Makeup Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer

I think absolutely everyone has their opinion on the Makeup Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer, it was released and media both social media and print media exploded and not just in the UK. Over the pond in the States we have US Bloggers and Vloggers alongside those here in the UK excitedly proclaiming that this is 'The Best Concealer Ever' and 'An Incredible £4 Dupe' - But is it?

Without question Makeup Revolution is one of the UK's biggest drugstore brands and it is one that is not slowing down for anyone when it comes to new product releases.  One thing that always impresses me is the ability to stay on trend and keep makeup affordable, reachable and wanted.  Friends of mine tried in vain to find this concealer in their local Superdrug store, but it disappeared off the shelves so quickly, there was only seldom shades available and this is not a bad thing.  This concealer was released with an impressive 18 shade line up with some incredible thoughts behind it, soon to be 25 and all for just £4.

I tried the palest shade C1 on my hand instore but the tester was a little too light for me and it wasn't in stock. Instead I opted to purchase shade C2 which is said to be for fair skin tones with a yellow undertone. 

I am actually possibly between C1 and C2 to find the correct shade for my skin, but I am impressed with is how much thought has gone into creating a product for different skin tones and their undertones. 

“The concealer for everyone. 18 shades ranging from fair to deep, in cool, neutral and warm undertones. Lightweight yet full coverage concealer to cover blemishes, even skin tone and counteract dark circles, with a matte finish that won’t settle or accentuate fine lines and pores. Long wearing intense pigment that can also be used to contour and add definition. Our large doe foot applicator allows for smooth application that won’t drag on the delicate skin under your eyes.“

The full listing being:

• C1 – For fair skin tones with neutral undertone
• C2 – For fair skin tones with yellow undertone
• C3 – For fair skin tones with pink undertone
• C4 – For light skin tones with neutral undertone
• C5 – For light skin tones with pink undertone
• C6 – For light/medium skin tones with yellow undertone
• C7 – For medium skin tones with peach undertone
• C8 – For medium skin tones with yellow undertone
• C9 – For medium skin tones with a peach undertone
• C10- For medium skin tones with a golden undertone
• C11 – For medium/dark skin tones with a beige undertone 
• C12 – For medium/dark skin tones with a neutral undertone
• C13 – For dark skin tones with a warm undertone
• C14 – for dark skin tones with a cool undertone
• C15 – for dark skin tones with a neutral undertone
• C16 – for dark skin tones with a warm undertone
• C17 – for dark skin tones with a neutral undertone
• C18 – for dark skin tones with a warm undertone

I use concealer daily and my current favourite is from Urban Decay with their Naked Skin Concealer which is available in 14 shades, but I was lucky enough to be colour matched at a blogger event and I have stuck with this particular concealer ever since. So I was excited to see if a £4 Makeup Revolution product could live up to my £19 version (a post I might do later). I am well aware that there is some excitement over the Makeup Revolution Concealer being a Dupe for Tarte Shape Tape, but having never tried it, I can't make a comparison but at this stage I am still saving £15, but is it really as amazing as people are claiming it is?

Firstly I love the packaging which is a clear plastic tube, with a rose gold metallic lid and rose gold metallic sticker and I like how it looks, how easily it fits into my make up bag and it contains 3.4ml (Naked Skin is 5ml). It has a large doe foot applicator which picks up a fair amount of product making the application really easy, whether you dot it or swipe it onto your face and when you do so, the sponge is really soft.  I don't use the applicator to blend in the concealer, I use my beauty blender for that and it works really well.  Now I really like the formula, it is lightweight but creamy and it sets to a matte finish, but when I use it I need to set it otherwise it will crease, but for me that is the only downside to the product and it is one I have with other concealers including Naked Skin, so it isn't something that comes as a surprise to me and it is something Makeup Revolution advise you to do in any case.

So for me, other than a slight shade issue, as I need something between C1 and C2 or I could mix them, I like the Concealer, it does what I want it to do and it is a great back up to my Naked Skin.  The only thing you won't find me doing in this post is calling it a dupe because for me it isn't it a dupe for anything I have ever used or tried and I often think people are too quick to hope on the dupe bandwagon before giving a product a chance to shine on its own merit.

