CND Crystal Alchemy Collection

I am a huge fan of CND nail polishes and just before Christmas, this CND Crystal Alchemy Collection arrived and it is just a beautiful collection and one I have been making full use of, despite my nails being absolutely horrendous right now!

The Crystal Alchemy collection is said to have been inspired by Swarovski, each of the colours within the collection are inspired by jewels and stones.  There is five polishes within the collection which includes:

• Powerful Hematite - This polish was not at all as I was expecting it to be. Instead of being a deep black, it is instead a shimmery cool-toned black which makes a great shade for any occasion.
• Divine Diamond - A Gold Shift shade which looks totally different depending on the environment you are in, it can have a hint of silver or a darker run of gold.
• Lovely Quartz - This is a peachy pale shade of pink and one which again is perfect for any nude nail polish fan and one which can be worn on any occasion.
• Rebellious Ruby - My favourite shade of the collection and it is a very classic elegant shade of red which has a really lovely shimmer to it under bright lights.
• Sassy Sapphire - As you can imagine this is a beautiful stunning bold blue and again depending on your environment it does have a hint of shimmer.

What I have found with all of these nail polishes is that they differ in the number of coats they actually need.  

Show off your inner sparkle with the CND Crystal Alchemy collection as it celebrates the many facets of one’s personality, whether elegant, passionate, reserved, or spirited. 

Some need just one and others need three for really good coverage, on the whole, I have worn both Rebellious Ruby and Powerful Hematite the most and am happy with the coverage two coats gives.

Saving you from having to see the state that is my nails, the swatches above feature just two coats of each polish and from left to right we have Powerful Hematite, Rebellious Ruby, Sassy Sapphire, Lovely Quartz and Divine Diamond.  The shade which is the hardest to work with is Divine Diamond, I found it slightly runnier than the other four shades, but I do love the finish once it has dried. 

Each one of these nail polishes can be purchased separately here from Nail Polish direct and they are currently on offer for £7.96 each.

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

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Ritual Anti-Dark Spot gift set

If you haven't guessed by now, I am a huge fan of Caudalie* and in particular, the Vinopure range which I purchase the Purifying Toner over and over again.  Today it is Christmas gifting with Caudalie and this Vinoperfect Radiance Ritual Anti-Dark Spot gift set.

This gift set features three Caudalie Hero products from the Vinoperfect Collection and it contains the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum 30ml, the Vinoperfect Dark Spot Correcting 
Glycolic Night Cream 15ml and the Vinoperfect Dark Spot Correcting Hand Cream 30ml

Reveal clearer, more luminous skin with the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Ritual, a triad of skincare treatments brought together in a luxurious Christmas set.

Putting this trio together you have a great introduction to the Vinoperfect range for those who have never tried it and a great way to top up on the best products from within the range for those who have and love it.

The Vinoperfect Radiance Serum is described as being effective and natural. This anti-dark spot serum contains Caudalies patented Viniferine that is said to be 62 times more effective than Vitamin C at boosting radiance and evening the complexion. It is suitable for all skin types and works to reduce the appearance of dark spots, including pregnancy mask, acne marks, sun pigmentation and age-related dark spots, and prevents them from reappearing.

I really like the silky smooth texture of this serum and it has the most wonderful refreshing and subtle fragrance which combines notes of citrus blossom, orange tree leaves, watermelon and mint.  So when applied it is as soothing as it is refreshing.

The second product is the Vinoperfect Dark Spot Correcting Glycolic Night Cream which is described as being a protective night cream that works overnight to renew the skin, leaving it brightened and glowing come morning. This cream is really lightweight on the skin, it doesn't feel heavy or greasy and it doesn't have a tacky finish once applied.

Again, it has a fresh and subtle fragrance combines notes of bergamot, sweet orange, mandarin and citrus tree bark.  Working well with the serum, it should be applied afterwards and I really love how my skin feels after using.

The final product within this gift set is the Vinoperfect Dark Spot Correcting Hand Cream. It is described as being an innovative hand cream corrects dark spots while protecting and nourishing the skin, making your hands more beautiful. It combines the power of vine sap Viniferine with brightening white peony, to visibly reduce dark spots. Then we have the inclusion of both avocado oil and shea butter to nourish the hands throughout the day.  On the skin, the texture is quite fine but creamy and it melts instantly into the skin without being greasy.

