NEW Rimmel #Insta Makeup Collection : Review & Swatches

Rimmel Have done some amazing things recently it and if you are a regular reader of my blog you will have seen the Brow Boutique and the Super Gel Beach Ready Nail Polish Collection. Today I am sharing the love with the extended #Insta Makeup Collection which features some new selfie-ready items.

The first item I was drawn to is the #Insta Conceal & Correct. Now I am a user of Colour-correcting products and have a good selection of products in my stash, but none of them are on an easy to carry palette like this. This little trio palette has three colour correction shades.

A trio palette that contains the 3 ultimate shades for colour correction on the skin and if you use colour correcting shade then you will know that Peach is for dark circles, Green is for redness and blemishes and Violet is used on those dull and sallow tones. I use this palette after primer but before foundation and if im not wearing foundation then it works just as well with tinted moisturiser.

Staying with the trio palettes for the #Insta Conceal & Contour which is available in three shades - Light, Medium or dark. The three cream shades are then one highlighter, one concealer and one contour shade. 

I wasn't expecting to find the textures of these shades as nice as they are, but they do apply really nicely, for me the only downside is that the highlighter on the lightest palette, the one which suits my skintone the most, isn't as glowy as I am used to, infact it is more like a concealer, which is how I use it.

I love a good setting spray or a powder, im not fussy as to which it is as long as ive got one and it does the job. So #Insta Fix & Go 2 in 1 Primer and Setting Spray is essentially described within its name and does exactly what it is called. 

This is an oil-free formula that can be sprayed on underneath or over makeup to perfect and set, which is quite clever. If used prior to makeup application, the solution works to prime your complexion and if it is used to set makeup, it is a transparent spray which doesn't effect your makeup.  I haven't found this drying on the skin and my preferred method of use is after makeup as I think it has better staying power.

The product most people on my timelines seem to be talking about, myself included, is the #Insta Fix & Matte. This product is essentially a lightweight, pressed, translucent powder and it can be used to set foundation as a finishing step and for quick touch ups during the day. 

This isn't a powder which leaves my skin looking clogged and nor does it leave any white colour on the face, infact it actually contains a Doesn’t leave my skin feeling micro-fine pigment which gives a barely there finish.

The final items within the #Insta Makeup Collection are the Duo Contour Sticks and again these come in three shades - Light, dark and medium but until the palettes, I actually have used all three of these, mainly because I prefer the highlighter on both the dark and medium sticks. 

The sticks use a double-ended format and have the highlighter on one end and the contour on the other and for someone like me who has taken a while to grasp the whole contour concept, these sticks have helped me no end.

I have absolutely loved using these products, they work so well as a collection and are much better than I had originally given them credit for. If you want to get your hands on them, then they are currently on a 3 for 2 offer in Boots (here) and are so purse friendly they won't annoy your bank manager.

*this post contains PR samples/affiliate links unless indicated otherwise

24K BIO-GOLD CAPSULE COLLECTION FROM BIO- ESSENCE

The one thing I really enjoy about being a beauty blogger is getting the opportunity to try some brands and products that I might never have come across. This is exactly what has happened with Bio-Essence. Bio-Essence is exclusive to Superdrug and having had a few products from the range for a good few weeks, I feel that I am ready to share them with you.

The entire collection is infused with gold, flakes of 24K gold, and when absorbed by the skin, it releases active gold ions which are rich in trace minerals. This goes on to promote blood and oxygen circulation which improves skin’s metabolism, This also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin present in skin, which in turn, increases the skin’s collagen fibres, keeping skin firm and youthful. It also has a high antioxidant power and the entire range works to protect the skin from those harmful free radicals and helps to defy signs of ageing such as dry and dull skin, wrinkles and fine lines!

There are 4 steps to follow with this range and they are 1. Cleanse 2. Gold Water 3. Moisturise 4. Miracle Finisher. I have steps 2 and 4 which I have been using and I expected to really dislike both products but actually found them both incredible to use for very different reasons and here is why.

24K Bio-Gold Gold Water (£16.99): Infused with unique Japanese rose extract called Eijitsu, it helps to quench skin with much-needed hydration and refine pores so that skin feels petal-soft and hydrated. It also claims to improves the skin's elasticity to prevent sagging, regulates moisture and sebum balance, restores a naturally glowing complexion and plumps up the skin to defy wrinkles and fine lines. 

As you can see through the bottle, floating within the water are some small gold flakes, quite mesmerising to watch them move around as you swirl the bottle from side to side. Far from being heavy on the skin, it is a really lightweight texture and to use, you firstly need to ensure your skin has been freshly cleansed and then, if like me, you are now well acquainted with using as Essence as part of your routine, this forms that part of your process. So you can either use your hands to apply or something else of your choice like a cotton wool pad, my preference is to pour a few drops into the palm of my hand and then  simply pat it onto the skin and allow it to absorb, which it does incredibly quickly. Once it has absorbed, you are left with just incredibly hydrated feeling skin.

Then we have the 24K Bio- Gold Miracle Finisher (£29.99): Given its name, it is the final step to follow from the 4 step routine and it is enriched with 24K Bio-Gold, Bio Mineral Amino Acid and Bio Energy Fluid and it essentially helps to seal in nutrients, protect against harmful pollutants such as free radicals and leave your skin with a smooth, matte canvas.

So protecting the skin from within and from the outside, you are also being given a perfect base for the application of makeup, something we all desire to achieve. Again, I use my fingers to apply this to my face and you only really need a small amount and light pat onto the skin. What I like about this product is again the lightweight texture on the skin, it isn't heavy, tacky or sticky and better than that for me is that because I have combination/oily skin it helps to ensure I am not overly shiny before my day has even started. 

Overall I like what I have tried from the Bio Essence Range and I especially like the Gold Water. I am a convert to using an Essence within my skincare routine and I have really enjoyed using this, I was drawn to the idea of the gold particles and I can see that it does hydrate my skin incredibly well. 

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Amazon Prime Day with Foreo

Right now it is Amazon Prime Day and if like me you are a big Amazon user, then there are hundreds of deals waiting for you from some amazing brands. Price reductions will cover everything from technology, e-books, music, videos, clothing, baby items and some say the sale is big enough to rival Black Friday. The first Prime Day was held on July 15 2015, the anniversary of the founding of the online retail giant by chief executive Jeff Bezos. Obviously to take advantage of these deals you do need to be an Amazon Prime customer (like me).

The Swedish beauty buffs at Foreo are offering up to 25% off during Amazon Prime Day and you could bag some of these bargains:

LUNA mini 2 - This skin-brightening, facial cleansing powerhouse is an Amazon bestseller and beauty blogger favorite - its ultra-hygienic silicone is perfect for any skin type, and there are zero replacement brush heads required. It is also available in six killer - everything from millennial pink to matte black.

£119 NOW £95.20 (SAVE £23.80) HERE

ISSA Hybrid - No matter what you’re using now, this sleek sonic toothbrush is a major upgrade. Its long-lasting battery (1 charge = 1 year), powerful sonic pulsations and silicone/PBT polymer cross design will forever change the way you brush your teeth.

£149 NOW £111.75 (SAVE £57.25) HERE

IRIS - This crazy-looking eye massager is crazy good at diminishing under-eye circles, bags, fine lines and wrinkles. It illuminates and refreshes tired eyes and is so incredibly relaxing to use, that when I have a migraine on its way, this is a real help.  I have reviewed in full right here.

£119 NOW £89.25 (SAVE £29.75) HERE

Have you ever tried a device from the Foreo Family?

*this post contains PR samples/Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise

L'Occitane Verbena Limited Edition Collection

In the summer anything that can cool you down from the hot sticky heat is a must have product in my eyes and once again L'Occitane manage to release an incredible range to do just that with their Limited Edition Verbena Collection.

Starting with the Verbena Fresh Shower gel which is enriched with menthol and an organic verbena extract from Provence and it is just incredible for cooling down the skin and body temperature but also kicking you awake first thing in a morning. 

On the skin it leaves the cooling scent of Verbena, which is a beautifully Lemony and fresh. Priced at £16 for 250ml this is a must for Summer.

Next is the Verbena Frappé Body Cream and again using the fresh Verbena scent, this cream is incredibly lightweight on the skin and is such a treat after being on the shower because it has an instant cooling affect on the skin. 

It is suggested by L'Occitane that you keep this cream in the fridge which adds that little extra 'oooh' when you just need cooling down but at the same time give your skin some hydration and nourishment too. Priced at £20 for 100ml.

Next up, the Refreshing Exfoliating Sugars which is my favourite product of the range. It is enriched again with an organic verbena extract from Provence and contains sugar crystals and ground walnut shell to gently exfoliate.

On the skin the sugar crystals and the ground walnut shell are quite small and in no way abrasive but they do exfoliate really well and naturally again with the Verbena scent it is just an incredible scent too. Priced at £22 for 175g this is a great edition to the whole range and one which adds an extra oomph when combined with the shower gel!

Last but by no means least, a collection from L'Occitane wouldn't be the same without a hand cream. I adore L'Occitane hand creams they are incredible and this one is just as good as I was expecting it to be.

With the hand cream the Lemony Verbena scent is much more delicate than any of the other products but it is still there. All of the hand creams I have tried from L'Occitane have been lightweight enough to not make your hands feel greasy but luxurious enough to ensure that they are moisturised and hydrated. This one retails at £8 for 30ml and worth snapping up!

So there you have four wonderful products from a Limited Edition Collection which are worth tracking down in my opinion.

Are you a fan of L'Occitane and do you have a favourite collection?

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise