Review: Seventeen Phwoarr Paint in Fair

I love concealer and would probably permanently stay in the house if it disappeared off the face of the earth. I love trying new concealing products (I'm constantly on a mission to see if there's anything better than what I already have) and something about the Seventeen Phwoarr Paint really jumped out at me. Forgetting the cringey name, I do really like the packaging; It comes in an impressively big round pot with a mirror in the lid. It is described as "a hardcore concealer to wage war on under eye circles" and this coupled with the packaging, really reminded me of Benefit's Boi-ing Concealer, but for just £5.49. Unfortunately Seventeen Phwoarr Paint only comes in two shades, Fair and Medium, which really isn't going to cater for all skintones. I ordered Fair online, so didn't swatch it first. 

 Left Eye: Seventeen Phwoarr Paint applied / Right Eye: No makeup

The concealer is orange toned, which is designed to counteract the blue tones in dark circles. Fair just about works on my pale skin as it blends really well, however in an ideal world there would be an "Extra Fair" shade too. The formula of Seventeen Phwoarr Paint is quite thick and creamy, so you don't need to use a lot and it doesn't take long to blend, so I find it easier to apply with my fingers rather than a brush. Just a note here that because the formula is thick, it settles easily into any lines, which means that I have go back to my eye makeup a few minutes later to get rid of any collected concealer. The big question here though is, does Seventeen Phwoarr Paint mask dark circles? Yes it does and it does the job really well - I have super dark circles and it brightens up my eyes considerably. However I have noticed that it seriously accentuates any dryness around the eye area, so I recommend using a really hydrating eye cream and/or primer first. The wear time is pretty good; it lasts through an 8 hour working day without needing a touch up. 

The Verdict

I do think Seventeen Phwoarr Paint is a great budget concealer if you're looking to hide those pesky dark circles and don't want to stretch to the Benefit sort of price tag. It possibly wouldn't work too well for drier or more mature skins due to the formula though. I also think that Seventeen are missing out on a big market by not catering for a wider range of skintones.

Have you tried Seventeen Phwoarr Paint? What's your favourite under-eye concealer?

Beauty Bird xx

5 Mini Reviews: Elemental Herbology, Macadamia, Ginvera, Apvita and S5

I have a ridiculous number of samples and travel size beauty products, which I am finally beginning to work my way through. I have accumulated these from blogger meetup goody bags, beauty boxes, magazines and websites that throw in free samples with full size orders. I love the opportunity to try-before-I-buy in this way, especially when it comes to high end products, as it can be such a risk to spend your well earned pennies on something that doesn't live up to the hype/your expectation. So today I'm going to share with you my thoughts on 5 samples I'm currently using; basically mini reviews and whether they've convinced me to buy the full size version. (Full credit to Evelyn from We Were Raised by Werewolves for inspiring this post.)

Elemental Herbology Facial Glow Radiance Peel (bought from Naturismo.co.uk)

This radiance peel contains Jojoba Beads to exfoliate as you massage it in, then is designed to be left on the skin for 4 minutes. Other ingredients include Manuka Honey, Orange Peel, Green Tea, Pomegranate Oil and Apple Serum. The Radiance Peel has a gorgeous citrus scent and after use, my skin looks glowing and just like the mask has revealed a new, fresh layer of skin.
Verdict: I'd love to make this product a permanent part of my skincare routine. However I do have some samples of the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal mask to use up first, so you never know I may change my mind yet!

Macadamia Deep Repair Masque (received in the July London Meetup blogger goody bag)
Macadamia describe this as "a revitalising hair reconstructor", containing ingredients like Macadamia Oil, Argan Oil and Chamomile Oil to deeply nourish and condition dry, damaged hair. The formula is really thick and creamy so you only need a little, plus it smells gorgeous. I can't work out the scent, but it reminds me of how my hair smells after it's been to the salon! This stuff must be magic, because I don't think my hair has ever looked and felt so hydrated, healthy and silky.
Verdict: There's no question about it, I'm going to be buying the bigger size of this because my locks love it.

Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream (received in the July London Meetup blogger goody bag)
I've read so many good reviews on the Ginvera BB Cream and for me it didn't disappoint. It only comes in one shade, but it blends really well on my super pale skin and unexpectedly provides really good, natural looking coverage. I love the fact it contains SPF 30 and ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate, Green Tea Extract to nourish and Ginseng to revitalise. 
Verdict: I love this product and think it would be perfect to use in the summer instead of my normal heavy foundation, so I will buy the full size version next year. Although on those really bad skin days I would definitely stick with foundation.

Apvita Express Beauty Gentle Exfoliating Gel with Apricot (received in the July London Meetup blogger goody bag)

This exfoliating gel contains Apricot Seeds to remove dead skin cells, Honey to improve the skin's texture and Geranium Essential Oil to rejuvenate. I haven't used a manual exfoliator for months now as I'm using the infamous Pixi Glow Tonic, so it was a bit of an uncomfortable experience using this gel as the apricot seeds are really concentrated and felt a little harsh. However my skin looks amazing after use; it looks brighter and more refined. 
Verdict: A great product with noticeable results but it's not for me, so I won't be buying the full size.

S5 Purity Serum (received in a Love Me Beauty Box)
I love using serums because they target specific skincare concerns. The S5 Purity Serum is a targeted breakout control treatment designed to reduce the appearance of blemishes and production of sebum. This definitely delivers on its claims, as any blemishes or smaller spots I have disappear a lot quicker than normal. I don't find this works as well on larger cyst-like spots though. I have also noticed that the S5 Purity Serum makes my t-zone noticeably less oily.
Verdict: This product has become a daily part of my morning skincare routine and is essential for reducing existing spots and blemishes, so I would love to buy it when the sample runs out - though it is an eye-watering £44.00 for 30ml!

What samples are you trying at the moment? Have you used any of the above products?

Beauty Bird xx

Review: NEOM Organics Real Luxury Organic Treatment Candle

Since the weather has turned cooler and it's been getting darker earlier in the evening, my standard routine every night is to come home and fill my house with the gorgeous scent and glow of candles. I just think it makes your home feel so cosy and I believe that different scents really do effect how you feel; whether it's calming and relaxing or invigorating and uplifting. The candle I'm first reaching to light at the moment is the NEOM Organics Real Luxury Organic Treatment Candle, which is designed to work as a holistic treatment as you breathe in the scented air. This candle isn't just a pretty face, believe me.

The Packaging

Before we even get to the candle itself I must mention the packaging first, because it just screams luxury and quality straight away. I love the simple, white box, which reflects the simplicity of the candle inside; clean and pure. When you take off the lid, the front section of the box opens out naturally to reveal the candle in all its glory, sat up on a raised piece of gold (a nice contrast to the white and a colour you associate with luxury). On the lowered front section of the box is a quote; "If you don't have a dream, how are you going to make a dream come true?". I just think this is the most lovely and thoughtful touch. I know that packaging like this is often thrown away, but if you were giving someone a NEOM Organics candle as a present this would make such a good impression. I'm loathed to throw away mine and am trying to think of an alternate use for it!

The Candle

The Real Luxury Candle is beautifully presented in a large, clear glass pot with 380g of wax, which will provide up to 50 hours burn time. As with all NEOM Organics candles, the Real Luxury Candle is made from a special blend of vegetable wax and pure aromatherapy oils, which are 100% natural. It does not contain any synthetic scents, paraffin wax, black smoke or toxins. This means that the candle burns cleanly and evenly and will not leave any black soot on the glass pot, or anywhere else for that matter. It has three wicks and NEOM Organics advise to always light all the wicks when burning, so that the wax burns evenly. The candle does exactly as it promises; there is not a hint of soot in sight and as it burns, the top layer of the candle completely turns into a sea of melted wax and oil.

