Posts Tagged ‘beauty reviews’

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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.

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Categories: Beauty, Beauty Panel, Product Reviews

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!

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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

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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

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

14 December 2010: 09:00

Fearne Cotton’s Party Tips

Party season is well and truly upon us and it’s safe to say Fearne Cotton seems like a girl who knows how to party in style.  So, as we upate our looks for the festivities, we’ve had a peek at Fearne’s new make-up range at Boots. 

The packaging suggests this collection is for brightly coloured rock chicks meet girl next door types just like her, the colours are bang on trend with just the right amount of variety and the quality is actually pretty good.

The ’It’s All About The Eyes’ shimmers (pictured above) are particular fun and longlasting enough to only need application as you make the transition from day to night.  We’ve got a video showing the lovely Fearne giving us a few tips on how to get her party look. Enjoy.

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Categories: Beauty, Celebrity Looks, Product Reviews

19 November 2010: 09:00

Burt’s Bees hand creme

Beauty Review: Burt’s Bees Beeswax and Banana Hand Creme

Available from: Boots, House of Fraser

Price: £9.99

What it claims to do:

Hands, often exposed to heat, cold, dirt and harsh detergents, are one of the first areas of the body to show aging. Keep yours soft and smooth with our super emollient hand creme.

Our reviewer says:

In the winter, my hands can get so very dry. I become a bit of a hand cream addict. So many creams are ultimately disappointing, no matter how many promises they make to keep my hands soft, smooth and moisturised. Not so with this Burts Bees cream. It is super thick and really does leave my hands feeling so much smoother and looking more alive again. Beeswax and banana sounds slightly offputting, but the smell isn’t overpowering or artificial.

Final verdict:

I love this hand cream. I first discovered it on a trip to the US years ago, and was so pleased when I was able to buy it here. If your hands are prone to dryness, try it. I highly recommend it and always have a tub on the go.

Reviewed by Pippa

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16 November 2010: 09:00

Topshop mascara

Beauty Review: Topshop Mascara in Bitter Chocolate


Price: £8

Available from: Topshop

What it claims to do:
Super volumising mascara for false lash effect dramatically thicker and fuller lashes.

Rest the mascara brush at the base of your lashes and slowly pull through, wiggling the brush from side to side as you go to fully coat lashes. For full on lashes, coat both sides of upper and lower lashes, using as many coats as you need for dramatically thicker and fuller finish.

Our reviewer says:
I really like this mascara. It sets itself apart from the other mascaras which scream about giving you gloriously full eyelashes. The packaging is simple and effective.
It’s easy to use, easy to apply and it doesn’t clump. You can keep applying lots of coats to build up as dark or light a colour as required.
I really love the colour of the ‘bitter chocolate’ – it’s a really nice shade of brown giving a more natural finish than the usual jet black.

Final verdict:
The price point is good and I love it for being so simple but effective.
Overall, it gets a good all-rounder thumbs up from me!

Reviewed by Julie

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9 November 2010: 09:00

Shu Uemura Balancing Cleansing Oil

Beauty Review: Shu Uemura Balancing Cleansing Oil


Price: £27
Available from:  House of Fraser
What it claims to do:
A two-in-one cleanser and makeup remover.  A light, refreshing cleanser and makeup remover that thoroughly cleanses the skin without disrupting its natural balance, leaving it purified and blemish-free. Leaves skin smooth and protected without stripping it of its natural oils. shu uemura’s #1 selling Cleansing Oil. Suitable for all skin types.

Our reviewer says:
I have read a lot about the benefits of cleansing with oil lately, especially for those with oily/blemish prone skin like myself. Most people believe that oil-based cleansers and beauty products  are bad for oily skin. The truth is that it has now been proven that oil dissolves oil, and cleansing with oil can actually balance your skin. I use Shu Uemura’s hair oil and it’s amazing. so I was keen to try their skin care oil.

Final verdict:
This is an excellent cleanser and removes make-up effectively while leaving skin soft and hydrated. I highly recommend this cleanser for anyone with dry or irritated skin as it’s so gentle, yet effective.  It is quite pricey, however you only need a few drops to massage into your face before it emulsifies and you wipe off with a face washer.

Reviewed by Dearne

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29 October 2010: 09:00

Jergens Natural body lotion

Beauty Review: Jergens Naturals – Cocoa butter body moisturiser with vitamin E

Available from: Boots, Superdrug

Price: £4.99 (200 ml)

What it claims to do:
An outstanding light weight 96% natural lotion that immediately transforms dry, thirsty skin with natural moisturisers. Deeply conditions and doubles skin’s natural radiance with cocoa butter, sunflower seed oil and vitamin E.
Cocoa butter has a rich chocolately scent, known to deeply hydrate and tone skin. Sunflower seed oil softens the skin and helps skin maintain its moisture levels. Vitamin E works to help protect skin from free radical damage – a great anti-oxidant.
It applies smoothly, absorbs quickly and lasts all day.

Our reviewer says:
The strongest scent is the cocoa butter which is all good for a chocolate fan like me! You only need to use a little as it’s an incredibly rich lotion. My skin isn’t particularly dry, butthis moisturiser worked a treat on my heels. I think it’s really good value for money.  It applies really easily and the scent lasts all day.

Final verdict:
This is a great moisturising lotion to have on your shelf. It’s a really easy daily usage product that lasts a long time due to the little amount needed.

Reviewed by Julie

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22 October 2010: 09:00

NYR Frankincense neck cream

Beauty Review: Neal’s Yard Remedies Rejuvenating Frankincense Firming Neck Cream

Price: £38
Available from: Neal’s Yard Remedies

What it claims to do:
Lifts and smoothes all skin types
Our rich blend of rejuvenating frankincense, firming nutrient-rich marine algae and elasticity-boosting baobab oil, with a smoothing, collagen-stimulating tri-peptide, work synergistically to firm and tighten the skin around the neck, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and crepey skin.

Our reviewer says:
I haven’t used a cream specifically for my neck before. Usually, I just use my face moisturiser on my neck as well. But I’ve really enjoyed my new ritual of applying this luxurious cream each evening. Every time I open the pot of Frankincense cream, I savour the aromatic smell whilst massaging it in to my skin.  It’s the perfect consistency for me – not too thick, not too thin and not too greasy. It feels so good and leaves my skin feeling nourished and more supple, so it must be doing some good.

Final verdict:
I’m nearly at the end of my pot and I’ll definitely be back for more, as well as recommending it to friends.

Reviewed by Pippa

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