Product Review- Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan

So, I know nearly every Irish blogger has reviewed the new Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan by Marissa Carter but I also know some of my followers have asked have I tried it so I thought I would write this review to let you all know my honest thoughts on this product.

Love the packaging, easy to use and not messy at all

Well first off I have to say I do like this tan, after only two uses its not my favourite tan of all time (that could change with more applications, I do tend to change my mind alot!?) but it does give some of the high end brands a run for their money!! It is a great tan that gives a lovely colour and glow to the skin and for a really reasonable price. I will definitely be repurchasing!!

Cocoa Brown is the brain child of Marissa Carter (owner of Carter Beauty, Blackrock Dublin). I had no doubt that this tan would be a great product as Marissa is know for her exceptional work in the beauty industry and so I knew this tan would be up to the same standard! I just LOVE spending money on products that I know someone has put so much work and pride into. It makes it all the more easier to part with your hard earned cash I think.

So here are a few of the things I like about this tan

• Its Irish, and we all know I am a massive fan of supporting our own!!
• So inexpensive (€7 in Penneys, €7.99 everywhere else)
• Mousse consistency so dries almost instantantly
• Colour guide allows you to see where the product is going
• It smells really lovely which is strange for a fake tan (the smell is Tahitian Gardinia to be exact)
• LOVE the fact that it develops in 1 hour and can be rinsed off after that time or can be left on for longer if you require a darker tan. The tan stops developing after 3 hours. I love that you can apply this in the evening and rinse it off before bed as I find it very difficult to sleep while stinking of fake tan.
• It doesn't have the usual "sticky" fake tan feel off it. 
• I actually used this on my face (which I wouldn't normally do) and it hasn't caused any breakouts!!!
• It does not contain DHA (tanning agent) so is great for sensitive skins. It instead contains vegetable derived tanning agents
• It leaves the skin sunkissed as opposed to tangoed

I mentioned that I love that it dries instantly but this can also be a con as you have to work super quick and make sure you really work it in to the skin which can be daunting on first application as you are not sure of the product, trial and error is the only way forward I think. But be warned this bad boy dries quicker than any tan I have ever used before. 

I would also suggest (and it is suggested on the packaging also) that you exfoliate really well prior to use and use a light moisturiser on dry areas (ankles, knees, elbows) .

I would apply this product with a mitt because it is super quick drying so it may be too late to wash your hands!!

 

After application     After 1 hour        After 3 hours

I applied this tan in the evening time.When first applied it gives a light tan to the skin (this is the colour guide), I then took a picture after 1 hour and then after 3 hours and I then rinsed the product off. You will notice the colour guide wash off in the shower but don't worry its not the tan coming off!! It doesn't leave you with a really intense tan but more of a natural bronzed look that on my skin looked very natural. I have read reviews that people say they applied it on two consecutive nights and it was too dark. I did not do this but I did apply it after two nights after the first application and I think it gave me a nicer tan the second time round. I was really happy with the colour after two applications, it wasn't too dark for me.

Overall, I am really impressed with this innovative product and I do think it is worth a buy and would definitely recommend everyone tries it out, especially because it is so darn reasonable and plus we have to support the Irish!!

This is only the first in a range of Cocoa Brown products I believe so I am really excited to see what Marissa has in store for us!!

I would love to know your thoughts on this product if you have tried it. I hope you all have a wonderfully sun-kissed week and I will chat to you all later.

Love Anita xxxx

Product Review: Dr Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm

Hey everyone and I hope you are all having a wonderful day so far!

So my next post is going to be all about my new favourite skincare/makeup find which is the Dr Jart+ Water Infused BB Cream.

Lets start with the basics:

This cute little product is a 50ml tube (good size I think). Has an SPF of 25 and can be purchased from Boots for €24. It claims to give you "Flawless skin instantly, natural-looking coverage, evens skin and minimise the appearance of imperfections." It also has an advanced water based technology which helps hydrate and maintain your skin moisture for a dewy, fresh look to the skin. And best of all its oil free so its great for those oily gals.

The claims

So if like me you hadn't a clue about BB creams and thought that it was just another fancy name for a tinted moisturiser then I am here to help. Beauty Balms a.k.a BB Creams first started their journey in Asia and continued to make their way across the world where almost every brand on the planet now has their own form of a BB Cream (some good, some down right nasty). A BB Cream is an all in one product that claims to reduce the need for other products i.e. it replaces your serum, moisturiser, SPF, primer, concealer, foundation etc. So in effect it is a product that gives the same (or a little more) coverage than a tinted moisturiser but with added skincare benefits.

At the start I have to admit I wasn't that pushed on trying a BB Cream because I suffer from acne breakouts and scarring and so I love my full coverage and just felt that this product wouldn't be enough for my pain in the butt skin. I didn't bother trying any of the other brands versions of the BB Creams (except one other) as I spoke to people who tried them and really didn't like them. I also swatched alot in some shops and really didn't like the texture at all. I did want to try one but wasn't going to try one just for the sake of it so I sat tight and did some research and came across the Dr Jart line.

My first reaction was that I love the fact that this actual product is of Asian Origin and because Asia is where it all began I thought it must be amazing right??? So off I went to my nearest Boots store where I anxiously searched the shelves for this product. I tried it on my hand initially and was surprised by the odd grey tone of the cream but I continued to rub away and I have to tell you I was amazed at how well this product blended (the grey tone no longer to be seen) and how it transformed my hand. The texture of my hand was smoother and more even and it covered a slight pigmentation mark I have on my hand. I was SOLD!!!!

Before Application

This amount is enough for your entire face

After Application- See the blurring effect
No camera tricks used !!

When I first applied this to my skin I wasn't disappointed. I felt like I was applying a really expensive moisturiser to my face. The claim that this product hydrates the skin is in no way misleading- it even diminished some of my fine lines on my forehead. You can actually see the tiny water bubbles sitting on your skin as you blend away (absolutely amazing)! This felt great but as I suffer from acne I fear anything that is as hydrating as this often means thick and pore clogging. I did have some breakouts when I first used this product but once my skin became used to this I didn't get any breakouts, infact I think this may have helped keep them at bay (BB Cream can also stand for Blemish Balm as it is supposed to aid in treatment of acne)

This product does not cover my scarring, spots or pigmentation but it doesn't claim to do that. However, I did notice that it almost blurs the blemishes to make them less obvious(see above picture).

In the beginning I used this product after applying moistuiser and primer but I found that this didn't work for me as I was loading my skin with too many products. So when I am using this on its own I tend to skip moisturiser and primer and apply this directly after cleansing and toning my skin. I then follow with some concealer and then top it off with powder. This gives me a nice fresh faced look for everyday wear and it lasts all day. My T Zone does get a little oily, however this tends to happen me no matter what products I use.

I have recently discovered a great way to use this product and I am loving it. I cleanse, tone and moisturise with my skincare. Allow my moisturiser to sink into my skin and then I use the Dr Jart BB Cream as my primer. I apply it with my finger tips and then apply my foundation over this. I find this really gives me great coverage but without looking cakey. I allow both the BB Cream and the foundation to settle and I then top off with my powder. I find I don't need as much concealer now that I use Dr Jart BB Cream as a primer as this does create a blurring effect that helps to mask my imperfections. Ah just what I was looking for!!

If I could change one thing about this product it would be that it comes in more shades. It only comes in the one shade which is ok for me for everyday use but if I am heavily fake tanned it doesn't blend well into my skin. It is ok to use a primer when I have heavy tan on but not on its own as its too light. If Dr Jart made this BB Cream in more shades this would be the perfect product in my eyes.

The one bit of advice I would give you when using this product is to be patient. It's probably different than anything else you have ever used before and it may cause breakouts at ths start but if you bear with this and try different application techniques and find one that suits you then I believe this product will be a great addition to your skincare/makeup routine.

I hope you found this post helpful and please let me know your experience with this BB Cream or any others.

Love Anita xxxxx

***this was not a sponsored post***

Competition Time at Kissandmakeupwithme xxx

Hi Everyone,

So I have a great competition running on over at my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/KissandMakeupwithMe 

Be sure to check this out. The prize consist of : 

-A 10 colour blush palette
-An e.l.f blush brush to apply your new blushes
-A Makeup Academy Immaculate collection palette containing 24 eye shadows in a huge range of colours
-An e.l.f Super Glossy Lip Shine in Pink Kiss
-Two e.l.f nail polishes in Mint Cream and Liliac


All you have to do to enter is: 

-Pop over to my facebook page and be sure to "like it" 
-Like and Share the competition picture 
-Comment on the picture to let me know you have done all of the above 
-Sit back and keep your fingers crossed 
-Winner will be announed at the beginning of May and is open worldwide 


Best of luck my beauties xxxx

My Current Fake Tan Favs!!!

My busy schedule doesn't allow me apply fake tan every two to three days, or maybe I am just too darn lazy to do that so when I look for a tan I want something that's easy to apply, doesn't streak, gives me a goddess glow and fades off evenly so that I don't look like I haven't washed in weeks (not the look I am going for right now). Impossible I hear you say???? Well......actually I think I may have found the "perfect" tanning products......Drum Roll please!!!!!!!

Introducing Karora Self Tanning Mist and Clairns Liquid Bronze self tanning for Face and Decollete.These two little babies are great products and have not yet failed me....I have used them both for a long time and I have NEVER even had a lickle streak from them....not even once!! That must be a first for me!!!! Want to know more??? Ok, lets be having ya!!

For a natural, sunkissed glow I use Karora Self Tanning Mist Original on all parts of my body (apart from my face and neck.....we will deal with that later). At first I was sceptical because I had only ever tried cream or mousse type tans. Karora Mist as the name suggests is a lightwieght Liquid Mist! Karora claims that this mist is a tan that "glides on skin effortlessly, dries instantly and delivers an even rich golden tan lasting up to 7 days" I would have to agree with this, I am amazed at how quick this tan dries in. It reminds me of the feeling of a spray tan and I have to say it looks like one too. Everytime I apply this tan it looks like a professional beautician has applied it as I am streak free and evenly tanned. What more could you want??? Well if you are fussy like me you would want more and guess what Karora gives us more... Not only does it have skin firming benefits but it is "fused with a propritary blend of pure active botanicals, vitamins and essentials oils of Acai berry and Argan". So a botancial based tan with skincare benefits, that keeps you glowing for days, that doesn't streak, has sleek and sassy packaging and best of all is Irish made, seriously there is nothing else to say. Karora has it sorted!!!

The instructions advise to use rubber gloves and blend the tan into your skin in circular motions. Although I do agree with the latter I feel the best way to apply this is with a tanning mitt. I have done this right from day one and have never had a problem. Karora also state that this product has a delicate fragrance which it does however unfortunately like all products that contain DHA (what makes the tan develop) there will be a slight pong...but its not half as bad as other tans I have used.

As I use the Original version of this tan for the most part it doesn't give a really dark colour at all. It just gives a natural glowing bronzed colour that is in no way orange. You can however apply the tan for a few days to build up to your desired colour but for everyday use I love just one layer of this as you just look simply radiant and healthy....now that's the look I desire!! Karora Original is €24.99 for 200ml or €14.99 for 100ml and is available pharmacies and salons nationwide. I buy mine from the local Doc Morris Pharmacy. It can also be purchased online.

I did use Karora on my face and neck previously but because I am on a skincare buzz at the moment I decided to use a self tanner specifically designed for this area as I did feel the Karora was causing breakouts on my SUPER sensitive skin. I used Clairns Liquid Bronze tan for face before and remembered loving it so I recently repurchased it and now I don't know why I ever stopped using this in the first place...its the business! I love the texture of this product, its like a milk formulation that literally dries in instantly so there is no waiting around. I have often applied my foundation straight after this and it develops a really lovely tan under your foundation and best of all it doesn't break me out....Whoop Whoop. 

Clairns do recommend using a cotton pad to apply this but personally I apply it with my finger tips and be sure to scrub my hands afterwards! Like the Karora original this can be used for a few days to build up the intensity of the colour. 

There is no doubt that I will be using this product for a long time to come, because to date this is the best facial tanner I have ever tried...WOW thats a steep statement but a true one none the less. Also the sheer size of the bottle (125ml for a facial tanner is pretty huge) means this baby will be part of my tanning collection for awhile yet. 

The main things I love about this product is how quick it dries, how natural it looks on the skin and it doesn't stink too bad at all which is always a great trait. 
IF I did have one thing to say about this tan combo it would be that after one application the facial tanner seems to develop darker than the body one so I usually either apply the Karora(body) for two days and on the second day skip the Clairns(face) or if I only want one application I will slightly exfoliate my face the morning after I apply the Clairns. There is a seriously minor difference in the colours but I am just being fussy here. Clairns Liquid bronze self tanning for face and decollete is €26 for 125ml (I bought mine from Boots), this little gem will last a long time as you need the tinniest amount.

Karora do have other products in their current range. These include a Karora Self Tanning Mist in Dark which is the darker version of the Original one. This is considerably darker but is great for nights out as it gives an intense colour. I have only ever seen this in the 100ml size which is the same price as the Original formulation. The Original tan is a tinted mist which can be used as a colour guide but the Dark one gives an instant colour so you can have your glow instantly and then the tan will develop as the hours go by. They also have a Gradual Bronzing Moisturiser with SPF 15 which is €19.99 for 125ml. This is like the Johnsons holiday skin phenomena that once was only a zillion times better. Its a really luxurious body cream that has some self tanning agents in it that allows you to layer this product for a few days to create a natural looking tan. This is great for fake tan virgins or personally I sometimes apply this if I want to extend the life of my Original mist. As if this wasn't enough Karora have mastered the art of instant fake tan also. This beautiful product is great for days when you didn't have time to use tan that develops over a few hours or if you just prefer to have a tan for one day rather than a few. I also adore this for applying over my tan on nights out to give a beautiful sheen to the skin and add some extra colour, especially on my legs and arms. A little gem in my eyes, this product is €14.99 for 125ml. Karora also offers the smooth operator micro peel which is a grain free exfoliator that is supposed to be amazing for removing dead skin cells and could even be used to remove the last of your old tan before bronzing up again. I haven't used this product yet so I don't have an opinion on it at the moment but it is on my wishlist and I will be sure to share my thoughts with you all when I do get my hands on it, this retails for €12.99(I think) for 100ml.

Well ladies thats all for the moment. I hope you found this post informative and I will be sure to fill you in with any new tanning favourites in the future although for the foreseeable future i do think I have found my tanning holy grail. Have a beautiful sun-kissed day. Take care.

Anita xxxx



****This was not a sponsored post****