ESPA Refining Skin Polish and Replenishing Face Treatment Oil - review

Your resident skincare obsessive strikes again!  I've had the samples of the ESPA Refining Skin Polish and Replenishing Face Treatment Oil in my bathroom cabinet for weeks before I actually got around to using them.  Given how good they both are, I'm sorry I didn't use them sooner.  But better late than never! 

Make Up For Dolls: 3,000 Facebook Subscribers Giveaway!

I genuinely can't believe that I'm at 3k followers.  On behalf of me, myself and I (Siobhán), the "little blog that is", Catherine (MontyC) and Emer (TheArtyMama), I'd like to thank you all for following and reading and commenting and sharing and re-tweeting and what have you.  I know I have only very recently opened the blog to it, but let's get those comments flowing a bit more!

So I promised a giveaway, didn't I...

DermaBlend Fluid Corrective Foundation - review

Vichy DermaBlend's Fluid Corrective Foundation (the one in the tube!) is categorically not a foundation I will personally reach for, I'm going to be honest and say, ever.  That said, I have it in my kit and wouldn't be without it.  Because it's genuinely amazing.

Read on to see why.

A quick note: I appreciate that I am doing a lot of DermaBlend product reviews lately... I have been trialling them actively over the last month or two, and only getting around to reporting back now.  Expect a few more reviews over the next few weeks too!

Creme de la Mer The Lifting and Firming Mask - review

Another day, another mask, this time a winner.  Nope, I'm not a snob.  Yes, I do love (some) Creme de la Mer products.  Yes, I do honestly believe that they work.  Yes, there are some other products that I think are actually slightly better, in some cases.  Nope, it's not a question of spending more money.  Now that I have all the "usual" questions out of the way, let's crack on with the actual review.

Sephora Instant Moisture Mask - review

What a complete and utter heap of <bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep>.

Clarins Exfoliating Toner - review

Exfoliating toners are one of the latest "things" in the skincare world, and a recent discovery for me (thanks to my skincare guru, the utterly fabulous @CarolineHirons; what this woman doesn't know about skincare ain't worth knowing).  The more I researched them, the more intrigued I became, until there was nothing else for it, I had to try one out for myself.  The one I decided to try was the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner.

Vichy Capital Soleil BB Tinted Velvety Cream SPF 50+ review

Today was glorious... sun shining, birds chirping, children laughing and splashing in the paddling pool.  Long may it last.  It was the perfect day to try out the Vichy Capital Soleil BB Tinted Velvety Cream SPF 50+.

Dermablend Stick Corrector - review

Dermablend Stick Corrector

I can’t believe that I did not review this already.  I would have sworn that I had!  So, it's high time I pulled the finger out and got on with it.

Regular readers may remember this post in which I waxed lyrical about Vichy’s latest Dermablend range of products, launched back in-or-around April of this year, including the Dermablend Stick Corrector I'm reviewing today.

Diorskin Airflash Foundation - review

So this foundation, Diorskin Airflash, wasn't at all what I expected.  I expected it to be something like a mish-mash montage of every perfume and shampoo ad you've ever seen; me, in soft focus, spraying myself liberally with an ultra-fine mist of foundation.  I expected my hand to be about 1 foot from my face, all “fetlocks blowing in the wind” (machine) and with lots of hair tossing and the neck extensions, looking like this was the most sem-orgasmic foundation applying experience ever...

... and we're bumped back to reality.  What it actually is, is me screwing my eyes shut tight and hoping that my spritz of foundation-from-a-can doesn't go up my nose or into my mouth, or blind me, and that it does go roughly on my face somewhere I need it.  And then realising, hey, I can open one eye and spray it on the other side of my face at a time.  And having to go through this ritual.  Every. Single. Time.  Ah the joys.

On the other hand, I can honestly say that, disappointing application method aside, I love this foundation.  To lift directly from an email earlier on this week to MontyC, I am in deeeeeep smit.  It's Gorgeous.  I love, love, love it.  It’s not what I expected but I love it nonetheless.

(This is the foundation I was referring to in this post by the way, if anyone’s curious).

Diorshow Fusion Mono #381 Millenium - review

Diorshow Fusion Mono #381 Millenium

I have been meaning to try these for some time, I've heard some great things about Dior's version of Chanel's Illusion d'Ombre shades, a strange (but lovely) powder-mousse hybrid.  While browsing Dior's Summer collection (and purchasing a rather stunning foundation that has become my latest "Best Foundation Ever" ;-)), this lovely object d'art caught my beady little magpie eyes...

Chanel Reflets d'Été (Summer 2014) - review

Today's Mondays with MontyC sees me reviewing my Chanel Reflets d'Été purchases - a nice bijoux, mini-haul and some lovely freebies to boot :-)

NYX Launch & Giveaway!

Rather interested to hear about this one, as I'm sure are most fans of good budget makeup.  Previously only available in a couple of trade shops, NYX Cosmetics have had their official launch in Ireland and are now more widely available to all in pharmacies all over the country. 

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet - review

This launched in-store on the 11th of April and I've been using it on and off for the last three weeks.  I personally think that this is a great foundation if you want an off-matte finish that feels weightless on the skin.  Bear in mind though, that this won't work for everyone...

Natura Bisse Glycoline Glyco Extreme Peel - review

Natura Bissé Glycoline Glyco Extreme Peel is just that - a pretty extreme peel.  I'm not convinced, personally.

Chanel Chance Shimmering Products - preview

Mondays with MontyC will be back next week.  In the meantime, here's some information on a gorgeous Chanel release due out 13th June... Chanel is unveiling three new shimmering products for the body.  Unfurling the notes of Chance, Chance Eau Fraiche and Chance Eau Tendre, they perfume and illuminate the skin with a subtle pearly sheen in three different formats...

ModelCo Fibre Lashxtend Mascara - review

In keeping with my obsession (and scutty little lash stumps) I've tried yet another mascara that promises to add length and volume (but don't they all really?!)  This time in the form of a fibre mascara from ModelCo called Fibre Lashxtend that I received free gratis and for nothing with an issue of Glamour magazine.

Inglot Summer Launch 2014 - preview

This collection is completely and utterly calling out to me.  Inglot are releasing completely new Sculpting Powders (like I don't have enough highlighting and contouring products!) and new Matte Lipsticks in their Summer launch.

Roger & Gallet's New Body Lotions - preview

Another quick post today on another new Roger & Gallet offering: new Sorbet and Fondant body lotions are the latest offering from the French perfume house, available in five yummy scents and two different formulas.

Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier Ultra Nourishing Oil - preview

Roger & Gallet have released a new ultra-nourishing hair-and-body oil from the Fleur de Figuier scent range, joining their other products in the same family...

NUXE Delicious Cream for Face High Protection SPF30 - review

Yep, it really is called "Delicious Cream" !

"Bring me sunshine, bring me love..."  Yes please!  Summer is coming.  The sun is indeed a wonderful thing but deserving of our respect.  If you're going to be out in the sun, be sensible about it and wear SPF.  Personally, I never wear anything less than SPF30.  I know there are higher available but I do believe it's good for you to get some sun, in a safe and healthy way.  There are tons of sun cream brands on the market now, so you have no excuse.  And amongst the nicest I've ever tried is the new NUXE Delicious Cream for Face.