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

Update Ur makeup wardrobe for A/W '13

Alot of people I talk to get very frustrated trying to decide how they should update their makeup for changes in seasons. Just when you got it right for last season suddenly there is a new trend in fashion!!! Very annoying. We see so many makeup trends gracing the catwalks and the problem is most of the time they are too exaggerated for everyday wear so in this post I will give you some great advice and inspiration on how to change up your makeup look for Autumn/Winter '13 aswell as how to make some of those crazy catwalk looks much easier to pull off.

I would like to firstly say that not all of the looks below will suit everyone, but you sure can have fun experimenting to find the perfect one for you. Also, not all of these looks should be worn together. Just because the nights are getting darker doesn't mean we have to go crazy on the makeup to make us stand out that bit  more!!

Some of you will be happy to know that perfected skin never goes out of fashion. This is as beautiful in the summer as it is in the colder months. I personally love a matte foundation for winter but alot of people opt for a more hydrating glowy skin in the winter. Find what suits you best and work with it. Whatever foundation finish you choose be sure to use a good concealer to hide any imperfections to create that perfected canvas. My product recommendations would be Rimmel's Stay Matte Liquid Mousse foundation (review here) or Estee Lauder's Double Wear for the perfect matte look, Revlon's Colour stay foundation or Laura Mercier's silk creme foundation for medium to full coverage but with a natural finish and Revlon's nearly naked foundation for a natural light coverage finish. Makeup Forever's full coverage concealer is amazing at hiding facial imperfections and discolouration or for a cheaper alternative I would recommend Revlon's Photo Finish concealer.

On trend this season is to wear no blush. Personally I would not wear this trend as for me blush is the finishing touch to any makeup look, even if it is only a slight wash of colour.

Your perfected skin will look amazing with a just pinched look to the cheeks. Peaches, pinks and plum tones are stunning on the cheeks. Opting for a cream blush is great for this time of the year aswell as summer to ensure makeup last longer while keeping skin hydrated. Absolutely loving Max Factors cream blush in soft pink aswell as boujours cream blushes. Benefits cheek and lip stains are great for adding a wash of colour and their original Benetint cheek stain would be perfect for this time of year. If you love the reddish, plum tones on cheeks but prefer powder blush Mac's Frankly Scarlet is to die for.

Vampy lips are HUGE this season. Hues of wine, pink, purples, plum and beautiful berry's graced the catwalks. But don't be scared if you are not brave enough to wear a full on lip then a nice berry tint on the lips is also spot on trend. A great tip is to buy cheaper lipsticks if you are not sure if a shade will suit you so that you don't waste your money on an expensive lipstick that you will never wear. Great A/W lipsticks are Urban Decay Venom, Mac's just a bite matte lipstick, Mac Rebel, Mac Up the Amp, and a lovely reddish orange is Mac's Ruby Woo Lipstick.

If you are not a fan of deep lips then how about dark eyes??? Deep colours on the lid are a fab way to update your look. I love navy blues, golds, greens and purples in Autumn/Winter time. Smoking this up with a grey, chocolate brown or black is a great way to add definition and drama to the eyes. My favourite smoky shades are :Inglot Shadow Pearl 428 (navy blue) or 426 (cobalt blue), Matte 348 (grey), Pearl 414 (dark green), Pearl 439 (deep purple) and Pearl 404 (Gold). I also love Mac's espresso which is a deep brown matte shade, perfect for smoking the eye.
If you don't want to do a full on smoky eye, dusting a matte grey eye shadow across the eyelid will give a really nice smoked up effect without looking overdone. This is great for wearing during the day or pairing with those deeper lips.

Deep dark eyes are best paired with nude lips. I love Revlon's lip butter in Creme Brulee or Inglot's lipgloss cube in shade 14. These are my go to nude lip products for this season.

Bold brows are never going out of fashion and autumn/winter is a great time to wear them. Deep lips, big brows and minimal eyes are amazing for this season but bold brows are equally as nice with smoky eyes. Just be sure not to bring the eyeshadow too high on the eye as this begins to look messy if you have big thick brows.

