New Skincare Discoveries

My friend Rose recently filled one of the boxes we pass back and forth with some beauty products for me to try, some familiar and some less so and all of adequate sizing that I could form some opinions to share with you.

Kiehls Midnight Recover range is well know and I own the Midnight Recovery Concentrate but not had an opportunity to try the Midnight Recovery Eye Cream until now. With such a positive experience of the concentrate I of course was expecting big things from the eye cream, especially as I've successfully used other creams from Kiehls. I was not let down. Diminishing the appearance of fine lines, reducing puffiness and reducing dark circles it ticks every box. As it's name suggest I use at night and often eye creams of its type can feel quite heavy but not in this case.

I have tried MonuSpa's body products so the MonuSpa Renu Nourishing Treatment Oil was a great opportunity to test their skincare products. All natural ingredients such as Rosehip and Blackcurrant Oils to soothe the skin and help maintain suppleness and elasticity a well as amazing scent this is a luxury thick oil which will enhance any evening skincare routine. I find that whilst it's nice to sandwich on top a night cream it isn't entirely necessarily as my skin doesn't 'need it'.

Sanitas Lemon Scream Scrub is your typical 'old school' exfoliator, a product in the skincare line up I'm no longer a fan of. I prefer to use exfoliating toners and acids rather than what can often be harsh scrub. Whilst this scrub smells amazing and the grains are not harsh like similar products I still found that it left my skin gritty rather than 'smooth.

I was excited to see Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Face Gels in the box, a product and range I've seen other bloggers share. I've never used this product waiting for a 'big night' out to see how much the claims to fill in the forehead furrows and smile lines for up to 24 hours will do. I'll keep you posted along with this and the Patchology Exfoliate FlashMasque.

And finally I've thrown into the mix Glo & Ray Facial Cleansing Gel* which allows me to try out my first cleansing gel. This smaller travel size bottle is a little bit of a faff as you have to shake the product out and as it's somewhat thick I'm concerned at how I'll manage when I near the end of the bottle, but aside from that it's a great product. It removes my make up and doesn't leave my skin dry which is all I ask for. It's perhaps not the most exciting or powerful of cleansers, hence I use it as a first stage of cleansing to remove the make up and then go in with something that has a little more bite but otherwise it's a handy one to have and would certainly be ideal for travelling when you want to keep things streamlined and simple.

What skincare products have you discovered recently?

*this post contains press samples

More from Glo & Ray

I was first introduced to Glo & Ray last year and am still a big fan of the eyeshadow palette and lipstick from their range so the chance to try some more products was great news. In addition to the make up items I did receive the Facial Cleansing Gel* which I'm still in the process of testing so keep an eye out for that still to come.

Starting with Glo & Ray Colour Correction Luminous Base Foundation* in the shade 30 which regrettably was not a product I enjoyed using. A luminous base to provide a velvet finish containing micro-shine particles to disguise pores and naturally brighten skin tone.

Now that all sounds rather wonderful and I can't deny my problems start more with it's application. Glo & Ray advise they have an innovative 'water in smoothie gel emulsion system' which means you only need the smallest amount and I fell fowl of this the fist couple of times finding just the right amount to apply. I also found the shade off for me but that can also apply to my application technique.

I had a hunt round the internet for additional reviews and it seems others were all favourable and I can't deny that once I'd worked with application it did certainly cover imperfections and leave skin looking radiant but after a short while and when I looked a little closer it would settle in my smile lines, I found it difficult to blend, especially around eyebrows and I imagine it would be a disaster if you had dryer skin.

Interestingly it reminds me of the Bourjois City Radiance Foundation I tried recently and have not found working for it so if you're a fan of that you may very well find the Glo & Ray Foundation a keeper.

Moving on to the more positive review I already knew that Glo & Ray Sky Breaker Eyeliners were good and so it was nice to have Forest Green* arrive to try. As the Summer arrives I like to be a little more brave with my eye make up and loving using blues and greens to play with this and Forest Green is a nice dark shade which works well with my eye colouring. Unluckily for me my mum spotted it on my dressing table and has subsequently pinched it but she's enjoying it so I don't mind too much!

