DKNY Sweet Delicious Pink Macaron Ltd Edition.

It was Mothers Day a few weeks ago and my gorgeous children were very kind to their favourite Mummy. Not only did I get a lovely box of chocolates and couple of fab home made cards but I was also lucky enough to receive a bottle of DKNY Limited Edition Pink Macaron. I've spent ages searching for whether this is actually called Pink Macaroon or Pink Macaron, virtually everything online says Pink Macaroon, except for my box and the DKNY site which definitely calls it Pink Macaron so I'm going to stick with Macaron! I was briefly starting to wonder if my family had bought me a fake, but I'm suitably satisfied by the DKNY site!

This one is beautiful, it's sweet and fruity. It opens with the fruit, in particular nectarine and then at the heart is what they are calling rose marzipan. I love it. It's quite a subtle scent, not overpowering at all. It's not heavy nor is it over poweringly sweet. I just made that word up I think. But it's light, sweet-but-not-sickly, and a great summer day scent. It's NOT a mature scent, but I'm not a mature person. Perfect. It's a massive change from my usual patchouli based favourites, but I think thats the appeal!

The bottle is cute but a little plasticy, that doesn't bother me at all, but maybe it might bother you.

I really fancy getting the other two in the Sweet Delicious range, the Creamy Meringue and Tart Key Lime. I've sniffed them all in store and would be hard pushed to choose a favourite.

This cost my husband £36. I know because I had to provide him with the details of where to buy. In this case, Debenhams.

YSL Teint Radiance Review

YSL's Teint Radiance (Radiance Enhancing Flawless Foundation) is my first experience with a  YSL base. I'm a  big fan of most of their cosmetics so I had great expectations.

Teint Radiance comes in a great range of colours and I suspected I'd be a 3 (Opal) which indeed I am. I'm pretty sure the range goes up to a shade 12 so I'm about where I'd expect to be on the scale.

The foundation is supposed to be fine and silky and natural looking. The coverage buildable and most importantly for me has SPF 20.

Gotta say I'm loving this. I'll show you how it looks on my face then talk about it in a little more detail after. For these pictures in addition to the foundation I have a little powder on my nose only, a touch of blusher and some Touche Eclat under my eyes.

 I have to say I'm a fan. This is a great level of coverage for me. The shade is nigh on perfect and it certainly has a degree of radiance but still looks like it's my skin. It's very natural.

The only problem with this for me is that by about lunchtime it was slipping a bit in places. It didn't budge on my cheeks, nor my chin, the only place it started to slip was around my nostrils, so next time I wear this I'll be sure to powder there too because my nose (where I did powder) stayed well put too.  So yes this is a lovely foundation. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who has skin that leans a bit oily, but for normal, combination or dry I think this is great, just if you are combination you might need a little powder to help set it. Just make sure you use a powder that doesn't take away all the radiance!

Teint Radiance is £31 from all the usual counters.

*Disclosure - PR Sample*

More Pixi PixiGlow Tinkerbell Make Up

Well hopefully you saw my recent post featuring Pixi Fairy Face Palette in Pixi Bell I just had to buy a few more items from the Tinkerbell collection, so smitten was I.

As expected, the packaging and design is beautiful and whimsical, but what I was really interested in were the products. I loved the textures of the PixiGLOW palette so much I had high hopes for the rest of the range.  The three items I bought are as follows.

Straight On Till Morning Liner

A beautiful olive green pencil with an added dimension of a touch of coppery gold shimmer. Performs amazingly well and exactly as you would expect from the name. One line lasts all day, no smudging. It's also a beautiful colour.

The next thing is the Catching Shadows Crayon

A champagne/gold/beige creamy pencil for your lid. It promises to be non-creasing and I have to say I used it as a base for the next product and it stayed put all day, no creasing. Very very gorgeous colour too.

The final item I bought was the Fairy Dust in Moonlight Lustre

The most stunning white gold loose pigment which a sponge applicator. This is beautiful, I layered it over the Catching Shadows Pencil to help it stay put but I've also tried it very sparingly on my cheekbones as a highlight. What a product. So gorgeous.

Swatches, just a couple of pics in different lights. Left to Right is the Liner, pencil and pigment.

A quick eye featuring all the above...

 I'm so thrilled with these buys, they confirm just what I expected, Pixi is a brand I love. The products really perform and are beautiful.

I bought all of the above items from www.asos.com.

Tinker Bell Fairy Dust £10
Straight On Till Morning Liner £9.50
Catching Shadows Crayon £12

Glossybox, my Final Thoughts.

I didn't receive the Harrods Glossybox, I did however receive the two prior to that. I didn't blog about them at the time for various reasons, partly because I find that the blogging world gets over saturated with posts about Glossybox and partly because I just wasn't sure what to say.

The valentines box was ok, I liked the skincare, I liked the pink box, but I'd have been really disappointed if I'd have paid for it, there wasn't anything I got excited about in there.

The February box though, that was the killer. I won't go into what was in there in any great detail, but again it wasn't exciting and then I found out some people got a Becca Beach Tint. If I had have paid for my box I would have been so cross! I got well some not very exciting bits again. Very disappointing.

And then there's the furore over the Harrods box which I didn't receive. Some people got a Burberry lipstick, others didn't. How can it be fair?!

And thats the problem with Glossbox. There are often things you can get off counters for free. People sometimes get much coveted and desirable items whilst others get  yet more skincare samples and there seems to be no rhyme nor reason to who gets what. Certainly if there is something fabulous then it should be across the board to stop the cries of unfairness!

It feels awfully ungrateful to moan about something that is free, especially something that seems so "gift" like but I have to review this as though it was something I paid for with my own money and if I had paid I'd be really unhappy if I'd missed out on the Becca Beach Tint and then the Burberry lipstick in order to get more skincare or body lotion.

So I'm over Glossybox. I still love the idea, and I also still think these are  GREAT idea for anyone who likes beauty products but isn't a blogger. As bloggers we are often already surrounded by samples plus the huge amounts of things we buy, it's something special we look forward to and if for some reason we don't get it then its really disappointing.

*Disclosure - if it's not already clear, I received my boxes free of charge and I do feel awful about sounding so ungrateful - I've tried very hard to be objective*

MeMeMe Arch Angel

Ah brows. The current bane of my life. Whilst I've been growing them out and singing the praises of Rapidlash which has helped me fill in the bald spots I am having to endure the most ridiculous Susan Boyle eyebrows. At some point when they've finished growing out I'll be going to get them properly shaped etc but for now I need to keep them under control and I had high hopes for this product. MeMeMe's Arch Angel.

A tinted brow gel on one end and a creamy highlighter on the other end.

Have a little look at the applicators:

There's a mascara wand for the brow gel and a sponge tipped applicator for the highlighter.

The brow gel is a great colour for me, a true brown which doesn't lean too red as so many brow products do, and the highlighter is beautiful.

Unfortunately I haven't got on as well with this product as I would have liked. The highlighter is fab, very blendable, a gorgeous subtle shade once blended and does exactly what it should, opens up the eye area. The  brow gel is a perfect colour for me but I just can't get on with the mascara wand type applicator. It's great for combing the brows into shape and adding a touch of colour but I found I couldn't be as precise as I'd like with this, especially where the brows start and at the top, I prefer a powder and brush or pencil. But that's just me, if you know you can get on with this kind of applicator for applying brow products then I would definitely recommend this because once it's in place it stays put all day and as I say the colour is great as is the highlighter.

The MeMeMe  Arch Angel launches on the 11th April and will retail at £8.50.

*Disclosure - PR Sample*

Shavata Exclusive Products for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer

If you're on the hunt for a decent set of tweezers look no further as these will not only do a great job of your brows but also give you a good feeling vibe when you purchase as 30% of all proceeds are donated to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.

Lets not forget:
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives.
48,000 women and 300 men are diagnosed ever year
1000 women die each month from the disease

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer is the flagship fashion campaign of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a charity dedicated to changing these figures by improving and saving lives through finding the cause of breast cancer, enabling  early detection, ensuring precise diagnosis and discovering new and better treatments. So far, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer has raised over £12 million.

Shavata Singh has teamed up with the charity to create a range of exclusive tweezers in black or white as well as a stainless steel mirrored compact, all of which have the logo on them. The Tweezers will be £9.95 and the  compact will be £12.95.

The products are all limited edition and launch on 1st May but you can pre-order online from 1st April.

The range will be available from Shavata Brow Studios in Harrods, Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser and Debenhams as well as available for pre-order from www.shavata.co.uk

Earth Month with Origins

There are two phenomenal things Origins are going to be doing for Earth Month in April which I wanted to share with you. Both are excellent but one is amazing!

First up, the Global ReLeaf Campaign.  For every product purchased within the A Perfect World range between 15th and 28th April Origins will plant a tree on the customers behalf. Working together with Global Releaf trees will be planned to help restore areas damaged by wildfire. Brilliant.

And then Earth Month Trade-in Day is 21st April 2012. Start using up your skincare products now. On the 21st of April you can take and empty skincare product from any brand into your nearest Origins counter and get a FREE FULL SIZE tube of either Starting Over Age-erasing moisturiser (RRP £36) or A Perfect World SPF25 Age-Defense Moisturiser (RRP £32). How amazing is that! This will be available on a first come first served basis and there are 5000 available nationwide so get using your products up and get to the counter early in the day!