Have you tried the Makeup Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Julep It's Whipped v's It's Balm

It might not have escaped your notice that I am a bit of a fan of K-Beauty, it has just got me right now and it started with skincare and has moved on to makeup.  Recently launched onto QVC is Julep, a brand who has me obsessed with THIS Cleansing stick.  Whilst I am still just writing a few posts on the rest of the skincare I have been lucky enough to try from Julep, I am today switching to makeup.

For the last few months I have been incredibly lucky to have 7 lip products to try from the It's Whipped and the It's Balm range. The It's Whipped range was born after some extensive market research with Julep fans (known as Mavens) who help develop and shape the concept from the applicator to the shades and even the name itself.  It's Whipped is described as being "A weightless matte lip colour that lasts all day and never feels dry" and  what Julep have managed to create is a hydrating liquid lipstick that dries down matte whilst at the same time, being comfortable on the lips. Julep promise that It's Whipped will give a vibrant, lasting colour that smooths the appearance of the lips and it does so thank to the use of a blend of light-diffusing pigments and formula also contains Julep's exclusive Power Cell Complex, a blend of powerful plant oils and extracts to soothe, repair, and nourish.   

The packaging is nice and weighty with a metallic lid and I love the bulkiness to the tube, it makes it easy to find in your makeup bag because I certainly have nothing similar in there.  However, nice packaging aside, for me what makes this product amazing is the applicator, it is almost like an hourglass shape which almost hugs your lips as you apply the product and it always manages to have just the right amount of product loaded on for the application.  I should also add that I absolutely love the formula too, it is lightweight and definitely has a mousse like texture to it and on the lips it is nourishing and I like how the colour sits once it has dried down.

There shades I have the nudes which are called Bisou which is a Modern Mauve and Ooh la la which is a Sepia Taupe Matte plus the pinks which are called Pillow Talk which is a Victorian Pink Matte and Amore which is a Vivid Rose Matte. They are currently on QVC and they retail for £24 for a duo pack.  The swatches above show Pillow Talk, Ooh La La, Amore and Bisou from left to right,

Then we have It's Balm which is described as being "A full-coverage lip crayon with extra-finely milled pigments provide full coverage with a semi-gloss finish". I love a good lip crayon, they are easy to use, easy to carry and don't ever seem to make as much mess rolling around my bag as lipsticks do. It's Balm has a really hydrating feel to it and I like that that the formula glides onto the lips with no dragging and because it is enriched with sunflower butter and vitamin E as well as and nourishing botanical extracts.

Packaged inside a gun metal case, each crayon applies really smoothly and I really like that the white centre that you can see within the colour is referred to as the super-hydrating treatment core which is where you will find those nourishing ingredients. Texture wise, it definitely has that lip balm feel to it and whilst it isn't as pigmented as It's Whipped, what you do get is a slight colour pay off. I have three of the shades available which are Blossom Pink which is a Cool Rose Crème, Vintage Mauve Crème which is a Muted Mauve Crème and finally Nectar Pink Crème which is a Peach Coral Crème and all three shades are incredibly wearable. These crayons are yet to be available here in the UK but over the water in the States they are sold for $20 each.

Overall, I am really impressed with both of these offerings from Julep.  I really like It's Whipped and think the shades available are stunning and I like how even when they have dried down, my lips don't feel as though I have dipped them into cement. It's Balm offers something different altogether and I like that there is a product that looks after my lips as well as giving them a hint of colour.

Have you tried anything from Julep?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

This is Powder Detox Edition

I love a good beauty box and when Powder landed on my doorstep I was really impressed with how it looked, never mind the contents inside. If you have never heard of Powder before, it launched back in 2015 and is part of Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, home to iconic brands such as Marie Claire, InStyle, Wallpaper* and Look and it is all about sharing the love, the love of products which the expert Beauty Editors get to know, try and test and bring them together into one box - Powder.

January is the Detox Edition Box and quite apt timing!  New Year, New Start, Out with the old in with the new and all of that.  Inside this pastel pink box, which by the way has a drawer which you open and to get you started for 2018 there are an amazing 13 products which includes a mixture of skincare and makeup from some amazing brands.

First out of the box is a tube of Crabtree & Evelyn Old World Jasmine Ultra-moisturising Hand Therapy. 

I really like Crabtree & Evelyn as a brand and this hand cream is infused with shea butter, macadamia nut oil, and our special Trio Oil Blend of moringa, evening primrose and rosehip oils to nourish, soften and protect your hands and it smells just absolutely incredible.

Next, we have something for the hair and it comes from Hask. I have used a few Hask products recently and really liked the masks. 

Within this box, we have the HASK Charcoal Purifying Deep Conditioner and it is described as being a super-moisturising, clarifying treatment which is non-staining & safe for all hair types (natural or colour treated hair) that nourishes & softens. Charcoal, derived from coconut shells, combined with citrus oil, absorbs impurities & helps restore hair to its natural radiance.

If you are a regular reader of my blog then you will know I am a huge fan of Tropic skincare (see here and here) and I was delighted to see a really cute little bottle of Tropic Super Greens Nutrient Boost Serum. 

Described as being a scientifically tested serum which delivers a dose of nutrients and vitamins deep into the skin for a rejuvenated complexion that glows with vitality.

I love a good lip balm and also in this box is The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Lip Balm. Described as being a rich nourishing balm which is infused with Shea Butter, Pomegranate, Rose Hip and Vitamin E to protect and restore lips.  

I love a good lip balm and looking forward to giving it a try.

Next is the Nip + Fab Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Serum which is said to be a favourite of Kylie Jenner. Anyway, it is described as being a lightweight serum that delivers an instant shot of moisture to dehydrated skin. 

The use of both Hyaluronic acid and delicate velvet flower blend together for an intensive hydrating effect that is said to leave skin feeling comforted and looking plumper with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles reduced.

Lottie London isn't a brand that I am too familiar with but within this box is the Lottie London Glossip Girl Lipgloss in Bare. 

In a brown tube adorned with hearts, this lipgloss is described as being a full coverage gloss which is highly pigmented and not only is it paraben and gluten free, it is also vegan-friendly.

Next is a brand I've seen a lot of but no nothing about and that is Darphin. In this Powder box is a little pot of the Essential Oil Elixir Vetiver Oil Mask. 

Described as being a repairing oil mask infused with flower petals and essential oils of vetiver, geranium, French lavender and marjoram, coming together these ingredients are said to instantly soothe, nourish and comfort the skin as well as helping to enhance skin’s resistance to the visible impact of environment, daily pressures and lack of sleep. The relaxing aroma helps detoxify the sensations of stress.

Then we have this cute little palette from Sleek and honestly, it is just so dinky.  Sleek i-Divine Palette in All Night Long is a mini version of the original Sleek palette and they still manage to include a tiny mirror in the lid! 

This palette features 12 shades which are all cocktail themed when it comes to their names and there is a mixture of rich smokey nudes, sultry beiges, eye-catching golds and shimmering bronzes.

Oui Essential Hydrating Day Moisturiser from skinChemists is up next and whilst I have used a few products from the brand, this is new for me. 

Described as being an intense moisturising formula that is blended with Tiare Flower Extract, which hydrates the skin whilst also soothing, repairing and purifying alongside Vitamin E which is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidising properties. The final ingredient worthy of a mention is Coconut Oil which not only offers additional hydration but it also helps balance dry, itchy and sensitive skin.

A brand I am really familiar with is Balance Me and this box has a 40ml sample of Pure Skin Face Wash. This face wash is described as being a sulphate-free, wash off cleanser that removes dirt and balances excess sebum. 

If you are familiar with the brand then you will know that it will be packed some amazing ingredients. The Face wash uses anti-oxidant rich Spruce Knot and Grapefruit Oil which helps to purify the skin alongside both Aloe Vera and anti-inflammatory Moringa Oil which make Pure Skin Face Wash the ideal, gentle cleansing solution for blemish or acne prone skin.

Next up is a brand I have never come across before and that is Cougar Beauty. A quick search tells me that they are a UK based cruelty-free brand and have quite an extensive list of products.  

The one within this box is the Hyaluronic Acid Facial Oil which is their best selling oil and it is said to help deeply moisturise and plump the skin, which leaves skin feeling firmer and fresher.  Anyone who knows their beauty products will know that both Water and Hyaluronic Acid are incredible ingredients for skincare.

Another brand that I am a huge fan of is Murad and I was delighted to see their Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum. Powered by Murad's 'Tri-Active technology' this potent formula works to quickly and visibly minimises the appearance of lines and deep wrinkles, whilst helping to firm and even skin tone, to reveal dramatically younger-looking skin.  

As I have mentioned already, I am a huge fan of eye products and I am really looking forward to giving this a try.

The final item within this box comes from a brand called Blaq and it is a brand I have been getting to know over the past few weeks and have immediately loved it.  

These Hydrogel Eye Masks are absolutely incredible and I have a full review coming on them soon. They contain activated charcoal and hyaluronic acid and work to reduce puffiness, detoxify skin and hydrate and for me, they are the absolute star of the box.

Finally, there was a selection of Pukka teabags, including their cleanse and detox blends and I think it is a nice little extra to have included within the box and an extra which also works with the box theme.

This was my first ever Powder Box and I am literally just so impressed with it.  Not only is there a theme for which each and every product fits, there is an incredible mixture of products from both high end and high street brands, some of which you will and some of which you won't recognise.  The best part is that this box it is worth £150 but is on offer right now for £30 here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Tropic Skincare Eye Refresh cooling gel roll-on

An eye cream is an absolute must for me, it is something I keep on my bedside table and one product I am not likely to ever be without. One part of my face that is always dehydrated is my undereye area, so I do all I can to ensure I hydrate, moisturise and nourish as much as I can whether it is a cream, undereye masks or something as cooling and soothing as Tropic Skincare Eye Refresh.

There have been times when I have laid back on the sofa, in bed or even in the math with Cucumber slices over my eyes to relax, wind down and chill out and whilst I still do that as the occasional treat whilst using a facemask, I tend to instead make a grab for something like Eye Refresh from Tropic. Featuring a stainless steel rollerball applicator that gently massages your eye area, it not only helps to improve circulation but it is instantly cooling and soothing not to mention relaxing.  As I spend most of my working day in front of a computer and then often if I have a blog post to write, I am in front of my laptop, my eyes do get tired quite quickly, so I often use this as a refresh mid-afternoon.

This Eye Roll On uses a blend of ingredients that have specific tasks and properties when it comes to looking after your eyes and they include:

• Cucumber Juice which is rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is known to help soothe and calm the delicate eye area.
• Arnica Extract which as antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and it is also said to work wonders on dark circles under the eyes.
• Ginseng Extract which is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and in this product it helps with minimising dark circles under the eyes and reducing puffiness.

Easy to use, soothing and refreshing, this is a product that is always in my bag or on my bedside table. It does what I need it to do such as ensure my eyes are free of dark circles and are not in anyway puffy, an absolute must when the insomnia kicks in.

You can find Tropic Skincare Eye Refresh cooling gel roll-on for £15 here.  I would love to know which eye care products you recommend.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Melo Labs Iko Finger Toothbrush

If you are someone who travels a lot, enjoys time away even for the odd weekend here and there, then I am sure like me you have a list of your beauty essentials that you absolutely must have with you whether it is to keep fresh and hydrated on a long haul flight, to give your skin a boost after lounging in the sunshine or to even make you feel clean and ready to go at all times.  Even if I am going from meeting to meeting and have a long day in the office, I will always have a bag of essentials with it - deodorant, hand gel, hand cream, perfume, make up and I also have mini bottles of face wash, hand wash and a toothbrush, which isn't always the most practical gadget to have around but it is essential. 

Then I came across the iko Finger Toothbrush from Melo Labs. A brand new innovative brand which has created finger toothbrushes which are great for when travelling, during the party season or to just keep in your handbag for a quick freshen up.The first thing you notice about this finger toothbrush is the size, fitting on the end of your finger, it is no bigger than a lip crayon sharpener and it would fit quite easily into any washbag or pocket with ease.  Made of a soft, flexible material that just slips over your fingertip so you can brush while being on the go and you don't even need toothpaste!. The unique Melo products contain a unique, patented polymer and are designed to release fluoride with each use, keeping your teeth clean, gums healthy, your teeth clean, your gums healthy and your breath fresh all whilst helping to prevent plaque and cavities.

Melo are a range of environmentally conscious, convenient and easy to use, finger toothbrushes. Every product is 100% recyclable and made without latex, silica, proteins, PVC chemicals or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Priced at £5.99 you can find Mel Lab products online or at Harvey Nichols

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Lancome L'Absolu Roses

When Lancome release new products, they are exciting, you have to mention Juicy Shakers.  Over the last few months, I have been using two of the L'absolut Glosses which are available in 14 shades in a sheer, cream or matte finishes.

Packaged in a transparent bottle with a black lacquered lid which is stamped with a golden rose to match the golden lettering of the brand name, these glosses make quite the statement.  Once opened, the glosses come with a precise applicator which is designed to ensure you pick up enough product to coat your lips.

I have shades 317 and 382 which sit in the Lip Cream and Sheer ranges.  The Lip Cream range is designed to give a comfortable balmy base yet pigmented for buildable colour with a subtle, shiny finish and the Gloss Sheer gives a non-sticky base which is enriched with pigments & pearls for translucent colour with a shine finish.

Pourquoi Pas 317 sits in the sheer range and is described as being a demure ingenue rose shade with shine. Not only is it a beautiful bright pink. 

Non-sticky on contact, it glides onto the lips and once there it feels lightweight and doesn't transfer.  It can be worn alone or over the top of your favourite lipstick for some extra shine.

Grafitti 382 sits within the cream range and this is a really bright pink shade and what you see in the tube is the shade you get when applied. 

With a balm like texture, I love how hydrating this lip cream is, non-sticky or tacky, it glides onto the lips for a beautiful finish.

I have never been the biggest fan of lip glosses. One thing which really puts me off is having something sticky or tacky on my lips or as though I have rubbed a Pritt Stick onto my lips to then spend half my time picking my hair off them.  

For me, a gloss has to be none of those things, it just needs to be glossy and have a shine to it, something Lancome have managed to do with different finishes.  Both of these products are fairly long lasting and you get between 4-5 hours wear time before you need to reapply and even if pink isn't quite your shade, there will be a version of pink which will work for you.  I prefer Pourquoi Pas of the two shades I have and it is the one I have worn the most.

Priced around £21, these glosses are widely available online and in stores such as John Lewis and Lookfantastic.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Mane 'N Tail Detangler

I have featured Man 'N Tail on my blog before here and if you are not familiar with it as a brand then if I use the words Horse Shampoo it might ring some bells. Originally developed for horses, their owners reported seeing significant improvement in the health and appearance of not just their horses’ manes and tails but also on their own hair having used the products on themselves. So as the buzz was created, Mane 'n Tail was born.

I generally have knot free hair but there are occasions when my hair is a nightmare and tangles and I have to grit my teeth when brushing the knots out. If you suffer from knotty hair which is an absolute nightmare to detangle, then this might just be your saving grace. It is the kind of product I wish had been invented as a child because my hair was always a knotty mess and I would always try and avoid the wrath of my mother and the hairbrush, in my eyes she was Satan for the suffering I used to go to in an effort to detangle my knotty mane.

This detangling spray uses an exclusive pH balanced formula and is designed to not only eliminate tangles and knots but also the appearance of split-ends and it does this by helping to prevent breakages.   The spray is a lightweight, non-greasy spray which doesn't weight the hair down.  To use, you simply spray it onto dry or damp hair and then work the formula through hair, ensuring it is distributed as evenly as possible and there is no need to rinse this spray out because it is a leave-in treatment.  

What really impressed me was how much easier it made detangling my hair.  I always find that just as my hair is due for a trim, the knots start to appear, as though it needs a new lease of life and the last thing I want to be doing is ripping my hair out.  I also gave some of this spray to a good friend of mine whose daughter has hair which touches her backside and it is an absolute jungle at the best of times and even she was so impressed with the results that she purchased a bottle to use.

It may have been invented for horses but if something can make my hair as easy and as manageable as it needs to be, then I am fully on board wanting to use that product.  You can find this Mane 'N Tail Detangling Spray for £7.99 at Superdrug

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*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Deciem 5 Piece Beauty Heroes Collection

When Deciem come to QVC with a deal you know it is going to be a good one! Not only is it good, it is one you absolutely need whether you are a Deciem groupie (like me), need to stock up on your favourites or simply want to discover what this brand is all about.  

This is the first ever Deciem Beauty Box and it is available exclusively at QVC for just 72 hours here and it has an RRP of £110 but you can grab it for less than £40 and you can have not one but a five-piece collection which includes hero skincare from NIOD, The Ordinary and Hylamide, plus a hand cream from The Chemistry Brand.

The set includes: 

1 x Fountain Hyaluronic Molecule (240ml) - a water-soluble supplement you can take every day. The Hyaluronic Molecule by Fountain, is a concentrated beauty supplement with Hyaluronic Acid to keep your skin looking plump and happy from within.

Contains 130ml of hyaluronic acid per 10ml serving. 

1 x The Chemistry Brand The Hand Chemistry (100ml) - Described as being a concentrated multi-functional hand cream which targets 8 signs of hand ageing simultaneously. 

The extraordinary 19.5% active complex concentration visibly improves firmness, elasticity, density, evenness, brightness, texture, smoothness and hydration. It is enriched with hyaluronic acid

1 x Hylamide HA Blur (30ml) - this multi-tasking serum works to blur the look of fine lines, pores, wrinkles and other visible signs of ageing, while working to keep skin feeling soft, supple and hydrated. 

Features an innovative hyaluronic acid powder base, and can be worn alone, as an excellent base for make-up or mixed in with your chosen product for a lightweight, skin-like finish

1 x The Ordinary AHA 30% / BHA 2% Peeling Solution (30ml) - this ten minute exfoliating mask has been developed to help slough away dead skin and promote a brighter skin look. 

Infused with salicylic acid and alpha hydroxy acids, The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution also features Tasmanian pepperberry to reduce inflammation, as well as a crosspolymer form of hyaluronic acid for comfort, Vitamin B5 to assist healing and black carrot as an antioxidant. 

1 x NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex (30ml) - combines 15 forms of hyaluronic compounds in a peptide-charged delivery system to help offer visible hydration.

MMHC works to plump and even out the appearance of your complexion and leave it feeling comfortable and moisturised.

So there you have 5 amazing products which do incredible things to the skin. What you get is what you see with Deciem, there is a bit of science in the explaining but there are never any open-ended promises, it is all factual and to date, I have not had a product that hasn't done exactly what it has said it will do, which in the world of beauty is quite something.

This collection is available exclusively at QVC for just 72 hours here 

The Ordinary Colours Set

But it doesn't end here with Deciem because on 27th January they will be doing another special set called The Ordinary Colours Set, it will be available for £21.40 inc. P+P and it will include:

• 1x Coverage Foundation
• 1x Serum Foundation
• 1x High-Adherence Silicone Primer
• 1x Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

I absolutely love all four of these products and they have all featured on my blog and when it launched The Ordinary Foundation caused quite a stir!

Have you tried any products from Deciem and their brands?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here