New In / Urban Decay Summer 2015 Collection

I know, we have all seen sneak peeks of the Urban Decay Naked Smoky palette but there are even more Urban Decay reasons to jubilate this summer!

The star of the collection are the new Urban Decay Afterglow 8-hour Powder Blush(es), in my opinion.

Coming in a healthy selection of 12 shades, this powder blush is finely milled - making it foolproof to blend and butter-like on the brush - and you can choose from a matte finish or a glowy look. 

Rapture* is a plummy, berry shade with a hint of golden shimmer. It reminds me of Nars' Sin but the Urban Decay quality is far superior; I find Sin disappointing regarding colour pay-off, whilst Rapture is extremely easy to modulate to the desired intensity.

It feels dreamy on the cheeks - lightweight and soft like a caress - and stays put for the whole day!

The packaging as always doesn't disappointing either: it comes in a gunmetal compact with fishnet detailing that reveals the colour inside; it closes with a magnet (which I also find extremely satisfying!) ;)

Urban Decay Revolution High Color Lip Glosses coat the lips with a generous helping of colour with only one swipe! They are extremely high pigmented and high shine, just as you can see in the tube. They come in 14 shades from neutrals to brights and - as per the blushes - they are now a permanent line of the UD family.

Vice* is a dark purple with cool-toned small glitters that help the teeth look whiter. 

It is very comfortable on the lips and contains Hilurlip™, which hydrates lips while making them look plumper and fuller.

The gunmetal cap and waved design compliment the Revolution Lipsticks and the flat shape is pocket-friendly too! Genius!!!

The collection also includes the Urban Decay Ultimate Ozone Multipurpose Primer Pencil - a multitasker to correct mistakes, prevent feathering or fill in fine lines - and 8 new Eyeshadow colours.

Yep, it is time for a summer treat... What are you going to pick up?

Review / Nourish Balance Vita-Boost Body Cream

Nourish have recently relaunched their body creams and I'm pleased to see that they have been repackaged in a pump tub; there are still 4 lines - Balance, Radiance, Protect and Relax - that complement the relevant shower gels. 

I'm a big fan of the Radiance range (you can read more here) but this time I decided to go for the Balance moisturiser because I'm still in full post-partum body crisis and this product promises to smooth and tone the skin.

 Nourish Balance Vita-Boost Body Cream* contains natural apple extracts that boosts elasticity and photo-active marine algin, hyaluronic acid and peptides that stimulate collagen synthesis to improve suppleness and firmness.  

The crisp apple scent and comfortable & refreshing consistency make it perfect for Spring/Summer, especially. It has become a pleasant ritual and - although it's too early to see any difference on the firming front - it is a very good moisturiser so far, thanks to African shea butter.

This product is 81% Organic and remember that Nourish is certified organic by the Soil Association and Cruelty Free - All products available from nourishskinrange.com.

Have you tried this brand before?

New In / Spring 2015 from The Body Shop

The new exciting collection, signed by The Body Shop is the Fuji Green Tea.

I had great expectantions for these products and they certainly exceeded my hopes - This collection is beautiful! 

 The scent in particular was a lovely surprise, since I was apprehensive that it would be too leafy, like the drink can be; instead, it is crispy fresh and calming on the mind. 

This line is infused with real green tea leaves, picked from the Mount Fuji area in Japan so you also benefit from the antioxidant  and detoxing properties of this plant.

 This is instantly become my favourite range from The Body Shop... and it comes in my favourite colour, too - Mint Green! :)

It includes: Exfoliating Soap, Body Scrub, Body Butter, Body Sorbet, Body Lotion, Shower Gel, Eau de Cologne, Bath Tea & Bath Infuser - to recreate a perfect Tea Ceremony for the body!

The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Body Butter* has a light, air-whipped consistency that doesn't feel sticky and absorbs easily. It also provides 24-hour hydration and adds a velvety touch to the skin.

Lovely to use in the morning and leaves your skin softly scented for the whole day.

The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Body Scrub* comes in a 250ml transparent jar.

