Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle.
Lips
Primark PS Love Lip Gloss
1
7 years
by Naomi in Lips
Last weekend I bought this PS Love lip gloss from Primark, to replace the day-to-day gloss that I was using previously. At £1.50 I wasn’t expecting much, and was even slightly dubious about buying it as I thought it would be sticky like a lot of cheap glosses tend to be, but it’s actually a really lovely gloss.
The gloss comes in a squeezy tube, with a square applicator brush attached. To apply, you just squeeze the tube gently and a small amount of gloss oozes into the brush, which can then be applied to the lips. I actually prefer this method of application to the typical sponge wand, as the gloss seems to go on more evenly in a thinner layer.
The consistency of the gloss is also really nice. Rather than being sticky it’s light and moisturising, so doesn’t feel uncomfortable and drying on the lips. I’d even go as far to say I like it more than Illamasqua’s lip glosses in terms of consistency, as theirs tend to be quite gloopy! It also lasts a fair while compared to a lot of glosses I own, and stays put without fading for a good few hours before reapplication is needed.
There are a few different shades of this gloss available, including a red and a pale pink, but I settled for this purple toned fuchsia pink as I think it best suits my skin tone. I wasn’t expecting amazing pigmentation considering the price, but I was proven wrong. The colour is really pretty and perfect for spring, and it’s actually quite highly pigmented, so gives fairly bold coverage rather than sheer. It also tints the lips slightly, so even when it wears off, there is still a subtle hint of colour left behind.
Overall, the quality of this Primark lip gloss is impressively high, and at £1.50 it’s worth stocking up on.
Have you ever tried any Primark make up? What did you think of it?
Naomi x
Fragrance Direct Valentine’s Look: English Rose
8
8 years
The lovely folks at Fragrance Direct recently set me a fun challenge – to create a look for Valentine’s Day using make up from their site. I was given a budget of £20.00, and could choose five items in total. I initially planned to go for smokey eyes and vampy red lips, but as that’s quite a clichéd Valentine’s look, I went for something a bit different in the end. I wanted to keep it simple, so I settled for a fresh-faced ‘English Rose’ look that makes the most of my pale skin, with pretty pink cheeks, lips and nails. After all, roses are what Valentine’s is all about, right? These are the five items that I chose…
Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation in ‘Light Porcelain’ £5.50 / Rimmel ScandalEyes Thick Eyeliner in ‘Black’ £5.00 / Bourjois 10 Day Anti Choc No Chips Nail Polish in ‘Shade 26′ £1.99 / Maybelline Clear Smooth Blush in ‘Fresh Rose’ £2.50 / Calvin Klein Delicious Luxury Creme Lipstick in ‘Mesmerize’ £1.99
Total: £16.98
On the high street, these products would have cost over £35.00 in total, so to get everything for under £20.00 is a massive bargain!
As was allowed, I used a few bits and pieces from my make up bag to complete the look (namely concealer, face powder, a bit of kohl eyeliner and mascara), and here is my finished look…
I must say, I am really impressed with the staying power of all of these products. The lipstick stayed put through a meal and several drinks, the eyeliner didn’t budge at all until I removed it, the foundation gives amazing coverage which lasts all day, as does the blusher, and the nail polish is supposed to stay chip-free for 10 days!
I’m happy with my Fragrance Direct Valentine’s Look – it’s subtle, but still pretty, and I think it’d be perfect for a relaxed Valentine’s Day lunch. You can check out Fragrance Direct’s full range of cosmetics here.
Naomi x
*These make up items were sent to me by Fragrance Direct. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Collection Gothic Glam Lipstick in ‘Revenge’
3
8 years
by Naomi in Lips
After seeing a few reviews of Collection’s new Gothic Glam lipsticks popping up on other blogs, last weekend I decided to nip into Superdrug and pick one up so I could give it a try myself. I’ve always loved a dark lipstick, ever since my teenage Goth days, and the Gothic Glam range features three beautiful deep shades that are just my thing, so I had high hopes from the start.
The three shades are 1 Seduction, a lovely pinky red, 2 Scorned, a dark purple, and 3 Revenge, a deep berry red, which is the shade I went for, and they’re all perfect for Autumn/Winter. All three lipsticks have Collection’s signature black packaging, but rather than pink it is embellished with gold, which I think gives it a more luxe look.
The lipstick itself has a very creamy texture, so it glides on easily and evenly. It’s also quite moisturising, however, I would still recommend using a lip balm underneath, or exfoliating your lips before use, as after a while it tends to show up darker on any dry patches/creases. Not ideal in winter I must say!
‘Revenge’ is a stunning, vampy, almost maroon red, and is very highly pigmented, or as Collection says, ‘deeply intense’. The colour lasts well on the lips and it stays bold for several hours after application, but it does eventually start to wear off, and needs touching up every now and then. But I tend to expect that of dark shades anyway. I have noticed that it acts almost like a lip tint though, as even after I’ve removed it my lips look slightly stained with a hint of berry red.
Collection’s Gothic Glam lipsticks retail for £2.99 each, which is just so affordable, and for a budget product ‘Revenge’ is really quite impressive. The colour and staying power could even rival some of my more expensive lipsticks! It reminds me a little bit of Dainty Doll’s 001 Couture, which is another of my favourites. So, if you love dark shades and are willing to moisturise/exfoliate before applying lipstick, then Collection Gothic Glam Lipsticks could be for you. You can find them in Superdrug and Boots!
What are your thoughts on this range?
Naomi x
Beauty Stocking Fillers for £5 and Under
4
8 years
This year seems to have gone incredibly fast, and Christmas is almost upon us. I’m sure by now we are all well into our Christmas shopping (I’ve been extremely organised this year and only have a couple of bits left to get!), but I thought I’d put together a few festive themed posts over the next week or two to help with that last-minute rush. I have spent a while lately trawling the shops and internet for stocking filler ideas, so today’s post features my pick of the best beauty stocking fillers for £5 and under.
Clockwise from Top Left:
Orly Nail Polish £3.99 from Fragrance Direct / Lacura Aqua Moisture Cream £1.99 from ALDI / SuperDrama Mascara £5.00 (was £10.00) from Avon / Halo Futuristic Nail Glitter £4.50 from ASOS / Denman Small Styling Brush £4.99 from Fragrance Direct / Ginger Sparkle Hand Cream £4.00 from The Body Shop / Momiji Mini Gift Set £5.00 from M&S / 3 in 1 Nail Art Pearl Gem Pen £4.50 from Claire’s / MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer £3.00 from MUA / MUA Luxe Glitter Palette £4.00 from MUA / Montagne Jeunesse Strawberry Souffle Face Mask £0.99 from New Look / Snow Fairy Shower Gel £3.50 for 100g from LUSH / Metal Eyelash Curler £3.25 from John Lewis
I hope you all find this edit helpful! If you have any £5 or under stocking filler ideas to add, please comment below as I’d love to see what you’ve come across.
Check back soon for my next Christmas post, featuring Spend and Save Christmas Gift ideas.
Happy Shopping!
Naomi x
Hard Candy Cosmetics
0I was recently given the opportunity, by an online discount make up store called Xtras, to choose some Hard Candy products to review. I’d seen Hard Candy online before and had been wanting to try them out, mainly because their nail polishes come with a cute little ring, so I made my selection and everything arrived within a day or two, which is extremely quick service these days!
I received four Hard Candy items in total; Split Personality Cream Eyeshadow Duo in ‘Psycho’, Just Nails Nail Polish in ‘Mr Right’, Just Nails Matte Top Coat, and World Balmination Tinted Lip Balm in ‘Good Girl’. I must admit, as a nail polish hoarder I was extremely tempted to only order nail products, but I thought I’d give some of the rest of the range a go too, and I’m pleased I did.
Just Nails Nail Polish in ‘Mr Right’ and Just Nails Matte Top Coat
‘Mr Right’ is a gorgeous deep blue shade with a delicate shimmer finish, that looks really elegant on the nails. Though the brush is a bit smaller than I’d like, the polish still applies easily and evenly, and gives completely opaque coverage in two coats. My only real issue with it is that it takes a while to dry, so I managed to smudge it whilst impatiently applying the matte top coat too early, but at least I’ve learnt for next time. The ring that comes with the polish is a fab little bonus too. I was half expecting it to be too small for me and not very good quality, but it’s actually nice and chunky and fits well.
I’d been looking for an affordable matte top coat for ages so choosing this one was a no brainer for me. Unfortunately there’s no ring with it, but the product inside the bottle makes up for that. It applies smoothly with very little streaking, dries a lot quicker than the polish, and as you’d hope, gives a matte finish. Luckily, the formula is fairly thin too, so it doesn’t look or feel too thick. I only applied it on my ring finger as an accent nail so you can see the difference.
At £1.99 each, Hard Candy’s nail products are a real bargain, and I’d definitely recommend them if you’re willing to wait a few extra minutes for your nails to dry!
World Balmination Lip Balm in ‘Good Girl’
Hard Candy’s World Balmination Lip Balm comes packaged in a basic twist up tube, but the packaging is really pretty, so it stands out from the abundance of blacks and silvers in my make up drawer. I do have one little problem with the packaging, though. For some reason, quite a lot of the product sticks out over the top of the tube, even before it has been twisted up (as you can see in the picture), so it’s hard to get the lid on without damaging the balm, unless you have a really steady hand. Not ideal!
The first thing I noticed when I opened the balm was its scent. It smells like a mixture of vanilla and lemon, and even tastes sweet, so if you’re a fan of scented lip products as I am, then this is definitely for you. The balm applies nicely, and a has a creamy texture that isn’t greasy, so it feels nice on the lips and has a long-lasting moisturising effect. I applied it this morning, and even after my Sunday lunch my lips still felt lovely! It’s also very slightly tinted with a light peachy pink shade, and though it doesn’t add much colour to the lips, it does emphasise your natural lip colour.
At £1.99 it’s a definite thumbs up from me.
Split Personality Cream Eyeshadow Duo in ‘Psycho’
I don’t tend to wear eyeshadow that often (I’m more of a thick black eyeliner kinda girl), but when I spotted this I thought I’d give it a go as one of the shadows in the duo is, you guessed it, black! The other is white, and both have a bit of shimmer to them.
The duo has a cream eyeshadow at either end of the stick, which sits in the screw lid that covers each applicator. The applicators themselves are soft and spongy, and seem to be loaded on a spring, so they move and mould to the shape of your eyelid nicely, making application smooth and easy. The two colours compliment each other well, and make for an impressive smoky eye that’s quick to do.
If these shades aren’t for you, there are plenty of other colours to choose from, and they cost £1.99 each, which is £3.00 cheaper than the RRP.
To view the full range of Hard Candy products that Xtras have to offer, visit their site here.
Naomi x
*These Hard Candy cosmetics were sent to me by Xtras for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Cargo Cosmetics Launch in the UK
4
8 years
Last month, Cargo Cosmetics, a highly sought after brand known for its use on TV and film sets worldwide, launched in the UK at Debenhams. The brand boasts better, easier, smarter products with the latest innovations in beauty, that give a high-definition, flawless finish from all angles.
Cargo’s range features a wide selection of high quality make up items, including lip gloss, eye shadows, water resistant blushes and bronzer, foundation, liners, mascara, brushes and carefully concocted palettes, sets and quads, all of which look simply slick in Cargo’s award winning silvered packaging. I was recently sent a few products from the range to try, these being two Eye Shadow Singles in ‘Flint’ and ‘Windsor’, a Water Resistant Bronzer and a Lip Gloss in ‘Route 66′, and I have been nothing but impressed by their quality. Here are my thoughts on each…
Eye Shadow Singles in ‘Flint’ and ‘Windsor’ – £12.00 each
Cargo’s Single Eye Shadows come in twelve shades, featuring daring brights and more neutral tones, in either matte or shimmer. The two shades I was sent are ‘Flint’, an ashy grey, and a pale peachy cream called ‘Windsor’, both of which have a very slight shimmer. Both shadows have a soft, velvety formula, and they’re not too powdery. Because of this, I find they apply really smoothly, and give very little fall out so it’s easy to create a sharp look, with hardly any mess. The pigmentation is also impressive, and it doesn’t take much of the product to get a bold finish. My favourite thing about the shadows, though, is how long they last. After morning application, the eye shadow stays put without the use of a primer until you’re ready to remove it, and it barely gathers in the creases at all.
Here’s how the eye shadows look worn together. I used ‘Flint’ as a base up to the eye crease, and ‘Windsor’ above the crease and in the corner of each eye. ‘Windsor’ works really well as a highlighter eye shadow, and ‘Flint’ is the perfect shade to create a subtle smokey look.
If you like the look of Cargo’s Eye Shadow Singles, they are available online here at Debenhams, and cost £12.00 each.
Water Resistant Bronzer – £20.00
Cargo claim that their Water Resistant Bronzer is a world first, as it contains a silicone-coated talc that adheres firmly to the skin, making it long-lasting even in water. This makes it perfect for summer, as it gives skin a healthy glow with the appearance of a natural tan, and will survive a dip in the sea or pool, and stay put even through perspiration.
As you’d expect, I decided to put the water resistance of the bronzer to the test, and I’m pleased to report that water just slides right off it – as you can see in the picture above! Even with some rubbing it takes a while for the colour to fade, but it fades evenly and doesn’t go streaky, which is always good news. Luckily though, it removes easily with make up remover, so there’s no need to worry about it being stubborn.
In terms of colour, Cargo’s Water Resistant Bronzer gives a fairly subtle bronze shimmer that looks great even on pale skin like mine, but it can be built up to create a bolder look if you prefer.
This wonderful Water Resistant Bronzer has well and truly converted me to the bronzed look, and is available here at Debenhams, for just £20.00.
Lip Gloss in ‘Route 66′ – £7.50
All of Cargo’s Lip Glosses are clinically proven to last up to six hours, a statement that I can vouch for, and they have a moisturising formula that isn’t sticky and leaves your lips feeling incredibly soft. The gloss tubes are dinky enough to carry with you at all times, and they come with a just as dinky price tag of just £7.50. I really like the applicator that comes with the gloss as its flat, rounded shape and soft padding makes for precise application. However, I’m not a massive fan of how the gloss smells. I really like sweetly scented glosses, but this one is almost scentless, other than a slight plasticky smell that is slightly off putting. Thankfully it doesn’t taste horrible though!
The shade I was sent, Route 66, is a coral pinky red which is packed full of shimmery particles that give the gloss a lovely, long-lasting shine. The colour applies very subtly for a natural touch of pink, but like all of Cargo’s products that I’ve tried it can be layered to create a deeper colouring. Here it is after one coat:
Cargo Cosmetics Lip Glosses come in a wide range of shades (eighteen, in fact), including an unusual but beautiful gold shade, and are available online here.
If you like the look of any of Cargo’s innovative cosmetics, or you want to find out what else they have to offer, the full range is available to browse and buy online at Debenhams. Do you think you’ll be giving any of their products a go?
Naomi x
*These Cargo Cosmetics products were sent to me by Debenhams for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Dainty Doll Lipstick in 001 Couture
20
9 years
by Naomi in Lips
Last month I came across a great little website called Fragrance Direct, which sells beauty products from a wide range of well-known brands at bargain prices. There was a lot of hype on Twitter about the website as they were (and still are) selling Dainty Doll make up for just a couple of pounds each, and since I’d been eyeing the brand up for a while I took the plunge and ordered a few products. I posted about my Fragrance Direct haul at the time, and as promised here is my first review from the haul, featuring Dainty Doll lipstick in 001 Couture!
Dainty Doll is the make up brand of Nicola Roberts from Girls Aloud, and was specially developed to suit those with fair skin tones. As a pale and proud girl myself, I am very pleased to have finally discovered a brand created to enhance my natural colouring, and the quality does not disappoint (I have also tried two blushers and a concealer, which I will review at a later date). All Dainty Doll products come packaged in distinctive black packaging with gold font, emblazoned with a sassy red-head, and the lipstick has a nice weight to it which makes it feel that little bit more expensive.
Couture is a dark berry red with a slight glossy finish, which has a real vintage feel to it. Berry shades were perhaps more suited to the Autumn/Winter 2012 look, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with pulling out a classic red at any time of the year! This has been my go-to colour for the last few weeks, and whether with jeans and a jumper or a pretty dress, it goes with anything.
The lipstick has a creamy consistency which makes for effortless application, and it feels delicately moisturising and not at all drying. However, I do find that it shows up any imperfections on dry lips, so it’s probably best to use a lip scrub or a lip balm before applying the lipstick. Other than that, I have had no issues with Couture, and it stays put without bleeding or smudging. It also lasts well, and tends to look exactly the same after lunch as it does in the morning, which is quite impressive! It does fade a little in the afternoon though and needs touching up, but it fades evenly so at least it doesn’t look ridiculous.
Overall, this is a fab little lipstick which is versatile, great quality and downright gorgeous. Dainty Doll lipsticks have an RRP of £12.50, but Couture cost me just £1.99 which is a brilliant saving by anyone’s standards! I would happily pay a lot more than £1.99 for this, so needless to say I am very happy with his little gem. You can view Fragrance Direct’s full range of Dainty Doll products here. Their website gets restocked every few days from what I can see, so it’s best to keep checking back to see what they have!
What do you think of this shade?
Naomi x
Lipstick Queen Lipsticks and Lip Liner
9
9 years
by Naomi in Lips
Last week I received a very exciting goody bag from the lovely folks at Beauty Expert, containing not one, not two, but THREE Lipstick Queen products. Lipstick Queen was created by Poppy King, who has spent twenty years developing beautiful lipsticks with perfect textures and shades, and is a brand I have heard a lot of good things about. Two of Lipstick Queen’s most popular ranges are Saint, which features a wide range of sheer shades, and Sinner, which features the same shades but in bold, opaque hues. I was lucky enough to receive two lipsticks – one Saint and one Sinner, as well as a genius product that I wish I’d invented myself – the Invisible Lip Liner.
Clockwise from Top Left:
– Saint Sheer Lipstick in ‘Bright Natural’ – Sinner Opaque Lipstick in ‘Bright Rose’ – Invisible Lip Liner –
Over the past ten days I have been putting all three products through their paces, and the results have exceeded my expectations. Here are my thoughts on each little treat…
Invisible Lip Liner
There are two things that usually put me off using lip liner – my inability to draw a neat line, and the difficulty in finding a colour match for my lipsticks. Lipstick Queen’s Invisible Lip Liner tackles both of these problems, and is a product I’ve always longed for but never knew actually existed. The liner itself looks white, but applies to the lips clear, and it isn’t shiny so cannot be seen. This means you don’t have to worry about having a steady hand as it doesn’t really matter if you slip! The liner is also firm, but it has a smooth, moisturising consistency and glides on without tugging at your skin.
Perhaps most importantly, the liner does its job, and it does it well. It provides a neat barrier between your skin and the edge of your lips, and whilst wearing it I have never experienced any bleeding from my lipstick. It enables the appearance of a flawless pout without the worry of having to find a liner shade to match every lipstick you own. It literally goes well with any lipstick, and is as such the most versatile lip liner I have ever come across! Just see the swatch photographs below for proof.
Lipstick Queen Invisible Lip Liner retails for £17.00, which is a little on the pricey side, but if you’re looking for a high quality liner with a difference then this is worth every penny.
Saint Sheer Lipstick in ‘Bright Natural’
Lipstick Queen’s Saint lipsticks all have a sheer finish with a hint of light colour, and are perfect for everyday wear whilst still adding a touch of glamour to every outfit. ‘Bright Natural’ is an extremely pretty shade, with an overtone of pink which highlights your natural lip colour – ideal for days when you want to work the natural look!
The lipstick has an impressively light consistency, and is, in all honesty, the most moisturising lipstick I have ever had the pleasure of wearing (other than Sinner, of course)! It covers the lips in a layer of tinted shine which feels like a nourishing lip balm, and remains creamy and airy for as long as you wear it. I even forgot I was wearing lipstick when I had it on the other day. There is no chance of suffering any dryness with this, and it’s actually made my dry winter lips feel a whole lot better. This lipstick lasts too, and for a very long time at that! After wearing it earlier this week, a few hours, numerous drinks and a snack later it still looked as gorgeous as ever, and stayed that way until I removed it myself.
‘Bright Natural’, and all the other Saint Lipsticks, cost £18.00 each on Beauty Expert. Given their AMAZING formula they are a worthy investment, and you also get 4 grams of product, which is a whole 1 gram more than a lot of high-end lipsticks.
Sinner Opaque Lipstick in ‘Bright Rose’
The Sinner range of lipsticks from Lipstick Queen features a collection of intense, highly pigmented opaque shades which are guaranteed to make you stand out from the crowd. ‘Bright Rose’ is a sexy shade of vibrant red which is brighter than I’ve ever gone before, and I love it. It looks gorgeous teamed with sleek black eyeliner for a day look (which is how I’ve been wearing it this week), or for the evening it would go hand in hand with dramatic smokey eyes. It has great, long-lasting shine too, but no added shimmer so doesn’t look over the top.
Like Saint, Sinner is soft and moisturising as it is formulated with shea butter, so actively protects and heals the delicate skin of your lips whilst making you look fantastic. When I first wore this I was slightly worried that it wouldn’t last as well as ‘Bright Natural’, as every time I took a sip of water it left a big red smudge on the glass. However, much to my surprise, ‘Bright Rose’ lasts just as long, and despite the marks on the glass retains its striking appearance for hours upon end. It even survived my homemade pizza feast earlier this week!
Lipstick Queen Sinner Lipsticks, including ‘Bright Rose’, also contain 4 grams of high-quality product and also sell for £18.00 each.
Here is a swatch of all three products together, and yes, the Invisible Lip Liner has been swatched between both lipsticks – you just can’t see it!
The full range of Lipstick Queen Saint and Sinner lipsticks, as well as the Invisible Lip Liner, are available to buy on Beauty Expert along with a variety of other Lipstick Queen goodies, including coloured lip liners, Butterfly Ball Shimmer lipsticks and Big Bang Illusion glosses. Just click here to view everything! Beauty Expert offer FREE Standard UK and International Delivery too, which is an extra little bonus.
Naomi x
*These Lipstick Queen products were sent to me by Beauty Expert/The Hut Group for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Illamasqua Lipstick in Tramp
16
9 years
by Naomi in Lips
Every woman needs a good quality red lipstick in her life to emphasise her confidence, and without a doubt, Illamasqua’s Tramp is mine. I bought Tramp last month in Illamasqua’s January sale for just £5 and instantly fell in love with it, and here’s why…
Firstly, how gorgeous does this lipstick look? I’ve always been a fan of Illamasqua’s classy black packaging, and this is a fine example of such. The packaging is practical too, as the lid is quite large and clicks firmly into place so there’s no chance of it coming off in your bag, which we all know can lead to a messy disaster!
The first thing that hit me when I opened this lipstick was its scent. It doesn’t smell plasticky or chemically like some cheap lipsticks do, rather, it smells exactly like Krispy Kreme doughnuts – delicious, AND without the calories! I honestly spent a good minute smelling it before I even applied it. It’s just that good.
In terms of application, Tramp has it all. I can honestly say this is the creamiest lipstick that I own, which to me is the sign of a high quality lipstick. It smooths on effortlessly and feels extremely moisturising on the lips, and believe me when I say that the feeling lasts… Not once have my lips felt dry whilst wearing this. In fact, they feel noticeably softer after use, and there’s no need to apply a lip balm underneath or over the top. Illamasqua lipstick has decent staying power too. It always survives numerous drinks throughout the day, but it doesn’t stay put completely after eating, so does need a bit of touching up every now and then.
Tramp is a bright rose red, with an undertone of blue – a beautiful, classic shade that makes me feel sophisticated and sexy. Ideal for Valentine’s Day! I have experimented with several red lipsticks in the past and have found that blue reds look best against my pale skin tone and, though it doesn’t really show in the picture above, Tramp really brings out my blue eyes! My eyes are my favourite feature, so I’m always happy when I find a product which shows them off. Tramp also has a matte finish, which I prefer in red lipsticks as I don’t think bold colours need shine as they’re already eye-catching enough.
Unfortunately, I have just discovered that Tramp has been discontinued, which is really disappointing as I have lost it as soon as I found it! So, for now, I will be keeping this beauty for best, and in the meantime I will attempt to find a duplicate, or an Illamasqua replacement shade. Any suggestions?
