blocos – Page 46

Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops Review

April 14, 2025 - 9:11 am | April 14, 2025 Skin

Comments Off

*Links marked with asterisks are affiliate links, these help Ree with running costs of the blog

Priced at

Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops Review

As a glow and SPF obsessive, I was very interested to try the new Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops. I have been testing out this product this week, here’s what you need to know.

What is Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops?

This is a new mineral sunscreen that zinc oxide as it primary filter:

Clinical-grade 24.5% Non-Nano Zinc Oxide formula
Offers high protection
Infused with Sheer Mineral Pigments
Designed to blends seamlessly blends into the skin
Provides an illuminating finish
Helps to diffuse imperfections and even out skin tone
Includes Ectoin to soothe, hydrate and protect the skin barrier
Currently 20% off at LOOKFANTASTIC* and at Sephora* with code REALLYREESPH

Key Ingredients

24.5% Non-Nano Zinc Oxide – one of the highest Non-Nano Zinc Oxide levels on the market. Forms a physical barrier on skin to reflect harmful UV rays

Ectoin – soothes and protects skin from damage caused by environmental stressors and adds a boost of hydration

Sheer Mineral Pigments – universal tint that adds radiance and helps to even out skin tone.

How to use it

You need to give this a good shake before applying. The brand suggests using two finger-lengths of product to cover the face and neck. Allow it to absorb into the skin for 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours for full SPF50 protection.

Before and After Photos

before photo - Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops — Before

Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops applied to skin — After photo

My Review

Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops Packaging

I have been testing this for a few days now and have been getting on really well with it.

It has a gel serum texture that I find really pleasing and comfortable on the skin. As you first apply it, it shows a hint of that white cast that many zinc based sunscreens show, however, this quickly blends away and leaves a radiant and very subtly perfected finish on the skin.

Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops texture

The texture feels really comfortable on my skin as I blend it in. It has a skincare feel rather than feeling like sun lotion which I really like. It does feel fairly wet and very slightly oily on the skin straight after application, but I find it sinks in really nicely after about 10 minutes and leaves my skin feeling calm and hydrated.

If I am wearing makeup over it, my foundation sits nicely on top of it which is always important because I like to wear makeup most days. The glowy finish of the the Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ is subtly visible under my base products and really helps to amp up the radiance without making things look greasy.

Without makeup, this is a really great option because it does give a good amount of blurring and helps to make my complexion look more perfected. If you want to strip back a bit but still want to wear a bit of makeup, you could get away with a touch of concealer and some bronzer, and still look polished. If you’re oily you may like a touch of powder in the t-zone or any areas that you tend to shine.

I find that the product adheres to the skin really well and this means I like to use an oil cleanser to remove it at the end of the day. My current favourite is the Tatcha The Camellia Cleansing Oil* which makes fast work of all makeup and SPF. I just finished the Black Cherry Cleansing Balm from Elemis (read the review here) which is also a great option for SPF removal.

If you want to check out some alternatives, have a read of Ultra Violette Future Fluid SPF 50+ Superlight Mineral Skinscreen Review, which is more a water-like liquidy product, and Kosas DreamBeam Comfy Smooth Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Review & Swatches which is an SPF30 with a slightly more matte finish.

Where to buy it

The Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops is £39 for 50ml and it’s available now via the links below:

SIGN UP TO MY FACEBOOK GROUP FOR BEAUTY RECOMMENDATIONS, FAVOURITE PRODUCTS & FRIENDLY CHAT

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Love Effect Lipstick (Naughty Talk) Review & Swatches

April 11, 2025 - 9:33 am | April 11, 2025 lips, makeup

Comments Off

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Love Effect Lipstick (Naughty Talk) Review & Swatches

*Links marked with asterisks are affiliate links, these help Ree with running costs of the blog

Priced at

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Love Effect Lipstick (Naughty Talk) Review & Swatches

Brand new and limited edition lipstick shades have been added to the Pillow Talk collection and I think Naughty Talk is going to be a big hit. Here’s everything you need to know about the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Love Effect Lipsticks with photos and swatches of Dream Talk, Love Talk, Naughty Talk and Kiss Talk.

