vitamin E, Neroli and Mandarin to name a few. The enzymes in the foam deeply penetrate into the skin adding a noticeable brightening effect whilst the balm offers moisturising and soothing aspects. The cleansing balm can also be left on over a period of time as a rejuvenating mask or applied to blemishes so it acts as a spot treatment as well.<br />
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Cleansing products noted, Emma went on to teach me the all important technique following product application. The idea behind Emma's cleansing system is 'lifting' and 'sculpting' meaning it is of paramount importance to spend time massaging the product into your skin, focusing on applying pressure and using downward strokes. She spent a good three minutes working the product into my skin before taking one of her microfibre cloths and using the softer side, supporting the skin at my hair line and pulling down to stimulate the lymph flow in the skin. Lymph is essentially a fluid that sits beneath the surface of the skin and is made up of protein, water and white blood cells. When Emma was talking to me about the toxins she could identify in my skin, she was referring to the sluggish movement of the lymph flow in my skin. As toxins collate the skin can appear dull, congested and puffy due to water retention. By using firm downward strokes Emma explained, we are draining this water retention, eliminating puffiness and the toxins that prevent our skin from being bright and firm. What's more, her reason for using linear movements rather than circular movements was due to the formation of muscle fibres which go in straight lines; adhering to the structure of the muscles in our face allows effective toning of the face. Emma explained that this same process can be used for the eyes, diminishing crows feet.<br />
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Emma used the <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/Lift-Sculpt-Cleansing-Cloths/MUK200005031,en_GB,pd.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><i><b>microfibre cloth</b></i></span></a> dry, this gave my skin yet another boost as it gently exfoliated away any dead skin cells, adding to the brightening effect. My skin, particularly around my cheeks, was noticeably firmer and brighter. This was the guaranteed result of 15 years of research put into Emma Hardie's lift and sculpt system. On a daily basis I soak the cloth in fresh warm water and wring out the excess. Next on the agenda was Emma's <b><i><a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/Amazing-Face-Natural-Lift-and-Sculpt-Skin-Plumping-Serum/MUK200005908,en_GB,pd.html" target="_blank">Plumping Serum</a></i></b> which absorbed into the skin almost instantly, the formula is charged with Vitamins (F, A, C & E to be precise) which work to protect the skin from environmental damage and sooth the skin, setting in stone the effects achieved from the cleansing stage. Using tapping motions, even around the eyes, to work this product into the skin is most effective. In doing this we are stimulating the area and to me, it just meant my skin was more reciprocal to the product. Following the serum Emma applied her <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/HYDRATING-LIGHTER-LOTION/MUK200007300,en_GB,pd.html?start=7&cgid=BRANDS&prefn1=brand&prefv1=EMMA%20HARDIE" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><i><b>Lighter Lotion</b></i></span></a> - a moisturiser as light by nature as the name implies. This moisturiser hydrates and soothes the skin, balancing it and providing a perfect canvas for make up to be applied.<br />
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Following my facial with Emma Hardie my skin was brighter, firmer and plumper to touch. My pore size was dramatically reduced and my skin literally felt as though it had experienced the full spa treatment and been nourished within an inch of it's life. However, the most valuable thing I took away with me was an awareness of how reflective aspects of lifestyle and wellbeing contribute to our appearance. Emma taught me the importance of identifying why my skin behaves the way it does and focusing on certain areas of concern both on the surface but also through what I choose to put into my body.<br />
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I hope this wasn't too complicated to read because it really is simple and a totally different way of looking at skincare! I hope I effectively highlighted why Emma Hardie's system is <i>so</i> good, share with you the experience and provide, in a nutshell, an explanation of what particular techniques and products do to control problematic skin.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Emma Hardie products are available from SpaceNK but also from many websites such as <a href="http://feelunique.com/"><span style="color: black;"><b><i>feelunique.com</i></b></span></a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-66523580469041181862013-05-26T11:08:00.004-07:002013-05-26T11:57:17.216-07:00On-The-Go Preening 101<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimazo5VD5C4RfXYXSBrZE7hnjjhqqJcLrcLTe2xVM5hf6iGTKgHZt2Es8F6WjK8LPUHu0HNH6kOD5CQmsiMVmSRsBdT1bSKtDPqQqYGF_B6PstxA3Dibgm60iDSoBXoNw1egpou1FqMR4/s1600/IMG_3186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimazo5VD5C4RfXYXSBrZE7hnjjhqqJcLrcLTe2xVM5hf6iGTKgHZt2Es8F6WjK8LPUHu0HNH6kOD5CQmsiMVmSRsBdT1bSKtDPqQqYGF_B6PstxA3Dibgm60iDSoBXoNw1egpou1FqMR4/s1600/IMG_3186.JPG" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">(Left to right) Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, Real Techniques Contour Brush, MAC 217, Laura Mercier Cheek Contour Brush</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since late March, when lectures came to a close and a job was secured back in the home land, I have been living the life of gypsy Rose Lee - on and off trains and whizzing to all ends of the country. Amongst essay writing and visiting friends in the land of the unknown (the midlands), I have had my fair share of poor packing strategies when it comes to beauty. This process of trial and error saw bags bursting with every product to create every possible look, to being caught off guard with nothing but a lip balm and tangle teezer to salvage any glimpse of tidiness after a long day. That said, I like to think I have now mastered practical packing for all occasions.</span><br />
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Now, that's an intro that has you hooked, right? Yes, I have developed a pretty pressing penchant for practical packing (alliteration unintentional but too good to delete).</span><br />
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First and foremost let's talk about the all important vessel. Once the laptop, uni books (..who am I kidding?) magazine and purse are suitably tucked away, little room is left for tools for touch ups. This means the makeup bag itself must be as slim and subtle as possible. I found mine at Forever 21 for the pocket-change price of £3.90, it's easy to keep clean and the perfect, manageable size. Let's crack onto the packing those products<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (individual product reviews linked & indicated by underline)</span>.</span><br />
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My base generally involves a plethora of bottles, pots and brushes which means keeping it compact can be a challenge. <b><i>Chanel Vitalumière Aqua</i></b> is my foundation of choice at the moment, it's a light weight but easy to build, water based foundation. The finish is glowy and has a second-skin feeling, lasting well throughout the day. What's more? The packaging is a travellers best friend. Plastic and compact, this foundation will never be the culprit of an accidental spillage or leak and is small and slender enough to tuck into the corner of my makeup bag with ease. Whilst Vitalumière Aqua settles in my good books, for those bases less portably perfect, I decant a small quantity into a sample sized pot (available dirt-cheap at <b style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Stacking-Travel-Pots-x-5_1228687/" target="_blank">Boots</a>)</span> </b>and<b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>sacrifice space for the <b><i>Real Techniques Expert Face</i></b> brush. The concealer that wormed it's way into my collection of essentials is the <b><i>Radiant Creamy Concealer</i></b> by <i><b>NARS</b></i>. Never one to crease under the eyes and simultaneously employed for banishing blemishes and redness elsewhere on the face, NARS have restored my faith in concealers as this product is long lasting, comes in a huge range of shades and has faultless coverage. To finish off my base I also equip myself with a travel pot full to the brim of <i><b>ByTerry</b></i>'s loose <b><i>Hyaluronic</i></b> <i><b>Hydra Powder</b></i>. Made of micronized Hyaluronic Acid and silica beads, this powder locks moisture into the skin and creates a silk-like finish, smoothing over any expression lines and pores. Using a tiny amount on the same brush used to blend in my concealer (<b><i>Real Technique's Contour Brush</i></b>) I press the powder into areas I want to be shine-free and flawless.</span><br />
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Base covered, it's plain sailing from here. <i><b><a href="http://rhyannasramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/tom-fords-brow-sculptor.html" target="_blank">Tom Ford's Brow Sculptor</a></b></i> steps up to define and shape my brows. The waxy consistency makes it easy to manipulate, following that jog of the hand whilst trying to trace a steady and natural arch on the jerking train ride and the attached spoolie makes for effortless blending and even distribution of product through my brows. Eyelashes curled with <i><b>Shu Uemura</b></i>'s infamous curlers, a slick of<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://rhyannasramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/byterry-growth-booster-mascara-iconic.html" target="_blank"> </a><i><b><a href="http://rhyannasramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/byterry-growth-booster-mascara-iconic.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">ByTerry Growth Booster Mascara</span></a> </b></i></span>in <b><i>'Black Parti-Pris'</i></b> and eyes are a done deal. However, if I'm feeling wild, a swipe of <b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://rhyannasramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/maybelline-24hr-color-tattoo.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Maybelline's Colour Tattoo in 'On and On Bronze'</span></a> </b>blended out with a fluffy <b style="font-style: italic;">MAC 217 </b>brush is all that is needed to create a bronze smoked out eye. Evening out on the cards? I'll slip a liquid liner in for good measure. I turn to <a href="http://rhyannasramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/all-hail-aucoin.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><i><b>Kevyn Aucoin's Sculpting Powder</b></i></span></a> to chuck some faux cheek bones into the mix and double up on the Laura Mercier Cheek Contour brush to dab on a flush of cheap and cheerful <b style="font-style: italic;">'Melba' by Natural Collection</b> (sadly today she smashed into smithereens). Finishing up, either a dab of fail-safe <b style="font-style: italic;">MAC</b> satin lipstick in<b style="font-style: italic;"> 'Brave' </b>does the trick for daytime or for a punchy bold lip I reach for <b><i>MAC 'More to Love'</i></b> lip pencil for a bright fuchsia pout.</span><br />
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Desert island essentials? Lip balm and eyelash curlers. Whilst I dub these my 'essentials', it is undeniably still quite the hoard. When all else fails me, curled eyelashes creating wide eyed peepers and moisturised lips will get me by just fine. What girl doesn't have at least five lip balms floating around in the bottom of their bag? </span><br />
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Now that my second year at University is complete I am looking forward to putting a lot more energy solely into my blog. Any suggestions welcome and please do leave me a comment with any responses.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-5383030704664145832013-04-23T09:58:00.000-07:002013-04-23T09:58:03.232-07:00REN ClearCalm3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTiBUrpRi_YK9rUcg66JPI9sc_8XNBiDs-71OaZup6o-DzgmD2YJTxRQsD-Zruc17_nrncOlvQhC6SeWP1HzbgK81K5wFB9kYfxFcJbtIQWDNBViAqQOifHzf1GUqGV73r4nZGrOl9yE/s1600/IMG_2968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTiBUrpRi_YK9rUcg66JPI9sc_8XNBiDs-71OaZup6o-DzgmD2YJTxRQsD-Zruc17_nrncOlvQhC6SeWP1HzbgK81K5wFB9kYfxFcJbtIQWDNBViAqQOifHzf1GUqGV73r4nZGrOl9yE/s1600/IMG_2968.JPG" /></a>If you can get your tongue around the alliterative name of this product first time round - I'm impressed. It came to that time once more when I was in dire need of a skincare switch up and conveniently found myself devoid of all cleansers. A trip to SpaceNK last month had me scouring the shelves for a gentle cleanser specifically for me to use in the morning. My skin had taken a beating through the freezing months that kicked off this year so I needed something calming but also something to banish the perpetual breakouts I seemed to have been getting.</div>
