Gem's November Favourites!

Cannot believe it is the start of December, mine and probably most people's favourite time of year!


However, I am here to talk about last months beauty offerings that I could not keep out of my make-up bag, shower, hand-bag... you get the idea :)

First off is a bit of a splurge item

It is the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint. I purchased this off www.cultbeauty.co.uk. It was 30 pound which is equal to about 36 euro, you do get 50 ml of product though which is a pretty decent size. This product is oil free which is perfect for my oily skin and also has an SPF of 15. It has nearly a gel like consistency. It has a decent amount of coverage for a tinted moisturiser and goes on smoothly with hands or a brush, depending on how much time you have. I find it stays on my skin well (with powder) throughout the day. I purchased the shade linen. My shade in MAC would be NC20.

My next fave is the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer.
                                                 
I feel I am late to the party on this one, as I know many people have tried and loved this product. I bought it on a whim on my lunch break in the local chemist (6.99 euro) and it can be found in most chemists and Boots. It has a doe foot applicator, which isn't my favourite way to use it from a cleanliness point of view, I usually decant onto the back of my hand and use a brush to apply it. I love using this under my eyes. I find it creamy and very easy to blend and does a good job of covering my lovely bags of a morning. I use the shade 010 Ivory.
   
The Real Techniques Expert Face Brush is another one of my favourites this month.

 This brush is great when you are in a rush (which I always am). I use it for primer, base and concealer. It's big enough to get your base done quickly but small enough to blend concealer under your eyes and anywhere else you might need it. It is a dense brush too so it doesn't swallow up all the product. I think I might have to buy a back up. It retails in Boots for approx 13 Euro.


As the festive season is fast approaching I had to add in my favourite red lipstick of the moment, however it doesn't have to be Christmas to rock a red lip :)

I was a complete sucker and bought RiRi Woo in the rose gold packaging (22 Euro) from www.brownthomas.com It is a a beautiful matt red that's not too drying on the lips if you give them a good scrub and a good coat of lip balm before hand. It makes your teeth looks whiter which is an added bonus! It can be used straight from the bullet for a full on red lip or if you want a toned down effect apply a small amount to your lips and rub in with your finger for a more diffused but still beautiful look.

Something that I cannot keep out of my shower at the minute:

 The Nivea In Shower Body Moisturiser.
Here is a full review of this product if you want to check it out on our blog.
You can get this in most chemists and supermarkets and if you're lucky Boots  have it on special alot, for about 4 Euro It usually retails for about 6 Euro for the large size!
I have oily skin. I am in my late 20's and still get zits on my face, like a 16 year old. My body however gives me mixed messages, some of it wants to be oily, some of it likes to be dry. The Nivea In Shower Moisturiser helps my bipolar skin. You use on wet skin in the shower after washing and all that good stuff. You lather it on,wash it off and then dry as normal. I then use normal moisturiser on the parts of my body that need it more!

Finally, these have been a fave of mine this month (since I only bought them this month :) )

                                                                             
They are House of Harlow Sunburst Button Earrings. I bought mine from www.shopbop.com. They cost me around 25 Euro with tax and shipping which I thought was pretty reasonable.They are a medium disc earrings designed by Nicole Richie (daughter of Lionel), with faux leather inside the sunburst. I've had my eye on them ever since I saw Heart from http://www.youtube.com/user/ThatsHeart on Youtube rocking them.They are really good quality, can be worn casually but for me I think they will be kept for special occasions.

So these are some of my loves from the month gone by. Hopefully you'll enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.

Thanks and enjoy all of the Christmas build up :)

Gemma
 xxx                                                                                                                                                                           

My skin saviour serum- Pepta-bright

For those of you who have been following me for a while now will know that in the past I have suffered from acne which has left me with some scaring (see picture below). Thankfully I have not been left with indentations but instead with pigmentation marks on my cheeks, jaw and chin area.

I had heard good things from other blogs and from YouTube about the Indeed Labs Pepta-bright serum so I decided to give it a go. To be honest I didn't expect too much because I didn't think anything would cure my skin but oh my was I wrong...this little tube is nothing short of a miracle product!!!!

