Ren Clarifying Toning Lotion.

A toner should be a part of your skincare routine. It can be calming, exfoliating, moisturising or whatever you feel your skin may need that particular day. This Ren clarifying toning lotion is an exfoliating toner, it has chemicals in it that break down any dead skin which leaves you with a radiant, healthy glowing complexion. In terms of how strong of an exfoliator it is? I would say it's a medium. You get a slight tingle, not a proper tingle like you would with Pixi glow tonic. 

I like the packaging, the frosted plastic looks classy but it is travel friendly and practical. You can see how much you have, the lid stays on firmly and the plastic is sturdy. Brill. It's £18 which is around how much you'd expect to pay for a toner that works! What do you think about it? Do you like it?

Love, Ashlea Xx

Essie Sugar Daddy.

Sugar Daddy is a very very sheer pink. You can't get opaque with this polish, believe me, I've tried! That being said I love it, I think it's very cute and classy and elegant and any other good thing that I haven't said! 

In the above photo I have two coats on and you can still see the whites of my nails but I don't mind. For that reason this polish would be a good one to use for a French manicure, no? The brush is nice and chunky so it's easy to get an even smooth finish. I wouldn't expect anything else from Essie. It lasts really well, a good week without looking too disheveled. Fab. I highly recommend this. 

This retails for £7.99

Love, Ashlea Xx

A match made in heaven.

When looking through my nail varnish stash to see what I fancied essie go ginza and eternal optimist were next to each other and they looked so gorgeous! So I painted my nails alternating between colours. They are so complimentary to each other, I love it! 

Just thought I'd share, although i was tempted to be selfish and keep this little gem all to myself.

Love, Ashlea Xx

Real Techniques Duo Fibre Brushes

These duo fibre brushes are part of the real techniques brand created by the wonderful Samantha Chapman (pixiwoo on YouTube). They are also limited edition so if you want them, act fast! So the reason why you might want to grab some duo fibre brushes instead of a regular one is because duo fibre don't pick up that much product, or as much as a normal brush. It works because there aren't as many bristles at the end if the brush so it can't pick up as much product because the brush is much less dense.

They are still nicely colour coordinated like other brushes in the range and the bristles are handily white to see how much product you have on the brush.

The face and contour brush are both flat which makes them more versatile but especially with the 

contour brush, it makes it easier to create a contour and a subtle one too, unless you want to build it up.  The face brush is brilliant for people who are not powder girls, who love the dewy look but want to use powder to set their makeup. The shadow brush is perfect for blending as it doesn't take off and of the product you have put on. The contour brush is also a good blush brush in particular with heavily pigmented blushes as it stops you going too full on straight away.

I have to say these brushes don't seem to be as good as the others in the collection. They are gorgeously soft like the others but they shed like nothing else! In particular the face brush. Other real techniques brushes shed once in a blue moon but I've had at least 5 bristles fall out! However this doesn't stop me loving them. I still love love love them and would highly recommend them. I also think that in time they might actually stop shedding. 

This set will cost £20.00 upwards, I've found prices to vary! 

Love, Ashlea Xx

Boujoirs Chocolate Bronzer

This is an affordable and compact bronzer which can easily be used as a contour or to add a sun kissed look.

The colour is neither muddy or red toned and it contains undetectable glitter particles which is why it can be used for a contour; it's practically matte! Another thing to mention is that is smells divine, chocolate is always going to be a winner. Although the packaging is cheesy and cheap looking, it's very robust so no issues there. In terms of consistency it is not too powdery which could lead to excessive bronzer and it is not so solid that it's near impossible to get any product on your brush. Overall it is definitely one of the best high street bronzers about.

This retails for £6.99

Love, Ashlea Xx

Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser

The alliteration isn't the only thing I love about this cleanser. I don't use it with wet hands like it instructs, instead I apply it to a dry face with dry hands and wait until it dries. It sets like a face mask and then I wash it off using a hot flannel. It leaves my skin clean but not dry, it does not strip moisture...if anything it adds moisture! I can't say about it's ability to remove makeup because I double cleanse when I wear makeup so I use a lotion cleanser first (simple cleanser at the moment) then follow up with the Ren cleanser. It's so handy that you can see how much you're using because of the packaging.

I started using this cleanser at a very stressful time (before exam season) so my skin was at its worst, completely covered in angry spots. This cleanser single handedly calmed them down completely and I did notice results after a couple of uses. This is most likely due to its antibacterial nature. Fab. 

It doesn't contain any yacky mineral oil or any other nasties so you don't need to worry about pores clogging, in fact it says it minimises the appearance of pores! It smells like lavender so avoid it if you don't like lavender but I think it adds to the relaxing experience.

I really love this cleanser and will most definitely repurchase it. Cannot fault it.

This retails on the Ren website for £18 but look fantastic sell it for £16.20!

Love, Ashlea Xx

How to wash your makeup brushes.

