Review // Argan Dew - Argan Oil Hair Mask // Daily Hair Treatment

Argan oil, also known as the Moroccan Liquid gold is used mainly for hair but pure argan oil can be a miracle for your skin too. I was sent samples by Argan Dew to try their daily hair treatment and their replenishing hair mask, and who says no to a chance of frizz free hair? 

Daily Hair Treatment - I used this oil on my hair when its dry (or damp from out the shower) in attempt to  tame my oh so frizzy ends. After bleaching and dyeing the ends of my hair its been left straw-like ever since, believe me I've tried every hair treatment going. This certainly did the job at taming and adding shine to my locks, just what i need! With this oil, a little goes a long way to smoothing your ends. It didn't make my hair feel greasy and kept the frizz under control, so i would say its perfect for thick, frizzy or dry hair. I wouldn't recommend it on fine hair as it would only weigh it down.  

Replenishing Hair Mask - If your hair is colour damaged or really dry, this stuff will be your savior. This mask you use on wet hair, so i just replaced my usual conditioner for this. However, use it liberally, i made the mistake of smothering it all over my hair and ending up with hair that resembled a chip fryer. Not a good look. Regardless of that, when i used it properly again it made my hair so silky smooth and feeling so nourished. I wouldn't recommend this one at all for normal/greasy hair, it would only make it greasier, unless you're into that sort of look, each to their own of course.  I would buy both of these at full size without a doubt as they're perfect for taming my hair, new fave? I think so! 

Leave a comment and let me know your favorite hair treatments.

Amber x

*Disclaimer - These samples were sent to me by Argan dew to review, however my review is completely honest. 

Review // Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet

I couldn't resist picking up this new launch from Chanel even though I've never tried their foundations before and i was very tempted to get the Vitalumiere Aqua, but for 'blogging purposes' i went for this one. To be completely honest I've only wore this foundation a few times so this is more of a first impressions but it doesn't take me long to decide what i think of foundations. Im going to try to be as in depth as possible with this review because i know it can be hard to decide whether to splurge on a foundation that is expensive like this. 

Application - The first day that i wore this foundation i used my fingers to apply it but also used a brush, i then realised that on the little instructions leaflet inside it stated that you should use your fingers to apply not a brush/sponge. Ohh and it also says that you should shake it before you use it. So the second time i tried it i did exactly that. I did find that when using my fingers it was slightly harder to blend but thats only because the shade i got was slightly more on the darker side so i applied it all with my fingers and right at the end i would just buff in any parts that didn't blend well with my Real Techniques Buffing brush. 

However if you get a perfect colour match this shouldn't be a problem. I will say though, Chanel foundations don't seem to have the best shade range which is very disappointing when they're charging £33 for it!

So this is the before and after, i only used the foundation and skipped my usual concealing so i could see how well the foundation works on its own. I did add a little extra foundation on my spot and on my acne scars around my chin to give them some extra coverage. 

Formula - The formula is exactly what the name suggests 'Velvet' i don't think i could explain it any better. Its got that feel that something like the Smashbox primer gives or you could say its quite a powdery feel. It is definitely a matte foundation but it isn't like most other matte foundations. It still gives the skin a nice luminosity and doesn't look cakey at all. I'd say I'm probably going to use this in the warmer months when my skin is oilier but if you have normal, combination or oily skin then this foundation is probably great for your skin. Whereas dry skin gals, you might want to steer away from this foundation it might just make your skin look even drier. I do have dry parts of my skin and it didn't cling to these but a foundation that it dewier is probably better for dry skin. 

Coverage - This is a light foundation, as you can see in the before and after picture it doesn't cover everything but it does give a lovely even natural finish. I think it can be built to a medium coverage with an extra layer or so. I just love how even it made my skin look without covering it completely. Seen as the coverage was only a light/medium i wasn't expecting it to have staying power, but i was wrong! It really does stay put all day. 

     

Packaging - I personally love the packaging! I find glass foundation bottles like the YSL Touche Eclat foundation do look more luxe but they're just not practical, they're heavier, take more space in your make up bag and i know someone who actually dropped and smashed her YSL foundation in a glass bottle and it smashed. Ooops! Well you won't be having any of those problems with this, its nice and small in a plastic bottle. I also find the squeezer (i don't actually know what its called but ill call it squeezer) the bit where the foundation comes out its really good. Pumps often squeeze out more than you need, and ones that don't have pumps are just a pain. But this little squeezer makes it perfect for getting just the right amount out. I also tested this by turning the bottle upside down and none comes out until you squeeze the bottle. 

Overall id say that this foundation for me is great, especially as the weather is warmer and i need something more matte. Its got the right amount of coverage for me because i love light/medium foundations and even though its matte its still really brightening and luminous. 

I hope this post helps any of you who are not sure on whether or not to buy this :) Leave a comment and let me know if you have tried this foundation or what your views are on it.

Amber x

The Statement Lip // Orange Edition

Today's post is dedicated to the lovely girl working in The Body Shop in Sheffield I met a few weeks ago. I was just browsing in the store and i was approached by the girl working in store, who was actually wearing this lipstick. Even though its pretty bright and a statement lip, i thought i could never pull off orange, but she insisted it would suit me. I reluctantly said okay i'll try it. She put it on for me with a lip brush and then handed me the mirror and i was pleasantly surprised. Who would have known it, orange lipstick isn't as bad as it sounds!

The swatch above shows how pigmented and vibrant the lipstick is! I had never even tried The Body Shop lipsticks before this so i was slightly skeptical as i'm into my Mac's and Chanel's but this is on par with them bigger brands, if not better! The formula is a matte but its not drying at all, its still really creamy and soft. Its got great staying power too.. Win Win all round!

I think this lipstick would suit most people, but it more so on olive skin or people with a more yellow/warm undertone. I'm so glad i stepped out of my 'beauty comfort zone' and tried something new. 

Leave a comment and let me know if you have tried any Body Shop Lipsticks and what you think to them.

Amber x

A Nude Matte Lip.. High Street VS High End

Above L to R: Sleek in Birthday Suit, Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in 34 Raffinée. 

Theres no universal nude shade that suits everyone so finding the right one for you can be a little difficult. Ive found that to be the case for me anyway, i either end up with a lipstick that gives me that 'foundation lips' look which washes me out completely or a lipstick thats too light like a baby pink which doesn't suit my skin at all. This can be worsened when the nude colour is a matte, making an even more impossible task.
Todays a bit of a different post too, this is the battle of the High-street VS High-End, but who will win? 

Round one // The High-Street Nude - To those sleek smarty pants, YES I'm cheating because this is a lip cream (apologies for cheating but you will thank me later) but I'm classing it as a lipstick. Right, now thats out of the way, lets just appreciate how cool the formula on this 'Matte Me' lipstick is, you apply it as if it is a lipgloss, the same doe-foot spongy applicator, it goes on creamy and slightly glossy but dries completely matte, and when i say completely matte, i mean make sure your lips are in perfect condition before applying this to your lips. This stuff clings to dry patches on your lips you didn't even know you had. The colour 'Birthday Suit' is more on the too light side but it is very close to my natural lip colour. The colour pay off is fab and it stays around for hours without coming off. 

Round two // The High End Nude - Oh Chanel my beauty how i love you *insert lovestruck emoji*. The Rouge Allure Velvet formulas are by far the best matte formulas around, and I've tried my fair share being a matte kinda girl. Its creamy and soft and glides on your lips like.. well.. velvet. The colour of this is more on the pinky side of the nude scale and would probably only class as a nude on skin tones like my own, but its a beautiful shade regardless. Perfect pigmentation but the staying power on this one isn't as good as the Sleek. We can probably all agree who wins the prize for best packaging.. i won't even say it. 

Round three // The verdict - They both have their pros and cons and they're both two of my favourite matte nudes. The winner is pretty clear to me though and wins by a mile, and that is of course the Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet. *round of applause woop woop*. This isn't a packaging bias verdict, its purely because i use this one way more and the colour is just stunning and the formulation is something else. Well done Chanel, you did us proud! 

Hope you enjoyed this post guys, would you like to see more of these 'battle' style posts? leave a comment and let me know! and if you have tried any of these, what do you think to them? 

The Multi-Tasker - Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream

Every girl should own one of these… thats a big statement to start with but fo'real girls, this is a must have. Its a classic cult product thats been around since its first appearance in 1930 (yes I've been doing my research on this super cream). 

So what is it? -  To sum it up its basically like a better version of vaseline, in a tube. It has the texture of vaseline and smells rather strange but i can get past that (there is a non scented version too if you don't like the original, so smell before you buy!). This is the small version that i got in a set but it has lasted SO long and I'm not even half way through! 

How do you use it? - Personally I love using it as a intensive lip balm when my lips are really chapped, just squeeze a tiny bit out because a little really does go a long way and smooth it straight onto your lips and thats it! 

You can also use it on any dry skin patches on your body like elbows or your hands, wherever you need it really. 

Top tips that worked for me - My favourite way of using this little wonder is as a dewy highlighter. This is how celebs and models achieve that super dewy make up look, especially on runway models. You know when they look like they have flawless radiant and dewy skin but somehow look like they have no make up on. Well thats when this bad boy comes in.. dab a tiny amount onto your finger and apply it to the high points of your cheeks and rub it in. Be light handed tho you don't want to look greasy. But there you have it.. a lip balm and highlighter all in one.

Come on, one more top tip? -  Go on then i'll share my last favourite tip when using the 8 hour cream. Now this may seem slightly odd and I'm not claiming this will work for everyone but it certainly worked on me. You know when you've got a pesky spot on your face and when you apply make up over it you get those really dry patches around it? well yeah i have a tip that will solve this over night (or over two nights if I'm being realistic). How to do it.. 

If you see a spot coming, or if its already popped up on you unexpectedly, just dab a little bit of the 8 hour cream on it at night before bed. When you wake up in the morning you should see that you don't get that dry skin around your spot.. but stick at it a few nights if it doesn't go straight away. Also i have found that it works wonders at actually reducing the spots over a few nights. 

Hope you liked this, leave a comment and let me know if you have tried the 8 hour cream and how you use it :)

Amber x

Review - Benefit Watts Up Highlight

For you contour & highlighting gals.. this one is for you. 

This is one that I've been drooling over for months but could never justify paying £24.50 on something that puts a little sparkle on my face. Of course i finally gave in.. for blogging purposes only. 

The Packaging - Well like all benefit products, this comes in cute quirky packaging. Im not 100% sure about the weird little sponge thing at the bottom.. its hard to use and i think to blend the highlighter its much easier if you just use your fingers. 

The pay-off - There is no denying it with this one, it is not subtle at all. You can easily go OTT if you just whack it on without caution. When i was at a benefit counter once, the woman told me just to place it on the top of your cheekbones and drag it upwards. Id say this can put way too much product on the face for a day to day look, i find it works best by dabbing it on the tops of the cheekbones and anywhere else you choose to highlight or dragging it then blend it in with fingers. 

Below is one swatch before blending: 

Below is after the swatch has been blended to create a more natural and subtle highlight:

The highlighter has a champaign shimmery colour that can be very complimentary to warmer skin tones. I personally love using this when I'm doing a bronzed look and i can imagine this looking gorgeous in the summer to add a natural sunkissed look with some bronzer. I can however understand why people find this highlighter too glittery, but i personally don't mind a little shimmer. 

The sum up - Id give this product a 8.5/10. I think its so versatile and can be used in so many different make up looks. I also inserted that last picture to show how much product you get for the price. It doesn't seem much but i can see that this is going to last me ages and i would say it is so worth the money. 


Have any of you tried this or any other highlighters, let me know in the comments :) 

Amber x

Review: The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In-Oil

The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil - £12

I'll put my hands up and admit that although I love buying skincare, I have never used or tried a serum before (yes a beauty blogger who has never used a serum in her life)! 

However I've always been one that uses oils, especially natural oils such as almond oil and coconut oil. So when The Body Shop released there new 'Serum-in-oil' I had to buy it. 

The science behind it: This overnight serum in oil is The Body Shops product with the highest concentrate of wheatgerm oil. Wheatgerm oil is a natural oil that is high in Vitamin E which is an antioxidant that helps protect and repair the skin. This product also contains other natural oils to nourish the skin including Sweet Almond oil, Sesame seed oil, Sunflower oil and Jojoba seed oil. Now some of you might be thinking it seems a little cray to be slathering all those oils on your face, especially those with oily/combination skin, but have a little trust in me, all these oils are really beneficial to the skin and I plan on doing a post soon with my favourite natural oils and their benefits. 

The packaging: How cuteeeee is this! I know its pretty much the same as all of the vitamin E range but i still love it. I adore the little pipette on the lid,  it makes it so much easier to get the right amount of product and it makes it feel a little more expensive and a little like the Estee lauder advance night repair serum. Plus its baby pink, and  girls love cute pink packaging right? well done body shop.. 

The results: I've been using this serum-in-oil for a few weeks now and I'm happy to say that The body shop has done me proud once more. I used to always use the coconut beautifying oil at night and I would wake up in the morning with plump soft skin but for the past few weeks I replaced it with this but I'm not sure which I prefer. This soaks in almost instantly and doesn't leave you feeling greasy at all. I wake up in the morning with lovely soft skin however I don't think it is as hydrating as the beautifying oil. I find this oil works best after exfoliating at night before bed, in the morning you can really see and feel the difference. My verdict on this one would have to be a 7.5/10. I think it is ideal for anyone who is starting to explore facial oils and i would say its perfect for any skin type (yes even you oily skin gals).

Leave a comment and let me know if you have tried it or what your favourite oil is. 

Amber x

First Impressions: Illamasqua Concealer

Illamasqua - Concealer in shade 210 

I'm a sucker for sleek packaging and illamasqua certainly hit the nail on the head with this one. When my online order was delivered in a little black box filled with black shredded paper inside I could help but fall more in love with the brand (that I was still yet to try). 

Anyway... Onto the more technical stuff now. I tried this first a few days ago and was amazed by the coverage. As a girl struggling to treat acne scars and hyper pigmentation on my face, for now my best bet is to cover the problem. When I first applied the concealer it was quite tough and not creamy at all like some other brands I've used before. However when applied it covered my scars, hyper pigmentation, spots AND redness perfectly. Impressed. Then I wore it for the rest of the day to see how it would hold up. The results were not what I was expecting. It had Almost completely faded away and all my blemishes were back on show.

 It could have been how I applied it or what I set it with, but my first impressions of this is that it's great coverage but with little lasting power. Another downside was that it clung to my dry patches which just made them so much more noticeable. 

*a side note… i also broke out with four spots after using this, it could have been something else but I'm going to stop using this until my skin is back to normal and see if i use it again if i break out again..*

After all the high expectations, I'm quite disappointed.

The search for a prefect concealer continues....