BLEACH London - Hair Crayon

AIt's been ages since I actually blogged. But while sat on a National Express Bus to London, it seems like the perfect thing to do. 

Whilst randomly visiting Boots in Pontypridd a range from Bleach London caught my eye. There was a mix of hair crayons and temporary hair colours in lovely vibrant and pastel shades. This kind of hair seems very on trend at the moment. I'm seeing lots of it on Instagram. 

I picked up two hair crayons. One in "Washed up Mermaid" which is a sort of muted pastel turquoise and one in "Rosé" a pastel pink. 

The hair crayons retail for £4 each. They also each some with a sharpener which is a great idea. 

Obviously these colours work best on blonde or light hair... I gave it a go on the lighter bits of my hair but they don't really stand out as well as I would have hoped. 

That said I am optimistic that my friend Bethan will let me give them a go on her hair. 

You can see subtle hints in my hair here. The camera couldn't really pick it up. 

The crayons state they could last 4-10 washes but I'm pretty sure mine come out after one. 

Lovely idea for lighter hair :) will update you when Bethan lets me have a go at her hair. 

Rhian Xx

Milani Baked Blusher

I picked up this pretty little beauty in a new make up store in the Royal Arcade - Cardiff, it's called Beauty Crowd and its where elf used to be (for those that knew it) the shop now offers a variety of brands from the likes of Milani, elf, LA Girl and also a new London based brand - Freedom. 

I'd not really heard of Milani before, I'd seen a few bloggers like @lookamillion posting a few bits recently so I picked up the baked blush. The shade I got was 03. Berry Amore. 

 

It's a pinky, peach shade with gold hints and was around £5.99. A bargain considering the compact also includes a small brush and a mirror. The brush isn't great but they rarely are in this sort of product. It is however ideal for top ups of needs be. 

It's really pigmented and gives a lovely finish. 

Great value for money. 

Apologies for the lack of glamorous makeup. I'm on my way to get it done but wanted to share this with you guys first cause I was so impressed. 

Rhian Xx

Revlon Colourstay Gel Envy

I love, love, love Revlon nail polish! It lasts forever without clumping or separating and the coverage is also, always amazing.
I was really intrigued by the Gel Envy option and as they were on offer in Boots (2 for £10) so it was hard to resist. It's usually £6.99 each.

The polish itself includes a Base and a Colour - and they sell a separate Diamond Top Coat which can be used on any other nail polish to add super high shine and make your polish last longer.
The shade I opted for was Lady Luck - which is a coral/peach shade with gold undertones.

                                      

The coverage is great, but I would still say two coats is ideal, finished with the top coat. It lasted well days 1-5 with only small chips and some re-growth by day 7 which is pretty impressive. The product doesn't give the thickened appearance of some nail polishes but I loved the colour I selected.

My first Chanel nail polish

Now I realise I am way way way behind the times when it comes to this.... However. I wanted to share my thoughts regardless. 

I picked up my very first Chanel nail polish a few weeks ago at Duty free in Rome. Now. I was very tempted to sway the Rouge Noir way. After all, for your first Chanel polish it's worth going for the iconic one right? But, after much deliberation. I opted for a dark purple shade (which are always my faves) and picked up 599, Provocation. 

The colour is beautiful, the application is great. That, I cannot praise enough. 

Here's the BUT. 

For the price you pay for this polish, a whopping £18 you would expect (especially these days with all the new formulas out there) this polish would last a reasonable amount of time with or without a top coat. I mean £18 is a big investment. 

Now, before anyone says "have you tried the Chanel or any other top coat" the answer is yes. I've tried this polish both with and without the top coat. But that's not my point. My point is for £18 should it really need it? I think it probably lasted me a max of 2-3 days before a chip appeared. In my opinion this is disappoiting. There will always be Chanel lovers that won't agree with this and that's ok. But this is my opinion and I was expecting something amazing only to be let down. 

So aside from the negative of how long it lasts and the positives of the application and the colour - I will say that Chanel are the leaders in creating trend colours in nail polish, being a fashion brand helps a great deal of course. So if you are one for the latest trends or generally a lover of  Chanel then £18 for one polish shouldn't worry you. But for me... This is likely to be my first and last Chanel polish simply because I don't want to have to re-paint my nails every 3 days because it's chipped. :'-( 

Rhian Xx

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

When Maybelline brings out a new mascara, I generally pick one up to try it. In my opinion this is one of the categories that Maybelline does best! 

The prices are also great, you can generally get a good mascara for around £6.99-£7.99 and under £10 price points are appealing for all of us! 

In all honesty lately I have been totally obsessed with Benefits Roller Lash! But I wanted another mascara so I don't go through that as quickly and while Boots were in 3 for 2 I seized the opportunity.

 

The brush is quite wide and arched in shape. The idea being that the mascara multiplies your lashes using a new fan affect brush which has 10 layers of bristles. The curved shape allows you to get right to the base of your lashes which is great! Also did I mention it's super super black which I love! 

The brush does do a really good job of separating and fanning out your lashes and it also costs them really quickly. 

Now... This may seem a little bizarre to most of you.

One of my fave things about this mascara is how it coats my bottom lashes. This is a personal preference thing but I do struggle with some mascaras to coat my bottom lashes enough without having to apply layer upon layer. 

Well done Maybelline. Another fab mascara! 

Rhian Xx 

L'Oréal Infallible Nail Polish

I'm a nail polish addict! I have varying shades of every possible colour. It's seriously like a Pantone chart! 

But what's the harm in one more? 

I picked up this L'Oréal Infallible one Christmas time after seeing a picture they posted on Twitter. The colour was the perfect kind of red for me - which they call Burgundy. 

The polish comes in two separate parts. One with the colour and one with a tonal coloured clearish top coat for an extra glossy and strengthening finish. 

The idea of this is to have the gel effect without the need for a UV lamp or the damage to your nails! 

Now I have tried other "gel polishes" including a Nails Inc. one which I have reviewed on here previously but I find they chip far too easily. 

This is different! This seriously does not budge. 

My nails lasted over a week and we're still in a reasonable conditions after two trips to the swimming pool and me hand washing my car! Impressive huh? 

The top coat is super glossy and I have had many compliments when wearing this shade and for £7.99 it's a complete bargain! 

Rhian Xx

Clinique - Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer

This may come as a shock to most people, especially avid Clinique lovers. 

I have never tried Clinique foundation before. 

Phew! Now that's off my chest..... How did my first ever Clinique foundation perform!? 

I welcome the idea of a foundation and a concealer in one - this one boasts "all of the coverage and none of the weight" 

Which I would agree with. It feels weightless on your skin and the coverage was good. I tried this product when I had a few blemishes. 

Application directions are as follows: 

• Using the large backside of the wand, sweep foundation across your forehead, cheeks, and chin. Then use the angled tip of the applicator – that has a slight dip in it to hold more product – to cover down the bridge of the nose and across the jawline. Blend well with fingers. 
• 
  

• Finish by using the pointy tip to spot conceal any trouble areas – under the eyes, around the outside of the nose, on top of blemishes. Pat and blend well with fingers.

So I promptly followed them.  

I found the coverage good, and it wasn't cakey at all. It done an ok job at covering my blemishes but not as good as a concentrated concealer. 

If you don't like a matte finish this foundation is not for you. 

The foundation also has strong staying power and doesn't transfer. 

Now to the naked eye, and in the mirror this foundation looked great. My only criticism is that it doesn't photograph well. Now... Lots of people may think - we'll surely that shouldn't matter. But I tend to disagree. I am not really sure why it doesn't photograph well... But there is something that lets me down. 

That said. That's my only criticism. 

This foundation retails for £25 and if you're looking for a product that covers a number of basis then this could be the one for you. 

Rhian Xx

Ocean Hairdressing - Llanishen

It's been forever since I've been to a new salon, or had a different hair dresser. 

I'm very selective on who I let near my hair, I have very fine hair and so I need to feel comfortable with whoever I choose to cut my hair. My usual and trusty hairdresser is on maternity leave at the moment having given birth to two beautiful twins! 

I decided to take to Twitter and Facebook to find a new salon. That's where I was recommended this one, by a friend of mine who I know I can trust when it comes to all things beauty and pampering. 

The salon owner, James invited me to the salon for a free consultation to discuss colour and cut requirements, which I promptly did! If you had seen the state of my ends you would understand why it was so prompt. Not been cut since November and believe me it needed a chop. 

Following my consultation I booked my appointment. 

I was going from a blonde ombré look which I had, had for about a year and felt my hair needed a rest and a bit of life put back in to it. Due to the lightness on the ends, my hair had to go through a pre-pigmenting process. 

Now one of the things I really liked about this salon is that I was talked through each process by the stylist, Mitch so I was aware what was happening and what the results of that process would be. I was also offered a hand and arm massage while my colour was setting and that's a pretty cool perk too. 

Following my colour, which I decided on a rich chocolate reddish brown I was also given hair cuticle treatment. Oh and they have the funkiest massaging chairs for when you are having your hair washed -  another added feature that you don't always get in a standard salon. 

My cut was finished, dried and styled by Mitch and I was then given a little pack of information for my next visit and a recommend a friend scheme. 

The staff were polite, courteous and I felt at ease! It's never easy going in to a new hair salon, but I enjoyed my visit to Ocean and had a good gossip about various celebrity with Mitch while he was doing my hair. 

I'm always more of a support a local business person, rather than going to a chain. I prefer the personal service and the attention to detail. 

They even do a really cute, text service for when your appointment confirming times etc and I also received a lovely to meet you text which again is super cute.

They also offer beauty treatments, such as manicures, and waxing. 

You can follow Ocean Llanishen on Twitter @oceanllanishen to find out more or call the salon on 02920753222. 

Rhian Xx

Benefit - Roller Lash Mascara

We all love a new product launch! I particularly like a new Benefit product launch. Their creative marketing makes every new product super desireablre and the launch of Roller Lash has been no exception. 

For the first time Benefit has launched a product via Elle magazine. Meaning that Elle readers get a trial size Roller Lash mascara with this months issue. Now I may be a cynic but in no other circumstance would I pay £5 for a magazine full of handbags and shoes that I really cannot afford and in all honesty not much substance (my opinion) but £5 for a sneak peek of this new mascara? Hell yeah! 

I'm a huge fan of They're Real in terms of lengthening but as someone who can rarely find her eyelash curler this product seemed ideal. Was I sceptical? Yes. Was I proved wrong? Yes. 

I actually love this mascara... It does  a great job of curling lashes without the need of eyelash curlers at all. It also lengthens lashes considerably. 

It's not the first mascara to use an arched brush to create lift but it is the best one I've used! 

You can also layer up this mascara with no clumping - great news! 

For me and my needs when putting this mascara next to They're Real this one gets my vote. 

Bravo. Benefit. Bravo! 

Rhian Xx

Urban Decay - Perversion Mascara

Want Bigger Blacker Badder lashes? Who doesn't right?

That's what Urban Decays new Perversion mascara promises to offer you. 

I've never tried any previous Urban Decay mascara's like Big Fatty for example but I have tried plenty of other mascara's in my time. 

What do I like about this one? 

Well I'm actually more fond of the brush style that this mascara offers. I prefer the classic style mascara brush as opposed to the plastic ones. I feel it gives a more natural look to lashes. 

The coverage from one coat is amazing and it doesn't clump or gather when you apply more coats. 

It also offers curl to your lashes without the need of an eyelash curler and it holds all day. 

Some mascara's can flake off on to this cheek but this doesn't do that. 

I also find it gets in to the inner corner of my lashes without any difficulty. 

Retailing at £17 it's a little cheaper than Benefits They're Real. 

I don't find that is has the same lengthening qualities as the Benefit one but overall application is nicer as I find the Benefit one can get sticky. 

It launches on August 4th

Rhian Xx

 

Bronze Buffer

I had this sample in my most recent Latest In Beauty Box.. I decided to give it to one of my besties - Bethan as I had recently self purchased a St Tropez Tan Build Up Removing Mitt. 

Here's Bethan - you can follow her on twitter @bethanevans84

Here are her thoughts on the product. 

The beauty bronze buffer

A nifty little sponge for removing mistakes and build up.

          

It works really well on large surface areas ie. Legs, arms, foot but be careful with sensitive areas I noticed redness and irritation for 24h following use on the inners of my arms, around belly button etc.

It is quite small and as per instructions just dip in water, rinse and use.

I wouldn't recommend this to be used to completely remove old tan, it is better you treat this as a corrective sponge.

I also tested re applying tan after using the sponge and I suggest you leave it an hour or so before attempting, especially on the sensitive areas as it would not re take to the inner of arm.

A handy little product, I would give it 3 out of 5.

****

Thanks for reviewing the product Beth! 

Rhian Xx

Anastasia Beverley Hills - Dip Brow Pomade

I never thought I would be converted away from my Illamasqua Eyebrow Cake... But there is a new product in my make up collection and I love it!

Since Instagram has grown and grown... And there is more beauty tutorials and imagery than you can shake a stick at - the biggest product across all of these pictures and the product on everyone's lips is this one! Anastasia Beverley Hills - Dip Brow Pomade. 

This is quite simply the easiest, quickest and most effective way of perfecting your brows. 

It has a creamy gel like formula which clings to each hair - no matter how untamely your brows this product will fix them for you. Both smudgeproof and waterproof and so won't rub off - my biggest nightmare is losing my brows and having product running down my face. 

This product ensures a smooth application, best applied with a fine angled brush. 

It's also great for graduating your brows... This is the latest trend among celebrities and make up artists. 

Not yet widely available in the UK this cult product comes in 5 different shades:

• Chocolate

• Ebony

• Dark Brown

• Auburn

• Blonde

It can be purchased from www.beautybay.com for £15 excluding shipping. 

This is a must have for anyone who finishes their brows. 

I promise it will be the best £15 you've ever spent. 

Rhian Xx

FM Cosmetics CC Primer

Everything is abbreviated these days... First BB now CC mixed with all kinds of WTF and TGIF I guess that's the nature of some of us living our lives by 140 characters...

I've never bought in to the BB craze... It's simply not for me. Not enough coverage, not the finish I like just a big no for me - on the other hand I know that a lot of people have been converted and switched their foundation for a BB alternative. 

So now CC - this is slightly different, this one offers a colour correcting formula. 

   

Long before the CC cream craze, I actually purchased an anti reddening formula from the Seventeen range and that must have been at least 5 years ago - same concept, as this one green to neutralise the redness. Complimentary colours and all that. 

This product is from FM Cosmetics - not something that you would find on the high street, but via a distributor. Similar to the Avon concept. 

FM brand this as a CC Primer - so rather than offering colour it is to prime the skin and ready it for make up or simply decrease redness. 

The product offers to smooth imperfections and decrease the visibility of pores whilst mattifying. 

The decreasing redness is a big draw for me as I sometimes suffer from inflammation on my jawline and neck and no matter how thick or how many layers of foundation and concealer you apply the redness is still there. 

This product quickly reduced redness and I am able to apply my foundation pretty much straight away. It's also great if you have recently plucked your eyebrows and you want to reduce the red in this area - big nightmare! 

The product is £8.99 for 15ml but you don't need to apply much as it spreads evenly. 

If redness is something you suffer from like I do then I would definitely recommend this. 

Living in Wales your FM distributor would be Scott. 

Scott can be contacted on twitter - @scottymcg or via phone 07896109900 

*you can check out the full product offering on www.fmperfumestore.co.uk. Scott is also able to arrange perfume parties for you - :) 

*PR Sample

Rhian Xx

Yves Saint Laurent SHOCKING Indecent Volume Mascara

This is only my second ever YSL mascara purchase... My first one was a few years ago and I opted for a purple one to bring out the green in my eyes...

     

When I saw this mascara with it's beautiful gold classic YSL packaging and the word SHOCKING plastered across the front I was immediately drawn in. Now it is a little pricey.... It's usually around £23-£25 depending on whether you catch promotions. 

I opted for 01 Deep Black - it is an intense black - it is a very black formula.. Some of the cheaper mascara's can appear a little grey after application but this one is black, black.

The formula itself is quite thick and a little gloopy - it coats your lashes quite heavily with one application which is good because if you try and apply a second coat be prepared for clumping and unnatural looking lashes! 

The Shocking mascara has a new brush compared to other YSL mascara's which is meant to increase the precision and improve application - did I notice all the science? No not really... Like I said it does offer a full coverage to your lashes in one application and that could be from the thickness of the product or from the brush... Let's give YSL credit here and say it's both :) 

What makes this formula "Indecent" well apart from clever marketing which makes it sound all very sexy... YSL state the formula contains two different types wax... One to maximise the thickness of your lashes and the other to create curve. This formula combined with the new brush is meant to give a false lash effect. 

 

Now whilst my lashes do appear thicker.. I want more from this product...more than the delicious packaging... More than a fancy fancy new brush... Especially at £25. It's not that I don't like this mascara but I do fear that even after the two weeks I've had it, it's at the early stages of clumping and drying it and also there isn't a great deal of length impact. 

Personally I find the Lancôme Hypnos and Benefit They're Real Mascara's much better value for money at the more premium end of the market. 

Sorry YSL, as beautiful as this looks ok my make up bag - this product isn't really for me... 

Have you tried this mascara? Or any other YSL mascara's? ... Thoughts?

Rhian Xx

*other products used in picture;

Anastasia Beverley Hills - Dip Brow Pomade in Chocolate

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation

Illamasqua Gel Liner

Smashbox Full Exposure Palette 

Illamasqua Sophie Blush

Illamasqua Translucent Powder

Since I have been getting more and more in to contouring and highlighting with my base foundations, I found that applying a pressed powder to the top covered all of my hard work so I decided to try this translucent powder instead.

Now coverage for me was always previously an issue and wanted to plaster as much on my face as humanly possible to cover blemishes. Since I've got older the odd blemish doesn't bother me as much anymore and I would rather my make up didn't look heavy and caked on to my skin. Whilst a translucent powder doesn't essentially offer coverage it just finish and set the foundation and it mattifies without adding additional colour and so changing the shade of your face - or in my case ruining my contour work. 

This powder is great. It's ultra fine and finishes off my make up amazingly well. I also have to mention it smells fab as well.

      

The other plus point is even if you apply several layers it still doesn't change the colour on your face so no need to panic if you have too much on your brush.  

The Illamasqua Translucent Powder retails for £24 and it will last you a good while. 

Are you a fan of translucent powder? Which is your favourite? 

Rhian Xx

Britney Spears Fantasy Remix - Perfume Review

So here goes.

My name is Rhian Griffiths and I LOVE BRITNEY SPEARS! 

There is said it! Loud and proud!

I also am here to unashamedly admit to

you that I have tried nearly every Britney Spears perfume and the reason I am not ashamed to admit that? Because with the exception of Believe, which I really didn't like they are all delightful. Especially my favourite - Midnight Fantasy. 

Britney continues to maximise on the success of the Fantasy range of perfumes introducing the Fantasy Nice Remix and the Fantasy Naughty Remix. 

Both fragrances have a slightly more grown up scent compared to the heavily sweet and fruity other Fantasy perfumes. 

Nice Remix - this perfume still has a fruity undertone but it's not as sweet as the classic Fantasy. It is a light fragrance perfect for daytime wear

Naughty Remix - this is a slightly muskier scent, it's warmer with base fragrances of  jasmine and white chocolate orchid. Lends itself well to evening wear. X

The packaging is also different to the original Fantasy.. The bottle is taller, and no sparkly gems in sight. The Naughty Remix is a mix of pink and purple tones and the Nice Remix pink and white. 

 

Of the two I prefer the Nice Remix, but both are worth a sniff. 

Both are priced at around £23 for 30ml and £29 for 50ml. 

So which are you? Naughty or Nice? 

Rhian Xx

Tweezerman - Tweezers

Tweezers are something that every woman should have - but have you ever found yourself thinking... Surely all tweezers are the same? Can there really be that much difference between the cheapest and the most expensive!?

Well if you have ever wonder that, I am here to tell you that after trying Tweezerman tweezers the answer is a big fat YES! 

In all honesty for years I have picked up the basic £1.50 tweezers from Boots and found them "fine" then recently I purchased some Rubis Sweezers and I really can't get on with them at all - that was a waste of £9.99. It also had me thinking that there really wasn't any difference. Until I gave in and purchased my very first pair of Tweezerman's. 

Now I'll be honest I went for the £12.50 ones rather than the £20 ones (that was me being over cautious after my disappointment with the Sweezers) 

However the £12.50 ones I purchased come with a handy little carry case, which makes finding them in my make up bag much easier. 

To cut a long story short, they are the most efficient pair of tweezers I have ever owned. There is no tugging or pulling and they swiftly pull out all hairs from fine to thick. 

You can also get your Tweezerman's sharpened for FREE. 

Check out the full range on www.tweezerman.co.uk 

Rhian Xx

Revlon Parfumerie Nail Polish

What excites me more than a new nail polish? New scented nail polish of course! 

I saw the new parfumerie collection by Revlon in Boots and I had to have one! 

There are 20 different colours and fragrances in this range, but I opted for a bright coral pink called Ginger Melon which smells amazing! 

The packaging is beautiful, and I can see myself collecting a few just to have them all lined up looking all pretty and stuff 

You will need at least two coats of this polish but as ever the Revlon formula never fails to disappoint - staying power is excellent. 

    

It retails at £6.49 and the colour options are broad in spectrum. 

At a time when everyone and anyone is going down the gel nail route why not indulge on these scented lovelies :) 

Rhian Xx

The Body Shop Drench Sponge

Everyone wants a rich lather in the shower and to make the most out of their shower gel consumption right? 

Well look no further than the Body Shop's Drench Sponge! 

This little delight is the perfect accompaniment for bath time and your daily shower - it has similar properties to the classic sea sponge (hard when it's dry, soft and squidgy when wet) 

It isn't cheap at £7 but The Body Shop always have offers on. Definitely one to check out. 

     

     

Rhian Xx

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation

While recently booking a place in to an Urban Decay electric palette master class I thought I would give the Urban Decay Naked Skin foundation a little try. 

Coverage is always the first thing I think about when purchasing a foundation... So I asked for some advice from Ffi on the Urban Decay counter in Debenhams, Cardiff - Ffi advised that the coverage was amazing and that it used a blurring technology to smooth the appearance of imperfections. 

I didn't have time to try the foundation there and then, but the lovely ladies at Urban Decay will give you a 2 week sample of the foundation after you're colour matched. 

So off home I went with my sample, and I couldn't be more pleased. 

The consistency is light - unlike most foundations that offer a fuller coverage, this feels amazing and dewy on the skin.. A little goes a long way and is really blendable either with a brush or your finger. 

The coverage is also buildable depending on how much you like, so is suitable for everyone. 

The finish is a fresh faced look on the skin which is demi matte. Normally I am someone who usually prefers a matte look but this has me converted. 

Now there is a science to all this skin perfection so how does it work? Naked Skin uses optical blurring technology to blur your imperfections. It also loads skin with a list of nourishing ingredients including; green tea, Matrixyl 3000 (anti wrinkle) and a bunch of other stuff. 

The packaging is also sleek and sexy. I can only think of plus points for this foundation. So next time you are in Cardiff pop along to Urban Decay and try it out! 

     

Rhian Xx