Product Review | Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

Ciao ♥ How are you? I hope you all had a lovely weekend doing whatever it was you were doing. Hmm! Is it still acceptable to ask about your weekend now that it's Wednesday? (*scratches head hesitantly*) Oh well! I'm sure a lot of you had fun spooking it up on Saturday evening with it being Halloween and all. For those interested (not many I'm sure), I did the very opposite and spent my evening at home in my pjs. Oh, the fun.

Now that the greeting is out of the way, let's get down to some serious skincare business. I'm back today with a review on one of my go-to skincare products, Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream.

 

Elizabeth Arden is a brand I've practically grown up with as my mum used to have quite a few of their fragrances; my favourite being Sunflowers which smells lovely. However, it was only a year or two ago that I became a lot more familiar with their extensive line of skincare products. Thank fudge as my lips are prone to drying out and cracking especially come autumn and winter. I've tried to prevent this from happening by using an array of products, from several different brands, including Blistex, Carmex, Chapstick, Nivea and Vaseline. You name it, I've tried it. Unfortunately, none of these led to any long-lasting effects meaning I was always on the lookout for something new, and something better. That was until I discovered this little gem.

This product comes in a 50ml tube, available in a fragrance-free version and can be used to do the following: "shape brows, revitalize shine, soothe dry hands and smooth cuticles and nails. Also for symptoms of chapping, peeling or flaking due to minor burns, sunburn, windburn, scrapes, abrasions or cracked lips". It also has an expiration date of 36 months which is almost unheard of in the life of a cosmetic or skincare product.

It's available from several different retailers both in-store and online. The price of it does vary depending on where you purchase it from. For instance, it usually retails for £26, as seen on the Elizabeth Arden, Boots, John Lewis and Debenhams website, but I've found it for less than half of that price (£11.65 to be exact) on allbeauty.com. This just happens to be one of my favourite websites ever as their prices are literally unbeatable. Kerching! Y'all can thank me later :)

For those who are still not keen on the price, keep in mind that I've had mine for six months now and there's still plenty of product left despite me applying a liberal amount, a few times a day. Overall, I feel it does a great job at ensuring my lips are kept moisturised and hydrated. Not surprising as this product was first created in 1930 and has been a success ever since. Need I say more?

What do you guys think? Does this sound like a product you'd be interested in? Let me know what your thoughts are in the comment box below.

Ciao ♥ Xx 

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Wish List | June

Striped Midi Slip Dress - £36 from Topshop (click here to view)

Sudan Bag - £125/£87 from Pinko (click here to view)

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow - £49 from Harvey Nichols (click here to view)

Sunglasses - £5.99 from H&M (click here to view)

Mini Oyster Shell Drop Earrings By Patricia Nicolas - £15 from Topshop (click here to view)

Nike Roshe Run Flyknit - £94.99 from Office (click here to view)

Khaki Fedora - £25 from Miss Selfridge (click here to view)

2-Pack Bracelets - £12.99 from H&M (click here to view)

Tom Ford Lip Colour In Sable Smoke - £37 from Selfridges (click here to view)

Chloe Love Story Eau De Parfum 50ml - £64.50 from John Lewis (click here to view)

Ciao ♥ Xx

Product Review | L'Oréal False Lash Superstar Mascara

Ciao ♥ Every once in a while I come across a product that I want to shout from the rooftops about. This time around it’s L’Oréal’s False Lash Superstar which has me losing my voice, and rightfully so. But before I begin and in case anyone is interested, I previously reviewed two other L’Oréal mascaras which you can read by simply selecting: Miss Manga or Volume Million Lashes So Couture. Now the unintentional plugging is out of the way, let’s get on with it.

Every so often I get the odd person or two asking me what mascara I use as they’re super impressed with the length of my lashes. Heck! I’ve even had a few people ask if I have eyelash extensions. I don’t but what I do have is clearly more mascara than sense. I know which ones work and which ones don’t. Now that’s saying something as if you’ve read my previous product reviews you’d know that I don’t usually take very well to new products, especially mascara, upon first application. It’s almost as if there’s an instant dislike button in my head and the product has to do everything in its power to gain my affection. 

L’Oréal’s False Lash Superstar mascara is made up of two wands, on opposite ends, featuring two different products. The first is a primer which individually coats your lashes in a white formula helping to thicken its appearance. The second is a top coat which ‘applies a black fibre enriched formula that perfectly coats your lashes’. Like all mascaras, I find this one works best when you wiggle the brush at the root of your lashes from side-to-side and work it through to the end.

Upon seeing the size of the brushes I was a bit apprehensive as to how much I’d like this product as I’ve NEVER been a fan of a skinny mascara brush. I’ve always said the bigger the brush, the more volumised your eyelashes are going to be. However, after using this mascara for a good month or so, I can happily confirm that it has exceeded my expectations and has become a go-to product in my make-up routine. Not only does it separate and lengthens my lashes but I haven't had a single eyelash clumping together problem. I've also found that it doesn't cause my eyelashes to go hard after application but still leaves them feeling quite soft, meaning that make-up removal at the end of the day is rather easy. The only downside to this product is that although the top coat formula is black, it's not an intense enough black for me. Therefore, I often use it in combination with Maybelline's Lash Sensational mascara which does the job. Overall, L’Oréal has got it right yet again. 

 

Not the best picture or pose but I wanted you guys to see what this mascara looks like on.

Have any of you tried this product? If so, what are your thoughts? Also, what is your current favourite mascara, or beauty product for that matter? I’d love to know :)

Ciao ♥ Xx

Wish List | April

MOTO Authentic Cain Jeans - £42 from Topshop (click here to view)

Cat Eye Sunglasses - £17.99 from Mango (click here to view)

Beaded Long Necklace - £20 from Topshop (click here to view)

Tabla Lipstick - £15.50 from MAC (click here to view)

Zipped Quilted Messenger Bag - £29.99 from Zara (click here to view)

White Air Max Thea - £84.99 from Office (click here to view)

Straw Hat - £14.99 from H&M (click here to view) 

Minimalist Bangle Set - £25 from Made (click here to view)

Ciao ♥ Xx

Product Review | L'Oreal True Match Foundation

Ciao ♥ How are you? I hope you're all doing well. I'm back today with a review on one of my current go-to make-up products: L'Oreal's True Match Foundation.

This might come as a slight surprise (or not lol) to those beauty enthusiasts who have been using this product day in, day out, ever since you first discovered your love for make-up. So basically foundation is all pretty new to me. Yes! Despite being nearly 23 years of age I've only just recently started to incorporate it into my every other day make-up routine. Initially, I only wore foundation on certain occasions (i.e. going out for dinner or on a night out) as I disliked the idea of caking my face in something that I felt my good skin could do without. Instead I would often opt for a BB cream due to its light and natural-looking finish.

Nonetheless, I still wanted to find the perfect foundation for my skin and so the hunt began. Okay, so foundation is a product that I am willing to spend however much money on. Ha! Go ahead and call me crazy but isn't it crazy not to? After all it's worn on your face which is usually the first thing that people notice about you. I feel it's something that all users should consider as an investment. This isn't to say that you should rule out using a drugstore foundation but more so to promote the importance of trying both high-end and drugstore products. What many people fail to realise is that not every foundation, no matter how much it's raved about, is going to suit or compliment your skin.

Thereby, in order to find the perfect foundation I think it's wise to try out a few to see which one works best for you. Roll your eyes at me not as you don't have to spend a darn penny to do so. Most luxury brands are more than willing to provide you with a sample so you can try the product out before purchasing it :) Gah! I'm rambling now. Long story short, upon being introduced to the market I heard lots of positive reviews on L'Oreal's True Match Foundation. Not only did this intrigue me but it also made me extremely keen to find out what the hype was about and boy am I happy I did.

The L'Oreal True Match Foundation is available in 18 shades ranging from light to dark and warm to neutral to cool. It contains SPF 17, comes in a 30ml bottle with a pump and retails at £9.99. It provides a lightweight coverage which can easily be built up to a medium coverage by using an extra half a pump of product. I start off by applying a few dabs of the foundation (shade C2 Rose Vanilla) around my face and use my Real Techniques Stippling Brush to blend it all in. I find that together these two work like a dream as the foundation buffs into my skin effortlessly leaving me with a natural and matte finish.

This is what my skin looked liked after wearing the foundation for 5+ hours.

Have any of you guys tried this foundation before? If so, what are your thoughts? I'd also love for you guys to suggest any other foundations that you feel are worth a purchase :) You can also read my previous Mehr Mac lipstick review by clicking here.