The Fragrance and Treatment

I previously mentioned that the Real Luxury Candle works as a holistic treatment, which is pampering. For this reason, NEOM Organics recommend burning Real Luxury for a minimum of 2 hours and maximum of 4 hours at a time. NEOM Organics describe their Real Luxury Candle as, "Perfect for pampering and 'me time', also gently relaxing so a lovely backdrop for a social evening and an ideal gift". The scent is a combination of French Lavender, Jasmine and Brazilian Rosewood, which is actually quite light and is slightly sweet yet slightly spicy at the same time. It's just the most beautiful, calming and peaceful scent and will be perfect for those who want this kind of effect, but aren't keen on scents that are primarily and overwhelmingly lavender based. I don't think I will ever get bored of this scent, I want my house to smell like this all the time!

As you can tell, I am absolutely in love with the NEOM Organics Real Luxury Organic Treatment Candle. Now it isn't cheap - it retails at £39.50 - but if you want to treat yourself, this is the way to do it. It isn't your average candle and I think it is worth every penny considering the quality of what you get and the benefits it offers. It really would be the perfect present for a candle lover. Real Luxury is also available as a "travel size" candle for £15.00.

To view this candle and the rest of the range on the NEOM Organics website, please click here.

Have you tried any of the NEOM Organics candles? What's your current favourite candle?

Beauty Bird xx

P.S. This post contains a PR sample. This does not affect my opinion of the product.

 

NOTD: Autumn in a Bottle - China Glaze Harvest Moon

I really feel like I have Autumn in a bottle - and now on my nails! - with this amazing nail varnish, which is the beautiful Harvest Moon by China Glaze. I don't know how I missed the release of this unique colour last year, which is part of the Capitol Colours Collection and is inspired by District 9 from The Hunger Games. China Glaze describe this shade as "a luxurious metallic copper" and I love it; it's just so eye catching and reminds me of Autumn leaves.

China Glaze nail varnishes are free from Formaldehyde, DBP and Toluene and contain China Clay to help strengthen nails. I bought mine from Beauty Bay, however there do seem to be quite a few UK based websites you can buy China Glaze from.

Do you own any China Glaze nail varnishes? What are your favourite nail shades for Autumn?

Beauty Bird xx

Review: The Body Shop Honeymania Shower Gel

I am a big fan of honey based products and seem to be amassing quite a collection! So when the new Honeymania range was released by The Body Shop a few weeks ago, I knew I had to make a purchase. For the sake of not spending too many pennies, I decided to just pick up the shower gel, which costs £4.00 for 250ml. I popped into town one day after work but was in quite a rush, so I literally just walked in, picked up a shower gel and went straight to the till. I was so excited to use it the next morning, but my excitement quickly turned to disappointment...

As with all the other The Body Shop shower gels, this has a nice, thick formula which lathers up really easily without needing to use too much. However my disappointment is with the scent. I naturally expected it to smell of honey - though perhaps a little sweeter and more artifical. The scent you actually get is very musky with a subtle honey note. Having now looked at The Body Shop's website, they describe their Honeymania Shower Gel as having a "rich, floral scent" containing honey made from "the nectar of thousands of wildflowers". Looking at the ingredient list, Parfum/Fragrance is the fifth ingredient, followed by Miel/Honey.

I will use the Honeymania Shower Gel, but I wish I had looked at the website description or taken the time to give it a quick sniff in store, as I don't think I would have bought it if I had.

Have you tried anything from The Body Shop Honeymania range?

Beauty Bird xx

Love Me Beauty Box October 2013

This month's Love Me Beauty Box offers another great selection of brands and products; there's makeup, skincare, haircare AND bodycare! As always there are three menus to choose from and I went for Menu Two, which contains four full size products and one sample size product. 

Lord and Berry Smudge Proof Eyeliner in Smoke (full size, worth £7.50)

In one stroke, Smudge Proof Eyeliner outlines the eyes from morning until night. It's run-proof formula is also suitable to create graphic style eyeshadow. 

Lord and Berry Scuba Mascara in Black (full size, worth £12.00) 
Delivers natural definition in one coat. Keeps lashes silky, soft and flexible. Thickens and lengthens. Smudge proof and water resistant. 

