Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Bourjois, the Parisian cosmetic brand has returned to the UK and it is now available at Superdrug. They have kindly sent me the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation to test and review. 

I have actually used this foundation before and it is the one I wore on my wedding day. 

It used to come in an airless pump plastic bottle, and now comes in a heavy glass bottle which gives it a luxurious feel. 

The Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation has a semi matte finish and prevents my skin from getting shiny throughout the day, which I like. This can be attributed to the addition of Corn Starch, Bentonite and Silica. 

It also contains hydrating Glycerin; plus vitamins C, B5 and E, as well as Melon, Apricot and Apple extracts, however, these are only included in very small amounts (fragrance being higher on the ingredient's list) so I am unsure if they would provide much of a benefit overall. 

The foundation has a mild fruity scent and an easy-to-blend texture that offers light to medium coverage with a natural-looking finish.

It diminishes the look of redness and evens out skin tone without any sensation of heaviness or stickiness. 

The only thing I didn't love is that it can cling a bit to any dry patches or texture but if the skin is well moisturised and exfoliated, any of these problems can be prevented. 

The product comes sealed for hygiene with a sticker that connects the plastic lid to the bottle and the foundation has a PAO of 24 months. 

I would definitely recommend this foundation if you are looking for medium coverage and a natural, semi matte finish.

Find the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation at Superdrug.

xo

Knitwear & Leather Boots

Garnier Pineapple & Amla Haircare Collection

A couple of months ago Garnier sent me some products to try from their new Ultimate Blends Pineapple & Amla Haircare range:

Pineapple & Amla Hair Mask: it has a delicious pineapple scent and a non greasy consistency. When used as a leave-in conditioner it leaves hair soft and reduced frizz considerably and the fragrance lasted until the next day. However, it does have kaolin which absorbs moisture and made my hair feel a bit dry and lacklustre, so I will not be using it as a leave in conditioner again. 

I also used it as a wash-off hair mask and it made hair soft and shiny. However on both instances I felt like my hair would get a bit tangled because of the dryness caused by the kaolin. I would only recommend if you are looking for a hair mask that helps increase volume and your hair is not easily tangled. 

Pineapple & Amla Shampoo: It has a delicious juicy, sweet pineapple scent. This shampoo has a lightweight gel-like consistency that gently lathers but cleanses scalp well without any irritation or dryness. It rinses off easily and leaves hair smelling nice and feeling soft. My hair also seems to be shinier, which I like. 

Pineapple & Amla Conditioner: like the other products in the range, it has a delicious pineapple scent. It is easy to apply and rinse off, though I would recommend storing the bottle upside down to help dispense the product. This conditioner makes my hair feel soft and shiny. I believe the inclusion of Kaolin in the formula can make hair feel dry and become tangled easily, however, it also makes the hair appear more voluminous so I would recommend this conditioner for thin or flat hair that does not become tangled easily. 

The whole range smells amazing and helped increase shine and add volume to my hair, however, the mask and the conditioner left my hair feeling somewhat dry and a bit rough because of the lack of silicones. Out of the 3 products the only one I would have again is the shampoo.

Find the Ultimate Blends Pineapple & Amla Haircare at Look Fantastic and Superdrug. 

xo

Caring for Dry Skin with Australian Bodycare

For my latest collaboration with Australian Bodycare, they have kindly sent me 3 products to try out and review! This time I received their Hand Cream, Shave Oil and Foot Cream, all in the original scent. 

The Hand Cream is designed for extremely dry hands, and is recommended to be applied 1-2 times daily or as needed. It has a subtle earthy fragrance provided by the natural Australian Tea Tree Oil, and leaves hands feeling soft and supple thanks to amazing ingredients like Shea Butter, Glycerin, Rice Wax, Castor Seed Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Almond Oil, Rhus Peel & Fruit Wax, Soybean Sterols, Panthenol, Lactic and Linoleic Acids, Saccharide Isomerate, Lactic Acid, plus Vitamins E and C. Only a small amount is needed each time for a soft and moisturised effect that can easily last after washing hands. 

The Shave Oil is formulated to help reduce red spots and ingrown hairs, while providing a close and comfortable shave. This product is also scented with Tea Tree Oil, however it features a sweeter fragrance thanks to the nourishing Almond, Sunflower, Coconut and Crambe Oils. It also contains moisturising Shea Butter derivatives and Vitamin E. This Shave Oil is easy to use and you only need a few drops each time. It is very moisturising and leaves skin feeling soft. The only thing I didn't love about it is that my razor was getting clogged because of the oil so I need to find a way to prevent this. If you have any tips let me know!

