Good morning beauties!

I LOVE skincare products.  I'm literally so excited about this topic I could jump out of my skin and the same thing happens when I'm off to buy new skincare products.

Recently I'd run out of my favourite No. 7 day and night creams and decided to stock up, and in my local Boots store I noticed that they sold a Hot Cloth Cleanser by No. 7.

I've already tried and tested the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser, and am a huge fan!  But wanted to try something that I could get on a 3 for 2 offer!  And Boots just nailed that on the head.

What No 7 say: 

No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser has been created to provide tailored skin nutrition for healthy looking, bright and beautiful skin.
Enjoy the luxury of a spa facial in your own home. The combination of this rich indulgent cleanser and the gentle exfoliating muslin cloth removes dead skin cells and daily grime whilst stimulating circulation, leaving your skin deeply clean, soft and radiant.

How to Use

Close your eyes, using your fingertips, gently massage over dry skin in upward circular motions. Run the muslin cloth under comfortably hot water, wring out the excess and place cloth over your face to open pores and relax. Then use the cloth to lightly polish off the cleanser in circular motions. to finish, splash your face with cool water to close pores and pat dry. Follow with your favourite No7 moisturiser.
Hand wash the cloth regularly in warm soapy water and dry flat.

The No. 7 Hot Cloth Cleanser is really nicely thick and creamy with minimal scent.  It applies really nicely onto skin and definitely doesn't dry out your skin which is a bonus.  I often use this cleanser in conjunction with my Clarisonic Mia and must say that they work well together.  After I've used it with my Clarisonic Mia, I use the muslin cloth to remove any remaining dead skin and cleanser.

This cleanser comes in a really nice big bottle at 200mL along with one muslin cloth.  It is priced at £9.95 and can be bought at your local Boots store.

I use this cleanser on a daily basis and don't get break outs or dry skin from it.  It is very gentle and moisturising and takes any makeup off easily and without fuss. 

Have a fuss free day!

Garnier 5 Second Perfect Blur

Hello sexy mamma! ;-)

There are scores of products out there claiming to reduce wrinkles and turn back the hands of time. However, I've always been sceptical. So, when given the chance to try Garnier 5sec Perfect Blur (£12.99), a new primer available at Boots this spring, I couldn't resist putting it to the test.


Garnier have created a silica-based formula which helps to tighten pores, reduce shine and nourish your complexion, evening out the appearance of your skin. This smoothing primer uses an optical effect which helps diffuse the light and therefore "blur" the surface of the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as creating the perfect, long-lasting finish. I applied Perfect Blur a few minutes after my moisturiser and instantly saw the reflecting formula do its work, visibly reducing my early morning eye bags and leaving my skin feeling soft with a definite glow. It also acted as a great base for my foundation and smoothed blemishes creating a matt finish, (thank goodness with my oily T-zone!).

I must admit, this product surprised me. On reflection (pun intended!) once it had been applied I looked as if I regularly eat my five a day and had indulged in a good eight hours kip - it's a great "cheat" product! My skin appeared moisturised, ultra-smooth and blemish-free, and the effects lasted throughout the day.

True to its name, Garnier 5sec Perfect Blur takes less than five seconds to apply. It can be easily integrated into your morning skincare regime, is a perfect base for make-up and makes an immediate difference to the overall appearance of the skin. I never thought I would recommend it, but this skeptic has been convinced! Top notch!

Stay sweet and have a great thursday!

New Everyday Beauty Essentials

Good morning,

I'm always looking out for the next beauty find that will settle my cravings for makeup, skincare, haircare and health care.  So any new products are always very much on my radar!

Here is the latest collection of beauty finds I'd like to share with you:

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors

The three latest shades – Rosewood, Candy and Petal – are great everyday hues. If, like me, you find lip glosses too ‘done’ and gloopy, the gel based formula of these Lip Perfectors gives you pigment-rich colour that are kind of textureless, in a good way - lips are smooth but feel completely natural and product-free.