Ciao ♥ Xx

Wishlist | March

Utility Denim Shirt Dress - £42 from Miss Selfridge (click here to view)

Metal Detail Leather Mini Bucket Bag - £49.99 from Zara (click here to view)

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Hepburn Honey Lipstick - £23 from Selfridges (click here to view)

Dusty Pink Cat Eye Choker Necklace - £54 from Ottoman Hands (click here to view)

Heel Leather Sandals - £89.99 from Mango (click here to view)

Wide Brim Colour-Block Fedora Hat - £32 from Topshop (click here to view)

Miu Miu Sunglasses - £175 from Sunglass Hut (click here to view)

Ribbed Body - £19.99 from H&M (click here to view)

Ciao ♥ Xx

Product Review | Mehr MAC Lipstick

Ciao ♥ At the beginning of last year I briefly mentioned my desire to incorporate a lot more beauty related posts into my blog. Sadly, this didn't quite go to plan so I'm back to square one with the hope of giving it a go this year. Wish me luck :P

Today I will be sharing one of my favourite MAC lipsticks, EVER. Now, I'm sure the majority of you would nod your head and agree with me in saying that MAC is just one of those brands you cannot help but purchase. Over the past two years I've accumulated quite a bit of a collection which I'm always looking to add to. Mind you, this isn't very hard to do so when half of the people I follow on social media are forever uploading their recent make-up purchases, beauty favourites or #FOTD (face of the day) posts. Ha! Now you can see why my to-buy list just keeps on getting longer and longer.

Mehr is not a shade that I've heard many other ladies rave about. It's described as being a dirty blue pink shade and was originally launched as a limited edition lipstick alongside Double Shot, Tabla and Yash. All four of these shades proved to be a success and were thereby incorporated into the brand's permanent range. According to my good friend Google it was either part of the Middle-Eastern or Mickey Con collection.

I picked it up by chance and I guess you can say it was very much a fell in love at first sight swatch sort of thing. It's in a matte formula which just happens to be one of my favourite types of lipsticks regardless of how flaky and dry my lips can become. Mehr glides onto my lips fairly easily and does not require for me to use a lip liner prior to applying it. The pigmentation is amazing and tends to stay on for a good three-four hours. One of my favourite things is that it's complimentary to all seasons so can be worn all year round, both day and night.

 

Mehr has been one of my go-to lipsticks for the past year and a bit

• #BeautyTip: Make sure you prep your lips beforehand by regularly using a lip scrub.
• #BeautyTip: Apply a slick of lip balm before applying your lipstick to ensure your lips are smooth and moisturised.

Have any of you guys tried Mehr before? If so, what are your thoughts? I'd also love for you guys to suggest any lipsticks that you feel are worth a purchase as I'm a bit of a lipstick junkie :)

Ciao ♥ Xx

Rodial's Sculpting Bar and Make-Up Range

Ciao ♥ Despite us being almost one week into January let me begin this post by wishing you all a Happy New Year. I hope you enjoyed celebrating the last few hours of 2014 being surrounded by those people you love as I honestly can't think of a better way to welcome the New Year.

I'm very excited for what this year may bring both blogging and YouTube wise as I've got lots of ideas that I'll be implementing over the next few months. Whoop! Exciting times :) Now onto today's post...

At the beginning of last month I was kindly invited to the launch of Rodial's sculpting bar at Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge. The event was launched by Daisy Lowe who is the face and ambassador of Rodial's new make-up range. It was also attended by the Founder/CEO Maria Hatzistefanis who I had the privilege of interviewing. I also managed to unknowingly photobomb one of her photos. Check me out in the background admiring her amazing make-up collection. Ha! Not your typical week day, ey? :P

I was first introduced to the brand about a year ago when one of my work colleagues suggested I give the Dragon's Blood Eye Gel a try after I was telling her about my dark undereye circles. Ever since doing so I've been a massive fan and probably even more so (if that's possible) after incorporating some of their make-up products into my everyday make-up routine. All of which I will come to in a little bit.

The Rodial sculpting bar is the first of its kind within the UK and offers customers a selection of bespoke services including Paparazzi Day Sculpt, The Model Brow, Malibu Bronze Look and LA Strong Lip. I was offered a complimentary treatment of my choice so opted for The Model Brow. You can see the final result in the picture posted below. Don't they look oh so defined?

All of the make-up products used for these treatments have been specifically designed to sculpt and define the face. In other words, you're one brush stroke away from having Kim Kardashian's razor-sharp cheekbones. Yes, really!

I was kindly gifted the Instaglam Compact Deluxe Illuminating Powder, Instaglam Compact Deluxe Contouring Powder, The Powder Brush and The Highlight Brush. One of the great things about these products, such as the first two mentioned, is that they are of a universal shade meaning they're suitable for all skin tones. The second thing that I am absolutely loving about this make-up range is the packaging. Isn't it gorgeous? As you can probably tell I'm a real sucker for packaging. I think it helps to add character to a product and I'm that whole bunch more likely to purchase something if I'm attracted to the exterior of it. As you can see both of the compacts look elegant and sleek.

I will be posting a make-up look within the next two weeks featuring all four of these amazing products so make sure you keep an eye out for that :)

 

 

What are you thoughts on the Rodial sculpting bar? Have any of you guys tried any Rodial products and if so, which ones?

Ciao ♥ Xx