An unexpected 'great' review - Neutrogena Visibly Clear Oil Free Moisturiser

The weather and ones hormones can play havoc with your skin, and especially the face, a more sensitive and needy area. On this particular occasion, I had tried my normal face moisturiser and even my 'when all else fails' Original Nivea cream, but nothing seemed to be working. My skin continued to feel tight and looked dull and lackluster. I apologise that this reads like those cringe worthy adverts that appear on the TV, however this really was how it happened.

In comes my new skin saviour, a product that my husband of all people bought for him. It was just sitting there, so I decided to try it and I must say it is a really nice product. The smell of the cream is just edible, zingy grapefruit (I have likened it to a Starburst sweet)! The texture is lightweight, a white cream that rubs in very easily with no sticky residue. An unexpected sensation follows shortly after applying, which can only be described as a cooling effect, which normally disappears very quickly. Try to avoid rubbing it in around the sensitive eye area as the cooling can be a little much there. 

I was very skeptical, and especially as it contained grapefruit, I imagined my skin feeling drier and it acting like an astringent. After a couple of days, my skin was soothed and looking brighter and those irritating dry patches had gone. I am in no doubt that the state of my skin at that time is due to many factors, but I can genuinely say this cream helped a lot.

It is very strange that your skin can change from one month to the next and your usual products can suddenly become ineffective for that period of time. This experience has highlighted to me that I have become a bit of a facial care 'snob' and the idea of buying a standard drugstore product such as this didn't even flash onto my radar. It's not always the cost of the product but the ingredients contained that can help with your skin issues at that time. I have some Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish cleanser to use up, but after that I have now got the corresponding facial wash to try. Review to follow!

Thanks for reading, if you have any questions then please drop me a line.

Thanks Ally 

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Can a perfume really change your mood?

Interesting title right? Can a smell that you spritz onto your neck and wrist really leave you feeling happier, fun, sexy, confident or whatever mood you want to be in? I think yes. I have so many perfumes, ranging from Boss to Chloe and I love all of them. There is nothing nicer than smelling great everyday, it's gives oneself an inner confidence and if you know you are wearing an expensive scent you feel a million dollars too! I have a variety of categories for my perfumes, day to day, sporty, evening and that perfume you bought that you wish you hadn't, but can't throw away! I have picked four of my favourites, all for different reasons and all smell equally beautiful.

Emporio Armani Diamonds

Firstly, this is one of my day perfumes and I find it to be very elegant and classy. It is fresh, but with a sweet muskiness that takes over once it has been on the skin for some time. Longevity of the scent is excellent, and I love the way it smells after hours on the skin. I didn't realise, but this perfume was released in 2007, yet it seems a very new fragrance to me. I use this perfume if I am going out for a shopping day or if I have client meetings, as it oozes a confidence, a self assured scent making it a winner for me. The bottle is very simple in design, looks nice on the dresser and has the emblem almost floating through the fragrance. 

Giorgio Armani Code for Women

Okay, so this is one of my favourite perfumes. It was bought for me as a gift some time ago now and I love it. It has a wonderful deep and sophisticated scent, not too heavy but leaves a heady aroma that stays with you. This perfume suits a black dress while out to dinner and cocktails, perfect combo! This week however, I have been wearing it in the day, just because it is so addictive, and I haven't found it to be overpowering. The scent almost wraps around you and if you don't get a compliment whilst wearing this perfume I'll be very surprised. The bottle is very sleek, and the only downside is that it is easily knocked over as it is a little top heavy, but that is because I have too many in one place!

Chloe Eau de Parfum

As you can see from the bottle, this is not a brand new bottle of perfume. I have had this for quite a long time and the smell has remained just as perfect as when I first opened it. I do tend to store my perfumes in a cupboard, out of sunlight and any extreme temperatures, it really does help to preserve your perfumes. Moving on, this perfume is just gorgeous and iconic in my book. It is just feminine to a 't', and this is my ultimate 'out for the evening' perfume, I feel fabulous wearing it, leaving a lingering waft wherever I walk, the perfect finishing touch to your outfit and makeup. I know that once I have sprayed Chloe, I can expect to have a pillow and duvet scented with top, heart and base notes of heaven. Even the bottle (in its newer form) is very elegant and timeless, attributes that you will find in this beautiful perfume.

