Browsing For New Brows | Illamaqua Brow and Lash Gel | Review

No matter how much time I have to get ready in a morning, there is always one step I can never leave the house without completing - my brows. I'm a lover of really strong defined brows, but as I've been lightening my hair I've found myself having to adjust my brow routine to be a lot softer and lighter. 

Naturally I have very fine, blonde brows. When my hair was dark (practically black) it was easy to just whack on some MAC Espesso powder and not even have to worry about what my actual brows looked like underneath. Now I've switched to lighter shades my actual brows are a lot more prominant, and so I've been on a 'brow mission' to get them, quite literally, back into shape.

I've been leaving them to grow out, only plucking hairs that are no where near where I want my eventual thinkness to be. I've also been trimming them - brushing them upwards with a spoolie and trimming hairs that go above the top of my brow line. But my biggest issue is that I have 'downward brows', i.e. the hairs in by brows grow down towards the arch. This means it's always a struggle to get my brows looking even remotely presentable. So I scoured the blogosphere for a good brow gel and I finally settled on the Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel.

I've been told this gel is like 'superglue for your eyebrows', and that it keeps your brow hairs locked in place all day. My initial worries were that it would be visible on my brows and that it might leave clumps, like mascara can do on lashes. Thankfully these worries were put to rest as the product really does live up to it's rave reviews as being one of the best lash gels on the market today.

The product is a clear gel, which personally I prefer as I feel coloured brow gels can sometimes be more visible. You get 8ml of product for £11.50 (I got it slightly cheaper as the Illamasqua website have a 10% loyalty discount) compared to the 8ml for £12.50 that you get with MAC Brow Set - so price wise it's cheaper than it's most obvious competitor. The applicator spoolie isn't too big, so you don't feel like you're loading your brows up with product. It sets clear and most importantly it doesn't set clumpy or shiny - it's literally undetecable. 

It's certainy a strong gel, you do feel a bit like someone is pulling your brows up at first, but once you get use to it it's not really noticable. Over all it does what it promises to do, which is to "create flawlessly finished brows" and "to hold your look in place."

[On my natural brows]

Worth the hype?

Yes! It is a really great, not too expensive product that will keep your brows tamed and controled. In my opinion it is the best brow gel I've ever used, and definitely trumps MAC Brow Set by a mile!

What are your experiences with brow gels/waxes? Which ones would you recommend?

Shiny, Softer Hair! | Wella Professionals Oil Reflections | Review

Hair oils have really taken off over the last few years, replacing sticky, heavy serums as the new 'go to' products for tammed and conditioned hair. Moroccan Oil is perharps the most well known and well loved oil in the Blogger/Youtube community, and although I've used both the originial and light versions I've never been completely satisfied with them. I feel they sometimes leaves my hair a bit sticky, and the smell it's exactly my favourite. Step in Wella Professionals Oil Reflections!

I picked up this product last month at the salon I frequent after my stylist advised me to use it whilst I'm lightening my hair, and with it being only £11 I decided to give it a go. In all honestly I wasn't expectiong much. I've used a number of hair oils over the last two years and I've found the majority of the ones that are in this £10 price range are bulked up with all sorts of other ingredients and silicones that weigh down hair, and tend to have an overpoweringly sweet smell. But this product really suprised me!

The scent is sweet, but not overpowering - it smells of almonds which is one of my favourite scents ever! So it was definitely a winner for me on that front. But what I love most about the product is how light it is. I put 3 pumps in after washing (2 pumps in the mornings I don't wash my hair) and a pump at night, as well as additional little pumps throughout the day if I feel like I need it. Now this seems like a lot of oil right? And taking into consideration the fact that I have fine hair I should in theory look like a grease ball - but I don't! It's truly incredible. My hair doesn't feel greasy, weighed down or sticky, it just feels smoother, softer and in better conditon.

Worth the hype?

Yes! I can't recommend this product enough! It really gives great results and doesn't leave any sticky or tacky residue - you wouldn't even think you had any product in your hair at all. The smell is devine (if you like sweet smells, that is) and just adds the finishing touch to an already great product.

Have you tried any hair oils? Which ones are your favourites?

Xen Tan Moroccan Tan | Review

If you've had a gander back at my previous posts, you may be aware that I've been in a long term relationship with Xen Tan for two years now. After being let down by so many other fake tans, they've really been my saviour. After finishing my most recent bottle of Xen Tan Absolute Luxe Dark Lotion, I decided to switch it up and ordered the new Moroccan Tan formula, knowing that with it being Xen Tan, it wouldn't disappoint. And I was right!

In all honesty, I didn't research the product at all before purchasing, I had some vague knowledge about the formula - the fact that it contained argon oil and provided a super dark colour - but other than that I had just expected a similar consistancy and pay off to the Absolute Luxe... and here is where the product really blew me away!

If any of you have tried the Absolute Luxe, you'll know that the colour pay off is great - it's really dark and lasts a long time without fading patchy - and you really can't fault it in that respect. But you'll also know what I mean when I say that it could be a pain to apply, as there was no colour guide and the product itself was quite thick and sticky, consiquently it took a while to dry. I had non of these problems with the Moroccan Tan, to the contrary it was perhaps the nicest and easiest formula of tan to apply that I've ever tried. 

As you can tell by the above, it's really dark in colour and so you get a reasonable colour guide. And the smell! It's advertised as tropical, to me it smells like pure coconut bliss! Which makes a welcome change from smelling like mouldy digestive biscuits. Finally, a fake tan that actually smells nice, who'd have thought?

Now for the pay off, which is really what you clicked on this link to see. The below pictures are a before and after that I took in natural light, although you can tell that my skin is definitely darker, I feel the after picture didn't really capture how dark the tan actually was.

Worth the hype?

Yes! Move over Absolute Luxe, you have been replaced. This really is an amazing product and as much as I rave on to anyone who will listen about how great Xen Tan is, it's actually because I really believe that, for me, no other fake tan brand out there right now compares. The price is a bit expensive, coming in at £24.99 for 236ml, but you're getting what you pay for. Products such as St. Mortiz and other cheap tanning products may not break the bank, but I find them drying and unreliable, where as I know when I apply Xen Tan at night that I will wake up with a beautfil, natural tan that will last a good 4-5 days (not a week as advertised but hey, I'm not complaining).

Have any of you tried the Moroccan Tan? What are you're thoughts?

Urban Decay 'Theodora' Oz The Great and Powerful Palette | Review

Whenever Hollywood produces a huge blockbuster film with whimsical female characters, it's only time before one of the big makeup brands jump on its bandwagon and release a limited edition collection. With all the buzz surrounding the release of 'Oz The Great and Powerful', Urban Decay has released three limited edition palettes - one for each of the three witches. To say I was excited for the film was an understatement, and when I heard about the palettes I had an irresistable urge to buy all of them! Sadly, my bank balance wouldn't allow this and I had to settle with only one. Of the three, I felt the Theodora palette was both the most wearable and the most suited to my skin tone.

The Theodora palette boasts eight eyeshadows (four of which are compacted into duos), a black 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil and a Super-Saturated High-Gloss Lip Colour. The palette is made of a sturdy plastic, and thankfully not the velvet-like material Urban Decay are known to use which, although looks nice when first purchased, turns grubby very quickly. As well as the material, what I love about the structure of this palette is that the eyeshadows are removeable, so you can rearrange the colours to how you want and, if you're a YouTuber, you can hold them up individually to the camera. You could even put them in your own home-made palette if you wished!

