KIKO 24h Cream

Hello everyone, I hope you are all well!

It has been a while, but I am back! This year has just been complete madness, I have now finished university and will be graduating next week with a 2:1! I decided that I needed to put my blog on hold for a little bit to allow myself time to focus on getting my work done which has definitely paid off, I am so pleased with my final grade. I want to thank you for your patience whilst I've been away and what better way to kick-start my blog again than with a review of my current favourite moisturiser...

I was initially given this moisturiser as a sample and fell it love with it straight away! I loved it so much I decided to go out and buy it and I have been using it ever since. KIKO 24h Cream makes my face feel super smooth and the best thing about it... it doesn't break me out!

KIKO 24h Cream 50ml - £11.90 (more info)

If you haven't heard of this brand before or want to know more about it then head over to their website: kikocosmetics.co.uk.

"KIKO MILANO is a leading Italian brand of cosmetics, make-up and skin care products. KIKO MILANO offers safe and effective beauty products as well as face and body treatments of the highest quality, created to satisfy women of all ages."

This product by KIKO is a moisturising and energising cream that is recommended for normal to dry skin, however, you are all aware that I have combination to oily skin and this product works amazingly well for me. I use this as my night-time moisturiser rather than during the day, I prefer to wear something lighter and more mattifying during the day. I use this before bed after I've cleansed my face and I allow it time to soak in - if I was to use this product as my day moisturiser then I would look super shiny by lunch time! For those of you who have dryer skin though, this product could work brilliantly as both a day and night-time moisturiser.

Directions

I use this product after cleansing in the evening and apply it to my face, neck and neck line.


Summary

(Pictures taken with Nikon D3100)

I have noticed such a big improvement in the texture and look of my skin. My makeup seems to glide on much more smoothly than it did before.

Pros

• Smells lovely
• Feels nice on the skin
• Very moisturising
• Contains SPF15
• Hypoallergenic (formulated to ensure minimum instance of allergic reactions)
• Non comedogenic (doesn't clog pores)
• Paraben free
• Simple, clean-looking packaging

Cons

• Might be slightly too heavy for oilier complexions (Personally I like the consistency of this moisturiser because it's exactly what I look for in a night cream)

If you haven't tried any products by KIKO yet, then I suggest you do! I have a feeling this won't be the last post involving this brand!

What is your current favourite moisturiser? Let me know!

Natasha Carly x

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INIKA - Review

Hello everyone, I hope you are well.

I have now finished all my assessments at university and have come home for Christmas! It has been a while since I last posted as I had so much work to get through.

Today I am going to be reviewing three INIKA Mineral eyeshadows and a skin illuminisor.

Mineral Illuminisor* (3g) £17

(Close-up of illuminisor powder on the skin)

I wasn't overly impressed with the illuminisor, I didn't find it gave my skin a natural glow as I felt it looked far too glittery on my face. I prefer products that are more shimmery than glittery, I did find that the illuminisor worked really well as a highlighter on my brow bones.

Directions

• Apply to the highlight areas of the cheeks, brow bone and temples.
• Dust over cheekbones and decolletage to enhance complexion and create an all-over healthy glow.
• Mix Illuminisor with moisturiser for glowing legs and arms.

Summary

Pros:

• Non-comedogenic
• Lovely packaging

Cons:

• Too glittery
• Pricey

 Mineral Eye Shadow* (1.2g) £14.50 each

 (Left to right: Coco Motion, Gold Dust, Gunmetal)

I was extremely impressed with these eyeshadows, I have enjoyed experimenting with them and have come up with some really lovely makeup looks.  The colours are highly pigmented, they are easy to apply and they blend beautifully!

Here are the 3 colours I tried out:
Coco Motion -  a divinely earthy matte brown.  Perfect for creating depth and definition. 
Gold Dust - a pale, shimmery gold. Great as a highlighter or blended with other colours. 
Gunmetal - a metallic silver (with a hint of purple) which looks like mercury when applied wet or over black eyeliner.

Directions

• Pick up a little powder, press the product into the brush, tap off the excess and apply as desired.
• Create amazing metallic or iridescent looks by layering one colour on top of another.
• Add water for use as a liquid eyeliner.

Summary

Pros:

• Highly pigmented
• Can be used wet or dry to add different textures
• Multi-purpose can be used as eyeliner as well as eyeshadow
• Blend well
• Natural ingredients - suitable for people with sensitive eyes
• Lasts a long time 
• Lovely packaging

 Cons: 

• Slightly pricey

Overall I've had a good experience with the products, I think the eye shadows are fantastic and I will definitely be purchasing more of them in the future! I like that all the INIKA mineral products are non-comedogenic, this means they don't clog your pores or cause breakouts! 
These products are slightly pricey but for the quality of the product, I think it is worth it. They are in a similar price range to MAC eye shadows and think they are just as good, they will last me a while too as a little bit goes a long way!