Estée Lauder Perfectly Clean Triple Action Cleanser/Toner/Make-up Remover

Perfecting a skincare regime is very grown up and ladylike, but, let’s face it, sometimes you just can’t be bothered. This 3-in-1 product is a dream – just lather on and wash off make-up while cleansing and toning in the process. I love the peachy soft feel of skin after use and, since using, sporadic outbreaks of spots have happily disappeared.

Lancôme Blush Subtil Palette

Who doesn’t wish for Kate Moss-esque cheekbones? Living up to its billing as an all-in-one contour, blush and highlighter, this compact (in Rose Blush) is an easy way to chisel your face. Used with a light touch, this is the best contouring palette I’ve tried.

Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Balm

This is being marketed as a ‘hybrid moisturiser’ and I would agree. A cross between Clarins Flash Balm and Elemis Pro-Collagen Cream, the balm sinks straight into skin and works as a great glow-giving primer. The neroli and lemon scent is lush – I’m totally addicted.  I love the great products that Elemis offer and these deals on QVC is also worth looking at to safe money in bundles.  Check Ebay to buy Elemis samples for smaller prices to try  before you buy (the full size product). ;-)

Colour Wow One-Minute Transformation Miracle Styling Cream

For those that wake up to find their hair flattened to their crown, smooth a dollop of this from root to tip and blast the unruly section with a hairdryer for just-washed looking locks. The groundbreaking silicone formula also transforms frizzy ends into silky lengths - seriously.

Seche Fast Dry One Coat Nail Polish

The Seche Fast Dry Top Coat is a cult product beloved by backstage manicurists. The new Fast Dry One Coat Nail Polish is equally good, my favourite shade being Portobello, a taupe neutral in line with this seasons trend for nude nails (seen at nearly every LFW s/s 13 show). Rich in pigment, you only need one coat (though I prefer two) and it dries rock hard. It’s giving my favourite, Rimmel Pro Beige Babe, a run for its money.

Soap & Glory Puffy Eye Attack Turbo-Boost Hydragel 

Eye creams are my nemesis. I cannot recall the number I’ve sampled in the quest to banish my panda eyes and squidgy undereye bags, all to very little avail. I do feel like this has improved them, at a very good price point. Containing botanical peptides, usually only found in premium eyecare ranges, the quick-melt gel has an instant cooling, de-puffing effect, which I’ve amped up by sticking it in the fridge before use each morning. And I can safe up my Boots points to get this free. Bargain!!

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation

OK, this one has been out for a few months but it needs a mention because it’s great. I’ve tried innumerable foundations but my stalwart is Chanel Vitalumiere, found in the kit of every make up artist worth their salt. I still love it, but this is the closest contender I’ve found. The range of shades are great, particularly for pale skin (why are so many ‘ivory’ foundation shades, in fact, tan?) and it gives a light, dewy finish. Clearly, everyone’s complexion differs, but for £6.99 it’s absolutely worth a try.


So those are my current every day picks for new beauty.  I'm very excited about all of these and would love to find out which products you've recently discovered!

Stay sweet,

17 Blemish Balm BB Cream SPF25

So I thought I was pretty happy with my usual BB Cream when the latest blemish balm wonder cream from 17 landed in the shops...

For as long as I can remember, I've been sticking to oil-free face make up for fear of aggravating my blemish-prone skin, but the 17 Blemish Balm BB Cream (SPF25) goes one step further and promises to improve my skin within four weeks! How can I resist a claim like that?


This latest BB cream contains ingredients such as salicylic acid, to help clear blemishes. My main concern with salicylic acid is that while it does clear your skin, it also dries it out. But those beauty brains at 17 have thought this through, and created a moisturising formulation that leaves your skin with a hydrated dewy finish, while the blemish-fighting components get to work!

I've been using the cream for two weeks now and I have to say it's amazing! Initially I was a bit shocked at the colour - I've opted for the medium shade for my yellow-toned skin, but the consistency of the cream is like an orangey/beige. Once you've smoothed it onto your skin though, it blends almost seamlessly. I just can't get over the perfectly-even coverage it provides and even though it hasn't been the full four weeks, I'm definitely noticing an improvement in the condition of my skin - thanks 17!

 

The shades that this BB Cream comes in is:  light, medium and medium dark.  They sell for £6.99, which is not shabby at all.

IF you visit Boots at the moment they are currently holding a 3 for 2 offer on all cosmetics and nail products.  So you can step away with a right bargain!

Have a great weekend.

xoxo,

Angelique

 

Benefit Lip & Cheek Kits

Autumn has well and truly kicked in and my tan is fading faster than a speeding bullet.  Pastiness has setting in and it is making me grumpy. Gals we need to get some colour back into our cheeks, LITERALLY!  So what better than getting some sexy blusher in a handy little kit?  Great for a fast paced life and also for when you travel.

The beauty geniuses at Benefit have a real knack for capsule collections. Hot on the heels of Besties, meet three perfectly thought-out Lip & Cheek Kits: Sugarlicious (featuring Sugarbomb Face Powder and Lip Gloss), Feelin' Dandy (featuring Posietint Lip & Cheek Stain and Dandelion Face Powder) and Go Tropicoral, a kit featuring the lovely chachatint Lip & Cheek Stain and CORALista Face Powder. Each promises to perk up your complexion a treat!

Available 12th September

sugarlicious

deliciously nude…lip & cheek kit

feelin' dandy

perk me up…lip & cheek kit

go tropiCORAL

turn up the heat…lip & cheek kit

These babies are going to be selling for approximately £24.50 per kit, and they are beautiful!  They'll be available in Boots, any department stores and also any Benefit stores and online.

I'm buying one of each!  These pocket-sized beauties will fit easily into my handbag-beauty kit.

Which would you choose?

xoxo,
Angelique

How to banish dark under-eye bags and dark circles

I love helping you solve your beauty dilemmas and I've had a lot of questions recently about how to cover up under-eye circles and address puffiness.

One follower wrote to me:
"Despite eating well, keeping active and going to bed early, I have quite bad dark under-eye bags and dark circles. I think they may be hereditary as my mum also has them. What would you recommend to cover them? I'm on a bit of a budget and have fairly pale skin."

A healthy diet and plenty of sleep go a long way towards achieving a healthy fresh-faced glow but, for some of us, like my lovely follower, under-eye bags and dark circles are hereditary. With this in mind, I've put together my top tips and product recommendations for reducing their appearance once and for all.

1) Concealer is essential. Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer , £5.99 is perfect for pale skin like my followers as it comes in a light Ivory shade (as well as darker shades to suit other skin tones). Designed to illuminate and reawaken eyes through a combination of peptides and vitamins, it will help you to create a seamless natural-looking finish.

2) A good eye cream will give you a great foundation to build upon. Look for one packed with skin-boosting ingredients and SPF, such as Boots Vitamin E SPF15 Eye Cream, £2.54, which will help protect the delicate eye area from environmental damage which can worsen the appearance of under-eye bags.

3) Invest in a quality eye serum. Biotherm Eye Recharge Serum, £28.60. A cooling roll-on treatment with ginseng, it will help to soothe the puffiness often associated with under-eye bags and prepare your skin for even make up coverage.

If you want further advice tailored specifically to you, pop into Boots or Department stores and speak to one of their skin care consultants.

xoxo,
Angelique

Review: Sleek Makeup Ultra Matte I-Divine Pallette

Heck, so I'm a bit slow on the beauty update, but I'm just loving this eyeshadow pallette so much that I had to share!

Plus the price rocks!

Plus I know these pallettes are available in South Africa too, albeit at a slightly inflated price. 

What am I talking about?  The Sleek Makeup Ultra Matte i-Divine Pallette in V1 (brights).

The lovely outer packaging



The bright acid colours inside the palette with spong applicator




9 bright acid shades and 3 neutral colours in a Matte Finish

 What Sleek says about their product:
Ultra Mattes are intensely creamy, highly pigmented colours that are super-blendable. These mineral-based eyeshadows are so smooth in texture they are ideal for contouring eyes and creating multi-dimensional looks.
A palette of 12 pressed eyeshadows, the V1 Brights Ultra Mattes i-Divine contains 12 pure matte shades.
Suitable for vegetarians.
Not suitable for vegans.

My Opinion:
Personally I love this product.  The eyeshadows are really pigmented and have very little fall-out.  The softer neutral shades aren't as pigmented as the brights, but you can't really complain considering the cost of the pallette.  The sponge applicator is fairly sturdy but most people would probably prefer using these shadows with a good brush - like Real Techniques at Boots.

The packaging is also really study with a nice large mirror inside to make application easy on the go.  This is a really great little pallette if you are not in the market for spending loads on an eyeshadow pallette, and if you like to mix things up. 

This pallette is available in certain Superdrugs or online at Sleek Makeup's website.  It only costs £7.99, which is an absolute bargain!  There is also a V2 of this pallette in darks.



Left to right:  Chill, Pout, Sugarlite, Dragon Fly, Pucker and Bamm.



Left to right:  Cricket, Bolt, Strike, Floss, Crete and Pow.

 Have you tried any of Sleek Makeup's range? 

xoxo,
Angelique

Reasons to LOVE London

Admittedly, I am a sucker for ornate pomp and circumstance, and so I always tune into the Summer Olympics. I may not be a professional athlete (I'll stick to Pilates, thank you very much) but I love the thrill of the opening ceremony, and this year the event is taking place across the pond in fabulously chic London, so I'm even more excited than usual.

We have so many reasons to love London and the UK: "Downton Abbey," Kate and William, Adele, Harry Potter. In honor of the 2012 Olympics, I've rounded up a few of my favorite British beauty products and trends, since it's no secret that us Brits know beauty.

I realised just how much us British know beauty when I studied abroad in London during college. After a semi-gross meal of bangers and mash at a pub, I wandered into a Boots pharmacy. I was amazed at the endless selection of awesome products in the makeup aisle. When it came to London's fashion and beauty, the city had me covered.

 From Twiggy's mod influence to English products like Butter London nail polish, I have compiled the ultimate list of British beauty trends and products that I think deserve a shiny gold medal.

No. 1: Kate Middleton

What is it about British royalty that has us so utterly obsessed? Maybe it has something to do with Kate Middleton's relaxed elegance and sophistication. Or maybe I just love that the Duchess of Cambridge is a down-to-earth girl who wears Zara skinny jeans and shops at the grocery store. She's just like us. Well ... sort of.

No. 2: Butter London's Olympic Collection

Butter London is paying homage to its hometown by releasing a special "Olympic Heavy Metal collection." Gold is the goal for an athlete, but in this case the bronze, silver, and gold colors are all equally shiny and pretty. And remember, you can always mix metallics, so there's nothing wrong with wearing 'em all at once.

No. 3: Vidal Sassoon's Wedge Bob

Vidal Sassoon was a visionary London hair stylist who invented the ultra-popular geometric wedge bob in the 1960s. It's still considered edgy and chic today (Victoria Beckham's angled bob is a modern spin on it). While I may not be able to pull off this daring look myself, I still feel chic using his namesake product line.

No. 4: Burberry Lip Cover

Burberry's timeless style makes it the ultimate luxury British brand. A new Burberry trench coat would wipe out my bank account, but the Burberry Lip Cover lipstick is much more affordable at only £20.28. The hydrating formula goes on silky smooth and it comes in 30 pretty shades.

No. 5: Twiggy

In the 1950s the curvy Marilyn Monroe figure was all the rage, but when rail-thin Twiggy walked on the scene in the '60s, the modeling world was completely transformed. You can easily steal Twiggy's signature mod style (even if you've got more of a Marilyn figure) by pairing a shift mini dress with heavy mascara and eyeliner.

No. 6: Soap and Glory Facial Scrub

Cheeky and fun, the Soap and Glory brand embodies the British sense of humor. This exfoliator is titled, "The Greatest Scrub of All," £9, which sounds a tad presumptuous, but it does leave you squeaky clean and so we think it lives up to its grand name.