Winged cat eyeliner is also another trend that is great this A/W. It looks super sophisticated with any look and adds so much definition to the eyes. Don't be afraid to pair this with a nice set of flirty eyelashes to add some glam. My favorite eyeliners of all time are Catrice's Liquid Liner or Inglot's gel liner in shade 77 Black. Both do amazing jobs and last ALL day.

So that's all I have to say about makeup, just remember not to wear all of these looks together and have fun experimenting.

A small note before I finish up. During the colder months our skin tends to get dehydrated as we are fighting colder weather and central heating alot of the time. To ensure your skin looks its best and stays hydrated its often a good idea to use a richer face cream if your skin needs it. If you don't want to do this during the day then use a richer cream at night and add in a hydrating serum during the day which will not make your skin greasy.
If you are going to attempt the deep bold lip be sure to use a lip scrub and lip balm on regular occasions to keep your lips plump and ready for beautiful lippy.

I hope you found this post helpful. What trends will you be trying for Autumn/Winter 2013? Let me know

Have a great day

Anita xxxx

How to Treat and Hide Dark Circles

Whether it was a late night last night or if you have inherited them from your Mam (thanks Mam) dark circles under the eyes are something that we have all had to deal with at some stage of our life and let's face it, they really are not the most attractive. Let alone adding years on to you, they make you look washed out, sick and down right miserable. But not to worry I have compiled a few little tips that will have your eyes bright and glowing in no time. No one will ever know that you only had 2 hours sleep the night before.

There are definitely ways to conceal dark circles with makeup which we will talk about later on in this post but firstly let's talk about how to actually treat them rather than just disguising them.

-There are many causes of dark circles under the eyes which include lack of sleep, dehydration, allergies, congested nose and sometimes it can be hereditary. There isn't much you can do to prevent the lather but to avoid the rest happening be sure to get your beauty sleep, drink plenty of water every day and if you have any allergies be sure to consult your doctor or pharmacist so they can treat it effectively for you.

-Smoking is also a large contributor to dark circles as it causes the blood vessels under the skin to become blue hence adding to the darkness under eyes.

-Eating a well balanced diet, full of fresh fruit and veg is essential for your everyday health but will also contribute to reducing darkness under the eye. Too much salt in your diet causes water retention which in turn creates darkness and puffiness under the eyes so be sure to keep salt intake to a minimum.

-Using a really good eye cream is essential. Some skincare brands do have specific eye creams designed to tackle the problem of dark circles but if you cannot find one you like be sure to find an eye cream that is jam packed with Retinol and Vitamin K as both ingredients are a great way to help reduce dark circles. My recommendation for an eye cream to aid with dark circles would be Clinique's Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector which is €38 from Boots or any Clinique counter.

-Keeping yourself stress free is a great way to keep under eyes bright and radiant.

- Plenty of exercise is also great for distressing and keeping healthy but be sure to protect yourself from the sun as over exposure to the sun creates pigmentation which will only add to darkness.

A quick little remedy to help reduce dark circles is to take 10-20 minutes out and place two used teabags (can be warm or room temperature) over your eyes and lay down and relax. Do this once a day for two weeks and you will see a difference. Slices of cucumber can also do the same thing and also help reduce puffiness too.

Now we will deal with how to use makeup to conceal these dreaded dark circles.

-The main thing to be aware of when concealing the under eye is that less is more. Packing too many heavy products under the eye will only make the area look old and caked and will draw more attention to the eye.

Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer

-Peach, salmon or orange toned concealers work really well under the eye to correct any discolouration.
If your dark circles are not too bad then I would opt for a concealer like Maybelline's Age Rewind Concealer especially in the shade Nude (if this colour isn't too dark for your skin) as it has a peach tone to it, is very light weight but covers very well.

