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Neom Enchantment Candle - It's Summer evening in a candle!

2013-05-21T15:50:00.001+01:00

Okay, I know I say this for every new Neom scent but this is the most beautiful Neom scent I have come across till date. I have been constantly sniffing and burning it since I have had this in my possession and no words can describe it's scent precise enough. You WILL have to sniff it. It's a candle junkie's order!

The lovely people at Neom have collaborated with the Woodland Trust and every £1 from the candle will be donated towards planting more trees and preserving the heritage of the precious woodland in Britain.

I love the packaging of this Enchantment candle in particular. It's so chic, clean and fresh. Call me silly but the white container and the wood cap remind me of contemporary Ikea furniture which I love. Would easily blend in with any room decor.

Coming to the scent of it, it's quite strong is what I have to say. As soon as you open the lid of the candle, the entire room is filled with it's soft yet striking whisper.

I am saying this as a compliment but it smells slightly perfumed to me, reminding me of a high end perfume when you pass by Guerlian and YSL counters in Selfridges beauty hall . You know how candles usually just smell like typical candles, cranberry, vanilla and all that jazz? This however you want to make a body scent out of, it's that delicious.

It's primary notes include Bluebell, Guaiacwood & Rose. It's definitely floral but still so sunny, fresh and vibrant - like Summer in a candle. I can see this being such a hit for those long, warm summer evenings. After a while, you even start detecting the sweetness of the Rose that's very well blended.

It's definitely a Spring clean candle if you're looking for some motivation in your life and want to start fresh leaving all that negativity behind. I sometimes just leave it on my work desk without lighting it up and it's such good company if you're trying to work in this lovely weather.

www.neomorganics.com

The Fragrance Shop Discovery Club

2013-05-20T23:54:00.000+01:00

Would you pay for £25 for a yearly service where you would receive a box full of fragrance samples three times a year, plus £5 off vouchers for all the fragrance samples included in the box? Yea, I'm on the fence too. But The Fragrance Shop has gone ahead and brought out a subscription for all your nosey noses out there called the Discovery Club. If you're a Fragrance addict, you'd love to come across these fragrances which may not have crossed your mind before.

Of course being human I am bound to complain 'but the sample sizes could have been bigger!'. Regardless, I feel it's decent value for money if you want to sniff a variety of concoctions. Plus even these teeny tiny vials last at least a week which I know is enough for me to decide if I want to make a purchase or not. A sniff or two at the counter has never really been enough for me to bite the bullet and get a full sized bottle.

Included in this quarters box are some already popular names such as Couture La La by Juicy Couture, Just Cavalli, Lacoste, Love Struck by Vera Wang and Nina Ricci. Including brands in the line of Narciso Rodriguez and Lolita Lempicka that are not found in every household further down the line would make Discover Club more interesting.

From the fragrances included in this box however, Nica Ricci LEau won my heart straight away. It starts off so sweet yet fresh and has a creamy, sensual, musky dry down. It's not overpowering at all nor too sweet and sickly. It's got the right ingredients blended in perfectly. I am that close to getting a 30ml bottle for myself.

Couture La La is not bad too but I have to say, it's so much more overrated than it should be. Well I think that about all things Juicy Couture to be honest but that's another story. It would however be my second favourite scent from the box as it's your typical girly girl, fresh, young, fruity scent.

Overall, it's a genius idea by the fragrance shop especially as we were massively getting bored of beauty boxes. The vouchers are great, especially as there's five of them in every box which I feel is great to give most of us that push to get a new scent. I may be asking for more but including just one 5-10 ml miniature fragrance bottle in every box would make it just perfect fragrance shop!

www.thefragranceshop.co.uk

Dupe Alert for Estee Lauder's Pure Color Illuminating Blush

2013-05-17T21:20:00.002+01:00

Okay so I heard Tanya Burr and Zoella, two of my favourite YouTube ladies raving about Estee Lauder's Illuminating Blush in their last monthly favourites I believe and it looked incredible on them. Co-incidentally I came across this Sun Bronzing Blush by KIKO which obviously looks quite different to the Estee Lauder one in the pan but translates pretty much the same on the skin.

Had to let you guys know considering people are having difficulties finding the Estee Lauder one in stock. Also because I am sure it's almost half the price compared to the Estee Lauder as it retails at an affordable £13.90 and who doesn't like saving some cash eh? I am currently not in the mood to buy expensive blushers. Foundations and powders is all I want to invest in at the moment so cheaper dupes as such are right up my street!

I love how it's packaged so elegantly in a classy looking pale gold container. It's not a heavy packaging but surely flaunt-worthy when you pop it out of your handbag and feels so luxurious too satisfying those high-end purchase cravings.

Estee Lauder's Illuminating Blush in Tease would be the closest to this beaut however I have to admit, this is much more wearable and less disco ball like for larger pore ladies like myself. The effect it delivers is very lightening and brightening, a super radiant medium rose pink that almost disperses onto the skin and blends with foundation seamlessly.

It definitely has that similar dewy, glowing effect without being metallic or frosty which in my opinion is much more flattering on combination-oily skin gals.

It's equally pigmented as the Estee Lauder one and the pigments are just as finely milled and of superb quality to give that continuous veil like effect. KIKO's Sun Bronzing Blush is available in 4 shades and apparently this is the peachiest one I have in my possession. There's a more pinky trio too which I assume will be even more closer to it's high end counterpart.

I have been wearing this continuously since the past few days as it makes me look radiant without the appearance of cakey, obvious blusher that I despise in this season. Overall, it's not exactly the same as the Estee Lauder one but is pretty much the same on the skin minus the OTT shimmer and shine. Go ahead, give it a go!

www.kikocosmetics.co.uk

Models Own New Releases: Pastels, Beads, Shimmer & Glitter

2013-05-16T09:48:00.001+01:00

This gloomy weather is making me love nail products as at least they can add some sunshine to the nails and make me feel happy and bright! Especially the ones Models Own have brought out recently will be a huge hit as they are spot on trend. It's got shimmer, 3D glitter, some candy pastels and nail beads to create that textured runway effect.

I have used such nail art pens in the past and they have turned out to be weak in pigmentation, making it impossible to create a good pattern on the nails. These on the other hand as superbly pigmented. I absolutely love the milkshake like colours and although they are bright, they don't wash me out and look rather flattering. My personal favourites are dotting it on a contrasting base to create a polka dot effect or simply create little hearts on a plain white base.

I haven't actually used the nail beads as of yet to comment on how the work but you are meant to apply a base polish and then sprinkle these on until it's fully covered the polish. The polish just acts as an adhesive so don't worry too much about what shade you're using.

My favourite of these lot however are Bora Bora and Sunset Chillout. Both of them are extremely gorgeous and I cannot seem to get enough of them. Bora Bora is a neutral champagne shimmer that's very finely milled and doesn't look frosty or metallic but just modern and glamorous. If you find it difficult to wear shimmer polishes, you have to give this one a try for the Summer.

Sunset Chillout is your typical multicoloured concoction from Models Own but with more shapes and textures than other polishes of it's kind. It reminds of a similar shade from American Apparel that got a lot of love in the blogging community last year. It's fun, perfect for a casual day out or a festival and surprisingly not kiddish at all in real. It's so beautiful to look at - just what they call eye candy!

It's amazing when you look at the Models Own website and see this ocean of innovative shades, all retailing for a fiver. It can turn any nail polish virgin into a nail paint addict instantly.

www.modelsownit.com

2013 Spring/Summer Hairstyles

2013-05-10T23:37:00.002+01:00

I bring to you my latest picks of the Spring/Summer hairstyles of 2013 witnessed on the ramp and amidst celebs that will quickly translate into a high street phenomenon this Summer.

The shoulder length bob with fringe - Doesn't it immediately ooze sophistication and elegance while making your face appear slimmer and framed beautifully? From Selena Gomez to Gywneth Paltrow, every celebrity has tested it out at least once.

A foolproof hairstyle for the square faced ladies like myself I believe. It contours the strong jaw bone spot on. The fringe adds a hint of cuteness and the mid length works beautifully at striking middle ground – making the hairstyle appear modern, fresh, feminine and up to date for 2013. My personal favourite!

I have been wanting to bite the bullet and rock this apparently ‘safe’ hairstyle since years but those with long hair might know it can be a little bit intimidating. Having said that, I know it would immediately make me look younger and fresh, not to forget force me to get rid of those 2 inches of split ends! Yikes!

The half tuck with straight textured hair and twists or halo braids at the back – I don’t know about you but I have always had this habit where I unconsciously tuck hair behind my ears. We all know that’s a more convenient look but usually don’t resort to it because it’s not deemed to be stylish. Not anymore! A tonne of runway models (It was Pucci & Gucci I believe) this Summer have been seen sporting this latest hairstyle for 2013, with most of the hair tucked back and a few strands left in the front.

It’s usually accompanied with full length, textured hair with some angelic halo braids or easy festival friendly twists at the back to inject back some style. To make the most of this hairstyle, grow out your short hair and ensure it’s all neatly cut into one length without any signs of hair damage or split ends. Glossy is the key!

Half up, half down wet hair – I never really thought wet hair could be a look that could be translated from the runway to the high street but just like all other things, 2013 is proving to be a year where change isn’t afraid to happen. Of course at first I saw it being rocked by sky high supermodels on the runway with their slim contoured faces but when I saw it placed half up and half down first on an unconventional model and then a woman on the train, this latest hair trend immediately looked much easier to pull off and weatherproof too.

I love the interesting combination of the slick upper hair and the carefree lower locks. It makes it look effortlessly chic and super-model like in minutes. Just make sure you’ve found the perfect product to slick back your hair neatly. Of course a good trim at the hairdressers is vital to make sure no split ends ruin it’s classy effect.

Hair nets (Jean Paul Gaultier) & pastel hair get a special mention as albeit unusual and not an everyday look, these Summer hairstyles are quite bold to pull off for a night out or a special event. Pastel pink hair with cool ashy undertones gives a soft, creamy look and compliments all skin tones.

Check out Leeds Hairdressers Jon Kinsey's if you live around the area as they have some of the best prices and hairstylists out there to get your hair updated for this season. Get some inspiration from the otherwise subtly dressed Anne Hathaway who recently sported a blonde bob at the Met Gala red carpet.

Clinique Superbalanced Makeup Foundation in Nude Beige

2013-05-09T00:26:00.001+01:00

I wore this today and absolutely loved the effect on me so I thought it finally deserved a post of its own! I have been using this on and off since the past few months now and I have to say it's absolutely adorable, that too quite easily.

As usual, I never manage to find the perfect shade for me in Clinique Foundations and Nude Beige is a tad bit tanned for my NC30 skin however like every other Clinique Foundation I have tried till date, it's made to my favourites list as well.

The packaging of it is quite simple and the chubby glass bottle albeit having a tendency to feel slightly unhygienic sometime, is still quite light, portable and practical. A refreshing change as it takes me back in time when Foundation bottles were slightly heavy and came with a foggy glass. Classic!

