Category: Beauty

Collection Cotton Candy Cream Puff Lip Cream Review

Finding that perfectly subtle pink lip colour that I love, is often an arduous task. Too pale, too bright, I seem to have been through them all and lets face it, any excuse to buy more lip colours right? Anyway, this Collection Cream Puff Lip Cream in Cotton Candy is a shade I’ve been using on and off for a few months now (when it takes my fancy). I’ve been rather fond of these lip cream type products as of late and when I spotted this one at such a bargain price I obviously had to add it to my collection.

The Cream Puff lip cream glides easily and smoothly onto the lips and has the most delicious candy smell. Like with most lip creams I’ve found, if applied alone it can dry out the lips after a while. To resolve this I like to apply the tiniest dab of Vaseline to the lips before putting on the lip cream. That way your lips stay moisturised and prevent them from drying out.

So as I’ve said this lip cream is a bargain. It looks good on, smells great and it’s also available in three other neutral and beige tones (which I’ll definitely have to try), so for all you lip cream lovers it’s certainly worth a try.

Samio x

January 6, 2015
Superdrug Tea Tree Skincare Review

As usual I’ve been trying out some different skincare products (forever buying new lotions and potions). I was in need of a new face wash and some other skin care essentials and so I thought I’d give some of the products from Superdrug’s own Tea Tree range a go.

Superdrug Tea Tree Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash

I really like this face wash for day to day use. As you can see, I’ve already started to work my way through the tube. I opted for the Tea Tree face wash in pink grapefruit, there was also lemon (linked above) and original available, if I remember correctly. This product has a subtle yet refreshing grapefruit scent and it comes out in a regular face wash gel like consistency which you wash on, wash off. I like this product because it doesn’t feel too harsh or drying on the skin and so it’s great for everyday use.

Superdrug Tea Tree Facial Cleansing Pads

As I’ve mentioned in a previous skin care post, I often like antiseptic and tea tree smelling products. Without sounding like a freak, it’s basically because I love that extra fresh smell and often I’ve found products that have those sort of smells often leave your skin feeling in a similar way. I’m a big fan of cleansing pads anyway, as many models will tell you it’s so handy to have skin care products that you can pop in your bag and use after removing your make-up on shoots. I’ve previously used many of the well known brand cleansing pads and this time I thought I’d give these Superdrug own brand ones a go. These cleansing pads are probably my favourite out of the three products. Not only do thay have that clean, fresh tea tree smell (with peppermint too) that I love but they also leave your skin felling so clean and refreshed. I’ve found I like using these most when my skin in feeling on the oily side and especially when I fell like I’m about to have a break out.

Superdrug Tea Tree Moisturising Face Cream

The moisturser if I’m honest is my least favourite out of the three products, however that’s not to say that I dislike it. For me I feel this moisturiser is a little too matte and dries straight onto this skin, whereas I rather more creamy moisturisers that hydrate the skin a lot more. Again this product has that great fresh tea tree and peppermint smell (although a lot subtler than the cleansing pads), and although I won’t be replacing this with my regular day moisturisers any time soon, I have managed to find great use for it as one of the products that I keep in my gym bag. As it’s a 30ml plastic tube this facial moisturiser makes for a great travel size and I’d say this one is a good back up to keep in your hand bag for on the go.

Overall I’d give this range a thumbs up. At under £3.50 per product you can’t really complain as I think these products are great value for money! They are certainly ideal if you’re on a budget, especially when you can get points on your Superdrug card in the process, which is always a bonus.

Samio x

January 5, 2015
The Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette for Brown Smokey Eyes

I was lucky enough to be treated with many of the presents on my Christmas wish list this year, including this gorgeous Urban Decay Naked 2 eyeshadow palette. This is an eyeshadow palette I’ve had my eyes on for quite some time (no pun intended). If I’m honest I was torn between all three of the Naked palettes (they also do a 1 and 3) so didn’t really mind which one I got but I was truly delighted when I received this one as a gift on Christmas Day.

What’s so good about it? I hear you say. Well I’m sure many of you may have heard of the famous Naked palettes but for those of you who haven’t, aside for the fact that the product and packaging itself looks gorgeous, the eyeshadow shades inside are stunning too. The palette comprises of twelve fabulous neutral, beige and deep brown shades in a mixture of shimmery and matte. There is also one black eyeshadow which is perfect for completing that smokey eye look. The palette also includes a double ended brush and large mirror, making it perfect for your travels too.

I’d say if you were going to own only one eyeshadow palette, then make it this. It literally has every shade you would need to create day and night looks in neutral and brown tones.

I also think this palette is a great one for on holiday or during the summer months, as it has those gorgeous shimmery golden shades which look great with a tan.

Inside my Naked 2 palette also came this sample of the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. You can use it to prep the eyelids before applying your eyeshadow so that it stays on and lasts longer. So far I’ve been trying out the original primer potion and I really like it. You only need to use a small amount at a time, so I reckon if you were to buy the regular sized tube that it would last for quite a while. It seems to do a good job of setting the eyeshadow too and keeping it on for longer.

What else can I say, I’m certainly a fan and so glad that this palette is now added to my every growing makeup collection. It definitely receives a big thumbs up from me.

Samio x

January 3, 2015
My Skincare routine – How I Help Prevent and Cover Spots and Pimples

I’ve been asked on numerous occasions about my skin care routine and due to lengthy detailing that it consists of I have to admit I’ve always been a little bit lazy when it came to writing this blog post. Anyway, it was after writing a lengthy explanation of my skin care routine to a friend of a friend that I realised I’d basically written my long over due blog post in the process. So after some slight grammatical corrections and minor edits I’d thought I’d finally share it with you all…

The best thing I use for my skin is my face sauna. I use the No7 one. I’ve had mine for a number of years, it’s literally so old it has cracks down the side, so I should probably invest in a new one but for the time being it still works a treat… After checking online it appears that they don’t seem to do the No7 any more but here’s a similar one that I found sold at Argos: MySpa Facial Sauna.

I usually use my face sauna once a week and steam my face. For me it feels like it helps sweat out all the bad stuff as gross as that sounds. After I’ve done a face sauna I’ll usually do a face mask. I really like the Clearasil or Neutrogena ones. Again I usually buy these from Boots/Superdrug. I personally like the ones that set hard on the skin and then you you wash off after a bit of time. For example I like Clearasil blemish + marks wash and mask mentioned in this previous post here. More recently I’ve been using The Body Shops honey and oat mask which I love. It’s not as harsh as the Clearasil one so may be better if you have sensitive skin. I do like to sometimes use the Clearasil one as after using it, it has a similar feeling to that you get after you’ve brushed your teeth but on your face. Basically it feels really fresh and clean.

So when I’ve done my sauna followed by my face mask of choice, I like to use Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Night Gel (a bit of a reoccurring theme here, I shop a lot in Boots if you hadn’t already guessed). I feel like it works as a good antiseptic to prevent spots after steaming your face and opening the pores. If my skin is feeling particularly dry I’ll add a light moisturiser over the top after the Tea Tree but otherwise I’ll use it alone.

Day to day I too like to use a face scrub. I like the St Ives Invigorating Apricot Facial Scrub. It’s one I regularly use and I feel it works well to gently exfoliate the skin and keep it feeling soft and looking clear.

I also find the removal of makeup a big part of my skincare routine, especially when it comes to preventing spots. To remove makeup I find using a cleanser rather than makeup wipe helps to prevent pimples. I do occasionally use makeup wipes when I’m away from home or on the go but I feel like my skin is left feeling cleaner when I use something else. I really like the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water to remove makeup. It’s exactly like Bioderma’s Sensibio H2O – Micelle Solution (if you’ve used that) but loads cheaper. Then I like to use a light facial wash on my face before moisturising.

My current daytime moisturiser is No7 Essential Moisture Day Cream and my current nighttime moisturiser is Superdrug’s Natually Radiant renewing night cream. Although I don’t like to use that one all the time as it can be a little oily.

If you’re worried about covering spots or blemishes, the foundation that I’ve found to have the best coverage is Illamasqua’s Skin Base. They sell it in Selfridges or Debenhams and they can match your tone for you. If you live abroad you can also order from Illamasqua online and I’d say to anyone wondering that this foundation is definitely worth the investment. It lasts ages and I personally like this one for nights out when I want a flawless look. I use Skin Base shade 12.

On a shoot the other day I also discovered Bobbi Brown’s BB cream. Obviously this isn’t one for extreme coverage as its only a bb cream but it’s good for when you feel you want less on the skin as its super light and as its a BBcream it’s good on the skin. I’ve added that one to my Christmas list.

Samio x

December 23, 2014
The Perfect Nude Lipstick for Olive/Tanned Skin Tones

I think at some point or another most lipstick lovers like myself have had the arduous task of scouring the makeup isles in search for the perfect nude lip shade. Often the lipstick labels can be deceptive and what appears to be a perfectly tanned nude to match your complexion, turns out being too pasty and ends up looking like frosting on the lips rather than a subtle nude.

