November Skincare Favourites

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ruth crilly model

I thought I’d just slip in a quick favourites video before I start on the Christmas Gift Guides; this month I’ve focused on skincare because my skin has been so up and down! Flaky red patches, a few mammoth spots that could only be described accurately as boils and a weird oiliness on my nose that has been more of a “waxy sheen” than the usual mild grease. So, a whole plethora of skin complaints to test my products on and I’ve been keeping a keen eye out for the results. In the video you can see my roundup of the products that impressed – and a couple that didn’t. It wasn’t that I had any particular gripes with the ones that failed to impress, they just didn’t blow my socks off.

pai blemish serum review

Special mention must go to the Copaiba & Zinc Perfect Balance Blemish Serum from Pai Skincare: lots of you have asked me to try it out and report back and I can confirm that it’s a good one. Very gentle, but surprisingly effective, it really helps to balance blemish-prone skin without any kind of aggressiveness whatsoever. It actually feels more like applying a soothing lotion for very sensitive skin; there’s no tea-tree tingle or astringent face-tightening and skin is left slightly matte with no stickiness or weird residue. Obviously the intention is that you follow the serum with some kind of hydrator, but it’s actually comfortable enough to wear without, which is a lovely indication of just how gentle the Copaiba & Zinc serum is. It won’t be the first option for teens, at £42, but for those who can afford to invest a little it’s a great solution for angsty, angry skin that needs to be treated with kid gloves. Find it online here.

More products for blemish-prone skin…

Take a look at the Skincare Favourites video to see what else I’ve been impressed with, including an antioxidant serum and a very quick and to-the-point spot-reducer. You can find links to all of the products below the video pane – you’ll notice that I’ve reverted to the traditional video post format as the “new fangled” way that I tested out was a big old failure for those reading via email.

MV Organic Skincare Rose Moisturiser: (if you’re thinking of getting this then maybe wait until Weds, there’s a big Cult Beauty goody bag offer on.) http://goo.gl/RToFHo

Pai Anti-Blemish Serum: http://tidd.ly/612a3f7d

Effaclar AI Targeted Blemish Treatment: http://tidd.ly/cc52c88c

Aroma Actives Cleanser: Sainsbury

REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Balm: http://tidd.ly/482d1ac

REN Flash Facial: http://tidd.ly/c006156e

Caudlalie Polyphenol C15 Range: http://tidd.ly/d3a2254c

I did my hair waves with the Mark Hill Wicked Waver: http://tidd.ly/8c04fa1b

Makeup: By Terry Densiliss Foundation in shade 7, Clarins face palette (2012!), Sunday Riley shadow in Godiva, Givenchy Noir Couture Mascara.

Shirt is from Topshop: http://tidd.ly/5af5ba55

The post November Skincare Favourites appeared first on A Model Recommends.

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Quiet Please: Administrator at Work

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mr bear british shorthair

I’m just doing a spot of admin again, trying to iron out the very last of the email subscription problems. (I know that the photo shows Mr Bear seemingly undertaking the admin work: I can assure you he’s not. Though he might do a better job than me, come to think of it – maybe I should hand over the reins! I’d have to get him a bigger keyboard…)  The good news is that literally thousands of people who previously weren’t receiving my emails are now happily reading the Daily Fix as they eat their breakfast/sit on the train/pretend that they’re doing work at their desks. Welcome to the morning madness, those who are new to the Daily Fix fold!

The bad news is that some people, a very small minority, didn’t receive the new email when it sent for the first time yesterday. Now I think – think – that this has something to do with they way that certain email servers deal with this particular type of newsletter. After a bit of tweaking, it should now be fine; if you were previously getting the old emails then you will hopefully see the new one too. Don’t worry, this is the last time you’ll get it in duplicate, I’m shutting down the old system later on today. (Eeek.)

If you have tried to subscribe but received no email back from the system, then that too should now be fixed – you can try again by clicking here or using the form that’s in the website sidebar. Apologies once more; I’ve been meaning to fix this for ages but it was a bit of a mammoth task!

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Introducing Brows A Go-Go!

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Let’s get real here: who HASN’T had a brow emergency? You’ve got a last-minute hot date/big event/awesome party planned, you’ve got the wardrobe set aside in your closet, the beauty look all planned out in your head, when suddenly you glance in the mirror and… “WHAT IS THAT ON MY FOREHEAD!? OMG. It’s my brows!”

We’ve all been there, and we all know that sometimes you just need to get your brows done ASAP. Immediately. NOW!

BrowsAGoGo_1

Introducing Brows A Go-Go—Benefit’s VERY FIRST service-only instant beauty hotspot. Making its debut in New York City this week, Brows A Go-Go is the brow spot for the woman (or man) on the go. Sometimes you have more time to check out all of Benefit’s girly-glam products at the full-service boutiques or counters, but sometimes you have to get in & out. This new, smaller & quicker brow bar is perfect for those on-the-go moments.

The goal at Brows A Go-Go? Wax, tweeze, primp & please! The menu is packed with all your essential waxing, tinting & threading services, offered either with or without an appointment. Our waxing-wonders (our licensed & trained aestheticians) guarantee to keep your service fast, flawless & fun!

So, what are you waiting for? Book online to look divine, or just drop in now & walk out WOW!

Brows A Go-Go is located at 828 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10065

Hours:

M-F 8am-8pm

Sat 10am-7pm

Sun 11am-6pm

Book online here or by phone at (646) 448-9106

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Tarte ‘Aqualillies’ Review and GIVEAWAY of the Collection!

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OK Makeup Geeks, today I have a review for you of one of my most favorite brands out there…TARTE! You all know I love their blushes and I am really liking their lipsticks right now as well. This was sent to me but I do honest reviews regardless of that. Tarte has come out with a new collection named “Aqualillies” and it’s so cute. The one thing I am really loving about this collection is the packaging. They are really playing up to the must have colors of spring, mint and coral/peach.

All the products come in this handy makeup bag which is great for putting in your purse or at your desk at work for quick touch-ups.

Palette

Tarte Aqualillies 06_Palette

I love the packaging on this and the touch of gold. This has 8 eyeshadows and a matte finish peach blush in the middle that can also be used as a eyeshadow. As always with Tarte, these are great quality like many of Tarte’s powdered products. They are very smoothly and highly pigmented. The only downside to this palette was the two tan colors look identical. So I definitely feel there could have been a little more variety to the palette by adding a shimmery peach or a dark teal color. The price on this palette is $38.00 which isn’t  bad at all for all you get. I just wish there were more variety.

Price: $38.00

Tarte’s Light’s, Camera, Flashes Mascara

Tarte Aqualillies 11_Mascara

I like the wand on this, it is small but it gets into the lashes and makes them look super big. This mascara is formulated without parabens, mineral oil, petrolatum, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate & synthetic fragrance which makes it better to use around the eyes. The packaging is great and it doesn’t smudge or flake.

Price: $19.00

Where to Buy: Amazon, eBay, Sephora

Tarte Lipstick in Timeless

Tarte Aqualillies 08_Lips

I am actually wearing this color right now and it’s a very pretty deep coral color. This will look great on every skin tone from fair to dark skin. These are very highly pigmented, creamy and very smooth. They wear a long time and aren’t dry, they are actually quite moisturizing. I am very impressed with Tarte’s lipsticks. These are really good even though they are on the more expensive side, they are worth it.

Gel Liners

Tarte Aqualillies 07_Gel Liner

These gel liners are smudge proof, highly pigmented and water resistant which makes them ideal to use in the waterlines. This collection has a black one and a shimmery teal color that is stunning. The teal shade would look beautiful as a base for an eyeshadow. The eyeliners also come with a  brush that is dual ended. It has a bent liner end and a regular straight brush on the other end. (NOTE: only the black liner is available as of now as it is part of their normal line)

Price: $26.00

Where to Buy: Amazon, Sephora

Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder

This is very similar to the Makeup Forever HD Powder. The only thing I don’t like about these types of powder is the white color. It does turn transparent on the skin but if you have dark skin this can actually make you look ashen. It is very smooth and doesn’t cake up and gives a nice matte finish to the skin.

Price: $29.00

Lipglosses

OK, I could not get these to work. These come in a tube that you “click” to get the product out of the brush end. I am not a huge fan of these types of applicators as it just seems rather cheap to me. The formula on these is sticky and doesn’t hold up as well in quality and packaging compared to their other products.

GIVEAWAY RULES

THIS IS A INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY!!!!! You must be subscribed to makeupgeektv on instagram. We will post a picture of Tarte items that will be included in the giveaway. Leave a comment letting us know what you would use the tote bag for and you are entered. The contest will remain open for two weeks and a winner will be chosen at random. Easy to enter, easy to win! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!! :-)

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