Credited to Indeed Labs

This serum claims to (from indeed labs website):

• even skin tone
• reduce and lighten hyper-pigmentation
• prevent, treat and diminish dark spots
• restore luminosity and radiance to the skin
• prevent the formation of dark spots
• stimulate cell turnover
• maintain skin hydration

So....does it stand up to the claims? Simply the answer is YES!! My skin has transformed drastically since using this and it didn't take long for it to change either. Usually products like this take months but I seen the difference after 3 weeks. My skin is definitely clearer, more radiant and my pigmentation has lightened a fair bit.  The below picture shows a before picture and a picture after 3 weeks use. I took these pictures in different lighting so don't be alarmed by the change in skin colour, it didn't bleach my skin a lighter colour (eekkk)! I was scared of the idea of a lightening product as I felt it would bleach my skin but I have not seen any change in colour of my overall skin, just my skin is brighter and my pigmentation is faded!!

Before use                         After three weeks use

This product is marketed as a cream but I tend to use it as a serum under my moisturiser day and night. One word of warning though it is strongly advised that if you are using this serum during the day (no matter what time of the year) that you wear an SPF on your face to avoid any sun damage to the skin.

I literally love almost everything about this product. The only negative I would say is that it claims to maintain skin hydration whereas I have found that my skin is tighter and drier when using this but I really don't mind as the results are amazing otherwise and the dryness is nothing that a good moisturiser won't fix.

This product isn't for everyone I must add. If your skin is perfect, bright and has no pigmentation then you won't see a drastic change from using this but if you are someone who has suffered from acne in the past and is scarred or has worshiped the sun for far too long and can see the impact on your skin then this will be your new best friend!!!!

I didn't expect this product to work on anyone with active acne but recently my cousin came to visit and I had told her about this product and she used it and the difference in her skin was amazing and she did have active acne. So this product actually seems to do even more than it claims to which is always a nice extra!!

I am massively impressed by the fact that Indeed Labs have actually left out some ingredients which are harmful and damaging to the skin such as mercury, parabens, kojic acid (a skin bleach) and hydroquinone (which is actually banned in the EU!!!).

Pepta-bright can be purchased online at www.boots.ie or in some boots stores for €40.69 for 30ml. Yes it is expensive but worth every cent and as you know boots always has amazing offers on skincare so keep your eyes peeled for these! 

If you have fretted over your skin like I have for far too long then I honestly think this baby is your answer. I am no longer embarrassed to leave the house without makeup. My skin is not 100% perfect by any means but finally I can see results and feel more confident as a result.

Have a wonderful day everyone and here's to a brighter, happier face for the future!!!

Love Anita xxxx

Competition Time Again

Hi Everyone, 

Competition Time again here at Kiss and Makeup with me. To enter simply go to my facebook page and comment under the picture with your name. Then get as many of your friends to like your comment as possible. The person with the most likes gets the prize. Best of Luck everyone xxxx 

Beautiful lips start with Balmi!

Whatever the weather, I always need to have a lipbalm with me. It's not necessarily that I have dry lips but more so that I just love the feeling of soft and subtle lips. I have used the Rosebud salve for years and still love that to this day but lately I am reaching for another balm more and more. Balmi's lip balms not only look super cool but they are really moisturising and contain SPF 15 and UVA Protection...Score!!!

Balmi have recently repackaged their balms into a new cube shape which to me looks like an ice cube. The lid is twist off which is very secure so won't open if you have it at the end of your handbag. When you open it up the actual balm is in a cone shape which is very handy for gliding across the lips without getting it all over your face. You also avoid having to dip your fingers into a pot which is much more hygienic. There is also a little black chord attached to the bottom of the cube which means that your fav Balmi lip balm can be attached to your keys or phone so you can have it on you all the time.

Although the cube packing is a little larger than the original round packaging I still think this balm is very convenient for popping in your handbag or in your pocket even if you are out for a walk. I think the ones shaped like balls are still available in some shops.