Narciso Rodriguez for Her Eau de Toilette

Hmmmm, if you want a wonderfully sexy and yet quietly powerful fragrance, then this is the one for you. This beauty is the latest edition (from Santa) to my collection and I adore it. I have been hampering after this for months and months, but I couldn't warrant the cost to buy it myself! This perfume is very clever, the smell initially is very different to the end result. The perfume and the scent evolves and creates the most beautiful aroma that radiates from you. The perfume almost embeds into your skin, hair and clothes and it just stays there, on a serious note, great value for money! It is the perfect combination of floral, musky, sensual and plain right sexy! Wow, can you tell I have been exceptionally keen to report my findings about the fragrance? Aesthetically, I love the bottle, a black statement of confidence, I know I'm great I don't need a swirly fancy bottle to prove it! There is also a for her Eau de Parfum which has a slightly different scent, sweeter and a little softer, but equally as beautiful, (next Christmas maybe)? :) 

So to summarise on my post heading, can a perfume really change how you feel? Well yes, I still agree with my original answer. We all wake up in different moods, have different stress and strains to deal with on a daily basis, but if a perfume can make you feel good, and smell good I truly believe it instills an inner confidence and happiness to help us through the day.

I hope that you have enjoyed my selection of perfumes, why not drop me a line to let me know your favourites and why? Bye for now!

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Bright Eyes

I was listening to the radio this morning, and they were debating when it becomes a little annoying to keep hearing 'Happy New Year'. It was decided that saying it once to the person or audience is more than sufficient, so here is my one time 'Happy New Year to you all'. Briskly moving on.

Today we will be discussing concealers, an area of the beauty market flooded by numerous products. After the 'party season' we are probably feeling a little in need of a helping hand in the 'bright eyes' department! I have highlighted (sorry) two of mine that I am using currently.

No7 Instant Radiance Concealer

I have had this product in my make-up bag for a few months hence the less than pristine condition. I bought it when I was having a bad run of sleepless nights and basically needed a good disguise. The cost is approximately £14 so not the cheapest but not Dior expensive. Overall, this concealer is really good. Good coverage, lovely consistency, blends well and does hide dark circles. I probably wouldn't say that I turn back the hands of time from using it, but it certainly improves the appearance for me. It is easy to use with the handy little button at the end which distributes the product into the bristles, and then apply straight onto the delicate eye area. A few dots and you are ready to face the world.

Barbara Daly Trade Secrets Light Effect Concealer Pen 2

Okay, now this is a first for me, buying makeup from Tesco. It somehow just doesn't sit right that one can buy peppers, teabags and Cheerios and also a great range of beauty products, but I decided to run with it. I read about this product in a magazine, and the writer was raving about how great it was and a steal at only £7.99. I didn't really need it, but I'm afraid that little devil on my shoulder made me do it!  

I must say that it is actually a really lovely concealer. There are a couple of shades to choose from, so I just guesstimated which one. I really like the packaging, and the branding is simple but bold. The dispensing of the concealer is much the same as the No7 pen, apart from a twist base rather than a push button. The consistency is good, perhaps a little more watery than I would have liked, but it soaked in well and did cover the darker circles under my eyes. I found that the longevity was not as good as the No7, but for a concealer at this price, you could reapply throughout the day. 

This range of makeup has recently been re branded, and from what I saw a few weeks ago, I must say for the better. I have witnessed over the last couple of months the transformation of the beauty sections within Tesco and the high end brands they now stock is fantastic. Thank goodness I do online shopping elsewhere, as they are so full of treats for the beauty obsessive I'd never eat!

I hope you have enjoyed my little concealer round up, any comments or questions just let me know:    

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December Empties

Clinique Even Better Foundation

Sunday is a day of rest for people in many aspects, and I try to make sure that I include my skin as well. If I know that I am not really going anywhere I will cleanse, tone and moisturise then leave my skin to relax and breathe. I feel that a foundation should feel like having a second skin, that it is not a chore to apply; where there is no heaviness, no unsightly blend line, and no adverse reaction. It should give you that flawless, fresh faced look people are envious of.

I've been using this foundation for some time now. I did my homework, and trawled the beauty counters, asking for samples of foundations that I have read good reviews about. That was fun. Clinique offered me a very generous sample of this foundation which lasts up to 5 days. I knew after this time that this was the one. It may seem a lot of effort to go to, but when you are putting this product on your skin everyday, paying a good amount of money and expecting results, you need to be sure.

