DRAGON'S BLOOD FIX SERUM: A Review.

Hello my angels

I am back with yet another blog post and this time I will be writing about my thoughts on the Dragons Blood Fix Plumping serum by Nip and Fab. Not only have I heard such great reviews on the Nip + Fab range overall but this product has just been popping up on my newsfeed everywhere and of course I just had to see what the hype was all about.

I decided to purchase the product when it was on offer in my local Superdrug Store. I just decided to try out the serum first even though the Dragons Blood Fix range consists of a mask and cleansing pads aswell.

First thoughts? I have been using this for just over a month now and I am super impressed. I just love how hydrating this feels on my skin, its dries up super quickly and does not leave a greasy feel, in fact quite the opposite. The scent of it is very pleasant too which is another thing I liked about the product. It is perfect to use both day and night after moisturising and you only really need a small pump size. It works well alone without a moisturiser too (infact I prefer it alone) and I have found it to be a great base before applying my makeup. Thanks-fully, the product did not irritate my skin at all which is one thing I was sceptical about before using this. 

It is reportedly to be a favourite with the likes of Kylie Jenner who claims it to be "most amazing base for my make up and is super moisturising", I have to agree. If it is good enough for Kylie surely it is good enough for me!

The serum claims to protect against environmental damage, it contains velvet flower to enhance moisturisation and illuminate the skin, although if i am honest, I did not really notice much of an illuminating effect. It also contains gransil EP-9 which claims to absorb excess oil and smooth the skin as well as hydraulic acid which hydrates and refines the skins texture. 

Do not let the name of this put you off, it isn't real blood, but is derived from the Croton Lechleri tree which is what helps protect from free radicals. 

The Dragons Blood Fix serum retails for around £19.95 (I brought it for £13 when on offer) for 50ml of the product. It comes in a sturdy pump bottle with a distinctive dark salmon colour packaging across the range.  It is widely available online on most sites as well as Superdrug and Boots. 

Final thoughts? I am so glad I decided to purchase this, it really does live up to its reviews. After just over a month, my skin does appear more refined and smoother and I am sure with continuous use it will even out my skin tone as well as reduce premature fine lines. Whilst it is super hydrating I do not think it has plumped up my skin as such however, I have noticed a visible difference to the overall appearance and condition of it. Yes, it is not cheap and you may not wish to buy it on a regular basis, yet a little does go a long way. I will definitely be repurchasing this as it really does do what it says on the tin, This was my first ever time trying out Nip + Fab Skin products and I am very keen to try out more. its a 10/10 from Hinnahs Beauty Bites!  

Have you given this a go yet?

Love and Lipstick

xxx

Review: Bronze Professional Once-A-Week Self Tan Mousse.

Hi my angels,


I hope you are all in the best of health and enjoying the longer (although not so warmer) days. 

I am back and ready to go with another blog post for you guys. As you all are aware myself and Sun-kissed have been working together for just coming up to two years now so when they got in touch asking me to review yet another fab product of course I jumped for joy. 

Having tried their products many times in the past and staying extremely loyal to the brand with all good enough reasons, I knew exactly what to expect and had high expectations even before using the product. I was that confident that this once again was another great product on the market. 

The lovely ladies at the Sunkissed HQ promptly sent a full sized bottle of the new Bronze Professional Once-A-Week Self Tan Mousse formulated with combined advanced active ingredients to help penetrate into the skins deeper layers for a longer lasting tan. Sounds great right? It meant there was none of that fussing around trying to maintain a beautiful bronzed glow, if like me you like to tan once a week or even every other day then this product is perfect for you. As Eva Mendes has said "The secret to looking younger is bronzed glowing skin"

Come a rainy Saturday here in the UK, meant it was a face pack and tanning time and I thought it was the perfect time to give this a go. The self tan comes yet again in a pump bottle which is sturdy and does not squirt the product everywhere. I used my double ended tanning mitt (which I previously reviewed here) to apply the tan just so that my hands could remain stain free! The first thing I noticed as with all their products is that the tan absorbs effortlessly into the skin and dries rapidly (so no waiting around) with a natural long lasting streak free finish which is what always wins me over about Sunkissed. Not only that, but being alcohol and paraben free as well as dermatologically approved means that I have that peace of mind of not putting anything harmful onto my skin.   

As always, the tan had the signature Sunkissed coconutty scent which I was again pleased with seeing as it is pleasant and not off putting. The colour I received was ‘dark’ which I initially thought was going to be a tad too dark for me however it worked well on my skin tone. 
The mousse itself is a fine texture and is tinted brown so you can see exactly where you have applied it. It does dry fairly quickly so you have to be sure to quickly rub it in when you first apply it. Also, always be sure to give the can a good shake before using to ensure the product squirts out evenly, 

Results? Having applied the tan all over on a Saturday and showering each morning (and sometimes just before bed) to my surprise did not wash off any of the product at all. Yes by Wednesday, it had faded however my skin was still bronzed and smooth. I had also discovered that with the added Vita Tone complex, my skin appeared much more smoother than normal and in fact I did not need to apply any body lotion/moisturiser with this at all. 

Sunkissed have yet again launched and added another amazing product onto their product line. There is always something out there for everyone in terms of their tanning needs. The Bronze Professional Once-A-Week Self Tan Mousse retails for less than £9 for 200 ml of the product and is available pretty much everywhere online. I hear it is currently on offer in Superdrug too!


Be sure to follow Sunkissed on all their social media over on Twitter here and their Facebook page here .


Have you given this a go? It is a 10/10 from me! 

Love and Lipstick

xxx


*Disclaimer- Product sent merely for review purposes. All opinions stated are purely of my own after trialling the product. 

My IPL Hair Reduction Experience

Hi dolls,

I hope you are all well. 

Today I wanted to share my IPL hair reduction experience with you all as I know it is a popular topic and lets face it we all want to be free of facial and body hair. I have wanted to carry out laser hair removal for as long as I can remember ever since I introduced myself to a razor and wax strips. The idea of having permanent hair reduction sounded like a dream away from the nicks, burns and redness from waxing and shaving.I knew it wouldn't come cheap and would need regular top ups. 

Upon my long and tiring search I stumbled across Clear Skin Leicester who was qualified and offered the service. I didn't hesitate to book in a consultation and a patch test right away as I was definitely certain this was something I had wanted to do for a long time. 

So what is laser hair removal? *Laser hair removal is a great method for removing unwanted body and facial hair without the burns, nicks, and redness of shaving and waxing. Laser hair removal is technically known as a permanent hair reduction process, and although it’s not total hair removal, it does drastically decrease hair growth and the need for shaving. The process is safe for use on most parts of the body, including the legs, arms and armpits, bikini area, chest, back, and even the face (except for the eyes). 

At my patch test, Clean Skin Leicester explained the uses of the laser machine, how it worked, how many sessions I would need, what it would involve and any other important health related issues. It was all very professional and thorough and I made sure I asked all the relevant questions that I needed clarification on. Upon doing a patch test on my arm, Clear Skin Leicester wanted to know how my skin would react to the laser machine and whether it would cause any redness or irritation. I was asked to keep any eye on the area over the next 24 hours and report any changes to my skin. Thankfully there wasn't any. 

Before I knew it, it was onto to treatment day one. I was a little apprehensive as to how the treatment would feel on my face. I was told to close shave my face the night before. Yes it initially sounded bizarre but in actual fact it is a crucial part of the process as the laser targets hair in the active growing stage and shaving encourages hair to enter this stage. The laser works by targeting and breaking down the melanin, (the pigment that gives hair their colour) in a hair follicle that makes it fall out and works best on coarse dark hair.

