Winter Lipcare by Rose & Co

Winter lip care is important to me because there is nothing worse than chapped sore, splitting lips. I've tried a million and one lip balms in my search for the perfect one and while some will provide protection for a while it's as if their effectiveness wears off after a few weeks of use. And some (I'm looking at you Palmers) just irritate my lips no end.

I also find that some lip balms (Burts Bees and E45) are brilliant in healing my lips if they get chapped, but not so great at stopping the chapping from starting in the first place, which for me is the aim of the game. And to that extent I've always applied Vaseline whenever I have to go out in cold or windy weather because, love it or loathe it, Petroleum stops the wind from getting to my poor lips. 

But now I've found something that has usurped Vaseline from it's place in my handbag and has become the first thing I reach for when I head out the door.

Rose & Co's Rose Petal Salve 

 Petrolatum, Prunus Amygdalis Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Parfum (Fragrance), Rosa Damascena, Citronellol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylphenol Methylpropional, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, C! 45410, CI 14700, CI 60725.

While the first ingredient in this is Petrolatum, which is what creates the barrier against the elements protecting the delicate lip area, the second and third highest ingredients are almond oil and beeswax respectively. Both of which are known for their moisturizing qualities.

What I love about this is that even a small amount feels quite thick on the lips, but not in a heavy way, in a, long lasting, protect me while I'm outside, way. Also it smells of roses.... real roses, not some artificial  rose fragrance.

If I could change one thing though, I would make it in stick or roll on form. As I hate getting the product all over my fingers while applying it. Otherwise I think this is a great product for the winter.

Two Eyes, Two Looks.

What do you do when it's wet and nasty out?

Take photos of make up of course, and not just any make-up, this is using the eyeshadows from 17's A Woman Scorned collection recently bought out in Boots.

  

It's a pretty good job I didn't go out actually as I'd done each eye up differently and would have drawn some funny looks.

First up is the eye I did up using the trio called Broken Hearted. This trio is made up of a peacock green, a steel grey and a silver shade. I was quite surprised that in the photos it came out more blue based than green but that could be the steel grey shade taking dominance.

 

 And then there is the eye I did using the trio called Enraged a gorgeous gold, copper and bronze shades. I prefer these shades swatched, and I prefer them in the pan, but on my eye I actually prefer the darker colours above as the golds seem to leave my eyes looking tired. 

 And let me share a little secret;

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.

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It is so much harder to take a clear photo of my left eye than my right.

My Favourite Items

There are many things I'm not happy about at the moment, my lack of a laptop, the awful lighting situations now that it is November, my less than wonderful 'camera'. But fortunately my make up isn't one of these things.

I have several items that I'd class as my favourites now, all but one is from the high street too, which goes to show you don't need to spend loads on decent make up.

(Please excuse the poor quality of the photo... see above for reasons why) 

 Eyeshadow wise I'm loving Sleek's I-Divine Storm Palette which I was lucky enough to win a while ago. This has become my 'go to' palette for easy to do eye looks. I particularly like the pinkish shades, something I never thought I'd say. 

 Available from Sleek's website or select Superdrugs for £6.49 

My mascara is L'Oreal's Volume Million Lashes for blue eyes, and while I don't think it actually emphasizes blue eyes in particular I love this mascara because it is black, the wand is perfect for me and it lifts and curls my lashes the right amount for my liking. 

 I've purchased it before and I'll repurchase it again. And at £11.29 (from Boots) I think it's a steal.

My foundation is one of the things I'm most happy about, having finally discovered the correct shade for me (Alabaster) in No7's Lift & Illuminate range in Boots it makes it much easier for me to pick up a new bottle when I run out, rather than having to make a dedicated journey to Cardiff to pick up a higher end range. And at £15.50 it is cheaper than 'higher' end make up.

 My best buy this year is my concealer, Collection 2000's Lasting Perfection in Fair, I use it anywhere concealor would be needed and it stays in place for ages. At £4.19 it is an absolute bargain buy.

 And lastly but by no means least. My most favourite of all blushers I own. NARS Orgasm. The only higher end product to make my list but one that I use daily and have done for a couple of years now. I love this blusher because it gives my pale face a healthy looking glow without being to 'pink'.

 

A NARS blusher will set you back £20.50, but will last you a long time, and is well worth the payout. 

These few products are all I need to create a 'going out' face worthy of any occasion.  And it just shows, you do not 'need' high end, or even expensive make up to look decent.

17 Magnetized Polish

I finally got my mitts on some Magnetized Nail Polish. 

(Happy Dance)

In particular 17's Magnetized polish in 'Lilac' (along with BB cream in the wrong shade... sigh) sent to me by the lovely PR team. 

