Rimmel Brow Shake Filling Powder

There is definitely a brow thing going on right now with highstreet brands and Rimmel, who have already released some new products which I reviewed here have added some more products to their collection with the Rimmel Brow Shake Filling Powders.

Described as being "Long lasting, ultra soft brow filling powder that doubles up as an eyeliner for an impactful eye look. Line, define and fill for a WOW brow" these powders are available in 4 shades - Light Brown, Medium Brown, Dark Brown and Soft Black and they retail for £5.99 each (though currently on offer in both Boots and Superdrug).

The Rimmel Brow Shake Filling Powder is not quite like any other brow products I have comes across.  Firstly it is packaged within a pot and it features a long conical shaped lid so it is easy to grasp and hold and secondly it is a loose powder, something I have used from a pot rather than a tube. 

When it comes to using, the very first thing you need to do is to shake the entire tube for a few seconds before you would use it and as you shake it, you get a clicking sound. The shaking of the tube allows the loose powder to cling to the sponge applicator, again something I have never used before.  Once it has been shaken there should now be enough product on the sponge applicator, something I expected to really dislike but actually I do like it and find it incredibly easy to use but and yes there are two, because of the way you apply the powder to your brows, you aren't able to create hair like strokes as you might do with your pencil or wax and it did take some getting used too and secondly it is a loose powder so there is some fall out, admittedly not as much as I had expected and tapping the brush before using also helps.

The powder in the tube is not only loose powder but it is also really pigmented giving quite an intense colour which is designed to last all day and night. Once on the brow the colour does not budge or smudge and as the formula is waterproof, so you will need to use makeup remover to remove it.

L-R - Soft Black, Dark Brown, Medium Brown, Light Brown

My brows are pretty rubbish, after years of over plucking, I am not blessed with thick bushy brows, but they are very slowly growing back and I have to work with what I have got. I do use brow products from Benefit so with these four shades I am somewhere between the light and medium brown shades and I hope there will be some more shades added to the range.

Overall I do like the brow powder. It is easy to use, easy to apply, is great for brow filling and it definitely does not budge wants applied, which is pretty impressive and all for just £5.99.

Have you tried these Brow Powders from Rimmel?

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Optiat Coffee Scrubs

One of the reasons I absolutely love beauty boxes is because every now and again you come across a product that you just absolutely love and had it not been in that box, you might not have come across it. Optiat, which I chose as my selection from January You Beauty Box (here) is described as being a nature friendly company who transform used Arabica coffee grounds into scented scrubs that make you look and feel fantastic. 

It is no secret that I absolutely adore coffee scrubs and these two are just incredible as is the story behind the brand.

Founder William Brightman explains the concept behind his coffee scrub idea:

"Having received a cafetiere for Christmas, I began making my own coffee. However, I realised that post-brewing, the freshly brewed grounds had to be thrown away. With more than 55 million cups of coffee drunk every day in the UK, this represents a big waste problem. Indeed, it turns out that more than 500,000 tonnes of coffee grounds are sent to landfill every year in the UK alone! I saw an opportunity to change this."

So why do I love coffee scrubs? Well the smell firstly. Coffee is just an incredible scent and I adore it. Secondly the fine grounds act as a natural exfoliator which gently removing the surface layer of dead and dry skin cells. Thirdly, Coffee is the same pH as your skin so using it in this way isn't drying. Fourthly it is high in antioxidents. The antioxidant level in brewed coffee grounds is much higher than those in freshly ground coffee. We all know that antioxidents help to fight free radicals, one of the main causes of the signs of ageing and finally the caffeine in coffee helps stimulate blood flow, it is effective against skin conditions such as acne, eczema, cellulite and stretch marks and works to address those areas in need of renewal and regeneration.

So the two scrubs that I selected for this beauty box were Lemongrass Lifter and Mouthwatering Mandarin. Lemongrass Lifter s 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". If you love the scent of Lemongrass then you will love this. Not only is the scent of freshly brewed coffee just incredible, but mixed with the zesty tang of the lemongrass and in a morning it is the kind of which drags you awake.

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 the Lemongrass Lifter scrub, I actually do prefer to use this one in 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.

Both of these scrubs are not only suitable for your entire body but they can also be used on your face, something I haven't yet tried. When using you only need to squeeze the tube slightly to have more than enough product and then you simply massage it onto the skin in circular motions to ensure it is being used to its best ability and yes it is a bit messy.

A 220g tube is priced at £9.99 here and as well as these two scents there is also two other options - Potent Peppermint and Vanilla Velvet to try.  So if coffee scrubs are your thing you need to try these and if you have never tried a coffee scrub but are quite intrigued then you need to try these!

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Merumaya Retinol Resurfacing Treatment

The brand Merumaya is no secret to my blog and I am a huge fan of Maleka who is the brains behind all of the amazing products. Whenever something new comes into my hands I can never wait to give it a try and right now I have been using Merumaya retinol resurfacing treatment for some good few weeks now and it is no surprise that I love it.

What I like about this product is that there is an upfront and honest point about Vitamin A (Retinol), it is a known fact that it can often cause irritation and inflammation with the way it works and in order to ensure that this is a product that resurfaces the skin without making your face fall off, the use of speciality natural ingredients have been used to counter the negative effects but to also impart additional benefit.

