J'adore Ardell, the Lash people

So you’ve heard of Ardell Lashes...?  For those of you have that haven’t, you are missing out on the best strip lashes that have graced our retail shelves. Ardell are HUGE in the US of A and look like they are here to stay in the good ole UK (I’m a poet.. I’m a poet!).

Kilpatrick PR,  Ardell Account PR handlers Charlotte and Sam, hosted the Ardell event @ the Soho Hotel in London last Thursday. A range of bloggers, glossy mag editors and makeup artists were amongst the audience. Celebrity Makeup Artist, Lou Page and her team at the Louise Page Academy demonstrated the lash application,  giving hints n tips followed by individual eye makeovers. Accompanied by wine, nibbles (impressive mini fish n chips & burgers I might add... v yummy!). Lou and her team were on hand to chat to everyone and answer questions, giving advice and having general chit chat (as we so love!) .

What’s so good about Ardell Lashes? I can’t stop gushing about the glue for a start. I’ve always favoured Duo (despite its stinkiness), which has never let me down BUT I’m hooked on the Ardell sort. It doesn’t smell horrific, you only need a small amount and by heck it keeps the fluttery beauties in place.

The lashes themselves are totally natural, none of this itching business along the eyelash line AND you don’t feel your lashes weighted down like other brands.  The lash strip itself is flexible and oh-so-easy to roll and mould to any eye shape – it’s a simple, easy application even for those with butter fingers who wants to apply lashes on themselves.

My kit will always have a selection of Ardell lashes for all occasions, you can’t really want for anything else and they have a style to suit all ages (my mum insisted she’s too old last week, today she rocks in sporting the natural style... she’s in her 60’s! Mutton and Lamb are not on the menu!). There are 5 different themes of which have varying styles within those themes... more impressively  some styles come in black and brown! I personally like to use mascara which incidentally goes on a treat AND I have still managed to use the lashes several times.  Convenience, speedy application, light lashes and glorious glue make instant glamour and give any girl/boy a boost to their confidence. What’s not to love?

Share and share alike is my motto, if you find something special, sing like a canary!!

Disposable darlings every Make Up lover should have...

Disposable darlings to boot! Precision, quality, multi functional tools for the taking.  I’m talking hot disposables to boot that every makeup lover should invest in.  I like to give disposables a good run for their money because every penny I put into my kit has to pay me in kind and serve me well.  I haven’t got an abundance of suppliers wanting to throw disposables at me for free BUT I have to have them so I have searched high and low to find the best and cheapest. I'm saving you time and money with these beaut's.

WHY? Not only does it look uber professional to have these slick looking tools to hand, its numero uno for hygiene. Here’s my tried and tested must have’s.

All of these beauties can be found on the www.victorialovesbeauty.com website, if you are a pro makeup artist, why not register for a business account and get additional discount. Cheap as chips my friends and that's what makes them even more gorgeous!

Long tipped eye applicator £9.99 (pack of 50) available from www.victorialovesbeauty.com

Wow, wow, WOW. I will never be without this applicator that I’ve just discovered. It states an eye applicator but believe me, this touches all areas of the face. From using gel liner  to applying glue to lashes or rolling crème eyeshadow over the eyelid. I’m bowled over by this little tool.  This bad boy is welcome in my kit anytime and quite possibly the daddy of all wands.

Short tipped eye applicator £9.99 (pack of 50)  available from www.victorialovesbeauty.com

What can I write that hasn’t been written before? This baby delivers on all levels, the short tip creates precision on any lines whether it be lips or eyes. Precision is the word on the street with this kid and you can’t go wrong  stocking up on these. 

 

Sponge Lip applicator £9.99 (pack of 50)  available from www.victorialovesbeauty.com

I’ve used a few lip disposables in my time and sponge tip is amazing to roll on gloss over a pencil lined lip or it can double up as an applicator for wet eye colours on eyes or pigment that creates minimal eye shadow fall out. It's nothing new but it always delivers!

Mini White Fine Bristle Mascara Wand £4.79 (pack of 25)  available from

www.victorialovesbeauty.com

Ok, this baby isn’t in the corner in my kit. Sure you can use any wand to apply mascara but this little ray of sunshine smoothes out the lower lash, separates by rolling and pulling the lower lashes  to elongate and lengthen even the shortest of lashes. My absolute favourite and CANNOT be without these puppies.

Great organiser that fits even the tallest of disposable tool. Hygienic with a lid to keep your disposables ready for use, makes life that little bit easier by having essentials in one place.

Beauty Organiser £9.99

Do you dare to bare?? I'm talking BODY SCRUBS....

Do you DARE to BARE?  This week’s review and my opinion of 4 hot to trot BODY SCRUBS....