Each session itself does not take very long and typically lasts around 15 minutes. A cooling gel is applied onto the skin prior to using the laser machine, safety glasses to protect the eyes from the bright light of the laser. The actual treatment itself is not painful at all, if anything it feels like a tight elastic band snapping on your skin. The heat is also very comfortable to bear yet I did often struggle with the upper lip area as the skin is so delicate and close to the nose there. After each session, it is advisable to stay away from any direct sunlight and use Aloe Vera Gel on the areas treated to minimise any irritation and redness. I use a generic one from Holland and Barrett. 

All in all, I have had a total of four sessions on my face and I have noticed a HUGE difference, the hair that I would usually have to wax on my face every few weeks has reduced dramatically and not grown back since.My skin also feels fresh and rejuvenated too and family members have also noticed and paid their compliments! I have since then started a session for my underarms and with just 3 sessions, I have already had an 80% hair reduction! 

Here are a few pictures from my laser session. (Please note, the laser machine was not on at the time of taking the pictures. Please bear the horrible make-up free face! )

 The dos' 

• Do consult with your GP or a medical professional if you are looking to carry out the IPL treatment, particularly if you suffer from any POS, diabetes or hormonal problems. 
• Do make sure you have a patch test and full consultation to find out more about what the treatment can do for you, any concerns, how many sessions will be required as remember each skin and individual is different. Do know what to expect. 
• Do make sure the night before each treatment you dry shave areas of the face/body that are going to be treated on as this will make the laser session more effective. 
• Do make sure you are having the right laser for your skin colour. 

And onto the dont's:

• Do not skip sessions as this will delay the progress. It is important that you carry out the treatment around the same time each month. This is what I have been doing and it has really helped me track my progress over the course of treatments.
• Do not apply make-up, deodorant, lotions and tanning products prior to the day of the treatment. Also remove any metal or pieces of jewellery that may interact with the laser machine.
• Do not expect to see results right away, it all depends on your skin, hair growth and to see any results will require a few sessions and patience. 

Clear Skin Leicester are based inside of Strands Hairdressers on Uppingham Road in Leicester, be sure to check them out on Facebook here. Prices start from as little as £49 for six sessions** on small areas. I suggest booking in a for a consultation and patch test and I highly recommend them for the service, you will not be disappointed. 

If you decide to book in a consultation and session do make sure you quote HINNAHS BEAUTY BITES to get that extra VIP treatment.

Love and Lipstick 

xxx

*Source_http://www.wikihow.com/Get-the-Most-Benefit-from-Laser-Hair-Removal

Review: Smile Bright Atlanta At Home Instant Teeth Whitening Kit.

Hi lovelies,

Yes, I am back with yet another blog post, I have a huge list of things to blog about (and it keeps growing!) and well I did promise myself that I would blog more so I am just going to keep these posts coming as and when I can. 

Now lets be honest, we all want a whiter, brighter smile at home with professional salon results without the professional salon price tag, correct? 

Years of drinking coffee on a daily sometimes thrice daily basis and being a fan of the fizzy drinks have left my poor teeth stained, discoloured and in need of a good old proper clean. Of course, I had looked around in a bid to make them five shades whiter and brighter but some did not quite have the glorious reviews I searched for and most were going to do some serious damage to my bank balance. 

After doing my usual hunting around on Instagram, I came across SmileBright_Atlanta, a US based company that established in 2009 selling the home teeth whitening systems and products. With a large following and real results from real people I decided to get in touch. Before I know it, I had a little kit sent to my home address. I received the At Home Instant Teeth Whitening Kit with LED lighting system. I did watch a few Youtube Tutorials to get to grips on using the product and of course, there was nothing but positive results upon the YouTube beauty bloggers community alike. 

The kit I received contained a 10ml professional whitening gel, a plastic upper and lower mouthpiece, a LED lightening system, a shade guide all in a clear plastic zip pencil case. It is all compact, waterproof and travel friendly. 

So, how does the treatment work? Well on their official site the product works as follows: 

When peroxide comes in contact with light it starts to break down, this is why peroxide is sold in a dark container in the stores.  We physically have you put an LED light to the gel to force it to break down at a faster pace.  What this does is force the gel to go into what is called an oxidation process.  While this is happening (the gel breaking down) it is going to start breaking down the stains on the surface of your teeth.  Luckily this is not powerful enough to break down the enamel on your teeth, so it is completely safe on your teeth, tongue, and gums.

