Creme De La Mer : Soft Cream and Treatment Lotion combination

I have been using Creme de la Mer for just over a year now and I am totally addicted to their products. So far I have invested in the Moisturizing Soft Cream, the Moisturizing Gel Cream and the treatment lotion. I have also been lucky enough to sample what feels like their whole range and already have my eye on some other Creme treats.

At the moment I am using a combination of the Soft Cream and the Treatment Lotion. I reserve the Gel Cream from summer as it is much lighter. As the weather is still pretty terrible in the UK, the heating is generally on in most places so I am finding that my skin is really suffering from the dry indoors environment and the harsh cold wind outside.

The Treatment Lotion : what is it & do I need it?

Well first of all, the answer is yes, you do need it, and here's why! Described as a 'miraculous source of vitality...this rich and silky hydrator awakens the complexion and drives moisture into the skin' on the website, this lotion is applied before your moisturizer to improve texture and skintone. It makes your face feel like its been submerged in water (in a good way) and leaves it hydrated and ready for the day. And the best thing about the Treatment Lotion? Because your skin is already so hydrated, you need less moisturizer. So, really, using the Treatment Lotion is SAVING you money right? Yep, that's how I sell it to myself :)

The Moisturizing Soft Cream

Creme de la Mer have a range of three different moisturizers, The Original, The Soft Cream and the Gel Cream. In brief, the original is much thicker and needs to be 'activated' by rubbing it between your finders before application. The Gel is a lightweight gel moisturizer which is great for summer. And finally, the Soft Cream is a half way house between both of these. It provides good moisture, but isn't heavy. As I mentioned above, I like to use the Gel in the summer months and the soft cream in the colder, harsher winter months.

As a combination

Complete perfection. I was really happy with my soft cream on its own, until I discovered how much of a difference the Treatment Lotion makes. I actually had the Treatment Lotion as a sample product and as soon as I stopped using it, I found my face just didn't feel as hydrated. It felt like I was missing something in my routine and so this beautiful combination come into my life!

Want to try before you buy?

There products are quite expensive (30ml of the moisturizer is £105 and the Treatment Lotion is 150ml for £85), so it's really important that you pick the right moisturizer for your skin. If you go into any store that sells Creme de la Mer, you can get a good size sample. One of the things I love about Creme de le Mer is that their samples last well and are able to give you the ability to actually trial their products properly for a few days.

I would love to hear if you try and of the above and how you get on! Feel free to email, tweet or leave me a comment on Instagram with your thoughts!

DLJ
Xoxo

GlamGlow : SuperMud Clearing Treatment

This product has been on my wish list for a little while and featured in my 2015 Wish List blog at the beginning of the year. After writing that blog I wanted this even more so ended up ordering it that day haha.

GlamGlow offer a number of different mud masks for different needs. I decided on their SuperMud Clearing Treatment as it is specifically designed for blemishes and breakouts, which is where I need help the most. Slowly, my skin is starting to get there in terms of acne, but it needs a little push in the right direction. This face mask has also won a whole host of awards such as:

(http://www.glamglowmud.com/supermud.html)

The unwrapping of this face mask is an event in itself. Beautifully presented, the packaging is quite large vs the size of its contents but I love the thought that has been put into this. It's clear that this whole packaging, the face mask, the design, has all had significant thought put into it.

You can use GlamGlow as either an all over mask or as an individual spot treatment. Each tub contains approximately 17 full face applications or 1,000 spot treatments! For my first application I decided to go for a full face treatment. And don't I look just wonderful?!

You can seriously see how open my pores are around my nose! It's just so vile. I left the mask on for around 10 mins or so, then removed it using warm water on a clean cloth. The texture is really thick, but it does dry / set quite quickly.

After just one application I saw a noticeable difference! My skin felt so smooth and looked clearer. This effect lasted for around 3/4 days. The website suggests that you can use this 2/3 per WEEK! Personally I think that's a bit overkill. My plan is to use this treatment once a month in hope that by August I will have beautifully clear skin ready for my wedding.

But what's in it?

1. Glycolic – Helps Restore Photo Damaged Skin & Improves Skin Texture.
2. Salicylic – Helps De-clog to Minimize Pores & New Skin Rejuvenation.
3. Lactic – Helps Pigmentation, Moisture, Stimulation & Skin Collagen.
4. Mandelic – Helps Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Aging Skin & Skin Elasticity.
5. Pyruvic – Helps the Effects of Scaring & Clearer Skin.
6. Azelaic – Helps Fight Follicle Bacteria & Breakouts.
7. Eucalyptus Lead - Helps Fight Toxic Skin Complications.
8. Licorice Root - Helps Regulate & Alleviate Problem Skin.
9. Peppermint Plant - Helps Control Bacteria & Irritations.
10. Chamomile - Helps Inflammation & Regeneration.
11. Marigold - Helps Fight Viral & Microbial Issues.
12. Comfrey Herb - Helps Analgesic Recovery.
13. Aloe Vera – Helps Healing & Rejuvenation.
14. Ivy – Helps Relieve Itching & Tightens Skin.
15. Cucumber - Helps Soothe & Calm Skin.

(http://www.glamglowmud.com/supermud.html)

Is it worth it?

The RRP on this mask it £44.99, but I picked mine up when it was on special offer at £34,99 from FeelUnique.com. I would definitly recommend this face mask. It left my skin feeling so nice and looking really clean. I hate it when you buy a face mask and your face doesn't look like its benefited at all, this mask is the total opposite. After one application you will see results!

Let me know how you get on with it if you decide to buy!

DLJ

Xoxo

Dior Skin : Nude Air Serum De Teint

This week I popped along to the Dior counter at my local John Lewis for a complimentary facial. I love being able to try out new skin care products before I buy them. My skin is really sensitive to new things and the last thing I want is to buy something new only to find out that my skin becomes a horrible mess after using it. Sometimes I have to take the risk, for example when I buy things online that I can't find in the shops in the UK. I really do try a avoid buying without trying.

But, I digress. So I had my facial done, (which was fabulous might I add) and wasn't too keen on walking through John Lewis without a drop of make up on.So I headed over to the counter and tried some of Dior's new Nude Air Serum De Teint.

I did notice when this was being applied by the lady behind the counter that she had to pour a fair bit of product out when applying this. I'll be straight with you, I don't have great skin. It's patchy and I have spots here and there, so I always go for a foundation with a good coverage.

Nude Air is therefore not for me! The colour match was spot on. I was their lightest shade 010 and found that it blended beautifully into my pale skin, but the coverage just wasn't enough for me. I could tell that it wouldn't be suitable as soon as I poured my tester onto the back of my hand when I got home.

It's so fluid and light weight, it's almost more like water than foundation in consistency. However, had I beautiful skin that just required a little something extra, I would definitely purchase this. My skin was glowly and healthy looking with Nude Air on. It wasn't dulled down by being heavy coverage and gave me a youthful, natural skin look...which I think is what they were going for given their choice in name...Nude Air.

And so, although I loved the colour match and how healthy my skin looked with this on, Nude Air isn't the product for me. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a super light coverage to even out any minor imperfections and someone who wants extra glow. It really is a beautiful product, but just doesn't suit my un-smooth and un-even textured face!

DLJ
Xoxo

The Power Of Make-up

Before I dive into this post, I want to first point out that I am one of those people that NEVER leaves the house without at least my foundation on. This blog isn't about suggesting that people are 'fake', I just wanted to pull together some interesting looks / beauty tips and see what YOUR thoughts are. 

Let's face it, make-up is something that has been around for a good old while. When I think of make-up and history, one name automatically springs to mind. The beautiful Cleopatra 

(http://www.giantbomb.com/cleopatra/3005-5296/)

I mean at least I think beautiful. I mean she's never been depicted as an unattractive woman, but how can we know for sure? There were no selfies back then! And in ever painting or drawing, she is stunningly beautiful with her striking eye liner and brows.

But how do we know when someone is actually beautiful vs they are talented when it comes to make up application?

Let's take Jynx Maze for example. Here she is without her make up

http://www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/makeup-before-and-afters#.hkxWeg4BGe

And her she is all made up...WOW

Yeh, she's looking pretty hot in that second photo! Although I of course think the second photo is much prettier, let's go back to that first photo shall we? And for good measure, lets make it a little bit bigger..