The shadow colours are all of the same great standard we've come to expect. They're highly pigmented, easy to blend and have a smooth texture - although the usual fallout downside still applies. I'd go as far to say that I prefer this palette to my Naked one, as I feel the colours supply me with everything I want:

- 'Broken' is an amazing nude highlight colour

- 'Beware' is the perfect matte, mid-toned brown for crease definition

- 'Bewtiched' provides me with a cool toned dark brown, and 'West' is it's warm counterpart

- The 'Spell' duo of a black and gold shimmer are essentials for me in any night out look

- and finally, the 'Jealous' duo, a light and mid-toned green, give me a great alternative to neutrals that will contrast beautifully with my blue eyes.










Little needs to be said about the 24/7 liner, as it's reputation for being an amazingly black eye-liner which stays put preceeds it, so I have not included a swatch of it in this review. The only thing left to discuss is the Super-Saturated High-Gloss Lip Colour in 'Theodora'. I have slightly mixed feelings about this product, as I have slightly mixed feelings about any glossy lip product. I'm not a fan of lip gloss or any lipstick that it's matte. I find them irritating to wear, my hair sticks to them, they never stay put and I find them, quite frankly, a waste of time and money. Why this product gives me mixed feelings is, because against all odds, I actually really like it. I wouldn't have paired it with a smokey-eye like the palette directions suggest, but even that I supirsingly liked. It is certainly both super pigmented and high shine but incredibley isn't sticky, and what's more I had it on all day as a road test to it's longevity and it was still glossy when I took it off at night. I wouldn't run out to buy an other colours - but I'm very happy with this one.







I followed the directions for the Theodora makeup look as a bit of insight for you guys as to what you would be buying into should you choose to purchase it, and also for a bit of fun! It's nice to follow instructions sometimes as it takes all the thought out of it and lets you get on with the fun stuff. It's a lot more makeup than I would usually wear, as I never pair red lips with smokey eyes, but it was fun for a day.

I hope I've done this palette justice with this review, because it really is an amazing product and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves neutals and red lips!

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Review

I've recently become a bit obsessed with Chanel beauty products, ever since making my first purchase of the discontinued Pro Lumier I just can't get enough. I visited the Chanel counter in the Trafford Centre a few weeks ago and after getting on so well with the makeup artist (I must have been there for an hour!) I ended up getting a full makeover. I've always shied away from getting my makeup completely done at any other counter than MAC as I've had a few bad experiences with under qualified, clueless girls, but she did my makeup beautifully. Throughout the rest of the night I got a number of compliments off people about my makeup and in particular my eyes, so before I went home I nipped back to Chanel and purchased this beauty - Illusion D'Ombre in '85 Mirifique'.








Although it's advertised as a "long wear luminous eyeshadow" the artist had applied it as a liner, and also brushed a small amount through my lashes so that as I blinked the light would catch the tiny glitter particles and my eyes would appear to 'sparkle'. For the sake of the review I've applied the product as a liner and as an eyeshadow.














My inicial worry on viewing the product is that it would be difficult to apply. In the pot the product's consistancy appears grainy, due to the glitter, but it actually applies really smoothly - even when making the finest of lines. The product comes in a number of tempting colours, the colour I purchased is black with tiny black glitter particles in it. When applied thinly it can appear more of a dark silver/grey colour, but when built up makes a beautifully dark black which I've found is brilliant as a base for more intense looks. It isn't by any means cheap, coming in at £23 pounds, but there is a lot of product for your money and I can see it lasting me a very, very long time.

I'll definitely be purchasing some other colours when my bank balance allows it, hopefully in some lighter more bronzey shades. If you're interested in seeing the product in action, Pixiwoo of YouTube recently uploaded a video using the Illusion D'Ombres in a popup Chanel store in Covent Garden - I've linked the video below so go ahead and check it out!

Steady as she GoGos

I mentioned in my last Sunday Summary how I was so excited to receiving my GoGo Philip order, and it arrived, but I wasn't so excited about what I had received. Long story short, the order was completely messed up due to it having been shipped from a store rather than a warehouse.

