The Body Shop- Vitamin E Face Mist

Working in an office with constant air conditioning doesn't do my skin any favours; in the last year I've really built up a collection of skincare that helps combat my dehydrated/skin before and after my day at work, but I always feel that by midday my face is feeling dry and tight, so adding something easy into my routine for during the day that won't mess up my make up was on the cards!

In steps facial mists! These are great to keep on hand, they refresh the skin whenever you feel that you need it. I've tried a few facial mists, the La Roche Posay Thermal Water, Evian Facial Spray, but for me this comes out on top and here's why!

The La Roche Posay and Evian offerings tend to cool me down no problem, they do add literal moisture onto my skin, buy that I mean it's pretty much water, I could splash my face with it... much cheaper! I did love the La Roche Posay option on my recent holidays, when it was too hot this provided an instant refresh but I found that it just wasn't adding any moisture back into my skin, just sitting on top of it, this is why I love the Body Shop version; its great for both cooling and hydrating, perfect huh!?

I spray this on at work about mid day, just when my skins starts feeling tight and a little dry, it's spray dispenses well and doesn't leave one area of your face soaking wet! (whoop) I've also been using this to set my make up in the morning, I can't say I've notice too much of a difference to how long my make up stays fresh but it does feel lovely and wakes me up. The rose scent is actually very subtle, lucky for me as I can't stand rose scents! It actually moisturises quite nicely due to the fact that it contains glycerine, I'd say this would be a good step to add to the toner stage in your morning skincare routine if you wanted something really simple and quick. 

I'm loving The Body Shop at the moment- so expect a few more posts about my favourite products!

You can purchase The Vitamin E Facial Mist from The Body Shop Online 

Have you tried anything in the Vitamin E Skincare line?

M x

Monu Illuminating Primer Review

Prepping and priming skin before putting on make up is something I very often will forget to do; I have noticed in the last year that priming my skin is something that really makes a difference, if only to add a glow to my face it does make a difference!

I've been trying out many different high end and high street primers this last year in search of something that isn't greasy and adds radiance! I think this might be a winner! I got a sample of the Monu Illuminating primer in a glossy box; I haven't heard much hype around this product so I wasn't sure what to expect; but it certainly deserves some hype! 

The consistency of this is very thick, it's reminiscent to an SPF, I've found you need very, very little to cover your entire face (it will last a very long time!) It takes me a little longer than with other primers to work this into the skin fully; I've found that I will take an extra five minutes in the mornings to let this work and settle into my skin before carrying on with my usual routine. The primer is bright white with a very noticeable pearly glow to it which is something I love in a primer. I would say this is suitable for nearly every skin type; it isn't oily on the skin nor irritating!

As for the 'soft focus technology' I've never really bought that promise from any skin care/make up product; it just seems a little ridiculous! It does however appear to disguise my pours and scaring from spots somewhat which makes covering them both a lot easier!  Something to note is that this doesn't leave your skin looking 'dewy' or as I think of it 'sweaty looking'; it leaves a very subtle radiant glow that lasts throughout the day and looks very healthy; to me this is exactly what I'm looking for.

As for if it making my make up last longer; it definitely does! I've noticed that my make up stays perfect throughout my day at work or when I'm out and about, it doesn't seem to wear off with the effects of the weather or dreaded office air conditioning at work! Although I love this primer and have been using it for the last 3 weeks I am slightly bitter that the retail price for the full tube is £24.99! I will have to think of it as an early Christmas present to myself when I need it!

I love it!

M x

Benefit 'They're Real' VS Maybelline 'The Falsies'

I’ve heard so much hype around Benefit's 'They're Real' that, in all honesty, I was nervous the try it! I hate nothing more than expecting something brilliant that other people have recommended to death and being bitterly disappointed when it fails to meet your expectations! I hesitated to buy this due to this very reason; I saw that there was a free sample with a magazine I get (can’t remember which mag but taa!) so I jumped at the chance to try this out and finally be (what I expected to be) thrilled with its ‘magical qualities to make my eyelashes look absurdly long!’

I'm going to show you a before and after with this mascara and my favourite all time that is Maybelline’s ‘The Falsies’ I personally have not yet found a mascara that will make me give up The Falsies and I’ll be damned it this does!

So... this is my eye with 0% mascara on, I'm lucky to have quite long lashes but they're tin on the ground so I like to add a lot of volume to the base :) that's why I love Maybelline so much! 

Firstly I'll point out I haven't curled my eyelashes for this, I am not wearing any eye liner either! 

So Maybelline's The Falsies has obviously added a lot of volume at the base, it give the eye a pop and also makes my lashes super long! I also put it on the ends of my bottom lashes to open up my eyes a little more! I think the only thing I don't rate about this is that it could be more voluminous but I do love it!  The applicator is great, its bristles, its slightly curved which has given the lovely flick out on the lashes!

In terms of the packaging; I'm not too fussed on this one, I like the shape of it, It does stand out with its bright purple but I think it could be a little more classy if they're opted for black like the do on the waterproof version! 

 I'm actually really impressed with They're real! There is a noticeable different in the volume at the base of the lashes with has framed my eye a lot nicer! I don't feel to thrilled about the applicator though! It is plastic which I usually try and stay clear of! I absolutely love the packaging if I'm honest; it's elegant, the colours aren't gaudy and the shape it fab so it doesn't roll around my draws and cause havock! 

I think after looking back at the photos I'm really starting to get drawn towards They're Real! a lot more; the shape and density of the lashes, to me, looks a lot nicer and my eye looks framed slightly better also.    I have to say though I do still reach for my Maybelline first though; it does have the wow factor when its layered on, it tends to thicken up my lashes better and looks great with some smudged kohl liner! 

I hope this helps someone if you're wondering what these two products were actually like! I love them both but I think over all I'll stick with The Falsies for now! I just can't be doing with a plastic applicator and  prefer the overall finish it gives!

M x

Boots No.7 Make Up Brush Cleanser Review

Hello again! 

So Recently I have purchased some new Make Up Brushes, and in order to keep them in the best condition and get the best wear out of them, a make up brush cleaner/cleanser, is vital! 

I'm a huge Mac Brush Cleanser fan, but as I am trying to buy all my Beauty product on a smaller budget I thought I'd stay in the high-street for this one!

I spotted No.7 Brush Cleanser in my local store; it retails for £8.00, but I had a £3.00 off No.7 Make Up voucher so it was a bargain for £5.00.  

The bottle is a clean and clear 185ml, with a slightly green tinged liquid inside, the pump action at the top is a good reason why I picked this up, makes for easer use when applying this to your cloth to clean.  

As with all No.7 products, this is hypo-allergenic, so that if you're like me, and have sensitive skin, worrying about what is in this product, or hesitating whether to purchase is not an issue.

The product itself isn't thrilling though; the smell is very clinical and smells a lot like alcohol; whilst I know this is a cleaner I would prefer a softer scent to it.  The cleaner does a brilliant job however, removing the last traces of make up left on my brushes extremely fast.   I tend to clean my brushes every 2-3 days with a quick wipe of this. I have noticed that it as not damaged the brushes, it does not leave a horrible smell on them and leaves them very soft. 

The packaging is fine, I'm not overly bothered about it, although I think a lid to put on top on the pump would be brilliant as I travel a lot this is an issue with it getting knocked! 

I can't say that this is much worse or better than Mac Brush Cleanser, it is only £1.50 less and obviously, being from boots a lot more accessible! 

I would rate this product a 4/5, down sides being the pump with no lid, and the strong alcohol smell, apart from that this is a perfect good cleanser, and a bargain! 

M x