Too Faced Primed & Poreless+ Face Primer & Face Powder Review

Monday 25 May 2020

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Too Faced have brought out quite a few new releases lately, and two newbies have been added to their Primed + Poreless collection, the Too Faced Primed & Poreless+ Pore-Banishing Blurring Face Primer and the Too Faced Primed & Poreless+ Pore-Blurring & Mattifying Face Powder. For someone who has quite enlarged pores, I couldn't wait to give these a whirl.
The Too Faced Primed & Poreless+ Pore-Banishing & Blurring Face Primer is an improved remake of their iconic, nourishing primer. The scientifically advanced formula is infused with hyaluronic acid, a gentle form of retinol, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. It instantly reduces shine, blurs imperfections, smooths the skin's texture and banishes pores, creating a flawless canvas for makeup application. You can of course wear it on its own to smooth out the skin or underneath makeup to give a nice even texture and keep your foundation looking fresh without any budging or smudging. The Primer comes in a pretty light pink and gold tube and you receive 30ml, which is the average size for primer and there is even a little heart-shaped hole where the product comes out of - Too Faced think of everything! The product itself is a pale peach colour which doesn't alter your skin tone once it is massaged into the skin and the texture turns into velvet as soon as you apply it to the skin. There is no oiliness or greasy residue left behind and it is by far one of the smoothest primers I have tried to date. The difference it makes is incredible and you can visibly see a difference and of course feel a difference in your skin.
The Too Faced Primed & Poreless+ Pore-Blurring & Mattifying Face Powder has also been reinvented. Their do-it-all blurring and mattifying powder virtually banishes pores instantly for a soft-focus finish, while mattifying your complexion and perfectly prepping the skin for a flawless foundation application. The translucent powder refines the skin for a nearly texture-free finish and is perfect for on-the-go touch-ups and controlling shine. You can of course wear it on its own to mattify the skin, or wear it on top of foundation. The Primed & Poreless+ Face Powder comes in a baby pink and gold compact, which opens up to reveal a mirror on the inside of the lid, and the heart-embossed powder below. The Powder pan also lifts up to reveal a love-heart shaped sponge applicator which is super handy for touching up your makeup when you are out and about. This Powder is only available in the shade Translucent, which means that it is going to work for all skin tones and types. The texture of the powder is silky soft and it feels very finely milled so it doesn't clump on the skin, nor does it dry out the skin, so you just get a lovely, smooth, poreless finish every time.
At the time of writing this, both products were sold out everywhere and so I could not get a link or a price. However, Too Faced is available online at Boots here and Debenhams here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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Feeling Fresh With Impulse Body Fragrance

Friday 22 May 2020

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I was born in the 80s, and so Impulse Body Fragrances were very much a part of my childhood at school. There would always be a large cloud of fragrance in the PE changing rooms and girls bathrooms - does anyone remember the Spice Girls edition? As many beauty products come and go, it is amazing to see that Impulse is still around and with so many lovely scents to choose from too.
Impulse Body Fragrances are still priced at just £1.99, and I often see offers in stores making them just £1.00 or less, so they are a very affordable product to have. I often have one at work, one in my handbag and one on my beauty desk, as we all like a freshen up and they are much cheaper to continuously use compared to perfume.

I was very kindly sent four fragrances to try - Instant Crush, Into Glamour, Very Pink and Be Surprised. Instant Crush is a fun, girly fragrance with a delicate combination of green and lilac mixes with a fruity blend of violets and raspberry. The fragrance also contains blossoming flowers along with woods, musks and vanilla to give it a sheer creaminess.
Into Glamour has a bright and sparkling opening of tangerine and pink pepper, surrounded by the cool and crispy notes of the guavatini accord, and is full of floral reminiscences of violet, lily, magnolia and rose. It also contains sweet notes of vanilla and amber nuances combined with shades of sandalwood to give an indulgent oriental scent.
Very Pink opens with sparkling and fresh citrus notes of mandarin, bergamot, orange juice and pink grapefruit. This is then mixed with touches of pineapple and has a lively top that slowly transforms itself into a feminine floral heart of lily of the valley, pink orchid, rose and lotus blossom. Very Pink has a soft and romantic heart, an oriental sweet base of vanilla cream which then merges with woody and musky accords.
Be Surprised is a fragrance of femininity, sophistication and delight. It combines explosive delightful raspberry notes with an irresistible floral heart of refined Turkish rose and plainness peony together with the sensual vanilla and warm cedarwood. Be Surprised contains an exotic mix of violets and red fruits to make it an oriental inspired scent.
You can find Impulse Body Fragrances in-store and online at Superdrug here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

*These items were gifted to me, but all opinions are my own
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Five Revolution Skincare Favourites - Spring 2020

