Monday 31 January 2011

Daisy de Villeneuve for Clinique

I've previously blogged about artist Daisy de Villeneuve's work so regular readers will know that I'm a big fan of her quirky designs. If you're not familiar with her work, do check out her website http://www.daisydevilleneuve.com/.

Her bold styling and artistic use of colour is perfectly suited to the beauty industry so it comes as little surprise that her latest collaboration is with Clinique in aid of the Kiss It Better campaign for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. The Charity raises funds for research into causes and treatment of childhood cancers.

Daisy has created an exclusive, signed Limited Edition trio of illustrations which will be available throughout February for £100 at http://www.clinique.co.uk/, www.gosh.org/shop and Eleven Fine Art Gallery with all funds going to the Charity. It's a wonderful opportunity to purchase a piece of her art whilst knowing that you'll be helping such a worthy cause. I'll be wishing for this, with its adorable heart pattern, for Valentine's Day!

As a very special treat, Daisy has spoken to Skin Deep about the collaboration, "I jumped at the chance to work with Clinique, a brand I've always loved! Kiss It Better particularly appealed to me because I often do workshops with children in hospital so it's a subject close to my heart. Plus, doing the limited edition print raises awareness to a much wider audience."

And as it's Skin Deep, her beauty essential? "I always wear red lipstick and red nail polish"
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Sunday 30 January 2011

Speed Review: John Frieda Frizz Ease 3 Day Straight Semi-Permanent Styling

By far one of the most exciting launches to capture my attention so far this year is John Frieda Frizz Ease's 3 Day Straight Semi-Permanent Styling. Admittedly, we're only one month into 2011 but I predict big things for this product from the team behind the bestselling Frizz Ease.

The idea behind the product is self-explanatory, given the name although if you compare to hair dye, semi-permament is stretching the description somewhat for results which last 3 days. The product is designed to target those with curly hair.
Having said this, I have to admit to being dubious- my hair rarely stays in the same style beyond an evening so 3 days was pushing it.

The packaging is signature Frizz Ease silver and the bottle is an easy to use spritzer with directional nozzle for targeted application. I followed my usual routine but replaced my hair styling oil with 13 spritzes of 3 Day Straight due to my hair being long & wavy (the clear instructions advise between 7-15 spritzes). The product is designed for use on wet or damp hair, not dry. You then blow dry hair straight before sealing with straighteners...simple!

I'm not sure how good for the hair this is, although it does contain Keratin- I suspect that if you're the type to straighten every day, then it's cutting down on heat damage and therefore beneficial. Having a lazy girl approach to beauty and being renowned for my hatred of mornings, I rarely straighten my hair although this product could well see a change to that.

I'm beyond impressed. I really put John Frieda 3 Day Straight through its paces, over a course of 3 days, including being caught in drizzle and then an additional trial on a night out and my hair remained straight & frizz free- unheard of!

My hair really isn't the type that can be left so long between washes so going forward, I'd probably use this as a time saving product used to style my hair the night before (bearing in mind that I wear an eye mask every night, this is not something I'm usually able to achieve) an early start as opposed to expecting lasting results. If your hair can stand the test of time, this product would be ideal & I'd also recommend it to those who travel lot and want to cut down on carrying styling tools.  As my hair got quite lank towards the end of the trial (a standard result of me not washing it at least every other day), I found myself wearing ponytails and dolly buns. The product seemed to provide good styling hold yet even after a long day wearing updos, it returned to the straightened locks with barely discernable kinks once loosened out.

John Frieda Frizz Ease 3 Day Straight will be sold at £6.99 for 100ml which frankly is an absolute bargain- I'd be prepared to pay at least double.

This product really sounds too good to be true but it honestly works. I wouldn't be surprised if this goes on to win copious industry awards. Now stop reading this and get down to Boots & pick up a bottle ASAP- you won't be disappointed.
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Wednesday 26 January 2011

Speed Review: Amie Skincare


I'm currently feeling rather hard done by. When I was a teenager, a girl was faced with three predominant skincare options- Oxy, Clearasil or Clean & Clear. I was firmly in the Clean & Clear camp. Now that I'm older and wiser in my approach to beauty, if nothing else, I regret ever having put these products on my skin. What was my mum thinking allowing me to do so? Filled with stripping alcohol, such products are far too harsh for skin, young or otherwise, in my opinion.

If only we'd had the vast array of skincare ranges which are targeting the young skin market today. With the likes of Elizabeth's Daughter (whose Facial Gel Cleanser is incredible by the way!), Dermalogica's Clean Start range, Oy! by Green People and Young & Pure, there's an ever expanding choice.

I was sent some products from Amie Skincare (http://www.amieskincare.com/), which prides itself on offering "pure & natural beauty for young skin" and I have to say that despite not being in their main target group, I'm impressed with the results.
In terms of pricing, Amie is in the same bracket as Young & Pure (& apparently Clearasil now costs the same- who knew?!)- we're talking around £5 per product which I feel is reasonable and affordable for their audience. The products last a really long time (I've been trialling the cleanser for a few weeks and the contents of the tube look barely touched) and the quality far exceeds the price. The packaging is quite cute, with whimiscal designs which are definitely intended to appeal to their young audience and reiterate the natural message. It's probably a little juvenile for the older market to want to display in the bathroom but then we're not their target group. I liked the functionality- squeezy tubes for the cream based products and a dripper bottle for the liquid.

First up, I reviewed Morning Clear Purifying Facial Wash which is refreshingly cream based, as opposed to the standard gel. As aforementioned, a little goes a long way which I'd put down to its rich creamy formula. The cleanser has a cocoa butter base which ensures it feels incredibly soothing and leaves skin feeling soft. I loved the fresh, slightly fruity fragrance of the product and feel this would also appeal to teenagers. The product has a pink tinge and, as with the other products in the range, a very female targeted packaging design so I wouldn't say Amie is one for the boys. I was impressed at how clear and soft this left my skin- I probably need something a little harder working for long term usage but if it provides such great results on my skin, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this for teens.


Bright Eyes Eye Make-up Remover didn't particularly wow me. There's not a great deal to say about it other than it's gentle. It took a couple of swipes on each eye to remove my daily make-up so I think those who wear heavy or waterproof eye make-up wouldn't find it sufficiently effective.




Having said that, the Spring Clean Cooling Clay Mask gets the SkinDeep "highly recommended" tag for those looking for a purifying mask. I think it's great to encourage teens to apply a regular face mask as part of their skincare regime and the instructions are sufficiently clear that this would be a good introduction. A mask is a way that teens can have fun whilst discovering beauty products and think a tube of this would be the perfect accompliment to a slumber party. A little goes a long way so a group of friends could easily share the tube for a night of pampering, with more for further sleepovers.

The quality of the product gives no suggestion as to its reasonable price. The mask is easy to use and has a wonderful sweet, yet not sickly, scent which I was quite surprised at. Again, I think this would appeal to their target market- showing just how thoroughly thought out this range is. You simply leave the mask on for 10 minutes and then wash off. My only complaint is that the name suggested to me that it would feel cooling whilst on, which it wasn't. Being a clay based mask, the removal is a little tiresome but the reward is that skin feels wonderfully deep cleansed and refreshed.

I wouldn't wish to be a teenager again but if I did have my Tom Hanks style "Big" moment, I'd definitely be treating my skin with these products.
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Tuesday 25 January 2011

Speed Review: Schwarzkopf Essensity Moisture Mask

I always prefer to use natural products where possible so when I heard about Schwarzkopf's Essensity range, I was keen to give it a go. It's notoriously difficult to create natural haircare which delivers results and whilst Essensity doesn't claim to be 100% green, they have removed 100% amnomia, artificial fragrances & colourants, silicons, paraffin oils and parabens and kept the products as natural as possible, without compromising on results. The products contain organic essences and essential oils and are presented in suitably green coloured, 100% recyclable packaging.

I was sent the Moisture Mask (£12.70 for 150ml) to trial which is designed to treat dry, coarse & lacklustre hair.
My hair is in fairly good condition at the moment, plus I had it cut last week so I viewed this as a maintainance mask.


The mask is a thick cream which is presented in a tub. It's smaller than I expected but I discovered that a little product goes a long way (& I have long hair) so you should get a lot of use out of it before running out.
There's a lighter coloured green on the lid which, stupid as this may sound, confused me somewhat. I was convinced that I was missing a trick and that this should be pressed to dispense the mask but after numerous tries by both myself and Mr.SkinDeep, I admitted defeat and unscrewed the top.

The fragrance is incredible- fresh and fruity in a grown-up way although sadly doesn't linger once hair is dried and styled.

