Tag Archives: beauty

Nails of the week – antique gold

nails in antique gold from somanylovelythingsAntique gold. Well, not quite. I called it like that because I cannot think what colour this is. Weird.

This Gosh Galaxy promised a lot from the bottle – a sort of  antique gold base with some colour shifting between blues and pinks. However, it didn’t delivery upon application.

The colour is intriguing; you can spot the antique gold base and the multicoloured flecks. If you look really carefully, in some lighting, there is a very subtle colour shifting. Sadly, not enough to wow me.

I added a pretty star from Nail Art UK, but not even that could save this mani. A waste of two stars, really…

Polish application was fiddly, one coat is very sheer, I have three on. it doesn’t dry too quickly, so the next coat was a bit gloopy. It seemed to get quite thick quickly. Durability is ok.

Overall, the colour is pretty; I like the base colour, I like the flecks but the fact it was beautifully colour-shifting in the bottle really let me down.

As I wasn’t super happy with it, I slapped Barry M croc black effect on it after a couple days, leaving only the star finger as it was, creating an accent nail, which made the mani more interesting. The crocodile skin effect is cute, very delicate and the texture is not too bad. I could still see some gleaming flecks from galaxy through it. But I encountered the same problem with this as I found with crackle topcoats: the durability is appalling – it flakes away very quickly. Plus, as I applied a couple days after I had my nails done, it wasn’t the prettiest finish, you can see a few untidy bits around the cuticle, it was really hard to clean the excess!

Rating:

3_star

Product review: Beauty Boxes make up brushes

Oh, I was delighted to receive a set of make up brushes from Beauty Boxes. Yes, you remember right, they are the people responsible for that gorgeous Genoa beauty box I can call mine (by the way, we are so happy together).

I got the set that comes in a lovely pouch and comes with 9 brushes: 3 face (duo fibre, blusher and foundation), 5 eye (shading, blending, crease, small shader and angled brushes) and lip liner. It also come with a soft powder puff.  In addition to that, I got the angled contour, the flat powder, a normal powder and a cute kabuki brush in a pouch.

The quality of this brushes is very good, they are all very soft on the skin. All brushes have the brand and also their function printed on – which is excellent for beginners!

Starting with the face, I found the powder and blusher really soft! They pick up product well, and distribute evenly. The foundation brush is also soft but firm enough, also with even distribution. The flat powder and the angled contour are precise. I love the flat powder to apply finishing/setting powder and the angled to chisel cheekbones!  The kabuki performs really well, love it for buffing and blending powders. The only one I wasn’t too keen on was the duo fibre; I use this type of brush to apply serum and then primer. Somehow this one didn’t work as well for me as my current one – but that might be because I am so used to mine. All the others however, are fantastic!

The eye brushes are also great. The shader have the right texture – not too soft, not too hard. The crease and blending ones are fluffy to do the job right and the angled liner is precise. I created this festive gold look using some of them.

The lip brush is also good, although I think it can double up as an eye liner and I don’t line my lips with a brush – I use a pencil!

The set of 9 brushes retails for £71.45 – that is great value at under £8 per brush – really recommend this set, it is a really reliable all rounder. The other four brushes are sold individually and cost between £19.45 and £29.95 and they do free delivery!

For more information on the Beauty Boxes brushes (plus other goods) and to buy online, click here.

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

Nails of the week – purple and glitter

Glitter. Things change but one thing remains: my love for glitter. Actually, it increases. I cannot get enough.  Sparkly sparkly – I definitely suffer from magpie syndrome.

This week I am wearing an amazing deep metallic purple nail polish from Kiko, 255, which is suspended with holographic silver glitter.

To make it even more sparkly, I added some gradual glitter – silver holographic, from Andrea Fulerton (yes, those little puffs are the gift that keep giving!).

And voilá – pretty, shiny, sparkly. Love it. Application was fine, a bit messy with glitter but not too bad. Durability was also great.

