touch in SOL Pretty Filter Waterful Glow Cream

I have made no secret of my love for touch in SOL ever since I was introduced to it last year. In that time I have featured quite a few of the brand's products here on my blog - Primers, Mascara, Eyeshadow, Lipstick and so much more, I guess you could say it has grabbed me and hooked me. If you didn't know, touch in SOL, the brainchild of Korean Beauty innovator Sean Lim is a fusion of life, energy, colour, innovation, and fun, which helps the brand to transcend the skincare and makeup realms of beauty. The drive to satisfy the growing demand for newness can be attributed to the breakthrough formulations that go into the creation of every product.

Today sees the turn the newly launched touch in SOL Pretty Filter Waterful Glow Cream which is described as being the secret to bouncy, glossy skin. 

Ideal for daily use, Pretty Filter Waterful Glow Cream can be applied to the face, neck and decolletage as the final stage of your skincare routine and it should be applied to the parts where your skin appears visibly dry or dull. For me, I apply it to my cheeks and forehead and tap it into my skin and what it does is add luminosity. You can also apply this product after you have applied your makeup for that dewy look and I simply pat it on using my beauty blender. If all of that isn't enough, you can also use it as a sleep mask and this time you apply a thicker layer and allow it to seep into the skin. I have done this a few times now because my skin is not liking this cold spell we are having and I also love an overnight mask and what I have found it does, is hydrate my skin incredibly well.

The texture is quite a bouncy gel which turns to an almost water like substance on contact and I love how it feels on my skin. It uses an advanced formula of key ingredients which include hyaluronic acid, 3 layered hyaluronic, Centella Asiatica extract which is said to have potent antioxidant properties as well as being a rich source of amino acids, marine collagen extract and garcinia fruit extract all of which come together to hydrate, deeply moisturise, smooth, nourish and best of all it is cruelty and paraben free.

I have pretty much finished this pot of Glow Cream and have loved every minute of being able to use it.  It retails for £23 and is worth every single penny.  Better still, if you want to try it or any of the other products I have raved about on my blog, then you can grab yourself 20% off by using the code BQUKxSOL20 right here and the code is valid until 1st March 2019 and if you spend over £15 you can also grab free shipping by using the code SHIPSOLFREE!

I would love to know if anything from touch in SOL grabs your attention!

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

Temple Spa The Power Breakfast Nutritious Scrub and Mask in One

I have been working my way through a few products from Temple Spa and just a few weeks ago (here), I featured the amazing 'In the Beginning, Deep Cleansing Melt' and it is just amazing.  The second product I have absolutely loved using is The Power Breakfast Nutritious Scrub and Mask in One and I love a versatile product and this is one.  Working as either a Scrub or a Mask or even both, it is described as being perfect for combination skin that needs balancing.

This scrub-mask is formulated with oats, honey, fruit and juice which work to gently dissolve dead skin cells as well as to decongest, polish and brighten skin. Again, there are three key ingredients to this product and the first one is the juices of Apples and Pears, second is Oats and third, we have Kaolin Clay.

• Apples and pears are known for their cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising abilities. They are natural humectants so can attract and hold onto water molecules and help the skin to retain its natural moisture as well as helping to balance the pH level of the skin leaving you with a smooth and even skin tone. They both possess exfoliating capabilities, working to remove dead dull skin cells, aiding the cell turnover process and giving clarified, radiant skin. 
• Oats contain moisturising and softening properties and not only do they help to exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin cells and get rid of dry, flaky skin, in doing so they help to rid the skin of daily toxins which helps to improve skin tone and texture. Oats also contain anti-inflammatory properties and have a calming effect on sensitive or irritated skin.
• Kaolin Clay is one of the few clays I can use on my face without causing irritation. It works to balance both oily and dry skin, absorbing excess oil and reducing the production of sebum without stripping the skin. It also has deep cleansing, decongesting and toning qualities, helping to eliminate acne, blemishes and blackheads.

I love a product that is versatile and this is one of those products because you can use it as a one minute scrub or twenty-minute mask and either use is just divine, it just comes down to how your skin is feeling at the time of use.

This product is perfect for anyone like me who has combination skin and it is priced at £28 from the Temple Spa website right here (aff link).

