Showing posts with label Natural. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Natural. Show all posts

Beauty | #ProjectBareAll

Earlier this week I came across Megan from Thumbelina Lillie and her project #ProjectBareAll on Twitter.  What a lovely idea and way to embrace natural beauty. I felt inspired to get involved. So, here it is. As Megan pointed out her in post - we are all the same and we shouldn't be afraid to put it out there. It's silly when I think about it now but I wouldn't leave the house to go to the corner shop without any makeup on.

Every since I was a teenager my skin was dry and spotty. Around the same time, I got into wearing makeup to cover up. When I look back I cringe at the amount I caked on my face. Yes, I'd slap a thick layer of foundation that was 2 shades too darker on every morning on my way to school and never thought about blending it into my neck.  I was young and clueless to say the least but that's acceptable.

Throughout the high school years, my skin's acne was mild but apparent in my head. I started to wear it more and more. It went to an all girls school so there was no boys to impress. I was never teased and bullied for the way my skin looked. It was my own lack of self esteem and confidence that contributed. To this day, I'm still not sure where that came from, but my teenage years were difficult and lots of things in my life negatively impacted on my confidence as a young adult. Applying makeup and changing the way I look gave me a since of control over something. Without it, I felt weird and lacked that feel good factor for my au natural look. I just didn't like the way I looked without it.       

Now, I'm in my mid twenties. Much has changed: I know what shades of foundation suit me, and how to apply it well! I'm a grown up now. My skin hasn't changed. All those people who told me that I'd grow out of acne - you lied! I still break out regularly. With my full time job, I work with young teenage students who honestly have better skin than me. The pressure I put on myself to look good in front my students is silly really. But, as a role model to them, I want to look the part. It's the expectation I've put on myself. Therefore, I must change the way I view myself inside out.

"Dig deep into that fabulous mind and pull out all the positive things you love about yourself" - That's something I need to say to myself on days when I feel like I'm having an 'ugly day' (see even there I'm being negative). I know that the key to changing a mindset is all about positive behaviour. There is no overnight cure though I am willing to slowly change how I view the inside.  It's important to note that we all look different and should embrace our uniqueness. However, physiological we all work the same. Some of us have more freckles than others, more moles, and regular breakouts them some.

There is more in life to be thankful for, and that's my health. If I feel healthy, then I will look healthier. That's not just about being physically healthy, but also about being mentally strong. The emotional impact of being negative all the time plays a huge part. We will always moan about something that we do not like about ourselves. Wearing makeup should feel like a choice, not an everyday necessity

You might be reading this post thinking well there's some people that are naturally beautiful without make up and some who definitely need it. I would challenge that way of thinking and ask you to consider that perception very carefully. I must have some confidence somewhere to post this in the first place so that's something for me to hold onto.

Please check out Megan's post and her fabulous blog! Show us your an natural selfie and use the hashtag #ProjectBareAll .Go and follow her on Twitter!

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette Review




Another Naked palette has been launched by Urban Decay just before Christmas.  To be honest, I wondered how many other ways they could make natural shades look beautiful and attractive. I got my first glimpse online. Before I had seen what it looked like, I told myself not to purchase, because it’s just the same as the other two. But, I was so wrong, and bought another palette after having some swatches done by the lady on the counter...



The shades in the Naked palette are warm, golden and neutral tones whilst the Naked 2 palette contains cool tones with hues of purple and pale tones. The Naked 3 palette has a collection of rose gold tones which are appropriate for my green eyes.

The left side of the palette, featuring Strange, Dust, Burnout, Limit, Buzz and Trick...
Here's a mini description on each shade (from L to R): 
  • Strange: Matte - Satin finish. Better used as a base colour and great for highlighting the brow area. 
  • Dust: Shimmer/ metallic finish. I really like this shade of pink. It's a great neutral to start with. It also has a slightly glittery effect.
  • Burnout: Satin Finish. Great for anyone with pale/ medium toned skin to use as another base colour. It a very light peach colour.
  • Limit: Matte finish. Personally, this is probably my favourite in the whole palette. The shade is a light rose and highly pigmented. I can see me hitting the pan on this one before the rest.
  • Buzz: Shimmer/ Metallic Finish. In contrast to Limit, this is my least favourite. I like the rosy qualities to the shade but I find that it does not blend well on my eyelids. Very similar to Dust. 
  • Trick: Shimmer/ Metallic Finish. This is has a rich gold/ coppery tone that will make the shade appropriate for the festive season or in the height of summer.

...here's the right side of the palette, featuring Nooner, Liar, Factory, Mugshot, Darkside and Blackheart
..mini descriptions continued (from L to R).

  • Nooner: Matte Finish. This is a deeper, more intense pink of the collection with pigments of brown blended together. This shade would be ideal for shading and creating definition on the outer corner of the eyes. Shade after this one tend to be more on the browner end. 
  • Liar: Shimmer/ Metallic Finish. I would say this is like medium mauve shade. Great for blending shades in this palette to create day to night looks. This is not as shimmer as the lighter shades but definitely will be easier to blend. 
  • Factory: Shimmer/ Satin Finish. I found this shade useful from blending with the outer corners of the eyes, great as a eye liner on top lashes and the bottom lashes near the water line. 
  • Mugshot: Shimmer/ Metallic Finish. Again, great for shading and adding definition! 
  • Darkside: Matte/ Satin Finish. This is the deepest shade in the palette. It's a good shade to putting the final touches to a smoky eye effect. 

The packaging is similar to the Naked 2 palette. All 12 shades are presented in a solid tin like case which is preferably for me. The extra touch is in the fabric like ruched detailed on the tin itself.  The maintenance of this palette is good.  It is easier to clean the excess eye shadows and mirror, and clicks together to close. I prefer this packaging to the first one which was velvet. And, not forgetting, it comes with a large mirror and a dual eye brush that blends the shadows beautifully.

In addition, there’s a ‘weeks’ worth’ of samples of each eye shadow primers in the Urban Decay collection.


Four Primer Samples available in: Original, Eden, Sin and Anti - Aging. 

But for now, just enjoy the pictures and making the decision of whether to buy or not. This palette would flatter most skin tones. I have very pinks undertones (very typical pale British skin) with green eyes.

Photo's with look ideas to follow soon! I am going to have a good play around with the shades first! 

So, is it worth buying another Naked palette (especially if you already own Naked and Naked 2). I think it's down to each individuals subjective reasoning. I'm a massive fan on nude palettes. There are enough different shades that work well together in this palette that will provide a new look that differs from the other 2 palettes. But, I do keep in mind that these palettes are investments items for some. Available in the UK at £37 from Debenhams.

Please leave a comment letting me know what you think about it? Have you head positive/ negative things about the palette? 

Thanks for reading! 




Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder Review

The Claim: "Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder controls shine for upto 12 hours. It minmises the appearance  of pores with a natural, matte finish..."

Its job is to conceal imperfections while maintaining a “natural flawless finish”. As someone with acne scars, wearing this product on it’s own does not give me any coverage to feel confident. However, its great on top of a good foundation and helps reduce redness. 



This compressed powder is light; you barely feel it on your skin. Although, this is available in 6 different tones, I always pickup the translucent as I find it transfers and matches my pale skin complexion evenly. 


It claims to be suitable for all skin types and I would absolutely agree.  Even for dry skin types, it does not cling around dry patches.  Great for oily T-Zones to reduce shine leaving a matte finish as suggested.For best results, I found applying this with a kabuki brush in circular motions worked well and you do not need much to start with.

The packaging is very basic but simple and does the job. However, it would be more user friendly see it in a more compact fashion, for example, with a travel mirror and a clasp closing. Such a high quality product deserves to look more attractive. 

A product that I will continue to use and recommend! 



Nivea Pure & Natural Soothing Day Cream and Anti Wrinkle Night Cream 50ml

Over the years, I have really enjoyed using different products from the Nivea Visage ranges. Their products have always worked well with my skin and very rarely have I been disappointed with their selection.

As I am on a budget for the next few months (and I have partially enforced a spending band), I know there are skin care products on the market that I haven’t tried yet. And, with a much cheaper price tag so for the next couple of months I will focus my blog on affordable and trustworthy products that do the job. 

In this line of products there are 3 different moisturisers to choose from: a day cream for dry/ sensitive skin, a day cream for normal/ combination skin and an anti - wrinkle night cream. All products come in a glass pot container where you can get every last bit of cream so there’s no wastage!

Thumbs up!

Generally speaking, I had difficultly deciding which ones to buy. I’ve been so nervous to try anything on my skin since my acne decided to flare up. However, I put trust my gut instinct and went for the day cream for dry sensitive skin and the night cream too. 


Purchased from Boots Stores. RRP: £3.57


Purchased from Boots Stores. RRP: £5.93

I had nothing to fear. I was really impressed with the day cream. Initially, I was perturbed by the slowness of absorption that put me off wanting to continue. Though, with a little patience I realised that this product didn’t cause any breakouts and very moisturising.

Two thumbs up! 

The night cream is my favourite! And I really wish I had this during winter (note to self) as the formula is rich and soothing. Although I do not use the facial cleansers from this range it does work well with my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and Liz Earle Toner.

Three thumps up! 


Both products smell lovely. Other people who have reviewed these products tend to disagree. The fragrance is light and not overbearing. They are great as a based for make. My foundation seems to sit better and last longer. In fact, I would even go as fair as to say it’s better then a primer.  Both products are very rich and creamy in texture, especially the night cream, and do take at least 10 minutes to settle. 


However, it’s all worth it, I have noticed a different in the appearance of my skin. I am keen to note that some of the ingredients have been produced “organically” which have been kinder to my skins needs. My only real negative is the lack of SPF in the day cream.  I strongly believe in protecting skin from all UV light so I rather not clog my face with more products.

I would recommend anyone to give this range a try. Other products in the Pure & Natural range also work together for the best results.  These two products will be on my repurchase list! 



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