Vegan Makeup

Five Beauty Favourites 2020

- Vicki Leave a comment
Five Beauty Favourites 2020

*Gifted. It’s safe to say it’s been a dark, wet and miserable start to 2020, I don’t think we have seen the sunshine so far this year and my skin has been bearing the brunt of this. My skin has felt dry and dull, what with the effects of the central heating and lack of sunshine, I have really been relying on my skincare and makeup to help revive my complexion. I thought I would share with you a few products that have become staples in my routine which I’ve been using religiously over the past couple of months.

Five Beauty Favourites 2020

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 30ml

I love so many products from The Ordinary Skincare but this serum is pretty epic. I have used it for over a year now and can’t imagine my skincare routine without it. Apart from the fact this brand is incredibly affordable their skincare is fantastic quality and shows real results. This didn’t irritate my skin despite it having quite a high concentration of Retinoid, it is easy to apply and doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy. I apply it at night 2 – 3 times a week, as my first step after cleansing and I wake up with smooth, bright, plump skin. Over time this serum helps increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen which helps to reduce the signs of ageing, like uneven skin tone, age spots and reduces fine lines & wrinkles.

This product is a great way to achieve that youthful, healthy glow, in terms of long term use you really see your complexion improve. It is like liquid gold! Just remember Retinoids can react with more sensitive skin, so dilute at first if you are concerned (or use the 1% version) also please remember to use a high factor SPF as your skin will be more vulnerable to the damaging effects of UVA & UVB rays.

Vegan & Cruelty Free

Tropic Beauty Booster Sheer Foundation SPF35*

Although I’m someone who doesn’t like to wear much makeup on a daily basis, I still like that look of being put together and like my skin to look evened out with a little glow. This Beauty Booster from Tropic gives me just that. It is lightweight and I just apply it with my fingers on top of my moisturiser. It leaves my skin with a nice touch of colour, helping to reduce redness, uneven skin tone and gives the illusion that I haven’t seen the sun for MONTHS! The other wonderful things about this lightweight, almost tinted moisturiser (with a bit more coverage) is the fact it has UVA, UVB and HEV (artificial light) protection and SPF35, so if you do venture out you know your skin is well protected.

Antioxidant-rich resveratrol and vitamin E help to condition the skin, while building defences against daily pollution. Titanium dioxide gives a mineral SPF of 35 to shield against everyday exposure. So if you’re looking for a base that gives you an even, lightweight, natural dewy finish then this Tropic Beauty Booster is the one. I have been loving it and using it every day as my base to combat my tired, dry winter skin!

Vegan & Cruelty Free

Miller Harris Peau Santal Perfume

Miller Harris Peau Santal Perfume*

This is my happiness in a bottle, it smells beautiful and so luxurious, it makes me feel amazing whenever I wear it. The scent is uplifting and just gives me a reminder that warmer, brighter days are on the horizon (even if it is raining cats and dogs). It has such a rich, warm creamy scent but you get a hint of fresh, airy crisp notes as it settles. I am not exaggerating when I say this perfume is the most sophisticated and beautiful perfume I have ever owned, and I love quite a few Miller Harris perfumes but this one has something special.

The woody notes add a real touch of warmth and class whilst the bergamot and cashmere give it creaminess and class. The pink pepper, amber and vanilla make it modern and very sexy.

Top Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper and Saffron
Heart Notes: Olibanum, Violet Leaf and Papyrus
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Cashmere Woods, Crisp Amber, Vanilla CO2 Extract and Moss

This would make the most luxurious, thoughtful gift or treat to yourself, it’s a beautiful perfume and the scent lasts so long, I can smell it on my scarf/coat days after I have spritzed it. The quality is second to none. The bottle is also beautiful, the minimal dusky pink give it a subtle, classy feel and the simple gold accents on the font and the lid add a touch of luxury, the bottle is very weighty too and feels so nice in your hand and also looks great on your vanity.

Ark Skincare Firming Serum

ARK Skin Perfector Firming Serum*

I tried a few products from UK based ARK skincare last year and was very impressed with their ethos of products that target specific skin concerns depending on your age, as our skin changes so much as we get older and ARK have targeted skincare so it is easy for you to include it in your routine and see fantastic results.  This Firming Serum has been a skincare saviour for me this year as it targets your skins loss of elasticity and works to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and with my skin being so dry from the weather it has helped smooth, hydrate and plump! So if like me you’re in your early 40s this is a wonderful product to use for long term results. I like to mix the serum in with my moisturiser and apply it as part of my morning skincare regime.