Orly Cool Romance for Spring 2012

I'm sorry, I've been meaning to do this post for ages but I must admit I've struggled a bit.

As a collection I love this. Swatches I've seen are gorgeous. I particularly recommend The PolishAholic's swatches. The pink, Artificial Sweetener and the green, Jealous, Much? are really gorgeous, in fact they all are, except for the one I was sent to review, Steel Your Heart.

 These have come out a bit green in my pictures, I'm not sure why, it's a steel grey as the name would suggest and it's a little frosty...which means brush strokes. It doesn't seem to fit the collection either. That said I don't hate it, I just wouldn't choose it myself. The formula was perfection as is usually the case with Orly polishes and it hasn't put me off the rest of the collection, I think I'll treat myself to a few of them. The pink, green and purple taupe perhaps.

Pretty collection, just not overly keen on the one shade I was sent!

*Disclosure - PR Sample*

Babyliss Pro Speed 2200 Watt Hair Dryer

Here comes a product rave. A budget product rave. Kinda.

If you are in the market for a new hair dryer but don't want to spend the earth on one then look no further.  The Babyliss Pro Speed 2200 Watt Hair Dryer is without a doubt the best hair dryer I have EVER owned.

Let me set the scene. I have fine hair but lots of it. If I leave my hair to dry naturally, say I wash it 5.30pm, it will still be damp in places at midnight. If my hairdresser blow dries my hair it can take up to 20 minutes.

This hairdryer does my hair in 10 minutes. Tops. It's so powerful, it's like standing in a gale force wind. It's incredible.

Oh it has ceramic and ionic technology. I never really know what that means, other than I think Ionic is supposed to make your hair shiny. And it does. Two speed settings, fast and super fast and 3 temperature settings, and cool shot.

Oh and for me, something I specifically wanted and needed, a long cord. 3 meters in fact.

Anyway, I know this isn't the most exciting blog post ever, but if you want a hair dryer that does a great job, don't spend  a fortune, get one of these. I spent £24.99 in Argos on mine!

Highly recommended.

Clarins Ever Matte Mineral Powder Compact

Before I start, I realise these photos contain the Ever Matte Foundation as well as the powder compact, but I won't be reviewing the foundation as alas it is the wrong shade for me.

 The Ever Matte Mineral Powder Compact promises to control shine, smooth skin texture, absorb excess sebum and even the complexion for a transparent finish and a natural no mask effect.

Firstly the packaging. This is a compact to be proud of. That beautiful classy and classic gold compact, Sturdy and heavy and beautiful. Inside, there's a mirror in the lid, a sponge powder puff and this beautiful 'quilted' powder. The powder itself just looks smooth and it really is. There are four available shades and I have the second, (01 Transparent Light).

This is a great powder. I don't find it keeps me completely shine free all day long but it does do a good job. I tend to apply using a powder brush in the morning and then when I need a touch up (usually around mid afternoon) I use the included powder puff. It's testament to the product that the puff does a great job of applying the powder exactly where needed and without being cakey in any way.

Although this is a matte powder, it doesn't suck the life out of your skin. It just takes away the shine but still allows some radiance... I know that doesn't sound like it makes much sense, but thats how it is! I don't normally like a very matte finish, usually I find it just makes me look odd and overly made up, whereas this just seems to make me look normal. Not oily, not dry, just fine. And you can't see the powder in place. Perfect.

This was a PR sample, but it retails at £25, but it would seem Escentual are still selling all Clarins with 20% off. Bargain!

Benefit They're Real Mascara Review

I recently treated myself to this mascara. It's been on my list of products I wanted to check out since it's release and subsequent impressed blog reviews from my peers.

So here we are. Benefit They're Real mascara. I generally speaking, love this. I have one little question mark about this but I'll get to that in a bit.

The first thing I love is the wand/brush.

I can't get on with these new fangled HUGE brushes doing the rounds at the moment. I just blob mascara all over my eyes as well as my lashes. This isn't a tiny brush by any means, but its not jumbo either. It's manageable for me. I'd started to believe that if you wanted big lashes then big brushes was the only way, I'm relieved that's not the case!

Have a look. Now just a little reminder, the brows are getting out of control... I'm still growing them. Rapidlash is incredible for brows!

 Long defined obvious lashes. Love it.

The only slight issue I have with this and it is only a little gripe, is that I find it a bit sticky! It is thick (but not clumpy) but you wouldn't want to go more than two lashes as they go rock hard and coated solid in the stuff. Washing it over I've never seen such a mess, my face was black all over! Still it did come off easily so thats the main thing.

