Illamasqua Skin Base Lift

It's taken me a while to get around to picking up this product... But busy work days has meant that I need something to perk up my under eyes as a full nights sleep is not something I get very often. 

I opted for the shade Light 2... It makes a massive difference to the under eye area and is a great pick me up! I've used it everyday since having it... Great for contouring too as it blends easily! 

It's available in 7 shades and is £17.50. 

     

Would definitely recommend. 

    

Rhian Xx

Benefit They're Real Mascara

This post is a little late in the day as this product is not at all new... But I wanted to write about it as a number of people may not spend £19.50 for a mascara... So why should you pay more? Does it make that much difference?

I can honestly say I have bought this mascara inbetween purchasing others (I do like the try a new one every now and again) So why do I keep coming back to this one? Well... I thought the easiest way to break this down would be via a series of pros and cons rather than a long description of random ramblings so here goes. 

Pros

Substantial increase in the appearance of the length of my lashes

Black, which is the affect that I like 

More volume 

The brush manages to capture smaller inner corner lashes

The brush isn't so large that it causes the mascara on an eyelid disaster

Reduces the need for false lashes

Cons

It's a bitch to remove! Saying that... My Garnier water manages to remove it in a couple of goes but if you do not remove this before bed you will inevitably end up with sticky lashes and the shower will defo give you panda eyes! 

Saying that I'm sure you're all so good that you always remove your mascara before bed even after one too many cocktails ;) 

That's really the only con that I can think of. I do love this mascara and I don't feel naked without false lashes even if out. 

I would recommend this if you are wanting a more premium mascara than your usual drug store and supermarket brands - I have other favourites too but They're Real is probably in my top 3. Pics below are an example of eye make up you can acheive without lashes by just using this mascara! 

Rhian Xx

SEVENTEEN - Miracle Matte Skin Primer

Bethan is once again my guest blogger on this one - this is a product which I purchased from Boots... tried once and then never used it again.
Bethan explained to me she was having problems with an oily T-Zone so in exchange for a cheeky blog post I gave her the product to try.

So I was given the task of testing out the seventeen miracle matte skin primer, as I suffer with combination skin I felt I was a good candidate to see if this would help with my skin woes. 

I usually prime with Illamasqua hydra veil as my skin tends to be dull and dry in appearance on most occasions, with the exception of my t zone. However, this does tend to make me suffer with the dreaded sheen on my forehead by mid day, and find myself layering on my Mac studio fix powder.

On day 1 I applied both hydra veil and the matte primer, with little effect by the end of a working office day.

Day 2 however I skipped the hydra veil on my forehead and used the primer alone and I did notice a difference. I still had a dewy glow by the end of the day, but a great improvement.

It was a good little product and I will continue to use it til it is gone, but would I re purchase? probably not, I would look for something newer on the marketplace.

I think this is good for people with a mild oil issue x


Remember you can follow Bethan on twitter and instagram @bethanevans84

The Body Shop - Hemp Mitt

I have been so crazy busy with work lately, that I really have not felt like blogging when I got home - thankfully I have luscious friends who are happy to share their thoughts on the latest products they have purchased too - particularly when they have some good things to say or if the product is not on everyone's radar.

Bethan kindly wrote this post for me so enjoy!!






 I recently purchased this hemp mitt from the body shop, retailing around £7.

I do love my fake tan, and I have found that body scrubs and miracle removers have not tended to agree with me, or removed as I would expect. Let's face it, the only real way to get rid of a fading fake tan is to scrub it off. So, I went in search of a helpful mitt and came across this.

Use this is the shower with some standard shower gel and hey presto, job done. It's great for smoothing your skin and can even improve your circulation, I'm not sure how great it is at reducing cellulite yet as I'm not a huge sufferer.

I have noticed due to the nature of the material the mitt does shrink, but can be pulled back into shape fairly easily.

A great little natural product from the body shop xx 

Clinique - Chubby Stick for Cheeks

The great thing about the Clinique Chubby Stick was that it was a quick and easy way to apply a flush of colour to your lips which was also moisturinsing... Well imagine that same concept but 4 times the size and for your cheeks! 

Amazing huh? 

I was given this product by a friend and the colour was Rhobust Rhubarb which is the ideal shade for me as it's a coral colour. 

At the moment this product is only available in 4 shades; 

Ample Apple

Rhobust Rhubarb

Roly Poly Rosy

Plumped Up Peony

This product is literally fool proof which means there is now no excuse for a lack of blusher or tint to the cheeks - one of life's biggest faux pas is the lack of blusher after you've applied a layer of foundation - I mean why would you not? Especially as your cheeks naturally have a hint of colour. 

   

One quick swoop across your cheeks, a little blending and voila! You are done. It's that simple. Instant subtle glow which you can increase the intensity of if required. The product is also oil free and unlike other cream blushers doesn't sit heavily on your cheeks clinging to yor pores. 

This product is great for a woman in a hurry or infact any woman! 

   

This product is available from all Clinique counters and retails for £19. 

Rhian Xx

Too Faced - Melted Lipstick

Swoon!

I have wanted this product for ages! I've seen numerous snaps on Instagram which has just made me long for this product more and more! 

...Now what I have never noticed in all the Cardiff Debenhams wandering I have ever done is that they have a Too Faced (unmanned) counter in store. Result! 

I managed to resist my usual temptation of coral and headed for Melted Peony which is a lovely pink shade!

The product goes on like a dream! The packaging is handy - you simply unscrew and apply - no mess and no bleeding out from the lips which means you don't need a liner. 

The texture of the product is great.. Smooth to apply and not sticky. It lasts ages too with little need for reapplication. 

You get a glossy application to start with and once it settles is mattifies. 

The product retails in the UK for £19 which for a long wearing lipstick is well priced. (Versus other department store brands) 

I think the reason I like this so much is that it's the practicality of a lipgloss but the finish and lasting wear of a lipstick! 

There seems to be a lot of Instagram love for this product because since posting the pic on Saturday I now have nearly 400 likes on it! 

I can see me adding more colours to my collection.

It's available in the following; 

Have you tried this yet? What are your thoughts? 

Rhian Xx