If you saw Jynx walking down the street, would you take a second look? The chances are you wouldn't. However, I have to admit, I wish I looked that good without my make up on. Although with make up, Jynx is super sexy and glam, she's not exactly a bad looker without it, is she?

So, do you have to have natural beauty first and then ENHANCE that beauty with make up? I think in most cases this is the case. Although most people don't have perfect skin tone, spot free skin or perfect brows naturally, to be a bomb shell with the cake on, you have to have an element of beauty first, 

And that is also the case when it comes to beauty bloggers and Instgrammers. You can filter all you like, but if you don't have natural beauty on your side, you're not going to make up yourself into say.......Huda Kattan. Natural beauty is definitely and underlying factor here

(http://onstage.ae/onstage-international-books-huda-kattan-for-exclusive-lenovo-product-launch/)

So where does that leave the rest of us normal looking people? 

Let's not be unrealistic, make-up is always going to make us look smoother, more defined and evened out. So let's focus on this natural bits we like and expand on those rather than looking at all these slightly better looking MODELS who are, lets face it, expanding on their VERY good bits!

DLJ

Xoxo

One Day Make-Up Free A Week?

When it comes to the discussion of skin, I can quite easily say that I really dislike my skin. I have been battling with bad skin for what seems like a lifetime. Will my skin ever be beautifully clear and smooth as a babies bum? The sad realization is that this is probability something that will never happen to me.

I spend a small fortune on my skincare, and I sometime wonder if my skin would be better left on its own, but then I come back to reality and think GEEZ if my skin is this bad with all these amazing products, what would it be like WITHOUT them?! It doesn't bare thinking about. 

There seems to be crazy little fashion going around where people are doing 'one day a week without make up'. And I think it is all down to the youtube super star Jaclyn Hill.

Now come on, let's face it, if we all had skin as beautiful as her's I'd be happy to go ALL WEEK without make up, let alone a day! Why would you even want to cover up skin that smooth and spot free?

On the odd and rare occasion that I decided to 'bare all' and go completely make up free, I make sure to lock the door and close the curtains so that no one can see me looking patchy and spotty :(

How I would love to gain an extra half hours sleep every morning rather than sitting painting my face on. Unfortunately, until my skin decides it wants to be seen in public, one day a week without make up, is instead one day every few months for me! My skin gets enough 'time to breathe' at night time when I get my full 8 hours!

What do you think? Do you give your skin a break from make up? Or are you like me and DREAD the thought of being seen without at least foundation on?

DLJ

Xoxo

Empire of Eden

At the beginning of this year, I became an official affiliate of Empire of Eden Jewelry. I decided to apply to become an affiliate because I love their jewellery. I ordered a few pieces for their website after seeing their advertisements on Instagram and I was so impressed with the pieces that came through! When the opportunity arose to work with Empire of Eden, I knew that it was something that I wanted to do.

January was the first month that I worked with the group. Below are the pieces that I received in my goodie pack alongside my selfie stick!

My first goodie box defiantly lived up to my expectations of high quality and beautiful, statement pieces. I received 3 necklaces, a pair of earrings, a set of rings and a bracelet.

The first of these necklaces is pictured below. It has 13 beautifully shaped turquoise stones set in a golden coloured frame. 

This necklace currently comes in 4 different colours: purple, blue, neon and red. This colour on their website is classed as blue, however I think it is more of a turquoise. Either way, with spring just around the corner, these pastel necklaces won't stay in stock for long. You can find this piece here : http://www.shopempireofeden.com/product/petals

• Necklace Size : 18" + 3" L 

• Charm Size : 3" L  

• Resin Enamel  

• Material : Lead and nickel compliant

The next piece I received was the Crystal Oval Necklace is Silver. You can pick between just silver, like mine, or gold & black. http://www.shopempireofeden.com/product/crystal-oval

I have to admit, when I first got this one in the post, I wasn’t 100% sure about it. It wasn’t something that I would normally choose, but I actually love it. It just adds a element of glam to any outfit without being too overstated.

The final necklace I received I currently can’t find on the website, but I’m sure it will be back in stock soon. So for the block, we will call it Pearl and Daggers, because that’s what it is! A great piece that looks to fab on. Every girl needs pearls, and this piece just shows that pearls don’t have to be simple and ‘boring’.

On to the earrings. And the first thing to mention about these is that they are currently on sale on the website and are a bargin at just $9.90!! Yep, you read that right, just $9.90 for these beautiful earrings. The colours in these beauties is just so pretty. The only down side to these is that they are heavy.  My poor ears didn’t last more than a few hours wearing these. So they are great for an evening party or dinner, but really are not an all day earring, which is a shame. http://www.shopempireofeden.com/product/glorify-me

Next up is the set of rings, which again I cannot find on the website, so here is a similar set http://www.shopempireofeden.com/product/lucky-charm

If you follow me on Instgram, you may recognize these from my recent competition (the winner will be announced today). These rings are in a lovely rose gold colour and are in a variety of sizes to be worn however you wish! Let’s hope my Instagram winner loves them.

And finally, the last piece I received was this dainty rhinestone bracelet called Crystal Halo. Again, you can select between gold and silver depending on your preference.

http://www.shopempireofeden.com/product/crystal-halo

This is the perfect piece to add a little bit of sparkle to your outfit without going over the top. I would recommend paring this bracelet with a simple rhinestone / diamond necklace to complete and elegant look.

Head over to the Empire of Eden website for more amazing pieces, or check our their Instagram for some inspiration. The only problem is with Empire of Eden? Everything is so beautiful that it is so difficult to choose which pieces to order!

I can't wait to see what you order, let me know!

DLJ

Xoxo

All photos are my own and are not from the Empire of Eden website. 

2015 wishlist

It's always good to start the year knowing what you want to achieve. I have set my own personal goals for the year, now it's time to look at my make up goals!

I am going to start with skin care as this is top of my list for the year ahead. I am getting married in August and really should have started getting my skin ready like yesterday, but that's life! So when I do finally get around to ordering in some new products, here's whats on my list for skin care.

GLAMGLOW® SUPERMUD® Clearing Treatment

This is something that has been on my list for a little while. I am really interested in trying this as I want my skin to have a deep clean every month before my wedding. I've heard fantastic review so far, so this is defiantly something I want to try this year.

(Picture : http://www.feelunique.com/p/GLAMGLOW-SUPER-MUD-34g)

theBalm Mary Lou Manizer Luminizer

Another product that I have seen so many times on so many blogs and reviews. I have to admit, in the past I have not been so fussed on finding a good highlighter. It really isn’t something I have thought that my make-up routine needed, but the more time I spend on make-up looks and trying to develop my ability, the more I think this is something that I need in my collection.

(Picture : http://www.feelunique.com/p/theBalm-Mary-Lou-Manizer-Luminizer-8.5g)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

I have already fallen in love with Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade over the last year, but I’m fancy trying her brow wiz as well. Not because I don’t want to use her dipbrow pomade, but because I want a softer, more natural option in my make-up bag. I find that Dipbrow Pomade is great for bold, defined brows, but on lazy days, I think this might be the perfect product.

(Picture : http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/anastasiabeverlyhills/browwiz/)

Billion Dollar Brows Brow Gel 3ml

On the subject of brows, Billion Dollar Brows is another make I keep coming across in blogs and reviews. I’m in serious need of a brow gel at the moment as I am in the process of reshaping my brows, which can be quite tricky and require a little bit of holding power until they are ready.

(Picture : http://www.beautybay.com/skincare/billiondollarbrows/browgel/)

GHD CURVE CLASSIC WAVE WAND

I want this so much! I have been a GHD lover since I was about 16 and have been using their straighteners ever since. I have tried to curl my hair with them on a few occasions, sometimes with luck, but more often than not, with little success. So I feel that really, for the sake of anyone having to be around me when I attempt to curl my hair, it would be better for everyone if I had these in my life.

(Picture : http://www.lookfantastic.com/ghd-curve-classic-curl-tong/11058313.html)

Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki Brush

After watching the wonderful Jaclyn Hill for what seems like years, this is defiantly on my want list. I have been using Real Techniques for a while now, but I still want to give this brush a try! And it's a simpliar price to the Real Techniques brushes! 

(Picture : http://www.cocktailcosmetics.co.uk/prod/sigma-f80-flat-top-kabuki-brush)

But with a wedding to pay for, all of the above are staying on the wish list for the time being. Maybe a few little treats might come my way, so watch this space 

DLJ xoxo