Exfoliating Face Masks - LUSH vs. The Body Shop

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you will know that I am still a novice when it comes to skin care. It has only been recently that I set myself up fully with a morning and evening cleansing routine, which you can read about – here.

A few months ago, I started trying face masks. My skin was in pretty bad shape, breakouts and clogged pores galore – immediately I reached for the exfoliating masks. I brought two; LUSH ‘Mask of Magnaminty’ and The Body Shop ‘Blue Corn 3-in-1 Deep Cleansing Mask’, both of which claim to give my skin a similar treatment, deep cleanse and unclog pores.

LUSH ‘Mask of Magnaminty’ £9.25

 ‘A multi-purpose mask with a mixture of gentle yet effective ingredients to clean, calm and clear the skin. Easily smoothed over the skin, this mask is made with peppermint oil to stimulate, marigold oil and chlorophyllin to treat the skin; evening primrose seeds and aduki beans to gently exfoliate as you remove it. You can use this mask anywhere.’

The first thing that struck me about this mask was the gorgeous smell. I really enjoy anything with a peppermint smell, and this really came across in the mask. You apply to a dry face, and it was very easy to smooth out and cover. The primrose seeds and aduki beans do mean that the texture is quite course, however I didn’t find that it scratched the skin. When applied, I found there to be a slight heating sensation, often found with mint products, but no irritation. However, if you have sensitive skin I would be careful, my sister tried the mask and found that it stung her.

It is recommended that you leave the mask on for about 10minutes. In that time, the mask dries and becomes crumbly. To remove, wash off with warm water using circular motions, which is where the texture does its job. The ‘Mask of Magnaminty’ was very easy to remove, leaving my skin significantly improved. Afterwards, my skin felt incredibly soft, clean and it did a fantastic job of unclogging my pores.

The Body Shop ‘Blue Corn 3-in-1 Deep Cleansing Mask’ £10.

‘This three-in-one cleansing mask cleanses, exfoliates and moisturises normal to oily skin.

• Gently cleanses the skin
• Removes dead skin cells, excess oil and impurities
• Moisturises, leaving skin feeling soft
• Weekly treatment’

 

What I really like about this mask is the results it produced. I don’t think my face has ever felt as clean as it does after I have used this mask! It unclogged my pores and, as with the LUSH mask, left my skin smooth and soft. This mask is applied to damp skin, and has a smoother texture to the ‘Mask of Magnaminty’ with the exfoliating elements being a lot finer. Once applied, I did feel a slight tingling sensation but it was not so bad that I had to remove the mask straight away. Again, when left for around 15minutes, the mask dries to the skin.

The ‘Blue Corn 3-in-1 Deep Cleansing Mask’ dried a lot faster than the LUSH mask, which made it slightly harder to remove with water, but the results are worth it. One element of the mask which I was not particularly keen on, was the scent. It has a slight musky, floury smell which isn’t offensive, but not as yummy as the peppermint of the ‘Mask of Magnaminty’.

Overall, both of these masks provided great results. When used weekly, they helped to stop breakouts and to clear up my skin! If I had to pick a favourite however, I would definitely have to go for LUSH ‘Mask of Magnaminty’. It was slightly kinder on my skin and that scent! Just perfect!

Have you tried any of these products? What did you think of them?

Jumping on the Beauty Blogging Bandwagon.

One of the hardest things I have found about blogging is finding products to talk about, which other have not already written about. As a blogger, you want to be original but at the same time, if a product is new, good and exciting, then it is inevitable that other people will share your opinions and also want to express them.

So I have given up. I am just going write about what I want to, and enjoy it. Here is my first post, openly jumping on the bandwagon, and giving my opinions on some highly raved about products from the blogging circle.

 

Benefit’s ‘Big Easy’ £27.50

This is Benefit cosmetic’s latest ‘bigger than BB’ cream offering. I have racked my brain all week to try and find the right words to describe this product and failed. This is how Big Easy is described on the website:

‘BIGGER than BB! Why? Two reasons. First, big easy balances moisture & controls oil. Second, the cushiony liquid-to- powder formula melts in like a cream, yet finishes lightweight & velvety like a powder.

This multi-balancing complexion perfector gives light-to-medium natural coverage to even out skintone and conceal imperfections. Even better, it contains ingredients known to soothe & comfort the skin and help fight free radicals. One & done…big easy saves the day! Non-comedogenic. Oil-free.’

Personally, I think that makes some very bold statements. The coverage, yes, is light to medium. However, I found it to be more on the light side, with the option to build the product up to more of a medium coverage. I have ‘Normal to Dry’ skin, and I have found that a decent amount of moisturiser underneath helps the product to blend in. It can also be used with a primer. I put Benefit’s ‘That Gal’ brightening primer underneath and loved the dewy look it gave. Big Easy definitely evened out my skin tone and banished redness, but it did not really cover my imperfections. There was still a need for concealer over spots.

Overall, I loved the product. I have never tried any of the Benefit foundations before, but this is exactly what you need for Spring/Summer time. Big Easy also makes for a great everyday product you can apply with your fingers, and rush out the door. I was very happy with the coverage it gave me, and it wore off nicely throughout the day. This product is a keeper!

Garnier ‘Micellar Cleansing Water’ £4.99

Ever since I first heard about the miracle product that is the Bioderma Micellar Water, I have been itching for a drugstore brand to make a dupe. Personally, I have found that this Garnier version does not disappoint. It removes ALL make up, even a bold red lipstick. Granted, those harder to budge products such as gel eyeliner do need a little rub, but there is still minimal effort needed.

This Micellar Cleansing Water is powerful, you only need a small amount, and you get a lot of product for your money. Another positive for me is the fact that although the product is oil based, there is little oily residue left on the eye. At the modest price of £4.99, you cannot go wrong.

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think?

A Beauty Blogging Bookworm.

I thought I would shake things up a bit on the blog this week, and instead of talking about beauty products, tell you about another love of mine - books.

I am an avid reader, always have been and probably always will. I love everything about books, the feel of the pages as they are run through your fingers, and the sound of the spine bending for the very first time. My favourite books are so precious to me, that I reluctantly lend them out, even to family!

This month I have read two books which I have loved, and have blown me away. I am drawn to books which tell the tales of the character’s lives, following them as their paths cross and merge with others. Both of these books tell such a story.

 

 

The Book Thief – Marcus Zusak.

Wow, what a novel. I have to start with issuing a warning – at the end of the book I was a big pile of howling mess. Literally shaking with tears. It is that emotive and incredibly breath-taking.

‘The Book Thief’ tells the story of Liesel Meminger, taking place in the middle of Nazi Germany. We meet Liesel at the beginning of her journey. She is being taken to live with foster parents, and follows her every-day life under Hitler’s rule, finding her power through books. Narrating this story is death personified, a man with a job.

This book is beautifully written, the personification of ‘death’ is pure brilliance. He begins as a cynical and a-political figure, but by the end of the book is changed through his experiences with Liesel. I was hooked from the first chapter and found myself engrossed by the characters and their experiences through the war time years. This is certainly a must-read and will firmly have a place on my bookshelf for years to come.

The Secret Keeper – Kate Morton.

This is another page-turner which is partly set during the war. The story starts with 16 year old Laurel, who witnesses her mother, Dorothy, murder a man in the garden, on her baby brother’s birthday. Fast forward to 2011. Laurel’s mother is dying in hospital and with the memory of that day still haunting her, Laurel determines to find the truth.

The narration in this book changes between the past and present, and the different characters in the book. Personally, I love this style of writing, as you can see the same events but through the eyes of the different characters. You can also be more observant as to where, when and why their thoughts and opinions change. You can also discover their motives.

I became completely immersed in ‘The Secret Keeper’. I was reading at super speed, because I wanted to find out what happened and changed my mind on a few of the characters several times. I just could not work out the mystery of the characters and how they were all linked, yet at the end it all became obvious!

