beauty Archives - Page 9 of 54

bloomzy / May 15, 2015

Review: Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum

Pestle and Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum*

After my last foray into the world of facial serums I was left feeling pretty meh. However Pestle and Mortar came along and told me that they had a serum like no other. I do enjoy a good challenge, especially when the opponent thinks they’re going to win; so I accepted. Of course with this particular item, if the product was any good, it meant we both won. What’s not to love?

Pros:
+ Leaves skin supple and smooth
+ Hydrating
+ Beautiful packaging
+ Works well as a primer
+ A little goes a long way

Cons:
– Nope, there are none!

Notes:
It’s been a while since I was able to find a beauty item with no cons. I like to be honest in my reviews, so I always make sure to take note of everything about the product. However I couldn’t find any bad points with Pestle & Mortar’s Pure Hyaluronic Serum. I found it easily fit into my daily beauty routine (under my moisturiser), and it worked well as a primer for my make-up. It isn’t oily like some serums, and it feels almost like a gel whilst it absorbs into your skin. It hydrates skin, without leaving it greasy, and it left mine feeling super supple and smooth. I’m sold on this little beauty. Speaking of beauty, the packaging is to die for! Surely this would take pride of place on anyone’s dresser?
Would I pay the £33 for another bottle? I would! It will last for ages as you only need a couple of drops, and afterwards you have a cute bottle for decoration. Perfection!

You can purchase the Pure Hyaluronic Serum at Pestle and Mortar.

bloomzy / May 7, 2015

Review: MayBeauty Peel Away Facemask

MayBeauty Peel Away Facemask*

Is there anything more satisfying than peeling glue off your hand? Well, if you’re one of those people who feels a little silly indulging their inner child, I have good news for you! There is an adult version…and it’s good for your skin! Admittedly it isn’t glue, in fact it’s actually a facemask by MayBeauty. I used to buy a similar mask in Daiso (no shame) whilst living in Tokyo, so I was happy to try this European offering.

Pros:
+ Refreshing and invigorating when first applied.
+ Satisfyingly peels away all at once.
+ Left my skin supple and smooth.

Cons:
– Stings slightly when peeling off.
– Shouldn’t be applied near eyebrows (or any kind of facial hair).

Notes:
Peel away masks are a guilty pleasure of mine. I love how you feel them tighten on your face…and then comes the satisfying removal. MayBeauty’s mask offered all of this and more. It left my skin feeling supple and smooth, and it clearly did something as a pesky spot appeared the next day. As annoying as it is, I always think this shows a product is doing something. There are a few downsides to the mask, such as how it stings when you peel it off (like removing a plaster). I was assured this is normal and goes off after the first wear. This leads me to the warning: do not put this anywhere near eyebrows/facial hair – it will pull it off! Luckily I didn’t experience it, but I did spot it in the instructions, and I can see why. This mask takes no prisoners! Overall, I was impressed with MayBeauty’s facemask. The test package comes with 5 masks, a brush and a guide and costs £25. After that prices start at £25 for 8 masks and increase depending on how many you wish to buy. Would I pay £25 for 2 months of masks? Yes I would. These are a great addition to anyone’s weekly skincare routine.

You can purchase the peel away facemask at MayBeauty.

bloomzy / April 18, 2015

Review: Avène Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum

avene_ave_ne_hydrating_serum_hydrance_optimale_for_dehydrated_sensitive_skin_beauty_blog_blogger_bloomzy_review_3

avene_ave_ne_hydrating_serum_hydrance_optimale_for_dehydrated_sensitive_skin_beauty_blog_blogger_bloomzy_review_2

avene_ave_ne_hydrating_serum_hydrance_optimale_for_dehydrated_sensitive_skin_beauty_blog_blogger_bloomzy_review_1

avene_ave_ne_hydrating_serum_hydrance_optimale_for_dehydrated_sensitive_skin_beauty_blog_blogger_bloomzy_review_4

Avène Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum*

It’s been a while since I reviewed a new Avène product, hasn’t it. That’s not for lack of trying though, she says as she furiously writes an email to Avene HQ, begging them to release new products. Joking aside, I actually spotted the Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum at a beauty showcase last Summer, and I made a mental note that I would have to try it during the harsher Winter months. After doing just that I thought now was as good a time as any to review it. I mean, this review was inevitable, right?

Pros:
+ Good consistency
+ Feels soothing on skin
+ Nicely packaged
+ Works well as a primer
+ Mildly hydrating

Cons:
– A bigger bottle would be nice

Notes:
This is a good, trusty facial serum. I’ve been applying it in the morning and sometimes in the evening, and I have yet to say anything bad about it…apart from the size of the bottle being too small for my liking. At £17 though I’m really not 100% certain that I would purchase this. It’s a nice serum, but it just doesn’t have that wow factor. Yes, me the Avène fangirl hasn’t fallen head over heels for one of their products. I think that says enough really. It’s a good product, but I honestly can’t say there is any reason for me to purchase it over another facial serum.

You can purchase Avene’s Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum at Boots.

bloomzy / April 14, 2015

Review: nailbox – A Nail Polish Subscription Box (April 2015)

nailbox April 2015 box*

I don’t know why there hasn’t been a nail polish subscription box before. Clearly nailbox have also picked up on this gap in the market, as they have brought us a brand new nail polish subscription box. The April box is limited to only 100 boxes, and it contains four full-size nail polishes from iconic industry brands: OPI, China Glaze, Essie and Revlon.

Inside the box is…
+ Essie nail file (£1.99)
+ China Glaze Peachy Keen nail polish (around £5)
+ Revlon Buttercup nail polish (£7.99)
+ OPI Kiss Me On My Tulips nail polish (£12)
+ Essie Muchi, Muchi nail polish (£7.99)

Thoughts?
For a nail polish addict like me – or those who just want to discover some new polishes – this is a wonderful idea. The packaging of the box was pretty plain (a brown cardboard box), but the polishes were packaged safely inside at least. I noticed that the nail polishes included are from past collections (yet still on sale), but the shades are all pretty on-trend right now. I mean there are only so many colours, and the usual shades are on-trend year on year. So it doesn’t really matter whether these polishes are brand new to the market or not.

The total value of the box comes to £34.97, so you’re obviously getting your £15 back! At the end of the day, all I could ask for from a nail polish subscription box is in nailbox. Well known, quality brands: check. On-trend shades: check. Value for money: check. Would I purchase this? Yes, I definitely would!

You can purchase the April 2015 box at nailbox.

bloomzy / April 8, 2015

Style: Transitioning into Spring

Backpack: ASOS | Pom Pom: Wonderound | Crop Top: Tokyo Laundry* | Facemask: Face D*

The dreaded wardrobe transition. You know, the one where you spend a whole weekend packing away your ‘Winter clothes’ and bring out your Spring/Summer clothes from the suitcase under your bed. No, just me? It’s something I do every year around this time, as I try to be less pessimistic and actually start to believe that we might see the sun again. The beautiful weather this weekend made me think about this inevitable shuffle, and how I would be transitioning into Spring this year.

The light, fluffy accessories that were popular in Winter, such as my pom pom from Wonderound transition well – I mean, lambs and chicks are fluffy, and they’re basically the epitome of Spring. That’s my reasoning anyway. As for clothing, that’s a little more difficult. Britain is infamous for it’s bad weather especially around April, so I was on the look-out for something that felt like Spring, but had the practicality of a Winter item. Tokyo Laundry‘s striped crop top is thick enough to keep me warm, and the crochet accent definitely doesn’t feel like Winter . Finally, skincare! As the weather changes, so does my skin. It’s as if it thinks I’m doing something terrible to it, and so it freaks out and dries up on me. That’s why I need to keep an eye on my skin, even in the warmer months. I was so impressed with Face D’s Instant Effect Depuffing Eye Mask that I have added them and the Instant Hydrating Anti-Ageing Mask, to a permanent position in my bathroom cabinet.

All these little changes may not feel like much, but I’m certain they will carry me through into Springtime well.

bloomzy / April 3, 2015

SHOW Your Best Side

SHOW DRY Salon, Notting Hill, London

I love having my hair washed by someone. No I’m not lazy, and no I don’t have some kind of weird fetish. I just find it incredibly relaxing, and after a busy day at work it’s nice to indulge in some pampering. However, having my hair styled by someone else is another thing entirely. I have awkwardly curly, coarse hair, which I apparently seem to hide well. But once a stylist discovers it’s real form, all hell breaks lose. Ok so I may be overdramatising here, but a lot of stylists do find my hair hard to work with. For me, it’s easy. I’ve gotten used to it over the years and I know how to handle it/style it right (all those years have finally paid off). That’s why I like going back to the same hairdresser (once I’ve found a good one). So with this in mind I headed to SHOW’s new salon in Notting Hill with V.A for some hair pampering. Part of me couldn’t wait, and the other part was a little nervous…

My qualms were settled though as we walked through the ornate doors, and into the chic interior. The smell of roses and haircare products filled the air in the predominantly pink and gold salon. Everything was immaculate, from the displays of products that lined the wall right down to the bouquet on the reception desk. It took everything in me not to stand there with my mouth hanging open – this is a classy establishment Emma, don’t mess up. We were greeted by a cheerful member of staff who kindly introduced us to the salon and our stylists. We were taken downstairs for a quick tour before being whisked away to have our hair washed. At this point I came to realise that the smell that had hit me when I walked in was SHOW’s own haircare products; and boy do they smell amazing. It was thanks to this that my shampoo and condition was incredibly relaxing.

After heading back upstairs we were given a glass of bubbles each, and our stylists got to work. Unfortunately my stylist did comment on how awkward my hair was – another one defeated by the genes of my father. Thanks Dad. However she did leave me with soft, bouncy hair. I can’t really blame her for not being able to style it properly – as I explained my hair is very awkward – and the products did actually leave my hair feeling and looking good. As for V.A (with her lovely, approachable hair), she left with some gorgeous, enviable waves. I also saw several other ladies leaving with exceptional blow drys. Overall I can’t complain, and maybe next time I could go back with a bit more time and the same stylist would be more prepared to tackle my mane of hair…or I’d just go for an up-do.

You can check out the services on offer, and book an appointment at SHOW Dry.

bloomzy / March 22, 2015

Review: OGX Coconut Water Hydration Oil Hair Spray

OGX Coconut Water Weightless Hydration Oil*

Remember when I reviewed the OGX coconut water shampoo and conditioner? No? Well that’s ok, I’ll forgive you this time. Anyway, in that particular review I mentioned how I use the coconut water hair spray alongside those two products. So it seemed only right that I review the hydration oil also.

Pros:
+ Lightweight
+ Helps hydrate dry hair
+ Smells lovely
+ Leaves hair glossy

Cons:
– Not for use on grease-prone hair

Notes:
I really love this little product. I’ve been using it for a few months now, and I know I can rely on it to perk up my hair when it’s looking (and feeling) dehydrated. The spray is lightweight enough (some might say weightless, ho ho ho) that I can spritz it onto my roots or ends. Not only that, but it leaves my hair looking glossy, and smelling wonderful. A word of warning though, this isn’t for grease prone hair. I have tried it on my strands when they’re in need of a wash, and it leaves them looking greasy and heavy. For £6.99 I would happily purchase this. You only need a few spritz, so this will last you a while.

You can buy the OGX Coconut Water Weightless Hydration Oil at Boots.

Newer Posts
1
…
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
…
54
Older Posts