The people at GoGo Philip were so unbelievabley kind to me when I contacted them about it. They told me not to go through any hassle of returning the jewellery and that they would refund me my money and send the correct items free of charge. I was flabberghasted! All in all I've received around £80 worth of jewellery, and not because I was a blogger (the order was put in under my mums name as I paid for it on her PayPal account) but just as a regular customer. Now that's what I call good customer service! I think it's so important for companies to have good PR, it really makes a difference to the company's reputation. Some companies (and this is from personal experience) will try and claim no responsibility, mess you around for sometimes weeks on end and try and make it unbelievabley hard for you to get your money back.

It's strange how such a messed up order turned into the best customer service experience I've ever had, I will definately buy from GoGo Philip again because now I know that as a brand, GoGo Philip care about their reputation, they care about their customers and that's what companies should be like. But any way, on to the jewellery...




















Some of the jewellery I was sent isn't on the website, so I couldn't give you exact prices. But feel free to go check out the website as they have some amazing pieces! What's great about GoGo Philip as well is their jewellery is either gold of silver plated, perfect for people like me who have allergies to base metals.

Hope you're all having a good weekend xo

Xen Tan Pop-up Event & Absolute Luxe Review

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to my first ever event as a blogger and just as lucky that it was for a brand I absolutely adore! Xen Tan had a pop-up boutique in the Selfridges' beauty hall, holding personal consultations to help you find your perfect tanning routine. Along with a number of other Bloggers, I was given the opportunity to have a consultation.





I was so nervous as it was the first thing I'd ever done as a 'Blogger', but the girls were so lovely and offered me a red velvet cupcake on arrival (yes please!). For the consultation I was asked a number of questions all about my skin, my fake tan routine and my fake tan preferences. After talking through all the products and which ones were best for me, I was given a list of the perfect Xen Tan products for my routine.





At the end, I was given a little goodie bag with a 'Little Book of Tanning', a Luxury Tanning Mitt and a product of choice to review. Unfortunately, they didn't have my coveted item in stock, but they were kind enough to send it me in the post.

I chose the Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe. I already use the Dark Lotion and am completely in love with it but I've been considering the Absolute Luxe for a while now, and it didn't disappoint!





I've heard a few not so brilliant reviews on the product before, which was the main reason I never went out and purchased it (plus it's not the cheapest of fake tans if it didn't work!). But I can hand on heart honestly say, it blows the Dark Lotion out of the water!


Colour Pay Off

The colour pay off I get from the Absolute Luxe is almost twice as much as I get with the Dark Lotion. When using the Dark Lotion, I've always 'double dipped' (used two applications) and so being able the have a product that gives the same pay off in one application is a definite plus.






Application

I've heard a few comment about the Absolute Luxe that it isn't the easiest of fake tans to apply and that it takes a bit more effort than most, but I didn't find this at all. The only possible down side is that there is no colour guide (I totally freaked out the first time I started applying it) but if like me you usually go into autopilot when applying fake tan this shouldn't cause too much of a problem. For the first couple of seconds when applying the tan, it does go a very faint white colour so I find that helpful when trying the gage where I've already applied the product.





Streaks/Clinging to dry skin?

Definitely not. This fake tan is a lot more luxurious and moisturising than the Dark Lotion and I have had no steaks or darker patches where my skin is slightly drier.


Does is break you out?

No. Granted this isn't the most glamourous subject to talk about, but in reality a LOT of people suffer from break outs on there back, shoulders or chest and I have a friend who avoids fake tanning purely for this reason. I'm not someone who suffers from breakouts in those areas all the time but I definitely steer clear of using body lotions in those areas because if I use something too moisturising I can get the odd blocked pore or spot on my back. Thankfully this product doesn't give me any problems.


Does it smell of mouldy biscuits?

Not as bad as most! Xen Tan products have something which they call Scent Secure, an ingredient within the products that wraps around the DHA (what makes fake tan go brown) to avoid that awful biscuity smell. In reality, it does smell very faintly, but by no means as bad as most fake tans on the market. To anyone with a less sensitive nose, it's probably undetectable.


Is it worth the price tag?

