GLO MINERALS

GLO MINERALS

Glo Minerals*

I was sent an email asking if I wanted to try out some products from a brand called Glo Minerals, the products are already a hit in the US and they are now launching in the UK! They sent me a 'Glo Box' of products to try out, firstly I am going to talk about one of my favourite products which is the Smokey Eyes Palette. This is a quad with all the colours you need to create the perfect smokey eye! I have to say that I am very very impressed with the pigmentation, it is amazing!! The quad contains a neutral shade, greys and an iridescent black, if you don't want to do a dramatic smokey eye you can simply use the light shade all over the lid and blend the darker colours into the crease or outer corner. I have also really been loving the bronzer in Sunkiss, I recently went on holiday and got a slight tan so I've been using this to accentuate that and add a little bit more colour, there are two different shades and I swirl my brush between the two to create a really pretty glowy colour. Another great product is the blusher in Nectar, I've mentioned before that I tend to prefer deeper shades of blush as they tend to look better on my skintone. Both the bronzer and the blusher are very pigmented so I would recommend using a light hand when applying them! I was also given the Face Primer, this is a clear gel and feels similar to the Gosh Primer (if you've ever tried that!) it's thicker than some other primers that I've used but I actually really liked this one. I only tend to apply primer around my nose as that is where I tend to get oily, this makes the skin feel super soft once it's been applied. The tube is quite small, however a little really does go a long way! Finally is the lipgloss in the shade "Blushed" which is a really pretty dark pink which I think will suit a lot of skintones, it also smells really lovely! The colour isn't something I would usually pick up as I go for lighter and more subtle pinks but it is really lovely and it looks especially nice if you apply a tiny bit and blend it out! You can have a look at all their products on the website here!

Review: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

Review: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

This is not for everyone.

In fact, Chanel has guaranteed this fact by making a shade of foundations so limited, that the darkest shade is still nearly a full shade too light for me... and I'm medium-toned.

What year is it?

These foundations are currently on display and ready for sale at Nordstrom stores across Southern California. But there are NO testers. I'm almost wondering if that's on purpose. The Vita Lumiere Aqua is meant to replace the Teint Innocence line, which also featured a limited color range. I guess Chanel simply wasn't interested in evolving on this one. That color you see is NOT the color of the foundation; all the bottles are small (one ounce) and opaque.

You actually have to open the bottle (after you shake it up to mix the formula) to get the true color:

That color is Beige Sienne (or 5.0). That is the DARKEST shade in this foundation formula. I was pretty bummed about it, because I really wanted to test this foundation by itself. But I can't wear it without a dark primer or a darker bronzer around the edges of my face. Otherwise it just won't work.

Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo First Impression!

Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo First Impression!

I've been eyeing these ever since I saw a preview of them, but couldn't get myself to purchase them online because they all looked like identical colors! I could not for the life of me find these in store - until I was in Boston this week and they had it in the Prudential Sephora! Woohoo!

I got to swatch and play around with them. I absolutely adore the packaging to the max... like the max max! I think its sleek and chubby stick-esque, with a bit of a chic kick. I love that the twist up and are pigmented and creamy.

I figured that 4 or 5 would be my shade so I was playing around with the higher numbered colors. First I tried on 4. It was nice - but it requires me to have a full face of makeup with a smokey eye in order to pull off this look. It was a great nude with a really creamy and hydrating feel. Unfortunately, I felt like I couldn't shell out the $30 for a lip product that I wouldn't wear for more than one type of look.

Then I tried #5. This color was a nice nude on me. It was as little bit more subtle, with a more of a pinky sheen to it. It does have some shimmer to it - while I don't quite feel it on my lips, I could tell that the product was not quite as creamy and hydrating as #4.

Then I tried #6 which was just entirely too dark of a 'nude' for me. It was a beautiful shade - would probably be great for the fall, but being that it is summer, I just wasn't into it yet! (don't go, summer!) The formula was just like #4, really creamy, pigmented and really moisturizing!