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

Mii Velvet Radiance Face Base

I have featured Mii Cosmetics on my blog twice now, firstly with Luscious Lip Sheens (here) closely followed by Feature Length Lash Lover Mascara (here). Mii pronounced 'Me', is a brand who believes that beauty is often simply about having the confidence to be yourself. Having taken the feedback from thousands of women who use beauty salons to develop a totally new range of makeup. One that makes you feel beautiful whoever you are. Giving you the confidence to create a look that is unique, completely, unmistakably you.

Today I am sharing with you Mii Velvet Radiance Face Base which is described as being Mii’s weightless perfecting foundation. I am really picky when it comes to liquid foundation, at heart, I am more of a BB or CC cream kind of girl, I hate thick, gloopy liquid foundations which feel caked on and equally, I really dislike that paint like scent a lot of foundations seem to have too. In my lifetime, I have only ever found 2 foundations I quite like wearing and even then I've had to add something to the formula to make it work for me comfortably.

From Mii, we have a foundation which is described as being blendable, buildable and one which gives a satin-matte finish. It also works to soften fine lines, blur imperfections and smooth skin tone. It is available in 16 different shades, each shade is called Truly followed by a series of numbers starting with 00 and ending at 15. I was sent Truly shades 01, 02 and 03. Packaged in glass bottles, there is a pump action dispenser which I was delighted to see. It is lightweight on the skin to the point where you cannot actually feel it is there and whether you use a brush or a Beauty Blender, it blends like an absolute dream, doesn't oxidise and if you use a good primer, it doesn't cling to dry skin, so it definitely ticks those boxes. 

Infused with fresh carrot cells and seaweed extract, this product not only protects and tones but it also boosts hydration too.  I wear shade 01 which is a tad too dark for my skin tone, but, if I mix it with my tinted moisturiser, I can get the shade to work pretty well for me,

As you can see from the image above, the swatches are unedited and shown straight from the camera and there is quite a difference between each one of the shades.  At the top is 01 which is quite light, 02 is a just that little bit darker with a warmer undertone, come the Summer time when I have a bit of colour to my cheeks, I think it will work quite well  and shade 03 is much darker than I was expecting it to be and too warm for my skin tone. However, wSummertimeutely do love is the satin-matte finish which gives the skin that healthy radiant glow, something I definitely need thanks to the lack of Vitamin D I am getting.

I am really impressed with Velvet Radiance Face Base, I like how it sits on the skin, I like the finish and I am thankful it comes with a pump dispenser. Priced at £28 you can find Mii Cosmetics Velvet Radiance Face Base via their website here along with the rest of the collection.

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

ColourPop Sale Haul

When a deal is too good to be true, it is worth taking advantage of and to be honest, I saw quite a few people making their ColourPop orders and then sharing it on their Instagram Stories, I wanted in, the feeling of Fomo well and truly taking over. At the time of my order, Colourpop offered free international shipping on $50+ orders, 40% off sitewide and if that wasn't enough to sway me, there was also a free gift offer. So, a few minutes later I had a cart full of products and my order was placed.

The one product I had already tried from Colourpop was the Lipstix and when I saw the Lippie To Go set in Toss 'N' Turn, there was no escaping my basket. Featuring 5 nude shades in Cookie, Brink, Cami, Aftershock and Ziggie there is something for everyone right here.  If you have never tried anything from Colourpop, then this is a good a place to start as any and more so if you are a fan of lipstick!

Palettes - The free gift on offer when I placed my ColourPop sale haul was the Chasing Rainbows Pressed Powder Palette which is $20 on its own, so I was always going to get it, even though it isn't a palette I would normally purchase, but it will end up at a good home!  I then bought the Give It To Me Straight Palette which features an incredible mix of warm coppers and rich, romantic mauves and it is one I have had my eye on for some time, even though I don't really need any more eyeshadow palettes, this one was an absolute bargain.

Lipsticks - I have seen the Creme Lux Colourpop Lipsticks on quite a few Instagram accounts and I really wanted to give them a try, the only issue being, I couldn't decide which shade I wanted and I was determined not to buy them all. So I choose Scorpio Moon which is described as being a plummy rose shade and it is absolutely stunning.

I am a huge Disney Fan and of course I wasn't going to leave my basket empty of the Disney Collection was I now? Initially, I wanted the Belle Collection but it was showing as out of stock, so I got the lipstick and the shade is just a beautiful and best described as being a berry rose shade.

Lip Pencil - There is always one item of makeup I never ever seem to purchase and that is a lip pencil, but I was drawn to the Colourpop Lippie Pencils and in particular, the shade Bumble Pencil which is described as being a warm rose shade. Priced at just $5 it was too much of a bargain not to purchase.

Liquid Lipsticks - The final item within my haul comes from the liquid lipstick section and I bought the Trifecta Liquid Lip Bundle. Featuring three nude shades in My Jam, Knotty and Reign, I cannot wait to show you the swatches! 

I honestly cannot believe that I got all of this for just over $50 which includes the shipping and taxes, all of which are added on at the checkout so there are no customs to pay when it arrives.  Even more impressive is that my package was shipped and delivered within 5 working days and I am sure you have seen a sneak peek on my Instagram stories as to just how well everything is packaged.  I am so impressed that I have already been adding more products to my basket for next time!

Have you ever bought and tried products from Colourpop?

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

Milk Makeup - An Introduction

As soon as I saw that Milk Makeup was coming to Cult Beauty, I signed up (here) to be given as much notice as possible when it lands.  Over the past few years I have managed to pick up a few bits of makeup and skincare from the brand and when I saw a few bits had landed in TK Maxx, I didn't leave the store without them.

Based in New York, all of their products are cruelty-free, they do not test products or ingredients on animals and do not retail in any country that requires animal testing. A phrase you will hear quite a lot is Milk Melt Technology and to Milk Makeup, this is their secret weapon formula and it is made up of a unique blend of coconut waxes that melt into the skin on contact with body heat. That means your makeup blends seamlessly into your skin, rather than sitting on top of it.

What I love about Milk Makeup is that everything about the packaging is minimalist, it looks good on the outside as it does on the inside.  The three products I managed to grab are the Charcoal Cleanser, Urban Defence Mask and Micellar Gel Makeup Remover and they were all priced between £4.99 and £7.99.

The Charcoal Cleanser is described as being a daily cleanser to detoxify, cleanse and smooth and it does it all without being overcomplicated. My skin loves charcoal products and living in London, there are often days when a day of travelling around on public transport can leave you feeling just incredibly filthy that you want to scrape a layer of skin off just to get rid of the dirt and grime.

Inside this cleanser, which I tend to use as a second cleanse depending on how my skin feels, you will find three main ingredients that are worthy of a mention:

• Charcoal – In this case, the charcoal comes from ubame oak trees and its one job is to absorb excess oil and draw out impurities and toxins that can cause breakouts.
• Marine Water – Filled with many minerals, such as Magnesium, which help to not only soothe and heal the skin but help it to retain moisture.
• Vitamin E – This antioxidant-rich ingredient fights free radicals and provides major nourishment.

On the skin, this cleanser feels incredibly smooth, it glides on and off relatively easily, but it is a cleanser, not a makeup remover, which for me is why it works better as a second cleanse, usually after a balm. I apply this cleanser all over my face, whilst avoiding around my eyes and give it a few minutes before removing with a damp muslin cloth.  Afterwards, I have soft to the touch skin, it isn't dry or taut and oddly, there is a wonderfully fresh scent to this cleanser rather than something chemical and I really like it.

The Urban Defence Mask is described as being a mask which helps to defend the skin against the daily toxins that leave skin dry, tired, and red.   I love that this mask is everything I expected it not to be and so much more.  Inside the pot is a clear gel-like formula rather than a cream and it applies like an absolute dream, isn't as messy as I expected it to be and is very much the case that a little goes a long way.

This mask is formulated using Vitamin E, Jojoba and Grape Seed Oils which collectively work to hydrate and nourish the skin. You apply this mask generously to clean, dry skin and leave for between 3 and 5 minutes and then using warm water, splash the face before using circular movements to loosen the mask, which slowly begins to turn from a gel to a milky lotion which you can then rinse off using water or cotton wool pads.  Afterwards, my skin does feel soft and smooth to the touch, but it wasn't my favourite product to use and I can't quite put my finger on why but it just feels like an extra step of skincare that I really don't need.

