Ginvera Marvel Gel review

I believe that exfoliating is one of the most important parts of any beauty regimen, but finding the perfect exfoliator can be hard. I don't like ordinary scrubs and I know that they tend to spread bacteria allover your face and aggravate existing blemishes. That's why I consider the product I am reviewing today a real game changer! I am obsessed with it! It is the Green Tea Whitening Marvel Gel by Ginvera. I absolutely adore this gel and I fell in love with it from day one.

GINVERA GREEN TEA WHITENING MARVEL GEL* 60ml £19.95

Ginvera Marvel Gel claims to have 10 amazing effects on the skin including: removing blackheads, smoothing the skin, fading pigmentation spots and acne scars, removing dead skin cells and many more. 

I can honestly say that after using it for a month I can see great results and I cannot imagine my skincare routine without this product. It definitely made it's way into my top 5 skincare products after just one use! Yes, that's right. You can notice a difference immediately.

First of all, it is an absolute pleasure to use. It is a smooth, cool gel and it won't irritate your skin. It is very gentle and can be used around the eye area. It works by dissolving and removing dead skin cells in the top epidermis layer without aggravating blemishes and irritating sensitive skin. I included a picture of the gel "in action" so you can see how it works:) It is amazing, that such a gentle product can dissolve dead skin cells!  I was amazed when I first used it.

I have sensitive skin and I was worried that it can be harsh, but it didn't cause any irritation. It is very soothing. It left my skin feeling super smooth, removed most blackheads and helped to control oily areas of my face. It also makes my complexion look brighter and... my skin tone is more even after 1 month of using the Marvel Gel three times a week. 

Ginvera Marvel Gel is one of the most impressing products I have ever tried. No exaggeration. I am giving it 10/10 and would recommend putting it on your "to buy list" or just buying it right away! You won't regret it.

You can buy a 10ml sample of it for only £2.00 to try it, before buying the full size HERE.

NOTD: messy vintage flower nail art tutorial

I normally use my Konad stamping kit to create a nice design on my nails, but I always wanted to try the "messy" vintage flower manicure. 

When I say messy, I mean really messy! :) 

I just slapped it on without using any special tools or brushes, and here is the final effect.

I also included a step by step tutorial. 

Anybody can do it and I really like the outcome. 

I used  a grey base colour, orange, white and pink for the flowers and lime green for the leaves.

Have you tried this before? If so, leave me a link in the comment.

Sunday Brush Laundry

Hi everyone!

I hope you are having a lovely Sunday. I will try to persuade my husband to take us to a park and maybe pack a nice lunch for a little picnic ;) The weather is beautiful and I wanted to take some pictures of my baby boy in a nice scenery :)

Every Sunday I wash all  the brushes I use daily. There is only one brush I wash more often- the Real Techniques Buffing Brush and I wash it every two days, because it gets dirty easily with liquid and mineral foundations.

I use Dr Bronner's organic Peppermint Castile Liquid Soap or FAB Gentle Body Wash.

I would recommend using the first  one though. It makes the cleaning much easier and smells lovely.

I got mine in Glossybox, but you can get a giant 472ml bottle here for £7.64 with free p&p.

I am sure that lovely Meg from Lipssofacto uses one of Dr Bronner's soaps to clean her brushes too.

I am guessing that everybody knows how to clean makeup brushes, so I am not going into detail.

One thing you need to remember is to hold the brushes pointing downwards during the process   to prevent water getting into the ferrule. Here is a step by step photo guide :)
Oh, and if you want to keep your brushes really soft, use any hair conditioner- it works wonders.

How often do you wash your brushes?

put a couple of drops of liquid soap onto a brush dampened in warm water

start swirling the brush in the palm of your hand to remove all the dirt and stubborn makeup

rinse the bristles until water runs clear

put your brushes on a clean towel and let them dry completely. It can take up to 10 hours.

Magnifibres Brush On False Lashes review

Hi everyone.

I promised to review Magnifibres Brush On False Lashes* separately, so... here is my review :)

I was very excited to try this product as soon as I opened my Lux Box* 

I need to admit, I have never heard about anything like this before. I used 2 step mascaras but I hated them so this solution seemed great to me.

It is meant to add volume and length to the lashes without making them heavy. 

The fibres are self adhesive and to make them work you will need your normal mascara. 

(Any mascara should work with this product.)

How to use it: 

Step 1: Apply your own mascara as usual

Step 2: Apply Magnifibres onto your lashes as if applying mascara, but look downwards – the natural fibres will bind to the base coat of mascara

Step 3: Wait 30 seconds, then apply a second coat of mascara 

You can repeat steps 2 and 3 for even more length and volume

I used Blink&Go mascara with Magnifibres and it worked really well. You need to be careful not to overdo it though. I applied 2 coats and the effect was amazing.

Remember to look downwards when applying the fibres, because they can get into your eyes easily.

My lashes looked lovely all day, no flaking, no smudging. I am really impressed and I have been using this product every day. The effect is close to a false lash effect, but looks more natural.

I had no problems with removing the product, I used my No7 eye makeup remover as usual.
Magnifibres is safe to wear with contact lenses

You can get this products from QVC for £18.96 here reduced from £21.00.

thin coat of mascara +magnifibres

two coats of magnifibres +Blink&Go mascara

NAIL ROCK WRAPS- take two :)

Remember my first attempt at nail wraps? I need to admit... it didn't go to well.
If you want to have  a look, here is the first post.

A couple of days ago I tried another set and this time the wraps look much better, but not perfect :)

I am quite impressed with my right hand though, the last time it was a disaster, this time it looks ok.

I really hope that one day I can apply them perfectly to all nails, because I want them to last for over a week. If there is a small crease on the edge of the nail the wrap will peel of on day 2/3 :(
If they are applied without creasing, they will last for over a week.
That's how long the wrap lasted on my pinky!

I actually used the biggest size on my big toes :) and they stayed on for 2 weeks!!!

I was really surprised! Anyway, if you can master this skill, let me know :) I would love to know a way to prevent creasing.

Nail Rock Bleached Neon Nail Wraps* currently £3.00 from asos.

Lux Box review: July 2012

July Lux Box* was a little bit late :) but when it finally arrived I was really happy with the selection of products. My favourite must be the beautiful Inika eyeliner in Peacock Blue. I am a big fan of Inika and reviewed some of their make up already. If you want to have a look, click here. 

I was also very excited to try the Magnifibres and the BRTC Gold Caviar BB cream.
Overall I am really, really happy with the box, the variety of products is amazing!

Contents:

 Magnifibres Brush On False Lashes

Magnifibres is the perfect solution for those who love long, big, captivating eye lashes but don't like the look and hassle of false lashes.

The completely natural fibres are easily applied in between two layers of your favourite mascara creating length and volume beyond belief.

This product was the one I was the most excited about and the one I tried first. Very interesting idea! 

If you find a good mascara to use it with it will make your lashes look much longer and add volume. 

I will be reviewing it separately soon, because it is something totally new to me and I really like it.

Full size costs £21.

Inika Certified organic Eyeliner

Rich in colour and gentle with realstayability Certified Organic, our creamy Liners glide on easily to deliver an even depth of colour. Perfect - for even the most sensitive of eyes.

Have a Play! You'll fall in love - For added intensity add a sweep of one of our Eye Shadows over the top and see what happens

Another product I was happy to see. I love INIKA cosmetics and  own one of their eyeliners already. The consistency is lovely and the colour payoff is really good. The shade I got is Peacock Blue. 

It is a vibrant shade of blue and I am in love with it. I used it in one of my makeup looks already.

It is a full size products worth £11.75

20% discount on INIKA purchases at: www.inikacosemetics.co.uk just enter discount code LB0712 upon checkout. Valid until 31st August 2012, one redemption per customer.

Yana Cosmetics Foundation

A lightweight, creamy, foundation, full coverage, airbrush look, suitable for all skin types. This foundation is not tested on animals, non comedogenic, blendable and long lasting.

I really like the consistency and the coverage of this foundation, but the shade I received is very, very light, so it doesn't suit my skin tone.  I will use it to mix with my darker foundation though :)  

Full size costs £25

Receive 15% discount off full sized item with discount code LB2012

Gatineau Essential Skin Corrector

Melatogenine AOX Pro-Biotics - A scientifically advanced skincare line providing an ABSOLUTE anti-ageing shield. Combining an exclusive and innovative combination of anti-oxidants and pro-biotics it creates a powerful defence against skin aggressors. Essential Skin Corrector is a corrective cream to smooth out the first signs of wrinkles and improve radiance and comfort.A comprehensive anti-ageing shield designed to offer complete protection to the skin against internal and external aggressions which cause accelerated ageing.

 This products is the most expensive one in the box. I really like to receive high end brand samples, because normally I wouldn't be able to afford to buy the products myself. The full size pot costs £69, so the sample I got is worth over £20, which is brilliant. That's why I love beauty boxes, you get to try some lovely brands and most of the time the box value is five times higher than it's price :)

Receive a 15% discount when purchasing a full size product with code AOX15

BRTC Gold Caviar BB Cream SPF50

The Gold Caviar BB Cream is multi functional skincare cream great for anti aging, lightening, sun protection (SPF 50), wrinkle repair, cover and moisturizing. Made from real caviar extracts, this luxurious bb cream will help give a radiant and natural, healthy skintone.

I really like this BB cream. I received two samples. It gives medium coverage and looks very natural on my skin. It feels very luxurious and comes with SPF50. AMAZING! Full size costs $28.

Statement watches

Hi everyone!

Back in January I blogged about the boyfriend watch trend twice and I am glad that oversized watches borrowed from our boyfriends/husbands are still in fashion. 

My dream watch must be a Micheal Kors one in rose gold. I hope I will get it one day :)

Today I would like to feature some models from

Watch Warehouse. It's an online watch shop for ladies and gents, where you can get most established brands, including Michael Kors, Rotary, Accurist, Sekonda, Timex, marc Jacobs, Guess, Seiko and many more. The choice is endless. I was amazed by the variety and there is something for everyone. 

If you are looking for an affordable watch, the prices start at £9.99 and if you would like to purchase something more expensive and luxurious you will find all high end brands too.

All the watches I picked look quite similar and I wouldn't be able to tell if they are from the gents or ladies collection if there was no description :) I don't mind wearing gent watches, I actually quite like to add my husband's watch to my arm party when I feel like it.

Do you wear big watches? What is your favourite brand?

1.Casio Baby-G Premium Ladies Watch £200

2.Rotary Gents Watch £103.20

3.Citizen  Ladies Watch £254.15

4.Guess Ladies Watch £179

5.Raymond Weil Gents Watch £795

6.Victorinox Swiss Army Gents Watch  £504

7.Seiko Gents Watch £318.75

8.Marc by Marc Jacobs Ladies Watch £237.50

9.Accurist MB859S Gents Watch £55.25

OPI crystal nail file saved my nails!

Hi everyone!

I was advised by some lovely bloggers, including Andy aka Pampered Prince and Catrine from UnnakedNails  to invest in a crystal nail file to help improve the condition of my nails.

 All I can say is- Thank you guys! 

I can't believe that a nail file made such a big difference to my nails. 

I was planning to buy the Leighton Denny one, but for some reason I decided to go with OPI :)

OPI CRYSTAL NAIL FILE £13.50 from beautybay.com

"OPI Crystal File is a high quality nail file, with an effective filing surface made from the finest crystal. This file helps prevent splitting and chipping, leaving your nail edge perfectly smooth.

Easily cleaned, simply rinse under warm water to remove nail residue without affecting the files surface texture."

On day one I filed my nails down to nothing and tried to get as close to a square shape as I can.
The edges of my nails were perfectly smooth and I was filing them every day for a week.
It's been two weeks since I started using this nail file and my nails haven't split once! I am so happy!
Previously, I had to deal with my nails splitting on a daily basis, now it just doesn't happen!
If you don't own a crystal nail file yet, I would recommend getting one asap!
  All nail files I used before are in the bin now. Honestly- I binned them all!
The OPI crystal nail file is one of the best purchases I have ever made!

FashionistA Cosmetics review

I received some FashionistA Cosmetics recently and after yesterdays FOTD post I am reviewing all the products I used to create the latest look.

I used FashionistA bronzers in shades Tokyo and Barcelona, blusher in shade Milan, Eyeshadow in shade Trend-Setter, a 2 step mascara and a brow kit. 

FashionistA Custom Palette - Black* £5.00

I always wanted to have a custom palette, so getting this one was a nice surprise. It is perfect for storing your favourite FashionistA blushers, bronzers and eyeshadows, makes them easy to find and saves space. It is very sturdy and the mirror inside is huge. I have been using it every day when I do my makeup. Great little investment and really good quality.

 FashionistA Bronzer Tokyo* £4.00

This bronzer is perfect for contouring and for adding a warm glow to my face. The shade I got is perfect for my skin tone, but I am sure it would work on lighter skin as well. 

There isn't much fallout and it stays on my skin for a couple of hours. 

If I use a setting spray on top of my makeup it stays on all day.

FashionistA Bronzer Barcelona* £4.00

This bronzer is totally different than the ones I tried before. It is quite shimmery, creamy and not very pigmented, but it adds a nice glow to my face. 

If your skin is quite dark, you will be able to use it as a highlighter. 

I apply it on top of the Tokyo bronzer and it looks really nice and adds an extra shimmer to my cheekbones to make them stand out more.

FashionistA Blush Milan* £4.00

Absolutely gorgeous shade, a medium, warm pink with a bit of shimmer. The consistency is really nice too, it applies beautifully with minimal fallout. It is very pigmented, so don't go crazy. Start with a small amount and build up the colour if you love a lot of blusher on your cheeks. 

It is a bargain at £4 and I am looking forward to swatching more shades in Superdrug. 

Let's hope my local one stocks FashionistA cosmetics.

FashionistA Brow Kit* £7.00

This product is my favourite from the ones I received. I own a couple of brow kits- Urban Decay, Benefit and some cheap ones too and this one is comparable to the high end ones. 

The thing I like the most is the colour choice, you get 3 different shades of brown, so it is suitable for blondes and brunettes. There is also clear wax to smooth the eyebrows down and keep the shape in place all day. The kit comes with tiny tweezers and a brush, so it includes everything you need to have perfect eyebrows. I am very impressed with this set. It is much cheaper than the other ones I own and does the exact same job.

FashionistA Double Take Baked Eyeshadow in Trend-Setter* £4.00

I wasn't sure about this eyeshadow when I first opened it but as soon as I applied it onto my eyelids I fell in love with the colour. All the shades blend together to create a multi dimensional colour and if you use  a wet brush the pigmentation is amazing. There is specks of yellow, white and purple, but the final colour is a gorgeous deep blue. I used a primer with this eyeshadow, because there was a lot of fallout. My face was covered with glitter! I will be more careful the next time :)

FashionistA Double Ended Mascara Black Brown* £8.00

 This is the only product I didn't like. I am not a fan of two step mascaras, because they seem to turn my eyelashes grey, or in this case-they don't give me any extra volume or length. I usually skip the first step, but for review purposes I followed the instructions. The white coat never dries... and once I applied the actual mascara it wasn't sticking to my lashes at all. I am very confused about this one.

You can get the new FashionistA range in Superdrug stores.

L-R: Trend-Setter eyeshadow, Milan blusher, Tokyo Bronzer, Barcelona Bronzer

Neal's Yard Remedies Bee Lovely campaign - help save the bees!

Hi everyone. 

Today I would like to ask you to do one small thing that could make a big change.

 Neal's Yard Remedies is running a campaign to save the bees and you can help!

Bees are vanishing from around the world. In Britain they're disappearing faster than in the rest of Europe. 

DDT is a chemical pesticide that was used widely across Britain, Europe and the US – until it was shown to have chronic effects on the nervous system, liver, kidneys and immune system. It was banned in Britain in 1984. 

Neonicotinoids are 7,000 times more toxic than DDT. 

 Neonicotinoid pesticides have been linked to the dramatic loss of honeybees around the world. British beekeepers have lost up to 80% of their hives in recent years, more than any other country in Europe.

Please sign our petition to get the British government to join France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia in banning these powerful pesticides, and help protect our precious bees.

New Bee Lovely range

Following the incredible demand for the Bee Lovely Hand Cream, NYR is proud to introduce the new family friendly Bee Lovely range.
With moisturising organic honey and energising orange and mandarin essential oils.
5% of the RRP of every Bee Lovely product will be donated to a charity or good cause.

BEE LOVELY AND HELP SAVE THE BEES! :)

 Bee Lovely Hand Cream* 50ml £10.00

"Softens hands and helps SAVE THE BEES. Care for your hands as you help save the bees with our original Bee Lovely Hand Cream. Moisturising organic honey is blended with energising orange essential oil to nourish the skin and lift the spirits. Our bee-utifully scented Limited Edition Hand Cream flew off the shelves when we first launched it, now, thanks to overwhelming demand from our customers, we’re proud to say it’s back and here to stay.Gentle enough for the whole hive, including children aged 3 years and over."

This hand cream is a lovely addition to my collection. It smells absolutely beautiful and makes my hands feel unbelievably soft and perfectly moisturized. It doesn't leave a residue and absorbs quickly.
I also use it on my elbows, knees and feet
5% of the RRP goes to charity, so it could be your next guilt free purchase :)

Lulu & Boo Organics review

Hi everyone. Today I am reviewing some gorgeous products from an organic brand Lulu & Boo Organics including: Jasmine & Vanilla Bath Oil, Vanilla Sugar Body Scrub, Fruits & Vitamins Brightening Mask, Echinacea and Tea Tree Gel and Baby Bottom Balm.

Lulu & Boo Organics is an award-winning organic skincare company. All their products are specially formulated with the finest certified organic essential oils and active plant extracts, are animal friendly and vegetarian or vegan. You will never find irritating chemicals such as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), Parabens or synthetic fragrances or colourants in Lulu & Boo products. The production methods used by the company are 100% environmentally friendly and the packaging is fully recyclable. The range includes skincare, bodycare, mother and baby products and gift boxes.

Last day with Konad

After getting tons of request about doing more NOTD posts including stamping with Konad I decided to do a full week of Konad nail art. I think that on day 3 it became boring and there was less interest in the posts. Anyway... I will have a break from nail art and write beauty reviews this week.

If you own a Konad kit try out the designs on paper to see if you like the outcome or if the colours you picked look nice together etc. I always like to see the effect before I start stamping my nails :)

The most tricky design is the one with musical notes. It is really hard to do and I never get it right, because there is too much detail!