Review: Elizabeth Arden Red Hot Croc Color Collection

"Every woman has the right to be beautiful." - Elizabeth Arden

Being ever the experimental buyer I purchased Elizabeth Arden Red Hot Croc Color Collection from feelunique.com last December for a bargain price of £45 in the sale (when the value of the combined products retails to £300)!

The set comes with a red croc travel makeup bag which is perfect for stashing away your beauty products whilst on the go, not particularly big or small just a right size for easy travelling. Whilst not something that I would perhaps use myself, (well not the main attraction for me buying the set) I felt it was still a decent sized store-away used that can be used for storage.

The set contains:

- Elizabeth Arden Deluxe Compact containing 12 Beautiful Colour Eyeshadows: Shimmering Taupe, Pearl White, Amethyst, Toast, Precious Metals-Highlighter, Shimmering Emerald, Midnight Blue, Heathered Plum, Rose Quartz, Aquamarine, Sun Peach and Sparkling Sable Rooted in NYC with more than 100 years of beauty expertise, Beautiful Color Eye Shadows were developed in shades that are trend driven and in a formula that is good for your skin. The outcome: smooth, crease-free shadows that combine long-lasting colour with luxurious skin care benefits.
- 2x Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Radiance Blushes in Sweet Peach & Blushing Pink (4g each) Beautiful Color fuses with care. Colour-true, high-pigment powder sculpts and defines the appearance of cheeks for a natural, radiant glow. The buildable, long-lasting formula is enriched with vitamins and antioxidants to help soothe and protect skin.
- 3x Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Ultra Lipsticks in Cassis, Tulip & Coral (3.5g each) These lustrous, colour-saturated lipsticks infused with Volulip™ deliver brilliant moisturising colour with lasting comfort and shine. Achieve plumper, fuller-looking, more defined lips that feel youthfully soft, smooth and nourished.
- 2x Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Lipglosses in Diamond & Red Door Red (4ml each)Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Lipglosses have a silky smooth texture and impart rich colour and lustrous shine. Infused with conditioning and hydrating ingredients, these non-sticky glosses sooth and comfort lips like a balm. Maxi-lip™ helps support natural collagen for plumper, fuller looking lips.
- 2x Elizabeth Arden Eye Pencils in Espresso & Smoky Black (1.1g each) These long-wearing pencils give your eyes definition and drama.
- 2x Elizabeth Arden Smooth Line Lip Pencils in Taupe & Plum Rose (1.1g each) Precision liners for perfectly defined lips.
- Elizabeth Arden Pressed Powder with Sponge Puff in Nude Shimmer 5.3gThis beautiful sheer shimmer will give your skin a radiant, healthy glow. Elizabeth Arden Shimmer Powder is a great finishing touch to any look. Apply to cheeks and body for a sparkle and shimmer that is sure to get you noticed. 
- Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lash Extending Mascara in Black 7mlElizabeth Arden Ceramide Lash Extending Mascara with ceramide triple complex (Ceramides 1, 3 & 6) plus vitamins to help reinforce and restore lashes' natural protective barrier. Protein-based complex Keravis helps fortify, lengthen, define & revitalise lashes.
- Elizabeth Arden All Gone Eye & Lip Makeup Remover 50mlThis two-phase formulation easily and gently removes even transfer-resistant, waterproof makeup without irritation. Softens and comforts, leaving skin perfectly smooth & clean. 
- Elizabeth Arden Nail Lacquer in Candy Apple 5.8ml Beautiful colour for your nails, this Elizabeth Arden Nail Lacquer will complete any look.
- Elizabeth Arden 3 Piece Brush Set with PouchIncludes Cheek, Eyeshadow and Angle Eye brushes

My favourite piece has to be the Elizabeth Arden Deluxe Compact, a palette of 12 every day to evening eyeshadows that can be easily played up and down and is quite versatile. I don’t find them too pigmented; rather they have to be worked up with an angle eye brush (which the set does include)!  But nevertheless they have a satiny shimmery finish, and I was impressed by the range of shades from nudes to strong emerald/blues.

This cute set would be a great gift for anyone as an introductory and curious newbie to Elizabeth Arden products! Whilst I am not totally blown away, the set does make a nice alternative and I was particularly impressed by the consistency and the long-wear-ability of the liners.

It can be purchased from feelunique.com for £50.

…ArA…

Prada Candy L'Eau Gift Set Review

"Basically I'm trying to make men more sensitive and women stronger." - Miuccia Prada 

Woah, first blogpost of 2014! Well life had caught up with me as of late so what better way to start 2014 with a quick perfume review of Prada Candy ...

I am a ridiculous sucker for anything pretty/dainty/feminine looking (those darn marketing people have ticked all boxes when it comes packaging again at Prada). You just have to look at the heavy duty gold rimmed packaging and metallic gold Prada emblazoning; finished with beautiful pastel pinks, ah it looks too pretty from the rest of my perfume collection, definitely oozing that ultra feminine vibe. I was gifted this Prada Candy L'Eau gift set for Christmas which contains a pretty stylish pouch (a great pink piece perfect for stashing away your beauty essentials) as well as scented body lotion.

Firstly, judging from the name alone you would be forgiven if you thought it would make you smell like a sweet confectionery jar; at first I hesitated when opening the top for the smell was rather overpowering. But rest assured once you apply a few spritz and after a few minutes the scent somewhat mellows on the skin and becomes far less "sickly-sugary" and for me at least is quite wearable for the daytime. For me the vanilla and caramel tones are quite vivid, it has slight fruity elements too which gives it somewhat a playful and youthful feel - a lot milder compared to it's twin Prada Candy perfume, which is more deeper and stronger in scent (hence the darker pink packaging).

Overall I have to admit I was drawn in my the packaging more than anything else, it just oozes a slight vintage lady-like elegance! J'adore!

Prada Candy L'Eau De Parfum is £65.50 for a 80ml bottle in Boots.

...ArA...

L’Oreal Paris Colour Richee Collection Privée Lipstick Review

...Labia lege...

Searching for that perfect daytime/office nude lipstick for everyday wear can easily become a forever searching task, especially when matching it to your own skintone; you do not want to make that mistake of looking washed out or looking as though you have sun cream on your lips! 

L’Oreal Privée have recently launched their limited edition nude lipsticks that are endorsed by their own leading spokespersons (no doubt which we all can recognise these famous women from that glamorous advert launched this September). The collection is  targeted for all different skintones in six different shades.

I adore the pretty matte black and golden detailed packaging; that oozes a classy vibe - they are definitely on the higher end look of drug-store products (no doubt this is the norm with most L’Oreal packaging - the “we-are-worth-it” effect justifying this splurge).  

I managed to pick up Rosewood Beige by Julianne Moore, Peach Sin by Eva Longroia and Greige Glow by Cheryl.  The Rosewood Beige is defiantly the “pinkier” one of the three, although my favourite is the Peach Sin by Eva Longroia as it blends in well with my natural lip colour and is more of a dusty nude peach with a hint of slight shimmer. All three leave a shiny finish as with all of the Colour Richee L'Oreal lipsticks, therefore if you are looking for a matt nude then this collection may not be for you. 

With the cheeky hint of shimmer these nude shades can easily be used with deep smoky eyes for glamour’s evening look as well; giving your lips an understated glossy finish balanced with defined eye makeup. I will definitely be adding these to my autumn/winter makeup! They appear more pigmented to be classed as "nude" in these photos ( see hand swatch below), but on lips they easily blend well to give a slight shimmer and nude colour glow. 

Lipstick Swatches

This is what the description details of each of these three shades that I picked up:

Eva Longoria: Barely Golden. With a hint of gold added, the best to capture the radiance of matte skin and sublimate the complexion, the sunkissed effect is worthy of the influential woman!
Cheryl: Barely Greige. Ultra-chic and rich in iridescence, barely greige offers a discreet contrast to the skin, thereby enhancing the natural beauty of the complexion.
Julianne Moore: Barely Peach. Sensual and delicate to the extreme, enhances the radiance of pale complexions and endows them with elegance and sophistication.

Overall I am impressed with this nude collection, I feel they are very wearable and can suit most skin complexions and are a good reasonable quality! Being nude in colour they do not have a strong wearing power (roughly 2-3 hours) but this is expected.

The full collection is available online and in store (although some stores seem to be low on stock) in Boots and Superdrug retailing at £8.19 each. 

...ArA...

Kérastase Resistance Review

I was first introduced to the Kérastase  Resistance range by my hairdresser a while ago, around the same time that I picked up Kérastase Elixir Ultime Oil (see review here).  The Resistance range is aimed to replenish hair that is weakened or damaged; I tend to use it when my hair is crying for a bit more love mostly in the winter months or for a special occasion when I want my unruly hair to behave.  Even though the range is particularly targeted at weakened/damaged hair, my hairdresser recommended the range for my long hair, as longer hair tends to need that extra bit of attention strength and added nutrition, especially to the ends.  Below are the simple steps that I take when using this range:

Bain De Force Vita-Ciment TopSeal Shampoo

Simply apply this like any other shampoo to your wet hair; you only need a tiny winy amount, about the size of a 5p coin. I was surprised when I was told this by my hairdresser – but I can vouch for the fact a little goes a long way, make sure you work the shampoo into your hair for a good few minutes before rinsing, the formula is super concentrated which is why you only need a small amount (plus a bottle of this will last ages)!  The shampoo has a thick consistency that is why it is important that you really work the shampoo into the hair all over. The shampoo claims to reinforce the hair and after washing my hair feels soft without even beginning the conditioning stage.

Ciment Anti-usure Conditioner

 After shampooing I try to squeeze all the water out of my ends so that my hair is not soaking wet; this enables the conditioner to go a longer way and not simply be washed out by the amount of water in my hair (the packaging states to use it on towel dried hair, although for me this seems a bit impractical when already in the shower)! Unlike most conditioners the Climent Ant-usure instructs to leave it in on the lengths and ends of the hair for a minute or so and then simply wash out as normal.

Kerastase Resistance Ciment Thermique

As I would normally use this range for a special occasion there is no doubt that I would probably involve some heat styling. For this purpose my favourite heat protective product has to be this. Being afraid of hair serums (I only have to think of those secondary school days and the unintentional ‘greasy lengths’ from the hair serum ‘00’s craze *cringe*) Kerastase Resistance Ciment Thermique does have that typical thick consistency of a hair serums, but I was surprised to find that it did not weigh my hair down or make it look greasy. You simply apply it to your ends and work it upwards to the rest of the lengths making sure there is an even distribution, it acts as a heat protectant so I simply blow dry my hair afterwards. Remember only a small amount is needed!

Overall I am fairly content with the range, I have repurchased the above and would definitely recommend it!

I purchased the above products from my hairdresser, most  good saloons stock the range too. The full range is also available online, often for a good price/promotion on feelunique.com.

...ArA...

Vichy Normaderm Review

...Floreat Curator Cutis...

Vichy skincare range has been around for a while and often has been hailed as one of the more leading high-end drugstore products with its claimed mineral-rich therma spa water ingredient. Vichy have a range of specially developed skin care products designed for those of us with the more complicated skin types. The Normaderm range itself is targeted mainly for oily combination skin, with a little targeted action for acne prone skin too; helping to target blemishes and keep those breakouts at bay. The Vichy Normaderm range recognises the link between oily combination skin and breakouts (excess oil produced by our skin blocking our pores leading to breakouts…you know the drill, most of us have been there).

I have used Vichy Normaderm products in the past, but never truly committed fully to the cause. So I have been wanting to review the Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care (Day Moisturiser) and Chrono-Active Pore Refining Care (Night Moisturiser) for some time now, but wanted to incorporate these two products properly in my routine before I could review them (hence the slightly erm “weathered” packaging in the photos – sorry about that).

Vichy Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care (Day Moisturiser)

This daytime moisturiser claims to common problem areas targeting: imperfections, pores, oily/shiny skin and uneven skin tone. This daytime moisturiser is not my favourite, once it is applied to can rub off in little bits and looks as though your skin is peeling off (when in fact it is the day moisturiser that is dried onto the skin)! It has a matte finish and although it may make your skin look less oily for me it was not really a hit, as I did not really feel or see the real results. The formula  flaking off my skin was something that I was disappointed with and it did not last long at all. This product does contain Alcohol therefore I would not recommend using this product if you have sensitive/dry skin during a hot summers day or on your tropical holiday; as it could leave your skin dehydrated rather than hydrated. 

Overall this product did not blow me away; it did not deliver on its bold claims. I could not wear this day moisturiser all day on my skin, as the product was often peeling away from my skin and rather looked more like an acid peel than a moisturiser! It did not have a great wear time at all for a moisturiser, and did not leave my skin hydrated all day.

A 50ml bottle of Vichy Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care Day Moisturiser is £12 from Boots.

