Healthy Skincare For You...

Glossybox - January 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:30:00 +0000

Glossybox is finally here again and in a super cute hot pink box!! This is the special edition Valentine's Day box =) Don't forget to click on the pictures to enlarge them!

I love this little heart sticker! And the grey ribbon is a nice color combo with the pink

Amazing products!! I can't wait to try them

Their own Glossybox rock candy! So adorable

A midnight blue pencil eyeliner from Eyeko

All in all I'm so pleased with this special box! I'm the most excited about the Clarins products but I'm sure I'll be impressed with the others as well.

I love the different colors of pink that were used plus the colors of the products that really popped against that bubblegum shade of paper shredding. And that rock candy was such a cute touch! Really feels like a pampering Valentine's Day gift =) What a great start to my week!

Laura

Glossybox - November & December 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:25:00 +0000

Hello lovelies,

I know I've been waaaaaay behind with these two boxes but here's a quick overview of what was inside my boxes for anyone curious...

November's box...(click picture to enlarge)

To be honest, I wasn't that enthralled with this box for November..I think it was definitely because of the Nail Rock nail wraps. These don't appeal to me in the slightest. Secondly, when I tried the DeadSea face mask it really irritated my skin for some reason leaving me with a rash on my cheeks. Not impressed.

The handcream and hair treatment however were lovely products that I still enjoy using and would recommend. The perfume sample was a bit blah and wasn't interesting. 2/5 products were great I thought.

I saw a lot of people saying that they were going to unsubscribe from Glossybox because of this box, but I think that's silly if you're basing it on this one box that unfortunately didn't appeal to a lot of people. I'm pretty sure they listened and won't use these things in other boxes again.

December's box...(click picture to enlarge)

I finally got to open this special edition Christmas Glossybox 2.5 weeks after it arrived due to visiting my family in New Jersey and wasn't disappointed!

Firstly, I LOVE the red box!!! I'm going to put all of my nail polishes in it and keep the other pink ones for jewelry.

The only things I haven't tried from this box yet is the Seventh Heaven makeup primer and the Deborah Lippmann nail polish and remover.

The Cargo lipgloss is awesome because the color pigment is very rich, it lasts a while and it's not sticky at all. Feels very moisturizing.
The mascara by Blink+Go is great! Gives my lashes so much volume and it's also waterproof which is a WIN in my book.
The Rituals foaming shower gel has SUCH a lovely scent. Smells like green tea and almond. Makes for an enjoyable shower experience.

I'll get around to trying the other things in my box at some point and I'm sure I'll really like them because of all the great reviews I've been hearing so far...

Overall, I love this box and I think they really turned it around since November.

Next up is their special edition box for the end of January that's Valentine's Day inspired! Click here to subscribe ASAP if you'd like to get the Valentine's box! <3

Laura

Sweet dreams...please come soon..

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:11:00 +0000

Sleep keeps escaping me lately, and while I'm not sure why I've been trying my hardest today to make sure I get it!
For me exercising when I get home is great because it tires me out. I also took a nice bath and putting the new knick-knacks I bought for my room into their new places was therapeutic somehow...

My favourite sleepy bath product is...

Blue Skies and Fluffy White Clouds...from LUSH

This is my absolute favourite product from Lush I think. Yes, I always talk about their stuff but that's because it's great!
This bubble bar is scented with Patchouli and Frankincense so it's not a sweet smell but more of a musky scent that makes me instantly sleepy and relaxed. It comes in a HUGE size and you can get at least 5 baths from this. There's another big bubble bar they do called The Comforter but it smells like berries but isn't one of my personal scent likes. Give this a go if you're having trouble sleeping:)

With that said, I'm tucked in my bed feeling exhaustion pulling me under...
Goodnight!

Laura
xx

Superdrug's £1 makeup range: Makeup Academy

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:43:00 +0000

I happened to stumble across this brand at Superdrug one day in December and thought it looked good enough for a try!
I often don't try out really cheap makeup because there's always a high chance of it being really crappy and disappointing but I took a chance on this brand and was pleasantly surprised!
Click here to check it out. Unfortunately you can only get this at a Superdrug in the UK but they might expand else wear in the next couple years.

I picked up one of their £1 blushes in a matte light pink shade that goes on very smoothly and lasts all day without being cakey or chalky looking...

...And a neutral palette which was only £4!!

I'm so shocked with the eye shadows the most because they're decently pigmented and look very nice on. There is some fallout with these but it's only a little bit and I'd even dare to say that I think they're a bit better quality than the Coastal Scents palettes. They're also easier to blend and the sparkles in them aren't chunky which is a bonus if you're going to use these for work or somewhere where you need to look some what professional.
This palette is perfect for those just starting out with eye shadows or for people who'd like some new colors for pennies!
I'd say give these a try because you can't go wrong for £4 :)

Laura
xx

Some Christmas and Birthday presents =)

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:20:00 +0000

I was extremely lucky in presents this Christmas and birthday so as a blogger I need to share some of them with you!!

