Boots Botanics Organic Facial Oil Review

Although facial oil might be the last thing you want to apply in the Summer, it can often be just what your skin needs. Used to restore moisture and suppleness to the face, oil contains such a high amount of concentrated vitamins and anti-oxidants, you can finally say bye to flakes and dehydration.

I came across this organic bottle of goodness whilst having a browse in Boots. The natural and minimal packaging was enough to intrigue me, as was the italic 'nourishing rose hip'. With 25ml of product, it claims to 'lock in moisture for 8 hours' which I've found it definitely does when used in replacement of night cream. The organic essential oils all work together to not only replenish your face, but also restore your skin's 'natural glow'. Ingredients include rose hip which works beautifully to calm irritated skin, and naturally condition red areas. Bergamot then acts as a natural antiseptic, with cicatrisant properties (meaning it is very effective for scarred or marked skin). In spite of all these fabulous organic ingredients, no one really wants oil sitting on their face all night, and that's what makes this product a gooden. It is very emollient, absorbing into the skin almost instantly when massaged into the face. If you're on the hunt for something extra to add into your skincare routine, this £6.66 gem is definitely one to consider for any budget.  

Current Favourites | Jan 2015

Despite the freezing cold and bitchy antics of this year so far, I have come across some fabulous new-to-me products to share. If you are a permanent passenger on the beauty band wagon, then some of these may not come as a surprise- especially Benefit's Roller Lash, which has already surfaced the beauty blogging world like a tornado. But, if you're looking for some hot new products to either add to your kit, or to your personal makeup bag, this post is for you- or you might just be a makeup addict, like myself. My first favourite of the month not only screams for a premature Spring/ Summer, but contains fresh, floral notes that match it's super cute packaging. Marc Jacobs Daisy was very recently gifted to me and so far, so good. It has a very clean, floral scent that fills my surrounding air with some fresh scents and girly vibes. I'm usually more of Guerlain Insolence kind of gal, but something new and different seems to be satisfying my perfume palette- can't argue with that can I? The next product has quickly become my favourite drugstore concealer. It brightens my atrocious dark circles and ties together my whole look. The Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser concealer undeniably has a very unhygienic applicator, but has trended the drugstore beauty department for a few years. I finally gave in to the hype and tried this little gem- now i'm hooked. It wears very lightly on the skin creating brightened, flawless under-eyes as well as a great base for any makeup look. The product itself is perfect for tote touch-ups and for a drugstore concealer, is actually very long-lasting with the help of a little setting powder. Another favourite, the MUA Eyeshadow in 'Fudge' is also a product I have been loving because 1) it's matte and 2) it's so versatile. I use this cheapo beauty buy under my eyes for a more dramatic under-eye highlight, as a bog standard highlight and as an eyeshadow. This shadow doesn't have outstanding pigmentation, but applies evenly and gives a really nice sheer, matte finish upon application plus it's £1- how can you beat that?

Now for an oldie, but a goodie. MAC Lip Conditioner in 'Pink Fish' is a limited edition product that released in 2008- a time that humoured my overpriced beauty addiction. I often forget I even own this product and in all honesty- it's one of the most moisturising lip products I have ever owned. It adds instant moisture to your smackers but also with a cheeky pink tint. A couple of other lip products I have really been enjoying is a combination of both KIKO Smart Lip Liner in '712' and YSL's Rouge Volupte Lipstick in 'Peach Passion'. This lip combo is a great alternative to the dark mauve/ brownish tones that have been popular throughout Winter, and really compliments clean, natural makeup. The consistency of the rouge volupte lipstick from YSL can only be described as heaven; the formula is beyond moisturising, pigmented and works well when applied with both fingers and brushes. To see what I think about the Kiko Lip Liners, click 'here'. Now for the grand finale, the piece de resistance- Benefit's Roller Lash Mascara. Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll know that ELLE magazine distributed samples of the exclusive mascara in this months issue. I luckily managed to get my hands on the £4 publication to only be amazed by the little sample that came with it. The wand of this product, grips to the eyelashes like a shark to bait; it perfectly curls them from the very root and lengthens so much, that my eyelashes actually tickle my brows. The formula isn't great in the volumising department but really does help to separate and extend each eyelash, making the eyes pop. As far as durability, this bad boy leaves you with fluttery and fabulous eyelashes all day.

What products have you been loving lately?

Revlon Brow Fantasy Review + Eyebrow Routine

Revlon Brow Fantasy Pencil & Brow 'Dark Brown' 

Over the years, eyebrows have slowly but effectively become an important trend for both the catwalk and at-home selfies. Cara Delevingne sent the media into a spiral with her thick and dark brows, and slowly after the beauty community was overwhelmed with new brow products. According to Cosmopolitan "Brows can totally make or break your beauty look", and I completely agree. Eyebrows have the power to frame your face, compliment your hair and often pull your whole make-up look together. There isn't really such thing as a 'Perfect Brow'- work with what you've got and avoid the scouse brow at all costs.

Revlon Brow Fantasy Pencil & Brow 'Dark Brown', £5.00

This 2-in-1 product not only is on offer at the moment, but is everything you could possibly want in an eyebrow product. Let's start with the pencil side- a formula that isn't as pigmented as an eyeliner, therefore perfect for soft, natural application to the brows. This pencil makes replicating hairs a piss-easy job and glides on beautifully to fill sparse and imperfected areas. The gel side is really what makes this product- the formulation of the gel is nothing heavy, sticky or extremely pigmented. When it comes to gel brow brushes, this has to be one of my favourites, simply because it adds colour and structure to the brow hairs- and it's just the right size. Despite just sounding like your basic, standard brow product, this baby is long-lasting and doesn't give your brows that stiff finish that can often result from brow gels. Pencil and gel duos, in my opinion get no where near enough praise for their performance- and it's about time they did. For travel friendly purposes, and as a purse staple you can't really go wrong with a reasonable and affordable price of £5. Besides receiving numerous compliments on my brows since using this product, it has also helped to keep my long-haired brows tamed and in place all day-everyday. The only thing left to fault this brow-saver, is the lack of product you are actually getting. Revlon have been a tiny bit stingy, but how can you complain with such fabulous results?

MY BROW ROUTINE -

I was thankfully blessed with naturally good eyebrows but don't let this fool you, a lot of thread was sacrificed in the making of these bad boys. Threading was introduced to me at a fairly young age and is how I got the shape just right. Over the years I have over-plucked, needed to pluck and bodged them up on more than one occasion, but now I just let them blossom until they really need doing! When grooming them myself, I thread the area above the brow and then pluck stray hairs below. After this I use eyebrow scissors to trim any longer hairs, and then smother them in a moisturiser or serum of my choice- Cocoa Butter usually does the trick. You will see in an upcoming post what order I do each aspect of my face but for now, all you need to know is that my brows are done after my foundation. I begin by using the pencil side of the Revlon Brow Fantasy and lightly fill in sparse areas, and imitate hairs very softly to create a natural brow. I then follow this up with the gel side of the product, and run this through the whole of my brows to lock them in place and add a more brown tint to my nearly-black brows. If I've really messed up whilst plucking and need to fill them in a bit stronger, I will always use MAC 'Cork' eyeshadow with my Real Techniques Nic's Picks Eyeliner Brush.

So, as you can see the pencil really helps to add a fuller look to the brows- nothing over the top or rachet. I have focused product mainly on the outer part of the brow, if you add too much colour to the front of the brow, it will almost always look unnatural. Of course there are no rules to make-up, if you want scouse brows- you do it girl. What are your opinions on brows?

What are some of your favourite brow products?