Vichy Normaderm Chrono-Active Pore Refining Care (Night Moisturiser)

This night time moisturiser is my favourite of the two moisturisers, it claims to limit the amount of pores that produce excess oil overnight so that the skin has a more even tone and that pores are less visible overtime. It easily melts onto the skin and once applied instantly - what I can only describe somewhat as dissolving into the skin – it was not greasy at all even though the consistency when it comes out of the tube is runny. You may feel a tingling sensation when you apply it onto your skin, this is probably the Zincadone A ingredient that targets bacteria and skin regeneration, although I would not recommend applying this night-time moisturiser onto broken/sensitive skin; as this may deeply irritate the skin and cause discomfort! On my skin this moisturiser was perfect, I definitely noticed my pores were less distinguished and my overall skin tone did improve. I particularly liked the fact that my skin was noticeably soft after I applied the moisturiser without that heavy greasy feeling that most night moisturisers tend to go over load on the greasy results.

A 50ml bottle of Vichy Normaderm Chrono-Active Pore Refining Night Cream is £12.77 from Boots.

***

Overall I am not completely convinced, I will not be re-purchasing the day moisturiser again!

…ArA….

Evening-wear Perfume: Versace Crystal Noir Review

"In Italian there is an expression: We don't sleep on the fame." - Donatella Versace 

Another modern classic of mine, originally this little gem was launched in 2004 but I have used it on and off throughout the years; most notably using it in those beautiful summer evenings when you want to leave an air of mystery, fitting with its deep purple design colour. What I love about this musky ambery scent is that it lingers throughout (something that I look for) yet develops its depth whilst you are wearing it.

The bottle design is not one of Versace’s better looking pieces; with the somewhat awkward looking giant gem bottle top looking like a U.F.O. sitting on top of the bottle; bigger in proportion to the actual glass bottle itself, making it look rather amateurish (a word not usually associated with the likes of Versace)! But looking beyond the mere design concept the scent is mature and strong, you only need tiny spritz. If you like oriental with gardenia base notes then this fragrance is for you; I always get compliments when wearing it. It is not overpowering but still distinguishable, Crystal Noir does leave the wearer reaching for it again and again after each wear – not only because of its 8 hours staying power (well on me at least) but because of that elegant presence it evokes…simply put I love it!

A 50ml bottle of Versace Crystal Noir can be picked up from Boots for £47.

...ArA...

Spring Perfume: Versace Versense Eau De Toilette Spray Review

"I like perfume and flowers." - Donatella Versace

Spring weather has finally arrived (well, somewhat)! With April here we have been having a lot of better weather and with it I have brought out some of my favourite Spring perfumes. The key for a good Spring perfume for me is it has to be light and not too overpowering; faint and wearable without being too musky, yet still encompass some floral undertones.

A lot of Spring/Summer time perfumes that I have found often smell too floral; leaving me feeling as though I have sprayed myself with air freshener – a smell that I would rather avoid. I have tried quite a few Spring perfumes and often found myself disappointed from the scent being too floral infested (smelling a bit like a florist) or very light and not long wearing, there never seemed to be the right balance for Spring/Summer perfume.

Until I stumbled across Versace Versense, which certainly does the job for me! It is very light yet long lasting, it immediately reminds me of a fresh Spring day – it really does smell like a bouquet of Spring flowers (without being overbearing), it is very fresh (you can smell the citrus undertones immediately after a spritz or two) and develops a deeper sensual smell after a few hours of wear time.  Versace Veresense is said to be inspired by nature and the senses (hence the name Versense), it seems a perfect transitional perfume from the Winter months to early Spring/Summer time with a light and wearable daytime scent.

A 100ml bottle of Versace Versense can be purchased from feelunique.com for £57.40 (with free delivery)

...ArA...

  

J’adore: Ted Baker Body Soufflé and Body Spray Review

UK weather never fails to astonish me, instead of beautiful sunny spells and the smell of spring daffodils we are having to endure another snowfall of sleet and dampness…so typical so UK. Anyway despite the slushy snow outside I have been trying to stay upbeat for the better summer days ahead and been wearing my favourite signature body spray suitable for every day wear.

A favourite scent of mine that always reminds me of sunny days gone is the Ted Baker body sprays and body soufflé (no you cannot eat it, just a very luscious and creamy body butter that smells heavenly)…these have been my usual trusty daily sprays for years (since they first introduced them to Boots) and they are a perfect pick me up for spring time. Ted Baker did re-brand the packaging and some of its range; however I find that they still smell the same.

Ted Baker Butterfly Wings Body Spray | Ted Baker Body Soufflé | Ted Baker Origami Body Spray

I love the girly purple/gold abstract packaging, very modern yet still feminine. They smell really expensive and unique and have a strong lasting power (unlike those other oh so familiar deodorant cans on the market); for the price they are ideal for daily usage. My favourite being the Ted Baker Butterfly Wings Body Spray which contains bergamont and patchouli (all ultra-elegant fragrance notes which are not in usually in other high street deodorant’s - another reason this super quality product is my favourite daily body spray).  I usually wear this in the daytime, it is perfect for everyday wear, not too strong yet it has that lingering scent to it.

Ted Baker Butterfly Wings Body Spray

They also have the Ted Baker Origami Body Spray which is a lot less sweet than Butterfly Wings, it contains sandalwood and rose and hints of vanilla, which again lasts for ages on your skin. I also have the matching Body Soufflé which also has hints of sandalwood and rose, it is best used after you have showered/bathed as it sponges into your skin quicker, think of this Body Soufflé as a Body Butter, it is thick and creamy and is therefore best applied onto clean skin (plus the smell just lingers and lingers…mmm). 

Ted Baker Origami Body Spray

I feel being a British brand Ted Baker’s bath and beauty range is perfect for those on the go looking for a better alternative to the usual female daily deodorants on the market, being a body spray it is a lot gentler yet I still feel its quality fragrance is far better than any other (even dare I say it the hype about Victoria Secret’s body sprays). Overall I love the Ted Baker range; I always have their body spray in my bag when out and about!

Boots have cute little 50ml travel sizes too which are great to be stashed into your purse or bag!

Ted Baker Body Soufflé retails at £6.50 for 300ml pot

Ted Baker Butterfly Wings Body Spray at £5.00 for 150ml bottle

Ted Baker Origami Body Spray at £5.00 for a 150ml bottle

…ArA…

Weekly Skin Exfoliators: No 7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser & St Ives Blemish Fighting Facial Scrub Review

...Luceat Lux Vestra...

Around every week or so I like to pamper my skin (mostly on a chilled out Sunday) using a good scrub or a spa type treatment to exfoliate my skin; I feel that this routine helps to keep my skin rejuvenated and  smooth without it being too much of an effort. To do this job I usually use two my favourite products (alternating when I can, I like to mix it up); they are no other than the No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleaner and St Ives Blemish Fighting Facial Scrub. 

No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser

Let’s start with the No7 Hot Cloth Cleanser, think of this as a gentle spa treatment in the comfort of your own home without the hefty price tag. No7 have come a long way in recent years (from re-branding to branching out in new lines) offering good quality drugstore products which have been trusted by so many. It is no wonder that this cleanser has received so much positive feedback and is one of No7 more popular products.  

Its simple clear packaging enables you to see how much of the product is left and it is packaged with a small muslin cloth. The purpose of this Hot Cloth Cleanser is to give your skin that deep invigorated spa treatment, (give a good old dusting to those pores)! It aims to remove all dirt and grime and exfoliate your skin using the muslin cloth which you simply run under warm water to use.

To do this you simply apply the creamy thick cleanser onto DRY skin using the pump applicator (one squirt of this foamy matter is more than enough), and then (after some optional intermittent-lounging-for-some-time-with-your-cucumber-peels moments) use the wet muslin cloth to wipe away all of the cleanser.  Use warm water to wash away any remainder that is left, and (most importantly) make sure you use cold water after to close your pores.

The muslin cloth acts as an exfoliator to lift dead skin cells and any grime away from your skin (think of it like a brush), to leave it looking baby soft and squeaky clean. Another advantage of using of a muslin cloth weekly is that it encourages circulation to give you that bright hallow glow without it being too harsh on your skin (as you are not frantically scrubbing away daily)!  The only slight minus point for me personally is that I feel the muslin cloth is not that tough, or of a great quality. I don’t feel it lasts that long. I often use my own flannel or a textured face towel which I will put in the wash once I have used it.

This is a great quality product which I would recommend to rival any other hot cleanser, its thick consistency and texture doesn't disappoint on results. It is gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin on anyone who wants to have that indulgent experience!

