Marks and Spencer Pore Minimiser - Review

This is a very simple review- it didn't work on me!

I followed the instructions and applied after cleansing and before make-up, rubbing into my cheeks which have the largest pores. Tried over a few weeks now and each time there was no noticeable difference. Sorry M&S this has put me off trying any other of your skincare range.

Perfect Formula- Pink Gel Coat, Gel Coat and Daily Moisture - Review

Sorry for the break in service- I've been enjoying Christmas too much! Decorations are up, presents brought and wrapped and mulled wine drunk!

I am impressed with these products. Just as the weather turned cold and my cuticles started to harden and in some cases split and my nails very starting to peel, the daily moisture, used, well, daily, reversed the bad condition and is now maintaining healthy nails.

I've used the pink gel coat much more than the original. It's brilliant to give a polished look to my nails without much bother. The application is easy and quick, you apply directly to the natural nail. I only apply one coat as in some lighting conditions, two coats can make the nails look blue!

StriVectin-SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles- Review

I would say that my eye area is my major problem area as I suffer from dark circles, fine lines AND crepiness. I've never found one eye cream that will reduce the appearance of all of my eye problems but hydration is key because when my eye area is hydrated, the area looks much, much better.

The StriVectiv-SD eye concentrate works really well. It's a cream that you pat around the eye area. The area instantly looks hydrated and although I wouldn't say that it lasts all day, especially if I've been staring at the computer, I'm pleased with the results over the 8 weeks and I'll be continuing with it to the end of the tube (at least).

Eylure Dylash in Blue Black

I will write a full review after I've tried this again. Let's just say my first attempt was less than successful and my eyelashes didn't seem to change at all but that could be down to me rather than the product.

Bare Escentuals Jumbo Prime Time Foundation Primer- Review

I had high hopes for this primer. Actually, it was my last resort, I've tried a few and thought, if this doesn't work then I'm giving up on primer.

It has a gel texture which is clear and is super simple to apply all over the face after moisturiser but before foundation. It leaves the face feeling very smooth and my foundation applied easily over the top. However, I didn't notice that my make-up lasted longer. One weekend, I did the half face challenge and checked my makeup regularly but again, no noticeable difference in my make-up staying power. Actually, by the end of the day my face felt oily.

Total fail! I brought it from QVCUK so I'm sending it back and getting my money back- you gotta love QVCUK!

Long-wear Cream Shadow in Shore- Review

 

Since purchasing this cream shadow I have used it everyday and on every night out. For my pale, yellow based complexion it cleans up my eye lid area and provides a smooth base for my eyeliner. I apply from the lashline to just above the crease. Most days I'm in a rush to get ready and I use my finger which works well as it is creamy and can be layered for a more intense colour. It's so easy to use that I look forward to applying it.

I love my make-up look at the moment. I've finally found products that work for me and refound products that I thought didn't suit me but do! My search will never be completely over- I've still got some fine tuning of mascara, finishing powder and lipgloss!

Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Emerge- Review

I have been using a peach eyeshadow in the crease of my eyes for a while now. I find that it really brightens and lifts my eyes. So when I saw this colour in a cream, I thought I was on to a winner. 

Illamasqua doesn't want to limit the use of a product by stipulating that it is an eyeshadow so have called this a cream pigment and advise a variety of uses on eyes, lips and body. They say that it is an intensely colour-rich, crease resistant, matt formula. I agree that it is colour-rich and a perfect colour to lift my eyes but it does crease on me and I have to keep blending out creases throughout the day. 

This is the third product from Illasmasqua that I have tried. The cream base foundation is brilliant- my go to foundation for a dewy, even complextion. But I'm not impressed with the precision ink eyeliner which is reducing every time I use it and this is good but not great. It's put me off trying other products in the range. 

Bobbi Brown Long-wear Gel Liner in Denim Ink- Review

Love it. End of review!

Only joking. Using this made me realise why I wasn't getting on with the Illamasqua precision ink. It is creamy, easy to apply and lasts all day. Versatile too- it gives you time to build or smudge.

Denim ink is a very dark blue. I love that it defines the eye with a dark colour but flashes blue every now and again, depending on lighting. It's a winner for me and I must never be tempted away from Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Liners again. I think more colours will be going on my Xmas list.

Vaseline Lip Therapy in Creme Brulee (Limited edition)- Review

 

A sweet and easy handbag treat which is really needed at this time of the year when the weather gets colder and the windier which makes my skin, especially my lips, chapped. 

The only downside with vaseline lip therapy is that it does sit on top of the lips acting as a barrier and I would prefer protection that is absorded and moisturises the lips. But it's cheap and cheerful so I'll always have at least one on the go.

Mulberry & Stylist event

I had a wonderful night thanks to Mulberry and Stylist. They really looked after all of us, the Hoxton gin was flowing and there were nibbles a plenty. Mulberry handbags are my all time favourite. I only have one (Roxanne) but want MORE! The only temptation was the Fox Lock Bag but I resisted.

The goody bag was amazing. The bag itself is so cute (you'd expect that), filled with a fox mask, feathered friend, revlon super lustrous lipstick in revlon red, revlon, grow luscious mascara in blackest black and revlon grow luscious lasliner in brown.

Things I've brought!

So, I went for my Bobbi Brown consultation and George wasn't there. Booooooooo but I had my mini eye lesson anyway, despite it putting me in a grumpy mood.

Jenny was fab, she soon snapped me out of my grumpy ways. She is a similar colouring to me and gave me loads of really useful tips. I went for a sleek eye look as I wanted her to use my beloved Champagne and I don't suit a heavy smokey eye- it makes me look messy! She also re-educated me in blush colour. I was shocked when she applied a PINK, yes a pink! I've spent the last year convinced pink is not me and trying various bronzers and corals! No wonder i've been looking sallow! I can feel another consultation coming up!

At the end, I made a few purchases, oops. These will keep me busy over the next week:

From Bobbi Brown:
Long-wear Gel Eyeliner in Denim Ink
Long-wear Cream Shadow in Shore

From Ilamasqua- Cream pigment in Emerge

It would have been rude not to buy the limited edition Vaseline Lip Therapy in Creme Brulee as it was the launch.

Eylure Dylash in Blue Black- Jenny advised to dye my lower eyelashes and then I wouldn't need to use mascara anymore- no more flakes and smugs that makes me look tired at the end of the day!

Liz Earle Sheer Pink Lip Shimmer- Review

A lip shimmer to be applied to bare lips with finger tips and can also be used over lipstick. 

I have very pigmented lips so on me this was a 'barely there' baby pink which felt moisturing. It has the classic Liz Earle smell which is unusual for a lip product. It is a nice change from my go to, Vaseline Lip Therapy in Rosy.

On balance I will carry on using the Vaseline Lip Therapy as it actually gives more pigment and on occcasion, I find the smell of the Liz Earle Lip Shimmer overpowering.

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara in Extra Black- Review

As I was changing my eyeliner, I thought I'd change my mascara too! If you've not already worked it out, eye make-up is my thing!

The words 'extra black' attracted me to this mascara and it is- Tick!

Thickening- Tick!

Lengthening- Tick!

Fanned out- Tick!

The brush is big and flexible with short and long plastic bristles but it did not separate. It may not be the brush's fault- the mascara is supposed to have an excess wiper feature inside the tube but I found that brush was overloaded and despite much 'wiggling' or separate combing, it did clump. By the end of a work day, I also found that it had flaked under the eye too.

My search continues.......any recommendations?

Illamasqua Precision Ink in Abyss- Review

I brought the Illamasqua Precision Ink from Selfridges last weekend after etcLlymrs raved about this eyeliner and couldn't wait to get hold of it. It's been my eyeliner every day since.

My regular eyeliner has been Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner in Caviar which I love, have found it long-lasting and easy to use but over the summer it was transferring to my top eyelid so when I've come to the bottom of the pot, I thought I'd have a change!

The applicator on the precision ink is very easy to use. It's long, soft but firm which is loaded with eyeliner which makes it quick to sweep across the lash line and I got a cat-eye flick first time, everytime. It is a wet eyeliner but once applied it drys quickly and I never smudged when applying. It's a true black too, unlike a lot of so called black liners. It lasted all day at work and never budged, flaked or transferred to my top eyelid.

It's all good, but I haven't fallen in love. I have two main reservations; sometimes when applying it dryed too quickly and removed what you'd already applied when building a thicker line; and I wonder how long it will last. A Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner pot lasted me a year, using it everyday. The precision ink is comparable in price so I'd hope it would last a comparable time but only time will tell!

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash Eyeshadown in Champagne- Review

This was the little beauty that I purchased from Selfridges and was then offered the consultation with George- double win.

LOVE IT! Used it for the first time when I went out after work so applied with fingers. It is a really soft powder which goes on like a cream. Great coverage with a gold shimmer colour which really lit up my eyes. It lasted all night, didn't crease, transfer and there was no need to top up- my type of make-up!

Manicure at Spa in the City- Review

Really pleased with the results- thank you Catherine.

The lacquers in stock were from china glaze. I have to say, there wasn't a massive choice but I can't complain as I found four that I wanted to try and plumped for the classic pillar box red in the end.

Cuticles trimmed, nails filed and polished for £15 and out the door in 45 minutes.

Would I go back? Yes, although I may try somewhere else first.

Now, I'd better start thinking about tomorrow night's outfit- building from the nails, of course!

Bobbi Brown consultation

Sooooo very excited to get a consultation at Bobbi Brown, Selfridges on Thursday with George (those who watch the BB shows on QVCUK will know who I mean).

Manicure at Spa in the City- Manchester

So I've decided to treat myself to a manicure as my nails are in such a mess and I'm going out on Friday night. I would normally DIY but my cuticles are overgrown and they are in need of professional taming.

I've booked into Spa in the City, 12A St Ann's Square, where a creative standard manicure is £15. Never been here before so fingers crossed.

Here are my nails before........

And I'll update on Thursday with hopefully beautifully manicured and colourful nails.

Illamasqua Precision Ink in Abyss

I'll try it out over the next week and review after the weekend.