Tag Archives: makeup

Indulge on beauty!

Posted in Beauty, Body, hair, Make Up, nails, Skincare by

Beauty. Heaven. There is no other way to describe the haven that is Indulge Beauty at Westfield Stratford.

Think makeup, nails, fragrance skin, hair and body care for men and women from over 120 cult, classic and emerging brands under on roof. For all tastes, all budgets.

I was really impressed with the quality and selection of the brands present. Being a beauty blogger, obviously I knew many, but there was a lot still to discover.

Also, the dedicated male beauty area caught my eyes – a comprehensive and approachable offer even for the shyer men starting to get into skincare and grooming.

And their fine fragrance section? To die for. Got me all in love with Eight & Bob (the Original) and I shall get my claws on it at some point.

I left the shop with a gorgeous Capsule box, which only lightly touches on the breadth of the beauty offering from Indulge; from well know Urban Decay, Glam Glow and Beauty Blender, to cult Skin Laundry and classic Clarins and GHD; this just a tiny sample of what you can expect from a place which seems to have it all.

The idea behind Indulge Beauty makes me even fonder of it: a place where the real YOU is celebrated, with their mantra: Be bold, Be brave. Be you.

The best thing? At Indulge Beauty you can get a routine tailored for you – think a shampoo from one brand, conditioner from other, mask from a third; eyeliner from brand A, mascara from B; day cream from brand X, day cream from Y… you get the idea.

Most importantly, advice is neutral, focused on your needs and you can get all in one place!

What better than killer beauty to highlight that bolder and braver you?

From the guys behind The Fragrance Shop, Indulge Beauty is located at Westfield Stratford (Unit 20, The Arcade, Montfichet Road, E20 1EH), in London (soooo close to me, how lucky am I?).

I also popped in (I do all the time) yesterday and was received with friendly, but not obtrusive or pushy smiles, great advice and fun chat (I talk too much so I always initiate).

You can also shop online at indulgebeauty.com, as well as read a bit more about them and what beauty revolution they are plotting!

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.

 

Flawless cover for problem skin

Posted in Beauty, Make Up by

Covermatte Compact Powder Foundation 12h A good coverage is very important to me when settling for a face makeup product. At the same time, caring for my problematic skin is also a concern.

The Vichy Dermablend has quite a feel solutions to tackle both problems with one smooth sweep. The Vichy Dermablend Covermatte Compact Powder Foundation 12h is not different from the Vichy Dermablend 3D Correction, which I tried before – it also does not disappoint in terms of coverage. Even though it’s super buildable, it does not look cakey.

Covermatte Compact Powder Foundation 12h The power powder

The powder comes in a little compact with mirror and a handy sponge for application, which is great on the go.

The texture is velvety and the finish matte but fresh, and not a lot of product is needed to achieve a really good coverage – trust me when I say it, I rarely settle for sheer.

Covermatte Compact Powder Foundation 12h Is it just make up?

No way! It is non-comedogenic, paraben free, hypoallergenic and 100% mineral pigment. Its non-greasy, oil control and shine-fighting formula contains active dermatological ingredients including sebum-regulating zinc gluconate and anti-imperfection salicylic acid and vitamin E.

I know some will shoot me for saying this, but for me, it makes for the perfect coverage for the gym because the durability is so good – up to 12h.

It also took me through my post-laser treatment, where I could (and needed, not to scare the passers-by) wear very light makeup. The fact very little is needed to achieve good coverage made it ideal that situation.

The Vichy Dermablend Covermatte Compact Powder Foundation 12h, as well as the other Vicky Dermablend products, is available from retailers nationwide, comes in 5 shades and costs £20.

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.

written by Dani

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.

A special gift for the beauty lover in your life

Posted in Beauty, Make Up by

The clue is really in the name when it comes to feelunique – their personalisation services really are a fabulous special touch to make that gift – or that treat to yourself – truly unique.

Now, I’m a sucker for personalisation: love a bit of Dani here, a little D here and a huge D there… you know, to feed my *slightly* narcissistic nature. Personalisation lures me in. Fact.

Egocentric reasons aside, it can transform a simpler gift into something rather special for a loved one. Engraving can be done in glass and metal, so think perfume bottles and make up compacts customised specially for you or your loved ones.

Swarovski crystal application is also a thing with the sparkly folks at feelunique: add you initials or a little star to a huge variety of products, including lipsticks!

Personalisation costs an affordable £4.95 and can be either 1-3 Swarovski crystals depending on the product and up to 12 characters (in English) for engraving.

The items that can be customised will be marked on the site. For engraving, you can just click on the + next to the word “Engraving” to add your text – you can read all on the feelunique website.

A truly thoughtful gift that is convenient and needn’t cost the earth!

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.

Sculpted eyes

Posted in Beauty, Make Up by

NIP+FAB is very known for they skincare range – clue is in the name and the fab products mostly containing acids are effective and affordable.

The Eye Palette Sculpted, however, was my very first contact with NIP+FAB as a makeup brand and I am not disappointed.

The NIP+FAB Eye Palette Sculpted has 9 great warm shades from light cream to dark brown, to sculpt, shade and smoke eye from day to night.

Most are matte but there are 2 gorgeous metallic shades that work well with any combination on the palette. I’ve been using it a lot, especially for day makeup.

Eye shadows are velvety and don’t drop, and I was impressed with the pigmentation and durability, as well as blendability and how well all shades combine.

I love dabbing a little bit of the stunning shimmery shades in the centre of the lid as a final touch to my eye makeup – an easy way to make a day look sparkle for the evening.

The NIP+FAB Eye Palette Sculpted is available from Superdrug and costs £12.95. You can also explore the new(ish) NIP+FAB makeup range which has everything from bases to colour.

At the moment, Superdrug has a 3 for 2 in selected cosmetics and beauty accessories (including this palette) and you get a free tassel when you buy in the promo!

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.

#MyFaceMyRules

Posted in Beauty, Make Up by

Oh, Sleek. I’ve been a fan for a while but now you just stole a piece of my heart for good with the launch of the #MyFaceMyRules campaign, together with the charity Ditch the Label, which fights bullying worldwide.

With a huge 75% of people thinking women look better with no makeup*, there is no wonder makeup shaming is a real thing. Having suffered from acne for way too long an relying on makeup to make my face look closer to how I felt inside (read pretty, confident, glowy and pain free), I have heard all sorts.

And if I hadn’t said it clearly enough: No, I am not hiding behind a “mask”. No, I am not doing it for men. No, I don’t need attention. No, I don’t dislike the way I look. No, not a whore. Or a clown. And no, I don’t have too much time in my hands. Thanks.

Sleek is supporting my statements. MyFace. My Rules does what it says on the tin: it’s MY face, I will make it up as I want. And for whatever reason I want, for that matter.

Here’s the strong campaign video which stars real Sleep Makeup customers and sums up how I feel:

At the campaign launch, the Lifeproof foundation also came into play. Now, I am quite particular when it comes to foundation so I am always nervous when a brand I like a lot comes up with a new one. What if I don’t like it?

I can assure this is not the case here. This is a generous medium coverage foundation which is highly buildable into full.

It is sweat proof, oil free and has soft focus elements for a great finish which is not dewy or matte – it feels super natural, a little goes a long way and it certainly lives up to its “life proof” name.

It comes in 24 shades and you can find out yours online. It costs an amazing £ 8.99 (30ml) but at the moment there a promotion on the Sleek site, for only £7. Bargain!

I’ve also been using the Hydrating Primer, which is super lightweight with a moisture-rich formula. The foundation glides well and fells great! It costs £7.99 (20ml) and is the perfect base for the Lifeproof foundation!

written by Dani

*Survey conducted by Ditch the Label and Sleek Makeup. You can see the full Makeup Shaming: the data behind the trend report here.

There is also a Sleek Makeup customer survey on YouTube that I can totally relate to.

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.

Work that eyeliner flick!

Posted in Beauty, Make Up by

Those who know me can confirm the fact that if I have make up on, I have eyeliner. The flick has been with me for ages now and I (almost) cannot leave the house without it.

When a new eyeliner comes along, I’m filled with excitement, especially when it is a pen, my favourite medium. So of course the Lord & Berry Shodō eyeliner ticked all the boxes.

Perfecting the eyeliner application is really down to exhaustive practice, and even after many years of daily doings, there are some days my eyeliner hates me. A lot.

Shodō is a form of artistic writing of the Japanese language and this eyeliner doesn’t let us down. The tapered brush is made of soft bristles that retain their form, thus being firm enough for precise thick and thin lines.

The formula is super black, rather glossy, extra pigmented and smooth. Upon drying, which happens quickly, it sits film-like on the skin.

It is water and sweat proof and does not budge, but can be removed with warm water and flakes off with little effort.

My only recommendation is that an eyelid primer or powder shadow is used prior to application, as the film didn’t particularly love my oily bare eyelids!

Shodō has been upgraded to my everyday eye make drawer to stay.

The Shodō Stylograpic Eyeliner costs a reasonable £16 and you can get it from the Lord & Berry website and other online retailers, such as Look Fantastic.

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.</h6

Get your Shine (Shack) on!

Posted in Beauty, Lifestyle, Make Up, music by

 

My love of glitter is never ending. From the tiny pots mum started to buy when I was around 8 that doubled up as school crafts and hair adornment for ballet presentations, to the same little pots purchased years later to comply with the 90s “glitter round the eye” trend, my love for it never grew smaller.

If anything, it just grew, may I say, exponentially, in the last years. And I have no shame. Glitter Milanese is the goal (#GlitterMilanese/#MilanesaDeGlitter, you saw here first hahahaha).

So you guys have no idea what meant to me to be invited by the amazing girls at Shine Shack to have a glitter makeover for Lovebox at their beyond fabulous pop up at Missguided Westfield Stratford.

I mean, who am I kidding? I’ll never get over the fact my girl crush and glitter goddess Posie Dwyer actually touched my face and glittered me up <3. I’d been Insta-stalking them for aaaages!

So off I went on my “disco ball day”, with my lovely Carol in tow to get to shine even brighter and spread their sparkle even further on the second day of Lovebox.

I got a proper silver holo that was all sorts of fabulous and Carol an amazing pastel-y gradient. The gem design is customised, as well as the glitter combos and obviously Posie and the Angels listen to what you want and deliver extra.

Basically, it is a happy event altogether: they are happy, it’s a great vibe, there is clearly a huge passion behind the brand and work that is done and you can definitely feel that. Plus, glitter IS life so…

Here’s a ridiculously excited story I posted on Insta still at Missguided after being Shine Shacked:

You can have from a simple bio glitter huge sprinkle on the parting of your hair (£3) to lovely braiding (£15, various styles, add rings for an extra £5), as well as glitter on one side of the face, gems, or the full works: glitter on both side of the face, chest plus gems on both (from £7 to £30). Take a look at their divine shimmery menu below.

I mean, I did some glitter on my face on Friday but this was EXTRA. Another level, I cannot recommend enough.

Shine Shack is at Missguided Westfield Stratford (on the right as you come in) on Fridays and Saturdays 10-5pm and Sundays 12-6pm all summer . You can pay at the till for your makeover.

Apart from having it applied professionally and lovingly by the Angles, you can also buy their sparkly range of glitter (from £5.50 – £16.50), accessories (from 2.50) and the brand new mix and match gems (£8) if you fancy DIYing on the Shine Shack website and at Missguided.

Plus, you can catch them at festivals this summer and they are available for private booking – parties and functions: just get in touch and they will have a package to suit you

On top of it all, crushes and love of glitter aside (which might make me biased as I barely managed to remove it all from my face and body as I wrote this), it is amazing to see young, talented women working hard doing what they love,  succeeding and spreading happiness in the process. It is inspiring and empowering and I am a fan, unashamedly.

