Love Me Beauty - March 2017

Spring is almost here and there are new beauty releases left right and centre this month. I have had a good old rummage of my stash and thrown out all those half finish products I am never going to get to the bottom of, all those that have possibly been open longer than they needed to be, beauty blenders replaced.

This months Love Me Beauty Edit, aptly called ‘Get the Glowdown edit’ features a whole host of amazing skincare brands which take you from winter to spring, shaking up that routine and it all comes ready packaged inside this absolutely amazing make-up bag which pretty much describes my everyday look on life with "Just wing it. Life, eyeliner, everything".

Each month the Love Me Beauty membership which costs just £10 per month is worth 60 credits and with you those credits you chose the items you want to see inside your box/bag from a wide selection of products covering everything from hair, skin, body, makeup, nails and more. From the items that you choose, the majority of them are either full sized or travel sized and the travel sized items are quite generously sized.  

Here are just some of the new additions which you can expect to see inside the March boutique and if you are thinking if signing up, then as a new subscriber you can get 20% off your first box using my exclusive reader code at the end of the post.

Perricone MD Blue Plasma Cleansing Treatment 59ml (25 credits) - This Blue Plasma Cleansing Treatment is a no-rinse formula that deeply cleanses makeup and skin-ageing debris as it gently exfoliates and conditions, leaving an instantly smooth and radiant appearance. 

Paired with Micellar molecules and powerful Blue Plasma technology, this gentle cleanser works to trap skin pollutants, unclog impurities from deep within pores and allows for optimal delivery of actives. Gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin, the treatment hydro-fuses skin with nutrient-enriched water and other key ingredients that include Salmon Egg Enzyme and Copper. Skin feels soft to the touch and looks smooth, fresh and radiant.

Ellis Faas Lips x4 sample tubes (10 credits). This is a brand I haven't come across until now and inside my little bag are 4 cute lip tubes from the Ellis Faas collection. These sampler shades Creamy Lips (L101), Milky Lips (L207), Hot Lips (L403) and Glazed Lips (L304). That's a deep red, an orangey-red, a hot pink and a nude in totally different finishes. 

Having since seen the full sized versions, I am now hankering after Glazed lips which retail for £23 and is packaged in the most incredible bullet. Back to these samples, I have been using them with my lip brush and the formulas are incredible.

Caudalie Vine[activ] Energizing and Smoothing Eye Cream 5ml and Vine[activ] 3-in-1 Moisturiser 15ml (20 Credits each) - I am a huge fan of Caudalie and have used quite a few products from their ranges over the years. In this edit, we have two products from the new Vine Activ range which has been created for those busy people constantly on the go. The Smoothing Eye Cream has been designed to Smooth and refresh tired eyes, diminish dark circles and smooth crows feet for a youthful, energised eye that sparkles.

The 3-in-1 Moisturiser has an incredibly light yet really hydrating formula and which cleverly minimises the level of pollution particles that come in contact with skin, reducing the level of ageing caused by free radicals. It also visibly smooths wrinkles and boasts glow-activating properties.

Korebeauty Hydrogel Facial Mask – (10 Credits) Ideal for skin that has begun the ageing process, it can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and contains a balance of ingredients that have been shown to improve skin elasticity and moisture balance for a supple and youthful-looking skin. 

Enriched with a powerful anti-ageing and deeply moisturising formulation containing Vitamin E, Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid it can help with stimulating cellular repair, boosting collagen and elastin and to improve skin tone.

Ultrasun Glimmer SPF20 25ml – (15 Credits) Admittedly Sun Tan lotions are never going to excite me, but this one is a little bit different to anything else I have read about and I am quite looking forward to giving it a try. 

Containing a ground-breaking formula which contains Superoxide Dismutase, an enzyme to help reduce free radical activity and tiny golden ‘glimmers’ which raise protection by deflecting the sun’s rays.

Omorovicza Moor Cream Cleanser 30ml – (20 credits). This is a gentle, detoxifying formula that works to eliminate impurities without over-drying or uncomfortable tightness. Ideal for sensitive and dry skin, it harnesses the purifying powers of mineral-rich Hungarian Moor Mud (derived from the largest thermal lake in Europe, Lake Hévíz), the luxurious cleanser delivers a deep pore cleansing action; effectively dissolving dirt and make-up to reveal a smoother, more refined appearance. 

