Une Intuitive Touch BB Foundation in shade 103

Presented in a sleek mirrored compact, this is the first “BB” named product I’ve ever encountered in a solid formula. Available in a somewhat limited 6 shade range (101 to 113) , I was sent the yellow based 103 – a relatively warm colour which applies in both a sheer and light manner – to road test against my pasty winter skin. Whilst a tiny firm brush is included for all over application, its petite size pretty much renders it useless for anything but adding slightly more product to small spots or blemishes. Instead, you’d be better off applying with a more generously proportioned foundation brush, a far quicker way to achieving a smooth and even finish, particularly when time is not on your side…

Une Intuitive Touch BB Cream Foundation 103 applied to bare skin

Against the skin Intuitive Touch feels wonderfully light and breathable. Whilst the mis-matched tone of the shade doesn’t sit invisibly against my face, the overall effect is bright, radiant, up-lifting and remarkably healthy. Instantly adding an all over subtle yet enviable glow to the complexion, this hybrid formula builds up nicely to help cover blemishes and any unwanted areas of redness. With a finished look that is both natural and bright, I recommend this highly as a day base for anyone with normal to combination skin who is looking to perk up and even their complexion as opposed to masking it.

Whilst this has the staying power to last 6 to 8 hours, I often top up using the included brush to help lift any areas I feel are starting to dull or become more porous. Currently on offer at selected chemists nationwide, whilst this mightn’t be your typical BB cream in terms of significant skincare benefits (from reading the label its only claim seems to be 8 hours moisture) and texture, but as far as light, natural looking foundations go, this is a great product to investigate.

SUITABLE FOR: Everyone.

AVAILABLE: selected chemists nationwide and boots.com (£9.49 – usual rrp £14.49)

BEST SUITED TO: Those with normal to combination skin looking for light, breathable coverage.

BEAUTY BITE RATING: 4

Designed to both cleanse and replenish the skin, NUDE’s Radiance Collection is the perfect antidote for tired, lacklustre complexions. Combining the make-up busting Cleansing Facial Oil with the award winning anti-aging properties of Replenishing Night Oil, this beautifully packaged duo work harmoniously to provide a decadent, nourishing and hard working over night treatment. Suitable for all ages and skin types, if the harsh winter weather is starting to take its toll then this box can help provide all the answers you need for smooth, glowing skin.

Retailing at £49 for two full sized products (saving you a wonderful £19), this collection not only stands out for its superb content but also beautiful packaging. With the equally gorgeous Balancing Collection (to help soothe combination skin) also hitting the market, if you’re looking for a beauty gift to sit confidentially under the tree this year then NUDE is a great way to go.

Free from parabens and silicones to name but a few, this set is an ideal start for anyone looking to step up their skincare routine. With Replenishing Night Oil having been ranked the highest ever rated product by the Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible earlier this year, this set promises visible results to both the look and feel of your skin. Having been a loyal user of NUDE skincare since 2009, I highly recommend this for anyone looking to discover more about the benefits of switching to natural formulas.

The Radiance Collection is available now from nudeskincare.com priced at £49.

VISIT NUDE’S FACEBOOK PAGE TODAY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A RADIANCE COLLECTION!

Easy Wax Electrical Roll-On Kit is the latest must have beauty gadget to hit the market, promising simple, at home hair removal, complete with salon quality wax that’s kind enough for use on even the most sensitive of skins. Not set to launch for a few more weeks, Boots.com are exclusively releasing 300 kits tomorrow, enabling beauty lovers nationwide to snap one up in time for Christmas party prep. Armed with nothing but the contents of the pack (1 wax cartridge, 1 heating station, 4 soothing wipes and 12 removal strips) I decided to dive in and see just how it compares to less snazzy methods of hair removal.

The gadget works by inserting the sturdy wax cartridge (pictured above) inside the applicator before plugging the unit in to heat for 20 minutes. Whilst the device itself becomes reasonably warm during this process I found the wax came out at a pleasant temperature, neither burning or stinging the skin when initial contact was made. Dispensing from the roller with a smooth and controlled flow, the wax applies lightly without any patches or lumps, something I was reasonably anxious about. Whilst it took me a several trial strips to get the movement of the applicator spot on ( it occasionally seemed to drag, so be wary of how much pressure you’re applying) in general I was pretty impressed with the finished results . Feeling I had complete control over the process, I was especially pleased when my skin didn’t bump and raise afterwards, an unattractive consequence I’ve experienced previously with waxing strips. Picking up nearly every hair, after rubbing both legs down with the included soothing wipes, the overall finish was both clean, soft and very, very smooth.

