Thursday 28 April 2011

Dermalogica Conceal and Heal

Along with picking your spots, caking then in foundation and concealer is often one of the worst things you can do.  If your foundation or concealer isn't noncomedogenic, then it will clog your pores, make it harder for your skin to breathe, and probably result in more spots.

Luckily Dermalogica have come to the rescue with a great little product that I've been using for the past few weeks...  A spot treatment that also acts as a concealer! 




The Dermalogica Concealing Spot treatment contains Sulphur and Zinc Oxide to target and clear the breakout, Salicylic Acid to help minimise spots, and a natural tint to conceal them.

To use it, I shake the bottle really well and squeeze a small drop of product onto my hand.  I then use my finger to dab the treatment onto my spots (over my moisturiser) and allow it to dry. 



You can build up layers of the treatment for greater coverage to avoid having to put thick foundation or concealer on your spots.
I do put makeup on over the product if I'm going out, but am able to keep it much lighter that without the treatment.

The RRP of this little gem is about £30 but you can get it online for around £20 if you shop around.  It will cost you £22.20 from the Daily Grooming website.

xBBx

Tuesday 26 April 2011

Dior Addict Lipstick... I J'Adore It!

On my recent visit to Debenhams Beauty I found myself at the Dior counter (yet again) getting far too excited!  This time it was over the Dior Addict lipsticks... 
The new Iconic range, fronted by Kate Moss, is a collection of 44 vibrant colours with high shine.  Not only are the colours to die for but the Iconic lipsticks have 25% less wax than classic lipsticks.  Instead they contain an innovative gel that provides intense hydration and a magnifying glass effect to intensify the shine and colour.

I walked away from the Dior counter with a shade named Singuliere, but wish I could have bought them all!  The packing is gorgeous and the intense hydration is a real bonus for me and my chapped lips!





Singuliere is a bright pink with surprisingly good staying power for a glossy lipstick!  It is also very easy to apply thanks to what Dior are calling a 'melting texture.' 


If you're trying to decide which brand and shade of lipstick to use on your wedding day, Dior Addict is definitely worth considering.  Check out all 44 colours on the Debenhams Beauty website.

I certainly plan to add some more Iconic colours to my make-up bag!

xBBx

Thursday 21 April 2011

Tasty Treats - Treat No. 3

Shape Delights - Chocolate Flavour

With Easter just around the corner I feel like temptation is everywhere! It's so hard to do the grocery shopping and not fill the trolley with chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs!

Having already been naughty and tackled a huge pack of mini eggs last week, I've been on the hunt for low calorie, low fat, chocolate flavour treats to substitute those calorific Easter eggs.

I've found chocolate flavour Shape Delights and they are yummy!



They're 109 calories per pot and only 3% fat which follows my 'no more than 5% fat per portion' rule. I thought they might be a bit watery with only 2.4g fat but they actually taste really creamy.  They've helped satisfy my chocolate cravings this week and I've managed to stay away from Easter eggs so far!



xBBx

Friday 15 April 2011

Clear Skin Overnight... well, maybe in a few nights!

For the past week I have been using Dermologica Overnight Clearing Gel to tackle a breakout.  The results have been very good! The size and redness of my spots is reduced very quickly and my skin is less oily.




To use, I spread a thin layer over my breakout areas (usually my chin!) after cleansing each evening. I then apply my usual night cream to the rest of my face.  If needed, you could apply the gel to the whole face however I prefer to focus only on the problem areas.

The Clearing Gel contains Salicylic Acid to remove pore-clogging skin cells, while Niacinamide and Biotin soothe and control sebaceous gland activity.  There's a host of other ingredients in the gel too but I'm not too concerned with the science of it to be honest.  It has cleared my skin so I'm more than happy!

It's an expensive product (a 50ml bottle costs around £35) but a little does seems to go a long way so don't be put off by the price tag.  If you have adult acne or problem skin then give this a go!

xBBx

Monday 11 April 2011

Lip Service

I really suffer from chapped lips. It doesn't seem to matter what time of year it is or what the weather is like. If I don't have a permanent coat of lip balm, my lips will be chapped within the hour!

This was a real concern for me on my wedding day.  After my make-up was applied, I knew I would have a 30 minutes drive to the church and then a 45 minute marriage service.  What I didn't want was chapped lips half way through my vows! 

On the day I used MAC Prep + Prime Lip underneath my lipstick. It's a primer that goes on clear and provides a moisturising layer between your lips and lipstick.  Each time I reapplied my lippy throughout the day, I also reapplied the primer.  It certainly did the trick!  From sunrise to sunset on my wedding day my lips were soft and smooth.





So if you are anything like me, I would definitely recommend this product.  It will cost you £10.50 at Debenhams Beauty.  Worth every penny in my opinion!

xBBx

Friday 8 April 2011

Get Buffin'

I'm a big fan of Elemis products as they are long-lasting and get fantastic results.  Their Skin Buff Exfoliator is no exception.



Exfoliating is an important part of your skin care regime.  It removes dead skins cells that can lead to blemishes and cause your skin to look dull.  I would recommend exfoliating twice a week to keep your skin bright and healthy.

I love Skin Buff because it has extremely fine exfoliation granules to really deep cleanse your skin.  To use it, I splash my face with warm water, apply a small amount of Skin Buff and massage in circular motions.  Then I rinse it off with warm water.  As with all Elemis products, a little goes a very long way!



My skin always feels so soft and smooth afterwards thanks to the nourishing Chamomile and Shea Butter in the product.
If exfoliating isn't already part of your routine then try to incorporate it in the months leading up to your wedding. Your complexion will become brighter and it will help you avoid breakouts near the big day!

xBBx

Thursday 7 April 2011

Tasty Treats - Treat No. 2

Kellogg's Rice Krispies Squares

For those who aren't familiar, these more-ish squares are made of rice krispies covered in chewy marshmallow.  They are crispy and chewy all at once and enough to satisfy your sweet tooth. 



These scrumptious treats are 118 calories each and only 5% fat which ticks all the right boxes in my book!



I love Rice Krispies Squares and always have a stash in my kitchen cupboard.  They are the perfect low calorie treat!

xBBx

Monday 4 April 2011

Elizabeth Street

I think I have found my new favourite 'bridal varnish!'  Elizabeth Street by Nails Inc is a beautiful nude varnish with a very subtle shimmer.



This colour is a great option for brides who don't want a French manicure or a bold colour on their wedding day.

Use one coat of Elizabeth Street for a very natural look, or build up the creamy colour with two or three coats.

Two coats of Elizabeth Street

You can buy this glossy nude varnish for £11 from http://www.nailsinc.com/nailpolish/elizabeth-street-nail-polish/344/

I just hope my pictures do this gorgeous shade justice!

xBBx