Tarte Rainforest After Dark Colored Clay Eye & Cheek Palette

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Coloured Clay Eye & Cheek Palette

I hadn't been tempted to place any orders from Sephora's website since it offered UK shipping as I'm lucky enough to visit the US at least once a year and have more than enough make up than one girl can use. 

That changed when I saw this gorgeous limited edition palette from Tarte and went about placing an order. How could I not? The price of $38 seemed fair for what was very much an all in one palette. I already knew I was a fan of the Park Avenue Princess Bronzer as it was included in a blush palette I'd brought previously and we all know how good the blushers are.

Throw in the gorgeous plums and golds for eyes and I was reaching for my credit card. Sadly as I hit check out I was repeatedly told 'this item is not shippable to your location'. WHAT?! I was devastated and can only assume it's due to its limited edition status although this was some time ago and its still available online so that may have changed.

So back to the time in hand. After ranting on Instagram about how I was unable to place an order for this coveted palette my fabulous blogging pal Grace asked for my address in a matter of weeks I had the palette in my hands. Isn't that just Blogger Love right there!

The After Dark palette contains one highlighter in Champagne, blush in Unleased and size eyeshadows which I've swatched for you above. A handy guide is included to show you how to use the products together and it was a favourite throughout most of Winter. That said I'm swaying towards the subtle nude rose shaded blusher as we enter Summer and thinking how amazing that gold (Up to No Gold) would look. This is the perfect palette for travelling or throwing into your make up bag when on the go. I have an event with work this week and I'm thinking this might be perfect rather than transporting all manner of products around with me

Are you a fan of these types of palettes for on the go?

Estelle & Thild All In One Tinted Moisturiser Review

Estelle & Thild BioHydrate All In One Tinted Moisturiser*

I used to be quite the fan of tinted moisturisers and BB creams as base products but recently they've taken a back seat due to my preference for a heavier coverage so I was interested to see what I would make of Estelle & Thilds All In One Tinted Moisturiser.

 

Estelle & Thild is a new to me brand hailing from Sweden where it is one of their top selling brands. The founder wanted to develop a range derived from organic ingredients and you will note all their products are free from parabens and the like.

 

The All In One Tinted Moisturiser is designed to add a healthy glow and subtle luminosity to the skin and aims to diminish the appearance of imperfections and evenly tone the skin.  Available in two shades, I have 02 Medium which was a little too dark for me when I first started using it but now I have some colour from my recent trip to Dubai it's a pretty good match.

The Estelle & Thild moisturiser contacts hydraluronic acid to plump and hydrate the skin and give a youthful radiance which as someone approaching the wrong side of 30 is just what I like to hear.

 

The product itself is beautifully and practically packaged in a plastic bottle with a pump dispenser making it handy for travel. The texture and appearance when dispensed is very much like your traditional foundations and provides the sort of coverage you want in that skintone is evened, blemishes concealed whilst still allowing for your real skin (ableit 'enhanced') to show through.

 

Be wary it is thin and one pump is far too much and I manage to cover my face in half a pump, used with both fingers and brush applications. I'm overwhelmed with the coverage I'm given from this tinted moisturiser.

 

Overall I'm really happy with this product, it's one step up coverage wise to my favoured Chanel Healthy Glow Fluid so this will be ideal in the Summer when I want a lighter weight but with a little more coverage.

 

Have you tried any products from Estelle & Thild?

*PR Sample

 

Hydrating Skincare Favourites

Trilogy CoQ10 Age Proof Eye Recovery Concentration*
As we enter hayfever season my eyes can become even more sensitive than usual. It's also the season where long daylit evenings are spent in the garden guzzling jugs of Sangria. Come morning the result can be seen on my face with tired, puffy eyes and dark circles and enter Trilogy's Eye Recovery Concentrate to tackle the problem. A combination of botanicals, oils and natural ingredients including Co-enzyme Q10 in this handy sized roll on provide an eye lift to combat these issues.

Back to the hayfever seasons the roller ball is perfect as it cools and tones the sensitive area and offers far better results than furious itching of the area. The massaging application and mixture of ingredients help brighten the area so I no sign of allergies or hangovers are seen.

I've taken to throwing this product into my handbag as it's perfect for refreshing the eye area after a long day in the office in front of a computer screen with nothing but air conditioning for company. A swipe under the eyes perks things up so I'm ready for a night out with the girls.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Serum*
I was delighted to have an opportunity to try Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Serum as both a fan of Vichy products and knowing it's status as being a favourite of Sali Hughes. I've had great success in the past with Vichy's Idealia range but knowing my smoking can cause dehydration - as well as enjoying a glass of wine or three.

I have been using this serum regularly as part of my skincare regime and am very pleased with the results. My skin has been in tip top condition since using and I'm finding a better wear from my make as skin feels moisturised throughout the day.

The Vichy Aqualia Serum is a thin water based formula as we would expect and I am currently using as part of my morning regime. Applying in the morning my skin looks instantly healthy and hydrated.

Have you tried either of these products?

*PR Sample

Dr Organic Snail Gel Face Serum Review

Dr Organic Snail Gel Face Serum*

It's safe to say that when I was offered the opportunity to try the Dr Organic Snail Gel Face Serum I was slightly dubious. This isn't just some gimmick, snail gel products actually contains 'snail secretion filtrate' a product which is said to, along with additional ingredients will soften wrinkles, hydrate, soothe and moisturise the skin.   

So firstly the 'snail gel' itself which is blend of proteins such as Glycolic Acid, Collagen and Elastin which aid regeneration. Produced by snails to rebuild and repair their shells and skin should it become damaged so we can see why it is welcomed by the beauty industry - although I never thought I'd hear myself say that.

Dr Organic also add additional ingredients such as Aloe Vera Leaf Juice and Vitamin E to create a non greasy serum which, due to lemondrass smells just like lemon sherbets when applying. The serum is thin and light in texture and I would use this in my morning skincare. My skin would look more nourished and hydrated so that make up would apply easier, and less of it than usual.

Serums are often the product that we can spend the most money on and justifiably so in many cases but under £20 the Dr Organic Snail Gel Face Serum is at a price point many can afford whilst carrying out the duties we require.

I have used this bottle in its entirety so much was my enjoyment and will certainly replace when the time comes for a gap in my serum stock.

Would you use Snail Gel on your face?

*PR Sample

Magic Minerals Powder Review

Magic Minerals Foundation Powder*

When I hit 30 I decided that it was time for a little more coverage and began exploring foundations. Scared of liquid foundations I picked up a Bare Minerals Complexion Start Kit and that was my first foray into mineral or powder products. Times have since changed and my foundation favourites are now all of the liquid variety so it was great to return to 'my roots' and try the Magic Minerals Foundation Powder* from Jerome Alexander.

I'm going to start with the packaging both inner and outer as I think both will have an impact on peoples first impressions, my own included. I must confess if I saw this hanging in Boots on one of those JML stands I would likely not give it a second thought and write it off. Whilst our American friends are used to seeing their mascaras and the like in this sort of packaging we are not. It's crazy really that the snob in me would write this off when essentially this packaging is more hygienic than how other beauty products are displayed.

 

The packaging of the powder itself is fairly unexciting but in a postive way - who can be offended by this compact? It's large and maybe unnecessarily so but I did enjoy the large mirror which enable me to see what I was doing when applying on the train during my commute.

 

Let's move onto the product itself. What you have is a Magic Minerals Foundation Powder that works to conceal all skin tones covering blemishes, age spots, fine lines and the like. Colour Pigments work with the powder to reveal a 'brighter, fresher and more radiant you'

 

The first day I went in with my Magic Minerals powder I was not impressed. Any of my post-Dubai glow had been knocked out and my skin looked flat. This is definitely a powder for the fairer skin tones. The coverage was good, did it feel like a cream to apply as claimed? No, but it was certainly smooth to apply and didn't leave a powdery finish.

 

Never one to give up on day two I decided to make use of some products in my stash that had been unloved. Before applying the Magic Minerals powder I started with the Bourjois Bronzing Powder to warm up my face and then using my current favourite product, Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal and a little concealer under my eyes.

 

This certainly made a difference to the flatness I experience in day one and subsequently was how I used the product throughout the rest of the week with happy results.

 

The compact supplies you with a 'professional style stubby brush' which was easy to use and helped aid applying too much product so you could build as needed. They also included a round sponge pad which I cast aside without a second glance as they're not for me.  

 

 

 

For those that take note of ingredients on their products Magic Minerals has them listed on the back

of the compact. As you can see there is mineral oil in this product so dependent on the side of the fence you sit on this may make a difference as to whether this product is for you.

My overall opionion of this product is firstly never judge a book product by it's cover packaging. This is a great powder which provided good coverage on my skin. I must make the note that my skin is particularly free from blemishes and the like so I can't comment on the more severe cases for coverage. As mentioned any of my suntan was knocked out from using this powder which should speak positively of the coverage it provides if you're concerned about redness and the like.

I did need additional coverage for my dark circles but that is my personal bug bear so I could be being extra critical on myself. If you have oily skin and/or prefer a more matte coverage this is definitely one to consider trying, likewise if you're not a fan of liquid foundations. Another thing to be mindful of is whilst the claims are that it works for all skintones even I with a slight tan from my recent holiday found it was more on the pale side.

Have you used mineral foundations before?

*PR Sample