So, what is it like? I really love the consistency, it is slightly thicker and yes, needs a little more effort to blend in, but it is worth it. (Using a good foundation brush is best). It also comes with an SPF 15, so your skin is protected from those winter rays! The coverage is really good, not too heavy, but creates a lovely flawless finish with a slightly dewy look. The foundation dries off after a couple of minutes and bronzer and blush can be applied with no dragging. There is no scent and I have had no dryness or outbreaks. I tried to use the Clinique cleansing system and that failed miserably, so was a little wary, but the foundations seem to be really good. 

After being matched at the Clinique counter, the colour Cream Chamois suited me best, which I must say is a lovely match. There is also some warmth in there for the winter. The longevity of the foundation is very good. I usually apply my makeup quite early around 7.00am and remove about the same time in the evening. I have never felt desperate to remove it, or felt my skin is dehydrated. The marketing wording promotes that the skin is meant to be left 'even and corrected', which yes, I can say that it is. The bottle of foundation is not very big, although I am consistent on how much I need to use each time now, so it will be interesting to see how long it lasts. The product simply pours out of the spout, which is better for me than having a pump action one. 

Choosing a foundation became a little bit of an obsession for me. I had a price range of around £25 that I wanted to stay within, and there are many brands to choose from. This foundation was £24.50 so fell well within what I wanted to spend. I would advise that you use the sample service offered by the beauty counters, as it can save you from having any unwanted skin reactions and also from wasting money on a foundation that you just can't use. Overall, I am impressed with the foundation and I am glad that I gave it go and hope that it becomes a clear favourite for me.

If you have any further comments or questions, please feel free to contact me at the usual places highlighted below. Bye for now!

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Oh Babor!

It is not very often that I receive the morning post and squeal like a little girl on Christmas Day, once the postman has walked away! The products that caused this sudden wave of hysteria are the Babor Reversive range, a wonderfully elegant, state of the art, anti-ageing cream and eye cream.  Hmm, I wonder how many of you are reaching for those search engines........? 

This is how the range is described: "The anti-aging REVERSIVE range contains an exclusive BABOR precision formula with active ingredients Telovitin, Agicyl, Epocyl and Lumicol. Skin's individual youthful radiance is restored and feels silky to the touch".

I will go into more details about the actual creams inside the canisters shortly, but firstly I have to share my initial thoughts on my new love affair. I must admit, on first opening the creams, I was completely taken aback by the beautiful colour (a stunning metallic brown), quality and down right elegance of the bottles. Highly polished metal, slimline and almost engineered to fit snugly into your hand for ease of use.  At first, I was almost in awe of them and didn't want to use them in case I smudged the beautifully polished appearance, however, that soon wore off. Aesthetically, there is nothing I could improve on, there is even a handy little gauge at the side to let you know when the product is getting low. These bottles are like glamorous accessories for your bedroom dressing table, but with a lot more substance.

Babor Reversive anti-aging cream

This is the taller one of the two. I made sure that I prepared my skin well before I used this, as I felt it deserved my full attention. I cleansed, toned and then pressed some of the cream out onto my finger. One full push on the button releases the perfect amount for the face. From the moment I massaged it into my skin, I was hooked. Everything oozes class, the smell, the consistency, the feel, just everything. I may sound a little gushing, but it really is something every woman should try and decide for themselves. I have used this product for two weeks following the same cleansing routine morning and night and there is no doubt that my skin feels plumper and smoother (and that is with a bout of illness thrown in for good measure)! I am very fortunate that I do not have significant wrinkles yet, but I can see how crow lines or laughter lines could be reduced or maintained to an appropriate level. The cream itself has the perfect texture and is absorbed rapidly without any sticky residue. The scent is subtle but seductive, and it leaves an almost heady aroma. I apply a primer under my foundation and even with this, my skin felt supple and not heavy in anyway.

Babor Reversive Anti-aging eye cream

This eye cream does not disappoint. The cream is slightly heavier in consistency and a little more transparent in colour, however it still rubs in beautifully without any heaviness around the eye area. Neither of these points affect the application of concealer or highlighter. I have used many different brands of eye cream over the years, some have been okay, some have promised the reduction of dark circles and brighter eyes (but to no avail) and some have been a real irritant to my eye area. I'm always very wary of piling on an unknown cream as it is such a delicate area and you really need to trust the product. From using this brand (and doing a lot of research) I completely trust this brand and the product. I have applied the eye cream religiously morning and night, and I feel like it is working. My eye area (to the naked eye) hasn't really changed over the last couple of weeks, but it just feels different, it is very hard to describe. I'm afraid I can become a little bored with a product if I do not see a difference, but these two have kept me interested and I have and will maintain my cleansing and moisturising ritual until the very last drop! Who knows, with these two power houses, I may be transformed back into my young twenties self!

