Sunday, 10 April 2011

Review - Avon smooth minerals foundation

As I currently am in love with mineral make up when Avon launched their new Smooth Minerals foundation I jumped at the chance to try it!


At first I was a little confused as to how you got the powder out but you have to tip it upside down (closed), open it and the powder should come out of the little hole at the top (it has an inbuilt scoopy thing inside). I can't remember if it came with a brush or not but I use my own No7 face and body kabuki brush.


I got this in Shell which is slightly dark for my skin but it still looks natural and it has a slight shimmer to it which will be perfect for summer! Swatch below is applied using my fingers so it's darker than if applied using a brush (laziness on my part as I couldn't be bothered to go upstairs for my brush!)


It leaves my skin looking smooth and radiant and it gives an even finish. I would buy this again but I don't really like the scoop mechanism thing for getting it out. A sifter top would be much easier. This also makes the mirror on the inside of the lid unusable as it gets covered in powder so you get really messy trying to clear it up when applying it without another mirror. Basically the mirror and scoop don't work well together!

The foundation has an SPF 15 and is suitable for oily, normal, sensitive and combination skin. It is £10.50 for a 6g tub and is available from Avon or you local Avon representative.

Saturday, 9 April 2011

Review - Soap and Glory Greatest Scrub of All

I love Soap & Glory products but one of my favourites has to be their Greatest Scrub of All. I think I got this in a gift set last christmas and I fell in love with it straight away.


One of the things I like about it so much is the fact you can use it up to four times a week and I also love that the texture of it isn't really gritty like other facial scrubs.


As you can see it is quite creamy in texture and it contains 'smooth-boosting spheres' that pop when you press on them (that's the orangey coloured ball in the photo). I use this with my Soap & Glory mini massaging mitt so that my skin gets a proper scrub!

This product leaves my skin feeling really smooth and as I get eczema on my face this really does get rid of the flaky skin and doesn't irritate like some do.

Soap & Glory have since changed the packaging on this slightly since I got mine and it is currently on offer at £5.45 (normally £8.17) at Boots and the mini mitt is £4.09.

Friday, 8 April 2011

Champneys now at Boots!

 
Founded in the 1980's Champneys is the UK's finest spa brand and in 2004 they released a set of products so that we could experience that spa feeling in our own homes. These were exclusively available at Sainsburys but now Boots have gained exclusivity to the range which means it's products are becoming more accessible to those of us who don't have a Sainsburys near by.

For those of you (and myself) who haven't seen the Champney's range here is a quick round up of the different ranges and products which they do.


Skincare


Eye Make Up Remover (150ml) - £7.00
Skin Plus Collagen Intense Day Cream SPF 15 (50ml) - £20.00

Other products include: Cleanser, Toner, Face Wipes, Exfoliator, Eye Cream, Plumping Lip Gloss, Facial Serum, Facial Oil and more


Bodycare
Oriental Opulence, Mediterranean Bliss and Thai Royale


 Mediterranean Bliss Bubble Heaven (400ml) - £12.00
 Thai Royale Shower Cream (250ml) - £8.00
Oriental Opulence Body Cream (175ml) - £12.00




Other products include:
Mediterranean Bliss: Body Glow, Body Hydrator, Shimmering Body Oi, Shower Cream, Travel Collection
Oriental Opulence: Bubble Heaven, Shower Cream, Body Glow, Travel Collection
Thai Royale: Beauty Oil, Body Cream, Body Heaven


Relaxing


Relaxing Body Butter (350ml) - £10.00

Other products include: Pillow Mist, Dream Bath 


Exotic Retreat

Body Glow (200g) - £12.00

Other products available: Bubble Heaven, Shower Cream, Body Cream


Citrus Blush


Hand Wash (250ml) - £5.50
Hand Lotion (250ml) - £6.50

Other products include: Body Butter, Body Lotion, Body Scrub, Dry Body Oil, Shower Gel


Watermint


 Lotion Spritz (250ml) - £7.00

Other products include: Body Scrub, Shower Gel


Skin Comforting


Miracle Balm (15ml) - £5.00

Other products include: Body Butter, Bathing Milk, Shower Cream


So there we have it a round up of different products available. These are available in Boots stores and online. Is there anything that's caught your eye already or have you used this brand when it was in Sainsburys? Please let me know!

Thursday, 7 April 2011

Fragrance Part 3 - General

This is my last post on new fragrances. This is a general post with new fragrances on, so as far as I'm aware these aren't limited editions. Please correct me if I'm wrong!

Marc Jacobs (unisex)
Curaco Splash EDT (300ml) - £48


Top notes: Mandarin, Lime
Middle notes: Violet, Blood Orange, Pear
Base notes: White Moss, Musk


Cranberry Splash EDT (300ml) - £48


Top notes: Grapefruit, Tangerine
Middle notes: Berbamdi, Cranberry, Honeysuckle
Base notes: Musk, Wood



Ginger Splash EDT (300ml) - £48


Top notes: Coriander, Cognac
Middle notes: Rhubarb, Ginger, Gernium Bourbon
Base notes: Sandalwood, Musk



Lacoste (mens)
Eau de Lacoste White Edition (30 & 100ml) - £25 & £42


Top notes: Grapefruit, Cardamom, Rosemary
Middle notes: Mexican Tuberose, Ylang-Ylang
Base notes: Cedar, Suede, Leather



Eau de Lacoste Green Edition (30 & 100ml) - £25 & £42


Top notes: Italian Bergamot, Iced Melon, Verbena
Middle notes: Fig, Bamboo Wood, Blue Lavender
Base notes: Birch Leaf, Sandalwood



Eau de Lacoste Blue Edition (30 & 100ml) - £25 & £42


Top notes: Pink Grapefruit, Peppermint
Middle notes: Orange Blossom, Sage
Base notes: Patchouli, Cedar, Fern



Ghost (womens)
Enchanted Bloom (30 - 75ml) - £24 - £44.50


Top notes: Violet Leaves, Cranberry, Bergamot
Middle notes: Jasmine Sambac, Waterlily, Freesia
Base notes: Peach Caviar, Ambery Notes, Musky notes


Versace
Vanitas EDP (30 - 100ml) - £45 - £80


Top notes: Lime, Freesia
Middle notes: Tiare Flower
Base notes: Tonka Bean, Cedar Wood


Paul Smith
Optimistic for him EDT (30 - 100ml) - £25 - £49

Top notes: Citrus Fruits, Cardamom, Pepper
Middle notes: Sage, Geranium
Base notes: Cedar, Vetiver, Amber


Optimistic for her EDT (30 - 100ml) - £28 - £55


Top notes: Grapefruit, Raspberry, Litchi
Middle notes: Mandarin Orange, Cranberry, Sweet Pea, Macaroons
Base notes: Iris, Patchouli


Issey Miyake
L'Eau D'Issey Florale EDT (25 - 90ml) - £33 - £66.50

Top notes: Mandarin, Rose Petals
Middle notes: Lily
Base notes: White Wood


Swavoski
Aura EDP (30 - 75ml) - £44 - £77


Top notes: Rose, Litchi
Middle notes: Tuberose
Base notes: Musk, Amber, Benzoin, Pink Pepper


So there we have it. The last in my little mini series! I hope I've given you some ideas for your wishlist! I'd love to try the Marc Jacobs Cranberry Splash, it sounds mouthwateringly good, and the new Versace which also sounds amazing! Let me know what you've got your eye on in the comments below!


Stockists:
Boots, Escentual. Paul Smith is currently a Boots exclusive

Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Haul - Boots, Next, New Look &.......Tesco

Another quick haul post, nothing really exciting but I thought I'd show you anyway!


Boots

Rapid White whitening booster gel - £7.14
This is a gel which you add to your normal toothpaste to help whiten your teeth and it's suitable to use if you've got sensitive teeth (like me!)


Witch skin clearing primer - £4.66 (on save a third, was £6.99)
Witch tinted moisturiser - £3.99 (also on save a third, was £5.99)


Next

Bread bin - £15 (half price was £30)


When Next had their 2 day sale on there wasn't anything that caught my eye, I even forgot about my VIP slot. Then I caught sight of this groovy looking bread bin! I'd wanted a bread bin but the one I was going to get was a long cream one but this one is space saving (essential in my kitchen) so for £15 I snapped one up!


Tesco


Dessert Truffle Eggs - £4
4x creme brulee eggs, 4x lemon meringue eggs and 4x chocolate brownie eggs
The creme brulee ones were the best!
Oh and I shared these with my mum, we had 2 of each flavour each!



Thorntons easter characters for Chris's two nieces - £4 each (the big bunny was £8 but was half price)


New Look

White polo top - £8.99


So I told you they weren't exciting! Buuuut thanks for reading!

Fragrances Part 2 - Men

So this is part 2 of my little fragrance mini series doo-darr! Today is showing a few mens fragrances which are summer limited editions: 

Paul Smith
Sunshine (100ml) - £26


Top notes: Coriander Leaves, Grapefruit, Black Pepper
Middle notes: Coriander, Nutmeg, Starfruit
Base notes: Incense, Moss, Cedarwood


Issey Miyake
L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme EDT (125ml) - £37.50


Top notes: Yuzu, Mandarin
Middle notes: Cardamom, Sage
Base notes: Vetiver, Ambergris


Calvin Klein
Eternity Summer EDT (100ml) - £32


Top notes: Citrus Mint, Coriander Accord, Ocean Air Accord, Watermelon
Middle notes: Anise Star, Galbanum, Muguet
Base notes: Cedarwood, Red Amber, Patchouli



CK One



Top notes: Tangerine, Water Fern, Melon
Middle notes: Lemon, Sea Breeze Accord, Blue Freesia, Rhubarb, Verbena
Base notes: Incense, Cedar, Skin Musk, Peach Skin


Davidoff
Cool Water Summer Dive EDT (100ml) - £31

Top notes: Lemon Peel, Mandarin, Grapefruit
Middle notes: Basil, Sage
Base notes: Juniper, Woods



Jean Paul Gaultier
Le Male Summer Stimulating EDT (125ml) - £37.50

Top notes: Lavender, Mint, Cardamom
Middle notes: Orange Blossom
Base notes: Vanilla, Musk, Sandalwood



So thats the mens fragrances. Are you planning on buying one for that lovely man in your life? Tomorrow is going to be general new fragrance launches.


Stockists:

Tuesday, 5 April 2011

Fragrances Part 1 - Women

Yep, it's that time of year again when your favourite fragrance gets a limited edition summer twist so here are this years releases for women: 

Thierry Muglier
Sunessence Alien Or D'Ambre Light EDT (60ml) - £40


Top notes: Kiwi
Middle notes: Stanhope Orchids
Base notes: Wood-Amber Accord


Sunessence Angel Edition Ocean D'Argent Light EDT (50ml) - £40


Top notes: Kumquat
Middle notes: Sea Salt Blossom
Base notes: Patchouli, Vanilla


Paul Smith
Sunshine for Women (100ml) - £31


Top notes: Bergamot, Grapefruit, Peach 
Middle notes: Jasmine, Rose, Peony
Base notes: Musk, Sandalwood, Virginia Cedar


Moschino
Happy Fizz EDT (30-100ml) - £23.49 - £49.02



Notes: Magnolia, Musk, May Rose, Osmanthus, Parma Violet, Cedar, Lotus


Issey Miyake
L'Eau d'Issey Summer EDT (100ml) - £39.50



Top notes: Rose, Pear, Water Notes
Middle notes: Carnation, Peony
Base notes: Osmanthus, Woodsy Notes


Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers
G of the Sea EDT (30ml) - £20



Top notes: Crisp Apple, Water Lily, Crushed Berries
Middle notes: Dewy Feesia, Pink Peony, Jasmine Petals
Base notes: Sun Drenched Woods, Musk, Amber


Calvin Klein
Eternity Summer Women EDT (100ml) - £32



Top notes: Violet Leaves, Muguet, Cilantro, Verbena
Middle notes: Gardenia, Jasmine Sambac, Lotus Lily
Base notes: Creamy Musks, Mimosa, Fig Wood


CK One (100ml) - £29
This is a unisex fragrance



Top notes: Tangerine, Water Fern, Melon
Middle notes: Lemon, Sea Breeze Accord, Blue Freesia, Rhubarb, Verbena
Base notes: Incense, Cedar, Skin Musk, Peach Skin



Escada
Taj Sunset (30 - 100ml) - £22 - £44

Top notes: Indian Alphonso Mango, Blood Orange
Middle notes: Watery Blossom Accords, Sweet Primrose Accords, Raspberry
Base notes: Coconut Cream,Musks, Sandalwood


So that was the womens releases. Has anything caught your eye? For me the Escada fragrance is a must have, I buy it every summer! Also Calvin Kleins Eternity sounds nice this year. Might have to try that one too!

Mens fragrances will be up tomorrow and general new fragrances will be up on thursday!


Stockists: