Ciate – the Dewy Stix Highlighter

When it comes to highlighters, it’s fair to say I’m a little obsessed with them and have quite a growing collection of different shapes, colours, textures and finishes. When this Ciate Dewy Stix landed through my letterbox I was quite excited to see how it worked, I don't own very much from Ciate by make of makeup, so this is a first for me.

"Take your beauty game to the next level with Ciate London's new Dewy Stix. Add an instant life-from-within radiance without heavy pearls or shimmer" says the description.

The packaging already appeals to my inner magpie, show me something shiney and I am wanting to touch it add to that a chubby stick look and applicator and I am a fan before I have swatched it. With a unique formula that creates a dewy complexion without that heavy shimmer, or oily look as I prefer to call it, the balm-like texture of this stick simply glides onto the skin with minimal fuss. It is non-sticky or tacky and leaves behinds a really pretty finish, Skin Glossing the term is called and a huge beauty trend right now.

It can be used on cheekbones, brow bones, cupids bow and anywhere the light would naturally hit your face. It can also be used over eyeshadow to create a wet-look finish. If worn on top of foundation whether it is a cream, powder or liquid, it doesn't move or remove it as I thought it would, it just glides on top leaving a really subtle highlight, which if you prefer, can be built up using multiple strokes.

The Dewy Stix also contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and it is cruelty-free. Priced at £22 and is available from the Ciate website.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

New Launch: Roccabox

Just when you thought there were enough subscription boxes out there, here comes another one. Meet Roccabox which is brand new to the scene and for their first box, they have collaborated with none other than the fabulous Paula from The LDN Diaries.

Founded by Tia Roqqa who has worked in PR for many brands, the new venture of Roccabox will collaborate with a top beauty influencer to create a bespoke box of their favourite beauty products each month and these boxes will include 5 deluxe beauty products and a mini magazine put together by the influencer who curated the box with all their top hints and tips. Roccabox aims to be an ‘introducer’ box to not only discover brands and new product ranges. However, what I love most about the box is that they have partnered with Paperworks, a charity for people with Autism, learning difficulties and other complex needs. Each month, the boxes are packed by the people at Paperworks who love to work with their hands and learn new skills.

So the first item out of the box is one I have not, until now, come across and it is a Kevin Murphy Young Again Hair Oil which has an RRP £30. Described as being a weightless leave in oil which is infused with Immortelle to counteract the oxidisation and ageing process. Indulge yourself with intensely conditioned smooth, soft hair. Bur Oil improves hair strength, shine and body as well as helping to penetrate the scalp to relieve dry, flaky skin. Horse Chestnut Seed Extract which adds strength, shine and body. Safflower Seed Oil which acts as a lubricant to give the hair a soft and smooth appearance and Apple Extracts which help to remove dead cells from the hair’s surface plus quite a few others.

Balance Me Radiance Facial Oil (10ml) - I have used this before on many occasions and it was the very first facial oil to convert me to using them. Described as being Dewy Skin in a bottle, this powerfully active face oil feeds the skin with a rich, replenishing blend of skin boosting and smoothing ingredients such as Amazonian Buriti Nut, Cameilla and Rosehip Oil all of which work to reduce redness and address uneven skin tones and minimise the visible signs of scarring. Yarrow, Benzoin and Roman Camomile which work together to create a highly moisturising effect and Sweet Almond Oil which not only smells incredible but is great for moisturising the skin.

New CID Cosmetics - i-Prime Mini (10ml) - i-Prime is the makeup artists' secret weapon for the flawless application of foundation. Featuring pigments which are said to help blur imperfections on the skin, i-prime Foundation Primer is described as being the perfect base to apply your foundation. Using skin quenching shea butter and antioxidant vitamin E, this serum is really lightweight and you only need a pea sized amount which you apply to clean, moisturised skin.

Nanshy - Marvel 4-in-1 make-up Sponge. An incredibly soft sponge which has been created to give that airbrushed flawless finish. Each edge of this sponge has a use, whether it is the flat edge to contour, the larger area to apply foundation or the tip for those harder to reach areas such as the corner of the eyes, to apply concealer or to cover blemishes. You can also use it dry for a more fuller coverage of your foundation. This is a full-size item which has an RRP £5.95.

The final item in the box comes from one of my go to, holy grail if you like, products and that is Dr Lipp, the original nipple balm for lips. I literally cannot rave about this stuff enough, I adore it, my lips adore it and you can use it on dry, cracked, sensitive or itchy skin anywhere. It is a 100% natural product which helps the skin to heal itself and I have featured it more than once on my blog.

I am really impressed with this box and I am glad to have been introduced to some new products and brands that I haven't yet tried or come across.  You can subscribe to Roccabox for just £10 per month (plus £3.95 p&p) and can cancel it at any time. For more information and to sign up, everything you need to know is here. 

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Love Me Beauty - March 2017

Spring is almost here and there are new beauty releases left right and centre this month. I have had a good old rummage of my stash and thrown out all those half finish products I am never going to get to the bottom of, all those that have possibly been open longer than they needed to be, beauty blenders replaced.

This months Love Me Beauty Edit, aptly called ‘Get the Glowdown edit’ features a whole host of amazing skincare brands which take you from winter to spring, shaking up that routine and it all comes ready packaged inside this absolutely amazing make-up bag which pretty much describes my everyday look on life with "Just wing it. Life, eyeliner, everything".

Each month the Love Me Beauty membership which costs just £10 per month is worth 60 credits and with you those credits you chose the items you want to see inside your box/bag from a wide selection of products covering everything from hair, skin, body, makeup, nails and more. From the items that you choose, the majority of them are either full sized or travel sized and the travel sized items are quite generously sized.  

Here are just some of the new additions which you can expect to see inside the March boutique and if you are thinking if signing up, then as a new subscriber you can get 20% off your first box using my exclusive reader code at the end of the post.

Perricone MD Blue Plasma Cleansing Treatment 59ml (25 credits) - This Blue Plasma Cleansing Treatment is a no-rinse formula that deeply cleanses makeup and skin-ageing debris as it gently exfoliates and conditions, leaving an instantly smooth and radiant appearance. 

Paired with Micellar molecules and powerful Blue Plasma technology, this gentle cleanser works to trap skin pollutants, unclog impurities from deep within pores and allows for optimal delivery of actives. Gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin, the treatment hydro-fuses skin with nutrient-enriched water and other key ingredients that include Salmon Egg Enzyme and Copper. Skin feels soft to the touch and looks smooth, fresh and radiant.

Ellis Faas Lips x4 sample tubes (10 credits). This is a brand I haven't come across until now and inside my little bag are 4 cute lip tubes from the Ellis Faas collection. These sampler shades Creamy Lips (L101), Milky Lips (L207), Hot Lips (L403) and Glazed Lips (L304). That's a deep red, an orangey-red, a hot pink and a nude in totally different finishes. 

Having since seen the full sized versions, I am now hankering after Glazed lips which retail for £23 and is packaged in the most incredible bullet. Back to these samples, I have been using them with my lip brush and the formulas are incredible.

Caudalie Vine[activ] Energizing and Smoothing Eye Cream 5ml and Vine[activ] 3-in-1 Moisturiser 15ml (20 Credits each) - I am a huge fan of Caudalie and have used quite a few products from their ranges over the years. In this edit, we have two products from the new Vine Activ range which has been created for those busy people constantly on the go. The Smoothing Eye Cream has been designed to Smooth and refresh tired eyes, diminish dark circles and smooth crows feet for a youthful, energised eye that sparkles.

The 3-in-1 Moisturiser has an incredibly light yet really hydrating formula and which cleverly minimises the level of pollution particles that come in contact with skin, reducing the level of ageing caused by free radicals. It also visibly smooths wrinkles and boasts glow-activating properties.

Korebeauty Hydrogel Facial Mask – (10 Credits) Ideal for skin that has begun the ageing process, it can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and contains a balance of ingredients that have been shown to improve skin elasticity and moisture balance for a supple and youthful-looking skin. 

Enriched with a powerful anti-ageing and deeply moisturising formulation containing Vitamin E, Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid it can help with stimulating cellular repair, boosting collagen and elastin and to improve skin tone.

Ultrasun Glimmer SPF20 25ml – (15 Credits) Admittedly Sun Tan lotions are never going to excite me, but this one is a little bit different to anything else I have read about and I am quite looking forward to giving it a try. 