I would highly recommend either of these books to anyone! Have you read any of these? What did you think? Let me know your thoughts and opinions.

Latest Lipstick Love - MAC's 'Flat out Fabulous'

If you would have said to me a year ago that I would not only be wearing, but actually enjoying a bright fuchsia lipstick, I would have thought you were a crazy person.

Yet, here I am, penning (or is that typing?) a blog post on my latest favourite lipstick, which is none other than a bright fuchsia colour.

Introducing MAC’s ‘Flat out Fabulous’, and isn’t she a beaut!

This is a beautiful bright pink with purple/blue undertones, which just screams Spring/Summer to me. I would recommend this as the perfect lipstick for those who are new to the bold lip bandwagon. The pink in the shade means that it is not offensive and extremely wearable. I find that the blue/purple hues suit my pale complexion, and I have also heard that blue makes your teeth look whiter!

The colour pay off is incredible. I was able to get the full colour to photograph with just one swatch. The longevity of the colour is very good; I wore the lipstick on a night out and did not have to touch up once. However, this is a ‘Retro Matte’ lipstick and as with all mattes, I did find it quite drying on the lips. To counteract this, I topped up with some of my Maybelline ‘Baby Lips’ and I found this made it better. Despite the dry texture, it did not drag when applied. I applied it straight from the bullet, but I think I would feel more confident using a brush. It is not very forgiving if, like me, you do not have a very steady hand.  On my night out, I wore a simple make up look to counteract the bold colour of the lips; a simple pale purple in the crease and black winged eyeliner.

I am not sure if I am brave enough to wear this for any day time occasions, but this does not mean it can’t be done. As I have said, it is a pink base which means it is versatile for night and day. This lipstick oozes confidence and undeniably gave me some when I wore it! 'Flat out Fabulous' definitely lives up to the name!

 

Have you tried this lipstick? Are you a fan of a bold lip?

Something about 'Torrid' - A NARS Product Review

I am going to hold my hands up here, and say that I had never heard of the make-up brand NARS until about a year ago when I first started obsessively watching YouTube videos and reading beauty blogs. I kept reading about their products and all of them sounded luxurious and gorgeous, I just had to give them a go!

Needless to say, I could not wait to purchase their Creamy Concealer and the infamous Sheer Glow Foundation, both of which have now firmly secured a place in my make-up collection. As you can imagine, it came as no surprise that I found myself heading straight to the NARS counter on a recent shopping trip, to potentially find my next ‘new favourite’.

I knew I wanted a coral blusher, and after looking at a few suggested by the assistant, I decided to buy a powder blush in the shade ‘Torrid’.

 

This blush is incredible and exactly what I was asking for! I am really annoyed at the picture because it really does not do the pigmentation in the pan justice. In the image, it looks really pink, but I can assure you it is the perfect mix of warm pink and orange tones. Initially, I was not so sure about the blush when the assistant pointed it out to me as it seemed to be quite glittery, here are specks of gold visible throughout the blush. But, when applied to the skin the glitter blends beautifully and is hardly noticeable, creating a gorgeous flush of colour. I was surprised to find that it applies quite sheer, but the colour is easily buildable and the blush is very buttery which makes blending a breeze.

 

I have tried this blush with a variety of looks; simple day time, evening makeup and even with a bold lip. I have to say that the blush really worked with all of these looks, but I particularly enjoyed it when matched with simple winged liner, and a bold fuchsia lip.

‘Torrid’ has now become my staple blush, and I have used it every day since I purchased it three weeks ago. I would really recommend it if your stash is missing a coral blush (or even if it’s not!)

Have you tried any NARS blushes? Which shades are your favourite?

Spring Pub Lunch Makeup Look.

Friday was one of those rare occasions, where my boyfriend and I had the same day off. The weather looked semi-sunny and dry, so we decided to go for a pub lunch. Whilst the boy was making some conference calls (in his pj’s!), I experimented with my makeup. I really liked the look I achieved so I thought I would share with you what I did.

I always start with my eye makeup, just in case there is any fall out which may ruin the base. I began by applying my favourite eye shadow primer, Urban Decay’s ‘Eyeshadow Primer Potion’. Then, I reached for my Naked palette, also by Urban Decay. Using the brush provided, I took the shade ‘Smog’ and placed it on the inner and middle third of the lid. I then took the shade ‘Darkhorse’ and placed on the outer third. I took a MAC 217 brush to blend the edge and where the two colours meet. The colour ‘Smog’ was also placed under the eye. I curled my lashes and applied the No7 Intense Volume mascara. I love this mascara at the minute and you can read all about it in my blog post here.

Now moving onto the base. I started by pressing in Benefit’s ‘Porefessional’ primer, concentrating on my t-zone. I then applied my MAC Mineralize Moisture foundation in the shade ‘NC20’, buffing in using my Real Techniques Stippling brush. I covered any blemishes with a bit of MAC’s Studio Finish concealer in the shade ‘NW20’, continuing to blend using the Stippling brush. My bags were banished by blending some of NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in the shade ‘Vanilla’ under my eyes and brow bone, using my fingers. Finally, I set it all using MAC Mineralise Skin Finish in the shade ‘Light Plus’.

I do not tend to do much with my brows. On this occasion, I gave them a quick brush and then filled in using the MAC Eyebrows in the shade ‘Fling’. I do not have to fill the middle much, but I did use it to create an arch.

I added some colour into my face by using MAC Pro Longwear Blush in the shade ‘Stay Pretty’ on the apples cheeks.

The look was finished with the lips. To create this colour I used MAC’s Lip Pencil in the shade ‘Hip ‘n’ Happy’ as an all over colour. I then went over top with MAC Cremesheen Glass in the shade ‘Japanese Spring’.

I was really happy with the look, and felt confident stepping out of the house.

Have you tried any of these products before? What would you wear for a pub lunch date?

Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who has the best lashes of them all? No7 Intense Volume Mascara Product Review.

This week’s blog post is going to be a review of a product I mentioned in my ‘March Favourite’s’ blog, which you can read – here. I brought this product in a flap, having spend ages trying to find a new mascara in Boots, and struggled to narrow down to one out of the vast range on offer.

 

On first application, I was struck by the thinness of the formula. It feels very light when applied. However, I was blown away with how well the lashes were coated and separated with just one sweep. I can often rush out the house with just one coat, and still feel good. It is also very buildable. Be careful though – you really do have to let each coat dry before applying the next, otherwise the lashes do tend to get stuck together.

With a name like ‘Intense Volume’, it is natural to expect big things. ‘Did your lashes look like they had more volume?’ I hear you cry! Hmmm. Volume? I’m not so sure. My lashes looked full and very well defined. However, a ‘false lash effect’ mascara this is not – or maybe I’m wearing the wrong falsies?! I applied this after I had curled my lashes and it held pretty well. I was happy with how my lashes looked at the end of the day. There were no clumps and no flaking.

 

Now I want to take a little time out to talk about the wand. I am completely puzzled over this new fascination with ‘flexy’ wands. I am just going to put it out there – I do not like them. I don’t see how they help, they just annoy me. I like my wand to be straight and inflexible – and this wand delivers. There is nothing different or gimmicky about this wand.  The spoolie is nice and long, with a tapered end. It is very easy to use and quick to apply.

I don’t really have much to say about the packaging for this product. It comes in the curved shape which is synonymous with most No7 mascaras. I do like the bronzed colour, but I am not jumping up and down over it. Anyway, it’s what’s inside that counts.

To my surprise, I absolutely love this product. Considering I purchased it, without much thought, I did not expect big things. I was pleasantly surprised by how great this product is, and at £9.95 it’s a ‘no-brainer’. You can purchase it online here, where it is part of an offer. If you buy 2 selected No7 products, you get a free gift!

Have you tried this mascara? Have you ever had any pleasant surprises when buying make up?