I know shades can be tricky to determine online so if you're NC30 or NC35, this shade would fit you perfectly and you can get away with an online purchase without seeing the shade in person. The shade itself is yellow toned but I have to say it's a pretty neutral yellow at the same time meaning someone with pink undertones can also get away with it. You'll hardly find such in between colours so kudos Clinique!

The Foundation itself is a moderately thin consistency, not runny like MAC Face & Body but still thin enough to make blending a dream. You can easily use fingers, brush or a sponge with it and you'll get equally good results although I highly recommend you get your hands on a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush.

It sinks into the skin well leaving a very slight tacky, unsettled texture on the face for the first few minutes but once it sinks in well, it doesn't even need powder. You can choose to set your concealer and all that but I found powder makes this look cakey as it already has a semi-matte finish with a little glow.

In this heat, I also found it to move a little bit on my face so I have to remember to wear a primer underneath next time. Besides that, it lasted from morning to evening on me and looked just as fresh as it looked when applied. Apparently it's water resistant too if you find yourself in a rainy summer day!

A few shots of me wearing it

The coverage of this is strictly medium and it can be built up gradually or enhanced with concealers but if you're looking for a full coverage foundation, this ain't it. On the other hand if you're looking for an everyday foundation that covers basic uneven skin tone, scars and blemishes, this fits the bill just right.

Superbalanced claims to be great for all skin types but in my experience with it, it would be great for combination-normal-dehydrated skin with primer & minus the powder and not so suitable for those with very dry or very oily skin gals as it might exaggerate dryness or oily areas in the skin perhaps.

I can't believe I've only tried this Foundation as of yet and it's been one of Clinique's best sellers since years. For the reasonable £21 price tag that it retails for, it's surely a winner in my books!

www.clinique.co.uk

Hammamas Turkish Towels: A Holiday/Beach Must-Have!

2013-05-07T13:05:00.000+01:00

Have you seen the cartoon movie ‘The Lorax’ where this little ambitious boy develops a multipurpose fashion scarf called ‘Thneed’ and it becomes a rage. It could be worn as a stylish turban or accessorised as a skirt or a scarf. The possibilities of it were endless and consumers created new ways of styling it every day which soon became viral. The Hammamas remind me of just that! They are light weight beach towels made from cotton sourced from Turkey and are not only pretty looking compared to your traditional bobbley towel but also better at absorbing water with super quick drying time.

How many of you have been annoyed with a wet, heavy towel weighing down your head, trying to balance it like a pole dancer whilst doing your make-up and juggling a cuppa? *both hands up*. At home, we learn to deal with it. But on a beach or a holiday, I personally would opt for a lighter, more modern alternative as such, especially if it can be doubled as a sarong, beach wrap, scarf, bath robe, pool towel, table cover…phew!

I love how Hammamas travel towels play around with stripes of all shapes while keeping the prints of these simple, classy and subdued. Of course if you love yourself a bit of colour like I do, you’ll love their Original range which is jam packed with bright pinks, denim blues, vibrant yellows and rich purples. If you’re more an elegant babe, their Resort and Marine range will be right up your street for a subtle pop of demure colour.

Did you know the Turkish towel has history behind it? They have been an integral part of rural Turkey since the 18^th century and were commonly used in Turkish Baths and prior to ceremonies and occasions? Why they gained popularity initially was due to the fact that they were hand woven making them of superior, long lasting quality with the tasselled fringes being hand-knotted too. Gradually over time, style and design was incorporated into these making them a chic bathroom staple in most homes.

I am planning to go on a beach holiday (fingers crossed! Will it be Greece or Spain?) in late summer and I never thought a towel would make it to my wish list but it has! I usually am overloaded with luggage but I’m sure this will slip in somewhere between my flats and make-up bag quite easily without occupying much space at all due to its compact, portable design and light weight.

I know Turkish hammam towels have always come with clean, crisp prints as these but I really hope Hammamas branch out to more quirky, edgy designs in the future for the fashionista or perhaps come printed with inspirational quotes which I cannot get enough of these days.

Do you have a travel towel? Do you take one with you on a holiday or rely on hotel supplies? Would you dare to wear the Hammamas as a beach wrap, sarong or a turban? Let me know!

www.hammamas.com

Alpha H Liquid Gold - Holy Grail or Hyped?

2013-05-07T00:45:00.001+01:00

Undoubtedly Caroline Hirons of Beauty Mouth is the blogging queen when it comes to in depth skin care. I am sure you'll find her raving about Alpha H Liquid Gold somewhere on her blog if you want to have a read of an industry professional's opinion.

I am a tiny bit late on jumping on the Liquid Gold band wagon apparently as Bloggers and YouTubers have had this baby in their desert island favourites since years now. I for once found it's £30+ price tag a tad bit expensive and rather 'luxurious' a year ago. You know when you have this fancy toner in your skincare wishlist but never end up purchasing it because quite frankly you don't 'need' it. It's a luxury believe it or not.

But as Caroline Hiron says, if you can spend around £300 on a branded handbag, you might as well spend it on a skincare product that value as it's the only face you've got! Now I'm not that extravagant to splurge on a Louis Vuitton but I do spend around £50 quite easily on Topshop hangbags so this seemed totally justified via this theory. Then came the bargain from the godsend retail outlet namely Ebay and I bagged it for under £30. Voila!

So according to the description on the bottle, it sounds more of an anti-ageing product than anything else. It's key ingredient that everyone's gaga over - Glycolic Acid. What I know about it is that it has a teeny-tiny molecular structure making it the perfect ingredient to absorb into the skin. Also, Glycolic Acid acts more like an exfoliant hence making this a liquid exfoliant rather than a toner.

