Previously I wrote about Biotherm's Blue Therapy Serum, and I am so happy the expertise of this amazing formula has been brought to the eye zone. ( see Blue Therapy Serum post here -Blue Therapy Serum Post)
Blue Therapy Eye combines the aquatic -orgin of trio ( Extracts of Pure Thermal Plankton, Macro-Algae L.Ochroleuca and
Micro-Algae A.Flos-aquae. with a blend of four ultra perfromant eye association, Flavonoid, Amino acid and 2
Peptides.
Together this fantastic formula helps reduce the appearance of dark circles by favouring the elimination of pigments, darkness is visibly faded, skin looks more plumped, smoother and more radiant and signs of ageing are also visibly repaired.
The texture of the formula is amazing too. It looks like a rich cream, but as you put it on your fingers, it melts like water on to the skin, and is incredibly light weight. Which is a trade mark for biotherm as you will find majority of their advanced skincare is incredibly light weight but very powerful.
Blue Therapy Eye, is more than just an ordinary eye cream, it is applied to the extended eye contour too. Applying it on the upper cheeks, the middle of your forehead ( the bit between your eyebrows ) and the side of each of eye.
A simple application technique is used to help target wrinkles, firmness and darkness by a 3 step application ritual;
3-step application ritual :
1. WRINKLE ACTION: “waves movement” - palpate-roll on wrinkles to smooth
2. DARK SPOT ACTION: “bubble movement” - pinch dark spot to reboost micro-circulation
3. FIRMING ACTION: “crab movement” - circular movement to replump the skin.
I have used this for 5 days now, and already i have seen my eye area smoother, more radiant and brighter. I don't suffer from bags but i have the typical shadow as i call it, under the eye area ( where the eye area is thinner than the face, the appearance of the blood vessels can appear though ), the appearance of this has been a big improvement!
Blue Therapy eye is available instore now, 15ml size pot RRP £32.
For more information you can visit the following pages
As some retailers start clamping down on employees covering up tattoos, I was in need to find a good camouflage makeup to hide some of visible tats. I first tried on recommendation the Estee Lauder Double Wear ( the one in the blue tube ). I however, as good as it was for staying on, my natural skin tone was too pale for even their lightest shades and so it would look either too pink or too orange/tanned and so noticeable regards to showing I was covering something up.
As this was so not acceptable, and I really didn't want to have to plasters on ( Yes, employers ask you to cover up your tattoos with plasters, no matter how small or big they are. Which totally defeats the whole camouflage/covering them up as the plasters make it so more visible and hideous. )
So searching on the web, I came across the company Veil - Cosmetic Camouflage, who was at the time doing a veil tattoo challenge. I contacted the company to ask if I could please take part as in need to find a good camouflage makeup for work, but also as a blogger I thought it would also be a great PR coverage for them too.
So a few days later, my sample pack arrived.
In the sample kit I got 8 different shades of cover up creams and the translucent finishing powder.
As a beauty professional, I already knew how to apply the products. Although I found it easier to use the white than the green first on my tattoo. There is a video on how to apply the products if you are not sure how to apply the products to get the perfect camouflage.
The way I did, which is the same in the video ( except I used white, they used green as the base ).
1. First make sure the skin is clean and dry.
2. Apply the base colour - depending on the colour tattoo you may use either white or green or both.
This is done with a patting motion with either a sponge or finger. I used a small concealer brush.
3. Once you apply a layer of the base colour, dust the area with the translucent finishing powder using patting motion again. If you have a powder brush or puff would be good.
4. I than applied the final colour - which for myself was suede. Again using a patting motion apply to over the base colour and start to merge with skin around the tattoo. Once you have it camouflaged dust with the finishing powder.
As you can see, the final result is amazing.
I have attached the video on how they applied the product. Practise makes perfect, so if you don't first get the results you want, try again, maybe use another colour or less product. The key is using very little, that way you get a very natural finish and look ( and not cakey ).
There are two kits you can buy - a light to medium kit or medium to dark kit, containing all you need to camouflage your tattoo for just a special price at the moment of £28 ( RRP is £34.97 ) www.veilcovercream.com
You may remember me writing a blog over a year ago on a product by Biotherm, Skin Energetic. Biotherm has once again launch another fabulous serum - Blue Therapy.