Swift to use, this item is a much cleaner alternative to the more traditional wax jar method. With the bigger cartridges lasting up to 4 applications each (both legs are considered 1 treatment), smaller headed refills can also be purchased for £9.99 a go, designed and shaped specifically for use on the under arms and bikini area. Overall I’m impressed and can see this kit becoming a much loved part of many women’s routines. Whilst it doesn’t beat the speed of visiting a professional beauty salon, in terms of cleanliness, comfort and control, it’s by far one of the best hot wax hair removal methods on the market.

Veet Easy Wax Electrial Roll On Kit is available on Pre-Release this Wednesday (23rd Nov) on boots.com priced at £29.99. Only 300 products will be up for purchase, so if you fancing grabbing one be quick! 

*this product was a free sample obtained by the Beauty Bite*

With celebrity fans including the likes of Rihanna and Jemma Kidd, Lipcote is still the ultimate fool proof way of insuring your carefully applied lipstick stays bright, vivid and feather free. One reason I love it is because it never alters the colour, regardless of how much you put on. Whilst the final effect is always a gentle matte finish, I’m a big fan of dotting a little bit of gloss on top to add an extra dimension of shine.

 Just some of the many times I’ve used Lipcote over the years…

Priced at a nifty £3.49 a bottle in Boots, Lipcote is still a wonderfully affordable way of guaranteeing your look will remain polished throughout the day. If like me you have heavily pigmented lips it can also help stop your natural colour pushing through and altering the look you’re aiming for. Whilst it isn’t the most flashy or exciting product on the market, it makes rocking this seasons deep berry lips an absolute breeze thanks to its no fade formula. Cheap, comfortable and creative, there’s one simple reason Lipcote has been around for half a century: it’s bloody great.

Lipcote is available from all good chemists and lipcote.com

*This is a sponsored post, yet all content was written by myself*

With just a few spritz of formula I’m able to quickly manipulate my hair into a visibly bigger, bouncier look by crunching my roots and twisting the ends. Whilst the overall hold is relatively good, it wasn’t able to get me through an entire 11 hour work day without looking slightly lack lustre come home time. Teamed with a smell most similar to candy floss I actually loved the girly aroma it added to my barnet, yet those who aren’t fans of sugary perfumes mightn’t be so keen. Scents aside, Sugar Shock is faultless when it comes to producing natural movement to otherwise dull hair, making it a great and slightly cheaper alternative to Bumble & Bumble’s cult Surf Spray. If you fancy embracing the tousled look this autumn, Candy Fixations is a great way to go.

Sugar Shock Spray is available from selected stores nationwide and escentual.com for £11.75/150ml. 

*this item was a free sample obtained by the Beauty Bite*

One ingredient that sets this daily treatment apart from its competitors is Chinese Immortal Grass Complex. Yep, I know it sounds like a spoof component that you only ever hear about in beauty ads, but in reality it’s a vine plant that grows in the likes of China and Vietnam. Used in herbal medicine, Jiaogulan (as it’s otherwise known) developed its impressive nickname thanks to its notable antioxidant qualities, a trait which NUDE has strongly embraced. I’ve been using this moisturiser morning and night for several weeks now and am head over heels in love – if you’re looking for a high quality anti ageing cream that actually works,  this is definitely worth investigating.

Application is decadent and creamy, sinking seamlessly into the skin within a matter of minutes. After the first couple of days I noticed a visible change in the luminosity of my skin, as well as the texture, which became both smoother and firmer. A week and a half into the routine and I decided to start skipping foundation altogether thanks to the bright glow it had given my complexion. Now, nearly a month in and I’m blown away at how fresh and healthy my face looks, no matter how much sleep I’ve had. Pores are shrunken, lines are softened, skin tone evened. Perfect for use under make up, Advanced Cellular Renewal Moisturiser gently leaves the skin feeling plump, protected and nourished, not to mention simply gorgeous to touch.

Whilst customers with young skin may enjoy using this formula, it’s those of you with mature complexions that’ll really see the biggest benefit from this offering. At £78 a pot it’s a pricey offering, but when it comes to visible improvements it’s certainly an investment worth considering. Suitable for all skin types, NUDE have proved once and for all highly effective anti-aging skincare needn’t ever be weighed down with unnecessary chemicals.