Lancome Color Design in Pink Preview...

Bobbi Brown Treatment Lip Shine SPF 15 in Papaya

MAC Lip Conditioner SPF 15

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Sand Dollar

MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque

MAC Metal-X Cream Shadow in Vintage Coin

Clarisonic Mia 2 in Pink

A thorough review of the Clarisonic will be coming next month! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this! Big big thank you to my Dad who got this for me :) Been using it since Christmas and so far I'm loving it. I want to use it for at least a month before I give a fair review so stay tuned :)

Laura
xx

Happy New Year!!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:28:00 +0000

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a great New Years Eve! Here's to a new year full of new opportunities and adventures! I've collected a lot of new and amazing products that I'll be blogging about very soon :) xx

October Glossybox - Quick Review

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:23:00 +0000

As the November Glossybox is literally around the corner (I have to go pick it up!) I wanted to do a final review on all the products that were in the October box :)

1. Dermalogica Age Smart - MultiVitamin Thermafoliant...
I unfortunately couldn't use this on my face because I prefer chemical exfoliants, but I did use it on my body and it worked very well at getting all the dead skin off :)

2. Dermalogica Age Smart - MultiVitamin Power Recover Masque...
This I LOVE. I'm definitely putting this on my Christmas list! This mask has amazing ingredients like Vitamins A,C, E and F. After using this my skin looks so bright, clear and like I've had a relaxing 2 week vacation! It's a little miracle in a tube. 100% recommend to everyone.

3. Leighton Denny Expert Nails in Hanky-Panky
The color I got was the gorgeous burnt orange one. This applied so easily and 2 coats did the trick. It almost had a metallic swirl pattern to it which gave it an unusual look. Lasted about a week. Not sure if I would repurchase as they're £11 each.

4. Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof eyeliner in Moray...
This gets 4/5 stars for me. The only thing I can fault it for is that you cannot put this in your waterline if you wear contact lenses. The chunks of glitter got into my eyes and clumped up on my lens making my vision really blurry and I had to rinse my lenses to get it off. It's a real shame because it looks so pretty on the waterline :( However, this is an awesome eyeliner regardless! It applies really smoothly, smudges well and doesn't budge! The glitter looks so pretty in a subtle way rather than being obvious and tacky looking.
Recommend this highly!

5. Robert Piguet perfumes...
To be honest with you these musky scents aren't my style...But I won't let them go to waste and will gift this to someone else for Christmas :)

6. Dermalogica Age Smart Renewal Lip Complex (with beauty bag)...
I absolutely love this as well! One of if not the best lip balm type product I've ever used. Doesn't dry out my lips at all and makes them feel hydrated and nourished. I haven't given up on my 0.5ml tiny tube and am determined to get every last bit out of it. On my Christmas list as well! Expensive yes...so ask for it as a gift! The beauty bag it came with is of good quality and is perfect for when I travel! Will definitely use this next month when I visit my family back in good old New Jersey :)

Can't wait to see what's in the November box this week! Will post pictures as I'm unboxing.

Laura
xx

Liz Earle Haul - First order! :)

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:39:00 +0000

Hello all!

My current cleanser is almost out (LUSH's 9 to 5) and I thought I'd try another one. Not that I don't like the LUSH cleanser because I do! I just want to experiment with other ones :)

I did some research and found that the cleanser from Liz Earle has some of the best reviews on a cleanser I've ever seen.
After stalking their website and looking at tons of reviews on makeupalley and YouTube I decided to order it + 2 extra muslin cloths.

Yes, Liz Earle only make ONE cleanser. Why? Because they claim it can be used on any skin type, no matter what age! It's a two-step process which means that a muslin cloth is involved. You massage the cleanser on a dry face and then wet the muslin cloth with hot/warm water and gentle wipe your face.

I'm really excited to try this range as they use the finest botanical ingredients and don't use things like parabens and mineral oil in their products.

I documented the opening of the parcel to show you! I have to say, they have beautiful packaging!! I also LOVE the color of everything as well! It's like a pretty sea green...

It was packaged up very securely

It came with SO MANY things!

Got a letter thanking me for ordering with them and explaining a bit more about the brand, and it was signed by the person who packed it up!

Got their Christmas catalogue, normal catalogue and a small booklet explaining about their new skin tints

3 samples of their new skin tint in 3 different colors!

More complimentary samples!

