Review | Revlon ColorStay Foundation

Finding a great foundation can be a tricky task, there are so many to choose from, with different formulations, different finishes and colours, but when you've found your perfect one, hallelujah! Everything else seems easy!

Today I'm sharing my thoughts on what has been my favourite foundation to date, and I've used a LOT of different ones!

Information

Brand | Revlon

Product | Colorstay Foundation for combination/oily skin 24hour wear

Colour | 180 Sand Beige & 110 Ivory

Size | 30ml

Price | £12.49

Purchased from | Boots

Made in | ?

Would I re-purchase | Yes!

I ended up with two bottles of this foundation as number 1: I did my usual trick of 'lets buy the lightest shade due to possible oxidisation of product on my face' and number 2: my mum said it looked fine. It didn't I looked like a ghost.
Turns out that Revlon's Colorstay foundation does as it states, the colour stays the same! So first bonus for this is that there was no oxidisation which subsequently means your foundation changes colours on your face as the day goes on! So that is the story of how I ended up with two vastly different shades of the same foundation. Now on to the review...

Lets take a quick look at the packaging. The foundation comes in a 30ml glass bottle with a plastic screw cap and no pump. Which ultimately makes getting the foundation out of the bottle a fun little task every morning, especially when you reach the end of the bottle. I have ended up at times with more product on the back of my hand than originally intended and end up having the choice of apply it all to my face or the more appealing option of wiping it off, which is a waste. But at the end of the day, the lack of a pump is the only bad thing I have to say about this product.

This foundation comes in two different formulas, one for normal/dry skin and one for combination/oily skin. I own the latter. The foundation its self is very thick, and at first I was very unsure of it as I tend to opt for thinner formulations, but once applied and blended in it doesn't feel thick or cakey at all.
It blends like a dream and covers very very well, so only a little concealer for very mean, angry face monsters (aka spots) is needed.
The product boasts 'Longwearing coverage with Time Release Technology and a lightweight formula that won’t cake, fade, or rub off. Specifically made for combination or oily skin to control oil absorption and shine. Your look stays flawless throughout the day.'

This foundation last really well on my face all day. It doesn't cake up if I apply more, or fade. However if I forget myself and rub my face, or have a little itch, the foundation does transfer onto my hands. But that for me is no real biggy. I get a good few hours of oil control from this but not all day. However all day oil control is a lot to ask of any product (although I am trialing one at the moment!) but it does well. An added bonus is this is SPF 15.

On to colour. This comes in a huge 13 shade range which is impressive for a 'drug store' brand. I own the lightest shade 110 Ivory and the third lightest, 180 Sand Beige. After the kafuffle of getting my shade right, the colour match is perfect. It doesn't look patchy or too dark or too light. Like I stated earlier, the colour stays the same throughout the day so you have no fear of applying it in the morning, looking perfect and then 3 hours later looking like you've been tango'd.
Everything about this foundation (except the no pump thing) is perfect. It matches well, doesn't hide your skin just enhances it, doesn't cake up and a little goes a long way! It is also the first foundation I have bought that I've actually (nearly) finished and would buy again.

All in all Revlon Colorstay from me gets an A*+++!

HHA | Crocodile Curls

So its been a while since I have documented a Heatless Hair Adventure, and today I decided to have ago at another way to curl my hair and take a few snaps to share! This post wasn't planned so apologies for the lack of photographic detail but I'll walk you through how to do it!

What you will need: 

Clips ( I used crocodile clips, that's why I named them crocodile curls)

A spray bottle of water

Hairspray

Styling wax

+ First off section your hair into two sides and clip one out of the way. Then separate a small section off (this will be your first curling section) and clip the rest out of the way.

+ Dampen the strand of hair with the water, then place two fingers at the top of the strand and wrap the hair loosely around your fingers like you would a curling wand.

+ Pull your fingers out of the loop and wind the loop towards your scalp and clip in to place.Then separate another small section of hair and repeat. Do this all over your head. You should end up looking like this...

+ Once in place spritz again with water then with some hairspray. I used a total of 19 clips as I do have a lot of hair, although it doesn't look like it.

