Rimmel London New Super Gel Beach Ready Collection

The Super Gel Beach Ready Collection from Rimmel consists of five incredible summery shades of nail polish and they form a 2 step application that it is claimed will:

• Give you Gel Nails
• Up to 14 days wear
• No UV Lamp Needed

I love my gel nails, well in truth I am Shellac girl because one thing which really winds me up is going to all the hassle of painting your nails, which can be quite a traumatic process lets face it, for them to chip before you leave the house.  Nail polish chips just do not look good, much like having the one shade of foundation or being a tad orange from your fake tan - both a big no-no from me.

The Five shades within this collection are:

• Coral Queen - A beautiful orange shade
• Purple Splash - Less purple more a Lilac/Lavender shade
• Dive Right In - A beautiful bright blue
• Sun Fun Daze - A bright pink
• Flamenco Beach - Red. No collection seems complete without a red.

To use, the directions tell you to apply 1-2 thin, even coats of your chosen Super Gel shade and for this polish, a base coat is not required, so that is a huge plus point for me.  Once the polish dries and you need a good 4-5 minutes before it is no longer tacky.  What I love about these polishes, other than the shades is the brush, which Rimmel refer to as being a Maxi Brush. It is short and fan and one swipe down the nail is enough to give good and even coverage.  I am quite particular about nail polishes brushes and this one is in my view perfect.  Once your nails are dry, you then apply the Super Gel top coat, only one coat of this is needed and it is this gel coating that activates the 14 days of wear.

I opted to test the Purple Splash shade on my fingers and SunFun Daze on my toes.  Three weeks on and there is no chipping on my toes and I have worn my FitFlops every single day, but for me, polish on my toes never ever chips.  On my fingernails, the polish lasted 5 days before the first chip happened in whilst I was opening the post at work with a letter opener and then as soon as you get one you know that it is game over.

Now I am happy with my polish lasting for 5 days in all honesty and it is much longer than it usually lasts without having Shellac applied.  Each polish retails for £5.99 and is currently on a 3 for 2 right here.  The top coat is also £5.99 here and is part of the 3 for 2 deal.




*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Zenmed | Reconstructive Skincare

Until recently I had never come across Zenmed skincare and for the last 5 weeks I have been putting it to the test. Formed in 1999, Zenmed creates 100% Doctor-formulated, naturally-based skincare with a conscience in mind. Zenmed believe that treating troubled skin shouldn't mean straying from a natural, holistic foundation. The formulas are cruelty free, vegan friendly and arrive in minimalist packaging. 

It is no secret that I suffer from redness on my cheeks, it comes and goes frequently, doesn't itch, hurt or bother me in the slightest and if I am feeling a tad self-confident then I use a concealer to cover it up.  The people over at Zenmed asked whether I would be interested in using their products which would help soothe my complexion, minimise redness and flushing and correct and protect sensitive skin and naturally I said yes.

The products come with a usage guide which I found really helpful and insightful. Most of of the time, new products arrive with a press release and very little information as to how to properly use it.  For most product options there is a Zenmed three step skincare routine so with the products I was sent, with some optional extras to try, I created my own.

The first step a Gentle Cleansing Gel - This is a gentle, ph balanced gel cleanser with a naturally-based formulation of Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel and Tea Tree. 

Designed to remove oil, makeup, and unwanted residue from the surface of the skin while maintaining the skin's natural protective barrier, this gel is incredibly light on the skin and thankfully there isn't a strong sent of Tea Tree

The second step is the Anti Redness Mask - This mask uses Willow Bark Extract which is known to have highly effective anti-inflammatory properties.  Then there is the soothing, non-comedogenic gel base mask which uses both Green Tea and Cucumber offers a quick solution for treating and soothing skin redness and finally the use of Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel which again is known for its soothing properties.   

I like this mask because you apply a thin layer and leave it on for just 3-5 minutes before removing with cool water, so it isn't time consuming, it doesn't dry hard on the face and I do find it really soothing on the skin.

The third and final step is the Support Serum - Packed with Vitamin C, this serum works to visibly reduce swelling, redness and inflammation on the skin, many symptoms of which are associated with Rosacea. 

Said to work to strengthen the collagen network of skin and blood vessels and after a few weeks a use, you should see a dramatic difference to the quality of the skin, tissue swelling goes down, skin is nourished and appears less ruddy. Flushing and visibility of broken blood vessels is decreased.  I have only just started to use this serum, so I will report back on how my skin works with it as I initially missed it within the package.

The one product I am never without is a moisturiser and I have been using the Oil-Free moisturiser which has SPF30. Ideal for sensitive skin it is so incredibly lightweight on the skin that it absorbs almost immediately on contact with the skin. 

It isn't greasy or tacky and it used Green Tea and Certified Organic Aloe Vera to help calm and protect the skin.  I wear an SPF every single day and on my face it is always at least SPF30 and above regardless of the weather.

I was also very kindly sent a Nutrient Boost Spray and an Organic Cream Exfoliator from the range which I am working my way through, so look out for a further review in a few weeks time.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Axiology Lip Crayon

Axiology is a brand that I have seen popping up all over my social media timeline, so the chance to try one of their new lip crayons was too good a chance to pass up. Described as being full of deeply hydrating ingredients, long-lasting and rich pigmentation, nourishing and protecting your lips all-day, the new Axiology Crayons are incredible.

Full of rich and hydrating Organic Butters & Oils such as Shea, Avocado, Castor, Moringa and Neem, they are not only an item of makeup but one which also cares for your lips. Alongside the butter and oils, there is also Vitamin E which is high in antioxidant properties plus they are vegan & palm-oil free.

These Lip Crayons are available in six different shades - Bliss, Enchant, Intrigue, Keen, Serene and Valor and with shades ranging from pink and nude to berries.  I was kindly given Enchant which arrives so beautifully packaged in a recycled cardboard tube and I was interested in learning that this particular packaging had been handmade by women in Bali. The crayon itself is a lovely gold colour which is really quite striking and as a lip colour, it is described as being a shimmery Berry tint on a base of cool mauve with a touch of silver.  

Then when it comes to the application, not only does Enchant glide across the lips, the shade itself is incredibly pigmented and most definitely sits within the Berry family. A cool mauve it is and that touch of silver doesn't turn your lips into a foil look, instead what it is does is to add a little shimmer to what is a matte finish on the lips and far from being drying, this is one of the most hydrating matte products I have tried so far.  As much as I love my matte shades, I do find most of the shades and brands I have tried to be quite drying on the lips and always find that I need to add a lot of balm, with Enchant from Axiology, it is like wearing a lip balm which is matte.

Axiology Lip Crayons are priced at £21 from www.axiologybeauty.com

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*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

HD Miracle Silicone Shaped Sponge

As soon as I saw the Silicone sponges my interest was pricked. I was until recently the kind of person who used certain brushes to apply certain bits of makeup and never deviated from it. Then came the Beauty Blender which was such a game changer and one I adapted too with relative ease and now this.

The Brushworks HD Miracle Silicone Shaped Sponge retails for £7.99 (here) and is described as being 'The magic new way to get a flawless base" and the one I have is not only tear shaped but contains gold glitter!  Made from the highest quality silicone, it has been designed to give you a fast and flawless base application, so to all intent and purpose, speed up the entire process without compromising how good your base is.

The Silicone sponge which is also ultra-hygienic and allergy free is coated with a unique ultra-smooth (TPU) layer to minimise product wastage; unlike brushes or a blender, a silicone sponge does not absorb your makeup and one of its selling points is that it allows you to save more than half the amount of product compared to regular brushes and sponges which also saves you money. Silicone sponges are also long-lasting and easy to clean which again is another big selling point, as I am sure most people dread the brush/blender washing task.  So as well as having a few plus points, is it easy to use and does it work are possibly the questions everyone wants the answer too.

I'm not going to lie, it does feel weird.  Having expected the sponge to be quite rigid, it actually isn't at all, it is soft, smooth and you can wrap it around your finger to keep a better grip.  To use, you apply your product to the sponge directly, I have tried it with a primer to test out using it, a tinted moisturiser and a liquid foundation, I was surprised that one pump of my foundation was enough to cover my entire face when I would usually use 2-3 with my brush.  Once on the sponge, you spread it in a circular motion and then dab lightly to ensure you have blended in all the lines. Now here is the thing, it took me a good few practices to get to grips with using it, but I managed it and whilst I'm not sure it helps me complete the task of applying my makeup any quicker than it would usually take, it does use less product, it is wipe-clean and it does blend my foundation incredibly well.  I have also used it for applying face masks and again, it is as good as option as using an old makeup brush.

If you have been looking to try one of these sponges and haven't yet, then for me this is the place to start.  Since having it, I have tested the £1 Primark option and it isn't anywhere near as good as this one, in fact, had I used the Primark one first, I would have been totally put off even giving them a go.

The HD Miracle Silicone Shaped Sponge from Brushworks retails for £7.99 and comes with a protective case to keep it clean and free from dirt when not being used.

*this post contains PR samples/Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise