No7's latest lip lovelies

I am not a massive fan of BB Creams in general. There are two BB Creams for the face which I love but that's about it. So I was a little skeptical when I seen that Boots No7 had launched their new BB Lips. But a friend of mine was kind enough to purchase one for me so I was more than happy to give it a go! 

The colour I received was Berry Rose which is a bright reddish colour. I am more of a neutral lippy gal (I am getting better though) so I was a little scared of this colour but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The colour is quiet sheer and so is very workable for a bright lippy virgin like myself. I was so impressed with this one that I decided to purchase one which was more on the neutral side which I could wear to work everyday and really give this new discovery a thorough testing. The shade I purchased was Blink Pink and because I had No7 vouchers I ended up getting it for €6.50 (normally €11). I really love this colour, its a bright pink summery colour and great for everyday.        
                                                                           

                 

So what did I actually think of the product? Overall, I really do like these products. I am a big fan of lipbalms but also love coloured lipgloss and I think this product gives me the best of both worlds. The colour is sheer but not too sheer that it is not noticeable on the lips. The thick consistency is so moisturising and even after the product wears off (I do wish they were a little bit more long wearing) my lips still feel really hydrated and smooth which is not easy to find even in an expensive lip balm. I have definitely noticed a difference in the condition of my lips after using this product for a few days continuously. The main thing I like about this product is that it is not sticky in anyway, it has a lovely creamy texture so you don't have to deal with the dreaded hair stuck to lips look (not a good one when you are trying to strut your stuff down Grafton Street on a Saturday afternoon). 

Where does the BB claim come in I hear you say? Well this is definitely hydrating and nourishing for the lips and it also contains SPF 15 and UVA protection so I presume that is what the BB Claim is all about.

I have used a similar product to this before from Clairns. In fact there is very little difference between the two in my opinion apart from the fact that Clairns Instant Light Lip Perfector has a sponge applicator whereas No7's has a plastic one which in my opinion is much more hygienic  Oh and also Clairns offering is €17 euro as opposed to €11.  

No7 have really got it right with this new launch. It's exactly what we all should be looking for in a summer lip product, moisturising, a touch of colour and SPF protection. Tick, Tick, Tick. Well done No7, you have me hooked. 

The Summer Edition Part One : Makeup must haves for Summer 2013

We all love to look our best at all times but the good weather can bring some makeup mishaps!! To avoid unsightly panda eyes and oily faces check out my below makeup essentials to keep your face in place and looking good all summer long

My first essential is the infamous primer by Smashbox in the light version. This is a great base for summer makeup as its not greasy and is very light so it will not cause breakouts or excess oil.

If you don't want to wear heavy makeup I would recommend trying a BB Cream. These are great as they provide a light coverage while at the same time cut out having to use loads of products on the skin as they will also moisturise the skin aswell as providing you with an SPF . My favourite is Dr Jart+ water fuse BB Cream which contains a whooping SPF 25.

If you prefer to wear something with a little more coverage my favouite liquid foundation at the moment is Mac's Studio Fix fluid. This foundation stays in place all day so won't leave you looking like a grease monkey.

I am loving Boujour's summer collection. They have amazing cream products which are great for the Summer weather. My two favourite's are:

Cream Blush. They are great for giving a beautiful flush to your cheeks without looking too cakey and powdery. These little beauties come in 4 different shades so there is one to suit everyone skin tone.

I am a big fan of cream bronzers and this one is definitely a must have. Boujour's bronzing primer is amazing to use to add colour to the face. I use this either as a cream contour or as a bronzer for a beautiful sunkissed look. Check out my full review here

To set all your cream products an amazing product to use without looking too made up is Mac's Mineralised Skin Finish Natural. This gives such a beautiful finish to the skin and keeps your cream products in place all day long. 

A great finishing step is a makeup setting spray. My favourite is Urban Decays All Nighter setting spray. Urban Decay also have other setting sprays in their line for different skin types so there will be one to suit all skin types. 

I don't like to wear too much products on the eyes during the summer but below are a few of my essentials for making summer eyes pop!

Cream shadows are great for summer and Makeup Forever do an amazing range of waterproof cream products in their Aqua line. Their cream shadows are amazing and will not budge during the day. The range of colours are absolutely beautiful and definitely worth the money. 

Colour Mascara is a fantastic way to brighten up eyes. Again Boujour have a great range this summer. These really add something special to the eyes.

And last but not least we need to add a hint of colour to the lips. I am really into the chubby sticks this year and Clinique do an amazing range. At first I thought they wouldn't add any colour but they really do and are also moisturising. These are great for popping in your handbag as they are easy to apply on the go and don' get sticky in the heat.

Well that's it for my summer essential makeup products. If you would like to see a post on my summer skincare, fake tan, body or haircare routines please let me know via facebook!! I hope you found this little post helpful and enjoy the beautiful weather while it lasts. 

Big Kisses

xxxxx

Summer Lovin'- My new addiction

I am a massive fan of cream face products and also bronzing products so when I came across the new Boujour Bronzing Primer I was intrigued. I have used the Soleil Tan De Chanel for a long time and am a big fan but this new beauty wins hands down in the bronzing battle.

The Boujour Bronzing Primer is marketed as a primer but I much prefer it as a cream bronzer. I use this to add a light sun-kissed glow to the areas of my face that get the sun most (temples, cheeks, nose, chin etc) or I use it to contour the hollows of my cheeks, it all depends really on the look I am going for.

Beautiful mousse like texture. Not oily at all but yet feels moisturizing

The texture of this product is like none I have seen before. It a whipped mousse texture which is so easy to blend. The colour is perfect on all skin-tones (except dark) and doesn't add a cakey, muddy look to the skin but instead add a simply stunning glow that just makes the face look radiant....ah I am in love!!

Before- I only used a tiny amount...oh look how pale I am !!!

After the product is blended into the skin using my fingers-the glow is beautiful

Oh and the smell....what can I say. The scent is a mix of sweet orange blossom and cocoa so it smells like you could eat it (probably not the best idea)!

I also love the fact that it is moisturizing to the skin but doesn't make the face oily in anyway. This would be a great product to wear alone instead of foundation on holidays (be sure to wear an SPF if you are in the sun as this doesn't contain one) or on days that you just don't want to wear makeup but want a "glow". To apply this I use a Real Techniques buffing brush and gently buff the product into the areas I want to add the colour to. You could also use your fingers but be sure to work the product in well to avoid product build up.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush from the Core Collection

I got the bronzer on special in Boots for €8.99 but I think the usual price is around €13. Compared to the Chanel one which costs almost 4 times this it is a definite bargain buy that will be a summer staple in my makeup bag this year and hopefully for many years to come.

Let me know if you have tried this and what you think of it, I would love to hear your views.

Love and kisses xxxx

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

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



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