Relaxing Ingredients

Holidays are stressful.  Here are awesome ingredients to help you relax.

  1. Chamomile – good for mild to moderate anxiety.  It also has been used throughout history to make soothing infusions.
  2. Valerian – Valerian may attenuate anxiety when combined with other preparations.
  3. Lemon Balm – Lemon balm has been used as a mild sedative and sleep aid, although there are few studies on lemon balm alone.
  4. Passion Flower – has been used as an herbal sedative.  Scientists have speculated that passion flower works by increasing levels of GABA in the brain.
  5. Hops Flower – One of the best relaxer among the herbs, hops is a key ingredient in one of the most relaxing drinks of all – beer.  Has high content of Vitamin B-complex and minerals are beneficial for healthy body and skin.

Continued here Positive Beauty Blog
The Cosmetics Blog – BloCosmetics

An Intro to Ere Perez Makeup.

Two makeup posts in a row? What is happening to me? Well, funnily enough, my new years resolution was to buy less skincare and more makeup instead – a real challenge 😉

I was recently introduced to the Ere Perez makeup range thanks to Naturisimo now stocking it, and they kindly sent me over a couple of pieces to try. With a mid-range price point (ranging from £13-£24) Ere Perez isn’t going to break the bank but it has a cost that means you’re hopefully getting something that’s high quality. I was sent a highlighter, mascara and powder blush, and after wearing them a few times I’ve got the low-down on what you need asap, and what you don’t.

Starting with my favourite, the Versatile Vanilla Highlighter in the shade Falling Star (£17), this creamy highlighter was an instant winner for me, as you can see, it’s rose gold! A possible dupe for the RMS Master Mixer? It’s quite difficult to describe the colour is real life, I did try very hard to photograph it but I wasn’t happy with the outcome, the colour is a pinky golden silver, it’s warm toned but when it catches the light it does glimmer a little silvery. Very, very pretty. The formula is easy to use, it’s very creamy and has a great pigment payoff when tapped onto cheekbones, browbone and cupids bow, etc.

The Natural Almond Oil Mascara (£16.50) is a simple, black mascara. It isn’t going to knock your socks off with incredible length and volume but it does give the pretty, natural lash effect. It’s best quality is that it doesn’t smudge or flake at all, it’s long wearing and doesn’t irritate – you can’t even tell it’s there to be honest. It does clump the lashes together a little, especially if you apply more than one coat but a quick brush through can sort that.

They also have a volumising waterproof formula that sounds interesting, which perhaps would be better if you’re looking for something with more wow-factor.

Lastly we have the Pure Rice Powder Blush (£20) in the shade My Blush, a neutral colour described as “a neutral soft tan”. I’ve been using this as a bronzer to warm up my complexion more than a blush, though it also looks nice dusted on the cheeks, too. This isn’t the most pigmented blusher but actually that makes it perfect for me, it’s hard to be heavy handed here and end up looking more tango-luxe than tan. I use a fluffy brush to apply the powder wherever the sun would naturally hit and hel-lo have I just got back off of holiday? I actually look alive! Is this what bronzer is always like? Because if so I should apply it way more often.

All in all, I am quite impressed with Ere Perez, they have a lovely natural approach to makeup, nothing in your face, no bright colours, it’s all about perfecting and enhancing your already beautiful self. The plastic packaging is slightly flimsy and bulky, but because it’s all white it redeems itself by looking a little more luxe than it is.

TL;DR? Get that highlighter in your basket immediately.

Continue reading

10 Things I Plan on Purchasing in January

month
I should be saving, I should technically be at the gym too and yet here I am mindlessly trawling the internet in the quest for pretty things to call my own – I mean there’s no harm in looking now is there?

1, After much deliberation and continuous use of my original Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette, I have decided that I am going to make the smart investment in the Charlotte Tilbury Look in a Palette in Seductive Beauty. The peachy blushes and neutral yet cool toned eyeshadows (the original palette features pink and warm toned products) really call me and I know for a fact that it will be used and loved making it that little easier to justify.

2, I’ve also very much set my sights on finally owning the Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick in Kim K.W, admittedly it is a rather pale nude but I do think it will be the perfect partner to a smoky eye look and after swatching it in-store, I am convinced that I will be able to make it work for me.

3, Slowly but surely I have amassed a good number of the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors but one shade missing from my collection is Champagne Pop. Initially I wrote it off as being too golden for my skin tone and needs but after “borrowing” my sister’s compact, I am fully converted – especially when tanned. Yes this is a yellow toned and altogether bold highlighting choice but in the right hands, it is utterly beautiful – sure I might reserve this for the Summer months and maybe evening wear but I do think that this is one product entirely worthy of the hype surrounding it.

4, I don’t know if I have missed the boat for the Too Faced Peach Glow Face Palette but isn’t it beautiful? A highlighter, a blush and a bronzer, all in one dinky palette. It is currently available via Sephora so I’m hopeful that it is a case of just being patient and waiting for the palette reaching the UK.

5, As we are nearly approaching the Spring season, you’ll excuse my desire to find a new and altogether fresh and more seasonably appropriate fragrance. At the moment I am very much enjoying the warm and rich tones of Aerin Tangier Vanille Eau de Parfum which is ideal for the abysmal Winter weather we are currently having. The great thing about Aerin fragrances is that not everyone is aware the brand exists, meaning you won’t have the same signature scent as every female in the office – we’ve all been there. If I could add one more bottle to my small but perfectly formed Aerin stash, it would be Aerin Gardenia Rattan – it is fresh, floral and yet not at all stuffy.

6, I have went from absolutely loathing Coriander to actively seeking it out – in my opinion it can really make or break a good taco. Anyway my love for the herb now extents to home fragrance and for all those Taco Tuesday nights, I am hoping to purchase a Diptyque Coriandre Candle – tell me that doesn’t sound dreamy? Margarita’s optional of course.

7, Over the festive period I indulged in far too many sweet treats and as a result my skin is now really making me pay for all those overindulgences and midnight feasts. Typically I would slap on a light layer of Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Mask and allow it to work its magic but I will damned if I can find my admittedly well used tube anywhere. The great thing about this mask is that during really troublesome skin spells it can be used as a cleanser. I must re-purchase ASAP!

8, When you have flimsy, poker straight lashes a great mascara isn’t all that easy to come by – some formulations are too heavy, others flake, smudge and generally aren’t worth mentioning. I have recently just discovered Bobbi Brown Smoky Lash Mascara – albeit in mini form via a Christmas value set, and man am I smitten. It plumps, extends and really frames the eyes with little to no effort on my part – not to mention in layers on beautifully without clumping if a dramatic look is what you crave. Yes I will be purchasing a full sized tube any day now and with zero qualms.

9, Bare Minerals have really won me over in the last few months with their new and innovative launches (seriously if you have yet to try out Bare Minerals Rescue Balm you are seriously missing out) with means I have nothing but blind faith in their new skin care launches – Bare Minerals Correctives. At this point, I’m not entirely sure which of the five products out of the line up, I will be purchasing but a serum will be mine before the month is over.

10, Lastly, another re-purchase or re-stock by another name – NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser. This delightful, light yet moderate coverage base is the perfect choice for when the warmer days finally roll back around, not to mention it helps inject a little much needed moisture to Winter parched skin.

Continue reading

Day to Night Pale Skin Makeup Tutorial

Products:
NYX Pore Filling Primer
Loreal True Match Foundation (Golden Ivory)
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (15/ Fair)
NYX HD Translucent Powder
Maybelline Match Master Contour & Highlighting Kit
Iconic London Strobing Stick
Maybelline Blushed Nudes Eyeshaddow Palette
Maybelline Brow Drama Pomade Crayon (Soft Brown)
Maybelline Fix Setting Spray
NYX Buttergloss (Creme Brûlée)
Makeup Geek Cosmetics Eyeshadow (Cocoa Bear)
Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner (Black)
Model Rock 236 Lashes
Duo Lash Glue
Maybelline Push Up Mascara
Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick (Rebel Red)

Brushes Used:
Makeup Addictions Cosmetics Concealer Brush
Beauty Blender
Sigma Tapered Highlighting Brush
PONi Cosmetics Brow Brush
Mac 217 Brush
Faboosh Eyeshaddow Brush
Spectrum Cosmetics Angled Blush
Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlighting Brush
Makeup Addictions Cosmetics Blending Brush
Spectrum Cosmetics Angled Blush
Zoeva Tapered Blending Brush
Jessup Lip Brush (eBay)