In-Flight Essentials

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As I’m off on holiday soon, I’ve been gathering together some in-flight essentials, which are more practical than beauty-focused really. Besides the fact that I have two young children, I’m not really the type for sky-high facials, but a a long drive to the airport and quite a bit of waiting around means a few little pick-me-ups won’t go amiss. My priority is always staying hydrated, so that’s what the majority of these picks are based on. Most are miniatures and the rest conveniently small… I still need to pick up a clear bag to store them in, so if you have any suggestions for something reusable (preferably available on the High Street), please let me know.

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Mandara Spa Tropical Blooms Softening Body Cream with Jasmine and Ylang Ylang - this has a lovely calming scent that’s not overpowering, absorbs quickly and feels nourishing but not at all sticky. This 50ml tube is part of a little travel set and you can pick these up in Sainsbury’s (which technically makes them groceries, right?)

Bodhi & Birch Lime Blossom Protecting Hand Serum - I’ve written a full ode to this here, but suffice to say, it’s the scent - and how this makes me (not just my hands) feel - that keeps me coming back for more.

Weleda Wild Rose Deodorant - this is gently scnted of roses and is a natural formula, which won’t clog pores or stain the skin/clothing in the heat, so I’ll use it when I’m away too. I’ve been a fan of Weleda since I discovered it for my babies and have used their products ever since. Love that they bring out miniatures every year.

Balance Me Skin Brightening Hydrating Facial Mist - I always use this in Summer as it feels good, smells good and actually hydrates my skin thanks to hyaluronic acid and pineapple & rose floral waters. I usually store mine in the fridge and have a quick spritz to wake me up in the morning. Great on sun-drenched skin too.

Popbands - did you spot the cute neon hair band around the Facial Mist? I love Popbands as they’re soft, smooth and don’t pull at my hair or leave a kink where it’s been tied up. Designed to look cute when worn around the wrist as well as in the hair, this one is particularly pretty with the diamante heart design.

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EcoHydra Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitiser - I used to be quite complacent about hand sanitisers and never used them regularly until I tried this one. Unlike most others, this is alcohol-free, so doesn’t dry out my hands. It’s a foam, which I much prefer to gel, contains aloe vera and has a lovely fresh smell. I’m reassured by the fact that it leaves no more than 10 germs on my hands, unlike the 10,000 missed by most High St formulas. Can’t argue with that - and personally I’d rather have hands that are properly germ free than ones that smell of strawberries.

SunSense Lip Balm SPF 50+ - admittedly this is more for use on holiday than in-flight, but no point in me bringing two, especially when this one works so well. The formula feels like a lip butter as it’s so rich and creamy - I just love it and it feels way more expensive than £5.99. It’s also fragrance free, contains Vitamin E and SPF50 - which isn’t easy to find in a lip product. I’m a huge fan of this entire range since discovering the sunscreen in Australia, where it’s made (they know a thing or two about sunscreen) and am so pleased that it’s now available here.

Aromatherapy Deep Relax Balm - this tiny little jar is perfect for travelling and I’m hoping it will calm any travelling nerves… I’m actually fine with flying but usually appreciate a little soothing with the inevitable tensions of the journey, so this is my little helper!

Jo Malone Wild Sage & Sea Salt - I promise not to spray this while on the plane - I find it quite rude when people impose their scent on everyone else. Just before boarding is fine - and for a little pep me up on arrival. You can read my full review on this scent here.

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I spotted this 4 pack of travel bottles in Primark and couldn’t resist for £1 - I haven’t tried it yet so can’t vouch for how secure the bottles fasten etc, but thought I’d flag it up in case anyone is looking for similar as it’s so handy to have!

I’ll be writing a separate post on the beauty products that make it into my suitcase (ps there’s a lot more of them!). Do you think this stash looks reasonable or too much? If I did have to cut it back, I’d choose the facial mist, lip balm, Popbands and EcoHydra.

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My Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful Make-up Lesson: Tips & Tricks

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I promised to report back on my Pretty Powerful Make-up Lesson with the lovely Rachael at my local Bobbi Brown counter. Here is the lowdown on the products she used to give me a lovely glowy make-up look… it was such a positive experience, where I learned new tricks and was in awe of the extent of Rachael’s product knowledge and expertise. This should come as standard at beauty counters, but we all know it isn’t always the case. Although I wasn’t wearing make-up, the process began with a deep cleanse and hydrating skincare, which no doubt contributed to The Glow. I was as impressed by the skincare as the make-up - and will write a separate ode on that - today, it’s all about the make-up!

New Tricks: I’d wanted to try Bobbi Brown creamy concealer and foundation for a while, so these were the two products I was most excited about. Rachael used Creamy Corrector in Extra Light Bisque to counteract shadows and Creamy Concealer in Ivory to help even out my skin tone. For me, it was unusual not to have foundation and concealer overlapping around the eye area. I always apply foundation right up to my lash line, then layer concealer on top. Rachael explained that using only corrector and concealer in this area maintained a finer texture, which would last longer and be less likely to sink into fine lines. Makes total sense… I love to learn little tricks like this which help with everyday make-up application.

Embracing the Pale: After discussing my skin type and make-up requirements in detail, Moisture Rich Foundation SPF15 in Porcelain was applied using a traditional foundation brush. Dry/dehydrated skins will love this base, which somehow skims imperfections, gives a medium natural coverage and radiant finish. I’m besotted with the stuff and can’t believe I didn’t discover it sooner. Can I just take a moment to point out how light in colour these products are… this was pre self-tanning season and it was *so* refreshing to be perfectly colour matched, veering on the pale side. Being colour matched to products that are too dark is one of my pet hates and I always lean towards the light for its light reflecting, skin-flattering effect. The same product in a shade darker can have the opposite effect (I could rant about this all day - another post perhaps).

Get the Glow: I was nervous about cancelling out the dewiness of the base, but could see that it needed set… at which point I discovered another gem of a product: Brightening Finishing Powder in Porcelain Pearl. Not only is it super cute, this little pastel compact mattified and set my foundation where needed, while adding extra radiance: make-up magic. My skin was warmed slightly with Bronzer in Medium and a flush added to my cheeks with Pot Rouge in Fresh Melon. Another lesson learnt: if you’re nervous about using cream blush, choose one in a pale shade - much less daunting, easier to control and gives a lovely natural finish. This one is dreamy.

Wide Eyes: Golden Pink Shadow Stick was applied over a base of Ivory eyeshadow, before Perfectly Defined Gel Liner in Scotch (*the* most perfect bronze shade) was added to my upper lash line. Another new experience… no liner on my lower lash line. I wasn’t too sure about the effect of this, possibly as I’m just not used to it, though admit it gives a more wide-eyed effect. After lashings of Duo Mascara, Rachael defined my brows with the Light Brow Kit, which comes with its own mini brush, tweezers and a mirror that flips out to magnify the tiniest hairs (& lots of other stuff I don’t wanna see!). To finish the look, my lips were coated in sheer Bright Pink Lipgloss layered over Rich Lip Color Lipstick in Sweet Nectar (bright coral orange).

A huge thank you to Rachael at the Bobbi Brown counter in House of Fraser, Belfast for putting me completely at ease and being a total sweetheart… my top picks are pictured above and you can see my final look (no filter Klaxon) here.

 

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Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt

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Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne will launch in September. Why not Summer for a beachy scent? (that was my first question too) Because the brand that celebrates British weather (check out the London Rain collection) has captured the invigorating scent of the beach on a cool, windswept day - and bottled it.

No whaft of coconut or tanning oil here… instead imagine a scenario of checked blankets, driftwood, cashmere knits and a flask of hot tea. As a student, I lived overlooking the sea - and much as I love the warm weather, a deserted Autumnal beach was my happy place for 3 years - the wilder the sea, the better. Sand dunes, sea spray, coarse grass and tangled hair are all among my memories.

As a brand, Jo Malone London is all about creating an experience and evoking memories with fragrance - and it does this well. French Master Perfumer, Christine Nagel, was inspired to create Wood Sage & Sea Salt following her visit to the English Coast:

“Like the scent of driftwood, it has a natural and fresh sophistication. A complex combination of wood and the sea is at its core. The feeling is of free-spirited liberty and joy.”

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I definitely get that sense of joy from this feel-good scent, which is both refreshing and (heart) warming at the same time. Imagine standing in front of the sea and filling your lungs with the salty fresh air: that’s the closest I can get to expressing what this smells like.

The perfumer was insistent that (unusually) it contained no floral notes, since none were to be found on the coast; its stripped back composition includes ambrette seed, sea salt and sage, red algae and grapefruit. Although unique and unlike any other fragrance I’ve tried, I think this is a crowd pleaser that most will be drawn to. From my own mini research, it appeals to both men and women equally and there are no sweet or floral elements to be found. It’s good stuff - and while I enjoyed it at first sniff - the more I wear it, the more I become attached to it.

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The Wood Sage & Sea Salt collection will include 30/100ml Cologne, Body & Hand Wash, Body Crème and a rather gorgeous candle, all launching in September at Jo Malone.

Does a beachy Winter scent appeal to you?

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Speed Mani: Bourjois Instant Dry Nail Drops

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My nail polish addiction is no secret to regular readers or my Instagram followers, but getting nails to dry pronto (pre smudging) is always a challenge. Not to mention the inevitable post-paint loo call *every time* - when will I learn?! A recent addition to my stash - Bourjois Instant Dry drops - has reduced the choredom by substantially reducing dry time.

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Instant Dry is a clear liquid applied using a rubber pipette attached to the lid… just one drop at the base of each painted nail bed is all that’s needed. It seems to spread naturally over the nail - and a little on the cuticles - which is fine as it nourishes those too.

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I used it here over Bourjois So Laque Glossy in Peace & Mauve, without any top coat. It works fine alone over polish, though I get best results when using the drops over a top coat. A quick note on Peace & Mauve: the formula is quite thin so I needed 3 coats, but all is forgiven thanks to the prettiest lilac I’ve tried.

Bourjois Instant Dry Nail Drops £5.99 (part of Boots 2 for £14 + Superdrug 3 for 2)

Bourjois So Laque Peace & Mauve £5.99 (on 3 for 2 at Superdrug)

Anyone else hate waiting for their mani to dry?!

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Mio Big Beach Countdown: You Beauty!

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Mio body skincare has been one of my best new discoveries. I raved about Skin Tight here and have since fallen for Future Proof body butter. If it’s a brand you’re interested in trying, then here’s a chance to do so for a fraction of the price.  You Beauty Discovery has teamed up with Mio for a “Big Beach Countdown” Beauty Box of goodies to help you get beach ready…

In the box:

- Mio QuickStart (200ml, rrp £18) - sulphate-free shower gel with coconut-derived cleansers, spearmint oil and guarana caffeine

- Mio The A Cream (150ml, rrp £25) - firming body cream with hyaluronic acid, shea, avocado, sweet almond, coconut & blueberry seed oils

- Mio Fitness Band

- Mio Exfoliating Glove (1 per box)

- Mio Gym Bag

- Mio voucher £10 off your first online Mio purchase

- Bodyism Clean & Lean – 1 Day Body Brilliance Supplement Sachet (10g sachet)

- The Chia Co. – Black Chia Pouch (150g)

- Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing – Exclusive 3-Day Gym Pass for you and a friend

- Champneys Health Spa – Exclusive Mio Treatment voucher entitling the holder to a 55 minute treatment for just £39 (RRP £65)

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Worth £120+, you can get your hands on all of this for £16.95! (Free P&P for You Beauty members. £4.95 p&p for non-members.) It’s available now here. ps I highly recommend spending the £10 voucher on Mio Future Proof!

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Top Five Nail Polish Colours for Toes

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If you fancy experimenting with nail colours, toes are your playground. Maybe it’s the fact that they’re at a distance and not waving around your face (unless you’re a yoga whizz) but pedi colours are a great way to experiment with bold shades you might not normally go for. In Summer I like to go bright and these are my Top Five pedi picks that work best paired with sunshine, golden sands and a cute bikini. And no I’m not modelling them on my toes cos some people are squeamish about that kind of thing…

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1. Models Own Bikini £5 - a bit of a wildcard, this won’t be for everyone - a bold shade that’s part of Models Own Polish for Tans collection, which somehow magically warms up your skintone a few notches!

2. China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy £5.56 - a neon coral pink Miss Budget Beauty enabled purchase - this feel-good shade is beautifully bright and works best with a tan.

3. Orly Color Blast Fruity Pink Neon £9 - a highly pigmented crisp, grown-up neon pink that’s much more wearable on the nail than it appears in the bottle. The slim rubberised lid gives good grip, helping with accurate application.

4. Models Own Shades £5 - a softer, coral toned neon pink that will suit most skin tones. Probably the girliest polish I own.

5. Barry M Gelly Damson £3.99 - my pick of the bunch and the one I’m wearing on my toes. I can’t get enough of this gorgeous cobalt shade and conveniently it’s the cheapest option too!

