Archive for the ‘Beauty Panel’ Category

« Older Entries
10 November 2011: 15:07

Confidence in a little blue bottle from Chanel

Product: Le Vernis Nail Colour in Satin Blue, Chanel


Available from: House of Fraser

Price:£17.50

What it claims to do:
Intense colour and high gloss polish designed to be a real nailcare product, it respects the fragile nature of your nails. The original formula ensures rapid drying and lasting hold. LE VERNIS has an original formula, exclusive to CHANEL, composed of special resins. 

Review:
I don’t go for dark colours on my nails preferring to go for pinks, oranges and nude shades as darker shades tend to make me think of teenagers experimenting with that gothic phase but, as a teenager I didn’t experiment with Chanel.  The blue satin is so dark in the bottle it looks like black, but when on the nails the colour (which requires just one coat) is a deep, dark midnight blue with a delicate pearlescence that makes it feminine, but bold.   For me a nail polish is meant to complement your outfit but I found myself wanting to dress to match the mood of the nails.  The shade is strangely empowering and just beautiful.  I can’t recommend it enough to those who want something special in their make up box.

Final verdict
This is my go to power colour.  For important days when you need to exude confidence turn to Chanel.

Reviewed by Anna

No Comments | Email | Bookmark and Share

Categories: Beauty, Beauty Panel, Product Reviews

17 August 2011: 09:00

Rebelling against foundation with tinted moisturiser

Product: You Rebel tinted moisturiser by Benefit


Available from: House of Fraser/Debenhams and Boots

Price:£23.50

What it claims to do:
Benefit You Rebel is a defiantly different tinted moisturiser. Will leave your complexion healthy and protected with a hint of colour. It contains antioxidants, aloe vera and allantoin for soft, supple skin all year long. Contains SPF 15+.

Review:
I’ve never used a tinted moisturiser in my life, preferring a medium – full coverage foundation instead. After recently spotting this product on many blogs I decided to give it a go for lazy weekend days when I’m only pottering around my local neighbourhood and for days when I just don’t feel like looking so ‘made up’. It comes in two shades (You Rebel and You Rebel Lite) and I find that it blends into my skin really easily, providing a nice glow that tends to only come about from a primer such as Clairns Flash Balm.

Final verdict
I will be definitely buying this again. I can’t believe I didn’t discover it sooner! If you have blemishes or spots you can always cover that specific area with a concealer or higher coverage foundation.

Reviewed by Dearne

No Comments | Email | Bookmark and Share

Tags: , , , , ,
Categories: Beauty, Beauty Panel

17 July 2011: 09:50

Handbag essential: Mocha rose lip balm

Product: Rosebud Mocha Rose Lip Balm 

Available from: House of Fraser

Price: £8.00

What it claims to do:

Rosebud Perfume Co. Mocha Rose Lip Balm is a trade secret blend of Essential Oils, Shea Butter and Vitamin E in a special Petrolatum base. Infused with the coffee shop flavours of mocha, chocolate, and vanilla. Its aromatic properties practically burst out of the tin when you open it.

Review:

Lip balm, like hand cream is a handbag and bedside table essential.  I live in fear of dry hands and lips and admittedly panic a little when I find there isn’t any to hand.  But I’ve never been fussy, as long as it moisturises and isn’t too gloopy I’m happy.  This lip balm though is something I love carrying around in my handbag, not just as a necessity and something I love using, not just something that stops me getting dry and angry.  It does the job but instead of looking medicinal and boring, the retro packaging is gorgeous and the smell is delicious. 

Final verdict

A side table and handbag essential which smells and looks so much prettier than any other pot out there.

No Comments | Email | Bookmark and Share

Tags: , ,
Categories: Beauty, Beauty Panel, Best Buys, Product Reviews

1 June 2011: 13:00

The perfect skin illusion. Thanks Clarins.

Product: Clarins Skin Illusion

  

 

Available from: House of Fraser

Price: £24.00

What it claims to do:

A light reflecting hydrating foundation that perfectly combines mineral and plant active ingredients to create a natural looking complexion. The unique blend of active skin care ingredients continuously hydrates and protects. Your skin, only better.

Review:

I’ve never been big on foundation for the day.  I’m more of a tinted moisturiser with a little concealer, maybe some powder for the day kind of girl with foundation as the base for more full on evening make up.  But I’ve been looking to change that for a while since, well, it seems the right thing to do toward the latter end of my twenties. While tinted moisturiser won’t cut I don’t want to look too made up. 

I’ve always liked Clarins skincare products but have to admit they weren’t massively on my radar for make up so I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised when I tried this foundation.  It feels light and needs only a pea-sized blob to cover the entire face.  It’s mineral which feels better on the skin and it blends perfectly.

So the ultimate test: I wore it to lunch with friends keeping the rest of my make up light.  Not one of them commented on how great my foundation was.  All of them commented on how great my skin looked.  I pretended it was plenty of water and good diet.   

Final verdictAn excellent foundation for natural-looking but very effective coverage.  A little goes a long way and it lasts all day, is a very good base for concealer and blush and feels like a second skin.  A real beauty investment.

No Comments | Email | Bookmark and Share

Tags: , , ,
Categories: Beauty, Beauty Panel, Product Reviews

17 May 2011: 11:20

The beauty panel loves EcoTools brushes!

Product: EcoTools 6 Piece Brush Set

Available from: Boots

Price: £15.31

What it claims to do:

The EcoTools set which started it all.  Whether you want to hide imperfections, define eyes and brows, or create a rosy glow, our set of five beautiful and incredibly soft brushes is the perfect start to your makeup routine. Brushes feature bamboo handles, recycled aluminum ferrules and incredibly soft, cruelty-free bristles

Review:

The beauty panel has tried its fair share of brushes and we have our firm favourites. So, when a pack of brushes in unassuming eco-friendly packaging turned up at Westfield HQ, we shared the brushes between ourselves and didn’t think much more of it.   But one by one each of us started using our brush and one by one, we started raving about it.  Here are a few of the verdicts:

“I’ve never had a crease brush before and I’m not sure how I’ve managed to get through my make-up life without one!  The thickness and angle of the brush means that eye-shadow is smoothly over the eye socket in just one swoop but with very good definition. A professional application delivered in seconds, ” Sarah.

“As soon as I tried the eyeshading brush I loved it.  Delicate enough to precisely shade and blend and soft enough not to cause any friction in the delicate eye area, the brush is a must for any eyeshadow wearers.  I loved it so much and after hearing how much my colleagues loved their brushes I went straight to Boots to buy the whole set.  I’m now obsessed with my bamboo concealer brush which I use with Bobbi Brown concealer, my blusher brush and the incredibly precise eyeline brush,” Anna.

“I bought the Eco Tools five piece set after hearing about the quality of their brushes and am very happy with my purchase. The brushes are super- soft on your face and I can’t tell the difference between my expensive make-up brushes and Eco Tools. My favourite brushes are the big blush brush and eye-crease brush, which is excellent for applying eyeshadow,” Dearne

Final verdict
Eco-friendly and of a quality that matches those we’ve only ever found with more expensive, designer brushes but at a fraction of the price;  a really great buy.

Comment(1) | Email | Bookmark and Share

Tags: , , ,
Categories: Beauty, Beauty Panel, Best Buys

26 April 2011: 12:02

Bobbi Brown’s new concealer is my new secret weapon

Product: Bobbi Brown concealer kit

Bobbi Brown Concealer kit

Available from: Debenhams

Price: £23.50

What it claims to do:
Conceal and set in one portable kit. Bobbi’s Creamy Concealer blends easily to instantly cover and brighten dark circles. It also helps maintain skin’s moisture levels for a smooth, virtually line-less look. Fuss-free pressed powder sets concealer for long-lasting wear.

Review:
Bobbi Brown have improved two of their favourites, the concealer and corrector, and combined them to make a handy concealer kit.  The predecessor worked well but had an annoying tendency to settle into fine lines, a problem which has now been eradicated by the new formula.  The new and improved version is still concentrated and, if you’re used to wand concealers, is a lot thicker comes with a pressed powder which seals it in.  It’s then all packaged together in a very purse friendly compact.

So, that’s the technical bit but if you suffer from dark circles you’ll just want to know whether it works or not. As a lifelong dark circle sufferer  I can tell you that I have fallen in love this product.   I apply with an Eco Tools concealer brush and it lasts all day, doesn’t seep into any fine lines, hides all traces of a bad night, doesn’t cake and hardly fades.  It’s my new never-leave-home-without product and if I have to choose one item of make up to put into my miniscule cluth I now choose this.

Final verdict
Bobbi calls concealer “the secret of the universe” for its ability to transform a woman and I want to thank Bobbi for giving me my new secret weapon.  Take that, dark circles!

No Comments | Email | Bookmark and Share

Tags: , , ,
Categories: Beauty, Beauty Panel

18 March 2011: 15:00

A delicious winter rescue from Neal’s Yard

Product: NYR Cosmetics Lip Gloss

Available from: Neal’s Yard Remedies

Price: £9.50

What it claims to do:
The first range of Lip Glosses to include shades certified by the Soil Association. Lavish your lips with our range of six indulgently glossy, lasting, nourishing colour. Enriched with Organic Beauty Oil, antioxidant white tea and organic sweet orange essential oil. No parabens. No silicones. No carmine.

Review:
I started using this in the depths of winter when all was dark and cold and my face was feeling in need of TLC. The gloss is soothing but provides a pop of colour. It’s easy to apply but closes securely again so you can put in your pocket or handbag without getting gloop everywhere. I favour organic products but they are not always nice to use so this scores on all fronts. A very welcome addition to the world of organic cosmetics.

Final verdict
I rarely find a lip gloss that works for me but this is lovely and it tastes delicious.

Reviewed by Sarah Louise

No Comments | Email | Bookmark and Share

Tags: , ,
Categories: Beauty, Beauty Panel

5 January 2011: 17:10

La Prairie Essential Exfoliator

Product review: La Prairie Essential Exfoliator

Available from: House of Fraser

Price: £46

What it claims to do:
Exfoliate beyond daily cleansing to remove dulling surface cells, clear and refine the appearance of pores and clarify the skin. Botanical extracts soothe, calm and purify the skin and help prevent breakouts. It also improves the skin`s ability to accept and absorb complementary treatments.

Review:
With cleansing products I’ve often found that the less expensive work just as well at cleaning the face as those at the higher end of the price range. The difference with this one is that it feels less like an evening cleanse and more like an evening facial.  Without being abrasive the product thoroughly cleanses, which means less need to scrub away at the face afterwards, and after only the first time I used it my skin felt amazingly smooth.  After a few days of using the product my skin feels and looks noticeably better.

Final verdict
A cleansing product that is actually worth the price tag.  Like many higher end products, a little goes a long way making this is a great investment for your skin.

Reviewed by Anna

No Comments | Email | Bookmark and Share

Tags: , , ,
Categories: Beauty, Beauty Panel

20 December 2010: 09:43

Clinique Super Moisture Foundation

Product review: Clinique Super Moisture Foundation

Available from: House of Fraser

Price:  £20

What it claims to do:
Ultra-creamy yet refreshingly lightweight formula goes beyond flaw-fixing, acting as skin’s undercover moisture agent for a dewy look. Disguises unevenness with sheer-to-moderate coverage. Instantly puts drier skins at ease. Skin looks soft and radiant all day.

Review:
I spent years searching for a foundation that offered coverage but didn’t look caked on; that stayed put throughout the day but didn’t dry out your skin.  This one, for me, does everything I need it to.  It makes the skin look flawless while looking natural. There’s no residue and it does indeed leave a dewy but not greasy look.   While the tube looks small for what you pay, you only need to use a tiny pea size amount for all over coverage which lasts all day. 

Final verdict
This has become one of my essential items and I haven’t yet found a foundation that compares.   Worth every penny.

Reviewed by Anna

No Comments | Email | Bookmark and Share

Tags: , , , ,
Categories: Beauty, Beauty Panel, Best Buys, Product Reviews

3 December 2010: 13:59

Giorgio Armani Micro-filô loose powder

Product review:  Product name: Giorgio Armani Micro-filô loose powder

Available from: House of Fraser

Price:  £28

What it claims to do:
Giorgio Armani’s Micro–fil™ loose powder provides a natural and lumious complexion. Extremely light and fine, this powder reduces shine and evens out your skin tone to give the apperance of flawless skin. It’s suitable for all skin types and is easily transportable, perfect for touching up on the go.

The review:
I have used this powder for over a year now and this one tub is still going strong! The powder is very light and easy to apply and the colour is very natural. It’s great for evening my skin tone and mattifying my skin after applying foundation. Plus it lasts most of the day.

Final verdict
This is a must-have product for me to include in my daily make-up routine. You don’t have to use much so the pot lasts for ages.

Reviewed by Sarah

No Comments | Email | Bookmark and Share

Tags: , ,
Categories: Beauty, Beauty Panel, Product Reviews

« Older Entries