So what does it do? This cream is designed to resurface, improve density, target fine lines, add moisture, aid blemish control and soothe the skin!  To do that it uses a whole host of ingredients which are as follows:

Vitamin A boosts cell turnover, peeling away top layers to even skin tone, thicken the new skin layers and effectively smooth out wrinkles. For all these reasons and its ability to regulate sebum, it shows superb results for sensitive acne skins and reduces the visibility of resulting scarring. However, because Retinol is unstable, Merumaya used Vitamin A Palmitate, a stabilised version with proven efficacy.

Aroleat Samphira imitates the beneficial effects of Retinol, but without causing skin irritation. Proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, even out the skin tone, regulate sebum and reduce inflammation. Used together with Vitamin A, Aroleat Samphira allows Vitamin A to provide its many skin benefits without the associated inflammation.

Mediacalm - This is an active ingredient from the Boerhavia Root which has amazing calming properties. It works to restore softness to the skin and is intensely soothing.

Squalane is a natural component of the skin’s natural lipid barrier. We use Squalane from Olive Oil origin. This gives a luxurious feel to skin while supporting and reinforcing the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Matrixyl 3000 - This is a peptide blend with a powerful skin repairing effect. It restores key proteins including fibrillin which is broken down with ageing.  It works together perfectly with Vitamin A to improve deep wrinkles. 

Finally, there are two different weights of Hyaluronic Acid and this is said to have double the effect of retaining moisture in the epidermis and dermis while also activating the skin’s own beta defensins, that help to prevent the microbial invasion that causes spots.

As Retinol is one of those ingredients that you possibly know about but are not sure whether you need it or know how to use it. This Merumaya Retinol Resurfacing Treatment is, therefore, the perfect product to try because its blend of ingredients ensures you get the resurfacing and peeling action without the without the inflammation or irritation.

This is a cream that for the first few times I used it, I did feel a slight tingle but I have had no side effects, no skin irritations or breakouts. I apply the cream after cleansing and as the tube is pump action, I find just a few pumps is more than enough to cover my face. My skin, is definitely beginning to reap the benefits of this some 5 weeks later. I do suffer from dry and dehydrated skin and this is becoming less noticeable and whilst spots and breakouts are not an issue from which I suffer, dryness on my cheeks is and this has now almost completely cleared up. 

This Retinol Resurfacing Treatment is only to be used at night time as part of your skincare routine, after cleansing. Then the during the following day it is important to ensure you wear an SPF, which you should be anyway because retinol can make the skin more susceptible to UV damage and irritation, but please do protect your skin.

This Retinol Resurfacing Treatment retails for £33.50.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

GlossyBox March 2017

Well if there is a box which says Spring is coming, then it is the March Glossybox which features some amazing products from some incredible brands, plus there a few that I have never before come across. Featuring five products across the skincare, hair care and make up spectrum there is something for everything within this box and a good mixture of generous sized samples and full sizes.

The first item out of the box is one I have used before and really like.  This Works in transit camera close-up primer (20ml) is a multi-use products as it works as a moisturiser, mask and primer all in one formula. Loved by Victoria Beckham it promises to even, plump and brighten your skin to leave it photo perfect by using a powerful blend of repairing plant oils as well as a boost of caffeine to erase signs of fatigue and makes your skin look radiant.

On the skin it is really lightweight but it does act as a great base for makeup and I liked it a lot more than I was expecting too.

On to some hair care from Schwarzkopf Professional with their BlondeME Keratin Restore Bonding Shampoo (250ml). Designed for premium performance, it restores luminosity to natural, coloured, lightened or highlighted blonde hair. 

Containing hydrolysed keratin to strengthen and protect and Silkpowder Extract for multi-dimensional shine and softness, this formula will protect colour from fading and detoxify impurities that can make blonde hair look lifeless and dull.

A brand I have never come across before is oOlution  and within the box is a product called Eye love (15ml) - Described as being a  is a 100 % natural eye contour. It contains more than 65 botanical active ingredients (all organically grown) for a tailored action.

Eye love reduces dark circles and bags thanks to its vasoconstrictive and detoxifying natural ingredients. With its moisturising and draining efficacy, it minimises the visible signs of fatigue in the eye contour area. The formula is really lightweight and it absorbs incredibly fast leaving behind no trace of it ever having been on the skin and it really is quite hydrating and a product I definitely will continue to use as dehydration under my eyes is a common issue.

The hands come next with the most incredibly scented handcream from Crabtree & Evelyn by way of Somerset Meadow Hand Therapy – Full size 25g. As soon as I removed the lid from the box.

Infused with shea butter, macadamia nut oil and a fresh green fruity-floral scent, this intensive cream nourishes skin so it's noticeably smoother after each luxurious use. The description is incredibly dreamy 'The fresh scent of wildflowers mingles with dewy green notes of ivy and water lily, whilst fruity accords of blackberry and bergamot add a hint of sweetness" and that is exactly how it smells.

Then finally in the box is the most wonderful Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette which is full sized and how I have missed this beauty I will never know. I have All Day Soiree.  With four eyeshadows and two blushers, this multi-functional palette is great for on the go.

With shades are a combination of shimmering peach and beige hues create a delicate, feminine finish. The assortment of on-trend blush shades of creamy champagne and pastel pink provide a healthy flush to cheeks.  It comes packaged in a handy travel sized compact with a large mirror and two essential brushes for effortless application.

So I am really happy with this box I have to say. I am over the moon to find Sleek and to be introduced to some new brands, which for me is one of the best reasons to love a subscription box.  

The March GLOSSYBOX is available for £10 (+P&P) throughout this month from www.glossybox.co.uk while stock lasts and if you use the code FABGLOSSY you get a free gift which is:

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise