Tuesday 28 February 2017

The New Lipstick Collection From Burt’s Bees

The new 100% Natural Lipstick Collection* joins Burt’s Bees’ range of impressive makeup products. They are in good company with several other beautifully-formulated lip products, which are already on the market today. Burt’s Bees actually nickname these new lipsticks ‘the lipstick that loves you back’ and it’s easy to see why. There all new lipstick collection is a 100% natural formulation, featuring moringa oil,raspberry seed oil, mimosa flower wax and of course, community sourced beeswax. It is designed to not only be a lipstick packed full of colour that you’ll love, but a lipstick that moisturizes and looks after your lips. 



The 100% Natural Lipstick Collection arrive in stunning, beautiful packaging, which feels far beyond it’s price point. They arrive in a square lipstick casing, which is finished in a slate grey colour. On the sides of the lipsticks there is a series of holes, which have been cut out of the side, which looks like a little beehive. 



The cut-outs peek through to a coloured plastic which is laying beneath, which matches the lipstick inside. The lipstick is finished off with the Burt’s Bees logo, which is etched into the bottom half of the lipstick case. Better still, the lipstick packaging is 100% recyclable, which is absolutely fabulous! 



The 100% Natural Lipstick Collection features a whopping 18 different shades available, which run the full colour spectrum. There are pinks, corals, nudes, plums and berry hues, all of which feature an impressive pigmentation. The finish of the lipstick is described as a ‘smooth satin’, leaving a luscious shine to the lips, which doesn’t compromise the colour of the lipstick. On the lips, these lips feel light and moisturising, which is achieved by the using Moringa oil and raspberry seed oil in the formulation. It allows you to create bold colour, with a conditioning moisturising texture.

523 - Sunset Cruise


I have four different shades to play with, that each come from different parts of the colour spectrum. We have 523 Sunset Cruise, which is a pretty coral pink, perfect for spring time. 

512 - Fuchsia Flood


Next we have 512 Fuchsia Flood, which is a pink with a pretty fuchsia finish.

530 - Lily Lake


Next up we have 530 Lily Lake, which is my personal favourite, thanks to it's plum undertones. 

520 - Scarlett Soaked


Finally we have 520 Scarlett Soaked, which is the perfect pop of red. These are all swatched below for you, from top to bottom you have 523, 512, 530 and 520. 



The Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lipstick Collection is available right now, priced at £9.99 each, which is such a reasonable price! You can pick up all the shades on the Burt’s Bees website
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Monday 27 February 2017

Ultimate Brush Cleansing with Sigma

When it comes to cleaning my makeup brushes I want to make it as quick and as simple as possible. I don’t think that cleaning your brushes is a chore that anyone enjoys, but it’s safe to say that it quickly becomes the negative side of having a fantastic brush collection. I really enjoy road testing new brush products, as I’m always hoping to find the one that sticks. If you missed my review of the Sigma Express Brush Mat (catch up here), you will have missed me declaring my undying love for the tool. It quickly transformed my two-hour cleaning frenzy, into a manageable 15 minutes (all without the nasty wrinkly hands). So when I was offered the chance to try out the Sigmagic Brushampoo*, I was all over it. 




The Sigmagic Brushampoo (lets take a minute to appreciate the fantastic name) is exactly what it says in the tin (or tube). An innovative new formula from the brush experts themselves, designed to make very light work out of cleaning your brushes. You simply put one or two pumps onto your damp brushes and lather (I do this my swirling it on the ‘clean’ section of my Sigma mat). You then rinse the Sigmagic Brushampoo away and watch the makeup buildup wash away down the sink. 

I was really impressed by how quickly the Sigmagic Brushampoo broke down the makeup on the brush, normally I have to do the brush cleaning cycle a couple of times before the brush feels truly clean. However, this really took care of things in one quick swoop! What really impressed me though is that the Sigmagic Brushampoo didn’t get stuck in the bristles. It does a really great job of lathering up on the brush, without polluting the brush with tons of suds and bubbles. Which means you just have to give the brush a quick rinse under some water, before leaving it to dry for a couple of hours.

I have to admit that I can be a bit cynical about some products, but I have to confess that the Sigmagic Brushampoo isn’t just “another brush shampoo”. Give it a go, you won’t be disappointed! The Sigmagic Brushampoo retails for $15 and you can get it here on the Sigma website.
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Friday 24 February 2017

Expanding My Scent Collection | Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt

When I get an idea in my head (especially when it involves buying makeup) it’s pretty hard to throw me off course. Earlier this year I turned 25 and I had in my head that I wanted to finally own a big bottle of a Jo Malone perfume. I’ve had two little bottles for a few years and I’ve made them survive by saving them for special occasions. I loved them so much that it started to feel like a shame to only wear them once in a blue moon, I was convinced the answer was upgrading to a huge 100ml bottle.



