Clarins Ever Matte Foundation Review

Clarins Ever Matte Foundation is a new(well it launched in february-late I know) launch from Clarins and has been a go to of mine for a few weeks now, it is the newest foundation launch from the brand and I was excited to try it out. The new Ever Matte Foundation SPF15 has a lovely light weight feel, packed with minerals and plant extracts to ensure your skin in protected from the dreaded lunchtime shine that some of us sadly suffer from, perfect for those with a combination to oily skin type. Despite the thick and creamy feel initially once you work it into your skin (I prefer fingers with this to really melt it into my skin) you find it becomes very light and I really don't feel like it's there at all, meaning my skin can breathe instead of being congested. The coverage I would say is medium but the texture allows you to build more if you need it, without caking meaning it feels comfortable. It concealed my pores and smoothed my skin, all whilst controlling my sometimes shiny tzone area, they have jammed the formula so that it will work to regulate the production of sebum too. The added bonus of SPF15 was a nice additon and one I'm glad they worked into it.  

Clarins Ever Matte foundation has been a great addition to my makeup routine, creating an even matte natural finish, keeping my skin clear all day long and although I did need to touch up with the Ever Matte Powder Compact toward the afternoon. Howeger unless I was going somewhere special I did feel comfortable without any powder for the majority of the day. I wear shade 110 Honey which for me is a really good colour match however if I were to use a darker self tan I would need a darker shade, so I would suggest being colour matched but the range of 10 shades really does cater for most skin tones.The packing is nice and sleek with the squeeze type bottle being convenient to control how much product you use, plus it is travel safe no need to worry about smashed glass bottles in your handbag. 

Availabe from Clarins counters narionwide or online here!

Priced at £24.00

Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Correcting Hand Cream

Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Correcting Hand Cream £22.50 from Clinique counters or online here

When this popped through my door with the accompanying press release, I did a little squeal because I am a huge fan of Clinique's Even Better range but also a bit of a hand cream fanatic. Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Correcting Hand Cream was created after many of the brands loyal Even Better customers were using the Even Better Dark Spot Serum on their hands and were asking they create a product for the hands too, so this was born after the brand could see the amazing results and knew they needed something specifically for the hands. It is a thoroughly moisturising hand cream as you would expect but it helps to fade the dark spots and generally brighten the skin too. It is so important to remember that our hands and body age too, so applying something like this is important and never too early to start preventing damage whilst protecting the skin too. For the body I think Clinique's Turnaround body lotion is also a key product too. With a light, non greasy and fragrance free formulation it was already a winner for me, but with the added SPF 15 it made it even better (get it?). I highly recommend the entire Clinique Even Better range of products, I have been a fan since the serum launched years ago, they really do even your complexion and leave your skin glowing. 

Have you tried this or will you be picking it up for yourself to try? 

Essie Guchi Muchi Puchi

Essie Guchi Muchi Puchi £8.50 you can buy it here from Beauty Bay

This is one of my favourite Essie shades, I think I've gone through about 3 bottles now since buying it last year. This is just two coats as I didn't want it to be so opaque, I wanted it a little softer however if you apply three coats you get a lovely pastel opaque pink. I am loving nail colours right now that are white based, pale pale colours, Essie Fiji is another colour from the brand that I have been rocking on my toes as it sets off a tan perfectly! My nail polish collection is certainly dominated by Essie and has slowly taken over from my OPI love, the formulations are great and really last without chipping. I'm so pleased aswell that they have launched into larger Boots stores with their new pro brushes and with a slightly cheaper price point, meaning the brand is now more widely available to everyone. I will be featuring my top picks for summer this week and be warned there is a alot of Essie in there.

What are your must have Essie shades? Let me know below.

Models Own Pink Fizz

Models Own Nail Polish - Pink Fizz £5.00 

Available from the Models Own website or from selected Boots stores

For a very long time now I have pondered whether to purchase this Models Own glitter polish, I am a massive fan of glitter colours and anyone that knows me will agree I love pink nail polish. It's hard to judge online what the colour will turn out in true life, unless you know a fabulous nail blog (link me to any nail blogs too please!), I am wary about purchasing cosmetics online because the images aren't true to life - except Illamasqua which has real swatches of all their products, other brands take note! However on a recent shopping trip I was very pleased to see my local boots now has a Models Own and an Essie stand, about time too, so I got to see all the colours for myself. Immediately I know Pink Fizz would be coming home with me and I applied it the second I was through the door. Wow. A one coat application is adequate to coat the nail with an opaque finish, however I went with two just because I want to make sure it was fully glittered up. This has to be my favourite nail colour right now, my nails and toes are sparkling away as I type, it is perfect for the sunshine we have had over the last few days (perfect flip flop colour if you ask me!). Models Own products are all great value for money, the nails polishes are £5.00 and I think for the quality they really are a steal. So far my toes and nails have been chip free for 4 days, I will be seeing how long it will last without a top coat and shall report back.

What are your must have Models Own nail polishes, let me know in the comments!

