theBalm Priming Is Everything!

I am a huge fan of TheBalm makeup and have featured it on my blog many times, for me, it is such an underrated brand, which is now much easier to get hold of than it once was.  Today I am sharing two products from the Eyeshadow Priming range and they're not at all like I expected them to be. Is that a good thing? Read on to find out.

Priming Is Everything is available, as you can see, in two shades - neutral and black. They are packaged inside a cardboard box, which is really well made and has an outer sleeve to ensure it doesn't become damaged in your makeup bag.

Described as being versatile cream primers and as with any other primer, their job is to keep your makeup in place, in this case your eye makeup.  I have in my time used quite a few eyeshadow primers to do all I can to avoid the dreaded creasing. However, until now, I had only ever used a nude/clear shadow primer, never black.

TheBalm state that their Black primer transforms any eye shade into a whole new hue, doubling your shadow wardrobe. Said to work on all skin types and tones, this primer provides a smooth black surface to create a smokey look while transforming the shade and brilliance of your shadow. So, if you are a fan of the smokey eye, this primer is basically your new best friend. It glides onto the eyelid with ease and whether you choose to use your finger or a brush, it is smooth and blends really well. 

The neutral Eyeshadow Primer, as with the black above, also acts as a base to keep your shadows in place.

Another cream primer which was really easy to apply and blend, the neutral shade helps to bring to life your eyeshadow to leave it looking a lot brighter and even more intense.

The swatches shown below haven't been edited at all, they are as seen from the pan to my hand using a finger swatch. Both shades have a really good colour pay-off and for me, I really love how they interact with my chosen eyeshadow, which is usually always a shade of neutral because that is my comfort zone. 

You can currently find both of these Priming Is Everything primers via LookFantastic where they retail for £11 each, more excitingly you can also find pretty much everything else theBalm has to offer too.

Right now, there is an offer to save between 10% and 15%* on your order using the code BEAUTYLF at basket. So if you have always wanted to try products from theBalm, now is that time!

*Exclusions Apply.

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

Megan Rose Lane x Feelunique Self-Care Kit

From Feelunique we have the newly listed Megan Rose Lane x Feelunique Self-Care Kit (£49), a kit which is described as being guided by *the* mindset and meditation blogger Megan Rose Lane. This Self-Care Kit is all about taking time to look after yourself and feeling your best from the inside out. 

Scheduling in some me-time to relax and unwind is something I try and do every single week. That could be an hour locked in the bathroom with no phone, no iPad and no interruptions, it could also be a lie in for an extra half an hour, a long walk by myself - literally anything that I can do by myself which requires no interaction from anyone else.

The limited edition bundle holds all the products you need to add a moment of calm to your routine each day - plus, a deck of affirmation cards for positivity, empowerment and self-confidence. 

So what is inside?

• Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm 15ml - My review
• Evolve Beauty AHA Miracle Mask 30ml
• Grown Alchemist Vanilla and Watermelon Lip Balm 12ml
• Urban Apothecary Oriental Noir Candle 70g
• L’Occitane Aromachologie Relaxing Pillow Mist 100ml
• Velvet Pouch- Teal velvet with an embossed golden sun, there’s nothing more fitting to hold these complete bliss essentials

This is an amazing Self-Care Kit for those who want and need an excuse to just take some time for themselves and equally, it would make a great gift for someone who has had a bit of a hard time and needs some time out too!

This Megan Rose Lane x Feelunique Self-Care Kit is on sale now - purchase here.

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

LUMITY 4-in-1 Cleansing Balm

Cleansing is my favourite part of skincare and the one thing I look forward to doing most as part of my routine.  There is nothing quite like taking the whole day off your face, sitting down and relaxing for an evening.  The latest cleanser to my stash comes from Lumity with this 4-in1 Cleansing Balm (£55 for 100ml).

I love that this is an everything you need all in one pot cleanser, designed to give you everything you need without having to use multiple products. With that in mind, this cleanser is a gentle cleanser, make-up remover, exfoliator and it can be as a masque treatment too. 

I absolutely love the texture of this cleanser and it has quite a unique formula which works to dissolve impurities, pollutants and make-up. 100% natural, this cleanser features no harsh chemicals which could disrupt the skin's balance. It contains activated bamboo charcoal, biodegradable jojoba beads, green tea extract, camellia seed oil and an aromatherapy blend of essential oils which includes Wild Mint, Juniper Berry, Grapefruit and Lemongrass.

To use, the advice is to massage a grape sized scoop of the Lumity 4-in-1 Cleanse on to dry skin. As it is applied, you might feel a gentle warming effect as the active ingredients get to work to draw out impurities, it is similar to the feeling you get from Sanctuary Spa 5 minute Charcoal Thermal Mask with regards to the warming sensation, which is not uncomfortable. One applied, there is the option to rinse off with warm water or it can be left on for up to 30 minutes for a deeply hydrating, exfoliating and clarifiying masque treatment. 

Key Benefits

• 100% natural – no harsh chemicals to disrupt the skin's balance and natural protective barrier
• Boosts moisture for supple, smoother skin
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Promotes elasticity, radiance and firmness
• Reinforces the skin's natural barrier to maintain perfect hydration and protection against environmental aggressors 
• Optimum cleansing properties to leave skin feeling clear, smooth and firm, without the tightness or drying effects of other cleansers
• Gently exfoliates to stimulate and renew the skin
• Supports the healthiest, most balanced and youthful condition of the skin

I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another pot of this cleanser when this one finally runs out, I love how it feels on my skin, I like the slight warming feeling, I like that it has a 4-in-1 use and it can be used twice daily as part of a morning and night skincare routine.

The Lumity with this 4-in1 Cleansing Balm is priced at £55 for 100ml from Cult Beauty.

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

Murad Prebiotic 4-in-1 MultiCleanser

I am a huge fan of Dr Murad and his skincare products and it is fair to say that, whilst I am incredibly lucky to receive some amazing products, I do also buy my own. This Murad Prebiotic 4-in-1 Cleanser (£38) is a product I purchased, having first received it as part of a PR package because I just adore it.

This Prebiotic 4-In-1 Multi Cleanser is described as being a must-try gel-to-oil, make up-melting cleanser and being a bit of a multi-tasking product, not only does it remove excess oil, makeup, dirt, grime and anything else in its path, it also nourishes skin with a blend of prebiotics to balance the skin’s microbiome for healthier-looking skin.

This 4-in-1, non-drying formula features an ultra-cleansing peptide to melt makeup, dirt and excess oil, while moisturising emollients deeply hydrate. The three ingredients that are worthy of a mention are:

• Hemisqualane - Plant-based (from sugar cane) emollient that effectively dissolves eye, lip and face makeup (including waterproof) as it nourishes the skin.
• Cyclic Peptide - Said to be 300 times more efficient than traditional surfactants, delivering high-efficiency cleansing with low irritation. Traps oil and debris to be more easily rinsed from the skin without stripping natural facial oils.
• Prebiotic Powder - Work to nourish good bacteria to promote a healthy balance.

Suitable for all skin types, what I love is just how gentle yet effective this cleanser is. I make no secret that the favourite part of my skincare routine is cleansing, there is something quite relaxing and calming about completing this stage.

This cleanser can be used as part of your morning or evening routine and you only need 1-2 pumps at any one time. Designed to be used on wet or dry skin, for me it is an evening cleanser and part of my double cleansing routine. Non-drying or stripping of the skin, it doesn't irritate or cause breakouts, what it does is thoroughly cleanse your skin to leave it feeling super clean, feeling fresh and best of all, it is just a delight to use.

Priced around £38 it is available from Cult Beauty*, John Lewis*, Lookfantastic* and of course Murad* themselves.

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