Author Archives: Dani - So Many Lovely Things

Product review: Glō Minerals lipstick

glo minerals lipstick siren - somanylovelythingsTo me, the colour on this lovely glō Minerals lipstick is better described as an old coral. It’s name is Siren and for some reason I find it quite appropriate.

This came in my glō box a while ago and has seen a lot of outings since. For a red lipstick wearer, this lippy represents a lighter option for day without going to pale.

The lipstick applies really well, it is very pigmented, glides nicely and has an ok smell – it is almost imperceptible, to be honest, and it is not sweet.

It s finish is something close to matt, but a little satin-y. It has good staying power; I like it that when it fades it leaves a bit of a stain behind, so the lips still have some colour.

Click on the images to enlarge

Lipstick in Siren and micro lip liner in Pale Magenta
Detail of the micro lip liner in Pale Magenta
On my lips – pretty!

This didn’t dry my lips and sometimes I use it with the glō Minerals Micro Lip liner in Pale Magenta, which is a good colour to wear with pinks and pinky corals. The liner glides and blends well with the colour, not interfering. I use it with MAC’s Impassionate too!

Packaging is very nice, just like their mascara: matte and shiny silver with a really nice weight to it.

Overall a good lippy and liner – and they have other great colours to.

To purchase the glō Minerals lipsticks and liners in these and many more colours, head to the glō Minerals website, where you will also find other great products, such as the glōLash Lengthening mascara and the glō Minerals Ultra brush (which I LOVE!).

This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Product review: Blank Canvas Cosmetics Double ended eye brush set

My love for make-up brushes is no secret. Since I got my first brush set (a special edition MAC face basics), I could never let go.

So it is not surprise I was extremely excited to try this handy double ended set of eye brushes from Blank Canvas Cosmetics – and what an introduction to the brand it was!

The set contains five brushes and they are all double ended, meaning you have a pro kit of eye brushes in a very slim case – and only five brushes. They are  Double Ended Pencil/Flat Shader Brush( E23/24), Blending Duo (E25/26), Double Ended Mini Detailer/Eyeliner (E27/28), Double Ended Tapered Crease Blender/Smudger (E32/33) and the Double Ended Brow/Spoolie (E30).

This is perfect to have on the go or on holidays! And the quality of the tools does not disappoint – on touch, they really reminded of my MAC brushes.  And upon use, the impression didn’t fade, especially the pencil brush (a favorite of mine for precision smoking) and the flat shader (a daily staple), which are in the same brush! The bristles are soft when they need to be, harder but gentle whey they need to be they are precise.

If I have to point out one very minor issue is that, beacuse they are double ended, sliding the brush into the elastic band holder within the case it a bit tricky, just to avoid hitting the bristles in it and damaging them. Maybe a clip holder would be better! However, I’ve been keeping them loose in the case (it is so slim they barely move anyway!).

This kit retails for £56.09, a great value of less than £6 per brush type, and guaranteed to cater for all your eye make-up needs!

Overall, I am chuffed with this set – I’ve used it so much already – and glad it came my way.

To get your hands on one of the Double ended eye brush set, go to the Blank Canvas Cosmetics website  – you can also check out their wider selection!

This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Nails of the week: Spotty blue and yellow

blue and yellow spotty nails - somanylovelythings

It had been a while since I had a spotty manicure on. I’ve been meaning to do one for ages, and this week I finally got round to it!

I went for a pastel colours version: blue and yellow. This blue, Oxford from Nails Inc, has been a favourite for a very long time. The yellow came in the same set, and is called Wimbledon.

blue and yellow spotty nails - somanylovelythings

I used my one of my dotting tools to get the dots close to perfect (they never are!). Overall, a very easy mani to do, and very cute.

The polishes apply ok. As they are a bit on the old side, they stained a bit. I used two coats of the blue and three of the yellow.

blue and yellow spotty nails - somanylovelythings

Extra shine was given with the Seche Vite topcoat and durability is always fantastic with Nails Inc polishes!

Rating:

4_star

Current shoe affair – Schutz fringe sandals

schutz fringe sandals - somanylovelythingsYou might judge me for my shoe promiscuity, but I have no shame. I have a new affair, and I am not hiding it. You can love different shoes in different ways. I am not a one-shoe kind of woman, one is not enough and I am very proud of it.

Excuses aside, I am always falling in love with shoes, and here is the flavour of the month: these amazing black suede barely there high heels sandals with a fringe cuff around the ankle. The uber sexy fringes sweep around your ankles when you walk – or dance. Just HOT!!! And for this reason alone they have been elected my Ibiza sandals, for when I am strutting my stuff around the white island in a few weeks. Plus, they are comfy!!!

schutz fringe sandals - somanylovelythings

They are from Schutz, one of my long time favourites shoe brands in Brazil; this one is called sandália folk franjas preta, from their Folkloric collection. And they were a gift. Yes, a gift from a lovely friend who brought them all the way from home. You know when it is love when people give you shoes, right? Thank you Lu <3.

How long will this affair last? I suspect that in this case, what happens in Ibiza, does not just stay in Ibiza!

See you for the next pair! x

Simple skincare new products at London blogger event

simple skincare - somanylovelythings

New Simple products – pretty and good to the skin!

I was delighted do be invited to attend the Simple skincare blogger event which took place at Kettner’s in central London.

Basically, the evening was divided in pretty much what the Simple Sense skincare routine online tool is about; looking after your skin as a whole, including your body, inside and out,  through three points: skincare (the right products, routine, application), exercise and nutrition.

Upon arrival we were faced with a tough choice of amazing skin loving mocktails, prepared by Fiona Hunter, the Simple nutritionist. I went for a deliciously tropical mango combination and loved it.  Fiona also was at hand to create personalised smoothies (I ended up with a fantastic apple, avocado and melon mix) and give advice on particular nutritional concerns. Invaluable information!

Click on the images to enlarge

Loads of products
The much loved existing line
New kids on the block – and my mocktail
Pretty boxes of products and attentive bloggers
Caroline Frazer giving tips!
And here Caroline tells us how it’s done!
Bloggers pay attention to Anna’s demostration
More exercises? My face hurts!
Oh, the macarons….
Pretty decorations – and oh, my mocktail, again!
Skin loving ingredients for smoothies
More ingredients – are you feeling brave?

I was introduced to the amazing new products from the Simple Kind to Skin+ range. We all know Simple has skin loving ingredients, the products are formulated for sensitive skin and they unbeatable value for money; you can rest assured the new additions don’t deviate from that.

Here’s what Simple has for you:

  • Simple Kind to Skin+Perfecting BB cream – their first ever beauty balm; it is one colour suits all and blends really well on a various skin tones, as tried by the bloggers present. RRP £8.99
  • Simple Kind to Skin+ Illuminating Radiance cream – with light reflecting minerals to capture light; brightening. RRP £8.99
  • Simple Kind to Skin+ Protecting moisturiser with SPF30 protects against UVA and UVB rays and contains sweet almond oil. RRP £6.99
  • Simple Kind to Skin+ Sun-Kissed moisturiser – for the face, gradually builds up a tan and contains vitamins E and B5. I have been using the Simple Sun-Kissed moisturiser  (read the review), and love it. This has been slightly reformulated for the line re-launch, I am told. And if it is great now, I have no doubt this will be even better! RRP £4.99
  • Simple Kind to Skin+ Radiance brightening wipes and Simple Kind to Skin+ brightening eye make-up remover pads – RRP £3.99 and £2.99 respectively.
  • Simple Kind to Skin+ moisture boost hydro mist – helps refresh and hydrate the skin throughout the day. RRP £5.99

The creams are all very light on the skin! The radiance cream delivers a very glowy effect, and is great under make up to illuminate the complexion and boy, I love a mist. My favourite, however, has to be a fantastic Protecting moisturiser with SPF 30, and I’ll say it again – with RRP of £6.99. Yes, you read right. Under £7!!! Amazing.

If all that wasn’t enough, Caroline Frazer, a make-up artist and Simple’s skin expert and brand ambassador, was at hand really drilling down on the correct four step skin routine (cleanse, tone/polish, treat and protect!) giving out personalised tips and showcasing the products.

The tough but girly personal trainer Anna Reich, who is Simple’s fitness expert (and also lovely and super funny!) was there to offer great fitness advice, as well as introduce me to face yoga – and even demonstrating some exercises to tackle most common face problem areas, dubbed as the “biceps curls for you face!”.

The principle does make sense – if you look after the muscles on your face, just like your body, they will tone and perk and this will also help delay the dreaded effects of time! I have a cheek video of Anna showing how to do one of the 18 exercises in the face yoga programme.

Top it all off with great canapés (oh-so-tasty pink macaroon with creamy goats cheese – who would’ve said, trust me, it is lush!), lovely people (other bloggers, PR and the Simple guys) and a superb goodie-bag (which will fuel the blog for quite some time!) and you have a not only a fun, fantastic evening but also a very informative one.

Cannot wait to start telling you about the products! Trial has already started!!!

Don’t forget you can create your own tailored routine at the Simple Sense online tool and the new products are hitting the shelves of retailers nationwide in September, when you can get all the info on them on the Simple website.

What I’ve been wearing – 02/08/2013

Finally, a more summery post! It’s been a long time coming, and the pins are out for good (ish!).

Here is a combination of some new pieces and some memories of summers past which I still treasure and wear quite a bit!

20130724-095532.jpg

Red and white full skirt dress from H&M, nude sling back midi heel sandals from Topshop, rings from Primark and Forever 21. Lipstick is MAC So Chaud. 20130724-095545.jpgBright colours short-sleeved shirt from New Look, black cigarette trousers from H&M, black patent peep-toes from Ibiza, necklace from H&M, rings from H&M, Topshop and New Look.

