Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser spf 20. oil free

Before I have a proper rant, I have to say I really hate this product & I hate it even more because its so darn expensive at £33. I heard such good things about the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser & it looked so good on the make-up artist at the counter I couldn't resist buying it. Since my interest for make-up has grown & extended I have always vowed to consider the choice of base products very carefully, no expense spared etc. 

Blurb: Perfect for all skin types, Laura Mercier oil free tinted moisturiser spf20 provides oil free protection from harmful and damaging rats of the sun. This unique formula helps to control oil breakthrough while providing hydration to prevent dryness. 

This Tinted Moisturiser is just not for me - I've given it a fair trial but I can't use it anymore. FIRST of the shade is too dark - I look like an umpa-lumpa & that's no exaggeration. When I got colour matched the shade below was too light, & the shade above was too dark. I almost wish I went for the lighter shade that way I could of blended it down my neck & added bronzer & blusher to add colour back into my face.

Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturiser comes in 15 different shades. The shade I was matched up to was Tan.

Despite this being an oil free product, I found my skin produced more oil that it normally does & by the end of the day my complexion looked patchy & uneven. From the minute of application I want to scrub it off my face, its that BAD! I've never regretted buying a product so much. 

I like a light to medium coverage, if I have a few blemishes I don't mind them being exposed but if your looking to cover acne or heavy areas of blemishes then this product is poor in my opinion. You would most certainly need a heavy duty concealer as this watery consistent product is not going to cut the mustard. 

One positive I have to say, is that the packaging is lovely, its slim and compact - perfect for traveling and contains 50ml of product so you get a fair amount. Its in tube format so its easy to control how much product you use & it also makes it hygiene friendly. But nice packaging is just not enough if the product is pants !

            

I still think £33 is a lot for this product, especially because I didn't have a good experience with it, but I do think because of all the skin technology and benefits it has for your skin that maybe that's why it has such a high price point. There are a wide range of tinted moisturisers and BB creams on the market that would work better & are more affordable - if you still fancy trying the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser ask for a sample first before splashing out on the full size. 

                

Mainly the shade I was matched up to was a big let down, but it just didn't do anything magical for my skin, I felt uncomfortable wearing it & thats a big sign that something in the product is just not working. I must be the only one that doesn't like it because all the reviews I've seen have been positive, but not every product is going to suit everyone is it ? 

What are your thoughts? Have your tried this tinted moisturiser? Love it? Loathe it? Let me know in the comments below.x

Packaging At Its Best feat. Monica Vinader - Ziggy Ring

What girl doesn't love jewellery? Right ? As I've got older I've learnt to keep things simple including the jewellery I wear. I absolutely love RINGS !!! Not so much cocktail rings (anymore) but nice, dainty, delicate pieces. 

I came across jewellery designer, Monica Vinader and fell in love with her pieces immediately, I want to buy everything on her website however I would need a lot of pennies... anyone got spare pennies ???

I decided to go for the 'Ziggy Ring', it was £75 but it was well worth the money as its really nice quality, just something that I could wear everyday and it goes well with most other jewellery pieces. There are some other nice rings that I want from Monica Vinader but for now I'm happy with this one. 

The ring was beautifully packaged - I wasn't expecting much because after all its only a ring, but I really do appreciate the detail to packaging & presentation, maybe its because I'm interested in design. The ring was placed in a cushioned box & then placed in a soft card bag. Details of warranty & returns were placed in a lovely envelope & I would definitely recommend that if your looking at buying someone a gift, that you consider Monica Vinader. 

Are there any jewellery designers you like? Let me know in the comments below so I check them out? x

Gym Wish List #

I've been going to the Gym since April (2013). Five days a week. I start my work out at 5.00am & work out for around 2 & half hours before I head to work - before I've showered of course! Never in my life did I think I would go to the gym or do any sort of exercise but I'm doing well, the only times I've not been is when I've been extremely ill or my monthly friend pays me a visit but in those times it has killed me that I've not been, I'm TOTALLY ADDICTED, you can't buy the feeling you get from a good old workout. 

I don't go on the weekends because I need to rest sometime, but on those two day off I would still like to incorporate some weight work so there are a few things that are on my Gym Wish List #...

