Inkwear Temporary Tattoos and Nail Wear

I'm a fan of tattoo nail art after previously doing it a few times with transfers I ordered off ebay (you can see them here). When I saw inkwear on twitter had started doing transfers I was excited to see them and L and I were lucky enough to be sent lots to try.

Inkwear also sell lots of tattoos for the body as well as offering a service where you can design your own tattoos which is great for if you are considering a tattoo but are maybe choosing between two you could order transfers from inkwear and sort of do a try before you buy service.

I'm someone who absolutely loves tattoos and have often considered them but the permanent factor puts me off. As someone who's sooooo fickle I don't think I could ever do it even though the ones I'd choose between haven't changed since I was 16.

One of them is I'd love cherry blossom going across my shoulder blades then trailing down my spine. After seeing the cherry blossom on inkwear I knew I had to get it.



I love this design and can just imagine bigger it would look amazing. The transfers lasted around a day and a half on the wrist but as it's on somewhere with a lot of movement and I constantly wash my hands and arms due to my job I think it would last longer on a different body part.



It was easily removed with a quick swipe of nail varnish remover so would be perfect for fancy dress too.



I've been trying the nail tattoos. They apply the same as temporary tattoos. Remove the shiny cellophane, place in position then dampen for 20 seconds and the backing can then be removed.

I was playing around with them this week when I was nursing a hangover but as I forgot to apply top coat they didn't last well. As with the previous tattoo nails I did I find this type of design isn't one with longevity and is more one for a special occasion. With so many designs available they make great creative nail designs for nights out. I can see myself using the pattern ones lots in the summer. In the winter months I tend to stick to plain nails more.

Have you tried nail transfers?

Love M

xxx

You can browse the full selection of temporary tattoos, design your own and see the nail transfers at inkwear.co.uk

As M has mentioned already, we were sent a huge selection of nail tattoos to try and you can see pictures of them below:

There were so many to choose from it was hard to pick some to use as I could think of so many designs!

The instructions are shown above and are as simple as they were years ago when we were kids and used temporary tattoos back then (I remember lots of Spice Girls and flower ones?!)

There is even a guide to give you an idea of how long the tattoos will last on your skin in different body parts which is always handy to know.

The tattoos I requested were for nails and I had great fun coming up with ideas.

The comic book style ones will definitely come in use and the bird and bird cage ones were the tattoos I settled on first.

There were also some stars, hearts, guns and stags available plus Rihanna's infamous 'Shh...' tattoo in miniature form.

I applied a nude coloured nail varnish to my nails to give an even base before cutting the nail tattoos into individual pieces. I then applied each piece to the chosen nail and wet it with cotton wool soaked in water.

After waiting a small period of time I then peeled off the paper to reveal the transfer underneath.

I then applied a top coat to ensure the design lasted for as long as possible.

This was so easy to do and the transfers came out pretty well. I would suggest that you cut as close to the transfer as you can because the surrounding area of the transfer will also peel off onto your skin/nail and this can contribute to the transfer getting damaged.

Unfortunately the design only lasted a day on my nails even with top coat, I wash my hands a lot in the labs and this may have contributed to this but I think these designs will have to be for an occasion.

I would definitely recommend these for someone who's fickle in nail designs (myself included) as changing them regularly would combat the problem of peeling off. Definitely a great secret Santa present too as lots of people can have fun with these!

What do you think of nail tattoos? Do you love the designs too?

L xxx

Review: Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer

I've been wanting to try a new concealer for a while so when I picked up a new Rimmel lipstick and foundation and it was on 3 for 2 I decided to give the Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch concealer and highlighter a go as I'd heard lots about it.

It's got simple twist packaging with a brush tip making it easy to apply to the eye. Not the most hygienic of packaging but as for me it's an under eye concealer and I won't be using it on spots I don't mind. What is annoying is the fact that I've only had it three weeks and all the writing has already rubbed off so I can't actually remember the shade I got. I think I went for radiant as it was more pinky than ivory but I honestly can't remember which is a bit annoying when it comes to repurchasing.

The Dream Lumi Touch claims to be a gel based formulation that conceals as it highlights. I'm really enjoying using this so far. It feels light under the eyes and blends flawlessly. It's also amazing at not creasing and really brightens my under eyes.

The above photos show it before and after once I had set it with powder. I always powder under my eyes to set concealer as it helps it last on me. I was really impressed with the coverage of this and love how it looks under the eyes. I like that it brightens up my under eyes. 

So far I've been using this for three weeks and I'm loving it. I love to use it under the eyes and down the middle of my nose. I find it different to other concealers I have as it's definitely lighter in texture. 

This will definitely be a repurchase for me!

Have you tried it? Were you a fan? I've heard mix reviews!

Love M

xxx

MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer in Kooky

When I dyed my hair purple a few weeks back I decided I needed some new lipsticks to match it as probably half of my lipsticks would no longer go with it. I picked up one of the new Rimmel Moisture Renew lipsticks which I'm absolutely loving (review here). I'd been eyeing up the Topshop velvet lips as it was the perfect purple but after spotting the MUA one for a lot cheaper I thought I'd give it a go.

The MUA luxe velvet lip lacquers are a liquid lipstick that dries super matte with full pigmentation that lasts. They are similar I imagine to the Lime Crime Velvetines. I'm still eyeing up red velvet to try.

I personally love a matte lip. I think matte looks great with bold colour but to get a perfect matte lip is a challenge. I hate it when it feels tight or dry on the lips or when cracks.

The first thing I love about these are the packaging. The frosted glass and simple and sleek packaging look much more high end than their £3 price tag. I also love that they are boxed! A waste of packaging yes but it always makes me feel like I'm getting something better.

Kooky is a very true purple. It has a very impressive pigmentation and comes out true to colour on the lips. With these less really is more. I find it best to wipe some of the product of before applying and go for a thin layer. The coverage looks better, it's less messy and it lasts better.

I find if I applied too much product it almost crumbled off my lips. I also wondered about applying a lip gloss over the top for if I wanted the great pigmentation but with a glossy finish. This didn't mix well. It just peeled off the velvet lip lacquer underneath and looked really messy.

I also find apply less feels more comfortable on the lips. When I apply it more thickly it makes my lips feel tight and almost more like I need to pout.

They do wear well with a strong pigmentation but wear time is dependant on whether you eat and drink as they do start to wear off from the inside and you are left with the outer parts of the lips being coloured.

These are great for strong pigmentation and matte finish without leaving lips cakey and dry when applied right. Overall I like them and will probably pick up the other colours. Kooky really is a great colour and a purple like this isn't something I'd have thought of picking up before but it has surprised me how many compliments I've got especially from people I wouldn't have expected?

Have you tried these yet?

Love M

xxx

Review: Murad's Pore and Line Minimising Hydrator

Good morning! I've got another review for you today on a skincare product that's a little different and definitely a lot exciting!

Murad have recently launched their new Pore and Line Minimising Hydrator along with their Replenicell Hydration technique.

Hopefully I can relay this to you in a non-confusing manner that you will understand, the technique is obviously very scientific and I don't want to confuse you all! Here goes:

The brains at Murad (Dr Howard Murad and his son Jeff Murad) have devised a concoction of osmolytes, amino acids and trehalose to pre treat water used when creating all of their products. Replenicell is basically a new kind of water that is added to everything during production.

By doing this, water molecules are attached to compounds that can access the skin and pass through its barrier, taking water in through the barrier with them and therefore hydrating your skin. Because of the way skin is designed, water molecules cannot simply pass through of their own accord, if that did happen every time it rained or we had a shower we'd just swell up!

There are three ways that Replenicell helps your skin:

1) It attracts water molecules
2) It binds the water already within the skin's surface
3) It strengthens the skin's barrier to help it retain more water.

This is a really clever and simple way of getting more hydration into your skin without using complicated chemicals that could be more harmful to your skin.....why on earth has nobody though of this before?!

This technology is currently debuting in their new products the Pore and Line Minimising Hydrator (£49.50 from October 2013) and their new Rapid Collagen Infusion (£78.00 in February 2014).

So...how does the Replenicell technology affect the skin?

I was lucky enough to be given a tube of the Pore and Line Minimising Hydrator to test it for myself which I have been using religiously for the past couple of weeks.

This Hydrator claims to clear and tighten pores for a refined complexion, boost collagen and plump skin for younger and smoother looking skin.
Having done their research Murad have found that pores are just as highly rated as wrinkles in women's number one skin concern and so they have created this product to help combat both in one go.

Its key ingredients are:

Kombucha Collagen Defense - which stimulates collagen production and inhibits its breakdown

Lentil Seed Extract and Witch Hazel - controls excess oil and tightens pores

Cinnamon Extract - this restores the skin's surface by reducing inflammation and oil production

The Hydrator is a white lotion with a very thin consistency, I'd say it's a lot more like a serum than a moisturiser, it's almost like a gel and unlike any other product that I currently own.

I've been applying this morning and evening after cleansing, toning and applying my serum. This sinks in super fast and my skin hasn't had any negative reactions to it whatsoever. It feel quite cooling on the skin which has been nice, not so sure it will be so appreciated now that were reaching colder temperatures in the UK but nevertheless this feeling doesn't last long.

I was worried that this wouldn't hydrate my skin as much as it currently needs. My skin is temperamental at best and is oily in the centre and dehydrated everywhere else, therefore I thought the serum like quality wouldn't be enough for those areas.

I was very wrong and have been enjoying using this twice a day, it has certainly hydrated my skin without overloading the t-zone area and I've found that I haven't needed any extra hydration like I thought.

I'm lucky in that I don't have too many wrinkles as of yet...but I'm 25 so that time is coming very soon! Hopefully this product has helped to keep my lines at bay for a while longer and I'd definitely be interested in knowing about the other products that Murad will be including in their Replenicell range, which I believe will be all products eventually.

Fingers crossed!

Murad are such a great brand, not only do their products really work, their research is outstanding and they just have such a family vibe about them. God knows I couldn't work with my dad all the time, he'd drive me crazy!

What Murad product is your favourite? Do you like the the sound of the Replenicell technology?

L xxx