The on-pack instructions are easy to follow, stating that you should leave the mask on towel-dried hair for 5-10 minutes before rinsing. I left the mask on for 5 minutes as I have fine hair and was worried that the mask might weigh it down. The only area in which the instructions are lacking is advice regarding how much product to use- as aforementioned, you really don't need much.

I wouldn't use this whilst getting ready for work in the morning as it does add a bit of faff to the shower routine, having to jump out, towel dry hair and wait for 5 mins but it certainly isn't a complicated mask to use. As it's a thick formula, it didn't cause any mess so I was able to carry on with other beauty steps whilst waiting for it to work its magic, without any drips. Having said this, I found it fairly easy to rinse out.

As with all of my trials, I kept the other steps in my regime as normal in order to fairly judge the benefits.
My hair was left feeling soft and not at all weighed down which I loved. Styling seemed slightly easier than normal although this could well be due to my recent hair cut. It needed some calming products to tame the flyaways and definitely looked more smoothed the next day. I wouldn't say this created any noticable improvement to the shine of my hair & it's not a miracle worker but I'll certainly be using the mask again and would recommend it to anyone looking for a greener approach to their beauty regime.
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Monday 24 January 2011

Speed Review: Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub

I'm always shocked when I hear that many people don't regularly exfoliate. It's such an integral step in my beauty regime and one which I really believe reaps benefits. This week, I trialled Soap & Glory's Sugar Crush Body Scrub.


I'm a big fan of Soap & Glory. I've been impressed with the performance of the products I've tried to date, love the quirky names and packaging and think the range offers great value for money to those who are on a budget. This product, at just £9 for a generous 450ml is a wonderful example.

As the name suggests, this is a sugar based scrub. As I general rule, I usually opt for more abrasive salt scrubs. I love it when they are suspended in a balm formula which I can apply to my dry skin before jumping in the shower, however, this isn't ideal for those who suffer from sensitive skin. Sugar scrubs offer a gentler option and if you're not used to exfoliating, this would be a great product to start with.

Although the tub looks great in the bathroom and feels wonderfully weighty, I generally prefer my scrubs to be presented in functional tubes. I hate the feeling of getting gritty scrub residue stuck under my manicure when I've scooped the product out of a tub. Having said that, the large tub does highlight just how much product you're getting for your money. Even if you're generous with the application, this is going to last a long time.

Soap & Glory products are known for smelling wonderful and this product doesn't disappoint. It's from their spa range so is a different fragrance to their standard line, however, the scent is still incredible, practically good enough to eat (like a summery cocktail!) and it's not surpising when you read off the list of ingredients- a combination of smashed brown sugar and sweet lime, almond oil and macademia grains. What's more, the fragrance lingers beautifully on the skin afterwards.

The scrub is super easy to use and works effectively to remove dulling dead skin cells. The downside is that the black grains are difficult to rinse away from your shower or bath but that certainly isn't specific to this product- exfoliators tend to be a cleaning nightmare! As with all exfoliators, you get optimum results from your other products as a result- for example, moisturiser sinks in far better.

When I mentioned that I was trialling this, I heard nothing but positive comments and I have to agree. I can't rave highly enough about this scrub- two big Skin Deep thumbs up!
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Sunday 23 January 2011

Tesco adds to beauty offering

Shopping List:
Milk
Orange juice
Bread
Apples
Eggs
Manicure













It has been confirmed that Tesco are adding yet another string to their bow with the introduction of two large beauty salons within Tesco Extra stores this month, although it is unclear where these will be.
The news comes following a trial offering manicures and threading, to which there was a positive customer response, and coincides with an extended beauty product offering.

So, what do you think? Will you be adding a beauty treatment to your weekly shop?
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Friday 21 January 2011

Sneak preview: Models Own to introduce Pro range

I'm a big fan of Models Own polishes which offer smooth formulas in a wide variety of shades at value prices. The brains behind the brand have clearly been busy putting their heads together, with the introduction of the world's most expensive polish at the end of 2010 and now news has reached me that they are to launch a specialised Pro range into selected Boots stores (who are investing on improving their nail offering) on 7th March.

I haven't been able to try a polish as yet- in fact, the range is so new that the press release hasn't even been drafted but I'm excited to discover something new to feed my polish habit and was keen to hear as much pre-launch info as possible!

Based around salon formulations, the polishes will include innovative "Grows Fast. Fades Slow" technology- a combination of Vitamin E and UV Filters to promote nail growth and prevent fade respectively. If the technology lives up to its claims, I'll be stocking up on colours for the summer as one of my pet beauty hates is the way in which bright colours fade in the sun. I haven't heard any hints as to the hero colours to look out for although my source told me that there will be 50 limited edition trend-led shades to choose from.

The polishes will be priced at £8 each which is a jump from their existing range but certainly isn't prohibitative.
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Thursday 20 January 2011

Origins expand Colour range

Origins are expanding their colour range with the introduction of a new Brighter by Nature Compact Foundation and a new concealer, Quick, Hide! Long-Wearing Concealer. The products launched exclusively in John Lewis at the end of December and are due to hit counters nationwide on 21st January (tomorrow!).

I've been trialling the concealer ahead of its nationwide launch.
I'm not the kind of girl to carry around an entire make-up kit and reapply throughout the day so products which truly provide lasting results are a must for me. With claims that Quick, Hide! Long-Wearing Concealer gives medium to full coverage for up to 15 hours, I was eager to try it.

I'm impressed that it's available in a range of shades to suit different skintones, something which cosmetics brands are finally delivering on. I really liked the packaging- Origins tend to get their packaging spot on so it's hardly a surprise but I found it sleek and functional, a tube with sponge applicator.

I absolutely adored the application. The formula is smooth and easy to blend, providing flawless coverage yet with a lightweight feel.
I have to say, I didn't feel it lived up to expectations in terms of lasting colour. Perhaps the results may be better if teamed with other products from the Origins range but using alongside my existing products, I felt that it didn't last beyond a few hours (and I don't have oily skin).

I definitely want to persevere with this product, not least because the coverage is amoungst the best I've discovered so far and I will be experimenting with varying primers and setting sprays in the hope of extending the fantastic initial results.
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Tuesday 18 January 2011

Aromatherapy Associates celebrate birthday

Aromatherapy Associates news
One of my favourite products from one of my favourite brands celebrates it's 25th birthday this month.
It's hard to believe that Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil has such a heritage- it feels so modern and relevant today and I wasn't in the least surprised to learn that the award-winner remains the brand's bestseller.
The oils are truly luxurious with an undeniably high price to match (£36 for 55ml). If you're yet to invest, there's a special incentive this month to celebrate the landmark quarter century birthday. Pictured below is the free gift worth £25 which Aromatherapy Associates are gifting with every purchase of the oil (until the end of January- please refer to their site for full T&Cs).
Aromatherapy Associates gift setThe travel kit includes:


Rose Body Cream (40ml)
Revive Body Wash (40ml)
De-Stress Muscle Gel (15ml)
Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil (3ml)


I'm a HUGE fan of the Revive range and think this is a fantastic opportunity to try a variety of products before parting with your cash (which I warn you, you will want to do after trying!). The ritual of using the Relax oil before bed and Revive in the morning is wonderful, particularly if you struggle to sleep.

I know the kit has been featured heavily across the Blogosphere so please excuse my late inclusion. However, I have secured an extra special treat for my readers as founder of Aromatherapy Associates, Geraldine Howard, has taken time out to share her top tips for relaxation & favourite ways of using Deep Relax Oil with SkinDeep:

Geraldine Howard

"Lavender is always widely considered as being the best essential oil to help induce restfulness. In fact, Vetivert, when included alongside Camomile and Sandalwood is far more effective at helping aid a good night's sleep.

Use the oil in the shower by applying a small amount to the torso before stepping under the hot water and inhaling the blend with a few long, deep breathes.

Place a few drops of Deep Relax in a bowl of hot water next to your bed- the aroma will help instil a restful night's sleep.

Apply a small drop of Deep Relax to pulse points on each wrist, hold the hands over the face and breathe deeply for a few moments before lying down to sleep. Taking a few minutes to focus and calm your busy mind before sleeping will lead to a healthier, deeper sleep, allowing the body to repair, helping to increase your immune system and benefitting the body, both mentally and physically."
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Wednesday 12 January 2011

Speed Review: Wella Enrich Self-warming Mask


Wella Enrich Self- Warming Mask review


I love innovative products and so this brand new mask from Wella captured my attention when I was sent the press release for the CARE & STYLE range which launched earlier this month.

Hair masks work best when warmed as they are able to penetrate the hair shaft more deeply. I usually try to wrap my hair in a warm turban & even blast this wrap with the hairdryer when using masks. This mask takes the scientific knowledge and eliminates the faffing about by being self-heating.