Wednesday 20 May 2020

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If you are on the hunt for some new skincare products, then check out this post - I have included five of my favourite Revolution Skincare products, including a Tonic, Serums and Cleansing Powders.
First up is the Revolution Skincare Hyaluronic Tonic (£10.00 for 200ml). This is a moisturising milky tonic which is formulated with Colloidal Oatmeal Extract to soothe the skin, Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate the skin and Witch Hazel to condition the skin. This Tonic is suitable for all skin types, and is even fragrance free, which is great for more sensitive skin types. A Tonic like this is to be used after cleansing the skin, both morning and evening - simply apply onto a cotton pad and sweep across the face and neck for hydrated, soothed skin. Revolution Skincare do have other Tonics available, but I really like this one as it is great for locking moisture into the skin so that it is hydrated all day long. You can find it online at Revolution Beauty here.
I use serums both morning and night, every single day, and they really do make a difference to the skin, helping other products to work even better. The Revolution Skincare Turmeric Serum (£10.00 for 30ml) is a radiance serum that helps to refresh and illuminate the skin. It is suitable for all skin types, but I would recommend for skin that is dull and lacklustre, as this really helps to brighten the complexion. The formula includes Turmeric Root Extract which helps calm redness and reduce any oiliness on the skin and Grape Seed and Sunflower Oil to help soften and maintain the suppleness of the skin. It comes in a little glass bottle complete with glass dropper and so you can either apply it onto the face with the dropper or into your hands. Use after a toner and gently press into the skin both morning and evening before moisturising. You can find it online at Revolution Beauty here.
Another amazing serum from the range is the Revolution Skincare Snow Mushroom Serum (£10.00 for 30ml). Traditionally used in Chinese skincare, Snow Mushroom is an up and coming ingredient that is hailed for its hydrating properties and is often compared to Hyaluronic Acid for its moisture boosting abilities. The formula also contains Phytochemicals that can aid with skin moisturisation including Proteins, Phospholipids, Glucoside, Mannose, Xylose and Glucuronic Acid, along with Glycerin which helps to bind water in the skin and help keep skin moisturised for longer. This is a fragrance free serum, so if you have sensitive skin, this will be great for you, and it will also be useful for those with an uneven texture as it helps to smooth the skin's texture. You use it exactly the same as any other serum, after toning and before moisturising, both morning and evening every day. You can find it online at Revolution Beauty here.
A skincare product which I hadn't previously come across is Cleansing Rice! The Revolution Skincare Intense Cleansing Polish Conditioning Rice (£10.00 for 50g)is a cleansing powder that gently cleans the skin and exfoliates, ridding the skin of any dead skin cells, allowing for a smoother base. You simply shake a small amount into your hands, add a little bit of water and then rub together to create a foam and massage it into the skin to deeply cleanse the skin. This isn't a regular cleanser that you can use daily, twice a day, you can only use it one or two times a week, so it is more of a treatment than part of your everyday skincare routine. I find this is a really interesting and effective way to get my skin feeling more refined and looking more radiant and it makes my makeup apply much more easily. You can find it online at Revolution here.
If your skin is more on the oily side, I would recommend the Revolution Skincare Intense Cleansing Powder Purifying Charcoal (£10.00 for 50g). Charcoal is renowned for its purifying properties and so it is great for oily skin to work deep into the pores to clean them out and remove any debris. This Cleansing Powder works in exactly the same way as the Rice, so it is a cleansing powder that gently cleans the skin and exfoliates to leave it looking and feeling more refined. Again, you just shake a small amount into the hands, add water and rub your hands together until you get a foam and then gently massage into the skin and rinse off well with warm water. This product is only to be used one to two times a week but that will be enough to give you much more radiant and less oily skin. You can find it online at Revolution here.
You can find more Revolution Skincare 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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Five Favourite Lip Products Spring 2020

Monday 18 May 2020

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I am rarely one of those people that wear one lipstick shade continuously for a certain amount of time, I pick and choose every single day, and so I love doing these Five Favourite Lip Products posts, and this time round, it is my Spring 2020 picks.
The Dr PawPaw Multipurpose Soothing Balm (£6.95) is an amazing multi-use product that comes in plenty of different shades and even clear. You can use the balm on the eyes, face, lips and cheeks and you only need a small amount per application. These tinted balms contain amazing ingredients such as PawPaw, Aloe Vera and Olive Oil so they are super nourishing, especially for the lips. The Mocha shade is a rich brown and you can use it lightly or more full coverage for a deeper colour. I also really love the Pink Peach shade which is lighter and they also have a gorgeous Red. You can find them online at Dr PawPaw here.
As I really loved the new Origins Foundation, I decided to delve into the rest of their makeup collection and ordered one of the Origins Blooming Bold Lipsticks (£18.50) in the shade 01 Nude Blossom. There are 24 shades to choose from, so there are plenty of options for different skin tones and colour preferences. Nude Blossom is a pretty nude subtle pink with a cool undertone, making it the perfect shade for every day. The packaging is lovely too, with a bronze base and a peach-coloured floral illustration on the cap. The formula is infused with Flower Butters, Crushed Petals and Essential Oils from a blend of 12 flowers and it is a full-coverage lipstick that hydrates and conditions the lips so it is very comfortable to wear. You can find it online at Origins here.
Next up is an absolute classic, the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick (£25.00) in the shade Pillow Talk. The shade is an iconic pink nude that will suit many skin tones, although they now do a couple of other Pillow Talk shades too. The Matte Revolution Lipstick comes in Charlotte's classic rose gold tube, and the lipstick itself is shaped so that it is easy to apply for a perfect pout. With the Matte Revolution formula, you get a good, even coverage with a matte finish that isn't at all drying on the lips, and is very moisturising and comfortable throughout the day. I do think the Charlotte Tilbury Lipsticks are slightly on the more expensive side, but they do last such a long time and you get a perfect application every time. You can find it online at Charlotte Tilbury here.
I discovered the beauty brand Dear Dahlia whilst browsing Feel Unique and thought the packaging was stunning so I ordered the Dear Dahlia Paradise Aurora Shine Lip Treatment (£25.00) in the shade Star Dust. On the site, it looked peach but it is actually a medium pink shimmer gloss. However, the Treatment is see-through and only has the slightest amount of shimmer, so colour doesn't make that much of a difference. I love the rose gold and marble lid and the formula is gorgeous - its a lightweight gloss that nourishes the lips, and is formulated with plant-based ingredients. It isn't sticky and adds shimmer and gloss to the lips whilst keeping them hydrated. I do think the price is a little high, but I do love trying new beauty brands. You can find it online at Feel Unique here.
For a pop of colour, I have been loving the MAC Love Me Lipstick in the shade 417 Vanity Bonfire (£17.50). The Love Me Lipstick formula is quite a new one, and it is a weightless, argan oil-infused lipstick that gives a pop of colour to the lips and all-day moisture. The finish is a pretty satin-soft one and makes the lips look slightly fuller. Vanity Bonfire is a vibrant coral pink and it really is the most amazing shade for Spring and Summer, and looks great with a tan. You can never go wrong with a MAC lipstick! There are around 20+ shades to choose from in this new formula, and I definitely want to add a few more to my collection as they are just so comfortable to wear and they last a fairly long time on the lips. You can find it online at MAC here.
All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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Essence Cosmetics Spring 2020 New Releases

Friday 15 May 2020

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Essence Cosmetics is one of my all-time favourite highstreet brands, I use their Princess Lash Mascara every day and have done for years. They create a wealth of good quality, affordable beauty products and so I wanted to share with you some of their new Spring 2020 collection.
Starting with the skin, we have the Essence My Skin Perfector Tinted Primer (£4.00 for 30ml), and there are only three shades available as it is a primer with a hint of colour rather than an all over foundation. I went for the lightest, 10 Light Beige, which would be best for fair to light skin tones. It has a pleasantly light and mousse-like texture that easily blends into the skin. You can of course use it on its own, but it is best used as a primer before applying makeup and I found that it toned down the redness I have on my cheeks and helped to keep my makeup in place throughout the day. You can find it online at Wilko here.
The Essence Blush Lighter Gradiant Powder Blush (£3.80) is a combination of blush and highlighter in one compact. You can either use both products individually or swirl them together to create a glowy blush shade. There are four shade options available, and I opted for 04 Peachy Dawn, which includes a soft peach blush and a light champagne shimmer highlighter. Again, as I have light skin, I believe this would suit fair to light skintones. The formula is soft and silky and doesn't weight heavily on the skin. You can find it online at Wilko here.
One of my favourite products from the new collection is the Essence Choose Your Glow Highlighter Palette (£5.00). This beautiful palette contains a mirror on the inside of the lid and three generous pans of product. You get Candlelit Glow, a delicate light peach, Major Glow, a light champagne shade and Summer Glow, a warmer, bronze shade. You could of course also use all three as eyeshadows too, or the lighter shades in the inner corners of the eyes. They are lovely and shimmery and add a very pretty glow to the skin. You can find it online at Wilko here.
There are two new eyeshadow palettes available in the Spring collection, the Essence The Nude Edition Eyeshadow Palette (£4.00) and the Essence The Rose Edition Eyeshadow Palette (£4.00). These are absolute bargains at just £4.00 and each one contains nine eyeshadows, with both matte and shimmer finishes. Each shade is super pigmented and for the price they make a great travel palette as you won't be as heartbroken if it breaks. The formula is silky soft and applies onto the lids gently without having to put too much pressure on the delicate eye area. You can find them online at Wilko here.
I doubt anything will ever replace my Essence Princess Lash Mascara, but the new Essence Bye Bye Panda Eyes Mascara (£3.50) is an excellent option for the warmer months. This budge proof, smudge proof, waterproof mascara has an oil-free formula which wraps itself around every single lash and protects it all day long. This Mascara can withstand sweat, tears and humidity and so there will be no more panda eyes this Summer! I haven't come across a bad Essence mascara, and this one is no exception, it works really well and doesn't budge or smudge whatsoever. Also, it isn't hard to take off like some formulas. You can find it online at Wilko here.
I love a good lip balm, and the Essence Fruit Kiss Caring Lip Balm (£1.50) is enriched with fruity ingredients that gently nourish the lips and offer intensive protection. There are three options available and I chose 03 Strawberry Kiss, which smells divine and has a light tint of colour and even a little shimmer. My lips are always dry, especially in Winter and Summer so I have lip balms all over the house and this one is great as you get that slight touch of colour. You can find it online at Wilko here.
Essence have added three lovely new shades to the Essence Shine Shine Shine Wet Look Lipgloss (£2.00) range they have. I chose the shade 22 Peaches And Cream as I love anything coral or peachy as it seems to really suit my light complexion and blue eyes. It has a heart-shaped sponge applicator and the formula is super shiny with a hint of shimmer and isn't at all sticky or gloopy, so it is very comfortable to wear. You really cannot go wrong with Essence as a brand, their products are super affordable. You can find the Lipgloss online at Wilko here.
There is also a new liquid lipstick which has been released, the Essence Stay 8h Matte Liquid Lipstick, which is available in nine gorgeous shades of peaches, pinks, reds and nudes, so there is bound to be a shade that suits all skintones. I opted for shade 03 Down To Earth, which is a slightly warm coral and is perfect for everyday wear. The matte formula is lightweight and doesn't look dry on the lips and has excellent longevity when wearing it. The sponge applicator is flat and slim, so you can even line the lips with it too to get a full, even coverage. You can find it online at Wilko here.
Finally, on to nails, as I normally have Shellac gel polish every fortnight, but of course with the lockdown I haven't been able to. So I ordered a couple of the new shades from the Essence Shine Last & Go Gel Nail Polish (£1.60) collection. There are SO many shades and finishes to choose from in the collection, and at just £1.60, you really cannot go wrong. I chose the shade 61 Running Wild, a pale green with iridescent shimmer running through it and 58 Endless Summer, a gorgeous bright coral shade. They aren't going to last longer than a week, but at that price, you can afford to buy a few different shades and mix it up every week. You can find them online at Wilko here.
You can find Essence online at Wilko here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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Origins Pretty In Bloom Flower-Infused Long-Wear Foundation Review

Wednesday 13 May 2020

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Foundations are one of my favourite beauty products to try out, as I am forever searching for something new that will help transform my skin, so whilst recently browsing I discovered the newly released Origins Pretty In Bloom Flower-Infused Long-Wear Foundation.
The Origins Pretty In Bloom Flower-Infused Long-Wear Foundation is a skin-caring, 24-hour wear foundation that gives a silky, lightweight, medium coverage and naturally radiant, smooth skin. The Foundation is made with a nourishing blend of 12 flowers, and the skin-caring formula helps to look after the skin, as well as make it look great, which not many foundations do.

As well as it having a 24-hour wear time, this is also sweat and humidity resistant, so perfect for when the warmer weather hits or you are going abroad on holiday. I find this a very comfortable foundation to wear and it keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day which is great as I often get dry patches on my face, no matter what moisturiser I use.
There are 30 shades available, which is quite generous, and I opted for 200 Light Cool as I have light skin, and I find this works really well for me. The Foundation comes in a plastic tube, with a pretty floral design on it and a copper lid, which unscrews to reveal a squeeze-out applicator. It is suitable for all skin types, even oily and sensitive, and gives a medium to full coverage and blends and builds on the skin really well without feeling heavy.

One of my favourite foundations is the IT Cosmetics CC Cream, because not only is it a good coverage foundation, but it also has skincare inside the formula, and that is what I also love about this foundation as well. I am very passionate about skincare, and always ensure I do a full skincare regime both morning and evening and now when wearing this, I know my skin is going to be cared for as well.
The Origins Pretty In Bloom Flower-Infused Long-Wear Foundation costs £28.00 for 30ml and you can find it online at Origins here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx
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