It has a jelly consistency with green beads to gently exfoliate the skin; it's like a splash of water on the skin and the ideal to get rid of dead skin cells at the end of a hard week. I also find that the gel doesn't strip moisture or leave my skin feeling tight.

The Body Shop Vitamin E range has been a best seller for over three decades and to celebrate this achievement and icon status, the products have received an all British makeover. The packaging has been redesigned, incorporating the Union Jack and with a pink, feminine touch. You can pick up the Vitamin E Moisture Cream, Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet, Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In-Oil in store now.

The latest addition to the line - The Body Shop Vitamin E Eyes Cube* is an anti-fatigue stick that revitalise and refresh the eye area; the stick helps massaging this area and to attenuate puffiness and dark circles. 

I usually apply the product from the tube and then tap it in with my ring finger; I also keep it in the fridge, to enhance the cooling effect.

It is a best way to wake me up and start a new day, paired with the Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet which has become my Springtime moisturiser of choice. You can read the review I wrote last year here.

Have you tried any of these products before?

Which are your The Body Shop staples?

New In / Kiko Milano Modern Tribes Collection

Modern Tribes is the new Summer Collection from Italian Make Up Brand - Kiko Milano.

It pays tribute to an earthy, multiethnic globe constantly connected and sharing energy and inspiration.

The collection includes: Sunproof Cream Foundation Spf15, Sunproof Powder Foundation Spf15, Essential Bronzer, Tri-Bal Soul Baked Blush, Sunproof BB Cream Spf30, Graphic Ritual Kajal Eyeliner, Free Spirit Lips & Cheeks, Sahara Glow Highlighter, Dawn Till Dusk Volume Mascara, Modern Tribe Face Brush and 3 Roller Scents.

The skin is bronzed - like kissed and warmed by the sun - with natural nuances and with added pops of colour on the eyes and lips.

The packaging - with wooden cases and gold engravings - perfectly embodies the elegant and tribal soul of this collection.

Kiko Milano Free Spirit Lips & Cheeks are multitasking pencils - as the name says - that work as lipsticks and blushers.

02 Supreme Guava* is my favourite as a blush; the shade is a soft pink with cool undertones that gives a radiant  and refreshed look to the cheeks.

06 Illusion Red* instead is a bright ruby red that was born for a statement lip; I found it also the most comfortable on the lips and still retaining good staying power.

The formulation is soft, doesn't drag on the skin and enriched with antioxidant Vitamin E; they are easy to blend on the cheeks and leave a uniform, vivid coat of colour on the lips.

They both have great pigmentation at the first swipe but are buildable to the desired effect, too.

Each jumbo pencil also comes with their own pencil sharpener - and for £8.90 - that alone is fantastic added value.
What are your  picks from the Modern Tribes Collection?

Review / Docteur Renaud 7-in-1 Apricot BB Eye Cream

As a new mummy, my dark circles have gone from bad to worst; apart from the chronic tiredness, I'm also super busy with my new bundle of joy and I have limited time to dedicate to my beauty regime or make up application.

Consequently, I've also developed quite dry skin in the eye area and my old long lasting concealer is just highlighting these problems, making things worst.

So I was looking for a new product that would act both as skincare and make up and I came across the Docteur Renaud 7-in-1 Apricot BB Eyes* which sounded just the perfect multitasking product for my hectic routine.

The pencil is super practical but I prefer to take and apply the product with my finger (for hygienic purposes); the creamy and soft formula is very easy to blend, doesn't drag on the skin and doesn't settle in fine lines.

The Universal Beige shade is suitable for most skintones and it perfectly camouflages dark circles; admittedly, this is not a full coverage concealer but it really brightens the eye area and adds radiance. The final result is a dramatic improvement with a natural finish.

The shea butter helps deliver moisturization and maintain elasticity to further reduce signs of ageing and tiredness; apricot butter is comforting and has restorative properties, it's rich in essential fatty acids to aid repair, nourish and protect the skin.  

Docteur Renaud is renowned for using organic flower, fruit and vegetable extracts to deliver both health and nutrition to the skin. Have you tried their products yet?