FREE SAMPLE OFFER FOR BEAUTY BITE READERS!

The lovely folks at NUDE Skincare are offering up samples of Advanced Cellular Renewal Moisturiser to the first 50 UK, Ireland and US based Beauty Bite readers to e-mail competitions@nudeskincare.com with their name and address. Please use the subject title THE BEAUTY BITE. Samples are strictly limited to 50, so be quick!

Advanced Cellular Renewal Moisturiser is available at Nudeskincare.com for £78. 

*this item was a free sample obtained by the Beauty Bite*

S started using this when she was 3 and a half months gone, having already seen several stretch marks appear. Sticking to a routine daily application, not only has she seen a drastic decrease in the colour and prominence of the initial batch that occurred, but has also not had a single stretch mark appear since. With soothing ingredients such as Shea Butter and Rosehip Oil to protect, repair and moisturise, this creamy formula is the perfect weapon for increasing your skins elasticity both during and after your pregnancy.

Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter swatched

Whilst I’m curious to try out a pot for myself to see how it fairs against the hefty marks I picked up during a growth spurt several years ago, anyone who is currently with baby and concerned about skin damage should certainly investigate picking up a pot; particularly as it contains no ingredients that could potentially harm your little one. Teamed with a gorgeous scent and rich texture, the results my friend has seen have left her completely and utterly sold.

SUITABLE FOR: All skin types.

AVAILABLE: Mamamio.com (£23 + free delivery)

BEST SUITED TO: Women at the start of their pregnancy.

BEAUTY BITE RATING: 5 out of 5 – does exactly what it claims.

*this product was a free sample obtained by the Beauty Bite*

Containing two full sized products (Leighton Denny Expert nails: £11 and Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in shade Moray: £13) my box actually featured nine goodies this month thanks to the inclusion of three 8ml perfume samples, a dinky black travel bag, plus three Demalogica Age Smart testers ranging in size from a tiny 1ml lip cream to a reasonably generous 15ml face masque. This month also sees the addition of QR codes, a great time saving tool for anyone looking to use their GlossyBox discounts via their mobile.

In general I think this selection has a neat balance of make up and skincare, something GlossyBox has failed to do well in the past. The Stila Eyeliner has been wearing confidently since I put it on this morning and from a quick swatch of the Leighton Denny Varnish I’ve struck lucky and received a tone that’s wonderfully flattering against my complexion. From browsing reviews online it also seems everyone has been sent the same selection of goodies, which after the imbalances of the last few months is a terrific move for GlossyBox in terms of drowning down the noise of disgruntled customers.

What do you all think – has this month’s box been a hit or miss? Let me know in the comments below!

Whilst the vibrant tones of Easy Lover pop spectacularly when admired through the tube, this sheer burst of shimmering girliness needn’t be approached with caution.

Easy Lover Swatched

Using the soft doe foot applicator to drench the lips with a hint of candy floss pink, this relatively non sticky formula is great for day to day wear. Packed full of tiny flecks of silver glitter the overall finish is full, plump and juicy; exactly what a good gloss should be.

Easy Lover applied to heavily pigmented lips

See? A hot pink gloss that translates to being so sheer it’s not scary at all!

Offering a reasonable wear time of 60 to 90 minutes (depending on how often you smack your lips) Nars’ glosses are always a good investment for any make up collection thanks to their comfortable texture, wearable colours and delicate scent.

SUITABLE FOR: Everyone.

AVAILABLE: narscosmetics.co.uk (£17.50)

BEST SUITED TO: Those who usually shy away from glossy candy colours.

BEAUTY BITE RATING: 5 – a great everyday gloss that even works well on pigmented lips.

*this product was purchased by The Beauty Bite*

I’m a big fan of Cow Pat (that’s a sentence I never thought I’d write) and adore massaging it into my hands (!!!). The texture is smooth, light and reasonably quick to absorb, leaving mitts noticeably soft to the touch. With a usual RRP of £8 a tube, you can snap one up with a copy of InStyle for just £3.70.

Cow Pat swatched

Whether you’re a loyal hand cream user or someone who hasn’t been able to try out Cowshed before, this offer is well worth a detour to the newsagents. So what are you waiting for? Get Moo-ving!

InStyle UK is available at news retailers nationwide for £3.70

Learn more about Cowshed and their amazing products here.