AniqahAtlas

New In | Maybelline

12/06/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

I have been very poor of late - starting a new job one week from the end of the month meant a whooooooooooole 5 weeks of no money! And then I got paid, and surprisingly I haven't gone crazy with riches yet! I did however pick up a few Maybelline bits on their 3 for 2 offer in Boots, and have been pleasantly surprised with them =).

So, first up we have the Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara - I picked this up because I love to do my brows, I just find I tend to forget, so this is perfect. Literally a couple of swipes through the brows, and tah-dah! Day-ready brows! Now, my brows don't really need a lot of attention, so this is perfect for myself, but if you have sparse brows in the first place, I do not think this is quite the product for you!

Next up, the Master Kajal Khol Liner. I love khol and kajal, they are just perfect for me, but I was disappointed with the last Maybelline one, which to me was neither khol nor kajal, but after running out of my Rimmel Scandaleyes, I thought I'd give this a little go, and actually I really like it! It is lovely and dark, a little bit smudgy, just the way I like it, and stays put on the waterline!

So Maybelline have scored a hit!

Much Love, Ani x

Beauty Faves | November

12/05/2013 11:39:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

November seems like its been the longest yet shortest month ever. I am now a 26 year old and very much looking forward to December!

First things first, I have been loving a new cleanser this month - the infamous Eve Lom Cleanser, which I received as a little sample pot, and will be one of the first things I purchase on pay day! In short, it is a beautiful balm cleanser that emulsifies slightly when you add water, removing quite literally all of my make up, even my thick eyeliner and mascara. I emulsify with a little water, then remove with a hot flannel, and my skin loves it! The small pot I had managed to last me between 2 and 3 months, even using it super generously!

Next up is the wonderfully named skinChemists Venom Mask. I'm sure many of you have been experiencing confused skin due to the cold, biting weather, and I'm sure, like mine, yours might be dehydrated. Enter the Venom Mask - moisture in a tube! With syn-ake, which helps the fight against ageing and hyaluronic acid (that wonder ingredient), it is the most perfect overnight mask.

Maybelline's Fit Me Anti-Shine Stick is up next - a wonderful foundation stick that glides on the skin, buffs in beautifully and really does help control shine.

Bourjois' Blush Eclusif has graced my cheeks almost every single day this month - the perfect pink, cream-blush hue that just adds a little prettiness to every look.

What have your faves been this month?

Much Love, Ani x

Sunday's Snaps | Six

12/01/2013 09:42:00 pm

Hola Munchkins!

Ahhhhhh so this working and blogging malarkey is one that I still have to figure out, so posts have been a bit sparse! Worry not though, my favourites post is coming tomorrow annnnnnnnnnd I now write the magazine/ blog for my work, so you can also catch me editing and writing at skinChemists Magazine.

This week (last sun-this sun) has encompassed some busy-ness at work, my birthday, my mum's birthday, general festive feelings and holiday preparations!

Love A.x

Sunday's Snaps | Five

11/24/2013 04:00:00 pm

Hola Munchkins!

This week has been a tad exciting - big things going on at work, lots of products to try, lovely celeb party and showcase to attend, and meeting the super sweet Abi Clarke and Lydia Scott-Lee =).

And that is my week in a very small nutshell.

Much Love, Ani x

Back | Night Time Luxury

11/23/2013 11:46:00 pm

Hola Munchkins!

I have been a very, very bad blogger - life and work have just gotten away from me, but here I am stating my intention to go back to doing what I love almost daily - blogging.

I thought I'd start back with a few rescue products that I am using on these cold winter nights that add a little luxury to my nighttime routine. The cold weather and travelling on the tube is just pummeling my skin into oblivion - its pretty clear at the moment, but obviously stressed and parched even though its oily. So step forward the last steps before bed:

First up I'm been slathering my worn-out face in skinChemists Wrinkle Killer Facial Oil - the middle bottle - which is absolutely beautiful: a more water-based oil that is a cross between a serum and an oil that leaves the skin nourished but not greasy. Next up, a generous layer of the skinChemists Wild Caviar Facial Moisturiser (a tube of the matching hand cream sits on my desk), which is lovely, thick but light, and nourishes deep down. You actually only need the tiniest bit - it spreads well and doesn't add any excess oil to the face. Lastly I slather on the Neom Complete Bliss Organic Hand Cream - smells of Moroccan Blush Rose, which is a smell that I absolutely adore, and leaves the hands soft and supple.

