Oriflame First Impressions And Review

L-R : The One Eye liner Stylo and The One Illuskin Blush 

If you haven't already heard of the Oriflame, let me give you a brief introduction. Oriflame Cosmetics was founded in 1967 by two Swedish brothers. They are now a huge international brand selling make-up, fragrance, skincare, bodycare, hair, accessories and nutritional products. 

Price wise, I'd say they're neither high end nor are they budget. The products I have here retail for £8.45 for the Eye Liner Stylo* and £8.95 for the Illuskin Blush*.

The One Illuskin Blush in 'Pink Glow' 4g.

The One Illuskin Blush is small in size but mighty in deliverance. The left side is a gorgeous rosy pink shade and the right side is a very light pink shade with shimmery particles.

Upon using this the first time, I applied the light shade as a highlight first then I applied the blush. I was blown away by the blush shade, it's so pigmented, easy to blend and a stunning colour which gives a natural rosy flush effect. However, the highlight side left me a tad underwhelmed. It isn't as dewy as I like in a highlighter and although the glittery particles don't really show up on the skin, it didn't work for me as a stand alone highlighter.

So, the second time I used it I mixed the two shades together and it gave a lovely glowy flush look to my cheeks, Yay! I like it more using that way also. The actual size of this blush is about 6cm by 6cm so it's quite hard to select one shade without mixing the two.

Over the course of 13 hours, I only noticed minor fading.

I absolutely LOVE the shade of this pink. It looks stunning on the cheeks. I am currently transitioning from my summer corals to pinks ready for Autumn/Winter so I cannot wait to carry on using this.

Illuskin blush available here from Oriflame

The One Eye Liner Stylo in black 0.8ml

Firstly, when it comes to eyeliner - that doesn't go on the waterline, I struggle a bit. I've tried gel liners, liquid liners and one felt tip liner. Out of all three, I find the pointed pen type like this the absolute easiest to work with. Plus there's no need for brushes or pots of gel too. This format is great for travelling or popping into your bag as it's so lightweight and compact.

When I first tried this, I swatched it onto my hand and I was taken aback by how pigmented and wet it applied.

The nib moves just enough, its not stiff and it doesn't bend too much, it's perfect.

Most importantly, the actual product is phenomenal. I swatched that heart on my hand in the morning (when I took these photos). It is now 11pm as I write this and 99% of the liner is still on my hand, despite me washing my hands many times.

Of course I applied it to my eyes too, that's what it's for after all! 

I managed to line my upper lash line on the first attempt! This may be a first. This product really is a pleasure to use. I have used many eyeliners and I am most impressed with this one. This liner has not budged, it has not flaked, it has not smudged and it has not altered in any way. And I'm talking 13 hours of wear - mostly in the sweltering heat :-0. I'm amazed! I've spent double the amount of this on ''high end'' liners that have flaked off after a few hours. I may have found my go to eye liner at last. This is a keeper!

Eye liner Stylo available here from Oriflame

These are the first two products I have tried from Oriflame and I am super impressed. I will definitely be having a browse on The Oriflame Website to see what else I like the look of..

*PR Samples sent for review. All opinions and photographs are my 100% own and I was not paid nor sponsored for this review.

Have you tried Oriflame Cosmetics before?

What are your favourite items?

Please leave a comment down below and let me know.

Thanks as always for stopping by.

July Favourites...

Hello and welcome back to my blog.

So, another month has gone by and we're into our last month of summer. Soon it will be Autumn *jumps for joy* I don't know about you guys but I have had enough of this heat now. Besides the sweltering days and nights, the infestation of moths and flies in the house, not being able to sleep at night and having sweat drip from every orifice on my body after being in the car for 5 minutes...there are some things I enjoyed during the month of July. So let's get to it.

Imperial Leather - Rose Garden Rejuvinating Hand Wash £2.

I am that person that stands in the aisles, sniffing everything before I buy it. Fabric softeners, deodorants, washing up liquid and hand wash. When I saw this new range of Imperial Leather of hand washes in Tesco last month, of course I had a sniff of all of them. When I unscrewed this one, I was taken aback by it's likeness to my all time favourite perfume, Chloe. I kid ye not, this smells just like Chloe. The clue is in the title, rose petals and elderflower. I find myself drawn to anything with a rose base in that's why I love this sooooo much. I just wish they did a shower cream of it *Writes to Cussons*

This is available here from Tesco

UFIT High Protein Nutrition Drink £2

I have been buying these UFIT protein drinks for weeks, well ever since they were reduced to £1 from £2. In fact I bought enough to fill the bottom shelf in my fridge as they are tasty, nutritional, great for on the go and most importantly...high in protein. I think these are great value at £1 but I'm not sure I will buy them as often at £2. There are two flavours : Chocolate and strawberry. I bought both (no sniffing prior to purchasing with these!) 