No 7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream

Firstly I have to say sorry to No7 I misplaced my parcel and only found it about two weels ago, so there has been a delay but I have been loving No7 recently. BB creams are taking the beauty world by storm, with what seems like another brand launching one every few weeks, standing for blemish balm the formula helps to fight off blemishes whilst moisturising, illuminating and evening your complexion. Though the coverage is light, you can build it somewhat so somewhere between a tinted moisturiser and a foundation is where I would put it. Described on the Boots site by No 7 as "Take off those winter layers and reveal your outer beauty this spring with new BB Cream. Its unique 4-in-1 formula evens and enhances skin tone and disguises imperfections, while the nutrient-enriched formula helps to banish blemishes. And with the protective power of SPF15 and 5★ UVA technology to help skin stay youthful, BB Cream is the only way to wear this season’s must-have essential – perfectly pared back, beautiful skin." No 7 have launched their version in two colours (light & medium) and two skin type formulas, this is the normal/dry but I have also been loving the normal/oily formula too for hotter days when I know I need more help controlling shine. This feels lovely on the skin and very easy to apply, the thick cream is one of a foundation but you will need concealer if you have any imperfections to conceal, overall leaving your skin dewy and even. If you are looking for a product to give your skin a healthy look and feel, without having to use extra products them BB creams are the way to go, as you don't necessarily have to apply moisturiser, primers etc if you just want to perk your face up without all the faff. From all the different brands that I have been trying this is one of only two that have managed to become a staple in my cosmetics bag. 

Available at No 7 counters in Boots stores or online here!

Priced at £12.95 it is certainly great value for the quality.

Clinique's Runway Coral Lipstick

Ok so this isn't such a new launch, Clinique launched their newest lippie a couple of months back, the new Long Last Lipstick in Runway Coral. This is the perfect pop of coral that brightens up any complexion and brings to life my makeup and I simply cannot get enough of wearing this with very simple makeup so this truly stands out. Created in partnership with Clinique's new Global Colour Artist Jenna Menard, inspired by the makeup from the SS12 Karen Walker show that she worked on. The Long Last line of lipsticks have been a firm favourite of mine for years, with a creamy hydrating formula and impressive pigmentation the line is one that won't disappoint. Plus they are brilliant for lasting all day, staying true to that long last title. 

If you follow the link below you can see the full inspiration and makeup used to create the look, and hear more from Jenna Menard about the makeup from the Karen Walker show, as well as more on the Long Last Runway Coral lipstick. This is my go to summer lip colour right now, have you picked your own one up yet? Let me know your must have Clinique product too in the comments.

Available from Clinique counters or online here! 

Priced at £16.00

Neal's Yard Beauty Boost

This isn't a review post, that will come later, I just wanted to ask if anyone has tried these Neal's Yard Beauty Boost supplements before and what do you think? Given what my body and skin has had to endure over the past 6 weeks I am throwing everything at it. From my diet, health, products, you name it all in a bid to help rebuild my inner and outer self to what it was before my health dipped again. I have been taking these for a week now, so I wanted to get some more opinions both on these supplements but whether anyone has suggestions on any other supplements that might be worth trying as well. So far I haven't seen anything drastic in ways of changes, but slight changes however after I have swallowed up the whole bottle I will share my thoughts. Over to you now so let me know!

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil

L'Occitane is a favourite brand of mine if I am looking for a body or bath time treat, they have such a wise range of products and my newest addition to my shower routine is their Almond Shower Oil. It's not a new fact that I love oil or balmy products, whether for my skin, hair or body and this hasn't disappointed me in the slightest. Whilst in the shower I use a small blob and it immediately melts into my body ever so faintly foaming, a thoroughly nourishing and softening body wash for those of us who really love to treat our body (mainly for all those days I forget to moisturise guilty). I know you might be thinking it is little pricey for a body wash but the way my skin feels whilst during and after my shower completely justifies it's price. The sweet almond aroma only adds to the luxurious shower experience, leaving you at total bliss as you unwind. I couldn't love this oil anymore, over the past couple of months I have found my body skin becoming drier so this has been a delight to replenish and renew my skin. Saving it from feeling so tight!

This has started yet another body product obsession, the almond scent has certainly got me eyeing up one or two of the L'Occitane almond products. Do let me know what you think if you have tried this, or do you have recommendations for other almond scented products I should try? 

£16.50 from L'Occitane stores or online here!

Darphin Organic Rose Aromatic Care

Darphin's Rose Aromatic Care has fast become my most used facial oil treatment right now, it will boost radiance, smooth & soften your complexion and detoxify too. With a light scent, fast absorption in to my skin, I know that only 3-5 (depending on what I think my skin needs) drops under my moisturiser will  renew my complexion, especially helping with the dehydration that is troubling my skin right now. I was pleased to find rosehip oil in this as I find my skin seems to respond well to rosehip oil, so I'm always looking for products that contain it because it assists cell regeneration and promotes a healthier look to your skin. 

With the hydrating nourishing ingredients of rose, rosehip, sweet almond and evening primrose oils, paired with geranium and St. Thomas bay to leave your skin balanced at the same time. If you are looking for an extra treatment in your skincare routine, this is excellent as it hydrates, balances, boosts radiance, detoxifies and has some anti ageing benefits too. 

£41.00 from Space NK stores or online here!

I am still alive & kicking!

Hey guys, I'm still here but sadly have been in hospital plus having lost my camera charger I'm unable to post, however my birthday is next week and I shall be (fingers and toes crossed) getting a shiny new camera so I can't wait to jump back into blogging. In the mean time there should be a video or two up tomorrow so stay tuned, I've managed to also film a video/vlog talking about my health as to explain what is actually wrong with me as I have been flooded with messages and questions recently, something I am happy to share as it might give another comfort in knowing they aren't alone. I'll be back soon. Love xo

P.S. I also have 4 fabulous giveaways from some fantastic brands lined up for next week too!