Monday 24 December 2012

Happy Holidays from Es-Jay Makeup...

Hey there Beautifuls
I know I've been just a little more than absent from the old bloggy recently but I just haven't had time to breath let alone sit down and form coherent sentences.


I've started a new job which is demanding to say the least, I'm week 4 into it and there've already been tears and tantrums but I can honestly say it's a dream job and I ALMOST wouldn't change it for the world.


But as I sit here tonight after a long shift on the ward I had this great urge to blog! So naturally I thought I'd do it before I lost consciousness.


This is a post to say Happy Holidays to all my followers and whoever else may come across this post by chance, Whatever your cultural or religious beliefs may be I hope you're all having a wonderful time wherever in the world and thank you for supporting Es-Jay Makeup!


All the best and I shall be writing to all very soon...
Until then
Ciao for now
xoxox

Sunday 4 November 2012

Dove Intensive Repair Leave-In Conditioning & Care Spray...


Hello again Beautifuls!
 

I'm back again with a quickie review for you of a recent discovery that I've just fallen in love with.  If you've been a follower of my blog for a while you'll probably notice that a haircare review is a little out of the norm for me.  But with the change of weather it's not just my skin that's suffering.  I've been browsing the aisle's for intensive treatments and masks but always turned away with nothing knowing that my hatred for thick gloopy hair masks teamed with my very fine easily weighed down hair couldn't really be catered for...That is until now...
 
Enter the Dove Hair Therapy Leave-in Conditioning and Care spray.  It's weightless and helps to prevent breakage and split ends which I'll admit I was in desperate need for.  The spray comes as a dual formula with a milky layer and a more transluscent layer which you shake to combine and then mist onto either towel dried, damp hair or dry hair.  I love the spray dispenser for this bottle as it gives a really even fine mist, you don't need much.  I have mid-back length hair and I feel 3-4 sprays is more than enough for my whole head.  I've been using this before blow drying as a bit of a heat protectant and on next day hair for shine and conditioning.  I haven't been using this long enough to know if it's actually doing anything amazing for my hair but since I've bought this my hair has looked a million times healthier and just generally in better condition. 
 
It's definitely is weightless but I do find that if you have really fine hair like mine you probably will have to wash your hair a day sooner than you normally would.  To be honest I really don't mind this.  I also think this Dove conditioner is great for coloured hair although they do have another version specifically for coloured hair as I recently went redhead and everytime I spray this in my hair it does genuinely make y colour look fresher, more vibrant and richer.  And just to top of the rave...It smells GORGEOUS! It's a scent that is defintely present when it's sprayed but not overpowering but lingers on the hair and I have been told it's quite an 'attractive hair smell' whatever that means! It's a little bit floral with fruity cocktail hints and would be great as a holiday essential I think. 
 
I picked this up in Boots for half the RRP at around £1.48 if I remember correctly which is an absolute steal! Go and get it! you won't be disappointed. I'm so tempted to pick up a few more while it's on offer just to stock up.
 
Apologies for not having proper pics guys, the weather has just been so pants and grey and what with it now getting dark at 5pm by the time I'm ready to sit down and blog my pictures all come out pants! :(
 
leave me your lovely comments and don't forget to subscribe and also let me know what you're using on your hair to save it from this horrible cold weather!
Until next time
Ciao for now World
xoxox

Saturday 27 October 2012

Nivea Lip Butters...



 
Hey there Beautiful people.  I know I've been absent for a while and I'd like to have a viable reason to give other than 'life got in the way' but it did.  Many a time I sat down to blog but felt it was forced and where's the fun in that?!  I'm back today with a quick review of something which instantly caught my eye in Superdrug the other day and had me thinking...'I'll have to blog about those later..'
 
It's the new Nivea Lip Butters.  They come in three different 'flavours' with 'Original' being the one I figured I could pass on but the two I have I'm in love with.  Caramel Cream smells like sugary vanilla cupcakes but not in a sickly sweet artificial way, whereas raspberry rose smells a bit zingyer, like raspberry sweets.  Both are solid in texture but melt to the touch and apply like a thick feeling butter on the lips.  They don't feel sticky or gloopy and I have a feeling these are going to be travelling everywhere with me as the weather turns much colder.  Now for £1.49 each they're not exactly going to work miracles but it does provide adequate moisture for a fair few hours and they smell and taste so yummy that I don't mind the re-application process one bit!
 
I feel like I should be doing a lot of talking and updating but there's not really much to say...I'm still waiting to start work which is annoying as I'm eager to get my hands dirty.  CRB check pending I should be on my way back to nursing the sick very soon, fingers crossed.  I'm also on the hunt for new skincare as usual.  I can't seem to get it set so I'm drinking gallons of water in the hopes that it'll clear itself up.  Any recommendations from you lovely lot would be much appreciated :D
 
Until Next Time
 
Ciao For Now World
 
xoxox

Sunday 9 September 2012

July/August Faves...


 
Hey there again Beautifuls! Yes this post is late but I'm getting this up today so help me God!!
 
I didn't get to do a July faves post so I'm combining my July and August faves and cheating a little bit...
Firstly I've been loving my Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner Water.  This smells like all lush products typically do and contains lots of lovely essential oils such as Rose Absolute, Patchouli Oil and Rosemary Oil which gives the skin a nice little perk up and leaves the skin feeling refreshed and hydrated.  It comes in a spritz bottle and the instructions claim you can spray this directly on to the skin however I feel it doesn't dispense in an even mist and you just end up looking overly sweaty that way so I spray onto a cotton pad and swipe over after cleansing.
Then I use my trusty Neals Yard Vitamin E and Avocado Night Cream.  This is great even for morning use as a little goes a very long way and it sinks in very quickly leaving the skin feeling comfortable.  This also contains lots of lovely essential oils such as Jojoba Seed oil, Geranium Flower oil and Lemon Peel oil which gives it a nice herbal sort of scent but also makes you feel it's immensely good for the skin.
As an SPF base for the skin and also a great moisturiser I've also been loving my Origins Vitazing moisturiser.  This has tiny beads of pigment which work to even the skintone and give a slight hint of colour, not much though.  I love using this before foundation as I tend to use it solely for it's moisturising and sun protective properties and not for its coverage.  I can however (on a good skin day) wear this alone and still feel I'm not totally in my own skin
On the eyes I've really been enjoying using my Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24hr Cream eyeshadow in the shade On and On Bronze.  This has been great as a base for shadow and I've pretty much been using this everyday with a shimmery champagne colour in the inner corner as a highlight and a deeper chocolatey shade to darken the crease and outer corner.  It really does give the shadow something to cling to and helps it last all day without creasing.
Recently I've dug out my Dior Skin Forever extreme wear flawless makeup foundation and decided to show it some love.  Initially I purchased this for special occasion use only but now that I've got my beady eyes on the new YSL Touche Eclat foundation I'm using this up in order to justify the splurge!  This really does live up to it's name...It leaves you with a flawless finish and amazing looking skin.  I would say this is a medium with slightly more coverage and feels like silk on the skin.  It has an SPF 25 so does give a little bit of flashback but I'm not usually bothered by that...I'm hardly going to be papped everywhere I go am I?!
To set the foundation I usually just use my Revlon Photoready powder.  This also gies coverage as well as setting so works great over a lighter foundation for that added bit of coverage and doesn't make me look overly done or too cakey which is pretty good for my dry skin. Thumbs up Revlon!
and finally on the cheeks I've been sporting a peachy shade with a glowy highlighter on top for that summery bronzed look.  Enter Fashionista's London blush with 17 Instant Glow Gold Bronze shimmer brick over the top.  Both products are highly pigmented, a little goes a long way especially with such a shimmery highlight but buffed and blended in properly and this looks great!
 
And there you have it folks, my faves for the past couple of months!  Hope you enjoyed that and hopefully the next one wont be too late. 
Until Next time Beauts
 
Ciao for now
xoxox
 


Thursday 30 August 2012

Empty products #1

My little box of empties...

Facial Skincare bits...

Hair Related bits and bobs...

General Creepy baby faced products...


Hello Beautifuls

Apologies if this post seems a bit rushed but I am well aware of my lack of blogging recently and my absolute backlog of things I need to blog about but I shall try my best I promise...
 
I've been collecting this little stash of empty bottles, jars and packets for quite some time now and thought...'it's about time you wrote that empties post and said adios to the unecessary clutter my friend'
 
So to give you a quick overview of the products and my thoughts on them I'll start with the face related products. 
* Neutrogena visibly clear pink grapefruit daily scrub - I liked this scrub, I found it gentle enough for my dry sensitive skin and the exfoliant (a very fine sugary consistency) was gentle enough for everyday use.  It didn't dry out the skin and didn't leave that tight after-feel that some cleansers can do.  It is scented with a light refreshing grapefruity citrus scent but it's not at all overpowering and I found it to actually be quite uplifting in the morning.
 
*Clinique liquid facial soap extra-mild - This is the one for very dry to dry skin which should cater for me perfectly but somehow it just doesnt.  I find it's too gentle if that's even possible of a cleanser but what I mean is it just doesnt cleanse. I do however LOVE the gel version of the liquid facial soap, I would even go as far as to say it's probably the best gel cleanser I've ever used to date... Big statement! This cream version though..no no no!
 
* Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser - do I really need to bang on about this any more..? I love it, It's brilliant, I'll always have a bottle of this in my bathroom cabinet and if that's not enough for you.. HERE's the link to my full review
 
* The Body Shop Aloe Gentle exfoliator for sensitive skin - I hated this! I'm sorry body shop but this product really didn't react well with my skin, it broke me out something horrible and left my skin red raw despite being marketed for sentive skin and when I returned it to the store to ask for a refund or atleast an exchange incase the product was faulty...the sales assistant refused to help and said I should just continue using it until it 'got better'.  Erm anybody else out there think I'm crazy in thinking this stuff isn't going anywhere near my face again...?! So yes technically this isn't an empty product but I'm quite happy to put it in the bin and never look back!
 
* St Ives Apricot scrub - This particular bottle is so old it's in the old packaging before it was reformulated.  Have to say I much prefer the new packaging and new formulations as they now have a sensitive version but I like using this once or twice a week for a bit more of an 'intense' exfoliation.  It doesn't break me out, always leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh and is one of those products I know I can always rely on to do the job!
 
