elf cosmetics Luminous Putty Primer

When you see headlines such as “This £8 pore-smoothing primer is finally back in stock” or “X product has a waiting list of 140,000” it does spark intrigue and wonder and it is exactly what happened with elf Poreless Putty Primer. However, today, I am sharing the Luminous Putty which surprisingly seems just as popular.

Like many, I wanted to know what all the fuss was about and thankfully I have been able to do just that. The elf Cosmetics Luminous Putty Primer* is nothing at all like I expected it to be, it is definitely not a putty, something I expect to be a thick almost plasticine type texture, instead, if ever you have used Dr Feelgood by Benefit Cosmetics, then to me, it is incredibly similar to that, just a fraction of the price.

This Putty Primer is available in three different options depending on your need:

• Poreless Putty Primer- Perfect for those who want a poreless, flawless complexion.
• Matte Putty Primer – Perfect for those who want a shine-free matte complexion.
• Luminous Putty Primer – Perfect for those who want a radiant, glowing complexion.

The 'putty' which feels more like a velvety balm, smoothes onto the skin without being heavy or greasy on the skin, it also doesn't have that icky silicone feel to it that many other primers have.  This version is infused with Hyaluronic Acid and Vegan Collagen to help plump and hydrate the skin,  but also keep it dewy enough to still perform its job of keeping your makeup in place once applied as well as 

As someone who has combination skin, which means I am prone to that mid-afternoon shine, this Luminous Putty Primer does a really job at holding my makeup in place, whether I have used a liquid foundation or a tinted serum. It also doesn't pill on the skin and neither is there any sliding of makeup from my skin mid-afternoon, though if I was to be going out in an evening, I would need to top up my makeup, which I would be doing anyway.

For an £8, this really easy an amazing primer, perfect for those of us with combination skin, it works to blur imperfections really nicely, it glides onto the skin effortlessly and it does a great job at gripping onto makeup.

This elf Luminous Putty Primer has earned itself a bit of a cult following and is available from elf cosmetics*, Boots and Superdrug.

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

The Body Shop Purify and Protect with the Lemon Routine

The Body Shop have had some amazing launches over the last 12 months. Now it is time for another.  Over the last year, we have all been made more than aware of the important of washing our hands. It seems an odd thing to have to teach people and remind them constantly to do, but needs must. With the constant need for hand washing and sanitising, come further issues of dry and irritated hands for some and thus the need for hand cream and other lotions and potions for some TLC.

To help with all of the above, The Body Shop has launched a brand new Lemon purify and protect routine which is made up of three simple steps - antibacterial, intense cleanse and then finally care & perfect.  The entire range is made using Lemon essential oil, an ingredient which is known for its purifying properties and of course its notable scent. 

The first stage of The Body Shop Purify and Protect routine starts with the antibacterial stage, for this we have the Lemon Cleansing Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer which, is sold in either a handbag sized 100ml or a bigger 250ml size.

Incredibly zesty in scent, this hand sanitizer is not only designed to keep your hands clean and germ free it also keeps them smelling clean too. Perfect for use when there is no soap to hand, this sanitizer is made up of almost 70% alcohol to help protect against germs and viruses.

The second product for step two is the Intense Cleanse stage which features three different products - a hair and body wash, a face wash or the product I am sharing with you today, the Lemon Purifying hand wash. 

Designed to keep your hands fresh throughout the day, this hand wash is enriched with natural lemon essential oil which is known for its purifying properties, it helps wash away bacteria and impurities, leaving hands feeling squeaky clean. It thankfully comes packaged in a pump action, recyclable, bottle which makes dispensing the hand wash simple and straightforward, with one pump being enough to clean your hands.

For the third stage, which is known as the Care & Protect stage, there is two products - the Lemon Caring & Purifying Hair Mist or the product I am sharing, which is the Lemon Protecting Hand & Body Lotion.

This lotion smells absolutely incredible, think the fresh scent of freshly squeezed lemon but with added sweetness. Enriched with natural lemon essential oil known for its purifying properties, it leaves skin feeling protected and rehydrated after frequent washing, for which there is also the inclusion of both Shea Butter and Olive Oil.

The lotion itself isn't too thick a texture, so once on the skin it begins to absorb on contact, with very little need for a lot of massaging into the hands and body. Once it has absorbed, there is no greasy film or residue on the skin, but what you are left with is the tangy scent of lemon, which I just adore.

