Erborian Black Cleansing Oil

Erborian is a brand that just intrigues and excites me, I adore it and so does my skin. The Erborian skincare brand, its name derived from 'Herbs of the Orient', was born back in 2007 when two women, both experts in the demanding world of cosmetics happened to meet. Blending the power of Korean textures and ingredients with French sensoriality and know-how, there is a whole host of new products hitting stores and I have a few of them to share with you.

The product that grabbed my attention as soon as I saw it was the Black Cleansing Oil. Korean women see Charcoal as the ultimate do-it-all ingredient and over the last 18 months, it has become an ingredient that has appeared in a lot of beauty products. In food and pharmaceutical products it is known for detoxifying the body by absorbing toxins, it can be taken regularly to purify the air by neutralising odours and in cosmetics, it is renowned for being incredibly tough on excess sebum and for those of us who have combination/oily skin, it is just an amazing ingredient. 

Binchotan is a type of charcoal which is made from evergreen oak wood and once it is carbonised, charcoal is known for its detoxifying, purifying and mattifying properties and thanks to its miraculous absorption capacity, it is amazing within skincare.

So the Black Cleansing Oil is as you might see from the photographs black and it is unlike any other cleansing oil that I have used. Not only is it black in colour, I had expected it to be quite thick and gloopy, but it isn't at all. It has a real silky texture which when it comes into contact with water transforms into a light emulsion, it is here that the complex of 7 herbs and the presence of charcoal do their thing.  On the skin it is incredibly gentle and as a first cleanse it is just incredible at removing EVERYTHIING - make up, dirt and grime it just washes off and it also rids the skin of its impurities and excess sebum.

Whenever I cleanse, I am a double cleanse kind of girl and after using this as the first cleanse my skin is soft, smooth and feels so so clean and as though it can breathe. Nourished and supple to the touch, I love how well it works, how much my skin and I love it. I cannot rave about it enough.  If you need a new cleanser then this is it, if only to kill your curiosity as to how good it might be!

Priced at £24 for a 190ml it is one to watch out for right here.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

skinChemists Bee Venom facial Serum

I love products which are a little bit different, slightly kooky and maybe a bit strange, so when the skinChemists Bee Venom Facial Serum landed, I was quick to open it and give it a try, more through wonder as to whether or not it would live up to its claims. I do love a good serum and always have one as part of my skincare regime.  This one at £135 most definitely fits into the luxurious category but I was intrigued to see how well it worked.

Advanced Bee Venom Serum has been specially made with the aim of plumping, firming and hydrating the skin while increasing collagen production within the skin for younger looking skin. I am no stranger to products with Bee Venom in them, but be warned that if you do have an allergy to bee's then this is not a product for you. 

Now my skin absolutely loves this serum, seriously drinks it up and it is an almost instant change in how your skin looks and it is all thanks to the amazing ingredients with which it contains. Obviously there is Bee Venom which works to plump and firm the skin whilst stimulating collagen production, Manuka Honey which deeply nourishes and moisturises the skin and helps to improve the texture, Hyaluronic Acid which as we all know helps the skin maintain moisture, Tegocosmo C250 which helps to blur those age spots and imperfections and then if that isn't enough you will find some natural plant extracts which include watercress, nettle and horsetail which come together to help clean your pores and regulate your sebum production - phew!  

On the skin, the serum is incredibly light and as soon as you apply it, it disappears into the skin without leaving a trace that it was ever there. The only thing left is a slight floral fragrance which whilst I wasn't expecting it, was actually rather nice.  Notably, my skin did feel softer and firmer after use and there was no stinging sensation and nor did it burn or tingle. So what is the point of the bee venom? As our skin ages, collagen production decreases and eventually begins to lose elasticity, it is at this point the formation of wrinkles and further signs of ageing become apparent. Bee Venom tricks your skin into thinking you've been stung by bees and this encourages blood flow to that area, plumping the dermal layers and smoothing out fine lines. Despite being in my 30's I am yet to see wrinkles, but I do love how smooth my skin feels after use.

So it is a bit of a big hit with me, I can't help but love this serum and I love how it makes my skin feel. No needles, no fillers and no Botox, instead a bit of Bee Venom and it makes a great base for makeup too.

At £135 many of you will no doubt say it is totally out of your price range but I have very kindly been given a code from the lovely people at skinChemists so that if you do decide to purchase it, then you can do so for just £19.99  by using the code BQUEENBLOG and the offer is valid until the end of March.

skinChemists do not harm any animals. The bee venom used within this product comes from a sustainable source and no bees are harmed.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

March Makeup Lust List 2017

Spring is on its way and the clocks go back in just a few weeks time, so finally we might see some sunshine in the sky. With that in mind, there are some amazing beauty products around right now, especially if you are wanting to cheer up your makeup bag and give it a bit of a refresh. There are so many products I am loving the look of currently, that I have put together just a few of them below.

Benefit Cheek Parade Blusher and Bronzer Palette - I adore these palettes from Benefit and this one features some of Benefits iconic bronzers and blushes. A limited edition cheek palette you will find TWO new products - the amazing GALifornia golden pink blush and the NEW hoola lite bronzer which sit alongside the original Hoola, Dandelion and Rockateur. All of that one one palette for an amazing £49.50.

Hourglass GIRL Lip Stylo in shade Inventor - GIRL Lip Stylo is described as featuring the colour intensity of a lipstick fused with a luxurious blend of Shea Butter, Jojoba, Mimosa and Sunflower Seed for softer, fuller lips. The shade inventor is a soft rose shade. Retailing for £23.40.

glo Minerals Elemental Collection Palette - Described as being a neutral, eight shade palette that hosts four warm hues and four cool tones. The eyeshadow powders boast a buildable and blendable formula, giving you the option to transform your look from day to night in an instant, whilst always ensuring a seamless, professional-looking finish. Priced at £35.95.

YSL The Shock Mascara - Described as being 'The most volumizing mascara by French luxury fashion house, The Shock coats each lash with maximum volume in just one stroke and without clumping'. The brush which has an hourglass shape allows more of the exclusive shock formula to grab hold of lashes. With brilliant, high-intensity colour, this long wear mascara will give you dramatic lashes that don?t smudge. Priced at £23.

Violet Voss Laura Lee Palette - Featuring 20 warm and über-flattering hues perfect for day or night. Whether you prefer a polished, understated look or want something slightly more statement, you can have hours of fun experimenting with the different colour combos. With colours echoing shimmering precious metals (‘Hiss Fit’, ‘Fleeky’, ‘Yoshi’); together with peach, coffee and chocolate nude mattes (‘Wiskers’, ‘Bubs’, ‘Britches’, ‘Fried’); as well as pretty glittery pinks and rose golds (‘Tickled Pink’, ‘1988’, ‘Rammer Jammer’, ‘Bitty’). Limited to 2 per customer it retails for £45.

Marc Jacobs Le Marc Liquid Lip Creme, Truth Or Bare in shade Slow Burn. These liquid Lip Cremes are described as having a unique hydrating formula which contains indulgent Brazilian cupuaçu butter for rich, creamy texture that feels cushiony and moisturising on lips, delivering unexpected full nude coverage with a subtle, satin sheen. The collagen-infused formula and optical plumpers help lips look full and voluminous, never dry, lined or cracked. Slow Burn is a medium-dark rosy mauve shade with warm undertones and it is priced at £24.

Beauty Bakerie Neapolitan EyesCream Palette - With twelve sugary shades, this cute collection of suedette and shimmering shadows are described being able to "grant an array of hypnotic eye make-up effects. Super-soft and crease-resistant, you can experiment with subtle, daytime smoulder or achieve arresting, after-hours drama with the stunning smoky hues.  With shades such as (‘I Scream’, ‘Powdered Sugar’ and ‘Wafer’) which are described as being chic and understated through warm, soft and smoky shades (‘U Scream’ and ‘Drive Thru’) via the vibrant accent hues to make eyes ‘pop’ (‘Sliced Almonds’, ‘Pistachio’ and ‘Strawberry’). Retailing for £40.

Makeup Revolution Renaissance Lipstick - Described as being the most elegant and beautiful lipstick, this collection of 20 high payoff lipsticks which range from nudes to darks are encased in a beautiful rose gold container and at £4.

What have you got your eye on right now?

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Thinking of Getting a Purse Dog?

"couture baby" (CC BY 2.0) by istolethetv

Despite being cat people, we have always wanted to have a dog. I’ve been told that dogs are great companions and wonderful pets to have, but my only worry is finding the right dog breed for my lifestyle. Anyone who follows my blog knows how much I love handbags, and after seeing photos of celebrities carrying around their miniature pups in their bags, I decided to explore the idea of a purse-size dog more. I mean really it exists.

There are actually quite a few dog breeds that are categorised as ‘small’ or ‘purse-sized’, but my personal favourite so far has to be the Chihuahua. My sister-in-law as one and not only are these dogs adorably small, they are incredibly loving.

Besides, I would love a dog that wouldn’t require a huge financial investment, especially considering that an article by Voucherbox indicated that owning a dog could cost you over £15,000 over its lifetime! A Chihuahua wouldn’t shed as much in my purse and I wouldn’t have to spend outrageously on grooming necessities. I’d like to look as glamorous as actress Jamie Lee Curtis did while walking around with her Chihuahuas in the film Beverly Hills Chihuahua.

My only worry concerning adopting a Chihuahua is that it’s a breed with common health problems. That’s why I have also taken quite a liking to the Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie for short. What I love most about this pup is that it’s considered to be the first dress up dog, so not only could I carry it around in my bag, but I could also tie cute bows on it, to match my outfit. Since Audrey Hepburn used to own a Yorkie, I thought it would be nice to own a dog similar to the kind one of my favourite actresses used to have.

"IMG_0971" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by deanwissing

However, despite how important picking a dog breed is, I also decided to do a bit of research on the type of handbag that is said to be best suited for a 'purse dog'. I’d prefer a stylish pet purse carrier, but it’s also important to pick a carrier that is roomy enough for the dog, but not too roomy that it could jump out at any moment.

A highlight recommendation for carriers that I have found is the Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier, currently valued at £66.72. Sherpa is a well-renowned dog carrier brand, and its carriers are well ventilated and come in different styles to suit everyone’s needs. The Sherpa Original Deluxe can be used for any occasion, and is roomy and comfortable enough for a pet to feel good in.

For a more stylish alternative, and a cheaper option, there is also the MG Collection Dog Carrier Purse, currently valued at £24.99. This carrier resembles a handbag more than a carrier, and includes two large side pockets that I could use to store some of my personal items. As a soft-sided carrier, it is also lightweight and easy to assemble.

At the same time, if I were looking for an option that best fit my style, a tote would be a more suitable option. Totes look like purses, and are generally more appropriate to carry around when going to locations where a carrier might seem out of place. Argo by Teafco Pet Carrier is a popular designer tote, valued at £140.78, and one I have taken a liking to because of the cute pink colour it comes in. It is also well-ventilated and includes convenient extra pockets.

Now all that aside, I obviously would not buy a dog just for a bag. But it is surprising what you can find online and that there are such items available.  The only carrier I have for a pet is my cat carrier, which whilst a complete pain and awkward to carry, serves its purpose and that is where this article stems from.

Would you buy a dog for a bag?