Primarily, it's meant to speed up the collagen renewal process of the skin that is responsible for keeping skin firm and tight and keep wrinkles at bay. However, alongside that, regular exfoliating geared at anti-ageing, for instance three times a week like with this product can also help get rid of blemish scars, sun spots, pigmenatation and reduce breakouts substantially.

Basically it's non-abrasive exfoliating qualities don't spread acne like how traditional beaded exfoliators would, making it suitable for sensitive skin as well. Exfoliation is a wonderful process on it's own which solves a multitude of skin problems I found. As dead skin is peeled off so are the scars & pigmentation, clogged pores are cleansed inside out reducing chances of breakout and skin care products are absorbed better.

In my experience with it after a few months, I feel it has completely gotten rid of any blemish scars that I had previously. I had a huge problem of them leaving behind tell tale signs and taking months to fade but it's amazing how it fades them in days, alongside calming down the breakout/spot overnight. I've never found it to irritate my combination-dehydrated skin hence I use it sparingly on the neck and arms at present where I'm trying to get rid of blemish scars.

I am not sure how strongly it works at keeping skin young as at 24, I really cannot comment on that. Fingers crossed it will keep wrinkles at bay! I highly recommend it for exfoliation if you suffer from lack lustre skin. I always have a very evident glow the morning after applying this. It almost makes my skin look HD and I can stare and scrutinise it in my magnifying mirror quite confidently.

It's one of those products that are miraculous for some within days but for me it's been a slow journey but I definitely feel it has made a difference in my skin texture. I feel this alongside Effaclar Duo makes a killer combination to keep skin looking amazing without the need of piling on tonnes of Foundation this season.

I give it the Holy Grail status. I think I can live without it but I am thankful I gave it a go.

p.s. It can leave skin looking a tad bit dry the morning after use so you'll need to up the ante with your moisture injecting products.

Glossybox 2nd Anniversary May Box Spoiler Alert

2013-05-05T17:48:00.000+01:00

*Subscribers will receive their boxes from 10th May onwards so if you don't want to know what's going to be in your box (not that they are all similar) you might want to skip this post*

Glossybox turns two this May! Can you believe it? I of all people had no idea beauty boxes existed on this planet until Glossybox made it a household name with their arrival to the UK. I don't rave about it enough I feel but I have been introduced to a tonne of new brands in these past few months with Glossybox and have went ahead to make full sized purchases after sampling products in these monthly boxes.

Apparently it's quite common in the US to ask for beauty samples at luxury counters in departmental stores and just as normal for the Sales Assistant to provide you with a few. I personally have found it a mission in the UK, especially at Selfridges, London to get my hand on samples before making a full fledged purchase. I believe it's not a very common practise in the UK, even after you have made a purchase from the counter! (tut tut Chanel & Lancome).

All in all, beauty boxes are godsend and I hope Glossybox continues to include more high end brands and go easy on including high-street finds as we can easily purchase them without a thought.

I am extremely happy with their 2nd Anniversary box. They couldn't have done a better job with it really. L'occitane, Caudalie and Jelly Pong Pong are my favourite niche brands and the product sizes are quite generous as well. I cannot wait to review the Fairy Lashes Mascara separately! Oh and I did slather a lot of the Caudalie Divine Oil before bed time yesterday to get rid of the flaky skin I've been having recently and it's gorgeous. Calls for a separate feature too.

Headline Colours is a new brand to me but I do like the coral red shade that came in my box. I usually don't opt for such shades myself so it was a nice inclusion.

Happy Birthday Glossybox and may you have many more!

Models Own Artistix Duo Polish - Indian Ocean & Utopia

2013-05-05T11:18:00.000+01:00

Models Own have come out with a new range of Nail Polish duo's that very cleverly and cost effectively come packed in a lip gloss like container. One end contains nail paint with more pigmentation for an opaque finish so that would be 'Utopia' the pale pinky taupe shade in this case which would act as your base colour. The second shade is a cover up shade that you can then use to oomph up your base shade. The one in this duo is called 'Indian Ocean' and is the most beautiful, pearlecent ice blue with duo chrome shimmer to it.

The quality of these babies is super as you would expect from a Model's Own Nail Varnish. They glide on easily and coat the nails in one-two coats. Drying them is still a problem for me as I've run out of my seche vite and am debating if I should repurchase it or branch out to try something new.

Apparently there are sprays out there that you spritz on your nails to help dry the polish in seconds. I quite like the sound of a spray than adding an extra layer to the nails like you would with the seche vite top coat. Plus mine dried out in a month and I felt it was such a waste of money!

Isn't 'Utopia' the most beautiful nude pink you have seen till date? It has a bit of taupe kicked in which lends it some cool undertones, making it uber flattering on my skin type. It has quickly become one of my go-to clean manicure shades for this season. 'Indian Ocean' on the other hand is a shade I would never ever let close to my nails but it's combination with 'Utopia' makes is so refreshing and apt for Spring.

You can get the Artistix Duo Polishes at Boots and the Models Own website for £6 in a tonne of drool worthy shades. The shade range is so wacky that you will be tempted to get your hands on one undoubtedly.

Anglo Nubia: African Inspired Tribal Print Designer Fashion

2013-05-04T01:37:00.001+01:00

Of course there’s your typical ASOS, H&M & Net-A-Porter for daily fashion needs but once in a while an online outlet sweeps you off your feet with their individuality and uniqueness and this time it’s Anglo Nubia.

