Body Shop Almond Nail and Cuticle Oil

Due to the recent cold weather (winter has definitely arrived in London!) I have been trying to take great care of my hands.  Cue lots of using hand cream, I try to use it every time I wash my hands but I don't quite manage that but, ya know, the intention is there!

I also really like using cuticle oil, I think it makes a huge difference to whether my cuticles look all raggedy and dry!  I am a big fan of OPI Avoplex oil - I don't think you can go wrong with that stuff but one day on the way to work I realised I didn't have it in my handbag so I popped into the Body Shop to see if they had any cuticle products.

I found this, its the Almond Nail and Cuticle Oil Pen, it is normally £7.50 but there was a promotion on that day meaning I got a whopping 40% off!  Bargain!

Its a neat little product and even has a rubber tip on the lid to push back cuticles.  I am keeping this pen on my desk at work so I have been applying several times a day and its making a big difference to the condition of my cuticles and nails.  Everything feels more moisturised and I haven't had a hangnail since I started using this.

I think in part I am liking this so much because I am using it regularly, I can be terrible for forgetting to apply cuticle oil but the trick for me has been to have it in a place where it's right in front of me so I really have no excuse not to use it.

I would recommend this and if you can buy it when its discounted even better!

Morgan Taylor Nail Polish in Man of the Moment

I recently had a manicure at a salon that only uses Morgan Taylor nail polishes.  I was happy to try them out as I have seen this brand turning up in a lot of salons.  

I chose this colour, its called Man of the Moment:

As you can see its a cherry red and is pretty gorgeous.  As per normal, a base coat and top coat was applied.  Two coats of the colour were also applied.  The colour looked lovely on.....at first!

On closer inspection I noticed the colour wasn't solid, you had to look close to see but Essie and OPI are both always fine with just two coats and I was hoping Morgan Taylor would be as good.

I always use rubber gloves when washing up or using any household cleaning products so generally I don't get any chips until about the sixth day after application.  Sadly this varnish chipped TWO days later!  I was really disappointed as it's not what I would expect from a salon brand.  

I would love to know if any of you have tried Morgan Taylor and what your thoughts are? 

Essie luxeffects As Gold as it Gets

The Essie luxeffects range have been knocking about for at least a year or so and its bad that I have not tried them.....until now!  In a nod to the festive season I decided to give As Gold as it Gets a try.  It is varnish with gold metallic flecks in and can be worn alone or on top of another shade.

I wore two coats of Essie Fishnet Stockings (on top of a base coat) and then applied one coat of As Gold as it Gets.  

The effect is quite nice, its like gold flecks have been sprinkled onto your nails.  It's not completely uniform but I wasn't expecting it to be especially after just one coat.  I finished with Seche Vite Top Coat which gave the nails a nice glossy finish.

There are five shades in the Luxeffects range so it would be nice to try some of the others as well as the different shades will create different effects.  I think this range is great to liven up any varnish or wear alone for a more subtle look.

Essie Toggle to the Top

Toggle to the Top is one of Essie's Winter 2013 offerings.  I was very excited about this particular shade coming out as I love a bit of glitter especially at this time of the year.  Essie describe the shade as "show-stopping sparkling crushed garnet lacquer" but on this occasion I am afraid I didn't completely agree with their description.  First of all have a look:

Now I admit my photo isn't the best but I really didn't feel this polish was as sparkly and glittery as it could have been.  I feel its a glittery shade for someone who doesn't want to draw too much attention to their nails. A kind of muted glitter if you will.  Maybe I feel like this because I have, in the past, gone for brighter red glittery shades that just feel more Christmassy and fun to me.

However whilst I was a bit disappointed by Toggle to the Top, I have to say it wasn't a bad colour, I just think I thought it would be more eye catching.  However if you want a dark burgundy shade with glitter in then this would be perfect for you.

My one tip would be to use a good top coat as it gives a smooth finish otherwise your nails may feel a bit rough (there is a lot of glitter in this varnish).

I have the Orly shade Spar Spangled at home and I think I have to try that next as it looks like the perfect glittery red and probably what will make me gaze happily at my nails!!

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and Benefit That Gal Primer

Recently I was given a couple of sample sizes of two primers I had wanted to try for a long time.  The sizes of the samples were great as you only need to use a small amount so it meant both samples lasted me a good while so I could really give them both quite a few goes!

So here they are:

As you can see both tubes have been bent and twisted to get every last ounce out!  Well a gal has to get her value for money!

So the first primer is Benefit That Gal Brightening Face Primer.  This primer is a light pink cream, its has quite a light texture.  I enjoyed applying this as it has a light feeling and didn't leave my face feeling sticky or tacky.  Benefit say this contains light reflecting pigments and it did feel like it gave me that healthy glow.  I would use my Kevyn Aucoin foundation or my Ellis Faas foundation over this and the results were great although both are really nice foundations so I can't 100% say that the primer helped that much.  

I liked this primer but I don't think I would rush out and buy it again, I will probably try another primer.  For me to repurchase a primer I really need it to make a noticeable difference and whilst this was nice enough it didn't blow me away.  However if I ever got another sample I'd happily use it (I just wouldn't spend £22.50 on a full size That Gal Primer).

The second primer is Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.  I had wanted to try this primer for years, I had seen adverts for this for such a long time so when I bought a lipstain from Smashbox and the assistant gave me this sample I was chuffed!

