Lush Popcorn Lip Scrub

My lips have not liked these cold months, they are dry at the best of times so you can only imagine what they have been like recently. After speaking to a few people, the Lush lip scrubs were recommended so I decided to give it a try. In store, there wasn't a huge selection of flavours (?!) to try and Popcorn was the only scent I really liked.

 

The scrub comes in a small pot however only a little of the product is needed so its sure to last you a while! The scrub contains coconut oil and sugar, and leaves a lovely buttery taste on the lips. To use the lip scrub properly, you put a little on your finger and then gently rub in circular motions into the lips. Then lick the remainder of the scrub off, gosh that could have sounded a bit dodge. Anyway, the scrub is supposed to remove any dry skin from the lips,leaving them soft and smooth. Although the scrub does remove a lot of the dry skin, it doesn't seem to get to the larger areas, which is my biggest problem as lip products tend to cling to these areas.

 

I do like this product; it smells and tastes a-mazing, and it does remove most of the dryness from my lips with just a small amount of the product used. I think if you're suffering with chapped lips this winter, then I would recommend this however don't expect to get baby soft lips after the first use.

Has anyone else tried any of these scrubs?

Revlon Nearly Naked Powder

 Although I love my Rimmel Stay Matte powder, I wanted to try a new powder just for a bit of variety really. I have heard mixed reviews about this powder, however I am in love with the Nearly Naked foundation so I thought I would give it a go.

 

I picked up the shade 010 Fair, which is perfect for my skin tone. The powder comes in quite large packaging which is a bit of an inconvenience if you only have a small bag (on a night out for example). The packaging contains a small mirror and a little powder puff which is a cute little detail, however I stuck to my trusty powder brush!

 

On application the powder is glorious. It isn't at all heavy on the skin and doesn't look like you have been 'caked' in make up. I have received so many compliments on my skin when I have worn his powder. Its also brilliant for buffing out any unwanted bronzer or blush lines and just giving the skin a general flawless tone to it.

 

This is now on par with Stay Matte as my favourite powder, I really love it. The only thing I would change is the packaging as I would prefer something a bit more compact.

 

Has anyone else tried this powder?

Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang

 

 

Last year Rimmel launched these amazing lip lacquers and in the Autumn they released a new collection of shades, including Big Bang. I already have the shades Galaxy, Out of This World, Nude Eclipse and Apocaliptic (see my post on those shades here) however I was after a really glossy red shade which would be perfect for any parties and nights out.

 

Big Bang is a beautiful orange toned red. It still has the glossiness of the Apocalips but creates an amazing bold lip which looks perfect with simple eye make up. The idea of the Apocalips is that they are, effectively, liquid lip sticks (if that even makes sense). They apply like a dream and have amazing staying power, even the gloss stays put! This has been perfect for me during the festive period as I've worn this out and haven't had to reapply, after a couple of hours my lips were still that glamourous bold shade of red.

 

I think this has become my favourite bold lip product, I love how glossy and bright it is and that it stays put for ages!

 

Has anyone tried this or any of the other new Apocalips shades?

High End Beauty Wishlist 2014

So when I started blogging a few months ago, I wasn't fussed about high end products, in my eyes I could find something equally as good on the high street. However since this, I have realised that, yes there are pretty good dupes in the drug stores, but there are some products that I just have to try the real thing. So I thought would share with you some of the high end beauty products that I am desperate to try...

 

Urban Decay Naked Palettes

With the recent release of Naked 3 from Urban Decay, there have been hoards of reviews in the blogosphere and every time I read one, I feel like I'm missing out on something great by not having even tried any of the Naked palettes. I don't think Naked 3 is for me as it is a palette of rose-hued neutrals, however the first two are absolutely up my street! I'm not sure whether to just try the Naked Basics palette first or to just take the plunge and go for one of the larger ones. What do you think?

 

Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder

This bronzer made it to most of the 'Top Products of 2013' posts that I read during the New Year, and I have had it in my sights for some time now. The bronzer I currently use is one from Bourjois which I really like, but I have seen and read so many reviews about this product that I think the time has come for me to see if its really what everyone raves about.

 

Mac Vanilla Pigment

I have wanted this for such a long time now, I was going to buy it before Christmas but I persuaded myself to wait. I have tried to find similar products but nothing seems to come close. If anyone knows of any good dupes, please let me know. I think this would look beautiful as a highlighter to the cheek and brow bones or in the inner corners of the eyes.

 

Benefit Coralista Blush

I actually already have this blush, I received a sample of it a while ago and I have fallen in love! Its the perfect blush for me, and applies like a dream. Its a gorgeous coral shade, and gives your cheelks that subtle pink colour without being too extreme. So when my sample runs out, I might make this my first high end purchase!

