Nuxe Paris - Eau Démaquillante Micellaire (Micellar Cleansing Water)

This cleansing water is a really lovely product. It is made from 95% natural ingredients including rose petals and is a pleasant rose sent because of that.

Because this water is pretty expensive (for a cleansing water) I only use one pad in the morning and at night when I first wake up and after I have washed my face at the end of the day before applying my face oil and evening moisturiser. This is the best way for me to get the most out of it.

I have in the past tried to use it to remove my makeup and it does do the job well, I just think it is a slight waste of such an expensive luxury product and there are cheaper alternatives out there that are a fraction of the price.

Overall, this is a lovely product to cleanse your face with. It's a lovely addition to my everyday routine :)

• £14.50/200ml
• Nuxe, Space NK

Charlotte Tilbury - Bronze & Glow

The packaging is to die for, it is definitely the most beautiful and luxurious of all my makeup. It has the typical 'Charlotte Tilbury' rose gold packaging and the perfect size to fit into my makeup bag with a large mirror.

Both sides to this contouring kit are highly pigmented and such stunning colours, but definitely more suited to paler skin tones.

 The highlight is a shimmery, finely milled champagne colour and gorgeous to use to highlight cheek bones and other high points of the face. It is amazing how it can be subtle yet brightening.

 The bronzer, is not completely matte, although has minimal shimmer so perfect to contour with. I think this shade is slightly more suited for people with fairer skin (I am more olive) as I have to apply quite a generous amount to create the contour I desire.

I think this is such a staple in anyones make-up collection and hope that they bring out a few more options for the darker skin tones. It is easy to use and blend (I use the Powder & Sculpt Brush), a lot easier to use than cream contours and very compact with a large mirror, easy for travelling. 

Overall I think this contour palette is beautiful and worth the money.

• £49.00
• Charlotte Tilbury Website

Trilogy Rosehip Oil

Rosehip oil is known for its anti ageing properties and contains vitamin C. It has been proven to brighten the skin and reduce scars.

I decided that I wanted to add an oil to my skin care routine. I have a couple of small scars from spots and this trilogy version wasn't the most priciest Rosehip oil going so I decided to test it out. When I imagined using the oil, I thought it was going to linger on the skin for a while before soaking in but it actually soaks in really quickly and leaves a nice surface for my primer/ moisturiser to be added onto.

I apply 2/3 drops onto my finger tips and massage it into my face by a pipette applicator, warm it up between my fingers and then apply it all over my face, massaging it into the places I'm especially keen on it working.

I have now been using this product for just under a year and find it an amazing product that has helped my skins texture and reduced visible scars.

• £16.50 - 20ml
• Trilogy
• Cult Beauty
• p.s. for reference this is old packaging.. sorry

Real Techniques - Nics Picks

 To add to the collection of Real Technique brush reviews I have already blogged about (find links at the end of this post for other brushes) I thought it was time to add another set to the collection! Real Techniques brushes are designed by Samantha Chapman, one half of the Pixiwoo sisters. These brushes were selected by Sam's sister Nic. Several of which are unique to this collection.

I love the mirrored packaging and I think it is useful that the writing on the brushes indicated the name of the brush is colour coordinated to the type of brush it is used for as with the other collections. The quality of the brushes as per usual are amazing, soft and easily washable with no fall out.

The Eyeliner Brush

This tiny brush is perfect to apply gel eyeliner and define a sharp flick for a winged look. I also love to use this brush to smudge kohl eyeliners on my top and bottom lash line to create a smokey look and occasionally use it to fill in my brows.

Base Shadow Brush

This brush is also found in another collection (Starter Kit) and is perfect for blending eyeshadow into the crease. I also find it easy to use this brush for concealer under the eyes and apply highlighter if I'm short on clean brushes.

Angled-shadow Brush

This brush is good for blending eye shadow just above the crease, and I love how its angled to spread the product however you wish. I like to concentrate my eyeshadow on the shorter hairs and use the longer ones to blend.

Cheek Brush

This is a full packed out blush brush, that picks up a lot of product and can be hard to blend, so a very light hand is needed on the cheeks. I still find it useful, but I have to be careful which blusher I use with it!

Duo-fiber Brush

I was initially confused with what the brush was meant to be used for. This brush is meant to be used for a light handed application and used to apply powder, bronzer and can assist with blending. I use it with a loose powder to dust over my forehead, nose and chin to set my makeup. If I apply a little too much blush, I like to sweep this brush over to blend out the product.

• £29.00 for 5 brushes
• Boots
• Previous reviews I have done on Real Techniques Makeup brushes Setting Brush Expert Face Brush Powder Brush Blush Brush & Stippling Brush Core Collections
• I CANNOT wait to buy and review the Bold Metals Collection

Zoella Beauty - Fizz Bar REVIEW

Zoella from Youtube has launched her beauty range recently consisting of mostly bath products (also candles and make-up bags).

I tested and smelled a few of the products in Superdrug where they are stocked and was slightly disappointed with their scent. They all have the same, extremely sweet artificial smell which I really didn't expect, especially when the products were created from a beauty guru. In the end I decided to try the Fizz Bar.

This product consists of 8 squares which can be used one at a time or more can be added for a more intense smell. The packaging is lovely initially, but once you have opened the bar, it is hard to store and the product flakes off quite easily. I would not recommend storing it in your bathroom!

You just simple (not so simply) break one off and throw it into running water where its meant to fizz and create a luxurious bath.

Here comes my opinion..

I am extremely disappointed with this product and I know that may come as a shock to some people who think its great. I love watching Zoella on Youtube and I really wanted to like her products. 

This bar is too sickly sweet, it reminds me of those cheap bath products you would get as a child (if that makes sense). The bar was extremely hard to break off, and did not fizz when I threw it in the bath (disappointingly). The smell lingered for only a few minutes and the bath was pretty much the same as always. I am not sure of the beneficial aspects of the product.

• £5:00/200g
• Feel Unique, Superdrug

YSL - Gloss Volupte Lipgloss

These lip glosses have recently come out at the beginning of the year and have been a big hit among beauty bloggers and make up artists.

The packaging is beautiful and definitely stands out in my makeup collection. The lid is a muted gold and the bottle has a silver rim around the top and then the rest clear. When you unscrew the lid and begin to pull out the wand, the neck of the bottle is quite narrow, removing a large excess of the lip gloss off the wand.

The wand itself is a very peculiar shape and difficult to describe. In the best description possible, it is diamond shaped, with a kink in the middle and a narrow hole through it. The pointed end of the wand is perfect for reach into the corners of the lips and around the cupids bow. The clever thing about the wand is, a side can be chosen to be used depending on whether you want a bold or subtle lip.

It smells of fruit berries and you can even smell it when its actually been applied to the lips. It has a moisturising texture and can be very bold in colour. The long staying power is a plus that subsequently leaves a stain on the lips.

There are very few if any faults to report at all with this lipgloss. YSL have brought out some amazing lip products recently and I can't wait to try some other shades of the Rouge Velours, Baby Doll Kiss & Blush and Rouge Pur Couture The Mats (very new release).

• £21.00
• avaliable in 24 shades (mines in the shade Rouge Velours 207)
• YSL

Dr Nick Lowe - Super Charged SPF 15 Day Cream

I know a lot of you might think, why am I using an anti-ageing cream when I'm only in my early 20's.. but at some stage you have to consider when the best time actually is to start diving into those anti-aging products.. surely its not when you have already developed those wrinkles?? So I've decided to use more anti-ageing products as a preventive measure.

 Dr Nick Lowe is a world renowned dermatologist and clearly knows exactly what ingredients are key to hydrate and firm the skin.

The cream contains Shea Butter, Pomegranate, Rasberry, Ferulic Acid, Vitamins A, C and E all to protect the skin against the environments sun, stress and pollution.

Its sleek white packaging looks like your 'typical' cream pot. I am sometimes a bit funny about using pots as opposed to pumps because of possible contamination, but that can't always be helped and as it is a day cream, i'll use it up quite quickly.

It doesn't have a particularly offensive smell, but has definitely been slightly scented and reminds me of suncream (which I don't really like if I had to be picky). It is very thick in consistency for a day cream in my opinion, but ones you rub it into your skin it melts away and gets soaked up very quickly. It has an SPF 15 which is useful and is said to help improve skins "resilience, tone and radiance".

So, in my opinion, this cream firms my skin, keeps it hydrated and acts as a great base for my makeup, which is an important factor needed in a day cream. I do recommend this cream to other people with dehydrated skin, but I am not sure how it would work on oily skin, as you can see from the photos its quite thick.

• £19.00 /50ml
• Feel Unique
• Feel Unique, Boots, Harvey Nichols
• http://www.drnicklowe.com

Korres- Watermelon Lightweight Tinted Moisturiser

I bought this tinted moisturiser partly on its reviews but I was also intrigued by the 'watermelon' aspect of the product. I had not viewed this product in the flesh so was completely judging this product on pictures and swatches to decide which shade to buy.

The product claims to be 'lightweight' while being a tinted moisturiser which made me think it was going to be highly highly moisturiser-like and much less tinted coverage power. I personally feel its a heavy tinted moisturiser and the claim that it is light weight is completely inaccurate. This however does not mean I dislike the product!

This shade is perfect for my winter foundation (I call it a foundation because it is quite thick) and I find most foundation brushes work well with this product. It does smell of watermelon which is a change from the standard foundation scent. The texture is quite thick and almost rubbery if that makes sense. It is not runny like most tinted moisturisers. A small amount goes a long way and does provide a medium coverage (considering it as a foundation).

I have extra dry skin and was aprehensive about using this an oil-free product that could potentially dry out my skin even more. I find that it doesn't necessarily moisturise my skin but it does not cling to any dry patches or irritate my skin. The shade that I bought was judged quite well from online swatches but would be too light for me in the summer when I have a tan. In the winter however when my skin is at its lightest its a perfect match.

The packaging is quite unusual for a foundation/tinted moisturiser. I quite like being able to push the amount of product I want out. Although when I finally come near to the end of the product it may be annoying to push out the last remaining amounts.

• £19.00
• Korres
• Cult Beauty (where I purchased mine from)

NARS: The Multiple: G-Spot

I have always been hesitant in the past about The Multiple as a product. The concept of a make-up item that can be used in many different fashions does intrigue, but concerned me whether it will be successful as a multiple use product.

The Multiple comes in loads of shades and can be used on the eyes, cheeks, lips and body. It contains vitamin E and açai oil for antioxidant benefits. Fingers are meant to be used to apply it and blend the product through warming it on the skin.

The shades available are pretty but personally I found it hard to find a shade that would be usable in a multiple ways as well as suiting my skin tone. There are many pearly whites and golds that personally I could not use on my lips or as a blush. Which means the only way I could use them would be as a highlighter, which is clearly not the point of the product. The range online is quite extensive and have some lovely orange shades that I would love to try, but in store there is very little on offer (I have found). I picked up the shade G-Spot

G-spot is a deep rose with fine gold specs

As an eye shadow:

I have attempted and succeeded in making this shade wearable as an eyeshadow. Using my ring finger I lightly dab the product pretty much over my entire eyelid (not above the brow bone). I like wearing it this way on days when I do not feel like putting much makeup on, just some colour and mascara. Pink is quite hard to pull off as an eyeshadow, especially as an everyday one but I think it just looks like a nice wash of colour when its blended well. It does not last that long on the eyelids for me, this may be because I have quite a greasy eyelid.

As a lip product:
On dry lips, this product does not look good but if they are in good condition, it looks nice. It is quite hard to apply as its got a huge area of product, so I lightly dab it as a sort of lip stain. It is quite creamy and can look too thick and a 'lipstick amount' is applied (if that makes sense).

As a blusher:

This is definitely my favourite way to use this product. Not just because the shade I have is easily wearable as a blush, but applying a circle straight onto each cheek and then blending with my fingers is so easy and means I do not need to carry around a blusher brush. It stays on for most of the day and when it does start to gradually wear away, it does it evenly leaving a slight hint of colour. 

As a highlighter:

Other shades may work well, this shade does not work that well and just looks like I have applied it too high up!

On the body:

Not usable as a body product! Possibly the more pearly shimmery shades would do as body glitter?

Would I recommend this product?
YES, I love the fact I can use this in multiple ways and I am in love with the colour. The formula is creamy and not drying, easy to apply and lasts a long time. I cannot wait to try another shade!

• £30
• Nars Website

Benefit The POREfessional Primer

The POREfessional primer is fantastic to use as a base, minimises pores and generally keeps your make-up on for longer. I do not reach for it every day, but apply it for nights out or when my pores are freakishly big.

It has an odd texture, feeling oily and slippery. I apply a pea size amount onto my t-zone just before I apply my foundation. I wouldn't say there is a huge transformation but it does keep my makeup on and provides a nice base for my foundation and blusher.

Would I buy it again? Only as a treat, or as a present because I do not feel as though its a necessity. 

rubs into the skin to create a matte appearance.

