Tropic Skin Care

Last week, one of my work colleagues held a Tropic Skin Care party. Tropic Skin Care? I hadn't heard of it either.

Tropic is the skin care company that was launched by Susan Ma who was the runner up in The Apprentice 2011. Since it's launch in 2007 Lord Alan Sugar has invested in the company and is now becoming more well known.

With a variety of products for face and body Tropic has something for everyone.

The Ambassador of the Tropic party I was at talked about each product, listing the ingredients and their benefits to the skin. We were able to try the products out for ourselves and the host had a free demonstration of the skin care set.

There is also a new make up line, but unfortunately the Ambassador did not have any products to show us, as she was waiting to be sent them from head office.

I am considering hosting my own Tropic party so that I can see the make up products because the brochure just wasn't enough to make me want to order anything.

I only ordered one item and that was the Body Love Butter Cream.

All in all, I thought that the products that I saw were of good quality with nice fresh packaging and beautiful scents.

Well worth a look at if you are invited to go to a Tropic get together!

Rachel xx

L'oreal Glam Shine Stain Splash

I heard about these products via other beauty bloggers and in the press, so I was keen to try them for myself.  Hailed as an alternative to the expensive YSL Glossy Stain I decided I would just have to check them out.

Superdrug were offering 3 for 2 on make up so I thought it would be rude not too indulge...

I decided on the three colours I liked best after swatching them on my hand.

• 101 Lolita
• 102 Romy
• 400 Eve

Feather soft wands

What makes these so special is that they are 30% water based, easy to apply and lovely and shiny and definitely stain the lips. However, I have found that they don't stay glossy for the whole 6 hours but the colour does stay on.

I'm happy with the colours that I have bought but I don't think I would buy them on a regular basis when these run out, unless they are on offer.

All in all a great product to introduce you to the lip stain craze.

Rachel xx

My Daily Skin Care Routine & Products

I have spent many years looking for the right skin care products from Dove soap to Clinique's 3 Step; I think I have tried most on the market.

Until about two years ago I was using The Body Shop's Seaweed range of cleanser, toner and day cream. That was until I received travel sizes products by Estee Lauder with two purchases.

Perfectly Clean Splash Away Foaming Cleanser, Fresh Balancing Toner & Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme with SPF 15

I began using the above products the next day, and boy was I impressed. My face felt literally clean and even tight on my cheeks. I had no shine and after a few days the blemishes on my chin/jaw line had gone.

When I had used all the products I returned to using the seaweed range again. I noticed the difference straight away in my skin and I didn't feel as satisfied as I once did.

It was then that I decided to purchase the Estee Launder full size products; and that was two years ago and I haven't looked back since. I have repurchased them many times and it would take something pretty remarkable to convince me to change to something else.

So what is my daily routine?

• Wash hands
• Run warm water into sink and wet face
• Apply a 5p size amount of cleanser to palm of hand
• Rub fingers in to make a foamy texture
• Apply to face and rub in circular motions (I put it in my ears too!)
• Once satisfied that my skin is clean I wet a muslin cloth to remove
• After drying I apply the toner to 100% cotton pad and sweep over face
• Once dry, I then moisturise with the day cream.

This is a pretty standard method that I think most people use but I thought I would share it with you.

The Estee Lauder products and this routine work for me but when I do get a breakout I use this product here.

What skin care products do you swear by?

Rachel xx

Clinique Anti-Blemish Night Time Gel

Whatever you want to call them ~ spots/pimples/blemishes/zits ~ they are a pain in the butt/ass/arse/bum (you get the picture).

With me, I seem to go a few months and then Boosh! Huge mountain on my chin.

O yes, a mountain.

My daily skin care routine doesn’t really change and overall my face is in quite good condition.

When a breakout happens, I always seem to reach for the same product which is my trusty Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Night-Time Gel.

I've actually had this for quite a while, and although beauty experts say to throw out make up and skin care items after a year, I’m afraid I ignore that rule. I simply can’t afford to chuck products that are half used.

After cleansing I apply to the affected area and rub in. The gel is clear and fragrance free and applies easily.  It dries quickly and isn't sticky. The directions state that you can apply to the whole face, but I haven’t needed to.

The next morning I can see a difference. I wouldn't say the spot has totally gone, but it is less red and angry looking with no inflammation.

As I said before, I've had this a while and has lasted me well. Would I buy it again? Yes I would. It’s the only product I've ever used and I am definitely sticking to what I know when it comes to blemish solutions.

What product/s do you reach for time and again?

Rachel xx

My Top Two Luxury Mascaras

We all like to indulge sometimes, whether it be food, holidays, clothes...but for me it's mascara.

Since I was old enough to be allowed to wear make up my one vices has been mascara. I simply can't get enough of it. I've tried many brands over the years and I'm not even faithful to a particular one ~ I just simply have to try them all.

When looking for a mascara I simply put them into two categories;  everyday and evening.

My first luxury mascara is actually a recent purchase and that is Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Waterproof in black. I use this for everyday wear to make my eyes wider giving a lift and also adding length. I simply adore the formula, applies easily and stays put without flaking. At £21 it's not cheap but I did get £5 off using my Beauty Card at Debenhams.

My second go to mascara for a more dramatic evening look is YSL Volume Effect Faux Cils in 1 High Density Black. I have been using this for about a year now and it still gives me luxurious lashes every time I apply it. My lashes look thicker and longer and it is buildable depending on how extreme you like the false lash look. I normally apply two coats.

At around £23, this again is high end, but I only wear it occasionally and so far it hasn't dried out in the tube so I have definitely got my money's worth. 

Which make up items do you like to indulge in?

Rachel xx

Nyx Cosmetics Haul & Review

Wow, it's been a fair few days since my last post due to working a nine day stretch, and also things going on at home. So, apologies for that guys. 

About two weeks ago I ordered some products from Nyx. I've never bought any of their products before due to the fact that there isn't a Nyx shop/counter near me. (Actually, has anyone ever been to one?)

I think the reason that I've never bought their products is the problem with purchasing make up online, as it's hard to tell if the swatches they show are actually the same colour in the flesh.

I was browsing their website and decided to get a few items from the sale section to try out first and one full price blusher.

I decided to play it safe and buy a blusher in shade PB 07 Natural. I'm very pleased with this due to it gliding on the brush very easily and blending really well on the face giving a lovely pink glow, that can be built up for a more striking pink.

I bought two single eyeshadows in the sale in shades ES153A Ballerina Dream and ES147A Sweet Oleander. Now these are beautiful glitter shades and again apply easily, but they are similar in colour with one being darker than the other. Nevermind ~ that's the chance you take.

Ballerina Dream

Sweet Oleander

With my cheeks and eyes sorted, it was only natural to add a lip product to my order so I chose two Mega Shine Lip glosses in Vixen and Maroon.

Erm, well..I was a bit disappointed in my colour choices. Vixen is just too dark for me but Maroon is ok if I was going for the vampire Bella look ~ I'm too pale for it to be honest; but that aside the lip glosses themselves are lovely and they do spread evenly on to the lips. I do think the tube is cute too and the brush is very soft.

I think I should have continued to play it safe here too and bought something neutral or pink as I can never go wrong with pink.

It just goes to show that buying make up online is a bit risky, but it hasn't put me off, I just need to Google swatches before I add to my basket....oops

Rachel xx