I left these to set for about an hour and a half before I took the clips out and scrunched with wax to give texture. The end result was pretty, bouncy curls. There were a few indentations where the clips had sat but nothing to bad. The curls did drop out but my hair does have trouble keeping in loose heatless curls because its pretty straight and has a relatively silky texture, but I think with a little more practice and refining this technique could work quite well.

Here are my results...

Jen x

Review | The Body Shop Aqua Boost Sorbet

Information

Brand | The Body Shop
Product | Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet
Size | 50ml
Price | £12
Purchased From | The Body Shop [Store]
Made In | UK
Description | Cooling facial moisturiser
Would I re-purchase | Yes

Ingredients 

Aqua/Water (Solvent), Glycerin (Humectant), Dimethicone (Skin Conditioning Agent), Alcohol Denat. (Solvent), Silica (Absorbent), Butyrospermum Parkii Butter/Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter (Skin Conditioning Agent - Emollient), Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2 (Absorbent), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Crosspolymer (Film Former), Ammonium Polyacrylolydimethyl Taurate (Emulsifier), Polysorbate 20 (Emulsifier), Tocopherol (Antioxidant), Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil/Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil (Emollient), Glycine Soja Oil/Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil (Emollient/Skin Conditioner), Caprylyl Glycol (Skin Conditioning Agent), Xanthan Gum (Viscosity Modifier), Parfum/Fragrance (Fragrance), Menthol (Fragrance/Cooling Agent), Sodium Hydroxide (pH Adjuster), C12-13 Pareth-23 (Surfactant), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), C12-13 Pareth-3 (Emulsifier), Menthoxypropanediol (Flavour), t-Butyl Alcohol (Denaturant), Benzyl Salicylate (Fragrance Ingredient), Geraniol (Fragrance Ingredient), Citric Acid (pH Adjuster), CI 14700/Red 4 (Colorant).

This delicious little sorbet comes in a frosted glass pot that makes this product feel so much more expensive than it actually is. It has an ultra light formula that just smells amazing. Its so fresh and clean and absoloutley lovely.

On application it feels so soft and silky. The texture though is a little bit 'fluffy' and can feel a little [soft]gritty, which I can see as bit of a turn off for some as it is not what I would consider the norm when faced with other gel-like moisturisers.

It has a soft cooling sensation which  is amplified by a little fanning of the face and I found ideal when I was on my recent holiday in Lanzarote. But one thing I will say is that it did not travel well.

I put it in my luggage with all of my other beauty supplies, and while unpacking I noticed all my other products felt wet and smelt like my aqua boost sorbet. Needless to say there had been a little explosion and my sorbet had leaked everywhere causing a loss of about a quarter of my jar! Which, I won't lie, left me a little devastated! My fiance believes its due an altitude reaction between the plastic lid and glass jar. So if you take it abroad airborne, wrap it up!

The Sorbet is easily absorbed in to skin leaving it feeling clean and hydrated. Once absorbed you are left with a soft matte finish, ideal for a makeup base.

Its great for all skin types and packed full of lovely ingredients such as Soya Oil, that is Community Fair Trade Organic, Vitamin E and Wheatgerm Oil, which all aid in keeping the skin soft, hydrated and help fight skin damage and wrinkles. To add to that its also Paraben Free, and at the time of my purchase I was told that it also rivals some of the more high end products as the same technology/formulas are used with in them!
A win I say!

I really do enjoy using this product and will defiantly go back for more! I currently use it as a day cream as now we are edging in to autumn/winter I like a heavier/thicker cream for night time.

Hope you've enjoyed this review! Let me know your thoughts in the comment section!

Jen x

Elf's Kitchen | Chocolate Raw Bars

I go through healthy eating phases. Where I try to be as good as possible, cut out crisps and sweets and try to fill my belly with healthier fruits and vegetables. But as much as I love a handful of blueberries I still crave chocolate. Hands up all chocoholics out there!
So today I'm sharing with you a tasty recipe for Chocolate Raw Bars that are completely guilt free and taste just like chocolate brownies, yummo!

So here are your ingredients:

1 Cup    | Pitted Dates (approx: 128g)

1/2 Cup | Ground Almonds (approx: 64g)

1/3 Cup | Dried Cranberries (approx: 43g)

1/4 Cup | Cocoa Powder (approx: 32g)

1/2 tbsp | Coconut Oil

1/2 tsp   | Vanilla Flavouring

1/4 tsp   | Sea Salt

additional ingredient Almond Milk.

Start by blending your dates up in a food processor. This is the trickiest bit as the dates are super sticky. I blend them up a few at a time.

Once the dates are as blended as you can get them add in the coconut oil and vanilla flavouring. Blend a bit more then add in the remaining ingredients except for the cranberries. As you go you will need to add in a splash here and a splash there of almond milk to loosen up the mixture. 

Transfer you mixture into a bowl. You may need to stab at it with a spoon and combine the ingredients a bit more, if you have a good blender, you probably won't have to but I have a pants one so I have to.

 Then add in the cranberries and combine. Transfer the mixture into a Tupperware box lined with grease proof paper and using your fingers (trust me on this) pat down your mixture. Pop your box in the fridge and allow to set for half hour.

Once chilled you want to remove from the fridge and slice up. Its up to you how you cut them I like to do long bar like bars! Then simply wrap in cling film and store in the fridge. 

They are so yummy and its good to know there is no added sugar! 

The cocoa is much better for you than milk chocolate, the dates give you that stickyness and the cranberries add a nice sweetness. The almond milk acts as an extra glue and as its almond milk not cows milk it won't go off in your bag.

Hope you give this ago, I normally get about 7-8 bars, enough for a week.

Ciao Bella's!

Jen x

Review | Rimmel Wonder'full Mascara

Today I'll be sharing my thoughts on Rimmel's Wonder'full Mascara, and its just that. Wonderful!

Information |

Brand | Rimmel London
Product | Wonder'full Mascara
Size | 12ml
Price | £7.99
Purchased From | Wilkinsons for £5.99 offer
Made in | UK
Would I Re-purchase | Definitely!

Ingredients |

AQUA/WATER/EAU, PARAFFIN, GLYCERYL STEARATE, COPERNICIA CERIFERA CERA/ COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX/CIRE DE CARNAUBA,PVP, CERA ALBA/BEESWAX/CIRE D’ABEILLE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, TRIBEHENIN, POLYSORBATE 20, STEARIC ACID, AMMONIUM ACRYLATES COPOLYMER,PANTHENOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, ARGANIA SPINOSA KERNEL OIL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, TALC,ACRYLATES/CARBAMATE COPOLYMER, ASCORBYL GLUCOSIDE, GOSSYPIUM HERBACEUM (COTTON) POWDER, SERICA POWDER/SILK POWDER/POUDREDE SOIE, RETINYL PALMITATE, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL, GLYCERIN, COLLAGEN,HYDROGENATED OLIVE OIL, OLEAEUROPAEA (OLIVE) FRUIT OIL, HYDROLYZED KERATIN, PRUNUS ARMENIACA (APRICOT) KERNEL OIL, SODIUM SULFATE, CERAMIDE 2, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) OIL UNSAPONIFIABLES, POTASSIUM SORBATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, BAMBUSA ARUNDINACEA LEAF EXTRACT, SODIUM BENZOATE, TOCOPHEROL. [May Contain/Peut Contenir/+/-: IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77491), TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), FERRICFERROCYANIDE (CI 77510), CARMINE (CI 75470), CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN (CI 77289), CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS (CI 77288), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), ULTRAMARINES (CI 77007), MICA].

The mascara comes in this shiny copper/bronze packaging that's got a slight angled look/feel to it, I don't know how else to describe it! It has a really thick, full, silicone brush that has lots of thin spokes that pick up each lash and easily distributes the product over the lashes.

"The Secret Weapon to full volume without clumps. The new formula with Argan Oil feels incredibly lightweight, soft and flexible for wonder’full volume that won’t weigh you down."

The key ingredient that makes Rimmel's Wonder'full mascara so wonderful is the Argan oil. Its the only mascara I have ever used that has felt truly lightweight on my lashes. They are full, light and fluttery.  I haven't experienced any clumping and my lashes just look so beautiful and natural.

These pictures really do not do the mascara justice, but I think you get the general idea. Its really build-able if you want a heavier darker lash but you won't get the clumps and the lash separation is amazing.

When it comes to taking it off at the end of the day its a dream, other mascara's really stick to your lashes but not this one! If comes off so easily and there is not scrubbing needed!

It has very quickly become a favourite and a definite re-purchase is on the cards! 

Hope you've enjoyed the review! Have a great day!

Jen x

The Power of Makeup | My 'Makeup Story'

I must of been about 11 or 12 when I got my first 'box' of makeup for Christmas from one of my aunts. It was one of those sets you would find in Boots back in the early naughties. Big fold out plastic thing full of brown eyeshadows, red sticky lipsticks and red blushers. (There is even a photo of me holding it!) I remember thinking 'Makeup? What do I do with that?' needless to say I wasn't too excited about but like all girls I had a play around with it but wasn't really that 'into' it at the time.

A bit like this but far less awesome!

Fast forward a few years to the age of 14 and a half and another Christmas with another makeup set. This time it was cream eyeshadows in a bubble like container. Now I was starting to get interested. The colours were pretty cool and I freaking loved that set. I remember there being a bright metallic blue and a shimmery green and my favourite the metallic purple. I used to wear it all over my lid and under my lash line with a generous helping of mascara, both top and bottom with black khol liner on my waterline. Sounds bad but I didn't care I felt good and I really loved it!

Between this age and about 16 was my experimental ages where I was more daring with my eye makeup, bringing the colour up towards my eyebrows and highlighting underneath said brows with white shadow. Sounds worse than it was, but also with my makeup experiments came harsh 'boy comments'.

I remember one distinct one from a boy in my class while we were waiting to go in to our science class. I was proud of my makeup that day. It was light and shimmery and blue and looked quite pretty and I remember him saying to me: 'I don't think your eyeshadow is meant to go up to your eyebrows', in that tone that idiot boys have! I immediately felt embarrassed and ashamed, the worse thing was, this was a boy I didn't even talk to at school, he was a 'popular kid' and I was an 'inbetweener' but I found myself rubbing at my eyes to get it off. I knew what he had said was just to be mean but it really affected me. I was just a shy 15 year old and the comment of a popular kid was 'important' back then.
Needless to say the popular boys words stayed with me for a long time and my eye makeup became less and less daring.

By the time 6th form rolled around I wore nothing but mascara and foundation. Maybe a lip gloss if I felt like pushing the boat out. And that was pretty much how I rolled for years.

Its only been in the last few years, 10 years on and in my mid 20's ( and after my makeup tutorial video discovery on youtube, I mean really what had I been doing all that time, I though youtube was just funny cats ) that I have slowly begun to find my love for makeup again.

Learning to 'master' the art of eyeliner, (I still get it wrong some days) to being brave enough to put on a bright pink lipstick (feel naked with out now) and walk out the door has been amazing!
There are days when I wear very little makeup and I can also walk out the door with out any on. I don't need makeup but I find that these are the days I feel like I'm missing something. I don't feel ugly, I just don't feel confident.

When I apply a great eyeshadow look or a flawless kitty flick and put one of my favourite lipsticks, I feel good, I feel powerful and confident. Like I could take on the world! Well sorta.

The same thing could be said for my mum. She's just about to turn 50 and this last year she's found her love for makeup. Every morning she loves putting it on and loves how it makes her feel. That feeling is priceless. And if something as simple as putting on a red lipstick can do that, then I'm in!

My bare face photo isn't the most flattering of angles I look so nosey! I almost only posted the 'done up' picture, But I think this showcases The Power Of Makeup not only in the way that I look but my confidence in front of the camera clearly increases whether that's subconscious or not I don't know!

One of my favourite youtubers gets so many harsh comments about her makeup looks and I feel that its just not on. There's no need. Her looks are stunning and inspirational and make her feel good. Who cares if you don't like the ways she contours or there's too much bronzer.
Life's to short to worry about what other people are doing to there faces, think about your own one!

If I've taken one thing away from taking a look back at my makeup story and if you take anything away from this post its NEVER listen to anybody (unless its about serious shit). If wearing 'lots' of makeup makes you feel good and gives you that Va Va Voom, just do it! Because you could end up like me! Loosing out on prime makeup experimental years because some 16 year old dickhead said you didn't look cool.

And this also can go the other way too, next time you see a girl (or guy) with a full face of makeup and you think 'jeeze layer-cake much!' just stop for 3 seconds and think that maybe that makeup gives them confidence.

At the end of the day you can wash it off and wear less or none at all. Its just makeup but its potential to do great things is exponential.

Thanks for reading!

Jen x