So those are my current nighttime go to's!

Hope you liked them!

Much Love, Ani x

Thursday's Thought | Thirteen

11/14/2013 08:45:00 pm

Hola Munchkins!

This week has been quite the blur, hence I have been slacking big time on the blog front - hopefully I can resume normal blogging services from this weekend.

Here is a little collage of my inspirations:

Love Ani x

Sunday's Snaps | Five

11/10/2013 08:54:00 pm

Hola Munchkins!

Long time no speak - naughty me! Life has just run away from me, but today I bring you this week's Sunday's Snaps. And this week took me out of my old-lady like existence!

Hopefully normal blogging will resume on the ASAP.

Love Ani x

Sunday's Snaps | Four

11/03/2013 08:02:00 pm

Hola Munchkins!

This week has been incredibly busy, and I am now sitting down on a Sunday night compiling a whole load of blog posts for you - so without further ado, here are this week's Sunday's Snaps:

Love Ani x

Angel Delight | Cream Puff

11/01/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

Surprisingly this post isn't actually my faves for October (look out for those over the weekend!), neither is it about the lovely creamy dessert that is Angel Delight, but a matte lip cream I have recently rediscovered. This is Collection 2000 Cream Puff in Angel Delight: I am not sure exactly why I forgot about this, it tends to happen, but I have rediscovered it and the basic gist is - it is pretty much perfect.

Firstly, it literally feels like how I imagine a cream puff to feel on the lips - smooth, soft and slightly like it's just not there at all. Pigmentation is brilliant - opaque with one layer, but nice to add more layers and have a full-on matte pout. Regarding matte, it really is matte. Not demi-matte. Not slightly matte, but lovely and matte. So much so that it looks like my lips in both texture and colour. My lips but better kind of deal - and brilliant for work days, or any days where you want a colour you don't have to worry about, and that will stay on perfectly.

Love A.x

Thursday's Thought | Twelve Halloween Style

10/31/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

Today's thought is halloween-themed, but that doesn't make it any less true!

Happy Halloween!

Love A.x

Antique | Sleek Blush

10/30/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

I am loving a little bit of autumn make-up at the moment. As much as I do not like any weather that doesn't include either a lot of sun or a lot of snow, I am quite enjoying big jumpers, and autumn make-up. I have added one new blush to my rotation specifically for autumn: Sleek's Antique.

This is a lovely just-into-the-berry-family shade, slightly sepia, with a shimmer and a lightness about it. That's a lot of properties for one blush, but let me tell you, it is absolutely perfect for winter: adds colour to a pallid complexion whilst brightening the face. It has a little shimmer which actually helps the blush to highlight at the same time as "blushing" whilst also almost bronzing the complexion! I really think that this is a beautiful blush for all skin tones, and recommend you go and buy it now!

What are your go-to blushers for Autumn?

Love A.x

Unheard | Nanshy Brushes

10/29/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

I am a lover of make up brushes - I have far too many and it takes me such a long time to clean them, but I am always looking out for more! Whilst my core brush collection is a Bobbi Brown one, I am always looking for amazing quality brushes that are affordable. Nanshy brushes fit right into that category, and have fast become my go-to brushes lately.

These are highly reminiscent of the Sigma brushes, and are just as fabulous, with a lower price point! The set of four that I received (and divided up between myself and my sister) are absolutely beautiful, baby soft, and perform perfectly - all for just £34.95! The two above are my favourite - they fill voids in my collection: the flat buffing brush is beautiful for buffing lighter foundations into the skin, really perfecting the look, and also can be used to stipple on any areas that need higher coverage. The Pointed Foundation Brush is very reminiscent of the Louise Young brush that I have coveted for years, and is very good for blending out foundation and getting into the crevices of the face. These brushes are incredible quality, feel sturdy and substantial in the hand, and general defy their price point by being amazing! You can find these at Nanshy Brushes and I would wholeheartedly recommend these to you whether you're a beginner or a pro!

Let me know if you try these and love them as much as I do!

Love A.x

Repurchased | Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

10/28/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

A literal picture post to show you one of the few things I have ever repurchased (Fair for highlighting and Medium for concealing).

I love this for a Kimmy K style highlighting frenzy (need to repurchase the Deep for Contouring) and also for just covering up blemishes and redness, and for staying in place!

Are you a constant repurchaser, or a bit of a fickle one like me?!

Love A.x

Sunday's Snaps | Three

10/27/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

Here is a little pictorial view into the week I've had!

Love A.x

Autumn Switch | Perfume

10/26/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

I have recently gotten into fragrance again - I have real phases with scents, and sometimes I forget to use a perfume at all. This is definitely season of the perfume, and more specifically, season of the heavier perfume. The two perfumes I am currently reaching for are my very oldest and very newest.

As a seven or eight-year old I asked for Karl Lagerfield's Sun, Moon and Stars - very grown up for a little girl, and after the initial obsession I am now reaching for it regularly. It is floral, but in a grown-up and sexy way - I suppose some may call it oriental, and I feel it is the jasmine and sandalwood that tickle my olfactory senses! The newest of my fragrances is the Oriflame My Red by Demi Moore. I thought, on first glance, that this would be very similar to another of my faves - the Hugo Boss Deep Red, crossed with Sun, Moon and Stars, and it does have hints of both, but is something else entirely. The main note here is said to be Red Jasmine, and it is that which reminds me of a lot of fragrances that I like, but My Red has a whole other fruity note to it that I wouldn't normally go for, but actually works as a lighter fragrance. I envisage many using this as a day fragrance, which is what I have been doing, often mixing it with Sun, Moon and Stars because my nose loves a heavy, heady scent!

Have you switched your fragrances for autumn?

Love A.x

Re-moisturising | My face

10/25/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

It's that time of year again - the one where the weather doesn't know what its doing, so my face can't decide what its doing - currently oily but very dehydrated, evidenced by the fact that when I put my foundation on the other morning, it clung to patches and wouldn't blend: unheard of on my oily skin. So, I did what any skincare-loving gal does, and packed a whole heap of moisture on it to plump it up whilst I was sleeping.

I recently remembered that I have the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair (Mark 1!) - as a beauty blogger, I can be fickle, and I cannot for the life of me remember when I last used this, so I slathered this rediscovered beauty all over my face. It is magic in a bottle. Love. Then the Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil, which is a new love, but a love all the same: it has the texture of a dry oil, but has slip enough to massage in a beautiful way all over the face, and nourishes the complexion beautifully. On top of this I slathered on a real miracle - the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream from Elemis. I use this whenever I need to really perk up my face - it is a true multi-tasker, fixes a whole myriad of problems and just leaves your face with the feeling that you get snuggling up with a cup of tea after a long, long day. Perfection. Lastly, lips, and my new Kiko SPF 50 balm - thick and white, perfect for night!

What do you use to inject moisture into the skin?

Love A.x

Thursday's Thought | Eleven

10/24/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

This is something I really do try to live my life by: I have in the past found it difficult to ignore people who are constantly trying to put one down, but I like to live my life like this =).

Love A.x

Faking Cheekbones | Sleek Face Form

10/23/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

Today I have a beautiful little palette to share with you, and it is quite literally the whole cheekbones-in-a-palette multi-tasking affair. I have the palette in medium, and it contains a contour colour, a highlighter and a blush/bronze colour - everything you need for a golden goddess-esque look.

The palette is small and sturdy, perfect for travelling or even for just throwing into a handbag or hand luggage. The colours are beautifully buttery and pigmented, and can be used delicately for a softly-sculpted look, or heavily for a full-on Kimmy K effect. The contour colour is warmer than I'm used to from my Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder, but is actually a lovely change that adds a warmth to my currently autumn-induced grey pallor! The highlight is my preferred colour - a warm champagne with a little ice to it, and the blush is a lovely golden-flecked shade that makes for a perfect healthy glow. I love this palette - I know it will be accompanying me when I holiday in December, and I'm actually pretty tempted to buy some of the other shades!

Love A.x

Disney Princess | Auction

10/22/2013 07:41:00 pm

Hola Munchkins!

I am a Disney girl. No two ways about it - I love Disney, through and through, so when I saw Christie’s catalogue of ten designer Disney Princess-inspired dresses, I just had to write a little something on it. All these beautiful retellings of Disney dresses are available to view before they go under the hammer for the very worthy cause of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, which the auction being on November 13^th.

Oscar De La Renta's Snow White

The unique dresses were produced as part of a wonderful, one-off partnership between Disney and Harrods: each is a magnificent version of a Disney Princess, paying tribute to the tales of Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Rapunzel, Snow White and Tiana.

