Sleek Makeup

3 for 2 deals at Boots really are a great way to nab some bargains. If you saw my Xmas 2014 post, you would have seen that the 'See You At Midnight Palette' was on my list, and for £10 it was an absolute steal! I also needed a new concealer, so thought why not try out Sleek's so then I can recieve a 'Matte Me' lip colour!? I am so glad I did because I have grown to really love these items, and they have become a staple to my makeup regime.

Firstly, the corrector and concealer pallette. This contains a light shade for dark circles, a more skin coloured tone to mask blemishes, and then finally a finishing powder to set it all and make sure it doesn't budge.

This colour is called 'Fandango Purple' and was a free gift when you bought two Sleek products. I am SO glad I picked this up because it is now probably my favourite thing from the three things I got. The matte finish means is does not move at all from your lips all day, and the colour is just so versatile. It's really nice and comfortable, and has a almost velvety finish. I have had a few compliments when wearing this, and I love this berry sort of colour.

Finally, the eyeshadow pallette. I bought this purely for the pomegranate colour because of a video I saw by Emma Pickles where she uses a reddy colour. She uses a strong pigment from a brand called 'Sigma', which can be quite pricey. I am not a confident makeup applier so having something more affordable means I can experiment with colours without wasting my money, plus the pigments are not so bold with this brand.

The video I liked the eye makeup in, is below, even though it is focused on black lipstick. (looks amazing but way out of my comfort zone for the moment)

The rest of the palette has versatile, shimmery nuetrals and a few bluer shades for when your feeling bolder.

For £10.00 this is a great starter palette for experimenting with bolder eye makeup looks, and the other products have made Sleek go way up in my estimations. For a high street brand, this is a great way to get your foot in the door with improving or expanding your makeup skills. 

Benefit Roller Lash

The newest addition to Benefit's makeup line is the "Roller Lash" mascara.

Designed to make your lashes look like you've had them in rollers overnight, it aims to add curl and volume.

'They're Real', is benefits number 1 mascara, being one of the most globally popular mascara. With that kind of reputation to uphold, will the 'Roller Lash' beat it on performance?

VS

Firstly, the wand is fairly similar to that of the 'They're Real' mascara. They both have harder plastic bristles as opposed to the bumble bee like wands, however the 'They're Real' bridtles are harder and not as flexible . They both have a curvature so you can get down the very root of the lashes, but I find the results are very different.

 Personally, I think 'Roller Lash' would be a mascara you'd wear everyday. It's light weight, doesn't feel like your wearing anything and gives a more natural look. I think 'Roller Lash' doesn't quite have the same dramatic effects. 

In my opinion though, 'They're Real' isn't a mascara you'd want to wear everyday. I find it creates a really dramatic look, but can feel slightly heavy and clumpy on the lashes. The picture below doesn't show of the effects very well, but the mascara does pick out every lash making them look longer and thicker.

I guess it comes down to the kind of look you want and how you want your eyelashes to feel. 

I find when I wear heavier mascara, I have a tendency to pick at my lashes resulting in them falling out, so 'Roller Lash' for an everyday would be better for me. They both retail at £24.00 so price shouldn't sway your choice.

Have you tried both mascaras? If so, do you think the same as me and if not, why? I'd love to hear your opinions

Coco Butter Moisturiser

Hi everyone, I've been meaning to do this post for a while but still haven't got round to doing so! Anyway, whilst in the beautiful Peru, we went to a chocolate museum that taught us all about how chocolate was made. If you want to read more about that day, you can read my other blog that describes myself and my boyfriends trip away, and the Coco museum features here.

At the end of the tour, my eyes were instantly drawn to the little skin care shelf, which had many different products using the cocoa butter that is part of the chocolate making process. I took far too long deciding which one product I wanted to buy. As I'm travelling, I couldn't buy lots even though I wanted too! I tried the testers of the body lotions and lip balms, I contemplated getting the shampoo and conditioner, but in the end, I thought I couldn't go wrong with a day cream. This was only cheap as it was Peruvian prices, and the little tub is perfect travel size.

Cocoa butter, as your probably know is quite thick, so it has been perfect for the colder parts of New Zealand I've been travelling, as it gives a thicker finish meaning less damage is caused to the skin. It is really soothing, and actually absorbs really well into the skin despite its thickness. The main benefit though is the smell! Everyone in the room can tell when I put it on, as it has such a milky chocolate smell to it. This may turn some people off, but it doesn't last and isn't overpowering, but more comforting! It may not be a moisturiser I use in the day now I'm in Australia, as I'll probably want something lighter, but it's great for dry patches of skin or even as a night cream when some TLC is needed.

