Barry M Spring 2016 New Launches

Barry M have just announced that Lucy Mecklenburgh (TOWIE) is the face of Barry M for 2016 and alongside that announcement came the release of a whole host of products which I was lucky enough to see, play with and take home to share with you.

That's How I Roll Mascara is not just a mascara, it is a mascara and eye lash curler in one. The specially designed wand locks onto each lash and not only lifts it but rolls it to create what is described as a 'seductively curled, intensely lifted and highly defined look'. The mascara is encased inside a beautiful purple tube which is decorated with black rollerskates, making it quite quirky and definitely eye-cathing.  Not only is the wand easy to use, it does grab your lashes with relative ease and it is extremely pliable and bendy too.  This Mascara is priced at just £4.99 and it launches in Superdrug on 10th February and into Boots on 17th February.

Chisel Cheeks Contour Kit is releasing a new shade for medium-dark skin tones. Described as being a 'Kardashian bone structure in a palette', Chisel Cheeks is designed to simply the art of contouring and highlighting with its step-by-step guide on which product goes where. It includes a light powder to highlight, a medium powder to bronze and a darker powder to sculpt. This palette is definitely worthy of watching out for, more so because the highlighter shade also mades for a great eyeshadow base!  Priced at £6.49 it launches in Superdrug on 10th February and into Boots on 17th February.

Shape and Define Brow Kit has a new shade - Light to Medium and inside this little kit you will find a perfect 3 step kit to shape, define and highlight brows. This little palette also includes a handy mirror, a double-ended applicator and a very cute pair of teeny tiny tweezers.  It is priced at £5.99 and it launches in Superdrug on 10th February and into Boots on 17th February.

Finally we come to nails and a Barry M launch wouldn't be the same without some new polishes.  Just before Christmas, I shared the new nail care range and now we have three new collections for your spring wardrobe. Each nail set launches in Superdrug on 10th February and into Boots on 17th February.

Speedy Nail Paint Spring Collection has four amazing shades called In a Flash, Personal Best, Winning Streak and Freestyle.  The Speed Nail polishes are designed for girls on the go. Using a flat control-flow brush to dispense the perfect amount of polish to the nail, it dries quickly without streaks. Price £3.99 each.

Gelly Nail Paint is super glossy and long lasting and again there are four new shades for spring and if you love your pastels, you will love these - Acai Smoothie, Cream Soda, Butterscotch Sundae and Pink Lemonade. Price £3.99 each.

Sunset nail paint are hi-shine, long lasting pro gel polishes which dry without the need of a lamp.  With four new shades, plus a Sunset top coat, they are said to deliver the look, shine and resilience of a pro salon gel manicure without the need for UV lamps.  The four shades - All The Things She Red, Bug a Blue, Pinking Out Loud and Empire State of Mint are beautiful shades to see you through spring and into summer. Price £4.99 each.

I am sure you will agree with me that this is one amazing collection! Have you seen anything you like?

#LFLOVES Beauty Box - Valentines Day 2016

This months LookFantastic Beauty Box** is a thing of beauty. Decorated in bright fuscia pink with a gold heart and lettering, there is no denying that the Valentines theme is alive and kicking at Lookfantastic HQ. As well as the box, this month there is also a copy of the latest Elle Magazine which has been a delight to read.

The theme for this box is falling in love with products which make us feel beautiful and each item has been especially chosen by the Lookfantastic team because they love it so much, they hope we will too and it features everything from haircare, skincare, bodycare and make-up to do just that.

The first item out of the box is from MonuSpa, a brand I really like and it is the Monuspa Bali Massage Oil which is described as being a comforting treatment oil for the ultimate spa experience. Formulated with a blend of apricot kernel and grape seed oils, its formula can be added to the bath or shower to nourish and hydrate tired skin. A scent of relaxing sandalwood and rosewood rejuvenates the body and senses, leaving you feeling calm and relaxed with touchably soft, smooth skin. I have used a full sized bottle of this in the past and really enjoyed it, so I am glad to be able to add a bottle back into my stash.

The second item is from Bliss and it is the Pink Grapefruit and Aloe Body Butter. Described as being a sweet smelling nourishing body butter it is scented with a blend of sweet pink grapefruit and fresh, crisp aloe. Boasting a soft formula which never feels greasy, this body butter is suitable for everyday use and works to keep your skin feeling soft and supple. It does smell absolutely divine and I actually have been using it. Regular readers of Beautyqueenuk will know that I can be a bit lacking when it comes to body butters, but once I find one I like, I use it until it runs out.

The third item in the box is this really cute Denman Mini Keyring Brush. I am a huge fan of Denman Brushes and have a few within my stash at home and at work. I love that this is small enough to keep in my make up bag for being on the go.

KMS California are next with a bottle of Color Vitality Conditioner. KMS California Colorvitality Conditioner is infused with lilac and ginger, which help to calm your scalp and assist in gently cleansing your hair, while protecting from UV rays. Formulated with IOPS, (Inside Out Protective System), it penetrates deep into your hair, making it more vibrant and healthier.

The makeup item within the box is from a matte lipstick pencil from Lord & Berry , mine is shade Intimacy which is a dusky pink shade which is quite pretty, though I have been using it as a lip liner as I find it works well with one of my lipsticks perfectly.

The final item in the box is a new brand to Lookfantastic and it is the Hi Impact Eyes &Brow Perfector Palette. This is a brand new brand to Look Fantastic and it is designed to give you perfect brows, but it can also be used for eyeliner and eyeshadow too. It comes with a handy mirror and angled brush to help you achieve your desired look. 

I think this is a really cute box and I am pleased to see a new brand being included and one with a product I am looking forward to using. This Beauty Box is a monthly subscription box which offers you many different options when singing up, it could be a one off payment of £15 or you can sign up to a plan of 3,6 or 12 months.

What do you think to this edition?

DHC Olive Virgin Oil Swabs

Every so often I come across a product and wonder why on earth I hadn't thought of trying it, inventing it or even thinking of it when in need. So when I came across the DHC Olive Oil Swabs, it was one of those 'OMG this is genius, why did I not think of this' moments and a complete life changer all in one.

DHC, which stands for "Daigaku Honyaku Center, are a Japans No. 1 direct skincare company and their Cleansing Oil is a product most people are possibly more familiar with. The vision behind DHC is rooted in the beneficial properties of virgin olive oil, Flor de Aceite – the finest quality, extracted from organic Spanish olives. The entire skincare range was founded on the beneficial properties of olive oil. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, it is a highly effective component in neutralising damaging free radicals. Olive oil also helps balance your skin's moisture. With its unique ability to mix with water, our olive oil helps moisturise without clogging pores. Oxidised oils cause blackheads and a host of other problems, but because olive oil has a naturally lower oxidation rate than your skin's natural oils, it is a perfect barrier to protect skin from irritants.

Back to the product in questions and yes, a cotton bud soaked in Olive Oil is what I am talking about and if you have never seen them, I urge you to look for them because honestly, like dry shampoo, I am not sure how I managed without them until now.

Each swab or cotton bud if you prefer, is individually wrapped to ensure it remains hygienic and clean and so that the olive oil doesn't leak on anything. 

Opening the wrapper, the buds are moist but not dripping in oil and they have a multitude of used and can be used for cleansing delicate areas, soothing cuticles, erasing eye makeup mishaps especially when your mascara runs, if you smudge any make-up, these are so delicate they can erase it and you don't have to do your whole face again - how amazing right?  What's more is each box contains 50 swabs and they cost just £5.50, so worth every penny as far as I am concerned.

Have you tried any products from DHC?

Melvita Nectar de Roses Body Collection

Melvita have got an amazing collection due to launch called the Nectar de Roses Body Collection and if like me you love the scent of fresh roses, then this is right up your street. 

The range combines three wild roses, including wild rose extract, a new active ingredient that's known to activate skin hydration by increasing aquaporin synthesis to stimulate moisture circulation. There are four products within the range and I have been using them all for the last few months and I have to say, the scent is just stunning.

Nectar de Roses Rose Petal Shower Gel(£13) is a beautiful fresh scented gel, which is not too thick in texture but is one which does transform into a foam and is incredibly hydrating and moisturising on the skin.  When combined with the Nectar de Roses Hydrating Body Veil (£15) the scent is one which lingers on the skin. The body veil is enriched with rose floral water to provide intense hydration for up to 24 hours. As a formula it is really luxurious when applied to the skin, as soon as it comes into contact, it absorbs leaving behind a lovely rose scent, one which I associate with freshly cut roses, it is just divine.

You can never have too many balms and the Nectar de Roses (£10) is a balm everyone needs. As multi-purpose balm it can be applied to dry skin, cuticles, lip and even the ends of your hair. It is balm that melts on contact with your fingers, the pot within which it comes, is so cute and dainty that there is just enough room for two fingers to swipe the balm for using. I adore this balm, the rose scent isn't as strong as it is within the other products within this range, but it is there.

The final item in this range is the stunning Rose Sauvages Eau de Toilette (£36). This perfume combines the three wild roses rosa canina, rose gallica and rose mosqueta with woody base notes of the leaves and it is a beautiful floral scent which reminds me slightly of Johnson's Baby Lotion at a first sniff but as it settles on the skin, the scent of the three roses come to life and make for such a perfect spring fragrance which is light, not overly heavy and dominating but one which is long lasting.

For me this is a collection for everyone of all ages. It is purse friendly and just stunning and if you are looking for a little something for Valentines Day that combines the scent of roses rather than buying the roses, well this ticks all the boxes.