Showcase Beauty - Discovering Indie Brands

I love finding new products and new brands I might not have ordinarily come across, had it not been for this blog. I was recently introduced to Showcase Beauty, a place that defines itself as being the home of independent beauty brands. Founded in 2012, Showcase state that their passion is growing and supporting incredible entrepreneurs; from independent beauty brands to the community of stylists and influencers.  What I like is that I can browse Indie Beauty as well as K-Beauty (we all know I am obsessed with it) as well as seeing which products are popular.

By way of introduction, Showcase kindly sent me two products that can be found on the main website store and for me, it has been a great reacquaintance to both Antonia Burrell and to Bagsy Beauty.

The first product is Forest Dew Skin Conditioner by Antonia Burrell, which I have used before (here) and it has been an absolute delight to use it again. 

Forest Dew is made using 100% pure plant extracts and it aims to not only improve skin texture but to also cool and regulate skin. It is also alcohol and oil-free and it works to rebalance the skin's pH and relieve redness, something I am always keen to have in a product. It is also infused with Alpine plant extracts to reduce enlarged pores, reduce inflammation and balance sebum production, cucumber extract - an antioxidant with moisturising properties and is rich in vitamin C, and calming, toning, astringent lavender flower.

The product itself is like a luxurious silky serum and it also smells absolutely delightful. To use, you need to ensure your face is freshly cleansed and that everything you have used, such as makeup and skincare has been removed. THen, using around 6 sprays onto a cotton wool pad or if you prefer too, the palm of a clean hand, you massage Forest Dew onto the skin. When I apply it, I use slight patting motions and then massage my face to ensure all of the serum has been absorbed. On the skin, it is really soothing and cooling and it leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth as well as hydrated after use.

The second product I have is one of my favourites from Bagsy Beauty - Wonder Wand. Described as being a two-in-one concealing and illuminating crayon, Wonder Wand is a product that is perfect for being on the go, travelling or having in your arsenal just because you can.

Most two-in-one products that I have used are double-ended, but in this case, Bagsy has been quite inventive with their product. As you can see, one side of the crayon is white and the other is nude.

The white side of the crayon works as a highlighter and it is perfect for adding some highlight cheekbones and brow bones. The Nude side works to conceal blemishes and under-eye shadows. The crayon itself is really creamy, so blending is an easy task and it applies incredibly well and there is no caking at all!

You can find out more about both of these products and Showcase Beauty itself and I would love to know if you have used either of these products.

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

Alpha-H The Big Deal

I adore Alpha-H and over the past few years, I have really loved getting to know the products and understanding how best to use them with my own skin, much of that advice coming from both Tommy and Michelle themselves. Having been around for 23 years, Alpha-H formulates their own products and now have over 2000 clinics worldwide offering Alpha-H facials - the dream!

As you might have guessed, Alpha-H is back on QVC with another TSV and this one is aptly named The Big Deal because that is exactly what it is. It will be available from Monday 29th October right through until Sunday 4th November and this is what you can get your hands on.

Balancing Cleanser (200ml) – I loved this cleanser from the first use. If you like a cream cleanser, then this is a really creamy cleanser which is free from dying detergents and SLS's. Not only does it remove every single trace of makeup that is on your face, even waterproof mascaras but it also works as a 3-in-1 product as it essentially acts as a makeup remover, cleanser and toner all in one. 

Enriched with aloe vera to condition and soothe alongside vitamin E to hydrate and neutralise free radicals, after using my skin feels cleansed and smooth but there is no sign of the dry taut feeling that leaves you wanting to smother your skin in as much moisturiser as possible.

Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream (15ml) – Described as being the ultimate topical dermal corrector for the eye area with quadruple peptide technology. Using a complex of seven skin brighteners, illuminating Diamond Powder and Lime Pearl Extract which is a new natural source of gentle fruit acids derived from Caviar Lime found in the rainforests on the Australian East Coast. Abundant in citric acid and bioflavonoids, Lime Pearl accelerates cell turnover to soften and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

What I absolutely love is that it uses a cool touch metallic applicator which not only ensures you achieve spot-on application but it also works to instantly refresh, smooth, cool and alleviates fatigue. 

Multivitamin Super Cream (50ml) - This silicone-free moisturiser, which is described as being a multivitamin in a jar, is enriched with antioxidants and soothing botanicals as well as fresh time-released vitamins to help combat skin fatigue and to maximise skin health and wellbeing daily.