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If I’m not wearing brights, I’ll opt for an easy-on-the-eye pastel, so I’ve included suggestions for those who prefer something a little more subtle…

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1. Liz Earle Moonlight £7.50 - this soft greeny-grey-blue (helpful description by moi) is part of the Liz Earle’s new Summer range and a classy take on the usual sugary pastels.

2. Barry M Gelly Coconut £3.99 - I’ve raved about this shade on here before (swatches here) and lots of you loved it too. A cool off-white cream that’s much more wearable than stark white, but equally stylish. The great thing about wearing a colour like this on your toes is that it goes with everything!

3. Bourjois So Laque Peace & Mauve £5.99 - one of the prettiest lilacs I’ve tried, I love the cool tone of this lilac - there’s nothing sugary sweet about it, just a really pretty, wearable shade.

4. NYC Peach Popsicles £1.79 - I’m a big fan of NYC nail polish as they offer great quality that far exceeds their budget price. This is a suit-everyone almost pastel; deeper than peach and softer than orange.

5. Models Own HyperGel top coat £8 - gives a gorgeously glossy finish that’s really long lasting - and if you’re anything like me, you don’t want to paint your toenails more often than you need to. It is quite thick in formula, so take your time and don’t overload the brush.

What colours do you like to wear on your toes?

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Currently loving…

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I thought I’d share some products I’m really enjoying right now - the ones I reach for most days - including recent additions and long term loves.

Michael Kors Bronze Powder in Glow, the lightest shade available and the most foolproof bronzer I’ve ever used. This adds warmth, contour and yep, a subtle glow - think radiance rather than glitter.

YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat foundation has never made these pages before. Shame on me. This is one of my all time favourite foundations, rolled out every Summer for its pretty darn perfect glowy finish. I’d describe this as light to medium coverage, though it’s very buildable, never looks caked and gives a really natural skin-like effect. Lasting power isn’t amazing, so primer & a light dusting of powder are required if longevity is an issue.

Eyeko Brow Gel is simply the easiest sweep-on brow colour and tamer I’ve tried. I’m curious about Benefit’s Gimme Brow, as it does sound similar, but I think the formula of this is thinner for a very natural effect. There’s a reason it’s sold out in most places.

Bobbi Brown Art Stick is hands down the best crayon style lip colour I’ve tried, not surprising for a brand that produces exceptional lipsticks. This is so light and silky on the lips and gives a similar finish to an actual lipstick. Well pigmented with good lasting power, Cassis is gorgeous, though not the most Summery shade… clearly I need to pick up another and have spotted some lovely orange and pink shades.

Cosmetics A La Carte Cream Blush in Sweet Pea is one of those shades that looks a little startling in the pan, but divine on the cheeks and provides a cool contrast with bronzer that just works. Its cream to powder formula is very pigmented - I literally pat it onto upper cheeks with a light touch, blend out the edges with a brush and that’s it. The colour lasts all day and gives a lovely healthy glow.

Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Defense SPF 45 is hands down the best facial SPF I’ve tried. If you like City Block, you’ll like this more. It’s the lightest, thinnest formula that sinks in quickly with no white cast, works beautifully under make-up and - very importantly - is suitable for use around the eyes. The formula is ever so slightly tinted, creating a blurring effect when used alone. Literally can’t fault it.

NYX Pore Filler is a silicone based product that temporarily minimizes the appearance of pores when worn alone or under make-up. I go through stages when my pores really bother me and use this on the centre panel of my face when this happens. The packaging says to wear it over make-up, but I find it wears well under it and prefer it to Benefit Pore-fessional.

Macadamia Volumizing Dry Shampoo adds weightless oomph to my hair - no powdery, sticky finish or whitecast, none of that gritty texture that gives me the shivers. Spritzed into roots, it just makes my hair look better - slightly fuller, softer and refreshed. I’m rationing it already.

There’s so much more I could say about these products and so many more of them I could include here, but I wanted to stick with the ones that wowed me the most of late. I hope I’ve provided you with some inspiration from this little round up!

Which product have you reached for the most recently?

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Bodhi & Birch Lime Blossom Hand Serum

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I’ve raved about British eco-luxe brand, Bodhi on here before, recently re-branded as Bodhi & Birch. Its latest launch is a hand serum, which I find particularly appealing as I often apply serum before hand cream for an extra layer of nourishment - and this is the first product I’ve come across which is designed specifically for the purpose.