The packaging is pretty unassuming and not necessarily something which would shout out to me from a shelf but do bear in mind that this is a salon range so perhaps it's to be expected. I liked that it's presented in a handy tube- much easier to dispense than messy tubs- although the on-pack instructions aren't particularly clear.

For a fair test, I trialled this by replacing my usual conditioner with the mask and keeping all other aspects the same. The instructions state that it's best applied to damp hair using dry hands and I have to say that jumping out of the shower to briefly dry my hands was by far the toughest part of this trial. It's a super easy to use mask, ideal for those who want to pamper themselves but don't necessarily have a great deal of time.

When I heard that it's a self-heating mask, I was reminded of clay formulas which I've tried in the past and was a little concerned that this would be some horribly thick consistency which would take forever to rinse out. I shouldn't have worried- it's a lightweight cream with a delicate fresh scent. I loved the warming sensation which is so comforting and adds an extra pampering aspect. You only leave the mask on for as long as it's heated, a minute at most. I really liked the speedy aspect of this as it would be easy to replace a regular conditioner for the mask without having to set aside any additional time as with many hair masks. It seemed to rinse out fairly easily and I have to say that when I was combing my damp hair, it's never been so easy!

The mask is described as providing medium conditioning and I'd say this is a reasonable description. I have fine hair and many masks can weight it down- this didn't so definitely a plus point in that respect. My hair felt soft but not particularly smoothed or glossy in appearance, although it did settle down nicely. It helped the managablility but didn't work miracles and certainly hasn't knocked my beloved Alterna off the top spot. Having said that, I think it's an affordable treat at £10.55 for the tube (you'd get plenty of uses out of it) so worth a try if you're looking for a fuss-free way to revamp your hair regime.
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Tuesday 11 January 2011

Speed Review: Estee Lauder Daywear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-oxidant Lotion SPF 15 for Oily Skin

I'm very strict in my approach to skincare, applying SPF on a daily basis even when it's raining and, vain as it may sound given all the other healthcare effects, not wanting wrinkles is my main reason for not smoking. I truly believe that these are two of the main causes of premature aging so when I was sent a release about Estee Lauder's new range, it caught my attention. The range is based on the belief that environmental exposure is the first cause of damage to the skin, with five key sources of free radicals accelerating the rate of premature aging, namely UV Exposure, Smoke, Pollution, Irritation and Metabolism. Anti-oxidants are regarded as our strongest weapon against free radicals hence the focus upon them in this range.

Launched at the start of January, I was sent a bottle of Estee Lauder's new anti-oxidant & UV protection skincare to try. Being for oily skin, I handed the sample to one of my trusted testers (as regular readers will know, I suffer from dehydrated and sensitive skin). Here are her thoughts...

My first impression was that the packaging is functional, with a pump which helps to dispense the right amount without wastage. One thing about the packaging is that it is not see-through and therefore you can't see how much product is left in the bottle- not really a big problem though.

The product itself is very nice. It absorbs quickly and easily without leaving a feeling of stickiness or shine.

My overall thoughts are that the product is very good, however, people with oily skin like myself should not expect miracles as the moisturiser makes the skin feel nice but it cannot change its texture. I would definitely recommend for use in the summer when we all wear less makeup, especially in hot climates. I believe it depends on the skin and what foundation/powder is used but I couldn't wear it with foundation. It makes the skin feel great but only if used on its own. Applying foundation as well made my skin feel oily and clogged my pores. I normally use high end brands and taking my experience of this into account, I'd be prepared to spend between £25-£35 on this.
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Monday 10 January 2011

Rodial launch Crash Diet range

Rodial Crash Diet
I'm big fan of Rodial with their results-driven products. They've long been associated as being the knife-free way to sculpt your face and body, with products such as Boob Job, Bum Lift and Glamtox. Their latest launch, Crash Diet comprises a topical gel, smoothies and powder sticks which are added to water to help drain toxins and water retention. There are dramatic claims that you can drop a dress size in 10 days and lose 6 inches in 2 weeks.

Somewhat conversely, I never had a problem with Skinny Beach or even the Tummy Tuck range so perhaps it's the name, perhaps it's the concept as a whole but there's something about Crash Diet which simply doesn't sit well with me. In this day & age, we should be taking a responsible approach to healthy weight loss, not giving in to quick fixes and shallow promises. Of course, the small print does reiterate this message and whilst I may not agree with the message they are promoting, the fact that Crash Diet has already sold out within days of its launch shows that it's certainly tapping into women's insecurites and that, unsurprisingly, there's a huge market for this sort of product.

That said, as we've come to expect from Rodial, it is very sleekly done with fab bright pink packaging.

I was sent some of the smoothie sachets to try, which are designed as a meal replacement for use 1-2 times a day (remind you of anything?!). They are effectively a banana and strawberry protein shake- again, I'm not a fan of protein shakes or protein rich diets as a whole, although appreciate that it's the filling aspect to a meal and therefore a popular option for dieters, so I have to admit to approaching this with a heavy dose of sceptism.



Given that the smoothies are just 70 calories (remember that they're designed as meal replacements), it's not really any huge surprise that you're going to lose weight if you switch to these for a short time (recommended time is 2 weeks) but my question is how sustainable is it? In my experience, it's easiest to lose weight at the start of a diet and gets progressively tougher the closer you get to your desired weight.
The smoothies are quick & easy to prepare. I liked that the mix is pre-measured into individual sachets which you simply mix with 200ml of fresh water, skimmed milk, soy milk or juice. I chose to mix mine with water the first time and the second sachet with milk- it certainly looked and smelt tasty, like a regular milkshake. I didn't really like the taste with water- it wasn't very thick although still satisfying. It was probably a little stupid of me not to try with juice as I think this would've tasted the best. It does have a slightly synthetic taste and isn't necessarily something I'd choose but it's certainly not bad.
The smoothies are 70% protein and are undeniably filling.
I admire the fact that it's such a high price (£48 for a pack of ten sachets) meaning that it will be prohibitively expensive for younger women so Rodial are taking some responsibility in that respect.
I stand by my thoughts regarding the name and overall impression of the range although can see it being popular before an event such as a wedding.
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Thursday 6 January 2011

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara Launches

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara review
The lash trend looks set to continue in 2011, something which Clinique have recognised with their brand new Bottom Lash Mascara which is due to launch in February. I was lucky enough to be sent a tube as a sneak preview..

It's a clever little idea, presented in a typically Clinique silver floral tube featuring an adorable mini wand which is reportedly one of the smallest on the market, specially designed to capture even the finest bottom lashes.

I have to admit that I tend to neglect my bottom lashes when it comes to applying make-up. Because I have naturally long lashes and tend to wear black liquid liner across my upper lash line, I found that when using Bottom Lash Mascara the look was quite '60s on me so I took particular care to ensure the rest of my make-up was fresh and modern. I guess this is testament to how effectively it defines each lash and having said this, the mascara is also available in brown/black which might help to maintain a natural look.

The mascara will retail at £10 which seems expensive for such a small, specialist product but as far as I'm aware, there's nothing else quite like it on the market as yet (although I wouldn't be surprised if dupes start to appear) so I do think it's worth spending a tenner to try it out.

I'm a contact lens wearer and although I've experienced irritation with some Clinique mascaras in the past, I'm delighted to report that (touch wood), I've been fine with this.
I really put this to the test over the festive period and although I didn't make it to 24hrs to check the claims that it lasts this long, I was impressed with its staying power.

I do enjoy a truly innovative product and going forward, I'd love to see this product as part of a double ended mascara set if you're listening Clinique!
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Monday 3 January 2011

New Year, New Cid

The lovely PR for New Cid kindly sent me two of the brand's bestselling products to trial.

First up, i-prime Foundation Primer...
I absolutely LOVE the sleek, functional packaging of the primer- it's exactly the style I'd choose if ever I were to create my own range and I do believe it's reflective of the price (£26.50). The primer is a gel-serum formula which makes application easy and leaves skin smoothed & feeling like velvet.
Once skin is prepared, it's time to apply i-perfect Colour Adjust Foundation...
I'm impressed with the foundation (£28). I've used foundations with brushes incorporated into the packaging before but I have to say that this one really stood out for me. Again, the packaging is sleek & functional, in a chunky tube which makes handling easy.
It provides a light coverage which can be built up as required. When it's on, you really cannot feel it which is what I believe we've come to expect from modern products although sadly, isn't always the case. It won't be to everyone's taste as I appreciate that some do desire a heavier coverage, particularly in the evenings but I would recommend this to anyone looking to update their everyday base for the New Year with light, buildable coverage. I'd say it's probably best for those with quite clear skin, looking to balance out skintone and light imperfections.
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