Seriously Impressed - Paula's Choice NEW Illicit Lash Maximum Impact Mascara

Its been quite a while since I've used a new mascara and have been seriously impressed upon first application, but Paula's Choice NEW Illicit Lash Maximum Impact Mascara had me thinking "wow", when I used it for the first time yesterday.

This mascara is seriously impressive and has a nice and affordable price tag to go with it (£11.30). My only gripe is that I'm fairly certain that its an LE item, (It says LE on the top of the press release anyway! although I will double check) isn't that always the way though? you find something you love, get a nice giddy feeling inside and then realise its a Limited Edition Item. What a bummer!

Before I talk about my love for this mascara, first let me tell you a bit about Paula's Choice in case you are not familiar with the brand.

Paula's Choice is a brand created by Paula Begoun aka ‘The Cosmetics Cop’ who has a career spanning 30 years in the cosmetics industry. The brand launched in the US in 1995, and consists of state-of-the-art formulas based on reliable, published skincare research. All products are 100% fragrance and colourant free because this is simply what’s best for your skin. They're cruelty free – no products are tested on animals at any stage of product development; and all products are presented in environmentally friendly, minimalist packaging each designed to ensure product efficacy.

The brand finally launched in the UK in 2010 and was a very welcome addition! There are 55 products in the Paula’s Choice range. Products which cover all aspects of beauty, with complete skincare regimes, makeup, body and hair products.

On to the mascara....

When I was very kindly asked if I would like to sample the NEW Illicit Lash Maximum Impact Mascara, I of course jumped at the chance. Sadly god seemed to have somehow missed me when he was giving out nice long and full eyelashes, so mascara is a daily essential for me. A product I could not live without.

The Mascara claims to Instantly separate, lengthen and define lashes in one easy step. The lightweight formula contains plant based conditioning agents to leave lashes soft with a subtle sexy fringed curl.

So how does it perform? Really well! The rubber brush just seems to grab every single lash with ease and instantly lengthens my lashes. When applying I can see my lashes gaining length with such ease. I find the slimness of the brush really easy to work with and its great for precision application of each lash, helping them to look longer and defined instantly. I normally actually prefer volume over length, but this has made me realise how nice and defined my lashes look when a lengthening mascara is used.

Now for some dodgy before and after pictures! I really don't think these pictures do the mascara justice though. I find eye pictures so hard to take and Im also not very handy with a mascara brush, one day I will master the technique of perfect application though! *she says*

Before:

After:

I definitely recommend this mascara if you are looking for a mascara which will add length and definition to your lashes, if volume is what you crave then this may not work for you.

Available to Purchase from Paula's Choice UK priced at £11.30

Jo.

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Seriously Impressed - Paula's Choice NEW Illicit Lash Maximum Impact Mascara

MAC Paint Pot in Blackground

When I watched Lisa Eldridge's Cheryl Cole video and saw how easily she created a smokey eye with near enough one product, I was on the MAC website quicker than sh*t off a shovel and added Blackground Paint Pot to my Basket.

Oh how I love thee!

I can create a nice easy smokey eye within minutes with this baby. It applies so easily and so smoothly and blends like a dream. I use it on its own or under shadow for a more dramatic look. When used on its own and blended out, it create a lovely sheer smokey eye which takes literally two minutes. I think this is a staple product for anyone who loves the smokey eye look. Im so glad I bought it!

I have my eye on Constructivist next.

*swoons*

Jo.

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MAC Paint Pot in Blackground

New Brush Love - Urban Decay Good Karma Powder Brush

Good brushes are the tools of the trade right? Using a good quality brush makes all the difference to the application of make up. Urban Decay's Good Karma Powder Brush is one of those brushes that has made all the difference for me.

When I think of Urban Decay I don't actually associate them with brushes, mainly because Ive not heard or read a lot of praise about their brushes. Im about to change that though, because I think this brush is amazing!

Packaged in a magnetic box fashioned out of recycled egg cartons, and embossed with the Urban Decay logo in purple foil, this brush is incredibly light and soft and applies loose powder like a dream. I really cannot begin to try and explain how soft it is, its just one of those brushes that you need to see and feel for yourself. It glides over the skin, but deposits just the right amount of powder evenly and smoothly resulting in a perfect flawless finish. It also works really well at blending out and lightening blusher or bronzer and whisking away any fall out from applying eyeshadow. Did I mention that its also cruelty free, vegan, and eco-friendly?! Its just perfect!

The Good Karma Powder Brush is available to purchase from Debenhams and House of Fraser priced at £24.50

I definitely want to purchase a few more Urban Decay Brushes. Any recommendations Ladies?


