Tag Archives: beaute

A shift on my skincare routine

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

Image skincare - So Many Lovely ThingsFrom time to time I like shifting my skincare routine and over a month ago I introduced five Image Skincare products to it. I had never heard of the brand, so was very excited to see that they are paraben free and have an extensive range catering for all different skin concerns.

After describing my skin, I was sent a mix of products from a few ranges, including the gorgeous the Vital C Hydrating Anti Ageing Serum, the Ageless Total Eye Lift Cream, the Prevention+ Daily Matte Moisturiser, the fabulous ClearCell Salicylic Clarifying Gel Cleanser and the Biomolecular Hydrating Recovery Masque.

I used them almost exclusively for over 4 weeks and here’s what I found…

The serum

Because I am a sucker for serums, that’s where I’m gonna start: the Vital C Hydrating Anti Ageing Serum (£72) is fluid and spreads very well on the skin, sinking quickly. I felt it gives my skin radiance; and that seem to be persisting throughout the day and not only in the morning.

Image skincare - So Many Lovely ThingsThe hydrating serum has oil-soluble Vitamin C which helps soothe the visible effects of environmentally damaged skin. Vitamins A, E and highly potent anti-oxidants help on the nourishment front, for that youthful glow.

Keep it clean!

Image skincare - So Many Lovely ThingsOne product I am in love with is the Clearcell Salicylic Clarifying Gel Cleanser (£28). Foamy and with a light scent, this cleanser makes skin feel super clean and not a tiny bit dry.

I feel it’s been a god send on these hot days where you sweat a lot at night. It contains a 5% blend of salicylic acid, neem leaf extract and granactive acne, and does a decent job of removing makeup, even eye. It has anti-inflammatory properties and gives skin a gentle exfoliation, so perfect for blemish and acne prone skin.

The eyes (always) have it

Now, eye creams are amongst my favourite type of skincare and the Ageless Total Eye Lift Creme (£48) delivers extreme hydration and nutrition to the area. I use at night as it has a richer consistency, but it applies super well and absorbs super quickly, not upsetting my sensitive eyes.

It contains a retinol-derivative glycolic blend  to help tighten the skin, chamomile, green tea and coneflower soothe and a peptide blend to reduce inflammatory processes, as well as potent antioxidants.

Image skincare - So Many Lovely ThingsDaily protection

I was looking for a multitasking face moisturiser and that’s exactly what I found on the oil-free Prevention+ Daily Matte Moisturiser (£46).

With a microsponge technology that absorb surface oils to mattify and leave skin shine-free, a blend of anti-oxidants that scavenge free-radical, and broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 32+, it helps reduce the damage caused by the sun and environmental exposures, so it’s the perfect shield for everyday.

As all other creams from the brand, it applies well, absorbs great and sits amazingly well under makeup. All points!

The treat

Image skincare - So Many Lovely ThingsAnd because everyone loves a sheet face mask, I also tried the Biomolecular Hydrating Recovery Mask (£9), which is laden with concentrated ultra-hydrating ingredients: amino acid Complex, Jeju volcanic oxygen water, Onsen-Sui mineral charged water, hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica extract, portulaca, oleracea extract, green tea, ginseng and beta glucan.

Skin feel plumped and hydrated after use; a real treat (and treatment!) suitable for all skin types.

Overall, a great brand discovery with products that kept my skin in check. And they have so many more exciting products I think would work for me!

You can browse their range on the Image Skincare website.

Also, I tried to take pics where the products live, my bathroom. Needless to say I won’t be doing that again, so the conclusion is the products are WAY better than my photography in this instance…

written by Dani

You know the drill, but I’ll say again: this post contains GIFTED PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

No white marks and a delicious floral touch

Posted in Beauty by

No news I am a huge fan of Dove deodorants and every time I think I found my fragrance (yes, don’t you know they work with real perfumiers de develop the fragrances?!), a new one comes along to rock the boat.

