Axiology Lip Crayon

Axiology is a brand that I have seen popping up all over my social media timeline, so the chance to try one of their new lip crayons was too good a chance to pass up. Described as being full of deeply hydrating ingredients, long-lasting and rich pigmentation, nourishing and protecting your lips all-day, the new Axiology Crayons are incredible.

Full of rich and hydrating Organic Butters & Oils such as Shea, Avocado, Castor, Moringa and Neem, they are not only an item of makeup but one which also cares for your lips. Alongside the butter and oils, there is also Vitamin E which is high in antioxidant properties plus they are vegan & palm-oil free.

These Lip Crayons are available in six different shades - Bliss, Enchant, Intrigue, Keen, Serene and Valor and with shades ranging from pink and nude to berries.  I was kindly given Enchant which arrives so beautifully packaged in a recycled cardboard tube and I was interested in learning that this particular packaging had been handmade by women in Bali. The crayon itself is a lovely gold colour which is really quite striking and as a lip colour, it is described as being a shimmery Berry tint on a base of cool mauve with a touch of silver.  

Then when it comes to the application, not only does Enchant glide across the lips, the shade itself is incredibly pigmented and most definitely sits within the Berry family. A cool mauve it is and that touch of silver doesn't turn your lips into a foil look, instead what it is does is to add a little shimmer to what is a matte finish on the lips and far from being drying, this is one of the most hydrating matte products I have tried so far.  As much as I love my matte shades, I do find most of the shades and brands I have tried to be quite drying on the lips and always find that I need to add a lot of balm, with Enchant from Axiology, it is like wearing a lip balm which is matte.

Axiology Lip Crayons are priced at £21 from www.axiologybeauty.com

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HD Miracle Silicone Shaped Sponge

As soon as I saw the Silicone sponges my interest was pricked. I was until recently the kind of person who used certain brushes to apply certain bits of makeup and never deviated from it. Then came the Beauty Blender which was such a game changer and one I adapted too with relative ease and now this.

The Brushworks HD Miracle Silicone Shaped Sponge retails for £7.99 (here) and is described as being 'The magic new way to get a flawless base" and the one I have is not only tear shaped but contains gold glitter!  Made from the highest quality silicone, it has been designed to give you a fast and flawless base application, so to all intent and purpose, speed up the entire process without compromising how good your base is.

The Silicone sponge which is also ultra-hygienic and allergy free is coated with a unique ultra-smooth (TPU) layer to minimise product wastage; unlike brushes or a blender, a silicone sponge does not absorb your makeup and one of its selling points is that it allows you to save more than half the amount of product compared to regular brushes and sponges which also saves you money. Silicone sponges are also long-lasting and easy to clean which again is another big selling point, as I am sure most people dread the brush/blender washing task.  So as well as having a few plus points, is it easy to use and does it work are possibly the questions everyone wants the answer too.

I'm not going to lie, it does feel weird.  Having expected the sponge to be quite rigid, it actually isn't at all, it is soft, smooth and you can wrap it around your finger to keep a better grip.  To use, you apply your product to the sponge directly, I have tried it with a primer to test out using it, a tinted moisturiser and a liquid foundation, I was surprised that one pump of my foundation was enough to cover my entire face when I would usually use 2-3 with my brush.  Once on the sponge, you spread it in a circular motion and then dab lightly to ensure you have blended in all the lines. Now here is the thing, it took me a good few practices to get to grips with using it, but I managed it and whilst I'm not sure it helps me complete the task of applying my makeup any quicker than it would usually take, it does use less product, it is wipe-clean and it does blend my foundation incredibly well.  I have also used it for applying face masks and again, it is as good as option as using an old makeup brush.

If you have been looking to try one of these sponges and haven't yet, then for me this is the place to start.  Since having it, I have tested the £1 Primark option and it isn't anywhere near as good as this one, in fact, had I used the Primark one first, I would have been totally put off even giving them a go.

The HD Miracle Silicone Shaped Sponge from Brushworks retails for £7.99 and comes with a protective case to keep it clean and free from dirt when not being used.

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REN Skincare Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Body Range

A little over a week ago in the beautiful Regent Street Space NK store, I was lucky enough to be treated to an in-depth preview of the new REN skincare range and it is one you definitely need to be looking out for.

The Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Body Range is one which intrigues me as much as excites me. I adore REN as a brand and this is the one launch that calls out to me.  A rich source of magnesium and antioxidants to help cells detox, which revitalises and re-energises the skin. The benefits of sea kelp and seaweeds have been used in West Ireland for bathing, as well as a restorative food source, for centuries. REN has harnessed the power of this particular seaweed to fight fatigue, stress and pollution within a 21st-century content.

At this point, you might be thinking 'What is she talking about' so let me explain.  By restoring the body's balance of magnesium and other trace elements, as well as supporting cell energy levels, we can ensure the cells release toxins, waste and heavy metals, consequently regaining the energy required for healthy functioning of the body. The ability of these trace elements to flood the cells with oxygen and nutrients has a positive effect on our daily energy.

Magnesium is an antidote to stress and helps our bodies to function between, and it is a mineral that is easily absorbed through the skin. To that end, REN have an entire range which is just incredible and these six products all work on their own as well as together and they include:

Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium:

• Body Wash - Reviving body wash with toning seaweed extracts and cell-energising magnesium
• Body Cream - Enriched with powerful microalgae, this  cream tones and firms fatigued skin, increasing the skin's energy levels
• Hand Wash - gentle, derma-protecting hand cleanser that takes care of delicate skin on our hands with mind-invigorating essential oils - NME THEM
• Hand Lotion - A light fresh and easily absorbed hand and body lotion to keep the skin hydrated, nourished and protected
• Exfoliating Body Scrub - A gentle exfoliator that will renew and moisturise your skin. Balm-like texture, apply to the skin before getting into the shower and simply rinse off... or apply to skin and allow to soak off in the bath, allowing for 20 mins to help soak the tension away
• Bath Oil - Formulated with seaweed oil extract to moisturise and tone the skin, this oil will combat fatigue by detoxifying and relaxing both your body and mind.

What I love about this range is not only how incredible the entire range smells, which in itself is enough to immediately bring about a feeling of calmness, the same feeling I get whenever I go for a massage or a facial.  Added to the scent is how amazing the products work so well with one another and as described above, my favourite way to bath using them is to apply the exfoliating body scrub to my skin and then leave it whilst the bath has run, into which I add the bath oil and then before removing it, get into the bath and just allow everything to soak away.  Ive had a pretty stressful time at work lately and to come home and do this little ritual is an absolute treat.

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Iconic Beauty | Erborian

Without question, Erborian is one of my favourite brands and it opened my eyes to a whole new world of beauty products. In 2009 Erborian brought to Europe the first BB Cream, a product I have used for over 2 years and one I repurchase time and time again. Then for me some of my personal favourites from Erborian include the BB Cushion Compact, PP cream, Bamboo Moisture Mask and more recently the Black Cleansing Oil to name just a few products you might have read on this blog.

A Franco-Korean Brand, Erborian has just launched three incredible complexion products which I have been playing with for the last few weeks and I am sharing them with you today.

The first skincare powder compact bronze hue is an incredible product and for someone with a fair complexion, music to my ears. Copper Glow is described as being an ultra-fine, multi-action compact powder, this product gives the skin a subtle copper glow which is just beautiful. Enriched with Camellia oil, it cares for your skin as well as making you glow and it works to strengthen the skin's barrier to help prevent dehydration. 

As my skin is so fair, some bronzers leave what looks like a dirty mark on my skin because they are slightly too dark and I can end up spending a long time blending everything in to ensure my makeup is something I am happy with. Copper Glow, which comes with its own applicator glides on to the skin and is blendable and

Retailing for £34 you can find Copper Glow right here.

Then we have the Touch Pen which is available in two shades - Dore and Clair. Inspired by Korean women's beauty regime, this Touch Pen is described as being "A multi-tasking, easy-to-use retouch pen, to help correct, even out and sculpt the complexion’s appearance". Its formula is very similar to the BB creme and it is enriched with Centella Asiatica which is known for its smoothing properties, Glycerin which helps with moisturising and Tocopherol which is a powerful Antioxidant, again you have a product which is more than makeup, it also helps to take care of the skin.

On the skin, the Touch Pen delivers, with precision, a sheer coverage to the skin designed to smooth the complexion and it is perfect for concealing blemishes, concealing dark circles, blurring imperfections and it can be used to contour the face. To use you simply click the button at the end of the pen and wait for the product to seep into the nib before applying to the skin.  I have found that one click gives more than enough for what I need.

I love how easy this pen is to use and because I have such a pale complexion Clair is the shade I use from the two more often, though Doré, being slightly darker in shade, also works to add just that little but more of a definition and help to conceal those really dark circles after a long night. Clair is a light shade and Doré is more of a golden shade. Each touch pen retails for £26 and you can find them here.

The swatch below shows how each product looks with no highlight or any other filter applied, one swipe of each colour on my arm shows just how pigmented everything is.

If you are looking for a new brand of makeup and skincare to use, then Erborian always comes highly rated from me.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

You Beauty Box - The Garden Party Edit

This month You Beauty bring to us their Garden Party Edit and again a box I was really chuffed with. Again I have the option of choosing three products from quite an extensive list and this time I chose three products I haven't used before.

Again this months box had two treats and again I attach a loose term to the treats because there is a sachet of Organii Everyday Organic 50SPF sunscreen, a brand I have never come across before and a sachet really didn't even cover both arms, so to judge how good it is I can't say. The blurb, however, states "The Organii Sun Milk SPF50 contains ingredients including Argan and Jojoba which help to nourish the skin whilst Pongamol protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays".   The second sachet comes from We Are Tea and it is one tea bag from the Ginko & Ginseng range and it is a caffeine free blend.

The first of my three choices for this month's box is the AA Skincare Frankincense and Rose Facial Toner which retails for £7.98-.  Described as being rehydrating and balancing. Featuring rejuvenating Frankincense and fragrant Damask Rose, the toner is formulated using 100% natural ingredients to restore and revive all skin types. Designed to prepare skin for moisturising, it can also be used to refresh tired and dry skin throughout the day.

Next up comes the Radox Feel Free Matcha and Green Tea Body Wash. Radox 12H Scent Touch™ is the new body wash range which I was intrigued by because of the description.  From the new body wash range, Radox uses innovative fragrance technology that provides a long-lasting fragrance experience that renews with touch. Feel free is an exotic and happy blend of matcha green tea and coconut water scents which it describes as being a pleasurable freshness which renews and recharges your mood, throughout the day. Priced around £2.99 you can buy this body wash from places such as Boots, Superdrug and Supermarkets.

The final item in my box is the Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Therapy. I absolutely love Crabtree & Evelyn hand creams and having tried the hand scrub, I was keen to try the hand therapy. The description reads "After a long day of handling thorny situations, Crabtree & Evelyn’s Gardeners Hand Therapy is just the help you need". It contains a blend of nutrient-rich shea butter, moisturising glycerin, deodorising clover and soothing bisabolol from chamomile all of which come together to nourish and condition work-roughened hands.

I absolutely love this box for June, it is such a great idea for an edit and I think all of the products are fantastically suited to the theme. The You Beauty Box is one of the best around and for just £8.95 which includes P&P you get to make a choice as to which products you want each month and that way you won't be disappointed. More information can be found here.

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Why Antique Wedding Jewellery Beats The Highstreet Every Time

Are you tied up with your wedding planning, and wondering how you’re going to make ends meet with your budget? Perhaps you just can’t find the right ring for your partner on the high street. Don’t worry – this article will give you the advice that you need to make an informed antique purchase which won’t cost you the Earth. With an antique wedding or engagement ring, you have a really exciting opportunity to own a unique piece of history. It’s time to relax, absorb and prepare yourself to make a great investment purchase that will delight your other half.

A romantic history

Many women prefer antique rings, believe them to have more character or a romantic history. Technically, antique jewellery must date back 100 years, to 1914 or before. When you make a vintage or antique purchase, it’s likely that that piece has been handed down in many families, and has an interesting history prior to your ownership. The fact that antique items have such a history is considered by some to be mysterious and offers an extra dimension of romance, making them perfect for engagement or wedding rings. This is a quality that you just can’t beat with highstreet pieces.

 

credit: thejewelleryeditor.com

When purchasing any vintage or antique piece of jewellery of high monetary value. you should also receive a Gemological Certification. This document can tell you exactly where the ring has come from, where it was made and how old it is. This document guarantees and reaffirms the value of your piece and, if you ever wanted to sell it, you can prove the item’s value to your buyer.

No obstacles – you can buy online with confidence

credit: berganza

It was once considered a golden rule not to buy jewellery unless you could view it and gauge its quality and true appearance. However, online retailers have made real progress in overcoming this problem.

Online jewellery retailers like the London-based Berganza have got their product images down to a tee. Their detailed 360-degree images of the products allow you to explore them and better anticipate what to expect if you made a purchase. 

The demand for precision and knowledge of gemstones has increased because there has been a recent inflation of antique jewellery prices. People expect to be confident before parting with higher sums of money.

Antique prices can offer bang for your buck

High street jewelry prices are extremely inflated. There are a few reasons for this: many customers seem to prefer brand new jewellery, and dislike the prospect of someone else having used the pieces before them. But, if you can get over this, you could find yourself a true bargain with an antique purchase.

However, some pieces of antique jewellery may be imperfect and worn, requiring a little bit of TLC. There are plenty of services around the UK that can treat and polish rings to make them look good as new. This could be the ultimate choice for those working to a tight budget.

Have I convinced you to swerve the highstreet and make an antique purchase instead? Let us know in the comments.

By Hollie Jones

Hollie is a freelance writer and co-writer for the Hollie and the Ivy blog. She is passionate about upcycling, interior design, crafts and weddings. Hollie enjoys writing about these topics and spreading her knowledge and experience to others.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

The biggest new trends in hairdressing for 2017

Hair trends will change every year as well as every season. A great hairstylist needs to stay up to date with current trends and be on the lookout for the upcoming trends. Even when it seems like hair trends are staying the same or similar to years past, there is always a way to make subtle updates, even to the most classic of cuts. The easiest way to achieve any trendy look is to invest in high-quality tools, such as Kasho hairdressing scissors. 

To help stay up to date with 2017’s hottest hair trends, here are 3 of the top colour and styles for the year.

1. Colour contouring. Hair contouring is inspired by one of the latest make-up trends that aim to define your best facial features. This technique uses the placement of hair colour around the face, which can help accentuate your best features and enhance natural skin tone. With the specific placement of different tones and depths of colour around the face, this colouring technique can highlight and darken areas of the face. Darker colours in the hair create shadows which can narrow the face shape. Lighter tones, on the other hand, elongate the face shape. Hair contouring is a hair trend that can work for anyone, as it is designed to suit everyone’s unique facial features and skin tone.

2. Blunt bob. One of the biggest hair trends for 2017 that is showing up on many fashion runways is the blunt bob. This trendy style contains no layers, A-line shape, texture or undercut. It is simply a classic bob. The best part about this cut is that it is suitable for all hair types. 

Image Credit Brit.co

The right products can make this cut even better. For fine hair, a thickening spray or mousse will provide needed volume so the hair doesn’t simply fall flat. A styling cream can be useful for wavy hair in order to tame frizz. Curly hair will require a curl cream or oil to give hair shine and weight to avoid a major triangle shape that can occur with this cut.

3. Eye length fringe. Bangs are an easy way for anyone to change up their look without making too drastic of a change with a full haircut. One of the best parts of a long bang is that they are versatile in how they can be styled. Using pomade or other styling products, bangs can be made to look piece-y and edgy. They can also be swept to the side for a more conservative, classic look. A fringe can also work with any hair type including curly hair, and with many different hairstyles. Bangs that are cut shorter in the middle and longer on the sides can also work with any face shape, adding to the versatility of this style.

While these hair trends are great, be sure that you go to a professional who has training and expertise in these cuts. That way you can ensure that your cut will come out great and you will look your best.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

BEAUTY ROCKS TOKYO LOVE BEAUTY BOX

I love beauty boxes, not a statement that will surprise those regular readers of mine I am sure, but just sometimes there is a beauty box which really catches your attention because it takes on the beauty box market, shakes it up and spits out something a little bit special - meet Tokyo Love. 

Created by the amazing Jamie from BeautyRocksBlog, Jamie has created her own beauty box taking inspiration from her time spent travelling the world, each product has been hand picked by Jamie herself and she and I have a little bit of a thing for Korean and Japanese beauty and this box definitely reflects that.

Inside the beautifully designed box sits 6 products, some I have come across and used but the majority I haven't and it is this which excited me the most. The two products that I have used come from DHC, one of my favourite brands and one you will have seen featured here on numerous occasions. 

DHC Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara is incredible. Once applied it lasts all day with no flaking, smudging and it doesn't smear, even in the rain. It has a water-resistant tube-technology formula that lengthens the look of your lashes and best of all, you do not need a makeup remover because the tubes slide off with warm water and gentle pressure. 

