Too Faced Damn Girl Mascara

If you asked me what my favourite makeup product was, you might be surprised to know it is mascara! I absolutely love discovering new mascaras and it along with lip balm, it is something I never leave the house without applying.  New to my collection from Too Faced is the Damn Girl Mascara* and whilst I am a huge fan of Better than Sex, does this one live up to it?

To look at, Damn Girl couldn't be more different to its counterpart if it tried and being the first mascara to be launched from Too Faced after that much-loved original, it is no surprise that it comes with some pretty big claims - 97% Full-on Volume, 100% Intense Black Lashes, 99% Long-wearing Results to name just a few. 

As much as I love Mascara, I am quite picky about what I do and don't like. I have fairly long lashes, so I don't want a formula that is overly wet and nor do I want one that clumps or one which leaves my lashes feeling wet and as though they are dragging on my cheeks.  This also affects the kind of wand that I like to use as well, if it is a big fat chunky wand, then it has to be one which doesn't overload itself with formula and equally if it is a thin spike wand, it has to pick up enough formula to cover my lashes.

Damn Girl is packaged inside an almost metallic purple cardboard outer packaging and the tube inside is just as beautiful, infact I prefer this tube to Better Than Sex. The formula of Damn Girl is described as being "a revolutionary creamy mousse, developed with a special blend of whipped melting waxes (waxes injected with air) that when layered together form one long, weightless super lash and delivers an immediate full load of extreme volume" and it also contains "innovative polymers", which claim to keep lashes flexible as they lift.

The wand is big, huge in fact and it is curvy, referred too as being the dual-fibre infinity brush and I fully expected to absolutely hate it as soon as I saw it, but not wanting to start off with a negative, I gave it chance and was actually quite surprised to find I really liked it, in fact, I liked it ALOT.  It does, as you can see, load itself up with a lot of product, but I not so much that it overloads your lashes, it is just the right amount to ensure the initial wiggle through lifts and coats without clumping and smudging.

The formula is the right consistency to not be too thin or too thick and it is such an intense black that you only need one coat on your lashes, two if you like that big fluttery look. As the formula isn't overly wet, it dries pretty quickly and as quick as it is to apply, it is as easy to remove using your regular eye makeup remover and a cotton pad. 

Too Faced Damn Girl Mascara is priced around £18 for a full-sized version and £12 for a travel size and can be found via Too Faced, Boots, Cult Beauty, and Lookfantastic to name just a few. 

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

Alive Magnesium PLUS Bodycare

The use of magnesium in skincare isn't something I am new too, in fact, it is something that I absolutely love to have. I have already shared from magnesium skincare products on Beautyqueenuk and explained that it is a naturally occurring alkaline macro mineral which is not only a key ingredient to overall bodily health but also for bone health and muscle strength too. I was kindly sent two products from the Al!ve range and they claim to introduce a multi-beneficial range of bath and body care products which work out as hard as you do.

All of the Al!ve formulations are powered by Magnesium and they contain proven natural ingredients including minerals and vitamins which work to boost the skin’s natural health, depending on the range, their natural aromas also help calm, stimulate or boost your mood.

Al!ve chose Magnesium as the hero ingredient because it’s molecular structure not only makes it easy to absorbed by the body but also* to work faster. Products like these work to support the natural functions of the body such as boosting energy production, combating fatigue as well as having anti-inflammatory properties.

As mentioned already, Magnesium helps our body function well and stay healthy; its chemical structure makes it easily absorbed and gets to work fast and some of its benefits include helping to: 

• relieve stress and stiff muscles
• improve joint health and circulation
• aid nutrient absorption and skin hydration

As well as helping our body produce energy, something we all most definitely need from time to time I am sure. 

The first of the two products I was given to try was the In-Shower Moisturiser (£5).  Al!ve describe this product as one which works to simplify your daily routine by moisturising your skin whilst your shower.  Enriched with Kale and Wheatgrass which help to recharge your skin with nutrients which work to improve hydration.  

On the skin, this in-shower moisturiser feels just like a body lotion in texture and when I used it, I apply it to dry skin before stepping into my hot shower, giving it time to work some magic on my aching and stiff muscles. There is no standout smell to this product that I can describe other than it is a clean scent but what I do love is how it leaves my skin soft and smooth to the touch.

The second of the two products is the Al!ve Body Energising Body Gel Lotion (£5) and this is one that I really want to use on a hot summers day.  This lotion has cooling properties which as you can imagine feels incredibly soothing and refreshing.  Having had an ankle injury, I have found when it swells up, it feels incredibly hot to the touch, so this lotion gives quite the relief.

This time, the Gel lotion is enriched with both Sea Kelp and Arnica which work to help hydrate and enhance the appearance of skin.  The texture is that of a runny lotion, so less is definitely more and it absorbs really quickly into the skin, especially if you have just had a shower or bath and because there is Arnica and Sea Kelp within this lotion, there is a slight scent to it, quite an earthy like fragrance which lingers on the skin and I really like it. 

Both of these products are great additions to the bathroom and a good introduction to anyone who wants to try adding magnesium into their routines without breaking the bank. You can find both of these products and the rest of the range in Sainsbury's where they are currently on offer for around £3!

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

Alpha-H Anniversary Collection

For any beauty brand who is celebrating their 25 years in the industry is no mean feat and this year Alpha-H are celebrating their quarter of a century in style, first, we had the 25th Rose Gold Anniversary Collection as part of a QVC TSV and today is the Aniversary Collection (£25).

This Anniversary collection is presented in a beautiful gift box and it features artwork by Australian illustrator Nicola Jane and inside the box, you will a trio of skincare essentials.

See the world through rose-coloured glasses with Alpha-H's limited-edition Anniversary Collection. Curated specifically to celebrate the brand's 25th Anniversary, this stunning kit outs an aromatic Rose twist on two Alpha-H favourites, as well as introducing a brand-new Liquid Gold lip luxe-have.

What I love about this collection is that whether or not you class yourself as an 'Alphaholic' a loving description for those of us who adore the brand, then this is a great introduction to some hero products or it is a chance to gift some of your favourite products to someone you think would also love them as much.

Inside the box you will find:

• Liquid Gold Rose (30ml) - This special release Rose formulation takes all of the benefits of Alpha-H's cult classic and creates a wonderful alternative. Liquid Gold Rose contains a wealth of aromatic botanicals including Damask Rose, Sacred Lotus, Orchid Petal, Dead Sea Salts, Marine Algae, Liquorice and Silk Proteins. If you have never used Liquid Gold before, essentially, it is a powerful resurfacing and revitalising lotion which refines the appearance of the complexion. When used, it instantly improves the skin’s texture and tone, it tightens the pores, whilst reducing signs of ageing by gently exfoliating and plumping the skin whilst you sleep.
• Balancing Cleanser Rose (30ml) - I adore the Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser and to have a rose edition, well I don't think I could love it more.   This is a cream cleanser which is free from dying detergents and SLS's and what I absolutely love is that it not only removes all traces of makeup from your face but it also acts like a makeup remover, cleanser and toner all in one. This formulation is enriched with Damask Rose Oil for its anti-inflammatory, calming and soothing benefits. It is also pH balanced and free from harsh surfactants and doesn't leave your skin feeling dry or taut after using.
• Liquid Gold Rose Perfect and Plump (15g) - This is a new release from Alpha-H and if you love your lip balms then this one needs to be in your bag! Using natural fruit enzymes, this subtle tinted balm increases cellular renewal which in turn then helps to rejuvenate and minimise the appearance of fine lines.  This Lip Balm also contains a powerful natural plumping ingredient which works together with those enzymatic exfoliants listed above and with Rose Damask Oil to add deep moisturisation and then finally 24 Karat Gold flakes for a little bit of indulgence.

This trio together creates a lovely evening skincare routine and all for just £25, available from Alpha-H and selected retailers including ASOS*, Cloud 10 Beauty and Beauty Bay.

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

Herbae Par L'Occitane L'Eau Collection

If you have never visited the L'Occitane store on Regent Street, here in London, then if you get the chance, go along, it is incredible and somewhere I mentioned recently on my Instagram grid.  One of my favourite ranges is the L'Occitane Almond collection and it is one I purchase time and time again, in fact, we both absolutely love it.  New to L'Occitane is Herbae par L'Occitane L'eau, one that I was introduced to in the Regent Street store and now it frequents my bathroom.

Sitting firmly within the Fresh Citrus Floral fragrance, Herbae Par L'Occitane L'Eau and as collection, it is described as follows:

Herbae Par L'Occitane L'Eaua sparkling bouquet of flowers interlaced with wild grasses. The crystal-clear facets of white clover mingle with the green, petal-soft freshness of natural extracts of marsh mallow and angelica.

The collection is comprised of a fragrance, hand cream, Gentle Shower Gel, Beauty Milk and a hand soap and with its beautiful pink packaging and product colour, it one that instantly brings Spring to life.

As well as a few fragrance samples from the collection, I was kindly gifted two products to try and they definitely are spring scents in a bottle.  

The first product is the Gentle Shower Gel (£16.50 for 250ml) white has a lovely purple hue to it within the bottle, not so purple once it is on your skin, but the scent is just divine.

As with most L'Occitane shower gels, you only need a really small amount to create copious amounts of lather, less so if you are using a shower puff or sponge. Once on the skin that fresh floral sweet scent really comes to life and it lingers both on the skin and in the air, it is absolutely lovely. 

Once out of the shower and in an effort to ensure that the fragrance of Herbae L'eau remains, the second product I was kindly gifted is the Beauty Milk.

Enriched with shea butter, this moisturising body lotion is described as being 'bursting with the sweet floral freshness of white clover' and again for me, it is the floral earthy scent that really makes this fragrance stand out, it definitely lingers on the skin and most importantly, I love how hydrating and moisturising it is.  I always apply the beauty milk after showering, the coolness of the milky texture on warm skin is soothing and it is such a lovely accompaniment to the shower gel.

You can find more information about the Herbae Par L'Occitane L'Eau Collection online along with every other product within the collection.  

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