Thursday 10 November 2016

Clinique's Pep-Start Eye Cream

After recently noticing some dryness in my under-eye area, I decided it was time to invest in an eye cream that I could use both day and night. After seeing the release of Clinique's new 'pep-start eye cream', I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about...and I love it.


I have dabbled with eye-creams before but by no means religiously, and I haven't loved a product enough to use it daily, let alone day and night. This product was different from the get-go and I've used a whole tube throughout the last 6 months and already repurchased. Like many makeup hoarders, I rarely completely use up products as I have so many.

The claims: "Just 3 seconds to look wide awake, refreshed. Hydrates, brightens, perks you up. Its cool touch and de-puffing tip help keep eyes looking fresh. Smooths the way for makeup, too." - Clinique

Clinique recommends using the ball applicator to disperse the cream under the eye, but I prefer to squeeze some product out and dab lightly with my ring finger under my eye. It glides on easily and is a thin enough consistency to sink in quickly, without feeling sticky or tacky, leaving just the right amount of hydration to apply foundation and concealer under the eyes.

It's important to me that products under the eye are fragrance-free as I have sensitive skin and the skin beneath the eyes is particularly delicate, so it ticks a box for me that the pep-start eye cream contains no fragrance. It also contains glycerin, squalene and dimethicone, which are known for their moisture-retaining properties. 

Although I definitely agree with Clinique's claim that the cream is refreshing and hydrating, I can't say I agree with the brightening claim. I always still opt for a corrector & concealer combo if I want to look bright-eyed and bushy tailed after a late night.

Although I don't think the cream lives up to all of the claims, I think if you're looking for a hydrating eye-cream, that works as a great base for makeup, then I'd definitely recommend giving this one a go.

Pros:
  • Hydrating
  • Good base for make-up and under-eye concealers
  • Contains plant-based antioxidants and peptides
  • Packaging type protects product from light and air, keeping it fresher for longer
  • Fragrance free
Cons:
  • Not as brightening as I'd hoped
  • Plastic applicator not as cooling as a metal roller-ball style applicator
Available at all Clinique counters world-wide - £22.00


Have you tried it yourself yet? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!

Sunday 16 October 2016

Autumn/Winter look - October 2016

I find dressing up in the colder months more difficult than during the Summer - staying warm seems to translate into not ever looking and more importantly not feeling quite as glamorous. However, being determined to look and feel "dressed up" to go to the launch night of Norwich's first and only rooftop bar and restaurant, the Rooftop Gardens, I put together a few of my favourite high-street items, that not only did I feel great in, but the whole outfit definitely didn't break the bank.

I teamed my favourite black Topshop jeans, with a floral blush pink Zara bodysuit (my absolute favourite colour this season), black lace-crop top and black heels for a glamorous, yet weather-appropriate look. All outfit details can be found below:

Floral print bodysuit - Zara - £25.99
Black Joni jeans - Topshop - £36.00
Heels (similar) - New look - £25.99
Watch - Olivia Burton - £70
Bracelet - Tiffany & Co. - £135



Friday 1 July 2016

Summer favourites - 2016

Summer has to be my favourite season by far and for so many reasons - the weather, the fashion (less layers and floral dresses), natural makeup, and my birthday!

My beauty product musts for summer include a good primer to keep your makeup in place even on  the sweatiest of days, bronzer to give you that golden goddess look, highlighter to add that all important summer glow, powder to set your makeup and moisturising lip products that will protect and hydrate the lips. With this in mind, I've picked out a few of my favourites for this summer.


Prime: Estee Edit - Pore Vanishing Stick - £21 (available from Selfridges)


This easy to use stick blurs the look of pores and minimises shine and oil, which is a life-saver on a hot day. You can use alone under makeup or even use on top of makeup to de-shine throughout the day.


Set: Estee Edit Flash Photo Powder - Estee Lauder - £24


This blue-toned sheer finishing powder contains light-reflecting blue pigments that will instantly brighten the skin and it looks absolutely amazing in photos. It will help your makeup stay in place, absorb excess oil, and it suits all skin tones.


Highlight: Dandelion Shy Beam - Benefit - £19.50

Although I am a sucker for a shimmery golden highlighter in the summer, this is a fantastic and more subtle alternative for when you want to rock that 'no makeup' makeup look. This soft-matte, nude pink highlighter has a lovely radiance and I also use it underneath my eyes, under concealer to brighten as the pink tone helps neutralise dark circles. The formula is a lovely consistency and very easy to blend, both under the eyes and on the cheek bones.


Bronze: Dew the Hoola - Benefit - £22.50


I have re-purchased Benefit's Hoola powder bronzer multiple times and I absolutely love it, so when I saw a liquid alternative I had to try it. This liquid bronzer gives you a lovely natural glow, and although it can lean slightly on the orange side compared with the powder version, with some good blending you can make it look amazing! It contains no shimmer which I love and it's sheer enough to wear with or without foundation, whether you're heading to the beach or out on the town.


Lips: Tendertalk Lip Balm - MAC - £15.50 (in shades 'Pretty Me Up' & 'Side Dish')


These lovely vanilla-scented lip conditioners create your own personalised tint based on your lip colour, and I loved them so much I bought two! They're incredibly hydrating and it's easy to build the colour up.



Thursday 30 June 2016

MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter (Light Boost)


I la-la LOOOOVE this product. I've heard nothing but good things about it and I just couldn't resist buying it when I was browsing my local MAC store. I have got really into highlighting and contouring recently and have decided to slowly grow my collection of highlighting and contour products to try and find what works best for me. The MAC Prep + Prime Highlighters are in a click pen style applicator and it comes in three different shades. 

Light Boost is a yellow tone highlighter and is good for lightening dark areas and as I have yellow/olivey undertones I went for this one.There is also Radiant Rose, which is the pink tone and Bright Forecast is a peachy, orange tone. I love MAC packaging, I think it looks really sleek and classy but I particularly love the Prep + Prime packaging because it's sparkly!


You can use any of these highlighters over makeup for highlighting or under makeup to brighten and prime. The way I use it is to put it under my eyes and either side of my nose to brighten up these areas are a bit darker. Then I draw a T shape from the bottom of my forehead and down the bridge of my nose to highlight. I have been experimenting with using it before and after foundation and I'm not sure which I prefer yet.


Applied straight from the applicator (left) and blended in (right).
Have you tried the Prep + Prime highlighters? If not, do you want to?
 Have you tried any of the other MAC Prep + Prime products?

Let me know!

X

Saturday 11 June 2016

Glow


I have had this highlighter for a while now and I can honestly say that I use it pretty much every single day. The photos aren't great because I didn't take photos before I started using it but they definitely show how well loved the product is! This is the best highlighter I have ever used and I use it at the top of my cheek bones, brow bones, down my nose and sometimes in my cupids bow to make lips look fuller. This product helps adds a bit more dimension to matte skin and looks great with a contoured cheek bone. This highlighter is so easy to blend in after you've applied foundation or on bare skin if you're having a good skin day. Topshop's Glow Highlighter in 'Gleam' can be bought online or in store and is £9. There is a more silvery one available too, which would be lovely on paler skin.

I previously did a post on Benefit's Watt's Up and I do still love it but I find this one blends in much better as its a thinner and creamier consistency. Watt's up is a champagne colour and Gleam is described as a rose gold highlighter so when I experiment with different eye makeup/lipstick I will happily reach for the one that looks the best with the rest of my makeup. 

I think at £9 it is a bargain and I definitely recommend trying the Topshop makeup if you haven't already. The lipsticks are lovely too and my favourite is Whimsical, which is a peachy nude colour.

Unblended (top) and blended out (bottom).
Have you tried the Topshop makeup range?
What do you think?

X

Friday 29 January 2016

Eyebrows

Loreal Super Liner Brow Artist 

 



This is a really simple product but a total bargain. Loreal has brought out a new all in one product for eyebrows. Eyebrows can really help to define your face and a strong brow is really on trend this season...Just look at Cara Delevingne. This product includes a eyebrow pencil, an eyebrow wax and a brush too so it’s perfect for on the go touch ups too. It comes in three colours, one for blonde, brunette and dark brunettes. I have the dark brunette one because although my hair is naturally fairly light, I have got nearly black eyebrows for some reason! Again, I was silly and didn't take any photos before I used it (I'm too impatient) and I have nearly used the pencil up now! I will definitely be repurchasing.
 Loreal Super Liner Brow artist brow pencil is £5.49 from Boots or Superdrug.






What is your favourite brow product at the moment?
How bold is too bold for brows?