The Skin and Beauty Blog

Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipsticks Review & Swatches

2017-12-30T20:26:00.000+00:00

Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipsticks

I'm delighted to get my mitts on the ever hyped Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipsticks. The collection features daring bright shades but I opted for the more everyday work-safe colours. I've compared them to a few lipsticks from my collection. Here are my thoughts.

From L to R: MAC Cosmo, MAC Persistence, MAC Retro, Sephora Lucky One, Fenty Beauty Spanked Lipsticks on NC30 Skin

Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in Spanked is a midtone coral rose colour with a creamy finish. I've compared it to my other lipsticks below:

MAC Cosmo Lipstick is more pink.
MAC Persistence Lipstick is more brown.
MAC Retro Lipstick is a close dupe but a little darker.
Sephora Lucky One Lipstick is more pink.

From L to R: MAC Freckletone, MAC Kinda Sexy, Fenty Beauty S1ngle Lipsticks on NC30 Skin

Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in S1ngle is a midtone matte peach. I don't seem to have a reasonable dupe for this in my collection!

MAC Freckletone Lipstick is more yellow and a glossy lustre semi-opaque shade.
MAC Kinda Sexy Lipstick is more pink.

IN SUMMARY:

The Good

Beautiful rose gold packaging
Slim and sleek design
Soft pigmented matte finish, reminiscent of the NARS Audacious lipsticks
FB embossed detail on the top of the lipstick looks classy
The UK price is £16 per tube, which is comparable to a cost of a MAC lipstick (£16.50)

The Bad

The glossy metallic packaging attracts fingerprints!
As the embossed portion is shallow and on the top of the bullet, it wont take long before it rubs off.
Contains such a small amount of product (1.7g) and therefore expensive price point per gram; £9.4/g compared with £5.5/g (MAC lipstick), £6.2/g (NARS Audacious lipstick).
Transfers easily so reapplications would be fairly frequent.

Overall would I repurchase? I'm not so sure. I definitely think this product is overhyped as the product is not quite so revolutionary. For the amount of product you get, this is not good value for money, but it may be okay if you hardly go through a tube of lipstick. I do love the colours I've picked though, especially Spanked, and I'm sure I will be using these often.

Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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La Roche-Posay XL Anthelios Comfort Sun Cream SPF 50+ Review

2017-12-11T11:00:00.000+00:00

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Comfort Tinted BB Cream SPF 50+ and La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Comfort Sun Cream SPF 50+

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Comfort Tinted BB Cream SPF 50+ and La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Comfort Sun Cream SPF 50+ on NC20 Skin

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Comfort Tinted BB Cream SPF 50+ and La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Comfort Sun Cream SPF 50+ on NC20 Skin (Flash)

When it comes to drugstore skincare, La Roche-Posay remains one of my favourite to-go brands. The winter chill flares up my dry skin especially around my cheeks, leading to a lot of itch and redness. It's time to switch up my usual La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light Fluid SPF 50+ to a more moisturising and calming formula, and I choose La Roche-Posay Anthelios Comfort Sun Cream SPF 50+.

I purchased these two products: La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Comfort Tinted BB Cream SPF 50+ and La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Comfort Sun Cream SPF 50+ (regular untinted). The BB Cream is essentially a tinted moisturiser that only provides a light layer of coverage. I have swatched these on my current winter NC20 skin and pictured under flash photography. As you can see La Roche-Posay Anthelios Comfort Sun Cream SPF 50+ leaves a subtle white cast compared to the La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Comfort Tinted BB Cream SPF 50+ which avoids it. Unfortunately the La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Comfort Tinted BB Cream SPF 50+ is not a universal shade. This only works in my paler winter complexion but would be too ashy for anything darker than NC30, which is my colour during the sunnier summer months.

If you have dry irritable skin, I would definitely recommend these. Both instantly soothe and calm irritated beetroot skin and also work well under makeup. This is only lightly fragranced and so this would suit sensitive skin. Both makes provide added protection with SPF 50+ and high shield against UVA & UVB rays to prevent sun damage and premature ageing. You can use either for everyday wear.

I would not recommend these if you have oily skin as the cream formula can make you look greasy - in this case you can try the La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light Fluid SPF 50+ instead. The La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Comfort Tinted BB Cream SPF 50+ is a tricky shade that would only seem to fit light-medium skintones. It would be too dark for fair skin and too pale for anyone with medium to dark complexions. I would also avoid La Roche-Posay Anthelios Comfort Sun Cream SPF 50+ when you are expecting flash photography.

Overall I do love these products and I would repurchase should I run out.

Love it or Leave It? Leave a comment below!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint & Other Red Lipsticks

2017-12-11T10:59:00.000+00:00

L to R: Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint, MAC Dance with Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour, MAC Oh Lady Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour, MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick, MAC Russian Red Lipstick, NYX Amsterdam Soft Matte Lip Cream on NC25 skin

Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint is a very much well-hyped red lipstick, expertly released during the holiday season. It boasts the perfect red for any skintone, and I must say I do agree it is an amazing flattering colour. The formula is very runny - a little goes a long way. I find that red lipsticks are tricky to apply on their own however, and I would recommend using a matching red lip pencil eg. MAC Cherry Lip Pencil. The liquid formula is a dream - it wears comfortably and it is not drying at all.

I have compared it with my other red lipsticks and here are my thoughts.

MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour is darker and applies less evenly.
MAC Oh Lady Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour is nothing like Stunna at all. It is a lot deeper and more berry in colour.
MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick applies more matte. It is a little lighter and pinker in colour.
MAC Russian Red Lipstick is close. It leans a tad more orange.
NYX Amsterdam Soft Matte Lip Cream is also close, but a little lighter and more orange.

Overall, Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint is nice to have but if you already own MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick, MAC Russian Red Lipstick and NYX Amsterdam Lip Cream, you don't have to rush out and purchase this. If you don't have a single red lipstick in your collection or if you are an avid red lipstick user, this should come in one of your top choices!

Love it or Leave It? Leave a comment below!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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The 5 Best Highlighters for an Instant Glow

2017-12-08T18:00:00.000+00:00

Highlighter an essential makeup product in my kit especially in the evenings where intermittent light provides a beautiful sparkle on top of one's cheekbones. Utterly captivating.

Here are our favourite 5 highlighters guaranteed to give you an instant glow:

NARS Highlighting Blush Powder in Albatross. Whenever I wear this highlighter, I get compliments about how healthy my skin looks. It is a pale gold with a golden frost. Absolutely stunning shade.
MAC Cream Color Base in Pearl. This is perhaps one of the most underrated MAC products in their permanent collection. It is a shiny pale white gold similar to NARS Albatross. This, as the name implies, comes in a cream formula and when applied with the fingertips on to the high points of the face gives you a natural-looking super glow that flatters especially warm-toned skin. It is perfect for your travel makeup bag as it is not as fragile as the breakable powders.
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Moonstone. This is my favourite highlighter from Becca and I used it on my wedding day. It is a pale white gold that is less yellow compared to NARS Albatross and MAC Pearl CCB. It is very shimmery but still suitable for daytime wear. Love.
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal. This is Moonstone's much more extravagant sister. It leans more beige and applies more metallic. This is stunning especially on medium to deeper skintones.
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle. Another underrated MSF, perhaps overshadowed by the myrad of new collections from MAC. It provides a pale beige sparkle that is ever so slightly paler than Becca Opal. This is an everyday highlighter.

L to R: NARS Albatross Highlighting Blush, MAC Pearl Cream Colour Base, Becca Moonstone Highlighter, Becca Opal Highlighter, MAC Soft & Gentle Mineralize Skin Finish on NC25 Skin

L to R: NARS Albatross Highlighting Blush, MAC Pearl Cream Colour Base, Becca Moonstone Highlighter, Becca Opal Highlighter, MAC Soft & Gentle Mineralize Skin Finish on NC25 Skin (low light)

I hope this post was useful. Leave a comment below!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog

Real Techniques Mini Brushes

2017-12-04T11:00:00.000+00:00

Real Techniques Mini Multitasking Brush and Real Techniques Mini Medium Sculpting Brush

Real Techniques Multitasking Brush - Mini vs Regular Size

Looking for stocking fillers for a beauty addict? Look no further! Here's a quick post on these beautiful minis. The Real Techniques Multitasking Brush is by far one of my favourite brushes. It is soft, made of cruelty-free synthetic fibres and fit my chipmunk cheeks like no other blush brush can. Unfortunately, it was previously only found in kits and not sold separately.

While perusing the makeup aisles in Boots, I squealed when I came across its mini version - the Real Techniques Mini Multitasking Brush. It has a similar-sized brush head but with a travel-sized shorter handle (6cm vs 13cm). I found however that the bristles are not as tightly packed as the regular sized and therefore applies product a bit more 'fluffily' and with less precision, but it still works for its intended purpose.

Of course this mini size is also available for other brushes - I picked up the Real Techniques Mini Medium Sculpting Brush which is excellent for contour, bronzer, and can also triple up for face powder in a pinch. I'm so pleased with these and they have made it to my travel makeup kit. I'm actually eye-ing up the Real Techniques Mini Contour Brush next.

Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog

Top 9 Frosty MAC Eyeshadows For Christmas

2017-12-01T18:00:00.000+00:00

With so many MAC eyeshadows, its almost next to impossible to choose the perfect one for your Christmas makeup look.

We've pulled out our 9 favourite sparkly shimmery eyeshadows from the range to fill our MAC 9-pan pro eyeshadow palette. Hopefully these swatches help you plan your holiday makeup!

MAC Nylon Eyeshadow is a white gold with icy shimmer in a frost finish. It is perfect on the lid, inner corners of the eyes and under the browbone as a highlight. A stunning shade.
MAC All That Glitters Eyeshadow is a peachy champagne pink with a touch of gold in a Veluxe Pearl finish. It is a perfect safe eyeshadow for neutral-lovers and the colour-shy.
MAC Sable Eyeshadow is a medium-toned pinky-brown eyeshadow in a Frost finish. This works well on the lid or crease for a daytime look.
MAC Amber Lights Eyeshadow is a vibrant orange gold in a frost finish. I love wearing this paired with red lipstick. It is stunning especially on deeper skintones!
MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow is a cool toned purple-tinged taupe with silver shimmer in a Frost finish.
MAC Woodwinked Eyeshadow is one of my favourite eyeshadows of all time. It is a vibrant warm antique gold, in a Veluxe Pearl finish.
MAC Tempting Eyeshadow is a deep yellow-toned coco brown in a Frost finish.
MAC Bronze Eyeshadow is a true bronze with gold shimmer in a frost finish.
MAC Antiqued Eyeshadow is a rich dark cherry bronze with a Veluxe Pearl finish. I love using this on the eyeshadow crease.

From L to R: MAC Eyeshadow Swatches of Nylon, All That Glitters, Amber Lights, Satin Taupe, Sable, Woodwinked, Bronze, Antiqued on NC25 skin

Have you thought about your holiday makeup look yet? Leave a comment below!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog

Janjira Marine Radiant White Brightening Eye Lift

2017-11-20T11:00:00.001+00:00

The skin around the eyes are particularly delicate areas prone to dehydration especially if you have dry skin. The fluctuating temperatures during the cold winter season and inadequate fluid intake worsen the situation and so moisturisers to hydrate the eye area are particularly recommended in this time of year.

I've recently been given the opportunity to try Janjira Marine Radiant White Brightening Eye Lift* and I'd like to share my thoughts with you.

The packaging is very simple and instagram-friendly. The metallic applicator becomes quite cold and feels refreshing to smooth around the lower eyelid. The product itself has a whitish serum-like consistency that feels moderately moisturising without feeling sticky, which is a plus as most eye creams tend to feel greasy. A little goes a long way. It is only lightly fragranced so shouldn't be a problem to those sensitive to scents.

After using twice daily for a week, I am yet to notice any permanent brightening effects, however it does seem to temporarily reduce the puffiness around my eyes when applied in the morning. It keeps my eye area moisturised for hours. It also works well under makeup.

Admittedly, eye creams are things I often skip on my beauty routine as I tend to use an overall face moisturiser to also tackle the periorbital area. My favourite facial moisturiser is La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Overnight Care that miraculously hydrates my skin.

Would I purchase it? I think so. Overall I do like Janjira Marine Radiant White Brightening Eye Lift* and would recommend to anyone looking for a specific hydrator for the eye area as it is non-sticky and comfortable to use. Dry skin types and ageing skin may benefit more from this product. As a 'brightening' eye cream, however, I would perhaps look elsewhere for that purpose.

Love it or Leave It? Leave a comment below!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog

*Press sample. All views are my own.

MAC Boldly Bare, Fresh Clay & Soar Lip Pencils

2017-11-12T06:30:00.000+00:00

L to R: MAC Boldly Bare Lip Pencil, MAC Fresh Clay Liptensity Lip Pencil, MAC Soar Lip Pencil Swatches on NC20 skin

Here's a quick post on these three lip pencils to sport your MLBB - My Lips But Better - looks. They certainly work well on my current winter NC20-25 complexion.

MAC Boldly Bare Lip Pencil is a matte peachy pink. This is a good match for MAC Kinda Sexy & MAC Hug Me Lipsticks.

MAC Fresh Clay Liptensity Lip Pencil is my first from the liptensity range. It is a peachy pink with a slight sheen. It is only slightly more pink than MAC Boldly Bare. It comes in a retractable form with an incredibly creamy formula. Beware that it can easily break when too much of it is exposed - I have learned my lesson!

MAC Soar Lip Pencil is a matte mid-tone mauve pink that is perfect for everyday wear. This pairs well with MAC Mehr Lipstick and NARS Anna Lipstick.

What is your favourite MLBB lip pencil?
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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Birchbox Nov 2017 - Benefit, Clarins, Seche Vite and More

2017-11-09T11:19:00.001+00:00

Birchbox November 2017

In contrast to the somewhat un-exciting Birchbox offerings in the last few months, I was very impressed with this month's offering so much that I decided to write about it.

It came with the usual cardboard drawer box featuring this month's collaboration with Vogue. I think this was a good thing as the product samples provided were mostly from known brands.

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat - Full Size RRP £9

I've been a loyal fan of Seche Vite Dry Fast top coat since I started blogging and have gone through at least 3 of these, that's impressive considering I have never finished a bottle of nail varnish! My latest bottle is on its last coats and I was happily surprised that a full sized version came with this box.

Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream Sample Size - Standard Size is RRP £21

This box came with a handy travel sized version of Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream. This cold winter season is the best time to receive this to keep your hands (feet, body, anywhere else!) soft and supple. I'm a strong advocate for moisturising to prevent premature ageing skin. My skin soaks this up without any greasy residue, and it smells of cherry blossoms too!

Benefit Hoola Bronzer Travel Size - Standard Size is £24.50

This is one of my favourite bronzers and the handy travel size is perfect for short trips.

Percy & Reed Volumising No Oil Oil Sample Size - Standard Size is £14

I admit, despite these years of beauty blogging, I am hopeless when it comes to fancy hair care. My hair routine is simple - grease-fighting shampoo for my oily scalp, air-drying my hair naturally and brushing down with a tangle-teaser. I'm not certain whether I would get much use of this one and I'll probably end up giving it away.

Birchbox Brush Cleaner on (Tiny) Size 6 Hands

Birchbox Brush Cleaner £5

I currently use this larger grooved silicone oven glove from Amazon to wash my brushes with, but the Birchbox Brush Cleaner is a lot smaller and therefore perfect for travels to provide a deep-yet-gentle clean. I add a dollop of Dove Liquid Hand Wash with Shea Butter and Warm Vanilla to the mitt and swirl the brush on the brush cleaner until the bristles are clean and leave to air dry. Perfect.

As you can see, subscribing to this month's box is especially good value for money. If there's anything from this post you like, you can purchase a single box at £5 off using this link: Birchbox, no commitment necessary!

Love it or Leave It? Leave a comment below!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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MAC Brick Dust Lipstick Review and Comparison Swatches

2017-11-04T15:54:00.002+00:00

MAC Brick Dust Liptensity Lipstick

I've recently added MAC Brick Dust Liptensity Lipstick to my MAC lipstick collection. Would you guess its my first ever Liptensity lipstick? IKR. It is a beautiful long-wearing creamy pinky-brown shade on my NC30 skin.

I've swatched and compared it to my other existing pinky-brown lipsticks below for your viewing pleasure. Hopefully this will help guide your future purchases.

L to R: MAC Velvet Teddy, Persistence, Brick Dust, Among the Fireflies, Whirl, Taupe Lipsticks on NC30 Skin

Compared to MAC Brick Dust Lipstick:
MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick is lighter.
MAC Persistence Lipstick is warmer.
MAC Among the Fireflies Lipstick is warmer, darker, more sheer and glossy.
MAC Whirl Lipstick is more mauve.
MAC Taupe Lipstick is slightly lighter, warmer and the closest in shade.

You can never have too many pinky-brown lipsticks in my opinion. They are so versatile and useful for everyday wear for that perfect MLBB look.

Do you have any of these lipsticks? Which one do you like best?

Love it or Leave It? Leave a comment below!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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Pixi Maryam Maquillage Strobe & Sculpt Highlight and Contour Palette

2017-10-01T15:32:00.002+01:00

Pixi Maryam Maquillage Strobe & Sculpt Highlight and Contour Palette Review & Swatches on NC30

I'm always impressed by Pixi products. This Pixi Maryam Maquillage Strobe & Sculpt Highlight and Contour Palette is no exception. It’s a wonderful palette with 3 contour shades and 3 highlight shades in matte and shimmer textures.

Honey Bunny is a frosty pale gold that works well as a highlight on the cheekbones for light to medium warm complexions.

Caviar Dreams is a frosty peach. It works as a blush on my NC30 skin and will make a wonderful highlight for deeper skin tones.

Baby Chick is pale matte yellow that resembles NC25 skin on the palmar aspect of my forearm. It’s an excellent shade to set undereye concealer.

Queen is a rich matte reddish brown with a soft blendable texture. I can use this as an eyeshadow shade on the crease to provide definition, but I find this too red-toned to contour the cheeks.

Bo$$lady is a cool-toned matte brown that makes an excellent contour shade. The grey tones mimic a natural shadow and I do love this colour. The colour pay-off is excellent. I would recommend a light hand.

Minx is a satin tan shade with a subtle sparkle. It may work as a good contour shade for pale complexions, but it works as a blush on mine.

Overall, I like this palette. The colour I could probably do without is Queen as it is too red as a contour but the other shades work very well, especially Baby Chick and Bo$$lady, which are my favourites.

Love it or Leave It? Leave a comment below!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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Sephora Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick Haul

2017-09-13T06:30:00.000+01:00

Sephora Cream Lip Stain Lipsticks in Copper Blush, Pink Tea, Vintage Rosewood and Frozen Strawberry

The Sephora Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick is by far one of the best matte liquid lipstick formulas and I always manage to purchase a bunch with every visit to California. I love muted shades and here are some of the most wearable ones in the current collection.

23 Copper Blush

Copper Blush is a mid-tone blush pink. I'm not sure where the 'copper' in the name comes from as it doesn't have a hint of it.

40 Pink Tea

Pink Tea is a my-lips-but-better shade. A pale pink that gives the impression of a perfect matte pout. It's a gorgeous everyday shade.

41 Vintage Rosewood

Vintage Rosewood is a mid-tone muted red. It is a beautiful red variant that is easy to wear to work and play.

39 Frozen Strawberry

Frozen Strawberry is a brown shade with a hint of red. I needed an alternative brown to my favourite MAC Taupe Lipstick and this beautiful formula and shade fit the bill.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain Lipsticks in Copper Blush, Pink Tea, Vintage Rosewood and Frozen Strawberry Swatches

The swatches above are taken just before the colours have completely dried. They all settle into a velvety matte finish within 10 minutes, depending on how thickly these are brushed on the lips.

I'm glad with my latest purchases and no doubt in the future I will add more to my collection. Have you tried the Sephora Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipsticks and are they any colours you would recommend?

Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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MAC X Nicki Minaj Fall 2017 Lipstick Review & Swatches

2017-09-02T20:25:00.001+01:00

MAC Among The Fireflies Lipstick, MAC Nicki's Nude Lipstick, MAC Baby's All Right Lipstick Swatches on NC30 Skin

The lipstick fiend I am, I was looking forward to the MAC x Nicki Minaj Collection. This collection for autumn is full of muted neutral shades and I’m sure there’s a lipstick out there for every person.

My first observations were from the packaging. The actual individual lipstick boxes have varying colours on the tops reflecting the product inside, as opposed as the all-black boxes they normally come in. This makes it easier to identify the products if you love keeping them in their boxes as I do – lame, I know! These lipsticks all have that wonderful creamy easy-glide emollient feel, from the lustres/cremesheens to the mattes. There is no lip-tugging retro-matte formula here.

After a long swatch-a-thon at the MAC shop, I finally narrowed my purchases to these three shades.

MAC Among The Fireflies Lipstick is a medium brown with a hint of pink. It has a slight sheen, having a cremesheen finish. It looks so pretty on the lips. It makes them look soft and lush. It is very comfortable to wear, lasting a few hours.
MAC Nicki’s Nude Lipstick is a light-medium coral shade with a slight sheen and an Amplified finish. Again it is so soft and creamy. It applies well. The rose-gold packaging is also to die for!
MAC Baby’s All Right Lipstick is a mid-tone mauve with a matte finish. I was tossing between this and the darker MAC Age/Sex/Location Lipstick but I thought this one was prettier on my complexion. I think this will be one of the more popular shades in the collection.

As you can tell, I haven’t gone for any nudes that completely match my skin-tone as I feel I’ve passed that concealer-lips phase. If I needed to reach out for those, my matches would be MAC Freckletone Lipstick (lustre) or MAC Siss Lipstick (Satin) for NC30 skin, which I already have and I am quite happy with.

Are you looking to purchase any products from this MAC collection?

Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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*Press sample. All views are my own.

The Perfect Pairing - MAC Retro Lipstick and MAC Auburn Lip Pencil

2017-09-01T06:30:00.001+01:00

MAC Retro Lipstick and MAC Auburn Lip Pencil Swatches on NC30 skin

I've been eyeing MAC Retro Lipstick for the longest time, but I waited for the beginning of autumn to choose it as my new fall lippie. With a little swatch-a-thon at the Bournemouth MAC Store, I picked out the perfect lip pencil to accompany this - MAC Auburn Lip Pencil.

MAC Retro Lipstick is a warm terracotta red. It hints brown and sometimes orange, which features can be enhanced with a corresponding lip pencil. It comes in a satin finish that can be drying so I would ensure to prep your lips beforehand. It feathers on the lips, which would be controlled with a matching lip pencil.

MAC Auburn Lip Pencil is a vibrant warm red in a cream finish. It works so well with Retro lipstick above.

This combination makes me feel very 'put together' and at the same time 'without trying too hard'. It works well for work or play. It matches simple or brown smokey eye looks. Patted on to the lips, the lipstick provides a very pretty healthy pout, too.

I think due to the warm undertones, I think this combination would suit warmer skin tones very well. For those with cooler-toned skin, I would suggest trying this out in store, in natural lighting, before committing to a purchase.

Overall I love this lip combo and would repurchase if it runs out - if that ever does happen!

Love it or Leave It? Leave a comment below!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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MAC Steve J & Yoni P Collection Picks

2017-08-25T06:30:00.000+01:00

MAC Sugar or Syrup Blush and MAC Spotlight Me Lipstick Review and Swatches

As a long-time MAC enthusiast, it is hard to resist a well-packaged collection from MAC. I purchased these two from the MAC Steve J & Yoni P Collection. Here are my thoughts and swatches.

MAC Sugar or Syrup Blush

MAC Sugar or Syrup Blush is a satin pale pinky-peach that would flatter fair and medium skintones as a blush and would make a pretty highlight in darker skintones. It is extremely wearable and would match most lip colours. The packaging is gorgeous also.

MAC Spotlight Me Lipstick

MAC Spotlight Me Lipstick is a light-medium coral with a pretty sheen. It's not the most unique of shades but the texture and colour can be used any time for any occasion. I love it.

Overall I am very pleased with my purchases. You can easily find similar shades in the permanent collection, but if you are as enamoured with the packaging as I am, you can probably find these on eBay!

Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog

Waterproof Rose Gold Copper Eyeliners from MAC and Maybelline

2017-08-15T19:53:00.000+01:00

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil Striking Copper & MAC Copperpot Pro Longwear Colour Stick on NC30 Skin

With the terrible wet British weather and my fascination for all things rose gold and copper, I've decided to pick up these waterproof liners from my favourite brands MAC and Maybelline to use to brighten up my eye looks especially when I feel a lil bit rubbish. I'd like to share my brief comparisons and reviews with you incase you were thinking of purchasing these for yourself.

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil Striking Copper

This is a slim eye pencil with a glorious well-gliding formula. It sets in a few minutes but I must admit it is not entirely smudge proof. The shade is a bright copper that is has a bit more red than the MAC alternative above.

MAC Copperpot Pro Longwear Colour Stick

I was a big fan of the ol' paintsticks and this colour stick has a similar formula. It glides less well compared to the Maybelline alternative with a bit of tugging. It is less vibrant and less red compared to Maybelline Striking Copper. It lasts pretty well through the day.

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil Striking Copper & MAC Copperpot Pro Longwear Colour Stick

Overall I do like both and each has its pros and cons. I doubt you would need both as the shades are fairly similar and both last quite well.

Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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Valerian-inspired Make Up: Bubble (Rihanna)

2017-08-10T07:59:00.001+01:00

How gorgeous was Rihanna in her new movie, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets? Playing a shape-shifting entertainer named Bubble, Rihanna's different looks definitely stole the show for me - so much that I was dying to recreate her look! Check out which products I used below:

Product List

Eyebrows
Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil (no. 6)
Benefit Ka-Brow! (no. 5)

Face
Highlight: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind in Fair, Pixi By Petra + Aspynovard Glow-y Powder in London Lustre
Bronzer: MAC Enough Said Blush
Blush: Too Faced Love Flush - Justify my Love
Foundation: Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation

Eyes
Lid: Sleek MakeUP i-divine Storm Palette - Gathering Storm
Crease: Sleek MakeUP i-divine Storm Palette - Electric Storm, Storm Cloud, Blackout
Eyeliner: Sleek MakeUP i-divine Storm Palette - Blackout
Eyelashes: Kiss no. 11 (Falsies), Maybelline the Rocket Mascara

Lips
Lip Liner: NYX Jumbo Pencil in Black Bean
Lip Color: NYX Matte Lip Cream Copenhagen + Transylvannia

Love it or Leave It? Leave a comment below!
Shannon | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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My Skincare Routine for Combination Skin

2017-08-02T18:31:00.000+01:00

I am frequently asked by patients what skincare I use to keep my skin in tip top shape and so I've written a post on a routine that I found works well for my combination skin. I am a firm believer in the US Navy's 'KISS principle' (Keep It Simple, Stupid!), and here are the skincare products I use in my daily routine.

At the beginning of the day, I wash my face with lukewarm water and a gentle milky cleanser like the La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Hydrating Cleansing Cream. To moisturise, protect my skin and to also provide a makeup base, I apply La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light Tinted Fluid SPF50+ and massage it into my skin.

At the end of the day, I use a micellar water cleanser. At the moment I use L'Oréal Paris Micellar Water for Normal to Dry Skin, but I find the cheaper Garnier works just as well. If my face is feeling particularly dry, I then wash with the milky cleanser above.

To treat my skin overnight, I find it is important to use a topical retinoid like Vichy Liftactiv Serum 10. I use two drops to cover the entire face. For added moisture, I apply La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra. The overnight version works better in cold winter days.

If I develop any new spots, I make sure to apply La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo twice daily to blemishes.

You'll notice that despite my combination skin (oily t-zone and dry cheeks) I use a lot of moisturising products.

It is important to keep your skin sufficiently hydrated to prevent flaky skin and inflammation, and it is also important to also clean your skin with gentle cleansers to avoid the building up of dirt which can clog pores.

A regular topical retinoid such as Vichy's offering above acts to destroy comedones, resolve the precursor micro-comedone lesions, prevent inflammation and allow for maintenance of clearance, preventing the formation of acne. I find that combining this with targeted treatment with salicylic acid (in Effaclar) works very well for my skin.

I hope this post helps. I am in no way affiliated with the companies mentioned above, but through my experience these products do the trick!

Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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Trying Out Birchbox

2017-06-08T21:29:00.003+01:00

A colleague at work got me interested in monthly beauty boxes again and the one she recommended was Birchbox.

I previously subscribed to other beauty boxes, such as Glossybox, but discontinued since I realised 1) I have more than enough skincare and makeup to last me a lifetime, 2) I already get sample sized products from beauty companies from blogging and dermatology reps that my excuse for 'travel-sized' products became redundant and 3) The samples I was usually provided ended up unused and less loved compared to the HG products I already purchased.

But there are also good things about the monthly boxes such as 1) As technology evolves, so does skincare and makeup and it is always useful to discover new products, 2) Beauty boxes tend to give a mix of makeup and skincare and boxes such as Birchbox takes into account your personal preferences, and 3) Receiving a new mystery beauty box every month makes it feel like its Christmas all year round!

There were three things that lured me into trying out Birchbox for May 2017. Undoubtedly these included the beautiful marble printed box that also doubles up as a drawer, the full sized Spectrum Collections C06 Tulip Eye Contour Brush with a white handle and gorgeous rose gold ferrule, and also that they had an offer for another box free. Bargain!

Here's a run through of the individual products and my initial thoughts on them.