Bobbi Brown Corrector

-If however your dark circles are bad I would suggest using a peach toned corrector under the eye first, the best one on the market is Bobbi Brown's Corrector which comes in a huge range of shades. For best results I apply this with my ring finger, gently pressing it into the skin. By using your finger you are warming up the product which will help give a light even application that won't cake under the eyes.
Once this corrector has had time to set I would then apply a concealer on top of this to match your under-eye with the rest of your face. Apply your foundation and make sure they all blend well.

Ben Nye Banana Powder

-Setting your under eye concealer to me is the most important step as there is no point applying expensive products if they are just going to settle into fine lines or worse run off your face during the day. Only use a very light textured powder for under your eyes and use a very small amount of it. I like to set my concealer with an eye shadow blending brush because I know that this will not add too much product. My favourite powders for under the eyes are Ben Nye's Banana powder available here from Ireland or can be bought from ebay or amazon aswell (this is a yellow powder that adds light to anywhere it is applied) or Mac's minerlaized skin finish natural powder. Do not use any mattifying powders under the eyes!!

Rimmel scandaleyes waterproof kohl in Nude

-Another little tip is when you are applying eyeshadow do not add too much darkness under the eye as this will only make your eyes look worse. Also applying dark eyeliner in the inner rim is often too much so opt for a flesh coloured pencil on your waterline to add brightness to your eyes. My favourite is Rimmel's scandaleyes waterproof kohl in the shade nude.

Well I think thats enough rambling for one day....I hope you found this post helpful and please feel free to comment below and let me know if my tips have helped you with your dark circles.

Have a great day wherever you are.

Anita xxx

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

L'oreal's Latest Lovely-Micellar Water

So I think everyone knows by now that I am a makeup addict but I do also know that if I choose to wear alot of makeup that I must be willing to take it all off before going to bed to ensure that my skin stays as young and breakout free as possible. I always seen the Youtube Guru's using Bioderm which was a cleansing water that seemed to remove all traces of makeup. However, Bioderm isn't easy to get my hands on so when I seen that other cosmetic brands had jumped on the band wagon I was keen to go along for the ride.

So I chose to try L'oreal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution. So what is a Micellar cleansing water then? Well supposedly the French have used it for years and we are just really late to give it a go. It is basically a solution that has tiny oil particles in it that claims to break down the makeup fast and without being abrasive to the skin.It just feels like you are applying water to your skin. The L'oreal Paris version also claims to be a makeup remover, toner and skin smoother while drawing out impurities and excess oil.

So how did I get on with this product?

I have to admit I do not use this product on its own. I use this as the first step in my cleansing routine. I will take a small amount on a cotton pad and swipe it over my face and neck (I can repeat this step up to three times when I have alot of makeup on) and then I use a seperate soaked pad to remove my eye makeup. It removes all traces of eye makeup and I never have mascara left under my eyes the morning after. However, it does leave a tiny amount of foundation on my face and so I like to use my everyday cleanser (currently Michael Todd Honey and Oat Cleanser) with my Clarisonic to remove the rest. I have seen people use their normal cleanser then use the Micellar solution afterwards so it really depends on what you prefer.

Since introducing this product into my skincare regime I have definitely seen an improvement in my breakouts, they are alot less frequent and my skin looks clearer and cleaner than normal. When I use it my skin feels clean and refreshed but not irritated or sensitized.

The only down side I would say to this product is that I feel I need to use ALOT to see a benefit from it but I feel it is worth it and because it isn't expensive I don't mind so much.Also, if I apply to much to a cotton pad and take my eye makeup off my eyes can sting so just be careful around the eye area and you should be fine.

All in all a great little addition to my skincare regime and I think I will be using this for awhile yet. It can be purchased from boots and is available at a discounted price of €4.46 for 200ml at the moment so be sure to check it out.

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!! 

DECODERM MAKE UP|CARE Review

So anyone that has followed me for the last few months would know that I struggle with extra sensitive skin prone to acne breakouts but at the same time I am a makeup addict!! So when I was given the opportunity to try a makeup brand that was good for my skin and created with sensitive skin in mind I leaped at the chance. 

ABOUT THE BRAND

Beauty Professionals have all loved and trusted ALPAPARF Milano for over two decades now. This well known name has given us high quality and reliable skincare and haircare for a long time now and their most recent additional to their portfolio is no exception!!! 

Introducing DECODERM MAKE UP|CARE a range of makeup products that have been scientifically researched and developed aswell as tested by dermatologists and opthamologists to reduce the risks of irritations and allergic reactions to the skin. The entire range is fragrance and paraben free and it claims to give women natural products but that perform just like our usual cosmetic brands that are full of lots of nasties. 

DECODERM offers a range of products in the line from amazing under makeup primers to on trend lipsticks and everything in between!

DECODERM MAKE UP|CARE

PRODUCTS I TRIED AND TESTED

So on to the good stuff now. The products I tried and loved are: 

-16H Aqua Foundation in Shade 03 (slightly too dark for my normal skin but beautiful with tan)

-Hydra Blush in Shade 02

-3D Magnificent Gloss in Shade 03 

Love the pump bottle. Makes application easy

I have an obsession with foundation but often breakout when I try new ones so was really excited to give the 16H Aqua Foundation a try. The reason I chose this one over the other foundations in the range was because it claims to keep skin moisturised (but not oily) while staying in place for 16hours+, my type of foundation!! My experience with this foundation was nothing but positive. I adore the texture of this product, the minute its applied you can feel it giving you the hydration that your skin needs but without adding any unwanted oil to the skin. The coverage is very good but not OTT or cakey and definitely does last a long time with no more powder touch ups than I have to do with other foundations. I also love the fact that this foundation has natural protective filters that helps protect the skin against UV Rays.

3D Gloss and Hydra Blush swatch

The Hydra Blush is my favourite product from the three I tried. This little beauty actually contains Hyaluronic Acid which is amazing for keeping elasticity and moisture in the skin. This blush blends effortlessly and stays put all day. I noticed that my cheeks seemed flawless and almost airbrushed when I applied this blush so I had to do some investigation and it is made from soft focus powders which aid in masking imperfections and also diffuses light. The colour I chose is a rosy colour that gives a beautiful flush to the cheeks but is buildable so you can apply as much as you want to get your desired look. This blush is in no way cakey or powdery and is a definite staple in my makeup kit from now on. 

Great Brush Applicator

The 3D Magnificent Gloss also contains Hyaluronic Acid which is great in a gloss as it adds and maintains moisture to the lips.I chose a peachy coral colour in the lipgloss as this would be one that I would use on an everyday basis so thought this would be best to try out for you all. Again, I have nothing bad to say about this product. It adds a beautiful sheen to the lips and definitely does plump them up (without that tingle feeling). My favourite thing about this product is the applicator. It is a brush type applicator that makes applying the product very easy and is not messy in anyway. Love this. I love to layer this over lipsticks to add a new dimension to the colour of the lipstick. I did notice a beautiful pout to my lips after trying this gloss and this is thanks to the amazing ingredients jam packed into this little tube. It contains a blend of Volulip and Hyaluronic Acid that work together to give a great power pout combination. 

So when I apply my makeup now using DECODERM MAKE UP|CARE Products I think all the boxes are ticked.

-Flawless skin without breakouts....TICK

-Flushed cheeks that last all day......TICK

-A beautifully mositurisered and voluminous lip.....TICK

Love the embossed logo on the blush

The packaging of this brand is so on trend too. Its very sleek and understated but they have great little added touches to some of their products. I love the powder products because they have the DECODERM logo engraved into the powder, a pretty added bonus. 

Ok so I think I best stop rambling now. As you can tell I love this brand and am really happy to have been given the opportunity to try this. People in general (and I am no exception) are often skeptical to try makeup brands that are not from the usual makeup houses such as MAC, Estee Lauder, Lancome etc but I think the lesson learned here is that we need to experiment more because if we don't we may be missing out on hidden treasures like this brand that will not only give us great looking skin but will give us increased skincare benefits. 