It is jam packed with some wonderful ingredients that help keep your skin looking fresh, smooth and healthy.

Micro Algae Extract – Highly purified microalgae extract delivers an instant and long-term tightening effects

Hyaluronic Acid – Active 100% natural Hyaluronic Acid locks moisture in the skin matrix and improves collagen synthesis. Skin appears firmer and more flexible, while fine lines are plumped and smoothed.

Biomimetic Lipopeptide Idealift – targets skin sagging and improves resistance to gravity by promoting skin’s elastic fibre architecture

ARK Skincare is proudly developed & manufactured in Britain. Cruelty Free, with many of their products being Vegan friendly. They use Bioactive, natural ingredients that are gentle on your skin but give effective results.  You can browse their entire range on their website www.arkskincare.com  and tailor your skincare for your specific skin concerns and age.

The Ordinary Retinoid SerumSkincare

Delilah Illuminating Powder in Aura

I love this compact, not only the fact that it is a beautiful rose gold & pewter but it has a good size mirror which makes it perfect for keeping in your handbag. This stunning bronzing/highlighter is also a wonderful product to add a touch of radiance to that Winter complexion without going OTT on the glow. It’s a mix of rose gold, soft peach and lavender pink and I just swirl my brush to pick up a little of all the colours and it gives my cheekbones a nice bronzy warm touch of colour. Such a beautiful product and a very luxurious and not so well known brand, their blushers are super nice too.

*Products have been provided as PR samples but reviews are 100% my own.

GOSH AW17 Makeup Releases

- Vicki 4 Comments
GOSH AW17 Makeup Collection

GOSH AW17 Makeup Collection

I feel that not enough people talk about GOSH which surprises me because they’re one of my absolute favourite high street brands and the quality of their range is incredible. GOSH is sold in Superdrug and I guess because there are so many beauty brands fighting for our attention GOSH is a stand that most people overlook. Well I’m here to tell you that next time you’re in store you must stop and have a swatch and familiarise yourself with their range, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. As of July 26th the new GOSH AW17 Collection has hit stores so this is the perfect time to check out what this brand has to offer.

Their new range has a whole host of products for you to introduce to your makeup bag for the Autumn season. I have been trying a selection of products from this new collection and I have to say there are some stand out products that I’m really loving. So what have I been testing?

GOSH Colour Corrector Kit

Colour Corrector Kit 001* £11.99

I’m not the most avid user of colour correctors and I’m always worried I put the wrong colour in the wrong place so it’s nice to see that GOSH have included a simple guide on the back of this kit just outlining where to place the colours. This kit has 5 colour correcting shades and I’m guessing that they balance any discolouration, combat any darkness as well as concealing blemishes. All 5 shades are creamy and easy to blend. Now I have this kit I have no excuses for not at least attempting to cover the redness around my nose or covering the dark circles under my eyes.

If you’re looking for a new colour correcting kit then this one contains 5 shades but is still super compact and easily fits into your makeup bag, it also has a mirror in the lid which is great for makeup emergencies on the go.

GOSH Metallics To Party in London Palette

GOSH Metallic Eyeshadow Palette 005 To Party in London*  

GOSH release some fantastic palettes and this new Metallic palette is beautiful. You get 9 metallic and pearl finish eyeshadows that range in colour from subtle pinks and warm browns to more bold shades like the gold and purple toned blue. Although these shadows are mostly metallic they’re not glittery or scratchy to apply, they have a smooth buttery consistency and are all very easy to blend. This is one of my favourite products from the collection because all the colours are so wearable and pretty.