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The obvious choice for me was REN's ClearCalm3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser. Why? I hear you ask. Alongside being specifically for reducing breakouts, I liked the idea of a clay cleanser in the morning. This is because, having used them in the past, I find gel cleansers can often leave the skin feeling tight and uncomfortable. The consistency is not thick and mud-like, rather, it's quite creamy. I use one pump and massage into dry skin and either rinse off with warm water or use a warm cloth to take it off.<br />
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If you find yourself particularly blemish prone, this cleanser is ideal as it's a no-fuss, simple product, tightly packed with blemish battling properties. The ClearCalm3 range aims to reduce breakouts by targeting the main causes: bacteria build up, build up of dead skin cells and excess sebum (an oily substance produce by the sebaceous glands in the skin - nice.) So exfoliating dead skin cells, purifying and cleansing the skin and minimising pore size is what it aims to do.<br />
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I certainly have noticed a change in my skin condition, in the sense that it has definitely helped to keep blemishes at bay and generally soothe my weather beaten face but can't say I've dramatically noticed a reduction in pore size. As with all REN products, the ClearCalm3 range is free of any 'nasties' such as parabens, mineral oils, sulphates, synthetic colours and fragrances.<br />
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I'd recommend this product for anyone struggling to keep their complexion on the clear side and generally wanting an easy, soothing cleanser that does what it says on the tin.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-70397678683178099842013-04-18T14:48:00.002-07:002013-04-21T02:21:30.945-07:00ByTerry Growth Booster Mascara: Iconic Bordeaux<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9fqC35JXWWjWjJjuTJ5SppqEljmpOggWUlVawr31jxYd7bnYHyCns86mpNlSXNnc54oqnb9uhjLqmBk9iAROqtiAqnUOTh5u_rfHnzpNxaq8d8IhcSW5y_JnTlhu8e0avp9we7AoMvI/s1600/IMG_2995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9fqC35JXWWjWjJjuTJ5SppqEljmpOggWUlVawr31jxYd7bnYHyCns86mpNlSXNnc54oqnb9uhjLqmBk9iAROqtiAqnUOTh5u_rfHnzpNxaq8d8IhcSW5y_JnTlhu8e0avp9we7AoMvI/s1600/IMG_2995.JPG" /></a></div>
As a rule, 'red' and 'eyes' don't tend to go hand in hand. Normally one to dodge hues of rouge for fear of looking insane and/or diseased, the fact this product has wormed its way permanently into my makeup bag is quite a feat. I'll firstly start by clarifying that we're not talking red-hot, fiery lashes with <u>ByTerry's Growth Booster Mascara</u> in the shade <i>Iconic Bordeaux</i>. In fact, it's exactly as the shade suggests; a deep, red wine burgundy.<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Down to finer details, the bristle wand is on the hefty side but separates lashes beautifully, creating that fluttery, natural look. Root to tip, lashes are looked after by the Lumicoat care technology which nourishes and encourages growth of lashes. Glycoproteins stimulate growth, whilst the formula is also enriched with Hyaluronic Acid and collagen which injects moisture and strength into the lashes. The pigments used in the formula are extra fine meaning the colour is rich and intense. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgGcG61Slkvt4u4BvDEAbHiECbk0w7xKm5mIYJVjRCDwaucg8h-lkFEVpC77KDSBIE1X2jqgwHtdIDc-A30RJhEd_5UYTFfgXeBUjS66DvjJEFpBui5P8OGDmENIizsUvdPT-ta5GfB4/s1600/IMG_2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgGcG61Slkvt4u4BvDEAbHiECbk0w7xKm5mIYJVjRCDwaucg8h-lkFEVpC77KDSBIE1X2jqgwHtdIDc-A30RJhEd_5UYTFfgXeBUjS66DvjJEFpBui5P8OGDmENIizsUvdPT-ta5GfB4/s1600/IMG_2979.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwBP8cdZMV7WxmntGmumeZTzHNUKvn-8Qp_xSMItrufxY-Qa9kV-WwLp_Y8bPkTWoVDD2m-zmR0IVNM2pgsculo236PcisojZUTKTaTCDJOvhp1cR1Uo6Ni9-5_-J-WP5PZ6cDAojzzg/s1600/IMG_2993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwBP8cdZMV7WxmntGmumeZTzHNUKvn-8Qp_xSMItrufxY-Qa9kV-WwLp_Y8bPkTWoVDD2m-zmR0IVNM2pgsculo236PcisojZUTKTaTCDJOvhp1cR1Uo6Ni9-5_-J-WP5PZ6cDAojzzg/s1600/IMG_2993.JPG" /></a></div>
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I like to think that the best way to rock the rouge on the peepers is to accompany this glorious product with warm-toned brown eyeshadows, a personal favourite being Handwritten by MAC. Smudged out chocolate brown liner and plenty of smokiness, I think this look is subtly sexy and gives any standard look an extra quirk. The Growth Booster range comes in 6 shades; 1. Black Part-Pris, 2. Moka Brown, 3.Terrybleu, 4. Purple Success, 5. Iconic Bordeaux and 6. Dark Forest. Parting with £31 for a mascara may bring a solitary tear to your eye but think of it like this, the serum-like formula is caring for your eyelashes <i>whilst</i> giving them that <i>oomph </i>of something different. Could we ask for more?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJww-_NpPO8qZ-bcKtTU7RTTpV5VETrKV19xJnIv2IpeeCBlMWJ_kj4u4J_-vYx7L9pQVwCe2bPJEPHAQFpJXLpvmjtR_xWLsfHeuHmJiERmM5ebZY3Ob2wLo6Fm5RGC_bGt1rGUfFp1Q/s1600/IMG_4605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJww-_NpPO8qZ-bcKtTU7RTTpV5VETrKV19xJnIv2IpeeCBlMWJ_kj4u4J_-vYx7L9pQVwCe2bPJEPHAQFpJXLpvmjtR_xWLsfHeuHmJiERmM5ebZY3Ob2wLo6Fm5RGC_bGt1rGUfFp1Q/s640/IMG_4605.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, just when you thought anything beyond brown or black on the lashes was <i>so totally</i> 90s, the wonder woman that is Terry De Gunzburg tells you otherwise.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: justify;">All photographs are my own. To follow me, hover over the side bar towards the top and on the right of the main page.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-33325670877601138242013-03-27T08:48:00.003-07:002013-03-27T08:50:47.562-07:00Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate Palette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhjtbxj1SLtCVAWyKA7h0nvdiTrnqGkMFU5iWxaUUzlUbf-kzxEFptdrj5Gran4GCgeQNkiJ1F4wHSaKJpj_cgGMIV5xAA9WryQZHX1HzKL2tyaKvqHy8yGkaAIZMwqYEH5cPZlSXWFk/s1600/IMG_2883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhjtbxj1SLtCVAWyKA7h0nvdiTrnqGkMFU5iWxaUUzlUbf-kzxEFptdrj5Gran4GCgeQNkiJ1F4wHSaKJpj_cgGMIV5xAA9WryQZHX1HzKL2tyaKvqHy8yGkaAIZMwqYEH5cPZlSXWFk/s1600/IMG_2883.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEt4NIjuZY4I-2dMcgrJymRKfmLUjOeA9Fq6ZCNcDL2SjOCYU6f2otM2CFbVA8s1AzTheGRej89obdwCZ_teTAK7RWzrpMajXF_6CqG9Nzu4uHrkUJbmzDN0UoQINWkBNXS53wsupgXU/s1600/IMG_2891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEt4NIjuZY4I-2dMcgrJymRKfmLUjOeA9Fq6ZCNcDL2SjOCYU6f2otM2CFbVA8s1AzTheGRej89obdwCZ_teTAK7RWzrpMajXF_6CqG9Nzu4uHrkUJbmzDN0UoQINWkBNXS53wsupgXU/s1600/IMG_2891.JPG" /></a></div>
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Tom Ford's makeup is all about seductive, sensuous, rich and luxurious looks and products. The collection hones in on facial definition, saturated colour and amplifying a woman's features. If we understand the architecture of our face, he says, we will understand which features to accentuate and which to play down and minimise. </div>
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Continuing the adoration for Tom Ford's cosmetics range, I bring you a whistle stop review of the <i><a href="http://www.selfridges.com/en/Beauty/Categories/The-Selfridges-edit/Bridal-beauty/Shade-Illuminate_450-3001058-SHADEILLUMINATE/?getTheLook=Y&parentProductId=450-3001058-T0TY01&previewAttribute=Intensity+one" target="_blank">Shade & Illuminate</a></i> palette. The concept is seamless, natural sculpting of the face using a blending brush and beautifully textured cream product. Beginning with packaging, the compact is on the hefty side but gives ultimate, quality feel with the suede pocket to protect it. Attention to this detail of quality of packaging just adds to the luxurious feel of the product itself. This palette comes in two intensities, catering for those of darker or fairer skin tones and admittedly can look a little orange in the pan. Do not let this put you off, with the right amount of product <span style="font-size: x-small;">(read: <i>do not overload</i>)</span> and attention to blending, the result is beautiful. To get to grips with contouring, take a look at my ode to Kevyn Aucoin <span style="color: black;"><i><a href="http://rhyannasramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/all-hail-aucoin.html" target="_blank">here</a> </i>where I explain in more depth where to pop darker and lighter shades in order to give the illusion of precisely sculpted facial bone structure.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLAUyncYcD6D_ygKRygz0whJUwZ1ymVgvv0zvsSBFli18UA-kirybWldmxIvOUWCXlm4ow-D2NzPUksARSZcUj_mraAOmqXVcq1heCEbyNE8rei2vshCMI2hyuULoRduAuZ6jO6EpGBE/s1600/IMG_2899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLAUyncYcD6D_ygKRygz0whJUwZ1ymVgvv0zvsSBFli18UA-kirybWldmxIvOUWCXlm4ow-D2NzPUksARSZcUj_mraAOmqXVcq1heCEbyNE8rei2vshCMI2hyuULoRduAuZ6jO6EpGBE/s1600/IMG_2899.JPG" /></a></div>
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Both intensities share the same cream highlight which, at first glance is nothing to be singing praise from the roof tops. I found the most effective way to apply the highlighter is to dab along my cheek bones, down the bridge of my nose and across my cupids bow with my fingers, then blend and work the product into the skin with my foundation blending brush. The aim of this highlighter is not to create a wash of shimmer and glitter, rather, a light reflecting sheen and pearlescent glow is achieved. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzcz0sJOzUleN46d3l8vEXoNtvHhpZb4aPb9EW_62jPFWWjG1easkaZ-2GRSXBD6JWOvTlWQEChpkA57Orv5eniu_mJAvYyAcJJHQ4hX6hh3RjjgAheh9-SUSfBtzIVQyexNVdnAqQoc/s1600/IMG_2956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzcz0sJOzUleN46d3l8vEXoNtvHhpZb4aPb9EW_62jPFWWjG1easkaZ-2GRSXBD6JWOvTlWQEChpkA57Orv5eniu_mJAvYyAcJJHQ4hX6hh3RjjgAheh9-SUSfBtzIVQyexNVdnAqQoc/s1600/IMG_2956.JPG" /></a></div>
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In terms of application Mr Ford offers us two choices; the Shade & Illuminate brush, designed to be coupled with the palette or the Cream Foundation Brush. After a bit of trial and error with the suitably chiseled and sharply dressed male assistant, I decided to go for the cream foundation brush as it gave a more natural and polished look and distributes the product evenly. The Shade & Illiminate brush had fewer and shorter hairs, densely packed together. This gave a sharp and precise line of contour which, whilst beautiful in it's own right, I found to be less wearable thus, less easy to use on a regular basis. All brushes within the collection are made with natural hair, they wash brilliantly and remain soft after each time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FAhuIdLX0DulAwR_f6dDBCFdSefcZUomaedFUHcHqNXOd02dF6SKZtIpGUGmG5w_HRujWpv4zD1Eo9auITJG9ccN-7rMTHX0kWl4si186KMkatk9O-m5OHV9GAUnjXz1vGML_EBcNV4/s1600/IMG_2901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FAhuIdLX0DulAwR_f6dDBCFdSefcZUomaedFUHcHqNXOd02dF6SKZtIpGUGmG5w_HRujWpv4zD1Eo9auITJG9ccN-7rMTHX0kWl4si186KMkatk9O-m5OHV9GAUnjXz1vGML_EBcNV4/s1600/IMG_2901.JPG" /></a></div>
The creamy consistency of the product is so silky on the skin and I find it blends with my foundation amazingly, as a result I find it's durability better than that of a powder and the choice to buff it down to a subtle shadow or build up into a strong contour is entirely yours and extremely easy. This is my go-to contour palette for evenings out and I imagine will be my holy grail product throughout summer as it gives a glowing, radiant look when hit by light.<br />
Tools and products alike, Tom's cosmetics range is one that has me weak at the knees. The very best colours, textures and finishes characterise the range and make it 100% value for money. To see Shade & Illuminate in action, watch make up artist Charlotte Tilbury recreate her Paris Vogue cover<i> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKsJv0E7hgQ" target="_blank">here</a></i> and working her magic once more in a haven of Tom Ford, recreating the glossy and dramatic A/W13 look <span style="color: black;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ4iZOiXCUQ" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-22170145909099939732013-03-18T04:11:00.001-07:002013-03-18T04:11:39.544-07:00Tom Ford's Brow Sculptor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAXG_fJbAslV7YEsVnJJ_KBOhRHiZZBI6N1HfI9QkjT6xTZk27eoxszTCImjQinb_sME4jfXnki0Ci1vt5Vu8UkIqA2CCKyERaTho5L13sXv40IOxbvrhUEvc6dvgzOXqHeKcO1vaBIU/s1600/IMG_4248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAXG_fJbAslV7YEsVnJJ_KBOhRHiZZBI6N1HfI9QkjT6xTZk27eoxszTCImjQinb_sME4jfXnki0Ci1vt5Vu8UkIqA2CCKyERaTho5L13sXv40IOxbvrhUEvc6dvgzOXqHeKcO1vaBIU/s1600/IMG_4248.JPG" /></a></div>
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It is now apparent that my blog has become a place to house my everlasting search for the perfect eyebrow tamer. It has been quite the battle and some healthy but fierce competition has made the selection process tiresome but worth it. The desired candidate? A multi-functional tool capable of taming, preening, filling and most importantly, being compact and fuss-free. </div>
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Cue reigning champion: <a href="http://www.selfridges.com/en/Beauty/Brand-rooms/Designer/TOM-FORD/Cosmetics/Eyes/Brow-Sculptor_450-3001058-BROWSCULPTOR/?previewAttribute=Chestnut" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Tom Ford's Brow Sculptor.</span></a> The retractable chisel-like tip is waxy and flat, offering a sharper edge for precision and a flat, wider edge for light shading. I like to use the sharper tip to mimic the sparse hairs at the start of my brow. This gives a boost of definition without creating any harsh lines or block of solid colour. I find that being light handed and using lots of tiny strokes in the direction of the hair growth gives this definition whilst maintaining a natural look. The colour distribution of this product is spot on; I often find it necessary to step back and take a look from a distance as it can be easy to get carried away, thinking it is making little effect at all. I think that is the beauty of this product, the colour is so soft and subtle but extremely effective. I have the shade Taupe which is a light brown with almost grey undertones. This may sound bizarre to some, but as I stressed and explained in my previous eyebrow post<i> <a href="http://rhyannasramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/a-good-brow.html" target="_blank">here</a>,</i> it is so important to choose a shade lighter than your hair colour. Once I have finished I go in with the tip flat on it's side and shade lightly any areas looking particularly sparse. </div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrDeAS7zQ09ryhBMI6AMc9xcxqZ3yScgEAQ0Ukl5CZsoa5HO2YZLfokWR-6wNn-xr8ag62k732fSsReCyZIIjf1fNhIdrfkXeJciNRGEs_8mJNxeQDKW25AlBVtbc5I2kRdeM2ewlxvw/s1600/IMG_4251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrDeAS7zQ09ryhBMI6AMc9xcxqZ3yScgEAQ0Ukl5CZsoa5HO2YZLfokWR-6wNn-xr8ag62k732fSsReCyZIIjf1fNhIdrfkXeJciNRGEs_8mJNxeQDKW25AlBVtbc5I2kRdeM2ewlxvw/s1600/IMG_4251.JPG" /></a></div>
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Mr. Ford is meticulous about well groomed and well defined brows which perfectly explains why he has designed this product in such a compact and multi-functional way. The spoolie brush at the opposite end of the sculptor allows me to brush through my brows before I begin, ensuring I have a neat and clear cut shape to start with. Following application of the waxy formula, I run the spoolie brush through my brows to evenly distribute the product and brush them upwards with the aim of making them look as natural as possible. Unscrewing the spoolie brush reveals a hidden sharpener ensuring your brows never suffer at the expense of a blunt nib.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQyab3sukhXGp3FRXUrNlDGOqLSxeuIiKWK5qb-2sUpGHeYPioMI_S78yqgEbR2-R8fJz6JSs94HogMgV0TJTbaR9JCVti0t3ySehT0RhD29prKzeKcmj5fkAdHVEwS0O72UDfSmOU-o/s1600/IMG_4252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQyab3sukhXGp3FRXUrNlDGOqLSxeuIiKWK5qb-2sUpGHeYPioMI_S78yqgEbR2-R8fJz6JSs94HogMgV0TJTbaR9JCVti0t3ySehT0RhD29prKzeKcmj5fkAdHVEwS0O72UDfSmOU-o/s1600/IMG_4252.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhI1LwqTVNOhYGs2Ht2D2UJd0YzLoZedRcQeFEpAoFo6Jfk4KrA0As0X1T9lPCheECudDzd7S7q7Zis3vSDLhRMMH19pi9TxD8sUC0slVbDEufPJxZR4an7YerTWDXXcDmBOxmCVXxX8/s1600/IMG_2858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhI1LwqTVNOhYGs2Ht2D2UJd0YzLoZedRcQeFEpAoFo6Jfk4KrA0As0X1T9lPCheECudDzd7S7q7Zis3vSDLhRMMH19pi9TxD8sUC0slVbDEufPJxZR4an7YerTWDXXcDmBOxmCVXxX8/s1600/IMG_2858.JPG" /></a></div>
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Despite only launching his first skincare and beauty collection in 2011, Tom has blown many brands out of the water with his sumptuous, quality products, all oozing the sensual and luxurious nature of the brand as a whole. I've fallen in love with the collection and was lucky enough to have been gifted this item and another by my Godfather. It's becoming apparent to me that Tom Ford ain't just for Christmas, comrades - it's set to be a life long investment <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(read: addiction)</i></span>.</div>
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Have you used any Tom Ford products? If so, what are your thoughts?</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-91183269344458233952013-03-10T16:24:00.000-07:002013-03-10T16:24:15.866-07:00Dabbling in La Roche-Posay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoWaBI9LvXWk5LT8IKxQcoE3NtnnvBbgVUaWedqyFDp4j43L6sISwkpfXA93IVtjUm2OHRvMgF-MCm0ExOGJOLq-WnQELlprYKKQdrekCdZAMPAMDGMZOnKQQQtFJaTj72jNSBXhyphenhyphenEkE/s1600/IMG_2821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoWaBI9LvXWk5LT8IKxQcoE3NtnnvBbgVUaWedqyFDp4j43L6sISwkpfXA93IVtjUm2OHRvMgF-MCm0ExOGJOLq-WnQELlprYKKQdrekCdZAMPAMDGMZOnKQQQtFJaTj72jNSBXhyphenhyphenEkE/s1600/IMG_2821.JPG" /></a></div>
La Roche-Posay is a french brand that has seemingly hit the beauty community pretty hard in recent months. Curiosity certainly killed this cat and I wanted to get my fair share of the hype to share my two cents on a couple of products. I picked up the <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/LA-ROCHE-POSAY-HYDREANE-Riche-40ML_865566/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Hydreane Riche Moisturiser</span></a> and the<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/La-Roche-Posay-Effaclar-Duo-40ml_1002787/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Effaclar Duo</span></a></span> from Boots (<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>3 for 2 mix and match, go go go!</i></span>).<br />
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The weather has given my skin a severe beating recently, I've found it to be the driest it's ever been and was on the hunt for a product to give that injection of hydration. Hydreane also comes in 'light' but I wanted something a little heavier to really nourish my skin and protect it against the elements. Cutting to the chase I found this product to be great at night time but avoid it in the mornings. The reason for this is because it can leave an ever so slightly greasy film on my skin. It doesn't sink in as quickly as I'd like but this is not a problem at night, if anything I kind of enjoy it; as though my skin is really having a drink. Overall, whilst it's suggested as a great make up base, I can't say that is my favoured use. However, do not let me put you off with aforementioned ominous 'film'. Hydreane is coupled with no offensive smell, it doesn't leave you weeping into your bank account and is a lovely, nourishing product for thirsty skin to bathe in overnight. In fact, I feel as though this product has a deserving little spot in my skincare collection as, bottom line, it is filled with no nasties <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(technical term)</i></span> making it perfect for sensitive skin (as mine can be) and does more good than bad by a country mile.<br />
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Next up, somebody stop me, I fell into the hype and purchased the Effaclar Duo. This product is designed to unclog and correct those pesky imperfections, of which I have many. I was sold. My skin was going through a pretty diabolical stage when I decided to give the Effaclar Duo a whirl and I must admit I struggled to see what the fuss was about initially because my break out was <i>so </i>persistent. After cleansing, I dab some of the light-weight formula on problem areas, let it sink in, then continue with moisturiser. Following some perseverance and using it only before bed, I have found it has helped to keep blemishes at bay and to reduce existing ones quite considerably overnight. Admittedly I am still finding my feet with the Effaclar Duo but again, is a nasty chemical-free product that I can rely on to bring my skin back to basics when it's feeling a little freaky.<br />
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Have you tried either of these products or any from La Roche-Posay? How did you get on?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-76406268615910665062013-03-05T07:37:00.004-08:002013-03-05T07:37:35.571-08:00Oh so, handsome?If asked their number one desert island make up saviour, I'd put good money on guessing that a handful of ladies would reach, with much conviction, for their mascara. The product that grants us that wide-eyed, bushy tailed appearance and wispy, flirtatious lashes is a make up bag essential for many of us - life without it seems a tired-looking, weary life indeed.<br />
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Mascara has always seemed an staple, without which a look would be incomplete, right? Wrong, according to Sportmax and Rochas (to name a few) for New York Fashion Week. The 'no makeup makeup' look is securing itself as one of the trends to watch, cementing itself in A/W'13 collections across the fashion capitals.<br />
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The trend that has stuck with me and injected a refreshing take on beauty is the lack of mascara and drama surrounding the eyes appearing in such looks. These looks steer clear of perfect and pretty, instead it is epitomised by a 'handsome', often androgynous, quality. We see an occasional offering of a raw and slightly masculine look or conversely a delicately subtle and soft beauty. Such looks bereft of defined and voluminous lashes are so intriguing to me; the idea that without mascara many women today feel naked and robbed of their femininity has entirely met it's match. The focus is shifted from eyes (renowned to be the window's of one's soul) to other features. By softening the eyes and allowing them to take a backseat in way of luminous skin, flushed cheeks, full lips or perfect, full brows, eyes gain a new, mysterious and secretive nature.<br />
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The makeup at Rochas for NYFW complimented the collection perfectly: uncomplicated, effortless but kept strong and epitomising a woman with a purpose. Like the clothes, the makeup had an air of practicality, as if very little time had been spent preening, and 'pretty' in the girlish sense was not on the cards. This look typified the aforementioned 'handsome' beauty. Brushed up brows and subtle contouring were the focal point whilst little emphasis was placed around the eyes; simply a warm, peachy, 'nearly nude' shadow washed across the lid and along the bottom lash line.<br />
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Charlotte Tilbury's work for Sportmax further exemplified this handsome beauty I seem to have sold my soul to. Emphasising the lips and skin, Tilbury created a natural shadow around the eyes to give definition but avoid drawing the main focus.<br />
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Softness and subtle beauty is a trend I predict to be stead fast. What attracted me to this look in particular was that it veers away from pretty and feminine, rather it still epitomises the 'less is more' essence, but at a totally different end of the spectrum. Androgyny and handsome beauty,<i> I approve</i>.<br />
Amorous, girlish lashes replaced by subtle shadows, paving way for a softness and mysterious new take on accentuating what'cha got.<br />
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Who'd have thought? Mascara is set to be <i>so totally</i> last year. So this spring be set to embrace your peepers in all their natural glory.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-26032811651190317822013-02-23T14:11:00.001-08:002013-02-23T14:12:25.352-08:00Fresh Slate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Drop the powder, ladies. Velvety, powdered-to-perfection skin? It's time to take a backseat. In it's place? Dewy and glowing skin; the type that looks nourished, well kept and cues stares of indisputable envy towards those who have mastered the art. </div>
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Spread across London Fashion Week from one designer to the next, we saw looks epitomising the 'less is more', clean cut and fresh visage that had me at hello. Such a look, to me, resonates Bobbi Brown's brand ethos, tugging at my heart strings when transported back to my days flicking through<span style="color: #93c47d;"><i> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bobbi-Brown-Teenage-Beauty/dp/0091878179/ref=la_B000APKTCY_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1361656342&sr=1-3" target="_blank">'Teenage Beauty'</a></i></span> at the age of 14. More to the point, nothing spells 'spring' louder than a youthful glow and low maintenance look. </div>
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Sculpting taking the form of light manipulation - playing <i>up</i> the cheek bones and high points of the face, rather than accentuating hollow areas by creating predominant shadows and ignoring the urge to powder, allowing luminosity to peep through. A good base, definitely <i>not </i>going easy on the moisturiser and spending time working product into the skin, is key to achieving a radiant complexion. </div>
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With glowing skin being the focal point of this S/S'13 look, well groomed but played down brows and a hint of rosey hue on the lips are the complimentary factors tying the look together. </div>
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Nourished and natural. All that's needed now is for the spring sun to peek through and do the look some justice. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-27656012149033966862013-02-18T07:36:00.001-08:002013-03-08T04:18:43.291-08:00A Good Brow<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8jf_E0dO-N-J13XbnSiOl8dHZFtp9E7tpwoSW_JAQSzJKuQ_rvsfEI4_KVe9kkok7m-kuRe-VzAY2ynt3LMQgxth5_MfqHinhoDPcD5Mpw7A9nL3QDW7vh-IA0qkQ3Qs2CwF1-fRYHE/s1600/IMG_2763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8jf_E0dO-N-J13XbnSiOl8dHZFtp9E7tpwoSW_JAQSzJKuQ_rvsfEI4_KVe9kkok7m-kuRe-VzAY2ynt3LMQgxth5_MfqHinhoDPcD5Mpw7A9nL3QDW7vh-IA0qkQ3Qs2CwF1-fRYHE/s1600/IMG_2763.JPG" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US">I write this on the pretty wobbly fence of
potential hypocrisy. Brows: it’s blindly obvious that they have taken the
beauty world and all those consumed by it, by storm. As much as I’d like to say
the inspiration is of time’s past, circa Liz Taylor and Audrey Hepburn days, I
am almost certain that most of the brow phenomenon has come from the likes of
TOWIE and Desperate Scousewives bursting onto our screens (both of which are my
guilty pleasure – <i>awkward.</i>) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Eyebrows can be the most defining feature
on our face. If shaped, filled in and preened with tender loving care, our
brows can be entirely responsible for the architecture of our face. Framing the face is their job, they give
light to the rest of our features, setting them up to be noticed. However, over
plucked and a heavy hand with a dark pencil, we’ve all been there. So <i>how</i> exactly can we <i>get it right</i>? Here’s my take.. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">When it comes to tools, the right ones will
keep you on track for many years to come. Whilst I’d love to indulge in waxing
or threading I am yet to put my money where my mouth is – the reason? I’m too
scared to let anyone go threading or rippin’ crazy on my brows. The fear is
predominantly brought on by the fact I don’t wish to enter the salon bushy
browed, if a tad disheveled, and leave with tadpole shaped brows with not a lot
to say for themselves. Okay, this may be going a little too far but the moral
of the story is, until I pluck up the courage, nobody shall be preening them
but me. For now, <span style="color: #c27ba0;">Tweezerman tweezers</span> are my trusty companions; they are
ridiculously precise and easy to use, with a slanted tip to help get right to
the root. What’s more, they’ll stay with you for life (or thereabouts). Next
up, my <span style="color: #c27ba0;">spoolie</span> has become a substantial member of my little eyebrow
preening kit. I bought mine for one single pound from Tiger and it has been
serving me darn well. A clean spoolie lends a helping hand in brushing through
the brows to make sure all the hairs are going in the right direction nice and
neatly, but also to work in any product after application to give a more even
and natural look. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I must say I am not religiously attached to
one particular product at the moment. I vary between eyeshadow in pressed
powder form, an eyebrow pencil and a waxy trio. I have a love-hate love affair
with eyeshadow as I always struggle to get the perfect shade, but adore the
effect it gives; <span style="color: #c27ba0;">‘Concrete’</span> (pan eyeshadow on the right) and <span style="color: #c27ba0;">‘Handwritten’</span> (pan eyeshadow on the left) by MAC tend to be my choices
although both have their flaws. Both are matte variations of brown although
‘Concrete’ can have the tendency to look a little grey and ‘Handwritten’ to
look a little red (ridiculously so according to the photograph). Nowadays I tend to only reach for them for that added bit of
‘oomph’ and definition. </span><br />
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</div>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Laura Mercier</span> is my number one pick for
pencils, the soft, wax-like formula glides through the brows (light hand <i>crucial!</i>). My chosen shade? Warm
brunette. When choosing a colour I find that when in doubt, choosing a shade
matching or a bit lighter than your natural hair colour is the winner. Darker
will only make you look stern and those brows a little aggressive (I’ve been
there, trust me) whilst lighter will only emphasise the natural hairs and sit
snuggly in those sparse areas you wish to fill. Whilst LM is keeping me
content, she’s been sharpened to her last legs so Kevyn Aucoin, I hear ya
calling..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqVsPKYnoMkehLfpnYShpHr59HvWlW0K1nIiidGeY-w4ful1Uh2d27EsbiBImIkK0Ngfj2jYPtEi2L-WfMfJ-KV9t0JnmocdrcS5dNcCLP2cU3n0_w8odorAzk6TkUd6nQ3alpaaKoEo/s1600/IMG_2787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqVsPKYnoMkehLfpnYShpHr59HvWlW0K1nIiidGeY-w4ful1Uh2d27EsbiBImIkK0Ngfj2jYPtEi2L-WfMfJ-KV9t0JnmocdrcS5dNcCLP2cU3n0_w8odorAzk6TkUd6nQ3alpaaKoEo/s1600/IMG_2787.JPG" /></a></div>
</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">When it comes to those lengthy days when I
require something long lasting to keep my brows in tact the formula of <span style="color: #c27ba0;">Chanel’s
‘Le Sourcil De Chanel’ </span>fits the bill. The brow trio has three shades of
brown in a ‘highly concentrated mineral pigment’. The product is so densely
packed in there that it feels almost like a wax. In this nifty little compact
is a magnifying mirror, two applicators, one in brush form (doubling up as a
spoolie) and a smaller one of densely packed bristles. Finally, Chanel does the
honors of throwing in a mini pair of tweezers, for those on-the-go stragglers.
One gripe I do have is the applicators; I find them so fiddly and pretty
ineffective to use - take note House of Chanel Makeup (although AW12’s
embellished brows make it difficult to stay mad, so may bygones be bygones). Back to the product itself, the colour payoff
is brilliant and I love the fact you can chop and change between the shades to create
a mixture of hues perfect for your brows, adding more or less definition where
desired. The only thing I have my beady
eye on now is the <span style="color: #c27ba0;">Anastasia brow gel</span> as a final touch to keep them
firmly in place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXOt0t7Acp7ZQsAn3C7WPxYjCvxXwgNBrq352BYcZG8I2v-4INoJ8Kr4ajZrrYLUfcX3DzeNoRAhd3_PGzodppZXh33HZOxmGMCRu6H7y7zx4i_2NVS5AwgFHB7_DixnN3X5KnP4Ttn4/s1600/IMG_2800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXOt0t7Acp7ZQsAn3C7WPxYjCvxXwgNBrq352BYcZG8I2v-4INoJ8Kr4ajZrrYLUfcX3DzeNoRAhd3_PGzodppZXh33HZOxmGMCRu6H7y7zx4i_2NVS5AwgFHB7_DixnN3X5KnP4Ttn4/s1600/IMG_2800.JPG" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1GzuGcEIehDLDHEXYqmQEYPIzjkm9pz0o6DJhpd86VrzAHUd3tE2jdI2IWEXlSkFU7i5oaGkwlbZpIGEQJdXnsK4DW2aBMlOyqhYFm0L8erXJcK69VAdVySjDg-Z0XFcZ_9eLckbdnQ/s1600/IMG_2804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1GzuGcEIehDLDHEXYqmQEYPIzjkm9pz0o6DJhpd86VrzAHUd3tE2jdI2IWEXlSkFU7i5oaGkwlbZpIGEQJdXnsK4DW2aBMlOyqhYFm0L8erXJcK69VAdVySjDg-Z0XFcZ_9eLckbdnQ/s1600/IMG_2804.JPG" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Brows have been under the beauty spot light
for quite some time now and I don’t see them budging anytime soon in terms of
new and interesting ways to vamp them up. They have become a fashion accessory,
a statement piece and a deciding factor of what’s on trend right now. From Lara
Stone’s bleached brows to Cara Delevingne sporting a bushy (but perfectly neat)
set, brows are all the rage and we cannot get enough of them. London Fashion
Week saw Lisa Eldridge backcombing brows and make up artists alike embracing
the ‘less is more’ brow movement of 2013. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">In a nutshell, whilst TOWIE and Desperate
Scousewives have obviously struck a chord for some of us out there, keep your
eyes peeled and ready for ditching the heavy hand and embracing basic and
immaculate eyebrow upkeep. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">However, if a bold brow is still tickling your
pickle, think Taylor and Hepburn rather than Childs and Wright. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-small;">*photos used above are my own</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqm3dvYE_ZrbIOU4Yor1dov4gseoGeQm4WZe0T_nKNAISg0NGP13Um5BWhdAwdDuNrmwDrnAvM8N3NwGfHu_yZfe8EHkVDryCAVY2gKbYA-kvXIz82tXVmCnAsnr78XCU5H1mNGFOXj4/s1600/IMG_3864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqm3dvYE_ZrbIOU4Yor1dov4gseoGeQm4WZe0T_nKNAISg0NGP13Um5BWhdAwdDuNrmwDrnAvM8N3NwGfHu_yZfe8EHkVDryCAVY2gKbYA-kvXIz82tXVmCnAsnr78XCU5H1mNGFOXj4/s640/IMG_3864.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1fX2A-DCCQlSmWInJwxhgdcwiInGYIm9n4E5Q46p8alKsNy54qdOeXwttE9CLl-F-twMGrV-AsxqYThFal_UTuv4YUUo0_3xfFZBhbWGH-KNW3Nq-8eGeTwv5j2oFvGxnBAiWRPKYPs/s1600/IMG_3865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1fX2A-DCCQlSmWInJwxhgdcwiInGYIm9n4E5Q46p8alKsNy54qdOeXwttE9CLl-F-twMGrV-AsxqYThFal_UTuv4YUUo0_3xfFZBhbWGH-KNW3Nq-8eGeTwv5j2oFvGxnBAiWRPKYPs/s640/IMG_3865.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-1571649698897984192013-02-09T04:05:00.000-08:002013-03-08T04:18:58.609-08:00All Hail Aucoin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4X7KoSmoNbIz5bgKUgeaL1LqTjEfLEsIu0E8WRq-QNQZOGLa0v1YZZejSUVZaiIMvVZVTG8_s3__fqDXo4GCxXCp4Gw1ftuPs46YoPchOR0QE4i9kl1Jy1yLwHVioJnklXfHycWG4ur4/s1600/IMG_2699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4X7KoSmoNbIz5bgKUgeaL1LqTjEfLEsIu0E8WRq-QNQZOGLa0v1YZZejSUVZaiIMvVZVTG8_s3__fqDXo4GCxXCp4Gw1ftuPs46YoPchOR0QE4i9kl1Jy1yLwHVioJnklXfHycWG4ur4/s1600/IMG_2699.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PMwLOi1Qbbhj8GHiAriNO7GGcBMExwANKLo-Ss9qEAmcmIcozq-sU8P5XZ4s4Q1WXnlhDBnzyaxLQ1wlsy5Nn6RNTknSAEQqocALLPjO0k_Ispxzq32RjiPGOONeZYZZOZvEJ1nCq3o/s1600/IMG_2714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PMwLOi1Qbbhj8GHiAriNO7GGcBMExwANKLo-Ss9qEAmcmIcozq-sU8P5XZ4s4Q1WXnlhDBnzyaxLQ1wlsy5Nn6RNTknSAEQqocALLPjO0k_Ispxzq32RjiPGOONeZYZZOZvEJ1nCq3o/s640/IMG_2714.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Stop the press, a contouring phenomenon has crept into my life. Beneath the irresistibly chic and sleek packaging lies<span style="color: #e06666;"> <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/SCULPTING-POWDER/MUS300022918,en_GB,pd.html?cm_mmc=Google+UK-_-F3D+-+Kevyn+Aucoin-_-F3D+-+Kevyn+Aucoin+-+Sculpting+Powder-_-kevyn+aucoin+sculpting+powder-Exact&gclid=CLHPnpSSqbUCFU_HtAodNz4Axg" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Kevyn Aucoin's Sculpting Powder </span></a></span>(Shade Medium).<br />
<br />
Slimming the face, through the crafty technique of contouring, is something those of a square-headed nature such as myself are eternally grateful for. Unlike my beautiful best friend, who is blessed with naturally gorgeous, sculpted facial architecture, I am one of 'fuller' cheeks if you will. Contouring allows us to give the impression of a sharper bone structure and accentuate those angles that may just need some encouragement to peek through. The art is to blend a darker shade in those areas that shadows would naturally fall if light fell directly onto our face, that is, the hollows of our cheeks, our temples, the sides of our nose and underneath our jawline.<br />
<br />
Searching for a shade to fit the bill is a tireless struggle. It is easy to detract from the natural and effortless objective, often cheapening the look, by choosing a shade too orange or red. The Sculpting Powder by Kevyn Aucoin is incredibly cool toned; we want to create a shadow rather than bring warmth to the face, as we would with bronzing. The pressed powder has grey and taupe under tones with no shimmer whatsoever, permitting an ashy natural shadow. I have very fair skin and find it of paramount importance that a product blends seamlessly without looking as though I have a tiger's stripes streaked across my face. When used with a light hand, the product blends beautifully and I find the smallest amount is needed to achieve the desired look. Personally this factor makes this product excellent value for money, the exceptional quality of the product, alongside it's likelihood to make residence in my make up collection for quite some time, makes the 6.5g product entirely worth the hefty price tag.<br />