Jo.

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New Brush Love - Urban Decay Good Karma Powder Brush

The M&S and Oxfam Clothes Exchange.

Fancy clearing out your wardrobe before summer and getting something in return? Well if you have any M&S clothes then it'd be worth checking out the M&S and Oxfam Clothes Exchange.



The video above explains about the campaign but basically Oxfam and M&S have teamed up to help shoppers support the world’s poorest people. So if you have any old M&S clothes or soft furnishings, then take them to your nearest Oxfam shop and they will exchange them for a £5 voucher to use at M&S. Simple! It’s a nice, simple way to clear out your home, save money, reduce waste and raise heaps of money for Oxfam!

I have quite a few of Harvey's old baby clothes from M&S so I'll definitely be dropping them into my local Oxfam shop!

How about you?


Jo.

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The M&S and Oxfam Clothes Exchange.

Filthy Gorgeous Nail Polish

The beauty service, apothecary and retail emporium Filthy Gorgeous has just launched its first nail polish collection and what a collection this is! With 31 shades of polish including top coat and base coats, the collection is bound to have a few shades that will appeal to everybody.

I was lucky enough to be sent three shades to try out and the first thing that caught my eye, was the bottle. They are definitely one of the nicest bottles of polish that Ive seen in a while. I love the lace print bottle top and the detachable Filthy Gorgeous Plectrum, which can be taken off and used as a key ring or a cute bag charm.

The three shades I was sent are Tu Tu Much, Satchel and Rock Star

Tu Tu Much Is a gorgeous bright pink and it really got my nails some attention when I wore it!

Satchel is a Ducky Greige shade, one of those fail safe safes that goes with anything and always looks sophisticated.

Rock Star is totally different that any other polish I have. Although its described as an Antique Gold Sparkle, its definitely not gold in my eyes and looks green! Nevertheless its still a stunner of a polish and will look fantastic layered over other polishes.

The polish promises to offer superior wear with exceptional high-gloss, shine retention and is chip, water and detergent resistant.

Does the promise ring true? - Well I had no problems at all with any of these polishes. They all apply very smoothly and evenly and Tu Tu Much in particular did have a gorgeous shine on it. Unfortunately I can't comment with regards to wear, as I change my polish every two days (I get bored easily) but they did last the two days perfectly.

All 31 shades can be purchased at Debenhams and retail at £9.00.



Jo.

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Filthy Gorgeous Nail Polish

Storage on the cheap!

Storage is a major problem for me. Im constantly adding to my skin care and make up and basically have nowhere to put anything! It will become a lot easier once Harvey (my youngest son) is in his own bedroom, then I will able to buy a dressing table and a few more bigger storage items, but for now I just have to manage with small things that can be a home for some items.

I picked up a few new things last week, which have become really useful for storing a few items, so I thought I would do a post just in case any one is in a similar situation and looking for cheap but effective storage solutions.

Leopard Print Storage Box

 

I so can't resist a bit of leopard print! This was £3.00 from Store Twenty One and is size medium There are two other sizes available, but medium is perfect for what I use it for. It is currently home to all my foundations and my most used palettes.

Pen Holder

I first saw this on Sherries blog and thought it would be ideal to store my most used Mascaras and Eye Pencils in. Can't go wrong really for £1.00!

Fruit Bowl

I picked this up in Asda, again for £1.00. This contains some items that I need to keep to hand.

Woven Basket

Another Store Twenty One purchase which was £5.00.. I currently keep my most used perfumes in this.

This is what my current set up looks like. Its not ideal but it has to do!

If you are looking for some cute and cheap storage boxes, then I definitely recommend taking a look at Store Twenty One. They stock some really nice ones and are cheap too!

What are you like for storage? are you like me and constantly looking for bits that could be useful?

Jo.

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Storage on the cheap!

Clinique's NEW bottom Lash Mascara

Clinique's NEW Bottom Lash Mascara is a mascara specially formulated for bottom lashes, which features a small brush engineered for those small pesky bottom lashes. It also claims to be a formula which allows for 24 hour wear without smudging or smearing.

For me this product is a god send. I stopped using mascara on my bottom lashes a while ago, as it was just a task and half to get natural looking bottom lashes with a normal sized mascara brush.  My bottom lashes are really small and a big brush was just not helping the situation. I would near enough always put too much on and it just wasn't an equal balance, with my bottom lashes ending up looking over done and messy. It would also smear and smudge too.. Basically it was just easier to stop applying mascara on my bottom lashes and leave them be.

Withe Clinique's new Bottom Lash Mascara though, applying lashes to those fiddly little bottom lashes couldn't be easier.

