I can’t
believe I haven’t done one of these posts since March! This is the reason I
could never commit to a monthly favourites! Anyway, there are a mix of products
here, some are new to me within the last month and others are on their last
legs and I love them so much I thought they deserved to feature in a post other
than an empties!
I
picked this up ages ago (definitely longer than I care to remember!) but it
seems the longer its open the more I like it! I know mascara is a very personal
choice but I’ve found this does exactly what it says and gives me both length and
volume as well as separation and definition! I love that it has bristles
instead of a plastic wand and it is impossible to get clumpy lashes with this! I've
tried so many time to get close ups of my lashes but its impossible – if you have
any tips please leave them in the comments!
Vichy
recently came out with three new face masks and I was sent the Quenching
Mineral mask which could not have come at a better time for my skin! Every year
I have the same problem where my usually oily skin goes haywire with the change
in weather and becomes dehydrated and patchy in places. This mask feels amazingly
cooling and refreshing and has been helping to regulate my skin! It contains
thermal water from the French volcanoes, vitamin B3 and glycerin which all
work to soothe and hydrate my skin leaving it feeling plumper and smoother!
The
mask itself has a non-greasy, lightweight gel texture that sinks in quickly. It’s
scented of green tea, jasmine water and bamboo and smells amazing! I know some
people are sensitive to scented products but I personally don’t mind! The mask
is also allergy tested and paraben free. I've been keeping this on my bathroom
windowsill to keep it as cool as possible and it is a real treat to apply! I
use it over the top of my trusty Vichy Aqualia Thermal serum and the two are a dreamy
combination! The Vichy Quenching Mineral Masque is available from Boots,
Escentual and Feel Unique!
Another
all matte eyeshadow palette, I know! But it’s another palette I love and after
giving all the attention to the Kat Von D Shade + Light and Urban Decay Ultimate Basics I thought it was time to talk about this one! I adore the shade
range in this and there isn’t a shade I wouldn’t use – even those couple of
pinker shades! It has a great range of cool tones as well as a few warm and the
shades can be used wet or dry and as shadows, liners or brow products. The brush that came with it is probably one of the better
brushes I've received with a palette!
I would
say that this palette isn’t just as pigmented as the Kat Von D or Makeup Geek
shadows I’ve tried but it’s of the highest quality, the shadows don’t fade and
they last all day on my oily lids with a primer. Smashbox do mattes really well, they are never patchy and there are no disappointing shades in this palette! I ordered directly from the
Smashbox website and they always have discount codes available! I can’t get enough
of Smashbox at the minute and have a lipstick set on my Christmas list!
Another
oldie but a goody and this has actually featured in a post before! I always come
back to this when my hair starts looking a little straggly and I'm trying to hold
off going to the hairdressers. It makes the ends of my hair look so much
thicker and healthier and helps seal my split ends until I wash my hair again.
It also acts as a thermal protectant and just generally makes my hair easier to
blow dry and straighten! I’m not normally a fan of fruity scents but I love
this and even though it’s a cream it doesn’t add oil or weight to my fine hair!
This
is one of the newest lipsticks in my collection and one I can’t believe took me
so long to get! The Audacious line is very hyped within the beauty blogging
world and now I can see why! This lipstick is so creamy and opaque with great
lasting power! I struggled to pick a shade but eventually went with Anita which
is a rosy pink and I definitely don’t think this will be my last! It also has
quite possibly the most satisfying magnetic lipstick closure!
*denotes
a PR sample that was sent to me. All opinions are my own.
Have you
tried any of these products before? Tell me what you’ve been loving recently!
Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you had a lovely weekend if you were
up to anything for it! Today I have a little brand focus centred around Vincent Longo Cosmetics! This was a brand I hadn’t heard of until I started seeing them
pop up on my Instagram feed and I’m so glad I got the chance to try them out! Founded
in 1995 by you guessed it, Vincent Longo, the cult cosmetics range has been reintroduced
to the UK market and is stocked exclusively at Cult Beauty. Presenting
innovative formulas and award winning products, read on to see what I think of
the items I was sent!