Available here from Tesco

The Body Shop - Instablur primer £14

I am not normally one for using a face primer. But, I read a review on this and thought I'd give it a go. So, whilst in The Body Shop (naturally doing lots of sniffing!) I decided to plop this into my basket. £14 is way more than I would want to spend on a primer but I had a 'spend £25 and save £10' voucher so I got it.

I really like it, I am enjoying using this. It gives a nice smoothing effect to your skin thus creating the perfect base for applying foundation on and extending the longevity of your make-up. This clear face perfector contains marula oil and has no scent which gets a bonus thumbs up from me. 

Available here from The Body Shop

The Body Shop - Absinthe Hand Cream £11.

I love The Body Shop hand creams. I have the almond one and the hemp one so I had no intention of buying another just yet. But whilst making a few purchases last month, this absinthe hand cream was thrown into my bag as a freebie for 'Love Your Body' card holders that day. So on top of my discount voucher and love your body discount, I got a freebie. An £11 freebie! Oh how I love The Body Shop.

The difference with this hand cream is it has a refreshing scent which conceals odour whilst moisturising. My hands feel so clean and fresh after using this and i love the scent!

Available here from The Body Shop

Clinique Chubby Sticks - 07 Super Strawberry and 06 Woppin' watermelon (free with glamour magazine)

I have wanted to try the Clinique Chubby Sticks for a long time but at £17 each, I have always refrained. So, when Glamour magazine had various Clinique products free in their July edition, I bought two copies so I could get two chubby sticks. These are not as big as the full size ones but I envisage them lasting a long while anyway. I got Super strawberry which is a lovely reddy pink. I also got Woppin' Watermelon (so glad it's not called Woppin Watermelons!) which is a slightly less pigmented light pink. They are both lovely and moisturising, really easy to apply and really do last. I think Super strawberry will be getting a good amount of use during the Autumn months too :-)

The full size Chubby Sticks are available from Clinique or Boots and Debenhams.

Dove - Pure Care Dry Oil for hair £9.99

After reading that Mark Townsend (The Olsen's hair stylist) uses this Dove oil on their hair, I really wanted to pick some up. Dove is a brand I have used for years and it's longevity as a brand speaks for itself but I didn't expect this to be THAT GOOD. I was wrong. This oil is amazing. It contains African Macadamia oil and leaves my hair so soft and smelling absolutely divine. I feel like I've been well and truly pampered every time I use it. I apply it to wet or damp hair and comb it through and it doesn't give your hair even a hint of greasiness just soft, lovely smelling hair. I will definitely be repurchasing this. Its the bomb.com.

This is currently on offer for £6.66 from Boots

So, there you have it. The things I have been loving in the month of July.

What have you been loving in July?

Have you tried any of my favourites here?

Please leave a comment below and let me know, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for stopping by.

Three Series : Summer Lipsticks

Hello and welcome back to my blog. As I write this, it is 'National Lipstick Day' and what better time to present to you my top three summer lipsticks.

I have chosen a peachy nude, a pinky nude and a bright orange.

L-R : Bourjois Rouge Edition '03 Peche Cosy', Seventeen Mirror Shine 'Beehive' and Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm 'Audacious'.

              

Bourjois Rouge Edition in 03 Peche Cosy £7.99

Peach shades are so pretty during the summer months. They look gorgeous with a tan and also suit pale skintones. Wearing a peach toned lipstick is also great for daytime wear or for those who don't want to brave a bold lip (coming up later!)

Named 'Peche Cosy' which translates as cosy peach (I think!) is a perfect peachy nude. Creamy in texture and not too pigmented, it gives your lips a slick of colour whilst providing moisturisation. Love this!

N.b This is peachier than it looks in the photo above. The camera isn't quite showing it's true colour! :-/

You can buy this here from Boots

Seventeen Mirror Shine Lipstick in Beehive £4.79.

