Too Faced Peach Perfect Comfort Matte Foundation - NEW SHADES

One of my favourite Too Faced collections to date has been the Peaches and Cream Collection, everything about it is just divine and I have quite a few pieces from the collection to share on my blog, but today it is the turn of the newly launched shades from the Peach Perfect Comfort Matte Foundation Range.

Described as being a transfer resistant medium coverage foundation it works to create a smooth canvas for flawless, comfortable matte wear using the exclusive Comfort Matte Technology™ that is never cakey or mask-like.  When it comes to a liquid foundation, I absolutely do not want something that gives overly thick feeling full coverage, the kind that gives you that troweled on look despite only trying to lightly apply it - I am sure we all know a few brands who create emulsion type foundation.

New to the collection is a further 10 shades to help you find your perfect shade and I was kindly sent the two new lightest shades within the collection named Cloud and Marshmallow. Packaged in a pump action tube, each foundation is infused with real peaches and sweet fig milk and it is just a divine scent.

Not only do have almost translucent skin, I am honestly that pale skinned, I have combination oily skin, so for me to wear a liquid foundation, I need something that, even with a primer, is oil-controlling and gets me into the afternoon without sliding off my face.  I have days when I am incredibly busy non-stop and have no time to stop mid-afternoon to re-apply makeup, so I want a product that does what it claims to do and from Too Faced, we have a product which:

• Is a lightweight, velvet-touch formula provides fresh and natural coverage
• Has built-in blurring optical correctors give skin a fresh, poreless, moisture-matte finish
• Oil-free formula
• Is infused with innovative ultrafine pigments that are resilient to oil and sweat, providing up to 14 hours of long wear coverage

Cloud is the fairest of all 30 available shades and it has been described as having neutral to rosy undertones and Marshmallow is also in one of the fairer shades and it has rosy undertones.

The swatches shown above are unedited and come straight from the camera. From those swatches you can see that Cloud is clearly the lighter of the two shades by quite some margin and Marshmallow is slightly rosier in colour.  For me, I am somewhere between these two shades, so I can either mix them together, which is how I have been wearing them to create an incredibly close perfect shade, or I can mix marshmallow in with my moisturising cream and it works just so incredibly well with my skin tone too.  So, here I have two foundations that I can make work with my skin tone, something I have never had before.

On the skin, this foundation feels so incredibly lightweight and it is just a dream to apply whether you use your fingers, a brush or beauty blender. For me, my preference is the beauty blender with this foundation and I love the matte finish it gives.  The poreless description is true to a point, but I have never worn this foundation for 14 hours, in fact, the longest I have worn it for, without touching up is 9hours and by that time, it had almost completely disappeared from my face and I honestly can not grumble with that, I manage to avoid that mid-afternoon oil slick which means, rushing around from meeting to meeting keeps my face looking as freshly made up as it did when I first applied my makeup.

If you are on the lookout for a new foundation, then the Too Faced Peach Perfect Comfort Matte Foundation (£27 here) is definitely one to be tried because the shades are just so good and if I can find one to suit my pale skin, then anyone can!

Are you a fan of Too Faced?

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

Pestle & Mortar - Erase and Renew

When it comes to double cleansing, I am an absolute advocate, I love how it makes my skin feel afterwards.  Living in London, there are days when your skin just feels absolutely horrendous owing to all the smog, pollution and dust.

The Pestle & Mortar Erase and Renew has been a set of products I have tried over quite sometime now and it is described as being a simple two-step solution for cleansed, nourished and illuminated skin. As a brand, Pestle & Mortar are a brand who wants to make skin care simple and brand Co-Owner Sonia Deasy says:

“Everyone deserves to wake up to skin that looks and feels its best.
Skincare shouldn’t be complicated. What you put on your skin every day should provide cumulative benefits and you ought to feel confident that it will cause no harm.
I created Pestle & Mortar so that people who care about how their skin looks and feels can trust that what they are putting on their skin is pure, safe and highly effective.”

The Erase and Renew Collection features two high-performance cleansers and with then is a really luxurious feeling double-sided cleansing cloth and essentially what this creates is everything you need to perform the double cleanse properly because with it comes a really good set on instructions.

The first step of the double cleanse is titled 'Erase' and the product from the box you need for this action is the nourishing cleansing balm. The Erase Balm Cleanser is a lightly scented balm cleanser which is formulated with hydrating, cleansing and skin-soothing natural oils. Infused with Pumpkin Enzymes, the cleanser works to eliminate even the most stubborn eye make-up including that waterproof mascara.  Then there is Meadowfoam, Prickly Pear Seed and Grape Seed Oils which nourish and protect against free radical damage.

With solid balm cleansers, I always find them easier to use if I keep an old scoop from another product. Scooping the balm from the tub, you warm it between the palms of your hands and then massage on to dry skin, this then works to remove anything in its path, including SPF and waterproof mascara. Then once you have finished, ensure the muslin side of the cloth is wet with warm water and simply wipe the cleanser from your face.  What I like about this stage is how the cleanser feels on my skin and it is also quite satisfying to see everything removed onto the cloth.

The second step of the double cleanse is called 'Renew' and involved using the lightweight cleanser which is in gel form. Formulated using the enzymes of both Papaya and Mango and their job is to expertly eliminate dirt and impurities. Superoxide Dismutase also features and it is an ingredient that is described as being the hero because it not only helps to tighten pores and help with age-related pigmentation but it also helps fight superoxide toxicity, to a layperson that means it breaks down harmful free radicals from causing havoc on the skin. There is also the inclusion of Meadowfoam Seed Oil which works decongest and clarify to leave skin smooth, hydrated and illuminated with improved tone and texture.

Renew is a gel cleanser which has a similar texture of Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel and for me, what I absolutely love is that it doesn't cause a foam to create when it comes into contact with the skin or water.  I only ever seem to need just the one pump of this gel and again, it should be applied directly to dry skin and massaged gently across the face and neck, the advice is to use upward strokes.  Then once you have finished, you need to use the softer side of the cloth to remove any trace from the skin.

The cloth that has been enclosed with this double cleansing system is an important one for me. Whenever a brand releases products like this, I always feel they should include everything that ensures you get the absolute best treatment, this also includes instructions on how best to use everything.   The cloths, in this case, are made from 100% Indian Cotton and as a two-sided cloth, with one side featuring a Muslin for that gentle exfoliation when using the Erase Balm and the softer flannel side is quite soothing on the face as you remove the final traces of the Renew Gel Cleanser.  

These cloths can also be purchased separately for £13.50 per pack of 3 which I also think is handy.

Having used this double cleanse system for months now, I absolutely love how it makes my skin feel. That fresh feeling after a facial is one that you simply cannot beat, it feels incredible to have your skin feel squeaky clean and soft and smooth to the touch.

Erase & Renew (£52.00) will be available online at via LookFantastic* and buying the set is a saving of £24.  All Pestle & Mortar products are free from parabens, mineral oil, silicones, sulphates, propylene and animal derived raw materials. They are cruelty-free and formulated to suit all skin types.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

The Pip Box - The Summer Prep Edit

Founded in 2016, The Pip Box is a beauty subscription box which is dedicated to helping beauty lovers go cruelty-free with their cosmetics. The box was named after the founder, Sofi, a cute little dog named Pip who is a mixed breed of a Labrador and a Poodle. The Pip Box is on a mission to promote ethical beauty brands to their subscriber's and it ships boxes across the U.K and the rest of Europe, for every box sold, 50p is donated to Animal Free Research UK.

I was kindly sent a Pip box to review and this is the first time I have featured them on my blog. The Summer Prep Edit has been put together to get you prepared for the warmer weather and inside the box, there are five products.

The first product out of the box is the Figs & Rouge Soft Focus Pore Perfect Hd+ Matte Veil (Full sized £35). Soft Focus Pore Perfect HD+ is described as being a weightless, matte Serum which helps minimise the appearance of pores and create a sheer complexion. It features which is referred to as being a duo-Action Anti-Blemish formulation and this not only helps to reduce skin impurities but it also helps to combat breakouts. 

The HD+ Complex helps to diminish shine as well as helping to fade imperfections and promote a clearer balanced complexion. The instructions are to apply the product directly onto freshly cleansed skin and work across the t-zone before applying makeup, or you can apply after makeup and simply pat onto the skin for that matte finish.

The second product in the box is La Ritzy Liquid Beam in Copper (Full size £16.99). Described as being a game-changing multi-purpose liquid illuminator, this product is one which boasts the phrase 'versatile'.

La Ritzy liquid Beam can be used in on the high points of your face as a highlighter, on your eyelids, as a liquid eyeliner or La Ritzy claim that you can also mix it into a matte eyeshadow to create a brand new, creaseless metallic shadow and you can even apply it as a topper to your lipstick if you really want the shade to pop. I really like the shade of this product, it has a slight peachy tone to it, so it isn't too brashy and once it is applied, it doesn't run or smudge.

The third item in the box is The Salt Parlour Rose & Shea Butter Salt Scrub (Full size £8.99). This is a brand I have never come across before, so it is nice to come across a new brand.

Packaged inside a handy tin, this scrub is made using blended mineral-rich Dead Sea Salt, Pink Himalayan Salt and Rose Oil.  At this stage, I love it already because those are three of my favourite ingredients in a scrub.  The Salt Parlour believe the sea can do wonders for your skin and they wanted to recreate that beach holiday feeling with their range of salt & sulphur scrubs of which there is 6 to choose from and being honest, I want to now try them all.  This scrub is gentle on the skin rather than being overly abrasive and what I really love about it is just how wonderful it smells owing to the rose oil, which has calming and soothing properties and it leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth to the touch.

The fourth product in my box is The Beauty Nomad Aloe Sheet Mask (RRP £2.10). Again, another brand I have not come across until now and I do love a good sheet mask.

This Aloe Sheet Mask is described as being a nourishing mask which is designed to revitalise and brighten the skin after a day outside in the sunshine.  One product I always have in my fridge during the summer is an Aloe Vera gel, that way I can apply it to my skin when I am feeling hot and bothered as it does such an amazing job at cooling and soothing.

The final item within this box is the Betty Hula Nourishing Anti-bacterial Hand Cream in Champagne and Spice (Full size £4.99).  The final product is also another brand I have never come across until now and you never can have too many hand creams to use.

Described as being a quick penetrating cream which works to deeply nourish the skin and cuticles, it uses the natural ingredients of both Shea Butter and Coconut Oil which help to diminish the appearance of skin ageing and blemishes. With the Champagne and Spice scent, something you notice immediately on the skin, it is quite a musky fragrance rather than sweet and it is one which lingers on the skin for a good hour after application. As a cream, it is neither greasy or tacky on the skin.

If you are looking for a beauty box which is a little different to everything else out there and one whose primary focus is on offering cruelty-free products, then this is the box which will tick everything you are looking for.  As a subscription box, you can choose just how to subscribe to the Pip Box. Prices start at £20 per month, £55 for 3 months and £110 for 6 months.

Have you tried The Pip Box before?

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

Headmasters Mayfair Salon

Nestled in the heart of Mayfair, London you will find the Headmasters salon, one which, as soon as you walk through the door makes you feel instantly at ease.  I have friends who have a fear of the hairdressers and salons and avoid putting off going for as long as they possibly can, I am the opposite, I find the whole experience a relaxing one.

Inside the salon it is a very intimate affair, the whole time I was there, it was never short of people coming and going, walking in off the street to present themselves for an appointment or ask to book.  Despite how busy it was, it was also quiet, no overly loud music being pumped through speakers is one thing I noticed and, despite the constant use of hairdryers and other styling equipment, it just didn't feel noisy.  

As soon as I arrived, I was shown to one of the comfiest seats I have sat in for quite some time, asked if I would like a drink and something to read.  At this point I could have quite happily sat here for hours, there is something like relaxing about people watching. I was in the salon to see the wonderful Jonny, the Artistic Ambassador at Headmasters and he shares his time between editorial shoots and educating the Headmasters team. His biog states that his strengths are in precision cutting, where he headed Headmasters first ever Classics Collection and session styling. Jonathan loves looking at hair through a session stylists eyes and translating them into wearable looks. As soon as you meet Jonny, you are at ease, there is something about his persona that makes you feel relaxed and at ease.  Trusting your hair, your pride and joy, in the hands of someone you don't know is quite the daunting task, but not so in this case, for me anyway.

A quick chat with Jonny about a wash and blow-dry, possibly a tidying up of the ends, I was guided over to the washing area and I sat on the most wonderful massage chair, the kind I now definitely need at home - absolute heaven.  If there was something I could pay someone to do for me forever, that would be to wash and condition my hair, one of my favourite things about a hair salon is having someone else wash my hair. 

My hair, as you can see is shoulder length and naturally wavy, but I tend to straighten it a few times a week and I do use heat protection sprays. I wash my hair every other day, one of the joys of living in a polluted capital city means your hair tends to feel absolutely grim to the touch more so because I have combination hair of oily roots and dry ends.   

Jonny decided to go for the swishy blow dry and I absolutely loved how it looked as it isn't something I have tried to do myself or ever have at any other salon as the assumption usually is to blow dry my hair straight, so now I have something else to be trying when I next go for a trim, I just hope they are this good!   

If you are in need of your hair cut and haven't got a clue where to start, want a new experience, want a salon which makes you feel welcome and some incredible service, then Headmasters is definitely somewhere to be going and you can even book online too!

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