This Purify and Protect collection is on sale right now* at the Body Shop with prices starting at just £6 and you can find it right here.

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

Beatitude - Joy Collection

I was introduced to Beatitude back in 2017 with Patience, the bath oil and it has been a love affair ever since. Beatitude is a luxury aromatherapy brand created back in 2011 by beauty therapist and aromatherapist Rebecca O’Connor. The next collection to land in my lap is the Joy Collection, from which I have both a bath oil and a body oil.

The Joy aromatherapy blend is fondly known affectionately as ‘Sunshine in a Bottle” and as soon as you catch it’s scent, it isn’t hard to understand why. It has a wonderfully powerful uplifting scent owning to its ingredients which includes the likes of Orange, Mandarin, Petitgrain, Grapefruit and Bergamot - all of which are known for their properties to lift the mood and deal with fatigue, tiredness and moodiness to name just a few.

The bath oil (£25) which is packaged in the cutest of square glass bottles is a bright citrusy orange colour and it looks as wonderful as it both smells and makes you feel. To use. You need just a few drops added to running bath water and as soon as they come into contact, the most wonderful citrusy scent with a hint of earthiness comes to life and quickly envelopes both the room you are in and the bath water.   

Spending time in the bath is one of my favourite ways to relax and unwind and with oils such as this one, it’s a wonderful time out experience. The oil, which doesn’t leave the skin feeling oily or greasy, disperses within the water leaving just it’s wonderful aroma.

Once out of the bath, I feel incredibly lucky to also have the Joy Body Oil (£34) to use. Made with 100% natural ingredients and again referred to as “sunshine in a bottle”, this nourishing and natural body oil is not only designed to provide hydration to the skin, but owing to the ingredients used, it is great for uplifting the mood.

Ingredients within this oil includes Oat, Camellia, Peach Kernel and Daikon Radish Seed and together they provide a wonderfully unique silky texture that is easily absorbed leaving beautiful soft, smooth skin without a greasy film being left behind. Alongside those oils you will find the essential oils of bergamot, grapefruit, orange and petitgrain which also feature in the bath oil, so it’s a perfect compliment.

Incredibly luxurious and beautiful products, the most thought gift of gifts to give and you can find this blend and a few more with Beatitude right here.

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

How to Work in the Fashion Industry

For many people, fashion is just something that they do as part of their lifestyle. They love it, but it’s not something that they engage with on a serious level. But then there are the people that really want to be as involved in the fashion world as possible, and this typically means working in the industry. Indeed, isn’t this a dream job for so many people? Alas, the social prestige and glamour of working in the industry mean that competition for places can be tough. But it’s not impossible -- there are, after all, many people working in fashion! So how can you land yourself a position? We’ll take a look below.

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Throw Yourself In

If you read the memoirs of the people that really made a splash in the fashion world, you’ll find that they went on a long journey before they finally reached the top of their profession. And it all began with an all-consuming passion. They were highly interested in fashion well before they were ever paid for it. While you might need or want to do an internship at a fashion house along the way, the real internship will begin before then, when you’re obsessed with the fashion world.

Get Educated

You might know that you’ve got the skills required to succeed in the fashion world, but that’s not going to necessarily convince employers. That may want to see that you’ve received a formal education in all things fashion-related. Happily, there are plenty of universities that offer top-quality fashion degrees. Most of them, such as the London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins, are based in the capital. Could it be for you? Take a look at what’s on offer, find out more information on student accommodation in London, and look to begin your studies. As well as giving you all the need to know information, you’ll also find that studying helps to build your network. And talking of which...

Build Your Network

There are some jobs where you can do things entirely on your own, but the fashion world is not one of them. As well as what you know, there’s also the matter of who you know. As such, it’s important to learn the art of networking, and then take steps to put it into practice and build your network. They’ll be friends first that push you further along your journey, but at some point, they might just present an opportunity that gives you your first big break in the business.

Be Bold

Finally, remember to bring some attitude! In any profession where competition is tough, you generally don’t get anything if you’re just sitting quietly in the background. If you want to be noticed, then you’ll need to put your best foot forward and make sure that you’re heard. Many people who end up being a success in the fashion or other creative industries usually bulldozed themselves through the front door. Make it so that people have no option other than to pay attention to you.

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