Jenny Packham's Rapunzel

Christie’s have anticipated the Cinderella dress of gold silk by Versace, the Belle dress - buttercup yellow silk evening gown and cape by Valentino and Snow White’s corseted yellow silk gown and scarlet silk cape by Oscar de la Renta will be the favourite. I myself adore the Aurora dress, by one of my most-coveted designers, Elie Saab.

Elie Saab's Aurora

The exclusive dresses will go on public display as part of Christie’s Vintage Couture and Luxury Handbags auction from November 9th at Christie’s South Kensington, appearing in a winter wonderland setting specially created by the world-famous luxury retailer, Harrods. For now every princess will get to go to the ball!

Love A.x

Sunday's Snaps | Two

10/20/2013 04:18:00 pm

Hola Munchkins!

Another busy week in the land of guilded butterflies, so without further ado, here comes my Sunday's Snaps for this week.

<3Mickey&Minnie | Skin Chemists Bee Venom Facial Serum - love so far | Princess Diaries on TV=) | My HP love continues

Bourjois Happy Light | Strength | Minnie make up storage | Lemon tart nom nom nom

Blogging cam (sister's) | Autumn is well and truly here | Miyu De-Stressing tea | Sleek face form in Medium - love love love!

Me | Backpack for my holiday! Pretty pink! | Arthur Christmas - my all-year-round guilty pleasure is now acceptable to watch! | Tea on a cold day

Love A.x

The Absolute | Skin Saviours

10/18/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

As you may know, skincare is my drug - and as such, my skin tends to be in pretty good condition day in and day out. Of course, this doesn't mean I don't have skin issues - Asian skin like mine tends towards scarring and hyperpigmentation, and when I do have a few spots, they really make themselves known! One thing that really affects my skin though is the changing of the seasons, or more specifically, unsettled weather. You know, the type that we are having at the moment - rain, followed by sun, followed by icy winds. My skin just hates it, and despite its oily nature, leaves me with eczema, especially around my eyes and lips. Just as the weather turned, I was sent what I can only describe as three items that have become my saviours: I quite literally have used these three things only this week, and felt the improvement in my skin almost immediately.

So, from left to right we have the Defensil Rescue Serum, the Dry Eye Gel, and the Liquorice Balm for lips, all from Skin Shop. If I'm truthful, I didn't expect much from these - especially the eye gel and lip balm. The eczema on my eyes gets irritated to the point of having to slap a load of steroid cream on them in order to soothe my eyes: surprise of all surprises, this soothed my eyes in about half an hour. The Lip balm has actually managed to add moisture back into my perpetually-dry lips, and smells of Sambuca! The Rescue Serum is something that I see being a real staple in life - soothing and moisturising, it really helps with skin that is stressed and a bit all over the place! All in all, these are wonderful products that I really and truly think I will always use!

Love A.x

Thursday's Thought Ten | Disorderly

10/17/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

Today, a thought a) from one of my fave writers and b) that explains my messy mind!

Love A.x

Health | Vitamin D

10/16/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

One of my "afflictions" if you will is a chronic deficiency of Vitamin D. Now, this year we had quite the gloriously sunny, hot summer, which left me feeling more energised than I have for a few years! As soon as the sun gave way to autumn, I felt my energy levels plummet, quite drastically, and quite definitely! I tend to be quite forgetful when it comes to taking tablets - I've an awful memory, so when I came across the D Lux Vitamin D Spray and it was on offer, I felt like a ray of light was shining on me!

Being a spray, for some reason I seem to be actually taking it daily. I can also just pop it in my bag if needs be! It tastes yummy, just like peppermint, and you literally spray it onto your tongue for your full dose of Vitamin D. It's been less than a week, so I can't tell you how I'm getting on with it yet, but I'm certain its got to help in some way!

Love A.x

Eau De | Toast

10/14/2013 09:35:00 pm

Hola Munchkins!

A few weeks ago I saw something that looked quite fun, and decided to apply for a sample of it - Eau De Toast! I didn't really know what to think about it - in fact, I wasn't even sure that it would arrive, and by the time it did I had almost forgotten about it: it had slipped my mind completely!

On first sniff, without spraying this is quite lovely - sweet and caramelly, but slightly burnt! Once actually sprayed the burnt nuances come straight to the top, with a sweeter dry down. Not wearable, but definitely fun and a brilliant idea to highlight A Slice of Life!

Did you get to smell this brilliant piece of PR?

Love A.x

Sunday's Snaps | One

10/13/2013 05:01:00 pm

Hola Munchkins!