The brush is so small and it makes it so easy to just coat and extend the lashes with the right amount of product, without causing a mess or resulting in the lashes look over loaded and un-natural. Its just the right size to make the application quick and easy and it really does capture even the tiniest of lashes.

Like I said, I haven't wore mascara on my bottom lashes for a long while now, so this is the perfect product to be added to my make up bag. I forgot how nice the bottom lashes can look when mascara is applied correctly. I have no problems whatsoever with smearing or smudging. My bottom lashes just stay looking perfect all day long.I also find it works really well at capturing those flimsy little inner lashes right near the corner of my eye, which normal mascara brushes cannot seem to reach.

Its definitely a product I recommend, especially if you're like me and have bottom lashes that need all the help they can get, to even look visible. I also think its priced really well at £10. Its not a product that is going to break the bank and if you follow the 3 month mascara rule, then £10 every three months is nothing!

Available from Clinique Counters Nationwide.



Jo.

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Clinique's NEW bottom Lash Mascara

Urban Decay NEW 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils and 24/7 Shadow Blending Brush

I've mentioned many a time how I love products that make my make up application easier. Products which I can just apply without too much thought and which are perfect for when I am short of time. Urban Decays NEW 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils which are due for UK release on March 1st are just that sort of product and are so going to be my new addiction!

The Pencils are big blend-able eyeshadow pencils which boast to be  long-lasting, smudge proof, and waterproof. Basically they are the 24/7 Eye Pencils big sister!

I was lucky enough to be sent two shades to have a play with which are Rehab and Wasteland. Rehab is a gorgeous taupy brown sheen and Wasteland is a stunning dark brown sheen.

Application with these pencils literally couldn't be simpler. Just apply blend and go! The colour pay off of the two shades I have is amazing. They are so pigmented and you do not need to work a lot to get a high impact colour payoff. They do as they say and literally glide onto the eye and apply as smooth as butter, while giving enough time to blend to the desired look before the shadow sets. I can create a gorgeous look within 5 minutes with these babies. They also work fantastic as a base under powder eyeshadow or as an upper lid liner or lower lash liner. I haven't tried them on my waterline and I doubt I will to be honest, as I have my 24/7 eye pencils for that.

I honestly cannot wait for the release day, as I fully intend to pick up a few more shades. There are currently 12 shades available and I have my eye on Sin and Barracuda.

I was also lucky enough to be sent the NEW 24/7 Shadow Blending Brush which accompanies the new Shadow pencils.

This is a bit different from most of my other blending brushes as it is very dense and quite stiff but Urban Decay do say that the custom designed shape, stiffness, and size were created specifically for blending our 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils. The pencils are obviously not as easy to blend as powder eyeshadow but the 24/7 blending brush does make the job of blending them so easy and quick, they blend a hell of a lot better with this brush than they do with my other blending brushes.

Both the 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils (£14.00) and the 24/7 Blending Brush (£10.00) will launch on the March 1st and will be available from selected Debenhams and House of Fraser Stores.

Jo.

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Urban Decay NEW 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils and 24/7 Shadow Blending Brush

Don't change something if it's not broken!

So I ordered myself another ELF Powder Brush. I've had my current one since it was very first released, so I figured that seen as ELF brushes are cheap as chips I might as well buy myself another one. It's arrived and its nothing at all like my other one! The brush head is smaller, not as dense, and just different! I wanted the exact same one!

Top New. Bottom Old.

Left new. Right old.

Left old. Right New.

Anyone else noticed this?



Jo.

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Don't change something if it's not broken!

Superdrug MUA and Coke offer!

If you like to drink Coke and also love to paint your nails, then the Superdrug MUA and Coke offer that is currently available is one not to be missed!

For just one month, MUA has teamed up with Coke to offer three gorgeous gift packs to quench your thirst for cosmetics.

To get your hands on these bang on trend nail colours all you have to do is buy any 2 cokes in store and get the MUA Limited Edition Gift Pack for free!

Offer available until the 15th March.

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Superdrug MUA and Coke offer!

Today's Nails - Estee Lauder Pure Colour Nail Lacquer in Tempting Melon

Estee Lauder recently released a new range of Pure Colour Nail Lacquers and I was sent a couple of shades to try out. The first one I want to show you today is the shade Tempting Melon.

As soon as I saw this, I knew it was going to be love. It reminds me so much of a shade I wore near enough constantly last summer, which was Essie Cantaloupe.

The formula is excellent!Smooth and creamy, It applies like a dream and two coats resulted in perfection. The brush is the perfect size and covers the nail bed with ease, distributing a nice even colour. Fair enough these are not cheap at £14.00 but you are definitely paying for quality.

My perfect summer shade!!!!

Keep an eye out for the next shade I have to try which is Wild Storm.

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Today's Nails - Estee Lauder Pure Colour Nail Lacquer in Tempting Melon

Product Rave - First Aid Beauty (FAB) Ultra Repair Cream.

Ive mentioned previously the problem I have with Itchy thighs. In short - they drive me mental. More so of a night time when Im trying to sleep and even when I am asleep. I have often found myself wake up to a whole new batch of scratches on my thighs. Not good. I have no idea what causes my thighs to itch. I did at first think it was the SLS in bath that I use, so I decided to go SLS free when it comes to soaking in the bath . The itching calmed down a little although i have still been suffering occasionally. I've now self diagnosed myself as having extremely sensitive dry skin on my thighs. I should probably go and see a doctor in case it's something a bit more serious like Eczema, but for now Im happy with my self diagnosis and Im happy with a product Ive been using recently, which has majorly helped my itching situation.

First Aid Beauty (FAB) Ultra Repair Cream.

First Aid Beauty is a fab (no pun intended!) new brand from America which is due to hit the UK in March.The Brand was founded in 2009 by beauty industry veteran, Lilli Gordon and has quickly become a global bestseller. Lilli created First Aid Beauty to provide highly effective yet luxurious products which are all free of harsh chemicals and known allergens, including parabens, phthalates, alcohol, fragrances and artificial dyes.

The brand focuses on keeping things simple. The packaging of the products is very basic. Basically their packaging say what the products do. By keeping the packaging simple and basic this enables more money to be spent on what is actually inside the packaging, the product itself.

The Ultra Repair cream is a cream designed for anyone with severely dry, scaly skin due to harsh winter weather, aggressive cosmetic treatments or any of the following conditions: psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, irritant eczema, allergic eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, keratosis pilaris. Although Im not sure if I do suffer with any of the condition listed above, I can tell you that this cream has worked wonders for my itchy thighs! It is seriously amazing. The texture of it is so thick and luxurious, yet as soon as it touch the skin it just seems to melt in, literally within seconds. Ive never once used such a thick cream and been able to watch it absorb so fast and penetrate my skin instantly. It leaves no greasy after feel, just leaves my legs as soft and smooth as a baby bum! Since Ive been using it, my thighs have not itched me once, Ive not been kept awake by the itching, Ive not woke up with scratch marks, and the skin on my whole legs is just a lot more firmer and smoother. This cream has literally been my life saver!

As well as trialing the cream Ive also been trialing a couple of other products from the brand the Gentle Body Wash and the Beauty Body Moisturiser.

These were something totally new to me as neither of them are fragranced. I am used to using bath and body products which are fragranced and leave my skin smelling gorgeous, so it did need some getting used to with regards to washing with the shower gel and applying the body lotion and not having a sweet smell wafting up my nose. The products are so nice and gentle to use though, that I soon got past them having no scent and have no problems with them at all. When using the body wash, I don't need to moisturise my upper body as much as I normally would, which was twice daily. This makes me wonder if ingredients in some body washes do in fact cause my skin to become dry. While Ive been using both products Ive only been moisturising my upper body once daily, this could obviously be down to the fact that the Body Moisturiser is damn good, or down to the fact that using the Gentle Body Wash is really helping my skin. I have also recommended the products to my friend who suffers with Eczema, as Im sure they would really help her skin.

The full line of First Aid Beauty which also includes facial skincare products be available in the UK for the first time from March 2011, in Boots stores nationwide and www.boots.com (there is already a growing waiting list!).


One of the products I definitely want to try from the range are the FACIAL RADIANCE PADS - £20 (60 pads). I would love to see how these compare to my Origins Brightening Pads, as for near enough the same price the First Aid Beauty pads have an extra 20!

If you're interested in reading more about the brand, then check out the US site here.

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Product Rave - First Aid Beauty (FAB) Ultra Repair Cream.

NEW Palmolive Authentic Handwash Range.

Hand Wash is a product that is used in my house, like it is going out of fashion. Not only do I use it constantly throughout the day, but my Children have a slight addiction to hand wash too. Especially Harvey (my two year old) who is forever pointing and telling me he wants to "wash hands". So as you can imagine, I go through a lot of bottles.

I was recently sent samples of Palmolive's NEW Authentic Liquid Hand Soaps, which couldn't have come at a better time, as I was running low on stock!

The hand soaps are made from natural plant extracts and aromatic fragrances, and come in two gorgeous varieties - Lavender & Chamomile and Bergamot & Verbena.