Continuing the legacy of the Vitamin Profiling Collection (which you can read more about here), this concentrated cream it includes:

• vitamin A (retinol) to help reduce wrinkle depth and firm the skin; 
• vitamin B (niacinamide) to increase production of ceramides and fatty acids to build moisture; 
• vitamin C (ethyl ascorbic acid) to brighten skin tone and provide antioxidant protection and, finally, 
• vitamin E (tocopherol acetate) to promote healing, hydration and repair. 

Alongside these vitamins, the cream also contains an ingredient called ‘Pollushield’, an innovative polymer that acts like a microscopic net over the skin to prevent the absorption of toxic metals and urban grime and it is said to have been clinically proven to trap between 74 and 97% of pollutants over a six-hour period.

It uses an airless pump dispenser and on the skin, it absorbs much quicker than you might expect and leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth to the touch.

I am sure you will agree that this is quite a trio or products and one which is an amazing TSV. If you are a big Alpha-H fan and even if you have never ever tried anything from the brand before, this is an amazing way in which you can get your hands on some amazing products.  Again, the link you will need is THIS ONE. With a combined value of over £122 the QVC offering will be less than £42

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

Beauty BLVD Mattitude Lip Liquid

When it comes to liquid lipsticks, there is so much more to choose from now than there ever has been before.  BeautyBlvd. whom you might have comes across because of their Glitter Lips range, have their own selection of Liquid Lipsticks called Mattitude.

Described as being for the boldest of lips, Mattitude lip liquid is available in 12 shades which include - Apathy Club, Damn Fine, Hole In The Head, Parasol, Poison Junkie, Rapid Fire, Real Ronnie, Remedy, Secret Passage, Summer Session, Tansy and Vicious. Within this shade range is everything from the brightest of pinks and blues to more muted and nude shades.

I have shades Remedy and Secret Passage which gives me the chance to try a nude shade (Remedy) and a much more pigmented shade in Secret Passage.  BeautyBvld state that these Mattitude lipsticks deliver long-lasting, powerful colour, that glides on for a super smooth finish.  Arriving in a Lip shaped box, what I love is that the shade of the lips gives you an idea as to what shade your Mattitude will be, though it isn't an exact match.

The lipsticks come in the standard tube with a doe foot wand which makes it easier to line the lips and apply. Being a liquid lipstick though, it does cling to dry skin so you will need to make sure you have exfoliated your lips prior to application. I always ensure I apply lip balm to my lips before applying too, just to give it that base.

Once on the lips, both shades are smooth, they don't feel too dry or as though they will crack if I speak and they do dry really quickly. What I love is that they are not sticky or tacky to the touch and they have great longevity for lasting the whole day, naturally if you go out of an evening you will need to re-apply and touch up the colour.

The New Mattitude Lip Liquids are £9.50 available at BeautyBlvd.com

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

CND Vinylux for Halloween

I make no secret of the fact my favourite nail polish brand is CND Vinylux and it is the one I always opt for when having a manicure locally.  I find it lasts the longest without chipping, it doesn't send my nails that horrible yellow colour (though yes I do use a base coat), it is easy to remove and it applies like a dream, even if like, you are not the most adept at painting the nails on both hands.

For Halloween, I was kindly sent two shades which I think fit the bill really well. The first shade is Decadence, a beautiful shade of red which is incredibly bold and bright and perfect for this time of year.  

On the swatch shown below, I found I only needed one coat to get really good coverage and this was obviously without using a base coat.

The Second shade is called Serene Green. I am not usually a fan of greens or browns when it comes to nail polish, in fact, it is rare I will stray away from Berry shades as I just feel most comfortable with them, but this is a beautiful shade of green that I can't help but like.

Unlike Decadence above, this swatch has two coats on the nail wheel, but what I like about it is there is a slight, and it is very slight sparkle where the light catches the shade.

With over 70, yes 70 different shades to choose from, the CND Vinylux polishes last around 7 days, slightly longer if you use the CND Vinylux Weekly Top Coat. 

CND Vinylux shades are uniquely formulated to be activated when exposed to natural light to create an enduring and long-lasting finish and they all dry naturally which helps to give that flawless finish and I am told also helps to strengthen its resistance to chips over time.

Do you have a favourite nail polish brand?

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