CND Vinylux Nail Polish

Without question, my favourite nail polish brand is CND and it has been for a good few years now.  Whenever I go and have my nails done, my brand of choice is always CND and it has got to the point now where my manicurist doesn't even ask which brand or shade - I am that predictable.

CND Vinylux is described as being the ultimate, long-wear lacquer and chip-resistant polish which stays as good as new for seven days. It has its own built-in base coat, so there is no need to apply one beforehand and it stars the brand’s innovative ‘Pro-light Technology’, which hardens through exposure to natural light – meaning your manicure becomes more durable with time. I was kindly sent two shades from the Nightspell collection and both are shades that I would wear all year round and a Weekly Top Coat too, which is amazing. I am not someone who is a huge fan of bright pastel shades, I am definitely a Berry nail kind of girl. 

Berry Boudoir is a beautiful rich berry metallic which needs just two coats to really shine. I like how the brush is not too long but it fans out to cover my entire nail really well. For me, using a nail polish needs to be straightforward and the wrong kind of brush can ruin it all.

Two coats of Boudoir Berry is just enough to ensure the colour coats the nail well and gives it a shine.  Once applied it dries in just a few minutes and I always wait a good 10-15 minutes before applying the weekly top coat.

The second shade is called Lilac Eclipse and it is best described as being creamy light berry shade. Again it features the same brush as Boudoir Berry, so the application is a breeze and texture wise, I did find this one to be just slightly thicker, but you do still need those two coats to ensure you have full nail coverage.

Again, once the polish has dried, I add the Weekly Top Coat and allow around ten minutes for drying time. It does actually dry much quicker than the time I allow, but I am a bit of a clutz when I polish my own nails and always manage to smudge at least one nail, so I am always cautious having gone to the effort of doing my own.

The Weekly Top Coat is described as being a quick-drying, this clear glossy top coat protects your Vinylux nail polish with mirror-like shine.

You only need to apply one, generous coat of Weekly Top Coat to protect your colour and create a high-shine finish.

As I have said, CND is my favourite nail polish. I use my hands a lot for work, I am always typing somewhere on something and can also be found sticking my hands into the photocopier to remove jammed paper, changing cartridges and even dealing with other bits of machinery which often ruin nail polish and manicures. With CND, what I have found is that it is more durable than most and it doesn't chip, even at my most clumsy. It is also easy to remove and doesn't require industrial strength nail polish remover to shift it, the Cutex one I use removes it all in one simple swipe of the nail.

You can find these three products and many more from the CND catalogue via Cult Beauty where prices start around £9.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

AromaWorks Serenity Body Oil

I openly admit that I am lazy when it comes to using body lotions, butter and oils, for me to use something I have to absolutely love it or it has to be so easy to use that I don't have to put a lot of effort in. In an ideal world, I would use a body lotion daily but in reality, it is twice a week at most. Then I was introduced to AromaWorks and it is one of the rare few products that I have used up and have enjoyed using. 

I had never come across AromaWorks until the Serenity Body Oil landed in my lap and I now feel I have missed out on what is an incredible brand. Built on a commitment to 100% pure essential oils and all natural ingredients all of the skincare and home fragrance products are free from synthetic chemicals, pesticides, are not tested on animals and are safe for the environment.

Serenity Body Oil in its beautiful luxe packaging and smooth glass bottle, through which you can see the bright yellow coloured oil is described as follows:

Serenity brings together the power of four essential oils working in unison to free your mind from the stresses of the day, before uplifting your spirits to provide a wonderfully balancing experience.

Aside from the yellowness of the oil, I love that this bottle has a pump so that you can spray it directly onto the skin, so there is no need to dig your fingers into a pot of body butter or squeeze anything onto your hands, one spray and you have enough oil for one leg and so on.  As the oil is expressed from the bottle, it is hard not to notice how incredible the scent is. Using a blend of Lemongrass, Neroli & Geranium alongside organic coconut oil and Evening Primrose Oil and there is a warm citrus, earthy and floral scent all rolled into one, the kind of scent you would associate with a Spa.  Uplifting, calming and just absolutely divine.

On the skin, this oil is neither greasy or tacky and it absorbs rather quickly into the skin leaving behind no trace it was ever there, other than the divine scent that accompanies it. I always find my skin to be smooth to the touch after using and as the oil seeks to nourish the skin and deliver intense hydration., I can say it definitely manages to achieve that.

Priced around £32 (here) it is well worthy of the investment and it lasts for a really long time because you only need such a small amount at any one time.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

The best hair products to keep your hair fresh and healthy

Not only do you want your hair to look good and smell good, you want it to be healthy. You want it to shine, look radiant, and look clean. Whether you are the type of person who works out every day and needs something to give your hair that “fresh, just washed look/feel”, or are looking for the best scalp care treatment available, there are hundreds of hair-care products out there. So, how do you choose the right one for your needs? Consider a few of these products for hair care, to not only keep your hair looking and smelling great, but also keep it healthy. 

Restorative shampoo – Yes, just as the name states, it will restore natural oils and restore healthy, shiny hair. It helps improve scalp itching, it will penetrate the fibres of your hair, touch on the roots, and generally restore dingy, dirty, or damaged hair strands. It will keep your hair looking oily and shiny. You can use this in between washes, and go back and forth with your traditional shampoo, when you notice your hair is in need of a “pick me up”. 