The quest for the best body scrub is never ending! I have pretty dry skin and an obsession with non sticky products so I’m hard to please. I would love to adore Body Shop scrubs; unfortunately I can’t bare the slippery feeling on my skin! Beware of using any scrub after waxing, if you have sunburn or any kind of raw skin – step away and save a scrub for another day!  Enter the scrubs under scrutiny...

Botanics Sugar Scrub. Available from Boots, RRP £3.91

A surprising find IF you use this scrub in a specific way!!!! If you use on a wet body, you may not be impressed. As soon as water hits this baby, the sugar dissolves easily and leaves a very oily film on your skin. HOWEVER!!!!! If you apply the smooth paste on dry skin and rinse off, it might just turn your head.  Nice subtle sweet smell which lingers on your skin, I love the way this works into the skin. Dry skin sufferers will really like the moisturising aspect of this product which I have to say, for the price and the amount is pretty darn good!! OK so the packaging won’t make you giddy with excitement but hey, never judge a book by its cover!!! *** out of *****

Soap & Glory  Sugar Crush. Available from Boots, RRP £6.30

Wowwweeee! The eyecatchy-ness of this product is the first thing that draws you in, next whip off the lid and you might be tempted to tuck in... smell the almond oil and sweet lime, your allured! I digress, the scrub is pretty thick, the macadamia grains scrub away gently and before you know it, your skin will feel baby soft n smooth and the smell doesn’t wear well like others, a bonus if you’re a perfume wearer. Unlike other scrubs, this doesn’t leave an oily film and I might be tempted to moisturise after this scrub although my skin is definitely smoother.  This is great for anyone who hasn’t got overly very dry skin. *** out of *****

Sanctuary Salt Scrub. Available from Boots, RRP £10.20

I was a virgin ‘scrub’ber when I tried this luscious product. I’m a big fan and it never disappoints me. The smell is not quite as alluring as a sugar scrub but it does have a sweetness which subtly stays in place My skin feels super soft, super moisturised but not oily. If you have any irritation you may find it stings slightly but the salt acts as a great healer. I dared to try this after shaving my legs, wow, slight sting but no problem and my skin didn’t react at all, just the same soft, smooth feeling as always. The only bare bug I have is the tub is glass and very heavy (not a great idea when in the bath, wet hands and an oily product!) having said that, a good bathroom ornament! **** out of ***** from me and a big thumbs up.

Champney’s Exotic Body Glow. Available from Boots, RRP £12.00

That’s right, you read it correctly... now available in BOOTS – hallelujah I shout! This was a pure find and I cannot go without this divine scrub. I feel totally indulged when using this and feel as though the Spa carries on its legacy at home! Brown sugar, pure white bora bora sand and mango butter plus palmrosa essential oils equates to bliss in a tub! The smooth scrub has a balance between a gentle scrub, moisturising oil and a smell that stays true to the tub.  My skin feels A-M-A-Z-I-N-G after this scrub. You might want to hold off to putting any perfume on as this manages that job perfectly! **** out of *****

Oily skin sufferer? Here's some products you might want to try....

BOTANICS | Sensitive/Oily - Cleansing Mousse (available from Boots RRP £4.07)

Pump action all the way! 2/3 pumps of this product will be plenty to cut through daily oil and grim. Light texture and very lightly fragranced, this is a great cleanser that doesn't leave your face feeling tight or itchy. Best used directly with hands and doesn't require an entire 'regime' to use. Packing is simplistic and the pump extends to the bottom so there's very little wasting of the product. The only downside is you may need to repeat cleansing twice if you  have a lot of product to wash off. Soap free and has sweet gale/anti bacterial - particularly kind to problem skin with spots and blemishes. **** out of ***** stars from me!

St Ives | Naturally Clear Apricot Scrub (available from Boots/Superdrug)

Oil free facial scrub, ideal for those with sensitive or oily skin. Helps prevent blackheads and blemishes... what's so unique? it does exactly as distribed on the tube. Great to alternate with another daily cleanser.  Great smelling product, not overpowering or highly perfumed, only needs a small amount to work into the face. Apply to dry skin for a really deep scrub although not recommended on a daily basis as slightly abrasive. Great for all skin types.  . Have used on neck/chest area which works a treat.  New packaging is eye catchy although retains water in the lid if you are a shower user!  **** out of ***** stars.

Good Things 'Miracle Matifier' available from Boots RRP £9.00
As the name suggests it is a "good thing" and it certainly matifies! The delicious smell will follow you all day! The divine blackberry and Gojiberry help absorb excess oil leaving your skin feeling moisturised, smooth and shine free. Works great with all types of foundations that i've tried (and there's a few!). This is animal free product and suitable for vegans and vegetarians.  Can't fault this product.... you will absolutely see and feel immediate results! **** out of ***** stars.

Hello bloggers, howdy world! Im here!

Yooooo Hoooooooo.... I've made it FINALLY to my first EVER blog. Don't get me wrong, I will make mistakes and hopefully learn from them. So about that "S" on my chest. My second job is Superwoman!