Eye Creams by Pai, Super Facialist & Anatomicals

Today I want to talk about some great eye products I’ve been using by Pai, Super Facialist and Anatomicals, all of which offer different solutions, from anti ageing to cooling and soothing.  I consider eye cream the most important skincare choice after moisturiser - and don’t doubt that others of a certain age will agree with me.  I’ve personally been using it since my early 20s, which I think is about right. 

The big guns don’t need to be rolled in early - I believe in keeping skincare as simple as possible: focusing on hydration and prevention of early lines until extra help is actually required.

I’ll begin with the anti-ageing products,  priorities and all that - two very natural products, suitable for sensitive eyes…

Pai Echium & Super Facialist Neroli Firming

Pai echium anti-ageing eye cream

I’m a huge advocate of Pai skincare and you’ll often hear me rave about it. I’ve previously reviewed the Geranium & Thistle Moisturiser {here} and have great respect for founder, Sarah Brown, who has given me so much amazing skincare advice over the past year. 

Echium is a seed extract containing a rare form of omega 3 and Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), both of which aid skin regeneration and smoothing.  This fine lotion feels gentle and soothing on my eyes and I love the hygienic pump.  I especially like to use this at night when my eyes feel tired (usually due to overuse of my laptop!) - I’ve been wakening with my eye area looking well rested and without puffiness.

£24 for 10ml at Paiskincare.com

 

Super Facialist by Una Brennan: Neroli Firming Illuminate Eye Cream

I’ve already raved about a couple of Una Brennan’s new ‘facial at home’ hydrating rose skincare products {here} and continue to love using them, so I was delighted to hear of her Eye Cream launch on August 13. It hasn’t disappointed either!

Infused with a host of natural ingredients including Aloe Vera, Cucumber Oil and Apple Stem Cells to target fine lines and hydrate.  The illumination comes from moisture replenishing Hyaluronic Acid, Shea Butter and Grapeseed Oil, to soothes, revives and brighten.  Dispensed from a thin nozzle, I love how this product feels on my skin and find that it really hydrates and brightens my eye area in the mornings.

I’m not sure of the exact role of the Neroli, but my research tells me it has smoothing properties and aids skin regeneration, all good stuff!

The price point for this product is superb: £11.99 for 15ml, exclusively at Boots from 13 August 2012.

 

Anatomicals Eye Gel & Regenerating Eye Cream

Anatomicals offers two great value options to moisturise and refresh anti the eye area. The quirky branding and packaging for this company always brings a smile to my face.

no old bags allowed eye gel is great for cooling, soothing and de-puffing, whether you’re suffering from the heat or a night on the tiles.  Keep it in the fridge or cool bag for maximum ahhhh… effect.  A suitcase staple if you’re lucky enough to be heading off on holiday!

‘eye cream, you scream, we all scream for eye cream’ (try saying that fast!) regenerating eye cream is gently moisturising for daily use.  While it may not have quite enough oopmh for this old bag, I think late teens or early 20s would love this product. Better still you can slip it in with your clothes shopping from asos.

no old bags eye gel £3.10 for 15ml at asos.com

‘you scream’ regenerating eye cream £4.70 for 15ml at asos.com

Which eye cream are you using at the moment?

press samples inc

Japonesque Brushes: Pro Finishing Fan, Angled Foundation & Travel Lux Bronzer

Today I’m talking makeup brushes, namely three Japonesque beauties that I’ve been loving lately: Travel Lux Bronzer, Pro Angled Foundation and Pro Finishing Fan.  Established 20 years ago in the US, Japonesque create high spec makeup brushes and tools made with a range of synthetic and natural hairs.  Designed with input from award winning makeup artists, and the chosen tools of many beauty professionals, they are now available at HQHair in the UK.

Packaging is simple, chic and substantial, with illustrated descriptions of how to use each product on the back.

 

Pro Finishing Fan Brush (natural)

 

One of Japonesque’s newest designs, the Pro Finishing Fan Brush is made with natural bristles and designed for finishing and contouring. The bristles aren’t as spiky as they look in my pics… I just wanted to show how slim it is from the side.  Fan brushes are a relatively new discovery for me… I had no clue what to do with them at first but have had fun learning through trial and error this Summer. 

I mainly use mine for applying a light sweep of strongly pigmented powders, such as bronze or blush.  This fan brush allows me to pick up the smallest amount of product for gentle coverage, as I’ll demonstrate in a moment.  I also use it to apply highlighter on cheekbones or to finish a final look, sweeping it gently across my face to blend and remove any excess product.

Pro Fan Brush: Tips for Use (from box)

 

Travel Lux Bronzer (Natural)

Of the three brushes I was sent for review, this one is my absolute favourite and I’ve been using daily ever since!  Strokably soft, densely packed, smooth contours, fat handles and… well kinda cuddly (!!!) I just adore this brush.

Its dome shape enables smooth, flawless application of bronzer, which is what I’ve been using it for the most - not a streak in sight.  I find that the extreme softness of the bristles and gently contoured shape means extending seamless colour to the neck and décolleté is dreamily easy. 

It picks up quite a lot of product, so I mainly use it with quite gently pigmented powders that I’m not scared of overdoing, such as Clarins Duo Bronzer in Light 01 {see my review here}. 

If in a rush I’ll occasionally use the tip of it to pop blusher on the apples of my cheeks - such as NARS Orgasm and Benefit Hervana {review} - but today I made the mistake of doing this with Illamasqua Powder Blush in Lover, hoping for a whisper of peach and instead ended up with tangerine cheeks!

Lux Travel Bronzer: Tips for Use

 

Performance Demo

I did a little demo to illustrate how differently the Pro Fan Brush and Travel Lux Bronzer pick up and disperse colour…

I hope this illustrates how different the same product can appear simply by using different brushes - and gives you an idea of how these two perform.  The Lux Bronzer distributes the product finely and evenly with dense coverage, whereas the Pro Fan Brush gives a light coverage of faint colour.  I love that just switching tools can make the same product so much more versatile!

 

Pro Angled Foundation Brush (synthetic)

While I think this brush looks and feels beautiful, I must admit it’s the one I was least excited to try, purely because I’ve become so out of the habit of using this style of foundation brush.  I normally use the Real Techniques Stippling Brush (and want to try their Buffing Brush, which I believe is great for foundation),  so returning to ‘painting’ on foundation was an odd transition which just felt a bit unnatural to me.

Having said that, I have given this a fair testing for the purpose of this review and do have to admit that it performs better than my other angled foundation brushes (by Estee Lauder and Crown).  I tried it with both cream {Laura Mercier Crème Smooth} and liquid {MyFace MyMix} foundations and felt it worked particularly well with the cream, allowing me to select between fuller coverage or sheering out where less was needed.

The angled cut and tapered edge allowed for precision around eyes and nose, with the flatter surface for sweeping across cheeks, forehead and jawline.  I was happy with the finish it gave, which appearing a bit more ‘made up’ than normal.  It’s just a personal choice that I currently prefer bigger, fluffier brushes for foundation application.

Angled Foundation Brush: Tips for Use

Japonesque brushes are now available from HQHair.com in the UK with free delivery

Pro Angled Foundation Brush £19.50

Pro Finishing Fan Brush £15.00

Travel Lux Bronzer: £36.00

 

 

GOSH BB Cream: Sand 01 & Beige 02 Review & Swatches

While it may not have been the first to launch a BB Cream, GOSH has certainly been one of the most innovative… particularly when it comes to colour, offering five shades ranging from very pale to very dark, with a colour adaptive formula.  It also contains anti-ageing Phytosan, SPF 15 and is water resistant, making it holiday/rain friendly, depending on your location/luck!

The packaging is simple and chic, in matt black slimline tubes with a helpful colour window.  Designed to work without moisturiser or primer, I personally find that a primer, the formula is creamy enough that I can skip moisturiser if I choose. My skin is quite dry, so if yours is normal or oily, it would definitely be worth giving this a go minus moisturiser. SPF 15 is lower than I prefer for my face (min SPF 30), but I’m still pleased that it’s in there.

Swatches

Beige is very pale on me, but I could probably get away with it in Winter, warmed up with blusher. Sand is perfect for now - yay!  You can see all five shades on Laura’s blog here.

The texture is a bit like a gel cream; it doesn’t have the chalkiness of some BBs and feels genuinely moisturising.

Actually in this pic the Sand looks like an ever better match! I do think it’s a bit pale on my face for Summer though, despite the fact that I generally lean towards paler shades. Check my freckles i the top pic to get an idea of coverage… I’d describe it as more than a tinted moisturiser; closer to a light coverage foundation - and a fraction less coverage than I’m completely comfortable with. Saying that, I’ve been reaching for it a lot the past couple of weeks - it’s so quick and easy to use and once concealer is added, I’m happy to be seen in public! ;)

I think a lot of you will love GOSH BB Cream… it’s quite affordable at £9.99 and due out any day now, available exclusively at Superdrug.

press sample

Summer Hand Creams & Treatments: Dove Spa, Miss Polly & Natio

I’ve been paying a lot more attention to looking after my hands this past year and find that they need different forms of tlc depending on the season.  I used to quite like my hands and am sad at how they’re starting to show their age…. when I was younger I thought hand creams were for moisturising your palms, maybe that’s where it all went wrong!  Hands often show signs of ageing even faster than the face and are much more difficult to hide (ever noticed Madonna’s?).

These are the three products I’ve been reaching for recently to care for mine…

 

Dove Spa Close at Hand

Described as ‘a pair of invisible gloves’ this contains Vitamins A, E and B3 and water lily extract to help reduce signs of ageing and apricot oil to moisturise and help elasticity.  It does feel lovely and nourishing and has a fresh, slightly apricot smell, but it tastes quite bitter. Not that I ate it (!!!) but have a dreadful habit of putting my hands in my mouth - not good - and so for me the taste is genuinely a bonus, as it reminds me not to do so!  Just don’t apply this when you’re about to eat and you’ll be fine!

£5 for 50ml at dovespa.co.uk

 

Natio

Sadly, there is a serious shortage of hand creams with SPF, in fact it’s ridiculous how few of them there are around, so I often end up using my Natio sunscreen SPF30+ on the backs of my hands.  I’m not religious about it, but I try to remember.  It’s very light, slightly moisturising and non sticky, so it actually works quite well as a hand cream. Originally bought (& still used) for my face, I reviewed it in full here.

£9.20 at Debenhams

 

Miss Polly Intensive Hand Treatment

When my hands are in need of serious pampering, this is what I’ve been turning to - and it’s so darn beautiful sometimes I just use a tiny bit of it anyway.  I’ve wanted to try it for quite a while and finally treated myself - it’s made with 100% natural ingredients and great for treating dry skin (including psoriasis or eczema).

“The high organic shea content repairs any rough or broken skin you may have, while the meadowfoam and Rice Bran oils work their magic by being easily absorbed and quick to nourish.”

Mine is Pink Grapefruit fragrance and I can’t begin to tell you how amazing it smells… the shea butter softens any sharpness, but there’s still a proper sweet pink grapefruit freshness if you inhale it closely, which I can’t stop doing. I’ve just stopped and applied some now as I couldn’t resist, which was stupid as it’s not very conducive to typing.

The high shea content means that this is set almost solid in the jar, but easily softens to the touch and melts into a glorious oily buttery finish on the hands that feels soooo soothing and just like nothing else I’ve ever tried.

Miss Polly (herself as sweet as her products) is currently rebranding and repacking her range, so sadly the full collection isn’t available at the moment, but will be back very soon.  The good news is that some products in the former packaging are available at 25% discount and I’d encourage you to try them. I previously reviewed the Nourishing Serum here, and still hail it as one of my favourites - a total steal at the price.