When I finally came across the perfect nude lip shade to suit my skin tone, I was surprised to find it was actually a budget brand and one that certainly doesn’t break the bank. I finally found my perfect shade of nude with NYC’s Expert Colour Last Lipstick in shade Love My Latte. At only £1.99 I could not believe my luck. Yes you read that price correctly. After countless times of mixing lip liners and lipsticks together in order to make my own unique shade, I’d finally found the exact one I’d been endlessly searching for.

I don’t think I need to sell you anymore on this one, as if you’re reading this post I’m guessing you’ve already found what you were looking for and at a price you can’t say no to. But I shall add that this lipstick has a creamy texture, so it glides onto the lips easily and does not dry out. I also like how the lipstick is matte so it gives an natural appearance on the lips.

The only downside I can give to this lipstick is that the lid often falls off and as the lipstick doesn’t twist down fully into the base, it can be a bit of a nightmare if it falls off in your handbag. But if you’re aware that this may occur, you can carry it in a small makeup bag to prevent any handbag mishaps. Overall I’d give this lipstick a big thumbs up and taking the price into consideration I would defiantly recommend it.

Samio x

December 17, 2014
The Body Shop Vitamin C Energising Face Spritz

As someone who is often on the go, I do appreciate products that are small enough to fit in my handbag and can be used whilst out and about. One product I love for this exact reason is The Body Shop’s Vitamin C Energising Face Spritz. I don’t need to drone on too much about this product, as it basically is what it says. It sprays on like a watery mist and feels like a diluted moisturiser on the skin. It smells fresh and zesty and so instantly makes you feel refreshed and energised.

I appreciate this product most when I’ve had a day of traipsing around to castings, most of all when it has been a long day and I can actually feel my skin drying out. It’s so handy to be able to grab this out of my bag, spritz this product onto my face and give my skin a much needed boost of hydration. I also love to use this face spritz after long, early morning journeys. I simply spritz this on my face and it works as the perfect wake me up (along with a strong coffee of course).

The best thing about this product is that it can be applied over makeup. So if you’ve had a long day at work or out and about, you can instantly refresh your face with a spray of vitamin c spritz.

Samio x

December 16, 2014
The Body Shop Honey & Oat 3-in-1 a Scrub Mask Review

My obsession with The Body Shop seems to be ever growing with each new product that I buy and love. So now I seem to find myself in this store on almost a weekly basis, buying yet more beauty and skin products as my eagerness to try them gets the better of me. One of my recent purchases from The Body Shop was this Honey & Oat Scrub Mask which claims to cleanse, polish and moisturise in one. I was doing an online shop of my regular purchases when I decided to add this item to the basket and give it a go.

When the Honey & Oat Scrub Mask arrived I had to try it right away. It instructs to apply the mask to clean skin and leave on for five to ten minutes before rinsing. The mask (as expected) has an oat consistency and smell. It actually smells almost as if you could eat it (but please don’t do that). I really like the honey and oat smell and the feel of this mask on the skin. It goes on the skin feeling wet and although once left on the skin it doesn’t set completely dry (like many face masks), it still slightly solidifies on the skin.

After rinsing off the mask my skin was instantly left feeling refreshed and moisturised. I have been really pleased with the results from this product and am glad I made the purchase. I would recommend this product, however it isn’t the cheapest price on the market for a 100ml pot. But what I will say is that you don’t need to use a huge a amount for each mask and as a product you’ll only use once to twice a week, the tub should last you a while. Also it’s nice to treat yourself every once in a while and one of these pots would even make a great little stocking filler for someone who loves their skincare products.

I give the Honey & Oat Scrub Mask a big thumbs up.

Samio x

November 12, 2014
Lip Lines – The Perfect Lip Colour

Im sure I’m not the first person to find the perfect colour lip liner to then find it would make the perfect colour lipstick too! That’s exactly what happened when I started using this Natural Collection Lip Liner in Shade Espresso. It’s a lip liner I’ve purchased frequently for the past couple of years and originally bought it as a liner to go with one of my favourite brown lipsticks from No7 (now unfortunately discontinued). After my beloved favourite brown lipstick was no longer available, I was on the look out for a replacement. It was in a moment of desperation that I decided to use the Natural Collection Lip Liner to cover my entire lips and so since then it is a shade I’ve worn often.

Obviously as liners are meant for the edge of the lip line and not all over, they are of course slightly dryer on the lips than lipstick. Therefore when applying the liner as a full colour I use a small amount of Vaseline or lip balm as a base on the lips before applying the pencil. This way the pencil glides onto my lips easier and also prevents them from drying out.

I have have a number of these lip liners from The Natural Collection and as they are a great price, I definitely recommend them as a bargain beauty buy!

Samio x

November 4, 2014
LVL Lashes

It was a while ago when I first heard about LVL Lashes. I had seen a few pictures on social media, thought they looked good but didn’t know much about it and so I eventually forgot all about them, until not long ago. Jade, who has recently qualified in doing LVL Lashes got in touch with me and asked if I’d like to try them out. I wasn’t sure what they were but as I’d seen good results online, I was curious and so agreed to have them done.

After a 24 hour patch test, I was good to go and so I went round to Jade’s, who does the salon standard procedure from home. The entire treatment takes around 45 minutes and is completely painless and irritation free. I was comfortably lay down on a beauty bed whilst the LVL lash treatment was done with eyes closed for the most part. Jade then carefully carried out each part of the treatment and less than an hour later I had fabulous, longer looking lashes, without the hassle of mascara or extensions.

So what are LVL Lashes? I hear you say… First of all LVL itself stands for lengthen, volume, lift. The treatment achieves longer and lifted lashes without the use of glue or extensions. The treatment is said to straighten and lift the lashes before also adding a tint to create fuller and more defined lashes which lasts up to 6 to 10 weeks.

After the first 24 hours it is advised that you do not wet the lashes, rub or apply mascara to them. This was actually much easier than it sounds. I managed to wash and cleanse my face whilst avoiding the eye area and the fact that I couldn’t apply mascara didn’t matter, as my lashes looked great anyway.

Below you can see the pictures taken immediately before and after the LVL Lash Treatment:

As you can see, the results were immediate and I was so impressed with how my lashes looked, mascara free! I’d never had my lashes tinted before as I already have very dark hair, so thought it unnecessary. However I can certainly see the difference that the tint makes to my lashes, along with the lifting treatment that helped make my lashes appear much longer than they are.

I went away feeling more than happy with the results and I was also given an LVL serum, to use on my lashes. The LVL Serum (which I forgot to photograph) is a clear gel type product which comes is a mascara type tube with a lash wand. The LVL Serum is to be used morning and night, simply to condition the lashes and keep them looking healthy. I’ve been using the LVL Lash Serum for over a week and a half now (starting not long after the LVL Lash treatment itself) and my lashes have never looked better.

Since having the LVL lash treatment, I’ve been enjoying the comfort of going mascara free. However, on days when I want those extra long lashes, I’ve added mascara for an even bigger ‘wow’ look. Here are my eyelashes a week after having the LVL Lash treatment, with mascara on:

I’m super chuffed that I finally found out what all the fuss was about with these LVL Lashes, so much so that I’m already booked in for my next appointment, later on in November.

If you are in or around the North Manchester area and fancy trying out the LVL Lash Treatment for yourself, you can contact Jade, who is a fully qualified LVL Lash technician, via her Facebook page, here.

Or to find out your nearest salon offering LVL Lashes, you can click here.

You can also follow Jade’s LVL lash page on Instagram for great offers and promotions: @fabulash89

Samio x

October 26, 2014
Maybelline Superstay 14 Hour Lipstick in Lasting Chestnut

One of my most recent lip colour purchases is this Superstay 14 Hour Lipstick by Maybelline NewYork. It wasn’t the fact that it claimed to last for up to 14 hours that attracted me to this one (because let’s face it, how often do we wear lipstick for 14 hours anyway). It was the colour that made me buy this particular lipstick and the fact that I’m a sucker for a shiny new makeup product. To be honest, I already had multiple brown lipsticks but as usual I convinced myself that it was a slightly different shade to one I already owned.

I love the shade of this lipstick, it actually is different to the many other brown tones I own, as this one is a lot more subtle and also has a slight sheen. It’s a rather moisture rich lipstick, so it feels nice of the lips and doesn’t dry out.

In terms of longevity, I wouldn’t say it’s the best lipstick for staying on and would maybe say that it’s claim to staying on for up to 14 hour is probably a slight overstatement. However, like I said, this lipstick doesn’t dry out the lips and so you can reapply it, without it making the lips look or feel funny. It also has a delicious candy scent, which I absolutely love.

Samio x

October 12, 2014