Containing a ground-breaking formula which contains Superoxide Dismutase, an enzyme to help reduce free radical activity and tiny golden ‘glimmers’ which raise protection by deflecting the sun’s rays.

Omorovicza Moor Cream Cleanser 30ml – (20 credits). This is a gentle, detoxifying formula that works to eliminate impurities without over-drying or uncomfortable tightness. Ideal for sensitive and dry skin, it harnesses the purifying powers of mineral-rich Hungarian Moor Mud (derived from the largest thermal lake in Europe, Lake Hévíz), the luxurious cleanser delivers a deep pore cleansing action; effectively dissolving dirt and make-up to reveal a smoother, more refined appearance. 

The cooling blend of Camphor, Peppermint and Eucalyptus Essential Oils leave skin feeling soothed and revitalised, whilst the brand's patented Hydro Mineral Transference™ delivery system creates a firmer, younger-looking appearance with increased suppleness. This is one of my favourite brands and I have been using this cleanser for a while now and just absolutely love it, the feeling on the skin is quite incredible.  

So there you have it! I think this is an incredible edit for March and there is just so many amazing brands and so many incredible products. What I love about beauty subscriptions and it is something that I repeat a lot of, is the opportunity to try some products you might not necessarily come across, have heard of, are debating buying but want a trial first and you might just want to stock up on a favourite product that you have run out of. With subscriptions such as Love Me Beauty, you know what you are getting in your box every month, so if you are disappointed, then it is only you that you can blame. Of course, the makeup bag is a wonderful edition and a lot of fun.

Love Me Beauty Offer:

Sign up today and use my exclusive code beautyqueenuk20 to get 20% off your first box.

www.lovemebeauty.com

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

REAL TECHNIQUES PREP AND PRIME SET

Real Techniques is a brand I am sure you are all aware of and perhaps own a brush or makeup sponge from the brand. The brainchild of Sam and Nic aka Pixiwoo, Real Techniques produces professional quality makeup brushes, sponges, applicators and accessories that are both stylish and functional.

The Real Techniques Prep and Prime Set is described as being a combination of five tools that work harmoniously to deliver everything you need to prep, prime and apply foundation. The limited edition set guarantees a flawless, airbrushed complexion.

Within this limited edition set you will find the following tools:

Beauty Spatula - Make the most of your skincare products with the convenient Beauty Spatula. The double-sided spatula is crafted with a pointed and slanted tip, allowing you to retrieve leftover product from the hard-to-reach areas of jars and tubs.

Use the spatula for moisturisers, creams and any other skincare products that you are struggling to reach the last of the formula.

Under Eye Reviver - Awaken the eye area with the Under Eye Reviver; an aluminium massager that delivers an instant cooling effect to the skin. 

Combine the reviver with your favourite eye cream for added benefits.

Prep Brush - Prepare your skin for makeup application using the Prep Brush; a firm brush that is designed for applying skincare products.

Ideal for applying moisturiser, serums, masks or primers, the Prep Brush ensures an even application, ensuring skin is in optimum condition for makeup application.

Miracle Complexion Sponge - The Miracle Complexion Sponge will allow you to apply liquid and cream foundations flawlessly, giving your skin a poreless, airbrushed appearance. Easy to use, the sponge features rounded sides that allow you to smooth foundation over large areas of your face, whilst the flat edge allows you to blend it into the contours of your eyes and nose. Finished with a precision tip that's perfect for targeting specific blemishes and imperfections, the sponge will produce high definition results so you can create a professional finish.

Sponge Stand - Care for your sponge using the specially designed Sponge Stand. Crafted for the Miracle Complexion Sponge, the stand is ideal for storing the tool whilst not in use, and is perfect for when the sponge needs to dry.

I love that the bright orangeness of this kit means it isn't one you will forget about using and it is intriguing to see Real Techniques evolving to bring out some products that are not specifically brush related but will work to complement the use of the brushes.

You can find the Prep and Prime Set in Lookfantastic, Beauty Expert, Escentual and Boots ranging in price from £16.95 to £19.95.  So if you like the look of this kit and fancy trying it, then Superdrug for less than £10 (here but keep checking as it goes out of stock quick) is too much of a bargain to miss out. 

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise