No7 Eye Make-up Remover- a great dupe of Lancome's Bi-Facil

When it comes to make-up removers I have to be very careful.  My eyes are very sensitive and most products cause irritation, redness, tears and swelling.  I used Avon, Olay, L'Oreal, Simple, Garnier and all of them caused an allergic reaction! After using all the cheap brands, I decided to try something different. My sister recommended the Lancome Bi-Facil to me, so I paid £21 for a 125ml bottle! It is a lot of money to pay for a make-up remover, but I didn't mind spending it on something that actually works.
I have used Bi-Facil for over 3 years and I love it but... I wanted to find a cheaper alternative.
When I was looking for a no7 product to buy with my £5 off voucher in Boots, I found this amazing dupe! 

 


 I read many bad reviews of this product, but the only reason why people didn't like it, was the oily formula. If you don't like "oily" make-up removers, you won't like this one. I wouldn't say that it's greasy and I like the feeling of it. It is slightly more oily than Bi-Facil, but it works in the exact some way.

It is a bi-phase formula that activates when you shake the bottle. It is very gentle, fragrance free and removes all traces of make-up, leaving my skin really soft. With this kind of product, there is no need to scrub your eyes to get waterproof mascara off. All you need to do is gently wipe the make-up off with a cotton wool pad, lightly soaked in this double-action formula.  

I absolutely love it and every time I get no7 vouchers I stock up on this product. It quickly became my favourite eye makeup remover and it is really cheap compared to my previous saviour from Lancome. 



Available from Boots.com





Mama Nature Pure Argan Hair Oil and Young At Heart Night Cream review

Hello my lovelies!

Tonight I would like to introduce you to a brand I discovered recently: MAMA NATURE. It is a natural skincare brand and all products are hand prepared to order. The founders believe that natural is best and they care passionately about our environment. They want to continue making a real difference and their philosophy is simple - to improve the quality of life of their customers through their natural products. I've been using Mama nature products for over a month and I am very pleased with the results.

 
MAMA NATURE PURE ARGAN HAIR 120ml* £20.95 link

INFO: PureArgan Hair is 100% pure certified organic cold pressed unrefined Argan Oil of Morocco and contains no additives, preservatives or synthetic ingredients of any kind. Pure, natural and organic Argan Oil has been used in Morocco for centuries to nourish and protect hair. It is great for applying as a hair mask or for using as a conditioner and adds a beautiful and healthy sheen to hair, leaving it feeling silky, soft and smooth. It is great for split ends, dry hair, frizzy hair, brittle hair and for detangling hair. It can also be used to style hair (curls, waves etc.).
It is a great natural alternative to conditioners and other hair products filled with chemicals and synthetic ingredients. Argan oil is produced from the kernels of the Argan tree, endemic to Morocco, that is valued for its nutritive, cosmetic and numerous medicinal properties. Our Argan Oil is a cold, first pressed oil, produced using a mixture of traditional and modern techniques to ensure a high quality product.  No chemicals are used in the process.
IMPORTANT: All Argan Oil sold today is produced by a women's cooperative that shares the profits among the local women of the Berber tribe. The cooperative has established an ecosystem reforestation project so that the supply of Argan Oil will not run out and the income that is currently supporting the women will not disappear. The money is providing health care and education to the local women, and supporting the entire community as a whole.

MY OPINION: My hair is very damaged so I always look for products that are meant to hydrate, repair and protect. I've heard about Argan Oil and its amazing properties before, so I was very excited to try this treatment. My hair is oily close to the roots and extremely dry at the ends so I only applied small amount of the oil to the bottom half of my hair. After the first use I noticed that my damaged hair was looking much better. I haven't tried using this oil as an intensive treatment allover my hair, but I left it on my dry ends overnight and it made a big difference. I am always scared to put oils on my hair in case it ends up greasy, but with this oil there was no greasy residue. I really liked the effects and I will keep using this treatment. 
 
 
MAMA NATURE  YOUNG AT HEART ANTI WRINKLE NIGHT CREAM 100ml* £30.95 link 
 
INFO: Young at Heart Natural Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream is a very effective natural skin cream that contains coconut oil, aloe vera, shea butter, almond oil, avocado oil, rosehip oil and a unique blend of essential oils to  rejuvinate your skin to give it a more youthful appearance. Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter and Aloe Vera are all renowned for the beneficial and wonderful effects they have on the skin. Lavender, calendula and chamomile aid in skin cell regeneration and reduce inflammation. Frankincense, Geranium and Ylang Ylang balance dry/oily skin and firm skin tone.

MY OPINION: First of all, you get a lot of product for your money. Most face creams come in 30-50ml jars, with this one you get 100ml! I usually apply face creams lightly because I don't want to use them up to fast, but when I seen this big jar I decided to apply generous amounts on my face and neck :) It smells really nice, mostly of rosehip oil and calendula. Like I mentioned before, all Mama Nature products are made to order, so when I opened the jar, the fragrance was amazing! I could tell that it was freshly made. 
I use it at night after applying an anti wrinkle serum or my new favourite- Antipodes Joyous serum.
It absorbs quickly and leaves my skin soft, firm and hydrated. My skin is normal/combination, but sometimes it goes extremely oily and I need to stop using some of my rich night creams. When my face went through it's oily stage last month I was still using  the Young At Heart night cream and my skin responded very well to this formulation. I also noticed that my neck is looking much better. I didn't pay too much attention to my neck before and neglected it, but now I will definitely keep using generous amounts of cream on my neck and chest to keep the area firm and soft :) The closer I get to my 25th birthday the more obsessed I am getting with anti wrinkle creams. I really hope that my skin will stay young longer if I keep using natural anti wrinkle products like this one. 

*PR samples

Customized necklace

Want to match your jewellery to your nail polish? You can! I customized my bargain ebay necklace with Essie Mint Candy Apple nail polish and I love the way it turned out! It matches my nails too, which is always a bonus, haha :) I added a slightly darker turquoise blue as well. I am in love! Simply paint your piece of jewellery, wait for it to dry, add a top coat and it's ready!

Here is a link to the post with the necklace before the makeover.

Xen-Tan Perfect Blend Custom self-tan review with before and after pictures

 
XEN TAN PERFECT BLEND* Custom Self Tan 220ml £27.95 link

This product is totally different than other self tanners available on the market and I was very excited to try it. The bottle reminds me of the Sheridan's coffee liqueur with two separate chambers, but his one contains self-tan instead of alcohol :) The is an instant bronzer on one side and a self tanner on the other. It is a great idea and because of this unique design, Perfect Blend is suitable for all skin tones. All you need to do is twist the dial to get the shade you desire. Dual chambers allow you to create your tan as light or as dark as you like. It dries quickly and gives my skin an instant tan and a lovely glow. I always use it on the 50/50 setting to get a natural looking olive tan, but if your skin is very fair, you can customise the colour easily to get a lighter tan and contour your body with the bronzer. 

I always apply it with a tanning mitt and my favourite one is by He-Shi. The final effect doesn't look patchy or streaky and the formula is creamy and highly moisturising, so you don't need to worry about your skin feeling dry after the application. There is one special ingredient called Scent Secure and it neutralises any chemical odours and leaves a fresh fragrance.

I love that you can either get an instant tan with the bronzer, use the self-tanner if you want the colour to develop overnight or mix them together if you want the best of both worlds.
The pictures below  show the effects on the 50/50 setting. You can see the difference on my fingers. The tan looks very natural and has an olive undertone. I am impressed!

The result on the 50/50 setting

*PR sample

Natural beauty: relief for tired eyes-cucumber.

I realise that everybody knows about this beauty tip, but have you gave it a go yet? If you suffer from dark circles and puffiness around the eye area, there is one easy thing you can do to improve the appearance of your dark circles. Cut two slices of cucumber, put them on closed eyes and relax for 5 minutes. If you do it every day you will see great results. It is not a myth!
 

NEW IN: mint collar, snake print necklace and ring from oasap

I am a self confessed jewellery addict and today I would like to show you new additions to my collection. All the pieces are form www.oasap.com. My favourite must be the mint collar necklace. It is so beautiful! Have you got any suggestions on how to wear it? I need your help :)

 
Mint bib collar necklace* link
 
Black Onyx Ring* link
Snake print necklace* link

NOTD: Blue ombre/gradient manicure with a glitter top coat

I joined the ombre craze 2 months ago and I still can't get enough of it. I love ombre on everything: nails, hair, clothes, jewellery! It looks so pretty! :) I didn't use  a sponge for this manicure, I painted each layer normally and finished it off with a glitter top coat to blend the colours.

MINT GREEN NAIL POLISHES - ESSIE MINT CANDY APPLE DUPES

After reading comments on a blog post about an Essie Mint Candy Apple dupe, written by one of my favourite beauty bloggers - The Sunday Girl, I had to show you the Barry M swatches. Many people said that Barry M Mint Green is a dupe for Essie Mint Candy Apple and that they are really close. I don't agree. I think that Barry M Blue Moon is a closer match. I also discovered that if you paint your nails with 1 coat of  Barry M Mint green and 1 coat of Blue Moon, you will get the closest match to Mint Candy Apple I have ever seen. Here is the proof:
the first Essie swatch shows 2 coats, the second one shows 1 coat

Antipodes Joyous Night Replenish Serum and Saviour Skin Balm review



Hi everyone!
Today I am sharing a review of two miracle products from Antipodes New Zealand. I already reviewed some of their skin care and I must admit - I fell in love with the brand. I was expecting the serum and skin balm to be quite nice, after reading many good reviews, but I actually cannot believe how amazing they are! The effects are visible right away and I am totally blown away!


 Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum* 30ml £36.99 link

'Address signs of ageing with this intensive, oil-based, silky night serum that helps restore collagen overnight to repair ultra-dry and sun-damaged skin. Himalayan goji delivers up to 19 amino acids to replenish protein at a cellular level. The serum brings a dewy glow to your skin with red raspberry seed oil blending with New Zealand blackcurrant - a rich source of essential fats like gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Hibiscus flower and kiwi oil freshen your complexion, while berry fragrance imparts pure joy.'

I have never felt anything as smooth as this serum. It is so silky!!! Every time I massage it into my face I can't believe how amazing it feels on the skin. The application is VERY pleasant and I always look forward to this part of my night time routine. Just imagine massaging the softest and silkiest oil into your face... Amazing!

It doesn't sink into the skin right away, like water based serums and it is perfect for facial massage. It takes a couple of minutes to be fully absorbed. I use 2-3 tiny drops each time and the applicator makes it really easy to get the desired amount. The results? Every day I wake up to softer and plumper looking skin. The effects are visible from day one and I can't stop talking about this product and how it transformed my skin. No exaggeration- my skin feels as soft as my little boy's face! 


  ' Nature's richest oils blend with the power-packed antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial healing properties of Australian tea tree and New Zealand totara. Cell and skin repair are dramatically optimised by antioxidant-rich echinacea and Vinanza Grape from grape seeds in this pure and natural cure-all that brings rescue daily. Use Antipodes Saviour Skin Balm to help the whole family with dry and cracked skin, grazes and bruises, chapped lips, sore muscles, sunburn, natural baby care, protection after shaving, conditioning cuticles, and in-flight hydration. Scientifically shown to stimulate synthesis of Type II collagen in human skin cells by more than 95%.'

The Saviour Skin Balm is definitely worth investing in.  It really is a skin saviour and can be used for many purposes! I know that the price tag can put you off, but you get 75g of product (10 times more than a standard size lip balm) so you are actually saving money, haha :)

The balm comes in a sturdy metal tin with a pretty design on the front. The lid is really tight, so I always make sure my hands are completely dry before I try to open it :) It can take a few attempts. I use it on my cuticles, elbows, knees, feet, lips and... kitchen burns (I am sooo accident prone).  A little goes a long way and it works wonders on dry/flaky/damaged skin. It isn't overly scented, it has a nice, natural herbal fragrance.

I absolutely love the Saviour Skin Balm and it is perfect for the full family! I find myself reaching for it every day and it always soothes my skin, leaving it soft and nourished. I have been using it for a couple of weeks and there is still 80-90% of the product left.


Available from feelunique.com
*PR samples

New addiction: ESSIE Mint Candy Apple

I finally bought my first full size Essie nail polish. Everybody is going crazy about Essie, so it was really hard not to buy at least one bottle :) I knew what colour I wanted to buy before I even went to Boots :) I got the beautiful Mint Candy Apple.
I can't stop painting my nails with this gorgeous colour. I also customized my jewellery with it :)
I like the formula, but it is the type of nail polish that runs out quickly. I already used 1/3 of the bottle.
It costs £7.99 and you can get it in your local Boots or online.

NEW IN: Bargain accessories

Hi everyone!
If you follow me on instagram, you might have seen these already. Some of you asked me about the black geometric necklace and the set of gold rings, so I decided to write a post, showing you my recent ebay purchases with links to the items that are still available. I bought the colourful necklaces, because I like the shape and style and I already customised them with pastel nail polish :) They look amazing. I will add a post on Monday to show you the effects, or you can check my instagram and see one of them in mint green (painted with Essie mint candy apple) and blue.
I always buy from China, mostly from Hong-Kong, because it is much cheaper than UK.
The delivery time is 7-21 days, so you need to be patient. If you don't get the item after 21 days, you will get a refund or a replacement from the seller. It is never a problem, they are always helpful, reply to messages right away and offer to send a new item or refund your money. 1 out of 20 items usually gets lost and never arrives. I am not surprised, the packages are tiny sometimes (rings or earrings), so they can get lost easily.
 
link to the black necklace, the other two are sold out :(
link

OPI New York City Ballet Collection with swatches

I don't own any full size OPI nail polishes, except nail Envy and Avoplex Cuticle Oil, but I really like their minis and as soon as I seen this little set on Buyapowa I had to have it :)
The set includes 4 bottles, 3.75 ml each. All colours require 4-5 coats to become opaque. I am not patient enough to do this, so I only managed to do 3 coats and it was a challenge :) haha.
I love all the colours and I like to layer them over other nail polishes or over glitters. 
Here is a great review of the full NYCB collection by Enamel Girl. 
 
-Don't touch my tutu- milky white sheer
-Care To Danse?-light lilac sheer
-My Pointe Exactly- light grey sheer
Pirouette My Whistle- clear topcoat with silver and white glitters

from the left (3 coats): Pirouette My Whistle, My Pointe Exactly, Care To Danse? , Don't Touch My Tutu
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