Review / Caribbean Essentials Restore Massage & Bath Oil

Caribbean Essentials is a selection of Spa products and treatment rituals created by Linda Hall, a leading Well-being expert and International Spa Consultant. Linda used her in depth knowledge of plants, indigenous to the Caribbean, and create a line inspired by the vitality and energy of the Caribbean.

This unique range is based on aromatherapy and it's chakra orientated, where the selection of herbs and spices possess healing and therapeutic properties too.

Using only the purest and finest highest botanical ingredients, each formulation is carefully selected for a key purpose and aiming at delivering the desired results.

Caribbean Essentials Restore Massage & Bath Oil* is ideal to soothe and rehydrate post summer skin! It's anti-inflammatory, eases aches & pains and helps digestive imbalances.

I just have to drizzle few drops under running water and my bathroom is instantly filled with the soothing and warming aroma of patchouli mixed with ginger and peppermint. This is truly one of the most relaxing bath that I've ever had and I need to put my magazine down and enjoy the moment... recharge my body and my mind.

The blend also includes lemon - proven to stimulate the immune system - grapeseed oil for hydration, rosemary with its antioxidant properties and orange to combat stress.

Like many, I'm a devotee of oils! I've come to appreciate them in recent years and I love how multitasking and how fast and intensively acting they are. You can also apply it to wet skin for intense moisturization... and why not - for a spicy aphrodisiac massage with your partner! ;)

Have you tried Carribean Essentials yet? What do you recommend?

Shopping My Stash / #3

It has been so unusually warm in recent weeks so I decided to give my liquid foundation a break and I used Neve Cosmetics Flat Perfection smoothing powder foundation in light neutral as my base. As a primer I used Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation Primer which never impress me, if I'm honest, but seemed the perfect match to use with this pressed powder.

On the eyes, I primed with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion and then used different combinations from the Ysl Ombres 5 Lumieres Eyeshadows no.11; when I wore the deeper purple shades, I use the new acquisition Kiko Glow Touch Lips & Cheeks in pleasant pink azalea both as blush and lip stain.

When I used the green eyeshadows instead, I wore Mac Blush Ombre in azalea blossom on the cheeks and Deborah Milano Shine Creator Lipstick in 16 pearly plum on the lips

Gosh! That's a pretty palette...

As an highlighter I chose St. Tropez Skin Illuminator in violet - what else??! - and Dior DiorSkin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder in 02 sunlight - to add a touch of warmth to the skin.

Revlon GrowLuscious was the mascara of choice - mainly because I need to finish it up since I don't really like it; finally, I protected my lips with Softlips which does seem to leave a white cast so I've been using it as a base.

*****
Summer Giveaway Winner is... Sian @ http://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/
Congrats honey - your prize will be with you soon! :) xxx

Review / Naisture Collagen Mask Pack

I was recently sent this mask to try from the lovely people at A Beautiful World which is an online beauty boutique and sells interesting and hard to find brands; basically, they did all the hard work of researching and scouring the globe and bring those brands to the UK market.
They offer Uk Free Delivery on orders over £20 and run a loyalty scheme where you can use your points for money off your next purchase.
They are also releasing a beauty box twice a year - the first one already sold out - to give us the chance to try some amazing and promising products.

The Naisture Collagen Mask* comes directly from Korea in the form of a sheet mask and it's mono-dose. I really enjoy using paper masks but I'm always paranoid to break them: the Naisture one is made of 100% pure cotton and very resistant. It's also soaking wet in all the ingredients and they get perfectly absorbed into the skin on application.
It contains vegetable collagen derived from carrots that helps improve skin elasticity and firmness; you'll also find hyaluronic acid, panthenol, shea butter to help achieve smoother and radiant skin.

First of all, it's recommended to prepare the skin with some toner and then leave the mask on pose for 10-15 minutes. As mentioned above, the mask is saturated in the product which also helps to keep it into place; it feels soothing and it's a pure pleasure to put your feet up and rest your eyes, whilst doing this treatment. It smells really fresh too and I feel all my senses are engaged in this relaxing and luxurious (deserved) me-time!

When you remove the mask, you just need to spend a couple of minutes and massage the solution into the skin and the active ingredients will have the time to work overnight as well.

This morning, I woke up with baby soft skin and my cheeks look plumped and my skin rejuvenated. 

Have you tried this mask before? You can get it on A Beautiful World, a pack of 5 for £10

Empties / July

Body:

Clarins High Definition Body Lift: a favourite of mine, I have gone through a couple of these already. It absorbs fast and doesn't feel sticky on the skin. It's pricey but it's one of the few creams where I can actually see some improvement. It smells lovely and floraly too and comes with a booklet with massaging tips.

Repurchase: probably, like a treat due to the price.

Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Cuticle & Nail Refiner: I've been using it once every fortnight; it's pretty gritty and an high duty exfoliant and a little goes a long way but I can't say it made any significant difference to the appearance of my cuticles.

