Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

 

 

I found this little beauty whilst shopping in Liverpool last year. I'd heard about Nars as a brand but not had the chance to trial any of their products. After having the foundation applied to my skin, i wouldn't believe i hadn't found this sooner. First of all the colour is great for pale skin. The sheer glow foundation shades all have a slight yellowy hint, which is refreshing to use a foundation that doesn't make my pale skin look orange. Secondly the coverage is unbelievable. I'd never seen my skin look so flawless! Every blemish and scar was covered without looking prominent. The consistency is fairly thick but very easy to blend in comparison to many other full coverage foundations. The finish is matte with a slight glow that doesn't fade hour after hour. I've worn this on many nights out it's the only foundation that still looks just as immaculate at the end of the night as when i first applied it. I've been so addicted to this foundation and I've been spreading the word like crazy. Over the last year I've tried and tested mountains of competing brands but I'm yet to find another foundation that comes anywhere close to this one.

 

Nars Sheer Glow retails in at £31.00 which might sound a lot but this will last you a long time as you use such a small amount. There are a few places you can buy sheer glow, but i usually buy mine off of the Nars Official website here.

 

Thanks for reading,

Alys

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Braun Silk Epilator

Having such sensitive skin means I've never been able to wax or use hair removal products. So, after many years of Shaving a few friends of mine advised me to try and epilator.

 

Braun Silk-Epil 7

 

 

Pros: Simple to use (ideal for beginners or experienced users), two epilation speeds, a light underneath to show up all unseen hairs, massaging rollers, long battery use, wet or dry use, 3 different heads, washable, great on short hairs and aesthetically it looks good.

Cons: noise control and the first use is painful!

 

 

First of all this product is not for the faint hearted. If your really serious about looking for an alternative solution to smooth, hairless skin then this is probably the one for you.

With summer on the horizon, i had that dreaded feeling of knowing i was going to have to shave everyday again. When a couple of my friends suggested to try using an epilator instead i jumped at the chance. After scouring the Internet for the best reviewed product i came across this. I have to admit although the reviews were great i was completely swayed by the look of it. Many of the other epilators looked old fashioned and ugly but in comparision this one looked feminine and modern.

When the epilator arrived i followed the instructions and put it straight on to charge. Within an hour it was fully charged and ready to go. I was surprised at how many little accessories you get with the epilator. Inside the box were 3 different heads, a bag, some wipes, a brush and a charger.

The instructions advise you to use the lower setting for the first few uses so after hearing about how painful the first use can be i chose to follow this. For my first use i tried using it in the bath. I switched the button to the first setting and the light came on. It struck me straight away at how noisy this was going to be. 10 seconds later i forgot about the noise as the pain took over! Ok, so on my legs the pain was bearable and i did get used to the sensation. The light proved useful, showing all unseen hairs. The feeling is similar to plucking your eyebrows, just about 100 tweezers more. It took me about twenty minutes to do both legs and by the end the pain had completely subsided, it's amazing how quickly you get used to it.

Next i decided I'd be brave and tackle my under-arms. This is the part the majority of people would give up on. I changed the head and started to glide the epilator upwards. The pain was almost unbearable. So different to the sensation on your legs, as your underarms are so much more sensitive. I pushed through and finished both arms within about 10 minutes and i was so pleased with the results! Was it worth the pain you ask? COMPLETELY!

My legs and under Arms were smooth, flawless, not a hair in sight. After use i applied moisturiser to both parts of my body, My skin had no redness, inflammation or reactions which is a miracle for me!

After about a week the hairs started to grow back and i went in with the second use. The hairs had grown back thinner then before and this time the pain had halved. Ultimately it was bearable.

For anyone with a very low pain threshold i wouldn't recommend this to you. Once you've got passed the first use your on to a winner but if you can't, its a lot of money wasted!

I brought the Braun Silk-Epil 7 from Debenhams For £71.00 but usually it retails in at £119.00. This is now sold out on their website but there are plenty of other retailers that still have it in stock.

Please let me know if you have any other questions about this product.

