Travalo Giveaway and Review!

 ******Exclusive discount of 20% for all my subscribers with the code FGM******

Like any other girl about town I love to change up my perfume depending on the season, my mood, what I'm wearing... but the last thing I need is numerous bottles of perfume rattling around in my bag all day! After years of collecting samples and purchasing mini versions of perfumes I was very much excited to discover the Travalo - a refillable mini perfume atomizer spray. 

Check out my review and details of my giveaway below :).

To enter the giveaway and win one of 15 Travalos all you have to do is:
- Go to the Travalo Facebook page and click 'like'.

- Post 'Natalya sent me' on the wall. 

In the month of October Travalo will be also be donating 100% of the profits from every Perfect Pink Travalo bought online here to Breast Cancer Research.

Have you tried the Travalo? Have you seen any similar products on the market? Good luck in the giveaway my lovelies!! xxx

MaxFactor Elixir Challenge

At a recent event the lovely Caroline Barnes set us a challenge to try out all the shades of the new Max Factor Elixir lipsticks. As you all know I'm a lover of lippie so was excited to wear all the colours and decided to do so all in one week!

There is really good selection of shades to chose from in the range, though I was apprehensive over how some of these would go down at work lol...

 Top L-R: Bewitching Coral, Burnt Caramel, Ruby Tuesday, English Rose.

Bottom L-R: Pink Brandy, Mulberry, Angel Pink.

Monday mornings are always difficult and inevitably I end up running late, so I decided to go for the lightest shade in the range - Angel Pink.

This lipstick is a lovely, delicate shade of pink that works equally well with a neutral or dramatic eye. However, as the finish is quite frosty I would recommend applying some lipbalm beforehand, so as to smooth the lips prior to application. I would say this shade is quite retro and reminiscent of the bubblegum pinks of the 60s, so would be best suited to lighter skintones.

On Tuesday I decided to keep it super neutral with Burnt Caramel.

This lipstick is a little more brown based than I would normally wear, but it has a lovely rosy tone to it that brings it to life. To keep it from looking too dark I applied it straight from the bullet and tapped around the edges to blend it into my natural lip colour. I think this lipstick would look particularly beautiful on darker skin tones.
A little more striking than a nude, and more sophisticated than a pink, it is a very welcome addition to my collection.

On Wednesday I went for Pink Brandy, which I had already fallen in love with after seeing Caroline wearing it at the presentation.

This is such a wearable coral shade with a slight pink undertone. I think it would be universally flattering for all skin tones. If you are scared of strong colours this would be a great shade to start with as it's bright, without being too striking. To soften the colour and make it modern I applied it to the centre of the lip and blended to cover. I then added a slight touch of clear lipgloss to make lips look fuller.

On Thursday I had to keep my makeup professional for a meeting, so I chose the shade English Rose.

This is a very classic pink that would suit anyone. Once again the frost makes it a little different as it adds quite a lot of shine and texture to the lips. This shade is very flattering and versatile and would work with an abundance of eye and cheek colours!

On Friday I decided to be brave and go for it with Ruby Tuesday.

Wow! This is such a beautiful, true red. I can't tell you what a raucous this caused in the office, but lets just say that I got many a compliment that day! As with any red this did need a little care in application. To prepare the lips I lined them with a red pencil and then filled them in lightly to provide a good base. I then applied the lipstick with a lip brush. As this lipstick has a blue base it not only lifts the complexion, but also makes teeth appear whiter.. yay! This lipstick lasted really well, even through a coffee meeting and lunch, and only needed one little touch up throughout the day. Ruby Tuesday will definitely be one of my go-to reds in future.

On Saturday evening I chose Bewitching Coral for a dinner date.

In keeping with the bright colour I played up the coral in my cheeks and added a little extra bronzer. To keep the colour fresh and modern I created a stain by applying the lipstick with my finger, and then topped it with a clear lip balm to add some shine. This colour is really flattering and would work even better with a tan!

On Sunday I attempted the most adventurous shade of the collection - Mulberry.

 

I was a little apprehensive about this shade as it is a little darker than I would normally wear. However, it completely surprised me by just how gorgeous it looked, even on my pale skin! I applied the lipstick carefully straight from the bullet and blotted off any excess. I then tidied up the edges with a burgundy lip liner to add some definition to the cupid's bow. I wanted to keep it looking modern, and not overlined, but to still create a really polished look. This lipstick really is something special, it's dark and dramatic, yet the shimmer particles make it still girlie and fun. I am absolutely in love with it.

Overall I am really impressed with the new Elixir lipsticks. They smell yummy (perhaps vanilla) and come in a great variety of shades. The Elixir formula contains a 60% blend of skin emollients, conditioners and antioxidants (including vitamin E), promising to make lips feel smoother in 7 days. After my week long trial I didn't notice a dramatic change in the texture of my lips (though I do put on a balm overnight anyway), but even the very strong colours didn't feel drying while wearing them so I was happy. After trialling the selection of colours and different ways of wear and application I can highly recommend these lipsticks to you guys, they really are lovely, and retailing at the £7.95 mark also affordable.

Have you tried any of the Max Factor Elixir lipsticks? Which shades are your favourite? xxx

Glossybox vs. Boudoir Prive

http://www.glossybox.co.uk/ - £10 per month (+p&p) to receive 5 luxury product miniatures from high-end brands in each box.
Some of the brands involved: Batiste, Illamasqua, Lalique, Ciate, Murad, OPI, Xen-Tan, KMS, Weleda, Daniel Sandler, All for Eve.
Products in my box:
HD Brows (Eye&Brow Palette) - £19.95
L'Oréal Professionnel (Mythic Oil) - £14.95
Mary Greenwell (Plum Eau de Parfum) - £60 (for 50ml)
NUXE HuileProdigieuse - £37.50 (for 100ml)
StriVectin (SD Eye Concentrate) - £49 (30ml)

Check out my review of the August GlossyBox here. 

http://www.boudoirprive.co.uk/ - £10 per month (free p&p) to receive 5/6 deluxe size samples in each box.
Some of the brands involved: Agent Provocateur, Cargo, Jane Iredale, Bloom Teas, Mai Couture, Tropic, Etat Libre D'Orange, Colber MD.
Products in my box:
Zoya nail varnish - £3.80
Agent Provacateur perfume
Cargo eyeliner
Tropic scrub
Macadamia Oil
Colbert MD moisturiser

Both of the boxes were sent to me for review. This is not a sponsored video and all opinions are, as always, my own.

Have you tried either of these services? Which is your favourite? Let me know your thoughts my lovelies! xxx

Shielo Hair

Anyone who has long hair will know that despite their best efforts in minimising damage long hair will be prone to dryness. Although I wouldn't say that mine is overly dry, the ends can feel a little brittle if they are not slathered in condioner, oils and serums. I was therefore excited to try a new shampoo and conditioner from Shielo designed to hydrate hair, without weighing it down or leaving it feeling artificially greasy through silicone build up.

The hydrate shampoo and conditioner are sulphate free and contain UV protectants and antioxidants from white tea to enhance colour protection. They are also infused with shea butter to add a protective moisture barrier to seal the hair shaft and hibiscus and vanilla cactus to help soothe the scalp.

The shampoo foams fairly well without leaving the hair overly squeeky clean, while the rich conditioner feels very luxurious on the hair. Both products smell absolutely amazing -  a warm, slightly sweet vanilla scent, which is good enough to eat! Used in conjunction they left my hair feeling soft and smooth, which made styling easier as there was less frizz than usual to contend with. However, I did find that I had to be careful not to use too much conditioner, especially if I wanted to retain the volume in my hair. As these products are deeply hydrating they can make your hair fall a little flat. I would recommend this range to those with long hair prone to dryness, or those with over processed, colour treated hair as it works hard to put much needed moisture and supleness back into your weary strands.

The Shielo Hydrate shampoo retails at $15.74, while the conditioner is $22.49 and both can be found on the Shielo website here.

Have you tried any products from the Shielo range? Do you suffer from dry hair? What products do you use to reverse damage by heat styling and colouring you hair? xxx

Liz Earle Sensitive Shave Cream

The Liz Earle Sensitive Shave Cream is a wonder product that I have been meaning to share with you all for quite some time! I first received a sample of it about 6 months ago and have repurchased it over and over again since.

Just to give you a little bit of context the bf has very sensitive skin (he always gets annoyed when I mention his eczema, but I am prepared to withstand his fury when/if he ever reads this). Unfortunately along with sensitive skin he was 'blessed' with a very hairy chin... and we are not talking about a 5 o'clock shadow here, it's more of a 12 o'clock shadow! Working in the medical profession he is required to look smart and hence shave every day, which isn't ideal. He therefore often has problems with irrtation, dryness, ingrown hairs, redness... I'm not painting a pretty picture here, but you name it the poor boy has suffered with it.

After a few days of  using the shave cream (check out Liz's shaving tips here) I could already see the difference on his skin, without even having to ask. It definitely looked smoother and less irritated and I noticed that the shaving process was faster too. When I probed him about the cream itself he went as far as saying he "really, really" liked it (a first!) as it gave a really close, comfortable shave and left his skin moisturised and soft. History was made a few weeks later when I phoned to say I was popping into Liz Earle and was actually asked if I could pick up some of that "shave cream stuff". This was record breaking material - not only did he remmber and ask me for a specific product, but he was actually planning to use it for its intended purpose! It definitely makes a change from his usual routine of using my eye cream or expensive serums to moisturise his elbows, knuckles and Lord knows... maybe toes *sigh*.

Since the bf was so fond of the shave cream I decided to purchase some for myself as I often experience a rash or painful bumps after shaving my underarms. I can honestly say that this is the best shave cream I have ever used. It is soft and creamy, yet lathers with a little water to give a really close and smooth shave.

 Probably not the most visually pleasing photo, but as you can see it lathers very smoothly.

With extracts of Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Peppermint Essential Oil, Geranium Essential Oil, Lavender Essential Oil and Glycerin it not only works well to moisturise and soothe irritated skin, but also smells amazing (see full ingredients list here). The rose scented geranium gives it a slightly sweet, flowery smell, while the peppermint keeps it fresh and uplifting - a fragrance that I think both sexes will enjoy!

The Liz Earle Sensitive Shave Cream retails at £10.75 for 100 ml or £5.50 for 30 ml. I highly recommend it to everyone with sensitive skin and those prone to razor burn or shaving rash. I've been buying it as gifts for my male friends and have received great feedback from everyone so far. It may not be a particularly exciting product, but in my eyes it's definitely a hero!

Have you tried Liz Earle's Sensitive Shave Cream? Do you ecperience problems when shaving? What are your recommendations for shave gels/ creams/ oils for sensitive skin? xxx

It's all about the lips...

I will put my hand up and admit I am not a fan of Fearne Cotton. She annoys me.. there I said it ;). However, when I was shown a selection of makeup for her line exclusive to Boots I was very much excited by the lip sets. It's All About the Lips in Natural is a gorgeous, wearable trio of lip liner, lipstick and gloss.

What I particularly like about this set is the difference in textures between the products, which lets you create different looks and play with different shades of nude. The lipliner is a deeper, more rosy nude that can create a matte look, the lipstick is a light, creamy pink that looks great paired with a smokey eye and the gloss is shimmery, without being overly glittery, to add some vibrancy to the nude palette.

Top - lipliner, Middle - lipstick, Bottom - gloss, Left - all three.

The above was created using all three (sparingly) to create a beautifully irridescent, natural nude lip.

I am really impressed with this set and look forward to sampling more of the range in the future. This line is exclusive to Boots and retails at £10 (here), not bad for 3 products!

Have you tried any of Fearne's range at Boots? xxx

Real Techniques Blush Brush

I'm sure many of you watch the amazing tutorials by Pixiwoo - the Chapman sisters are incredibly beautiful, talented and are a real inspiration to all us makeup lovers ;). I was really excited when I heard that Sam was bringing out her own line of brushes as I truly value her judgment and expertise. I have been trialing a few of the brushes from the Real Techniques line and have to say that I am extremely impressed with them!

First up for review is the Blush Brush.

The blush brush is made of synthetic taklon bristles, which are hand-cut for the perfect shape and 100% cruelty-free. The pink handle is sturdy, yet light and allows the brush to stand up on its own. The bristles are extremely soft and feel amazing, yet they are robust enough not to fan out and work perfectly to blend both powder and cream products. I love using this brush for blushers, highlighters and even contour powders or bronzers as the tapered tip makes shading accurate and smooth. What I love most about this brush though is the fact that it doesn't shed! I have found that many other brushes of a similar shape/ style (particularly the MAC duo fibre stippling brushes) shed horrendously, especially after washing, but this brush remains in tact and fluffy as ever.


These brushes are impeccably designed and competitively priced. I highly recommend you check them out if you are looking to invest in some great quality, professional brushes. The blush brush retails at £9.99 ($8.99) and can be purchased in the UK from Victoria Halth here or in the US from Ulta here.

Have you tried any Real Techniques brushes? What are your thoughts? xxx

Seasonal Favourtie - Jergens Naturals

Sometimes in the flurry of trialing numerous products I forget to write about the ones I use on an every day basis. These staples may not be quite as exciting as the new releases and limited editions that catch my eye, but they are the tried and tested products that I really rely on and can wholeheartedly recommend.

One of these products is the Jergens Naturals range. I go through moisturising cream like nobody's business so as much as I love indulging in premium products it's just not sensible to slather myself in them every day. Jergens Naturals moisturisers have been an absolute must have for me this summer. They are so easy to apply as they soak in quickly and leave no greasy residue, while moisturing well and mainatining hydration throughout the day. Being 94% natural I have also found them to be very soothing (particularly the Aloe version with eucalyptus and cucumber) on both dry and sensitive skin.

My favourite of all the different 'flavours' is definitely the Cocoa Butter. It smells delicious in a sweet, but not overpowering way, and with extracts of cocoa butter, olive oil, oatmeal, avocado, jojoba seed, sunflower seed oil and vitamin E it is luxuriously moisturising without sitting heavily on the skin.

I'm also a fan of the simple packaging - no fiddling with pumps or balancing bottles upside down, the bendable tube and wide opening let you get every last drop of product with no wastage. It's perfect when applying in a hurry, especially if you're like me and after hiding your pale pins under tights for far too long realise that it's time to let them see the sun!

I was first introduced to the Jergens brand while shopping in the US, and subsequently was sent PR sampples to try. I am happy to report that Jergens Naturals are now also widely distributed in UK supermarkets and pharmacies (I have previously purchased them from Tesco's and Boots) so they are easy to get hold of and are often on offer. Currently, I have spotted them in Superdrug here at almost half price, making 200ml just £2.99.

Have you tries the Jergens Naturals range? What are your got to moisturisers?

Shiseido Magic Mirror

A few months ago I was lucky enough to be invited to a Shiseido event to learn all about their latest products and launches. One of the absolute highlights of the evening was getting a chance to test out the amazing Shiseido Magic Mirror, which let's you try on makeup looks and see the results istantly with just a tap of a button. All you have to do is look into the digital mirror for a few seconds while it maps your facial features. You can then choose different colours and products from the Shiseido range to try and the mirror automatically applies these to your reflection. While many programs are able to do this on a static image, the Shiseido mirror is the first of its kind in that it actually applies the makeup on your live reflection! Wink, pout and smile all you like, the makeup stays perfectly placed. Plus you can adjust the colours, placement and intensity to personalise your look. It's never been so simple to experiment with makeup!

The Magic Mirror is such a fascinating, innovative piece of technology and if you have the chance I highly recommend popping down and testing it out for yourself!! Since there is only one in Europe, we are very lucky to have it touring the UK at present. Currently it is housed in John Lewis on Oxford Street, but it will soon be making its way to Sheffield.

Have you had a chance to try out the Shiseido Magic Mirror? If you have do let me know what you think of it! I would absolutely love one in my bedroom - it would make tutorials so much easier as I'd be able to experiment without the fuss of removing makeup. Though with perfect makeup applied in seconds on my reflection (knowing me in my excitement) I would probably forget to actually apply any at all ;).

Eve's Kiss from Rituals

Being blessed with a fairly substantial sized pout I have always had chronically dry lips. I am constantly reapplying balms, lipsticks and glosses in an attempt to keep them hydrated and am always on the look out for new products that will help to condition my lips. I was therefore excited to try the new lip treatment from Rituals - Eve's Kiss.

Eve's Kiss promises to be a long lasting, moisturising treatment that soothes and protects with SPF 8. This treatment has a beautiful creamy finish and a delicious, subtle apple scent. Although it is a little thicker than your average gloss or balm it is not at all sticky and feels very silky on the lips. With extracts of Karite (shea butter) it works hard to hydrate the lips and lasts for a respectable length of time. The packaging is also super handy as it's quick and hygienic to apply on the go. There's nothing worse than sticking dirty fingers into pots, especially if you have false nails, yuck! The applicator is angled perfectly and cut very flat so it's easy to spread an even layer (I find some of the rounder ones a bit more tricky to use as they can smear the product).

I have been so enthusiastic about Eve's Kiss that I have been using it as an overnight treatment as well as a gloss during the day. Any lip products that make it into my handbag should be very proud of themselves ;). It's great to use on it's own or over lipsticks as it gives a beautiful, long lasting shine.

As this product was sent to me for review I wasn't sure of its price point, and after using it for a few days was convinced that it would probably be a little more pricey that I would like, however after checking out the Rituals website I was thrilled to see that it was only £4.90 - not bad for 15ml! You can also find it in John Lewis here.

Have you tried any Rituals products? What are your favourite lip treatments? xxx

Dr Jart Beauty Balm

I picked up my first beauty balm completely by accident while travelling in Thailand in 2005. I couldn't tell you the name, or even the brand as unfortunately I can't read Thai, but I thought it was such a great product and was disappointed when I couldn't find anything similar back in the UK. Six years later and the beauty world is all a flutter with BB creams, especially with Garnier launching their own version. Beauty Balms/ Blemish Balms or BB aim to combine a skincare regimen in one tube - they moisturise, protect, correct and cover in one step. I love multi-tasking products that can save time in my morning routine, so a cream that acts as my moisturiser, sunscreen, serum and foundation is definitely something to get excited about!

I had never heard of the Korean brand Dr Jart prior to their press release landing in my inbox, but after a quick browse through their website I was very much looking forward to sampling some of their products. I was sent two BB creams to try and have been testing them out over the last few months.

Dr Jart Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 (50ml - $32) is made with 50% water to help hydrate the skin and maintain a dewy fresh look throughout the day. The oil-free formula is free of artificial fragrances, colours and is suitable for very sensitive skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid and sea water to increase the moisture content of the skin, as well as aloe and Portulaca Leracea to soothe, calm and banish redness.

The magic really happens when you begin to apply the cream! On first application small droplets of water appear on the surface and then become absorbed as you work the cream into the skin leaving behind a cooling, refreshing sensation. I have never seen a cream that works this way before and was a little perturbed the first time I used it! It does take a little extra effort to blend, but melts into the skin well and sets after a few minutes to leave behind a beautiful glow. It also has great coverage and lasts well on oily skin while still looking natural.

However, my personal favourite of the two is Dr Jart Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 (40ml - $39). This BB comes with advanced brightening and anti-ageing properties in the form of a biopeptide complex that promotes natural collagen production and adenosine to improve elasticity and firm the skin.

I love the high SPF in this cream and used it as my moisturiser, sun protection and foundation every day while I was on holiday. It gives such beautiful, flawless, natural coverage and lasts well on the skin, even through the heat. Usually creams with high SPF can sit very heavily on the skin and have often caused me to break out, but I have had no such problems with this and was happy to see that it protected my skin and kept it hydrated throughout the day without making it oily.

I also really like the packaging with the 'upside down' pump dispenser that helps to get every last drop of product out. Though I only need one pump to cover my whole face, so I envisage the tube lasting for quite some time. This is definitely my must have product for the summer!

Dr Jart is currently available from Sephora as well as the Dr Jart website. Have you tried any Dr Jart products? Are you a fan of BB creams?

Herbal Essences Smooth & Soft

A few weeks ago I was treated to a lunch presentation about the new Herbal Essences Smooth & Soft range targeted at Dry/ Damaged/ Frizzy hair. I must confess that I haven't used Herbal Essences since my early teens so I was interested to learn more about the brand and how they go about developing their products.

Herbal Essences are very much focused on providing the ultimate 'shower experience' as well as how well the products work. At the presentation we were shown a number of studies focusing on the unconscious influence of smells and colour, something I had never previously considered! Apparently a touch of red makes you look more attractive, smelling a citrus scent makes people underestimate others' ages and a slight lemon scent makes you more likely to clean. I'm definitely busting out the lemon air freshener next time the bf looks like he is at a loose end ;).

So what about the scent in the new Smooth and Soft range? I can confirm that, as with the majority of HE products, these smell delicious! The blend of lemon, juicy pear and mandarin create a fruity, yet fresh fragrance that works well with the tropical themed packaging.

Since I have long, wavy hair that is blow dried and dyed all too often anything targeted at dry/ damaged or frizzy hair always piques my interest. I like products that add moisture and tame frizz without weighing my hair down so I can get big, bouncy, healthy curls. With extracts of mandarin peel and pearl powder this range promises to do just that.

The shampoo foams well and leaves hair feeling clean without stripping moisture. The conditioner is a little thinner than I would have liked, but it rinses well without leaving residue. However, I did find that my hair was still a little frizzy after using it and perhaps not as moisturised as I had hoped. To combat this I have been using the Seriously Smooth Mask every other wash to deep condition my hair. Not only does it smell amazing (the scent lasts well on the hair too), but it also works hard to tame frizz. I always know when my hair is getting dry when I get those little 'wings' at the side of my head... (though maybe that's just me?) and with this my hair remains sleek, even through humid tube rides and Summer showers.

Overall the shampoo and conditioner are... OK. I have enjoyed using them, but probably won't repurchase. However, I love the smoothing intensive mask, which I think is comparable to other high-end masks and treatments I have tried. At just £4.07 it makes a great luxury treat at a budget price! It's also on sale at Superdrug for £1.95 here.

Have you tried the new Herbal Essence Smooth & Soft range? xxx

Smile! Oral-B Pro-Expert Toothpaste

What's my number one beauty tip? Smile!

A beautiful smile is the best accessory to any look, so it's important to keep it in good condition. I must confess I have always been a little bit obsessed with teeth. At a time when everyone at school was wearing braces I felt more than a little left out when I was denied any help as I was told I didn't 'need' them. This is was of course very silly given all the pain associated with dental work, but I was desperate for that perfect Hollywood smile!

I have always been very diligent when it comes to dental hygiene and I'm sure those around me would testify that I am a complete nag about it too. Now this is not to say that I floss twice a day or visit the hygienist every 3 months as recommended, but I do make an effort.

I use an Oral-B electric toothbrush every day so I was excited to try out the new Pro-Expert toothpaste from Oral-B. My normal toothpaste of choice is Sensodyne (whitening) as I have incredibly sensitive teeth. So much so that after using one crest white strip I was in so much pain that even breathing hurt my teeth, let alone eating or drinking. I was in absolute agony for days! Subsequently, I have stayed far away from any professional teeth whitening (despite being tempted by the frequent Groupon offers). I was therefore a little apprehensive about switching toothpastes for fear of my sensitivity returning.

Oral-B Pro-Expert toothpaste is the result of 15 years of research and development and it is the first and only toothpaste on the market to combine stannous fluoride with the polyphosphate system. This toothpaste promises to target all the areas your dentists check the most, namely:

• Gum Problems - stannous fluoride slows down growth of bacteria.
• Cavities - sf helps to reduce damaging acid and builds up minerals while protecting the enamel.
• Plaque - sf slows down growth of bacteria, thus plaque growth.
• Sensitivity -sf blocks dentinal tubules to help prevent sensitivity.
• Enamel - sf forms a barrier against damaging acids and helps to prevent erosion.
• Tartar - the polyphosphate system forms a protective barrier that prevents tartar.
• Whitening - the polyphosphate system prevents stains by protecting the surface of the teeth and in combination with silica removes discolouration.
• Breath - sf interacts with bacteria associated with bad breath (500-600 types.. yuck!) and prevents them from multiplying.

That's all well and good, but it does it work I hear you ask. Yes! The texture of the toothpaste is quite a thick gel with little beads that dissolve on brushing. It doesn't foam too much, but just enough so a little goes a long way. This toothpaste works really well to keep teeth white, bright and healthy while controlling sensitivity. After finishing my first tube I will definitely be repurchasing - it works great, has been approved by the bf, and recommended by my dentist on my last visit too!

Do you take pride in your smile? Have you tried the new Oral-B Pro-Expert toothpaste? What is your current toothpaste of choice?