• Costs £24.50 - 22ml
• Benefit website

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum

Ok so I have already done a review on Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (which was my first ever review) and said how much I love it, see the post here. Now I am going to review the serum version. I feel there are many more review out there for this serum as opposed to the actual foundation version. This may be due to the the fact that when they were launched, lighter foundations, BB creams and tinted moisturises were all the craze, therefore the Healthy Mix Serum got more attention than the foundation. I really do not see the difference between this serum and the foundation. They seem to have the same consistency as well as pay off on the skin. Are they meant to be so similar? The smell is the same. The texture on the skin is the same. The only difference I can see is the bottle.

But onto the actual review of the serum.

For a serum which is meant to be a slightly lighter consistency, this one is quite thick, and a light to medium coverage with a dewy finish. It claims to last up to 16 hours and I can definitely say that it does not, although different skin types will have different longevity. It is available in 6 shades (Healthy Mix foundation has a larger variety) made with litchi, goji berries and pomegranates (Healthy Mix foundation is made with apricot, melon, apple and ginger). It is meant to create a non fatigue appearance which I do agree with and it also brightens up my face. It is also a good base for my blushers which I do find that some foundations cling to the blushers and creates a blotchy texture (which this one does not).
If my skin is on the extra dry side, this foundation smooths over the dry areas and doesn't create areas of intensely pigmented coverage (if you know what I mean). I love to use this serum with the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush or the Buffing brush (see links below for their reviews).
For the cheap price of £10.99 this serum is totally worth it.

This serum is in a pumped bottle, dispensing the perfect amount onto my brush.

• £10.99
• My rating = 7/10
• Available at Super Drug, Asos.
• Reviews on Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and Buffing Brush.
• See my Youtube Haul Video which features this product.

L'Oreal Paris - Super Liner Ultra Precision (black)

I am really disappointed with this liquid eyeliner. I normally use one from Rimmel London which I have been using for years and love but I thought I would try and experiment other brands and see if they are at all better.
This eyeliner needs two layers to be completely black and only lasts about 3 hours on the eyes before it starts to fade away. The brush is too flexible and really difficult to control. If you are just starting to use liquid eyeliner, I would definitely not recumbent this one. I also find that it runs out really quickly, either that or it dries out.
I do however like the packaging and I think the handle is a nice easy shape to hold.

• £6.49
• L'Oreal website

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

I have quite thick brows already, but need to fill in a few gaps  and I prefer a stronger brow during the evenings. I have heard SO much about this product and decided to go for it and buy it off Cult Beauty (I do not think you are able to buy it anywhere else in the UK).

It is an extremely thin long tube with one end being the pencil and the other side a spooly. I love the packaging and although it is long, it doesn't take up too much room in my makeup bag.

The actual product twists up and down which means theres no need for a sharpener. I bought the shade Brunette and they do 3 other shades (Ash Blonde,  Medium Ash and Caramel). The skinny-ness of the pencil means you can softly build the appearance of a thicker brow as well as creating a texture with fine strokes. The pencil is very waxy which means the product lasts a long time and doesn't smudge (if you wanted it to last extra long, a powder eyeshadow in a similar shade to set it would do). It is also very hard to apply loads of product which if like me you're a little heavy handed.

The spooly is perfect to slightly spread and smudge the product through your brows for a more natural look before the product sets. It also tames the brows if you want to set them with a gel and handy to have throughout the day to brush through them.

Swatch

This eyebrow pencil has completely changed my life (dramatic I know). There are no faults and like no other brow pencil I have tested before.

• £15.50
• Cult Beauty

Nars - Laguna Bronzer

I have been thinking of buying this bronzer for a while, and have just been waiting for the perfect moment to splurge. There are already some great bronzer in my opinion that are much cheaper in price (Sleeks Contour Kit), so I never felt a need to buy it. Luckily my mind was made up for me as I received it as a present :)

The bronzer itself is almost completely matte, perfect for contouring and generously sized. For reference it is double the size of Nars blushes. It is the perfect bronzer for fair to medium skin because it does not have orange undertones unlike a lot bronzers which do not work if you do have fair skin. For someone with dry skin like me, it does not stick to dry areas, which is a plus and I always love applying it each day. Although I have not been using mine for that long, I know from other blogs and Youtube that it lasts for a really long time, even if you use it every day. I prefer to use this bronzer as either a contouring device (using my Real Techniques Contour Brush) or as a standard bronzer (using my Real Techniques powder brush) - see links below for both brushes reviews.

Nars packaging as always looks sleek when you buy it, but after a while when it gets put with other products gets covered in make up which is annoying!

• £26.00 for 8g
• http://www.narscosmetics.co.uk
• Nars Powder Bronzers
• My reviews on Real Techniques Contouring Brush and Powder Brush