Sunday 27 December 2015

10 Things that were trendy in 2015

In 2015 there were so many hype trends going on... These were some of the odd trends in the beauty and fashion world in 2015.  As ever trends come and go. Here are some mega trends from the past: the thick waist best, the glitter lip gloss, the pig tails of the 90's (oh the Spice Girls), the side fringe, the super straight hair, Burberry everything, super big impractical hoops, neon bright clothing, mini skirts, velvet, crop tops, hair braids and of course who could forget from 2014 the half shaved head look... Yes some were good back then but are now a cringe worthy experience looking through those photo albums. 




1) THIGH GAP 
This was a trend where you could put your knees together and have a gap while standing upright.
Just why? Why? WHY? After speaking to male friends they think women with a huge gap between her thighs is kind of weird, and I have to say I only know a few women who have this without looking forced. I never understood why this was suppose to be attractive, or make women more desirable.

2) Bright colored lips (Blue and Green) 
I am all for trying something new. But there is a line for me where my lips  are not green or blue (unless its Halloween) . I have to say some women did  pull this off in these shaded, but honestly it would make me look totally ridiculous... Not something I could go to work in, or see family in.

3) Thigh Brows 
The brows for you thighs. Humm, another odd trend I never understood in 2015. Why would I want brows on my thighs? I have brows on my face, i'm satisfied with them.

4) Perfect winged eyeliner (cat eye) 
With loads of products aiming to make this a reality with online tutorials using tape, a spoon, a credit card, a stencil and dots I still can't do it. I end up with one wing higher than the other, or one thicker than the other. I have practiced, brought products, and even tried the spoon thing. Nope. I just accept this is not happening for me.

5) Contouring 
Yes, lets paint our faces with so many colors of the beige rainbow and make clown tutorials at the same time! I actually like mild contouring as it can look classy and accentuate features. But since the mass market has done contorting in a variety of good and bad products, I keep seeing women with what appears to be mud streaks down their face...  In saying that I have tested so many contouring pallets and getting it too heavy is so easy to do. I think i'll leave this one to the makeup artists.

6) Highlight Contouring
As well as contorting there has been a surge in highlight products. Now again I like a small amount of highlight. But I have seen many people with too much, and it is so easily done. As well as this women are left to fend for themselves figuring out what shade they are suppose to buy. This is something I will be leaving behind on the 2015 bandwagon!

7) Ombre lip 
Ombre lips is a look where you have darker corners of your mouth and lighter center.
I never ever got this trend. I just didn't see why you would want an ombre lip. Maybe my lips just aren't as full and voluptuous as those doing video tutorials on them. But personally I like a simple lip with a nice color.

8) Colored in eyebrows 
The rise of eye brow gel, pencil and stencils to change the way your face looks.
This is another odd trend of 2015. I keep seeing women with what appear to be giant angular eye brows on their faces like a Disney villain. Now I do sometimes fill in eyebrows with a powder based product, but I would stay well clear of the super thick eye brow trend. I prefer to look more natural.

9) Fiber Lash 
A mascara with fine fibers in them which build up long thick lashes, giving the lashes a fake look.
After a handful of internet horror stories on eye infections I will not be investing in this fiber lash thing.

10) Nail caviar 
Nail caviar is tiny small beads which are loose that you tip onto nails with a wet base.
I brought quite a few nail caviar beads. They looked totally amazing online and I was like wow, yes. Yes, they went everywhere and unless I used acrylic gel to seal them in they would slowly fall away leaving my manicure looking rather rubbish in a matter of hours.

I hoped you enjoyed reading, remember if you loved these trends then well done. Just some of these really didn't float my boat.

Laura x

Clinique Chubby stick dupes

Chubby sticks- Lip crayons 


Since the classic clinique chubby sticks came into existence many brands did not carry fat crayon shaped colored lip products. But since then many brands have jumped on crayon the band wagon. 

So as there are so many dupes which even look the same, are they any good? I think most of us have become pretty savvy these days looking for products which are just as good for the price of a cup of coffee (with cream and marshmallows please). There are some pretty convincing dupes out there for MAC, Urban Decay and other products too. I feel many of us (me anyway) spend a few hours a week trawling through the ocean which is the blog-o-sphere looking for someone with the best dupes. So what about the Chubby sticks? 





I have the clinique's whole lot of candy range of three chubby sticks. They are easy to use and have a lot of product in for the money. I have also had a go with the chubby stick lip stick range, and really enjoyed the quality and color coverage. There has been so much internet hype about these product that they are hard to ignore. They have become a cult product very much like the Naked pallets from Urban Decay, they are renowned for high quality products which everyone loves. I feel that so far these are the best product on the market for the money. I have tried many brands and will review these down below. I feel these melt on the lips and leave behind a flavorless balm which is well pigmented. This product does not dry out the lips and leaves a tint rather than a full coverage lip color. The color fades at an even pace and does not clump/dry upon reapplying. There is a large selection of colors from this brand and all are distinctly different. In terms of longevity of the product I have had these over 12 months, and they are still as good as the day I opened them! Love this product so much! 

This product gets a 10/10

Price- £17.00 at Boots for one 




The next product is the Revlon lip crayons which look undoubtedly similar to the Clinique ones. I have the special edition Just Bitten Kissable lip balms (pack of three) in 040 Rendezvous, 001 Honey and 025 Sweetheart. These are all full sized products (2.7g). They are in a similar packaging to the Clinique chubby sticks, but they do a few more ranges such as Matt and lacquer balm. They are easy to use and melt on the lips, they seem a bit harder than the Chubby sticks but their moisture lasts, and the color does not fade. The colors are distinguishable from each other and would be easily comparable to the Clique ones. The major difference lies in the product color and fragrance. The color pay off is not as rich as the Chubby stick and the fragrance is peppermint. I'm not a fan of the fragrance but it does not linger. This also made my lips tingle upon application. After 30 mins of wearing the product did start to become tacky and sticky, but this is easily resolvable by another layer of balm.

This product gets a 8/10

Price per Crayon- £7.99 






This is the Bourjois Color Boost lip crayon. I got one as part of a gift set when you spent over a certain amount on this brand, it was called the sun kiss gift. The shade was Peach on the Beach and this is a very bright pale pink. I really did not like this product at all. It has that cosmetic chemical smell to it ,which honestly I don't want near my lips. I also found the color looked awful on and couldn't think of a skin tone it would actually suit... The color pay off was rich but it was inconsistent across the lips. Upon application the crayon is very soft and melts very quickly leaving you with too much product looking like a CLOWN. Beautiful... The product also moved around the lip and did not come off/wear off evenly leaving me with bare middle lips. The only good thing is it did moisturize my lips well.  I still own this crayon but I won't be using it again, or buying from this product line again. The line carries several every day shades, but like much of the Bourjois brand there is nothing which stand out against the crowd in color range. 

I was greatly disappointing with Bourjois crayons. Most of their products are very good quality and their lipstick range is really the bomb!

This product gets a 3/10

Price £7.99 


So there we go, I think the Revlon and the Clinique ones are the best. of course you can choose for yourself which ones you want to try and buy. Everyone's skin tone and texture is unique making each product work in a different way. But if I am to buy another budged or dupe for Cliniques Chubby stick it will be Revlon's crayons I reach for. 


I hope you enjoyed reading this post. 

Laura x 









Saturday 26 December 2015

Face Moisturizers. Do you get what you pay for?



Moisturizers save or spend


It seems like the drug store and major cosmetic brands are just swarming to gain our cash these days for moisturizer. I use moisturizers every day, twice a day, and can therefore get through a substantial amount. It feels like every brand from boots, Avon or L'Oreal has their own line which is 'perfect' for you. But do you get what you pay for? In this article I will be discussing all the moisturizers I have used, the price tag and which one I thought was best for me. 

Over the last few years from going from employment to being a university student, to a low paid job I have had my fair share of both budget buys and high end splurges.  But after these years of product trials and errors, which is the best and is spending more worth it? 




A bit of background on my skin: I have combination skin where my T zone (nose, chin and forehead) often get oily during the winter time, and dry in the summer. I don't get breakouts and have never had acne, however I spent a lot of money on prevention products.  I do get dry areas on my skin which can feel tight if I do not moisturize. I take care of my skin as I know whatever I do to it today will affect the way it looks forever more. The other products I use on my skin and have for years is soap-free face wash, natural based face exfoliate and clay masks at least every fortnight. I do also use toner sparingly. I am in my early 20's so some of the challenges facing older or younger skin do not always apply. 


  This product I used during my late teenage years was the boots essentials moisturizing cream cucumber. This product costs £1.50 for a 100ml plastic tub.  I don't really have a great deal to say. It did do the job, and I got no break outs or adverse affects.I didn't like the tub it came in as the lid got stuck on several occasions.  I would recommend this product for sensitive skin or those on a budget. However, There is far better out there and as long as I can afford it I will not be going back to this product. 
 This product gets a 4/10  



Olay beauty fluid £3.99 for 200ml. This product was one of the worst experiences I have had with moisturizers. It was way too rich and left my skin itchy and blotchy. I got a rash from this product and it reacted with all my skin. After I stopped using it the rash and spots went away. The fragrance is very strong and smells more like body cream than a facial moisturizer. It may not have suited me as I have combination skin, but it is my mothers favorite (she has dry skin). I personally find the product too runny to use and I do not like the packaging. 

This product gets a 1/10



£3.99 for 50ml Nivea  moisturiser day cream. I love this day cream and use it still to this day ( I have several bottles on the go). I even keep a spare bottle at my partners house. I have had no issues with this product and really like the easy squeeze bottle. The product is quite thick where it would not run out of the bottle, but not too thick where you feel like pasting your face with concrete. I have used the rich one for dry skin but find it too rich for my skin. This product sits under my makeup all day without issue. The product has a light fresh fragrance.  I will continue to buy this product for many years to come. It could only be made better if it was sold in a larger bottle as I go though one a month.

This product gets a 9/10 



Now to a brand which is aimed at sensitive skin, Simple. This is as a whole a brand which I really trust, I feel they make good products at a very competitive price. This moisturizer costs £4.19 for 125ml. I hate the packaging, it is so difficult to use in comparison to pump products or those which you can stick your fingers into .  This product is pretty runny so a little goes a long way, I apply it using a cotton wool pad. The product is fragrance free, with vitamin B5 and E, color and harsh chemical free! It is well worth the money and fantastic for those with sensitive skin on a budget. The bottle keeps the product hygienic. From this range I also use the shower gel, and have used many of their other products.    

This product gets 6/10




I recently got a sample pot of this Estee Lauder day wear cream. My skin had gone a little dry and needed a bit of support through the winter months with central heating issues and chilly winds. For 50lm this product costs a whopping, purse frightening £42! I have to say from using this product I feel you are paying for a brand and not a product. It really didn't do anything special and for £42, I expect my skin to look fabulous for that price... But it looked no different than when I used any other product.However, it did clear up the dry patches and didn't over hydrate my T- Zone.  The one thing I would say is I do not like the smell of this product. I will not be buying the full sized product! 

                                         This product gets 4/10 





Next is another luxury mega brand Clnique drastically different moisturizer. This product costs a eye watering £30. This product is so worth the money it is untrue. This was my go to moisturizer as a teenager! Expensive but so worth every penny. This glides onto your skin and soaks in so quickly you can start applying makeup within just a few minuets. I also like the smell of this product, the pump also makes the product sanitary which is important for those with skin break outs. If I hadn't found my current moisturizer I would still be buying this. 


                                                    This product get a 10/10

A product which I have used several times, and is my partners permanent facial moisturizer is the Clean & Clear dual action oil free moisturizer. This retails for £3.20 (links at the bottom of blog). I love this product for being oil free as a lot of moisturizers rely on heavy oils which can clog up pores and leave you feeling like you have a layer on your face... Nice. This product does not aggravate my T zone which is fantastic, but it does smell distinctly like toilet cleaner, or prescription grade creams. The fragrance does linger for a while but the product does absorb into the skin fast, and allows my foundation to sit on top without streaking. I found this did dry my skin and left it tight. 

This product gets a 5/10 





 Next is one of my favorite brands: Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream. Retailing at £30 (although often cheaper as part of gift sets) this product is legendary. The power this product line has is honestly astounding. It really has helped my skin both heal and be moisturized. I use the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream lip balm as my go to lip saver. It is expensive for 50ml of product, but I really feel this is worth investing in. It is very rich and would not be for those with oily skin. The only notable drawback is the fragrance... Although they now do a fragrance free line it is not as good, but it smells a bit like medicated balm, tiger balm or mosquito repellent.  

                                                                  This product gets a 7/10




 Lancome's Hydra Zen was for a few years the product I wish I could afford. I had several freebies which were part of gift sets/ free gifts and totally loved it. What put me off was the price of £39.50 for 50lm... As well as that after prolonged  use, around a week, I broke out with a really bad facial rash from an allergic reaction. I will not be spending my money on this product again. 
                                                                This product gets a 1/10





 Elizabeth Arden Ceramide gold ultra lift 60 capsuals £50. This product also do face capsuals which are pink . They are very rich and aimed at women with aging skin. I use this product as a remedy after treating my skin badly such as late nights, or sunny days or just overworking. I really do wake up with soft supple skin and even feel those little lines on my face have been erased out. I have often brought these on special offers. Due to the price being so high I would not go out of my way to keep purchasing these. It would be great if they did miniature packs of 10 as this product is not my everyday moisturizer. This is my Nan's favorite moisturizer and she introduced this product to me. 

                                                       This product gets a 8/10







 This is my current face moisture and is called Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference. It costs £30 for 75ml glass pot. The product is presented in an easy to open pot, the product is not runny or thick but feels silky. It soaks into skin really well and allows makeup to be worn soon after. I have never had an issue with this product and it is often on offer. This product does have a mild smell but this fragrance does not linger. This product is quite rich, but not rich enough that it reacts with my skin. This product can be used all year round and seems to be a good night and day moisturizer. One pot of this tends to last me around 6 months as a tiny bit goes a long way. I love the wide glass pot as I can make sure every last bit is used up. 

                                                  This product gets a 10/10 




Next is an Avon product which I got as a gift. I do not buy Avon products as they seem difficult to get hold of and I don't like using products I have not been able to look at in a shop. The face moisturizer was a set of day and night cream. They were actually pretty good, a bit too rich for my skin type but I did not get any reactions to my sensitive skin. I would buy from this range again. 

                                                 I give this product 7/10 




Next is the Body Shop massage oil £10 for 100ml. This product can be used to moisturize your whole body and can be used for the face, body and hair. This is perfect for an all in one product. As well as that is smells ace! I honestly feel like i'm on holiday when I put this on. I don't tend to use this for my face unless it is very dry, but when I do a little goes a very long way.   For the price and versatility this is a product I find myself buying time and time again. 

                                               I give this product a 10/10 



So you can see this huge range of facial moisturizers have really been hit and miss. With some product I would buy again such as Visible Difference by Elizabeth Arden and Nivia Oil free.  I felt that although the high end products tended to have a nice package, what was inside wasn't always necessarily any better. I am sure like all products that the ones I reacted to wouldn't always be the ones which would react to you. I feel the best moisturizer has to be the Nivia products. They do such good moisturizers for all ages and skin types, and this was by no means the most expensive product. 

So do you get what you pay for? In my opinion over the years it's a big No. 


Thank you for reading 

Laura x