DECODERM MAKE UP|CARE can be purchased from Zinc Hairspa and its very reasonably priced. The 3D Lipgloss is €14.90, the Hydra Blush is €15.90 and the 16H Aqua Foundation is €26.50. The ladies in the salon are so friendly and will be happy to help you choose the right products for your skin type and makeup needs. Definitely worth a look and a try! 

Thank you for reading my review and I would love to hear if you have had any experience with this brand. One thing for sure is that I am its new biggest fan. 

Have a lovely day.

Big Kisses xxxx

**I did receive these products for review but am in no way paid by Zinc Hairspa or Decoderm. The opinions above are 100% my own honest opinions. Thank you**

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***

My recent Boots Haul

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend so far. I know I am. Before I head off into the land of study I thought I would do a little post on my recent trip to boots and let you know what products I picked up. I originally went over to get some hair products and came back with much more than I expected to or could afford but thats the joys of being a beauty addict I guess.

In this post I will only let you know what I bought but if you want a review on any of them please let me know and I will definitely do one or if I like them enough you may see them in a future favourites post.

A picture of everything I purchased (sorry about the picture, its pretty awful). 

So here is a list of the goodies I bought:

• Umberto Giannini Flirty Curls Scrunching Jelly 
• Umberto Giannini Shapely Curl Mousse (I have curly hair incase you didnt guess)
• Balmi Lip Balm in Mint (in love with this stuff already)
•  No 7 Eye Makeup Remover
• Dr Jart ++ Water Fuse Beauty Balm
• Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Intense Moisture Mask
• Una Brennan Tea Flower Deep Clean Pore Purifying Clay Mask
• Clinique all about eyes Rich
• Clinique High Impact Mascara Black

Clinique also had a gift with purchase on so I got a beautiful bag with loads of lovely goodies in it. I was looking for an eyecream and when I seen that the gift had some great products in it I decided I would buy another product and get the gift free (as you do). The gift came with:

• Rinse off Foaming Cleaner
• Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• All about eyes (normal formula)
• Quickliner for Eyes Intense Eyeliner
• Mini High Impact mascara
• Chubby Stick Moisturising lip colour balm (the main reason I wanted this gift)
• 
  

I have tried some of the products out from this haul but not all of them. I would love to hear your thoughts on any of the above products and please let me know if you would like a review on any of them. Have a great weekend everyone...xxxx

My February 2013 Favourites

Hello There,
So I have kept my new years resolution and am trying LOTS of new makeup and beauty products. During February I tried a fair few products, both brand new products and some I have tried before and just gave them another go in February. This post is all about the products I loved most and products I would recommend. I hope you enjoy

The First Product I am in love with is the L'oreal Expert Intense Repair Shampoo for Dry Hair. I don't necessarily have dry hair but I do tend to get frizzy hair as my hair is naturally curly. I bought this at Christmas time and I have to say it is amazing. I have seen a really big difference in my hair and have had alot of compliments. I feel it really does hydrate my hair without weighing it down so it allows my curls to stay bouncy. I know some people do not believe in spending money on expensive haircare but I recently have become a firm believer in good haircare. You just cant beat it. I also got the mask in the same range and this is great. I use it as a normal conditioner and if I want a more intense treatment I leave it in for longer. These products smell amazing and really have given my hair great body and nutrients.

Next up is the Sigma Mrs Bunny Essential Brush Kit. I use this kit everyday and love it so much. For my full review please check out my review in my product reviews.

I always love a fresh peach glow to the skin in Spring/Summer. So I decided I would get ahead of the game and try the Benefit Coralista. This product is around for a few years now but I never tried it before now. I had read so many great reviews on this product and so I decided to give it a go. I have to admit I wasn't disappointed. The minute I opened the box the beautiful sweet smell hit me and I was sold. Then it got better when I tried the product. It gives me the most amazing "glow from within" look that is very hard to find in a product. It is a little pricey at €34 but you get ALOT of product and it really is worth the splurge!

I have always suffered with dark circles and blemishes(sometimes really angry acne) so I am always searching for a great under-eye concealer and a blemish concealer but I never expected to find the two products in one as usually you need a light consistency for under the eye and a thicker one for covering redness and blemishes. However, I do think I found it in this product. Its great for under the eye area as it gives you great coverage but doesn't sit in fine lines. The product is just as good for covering blemishes, it has a great thick consistency but one that spreads evenly. It seems Revlon have made another great base product. I just love this brand!!!
I am not currently using this for my under eye area as I am road testing something else at the moment but I have used it and use it on clients and it stays put all day and night and doesn't crease like so many other products(even high end ones). I am using this everyday for blemishes though and it has become my holy grail blemish concealer. Its around €10.99 so it is very reasonable especially if you use it for both areas.

I am an addict when it comes to black liner. The blacker the better I say. I love the intensity of gel and liquid liners but as I am up early every morning I don't have time or energy to apply these products perfectly. I have been using pencil liner for years now and have loved Avon's Supershock Gel Liner for many years. I have tried many high end brands and nothing comes close to this product. It comes in a pencil which means it is extremely easy to apply. This stuff literally glides across the eye and the finish is exactly like a gel liner(just like the name suggests). I can 100% verify that this product doesn't smudge as I often wear it for 15 hours at a time. I mostly wear it on my top lash line and would wear it on my waterline on nights out and it has NEVER let me down. I think the full price of this is under €8 but its almost always on special offer in the Avon catalogue.

Every Christmas I get the big Soap and Glory gift set as a present. When I received it this year I was slightly disappointed when I seen there was a mascara in it so I left it in my drawer until the beginning of February when I decided to give it a go. I have to say I was amazed by this product. I love the way it makes my lashes look. It gives me loads of volume and length and doesn't clump or flake which is exactly what you want from a mascara. The wand is quiet thick (reminds me of the Diorshow mascara) which is great for coating your upper lashes but requires control to apply to the bottom lashes so be careful when doing this. Also the product does tend to try out quick as I feel I need a new one and am not using it that long. However, all that said its a fantastic mascara and I will definitely be repurchasing this.

I have used the e.l.f brow kit for ages now and when MUA had a 50% sale on I decided I would try some (or alot) of their products and this was one of the products I definitely wanted to try. This kit contains a light and dark brow colour, a wax and a highlighting shade. It also contains a mini dual ended brush and a mini tweezers. I use the dark brow colour everyday and its a perfect match for my eyebrows. If I am having a "no makeup day" I will use the lighter brow colour(would also be great for blondes). I also set my brows everyday with the wax. The powder is so pigmented and soft and glides on effortlessly but has amazing staying power. When combined with the wax your brows will stay in place all day long. I don't like the highlight colour as I feel it is way too dark to higlight so I dont use this. I dont use the brush either but I have tried it and its a really dense brush which is ideal for perfecting your brows. I really like the little tweezers. For such a small tool it does a great job. This kit is only £3.50 so you really cannot ask for more. I have tried many high end brow products and this one tops them all. A definite stable in my makeup kit from now on!!

The last of my Feb Fav's is another MUA product. Its the Love Hearts Lip Balm in Sweet Kiss. This Lipbalm is so nourishing to the lips but it also has a really beautiful finish and sheer colour which lasts for a very long time. If I don't want a really glossy lip I use this over my lipstick or on its own and I love the look it gives. It also tastes amazing which is always a plus!! I will have to try the other balms in this range. They are only £2.00 which is an absolute bargain for such a cool, fun and great product. 

So that's all my favourites for Feb 2013. I have already started to test new products and will continue to do so throughout March so stay tuned for some more product reviews during March. If you have any questions or would like me to do a more indepth review on any of the products mentioned above (or any other products) please let me know. Thanks a mill everyone and chat to you all soon xxxx