Radiant Summer skin - Highlighters.

I absolutely love skin highlighters they're a good, easy way to give you a beautiful glow for that simple Summer look. I've been trying out 5 products and I thought I'd let you know how I got on...

No7 Instant Radiance Bronzing Highlighter - at £9.95. I managed to get this for £4.95 with the typical £5 off No7 voucher that I'm forever accumulating and doing nothing with. That aside its a gorgeous little twist-up chubby stick that contains a gorgeous golden shimmer. It's really easy to use, just draw on top of cheekbones or wherever you wish, easy to blend. The only thing I'd say - less is
more with this one.

Sleek Faceform - £9.99. I have already done a review on this product, however I am in love with the highlighter...it's a really pretty, highly pigmented powder. Contained within a little palette with an equally gorgeous bronzer and blush, you really are getting a lot for your money. Available in 4 shades, mine is in 'Light'.

Revlon highlighting palette - £8.99. Available in two shades 'Rose Glow' and, 'Bronze Glow'...which is the one that I chose. I love this for a couple of reasons! Firstly because it's a really nice bronzer - for those that are going for a more Summery look as opposed to the usual solid colour Matte bronzer. The second reason I love this is because you can use it as a eye shadow palette! I often do, the colours are really pretty on the eyes, its a take on the Urban Decay Naked Palette for a fraction of the price.

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pearl Powder - £8.99. Also available in two shades 'Rose Boudoir' and 'Rose Raidieux' - I have Rose Boudoir and it's definitely the most natural of the bunch. It contains a highlighter and two light diffusing foundations. I was quite surprised at first, as once you swirl the brush in it exposes the 2 colours beneath. I still loved it though, it's so lovely and natural, more of an
everyday product.

Revlon PhotoReady Skinlights Face Illuminator - £11.99. It's the most expensive of my selection but I actually used to use this when it came out originally...many years ago - now I feel old! It comes in a liquid in 4 shades, I chose mine in 'Bare Light'. As I said it's a little more pricey than the others but you really don't have to use much at all and you can use it wherever you want to highlight. It's perfect for me as my cheek area is really quite dry at times, so sometimes a liquid works better for me. It also says that you can mix it into your foundation - although I haven't tried this - I'm not sure how it would look.

  These are swatches from the highlighters. I wasn't able to photograph the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pearl Powder.

These are swatches from the Revlon highlighting palette.

 

What's your favourite summer highlight?

L x

Products I regret buying.

So you come home after a visit to your local drug store only to find that the thing you bought you suddenly hate for some reason - yes girls we've all been there, it's a disappointing feeling to say the least.

Here are a few products I purchased recently and that ended up in the bin!

1. Loreal Skin 15 second skin perfection miracle cleansing oil for face and eyes - £5.33
Initially I was attracted to this product because it was on offer (come on, we all love a good bargain) and I needed a new make up remover anyway.  Actually it does actually live up to its claims in that it removes make up well.  However the oily texture ended up getting into my eyes, which would leave my vision blurred for a while - not ideal!

2. Soap&Glory - Peaches and clean 3-in-1 wash off deep purifying cleanser - £5.33

It pains me that Soap&Glory is on my product regret list, I'm usually a huge fan, which lead me to buying this cleanser. Firstly this product smelt great, like fresh peach juice - yummy! I just felt that it didn't DO anything, didn't foam, didn't take make up off, just .....nothing...

3. Nivea daily essentials refreshing daily toner - £2.55
If I'm totally honest, my initial hopes for this product weren't high. I'm generally quite sceptical about toners as they strip you skin of natural oils - and this was no exception. It was too perfumed for me, an overwhelming powdery-type smell and sure enough was very harsh on the skin, left my face feeling sore!

4. Lush - Ultrabland facial cleanser - £6.95

I usually really love Lush cleansers, I love that they use all natural ingredients generally not irritating for my skin. However i really didn't like this one, it felt way too greasy for me (think a melted block of oily wax) the cleanser was really hard to remove from my face and my hands too. It left me feeling somewhat frustrated for what should be a simple cleansing routine.

5. Eau Thermale Avene Ultra Rich Cleansing Gel  - £8.00
If you read my problem skin post, you would know that I am a big fan of the traditional cold cream. So you can imagine my delight when I found this! I really like the Eau Thermale Avene range. Although this gel was way too 'soap-like' it was very foamy and really stung my eyes, even when it was washed off.

6. Botanics Organic Facial Oil - £4.99
While wandering around Boots one evening, I came across this.  It caught my attention because I know rosehip is great for the skin and seemed like a way cheaper alternative to others I had been looking at. I really felt like this did nothing for me yet being an oil I had hoped it would hydrate my dry skin but no...it just sat on my skin, certainly not for me!

7. Masks - Boots - Botanics Quenching Face Mask
I bought this a while ago as I love a good face mask - however this really dint hydrate my skin, it was more like a moisturiser than a mask - didn't feel pampered at all. 

Am I the only one that hates throwing out products, even if you didn't like them? hehe

L x

Coffee break review #2 - Spring Nails

Oooh... I've just been loving this seasons nail colours.  I find myself buying one almost every time I go out (its getting to be quite the expensive habit) and these are a couple that I've been loving lately.


First up...

...Models Own - in Lilac Sheen 'HyperGel'

£5.00

As you as you can tell from the title, this polish has a gel type consistency - goes on beautifully... a very, very smooth application. Its thick but easy to use formula, means that you could get away with one coat.

The colour is super cute - a fresh pretty colour for spring.

L'Oreal Color Riche in - 852 Pistachio Dragée

£4.99

A 'minimal' nail . It's colour without being OTT - for those with a desire to pursue the trend nail colours this season.

Like most light nail colours the initial application is streaky, but girls stick with it because the end result is just so chic.

Models Own Fruit Pastel Collection - Scented Nail Polish - Banana Split

£5.00

First up I just need to say - the scratch & sniff on the top is just too cute! Feels so retro and totally smells like bananas!

I'm impressed with Models Own at the moment, their nail polishes are amazing and this one is no exception. As with the L'Oreal colour above, all lighter colours initially tend to be streaky. This one though is slightly more forgiving in its application - a very pretty bright and an on-trend colour for spring.

 

Last but not least is...

...Revlon 'Textiles collection' - Leather Cuir

£6.49

A gorgeous blue colour -  with a slightly gritty texture. Goes on very well, a gorgeous on trend colour.

Compared to my review on L'Oreal jeans effect, I'd been looking for a textured nail that I love and this is it!

I'm pretty sure these are limited editions though girls so buy them while you can!

Tell me what spring trends have you been loving?

L x

Coffee break review #1 - L’Oréal Jeans Effect nail polish.

I recently purchased a new nail polish from L’Oréal's Miss Denim Collection ­
Jeans Effect in colour - 865 Jean and Tonic.

 

 
The colour is lovely for Spring/Summer, a bright and cheerful coral and highly
pigmented, which meant I could get away with just one coat. The consistency was
also fantastic, made for a smooth application.
 
So, did I like the 'Jeans effect'? In a word ­ no. I didn't hate it, but I have to say that
it probably would've looked better in a dark blue to fit with the denim look.


 
Have you tried any nail polishes from this collection...and what did you think?

L x