Monday 18 April 2016

Rodial Stemcell Superfood Facial Oil


If a real superfood did what this stuff has done to my face, I really think I would have cracked the code of eternal youth. Seriously, I haven't used anything like this before. I do yoga, regularly juice, use coconut oil, eat chia seeds, take my vits like spirulina, and eat my greens, but nothing has made me look instantly healthy and glowy this fast. The Stemcell Super Food Facial Oil from Rodial is like a facelift in a bottle. It's a dry oil that is worn under a moisturiser which contains antioxidants, Vitamins A, B5, C, and E to balance moisture, radiate skin, and hydrate it. It uses the latest stem cell technology, Phytocell Alp Rose which protects the skin from daily aggressors and therefore reducing the skin from the apperance of wrinkles.

The PhytoCellTec alp rose serum improves visual vitality of the skin, the rosehip seed oil promotes skin elacitiy, maurla oil  is rich in omega oils so softens skin, vitamin C illuminates skin, and bassu oil works as an anti oxident while smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles.



Apply around three drops onto cleansed skin and pat onto face and neck, concentrating on areas of expression lines. You have to be quick because it absorbed into the skin super fast and leaves a beautiful sheen. If you can help it, try not to use too much and bathe in it, because it smells incredible. The rose scent is so amazing, it soothes not only your skin, but your emotions. It's like putting a real life Instagram filter on your face - after applying your left with perfectly radiant skin which glows from within. It's fascinating. I still don't get it, and what surprises me most of all is that it keeps makeup in place all days, and enhances your foundation so that skin I was talking about earlier, still shines through. 

I'm obsessed with this product. It beats any primer I have ever used, and on some days, I have even ditched my illuminater which I use before my foundation because this stuff luminates skin without makeup. 

I discovered Rodial a few weeks ago when I went to their Skin Bar in Harvey Nichols. Since using heir products, I have noticed a huge difference to my complexion. My skin is looking younger, brighter, smoother, and so good I have started to wear less makeup. This Stemcell Super Food Facial Oil is definitely my favourite. It's expensive, but really worth it.

£60 
Available from Rodial and Harvey Nichols  

Tuesday 12 April 2016

Dare to Bare - bare Minerals Complexion Rescue


For my off duty beauty days - when I'm at the gym, or when I know I'm not going to bump into anyone I know, I wear minimal makeup. Tinted moisturiser, mascara, eyebrows, and a sweep of bronzer to make me look alive - it's the barely there look that makes me look natural, yet acceptable to the outside world. So if I do bump into a friend, or colleague, my skin still looks lovely, radiant and flawless, even without, ahem...any makeup! You get it...?

Perfect skin is always hard to achieve for foundation users, especially if you're used to skin looking flawless all the time. For my off duty beauty, I usually use half the amount of foundation and mix with moisturiser, and illuminator which always works, but it doesn't last very long and kind of makes me look tired. A BB cream, and tinted moisturiser will do the same but the coverage is never good enough. Now, that I have discovered the Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream from bare Minerals, it has solved all of my problems. 


The complexion rescue does what it says on the tin, it's a gel/cream with benefits - it has colour, and it's an SPF (chemical free SPF30) making it perfect for the summer, when you really don't need much makeup. The creamy mousse type texture can be applied to the face like a moisturiser, so you don't need to watch where it is applied because it blends to your skin so easily. It comes in 10 shades to suit all skin colours, and evens out skin tones by adapting to your natural colour. The gel itself hydrates skin leaving a natural, dewy, and radiant finish, with with just the right amount of coverage to still see the skin.


This is the first time I have use bare Minerals, and I am so impressed. It's common knowlege that makeup bases, and foundation is their thing. They really are one of the leaders in creating perfect skin, and the natural no makeup, makeup look. Most of their products are really reasonably priced, decent sizes to last a long time, and it seems like there's a lot of hard work and intelligence going into their products - everything from the colour to its ingredients.The Complexion Rescue contains marine botanicals to help hydrate and replenish skin instantly, and the mineral electrolytes help to restore skins apperance by energising it. It also has antioxidents to help the skin defend itself from against environmental stresses, and pollution. If that wasn't enough, it's also Silicone and Paraben free. 

I was off duty all weekend and seriously my skin has been looking amazing.

