Disappointing Beauty Products #4

Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Facial Scrub (Supermarkets/Superdrug/Boots £3.99 for 75ml)
Simple claim that this " Oil Balancing Facial Scrub is a perfect blend of active ingredients and exfoliating goodness to remove dead skin cells, dirt and impurities. Clinically proven to reduce blackheads and blemishes in just 7 days. "
I used this as instructed but did not see any change in my skin or amount of blackheads. After 3 weeks I didn't see any changes and I felt that this was as ineffective as water. I was disappointed as I love this brand and the oil balancing ranged seemed perfect as it's for sensitive and oily skin. Unfortunately this didn't work for me.

The Body Shop Lip Butter in Honey Mania (The Body Shop £4 for 10ml/9g)
This does soften lips during the day but is not very moisturising. It feels similar to Vaseline in the fact that it acts as a barrier but doesn't feel soothing at all on chapped lips. The smell is very sweet but not off-putting. I'm currently using this to soften my elbows and around my fingernails and cuticles instead.

 Dr Organic Royal Jelly Lip Serum (£3.10 for 10ml Holland and Barratts)
The packaging states this is a  'intensely regenerating and revitalising' that 'instantly moisturises and restores the condition of the lips.'  I've never tried a lip serum before but  from this description I imagined it would be an intense moisturiser, but I this feels like a very light version of a lip balm.  I loved the smell fruity mango and ginseng and the fact it's organic with lovely ingredients such as organic royal jelly, Shea better, olive oil, African coffee tree oil and mango butter. It's also free from parabens, SLS, harsh preservatives and artificial colours. As far as the packaging goes I loved the tube it's more hygienic, although  stiff at first but then it gets easier to squeeze. However I was really disappointed, on the lips it made my lips feel dehydrated as if I've just eaten salt and vinegar crisps that have made my lips dry and uncomfortable from the salt. It also tingles a little this might be the ginseng or the bioactive effect it claims to have? Overall I would avoid this one.

No 7 Lash Adapt Mascara in Deepest Black (Boots £12.95 for 7ml)
I'm not sure if this is being discontinued or not. I loved this at first, it lengthens, adds volume holds a curl and suitable for sensitive eyes. The wand has a soft bristle brush. No 7 claim that this is a buildable mascara that can be layered without up to 6 times for more volume, which is does with minimal clumping.
The shiny silver packaging is gorgeous, and makes it look more expensive than it actually is.

The problem came when I wore it for my birthday and ended up with panda eyes when I got off the dance floor which ruined my photos, I was really annoyed. This is good enough for everyday use as long as you stay off the dance floor and avoid the gym and humid weather. For the price there are probably better ones out there

.No 7 Extreme length Mascara in Black (Boots mini sized. Full sized £12.50 for 7ml)

This mascara has a plastic bristled brush which No. 7 claim is unique because of it's flexible plastic bristles, it doesn't look different but does help to separate lashes, reducing clumping. No 7 also say that the brush helps to catch the small lashes in the corner but I think having bristles on the tip/head of the brush would be more effective. This mascara doesn't really have much of an impact, it adds a little length but in no way is it extreme. It doesn't give any volume to the lashes either. I would say this suits those who like lashes defined but are after a soft, natural look. This is also hypo-allergenic so suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. However I wouldn't buy again because there are cheaper mascaras out there that have more impact than this.

25 Ways To Get into The Christmas Spirit

As I get older I find it harder to get into the Christmas spirit especially after losing a close family member, so I've put together a list of things to get in the festive mood and enjoy the celebrations.

1. Spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate and tune into Channel 5, Netflix or The Christmas channel for a marathon of Hallmark Christmas movies. If Hallmark movies not your thing (they are quite cheesy) then re-watch your favourites- I recommend ELF or Arthur Christmas. Also check out black and white classic Christmas films on Dailymotion, Youtube or rent via Amazon or Apple. 
2. Make a Christmas wreath- There are loads of helpful tutorials to guide you on Youtube see here.               
3. D.I.Y some baubles using nail polish for a marbling effect (see here.) Or buy some refillable baubles and fill them with feathers, gold star confetti or beads. I also love watching D.I.Y Harry Potter baubles on Youtube. 
4. See a pantomime, musical or ballet show. I've always wanted to see The Nutcracker.
5. Visit winter roof top bars and terraces. 
6. D.I.Y Christmas cards  Look on pintrest for inspiration and how to guides.                           
7. Go ice skating-either the seasonal outdoor skating rinks or local ice rinks
8. Have a go baking gingerbread men, mince pies or Chocolate truffles-they make great gifts.
9. Drink Mulled wine and read a Christmas novel beside a proper fire.
10. Attempt to make a gingerbread house.
11. Create a playlist of festive songs whether it's traditional choir music or classic cheesy songs. Check out my favourite ones here. 
12. Go late night Christmas shopping when all the lights are on. Or check out the big window displays like the ones in Oxford and Regent Street.
13. Go Christmas decoration shopping, I recommend checking out The Range.
14. Buy some Christmas themed bedding try Asda George or Dunelem. 
15. Buy a festive jumper. pajamas, socks or a mug. 
16. Stuck for what to buy friends and family? Read gift guides in magazines, Youtube or blogs to for gift ideas. Write them inside this Christmas planner.
17. Write Christmas cards. I always do this to Christmas music while eating mince pies.
18. Treat Yourself to an advent calendar whether it be a chocolate one, an alcohol version, a candle or beauty calendar.
19. Have a bath with a festive bath bombs like the ones from Lush here.
20. Watch Youtube videos for ideas to buy or D.I.Y Christmas decor. They are also good for ideas on wrapping presents with a festive touch. I like Hermione Chantel's D.I.Y Christmas Tutorials.
21. Take a winter walk whether this be a tour of all the outdoor Christmas lights in your neighbourhood, the annual Christmas lights switch in town or a jaunty walk through fields and fir trees.
22. Paint your nails. Choose glitter, Christmas colours such as red, green and gold or Christmas themed nails such as snowflakes or father Christmas. 
23. Shop at a German or U.K. Christmas market. 
24. Go Carol Singing or attend a carol singing service.
25. Host a tree decorating /trimming party. This is an American tradition but like Black Friday it'll eventually be adopted here. This is a party for friends and family to decorate the tree together while drinking and eating baked cookies, cakes etc.

If you're based in London or are planning a day trip check out the Christmas activities 

Visit Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Attractions include a giant wheel, magical ice kingdom, Christmas markets, a circus and ice rink. For More info see here.

Southbank Winter Festival (Waterloo) You'll find Christmas markets, a Christmas tree maze, express train choir performances and a cider Lodge  see here.

Kew Gardens have a Night time trail.  There's a garden of fire, Santa's grotto and carols. for more info see here.

Go Ice skating in the historic surroundings of Hampton Court Palace (see here) or checkout the ice rink meets nightclub at Somerset House (see here) or at the  Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens there's an ice rink as well as ice carving, a Christmas tree maze, street entertainers and food and drink see here for details.

Go on the London eye at night to see the city in lights or book special tickets with Hotel Chocolate and prosecco. 

Hogwarts In The Snow  Leavesden (near Watford) It's not really London but not far to drive to. I couldn't miss including this Warner Bros Studio Tour where Hogwarts castle is in snow, the great hall is decorated for Christmas and the tour  includes a trip to the special effects department. Hogwarts in the snow tour goes on until 1st February 2015. For further info see here

Carol singing and concert music at  St Martins in the Field  for more information see here

Visit the Ice bar in central London for a winter experience for dinner or drinks see here for more info.

MakeUp Revolution Salvation Palette Run Boy Run & Vivid Blush Lacquer Liquid Blushes Review

Desire- unblended semi dried

These liquid blushes are similar to ELFs HD blushes in their packaging with the air tight pump dispenser. However I haven't tried ELFs HD blush to compare the two. The bottles are small but you only need the tiniest bit. The consistency is a thick slightly creamy liquid (See picture above un-blended) which blends easily so you don't need to use much.- about a quarter of a pea or third of a pea. I've tried various brushes to apply these the best were Bobbi Brown's foundation brush and the Zoeva 122 petit stippling brush. 

However it is so easy to over apply so I make up I have powder or foundation brush to cover any excessive blush. You have to be careful when pushing down the nozzle so that it doesn't give you more than you need and end up wasting the product. Additionally sometimes if it hasn't been used in a while the blush may have dried blocking the so a clean pin is needed to unblock it. These packaging issues aside I really like these. The blushes dry fairly quickly (if you use a small amount) but it does give you enough time to blend them, but once it sets its hard to remove are long wearing. It dries to a matte finish and both are very pigmented but once blended it looks pretty natural on the face but they do show up and I think these colours would suit most skin tones, although black/women of colour may need something darker and brighter. For the price (£3) these are brilliant. They can be found here at Make Up Revolution or at Superdrug Online.

Many of Makeup Revolution's Salvation palettes contain eye shadows that are very similar to each other. I chose Run Boy Run over the others because it was the least similar to the Redemption Iconic 3 palette I'd purchased previously. The Salavation palettes are limited edition palates and Run Boy Run contains a mixture of neutral and brighter colours that are wearable on a day to day basis.

The packaging is simple but looks sophisticated with rose gold lettering on a shiny black case. There seems to be a Charlotte Tilbury rose good lettering trend at the moment. It has a good sized mirror and is bigger than the Sleek and MUA palettes(16cm long by 8cm wide and 1cm thick)  housing many more eye shadows (18 in all). Overall it looks more expensive than it is, a thumbs up for the pretty packaging, something which is often sacrificed in order to maintain a lower price point in budget make up brands. The packaging is sturdy and not too big so would be ideal for travel such as for weekends away, being able to create anything from brown, taupe and pink daytime neutrals, blue, grey,  brown and purple smoky eyes and bright pop of colour with the cranberry 'Break out from Society' shade. I like the mixture of colours as it makes it more versatile to use.

There are 12 shimmer shades and 6 matte shades in the palette. The shimmers are full of pigmentation and are easy to use and pick up on the make up brush. I'm impressed with the longevity of the colours in the first and second row lasting 8 -9  hours, nearly all day on my oily-ish lids without fading and that's without an eye primer! The last row contains six matte shades, from white to warm browns and then cool taupes and a black. These seem to be the neutral shades. The first two shades (Follow Me and Head To The Hills) were difficult to swatch, with Head To The Hills being difficult to show up especially as it's close to my skin colour. These need a primer to stay on and are softer and chalkier than the others, to be honest this row is wearable and usable  but a little bit of a disappointment compared to the amazing quality of the others in the palette.

This is tremendously good value £6 for 18 shades! For the amount of colours and the quality of the shadows (the 6 shades on bottom row aside) you are getting a lot for your buck! Since these are limited edition palettes I'd snap them up while you can.

Salvation Palette Run Boy Run £6 from MakeUp Revolution (which ships internationally) and Superdrug online and instore.