The final product I have used is the Micellar Gel Makeup Remover is the product which intrigued me the most because I've made no secret that I am not a fan of Micellar water in general when I double cleanse, but a Gel? Well, it caught my attention.

As with Micellar water, this gel uses non-ionic micellar action to entrap and lift both oil- and water-based impurities from the skin. Infused with extracts of Chamomile, Green Tea, Coconut, Cucumber, Papaya and Aloe Vera, it is, as you can imagine incredibly gentle on the skin as well as being nourishing and hydrating too.  To use, again no difference from a Micellar water in that you grab a cotton wool pad, use one pump of the lotion from the dispenser and wipe away dirt, makeup and any other nasty lurking on the skin.  What I prefer about this to water is the texture, slightly thicker as it is gel-like, it is soothing on the skin and works really well at removing everything in its path and it smells clean, think a combination of Aloe and Green Tea for the scent.  Afterwards, there is no sticky or tackiness to the skin, just a soft, smooth feeling.

Milk Makeup use only good cruelty-free and 100% Vegan ingredients, so I have no doubt that when it does land on Cult Beauty, it is going to be incredibly popular because it ticks all of the boxes for being on trend right now. With everything from Skincare to Makeup and a few pieces in between, I am excited to see what will be on offer, but in the meantime, I am happy enough what I have tried and definitely want to try more.

Have you ever tried anything from Milk Makeup?

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

Slip Silk Pillowcase

Having that perfect pillow is something I am still looking for, perhaps something I will always be looking for and whilst on that journey, I have tried quite a lot of extra products in an effort to find comfort as I drift off to sleep.  I have ice cold gel inserts to try and regulate the temperature of my pillow because as soon as it gets too hot, I wake up.  Did you know that your pillow could actually be causing you a few other issues though?

I have read rave reviews of how amazing silk pillowcases are and admittedly, I am always one who wants to jump onto the bandwagon to give something a try to see what all the fuss is about.  I was kindly given a Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase in Pink in Queen (of course) to try.  Priced at £79, the Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase is available in four different sizes. a choice of how you want the closure to be as well as the choice of pattern or 13 different colour options, so you should be able to find something to fit your own pillows and match your bedroom decor with relative ease.   It comes beautifully boxed with everything you need to know about your pillow clearly visible.

This pillowcase comes with a huge celebrity backing as to how wonderful it is and whilst that wouldn't usually sway how I feel about a product, honestly, even if it did absolutely nothing it promised, I can still see why people rave about it.  But what are its selling points?

Anti-Aging, Anti Sleep Crease, Anti Bedhead

Slip Silk are aware of many other products available on the market but for them, the slipsilk™ difference is the big selling point. Slipsilk™ is specially-commissioned and made to our exacting standards, developed and re­fined over ten years to provide the ultimate combination of shine, thickness, softness and durability. They use the highest grade (6A) long ­fiber mulberry silk, with a thickness of 22 momme and enforce the strictest quality guidelines, including non-toxic dyes.  To the honest, this is the smoothest, silkiest product I have ever laid my head on, it is pure delight.

The term anti-ageing usually raises someone hackles, but in this case, it isn't about slapping on a cream for a few days and seeing a remarkable difference, it goes much deeper.  It is said that we spend around a third of our lives in bed (I suspect for me that is much more) and the reason Silk have chosen specific fibres is because they are  signi­ficantly less absorbent than many other ­fibers, so they can help keep your skin’s moisture and expensive face and hair products where they belong, on your face and hair. Slipsilk™ can help to reduce friction, which can reduce stretching and tugging on delicate facial skin.

The term anti sleep crease has been the one I've come to associate with Silk pillowcases and this one is no different.  I am sure we have all woken up with the sleep crease, where your pillowcase has twisted whilst you have slept and it has left creases, known as the sleep crease on your face? We all know that as we age and as our skin ages, it loses elasticity and sleep creases can become more pronounced and longer-lasting. While the creases usually go away later that day, it is said that they can be gradually ‘ironed in’ over the years. Slipsilk™ can help to reduce friction, allowing the skin to glide along the pillow while reducing extra pressure on creased skin.  Since having my own Slip Pure Silk Pillow Case, I have not had a single sleep crease, my pillow hasn't become creased either.

Finally, we have anti bed head, something which really intrigued me with regards to a pillowcase and whether having one made of silk really would make a difference.  Ordinary pillowcases can cause your hair to pull, tangle and cause friction which leads to the dreaded 'Bed Head'. A silk pillowcase helps to reduce friction and frizz and I can totally see why the world’s most renowned hairstylists and beauty experts have long recommended sleeping on gentle, hair friendly silk to help preserve your blow out.

Until the Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase came into my life, I had always bought cotton pillowcases, assuming that they would be among the best fabrics I could buy, now I can't ever see me going back.  Having a silk pillowcase has been life changing for me, remember at the beginning of the post I mentioned the hot pillow syndrome which wakes me up? Well, having something silk to sleep on has changed all of that because the temperature is now regulated and my pillow always feels cool to the touch, so whilst I wake less during the night, I now just need to find the perfect pillow for comfort.

Alongside pillowcases, Slip has a whole host of products that I am really keen to try, everything from Hair Scrunchies and Sleep Masks to their very own cleaning solutions to keep your Silk products in the best possible condition.  Slip Silk products can be found on the highstreet or online via sites such as Lookfantastic, Feelunique and Cult Beauty to name just a few.

Have you ever tried a Silk Pillowcase? 

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

OPI Nutcracker Nail Polish Collection Review and Swatches

Just a few months ago I streamlined my nail polish collection from over 200 bottles down to just 20 and that drawer in my storage had started to look a bit empty, then this incredible package from OPI Nails arrived and it couldn't have been more timely. To celebrate the launch of the Disney The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, OPI has collaborated with Disney for an OPI Nutcracker Nail Polish Collection to bring shades of royalty to your nails.

Watching Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet is a holiday tradition for many, the posters are up across London and on poster sites across the tube, so this collaboration has been done quite timely. I am an absolute Disnerd and am looking forward to seeing the film as soon as I am released from work for the year and the synopsis sounds just amazing: All Clara wants is a key - a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift from her late mother. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer's annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key-which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It's there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip, a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers, and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger, to retrieve Clara's key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world.

The OPI Nutcracker Nail Polish Collection consists of twelve limited edition nail colours as well as three beautiful looking glitter shades that I have my eye on. The polishes are available in the original OPI Nail Lacquer formula and are £13.50 each for 15ml, as well as their Infinite Shine 2 formula which is £14.50 and within the range, you can find the following shades:

OPI Black to Reality – This is my favourite shade within the box and it is one I would happily wear all year round. A beautiful deep red, almost plum shade which looks magnificent with one coat, but even more fabulous with two.

OPI Berry Fairy Fun – This is a metallic purple shimmer which hosts a pinky purple sparkle to it.  It is one of those shades which needs a good 2-3 coats to really get the full effect of the sparkle, but I've found it is one which seems to dry much quicker than some of the other shades within the collection.

OPI Toying With Trouble – If you don't have a pink polish within your stash, then this is the one! Admittedly, I am not a pink polish kind of girl, but this one I absolutely adore.  Best described as being more of a fuchsia pink than a hot Barbie pink, it applies like a dream and looks amazing with just one coat. 

OPI Envy The Adventure – Green isn't usually a shade I would opt for but it really is one of the nicest greens I have come across and it makes a perfect shade for Spring if like me you are not too big a fan of pastel shades.

OPI Candied Kingdom – If you like your bright red polishes then this is the one! It is a beautiful neutral toned red and surprisingly you need just one coat to get that perfect opaque coverage and it doesn't dry streaky which is another tick in the box.

OPI March In Uniform – If a navy shade is more your thing, then this polish wil be calling your name as it really is a stunning deep navy. I had expected this one to be quite streaky, owing to previous experiences with another brand who has a navy shade, but surprisingly it isn't and even with one coat it looks absolutely stunning.

OPI Dreams Need Clara-Fication –  Again, another beautiful shade for spring as it is a really pretty pastel blue shade.  To me, it is a little on the thin side when it comes to the formula which means you need to apply at least two coats, but it is worth it because it is so pretty.

OPI Lavendare to Find Courage – This is a really pretty pastel, white based lilac shade which I have grown to really like and have worn twice since the package arrived. A definite Spring/Summer shade if you prefer a lighter polish but it does need at least two coats. 

OPI Dancing Keeps Me On My Toes – This is a shade which can be worn on its own or over another polish and I absolutely love it. On its own, you need 2/3 coats to get that full glistening white snow white shade which is almost metallic. Over another polish, just the one shade.

OPI Dazzling Dew Drop – This is a yellow gold shade which has a glint of silver sparkle within it. Two coats are needed for full opacity and I didn't expect to like this shade at all, but it is really pretty and perfect for an accent nail!

OPI Ginger’s Revenge – The first shade to catch my attention as I removed them all from the box.  Best described as a deep, dark berry red, it is just absolutely stunning and the perfect shade for this time of the year and you only need one coat!

I have absolutely loved getting to know this collection and having the opportunity to try out some of the shades over the festive season, never have I wanted to change my nail polish colour as often as I have done with these colours.  I love that there are some shades that you can change with the seasons and some that you can wear all year round too. 

Also included within the box is the OPI Start to Finish 3 in 1 which works amazingly well as a base coat to not only protect your nails but you can also use it as a top coat and nail strengthener. Formaldehyde-Free it is infused with Wheat Protein and Calcium, the high-performance treatment can be applied before nail polish to prevent staining of natural nails, after nail varnish for mirror-like shine and protection against chipping, or as a strengthener to promote harder, stronger nails.

Do you have a favourite shade within the OPI Nutcracker Collection?

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

Soap & Glory The Zest of Times

Without question, Soap & Glory gift sets have Christmas written all over them and I am someone who always looks forward to seeing what is on offer.  I featured The Zest of Times in my Stocking Filler Gift Guide (here) and it was an absolute bargain.

Nestled inside one of the best tins ive ever owned from Soap & Glory was 5 products and to me, they showcased the very best of what is on offer from the brand. I make no secret of the fact that Sugar Crush is my favourite Soap & Glory scent, there is something about the zesty, sharp lime scent which I just absolutely love and there is always a pot of the Sugar Crush scrub in my bathroom as both the mister and I love it.

The Sugar Crush Body Spray was a product I had never tried and being honest, I am still not too sure if I see the point of a body spray when I adore and use so much perfume. That said, I have used this and it wasn't quite as I expected it to be. Firstly, the scent is quite sharp but its longevity surprised me, it lasted for hours when spritzed and took quite a while to settle down. Featuring essential lemon oil and a Elemi oil which are said to give an energizing lift, the scent is described as being "A heady cocktail of vanillia musk blended with sweet lime, ginger and smashed brown sugar" almost making you think of a mojito, but for me not quite. I have given this a try as a room spray, spritzing it before I go into the shower and then coming back into my bedroom in a morning to get ready for work, it makes quite the difference to kicking you awake!

Next is the Sugar Crush Body Wash and this is a favourite from the range and one that is already in my travel bag ready for Paris in a few weeks time.  Again, the same zesty fragrance which comes to life once it comes into contact with hot water and steam, this is definitely a morning body wash but it can also be used as a bath lotion to give you those zesty bubbles too, perfect for those times when you need a bit of a pick me up because the fragrance is so uplifting. Using Kiwi Juice, kaffir limes, sparkling lemons, sweet vanilla musk and coconut oil, I love how this leaves my skin feeling after using.

After showering or bathing, I am sure you will want to intensify that zesty scent and that is where the Sugar Crush Body Buttercream comes into play. I am hopeless when it comes to using body lotions and butters, I start off using them every day, sometimes twice a day, but as time progresses, I always forget to use them.  This is my first time using the Sugar Crush Body Buttercream and the pot, which was 50ml is already empty. Enriched with both shea and cocoa butter, almond & coconut oil and a real hit of zest thanks to the inclusion of both uplifting lime oil and smoothing lime tree blossom extract.  What I liked about this body cream is that it wasn't overly thick and didn't feel tacky on the skin, instead it absorbs almost instantly on contact and really helped to intensify that zesty scent not to mention leaving my skin feeling super smooth to the touch.

One of Soap & Glory's cult products has to be Hand Food and back when the Sugar Crush version was released I immediately bought a tube. As with the original, this hand cream is neither sticky or tacky on the skin and is incredibly moisturising.  The texture is very much the same as the original Hand Food cream, the only difference with this one is the zesty lime scent which comes to life as soon as you begin to massage it in.

Finally, there are the Soap & Glory Puffy Eye Attack Under-eye Brightening Hydrogel Patches which are designed to revitalise tired eyes.  I spend a lot of my working day looking at a computer screen, scrolling through my phone and reading on my Kindle and all of this together contributes to very tired eyes, sometimes so tired that I just need to close them for a few minutes for a refresh.  Using what Soap & Glory refer to as being PUFFEASE™ technology (a tripeptide that reduces the appearance of puff) alongside ingredients such as cucumber fruit juice and liquorice root extract, it is described as being the perfect perk-me-up for peepers!  I am a huge fan of eye masks, more so if they are made of hydrogel because for me, it is just so much more refreshing and soothing.  I used these under-eye masks whilst relaxing just after the madness of Christmas and it was lovely to just sit back and relax for a few minutes, I'm not too sure how much they brighten but they definitely moisturise and soothe. 

Whilst this gift set is no longer available, each one of the products within the tin is (here) and you can purchase the travel size versions which are 50ml and prices from £3.50 or the full-sized versions which range in price from £6-£10.  For me, this is my absolute favourite Soap & Glory scent, I would love to know what yours is?

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

Benenox Overnight Recharge – Can a supplement really banish the morning struggle?

Getting a good nights sleep is an absolute essential, experts claim that we all need around 8 hours a night, sleeping helps the body to repair and recover. But why is it, that most mornings we all wake up still tired, feeling as though we have not had enough sleep? I went to an event organised by Hayley over at HayleyHall just before Christmas at the very beautiful Somerset House in the most fabulous setting to learn more about a product called Benenox.  It was there that I learnt getting 8 hours a night might not be enough for everyone and that is about the quality of the sleep you get not the quantity.   I am sure many of us have a routine that we go through in order to drift off into the land of nod and over time we have all researched the best beds, the best mattresses and even the best duvets which help with sleeping - personally I do need a new mattress, but that is a whole new minefield I can't quite cope with yet.

I have a love/hate relationship with sleep. I can either go to bed and fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, I can fall asleep only to wake a few hours later and be wide awake as though I have had my 8 hours of sleep or I simply toss and turn and drive myself mad usually drifting off just as my alarm is about to go off.  I have learnt over time that stress, hormonal changes and even the weather can often affect my sleeping pattern and as much of a fan as I am of disco naps during the daytime, when you have a full-time job, it isn't always easy to find those few minutes to nod off at your desk.  So perhaps Benenox could help!  

Described as being:

The extraordinary night time mindfuel for those who struggle with disrupted sleep, low energy and concentration levels the following day.

Your brain needs glycogen to carry out essential overnight repairs! From the time you finish dinner to the time you go to bed, your body consumes 10 grams of glycogen per hour. This doesn’t stop when you go to sleep. As the body searches for more glycogen, sleep is disrupted. You may not be aware but your body remains restless, impacting the quality of your sleep. You’ll wake up feeling groggy with no energy to take on the day. By the morning, your glycogen stores are running on empty!  So Benenox uses a combination of:

• Honey is known for its health benefits particularly for the skin, but within Benenox thanks to its mix of natural sugars, it is believed to help boost glycogen stores in the liver to use during the night.
• Sustamine which is a combination of two amino acids (L-Alanine and L-Glutamine) which help the Liver to store  glycogen by slowing the absorption of honey in the stomach.
• Vitamin B6 which has been shown to reduce tiredness and fatigue whilst supporting psychological functions which therefore help you to feel more energised.

Putting all of these together, Benenox, when taken before bed, supplements your body's stored energy levels to support good quality sleep, leaving you feeling full recharged and ready to take on the day ahead.  

So, does it work?  I have made no secret of my issues with sleep, so I was intrigued to give Benenox a try. Taking 15ml before bedtime, the first few times I tried it, I actually didnt notice much of a difference if I am honest, but I stuck with it and once my sleeping pattern became disrupted again, I gave it another try and this is where it did make a difference, having struggled to get off to sleep, I now felt much more relaxed but the biggest change was waking up the following morning. Instead of yawning as soon as I woke up, I felt much more alert and like I could function, rather than wanting to hit the snooze button 4-5 times.

