Natural Collection - Eye Lines Eyeliner (white)

I remember reading ages and ages ago that using white eyeliner in your water line makes your eyes appear brighter ....  I have never used it - so wanting to check it out but being overly cautious as I wasn't sure if I would like the look I opted for a basic one which I picked up from the Boots Natural Collection which was a steal at only £1.99.

This is a great option - it doesn't last all day but for £1.99 you can afford to re-apply.

Fab little pick me up.

Rhian Xx

Smashbox - Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer

For those that follow my blog you'll know I have issues with my pores - particularly with my cheeks.I also have combination skin and am prone to an oily t-zone.
I was so excited when I heard about this primer - I am a massive fan of the classic Smashbox Photo Finish Primer - In fact it's my favourite.
I have tried lots of different pore primers and have always found Benefit's Porefessional to be the one that makes the most difference.


I have used this primer for the last 5 days and have noticed a substantial improvement in the oil control on my forehead. Smashbox promises 8 hours... maybe not quite but I am impressed with the improvement
Where other primers have failed to impress me is in their ability to conceal my pores - this one delivers to the same standard as the Benefit one.

I would say that if you only have concentrated oily skin and pore issues - you may be better mixing this with the standard one in a cocktail style formula, as it may be slightly too drying in areas.

This one is a little pricier than the standard one at £28 - but for me worth every £1 as I feel better knowing it's concealing my pores and mattifying my skin

Rhian Xx

Hoarcross Hall Spa

When it was time to celebrate my friends 30th birthday, we had a number of ideas on the list, but in the end the Birthday girl decided that what she really wanted to do was visit a spa.... Now I have been to a number of spa's within hotels and a number of day spa's with fitness clubs attached but I have never visited a spa like this one!

Located in the beautiful village in Staffordshire, Hoar Cross Hall resides amongst beautiful well kept grounds (50 acres to be exact) and is an 18th Century manor house.

Classic Twin Room

Hoar Cross Hall's Royal Suite

Now the first thing I noticed about Hoar Cross Hall is that it is a thing of beauty, the rooms are classically decorated but have modern bathrooms, each room also has an added touch of a name rather than a number. We stayed in the Milady Natasha, which had 4 single beds, 2 bathrooms, a separate sitting room complete with a champagne bar, oh and a private garden with patio area and hot tub! Swanky huh?



That's enough about the room - lets talk spa!!

Oh what a spa it is - my words really wouldn't do it justice so that's why this post is complete with plenty of pictures.
There is so much to do here - whether you fancy the gym, an exercise class, a swim or general relaxation this place has it all.

Two separate pools - one a Salt Water Vitality pool - which was cooling and refreshing -  The saltwater pool also boasts heavenly volcano and jet massage pools, a starlit cave (very Hugh Hefner) and two luxury whirlpools.
This pool is surrounded by loungers, some of which are heated and separate water therapy areas as well as the usual steam room and sauna (detox area). Now I don't want you thinking that this is all pretty standard because really it is not - amongst the water therapy you have: foot massagers, foot and back massagers, aqua massagers and for the really, really brave a cold water plunge pool!

Salt Water Vitality Pool

The second pool is a Hydrotherapy pool which also includes a whirlpool spa and water therapy area (soon to be renovated) 

Hydrotherapy Pool

 

Heated Loungers

Aside from the fabulous pools, every inch of this spa is thought out with things to do every which way you turn - including massage chairs in walk ways and a champagne nail bar!!! Eeek! How amazing is that?

 The spa offers an entire catalogue of treatments, including treatments from the usual suspects, Elemis and Clarins.
You can review the spa brochure here; http://www.hoarcross.co.uk/spa/treatments/
Did I mention there is also a Hair Salon?

My stay included 2 complimentary treatments - for which I opted for 2 massages (it has been a stressful few months and so these were very much needed)
I also went for a Salt Brushing treatment - everyone needs a good scrubbing now and again - followed by a vitamin moisturiser - my skin felt amazing!

If you aren't one for water therapies or the gym there is also the option of a sleep room with heated water beds.

You also don't have to worry about changing room facilities as there are plenty - with a separate area for day and resident guests.

There really is something for everyone at this spa - decadent rooms and dining rooms and fabulous spa facilities. For more information please visit; http://www.hoarcross.co.uk
I would encourage any spa lover to give Hoar Cross Hall a try - I will be visiting again soon.

Rhian Xx

The Make Up Addict Tag

It has taken me a while to get around to this post - but as the lovely Sheenie from www.just-nice-things.co.uk asked me to do it I could hardly say no!

I am a self professed make up addict, but am I ashamed? Hell No!! Make Up is something in this life that makes me feel a little bit better, happier - it is truly something I couldn't live without - I love Make Up, I love lots of make up - I am envious of the ladies who are brave enough to bare their natural beauty but I am not that brave and so if a little bit of make up makes me feel better and more confident why shouldn't I wear it?

So here goes with the questions:

1. Which product do you keep still buying more of despite having plenty in your collection? Lipgloss - I love lipgloss... and I am truly a sucker for every variance of nude shades of lipgloss. Pore primers is also something I am using around three of at the moment - I am consistently looking for something that will fill my pores.
2. What’s the one product you couldn’t live without? Any available eye brow product - I have the worst natural eyebrows and as long as there was some way of me filling them in I would be happy - saying that my favourite brow products are Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade and Illamasqua Eyebrow Cake.
3. Favourite make-up brand? If you had asked me a year ago I would have answered instantly with Illamasqua, however I am slowly becoming addicted to Urban Decay - I love the Naked Skin foundation and like Sheenie I swoon at every palette.
4. How big is your make-up collection? My friends and relatives would tell me it's massive, but compared to some bloggers and make up addicts it's probably quite tame!
5. And how do you like to store it? I try and separate it by function. So; face, eyes, more eyes, and lips. This is stacked in a plastic storage unit. I then have a separate trays for my every day make up and lashes. Nails then has it's own 4 tier housing unit.
6. How many items of make-up have you got in your handbag at the moment? Actually I am pretty good with this, I very rarely have time to top my make up, up throughout the day and therefore I only keep a concealer, a pressed powder and I will admit that lip products can build up from nude lipgloss to red lipstick. Oh and ALWAYS a tub of Carmex.
7. If you could raid another blogger’s stash, who would it be? Huda Kattan's make up collection always looks amazing so it would be hers.
8. How long does your usual make-up routine take and how many products do you use? Ummm with these brows? About 20 mins.... my daily routine consists of concealer, foundation a little contouring, blush, brows, mascara and a matte brown shade of shadow in the crease of my eye and some highlighter. I am soooo not a morning person so I rarely get time to indulge in lavish make up on a daily basis and as long as I have my brows - I am happy.
9. Have you ever bought make-up knowing you wouldn’t use it? Nope - I always buy things I want to try or I think will suit me, then if I am not happy I will share them between my friends but in general I am pretty good and giving everything a fair go.
10. Tag a few other make-up addicts to do the tag! Ok here goes.... Ummm Georgia , Emily and Kathryn, Charlotte

SEVENTEEN Flawless Poreless Primer

I am constantly on the look out for te best thing to reduce the appearance of my pores... On the off I picked this product up in Boots. 

    

 For £5.99 I wasn't expecting miracles but I was hoping for a nice amount of concealment to that area. 

My pore issues is concentrated to the apples of my cheeks - this product is applied with your fingers direct to the area. The texture is smooth and silky and it glides on the skin - do my pores look concealed? No. 

In fact it hardly does anything to conceal them compared to a number of other products I've tried. It takes a number of layers for the product to make any difference at all. 

I was very disappointed with this product even at £5.99. 

It really does nothing to conceal my pores at all. :-( 

Rhian Xx