This is the most recent lipstick I have purchased. I wanted a glossy nude that wasn't a brown nude. And I found it! This 'mirror shine' range from Seventeen have set their focus on the finish, i.e glossy. The finish is shiny, the formula is moisturising and the colour is definitely there but it's not too pigmented - which I love. There is also a little drop down mirror included inside the lid, good eh!? 

This is perfect if you like to play up your eyes and keep your lips simple. It's also great for complimenting a lovely healthy sun kissed face aka the natural look.

Again, the finish in reality is slightly more glossy looking than the photo shows.

You can buy this here from Boots

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Audacious £7.99

I have saved the best for last, well in my humble opinion anyway. Audacious is a vibrant matte orange shade but, it has a unique formula which provides a matte finish whilst managing to moisturise at the same time. Enriched with lip loving ingredients and available in a wide array of shades, it's not hard to see why these lip crayons are so popular.

If you know me, you will know I love lip crayons and have quite a collection *ahem* I'd say this one is my favourite. I reach for this on pretty much a daily basis. I also love that it is retractable, so no sharpener is required :-)

 Orange lips are such a huge trend for spring/summer 2014 and there is a shade for everyone. I urge you to try this one out if you're looking for a bold lip this summer.

You can buy this here from Boots

What are your favourite shades to wear during the summer?

Have you tried any of these?

As always, thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

My Top 5 Fit Foods.

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog. 

Today I am sharing with you my top 5 foods you should be including in your diet for optimum health and fitness.

Whether you work out or not, you should fuel your body with the right types of foods. If you do work out, it's even more important to eat not just the right foods but at the right times. Working out without eating right, will do you no favours physically or mentally and you won't get the most from your workout nor will you be shifting that body fat either.

The most important macro nutrient when leading an active lifestyle is protein. You should consume a lean source of protein with every meal. Protein contains amino acids which essentially repair and rebuild your muscle tissue. 

You also want to be consuming ''good carbs'' i.e fruit, vegetables, brown rice, sweet potatoes and rolled oats and ''good fats'' i.e avocado, oily fish, seeds, oils and nuts.

So, here are my personal top 5 fit foods that I eat on a mostly daily basis:

Rolled Oats

Rolled oats aka oats/porridge. Oats are one of the best sources of good carbs and a great way to start your day. This super grain is a low GI food thus releasing energy slowly which has a positive effect on blood sugar and staves off hunger pans. I eat these pre-workout made with unsweetened almond milk then add some fruit, flaxseed and whey protein to cover all macro nutrients.

Fruit

Ahhhhh, fruit. Quite possibly my favourite food ever. Every type of fruit contains different amounts of sugar and vitamins so I like to eat different fruits on a daily basis. I typically only eat fruit with breakfast (pre-workout) and post-workout. Even though fruit is really good for you and contains natural sugars, it should be limited to pre and post workout when you need the sugar for fuel and then to replace glycogen lost during exercise. Some of the best fruits to consume when exercising are bananas, berries, apples and watermelon. But of course, you can choose any that you like.

Chia Seeds

A staple in my diet, these tiny seeds pack a powerful punch. Rich in antioxidants, fibre, omega 3, minerals, good carbs and protein. These are great for the active individual as they provide energy and hydration too. Chia seeds have been around for centuries and are native to South America. Unlike some other seeds, they can be eaten whole and don't need to be milled. They are also tasteless so perfect for adding to smoothies, yogurts, oats or whatever you fancy! I sprinkle these into my breakfast most mornings as they are a perfect pre-workout food.

Greek Yogurt

My go to source of protein at breakfast time is Greek yogurt. It is so high in protein while being low in calories, carbohydrates and fat *thumbs up* Greek yogurt is great if you are trying to lose body fat and it is so versatile. I like to add to chia seeds, nuts, fruit etc to it for a quick and healthy breakfast.  It's also very easy to digest so again, a great pre-workout choice.

Impact Whey protein

Last but by no means least, whey protein. If you are following an exercise plan that is vigorous or includes strength training/weights, you should be consuming a protein supplement such as whey protein within 30-60 minutes after finishing your workout. After an intense workout, minute tears can occur in your muscles and an immediate source of amino acids (protein) is needed to help rebuild and repair the muscle tissue. Unlike meat and fish which can take hours to digest, whey protein is digested quickly this making it the superior choice for a post workout protein source. Pictured here is my preferred whey protein from Myprotein.com I have the natural strawberry flavour but there are sooo many to choose from. I just mix one heaped scoop with water, shake and consume! This is the best value and best quality protein I have tried. Plus it is really delicious too :-)

So, there you have it. My top five fit foods.

