Mii Cosmetics Review

I was lucky enough to work with Mii for their 2016 ad campaign last year, and as a thank you gift I was sent some of the products* that were featured in my shoot. Today we're talking face products, with a bit of lippie added in...

Repairing Damaged Hair: New Garnier Ultimate Blends

As you may know (as if I haven't posted about it enough on Instagram), I recently had my long-ish hair cut into a long bob. I've always wanted long, princess hair, but seeing as my cloud-like frizzy locks require daily heat-styling, it's just never going to happen and I'm becoming okay with that. I'm like, almost totally cool with it. Almost.

Lobs are on trend and I'm finding it to be a much healthier hairstyle compared to my previous length. I do intend to grow my hair out again, but this time I'm desperate to do it right. I was already starting to see split ends when Garnier selected me to try out their new Ultimate Blends Strength Restorer Honey Treasures* range for damaged hair...

Review: Nip + Fab Bee Sting Mask

You guessed it, I'm trying out more from the weird and wonderful world of Nip + Fab. Missed my post on their Dragon's Blood Cleansing Pads? Never fear, just click here.

Today I'm moving on to the Bee Sting Lifting Mask, which claims to plump your skin, making wrinkles appear smoother and lifting facial contours whilst it's at it. Those are some big claims. And yes, this stuff actually does contain bee venom, so apparently shouldn't be used if you have an allergy to bee stings. Intense stuff.

This mask retails for around £10, but is pretty much always half price in Superdrug. On first glance, I must admit, for a 50ml tube of a product that recommends the use of a 'thick layer', it seems a little on the small side for the retail price. Nevertheless, I was prepared to see what all the buzz (sorry) was about...

This stuff has a very inoffensive texture. It's a clear, gel like liquid that absorbs into the skin pretty quickly. Word of warning on the smell front: this product seems to have captured the smell of the dentist. Those afraid of the place might want to steer clear.

After being applied to the skin it produces a (very) slight tingle after a few minutes, but this is totally bearable (trust me, my skin is sensitive and flares up red very easily). You can hardly feel it on your skin!

It can then either be washed off after ten minutes or worn as an overnight mask. The overnight mask effect I have found to be the least effective: I can't personally observe much difference in my skin, particularly as my skin is often puffy in the mornings anyway! I do however love the effects of the ten minute mask: it really evens out my complexion and gives my skin a healthy boost. I have noticed it really does plump up the area around my cheekbones, which makes contouring an absolute dream! I haven't yet seen it wipe away my wrinkles (yeah, I'm only 21 I know, but I have heavy frown lines from a resting bitch face unfortunately) but I'm hopeful that with prolonged use it will continue to give my skin a smoother appearance.

Have you tried this? Let me know your thoughts... xo

Review: Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara

Sometimes I decide I've fallen out with some of my best-loved makeup products. A few weeks ago, I took this emotion out on my mascaras. Benefit's Roller Lash was too spidery, Bad Gal wasn't making my lashes long enough and my trusty Max Factor 2000 Calorie ran out. What's a girl to do? *first world probs moment of reflection*. Go to Superdrug and stand bewildered in front of rows and rows of makeup products, that's what.

Pushed for time, I grabbed the one that stood out the most (alien green is my kinda thing, not gonna lie) praying to the makeup gods that it'd had a nice review somehow, somewhere in the world. Hello Rimmel Lash Accelerator.

Upon research I discovered that this mascara has been around a while. A long while. Okay, five years, but in the makeup world - a place where everything is new new new - that's definitely out of the ordinary. Of course, it has evolved, and I was excited to try my random purchase.

Things I love:

- This mascara is enriched with argan oil and is supposed to make your lashes look super long and encourage their growth in the process. Honestly, it's one of the most lengthening I've ever tried. I really love that aspect of it. It doesn't do much on the curl front so if you have super straight lashes then it's probably not the one for you.

-It looks great on the bottom lashes too, which is something I'm always looking for in a mascara (you'd think more could cater to both sets of lashes, right?) 

- Longer lashes? I'm not sure yet, but my lashes are 100% stronger. They look thicker and more defined, and when I wash my face I always think I've got a touch of mascara on...but no, it's just that my lashes have had a boost!

I'm less of a fan of the fact that:

- This mascara does leave marks. After a few hours wear and a trip to the bathroom, you will pretty much always look in the mirror to find a few spots of it are now sitting beneath your eyes. It's not crumbled away, but more kind of printed. It's strange, and whilst not a deal breaker, kind of irritating.  

Final verdict? I probably won't repurchase, but this mascara will serve me well for the coming months. However, if I notice more growth, it may just be a winner (just might need to check my reflection more often... *swishes hair*). 

Have you tried this? Let me know below xo

Men's Post-Shave Balm as a Primer? Really?

If Nikkie Tutorials tells me to do something, I'm probably going to do it. After watching her time and time again apply Nivea Men's Post-Shave Balm to her face as a primer, I just had to try it out for myself. What Nikkie says goes.

This is my confused face (to convey my apprehension). Before you ask: yes, my hair is now short and yes, I too am obsessed with infinity necklaces (£2 in H&M shh don't shout about it).

Nevertheless, with the price at just £3.50 I was more than happy to investigate whether or not this balm actually works or just makes me smell like a well-groomed man (ain't nothing wrong with that).

Here's how I got on with it and what I learnt along the way...

First up, I would only recommend this for combo/oily skin. If you're dry and need a lot of moisture before priming, this product will simply be too heavy and probably create unwanted texture to your makeup. Hate to be the bearer of bad news (if you're dry do you really need primer though? Life's tough questions...)

If you've passed that stage, let me tell you how this stuff works:

• You need a clean, dry face. If you can, skip the moisturiser.
• It absorbs pretty quickly but you do need to give it a good five minutes to ensure your skin is ready for makeup. Once it's absorbed, your skin will feel soft and smooth. Yes, your face will smell a bit manly, but after all your makeup is on you won't be left with any scent.
• Now, here's where it gets a bit tricky. These days I like to apply my foundation with my fingers (don't judge okay, fingers are your best tools! Someone once said...once...). Newsflash, that process is not available with this primer. If you rub product into it, it crumbles. Disaster. 
• What you do need is a stippling brush or beauty blender. I'm currently out of love with my blender but have found a Real Techniques stippling brush to work wonders.
  

Yeah, it's a tiny bit of a faff but seriously, your makeup will stay perfect all day. I have noticed a serious improvement in the way my makeup looks and lasts.

This is a great primer for oily skin simply because it's so good at keeping your makeup on your face! Your makeup stays latched onto the balm and doesn't let half as much oil through. I haven't even been setting my makeup. Absolute result.

Have you tried this out? Let me know your experiences. Yay for strange and affordable primers! xo

Current Favourite: Nip + Fab Dragon's Blood Cleansing Pads

Now before any Dragon's Rights Activists get on Nip + Fab's case, no dragons were harmed in the making of this product. Dragon's Blood is actually a substance obtained from certain plants, (Google it, it's kind of fascinating) and these cleansing pads combine it with hyaluronic and salicylic acid to hydrate and restore skin. Intrigued? As was I when my mum started boasting about them. To be honest, anything with the word dragon in the name and I'm there (I've got a serious Khaleesi ambition). One pot down and another trip to Superdrug and I'm well and truly hooked.

I use these after cleansing and before moisturising and have found them to be really effective in improving my skin's appearance. These are great at speeding up the healing process if you suffer from any kind of spots, plus they also leave your skin feeling plumper, tighter and super fresh.

For real, you only have to smell these things to tell they're going to work wonders. That slightly acidic but nevertheless pleasant scent screams 'I mean business'. You gotta get them to get it, to be honest.

You get 60 in a pot, which is essentially two month's worth. They usually retail for around £9.99, though they're often on offer in Superdrug. Either way I think they're incredible value for the price; if you want to step up your skincare, this range is a great place to start.

They might even turn you into a dragon-wielding princess. Report back to base if so ... xo

Naked Basics: Three Looks, One Palette

Naked Basics palette was one of my Christmas presents this year and I am extremely in love with it. It's a small palette, making it a great size for travel, but it still contains six great shades that are perfect for creating a day or night time look.

From left to right:
1. Neutral look. Using Foxy as a base and applying Naked 2 all over, you can create a great natural look for every day.
2. Brown Smokey. Building on the neutral look, by adding Faint to the outer V and under the lash line with a tiny touch of Crave to create some depth, you can achieve a great brown smokey eye.
3. Black Smokey. Super simple in concept but requires some patience (is it just me who hates doing black smokey eyes but loves the end result?) Pack Crave all over the line and smoke out under the lashline. Even though these shadows are super blendable and smooth, they do have fallout so take care.

I adore this palette. Who knew you could create statement looks with only six neutral shadows? Til next time... xo