PERSONAL HOLY GRAIL PRODUCTS: Christian Dior DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum

DIORSHOW MAXIMIZER LASH PLUMPING SERUM

Due to being such a crazy obsessive product addict, there are few things that I use up, and even less that I repurchase, so if I actually do get to the point that I use something up before its sell by date, or before, it's a big day in this household, and i'll sit down and eat a chocolate mousse to celebrate. 

Anyway....

This product, the Diorshow lash plumping serum, is something that I have bought nearly a dozen times since it appeared on the market. As a teenager I was always desperate for lovely lashes like my friends seemed to be naturally blessed with, and improvised with clear mascara and powdering lashes, which, although slightly helpful, didn't really cut it, and once the grunge era was over, my cloggy lashes just looked a bit shit. Sad times. Anyway, I first started using lash primer when I got a free sample of a Lancome Cils Booster and fell in love with the results, which were, predictably, boosted lashes. However, this girl wanted to go bigger and better. Size DOES matter, WHO KNEW! So I decided, when purchasing my then favourite Diorshow Blackout mascara, which really is quite something when it comes to defining lashes as blacker than night, I decided to be 'upsold' the primer too, and my GAWD I was glad I did.

From the first moment I was in lust with this white shiny guy. I layer two coats of this thick white gloop on, which not only is filled with small fibers to plump my spindly pathetic lashes up, but also conditions, and apparently contains an ingredient called LashMaximiser (tm), heh, which is frankly a ridiculously bland name to make up frankly, and trust old hyaluronic acid, to moisturise and prevent breakage and brittle falling lashes.

My lashes have definitely got better over the years of using this, although they're not longer, but they are stronger, and the effects of two coats of this, left to dry, before applying whatever my current mascara favourite of the month is, results in pretty spectacular lashes in comparison to my normal pathetic smattering of stubby eye hairs. 

So, I heartily recommend if you're without natural lashes, and cannot be arsed to apply serums morning and night that might turn your eyeballs yellow, go and purchase this rather pricey, but super worth it primer.

It's fantastique! 

You can pick this up from Boots, Debenhams, House of Fraser and John Lewis for approximately £24.50

REVIEW: YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush - No 7 - Coral Affranchi + No 10 - Nude Insolent

Hiya now!

So, i've been absent for a while. Been a bit of a rubbish human being i'm afraid. I've been dj'ing, and trying to be less of a chubber (note to self: eating less might be the first step) and it's been hot as FIRE in the UK (hello viewers from across the globe!) so if sweating and complaining about sweating is considered an activity, then i've been busy as buggery. 

So to start this review off nicely, here's a picture of Cara Delevigne being rude with another lady for a camera (it's okay though, she is actually in a relationship with a lady right now so can't be accused of going gay for pay....

Fit.

Anyway, I have a local Debenhams which I go in FAR too much, and everyone knows me, I mean, I get high fives from the staff when I walk in i'm that familiar to them. Such is the rewards of being a beauty addict with blue hair. It's like Cheers (the sitcom) sometimes you wanna go where EVERYBODY knows your name.....and your favourite foundation shade. 

But I digress. I bought some YSL kiss and blushes and here's what's up. I LOVE THEM. 

Kiss and Blush No 7 and No 10 

Kiss and Blush No 7 Coral Affranchi

Kiss and Blush No 10 Nude Insolent 

I went the first day they were released and wanted to buy them all, but firstly, I am poor, and secondly some of them looked ruddy awful on me, so I settled on these two. Now, one big problem was the girl serving me, lovely as she was, had the worst make up ever. She had massively thick too dark foundation, dry cracked lipstick drawn far too far over her lipline and the classic contouring that is so over applied it looks like a grey dirty pile of dirt. It put me off, but I somehow managed to get through the consultation and purchase.

Somehow.

Coral Affranchi - Nude Insolent

YSL SAY THIS. GO!!!!

• KISS YOUR CHEEKS, BLUSH YOUR LIPS Yves Saint Laurent introduces a double play of colour for lips and cheeks. A hybrid between a lip colour and a blush, this innovative air-whipped formula allows for an instant application on both lips and cheeks. With a luminous matte finish, colour is easily buildable from a soft and natural look to a more intense sophisticated look. The patented "hidden pearl" applicator is customised to glide perfectly on the lips and to allow the optimal amount of formula to be dotted on the cheeks. A range of 12 playful shades to complement each cheeky side of the YSL Baby Doll woman.
• APPLICATION TIPS: Use one shade and dot the formula on the lips and cheeks with the applicator. Blend with your fingertips for a softer makeup result. For a more intense finish, apply a second layer by using the pearl applicator to fully spread the formula on the lips. To be more playful and daring, mix and match two shades on lips and cheeks and vice versa.

These items are basically my dream product. On the lips they sit somewhere between a matte lipstick and a stain. You need to be aware that as a lip product, they aren't THAT long lasting. If you're just going about your day, they'll see you through about five hours, but if you will be eating, drinking and kissing, they're going to wear off, although leaving you with a subtle slight 'my lips but better' stain. As or cheeks, this is where this product WINS and WINS HARD. I put just a couple of dot below each cheek bone and blend with a duo fibre brush from Real Techniques, and the colour distributes beautifully without leaving those telltale 'i've been using a benetint type thingy' dots stained into your cheeks. The colour deposited is matte in essence, but also luminous, and soft. I really can't say enough good about these, except for the price. I do think that £27 is a little much for a product that you are going to want to purchase multiple shades of. 

Despite that, I highly recommend you pick up a couple of shades. They're a summer staple and great for weekends away, and dare I say, festivals (I am vehemently ANTI the whole festival make up bullshit, given that in my day, we felt equipped with wet wipes and tampons). 

If you want to pick these up, you can do so online at YSL, John Lewis, or good old Debbers for £27 of your hard earned pounds. 

REVIEW: Philosophy Purity Made Simple 3 in 1 cleanser for face and eyes

So whilst i'm on my 'review all the cleansers in my home' run, I may as well chuck another one in. I've been using this for about four years in total, having originally gotten hold of it via the joys of being on the Philosophy testing panel, which was a short lived, but lovely experience.

So whats it selling us then, what does it promise!



"our award-winning daily facial skin cleanser is formulated to gently cleanse, tone and melt away all face and eye makeup in one simple step, while lightly hydrating the skin.


features & benefits
deep cleans pores and eliminates makeup build-up
natural oil extracts help condition skin
fragrance-free formula"

It suggests, which I follow, that you "massage a "size of a 20 pence coin" amount onto a lightly damp face, and massage for 30-60 seconds. rinse and pat dry", the only thing I add to this regime is wiping off with a warm wet wash cloth, which assists with the exfoliation and keeps you silky smooth and ready for your skincare products.

My skin is left soft, smooth and squeaky clean. It makes easy work of waterproof make up and lifting oil and dirt. What more could you possibly wish for.....

NOTHING.

Well, one thing. That it was cheaper. It's ridiculously expensive for a cleanser that you use daily, so therefore are going to plough through pretty quickly. There is a travel size available for the price of £8.00, but if you're going to spend that on a budget, you might as well spend it on a full size Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean cleanser.

If you do want to invest, Philosophy is stocked far and wide, and you can buy a standard size of 240ml for £17.50 direct from the brands own website, John Lewis, Boots or Debenhams where it is CURRENTLY on sale for £15.50. Be quick!