It’s an upcoming online portal specialising in African inspired fashion which has been translated onto the clothes and accessories in a modern and wearable manner. If you’re tired of the Aztec prints and bright neon that has taken over all stores these days, you’ll love Anglo Nubia’s refreshing selection of runway inspired fashion that has it roots grounded in ethnic tribal fashion from Africa.

The prints on the dresses in particular are undoubtedly large, fierce and quirky as you would expect from an African inspired clothing outlet. I also love how the dresses and accessories are unapologetically different not only in prints but also regarding their cut and style compared to what you may have seen on the high street or departmental stores in UK. Although the prints and designs are bold, the cut and style of their dresses are rather elegant and mature in my opinion.

I personally have my eyes glued to the coral zip full front zip dress which is uber chic and on-trend for day time wear in the Summer and the Melissa Dress by Jesique Designs which is the complete opposite and a casual evening number. The mustard and brown combination have always appealed to me and the full gathers, knee length and three quarter sleeves make it look so doll like and retro!

Have you ever felt Summer is the perfect time to express your personal style with accessories? Sure Winter boots and chunky scarves have their own special place in our British hearts but less layers in the warmer months automatically means there's more accessories on display and we can effortlessly flaunt them in their full glory.

If you're someone who likes to keep it toned down, go muted or classic with clothing, jazz it up with Anglo Nubia's statement Ribbon necklace, their eye catching animal print bangle which is drool-worthy or even better, a pair of their east meets west sky scraper heels. I love how the tribal print gradually meets with the hot pink contrast peep toe, giving it character whilst keeping it fresh, modern and versatile to sport with a little black dress.

Basically if you love to flaunt niche designer brands and don't want to end up wearing the same dress as your colleague at a party (you know it's happened to you before!), Anglo Nubia is the perfect online outlet to grab yourself a truly unique and inspirational wardrobe from global designers that take inspiration from the African culture. Be warned though, you will see a lot of animal prints, tribal patterns, bright colours and bold designs so unless fashion is second nature to you, you will need a brave heart to pull it off.

Don't forget to 'like' them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for the latest arrivals to their store just in time for the festival and holiday season.

Neom Scent With Love Gift Set

2013-05-01T01:26:00.000+01:00

If you're looking for a gift for your mum for this Mother's Day (why is it celebrated differently in UK vs worldwide?!), you cannot go wrong with this Scent With Love Gift Set by Neom Organics. Not only does it come beautifully packed in a pale golden box elegant enough for someone older, it contains some of the best scents that Neom has to offer namely Sensuous, Tranquillity and Complete Bliss. This way you can dip your feet into the luxurious brand and choose your favourite without purchasing a full sized product.

The products are mixed up in the sense that there's a hand cream, a body lotion, a body wash and a bath oil. The scents are varied as well so you get to trial one of their deliciously sweet scented products, some fresh floral ones and some that are warm and comforting. I have tried a lot of their products before and it was quite refreshing to revisit some of the scents again. I seriously cannot choose my favourite as although their scents are quite different to one another, they're equally sumptuous.

I have to give a huge thumbs up to the Moroccan Blush Rose Hand Cream which is the most gorgeous scented one I've tried till date. I have a soft spot for this scent in particular!

Overall, a gorgeous gift set for a very reasonable £35 which would light up anyone's day whether or not they're familiar to the brand. I have introduced a few of my relatives to Neom who weren't familiar with the brand but one sniff and they're hooked, it's that good.

Have you got any favourites from Neom? Let me know!

La Roche Posay Hydreane BB Cream

2013-04-30T09:51:00.000+01:00

Is the most comfortable BB cream I have come across till date. I slightly deter some due to how thick and heavy they feel on the skin compared to usual Foundation. I mean that defies the purpose slightly doesn't it, if it feels heavier than your typical Foundation, looks grey and dull and has a tacky consistency, a common complaint that most people have.

This on the other hand claims to provide an anti-dull effect (about time BB creams provided a glow instead of the opposite!), flaunts a low SPF of 20 which should be okay for olive skinned girls like myself and is made specifically for sensitive skin so goodbye redness and a swollen face via allergies. Voila!

It comes in two shades which is okay and most people up to MAC NC/NW 40 should be able to find a match for themselves from these. I personally prefer the 'Light' shade on myself as it brightens up the face although the 'Medium' shade matches my skin colour (NC30) perfectly.

The shades have a pinky, salmon undertone to them if you can see. Much like MAC's NW products. I feel this is the reason why it doesn't look grey on the skin and rather flattering, disguising any purple/blue/uneven areas. Very clever La Roche Posay!

As for the coverage, it's light of course but quite buildable if you're looking for more coverage on certain areas. I'd reserve the concealer to treat any other skin concerns instead of piling this on in layers. Most importantly, the formula is super duper moisturising minus any greasy finish or sweaty looking disco ball cheeks. It provides the most beautiful natural glow you'd have after a good workout or a relaxing facial.

I have combination-dry skin at present that's flaky in some areas and oily in some but this seems to adapt itself like a chameleon making me look fresh faced and ready to hit the beach (only wish I could!). I do like to set it with translucent powder however to avoid shine on the t-zone after a few hours. If you're looking for a new face product to religiously use during the summer, this will be your best bet!

Available to purchase at Boots for £15.

www.laroche-posay.co.uk

Beauteco Box - A new monthly subscription service!