What shades are in the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Love Effect Lipstick collection?

There are four new lipstick shades in the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk word and they are split across two of the brand’s best-selling formulas – Matte Revolution and K.I.S.S.I.N.G:

Dream Talk – muted deep mauve (Matte Revolution)
Love Talk – strawberry red (Matte Revolution)
Naughty Talk – neutral nude glow (K.I.S.S.I.N.G)
Kiss Talk – fresh, dewy pink (K.I.S.S.I.N.G)

See the swatches below.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Love Effect Lipstick Shades & Swatches

I have all four new shades to show you.

This is Dream Talk, Love Talk, Naughty Talk and Kiss Talk:

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Love Effect Lipstick Shades

Here are the swatches:

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Love Effect Lipstick Swatches

My Review

I really like the Charlotte Tilbury lipstick formulations. Both the Matte Revolution and the K.I.S.S.I.N.G textures are lovely and both are easy to apply and wear.

The Matte Revolution is a creamy matte that doesn’t dry out on your lips, and the K.I.S.S.I.N.G formula is soft and juicy and leaves a very pretty glow.

Dream Talk, when I first saw it, really reminded me of the CT Shade The Queen (swatches here) but it’s a lot less pink than The Queen and more of a deep wine shade. It’s really nice. It also reminds me of Opium Noir (see that here), but it’s softer and less deep.

Love Talk is quite a unique red I think. It is described as a Strawberry red and it’s one I’m excited to try when I am ready to commit to a red lip!

The sheeny K.I.S.S.I.N.G shades are obviously the easier ones to wear because the formula and finish is all about that totally effortless feel. I am a big fan of Naughty Talk (see above), although I hate the cringy name! It’s a very pretty neutral nude and just gives the lips a lovely glow.

Kiss Talk is another pretty shade. A soft yet fresh pink that will be great for really enlivening the complexion.

This is a really lovely collection but I think that Naughty Talk will be the big hit out of them all.

Where to buy it

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Love Effect Lipstick is £29 and available now via the links below:

SIGN UP TO MY FACEBOOK GROUP FOR BEAUTY RECOMMENDATIONS, FAVOURITE PRODUCTS & FRIENDLY CHAT

Ole Henriksen Strawberry Lemonade Smoothing Scrub Review

April 10, 2025 - 6:31 pm | April 10, 2025 Skin

Comments Off

*Links marked with asterisks are affiliate links, these help Ree with running costs of the blog

Priced at

Ole Henriksen Strawberry Lemonade Smoothing Scrub Review

I love a dual action exfoliation product so I was very happy to test out the limited edition Ole Henriksen Strawberry Lemonade Smoothing Scrub. Here’s the lowdown.

What is Ole Henriksen Strawberry Lemonade Smoothing Scrub?

This is a limited edition version of the Ole Henriksen Lemonade Smoothing Scrub:

Instantly polishes and retexturises skin
Sweet strawberry lemonade slush texture
Refreshing formula
Works to reduce the look of pores
Dual-action scrub physically and chemically exfoliates
High-potency AHAs help loosen and lift dead skin cells
Lemon peel powder and sugar exfoliants gently sweep away rough skin
Holy basil and chamomile help calm and soothe your skin
Suitable for all skin types.
Vegan and cruelty free

Key Ingredients

10% AHAs (glycolic & lactic acids) – chemically exfoliates and helps even out texture

Ultra-fine sugar exfoliants & lemon peel extract – physically exfoliate and help to polish skin

Holy basil & chamomile extracts – help soothe and calm skin

How to use it

Apply to wet skin and gently massage in. Leave on for up to 2 minutes before rinsing, or rinse right away. You can use this 2 or 3 times a week, although if you have sensitive skin, or are using other exfoliants or a retinoid product, you may want to use it less.

Also, as it contains AHAs make sure you wear an SPF daily.

My Review

Ole Henriksen Strawberry Lemonade Smoothing Scrub texture

If you like a dual action exfoliator, I think you will like this. It’s fun yet effective and a great quick treatment if you want to make sure your skin is smooth and free from any flaky skin.

If you like fun smells, this does like a real strawberry lemonade. It’s sweet and fresh and the texture is a sugary, softly gritty gel. It offers AHA exfoliation alongside the physical exfoliation which I really like. The acids gently loosen up the dead skin cells, and then the scrubby bits sweep them away.

In my opinion, it’s quite an intense blend of chemical and physical exfoliants, and while that can be amazing for smoothing and brightening, it’s not one to go crazy with.

I use it really gently and don’t leave it on my skin, and it makes my skin soft and smooth immediately. It’s particularly good if your skin is looking a bit dull or feeling congested. I like to concentrate it on the sides of my chin which can get a bit bumpy with congestion from time to time.

I think what’s important to note is I don’t think this should be your everyday scrub. Personally, I think it is quite strong and I’d advise avoiding pairing it with other active ingredients unless you want to risk over-exfoliating. If you’re using things like retinol, vitamin C, or other acids in your routine, just make sure you’re spacing everything out.

Also, make sure you’re super gentle when applying. You don’t need to scrub hard. Let the acids do the work, and just lightly massage it in before rinsing.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this is a great scrub if you want to prep your skin and make it smoother. It’s a fab option if you’re prepping for a night out or just need that skin pick-me-up. But as I said, don’t go wild with it.

This is a nice formula, it’s smells great and it’s really fun to use but I’d start slow, be mindful of what else you’re using, and always use SPF.

Where to buy it

The Ole Henriksen Strawberry Lemonade Smoothing Scrub is £29 and available via the link below. Use code REALLYREESPH for 20% off:

If you’re still looking for a product to add in to your skincare routine, read: Best Skincare Products – Complete Guide.

SIGN UP TO MY FACEBOOK GROUP FOR BEAUTY RECOMMENDATIONS, FAVOURITE PRODUCTS & FRIENDLY CHAT

Kosas Cloud Set Translucent Loose Setting & Blurring Powder Review

April 9, 2025 - 10:03 am | April 9, 2025 face, makeup

Comments Off

*Links marked with asterisks are affiliate links, these help Ree with running costs of the blog

Priced at

Kosas Cloud Set Translucent Loose Setting & Blurring Powder Review

I got a sneak peek at the new Kosas Cloud Set Translucent Loose Setting & Blurring Powder and wanted to share it with you. Here’s what you need to know.

What is Kosas Cloud Set Translucent Loose Setting & Blurring Powder?

Kosas Cloud Set Translucent Loose Setting & Blurring Powder in Candy

This is a brand new setting powder from Kosas:

Ultra-translucent setting and baking powder
Formulated to last for 12 hours
Designed to blur, brighten and give a natural matte finish
Allows skin to keep its glow
Uses bamboo stem extract to help absorb excess sebum
Available in four shades

How to use it

To Bake – Use a puff to apply a generous layer of powder where you experience the most creasing or oil breakthrough. Let sit for a few minutes and then brush off excess.

To Set – Dust a light layer of product all over face, focusing on areas where you experience the most oil breakthrough.

Swatch

There are four shades in the Kosas Cloud Set Translucent Loose Setting & Blurring Powder. I have shade Candy:

My Review

Kosas Cloud Set Translucent Loose Setting & Blurring Powder Texture (Candy)

I have to start by saying, I am not big on powder, and I have never baked my makeup in my life, so I am really not the target customer for this product! But having said that, because I love to use super glowy products, a powder can come in handy to take down the shine in certain places. The Kosas Cloud Set Translucent is great for this.

I haven’t used this product it ‘bake’ yet, and I most likely never will, but as a setting powder, this gives my skin a really pretty finish, without looking cakey, dry or over-done.

Before and After Photos

I took some pictures of how this looks under my eyes, which I find is the trickiest area to use powder without it settling into lines. And the good news is that I really liked how it looked.

Kosas Cloud Set Translucent Loose Setting & Blurring Powderbefore photo (Candy) — Before

Kosas Cloud Set Translucent Loose Setting & Blurring Powder after photo (Candy) — After – shade Candy

I think that the pink shade, Candy, that I have works really well for brightening the under-eye area.

It has a good blurring effect on the skin, which I notice most on the areas where I don’t use my REESON Bronzing Balm (because that really blurs the skin on its own very well). Read all about that in REESON Beauty Bronzing Balm Review & Swatches.

I used a small fluffy brush to apply, but if you wanted more coverage you could press on the product with a puff. Coverage with powder is not what I am looking for, so it’s hard for me to judge it on that front.

For light powdering, I think this is a really lovely product, especially for under my eyes in this pink Candy shade.

Kosas Cloud Set Translucent Loose Setting & Blurring Powder packaging

In terms of the packaging, I love the fact that it has an inner lid to control the powder, because I generally find loose powders so messy.

If you are interested in more newness from Kosas, check out: Kosas DreamBeam Comfy Smooth Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Review & Swatches.

Where to buy it

The Kosas Cloud Set Translucent Loose Powder is £34 and is available at Cult Beauty and will later be available via the links below:

SIGN UP TO MY FACEBOOK GROUP FOR BEAUTY RECOMMENDATIONS, FAVOURITE PRODUCTS & FRIENDLY CHAT

Lancome Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Mascara Review

April 8, 2025 - 10:13 am | April 8, 2025 eyes, makeup

Comments Off

*Links marked with asterisks are affiliate links, these help Ree with running costs of the blog

Priced at

Lancome Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Mascara Review

Lancome created one of my first mascara obsessions, so I was keen to try out this new one. Here’s what you need to know about Lancome Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Mascara. I have all the information, along with before and after photos.

What is Lancome Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Mascara?

This new mascara from Lancome is all about achieving super fluttery extra long lashes:

Promises to achieve up to +5.5mm visibly longer lashes
Formulated to last up to 24 hours
Flake free formula
Features a super precise brush, with 480 ultra-thin micro bristles
Brush works to instantly elongate, separate and flare lashes from root to tip
Easy to remove with oil based cleanser

Before and After Photos

This is before with nothing on my lashes:

Before Photo in Lancome Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Mascara review — Before

And here’s 2 coats and a touch on the bottom lashes:

After photo in Lancome Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Mascara Review — After

My Review

My Review of Lancome Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Mascara

If you’ve been around here a while, you’ll know that I absolutely love a good mascara launch, and the latest from Lancôme really caught my eye because Hypnose was the first luxury mascara that I ever repeat-bought. It will always have a special place in my heart.

The Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Mascara is a brand new take on Lash Idôle which launched back in 2021. If you want more info on that one, read: Lancome Lash Idole Mascara Review.

I’ve been testing out this new launch for the last week or so and I have to say, I really like it.

The Wand & Formula

Lancome Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Mascara Wand

Let’s talk about the brush first. It is super slim and precise and really very different to the original Lash Idole wand. I really like it because I am pretty clumsy with mascara (especially as I have hooded lids) and it does make application very easy.

It’s packed with tiny, short bristles that grab every lash, even those awkward ones right in the corner. It’s brilliant for definition and separation.

The formula is super black and feels really light on the lashes which I always appreciate. You can go for a nice light coat, or really layer it up without any crunchiness or weight, and it doesn’t dry too quickly, so you’ve got time to work it through.

First Impressions

I think this is a lovely mascara. It gives a great natural looking, fluttery effect and is easy to apply, wear and remove. I never use eyelash curlers, but this formula gives my straight lashes a good lift.

How does Lancome Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Mascara compare to the original Lash Idôle?

If you already love the OG Lash Idôle, you’re going to enjoy this one. It is like its lighter, more fluttery sister. The original gives you a bit more volume, whereas Flutter Extension is all about length and lift. It’s more subtle but very elegant, and perfect for an understated look. If you want more drama, stick with the original.