Repurchase: probably not.

Percy & Reed Totally TLC Hydrating Mask: Definitely in my Top5 of favourite hair masks; I got it for free in a magazine... added bonus. I love how soft it leaves my hair and it's pretty fast acting in 10 minutes; I'm just not too crazy about the 'manly' scent.

Repurchase: yes.

The Body Shop Coconut Body Scrub: I'm not a huge fan of The Body Shop, if I'm honest and I can't say to shop there regularly but their body scrubs are my absolute favourites. They are good value for money, they are just the right consistency for my liking and come in so many beautiful scents; Talked about the pink grapefruit one here.

Repurchase: Hell Yeah!

Face:

L'Oreal Perfect Clean Foaming Cream Wash - Soothing: this is actually not finished but I have had it for ages and when I tried to use it again it stung my face... I think it may have gone off, better safe than sorry!
I remember I quite liked this and the wee brush too - there are a couple of different ones and the blue, I liked it even better, very refreshing on the skin. I can recommend this but I'm not sure if I would repurchase, simply because I tend to spend a bit more money on face cleansers nowadays.
Repurchase: see above.
Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream: nope - Balance Me just doesn't blow me away; I have tried few different products now but I'm once again underwhelmed. It's an ok cream but not moisturizing enough, for my needs. I was pretty glad to finish it off, actually.
Repurchase: no.
Ren Keep Young And Beautiful SH2C Serum: same as above - Underwhelmed! There are maybe 2 products from this brand that I like but the rest just disappointed me. This serum also broke me out so definitely thumbs down in this case.
Repurchase: no.
Yes to Cucumber Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Towellets: I use face wipes to remove most of my make up before the gym and then I do a deep cleanse before bed. These served me pretty well: they are a handy travel size and stayed moist until the end (hate when wipes dry out mid-pack!). Scent is not annoying and not harsh on the skin.
Repurchase: yes.
St. Ives Apricot Scrub Invigorating: LoveLoveLove! Who doesn't like the St. Ives scrub, let's be honest?!
I love everything - from the apricot scent to the exfoliating particles to the price! It does the job and it does it well, it's easily available on the high street and convenient.
Repurchase: yep!

Have you tried any of these products?

Out Now / Urban Decay Fall 2013

These beauties have now hit the shops!

Urban Decay has always been my favourite brand when it comes to eyeshadows and eye make up, in general; it's pretty exciting to see their collection expanding to lips and nail polishes too.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil

Long lasting and waterproof lipliners to define and prime the lips. They come in 16 shades and I already have my eyes on Ozone - a clearn pencil, ideal to use with any colour - and Native - a beautiful pale pink.

If these are just half as good as the 24/7 for eyes... I NEED one in every colour!!!

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick

Creamy formula with an insane colour pay-off and shine finish; these are nourishing and moisturising with jojoba oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter and shea butter. 

Love the gunmetal and purple packaging and there is a wide range of 22 shades available... my picks? Liar - pinky-brown nude - and Fiend - muted rose.

Urban Decay Nail Color
Urban Decay actually started in 1996 with nails and lips products so this is the most exciting return to the Urban Decay family with 2 stunning colours with an urban vibe. Extremely durable and chip-resistant, they are also 3-free-formulated - without toluene, formaldehyde or DBP.
Vice is a deep purple with red and blue micro shimmer - Addiction is a metallic gunmetal with micro sparkles. Again, the packaging is uber-cool!


Urban Decay Naked Skin - Ultra Definition Pressed Finishing Powder
Well, call me boring but I'm super excited about this pressed powder. I love the Naked Skin liquid foundation and this sounds like the perfect match to set your make up.
It comes in a healthy 5 shades and with a cute drawstring pouch; weightless on the skin and with a semi-matte, luminous finish... I WANT!!!

Urban Decay B6 Vitamins-Infused Complexion Prep Spray
I'm a fan of the UD Setting sprays and trust them everytime I need my make up to last all day. This is actually a prep spray that can be used throughtout the day to freshen up your complexion.
It's full of antioxidant ingredients and also absorbs oil, reduce redness and minimize pores; free from oils and parabens... Here comes the SuperSpray (also suitable for men)!

Urban Decay Brow Box
A redesign for this best-selling brow kit. I never do my brows (thank you fringe!) but this wee box contains everything you need in a handy cute cube: 2 brow colours, wax, tweezers and 2 brushes. It's available on two shades and comes in the iconic purple packaging.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Anti-Aging
... and last but not least, the latest addition to the Eyeshadow Primer Potion line!
I simply rate the 'original' like the best eye primer that I have ever used and now it comes with anti-aging benefits. It promises the same 24hr crease free look plus contains ingredients that help prevent and repair wrinkles in 8 weeks. One for the test!

What do you think? This is a-collection-and-a-half and I'm excited for every single item... Are you going to buy anything from this collection?