Doucce Punk Volumizer Mascara RRP £18

This mascara has a jumbo fibre wand to add volume and thickness to lashes. I must say I am very impressed with this mascara. At first I was scared that the giant jumbo wand would smear my eyelids, but with a light hand, it avoids that, applies so easily and holds a curl on my stubborn straight lashes. This one's a winner for me!

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray RRP £19

I love this season-appropriate and trendy addition to the May Birchbox. Part dry shampoo and part texturiser, this sample travel-friendly size will save many holidays for lifted beachy hair.

Caudalie Vine Activ Glow Activating Anti-Wrinkle Serum RRP £36

This serum targets tiredness, stress and pollution. It contains an anti-cell burn-out complex to brighten dull skin and smooth fine lines.

Spectrum Collections Marbleous C06 Tulip Eye Contour Brush RRP £4.99

I love fluffy yet firm synthetic brushes for my eye contour and concealer. I think this brush will work for both. And I must say I am inlove with the rose gold ferrule!

Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow in Fifty Shades RRP £14.49

This shimmery gunmetal grey smokey loose mineral eyeshadow is paraben-free. Disaster always strikes when I use loose pigmented powders so this will find another home.

Manna Kadar Cosmetics High Definition Powder RRP £27

This pale vanilla powder has a velvety finish. Its an excellent travel size for the mobile makeup bag for touch ups through the day. I am likely to apply this on my oily T-zone which are also my 'highlight' areas so the paler shade wouldn't be much of a problem.

Baija Paris Creme Moana in Fleur de Tiare RRP £15.90

I had a silent squeal when I read the label. This is what I would expect a Disney's 'Moana' inspired moisturiser to smell like - shea butter and coconut oil - to smoothen parched skin. Of course this is in no way related to the Disney film, maybe just a coincidence.

Elemis Hydra-Boost Day Cream RRP £39

Everyone loves Elemis. This day cream has hyaluronic acid to improve the skin's hydration and texture. I would actually apply this for the day and night after cleansing. It makes your skin feel so smooth, I love it.

Polaar IcePure Gentle Scrub with Arctic Cotton RRP £23.50

Here's a skin smoothing body scrub that contains Arctic cotton for its moisturising properties. I would recommend limiting body scrubs to twice a week and following with moisturisers to avoid harsh effects on the skin.

ModelCo Eye Define Crayon Liner RRP £11

I am always on the look out for a HG eyeliner as despite these many years of beauty blogging, I still have not found it. ModelCo's offering is a twist-up pencil, so sharpening is not required. The formula is water-resistant but not as smudge or budge-proof as it claims. The formula isn't as creamy as one would hope, so there is a bit of tugging on application. It deposits a rich black matte colour that lasts long, with a thin tip that works well for my Asian eyelids.

Overall, while there are still some products I feel may go unloved from this set, I've enjoyed trying out my new products and my subscription will continue (for now). I look forward to the Birchbox in June!

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Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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Sleek Makeup Matte Me Metallic Lip Creams & Distorted Dreams Highlighter Palette

2017-04-27T20:57:00.000+01:00

Sleek Makeup Matte Me Metallic Lip Creams & Distorted Dreams Highlighter Palette

We are so excited to share with you the new Sleek Makeup shades for the spring and summer.

Sleek Makeup Distorted Dreams Highlighter Palette

Following the unicorn highlighter trend, the Sleek Makeup Distorted Dreams Highlighter palette is full of duochrome shades for your highlighting needs. There are 3 cream highlighters in this palette: cream with green glitters, cream with blue glitters, and a gold pink duochrome. There are also two powder highlighters: a shimmery gold and a purple with pink-purple glitters (reminiscent of the Becca Prismatic Amethyst Shimmering Skin Perfector highlighter. I think the shades make for good eyelid shades, but as for cheekbone highlighters, it would take a bit of courage to pull these off. They do easily smudge off so use a setting spray and refrain from touching your face when you wear this.

Sleek Makeup Matte Me Metallic Lip Creams Roman Copper, Volcanic, Rusted Rose

Combining the 90's revival metallic lip and the current liquid lipstick trend are Sleek Makeup Matte Me Metallic Lip Creams. The three new shades swatched are Roman Copper (a frosty red-tinged shimmery amber), Volcanic (a frosty muted purple rose), and Rusted Rose (a frosty pink rose). The latter two could be used as lip toppers. They apply like normal liquid lipsticks - dry and long wearing. Make sure to use lip balm underneath for extra comfort.

Sleek Makeup Matte Me Metallic Lip Creams Roman Copper, Volcanic, Rusted Rose & Sleek Makeup Distorted Dreams Highlighter Palette Review Swatches

Sleek Makeup Matte Me Metallic Lip Creams Roman Copper, Volcanic, Rusted Rose & Sleek Makeup Distorted Dreams Highlighter Palette

Overall we are impressed by these new shade additions to the Sleek Makeup range. Definitely try the affordable metallic lip creams if you'd like to dip into the metallic lip trend.

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Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog

*Press sample. All views are my own.

Odylique Organic Coconut Candy Scrub

2017-04-17T19:34:00.000+01:00

Odylique Organic Coconut Candy Scrub

Odylique Organic Coconut Candy Scrub* is a moisturising hydrating exfoliating scrub. It was awarded the Best Body Scrub in the Natural Health Awards 2016 -, and rightly so!

This Vegan-friendly scrub is composed of poppy seeds and Fairtrade sugar cane, on a base of moisturising virgin coconut and cocoa bean butter. It smells absolutely delicious and feels like a treat to the skin. I would apply this as moisturising alternative to usual soaps in the shower. Pat dry and apply your moisturiser of choice for super soft skin.

Odylique Organic Coconut Candy Scrub is 100% natural and kind to the environment. It does not contain harmful plastic microbeads therefore avoiding sea and ocean pollution.

Overall I do love Odylique Organic Coconut Candy Scrub (£25). It can be purchased online from Odylique website and from one of my favourites - Feelunique. I would recommend this anyone who loves coconut scented body products. It also works well for those who have dry or sensitive skin who need to exfoliate their skin prior to applying fake tans.

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Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog *Press sample. All views are my own.

MAC Next To Nothing Powder & Foundation

2017-04-02T19:26:00.005+01:00

MAC Next To Nothing Foundation & Powder Review Swatches

The selfie generation has inspired MAC's latest line of face bases, notably MAC Next To Nothing Powder and Foundation. Aimed at giving you an Instagram-worthy complexion, I eagerly tubed my way to my nearest MAC store at St Pancras Station to find my perfect shade.

As a MAC veteran, I know my usual foundation colours: NC25-30, C3 or Medium Plus. I'm glad I personally went to swatch these as the shades seem to vary quite a bit.

MAC Next to Nothing Face Colour Foundation. This is a sheer runny tint-like formula that gives a dewy shiny look, but with a comfortable non-sticky natural finish. It feels weightless on the skin. You will still need to prep with moisturiser beforehand as unexpectedly, it is not particularly moisturising. I expected to walk away with Medium Plus, but the shades leaned a bit orange so I came away with Medium instead. It doesn't cover much in the way of blemishes and so its probably one to use on good-skin-days. I've swatched it below compared to MAC Pro Longwear NC25, and you can tell its a lot darker, shinier and sheerer.

MAC Pro Longwear Foundation NC25 & MAC Next to Nothing Foundation Medium

MAC Next To Nothing Powder Medium Plus Review, Swatches

MAC Next To Nothing Powder Pressed. This is a sheer to medium coverage powder with a soft light-reflective sheen. If you look closely, you can see fine sparkles reminiscent of the Revlon Photoready Foundation. I would liken this to a skin-toned MAC Beauty Powder. I've picked out the shade in Medium Plus as Medium looked too ashy. It looks great with foundation, but alone you can tell on swatches below compared to MAC NC41 Studio Fix Powder Plus that it can still lean a bit cool-toned. It lasts quite well for a sheer powder, about three hours before I need a top up. It adds a beautiful glow to the skin and I do love it.

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation NC41 & MAC Next To Nothing Powder Medium Plus Review, Swatches

Overall, I recommend MAC Next To Nothing Powder as it adds something new to my collection. Most of my face powders are quite matte so a face base with a subtle glowy sheen is welcomed. MAC Next To Nothing Foundation on the otherhand is sheer much like a tinted non-moisturiser and its glowy effects are similar to one of my favourite primers, Laura Mercier Tinted moisturiser SPF 20, but without the SPF; so its something that's nice to have but not essential to my personal collection.

Have you tried MAC Next To Nothing Powder or Foundation? Leave a comment below!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog

The Best Liquid Lipstick Formula?

2017-04-02T18:07:00.002+01:00

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (Stockholm), MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour (Back In Vogue), Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor (Seduction), Sleek Makeup Matte Me Lip Gloss (Birthday Suit), Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick (Beeper), Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick (Dusty Rose), Sephora Cream Lip Stain (#13 Marvellous Mauve), NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick (Soft Spoken), Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick (Lolita)

Over the last year liquid lipsticks have taken the beauty world by storm and transformed matte lipsticks altogether. In the search for the perfect wearable nude lip (not the concealer lips variety), I've picked up a few from different brands and I wanted to share my thoughts with you on the different formulas. My lips are naturally a pink toned so you would find some of these 'nude' shades are pink-toned too. Note though that there is quality variability between colours of a certain make but these reviews are my thoughts on these particular lippies.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (Stockholm). If you want a smooth comfortable matte lip cream on a drugstore budget and don't mind reapplying every so often - this one is for you. This brand started the matte lip cream trend, years before it actually took off. They come in several shades and are easily available worldwide. NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams have a comfortable soft mousse-like texture and smell of sweet vanilla cake. The formula takes a few minutes to dry, rubs off quite easily, and doesn't last long. Stockholm itself is a pale peachy pink that looks good on my NC30 skin.

MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour (Back In Vogue). If you are a MAC-aholic and love to 'collect them all' and are patient enough to exfoliate and moisturise your lips beforehand - this one is for you. This range dries fast and lasts long on the lips. They stay put! However they are quite drying and give that pruney shrink-wrap look and feel to the lips. I make sure to exfoliate and apply a generous layer of lip balm before applying this. The darker shades are generally wonderful and are more forgiving to imperfections than paler ones. Back In Vogue itself is a bright light coral that leans more to the unforgiving side.

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor (Seduction). If you are usually into balms and lip glosses and are new to the matte lip - you will probably like this one (its not matte and feels very comfortable). This liquid lipstick is a misnomer as it does not dry down to a matte at all, rather it remains smooth and creamy, almost gloss-like. It smells like caramel and it is very comfortable to wear. This is something I like to wear in the summer. It rubs off easily and doesn't last long. The darker shades apply more streaky but Seduction is just perfect. It is a nude with a hint of peach.

Sleek Makeup Matte Me Lip Cream (Birthday Suit)*. If you want a matte liquid lipstick with a drugstore budget - this one is for you! I think this is one of the best drugstore liquid lipstick lines out there. It dries fast to a matte texture and feels almost weightless! It lasts long on the lips and stays put. Like most liquid lipsticks however, you need to exfoliate and moisturise. Birthday Suit looks peachy in the tube but dries to a nude pink that's my perfect MLBB shade. I would apply a thin layer to avoid it feeling like cement when it dries on the lips.

Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick (Beeper). If you are an expert at liquid lipsticks and want your lipstick to last through the whole day - this one is for you. This liquid lipstick takes the longest to dry of all of them, but once it sets it stays put and hardly smudges (it even stains). It applies with a thin runny texture. I find it could be the least comfortable of them as it is quite drying, settles in lip lines and can make the lips flake, even with exfoliating and a standard layer of lip balm. Beeper looks like a peachy nude in the tube but it dries to a much darker brown with a hint of pink. I prefer applying lip balm over this too to make the lips feel more comfortable. It's definitely not my favourite of the bunch.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (Stockholm), MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour (Back In Vogue), Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor (Seduction), Sleek Makeup Matte Me Lip Cream (Birthday Suit), Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick (Beeper), Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick (Dusty Rose), Sephora Cream Lip Stain (#13 Marvellous Mauve), NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick (Soft Spoken), Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick (Lolita) Swatches

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick (Dusty Rose). If you love ABH and are looking for a moderately comfortable-to-wear liquid lipstick - this one is for you. This formula generally applies evenly and smoothly. It takes a few minutes to dry. Once dried down, it doesn't stick as long as Colourpop's and may transfer if rubbed. The colour is almost true to its shade in the tube. It is a medium toned mauve with a smidgen of brown. I love this colour.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain (#13 Marvelous Mauve). If you love the comfortable NYX Matte Lip Creams but want something that actually dries matte and gives you a cushiony feel - this one is for you. This formula feels a little like the NYX Matte Lip Creams with a soft mousse formula, but after a few minutes it dries to an opaque matte finish. It does transfer a little bit if rubbed, but the comfort makes up for it. Marvelous Mauve is a beautiful mauve pink that brings me compliments (even from strangers). That's saying something!

NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick (Soft Spoken). If you like the NYX Matte Lip Creams but are looking for other shades of a similar formula - this one is for you. This formula feels velvety on the lips and does not dry down completely - similar to the NYX Matte Lip Creams above. It smudges off fairly easily. It's very comfortable on the lips and it is something I can use at work. Soft spoken is a red-toned nude.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick (Lolita). If you like the ABH liquid lipsticks but want a formula that lasts a bit longer - this one is for you. This formula dries pretty fast, lasts long on the lips and hardly smudges. This is what you would expect from a "matte liquid lipstick". It can accentuate dry patches and lip lines. It dries out the lips so make sure to use lip balm beforehand. Lolita is a deep mauve with pink tones on my skin.

So which is the best?
It's hard to pick out favourites as there is a lipstick formula for every person and occasion, but I suppose the ones I reach out the most for are Sleek Makeup's Matte Me Lip Cream (for everyday work-safe wear), Sephora Cream Lip Stain (for days when I want a little pick me up) and Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick (for casual weekends).

It's taken a while to compile this post so I hope this has been useful.
Have you tried liquid lipsticks and which is your favourite brand?
Leave a comment below!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
*Press sample. All views are my own.

DermaTx Microdermabrasion Brighten System

2017-03-11T14:14:00.003+00:00

DermaTx Microdermabrasion Brighten System

I have recently been given the opportunity to review this award winning DermaTx Microdermabrasion System*. You can choose one of three creams with each a different purpose: Brighten to even the skintone, Clarify containing 2% salicylic acid for acne-prone oily skin, and Rejuvenate with antioxidants for normal to sensitive skin. I chose Brighten which contains SabiWhite, to correct hyperpigmented freckles and uneven skin tone, a result of years of sun exposure.

DermaTx Microdermabrasion Brighten Cream is a mild exfoliant with tiny aluminium oxide crystals. It contains SabiWhite (tetrahydrocurcumin), an extract derived from turmeric used to bleach and de-pigment the skin. See this article for further information on SabiWhite. This cream also contains Vitamin A that has many beneficial effects on the skin.

This microdermabrasion set also contains the DermaTx Facial Tool that provides small vibrating micro-pulses. At first I was a little let down as I was expecting a rotating motion as opposed to an electric toothbrush-like action, but I realise the massaging vibrating motion gently recruits blood and growth factors to improve the skin texture. It has two interchangeable heads: one cleansing brush head and one exfoliating foam (spongy) head. These both act to improve the microdermabrasion process.

This system hasn't irritated my skin with a twice weekly use and helps to remove dry dead skin cells at the surface aiding the skin's renewal process. My skin instantly feels smoother and brighter, although it is perhaps too early to tell whether my freckles have lightened.

I would recommend using this at night, after firstly cleansing the skin with a mild cleansing milk. For daytime it is important to use sunscreen to protect newly exposed skin.

If you have acne or open broken skin, I would advise to stay away from this as the grains may aggravate and worsen the skin. I would also not recommend using daily use as constant friction may paradoxically thicken the skin (as its normal protective response).

This set requires two AA batteries and is perfect for traveling and jet-setting individuals.

DermaTx Microdermabrasion Brighten Cream

DermaTx Facial Tool

DermaTx Microdermabrasion Brighten System

Overall I do enjoy using this DermaTx Microdermabrasion Brighten System. This set is available from at £70, which is cheaper than purchasing the DermaTx Brighten Microdermabrasion Cream (£39) and DermaTx Facial Tool (£40) sold separately. Although admittedly not an essential to my skincare routine, I would recommend it for those who enjoy exfoliating and as a gentler alternative to more expensive professional-grade microdermabrasion treatments in salons.

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Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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*Press sample. All views are my own.

Catwalk by TIGI Oatmeal and Honey Haircare Review - My New Favourites

2017-02-19T11:33:00.000+00:00

TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Nourishing Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair Mask

As my hair grows longer and longer, I have found 'taming' it can become and chore and with such a busy work schedule clean hair can sometimes be a luxury... I do have dry hair but what I despise more than anything is greasy roots and limp hair - which is how things can get it if if not managed to fit in my hour ritual of washing blow drying and straightening.

On first impressions I liked the sleek packaging and although the TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Shampoo had only 300mls, I found I needed a much smaller amount in comparison to other shampoos and conditioner as it was very thick. On my first trial I found the smell to be overpowering but I now realise this is because I used a far too large amount and now in subsequent washes using a smaller amount gives a nice fragrance. Be careful - it probably is a 'marmite' love/hate scent and I quite liked it but my aunt hated it!

Now onto the best part. I found this TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Shampoo and Conditioner product really nourished my hair and kept it in good condition for far longer than any other product I've tried ... I'm talking days... I have always used drugstore brand products but this has been far superior and I don't think I'll ever go back after seeing such a remarkable difference.

The TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Nourishing Mask is also a great addition and good to use once in a while to give your hair a boost but not essential. It's good to use before important events or when your hair is drier than normal.

Overall I would definitely repurchase and can see myself repeatedly doing so for the near future. I am keen to try others in the range too! There is also a larger 750ml size of the TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner if you're as keen as I am!

I would rate these products 10/10

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Shivanee | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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*Press sample. All views are my own.