Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Beauty at Ideal World



A few months ago, I was lucky enough to be sent a lovely package full of beauty goodies from Ideal World! It has taken me a little while to get through everything, but I hope I can give you a bit of an idea of what the TV shopping channel's website has to offer!




This is actually a product I have been dying to try for a very long time, and I was very excited to see it in the box! You may have seen me doing a first impressions on my Instagram story about it. The eraser is essentially a very very soft elongated flannel. The fibres are very thick and dense, I am assuming this is the science behind how the eraser works to take off your makeup! 

It is straightforward to use, you are supposed to wet it with warm water and then wash your makeup off your face. As I showed in my story, this did actually work! I was really impressed with it. As I wear quite strong lash glue, I did find that I need to use a makeup remover with it. I usually use the Clinique Take Off The Day Cleansing Balm before washing it off with the makeup eraser. This is my favourite way of using it, but you can definitely use it without any product! You are supposed to wash it quite often, but I don't and I haven't died yet. It is quite big, so you could definitely use it a few times by maximising the surface area before washing if you are more hygienic than me!




Elizabeth Grant 

There were quite a few bits from Elizabeth Grant in the box for me to test. Elizabeth Grant is a Canadian company which started out as a skincare brand but has since branched out to other various beauty products, such as makeup. 

If you like Vanilla, then you should definitely check out the Vanilla Body Cream. The smell is quite strong and lasts all day on the skin. The formula has a lovely consistency, not too thin or too thick and absorbs into the skin quickly. 

The Firming Eye Pads (£19.99) are equally lovely. I am not one for bags under my eyes, but these are super relaxing.

There was also a lip stain, which I used after the moisturising lipstick balm. Although it stung a little when applying, the colour was really beaut on. It lasted really well on the lips, and only gave you a tint of colour. If you're someone who doesn't want to wear lipstick but wants to darken their lip colour, this is definitely for you. It is a little sticky at first but it quickly dries! 

And finally, a little bottle of perfume! This little thing has been a life saver to just pop into my bag when I'm out for the whole day. (I know, I do sometimes leave the flat!). It smells gorgeous and lasts a really long time. Perfect for that top up!


Skinn 

This is another beauty range that is sold on Ideal World, which does both makeup and skincare as well. I have tried out a few makeup bits!

I absolutely love the Enriched Softening Essence. It is described as a Pre-Treat & Hydrate Lotion - make what you want of that but I just use it as a standard primer. It is a clear liquid formula that looks like water! It is super hydrating on the skin and I like using this when my skin is feeling a little dryer. It is very light on the skin and makeup applies really well to it. I am currently using Estée Lauder Double Wear, a very high coverage thick foundation, and it sits really well on the Essence! 

The Glosstick and the Plasma Fusion Nourishing Lipstick are super hydrating, but not really my kind of lip product. I love a bold, full colour and these give a very sheer look. Both give off a hint of colour and leave a bit of a shine on the lip. I know that a lot of people look for that in a lip product, so definitely check them out if that's what you like in a lip product! They are very comfortable on the lip and leave my lips feeling soft after using them.



I have LOVED using this sponge. As a generally hairy gal, I do tend to need to exfoliate a fair amount to keep my hair removal in tip top condition. I love the shape and idea behind this product, definitely makes it stand out from the crowd. It is a very gentle exfoliator but it also cleans the body as well. My skin is left feeling really moisturised. The product comes out of the sponge really easily under the water. It smells amazing, quite a light but sweet coconut scent. It has a handy ribbon hook as well for easy storage in the bathroom. 



Is there anything more satisfying than a peel off mask? Another thing that I have recently reviewed on my Instagram Story is this beauty. (Basically, you should probably follow me on Instagram). This mask was really easy to apply, all I have to do is wait 10 minutes and then I get full satisfaction of peeling it off my face! The mask leaves my skin looking radiant and clear straight away. Did I mention you get to peel it off?


And that concludes my little insight into some of the lovely beauty products at Ideal World! It was a little long, and I do applaud you if you made it through! There is a HUGE range of products on the website as well, I have even spied some Estée Lauder. 

Thank you for reading!

Love, Gweni xxx



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This post contains PR samples but all opinions are my own.
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Sunday, June 25, 2017

Curated Combination

Curated Combination

Curated Combination

Curated Combination

Curated Combination

Curated Combination

Curated Combination

Curated Combination

Curated Combination

If you follow my Instagram stories, you may have come across me talking about a really fab subscription box I received last month. The Curated Combination box has really impressed me and I'm excited to share my opinions with you all! 

Curated Combination was created by Sam from Little Fickle and Katy from The Lilac Scrapbook. I have been following both of these girls right from when I started blogging, two and a half years ago. I have always had a lot of respect for the two girls and I was so excited when they got in touch. It's really lovely to be able to support fellow bloggers.

The subscription box has been curated for bloggers, full of beauty goodies and the like. It costs £12.50 including postage, which I personally think is a huge bargain as all the products are full sized. And I got some real treats in my box!

First of all, I got Toni & Guy Nourish & Cleanse Shampoo and Conditioner for dry hair. This was excellent timing as my shampoo and conditioner had recently run out! I have been using them and I really like them. My hair often does need an extra boost, apparently bleaching hair does not do too many wonders for keeping your hair in good condition! The products have really helped to keep my hair well conditioned and soft. I don't want to brag but my hair is smelling pretty good at the moment. 

The Ark Pre Cleanse & Make-Up Remover has been a favourite for me. I love me a good cleanser to remove my makeup, and this one is fab. It is an oil which you rub all over your face and then rinse off with water. It is quite a thin formula, which means you don't have to use much. I have found it to work really well, even on my stubborn lash glue! It smells lovely as well, a lovely lavender scent. I tend to use a muslin cloth to wash it off though instead of just water alone. This works just as well!

Next up is the Bramley Hand Cream. To be honest, I'm not the biggest hand cream person. My hands aren't particularly dry and I find the lotion a little bit annoying when I'm trying to get on with things. However, it does smell amazing and does make your hands feel really soft. Another lavender product, but it does smell quite floral. I'm sure my Mum will love having this in her bathroom when I head home for Summer! 

The more random of the goodies was the Portlebay Popcorn in Sherbet Lemon. I've had a quick look on their website and there are SO many cool flavours, for example Very Berry and Cinnamon Swirl. I didn't think I would like the popcorn much, but I have been munching through them while writing this post and they're SO GOOD. They really taste like sherbet lemon! It is an odd combo, but it really works. Plus the packet is so full! No Walkers half full packet funny business going on here! 

The most used product for me has definitely been the Gosh Infinity Eyeliner Carbon Black. Another product that I was running out of and needed a new one! The formula is soft and creamy, something very important for me and my sore eyelids. The formula is super pigmented, quite essential in an eyeliner if you ask me. It hasn't gone down too quickly on me at all. It's great if you want to smoke out your eyeliner a little as well. The formula lends itself well to it and the smudger on the other end smokes it out beautifully. I have been using it in my waterline and just on the top of my lids to cover up the false lash band! Really like this product. 

One big surprise to me was the Makeup Geek Plush Lip Cream! The matte cream is a beautiful red colour, as shown in the swatches, called Beauty Queen. The formula is really lovely on the lip, very creamy and not drying at all. It dries really matte on the lip, and I do love a good matte! It is a lip cream, so its staying power is a little less than that of a liquid lipstick but it does last fairly well. I did have to reapply when I ate, but I didn't need to apply much! The applicator is super soft and easy to use, perfect for getting the shape you want.

And last of all, of course I needed a little canvas bag to pop all of my goodies in! I love the purple and rose gold design of this bag, very blogger-esque. It's been super handy for me to store the ridiculous amount of stuff I own! 

I think that concludes my review of the Curated Combination box! I would highly recommend it to bloggers who want to try out some new products without breaking the bank. £12.50 including postage is ridiculously good for all of these full sized products. I have just done a little calculation and if I had bought them separately, it would have cost around £80!! If that isn't enough to sell you, I don't know what is. 

Let me know what your thoughts are about the box. I've been really impressed by it! Thank you for reading.

Love, Gweni xxx


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This post includes PR samples but all thoughts are my own.
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Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Acid Erosion

Toothstars

Tips on dealing with acid erosion

help with teeth toothstars

For the last 6 years or so I have been dealing with the slight issue of acid erosion on my teeth. It's not really a massive problem, but it can be slightly irritating and can affect my day to day life. I wouldn't say I struggle at all, but I do bear it in mind and I'm sure there are thousands of you out there who put up with it on the daily as well!

What is Acid Erosion?

Acid erosion is essentially where the tooth's enamel has been broken down by acid. It is unfortunately irreversible, although there are some techniques that you can put in place to prevent it getting worse. The enamel protects the tooth, and with it being broken down, the tooth can be very sensitive to certain foods (usually acidic, surprise surprise!) and can cause discomfort in the mouth. 

What causes it?

You may be shocked to find out that it is in fact, acid which causes acid erosion! The two main culprits are stomach acids and acidic food/drink. Stomach acids eroding teeth is usually down to throwing up a lot, as it comes as part of the package. Acidic food and drink is usually the worst offender, with fizzy drinks, fruit juices and wine being the enemy. They definitely are for me! 

How to deal with acid erosion?

Avoiding foods and taking precautions are the ways that I deal with acid erosion. 