Source: Smile Bright Atlanta

They recommend doing two 30 minutes treatments back to back to get full results and remove at least 1-3 years of stains off your teeth. I decided to use this whilst getting ready to go out and whilst doing the ironing to take my mind off the time. 

It is really simple to use which is the first thing I liked about it, there are no fiddly bits and it is quite self explanatory. To test it out, I initially did just the one 30 minute treatment but then decided a few days later to do the full 60 minutes. Oh-em gee the results are amazing! with just one session I noticed my teeth were at least two shades lighter! It is so easy to use and results can be seen instantly. If you have a big day coming up or an event then this is the perfect little secret treatment to keep those teeth white and bright. 

Now please bear in mind we all are different so what works for me may not necessarily work in the same way for you, but I guess you will not really know until you try it yourself. 

The thing I was most concerned about was whether I would get sensitivity after as I had experienced this with other whitening strips and paste, yet no sensitivity at all, in fact you can eat and drink almost instantly after but I would say avoid the foods that are likely to stain  the teeth such as beetroot, berries, coffee, wine and so on. 

The whitening gel does mix with your saliva a lot and this is absolutely normal, in fact its a good thing as it means the product can be spread everywhere evenly such as the back of the teeth, etc but I did find the saliva build up to be a bit much and I often did have to spit a bit out over the hours treatment. Also, do not be concerned if you swallow a little bit of the gel, (I did on my first day using it and panicked! but Smile Bright Atlanta confirmed that it is not harmful but will taste a little foamy that is all. 

This product retails for $99.00 (Which is roughly £69) but Smile Bright Atlanta have been fantastic in giving me a coupon code to give to my readers at a bargain price of $25 which is a steal at just over £17! This kit can be purchased directly from their site here but BE SURE to put in my coupon code sbright14 at checkout to get the discounted price! 

Be sure to give their Instagram page @smilebright_atlanta a follow too! 

Have you given this a go yet?

Love and Lipstick

xxx

**Disclaimer: I was sent this product to review and the sbright14 code contains an affiliates code. Please note, I was not paid for this review. 

EX1 COSMETICS INVISIWEAR LIQUID FOUNDATION (30ML)- Review

Hello my angels,

I hope you are all doing well.

Today I will be reviewing the popular EX1 Cosmetics Invisiwear Liquid Foundation.  It has been at least 2 weeks since I received the product and have been using it every day since hence deciding to do a review on it. Firstly, lets get down to a bit of background and all that good stuff. 

The EX1 Cosmetics range was developed by biochemist Farah Naz. She recognised a gap in the market for the lack of shades for the Asian and Olive skin tones and thus after much frustration decided to embark on 2 years worth of research to design a foundation that matched her skin tone perfectly, 

So what is it? Well on their official site, the foundation is described as "A lightweight and luminous liquid base, formulated with light diffusers which unify skin tone and cover imperfections effortlessly. Specially designed ‘true colour’ pigments work perfectly with your skins’ natural tones in an ultra-blendable formula.

The result? The perfect Invisiwear effect.

• Clinically and Dermatologically tested
• 100% Oil and Fragrance free
• Non Comedogenic

After seeing the product pop up quite a bit with other beauty bloggers, makeup artists and makeup fanatics alike I decided to purchase my very own bottle. After a lot of to-ing and fro-ing, based on the information and shade selection chart available on all the sites where the product can be purchased from, the shade for my skin and the shade I decided to purchase was F300 seeing as I am between NC-35-NC40 in Mac. 

Lets move on to the packaging-  The foundation comes in a clear plastic pump bottle with a copper coloured lid, its simple yet elegant and does not look cheap. It is lightweight and travel friendly which is always a winner for me, you can take it travelling without having to worry about any spillages or breakages. Again the pump feature is highly appealing too, you can dispense the amount you like and with the bottle being transparent, you can see how much of the product you have remaining. I have come across a few reviews stating that the pump has a mind of its own and sometimes the product can squirt everywhere, but thankfully, I have not experienced this yet. 

Product-  The 30ml foundation in itself is quite lightweight in texture and I really like that about it. It does not feel heavy on the skin and is perfect for daily use. I used this both without primer and with and it worked just as well either way. I feel you only need a little and a little does go a long way. Upon application, after blotting lightly with my real techniques buffer brush it instantly became invisible as per its name. The coverage is light to medium and can be built up as per your preference, I personally feel I need two layers enough for a 8 hour day at work and it really does blend in well with a semi matte finish with a hint of dewiness. 

The foundation is available in five shades ranging from F100- F500 with the F100 being the palest. Yes the colour range is not large and I do not think it would not suit very pale or very deep skin tones. Also, the colours are mainly based with a yellow undertone so if you have pale and pink undertones in your complexion this may not be the one for you.

Source: EX1 Cosmetics

Results? Once set with powder this foundation lasts pretty much till late in the evening, I rarely need to touch it up throughout the day and it does not cling onto dry patches or cake either which I was really amazed about. It feels very light on the skin and does not dry out my skin like the Mac Select Liquid foundation did. If I am honest whilst I really like the foundation, I do find that the F300 is a tad dark for me which I am really gutted about. Also, do not fully go by the shade selection chart on their site as I do not find it is very accurate. F200 would have definitely suited my skin tone better as I would like just a little lighter shade but will definitely be using The Body Shops Shade Adjusting Drops to lighten it a little. The shade F300 would work better for me alone in the summer days where my skin would tan a little. 

Price?  The foundation retails for around £12.50 which is quite reasonable compared to some of the higher end stuff out there and do not worry about getting your hands on this, it is widely available pretty much on most sites and even in Topshop stores in London. I purchased mine from Beauty Expert with a 20% coupon code so got the foundation for a bargain tenner including free delivery! 

Conclusion- All in all this is a great foundation whether you are a newbie, make-up junkie or makeup artist, the shade range would definitely cater for the Asian/olive skin tones. It is reasonably priced, available almost everywhere and it feels great on the skin without feeling cakey or drying it out. I will definitely be restocking this and adding a few to my makeup kits for clients. I will however definitely purchase the shade F200 in the hope that it would be a better suited shade for my skin tone.

Have you given the EX1 Invisiwear Liquid Foundation a go yet?

Love and Lipstick

xxx

Review: Anne's Thickening and Nourishing LIGHTER DAY Oil.

Twin Pack Hair Oils

Hi my angels,

I hope you are all well. 
.
Following on from the amazing review of Annes Hair Thickening and Nourishing Growth Oil I did a while back. (You can catch up on it here if you haven't yet read it) , I was lucky enough to be sent a bottle of the new Lighter Day oil designed to be used in the day. This lighter hair oil contains extra vitamins and antioxidants to really feed your hair and give it that added nourishment at all times. 




Image not my own. Source from here
Copyright Annes Bridal Facebook.

What? The lighter day oil contains the exact same ingredients, retails for the same price and looks identical again in a sturdy plastic pump bottle yet has a different purpose altogether. The new lighter day oil needs to be applied to wet/dry hair and styled as usual. It can also double up as a finishing oil to banish frizz and add shine, I just love a product that has multi uses. 
The oil  can be used in between washing and styling alongside the overnight oil. It is slightly lighter in texture again with an odourless non greasy feel which is what first won me over about the overnight oil. It claims to protect from heat/styling and environmental damage and UV rays which my poor hair is definitely guilty of. 

How? Well I applied the original hair oil as usual, plaited my hair and left it to sink in overnight. Again, I absolutely love how it does not stain my pillow or leave a strong unbearable scent. The next morning, I washed and conditioned my hair as usual and when 70% wet, applied 2-3 pumps of the lighter day oil as instructed on the bottle and distributed evenly, paying special attention to the mid section and ends and blow-dried as normal without adding any additional styling products.

Results? It is no surprise that I was amazed yet again! I was blown away with what it did for my hair. The results resembled a full blown salon conditioning and gloss treatment if not better and believe me, I have paid for a few of those in the past and failed miserably. 
My hair felt smoother, softer, stronger and less prone to falling out and breakages. Split ends were minimised and overall my hair feels thicker, yet again, there was no need to reach for the straighteners as when blow drying with a paddle brush I achieve sleek smooth hair. The dry ends from endless bleaching and straightening is already looking so much better and I have noticed a tiny amount of hair growth in terms of new baby hairs and the overall improvement in length. 

Verdict? I have used this oil alongside the overnight oil for a total of three times now (over three weeks ) and already I have noticed a huge improvement. The beauty of this product is that results can be seen instantly if not in less than a week and will be enhanced with more frequent longer uses.
I have finally found a product for my hair that does what it says on the tin, years and years of neglect, not drinking enough water, labour, bleaching and straightening has left my hair lifeless, flat, dull and straw like and I am pleased to say that I am successfully on my way to recovering it and bringing it back to life. 

I would definitely without a doubt recommend these products to anyone that wishes to nourish and thicken their hair, it is suitable for all hair types and the results are amazing and noticeable after the first use, delivery is super quick, and Anne is easily contactable on her Facebook page over at Anne Bridal. The oil retails for £15.00 which is pretty good since the oil works wonders and a little does go a long way. The oil has been a huge success and quite rightly so, I would strongly suggest you give Anne Bridal a follow on Facebook if you are not already doing so as there are often promotional offers and great product reviews from equally happy customers.

I would like to use this opportunity to thank Anne Bridal again for giving me the opportunity to try out this amazing twin pack hair oils. I am definitely going to be placing an order once I have finished my bottle. I wish you the very best of luck and success in your amazing ventures. 


Have you given the Anneamazing Hair Lighter Day Oil a go yet?

•  

Love and Lipstick

The Body Shop: OILS OF LIFE™ INTENSELY REVITALISING CREAM

Good evening my lovelies,

I hope you are all doing well. 

I seem to be on a bit of a roll with the blog posts lately, after being extremely MIA on the blogosphere, I sure am making up for it haha. Anyway, I am going to jump right into todays blog post. The titles a bit of a mouthful isn't it! 

So you know how I always talk about getting older and wanting to look after my skin more with more carefully chosen products? Well I seem to have got the ball rolling on that one. Now, as much as I am into all the skincare, lotions and potions, I just cannot justify spending over £25 on a single tub, especially when I have never tried it and don't know what the outcome would be.

It was only when I received a Highcross gift card from work as a recognition that I randomly decided to pop into The Body Shop and see what I fancied. When I got chatting to a lovely skin expert called Amy who couldn't praise their newish Oils Of Life range enough. She talked me through the product range, tested out each of them onto my hands and explained the uses, benefits and ingredients of each product. The one that really caught my eye however was the Oils Of Life Intensely Revitalising Cream since it contains three precious seed oils originating from three different countries. When tried onto my hand, it instantly melted onto my skin and smelt amazing! The difference compared to the untested hand could be seen instantly. 

The Body Shop describe this product as "By infusing 3 precious seed oils from around the world, known for their revitalising and repairing properties on skin – Black Cumin seed oil from Egypt, Camellia seed oil from China and Rosehip seed oil from Chile – in to a silky cream with perfecting micro-pearls, we created a daily cream that intensely revitalises skin, replenishes moisture and revives radiance. Signs of ageing appear visibly reduced. From the moment it touches the skin, this Intensely Revitalising Cream effortlessly melts onto the face, leaving a light and comfortable finish without a greasy feel."

It sounded like exactly what I needed, each and every word of it. I wanted something I could use on a daily basis, something light yet intensive that would revitalise and create radiance to my dull and premature ageing skin, and so without giving it a second thought, I found myself at the till thanking Amy and swiftly handing over my gift card. 