Last but not least, is the Foot Cream, which provides intensive care for dry feet. It can be applied daily or as required and is ideally used after bathing. Enriched with 10% Urea to effectively exfoliate skin and reduce dryness and roughness, it also contains Shea Butter, Glycerin, Castor Oil, Vitamin E, Allantoin and Lactic Acid. Featuring the classic Tea Tree Oil scent that Australian Bodycare products are known for, this lightweight foot cream has a nice almost-whipped consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin and left my feet feeling baby soft. I would have loved to try the Mint version however, that is now discontinued and this version also felt cooling on the feet throughout the day. 

If you are looking to nourish dry skin on your body this season I would definitely recommend taking a look at the products mentioned above!

xo

Vinny The Pug's First Book is Out Now

*This is a sponsored post

The first volume in the series that will share the details of Vinny's adventures in the Sonoran Desert, titled Vinny the Pug; The Life & Times of A Canine Rock Star: How a little pugs quest to set a Guinness World Record helped him to become a 'rock star' is available to buy now. 

This book details how the little pug adapted to the move from Florida to Arizona, and after learning to appreciate his new rocky surroundings, he discovered climbing and set out to establish a new Guinness World Record. 

As a limited offer, the first 100 buyers will receive a free ceramic pin with every book purchased through March 1st. The pin is part of Vinny the Pug's collectors series for 2023.

Don't miss out on the chance to learn more about this amazing canine companion with this interactive book!

Find Vinny the Pug; The Life & Times of A Canine Rock Star on Amazon UK and USA.

xo

Valentines Gift Ideas Under £50

Valentino Donna Born in Roma Hair Mist £38 // Valeria Coupe Glass £16 
Charbonnel et Walker Truffle Heart Box £30
Korres Greek Yoghurt Discovery Kit £24 // Birthstone Hoop Earrings £35

Korres Oceanic Amber £38 // Lion Bolo Tie £12

Le Labo Hinoki Hand Lotion £29

Accidentally Wes Anderson £25 // Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace Candle £48

Valentine's Day is just over a month away so here are my gift ideas, all under £50 to treat your sweetie (or yourself, I won't tell!).

xo

Nivea 2 in 1 Cleanser & Toner

A few days ago I received the Nivea 2 in 1 Cleanser & Toner to try out and review. 

This versatile product is designed to cleanse and tone the skin, while also moisturising thanks to Vitamin E. 

It claims to deeply cleanse the skin by removing daily impurities and makeup, leaving it refreshed and toned. 

The Nivea 2 in 1 Cleanser & Toner can be applied with fingers or cotton wool, and after massaging it must be removed, again with cotton wool or just water. 

Some notable ingredients in this product include Glycerin, Lotus Flower Extract and Vitamin E. 

It features a creamy but lightweight consistency and the classic Nivea cream scent. 

I found the Nivea 2 in 1 Cleanser & Toner easy to apply and remove, and it definitely left my skin feeling clean, soft and refreshed, so will be using it as a first step in my nightly double-cleanse. 

The only downside to this product is that it cannot be used on the eyes, so the need for an extra product just for that area isn't ideal. It also contains alcohol and perfume so sensitive skin types may not love this product. 

Find the Nivea 2 in 1 Cleanser & Toner at Superdrug and Tesco.

xo

New In: November & December 2022

Garnier Vitamin C Micellar Water

A few months ago I received the Garnier Micellar Vitamin C Cleansing Water, which is designed to remove makeup and cleanse the face, eyes and lips without the need to rinse it off. 

Ideal for dull and uneven skin, this Micellar Water is enriched with Vitamin Cg to help brighten the skin. 

The simple formulation contains only 10 ingredients; with some notable ones including Glycerin, Hydrogenated Castor Oil and Ascorbyl Glucoside. 

This Micellar Water does effectively remove makeup easily, has a mild soapy scent which I like and it also leaves skin feeling very soft. 

While I'm not sure it has provided any brightening to my skin given that I always rinse off the product, it might be worth a try if you are looking to incorporate vitamin C into your skincare routine. 

Given it is effective and affordable, I would have it again and would recommend it for gentle makeup removal.