Vincent Longo Water Canvas Creme-to-Powder Foundation in Porcelain #1* RRP £43.50
When I first opened this I thought it was actually a powder and it was
only when I touched it that I got my first experience of the beautiful VL crème-to-powder
formulation! The foundation is so cooling and refreshing to apply it’s unlike anything
I've tried in the past. I personally don’t like the Vincent Longo Water Canvas Sponge* that comes with it – it doesn’t
give enough coverage for my liking so I’ve been using my Zoeva Silk Finish brush
which gives me a gorgeous buildable medium coverage that is very natural and skin
like. I do still like to conceal any scars or marks first before applying this then
the foundation works really well to even out my skin tone.
The foundation is so lightweight and not cakey at all, it’s formulated with
75% microwater and seaweed extract to protect, nourish and lock in moisture so
I can imagine this would be perfect for those with drier skin. Saying that, it
also works amazingly well on my oily skin due to its oil free formulation. I only
have to top up my powder at lunchtime which is standard for me and it’s a very
subtle shine that comes through.
I didn’t see many swatches when I was trying to decide my shade so screenshotted
this helpful guide Cult Beauty had on their Instagram stories a few weeks ago! I
decided to play it safe and go with Porcelain as I am usually the lightest
shade in foundation when I have no tan on and this is a perfect match for my
skin!
Taken from Cult Beauty Instagram Story
As well as being oil free, the water canvas foundation is non comedogenic,
hypoallergenic, fragrance free and cruelty free. The only bad thing I have to
say about it is it’s so bloody expensive! I was also sent the Vincent Longo Water Canvas Travel Compact* RRP £12.50 which is airtight to maintain the moisture content of the foundation and
its worth mentioning that it is recommended to keep the lid closed tight between
applications to prevent evaporation of the product!
Vincent Longo Water Canvas Creme-to-Powder Blush in Swan Lake* RRP £33.50
Like the foundation, this has the beautiful creme to powder formulation
that again is a dream to apply. I started by using my Real Techniques Stippling
Brush with this but I don’t like the shape of it so switched to my trusty Zoeva
Cream Cheek brush which makes it so easy to build up the pigment.
The shade itself is a lovely natural pink and it lasts so well on me
unlike other cream blushes I’ve tried giving such a healthy flush of colour! It
looks matte in the packaging but I do detect a few hints of shimmer in the
swatch however these aren’t noticeable on me when I’m wearing it! Like the foundation its oil free, fragrance free,
non comedogenic, hypoallergenic and cruelty free.
Vincent Longo Water Canvas Creme to Powder Foundation in porcelain and Blush in Swan Lake
Vincent Longo Pearl X Eyeshadow in Novalei* RRP £19
This is my least favourite of the bunch simply because it’s not a shade
I would go for with my boring neutral eyeshadow tendencies! Saying that,
it’s probably the most unique item of makeup I have in my collection and though
the colour isn’t very ‘me’ the formulation is! It’s really smooth, nicely
pigmented and the packaging has a very satisfying magnetic closure! Sadly not a
shade I will be reaching for though!
Vincent Longo Lip/Cheek Gel Stain in Baby Boo* RRP £18.50
I have been loving this stain since I got it! I've been using it more
on my lips than my cheeks as I find I can go overboard easily but I appreciate
the duality of the product. At first glance I thought this looked a little like
a tube of fake blood and expected it to be very dark and gloopy for some
reason! Like with the foundation and blush, when I felt this formula for the first time I was
surprised yet again. Its water based and gives a beautiful sheer wash of colour
to the lips that can be layered for a deeper colour payoff.
It dries in quickly without drying out my lips and it’s so lightweight
I can’t feel it yet its super long-lasting and water resistant. A pet peeve of
mine is when my lip product wears off and my lips end up looking like the same
colour as my foundation. With this I am guaranteed a subtle lip stain that
lasts hours through eating and drinking! My lips have been drier than normal
recently and this has been perfect to give me some colour that sticks around
and that I can layer my favourite lip balm over to keep my lips hydrated.
I do find the packaging of the products a little simplistic for such an
expensive price point but the quality of the products more than makes up for that!
Vincent Longo is currently exclusive to Cult Beauty and can be found here! (Discontinued brand!)
Have you tried anything from the
brand before? Do you like the sound of anything here?
*denotes
a PR sample that was sent to me. All opinions are my own.
Good
evening everyone! After the last few weeks of constant haul posts, we’re
getting back to normal now with a good old empties post and as usual its
product heavy!
Bodycare
Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel 500g
I
bought this in the Lush Boxing Day sale and I only finished it this week, how
bad is that! I have a full review here but in short it’s my favourite Lush
scent and I stock up every Christmas – though I do also have 2 minis to get
through before this Christmas! So long-lasting, a little goes a long way and it
makes my skin feel so soft, definite repurchase!
Soap and Glory Calm One Calm All Bubble Bath
This
is my favourite liquid bubble bath and I find it gives a good amount of bubbles
and a lovely relaxing scent. It leaves my skin feeling softer than usual when I
have a bath with this and it’s a definite repurchase!
Soap and Glory Up-Toned Girl Firming Body Lotion
I
bought this towards the beginning of this year as I was bridesmaid and had
capped sleeves so wanted a little extra help for my arms! I really liked this, I’m
not sure how much products that claim to firm and tone really do and sometimes
think they may have a placebo effect but this was really softening and helped
with the bumps I sometimes get on the back of my arms. It has quite a citrusy
scent which wasn’t my favourite but I would repurchase this again!
Grown Alchemist Mandarin and Rosemary Leaf Body Cream
I got this
in the Space NK sale a few months ago and I absolutely loved it! It has a
really subtle citrus scent, sank into my skin really quickly and was very
moisturising! I really like the packaging and loved that I got to use my
wringer to get the last of it out! Would repurchase only in the sale though as
it’s quite expensive at £18 full price and I've had other body lotions last me a
lot longer!
Grown Alchemist Vanilla and Orange Peel Hand Cream
Another
Grown Alchemist product, this time from a mini amenity kit but another product I
really liked! Similar to the body cream this has a light citrus scent, it absorbed
into my hands super quickly and it made them feel so soft! I think this size is
£9 if bought separately so still a little on the expensive size but definitely one
I would repurchase if I had a money off code because its one of the best hand
creams I’ve tried!
Lush Dream Cream Hand and Body Lotion
I
think this is a cult favourite from Lush from what I can gather! I went through
it very quickly as it’s such a small pot but it’s not something I would
repurchase. I didn’t mind the runny texture but found the scent a little bland although
I can see why people with more sensitive skin than me would like it!
Skincare
Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser
I
remember having a mini version of this before and giving it a hard time in an
old empties post because it didn’t last me very long. Well the opposite is true
for this full size! It lasted an age, has a really refreshing scent, is super
creamy and does a brilliant job of removing my make up! Definite repurchase once
I’ve used up a few others I have in my stash.
Aurelia Miracle Cleanser
Another
gorgeous cleanser and one that has featured before! I find this scent and
texture very similar to the Liz Earle one but this is maybe a little creamier. It’s
also a lot more expensive so not one I would repurchase even though I do love
it! It pops up quite regularly in beauty boxes and this size is perfect for
travelling!
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrate
This
is one of those hyped do it all products and one I really did like! It’s a little
more on the expensive side but a little goes a long way and it works well as a
daytime moisturiser/primer for me! I probably won’t repurchase just yet as I’m
trying to work my way through my stash but it’s one I would get again in the
future!