To find your perfect Illamasqua lip product, you can check out their full range here.
Naomi x
*I bought this Illamasqua Lipstick in Tramp myself. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Tropic Pure Plant Skin Care Lip Love Balm
3As I’m sure many of you will have found out the hard way, the cold, harsh winter weather can cause damage to your skin, especially your lips, leaving them sore and dry. As such, I find it is essential to use a good lip balm regularly to combat this damage, and I have found the ideal balm in Tropic Skin Care’s Lip Love Balm, as it is not only great for your lips, but can be used to protect other areas of dry skin too.
Tropic Pure Plant Skin Care was launched in 2007, and has three main principles – their products are Pure, their pricing is Honest, and they are also Effective. Everything in the Tropic range is vegan, which is great news for veggies like me, and it’s all made from completely natural plant extracts, so is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. The company is also keen to reduce its carbon footprint so they use recyclable, sustainable packaging materials wherever possible. Tropic’s ethical image really appeals to me as my aim for 2013 is to go completely cruelty free, and to top it all off their products are wonderful too. Here’s what I thought of their Lip Love Balm…
Tropic’s Lip Love Balm comes in a dainty 10ml pot, which is the perfect size to carry with you in your pocket or bag. The packaging is simple, but the orange metallic lid makes it stand out, giving it a more luxurious look than the average lip balm. The lid is also a screw top, a minor detail which is actually quite important, as it won’t fall off in your bag like press on lids sometimes do!
As you can see from the photo above, every single ingredient in the lip balm is natural, and comfortingly recognisable, meaning you don’t have to worry about any nasty chemicals damaging the delicate skin of your lips. Rather, each natural plant extract combines to form a beautiful, versatile lip balm. Believe me, once you’ve tried it you’ll be a convert!
In the pot the balm looks a stunning sunset orange colour, and it gives your lips a gorgeous golden tint. The balm isn’t strongly scented, but it has a sweet, subtle aroma of lemon, orange and peppermint, which is really quite refreshing as the peppermint adds a slight cooling effect.
Lip Love Balm has a soft, creamy texture and is easily applied with a fingertip. Thanks to the nourishing Shea and Cocoa butters, it feels intensely moisturising on the lips and forms a long-lasting protective layer which helps heal dry and cracked skin – perfect for this time of year! I’ve been using this for about a week now, and I have already noticed a big difference. My lips have shed their winter dryness so look a lot healthier, and feel a lot softer, which I’m very happy about. The balm isn’t greasy either, yet it makes your lips look incredibly shiny, and works really well over matte lipstick – it keeps it in place for a lot longer than usual and gives it a lovely glossy sheen.
As I mentioned earlier, Tropic’s Love Balm is also great for hydrating other areas of skin. Their website states that it can be used on your nails, cuticles, elbows and heels, but I’ve also been using it on my knuckles as they’re quite dry, and it’s been working wonders. My favourite alternative use, however, is as a cuticle cream. My cuticles have taken a bit of a battering over the past few months, what with all the nail varnish I’ve been using, and again because of the cold weather, and as a result haven’t been looking their best. Impressively, I found that within a few days of using the balm on my cuticles every morning, they were a lot neater and more supple. Carrot oil, avocado, rosehip and macadamia are known for their skin renewing properties, and for improving skin elasticity, and their concentrated levels in this balm really help it to work its magic very quickly.
Tropic Skin Care Lip Love Balm costs just £5.00, and considering the small amount you need to feel the benefits and make a difference, it really is worth every penny. If you’re looking for a high quality, multipurpose balm to take you through winter and into spring then this is definitely it – choosing natural products really does pay off! If you’d like to try this for yourself, now is your chance as Tropic Skin Care are currently offering FREE UK P&P on all orders placed before midnight on the 31st of January. Just enter the code ‘TROPICTREATS‘ at the checkout.
You can view the full Tropic Pure Plant Skin Care range here – they have such a wide range of products, from Cloth Cleansers to Body Butters to Body Oil, and its all affordable! Which Tropic product would you most like to try?
Naomi x
*I was sent this Lip Love Balm by Tropic Pure Plant Skin Care for review purposes. All opinions expressed in this post are honest and my own.*
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