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. 

'Tip Of The Day' # 2 - Goodbye Puffy Eyes

If like me you suffer from puffy eyes then keep reading... Although concealer does all the covering up during the day I have a cheap an very effective way of minimising puffy eyes for a longer period of time. 

The Answer: 

Petroleum Jelly  

Simply apply Petroleum Jelly to make-up free skin before you go to bed & you'll find that your puffy eyes will be banished by the time you wake up.It is also said that Petroleum Jelly promotes eyelash & eyebrow hair growth... so give it a go and let me know what you think!x

Amway: Artistry Essentials - Polishing Scrub

Is it me or does anyone have one day in the week where they have a 'deep clean day'. I stick on a face mask, put a hair treatment on and just sit in the bath and relax. On a daily basis I use the Clean & Clear Exfoliating Daily Wash (oil-free version) as a gentle face wash. It's a really nice product & always leaves my skin looking fresh & clean but once a week I like to use a more 'scrubbier', scrub (if you know what I mean) that's going to deep clean my skin and get rid of any excess oil and dirt.

http://www.artistry.com/makeup

http://www.artistry.com/skin-care I was introduced to Amway, an American company who sell products within the health, beauty & home care industry. Artistry Essentials is a brand within Amway that specialises in high-end skin care & make-up, so when I had the chance to try some products I jumped at the chance. As I'm getting older I find myself taking more care of my skin. I believe that if you have good skin, make-up will not only sit better but the overall appearance & texture of your skin will look much better.

What is the Essential Polishing Scrub?
I have been using the Essential Polishing Scrub for a while now and I absolutely love it. Artistry describes this Polishing Scrub as a gentle exfoliant that improves the texture of skin. It is dermatologically & allergy tested & contains polishing beads to massage into the skin with a fresh citrus & berry fragrance.

How I use it? I personally massage it into wet skin & leave it to set slightly as a mask, then I remove it with warm water my massaging it off with either clean hands or a muslin cloth.

What I think of it? This scrub is like a 5 minute miracle, it actually does what it claims to do. It makes your skin feel smooth, polished and look as if your glowing from within - almost like you have new skin. The texture is quite liquid-based with tiny exfoliate beads that really help to remove dry & dead skin cells in an easy, quick but gentle way. The citrus scent lingers nicely on the skin throughout the day and just makes your skin feel fresh & revitalized again.

The Price: I only use the scrub as a treatment at least once a week & you only need the smallest amount, so although this scrub is on the more pricer side for scrubs at £17.10 its does do a long way. 

My motto is always try things once & I guarantee that if you try this scrub you will fall in love with the results you get with it. The scrub is not readily available in the U.K, however for further information please contact:

Monica Shah on:
monica@shahglobal-ebiz.co.uk 

M.A.C Mineralize Skin Finish Natural

When I first started to take an interest in make-up, I felt that the beauty community was heavily influenced by M.A.C. I personally think that this brand is great for colour. They have a great choice of eye shadows, blushers,bronzing powders and lipsticks however I find that their base products are too heavy for my skin.

Left to Right: Match Master Foundation, Pro Longwear Concealer, Face & Body Foundation, Studio Sculpt Foundation, Select Cover-Up.
Setting my foundation with a powder is an essential. I've tried the dewy look, but I much prefer a matt finish - for the day time at least. I find that the drugstores have a great range of different powders, but their efforts are let down due to the poor colour range. Although I'm not the biggest fan of M.A.C base products I have absolutely fallen in love with the Mineralize Skin Finish Natural. 

The Mineralize Skin Finish Natural is a slowly baked matt-finish powder. It provides a low to medium coverage & can be used to set foundation or as a touch up throughout the day. Though packaging doesn't determine how good a product is this setting powder is really compact and sturdy and doesn't take up too much space in your make-up bag, which is always an added bonus for us girls.

At £21.00, this may seem like a heavy price tag for just a setting powder, however it's a lot more cost effective than buying a powder from the drugstore. I use a setting powder everyday, so when I use one from the drugstore on average I purchase around 1 in every 2 months. Whereas the Mineralize Skin Finish Natural has lasted me well over a year and its still going strong, its really a no brainer for me to opt for M.A.C option.  

As I've mention, the main problem I have with drugstore powders is that the colour range is very limited for people of my skin tone, similar or darker - there's just not enough choice! However with the Skin Finish Natural there are 10 different shades so there's something for almost everyone - from the lightest shades to olive & golden tones to the deeper skin tones. 

Shades Left to Right: Light, Light Plus, Medium Plus, Dark Deep, Give Me Sun, Sun Power, Medium, Medium Deep, Medium Dark, Dark
Mineralize Skin Finish Natural is a very light powder, you can use it to give more coverage on top of your regular foundation and add layer upon layer without it becoming 'cakey' on the skin. It leaves a silky finish to your face and pardon the pun but leaves your make-up looking very natural. I highly recommend this product, it's definitely worth the price and lives up to everything it claims. 

If anyone has used the Mineralize Skin Finish Natural let me know what your thoughts are on it & if there are any recommendations on other setting powders from 'premium' brands that you think are worth trying please let me know.