Note Cosmetics

Until this package arrived in the post I had never heard of or come across Note Cosmetics before. One thing I love about blogging is that you do get to discover some amazing brands and Note Cosmetics is one of those that I am glad to have found, or found me.

With it's headquarters in Germany, Note Cosmetics has quite an extensive range of makeup which covers the face eyes lips, Fragrance and nails. Sold in over 50 Countries their manta is

'Strengthening make-up products with skin-care technologies, never sacrificing on quality, always updating its lines, and developing new lines according to customer needs and expectations, NOTE with its innovative approach and affordable pricing policy, is already the first choice of many stylish women'. 

What's more, is that the products are paraben free, are dermatologically tested and made out of special ingredients (essential oils and vitamins) that benefit the skin, and they do not use hazardous and cancerous ingredients such as DBP, Formaldehyde, Toluene and camphor agents. If that isn't enough, the products are environment-friendly and never been tested on animals.

I was kindly sent some products from the range to try and I am so impressed with the quality that I have a list as long as my arm of products I now want to try.  Starting with the BB Concealer Cream which not only has an SPF15 but also has a special formula containing wheat germ and vitamin E to protect eye contour, citrus skin and grape extract to help diminish dark spots and Sunflower oil to help even out skin tone around the eye contour. 

I have shade 3 which is far too dark for my skin tone, but, what I like about it is how easy it glides onto the skin, it doesn't cake or crease and it doesn't irritate. As this is not my shade, I have only worn it indoors and it has great staying power and lasted the entire day.

Eyeshadow pencils are like a hero product for me and I use them a lot.  This one in shade Blue/Grey and it is really pretty. Smudgeproof and blendable, once applied this is going nowhere, you get just enough time to blend it, which it does really well and then it is set in place all day. 

The formula is soft and silky and it just glides onto the eyes effortlessly, the crayon houses quite a thick nib and it works well on the waterline too.  Available in 7 other shades, these crayons are simply brilliant.

Staying with eyeshadow but in the form of a single shadow this Luminous Silk Mono Eyeshadow, which has an incredible 18 different shades is again surprisingly brilliant. 

I have shade 7 which coppery brown shade and it ticks all the boxes when it comes to application, durability and again it doesn't crease during the day and lasts all day! Impressively Vitamin E is a man ingredient and it protects the delicate skin of eyelids against free radicals.

Smokey Eye Pencils are an item I never think of buying, but this one is not only stunning, it is easy to use and is Ophthalmologist Tested and has a special applicator to create smokey effect. 

I have shade 5 which is called Sky Blue and whilst it is not a shade I will use, I know quite a few people who will just absolutely love its colour. As with the eyeshadow Vitamin E is again used.

Onto the lips with the final two products and I have both a Lipstick and a Lipgloss. The Lipgloss is described as being a Matte Moist gloss and owing to the use of Macadamia Oil and Vitamin E your lips will be moisturised all day long with a matte tone. 

Available in 8 different shades, I have shade 405 which is called First Kiss and it a bright vibrant pink shade which comes out of the tube looking wet but once it comes into contact with your skin, it is very Matte and dries with a slight shimmer. The formula is not at all drying. 

The final product is a lipstick and this Note Long Wearing Lipstick gives you a choice of 18 shades to choose from. Designed to protect your lips, again the use of Macadamia Oil and Shea Butter nourish, balance palmitoleic acid level and protect lips from drying and cracking and vitamin E along with A and D also work to moisturises and nourish the lips.  

I have shade 7 which is Indian Rose and whilst it isn't a shade I would wear as it is too pink for me, it is such a beautiful shade and it glides on effortlessly without that dragging feeling across the lips and it has a similar feel to that of a lip balm and it lasts a good 5-6 hours before you need to apply to it again, even with eating and drinking.

Again when swatching, each product has been swiped just once to see what kind of colour payoff there is and with the eyeshadow using my finger. The BB Cream is slightly too dark, though with moisturising cream or mixed with foundation it can be used lightly.

L-R we have the BB Cream, Eye Liner, Eye Crayon, Lipstick, Lip Gloss and Eye Shadow

As you can tell, I am really impressed with Note Cosmetics, it is a really great brand with products that are competitively priced and has formulas which rival some high end brands for durability, blendability and there is an impressive catalogue of products to work your way through!

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

You Beauty Box - The Detox Edit January 2017

The January You Beauty Box, aptly titled 'The Detox Edit' after all that is usually what January is all about, had a shortlist of products which were inspired by Winter Beauty quandaries and as such there was a cross-section of beauty and skincare woes, helping you to make peace with yourself and giving you the confidence to get through January in style.

So there are two treats this month and to be honest I am not at all impressed with them, I could find them inside magazines. However, there is a 3 Minute Miracle reconstructor Deep Conditioner Sachet from Aussie and a Hand and Nail Cream from Lavera.

For my three choices I decided not to go for Haircare or Skincare, though I was tempted by the Dr Dennis Goss Universal Daily Peel, instead, I went for body care because three items just jumped right out at me and I haven't used any of them before.

The first is from Dr. Ceuticals and it is a Pumice Foot Scrub. - Described as being enriched with Peppermint and Menthol works in three ways to exfoliate, soften and moisturise rough and dry patches on heels and soles. Delivering effective results, it is further boosted with Cocoa and Shea butter to help leave feet noticeably smoother.  

I was in need of a foot scrub, it is one item that I don't have and it is a delight to use.  Quite abrasive as you massage onto the feet, it definitely removes dead skin and exfoliates the skin which isn't quite ready to come off (grim). This is a full-size scrub and is priced at £6.99 in Boots

The next two products are from Optiat, a brand I have never come across until now. A nature friendly company, they transform used Arabica coffee grounds into scented scrubs that make you look and feel fantastic. Both products smell just absolutely incredible and whether or not you love coffee scrubs or intrigued about them, you need to try these. They are also not tested on animals.

The first scrub is called "Pick Me Up" Lemongrass Lifter which is described as follows: "Scrub up zesty after getting hot and sweaty. A blend of used Arabica coffee grounds and lemongrass essential oils, this Lemongrass Lifter refreshes you after working up a sweat". Now I absolutely love the scent of Lemongrass, I love the zesty tang of it and I love that when it is on my skin, the scent of coffee, Lime and Lemongrass combined drags you awake and definitely makes you feel more alert.

The second scrub which is aptly titled "Feel Great" Mouthwatering Mandarin Coffee Scrub - has the following description "Scrub up deliciously for date night. A blend of used Arabica coffee grounds and mandarin essential oils, Mouthwatering Mandarin keeps you feeling fruity all night long". Unlike Pick Me Up, I actually do prefer this one to be used of an evening rather than a morning, possibly because I find orange scented products quite relaxing rather than invigorating.  On the skin, again it is a delight to use and the orange scent mixed with coffee is just delightful.

This is a brand I am so glad to have been introduced too and one I definitely want to find out more about as well as work my way through the entire range on offer.  If you love coffee scrubs or want to try one then this is such a lovely brand.

So this months box, despite the pretty rubbish treats, has been really good. I am really glad to have discovered Optiat and I love Dr Ceuticals foot scrub, so I think I made a good choice with my products. Subscriptions for You Beauty start at £6.95 rising up to £10.95.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

The Vintage Cosmetics Advent Calendar - What was inside!

If cute and kitsch is your thing, then the Vintage Cosmetic Company Twelve Days Advent Calendar is perfect for you because it is not only cute and kitsch it is also very very pink!  If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen that I opened each of the 12 days on Instagram Stories so that you could see the contents. 

So behind the doors of this calendar I got the following:

Day 1 - Pink Blending Sponge - This one is latex free and is Infused with Vitamin E

Day 2 - Floral Mini Rectangular Paddle Brush - With a soft touch handle for easy grip and comfort and nylon pins to glide through your hair

Day 3 - Dolly Bow Make-Up Headband - Made from super soft toweling in a pale pink polka dot print it also features a cute pink bow.

Day 4 - Pink Hair Rollers - With 3 larger rollers for body and bounce and 3 slightly smaller ones for a more defined curl

Day 5 - 2 Sectioning Clips - pretty little sectioning clips featuring a comfortable soft touch, easy grip hinged clamp.

Day 6 - Silver Eyelash Curler - Made from high quality carbon steel they come with two replacement silicone pads

Day 7 - Floral Nail Scissors - Made from high quality stainless steel these Nail Scissors are sharp, sleek and perfect for precise cutting of fingernails and toenails, lashes and more.

Day 8 - Powder Brush - With a wooden handle and synthetic bristles this bursh is quite versatile and can be used for many products

Day 9 - Pink Duo Pencil Sharpener - This has 2 different size sharpeners for small and large pencils.

Day 10 - Floral Slanted Tweezers - Made from quality Stainless Steel, the slanted tips mean these high precision tweezers also give you precise plucking and also great for all your tweezing needs. Brow shaping, removing splinters and more …

Day 11 - Nancy False Strip Lashes - These Eyelashes are perfect for both day and night as they add a delicate amount of volume and length

Day 12 - Smokey Eye Brush Set - This set contains a Shadow Brush, an Angled Shadow Brush and a precision Shadow Brush.

Again, I think this is such a brilliantly cute advent calendar and one which is slightly different to the rest that I have ever had or seen opened.  The Vintage Cosmetics Company is a British Company who wanted to bring a product that offers something unique in the market and a product that would pay tribute to old-Hollywood and harks back to the glamour and charm of the 1950s, but one that serves the everyday beauty needs of women everywhere. The ultimate goal being that The Vintage Cosmetic Company would offer a range of high quality beauty accessories with a unique, feminine personality. A range that combines affordability, efficacy and elegance and now it does with over 60 of them available today.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Glo & Ray Cosmetics

Until recently Glo&Ray Cosmetics has alluded me, ive seen it on social media channels but have never tried it. Sold in BeautyMart, which you can also find in Topshop if you live in London, Gloy&Ray is a British company which draws inspiration from the natural wonder of light. The name Glo & Ray is derived from ‘Glo’, a gentle luminance; and ‘Ray’, a vibrant beam of light. Making their debut back in September 2012, the range is quite impressive with everything you need for your eyes, lips and face as well as one or two extra products for makeup removal and cleansing.

I was very kindly given an introduction to Gloy&Ray with three products which I absolutely love and ones that I have now used for the last 2 months constantly. 

The Nuage Solo Blush in shade Dawn Seed which is a really lovely soft peach tinted shade with slight golden hues and it is ideal for being used as a contour bronzer or cheekbone highlighter as well as a blush. 

Encased in what can only be described as a luxurious compact, it comes with an accompanying brush, which is just fabulous and perfect for using on the go. The compact lid holds a mirror which is a nice addition. At £11 it isn't going to break the bank, but it does make you think twice about some of those high end brands which charge almost double!

I do love my eyeshadows and have mentioned frequently that I am a nude/neutral kind of girl and it is rare I leave my comfort zone. The Mirage eyeshadow pots have a mousse consistancy and they work like a cream, so ideal for dipping your finger in the pot if you don't have a brush to hand. 

I have the shade Olive Garden which I can best describe as being a forest green but with blue/green shimmer and it is just stunning. This one I have worn quite a few times now and it is quite striking, more so because I have bright blue eyes. Again at £11 a pot it is money well spent, it doesn't crease or smudge whether it is worn with or without a primer, however using a primer ensures it does last all night without the need to touch up.

Lipsticks, you can never ever have too many in my opinion and this La Amo Creamy Shimmer Lip Colour in shade Seduce is just absolutely stunning. Seduce is a deep red lipstick which is super pigmented and the colour payoff is amazing, one swipe across the lips gives a full burst of colour. All of the La Amo creamy shimmer collection features a Light Colour Fitness Complex alongside Micro-Shine Particles to provide a dazzling effect for irresistibly fuller looking lips. 

Enriched with pigment and with a shimmer finish, lips are left soft, moisturised and with a flash of colour and if you do look close enough at the lipstick bullet you can see some slight shimmer within the colour but this doesn't transfer to the lips so that they sparkle, it just adds to the finished look. Impressively once applied, this lipstick lasted around 6 hours because it had faded to the point a touch up was required. Priced at £12 this is more than reasonable a price and it definitely does give some high end brands a run for their money.

Swatched below with each products this is just one swipe of the finger for the blush and eyeshadow and one swipe of the lipstick bullet, so you can see the amazing colour payoff.

As an introduction to Glo&Ray these are three amazing products and ones that I just absolutely adore and ones that I have used, infact one needs replacing already I have loved it that much. I am now keen to try more products from the range and to definitely work my way through the lipsticks!

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise