New Brand Alert: R&R Luxury Skin Care Products

Friday 31 January 2020

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There is a brand new skincare and body care brand which has just been brought over to the UK, which is R&R Luxury, a brand founded on the philosophy of transforming one of nature's purest gifts - shea - into the most enriching beauty products. Shea Butter is in so many beauty products, and that is simply because it is one of the most moisturising and nourishing ingredients there is out there. R&R Luxury uses 100% natural Shea butter and other unrefined natural ingredients in all products, sourced directly from the Shea countryside of Ghana, West Africa, the only region in the world where the mythical Shea tree has been growing for thousands of years.
R&R Luxury is a very affordable brand, considering the wealth of ingredients used in their products and I was recently lucky enough to be able to try out a couple of them. Starting with the face and hair, we have the R&R Luxury Repair Oil (£20.00 for 80ml). The packaging is quite simple, and the Repair Oil comes with a push-down applicator so that you can easily use the product. Extracted from the Tree of Life, Pure Baobab Oil is the key ingredient here, and it is well-know for being ultra-moisturising and rich in antioxidants. Its natural protecting properties make it the perfect product for stressed out, dry, damaged skin and hair. Even though this is an oil, it doesn't feel heavy or greasy, and has a pleasant silky texture which I found dries into the skin pretty quickly without leaving any residue behind. You can of course use it in the hair, after washing the hair and before drying it, as a little treatment to the hair, and to help smooth down any frizz or flyaways. For the skin, I would recommend using it at night in place of a serum and then in the morning in the same way. Repair Oil is suitable for all skin types, and is going to help treat the skin and ensure it is in amazing condition.
Moving on to the body, and we have the R&R Luxury Serenity Shea Body Oil (£15.00 for 250ml). This product is available in different fragrances, and I chose Serenity as it contains Lavender, Bergamot and Ylang Ylang essential oils, and I especially love anything scented with Lavender or Bergamot as I find the fragrance very relaxing and it reminds me of being in a spa. This luxe oil is 100% natural and is once again suitable for all skin types. As with all natural oils, they can solidify in colder temperatures, so sometimes you just need to pop this in your bath water for a couple of minutes before you apply to the skin, as this will then loosen it up. The Serenity Shea Body Oil comes in a large bottle, and again has a push-down applicator for easy distribution. It smells absolutely heavenly, and if you have any kind of dry skin, this is going to nourish it and get it feeling so much better. This kind of product reminds me of a hug for the skin, with such a luxurious feeling, and due to the formula and texture of the Oil, you only need a small amount as a little goes a long way. Along with the body, this can also be used on the hair, but only use a tiny amount as it is effectively just Shea Butter and essential oils. I love to use this on an evening after I have taken a bath, as the scent calms me down, ready for sleep and I know I am going to wake up in the morning with super silky soft skin.
You can find R&R Luxury online here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*These items were gifted to me, but all opinions are my own
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Trying Out: Transformulas Skincare

Wednesday 29 January 2020

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I very kindly recently received some skincare products from cult 'Beauty without surgery' brand Transformulas, and so as it is a fairly new brand to Kathryn's Loves, I thought I would to a '
Trying Out' style post, introducing the products and what you can achieve without having to go under the knife or a needle!
Starting with the eyes, we have the Transformulas Marine Miracle Eyezone, which is an Advanced Eye Concentrate. This skin-perfecting eye cream has been formulated to visibly smooth and firm around the eye area, as well as reducing dark circle. I am 35 and I don't have wrinkles as such yet, but I do have a couple of smile lines around my eyes and I definitely get dark circles, which I believe is hereditary, but as I am adopted I am not entirely sure. The Eyezone comes in a spherical little green chrome pot, and you receive 10ml for £34.00, which is around the average size for eye creams.
Marine Miracle Eyezone has a delicate texture to it, which I much prefer in an eye cream due to the delicate area it is being applied to and is suitable for all skin types. With an eye cream, I always recommend using a tiny amount gently dabbed around the eye socket using your ring finger, which is the finger which will apply the least amount of pressure. This eye cream is going to strengthen and firm the skin, and has a unique formula of marine plant extracts and five times ultra-concentrated Aldavine, which is proven to increase cell regeneration, hydrate and moisturise the eye area. By continuously using this twice daily - once in a morning and once in an evening, you are going to see visible results, and I have already noticed a difference with my under eye circles, which are now becoming a lot lighter than they were.
The Transformulas Flawless PhotoGlow Daily Skin Radiance SPF30 (£55.00 for 50ml) is an innovative multi-tasking treatment cream that is the ultimate complexion transformer, which instantly nourishes and restores radiance, whilst correcting imperfections for a flawless finish. Formulated with the latest cosmetic drone technology (yes, you read that correctly), this treatment cream has been medically developed with targeted technology to deliver active ingredients deep into specific areas that need treating, without overloading the skin.
So, what exactly is a cosmetic drone? This is targeted technology, much like a drone would be able to be targeted, and has been developed by scientists to deliver the active ingredients exactly where your skin needs them the most. After just two weeks, the PhotoGlow will give your skin a glow increase of 100%, with an 80% luminosity increase. I also noticed that my skin tone was improved and my skin looked and felt naturally radiant and nourished. I am always looking for more products that contain an SPF, and so with the PhotoGlow containing SPF30+, I am over the moon with this. We don't live in the hottest, sunniest country around, but even on cloudy days, you should use an SPF or certainly a skincare or makeup product that already contains it. 
And now, onto the lips with the Transformulas LipVolume Voluptuous (£29.00), the brand's latest, most intensive lip plumper. This wonder product gives an instant plumping effect to the lips for your best pout ever. Voluptuous comes in a chrome silver casing, which is designed like a regular lip gloss, with a slanted sponge tip applicator for easy application. The formula boosts moisture and helps to define the lips, as well as it containing a lip-caring serum, which ensures a non-sticky, yet glossy finish to the lips, so you can either wear it alone or on top of a lipstick.
Voluptuous is formulated with powerful lip-plumping peptides which are what helps to boost the volume, enhance the shape of the lips and keeps the lips well-moisturised. There is no getting away from it, this lip plumper does have a slight immediate sting to it, like many other lip plumping products, but it doesn't last very long and so is very bearable and comfortable to wear. I have really quite fine lips, especially my top lip, and whilst I would love plumper lips, having them done surgically is not really something I would want, and so this is definitely the next best thing!
You can find Transformulas online here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*These items were gifted to me, but all opinions are my own
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Revolution Powder Matte Lipsticks Review + Swatches

Monday 27 January 2020

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It is only January and we are already on my third Revolution post of the year. They continue to kick butt when it comes to new releases and this month saw the release of the Revolution Powder Matte Lipsticks. There are 12 shades available, and so there is bound to be a shade suited to your skin tone and favourite colour.
The Revolution Powder Matte Lipstick is a collection of 12 crushed velvet shades, whether you are a fan of more natural nude tones, or you want to make your lips pop with bright reds, fab fuchsias and brilliant berries, you will find them in this collection of lipsticks. The Powder Matte Lipsticks come in a brushed rose gold casing, and I love that they have used the logo on the lipstick to show you which colour is inside.
Formula-wise, the Powder Matte Lipsticks are not at all drying and even though they are matte, they glide onto the lips lovely and smooth. The formula is fairly long-lasting, especially the bolder shades as they are very well-pigmented and comfortable to wear, as they don't dry out the lips. They retail for just £5.00 each, which in comparison to the MAC version, are much cheaper, and you could buy at least three for the same price.

The shades included in the collection are:
Bon Bon - Warm Burgundy
Captivate - Orange-toned Red
Fascination - Blue-toned Red
Flamingo - Neon Pink (Think MAC's Candy Yum Yum)
Frost - Light Peach
Love - Baby Pink
Lust - Orchid Purple
Naked - Light Nude
Ornate - Dark Berry
Rosy - Warm Pink Nude
Spice - Ginger Nude
Teddy - Medium Pink Nude
The majority of the shades are extremely wearable on a daily basis, but I also love that they have included some brighter, bolder shades. My favourites have to be Flamingo, Frost, Naked and Spice and I would definitely recommend checking these out.

You can find the Revolution Powder Matte Lipsticks online at Revolution here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*These items have been gifted to me, but all opinions are my own
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pmd Clean Pro + Pro RQ Smart Cleansing Device Review

Friday 24 January 2020

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In my first post of 2020, you may have seen me talking about the importance of taking care of our skin. When we don't take care of our skin, our makeup is never going to look as good as it can or should. Today's post is all about the pmd Clean Pro Smart Facial Cleansing Devices. There are two options available and I will talk you through what each one does.
Starting with the original, the pmd Clean Pro Smart Cleansing Device (£135.00), which is available in four different colours. The colours are simply a colour preference, they don't alter what the device does, and here I have the Teal with Brushed Aluminium. In the box you receive the Device, a handy travel case and a charging cord, along with a 1 year warranty. The pmd Clean Pro is a smart facial cleansing device that uses SonicGlow and ActiveWarmth technology which is going to take your skincare routine to the next level.
SonicGlow Technology breaks down dirt and oil from within the pores at 7,000 vibrations per minute, which is so much more than we could ever do ourselves. The pmd Clean Pro operates at a perfect frequency to lift, firm and tone the skin, so not only is it going to clean the skin in a way that we couldn't do manually, but it is also going to help with anti-ageing. To use the Device, you apply your favourite cleanser to rinsed skin and then pop the device under running water and turn it on. For cleansing the skin, you use Mode 1 and Mode 2, moving the brush head in circular motions to cover the entire face. You then rinse both the device and your skin with fresh water and pat the skin dry.
The pmd Clean Pro can also be used with your serums. Simply apply the serum to the skin and use the back side of the decide on Mode 3 or 4 to gently massage the product into the skin. By powering on ActiveWarmth, serums will be more effective as they absorb deeper into the skin. Modes 3 and 4 are great to massage the skin, stimulating blood flow which results in an increased collagen production.
The pmd Clean Pro RQ is slightly pricier at £165.00, as the backside of the head is made from Rose Quartz. Through elements such as magnesium, iron and oxygen, Rose Quartz aids in reducing inflammation on the skin and tension. It comes in a beautiful soft pink colour, complete with rose gold base, and of course that stunning Rose Quartz on the massaging side of the device. pmd Clean Pro and Pro RQ use ultra-hygienic silicone, making sure that it is odour-resistant, antibacterial, hypoallergenic and waterproof.
The brush head never needs replacing, so this is a one-time purchase and the rechargeable battery ensures you don't need to be spending money on batteries every month. The pmd Clean Pro RQ does work in very much the same way as the original Clean Pro, so you are still getting that superb technology, with the added Rose Quartz, which is going to help skin that is more on the sensitive or irritable side. However, both Clean Pro devices are customiseable for all skin types, designed with the four powerful modes I mentioned and bristles which are gentle enough for all skin types, yet which still give the most amazing deep clean.
You can find the pmd Clean Pro Devices online at pmd here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*I won the pmd Clean Pro RQ in an online competition and the pmd Clean Pro was gifted to me, but all opinions are my own. 
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Revolution Pout Bomb Lip Gloss Review + Swatches

Wednesday 22 January 2020

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Okay, so we are only in January, and there are already brand new Revolution makeup releases! Welcome, the Revolution Pout Bomb Lip Gloss. I very nearly placed an order for some of these, but I have set myself a goal of not spending money on makeup for a little while, as I have a LOT! So I was over the moon to receive them in the post from Revolution.
The size of the tubes and the applicators do remind me a little of the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bombs, and as I am such a fan of those, I was excited to try these out. There are seven shades available, which includes one clear shade, which will be great for applying over a lipstick or a matte liquid lip colour to mix things up a bit.
These are high shine lip glosses and the formula is infused with Vitamin E to give the lips added nourishment. Pout Bomb has a slight mint scent to it, which I love as it smells super fresh and there is a little tingling action on the lips as soon as you have applied it, which adds volume to your pout. Even though these are super high shine, there is no stickiness whatsoever, which I much prefer in a lip gloss, as no one likes sticky lips.
As I mentioned, the packaging slightly resembles the Fenty Gloss Bomb, with a thick base and a good-sized, larger sponge applicator, which enables you to apply the gloss easily and quickly. There is a nice array of shades to choose from, including nudes, pinks, browns and reds, so there is something for everyone.

The shades I was kindly gifted include;
* Candy - Pale pink nude
* Cookie - Medium brown nude
* Juicy - Classic red
* Peachy - Coral pink
* Sauce - Mauve
All five of these shades are very wearable, and Candy is one of the shades I was going to order, and it is definitely a stunning everyday colour. I also really like Sauce as it is a little different, but still quite demure, and Peachy will be so pretty for Spring and Summer. The Revolution Pout Bomb Lipglosses cost just £5.00 each, which is much cheaper than the Fenty Gloss Bombs.

You can find them online at Revolution here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*These items were gifted to me, but all opinions are my own
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Leighton Denny Mini Mani Rescue Kit

Monday 20 January 2020

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Leighton Denny is one of the UK's most influential and expert nail brands, and I remember watching Leighton himself on QVC years back, so it is amazing to see how much his brand has grown. Along with nail colours, nail treatments and nail tools, Leighton has recently created the Leighton Denny Mini Mani Rescue Kit, which is the perfect on-the-go or at-home nail care kit.
The Leighton Denny Mini Mani Rescue Kit is perfect for travelling or popping in your handbag when out and about, and includes all of the nail tool essentials packaged in a beautiful case. So it doesn't matter if you chip a nail, have a ragged cuticle or have broken a nail, this little kit is going to have everything you need for a nail emergency!
As well as the gorgeous faux-snakeskin designed pouch, you also receive the following nail tools;
* Duplex Buffer - A double-sided nail buffer which is perfect for managing cracking and flaking nail tips as it smooths and flattens the nail to discourage any catches on fabrics.
* Mini Crystal Nail File - An award-winning nail file, which is manufactured with the finest crystal, to leave your nails smooth and sealed.
* Mini Hoof Stick - This is for shaping, cleaning and tidying the cuticles. It is a double-ended tool with an angled scraper on one edge and a rubber tip on the other.
* Curved Nail Clipper - Trim your nails and create the neatest shape with this curve-shaped tool.
I have seen many nail tool kits around, and when I first saw this one, I expected it to be a lot pricier than it is, purely because Leighton Denny creates some of the highest quality nail products, yet it costs just £15.00. I think this is a great price point, and perfect for gifting to yourself or a loved one, to help get those nails in tip top condition.
The Leighton Denny Mini Mani Rescue Kit is available in-store and online at Marks & Spencer here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*This item was gifted to me, but all opinions are my own
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Latest In Beauty Haul Of Fame - The Roundup Review + Contents

Saturday 18 January 2020

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I am a little late to the game with this one, but the Latest In Beauty Haul Of Fame The Roundup Box is full of such amazing products and high end brands, that I just had to share it with you all. This did arrive whilst I was in Orlando, but it is still available now and this prestigious edit consists of 12 insane brands and products. I haven't even previously tried the majority of these products so I was super thankful to Latest In Beauty for allowing me to try this out.
The Haul Of Fame consists of skincare, hair care and makeup products, and each and every one is from a high-end brand. First up in the box is the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (RRP £13.50), which is one of the best exfoliators, and hence the name, gentle enough to use on a daily basis. Daily Microfoliant is a powder that activates upon contact with water, releasing salicylic acid to gently buff away any dead skin cells.
We then have the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara (RRP £28.00 for Full Size). This is a travel sized version of the Mascara, yet you still get plenty of product. I do own the full size and it really is an excellent mascara - it manages to add volume and length to the lashes and as Marc Jacobs Beauty isn't a brand you can find every day, I think it's amazing Latest in Beauty have included it in this box.
A product I haven't tried before is the Nude by Nature Perfecting Primer (15ml RRP £22.00 Full Size 30ml). The information pamphlet included within the box explains that this perfecting primer doesn't just extend the wear time of your makeup, but also combines active natural ingredients while helping fight visible signs of ageing. I have quite uneven skin tone and so I love trying out new primers and am looking forward to giving this a whirl.
Shiseido is one the of most premium skincare brands on the market and I haven't tried anything from the collection as their prices are a little high for me. Therefore, having the Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate in this box is amazing! Full size costs £120 for 75ml, and you are getting 10ml in this bottle, which is so great as you only need a small amount of serum per use. Shiseido say that this delivers Vitamins H, C and E to futureproof the skin against stress, blue light and environmental damage. Ooh, I cannot wait to use this luxe skincare treat!
I see a lot of Eyeko mascaras and eyeliners in beauty boxes, and in the Haul Of Fame box, we have a full size of the Eyeko Eye Do Liquid Eyeliner (RRP £16.00). This liquid eyeliner has a felt-tip style pointed nib and has a 13 hour wear-time, so you know your cat eye ain't budging any time soon!
Another product which is new to me is the NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, which is a 2.8g size, compared to the 7g full size (RRP £21.00). However, I think this is a great size to try out as you still get plenty of product. NARS is one of the best brands on the market in my opinion for no-fuss products that actually work. This is going to give you a seamless canvas for you to work your shadow magic upon.
If I could afford to bathe in Aromatherapy Associates Bath Oil every single day, I absolutely would. They are my absolute favourites and I actually prefer them to the Jo Malone Bath Oils. The box includes a 9ml De-Stress Muscle Bath & Shower Oil (Full Size is 55ml and costs £47.00) and you only need a couple of drops of this to make your bath and bathroom smell heavenly. It contains rosemary, black pepper and ginger essential oils to help you de-stress.
We then have the Murad AHA BHA Cleanser (30ml RRP £4.56), which is another brand and product I have not yet tried before. This is an intensive cleanser that also works as a gentle exfoliator, polishing away dullness and impurities to allow a more smoother, younger-looking complexion. I like that Latest in Beauty have included anti-ageing products as then the boxes can appeal to an older audience, too. This sounds perfect for this time of year, as the cold weather can dry out the skin and you end up with a lot of dead skin cells and this is going to help almost renew the skin daily.
I think as far as variety goes, this box is by far one of the best Latest in Beauty have ever done and next up we have the Lipstick Queen Nothing But The Nudes Lipstick in the shade Blooming Blush (RRP £22.00). This is a full size product and there is an alternative shade you may receive. However, you can't go wrong with a good nude lipstick, and Lipstick Queen is another brand which I haven't really played around a lot with before. 
I have used the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm (15ml RRP £32.00 for 50ml) before, and again, it is another skincare product perfect for this colder time of year. Beauty Flash Balm is amazing for tired, lacklustre skin and instantly tightens, brightens and helps to eliminate signs of fatigue almost immediately. Even though some of these products are more travel-sized, I think they are still really good sizes and definitely enough product to try the products out properly. Use this as either a mask, or apply a thin layer to the skin and then apply makeup immediately.
 Not forgetting the hands, you will also find the Jurlique Rose Hand Cream (100ml RRP £29.00), which is one of Jurlique's original and most-loved products. I have tried this before as I have quite a lot of Jurlique products and it is a luxe, creamy formula which has a very delicate and pretty rose fragrance to it. There is no greasy residue or stickiness left behind after application, and this rich cream is going to give you the softest hands!
Last but not least, we have the Show Beauty Mini Dry Shampoo (RRP £16.00), which is such a prestige hair care product. The packaging from Show Beauty is on another level completely, and I have never seen hair care with such ornate decoration. The Show Beauty Dry Shampoo is a volumising dry shampoo that absorbs impurities and oils whilst also providing the hair with added texture and shine. There is no powdery feel to the hair after use, nor is there any change in the colour of the hair, like some dry shampoos can cause.
The Latest in Beauty Haul Of Fame Box has a value of around £180, yet costs just £32.00, which is an amazing deal, especially for such a selection of premium, luxury beauty items. You can find it online here.
All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*These items were gifted to me, but all opinions are my own
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