April favourites

Posted in Beauty, Reviews by denissesamantha

Recently I have been staying away from my usual skincare. For the past few months I have been trying so many different products that my skin got so dry and sensitive at some point. Therefore, I decided to give my skin a break and go back to my old skincare routine. I have been using the Simple range for so many years, not only that the products are affordable but they work amazing too!

My faves out of the range are their micellar cleansing water and their light hydrating moisturiser. I have tried their night moisturiser and I must say that I did not enjoy using it. It felt very sticky and heavy on the skin but the light day to day moisturiser works perfect for me.

ELF daily brush cleaner– Honestly, I get so lazy when it comes to washing my make up brushes. This brush cleaner makes it easier for me to clean in between make up applications. It disinfects the brushes and makes it clean and fresh before use. However, I only use this for quick cleaning and I still do my usual routine for thorough cleaning.

ELF eyeshadow duo– I love these pretty sparkly shadows and I have been using it quite a lot recently. However, I must say that the staying power is not good by itself. Therefore, when I use this I always make sure that I apply an eyeshadow primer.

ELF HD powder– I have a few different brands of powder in my collection and one of my most affordable and my favourite one is the NYX banana powder. I have been alternating my NYX and this ELF powder. So far so good but I don’t think its amazing as I am unsure about the ‘soft focus’ effect. I usually use this to set my foundation.

Aesop remove– Honestly, I still have to give this product a go as I haven’t been using it long enough for me to be able to give my full comment. Initially, I didn’t like the product due to the thickness of the oil and the residue it leaves on the skin after use. I am aware that the oil is probably good for the skin but it is just a personal preference as I got used to micellar waters when it comes to taking off my make up. I decided to add it on my April fave as I have recently been liking it because of its ability to take off most of my stubborn mascara residues. I sometimes struggle to take off my Maybelline Hypercurl Mascara but when I use this it comes off straight away.

Philip B Katira Hair Masque– Love this stuff, it really does make my hair shiny and bouncy when I use it. All you have to do is rub a small amount of this hair masque into a towel-dried hair and comb through. I use it differently, sometimes I tend to leave it overnight but usually I only leave it for about 20-30 minutes.

Eyelashes– Love these lashes when I’m having a break with my all time fave Ardell demi wispies. However, this one looks glam unlike the demi wispies which are perfect for everyday use.

Tempura seaweed snack– I know this is not a beauty related item but I have been obsessed with this snack recently. I just had to add it on my my April faves!

What are the things that you are currently loving?

Lots of love from,

20Mar2017

Top beauty bargains costing under £5

Posted in Beauty, Reviews by denissesamantha

I have been wanting to do this post for so long as I keep finding cheap stuff that I actually end up loving. I decided to only post the products that I use more often and narrowed my list down to few items.

The first product is an angled brow brush, as you can see I picked this one up from Primark for £1. Initially, when I bought it I thought that it wouldn’t last me long and I wasn’t sure how soft the brush end would be. However, I ended up loving this beauty tool. I use this everyday for my eyebrows. The brush is densed enough to use for pomades, eyebrow wax and powders. I also use the brush end to tame down the hairs in the beginning and end of process when doing my eyebrows. It’s only a pound and it lasts for so long, I have not seen it shred or anything and it has been washed so many times! This brush made me want to try primark’s other make up tool collections and see if they are just as good as this one.

This one is supposed to be a face massage tool. It it also from primark and I got it for £1.50. When I bought this, I wasn’t thinking to use it for that purpose. I use this to wash my brushes. I have other tools similar to this but I find that the bristles are too big for my small eye brushes. However, this one is perfect for cleaning them. I use this along with a make up remover soap.

I have also bought a deep cleaning facial wipes from primark for £1. The pack contains 50 wipes together and they are quite good too. Sometimes when I need to wash my brushes straight away I would use the deep cleansing wipes to clean it. Wet wipes are pretty much standard and can be used with a lot of stuff anyway. I usually throw one in my bag as it is perfect for when I’m on the go.

This one has to be my favourite from the list. I had doubts when buying it as I have never tried primark’s range of make up previously. This is the velvet matte lipstick crayon for £2.00. When I swatched the tester I just had to buy it as I liked the shade of brown and how opaque it was. It is creamy enough to glide on the lips and it dries matte. Honestly, it’s not long lasting as other matte lip crayons but it stays on for few hours. I believe this is still decent for the price.

Top tip: Avoid eating oily food like what I did in the photo below. This will make the lipstick stay longer. I was solely wearing the brown matte lipstick without lipliner on this photo.

Another favourite of mine form this list is the MUA undress your skin shimmer higlighter for £3.00. I got this from Superdrug. I loved it when I swatched it, you literally need a tiny amount to have the perfect glow. I have been using this for few months and I still can’t see the dent on the design. I just know this product will last long and that’s if I don’t misplace it lol.

I got this Maybelline mascara for about £3.00 as you can see I stocked up on it as this is what I use daily. I know some people say that it is not good to use waterproof make up everyday. However, I find that it works for me as I usually wear contact lenses and my eyes gets watery. I also have a straight Asian eyelashes, which needs something stronger to hold the curls. I usually use two coats of this by itself or on some days I use it alongside another brand of mascara (usually a more lengthening one).

These ones are Japanese goodies that costs around £2-3 each. My favourites out of the bunch are the eyebrow pencil and the magical eyeliner.

This Real Techniques miracle complexion sponge is something that I love using. I have repurchased this a couple of times as I am not willing to spend too much. I have heard so much good things about the beauty blender but I am currently still happy with this Real Techniques version. I have bought the twin pack previously and this costs £9.99 and the individual one is for £5.99. However, the reason why this is on the list as under £5 bargain is because I usually purchase the individual ones from Boots for £4.49. Boots does this price for it every now and then. Therefore, since I found out I only ever repurchase the individual for the price of £4.49. I still think this is a bargain as the sponge is quite amazing and it works perfect for me!

I hope you find it helpful and enjoyed reading this post.

What are your favourite beauty bargains?

Lots of love from,

4Jun2016

Ardell Lashes in Demi Wispies Review

Posted in Beauty, Reviews by denissesamantha

Let me start off by saying I love these falsies, they are my absolute favourite lashes. I have tried a few different brands and different styles but I always find myself going back to this one. I like how it is very comfortable to wear as it has a lightweight thin band. I feel that the lashes are versatile as it gives a natural look but can also be glamorous at the same time. The natural criss-cross style adds volume to lashes and it creates a beautiful look. They are perfect for everyday wear and night outs.

Pros

Very natural looking, not too thick

Flexible, thin and lightweight band

High quality and blends in with natural eyelashes

Versatile- natural and glamorous look

Good for everyday use and night outs

Last a long time with proper care

Reusable and made of 100% sterilised human hair

Comfortable and easy application

Cons/Tips

I seriously can’t think of anything in specific as negatives. It is more of tips on how to take care of them, which is applicable to any false eyelashes.

I recommend to first cut the lashes to fit the shape of your own eyes

The band can be fragile so be careful when removing the glue

Carefully clean lashes with a lash comb after use and store in container

Verdict

I give the Ardell Demi Wispies 5/5 because they are very comfortable to wear and I love the natural look it gives. They are high quality and are reusable depending on how they are taken care of. I usually wear contact lenses and it doesn’t irritate my eyes. I suggest purchasing the value multipack, which contains four pair as it so much cheaper than buying four individual packaged ones.

Comment below on what your favourite brand and style of false eyelashes are? Have you tried Ardell Demi Wispies and what do you think of them?

Lots of love from,

8May2016

April favourites

Posted in Beauty, Reviews by denissesamantha

I can’t believe it’s already May and so far the weather has been lovely. I love it when the sun shines, it somehow makes me feel extra happy! My first week of this month has been amazing and I hope you enjoyed your first week too.

I love writing about my monthly favourites and I always feel excited when it’s that time to gather the products that I have been loving. I try my best to use different brands and varieties of products but sometimes I can’t let go of my staples.

Here are my April favourites:

MakeUp Revolution Ultra Professional Cover & Conceal Palette: Concealer is one of the main product in every make up kit. However, finding the right concealer has been such a long and continuos process for me. I have my very few concealers that I love but I always enjoy trying different brands from high end to drugstore. I decided to buy this one as it intrigued me. Make Up Revolution as a brand is very affordable and some of their products are amazing. I must admit when I first tried this palette I did not like it at all. I felt like the consistency was so weird. It feels too greasy and not more of a cream formula. I also found that it creases and sometimes does not give me the coverage that I desire. However, after few weeks I decided to give it another try but this time I made adjustments with the products that I use. I usually put eye cream on top of my moisturiser but with this I don’t. I also found that putting a primer is the best thing to use with it. It made it more blendable and buildable and it doesn’t crease as much. I noticed that it stays longer and covers so much better. Therefore, since finding the right way to use it I have been using it quite a lot last month. I also enjoy the varieties of colours that it offers. It is such a multipurpose paletter and you can always customise the colors by mixing them which is what I do.

MAC Lipstick in ‘Cyber’: I love dark lipstick and I always used to go for my MAC cyber. However, I haven’t been using it for a while as my collection for dark shades grew. I also wanted to try different brands and different hues of plums, browns and anything dark. Last month, I have been using this a lot and I love the vampy vibe it gives.

Face Masks- Snail Cell Illuminating Multi-step Treatment and Purederm Brightening Essence Mask: These masks are from Asia, which I got from my holiday. I love the effects it gives and how moisturising it leaves my face after using them. How I really wish I bought so much more than I did but hopefully I’ll be able to get hold of these soon! I have been using Purederm masks from before but it was my first time to try the two specific ones below and it made me fall in love with the brand even more.

Barry M Natural Glow Shadow and Blush Palette: I love this palette! I usually only use neutral colours for my eyeshadows and this palette is amazing for it. As you can see, it also has a blush which is really good considering how affordable it is.

Accessorize False Eye Lashes: My ultimate falsies fave are still the demi wispies but I don’t mind these ones. I like the effect it gives and it feels lightweight when I have them on. They are not too long but it is thick enough to give you an amazing lashes look.

Batiste Hair Dry Shampoo in fruit and cheeky cherry: This was included in my March favourites and I can’t help but mention it here too. I just adore the smell of it and how it gives me a big voluminous hair.

Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick in ‘Mulberry’: I love everything about this lipstick. As you can see, this mulberry shade looks so pretty. It is a very flattering shade and very moisturising on the lips. The packaging looks gorgeous as it looks very sleek and expensive than it actually is.

Benefit Blush and Bronzer in ‘Dallas’: This has been my go to blush/bronzer recently. I use it almost every day apart from weekends, which is when I usually go for a more pigmented one or either when I don’t wear make up at all. I really like how it doesn’t make me look cakey, it is very natural looking but with a very lovely glow. I don’t tend to usually use the brushed that comes with whatever products I by cos they tend to not work as well as the proper individually brushes but this one is an exception. The brush that comes with it is very soft and I feel like it is the perfect shape for this particular product!

What are your favourite products recently? Please comment down below as I would like to explore different products and hopefully I will also end up loving it as much as you do.

Lots of love from,

15Apr2016

MUA Luxe Lip Lacquer in Tranquility and Kooky Review

Posted in Beauty, Reviews by denissesamantha

I have been obsessed with matte finish lipsticks for the longest time. So when I came across these lip lacquers I just had to give it a go. As you can see on the image above, I picked up two shades which are Tranquility (left) and Kooky (right). Tranquility is a brownish nude (lightest in the collection) and Kooky (darkest shade) is a wearable plum colour. The brand MUA stands for MakeUp Academy, which is known for offering low prices innovative make up products.

As for the packaging, it comes in a frosted bottle with a black lid and gold writings. It also came in a separate black box with gold writings on it. I am impressed with how it is packaged because it gives an impression of simplicity yet looking classy. As you can see below, it has a doe-foot applicator which makes it easier to apply on the lips.

Pros

Variety of colour choices (they have reds, pinks, coral, nudes and plum)

Highly pigmented but I usually apply more than one coat as the first application seems to be streaky

Very affordable as it retails for only £3 from Superdrug or MUA Store website

It gives a gorgeous matte finish

Cons

It claimed to have a long-lasting finish but I disagree I think that it has a minimal lasting power. It would definitely not last for the whole day without re-application.

From the MUA store website they described the application as it will glide ‘effortlessly’ but I think that it does not blend so well as it gets streaky

It feels drying on the lips especially the lighter shade

It can feel sticky and it can take a while for it to dry

This is how the shade ‘kooky’ looks when applied on my lips:

The shade ‘tranquility’ is not my go to shade of nude but this is how it looks with my skin tone:

Verdict

Out of both shades I own, I would definitely recommend the shade kooky. For some strange reason kooky glides on so much smoother on the lips than tranquility. The colour is more opaque and I feel that the plum shade comes out beautiful on the lips. I think that the shade tranquility does not match my skin tone as much as other nude shades that are available in the market.

I give MUA Luxe Lip Lacquer in Tranquility and Kooky the ratings of 3/5. I took out two points due to its claim of turning matte after few minutes of application. However, it seriously took a long time for it to be completely dry (roughly around three minutes as I had to apply more than one coat). While drying, I could not pout my lips together as it felt sticky and very tacky. When it was completely dry I found that there were some visible patchy areas, therefore a second coat was needed. It is very easy to remove the lacquers on the lips and it does not leave any stains after use. The staying power is minimal which is very disappointing. I think that I had high hopes for this product because I got used to my Lime Crime Velvetines which are by far a better product than this one.

On the other hand, MUA lip lacquers are very affordable as it retails for only £3. The opacity is pretty decent, so this would be perfect if you are looking for a lip product that looks nice in pictures. This can also be a good purchase if you are a newbie with lip lacquers and just simply want to try them. Overall, I would recommend it if you are looking for a low priced matte finish lip lacquer. It is very pigmented and the collection has nine different shade of choices. It dries matte on the lips and it looks very appealing in pictures. However, if you are not willing to re-apply throughout the day and particularly looking for a good quality lip lacquer then this is not the product for you.

Have you tried MUA Lip Lacquers and what are your thoughts on them?

If not, what are your favourite lip products at the moment?

Lots of love from,

30Mar2016

March favourites

Posted in Beauty by denissesamantha

Time is definitely going way too quick, I can’t believe that it’s already March and the month is just about to end. It means that spring is here then obviously summer is coming. Both spring and summer are my favourite seasons throughout the year. It feels like life gets better and people get so much happier when the sun is out! Here are most of my March beauty/skincare favourites:

Batiste Dry Shampoo: I absolutely love this stuff, I have been using this product for a few years now. I have also tried other scents such as blush, sweetie and floral essences.

These four products are all re-purchased. They are my most used combination of products as I use them for my everyday make up look. This is the reason why they ran out so fast especially the concealer! With the blushers I tend to not use the cream formula but I hit pan on the two powder forms. Left to right: Sleek Blush by 3 in pink lemonade, Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation, Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer and Makeup Revolution Ultra Cover and Conceal Palette.

Left to right: Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Liner in midnight plum and sweet pink, Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Liner in black, Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Liner in black and Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Liner in nude.

Molton Brown Soothing Hand Lotion SPF15: This is super nourishing and lightweight when blended on the skin. I find it so moisturising that I don’t just use it on my hands but sometimes also on my arms and legs too.

NYX Baked Blush + Illuminator + Bronzer: This was given to me by a lovely friend of mine and I’m so thankful for it. I love how pigmented this blush is and it’s not overly shimmery. The good thing about it is that the product is buildable, so if you think that the first swipe is too sheer you could always top it up without it looking cakey. Also, the packaging is so cute especially the bow bit on the side.

Quick FX Eyelift Cream and Pimple Eraser: Unfortunately they do not sell this in the UK and I got it when I was on holiday. At first I was skeptical about it because of its claims but it was so cheap that I thought I should just give it a go. I have been using them for few moths now and they’re okay. However, I can’t speak whether their claims are true as I use these products alternatively with other creams.

Clean&Clear Oil Control Film: I love this one! I own quite a few of this product as I’m scared to run out of it. I have tried other ones that are more expensive (MAC blot film and Shiseido Pureness Oil Control Blotting Paper) but I would still choose this. It is inexpensive and does the job, so I can’t ask for more!

Left to right: ELF Moisturizing Lipstick in ravishing rose, ELF Mineral Infused Mascara and Eyebrow Kit in both shade medium and dark. I can’t even remember how many ELF eyebrow kits I have purchased throughout the years (lost count already, way too many).

Revlon Colorbust Lipstick in blush: I obviously have loads of different nude lipsticks in my collection (which girl doesn’t?) but for some reason I have been using this one quite a lot this month! It goes on creamy, it is very moisturising and I love how this particular shade matches my skin well unlike my other nude lipstick that washes me out in pictures.

Seventeen False Lashes in electronica: I initially only bought this from my local Boots store because it was on 70% off but I ended up loving it. I was so happy that I picked up a few but if I knew earlier that these lashes are so pretty I definitely would have picked up some more! Also, it was such a bargain, they’re just like demi wispies but more crisscrossed.

I hope you enjoyed my March favourites. Have you used any of the products mentioned above and what are your recent beauty favourites?

Lots of love from,

7Feb2016

Drugstore Skincare Review (Garnier, Bioré, Simple and Clean & Clear)

Posted in Beauty, Reviews by denissesamantha

Garnier Pure Micellar Cleansing Water

Micellar water is a very popular skincare in the market especially now that it is not only high-end brand that does them. There are a lot of inexpensive drugstore brand that offers it like Garnier, L’Oreal and La Roche-Posay. I’m not going to lie; I do have my lazy days when I am not bothered to wash my make up off and micellar water becomes my best friend! I like how convenient it is to just use a cotton pad, wipe my face, eye area and lips without any rinsing required. I love how it removes make up, cleanses the skin without having to rinse. I very much prefer to use this than a cleansing wipe just because I tend to find wipes too drying for my face afterwards.

Pros

Cleanses and purifies the skin, eye are and lips

Convenience due to not needing to rinse after use

Gentle and suitable for sensitive skin

Does not irritate eyes

Effectively removes make up

Leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated

Very affordable and good value for money

Dermatological tested

Cons

May need to use more of the product than usual especially when taking off waterproof make up

Bulky packaging

I give the Garnier Pure Micellar Cleansing Water 3/5 mainly because it does what it claims for. However, I disagree with its claim of ‘200 uses’ especially when using waterproof mascaras and eyeliners. I tend to use more of the product than usual (two cotton pads in average to have the waterproof make up completely removed). I enjoy using micellar water and it will definitely be part of my skin care routine. I recommend the product and will definitely repurchase, as it is so inexpensive (£4.99)!

Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser

This product claims to ‘draw out dirt and impurities, purify pores and leaves face deeply cleansed and smooth’. I was skeptical at first when I read it as I feel like most products in the market claims to clean and purify pores. It states that it is infused with ‘Japanese Skin Purifying Technology’, which I thought is just one of its marketing strategy to make the product interesting. However, I have been aware of good skincare products that has charcoal as an ingredient such as Dark Angels from Lush. So I decided to give it a go and I was surprisingly happy with it.

Pros

Draws out dirt and impurities

Leaves skin feeling cleansed and smooth

Innovative technology that claims to clean pores twice as clean after one use

Tingly feeling without stinging the eye area

Leaves skin feeling fresh and cool

Great value for money (£4.99)

Cons

Thick consistency gel cleanser that might not be appealing for some people

Heavily scented (I personally like the smell of it but this may mean that it is not ideal for sensitive skin)

I give Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser a rating of 4/5 because I really enjoy using it. I am currently on my second bottle and so far I’ve had no problems with it. I’m glad that it works perfectly well with my skin. I like how it leaves my face cleansed and feeling refreshed after use. I will definitely repurchase as I feel that this would be one of my staples for my skincare routine.

Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser

This product claims to ‘keep your skin hydrated and nourished all day long’, which is suitable for sensitive skin. I can’t comment much about the benefits of it for sensitive skin users as my skin type is more on the normal side. However, I read some reviews that people with sensitive skin like this product and finds it okay.

Pros

Ideal for everyday use- not heavy/greasy

Leaves skin feeling soft and healthy

Affordable

Cons

Not as amazing as how they claim the product to be

I feel like it was lightly scented

I give Simple Moisturiser a rating of 2/5 because it is pretty decent but it is not as amazing as how the product is marketed. The company emphasised the ‘perfect blend of active ingredients and vitamins’ which is supposed to restore moisture, softens and smoothen the skin but I feel as if it was just a normal moisturiser. After few months of using it, I didn’t see any improvements on my skin.

Clean & Clear Morning Energy Skin Energising Daily Facial Scrub

I decided to pick this one up to replace my St. Ives Apricot Scrub that I have been using for years! I initially wanted to replace it with a product that I can use more often rather than alternating with other face scrubs. When I saw the ‘daily facial scrub’ I immediately wanted to try it.

Pros

The tiny beads really scrubs well

Leaves skin feeling refreshed and clean

Refreshing smell

Affordable (£3.99)

Cons

Too drying for daily use

I give this product a rating of 3/5 because the beads are perfect for scrubbing, which leaves the skin clean and refreshed. I also like the smell of it. However, I disagree with its claim of ‘daily scrub’ as it is too drying for daily use.

What are your favourite drugstore skincare products?

Lots of love from,