REN Vita Mineral Daily Supplement Moisturising Cream
Another
moisturiser and I found this one to be a little too rich for me for daily use
and it took a little longer than I usually like to dry down before applying my
makeup. I have oily/combination skin so I can see people with normal skin
loving this! Wouldn’t repurchase!
NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 1%
Where
do I start with this one! Another hyped product and an expensive one too! This
little dropper bottle is £38 and was worth every penny! As with all Deciem
products there is a ton of science behind it but simply put this serum is meant
to maintain healthy looking skin and target all forms of skin aging including
texture, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores and lack of radiance. It comes with
two glass bottles – one you pour into the other to activate the product and the
product itself is a blue watery liquid dispensed from a dropper. I loved this;
it sank into my skin so quickly and made my skin feel so smooth and like it
says – healthy. I felt like I don’t break out as much when I was using this
regularly, my skin looked more even and just better! This is on my Christmas
list!
Starskin Foam Peeling Perfection Puff
This
was a funny little product, I got it in a beauty box and it’s a reusable puff (up
to 3x) that you put a few drops of water on then it foams up. It claims to
smooth skin texture, deep clean, even skin tone and boost radiance and I really
like the results after the first use! Because its reusable I left it in the
packet on the windowsill but kept forgetting about it so when I went to use it
again it disintegrated very quickly and didn’t do as good a job so it’s not something
would repurchase!
WOW Luxury Facial Mask Treatment
This
was my first foray into the world of sheet masks and man oh man did I enjoy it!
Again, I got this in a beauty box as sheet masks are not something I would
generally go out and buy because I prefer having things that give me more than
one use! This however was half an hour of pure relaxation and I loved it! I've hear
people complain that some sheet masks don’t fit their face properly but this
was perfect, it came in two sections, one for the top and one for the bottom of
my face. It’s described as an aqua gel mask and it was so gooey and refreshing
it felt amazing! It recommends leaving it on for 20-40 minutes and when the
time came I didn’t want to take it off! My skin felt so moisturised, plump and fresh!
I’ve just had a look online and seen that these come in a pack of 5 for £99 so
looks like I won’t be repurchasing but I highly recommend them if you have the
spare cash!
Makeup
Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot Translucent Mattifying Powder
This is a lovely lightweight powder that doesn’t make my makeup look cakey. However, it is nowhere near mattifying enough for me and I have to retouch several times a day! This is one I always dip in and out of so I’ll probably repurchase again in Winter when my skin generally feels a little drier!
Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara
One of my favourite mascaras and I think I already have about 2 backups in my drawer! This gives lots of length and a wide eyed look which I love, I always prefer it a little when it dries out as it has quite a wet formula to begin with!
Soap and Glory Archery Brow Pencil
So happy with myself for finishing this! Don’t get me wrong I love it but I use it probably 3 or 4 times a week and have had it for so long I thought it was never-ending! It has a handy spoolie on one end and a super thin twist up pencil on the other end that is lovely and pigmented and easy to use! Will repurchase in the future!
Soap and Glory Mighty Mouth Smooth and Soften Lip Balm
Another product I’ve had for an absolute age and I’m cheating slightly with this as it’s double ended and I’ve only finished one end! It’s a lip balm on one end and a screw up lip scrub on the other. I've had it for longer than I care to remember and while I liked the balm side the scrub is too hard and doesn’t work! I think it’s been discontinued but I wouldn’t have repurchased anyway!
Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
My old favourite lip balm! I love this stuff and have several on me at all times. Its moisturising, long lasting and I love the minty scent! Already repurchased and backed up!
Hair care
Bataste Dry Shampoo
Always
a dry shampoo in my empties post! Batiste isn’t my favourite brand for dry shampoo
but I do love the Blush scent so this will always be a repurchase because I can’t
always find my favourite V05 one!
Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence
I’m so
glad to be finished this! It did a great job of making my hair soft and
protecting it from heat but I wasn’t a fan of the scent so I’m glad it’s all
used up now! Won’t be repurchasing!
