Thursday 31 March 2016

OPI Infinite Shine and Soft Shades Nail Polish Collections for Spring 2016

Press Release
Hi guys! Today I have some exciting news from OPI to share with you all!

For Spring 2016, OPI are releasing two new collections: Infinite Shine Spring '16 and Soft Shades Spring '16. Both are full of shades that are inspired by the spring runways, making our fingers and toes just as fashionable as our clothes.

The Infinite Shine Spring '16 collection includes 8 new colours for you to choose from, bringing the total number of Infinite Shine polishes to a grand total of 70. Each of the Infinite Shine shades provide a long-lasting, gel finish that doesn't require a light to apply. They can also be removed with regular nail polish remover.

The Soft Shades Spring '16 collection brings us a total of 6 pastel colours that promise to be opaque. That word is important here as a lot of pastel shades tend to be quite sheer and take a fair few coats to achieve that type of look, so this is one of those promises that make my ears stand to attention.

Describing the Soft Shades range, OPI co-founder and ambassador, Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, says "instead of the expected sheer and muted look, we’ve chosen a finish that adds a ‘mod’ element to our shades without diminishing their refinement." Exciting stuff!

Let's take a look at the new offerings, shall we?

Monday 28 March 2016

Polaar Polar Night Cream (Creme Nuit Polaire) review

If you're a regular reader of the blog, you'll more than likely know that I'm a big Birchbox fan. The March box was pretty decent and I have already reviewed the great Arrow Boost Colour Enhancing Lip Balm recently which a lot of you have loved.

Polaar Polar Night Cream (Creme Nuit Polaire)
Polaar Polar Night Cream (Creme Nuit Polaire)

Well today I'm reviewing another product that arrived in my March Birchbox. This one is a night cream from Polaar called Polar Night Cream (or Creme Nuit Polaire in French). It is created to regenerate your skin as you sleep.

It contains Rhodimenia Borealia (boreal algae) that reacts to the light of the moon to leave your skin refreshed, revitalised and radiant by morning.  It also says that night after night, your skin will be "recharged with oxygen". I'm not 100% what that is supposed to mean exactly, but we'll go with it!

In addition, it also includes phytomelatonin, a vegetal enzyme that is similar to the hormone melatonin that is released by the brain overnight. This then "activates the biological mechanisms responsible for nightly cellular regeneration".

It is also free of parabens, mineral-oils and alcohol.

The size that I received in my box is the small, 25ml squeezey tube (which in parts is sort of holographic and very pretty), but the full size comes in a screw cap jar that holds a nice 100ml of cream.

The jar itself is also very beautiful. It is white with dark blue writing and stars around it (see it here).

The cream is quite thick and bright white. It also has a light, powdery fragrance to it that is fresh yet relaxing.

Thursday 24 March 2016

Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick - Spring/Summer 2016 shade swatches

I have some great news! So many of you have been checking out my post about Avon's Perfectly Matte Lipstick range, and today I have swatches of the five BRAND NEW shades that are being added to the collection for spring/summer. Hurrah!

Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick in Absolutely Coral
Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick in Absolutely Coral

Avon's Perfectly Matte Lipsticks are described as being "more matte than MAC" and they also aren't drying on the lips. They were launched at the beginning of this year with a range of 15 shades that included nude shades, reds, pinks and purples that were both bright and darker, suitable for everyone through all seasons.

For spring/summer they are launching a few bright and vivid shades along with another nude that is darker than the previous ones. We have brighter purples than before (the previous purples were primarily quite dark, plum colours) yet also some easily wearable daytime shades.

The packaging is the same as before, a matte black, rectangular tube with the Avon logo around the centre in silver. The top of the lid has a small, plastic window that enables you to see the shade inside.

Tuesday 22 March 2016

Balance Me Revitalising Hand and Body Wash review

If you're a regular reader of the blog, you may remember a while back when I reviewed Balance Me's Super Moisturising Body Wash. I absolutely loved it, so naturally I had to give another of their body washes a try to review for you all.

Balance Me Revitalising Hand and Body Wash
Balance Me Revitalising Hand and Body Wash

The Balance Me Revitalising Hand and Body Wash is a 99% natural cleanser that - in case it wasn't obvious in the name - is suitable as both a hand wash and a body wash.

It claims to refresh, hydrate and soothe the skin, whilst the organic surfactants are gentle enough even for irritated skin. It has a zesty yet minty aroma that is beautifully unisex and uplifting, so it is perfect for everyone.

It comes packaged in different bottles that are dependent on the amount of product that you purchase. The bottle that I have is a 100ml squeezy white bottle with a screw cap lid. This is the type of bottle that you also get for the 30ml bottle, but if you buy the largest, 300ml size, you will get a pump lid for easy application. This type of bottle is also more handy if you primarily want to use it as a hand wash. The product itself is clear, thick gel.

Friday 18 March 2016

Arrow Boost Colour Enhancing Lip Balm review

I'd like to start off by apologising for this post being delayed a day. I'm currently feeling unwell, so writing took a little longer than normal! As being ill is a miserable time, I've decided to write about a product that makes me happy, and it's suitable for everybody. Hooray!

Arrow Boost Colour Enhancing Lip Balm
Arrow Boost Colour Enhancing Lip Balm
Arrow is a new brand that has been launched by Birchbox after the success of their first brand release, LOC (Love of Colour). The Boost Colour Enhancing Lip Balm is a one stop balm and colour enhancer. The shade of the product is determined by the pH levels in your skin, meaning that it is unique to everyone.

It is designed to "go wherever you do", from those early morning school runs, to work and then beyond, it's lightweight formula is suitable for all occasions and situations throughout your day.

It contains mango seed butter for hydration and it is vegan, paraben-free, gluten-free and cruelty-free.

It comes packaged in a white, plastic tube with a bright, geometric pattern around it that I love. The product itself is a very faintly tinted pink balm with a slightly domed tip for easy application.

My balm arrived in my March Birchbox (every subscriber receives one this month!) and I've been trying it out since it arrived.

Monday 14 March 2016

Hifas da Terra Mico-Soap review

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Continuing on from a previous post discussing how it's great to discover new brands (whether they be brand spanking new or simply just new to yourself), I have another one to show you all today!

Hifas da Terra Mico-Soap
Hifas da Terra Mico-Soap

Hifas da Terra is the brainchild of biologist Catalina Fernández de Ana Portela. Combining innovation with tradition, they create high quality medicinal mushroom products to look after your entire family. Due to Catalina's passion in this area, she has won numerous awards.

The company dedicates its time to educating people about the power of mushrooms and their different health benefits. In addition to vitamins, food and accessories, Hifas da Terra have a range of skincare that uses the healing benefits of mushrooms to provide you with beautiful, balanced skin.

The mushrooms that they cultivate are all high end and are grown in the natural environment under the ancient chestnut forests of Galicia in North West Spain. These natural, raw ingredients are then used in their different products so that we can all reap the healing benefits of mushrooms.

The product that I have to show you all today is their Mico-Soap. There are different varieties to address different skin concerns, but I have the Reishi, Calendula and Lemon soap for regenerating and soothing the skin. It is also said to be particularly great for acne and hormonally imbalanced skin.

The soap is the first part of the Hifas da Terra three-step ritual which is followed up with the Mico-Serum and Mico-Lift. I also have a couple of sachets of the Mico-Serum which I'll be touching on briefly in the review.

It is 100% natural and is free of sulphates, DEAs, parabens, carbomers, petrochemicals, phthalates and synthetic dyes. It is also not tested on animals.


Thursday 10 March 2016

Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon review and swatches

I love lip crayons. There is just something about them. I mean, yeah, they are everywhere and I know, it's more about the liquid lipstick right now (which I'm totally with), but the simplicity just keeps you going back.

Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon in Proudly Naked
Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon in Proudly Naked

Whilst today's product isn't a new release, it's still worth having a chat about. The Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon is a glossy finish lipstick in that handy, crayon format. It claims that its melting formula is hydrating and waterproof with an SPF of 15 and it can provide comfort and hydration for up to 10 hours. Nice!

The Lip Crayon's come in a range of 9 shades, including pinks, reds, oranges and nude shades.

The colour I have to show you all today is the shade Proudly Naked, which, as you can probably deduct from the name, is a pinky, nude, "my lips but better" sort of shade.

It comes packaged in a typical lip crayon style with plastic, pen-like packaging with the colour of the outer casing representing the shade of crayon inside.

Monday 7 March 2016

Ooharr Face Mask reviews

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I don't know about you, but I love discovering new beauty brands. There is something about the buzz and the excitement when you find a new wonder product and it makes me all eager to tell everybody all about them. Well, today I have some new products from by Amphora Aromatics' new company called Ooharr to share with you all.

Ooharr face masks - Star Glow, Dead Sea Cooler and Rosie Glow

Ooharr is a fun skincare brand that prides itself on providing natural based products that are "effective, natural and easy to use and won't break the bank". Their range currently consists of three face masks (with more to come) that are suitable for all skin types and I have all of them to show you all today!

Each mask comes packaged in its own personal, retro-designed sachet that contains enough product to apply to the face and neck (15ml).

To use, you need to simply wash your face with warm water only and leave damp. Immediately apply the mask evenly over the face and neck and leave on for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water. Splash the face with cold water to close the pores and then pat dry.

So what types of masks do they have? Let's take a look.

Thursday 3 March 2016

Aveda Invati Hair Experience review

You might have seen it, but incase you didn’t, Latest In Beauty and British Beauty Blogger recently joined up to present three different Aveda Hair Experience boxes. Each box was based around one of three different Aveda ranges: Invati, Be Curly and Damage Remedy. They each contained a selection of products from their corresponding ranges and some extra products, and due to my fine hair, I purchased the Invati box. Today, I’m going to be reviewing the Aveda Invati system (Exfoliating Shampoo, Thickening Conditioner and Scalp Revitalizer) as well as the Aveda Thickening Tonic and Aveda Comforting Tea which were included in my box.

Aveda Invati Hair Experience

The Invati system is made up of three products that are designed to work together to thicken fine hair and to prevent hair loss that is caused by breakage.

The Exfoliating Shampoo removes build-up and renews the scalp with salicylic acid that is derived from wintergreen. It also contains Densiplex, an Ayurvedic herb blend of ginseng and certified organic numeric to invigorate the hair.

The Thickening Conditioner is designed to weightlessly thicken the hair by using soy protein and naturally derived amino acids and the Scalp Revitalizer is a spray that helps you to keep the hair that you have for longer. Just like the Exfoliating Shampoo, the Scalp Revitalizer also contains the Densiplex blend.

The Thickening Tonic by Aveda is designed to thicken your hair from root to tip and is “powered by botanicals” and the Comforting Tea is described as a “soothing herbal infusion” that contains peppermint and licorice root. It comes in both tea bag and loose tea form.

I’m going to start off by reviewing the Invati System before discussing the Thickening Tonic and then the Comforting Tea.