Vichy Dermablend Powder

Every now and again you come across a product and are not sure about it and this is how I felt about the Vichy Dermablend Powder**. I have had it for some weeks and have had a bit of a love hate relationship with it. As a setting powder, I initially didn't like it the first few times I used it, I didn't like how it worked with my skin or how it worked with my make-up - then all that changed and I absolutely love it.

I have combination skin which leans towards the oily side with my t-zone and I often tend to have blotting paper in my bag for emergencies and a friend of mine suggested using a setting power rather than a spray to see if it made any difference. This for me is there the love hate relationship began because I had been used to using my Urban Decay setting spray (having run out of my GOSH setting powder) and though I quite liked it, it did nothing for my oily t-zone but my make-up did last. So having swapped the spray for the powder, I did feel as though I was slapping talc on my face and I didn't like the feel of it, it felt too thick. So I persevered with it for a few more weeks and then went back to my setting spray, before again deciding to try the powder, only this time, instead using the enclosed powder puff, I decided to switch to my beloved Real Techniques powder brush to apply it and wow, amazing.

This is the first time I have stuck with a setting powder and having hated it and now love it, I use it every day and the difference it has made is just brilliant. Instead of being part way through the oil slick arriving (delightful I know) there was hardly any and all I had to do was apply some foundation powder and everything was good as new, even right through in the evening when I had events to go too, I didn't feel the need to double check my make-up was alright, I didn't feel self-conscious or the need to re-apply anything other than my lippie - which is more of a habit than a need.

So this setting powder is a translucent powder and doesn't change the shade or look of any of the make-up on your face, it states that it has a "16hr hold and resistance to perspiration, bathing and rubbing" and it totally lives up to those claims. It also did a great job of keeping my skin looking matte and prolonged my make-up as i've said. If like me you like products to have an SPF, then you'll love this because it offers SPF30 and it is kind to the most sensitive of skin - winning!

I cannot recommend this setting powder enough, it has totally changed my setting process for my make-up and to say I once really disliked it to now really love it, I hope you can see why! This setting powder from Vichy has an RRP of £17 though Escentual currently have it on offer for £14, so grab it quick!

What do you use to set your make-up and have you tried this 

Vichy product?

Prep your feet for Party Season with Compeed

Did you know that British ladies own 25 pairs of shoes on average? Well I probably do but Compeed have just commissioned a survey with some very interesting results:

So, with party season upon us, invitations flooding the inbox and arrangements being made, the team at the UK's number one blister brand Compeed have collaborated with renowned fashion illustrator Jordi Labranda for a second year running, to create a new and stylish limited edition Compeed Blister Relief Pack and I was very kindly sent a beautifully packaged hamper**.

The Compeed brand is known to me as I occasionally suffer from horrendous cold-sores and as soon as I know one is coming, I use the Compeed coldsore patches to try and heed it away.  The reason I am really glad to see the blister relief pack, is because with party season upon us, it means one thing - fabulouos shoes but horribly painful blisters!

The Compeed blister relief plasters are said to offer instant pain relief and 20% faster healing time than your traditional plaster and the perfect handbag companion and once applied they stay in place for up to 24 hours.  The heel plasters are also cleverly designed to fit just under the Achilles which for me is where most blisters occur with shoes, especially ones with heels. What's more, the plasters are designed so that they are barely visible whilst wearing them and for me this is a big plus because there is nothing worse than ruining an outfit and making an amazing sparkly shoe look ugly than seeing a plaster peeking out!  These plaster retail for around £5 per pack.

Also in my little hamper was the Compeed Cracked Heel Overnight Cream which is said to moisturise and repair dry skin.  Again feet undergo a lot of pressure and strain all year round, but more so for me at Christmas time with the number of engagements I have coming up and where possible I want to ensure they are in as good condition as possible, there is nothing worse than having cracked heels, overgrown toe nails and dry skin in sight, so as with the summer, when you dig out your flip flops, the same level of pampering should occur. This cream retails for around £5.

So for me Compeed have got it covered for party season, with the cracked heel cream to pamper your feet before you are ready to go out and then whilst you are out, the plasters to ensure your night is as comfortable as it is enjoyable.  I loved the little added extras in my pack too

what products do you use to get your feet in tip top condition and have you ever used Compeed?

Isle of Light Candles

It isn't everyday you come across an 18 year old girl who has set up her own business, but I have and i have to tell you, Keeleigh is one very inspirational young woman, whom I am slightly Jealous of because she has managed to set up her own candle making company called Isle of Light Candle Company and I sense big things for this young lady!

Every Isle of Light candle is handmade from start to finish, and using the candles are made using Soya wax which isn't only great for the environment but unlike paraffin wax, can be good for you too! Paraffin wax is known to produce different toxic chemicals when burnt whereas Soy wax is 100% renewable and natural.  Soya Wax candles also burn at a slightly lower temperature which means the fragrances don't burn off as quickly.

When I was asked if I would like to try one of the candles, I said yes, hello my name is Rachel and I am a candle addict!  The problem I had was choosing just one because there are so many amazing scents too choose from, whether you like oriental, woody, citrus, floral, fresh or seasonal fragrances, I can guarantee there is something for everyone.  In the end I opted for Lily Spring, which Keeleigh toldme had been created in memory of her Grandmother - what a tribute!.

"A great burst of floral scent with top notes of Bergamot, coriander and Peonies. Heart Notes of Lily, Jasmine, Rose and a full bodied base of Musk, patchouli, vanilla"

Is the description given and as soon as the box it arrived in was opened, the amazing floral scent was immediately noticeable and I couldn't wait to remove the wrapping and get it alight.  As you can see it comes inside this 3.5oz glass jar and it gives approximately 25 hours of burn time, which is really impressive.

Once alight, I cannot begin to tell you how fantastic the scent is, nothing about it is manufactured or fake, it smells as though I have a room full of fresh flowers and as the scent lingers throughout the house, it is every bit as wonderful within each room.

Priced at just £8 a candle, it gives exceptional value for money and i've currently got my eye on two more candles that I am itching to try.  To find out more about Isle of Light Candles, you can do so by going to the website.  

To Keeleigh, I have to say thank you for sending me one of your candles, it was a delight and an honour and I am wishing you all the very best with your business.

Betty & Walter Geranium Brandy Meringue Double Wash Bag

As soon as I saw the Betty & Walter range I was in love, anything that is styled and described as being 'Vintage themed' gets my attention everytime.  The Christmas Gift Guide is packed full of vintage inspired products from splendiferously scented soap or marvellously meticulous manicure set stocking fillers to purses and tote bags, each item being covered in a 60's inspired print but with a contemporary twist.

The Betty & Walter designs by the lovely Lisa Levis nee Stickley, a British textile designer, came up with the Betty & Walter brand back in the autumn of 2011, launching the first collection in Spring 2013.  Taking inspiration from my wonderful Aunty Betty and Uncle Walter, Lisa wanted to design and create practical product of good value and quality with a fresh take on modern print.

The item I fell in love with is the Geranium Brandy Meringue Double Wash Bag** which comes from the Betty & Walter AW14 range.  Each bag within the range is made with PU Coated cotton outer and nylon lined which gives it that practical wipe clean finish. Featuring this fantastic print geranium print, which has been hand drawn by Lisa, happens to be one of Aunty Betty's flowers of choice and I just love how the petals look as though they have been scattered across the cloth and for something so well made, the £30 price tag is more than justified.

The bag has two very roomy pouches which is perfect for me when I travel with work or go off to visit friends and family or am lucky enough to grab a weekend away with my Hubs.  As you can see below, I can fit quite a lot of products in it with no problem and it is carries all of my bathroom essentials and a few more items.  The zips are really well made and are very sturdy which makes such a big difference from the cheap shop bought ones I kept buying, the zip would snag, split or fall off and would end up throwing it in the bin, now with this, it will last for years to come and is a design I am never going to get bored of.

As you can see I have managed to fit quite a lot of shower and skincare products in the bag with room for more to be added.  As I am going to visit my parents for a long weekend, I began the packing process a little early so I could showcase how roomy this bag is.

For me this is the perfect weekend washbag, it fits everything in that I need and more and is just a beautifully designed bag.

Have you visited the Betty & Walter website yet? Do you have a favourite design?