In my opinion, yes! Granted, it's by no means cheap, coming in at £39.99. But it can be bought off discount websites such as www.feelunique.com if your not willing to pay so much. As I said, the colour pay off is almost double that of the Dark Lotion so for £10 extra, it's something I'm willing to pay for.


Hope you've found this review helpful. What are your favourite Xen Tan products?


♥x♥

Review: Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme

When I received a recent purchase I made with Feelunique.com I was delighted to see I'd received a freebie, and one I actually wanted to use!

The product? A tester of the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme Intensive Moisturizing treatment.







The product is a pre-wash treatment, you put it one before shampooing and leave in for the recommended amount of time. The instructions say for best results leave in for 10-20 minutes, but being distracted by Grazia magazine, I left it in for around 40. I can't see it doing any harm, I usually find the longer you leave a treatment in, the better.







So 40 minutes later, I head for the shower making sure to double wash my hair so as not to leave any residue. About 10 minutes into drying my hair upside down, I noticed something wasn't right. When the hair started to dry I noticed there was a LOT of residue from the treatment, even though I had shampooed my hair twice to get it out. My hair was sticky and lank, looking twice as greasy as it was before I'd washed it.

I was down right annoyed. I had 30 minutes before I had to set off for college, no where near enough time to re-wash my hair. I grabbed my trusty Treseme Dry Shampoo and sprayed it over the worst parts and all around my hair line. This made a slight difference but my hair still felt sticky. There was nothing for it but to pile it up in a messy bun and be on my way.

I spent the entire day feeling a greasy mess, which didn't do much for my mood. I have never had anything like this happen to me before, and I wasn't expecting it from such a well known, expensive brand.


Have any of you tried this product? If so, what results did you get?



♥x♥

Review: GHD Midnight collection Gold IV Styler (picture heavy!)

Evening Sugarplums!


I have been seriously lusting over some new GHD's for a while, my old ones were coming up to four years old (veteran straighteners!). Apart from being covered in makeup from my rushing-to-get-ready hands, they were starting to smell slightly burnt. I was so glad when the Midnight Collection came out in time for my new purchase, as I know I would have been kicking myself afterwards if they hadn't! I ordered them off the www.feelunique.com as part of the "Deluxe Edition" set for £140 (RRP £150). The set also included a heat protection pouch, two rubberised clips, travel hair dryer and vanity mirror.


♥
















♥ Exterior Case ♥

The box and exterior case both boast this gorgeous baroque print. I love how every piece in this collection oozes luxury and sophistication, making your vanity table every so chic!







♥ Heat Protective Pouch ♥

Inside the pouch you'll find the straighteners and two rubberised clips. As i have a mass collection as Tigi Hardcore clips, I wasn't in need of any more but I am seriously crushing on these babies! They glide into hair so easily and don't snag and trap hair when you take them out.







♥ Straighteners and rubberised clips♥

The straighteners themselves are a more streamlined, elegant version of the IV Styler, with only a few minor differences. First of all, the ceramic plates are gold, not yellow and the straighteners themselves are black. The "GHD" inscription on the side and on the hinge are also gold and there is an indented, shiny circle detail on the sides of the straighteners that can be also found on the rubberised clips. The most significant difference is the weight and size, the Gold IV Styler weighs slightly less and is slightly smaller than the bog standard IV Styler making it perfect for those who are constantly here, there and everywhere and have to take their straighteners with them!

My favourite difference however is something not mentioned in it's description, it glides through hair so effortlessly I had to double check there was actually hair between the plates!











♥ Travel Hairdryer ♥

I haven't yet tried this, but I can tell it will come in very handy come holiday time, when hairdryers aren't always essential but good to have just in case!











♥ Vanity Mirror ♥

Nice shot of my pj t-shirt there as well haha! This is so cute and a really thoughtful extra.




The overall presentation of this collection is flawlessly beautiful. So much care and thought has been put into each product and the range is completely fluid in it's appearance. A definite thumbs up from me!


♥x♥