Shellac

Whilst I was home in Jersey for my bezzie's wedding, all the bridesmaids were treated to a French manicure Shellac.  I hadn't had Shellac done before but had wanted to try so a perfect opportunity. Shellac claims to be a '3 week manicure' which is chip resistant & smudgeproof.

What I loved was how QUICK it was to have it done.....maybe 20mins for French manicure finish...and it was touch dry/finished straight away. I was chatting away to the girls when I was actually having it done, but I remember a lot of buffing, shaping, painting and UV lamps.

I was really happy with how it looked, I went for the milky tip rather than bright white as I think it looks a bit more natural.

BEFORE:

Nails before (I found this amongst all my blogging pics, I think the right 2 nails have a base on...but you can get how my nails look au naturel)

AFTER:

 And this is now a week on, and no chips or anything!!

Would definitely get them done again and am thinking for holidays, getting a bright shellac polish on the toenails would save so much hassle!! 

So many beautiful colours at the salon... OPI galore!

They cost £32 where we had it done, a nail & beauty boutique in Jersey. You can get it done cheaper, definately in London....and for up to 3 weeks of perfect looking nails, I think is reasonable.

I would have them done for special occasions/holidays etc but prob couldn't keep having them all year round, particularly as I like to change my nail varnish at least weekly.

x Laura x

Glossybox Birthday // Event

I'm seriously late to the table on this one, but my excuse is,...I have been away since last week...being a fabulous bridesmaid (photos coming imminently) back in Jersey , and I have had no time to do anything beauty blog related for a while.

A few weeks ago I went to the Glossybox first birthday party at swanky club 24 in Soho. I went with my fab friend and fellow makeup artist, Diane...perfect time for some beauty networking and a catch up with Diane as we hadn't seen each other for so long.

 me and the gurllls

So the event was to celebrate Glossyboxes' one year anniversary and to reflect over how far they have come.... The event was fab, loads of friendly faces, tasty canapés, girly sweety jars dotted about, and super cocktails loaded up at the bar.

 lychee martinis: get in my face

And the cake!! Look at the cake!! I didn't have any in the end as I stuffed too many flying saucers in ones gob but it looked super yummy. Almost too good to eat.

Spot the cake...

..it's a cake glossybox!

We also got a goody bag containing mixed glossyboxes.. my one had the following in..

From left to Right in the photo above:

1) MURAD skin perfecting primer 5ml

2) Authentic cleansing nectar Hair/Body 90ml

3) Authentic moisturising balm Hair/Face/Body 75ml

4) Eyeko skinny eyeliner

5) First Aid Beauty gentle body wash 2.0 oz

 

Looking forward to having a play  with these products when my feet touch the ground.

Happy Birthday Glossybox.

x Laura x

Rodial // Brazilian Tan // Review

I have been wanting to try this out ever since I got it, an now the time is right as I am a bridesmaid this weekend, and I'm not going to be a see-through one. As I haven't used the new formulas from Rodial I gave it a test run, over the weekend to see how they are different. (TIP: NEVER use a fake tan you have never used before a big event, results may be hazardous) 

  Rodial? A skincare range I have used and loved for a few years now and have always used their Brazilian 'dark tan. It used to be a fake tan that really, could only be applied at night as the guide colour could go patchy and a bit streaky....BUT when you showered the next morning you had a beautiful even colour :) so I still used it a lot.

old look formulas

 NEW LOOK // NEW FORMULAS

 So the Brazilian tan range has been re-formulated and 'improved' so let's see how it has changed. firstly, the packaging..... Wonderful!! Bright blue & coral... Already feel like I am on my way to Mauritius. Love it and a big thumbs up from me.

The products seem pretty much the same in the line....They have your Brazilian tan DARK, LIGHT & CLEAR (which is like a daily tan), then the AIRBRUSH (which is an aerosol in a can), &  Brazilian Tan for the face.

The tan I am using is the Brazilian tan DARK (standard).

SMELL// TEXTURE// LOOK

This is a tinted gel, so well give you an instant colour & guideline. I must say, A LOT better than the old formula, as I previously said, they used to go quite streaky when applied. This is a lot lighter in initial colour & blends in quickly and beautifully AND one of the best things, it seemed to dry very quickly. I would say in around 1 min. 