I have now used this product religiously for a week and a half now both in the morning and at night before bed and my skin has never felt and looked better. I simply apply a little tiny amount in dots onto the main parts of my face and rub in for a few minutes. Its melts into the skin right away and leaves a fresh citrus type of scent lingering on for a few minutes. The texture is just right, not too heavy or light and it really does feel quite luxurious when applying without leaving that greasy feeling. Although it contains three of the precious seed oils, the one that is more prominent in terms of scent is the black cumin seed oil one. The product itself is a light vanilla ice cream colour yet when applied it is transparent on the skin. I loved how the cream did not irritate my skin and that I could comfortably use it around my delicate eye area without burning them as the case with some of the other higher end creams that I have tried and sampled. 

Now lets just take a minute to appreciate the gorgeous packaging and yes I am a sucker for beautifully packaged products!. The cream comes in a sturdy golden glass jar with a black lid with their logo embellished of course, and then gold again on the main face of the jar, it simply is stunning and eye catching. This theme is used across their entire Oils of Life product range, which crisp white boxes as their outer packaging. From their packaging, it is evident that this range is luxurious and slightly more higher in price in comparison to their usual skincare range. The packaging overall is simple yet effective. 

So, what did it do for my skin? Ideally, I like to use a product continuously for a month or two as I believe this is the length of time it takes to see results. Having said that though, my skin appears more radiant, brighter, smooth and supple. The dullness I had before has definitely been erased and it has seemed to help combat my uneven skin tone in some areas of my face. It may be worth mentioning alongside using this cream, I have been really increasing my water consumption too. 

I have been advised that the benefits can be seen in full when you use the products from the whole range together so I decided to apply the Oils Of Life facial oil sample that I received alongside the cream and the results were remarkable. I am definitely looking to invest in the oil too when I decide to treat myself again another day.

Price? Well this cream is not cheap, it does retail for £25, but thats for a 50ml quantity and I must say a little does seem to go a long way, Id probably just use this once a day to get more uses out of it. Would I have purchased it it had been a 30ml jar? Probably not. 

Overall, this is an amazing product and well done once again to The Body Shop for bringing out a daily luxurious cream infused with three different precious seed oils. I have been very happy with my skin since using this product and it is clear that I was not looking after my skin as well as I had thought. I love everything about it from the spa like scent, to their packaging, to what it does to my skin and how it does not leave my face greasy. 


The range can be checked out here.

Have you tried out anything from the Oils of Life range? Let me know with a comment below:

Bye for now, Love and Lipstick


xxx

Blush Couture By Almas: A Review.

If you are on Facebook and you hear the name Blush Couture you instantly think of the sweet, sincere person behind it all. As well as the stunning and versatile pieces of Asian style tunics and dresses, it is the sweet and sincere personality of founder Alman Maan that will catch your eye first.

I was very fortunate to be sent a gorgeous one off piece of a kurti dress in a stunning two toned colour to try out and review. Almas contacted and updated me every step of the way from dispatch and delivery times to right up to when I received the piece so it is clear that communication and customer service is definitely at the top of her list. Blush Couture is essentially an on-line business mainly operating from its Facebook page which can be found here. Also available are dresses, maxi gowns, Abayas and one off designer pieces. There is also an official website too where people can view images of the single pieces on offer so that they can get an idea of just how timeless and effortless the pieces are. Be warned however, these pieces come as a single piece and are just a one off, once sold, they are not restocked, so whatever catches your eye will need to be snapped up quick! 

*Before, I hop right into the review, lets look into the definition of a kurta/kurti? Essentially a kurta which is an Urdu, Punjabi, Begali and Gujarati word is a traditional item of clothing worn by men originating from the Indian Subcontinent. It is typically a loose fitting shirt that falls below the knees. When a woman wears a Kurta it is called a 'Kurti', which can sometimes be much shorter than kurtas worn by men and can fall mid thigh. Did you know however that the word 'kurta' actually originates from Persia and literally means a 'collarless shirt?'

The Kurti form Blush Couture came beautifully wrapped and packaged in a hot pink tissue paper complete with a label and ribbon, it looked stunning and would certainly make a great gift to someone for almost any occasion be it birthdays and weddings. It looks even more stunning in real life and the colour, embellishment on it and the fabric appears to be of a high quality. It feels comfortable to wear yet stylish at the same time. The beauty of it is that even when it will be pulled out of the wardrobe a few months later, it will still feel like a timeless classic as if you are wearing it for the very first time. 

As for the specifics, inner petticoat lining is included  which is really handy and they all come in one size. Chest measurements range from 32-40 inches and are up to 42-44 inches in length for both the kaftans and kurtis. The pieces do come in a lovely low cut style yet sleeves and waistline fits can be altered by a good tailor as per your preference and fit, bearing in mind that an alteration service is not available with Blush Couture. 

www.facebook.com/blushcouturecollection

Almas's overall mission when questioned is to "focus on sourcing the best and most versatile prints in women's Asian fashion wear for Kurti dresses and kaftan style Kurtis -tunic wear which always keeps in mind the UK's unpredictable seasonal climate along with the essence of fusing eastern and western styles together"

This choice of style and fashion has quickly become a designer favourite with more and more ladies opting to fit in kurtis and kaftaans in their everyday lives. For me, this particular piece represents designer style and fashion as well as comfort which I believe is the perfect combination when it comes to clothing. The biggest advantage of this is that it is perfect for all shapes and sizes, from the slim girls, to the plus sizes and is equally perfect for the younger girls all the way to the mature older women and even for pregnant nursing mums since it is so comfortable to wear. Whatever the preference, there is a piece out there for everyone.

I chose to pair my kurti up with a pair of black leggings but again the beauty of it is that the choice is endless. It can be worn with jeans if you are going for the casual look as well as pajamas, salwars, churidars or dhotis if you are opting for the more formal look. The option of footwear when wearing this is again endless from heels to flats, the choice is yours. Again, as the piece is so versatile it can be worn anywhere, taking you from the day time looks at events, barbecues and gatherings, to evening events, weddings, parties and even on holidays straight off the beach for that glam holiday look. 

Prices start from as little as £45 ranging up to £65 for the pure flowly gorgettes which is a bargain compared to if you were to purchase something like this from an established Asian High Street designer or boutique where the prices are likely to be double depending on the amount of embellishment, work and the print.The price range is very affordable yet still guarantees uniqueness and individuality.

I am definitely looking forward to wearing this piece for a hot summer wedding where I desire both style and comfort and the pretty colour is just perfect for it. I definitely think the pieces currently offered are amazing and I would highly recommend them without any doubt. Be sure to check out the Blush Couture collection to be equally mesmerised over on the following:

"Transition through seasons with Blush Couture

Styles of Distinction"

www.facebook.com/blushcouturecollection

Instagram: almasmaanblush

Twitter: BlushbyAlmas 

www.blush-couture.co.uk 

Did you know that you can now pre order with either a deposit or full payment for delivery for Februarys Valentines Day bonanza? Contact Alman on the above or on 07905154285 for the Spring 2016 sneak peeks. Prices start from £55 including postage and packaging.

I would like to take this opportunity to give my heartfelt thanks to Almas for sending me this beautiful piece to try and review and for having faith in me. She remains sincere and humble and is the sweetest person I have come across.  For any enquiries or pre orders please get in touch with her on her facebook page and she will be more than happy to help. I wish Almas all the very best in all her ventures as it is truly deserved. 

Have you checked out the Blush Couture collection?

Love and Lipstick

xxx

*Disclaimer- Product received for review purposes only, I am in no way or form associated with Blush Couture aside from reviewing this piece and I have not been paid to do this review. 

* Source: http://daily.indianroots.com/kurtakurti/

Picutres modelled by Samiya Khan.