Benefit Triple Performing facial emulsion SPF15 moisturiser: THE REVIEW

'A moisturiser? From Benefit?' I hear you scream. 

Benefit has always been great for most things, I say as 'Coralista' blush, 'Browzings' brow kit, '10' highlighter and the brand's most recent hit 'They're real' mascara sit in my current everyday make up bag. But moisturiser? 

So I know what you're thinking. It would not be my go-to counter for a new skincare product either. Or at least, it wasn't before I was given a sample of their new(-ISH) facial moisturiser; Triple performing facial emulsion. The stuff is actually a god-send, it really is. When I started using one of my samples (I was generously given three) I'll be honest, my skin was struggling. I had had a few late nights and one too many sugary treats, and therefore I was pretty sceptical that a change of moisturiser would make any difference. But it really did. The consistency is definitely something to write home about for one, as it smooths on to the skin like a dream and is almost gel-like without being greasy. It is not too heavy and smells amazing too. You are told to use the moisturiser in the mornings, but I came to love the stuff so much that I started using it at night too. As well as working wonders for my skin and giving it a certain glow, it has an SPF15, so it's a real win-win product and I will definitely be back to the counter soon to buy a full sized bottle.

Speaking of, the product sells for £19.50 a pop; not cheap, but as I find skincare incredibly important, I would argue it is worth the investment. Go and pick up yours today or swing by and ask the lovely ladies on the counter for a sample if I haven't already convinced you...

B.  

Beyonce 'Mrs Carter Show' Tour

In honour of Beyonce's upcoming 'Mrs Carter Show' tour, I thought I'd do a little post about all things Queen Bey. 

Myself and my flatmates are hoping to swoop in and nab some tickets before they sell out (we know, a major mission) and have been planning our tactics all week (5 laptops, lots of coffee and Beyonce tunes- obviously). I can honestly say I have been waiting to see the all-singing, all-dancing diva for the most part of my life as she is a huge idol of mine and pretty much everything she does I admire. 

Here's a little list of my top 5 girl-power, 'diva-in-charge' songs (correction, SIX; I tried to cut it down to 5, it was downright impossible):

1.) Run the world (Girls) (4)

2.)Irreplaceable (B'day)

3.) Diva (I am...Sasha Fierce)

4.) Best thing I never had (4)

5.)Freakum' Dress (B'day)

6.) Ring the alarm (B'day)

So turn up your speakers and pray for tickets this Thursday/Saturday! 

ALL HAIL QUEEN BEY! 

(the other queen) B. 

Topshop makeup SS13 range launches

I have always loved Topshop makeup. I say always, as it is easy to forget that the super high-street brand only first launched their pretty make-up range 3 years ago in 2010. I remember it well as I was working in a Topshop store back in my home-town. The collection in our store first started out with a few of the nail paints, in around six colours. The entire staff was excited by the prospect of a more extensive range, which soon came in the form of lipsticks, cream blushes and mascaras. Since then, the range has blossomed to include everything from lip crayons to waterproof kohls and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. So imagine my delight every time I hear that new products are soon to be released. From the Louise Gray collection to the ‘Dark side of nude’, each collection brings something new to the table.

So onto their new offerings under the SS13 collection. The new range includes a new mascara in ‘Carbon Copy’, two lip paints in ‘Low Down’ (a bright orange) and ‘Yeah Right’ (a bright ruby red shade), two new palettes (one for face, one for eyes), a new brush set, two new lip colours (‘Bombshell’- a neon pink and ‘Straight Ace’ a gothy purple), a liquid liner, two stick blushes (‘Sneakpeak’- pink and ‘Acting up’-orange), and the most exciting prospect to me; peel-off nails.

Topshop SS13 makeup range leaflet (first 3 images)

  

As I am currently a little short of money (hurry up easter student loan), I decided to be sensible and stick to one product to start with. I chose to try out the peel-off nail polish in ‘Straight Laced’; a pretty grey-purpley colour which I thought would look especially pretty in the spring time. I’d have to say that along with their lipsticks, Topshops nail polishes are my favourite items in the ever-growing collection. It is impossible not to get a little excited when walking into a store and seeing a colourful array of polishes, and Topshop’s are some of the best in the high-street/drug stores. At only 5/6 pounds a bottle they are slightly cheaper than well-known brands such as Essie and O.P.I but arguably just as impressive.

And SO, back to the peel-off nails. I guess I picked one up because I find the concept quite interesting. Even the girl at the counter in Topshop looked at the bottle and quizzically asked what I thought ‘peel-off’ nail polish was supposed to do. The product description in the leaflet claims that the polish is a ‘fluid, solvent-free formula [which] applies with ease…preserving [the] nail’s natural moisture’. From the photos you will see that the colour is pretty enough, but the real test here was the formula and the concept of peel-off nails. Topshop.com tells you that to remove ‘simply peel off by hand’. Hmm, interesting.

 Firstly, I would have to say that although the colour is very VERY pretty, I had to layer on a whopping FOUR coats to get to a colour that was not too sheer. This aside, I did notice that the polish is without that horrible strong nailpaint odour that often comes with painting your nails, presumably down to the unique formula. The finish is slightly shiny and it went onto my nails like a dream. I really like the idea of just being able to peel off the polish easily without using the dreaded nail polish remover (it really does work- they come off so easily and quickly), and found it easy to remove those cheeky smudges around the side simply by gently tearing them off. Since painting my nails yesterday (and washing my hair, doing the washing up etc etc) I have to say that the colour is still largely going strong. So far so good right? Wellllll, here’s the slight downside. Because the formula is easy to peel off it does have a tendency to well, peel off before you are ready. Both of my thumbs have lost the very top of the polish and are curling down. It does feel really great on nails though and is clearly a more natural solution to nail polish which does not damage or weaken the nail at all. SO all in all, a clever idea which is healthy and natural for nails, and a very pretty shade, but perhaps not the best type of nail paint for long lasting colour.

I am also really looking forward to giving the ‘Low Down’ lip paint and ‘Acting up’ stick blush a go, as I am  HUGE fan of anything orange tinted. Reviews will of course follow!

Has anyone else tried out the peel-off nails or any other product from the range? What do you guys think?

B. 

OOTD catch-up.

Hi Guys! 

So I am sat here feeling slightly worse for wear after a night out, and decided to put a random little outfit post up. I guess it is a catch-up of some of my favourite OOTD's that I have been posting on Instagram (follow me at bfearn123) lately, but have not had the blog up and running yet to put them up. I have also added a couple of my friends outfits onto the end which I have been loving recently. So enjoy! 

B. 

The Roommate review: #1 PALMER’S COCOA BUTTER FORMULA ‘SKIN THERAPY OIL’.

Palmer’s ‘Skin therapy oil’ has been a product close to my heart for a while now. After reading about it online, I went straight out and bought a bottle (and managed to get there just on time as Boots were promoting a half price deal for a limited time only!). The oil is best applied after a shower or bath, into towel-dried skin. I had actually never been a fan of body oils and would always have called myself a body lotion girl, as I had always found oils a bit greasy and slow to absorb into the skin. If, like me, you have these worries about body oils but want to try them out, I would definitely recommend giving this one a whirl. In my experience, it absorbs quickly into the skin in a non-greasy formula and smells like cocoa butter and Christmas :) It also says on the bottle that it is great for scars and stretch marks, so would be good to check out if you suffer from either. 

I asked my roomies to give it a try and let me know what they thought, as I wanted to see how the product fared for others. The general consensus about the consistency of the formula was that it was indeed non-greasy and absorbed into the skin well. One of my flatmates Shelley is not so keen on oils in general, so was not a huge fan of the formula, but adored the smell. My other flatmate Judith found the opposite; she liked the oil but detested the smell, even claiming she had to open the window to air out the smell (a little dramatic if you ask me ;) ). My other friend who tried the oil, Mimi, said that it can be slightly greasy, but this soon goes away when the product is absorbed. This is one thing they all agreed on: it was excellent for dry skin and is a great substitute for highly intensive moisturiser.

After hearing their views on the oil, I decided it was a sort of ‘game of preferences’. If you hate oils, this is probably not for you. BUT, if you are willing to give them a try, this is a great place to start, especially if you have dry skin, and I suggest trying it just for the delectable smell…mmmm.

B. 

#throwbackthursday fashion: LFW.

Ok, so I may not be 'throwing back' so far this week, as I’m sharing images of my London Fashion Week 2012 experience. But hey, still counts. It was one of the most exciting days of my summer last year, and made me really feel a part of the constantly evolving fashion industry. Being given the opportunity to attend fashion week was a dream come true, and one I hope to repeat again. It was a day filled with designers, new collections, outfit envy, cosmo-sipping and being ‘papped’ by Regent Street Online’s Street Style photographers. My friend Emma and I decided to stick to a Chanel-esque classic themed style for the day, sporting boucle jackets and tweed style skirts, along with a leather jumper and the most FIERCE pair of shoes I have ever worn. I'm actually impressed that I managed to last the day in them...they didn’t feel as pretty as they looked after 8 hours!!

B. 

Favourite January Products: The Monthly Gems

As we are already half way (nearly) through February…a little late to the party…I know.

 But as I’ve only just started blogging I decided this would be a good start.

Last month served up some real goodies for me. After receiving Christmas treats and a few bob to spend, there was only one thing on my mind. GET ME TO THE BEAUTY COUNTER. What follows is a list of products I have therefore discovered and completely fallen for.

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in 307 L'impatiente, Barry M Lip Paint in 54. 

Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine. 

Swatches of Barry M, Chanel, and apocalips in Apocaliptic and Nude Eclipse. 

Firstly, I have gone a little lip product mad since Christmas. My brother kindly bought me Chanel’s Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick in 307 ‘L’impatiente’ from their Christmas range. It is a beautiful dark purple colour (I STILL haven’t gotten over last seasons goth-themed trend) and has a matte finish, perfect for night-time glamour. Next up is Barry M’s lip paint in 54: a vibrant creamy orange colour which would suit any skin tone. Korres Jasmine Lip Butter has also been on my radar, giving my lips a smooth feel and pretty nude sheen. Lastly, I’ve been loving Rimmel ‘Apocalips’ (I picked them up in apocaliptic and nude eclipse). I know everyone has been raving about these beauties, and I can honestly say they are a PERFECT substitute for the YSL glossy stains. I wore the hot pink colour (apocaliptic) on a night out recently, and it stayed on ALL night and didn’t feel overly sticky at all.

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine nail paint in Blueberry. 

NARS blush in Deep Throat. 

Another couple of make-up bits I’ve been loving include Barry M’s Gelly Hi-Shine nail paint. I purchased the colour ‘Blueberry’, and it is fair to say I have been impressed! I am a bit of a nail polish snob and so I was pleasantly surprised how good Barry M’s polishes actually were. The gelly formula gives a shiny, glossy finish to the nail, and lasts around an impressive 5 days chip free. I am also really liking NARS’ ‘Deep throat’ blush. It is so SO pretty pink on the cheeks, and I have just always been in love with the minimalistic packaging.

Clarins Super Restorative Replenishing Comfort Mask. 

Bumble and Bumble BB Sunday Shampoo. 

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Soap. 

 Lastly, some face and body products. A product I’ve been raving about to anyone who will listen is Bumble and Bumble’s ‘BB Sunday Shampoo’…makes my hair just amazing. It’s a clarifying shampoo, so it’s best to avoid using it more than once or twice a week (perhaps alternating with your usual shampoo), ESPECIALLY if you have coloured hair. And now that bumble and bumble is available in boots, it is a hell of a lot easier to get your hands on the stuff, hurrah! Clarins' ‘Super Restorative Replenishing Comfort Mask’ has also caught my attention. As a huge fan of face masks, I am very picky when it comes to what I use on my face. But this mask smooths on easily, doesn’t dry uncomfortably and smells pretty nice too. Go try it! And finally, Jo Malone’s Pomegranate Noir soap has been a favourite. The smell is just divine, admittedly it is an acquired scent, but if you like it you will grow to LOVE it. Also lasts a really, really long time, and the ladies at the Jo Malone stand will package it beautifully for you.

Thanks for reading!

B.