Lime Blossom Protecting Hand Serum is designed specifically to address signs of ageing, which typically appear on hands before anywhere else on the body. Oils, antioxidants and vitamins - including Olive Squalene and Rose Hip - target lines, age spots and dehydration, while antibacterial lime and green mandarin provide natural protection and smell divine.

Although it’s oil based, this serum sinks in quickly, leaving only a light sheen on my skin and no sticky residue… just one drop is the recommended dose for both hands and forearms. I also like to massage it into elbows, nails and cuticles, probably more often than I should as the scent is so exhilarating - I may be slightly addicted (actually, I’d love a candle that smells like this). For extra dry or dehydrated skin, the serum can be used as a base for hand cream - best used in this way when you won’t need to use your hands for a while, as it will take longer to skin in.

I’m all for keeping my hands looking as youthful as possible, so am using this religiously with a layer of sunscreen on top (so easy to do after applying SPF to face) and occasionally adding a thick layer of moisture on top - preferably pre-Netflix session.

Bodhi & Birch Lime Blossom Protective Hand Serum is available here. While you’re there, check out the brand’s new online magazine, BodhiLuxe

PS Speaking of Netflix, I’m about to start Prison Break Season 3 & loving it, but getting a tad weary of the constant twists & turns - do I persevere - or drop it and start Orange is the New Black?!

 

 

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Michael Kors Make-up

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I was so excited to hear that the third Michael Kors Beauty counter was headed for Belfast…. soothing my woes at the lack of presence from luxury beauty brands such as Tom Ford, Burberry and Charlotte Tilbury. It took approximately 5 minutes for me to race to House of Fraser and I wasn’t disappointed. Much as I love luxury beauty - it’s the main theme of my blog afterall - I can’t deny that I always approach its shiny lure with a certain sense of cynicism, wondering if the glam will outperform the quality. Well it doesn’t get much more glam than the glossy, studded, embossed gold Michael Kors packaging - and I’m happy to report that the contents are just as divine.

Like all Michael Kors Beauty, the make-up is divided into Sexy, Sporty and Glam themes. The products I have here are all from the Sexy collection: Scandal Nail Lacquer, Bombshell Lip Lacquer, Siren Lip Luster and Flush Bronzer. Glam is more vampy and Sporty features nude tones.

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Swatches
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As the name suggests, Flushed is a blush-bronze hybrid, which gives me a been-in-the-sun-all-day style bronze, with a whisper of those reddish undertones that you usually only get from actual sun exposure, rather than a bronzing powder. In the pan and swatch it looks very golden bronze, but it somehow looks warmer and more coral on my face and I tend to wear this on cheeks and temples only, rather than an all over bronze.

Despite their different names, Scandal Nail Lacquer, Bombshell Lip Lacquer (lipstick) and Siren Lip Luster (lip gloss) are all very similar in colour - deep raspberry with a fuchsia sheen - and work beautifully together. The lipstick is more sheer than I expected and I love that I can apply one layer for a sheer-ish pop of colour or build it up and add the gloss for more of a full-on 3D effect. The lipgloss itself is quite pigmented and stands up perfectly well on its own… it’s not a formula that requires a lipstick base. For these swatches I used 2 swipes of lipstick, 1 of gloss and a heavy swatch of the bronzer.

You can see me wearing all of these products in this pic on my Instagram (@Strawbryblonde) and the full range is available at House of Fraser, priced from £15 here.


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A Weekend Breakfast Treat

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When I posted a pic of my Doughnut French Toast on Instagram recently, lots of you asked for the recipe, so I thought I’d share it on here in time for weekend brekkie inspiration!

If you’re familiar with French Toast (or eggy bread as some call it), then this is pretty much it with a couple of little tweaks. It’s my version of a Nigella special.

What you need:

  • Plain white bread
  • Eggs (average 1 per person)
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Sugar
  • frying pan
  • oil (coconut if poss) or butter

Directions:

  • Whisk the eggs lightly with a fork & add a drop of Vanilla Essence
  • Slice bread in half (it’s too floppy to work with in whole slices)
  • Lift bread with a fork and dip in egg to coat, let any excess run off and add to medium hot frying pan.
  • Flip over when golden, add to plate and sprinkle with sugar.

It’s the vanilla and sugar that make this taste donut-esque, so experiment with quantities until it’s right for you… I just add a few drops. You could add some fruit fritters to make it all more healthy - just add chunks of fruit to the pan for a minute until they soften, once the bread is all cooked - and serve on top.

A couple of you have already tried this and are now hooked, (I was impressed by Kate’s today here) so if you give it a go, let me know - and enjoy!

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Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick

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You’ve heard me rave about Bourjois Rouge Velvet already - and now we have a new offering in bullet form. Think highly pigmented, longwearing lipstick with a matte finish *and here’s the important bit* that feels comfortable and non-drying on the lips. It’s true. Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick feels creamy on application - and stays that way. It has a little more slip than some of the will-not-budge matte formulas, but in all honesty, I’ll forgive a smidge more touching up for a product that I can wear all week without it drying my lips out… five days and counting.

The colours aren’t quite as POW as some of the other offerings around, though my favourite, Matte Magenta is beautifully vivid and I love the look of Matte Mandarin (spotted on A Model Recommends). And anyway, we don’t all want to have shouty lips, all the time.

Swatches

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The colours pull enough punch for me and as you can see, are buildable to true intensity. They can also be patted on for a softer look and in terms of wear time, survive drinks but are half way to requiring touch up after food. They do stain the lips and I was quite bemused to see a trace of Matte Peony on my lips through bleary eyes this morning.

On the Lips

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Apols for the messy hair & rubbish quality of these phone pics, literally snapped on the go during a busy weekend, but it’s always good to see product applied. This is Matte Magenta - true blue-toned magenta (left) and Matte Peony - reddish pink with coral undertones (right).

I do love a strong lip paired with a sweep of bronzer and mascara in Summer - and think these are a great way to achieve this look as they’re just so wearable - and once they’re on, need very little attention.

Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks, £17 are available from Boots or Sephora

You like?

Check out my review on Bourjois Rouge Velvet for a more pocket friendly alternative.

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Barry M Nails Summer 2014: Matte & Limited Edition colours

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Barry M is bringing it this Summer. We’ve already been treated to some gorgeous new Gellys - and this week sees the launch of a whole new Summer collection of Matte brights and Limited Edition shimmery Summer shades.

Matte Colours

First up, the mattes - not my usual thing, but there’s no denying that these colours are pretty wow and I can see them being a huge hit. In order of large swatches above:

Waikiki - lime green; Copacabana - orangey red; Miami - sugary pink; Malibu - bright sky blue; Rhossili - magenta; Cancun - turquoise teal.

Matte Formula

I found the formula of these excellent… they apply smoothly and are so highly pigmented, you could almost get away with one coat. The finish is matte but not flat; as you can see above there is a subtle sheen, which I really like. Barry M has also launched a matte top coat to go over these, which completely mattifies the colour - I’m wearing it over Copacabana in the top pic. While these colours are beautiful, matte formulas are not very forgiving to hands and nails… I find that they highlight any little flaws or dryness, so if you want to try them, give yourself a mani and start slathering on the hand cream now!

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Barry M Summer 2014 Limited Edition

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Fans of more traditional Summer nail polish will be smitten with these four new shades; three with a two tone shimmer finish and 1 a cream.

Limited Edition Summer Colours

Seaside - turquoise with purple shimmer; Bikini - Cornflower blue-lavender crème; Carousel - coral with gold shimmer; Promenade - mid pink with silver shimmer.

Formula

The shimmers are quite subtle and super pretty when the sun catches them… despite multiple attempts I couldn’t capture the purple in Seaside, but it’s there! I love all four, but my favourite is the cornflower crème, Bikini, which I’ve been wearing on my toes, with Carousel coral on my fingers. Seaside and Promenade (exclusive to Superdrug) are slightly more sheer and I needed 3 coats for opacity. The finish is glossier than it looks in the swatch of Carousel below… for some reason it looks semi matte in this pic, but definitely isn’t!

 BarryM-Carousel-swatch-pic-coral-orange-gold-shimmer

Barry M  Matte and Limited Edition  Summer 2014 shades are priced at £3.99 each, available at Superdrug from June 4th and Boots from June 11th. You find the Matte Collection at Boots online now HERE… My favourites, Carousel and Bikini Blue Limited Editions are also at Boots online HERE.

                                                

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                        Mattes                                                    Limited Editions

 BarryM-Summer-Matte-collection-Waikiki,Copacobana,Miami,Malibu,Rhossili,Cancun                                Barry M Summer Limited Edition Nail Paint

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