You might as well just go and follow them on Instagram @shineshack: it will add that extra glam sparkle to your feed!

written by Dani

Yes, I was invited and was lucky to be offered the glitter makover for myself and Carol. But I love the guys and would recommend 10 times over. 

 

The B. is back!

Posted in Beauty, Make Up by

If you’ve been following the blog for a while, you’ll know that I used B. Makeup products quite often.

Then they fell off the radar for a while, but for a good reason: to revamp and relaunch the brand.

B. Makeup has a strong focus on their vegan nature, and the revamp of their extensive range has really made it stand out across the products of similar price point.

Not only they have a plethora of pretty makeup but they also have skincare and male grooming ranges.

I tried a few products and have to say I am very impressed with the Defining Duo Liner eyeliner (£6.99). A pen, my favourite type of eyeliner, with a liquid finish and two nibs, what I consider a medium one and a super fine precision application.

It delivers fierce flicks, it’s super black, easy to use and the durability is great, drying super quickly and lasting all day.

I talked about B lipsticks before so no surprise I am quite fond of the Luminous Silk Lipstick in Suis Moi (£6.99).

A lovely darker pink nude with jojoba seed oil, creamy on application with a smooth satin finish.

A bit of a different product, the lip and cheek tint (£6.99) has a creamy texture and is one of those great multitasking products I love. Sadly this not quite my thing, and I cannot wear cream colours on my face – it doesn’t quite work for me.

I know however, I am an exception and with six shades, you’re sure to find one to suit you. Th finish is matte and the colour is buildable. I love the looks of Just a Kiss.

Now the Matte Liquid Lip lipstick (£6.99) in Ravenous, on the other hand, is very much my thing. It’s smooth and super pigmented; it doesn’t however dry totally, so there’s a little bit of transfer. Durability is decent though.

Now, their vegan brushes are pretty great too and have a new look, at an amazing starting price of £5.99. I tried the shadow blender which is tapered, duo-fibre and very soft on the skin. It is not super firm, so perfect for blending the crease up for a natural smokey finish.

The relaunch also sees the Cassie Lomas, the brand’s makeup ambassador, launch her own collection with gorgeous pigments, liquid lipsticks, bronzer and highlighter. I did try them at the launch event and they are truly lovely, still vegan, cruelty free and still very well priced!

B. Makeup is available exclusively at Superdrug and a fab brand with a great range at very affordable prices, especially if you are vegan, as there’s a lot of choice at reasonable prices.

As for me, the eyeliner has graduated from trial and is firmly in my makeup bag!

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.

Glow tools

Posted in Beauty, Make Up by

Happy birthday! 2017 marks 10 years of EcoTools and as I mentioned before, the brand has revamped their winning collection and added some pretty (and do-good) surprises to celebrate.

And the official celebration piece is the Limited Edition Anniversary Collection that comes in a gorgeous (and very handy) rose gold circular tin.

There are six brushes to help you create an illuminating glow:

Airbrushed finish: duo fibre that works well with powder, creams and liquid foundation, to buff that base right in. Personally, I think this one could be a bit firmer but does a great job creating that foundation for the makeup.

Controlled setting: tapered for precise highlighting and setting on cheekbones and brow arches.

Angled crease: great for smoking, in any proportion; just to create a bit of definition and dimension of smoke away.

Flat eyeliner: a hero for upper or lower lining that works a treat with powder, liquid and gel.

Eye/Lip blur: so soft to diffuse shadows and liners. Great to blend harsh lines on eyeshadow, eye or lip liners.

Spoolie: great brow and lash combing.

The sturdy canister is great to protect brushes while in transit. And looks great on a dressing table.

All brushes are super soft on the skin and have a bamboo handle with recycled aluminium ferrules and cruelty free bristles.

This lovely EcoTools Limited Edition Anniversary Collection is available at Boots (with a buy 1 get 2nd half price on EcoTools*) and Superdrug (at the moment with a 3 for 2 on EcoTools*) for £19.99.

And hurry because it’s limited edition, so be speedy!

written by Dani

*Information correct at the time of publishing (21 May 2017).

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.