No. 7: Jo Malone Bath Oil

I don't actually drop fresh rose petals in the tub when I take a bath (does anyone?), but with the Jo Malone Red Roses Bath Oil, £38, it feels like I did. It's impossible to feel stressed out after a bath in this stuff. It must be how every Brit stays so cool, calm, and collected.

No. 8: Downton Abbey Fashion

It seemed like I was the only one in the world not watching "Downton Abbey," and when I finally caught up, I was hooked. Who knew BBC could be so fashionable? Sure, the main reason to tune in is the WWI drama, but I'm even more interested in the intricate hairstyles and dresses.

No. 9: Rimmel London Mascara

Adele is one of my favorite Brits, and while I'll never sound like her when I sing in the shower, at the very least I can achieve her long lashes with the Rimmel London Lash Accelerator, £8.99.

No. 10: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

Nothing removes my stubborn mascara like the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, £14.25, and it's still super gentle on my skin. Plus, this English brand just won a UK Beauty Award for being one of the best products of the last 20 years. Not too shabby.

No. 11: Boots Body Butter

Boots Pharmacy has been around London for more than 160 years. That's an insanely long time. It's a great go-to British brand for beauty staples like this nourishing Boots Body Butter, £5.62, with natural honey extract.

No. 12: Elaborate Hats

Other than weddings or ladies day at the races, we don't wear hats that often in the U.K. But the British have mastered the art of elaborate hat wearing especially the Royals.  Ribbons, feathers, flowers, birds' nests ... really anything goes.

No. 13: Mason Pearson Hairbrushes

The Mason Pearson Brush, £38, is the Cadillac of hairbrushes. The bristles leave your hair looking healthy and shiny. No snags or snarls. Yes, the price is pretty outrageous, but it'll last forever so it's worth the splurge if you can swing it.

No. 14: Alexander McQueen Skull Clutch

Typically skulls scare me. But somehow, when they are adorned in crystals atop an Alexander McQueen clutch, they're not so frightening.

No. 15: Illamasqua Cream Blusher

Simply dab and blend this Illamasqua Cream Blusher, £16.50, with your fingers for highlighted cheekbones and a rosy glow. It's a delightfully easy process, which makes sense since the Brits are all about fuss-free beauty.











I'm so excited for the Queen's Golden Jubilee, and thus I celebrate everything that is great about Great Britain.  Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

What do you like about Britain?

Budget beauty buys under a tenner

Nobody loves budget beauty as much as I do.  A good bargain absolutely makes me salivate and my greedy little fingers itch to remove my debit card from my wallet, ready to push those buttons for the machine to confirm my purchase.

Then the girl at the till will almost readily pushes my purchases into a plastic bag, and shove it towards me.  With a mad glint in my eye, I'll take the bag and go home to try out everything I'd bought. 

It made me look at some of the best budget beauty out there at the moment, and makes me assess what is worth buying.  Here on my guide, I'll show you what is worth it and what is not. 

1. Violent Lips natural leopard temporary lip tattoos, £7.99
They may look a bit wacky but temporary lip tattoos are the hottest way to liven up your look. From Jessie J to Kelly Rowland, Violent Lip tattoos have taken the celebrity world by storm and you can also get the look and stand out from the crowd. Easy to apply and remove, not only is the finish smooth and glossy but each tattoo is enriched with vitamins so your lips are left feeling soft. Choose between coral giraffe, red glitteratti, pink polka dot or show off your wild side in natural leopard.

2. Broadway ImPRESS press-on manicure, from £7.99
Quick and easy, Broadway ImPRESS press-on manicure has already been making waves in the beauty world and the former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger is also said to be a fan. The main selling point of this salon-perfect manicure is that it is so instant. All you do is peel the false nails off and press them onto your nails. The gel-like manicure lasts for up to a week and protects your nails at the same time. Available in a range of different styles, Broadway ImPRESS press-on manicure is a revolutionary way to update your nails.

