3 for £12 on Lee Stafford Hair Care at Boots

There are some great savings to be had on Lee Stafford products at Boots at the moment. You can currently pick up three products from the haircare range for £12.00! I took advantage of the deal over the weekend and grabbed myself a few goodies....

Lee Stafford products

My Big Fat Healthy Hair Shampoo - Hair shampoo with Pro-Volume complex for bigger, fuller fatter hair. Lee Stafford My Big Fat Healthy Hair shampoo boosts hair's body and texture, enhances gloss and shine, and banishes dulling deposits that make hair go lank and limp. 

I've used this before and seemed to get on quite well with it. It leaves hair feeling really clean, soft and light and it also smells lovely. I don't see any spectacular results in the volume department after using, but I definitely feel like my hair has a bit more body. Usual price £5.99

Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray - If you love the look and feel of just stepped out of the sea, naturally sun dried hair then you will be swept away by Lee Stafford Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray. This defining spray will bring out the tousled textured look you can usually only get after swimming in the sea...until now!  Hair will feel soft to touch but with added bounce, definition and body to die for!

I've been attempting to lay off the hair straighteners a little bit recently and have been trying out different products which fight frizz and enhance my natural waves. I've only tried this a couple of times since I bought it and I'm not overly impressed with it so far. It does help to define and it does fight frizz, but it leaves my hair looking a little bit lank and greasy. I think I'll give it another chance and perhaps experiment with the amount of spray I've been using. Usual price £7.49

Matt Fat Mustard -  Lee Stafford Matt Fat Mustard a texturiser for messy, matt and hot hair, that still feels like hair.

I read a great review on this recently, so I decided to grab a tube and give it a go. Most texturisers are either too heavy for my fine hair, or leave it feeling a little bit crispy and strange. This defines and adds a little bit of volume without weighing down my hair and also leaves it feeling nice and soft. Usual price £7.19

The products would have normally cost me around £20.00, but with the current offer they cost £12.00. I'm pretty please with my £8.67 saving and I'm actually tempted to pick up a few other items from the Lee Stafford range before the deal ends.

Will you be taking advantage of the offer?

Do you have any favourites from the brand?

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint Review & Swatches

I was incredibly excited last month when I received an e-mail from the Liz Earle PR team, telling me that the brand were taking their first step in to colour and had formulated a tinted moisturiser. I'm a big fan of quite a few of the skincare products from the range, so I was delighted to hear the brand had taken the leap in to colour cosmetics.

What Liz Earle say about their new product: Our new Skin Tint is the natural bridge from skincare through to colour. It's rich and creamy like a foundation, yet lightweight and glides effortlessly onto the skin, blending easily to enhance natural skin tones. Just like our award winning Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, Sheer Skin Tint delivers dependable, visible results for all skin types. Designed for use all year round, our unique, high performance formulation leaves skin looking dewy, even and radiant, with the perfect level of coverage for every woman to achieve natural beautiful skin.

With mineral UV protection SPF 15, Sheer Skin Tint is also enriched with our own carefully selected blend of botanicals: natural source vitamin E avocado and borage, to work in harmony with our Liz Earle skincare range.

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint

My Thoughts

Well I'll be honest, I generally stay away from tinted moisturisers because they don't offer enough coverage for me. My skin is acne prone and I have areas of scarring and redness which take quite a bit of covering, so I normally opt for medium to full coverage foundations. Like other tinted moisturisers I've tried in the past, Skin Tint offers sheer coverage, but can be built up for a slighter fuller coverage base.Texture wise, it's quite thick, creamy and rich and a little bit of product seems to go a long way. A pea sized amount is enough to cover my face in a thin layer of product, but I've been adding a tiny bit more to problem areas which need concealing. 

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint

 The fairly thick cream applies beautifully. It feels quite rich, but non greasy and blends in with very little effort. It glides over pores, fine lines and minor blemishes and creates the illusion of smooth, even and natural skin. The finish is quite shiny when it's first applied but as the base settles in to skin, it becomes more of a dewy finish. I have oily skin, so I choose to set it with a little bit of loose powder, those with normal or drier skin types probably wouldn't need to. With a light dusting of powder on top of the tinted base, I find lasting power to be pretty good and I'd say I get a good four hours wear before I need to blot my problem areas (T-zone). 

I was sent the lightest (Bare) of the three available shades to try and it's not a bad match on my NC20 ish skin tone. I would say it's a touch too light for me at the moment, but because the product is sheer and blends in well, I can get away with the slight colour difference. Those of you who order a tube of Sheer Skin Tint via the Liz Earle website will receive a sample of each of the three shades with your first order, so you can find a shade match before opening the full size tube. If you've ordered the wrong colour, you will be able to exchange your tube for the correct shade. There will be three colours on offer: Bare (for fair skintones), Beige (for medium skintones) and Beach (for darker skintones). Below are some swatches of the lightest colour.

Liz Earle Skin Tint: Bare

Liz Earle Skin Tint: Bare. Bottom: Blended swatch

All in all, Sheer Skin Tint is a lovely product and I imagine it would look great on those who can get away with a sheer coverage base. Unfortunately, my skin just isn't in good enough shape at the moment and I need something which covers more. The actual feel, finish and lasting power with Skin Tint is excellent and I will definitely be holding on to my tube and using it when my skin's in better condition, or on days when I want something light and natural looking. If you're a tinted moisturiser or Liz Earle skin care fan, I highly recommend checking out the base. It's available from September the 15th and will cost £21.00 for a 40ml tube. 

Liz Earle Skin Tint Ingredients

 Is Sheer Skin Tint something that appeals to you? 

What other products would you like to see in the Liz Earle colour range in the future?

Chanel Nail Colour: 489 Rose Insolent

Chanel 489 Rose Insolent

 I'm wearing another Chanel colour on my nails at the moment, and today's shade is another summery number. I'd describe Rose Insolent as a fairly bright, warm pink.

Chanel Rose Insolent

Like the other Chanel shades I've been wearing recently, Rose Insolent applied beautifully. 

The colour went on evenly with absolutely no streaking, dried fairly quickly and was completely opaque with two thin coats. The photo on the left is without flash and the one on the right is with.

I have used a coat of Orly Bonder underneath, but no top coat. I've mentioned before that my usual top coat (Seche Vite) doesn't seem to work well with my Chanel colours for some reason and I always seem to get a lot of shrinkage if I use them together. I find Chanel's colours have a lovely glossy finish even without a top coat and also seem to last/wear well too.

Chanel Rose Insolent, Miami Peach & Splendeur

And I just thought I'd include a couple of other fairly bright and summery shades I've been wearing over the past few weeks. I'm making the most of them at the moment before Summer disappears completely.

Chanel Rose Insolent, Miami Peach & Splendeur (photo taken in shade).

Hope everyone's had a lovely weekend!

The Make Up Mavens Weekly Round-up

Makeup Mavens show you makeup you might have missed.  This week, the mavens were almost all about the lipstick, with several of us showing you our favorites.

Christina of Lovesong for My Lipgloss brings you her favorite lipstick formula, Chantecaille Lip Chic, in two of her favorite colors. 

Klara of Mookie on the Bench has found a favorite in Chanel Rouge Coco in Cambon, her perfect red.

Natalie of Rasperry Rouge has also found a love in the Chanel Rouge Coco line.  This week she brings us the summery La Pausa.

Jennifer of Lipstick Luvvies shows us the next best thing in lipstick formulas, the By Terry Rouge Terry-bly lipstick.  

Product Doctor Beauty Blog has found a hole in your staple makeup bag, Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in Midnight Brown.

Blemish Busting Face Masks

I've really been battling with my skin over the last few weeks due to quitting birth control pills and have been relying heavily on my blemish busting gels, treatments and face masks from my skincare stash to help get it back under control. The products I'm using at the moment are definitely helping to calm and clear so I thought I'd share some of the masks I'm currently using. 

 First up is Elemis Deep Clean Purifying Face Mask. The lovely Miss A of Beauty Boudoir very kindly sent me some sachets of the mask to try a couple of months ago and after giving them a go, I decided to purchase some more. The mask is clay based and contains goji berry extract and frankincense oil to draw out impurities and refine skin. It feels like your typical clay mask when it's on and feels as though it's actually sucking out impurities and excess oil as it dries (nice). After leaving it on for ten minutes and rinsing off, my skin feels lovely and clean, fresh and soft. Blemishes also look and feel less angry and inflamed and the product seems to help them dry up more quickly than usual. My only complaint with the mask is that it's only sold in sachets. They cost £15.00 for six (three of the clay mask & three of a Moisture Quenching Face Mask) and while I do get two uses out of each, I'd much rather purchase a tube of just the Purifying mask.

 Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask. I was sent this a couple of months ago to try and was actually quite surprised at how much I liked it. It's described as a fast-acting ‘minute’ mask which is designed to revitalise and stimulate dull skin and contains a mix of purifying white clay, witch hazel and aloe vera. What I like about it and what makes it different to other masks I use is the fact that it only has to be left on for a minute or two. I've actually been using this in the morning and love how the fresh scent and cooling sensation really wake me up and also how clean and fresh it leaves my skin feeling. It doesn't promise to help with blemishes, but I definitely feel as though it calms, helps to dry spots and reduces redness. it costs £13.00 for a 50ml pump bottle.

Dr Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask. I've been using this for years because it's fantastic stuff. It's a mask aimed at exfoliating the dead layers of skin for faster cell turnover and reducing pigmentation, acne scars and melasma, and at the same time reducing sensitivity and redness. The key ingredients are Lactic acid, Azelaic Acid and Palmitoyl pentapeptide-3. It's designed to clean and exfoliate pores, to moisturise skin and contains anti bacterial ingredients. I only use this once a week because it's pretty strong stuff (expect some tingling!), but it really does help to refine skin texture and dry up blemishes as well as prevent acne scars and fade existing ones. It's pretty expensive stuff at £50.00 a tub, but it does last for ages because such a small amount is needed with each use. The results I get this from this mask also make it well worth the hefty price.

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Mask is another clay mask that's designed to clear congested skin and absorb excess oil. It contains Kaolin and Bentonite clay, Niacinamide, Zinc and Salicylic Acid. It feels lovely and cooling and soothing, but also feels incredibly deep cleaning. After using, my skin feels soft and fresh, blemishes look calmer and my skin seems to stay matte for longer. I've only actually used this a few times so I can't comment on it's effectiveness at actually clearing spots, but it definitely seems to be helping them. I'm already noticing less blocked pores and as well as looking less angry, spots also seem to be drying and healing more quickly after using this. It costs around £28.00 for a 75ml tube.

And last, but definitely not least is the good old aspirin mask. I wont bother writing too much on this one because I'm sure almost everyone has tried this at some point, or at least heard of it. I know a lot of people like to mix various different things with their aspirin, but I just mix a couple of soluble tablets with a little bit of water, apply the mix and leave it on for around ten minutes. The mask leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth and looking more even. It also helps to dry and heal spots and even helps to reduce scarring. It's by far the cheapest mask I'm using and one of the most effective!

What are your favourite blemish busting face masks?

Quick review: Illamasqua Powdered Metal: Ether

Illamasqua's Powdered Metal is one of the products I received in July's GlossyBox. It's basically a loose powder highlighter which can be used to add a subtle sheen to skin, or built up/applied with a damp brush to create more of a metallic finish.

Illamasqua Powdered Metal: Ether

The powder is available in three different shades, Thalia (Golden tan shimmer), Bebhionn (soft pink shimmer), and Ether (pale gold shimmer). I received Ether in my box and I'd say Illamasqua's colour description is a pretty accurate one.

Illamasqua Powdered Metal: Ether

Powdered metal is actually the first product I've tried from the brand and I have to say, I'm really impressed with the quality of the product. The powder is very finely milled, feels incredibly soft and applies beautifully. A light application of Ether leaves a pretty, glowy finish on skin and applied with a damp brush, creates more of an intense metallic finish which is shimmery but not glittery. I've mainly used it as a highlighting powder on cheeks and normally apply with a soft, fluffy brush which leaves skin with a hint of golden sheen.  