Foods and drinks to avoid
  • Fizzy Drinks - diet versions of fizzy drinks are usually more acidic, I *think* it is because of the sweeteners that they use instead of sugar. Obviously sugar is not very good for your teeth either! Diet Coke is definitely something that has negatively impacted my teeth.
  • Fruit Juices - thankfully I'm not fussed about these anyway, but I know that orange juice can be very damaging to your teeth. So do watch out if you're drinking this very regularly!
  • Wine - my teeth are always in a bit of a state after I've been drinking wine. I have found that white wine and rosé hurt my teeth more than red, but I've still found red to be a bit of a pain! As my teeth have been worn down, I get quite purple teeth when I drink red wine now! 
  • Fruit - I very rarely eat fruit anymore, which is a huge shame and I do miss it. As my acid erosion is behind my two top front teeth - biting into fruit is just a big no from me. Apples are the absolute worst.
If you are going to drink these though, my main tip is to use a straw! It helps me so much to limit the amount of acid getting on my teeth. It does unfortunately mean that you have to be that person who always asks for a straw. 

They are the top food and drinks I avoid, or try to limit as much as I can. At the end of the day, I love a good glass of red with a steak and Diet Coke fixes my hangovers. If you suffer from acid erosion, do let me know if there are any other foods you avoid. 

Precautions to take

It goes without saying that going to the dentist is the first place you should be going! A couple of easy ways of finding dentists in your area is through a quick google search or asking for recommendations from friends and family. It was the dentist who first picked up on my acid erosion and gave me advice on what to do about it. They also prescribed me some really good toothpaste, which is called Colgate Duraphat, this is only available through prescriptions though. 

Your choice of toothpaste and toothbrush is very important. I have tried a fair few different brands, but have stuck religiously to the Colgate 360 Sensitive Pro-Relief Extra Soft Toothbrush (£3.99). Every other toothbrush has just been too harsh on my teeth. If I have run out of the Duraphat toothpaste and haven't been able to go to the dentist, then there are two toothpastes that I like and would recommend. The first being the Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief (£3.80) and the second Sensodyne Pro Namel (£4.50). Both of which I have really liked and I don't have a preference between the two. The main priority in looking for toothpaste is finding one that is aimed at repairing and protecting tooth enamel. 

General good oral care is also extremely important in looking after your teeth, with or without acid erosion! One way of ensuring this is doing your research. One website that I have found to be excellent and filled with good advice is ToothStars. The website is a British dental magazine, written by professionals in the field with a huge wealth of knowledge. The website covers many aspects of oral hygiene, from children's oral hygiene, teeth whitening, mouth ulcers to teeth whitening. I particularly enjoyed Essential Tooth Brushing Tips, Five More Myths About Oral Hygiene and Teeth Whitening Health & Safety. There are so many informative articles on there, and I genuinely do believe that knowledge is power! 


I am not a doctor or dentist, so please don't take anything I have written as fact. But that is my experience with my teeth and I hope it may raise a little bit of awareness to the dangers of acid! Please do let me know if you have acid erosion or deal with any mouth/teeth related problems.

Thank you for reading! 

Love, Gweni xxx


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This post is sponsored but all opinions are my own.

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Friday, June 02, 2017

Runway Rogue

Runway Rogue

Runway Rogue Lipstick

Runway Rogue Lipstick

Runway Rogue Lipstick

Runway Rogue Lipstick

If you know me at all, you will know that I love a good lipstick. Although I am a big MAC fan, I have fallen in love with Rimmel lipsticks as well. So you can imagine my excitement at being sent a few lipsticks from the Runway Rogue collection!

The brand is actually situated in the US, created by Patricia Hartman who was a model back in the 90s. She was inspired and influenced by the impact that makeup could have on her face as a model and tunnelled that into creating her own range of makeup. You can shop the website by lipstick formula or by what attitude you are trying to create! A nice added touch, in my opinion. 

Runway Rogue sells lipsticks, lip liners and lip glosses. I was kindly given two lip liners and a lipstick to test out! The lip liners I have been testing are Sexy and Strut and the lipstick is Casting Call. The lip liners retail at $18 and the lipsticks at $21. 

The lip liners are super creamy and pigmented, as you can probably see from the pictures! Sexy is a beautiful red, that unfortunately didn't really go with the lipstick for me, but I have been able to pair it with other lipsticks. Strut is a fab deep purple colour, I'm looking forward to wearing this in Autumn! I definitely prefer these to the MAC lip liners. The creamy consistency reminds me of that of the Kylie Jenner lip pencils! 

The lipstick is beautifully pigmented as well. Casting Call is a beautiful deep red lip colour, perfect for evening events. The lipstick is really comfortable on the lip and lasts really well. It is advertised as a matte lipstick, but it does have a little bit more of a sheen than most matte lipsticks. This isn't a problem for me at all, but it may be for some! You can head over to my Instagram post to see the lipstick in action on my face. 

I have been really impressed with these products, especially the lip liners! I am always looking for new lip liners, for some reason I am lacking a little in this department - especially in comparison to my lipstick collection! 

I hope you enjoyed my review, let me know if you have tried any of their products! Thank you for reading. 

Love, Gweni xxx 


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This post contains PR samples but all opinions are my own.
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