EDIT: Intensive Hand Treatment is now available in 3 fragrances: Lemon & Mandarin, Pink Grapefruit, Lavender & Rosewood

Miss Polly Intensive Hand Treatment £12.50 at misspolly.co.uk

 

Anyway, this was meant to be a quick post (will I ever learn?!) and that’s way too much ranting about hand creams so I’ll go to bed now… thank you all for reading, as always! x

Liz Earle Healthy Glow Cream Blush in Coral 05

It’s difficult to choose makeup online, but of everything in Liz Earle’s recently launched colour range, the blush appealed to me the most. 

*My name is Nic & I have a serious weakness for blusher.*

Nectar and Rose both look pretty, but gotta go with Coral (my other weakness) for Summer.

There isn’t much pink in this coral; it’s predominantly orange in tone, like a soft tangerine. The packaging is chic and simple, a little navy mirrored compact speckled with glitter.

I really liked that it arrived with colour cards for the full range (giving me ideas for future purchases, naturally!).

Here is how the actual colour compares to that on the card, slightly lighter and brighter, but close enough.  I also like the little blank space next to each colour, allowing you to compare them to your own existing products.

A heavy swatch by hand (top) and a lighter one with my beloved Bdellium Tools Duet Fibre brush {review here, available here}.  I use this brush to apply it to my cheeks; the product is very creamy and buildable… I just stipple it on, patting it onto my cheeks without too much movement so as not to disturb the foundation below it.

A closer look at swatches… despite being initially creamy, the finish is almost powdery, as you can probably see in the heavier swatch here.  It also works on lips - in fact it’s a perfect lip colour for me - though I prefer it with the addition of gloss or applied over my EOS lip balm {review here} for a more comfortable, natural finish.

Please excuse the pic (tired eyes + little eye makeup = not a good mix!) but at least my cheeks and lips look healthy!  While it didn’t blow me away, I do like the colour and formula of this blush - it’s very comfortable on the skin and lasting power is ok on me, requiring a touch up during the day, though this may vary on different people.

Liz Earle will extend its Colour collection this Autumn with foundation, mascara, lip colour, lip pencils and more brushes and tools - I’m looking forward to experimenting more!

Healthy Glow Cream Blush is £16.50 here. Have you tried any Liz Earle blushes - or anything else from her Colour range?  I’m curious to know how the powder blushers perform.

Imedeen Hair & Nails Supplements: Beauty Resolutions #1

As a beauty blogger, I often have to discipline myself to stick to various regimes in order to thoroughly test products before sharing my views with you.  Sometimes it seems I perform so many ‘beauty rituals’ that I feel like a diva (& yes there are times when I feel like forgetting it all for a night & just jumping into bed!).  At other times I’m aware that I neglect certain procedures that I shouldn’t… simple things like applying cuticle oil religiously. 

So I’ve decided to lay my cards on the table and share with you which beauty regime I plan to stick to each month, in the hope that you can hold me accountable… in fact I’d love it if some of you would join me so we can spur eachother on!

First up is supplements.  Not very sexy, but I’m becoming increasingly convinced of their benefits.  Now I don’t know about you, but I’m useless at taking supplements.  I buy them full of great intentions, give them pride of place where I’ll see them daily (usually the cupboard where I keep breakfast things), be a good girl for a few days, then start thinking ‘oh I’ll take them later…’ and on it goes. 

I’ve recently started a new set, which I’m actually excited about, because I really think they will work: Imedeen Hair & Nails.  I’ve heard great things about Imedeen’s skincare supplements, so am enthusiastic about taking these and hope my anticipation will help me stick to taking them regularly!

They claim to help maintain healthy hair and nails via a targeted combination of key nutrients and new formula upgrade.  Ingredients include up to ten times more Biotin than other supplements (for hair growth and follicle formation), zinc (to maintain healthy hair and nails), silica and vitamin B complex. 

I’m on a 3 month trial and will of course report back on my findings. Customers have even reported a difference in eyelash growth, so I have high hopes!

IMEDEEN’s Hair & Nails capsules relaunch in Boots nationwide tomorrow (August 1^st) RRP £23.99

Anyone else up for monthly beauty resolutions? (why save these things for January?!)

Product provided for review

Mavala Denim Blue 178: Jeans for Genes Monday Mani

£1 from every purchase of Mavala’s Limited Edition Jeans for Genes Day Kit, sold exclusively through BeautyBay.com, will help transform the lives of children affected by genetic disorders.

The Swiss nail care brand has partnered with Jeans for Genes Day to raise cash for Genetic Disorders UK.  By purchasing one of these gorgeous sets you will also be entered into a draw to win an office manicure day for you and your colleagues with Mavala Nail Ambassador & Celebrity Manicurist, Jenni Draper.

And if all of that isn’t good reason enough to purchase, the polishes are gorgeous to boot!

The dinky little kit contains a bottle of deliciously metallic polish in Denim Blue along with Mavala’s Super Base and Top Coat Fixator.

The polish is so highly pigmented you could almost get away with a single coat, though of course I did two.  A beautiful dark denim navy, the iridescent shimmer appears almost royal blue in direct light.

Excuse the nick in my forefinger nail above (where I was interrupted to make gravy!), but I love how the colour looks almost peacock blue in this image.

In the shade, or a softer light, it just looks like a gorgeously glossy navy with a high sheen. Love it!

Mavala Limited Edition Jeans for Genes Day Kit costs £10.00 only at BeautyBay.com and is available now. £1 from every purchase will be given to Genetic Disorders UK.

Jeans for Genes Day is on Friday 5th October 2012, when people are asked to show support by wearing jeans to work or school in return for a donation - why not suggest it at your work or school? More info at jeansforgenesday.org

Dr LeWinn’s Renunail Nail Strengthener: Rave Review

This is the second bottle of Dr LeWinn’s Renunail Nail Strengthener that I’ve purchased.  I’ve tried others, but for really powerful, rapid results Dr LeWinn’s is a winner.

My nails had become soft and brittle over the past few months and I was fed up with them, especially when posting nail pics on my blog - I felt I wasn’t doing the polishes justice - it was time to call in the heavies!

The reason I hadn’t purchased earlier is because Renunail doesn’t come cheap, but there are valid reasons for that.  Firstly, it’s twice the size of a normal bottle of strengthener or polish at 30ml/1 fl oz. Secondly, it works quicker and more effectively than anything else I’ve tried. It literally makes my nails hard as nails - and has done the same for so many friends that I recommended it to.  It’s a very runny formula, so only a little is needed, meaning the bottle does last me a long time.

“This calcium enriched award wining treatment product is the ultimate hero in the Dr LeWinn’s line.  Promising longer strong nails in just 4 weeks this nail strengthening complex is perfect for weak, brittle, slow growing and prone to chipping nails as an intensive SOS treatment.”

I’ve been applying it once or twice a day for a couple of weeks and as you can hopefully see, my nails are now strong, healthy and for me - quite long - or as long as I like to go really.

The recommended programme of use is:

• 2 coats daily for 5 days
• remove on day 7
• repeat process x 3 for 25 days in total
• give nails a rest for 1-2 wks

While I have given my nails a break from polish the past week, I generally don’t stick to any kind of regime - I just apply Renunail when I remember, use it as a base coat for polish and sometimes apply it over polish.

It does contain Formaldehyde, which I know will put some of you off - and it’s advised to avoid cuticles during application (I have done so by accident & it just stung slightly - no biggy). 

Normally priced at £17.50 at drlewinns.co.uk, I was lucky to pick it up at my local Sainsbury’s where the range was on offer for around £11 a couple of weeks ago.  I also got the top coat, which seems pretty good too - I’ll include it in an overview of my favourite top coats coming soon.

I also rate Nailtiques Formula 2, which I reviewed here - it works well if you’re not in so much of a hurry - and doesn’t make nails quite so hard. I wasn’t impressed by OPI Nail Envy, which did very little for my nails, though I’ve heard others rave about it.

If you’ve tried any other products by Dr LeWinn’s I’d love to know what you think of them… please do leave a comment below.