 I've seen loads of posts on this polish and I apologise if I'm boring you with yet another, but I can see why this has caused such a stir in the polish world, like shatter polishes before it.

 Holding the magnet in the lid over the still wet polish (thick coat or it won't work well) creates such a lovely three dimensional almost holographic effect. Like tigers eye, if you've ever seen that gem.

The only mild issue I had was it seemed to take AGES to dry, possibly because it needed a thickish coat to work. So if you apply this make sure you don't need to use your hands for a good while afterwards.

You can get this polish in;

Gunmetal, Blue, Teal and the Lilac shown here from Boots for £5.99 

Clarins - 25yrs at Central Pharmacy, Cardiff.

On Thursday I went to an event being held in Central Pharmacy, Cardiff, this event was to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Clarins being in Central Pharmacy

(Awarded Clarins Gold Salon status so  you can be sure that you will receive the highest standard of Clarins service and treatment if you go there) 

  Whilst there we, the event goers, were tempted with champagne and hor dourves before it all started and we could get stuck into a choice of mini make overs, demonstrations of Clarins latest facial, a raffle and lots of chatting.

(Mine all Mine) 

  

  After my second glass of champagne (liquid courage) I got chatting to several ladies who all had glowing things to say about Central Pharmacy and their service over the years before I managed to bump into someone I knew. The lovely Louise from LouLouMuses.

I did get a photo of me and Lou together, but I look like a red smurf so I'm not showing it here (vain much) BUT I will post a picture of the lovely Louise and the equally lovely Sam who is the PR Co-Ordinator for Clarins. 

Aren't they lovely... and Sam had the most GORGEOUS pair of boots on too. 

  I opted to have a mini make over on my eyes done by one of the trained Clarins staff using the Limited Edition Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in Smokey Passion (£30)

 (Source) 

There was also the option of having a complexion make over but what can I say, I'm a sucker for pretty eyeshadows. 

After the lovely lady made me look pretty, and myself, Lou and Sam had had a good old natter, Louise and I went on upstairs to where they were running demonstrations of the new TriActive range for face and body.

We went in to watch the demonstration facial and can I just say now. I want this facial. If you wish to buy me a treat, Central Pharmacy Cardiff... TriActive Facial for me please!!! 

"As Clarins’ first new facial for seven years, this has been painstakingly researched and developed over five years to produce a highly personalised results-driven facial treatment that is clinically proven to increase skins firmness by 10.3% and increases hydration by 46%. 

The TriActive Facial is for all skin concerns, with six specific facials to select from. There are fifteen brand new CLARINSPRO products including botanically rich, deep exfoliants, supplements and masks and depending on the personalisation of the facial, up to eight will be used on you during your facial."

 We did have to leave before the end of the demo though as they were drawing the raffle downstairs, three prizes, a £75 collection of Clarins goodies, a £100 collection of Clarins goodies, and a £150 collection of Clarins goodies. 

Needless to say I didn't win, but we did all leave with a mini goody bag of a powder compact, a mini Beauty Flash Balm and a mini HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase, and a promise from @EscentualRakesh from Escentual.com that there would be more events in future which was fantastic to hear. 


(Oh and he said mine and Louise's blogs were, and I quote, 'AMAZING!')

I really enjoyed my night and hope I get the chance to visit there again in future, both for further events and to have a facial...  

What a wonderful person Skin Scrubs is..

First of all I'd like to say how much I love Annabella, also known to the blogging community as SkinScrubs.

Why I hear you ask?

Well other than the fact she's an amazingly lovely person and has a fantastic blog (seriously GO check it out) she recently sent me a little present in the shape of some lovely perfume samples, a gorgeous nail polish and a lovely keyring from her recent visit to Paris.

  

And wow that polish is lovely. By a brand called Kiko it is a Hologram Lacquer in shade 354 a stunning purple and gold.

 

 

With flash you can really see the purple goodness.  

 

Annabella knew how to make this blogger very happy. 

THANK YOU. 

p.s 

 Tabby cat says thanks too. 

Haus of Gloi for Yultide

This isn't normally something I'd post but after receiving the newsletter (not a PR beg just a normal newsletter you have to sign up for) and drooling like crazy over what is going to be available I knew I'd have to share it.

So without further ado the Haus of Gloi Yultide Preview. 

Yule goes live November 12th at Noon PST!

Greetings everyone! 

A couple of notes before we get on to the goodies. We have many return scents this year, but Snow Wolf needed to be reformulated due to discontinued components from our suppliers. I've reformulated to as close to the original scent as I could. There may be subtle differences in last years scent, compared side by side with this years blend. Nevertheless, I am very pleased with how it turned out and I am sure you will too!

There will be Yule Reverie items in the near future, keep an eye out!