I love finding products that are hand made and that you can't find on the shelves of regular shops. Finding skincare in a chocolate museum was certainly the last place I expected to find my next moisturiser!

Korres Skincare

Hi everybody! Today I will be doing a post on Korres, a Greek brand that is doing everything right! Back at Christmas I bought these two gift sets as they were an absolute bargain and I thought the travel sizes would be perfect for my travelling toiletry bag. 

I'll do a separate review on the lovely body care set, but today I am going to focus on the Rose collection.

If you've read my blog before then you will know that I'm a big fan of natural skincare. Korres is a natural brand that keeps out all chemicals and nasty ingredients that damage the skin. Rose is probably one of the best natural ingredients for your skin, as it helps hydrate, reduce redness, and just generally look after your skin.

Another bonus of Rose is the lovely smell you get in all your products. The Japanese Rose body care smells of roses, but on a whole new sophisticated level. The shower gel and body lotion have lasted me an absolute age, and have been on my round the world trip with me up until recently. They have been the perfect duo to transport me back into the world of luxury when I've needed my creature comforts whilst travelling.

The other two items I got in the set have been equally as luxurious but also handy. The rose moisturiser has been the perfect lightweight moisturiser to wear everyday, and the added SPF 6 gives me slight protection whilst adding a summery faint sun cream smell to my moisturiser. 

As well as this, the brightening mask has been another luxury to add into my routine making me one of the most pampered travellers people have come across. This brightening mask just helps brighten the complexion when I've been tired from over travelling, or had some late nights.

As I said, these products have lasted me about 3 months which is fantastic for these sizes. The Korres range is one I really want to try more as their skin care looks beautiful. Keep your eyes peeled for the post on the body care set!

Hello Hair Hydrating Hair Mask

Sorry it has been a while again guys! TOMORROW, I embark on the exciting new leg of my travels to Australia. I'll be settling down to work there for a little while so will hopefully be able to be more regular with my posts!

In prep for Australia, long ago now before I set off in March, I purchased the Hello Hair Hydrating Mask, a natural hair mask for dehydrated hair, loved by Aussies and  loved even more by Instagram. Instagram is fast becoming another means of advertisement for smaller brands, and I'm starting to find lots of products I want to try from it.

The mask was $15 (£8.00) which I think is really good for a natural product, plus I've had many uses out of my sachet, I'd say probably about 10. I seem to remember the postage to England being about the same as the product though, but whilst I'm in Aus that won't be a problem :)

The product itself is actually incredibly similar to the coconut oil I bought in Fiji, which was the last thing I posted about. It contains some of hairs favourite ingredients, coconut oil and argan oils, which helps strengthen hair to make it grow faster, and also prevents breakage. It also contains almond oil which helps hair retain its colour, and olive oil which smooths hair. You can also use the mask in the roots of you hair as the olive leaf extract is anti bacterial, and the castor oil stimulates the root to help growth.

I've used this mask at least three times now, and it's worked wonders on the dry ends of hair I've had from exposure to the sun and lack of brushing! Whenever I've started getting the larger knots in my hair, I use this for 20 minutes and it restores my hair completely. As my hair is really thick, I always go over board with the mask but it actually penetrates through the hair so well I could be using half the amount I usually do. After washing it out, I'll sometimes go for another shampoo just to make sure it's all out at the scalp, however l leave as much residue in the ends for prolonged protection.

Since using it I have also found my hair has grown really fast! Here is a picture of me 3 months ago in Rio and then a picture now.

In the 3 months my hair has grown at from below shoulder to more boob level, and it's not as frizzy either.

With the ingredients it contains, it's needless to say it smells incredible, and it  leaves your hair smelling great for days. It's a completely vegan product as it is all plant and nut extract, however they now have a new addition without nuts, so those with nut allergies can use it. 

I love the simplicity of this product, and will certainly be picking more up when I get to Australia. It's also worth having a look at their Instagram page. I love the easy wavy beachy Australian look when it comes to hair, and they post pictures of gorgeous boho hair styles, perfect for the up and coming summer months and great for festivals! 

Ren Glycolactic Mask

Ren's radiance range biggest seller is this Glycolactic renewal mask. It contains the natural citrus of fruits to exfoliate and invigorate the skin, helping remove the dead skin cells from the surface, and to reveal soft, bright skin underneath with reduced wrinkles.