If the Benenox Overnight Recharge sounds like something you want to try then you can find the vegetarian-friendly food supplement in Tesco and on Amazon, priced at £12.49 for 135ml. For further information, visit www.benenox.com.

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

Oscar Charles Professional Makeup Artist 17-Piece Brush Set

Until this package arrived, I had never heard of or used any products by Oscar Charles and I was so blown away by how incredible this set of brushes is, I decided I would wait until after Christmas to share them on my blog.   

I was kindly sent the Oscar Charles 17 piece Beauty and Makeup Brush Set (here) which is made up of 15 Pro brushes, a Makeup Blender and a Silica Brush Cleaner and they come presented in this beautiful stylish portable case which is perfect for keeping your brushes together and protected whether you are just using them at home or on your travels.  Right now, they have been washed, dried and stored in my suitcase ready for when I go to Paris in a few weeks time.

The Brush handles are made from wood and have a high gloss black finish, the ferrules are rose gold aluminium.  The Taklon synthetic brush fibres are super soft and feel amazing against the skin, vegan-friendly, hypoallergenic and cruelty-free, they are suitable for all skin types and work perfectly well with creams, liquids and powders. 

The Oscar Charles Makeup Brush Set contains:

• C101 Super Soft Powder Brush - This is one of my favourite brushes within the collection and it works perfect for applying loose and pressed powders, especially finishing powders.
• C102 Contour / Highlight Brush - With its tapered point, this brush is perfect for adding highlighter and it blends incredibly well whether you use a powder, liquid of cream.
• C103 Angled Blush Brush - With its slanted shape, this brush works well with creams, liquid or powders for your blush or your bronzer.
• C104 Flat Top Kabuki - This brush is packed with bristles and it does an incredible job blending and buffing foundation, highlighters, bronzers and even concealers. I have used it with BB and CC creams as well as primers too.
• C105 Flat Foundation Brush - This brush has a slight angle to it and whilst ideally it should be used for applying foundation, I have been using it for my tinted moisturiser and bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Cream and I much prefer it for those products.
• C106 Concealer Buff Brush - This brush works perfectly with the Urban Decay Naked concealer that I am currently using.  I use the doe foot applicator to apply my concealer and then use this brush to blend.
• C107 Small Blending Brush - This small tapered brush is perfect for the eye crease and has become one of my favourites for blending.
• C108 Large Blending Brush - This brush is large and fluffy and is perfect for the contour of the eye and again, as expected, it blends like a dream.
• C109 Large Eye Shadow Brush - This brush is the one I have used to apply eyeshadow primer and it works really well.
• C110 Small Eye Shadow Brush - Whilst this brush is designed for the application of eyeshadow, I've used it for applying concealer as well as smoking out shadows.
• C111 Angled Eye Shadow Brush - This brush is perfect for contouring and smudging especially the corner and crease.
• C112 Angled Wing Liner Brush - This is the one of the two brushes from the collection I haven't used but it is designed to create that perfect eye line wing.
• C113 Detail Brush - This is the second brush that I have yet to use and it is designed for use with gel and liquid eyeliner. 
• C115 Lip Brush - This is a fine tipped and tapered brush designed for lipstick application and it works with liquid lipsticks too.
• C117 Angled Brow & Spoolie - No makeup brush collection is ever complete for me unless there is a spoolie included. This one is a double-ended brush and it is perfect for use with brow powders and liquid.  The Spoolie is made up of stiff bristles which tame those stray hairs and evenly distributes the product.

Alongside the brushes, we also have the OC Flawless Beauty Sponge which is latex free and has a teardrop shape with the added feature of a flat surface for applying around your nose and if you are familiar with beauty blenders, this one works in just the same way and can be used wet or dry.  The final product is the Silicone Brush Cleaner and this device is designed to fit over your fingers and has grooves which you swipe your brushes over, having wet them and applied a brush cleanser. As you swipe the brush backwards and forwards along the grooves, you can see all the makeup ‘stuff’ that has been lingering on there run off into the sink and within seconds your brush is clean and ready to be left to dry.

What I love is that each brush can be purchased as part of this set (£39.95) or there is also the option to purchase brushes individually too and with prices starting at £6.95, there are some bargains to be had.

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