 

Thanks for reading,

Alys

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Highstreet Foundation Must Haves

Ive never been persuaded enough by anyone to try high street branded foundation until i became a beauty blogger. Acne, being the biggest part of my life, Specialists have always told me never go for a cheaper option. The more expensive the better and make sure its oil-free.

Now your thinking...So why have you changed your mind? Well after reading up on plenty of reviews and recommendations i thought hell why not!

So a few weeks ago i invested in two high street foundations that have proved extremely popular on the bloggers feed this month. Well done Loreal!

 

Loreal True Match Foundation

 

 

So first foundation i tested was Loreal True Match. Loreal Claims to be 'super blend-able, matches skin colour and texture'. During application i was pleasantly surprised. The Liquid foundation blended instantly with a silky satin feel. A little product went a very long way! At first i thought it might be slightly too dark for me, but it blended into my skin tone within a matter of seconds. I would recommend to use a decent quality foundation brush as you definitely need a tool of some sort to get a flawless blendable texture. Overall i was very happy with the results. I wouldn't however recommend this to anyone with oily skin texture, as this reflects the light and gives a very dewy effect. I don't think it would be a great combination. The only negative feedback i would have with this foundation would be the length of wear. The product slips of very easily and needs a good quality setting powder over the top otherwise you'll loose the look within no time.

Loreal True Match is available in a variety of places. I purchased mine from Boots retailing in at £9.99 here.



 

Loreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint

 

 

Loreal's claim: 'Lighter than water: L'Oréal Paris revolution in foundation for zero make up feel.'

This has been Compared to the likes of Georgio Armarni 's Luminous Silk Foundation which is a massive compliment for Loreal. I wouldn't really label this as a 'foundation' as it has such a silky feel its similar to applying a Primer. However i was so impressed with this! if your looking for a product to wear that's lightweight, and doesn't really feel like your wearing anything this is the product for you. The coverage is surprisingly high for a product that's described to be 'like water'. Smoothing over imperfections for a flawless finish. I was surprised about the long lasting effect as well. The foundation kept my skin smooth and fresh all day, no touch ups needed. This is perfect for any skin type, as it dries with a slight powdery finish, not too oily or too dry. Give it a go girls!

Nude Magique retails in also at £9.99,

you can buy Nude Magique here also at Boots.

 

Thanks for reading,

Alys

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Easter Essentials

Are you looking for a few new staple skincare or makeup products to add to your daily routine?

 

  

These may be the products for you....

Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder

 

Firstly Vichy 'Dermablend' setting powder is my must have beauty product at the moment. Especially this time of year when you cant predict the weather day to day, this will ensure that your makeup stays in place for hours on end. When i read the reviews on this i wasn't convinced that it would make that much difference as lots of people had written that they loved the powder but needed to reapply it throughout the day. This definitely was not the case for me. One sweep (using a large blending powder brush instead of the powder puff they provide) keeps my makeup on all day with zero retouches. it reminds me of the Bare Minerals Mineral veil. With a similar consistency but doesn't dry your skin out as much. The powder is translucent and leaves no residue or product on the surface of your skin which is great because i find a lot of powders can clog my skin up and make me look like i have a huge amount of makeup on. As this is fragrance free i can 100% recommend this to anyone with sensitive skin. This is now part of my daily makeup routine and I'm excited for those hot summer days and my foundation wont slip off of my face!

 

This is available to buy in lots of retailers now at a range of prices but i purchased mine on Esentual as you can see for £14.45.

I'd love to know if any of you lovelies have tried the Vichy Dermablend foundation?

 

 

 Dior Skin BB Creme

Shade- 01

 

The second product that i purchased was Dior Skin BB Creme. I was completely stuck between this and Estee lauder's dupe but i ended up choosing this after reading better reviews. I did however get given a sample of Estee Lauder BB cream and absolutely loved it! So il probably be buying that soon as well. Dior describe this product as 'A dream combination of skin care and make-up'. I agree to a certain extent. The consistency is unlike a BB creme that i have tried before. It has a foundation fluid like feel on application but sets to a powder finish. Instead of  providing a coverage like makeup it smoothes and sinks into the skin, adjusting to your individual tone. I'm not convinced i could wear this alone instead of foundation, maybe in the summer on holiday. But it's lovely as a base underneath my normal routine. It reminds me alot of Chanel's Perfection Lumiere foundation. Although its very light it has a powdery look and feel, and they also work really well together. The tube is fairly small but comes with a unique pump which is such a helpful feature, and aesthetically it looks great.

 

Dior Skin BB Creme is priced at £30 but i paid only £25.50 also at  Esentual
 

 

Lastly this is a product I've wanted to try since it was first launched.
 

Benefit Gimme Brow

Shade- Light/Medium

Anyone that knows me knows that i am a complete eyebrow addict. I love keeping them in shape and preened to perfection so whenever i hear of new brow products i jump at the chance to try them out. This product has seemed very popular and everybody seems to be raving about it so i was very excited to purchase this.

Benefits claims 'Fiber gel adheres to skin and hairs for fuller looking brows'. The Colour for me was perfect, almost a dark ashy blonde. When i first applied it looked very natural. it combed the hairs into shape and it was almost like wearing a tint layer on top of the hairs. My brows instantly looked neat and tidy and i will admit they did look slightly fuller. Overall i loved this product but it wasn't something i can use alone. I needed a slight touch of powder and pencil at the end just to create the shape that I'm used to and also fill in any gaps that i have. The product kept my eyebrows looking perfect all day with zero touch ups needed! Definitely a must have for any eyebrow addicts or even any eyebrow virgins out there. A great natural finish with zero hassle!

I purchased this in Debenhams for £17.50.

 

 

Thankyou so much for reading,

Have a lovely Easter weekend

Alys

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Spring Lips

Dior Fluid Lipstick & Clarins Lip Perfector Combination

 

 

Whilst shopping with some friends earlier this week i came across the new Dior Fluid Lipstick range. Why hadn't i discovered these little gems before? The Range delivers some beautiful spring colours ultimately causing me to do a quick purchase buy. I chose the Colour 386 in the shade 'Kiss Me' as its similar to the Clarins Lip Perfector i had purchased a few weeks before. When i brought the Clarins shade 01 i loved the natural translucency for an everyday look but at the weekends i strive for something a little different so had been looking for a base colour to compliment this. The Dior Fluid Lipstick is exactly what it sounds like; a liquid form, almost like a gloss but with a denser colour. The Lipstick Comes with a gloss like applicator which enables a flawless application in a single sweep. The high-impact colour and long wear of a classic lipstick, combines with the shine of a gloss. Colour and shine come together as one for maximum impact with intense, long-wearing lip stain pigments which remain after hours of wear. The pigments look natural and subtle. After the gloss has disappeared i apply the Clarins Lip Perfector to re-ignite the colour and look. Overall, I love this combination!

 

 

 The only Downside to this look is the price! Dior Addict Fluid Stick retails in at £26 but i have seen this cheaper online. However Clains Lip Perfector ranges from £15-£18 online. This is definitely an investment but if like me you have an addiction to quality and classic makeup looks these are a must have in your spring collection.

Thankyou for reading,

Alys

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Sunday Hair Saviour

Aveda- Damage Remedy

 

Pros: Repairs damaged ends after one use, controls frizz and produces ultimate shine.

Cons: You need to leave on for a lengthy time but the end result is worth it!

 

 

 

Last weekend after having my hair coloured in my favourite salon i picked up this little beauty. I had quite alot taken off my hair as it needed a good trim from all the heat damage it's endured over the last nine weeks. I asked my stylist to recommend me a decent mask to apply once a week and this is what she gave me. I haven't had much experience in using hair masks as i usually rely on serums alone but i thought I'd give this a go. Aveda recommends you to leave it on for between 5-10 minutes and just apply to the ends. After my first use i could see a huge improvement on my ends. They felt thicker, stronger and so so shiny. Literally felt like I'd just walked out the salon. If like me you need a little pick me up at the end of a busy week, you need to add this to your Sunday rituals.