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I am still experimenting here and there to discover it's life long companion in brush form. I don't reach for the tiny applicator provided but have been tossing up between the Real Techniques contour brush (part of the <a href="http://realtechniques.com/shop-collection/your-base-flawless/core-collection" style="color: #e06666;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Core Collection</span></a>) and a slender SpaceNK blush brush. I feel as though a <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/146/324/Products/Brushes/Face/168-Large-Angled-Contour-Brush/index.tmpl" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">MAC 168</span></a> is to be purchased.. Recommendations welcome!<br />
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Alas, whilst it does not shape-shift me into Lara Stone or Karlie Kloss, Kevyn Aucoin's Sculpting Powder can certainly help me cheat.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*photos used above are my own </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-6912206054635783612013-02-04T13:09:00.000-08:002013-03-08T04:19:23.413-08:00Skincare: The Winter Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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I have a skincare switch up more or less every season and with winter on it's last legs, I felt it pretty apt to sing praise to the combination that have taken me through those bitter days. Aside from an unhealthy addiction to SpaceNK (a force I <i>just</i> don't have the willpower to contend with) I like to see noticeable changes and improvements, meaning I am forever on the hunt for something to blow my socks off.</div>
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I am onto my second tub of <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/Natural-Lift-Moringa-Cleansing-Balm/MUK200005032,en_GB,pd.html?start=1&q=emma%20hardie" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Emma Hardie's Amazing Face Natural lift and sculpt Moringa cleansing balm</span></a> and don't see it budging in the near future. There are copious reviews on this one product all over the internet so I thought I'd keep it short and sweet. A five pence piece sized amount is all that is needed as once warmed in my hands, the slip is pretty extraordinary. The product turns from a balm into an oil consistency and gives a beautiful at-home-facial feel. I tend to spend about five glorious minutes massaging the product into my skin before gently buffing it off with a hot muslin cloth. At first I used this cleanser morning and night but discovered that whilst I adored it for before bed, I needed something a little more refreshing and light to kick start the day; cue <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/Mayblossom-T-Zone-Control-Cleansing-Gel/MUK149420009,en_GB,pd.html?start=6&q=ren" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">REN's Mayblossom T-zone control cleansing gel</span></a>..</div>
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The gel formula definitely lends itself well for a lighter and more refreshing morning cleansing session. I often find that as the day flies by my T-zone can become quite oily, requiring a dab of powder here and there. Managing this mischievous little zone, I thought, would be a good place to start. Ingredients such as Lavender and Bergamot extracts induce a balancing and calming effect which is coupled with the promise of unclogged pores. The thing I enjoy most about this cleanser is that afterwards my skin does not feel 'tight' or dry in comparison to some gel cleansers I have tried in the past. </div>
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Post-cleanse morning and night, I slather on <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/DRAGON%27S-BLOOD-HYALURONIC-MOISTURISER/MUK200008646,en_GB,pd.html?start=4&q=rodial&pmin=20&pmax=50" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Rodial's Dragon's blood hyaluronic moisturiser</span></a>. The Hyaluronic acid really locks in all moisture and lends rather large helping hand in keeping my skin plump and bright. The price tag is pretty hefty but entirely worth it and, as with Emma Hardie, a little goes a long way so I like to spend time working the product into my skin. Find my full review <a href="http://rhyannasramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/rodial-dragons-blood-hyaluronic.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Finally, once a week I like to treat myself to a face mask, so back to trusty REN once more is the <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/Radiance-Renewal-Mask/MUK200001886,en_GB,pd.html?start=1&q=ren" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask</span></a>. In a nutshell, the mask boasts brightening of the complexion and speedy cell turnover to banish those working-week-riddled, dead skin cells and making way for sparkly new ones for the week ahead. This mask has totally changed the way I feel about exfoliation. Chemical exfoliants have challenged the scrubs typically bound to the word 'exfoliate'; in fact, I find such grainy scrubs to do more harm than good. After ten minutes of enjoying the honey-like goo (technical terms) my skin feels nourished, silky smooth and fresh for the week ahead!</div>
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As I previously mentioned, I'm always on the look out for new things to try and in particular moisturisers and masks are on my lengthy wish list. Any suggestions more than welcome! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">*photos used above are my own</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-70824098031866442382013-01-28T04:01:00.000-08:002013-01-28T04:01:20.574-08:00Back to Basics: Skincare<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLf_w_JHxHY6Sj-y8Z8_50ZrgZbM2ZrskC6Qwa2l4uObPoVHWL7lIEWGpK7svkjgLYAGmknMfmaGPratikS-XkfFOgNxdRuQW2Anm8WaZnd3LtZ2nzWAZmJX7Onvub-Y2npsAoQlTUbfk/s1600/IMG_2686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLf_w_JHxHY6Sj-y8Z8_50ZrgZbM2ZrskC6Qwa2l4uObPoVHWL7lIEWGpK7svkjgLYAGmknMfmaGPratikS-XkfFOgNxdRuQW2Anm8WaZnd3LtZ2nzWAZmJX7Onvub-Y2npsAoQlTUbfk/s640/IMG_2686.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
My fairly recent fascination with skincare
has been an eye opener. Effects include positive ones, that is, noticeable
improvements with my skin, and not so positive ones if we’re going to peek into
the realm of the dwindling bank balance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My interest sparked off food-for-thought
when it came to ‘defining’ my own skin type. I think that until now, my
instinct was to murmur something along the lines of ‘normal to combination’
when asked by a sales assistant what my skin was like. I came to realize that
I, pretty stupidly, had never taken the time to firstly have a think about it
nor had I taken the time to decipher into which ‘category’ I fell. After a bit
of thinking and a few trial and error’s I came to realize that my skin is
actually quite sensitive. Not to the extent that I have to be OTT when deciding
on which product to buy, just that it is easily irritated by heavily fragranced
products and reacts in far more of a friendly manner to those that are gentle.
Whilst my skin isn’t dry, it is definitely dehydrated; this was the big
realization. Due to never getting any dry patches or suffering from that
‘tight’ feeling on a daily basis, I never thought my skin was dry. I never took
the time to think about why, no matter how much makeup or how many fad moisturisers
I slathered on, my skin still had the tendency to be a tad lack-lustre and
blemish prone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">An underrated and annoyingly obvious piece of
advice that has entirely altered the way I treat my skin and notice it’s
changes is ‘drink lots of water’. After swearing to myself that I would really
try to drink more water to improve my concentration, stop myself from snacking
and hopefully improve my skin, I gave it a lot of attention. After the week was
through I saw a noticeable difference. Aside from my skin essentially lacking
any blemishes, it was plumper and literally brightened. Alongside this, (I can’t believe I’m going to
say this) I fell out of love with tea. Even Yorkshire Gold. For some reason the
caffine and compulsory two sugars left me feeling lethargic. Green tea was
always an option but I fancied something different so tried hot water and a
slice of lemon. I think a mug of this every single morning has been a main
contributor to the change I’ve seen. This is because lemons are so good for us, in many ways. In terms of our skin, the vitamin C helps to reduce blemishes and wrinkles and it also attacks toxins in our blood, helping to keep skin clear. Admittedly, if I ditched the chocolates and took a
little more care in considering which foods would beneifit not only my body,
but my skin too, I would see even more results.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">A post of common-sense, no doubt, but one I felt had to be said. 2013 is the year I'll be good to my skin (inside <i>and</i> out).</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-71549853684540290632013-01-24T01:56:00.004-08:002013-03-08T04:19:35.397-08:00Recovery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrFD5TkwDY2rQgW1CyuBihIS71k0MRdSc6oBt50-lnXm3o4R847VcdOLPwKtBmLM7Jng3RlFBL910mYsaUOGHfwGDfNz3FG-4ZsL_tQdhUIOYil3c7UjUb7RklAt6X9VuZazKTJa7rXw/s1600/IMG_2658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrFD5TkwDY2rQgW1CyuBihIS71k0MRdSc6oBt50-lnXm3o4R847VcdOLPwKtBmLM7Jng3RlFBL910mYsaUOGHfwGDfNz3FG-4ZsL_tQdhUIOYil3c7UjUb7RklAt6X9VuZazKTJa7rXw/s640/IMG_2658.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCClySrrIk2QpkQahakm6lScVzBsmLZLz0KnM3nFhrOO0w7Uv7JgG-YOQ9GR3UJgcMNQfdKjTQeW4ytzrz-2KzXgxOEJ-C17YluKqv5fMiM9YwJgoo7wHV_kyUbh9YbBG2JDI_XgJHJk/s1600/IMG_2655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCClySrrIk2QpkQahakm6lScVzBsmLZLz0KnM3nFhrOO0w7Uv7JgG-YOQ9GR3UJgcMNQfdKjTQeW4ytzrz-2KzXgxOEJ-C17YluKqv5fMiM9YwJgoo7wHV_kyUbh9YbBG2JDI_XgJHJk/s640/IMG_2655.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I'm a recovering addict, from the deep, dark (but wonderful) realms of acrylic nails. For what seems like all my life I've never managed to successfully crack the habit and have been a fully fledged nail biter. This is why (my bank account weeps with horror) I then began a long obsession with acrylics. At just under £20 a pop every 3 weeks, it became my little luxury. Alas, student funds can no longer allow.<br />
<br />
I am now a plain jane. Nails are naked. It's time to get them in good shape and become the real-nail obsessive I long to be. Ambitious, perhaps, but I have made sure I am fully equipped to conquer my demons (all getting a bit dramatic isn't it?).<br />
<br />
In all seriousness I've found two little gems that truly help the process of rebuilding weak, post-acrylic, prone-to-be-bitten nails. The first is the <a href="http://www.leightondenny.com/product-detail/default.aspx?ProductId=53&ProductCategoryId=4" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Leighton Denny</span></a> crystal nail file; sounds a tad overkill when we're just talking about a nail file, right? Wrong. Whilst it is an investment at £12.50, it sure is a good one. This nail file primarily eliminates the fear of that cringey filing noise and feeling and replaces it with a smooth, buffed effect. Who wouldn't want to remove a crystal nail file from it's own protective box to perform such a laborious task? Files à la sandpaper are no more.<br />
<br />
Next is <a href="http://www.lookfantastic.com/jessica-restoration-basecoat-for-post-acrylic/damaged-nails-14.8ml/10307218.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #93c47d;">Jessica Restoration Basecoat</span></a> for post-acrylic or damaged nails <span style="font-size: x-small;">(£17.50)</span>. Anyone who has once succumbed to such fakery, such as I, will know that afterwards your nails are left in a pretty sorry state; dry, bendy and suffering lumps, bumps and ridges. This Jessica Basecoat dries so quickly and has visible results only a couple of hours later. My nails have currently had about a week to breathe, I've popped this on every evening with some hand cream and already noticed a huge change. The fact they look better and better every day has certainly made me resist the urge to nibble them when anxious or bored.<br />
<br />
So here's hoping I'll have perfectly preened paws in no time.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*photos used above are my own</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-4742635217084642932013-01-23T07:26:00.003-08:002013-01-23T07:26:52.478-08:00Life through Instagram #5
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Having taken a short break (entire month) from blogging to
make way for mountains of revision, I thought I’d start my re-emergence with an
Instagram post to make note of some of the highlights the very end of 2012
brought me, alongside a few from the start of 2013. Resolutions have been made
(some going better than others) and I’m feeling pretty confident that 2013 is
going to be a great year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU255hGnJvNqybB1IAyD4aaAS7VfCtdFbVrMX2vGL5vYdYWtqDMhOk85uAwANZTKV17uvsPTx_GocpKfVVzlSQjHOi69UB8VTv3IIb_VPO0yO2e0lyMwyq0CsITwRlywPX6KngrBP9cLY/s1600/IMG_3361.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU255hGnJvNqybB1IAyD4aaAS7VfCtdFbVrMX2vGL5vYdYWtqDMhOk85uAwANZTKV17uvsPTx_GocpKfVVzlSQjHOi69UB8VTv3IIb_VPO0yO2e0lyMwyq0CsITwRlywPX6KngrBP9cLY/s1600/IMG_3361.PNG" /></a></div>
1. My darling friend Lucy had a little spring chicken. Hugo Daniel Glaysher is a beautiful little boy & this is my first cuddle. 2. Mummy & tot. 3. A return to Portsmouth, this photo perhaps a little bit of an illusion of it's beauty but hey, we'll take it. 4. Stalking WAH! nails instagram I got serious green eyed monster over this gorgeous design. 4. Sarah Chapman's Overnight Exfoliating Booster - disappointed that my mum never gets good use out of it, I took matters into my own hands. 5. Pre-Christmas roast. 3. Homemade lemon shortbread cookies. 4. Girls night out with the favourite ones. 5. Kisses with Crin. 6. Lucy & I. 7. Hill Farm Apply & Elderflower juice... Organic heaven. 8. Smoked salmon and cream bagel - just because student life was a foggy memory. 9. My sister's 22nd birthday! 10. The Garage Lounge - Cheese and Ham Eggy Bread Sandwich. 11. A fresh set of festive acrylics! 12. Lucy & Ani on our last night out in Brighton before Christmas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaftUt8CSnV_q0utnUF4SBkh1IQe-Kggp_77bfprCJbp8vPc0h3qYkajDPBQoTDdBrTpTqfh4R8qk-jQNRLK-QLcWF5YNYFjx3Ixjh8lctzINvJni_gFnKPIQB6oWSBvft2DpTYNwPQ4/s1600/IMG_3360.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaftUt8CSnV_q0utnUF4SBkh1IQe-Kggp_77bfprCJbp8vPc0h3qYkajDPBQoTDdBrTpTqfh4R8qk-jQNRLK-QLcWF5YNYFjx3Ixjh8lctzINvJni_gFnKPIQB6oWSBvft2DpTYNwPQ4/s1600/IMG_3360.PNG" /></a></div>
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1. The Boy & I at our staff Christmas party. 2. Our 1 year anniversary celebrated with prosecco and steak. 3. A fake and phoney Beyonce follows me on Twitter - minor heart attack ensues, followed by sheer disappointment. 4. A New Years Day walk along Southsea seafront. 5. New Years Eve with Spence & Georgie. 6. An attempt at WAH beauty... 7. Cousin & onesie time. Christmas Day. 8. Some christmas presents - very spoilt! 9. Sab on Christmas day. 10. Sab & I - Christmas Day. 11. Me taking a snooze with the cat Christmas morning! 12. Chosen makeup for Christmas. 13. Watching Love Actually Christmas morning whilst waiting for the family to stir. 14. Stockings! 15. A new watch strap - present to myself. 16. A depressing load of revision and glorious mug of lemon and hot water to get me through.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-59717012703062279522012-12-17T05:58:00.000-08:002013-01-24T01:59:18.688-08:00Acid? On my FACE?There's been a hell'uva lot of hype that has burst onto the beauty scene surrounding Glycolic acid and Hyaluronic acid. Now, I know this isn't particularly new, but whilst I've been aware of it, I, like many others, have been terrified at the thought of putting something with 'acid' in the name on my skin. Many chemistry lessons of my youth embedded the message 'acid = bad' hence, the fear. However, on my quest for bright, clear and plump skin, it seems those fear-inducing ingredients could be key. I'll try to keep this relatively concise and non-scientific but no promises I'm afraid!<br />
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So, now to skim over why Glycolic and Hyaluronic acid are such wonder ingredients..<br />
Hyaluronic acid (H.A) boasts anti-aging properties meaning plumpness and brighter skin come part and parcel. It's a natural ingredient that is found throughout the body which is broken down as we age; more so if we have an unhealthy diet or smoke. Reinstating this ingredient into our skin as we age means we can combat ageing skin and reduce winkles, lines and a dull looking complexion. To put it simply, our epidermis (thin layer of tissue under the skin) is like a sponge; in the gaps of the sponge is where Hyaluronic acid sits. By feeding our skin products full of H.A, we are essentially 'filling' the gaps of the 'sponge' that is our skin. Hyaluronic acid is able to absorb more than 1000x its weight in water, so preventing our natural H.A from declining is vital if we want to keep our skin ultra moisture tight and our epidermis nice and 'thick' rather than brittle.<br />
Voila - youthful, plump and bright skin. My post on <a href="http://rhyannasramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/rodial-dragons-blood-hyaluronic.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><i>Rodial's Dragon's Blood Moisturiser</i></span> </a>talks about how well I got on with the product and the change I've seen in my skin - this is due to wonderful H.A.<br />
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Glycolic acid is also a mighty ingredient when it comes to tackling our epidermis. It targets the lipids that have binding properties which are the cause of dead skin cells hanging around. Keeping scientific speak at a very minimum, Glycolic acid encourages cell turn over, meaning it is used as a chemical exfoliant. Rubbing harsh granules against your skin is a distant memory, these chemical exfoliants tend to be used about twice a week after cleansing at night. The idea is essentially that it nibbles away (technical term) at dead skin cells as you sleep, meaning you wake up with brighter, tighter skin. Don't be afraid of this 'tightening' idea.. I don't mean that horrible tight sensation you get after using certain cleansers. This leads me on to mention that using exfoliants containing Glycolic acid does not require a chase up with moisturiser. The idea is that it encourages your skin to pump out more Hyaluronic acid which makes the skin so moisture-tight, a moisturiser is not necessary, the product can just be left overnight to work its magic..<br />
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So, admittedly I sound as though I've spoken from quite a bit of experience of Glycolic acid. Truth is, I haven't. This is just what I have gathered from research and reviews, any corrections welcome.. All the same I have used two chemical exfoliants and seen instant results. The only thing holding me back now, is which products to buy?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-HySld8Ga-HgKCxJMe_hos_kmFqo8Qfw3svqtTLhAN6kuzkxpe_BjpmYAJnbMIR4Epgj2J1jPxT3L5x3BUr4LeMBAPRNPz6cCuNaH5BpjEQTDBGSkUEo4ePyWCqIJaebet9aDH4QOOs/s1600/UK300003637_CANEAUSTIN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-HySld8Ga-HgKCxJMe_hos_kmFqo8Qfw3svqtTLhAN6kuzkxpe_BjpmYAJnbMIR4Epgj2J1jPxT3L5x3BUr4LeMBAPRNPz6cCuNaH5BpjEQTDBGSkUEo4ePyWCqIJaebet9aDH4QOOs/s320/UK300003637_CANEAUSTIN.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had a bit of a test-run of the Cane + Austin Retexturising Treatment Pads the other day. The tingly sensation felt as though my skin was really being treated by the product and was noticeably brighter the next day. My pores also seemed smaller although I may have been over inspecting and overexcited. The only hitch with this product is the hefty price tag of £48. You get 60 pads and use it twice <i>daily. </i>Firstly I feel as though I'd be going through them like they're out of fashion and secondly I'm not sure how I feel about using this product which has 10% Glycolic acid<i> twice, daily</i>. Bit intense?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgL19TY3A_wCj9uynV2q0JUwS4ndO-n8mVv33uXinD1Anh3WcCwoltQH7zmszARZt4SM18frGmZmfrBEDQOzV2c4zS9pTYVJbvkjQftL3WLp6RfKnAkn8a-mrFTYvC6PM7hFoRJGRnY6I/s1600/UK200009493_ALGENIST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgL19TY3A_wCj9uynV2q0JUwS4ndO-n8mVv33uXinD1Anh3WcCwoltQH7zmszARZt4SM18frGmZmfrBEDQOzV2c4zS9pTYVJbvkjQftL3WLp6RfKnAkn8a-mrFTYvC6PM7hFoRJGRnY6I/s320/UK200009493_ALGENIST.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Algenist Micropolish and Peel is on my Christmas list.. I'm pretty sure this is a happy medium. There are tiny granules in the formula which makes it a little less scary but has the power of other chemical exfoliants. Again, bloomin' expensive at £58 but I am told you use the very smallest amount only twice a week. It is described has having "a 10% acid duo (Alguronic and Glycolic Acid), a 10% fruit enzyme complex and micro-crystals to immediately improve skin texture." The sales assistant in SpaceNK really sold this product to me so I'm hoping Santa overheard..</div>
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There are handfuls of products out there, the most popular in the online community seeming to be REN's Radiance Renewal Mask and Alpha H's Liquid Gold. For the most part they boast the same thing, it's just a matter of choosing one which suits your own needs. </div>
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Apologies for the lengthy ramble, I found myself pretty interested by this whole acid situation and wanted to do some digging to find out what all the fuss was about. If you've tried any products worth recommending I'd love to hear about them. xx</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-10660984768822324342012-12-12T05:22:00.000-08:002013-03-08T04:19:50.652-08:00Hands or Brushes?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHuMJu1KKxrVkUKsB7P1dWNZkPd08q4nvV32T6gQ9CvtAnF3Qz_WC6yjN7aELduNth_nvfT4iMpxsqfxAtljQL44zgo1anQjc7r6pwxgH0td79nS9XahOjF0CuHnreGyo3utZ6kGWor8/s1600/IMG_2605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHuMJu1KKxrVkUKsB7P1dWNZkPd08q4nvV32T6gQ9CvtAnF3Qz_WC6yjN7aELduNth_nvfT4iMpxsqfxAtljQL44zgo1anQjc7r6pwxgH0td79nS9XahOjF0CuHnreGyo3utZ6kGWor8/s1600/IMG_2605.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPjKZmrJJ3zhYlMD1ualoWKV-PaN0xo8u8gD2bKvDJg7kPzeJpQw0HftGBkVTuxZmpjC_a_CVK8hwv5JTCohTDuoxQuYnZGGe2ajiRsDgOAWssIXuKjp7CTUNVV0PrAzHogFc-tibVT8/s1600/IMG_2594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPjKZmrJJ3zhYlMD1ualoWKV-PaN0xo8u8gD2bKvDJg7kPzeJpQw0HftGBkVTuxZmpjC_a_CVK8hwv5JTCohTDuoxQuYnZGGe2ajiRsDgOAWssIXuKjp7CTUNVV0PrAzHogFc-tibVT8/s1600/IMG_2594.JPG" /></a></div>
Recently I've been much more inclined to use my hands to apply my foundation rather than brushes. This raised the little thought in my head: "Which is actually better?" The answer? I've not entirely decided..<br />
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Due to taking a more relaxed approach to my makeup (mostly out of laziness) I have been massaging my lighter bases into my skin, finding it gives a really natural finish. I think the warmth of my hands really helps to work the product into my skin. Whilst this doesn't give such a flawless effect as brushes can give, I occasionally prefer the effect using my hands gives. I also think that (as a stingy student) I waste far less product by using my hands and I know they are always clean.<br />
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However, there are still some occasions where brushes are necessary... For example, Laura Mercier's silk creme foundation is a firm favourite, it is incredibly pigmented and gives such a beautiful, flawless finish. In order to achieve the most perfect outcome possible, I always use my Real Techniques buffing brush to buff the product into my skin. This tends to require a bit of precision and attention to certain areas, so I feel hands can be a bit clumsy. For lighter foundations, like Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich foundation or tinted moisturisers, I use my stippling brush which gives a really natural finish but I would say is on par with using my hands, it just depends on my mood. My Bobbi Brown foundation brush is my most neglected brush as I find these kinds of brushes can leave my base looking a little 'painted on' although it is incredibly soft and ideal size for getting into all the little areas that need extra attention and my hands may skim over.<br />
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Overall I'd say for lazy days or days when I fancy going a little more natural, using my hands is #1 choice but for nights out or days when I wear a fuller face of makeup, I'm after a more flawless finish which is when the buffing brush steps up and works wonders.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*photos used above are my own</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-72285754796000543692012-12-12T05:01:00.003-08:002013-03-08T04:20:08.573-08:00Minimal & Glowy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqKOeUwvJcESY6EBAquzKW9SYSe9wtuMmLwOQNow73WZ8k-OqQQWJG6bYnddVoDfeqwZymhnRHruO37ZctdnHaUFd0eDopkDkc5BbqK2LgMbvI0h42fRINGaWvgB0P14nXPt6tmE5AJ0/s1600/IMG_2629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqKOeUwvJcESY6EBAquzKW9SYSe9wtuMmLwOQNow73WZ8k-OqQQWJG6bYnddVoDfeqwZymhnRHruO37ZctdnHaUFd0eDopkDkc5BbqK2LgMbvI0h42fRINGaWvgB0P14nXPt6tmE5AJ0/s1600/IMG_2629.jpg" /></a></div>
