review Archives - Page 3 of 37

bloomzy / June 30, 2017

The Ordinary Serum Foundation Very Fair 1.0NS

My love affair with The Ordinary and their affordable, amazing products continues. This time round it’s the foundation on everyone’s lips…and cheeks…and forehead…you get my point. Yes, it’s The Ordinary’s Serum Foundation. The most hyped foundation on the market right now.

But what makes this one so special? There are tons of brands out there that offer up serum foundations, that’s true. However there aren’t many that feature 21 shades. Yes, you heard me right, 21 shades! Praise be to the beauty Gods, a brand that finally understands we come in more than 3 shades (don’t even get me started on ‘ivory’ and ‘dark’).

And I had my eye on one particular shade…

The Ordinary Serum Foundation Very Fair 1.0NS

The Ordinary’s serum foundations offer 21 shades from Very Fair, to Very Deep. The shades are divided into three categories: 1 fair-lighter tones, 2 medium tones; and 3 darker tones. Each one is then marked by a second digit from 0-3 to indicate depth within each shade. Within these shade ranges you’ll also spot letters: P (Pink) & R (Red) cool undertones for lighter & darker shades; N – Neutral tone; and Y – Yellow undertone. On top of this, three of the shades also have S (silver highlights) and G (gold highlights) at the end. These particular shades use natural-looking, exceptionally fine dispersions of metallic effect pigments for added highlight.

So to break down my shade, I use: Very Fair – 1.0 (lightest) – NS (neutral with silver highlights).

Final Thoughts?

Very lightweight
Good formula
Light-medium coverage
Applies, blends, and sets well
A great base that works well with other products
Swatches

This foundation goes on smoothly, and blends really well with my skin tone. In fact it blends so well it’s difficult to see where I’ve applied it at times. I would say the coverage is light-medium, which I prefer because it feels much more lightweight on my skin. It works well with other products, meaning no pilling or movement. I actually potted mine into a cushion compact, which is perfect for this formula.

Now I’m not a foundation kinda gal, which you’ll know if you’ve read some of my previous beauty posts. I tend to prefer concealer because I dislike how my skin feels in foundation. And more importantly, I’ve never been able to find a shade that matches my skin tone. In fact in the past I’ve had to use white foundations – to mix – when trying to get a match. But finally I’ve found one in The Ordinary’s new serum foundation line-up, and I’ve been converted!

You can purchase The Ordinary Serum Foundation Very Fair 1.0NS online and in-store.
Check out more of my beauty must-haves now!

bloomzy / June 3, 2017

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream | Beauty Review

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream*

Today’s beauty review features one of my favourite beauty brands – Elemis. I’ve been a fan of Elemis products from day one, as they’re one of the few brands where I see a genuine difference in my skin after usage. The high-end beauty brand offers a wide range of skincare products, for all skin types. I genuinely get excited when I see a new range released. And that’s how I ended up with the new Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream. It has been clinically proven to reduce wrinkle depth, improve firmness, tone and hydration in only 14 days. But would it work for me?

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream – Thoughts

Applies smoothly
Leaves skin hydrated
My skin now feels smoother and more supple
Thick texture that’s actually lightweight when applied

I absolutely love the application, texture, and the way my skin feels after I’ve applied it. I’ve been using it for over 14-days now, and I can genuinely say that my skin feels smoother and more supple. I love this range so much I also have the Advanced Eye Treatment, Marine Mask, and the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream with SPF30 – which now that Summer has arrived is the perfect moisturiser to replace this one with.

Praise aside, there is one thing we need to discuss; the price. Prices start at a whopping £80 for a 50ml pot of the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream. Now I’m not silly, I know most people don’t just have a spare £80 lying around to throw at a moisturiser. However, this product really works, and I always say quality over quantity (if you can afford it). If I had a little extra money at the end of the month, I’d buy it. But then I’m very much a skincare addict, and I believe in investing in products that work.

Offers: Debenhams often have Elemis sets on offer during their sales. I recently bought the Elemis Treasures of the Sea gift set for only £49 (was £68). It included a full size eye treatment, mask and 30ml travel size version of the pro-collagen marine cream. Alongside it I also got £10 on my Debenhams Beauty Club Card. Not bad, right?

You can purchase the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream range online and in-store.
Check out more of my beauty must-haves now!

bloomzy / May 17, 2017

Take The Day Off with Clinique’s Cleansing Balm | Beauty Review

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm*

There’s nothing better than getting home after a long day and taking your make-up off. That said, it can also be one of the most annoying tasks. Let me be honest for a second; I can be a bit lazy when it comes to cleansing. Which means I’m often looking for a product that will help me do it easily. For me that means a product that will apply well, take off all my make-up, cleanse my face, and leave my skin looking and feeling great. I don’t ask for much, do I.

Take The Day Off

Enter Clinique’s Take The Day Off Cleaning Balm. A product I was recommended this by my best friend VA. She told me she was a big fan, and that was all I needed to know in order to try it out for myself. So let me introduce the product properly. Take The Day off is a lightweight cleansing balm, perfect for getting rid of stubborn eye and facemake-up, as well as those that include sunscreen. Best paired with a cleansing cloth, it cleans thoroughly and washes off completely. It claims to be perfect for all skin types, and as someone with sensitive skin, I can agree. It’s easy to see why it’s the most requested product on Clinique counters.

Final Thoughts?

Lightweight
Good texture
Clean application
Leaves skin smooth
Removes make-up easily
Non-greasy, and non-drying

At £23 this is on the higher end of what I would consider spending on a cleanser. That said, you do get a lot of product with this cleansing balm. It’s perfect for day-to-day use, whether I’m wearing make-up or not. And as an added bonus it can easily be de-potted for travelling. I would definitely repurchase it.

Get a free 15ml Take The Day Off! From 25-26th May, you can grab your own free travel size cleansing balm (no purchase necessary) from Clinique counters, in John Lewis stores nationwide.

You can purchase Take The Day Off online and in-store.
Check out more of my beauty must-haves now!

bloomzy / April 14, 2017

A Hit of Vitamin C with Clinique Fresh Pressed | Beauty

Clinique Fresh Pressed 7 Day System with pure vitamin c*

Winter is no longer coming, and beauty fanatics everywhere are going vitamin c crazy. And yes you guessed right, I’m no exception. After all the weather is changing, temperatures are rising (albeit slowly), and your skin needs a little boost. Some of you may be shouting “speak for yourself” as you read this. But hey admit it, we’ve all been there. And if seasonal transition affects you as much as it does me, then you’ll be glad to hear that Clinique has a new product to help out.

Clinique Fresh Pressed

The simple, two-step system contains pure Vitamin C. Which I’ve been told by Clinique is one of the most powerful de-ageing vitamins. The products claims to give you brighter, more radiant skin, right from the first application. “With continued use, see transformative de-ageing results: skin that’s noticeably firmer, more even-toned, smoother, with visibly diminished lines and wrinkles and a radiant, youthful glow.”

Clinique Fresh Pressed comes as a set (featured in this post), which lasts for 7 days, and costs £25. However you can also buy the Renewing Powder Cleanser with Pure Vitamin C (£24 for 1 month supply), or the Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10% (£58 for 4 x 8.5ml) separately.

Final Thoughts?

The system is simple and easy to use, and would fit into anyone’s daily routine. The initial opening of the Daily Booster was oddly satisfying – you’ll see what I mean if you buy it – and I found the product lasting longer than the 7 days stated. It mixed well with my moisturiser, and naturally made it go further. But I did find it a little sticky on my skin, and it meant my moisturiser took a little longer to absorb than normal.

In my opinion the 7 day set is the best way to test out both products alongside each other, for first time users. And at £25 it won’t break the bank. However it’s the Renewing Powder Cleanser with Pure Vitamin C that I would re-purchase. I loved the sachets, and how simple they were to use. Not to mention how travel-friendly they are! In fact I’m considering stocking up on them just to take with me when I go away. All in all, my skin felt and looked good throughout – and after – the week’s use.

You can purchase Clinique Fresh Pressed online and in-store.
Check out more of my beauty must-haves now!

bloomzy / March 23, 2017

Introducing The White Company Skincare Range

The White Company Skincare Range – Eye Revive, Super Serum & Super Balm*

Lately it seems like I’m coming across more and more skincare brands that match my lifestyle, and aesthetic. Now of course aesthetic is not something I really consider when looking for beauty products. But if I can find something that does the job, and looks good too, then why not? And what about if those products were also made in collaboration with one of my favourite beauty brands? Enter The White Company’s new skincare range.

The White Company Skincare Range

Clean, simple, and very on brand. The White Company skincare range has been created in partnership with Deciem (aka The Abnormal Skincare Company). Now you know I’m a big fan of Deciem, and I’m quite partial to The White Company too. So I was excited to see a collaboration between the two brands. Chrissie (founder of TWC) worked with Deciem for over a year to create a range that combined natural chemistry and scientific-led technology. And voila, you have six staple products for any skincare regime:

Super Balm – Gentle Daily Deep Cleanser (£25)
Super Serum – Advanced Multi-Depth Concentrate (£40)
Advanced Hydration – Skin-Perfecting Moisturiser (£30)
Eye Revive – Daily Brightening Eye Serum (£20)
Night Oil – Overnight Renewal Treatment (£30)
Hand Elixir – Ultra-Hydrating And Protecting Cream (£20)

Thoughts?

The range itself sounds very promising, and I was over the moon to be sent Eye Revive, Super Serum & Super Balm. The packaging feels and looks high quality, whilst mirroring that of The White Company’s other products. Which I’m sure fans of the brand will be pleased to hear. The price points are on the higher end of the high street. However for fans of TWC and Deciem, these won’t come at too much of a shock. And honestly I don’t find the price to be off putting, as I believe you have to pay a little extra to get a decent skincare product.