2013-04-29T10:21:00.003+01:00

A new monthly subscription beauty box is soon to roll out in the market with 3 choice of boxes to choose from, depending on your preference or liking. I personally like facial skin care products in my box as it's a great way to try out super expensive skincare products for a very little cost, considering samples are SO difficult to obtain from counters in the UK. For instance, the Age Management Moisturiser by Dr Bragi retails at £120 for a full sized bottle, so I was more than pleased to see that I could try it out via this box.

It's also actually really impressed me in a very little time as it contains marine enzymes that heal, exfoliate and renew the skin, making it luminous after a few days of use. I adore it's gel like consistency and you need less than a pea sized amount to cover the face and neck. Totally digging it right now! Will surely make a cheeky little purchase of it in my 30's. Mature skin ladies, you need to get your hands on it, even if it's on a sample.

The eco-friendly packaging and the uber cute graphics on the box make it quite a refreshing change from other beauty boxes. Don't you just love the 'Menu' that comes in the box, stating a little bit about the products? Another different touch compared to it's competitors.

On the whole, my box came with a refreshing selection of colourful body care products by Anatomicals, a brand that I absolutely love for it's reasonable price and outrageous packaging. Plus, three facial skin care products also made my day as I am definitely going to use them up or reserve some for holidays as it's so hard to find good miniature skincare products when travelling.

Releasing on 3rd May, definitely check it out and you might like what they have to offer. Beauteco also plans to expand on the variety of boxes available to choose from every month as well as the brands they'll have to offer, as they grow further.They're also doing a good few giveaways on their Facebook page so be sure to 'like' them for a chance to win.

www.beautecobox.co.uk
www.facebook.com/beautecobox

Stargazer Paper Lace Lashes - would you wear?

2013-04-28T12:30:00.000+01:00

Paper lashes are the rage aren't they. Who wears them anyway besides models on the runway? I for once find normal lashes tedious to apply let alone wearing more intricately designed ones like these. Having said that, the band on these is really thin and flat so it was pretty easy to glue to the lash line compared to normal lashes.

Now apparently, they are meant to be worn on the lower lash line but I just could not see it looking all right there so I had to stick it on to the upper lashes and loved how pretty it looked. I mean not that it beautified me completely or looked flattering in a conventional way but the effect was just so 'cool', mysterious and almost vintage in an unusual yet aesthetically pleasing manner.

I do like how beautifully and delicately these have been designed. This particular rose design is easier to pull off compared to other wacky ones I've seen floating around from other brands which are much more expensive. These on the other hand retail at £6 a pop making them great for one time wear during Halloween, a fun night out with the girls or even a festival or a concert.

Available in other patterns from Stargazer such as bows, hearts, butterflies and stars, would you dare to wear paper lashes outside? I think they'd look wonderful and can easily become a wearable trend if you can combine it with a complimentary outfit and effortlessly chic hair.

Sudocrem International Giveaway: 5 to win!

2013-04-27T18:24:00.001+01:00

Apparently Sudocrem is the 'in' thing for skincare these days from celebs to beauty bloggers and youtube gurus raving about it. From insect bites, minor burns, sunburn, overnight treatment for spots, to combat redness, dry skin and as an overall face cream, it does it all!

No it's not just for nappy rash in case you've been living under a rock. Yes it's thick and gloopy and the handy tube it comes in now as opposed to the original bulky box does not mean it's any lighter in consistency however, it works. If you don't want to spend tonnes after 'magic' multi-purpose lotions and potions such as the 8 hour cream, give this a go and I'm sure you'll like this all purpose wonder just as much as I do.

In fact, you can get your hands on one right here, right now. The lovely people at Sudocrem are giving Get Gawjus! readers around the world a chance to win one of the 5 tubes, that means 5 winners in total.

You know the drill right? For a chance to win, simply leave your email address in the comments below naming your favourite skincare product right now and randomly chosen winners shall be contacted within a week. Giveaway open till 4th May.

Nail Paint's I've been loving recently

2013-04-27T01:00:00.001+01:00

Yes it's none other than by KIKO. It's like the blog's been hit by KIKO fever! I can't help featuring their products guys. They're so affordable, fun and good quality. Plus they have a store in Westfield Stratford that's a skip away from me.

Anyhoo, it's Spring finally! A big YAY for that. And a big NAY for my allergies and headaches that have kicked in with the warmer weather. All I can rely on is for some bright and bold make-up to cheer me up. These are the Celebration Nail Lacquers by KIKO. Now how they're different is that they contain special ingredients to strengthen the nails, prolong wear, stay glued to the nails for longer and emit extreme shine.

I do find them reminiscent of gel nails, especially the shade in 'Coral Red' that feels sort of elastic when on the nails and is super glossy. Note the conservatory rooftop reflecting back. You cannot go wrong with such pretty corals in Spring so if you ever get time from sporting pastel/neon nails and need a fail safe shade to fall back on, do give it a whirl.

'Pearly Siren', a midnight blue shade and 'Pearly Peacock', an emerald green are great frosty evening shades if you like edgy numbers that never go out of fashion to make a bold statement. I personally felt they were not as great in formula compared to the glossy one but nonetheless were long lasting, pigmented and decent value for money.

I wanted to include so many more nail paints I've been digging recently but it'd be a very long post. Will feature soon!

Did you know Cargo Make-up's now available in UK?

2013-04-25T10:24:00.001+01:00

Well now you do! From April/May 2013, you shall be able to find them at Debenhams & BeautyBay. They have always been popular in the US and on film sets and I remember always hunting for bits and pieces of their popular products on ebay for almost double the price after watching American YouTube gurus rave about them hence I was ecstatic to know that Brits can now have easy and reasonable access to them.