1.) Maxitone Dumbbell Tree £29.99 /  Matt Roberts Set of Dumbbell with Stand £49.99

2.) Adidas Backpack, Gym Sack and Water Bottle set £22.99

3.) York Vinyl Kettlebell £19.99 / York Set of 3 Vinyl Kettlebells £24.99

4.) Everlast Yoga Mat £9.99

An expensive Gym Wish List # right? Do you guys have gym equipment at home if so what do you have ? If you would like a post on healthy snacks & meals leave a comment below. x

Daniel Sandler Mineral Waterbase Foundation and Concealer

*This post has been sitting my drafts for weeks so please excuse the fact that there are no pictures of me wearing this foundation, I have since finished the product - please continue to read for full review . 
I've mentioned a few times, that I like to wear a light to medium  foundation. Anything thick feels heavy on my skin! I love the YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat but I feel it doesn't have the greatest lasting power so I only wear it when I am out for short periods of time - I like the glowing complexion it gives me without looking like a glitter ball or oil slick. 

Mineral based foundations & products in fact are ones I've always strayed from purely because I've thought they wouldn't work for my skin or that they wouldn't achieve the same results as 'normal' products would. I decided to give the Daniel Sandler Mineral Waterbase Foundation & Concealer a go, after its raving review from Actress and Beauty You Tuber, Susie Amy. I'll admit the packaging was something that interested me initially - sucker! Right? 

This duo can be purchased online from feelunique.com . £25.50 for 25ml, with free delivery. 
This foundation & concealer duo contains minerals & moisturiser's that claim to nourish & make your skin look healthy & natural all day long. It is described as an invisible tinted moisturiser with an oil free formulation that when applied disappears like water leaving a youthful, glowing complexion. The concealer suggests that it can be used on its own or mixed with the foundation to cover up under-eye circles and blemishes, however I found it worked best, for me as a blemish cover up.

I love that this is a duo product ! Not only is it fantastic for travel, but the fact that it comes with its own complementary concealer means that you can create a nice,even base. My main bug bear with this product is that it only comes in three shades,  girls with darker skin tones are not going to have any luck with this product I'm afraid! It always annoys me SO MUCH that make-up brands limit the variety of shades they have within their base products!

The texture, as the name would suggest is of a water like consistency. Very light and blends into the skin easily, however you do have to work with this foundation fast as it's very quick setting. As its so absorbing you do end up using quite a lot of product, but as the same time the spatula it comes with gives control of how much product your extracting for the packaging.
If your after a heavy, flawless coverage or are looking to cover a multitude of sins then this product is something you want to stay away from !

Left to right; a mixture of the two, concealer, & foundation

This duo is perfect for someone who already has good clear skin but is looking for something that is going to take away occasional redness, and enhance naturally clear skin - if your one of those people I'm well JEL !

For £25.50 I can't say I got my money's worth. You get a lot of product and I love it's concept, but it did nothing for my skin. Admittedly the shade I chose was a big part of my disappointment, but there wasn't enough to chose from, had I chosen the medium shade it would have been too light - there was no in between so either way I was stuck. Apart from the one review I've not heard many people speak about this product so if you have tried it I would love to know what your thoughts are? x

Good Customer Service

Just a quick post today. We've all come across bad customer service in our time. Whether its been face to face or over the phone.So when we do receive good customer service it's always nice isn't it ... ? 

As usual I was having a quick look on Cult Beauty (.co.uk), which has become a regular occurrence & I decided to place an order on a item that I had been waiting to come back into stock. Normally you have to spend at least £50 for free shipping & I couldn't justify spending that much just for the free delivery so when I found a free delivery code online I jumped all over it !

 Despite putting the code into checkout I later found out there was a problem with redeeming the code and I was still charged for shipping. I emailed customer services (on the Sunday) and the very next day I received an email...

I was so please at the quick response and professionalism from the Company. Cult Beauty not only stock a great range of products but offer great customer service. What has your experience of customer service been like, whether this is with Cult Beauty or anywhere else? Let me know in the comments below. x

Botanics Hydrating Night Cream

In the last year or so I have really been taking good care of my skin. I truly believe that if you look after your skin, not only will the appearance of your skin improve but your make-up will sit better on your skin too.

Using a night cream for me is a must,my skin can sometimes become dry so its important that I can get a 'hydration fix', if you will. One concern I do have with up keeping a skin care routine, is that is can be quite expensive but you would be surprised at what you can find in the drugstore...

Takes Boot's Botanics Hydrating Night Cream with brightening hibiscus for example. It doesn't break the bank at £4.99 and it does a pretty impressive job. For 50ml's worth of product and at a price like that its definitely worth trying. 

Although this moisturiser is rich, at the same time it has a really light consistency and is easy to work into the skin. It claims to promote surface renewal for brighter looking skin by the morning, which I totally agree with - my skin just looks so fresh, and supple ready for a new day's worth of make-up. 

One negative I would say is it can be a little greasy, however providing you apply a thin layer you should be 'grease lightening' free. If your looking for something cheap, cheerful and something that actually works, give this little pot of wonders a go. 

If you, as always have recommendations for good skin care products let me know in the comments.x

Where Have I Been?

Hi There! 

I feel like a stranger to blogging. I haven't uploaded a post in forever, despite there being a few drafts in my post's list. Every morning I get up at 3:45am to get ready for the gym and after a 2½ hour work out and a much needed shower I'm off to work so when I do eventually get home all I want to do it SLEEP !!!
I'm hoping to try and at least upload two blog posts a week varying from beauty, fitness, food and cooking, and fashion. 

I hope everyone is well. x

Hayfever Essentials

So, we now have nice weather... YES ! How long it will last for I don't know but if like me you suffer from 'Hayfever', being outside isn't necessarily straight forward. Endless reams of tissue and antihistamine on the go can be quite annoying. Here are a few 'Hayfever' essentials that may help you on the way.

1.) Eye Drops - these are great for dry and irritated eyes.

2.) Tablets - There's a variety that you can choose from that can ease the pain of your hayfever allergy.

3.)Nasal Spray - A good relief for hayfever symptoms. 

4.) Eye Wash - Refreshes eyes if they get irritated and sticky.

5.)'Haymax'- A balm that keeps pollen away. 

Those are just a few way to help you if you suffer from hayfever, needless to say a packet of tissue is also an essential. If you have any suggestions or even an herbal remedies, please comment below. Hope your all enjoying the weather. x

What's in my Everyday Make-Up Bag?

Since my last 'What's in my make-up bag', I've switched up a few products. As I'm going to the gym during the week, I've tried to keep everything to a minimum so I can quickly put on my make-up before rushing to work!

Tools & Brushes:

Avon Angled Blush Brush.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush.

Avon Angled Eyeliner Brush.

Real Technique Contour Brush.

No7 Eyelash Curler.

Bourjous Sharpener. 

Skin Care:

Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Moisturiser.

Soap & Glory Make Yourself Eye Cream.

Make-Up:

Daniel Sandler Waterbase Foundation and Concealer.

No7 Intense Volume Waterproof Mascara.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. 

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder.

Bourjous Bronzing Powder. 

Benefit It Stick.

Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner.

Avon Eyeliner.

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil. 

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo.

Revlon Lip Butter (Not shown). 

What products are essentials for YOUR everyday make-up bag? Let me know in the comments section below!x

GYM-ing It !

So I finally joined the gym! After looking around at different gyms, prices and the idea of direct debits, I finally found the courage to just do it! The one thing that was holding me back from joining was not having a gym buddy, but I've found I concentrate better on my own and I have a good little routine going on.

I go give days a week at 5.30am (apart from when Mother nature decides to visit... annoying), and work out for about 2 hours, get a shower and go straight to work. I have so much more energy, a good routine and I feel loads better in general.

 I'm now eating properly, i.e not eating a biscuit for breakfast, but really fulfilling and satisfying meals. So before I go to the gym I'll have either cereal, porridge or scottish oatcakes with peanut butter and when I get out the gym I'll have some cereal bars. For lunch I have steamed veggies and pasta/noodles or soups and for dinner I'll have whatever is made at home.

As a 'coffee whore' I've cut right back, I only have one cup of coffee in the Morning and thats it! If I feel like having a hot drink during the day I'll have a peppermint tea and before I go to bed I'll have a cup of hot milk with nutmeg. 

My main goal is to loose a bit of weight but mainly tone up and just work out to keep fit. Do you guys go to the gym? What are your goals? Any tips and advice would be gratefully appreciated. Look out for a 'What's in my gym bag' post, coming up very soon!x