Delivery / BrandAlley

Finally, my order from BrandAlley arrived!!!

I ordered it on the 8th of January and I was starting to get a bit restless, to be honest.

I've become a big fan of Monu since I discovered this brand in the November GlossyBox so I couldn't pass on the chance to try other products since everything was 50% off.

Monu - Recovery Balm

I've been wanting to try this for some time. I received the Skin Perfector in my GlossyBox (and LOVE IT!) but with my sensitive skin, I thought I give this balm a go.

First of all, It doesn't really feel like a balm but more like a cream (actually, the Skin Perfector is more like a balm/gel) but nevertheless it sinks beautifully in the skin and it's very comfortable.

I'm really liking it so far! It's beautifully scented and an ideal daytime cream. Now, I hope it will help my stressed skin and keep it a bay, too... but it's too early to tell.

Monu - Neck And Bust Cream

I find it really hard to find cream specifically for the bust area on the high street. Usually, I stock up when I go to Italy and if I run out I end up buying Clarins which is 30quid.

This bottle is tiny - I have used it for a week (once a day) and It's already half empty - not much product in it.

The cream is really thick and not the easiest to apply, I think it has a 'tensor effect' on the skin but It's not really moisturising. I won't re-purchase, I'm afraid.

Btw, do you know of any good and not too expensive bust cream on the market? :)

Monu - Stimulating Kyoto Massage & Body Oil

There were few different oils from Monuspa line but I decided on this one for it's firming benefits.

I like to use oils on wet skin after bath/shower, it leaves it super-soft and recharged.

This can also be used in the bathtub - I'll try this method too.

Unfortunatelly, I'm not thrilled because the geranium is persecuting me!!!
Nice and luxurious glass bottle - ideal for a present too - I just can't stand that flower smell.

Are you hooked on Monu like myself? :)

More Samples

I popped in L'Occitane over the weekend to collect my 30ml hand cream. Basically, you had to apply on their Facebook' page and then at the end, they sent out a voucher to bring in store and get your free tube.

Another mascara to try - I have got like 5 on the go at the moment... yay!!
This is the Dior Diorshow New Look - just been released this month and I found an invite inside Elle Magazine to go and collect a sample at your nearest counter; wow, it was impossible to find but at the end they still had few left in Boots Buchanan Gallery.
Apparently, it has a serum which helps strengthen and repair; the brush is quite weird (and mine is also bent!)... tried a couple of days but not impressed! It really dries out my lashes super-fast and it's impossible to even do two coatings. :(

You can order your free sample of the following products on www.janiro.co.uk
They got sent really fast, I received them in 3 days with a nice wee handwritten note.
The Ginvera Green Tea Whitening Marvel Gel is supposed to be great for removing blackheads.
Unfortunately, my sample dried out after 1 application and I didn't see any improvement. Did you manage to use it for longer? Does it work?
The second is the Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream. Still to test.

You could request a sample of the Big Skincare Mystery on their Facebook page.
It can be used both as a face wash and mask cleanser... I have no idea of what product this is...
do you?
They will reveal it on the 1st of March... I'm quite curious but I wasn't wowed by it so I can positively say it's a no buy from me. I liked it more like a mask than a face wash, lovely smell and I didn't experience any tingling.

 

Finally, I got this in a magazine a couple of months ago; I didn't think much of it (ergo, the messy sample below because I didn't bother take a pic beforehand)... and then  few days ago i found it at the bottom of my makeup bag so decided to try it.

I'm so impressed! It gives a really nice healthy, natural look to the skin. Plus, it has serum in it so it's also a treatment - in fact it reminds me of a BB cream. It doesn't feel like a foundation but colour-wise, I could go a bit lighter, I reckon.

I don't think it has been realised long ago... and it's in 3for2 offer in Boots so I might pick a bottle up.

Have you tried Max Factor Ageless Elixir yet?

Primark' Vivienne Westwood-eque Boots

I couldn't resist for a tenner. I've been looking for ankle boots and black are perfect to match with every outfit. Isn't the wee bow cute?

I, normally, don't go for imitations or fakes but I can't justify to buy these original: they are PLASTIC, I mean PLASTIC (or RUBBER, if you wish). I don't mind to pay more for designers if it's leather or suede or you can feel the quality of the material.

New Look' Snake Patterned Clutch Bag

This clutch was also 10 pounds and change.

I love the orange/fuschia colour-blocking so much - definitely, my favourite trend since last year.

The bag also got a gold chain shoulder strap.

Real Techniques Brushes Review

First of all, Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Personally, I don't share the cynism that I've been reading about lately... 

Of course, you don't need an holiday to show how much you love somebody but It's nice to have a day dedicated to it - you have a day dedicated to yourself (birthday), why not for the two of you?!

You definitely don't need to spend a fortune - for example, my fiancé & I, we agreed on no presents and we will only have a quiet seated meal/no tv in the house (we got to eat after all, no?!).
I don't know, all this anti-valentine's campaign is kinda of getting old... and a bit hippy, in my opinion.

Plus, do you know that if you're single, you can celebrate too?!

The 15th of February is S. Faustus which is the patron of singles...

 Happy Celebrating Girls... whatever your status!!! :)

*****

Beauty related - I want to talk about the Real Techniques brushes by Samantha Chapman, today.

Finally, they will be available in Boots in Uk and Ireland from tomorrow (well, that was the official release date but apparently you can already find them some places) - terrific news!!!

To summarize: I love them.

I got mines on Love-makeup.co.uk on Christmas day. They were doing a pre-Boxing Day discount so I took advantage to try these wonderful brushes. 

Honestly, these are my favourite brushes at the moment.

I was torn between the stippling and the buffing brush but since I already got the Mac 187 I decided to go for the buffing one.

Initially, I was a bit annoyed that you can only buy it in the Core Collection set but now I think all 4 brushes are wonderful.

The Buffing brush is my number 1 foundation brush - it gives such a great finish that the others I got, simply don't compare.

To be honest, I don't use it often enough because I don't want to ruin it... hehe... so I really hope they will start to sell it individually too because I want more! 

My second favourite from this kit is the Contour Brush: I don't usually contour my face so I'm using this to apply blush on the apple of my cheeks.

Then we have the Pointed Foundation Brush: as many have pointed out, this is too small for applying foundation but I think it works perfectly for the highlighter.

Finally, Detailer Brush: this is pretty tiny and flat and I use it as a lipstick brush.

These are really great quality brushes, the bristles are so soft and animal-friendly. I like the aluminium handle which is a good length and make it light to hold. The brushes come in a case but I can take it or leave it, to be honest...

I will, definitely, pick up some others now that they're going to be easily available on the hight street.

Have you tried them before? Do you like them?

xx

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

This is a long overdue post... everybody loves the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser so I've been struggling to find what to add at the many reviews already out there... so, all I can give you is a little insight on my experience.

The bottle I got is a travel size but it will definitely last you much longer than any common mortal holiday. It's practical to carry around because it comes in its wee bag and you also get 2 (and I want to emphasise 2!!) muslin cloth.

All I need is 2 pumps per night - I tried to use more or less but it was just a waste of product - so I stick to 2 pumps, no matter how much make up I got on.

After, rubbing it in well into my skin (eyes included), I soak the cloth in warm water and start wiping everyting away. It's such a pleasure to work with: it's so creamy and comforting on the skin and it smells fresh and natural.

Just a matter of wiping and rinsing a few times really... very simple but effective... It has become my ritual, really.

Actually, It has become my all family ritual too:  when I was away, my sister tried it and she loved it so much that I had to leave my bottle with her... then my mum used it too and well, you can guess the rest. My sister is in her 20s and my mum 50s and it's suitable for every age and type of skin - especially my sensitive one.

I have tried many other cleansers over the years but I always find myself going back to John Lewis and re-purchase the Liz Earle' one. It's the best out there: Fact!
What are your thoughts?
xx

*sample*