I have decided to add this on a weekly basis - I take a lot of random pics of things I like throughout the week, and sometimes it's nice just to look at a load of pics, so today I bring you the first of my Sunday's Snaps!

Cheeky Nail Polishes to be be tested next week | Boots Xmas Guide! | My make up bag | Toast perfume?

Skin Shop Dry Eye Gel - Saviour | Antipodes Juliet Cleanser, currently testing | Two rediscoveries in my real jewels collection | Skin Shop Liquorice Lip Balm - brill!

Harry Potter Studios Tickets! | Wonka chocolate bar | FOM Serum - wonderful | Nanshy brushes - beautiful

M&S Milk bottles nom nom nom | Oldest perfum in my collection Karl Lagerfield ( over 10 years old!) | Sorting my Vit D Fix | Skin shop skin rescuer!

Hope you liked this kind of post!

Love A.x

Thursday's Thought Nine | Fear Stories

10/10/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

I used to be the world's biggest scaredy cat - until I realised one day, that nothing (excepting death) is going to kill me.

Love A.x

New Night | Non Alpha H

10/09/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

I have been super lucky to get to try out a fair few skincare products lately, but have managed to FINALLY settle myself into a routine that I seem to like. My night routine (on non-Liquid Gold nights) combines chemical exfoliants with deep hydration but also mattification!

After cleansing, I sweep the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Cleanser over my face and neck. I just adore a good old chemical exfoliant, and having it in the form of a toner makes it super duper convenient to work it into my routine even on days where Alpha H's Liquid Gold does not find it's way onto my skin.

Next up is Indie Lee Co Q-10 Toner, which uses hyaluronic acids to push and hold onto moisture in the skin. Using this helps to compensate the skin for any moisture lost during the first toning stage.

My serum of choice is the FoM (Freshness of the Morning) Remodelling Beauty Serum, which smells of delicious roses! This is not a gel-type serum, but more like a very light lotion which instantly hydrates and seems to plump the skin.

Lastly, the Indie Lee Squalene Facial Oil which is suitable for all skin types. This is wonderful - I actually have quite the varied collection of facial oils, but this manages to have its own niche in my collection: it is more like a dry oil. Very nourishing, but completely non-greasy, this is just beautiful.

As I use all of these more and more I will definitely get reviews up!

Love A.x

The Make Up Store | Eyeshadows

10/08/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

As autumn comes, and winter follows, the need for a subtly smoky, or an autumnal eye tends to follow suit. The Make Up Store has managed to come up trumps this year with exactly that: eyes that are suitably smoky and autumnal.

Truth be told, I haven't had the pleasure of Make Up Store make up before this, but it was an actual pleasure using them for the first time. The colours I have are Terracotta - a beautiful rust with shimmer shot through; Mountain - a matte, soft grey that lends to a smoky eye brilliantly; and Scale, the most beautiful purple that leans more grey than the picture shows it to be. The formula is impressive, soft, pigmented, and the colours are true-to-pan.

Lovely, beautiful shadows that I would buy more of in the future.

Love A.x

Life through | The eyes of my Phone

10/07/2013 04:48:00 pm

Hola Munchkins!

Life has got verrrrrrrrrrrry busy, so I thought I would do a "Life through my phone" kind of post so you can see all the wonderful and not-so-interesting things I have been up to this week!

Love A.x

MUA | One Direction Styleeeeee

10/05/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

Today I bring to you a little bit of the MUA One direction collection. Now, these are actually bought for my little cousin, so I won't give you any swatches, but I thought you might just like to see them anyways:

They do look pretty darn cute, and the range is a lovely small one, which I feel is perfect for a girl's first lot of make up! Very age-appropriate.

Love A.x

Incoming | L'oreal

10/04/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

Today is literally a "these made their way into my life" kinda post!

Very interested to see how these two pan out!

Love A.x

Thurday's Thought Eight | Every Day

10/03/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

This is something that I truly believe:

Love A.x

Nail of the | Week

10/02/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

I am back in my beloved dark nails again, and I am extremely happy about it =)x

This beautiful nail polish is Rimmel Salon Pro in 393 Desire - beautiful colour, opaque in two coats, no streaking, and a lovely big brush.

Love A.x

September | Faves

10/01/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

Today, as I type this, it is the 29th September, it is a sunny, but chilly day, and I am hugely confused. Confused as to what the world quite thinks it is doing?! Time is going super fast, but the weather cannot make up its mind and I am just confused! However, this month's faves were super-duper easy for me to pick out, so as Mario and Luigi say in the Super Mario Bros Wii game "Here we go againnnnnnn!"

First up, something new - the Rimmel Salon Pro Kate Moss Nail Polish in 393 Desire. I love a good maroon or burgundy nail - always have, always will. For around 8 years my colour of choice has been No7 Temptress, but it is just not sitting well on my nails anymore, so when I popped into Boots the other day I picked up this little beauty. Huge brush, smooth polish, high-shine, intense colour - perfect.

Now, a repurchase - the Ben Nye Banana Powder, which I am housing in an old powder box! Lovely yellow-toned powder that helps to control oil, brighten my face, and leaves me with the yellow-tone nature intended for me!

La Senteurs Gourmandes Vanilla Noire (review here) - basically one of the best scents I've ever smelt. I love it, cannot be without it. Sweet and sexy simultaneously.

Vichy Dermablend Foundation Stick - love it so much that there is literally nothing left of it - perfect as a concealer, or as a foundation, and wonderful for carrying around with me.

Givenchy Noir Couture mascara, the best mascara I have ever tried - so much so that I haven't strayed from it for around 10 months, which is unheard of for me! Thick, voluminous, black lashes in two coats. Perfect.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Khol in Black: I have rediscovered the beauty of lining my waterline - intense, smouldering, defined eyes in a flash!

And, for once, I actually have some jewellery faves!

Since landing a job, I have been upping the stakes on my jewellery bits. My constant is my purple evil eye, then we have a pink pearl bracelet (meant to attract love into your life), the gold bracelet is my graduation present, and my newest faves, the two gold midi rings!

Hope you liked my September faves - a little different from usual!

Love A.x

September | Empties

9/30/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

I always try to finish products: I always mean well, but I am a sucker for new things. Anyways, this month I did manage to finish three items, and they really are three items that I absolutely love.

The Hydraluron was a lovely skincare extra, at a time when I was severely dehydrated. I would love to buy another tube of this lovely gel to water type serum, and will do at some point.

My fave within these empties is the Pro Collagen Oygenating Night Cream. I am gonna go out on a limb here and say I really don't think there is a better night cream around. I love it - it softens, brightens, and deeply moisturises throughout the night. For now, due to its expense I am currently using the Pro Collagen Marine Cream if needed, but when I have the money, this will be repurchased in a heartbeat.

La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Mask has served me well for over a year, injecting moisture when I really needed it. It was cooling, soothing, and dealt with dehydration in a deeper way, and will be a repurchase.

Hope my empties gave you a little food for thought!

Love A.x

Les Senteurs Gourmandes | Vanilla Noire

9/29/2013 05:11:00 pm

Hola Munchkins!

Les Senteurs Gourmandes is a brand that conjures up imageries of intimate exclusivity, and for that reason alone, I was drawn towards the brand. Vanilla Noire is an ultimately beautiful fragrance: I was apprehensive that it would carry the obvious olfactory nuances of any other vanilla scent, but this is something more elite. La Senteurs Gourmandes truly manages to provide an assortment of subtly tweaked vanilla fragrances, from this Vanilla Noire, all the way to a Vanilla Bourbon - a real selection for a perfume connoisseur.

This particular scent is an intoxicating blend of richness, caramel-y headiness, with a sensuality about it – something one can really yield to. Indeed, I have found myself spraying and re-spraying Vanilla Noire in order to continuously smell it on myself! There is, of course, no need to do this, as the longevity on the skin is excellent: it starts off as a somewhat alcoholic scent, but dries down in next to no time into an aroma that manages to virtually meld with my own skin, and that I catch a smidgen of each time I turn my head. A buttery accord lends the perfume to being absolutely more-ish, whilst the vanilla is wholly pure – not artificially sweet, nor a musty, ancient odour. The actual notes within the perfume include cinnamon, clove and ylang ylang, all of which add the “noire” to the vanilla. Ultimately seductive, infinitely deep, rich and something categorically special. Definitely a signature scent and the perfect cosy smell for winter.

Love A.x

Tool Rediscovery | Fan Brush

9/21/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

I love to contour my face - I am not at all blessed in the cheekbone department, and as such I contour every day. My tool of choice depends on the intensity needed and the effect desired: I use a small setting brush for a precise, heavy contour, a loose blush brush for a more everyday contour, and a normal firmness blush brush for those in between days.

This little beauty is my Crown Brushes Fan Brush, and I generally forget about it. In the past I only ever used it for highlighting, but randomly used it with my Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder the other day, and loved the effect. It gives a defined, yet very natural contour, but can also be used for warming up the face using a normal bronzer. I love this brush - the fan shape is perfect for hugging the facial contours.

Love A.x

A Week | Of simple, constant skincare

9/20/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

When it comes to skincare, I am what they refer to as a complete tart. I flit in and out, with different products finding favour not only on different days, but also at different times of the day. It's awful, but that's my nature! Anyway, after watching QVC (something I do of a late-night or weekend), the presenter said that using the Balancing Elemis Duo - Lime Blossom Cleaner, and Lavender Toner - had helped to re balance her skin and tighten her pores. Now, I had tried this duo previously for a few days and literally thought "meh". Nothing really happened - my skin was clean, but that was about it. So when QVC said that the results were tangible in approximately a week, I though ah, there's a challenge for me!

After about five days, I really did see a difference - my skin was getting less oily throughout the day, and just felt more balanced in general. The Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser is a lovely milk cleanser - slightly thicker than the average milk cleanser - and is absolutely ideal for taking off make up, and for a little massage, with fingers or with the Clarisonic: I always end by removing it with a flannel. The Toner is lovely and refreshing, quite unlike most toners, and really complements the Cleanser.

All in all, a really lovely, simple set that nourishes the skin whilst actually helping to balance it.

Love A.x

Thurday's Thought Seven | Comparison

9/19/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

Love A.x

Veritable Cornucopia of Uses | Coconut Oil

9/18/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

For centuries, coconut oil has been used for its many health and beauty benefits. Natural and organic, it is a hardworking multitasker that feels beautiful, and can be used from head to toe. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, but melts on contact with the skin, with the oil infiltrating deep into the pores due to its low water content. Within Coconut Oil is an ingredient called Lauric acid, which is anti-microbial, making coconut oil a deep skin cleanser, that rids the skin of dirt and bacteria, as well as being an all-round healing chemical that fights both fungi and bacteria, helping keep spots and blackheads away.

As a facial oil, Coconut Oil makes a beautiful anti-ageing oil, perfect for a good night’s beauty sleep. It fights free radicals that cause ageing and moisturises deep into the skin for a perfectly supple visage on awakening from your slumber. Definitely a must-have for all Sleeping Beauties!

As a deep cleanser and a make-up remover, Coconut Oil is highly effective. The oil breaks down even the most waterproof of mascaras, and removes all make-up. Just massage onto the skin, and then remove with a hot flannel for soft skin that is beautifully cleansed. As an eye make-up remover, it also replaces hydration around the eyes – one of the first places to see fine lines from dehydration.

As a soothing oil for skin complaints such as eczema and psoriasis. Homoeopathists have been extolling the virtues of Coconut Oil as an effective dry skin treatment. From experience, I can say that Coconut Oil soothes even the worst eczema itching, and used regularly, becomes an eczema preventer.

As a deep conditioning hair mask. Just apply liberally from roots to tips, and comb through. When rinsed out (I suggest a double shampooing), hair is soft, bouncy, shiny and itchy or flaky scalps are thoroughly soothed.

As your everyday body moisturiser: Coconut Oil as a body moisturiser is brilliant. It sinks into the skin leaving it feeling incredibly velvety, and deeply nourished.

Love A.x

Bioderma Sebium | A Complete Review

9/17/2013 06:00:00 am

Hola Munchkins!

I often wondered what all the fuss surrounding Bioderma was all about, so I tried it. And let me tell you, I didn't really like it. So I moved on to the L'oreal Micellar Water, which I found better than the Bioderma, but still not too amazing. When I was kindly gifted the Bioderma Sebium Micellar Water, I suddenly had an "ah-ha" moment. It was everything I thought it could be.

Bioderma Sebium, splashed onto cotton wool, then swiped over the face is both cleansing and - unlike any other micellar flirtation I have had - is actually refreshing on the skin, leaving no micellar-type stickiness on the surface. I tend to use this as a quick "let-me-get-my-make-up-off" or as a first cleanser on a light make up day, but there is no doubt that if you used enough cotton wool, this bad boy would take every scrap of cosmetic off of the skin. It also tackles eye make up wonderfully, and doesn't sting!

Worth every penny - very glad I have two bottles!

Love A.x

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