Have you tried any of the INIKA cosmetics?

Natasha Carly x

Pretty Little Lives on Facebook / Twitter / Hellocotton

*Disclaimer PR sample - My opinions are still 100% honest

July Favourites

Hello everyone, hope you are well!

Here are my July Favourites, apologies for being a tad late but better late than never!

Most of the products are hair products as I have been working on getting my hair healthier.

 (Taken with Canon A3300is)

Herbal Essences Beautiful Ends Split End Protection Cream 150ml

I use this after I've washed my hair and after using my Aussie Leave-in Conditioner. It helps to make my hair soft and more manageable. I have also noticed that it stops my hair from looking so frizzy too! This product has raspberry and silk extracts and smells incredible!!

It retails at around £4.79 but it is currently on offer in Boots (view offer)

Herbal Essences Beautiful Ends Split End Protection Intensive Mask 200ml

Along with the other Spit End Protection products by Herbal Essences, I started using this Intensive Mask at the beginning of July and have to say my hair has improved so much! I have mentioned to you before that I prefer to use masks as I feel my hair needs more of a deep condition than what I get with a regular conditioner. I think this product is a must have! It is one of my top favourite hair masks! This product retails at £3.49 but is currently on offer in Superdrug (view offer)

Dove Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Overnight Creme 120ml

I bought this at the end of June and since then I haven't stopped using it! It works really well on my hair and makes it feel really soft. I apply the product onto towel dried hair and leave it on my hair for the night, when I wake up the next morning my hair is so much more manageable and doesn't get knotted together as easily as it usually does! I will be doing a full review on this product so I don't really want to say too much about it here! This Overnight Creme retails at £4.99 but is currently on offer at Superdrug (view offer)

OXY Seaweed Power Fresh Skin Wash 150ml

You have probably been expecting this to be in my favourites since I did a full review on it which you can read here. I like how clean my skin feels after I've used it, the tiny microbeads help to work deep into the skin. This product is high quality and really inexpensive, for £5.99 you can't go wrong!

Soap & Glory Hand Food 125ml

I have been trying to grow my nails recently so as well as trying out hardening polishes I have been using hand cream more often to see if that helps them to grow. I love the smell of all Soap & Glory products and this is definitely no exception. The smell is amazing! This hand cream costs £5.00 which to me is very reasonable! I will definitely be repurchasing this!

Primark 'Tangle Teezer'

This 'Tangle Teezer' is brilliant, it cost me £1.50 and does a really great job of getting out knots in my hair without tearing. It is suitable to use on both wet and dry hair, I have been using this instead of a wide tooth comb since I got it. I think it works so much better than a comb. You can read my full review here.

I would love to know what products you were enjoying last month! Let me know in a comment!

Natasha Carly x

Pretty Little Lives on Facebook / Twitter / Hellocotton

Garnier Body Tonic Firming Lotion - Review

Hello everyone, I hope you are well.

Since I'm going on holiday in June I want to make sure I'm looking my best! As well as trying to eat healthy and exercise as much as I can, I also want to make sure my skin is looking good too!

So I decided to buy the Garnier Body Tonic Firming Lotion on offer in Superdrug for £3.10 (was £6.21).

I have seen many good reviews about this product so thought I would give it a go whilst it is on offer.

After using this product for about three weeks now I have to say I have definitely seen an improvement in the firmness and softness of my skin. The lotion contains phyto-caffeine which is known to help with stimulation, it is hydrating so it moisturises as it firms - which is an added bonus! 

On the back of the bottle it says 'skin feels instantly toned' and I agree! Immediately after application my skin felt 'lifted' and tighter (not unpleasantly tight!)

The lotion smells like citrus fruits which smells amazing and very fresh. I prefer to use it in the morning after I've showered to give me that 'energised' feeling to help kick start my day!

(Pictures taken with iPhone 4s)

The texture of the product is a gel-cream, it is absorbed easily into the skin and doesn't take long to dry. 

Summary 

Pros

• fast drying
• smooths out skin
• hydrates and moisturises 
• inexpensive

Cons

• the smell of the product might not be to everyone's taste

I think this product is perfect to help you get that 'beach body' you want for summer!

Have you tried this firming lotion or any others? Let me know your thoughts below!

Natasha Carly x

Pretty Little Lives on Facebook / Twitter / Hellocotton

L'Oreal Studio Secrets Primers Review

Hello everyone,

Today I am sharing a review on 2 of the L'Oreal studio Secrets primers.