I have yet to try the products for an extended amount of time, so I don’t want to comment on effectiveness etc just yet. However I can say that the formulas are good, and you get plenty of product. And if that doesn’t convince you, maybe Chrissie can. She swears by the range (of course), and apparently “this collection really works”.

Update

After using the Eye Revive for a couple of days, I came up in red, dry patches around my eyes. I tested this on a new piece of skin, and had the same issue. I stopped using the product, and after a week the patches cleared up. I won’t be using the Eye Revive cream again, however I’d like to state that my reaction may not be the same for everyone. If you have sensitive skin, I would suggest trying the product on a patch of skin before using around the sensitive eye area.

You can purchase The White Company Skincare Range here.
Read more of my beauty reviews & recommendations here.

bloomzy / March 1, 2017

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid & The Abnormal Beauty Company

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid by The Abnormal Beauty Company

With a name like that you can’t help but wonder what’s inside this pharmaceutical-esque bottle. Say hello to The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. Yeah…what exactly is that again? Bluntly put, it’s a product that works with your other skincare products. When used alongside your regular creams, it offers multi-depth hydration and visible plumping without drawing water out of the skin solely to improve temporary surface hydration.

A lot of brands put Hyaluronic acid into their products but actually this doesn’t help much. It means that the HA ends up sitting on the surface of your skin, making it feel temporarily soft and hydrated. Ouch! I was curious to see whether using pure HA on my skin would work, or whether I’d been conned by nice packaging and big words.

The Abnormal Beauty Company

Also know as Deciem, The Abnormal Beauty Company is a collection of beauty brands who are founded on the principle of doing everything others don’t do. What does that mean exactly though? Well it means that they’re creating quality products. In their own words “quality today means being authentic, being different, being functional, being beautiful and being sensibly priced…And we respect these principles.”

It’s a lot to live up to, but this ethos has drawn in fans from across the globe. They have shops in their home country of Canada, Korea, Australia, Mexico and are soon-to-open a store in the UK.

Is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid worth it?

Yes, yes and yes again! This is a wonder product if I ever did see one. Since I started using The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid in my daily skincare regime, my skin has seen a serious change. It feels plumper, smoother and my ‘monthly’ spot issues have been drastically minimised. In a nutshell…

Makes skin feel plumper
Kind to sensitive skin
Hydrates
No smell
Vegan friendly
Travel friendly
Simple, informative packaging

This product is £5.90, let that sink in (smoothly, like the serum does). That is an astonishing price for such a bloody magnificent product! Seriously, these guys could be charging a lot more. Luckily for me, and you, they don’t. I would suggest that every skincare addict goes out and purchases this quickly, because I will sure as hell be re-purchasing it in bulk!

You can purchase The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid at Deciem.
Read more of my beauty reviews and recommendations here.

bloomzy / January 23, 2017

Celebrating Chinese New Year in London

I am always up for celebrating an occasion, particularly those that involve food. You might remember Chinese New Year 2016, where I visited Yauatcha. Yauatcha is a dim sum teahouse offering contemporary Cantonese dim sum, and patisserie inspired by European culinary techniques and Asian ingredients. And every year their top chefs create a special opulent CNY menu. This year is no different, as it sees a variety of high-end ingredients and techniques make their way on to the menu.

I decided to stop by again with VA (chopstickpanorama), to check out what they had to offer for the Year of the Rooster – 2017.
Find out what we ordered below:

To Start

Red Cocktail
Truffle Crabmeat Dumpling
Fried Wagyu Beef Dumpling

Mains

Mala Lamb Salad with Jellyfish
Lunar Chicken Pot with Cured Pork
Seafood Braised Rice in Lotus Leaf

Dessert

Jasmine Honey
Coffee Hazelnut
Coconut Lime
Apple Vanilla Choux

My thoughts…

As per usual I’ve bolded my favourite dishes above, to give you an idea of what I enjoyed and would order again. Whereas a couple of the mains were too spicy for me, I thoroughly enjoyed the dumplings and the rice. The desserts – as always – were a delight, and it wouldn’t be a trip to Yauatcha without sampling one…or two. Our meal came to just over £140 (£70 each), including drinks. It’s certainly not inexpensive, but I can understand people parting with their cash for a special occasion.

Celebrating Chinese New Year in London

Yauatcha will offer their Chinese New Year menu through 16th Jan – 11th Feb. As well as their CNY menu, the restaurants will be laden with glowing red Chinese lanterns. It’s not all about the interior though. A traditional lion dance, said to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck for the following year, will be held at Yauatcha City on 27th January and Yauatcha Soho on 29th January.

If you fancy celebrating Chinese New Year in London, head to Yauatcha to view their Chinese New Year menu and make a reservation.

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This post is in collaboration with Yauatcha however all views, photos and words are my own.