Finally is Glo & Ray Wonderland Lip Gloss* in Crystal Lava. I usually say that I don't like to wear lipgloss but that's not the case of late but still I can't bear sticky glosses, which this is not. Whilst it's not uncomfortable it's dry in application. In the tube it looks like there's some sparkle which doesn't translate on the lights other than to catch the light with its glossy finish. Likewise it's not as pigmented as it appears in the tube although it gives a nice pink tint to the lips. As with most glosses in my collection it works well either alone or over lipsticks.

*this post contains press samples

Glo & Ray, a British Beauty Brand

Glo & Ray

I gave you a sneak peek at Glo & Ray in last months favourites post and today I'm delving a little more into the range of products. Glo & Ray is a British company drawing their inspiration from the 'natural wonder of light' - rather appropriate with the current strobing trend don't you think?

They use words such as radiance, grace, femininity and want to illuminate individuality which sounds pretty good to me. When I received my package from Glo & Ray and looked at the products I was desperate to dive straight in swatching and applying. It was torture having to wait for the optimum photography conditions.

Instantly I was drawn to the stunning Mariposa eyeshadow palette in Twilight Nude* a range of shimmery pinky gold shades perfect to compliment my red lipstick wearing. First you have a traditional 'white' highlighter shade. This is my least loved as I'm still not quite there yet with perfecting highlighting under the brow with powders. Next is my favourite, a champagne pink which looks perfect all over the lid. The next too colours, a light and darker golden browns are used in the crease and the darker for the outer corner. The combination is perfect for an illuminating sophisticated look. As someone that is concerned about shimmers on my 'older eyelids' these sit perfectly and have good, yet subtle pigmentation. They are not creamy eyeshadows and I found it easier to pack and build to get the optimum colour but that worked for me as I can often dive in to quickly and resemble a panda if not too careful. All the shadows are housed in a sturdy compact with a mirror big enough to work with and no useless brushes or sponge tip applicators taking up space. You can pick up the quartet of eyeshadows for £12.50

I'm a big fan of Rimmel's Nude Eyeliner but it's being slowly nudged out the way in favour of the Sky Breaker Silky Eyeliner in Champagne Pink*. Whereas Rimmels Nude is a creamy matte, Glo & Ray's version carries on their illuminating theme with a version that has a pearl finish. Again my make up skills and requirements for an office appropriate make up look I don't often put shadow under my eyes. Using the Champagne Pink eyeliner adds a little something extra to the eyes without looking like I've gone crazy with glitter. It's certainly nicer for evenings too.

I was intrigued by the Mirage Mousse Eyeshadows when I saw them but wasn't particularly take with the Mirage Mousse Eyeshadow in Clematis* when it arrived. After a few uses I can't believe my inital crazy thoughts. This eyeshadow has the most amazing longevity I've ever known (which I also think is down to the current eye primer using which I'll be featuring in next months favourites). Usually I would remove my make up when I get home from work but as I was fascinated it had lasted so far I decided to see how far it could go. This is most definitely an eyeshadow I will be reaching for when I know I have a long day ahead. The formula is different from my expectations. I expected somewhere between the Maybelline Colour Tattoos and Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Eyeshadows and it's neither. Solid and silky I apply this with my fingers and again you can wear alone or adding colour from the Twilight palette above. It was a sad moment when I'd finished my 'official testing period' and swapped them out of my make up bag to test other products.

The final product was the La Amo Creamy Shimmer Lip Colour in Seduce* a good old red for Victoria. So used to wearing matte lipsticks these days it was nice to wear something that resembled the 'old fashioned' lipsticks I remember. A creamy shimmer in a true, vibrant, sock it to them red it almost felt like a lip balm. This is going to be a big hit for Christmas parties.

Even as I'm typing this post and linking to the website I'm seeing other shades I'm keen to try and ready to place another order. I think some greens and gold will be perfect for Autumn don't you?

*This post contains press samples

August 2015 Favourites

This months favourites post you could call a little teaser as in a couple of instances I have specific posts on the product, brand or range. For that reason I'll try and keep today's post a little short and sweet so that I can delve a little deeper on the others.

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow
It's been a long time since I've treated myself to anything from Chanel and with the exception of the cream eyeshadows I can't actually remember ever owning any eyeshadows from them. Walking through Boots I couldn't resist purchasing it, yes it was a complete impulse buy but I'm still thinking of the last limited edition palette that I resisted purchasing and I didn't want to make that mistake again.

