Tuesday 30 July 2013

REVIEW - Emma Hardie Body Scrub and Mask

I found this in TKMaxx for a bargainous-but-still-rather-steep £19.99 (down from £45.99).   I was intrigued by this - although I have tried many a body scrub, this is my first body mask AND my first product from the much-hyped Emma Hardie.

First of all, the packaging.  As usual for Emma Hardie, the tub looks high-end but is quite big and clumpy for the amount of product it actually holds, making it a bit of a pain to use in the shower.



The product itself is thick and grainy which means it doesn't slide straight off and it gives a thorough exfoliation.  I then left it on for about 5 minutes.  It washed off quite easily and left my skin feeling super smooth and well moisturised.  Even tough areas such as elbows were left feeling like a baby! The scrub smelt nice on application - a summery blend of citrus, florals and herb notes - but left no real scent after it was rinsed off.



I really love the effect this gave and it was perfect as part of my pre-holiday prep.  However, I used quite a lot in just one application to ensure I had enough on for the mask element, so its per-use value for money is not great.






A really great scrub that does the job of softening the skin.  Just loses 1 star for value.  


Have you tried this product?

Do you have any other recommendations from Emma Hardie?



Sunday 28 July 2013

What's in my Make-up Bag - Holiday Edit

This is my first holiday since becoming a beauty blogger.  I have always loved make-up but over the past few months, my collection has really expanded and at the moment, I find choosing my daily make-up so exciting and I can never wait to select and apply each day's look.  All of this has meant that narrowing down my choice of what to take away is so much harder this year!  I have aimed to make selections based on products that work well in the heat and are longer lasting or waterproof where possible.  Limited space means limited colour options but I have tried to go for those which go better with a tan and nothing too heavy or OTT; more appropriate for a beach holiday than a clubbing holiday


FACE
Primer

Benefit 15 hour Primer
Garnier 5 second Perfect Blur
This combo should erase any traces of fine lines from my 30 year old forehead and ensures my make-up stays put in the 40 degree + heat!



Foundation

Bare Minerals in Medium
By Terry Or de Rose Teint Supreme (from Space.NK sale)
I wanted a light option for a cream foundation and a powder which I think works well in the heat.


Concealer

YSL Touche Eclat in II
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Medium
Lancome Waterproof Under Eye Concealer
The ever-popular Collection concealer covers blemishes perfectly, while the waterproof Lancome and Touche Eclat will work together to banish under-eye dark circles.



Bronzer
Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Trio
MAC Bronzer 
I chose the Laura Mercier as I love using a cream bronzer for a natural contour, whereas the powder is essential to help tone down my oiliness.


Blush

MAC Gingerly
NARS Cactus Flower
Soap & Glory Cheekmate
This was tough to narrow down - I love blusher!  I have gone for a couple of cream options as they give a lovely glow, and again, the powder option is to help when it gets too hot!


Highlighter


YSL Dare to Glow Fatal Red
Estee Lauder Powder Gelee in Topaz Chameleon
I love this cream highlighter for a gorgeous sheen on the cheekbones; it is a lovely flattering colour and works well with a tan.  The Estee Lauder gelee is one of my all time favourite products, soo beautiful!



Powder


By Terry Powder
Make Up Store HD Powder
I bought the By Terry from the Space.NK sale for an absolute steal.  My favourite thing about it is the microfibre puff - the softest I've ever used.



EYES


Primer
Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer
Part of my fab gift from my Aunt who works for Smashbox in New Zealand.  Keeps shadows put.

Shadows
MAC 4 palette in Brulee, All That Glitters, Bronze and Espresso 
A good range of neutral, buildable colours that will look good with a tan.

Mascara
L'oreal False Lash Telescopic Waterproof
Of course it has to be this - makes my lashes as long as They're Real but has amazing waterproofness as an added bonus.

Brow Kit
GOSH Brow Kit
This bargain from GOSH does the job, no frills.  I have tinted my eyebrows so this is just a back up really.

Liner
L'Oreal Luminizer for Brown Eyes
This is new, so I hope I will like it
Nude Eyeliner from Illamasqua
To give a wide, fresh-eyed look



LIPS

Lip pencils/crayons
Bourjois Paris Colour Boost Lip Crayon in Orange Punch
Rimmel Exaggerate in Eastend Snob
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella
A nude liner, a chunky bright coral and a deep red.

Lipstick
YSL Rouge per Couture (don't know the colour)
MAC Patisserie 
My favourite lip colour this summer - hot pinky, corally colours and a neutral option too.

Lipgloss
Bourjois Effet 3D in Coral Artistic
Just to emphasise the corally-orange.

Lip balm
Korres Jasmine
An absolute must-have, the Korres lip butter in Jasmine.  I am going to try and find an SPF balm too, I'm sure I have one somewhere!

Primer
Urban Decay Lip Primer Potion
I love this as much as the eye primer.



TOOLS

Eyelash curlers
Boots No. 7 
I have used these for years.  Fab.  I heat them with my hair dryer to set the curl.

Brushes
Real Techniques - Expert Face Brush, Stippling Brush, Eye Brushes
Eco-Tools Bamboo - fan, eye brushes
Lancome - angled powder brush
MAC - blush brush and eye blending brush
A good selection from my favourite brush brands, though I left my Body Shop ones out this time, I need to replace my Face and Body Brush.


ALL PACKED UP IN MY BEAUTIFUL LAURA MERCIER CUSTOM ARTIST PORTFOLIO!
(Check out the full review of this here)



 


Are you going away this Summer?

What products are you taking with you?


June Favourites *blushes at the lateness of this post*

I've been a bad blogger... I have had such a busy month with work and at home that I have not done any blogging for almost a month :(  In fact, I wrote this June Favourites just before the end of June and didn't even have time to take the photos and upload, so it's just been languishing in my Drafts folder.  So here it is, my VERY belated June Favourites and what I hope will be the first of many posts over the Summer holidays

A bit about my June and July
I had the busiest month ever - (in my Primary Teacher job), I was frantically trying to finish writing reports when we had the call that OFSTED were coming in!  Cue hours and hours of preparation, worry and dread.  All was not in vain though - my lesson was graded OUTSTANDING (which is the top grade) as was the school.  Everyone pulled together, worked hard and showed what great stuff is done there so it all worked out in the end.  Then July just got crazy, trying to wrap up everything from this school year and prep for next year.  After all that work though, I am mostly prepared for September, so shouldn't have too much to do during the holidays, yay!



MY FAVOURITES:
Hair


Hair
Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Shine Spray  £21 for 125ml
I have said it before and I will say it again - I LOVE the Paul Mitchell Awapuhi range!  This month's offering is the shine spray - it has the same effervescent ginger scent that I loved in the treatment oil and gives a lovely sheen to blow-dried hair.  For reasons that are beyond me though, this range is so hard to find; I have given an Amazon link on here because hardly any shops, online or otherwise, seem to sell it.  Let me know if you find it anywhere!

Skincare
Bio-Effect EGF Serum £125 for 15ml (eek!)
I got this little bottle of wonder in a blog sale and it brings tears to my eyes that I am about to finish it - do I splash out on the full size or not???  If it was cheaper, I wouldn't even hesitate for a second.  I can honestly say that I have NEVER used a product that has made such a difference to my skin.  All the fine lines on my forehead that were seriously making me feel old (that coupled with turning 30!) have truly all but disappeared.  This stuff is amazing but boy is it pricey!

Fragrance
Origins Ginger Essence  £29 for 50ml

This has been my top perfume this month - I just can't get enough of its zingy sparkliness. Check out my full review here.

Make up
L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara  £10.99 - currently buy 1 get 2nd half price in Boots
I am a big fan of Benefit They're Real but have been disappointed by how quickly the product dries up and goes clumpy.  I find this mascara to be a great dupe - it has the same lash-lengthening power and lasts just as long (easily a whole day).  It gives enough volume without being heavy or clumpy and sets a nice curl to the lashes.

Chanel Les Quatre Ombres in 20 - Regard Perle  £38
This is a gorgeous palette but I chose it as my June favourite for just one of the eyeshadows - the one on the bottom left is a beautiful shimmery nude colour that works perfectly as a base colour and to highlight the inner corner.  A light sweep gives a simple, polished look that works well with either a bold lip or neutral lip, or it can be built up to create a more striking effect.  The best thing about these eyeshadows is that they stay perfectly in place for a whole day.

Nails
Essie Tart Deco  £7.99 for 15ml - currently buy 1 get 2nd half price at Boots
I picked this up to take advantage of Boots' Buy 1 Get 2nd Half Price when I bought my blog giveaway prize.  I was in a mega rush to get to the tills before closing time and didn't have a colour in mind to buy so I literally scanned the shelves and went for the one that stood out.  Turns out it was this one - a true blogger favourite!  And rightly so.  This is the perfect shade for Summer - a bright orangey pinky coral colour that works beautifully with a tan.

Tools
Lancome Powder Brush  £13 in House of Fraser sale
This was a House of Fraser sale purchase that was another rush-buy.  It did not disappoint - it is large and tapered and super soft.  And half price too!  Perfect for a swish of Chanel's Poudre Universelle powder.

Around the House
Jo Malone Blackberry and Bay Candle  £39 for 200g
 
I have been after a Jo Malone candle for soo long and the only reason I have waited is because I couldn't narrow down which one I wanted!  But I finally made my mind up and went for this beauty.  As with all Jo Malone candles, the fragrance fills the room after about 5-10 minutes of burning.  This scent is neither too feminine nor too masculine, so it passes the boyfriend test.  It is sweet and fresh with herb undertones and just plain gorgeous.  I just love the packaging too - I got this at the Jo Malone store in Westfield and watched the assistant expertly wrapping and tying the ribbon, spritzing some Grapefruit cologne in the bag.  I was stopped several times throughout the day to ask for directions to the store

Food
Morrisons Wheat Poppers  £1 (for about 8)
I'm not a fan of rice cakes (I find that flavour really weird) but I have been after a relatively healthy bread alternative to eat with salads, soup, cottage cheese, humus etc.  These are perfect.  They are £1 for about 8 and taste soo good - the texture is similar to prawn crackers or rice cakes but the taste is less strong.  Only 19 calories too which is amazing!  


What have been your favourites this month?

If you have done a June favourites post, leave your link below for me to check out.