All in all I love this. Glad I bough it, I certainly didn't need it, but it's all I'm reaching for at the moment. Nice one Benefit!

Benefit They're Real is £18.50.

Aromatherapy Associates Renewing Rose Cleanser

I recently received the Renewing Rose Cleanser to try out. I love the AA Rose Renew body products I've tried in the past so was keen to try this one out too.

First up, the beautifully simple Aromatherapy Associates packaging, it's a pump bottle which is something I do like in a cleanser as it's much easier to manage with wet hands etc.

The product itself is a cream consistency, or a lotion, you apply over your face and neck and then rinse off with warm water.

Ingredients wise, there's Damask rose water, geranium oil (which helps balance the skin's natural oils and jojoba.

I started off using this with my Clarisonic, it smells divine and it certainly left my skin clean, but I decided it wasn't quite right for use with the Clarisonic but I didn't want to stop using it so now I use this to cleanse my face first and remove my make up before using another cleanser with my Clarisonic afterwards.

Using this alone (and without following up with the Clarisonic) this leaves my skin soft, clean feeling and lightly rose-scented. I've also noticed that my skin seems quite happy with this new regime so I can't see me dropping this one any time soon. It's also, unusually for Aromatherapy Associates, not too costly, at £22 for 200ml this isn't outrageously priced, although obviously more than your average Boots/Superdrug cleansers.

I must admit, that I'm still really on the hunt for a whole range that will suit my skin, including something to use with my Clarisonic, but I think this cleanser makes a great foundation for me to start with.

*Disclosure - PR Sample*

The Pixi PixiGLOW Tinkerbell Collection & FotD

I know there have been a lot of posts about this collection and the recent event, hopefully you'll find this one a little different.

Sadly, I wasn't able to attend the event but I was lucky enough to receive a couple of the products, hence this post.

Pixi isn't a brand I'd ever really looked at I have to be honest, but when I saw this collection I just HAD to try it. I don't even love Tinkerbell, although she is particularly popular with my 5 year old, but somehow the packaging of these products just really called my name and I think its stunningly beautiful. Just look at these outer boxes.

It's like a grown up Tink.  She's SO beautiful and the gorgeous whimsical packaging is stunning.  There are few pieces in this collection, I have two of them.

First up the Fairy Face Palette in Pixi Bell (£32)

I can't even tell you how beautiful this is. It's just gorgeous. It's solid too, it doesn't feel flimsy, even though it's plastic, it feels solid and sturdy. Open it up and inside you'll find this.

 Five eyeshadows and five lip creams, each with a brush/sponge applictor and when you open it further you'll find a blush and brush.

Now for the swatches.

 The eyeshadows are beautiful and really well pigmented. The lip cremes are on the sheer-er side but are actually quite buildable for a deeper shade.

Here's a closer look at those eye shadows.

Then there's the blusher swatches, I've swatched the colours separately. (below left is another product).

I don't know why the cheek colour swatches are so sheer, because you'll see on my cheeks that the blush actually has plenty of pigment.

The other product I was sent is the Magic Tink Tint (£10)

A sort of lipstick/balm/gel crayon that turns a custom shade of pink on everyone. Oh this is beautiful. The consistency is amazing, moisturising but not too much slip, and I've seen on some blogs this looks like a real berry shade on some people, on me, that wasn't the case. For reference, it's a twist up pencil.

Swatched on my hand its a very sheer indeed pale pink. You've seen this pic before but now you know what that bottom stripe is :)

On my lips it turns this shade:

Love it. Of course because it's different on everyone, this is useless in terms of how it would look on you, but y'know, its good to share these things anyway, I love this.

All the colours in this range are designed to suit and flatter everyone and I have to say that I love the way all the shades look on me and I've worn the face palette every single day. Anyway, here's how I wore it one day last week.

 This range couldn't be more up my street I have to say. I love everything and I've just ordered a few more bits from the collection too. The  Fairy Dust, the Straight on Til Morning liner and the Catching Shadows crayon.

I honestly can't recommend this collection highly enough, in particular that palette. I am umming and ahhing about buying one to put away for Chloe as I think it would make a really lovely first make up kit for her when she is older. That doesn't mean it's childish though, it isn't. This is a truly beautiful product for all ages, which is the beauty of the products held within.

Available from Asos and of course http://www.pixibeauty.co.uk/. Speaking of which, I've been browsing the site and absolutely must have this Week of Wakeup Makeup Palette!

Does anything from this range take your fancy, I have to say its really opened up my eyes and now I really am interested in trying more Pixi stuff.

*Disclosure- PR Samples*