Review || Shu Uemura Balancing Cleansing Oil

At long last I will write my review of the glorious Shu Uemura cleansing oil. I have bought this product at least 2 times and can genuinely say that you would be hard pressed to find another cleanser  that makes you feel as soft and luxurious as this beauty does. 

You apply about 1-2 pumps directly onto your dry face, making sure that your hands are clean and dry too. Gently rub this into your skin in circular motions, rubbing upwards to delay the nasty hands of time - aka crows feet. I like to soak a face cloth in as hot as I can stand water and place over my face. This really makes your skin open up and accept the glorious components of this oil. Is this scientifically proven? Absolutely not. 

To rinse this off I use my face cloth that has been steaming my face, and I gently exfoliate my skin using small circular motions. I rinse and repeat until I feel like it has all been removed. 

Immediately after rinsing and drying you will see and feel the softest results. Nothing I have ever cleansed with has made my skin so moisturized. 

This cleanser isn't one of the cheaper ones you can buy, but I definitely feel like its worth the $48.00 price tag. It's a luxurious buy that will kick start your skin into Benjamin Button mode. Where's the baby's bum? Oh, it's on your face.  X

JOIN THE CULT OR DIE

We’ve all heard people talking about how autumn is the ‘white girl’ season. Pumpkin Spice lattes, marshmallows, soap, toilet paper. Whatever products you can buy there is a chemically created chance that Pumpkin Spice will be a flavour option. But what about the ‘white girl’ fashion and makeup of fall? Why are we non Pumpkin Spice fanatics getting pushed to the side and not getting relentlessly mocked in Buzzfeed videos?

When fall finally overtakes summer and the wind swirls under our skirts, you can bet that plaid minis, blanket scarves and frustratingly fashionable floppy hats will be in every girls weekly dressing repertoire. Fall is the most unsurprising yet undeniably exciting season for clothing lovers across the world. Layers. We can eat as much cake as we want and just throw on another sweater - if anyone asks, this is fashion. Give them a look until they grow uncomfortable and leave. Eat another macaroon and add a shawl.

Leather pants, boots, capes, these are all staples of autumnal dressing but the most outrageous trend of the colder months is my personal favorite, plum lipstick. When did someone decide that it was a good idea to bring goth fashion into the lives of the trend following women? Of course we’re going to wear it if we’ve been told to! We’ve been sucked into the cult. We just have one question. Does Zoella wear it? If the answer is yes then we'll be over it like a particularly nasty yeast infection. The women’s infection. Because we are women.

Really fall is the most fun, the most cozy and, in my opinion, most risk taking season of the year. Santa sweaters withstanding. Wear what you want and love it. Take yourself out of the cult, and if you’re still in love with the blackberry lipstick just own that shit! You are a woman and you can do what you want, when you want. Eat the second piece of cake and throw on an angora free angora sweater. You do you because there will inevitably be a Buzzfeed video about it. I just hope Eugene is in it. That hair though. X

Nails of the Day || Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy - Sure Thing

Remember in the early 2000's when you were in elementary school and you were just discovering White Out? You were enjoying the new found love of this magic eraser, when all of a sudden you looked to your left, then to your right. A terrible, awful, amazing idea arose. You have finger nails. The White Out comes with a sponge brush.... Thus came the best 10 minutes of your life. Right up until you realize that it actually feels disgusting on your nails, and the only way to get it off is to use your other finger nails and scrape it off in little thin strips. This on off process then goes on for the next 5 months of your sad little life. 

I have found the glossy grown up version of White Out. It comes in the form of a gel nail polish that is as sexy and bold as the latest Taylor Swift album. I've got a blank space baby, and i'll write your name. Then cross it off with my White Out, cause you know.

I am actually obsessed with this nail varnish right now. I have never reapplied as much as I have with this precious babe. That's not to say that it doesn't have staying power - it usually lasts about 3 days without chipping. This is after working days too, so it's not too bad. I was reintroduced to the white craze by Miss Bethany Mota. I was watching her videos and saw her nails and was just like " hey girl, you rockin' those white nails". I talk to my laptop, no big deal.. I saw her nails and just knew that I needed to go out and buy some right away.

I didn't go out with a specific brand or shade I wanted because, as I'm sure we all know, white nail polish can be a bitch. It's almost always translucent or too watery and I really wanted a thick stark white. When I walked into the drug store I could feel something in the air, and it wasn't Britney's Curious on for half price. There was basically a glow around the Revlon wall, a halo if you will. All Revlon products were 25% off, this was a big bonus for me because I absolutely hate spending money on nail polish. I don't know what it is but something about it just seems like a waste to me. All in all I got this nail polish for about $6.00. 

Besides going to an actual nail salon, I had never tried the gel nail effect. I didn't know how or even if it would work. A lot of the time these fads put out a lot of buzz but can never follow through with the actual product. I am extremely happy to announce that it's the complete opposite for this polish - it's a Sure Thing. and now I hate myself It goes on smooth and, although it's quite thick, it doesn't go on gloopy at all. In the end I only have to do two coats. It's a base and colour in one so you only really need this polish and a top coat. 

Revlon also sells ColorStay Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat but I didn't buy it, I just use my trusty old O.P.I strengthener top coat. For me this works just fine, but if you're a nail connoisseur I would probably pick up their top coat as well.

I just think that it adds some edge to an outfit of just a T-shirt and Jeans, or it can glam up a LBD. There are so many different ways that this beauty can enhance your look. So why not just go back to your school days but with a more mature feel. If you're really wanting to do a flashback Friday, might I suggest a Lunchable with a juice box? Nothing brings back old memories like processed cheese and rubbery ham. Mmmm that's good cookin'!

If you do try the ColorStay Top Coat please let me know how you like it! 

What other nail colours are you wearing at the moment?! X

Review || Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

If you read my last post on EradiKate, you'll know that I struggle with acne and large pores. I am always looking for products that are effective in fighting against the red pusy hooligans. I have been a fan of Murad since 2012 when I started my Murad collection with their Soothing Gel Cleanser. I had been noticing that my pores were getting larger and therefore more noticeable, so I started looking for a cleanser that would help me out. I immediately looked to see if there was a different Murad cleanser that would do this. Thus I found their AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser. A star, ladies and gentlemen, is here.

Not only is this a cleanser, but it also exfoliates! What the frack! It is not rough in any sense of the word. This is not a 50 Shades of Grey cleanser, it's more like The Notebook. Honestly I noticed a difference about an hour after the first use. No lie! I got up and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and noticed that my skin had lost a little bit of the dullness that had been plaguing me for so long. Upon closer inspection I also noted that my pores were indeed smaller. Not significantly, it had only been an hour after all, but even a little was a huge relief. I have been keeping up with using this and am still so happy with it.

Along with my acne prone skin I am also very sensitive to many products, especially exfoliators. My poor skin just can't take it! I have been hugely impressed that I haven't had any additional redness or rawness from using this every day. The small jojoba beads just buff away any rough or dry skin. Nothing scary from a good buffing. ;) Never have I ever been handled so gently by a product - I feel like such a princess!

Since using this I have noticed that my skin has been getting some glow back into it. I feel like a 4 year old again! I have also noticed that I haven't been producing as much oil on my face. I don't know if it's down to this cleanser or something else, but I'm going to give props to this bad boy right here! When I was younger I always thought that after I left my teens my body would just say "kay, we've done our job of embarrassing her. Let's move onto the next one. March bacteria march!" No such luck. At least I have this cleanser to soften the blow a bit...just a bit though. 

I also really love how this cleanser doesn't strip my face of the moisture it does have. I hate how after cleansing with some other cleansers you feel like you've just had all the moisture vacuumed out. Nothing is worse than smiling and feeling like you've just created some wrinkles. So it feels good to find one that promotes moisture and elasticity. You can pick this up for $36.00 at Sephora. Not bad really for a cleanser that is effective for doing more than just taking off your make up. Speaking of make up, this cleanser will also take your mascara off. For real though!! If you're wearing waterproof mascara you may have to cleanse your eyes twice.

If you're in the market for a new cleanser that will not only remove the days grime, but also give you back some life whilst still keeping your face clear of imperfections definitely give this one a try! If nothing else you will still have a cleanser that takes off your make up and removes any excess oils. 

I would love to hear about some of your favourite cleansers in the comment section below. 

Thanks for reading my lovelies! 

Have an amazing day!

Review || Kate Somerville EradiKate

About 8 months ago I bought the acne spot treatment, EradiKate, because I was suffering from never ending red aliens invading my face. I have been prone to acne of all sorts since hitting puberty - the little bastards. I have had a good 10 years of this shiz and therefore have tried hundreds of spot treatments, cleansers, patches, toners, masks etcetera etcetera. Even treatments from the doctor haven't helped. Through all of these products I have come to the depressing conclusion that most, if not all, do nothing but dry out your skin. The one product that has exceeded my very low expectations has been Kate Somerville's EradiKate.

This pink puss sucker has saved my face from causing great embarrassment and further emotional turmoil. Although the start to our beloved relationship wasn't the greatest... I was in Sephora, yet again, and was reading and smelling (cause who doesn't smell their acne products) all of the products and doing an impeccable job of acting like I knew exactly what I was doing. As I was doing this oscar worthy performance, I stopped on a bottle of what looked to be calamine lotion. The products contents were separated and I thought that I would do the humane thing and mix them back together. Big Fat Mistake. I, for the first time in my life, got a lecture from the Sephora lady. She turned full on PETA on my ass - as it turns out I was not being humane, I was basically massacring this poor pink punk. that alliteration though What I failed to notice was the little sticker on the cap that said 'Do Not Shake'.

After our not so great introduction I was taught that she also uses the product and had found her own miracle cure in it. She said that although your spots won't completely vanish, they will decrease in size and redness to the extent where, with a bit of concealer, no one will be able to tell you had a ginormous tomato the night before. Not only that but the tense pain that comes with the huge red under the skin biatches will be dramatically lessened. To say I was sold is probably a fair assumption.
That and she scared me.

So night came and I went through the usual process of taking my make up off, cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Then came the moment of removing the glass bottle from its paper cage, placing it gently on my counter and NOT SHAKING IT!! To use this you'll just need to grab a Q-tip, dip it through the clear liquid and into the pink pool of peer pressure and then dab it onto any zits that you feel need to be EradiKated. You'll notice that it goes on wet but very quickly will turn into a hard chalky bandaid that encompasses the spot. Do your best to not touch your face as it does come off relatively quickly - it will come off as your sleeping so I like to put it on about an hour before I actually settle down. This will give it time to be on your skin and not your pillow.

When you wake up you should definitely be able to see a difference in your spots. If you buy this and don't notice it right away, I definitely do not give you permission to come to my house and punch me in my slightly less inflamed pimples. Good. Once you've scanned your face and asked your family what they think and all you get back is "yeah, it's your face", go ahead and do your usual morning cleansing and make up routines. After a couple nights application ask your family again, they'll most definitely notice a huge difference! I sometimes even feel like maybe I could go out without any foundation. I never do but the feeling is still there! Progress!

This treatment contains the highest level of sulphur allowed to calm any spots. No one likes their pimples to be having panic attacks! It also will prevent future spots from having to take some Xanex. The AHA's also have their own tough job of reducing enlarged pores. If i'm being completely honest I haven't noticed any of my pores decreasing in size, but really my hope for this product was that it would take away my spots, and it's done that so I got exactly what I was looking for. 

EradiKate will set you back about $29.00 at your local Sephora Store and I can confirm that it will be an amount that you will not regret paying. Really from all the new innovative masks that are now on the market for extravagant amounts of money, $30.00 isn't going to break the bank.

If, like me, you have been struggling for years with acne, please do yourself a favour and just try this. If it doesn't work for you what is one more product among the many, but what if it does?

 I know how hard it is to live with a face full of zits so if you're a survivor or a new victim, you have my sincerest sympathies.

To all you young girls, and boys, acne doesn't define you. Your attitude, humour and love for life is what people with remember and talk about. You're beautiful both inside and out - acne or not. X

Review || First Aid Beauty's Skin Rescue Purifying Mask With Red Clay

I know that it has been a terribly long while since my last review, which is why the next few posts are going to be ALL reviews. I know how much you beauty sickos love them!

I got this face mask about a month or two ago and have been using it about once a week depending on how my skin is. I have noticed that it has significantly reduced the size of my pores, and believe me, they were big enough to engulf a small dog. My skin is the least oily that it's been for ages- which was my main reason for choosing this mask specifically. If you have sensitive skin, like me, you can safely purchase this as it is suitable for us fragile dames. All in all this was a stupendous buy if I do say so myself. 

The application of this red beauty is a very sticky affair, but make sure you are doing it over clean dry skin. It is a little bit difficult to spread over your skin at first, but the more you spread the warmer and easier it gets. You don't need it to be overly thick but make sure that your skin is covered. Even if it's a very thin layer you will be able to easily peel it off. It, like many other skin care products, can hurt my eyes so I make sure to be careful around this area. Other than that, just smooth it all over and you're set. 

You will have to wait at least 20 minutes for this to dry but once it is just peel from the outside inwards. This is as satisfying as taking your hair down from a murderously high ponytail after a long day. For real. 

I have found this has been the easiest to peel off of all the peel masks that I have tried. If you do have any bits left over that you can't get off yourself, just dab it off with a warm face cloth. 

I like to follow this with Clinique's Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief.

 

I would love to say that once you peel the mask off you will see a dramatic difference but I couldn't lie to you. The truth is that you will notice the changes the next day when you're putting your makeup on, or during the day if you have oily skin. When sitting in front of your mirror in the morning you will notice that your pores have almost halved in size and throughout the day you won't have to blot or add as much powder as you would in the days prior. The longer you use this baby the less you will have to do that.  

The price of this mask falls at about the midway mark as high end products go. I handed over $37.00 to the nice lady at Sephora. A little painful but after the first use I got over it. It's always hard to spend any amount of money, small or large, if you can't see or feel the results. Pretty much right away I noticed that I wasn't producing as much oil as I normally would have, and my make up didn't sink into the craters around my nose. Obviously I can't guarantee that this will be the same for you as everyone is different, but I would definitely recommend you trying it to see if it can help you as it has done for me. 

I would love to hear about some of your favourite face masks! X

makeupsocial

I think it's safe to say that the majority of us are all here because we like make up, hair, glitter and glam. It's like a drug to us. Watching beauty gurus share how they do their make up, what they're using to create 'the look' that gives us an endlessly full feeling of contentment. This feeling lasts up until we go into our bedroom, sit in front of our mirror and look into our make up bag that's overflowing with products that you were completely satisfied with until you saw that video. You try your hardest to recreate what they so effortlessly ensemble on their pore less faces. You come close but no cigar. We've all been there, right ladies? 

The time has come where we can all share these make up blunders or even some of the surprising wins. Makeupsocial is a new app where you can do all of this and more. Interact with fellow make up lovers, whether they're professional make up artists or amateurs like myself, ask questions about certain products or even post and read reviews. It's essentially Instagram but solely focused on makeup, skincare, hair and anything else beauty related you can think of. It's safe to say that I am firmly addicted to this app that is full of other obsessed beauty fanatics. 

Makeupsocial is honesty the most welcoming and helpful form of social media that I have used so far. Every time I read comments on my own or other peoples posts, there is anyways a dozen or so telling the dame how utterly gorgeous she looks. Being on this app restores my belief that women are caring and gentle creatures. I haven't come across anyone who is anything less than remarkable. If you've been having a down day, I am telling you, download this free app and post a selfie. You will come back in ten minutes to a handful of pep talks from truly amazing ladies. 

So go sit in front of your mirror, recreate the new Tanya Burr tutorial and post that bad boy on makeupsocial. Let everyone send you kissing cat emoji's and tell you how utterly fabulous you are. Not only will you feel better about yourself, but you will also meet some spectacular people while you''re at it!

Go add this free app from the app store and follow me! I'm under the handle @10downingchic, who da thunk! X