Balm Balm Detox Bath and Shower Oil 5ml (full size, worth £6.00) 
This expertly blended aromatherapy oil is enough for two to three baths or showers. Detox cleanses mind and body with essential oils of ginger, lemon, lemongrass and juniper. 

Weleda Millet Nourishing Shampoo 18ml (sample size, worth £0.85) 
Organic Macadamia Nut Oil and extracts of Organic Millet Husks and Sage provide gentle cleansing to nourish and maintain the hair's natural suppleness. 

Amie Skincare Morning Dew Matte Finish Moisturiser 100ml (full size, worth £4.95) 
A really light daily moisturiser that's totally mineral oil free and paraben free. It gives skin all the hydration it needs while controlling shine and leaving a smooth, matte finish. 

The product I'm most looking forward to using from this box is the Amie Skincare Morning Dew Matte Finish Moisturiser. I still don't think I've found my holy grail moisturiser, so it's exciting to try another brand and see how my skin gets on with it. I've tried it a couple of times and my impressions are good so far. 

The contents of Menu Two this month are worth £31.30. If you'd like to get your hands on this month's Love Me Beauty Box, it costs £10.00 plus £2.95 postage, so you are really getting good value for money here. The box can be bought individually every month or you can purchase pre-paid subscriptions plans for 3, 6 and 12 months.

To check out the menu options on the Love Me Beauty website, please click here.

What do you think of this month's box?

Beauty Bird xx 

P.S. This post contains a PR sample. This does not affect my opinion of the product.

5 Beauty Things I'm Bad At

The lovely Angelica from One Little Vice did a post like this awhile back, which I loved reading, so I thought I'd share with you today the beauty things I'm just pretty darn bad at!

1. Make-up Free Days

I'm pretty happy going out without mascara or blusher, but going out with no foundation, concealer and powder is a big no-no for me. If even I don't want to see my spots and scars in all their glory than I definitely don't want anyone else to see them! This is also why I'm terrible with make-up free days when I'm staying at home. If by some miracle my spots disappear forever then I'll start going make-up free, but until that happens I just can't bring myself to do it even though I know it's good for my skin!

2. Washing Make-up Brushes

I'm so bad with remembering to do this and/or making the time to do it. I get to the point where I think the brushes need washing, so I put them aside and start using my fingers to apply my foundation and the like, but it will take me days or even a week to actually get round to washing them. I think I need to try and form a routine so it ingrains into my memory e.g. make every Sunday night washing-my-makeup-brushes-night.

3. Symmetrical Winged Eyeliner

I find doing winged eyeliner so frustrating and time consuming that I haven't done it for ages, which is a shame because I love how it makes my eyes stand out. I use liquid eyeliner in pen form, which I think makes it slightly easier because I find a pen more controllable, but I still struggle. Does anyone have any tips on this?

4. Body Care

The amount of time I devote to facial skincare is unwavering and I have a routine that I follow strictly every morning and night. Yet I totally neglect the rest of my body and have yet to form or stick to a body care routine. My body must be crying out for regular exfoliating and moisturising, the poor thing. I have so many body moisturisers and butters so it's not like I don't have an excuse!! Oops.

5. Removing Nail Varnish

I find taking off nail varnish such a chore that I leave it as long as possible. However this means I will wear the same nail varnish on my toes for a month and sport tatty looking chipped nail varnish on my hands as I go about my day-to-day life. Not a pretty sight huh? Excuse me while I go and hunt for my beauty shame, which I seem to have none of...

What beauty things are you bad at? I'd love to know. 

Beauty Bird xx

Review: Organic Surge 2-Minute Moisture Mask for Hair

I really like using hair masks and intensive conditioners, but I don't always have the time to stand in the shower for an extra ten minutes waiting for them to do their magic. Step in the quick fix shower solution - Organic Surge 2-Minute Moisture Mask. This is the first Organic Surge product I've tried, so I didn't know too much about the brand beforehand. According to their website, Organic Surge pride themselves on their natural formulas and charitable links, creating a range of skincare and haircare products free from parabens, SLS, artifical fragrances/colourants and genetically modified ingredients. They do not test on animals.

The Organic Surge 2-Minute Moisture Mask is designed for dull, dry and frizzy hair. Organic Surge say, "In just two minutes this creamy, nourishing mask gives your hair the emergency treatment it craves. Our 2-Minute Moisture Hair Mask is super-charged with pure coconut oil and plant extracts, it works to penetrate the hair shaft, targeting weak or damaged areas and helping to protect hair from the inside out. Enjoy smooth, manageable hair that shines with health and vitality". The pot is 150ml in size and costs just £6.99.

My hair is generally not too frizzy or dry, but can become dehydrated, so I've been using this once a week. The formula of the 2-Minute Moisture Mask is quite thick and a little goes a very long way, so I can see the pot lasting absolutely ages. The scent is lovely; it's natural and not too sweet or overwhelming at all. The hair mask rinses out easily and leaves my hair tangle free, which is a bonus, because I often have to spray on my Aussie Leave In Conditoner after washing my hair to de-tangle. After blow drying, my hair feels beautifully soft and healthy. 

The Verdict
Unfortunately because my hair is in fairly good shape, I don't think I can fully appreciate the benefits the 2-Minute Moisture Mask has to offer, especially in terms of frizz. However I can still notice a difference to my hair after use and look forward to using this more now the colder weather is upon us, which combined with the central heating, will certainly begin to dry out my hair. If you're after a budget hair mask, it really is great value for money considering the natural ingredients it contains and the size of the pot.

To find out more about this product or to try it for yourself, you can visit the Organic Surge website here.

Have you tried the Organic Surge 2-Minute Moisture Mask? What's your favourite hair mask?

Beauty Bird xx



P.S. This post contains a PR sample. This does not affect my opinion of the product.



 

Review: Lush Bombardino Bath Bomb

After admiring all the new Lush Christmas releases on other blogs and Instagram, I knew I had to pick something up for myself. Not having loads of cash to splash I decided to be good and just pick up one item, which was pretty difficult! After browsing for awhile, I went with one of the sales assistant's recommendations - Bombardino.

Bombardino really is a cute little bath bomb. He is inspired by an apres ski drink made from eggnog, brandy and whipped cream, which was traditionally made in the Italian Alps. Lush's version contains ingredients such as Cocoa Butter, Bergamot Oil, Sicilian Lemon Oil and Vanilla Absolute with eyes made from Dairy Free Chocolate Drops! The smell is very buttery with a dose of fresh, zesty lemon.  

Bombardino is one of those slow fizzers, moving round at a relaxed pace, turning the bath water lemon yellow. You can really tell that cocoa butter is one of the main ingredients, as after getting out of the bath I felt like I was left with a layer of it on my skin - you won't need to use moisturiser with this one! Bombardino also contains Radiant Gold Lustre, so I was left with a subtle gold glitter on my skin. The only thing I would say is that if you're not an easy sleeper, don't use this too close to bed. The scent clings to you for ages and the lemon part of it really is, as Lush describe, "uplifting" - I took a fair bit of time to get to sleep that night! 

If you fancy having a bath with Bombardino, it will only cost you £2.50 and can be bought here.

Have you tried any of Lush's Christmas range? What would you recommend?

Beauty Bird xx

My Essential Handbag Duo

Everyone has a little space in their handbag for everyday essentials don't they? Mine consists of paracetmol, plasters, an EOS lip balm, a little tub of Nivea moisturiser and the duo I'm focusing on today; L'Occitane Lavender Hand Purifying Gel and L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream. Both are really compact and so are perfect for carrying around.