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Drowning in coursework deadlines and organising my return home for Christmas means I have neglected my weekly beauty-related ramble. The end of the term is always the most stressful, all I want to do is get home to a snuggly bed, full fridge and warm house which cannot be done until I've been a slave to the library and racked up a ridiculous amount of laundry to bring home. Needless to say, time has been spent searching through books and writing essays meaning I've had no brain capacity for anything else. The time has now come when I can indulge in the things I love whilst cosy in my bed with tea and toast.<br />
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All the same, some good things have come out of my dull, assignment-filled days at Uni. I found myself sporting a particularly natural face because let's face it, nobody wants to sit in the library with inches of foundation on, rubbing those tired peepers and causing mascara to smudge <i>everywhere.</i> In order to look the slightest bit presentable with minimal effort required, I came up with this little collection of beauties to aid my tired face and some little tricks to achieve the most natural look possible.<br />
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For a base I rediscovered the beautiful product that is Chanel's Le Blanc De Chanel. Whilst it could do with a pump to prevent half a tonne of product gushing out at any one time, the tiniest bit goes a long way. I apply a small amount of this all over my face before my foundation. It is a sheer illuminating base which brightens my skin and helps me to achieve a really gorgeous glow, which can be a tricky task in the winter months, so this product is heaven sent. Bobbi Brown's Moisture Rich foundation is so perfect for lazy days when I still want to look presentable. It's a really light foundation which, when used with my Real Techniques Stippling brush, evens out my skin giving a really natural, dewy finish. I quickly dab some MAC studio sculpt concealer underneath my eyes with my finger to hide those dark bags and very lightly pop some Laura Mercier eyebrow pencil in Soft Brunette through my brows. With a light dusting of Rimmel's Santa Rose blusher across my cheeks and Burt's Bees beeswax lip balm on my moisture deprived lips, I only have my eyes to tend to. This is kept simple by entirely wiping down my mascara wand with a tissue, leaving a tiny amount of product on the wand, so I avoid coating my lashes in too much mascara. This makes my lashes defined and lengthened without drowning them in product. This is a sneaky trick of the wonder woman that is Mary Greenwell.<br />
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The idea is to be really light handed with all these products, with a sort of slap-dash attitude towards the makeup. This tends to be because I'm getting ready in a rush so can't afford to spend a long time in front of the mirror but also because a light handed approach means the look needs barely any preening or upkeep throughout the day because it is <i>so</i> minimal and my features are not too over powering.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*photos used above are my own</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-57073793255151922472012-11-25T07:39:00.002-08:002013-03-08T04:20:23.707-08:00Maybelline 24HR Color Tattoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovmvdAH5Qxs7z0o_1InMZwnb2ZUHntL1kceh5JUYxjoOMTEqAEPk2r9Lhi06MlkJM4ml9T1uWAylkCWAr6PZfnuIoK4_yn1GL989hUSQ1ZkUJI2bDXzh1tWsXpSXCk4TlhFeMdCteGU8/s1600/IMG_2565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovmvdAH5Qxs7z0o_1InMZwnb2ZUHntL1kceh5JUYxjoOMTEqAEPk2r9Lhi06MlkJM4ml9T1uWAylkCWAr6PZfnuIoK4_yn1GL989hUSQ1ZkUJI2bDXzh1tWsXpSXCk4TlhFeMdCteGU8/s640/IMG_2565.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Despite the packaging being ugly as ugly can be, Maybelline's 24hr Color Tattoo has become a much loved staple in my makeup collection. As a gel-cream eyeshadow (and an entirely impulsive buy) it is an amazing product as the base for a bold, dramatic look or, used sparingly, a quick, glamorous fix on its own.<br />
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The promise of a long wearing, intense, metallic eyeshadow ticked all the right boxes for me so I bought the gorgeous shade '35 - On and On Bronze' from Boots for £4.99 which is a bargain and a half. I chose this shade because the copper coloured metallic was the only one that seemed to be a fail-safe; the others could have had me teetering on the edge of tacky and nobody wants that risk!<br />
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For a night out I will start by packing the colour onto my lid with a dense, synthetic brush or my finger, as a base for a brown smokey eye. The colour itself is so intense and pigmented that it could be used alone, leaving the option of building with other colours for depth. The formula is not heavy at all, it blends out brilliantly and lives up to it's name by lasting perfectly all night. I like to think that this is a dupe for MAC's constructivist paint pot although it boasts more golden than red tones.<br />
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'Permanent Taupe' and 'Immortal Charcoal' are the other shades I would like to purchase but the bright turquoise and gold frighten me a little to much for now, probably best to save them for days when I'm feeling a little braver.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuu66kfLSHEJH-8hUZxoWOkW6hlQJzLXjjGpWTLpcovF_mu6bWLrHNcnvnB9z5cHOyStbaoOBXSXISrieOLoxlRGrLyCa-TqjlVO9sNwx_kCCfeLuJxFZJMdhiKcVulfDD3XILN4vYIUs/s1600/IMG_2573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuu66kfLSHEJH-8hUZxoWOkW6hlQJzLXjjGpWTLpcovF_mu6bWLrHNcnvnB9z5cHOyStbaoOBXSXISrieOLoxlRGrLyCa-TqjlVO9sNwx_kCCfeLuJxFZJMdhiKcVulfDD3XILN4vYIUs/s400/IMG_2573.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*photos used above are my own</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-40579387305330259982012-11-18T08:05:00.001-08:002013-03-08T04:20:37.374-08:00Autumn/Winter Lipstick Picks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOUU1G9uV2FdtdMaSVDevusRwcxHc5kNRWi_hmhhcwgFDAAqJoxz8L1ZYrCuhW6SJ74ukN5mFeH2dvvBcKZSUs03VPGcg-bR4hI_bfraIjIQ1aFUUIyqf8ZOp89AORlXOdBrN1ig_m1Y/s1600/IMG_2487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOUU1G9uV2FdtdMaSVDevusRwcxHc5kNRWi_hmhhcwgFDAAqJoxz8L1ZYrCuhW6SJ74ukN5mFeH2dvvBcKZSUs03VPGcg-bR4hI_bfraIjIQ1aFUUIyqf8ZOp89AORlXOdBrN1ig_m1Y/s640/IMG_2487.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I've found myself sporting a bold lip quite often at the moment. When days are dull, it's a perfect pick-me-up to swipe a bold colour across the lips and face the day. These are the four shades I've found myself reaching for the most...</div>
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Rimmel's Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick in shade 01 (top right) is a classic phone-box red. At £5.50 from Boots or Superdrug it's a seriously affordable way to achieve this iconic, hollywood red lip. I find its creamy finish doesn't dry out my lips at all whilst, as the name suggests, lasting all night. I tend to blot and reapply a handful of times for a night out to ensure it's staying power. The only thing I'm desperate for now is a lipliner for that extra oomph.. (Hello Santa!)</div>
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Next up is MAC's Diva (bottom right). This was definitely a spontaneous purchase about 4 months ago, I was in a naughty mood and found myself swatching a million lipsticks searching for a pretty statement shade; I certainly found it! I must admit the photo is not incredibly true to colour as it seems just a deeper red. In fact, Diva is a deep berry/burgundy colour; perfect for autumn nights AND days, I've been wearing this non-stop. Diva is a matte finish so can be a little drying but I avoid this by applying a generous amount of my Burt's Bees lip balm beforehand. I love wearing this with really subtle eye and base makeup, making my lips the focal point and giving a really gothic, bold look. Gorrgeous. (£13 MAC)</div>
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An oldie but a goodie; I pinched this Estée Lauder Intense Lip Creme in 705 Neon (bottom left), from my mum's makeup drawer. Never one for wearing a bright pink lip, this is a bit of a surprise pick for me! What I love most about this lipstick is how it feels on my lips as it's extremely creamy and hydrating. I find it's staying power is brilliant and because it is a blue toned, hot pink, my teeth gleam!</div>
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(I can only assume my mum picked this up in House of Fraser quite a while ago but it can be found <a href="http://www.wowhd.co.uk/beauty/electric-intense-lip-creme-no-705-neon/dp/1599749" target="_blank">here</a> for £22. )</div>
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Last but certainly not least is undoubtedly my favourite discovery of the year; MAC's Brave (top right) is the perfect everyday 'your lips but better' lip colour. It's satin finish leaves my lips feeling ultra smooth but not glossy and OTT for everyday wear. Brave instantly boosts my complexion on dreary days - I'm sure to be repurchasing this for many, many years to come. (£13 MAC)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">*photos used above are my own</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-30897644644433197272012-11-13T10:16:00.002-08:002013-01-24T02:05:18.193-08:00Rodial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Moisturiser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXcy4MQSDCsyyk07mIgAiSAJWyXcOxHhNoxkrc2cUSLNnD-1yQ0lxU3mDs2hEvwIPiE3IP2pIygsEpKdksby8K2CygpOWc-8w-LllD12GZmHLcwPwzPN55OVTQJDjJ1Fwr3eY3Vl5XL4/s1600/IMG_2466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXcy4MQSDCsyyk07mIgAiSAJWyXcOxHhNoxkrc2cUSLNnD-1yQ0lxU3mDs2hEvwIPiE3IP2pIygsEpKdksby8K2CygpOWc-8w-LllD12GZmHLcwPwzPN55OVTQJDjJ1Fwr3eY3Vl5XL4/s640/IMG_2466.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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It seems as though skincare is my new obsession; discovering products that dramatically improve my skin or make it feel totally nourished really excite me (..is that lame?) I've always had pretty blemish prone skin and have never been very happy with it but I'm absolutely determined to, one day, achieve 'perfect' skin. Who doesn't? I have normal skin with my T-zone being the particularly oily area so I don't like to use heavy products that will clog my pores or sit on top of my skin.</div>
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Moisturisers always have been a pretty grey area for me as I always tended to share my mum's Dermalogica Active Moist. This moisturiser is great but I never felt like I got a real kick out of using it; I suppose my skin was in that horrible teenage stage when I used Active Moist so perhaps it makes me think of that? I don't know.. Moral of the story is, I fancied searching for something new, with added oomph.</div>
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I nipped into SpaceNK and asked the assistant if she could point me in the right direction of a light weight moisturiser that would give a brightening and smoothing effect to my skin. Rodial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Moisturiser, she said, was a miracle moisturiser; a bold statement. I'm writing this post having freshly slathered this on my face, so, here's to an of-the-moment review.</div>
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I have to firstly mention that it smells so gorgeous, (to be entirely honest, it was the thing that made me sway towards buying it) it's exotically fruity - probably the 'dragon's blood' which is said to be from the red sap of the 'sangre de drago' tree (literally translated as 'dragon's blood', originally from South America). This is said to provide a protective layer for your skin and contains anti-inflammatory properties, I definitely noticed this working as my skin has calmed down in redness after using it. Working with this is gransil, which supposedly acts as a corrector for skin tone, again, cooling down that redness that tends to appear on my cheeks and chin. This is a great moisturiser for all skin types because the hyaluronic acid works on firming and smoothing the skin whilst the gransil further helps lessen the appearance of lines.</div>
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I use only one pump morning and night after cleansing and really spend time working it into my skin, it then absorbs into my skin beautifully. Due to changing up my whole skincare routine recently I can't tell the degree to which this has improved my skin but it has certainly played a part. I've been using it for about 3 weeks now and my skin is noticeably brighter and firmer. I used to wake up in the morning and my skin would feel oily, a little tacky even. This leaves no film at all and I can feel it getting to work the instant I pop it on.</div>