I do tend to use up Balmi Lip Balms very quickly. This is partly down to the fact that I apply it as much as possible but I do also think the product is very soft and so it tends to get used up quicker than other balms I have tried. However, this wouldn't stop me repurchasing them.

But really the main point to make about these little gems are that they are really great lip balms that provide great SPF protection for a very reasonable price (€6.79 in Boots).  They come in four flavours, coconut, mint, strawberry and raspberry, with mint being my absolute favourite.

I would highly recommend taking a look at these and see if you love them as much as I do.

Have a fab day my beauties xxx

Una Brennan's Super Facialist Must Have Face Masks

My skin at the moment is going through a bit of a nightmare phase. One minute it is dry and dehydrated and the next my skin is covered in acne breakouts. So I decided to buy a mask that would help to calm the dryness and also one that would clear out the toxins from my skin and help keep acne under control.

So on a whim I headed to Boots (as you do) and came across the Una Brennan skincare line. I bought (without giving it much thought to be honest) the Rose Hydrate Intense Moisture Mask and the Tea Flower Deep Clean Pore Purifying Clay Mask. Since I got these I haven't looked back. I feel that no matter what my skin concern is I can apply either of these masks and my skin will reap the benefits.

So....what do the products claim to do?

Well the Rose Hydrate Mask claims to "Boost skin moisture levels and radiance". This it does. I love using this when my skin is dehydrated but I also love to use it on special occasions when I want my skin to have a glow because it really does freshen and lift the skin. 

This mask can be used on all skin types including sensitive so you don't have to worry about irritation after using it. The ingreadients include White Willow extracts (increases cell turnover), Vitamin E, Urea and Soothing Marhsmallow all of which will hydrate and replenish the skin. 

It states on the tube to apply this one or twice a week but I tend to go between this and the Tea Flower Mask depending on my skin concerns.  I find if you apply this a few minutes before you apply your makeup, rinse, moisturise and then apply your foundation your skin will be subtle and plumped and your makeup will look amazing. Give it a go!!!

The consistency of this mask is almost like a lotion but it is seriously hydrating.

Both masks only cost €10.99 each for a 125ml tube. They are are currently on offer in Boots. The range is exclusive to boots and can be purchased in stores or online at www.boots.ie.

The Tea Flower Deep Clean Pore Purifying Clay Mask is one of the best detoxing face masks I have ever tried. It claims to "Clear your skin of dirt, excess oils and toxins which lead to breakouts". Does it stand up to it's claims? Hell yeah!!!! This mask will draw out all your impurities but it doesn't strip the skin of oils like other masks do. I often breakout after using this but its not because my skin is irritated by the product but because this gets rid of all the nasties from your skin, better out than in I say!! I also LOVE this mask for when I have active breakouts because I feel it calms the spots and reduces the ugly redness. My spots don't seem to last as long as they used to because I think this kills them quicker or something like that...

It contains Salicylic Acid which is a skin savior in my eyes as it really aids in unclogging pores and healing acne breakouts. It also contains "oil-absorbing Dead Sea Mud" which is amazing for calming and detoxing the skin and Avacado oil which is great for rebalancing the skin. An all round marvel mix for acne prone skin. 

The consistency of this mask is thick and mud like. When applied to the skin it is wet but as it sets on the face it dries. To remove this I suggest using a hot face cloth as it can be tough to get off sometimes. Hold the hot cloth over your face for a few seconds before removing the mask which will help loosen the product. 

Again this mask can be used one to twice a week for 5 minutes but as I said I rotate depending on my skins condition. Unfortunately I use this one more often as I have acne breakouts alot.

Consistency: Left:Rose Hydrate Right:Tea Flower

Overall these masks are amazing value for money as they really work wonders on the skin. They don't feel over-perfumed or synthetic in any way and I have not had an reaction to them at all (I have very sensitive skin). I adore the smell of them both as you can really smell the ingredients of each one, which usually means that there is a high content of the ingredients in the product and not overly packed with nasty additives. 

I am excited to try other offerings from Una Brennan's range as these two masks have made me a very happy girl. I feel like for every skin disaster there is an Una Brennan Mask to fix it!! 

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***