* The body shop Nutriganics foaming facial wash - This is designed to help combat the first signs of aging.  I'm not sure if I actually saw any anti-aging effects whilst using this however it is only and little 50ml bottle so who knows if it may have done with long term use.  To be honest I only got this because The Body Shop had a 3 for 2 offer on all their smaller products and this was my impulse free product...it cleansed fairly well, the foam was gentle and left my skin comfortable.  It has a bit of a natural light organic scent which was quite pleasant to use actually...
 
Hair related products...
* Rituals Sumo Force strengthening shampoo with Bamboo and Ginseng - I remember buying this a long time ago in the hopes that the strengthening vitamin and mineral formula would magically transform my thin fine hair into wonderfully voluminous thick locks but obviously that's not what they meant... What this shampoo claims to do is provide your hair with a little added boost of nourishment to help strengthen the roots and give your hair the leg up it needs.  Does it do that? I didn't think so until this bottle finished and now I'm missing it quite a bit and so is my hair, I just hope they havent discontinued this or I will be sad :(
 
* Alpecin double effect Shampoo for hair loss - To go hand in hand with my Rituals Sumo force I've also been using this caffeine based shampoo to help stimulate the growth of hair at the roots.  Yes I really want those long luscious locks and to be honest this shampoo works wonders.  I'd recommend this to anybody who is suffering with hair loss at the moment as you will notice a difference in the amount of hair you lose and the general strength of your hair.  I wouldn't say I lose more hair than the average person but because I have very fine thin hair I'd like to keep as much of it as possible for as long as possible and this is doing a brilliant job of helping me on my quest :D A word of warning though, it has a very strong scent which in the beginning gave me headaches like no other but the results were worth it and no I don't even notice the horrendous smell :D
 
* Batiste Tropical dry shampoo - This is the mini purse size can.  It smells to me a bit coconutty with a hint of pineapple..? anyody else agree? This does an average job of refreshing the hair and gives you another day without washing but then leaves you with greasy gritty hair the next day which needs to be washed asap!
 
And finally the misc odd bits...
 
* Johnson's baby Skincare Wipes - I generally keep a pack of baby wipes hanging around (I always feel baby wipes are somehow gentler because they're targeted towards baby's sensitive skin..?) just to freshen up the hands and face or for makeup cleanups and mishaps while applying and tend to go through them quite a bit.  There's not really much I can say about these except, they were fine, they have that 'baby product' smell, they did the job and the baby on the front of the pack is really creepy!
 
* Dermatological E45 Cream - I always have a tub or tube of this lying around and I think I always will, It's great for any dry patches on the hands, face or body and is specially formulated for dry skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis.  It workes wonders on my dry sensitive skin and with winter fast approaching again..I'm keeping well stocked up on my E45 friend :D
 
Wow that was a long post, and now folks I'm off to do some serious recycling! Joy!
 
Until Next Time
Ciao For Now World
xoxox
 

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Neal's Yard Remedies Skincare...

Hey there Beautifuls,

I apologise for the slight absence from the blogging world but yet again life has just gotten in the way a bit...you know how it is...work, sleep, more work, It's been tough (poor me!)

I recently instagram'ed ( esjaym for those that would like to add me, I am however a private user so I will have to approve) a pic of some skincare I was contemplating on a shopping trip and this is what I ended up picking up on my travels...





I've been using the Vitamin E and Avocado Night Cream every night for about a week now which isn't really long enough to give an in depth and full on review but so far...I'm loving it.  It glides on the skin and feels really rich and silky but sinks into the skin really quickly and doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy or oily.  It's really soothing for dry sensitive skin but claims to be aimed at all skin types.  This jar contains 50g and I got this on sale for £10 however RRP is £24 I think so a bit of a bargain there.

The Power Berry Facial mask was a bit of a spur of the moment thing but again, from the few times I've used it I'm impressed.  Again it's very soothing on the skin but has a sticky, tacky texture which is quite weird when slathering on the face.  It has tiny berry seeds which act as a very gentle exfoliator which my sensitive skin enjoys thoroughly.  When applying it should be on a dry face which feels really sticky and gooey and frankly a bit weird but that's ok, we all like a bit of weird if it's good for our skin right? However when washing off the water turns the product milky and really silky feeling on the skin and washes off like a dream leaving radiant, clean, fresh skin which doesn't feel at all tight.  This little jar is priced at £10 normally but again I picked this up in the sale for half price.  I've used this 3 times so far and have used about a third of the jar so I'd estimate a good 9-10 uses of this as you only need a thin layer.

I hope these little reviews were helpful for you.  I'm very fond of Neal's Yard skincare, they smell gorgeous and luxurious and feel really beneficial for the skin.  Has anyone tried anything from Neal's Yard? Any recommendations?

Until Next Time

Ciao for now
xoxox

Thursday 19 July 2012

Review...Boots No7 Essential Moisture Day Fluid...

Hey there Beautifuls

Another post for you and yes it is skincare related...
I'm a little bit skincare obsessed at the moment but have I found my 'can't live without holy grail absolute must skincare routine' yet...?