My favourite scent of all time is Jo Malone’s English Pear and Freesia, a luscious blend of sweet fruit, mellowed down with a floral base. It’s the perfect scent all year round, but especially in the springtime when the sun starts to shine. I was convinced I was going to simply upgrade my 30ml to 100ml and that would be me sorted. Until I started to smell all the other Jo Malone scents, progressively falling in love with four or five different scents.



When I found the Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne (£88 here) I saw the opportunity to add something different to my collection. I had heard bloggers rave about this pretty scent when it was first released in September 2014, but for some reason the name didn’t really appeal to me. Historically all my scents are fresh, fruity and very girly scents, but this one offered something a little bit different. It’s inspired by the seaside, designed to make you think of the sea salt spray and rugged cliffs, which are littered by growing sage. The notes officially include: ambrette seed, sea salt and sage, along with red algae and grapefruit. It’s an incredible, understated scent, designed to be timeless and elegant, no matter the occasion – and I love it! 



If you’re looking for a new scent, try stepping outside your comfort zone and being open minded. Like me you might find the scent that you never knew you wanted! I don’t think there’s anything more exciting than bringing home a new Jo Malone scent, wrapped so delicately in it’s signature box – what a treat! 
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Thursday 23 February 2017

Thursday Tittle-Tattle #74

Hope, Freedom, Love just wouldn’t feel complete without my 'Thursday Tittle Tattle' series! 'Thursday Tittle Tattle' has to be my longest running blog series and its home to the posts that get the best feedback from my readers. I absolutely love that you guys come back time and time again to read my 'Thursday Tittle Tattle' posts, so it was only right to continue these in 2017. This series is dedicated to breaking news of the beauty world, where most Thursday’s I bring you all the exciting news featuring; beauty and lifestyle news, events, discounts, and even a bit of fashion news thrown in too! This week the beauty world is going mad for fairytale related products, let’s see what products brands have in store...


Morgan Taylor unleash storybook magic with Fables & Fairytales 
This Spring Morgan Taylor have released a fabulous array of bright hues, as part of their new Fables & Fairytales collection. After months dark colours for winter time, Morgan Taylor are excited to bring us their bright shades. The shades just scream Springtime - with red pearl pink and baby blues and iridescent hues. Of course all the polishes have names to match the theme, from ‘One Tough Princess’ which is a Pink Crème, to ‘Not So Prince Charming’ which is a Baby Blue Crème. The new collection is available now, from Sally’s stores or online at www.sallyexpress.com

Sigma Beauty launch ‘Stellar Glow’ collection
If you’re ready to get your glow on for Spring, you’ll love the new collection from Sigma Beauty. The ‘Stellar Glow’ collection features must have brushes, highlighters, shimmer cream and a range of loose glitters and shimmers. The Shimmer Cream ($16 here) is a brightening product which can be worn anywhere on the face – perfect for anyone who wants to create that ‘glowing from within’ finish. If like me, you are glitter mad, you’re going to love the Loose Glitter ($12 here). There are five beautiful shades which can be used as eyeshadow, highlighter, or can even mixed into lip gloss and other liquid products. The Highlight Expert Brush Set ($54 here) is a collection of three brushes, which are especially designed for highlighting queens – these have been added straight to my wish list! 

Cult Beauty finally releases NYX stock
Beauty fans rejoice! NYX is finally available from none other than Cult Beauty, so you can now pick it up whilst you order your other favourite cult beauty items. Whether you’re looking for the famous Soft Matte Lip Cream (£8 here), the Butter Gloss (£7 here), the Highlight And Contour Pro Palette (£21 here) or the Makeup Setting Spray (£8 here) – they have it all! 

Beauty And The Beast beauty box from Latest In Beauty
Disney fans are going to go mad for this exciting new box from Latest In Beauty. Latest In Beauty have collaborated with none other than Disney, to bring the world ‘The Beauty Box’ and ‘The Beast Box’ – launching on March 1st. ‘The Beauty Box’ will offer makeup, skincare and haircare for the ladies, whilst ‘The Beast Box’ will offer grooming products for the men. There’s been no word on the exact contents yet, but the boxes will be priced at £20 each (plus postage and packaging). Keep an eye on the Latest In Beauty website for news as it breaks! 