I am not very experienced when it comes to primers, I have only tried No.7 primers in the past however I do know when something works and when something doesn't and for me, these primers are a definite let down!

I have been using the L'Oreal Studio Secrets anti-redness and L'Oreal Studio Secrets anti shine, mattifying primers and so far I am not loving them at all!

What they say:-

L'Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Anti-Redness Primer gives a uniform skin tone. 
All women can harness the power of these primers to create the illusion of a flawless complexion. It’s just a matter of obeying the laws of complementary colours! To neutralise a shade simply apply its complementary shade.

For example: the green tinted primer reduces the appearance of red, giving the skin a more even tone.

L'Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Anti-Shine Mattifying Primer acts like a ‘second skin’, weightless on your complexion. Easy to apply and comfortable on the skin, it mattifies oily areas and doesn’t leave a greasy residue.


Directions:-

1- Apply the L'Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Anti-Shine Mattifying Primer in little dabs onto shiny areas (forehead, nose and chin) and around the nose.
2- Smooth towards the outside of the face.


1- Apply L'Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Anti-Redness Primer in little dabs on red patches, and then tap with your fingertips to work it into the skin. 

 What I think:

In my opinion I don't particularly think the mattifying primer works very well, I always find it makes my skin more oily throughout the day (which I do NOT need!) and it makes my makeup slide off my face too. I don't like the consistancy of the primer either, despite what they say, to me the product feels slightly greasy. If you have oily skin like myself, then I recommend staying away from this.

(Pictures taken with iPhone 4s)

I think the anti- redness primer works well to even out redness but the consistancy is very runny.

I wouldn't choose either of these primers over the Urban Decay setting sprays!

The L'Oreal primers retail at around £10.00 each and are cheaper than Urban Decay setting sprays which cost around £20 but I believe you get what you pay for and the quality of Urban Decay setting sprays justify the price!

Read my Urban Decay Setting Spray Review here

Natasha Carly x

Pretty Little Lives on Facebook / Twitter / Hellocotton

Urban Decay De Slick Setting Spray Review

Urban Decay De Slick Setting Spray is a godsend!! Seriously! This is one of my holy grail products - it keeps my make up on for such a long time!

This cost me around £20 which I do think is slightly expensive, but I feel it's worth the money I paid.

I also have Urban Decay All-Nighter setting spray but I purchased this particular setting spray as it is specifically designed for oily skin to help control excess oil from seeping through your makeup throughout the day. It works like a dream! I still get slight oiliness around my T-zone during the day but not nearly as much as I get when I don't use it.

I spray this before and after I apply my foundation then I set it with a powder, I use powder for an extra matte look and to act as a 'top coat' for the setting spray.

 (Taken with iPhone 4s)

Directions

1. Shake well. 
2. Apply just before foundation and again after makeup. 
3. Hold bottle 8"-10" away and mist face 2-4 times. (I like to do a 'T' then an 'X' motion).

If you haven't already tried these products I highly recommend that you do!

Urban Decay have a range of setting sprays suited to specific skin types. I have combination/oily skin and love both setting sprays that I have and think they both work well. I don't think there's a great difference between All-Nighter and De-Slick but De-Slick definitely controls the oil for a lot longer!

Have you ever tried these setting sprays or any other setting sprays? - Comment below and let me know :)

Natasha Carly x

Pretty Little Lives on Facebook / Twitter / Hellocotton

L'Oreal True Match Review ♥

Hello everyone,

I have just repurchased the L'Oreal True Match liquid foundation, I've never loved a foundation more than I love this one! (and I have tried A LOT of foundations). It is the perfect match to my skin and is a very lightweight foundation. I honestly have nothing bad to say about this product!

This product is really inexpensive I got it from Boots for £9.99.

My shade: Golden Beige (W3)

I have combination/oily skin but unlike other foundations I have tried, this one does not add any extra oil to my face. Obviously throughout the day the natural oils on my face start to come through the foundation but this is normal, as long as you have a good primer and make-up setting spray/setting powder this foundation should last a long time.

Pros

• medium/buildable coverage
• blends well
• contains spf
• great colour range
• nice packaging
• pump applicator
• oil-free
• non-comedogenic
• affordable 

Cons

• poor/average lasting power

 

 (Taken with iPhone 4s)

Overall I really like the L'Oreal True Match liquid foundation. It gives a medium coverage that blends extremely well, you can build the coverage without it looking cakey on your face.

If you have a similar skin complexion to me then this foundation will be perfect for you as it is oil-free and non-comedogenic.
  

I hope you enjoyed this post! What is your favourite foundation?

Natasha Carly x