Review: Giles Deacon for New Look Bronzer palette

So I previously told you I'd bought a few products from the Giles Deacon for New Look make up range, the lip gloss review can be found here

The other product that I bought was the blusher in brown coloured tones, a very good dupe for the classic Bobbi Brown palettes which I currently cannot afford!

So the packaging is quite simple, black and gold with a clear window to show you the product inside. 

The colours of the blusher are a pretty good combination, and the palette is big enough that you can swirl your brush on the lighter colours or darker colours to contour and create the effect you're looking for.

The shades are quite pigmented considering the product is so cheap, only £2.99!

The brush that comes with it isn't up to much but they never normally are in a palette like this.

You can see the effect in the photo below:

A lovely warm toned bronzer that blended really easily with a slight shimmer.

I personally like piling this kind of product on, but it doesn't need it and in fact looks too shimmery particularly for day wear so I've had to tone it down a little...

However I love the results and for such a small price it's worth every penny to keep my Bobbi Brown envy at bay!

If you like the look of this product, we have a whole selection of Giles Deacon make up products in our Giveaway which you can find here :)

Have you tried any products from Giles Deacon's range?

L xxx

Review: Etat Pur Micellar Water

A few weeks ago I fully caved in and bought a few goodies from Etat Pur as I was so fed up with my skin care routine.

I'd heard a lot about them and so was excited to browse their website, take their 1 minute application to see what they prescribed for my skin and finally place an order!

I ended up purchasing the much raved about Micellar water, and also 2 actives in the form of A20 (Zinc Gluconate) and A01 (Q10).

As well as the 3 products I purchased, when you place your first order you get free delivery and 3 free samples, 2 of which you get to choose yourself!

This intrigued me, and I'm always a sucker for freebies!

All of my goodies are shown below:

So starting with the Micellar solution...

I had previously tried a micellar water from Joliebox (The Taaj one) which was ok, smelt like flowers and took off quite a bit of make up even after cleansing with Liz Earle.

Whilst it wasn't a revolutionary product in terms of what it did (nor did I like the smell much!), it did make me realise that maybe I needed something like a micellar water as an extra step for make up removal, particularly mascara, though I personally wanted a brand that had a website I could read more about!

The Etat Pur Micellar water was infinitely better when compared to the Taaj micellar water.

My make up came off so easily, particularly my eye make up which is a big bonus as my eyes have been sensitive for MONTHS now, I'm really having trouble with them!

I'm hoping that with long term use it will improve my skin texture too, as cleaning it better can only improve it!

I was quite impressed with this product, and the smell wasn't too strong nor did it the break the bank at a measly £6.40, I have definitely been won over!

I'm still trialling the actives out at the moment, but at the first few uses I'm definitely impressed and my skin has definitely improved.

My mum is considering putting in an order...I'm hoping I can add a few more things and steal her samples...would that be mean?!

They're so cute and perfect for travelling with...hopefully I can bribe her ;)

I was a little disappointed that my order took so long, it was supposed to take 4 days to arrive, but mine took more like 10 days which was a considerably longer time.

It was worth the wait, but obviously it was very frustrating.

Have you bought anything from Etat Pur? Have you used a Micellar water before?

I think I'm going to look for something to help my dark shadows and pores next...hopefully I can find something for every bit of my face that needs a little helping hand ;)

Hope you enjoyed the post, I love writing about new products like this!

L xxx

NOTD: Max Factor Fantasy Fire

So I'm sure you've all seen it on the rounds of various blog posts the past few months as did I, but eventually I gave in and purchased Max Factor's Fantasy Fire, an apparent dupe for a Clarins polish.

I can't comment on how much of a dupe it is because I haven't seen the Clarins one, but I was drawn to the amazing effects it has.

I will warn you now, this is a very photo heavy post as it's so lovely/hard to photograph that I took way too many!

The polish itself is a purple jelly type polish with a metallic effect, its not quite glittery but has a gorgeous shimmer all the way through it.

It is shown above without flash, and below with a flash to give you an idea of the colour.

It was hard to photograph accurately as even though the colour is a purple jelly, the metallic effect is produced by a number of different coloured particles ranging from gold, orange, red and pink, hence the name 'Fantasy Fire'

I am such a sucker for a good name and this one hits all the right spots!

Fantasy and dream world plus dangerous fire?! All wrapped up to produce a beautifully shimmery lacquer?! What's not to love!

You can see a whole load of shimmer in the photo above and below, I am in love with this colour!

Click for an enlarged version of the photo below and you can see it even better.

The only problems I have found with this is firstly you need a good 3/4 coats to get an even and vivid enough colour which as we all know is arduous and eventually costs more.

Secondly, the pot (whilst only £3.99 normally, £2.99 in superdrug right now!) is tiny, and although it's cheap you don't get a lot of product and it can be harder to paint your nails with the smaller pot in your hand.

That being said, for a night when I have the time to do 6 coats of polish and somewhere to wear it to, this baby will be coming out a lot!

If the bottle finishes as quickly as I imagine it would I would still buy this again, although I would rather a larger version (in an ideal world eh?)

Have you bought Fantasy Fire? What did you think of it? Have you found a similar colour elsewhere?

Any other Max Factor varnishes you've used and loved?

L xxx

Review: Avon 24K Sculpt and Shimmer Gold Blush Duo

I'm a lucky girl as my mum is an Avon Rep which means I get money of Avon products and to try out new make up before it comes out in the catalogue. 

As soon as I saw this in the catalogue a few months back I knew I had to have it. After getting My MAC skin finish in soft and gentle I love shimmer on my cheeks!

I loved the idea of the blush and highlighter being in one product and being able to sculpt and define your cheeks. I really like pink shades on my cheeks.

I like the simple black design of the packaging and the simple gold design (it's part of the 24k range)

Here's the shades. As you can tell the colours are pigmented and shimmery. They look so pretty on the skin and as the light hits the lighter shade when used on the cheek bone it looks lush.

The swatches haven't showed up well in this photo. Only realised after I've uploaded it.

Have you tried this product or similar blushes for highlighting and contouring?

I apply the pink to the hollows of my cheeks, then mix the two together for the apples of my cheeks, then apply the light shade as a highlight! The perfect cheek combination!!

I'm impressed with this and find myself trying more blushes. I've only just got into wearing them so only have 3. Is there any you would recommend?

Love M

xxx

Don't forget to check out our giveaway and if anyone can help us with our GFC problems we'd be so grateful :)