Needless to say, although the formula is really nice for many of them, I left empty handed. I'm not disappointed though because they are some really great nudes. I think when my skin tone changes from season to season, I'll be back to play around to see what works nicely. Perhaps I will pick up #6 in the cooler weather or finally opt to pick up #4 on a night out... or pick up #5... just because it's beautiful!

Here are the swatches that I took in store. #1 starts by my thumb and is in number order as you work up! :)

L’Oreal Collection Privée Colour Riche TIFF2013 Lipsticks Coming Your Way This Fall!

L’Oreal Paris is the Official Sponsor of the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival 2013. Yay! And when you’re a makeup brand you of course create an official TIFF Collection to commemorate, right? Today I’m going to show you the Collection Privée Colour Riche Lipsticks inspired by a few of the celebrities that we see in L’Oreal campaigns: Doutzen Kroes, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, and Freida Pinto.

Collection Privée Colour Riche Lipsticks

The packaging is gorgeous on these lipsticks! I really love the gold detail on them and the brushed black casing.

L’Oreal Collection Privée Colour Riche Lipsticks

These Collection Privée Colour Riche Lipsticks are all nudes and the whole idea behind the collection is that each lipstick was made for these gorgeous ladies. So if you have the same colouring as JLo, then her nude lipstick will suit you too. L’Oreal’s message is “Dare To Go Bare: Made-To-Measure Nude Couture To Affirm Your Femininity And Sharpen Your Powers Of Seduction.” I don’t know about you, but I am really digging how brands are making nude lipsticks seem so fierce and empowering this year!

Ok, enough talk, let’s look at the lipsticks!

By Frieda, By JLo, By Eva, By Doutzen

Pretty, yeah? Here’s another shot of them in the sunlight:

By Doutzen, By JLo, By Eva, By Freida L’Oreal Collection Privée Colour Riche Lipsticks

All of the L’Oreal Collection Privée Colour Riche Lipsticks are sheer with a glossy finish, although I found Eva’s to be pretty pigmented actually. Frieda’s has a bit of sparkle, and I’m not sure but I THINK By Doutzen does as well? but it’s so hard to see in a colour this pale.

L’Oreal Collection Privée Colour Riche Lipstick By Doutzen is the faintest, most prettiest sheer pink lipstick I’ve ever seen. For the palest of pale skins, this shade would be the perfect nude! It’s so pale though and my lips are pretty pigmented, so I find a pale pink lipliner really helps me wear this shade. Marky likes this one the best on me-she says it’s the perfect nude for me:

Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Show Off Mascara in 001 Black Review

Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Show Off Mascara in 001 Black Review

First of all it would be crazy not to mention right from the start the exterior of this product.  The contrasting use of the hot pink background with black writing screams “look at me”.  Not really my cup of tea (don't know why I compared it tea, seen as I don't like tea either :0P ), but following the "never judge a book by its cover" rule lets be honest its really the end result that counts. 

Dawns Beauty Spot - Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Show Off Mascara

PRO & CON - The tube is very wide making it very hard to lose in an over filled makeup bag. / It takes up more space in a makeup bag, which could be a problem if you are travelling and have limited space.

Dawns Beauty Spot - Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Show Off Mascara 

It was the advertisement in my local Boots showing the unusual wand (thick bristled mascara wand with a ‘gladiator mace ball’ on the end) that made my mind up to buy and try out this mascara.  However when I got it home and pulled the wand from the tube to have a look at it, the whole of the wand was straight and the bristles are not that thick.  There was a gap of trimmed to the stub bristles between the division of what I am guessing should be the wand and the ball.  There were also no bristles on the tip of my wand.  Not sure if I picked up a dodgy one???

 

Dawns Beauty Spot - Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Show Off Mascara

Sans Ceuticals Baobab Regenerating Body Cream

What: A fast-absorbing, creamy body lotion with resurfacing properties 

For: Rapid hydration, and particularly good for smoothing bumpy upper arms

Review: This moisturiser was a surprise. The first time I used it, I was pleased with the warm, comforting fragrance and how quickly it absorbed into skin, but wasn’t blown away. I kept using it - just a pump or two of product to cover each arm in the morning - and then noticed something. The tiny bumps on the tops of my arms, which had never developed into a severe case of keratosis pilaris but which were uneven enough to make me feel slightly self-conscious, were slowly disappearing. The tops of my arms were not only softer, but smoother - something I hadn’t come across before in a moisturiser. A quick Google of the key ingredient ‘baobab’ has revealed that it is great to smooth skin without clogging pores, and encourages regeneration of skin cells.