 

Illamasqua Cream Pigment

I have seen this product on a lot of 'Get Ready With Me' videos, particularly on LLYMLRS's channel, and it seems like such a versatile product that I think I would be able to justify the price. I've seen it used a cream blush and as a lip product. I love cream blushers so would definitely use it for that and, as long as its not too drying, use it on my lips too.

 

Mac Lipstick

Would a highend wishlist be complete without this?! I have put off investing (yes, I do believe it will be an investment) in a Mac lipstick for sometime and although I am ready to make the purchase, I am a bit overwhelmed by the shade choices, there are so many! My local Debenhams stocks Mac makeup so I might just have a venture in there and swatch a few of the shades. I really like the lok of Crème Cup and Hue, I would want a shade that is versatile.

 

Laura Mercier Silk Crème Foundation

Another product I have seen pop up in many 'Get Ready With Me' videos, and I just need to know for myself if this really does create the perfect, flawless base. I did want to try Nars Sheer Glow but as my skin is already quite oily, I think it would be better trying this or the Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser. Again, this is a product I will go in store to swatch.

 

There are a few other products I want to try but these are the ones that have been sat in my wishlist for months now. I think everyone deserve treats every now and then, I work hard and I'm striving to make this year a happier one, and buying beautiful things makes me happy.

 

Does anyone have any reviews on these products? Leave links and I will check them out.

Bourjois Colour Boosts in Plum Russian

In case you missed it, the summer of 2013 saw the release of the Colour Boosts from Bourjois. They are basically dupes of Cliniques Chubby Sticks, glossy lip stains in the form of pencils. Theyre really easy to apply and, although the glossiness soon wears off, the colour stains the lips so the colour lasts a while. I already have the shades Orange Punch and Red Sunrise which were part of the summer releases.

 

When Autumn came, 2 more shades were released including Plum Russian. As you can see, Plum Russian is a deep berry shade which is perfect for the colder months as it has a warm feel to it. The packaging seems quite dark compared to the actual shade which isn't too dark so is perfect if you want a bit of  vampy lip but don't want to go all out goth/emo etc.

I really like the Colour Boosts anyway, and I've been getting a lot of use out of this Autumnal shade.

 

Has anyone else tried this shade, or any of the others?

A Month In Instagram #1

So as part of my New Year post (which you can have a nose at here) I said I wanted to include more lifestyle posts on my blog. Instagram is my favourite social network, they say a picture tells 1000 words right? So I thought I would show you all my favourite pictures I have posted on Instagram in the last month....

As you can see, bit of a random selection; a few shameless selfies, some Christmas snaps and a couple of beauty/nail related photos. If you want to follow me on Instagram, I'm over at gemmaford.

Mini Lush Haul

Although I love Lush products, Lush isn't a store I generally venture into unless I'm buying a gift for someone as I think their products are extra special and make lovely gifts. So around the Christmas shopping period I popped into Lush to pick up some gifts, however their super friendly and informative staff 'persuaded' me that I need these products in my life. So lets have a look at what I bought...

 

 

Popcorn Lip Scrub

I have been after one of these for ages as I'm always reading about them on blogs etc. and with the weather leaving my lips in a horrid dry state, the time came for me to make my purchase. I wasn't overly impressed with the different flavours (I guess that's what they are called?!) but I fell in love with the smell of Popcorn. As you may or may not know, I am awful at describing scents, but this has a lovely toffee smell to it, which you can taste when the product is on the lips. I use a very little bit to exfoliate my lips before I apply moisturiser. It removes any of the horrible dry skin that lipsticks love to cling to, and just makes my lips feel and look smooth.

 

 

Feeling Younger Skin Tint

I was originally after a Lush pigment as I have heard a lot about them, but when I explained I wanted something to use as a highlighter the ever so helpful member of staff pointed me in the direction of this little beauty. I haven't used this yet but I did try the sample in store. The product itself is of a creamy consistency and is extremely easy to blend into the skin. Its a little thicker than some liquid highlighters, and is ever so pigmented so only a little is needed. I'm really happy I went for this in the end.

 

 

Love Lettuce Fresh Face Mask

Another Lush product I have been desperate too try-Love Lettuce is a thick face mask that you apply and leave on for 5-10 minutes. Its best suited to normal-oily skin which is great for me. It has refreshing scent and leaves the skin feeling radiant and exfoliated. I would definitely recommend this to someone who is after trying a new face mask.

 

 

Karma Soap

I got this as a freebie and although I wouldn't normally buy a bar of soap, this one is lovely and has a beautiful, luxurious scent to it.

 

So there we have it. Although Lush products can be a tad pricey, they're great and so lovely to use.

 

Has anyone else had a recent Lush splurge?