If you are not aware of the brand, Biotherm are an advanced skincare brand in marine aquatics. Founded in 1952, they have been pioneering skincare inspired by the powers of the earths living waters to create skincare solutions that work in affinity with your skin. Experts in biotechnology, they infuse efficient aquatic extracts in fresh, pleasurable textures to make skin more healthier, stronger and radiant.
Blue Therapy is a serum that definitely shows how marine aquatics work in harmony with your skin. Infusing 3 powerful aquatic ingredients;
L. Ochroleuca, a golden algae from the Celtic Ocean ( Restructuring and Firming )
A. Flos Aquae, a blue algae from Klamath Lake U.S.A ( Regenerating )
Thermal Plankton from the Hot Springs in France ( Regenerating and Soothing )
They work in perfect synergy to smooth the appearance of wrinkles, reduce dark spots and restore the firmness of the skin.
Clinical results have shown results in 4 weeks, and that the serum could repair up to 8 years worth of accumulated visible damage, from the environment, stress or UV. This is called "the mask of damage" to which 80% of ageing is accounted for and can be repaired. Only 20% of ageing is inevitable and caused by genes.
The Blue Therapy serum has a opalescence like look, with the golden algae showing though the white concentrated elixir. The smell is also Divine, and I find it rather addictive ( can't stop smelling it ). The smell is the natural aquatic, floral scent, " a life scent".
When I first used this I could feel the firming affect the serum has straight away on my jaw line and cheeks, and a little on the fore head. It almost felt as if I was having a facelift, which was pleasant. I have now used this every day and night for 2 weeks, and so the firming action has faded ( this is mostly properly because I had a little lack of firmness in those areas which have now been corrected ).
I also had what I thought was hormonal spots on my neck/jawline for months and couldn't seem to get rid, but now have totally disappeared! Although I have just hit my 30's, and to be honest, I have been very lucky ( plus been using ageing products for years ) have had hardly any lines to correct. However, were I had lost some firmness on my forehead as I mentioned early, I have noticed my skin is tighter and therefore the line that there from the sagging has gone. My skin tone has actually improved alot too. I would recommend this to anyone who is a sun worshipper, or sunbedholic, anyone with a lack of firmness, anyone who suffers from dark spots or pigmentation. I would also say this be a great base for those with any of the above and first signs of ageing.
The serum is available in 2 sizes - 30ml @ £38 and 50ml @ £52
A day cream with an SPF15 ( a UVB filter) and a PPD 10 in the normal/combi PPD13 in dry (a UVA filter ) is also available from £45
Biotherm are in selective Boots Stores around the UK.
For more info on Biotherm and their product range, Including Men's visit:
So who are Brevity Beauty? It was only a couple of weeks ago I had heard of them, and via twitter!
They had contacted regards to trying out their 3 step cleansing system, and as I love trying new products especially beauty products, you can imagine I jumped at the chance in doing so.
I am not sure when the company was founded by Sue Jones but the background into the products and name of the company is a wonderful story - with Japanese connections and Shakespare ( Brevity Beauty - History and Philosophy
The Shakespare part is the the word Brevity, derived from Polonius’ speech in Hamlet where he stated “Brevity is the
soul of wit” . Brevity Beauty's ethos is “Brevity is the soul of beauty”. Brevity
means brief, quick and certianly their regime is breif and quick. Which for some of us with busy lifestyles will love without having to compromise on quality and effective skincare regime.
Ok, so what is in the products that makes it so effective yet quick? - Marine Collagen! combined with licorice, geranium and Hyaluronic acid which are all renowned for helping reduce
fine lines and wrinkles, diminishing pigmentation spots and firming the
skin.
The 3 Step System:
1) The Cleansing Lotion
2) The Conditioning Bar and Lather Net ( unique and fun to use )
3)The All in One Moisturising Gel
When I received this, I was wondering what the net was for, and it this that makes their 3 step rather unique and fun to use. However, I will explain usage in a second. The Brevity 3 Step uses a double cleansing system and a combined toner/moisturiser. The cleansing lotion removes any makeup efficiently and effectively. Apply this to your hands and massage into the skin, than cleanse away with water. You than place the cleansing bar into the net, wet with some warm water and rub the net between your palms to create a foam. Take the bar out, and squeeze the net with one hand from top to bottom to remove the foam onto your hands and massage foam onto face ( do not use the net on the face ). Then just rinse with water and pat dry. I found my skin beautifully squeaky clean - but not drying like soaps can be. It felt gentle but definitely effective.