Above, how the Brazilian tan looks, and once blended

Smell has always been a problem with fake tans and Rodial have always addressed this brilliantly... they...smell....like.. CARAMEL! MMmmmmmm.

Next day?

I applied Brazilian Tan 'Dark' on one arm and not the other just to see how the colour developed, and here is how it looked once I had showered the next day:

Above: One arm brazilian tanned, the other with nothing, I don't have to say which one is which I hope..

I was really happy with the colour, it was caramel-toned, non-streaky and reasonably deep. For my optimum colour I would probably apply this twice. I would estimate that one tube = 6-8 full body tans.

What I liked:

- Easier to blend

- Quick dry

- The colour guide is a nice colour (mixed with the fact that is doesnt go streaky, I can use this to tan in the day)

- Still a great smell

- Felt a lot more hydrating (I then inspected the ingredients to see why and it is packed with Shea butter!)

- The colour is caramel (not orange) and develops evenly

What I didn't like:

I won't say I didnt like this as I know exactly why they have done this... The tube packaging *can* be a little messy BUT the old pump formulas meant you couldnt actually get all the product out without taking out the pump and shaking it out manually. So as long as you are careful, the bonuses outweigh the cons on the packaging front.

Value for money?

Priced all at £35 which, ml for ml is actually slightly cheaper than the old line, and I put this down to the packaging. This is what I expect to pay for a premium fake tan.

100% improved formulas from Rodial for their Brazilian Tan Range. Can you please bring out an 'extra-dark' just for me??

x Laura x

NOTD // Nails // NARS

Still absolutely obsessed with the NARS Spring/Summer collection which I initially showed you here.

This week I have be wearing 'Amchoor' which is a stunning bright yellow...

Luckily I had fake tanned the previous night, otherwise I don't think I could have pulled this off. This colour would look gorgeous on asian/black skintones.

One thing I will say about the NARS nail varnishes is that a topcoat and/or base coat will really help it stay on, without I have found them chip quite easily.

Nars Nails and lips! (funnyface)

x Laura x

Spa Time // Spa Sirene, Jersey

Last weekend I had a hen do back in Jersey and after a heavy weekend of makeup, drinking, sleeping on sofas & rushing about I decided to treat myself to a full body massage as one of my favourite spas in Jersey, Spa Sirene.

Jersey has a handful of great spas and this is the one I frequent most when I go home.

It's relatively new, super clean, modern, has all the typical facilities including a swimming pool, hydro pool, sauna, foot spas, aromatherapy steam rooms, bucket (?!) shower, gym.. and it's usually, when I go...lovely and quiet. Exactly what you want when you are trying to unwind.

The spa is part of 'The Royal Yacht' hotel

I booked in for a full body massage which was, I think the best I've EVER had.  I had such a sore back but the lady, sorry I forgot her name :( was simply brilliant...I felt so good after.

I am going back again in a few weeks for the wedding and am going to book in for an Aromatherapy Associates 'Smell the Roses' facial...they have a great deal on at the moment... so Jersey people take note!...

 

'Between the 10th April 2012 and the 31st May 2012 book a 60 minute Smell the Roses and automatically get upgraded to the 90 minute adbsolutly free! And if you book on this deal you'll recieve a complimentry Aromatherapy Associates Essential Skincare Introductory Set - worth £31.50!'

 

Yizzzzzer, cannot wait for this!.. I've always, ALWAYS wanted to have an Aromatherapy facial.

www.spasirene.com

x Laura x

NEW LAUNCH // REN SUN VEIL SPF15

A long awaited SPF cream from REN skincare! I have used REN a long time, it is fail safe and great for sensitive skin.

 They have not used SPF in their skincare since it launched because it is VERY hard to create a formula that is good for sensitive skin which does not contain a lot of nasties....and that is what REN skincare is all about... CLEAN SKINCARE.