I have read the history and journey of the Babor product range. I love the ethos behind them and I especially love that you can buy a professional product with results, without the need to visit a salon. The cost is a lot more than say buying a simple L'Oreal face cream, however the expertise, ingredients and technology that back up these creams is second to none. It's not too late to pop some of these products onto your Christmas wish list, I promise you, you will not be disappointed.

I hope that you have enjoyed my extra special product review, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the usual places, bye for now!

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*PR samples used

Let's get Festive!

Nothings says Christmas better than bright, bold or sparkly digits! I have been busy picking out five of my favourite polishes especially for you.  I've gone from uber sparkly to smokey dark to compliment that seductive black dress you have been dying to wear. Let's begin....

Left pinky - Essie Hors d'oeuvres

Honestly, this is not a polish that in the past I would have chosen, as I'm not a massive 'glitter on nails' kind of girl, however this I love. It requires two coats to ensure that a block of colour is achieved, and it is subtly 'bling' without looking cheap. The polish dried really quickly, and the surface of the nail was not rough considering the larger specs of glitter that it contains. A bonus of wearing a polish of this nature is longevity, the chips are well disguised. I would definitely put this colour on my toes with open toed sandals for a party or even a summer wedding. A little tip for removal of this varnish. Soak the cotton wool pad with the remover and hold on the nail for a couple of minutes to dissolve the polish before wiping away. The removal of all glitter can be a little time consuming!

Wedding finger - NAILSINC Hanover Square 

I have worn this polish for some time now, and it is one of my favourites in terms of wear ability, coverage and drying time. The colour is rich but perfectly acceptable for day to evening wear. It isn't high gloss but has a slight shine which is perfect. A little tip: This polish is perfect for complimenting silver coloured jewelry (rings especially), it just seems to throw the colour of the metal up against your skin. It's a perfect excuse to go out and buy some if you haven't got any!

Middle finger - Crabtree & Evelyn Apple/Rouge Sublime

It's nothing new to say that I love this nail varnish, hence why it is in my top five festive polishes. The colour is gorgeous, a shimmery red, moderate shine and fantastic in terms of durability. It dries in minutes so the second coat can be applied and you are ready to party! It is a running theme with all the C&E nail lacquers, as I have a light brown shade called sand/beige sable (which has just appeared in my collection), and it is exactly the same. I have worn this in the day, on the school run, shopping etc and also out for dinner and I feel happy wearing it in all situations. 

Forefinger - Nail Paint by Barry M Raspberry 273  

This polish is great for this time of year. The colour shouts out Autumn/Winter, cuddly jumpers and warm boots. I find the colour to be more of a wine colour than Raspberry, as it is much darker with the second coat. These polishes have a really good brush so you can create a nice straight edge next to the cuticle and the paint glides on well, however you wouldn't really get away with just one coat. The only downside to this varnish is the drying time. I was comparing the drying time to the C&E varnish but it didn't come up to scratch in that department. Make sure you leave plenty of time before you need to go out.

Thumb - Nail Paint by Barry M Dusky Mauve 313

I just love reading the names of nail varnishes across nail polish brands, who creates them? It would be the best job to come up with amazing descriptive names. Anyway, my final varnish today is another Barry M. I know I said that the drying aspect is a little disappointing, but only if you are in a hurry. I tend to ensure I do my nails the night before so I have plenty of time, it's a therapeutic process for me. Coming back to this varnish, I really like the colour. It is almost grey, but in some lights it is purple and others there is a hint of green and shimmery pink that flashes through. It is not as bold as the other selections but it certainly makes an impression. It could be worn with an array of different coloured outfits, at work, meals out and it would compliment them well. 

And finally.  Due to the dark colours of these nail varnishes, please please, always apply a good quality base coat. I always use the OPI natural nail base coat. Not only will this help to reduce the drying effects of the varnish on the nail but it will reduce staining. I have found that a maximum of five days is the limit to ensure my nails stay healthy and happy.

Happy painting and please leave me your thoughts: 

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