3. Bourjois Shadow & Light Duo Noir & Blanc, £5.49
How much do I love Bourjois' new shadow and light duo Khôl and Contour eyeliner pencil? Let me count the ways -the white shade illuminates and opens up the eye (it's a common trick to use white on the inner rim of your lower lid to make your eyes sparkle) and then you can use the black matt shade to outline your peepers and intensify the effect. Hypoallergenic and ophthalmologically-tested, this double-ended eyeliner pencil is also suitable for contact lens wearers (like me!). Add to your make-up bag and style your eyes with shadow and light.

4. Burt's Bees lemon poppy seed facial cleanser, £9.75
Put some zest into your beauty regime with Burt's Bees lemon poppy seed facial cleanser. This duo cleanser/exfoliator combines the cleansing properties of lemon oil to remove make-up and impurities with the exfoliating properties of poppy seeds. Rich in botanic oils, this facial cleanser does the job without over-drying the skin surface. The result is clean skin that is soft to the touch. It also smells sweet enough to eat so why not treat yourself this spring in a way that doesn't involve any calories?

5. L'Oréal Hair Expertise, from £5.99
Indulge your hair with L'Oréal's latest non-sulphate cleansing system. Enriched with natural products, including rosemary and juniper oils, L'Oréal Hair Expertise range will help protect over-processed hair. Recent reviews on the boots.co.uk site suggest L'Oréal Hair Expertise really does leave your hair feeling soft and easy to detangle. If you're suffering from straw-like hair after too much bleaching or colouring, try this latest hair innovation from L'Oréal, which is available in a whole range of different products.

6. Clearasil Vitamins & Extracts wash and mask, £4.99
Instead of simply banging on about how good their new range is, Clearasil set up a blind test so that beauty journalists and readers of the magazine Glamour could give their verdict on this mystery product. Clearasil asked users to guess the ingredients and brand with very good results - eight out of 10 Glamour magazine readers recommended the Clearasil Vitamins & Extracts 2-in-1 mask. If you're looking for a product to help keep spots at bay without drying out your skin, check out the new range. Boasting both soothing and pimple-fighting ingredients such as avocado and salicylic acid plus skin-nourishing vitamins, the new range is not just aimed at teenagers.

7. Johnson's skin perfecting oil, from £9.99
Are you suffering from stretch marks? It's a common problem that affects many women but now, thanks to Johnson & Johnson, you can visibly reduce the signs of them. Not only does Johnson's skin perfecting oil work to moisturise and improve the appearance of these marks but this moisturising formula can also improve skin suppleness and elasticity.

8. Maybelline Nude Dream Airfoam, from £7.99
If you're looking for light coverage with the added benefit of SPF16, then Maybelline's new Nude Dream airfoam is your perfect beauty buy for spring. The lightweight formula and mousse-like texture delicately covers the skin surface leaving you with a flawless finish. You can, of course, build up the layers to provide better and longer-lasting coverage but overall, this latest addition to Maybelline's extremely popular range is a good choice for that fresh and natural look.

9. Revlon ColorBurst lip butter
Inject some colour into your make-up regime with Revlon's glorious new ColorBurst lip butters. Available in 20 different shades, including raspberry pie and tutti frutti, these lip butters add a lovely sheen to the lips. Plump up your lips and make them shine while keeping your pout hydrated thanks to the combination of mango, shea and coconut butter found in the lip butter sticks.

10. E45 intense recovery lotion fragrance free, from £4.49
Dry, flaky skin? It happens to the best of us, especially after months of hiding our bare legs under tights. Ensure your body is in tip-top condition for spring by introducing a suitable body lotion into your beauty regime now. E45 intense recovery lotion is just the ticket as even the most sensitive of skin sufferers can benefit from its skin-softening formula. Enriched with intense moisturisers, the Recovery Lotion helps prevent the viscious dryness cycle by replenishing and locking in moisture, which in turn helps to restore the skin's natural moisture levels.

Which products do you like from my list?  Are you willing to try any of them?