The Body Shop Vitamin C Moisturiser

This little gem has been doing the rounds on blogs, youtube and instagram for a while now. I feel like I have used it for long enough to do a decent review of it, so here goes.

For many years I have used the Liz Earle skin repair moisturiser but then I purchased a heavier Garnier night cream. After seeing many posts on this Body Shop moisturiser I wanted to give it a go. Who doesn't want glowing skin? It is unlike any moisturiser I have used before. It isn't like a cream, it is more of a thin gel consistency and it glides on to the skin really nicely. I find it gives me a nice base to apply my makeup.

I really like this as if feels fresh on the face in a morning and makes my skin feel more awake. It gives a more radiant look to my skin than other moisturises which can sometimes make my makeup slide off throughout the day. Overall I am really impressed and my Liz Earle Skin Repair has been pushed to the back of the shelf for now. Sorry Liz :( 

Have you tried anything from the Vitamin C range?

Z Palette - depotting fun

So the Z Palette is something that I am only recently familiar with, but it is such a good idea. Obviously you can get cheaper versions or even make your own but these are magnetic so they make things really easy.

I have had the Urban Decay peacock palette which I believe is called 'The Preen' for so long and also the 'Book of Shadows Vol III'. Since becoming obsessed with 'Naked 2' I never used these anymore. When I discovered the Z Palette I thought that if I had all my shadows together in one palette I would get more use out of them.

I ordered my palettes and de-potting tool online from the beauty bay. I then went on youtube to find a tutorial on how to de-pot my eyeshadows without damaging them. Basically all you have to do is get as much packaging out of the way as you can without any damage and then use your hair straighteners to heat up the glue that is holding the pans in place. Once the glue is soft enough you can use the tool to pop out the eyeshadows. The pans are made of metal though and can get very hot so be careful. You can then either remove the glue or stick a piece of paper over it so you can write the shade name on for future reference. 

Then all you have to do is arrange your pans however you want.

Here is the end result!

In my small palette I have 4 benefit blushes from the christmas gift set and in the large one I have the 2 urban decay eyeshadow palettes, 2 benefit blushes, a benefit powder and my Barry M contour kit.

Since I have put these palettes together I am getting much more use out of then and I have rediscovered old favourite eyeshadows. 

What have you de-potted?

Soap and Glory - Body Sprays

I like to think that I am a big fan of Soap and Glory but I only just found that they have new scents for their body spray range. How far behind am I? I don't know when they were released.  My 'Mist You Madly' was running out, so I went to Boots online to purchase a new one. That was when I discovered that they have made their other scents in to body sprays. Obviously I was so excited that I could get a Sugar Crush body spray. This seems to be everybody's favourite scent and it is perfect for the summer. It is so fresh and citrusy, and because the shower gel and body butter are so highly scented you wouldn't want to wear a perfume that might clash so this is perfect! I also picked up the Orangeasm scent too. I didn't particulaly like this scent in the shower gel but I really like it in the spray. It seems to have a bit of a lighter fragrance so I really like it. As it was 3 for 2 I got a third one in the fruitigo scent and I am using the butter yourself moisture lotion at the moment which is the same, so I am on to  a winner.

I love it when it is 3 for 2 on Soap and Glory at Boots (which seems to be most of the time) and it meant I got 3 lovely body sprays for just £8. Yay! They are just the right size to pop in your handbag too. 

What is your favourite Soap and Glory Scent? 

Charley Rose

Current Make Up Faves

Today I thought I would share with you my current make up favourites. I have been using these almost everyday and think they will be staying in my makeup bag for a long time, I may even be making a few repurchases because I like them that much.

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer
This concealer comes in 5 shades. The ones I have here are 01 and 02, the lightest shades. I have the 'How to look the best at everything' make up kit and they came with that. I find that the darker shade matches my foundation perfectly for coverups when I am wearing fake tan. And the lighter shade when I am pale. The lighter shade also works great to highlight when I am using a darker foundation. They have a lovely creamy texture and cover blemishes really well. This is the first high end concealer I have tried as I usually use the collection lasting perfection or the Rimmel wake me up, but I really love it.