The result is pretty, but a little bit too shimmery for my taste. I prefer natural make-up and like my highlighting products to add more of a pearly, subtle glow rather than a shimmery finish. I've also found that Ether seems to be a bit too yellow on my skin too, which kind of adds to the unnatural finish. 

Ether Swatches: L - Outdoor R - Indoor with flash

 I was a little bit disappointed that I couldn't get the powder to work as a highlighter for my face, but I have found another use for it. I've been mixing a small amount with body cream and applying it to arms and legs. Mixing with a lotion seems to take the shimmer down and the cream/powder mix leaves skin with a lovely, delicate, golden sheen. 

I doubt I'll be repurchasing when the powder runs out because the finish just isn't natural enough for me. If you like shimmery highlighters or you're after a gold, metallic powder, it might be worth giving Ether a try.

Available from Illamasqua.com where it costs £22.50 for 15g tub.

Clarins Everlasting & Clarins Skin Illusion Comparison

Those of you who have read any of my previous posts have probably seen me mention Clarins Everlasting foundation. I've been using it for the last year and a half and really seem to get on well with it. It's one of the few full coverage foundations I've tried which feels light weight and holds up well on my oily skin. Clarins have recently added a new foundation to their range (Skin Illusion), so I decided to grab a couple of samples last week to try, and see how it compares to Everlasting.

Clarins Everlasting Foundation (105 Nude)

 

First up is Clarins Everlasting which is described as 'a long-hold foundation that stays true, ensuring a flawless complexion'. The base is available in fifteen different shades (most swatched here) and also contains an SPF 15. It has quite a thick, creamy consistency, is watermelon scented and is incredibly easy to apply and blend. It's described as medium to full coverage, but I'd definitely say it's more full. It covers any redness and blemishes on my face perfectly without the need for concealer, but doesn't feel heavy or mask like. I'd say the finish is matte, but not overly so. Some matte foundations leave my skin looking really flat, Everlasting mattifies but still looks pretty natural and skin like. As the name and description suggest, it's supposed to be a long-lasting base, and I have to say it does do well. My skin's oily and Everlasting keeps it shine free for five to six hours (longer in the colder, winter months) before I need to blot. It's not the longest lasting foundation I've tried (Estee Lauder Double Wear wins that prize), but it's the longest lasting foundation I've tried which actually looks and feels natural. 

Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation

Next up is Skin Illusion natural radiance foundation which is described as 'a hydrating foundation with a texture that feels as refreshing as a spritz of spring water. A formula which smooths, evens and enhances the complexion, and delivers a spectacular "barely there" finish'. Like Everlasting, Skin Illusion is available in a wide range of shades which cater for a variety of different complexions. It also contains an SPF (only 10) and as far as I can tell, has a similar watermelon scent. The consistency is quite a lot runnier in comparison to Everlasting, but is still easy to apply and blends effortlessly.
Now, I was expecting the base to offer very little coverage after reading the 'barely there' description, so I was quite surprised at how much it covered when I tested it. It definitely doesn't cover as much as Everlasting, but does conceal minor imperfections well and evens out skin tone nicely. I suppose I'd describe coverage as light to medium, probably more so medium, though. The finish is semi matte and leaves skin with a subtle, glowy finish which looks really natural. Skin Illusion is described as hydrating, so I wasn't expecting it to be particularly long lasting on my skin type. After trying it over the last few days, I can say that it doesn't do a bad job. It's definitely not as good at keeping the shine at bay as Everlasting, but I do get around three-four hours of wear before I need to blot my oily areas (t-zone).

L-Clarins Everlasting 105 & R-Skin Illusion 104

(I normally use 105 Nude in Everlasting which seems to match my NC15/NC20 skin tone well. My skin's slightly darker at the moment, though and 104 seems to be a better match in Skin Illusion).

Both are really nice foundations, and both have something slightly different to offer. Everlasting is perfect for those who need a long-lasting, heavier coverage base. Skin Illusion would be great for those who have normal, dry or possibly combination skin and want a base which feels light weight, provides medium coverage and leaves skin with a slightly glowy finish. I'm sticking with Everlasting for now, but may give Skin Illusion another go when the weather cools down and my skin is less oily.