Sadly, it didn’t photograph as well as it looked; the first one is definitely the closest. I really tried and this is the best it came out… maybe next time!

purple nails with silver holographic glitter

Rating:

4_star

Product review: Skinetica anti-blemish

skinetica blemish treatmentI was really excited to receive Skinetica – the promise to fight acne alone makes it go half way up in my good books! Having struggled for more than half of my life time with acne, this is an extremely touchy subject for me. Heart pouring posts have been written only to never see the light of day. Maybe one day they will….

But for now, let’s talk about Skinetica, an anti-blemish treatment with no harsh chemicals, no side effects, gentle to the skin, non-toxic, non-staining and non-greasy. Yes, sounds way too good.

The active ingredient is Quaternary Ammonium Chloride with a Sylyl base, to stick to the skin – none of the usual benzoyl peroxides and salicylic acids. Basically, it means that this is straight from a chemistry lab to work at a molecular level on the skin (the particles are really small and absorbed quickly by the skin, staying put) and killing the bacteria.

The packaging is simple: a plastic tube, flip open top, nothing fancy, all functional. It looks like water, the smell is almost nonexistent. The indication is to apply to clean skin (if you apply over a product, it won’t work!) with a cotton wool pad twice a day and let it dry. Once dried, it is chemically inert (it won’t come off or dilute) and you won’t feel anything. You should re-apply every 12 hours, as this is the time one application will keep working, even if you wash your face. I use it morning and evening – I apply it in the morning and after the product is completely dry I put my make-up on as usual and at night, I cleanse my face, let it dry and then apply moisturiser. I have been using it daily fora month now.

This product caught me at the bitter end of my worst breakout in eight years. Yes, awful. I stopped the antibiotics and topical solution (which didn’t seem to be doing much anyway) and  in a brave move, stuck to this. Just this. I must point out that my spots are usually quite deep, medium to large in size and extremely persistent.

So, does it work? Well, for me, I felt it really made spots go away quicker. They don’t become sore and angry anymore. I usually have the type of spots that takes weeks, sometimes months, to vanish, and occasionally culminate in a yellow tip (eeew, I know). I could really feel a difference with this product..

Do I think it prevented  new spots from coming up? Well, I cannot say for sure. I tend to think it did. I certainly have less than I had at the time I started – it is worth pointing out that was an unusually bad patch for me, but the improvement could well be due to the product. I still have a couple, but who knows how it would be now?

Having said all that, what really makes like this even more is that it’s really gentle to the skin. In a sad way, I am used to harsh products – peeling, tightness and redness have been part of my life for a long time. With this product, I had nothing. It has been great; my skin is not dry, irritated or sensitive – just normal. Also, for the first time in my life, I am using only one acne related product on my face on a daily basis. This, for me, is quite something.

At the retail price (under £10 for one bottle, including p&p), there is no way you shouldn’t try if you suffer from blemishes – superficial or deep. I really recommend it, it is really worth a go – and that is coming from someone who tried everything. I mean EVERYTHING. And my skin seems very happy with it.

I will purchase another bottle to keep using, as regular use will have no long term undesired effects – anything to keep the spots at bay, better if it is only one product that works and is not aggressive!

You can find more information about the product and purchase it here.

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

Product review: myface.cosmetics blusher

myface.cosmetics blusher in lady monaco and costa del soul Myface.cosmetics sent me (via their lovely PR guys, NBPR) a lovely bag of products for my skin colour to try a while ago. This brand actually has a complete make-up for different types of complexions: fair, medium and medium dark, with foundation, concealers, powders, lip liners, lipstick and lip glosses in shades designed to suit your skin tone, and categorised as such, thus making the right choice a bit easier. They also have amazing eye shadows, eye liners, mascaras and nail polish!

I have been using some of the eye liners which are fabulous, and amongst the great make-up selection I received, there were two R&B rouge/blushers: lady monaco and costa del soul.

Really great products, very well pigmented, good staying power and easy to blend. Packaging is lovely – a mirror finish case with a small brush inside. It is slightly on the large side though, to carry around your make up back, but it is very slim so it just gets away with it.

Lady monaco is warm pink (but not too pink), almost matt, with a very subtle shimmer. Although the colour is very vivid to the eye, when applied it is very delicate and adds a lovely flush of colour to the cheeks. I tend to avoid pink blushers, but this one is very wearable, especially when wearing pinker lipsticks.

Costa del soul has a more orange based, a dark peach with shimmer without being too “metallic”. I love peach-coloured blushers, so this is a total winner. Again, looks stronger than it turns out on the face; it doesn’t look too harsh, creating a soft hint of colour to the cheeks!

They are now part of my make-up routine!

You can get myface.cosmetics here.

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

Product review: Elemis freshskin skin clear

Sometime ago, I went to the Elemis freshskin event. It was a lovely evening and I left with some great products to try, and met some lovely people.

When trying skin care, I like to use for a few weeks to have a real sense on how my skin likes it, how it reacts to the goodness slapped on it, and if I can see an improvement.

I have been using four products of the freshskin Skin Clear line for the past few weeks now and they have treated my skin very well. If you have been here before, you probably know that although I am not that young, I suffered from severe acne and to this day, I can suffer from breakouts and this is a very touchy subject for me. This event came at a time I had been very upset about the bad breakouts appearing.

I introduced the range to my routine, so I am going to breakdown by product and tell you what I think:

Purifying face wash

What they say: “helps detox and purify the skin. With antiseptic properties, the wash promotes healthy cell growth to repair damaged tissue. White Willow Bark provides gentle exfoliation whilst Cedarwood and Cucumber soothe the skin. Experience an extreme clean.”

What I thought of it: smells very fresh and give you the impression of a really clean skin. A small quantity goes a long way and the smell is fresh, without being overpowering. It does not dry my skin.

Key active ingredients: extract of iris, zinc salt and vitamin A.

Mattifying moisturiser

What they say: “helps control the shine of oily skins. A skin multi-tasker, this reduces T-zone shine within one hour of application and maintains a matt finish for up to 8 hours. Shea Butter helps promote cell renewal, hydrates and protects all day long, whilst reducing redness, inflammation and helps minimise post blemish imperfections.”

What I thought of it: has a rich consistency, but not too much. What I really like about this is that it feels nourishing, is absorbed by the skin very nicely and doesn’t feel greasy. Good to use under make up.

Key active ingredients: seamat, shea butter, bergamot.

Treatment gel:

What they say: “gel to powerfully bust blemishes. With Salicylic Acid to de-clog pores, allowing spots to shrink this multi-tasker reduces swelling and redness around spots, clears blemishes without over drying the skin and encourages fast and effective healing.”

What I thought of it: really like this! It feels a little bit tingly when applied over the spot, and has a calming effect. It doesn’t dry the area, so it can be used over and over again in the same place.

Key active ingredients: extract of iris, zinc salt, vitamin A.

Overnight serum:

What they say: “helps de-clog pores, allowing spots to shrink, without causing sensitivity. It reduces swelling and redness around troublesome spots whilst tightening pores. Whilst powerful anti-oxidant properties aid skin repair and help minimise post blemish imperfections.”

What I thought of it: Can also be used under make up, actually, I used this more during the day than overnight!!! Feels like a good overall healing and maintenance for the whole face, opposed to the “on the spot” gel.

Key active ingredients: slow release salicylic acid, renovhyal and vitamins C & E.

My skin has really calmed down, it is quite visible. Admittedly I’ve been on medication too, but it is the first time I take meds and my skin feels nourished, not dry and flaky, and more plump, healthier.

For me, it seems like a great range to maintain your skin under control, healing and preventing “daily” spots. Of course, if you, like me, suffer(ed) from severe acne, you might have to resort to powerful oral medication or more aggressive topical products. This range, however, seemed to keep my skin happier, even though it was receiving a more aggressive treatment.

The packaging is simple, nice and the blue colour also appeals to the boys! The smells are subtle and herbs-like. All products are free from parabens, SLS, SLES, DEA, mineral oils, artificial colours and silicons.

I do recommend it, not only for younger skin, but also for adults who may still suffer from acne and need a non-aggressive daily treatment line. If you are in this situation, well worth a go, I do know how difficult it is to find something that will agree with problematic skin.

I am keeping them on my daily routine, and I am fully stocked, as I won their competition after the event. Lucky me!