As with the Vinoperfect Serum, this hand cream also has the refreshing and delicate fragrance of citrus blossom, orange tree leaves, watermelon and mint.

This gift set is priced at £46 (here) and is a must-have for any fan of the brand and of the collection, more so if you are yet to try this range!

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

theBalm Autobalm Palettes Review

Whenever theBalm launch a new product it always excites me and new to the range is the Autobalm palettes which arrived in the most exciting way - hidden inside cardboard cars and it was absolutely not what I was expecting to find inside, but as packaging goes, never has a palette been designed and created more amazingly.

The collection consists of three palettes: Grl Pwdr, Day 2 Nite, and Pic Perf. and each one is simply stunning, easy to use and compact enough to have in your bag for being on the go and they are lightweight and slot into your bag easily.

The first palette to grab my attention was hidden inside the blue car and it is the Pic Perf Palette (£26.50 here) which is in fact yellow in colour!

With the description 'Shadows on the go' Pic Perf eyeshadow palette is best described as being a jewel-toned palette which features five shimmery shades and two rich, matte shadows. Also included is a neutral eye primer which is really handy to have. On this palette are the shades:

• Broadway which is a burnt orange shade which has a slight red undertone to it
• Sunset Bvld which is a beautiful blue shade
• Market Street which is a beautiful champagne shimmer
• Ocean Drive which is a beautiful brown
• Rodeo Drive which is a lighter champagne shade to Market Street
• St Charles Drive is a light orange
• Pennsylvania Ave is a light brown matte shade

Complete with a mirror, this palette is great for travelling and it doesn't take too much space within your makeup bag.

The second palette which was found hidden inside the pink car is a Day 2 Nite palette (£26.50 here) and its job is to take you from day to night.

This palette which is similar in design to Pic Perf and it too consists of 2 matte and 5 shimmer shades but what really grabs the attention is the black primer. The shades on this palette are:

• Wall St. (light gold with rosy undertones; shimmer)
• Lombard St. (chocolate brown with gold flecks; shimmer)
• Haight St. (mermaid blue with icy silver tones; shimmer)
• Madison Ave. (bronzy rose gold; shimmer)
• Beacon St. (frosty pink; shimmer)
• Hollywood Blvd. (muted dusky mauve; matte)
• Las Vegas Blvd. (ultra-pale peach; matte)

Each one of these shades is just stunning but for me, the magic starts with the use of the black primer which brings each and every one of these shades to life, as this picture shows and I have never used anything like this before ever.
The final palette hidden inside the yellow car is Grl Pwdr Cheeks on the go (£26.50 here) and it is described a being your totally gorgeous blush & highlight palette. With 4 shades to wear alone or mix and layer for unlimited options and your perfect custom look.

On this palette are four shades which are:

• Houston - Which is a lovely light pink-peach shade
• Bourbon St - Which is a beautiful pink rose shade
• Bleeker St. - Which is a beautiful coral/camel shade
• Fifth Ave. - Which is a rose gold

I am not usually a fan of blushers but this palette has really grabbed my attention and I find myself switching between all four shades, but particularly where with Houston and Bourbon St.

Each one of these three palettes has, as you can see a mirror and they are designed to look exactly like a license plate, complete with the requisite metal packaging and signature lettering style.  I love that there are three different palettes to choose from and that you can use them all to complete a look, purchase one and have an amazing look or mix and match the shades.  Whichever option you choose, I am sure you will be as delighted with it as I am.

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

Ecooking™ Starter Kit With Cleansing Milk

It was just over a year ago that I was first introduced to the Danish brand E-Cooking, one which was created on the kitchen table of its founder, Tina Søgaard, who took it upon herself to create her own skincare. Producing noticeable results, it wasn't long before family and friends became desperate to get their hands on Tina's creations and thus E-cooking was born.  Since that introduction, I have become quite a fan of the brand's products, especially Multi Balm, which I have purchased a few times.

Today I am sharing with you the E-cooking Starter Kit with Cleansing Gel, something that would make an incredible gift for anyone you still have left to find a present for, more so if they are on a journey to find the perfect natural skincare.  This kit is described as being:

A luxurious skincare kit with everything you need when travelling. Ideal for flight journeys as the kit comes in a practical, transparent bag, that meets rules and regulations onboard international flights. The EVA-material is environmentally friendly.

Inside you will find 8 products from the brand to test and try and what I love about it is that each product is a decent enough size that you really get a good feel as to whether or not it is for you.  

So what will you find inside this Starter Kit?

Cleansing Milk, 50 ml - This Ecooking Cleansing Milk not only nourishes and cleans but it also moistens your skin too. Described as being ideal for those with sensitive or dry skin, this Cleansing Milk is a gentler form of cleansing than cleansing gel and it contains among other things organic sunflower oil and organic glycerin that together calms and moisturises.

Face Mist, 50 ml - This Mist is described as being a refreshing and firming spray for the face which uses organic Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Cucumber and Chamomile. On the skin, when spritzed, it is really refreshing and definitely a great pick me up for that mid-afternoon slump. It moisturises without removing or moving any makeup that you are wearing.

Day Cream, 15 ml - This cream is described as being a moisturising and nourishing day cream which reduces fine lines and prevents the signs of ageing. It uses Hyadisine, which keeps the skin moisturised and improves the structure and the surface of the skin. Hyadisine adds an instant and long-lasting moisturising effect and an instant improvement of the lines and structure of the skin. You will also find Trylagina which is an ingredient that leaves your skin with refreshed glow and attacks any kind of problem that might occur to your skin during a long life. The cream also contains Wheat Extract, Sunflower Oil and Shea Butter.

Night Cream, 15 ml - This is a cream which ensures you long-lasting moisture balance and reduces the depth of fine lines in the skin visibly when used over a period of time. Using Argireline, a Hexaptide, which means 6 natural Amino acids come together to work and reduce the depth of the fine lines. The fine lines appear due to the facial muscles being overly stimulated. Argireline works in the same way as Botox and makes the facial muscles relax naturally. Trylagen works to boost the collagen of the skin to give it a fresh glow.

Multi balm, 15 ml - As I have already mentioned, Multibalm is one of my favourite products from E-Cooking. Described as being a multi-purpose-product that can be applied on dry skin in the face as well as the body.  It will come as no surprise that it contains a whole host of amazing ingredients which care for the skin - Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Organic Argan and Olive Oils all of which hydrate and protects the skin.  Delisens which reduces itching and inflammation, Xpertmoist which is a highly moisturising and regenerating ingredient.  

Multi Oil, 10 ml - Sticking with multi-use products, next we have Multi Oil and this is a first-time use for me and it definitely won't be my last.  Described as being a unique, multi-functional 100% organic oils and essential fragrance extracts from orange and lavender, it can be used for several purposes and they include - a conditioning treatment for your hair, a cuticle oil, a shaving oil, a massage oil, eye makeup removal, an oil to be used under your serum, a scalp treatment and many more options. 

Serum Capsules - I am a huge fan of skincare when it comes in capsules like this because not only does it make travelling much easier, you also don't have to think about how much product to use, it's been decided for you.  These capsules are described as being an anti-ageing serum with a natural Botox effect. One of the main ingredients is Hexaptide, which is said to help reduce the depth of the fine lines of the skin with a visible effect. Hexaptide is a natural alternative to Botox and it is said to have a documented effect when used continuously.

The final product within this kit are the E-cooking wet wipes and you get ten of these in a packet. Described as being extra soft wipes with a cooling and refreshing effect. These E-cooking Wipes are designed to help with the cleansing and moisturising of face, neck and decolleté. Can also be used on dirty fingers. The product is also enriched with Aloe Vera extract, which is well known for its nourishing and softening effects.

I think this is an incredible introduction to E-Cooking as a brand and definitely, a great way to get to know some of the hero products which has to include Multi Balm.  It is priced at £40 but if there is one product you really love the sound of, then the good news is that they are all available individually and you can find them all on Feelunique.

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