It comes in a 200ml size which you can pick up from Boots for £9.95 (very economical as it lasts ages - plus if you have a £5 No7 voucher you only pay £4.95 - bargain)!

St Ives Blemish Fighting Facial Scrub

This apricot scented scrub is one of my staples that I have used for years, I remember using this since being in my teens (such fond memories… *ahem*). You only have to look at the Swiss company behind it and look at their glorious blemish free faces to know that St Ives are winners when it comes to facial scrubs, is it any surprise that they are consistently voted as the UK’s Number 1 Scrub band? I use this twice a week (the most) for maintaining clear skin and tame my oil/combination skin.

The secret of a scrub is a bit like a muslin cloth, scrubs exfoliate any dirt and grime away, they mostly contain small beaded ingredients - in this case brown coloured beads, (think of these little wonders as tiny little muslin clothes acting together to add that sparkle to your skin) which help to scrub away the bad stuff such as dead skin cells away to leave your skin polished and clean. In this way they are easier to use as any other daily cleanser, as you just apply it to your face and rinse as you normally would do.

St Ives Scrub lives up to its reputation, it is a no-nonsense tough scrub that you can feel scrubbing against you skin as you apply it. For this reason I would not recommend daily usage of this product, as this can be very harsh to the natural ph and oil balance of your facial skin, (and in actual fact may trigger breakouts if used excessively)!

I love the apricot smell, it surely does smell of all the good natural elements which it is based on, plus it no longer contains no parabens or phthalates *hooray* (even though on boots online they still seem to have the older ingredients listed, for this reason I have taken a photograph of the ingredients for you sceptics to have a look at - see below).  I have found using this weekly (in addition to my daily routine) my skin is a lot less oily and I don’t really suffer from major breakouts (I bet I have just jinxed myself) although I use this to maintain clearer skin and love it for its thick beady texture.

"Formulated without Parabens and Phthalates" 

You can purchase it from any good supplier; I usually pick it up from Boots for £4.29 for 150ml tube.

What are you best skin exfoliators?

...ArA...

Chanel Coco Noir…Perfume Review

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” - Gabrielle Coco Chanel 

We all have that favourite go-to-go special occasion perfume that becomes part of our classic cult collection (well at least for me). Coco Noir has become my best loved modern classic perfume. This luxury perfume is part of a current three in the Coco Chanel perfumery range (the other two being Coco and then Mademoiselle), each claiming to be an incarceration a different era and showing a different side of the great Gabrielle Coco Chanel herself. For me this perfume takes me away to that special time/place/moment, I see it as an extension of my personality and my "signature scent".

For me this perfume by far is the best and most endearing yet (has there even been a more sophisticated black bottle?!). I feel her elegance and timeless quality is evoked as soon as I wear Noir, it definitely has a grown up no-nonsense ladylike feel to it (unlike Mademoiselle, which I feel is more flirty and playful).

*Drool*

You can smell the oriental evocative tones, of sandalwood and depths of rose and jasmine along with other divine timeless smells (see full list of ingredients on the Chanel website here). Coco Noir has a vintage scent to it that is not too overbearing or too subtle, Chanel have (again) mastered the art to leave a lingering scent creating an evocative mystery soon after the wearer leaves...it definitely creates an impression like any quality perfume should.

I would usually wear this during evening/night, as I feel it has that indescribable sensual musky depth to it which develops after a first hour or so of wear time. You only need one/two spritzes and it will last on my skin for at least 6 hours. For me it is an ultimate signature smell, feminine yet very grown up, it hits the right  balance without being too strong or too weak (plus it sits so beautifully on my white dressing table too)!  

  

A 100ml bottle of Chanel Coco Noir can be purchased from Boots for £106. 

Do you have that signature perfume which takes you to that place or reminds you of a particular moment in time?

...ArA...

Beauty Staple: Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Review

...Minime senuisti!..

With its various celebrity endorsements Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula has been a much loved affordable and trusty body moisturiser. So I decided to give a quick review about my love for Cocoa Butter, another timeless classic of mine.

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula has been around for a good few years, incorporating cocoa butter (obviously) enriched with Vitamin E (helps to soften skin and keep it oh so heavenly smooth). These agents together have super-power moisturising effects thanks to the natural hydrating elements and vegetable fat origin of cocoa butter (no surprise then that it smells of chocolate, cocoa is one of the key ingredients of chocolate making)! Palmers claim to use the highest quality cocoa bean (sorry to those that did not make the mark) which they press down into the cocoa butter, used subsequently in its formula. Furthermore Palmers formula no longer contain any Parabens, which is another added bonus!

It is usually used by users with very dry/rough skin, although I feel that Palmers Cocoa Butter can be used by users of all skin types, as its moisturising properties can be best taken advantage of especially after a shower/bath when it’s vital to moisturise. Palmers Cocoa Butter can be used all over the body and smells mildly of chocolate (which I have to admit does take a bit of getting used to), although this does not really bother me (a scent free version is available if the smell does bother you).

You may be thinking it will be too rich and greasy to be absorbed into the skin, but the convenience of the pump version of this lotion allows easy application (so you are not wasting it away, or getting carried away by the chocolaty smell), only a few pumps are needed and it absorbs super quickly into the skin once rubbed in (thanks to the buttterrryyy properties of cocoa).  I am left with silky baby soft skin which leaves a youthful appearance. It has a thick consistency, although this can be easily spread if a right amount is used (thanks to the pump)!

I usually stock up on the 400ml bottle with Boots constant 3 for 2 offer (see below), although one 400ml bottle will last me for approximately 3 months! They do have smaller sizes, I would recommend the 250ml for travelling. 

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula is available in most good stores; pick up yours at Boots for a 400ml bottle for a very affordable £5.30

…ArA…

Rihanna for River Island

...Talk That Talk...

Rihanna has been known to be a big game changer in the world of fashion, in recent years incorporating an edgy vintage street style which you either love or hate (a bit like Marmite). She launched her own clothing line at River Island a few days ago which was launched at London Fashion Week.

Taking a peek at the online collection I immediately saw the 90’s themed inspiration running through the pieces, consisting of cropped sweatshirts and long maxi style skirts as well as typical 90’s s jersey style tank tops. There is a general monochrome style (another influential summer 2013 trend) running through the collection, with a hint of edge and neon yellow pop colour.  Most pieces have been designed with that undertone of Rihanna’s edginess in mind (take for example the long split maxi skirt, a slit here and there is typical Rihanna). Here are some pieces from  RiverIsland.com:

My favourite piece out of the collection has to be the Black Pendant Backpack, which features a golden eagle motif similar to Rihanna’s midriff tattoo:

Overall I am not totally blown away by the collection, although River Island will be allegedly launching the second part of it sometime later on in May (perhaps we can then expect more summery and brighter neon prints in May)?

I have tried to create my own version of Rihanna’s edgy style and made my own wearable version. I have just teamed up a simple black jersey maxi dress with my statement handcuff necklace, a similar one can be found on Asos. Added to this I have my Zara strappy black sandals. I have teamed this up with my biker Topshop jacket to complete the look. This can be a great evening or daytime look, simply add a studded leather clutch to take it into the night.

What is your favourite piece in the collection?

...ArA...

Battle of the Hair Oils…Kérastase Elixir Ultime vs Moroccanoil

...Quomodo cogis comas tuas sic videri?...

These two giants of the hair oil industry have dominated the salons for some time; the most hyped (and rivalled) hair oil currently dominating the scene has to be no other than Moroccanoil and Kérastase Elixir Ultime. With hair oils vastly claiming to do more by deeply nourishing and revitalising hair, rather than just a quick fix of coating your hair with product residue (gone are the hair serum days), it is an area now where salon results can be easily achieved at home. With their bold claims and alleged results, can hair oil really transform a bird’s nest to a glorious mane of shiny brilliance?

I have used both of these oils for some time on my hair, switching between both and mainly using it after I have washed my hair and then letting it dry naturally (or blow drying for those special occasions and quick last minute dashes).  Although both can be used on dry hair,  I find this usually starts to make my hair roots look greasy which gradually spreads through the lengths of my long hair making it look limp and flat, a look that I would rather leave to the supermodels on the catwalk (whereas I end up looking like something from a horror film). I decided to compare the two and leave my verdict…

Kérastase Elixir Ultime

I have used this product on my hair on and off for a few years, and was using this way before Moroccanoil. Firstly, the look and feel of Kérastase oils are one of extravagance and elegance, I love the gold metallic outer packaging of Elixir Ultime. The Kérastase Elixir Ultime oil range has recently extended its range, offering three other targeted hair oils (which can be used for specific hair types, although they all serve the same multi-purpose usage).

I have also picked up Elixir Ultime with Immortal Moringa which comes in a beautiful metallic green/silvery box, aimed for damaged hair containing the usual Oleo-Complexe (an ingredient in all of Kérastase Elixir range hair oils) and Immortal Moringa extract (commonly known as the ‘Tree of Life’, sounds like a life line to my mane).

These products claimed multi-usage is one of the selling factors that originally drew me into purchasing Kérastase Elixir Ultime. As it has a runny and thin feel to it (therefore not weighing your hair down either *hooray*), it can be adapted and used for more than just a leave in hair oil. I sometimes apply it before shampooing as a pre-cleanser or nourishment mask, touching up hair, using it as an active conditioner before blow drying, or just part of your daily routine to keep those fly always tamed. I find it particularly useful for applying to a finished up-do/beehive style hair-do; it will not only nourish your hair but will leave a glamorous Hollywood sleek look as a finishing touch to your hairstyle (plus it smells sooo heavenly).

Kérastase contains primary ‘four precious oils’ which consist of Maize, Argan, Camellia and Pracaxi to form the basis of its magical Elixir, all designed to keep your hair at its best form long term wise. Another BIG pulling factor for me has to be the fact it does not contain any silicones which is a bonus for someone who tries to avoid silicone based products. These entire oils together act to protect and deeply nourish the hair to leave it feeling light and shiny, all this with only a few drops, I normally only use one pump on my towel dried long hair, applying it mid length and concentrating on my ends (a little again goes a very long way, my current bottle has lasted me for a just over a year)!

As I try to keep heat styling to a minimum I usually let my hair dry naturally after towel drying it. Once I have applied the oil to my hair and left it to dry I am left with hair that feels weightless, glossy, frizz-free and smells of exotic mystic lands far gone (let’s just say I am left with a mane that feels worthy of a L’Oreal hair *swoosh* here and there).

A 125ml bottle of Kérastase Elixir Ultime (or any of the other three Elixir Ultime oils) can be grabbed from luxuryhairandbeauty.co.uk for £27.55 with free delivery.

Moroccanoil

I have used Moroccanoil a lot less than Kérastase Elixir Ultime but have always wanted to test its bold claims. Moroccanoil is based on Aragon oil (from the Moroccan Aragon tree) which is known for its nutritious capabilities.  It contains various other ingredients such as fatty acids and rich in omega 3 oils, although I was slightly disappointed to find that it contained silicones.

I tend to use it on special occasions if I am blow drying my hair, as I feel it’s more thicker and somewhat gloopier (if that is even a word…); it tends to be more suited to hairstyles that scream volume and height (for me at least). Unlike Kérastase Elixir Ultime, it is packaged in a glass bottle, so when travelling keep that in mind (or if you are one of the clumsier inclined that walk amongst us *ahem*).

Again I apply this to damp hair through midway to the ends; it has a more prominent and stronger smell than Kérastase Elixir Ultime, although this goes away mostly once my hair is dried. I feel that one pump is more than a generous amount to be applied on my hair as it is a lot thicker than Kérastase Elixir Ultime.

One of the advantages of Moroccanoil that it speeds up the time it takes to dry my hair, one of the claims Moroccanoil advocates (which is actually does for my hair)…for someone with long hair this can be a life saver. Overall, personally for me I was not entirely blown away by Moroccanoil. Although I can see why people tend to use it for the above reasons, it still left my hair shiny and full of volume…but I would recommend the Moroccanoil Light version for finer/thinner hair as it may weigh such delicate hair down.

A 125ml bottle of Moroccanoil retails at £30.45 with free delivery from lookfantastic.com. 

Verdict...

The versatility of Kérastase Elixir Ultime oils and ingredients and light texture make it very attractive for someone who is quite afraid of any oil product application, yet still desires to reap the benefits; I feel it is better value for money. For this reason it wins the brand rivalry for me.  It is also retails slightly cheaper than Moroccanoil, and seems to last longer than Moroccanoil. Moroccanoil has a thicker and stickier consistency which at times after a few hours of wear left me feeling that I needed to wash my hair again.

Have you jumped on the bandwagon of hair beauty oils?

...ArA...