Review: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

We're now into the 3rd post (out of 6) all about Lips. With blog posts varying from the best way to care for your lips, to my favourite lipsticks and lastly, how to get super-sized lips (if they do not come naturally to you) without inserting chemicals! This week I reviewed the 'After Dark Stained Gloss' test tubes from the brand 'Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics' which came in the following colours and also included a little lip brush; Hedonist (pale pink), New Wave (glossy neon pink), Jealous (red/orange shellac) and Little Black Dress! (black as you can probably guess)! Enjoy, x

Where to begin with this product?! These items are INSANELY pigmented; A little bit goes a very long way! The consistency is quite runny, but if you only use small quantities, this is manageable! The colours do stain, but this doesn't last all day. In fact, during the first use the effects lasted for just under 2 hours (I did eat so this may be why?). As the lip gloss leaves stains, I'd always recommend using the lip brush provided - it also makes application a lot easier. The colours in the pack are great alone, but also work when they're mixed ogether! The pink colours are a tiny bit darker than what's represented on the packaging, and I wouldn't say 'Jealous' was a very bold red, however, I feel as though this colour combination was chosen perfectly to fit with different occasions in the day, so they still work very well;

Hedonist & New Wave - It's pink, casual and you could easily wear this shade to work / out for coffee & shopping. Simple, but vibrant.

Jealous - Glossy and Red - It was very neat looking, but not too overpowering! Could easily work for a daytime date or out for dinner with friends!

Little Black Dress - A darkening shade, which works great with other colours to create an empowering /dark look - something that would be great for evening ocassions / special events.

I did enjoy experimenting with these lip glosses, but pricewise, they were on the expensive side. I purchased this pack on Ebay for £20, which meant I paid £5 for just 2.5ml!! - Certainly not the cheapest items out there, but as this is an American brand, it's hard to find these kinds of items without paying a fortune for postage & packaging! I would buy something similar to this again (obviously with different colours) but the price would DEFINITELY have to be lower!

I've read some great reviews about OCC's Lip Tarr and would love to try them out sometime... Obsessive Compulsive Products are available online from Beauty retailer Sephora - The 'After Dark' pack is now on sale for just $8!! - Alternatively, click here to visit OCC website where you will find this product & lots more!! http://occmakeup.com/. 

Have you tried OCC Stained Lip Gloss? If so, what did you think? Leave your comments in the box below, or, if you have any suggestions / ideas for future blog posts, I'd love to hear about them!!

Thanks for reading, 

Yvette Marie xo

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Tutorial: How To Make Your Own Lip Scrub

Last week I posted a review of Lip Glams Original Balm to kick start my 6x lips special - I can't say enough how important it is to take care of your lips, so I thought this would be the perfect time to blog about an awesome lip care product :) As everyone knows I'm a big fan of saving money and having a go at some DIY items, so below, I've listed some ingredients that you will need to make your own Sugar Lip Scrub! Just 2 items are required, and they should all already (hopefully) be in your cupboards! Enjoy x

Ingredients:

- 1 TBSP of brown or white sugar (I prefer brown)

- A dash of honey or olive oil (Just enough to make the sugary mixture stick together)

- A teeny tiny drop of vanilla (Optional - makes it smell yummy)

- Food colouring (Optional -makes it look fun and colourful)

Now mix together all of the ingredients! This should leave the mixture with a perfect consistency, and it's as simple as that! I've read online that some people crush the sugar down to make an even smaller grain, but this is obviously down to individual taste.

Apply the scrub onto your lips once a week (twice at the very most). If you have any dead skin then this will definitely help! Once the dead skin has loosened (if this applies to you), leave the scrub on for another minute and then wipe off the mixture with a damp cloth. Apply lip balm after use, and your lips should now be super smooth!

If this one isn't for you, then have a look around online as there are hundreds of recipes available (experimenting with different flavours & ingredients), but hopefully, at the very least, I've provided you with some inspiration!

Please feel free to comment if you found this tutorial helpful...Maybe you've tried to make your own lip scrub and have a fun recipe that others can try!?

Thanks for reading,

Yvette Marie xo

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Review:Natural Lip Balm by LipGlam

Hi everyone, I hope you enjoyed my 5x post Skincare special just as much enjoyed writing it. I recently mentioned on my Instagram page that I've thought up some awesome (in my opinion) ideas for my blog, before listing some companies that I would love to work with. Since then, LipGlam have been in touch with me, and provide this 100% Natural Lip Balm for me to test and review! Enjoy, x

So what exactly is this product? and what are the benefits?! LipGlam Natural Balm is a multipurpose moisturiser. This balm can do all sorts of things, from repairing dry lips, acting as a split end soother, and it's also a lip & mascara primer (Plus it acts as an eyebrow balm, cuticle ointment, soothes rashes and provides relief to dry skin). When I first opened the packaging, I was genuinely surprise at just how many things this product could fix! The RRP is £9.99, (which may sound a little pricey for a lip balm?!) but once you add up the cost of separate products that are all combined into 1 here, it's a real money saver.

Made from 100% natural ingredients (free from BAD chemicals) the balm delivers instant relief, proven to reduce skin roughness by 40% in 1 hour! Plus, it works for up to 8 hours! The main ingredient is Lanolin, which is a natural oil distracted from sheep's wool; Holding moisture into the skin to give a deep hydration. LipGlam blend Lanolin with natural botanicals, resulting in a readily absorbed balm that replenishes the skin instantly. By optimising your natural defences, it ensures a healthy glow and even provides a mild plumping effect!! Making it easy to have super soft lips. This product is also suitable all skin types including sensitive, so what's not to like?!

I loved using this balm for so many different reasons, but especially because it's made from all natural ingredients; And that's exactly why I've used it to start off my 6x post Lips special!! Working out what the best care products are for your lips is just as important as putting products on them! This product is availale online from www.lipglam.com. Have you tried LipGlam's Natural Lip Balm? If so, what did you think? Leave your comments in the box below, or alternatively, if you have any suggestions / ideas for future blog posts, I'd love to hear about them!

Thanks for reading!

Yvette Marie xo

 
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Review:Magnitone Lucid Cleansing & Exfoliating Brush

I recently read some great reviews about the Magnitone Lucid Brush, so thought I would take up the #7daychallenge myself; The Magnitone Lucid promises softer, brighter and smoother skin in just 7 days! I also thought this would be a great item to sum up my 5x Skincare Blog Post special. At first glance, it's cute, colourful and tiny. Travel size and super lightweight! The charger is magnetic, and the battery life lasts a week (fully charged). My skin has never felt cleaner, and my complexion looks a lot brighter...There are so many things that I like about this product already, so below I've picked out some key areas to describe the product! Enjoy, x

Deep Purification - Reduces the appearance of pores.

This brush cleanses & purifies pores deeply and effectively. It also helps to remove oil that may cause breakouts / blackheads and create spots! At first I was slightly worried that the bristles would be too hard for my skin, but they're actually super soft and flexible. As mentioned in previous blog posts, it's really important that all make-up has been removed in order to receive the best results!

Facial Cleansing Timer - To make daily use easy

Magnitone have made the design very simple, so It's very easy to fit the brush into your daily cleansing routine. Use it for just 1 minute twice a day (morning & evening) with your existing cleansers and serums, rinse off, and then apply moisturizer. The 20 second timer guides you around different zones of the face, (first forehead, then cheeks, followed by chin/nose/mouth) before automatically shutting off after 1 minute. I love that this product has a timer. I didn't feel like I needed to use the brush on certain sections (such as my forehead) for the full 20 seconds, so that much guidance really helped me out. Did I mention that it's also waterproof? So you can also use it in the shower!

Two different cleanses modes - To suit skin types & create ultra-fast deep cleansing 

There are two different settings, made for either a Deep Cleanse or Sensitive skin type. Magnitone use Active Electromagnetic Technology, to make the bristles rotate over 10,000 times per minute in order to cleanse, exfoliate and lift deep pores. Not only can the Lucid exfoliate, but it can also improve the condition of skin, and make it look more alive! My skin felt super soft after, even before I'd applied my moisturizer! I would definitely recommend using the sensitive setting  during the first week, as the deep cleanse can be a little over-powering / make your skin look super red!

Although the Magnitone Lucid is a little bit on the pricey side, (and not exactly an impulse purchase) if you shop around you will find some great offers! I bought mine from lookfantastic.com for £62.99 instead of £70, and this meant I also received a free Beauty Box worth £45, so make sure you do your research before investing! Plus, Magnitone will also provide a 12 month guarantee warranty card with your purchase for FREE! (who doesn't love free stuff?!)

Have you tried the #7DayChallenge? If so, let me know what the end results were in the comments box below, or alternatively, if you have any suggestions / ideas for future blog posts I'd love to hear about them!

Thanks for reading,

Yvette Marie xo

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Soap & Glory: My Favourites

I obviously couldn't write a 5x post skincare special without mentioning my love for Soap & Glory. They've got some great products out there that always that leave my skin feeling super smooth and smelling awesome. Below I've picked out 3 of my favourite products from their varied selection!! Enjoy, x 

Sugar Crush Body Wash -

This is great!! A very zesty body wash that also revitalizes skin! Made from multiple citrus fruits; Lime oil, kiwi juice, coconut oil, sweet vanilla musk and lemons, the scent is not only refreshing, but also sweet, which leaves skin left feeling super soft. This items has two uses because it doubles up as a wake-up call, the ingredients make a perfect energy booster! Only 2/3 pumps are required as the mixture lathers up very easily, which makes this item really good value for money. Retail price of just £5.50!!

The Righteous Butter

If you've read my previous blog posts, then you'll know im a big fan of Aloe Vera! This body butter not only includes Softening Shea Butter, but Aloe Vera too! What's not to like?! Soap & Glory suggest applying this cream just as you get out of the shower (whilst skin is still damp) and to then massage until the butter until it's completely sunk in! The consistency is my favourite thing about this product, it's really thick and rich, which in my opinion, feels a lot nicer than some thin & sloppy creams you find. I'm not sure if this product could be used every day, the scent is really fresh and quite floral, but sometimes this can be a little overpowering - If you look on the plus side, no further perfume is required!

Peaches and Clean 

This item promises to remove make-up and impurities in one wipe!! Made to be used every day, Peaches and Clean is a gentle (but effective) cleanser. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, it helps increase circulation and cell respiration (which removes toxin) and also speeds up oxygen / nutrient delivery to the skin, which keep skin looks youthful. This product smells great, and after a couple of seconds, you can begin to feel a very weird sensation, that how quickly this product works! I'm really happy with the results, especially considering my skin is senstive!

Soap and glory products can be purchased online at http://www.soapandglory.com/ OR http://www.boots.com/en/Soap-Glory/ OR at your local Boots store. S&G have recently launched new Body Sprays so check them out!!

What are your favourite Soap & Glory
 products?  Let me know in the comments box below, or alternatively, if you have any suggestions / ideas for future blog posts I'd love to hear about them!

Thanks for reading,

Yvette Marie xo

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Turtorial: Homemade Face Masks

Hi everyone, last week I mentioned in my skincare routine post that I use Mask of Magnaminty from Lush; And whilst I do love this product, it can be a tad on the expensive side so below I've listed 3 of my favourite homemade facemask recipes! If you're on a budget, this is a great idea and so cost effective! Have a dig around in the kitchen cupboards, and enjoy x

1. Oatmeal Facial Mask -

Combine a TBSP of finely grounded oatmeal with a TBSP of plain yoghurt, and then add a small drop of honey into the mixture. Once all ingredients have been added, apply a thin layer to your face and leave to set for 10-15 minutes. Finally, rinse with warm water. This should give you a quick pick-me-up and leave your skin not only looking better, but also feeling it!! Apply moisturiser after for the best results!

2. Honey, Cinnamon and Nutmeg Face Mask -

 First, mix together 1 TSP of cinnamon and 1 TSP of nutmeg. Now add 2 drops of honey, and you're ready to go! Ingredients can obviously be adjusted to suit, but I find this combination works best. I usually leave this facemask on for 15 minutes, however, at the first sign of irritation wash off! What are the benefits of this face mask? Honey acts as a natural antioxidant, soothes skin and fights acne caused by microbes! Nutmeg reduces redness and inflammation caused by acne, and cinnamon can plump the skin by bringing oxygen and blood to the service. Cinnamon also unclogs and opens the pores by removing excess oil from the skin's surface. This mask is great for lightening blemishes, and reducing the appearance of scars. Although cinnamon is great, it can also cause major irritation and even an allergic reaction on the skin, so I would advise doing a patch test beforehand.

3. Ice Cube Facial Massage -

Ok so this isn't exactly a face mask, but I guess it can be described as a facial?! I recently read about a routine that I wanted to share with you, and now that it's the beginning of summer, this is the perfect time of year to try it out! Simply wrap ice cubes in a paper towel and massage your face in a circular motion for 1-2 minutes just before bed. Although this doesn't sound very pleasant, ice has a long list of benefits and can do wonders for your skin! Here is a list of just some; Minimise pores, control oil production, smooth complexion by easing the appearance of wrinkles, fight acne, promote blood circulation and help heal blemishes. There are plenty of ingredients that you can also include to suit your skin type too:

Dry Skin? Add Mint 

Oily Skin? Try adding sage

Wear make-up every day? I do! Include a TSP of olive oil to the water before freezing. The oil will nourish and smooth your skin.

Top Tips -

- Always wash your face, and remove any make-up before applying face masks to receive the best results!
-  Some ingredients mentioned may cause irritation, so always do a small test patch before applying it onto your face.
- If big oats aren't for you, grind them down so the mixture is a lot finer.

- When adding honey, run the spoon under a hot tap beforehand. It makes it a lot easier to pick up and drop off the liquid.
- Place a strainer in your sink to catch the oats when they've washed off.

Please feel free to comment if you found this tutorial helpful, or if you have any suggestions for future blog posts!

Thanks for reading,

Yvette Marie xo

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My Skincare Routine

Hi all, here is a little insight into my current skincare routine. Just thought I'd share this with you, as my next 3 blog post will be about caring for your skin. Enjoy x  

Lush Face Mask - Mask of Magnaminty - This face mask from Lush is perfect, and what's even better is that it's made from 100% natural ingredients (including peppermint!!). Best used to help assist in the fight again breakouts and eruption, and can be applied to both your face and back. It rids blackheads, and brings skin back to tip-top condition. Yes, Lush products can be a little bit expensive (£5.50 for 125g), but this item is made from a self-preserving formula which means that you actually have 4 months to use it all and still receive the same great effects as day 1!

Simple - Cleansing Facial Wipes & Toner - Both of these items feel great on my skin. The wipes contain 2 vitamins (Pro-Vitamin B5 & Vitamin E) and no articial colours / perfumes, so If you've got sensitive skin you can use these too! I use the wet wipes either in the morning or just before bed to leave my skin feeling refreshed and moisturised, and apply the toner after to keep my skin hydrated! Although wipes are £3 for 25 wipes, and the toner is £2.99 for 200ml, there are always shops that have Simple products on '3 for 2' or BOGOF deals, which gives you a chance to buy the product I'm going to talk about next... 

Simple - Rapid Action Spot Zapper - I was a little bit dubious about using this, because I've tried similar products in the past and they've not worked at all :( However, this is great! There is a silver ball at the top of the tube which allows you to rub the liquid over a spot (as soon as it appear) without too much waste! This also means that you don't have to use your hands to touch your face, saving irritation. The gel soothes redness and calms the breakout. Regardless of how much gel I've applied, my skin never feel too sticky / heavy. I would definitely recommend this to everyone! 

Nivea - Soft Moisturising Cream - I often find that the majority of moisturising creams make my face oily (which means that make-up doesn't stick) but now I've found this, I'll choose Nivea skincare products every time! Their products smell great, and make my skin super sot. The texture is the perfect consistency which makes it easy to apply and perfect for everyday wear! 

Garnier - Micellar Cleansing Water - I love this!! A recently launched make-up remover from Garnier which gently removes make-up, and also promises to cleanse, soothe and rehydrate the face, eye area and lips! I think this product is great, it can remove anything... Foundation, Mascara, even Glitter Lips (see previous post) It's fragrance free to suit all skin types, suitable for sensitive skin and requires no further rinsing! 

Lastly, (and potentially the most important) drink PLENTY of water, and eat lots of fruit & veg! Dehydration makes your skin look dry and wrinkly, however by dirnking loads of liquids this can easily be changed! Now for the science bit... Our bodies contain a lot of water, and our skin function as a protection barrier to prevent excess fluid loss. By keeping hydrated, you can help 'lock' moisture into your skin. As for for fruit & Veg, they contain powerful antioxidants that help to protect your skin from damager caused by day-to-day things such as pollution, sunlight and smoking which can lead to wrinkles and spots! The recommended guideline is a minimum of 5 portions a day!

Please feel free to comment if you found this review helpful, or if you have any suggestions for future blog posts!

Thanks for reading,

Yvette Marie xo

 

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Review: Forever Living

A representative from Forever Living recently reached out to individuals in the surrounding area of Bristol, to ask for volunteers who would be happy to trial a box of products and in return complete a questionnaire. I signed up straight away of course, and was super excited when my delivery arrived!! The packaging is very plain, all products are white with a different colour font / banding for each product! Although it's simplistic, it works! Below you'll find reviews of my favourite skincare items. Enjoy x

Forever Aloe Scrub is a natural exfoliator for both the body and face, that will gently wash away dead skin cells and debris that’s been building up in your pores. It’s made from a unique combination including two natural ingredient; Aloe Vera Gel and Stabilized Micro-Spheres, which will help the skin’s own renewal process! It also protects the skin from drying out / any damaging effects from synthetic cleansers. This scrub is a very fine grain that’s gentle enough to for every-day use.

This is a face mask which you need to make yourself, and I absolutely love that! It’s something different compared to other companies, and makes the product incredibly versatile. This product is designed to blend perfectly with the Mask powder to create a unique combination and is extremely effective for a number of reasons; Cleanse pores, condition, sooth & tighten the skin and, lastly, remove dead skin cells. As the dead skin cells are removed by the mask, it means that the new cells are fresh which creates a vibrant and more luminous look to the skin. 

Whilst I did love the stages of BEFORE application (It’s pink, you get to mix two different products together and can control the texture of the mask if the recipe isn't to your desire), there are some things that I didn’t enjoy when I put the mask on. The smell was absolutely dreadful! My face smelt like a wet dog, and after 10 minutes (which admitaly, is probably too long for my first application) my skin began to feel very irritated. The mask was also very hard to wash off, but I fear this is probably because the amount of time the liquid was left on.

Aloe Propolis Creme - A rich creamy blend of Aloe Vera, Bee Propolis and Camomile to help maintain healthy skin whilst moisturising and conditioning. I used this as moisturiser for my face because Forever Living suggests that it makes an excellent product for everyday use and can improve skin tone! The cream was very thick which made it slightly hard to apply, although the results are great! My skin felt very soft and my complexion looked slightly improved. I only trialled this product for 2 days, so it’s hard to know the full effects of use over this period of time. 

Aloe Vera Gelly is a thick, clear gel that's used to moisturize, sooth and condition skin; And that’s exactly what this ‘gelly’ does! It’s a very thick (but smooth) consistency. Once I applied this to my legs, they shortly began to feel cold and tingly (which is great when you’ve got shaving cuts!) This would be an idea product to provide temporary relief from minor sunburn, cuts, bumps and insect bites. It’s definitely one for the First-aid box! The only complaint I do have; When the cream dried my legs felt VERY sticky which isn’t relaxing or soothing…

Aloe Heat Lotion is exactly the opposite to the Gelly described above. This is a Aloe Vera based heat lotion, designed to sooth and relax muscles. It’s very similar to deep heat / tiger balm but a less intense sensation / smell. The rich lotion contains deep heating agents to make it ideal to use as a massage companion for tired muscles, plus it’s long lasting! Although this product RRP is £12.24, it’s a thick cream and a small amount goes a long way.

Forever Living products are available to buy online - click here to visit their website https://www.foreverliving.com/retail/entry/Shop.do. Alternatively, look out for posts from your friends & family who have signed up to represent the company.

Please feel to comment if you found this review helpful, or if you have any suggestions for future blog posts!

Thanks for reading,

Yvette Marie xo

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