To some it might be a boring browns but that was what appealed to me. In one sleek compact palette I had everything I would want on a day to day basis and as such since I purchased it has remained in my make up bag and works fabulously alongside the Glo & Ray quad you can also see above.

This is one of those products I'll be reviewing another time as I have so much more to say about it but for now know that it's keeper.

Vichy Idealia Eyes*
This is one of those products that makes its way into a favourites post, not because it's new but because it's rediscovered. I initially reviewed the Idealia Eyes and Serum back in October last year and this is my second tube. Whilst I test other products this is my familiar, go to morning eye cream. It brightens the appearance of dark circles like no other and is a hero product for my late night loving self. I've said it before but it's silicone applicator is a faff, I pop onto finger and apply that way.
If you're looking for a high street range and your lifestyle is a little bit more rock and roll then you could do worse than checking out the Vichy Idealia Range (which is currently 3 for 2 at Boots!). Spoiler alert, I'm also testing out the new Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep night cream and as expected, I love it.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Purifying Mask*
If you saw the photo I posted on instagram a couple of weeks back you'll be aware I have a large number of face masks to work my way through. Palmer's Purifying Mask* was one of those products that I'd had for what felt forever but not reached for so I decided to give it a go and as is typical cursed myself for not trying it sooner.

Filled with essential oils and a natural green clay it unclogs pores and draws out inpurities like it's pricier equivalents. Caroline Hiron's told me herself when I had my skincare clinic with her to not spend a lot of money on clay masks that she recommended I should be using. As a smoker I'm more likely to suffer from blackheads and clay masks are my saviour. Priced at £5.99 for a large tube this is a bargain product that works a treat. One use and my skin appeared brighter and moisturised and it's led me to diligently apply more so than any other mask I've tried.

Dr Organic Coconut Lip Balm*
Give me a product with a coconut scent and I'm happy so I was more than happy adding Dr Organic to my lip balm collection. I received this with some other products from the range and popped the lip balm on my dressing table to reach for as part of my 'testing process'. More than any other it's become very much of my routine, very much proving the out of sight out of mind theory. It's place on my dressing table means every morning as I'm applying my lotions and potions I apply an application of this lip balm containing shea butter and beeswax (which unfortunately it does taste of rather than coconut) to my lips. Because I don't often apply my lipstick till I'm on the train (and after I've finished my morning coffee) this gives my lips an opportunity to be hydrated and fight any elements my journey to the station will throw at me.

Glo & Ray Mariposa Quartet Eyeshadow, Twilight Nude*
Through the beauty of blogging (no pun intended) I was recently introduced to Glo & Ray and sent a package of products to try. It was this eyeshadow quad that made me instantly swoon and despite annoyingly being in the throws of enjoying my new Chanel palette I added to my make up bag. What I discovered was that with the two palettes I had everything I needed in my make up bag to create all manner of looks. In fact I have no desire to swap either of these eyeshadow palettes out of my rotation. I'll have a post with more info on Glo & Ray next week so stay tunned but for now check out this gorgeous Autumnal quad, Liquid Metal which is being added straight to my wish list.

Imperial Leather, Fruit Salad Shower Gel
If you read my post on Tuesday about the Sweet Shop Range from Superdrug it'll come as no surprise to see the Fruit Salad scented Shower Gel from Imperial Leather featuring in this months favourites. If there was any doubt of my love of a novelty product I think I'm proving my point. When I saw someone share a photo of the range which also includes Lemon Sherbet and Marshmellow I just happened to pass them whilst in Tesco doing my weekly shop. All three, despite needing more shower gel as much as eskimo's need ice, were thrown into my basket. Fruit Salads are actually one of my favourite sweets so there were some high expectations to be reached and reached it did, the scent is spot on. Of course Imperial Leather are known for their shower gels and they've managed to match a fun scent with a good product perfectly. Whilst I daren't upset anyone by mentioning the C world I think these would be a great Secret Santa or stocking filler for Christmas, especially if you added some of the retro sweets to the gift.

That's my favourites for the month of August completed, any thoughts on my picks for this month and which of my forthcoming posts mentioned are you looking forward to?

If you enjoy reading my blog posts it would be fantastic if you could take a moment to nominate me for the 'Best in Beauty' category in the Cosmopolitan awards here. I will love you forever!

*This post contains press samples