The Victoria Beckham Estee Lauder collection is BACK
If you missed the Victoria Beckham collection the first time round, you’ll be pleased to hear that it’s back again! Whether you have your eye on the Modern Mercury Highlighter (£48) or the Matte Lipstick (£36), you can grab it all now. Pick up the collection from Selfridges
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Wednesday 22 February 2017

Beautiful products all in one place | A Beauty Expert beauty haul

Throughout my blogging ‘journey’, I’ve watched The Hut Group grow from strength to strength. They have a whole array of beauty websites, each with their own niche and each with their own audience. They are high up on my list of ‘best places to shop’ and I often send non-bloggers in their direction for great deals on beauty products. Beauty Expert is just one of their fabulous websites, stocking everything you could ever need – from niche skincare, to high end makeup. I was recently offered the chance to treat myself to some beautiful goodies, so I’m here to tell you what I picked up! 




theBalm Nude Dude Eyeshadow Palette* (£30 here)
I’m 99% sure that this palette has featured on practically all my favourite blogs and I’ve been desperate to get my hands on it! As the name suggests, the palette features twelve neutral shades which can be used to create a variety of looks. The shades are all complementary to one another, so you can either use them on their own, or blend them together to make a more complex look. I think this is going to be a fantastic daily palette and I can’t wait to start playing with all the shades. 




FACEINC Cat Nap Brightening Sheet Mask* & Flower Power Hydrating Sheet Mask* (£5 each)
When I saw the launch of FACEINC (the new skincare sister of Nails Inc) I book marked it in my brain, adding it to my virtual shopping list. So I thought this would be the perfect time to try out these new products! The Cat Nap Brightening Sheet Mask has been designed for normal to dry skin, with lots of lovely ingredients to revitalise the complexion. The mask itself is printed with a cat’s face, which just adds a cute and playful touch. The Flower Power Hydrating Sheet is printed with an iconic flower crown, matching it’s lovely name. This mask is designed to quench thirsty skin, leaving you with a radiant complexion.  

To use both this masks you simply apply them to dry skin, place the mask carefully over your face and ensure it’s getting even contact to the skin. After 15 minutes, you simply remove the mask and gently massage excess liquid into the skin. 




Popband London Hair Ties* (£6 here)
I used to be one of those people who never, ever, tied up her hair. However, since joining the gym, all I seem to do is get frustrated with hair ties that destroy my hair. I recently discovered Popband London Hair Ties and I’m in love! They are a super-stretchy hair tie which secures your hair in place without leaving dents or kinks. You get five in this handy pack, which is going straight in my gym bag! 


Pixi Glow-y Powder in Rome Rose* (£14 here)
You’re probably aware that beauty brand Pixi, recently collaborated with four different influencers to create a range of products! I actually had my eyes on Caroline Hirons’ Double Cleanse (which wasn’t on the website), but I found myself drawn to the Pixi Glow-y Powder. The Pixi Glow-y Powder was designed in collaboration with international beauty blogger Aspyn Ovard. It’s a lovely rose pink hue, which adds a sheer wash of colour to the cheeks. It uses light reflecting pigments to brighten and highlight, so it’s going to be a beautiful product for springtime. 




Stila Heaven’s Hue Highlighter in Kitten* (here)
To complete my haul I picked up two products from Stila, which just happens to be one of my favourite brands at the moment. I already have one of the Heaven's Hue Highlighters and I was desperate to add ‘Kitten’ to my collection. It’s a stunning, lightweight highlighter, which has a very unique texture. It’s almost bouncy to touch and it’s cream-based, ultra-fine texture just melts into the skin! I use this everywhere the sun would naturally touch the face and it’s perfect for adding radiance to your makeup look. This is a great product for your travel makeup bag, so you can chuck it around knowing it won’t break!




Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in Diamond Dust* (here)
I’m not to say that this is now my fourth eyeshadow from this new lineup from Stila. This eyeshadows are just incredible and they really transform any makeup look in an instant. They are an incredible, water-based glitter eyeshadow, which are packed to the brim with glitter pigment. I apply these straight from the applicator all over my eyelid, the set in an instant and they do not budge, ALL DAY! Whenever I get these eyeshadows, I get loads of compliments, as they just glimmer in the light and get a lot of attention. Diamond Dust is a pretty silver shade and I cannot wait to experiment with it! 




So, there we have it, lots of stunning beauty products, all about at Beauty Expert! I placed my order on the Tuesday and it arrived first thing on Friday morning, with their free-of-charge delivery service! I highly recommend checking out Beauty Expert, they have a huge collection of brands. So whether you’re looking for high end makeup, or the likes of Maybelline and Rimmel, they have it all! The same goes for skincare, they have everything from the cheaper, drugstore brands, all the way up to more extravagant purchases! Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products, I’d love to know what you think of them. 