Sadly not

But here's another product I've enjoyed trying on my travels...
It's the Boots No7 Essential Moisture Day Fluid for Normal/Dry Skin
'Conditions and cares for radiant skin every day'

Blurb on the back:
'Nourish your skin every day with this gently caring, fragrance-free moisture lotion.  Light and easily absorbed, it glides on leaving skin soft, supple and smooth.  With soothing elderflower and caring vitamins E and F.'
'A little facial everyday...After cleansing and toning, massage over your face and neck.'

Well, that's not a facial I would pay for... But I have to say, the product is everything it says on the blurb.  Lightweight and easily absorbed yet still provides enough moisture even for my dry skin.  You get 100ml of product which is rather generous and is RRP'd at £10.00 which is do-able I guess but obviously I picked this up last month when those little £5 voucher gems were flying about.  So with £5 off it makes this product then totally worth the money and 100ml will last you a fair while.  I've been using this everyday for about a month now and have barely used 1/6 of the product yet.  It comes with a pump dispenser which is handy, hygienic, and one pump does my whole face. :D

I hope this review was useful for you and I thought I'd get it up seeing as I've been a bit naughty and bought some new skincare bits today...My reasoning behind it...? I needed cheering up and so did my skin! :D  Obviously pictures and reviews will be up once I've tried and tested but it is a brand I know and love and I'm pretty sure I'll love them.  It also helps that the lovely sales assistant was so helpful and threw in a few samples!

In other news...I have a twitter account...The link and feed is at the top of this page so please feel free to follow along and tweet me...I love getting messages from you gorgeous girlies!
Also I have Instagram...Now...I've had instagram since I've had my Iphone which is nearly two years now...I had it when nobody else did! haha but now everybody has it and loves it, I suppose I can tell you about mine...My account is set to private, because I want it that way and I will approve beauty blogger followers that want to follow I've just never really been public with my photos and it's taken a lot of courage for me to finally say...sod the world and their opinions, if you don't like me or think I'm ugly well...click unfollow and don't look at me! haha anyway my Instagram username is: esjaym for those that have Instagram and would like to follow...

And that's all for now folks...

Ciao for now World

xoxox

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Review...Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains

Hey There Beautifuls,



Left: 001 Honey Right: 005 Crush

I'm Going to jump on the Kissable balm stain bandwagon and I come bearing crappy Iphone pics n all! Yay! :D

I was browsing through superdrug oblivious to the release of these and spotted them...I have to say I stood a little dumbfounded for a minute and I was good and walked away (only to rush back the next day and buy the above shades...)
Yes I have no restraint or self control...

I have to say I'm really impressed with these, they have a minty smell which I like, and obviously the packaging is comparable to that of the infamous Clinique Chubby sticks.  They're currently on offer in both Boots and Superdrug for £5.99 which is an introductory offer (RRP will be £7.99)

The consistency is quite balmy to begin with but then turns a little bit waxy but the colour pay off is pretty good and wear-time is approx 4-6 hours before you need to reapply with eating and drinking which I can live with and I haven't experienced that 'drying-settle-in-the-lines' feeling which gives them a big thumbs up for me! :D

I initially wanted to pick up the Orange shade but I thought I'd step out of my comfort zone a little bit with these and I've not regretted it yet.

Have any of you tried the Kissable Balm Stains and if so what are your thoughts?

Until Next Time

Ciao For Now Beautifuls!

xoxox

Tuesday 10 July 2012

Review: Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover

Hey there Beauts,

I feel like I've been slacking on the blogging front so much recently, and I've been sitting here thinking...
'What the hell should I blog about...?!?!'

So Instead of buying a bunch of spangly new products (coz lets face it...I have no money!) and Instead of trying to conjure up a new found love for something which in fact I actually hate I've just simply gone around and picked up a few things that I've been using for a while now and written some notes on them...

what they're like/pro's/con's/my thoughts/price and the rest is up to you...I figured It'd be up to you all to see whether or not you thought the product would suit your skin and whether you should give it a try and it would give me something to blog about :D win win situation!

So first up is the Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover with Iceland Moss.
I've had this product for a while and have just come close to finishing it (Thank the heavens!!) Thats not to say it's a bad product, it just leaves a very oily film on the face which I then feel the need to wash off asap!

It's formulated for delicate, sensitive skin in mind although it says all skin types on the bottle and claims to remove even waterproof mascara which I totally agree with.  Soaked on a cotton pad it just glides on the skin and removes everything that it comes in contact with but your skin is left slippery and very oily which is good for those with dry skin like mine but I like to have a clean face which is oil and goo free before bed.

Value for money-wise you get 150ml for £3.99 which I think is pretty good and a little goes a fairly long way depending on caked on your makeup is.

My thoughts would be...It's good, if you have sensitive dry skin and dont mind using an oily product on your face, it's also good if you wear a lot of heavy eye makeup and waterproof mascara and want a simple non-irritant way of removing it.  It's also very affordable and very accesible if you're in the UK.  If however you have oily skin and hate even the word oil being mentioned stay well clear of this!

Thanks for sticking by Es-Jay Makeup guys! It's been a hard couple of months and the struggle isn't over but I'm getting there and there are some lovely followers on here and on twitter that are making my days so much better with their lovely messages and comments so thank you!
You all don't know how much it means to me!

Until Next Time Lovelies

Ciao for now

xoxox

Tuesday 3 July 2012

Review...No7 Melting Gel Cleanser

Hey there Beautifuls,  I have a quick review for you guys as you can guess from the title, It's the Boots No7 Melting Gel Cleanser for Normal to Dry skin.

Boots say...'The first step to beautiful skin is effective cleansing. Specially formulated to effectively clear away dirt and impurities, No7 Beautiful Skin Melting Gel Cleanser leaves dry complexions feeling as soft and supple as normal skin.'
'The gel develops into a non-drying oil to protect the skin’s natural moisture levels and hydrate dry areas at the same time. It then changes into a light milk formula for easier rinsing, so skin is left residue-free and totally refreshed. What’s more, it’s enriched with rosehip oil to really lock in moisture and offer a fuss-free approach to truly tailored skincare.'

My thoughts? I like it but I'm not blown away... It does feel nice on the skin but used on a full face of makeup it only removes approximately 75% of the makeup (It tends to struggle with mascara and eyeliner) However used with a muslin cloth (if you have you're own because this isn't designed to be a hot cloth cleanser) you dont experience the panda eye problem so much.

You only need a small amount and the transformation from gel to milky texture is gentle on the skin and good for those with dry and sensitive skin like mine, however it does have a floral scent which can be quite over powering so if you don't like scented skincare products then I'd suggest stearing well clear of this...that being said it's in no way an unpleasant scent.

The best thing about this cleanser is the lovely soft supple feeling of your skin after you've cleansed, it doesn't leave a residue on the skin but it does feel moisturised yet clean at the same time.

This retails in Boots stores for £9 however with the infamous £5 off vouchers lurking around at present you can pick this up for £4 if you're quick.

Does anyone have any skin care recommendations? or anyone tried any of the other new No7 skincare range please let me know...

Thanks for stopping by, Ciao For Now World

xoxox

Sunday 24 June 2012

June Faves...

Hey there Beautifuls, wow have I been absent throughout the month of June! I know I know! I'm a bad bad blogger but although I havent been blogging throughout June, I've definitely still been trying out new products and re-discovering beauty gems and here's my list of beauty faves for this month...

I've been really enjoying giving my skin a bit of a break throughout the past month and just using either a very light foundation or a tinted moisturiser. I've re-discovered my love for my Origins vitazing moisturiser which when blended into the skin leaves a slight tint and evens the skin. aside from the tinting factor I actually feel this has been doing wonders for my skin too, 've had no breakouts and a generally even, glowy complexion and I do think this has had a lot to do with it.
I recently walked into my local Lush store having been absent from it for a while (too long obviously!) looking for a toner for my skin and was recommended the 'Breath of fresh air' toner. I have to say some have mixed opinions on the smell of this toner but I love it, it's a very floral yet light and fresh scent and is packed full of essential oils to benefit the skin. I was told that this would be good for dry and sensitive skin and could also help reduce redness which I genuinely believe this toner has done for my skin. I've been using it twice a day and is actually the highlight of my skincare routine (...how sad! haha!)
I've also been loving using Johnson's baby oil with camomile for my skin after a bath or sometimes even in the bath for a bit of extra moisture as my dry skin has just been horrible lately. I really like the smell of this oil but it is fragranced which could irritate some people. That's all I can really say about it...haha it's an oil but it really has helped the dry patches on my skin and although I normally hate that greasy feeling I've been powering through and just trying to get my skin back to some sort of normality.

On my nails this month I've pretty much just been re-applying Barry M's Peach Melba, I love this colour, it seems to suit my skin like no other pastel shade and the formula is pretty good, two light coats is all I need for a fair few days of no chipping unless I'm pretty tough on my hands in which case 2 days and they're chipped..I only have myself to blame though...
A favourite which has carried over from May has got to be my Naked pallette, If I've used any eyeshadows on the lids it's been from this pallette and nothing else, in fact, I've been using it so much that I'm now worried about having to buy another just so I have a backup...this can only mean bad things for my bank :(
I'm not really one to finish products no matter how much I love them but I really did love my Superdrug Vitamin E hot cloth cleanser to the very last drop, I've done a full review of it Here but basically if you have horribly dry and sensitive skin like mine then you should definitely consider giving this a go!

I feel like I keep apologising for being absent from my blog but life really has gotten on top of me recently...Thanks to all of you lovely lot for your wonderful, comments, tweets and messages and for sticking by me, I couldn't do it without you.

Please feel free to leave me any comments and questions and b sure to let me know what your faves have been for the month of June...

Also I'll be answering your Health related questions over on http://emmas-advice.blogspot.co.uk/ so be sure to check out Emma's blog and don't forget to follow it and send her your questions.

Until next time

Ciao for now world

xoxox

Friday 1 June 2012

May faves...

Oh Yesss Beauts! It's that time again!

This month I've been trying to dig my way through my *Ahem* mahoosive makeup collection and try new looks.

I've been loving using my Simple Moisture Boost Hydromist, I think this was Simple's answer to the ever famous Caudalie Beauty Elixir but I've fallen so madly in love with this version that I haven't even ordered the Caudalie one.  It's worked wonders on my dry skin and calmed down the 'totally not like me' breakouts that I was getting, provides a great base for makeup and does an even better job on top of it as a refresher throughout the day...I'm in love again...
I've also been loving Orange! Yup basically anything orange, The weather got better (which by the way lasted all of five minutes!) and I pulled out every item of makeup and clothing I could find in basically every shade of orange I could find.  I made quite good use of my Revlon lip butter in Tutti Frutti and really enjoyed orange blush, Sleek had one a few collections ago that I recently dug out of my collection and put to use.
I've also really been loving scrubs in the shower, I found a rather old (yes I know icky!) tub of Rituals Hammam Hot scrub and figured why not finish it?! Now it's finished im so sad :( I feel as though there is something missing from my showers now.  It's an oil based scrub so it left my skin feeling really soft and hydrated without being overly sticky or greasy.  I'm actually thinking about trying a Body Shop Scrub or maybe the Soap and Glory one next...
For the eyes I've blown the dust off my Urban Decay Naked pallette and fallen back in love with it! I've loved using Virgin all over the lid with Darkhorse along the lashline and lightly blended through the crease and though I'm not really one to get stuck in a rut with eye looks I have to say I've used this combo quite a bit throughout May...and not once have I regretted it!


Slightly off on a tangent but Song faves this month have been Wretch 32 feat Ed Sheeran - Hush little baby! How awesome is that song! Aaaand who woulda thought that Coldplay Collaborating with Rihanna and coming out with the song Princess of China would sound so good?!

Those are the things I've really been loving throughout the month of May and can I just say...? Where has the time flown!? 2012 has hit June already?! I find that just a little bit crazy to comprehend! Ha!

As always leave me your wonderful comments and don't forget to hit the follow button...It's around there somewhere...

Until Next Time
Ciao For Now World...

xoxox

Friday 25 May 2012

Tool Review...Cosmopolitan Blend Perfection sponge

Hey there Beauts!

I was out shopping yesterday...As you do on a Thursday afternoon! And came across the Cosmopolitan Blend Perfection sponge in Superdrug.  I remembered hearing a bit about this and reading a few rave reviews so I picked it and thought...'meh it's £4.99 so if it all goes horribly wrong atleast I havent spent £20 on a brush'.  Thankfully for me...It all went horribly RIGHT!


In my opinion this is the best bloomin' thing since sliced bread!  I believe this is the UK's version of the 'Beauty Blender' and does pretty much the same job but trust me this makes your foundation just blend into your skin and look really natural and flawless (I hate that term but I can't actually think of anything better right now'

You take the sponge and run it under water, then squeeze out the excess water and begin blending using a stippling sort of motion.  Because you're using the moisture from the sponge your foundation doesn't sit on your dry patches in fact when you use this....'What dry patches..?!?' so far I've tested this with my trusty Photoready, the infamous Healthy mix and my Clinique foundation and they all look lovely, great finish and you get an evened out skintone and lovely glowy skin and I've found that I end up using less product because this just does the job with one layer of foundation whereas before I was packing on two to three layers for a very full coverage!

It has a pointed end for getting in those more hard to reach areas such as around the nose and under the eyes which brings me to another reason why I love this sponge...There is absolutely no pulling or tugging on the skin, it's so light and glides across the skin whereas before I was using my fingers and pulling on my poor sensitive skin...NOT GOOD!

The ONLY downside to this is once you've used it, it'll never be clean again, no matter how much you wash with baby shampoo or soap you'll never get those darned foundation marks off it however at £4.99 I could easily re-purchase every 3-4 months say and not even lose any sleep over it.

Thnks for checking in guys, if you're in the UK you'll have finally seen the sun these past few days and have probably caught a bit of a tan too, check out my post on staying safe in the sun HERE.  Don't forget to leave me your lovely comments and don't forget to click the little follow button if you havent already :D

Until next time lovelies

Ciao for now!

xoxox

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Protect yourself in the heat...

Hey there Beauts!

So...one day of sun and I'm writing a heat post but apparently it's going to last! So I thought why not subtly remind you all to enjoy the heat responsibly! :D hehe Yup that is the nurse in me talking!

I remember being on placement in the Critical Care Unit during a heat wave last year and the Doctors subtly reminding us to keep well hydrated and drink plenty of water and his advice just stuck with me so I'm here to offer my knowledge and wisdom on how to stay safe in the heat! :D

  • First of all, Sun protection! we all want to strip off and BBQ ourselves the second it gets warmer than fridge temperature, and some even claim that the sun lifts their mood and makes them happier but remember the sun's UV rays overtime break down our skin's defences, and damages the Elastin in our skin causing it to sag, wrinkle and much more susceptible to bruising and tearing.  In other words WRINKLES AND SUN SPOTS! And they're not a good look ladies, let's be honest!

  • Sun damage from UV rays is also the biggest cause of Skin Cancer.  Safety first! I've been on Cancer wards and helped care for patients suffering with Cancer and it's heart breaking to see them go from happy healthy 'normal' people and then slowly disappear to nothing and the one they would always say is...'If only I could turn back time...I would never have started smoking/I would never have drunk so much/ I would have covered up in the sun and protected my skin' Luckily for us it's not too late.