The REN 'promise' on all of their packaging

The new photoactive sunveil SPF15 is a triple action micro mineral product

The triple actions are:

1) Broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) protection

2) Fights free radicals (anti-ageing)

3) Uses the natural light energy from sun to actually improve skin tone and radiance. I am loving the idea of this...actually working with the sun rather than against...very similar to one of my favourite, and one of THE most advanced suncare out there..Instituit Estherderm.

Great for all skin types and even suitable for the super sensitive. TO USE: apply OVER your usual moisturiser and skincare...it's your last step. I also noticed the texture looks rich...but once rubbed in , it's easily absorbed, no chalky whiteness and it leaves a beautiful semi-matte finish so potentially a great base for makeup !

Above: How the product looks upon application, and the finish.

I would say that they will bring a higher SPF out for next year...15 is ok for us brits...but I am seeing more & more throught skincare ranges that their SPF's are becoming higher...I would love to see REN bring out a SPF30.

50ml = £26 available at SpaceNK, Liberty's, Selfridges and www.renskincare.com

A QUICK MENTION......

 I'm also super happy to see new packaging for RENs no.1 purity cleansing balm from a tub (a pump made a quick appearance) and now to a squeezey tube. 

The original tub packaging and the new squeezy tube

I absolutely love my oil based cleansing balms for PM cleansing & makeup removal and had the tub version ages ago..I kinda stopped though because I just found it too gloopy using it from a tub and it picked up a lot of dirt because of the stiff texture.

In the tube, which is 100ml (£23) it feels a lot easier and cleaner to use it like this, the actual product feels and smells the same (REN....is it?!) which is a mixture of lovely rose and violet leaf and I remember what I did love about this cleanser was how easily it emulsified to a smooth milk once adding water. Leaves he skin feeling nourished and super soft.

Above: The no.1 Purity cleansing balm, applied and then emulsified with water.

TOP TIP: use a muslin cloth with warm water to get rid of excess product.

High five REN for both of these.

x LAURA x 

Party makeup // Nicki Minaj styleeee

I had a hen do on the weekend which was so much fun! The theme was wonderful wigs so I chose a Nicki Minaj type pastel pink, with makeup to match.

Here is the finished eye look:

I wanted a fun, colourful look, and bold eyelashes so I went for them on the top AND bottom for extra flutter.

Products used:

MAC pigment in grape & melon

Shu Uemura ME red 160 shadow
Maybelline gel liner (black)
Maybelline Define-A-Lash mascara
YSL waterproof eyeliner in black
Shu Uemura lashes
Eyelure individual lashes

Duo glue
Shu Uemura brush 8HR

All the eye colours, and then swatched (L-R: Illamasqua Hollow, MAC Grape, Shu ME Red 160 , MAC Melon

Method

*Get hands on with your makeup, use fingers as much a possible for ease, I only used one brush for this eye look...ok 2 including the eyeliner*

1) With fingertip, I applied Illamasqua cream colour in 'hollow' all over the eyelid...a great base colour.

2) whilst it's still tacky, apply MAC grape pigment all over the eyelid, I used my fav Shu Uemura 8HR brush. Push it into the skin rather than brushing too hard as you will lose the colour....just pack it on. I also brought this colour underneath my eyes.

The handiest brush I ever bought...it's handmade, tapered and is the only brush I used for this eye look!!

3) At the socket line, blend the MAC grape into the Shu Uemura shade so the colours become one.

4) finally, add a touch of MAC pigment in Melon at the top,under the brow bone & merge into the other shades. I just chose this as thought it would compliment the red, purples really nicely, you could use lots of different colours.

5) Once blended nicely and the shape /depth is similar on both eyes, use a black liquid liner from the inner corner of the upper lash line and work it out into the feline flick. Aim it towards the end of your brow.

6) Add the black kohl liner into the lower lash line/ water line. Then lash time...

Shu Uemura lashes I used

7) Apply lashes of your choice, top and bottom!The more fluttery the better.. I used Shu Uemura on the top and then Eyelure individual lashes (about 4) underneath each eye.

And then , of course, the most important part...THE WIG!

Lippy was Limecrime, Airborne Unicorne

What do you think? I LOVE this look... Ever used lashes on the top and bottom?!

x Laura x