If you're looking for more shopping inspiration, you should check out the Beauty Expert Collection. It's a lovely collection of skincare products, worth over £125 and you can grab it right now for just £50. It's one not to miss, shop here
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Tuesday 21 February 2017

The Instant Facial From ESPA

We all have brands that know and trust, whether it’s for a mascara that lasts, or a face mask that rescues your skin from an outbreak of acne. When I’m on the hunt for a present or a special treat that feels luxourious, but performs well, I tend to turn to ESPA. Not only do their products feel special, they also act special. One of their newest products is the Tri-Active Advanced Instant Facial* and I’m here to give you the low down…




ESPA say that the Tri-Active Advanced Instant Facial has been designed to give you three age-defying formulas – hence the name Tri-Active. The first thing the product aims to do is give you the power of a facial serum. Secondly, it aims to give you the protective properties of a treatment oil. The third and final thing it aims to do, is give you the revitalising effects of an essence. It’s been designed to be a natural, yet an effective way, to give you the three pillars of anti-ageing – targeting the visible signs of short, medium and long-term ageing. 

The new product features two new ingredients, which are being used for the first time here in the UK! It’s the first use of White Truffle Extract (proven enhancing elasticity and minimise the appearance of fine lines) and Antioxidant Macroalgae Cell Extract (which helps to improve your natural processes which delay the signs of visible ageing). On top of that, there is a premium-grade Hyaluronic Acid (which we all know and love for it’s hydrating properties, plus Olive Extract, Green Algae and Bentonite Clay (which all smooth and soften the skins texture). There’s also a lovely blend of oils including: Jojoba, Evening Primrose and Avocado oil, which are all designed to give you a hit of nourishment, without giving you a thick greasy texture. There’s even a blend of Antioxidant Vitamin-C, which again is well know for it’s ability to preserve elasticity and brighten the skintone. 

The Tri-Active Advanced Instant Facial arrives in the classic ESPA packaging, in a 30ml bottle. It’s no surprise that this glorious formulation is on the pricey side, coming in at £58. However, if you’re new to anti-ageing and you need something to supplement your routine, I think this is a great place to start. It’s available now from ESPA, Harvey Nichols, John Lewis and Fenwick stores.  
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Monday 20 February 2017

MultiTech | The Innovative New Real Techniques Range

Regular readers of this blog will know that I’m a huge fan of Real Techniques, so much so, that whenever the introduce something new, I also stop and take note. I honestly think that they transformed the brush market, bringing good quality brushes to the high street, at tiny prices. Real Techniques single handedly changed my relationship with makeup – I’d tried lots of foundation brushes before they launched and they all let me down. I found myself stuck in a rut with a mousse foundation, as I didn’t feel confident enough to try any liquids, for fear of looking like a stripy mess. I was a student and I couldn’t afford to splash out on high end brands, but a tenner on an Expert Face Brush was doable and it changed everything for me!



Fast forward several years and Real Techniques have a huge collection, filled to the brim with brushes, tools, sponges and more. So when I had the chance to check out the launch party of the MultiTech brushes, I jumped at the chance. MultiTech is the brand new collection from Real Techniques and it thinks about things completely differently. It works on this idea of ‘1 universal cut’ and how it can be limitless for the ways to play. Instead of instructing us on how to use our brushes, the brushes are simply named things like XXXS or XXXL, meaning that you become the makeup artist and decide what you want to use the brushes for.



All the brushes have a tapered point, which allows you to pick up product and apply the detail where you need it. The tip of the brush is firm, but still flexible, which means you are able to apply product into the contours of the face. Whilst the large base on each brush helps you to blend the product that you’re using.



The Small Points Set* (£30 here) features four smaller brushes - Point XXXS, Point XXS, Point XS and Point S. The brushes are perfect for more precise work, so they’d be great for creating eye looks, blending concealer and all the more detailed jobs. They even arrive with a fabulous brush stand, which has already taken pride of place on my dressing table.



Then you have Point L* (£16 here) which is a large brush, which could be used for contouring, highlighting and blusher. Point XL* (£18 here) is big enough to use for foundation, so it’s a great brush for perfecting your base – blend foundation and gently buff it into the skin.



The Point XXXL* (£18 here) is huge – it’s by far the biggest brush in my collection. You can use it in a number of ways, but it’s good for creating subtle body contours – Sam Chapman even recommends using it for fake tan. All the brushes are designed with soft fibres, which means they allow BB & CC Creams to be gently buffed onto the face. 



Finally we have the Point Makeup Sponge* (£10 here), which like the brushes also has a pointed tip for blending the finer detail on the face. You can then turn the brush round and use it to blend the larger areas. It can be used wet or dry and it also arrives with it’s very own sponge cube, which keeps the brush dry and away from bacteria. 