£26




Wednesday 6 April 2016

Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque


Unless you were hiding under a (volcanic) rock last year, you would have noticed that Charcoal was one of the hottest health trends of 2015. When ingested, activated charcoal absorbs impurities, leaving a toxin free body.

Charcoal has now moved into skincare with the new Charcoal Rescue Masque from Dermalogica which uses the same method of detoxification, where is draws out excess oil, toxins, refines pores, calms redness, and improves skin texture. 

I tried the Resue Masque after a few nights of partying and eating out, so I really felt like I needed it. The texture is smooth, and once dry, you will notice small white beads appear which you have to use to exfoliate the skin when you wash it off. The mask itself is a dark charcoal colour which drys quickly (7-10 minutes) and immediately tightens the skin. Once applied, the mask smells like citrus, however, when it starts drying, it starts to smells like Sulpher. Too be honest is not pleasant at all, so don't use if it you want some gentle pampering. This stuff is heavy duty, so only use it when you really need it because it works. I would remove it in the shower, and also use a face wash after to ensure the smell doesn't linger. It's probably the strongest face mask I have used in a while so the next couple of times I used it, I applied a thinner layer. I would even reccomend using it if you have sensitive skin as Dermalogica have added ingredients suitable for all skin types, unlike a lot of other Charcoal products from other brands - I would probably go easy on the exfoliating though. For those who have oily, or problematic skin, it's definitely a winner for you, and you have combination skin, I would reccomend using in on problem areas only such as the T Zone. I thought my whole face needed recusing so I dried out my cheeks which was irritating. It did however, make my face look super clean, smooth, and bright. If you are concerned about which areas of your face need help, I would definitely reccomend going to a Dermalogica counter and have your skin mapping done by one of their experts. It will highlight your problem areas and reccomend the best products.


The Charcoal comes from activated Binchotan, a Japanese Ubame Oak which has traditionally been used to purify water, deodorise air, and whiten teeth. It contains an internal network of micro pores to absorb 1000 times its weight in positively charged compounds. Apply this to skincare, and your face, and you are left with clean, detoxed, and fresh faced.

It also contains Sulpher for its anti inflammatory properties, Volcanic Ash, hot spring, and Marine Salt, to exfoliate. Phytic, Lactic, and Mandelic acid for cellular turnover, Niacinamide to reduce redness, and Chilean Wild Mint to clarify skin and refine pores.

I used the mask again today because I have been sick this week and my skin has dried up and looks tired and dull. When I washed it off I exfoliated on my problem areas - my lips, chin, forehead and above my cheekbones. Once washed off, my skin felt like new again, it was softer, and looked really fresh and radiant.

Available from Liberty and Demalogica
£38

Monday 4 April 2016

Getting Lashed

Eyeko Black Magic Lash Boost


OMG! think I might have discovered the most life changing makeup product of all time. The Eyeko Black Magic Lash Boost which by sheer magic, has finally given me eyelashes! Hooray! 

I discovered this amazing product when I had my Bespoke Mascara made at the Eyeko Lash Bar in Harvey Nicholls a few weeks ago. Lash Boost is made from 100% natural plant-based fibres with Pro-Vitamin B, and coloured with Blackberry extract. Packaged in a cute glass bottle, and an easy to use applicator, the tiny hairlike, black glittery fibres, stick to your eyelashes to create natural, yet dramatically longer and thicker eyelashes - kind of the same look that lash extensions do. It is so easy to use and feels so weightless, you forget that they're there. Here's how you use them - 

Apply one coat of mascara - look down - coat the upper lashes with the lash boost (outer lashes) - seal with another coat of mascara - repeat.


A few points to be aware of are, to always make sure your eyelashes are wet, or the lash boost will not stick. Also, keep a dry, clean brush handy to sweep away any excess product. It does go everywhere. Do not go crazy with the boost like I did yesterday and apply too much - your eyelashes will end up looking ridiculous and clumpy. Too be honest, it's hard not apply too much, but you have to resist, because the fibres do tend to stick together and clog the mascara brush. Less is definitely more. 

Once the eyelash boost is on, you will forget you have it on as it doesn't flake, it's weightless, and comes off super easy with eyemakeup remover. 

My lash game is so strong right now, I no longer need top liner. It's the best discovery I have probably ever made. I told myself I would only use it on special occasions, but I have been wearing it every day. I look so awake, it's insane! 

£25
Available from Selfridges and Harvey Nichols