Beauty Products I'm Loving At The Mo...

I thought I'd mix it up a bit today with this post and give you lovely people something different to read other than wedding related posts ha! As much as I'm loving writing about the whole planning process with my wedding and giving out ideas and advice, I'm aware it won't be relevant to all of you and to be honest I've been thinking about writing this post for a while.

I've been loving a lot of beauty products recently and actually felt the need and want to do a post like this. I want to share what I'm loving with you and see if some of you might feel the same love for certain products or feel the need to try something out based on my thoughts :). I'm not going to share absolutely everything that I'm using at the moment here otherwise we'll be here for days but just those products that I'm using constantly and have really stood out to me for several months.

Skincare

A few months back I ran out of my last cleanser that I had. There was a stage where I had a few on the go, some were purchases/gifts and some were samples but the last one I had was the No7 Beautiful Skin Melting Gel Cleanser. Although this was a nice cleanser whilst I was using it and did the job, I didn't feel the need to instantly repurchase it and I still favoured the No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser over it. However, this time I was looking for a more purse-friendly cleanser (obvious reason being, with our wedding coming up the majority of our dosh has been spent on that). I went and had a look around Boots and liked the sound of the Garnier Skin Naturals Softening Cleansing Lotion. It was their slogan of 'Goodbye Dry' that attracted me, along with there being no parabens in the lotion and it being suitable for sensitive skin, which I can have at times. I also bought the toner and the Moisture Match Ultra Hydrating Cream so I could use the whole collection as a skincare routine. These products are really working out for me, so much so that I've already repurchased all of them and will continue to do so. They work for my dry, sensitive skin and they make my skin look supple and dewy. The prices are really reasonable and the last time I repurchased they were priced at 2 for £4, so there are often offers on too. If you have dry, rough skin and are struggling to find a product or range that really works for you, I'd recommend giving these a go and at least they won't break the bank!

I was also given the opportunity to sample the Mary Kay Skinvigorate Cleansing Brush around the same time as I found the Garnier products. I received a press release with the opportunity and I was thrilled to be honest because all the rave seems to be about the Clarisonic and although it might be great and have fab reviews, it isn't necessarily going to suit all budgets, including mine! The Mary Kay Skinvigorate Cleansing Brush is a lot more reasonable in terms of price. I think it has a slightly smaller brush than the Clarisonic but it still has the same concept and I absolutely love mine. Around the time I found the Garnier products, after the cold weather, I was feeling a bit 'bleurgh' about my skin because it felt rough and dry at times and so I was also going to get an exfoliator. However, as I received this to test out just before I bought the Garnier products, I decided to use this with my Garnier cleanser and thought hopefully it should do the trick to thoroughly cleanse my face but remove all dead skin cells and keep my face soft, supply and dewy. I keep mine in the bathroom and use in the shower or at the sink. I'd say out of 7 days, there might be 2 where I'll use face wipes or cotton pads with my cleanser but I use this on most days because I love how it makes my skin feel and I no longer have the 'bleurgh' feeling or feel that I must be doing something wrong with my skin because this is sorting it all out for me. I can have sensitive skin at times, so I might get a little bit of redness but most of this is natural, it's nothing too harsh caused by the cleansing brush and used with the Garnier cleanser which is suitable for sensitive skin, I don't feel any discomfort at all. It is said to remove make-up 85% better than if you were to cleanse by hand. It prepares the skin to absorb moisturiser/skin care products better and you'll find that your make-up goes on a lot better too. It's really made a difference to my skin. It comes with two brush heads and I've just looked on the website to see if they sell the brush heads separately and they do, so I'm really pleased about that as mine is due to be changed, so I have one left to use and then I'll have to repurchase.

Hair

Another product everyone seems to go mad for is the Tangle Teezer and fair enough that product won't break the bank but I was sent another product months ago now that has exactly the same concept and is even cheaper and who doesn't want to save money where they can, right?! The Denman Bright Detangling Brush is small, round and bright! I have the purple one (it's a given really, I love purple!) and it sits in my shower so after shampooing and conditioning I can use it to smooth out my hair before I step out the shower. It has extra soft plastic pins so you can give yourself a scalp massage if you wish. You could also use it outside of the shower and for a different use, such as, to distribute gels and waxes a bit better when styling your hair. I love the handle, you can slip your hand in and really get a grip on your hair. I use it every time I shower without fail.

This brings me onto another Denman product that I've also been using for months. The Tangle Tamer is a similar product to the detangling brush in that it smooths out your hair without any pain or a huge loss of hair. I keep mine in the bedroom for when I'm out of the shower and brushing/styling my hair for drying/straightening/curling etc. It's great whether your hair is dry or wet and I don't lose nearly as much hair as I have done using other regular brushes.

Make-Up

I've found that I prefer to use stippling brushes when it comes to applying my foundation. I love that they gives me a flawless complexion. I used to have one that I bought from Ebay or Amazon so long ago now I can't even remember when it was but it broke at the end of last year so I decided to invest in a better one. I opted for the Real Techniques Stippling Brush and I love it. There's not a whole lot to say really about a make-up brush but I love the quality of it and the whole look - it's a lovely pink! I don't have any brush hairs coming off onto my face and the brush is really soft and feels lovely when I'm applying my foundation. Like I said it provides a flawless base and ensures that you can get into all areas of your face and blend in that foundation perfectly.

I've raved several times about the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream on Twitter and it is definitely one of my favourite found products of last year. I even recommended it to my aunty last year for her wedding as she doesn't normally wear foundation and just wanted a subtle base and now she loves it! A base for me is all about it being light, me feeling like my skin can breathe and something that gives me a fresh, dewy glow. I use this with a little of the Collection 2000 Long Lasting Perfection Concealer (which has been my favourite concealer for quite a few years now) on top and it provides me with the perfect, flawless base that I'm looking for. I love that it's oil free, as I'm not a fan of greasy products and the fact that it has an SPF of 30 in it. Always a bonus with make-up! I've repurchased this a few times now and will continue to do so.

The BB cream is my budget base and for something a little bit more pricier I love the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation which is light and provides an amazing radiance, this has an SPF of 15 and I'm going to be purchasing this for my wedding/holiday. Mainly as a treat as I have someone doing my make-up for the wedding so I'm not sure what they're going to use. Whilst we are on 'bases', I've never been a massive fan of powder but at the moment I'm using the Miners Cosmetics Fresh Faced Powder in soft sand. I use a little after I've applied a primer and then a little after I've applied my concealer which finalises my base. It's just to set everything in place really and I've found my make-up lasts a lot longer since I've been doing this. I use the Bare Minerals Full Flawless Application Face Brush to apply my powder.

There was a time when I never used to really do anything to my eyebrows, I'd brush them through but that's about it. I've used various eyebrow pencils in the past and just gone with it but since I had my HD Brows Palette in a Glossybox some time ago now, I haven't looked back. I had the 'Foxy' palette which consists of a nude, ash brown, warm brown and carbon. On the HD Brows website they don't seem to sell the palettes as quads like mine any more, but they still have the 'Foxy' type, just in a different palette. They do have other shade types aswell. I use the HD Brows Fine Angled Brow Brush with my palette and they work really well together. I don't tend to go for striking, bold eyebrows I just like to fill them in so there's a full shape there. The powder provides a soft and natural look and is easily removed with cleanser/make-up remover but stays in place as it should. On the website it says that all palettes now come with a finishing wax so that your brow colour can be set in place even more.

I love a nice sun-kissed glow, especially during the summer as I don't tend to tan that easily. My staple bronzer currently is the MeMeMe Shimmer Stack in bronze. It consists of five different shimmer powders/colours and you can use the shades singularly but I tend to mix the shades together. I always try to just apply it where the sunlight would naturally hit but I love the radiance it gives off and it makes me look really healthy. I always feel that little bit better with a tan, so I do really love this. I use it on my décolletage too, more so when I'm going out for the evening.

I have numerous blushes but the one I want to mention is one that I've been constantly reaching for during the past 7-8 months. I'm nearly running out of it as it was a little circular sample blush from a Glossybox, but it's the Mica Beauty Mineral Blush Powder in Terra Cotta. It's a lovely coral/orange colour, but quite subtle and it just provides a lovely translucent glow. It feels light on the skin and not cloggy or too much and I've really been enjoying using it. It took me a while to want to try it out to be honest as I've used powders/mineral foundations in the past and not been overly keen and I prefer the fresh, dewy glow that you usually get with a liquid base, but like I said at the moment it's my go to blusher.

In terms of an eye product, my go to eye liner is the Daniel Sandler Long Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner in grey, which is a soft, velvety formula that glides onto the eyes and stays put until you want to remove it. I love the grey colour for a smoky, smudged kind of look and it is suitable for both day and night. I find if you apply it as it is onto the waterline it's good for a nice, chilled daytime look and if you wet it a bit and apply just below the waterline onto the skin where your lash roots are and smudge it in a little, it's lovely for the evening :).

I love a red lip. Even during the day time if I'm not opting for just a lip balm or a slick of gloss, I prefer to go for bold colours and it almost always ends up being red. I have two main products that I like to use, the first is Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Vesuvio, which is described by Nars as being a full bodied red. I love it for a really bold colour, however it can be a little bit drying which I find most matte lipsticks to be, but I apply lip balm whilst I'm doing the rest of my make-up and then apply the lipstick on top. Sometimes I leave it like this but sometimes for an added extra, I add the MeMeMe Light Me Up Lip Gloss in Intense. The gloss is high shine and comes with a mirror on the side and lights in the lid so you can even apply your lip gloss in the darkest of places. It also contains plumping agents for volume. I love this overall lip look for a night out.

Are any of your favourites above?

Let me know about your current favourites :).

Thanks so much for reading!

Gem XxOo

Images courtesy of Boots, Mary Kay, Denman, Miners Cosmetics, Real Techniques, HD Brows, MeMeMe, Mica Beauty, Gorgeous Shop and Look Fantastic.

New Beauty Brand...Urbanista!

Picture courtesy of Paul Murray PLC.

Paul Murray PLC have recently started distributing a new beauty brand called Urbanista! Great for every street smart fashionista, their collection has launched with a selection of beauty tools with a vibrant twist. Products within the range include: make-up brushes, hair brushes, nail foils, clippers, nail files, tweezers and more! The products have been specially designed for comfort and precision and are eye-catching with their bright colours. The company claims that their products will revitalise and refresh any ones make-up bag and having seen some of their range I can assure you this is true.

The nail foils range from block colours to glamorous patterns, so there is sure to be a style for everyone. Each pack includes 16 pieces of adhesive so you could do a full set of finger or toe nails and then keep the rest for signature nails :-). A bonus with these is that they require no drying time and mean no smudging! They are £2.99 each. Here are some examples:

Pictures courtesy of Paul Murray PLC.

The hairbrushes in the range consist of a small and large ionic barrel hairbrush, an ionic vent hairbrush and an ionic paddle hairbrush. I love the hairbrushes in the range! Why? Well these are a little different. They let you know when they are at the right temperature to use in your hair, by changing colour. They transform from pink to white. So, blast your hairdryer on any of their brushes and the colour will change before your eyes. Genius! The hairbrushes range from £7.99-£12.99. Here is an example of the colour change:

Small barrel hairbrush before heat has been applied.

Small barrel hairbrush after heat has been applied.

The heat doesn't stay within the brush for long once you take the heat directly away. However, if you are using the brush at the same time as you are blow drying your hair, then you'll find it will create extra volume and dry/style your hair much quicker/easier. As you are drying with the hair dryer from the outside, the heated brush underneath your hair will dry that area quicker, hence speedy results!

The range also consists of make-up brushes; a foundation brush, a powder brush, a blush brush and an eye-shadow brush. They are a gorgeous hot pink colour, so sure to stand out in your make-up collection/bag. They range from £3.99-£5.99. Here are some examples:

                           Powder Brush.                                        Eye-Shadow Brush.

Pictures courtesy of Paul Murray PLC.

They also have other bits and bobs like foot files (£4.99), nail clippers (small £3.99 and large £4.99), nail files (£3.99) and tweezers (£3.99), all in vibrant, stand out colours! Here are a few examples:

                          Metal Nail File.                                                   Foot File.

                         Toe Nail Clipper.                                                Tweezers.

Pictures courtesy of Paul Murray PLC.

I am loving the pink! I think they have everything in pink apart from the foot files, but still the colours are so attractive and just looking at them is sure to perk you up!

You can purchase items from the range at Click Health and Beauty or Murrays Health and Beauty. You may also be lucky to spot some of these items in specialist chemists!

What do you think of this new brand and their range?

Much Love,

Gem XxOo

Disclaimer: I received some samples from this range to introduce me to the brand. All opinions are and always will be 100% honest. See my disclaimer tab for more information.

Miners Cosmetics...

When I was approached by Miners Cosmetics to become a reviewer of their products, not only was I honoured to be approached by a beauty brand, but also thrilled to be able to try out a brand I had never tried before. Making my reviews and opinions on them fresh.

Having received and sampled some of their beauty products, I have wondered why I haven't seen their products on the high street. Then I found out they are only sold online and in quality pharmacies. There was a time when I never used to buy anything online and I never really have a need to go into specific quality pharmacies. I do think they would do well being sold on the high street in stores like Superdrug and Boots. They are amazing value for money!

Miners Cosmetics are always in the press (I found this out from their website and the one magazine I tend to buy, I don't think they are covered in) and celebrities use their products. You can see some press coverage here. Miners Cosmetics was established in 1937 and they have over 70 years experience in bringing innovative and affordable make-up to the masses. They take inspiration from the leading trends and colours on the catwalk. Miners Cosmetics are constantly evolving and changing to keep up to date with each seasons must have look.

I wanted to carry out this review of the samples I have received so far and share some pictures with you to make you more aware of the brand and their products. Like me, I am sure there are plenty of girls out there that haven't heard of this brand before, or if you have, haven't seen the products on the high street and have wondered where they are being sold.

Here are the first set of samples I received. They are Pearls for Girls lip glosses. The range is made up of six illuminating shades. Each pearlescent shade has a gorgeous, iridescent finish. The lip glosses have pearly artwork surrounding the casing, which is centred entirely on its pearl theme. The glosses have a twist up end, which means the lip gloss release can be controlled and there won't be any waste. They are also ideal for people on the go, as everything is in one, rather than the tube and applicator being separate.

From left to right, top to bottom: Oyster, Pearly Girly, Pearly Kiss, Pink Pearl, Mother of Pearl and Crushed Pearl.

The brush applicator is really soft. Here is an example of what the brush looks like with the lip gloss being released:

 

The lip glosses have a lovely fruity smell. They aren't sticky at all, but soft and moisturising. They feel like a lip balm on the lips. Pearly Girly and Pink Pearl look extremely similar in colour on my pictures. They look different in the tube (they are lip glosses three and four in my very top picture), but come out very similar when applied. My favourites are Pearly Kiss and Crushed Pearl. I love these colours and how they provide a wash of colour to the lips, whilst making the lips so smooth and moisturised. The lip glosses are £3.49 each and can bought here.

Here are the second set of samples I received. They are Define and Line liquid eyeliners. The range is made up of three classic colours; black, brown and blue. The matte black bottle makes these eyeliners look sleek and professional. I love how compact they are and if you had all three they would all fit snugly in your make up bag without taking up a lot of space.

                                  From top to bottom: Blue, Brown and Black.

As someone who isn't a huge fan of liquid eyeliners, I was pleasantly surprised using these to find that they are really easy to use. The smaller applicator/handle gave me more control and my hand wasn't shaking all over the place, as I was closer to my eye and could get right in there. I have tried liquid eyeliners before with a longer applicator/handle and found it really hard to apply the eyeliner, as my hand was so far away from my face, it wasn't as controlled. The brush is also really pointed and defined so it is easy to create the perfect line and/or flick. I did learn not to go straight in there with a lot of product on the brush, because if you don't get the line thin enough it can end up on the top of your eyelid as it takes longer to dry. Start off with a small amount of product on your brush and it dries in seconds, then just build your line up that way. They are also amazingly smudge-proof, so you can rest assured it will stay in place all day, until you want to take it off. My favourite is the blue-I love how it makes the eyes stand out! The brown is lush aswell though, it gives a dark, mysterious look to the eyes. The eyeliners are £2.99 each and can be bought here.

                                     Picture courtesy of Miners Cosmetics PR.

Here are the third lot of samples I received. They include five city inspired colours and make up this years Miners Cosmetics Autumn and Winter nail polish collection. Again, the packaging is really sleek looking and compact, so won't take up much room where ever you choose to keep them. Here are the names behind the colours and the inspiration behind the names (as stated by Miners Cosmetics):

London's Calling - There is nothing dull about this gorgeous mushroom hue. Taking inspiration from the heart of London Town, London's calling is the perfect party shade for the new season.

Fairytale of New York - New York is the worlds most celebrated 'concrete jungle', with an eclectic mix of breath-taking buildings, skyline and stunning parks. This deep emerald shade takes the gorgeous colour from the Cities urban escape - Central Park with the brash, cosmopolitan attitude of the socialites found in Greenwich Village. It's the perfect shade for a heady fashion junkie!

Weekend in Paris - Paris...j'adore Paris, the romance capital of the world! Delicious delights of the Patisserie, breath-taking works at the Louvre and the stylish stores lining the Champs-Elysees - this shade emulates everything Parisian, a fashionable colour for the true romantic.

Plum - this is a new colour that has recently been added to the collection. For some reason it doesn't have a city based name, but is a gorgeous deep plum colour.

I find it easier to apply nail polishes when the bottle has a longer handle/brush. I am not sure of the exact reason for this, I just find it easier to work with. These nail polishes have a long handle/brush, so the application is really easy. I applied just two coats of each to get the above look for all my swatches. They dry in approx a minute and provide such a gorgeous glossy finish. My favourite colour is Fairytale of New York-I love the emerald green colour, it looks stunning on the nails! They are just £2.99 each and can be bought here.

They have plenty more products on the website, such a huge range, I feel it's a shame if people don't know about it. Especially as the prices are so reasonable and the products don't lack in quality at all. I look forward to telling you about more of their products in the future...watch this space!

You can find their website here.

Thanks so much for reading my post-please follow, like and comment :-).

Much Love Gem XxOo

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Disclaimer: I am a reviewer for Miners Cosmetics, so the above products were sent to me for review consideration. I do not have to review them, but I chose to, because I love the products and feel the brand needs more awareness. All opinions are my own and 100% honest.

Pictures: All pictures unless otherwise stated are my own. If you wish to use them please credit my name by them-Gemma Tranter.