Tag: Skincare

  • Pamper Morning at intu Trafford Centre

    Pamper Morning at intu Trafford Centre

    Last Saturday I headed to intu Trafford Centre to meet up with my friend, Chloe, for a little pamper morning…

    Usually if I’m going to the Trafford Centre, it’s to shop, or to eat (or most of the time, both), but I never previously thought of it as a place to go for beauty treatments until I was kindly invited along to try out some treatments with intu beauty.

    The first stop was The Face Doctor. I’m no stranger to the Trafford Centre and would normally say I know my way around the place pretty well, however I was surprised that I had never spotted The Face Doctor before (probably because it’s discreetly tucked away at an end corner by John Lewis). I used the new intu app to help navigate our way there, which is crazy because I never thought I’d need an app to help me get around the Trafford Centre, seeing as I’ve been there a gazillion times but it was actually super handy and it saved us so much time.

    The Face Doctor intu Trafford Centre

    The lovely Katy did both of our 15 minute facials and one after the other we were taken into one of the rooms at the back of the store, where we were able to lay down and relax away from the bustle of the shopping centre, whilst we each had our facials.

    During the facial, Katy used a number of products which exfoliated and then hydrated my skin. Everything she used smelt amazing and left my skin feeling so soft. Afterwards Chloe and I both left The Face Doctor looking glowing with our skin feeling refreshed.

    The Face Doctor 15 Minute Facial Review

    The 15 minute facial costs just £15, which I personally think is great value and after seeing the results I’ll definitely be going back again in the future. It would be the perfect way to relax after a busy shopping day.

    The Face Doctor

    I surprised myself yet again and had to check the intu app a second time, this time to help us navigate our way to the L’Occitane store.

    L'occitane intu Trafford Centre Store

    I can’t actually believe that this was my first time stepping in the L’Occitane store, considering the fact that I’m slightly skincare obsessed. Although I’d heard of L’Occitane, I didn’t previously know anything about the brand, but Zandra and Jo from L’Occitane’s Trafford Centre store soon changed that. They were so friendly and enthusiastic about the brand and were able to tell us all about L’Occitane whilst introducing us to some of their favourite products. Chloe and I were both impressed with L’Occitane’s products and I’m sure that this isn’t a store I’ll be walking past without popping in, in future.

    L'occitane Hand Products

    Chloe and I each had a hand massage which exfoliated and nourished our hands. It’s crazy how dry your hands can get during the winter period and although I always carry a hand cream round in my bag, the hand massage was just the extra TLC that my hands needed. I think I need a hand massage at L’Occitane every week!

    L'occitane Cuticle Oil Hand Massage

    L'occitane Hand Massage

    With our skin and hands feeling feeling fabulous, we headed to the Bobbi Brown makeup counter in John Lewis to get our makeup done by makeup artist Pooja. Although I wasn’t completely new to Bobbi Brown, I wasn’t as familiar with their products as I am with some other brands and so it was great to have Pooja intoruce us to Bobbi Brown’s new products and tell us in depth what the brand was all about.

    New Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara

    I went in the makeup chair first and although I’m used to getting my makeup done on a regular basis whilst modelling, it felt strange being asked what look I wanted (as on jobs it’s usually the client or makeup artist who decides). I knew I wanted a look that I could carry through to the night (as we were heading out for Chloe’s birthday that evening) and Pooja’s eye makeup was just perfect for that, so I asked her to recreate something similar on me.

    Pooja did an amazing winged liner on me and I am obsessed with the sparkle eyeshadow in shade Cement that she used on my lower lids. I opted for a slightly subtler eye makeup look but chose a bold lip. I also thought it would be the perfect time to experiment with a different blusher than I usually go for and so she used the Pot Rouge in Chocolate Cherry, which is a gorgeous deep red colour.

    Pooja at Bobbi Brown doing Samio's winged eye liner

    Bobbi Brown cream blusher and highlighter

    Bobbi Brown in store Makeup

    Full list of products that Pooja used to create my look:
    To Prep The Skin: Treatment lotion (here), Intensive Skin Serum (here), Hydrating Eye Cream (here), SPF 15 Lip Balm (here).
    Corrector & Concealer: Corrector in light peach (here), Concealer in warm natural (here).
    Foundation: Foundation stick in warm natural 4.5 (here).
    Powder & Bronzer: Powder in soft honey (here), Bronzer in golden light (here).
    Blush: Pot Rouge in chocolat cherry (here), pink glow (here).
    Lip: lip Colour in crushed plum (here), Lip Pencil in rum raisin (here).
    Brows: Brow kit powder (here).
    Eyes: Long-Wear Eye Base in medium (here), All Over Shadow in bone (here), Lower Lid Shadow in Cement (here).
    Eye Liner: Gel in black (here).
    Mascara: Eye Opening Mascara (here).

    Bobbi Brown face chart

    Makeup at Bobbi Brown in John Lewis

    Next it was Chloe’s turn for makeup and Pooja did the most gorgeous shimmering brown smokey eye on her. It was the perfect choice because it really complimented the colour of Chloe’s green eyes and made them look dazzling.

    Pooja at bobbi brown does Chloe Bell's eye makeup

    Bobbi Brown eye shadow

    We both loved how Pooja did our makeup and I now want to fill my makeup collection with lots of gorgeous Bobbi Brown products. Although I refrained from going crazy this time, I couldn’t resist buying at least one product. I bought the the foundation which Pooja had used on me whilst creating my look, which was the Foundation Stick in shade warm natural 4.5. I absolutely love this foundation on my skin because it looks so natural and since using it at home, I’ve found it really quick and easy to apply and blend.

    Chloe Bell at Bobbi Brown

    Chloe Bell

    Each mini beauty treatment (and makeup) we had was amazing and what I love about them most is that they are the time of thing that you can easily fit into an hour if you wanted to or just do one or two to refresh after a busy shopping day – or in our case, prep for a night out.

    Our day at intu Trafford Centre didn’t quite end there, as we finished off with a tasty three course lunch at Bill’s Restaurant (which can read about here).

    Bill's restaurant halloumi starter

    I decided to document the day on film, which you can check out in my mini vlog here:

    Samio x

  • Getting The Glow With Pixi Beauty

    Getting The Glow With Pixi Beauty

    It’s generally around this time of the year when I like to take extra steps to give my skin some added glow. Pixi beauty do a whole range of glow enhancing products and as a brand I’d heard a lot about yet never previously got round to trying, when I was given the opportunity to pick out a selection of their products, I couldn’t wait to put them to the test…

    Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm

    I was egar to try this Nourishing Cleansing Balm as I genrally like these types of products. This cleansing balm contains sweet almond oil, cocoa butter and shea butter (and like all the other products, is not tested on animals). It can be used both morning and night and I have found that it works great to melt away makeup. I actually really like using this cleansing balm both morning and night, as after wiping it off with a damp cloth, it leaves my skin feeling nourished and hydrated. It works as a great skin pick me up both first thing in the morning and in the evening after a long busy day.

    Pixi Beauty Nourishing Cleansing Balm Review

    Pixi Glow Mud Mask

    I do love a good face mask and this one is no exception. As opposed to some mud masks which leave my skin feeling slightly dry afterwards, this one actually leaves my skin feeling hydrated. It also leaves my skin feeling and looking very fresh after using it. I only with that there was more in the tube… I can’t wait to give myself my next 15 minute facial with this one.

    Pixi Glow Mud Mask face mask review

    Pixi Glow Peel Pads

    These Glow Peel Pads might just be my favourite out of this selection of Skintreats. The tub contains 60 pads which I think is great and I love how handy they are to use and take about if you were to be going away. They are perfect to use at night after cleansing and they have actually been leaving my skin looking brighter and more radiant, just as they claim. These aren’t a product I use every night, due to them being exfoliating and I don’t like to exfoliate my skin everyday. However, using these just a few times a week is enough to do the job and leave my skin looking glowing.

    Pixi Skintreats Glow Peel Pads Review

    Pixi Hydrating Milky Serum

    This stuff really does feel hydrating and milky on the skin. I’ll use it either morning or night and it instantly hydrates and soothes my skin. In the evening it’s the perfect follow on product to use after the Glow Peel Pads and after the serum has sunk into my skin it, leaves it feeling so soft and smooth.

    Pixi Hydrating Milky Serum Review

    Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser

    This cleanser, unlike the cleansing balm, is slightly more exfoliating on the skin, although it still feels smooth when you rub it on. The 5% gycolic acid that it contains, helps to remove dead skin cells and give the skin instant radiance I find. It has a super fresh feeling on my skin which I love and it really does leave my skin feeling refreshed and looking brighter.

    Pixi Skintreats Glow Mud Cleanser Review

    Pixi Glowtion Day Dew

    I love the fact that this Glowtion Day Dew contains a slight shimmer which leaves my skin looking glowing. It helps to nourish my skin and leaves it looking luminous at the same time. I personally like to wear this on no makeup days when I want that added glow yet stay makeup free.

    Pixi Glowtion Day Dew Review

    Pixi Glow Mist

    I’ve wanted a product like this for quite some time and I’m happy to say that this Glow Mist lives up to my expectations. It helps to prep the skin before makeup and a few spits to the face anytime throughout the day, helps to give my skin an added glow that leaves my makeup looking and feeling refreshed. This is a new handbag favourite for me!

    Pixi by Petra Glow Mist Review

    I’ve actually been loving the affects that the Pixi Beauty skincare products have been having on my skin. Glowing skin restored and I’m happy to say that I can give this brand a thumbs up for their skincare… I also got to try a few of the products from Pixi beauty’s makeup selection. I love how Pixi Beauty is all about restoring healthier skin and using makeup to compliment great skin without harming it.

    Pixi Beauty Blush, Eye Liner, Mascara and Lipstick Review

    The Pixi Beauty Makeup Products:
    Book ff Beauty – Touch of Blush
    Lash Booster Mascara – Blackest Black
    Lash Line Ink – Silky Black
    Lipstick in Peach Blossom

    I like using these products for creating a fresh daytime makeup look. The shades in the blush palette are perfect for added a youthful pop of colour to the cheeks and I feel that the coral and pinkish shades really help to enhance the skins glow. Just a little bit of blush to my cheeks makes a nice change to my usual subtle contour technique. I’ve fallen in love with these coral tones…

    The mascara glides on like a dream and really helps to enhance my natural lashes and the liner has a super pointy tip, which makes it easy to use and ideal for creating a subtle day time winged liner. We can’t forget the lipstick which feels nourishing on the lips, not to mention how gorgeous the colour is. I don’t usually go for coral lipstick, what do you think?

    Samio Pixi Beauty Makeup

    Have you tried any products from Pixi Beauty?

    You can get get 15% discount at Pixi by signing up to Wearisma here.

    Samio x

    This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Pixi Beauty and Wearisma. This does not affect my opinions – check out my disclaimer for further information

  • Boots Botanics Cleanser, Toning Spritz & Foam Wash – Skincare Review

    Boots Botanics Cleanser, Toning Spritz & Foam Wash – Skincare Review

    I’m no stranger to the Boots Botanic range and their skincare products have been ones I’ve often found I can rely on. I mentioned all three of these products in my recent Skincare Routine video, so as you can probably guess, I rather like this skincare range.

    Botanics All Bright Gentle Cleansing Cream

    This cleanser feels lovely and soft on the skin, and works well to remove dirt and can even be used to remove makeup. It also has a light fragrent scent which I really like and it feels gentle on the skin.

    Botanics All Bright Gentle Cleansing Cream Review

    Botanics 100% Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz

    This toner is really handy as it comes in a spray bottle. I like how you are able to just spritz it across your face as apposed to wiping it on like many other toners and it does feels really freshing on the skin. However this is one product I probably wouldn’t buy again (unless it was on offer). It is in fact just rose water, which you can pick up in many supermarkets for half the price and in a larger quantity. At the time I purchased this it was on three for two, so I thought I may as well add it to my basket and like I said I also liked the fact of it coming in a spray. I think however that once it is finished, I will simply top it up with a cheaper non branded rose water from the supermarket.

    Botanics Rosewater Toning Spritz Review

    Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash

    This face wash is one I’ve purchased before and more than likely I will purchase again. It feel so soothing and refreshing on the skin. Again like the cleanser it has a nice fresh scent and it doesn’t feel harsh nor does it leave my skin feelig dry after washing. I actually do feel like this foam wash helps brighten my skin and keep it feeling and looking clean and fresh. Day to day I use this face wash morning and night and I love it.

    Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash Review

    Botanics do a wide range of inexpensive skincare and from the products I’ve tried I’m really keen on them. I often repurchase many of the products I buy from the range as I’m always really pleased with the results. I’m yet to try the facial moisturisers but I’m sure I’ll be giving them a go soon enough too.

    Samio x