CosySocks: beauty

Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts

20.9.15

ORIGINS Original Skin Renewal Serum Review

As I have recently turned 25 I may have got sucked into Origins #QuarterCenturyCrsis campaign a little to easily, but if something claims to keep my skin looking youthful it is hard to pass by. I have been having a little trouble with my skin recently and I thought now is as good a time as ever to add that little extra step of serum into my skin care routine. It has been a long time coming as I have been looking into adding a serum to my skincare routine for a while but I wanted to choose the right one for my skin.

This serum can be used in the morning and in the evening before applying moisturiser. It focuses on de-stressing skin, smoothing roughness, removing dullness, shrinking pores and minimising flaws and imperfections. I was defiantly attracted to this product as it is aimed at the twenty something age range targeting common issues that are brought to light in your twenties, such as enlarged pores and dullness. My current skincare routine doesn't seem to be enough anymore as my skin is changing but anti-aging products can be too harsh.

I am really glad that I have added this extra step of serum into my skincare routine, although I haven't noticed a massive improvement in all areas that the product aims to target, it has definitely left my skin looking brighter, looking refreshed and has left my skin feeling smooth. I would recommend investing in this product, like all Origins products it smells amazing very fresh and zesty and a perfect accompaniment to an early morning skin routine. The serum is a light gel consistency and soaks into the skin immediately leaving feeling smooth and perfectly prepping skin for make-up.

Pros

Smells amazing - fresh and zesty
Light gel consistency
Soaks into the skin immediately
Brightens skin
Leaves skin refreshed and smooth
Creates a great base for make-up application

Cons

Quite pricey (£32 - 30ml)
Opaque bottle - difficult to know when you are going to run out

I'd love to explore more serums to add to my skincare routine, what are your favorites?

Bernadette

20.7.15

Oh So Lush

As Lush are celebrating their 20th birthday this year, I thought I would take a trip into town and join in on the celebrations by purchasing a few of my favourite products. In line with the occasion Lush have developed over 200 new products. When I was in London a few weeks back I got my hands on the most recent Lush magazine and I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new products in my local store - Exciting!

Twilight Bath Bomb

This is definitely my favourite way to unwind after the weekend, Twilight is my go to Sunday night bath bomb. As you can imagine this bath creates a vision of the night sky, purples, pinks and midnight blue water with a relaxing lavender scent - it leaves me feeling relaxed and ready for the week ahead.

Tisty Toasty Bath Bomb

This is romance in a bath bomb, I love the heart shape and the rose petals that lay afloat in the bath with a rose and perfume scent. This is the perfect 'Pamper Time/Me Time' bath that you never really want to leave!

Yuzu and Cocoa Bubbleroon Bubble Bar

This bubble bar smells amazing and has to be one my absolute favourite bath products. The coconut oil and shea butter makes my skin feel super soft and the chocolate orange fragrance leaves the bathroom smelling delicious (usually leaving me craving some Terry's Chocolate Orange!)

The Sacred Truth Fresh Face Mask

This face mask was recommended to me by a member of staff at Lush when I was on the hunt for a new product to brighten dull skin. It deeply hydrates and the papaya gives a youthful glow and I have yet to find a serious competitor.

Tender is the Night Massage Bar

I had to leave the best until last, my absolute go to Lush product. This massage bar is filled with essential oils and softening butters and is used by warming the bar up between your hands and massaging it into your skin. It is my favourite scent used by Lush and it leaves my skin feeling hydrated and silky soft.

What are your go-to Lush products?

Bernadette

15.6.15

Skincare Haul

Recently I have taken a keen interest in everything skincare, I think approaching my 25^th birthday has given me a slight quarter life skin crisis. I am loving this new obsession and can really see the benefit of investing in my skin and will most definitely continue to do so.

OSKIA – Renaissance Cleansing Gel

I have read so much about this cleansing gel and I am so glad that I gave into the hype! This cleansing gel massaged onto dry skin then melts into an oil. This gel leaves my skin feeling beautifully clean and moisturised and I actually look forward removing my make up and cleansing my skin at the end of the day. This will definitely be my go to cleansing gel for the foreseeable future, an absolute must for my skincare routine.

Soap & Glory – the ULTIMELT

This is a facial cleanser that you massage into your skin and press off with a warm muslin cloth. I have been using this cleaner about once a week when I feel I need a deep purifying cleanse, neeedless to say this Soap & Glory product smells amazing and really does feel like a real pamper.

The Body Shop – Vitamin C – Energising Face Spray

This face spray is a real pick me up in the mornings, it is refreshing and smells amazing. It gives your face a burst of freshness to help brighten a dull completion. This is the first time I have used a face spray as part of my skincare routine but I am really enjoying this extra step.

Clarins – Lotus Face Treatment Oil

This product is 100% pure plant extract for oily or combination skin. It is beautiful oil that I have use at night time before bed and by morning my skin is revived. This product has helped control the oils in my skin, using this product every night for 3 or 4 days in row and my skin is smoother and less oily throughout the day. This 30ml product will last a really long time, as you only use a tiny few drops of it as and when required.

The Body Shop – Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask

This moisture mask is intensely hydrating and excellent for the summer months. It makes my skin feel moisturised and leaves it dewy throughout the day. I like to apply this mask in the mornings after my shower and leave for 20 minutes or so and my skin is beautifully hydrated for the day. This is suitable for all skin types and provides the skin with the essential vitamin E that the skin does not hold itself.

What skincare products do you love? What skincare products would you recommend?

Bernadette

18.5.15

Favourite Lipsticks - Spring Edition 2015

(Lipsticks from left to right - NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil - Iberico, Rimmel – Lasting Finish by Kate Moss - Shade 31, Bourjois Rouge Velvet Edition - 09 Happy Nude Year, L’Oreal Paris – Color Riche Matte - 640 Erotique, Bourjois Rouge Velvet Edition - 04 Peach Club)

The first things that come to my mind in spring is the fresh flowers, the good weather (the hope of good weather) and the make-up! The seasonal change from dark lips and dark evenings to bright lips, fresh make up and longer evenings puts a smile on my face. I love to experiment with brighter shades of lipstick come spring/summer, using them with my pale skin tone or when I have a bit of a tan. This is a selection of what I have been loving this season.

(Swatches from left to right - L’Oreal Paris – Color Riche Matte - 640 Erotique, Rouge Velvet Edition 04 Peach Club, Rouge Velvet Edition 09 Happy Nude Year, NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil - Iberico, Rimmel – Lasting Finish by Kate Moss - Shade 31)

L’Oreal Paris – Color Riche Matte Lipstick - 640 Erotique

I was really impressed by the L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Matte collection. It is available in over 30 shades, but 640 Erotique has to be my favourite. The formula goes on smoothly, leaving your lips moisturised and feeling velvety soft. For a matte lipstick the formula does not dry out the lips and the colour pay off is fab. I can use this lipstick everyday; it’s subtle colour leaves it open to all types of scenarios. I can wear this lipstick to work or in the evening when I want a more subtle look for my lips.

Bourjois - Rouge Velvet Edition 04 Peach Club & 09 HappyNude Year

The pattern is now appearing, matte lips are definitely my favourite lip look for spring 2015. I just love the look of dewy flawless skin and a pop of colour on matte lips. I discovered the Bourjois Rouge Velvet Edition Collection this spring, the range of colours are exactly what I go for and Peach Club and Happy Nude Year are two of my favourites. I mentioned Bourjois Rouge Velvet Edition Collection - 09 Happy Nude Year previously here. I find that you can have a more subtle colour with these lipsticks or you can build up the intensity to suit your desired look. For spring I like peach tones on the lips, sometimes I like a more subtle look and more often than not I love a more intense peach lip and I find you can get achieve both looks with 04 Peach Club by building up the product. Although I find this formula to be quite drying on the lips, I find that prepping the lip with a moisturising balm prior to application helps keep the lips soft and moisturised.

NARS Velvet Matte LipPencil - Iberico

I got this lip pencil in the NARS Lip Pencil christmas gift set, and now that it is spring I am loving using it. This product is combination of lip pencil and a lipstick; I find that this helps the colour stay for longer but can become quite drying toward the end. I really like the intense coral colour, with warm undertones and a matte finish. The colour is mostly opaque giving the lips even coverage that stays for hours.

Rimmel – Lasting Finish by Kate Moss - Shade 31

I couldn't resist keeping a trusty red in my favourites list, although I don’t wear it as often as I would have throughout autumn/winter I can’t let it go. Red is my go to colour for the evenings and the Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Collection in shade 31 is my favourite for spring. This pink/red colour works well on a pale completion as well as when I have a slight tan. I adore using this colour to finish of my evening look, this lipstick is moisturising on the lips and as it says in the name it has a long lasting finish.

What are your favourite lipsticks this season?

Bernadette

13.4.15

What’s in My Bag? – Spring Edition

These have to be one of my favourite posts to read, trawling blogs to see what people like to carry around with them on a daily basis. As I’m new to the game of blogging, I thought what better way to get to know than seeing exactly what I carry around with me everyday?

Handbag

My handbag is a River Island Beige Cream Contrast Gusset Frame Bag that I got last summer, I started using it again recently and I absolutely love it. I find that the beige and black colour goes with everything, from heading to work or going out in the evening. I particularly love how the yellow on the inside and the buckle brightens the bag and adds a spring time pop of colour.

Clinique Make-Up Bag

I use my Clinique make-up bag to carry around my beauty essentials for the day this bag is actually quite large for daily make-up essentials but the handbag is big enough for it, so I thought why not?

Purse

River Island coral and beige colour purse, its bright, and beautiful and has plenty of card space and a zipped coin compartment, which ticks the boxes for me when it comes to purses.

Perfume

My scent of the moment is Daisy Dream by Marc Jacobs this floral but fruity fragrance is so fresh and beautiful; it is my current go to scent for this time of year.

Tangle Teaser

Since getting my tangle teaser at Christmas, it pretty much goes everywhere with me. Having long hair means you have to leave the house prepared for any pre-empted hair disasters.