All images are from the Elemis website, where you can also find more information on the products reviewed.

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

Nails of the week – silver holographic nail foils

To make up for the short life of my bead manicure, I had to choose another half-life, or occasion manicure: nail foils.

I love nail foils. They deliver an amazing effect. Truly stunning. But they do last three days. As a busy person, I think a good manicure is made to last at least seven days in a good state. On occasions, I do compromise this conviction for prettiness. Yes. Guilty as charged.

So, after I lost my beads, I decided to fill up the week with these amazing foils from Minx. They have the most amazing selection of designs. I bought I couple over Olympia Beauty a couple months ago.

They were quite easy to apply – just heat with hair dryer, peel and apply on nail, smoothing it, cutting the excess at top and filing to finish. They are extremely thin and sticky, a great sign. But if you make a mistake, like a crease, and have to peel it back to re-apply, you can see the texture of the foils changes, so ideally, do it once. I didn’t manage to do it in one go on all nails, so there were a couple imperfections, but nothing too blatant.

The effect was absolutely stunning. I mean, breath-taking. The rainbow colour shift this silver foil gives is something I never ever saw before.

And it lasted three days, bang on my expectations. So yes, would do again, it would be great it lasted as much people say they could (a week? hahahaha),  but truth is, after three days it looks a bit manky, with jagged edges…. a shame, but well worth it!

Rating:

Stylist Beauty picnic

I was lucky enough to get one of the 100 tickets to the Stylist Magazine Beauty picnic which took place in Manchester Square gardens, in central London. The picnic was part of several events hosted by the weekly free magazine in the run up to their “London edition”,  where they will give a fabulous insight into the capital we love so much.

I attended the event on my own, and I am used to going to this kind of functions solo, but I wasn’t very sure what to expect from the event, where you should take your favourite beauty product and you might be featured in the magazine.

The experience

Overall a delightful experience, just my type of event; I felt pampered, valued and special; the slogan on their massive, pretty sign, in the middle of the garden, really couldn’t sum it up better: “the art of the perfect picnic”. Indeed.

Check my pictures below!

The picnic

Manchester square is a beautiful garden in the centre of London, just behind Oxford street. Upon arrival, some extremely hospitable members of staff would welcome you, hand you a goody bag and a drink – M&S cava, Bucks fizz or juice – and offer you some picnic food: sandwiches, mini sausage rolls, quiches, cocktail sausages and later profiteroles and mini sweet tarts; all provided by Marks & Spencer.

The sight of the tent was glorious; and the fact the had a harpist playing throughout the event just made it even more special.

Treating the readers

Inside, a relaxing yet sophisticated atmosphere, created with flowers, candles, soft seating, mini manicures by Rococo, hand massages and make overs by Space NK. Everyone giving you the beauty treats was very nice and chatty, and so the Stylist magazine team – what a lovely bunch!

My first treat was a blissful hand massage with a beautiful red-head therapist who is also a ring designer (and she designs mermaid themed rings – mind you, she was the picture of a mermaid herself) and followed by a mini make over, with smokey eyes. Fell in love with a brow pencil from a brand I didn’t know, Kevyn Aucoin, so will have to check it out at Space NK.

The queue for the mini manis was quite long (can you blame the girls for going crazy over the amazing shades?),  so I decided against it to appreciate the harpist and chat with other attendees, who seemed to be enjoying the event just as much as me.

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The goods

The good bag was expensive and in-line with the event’s caliber; it contained a lipgloss from Lipstick Queen (RRP £20), a nail polish from Rococo (RRP £12) and a bath/shower gel from Beautannia (RRP £30), all available to purchase from Space NK. Sadly, the lipgloss is not my colour and I haven’t really worn lipgloss for ages; the nail polish is a lovely hot pink, but I have too many of very similar shades, if not the same. Bath/shower gels are just not my thing, I don’t get excited by them (mainly because I cannot have a bath, as my already low blood pressure plummets and I faint, but I might try, it smells great!). Having said all that, I wasn’t expecting to get a goody bag, and it was very thoughtful of the organisers and sponsors to offer one, so the fact that I might not use all the products doesn’t even count for me as a minus. Also, they could make lush gifts, as they are very nice, luxury products on their own right – just unlucky I got the colours I did.