I’m in love with this collection, I think it’s a beautiful, ultra-soft set of brushes, that any makeup fan would be pleased to own. I really like the concept of all the brushes having the same cut and I love the fact they’ve moved away from ‘naming’ the brushes with makeup jobs. I don’t know any makeup fan who solely uses their brushes for what they say on the handle! Whether you’re new to Real Techniques, or an accomplished collector, I’m certain you won’t be disappointed! 
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Friday 17 February 2017

Four Questions For Merci Handy | A Brand Focus

Merci Handy is a fabulous French brand, which has been recently been introduced to UK shores. Merci Handy started with a very clear aim - create a product that kept your hands clean, but still looked cool. The owners were conscious of having clean hands, but didn’t want to look like “a complete hypochondriac” in front of their friends. They started off by creating their innovative Hand Cleansing Gels, which have been really successful with beauty fans. The brand quickly grew and added lots of other products to their line up (including Face Mists, Toothpaste and Hand Cream).



I was really intrigued by Merci Handy and wanted to learn more about what made them tick. So I caught up with AurĂ©lie D'Andria (UK Brand Manager for Merci Handy) and asked her four quick questions, to find out what really makes Merci Handy tick. 

When was the brand founded? 
Merci Handy was founded two years ago by Louis Marty & Rolan Jai-Nielsen.

What is the aim for the brand? 
Merci Handy takes the most classic, run-of-the-mill even boring hygiene products and turns them into sexy (and very effective) products. 

What is unique about the brand? 
Merci Handy is a brand launched and run by two Millennials with a team of Millennials making products for Millennials (and the rest of the World). We succeed by turning a hand cleansing gel into a lifestyle product. 

What are your best-selling products? 
The Love & Hand Cleansing Gels are the best products: Flower Power, ChĂ©rie Cherry and New Wave being our top three. 



If you’re interested in knowing more about Merci Handy, I highly recommend their Merci Handy Hand Cleansing Gels*. Each of the pocket-sized products are envisioned in Paris, before being created in Italian and Chinese laboratories. The cleansing gels are created with vitamin E and Cleansing Pearls, which help leave your hands feeling both clean and soft. The products are not tested on animals and there are no traces of animal products inside each tube. You use them just like any other hand sanitizer, the only difference being that these come in seven beautiful scents (Coco Rico, Flower Power, ChĂ©rie Cherry, New Wave, Black Vanilla, Oh My Lemon and Lollipop). Learn more about this fabulous brand on their website here
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Thursday 16 February 2017

Thursday Tittle Tattle #73

Hope, Freedom, Love just wouldn’t feel complete without my 'Thursday Tittle Tattle' series! 'Thursday Tittle Tattle' has to be my longest running blog series and its home to the posts that get the best feedback from my readers. I absolutely love that you guys come back time and time again to read my 'Thursday Tittle Tattle' posts, so it was only right to continue these in 2017. This series is dedicated to breaking news of the beauty world, where most Thursday’s I bring you all the exciting news featuring; beauty and lifestyle news, events, discounts, and even a bit of fashion news thrown in too! This week I’m back with a bang with new products from Rosie For Autograph and much more! Keep reading...




Rosie For Autograph expands collection
I’m actually a huge fan of the Rosie For Autograph Beauty Collection, so I’m really excited that they are back with more products this February. They are introducing the latest spring Lip Collection, which includes three brand new lipstick shades and a range of desirable Lip Definers. Rosie’s spring Lip Collection is a mix of wearable and dramatic shades often worn by the model herself to create the perfect red carpet look. The Rosie for Autograph New Lipstick Shades (£14 here) has three gorgeous new shades: Vintage Rouge, Sour Grapes and Rosie Lips. The Rosie for Autograph Lip Definer Collection (£12.50 here) are mechanical lip liners that are rich in colour and glide smoothly onto the lips with a long-lasting power. There are available in six shades: Dolly, Lace, Silk, Camisole, RHW and Supermodel.

New Baking Powder from Rodial
Rodial never shy away from the trends that are taking over the beauty community. So it’s no surprise that they’ve created a brand new Baking Powder (£29 here) to help makeup fanatics to achieve the perfect flawless set base. It arrives in the class Rodial packaging and inside the tub you will find a silky smooth loose powder for setting and baking your makeup. The product has a special, non-powdery finish, designed to mattify the skin, whilst blurring imperfections! If this is anything like the other Rodial products, it’s going to be gorgeous!

New First Light Priming Filter from BECCA
Primer fans rejoice, as dewy-skin experts BECCA have just released their First Light Priming Filter. The First Light Priming Filter (£32 here) is a lavender-toned primer, specially designed to give the skin a achieving subtle soft-focus flow on the skin. Its lilac colour is perfect for battling the dull, sallow tones in the skin – leaving the skin brilliantly bright. As it’s BECCA, it goes without saying that the product is designed to give you a subtle, lit-from-within look. The formula inclides refreshing spring water, prickly pear flower, hyaluronic acid and ginger – perfect ingredients for maintaining moisture levels and reenergising the skin - leaving it plump all day long. 
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Wednesday 15 February 2017

The Ultimate Makeup Solution For Sensitive Eyes | La Roche-Posay RESPECTISSIME

When it comes to my beauty routine, there isn’t much I enjoy more than slapping on my mascara. There is something so fantastic about transforming my eyelashes – I just love taking them from dreary and sad, to something voluminous and full-impact. I’m blessed that I take any mascara off the shelves and test to my heart’s content, but sadly lots of women out their don’t have the same luxury. For those suffering from sensitive eyes, lashing on the mascara can cause nothing but pain and discomfort for the rest of the day.



For over 40 years, La Roche-Posay has been creating skincare products especially formulated for sensitive skin. Now they’ve turned their attention to eyes, mixing makeup and skincare to create RESPECTISSIME. The brand new RESPECTISSIME range offers protection and tolerance, rolled into cosmetics, so that anyone can enjoy the benefits of mascara! The new range features three mascaras, all which have been through rigorous tolerance testing. The range is perfect for contact lens wearers or for those who suffer with irritated eyes. The mascaras only use purified pigments and are nickel-controlled to avoid any eye or skin irritation. The mascaras even have an anti-tears formula, which stop the eyes from reacting or running after applying the mascara.



I’ve tried a few ‘sensitive mascaras’ in the past and I’ve found them to be a little bit lackluster, but I have to say that I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the RESPECTISSIME Extreme Volume Intense Mascara*. It’s simple packaging hides an exciting formula, which gives your lashes a volumised boost in just one coat. It’s jet-black and offers drama to your lashes, in an easy-to-use, clump-free formulation. The mascara is fragrance-free and paraben-free, specially strengthened and volumise lashes, without weighing down the lashes and causing discomfort! I’m a huge fan of this!



When you’re done with your makeup, you can use the brand new RESPECTISSIME Eye Makeup Remover*, which is also designed for sensitive eyes. The bi-phase formulation is activated by shaking the bottle – pop some on a cotton pad and wash away even waterproof mascara with ease! It’s far more effective than some of the other micellars I’ve used on my eyes, instantaneously melting away the makeup and removing all traces of mascara and eyeshadow, without irritation. 



I think it’s safe to say that I’m truly blown away by this new RESPECTISSIME range. I’m a huge fan of La Roche-Posay, so I’m really glad that this new range is just as good as all the other products I’ve tried. As I mentioned, there are three different mascaras – the Multi-Dimensions Mascara (£16 here), the Waterproof Mascara (£16 here) and the Extreme Volume Intense Mascara (£16 here). The Eye Makeup Remover retails for £11 and is available here. The new range is available right now, you can pick it up from Boots and Escentual.
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Tuesday 14 February 2017

The awesome Clinique X Crayola collaboration | #CliniqueCrayola

When I saw this stunning Clinique Crayola Crayon Box doing the rounds on some of my favourite blogs, I was super jealous - I honestly thought it was the coolest PR package in the world! So when I realised that the gift box wasn’t just a PR package and it was actually available to the public, I got a little bit over excited! It was about 8AM and I found myself clicking through the Selfridges checkout, quicker than I ever had before! 



If you missed the memo, Clinique and Crayola have recently collaborated to bring out a set of Clinique’s famous Chubby Sticks, in Limited Edition Crayola packaging. You can buy these special edition products on their own, or you can pick up the stunning Clinique x Crayola Chubby Lip Crayon Box. The Clinique x Crayola Chubby Lip Crayon Box offers you the chance to try all the shades, at a bargain price. They arrive in a sturdy box, designed to look just like the Crayola crayons we all know and love. Flip up the lid and reveal all eight shades, stacked delicately inside, with super handy labels to help you find your way. 



Just like the Crayola crayons, the handy names give you a very good indication of the colour of the balm. There is also a mix of formulations, so whether you like strong pigmentation, or a sheer of wash of colour, there is something for you! The set includes: Brick Red (Chubby Stick Intense), Wild Strawberry, Mango Tango, Melon, Mauvelous, Pink Sherbert, Fuzzy Wuzzy (Chubby Stick Intense) and Red Violet (Chubby Stick Intense). I’ve swatched all the colours for you below, which appear in the above order from top to bottom. 