At first I was really impressed.  This gel texture primer which contains vitamins A and E applies like a dream and it seemed to blur any imperfections on my skin as soon as I had applied it.  The only downside was it had that silicone feel which I am not mad about but I was willing to overlook that.

Once I had applied my foundation (again using Kevyn Aucoin and Ellis Faas) I loved the flawless finish I got and this time I felt like the primer was making a difference to the finish.  My foundation stayed in place all day  and still looked really good when I came to remove it at 10pm!  

I used this primer over about three weeks and by the time the tube was finished I had problems with my skin.  I normally get one or two hormonal spots but this breakout was bad.  I had several angry spots on my face and its only about now (a month later) that things have settled down and my skin is back to normal.  Now I can't say for certain that the Smashbox primer caused this breakout but nor can I rule it out so to stay on the safe side I shan't be purchasing a full size tube.  Its a shame in some ways as I did like the results but on the other hand I won't miss the silicone feel.

My search for the perfect primer goes on - have any of you got any recommendations?

Review - Illamasqua Blush up Brush

I recently found myself at the Illamasqua counter in Selfridges, I had gone there with the intention of buying the Reflection Palette (which I did buy and absolutely love!) but whilst I was chatting to the assistant she offered to put the Skin Base Foundation on me.  I've always wanted to try it especially as I have read mixed reviews of it.

To apply the foundation she said she would use the Blush up Brush.  I told her I thought that was for contouring and she said it can be but she thinks its also really good for applying foundation.

I was blown away when she had finished applying the foundation, it looked so flawless.  She had gently dabbed the foundation on and then checked my face and dabbed a touch more foundation on any red areas which then also become flawless!  I was so impressed and it made me realise how good it is to play around with brushes to find different uses for them.

The brush itself is really nice to handle, its black as with all Illamasqua brushes.  The bristles are dense, stiff and short but still feel lovely and soft so its really nice to use.  I have washed it once so far and it washed well and looks as good as new!

I can't comment on what this brush is like to contour as so far I have only used it to apply foundation but I will watch a tutorial video on contouring soon and then give it a go.

I should also add that I wasn't overly impressed with Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation.  Whilst at first it looked incredible, I found that within two hours my skin looked really oily so I am glad I have at last tried it but I can't recommend it.  The brush on the other hand is a winner!

Illamasqua Blush Up Brush was £28.50 from Selfridges

Body and Hair Empties

As promised in yesterday's post here are my body and haircare empties from the past month:

Balance Me Super Toning Body Wash

I got this 100ml Balance Me Body Wash free with Glamour Magazine, not a bad free gift eh?  It sat in my bathroom cupboard for ages but I recently grabbed it as I am on a mission to use things up before I purchase more!  This was a very pleasant body wash, it had a light herbal aroma, it contains a blend of juniper, bergamot, geranium and lavender but its not overpowering and doesn't last long on the skin.  It lathered up well and was enjoyable to use however I am not sure about its "super toning" claims, it made no difference to the appearance of my skin.....not that I was expecting it to!  I probably wouldn't repurchase this, it was nice but I do like to try different body washes!

This product was free with Glamour magazine

Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo

At first I wasn't keen on this shampoo!  I thought I had made a mistake buying it but withing a few uses I had  completely changed my mind and now I plan on repurchasing it!  So why the turnaround......well Pureology don't put any sulfates in their products so when I first shampooed my hair with this, I found that my hair had a weird matt feel to it, I would go ahead and use a conditioner as normal and then it was fine.  After a few uses I got used to the matt feel and found that my hair was in better condition and felt lighter and as though it had more volume.  I now wonder if my hair had a matt feel as the sulfates weren't coating my hair?  I could be wrong with my theory but something definitely made my hair feel different to how it usually feels.

This shampoo is also concentrated meaning you only need to use a small amount and it lathers up amazingly well considering it doesn't contain sulfates.  I have had this bottle for ages so I definitely got my money's worth.  I will definitely repurchase and I am looking forward to trying other Pureology products too.

Pure Volume Shampoo cost £13.85 at Lookfantastic.com

Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde Conditioner

I have already repurchased this conditioner - its that good!  First of all, I love the smell.....it reminds me of Johnsons Baby Lotion but if you are not keen on that smell it does seem to disperse fairly quickly.  You can use this conditioner on a daily basis and its perfect for any blondes who have colour in their hair.  I highlight my hair and the ends can be pretty damaged but I found this really improved things.  Its a nice thick lilac formula and I like to put it on and leave it for a minute or two to really work its magic.  Once rinsed off I find that my hair looks much smoother and is a breeze to comb through.  This is one of my new favourite conditioners!

Fovever Blonde Condition cost £14.95 at Lookfantastic.com

Percy & Reed Reassuringly Firm Session Hold Hairspray

This handbag size hairspray was another freebie from Glamour magazine (I am impressed with their free gifts this year!) and its a really nice hairspray.  I don't always use hairspray but recently I have been curling my hair with my Babyliss Curl Secret and I like to finish with a quick spritz of this.  It holds my fine hair well and has a pleasant fragrance.  Would I repurchase this, yes I think I would - a 250ml can is £12 which isn't bad as it would last really well  for me as I don't use it every day.  

This hairspray was a free gift with Glamour magazine