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Mmmm delicious smelling goodness.</div>
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I was lucky enough to have been given this product but at around £45 it is a big buy. Extremely big. However, you are certainly paying for brilliant results. This is the first product I've purchased from Rodial and I'll definitely be paroozing their shelves more to discover more.</div>
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Has anybody else tried any Rodial products? What other brilliant moisturisers do you swear by?<br />
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xx</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-91953872576851014082012-11-10T11:48:00.001-08:002012-11-19T12:19:44.587-08:00L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Excess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp6ZTu6-AXoVqXbYKRBM3Iq_tOxzdV0sUwazI4cww_vq55FqwGRnUjtMvg725chqn-SJbvrNEvdBoE55_gPshvSxAXKcLQHmNM4KYRrLq-g_5htqo8ocJxX9gCjJJ9U5LU3FmNTJpCOM/s1600/IMG_2472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp6ZTu6-AXoVqXbYKRBM3Iq_tOxzdV0sUwazI4cww_vq55FqwGRnUjtMvg725chqn-SJbvrNEvdBoE55_gPshvSxAXKcLQHmNM4KYRrLq-g_5htqo8ocJxX9gCjJJ9U5LU3FmNTJpCOM/s640/IMG_2472.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndJEuWYQwWx9q21xiaATwI7-ra2NDTMD2E7EGH3I5UIi07yVHe3AI4WobSL99aXx-syHmoi8Rc9vulzrS4xNn0vPB6ek2iowJJ23U2NLfUNqCbxophUQM_D4HaUAY1uQAXtSNqAd6CjY/s1600/IMG_2476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndJEuWYQwWx9q21xiaATwI7-ra2NDTMD2E7EGH3I5UIi07yVHe3AI4WobSL99aXx-syHmoi8Rc9vulzrS4xNn0vPB6ek2iowJJ23U2NLfUNqCbxophUQM_D4HaUAY1uQAXtSNqAd6CjY/s640/IMG_2476.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's taken me a while, but I'm almost certain I have found my holy grail mascara. Having experienced my fair share of products that promise one thing but deliver the opposite, products that have zero lasting power and products that make my lashes clump in ugly clusters; I was a woman on a mission.</div>
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Previously pretty impressed with L'Oreal's Volume Million Lashes, (the original) when I saw the 'excess' version in Boots it seemed silly not to give it a whirl. It really is just an improved version of the original, as obvious as that may seem. The plastic wand isn't too big as it allows you to get into the hard to reach corners and distributes the formula so evenly along each lash individually; my lashes are given such a glamorous fanned out effect. It seems as though the formula has been changed slightly as I find the colour far more intense and unlike it's predecessor, the 'excess' doesn't flake at all. This mascara is buildable so is suitable for minimal makeup but also a heavier look for a night out, I find this is because as you add more layers your lashes don't become weighed down and clumpy.</div>
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I'm seriously impressed with this product and for a reasonable £10.99 it can do no wrong. Ladies, my hunt is potentially over... Any more holy grail mascaras out there?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-12703539716669290072012-11-08T13:47:00.001-08:002012-11-19T12:19:58.272-08:00Life through Instagram #4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbGVLWjiAwy16RjnP13E11AHD_ujmDeItH2pgYZyUkHOvvzWs2tB5GuVIYRUDrw2SkELaI5MJAtyoz33h06KjIDJUr_6uNyqpQ6Pl-qvmLjWk3zJkwOdn4XCcKvvatdTzxlk-2LrT1SA/s1600/IMG_2532.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbGVLWjiAwy16RjnP13E11AHD_ujmDeItH2pgYZyUkHOvvzWs2tB5GuVIYRUDrw2SkELaI5MJAtyoz33h06KjIDJUr_6uNyqpQ6Pl-qvmLjWk3zJkwOdn4XCcKvvatdTzxlk-2LrT1SA/s1600/IMG_2532.PNG" /></a></div>
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1. Homemade cranberry & banana granola bars for snack time at Uni! 2. Hot cinnamon doughnuts with strawberries & chocolate dipping sauce at Bills. 3. A hot chocolate for me and a latte for Jon at the Small Batch Coffee Co. - beautiful (wish I could do that!) 4. Allie in Brighton Coffee Co. with a chickpea salad and a savoury pancake (mozzarella, tomato and parma ham - seriously delicious!) 5-8. Halloween night out! 9. My first go at the skeleton makeup; bigger photograph below. 10. Date night alone in bed with 50p tortillas, 30p hummous and of course Keith Lemmon. 11. Having a play with makeup - grey smokey eye with ombré brows and lips. 12. Mum & Dad taunting me on holiday in Venice whilst I froze in my silly student house doing work - weep :( 13. A misty sunset from my bedroom window. 14. The girls and I before a night out. 15. Radical dragon's blood moisturiser - smells SERIOUSLY incredible (review to come..) 16. Mum had collected all my new magazines together ready for my return home :)</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-33863693022798538912012-11-02T07:19:00.001-07:002012-11-19T12:20:21.463-08:00Halloweeeen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOEr2U1K-jhKPvv0j64LjmgVRZsE_enL2k7V98fKaJMWZkQ1yLKic7NXiXhasHne5sU-XoW92pm0HMmBqvWq7PeX1mxLniQqxNpzneu9vC8aJCzgnOfsEBOuv5tkmW3LU64iQoV7aS44/s1600/IMG_2447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOEr2U1K-jhKPvv0j64LjmgVRZsE_enL2k7V98fKaJMWZkQ1yLKic7NXiXhasHne5sU-XoW92pm0HMmBqvWq7PeX1mxLniQqxNpzneu9vC8aJCzgnOfsEBOuv5tkmW3LU64iQoV7aS44/s640/IMG_2447.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Since being without my camera for the week has disallowed me from taking photos to pair with blogging I thought I would share a little challenge I'm pretty pleased with from this week. My friend and I wanted to recreate Lady GaGa's 'Born this Way' skeleton look for halloween so after looking at a handful of pictures and watching a few videos I gave it a whirl myself. For this I used Maybelline's gel eyeliner in black and an Esteé Lauder grey eyeshadow. This was pretty effective as the shading gives a really great 3D effect - I won't lie, I was pretty scared of myself.</div>
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What did everyone else go as for Halloween?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KvMxKXxpz4gL99dMqTEKYAOwV_ZU6jkDqq4LaVR9lDUlw-WWPVT9VLvyY9dGPkRJ3dAjYfG_J9UkMt5j4EurKVW-Oj0qyKq9Gy-rPpMQh_yExjYlezsWLXw3wXIoHb2LIk64N_YNHEw/s1600/IMG_2491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KvMxKXxpz4gL99dMqTEKYAOwV_ZU6jkDqq4LaVR9lDUlw-WWPVT9VLvyY9dGPkRJ3dAjYfG_J9UkMt5j4EurKVW-Oj0qyKq9Gy-rPpMQh_yExjYlezsWLXw3wXIoHb2LIk64N_YNHEw/s640/IMG_2491.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHOnr8goeJhlf3jSBaj99r8I1-ejJDrlvkmHpC1G1oDe_0uNVBtRjnmliWaJ8GiWOaWGN8tZBvP63AJc0KPEpR7oNbxOpISearfcrEKNeMeNUQ-wpcGz37Y8H5f0t1lNf47L4e2UPbHs/s1600/IMG_2488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHOnr8goeJhlf3jSBaj99r8I1-ejJDrlvkmHpC1G1oDe_0uNVBtRjnmliWaJ8GiWOaWGN8tZBvP63AJc0KPEpR7oNbxOpISearfcrEKNeMeNUQ-wpcGz37Y8H5f0t1lNf47L4e2UPbHs/s640/IMG_2488.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05148914885760364866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7636439397183757937.post-68637053243857917662012-10-20T06:48:00.004-07:002012-11-19T12:20:36.027-08:00A Cold Weather Survival Kit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7NblgclHL1qE727s6pdnvE17AAoNR0j3LemWqnY3Mhyphenhyphen4udEFE2fbs8Jimgl0SqiNHg99628f32imSb9C74qSnQncutF24cEdBpIumS1qyGrLDD0KpL8bcVnQ2uRjvQ8-D8zgOTPXhJw/s1600/IMG_2265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7NblgclHL1qE727s6pdnvE17AAoNR0j3LemWqnY3Mhyphenhyphen4udEFE2fbs8Jimgl0SqiNHg99628f32imSb9C74qSnQncutF24cEdBpIumS1qyGrLDD0KpL8bcVnQ2uRjvQ8-D8zgOTPXhJw/s640/IMG_2265.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It is that time of year again when the temperature drops, an umbrella is a handbag essential and hot water bottles are night time saviours. Whilst the transition from summer into chillier and darker days is often a favourite amongst many; leaves falling off the trees, crisp mornings and excuse to whip out the snuggliest hats, scarves and gloves, the beauty side of things suffers for all. Without fail I manage to get at least 5 cold/flu periods at this time of the year, so it's safe to say I've had my fair share of small survival kits for when I am caught off guard at university red nosed and haggard.</div>
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I have put together the ultimate beauty must-haves for such occasions; they are simple and compact, carefully selected for slight touch ups required for that coffee with a friend after a long day in class feeling under the weather.</div>
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Beginning with nails, I have popped in the Jessica Restoration Basecoat for Post-Acrylic or Damaged Nails. As an acrylic addict, I recently took a break from a lengthy obsession to give my natural nails a break in the hope of growing them long. This varnish dries exceptionally quickly which is so handy when on the go and creates a really strong barrier on top of your nail, ensuring they are protected against harsh weather and avoiding the horrible peeling or snapping we all resent. I saw a huge improvement in the growth of my nails as well as the condition. This can be purchased online from lookfantastic.com but don't be put off by the hefty price tag of £17.50 - it is definitely worth your money and lasts for a very long time.</div>
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Next up in my kit is the Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream. I do not have a holy grail hand cream because frankly, I just don't get on with them. I tend to find hand creams generally leave me with a film on my skin, occasionally feeling quite greasy and can't wait to get it off again. This moisturizing cream is the perfect all-rounder. I prefer to dab small amounts of this vitamin-enriched, light moisturiser across my knuckles and around my nails. This way, the areas feeling dry or neglected get a nice, intense treatment without coating my palms and entire hands up to my wrists in cream. What's more, in bitterly cold weather, my hands feel even colder when I slather hand cream all over them. Moaning aside, this product is incredible; I use it very sparingly around my nose when it feels a little dry and cracked from its close relationship with tissue after tissue. Rather than sitting on my skin, the formula absorbs quickly and drastically improves the condition of my skin. A multi-functional product like this one is exactly what is needed for ease in the colder months. If I am caught short without my lip balm, this also steps up to the mark and serves me perfectly; at £13.50 from SpaceNK I will certainly be repurchasing this product for many, many years to come.</div>
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Burt's Bees is my brand of choice in terms of lip balm this year; with ingredients including beeswax, coconut oil, sweet almond and a hint of peppermint, this balm is extremely nourishing and whilst it is an oil-based formula, I find it lasts a very long time on my lips rather than sliding off after half an hour. The peppermint adds that fresh sensation to my lips which illogically gives me an indication it's getting to work. The smell is divine and a little goes a very long way in this little tin; I picked this one up from John Lewis for £3.70 last year but have only developed an adoration for it now.</div>
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Collection's Lasting Perfection concealer in Medium 3 is a staple to brighten underneath my eyes and conceal redness around my nose, its creamy texture means it does not cling to dry areas of my skin, instead, I actually feel as though it is giving me a touch more moisture to my tired eyes. This product is an essential because it instantly brightens my face and gives me the boost I need without reapplying a whole face of makeup.</div>
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Finally, to avoid looking washed out and poorly I throw in a firm favourite lipstick - Brave by MAC. It is a satin finish meaning it has a matte effect without drying my lips and the colour is such a warm pink, instantly lifting my complexion, making me feel and look as though I am not suffering immensely and wishing I was back in bed!</div>
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All of these products are miracle products in my opinion as they have a simple purpose and serve that purpose perfectly. They suit me and my routine as I am often in need of a pick-me-up on the bus into university or rushing between lectures. Aside from these essentials I always carry Anti-Bacterial hand gel to kill any germs before using my fingers to apply any of the above products to my face. Needless to say I am never without a travel pack of Kleenex tissues with balsam; they are the softest out there and take care of my little hooter, nor do I leave the house without a bottle of water and paracetamol!</div>
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Have you ever found any hand creams that do not leave a greasy residue? Which products are handbag essentials for you in the colder months?</div>
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