20130724-095552.jpgFlowery shirt dress from Primark, black patent peep-toes from Ibiza, rings from H&M and Forever 21. Lisptick is Glo Minerals Siren.

20130801-181749.jpg

Venice print dress from New Look, nude slingback sandals from Topshop, rings from H&M, Forever 21 and Topshop, bracelet from Primark.

20130801-181659.jpgBlack t-shirt with white collar from Primark, below the knee black patterned skirt from a shop in Stratford centre (bargain of the summer – £5!!!!!!!), black patent peep-toes from Ibiza, rings from New Look, Forever 21 and Topshop.

What’s your style favourites this summer?

x

Product review: He-Shi Dark Foaming mousse

He-shi dark foaming mousse - somanylovelythingsFirst I tried the liquid tan from He-Shi and loved it. Thought I couldn’t really find another product that I would like as much… until I tried their dark foaming mousse.

When you pump it, the dark supple foam comes out. Application is great, the foam glides on the skin, the fact it is dark makes it easy to see where you applied and it fries very quickly. Immediately, you can see a darker tone, but this will develop over eight hours leaving you with a great glow.

It works the same way as the Express Liquid Tan I reviewed before, but I think I prefer the foam type!

The lovely colour last for about five days too, it is pretty much smell free and doesn’t transfer!

I am really in love with the He-Shi products – although I am admittedly laying off them for the moment as I have a great natural tan, fruits of my France holiday. But I will be hanging on to it, topping it up with He-Shi!

This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Nails of the week- bright orange

orange nails - somanylovelythings

This week my nails seem like a tribute to Magic, our goldfish – they are bright orange with some golden shimmery glitter flakes. Very goldfishy!

I used Kiko’s pure orange, 280 in Orange – it is a great solid colour with a very glossy finish. Application was alright, I wish their brush was wider; the colour is well pigmented, but stains a bit, so I put two generous coats and it looked fab.

orange nails - somanylovelythings

But I don’t do simple, so I had to add a flaky on top. I used Sancion Angel Jóias do Nilo in Silex (from Brazil). This flaky has a reddish jelly base which applied colourless. The glitter flakes shift from a greeny gold to yellow gold and orange and after drying it looks a little bit matte; this polish hasn’t got that amazing shiny finish. So enters the topcoat!

orange nails - somanylovelythings

Overall, I really liked the effect, durability was ace.

Rating:

3_star

Product review: Glō Minerals Smoky eye kit

glo minerals eye shadow quad - somanylovelythingsMy wonderful glō Minerals box came with this lovely eyeshadow quad called Smoky eye kit, which contains great neutrals great for everyday wear.

Packaging is nice and compact, great for your make-up bag and comes with a mirror and a guide for the use of colours.

The pigmentation is good, the lighter base colour is really subtle beige with a sheen. The lid colour is a mink shade, with a lovely golden sheen to it. Then the crease colour is a matte (but verging on satin) light brown  and the darkest liner colour is an almost black brown. Brushes pick the product well with little mess.

I used the darker eye liner colour to smoke it even more and give more depth for evening wear, so this is a good day-to-night transition palette.

As with the other glo Minerals I received (gloLash and Ultra brush), I have been using this almost everyday!

You can get the glō Smoky eyes kit and many other items from the glō Minerals UK website.

This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Product review: Cosmetics à La Carte custom blend foundation

cosmetics a la carte custom blend foundation - somanylovelythings

Just for you: it makes you feel special!

After attending Cosmetics à La Carte lovely event to mark their 40th anniversary, I redeemed my complimentary custom blended foundation at their shop in Knightsbridge.

I had the chance to browse through their many products, but Cosmetics à La Carte’s unique selling point is customisation – you get not only foundations, but lipsticks, eye shadows, blushers made especially for you, it is really like ordering à la carte; you have a big menu and put things together the way you like. It is a very useful service to bring discontinued shades you love back to life!

The service was really lovely, and the make-up artist very friendly. After a few tests with different blends and asking my opinion a few times, she set on a blend, then went off to prepare the full size bottle by weighing the right proportions. The good thing is that you can get not only the colour matched to you, but also the texture – she asks what you expect from your foundation, what kind of coverage and finish you’d like to give you something that matches your expectations.  I asked for full coverage and matte finish.

I was quite pleased with the foundation, it has good durability, applies really well and my skin looked good with it on. The coverage is excellent; a very small amount goes a long way and there’s no need to build coverage, but it feels light on the skin. The shade is pinkier that I am used to, but I think is a decent match.

What she used on my face
Various blends
The arsenal
Weighing the right proportion
The blends
Eye shadows
Loads of colours
Lippies

This service is definitely recommended if you think you still haven’t found the best foundation for you, or the ones you tried don’t sit well on your skin. Pop in and they will be happy to help!

The boutique is located at 19b Motcomb Street, Knightsbridge, SW1X 8LB.  You can book an appointment by calling them on +44(0)20 7235 0596 and you can get all the information on products on the Cosmetics à La Carte website.

This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my honest opinion on them.