Once you pat dry, apply the moisturising gel all over face and neck. The texture of the gel was lovely and my face felt moisturised afterwards.
I have placed the video of how to use the products, as it is best seen!
I have used it for 4 days now, and I haven't any problems with it. My skin has felt really clean, soft and moisturised after using the products. I also liked the fact it was quick, all 3 steps took less than 5 Min's to do, and as mother, and I work full time too, a regime like this is great.
As someone who works in the beauty industry, I know you really need a good 4 weeks to see real improvements on your skin, although some results like I have mentioned are seen instantly, for results on wrinkles, lines, tone of skin etc you would need at least 4 weeks. I would recommend using the products, as they have felt really comfortable on my skin and would continue to use to see the longer term results.
Price wise, I feel they are very reasonable, falling in the same category to other premium brands that offer similar products in terms of marine, or anti ageing.
I believe as I write this, Brevity Beauty are still offering samples out to try their skincare - if you follow them on Facebook or Twitter.
They are the most cutiest looking moisturing lipbalm with a hint of fabulous colour that will live in your makeup bag.
Now as you have read before when I tested out a semi permant lip colour, that I am not a person who wears colour on my lips. Even though I have been told numerous times I have a wonderful lip shape and fullness, and pale ones at that. I am very shy to show them off and so getting me to use a lip colour on a day to day base is rather difficult....... until I met the Chubby Stick!
OMG! I have totally fallen in love with these. They are not a lipstick but gently tint your lip with a gorgeous sheer colour of moisturing lip balm that contains shea and mango butter in them. The butters make the balm feel so mosituring and smooth on your lips but don't give you that feel that lipsticks can leave you with. I feel I am not really wearing anything which is one of the reasons why I love wearing them.
To suprise you even more, my fave colour and the first one I got was the Volumptros Violet. I can't however wear the Pudgy Poeny and Chucky Cherry due to my skin tones on there own but I love the fact you can mix them up with other colours to create your own personal colour.
There are 16 mouth watering shades to play around with, wear on there own or mix them up and create your own shade. I also love that they look crayons and my 4 year old loves them too.
I have as you can see the Voluptous Violet and Bountiful Blush. They Retail at £16 and while stock lasts if you buy two you get a cute little carry case to put them in available in four different colours. Other colours are:
Oversized Orange ( which is like a coral colour - another fave )
Two Ton Tomatoes
Chucky Cherry
Mighty Mimosa
Pudgy Poeny
Richer Raisn
Fuller Fig
Curvey Candy
Whole Lotta Honey
Mega Melon
Graped-Up
Super Strewberry
Woppin Watermelon
Heaping Hazelnut
Chubby Sticks are available at all Clinique counters and online retailers.
As you may have read in a previous post, I had moved jobs from the beauty hall of prestigious department store to becoming a concession manager for a gorgeous fashion brand called Mint Velvet. Although having missed the beauty industry, I am now back in the beauty industry. However, I totally loved the clothes from this Fresh, New brand and would love to share my love for it.
The brand is nearly 3 years old but has gone a long way since they started up 2009 when 3 ladies, Liz, Lisa and Jane decided to set up there own womenswear brand. With an ethos of relaxed glamour and pride in an holistic approach, Mint Velvet collections combine beautiful textures with key seasons looks that are effortlessly translated into wearable and co-ordinated pieces.
Before I joined the company, I hadn't really heard of them - only because since having my daughter and putting a bit of weight, shopping for clothes I totally lost interest in because my shaped had changed and I suppose I didn't feel confident, sexy anymore. So I hide mainly behind sport clothes like bagging jeans, t-shirts, hoddies etc. Although working in the beauty industry brought some of my confidence back, it was Mint Velvet that made me feel like a "Yummy Mummy"!
Swapping my bagging jeans for leggings, skinny jeans and dresses, I can't help but fall in love with a lot of their collections. I have a new passion for silk, which they carry across through their collections from tops, tunics to dress. They have such beautiful collections, I never seem to struggle finding anything I don't like and the collections just get better and better.
Prices are reasonable too, for a high street brand that has such luxurious textiles, designs they sit price wise with Phase 8, Next. They have boutiques which are a must to visit with there iconic Mint Velvet deco across the country and in most House of Frasers and John Lewis.
Other colours are:
