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

MONU professional skin care : Extra Rich Night Cream

This is a review on the MONU Extra Rich Night Cream for Dry / Sensitive skin. I received this as a sample from a one off GlossyBox I purchased, and it was the one product that caught my eye as I'm really enjoying skin care products at the moment.

A generous 20ml sample of this cream has given me enough time to establish what I think about the product and I must say its fantastic!

MONU claims that its Extra Rich Night Cream nourishes and firms skin which I totally agree with - its certainly improved the dry patches on my face and my skin feels more soft and supple. The cream contains such goodness as royal jelly, vitamins and evening primrose which is the ingredient that helps soften the skin. 

 

I guess I should mention the scent. This cream has a 'mature lady' kind of scent...if you know what I mean. Not to say its a bad scent, but the scent I feel suggests that this cream is suited for more maturer skin types.(Not that I'm getting any younger).

MONU's advise is to apply their cream after cleansing and toning which is what I do anyways. It has a nice thick (but not too thick) formulation, which is what I prefer for a night cream. I apply a thin layer over my face and wear it as a mask and allow it to sink in by itself.   

When I wake up my skin feels alive and brighter, refreshed, smooth and most of all rehydrated. Its one of the best night creams i've used, however I won't be purchasing the full size as I can't justify paying £36.95 for a night cream. Surely there's cheaper alternatives out there that are just as good, right? What do you think? Is £36.95 too much for a cream or is it worth the money? Have you tried any MONU products? Any suggestions of good night creams? Please let me know your thoughts.x

Haul: Laura Mercier

When I go to London, its always a crime NOT to go into Selfridges, even if its just for a browse. This time I accidently (yeah right) walked out with some Laura Mercier goodies. I figured that I needed some new base products as my Revlon Nearly Naked foundation was running out and I have never been completely satisfied with drugstore shade ranges!

- Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 oil free - £33.00 . 

- Mineral Powder SPF 15 - £31.00 .

This may seem like an expensive purchase, and it is however I don't mind spending money on base products especially if they do what that say. I've been trying to use less liquid foundations and opting for an even lighter coverage so the Mineral Powder is perfect for this. As for the Tinted Moisturizer, the makeup artist on the Laura Mercier counter was wearing this and her skin looked beautiful so I decided to get this as another option if I didnt want to wear the powder.

So far I love both of these products, more so the mineral powder if anything. If you have tried any of these products or have any other Laura Mercier product recommendation please let me know in the comments section.x 

Botanics: Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm

Ever since the phenomenon of the Liz Earle Hot Cloth cleanser, most of my cleansers have been of the Hot Cloth variety. I very much like a product that does a multitude of things - not only does it mean less products (though I love my beauty / skin care products) but the time it takes to remove my make-up & cleanse my face is halved, which of course means more sleep. Having tried several cleansers including the Liz Earle one, I had never tried a balm type cleanser up until now so I decided to give the Boots Botanics Hot Cloth cleansing balm a go ...

Botanics's Hot Clothing cleansing balm is formulated with a Shea Butter, Rosehip and Jojoba oil and claims to be 97% organic. 

Like most cleansers,this one is accompanied with a muslin cloth. Not the best I've come across but hey it does the job. 

You get 65ml of product and you only need a pee size amount so this stuff lasts for ages. Mine stood the duration of about 4-5 months so at £8.99 its value for money, right? Its perfect for travel because the packaging isn't overly big and there's no risk of mess in your travel bag . 

Although this cleanser removed make-up off very easily, thats all it did! I didn't see a great improvement in my skin, yet this product didn't break me out either. As the main ingredient was Shea Butter I found this cleanser added moisture to my dehydrated skin, however I found that it left an oily film on my face & made my hands greasy, which I disliked.  

Initially I just used the balm on my face, avoiding the eyes. However for the purpose of testing this cleanser, I used this balm to remove stubborn mascara and eyeliner and it did a pretty good job and didn't irritate my eyes. It does say to avoid eyes, but each to their own. 

For those you suffer from dry and dehydrated skin, I would certainly recommend that you give this cleanser ago, however based on oily residue situation on my skin I won't be repurchasing. Have you guys tried this cleanser?x

Haul: Soap & Glory

Like most people I am a HUGE fan of Soap & Glory products, they can sometimes be on the pricey side however I always take advantage of the 3 for 2 offers at Boots. As I was in need of a new cleanser and eye cream, it just made sense for me to visit the S&G stand. 

- The Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser - £10.00  .

- No Clogs Allowed Super Self Heating Deep Pore Detox Mask - £11.00 .

- Make Yourself Youthful Eye Cream - £12.00 .

I'm really happy with my purchases so far. As always if you've used any of the products let me know your thoughts on them & if you would like any of the products reviewed feel free to ask in the comments section. x 

What's in my makeup bag - Handbag edition

I'm not one to carry loads of make-up with me but I do like to have my essentials when I'm on the go. Heres what I have in my make-up bag (handbag edition)...

1.) Retractable Blush Brush  

 It probably needs replacing but this comes in handy for blush. 

2.) Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets  

These help to keep my shine t-zone at bay. 

3.) Mirror  

Everyone needs one of these bad boys in their make-up bags.

4.) NO7 Blush in Coral Flush  

An essential to give my cheeks a flush of colour.

5.) Carmex (Cherry)  

The best lip balm by far. Keeps lips super soft.

6.) L'Occitane Hand Cream   

A non-greasy, quick drying hand cream that keeps hands hyrdrated. 

7.) Lush's A Million Kisses Lip Tint

Convenient & gives a quick wash of colour on the lips. 

8.) 2True Eyeliner in Black and a Natural Collection Lipliner 

I've always carry a black a eyeliner in my make-up bag, 

and the lipliner is a colour I wear almost everyday.

What are your handbag essentials ? x

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation: First Thoughts

So ever since it launched in the UK I've seen endless reviews on, Revlon's Nearly Naked Foundation. Its had comparisons to Nars Sheer Glow foundation & Urban Decay's Naked Skin Weightless Ultra  Definition Liquid make-up...it just looks like everyone wants to get naked!

The only other foundation I have tried from Revlon is their Photo Ready Foundation and although that gave great coverage it was just too heavy for my skin so its great that Revlon have launched a light-weight foundation to add to their make-up line.

First of lets address the pump situation or the 'no pump' situation. It really frustrates me that there's no pump! Not only is it difficult to pour out the right amount of foundation but it really makes the bottle dirty and you end up wasting product. 

Revlon's Nearly Naked Foundation(230 Nutmeg)- £8.99

Back to the actual foundation. Revlon claim that this foundation gives an 'unbelievable light' and 'undetectable' finish, and I really do think it looks natural on the skin. The consistency is very light-weight and gives a light to medium finish so if your looking to cover blemishes big time, I think this foundation may not be for you. 

I'm normally not one for sporting the dewy look because it can sometimes look like I have a greasy face, however this foundation gives you the dewy look without the shine so thats a massive plus in my books. The way I apply this foundation is with my fingers as I find the application is much better. I have tried to use  brushes(several) however I find that the foundation is left looking streaky and uneven. 

Natural Tan, Vanilla, Ivory, Shell,  Nutmeg, Cappuccino, Natural Beige, Nude, True Beige, Caramel

I was quite lucky that I could find a shade I could work with. However girls with darker skin tones than mine may find it difficult to find a shade suitable for them. The colour range isn't the greatest, but then again drugstore shades are never the best, or for the most part anyway!

This foundation lasts well on the skin well, at least for a full days work, which is one of the things I look for in a foundation (it's key). I get the occasional shiny t-zone but this happens with all base products I use - it's just the way my skin is. Despite the situation with the 'no pump' I actually like the packaging and I definitely think this is one of the best foundations out there at the moment if your looking for a light-weight, natural looking base product.

Have you tried this foundation out? What do you think? Like it? Don't like it? Let me know your thoughts. 

Nads Facial Hair Removal Creme

If your an Indian girl like me you know that once in a blue moon our inner 'werewolves' appear & we have to be maintained - by this I mean FACIAL HAIR ! I'm always intrigued with Facial Hair Removal products as I've never found one that I'm completely satisfied with. Traditionally I use creams as I find them the quickest and easiest ways to remove hair however I find with most creams the scent puts me off. 

Nad's is an Australian company that is stocked in Boots that specialises in a range of hair removal products for both men & women. It has received a number of outstanding reviews which instantly attracted me to trying their products. 

 

Kit Includes : 28g Hair removal cream & 15g Moisture & soothing face balm for after hair removal. 

Most hair removal kits contain one sachet of some sort of after care balm or lotion that can generally only be used once. However what I really liked about this kit is that it contains a generous sized tube of soothing balm so it can be used numerous times and its cleans and easy to use.  

As for the actual facial creme I have to say that it does have that really weird gone off scent that I mentioned most creams have, however its not that heavy to completely put me off. It has an angled applicator, so all you have to do is squeeze the product and apply a thick even layer directly to the skin which makes it much easier and cleaner.

You leave the formula on for 4 minutes, remove it with a soft cloth & warm water & bob's your uncle the hair is gone. I think for £4.95 this is a great little kit, its effective but your not breaking the bank either. Would I purchase it again? Probably not. Only because it left my skin feeling very dry and uneven despite using the soothing balm.

If anyone has tried this particular kit or anything from the Nad's range let me know your thoughts on the product.