I absolutely love this type of events and wish I attended more;  you always hear they happen, but I suppose it is just a matter of keeping our eyes peeled. And I shall.

Thank you Stylist magazine; I had a FAB time!


The magical Jacques Townhouse

Posted in Accessories, Beauty, Dresses, Fashion, hair, Lifestyle, Make Up by

Yesterday was the last day of the lovely Jacques Townhouse – Chando’s House got an apple and pear makeover into an indulgent girly hotel for this fabulous pop up venue by Jacques Cider.

I am very glad I made it – I certainly had a the most amazing time. Even thought they started the 10- day event with invitation only admission, they soon posted on their Facebook page that invitation was no longer necessary, and people would be served on a first come-first served basis within their daily 17:30 and 19:30 slots. When I first read it, I thought I’d never get in; that there would be long queues (and I really dislike queues, especially after a day at work!), so I decided not to go.  However, the fact that I saw the open invite first thing in the morning on Facebook was, to me, a clearl sign that I should not miss it.

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The entrance to Chandos House was deliciously decorated with apples and pears. Even though I got there at 17:28, there were only around 15 people waiting ahead of me. Soon after 17:30 a bright red lipped hostess came out with a clipboard and the queue started to move, with small groups of people being let in.

The perfect welcome was delivered by the front of house staff, including the fabulous Miss Monroe, in the hotel reception. They enthusiastically (and with impeccable posh accents) told us about the different rooms of the house and what we would in them: the Photo Studio, Wardrobe of Wonders, Trendtellers, Style Bar, Beauty Parlour and Enchanted Garden.

Each one of us was given a little key to the bar, which unlocked your 2 free refreshing Jacques ciders. We were also offered mini doughnuts and I had a bellboy escorting me up the stairs arm in arm to the Wardrobe of Wonders, which were very nice touches!

Keen to unveil the secrets behind each door, I entered the Wardrobe of Wonders, chose clothes from the racks and accessories, and posed for the camera (have to say, I do not think that this was my best shot from the 3 they took – it is not possible!!!). Waiters went around with trays laden with crispy cider, and girls (including myself) shrieked in excitement or burst into laughter when looking for accessories and trying on clothes.

After that, I went into the Trendtellers room, where I created a feather head band and stencilled my own Jacques canvas bag.

With my newly created items in tow, I went downstairs to the Style Bar, and claimed my first drink, an orchard fruits Jacques cider. Glass in hand, I moved on to the Enchanted Garden, exquisitely decorated with all sort of nick knacks. I was offered popcorn and sat around, soaking in the atmosphere and detail (and checking in on Facebook!).

I then moved to the Beauty Parlour, where I had fluttering eyelashes applied, and cheekily asked for a second treat, and spoiled for choice – between eye, lips or face make up, a massage, a hair do or nails painted –  I settled for eye make up. In hindsight, should have gone for a massage, which I really need – however, my “beauty before comfort” motto shouted louder.

With smokey eyes and lashes so fluttery I could have caused a tornado,  I  collected my second beverage, this time a fruits des bois Jacques cider, and went back to the garden, where I just sat and relaxed – until it was time to leave, but not before grabbing my goody bag, which contained another canvas bag and a bottle of cider!

So I made my way home, smiling and marvelling about all the weird and wonderful things I encountered, enchanted and looking forward to next year’s magical townhouse!

Nails of the week (18/07/11)

Posted in Beauty by

purple nail varnishLove this glittery purple nail polish I had long forgotten about. It’s by Colorama, in Roxo Metálico (I bought it in Brazil quite a while ago – and the clue is in the name, which translates as metallic purple. I know – sounds more exciting than that in Portuguese!)

My bf chose it yesterday – and I think it is great – I know it is not a trendy pastel, a hot coral or a classic red, but it certainly has a place in my life! Plus, the fact it is 3 years old and the consistency is still the same – it gives a smooth, thin, perfect coat – makes it worth a go!