Urban Decay biggest lipstick Launch EVER! #LipstickismyVice

As soon as I saw that Urban Decay was about to release a 100 (yes ONE HUNDRED) new lipsticks, the word excitement doesn't quite cover it and with Ruby Rose as the face of the launch, it was always going to be amazing.

The Vice Collection combines everything from new shades to cult favorites you thought you’d never see again and several shades were inspired by some of the other lip products and even Eyeshadows and Eye Pencils.

Encased inside iconic Urban Decay packaging, vice lipsticks come in a modernized luxed-up version of the original lipstick case. The faceted gunmetal casing with gold base screams luxury and the debossed lettering adds that little some extra. In true Urban Decay style, each lipstick also features an embossed UD.

Each lipstick will cost just £15 and with 100 to choose from there is something for everything whether you like your bold brights, Vampy or subtle neutral shades you will find something and they are available in 6 different finishes, 

• Mega Matte — super intense matte
• Comfort Matte — their creamiest matte
• Cream — the original creamy luxury formula
• Metallized — cream with a high level of pearl pigments
• Sheer — a punch of color, with a sheer, shiny finish
• Sheer Shimmer — slightly transparent finish with floating pearl and a smooth texture

I have five lipsticks from the collection to share with you today and all of them feature in Wende's top 10 picks and I can see why!

714 - was originally released with the Gwen Stefani collection and it is such a stunning shade. With a Mega Matte finish, 714 is bold, it is bright and it is described as being a medium-dark red with warm orange undertones, which sadly does nothing for my complexion, but it is a stunning shade.

Firebird - is a cream finish and is described as being a deep fuchsia. It is definitely a pinkish berry shade and it has cool, blue undertones which works well with my skin tone.  It applies like a dream and there is a fuchsia pearl shade which shows through which I really like along with a very natural sheen.

Big Bang - is a metallized finish and is described as being a bright pink sparkle shade. It is a raspberry pink shade with quite subtle, cool undertones and it has a light pink micro-glitter which reflects amazingly in the light. I don't think I have ever owned a lipstick that looks this glittery, but when the lipstick is applied, it isn't uncomfortable, the glitter doesn't drag or scratch the lips at all, it isn't rough and nor does it look as though you have just covered your lips in glitter, it is just the right amount of noticeable.

BackTalk - is a Comfort Matte finish and is described as being a mauve nude, though it does have a slight pinkish tint to it. It is also a lipstick with cool undertones but with a satin finish and it is one of those shades that everyone can wear. It applies much more smoothly than the other four lipsticks and I adore it.

Pandemonium - is a Mega Matte finish and is a dark, almost red toned purple which has a satin finish.  Again it applies to the lips like an absolute dream and it has a very light shimmer to it and again, this is a shade I wasn't expecting to like at all but I absolutely love it. 

Each lipstick shade has amazing colour pay off, literally like nothing else I have seen. Urban Decay use their propriety Pigment Infusion System which gives the formula its super creamy texture. Add to that there is in the infusion of a butte blend to hydrate, soften and enhance which leaves your lips feeling soft and conditioned. Aloe Vera, Jojoba, Avocado and Babassu oils help to nourish and soften your lips and Illipe Buter provides long lasting moisture with added Vitamin C and E give a hit of antioxident.

So not only do you get a fabulous lipstick, but you get one which looks after your lips whilst you are wearing it and I now need the other 95!.  Not sure which of the 100 lipsticks will suit you? Well there is an Urban Decay app which allows you to try on all the lipsticks to see which one works and which one doesn't and it is a whole lot of fun, bit like Tinder for lipstick!

Have you seen a shade you like the look of?

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Aquis Lisse-Luxe Hair Towel

Everytime I go to the salon, I am told not to wrap my wet hair in a towel because it can cause friction and frizz and that I should instead use anything but a towel, even a t-shirt is better.  Then I met Aquis, the Lisse Luxe hair towel. The what? Well the description is as follows:

"Lisse Luxe may sound like the name of an ‘exotic’ artiste. But she’s the perfect towel for normal hair. Lisse Luxe also excels at curly hair, fine hair, damaged hair and any hair that needs gentle treatment. New generation Aquitex improves absorbency and comfort. Wraps and tucks easily leaving hands free while hair dries. Dries fast with less friction, to minimize frizz and damage".

Now my hair is shoulder length, I have a lot of it and am prone to frizz and fly-a-aways and this is partly because my hair is how it is, but partly because I have always used a towel to dry my hair.  So was the towel causing the frizz and friction and would the Aquis Lisse Luxe make any difference?

The Aquis Lisse-Luxe is said to be the hair rehab program my hair has been waiting for, I have been using it every time I have washed my hair, washing it too and it is amazing. When your hair is wet, it is delicate and you will have been told many times not to over brush it, don't rub it dry and treat it carefully because you can cause damage, frizz and even breakage. Aquis uses an innovative fabric which gently wraps your hair, improves absorbency of the water and by not rubbing your hair you cause less friction which means less frizz. What's more, since using this Aquis towel, ive noticed my hair dries in half the time it used too and my hair is much smoother once dry and there was no need to add any extra products to calm my frizz because it had all but disappeared. So the answer to both of the questions I posed above is simply - YES.

Washing the towel every week has not made any difference in how it works with my hair and having now used it for the last few months, I am just incredibly impressed.  If you think this could be the hair care solution for you, then you can get your Aquis Lisse-Luxe right here in a range of different colours.

Generously Sized at 50 X 107CM

DHC Bubble Foaming Mesh

I am pretty obsessed with Japanese skin care, there is just something about the ethos, the routines, the ingredients and the claims that just grab me and DHC is one of those brands I cannot get enough of, it is often quirky, kooky but you just know it is going to wow you. DHC have appeared on my blog before when it came to these Cotton Wool Swabs and honestly it is such a fabulous idea, I don't know why I had never thought of doing it for myself.

So meet the latest innovation that I am just wowed by and it is The Bubble Foaming Mesh! Yes I did say Mesh but not just any mesh as you might have guessed. I am sure many of us love to use a facial cleanser or three and never quite get enough foam (even if it is a foaming one) to do that little something extra when we use it. Well this DHC Foaming Mesh will transform any of you facial cleanser into a super foam, giving you the very most and very best out of your cleanser and it allows you to use much less product meaning it lasts much longer. How? Well the mesh creates twice as much foam than your hands and it is so simple to use. 

All you need to do is simply wet the mesh netting, I always use warm water, then you apply your cleanser onto the fabric, as you would do to the palms of your hands, only this time, hold the blue ring in your fingers so the netting faces upwards and it creates an opening. Then rub the mesh between the palms of your hands and watch the lather begin to form, then, whilst holding that ring again with one hand, use the other to gently squeeze out the foam and it is here that you will see that there is twice as much foam than you would normally get from the same amount of product. I have included a video below so you can see it for yourself.

What a love about this invention is that it is so simple, easy to use and does what it claims it will do and all for just £2, yes £2! You can use it with any given cleanser or wash that you would normally use, it doesn't have to be one from DHC, though I do love the DHC Face Wash Powder which will have it's own review coming shortly and all DHC skincare products are fragrance-free, paraben-free and suitable for sensitive skin.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Buddy Body Scrub - Your Friend With Benefits

Right now I am obsessed with body scrubs that a little bit different - Coffee, Tea and Activated Charcoal to name but a few. So when Buddy Scrub arrived through my letter box, I was quite curious as it isn't a brand I have come across before and I practically dived straight in. 

The packaging is quite plain but totally practical as it is resealable and everything you need to know about it and what it is can be seen before your very eyes. You will also, like I did, end up chuckling at the description and just as you go to open the packaging, this:

"Carefully rip off my top then its time to get down and dirty"

"I'll start by getting you undressed and slowly exfoliate your skin with my sea salt and sugar"

The Buddy scrub is made of Raw Cacao Powder which is packed full of vitamin C and works to nourish and protect the skin. Raw Cacao is also said to help increase the blood flow to the skin, leave it feeling hydrated and it can help to reduce stretch marks. Alongside the Raw Cacao Powder is brown sugar and Sea Salt and they work to exfoliate and remove dry dead skin cells which leave your skin feeling amazingly clean and incredibly smooth to the touch. As there is Sea Salt, take care when you do use this on your skin (also suitable for the face if you so wish) because it can be quite abrasive if you apply too much pressure. Further ingredients include Coconut oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Orange essential Oil and Vitamin E and they all come together to nourish, moisturise and hydrate your skin.

If that wasn't a good enough description, then here is the cheeky one from Buddy Scrub which is on the back of the packet and the one I found myself giggling too:

I’m a body scrub so let’s start by getting you undressed and softly exfoliating your dry skin with my sea salt and brown sugar.

Then I’ll start to nourish your body with my raw cacao powder and coconut oil, which will do wonders for you.

I will further enrich your skin with my sweet almond oil and grape seed oil to keep you feeling soft and cleansed into the night.

I’ll reach all parts of your body and have you feeling amazing with essential vitamins and minerals.

All that I ask in return, is that you make use of my skills once or twice a week.

This scrub is designed to be used once or twice a week depending on much you feel your skin is in need of a good scrubbing. To use it, you need to ensure your skin is wet skin, so being in the shower is ideal, then you will need to rub approximately 1-2 handfuls all over your body and again, if you have areas which are in need of a little more concentration than others, you can change how much pressure you apply when using. I always massage the scrub onto and then off my skin using circular motions and I tend to start from my shoulders working down to my ankles, so anything that is gross and has been removed falls off. Once you have finished you simply wash it off and again if you so wish, you can use your flannel, sponge or Muslin cloth to ensure you haven't missed a bit. After using this scrub, not only does it leave your skin feeling just absolutely incredible, you'll find it hard to not want to lick yourself because it has this most amazing chocolaty orange scent to it - but obviously it isn't edible!

This scrub helps with dry skin, blemishes, eczema, psoriasis, stretch marks, cellulite, and scaring! It is also an all natural, cruelty free and vegan friendly all for just £15.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise