Sunday 12 August 2012

Philosophy? Is it a miracle?

Last week I posted that I had received some samples from Philosophy


















I received:
  • Philosophy Miracle Worker: anti-ageing concentrate, miraculous anti ageing moisturiser & eye cream 
  • The micro delivery exfoliating facial wash 
  •  Keep the Peace super soothing moisturiser for redness and sensitivity 
  • Hope in a Jar. Original formula moisturiser for all skin types 
  • Purity. One step facial cleanser 
  • Amazing Grace. Shampoo, bath & shower gel. Body emulsion 
So this week I have been using them all and whilst there has not been a miracle, my skin is still smooth, calm and not overly oily.
I have been using the Miracle worker concentrate on my cheeks and forehead as I have the most discolouration, from the sun or age, in those areas. I've been avoiding my chin area as I have a propensity to spots if i put too much product there. The discolouration is still there, so maybe I need to use it longer than a week, but my pores have got a smidgen smaller, most noticeably on the right hand side? Maybe I've rubbed it in there better? I do have 2  x 3ml dispensers so I will continue to use this until it runs out.

The eyecream is really, really thick and I have had to be careful not to use too much; consequently one small sachet has lasted a week!. It is really soothing but make sure you don't get it too close to your eyes as it makes them really sting!
The anti-ageing moisturiser is really smooth and reamy and feels a little heavy for my skin so I have been using that at night and the Hope in a Jar during the day as it is a lot lighter.

I haven't used Keep the Peace moisturiser as I don't suffer from redness, but I will take it away on holiday in case I don't protect enough in the sun.

I have actually used Purity facial cleanser in the past and still have half a bottle in my travel bag as it is so handy top take away as an all in one solution, cleans my face and removes make-up without a trace at the end of the day without being drying. I have used the exfoliating facial wash in the morning as it really gives my skin a wake up and helps leave it smooth, soft and ready to be moisturised.

I also own Amazing Grace as it is another multi-use product. I can wash my hair with it, use it in the bath or as a shower gel. It does smell 'AMAZING' , and I like to layer this with the body lotion and a small roll on bottle of the perfume, that I think came in a gift set from QVC.It is a very 'clean' scent and I like to wear it to work as it's not too over-powering.

Where to buy and how much it'll cost you:
Miracle Worker Anti-ageing concentrate:  £52 for 30ml
Miracle Worker Anti-ageing moisturiser: £13 for 15ml or £46 for 60ml
Miracle Worker Anti-Ageing eye cream: £42 for 13.5ml

The microdelivery exfoliating wash: £22 for 240ml
Keep the Peace moisturiser: £36 for 60ml
Hope in a Jar moisturiser: £10 for 15ml or £34 for 60ml.
Purity made Simple Cleanser: £8 for 90ml, £17.50 for 240ml or £28.50 for 480ml

Amazing Grace range from £19-£44 

They also currently have a competition on their website here to win 1 of 5 fan favourite sets.

Contact list
Philosphy website: http://www.philosophyskincare.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lovephilosophy

Philosphy is one of my favourite beauty brands and I hope you will try it and love it too.

Bye, Elise
XX













 

Friday 10 August 2012

Amarya Beauty Box August '12

Anyone who's interested in beauty has probably heard of Beauty Boxes by now as they've been around for over 12 months, but basically they are a sampling service, whereby you pay around £10 for a selection of goodies.

Currently there are quite a few on the market:
They are all subscriptions apart from Latest In Beauty, Betrousse and Beautylishous, which are more pay as you go. There are frequently discounts floating around on Facebook if you hunt around. 

Most of them use social networking instead of traditional advertising so can be found on blogs, Facebook and Twitter as well


Today I'm going to talk about Amarya
Amarya









Amarya state: 
'With so many different Organic and Natural beauty products on the market it can feel daunting to try out different ranges. Amarya’s Beauty Box is a fun and cost effective way to experience our wonderful range of products every month! For just £10 (plus £2.50 P&P) per month you will receive: A selection of samples, trial sizes or even full size products from our leading brands!'

However they usually supply 1 full size product and a selection of 2 or 3 samples. They also do not use any extra packaging as the products are just packaged in straw. No luxury packaging or extra boxes inside so environmentally friendly as well.
This month's was rather lush:

















Contents were:
Pomegranate Active Night Plus Roller Ball  - This retails for £13 on the site so you've already made your money back there!
They say: 'Pomegranate's natural and organic Active Night Plus treatment is packed with active regenerating ingredients that have been shown to aid the skin’s own renew and repair system.  It is high in essential omegas and antioxidants to tackle damaging free radicals.  Works while you sleep.'

Does smell rather yummy but I'm currently testing out Philosophy Miracle Worker so I can't give this a go yet.

Cowshed Bath and Shower Gel - This retails for £16.00 for 300ml and they've given us 30ml so £1.60 worth. I got Wild Cow :)
They say: 'Freshen up with this revitalising body wash. Wild Cow Invigorating Bath & Shower Gel is a green, fresh blend with essential oils of lemongrass, ginger and rosemary that leaves the mind feeling revitalised. Lemongrass refreshes and cleanses, ginger awakens the senses whilst rosemary sharpens the mind. Suitable for men and women.
No Parabens • No Petrochemicals • No Sulphates • No Artificial Colours • Suitable for Vegetarians.'

I have used this before when I stayed at the Lazy Cow in Warwick, as it's in all the rooms and it really is invigorating. It didn't dry out my skin and smells delish!

Neom Scent Experience - Dinky little room spray tester - about 3 ml? Amarya do a range of Neom products from candles to infusers to bath products. They're not cheap but they smell deeeevine and and I wouldn't be sorry if anything ended up in my Christmas stocking :) My scent experience was Violet, Chamomile and Cedarwood which has made my living room stop smelling of teenage boys!

And finally Santaverde Aloe Vera Hydro Repair Gel - This retails for £29 for 30ml and we got a 5ml trial size that sells for £6.00 on the site.

They say: 'Replenishes essential moisture with its light absorbing formula. Strengthens the structure and natural elasticity of your skin with this delicate serum made from pure, organic Aloe Vera juice. A combination of skin-brightening Elderflower, Evening Primrose oil, rich in gamma linoleic acid, and nurturing Mango Butter, intensively regenerates and rebuilds the moisture balance of your skin. Santaverde gentle gel absorbs quickly to be used alone on oily skin, or as a serum for all other skin types.'

I'll test this once I've finished with the Miracle worker as I don't want my skin to go mad with all the products on it.

Amarya also be can be found on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/AmaryaNaturalOrganicSkincare

They don't just do beauty boxes though. They are also a retailer of lovely healthy beauty products with little or no nasties in.
'Amarya offers the UK's best selection of natural and organic beauty products in the shop, salon and website. With over 1000 products screened to ensure that they do not contain harmful chemicals, we are the proud winner of Natural Health Beauty Awards 'Best Website 2012'!. Amarya staff are trained extensively on every brand and have both make-up artists and beauty therapists on hand to ensure high levels of customer service and the best possible advice'

So that's Amarya for you.

Bye for now, Elise
XX






Thursday 9 August 2012

Upcoming Reviews

I have received a LOT of post in the last 2 days and rather than hang onto all the photos, I thought I'd let you know what I have received. I will review the items as I have use them, so we might be here for a few weeks

This is what I received yesterday:
Lots of samples

 


























Philosphy:
Miracle Worker: anti-ageing concentrate, miraculous anti ageing moisturiser & eye cream 
The micro delivery exfoliating facial wash 
Keep the Peace super soothing moisturiser for redness and sensitivity 
 Hope in a Jar. Original formula moisturiser for all skin types 
Purity. One step facial cleanser
 Amazing Grace. Shampoo, bath & shower gel. Body emulsion














Elemental Herbology:
Purity & Soothe facial cleansing balm with angelica, frankincense and marshmallow 
Cool & Clear facial cleanser with green tea, olive extract and lavender flower 
Cell Food. Protection and repair facial serum.
Lighten & Brighten. Complexion harmoniser 
Eye Elixir. Eye serum 
Moisture milk (tube). Ultra light facial moisturiser 
Perfect Balance (tube). Facial moisturiser SPF 12



















Faith in Nature 
Rosemary shampoo & Conditioner Seaweed shampoo & Conditioner 
Pomegranate & Rooibos shampoo & Conditioner. 
Shower gel & foam bath 
Aloe Vera shampoo & Conditioner 
Aloe Vera & tea tree hand wash Hemp & meadow foam shower gel & foam bath
Restorative hand cream


I am currently using the Philosophy Purity in the eveings to remove my make-uop and it's great so far. I'm also using the micro delivery exfoliating facial wash in the morning followed by Miracle Worker: anti-ageing concentrate, miraculous anti ageing moisturiser & eye cream. So far, so good but's it's only been 24 hours and I do have a huuuge spot coming out on my chin, but I think that's possibly due to me starting low-carbing last week and I'm going into sugar withdrawal right now :(

I also visited the beauty counters at House of Fraser in the afternoon as I'm looking to change my foundation. I just can't find one that's just right. I've got Mac Studio Fix Fluid(NW18) and Estee Lauder Double Wear in Ivory Beige. They're ok for winter but I need something lighter for summer, especially as I'm off to Cyprus next week.


Foundation Samples






































































































































































YSL Le Teint Touché Éclat in BR50  and Lancôme Teint Miracle in 055
I meant to try these today but completely forgot and slapped on my L'Oreal Revitalift BB Cream (Which I''ve been using whilst it's warm)

I'll swatch these later for you.

Anyway, I think that's enough for now and I'll pop up what I got today a little later.

Bye, Elise
XX


Tuesday 7 August 2012

FOTD (Warning naked face)

I decided to try a Face of the Day post today. I've never done one of these before so be warned I do have a naked scary face!!! (Well with foundation on - Not that brave)


Yana Foundation
















I've used Yana Foundation Shade number 4 from the Amitee Pamper Secrets July Box. They can be found here: http://www.amiteeuk.com/boxes. They cost £10 per month (+P&P) and they are more tailored to your skintype than the opther boxes and they actually pay attention to your profile!!! This one is a little bit to pale. The idea is that you picked a celebrity that you think your skin colour is like. I picked JLo, when I should have picked Alicia Keys, only I didn't think my skin was that dark :@. It's also really, really shiny without powder on!

Anyway with make up on 
(Ooops slightly boss eyed here)

If you hold the camera up, it hides your extra chin area ;)

These are the products I used:


  •  Benefit Porefessional: Sample from counter (free)Or £23.50 from their site   Great stuff but a bit pricey just to fill in the holes. Get a sample from the counter if you can cos they last aaages!
  • Jemma Kidd I-Rescue Bio-Complex Cover in 02 medium: Normally about £23 but you can get it from half proce perfumes for about £6.99 at the minute here  Again, this is good if you can get it at the cheaper proce. It's great for covering up blemishes and shadows.
  • NYC Smooth Skin Loose face powder in 741A translucent - Superdrug for £2.99 Bargain!!! This powder goes on lovely and light and blends away to a wisp.
  • Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Rude . Can be bought direct from Illamasqua for 16.50, but I got it on a Buyapowa deal for £10.50. Buyapowa is a co-buying website. The more people buy the product, the lower the price gets. This blusher is gteat. It can go over or under your foundation depending on how bright and glowy you want to look.
  • MUA eyeshadow palette in Undressed. This is a dupe for Naked2 palette from Urban Decay but only costs £4.00. Actually on special offer for £3.00 at the minute at Superdrug  I used Shades 1, 7 and 8. They also have a handy little mini tutorial on the back of each palette.
  • Stila smudge stick in Moray.: I got this from a Glossybox last year. Another beauty box but I have unsubscribed from them as I was getting pretty pants' boxes. No referrals here. Can be bought direct from their website here for £13.00 A lovely colour if you  have hazel or green eyes like me and it smudges nicely.
  • Lancome Hypnose Star: This was a freebie on the cover of this month's Tatler magazine. Normally £21.00 direct from Lancome Unfortunately this has since made my eyes sting and water like mad so it will be consigned to the bin :'(
  • Revlon Just Bitten Kissable in Lovesick. Currently on offer at Boots with £2.00 off so £5.99. I love these sticks. I also have one in Crush. As they are a stain and a balm, when you have chewed or eaten off the balm, the stain stays on your lips!!! You also don't need a separate lip pencil.

So that's it - my bargainacious FOTD!!!

Let me know your thoughts:  Should I do this regularly? Should I hide my plain face? What other products would you like me to show and review?

Bye, Elise
XX


Cute kitten that also looks like a pug









Rainbow challenge: Nails

Right - nail challenges! I don't usually do these but I'm a member of MSE (money saving expert) forums and recently there has been a long running nail polish addicts thread and we all decided to have a rainbow challenge.
RED    













Week 1 : Red Nail : Red Ombré Ciate dangerous affair, Illamasqua scarab, OPI meet & jingle, Nails Inc villiers St, Nails Inc Hollywood siren.



ORANGE  
 Week 2: Orange. Boots 17 Miamipop and OPI Shatter the Scales




YELLOW
















Week 3: Yellow: Colours for yellow ombré China Glaze: white on white for base Revlon: Sunshine Sparkle Étude House: Matt Yellow Ciate: big yellow taxi Rimmel: Sunshine OPI: Cabana Banana. Etude House pretty hearts glitter on accents



GREEN



















  
Week 4: Green: Green Urban Decay Mars & Model's Own HedKandi Ibiza Mix. 

BLUE        













Week 5 Blue: Barry M Denim(came out grey though)


VIOLET(lilac?)    













Week 6 Violet:  Essie Nothing Else Metals with Sephora Purple Jewellery top coat (Came out lilac though)

 And finally:
BLACK & WHITE















Week 7 Black and White : OPI Black Spotted over CG White on White in natural light and indoors


More pretty stuff soon. Bye
Elise XX

 

So where do most Bloggers get their products to review?

Surely not every single blogger buys all their products? We'd all be broke??? 

With this in mind and after joining a group on Facebook: Battle of the Boxes, who are assiduous at seeking out free samples, I decided to see who would send out free samples to review. 

I'm not doing this to just get freebies though. I will buy products if they suit me and if they are affordable. My wallet doesn't stretch to Creme de La Mer so I won't be cheeky enough to ask for samples from them(although it would be nice).

So far I have asked and had emails confirming I will get samples from:
Mac sent me a very generic email re-directing them to their customer switchboard so I may give them a call.

There is a kerfuffle currently going on, on the facebook group regarding Jo Malone samples as some people are receiving perfume samples but I and some others have met with a flat refusal and re-directed to their counters. If I had a counter near me then I would go there 8-¦

Anyway, as soon as I have received these samples I will review them on here :)


Cute pug picture

 

Monday 6 August 2012

I'm baaaaaaack!!!

Finally over a year since my last post and I'm finally back.

So much has happened this year. I started a new job that pretty much took over my life. I've been to EuroDisney, Barcelona and off to Cyprus in a fortnight.

I have loads of stuff to review and I have some samples on the way from some different companies so I'll review those as they come in.

In the meantime, I have been playing with my nails; A LOT!   So I'll give you some pretty pictures of them to start off.

I'm only going to post once a week as I need to look after the littlie(not so little now) in the holidays and then I'm back to work full time in September but I've reduced my lessons down to 4 a week so not so much prep this year.

I also have to remember how to blog and play with the html stuff ;) I've been using Pinterest a lot - see here
OPI Black Spotted over Essie Penny Talk

 Yes!! I got hold of Black Spotted and muh cheaper than EBay - I simply got it from Sephora France as they ship all over Europe. http://www.sephora.fr/Maquillage/Ongles/Vernis-a-ongles/The-Amazing-Spider-Man-Collection-by-OPI/P1016001
Easy Peasy :)

It is easy to apply and the holes get bigger depending on how thick you lay it on. It does peel though so make sure you use a good top coat. I like Seche Vite, and remember to wrap your nail tips in the topcoat or it lifts. 

My Olympics tribute
Boots17 kit and Ciate Caviar
Not a great photo but I finally got a newish camera and will be using that in future - Fuji Finepix S2950.

So that's it for now. I'll jut leave you with some more nail pics
OPI Muppet Nails
Chanel Peridot
Revlon Facets of Fuschia