2 extra muslin cloths

Came in this beautiful tissue paper with their logo on it...very detailed

Come in a zip up case that'll be great for traveling next month!

What was inside - A card explaining the best technique to use the cleanser and cloths - come with 2 cloths in this kit which was £13.75

Comes out a really thick concentrated cream that smells lovely and herbal

Initial Thoughts

As I've only used it twice so far I don't want to jump the gun but...I LOVE it! The cleanser feels really nice and calming on the skin and by using the cloth to wipe it off I feel like i'm getting more of a thorough cleanse than normal as I don't really use any cloths to wash my face with.

The toner is equally as nice and leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated which is what I need as it's cold outside now. I was a bit hesitant to use it because toners usually break me out a little, but so far so good.

I'm also very very impressed on the level of packaging and presentation in their orders. I love the little touches like free samples and catalogues. They really understand how to make their customers feel special :)

Will report back in a few weeks time for a final review =)

http://uk.lizearle.com/

Laura

(Disclaimer: This was not sent to me. I bought this with my own money)

Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector - Initial thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 23:21:00 +0000

I decided to pick up this Clinique serum when I found a Groupon for it online (I posted this on my Facebook page). It was down to £18 from £39 so I saw this as my one chance to grab it as my favourite Estee Lauder serum is also £39.

The serum is the original formula as there's a second version of this out now called the Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector. The packaging has changed slightly and you can see that they've changed the name of it as well to market it differently.

There's a lot of hype around this product as it has high claims. Having a blemish free, even toned face is the holy grail for most women so I can see why Clinique changed the name (from a marketing point of view).

I've only tried it twice so far so I won't give a proper review yet but I can say that I like the packaging, the pump is easy to use and is controllable of how much comes out so there's no waste. The formula smells like most of Clinique's products and has a similar consistency to their Moisture Surge moisturizer but it's not as sticky when applied. It leaves a semi-matte finish, feels silky on the skin, and is easily and quickly absorbed. It doesn't make the skin feel super hydrated however so I put my hydrating serum on over the top of it.

It's supposed to get rid of the marks in about 12 weeks or less. Takes a while, but at least they give a more realistic time frame than other products that claim to fade scars and marks within 1-2 weeks.

I will come back and review this after 4-5 weeks of usage or so just to let you know how it's going. If you've used this serum or the new one before please do let me know how you liked it! :)

Laura

Glossybox October 2011 - Unboxed with pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:21:00 +0000

I got my first ever Glossybox today! This is a cool little company that brings you the latest products to try in the comfort of your own home for only £10 per month. There's usually 5 samples in a box and they're mostly deluxe samples and in some cases, full sized products! This is just like Birchbox in the USA.
You can also stop the subscription anytime you want which is handy.

I took pictures as I opened the box so you can see exactly what it looks like!
Please click on each picture for the full sized image :)

...Box arrives!

...A box in a box...Inception...

...A very light pink box with the Glossybox logo

...A card with info about it and how it's a special 6th box (click for a bigger picture)

...Other side of the card that explains what each product is! (click for a bigger picture)

...This is amazing detail and gorgeous packaging

...This is how it looked when I opened it! Nicely arranged and secure so the items aren't rolling around inside it

...An amazing pearlescent orange nail polish (full size)! Perfect for Autumn

...A physical and chemical exfoliant...Hopefully it won't have any "scrubby bits" in it. If so then I'll use it on my body instead of my face :)

...I LOVE face masks so I'm very excited to try this one as it's packed with vitamins

...What looks like a full sized Stila smudge stick waterproof eyeliner in Moray

...3 different perfumes to try from Robert Piguet

...A Dermalogica small travel bag to fit all the products in! So cute!

...Last but not least, inside the travel case was a tiny sample of a lip renewal balm which smells great!

I have to say, I'm very impressed with Glossybox just for the obvious time and effort it must have taken to put these boxes together! The ribbon, tissue paper, card...etc.. are all amazing little details that are very much appreciated by me especially because this is only £10 and you're getting high quality samples to try plus an experience.

I will be reporting back soon and giving each product an individual review! =)

Laura
xx

Facial Scrubs: Why you shouldn't use them!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:37:00 +0000

This has been something that I've researched and tested for a long time and now need to speak about.
Exfoliation is one of the most important steps in anyone's skincare routine. It helps smooth the skin, minimize acne, unclog pores, get rid of sun damage spots, brighten the face...etc...the list goes on.

I've always found that after I used a face scrub, my face felt smooth yes but also really sensitive and went red almost like my whole face was lightly scratched.
And that's basically what's happening... The little grains or beads that are in scrubs actually scratch the surface of the skin on your face tearing it. Any kind of scrubbing also forces the skin to become thicker because when it's scratched it protects itself by thickening. That's why we get calluses on our hands and fingers.

It's also bad for people with oily skin specifically because any time you over-stimulate the skin like that it will produce more oil and not to mention making acne worse!

Scrubs also don't evenly exfoliate your face either leaving patches of dead skin behind! What a waste of money if you've bought an expensive one!

So what should I buy instead?

Acids are the way to go!! Lactic, Glycolic and Salicylic acids are the most popular for exfoliation. Glycolic acid is one of the strongest ones you can get so start with a small percentage first and work your way up. Lactic and Salicylic are great to start with if you've never used an acid to exfoliate with before.

Acids are the best because they're gentle, effective and exfoliate evenly without scratching your delicate skin. Plus, this means that you can do this 3 times a week if you want to without feeling like you've rubbed your skin raw.

The best exfoliating acid mask I've ever used is..

Dermalogica - Gentle Cream Exfoliant

This is a thick white cream that you spread evenly on the whole face (excluding the under eye area) for 10 - 15 minutes. I usually leave this on for about 20-30 minutes to get the full effect. Then I wash off with warm water and apply serums, moisturizers etc..

This product is a definite staple for me as it does it all. Smooths, softens, brightens, evens skin tone, minimize spots and puts the glow back in my face. Also makes a great overnight spot treatment!

It retails for anywhere around £20 - £25 depending on where you buy it but I seriously recommend it or anything else like it!

And if you're wondering if you can justify the price...? I've had one tube for about a year now, almost half way done with it and I use it about 1-2 times a week. As you only need a light layer of it, it will last you ages!!!!

A cheaper option is...

Neutrogena's 2 in 1 Wash and Mask

For only £3.99 from Boots this isn't too bad! I honestly don't think it's 100% as good as the Dermalogica one (probably around 70%) but it's still a great option if you're on a budget! You can also use it as a face wash too!

Laura
xx

A few cold weather skin & hair savers!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:22:00 +0000

Now that the colder weather is upon us, it's time for nourishing products!

Here are some of the things that have really impressed me and are now favourites.

L'Occitane - Shea Butter Dry Skin Hand Cream

This is by far the best hand cream I've ever used, and I've used a lot!

It's softening, moisturizing, smells great (kind of like baby powder) and isn't greasy in the slightest even though there's 20% Shea Butter in it. Even if you get it on the palms of your hands it doesn't make your hands sweaty. I find this happens with a lot of people mainly because the product doesn't sink in properly and you're left with some residue on your hands.

It's also concentrated so one tube of 30ml can last quite some time. Next time I will definitely purchase the largest tube which is 150 mls! Their range of hand care is the best out there in my opinion.

They have limited edition hand creams right now so get some while you can! Also, if you subscribe to Marie Claire magazine in the UK there's a 20% off voucher to use!
£7.50 for 30ml / £17.50 for 150ml

L'Occitane - Shea Butter Foot Cream

I also love their foot cream which is 15% Shea Butter. It sinks in so well and smells like lavender. No more cracked and dry heels!

£7.50 for 30ml / £17.50 for 150ml

LUSH - H'Suan Wen Hua, Hair Mask

I really wanted a nice hair mask so I turned to one of my favourite brands first and I wasn't disappointed.
This mask has so many nice ingredients like eggs, bananas and avocados that make your hair so soft! You apply this to dry hair and leave in for 20-30 minutes then shampoo and condition like normal.

This is a great mask for dry hair/heat damaged hair. The best part is that it smells like gingerbread!
This retails for £8.50.

Laura
xx

Derma E Hyaluronic Acid Day Cream Review

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 18:52:00 +0000

I've been using this for about 5 months now and it really deserves a review :)

Derma E is a natural skincare line that's free of parabens and use all sorts of really nice ingredients in their products.

My mom brought this over from the States for me to try. I was a bit hesitant because the cream looks a bit thick, but it's a whipped formula that melts right into the skin and feels incredibly light yet moisturizing. Personally, I don't like to use heavy creams at night and prefer light things like serums so I was really happy using this as a night cream over the top of my serum (in the day I just use a sunscreen as my moisturizer).

The ingredients are what caught my eye... In this creme there's Ester-C (antioxidant), Green Tea Extract (antioxidant), Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid (hydration) which are all amazing ingredients for anti-aging.

Full Ingredients...

Water (Aqua), Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract*, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth 20, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Calcium Ascorbate (Ester-C®), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrant Oils (Essential Oils).

The claims...

"Its unmatched hydrating properties result in smoother, softer and younger looking skin. derma e®'s exclusive HA formulas blend this remarkable ingredient with skin vitamins and botanicals to maximize hydration while helping diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles."

I'd have to say that all of these claims have been true for me so far! It also has been keeping my skin in check if I get a hormonal pimple. I think it might be because of the Vitamin C, but just using this gets rid of spots almost overnight. It does an excellent job at moisturizing and thankfully I have no complaints! I have to say that this is the best moisturizer I've ever used so far :)

There is a fragrance which is from the essential oils they put in but it's not offensive, just fruity. The jar is glass as well so be careful you don't drop it! :)

This retails for $29.50/ £16-20 online.

I really recommend this cream because it reminds me of the famous Creme de la Mer cream which is crazy expensive and breaks me out every single time I use it so for me this is my cheaper version which is very effective!

Laura

Chanel Autumn/Winter Makeup collection lust!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 00:46:00 +0000

Chanel...Oh, how I love everything about you...

Chanel's new Autumn/Winter collection of makeup and nail polish is amazing!! I get so inspired when I see things like this.

If you didn't know yet, metallics are HUGE this season. I'm so happy about this because it changes up the usual matte, brown based makeup that everyone usually comes out with. I got to play around with these gorgeous cream eye shadows in Harrods a few weeks ago. The texture is so light and soft. When I swatched some on the back of my hand I fell in love.. The glitter they use is so impossibly small it almost has a dewy look to it and is perfect for that perfect evening look. They catch the light so well and would look amazing on everyone.

They also have a to-die-for collection of nail polishes that I need to get my hands on soon!

My favourite is the green one in the middle called Peridot. They look like liquid metal.

Chanel is definitely one of those brands where you really get what you pay for. This would make a great gift for the makeup addict in your life :)

Laura

De-slick your face with Urban Decay!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:09:00 +0000

Have oily problems?? This is great matte primer and a favorite of mine. It's a clear primer that's lightweight and doesn't make me break out. I'd say for me it controls oil for the whole night, but of course it depends on how much I'm sweating haha=) I use this for nights out at clubs and never feel like I have to re-touch.

The ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Propylene Glycol, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Fragrance

You only need the tiniest bit to cover your T-zone (or wherever your trouble spots are) and it smoothes on nicely. The trick with this primer is that you can use it under or over makeup!
Your makeup doesn't budge even when you apply it over areas you've already powdered and doesn't ever get cakey or obvious that you have it on.

It's not the cheapest admittedly, but you don't need a lot so it lasts.

It retails for $28 USD/£18GBP and it even comes in spray form now amongst many other kinds of primers. I'd definitely say that Urban Decay are some of the best out there!

Try to get a sample of this if you want to try it first, you won't be disappointed ;)

Quick Review: Simple Facial Wash Gel...not "simple" for me!!! :(

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 20:06:00 +0000

I really wanted to like this, I did.. but unfortunately Simple try to pass off products as "natural" and "good for your skin". The reality is that they use a lot of cheap ingredients which lets them sell their products for cheap such as mineral oil.

I had a travel size tube of this laying around and decided to use it one morning when I was running late. It cleaned my face pretty well. By the time I got home that day my cheeks were covered in tiny bumps. I had a closer look at the ingredients and there's one thing called Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate. Companies try to pass this off as a natural preservative but it's actually a skin and eye irritant. I guess it affected me because i'm sensitive to it... but always check the ingredients of your products! If you notice something like bumps, rashes or breakouts then stop using it immediately and wait a week to see if your skin goes back to normal. If it does, it's a good bet that it was that product. :)

5 Skincare Habits to Adopt

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:48:00 +0000

1. Don't touch your face...

You've probably heard this tons of times before but it really makes a difference especially to those who are prone to acne. Your hands have dirt and bacteria on them (which is normal don't worry) so as you can imagine it can cause some acne. Try not to lean your face on your hand if you're noticing spots on your jawline for example. It's hard to be conscious of this all the time I know but it'll really pay off.

2. Use oil blotting sheets...

Everyone's face produces oil and at the end of the day you might notice your face being a bit more shiny than you'd like. Keeping oil to a minimum also helps with acne. You should also blot your face before applying any other makeup item to it because you don't want a build up of oil underneath your makeup. Even if you're applying powder to mattify you should definitely blot your face first. You can get them almost anywhere but my choice of blotting sheets are from Inglot because they don't have a powder already on them, feel kind of rubbery so it absorbs oil very well and they're only about £6!

3. What you use on your face use on your hands and neck...

There's no sense in having a youthful face and an old looking neck and hands. Any sunscreen, anti aging creams and serums should be applied to these areas as well. It's also important to exfoliate there too as cell turnover is what keeps skin looking young and fresh and will help with sun damage spots if you have them.

4. Try to exfoliate 2-3 times a week...

Exfoliation is important for cell turn over if you're prone to clogged pores or dull skin. My only recommendation is to not use a facial scrub. Not only does it exfoliate unevenly, it can make sensitive skin worse and aggravate any acne you may have. Use something that has acids in like glycolic, salycic acid or lactic. I will post about an amazing one use that has lactic acid soon :)

5. Cleansing at night with a creamy cleanser...

This will help take off any makeup or sunscreen so much better than using a foaming cleanser. Creamy ones usually contain plant oils which help dissolves everything you have on your face. I recommend using a cotton pad to wipe your face after you've used the cleanser and then splashing with water ( and then your toner if you use one).
The one I've been using is 9 to 5 by Lush which is fantastic. You don't need that much so a large bottle of this should last a long time. Another great one is the Conditioning Cleansing Lotion by Purity which is also very cheap but great quality!

x

The mysterious world of highlighters

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:02:00 +0000

Hello there!

A friend of mine asked me about highlighters recently so I thought I'd post my reply to my blog as well! :)

Highlighters, when used correctly, should look like your skin but better.

There are all kinds of different highlighters... cream, liquid, powder...but also colors like white, pink, peach etc...

The best ones are the ones that are multidimensional. When you have a highlighter with only a one color in it, it'll sit on the skin and will look unnatural. So look for ones that have pink,pearl,red etc..in it so that it blends in more with your skin tone.You skin is made up of a lot of colors.

Put your foundation on first but don't conceal any areas of your face yet. You want to do the highlighter first so that it blends into your skin. When you conceal first the highlighter can sit on top of that and draw more attention to the area.

I personally think that liquid or cream highlighters look the most natural because the shimmer in them are so small and fine that it just looks like well moisturized glowing skin. The powder ones have slightly bigger shimmer resulting in a bit more of an obvious "I have highlighter" on. But when you're talking about day and night, powder ones are excellent for the night because they'll look more natural when not in daylight and will be dramatic enough without going OTT for an evening event (such as a wedding :)

The biggest secret to highlighter is to BLEND. You want it so that you can't see where it begins or where it ends.

And don't worry about having oily skin. You can still use a cream or liquid one but you

want to just use it ONLY on your cheek bones and your brow bones. Plus if you're using foundation you want to have a bit of dewiness there anyways so that it doesn't look like you have foundation on (Foundation takes the "fresh" look out of your skin).

A good one for pale skin is The Body Shop: Radiant Highlighter

For medium skin: No7 Skin Illuminator in Peach or Pink

For most skin types: Bobbi Brown - With this one you can also use each color as an eyeshadow as well !

Benefit High Beam (or Moon Beam) is also a great choice and looks very natural :) Just don't use too much

For Blush:

You can use a matte powder blush over a cream or liquid highlighter but just don't have a heavy hand. Build it up tiny bit at a time.

*Dusting a light layer of normal translucent powder over the cream/liquid highlighter first will help the blush not stick to your skin*

Be careful you don't use too much blush or one that has too much sparkle in because you want the highlighter to peep through the blush not get lost in more shimmer (or you'll have disco ball face haha). Try to use matte to satin powder blush.

I love highlighters so much! Even if that's the only thing you have on your face it gives you such beautiful skin and a youthful look. It makes you look awake and pretty without people realizing why you look good. There's such a wide range of them on the market today so there's one for all skin colors.

All about hair!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 19:19:00 +0000

So I never was that fussed about hair products until recently...haha ^_^

I wanted something that was more eco-friendly and organic/fair trade...

I came across a brand called Organix. I've actually used this in the past and found it again

in stores. It's a very nice, organic brand that does a whole range of things from hair to face & body products. I picked up the Coconut Milk Conditioner which I've tried before. It has organic coconut milk, oil and egg white proteins in to really nourish the hair.

It made my hair a bit greasy and weighed-down even with the littlest bit of conditioner, but I think it's because my hair is a bit short at the moment because I used this when I had long hair and it was fine. Will revisit this in future, but this is a really good product! It also has no parabens or sulfates either =) I recommend for medium to long length hair.

The next thing I picked up was the John Frieda 3 Day Straight.

It's a semi permanent hair serum that helps keep hair straight-ish for 3 days provided that you

don't wash your hair for those 3 days. I think it works pretty well considering that you sleep on your hair. It's non greasy but just make sure that you don't over do it otherwise it'll feel like there's loads of product in your hair. It works best when you wash your hair, spray it when it's wet, dry your hair and then straighten it with a hair straightener. I've tried it when I just blow dried my hair and didn't straighten it and it didn't work as well. .

Overall, I think it's a great product that would be good if you were going on a mini trip or something similar :)

I picked up a sample size of the Tresseme Heat Defence Styling Spray. It protects against heat up to 230 C and it appropriate for hair straighteners as well. It smells quite nice and leaves hair soft but again, be careful how much you use.

I felt like a change in the shampoo department so I went to Lush and picked up one of their solid shampoo bars called Seanik. It smells so good! Jasmine, mimosa and orange blossom.

It looks confusing but these bars are so easy to use, just rub it over your wet hair a few times and it lathers up like crazy. Leaves the hair so clean, soft and full of shine. Lasts ages too which is a plus because it's so cheap! No packaging, easy to travel with and contains organic ingredients! Amazing.

I picked up their solid conditioner bar Jungle too as the Organix one was too rich. This is made with so many nice things like Cocoa butter, Figs, Banana and Passion fruit. The trick with this one is you get it wet and rub it in your hand as it doesn't lather the way the shampoo bars do. This made my hair so incredibly soft and nourished I can't believe I haven't used this before. This is a new favourite!!! Definitely recommend to all =)

Happy Easter & Passover!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 14:27:00 +0000

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy and healthy Easter or Passover!!!!

Be safe!!

Laura

Derma E: A skincare brand I'll be trying shortly

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:55:00 +0000

I'll be able to try out this brand of skincare very soon as my mommy is going to bring it over from the States at the end of the month for me =)

She's recently been raving about this new moisturizer she's been trying out.

It's called Hyaluronic Acid Day Crème Rehydrating Formula .

It looks really nice! The main ingredients are Ester C, Green Tea Extract, Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid.

I'm very excited to try this as I love Hyaluronic Acid products! Apparently it's a very light cream/gel and isn't sticky or greasy.

I'll let you know what I think of this after I've used it for a few weeks so look out for the review =)

If anyone has used this already please let me know your thoughts! x

LUSH Face Masks - Ones I've tried so far :)

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 14:16:00 +0000

I'm a BIG face mask person. I love them and believe that they should be a part of everyone's skincare routine at least once a week. There are so many different kinds out there now... Moisturizing, calming, acne fighting, exfoliating, anti-aging, brightening...etc --- They kind of give your skin that extra "boost" during the week to help keep you looking fresh and rested whether you've been stressed out, had a late night or want to look extra special for a big date or event :)

I have so many to review so today I chose the brand LUSH.

My first ever LUSH mask was Catastrophe Cosmetic...

This one is made with blueberries and is packed with antioxidants. It also has Chamomile, Irish Moss and Almond Oil which makes this very calming and soothing and good at reducing redness. Great for sensitive skins. I really enjoyed this one but be careful because when it starts to dry it cracks and falls off. It's easy to apply, but the bits of blueberry in it also falls off as well so make sure to do this over your sink. It smells nice and fresh but not really like blueberries oddly..

The next one I got was Oatifix...

My skin was feeling a bit dry and felt like it could do with some extra moisture so I picked this up. This is a VERY moisturizing mask. I was really impressed how much it softened the skin and good it smells!! This is probably my favorite smelling mask from LUSH so far. It has oats, ground almonds, bananas and illipe butter...yummy.

Third, was Cupcake...

This is an awesome mask for when your skin needs to be whipped into shape (ex: that time of the month). The Rhassoul mud in this does an excellent job at removing all the excess oil and impurities from the skin while the cocoa butter softens. It also has cocoa powder, spearmint, peppermint and sandalwood oils too which makes it smell like a Peppermint Patty! Very good with stopping any other spots from forming as well. I wouldn't say it helps loads with one you might already have but it definitely helps.

The most recent one I'm trying is The Sacred Truth...

Love, love, love this one. This is their sort of anti-aging mask. It has loads of antioxidants in it which makes it a favorite in my book. Wheatgrass, ginseng, green tea and papaya enzyme make a great combination. My skin looks bright, clean and awake after I use this. It's so light and fluffy that applying it is very easy and nothing falls off. When this dries it doesn't crack and doesn't make your face tight at all. It smells like herbs and fruit too :)

Remember that LUSH have this deal where if you bring in 5 empty face mask pots (or tubs) you get a FREE face mask! I think that's really cool considering each one costs £5.25.

Also, because they're so fresh and handmade please keep these in your fridge otherwise they'll go bad. There's an expiration date on them too but you can blatantly use them past that date. I generally use them about 2 - 3 months after when it says they expire and they're fine. Just keep them in the fridge and you can gets lots of time out of them.

Check them out at www.lush.com =) They make wonderful products with organic ingredients and are animal-cruelty free.

(Disclaimer: I bought all these products with my own money)

A Cheap & Cheerful Concealer!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:14:00 +0000

This is a concealer that I came across about 3-4 months ago that I've been enjoying. GOSH is one of those brands that surprise you with the great quality of their products compared to the low price. I've tried a lipstick and nail polish as well and loved them!

It's a lightweight formula that covers dark circles well and dries quickly so you can layer it when covering up minor blemishes -- It's a bit more liquid-y than most concealers I've tried but it's nice and pigmented. Blending is also easy which makes this a great all-around product.

The only thing negative I can say is that it can get a bit messy so make sure

you keep the opening clean :) It also doesn't come in a huge range of colors but hopefully

in time they'll add more.

You can find GOSH at www.superdrug.com in the UK and www.amazon.com if you live outside the UK. Right now this concealer is £5.99 which isn't bad!

Kindly,

Laura

Review: Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 15:41:00 +0000

As I'm slowly creeping into my late twenties, I'm always on the hunt for products that will help me keep my youthful face forever...or at least for a long time =)

I'm lucky enough to have been born with good skin genes and to look about 5 or 6 years younger than my actual age (thanks Mom!) so I feel the need to protect this gift all the time.

I wear sunscreen every single day rain or shine as you know but I felt like I needed a nice serum full of anti oxidants to help boost my skin at night but not smother in with a thick cream so it could still breathe.

I found a brilliant serum in Estée Lauder. I first bought a tiny sample of it so I could see how it would react with my skin. I've tried things like the Creme de la Mer cream and the gel before but it made me break out..I think it was the mineral oil to be honest. But at least I didn't get the full size while finding this out! Always try to get a sample first!

I used the sample for about 2 weeks and then didn't use it for 2 weeks to see how my skin looked with and without it. There was a definite difference! This stuff makes my skin have a pretty glow but not greasy. It has tons of hyaluronic acid in it which plumps up the skin and helps it retain more moisture. This is the reason why I can get away with not wearing a moisturizer in the day and only my sunscreen. My skin feel hydrated most of the time because of this serum. (The reason why I say most of the time is because your skin does change all the time due to weather and other reasons like hormones..)

Now onto the actual product..

The famous little brown bottle is 1oz/30ml and is made of plastic which is a good idea because if it dropped and it was glass...big problem.

It has a convenient dropper so it's easy to take as much as you want out and is very hygienic. Sometimes pumps give you more than you want which is a waste of product..

The serum itself is a liquid/gel texture that easily smooths over your face so you don't have to tug on your skin. It sinks in fast and leaves a satin/matte finish. You can easily apply makeup over the top of this if you wanted to use this in the day too.

What it claims:

"Use it every day to help continuously repair the appearance of past damage, prevent future damage and deliver high levels of hydration.

Neutralizes up to 90% of environmentally generated free radicals before they can affect skin's appearance.
That's key, because environmental assaults such as UV, smoke, pollution and even emotional stress are the #1 cause of premature signs of aging.
Our advanced technology repairs the appearance of damage caused by every major environmental assault."

I can definitely confirm that it gives high levels of hydration and agree that the environmental "assaults" really take a toll on the skin so hopefully it is repairing this for me at night! haha.

I really notice a difference though honestly. I'm so glad I've found something that really works with

my skin. I can also happily say that I haven't broken out with this and it's actually helped with spots around "that time of the month" for me!

The only thing I can't truly say I've noticed is a reduction in fine lines but that's because I don't really have any yet, wahoo! The key always is to prevent! Don't wait until you have wrinkles to start getting rid of them!

This is a great product and I give it 2 thumbs up =)

http://www.esteelauder.co.uk/

Review: Laura Mercier's Body & Bath set - Almond & Coconut

noreply@blogger.com (Laura Pernetti Kinch) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 22:08:00 +0000

I was lucky enough to receive this as a birthday gift this year ( thanks Steph!! :) and it's

amazing!

If you don't like the smell of almond and/or coconut then stop reading this post right now haha.

I don't know if you can tell but the box has that lovely quilted detail on it! So elegant..

What I like about this cream is that it's a thick soufflee-like cream

but it's not greasy and is absorbed super quickly and really hydrates!

It's in a sturdy glass jar which is kinda heavy but I guess it was their

design to make it feel high end compared to drugstore products.

It does come with another clear lid

inside that protects against it getting too messy

which again is a great attention to detail.

This is the honey milk bath :)

I have to say, it actually looks like honey!

It comes with a super cute honey dipper

to make it easier to use under running

water.

This makes LOTS of bubbles and makes the whole room smell nice :)

I use Lush products for the bath as well but when I need an

extra pampering I get this out. And as I really don't want this to run out fast,

I use it sparingly haha.

I give this 5 stars. I know it's on the expensive side but it's so worth it. A great gift to give anyone and one of Martha Stewart's favorites!! x