I used this product a couple of years ago and found it gave me a slight rash where my skin was more sensitive. But as I said in my last post, my skin has now normalised so I'd like to focus more on brightening the look of my skin. I used this mask for 10 minutes and had no problem this time. As it's quite an active mask, I wouldn't recommend this for skin that is undergoing treatment or is sensitive. I found this time round, my skin looked a lot more luminous, and it felt really soft afterwards.

This is fairly similar to the 1 minute facial they have recently launched, but this is more of a luxury treatment than a quick fix. I would highly recommend this mask for anyone who wants more luminosity to the skin whether it's for an occasion, or just for general maintenance.

Noble Isle

Hello there readers! After my downer about England being rubbish in the world cup in my Birchbox review the other day, I felt today I should do a post on why Britain is just great! Today's post is on a luxury bathing brand, which is a little different to what I usually do, but these products really struck a cord with me.

Noble Isle is a British brand that is inspired by Britain, by encorporating the smells of our beautiful nation. As you can see by the logo, each flower represent the national emblem of each country; The English Rose, the Scottish Thistle, the Welsh Daffodil, and of course the Irish Shamrock. Their range of hand washes, shower gels, candles, body lotions and reed diffusers have been deeply researched in terms of smells and their locations. Each scent is inspired from a place in Britain, and the ingredients are of the highest quality to reflect that place. The aim of the brand and their products, is for the smells to transport you to a place or memory in our home. As I am a bit of a mongrel and have family from every country in Britain, it maybe why I relate to the smells so much, even though I have never actually been to them. (I suddenly feel very ashamed that I haven't, especially as I am planning on travelling the world soon and I haven't even explored the very Island I live on!)

 "The act of smelling something, anything, is remarkably like the act of thinking. Immediately at the moment of perception, you can feel the mind going to work, sending the odor around from place to place, setting off complex repertories through the brain, polling one center after another for signs of recognition, for old memories and old connection." – Lewis Thomas

I once heard a quote about the sense of smell that was a little like this one, it could have even been this one, but I do think the sense of smell is one that we undermine. But simple things such as the smell of a perfume can remind you of a person, or the smell of a plant can take you back to a place. Even the smell of food can make you instantly feel hungry! If you read my blog you will probably know that I am absolutely horrific at trying to explain a smell, but I can explain to you what memories these products remind me of, so join me as I go down memory lane!

I bought this Noble Isle set which contains a few of their best sellers. They aren't really suited for a particular sex, they can be used by anyone.

The packaging certainly screams luxury and make perfect gifts for people. I bought this set for £29.00 which I think is quite good for the size. Each scent has the destination from where the smell was inspired from underneath.

'Lightning Oak' is meant to be the smell of an oak tree that was struck by lightning in Hertford Heath. As you would imagine, this has quite a woody aroma and is probably more masculine. It is a very clean smell though and for some reason reminds me of my Welsh Grandad. I think it reminds me of a shaving soap he uses or maybe a shower gel.

Willow Song is by far my favourite, and really makes me emotional for some reason. This smell for me  makes me realise what Lana Del Rey is talking about when she says 'summertime sadness'. When I was younger I used to live in the country side and all I would do in the summer would be play with my friends from dusk till dawn. It also reminds me off going up to Norfolk to see my Grandma and Grandad in the summer. I think this is what this smell reminds me off and it makes me almost sad and nostalgic but also kind of happy. I can't explain it. Girls are weird like that.

The next two scents also come with a matching body lotion, which should be said are lovely quality.

Summer Rising is meant to be the smell of Cornish Hedgerows, and I have to say that is exactly what the smell reminds me off. It has an almost salty aspect to it as well as a warmness. I have had a couple of holidays in Cornwall, one being in a beach town and this smell reminds me off that holiday.

Fireside again smells exactly of what its meant too. I think the smell of a fireside is one everyone can relate too. It is a very festive smell and reminds me of being in pubs with my friends during the Christmas period. Also of a Church my dad sang Carols at one year in a cute village near me.

I also have a hand wash from the brand that is in my homes downstairs toilet. This Rhubarb Rhubarb smell reminds me of country pubs in the summer with friends. It has juniper berries in it which could be what reminds me of gin in the pub!

Reading this back I realise this post became a little bit cheesy and possibly boring for you to read, so I apologise for that, but I enjoyed writing it and explaning what each smell meant to me. I think the point of the brand is that everyone gets something different out of it, and it certainly gave me an excuse to remember.