The Chubby Sticks have been given a bit of a spruce up too, sporting packaging which has been made to look like individual Crayola crayons – which are super cute! As with the original Chubby Stick formula, the Crayola crayons feature a formula enriched with mango and shea butter, which provides a moisturising, glossy tint. 



As I mentioned, the Clinique x Crayola Chubby Lip Crayon Box features eight of the balms, which are a generous 1.2g each (which is just under half the full size). The box of eight crayons retails for £35, so when you bare in mind that the full sized crayons retail for £17 each (and seem to last a lifetime) these smaller crayons are an absolute bargain. This is a must-have for any Chubby Stick fan and it’s a great way to try out the shades if you’re new to the brand. Pick up the Clinique x Crayola Chubby Lip Crayon Box now, you can grab it here from John Lewis



Swatches from top to bottom: Brick Red (Chubby Stick Intense), Wild Strawberry, Mango Tango, Melon, Mauvelous, Pink Sherbert, Fuzzy Wuzzy (Chubby Stick Intense) and Red Violet (Chubby Stick Intense). 
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Monday 13 February 2017

The new Daily Detox Collection from Herbal Essences

I’ve always admired Herbal Essences - I fondly remember being addicted to their ranges in my student days and even now, their Deep Cleansing Shampoo is part of my weekly routine. Their range of haircare brings good quality and affordable products, to the mass-market. Despite their affordable nature, Herbal Essences have never been an ‘untrendy’ brand, they have a knack for finding that latest trend and bringing it to the high street. Their latest launch does exactly that!



Most beauty fanatics will be well versed in protecting our face from toxins, but how many of us do the same for our hair? The Daily Detox Collection* has been created with hectic lifestyles in mind, noting that the ever-increasing rise in damaging air pollutants are causing havoc with our hair. I’m truly blessed with hair that’s been permed and coloured, but still feels soft and hydrated, so I truly forget that sometimes it still needs a bit of TLC. The Herbal Essences Daily Detox Collection was released just last month and it is a range of three shampoos and three conditioners. The products have been designed to gently cleanse the hair each day restoring freshness and shine, whilst still being infused with ingredients to make the whole experience one to look forward too. Whether you’re concerned about air pollution, rain or wind – this new collection has you covered, which is not easy to do if you live in the blustery UK! 



The Daily Detox Collection from Herbal Essences has been designed to be cooling, refreshing, stimulating, activating and cleansing. They are lightly scented with beautiful ingredients, which linger on the hair and they lightly cleanse, without leaving the hair feeling stripped. They are gentle enough to use every single day – allowing you to wash the day away without any damage. The products are even free of silicones and parabens, which is really hard to find on the high street! As I mentioned earlier, there are three variants within the Daily Detox Collection and each of them contain the star ingredient – Mint Oil. Natural mint oil is an ingredient which gently cleanses the hair, but also has a mental calming effect on the body and mind. 



The three variants include; Daily Detox Shine (a blend of white tea and mint), Daily Detox Volume (a blend of crimson orange and mint which adds volume) and Daily Detox Clean* (a blend of golden raspberry and mint which provides a refreshing clean). All the variations are available now, priced at £3.99 a product, which I think is incredible value. I’m really impressed with this range, I can tell it’s going to be a new staple in my hair routine. 
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Friday 10 February 2017

New from Maybelline this Spring | SS17

This weekend I honestly saw the first signs that Spring is on the way, it was slightly warmer, the skies were blue and the days were that little bit longer. If there is one thing that makes me excited for Spring, it would have to be the makeup – it’s almost time to embrace the Spring hues once again! Today I wanted to give you the low down on some of Maybelline’s new releases for Spring, shopping lists at the ready folks!



Maybelline Color Drama Lip Contour Palette* (£9.99 here)
If you’re someone who travels a lot, you might be interested in this brand new Color Drama Lip Contour Palette. This palette gives you everything you need for fully shaped, contoured, fuller-looking lips! Inside the palette you will find eight different sections, which hold primers, liners, colour and highlighters. The aim is that you follow the four steps to achieve that perfect contoured lip! I think this would be a great palette to chuck in your handbag, you’d be ready for any spontaneous occasion!



Maybelline Master Camo Corrector Palette* (£9.99 here)
This palette is a lot like the lip palette, but this time we’re talking about your complexion! The Master Camo face correcting kit lets you experiment with canvasing on a budget. The palette gives you all the shades you need to correct, conceal and highlight in a hurry! Start first by neutralizing your uneven tones in the skin - use the green hue to neutralize red and yellow to fix under your eyes. The second stage is to conceal your imperfections by using the concealer under your eyes or on blemishes. Finally, use the highlighter anywhere the sun would naturally hit the skin (brow arches and on the top of cheekbones).



Maybelline SuperStay 24H Hour Dual Lipsticks* (£8.99 each here)
As the name suggests, these are handy double ended lipsticks that aim to give you 24-hour longwear. These lipsticks are double ended, so on one end you have the liquid colour and then you have a ultra-conditioning balm on the other side. Simply apply the liquid color to your lips and give it two full minutes to dry. You then apply the balm on top of the colour to lock in the moisture. Maybelline say the two-step system means you get no crumbling, flaking, fading or transferring! There are 18 different shades to choose from, so you’re bound to find something you love! 



Maybelline Baby Lips Colour Balm Crayon* (£5.99 here)
The Baby Lips Lip Balms have been well loved for several years, but now Maybelline have released them in a new crayon formulation. The new product features a hydrating, creamy colour which is enriched with oil. It has a really bright and strong pigmentation, but is soft and shiny on the lips – it’s beautiful! There are six different shades, so there is something for everyone!



Maybelline Brightening Creamy Concealer* (£4.99 here)
Maybelline concealers always get rave reviews, so I’m really excited that there is a new kid on the block! The Dream Brightening concealer aims to instantly conceal and brightens under your eyes. It’s packaged in a really handy crayon formulation, so you just draw it under the eyes for a instant brightening effect! It’s great for erasing dark circles and it’s packed with light reflecting pearl pigments to help you look more awake! 



Let me know what you think about these new products in the comments below, I can’t wait for Spring to arrive! 
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Thursday 9 February 2017

Thursday Tittle-Tattle #72

Hope, Freedom, Love just wouldn’t feel complete without my 'Thursday Tittle Tattle' series! 'Thursday Tittle Tattle' has to be my longest running blog series and its home to the posts that get the best feedback from my readers. I absolutely love that you guys come back time and time again to read my 'Thursday Tittle Tattle' posts, so it was only right to continue these in 2017. This series is dedicated to breaking news of the beauty world, where most Thursday’s I bring you all the exciting news featuring; beauty and lifestyle news, events, discounts, and even a bit of fashion news thrown in too! This week I’m back with a bang with new matte lipsticks from Lipstick Queen and much more! Keep reading...




The White Company X DECIEM
If you’ve followed Hope, Freedom, Love for a while you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of DECIEM. Their innovative, exciting products always go down well with the beauty community. So when I heard that DECIEM had collaborated with The White Company, I knew I needed to get the full low down. The founder of The White Company is actually an ex-beauty journalist, so she’s always had a secret passion for hunting down good skincare. She says that she’s “absolutely thrilled with the products”, citing that it took “over a year of extensive trialling and tweaking to perfect the formulation”. The advanced-skincare comprises of six carefully curated products to help transform the look of your complexion, whatever your age. The products include; Super Balm (£25), Super Serum (£40), Advanced Hydration (£30), Eye Revive (£20), Night Oil (£30) and the Hand Elixir (£20). They are even selling Facial Cloths in a handy triple pack for £15. 

Famous Last Words from Lipstick Queen
If you’re sick of looking for the perfect matte lip, Lipstick Queen might just have the product for you. ‘Famous Last Words’ from Lipstick Queen is their answer for a stay-put, statement matte lip. They nickname the product their ‘Elastic Matte’, as the formula contains the special ingredient Sofistan 649, which enables the pigments to breathe and bend rather than crack on the lips. The six new shades offer a long-lasting liquid lip, with rich pigments, which still offer a lightweight feel after hours of wear. The new shades will retail for £22, follow the excitement by using #LQFamousLastWords. 

New brow pencils and mascara from Sainsbury’s Boutique 
If you’ve missed the beauty world going mad for the Sainsbury’s Boutique makeup line, it’s time to catch up! This genius line of affordable makeup is doing the rounds and it’s getting very good reviews! The latest products from the line include two eye enhancing staples; Mascara and Eyebrow Pencils. The Boutique Mascara is available in classic black and is designed to emphasise your lashes. If you’re looking to banish bad brows, you need the Boutique Brow Pencil which comes in two shades - Dark and Light Brown – which means you can select the perfect shade to match your natural colouring. 

The makeup brand which is changing everything – BEAUTY PIE
I feel a bit ‘behind the times’ talking about BEAUTY PIE, but I realised I hadn’t spoken about it yet in one of my round ups. In case you missed it, the new brand (from the same lady who brought us Soap & Glory) aims to bring us premium quality makeup at a fraction of the normal retail price. Their slogan says it all - “No mumbo-jumbo. No middlemen.

No markups.” and beauty fans are going mad for their products. At BEAUTY PIE you sign up for just £10 a month and then you can select your choice of makeup, up to the retail cost of £100. 
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