Continued use of this cream has delivered more even skin texture and skin tone and, as an added bonus, I LOVE the fragrance -  best described as woody yet chocolately, and it lingers on skin throughout the day. The cream is absorbed super rapidly into skin - there’s no waiting around for it to sink in before dressing. It’s not the type of rich buttery cream that you apply after a long bath and lounge about in a slinky robe, but a great one to apply when you only have a few minutes to spare but still want something that delivers results. Particularly perfect to prime arms for summer!

Colgate 360 Actiflex Toothbrush Review

Colgate 360 Actiflex Toothbrush Review

The product under the spotlight this week is a toothbrush.  Yes do not adjust your screen; I am talking about the trusty teeth cleaning tool that we all use on a daily basis to try and avoid scary dentist treatments, which often gets taken for granted and not really given much thought.  I too have in the past have been guilty of keeping a toothbrush a little longer than I should have!!!

Dawns Beauty Spot - Colgate 360 Actiflex Toothbrush Review

Dawns Beauty Spot - Colgate 360 Actiflex Toothbrush Review 

If like me you use a manual toothbrush, the next time you are ready for a new one (suggested every 3 months) I would recommend you give one of these bad boys a try.  My old toothbrush was also by Colgate (I am not sure what its name was) and to me it was just a tool that I picked up and used each day without giving it much more thought.  A bit meh if you will.

The Colgate 360 Actiflex has completely changed my attitude.  I now actually look forward to using this brush; and as a result my teggies (and an added bonus my tongue & mouth) feel so much cleaner after every use.

Features

Dawns Beauty Spot - Colgate 360 Actiflex Toothbrush Review 

• Medium
• Head flexes from side to side
• Cheek and tongue cleaner on the back of the brush
• Raised rubber grips at the base
• Wide thumb grip

Dawns Beauty Spot - Colgate 360 Actiflex Toothbrush Review 

The handle is nice and sturdy with raised rubber grips at the base and a wide thumbgrip mid way enabling you to keep a firm hold and stay in control whilst brushing.  I have been able to get into some nooks and crannies that I have previously struggled to reach.  The bristles do not feel scratchy against my teeth.  

Elf Shimmering Facial Whip - Pink Lemonade Review

Elf Shimmering Facial Whip - Pink Lemonade Review

I was not familiar with the brand ELF (Eyes Lips Face) until I became part of the YouTube and blogging community.  I have read & heard many good reviews about them and thought it was about time that I tried them for myself.  I bought quite a few things, but I have not used the others much yet so I will not review them until I have tested them out properly.  If you are an ELF newbie (like myself) wait until they have an offer on before you place an order to grab yourself a great bargain.  Different offers run regularly on their website.

Dawns Beauty Spot - ELF Shimmering Facial Whip in colour Pink Lemonade

The shimmering facial whip on the other hand (a multi purpose product suitable to be used anywhere on the face) I have used almost every day for the past few weeks as a blush and also as an eyeshadow highlight.  I bought mine in the shade Pink Lemonade which is a pretty light pink colour on the skin (in the tube and not blended the colour looks darker).

Dawns Beauty Spot - ELF Shimmering Facial Whip in colour Pink Lemonade

Dawns Beauty Spot - ELF Shimmering Facial Whip in colour Pink Lemonade

Dawns Beauty Spot - ELF Shimmering Facial Whip in colour Pink Lemonade

Tip:-  You need to work pretty fast blending the product before it dries to a satiny finish.   If you try to continue blending after it has changed consistency it just rubs off. 

It looks so pretty on the skin, especially when it catches the light.  It does not have the staying power to last all day, but I do get a good few hours wear out of it before I need to reapply.