Review: Origins Zero Oil Toner

Morning sweet cheeks!

What a cringe way to start a post eh? Ha i couldn't resist, it's the festive spirit taking over.

Are you a fan of toners? I used to be until i read that most contain too much alcohol (when I was about 15) and so I stopped using them. Over the past few years though I still seem to buy them and in all honesty i was a bit baffled, why was I buying them and not using them?!

I picked up the Origins Zero Oil toner when my skin was super oily, which seemingly changed overnight and ever since my skin has had it's oily t-zone but been too dehydrated and temperamental for me to even think about using this toner and so it was confined to the back of my desk drawers.

Recently though my skin has stopped being so sensitive and I still have that oily t-zone so I decided it was time to get it out and give it a go or donate it to someone who could actually use it.

Origins Zero Oil Pore Purifying Toner contains saw palmetto and mint to combat oil production, salicylic acid to aid exfoliation and blocked pores, aloe leaf juice and glycerin to help with redness and a whole load of essential oils.

I apply this in the mornings with a cotton wool pad and concentrate on my t-zone with a quick swipe over the rest of my face.

It feels really cool and refreshing and definitely helps to mattify my skin ready for moisturiser. It doesn't feel like it has stripped my skin like other strong toners have done in the past and I was generally surprised how much I have liked using it and have actually been getting through it rather quickly!

I love that it contains salicylic acid, it's one of my favourite products for skincare because it has never reacted badly with my skin and has so many good effects especially in terms of exfoliation.

I've been surprised at how well this toner has worked and it's changed my opinions on them, maybe some of them really do work!

Which is your favourite toner? Do you use any of the Origins toners?

The Zero Oil toner can be bought online or in store for £18 for 150ml.

L xxx

Rimmel Match Perfection Silky Loose Face Powder

Hello lovelies!

I'm sure most of you use a powder every morning to set your base, and possibly even throughout the day when reapplying or touching up your make up.

I've always been a pressed powder fan, but M is a fan of loose powder. Seeing the Rimmel Match Perfection on one of the many offers in Boots I couldn't help but snap it up!

Rimmel are obviously a UK beauty fan favourite. Not only do they have a massive range of products to cater to everyone's needs, they're well priced, have a fun advertisement campaign and are almost always on offer so you can maximise your money. What more could you want?!

The Match Perfection range has many fans, myself included. About a year ago when both me and M were looking for products w could use to contour our super pale faces with we ended up picking up the lightest and darkest Match Perfection foundations to help us to do the job, and as you can imagine they were great and still get used today.

I knew I needed to pick up powder so in a 3 for 2 deal I picked up my usual Stay Matte Pressed Powder and then this one as my 'freebie' so I could try it out.

This loose powder comes with a little puff thing, which looks cute but isn't any use for me. I wouldn't be transporting this with me anywhere as I don't generally touch up my make up throughout the day so this has been donated to my younger cousins who have loved having some make up!

The inside of the pot is like any other loose powder product, it has a plastic covering with holes in to allow only a certain amount of product to be accessed at one time. I'm sure shaking it everywhere would defy this but generally that's not something you do...

Having tipped a little out and applied to my hand I was a little worried at first, it looks very light even on the back of my super pale hand!
The colour I picked up was Translucent, so I was hoping this would blend in nice and easy.

However I was glad to be wrong and it blended in beautifully and didn't leave any white residue marks as I thought it might when a flash was used:

To apply the loose powder in the mornings I used my Real Techniques Powder brush and Setting Brush.

The powder brush I swirl in the pan and then in the lid to ensure an even and uniform coverage on the brush which then hopefully translates to my face, I then use the setting brush for applying powder under my eyes on the delicate skin and around my nose to combat shine. Here are the results:



The powder applies really well and I don't find that I lose too much of it and find more on my top than my face. It sets my make up really well without being too cakey or powdery and doesn't make my skin too matte looking either.

It seems to withstand the hot/cold air con in my lab pretty well and hasn't been disappointing in keeping shine at bay as many other expensive powders I have tried before.

Here's a close up so you can see how natural and not powdery/cakey the effect is:

I've been quite impressed with this loose powder in comparison to its pressed powder counterpart, I'd definitely not be put off buying them in future like I previously have been.

Rimmel just seem to know what they're doing and for the price this will not disappoint whatsoever!


What's your favourite; pressed or loose powder? Are you a big Rimmel fan?


L xxx

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