Here’s Dove Invisible Care Floral Touch: add a gorgeous floral scent to the amazing Dove Invisible Care – you know, that one that does not leave marks in 100 colours – and I think it’s a winner.

The scent is quite similar to one of my faves Soft Feel, a tad less powdery, with a delicate and feminine flowery smell. The fact it leaves no marks is a great, especially in the summer when we (well, I) abuse of colourful outfits.

This little gem gives you that reassurance that your underarms are fresh and cared for, let’s remember Dove’s formula cares for the underarm skin, leaving it hydrated and soft, but also that your outfit is safe too, regardless of its colour.

I quickly became a fan and notice straight away when I reach for a deodorant that is not specific for not leaving marks – is there anything more annoying then having to wipe your clothes with a damp towel just before you leave the house?

I also love that Dove Invisible Care invites people to be confident on wearing colour as the effects it has on people’s mood is amazing!

Dove Invisible Care Floral Touch is available as spray (150ml and 250ml), stick (40ml) and roll on (50ml), with prices from £2.49 RRP and it’s available from retailers nationwide.

Keep your eyes peeled as there are always amazing promos on Dove deodorants and every time I see one, I stock up on my faves with that extra value for money!

written by Dani

You know the drill, but I’ll say again: this post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

It’s always all about the red lipstick

Posted in Beauty, Make Up by

I have a (real) thing for blacks, flirt with the purples, dab with the blues and on occasion succumb to a nude, but my lips truly belong to the reds.

There’s not a single other thing that can make me feel like myself and can pick me up when I am down (ok, maybe shoes. Or vodka).

Between blues and oranges, I lean towards the warmer as they suit me better but I feel quite lucky my olive complexion can the cooler reds rather well.

Life wasn’t always like this: I only started using red lipsticks around 12 years ago; bought an inexpensive Sleek number at Superdrug (in Clapham Junction) for fancy dress. Never looked back.

And with Valentine’s around the corner, you may want to invest on a new fiery red.

So I decided to wade through my vast collection of reds and do the most impossible: pick my best 10. Funnily enough, 5 are orange based, 1 is pretty neutral and 4 are blue-ish.

The warmer

No warm is too warm. I actually have a great selection of orange-red lipsticks I actively wear. However, the order of the day is red and I simply cannot rank them, so alphabetical order it will be…

The gorgeous Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in Rouge Feu is stunning; bright with an amazing texture that spreads well with a velvet finish. And lasts soooo well.

Two Charlotte Tilbury feature here: Tell Laura and Love Bite. Both warm and with a great formula, Tell Laura is matte and sharp, which Love Bite has a sheen to it and is less in your face.

GOSH My Valentine lip crayon has some glittery shimmer and is a lovely bright red that is practical to apply.

Finally, a lipstick that has been with me forever: MAC Lady Danger, a fierce red. Super matte, it has a harder formula with great durability.

The cooler

Charlotte Tilbury comes in again with the classic So Marilyn. A great formula, creamy with fantastic finish.

Of course, my gorgeous Christian Louboutin Beauté lipstick in Louboutin Red has to be here. So pretty, with a formula so dreamy I can’t even describe. It is creamy and velvety but settles into a beautiful matte. Durability is exceptional.

GOSH Velvet Touch matter in Classic Red is a true red – not warm, not cool, so a bit out of place in the cooler section, as it’s just in the middle. It has a harder formula, with good durability and amazing value for money.

MAC attacks again, with another shade that has been with me for a long time: Russian Red. A true matte with a hard formula (especially in the winter), it well and truly sticks to the lips.

Walk of Fame, part of Sleek‘s Lip VIP range, is described as a semi-matte. It has the pigmented finish but a smoother, slightly shinier finish.

The extra bits

A while back, I wrote a post on applying red lipstick, and I still follow that “ritual”. It is a life saver, especially in the winter. I also cannot live without a good lip liner and have a few in my collection, on rotation.

What I feel changed the way I apply lipstick is the retractable lip brush. Perfect for your bag, it is small and the fact it’s retractable means there is no mess! The MAC 318 is my go to.

What is YOUR red?written by Dani

You know the drill, but I’ll say again: this post contains a mix of PR samples and purchases. This post however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Leathery nails

Posted in Beauty, nails by

There was a time in my life I was all about the nail art. Not elaborate drawings, but details and ombrés were my favourites.

Fast forward and I am now all about the plain colours and when they come with a differential, I’m all for it.

Meet the essie leathers collection, created by their colour designer Rebecca Minkoff, and inspired by her best selling leather handbag colours.

There are six amazing shades and they come in two sets of minis: one with very autumnal, deep colours and one with winter bright pastels, all reworked.

The finish is not glossy, but not totally matte, with a discreet metallic sheen. Some shades even have a slight texture that can barely be seen.

My favourite has to be the super pale grey lilac Push The Envelope. It’s super versatile, so close to white with a silver glimmer but not harsh. And easy to apply. Love.

The greens are divine – be it minty turquoise Bucket List or viridian Back in the Saddle.

Then there is the lavender shining mauve Cross-Body Heat, blood red Tote-ally In Love and indigo blue In Hot Purse-uit.

I used them without a topcoat (not to spoil the finish) and durability was way better than I expected – a week, no chips.

You will all know how much I love essie nail polishes: the formula, the fabulous brush, the great colours, limited edition collections and even the quirky names, so no surprise I have used each polish for a whole week!

They are available only until the 24th October at Boots for £12.99 a set (3x5ml), so hurry if you fancy a bit of leathery love on your talons!

written by Dani

You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains some PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

You actually scrub up well…

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

You know when your skin feels a bit congested, and no amount of a good cleanser seems to actually make it feel clean?

Enter facial scrubs. I am a huge fan since my skin, with all its issues, seem to demand that, from time to time, a use something less gentle to keep it under control.

And because I like variety and rotate skin products, I decided to share the scrubs that have been keeping my skin in check:

The Alpha H Micro Cleanse Super Scrub (£35.95 for 100ml) has been a favourite for ages. Alpha H has some lovely products all with my dear glycolic acid, which here is at 12%. The formula also contains eco-friendly jojoba beads, caffeine and peppermint, for renewed and refreshed skin.

It’s a fine but tough scrub; it does have at-home microdermabrasion properties and I leave on my face for a few minutes so the glycolic acid can work on the skin.

The Botanics Radiant Youth Microdermabrasion Polish (£9.99 for 125ml) is one of the finest I’ve ever encountered and I love it! So effective yet gentle, it is infused with extracts from the leaves of the Gingko plant and polishes away dead skin to reveal smoother radiance.

In fact, Botanics, which you can get from Boots UK, was one of my biggest budget skincare discoveries this year and I will be soon talking about more products, the company, their love of natural ingredients and how they work with Kew Gardens to deliver the best plant power to our skin!

The gorgeous dermalogica daily microfoliant (£48 for 75g) that has been with me forever! I love this dry rice powder product that releases papain, salicylic acid and rice enzymes when wet.

Can be mixed with water but my best tip is to mix with your favourite foamy face wash. Works a treat for gentle exfoliation and can be used more frequently so super soft skin.

And talking about powders in a tub, meet the Baking Soda Cleansing Scrub (around £7.99 for 125g), which is Bioré‘s answer to the bad boys microbeads.

Activated by mixing with water, it fizzes up for cleansing and gentle exfoliating – and you can make is thicker or thinner, depending on how much exfoliation is required. The fact is completely dissolves helps avoid over-scrubbing.

Of course, scrubbing should be done lightly, in upwards circular movements to also help boost circulation on the skin. Never over-scrub as this can hurt the skin and in case of spots, make them worse!

It is also very important to pick a scrub for your skin type. Sensitive skins will not like it very much and maybe you should opt for a gentle chemical exfoliator instead.

Still, I find the act of using a facial scrub extremely satisfying! Am I alone on that?

written by Dani

You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains some PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

A facial hero

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

I first came across Voya last year, at Organic Beauty Week. In the goodie bag, came a body oil I used to the very last drop, but somehow failed to post about.

Fast forward a year and there they are at Organic Beauty and Wellness Week 2017 and in the bag, the gorgeous My Little Hero Facial Serum.

This organic seaweed face serum is made of a blend of organic oils to boost and protect skin.

Full of antioxidants, it nourishes and improves radiance. I cannot stress enough that oils are suitable to most skins, even the more troublesome ones, like mine.

Oils from sunflower, camelina, coriander, grape, pumpkin, pomegranate and jojoba seed, wheatgerm, geranium, lavender, ylang ylang, palmarosa,  rosehip, vetivert root, bergamot, clove, almond, and avocado are joined by seaweed, green algae, vanilla extracts to form this extremely rich 98% organic oil that sinks deep and very well into the skin.

Because it’s so rich, my skin can only take it at night, and sometimes it’s all it needs. Skin wakes up plump and happy.

Admittedly, it is on the expensive side at £53 for 30ml but we are talking high quality organic skincare that goes a long way.

On the fabulous Angelicus Serratus Nourishing Body Oil (£34 for 100ml) which I used up a while ago, only great notes: very rich but quickly absorbed, perfect for after the shower, leaving skin soft and nourished for ages.

It contains a very pleasant and distinctive smell with citrus and the seaweeds focus and angelicus serratus, which work on elasticity, suppleness and cleansing.

A real delight to apply all over the body, it is full of antioxidant rosehip, sunflower and evening primrose oils, vitamin E, revitalizing lime and rejuvenating mandarin. I was really sad to see the empty bottle, I tell you!

You can get the My Little Hero Facial Serum and the Angelicus Serratus Nourishing Body Oil from the Voya website. Products and treatments can be found at 37 luxury locations, including hotels, worldwide like the Mandarin Oriental in London and the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai, for example. written by Dani

You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Celebrating Real Beauty

Posted in Beauty, Body by

This year, Dove is celebrating 60 years. A lot of those have been spent, apart from caring for our skin, supporting a healthy body image: all shapes and sizes hold #RealBeauty.

We all have our curves, edges and sizes that makes us one of a kind, unique, a very limited edition. So Dove gave their classic body wash a little makeover in these six limited edition 250ml bottles, in different shapes and sizes to celebrate diversity.

Needless to say, I was so glad to receive the bottles for what they remind me of: the sometimes very hard task to love myself as I am.

And it seems I am succeeding a bit when I am thanked for being an “inspirational woman (…) helping advance the real beauty debate; using influence to help women embrace their own individuality as a source of confidence”.

I try that, not only through the way I do love my body (most of the times!) and am not scared to show my individuality out there. Of course I do also look up to other women that make me strong in my quest!

I think recently the Instagram post below says a lot about it.

The body wash is creamy and has a gentle formulation containing NutriumMoisture which delivers natural nutrients, nourishes deep and helps maintain the moisture barrier for soft, comfortable and clean skin.

The Dove Deeply Nourishing Body Wash is widely available (RRP £2.55) and I personally love the smell of the classic!

You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Growing the Chanel love

Posted in Beauty by

chanel-number-five-review-1Some say you mature into liking things you may not have liked when you were younger and with Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum, I can confidently say this was the case.

I first tried the iconic fragrance many years ago, and found its floral aldehyde bouquet of May rose and jasmine, bright citrus top and smooth touch of my favourite vanilla notes rather overpowering and far removed from becoming my scent.

Fast forward a few years and I fell in love with it. And its story: back in 1921, Mlle. Chanel asked for “a woman’s perfume with a woman’s scent”, rare and powerful to be created.

For the first time, aldehydes were use in a perfume and when picking the final product, Gabrielle chose the fifth sample of the fragrance, hence the simple name, N°5.

chanel-number-five-review-2The new fragrance was trapped inside a minimalist bottle, a revolutionary design at the time, with a clean white label and topped with a beautiful faceted cabochon.

The current fuller version of N°5 eau de parfum is inspired by the original fragrance, re-interpreted by Jacques Polge in 1986.

Obviously the perfume remains true to the brand and is a timeless classic. And now part of my scent signature.

chanel-number-five-review-3I still feel it is an evening fragrance and I love catching a whiff of it on my body from time to time throughout the night when wearing it.

N°5 has been reworked many times, and it is now a family of fragrance, including the newest addition, L’Eau.

Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum spray costs £52 for 35ml, £74 for 50ml and £105 for 100ml. You can also get N°5 body lotion, deodorant and body cream, as well as a handy purse spray, which I’m telling you, is an imminent addition to my life!

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Hands, oh so smooth

Posted in Skincare by

crabtree-evelyn-hand-therapy-review-2Pretty sure I raved about how amazing the Crabtree & Evelyn hand therapy creams are (), but it’s never too much in my view.

The Pomegranate, Argan and Grapeseed Hand Therapy is, as the other hand therapy fragrances, a bliss to use.

This hand cream is conditioning and softening, containing shea butter, macadamia, pomegranate, grapeseed and argan oils for deep moisturising and soothing and myrrh to help condition cuticles. The fragrance is tart, with some subtle citrus.

crabtree-evelyn-hand-therapy-review-1The cream applies well, absorbing in seconds – no sticky hands. Because it sinks deep, its long lasting and your hands feel moisturised and protected for a long time.

I am a huge fan and pomegranate has just joined rose and avocado as one my favourite fragrances of this absolutely indispensable classic.

crabtree-evelyn-hand-therapy-review-3The Crabtree & Evelyn Hand Therapy hand cream is available in various sizes, from the travel-friendly 25g (£6), a handbag size 50g (£10) and the bedside table essential 100g (£16) and many fabulous fragrances, including Pomegranate and some very special seasonal ones.

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You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

All night long!

Posted in Beauty, Make Up by

urban-decay-all-nighter-foundation-review-1Pretty much everything Urban Decay does is quite amazing. Proof is that not a days goes by without at least one UD item on my everyday makeup.

I am a huge fan of their All Nighter makeup setting spray so when I heard they were bringing out an All Nighter liquid foundation, I knew I had to try.

Being a night person, nothing makes me happier than a foundation that stays up with me, all night long!

Date got (nicely) out of control and you’re getting that Uber of shame? When they say it’s fit for scandalous activities, they weren’t lying. It does stay (fact) and the ride won’t be that shameful (who am I kidding? I am shameless).

The coverage is full. You need a small amount for the whole face and the finish is matte.

Admittedly, it can show over dry patches (I am on skin medication at the moment so my skin is dry and flaky).

I make sure you super moisturise underneath and have a handy mist to top up during the day, whenever I can. I found that adding a drop of dermalogica phyto replenish oil to the foundation does help in that front.

urban-decay-all-nighter-foundation-review-3

It does not sink on skin imperfections and the .0 shades with a yellow base have no hint of orange, which seems to be the case with some yellow based foundations.

I am using 4.0 which I find is probably a little bit lighter than the Naked Skin foundation 4.0, but still a good match for my skin, especially in the winter.

The formula is waterproof, paraben-free and it indeed blurs the complexion by diffusing light; it is also mattifying and oil-absorbing, thus reducing shine.

urban-decay-all-nighter-foundation-review-2And let’s talk about the packaging? I freaking love it. The steel-look cracked effect is NOT how your skin will look – or your mirror in terror of your reflection, for that matter.

This one came from the fabulous world of Fabled by Marie Claire, bought over Fabled.com and the delivery is free within the 1-hour nominated slot by our friends at Ocado when you spend over £15!

Of course, you can also get it at the Urban Decay website and their flagships stores and concession. The All Nighter liquid foundation costs £27 for 30ml and comes in 24 shades.

You can read more about Fabled – the shop, the online experience, the lot – on a previous post. And you are still on time for my 15% discount code VOU039323938, valid until the 26th October!

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You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.