My Real Techniques Brushes Collection

I am a huge fan of the Real Techniques brushes, I have quite a few and am always looking to add to my collection. My fascination began with the powder brush which I was given for my birthday a few years ago, but then consequently lost on holiday and was truly gutted because it was one of my staple items. Anyway, for the purpose of this post, I have washed all of my brushed (except the Kabuki one oops) and put them back in their original packaging - note to self, I need somewhere or something to store my brushes in.

Today my collection has grown quite a bit and it includes the following:

Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush - This is the best Kabuki brush that I have ever owned and I absolutely love the fact that it is retractable because it means it is easy to fit into your handbag, make-up bag, overnight bag or whatever and the bristles remain protected because the lid, which is very secure. protects them.

The Real Techniques Core Collection - I bought this after realising I had lost my powder brush because there was a discount offer online which was too good to miss. The collection includes 4 brushes which are detailer brush, pointed foundation brush, buffing brush and contour brush and out of the 4, the buffing brush is the one I use the most.

Sam's Picks - This is a set I got for Christmas from a good friend of mine and again it is a fantastic kit which includes:

- Multi-Task Brush: for effortless application of powder, blush and bronzer
- Buffing Brush: ideal for full coverage application of powder and mineral foundation
- Essential Crease Brush: soft, tapered design for effortless contouring
- Setting Brush: complete any look with a controlled dusting of powder or highlighter
- Pointed Foundation brush: use with liquid foundation to build custom coverage
- Fine Liner Brush: ultimate tool for precision application of liquid or cream eyeliner

The final kit that I own is one I bought for my holiday because I didn't want to carry more than I needed (famous last words) and it is this Little Mini Trio of brushes set, which I also have in my work make-up bag. Inside this handy little carrying pouch there is:

- Mini Foundation Brush: use with liquid foundation or concealer to touch up throughout the day.
- Mini Shading Brush: transform your eye shadow on-the-go from day natural to night glam.
- Mini Face Brush: effortlessly apply powder, blush and bronzer as needed during the day.

As you might have noticed, I never did replace my beloved Powder Brush, it is always something I had planned on doing but never did and I actually don't know why that is. This mini foundation brush is actually really good, not as good as the properly sized version, but it does a good job and is especially useful for carrying around, taking on holiday and so on. From this kit, it is possibly the most used brush.  

I now have my eyes on Nic's picks because I love the look of the Duo Fibre Powder brush and the Cheek Brush.

Do you have any Real Techniques Brushes? Do you have a favourite?

Lush Christmas Advent Calendar

You might have seen my Beauty Advent Calendar post HERE where I have detailed and updated the number of advent calendars that seem to be appearing this year and although I have one or two to add to that list, this little number got me all excited because it is from Lush!

The 12 days of Christmas, this eye-catching gift shaped as the ultimate story telling book. With 12 beautiful products inside, one to use everyday in the run up to Christmas leaving you feeling clean and smelling of the festive season

Now I know you will all be wondering what is inside this lovely calendar and here are the contents and what it looks like inside...

• Karma soap (120g); 
• The Olive Branch shower gel (100g); 
• Cinders bath bomb; 
• Golden Wonder bath bomb; 
• Snow Angel bath melt; 
• Hot Toddy shower gel (100g); 
• Dashing Santa bath bomb; 
• Honey I Washed The Kids (120g); 
• Celebrate body lotion (45g); 
• Holly Go Lightly bubble bar; 
• Lord of Misrule bath bomb; 
• Star Light Star Bright bath melt

I think this is an absolute beauty of an advent calendar and it costs just £49.95 which again I think is an amazing price.

What do you think to this advent calendar from Lush? Is it one you would buy?

If you love cosmetics, you'll adore Direct Cosmetics

Do you ever spend hours online searching for a product and then look to see if you can find it a bit cheaper elsewhere? I know I do.  I was recently introduced to Direct Cosmetics by way of email which has been around for over 35 years and they sell authentic cosmetics, fragrances, beauty sets, skincare and much more at discounted prices.  Brands such as Clinique, W7, Elizabeth Arden, YSL, Dior and Decleor to name just a few of the brands.

I was given the opportunity to try out and test some of the products on offer from Direct Cosmetics and this is what I chose:

As you can see there is a real variety on offer and truth be told, I was quite surprised at how many products there was to chose from at such great prices, so I decided to stick to things I had never used but had been wanting to try, you know the ever growing wishlist, well it has got a slight dent in it now.  As for the prices, well this is what my haul is priced at:

• Revlon Just Bitten Cherish Devotion RRP £7.99 - Cost to me £1.50
• Revlon Just Bitten Lovesick Passionee RRP £7.99 - Cost to me £1.99
• Elizabeth Arden Eight House Cream Lip Protection Gloss - RRP 17 - Cost to me £6.99
• Sally Hansen Hard As Nails in Plum RRP £6.19 - Cost to me £1.49
• Elizabeth Arden Mascara RRP £22.00 -  Cost to me £7.99

So as you can see, instead of spending £61, instead my haul came to £19.96 which is an enormous saving!

If this sounds like the kind of site you want to be looking at, they do ship only within Europe, but delivery super quick and everything comes packaged really well and is protected within a box.

Have you ever used Direct Cosmetics? Do you use any similar site?

Have you heard of this website before?

LightStim for Wrinkles

LightStim for wrinkles** it clearly states on the box, the first LED device approved by the US Food and Drug Administration which is intended for the treatment of wrinkles on the entire face. Well when offered the chance to try it out, how could I say no? Especially when the Hubby wants to try and get rid of his Gordon Ramsey forehead (his description, not mine).  I am quite lucky I am not really showing any signs of ageing, though there are one or two lines beginning to make their appearance around my eyes.

The device in question is hand held and looks like a shower head, only it isn't. It uses 72 therapeutic LED lights which you hold against your skin on those areas you wish to target. LightStim emits a soothing warmth, it is totally painless and can be used to treat your forehead, crows feet, cheeks, smile lines, jawline, neck, decollete and hands.  

After being plugged in you simply hold the device against your skin for around three minutes in each place you wish to treat, the red LED lights are said to work by stimulating your natural collagen and elastin production which in turns helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. As we age, the volume of collagen and elastin in the skin decreases and this allows lines and wrinkles to form. The claims are that this device will:

• Reduce and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles
• Restore your skin's youthful appearance
• Stimulate the production of collagen and elastin

As I have mentioned, the LED lights produce warmth but it is entirely painless and the idea is that after washing and cleansing your face, apply the accompanying (if you wish) collagen peptide serum and then sit back and relax whilst using your LightStim.

You are advised to use the device for around 8 weeks. Firstly taking a photo before using it and then another one after those 8 weeks to see for yourself what improvements there have been. For the best results, again you are advised to use daily, or at least 5 days of the week and each session should last around 10 minutes each time - taking into account that for each part of your face you wish to treat, you need to be holding the device against the skin for 2-3 minutes.

I have just started using this device and am really looking forward to see the differences in 8 weeks time. I have downloaded the LightStim App which I use the timer on whilst using the device on my skin. Also whilst I am using it, I tend to be laid or sat in bed reading, so the reminder is really helpful and useful.

LightStim for Wrinkles isn't cheap - at a cost of £250 it is one of those products which is more of an investment purchase and can be purchased from Space NK and QVC in the UK.

What do you think of LightStim for Wrinkles - is it something you want to try?