So, I thought it would be useful to a lot of people to show how I wash my brushes. This post is pretty picture heavy but I thought it would help you to understand better! This is what you will need.  I use baby shampoo because it is inexpensive, not heavily scented and gentle but cleansing. Also you can substitute the flannel for kitchen roll or anything light coloured and durable that you don't mind getting makeup on!

First off you want to pour some shampoo directly onto the brush, before you get it wet.

Then massage it in like so. You get get your fingers in there or you can brush the brush in circular motions on your hand. Whatever you like as long as the shampoo is really getting in there.

Then you can was it out and repeat until you think it's clean. To test whether it's clean, rub it in circular motions on your light coloured flannel.

You can tell it's clean if there are no marks left on the flannel. As you can see from the photo below, I need to repeat my process again.

Then all you need to do is leave them to dry! 

Hope this helped guys!

Love, Ashlea Xx

Current favourite base!

I thought today's blog would be about my current favourite base! At the moment I'm absolutely loving using Dr Jart water fuse BB with Korres mineral foundation on top.  There are two reasons for this...

Reason number one is because I've had quite a few spots that I want to cover up. Both the BB and the mineral foundation are light coverage so combined they make quite a full coverage. Although I'm effectively wearing two bases my skin still looks quite natural, in my opinion anyway! 

Reason number 2 is because my BB is a little bit too light for me at the moment and my mineral foundation is quite dark so they make a lovely colour mixed together.

To get this look I first put on my BB and then apply the mineral foundation on top of that. I'm totally loving it. Both products are great!

Dr Jart water fuse retails for £18

Korres mineral foundation can vary in price, I bought mine from amazon for around £11

Love, Ashlea Xx

Stila ph self adjusting blush

Possible fave blush right here?! Bold claim to make, I know! This is the perfect natural blush for me; pink, no shimmer, not too red.

 It claims to be "adjusting" but I have tested this out on a few people and also put it on top of an acidic toner on my hand and the colour remained the same so I do think the colour on the pan is the colour you get on your cheeks. Absolutely perfect for me, disappointing for those who buy it and think the colour will change. Sorry folks, I'm doubtful that'll happen.  

In the pan it looks bright pink but if you're not heavy handed with the blush brush then it adds a very natural pink flush. I like the packaging too, very compact and there is even a mirror!  10/10 from me!

It retails for £13

Love, Ashlea Xx 

Tropicoral

When this little 'un arrived I was surprised at how tiny it was, I had somehow never seen a benefit kit at any benefit stand I had been to (don't know how). I thought I'd do a mini review of each product. 

Cha cha tint: absolutely love this tint on my lips but when I checked on my makeup a few hours later it had turned pinky, instead of the orangey coral it was! I do still love it though.

High beam: I found it a little tricky to blend, more difficult than a powder highlight but I do love the subtle sheen this product gives. It doesn't glare you in the face. I like this product.

Coralista: love love love. It's perfect for people who are a bit too heavy handed with the blush because the colour is so subtle and it's lovely. Very pale coral so I think this would work well on pale skin especially nice.  There isn't a shimmer but there lots and lots of sheen to it so I didn't feel the need to add highlight as my cheeks were already glowing. Some people may not like this because there is more sheen to it than colour. Such a pretty blush colour. Side note, I don't use the brush provided.

Coralista lipgloss: totally unimpressed with this lipgloss to be honest. There is no colour payoff but I do use it with the cha cha tint to moisturise and keep my lips glossy but by itself there is no colour! It doesn't have a smell either but I guess that's better than a bad smell! Also, it is a bit sticky but not so much that it bugs me.

All in all I'm glad I purchased this kit because you can properly road test the products. It does bug me that you have to keep the box in order to keep the blush whereas you can remove all the other products for your makeup bag. I would repurchase cha cha tint, coralista and high beam but unfortunately not coralista lip gloss.

This kit retails for £25

Love, Ashlea Xx

Go Ginza by Essie

This is a very pale lilac colour which I think is more pinky than bluey which is mor to my taste in a lilac.  I'm really loving this colour for summer but it would be equally as gorgeous in spring, which is when Essie released this colour as part of their spring 2013 collection.

It definitely takes 3 coats to be opaque as it was still patchy after 2 thin coats, make sure you leave it to fully dry after each coat because this one does have a tend any to bubble if it isn't totally dry. However any tiny bubbles that still remain are melted away by my rimmel perfect finish top coat which adds extra shine and protection. Wear time is a good 4 days without chips. Pretty good on my book.

It retails for £7.99 

Love, Ashlea Xx

Dr Jart+ Water Fuse BB Cream

In my opinion it is really hard to find a "true" BB cream that actually works and has the skin benefits that beauty balms are supposed to have, which separates them from tinted moisturisers. 

Dr Jart+ is an Asian skincare brand that uses science to create products that really work. Their line of BB creams have definitely been one of their hit products because it really does do what it says on the tube.

There is only one shade available but I've found it matches my skin perfectly and adjusts well to 
different skin tones. The consistency is quite thick and when applied onto freshly cleansed skin it kind of separates into a white residue and the rest of the pigmented cream which you blend out. Don't be worried! Once blended it gives the most gorgeous finish. It's glowy, not shiny, conceals imperfections without smothering them and looking unnatural and gives you a genuine no makeup makeup look. Honestly, it looks like your real skin! Don't get me wrong, this doesn't mean it has no coverage, it does, but the magical formula also manages to keep you looking like you have no makeup on.

The staying power is quite impressive too. The first time I wore it I went on a bike ride and picnic and I was most definitely sweating but when I got home to inspect the damage, it was minimal! Very impressed! Set with powder and it will stay all day.

Touching on skin benefits, I do feel it is very moisturising and makes my skin look good but I do think it is very important to have a good skincare routine and you can't replace a routine with one tube. I'm not saying this BB cream is bad, it's just how I feel about all BB creams. It's important to add this does have SPF 25 which is always good. Got to protect your skin from the sun!

I will definitely be repurchasing this when I run out and my sister wants to buy it too after trying it while we we on holiday. She has acne and loves it so don't shy away if you don't have "clear skin". You don't always have to have full coverage.

It retails for £18 and there are other BB creams in the Dr Jart+ range so find the one that is right for you.

Love, Ashlea Xx

I uploaded a new video!

You can watch the haul video Here. 

Love, Ashlea Xx

Free Benefit They're Real Miniature Mascara in ELLE!

I highly suggest you stop what you're doing, go out and get your hands on this months copy of ELLE magazine. You get a mini version of Benefits They're Real mascara! The mascara would cost you £9.50 but ELLE magazine costs £4 so when you think about it, you're saving yourself £5.50 and getting a magazine thrown in as well! How could you say no?

So quick, go now! 

Love, Ashlea Xx

Chanel le vernis in Starlet (575)

As soon as I saw this shade I KNEW I had to have it. It just seems like the most perfect shade I've ever seen...so I got onto eBay and managed to nab it for £11 including postage! Bargain!

It's from their spring 2013 collection inspired by cinema and each of the four nail colours have corresponding lip colours (I would love one but my purse says no). 

I personally would prefer a bigger brush but the gorgeous colour makes up for it.

It is still available in Debenhams and retails for £18. 

Love, Ashlea

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara!

I think this is probably the best make up item I have ever bought in my life. No joke. I have always struggled with smudging of mascara underneath my eyes so when I heard about Clinique bottom lash mascara from Tanya Burr, I decided I would give it a go.

The wand itself is so tiny which makes it good for people who don't have a steady hand or who tend to get mascara on their skin when doing their bottom lashes.

I got it in black but you can also get it in brown.

The formulation is magical, it doesn't smudge, it doesn't flake. I'm yet to cry with it on but I bet it still wouldn't budge! 

My step mum saw me with this on and said "wow, they look like false ones!" which isn't far off the truth, my lashes are separated and longer when I wear this mascara. It will definitely be a staple in my makeup collection.

It retails for £11 you can get it from boots, Debenhams, online etc.

Love, Ashlea Xx

Rimmel Apocalips in Celestial Review.

I realise I'm late to the party with this one but I wanted to test it out properly before I wrote about it.  I only got one colour because these lip lacquers don't smell very nice, it's not awful but it's not nice and that's what puts me off.  I'm really funny when it comes to things that have the "makeup smell" which this does, I just don't like it on my face, I purposely smell foundations before I buy them to avoid it! Having said that, apocalips isn't so bad, it's bearable.

Smell aside this product is amazing.  The colour payoff is incredible! Complete opacity is achieved with just one coat and it lasts.  A whole day shopping in Birmingham and I only had to reapply 3 times (we went to starbucks, had lunch, had dinner) so it is a real winner.

I probably wouldn't buy another shade, simply just because of the smell but if you can get over it, this is a wonderful product.  The shade selection isn't that bad either.  On first glance some of the colours seem a bit garish but when applied look lovely.

You can get this product at boots, superdrug...it's not that hard to find, it's everywhere! RRP around £6.

Love, Ashlea Xx

Madison ave-hue by Essie.

Madison ave-hue is one of Essie's shades for their 2013 spring collection, a gorgeous "barbie" pink with tiny glitter particles sparingly suspended in it. 

As always with essie, the quality is lovely and I fully appreciate the big brush making application easy, even and smooth! 

I like to put on two top coats with this particular shade because one doesn't quite give the beautiful glossy effect I love on my nails. I would advise you use a base coat because it did stain my nails, not that I minded too much because they looked a healthy pink!

I definitely recommend this shade, you can get it at most boots stores and online and it retails at £7.99.

Love, Ashlea Xx