(Super) Absorbent towel – A microfiber towel will dry your hair quickly; and, it will dry it completely, unlike the towel you use after a bath. It will do so softly and will not damage, or pull at your hair’s roots either. It won’t do damage to your hair, won’t cause your hair to frizz, or cause it to have that static-connection, as is typical after you wash and dry with your bath towel. Choose a dedicated towel for hair drying, and look for a thick, super-absorbing, microfiber material if possible. 

Conditioning mask – A conditioning mask will do just that: Mask your hair! Like the restorative shampoo, this will mask the imperfections of your hair. It helps to promote hydration, helps the hair grow quicker and stronger, restores shine, brilliance, and seals the cuticles of your hair. It also has UV protection, to help protect from sun damage. 

UV & Heat protectant – Even if you do not come into direct contact with sunlight often, UV and heat damage fry your hair (literally). So, it is going to look frail, it is going to tear, the roots are going to deteriorate over time. The end results? Your hair looks dull, lacks shine, and feels heavy. This will naturally give it that bounce, light feel, and restore your hair and scalp which has been damaged by sun rays and light. The right product helps treat dehydration and restores hair cuticle growth. If you would like to see some reviews on some of the products mentioned then productscorer.com can provide you with an insight into the best products available.

Whether you work all day in the hot sun, wash your hair daily, or exercise daily, your hair and scalp need to be treated with care. The right hair care products can work wonders on damaged, frail hair. For women (and men), who want to ensure the healthy shine and vibrancy, and want their hair to grow in longer, thicker, and fuller, these are some products to consider investing in, for your routine haircare regimen each day. 

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Makeup Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer

I think absolutely everyone has their opinion on the Makeup Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer, it was released and media both social media and print media exploded and not just in the UK. Over the pond in the States we have US Bloggers and Vloggers alongside those here in the UK excitedly proclaiming that this is 'The Best Concealer Ever' and 'An Incredible £4 Dupe' - But is it?

Without question Makeup Revolution is one of the UK's biggest drugstore brands and it is one that is not slowing down for anyone when it comes to new product releases.  One thing that always impresses me is the ability to stay on trend and keep makeup affordable, reachable and wanted.  Friends of mine tried in vain to find this concealer in their local Superdrug store, but it disappeared off the shelves so quickly, there was only seldom shades available and this is not a bad thing.  This concealer was released with an impressive 18 shade line up with some incredible thoughts behind it, soon to be 25 and all for just £4.

I tried the palest shade C1 on my hand instore but the tester was a little too light for me and it wasn't in stock. Instead I opted to purchase shade C2 which is said to be for fair skin tones with a yellow undertone. 

I am actually possibly between C1 and C2 to find the correct shade for my skin, but I am impressed with is how much thought has gone into creating a product for different skin tones and their undertones. 

“The concealer for everyone. 18 shades ranging from fair to deep, in cool, neutral and warm undertones. Lightweight yet full coverage concealer to cover blemishes, even skin tone and counteract dark circles, with a matte finish that won’t settle or accentuate fine lines and pores. Long wearing intense pigment that can also be used to contour and add definition. Our large doe foot applicator allows for smooth application that won’t drag on the delicate skin under your eyes.“

The full listing being:

• C1 – For fair skin tones with neutral undertone
• C2 – For fair skin tones with yellow undertone
• C3 – For fair skin tones with pink undertone
• C4 – For light skin tones with neutral undertone
• C5 – For light skin tones with pink undertone
• C6 – For light/medium skin tones with yellow undertone
• C7 – For medium skin tones with peach undertone
• C8 – For medium skin tones with yellow undertone
• C9 – For medium skin tones with a peach undertone
• C10- For medium skin tones with a golden undertone
• C11 – For medium/dark skin tones with a beige undertone 
• C12 – For medium/dark skin tones with a neutral undertone
• C13 – For dark skin tones with a warm undertone
• C14 – for dark skin tones with a cool undertone
• C15 – for dark skin tones with a neutral undertone
• C16 – for dark skin tones with a warm undertone
• C17 – for dark skin tones with a neutral undertone
• C18 – for dark skin tones with a warm undertone

I use concealer daily and my current favourite is from Urban Decay with their Naked Skin Concealer which is available in 14 shades, but I was lucky enough to be colour matched at a blogger event and I have stuck with this particular concealer ever since. So I was excited to see if a £4 Makeup Revolution product could live up to my £19 version (a post I might do later). I am well aware that there is some excitement over the Makeup Revolution Concealer being a Dupe for Tarte Shape Tape, but having never tried it, I can't make a comparison but at this stage I am still saving £15, but is it really as amazing as people are claiming it is?

Firstly I love the packaging which is a clear plastic tube, with a rose gold metallic lid and rose gold metallic sticker and I like how it looks, how easily it fits into my make up bag and it contains 3.4ml (Naked Skin is 5ml). It has a large doe foot applicator which picks up a fair amount of product making the application really easy, whether you dot it or swipe it onto your face and when you do so, the sponge is really soft.  I don't use the applicator to blend in the concealer, I use my beauty blender for that and it works really well.  Now I really like the formula, it is lightweight but creamy and it sets to a matte finish, but when I use it I need to set it otherwise it will crease, but for me that is the only downside to the product and it is one I have with other concealers including Naked Skin, so it isn't something that comes as a surprise to me and it is something Makeup Revolution advise you to do in any case.

So for me, other than a slight shade issue, as I need something between C1 and C2 or I could mix them, I like the Concealer, it does what I want it to do and it is a great back up to my Naked Skin.  The only thing you won't find me doing in this post is calling it a dupe because for me it isn't it a dupe for anything I have ever used or tried and I often think people are too quick to hope on the dupe bandwagon before giving a product a chance to shine on its own merit.

Have you tried the Makeup Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here