What are your top fit foods?

Do you include any of these foods in your daily diet?

Please leave me a comment and let me know.

Thanks for stopping by.

Three Series : The Body Shop Faves

Hello and welcome back to my blog. It's been about a week since I last posted so it's time for the 'Three Series' again. This time it's featuring my all time three favourite products from The Body Shop.

L-R : Shea Body Butter, Vitamin E Face Mist and Radiant Highlighter

Body Butter in Shea 200ml £13.

First up is one of the Body Shop's best selling products, their body butter. I have been purchasing these since I can remember. I'm not even ashamed to say I have tried nearly all of the fragrances too! (I still have about 12 tubs). I am however partial to the nuttier body butters i.e : Shea, cocoa, coconut and brazil. I prefer these over the fruitier scents and they tend to be more moisturising. Shea is one of my all time favourites. I just love the consistency and the smell. This one is for very dry skin and states it moisturises for 24 hours. 

Sure, £13 sounds expensive but The Body Shop always have discount codes available and everytime you buy something, you get a £10 off when you spend £25 on the bottom of your reciept so, I have never paid £13 for one of these! 

I definitely recommend checking these out, there are so many to choose from and I think they are the best moisturisers out there.

Vitamin E Face Mist 100ml £8.50

Ahhhh how I love this. A Rosewater scented on-call moisturising facial spritz. Perfect for setting make-up, protecting, refreshing and cooling your face down during hot and muggy times! Of course, I use this as a make-up setting spray. Rich in vitamin E and much cheaper than MAC fix plus, this has replaced my MAC spray. Everything about this is better than MAC fix plus. From the ingredients to the actual spray. The Body Shop have come up trumps here with this winner. When spritzed, the perfect amount is lightly bedewed upon your face and the scent accompanies a lovely refreshing feeling. I spritz one to two pumps over my face when my foundation is done. As you probably know, I'm a fan of the dewy look, so I only use this spray (no powder).

If you are looking to try a make-up setting spray, give this a go before the likes of MAC or Urban Decay as those are much pricier and contain harsher ingredients ;-)

Radiant Highlighter 25ml £12

I purchased this highlighter/skin illuminator a good few months ago so please excuse it's slightly worn look. This is fantastic for the following : 

• Mixing with your moisturiser
• Putting on top of your moisturiser
• Mixing in with your foundation
• Applying on top your foundation as a highlighter

I personally mix a bit in with my moisturiser then apply foundation on top. This gives a lovely radiant dewy look. It blends really well and lasts a really long time. It looks pale pink in colour but once blended, it just gives a lovely sheeny glow. 

And as always, being The Body Shop, you know that it's got skin loving ingredients inside :-)

You can visit your local Body Shop or visit The Body Shop Online if you'd like to try these products or any others they have on offer.

Have you tried any of these?

What are your favourite products from The Body Shop?

Thank you as always for stopping by.

Three Series : Face Brushes

Hello and welcome to the second instalment of the 'Three Series'. This time I have chosen my most used make-up brushes - for the face.

L-R : Mac 168 , Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and Real Techniques Blush Brush.

This delightful trio are my ''chosen ones'' The three brushes I would pick if I could only own three face brushes *gasps* 

MAC 168 Large Angled Contour brush £27.

I have had this brush for approximately five years and it's still going strong! I use this for contouring my cheekbones and blending bronzer into the temples and hairline. This brush is the perfect size and shape for contouring. The soft bristles are not densely packed so you can build up the colour gradually and blend it all really easily too. This has washed so well and has lost about 2 hairs over the five years!

Available from Mac Cosmetics

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush £9.99.

This is one of my newer brushes. I purchased this from Ulta in Los Angeles but Real Techniques brushes are available from Boots ,  superdrug and Real Techniques to name a few.

I use this to buff in liquid foundation and love the results it gives. The densely packed soft bristles make applying foundation so easy. It also can double up as a stippling brush. You can stipple your foundation on and then blend it in. This has washed so well and hasn't shed at all. 

Real Techniques Blush Brush £9.99

This is another Real Techniques brush that I bought whilst in Los Angeles. I wanted a new brush for applying powder blush that wasn't too dense or too wide, et voila! This brush is perfect. It is slightly tapered at the tip and very soft so blush can be applied with precision whilst allowing the colour to be built up gradually and not packed on too heavily! There have been no problems with shedding or washing either.
Again, this is available from Boots , superdrug and Real Techniques


What are your must have face brushes?

Have you tried of these brushes?

Please leave a comment and let me know.

Thanks for stopping by.

Monthly Favourites : June.

Hello everyone, I hope you're all well. So, June has been and gone, and very quickly it went by too. Besides the sun, I have been enjoying quite a few things - product wise. Some rediscoveries and some newer purchases. 

Rimmel Match Perfection foundation £6.99

I purchased this years ago and really liked it. But being a product junkie, I like to try different products and see what else is out there. This foundation was recently on a two for £10 offer in Superdrug so I decided to pick two up to try again. And oh my goodness, I do not remember it being this good! I love this foundation, everything about it in fact. The price is phenomenal for what feels like a very high end foundation, the finish is beautifully radiant and the fact it has an SPF in is an absolute must for me. This is my go to foundation for summer glowing skin.

Nivea Sensitive Day Cream £4.49

On days when the sun is out, I double up on SPF. I always wear a moisturiser and a foundation with SPF in. My skin does not really like fragrance so I always opt for a sensitive skin moisturiser. This sensitive one from Nivea is fairly new and I have been using if for over a month. It makes my skin super soft and the ingredients are fantastic for nourishing, protecting and not aggravating sensitive skin. Ooh the price is pretty appealing too. I will definitely be repurchasing this!

Dove Summer Glow In Medium To Dark Skin £4.99

The summer months wouldn't be complete without a little tan, from the sun or from a bottle. We all like a little glow, right? If you're scared of fake tan, raise your hand *raises hand* then this is ideal for you. A moisturiser with a subtle gradual self-tanner. I chose the medium to dark skin one as it gives a result. The light to medium one hardly showed on my skin. I really like how natural this looks when applied. You look golden and there's no iffy scent or streaking. I apply it in the evening and it shows up by morning. Another thing I love about this is it's always on offer in Superdrug and Boots and I've never actually paid £4.99! This is affordable enough to use every day or as often as you like! 

Perfectly Pure 100% Natural Raw Virgin Coconut Oil £15.49

If you know me, you will know how much I love this stuff. Anything ''coconutty'' in fact. But, this is the real deal. I recently wrote a blogpost just on this product, you can check it out here There are so many things I use this for, it's going to be in my favourites forever!

Sleek Blusher In Rose Gold £4.49

This is quite possibly Sleek's best selling blush. It has been super popular for years and when you apply it, you will see why. It is the most gorgeous pinky/coral with a golden glow. Rose gold is a very apt name. It is also a well known dupe for 'Orgasm' by Nars (also their best selling blush!) I bought this a while back but rooted it out again at the start of June. It is super affordable, very pigmented and will work on pale skin tones. It also looks stunning with a tan. Those wanting to try Coralista by Benefit or Orgasm by Nars, save your money and try this.

External portable battery charger £3.85

This is my first non-beauty item. If you have a smart phone you will know the battery life sucks! If I use my phone in the morning, the battery will be going before 3pm :-/ So, I decided to look for a charger to take out and about with me to charge it back up. I purchased this lil wonder from eBay not expecting it to work very well. However, this will charge a phone from say 30% to 100% in approximately an hour! That's pretty quick for a little charger like this! On the downside it will run out of juice after charging around 70% so it won't charge from 0% to 100% but it's great for emergencies and for not only stopping the battery depleting but for charging your battery too. The unit itself needs charging before you take it out with you. Just plug the USB end into your laptop and there's a light that changes colour when it's fully charged! This is seriously a godsend. And what a bargain!

The Body Shop Lip Gloss in Vineyard Peach £7

This is my newest purchase out all my favourites. The vineyard peach range is relatively new to The Body Shop also. I was looking for a lip gloss that had little to no colour, no stickiness and one that smelt nice. I found it. This lip gloss smells divine. It is glossy but not sticky and lasts for a long time. The smell totally captivated me and I ended up going back to The Body Shop and purchasing quite a few other items from the vineyard peach range. It's such a lovely range and so refreshing. You can buy this peachy gloss here

So, those are the things I have been loving using in the month of June.

Have you tried any of these products?

What were your June favourites?

Please leave a comment in the comment box and let me know. Thanks for stopping by.