Notepad

I got this little A5 notepad in Paperchase a few months ago to stick in my handbag and jot down ideas for blogs etc and I thought the pattern was cute. Even though I can take notes on my phone, there is just something about using the old fashioned paper and pen technique of crossing of list items that I find satisfying.

Hand Cream

Soap&GloryHand Food Hand Cream is my favourite hand cream of the moment the 50ml bottle is handy for my handbag. The non-greasy quick drying nature of the cream as well as the signature scent makes it s front runner for my handbag.

Phone

Samsung S4 Mini – not much else I can say on this, an absolute essential to my handbag!

Everyday Essentials

Glasses – Morgan brown and turquoise

Deodorant – Sure – Invisible Pure Compressed

Nail File

Carmex Strawberry Lip Balm

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet lipstick Happy Nude Year

Maybelline BabyLips Balm Repair

What are your handbag essentials this season?

Bernadette

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23.3.15

Top 5 Favourite Hair Products

Having great hair is all part of our constant strive to look good. After all, unlike an outfit we wear the same hair every day, and just think how much effort we put into trying to create the perfect outfit. Like skincare finding the best products to suit your hair can make all this difference. I am forever changing and trying new products but I usually revert back to my all time favourites.

Shampoo – Herbal Essences Bee Strong

YES, YES, YES, I have always been a fan of Herbal Essences Shampoo and Conditioners, each of the amazing scents tempt to me to partake in the cardinal sin of over-washing my hair. My favourite has to be the Bee Strong Strengthening Shampoo. Getting my hair coloured on a regular basis and using heated hair styling tools on an almost daily basis I find that this shampoo helps to repair and strengthen damaged hair. This shampoo has honey and apricot extracts and I find it leaves my hair fresh and nourished with high shine.

Conditioner – Herbal Essences Bee Strong

You can’t have one without the other, can you? This rich and creamy conditioner leaves your hair feeling moisturised, strong and fresh.

L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil

This is my holy grail of hair products, my go to, the ultimate, and the one hair product I cannot leave the house for an overnight stay without! This hair oil can be used before shampooing for extra colour protection or after washing your hair. I personally like to use it once my hair has been towel dried to prepare for blow drying. Using two small drops distributed throughout the lengths and end of my hair for colour protecting and nourishing smoothness. My hair is noticeably smoother, without flyaways with a sleek soft finish. As a plus, one bottle of this oil lasts for months and months, 2 drops go a long way.

L'Oreal Elnett Satin – Heat Styling Spray

I find heat protection spray to be such a necessity in the hair styling process, as I dread to think of the damage we put our hair through on a regular basis. I am currently loving the L'Oreal Elnett Satin Heat Styling Spray – Volume 3 Days. As I have very fine hair, anything that helps with improving volume is always welcome in my books. This heat protector improves volumising during your blow-drying, reducing flyaways and leaving your hair shiny and soft.

COLAB Dry Shampoo – London

An absolute must have, I picked this product up when I was in Superdrug and my favorite Batiste was out of stock. I think this was a blessing in disguise because I haven’t went back for Batiste since. I absolutely love this COLAB Dry Shampoo, in London Classic Fragrance by Ruth Crilly (A model recommends). It leaves your hair feeling fresher for longer with a lightweight finish during those in-between washing days, with a good shake before using there are no nasty white marks. On a side note, I love the packaging of these products, so simple, chic and they really stand out on the shop shelves.

What's hair products are you loving at the minute?

Bernadette

16.3.15

Let's - Make - Up

After years of an unhealthy obsession with anything and everything make-up related, and with what can only be described as an unnecessarily large make-up collection over half of which was probably past the expiry date, I decided that as part of my goals for 2015 I would complete a professional make-up course to learn professional techniques and tips and tricks of the trade. With being more organised also a priority, I jumped right in, armed with my notepad and make-up brushes and attended Ciara Daly's Foundation Make-Up Course at the beginning of the year.

The class was an intimate group of 12 people from differing career paths and varying level of make-up experience, from beauticians looking to up-skill to beginners starting afresh. This course combined both theory and practical sessions and I found them both equally as fascinating.

A little about the course content; the course covered Kit Requirements, Tools of Application, Client & Skin Preparation, Make-Up Application Techniques from Concealing and Corrective Camouflage, Evening Glamour, Bridal Make-Up to make-up through the decades.

I absolutely loved this course, my passion for make-up has grown and I have a much clearer understanding of make-up, tools, products and techniques. This understanding of make-up has essentially enabled me to reduce my make-up collection to include only the products I require for my kit and not the free eye-shadow palette I got stuck to my Shout magazine in 2003. My passion and excitement has taken over my free time, from researching the best make-up products for the desired look to experimenting with new looks and techniques. I have been so inspired by the people I have met throughout the course, having a better understanding of the industry locally and nationally and I am so excited to be part of it.

I have shared the photos from my first professional photoshoot as a trained Make-Up Artist, which was so exciting! I chose to do a vintage bridal look, a fresh look with a 1920's vibe.

Model - Caroline Taylor, Photographer - Norwood Photography,
Make - Up and Styling by myself.