Snow Wolf

Bristling and prowling, lonesome and haunting. Three howling firs, white frankincense, vanilla bean husk, tainted by droplets of blood cedar.
(Reformulated. Handmade soap, perfume oil, pumpkin butter, bubbling scrub, emulsifying scrub) 

Hearth

The warm glowing center of home. Autumns last apple pickings, warm bread, orange rind, various fire roasted nuts, cracked black pepper all nailed down by an oozing sticky
(Handmade soap, perfume oil, pumpkin butter, bubbling scrub, emulsifying scrub)

Eggnoggin'

The Haus 'nog! Cream, sugar and a shot of dark rum topped with fresh grated nutmeg.

(Handmade soap, perfume oil, pumpkin butter, bubbling scrub, emulsifying scrub)

Three Treasures 

Sacred gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold. Smouldering with warmth and brightened with a touch of mandarin rind.
(Handmade soap, perfume oil, pumpkin butter, bubbling scrub, emulsifying scrub)

Sweet Potato Treat 

The epitome of holiday comfort food: Sweet potatoes with mild spices, butter and brown sugar baked off with marshmallows.
(Whipped soap, pumpkin butter, perfume oil)

If you've never heard of The Haus of Gloi before definitely check out their website. I know I've just increased my wish list after receiving this email. 

Lumiere Mineral Cosmetics

I was very fortunate to have caught a tweet on twitter from a mineral make-up company called Lumiere who were after beauty bloggers who would be interested in trying samples of their products.

After filling out a detailed questionnaire about my colouring and sending a little photo of my face off to them I finally received a lovely set of samples to try out.

I haven't had chance to use them properly, as in on my face. But I have swatched them so you can have a quick look at them.

First up eye pigments. 

 

  From left to right we have Cafe Latte, Stormy Night and Twilight. The bottom picture is with flash. 

  I did a close up of Twilight here so you can see the lovely gold shimmer running through the black powder.

 Then I have two blushes to show you. 

Left to right, Poppy and Autumn. Bottom picture with flash.

 And then the mineral foundations, I received two of these. If you notice they say they are the same colour but the one on the left seems darker, it even swatches darker. This is because Flawless Face contains higher levels of titanium and zinc which lightens the colour.

 They were so hard to photograph swatched I had to draw around them to give the camera something to focus on, but you can just make out the top one is lighter than the bottom.

I get the feeling Flawless Face will be perfect for me while Luminesse will be to dark.

I'm really looking forward to trying these out properly and will blog again soon with the results. 

October's Glossybox - Six Pack

The much anticipated October Glossybox finally made it to me after the first one sent was lost by Royal Mail. October marked six months since Glossybox first appeared on the scenes and offered us a beauty box for a small amount each month. Because it has been six months since it began, the team at Glossybox put six items into Octobers box to say 'thank you' for sticking with them.

  

The first thing that caught my attention was the Leighton Denny nail polish in Sex Kitten a mercurial blue.

 I've never owned a Leighton Denny nail polish before so I'm very pleased to have this, although the colour isn't quite my tastes. At some point in the future I'll bring you a NOTD using it. This is a full sized bottle of 12ml and is worth £11.00.

Half the box is made up of Dermalogica products, which I know made a lot of fellow beauty bloggers very happy. I'm a bit unsure, I have an uneasy relationship with Dermalogica as I had a bad reaction to a facial once, but saying that I do like their scrubs.

There are three items by Dermalogica plus a little make-up/beauty bag, these items include Thermafoliant 15ml, a Masque, 15ml, and a Lip Treatment, 1ml. All of these are classed as 'Age Smart'.

AGE Smart® contains scientifically advanced ingredients proven to impact the major biochemical reactions that contribute to skin aging before they start, so your skin is left smoother, firmer and healthier. AGE Smart® is the intelligent investment in your future skin. 

Typically speaking the above cost £40.50 for the Thermafoliant 75ml, £33.00 for the Masque, 70ml, and £22.50 for the Lip Treatment, 1.75ml.

Another brand I don't own a thing from, that came with Octobers box is, Stila. With this box there is a Smudge proof waterproof eyeliner in Moray, a brownish gold shade. It applies very easily, and is very soft and easy to create a straight line with. And amazingly enough it didn't smudge, even when I rubbed at it hard.

And lastly but not least. Three perfume samples by Robert Piguet, including Fracas, Visa and Calypso.

All three smell very expensive, and grown up. The kind of perfume you'd wear to an ambassador's ball. And at £65.00 for 50ml each available at Harrods, I'd say that's who these perfumes are designed for.

I'll probably do a separate post about them as this one's long enough already. 

 I'm quite pleased with all the items within the sample Glossybox I've received. And I'd say for the £12.95 you pay a month this box definitely delivered value for money. But is this the exception or the rule?

* Received for review