Things I've never heard of but love all the same...

First off, I apologise for the products which you probably won't be able to get your hands on, but I'm currently loving them so much I want to share them anyway. And maybe if you're planning a holiday you'll be able to find these yourselves? I dunno, but here we go, I'm waffling on... 

These are a couple of things the lovely Emilie got me in our swap, and both are brands I hadn't heard of previous to this, but are now severely on my beauty radar. 

 

The raspberry lip balm by a brand called Estelle and Third (cute name, right?) looks more like a gloss with it being cased in a lip gloss style tube, but once applied feels like a lightweight balm, and is completely sheer. It isn't overly glossy or tacky, leaves lips feeling moisturised, and on a day of minimal makeup finishes off the look by making your lips look healthy and conditioned, as well as feeling it.

The eyeshadows by a brand called Kicks are seriously pigmented, and the swatches above are one swipe of each colour, they blend easily and don't have a lot of product fall out. making them a solid near-perfect eyeshadow. But we all know that nothing is perfect...
(For reference, the bronze shade is called Bronze Heat, and the deeper brown is called Lady Godiva)

For all the English ladies wanting something like these shadows, MAC's Woodwinked and Satin Taupe are a perfect alternative. I haven't actually tried either of these products, but I can guess from what I've seen that Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfectors and No7 BB Lips are brilliant alternatives for the balm too.

I've just put Magic Mike on my iPad thanks to Netflix, so I'm off to watch that (and to remember to blink, oh and no dribbling...)

An Irritating Beauty Chore - Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File Review

I'll take a guess that I'm not the only person that seriously dislikes nail filing? I hate it, but it's something that must be done, to keep nails in a good shape, and to smooth any rough edges. For as long as I can remember I used metal nail files, you know those horrible ones you get in manicure kits which people buy you for Christmas when they don't know you well enough? How I used them, I do not know. Then 3 years ago I got hooked onto the less terrifying emery board, but still found nail filing was a tedious chore. With my nails in SOS mode, I ordered a crystal nail file off Amazon, a little pricier than their metal and emery board counterparts but with a promise of a lifetime guarantee, and easier nail-filing. But, do they live up to the hype?

With the file being made from glass, the packaging is one of the most important aspects to stop it from smashing as soon as it gets put in a handbag. It's case isn't the most attractive, but is very protective, with an aluminium coating, a black velvet type cushioning, and a plastic flip top lid. 

When you file your nails with any other type of file, you tend to get that residue, which leaves what can only be described as dust underneath your nails, meaning you have to do a little tidy up after filing. Something which attracted me to this file is the fact that this is eliminated, as the edges of the nails are "sealed" whilst filing. (I must apologise for my dreadful descriptions in this post, but I am in no way an expert on nails or manicures, can you tell?!)

For a very obvious reason, I cannot comment on the "lifetime guarantee" as I haven't had it for a lifetime... But with a person as clumsy as myself, I dare say that I will drop this at some point, and it'll be another fallen victim to my wooden floor in my bedroom.

But I cannot recommend this file enough, it's completely revolutionary, and I've now got two of my Aunty's lusting over these. This is one of those items which is a complete game-changer, knocking everything else out the ball-park!

In the picture above, I had broke a nail (very low, ouch!) and so I needed to file my nails down quite a lot to make them all match a little more. When I would usually use a nail scissor and an emery board, the crystal nail file was the only thing I needed, to take at least a few mm off the length of my nails I spent about five minutes filing both hands... making it easy to use, and quick? My ideal product!

You can buy this file from Amazon, here. You can also buy larger ones, but in my eyes, this is the perfect size to keep your nails in shape, especially if you have quite small finger-nails and nail beds like myself.

And I forgot to mention, that I haven't forgotten I promised to hold a giveaway, but I was a little concerned that if GFC ended, then my "100 followers" giveaway would become a little obsolete. Anyway, now it's still here, I'm definitely going to be shopping so I can hold my first giveaway! How exciting!!

New In from Real Techniques

Hey everyone! How are you all doing? I had the prettiest dress arrive in the post today... I ordered it last weekend but hadn't realised the order didn't go through properly thanks to a mistake on the billing address, woops! So yesterday I went on ASOS to reorder it and much to my disappointment it was out of stock, and determined to not give up I spent four hours refreshing the page hoping for a size 12 until I FINALLY GOT ONE. Haaaaalllllelujah!!! Although another bit of clumsiness came when it arrived this morning... The postman woke me up at about half past eight, and we keep our house alarm on at nights, so when I jumped out of bed I forgot to turn it off, and whilst signing for the parcel, with eyes I couldn't open, the house alarm was blaring very loudly, thankfully he didn't laugh at me and was more than sympathetic and accepted the dot and squiggle I left on his "signature machine."

And five hours later I'm onto the post...

Like half of the female population (maybe a little over-exaggeration) I have fallen in love with the makeup brushes by Real Techniques. So when I found out about the news that they were bringing out a limited edition duo-fibre collection I let out a little squeal. With them having appeared in other countries before the UK, every time I saw pictures on Instagram or blog posts I sat in envy wanting them to be mine, anyway, jealousy aside, me and my Nan went to Ikea last week and I "just nipped" (never a good sign) into Boots whilst I was there. When I saw these I was like a kid in a candy shop and ran over to buy them, skipping down the aisles with my brand new Chanel lipstick in a carrier bag by my side... My poor Nan was probably left feeling embarrassed by my excitement over lipsticks and makeup brushes...

And apologies in advance for the icky brushes, I forgot to clean them and wanted to take advantage of the natural sunlight before it disappeared, so I decided against brush cleaning...

 

I don't think Real Techniques as a brand needs an introduction does it? Well, anyway, Real Techniques is a makeup brush brand designed by the makeup guru Samantha Chapman, one half of Pixiwoo. The collection includes three brushes, a face, contour and eye brush and all are duo-fibre. The design is different to the usual RT brushes, and I'm not sure what I prefer, I like the simplicity and minimalistic design of these, but the metallic colours of the permanent collection are to die for. Also, unlike the other collections by Real Techniques these don't come with the little case/stand, but currently having two of them left unused, I don't think I mind about this.

I cannot comment on the face brush properly, as I don't apply powder on my face, other than under my eyes to set my concealer. Although, I tested it by applying Nars Laguna bronzer, on the high points of my face and it did look more natural than normal

The winners of this collection for me are the contour and the eye brush. To use the eye brush to its maximum potential, you apply your shadow to the white bristles only, and to get a defined crease, you apply it in the similar wind-screen wiper motion that you would usually and the black bristles will do the blending for you. Fool-proof blending for pros and beginners.

The contour is absolutely perfect for, guess what? Guess what it is super good at doing? Did you guess? Did you? Did you? (Currently seeing Dory in Finding Nemo... Maybe it's time to shut up.) YUH-HUH, it's brilliant for contouring!! Thanks to its more oval rather than circular shape, you can turn the brush on its side for the different parts of your face, and whether you're using contour colour or highlighter. To make the most of this, I tend to use the slimmer side for adding a contour to my cheek, and then turn it the other way around to blend it out to avoid the "stripey" effect which comes from not blending properly.

So yeah, these brushes are pretty damn wonderful! And if you're starting a kit, I'd recommend this
and the core collection to get you started. These brushes are especially foolproof for beginners, especially the eye brush. Go and get some whilst you can, because these are amazing!!

Hope you've all enjoyed my review and are having a brilliant weekend. Lots of love.

Hydration, Hydration, Hydration.

Those of you that know me will know I'm never seen without a bottle of water by my side, and for as long as I can remember I have been reaping the benefits of drinking water. Despite the obvious, it keeps you hydrated, and makes your skin look good, water has also been linked to joint and muscle health, regulating kidney and bowel functions as well as weight loss and an increased metabolism. But today I'm not talking about internal benefits of water, I'm talking about the external, with a little review on the Avene Thermal Spring Water I picked up a few days ago.

The label states that this helps to give "Instant relief to the skin wherever it feels tight and uncomfortable." It can be used for sunburn, after anti-acne treatments, nappy rash, minor irritations, razor burn, for setting/cleansing make-up, It's cooling properties are amazing for after outdoor activity, in summer months or for re-hydration while travelling. With it coming in various sizes (the one pictured being a 50ml) there are sizes for every occasion, and I fully intend on buying a full-size one for using post-cleanse, and a couple travel size ones for having in my travel bag, handbag and one by the side of my bed during "summer" - That term being used very loosely provided I live in the doom and gloom of the UK.

Much unlike previous water sprays and other setting sprays, this does apply in a fine mist, not in a "fine mist" which actually leaves you looking more like a wet dog, than one of the models in a skincare advertisement. So far I've used this on my irritated after shaving/sunbathing legs, and as a cooling mist on my face, and for both purposes I have found it soothing, calming and super easy to use (by this, I don't mean I'm an absolute simpleton, but don't you feel that some sprays aren't easy to direct because they have a mind of their own? Is it just me?)

If you weren't already convinced by Avene's Water, check out this video on their site, it's so interesting the history of this, and you'll be surprised and just how long this little beauty has been around for!