The Body Shop Super Volume Mascara
I randomly bought one of these mascaras when there was 40% off online but I have to say I am loving it. The wand is quite thin which means I can get close to the lash line. I am lucky to have long lashes anyway so this really helps to add volume. I always find with the big wands that I am clumsy with them and manage to get mascara all over my fresh eyeshadow, but with this smaller wand I am having a much better time. I have already repurchased another for when this runs out.

Bourjois Bronzing Primer
Now this says to wear alone or under foundation but I have been loving this as a cream contour. It reminds me off the dream matte mousse foundation in texture. I have been using this to contour my face then using my normal bronzer to set it in place and deepen the colour. It applies really nicely and is very easy to blend.

Collection Extreme 24Hour Felt Tip Liner
This is amazing! It is so black and has the perfect sized nib. I have been using the Soap and Glory Supercat but it seems to dry out so quickly and ends up looking grey on the eyes. This one from Collection is half the price and seems to last a lot longer. I am very impressed with this one, and it only costs around £3.

Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Lipstick in 111
I have to wear red lipstick for work and I am loving using a matte shade as I don't get my hair stuck to it when I am throwing my head around. This is just the perfect red shade, theres is not much else to say really but it just goes on to the lips nicely and lasts all night. I have always been a fan of the Kate Moss lipsticks and this one has not disappointed.

What have you been loving recently? Let me know

Charley Rose x

Tarte Tartelette Eyeshadow Palette

This palette has been on my wish list since Christmas time. I watched Victoria from inthefrow use it in one of her videos and I knew I had to have it. Obviously it was only available in America and I didn't want to pay the shipping costs, so I have waited and waited for it to be available here. 

I got this from QVC for an introductory price of £29. I think that is such a good price for a palette like this and the brush came free too!

I was so excited for the postman to bring this. It has 12 matte shades which are brown and pinky purple tones. I absolutely love my Naked 2 palette but there are a lot of shimmery colours in it so I thought this would be perfect for a matte look. 

The palette has a full sized mirror in the lid making it perfect for travel and is a nice size with it being more square than my usual urban decay palette. The shades are arranged in 3 lines with colours that are meant to compliment each other, making it easy to create different looks. Obviously you can use any colour in any way you want but it is nice of Tarte to help us along the way. The shadows blend so nicely as they are silky and smooth. The brush it came with is dual ended and one side is great for packing colour on to the lid while the other is good for working through the crease and blending everything together.  

Tarte is becoming one of those brands that I am intrigued in and I just want to buy more! 

Do you have any favourite Tarte products?

Charley Rose x

Summer Ready in 5 Steps

Barry M Gelly Nail Paints, Dove Summer Glow, Wilkinson Sword, Elf Contouring Blush and Bronzer, Bourgeois Health Mix Foundation, Rimmel Kate Moss 101, Soap and Glory Gloss Stick in Nudist, Revlon Colourbusrt in Demure.

Summer has landed! it might only last a few days but at least we can all be ready for the warmer times that are hopefully here to stay.

1. Prepare the Pins
Have your legs been hiding under jeans and tights for what feels like an eternity? Well it is time to grab the razor/wax/removal cream and de-fuzz! There is no better feeling than silky, smooth, hair free legs.

2. Get a Glow
My top tip is gradual tan moisturiser. It is so much easier and nicer to apply than normal fake tan and it kills two birds with one stone. Tan and moisturise in one step. It will give you that gorgeous glow without being too over powering. Make sure to exfoliate to get an even application though.

3. Change Foundation?
I always feel like I need a heavy matte coverage in the Winter and a much lighter dewy finish for Spring/Summer. Remember you may need to change your shade too if you are wearing fake tan.

4. Ditch the Berry Blush
I love deep blushers but it is time to reach for the lighter pinky shades and corals for the Summer. I will be toning down the contour and using a lighter bronzer teamed with a shimmery blush rather than a strong contour colour and highlight :(

5. Brighten the Lips and Nails
As with the berry blush it's time to move away from both the deep lips and nails too. I will be going for more pastel colours on my nails and pink nude lips.

Charley Rose x

Copydex for Eyelashes?

Being a Dancer I have to wear false eyelashes every night. As we all know, a pair of eyelashes comes with a small tube of glue which goes missing straight away. No good if you want to keep reusing the lashes.

I learnt about copydex when I started my dance training and have never used normal lash glue since. I have been told (but not checked myself) that it contains all the same ingredients as Mac's Duo Lash. It Has the same rubbery texture when dry and it peels off lashes easily ready for the next use. 

You can purchase either a pot of glue with a brush or a tube for around £3 and it will last you forever. 

Have you ever used copydex on your eyelashes? 

Charley Rose x

Makeup Academy Highlighter

This little beauty has been doing the rounds for a while now but every time I go in to Superdrug it is out of stock! Finally I managed to pick one up last week and I am so in love. This is the Makeup Academy Undress Your Skin Shimmer Highlighter. It comes in 3 different colours. Iridescent Gold, Opalescent Amber and another one which I can't find the name of!

The one I have is Iridescent Gold and it has a pearly, gold, peachy shimmer. 

All you need is a very light dusting over the cheekbones to instantly make you glow. I can't even describe how amazing it looks and the photographs aren't doing it justice. 

I find the best way to use highlighter is with a fan brush. It doesn't pick up too much product and is great for adding a light dust to the face. A little bit of this product goes a long long way. 

This retails at £3 and I would recommend everyone to give it a try before purchasing a high end branded product. 

Has anyone tried the other colours? I want to collect them all!

Charley Rose x

Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation

I have been using this foundation for a few weeks and I am loving it. This is the first product I have used from Tarte and I am now so excited to try more.

This is the amazonian clay 12 hour foundation and I have the shade Fair Sand. This is a full coverage foundation but it still feels lovely on the skin. It is a thick cream like foundation rather than being a runny liquid and it buffs on to the skin very nicely. It has a very matte finish so if you like the dewy look I would not really recommend this. It gives the skin a very nice base to then add powder products to the face without them looking patchy or cakey which I sometimes find with bronzer if I'm not careful.

 This is a 50ml bottle which is unusual as most foundations come in 30ml. The brush actually came free with the foundation from QVC and after a bit of research I believe it to be the 'buffer airbrush finish bamboo foundation brush' costing $34. 

I can't understand how QVC can sell the foundation and brush for £32.50 when it costs $73 USD from Tarte. I am very impressed with the foundation and also the service from QVC when it comes to getting hold of products from America. The only downside is the range of shades they have available compared with the Tarte website, but QVC let you return products no problem if they are not right for you!

Are there any Tarte products you recommend I try next?

Charley Rose x

First Impressions - Barry M Chisel Cheeks

Today I have a first impressions post for you. Yesterday I accidentaly walked in to Boots again and found myself browsing around the make up stands. I have wanted to give this product a go ever since Sabrina from Love Laugh and Makeup used it in a video. I have only ever used nail polish from Barry M in the past and never owned any of their makeup. This little palette retails at £6.49 which is at the bottom end of the scale for a contour kit. The first thing I noticed was the highlighting powder being a matte shade. It has no shimmer what so ever and it really does add light to your face. If you are new to contouring I think the colour of the bronzers may be a little scary. The dark one is quite dark and as far as I'm aware the kit only comes in one colour, so I don't think it will be suitable for pale skin tones. 

I used this for the first time today and did my base and concealer as normal. I then used the pale powder to set the concealer under my eyes and it really did brighten them up which I love. I then went in with the middle shade and started to shade in my cheekbones and took some up on to my forehead and around my hair line. I then used the deepest shade to sculpt my cheekbones even more and add more definition. I quite like the product as the dark shade is deeper than my current daily bronzer so I can create a more chiseled effect if I want to. I do think this is great for someone new to contouring as there is also instructions to show you where to put each colour. The only thing I would say is that they should have a few different palettes for different skin tones to branch out to more customers. 

What are your favourite contour products?