DHC Liquid Eyeliner EX brush-tip eyeliner pen lets you line and define like an expert. Easy-to-use, it dispenses just the right amount of smudge-proof liner and with the precision tip, it actually makes applying eyeliner quite an easy task, not that I am in any way shape or form an expert at doing it and it is rare I wear eyeliner. One the days that I do, this is my product of choice.  

The rest of the products within the box are all completely new to me and ones that I have never come across or tried before and I have loved using each one.

Yumeguri Hot Spring Bath Powder - The Japanese are famed for their hot springs, known as onsen and it is one of the Japanese women's best kept secrets at keeping your skin looking younger for longer.  

This bath powder is designed to transform your bath into a Japanese Hot Spring and I literally cannot wait to give it a try I am so intrigued.

Majolica Majora - Cherry Kiss.  This is the sister brand to Shiseido and Jamie describes it as being extremely difficult to find outside of Asia. 

Described as being a Honey Pump Gloss which is designed to plump and perfect your pout, it adds a lovely hint of colour to your lips, is non-tacky and does leave my lips feeling really soft and smooth.

Shiseido Senka Perfect Whip Cleansing Foam. I happen to know that foam cleansers are huge in Japan and this particular product is a best seller, so to see it in my box having read so much about it, is quite exciting. 

Using a unique formula of white silkworm cocoon protein to guarantee optimal skin cleansing and hydration it works to dissolve makeup and draw out impurities from the pores. A small blob onto your palm quickly turns into a lather and it leaves my skin feeling incredibly clean. It works well really well on its own or you can use it as a second cleanse.

The final item in this box is the Kokubo Face Lifting Roller and it is a Japanese beauty secret known as Shiatsu. Shiatsu is a pressure point massage which can be done on both the face and body.

Using the roller you hold the handle gently and then make up-and-down strokes with it on the area of concern. I use mine after showering or bathing and I spent a good few minutes rolling this around my face, especially around my chin. The movement of the roller is quite relaxing ad perfect for that few minutes of your time.

If you like the sound of this box you can get the next installment of Jamie’s Beauty Rocks Boxes by simply visiting https://beautyrocks.myvlogbox.com/ to start your subscription and don’t worry they ship worldwide. This is a rolling subscription which can be cancelled at any time. I can not wait to see the next Korean Beauty inspired box and I’m sure you don’t want to miss these beauty discoveries from around the globe in the comfort of your own home.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Summer in a box with Marks and Spencer

You can never have too many beauty boxes as far as I am concerned and the latest one to catch my attention comes from Marks and Spencer with their - Summer in a Box. 

As you can see with some amazing brands present, within each box you will find:

• Filorga Time-Filler Wrinkles Correction Cream 15ml, 
• Eyeko Sport Waterproof Mascara 4ml, 
• Leighton Denny Nail Polish 12ml, 
• James Read Gradual Tan Sleep Tan Mask Body 100ml, 
• Philip Kingsley Instant Beach Texturising Spray 25ml, 
• Studio 10 Youth Lift Glow-Plexion Cream 15ml, 
• Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 50+ 30ml, 
• M&S Sun Smart SPF 30 Lotion 200ml.

Summer beauty in a box will cost just £10 when you spend £40 on clothing, beauty and home and there is more information right HERE on how to grab your box.

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Sleek Makeup Distorted Dreams collection

With the slogan 'Get glazed AF' today I am introducing Sleek’s all new iridescent Distorted Dreams collection and if you like your highlighters, then have they got something for you.

The stunning luminescent Distorted Dreams Highlighting Palette has been added to the already hugely popular range of blinding highlighters. With five shades in a mixture of cream and powder textures, it will ensure your skin is looking totally LIT. With reflective, holographic pigments, this radiant palette can be used to illuminate your eyelids, cheeks AND lips for an almost supernatural glow. 

If like me you are a fan of the Matte Me lip creams you will be pleased to know that Sleek are taking them to a whole new level and are now embracing the metallic statement trend! Meet Volcanic, Roman Copper and Rusted Rose, three stunning shades that are designed to give your pout a statement lip big enough to grab some attention.  The shades give a foil-like finish and apply like an absolute dream. I am torn between Rusted Rose and Volcanic as a favourite shade, but they are all just absolutely stunning and quite different to anything else that I have within my collection and they are definitely something I am definitely going to embrace so watch out!

The Metallic Matte Me Lip creams will be priced at £4.99 and the Distorted Dreams Highlighting palette at £10.99 making both of them an absolute bargain and they are available from Superdrug.

*this post contains PR samples/affiliate links unless indicated otherwise