As well as pampering my hands and leaving them refreshed and lightly fragranced, (the Lavender and Chamomile in particular smells gorgeous!) I absolutely love the vintage styling packaging of the new range.

If you're anything like me and use hand wash constantly, then these are definitely worth having a look at.

Available from Sainsbury's and Waitrose priced at £1.99 for 250ml

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NEW Palmolive Authentic Handwash Range.

Make Up - Estee Lauder and Derek Lam New York Fashion Week

I think its common knowledge that I am a huge fan of the smokey eye and nude lips look, so when I saw the images of the make up created at Derek Lam's show at New York Fashion Week on Sunday, I knew I just had to share them.

The make up was the work of Estee Lauders Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux and his team of makeup artists who teamed up with Derek Lam for a third consecutive season. Tom created the looks with new products from his upcoming Pure Color collection launching Autumn 2011, which include new black shimmer and silver metallic eye shadows, as well as new Nude Matted Lipstick. How excited am I!

Tom Pecheux with Models

Group Models Shot

Model Lui Wen

Model Joan Smalls

Model Constance Jablonski

Official Derek Lam Face Chart 2011

Products used:

Eyes: Silver (metallic finish) and Black (shimmer finish) shades - Two NEW Estée Lauder Eye Shadows Tested Backstage (Shades Launching Autumn 2011), Highlight shade - NEW Estée Lauder Illuminating Powder Tested Backstage (Launching Autumn 2011)

Eyebrows: Automatic Brow Pencil

Lips: NEW Estée Lauder Nude Matte Lipstick Tested Backstage (Launching Autumn 2011)

Cheeks: Bronze Goddess Soft Duo Bronzer – below cheek

Face: Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10, Lucidity Translucent Loose Powder

Skin: NEW Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator (Launching Summer 2011) DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15

My favourite look has to be Joan Small's. I think she absolutely stunning and it is exactly my kind of look. Although there's a long way off till these new products are released, seeing these images from Sundays show has really given me something to look forward to.

Jo.

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Make Up - Estee Lauder and Derek Lam New York Fashion Week

Origins Brighter By Nature™ High-Potency Brightening Skin Peel Pads

As much as I would like to have a professional Glycolic Peel regularly at the salon, the cost always gets in the way, they are not cheap. So for me, the next best thing and a product I am so thankful I have finally introduced in my skincare regime, are Origins Brighter By Nature™ High-Potency Brightening Skin Peel Pads.

Origins Brighter By Nature - High potency brightening peel with fruit acids. Help peel away an ageing appearance.

These clinically-proven, skin brightening peel pads claim to rival the instant smoothness and radiance restoring benefits of a professional 30% glycolic peel. Without the redness and pain that goes hand in hand with a professional treatment.

The ingredients of fruit-acid including Blueberry, Goji Berry and Grape Seed Extract helps to peel away dead, damaged surface skin. Basically a fast and thorough exfoliation of the damaged and dead surface skin cells, to reveal fresh, clearer and brighter skin.

The tub contains a total of 40 pads which when used twice a week, provides twenty full weeks of treatment. The pads are made from 75% Rayon, which is a natural fiber sourced from plant-based cellulose. The pads also have a raised texture which really helps to give the face a better exfoliation.

The pad are so easy and quick to use. Twice a week after fully cleansing my face and making sure it is as clean as it can be, I simply swipe a pad all over my face and work into the skin with small circular motions. When Origins say these pads are high potency, they are not kidding. As soon as the pad touches my skin my skins starts tingling, its not an unpleasant tingle by any means, It a tingle which assures me the pads are working with my skin and really giving my skin a through exfoliation and removing all the dead and damaged skin which is on the surface of my skin. I choose to use my pads after my nightly cleansing routine, because as new skin is revealed it is recommended to apply sunscreen after using the pads, if you intend to go outside. I obviously skip this step as Im heading to bed not going outside. I do however apply my usual moisturiser.

The morning after using a pad I can instantly see a difference in my skin. My skin tone is visibly improved and looks a lot smoother, brighter and healthier. As for long term benefits I have noticed a huge improvement. The little bumps under my skin have been really reduced and the few tiny milia spots that I had along my cheekbones have near enough vanished. Although I still need to tackle the odd milia spot I have near my eyes,  Im so pleased that the couple I had on my cheeks have gone.

Without a doubt, these pads will definitely stay part of my skincare routine. They are easy and painless to use and have a really positive effect on my skin. Using these combined with a more gentle exfoliator one a week has really improved my skin.

RRP. £29.00

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Origins Brighter By Nature™ High-Potency Brightening Skin Peel Pads