Find the Garnier Micellar Vitamin C Cleansing Water at Superdrug, Savers and Sephora. 

xo

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year, full of prosperity, happiness and love! I hope you are able to accomplish all the new goals you set yourself for this new year that begins, that all your projects are fruitful and any new friendships become lasting. For a New Year full of amazing and meaningful experiences!

xo

3INA Cosmetics in 900 Black

You may have seen from a previous post that 3INA has arrived in the UK. Here is the second set of reviews for some of the products that were kindly sent to me:

3INA The 24h Pen Eyeliner in 900 (black) comes in a cardboard box with the 3INA logo embossed at the front, alongside the product name and shade colour code, which matches the colouring of the box and pen inside. 

The plastic pen is very lightweight and has a slightly textured finish to the material which gives it a soft matte look. The lid comes off and is replaced very easily. 

The 24h Pen Eyeliner in 900 has a soft felt tip with a very fine point and it is slightly longer than others I have previously used. Being that I had not used a pen in quite a while (possibly over a year) I found the extra length a bit difficult to work with, but that is just due to being out of practice. 

The pen is exceptionally pigmented and glides on the lid with ease, making sharp lines without any issues. It is also very long lasting but never difficult to remove. I did experience slight smudging by the end of the day due to having oily skin, however, this can probably be prevented with some primer, setting powder and/or setting spray. Like other pen eyeliners I've used, the Period After Opening is 6 months. 

3INA The 24h Level Up Mascara in 900 (black) like the other products in the range, it comes in a cardboard box with the embossed 3INA logo and product name on the front. The shade is mentioned on the side only, however, the colour of the box and tube match and display the shade of the mascara inside. The front of the box also features the wording 24H Level Up embossed on the cardboard, with a glossy finish. This is mimicked in the mascara tube, and it contrasts nicely against the soft matte surface of the aluminium packaging. The added weight of the material used makes the tube feel more robust and high end. It feels amazing quality and is one of my favourite packaging from the products I received to try out.

The lid is easy to open and locks safely in place. The mascara has an hourglass shaped applicator with medium-length bristles and an inoffensive, classic mascara smell. It promises to give a 3-in-1 effect of Definition, Volume and Length. I found the mascara easy to apply, it did help define and add light volume to my lashes but I did not experience much visible lengthening with it. This mascara has very intense pigment and is very long lasting, however I did experience some minor smudging by the end of the day due to having oily skin. The POA is 6 months, like for other mascaras I've used. If you are looking for a new long-wearing mascara that offers bold pigment and volume then I would recommend this mascara.

The 3INA Lipstick in 900 (black) comes packaged snugly in a cardboard box with the 3INA embossed logo on it and matching black exterior. Inside, the square tube in an all-black, velvety soft-touch finish feels quite luxurious. The packaging also features a magnetic closure, which I love and find very satisfying every time the case clicks shut. 

Upon first use, the Lipstick took a few swipes to start delivering full colour payoff. I also noticed the delicious fragrance reminiscent of berry sweets, which I really enjoy. 

The Lipstick is strongly pigmented and feels very comfortable on the lips thanks to the addition of moisturising ingredients, including Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Cotton Seed Oil and Sunflower Seed Oil, which also help the formula melt onto the lips.  

As it is enriched with several moisturising ingredients, it makes the lipstick fade and slide around a bit when pressing the lips together. The black shade is also not what I would usually wear but for spooky season or a fun or editorial makeup look, it is a great shade to try. 

Because of the strong pigmentation I found it hard to remove and had to wipe 3 or 4 times to completely remove the lipstick, however, the nourishing formulation and great colour payoff leaves me wanting to try other colours!

Have you tried any 3ina products?

xo

The Body Shop Winter Sale is Also 3 for 2!

The Body Shop Winter Sale is now on with up to 50% off selected items, plus 3 for 2! So this is the time to stock up on any favourites or save them for gifting on special occasions next year. 

Some of my favourites from The Body Shop sale pictured above:

• Spiced Orange Shower Gel was £7 now £3.50
• Wild Jasmine Treats was £17.90 now £11.90
• Oils of Life™ Bi-Phase Essence Lotion was £16 now £11.20
• CBD Soothing Oil-Balm Cleansing Mask was £18 now £9
• Slide & Sleigh Hair Slides was £5 now £2.50
• Almond Milk Hand Balm was £13 now £6.50
• Carrot Wash Energizing Face Cleanser was £8.50 now £5.95
• Berry Lip & Cheek Stain was £8 now £5.60
• CBD Restoring Facial Oil was was £26 now £13
• Comfort & Cheer Body Butter Trio was £15 now £10

xo

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas accompanied by all your loved ones! I hope you all enjoy the most amazing food, your day is full of festive cheer and that you get spoiled by Santa today ;)

xo

All Used Up #18

Welcome to the last instalment of All Used Up in the year! This is one is short but sweet as I didn't want to wait too long and need to make some space for any possible gifts this weekend ;)

Garnier Aloe Refreshing Gel Wash: designed for normal to combination skin, this gel cleanser enriched with soothing Aloe Vera and hydrating Grape Water lathers and cleanses the skin well without leaving it tight. It is effective and affordable so I would buy it again.

Nivea Caring Shower Gel in Fabulous Hibiscus: this was from the pound shop and when I looked at the ingredients I could not find any hibiscus in it. It has a nice gel consistency that isn't runny, and a sweet fruity smell which I enjoyed. It left skin feeling soft thanks to Glycerin, and contains Cranberry extract plus vitamins C and E. Would repurchase but I believe it has been discontinued. 

Skin 1004 Hyalu-Cica Sun-Serum*: this sunscreen is infused with soothing Niacinamide and Pure Centella Asiatica from Madagascar, as well as Green Tea and a hint of Hyaluronic Acid. It is so lightweight, unscented, absorbs almost instantly, leaves no white cast, lightly moisturises and doesn't leave my skin feeling tight. I would definitely have it again!

B. by Superdrug Brightening Eye Cream*: it has a lotion consistency that moisturises the eye area and contains Niacinamide and Caffeine to reduce dark circles, plus Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 to reduce puffiness. It is effective and affordable however by the end of the tube I found it kept pilling whenever I rubbed or scratched my eye area. Would probably use again but will try other alternatives first. 

xo

Superdrug Cherry Blossom Body Cream

Yesterday I received the Superdrug Cherry Blossom Body Cream kindly sent to me to test and review. 

It is part of their Extracts Body Care range and is designed to keep skin smooth and soft. 

Some notable ingredients include hydrating Glycerin, Prunus Avium Flower (Cherry Blossom) Extract and vitamin E. 

Even though the second ingredient is Paraffinum Liquidum, the Cherry Blossom Body Cream does not feel heavy or leave skin feeling sticky, leaving instead it smooth and velvety to the touch. 

This body cream absorbs very quickly thanks to its light texture and has a soft, fresh cherry blossom fragrance that lasts all day. 

The huge 475ml pot is only £5.99 and currently on a 2 for 1 offer.

The PAO is 12 months, cruelty free and the packaging is recyclable. 

Find the Cherry Blossom Body Cream at Superdrug.

xo

3ina Cosmetics in 503 Nude

As you may have seen, 3ina has arrived in the UK and here is a review of one of the mini collections I was kindly sent by Superdrug, the 503 Nudes, which is described as the perfect nude-pink.

The 3ina Longwear Lipstick in 503 comes packaged in a colour-matching embossed cardboard box. The plastic velvet-touch packaging has rounded edges and a clear window at the bottom of the tube that allows for the product to be visible through it. The lid unlocks and unscrews easily to reveal a classic doe-foot applicator which picks up enough product for each use. 

The liquid lipstick is lightly scented with a vanilla fragrance. It glides on the lips with ease, feeling almost like an oil is being applied. At first it looks a bit glossy but then it dries down matte. It is incredibly long lasting and survived through a whole meal while staying pretty undisturbed on the lips. 

While I am not the biggest fan of matte lip products as they can not only make the lips look but also feel dry, I do think this lipstick would make a great lip product for autumn and winter. When they said #perfectnude they weren't kidding. Having a "warm autumn" palette, I find that this shade does suit me and looks like a muted brownish pink. 

At the end of the day I found this liquid lipstick was very easy to remove and had not dried out my lips which is great.

The 3ina Automatic Lip Pencil in 503, like the liquid lipstick, comes in a cardboard box with the 3ina embossed logo on the front, indicating the shade which matches the colouring of the box and the plastic pencil packaging inside. 

The pencil itself is retractable and easily dispensed by twisting either the top or bottom part in opposite directions. The plastic case has a slightly textured finish which gives it a matte look. At the opposite end of the pencil it has a small brush that is revealed when pulling the cap; and hidden under the brush is a small sharpener to keep the pencil neat, thus helping achieve a more precise result every time. 

It is easy to use and feels creamy on the lips, gliding easily without any tugging or pulling. It helps create definition when used alone or will aid in creating longer-lasting looks when used as a base while  preventing lipstick from feathering. 

The shade 503 looks very natural on the lips and finds it suits my colouration, however, I believe it will be suitable for many other skin tones as well. When used on its own to line my lips, I find it creates a mild plumping effect with a soft matte finish. I will be using it mostly to define my lip line, and layer it under other products. The POA (or period after opening) is 24 months so it gives me plenty of time to use it up.

The 3INA No-Rules Stick in 503 comes in a wide, velvety plastic tube with an easily replaceable cap. It is ready to use as you take the lid off and it uses a twist up motion to dispense more product if needed. The shade matches nicely with the liquid lipstick and lip liner I received as well. There is room in the bottom part of the packaging to store a small sponge applicator if needed.

The stick glides on the skin with ease and can be applied directly onto lips, eyelids and cheeks, however it does have a slightly oily feel to it. It has a very sheer colour payoff so it is ideal if, like me, you prefer a more natural makeup look. 

Because of the sheerness I could not really notice it on my lips but it added a nice healthy, rosy look to my cheeks and eyelids. This product is great for doing a quick and easy makeup look and the lightweight packaging makes it very travel friendly. I will be mainly using it as a blusher and probably as matching eyeshadow as well for a soft, pretty spring and summer look. 

Have you tried 3ina products? Find them at Superdrug!

xo

Skinfix Foaming Clay Cleanser

Just a few days ago I received the Skinfix Derm+ Foaming Clay Cleanser to try and review, kindly sent to me by Sephora. 

The Skinfix Foaming Clay Cleanser contains glacial and kaolin clays to help soothe and reduce excess oil. 

As it is designed for oily skin, even though my skin is oily, I was worried it would dry it out but was pleasantly surprised at how soft and hydrated my skin felt after using. 

Also the mention of Canadian glacial and Brazilian kaolin volcanic clays in the ingredients led me to believe it would have a gritty texture but that is far from the truth - it is very smooth and gentle on the skin.

Other notable ingredients include hydrating Maltooligosyl Glucoside, soothing Aloe Leaf Extract and nourishing Jojoba Seed Oil.

The Skinfix Foaming Clay Cleanser easily forms a light, velvety foam and cleanses the skin well without leaving it feeling tight. It is also fragrance free so will be suitable for those with sensitive skin.

While it is only 148ml only a small pea sized amount is needed for each use so it will last a very long time.

The PAO is 12 months and the packaging (both the tube and box) are recyclable. 

Find the Skinfix Derm+ Foaming Clay Cleanser at Sephora and Feel Unique.

xo

New Stationery Collection Available

With the New Year fast approaching I've decided to expand my bullet journal stationery collection so it is now available in cherry red!

Featuring spiral notebooks, hard cover journals, month sticker pack, day of the week sticker pack, as well as magnets, accessories and apparel. Dive into 2023 feeling pretty in pink (or cheery in cherry?).

Find my new 2023 Bullet Journal Cherry Red collection in my Redbubble shop (also available in pastel pink).

xo

New Makeup Range at The Body Shop & Discount Code

This month The Body Shop has launched a new makeup range, available here and just in time for party season! It includes 2 types of mascara, multi tasking products and even a setting spray. 

Pictured above are my must-haves:  Swipe It Moisturising Lip Balm, Freestyle Multi-Tasking Crayons, Wake-Up Call Liquid Eyeliner, Long Game Brow & Lash Serum, Freestyle Multi-Tasking Colour. 

There are more products launching in January next year so stay tuned for further updates!

Onto the offers: Get 20% off with code 14315 until 31/12/22 (Excludes Gifts, Gift Cards, Sale Items.) Or get a free gift worth £32 when you spend £40 with code 22701.

xo 

The Multiple Uses of Regina Blitz Paper Towels

I was recently selected to test a couple of rolls of Regina Blitz, which is a household paper towel, however, compared to other paper towels, this ones are "super-sized" at 32 x 26.5 cm each.

Each roll comes with 100 very resistant quilted 3-ply sheets and is packaged in recyclable paper. 

The Regina Blitz household paper towels can be used for wiping, cleaning up condensation, spillages and even cleaning your watercolour brushes as they are very absorbent. 

Find the Regina Blitz towels at Waitrose and Morrisons, and if you like the artwork above, you can find stationery, apparel and homeware with the Gingerbread Man and Gingerbread Woman designs at my Redbubble shop.

xo