MasqueBar

MasqueBar is a Korean brand that has just launched at Boots. As the Korean beauty trend seems to have well and truly kicked off here in the UK, I was really interested to see what MasqueBar had to offer.

There are four masks within the range and they are; Anti-Blemish Mud Mask, Brightening Sheet Mask, Pore Refining Creme Mask and Anti- Wrinkle sheet mask. So a little something for everyone.  If you don't like sheets masks, you can use the cream/clay mask and vice versa.

What I love is the bright coloured edges around each mask sachet to denote which one it is, I love little things like this and I love that they are easy to open, yes even with wet hands and if like me you are stingy, you can get a good 2-3 masks out of each sachet, obviously not the sheets ones, but there is plenty inside.

So what do they do?

Pore-refining creme mask - said to minimise the appearance of pores for a more refined even complexion. Using a gentle blend of Coenzyme Q-10 and anti-oxidants to leave your skin feeling balanced and looking radiant.  The key ingrediants for this mask are Raspberry extract to soothe and calm the skin, Lemon Fruit extract to detoxify and clean blemishes caused by excess oil production whilst also brightening dull skin and lightening the pigmentation of acne scars and Vitamin E to protect the skin from environmental pollution and repair damaged skin!

Anti-Wrinkle sheet mask - A collagen-infused facial sheet mask which contours your face to help reduce wrinkles as well as hydrating your skin, leaving it feeling soft and looking refreshed.  The key ingredients here are Green Tea extract which reduced the UV damage to the skin and prevents collagen breakdown and Vitamin E to protect the skin from environmental pollution and repair damaged skin!

Brightening Sheet Mask - Helps minimise the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation for a more even complexion. This facial sheet is effective on all tones, leaving the skin noticeably more radiant.  Key ingredients are Vitamin C to reduce inflammation and promote collagen production and Liquorice Root to encourage a more even distribution of melanin to naturally brighten the skin.

Anti-Blemish Mud Mask - This mask is said to soothe irritated skin whilst helping to control excess oil. This mask is a non-drying formula which purifies and balances the complexion, leaving skin feeling calm and looking clearer.  Key ingredients afe Tea Tree to calm irritations and breakouts, Kaolin to increase the skins circulation, helping to stimulate healing and reduce irritation and Vitamin A to stimulate the turnover of skin cells and increase collagen production.

I have used the pore refining mask and after thoroughly cleanses my face with warm water, you apply the mask using your fingertips, or a brush if you prefer, ensuring you cover the whole of your face (except the obvious) and neck. Then lay back and relax for between 15-20 minutes before rinsing with warm water. 

As I applied the mask to my face, it was quite a thick texture, so it is a case of a little going a very long way. White in colour as it is a creme mask, once applied to the skin it does begin to dry quite quickly, so if you want to remove after those initial 15 minutes it will be dry, but I decided to wait for the full 20 minutes.

After removing the mask did it live up to its claims? Well I don't have large pores so I didn't notice any difference but I do have combination skin which leans to an oily t-zone for me and I did notice that for a few days after using, my shiny head and nose had almost disappeared, so that for me was quite impressive and did my skin look brighter, well it felt much more refreshed and definitely much cleaner, so the answer for me is yes it did.

I am really looking forward to trying the rest of the masques which I was kindly given and put them to the test.  They will be sold in boxes of three at £9.99.

Do you use any Korean skincare products?  Do you think you will try these masques?

Balance Me Super Toning Body Polish

I am  huge fan of Balance Me products, you will see them scattered about my blog full of praise, because they work so well with my skin and are just brilliant.

The Super Toning Body Polish is a new product that I have been using for the last few weeks and it is amazing, described as being:

"An invigorating, tone-enhancing, anti-oxident rich daily body polish with walnut shells designed to firm, plump and smooth as it cleanses and exfoliates. It offers your skina mini work-out each time you massage it all over your body"

Not only is it said to do all of that above but to also encourage good circulation thanks to the unique blend of Juniper, Geranium, Lavender and Bergamot essential oils. Add to that the use of Meadow Foam, Rice Bran and Sweet Almond Oil, all of which are rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and anti-oxidents to leave your skin look super smooth, energised and smelling simply amazing.

When you use this body polish, the advice is to massage it onto wet skin, focussing primarily on problematic areas such as upper arms, bottom, hips and thighs.  You can also massage it onto the skin and then leave it for a few minutes before rinsing it off so that your skin gets an extra treat as the body polish makes for a really nice deep hydrating mask treatment too.  I find during the current changes in weather and temperature that my skin needs a little extra TLC,specially because I am in a heated environment, then out in the cold, wind and rain before going back into a heated place - my skin becomes quite dull looking, dry and in need of hydration.

For me this body works brilliantly as a body polish, it isn't too abrasive on the skin so it doesn't scratch the skin, it is gentle enough to remove dead and dry skin cells whilst leaving behind an amazing energising scent that really gives you a wake up.  Not only that but as you pat your skin dry, it feels so soft and supple there is almost no need to add any additional moisturiser, though I do.

Yet another brilliant release from Balance Me which you can find HERE.

Have you tried any Balance Me products? Do you have a favourite?

Top 10 Perfume Gift Sets for Her | Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas time for me is a time of year upon which a new perfume is something I look forward too, perhaps the only time of year when I am bought something new.  This year, there are so many perfumes that I have enjoyed using testers of or spritzing when in a store that I have combined them all into one big post - top 10 perfume gift sets for her!

1) Viktor & Rolf BonBon Eau de Toilette 50ml Gift Set. RRP £73

Bonbon, a timeless sensation inviting a pure and absolute pursuit of pleasure. She who wears Bonbon, dresses herself in perfume whilst creating her own story. She is empowered, beautiful and complete. Set contains 50ml Eau de Toilette + 50ml Body Lotion + 50ml Shower Gel

2) Elie Saab Le Parfum L`Eau Couture 50 ml Christmas Set RRP £43

L`Eau Couture, or the unique contrast between the sophistication of a Couture look and the springtime freshness of an Eau. This set contains: L`Eau Couture 50ml and Prestige L`Eau Couture 10ml -

3) Jo Malone London House of Jo Malone London. Set RRP £125

The elegant home of Jo Malone London. Open the doors to reveal our most-loved scents.

Red Roses Glass Decanter Bath Oil 30ml,Blackberry & Bay Cologne 30ml,Orange Blossom Body Crème 50ml,Lime Basil & Mandarin Body & Hand Wash 100ml,English Pear & Freesia Travel Candle 60g,Pomegranate Noir Body & Hand Lotion 100ml

4) Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum 50ml Gift Set RRP £62

Discover Black Opium, the new feminine fragrance by Yves Saint Laurent - new glam rock fragrance full of mystery and energy. An addictive gourmand floral with notes of: Black Coffee - for a shot of adrenaline; White Florals - to instantly seduce; and Vanilla - for sweetness and sensuality.

5) Dolce and Gabbana Dolce Eau de Parfum 50ml Gift Set. RRP £62

Dolce is a gentle, feminine mix of white flowers, introduced by the freshness of the Neroli leaves and defined by the White Amaryllis, a South African flower used for the first time ever in scent. A unique and opulent combination of White Water Lily and bold White Daffodil blend perfectly with the full-bodied White Amaryllis. Set contains 50ml Eau de Parfum + 100ml Body Lotion

6) Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Eau de Parfum 50ml Gift Set. RRP £66

To celebrate the end-of-year season, Guerlain invites you in its fairy universe to discover an enchanted Christmas tree, where every decoration is a wink to the House symbols.
This gift set contains a 50ml La Petite Robe Noire Eau de Parfum and a nail lacquer. I am absolutely essential and utterly irresistible.

7) Estée Lauder Small Wonders Gift Set. RRP £32

Surprise her with all of her favorite scents and a mirrored tray to display them on. A gift she`ll love, during the holidays and all year long. Limited-time collection includes five mini Eau de Parfums, all ready to delight in an exclusive gift box:

• Modern Muse .24 oz.
• Estée Lauder Pleasures .12 oz.
• Beautiful .12 oz.
• Youth-Dew .12 oz.
• White Linen .01 oz. 
• Mirror Tray

8) Michael Kors Collection Glam Jasmine 50ml Gift Set. RRP £57

The Michael Kors Collection has a gift set that appeals to the Glam side of every girl. This set features a 50ml Glam Jasmine Eau de Parfum and a 100ml body crème. Packaged in a luxurious pink metallic lizard pattern.

9) DKNY MYNY `The Heart of the City` 50ml Gift Set. RRP £49

This holiday season, in the heart of the city, celebrate in style with the urban, carefree, spirited fragrance for women, DKNY MYNY. With an expression that is as eclectic and passionate as the city we love, treat yourself or someone you love to a sparkling set including DKNY MYNY 50ml Eau de Parfum and 100ml Body Lotion.

10) Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Eau de Toilette 50ml Gift Set. RRP £54

Light and airy, Daisy Dream is both floral and fruity. The Fragrance captivates with delectable top notes of blackberry, fresh grapefruit and succulent pear. The heart imparts a rich, feminine jasmine, notes of lychee and blue wisteria. A dreamy drydown of white woods, musks and coconut water. Set contains: 50ml Eau de Toilette, 75ml Shower Gel and 75ml Body Lotion.

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?