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♥
I ventured out into Manchester today with my dearest friend Natalia, we were both on a mission to do some serious shopping (my mission was not as accomplished as hers) and lets just say one umbrella between two girls in flood worthy rain was a bad move! We got totally drenched looking for Ryan's Vintage up near Piccadilly, but I did purchase a gorgeous vintage scarf so the day was not all doom and gloom.
I took the opportunity whilst in the city centre to return some empty compacts to MAC in return for a lipstick of choice. This time round, after numerous nudes and pinks, I decided to get a bit adventurous and picked Costa Chic. I know this shade might not be adventurous for some, but for me it's nothing sort of an achievement!
Im not totally won over by it... yet! I'm sure it'll grow on me, especially when the weather starts to act more like Summer than Winter. Hopefully I'll be able to get a FOTD up using it, as today's rain has made me look like I've been dragged through a bush backwards I thought I'd give it a miss until another date.
Think I'm going to snuggle up with a brew and watch the Eurovision now! Hope you all have a good weekend
♥
So if the title of this post has lured you in I'm guessing, like me, you are faux tan fan!
Xen Tan will be popping up in the Selfridges beauty hall at the Trafford Centre from 29th May - 04 June and are offering a personalised consultation to find the perfect colour for you!
And if thats not enough to tempt you, you could be in with the chance to win a years supply of your perfect Xen Tan product!
I'll be attending a consultation at some point throughout the day on the 1st May, so if your also there and happen to see me, don't forget to say Hello!
♥x♥
It's pretty difficult to convince myself that revising for my A levels isn't a waste of a day when the sun is out and shining. But I took a break from re-reading Pride and Prejudice for the third time to do a quick post showing what my new Crown and Glory floral crown looks like on, as it was requested in my recent post :)
Every time I've worn this beaut I get so many compliments on it, which makes me adore it even more! It makes me feel instantly more summery and I know I'll definitely get a lot of use out of it in the coming months. I also bought a second floral crown and three floral bobby pin sets that you can check out in my last post.
Hope you've all had a good weekend and I can't wait to get back into blogging and YouTubing once these darn exams are over!
x
You may have already heard of Crown and Glory, as their beautiful assortment of hair accessories have been gracing the heads of a number of bloggers recently. But for those who have not, Crown and Glory is a line of handmade hair accessories ranging from floral garlands and clips to velvet and suede turbans. It is the brain child of Sophie King, a Photographic Art Graduate on a mission to create a line of hair accessories that would make the wearer feel pampered and unique the second they put them on.
For me, my hair IS my crowning glory, I spend endless amounts of money and time trying to make it into a barnet to be proud of, so I was instantly attracted to Crown and Glory and their wide array of gorgeous accessories.
I purchased a number of items, including two of their glorious garland 'crowns' which are made to measure (you will receive an email asking for your measurement). I was shocked, but very pleased, at how quickly I received the items and was not at all surprised to find they were packaged with as much thought and care put in as the items themselves.
So without further or do... on to the good stuff!
"My Only Sunshine" Floral Crown, £8.00
"Over the Picket Fence" Floral Crown, £10.00
"Purple Rain" Bobby Pin Set, £6.00
"Plum Pudding" Bobby Pin Set, £6.00
"Seven Seas" Bobby Pin Set, £4.00 (On Sale)
I also received a free gift of a keyring/bag charm, which unfortunately my cat has taken a serious liking to and claimed as his own! Must be the birds me thinks!
I absolutely love this line of quirky accessories and if given the chance and the budget, I would buy one of everything. The floral crowns are the perfect addition to summer looks and the bobby pins give an instant update of intrigue and glamour. For the beauty and craftsmanship put into the pieces, they are more than reasonably priced, making them the perfect little indulgence!
So what do you think guys? Are you liking Crown and Glory?
x
PS. to take a gander at their website, simply click to banner below.
Hey Lovelies!
So recently I purchased some lashes off Ebay. I'm a keen wearer of the Nicola Roberts lashes by Eyelure, but working out at about a pound a wear, they were a bit pricey! So i decided to investigate the super cheap lashes you can buy in bulk from places like Japan. I'd heard they can take up to two weeks to be delivered, so I was thrilled to find a seller of these beauties that was a UK seller.
I bought 50 lashes priced at £13.95 with free postage and packaging, a bargain if you ask me! There are five different styles of lashes and I received 10 of each style. They come in long, thin boxes with 10 to a box. They look slightly misshapen in the box as they are stretched so the edges fit in the wholes that keep them in place, but they're completely fine once removed from the packaging.
There are two more natural lashes, these being the most natural
These are very similar to the last pair, only the lashes are slightly longer
Theres also a pair of 'criss cross' lashes, which I've never been very fond of, but would be really nice for more dramatic looks
The last two styles are my favourites, super long and super thick!
The second of the thick lashes are similar to the first, but the lashes are more clustered, giving a great fanned out effect
Heres the link to the Seller i bought the lashes off, you can buy just ten lashes, twenty, or however many you want!
http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/white-cliffs/?_trksid=p4340.l2559
Have any of you bought lashes in bulk off Ebay? What are your thoughts on them?
♥x♥
I've always been of the impression that I was too pale for fake tan. I've tried almost every fake tan there is, from gradual tanners to the infamous St Tropez. But it seems no matter the price tag or the blurb of promises, I always end up an orange mess. I'm really pale, something I can thank my Irish ancestors for, and not just your usual pale, but the pale that is almost white! (Think Nicola Roberts or Dita Von Tease) I pondered whether my lack of tanning success was down to the tan needing the pigment in your skin to work off, so i wrote off fake tan and submitted myself to a life of palery!.. Yes, I did just make up that word.
And then, like a knight in golden armour, came the mighty Xen Tan! I'd heard nothing but praise off other bloggers and YouTubers of this revolutionary fake tan. That it mopped the floor with the ever popular St Tropez, and the fact that it smelt of vanilla didn't hurt either. I ordered myself the Dark Lotion, Body Scrub and a Delux Tanning Mitt off ebay, not really expecting much.
I can hand on heart say, this tan has changed my life. I'm now a tanning addict, marvelling at my brown (NOT orange) skin! But I was having one problem with it, it claims to last up to 7 days but I found myself having to re-apply after 3. I mentioned on my Twitter my disappointment about this and Xen Tan did there best to help me out.
As I've not been a big tanner in the past, I think it's safe to say my rapid fading was down to two things; 1.) application technique and 2.) my insistence on showering twice a day!
The lovely Amy from Xen Tan advised my to purchase the Transform Luxe Gradual Tanner and apply when I feel my tan needs topping up, rather than applying a full whack of the dark stuff! She also sent me a little tanning guide with useful tips and tricks on how to get the best of both your fake tanning routine at home and if you get a spray tan at a salon.
I thought this was really nice of them. It's a welcome change to see a company actually caring about their customers opinions and trying to help them out. I'll be doing a more in depth review on my Xen Tan routine when I feel I have truely mastered it. But for now all I can say is I seriously recommend this product!
♥x♥