Charley Rose x

Prime Time

This is a little post about the primers I have been using lately. I've reached a stage where I can't wear foundation on my naked skin. I must use a primer first or it feels weird. 

Here are 3 primers which all carry a very different price tag.

1. ELF Mineral Infused Face Primer - £6.95

2. The Body Shop All-In-One Instablur - £14

3. Benefit Porefessional - £24.50 for full size product

Both the Elf and Body Shop primers are clear and the Benefit one is tinted. However it only comes in one colour and it doesn't really add any colour to the skin. The cheapest is the Elf primer with a pump, which is always a plus for me. It makes my skin feel so soft and smooth and velvety and my foundation applies lovely over the top. It helps my make up last all day without sliding off too. The only bad thing is that the product doesn't seem to last long. It is 14g and I don't know what that is in ml but ELF often have 30/40/50% flash sale making it very cheap.

Next in price is Instablur, which I read and youtube'd a lot of people raving about and bought myself one when The Body Shop also had 40% off everything! I find this to be very thick. When I squeeze the tube it comes out in blobs (is that even a word) but once I put it on my skin it applies nicely. To be honest it doesn't seem too much different to me than the Elf primer but due to the size of the tube it probably works out the same price anyway.   

Benefits Porefessional is a much thinner formula which is also tinted. This does seem to smooth out pores very well which is what it claims to do. It keeps my make up on all day and gives a lovely base for foundation. But this is a high end product and I don't think that the formula is so much greater than the other two for the difference in price. 

I honestly love the Elf primer. My skin just feels so soft and you definitely can't beat that for value. The Body Shop also have Wonderblur which I think I will give a go next time. I have heard people say it is better than the Instablur so I would like to see for myself.

Is there any primers you would recommend? High End or Drug Store?

Charley Rose x 

Bomb Cosmetics - Santa Baby Gift Pack

www.bombcosmetics.co.uk

I had never heard of Bomb Cosmetics until I opened this little gift set on Christmas Day. After reading the label I discovered they are handmade and contain natural ingredients which is probably making them one of Lush's biggest competitors. However, I love love love Lush bath bombs and it will take a pretty impressive product to beat them.

When I opened the box I was immediately hit by a super strong scent which makes you know you are on to a winner. 

This gift set contains :

• Christmas Wonderland Soap
• Gingerbread Trees Blaster
• Glitterballs Creamer (the tiny one)
• Too Cool for Yule Cocoa Swirl (cupcake) 
• It's Xmas Blaster

What we know to be a bath bomb is called a Blaster. They are slightly smaller than the ones from Lush but still a good size. They also come cellophane wrapped which stops powdery bits getting everywhere.

The Creamers are much smaller. These are supposed to melt in to the water rather than fizz and contain shea butter and cocoa butter to nourish and moisturise the skin. I can't wait to give it a try.

The cupcake swirl is called a Mallow. This has the same effect as the creamer. You pop it in the bath, let it dissolve for a short while and then take it out. It says that you can use it up to 4 times and it will release moisturising butter each time.

Lastly the soap is said to contain glycerine to lock moisture in to the skin and it has a neutral ph. It looks to me about the size you would get from a Lush gift set which is good.

I had a look on the website to find a price for you, even though it was a present and this set comes up at £12.99 with 5 items. This is definitely a great price when you compare it to what you get in Lush gift sets of the same price. 

I am now going to run a bath and use a blaster so I can give a proper review. 

I went for the gingerbread blaster. As soon as i dropped it in to the bath lots of coloured stars scattered in to the water. The blaster seemed to sink right to the bottom and gently fizzed away. I was left with a bath full of red glitter and stars. I don't think it is as heavily scented as a Lush bomb after it has been put in the water. You can feel how much oils are in the blaster on your skin straight away and my skin still feels oily and very moisturised now. The worst part, I AM COVERED IN RED GLITTER! Not sure how I feel about that. I think these are a good product and have a much more reasonable price tag than Lush which I have always found a bit expensive per bath. 

Have you tried anything from Bomb Cosmetics?

Charley Rose x

Pastel Hair - Dying and Maintenance

Pastel Hair is something girls everywhere and striving for. Here are my top tips for achieving the perfect shade and maintaining those beautiful pastel locks. 

1. You need to have the right base colour. Pastel tones will only show on very light, silvery/white blonde hair. If you have dark hair it is going to take a lot of bleaching over a period of time to achieve this and I do not recommend it. It is very damaging!

If your hair is blonde I recommend using a Silver or White Toner from Directions first just to try and even out the tones in the hair so that you can get a nice even pastel colour. It is not necessary but it seems to make a nice 'canvas' for the hair colour.

2. Decide what colour you want to dye your hair. At the moment I have a lilac shade with a hint of pink. If you want Lilac but a dark purple shade. If you want pink buy the deepest cerise you can find, etc etc. 

3. The dyes I use are La Riche Directions because they have a great range of colours and you can buy them for £3.00 - £4.00.

4. Buy a big bottle of cheap white conditioner from Boots or Superdrug. It needs to be white so that you can see the true colour of the dye you are mixing.

5. Get a tint bowl or an old bowl you are not bothered about and squeeze in enough conditioner to cover your whole head. 

6. Take your chosen Directions shade and add the smallest amount to the conditioner. Mix it in well and see what colour it turns out. A little goes a long way.

7. Keep adding colour until you get the shade you want. I recommend you make the mix slightly brighter than what you want so that when you wash it out it is the perfect shade. 

8. Cover your dry hair in the mixture and leave for up to an hour. Remember it is only conditioner you are putting on your hair so there is no damage. Leave it as long as you can to achieve the best colour.

9. Jump in the shower and wash it off. You should be left with the colour you wanted! (fingers crossed)

10. As you have only used a small amount of colour it will wash out within a few washes. So if it isn't the colour you were hoping for don't panic. It will vanish in a couple of washes. 

Maintenance

As I said, the colour doesn't last for too long.  One way I have found to prolong the colour is to take your normal conditioner (hopefully it is white) and empty it in to a big bowl. Make a dye mixture again to the same colour and then transfer it back to the bottle. This way, every time you wash your hair and condition you are adding a slightly bit more pigment in to the hair which should mean you don't have to re-dye it as often.

You can buy pastel shades from Directions which means you don't have to mix colours yourself. However, One pot isn't enough for me to cover all my hair and the colour only fades as quickly as the mix I make. You can save a lot of money by mixing your own colours.

I hope this helps some of you who want to achieve the pastel look. I am not a hairdresser and this is just what I do to my hair. Please take care if you use bleach as it is very very damaging and can take years for your hair to return to its former condition. I KNOW :( 

Charley Rose x

Happy New Year - 2015

We all say it, 'I can't believe how fast this year has gone'. I remember celebrating the Millennium and that was a scary 15 years ago now. Life does pass by so quickly and that is why we need to make the most of every day we have. 

2014 was a good year for me. I am in a job that I love, doing what I love and it doesn't even feel like work. I am lucky enough to have turned my hobby in to a career and not many people can say that. 

This year I am going to continue to enjoy my job and the amazing people I have around me. I am also going to focus a lot more on this blog. I started it about a year ago now but found myself struggling to get moving. I didn't post very much even though I had loads of ideas written in my notes. It was more finding the time to post that was the problem. I still found time to read many blogs and watch lots of youtube videos but pushed my own to the side. 

I also want to make things happen this year rather than sitting back and watching things happen to other people. If you don't go out to get what you want it won't come to you, will it? 

"2015 is my year"

What is that supposed to mean? 'You only get out what you put in' is a quote my old dance teacher used to say and it is true. You have to make a conscious effort to get out and reach for your goals. Good things don't come to those who wait, they come to those who work hard for what they want and make it happen. Stop living in the shadow of yourself and set out to do things you have always wanted. If it fails at least you tried. If you don't try you can't succeed, and if you do succeed, it was worth the try.

Happy New Year to you all. Lets all try be more positive for a successful 2015. 

Charley Rose x