There's this thing about Cargo Cosmetics where you'll never doubt it's quality. In fact they have always been known for their amazing quality if you read online about them. I remember their Water Resistant Powder Blush in 'Tonga'(£19) was always the rage and I finally have it in my possession now. I have to admit, it's worth all the hype and is the most stunning yet wearable mid-tone pink in my collection. It's warm and gives a winter tan effect which I cannot get enough of. If you find wearing pink blushes difficult, you'll love this this one!

The Powder Eyeshadow in 'Cyprus' (£12) is a gorgeous shade of brown with a hint of grey shot through it making it lean towards the 'taupe' category. It's nice and warm to bring out green/blue eyes and complement any au naturale look this season. The subtle shimmer only adds further dimension to the shade preventing it from looking flat. It's nicely pigmented, not too much nor too faint and lasts all day. The tiny tin packaging of the shadow gives it such a cute vintage effect!

Last but not the least, their Lip Gloss in 'Paris' (£7.50) is the most romantic shade of red. It's not too warm or too cool, making it more wearable for those who feel red can make them look like a hooker immediately. It's intensely pigmented for a Lip Gloss and you only need a tiny amount. If you're going to rock red this festival season, you'd only need this dinky addition to your vanity.

Organic Surge Lavender Meadow Hand Cream & Hand Wash

2013-04-23T15:32:00.001+01:00

If you love Lavender, you're going to love these Lavender scented products by Organic Surge. Who's guilty of ignoring their hands? *both hands up*. Have you ever noticed that we give quarter of the time to our hands as compared to what we spend during facial skincare. Now that's okay if you're a busy bee but to compensate for the lack of time, I personally like to use amazing products that do the replenishing and hydrating pretty well. Both these products contain Lavender Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Geranium Oil and Vitamin E making them a super food for those parched hands especially in the Summer.

The Hand Cream absorbs quick and easy and smells deliciously comforting, acting as a little aromatherapy session if you like doing home manicures and hand reflexology like my self. The often ignored item in our skin care routine is none other than the Hand Wash which Organic Surge have done a good job on with this particular product. I cannot stand Hand Washes that leave my hands like a prune immediately after use and I feel the need to run and slap on some moisturiser. This one's nicely hydrating and doesn't leave skin taut and dry after use. Definitely worth investing in considering both retail for under £5!

www.organicsurge.com

Benefit Brow Zing dupe (for half the price!)

2013-04-21T21:52:00.003+01:00

So we'll all lusted over Benefit's loud, fun and atrociously priced products. I am guilty of fangirling for a few in the past but I don't get the hype now. They're strictly okay and can be very easily duped in my opinion. Instead of having them on my wishlist forever, I've found a cheaper alternative for Benefits Brow Zing that does the job just as well if not better.

Presenting KIKO's Eyebrow Expert Styling Kit. I haven actually been using this since a while now without paying much attention to it and realised how much I love it. You had to know! Available in 2 shades to suit all hair types, it's subtle formula makes drawing brows so much easier especially if you have a heavy hand or are not used to filling your brows regularly.

The quality of the brow powder is soft and velvety. It glides on without any tell tale lines so you really cannot tell that you've filled in your brows. I like to use the cooler toned power at the starting of the brows for a softer finish and the warmer toned brown at the arch and edges. The chocolate brown wax is again subtly pigmented to set the brows in place while adding a little bit of colour.

This is also the first time I am using the tiny tools that come along in the kit as they are actually usable and of decent quality.

Now I don't have really unruly brows so the kit above is enough to get me cracking and out of the house in minutes however if you suffer from brow hairs that are a pain in the backside to keep in place, this Eyebrow Wax is a godsend. I like how it's clear making it wearable for all hair colours.

It's strong enough to draw all hairs into place and with a matte finish so they don't look oil slick and glossy. If you have thick, dark brows (in which case I hate you!), this is all you'll need as a part of your eyebrow routine. Also helps clear unsightly foundation residue that so many people ignore. *yikes*

Damn you Brow Zing. I've found someone better. Don't keep make-up items on your wishlist for ever. Just find a dupe and spend the change you'll save at Starbucks!

Pearl Lowe Glossybox

2013-04-20T14:51:00.001+01:00

This month's Glossybox is a collab with Pearl Lowe with a vintage, floral and summery feel to it. I also love the refreshing mix of products inside to get us all ready to hit the beach. None of the products are a waste and will go unloved which is amazing! The Mango Smoothie Body Butter by Nip + Fab smells delish and is perfect for the hot months. Of course the Essie Nail Paint gives that clean and polished manicure when you don't want to fuss around with much colour. I love how there are two facial skin care products in this box including a moisturiser and a radiance mask that will provide the much needed TLC skin needs in the warm and humid months to come *fingers crossed*.

I am still a little confused as to what purpose the Optimiser Style Reviver by Richard Ward serves but it's apparently a hair wonder so I'll surely be testing it out as my hair feels quite blah these days. I need a Hair Volumising spray in my life ASAP. Suggestions welcome.

Is everyone enjoying the sunny weekend in London? I'll be basking in the backyard as I am no where near a beach but hope some of you will dip your feet in sand and water!

Cath Collins Orange Flower EDT Fragrance

2013-04-18T19:23:00.003+01:00

Now I am not a huge fan of citrus fragrances to be honest. Of course I like how fresh lemons and oranges smell especially at this time of the year but when I think of perfumes, I am a sucker for something warm, sweet and comforting rather than sharp and zesty. This beaut by Cath Collins is an exception however. It's called Oh La La Orange Flower and although it has Orange and Grapefruit's sharpness to it, its very finely toned down by Lily and Jasmine's sweet floral scent and a musky dry down that gives the concoction a beautiful twist.

It's still sharp and fresh but more wearable, musky and well blended if you know what I mean. I like how the notes are complicated and unique compared to your typical citrusy fragrances which make you smell like a lemonade! I personally feel the modern packaging compliments the simplistic glass bottle rather well and would make a nice, elegant present for someone who loves their fresh, fruity and summery fragrances. It has decent longevity to it although this aspect never bothers me as I love the ritual of reapplying fragrance throughout the day.

If you're a fan of the citrus and woody combination when it comes to perfumes, definitely check out Cath Collins EDT's as she seems to have a liking for them!

New Sleek Lip 4 Lipstick Palettes

2013-04-17T14:33:00.001+01:00

You'll never be stuck in a Lipstick dilemma ever again as Sleek MakeUp brings out their Lip4 Lipstick Palettes. Available in 6 different shades and each palette containing 4 lipstick shades in different finish and textures such as satin, matte and gloss, you'll be spoilt for choice!

I personally am not a huge lipstick junkie so I find these compact palettes great value for money, easy to travel with and just less hassle when it comes to pairing a lipstick shade with an outfit for instance. Have you noticed when only a certain number of shades are laid out in front of you in a palette, it's so much easier to choose one. Weird but true.

I have them in the shades 'Ballet' which is a mix of nudes and pinky browns making it feminine yet elegant and wearable at the same time. This would be a holiday favourite of mine especially because of the two shades on the right which are scrumptious! The nudes on the left wash me out a little but then again, I can never pull off nude browns, like ever.

The Lip palette in 'Tease' is the best combination of red lip shades I have seen packed in one palette. They are superbly pigmented, very flattering and have a gorgeous finish to them. Some are glossy and some a mysteriously matte and satin finish but all equally lovable if you're a red lip fanatic and want to carry around something on the go.

Of course there are a few cons to it like how there are to palettes of all sorts as it can get messy, colours can mix into one another and so on but if you use it sparingly and carefully, its a keeper for it's £8.99 price tag.

Plus I love how the shades in here are not lip tints or lip gloss but full on lip sticks giving you full value for money. Releasing on 8th May, will you be getting your hands on these?

Beautiful Creatures Eye Shadow Palette

2013-04-13T21:14:00.000+01:00

You're going to hate me for this but this palette is not available for sale in the UK I believe, it's a press gift but I had to feature it here just because how beautiful it looked. Now, I am yet to read the book and watch the movie but I've heard the movie isn't as amazing as the book, like how it always is. I have however heard a lot of people rave about how amazing the book is, so it's definitely on my wish list for now.

Besides the stunning detailed outer packaging, the array of enchanting shades is simply so twilight inspired isn't it? The muted greens and rich purples and plums with your obligatory champagne and taupe shades is perfect for a mysterious, night out look. The eye shadows remind me of Urban Decay's eye shadows to quite an extent regarding their texture and finish. I love how well coordinated the shades are to the extent that you just cannot wrong with pairing them together. If I go on an Autumn/Winter break abroad, this is the only palette I'll carry!

The shades translate a little different to what they look like in the pan. Slightly more warm toned and subtle. Nevertheless, well pigmented, rich and enchanting.

It also comes with pale pink lip gloss and an eye pencil both of which compliment the eye shadow shades very well. I wish the gloss was a little more pigmented and deep as it looks in the tube but oh well.

If you're in the States, will you be checking this out? Available at Ulta and the Pur Mineral's US website.

How do you get summer ready? (Skin, Body & Fitness)

2013-04-12T00:24:00.002+01:00

As we slowly start approaching the hot and humid months, it’s bidding a sad short farewell to those trusty figure concealing coats and heavy, full coverage foundations. What that means is going au naturale and accepting yourself in your most ‘natural’ form possible, relying on great bare skin and a fit, sexy body. I know I personally start taking even more care of my skin so I can avoid wearing as much make-up and amp up my workout routine by a notch or two.

Skincare – Alpha H Liquid Gold & La Roche Posay’s Effaclar Duo are and will be my skin saviours for life. A combination of both, with a tonne of patience and hope can gradually result in HD skin which you won’t be afraid to stare at in the mirror. If you suffer from large pores and acne scarring which you feel forced to hide with Foundation even in the Summer, I’d suggest having a look at Dermaroller Treatments which can improve skin texture dramatically. If you’re looking to treat wrinkles, fine lines and sun damage on the other hand, a Microdermabrasion can do the trick for you.

Body – Now you cannot expect to look sexy in that Brazilian Bikini and skimpy Denim Shorts with peach fuzz all over your thighs and tummy! For dark haired girls like myself in particular, I feel it’s vital (and almost a beach law!) to take care of hair growth. Of course waxing and shaving are quick maintenance options but if you have some spare time, it helps in the long term to book a laser hair removal appointment in London.

Did you know Laser Hair Removal is virtually painfree, a celebrity favourite and perfect to target smaller areas of the body such as underarms, bikini line, legs and even the face! It’s a very quick treatment, so expect anything between 15 minutes to under an hour for a session. Of course you’ll need a minimum of 6 treatments and more so it’s good to start off the treatment sometime now but it apparently has amazing results on those with dark skin and dark hair naturally. I am so tempted to book a few slots for myself!

Fitness – Jillian Michaels (30 day shred) & Cassey Ho (Blogilates) are a match made in fitness guru heaven. Have they met? They would be BBF’s for life. They should so collaborate. It would be funny to see their contrasting personalities sharing screen space wouldn't it?