  • Protect your skin with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF).  Obviously the higher the number the better but even an SPF of 15 filters 92% of harmful UVB rays.  Try and find one that protects against UVA and UVB rays.  What is the difference? UVA rays are longer rays which penetrate the skin's layers deeper and are just as harmful as UVB rays which don't penetrate as deeply however it's the damage from UVB rays that we see because they only penetrate the top layers on the skin.

  • Don't forget your eyes, ears, lips and nose need protection from UV rays too so pop some shades on, and apply sunscreen to your ears, nose and lips too. Plan to apply your sun lotion 15-20 minutes before being exposed to the sun to give it some time to sink in and to get the full benefits and don't forget to re-apply every 2-3 hours.

  • Keep well hydrated!! The human body can be in need of hydration well before we even know it and often, feeling thirsty means we're already dehydrated.  The heat causes us to perspire (you may want to keep some deodorant handy too!) much more which means hydration and salts from our body are being lost.  Keep a bottle of water or an energy drink with you in your handbag (c'mon ladies if we can carry around fashion mags and 5 lippies we can manage a bottle of water) and don't just carry it, keep it in your hand so you're more likely to take regular sips.  Avoid excessive Alcohol and caffeine as these will only dehydrate you even more.

  • Take regular breaks from the sun, there's only so much sun lotion can do and if you're out in the sun from noon - night you're risking your skin and much more susceptible to heat exhaustion.
On a final note if you feel over exhausted from excessive excercising in the sun and not enough water be sure to seek some shade, drink plenty of water and let somebody know because you may be suffering from heat stroke.  And as with anything if you're concerned about your health seek professional advice (Go and see your GP or local walk-in clinic or if you're very worried, your local Accident and Emergency department)


Most of all, enjoy it and stay sun safe!Until Next Time Beauts

Ciao for now World

xoxox

Sunday 13 May 2012

A Simple Review...

Hey there beautifuls

Feels like a long time since I've done any writing that was non-work related and on this lovely sunday evening what else is there to write about than skincare!

The blogging scene has recently just blown up with reviews and raves on the Caudalie beauty elixir so...I'm not going to talk about that! lol I came across this new product on the market that was sort of designed with the same purpose in mind.  It was half the price with almost double the amount of product and was designed especially with sensitive skin in mind...OBVIOUSLY I was going to pick this up!

It's the Simple Moisture Boost Hydro Spray...

Image taken from Simple.co.uk

What it claims to do...?

'Our Moisture Boost Hydro Mist is a perfect blend of active ingredients and Lotus Flower goodness to give tired, dehydrated and dull skin an Instant boost of hydration for naturally dewy skin.  The fine mist absorbs instantly into the skin, refreshing and restoring optimum moisture balance and can even be used over makeup.  Perfect for even sensitive skin.'

How is it good for you...?

'Contains Lotus flower for optimum hydration
Glycerin hydrates and nourishes
Vital vitamins pro-vitamin B5 actively restores, softens and smoothes
Vitamin E moisturises to improve skin condition.
No perfume, no colour, no unnecessary ingredients and no harsh chemicals so it won't upset your skin
Dermatologically tested and approved'

How I've been using it...?

I've been using this as a toner in the morning to refresh after cleansing and at night just before bed. I've also used this as a refresher throughout the day and tested how it fairs over and under makeup.

And my thoughts...?

To put it simply (haha Get it..?!) I like it! Now don't get me wrong it's not a miracle worker and it doesn't instantly make you look like Megan Fox frollicking on a beach on Dubai! But it is nice, just to refresh and with your eyes closed if you have hot, dry, tired eyes it instantly soothes and cools them.  Used under makep it works as a nice little base for your foundation especially if you have horribly dry skin like me.  It doesn't however replace my moisturiser completely so not as hydrating as I'd hoped.  Used over makeup I really like it.  I have skin which will dry in a blizzard which is not a good situation for foundation and this mist just eliminates the dry lines and cakiness that tends to appear half way through the day.  The only problem? It's a temporary fix and the effects only last about 30-60 minutes before I need a respray.

Overall I do like it and with it being priced around the £5 mark for 50mls it doesn't break the bank but is it something I could live without?! hmmm Probably and even though I haven't tried the infamous Caudalie version do I think this is as good?! From what I've heard of the Caudalie one I don't think the Simple mist would surpass it in the ranks and the Caudalie Beauty Elixir is next on my 'To Get' list.

I'm really getting into my skincare now and drinking a lot more water so any skincare suggestions would be great! Don't forget to comment below and follow my blog if you like it :D It'll make my day! :D

Until Next Time

Ciao for now world

xoxox


Thursday 3 May 2012

You are what you eat...

Hey there Beautifuls

This was a popular post last time I did it and I haven't posted a health post in a while so I thought I'd do another 'You are what you eat' post with what I've been eating recently and the benefits of those foods to the body and mind.

Strawberries -  What with the little stint of unusually great weather we had in March we've had a lovely harvest of strawberries recently, Sweet and juicy I'm loving them right now! Health wise Strawberries contain fiber which are good for digestion and they're known to curb hunger whilst being very low in calories.  They also contain anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories (great for osteoarthritis, asthma and athersclerosis) which do the same job as Aspirin or Ibuprofen but without the nasty side-effects of drugs :D


Weetabix - Yup I've been back on the weetabix recently! Tastes a bit like cardboard but definitely fills you up in the morning and the milk adds to your daily calcium intake.  Now the most obvious benefit of weetabix is of course keeping your digestive system and your bowels healthy and regular...Yup i'm talking regular pooping! lol A high in fiber diet is great for constipation and nobyd wants to be constipated right? Now I think I'll stop saying Constipated...


Olives - Hmm now just to clarify, I absolutely hate olives! I can't really stand the taste or the smell of them but because they're so good for you I've been trying to stomach atleast one or two a day.  Olives date back some 8,000 years where the olive tree was a symbol of peace and harmony.  Olives are rich in Vitamin E, Copper and Iron and are also an excellent source of fibre! (you're thinking constipation again right?)  They contain healthy monounsaturated fats which are great for preventing Heart Disease, Colon cancer, preventing the damage and inflammation of the cells and reducing the severity of Asthma and Osteoarthritis.


Chicken - I eat lots of chicken, boil it, roast it, grill it, fry it doesn't really matter I just love it! Chicken is high in lean protein which is great for growth and developement and good for those trying to lose weight.  Chicken also contains phosphorus which is good for yer teeth and bones and helps the functioning of yer kidneys, liver and central nervous system.

 Now obviously all foods should be consumed in moderation (eating fried chicken all day isn't going to be good for ya!) and always consult your GP or health care professional before undertaking any dietary changes.  This post is just a little insight into what I like to eat now and then and what benefits those foods have for the body.

Thanks for reading and welcome to all the new followers :D, Please leave me your lovely comments and let me know what food your really enjoying lately.  Oh and I'm a bit late on ther twitter scene but I'm now on it! yay for me! :D please add me! @EsJay848

Until Next time, tweet tweet

Ciao for now

xoxox

Tuesday 1 May 2012

Inspired...

Hey there Beautifuls

Realised I hadn't done an inspired post for a while and thought why not?

Now this isn't a recent inspiration, It's an ongoing one.  From her amazing acting in Leon as a little girl to her equally outstanding performance in Black Swan...Obviously I'm talking about Natalie Portman.

I'm always in awe of her Dior adverts and jus how stunningly beautiful she is, elegant and sophisticated.





She always has this elegant, natural beauty, girl next door look to her that I love. Her makeup is never flawless (you can always see her freckles) and eye is simple yet effective most the time



Ciao for now World

xoxox

Sunday 29 April 2012

April Faves...

Hey there beautifuls

I love April! April is the month where (technically!) the weather gets warmer and the sun shines more...It's also the month where I turn a year older!

This month I've been loving some beauty items I hadn't really tried before but have fallen in love with nevertheless.

Image from Bourjois.co.uk
When it comes to foundation I tend to stick with what I know best but everybody raved about the bourjois healthy mix foundation so much...well curiosity killed the cat and I just had to try it. The first time I tried it I hated it, it caked, settled in my lines and dry spots, and didn't look very good...

I then tried it again on top of a good moisturiser and guess what? I fell in love! It evened out my skin and just smoothed over my fine lines and pores. Made my skin look healthy and flawless and the colour match was pretty good too. It's safe to say I'm now in love.
Image from Beautifulwithbrains.com
Recently I've been loving the glowy highlighted cheek and I've fallen back in love with my Sleek Glo highlighter in Peach Shimmer. The product is soft, not powdery. Very pigmented and a little goes a long way. Apply too much and you can end up looking disco-ballish but buffed in just looks beautiful

Image from Temptalia.com
Again this has been a rediscovery but I recently found some stuff that I'd packed and moved from my Uni Halls about 6 months ago and only just un-packed (yup I'm hanging my head in shame as I type this) But look what I found in the process of un-packing...? My too faced Natural eye pallette that I purchased quite a while back, it's 9 colours cater for a neutral/smokey eye easily adaptable from day to night looks and all in a nice compact little box :D

Image from Body shop website
What with the weather being absolutely pants to put it nicely my hands have had a pretty rough time! they're dry and cracked and even quite sore in some places and these little Body Shop saviours have been brilliant to have in my handbag or makeup bag. I've tried all the scents and love them all especially the Wild rose, it has a light fresh cut rose petal scent which lingers on the skin. I hate greasy and oily hand creams but this sinks into the skin and gives the moisture without the mess. It soothes the soreness and there aren't enough good things I can say about this...Oh and also at the time of writing this The Body Shop were having a sale where you can pick up the large 100ml size for £5 so obviously I stocked up!

Image from Elf website
I've had this ELF face kabuki in my room for what seems like years now and I'm a bit OCD with new products, I like to use the absolute crap outta old ones before cracking open a new one but my old kabuki (a cheapy bourjois one which felt like sand paper on my face!) had really seen better days and I thought why the heck not? I absolutely should have done this months ago! This feels like velvet on the skin, is sturdy and easy to grip and does not shed hair.

I'm in the market for a good eye cream seeing as sleepless nights and early mornings have left me with huge bags and panda like dark circles. Can anyone recommend a good eye cream?

Thanks for following and thanks for all your lovely comments!

Until next time

Ciao for now World

xoxox