Archive for March 2013

Benefit Fake Up Concealer Beauty Blog Review

Benefit Fake Up (L-R) Deep, Medium, Light* - £18.50

I've been meaning to put this post up for a while mainly because, and I'm going start with this, I absolutely love Fake Up and I've been wanted to rave about it for some time - it's just so hard to find the time!

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend an event in Leeds held by the lovely Lisa Potter-Dixon and the Benefit PR team, to celebrate the launch of Fake Up, the new hydrating concealer that is also crease controlling. I have to say that even though I've been desperate to find a truly hydrating under eye concealer for some time, I was slightly sceptical about the idea of encasing a concealer with a hydrating balm. I was still sceptical despite the Benefit girls' contagious enthusiasm for the product!

So, the light defusing concealer is encased by hydrating ring containing apple seed extract (not sure what properties that is supposed to have) and vitamin E - which we all know has anti ageing properties that are great for the skin! My first thoughts were, after falling in love with the pretty packaging, that's a lot of balm and it has that cheap lipstick smell to it. When I swatched it on my hand at the event I was also concerned that it seemed quite thick for an under-eye concealer.

It does feel different to other concealers aimed at under eyes, but it's definitely not heavy. It blends in really nicely, leaving a brightened dewy finish to the skin. Benefit claim that this is a crease-control concealer, and I have to 100% agree! It's not exactly crease less, I have one crease under my eyes that it sometimes sits in, but that's all. I've not once had to worry about this concealer like I used to with Bo-ing. The best thing about Fake Up however is that it actually moisturises the area, and keeps it moisturised all day! I've actually noticed more of a change to my under eye area from using Fake Up for a few weeks than I have with most eye creams. My under eye is softer, smoother may even have fewer fine lines!

Benefit's Fake Up comes in three different shades, Light, Medium and Deep. We were given all three shades to take away to try. I currently find myself in between Light and Medium, the two blended together work great. I'm not convinced Deep would suit all darker skin tones, but hopefully blended in it would look good. Lisa Potter Dixon gave the tip of using the Deep as a contour on lighter skin, which I think is a great idea if you've got a dry skin, but I don't know if the balm will work well on my already oily skin.

Benefit Fake Up is released this weekend in the UK, so seriously go check it out!

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Benefit Fake Up Concealer Leeds Launch Event

Benefit's Hello Flawless Custom Powder Beauty Blog review

Benefit's Hello Flawless SPF 15 Custom Powder (Champagne)* - £24.50

I'm really not a foundation wearer. Other than the odd time on a night out, I put my BB Cream on in the morning and that's me done for the day. You can probably count the number of powder foundations I've owned in my life on one hand. For some reason they intimidate me, I can only explain it by the fact I don't really like the powder look and I feel like I have to spend more time applying a powder to make it look natural. This probably sounds strange from someone with oily skin, but I do prefer the dewy look and I'm happy to simply blot me skin throughout the day rather add layer upon layer of powder.

I was introduced to the Hello Flawless custom cover up powder at the launch event for Fake Up in Leeds (which I love and am wearing under my eyes in this picture - review coming soon!) and I'm so glad the lovely team gave us it to try - I'm a new powder convert! Benefit's Head Make-Up artist artist, Lisa Potter-Dixon colour matched me to the colour Champagne and I think she was spot on.

The great thing about the Hello Flawless is that it is exactly what it's full name suggests, completely customisable. Tucked away in the ventilated compartment are both a sponge, for spot cover up, and a super soft brush to create that sheer finishing powder look. Where I get more spots around my jaw line I press on the powder using the sponge, I think it does a fab job at covering up my spots. I don't even need to add concealer! Everywhere else I lightly brush on the powder - maybe not great to do alone if like a heavy coverage, but if you do it's easily buildable. With the small amount I put on, Hello Flawless doesn't keep shine away for a full day, but it's lightweight enough to brush on throughout the day without ever getting cakey.

It's the 1 year anniversary of the Hello Flawless range and to celebrate Benefit are currently offering 10% off the liquid and powder foundations online, just enter 'wow' at checkout!

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LUSH Ultrabland Facial Cleanser Beauty Blog Review

LUSH Ultrabland Facial Cleanser - £6.75 (45g)

Ultrabland is a cleanser like I've never experienced before. I'd heard it mentioned from time to time on the internet - to mixed reviews, but I didn't pay much attention until I was browsing a LUSH store a few weeks ago. I was impressed when the sales assistant told me that it was one of the best selling cleansers and that the LUSH founders swear by it. I even had a little in store demonstration that left the skin on the back of my hand feeling extra soft.

With an impressive list of natural ingredients, such as almond oil, beeswax, honey and rose water, Ultrabland is meant to be great for all skin types, even very sensitive skin, without causing any irritation or reaction. It is even said to work to bring problem skin back to balance.

First impressions when I was throwing Ultrabland all over my face was the smell, it's not great. It's not too strong that it's completely off-putting, but it's seriously not nice - you can really smell the bees wax! The beeswax and almond oil create a very thick, and very strange waxy-oily cream, which I smooth all over my face at night. The more you rub it in the more greasy the product becomes on the skin, but it's at this stage that I seem to feel the honey does it's job at soothing and moisturising. Ultrabland is gentle enough to rub over your eyes, and does a really good job at removing eye makeup.

Now the most controversial aspect of the product seems to be in it's removal, I think this may be where it gets a few complaints. Instructions tell you to 'lift away with a damp cotton pad', I'm telling you it's not all as easy as all that! The waxy residue left on the skin takes absolutely ages to remove with cotton pads, the first time I used the product I literally felt like I was stood at the sink all night and not getting anywhere, so I ended up lifting the remainder off with MAC Cleanse Off Oil!

Now I use a muslin cloth to remove the cleanser, which works a lot better, but this still leaves a slight residue on the skin - which I find ok on a night. My skin is left feeling really soft, comfortable, soothed and very clean! I can't imagine using this product an a morning, my skin can be oily enough as it is through the day without the extra 'treatment' that I feel Ultrabland gives, but also because I often just don't have the time before work!

Have you tried LUSH's Ultrabland? Let me know what you think of this or any other their cleansers!

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When the 50 Facts About Me tag started to surface I was bit like - urgh, who cares and never read them! Then people started breaking them down to 25, and it caught my attention. I found myself loving the tags that I read, whether they were fun and light hearted or totally deep, honest and personal - I even found myself going back and reading the 50 factors! So here I am with my 25...

1) I've been vegetarian for over 10 years.

2) I fell in love with Italy after attending a summer school at the British School of Rome whilst at Uni. I had the best time ever visiting archaeological sites around the city.

3) This experience inspired me to learn Italian. I took evening classes after work at both GCSE and AS level. The courses have finished but I'm still trying to learn!

4) I don't drink tea. It's one of my most antisocial qualities.

5) I always wanted to get a horse called Hazel when I grew up. It hasn't happened.

6) I have a scar on my eyebrow (accident as a baby) and on the palm of my hand (bit by an Alsatian).

7) I did geography A-Level because I wanted to be a weather girl.

8) I used to hate olives but now I'm addicted to them!

9) I'm a teeny tiny 5'4. I wish I was taller.

10) I live for my holidays.

11) I don't like my teeth.

12) Malta is like my second home.

13) I think I might be addicted to fizzy drinks. I hate that fact.

14) I got engaged in Rome. Chris proposed in italian ♡

15) I love films, but don't have a favourite Who could choose just one?!

16) I probably have enough fancy dress outfits to start a shop!

17) I'm obsessed with reading. I love everything from fantasy to thriller, historical drama to chick lit. I particularly love a series of books - the obsession can last longer!

18) I'm happy in my own company, but get depressed when I'm lonely.

19) I was massively into pop punk, metal, rock and ska up until finishing uni. Now, not as much, but I still hold a soft spot!

20) I'm really bad with names.

21) I don't particularly enjoy driving. It's a way to get from A to B, but I much prefer being a passenger!

22) I always order the same thing at Wagamama. No.27 - no mushrooms (I hate mushrooms, which can be awkward when you're vegetarian!)

23) I went to Newcastle University and studied Ancient History.

24) My niece, Sophia, is Maltese. She's just turned 2 years old and is the most fun ever. Visiting her in Gozo is my favourite thing to do. Ever.

25) I'm half Irish.

Well done if you made it to the end, I hope you enjoyed it! If you've done this tag, post me your YouTube or blog post links below. I love having a nosy!