GOSH Metallics Palette Swatches

Primer Plus Skin Adaptor Anti Pollution*

This is a fantastic anti pollution primer that adapts to your skintone to give you a healthy, even-toned glow. The product comes out of the tube looking white but once you apply it to your skin it actually changes to a flesh colour – it is beauty magic! I would compare it too a tinted moisturiser, it gives you a nice amount of coverage whilst feeling hydrating and lightweight on the skin and it also leaves your skin looking smooth & beautifully radiant. This primer is formulated with CityGuard+ which is a combination of anti-pollution ingredients and oak extract to keep the skin hydrated and protected so it is a great product to keep your skin looking fresh, radiant and the perfect product to combat the rising effects of free radicals and pollution on our skin. I really like this and it is nice to have something in my skincare regime that helps protect my skin from things like pollution which can cause premature aging.

Autumn Makeup releases from GOSH

 Eye Shadow Primer in 001 Nude*

I’m terrible at remembering to apply an eyeshadow primer, mostly because I don’t wear powder shadows on a daily basis. This one from GOSH comes in a cream crayon which makes it so easy to apply. The formula is creamy and it makes a nice neutral base for your shadow to adhere too and I would say this did make my shadow look more intense so that is always a plus. I’m not going to say it’s a groundbreaking or must have product but if you’re someone who swears by using an eyeshadow primer then this is an affordable, great quality high street buy.

Brow Shape & Fill*

This is a 2 in 1 brow product with an angled eyebrow pencil on one end and a powder on the other. I have to admit for about a week I had no idea the powder was in the other end of the pencil. You have to unscrew the end and voilà there it is. I have very dark brows and the shade 03 dark brown was a perfect match for me. The angled pencil made it very easy to outline your brows and get a nice precise shape and the powder end is for filling them in. Although for me the sponge was a little big so I made a bit of a mess but the colour was a great match.

New makeup releases from GOSH

24h Pro Liner in 001 Black* £7.99

This is an intense black eyeliner with a very slim precise nib, so it is perfect for getting really close to the lash line. Oh and there is a handy smudger on the other end which is great for creating that smoky eye look. This pencil has a nice soft feel to it which makes it easy to apply and not drag across your eye. It is also waterproof so once in place it will not budge. A really great liner to have & for £7.99 you can’t really go wrong.

NEW GOSH Makeup

This is an exciting collection from GOSH and there are quite a few more products which I haven’t tested. Including a growth serum for your brows, mattifying powder, strobe & glow kit and quite a few more. So make sure you pop into your local Superdrug and check out the whole collection & get swatching.

The two standout products that I have are the eyeshadow palette and the Primer Plus Skin Adaptor. These will be getting a lot of use over the coming weeks. What do you have your eye on from this latest GOSH Collection?

*This post contains PR samples.

Affordable Essence Makeup

- Vicki 2 Comments
Essence Makeup at Wilko

Affordable Essence Makeup-

Essence has to be my favourite affordable makeup brand, it is available in Wilko stores and my local store always has a fantastic well stocked stand. If you have never tried Essence before you’re missing out they do everything well and most products are under £5 oh and they’re Vegan and Cruelty Free.

I have been trying a few products that I think we more aimed at Valentine’s Day but hey you can wear a red lip / nail polish any time of year, right!

Essence Makeup at Wilko

Essence Longlasting Lipstick in Tres Chic 

I have to say these Long Lasting lipsticks from Essence are always a safe bet, great quality and they’re really pigmented on the lips. This Trés Chic shade is a brownish red, the colour is intense without being too vibrant. I like that this is a wearable red and this formula is creamy and comfortable on the lips, these are long wearing but I do like to reapply after I eat & drink just so the colour stays even and with these more bold colours I hate the thought of them going patchy. These are so affordable that I challenge you not to want to buy the whole collection (there are 12 shades) – I think my next purchase will be, 04 On The Catwalk

Essence For-Bidden Volume Mascara

Essence Forbidden Volume Mascara

I have tried quite a few Essence Mascara’s over the years and my all time favourite has to be their Plump No Clump (great all-rounder) but it’s no longer available. This For-Bidden Volume one I have been testing out is OK for Volume as contains fibres but I also like my mascara to give my lashes fullness and this I feel just gives them length. The formula is long wearing and holds a curl so I am not disappointed with it I just like my mascara to add thickness to my sparse lashes as well as volume. I think I will try their Rock nDoll Crazy Mascara next.

