Review | L'Oréal 3 in 1 Micellar Solution

A recent weekly shop saw the latest Micellar water from L'Oréal land in my basket - Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Micellar Water. Since Bioderma took the beauty world by storm I am pleased to see that many high street brands are following suit, with L'Oréal being the latest to serve up their own version. In case you have been residing under a rock for the past year then micellar waters have been the latest innovation in makeup removing, promising to dissolve and remove makeup. Whilst I rely on cleansing balms for a deep down clean, I don't rely on them to remove my makeup and tend to take a 2 step approach when it comes to cleansing.  I have been using this pre-night time routine to remove my makeup before moving onto a proper cleanse and I have to say I am impressed. I like to use one large cotton pad, sweep over my eyes and then move over my face. I will sometimes use 2 pads dependent on how heavy my makeup is that day. Boy does this remove, as a waterproof mascara gal this takes it all off. No more morning panda eyes when traces have been left behind. My only niggle would be that it sells itself on unclogging pores and clearing impurities, which for something that only works on the surface I struggle to believe, I certainly would not skip a proper cleanse afterwards.  If however, you are looking to adding a pre-cleanse to your skincare routine then I certainly recommend giving this a try. And for £5 a pop, whats not to love?

Rimmel Salon Pro | Summer Orange

Suffice to say I have found a new nail polish love. I didn't think the day would come when I would find a polish to rival my extensive Essie collection but Rimmel Salon Pro range have hit the nail on the head with this range. After Summer Orange made its way into my Boots basket a while couple of weeks ago its all I have been wearing on my nails since. A vibrant orange red its definitely a shade which stands out from the crowd. In fact I can't fault the range. Firstly, the brush. Hallelujah, other brands aside from Essie are taking note with the wider brush which allows you to glide your polish on in one swoop, goodbye messy nails. The formula is spot on - not too thick and not too runny, which allows you to get streak free nails in just one coat. With the brighter shades you need a couple of coats to achieve full opaqueness but the formula dries pretty quickly so once you have finished your second hand you can move straight back onto the first. Lasting time? Well my five day old nails in the picture are testimony that this stuff lasts. Aside from a little wear at the edges its pretty much chip free, albeit they were topped with a good helping of Seché Vite. With 32 colours available in the range and at only £4.49 a pop I have already scheduled another visit to Boots. 

Introducing: Glo Minerals Makeup

Mineral makeup has never really been on my radar, its something I saw pop up on the shopping channel on a lazy Sunday afternoon but it just never really pushed my buttons. The thought of combining both skincare and makeup together was something that I had previously dismissed, strictly keeping the two separate. But a few weeks ago I made a pact to forget my negative pre-empt judgement on mineral makeup. So when I was given the heads up about a UK launch of brand from across the pond I decided to embrace it. After all theres only so many times you can eyeball the mineral shadows in House of Fraser without wondering whats the deal... 

Glo minerals is a brand from across the pond. Launching in 2002 its already become a hit in the states and has just recently touched down on British soil. An award winning brand priding themselves on not only promoting flawles, high quality makeup, but makeup that benefits the skin too. Packed full of skincare goodness, the brands makeup comes complete with sun protection - Hello heatwave...

I briefly touched on their powder SPF in this post, and given the recent heat wave it has been proven to be an essential in my handbag. Their lip tint/gloss has proven to be the most non sticky formula of a gloss yet to date and whilst I was not overly keen on the liquid bronzer (a tad too sticky for my liking), the highlighter, a pearlescent subtle cream formula has been making an beeline for my cheekbones giving a subtle, natural glow. I like to apply under my foundation for a dewy natural look. My favourite of the bunch though has to be the eyeshadow trio in Amethyst,  a mix of aubergine and mauve, its the perfect collection of colours for a smoky eye with a pop of colour. Pigmented, long lasting with not a crease in sight on my oily lids - these get a big thumbs up from me.

Whilst I can't speak as to whether these really do benefit the skin for ladies that actively seek cosmetics free from parabens, fillers and nasties then I certainly recommend that you give these a try. Could I be a mineral makeup convert?

Glo Minerals are available now on the UK website - www.glo-minerals.com.

*PR Samples

Beach Holiday Beauty Essentials

When it comes to packing for a week away in the sun I take packing my beauty essentials pretty seriously and its safe to say that aside from passport, tickets, money it takes precedence. In the weeks leading up to my holiday my iPhone notes section will be filled with random 'essentials' that I need to purchase pre departure. It's been a while since I indulged in a real beach holiday, so Kudos to my boyfriends sister for choosing none other than Party Island Ibiza as her wedding destination. With 3 months to go until take off I have already started the pre holiday prep and after taking in Lisa Eldridges latest video I am well and truly on my way to be sorted for a week in the heat!

Its easy to get carried away when it comes to packing and in the past I have been known to return with an arsenal of items which I did not use/need. I think its going away with my boyfriend that does it, not having the safety net of the girls, knowing that if you do forget an important makeup item your girlfriends are there to bail you out. However with a limited baggage allowance I need to whittle it down to the essentials that I know I will use and heres the spiel. 

A few weeks before take off I like to get my body prepped i.e. giving my body a little pre holiday tanning.  After many a fake tan fail I have found the safest bet to be of the gradual tanners/moisturisers. Garnier Body's Summer Body is probably the most user friendly. Easy to apply, quick drying and it comes in at less than a fiver. Sold. My only niggle is that it does have a rather potent fake tanning scent after it has dried. Apply at night and shower in the morning = problem solved, or else risk colleagues looking for the biscuit tin every time you walk past. For my face I have been adding a quick swipe of Clarins Liquid Bronze using a cotton pad. I use this after my final skincare step, just before bed. It takes a few applications to see a difference yet is so natural that no one would even think you have been topping up the fake tan. Tanning prep aside, its time to bring on the protection ladies. I am not going to go into a big lecture, we all know the importance of sun protection so lets use it. I am a big fan of the mists over the cream formulas. Albeit a tad pricier, but a lot more easy to use. Nivea Suns SPF20 Cooling Mist often gets thrown in my handbag on hotter days as its quick enough to use on the go without having to wait an era for it to dry. I tend to use a separate protection for my face and am a big fan of Clarins SPF30 Sun Wrinkle Cream which is a light formula which leaves a good base for make up without it slipping and sliding over my face. With this you will find that a think layer works best, and take your time to really work into the skin so that it sinks in rather than leaving a residue on the surface. If however you dislike the idea of applying a cream formula SPF then why not try a powder instead. I am really loving Glo Minerals Powder SPF30* at the moment which is a mineral based powder you can apply on the go. You literally give it a shake to disperse some powder into the brush and then dust all over your face. It adds an almost veil to the skin, which is undetectable so you can be safe in the knowledge that you are protected whilst keeping shine at bay.  Although the brush is a tad rough for my liking, I haven't burnt a bit fingers crossed! Just don't forget to reapply often. With protection of the skin variety covered its time to move onto hair. For all you water babes out there, you will know only too well the effects of chlorine, salt water, and sun on your hair. I can't count how many times I have come back from the beach and had to spend an age trying to get a comb through my hair to be left with split sun damaged mess. So this year I am going prepared. Mainly because I need my hair to be in tip top shape for the wedding, and with 3 free days prior to the wedding I shall be be topping up my tan in prep I therefore can't risk ruining my hair. So I will be packing the Philip Kingsleys Swim Cap*. You apply this to damp hair, I plan on dampening my hair and then running some of this through it before sweeping it into a fishtail plait of some sort - beach chic at its best! 

Makeup wise I like to go minimal and use long lasting products. I am a far cry from the girl applying lipgloss by the pool. For days when I need a little coverage I will be sticking to my Christian Dior BB Cream or Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser. Both medium/light coverage which are both versatile and buildable whilst still letting my natural skin show through. For some added colour its stains all the way. I recently picked up one of the Esteé Lauders Cello Shots which is a gel based cheek stain, and is ridiculously long lasting for a cheek colour and can be doubled up as a lip stain with a touch of SPF lipbalm over the top. Whilst on the subject of lips, if you are anything like me then you will want some colour whilst sitting by the pool or on the beach so your best bet is so grab your self some lip stains. I am still waxing lyrical about the Revlon Kissable Balms which are a permanent in my handbag, and I will be popping Honey and Rendezvous into my makeup bag this year.  

So with my holiday beauty essentials slowly but surely being ticked off the list, all thats left is finding A. a dress for the wedding and B. getting my 'bikini bod' ready! Onto Day 5 of 30 day shred I go...

*PR Sample(s)

In The Nude

Clockwise - Nails Inc Porchester Square, Rimmel Kate Soul Session, Essie Sand Tropez, Models Own Utopia, Essie Fiji

If I had to opt for one nail polish for the rest of my existence then its a safe bet that it would be one of the above. I tend to go from one extreme to the other when it comes to my nails opting for a bright in your face shade, or keeping things subtle with a safe nude colour. Theres something sophisticated about a neat nude nail with a high shine top coat that just screams i'm a grown up (honest). So I thought it was about time I pulled out my overflowing nail polish collection and gave a full edit of my top nudes. 

Nails Inc Porchester Square is probably the most coveted nude in the blogosphere, this happened to accidentally make its way into my possession via Glossy Box.  Described as a muted mushroom shade, I would say this definitely has hues or Barry M's Mushroom (remember that one?) yet with an ever so slight lavender undertone. I picked up one of the Rimmel Kate Salon Pro Polishes a little while ago, actually whilst doing my weekly food shop - food + purchasing nail polish = winner . And I am happy to report that for a relatively cheaper polish it packs a mean punch. I was pleasantly surprised (in a good way) to see that Rimmel have gone along the lines of Rimmel and introduced the wider brush which makes applying polish a dream. Albeit it took 2-3 coats to achieve full opaqueness the lasting power was pretty impressive, with almost a weeks wear without chipping. Models Own Utopia is probably the pinkest of the bunch with tones of both pink and lilac depending on the lighting. Ah Essie, a nail polish post would not make the cut without a couple thrown in. I picked up Fiji quite a long time ago and have developed a love hate with it ever since. Once applied I love it, its applying it that I don't. I find that with me you need about 3-4 coats to get a good coverage and being a neat freak Virgo this can mean that it takes several attempts to achieve a look I am comfortable with as its not very forgiving when it comes to flaws. Time and patience are definitely the key to this one. Another Essie which has whittled its way into my collection is Sand Tropez, a ridiculously gorgeous almost dirty nude shade which will look incredible with a tan...this is definitely going to be packed into my suitcase for when I finally escape later this year. 

So...are you a nude fan or do you opt for the more vibrant side of the spectrum on your nails?