Miscellaneous
Cutex Ultra Cleansing Nail Polish Remover
The
best nail polish remover ever and the only one I ever buy! Its gets my nail
polish off so easy, already repurchased!
OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener
I am
now onto about my fourth bottle of this stuff! It’s incredible, it makes my
nails so strong and shiny and I have already repurchased!
Wisdom Tooth Floss
Bit of
a random one but I chucked it into my empties box when I finished it anyway! I
am a serial flosser and switch between a few brands but I really like this, it
lasts ages and most importantly it gets leftovers out of between my teeth!
So that’s
it for another empties! Let me know if you’ve tried any of the products I’ve mentioned
and what you thought of them!
If you are a regular reader round these parts you may have noticed that
this week and the last two weeks posts have been “Wishlist Purchases” aka haul
posts. I promise this is the last of them for a while! I have definitely went a
bit mad on the spending over the last few months and with a few new releases or
launches of brands that have been previously been unavailable in the UK, I have
treated myself big time!
I told myself when I first started seeing the Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics palette popping up on Instagram before its release that I didn’t
need it, that I could wait to Christmas etc. However, when an email telling me
I had £10 worth of Beauty Club rewards to spend at Debenhams, I took it as a
sign! (Side note – most of the £10 probably came from my Kat Von D splurge!).
Anyway, onto the palette and I have to say I was slightly disappointed
when I first opened it. Don’t get me wrong, the outer packaging is lovely and I
really like the change to a square palette instead of a rectangular one but it
feels and looks quite cheap and plastic-y, something you can see especially in
between the shadows. I feel like this is going to be quite a mixed review
already because although I do really like the palette overall, some things,
like shadow quality, fall a little short for me and I’m very glad I got this
for £28.50 instead of its usual £38.50.
The Naked Ultimate Basics has a really nice mix of twelve eyeshadows
with cool and warm tones that’s bound to keep everyone happy and a double sided
mini brush. I've only used the brush once and I don’t really rate it, I never
use shader brushes and it’s tightly packed and feels quite hard. The opposite side
is fluffier but is quite stiff and I prefer something bendier to apply shadow
all over the lid so will probably only get a bit of use out of this as an inner
eye highlight brush.
I’m never happy with my swatch photos but I think you can see what I mean
about difference in quality between some of the shades. All swatches are done
on my arm with my finger and I don’t use primer for them.
Blow is the only shade that is not completely matte, it has a very soft
sheen and I’ve been loving it as a subtle inner eye highlight. It’s very
similar to Skimp from the Naked Basics 2 palette.
Lethal hasn’t swatched well either but I’ve been using it to darken my
outer corner with Instinct all over the lid and it applies beautifully and is a
nice change from my usually taupey browns with its hint of burgundy (it is very
similar to Punk from the UDxGwen palette)!
My most reached for shades along with these have been Tempted, Lockout
and Faith!
Swatches l-r: Pre-Game, Extra Bitter, Faith, Lockout, Magnet, Blackjack
Pre-Game is a shade I probably wouldn’t reach for as an eyeshadow but
like Foxy from the Naked Basics 1, multitasks as an under eye setting powder!
I think Extra Bitter has probably swatched the best out of all the
shades – it definitely looks the most pigmented but unfortunately this just isn’t
a shade I would go for.
Blackjack looks awful in the swatch, when you are used to the likes of
Blackout from the UDxGwen Stefani palette it falls a little short. I use black
eyeshadow every day to line my upper lid and add a little definition and use
the shadow wet so it does perform a lot better this way.
Overall, I have been enjoying this palette but I definitely do not
think it’s a necessity if you already have any of the previous Naked Basics palettes
and I find that both of those palettes shadows are more consistent. I will be
getting my use out of this palette but I’m glad I didn’t pay full price because
I think overall I would have been more disappointed with it.
What do you think of this palette? Did you buy it?