Essence Makeup Swatches

Essence 2in1 Eyeliner Pen

Liquid liner is my jam, I use it almost daily and have road tested super expensive brands, budget friendly ones and everything in between and I have to say this double ended Essence liquid liner is pretty good. I do prefer the standard pen nib end (thin end), simply because I find it easier to use and less fiddly to use. I can get right up to my lash line and create a very precise flick whereas the thick line I find to be more of a novelty. If you’re not so confident in applying eyeliner then it is a good way of almost stamping an outline for your wing / flick and then going back in with the thin end to join everything up but I do not see myself using both ends.

This liner is black but I do go over it twice to get that intense deep black colour and it stays put, make sure you leave it a couple of minutes to dry before curling your lashes just so the colour doesn’t lift off. Great addition to my makeup bag.

Drugstore Makeup from Essence

Essence The Gel Nail Polish in Do You Speak Love

If there is one thing Essence are well-known for it is their Nail Polish & Nail Care Products. Their range is huge and always expanding. I own so many of their nail colours and their top coat is my Holy Grail. I have had this beautiful red shade on my toes for about 2 weeks now and it still looks great. It’s a pretty deep, dark red and it is opaque in 2 coats.

Essence Gel Nail Polish

Let me know what Essence products you love and would recommend.

Essence Cosmetics is available in Wilko Stores nationwide.

 

Eye Öf HÖRUS Makeup

- Vicki 2 Comments
Isis Goddess Eyeshadow Trio

eye of horus makeup

These are the first products I have tried from Australian brand Eye öf Hörus, I have wanted to try their makeup for some time now especially because one of my favourite bloggers Jessica enjoys using their products. I think the first thing you notice about this brand is their beautiful sleek black and gold embossed packaging it looks luxurious and it features Ancient Egyptian symbols and images which I think is really different and interesting. The brand is focused on providing cruelty free, non irritating, long lasting and nourishing products. So I have been trying two products from their range the first being their,

Eye of Horus Goddess Mascara*

Which is probably the product they’re best known for. It comes in a jet black tube with gold lettering, which I really like. This mascara has a plastic wand which is quite flexible and easy to use, the wand feels like it really grips the lashes which separates them and coats each lash with a layer of mascara making them look thick and defined.

Eye of Horus Goddess Mascara

I found the mascara to be have quite a thin formula but buildable on the lashes. You don’t over apply the product because the top of the tube is fantastic for removing excess product from the brush, this means it doesn’t go clumpy on your lashes and you get a good even distribution of product. This mascara contains authentic Moringa Oil which is nourishing and renowned for its restorative and protective benefits.

This is a great everyday mascara and I had it on my lashes for almost 8 hours with out any fall down or smudging. It also holds a curl really well, so if like me your lashes are poker straight this will be ideal for you. So in short I have been loving this mascara and it is jet black which is a must for me. I hate mascaras that promise to be black but are really grey

Eye of Horus isis sun goddess palette

Isis Sun Goddess Palette*  £22.50

This trio of golden bakes shadows are so beautiful, I just love these kinds of colours and I think they are so easy to wear. These feel so buttery and blend like a dream. You get three shades that are perfect for creating a bronzed smoking eye or these can all be worn alone and they look great either way. Oh & these can be used wet or dry which seems to be more of a thing these days, as you would assume if you use them wet the colours are more intense and they last longer so that would be great for an evening look.

Isis Goddess Eyeshadow Trio

Eye of Horus-swatches

Enigma Mist is a light champagne shade which I like to use as a base all over the lid and also on the inner corner just to add some brightness.

Chalice Bronze is a beautiful intense bronze shade with a metallic finish, this looks so good on the lid and it wears well throughout the day too.

Sacred Husk is a golden brown and it really reminds me of Mac Amber Lights but the colour is richer and the texture is so buttery. This is my favourite shade in the trio.

Three very wearable colours and they look effortless and pretty on the lid.

Isis Sun Goddess Trio

This is such a beautiful palette and the quality is up there with Inglot, which are my all time favourite shadows. They wear really well and the colours are beautiful and easy to work with. The packaging is sleek and slim and is the perfect size to have in your makeup bag or for travel.

Eye of Horus products are wax and oil based, paraben-free, great for sensitive eyes and not tested on animals and certified Vegan friendly.

Let me know if you have tried any products from this brand I would love to hear your recommendations.

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.