Topshop Nails: 'Hidden Treasure'

I bought this beaut of a polish a few months back for a wedding I went to. It went perfect with my bag (in the background-also from Topshop!) with it's multi-tone metallic finish. It only took a couple of coats to get the perfect coverage and dried in seconds.

 'Hidden Treasure'

 

In the bottle it does look like it's going to have more colours shimmering on the nail but when it's on, it's more of a gold with a hint of bluey green. It's definitely not your standard gold- the reviews for the polish on Topshop.com will back me up in that!

I would definitely definitely DEFINITELY make sure you wear a basecoat under this…in my rush to get ready for the wedding, I didnt and two days later, when I reluctantly had to take it off for work…stained nails…! That’s obviously not the polishes fault though.

Topshop polishes are so affordable at £5 (£6/£7 for the metallics and special additions) Since Topshop launched there cosmetics range, I've been addicted and I now have so many because there colour range in so diverse, there's literally one for every outfit!

BareMinerals Original spf15 Foundation

I was lucky enough to sample the BareMinerals Original spf15 Foundation this week and I've been converted!

' BareMinerals Original spf15 Foundation'

At first I was sceptical, every powder I've tried hasn't given me enough coverage to cover my freckles, My BareMinerals consultant assured me that it wouldn't sit in my lines, It wouldn't look powdery on my skin and it wouldn't look clumpy in my dry areas.

So I took it home and tried it and she was totally right! The coverage can be built up to give you a totally flawless finish and although it's a powder, It feels so silky and soft and as you work it into the skin, it feels more like a cream. With a light coverage it evened out my skin tone and faded my freckles but as I built the coverage it gave me a flawless coverage whilst still looking fresh and natural.

'Un-touched photo- example of light coverage'

The finish is amazing- normally I would use a cream foundation then a powder to reduce the shine but with this mineral foundation, I cut the work in half because i dont need to mattify it after and it leaves my skin with a natural glow that you wouldnt expect from a powder.

Even better, it's good for your skin, it's obviously full of nourishing minerals but also has a sun protection factor 15 ( you should still be wearing an spf throughout winter...those rays can still get us!) it doesnt dry out the skin and BareMinerals claim that its 'so pure, you can sleep in it'!

BareMinerals foundation is so easy to apply that its perfect for quick everyday wear or lazys days...its my perfect 'Day-Off-Face'!

High Impact Mascara EXTREME volume mascara

Apologies for the lateness of this post...As I told you in July's post about High Impact Mascara from Clinique, The new High Impact EXTREME volume mascara was launched at the end of August.

 'High Impact EXTREME Volume Mascara'

Available in Black and Extreme Black, at £17, The unique brush with a new formula creates EXTREME volumised lashes with added length and thickness. The firm bristles comb through lashes, seperating and coating the lashes evenly- really lifting and extending the lashes.

 It's so easy to apply and it's hard to go wrong- it doesnt clog or overload the lashes and with just a couple of coats you can really get that false lash effect but so naturally!!

'An All-Rounder Mascara'

The formula is very long lasting but doesnt seem very waterproof compared to other mascaras in Cliniques collection. High Impact EXTREME volumising mascara doesnt claim to be waterproof but most other mascaras in the collection dont smudge very easily with my watery eyes. 

This one does tend to run a little when I put my contact lenses in or my eyes water a little, but it's totally worth putting up with for the effect it has on my lashes!

The Importance of: Moisturising

Why do we moisturise our skin? Do we need to moisturise our skin? Should we moisturise our skin? Do YOU moisture your skin??

We all know were meant to cleanse, exfoliate and hydrate but to what extent?

 'Clinique-cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate'

For a healthy skin to function it needs to have an equal balance of oil and water, consistant moisture barrier, an even cell turnover and a strong support structure.

In a drier skin, the moisture barrier of the skin is broken and can lead to the skin feeling tight and uncomfortable. With a lack of moisture in the skin, it can start to look dull and become flakey due to the cell turnover slowing down and dead skin cells build up but by using a richer moisturiser that can restore the moisture barrier will leave the skin feeling healthier and comforted.

A dehydrated skin can also feel tight and uncomfortable but in this case it is due to a lack of oil and water in the skin. The skin is less likely to feel rough or flakey but can look dull. A moisturiser that reblances the oil and water will hydrate the skin and maintain the balance.

Its not just dry and dehydrated skins that need moisturising though, Oilier skins can also benefit from a daily moisturiser. Sebum (oil) is produced in the Sebaceous Glands (oil glands) to lubricate the skin.

' Sebaceous Gland'

  In oilier skins, The Sebaceous Gland can get a bit over active and produce too much oil which can block pores resulting in spots. So, although the skin can feel comfortable without moistursing, A light, oil-free moisturiser that controls oil can keep an oil skin feeling fresh and clean.

So there really is no excuse...theres a moisturiser for everyone!

Chubby Stick...INTENSE

Chubby Sticks just got INTENSE!! The crayon style, moisturising, lip colour balm has been re-interpreted in 8 new stronger shades. As you can expect, from my previous display of affection for the original chubby sticks,  I'm estatic!

 'Chubby Stick INTENSE'

 

 

The pumped up colour sticks arrive at Clinique counters on November 16th (uk), A bit of a wait, but expect the launch to be huge! I would definately suggest getting on your local counters waiting list to see these. The launch for the original Chubby Stick moisturising colour lip balm saw most colours selling out in the first week, so if you want in, get in quick!

The new INTENSE chubsters have 2-3 times the pigment of the originals but all the benefits remain the same in the formula. They are incredibly moisturising and stay balmy on the lips for hours- as well as long wearing colour stay! 

With the colours being so strong, I found that the colour I tried (Plushest Punch-sorry no picture!), they seem to leave a slight tint to the lip as they wear off- and they wear off very evenly, avoiding that dodgy line you normally get around the lips when your lippy starts to disappear!

 

So, The colours?

 

 '8 plumped up colours'

 

Apologies for the lack of numerical order,but, from left to right;

06 Roomiest Rose, 04 Hefliest Hibiscus, 02 Chunkiest Chili, 01 Curviest Caramel, 07 Broadest Berry, 03 Mightiest Maraschino, 05 Plushest Punch and 08 Grandest Grape.

 

Grandest Grape is bang on trend this season- a deep plummy shade- wear it alone with mascara during the day and add some deeper eyeshadow to take it from day to evening! Sorted!

Owl Shaped Lipbalm- Twit Twooooo!

Get a Twit Twoo pout with this moisturising, owl shaped lipbalm.

Who thought that, whilst stationary shopping, i would find this funky lipbalm in... Paperchase??!

'Owl Shaped Lipbalm'

At £6, it's a bit of a pricey lipbalm- but it IS owl shaped!! It feels soft and balmy on the lips and has a hint of tint, this one is 'Cherry Dusk' It's quite pinky with a light pearlescent finish and also has a fruity cherry scent but there is a strawberry version which is a deeper red shade and, obviously, has a strawberry scent.

'Owl Pout'

So, that's my lips kept soft for the Autumn!