The cooling blend of Camphor, Peppermint and Eucalyptus Essential Oils leave skin feeling soothed and revitalised, whilst the brand's patented Hydro Mineral Transference™ delivery system creates a firmer, younger-looking appearance with increased suppleness. This is one of my favourite brands and I have been using this cleanser for a while now and just absolutely love it, the feeling on the skin is quite incredible.  

So there you have it! I think this is an incredible edit for March and there is just so many amazing brands and so many incredible products. What I love about beauty subscriptions and it is something that I repeat a lot of, is the opportunity to try some products you might not necessarily come across, have heard of, are debating buying but want a trial first and you might just want to stock up on a favourite product that you have run out of. With subscriptions such as Love Me Beauty, you know what you are getting in your box every month, so if you are disappointed, then it is only you that you can blame. Of course, the makeup bag is a wonderful edition and a lot of fun.

Love Me Beauty Offer:

Sign up today and use my exclusive code beautyqueenuk20 to get 20% off your first box.

www.lovemebeauty.com

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

REAL TECHNIQUES PREP AND PRIME SET

Real Techniques is a brand I am sure you are all aware of and perhaps own a brush or makeup sponge from the brand. The brainchild of Sam and Nic aka Pixiwoo, Real Techniques produces professional quality makeup brushes, sponges, applicators and accessories that are both stylish and functional.

The Real Techniques Prep and Prime Set is described as being a combination of five tools that work harmoniously to deliver everything you need to prep, prime and apply foundation. The limited edition set guarantees a flawless, airbrushed complexion.

Within this limited edition set you will find the following tools:

Beauty Spatula - Make the most of your skincare products with the convenient Beauty Spatula. The double-sided spatula is crafted with a pointed and slanted tip, allowing you to retrieve leftover product from the hard-to-reach areas of jars and tubs.

Use the spatula for moisturisers, creams and any other skincare products that you are struggling to reach the last of the formula.

Under Eye Reviver - Awaken the eye area with the Under Eye Reviver; an aluminium massager that delivers an instant cooling effect to the skin. 

Combine the reviver with your favourite eye cream for added benefits.

Prep Brush - Prepare your skin for makeup application using the Prep Brush; a firm brush that is designed for applying skincare products.

Ideal for applying moisturiser, serums, masks or primers, the Prep Brush ensures an even application, ensuring skin is in optimum condition for makeup application.

Miracle Complexion Sponge - The Miracle Complexion Sponge will allow you to apply liquid and cream foundations flawlessly, giving your skin a poreless, airbrushed appearance. Easy to use, the sponge features rounded sides that allow you to smooth foundation over large areas of your face, whilst the flat edge allows you to blend it into the contours of your eyes and nose. Finished with a precision tip that's perfect for targeting specific blemishes and imperfections, the sponge will produce high definition results so you can create a professional finish.

Sponge Stand - Care for your sponge using the specially designed Sponge Stand. Crafted for the Miracle Complexion Sponge, the stand is ideal for storing the tool whilst not in use, and is perfect for when the sponge needs to dry.

I love that the bright orangeness of this kit means it isn't one you will forget about using and it is intriguing to see Real Techniques evolving to bring out some products that are not specifically brush related but will work to complement the use of the brushes.

You can find the Prep and Prime Set in Lookfantastic, Beauty Expert, Escentual and Boots ranging in price from £16.95 to £19.95.  So if you like the look of this kit and fancy trying it, then Superdrug for less than £10 (here but keep checking as it goes out of stock quick) is too much of a bargain to miss out. 

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Confessions by Beauty Boulevard

Beauty Boulevard is a brand you might now have come across until I mention 'Glitter Lips' that came from nowhere and ended up everywhere proving to be such a success in Topshop here in London, that it sold out within a matter of days. Well alongside Glitter Lips comes a whole host of other products and the ones I have tried and tested come in the form of a Tri-Colour Lipstick and a Lip Mask.

The hydra-gel lip mask is designed to plump and smooth dry and damaged lips. A lip mask isn't something new, there are quite a few of them around if you look, but this is the first time I have tried anything like this and I absolutely loved it plus it is a lot of fun. My lips are usually in fairly good condition as I am a lip balm addict but whenever I have a cold, no matter what I use, I always end up with dehydrated feeling lips, so these masks have been a god send.

The lip masks have three main aims - to plump, add moisture and contour. To do this, they use the natural elements from red seaweed plant, exfoliating properties derived from sugar beets and ingredients which occur naturally in green tea. Hyaluronic Acid boosts hydration with Amino Acids helping the skin to stretch and bounce back into place.. Anti-Oxidant rich Red Wine extract and Collagen components help to plump and smooth lips for an overall more youthful appearance.

To use you first need to ensure that your lips are clean and that any makeup and surface dirt and grime is removed and then once you have carefully opened the foil package, gently remove the gel mask and apply it to the lips. Once on the lips there is an instant cooling feeling which is really quite nice. After 10-15 minutes, remove the mask and what I noticed after using them was how soft my lips felt and gone was the dry skin to the side of my mouth. At £7.50 for two masks, an absolute bargain and you can find them here.

Next is the Tri Colour Lip Tints which are designed to add a sheer drop of colour to your lips but to also condition and hydrate. Each Tri Colour Lip Tint contains naturally nourishing Coconut Oil, Jojoba and Beeswax for intense lip hydration and provides a slight touch of colour with a silky smooth, glossy finish. This is shade Envy which brings together three bright and bold shades with orange, purple and pink and far from being as bold on the lips, the shade is really subtle.

On the lips, the tints glide across your lips without the dragging feeling and are really lightweight, moisturising and do leave your lips with that 'just applied lip balm' feel to them. The formula isn't stick or tacky to the touch and once applied you can leave it for a good few hours before you need to re-apply.  Perfect for using on their own or with your lipstick you can find these here for £8.50 with three shades to choose from.

Have you ever used any products from Beauty Boulevard?

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Project Renegades

The creative duo behind Escentric Molecules, Geza Schoen and Paul White, have teamed up with rebel perfumers Bertrand Duchaufour and Mark Buxton to launch new fragrance brand Project Renegades. They all worked for large fragrance houses contributing to many classic scents for brands which you will be familiar with - Escentric Molecules, Comme des Garçons, Penhaligons and Acqua de Parma to name but a few. 

I was not only lucky enough to be present for the launch of the brand, but I got to sit, listen and ask questions of each of them which was, just the ultimate experience and an absolute honour.  

Deciding to take the fragrance world by storm, give it a kick and have some fun, each perfumer created a fragrance of their own, with no limitations of a tight brief or restrictions on materials. In fact they could come up with what they wanted and that is exactly what they did. The end result was three very unique scents, three crazy avatars and three incredibly eye-catching bottles which are not only distinctive but come with a fridge magnet of each avatar.

Geza Schoen’s Renegades fragrance is constructed around pink pepper, creating a portrait of the whole tree - berries, bark and leaves. I loved this scent immediately which might come as no surprise to those of you who know how much I adore Escentic Molecules. 

So with top notes of pink pepper, lemon, bergamot, cassis and lime; middle notes of osmanthus, iris, fir, juniper, hedione and mate and base notes of the well known iso e super, cedar, sandalwood, labdanum, incense, myrrh, castoreum and ambrette (musk mallow) what you get is the most amazing woody spicy fragrance which is suitable for men and women.

Bertrand Duchaufour’s Renegades fragrance opens with pink pepper and ends with a sea breeze. This time there is top notes of pink pepper, bergamot, cardamom, gin, cassis and galbanum. The middle notes are red berries, olibanum and hinoki wood and the base notes are balsam fir, driftwood and amber. 

This is again a woody spicy scent which is suitable for both men and women and I hadn't expected to like the scent, I'm not usually a fan of perfumes with amber in them, but this one is just beautiful and again is unlike anything else I have ever smelt or come across.

Mark Buxton’s Renegades fragrance is woody and spicy, revolving around a smoky leather rose. This time we have top notes which are basil, lentisque, black pepper, cassis-flower and galbanum; middle notes of leather rose and bay and base notes which are labdanum, guaiac wood, vetiver and amber.  

Again we have a Woody Spicy scent which has the added extra of being a smoky scent owing to the leather rose.  For both men and women, I actually think this one will be much better suited to the mister of my house than it will be to me, but I am prepared to give it a go because once again it is quite striking, it is divine and is like nothing else I have ever come across.

I know most people will be wanting to know whether or not I have a favourite amongst the three fragrances and truth me told they are all amazing in their own way, they all make you think and they are all just totally different to each other and anything else you are likely to find in any department store or on any fragrance counter.  That said, the one which appeals to me the most is from Geza, I love the freshness of the scent, I love how it smells on my skin and I love that it lasts for most of the day once applied.

If these fragrances have managed to capture your attention, then you will find the brand in Harvey Nichols and each one retails at £155.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise