Saturday Suggestions

Eva Longoria favours bright cheeks

If you like your cheeks to have a glowing effect apply your blusher over your foundation without adding any powder to that area.

Rituals Yogi Flow Foaming Shower Gel

I received the Rituals Yogi Flow Foaming Shower Gel £3.50 in my December Glossybox and actually haven't used it that much, which is probably because I am not that enamoured.

The product comes in a heavy can and when you press the pump a gel comes out which then transforms into a foam.  You have to be careful when pressing the pump as a lot comes out in one go, so you need to just press lightly, something I have found a little annoying.  This gel contains sodium lauryl sulphate (a foaming agent) as one of the main ingredients which is a chemical I try and steer clear of and therefore another negative for me.

The scent is so slight that it's difficult to work out what it is - almond and Indian Rose, with the almond coming through more than the rose as the rose is undetectable.  The gel does have a moisturising effect which is nice and I think would make a good shaving gel for the legs but for me as a shower gel it doesn't work.

Thumbs down I'm afraid.

Diego Dalla Palma Semi-Permanent Mascara

Here is Katie's review:

"This DDP mascara £16 is very different to regular mascara and is described as "the first semi-permanent mascara, a real eyelash dye that lasts for days and days and is removed only when you want it."  A quick Google search told me this range is considered the Mac of Italy - I love Mac so was excited to try it out.

The packaging is plain, matt black with a white typeface, very understated and looks expensive. The mascara has a kind of biscuity smell which reminds me slightly of some fake tan and I wonder if it contains similar ingredients to give the semi-permanence?  The consistency is very thin, which is good for me as I don't like really thick, gloopy mascara; however, it almost felt like there was nothing on the brush and it took more than a few applications to get the result I wanted.  The colour was good but it still felt like I had no makeup on and my lashes definitely were lacking something.  I would say it's more like a lash dye than a regular mascara.

When they say semi-permanent they really are not joking!  Once this stuff is on it's on, so if you're going to try this mascara make sure you invest in some super efficient eye makeup remover.*  I use Dermalogica makeup remover and even after thoroughly washing my face and using multiple cotton pads I still had panda eyes the next morning and a feeling of residue on my lashes.

I believe this product would be perfect for holidays when light makeup is required as I'm positive it wouldn't come off after swimming and I would buy it for this purpose.  All-in-all a quality product and good value for money but just not suited for me for every day in the office."

* DDP recommend an oil based eye makeup remover

Available from selected Tesco stores and Tesco Direct

Sunday Commandments

Do you get an oily t-zone after applying foundation?  When you've applied your foundation take a tissue and separate the sheets, use one sheet to gently blot the t-zone so all excess oil is removed.  Wait a few minutes then apply powder.  You should now be shine free for most of the day!

Before I Go To Sleep

No this isn't my beauty regime at night but a book I read this week which I enjoyed so much I had to tell you about it.

"Before I Go To Sleep" is a psychological thriller of the page-turning, can't put it down variety. It's the story of Christine, a woman who has no memory of her past so every day she wakes up she has no idea who she is, where she is and who the person sleeping next to her is (her husband).  The story is seen through Christine's eyes and you feel her terror every day as her husband has to carefully explain her life to her - every single morning.

She begins to keep a journal of daily events as recommended by her doctor, who calls her every day to remind her where she keeps it (in the wardrobe hidden from her husband).  She reads the previous days events and is always confused as she can never remember these things happening.  As the book progresses and Christine fills in more of the journal you begin to realise something in her life is not right!

This book is so good I read it in two sittings and after looking at reviews on Amazon I see that lots of others did the same.  A film is going to be made but I suggest you get in there first and read this book.

Available from all good book stores.

Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes

I hope that you all had a good Christmas and New Year (gosh that seems ages away now).  I was lucky enough to visit New York for a week over New Year and did some beauty shopping, of course.

One of my purchases was these Burt's Bees Towelettes $6 and whilst I'm not a fan of facial wipes normally - they seem so harsh on the skin, I do like Burt's Bees so I knew I had to buy them.

Here's the description from the packaging:

• Removes dirt, oil and makeup without rinsing 
• Dermatologist Tested
• Ophthalmologist Tested
• Natural Cloth FSC certified 

(FSC is the Forest Stewardship Council so it means the cloths are from renewable sources)

They smell of White Tea Extract and it's a clean, sharp smell that I like it but if you don't you'll be put off because it's strong.  The size is good (18cm x 20cm) and I can use just one wipe for a whole face of makeup, excluding eyes.  I always use a separate eye makeup remover (at the moment Dermalogica Soothing Eye Makeup Remover) as I have very sensitive eyes. I can't guarantee these wipes would remove eye makeup completely but I think they would do a pretty good job.

There is a tiny bit of tingling after use which is the toning part and doesn't bother me, in fact it feels rather refreshing.   I wouldn't recommend if you have very sensitive skin - you shouldn't be using wipes if you have!

I really like them and did buy another pack because I know they are not yet available in the UK but I'm sure they'll be coming some time soon.