Review: 17 Miracle Matte Foundation Update

You may remember L's post on this foundation which can be found here. L didn't get on with it so gave it to me, having your best friend who's similar skin tone and type to you is handy. Even though we both have similar complexions we both have different tastes in things and give what doesn't suit us to each other.

When she bought this we were together but as she had spotted it first and it was the last in the shade she got it. We'd already picked up the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation so I wasn't too bothered, like the bright pink packaging definitely drew me in.

When L first gave me it I found the same thing happened as her, the foundation seemed to sit on my skin and not blend in no matter what I tried, but when I went to photograph it for this post I was surprised. I pumped out the foundation, a pretty good colour match for me although as far as a colour range goes I think it's limiting. This was the palest in the range and I found it a little dark.

It's your standard liquid foundation formula, not to runny but easy to work with. I'm not sure whether the foundation as changed while it's been sitting in my bag waiting for me to write this post of my skin has. For the price tag (£5.99) it's not bad.

It's not the best foundation I've ever tried, I find it does take a while to rub into my skin and get a nice finish, it's a foundation you need to work with your fingers. I find it's a little to thick and doesn't skin into the skin well enough to use a brush.

As you can see the finish is quite natural looking (not dewy like I'm used to as the moment but I quite like it). It gives a good coverage and I think it's good for everyday. Some days I find it works others doesn't though and it takes a while to apply.

Have you ever gone back to a foundation and found it actually works well for you a few months later? Have you tried this one? Thanks L for giving me this.

Love M

xxx

Review: Naked Shampoo and Conditioner

I'm sure you're all bored of reading them by now but after our Chemical of the Week posts we've been so much more aware of the chemicals in products.

Because of this, Naked have been rating particularly highly on my scale of attention recently and will be getting more the next time I have money too!

My latest buy was the Naked Detox shampoo and conditioner.

Apologies for the late photos, I was too excited to get stuck in using them and see the results I forgot to take photos when I bought them...so they're more than half used and covered in a Lush bath bomb ha (the red marks) that just won't come off. 

If you could be so kind as to ignore those then I'll get on with the review...

The shampoo and conditioner are both at least 97% natural, with no parabens, SLS, phthalates or petrochemicals which unbelievable in my view.

The shampoo, being SLS free is harder to lather than your average but this is barely noticeable really. The product smells divine and cleans my hair with no problems considering the vast lack of chemicals in comparison to other available products.

I also like that this is a detox shampoo, using other shampoos can leave a build up of chemicals on your hair weighing it down, but this gets rid of it very well.

One of my favourite parts of Naked products is the packaging, quite simple but always with some quirky comments and things worded just a bit more fun and refreshing than others!

The conditioner feels pretty good to put on wet hair and definitely makes my hair feels smooth and back to a better condition than before.

Love that they write on each packaging that they don't test on Bambi Lassie or Skippy!

This sounds like a fabulous company that I'm really looking forward to buying more from, browsing their website was not good for my bank balance ;)

(although having said that, they're not expensive, I just want EVERYTHING!)

You can take a good look at their products here

I've got a scrub to trial next!

What do you think of Naked products? Anything on your list from there or that you've used before?

L xxx

Inika Peaches and Pink Gift Set

A few weeks ago I entered a competition to win this beautiful set from CutECOsmetics

I was SO shocked as I haven't ever won anything before and this was a gorgeous gift set!

Inika are a brand that I had heard of before, but I didn't own any of their products.

Taken from the CuteCosmetics website it says:

All products in the natural cosmetic range are Certified Organic or Vegan, Certified Halal and Certified Cruelty Free. INIKA is committed to education in both wellness based beauty and ingredients. INIKA uses the finest Australian botanicals and pure minerals to produce makeup that cares for your skin as well as performing brilliantly. INIKA ingredients feed the skin in a soothing manner and are actually beneficial.

INIKA will never use harsh or harmful chemicals, additives or fillers. We are proud of our ingredients and readily display them on everything we do.

This sounds to me like a pretty awesome company!

We have recently been writing posts about different chemicals and their usage in products and how they affect your body in a negative way (all of which you can find here), so it was lovely to win a gift set from a company that seriously thinks about this!

The box the set came in is really simple and pretty, pink is always a winner and I liked the ribbon handle on top too.

Inside the set was a Peachy Keen Blush, a blusher brush and a Peach Blossom Creamy Crayon.

When I first saw the blush I thought oh my word that's so bright!

But as usual with these kinds of colours the colour came out a much more acceptable corally glow!

Its a gorgeous product, very finely milled and blends easily, also a little goes a long way due to the lack of fillers and other chemicals that are usually found in similar products, so it's well worth the investment.

It also gives a beautiful sheen on the skin and makes you look like a natural glow.

The crayon is so soft and easy to use on the lips.

Sometimes products like this can be hard to use as the colour doesn't show up or can take a while to 'warm up' before it comes off properly, which usually means you've scrubbed your lips red raw before it actually shows up!

This product however gives a gorgeous peachy colour with gold flecks that will look so good in the summer sunshine!

Another thing is that the lid feels pretty secure, I take products like this with me in my hand bag and if the lid comes off it gets everywhere and ruins the product :(

But this beauty stays on tight and passed the hand bag test ;)

The whole set can be found on CuteCosmetics website here and is currently down to £30

Another bonus is even the blusher brush is vegan, created with no harm to any animals.

The whole set is completely guilt free, I say what on earth are you waiting for?!

CuteCosmetics has definitely become a favourite of mine to browse when I'm waiting for the train etc, there's always something on there I want!

What do you think about products without any chemicals in? Are you up for making the move to organic and cruelty free make up?

And how much do you love this gift set?!

Perfect gift for any girl I think!

L xxx

Cocktail Hour!

I don't know about you, but when it comes to drinking cocktails with a big group of you, it always seems a good idea to get a punch bowl!

When me and M went out for my birthday with a few of my friends we couldn't resist this beauty...

It's called the 10 Feet Tall grog (after the bar that we were drinking in)

Excuse my photos this week...a few too many cocktails were had and these were the best I could get haha.



It has a lethal but gorgeous mix of rums, lime juice, lemon juice, passion fruit juice, pomegranate juice, lychee juice and grenadine!

Phew, what a list!

It was absolutely gorgeous and we sat down and drank a few of them whilst we waited for it to get busier on the dancefloor.

My favourite part was the flaming lime, I always think touches like this are amazing, easily pleased with a bit of fire ;)

Me and M proceeded to play with the flame until we were bored and ended up drinking the alcohol out of the lime instead of waiting for it to burn out ha, it's safe to say we had a good time!

What do you think of punch bowls? I love making up cocktails, tempted to make up my own next time I have people over and throw a load of different juices together!

I would never have thought that amount of juices would go well, but they were divine!

L xxx