 

 

Thanks for reading,

Alys

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Skinetica Product Review

Last week i was kindly gifted a few products from the lovely people at Skinetica. I've heard lots of amazing comments from other beauty bloggers and was excited to try something new. Because i am currently seeing a dermatologist and have strict instructions of what i can and cant use, i tend to shy away from anything other then what I'm prescribed. So i ran this past my consultant and she gave me the go ahead! I trialled this product for just under a week and here are the results.

Skinetica is a clear, toner like lotion that claims to soothe, calm and clear blemished skin. It's kind to skin (perfect for my sensitive skin) and has known no side effects which is very uncommon for acne clearing products! Skinetica advise you to apply to clean dry skin. generously pour the product onto a cotton wool pad and sweep over the worst affected areas. Let your skin air dry for at least one minute and you can then either apply moisturiser or foundation. Skinetica can be used as a base to makeup but claims to work better when nothing is applied over the top.

First Impressions:

Pros and Cons :

• It didn't irritate my sensitive skin, i actually found that it calmed the redness alot!
• Skinetica Has a unique smell alot like some of the lotions I've been prescribed before but on first application i found that its not harsh like those products at all.
• i wasn't that keen on the packaging, its eye catching but does look quite cheap and fairly old fashioned.

 

Day One

This week was possibly the best week to try a acne clearing product as days before I'd suffered with  a  huge breakout. The night before my skin felt tight, raised, angry and very painful.

So after my first day using skinetica i wasn't expecting any results yet but my skin did feel slightly different. The redness was less noticeable and my skin didn't feel so taught. No new spots today.



Day Two

 Woke up this morning with my skin feeling calmer, slightly less red and raised. Red marks are starting to fade, spots seem dry and less prominent.

 

 Day Three

 Today i had a turn for the worse! Second phase of my big breakout has erupted. Three new spots have appeared in my jaw and neck area. Very prominent and sore. As you can see in the picture the spots in my jawline have made it look quite swollen and bumpy, which has changed the shape of it. Applied Skinetica and i'll wait till the morning to see if it helps to calm them.

 

 Day Four

 Just woken up, The spots are still there but a lot less inflamed and swollen. Jawline looks slightly flatter and more normal looking. No new spots over night which is great news!

 

Day Five

Having a good skin day today, skin feels smoother, flatter and hydrated. No new spots and the redness that's there seems to be either scaring or spots that are on their way out.

Day Six

Skin feels great today, the last of the redness is scaring and even that looks like its starting to fade. No new spots today so i think I'm over the worst, skin feels soft smooth and supple.

 

 

Final Verdict

After Six days of trialling this product and suffering from two fairly big breakouts, in my opinion this product did an excellent job. Throughout the week i found it helped at calming and soothing my skin and stopping the breakouts from getting out of hand. As you can see from the evidence above, each day the blemishes looked flatter, less angry and in general felt a loss less painful. Even some of my scaring had started to fade.

Overall i think this is a great product for any type of acne sufferer. Over the past nine years i have tried a ridiculous amount of products that have had either a small impact or very extreme results. Skinetica seems to fit right in the middle of these. Although it has helped in the process of caring for a breakout it isn't something that i feel would completely clear my skin forever.

For me this isn't my final solution, but for many other people this may be all they need. I do believe that everyone skin is so different its about finding that one product that balances it out correctly. I do however think it will be helpful to control my skin as new spots start to appear and i will be adding this to my skin saviour list for emergencies. I would definitely recommend this to anyone suffering with any kind of breakout or just to add to your skincare collection. Thank you so much Skinetica for sending me these products, i couldn't of asked for a better company to work with.

 

Skinetica Retails in at only £9.99 and you can buy on their website here.

I'd love to here any feedback of any other people that have tried and tested Skinetica and the results they have found. Email me at alysholder@yahoo.co.uk for any questions or queries relating to this post.

 

Thanks for reading,

Alys

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