I think hand sanitiser is a god send for those times where you really need to clean your hands, but don't have access to soap/handwash and water. The L'Occitane Lavender Hand Purifying Gel has to be the best hand sanitiser I've tried. There are definitely cheaper options out there - this is £6.50 for 50ml - but the scent and formula is just a winner. These type of products generally don't have a scent and this one uses lavender essential oil, so although it smells strong on application, it becomes much more subtle and fresh once absorbed. The formula isn't at all drying (the third ingredient is glycerin, which I think is key to this), so you don't even need to use hand cream afterwards. However if I feel I need to, I'll dig out my favourite ever hand cream...

...Step in L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream. Again this isn't cheap at £8.00 for 30ml, but the formula is just amazing. The cream is really thick, rich and creamy and contains 20% shea butter, which all together equals super soft and hydrated hands. The cream absorbs very quickly and isn't greasy or oily. I really can't praise it enough! I really want to try the matching L'Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream now. 

What are your ultimate handbag essentials? Have you tried either of these L'Occitane products?

Beauty Bird xx

Review: Elemental Herbology Cell Food Serum

At the moment my skincare routine is all about facial oils and serums and I can't ever imagine not using them, as they make such a positive difference to my skin. The latest serum to join my ever growing collection is the Elemental Herbology Cell Food Serum, which targets the radiance and vitality of your skin. 

Elemental Herbology say, "Containing a ‘power house’ of proteins, vitamins and anti-oxidants, Cell Food is an essential addition to any skincare regime. Ideal for dull, under-nourished skin and frequent travellers".

The Elemental Herbology Cell Food Serum boasts 3 patents and contains a range of active ingredients and anti-oxidants, which includes Green Tea, Co-Enzyme Q10, Mandarin Orange Peel Oil, Aloe Leaf Juice and Rose Damask water. Initially I was a little concerned as one of the ingredients listed is Alcohol. However this is at least 3/4 of the way down the ingredients list, which means the quantity of Alcohol included is quite low compared to the more natural ingredients like the ones listed above. It costs £45.00 for 30ml.  

The Cell Food Serum is dispensed using a pipette, which is really easy to use. The formula of the serum is a thin, milky, white coloured liquid, which has a strong herbal scent. After massaging the serum in, my skin does feel a little tacky, however this disappears once it has fully absorbed, which doesn't take long at all. I am so, so impressed with this serum as I can actually see the effect of it on my skin with minutes; my skin just looks brighter, healthier and as promised, radiant. This has certainly woken me up to how dull my skin can actually be. Yet it is extremely hydrating and is the perfect prep before I moisturise. I'm also pleased to report that the Cell Food Serum doesn't cause any breakouts or blemishes.

The Verdict

The Elemental Herbology Cell Food Serum really delivers on all its promises, which makes it well worth the £45.00 price tag. If you're in desperate need of hydration and radiance, then you really need this serum in your collection; I know it will stay in mine for a long time to come!

To view the product on the Elemental Herbology website, please click here.

Have you tried the Elemental Herbology Cell Food Serum? What products do you like to use to boost your skin's radiance?

Beauty Bird xx

 

P.S. This post contains a PR sample. This does not affect my opinon of the product.

Review: Bobbi Brown Corrector in Extra Light Bisque

I've come to the conclusion that I will always have quite pronounced under eye circles, which will never significantly improve (well without surgery anyway!), but the one thing I can work on is the darkness of these circles. I'm not a great sleeper and it's rare that I don't look tired, so I'm always on the look out for beauty products that will lighten and brighten my eyes. I had my eye on the Bobbi Brown Corrector for a long time and finally bought it when I came across the Bobbi Brown counter in Liberty's at a blogger meetup in July. The very lovely sales assistant matched me up with the shade Extra Light Bisque, which is pink based and their second to lightest shade (the lightest is Porcelain Bisque). This little pot set me back £18.50 and comes with a mirror in the lid.

Bobbi Brown say, "Corrector is pink- or peach-based to neutralise under-eye darkness. New and improved formula is long-wearing and brightens dark circles with quick, just-right coverage that's easy to blend and won't crease. And since great makeup starts with healthy skin, Corrector is infused with skin conditioners to protect the delicate under-eye area." 

The formula of the Bobbi Brown Corrector is very creamy and easy to work with. I apply it after eye cream and the area stays hydrated, which is something I need when it comes to eye products; my dark circles dry out so easily! I apply this anywhere I have darkness, so as well as directly under the eye, I extend the product up round the inner corner too. Although applying with a brush would be more hygenic, I do find it easier to use my fingers as it blends so easily. This does an absolutely fabulous job of neutralising darkness - once or twice I've even forgotten to apply concealer on top because it works so well. The Corrector is designed to be used before Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer and the sales assistant advised me to use a concealer of the same type of formula, as I was only intending to buy the Corrector. I use Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (review here) or Studio 78 Off We Go Anti-Dark Circles Concealer (review here) and both work just as well. 

Bobbi Brown Corrector applied to the left eye / Right eye no product

The Verdict 

For me, the Bobbi Brown Corrector is a winner due to its formula and coverage, even though it has a high end price tag. I'm very conscious of my dark circles and it just helps dramatically. I'm very tempted to try the Creamy Concealer now - Bobbi Brown please bring out a Corrector and Creamy Concealer duo kit because I would definitely buy it! At the moment they just have a Creamy Concealer Kit, which contains the concealer and a powder to set, but no Corrector.

Have you ever tried the Bobbi Brown Corrector? What are your favourite products for brightening dark circles?

Beauty Bird xx

September Empties #2

So it appears that I have made it round to a whole year's worth of empties posts! I'm quite impressed that I've kept it up every month - I don't tend to do "series" type posts on my blog as I just know that I won't keep them up. I didn't use up much this month, but here's a summary of what I did and whether I would re-purchase.

CK One Shock For Her Eau de Toilette 50ml - £24.50

I received this as a Christmas present a couple of years ago. It's quite a sweet scent with musky base notes and is described as being part of the "sensual floriental" fragrance family. I wore it mostly in the daytime as the scent is actually quite fresh and subtle when applied. Unfortunately though the scent doesn't last very long.

Purchase myself? No - of all my perfumes this was my least favourite.

Collection Extreme 24 Hour Felt Tip Liner in Black - £2.99

I only wear liquid eyeliner for going out in the evening, so it's taken me awhile to use this up. It has a large felt tip end, which is my preferred form of eyeliner. Big thumbs up to Collection as it's is such good quality for the price; the colour is rich, pigmented and long lasting. Full review here.

Re-purchase? Yes.

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation in Opal 30ml - £15.50

If you read my blog regularly then you'll already know how much I love this foundation. It's a god send for breakout prone skin as it provides high coverage without making your skin worse, but doesn't look like you've caked your skin in makeup. It's also great for covering up dark circles. Full review here.

Re-purchase? Of course.

balance Me Rose Otto Intensive Lip Salve 10ml - FREE - RRP £12.00

This lip salve was a magazine freebie last year and I've been using it on and off ever since. To be honest this wasn't my favourite; it feels a little greasy and takes quite awhile to absorb. It also has a very strong rose scent, which took awhile to get used to. You can see my comparison of this lip salve to the Figs and Rouge Rambling Rose Lip Balm here.

Purchase myself? No - for me it isn't worth the £12.00 price tag.

What products have you used up this month?

Beauty Bird xx

L'Occitane Freebie with Marie Claire (November 2013 Edition)

The November 2013 edition of Marie Claire is out now and not only does it have my girl crush Zooey Deschanel on the cover, but it also comes with a L'Occitane freebie! The freebie is a 30ml hand cream worth £8.00 and there are four to collect; the original Shea Butter and three limited edition scents, which are Subtle Violet, Passionate Jasmine and Rose Tenderness. I was in Boots when I spotted this and only had the choice between Passionate Jasmine and Subtle Violet, so I decided on the latter, simply because I had the magazine already in my hand! I do like the scent, but I am glad it's subtle as I don't think I'd like it very strong. Whatever the scent though, L'Occitane is my favourite ever hand cream, the formula is just amazing and perfect for dry hands in the winter.

 

Marie Claire costs £3.90, so you effectively get the magazine and L'Occitane hand cream for less than half the price of the hand cream alone! I'd love to get another of the original shea butter, but I expect this will be the one to sell quickest, so I may not be so lucky.

 

Will you be picking up Marie Claire this month? Which hand cream will you be hoping to pick up?

 

Beauty Bird xx

 

 

 

 

Review: SEACRET BB Cream

SEACRET is a brand that produce a range of skincare and bodycare products using minerals from the Dead Sea. They also have a range of products designed for men. Today I am going to be reviewing their BB (Blemish Balm) Cream, which comes in a 50ml tube and costs £39.99. 

SEACRET BB Cream is a blend of moisturiser and foundation, which comes out of the tube as a thick white cream, but is designed to transform into your natural skin tone upon application. SEACRET say, "[Our] BB Cream helps to conceal blemishes and imperfections, leaving the skin balanced and hydrated, with a smooth natural glow". I've never tried a product that acts in this manner before and tending to rely on high coverage foundation most of the time, I was intrigued to see how this would look on my skin. It is suitable for light to medium skin tones.

I thought it was worth mentioning at this point that this isn't a completely natural product but does contain some natural ingredients such as Dead Sea Minerals, Jojoba Seed Oil, Grape Seed Oil and Vitamins A and C.

When it comes to application, SEACRET advise that you can actually use this as a moisturiser, a lightweight foundation or a makeup base. My preference has been as a moisturiser over a serum/oil or as a makeup base, as the coverage is quite light. It is amazing though how the BB Cream does just turn into the colour of your skin as you blend, as you can see from the photos. It certainly takes the edge off any redness from spots or scars, but it hasn't stopped me reaching for my foundation. However I love the healthy glow the BB Cream gives to my skin; if I had clear skin then I would definitely use something like this as my only base product with just a little bit of concealer as necessary. It seems to keep my skin well hydrated, though it will be interesting to see if it's enough for my skin in the depths of winter, as it dries out very easily. However for the summer it's just perfect.

Left: Bare skin (ew) / Right: With SEACRET BB Cream

The Verdict

This is quite an expensive BB cream, so I would recommend this if you would use it for all three applications and are after a base product with light coverage. The unique formula really is lovely and does just as it says. Unfortunately this product just isn't 100% suited for me.

To view the BB Cream and the rest of the SEACRET range, please click here. SEACRET have generously given me a 30% discount code to share with you all, so if anything on the website takes your fancy, you can use the code sparkle30 to get 30% off your total order until December 2013!

Have you tried anything from the SEACRET range? What's your favourite BB cream?

Beauty Bird xx

P.S. This post contains a PR sample. This does not affect my opinion of the product.

NOTD: Butter LONDON in Scoundrel

Today's NOTD pictures come to you from a seriously comfy window seat I spent my relaxing time in when on holiday in Cornwall. I really wish I had a window seat at home! This nail varnish is the absolutely gorgeous shade Scoundrel by Butter LONDON, which I picked up for a bargain £5.99 in TKMaxx (the normal RRP is £12.00). Butter LONDON is, as you may have guessed from the name, a British brand that produce "3 Free" nail varnishes - free from Formaldehyde, Toluene, and DBP. The brand can be found in larger Boots stores or online (I noticed Amazon is selling this shade for £10.00!).

Butter LONDON describe Scoundrel as "A medium tone purplish-mauve that can appear darker or lighter depending on what clothing you are wearing". I did notice that the colour seemed to change in this way but I thought it was the lighting or something. You can even see this in the pictures above - despite taking these all in the same place with the same lighting, the colour looks darker and then lighter. I wonder if it made a difference how close my hand was to the colours in the background, as it looks lighter the further away it is from the yellow and blue knitted blanket. Anyway, whether the shade is darker or lighter, I absolutely love it! It is the perfect colour to take you into Autumn.

Have you ventured into Autumnal colours on your nails yet?

Beauty Bird xx