Sunday 4 August 2013

Geek Week on YouTube

Hello lovely! Today I'd like to quickly draw your attention to a special week that is always going to be embraced here at FromGeektoChic, it's YouTube Geek Week. Yippee.

http://www.nerdist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/YouTube.jpg

The geekiest of the geeks have gathered for a whole week of massively geeky antics on YouTube. User content will be celebrating geekery and nerdism from the four corners of the globe and we very much approve.

Geek Week is August 4th to August 10th over on YouTube.com. Here's a way to test if you're geeky enough for geek week. 

See how many you are able to correctly identify from the below video and let me know how you get on.



My score? 3/3 naturally...

Enjoy Geek Week! 

Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Wednesday 31 July 2013

Comic Relief presents Hangout Comedy Club for Edinburgh Fringe

Hello lovely! Today I'd like to talk about something that combines a few of my absolute favourite things. Technology, comedy and red nose day. 

Comic Relief have joined forces with Google and YouTube so that you will be able to watch some of the comedians live at the Edinburgh Fringe festival from the comfort of your own sofa. Cool, right?

Thanks to Google+ hangout you'll be able to watch Katherine Ryan launch the first show on Thursday August 8th at 8pm. 

How do you get involved? It's pretty simple to be fair, here's a video giving you an overview, courtesy of the Comic Relief YouTube channel followed by step by step instructions, Geek to Chic style.


Here's what you need to do in order to get involved...

1.) Get yourself a Google+ account... Sign up here and download the Google video chat plugin, found here.

2.) Go to http://www.youtube.com/user/rednoseday and click on booking, book yourself a seat for the comedy show you fancy. Choose from:

Katherine Ryan, August 8th at 8pm
Sanderson Jones, August 15th at 10pm
Joey Page, August 19th at 10pm

Fancy being on the front row? Select that option to apply and 9 people will be chosen for the front row of each show. You'll be able to see the comedian and they'll be able to see you, so prepare to get involved! (Be picked on...)

Don't fancy being on the front row? Then just click on ‘Get a seat’, and choose to ‘No I’m happy joining and hanging out with my friends'. Then all you have to do is sign-in with Google+ and add the event to your calendar. You'll get a email reminder to join the Hangout on the night. Simples. 

 3.) You're done. Wait until the night of the comedy show..

4.) It's here, woohoo! Click on the link on your reminder email, or go directly here.

5.) Grab a beer / cocktail / coffee / cheese rack <delete as appropriate>

5.) When you're in the Hangout you can click the invite button at the top left of the window to invite up to 9 of your friends. They will also need to have a Google+ log-in and the Google chat plugin linked above.

6.) Turn your webcam on and if you applied for a front row seat, get ready! If you're on the back row then Google Hangout with your friends and watch their reactions.

And that's it. Easy. It's free to join the Google hangout, the 'Laughometer' will use your webcam to work out how much you've enjoyed the show and will propose a proportionate cash donation to charity. (No obligation, of course)

How? Well it will calibrate your smile at the beginning of the hangout and the Laughometer will be able to read your emotions. Comedy, meets technology geekery, meets charity. Brilliant.

Let me know if you book your seat!

Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Sunday 28 July 2013

Headcase Hair Salon in Derby

Hello lovely! Today it's a quick shout out for a hair salon in Derby that I popped in to absolutely last minute the other day called Headcase.

It's that moment when one of your friend turns around to you and says "Lau, would you like me to cut your hair...?" When you think: I really need to go to a salon.

So here I am with the lovely Liam who sorted my split ends ready for a night out on the town - it was lovely to meet you Liam! 
 

If you're local to Derby, or visiting, you can find them in the Eagle Centre. Give them a buzz on 01332 203198 or just pop in and say hello.

It's not just about shouting for brands or products that you love, but it's always worth giving a mention to places every now and again too. Nice one, Headcase. 

Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Wednesday 24 July 2013

My Current Nail Polish Favourites

Hello lovely! Today I'm going to be letting you know a few of my current favourite nail polishes to wear in this Summer to Autumn transitional period.

First up - the amazing and absolutely always in season, Pirate by Chanel.


It's a gorgeous, wearable, deep red. It leans towards the cooler side of the red spectrum and I just feel like it absolutely goes with everything. I prefer 2 coats of Pirate in order to get a decent level of opacity.

This isn't a vampy red, it's classic and I think it compliments all skin tones. 

If you've never tried a Chanel nail polish before, where have you been? They are a considerable purchase at £18 each, but they last an absolute age. 

Next up on my 'what I'm currently loving' list is Bikini by Dior. 

 
Bikini is a lovely coral / salmon shade and I absolutely adore it. Again totally opaque on the second coat and it has a glossy sheen that makes it a really pretty summer wear. 

Dior nail varnishes have a really lovely tapered brush which makes application really easy. I highly recommend these nail polishes and their colour range is very diverse. Dior nail varnishes will also set you back £18.

And last but not least on my current favourite list... It's Patriculiere by Chanel.


For some reason Chanel like to class this as a grey but as you can see above it has a very brown undertone and is much warmer than a grey. (Silly Chanel...) 

This is much more of an autumn colour and it will definitely help you see in the season without too much misery that the sun is leaving us for another year. 

Another nail polish that needs 2 coats, it looks great on pale skin and lovely on deeper skin tones too. 

What are your current nail polish faves? Let me know your recommendations.

Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Sunday 21 July 2013

L'Oreal Paris 3 in 1 Micellar Solution

Hello lovely! Today I'd like to talk about the brand new Micellar Soluton from L'Oreal Paris. 



This is billed as a 3 in 1 purifying micellar solution that does the following:

1. Dissolves make-up

2. Unclogs pores and removes impurities

3. Tones and soothes skin
 
It's hypo allergenic and suitable for sensitive skin. It's designed to be used on the face, eyes and skin. 


Much like the Bioderma H2O, which I love, it is a solution that feels like a water on your skin but acts as a make up remover, toner and general skin soother all in one. 

All you need to do is pop a little on a cotton wool pad and sweep it over your eyes and face in order to remove your make up, any excess oil and impurities.

What's a micellar solution, I hear you ask...

Well, it's a bit of a 'buzz word' in the beauty community at the moment. And being on the geeky side of the beauty world, you know I'd be interested in the technical specs. 

Imagine a molecule cluster with 2 ends, this is a micelle. One end of the cluster loves water (hydrophilic), the other end hates it (hydrophobic) so once a micelle is put into a water solution, the molecule clusters group to form a spherical shape that on the outside loves water and on the inside hates it. 

When this comes in contact with the skin, the micelle spheres split open and when it's pulled away, the sphere closes again. During this process the cluster grabs whatever isn't water from the skin - so it basically lifts up make up, traces of dirt and oil with this little scientific wonder of a process. Cool, right? 

I have to say, scientifically cool or not, I want to shout about this product from the rooftops a little bit because I LOVE it. I've already recommended it to a dozen people and even purchased it for someone because I just know that they need this product in their life. 

The normal price is £4.99 but at the moment in Boots it has an introductory price of £3.33 and I think I'll be stocking up on a few bottles because this is a definite new staple in my daily routine. 

If you're looking for a Bioderma dupe or a new make up remover, I couldn't recommend this enough. And for the price, what have you got to lose? 

Pick one up next time you're in Boots and let me know what you think.

Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Wednesday 17 July 2013

Max Factor Wild Shadow Pencil

Hello lovely! Today I'd like to talk about the brand new Wild Shadow Pencil from Max Factor. I'm sure you've seen the billboards and magazine posters for this in the last week. 

It goes hand in hand with the Wild Mega Volume Mascara I recently reviewed. 


These are 2-in-1 Gel Shadows and Liners that Max Factor are professing will give you the precision of an eyeliner and high pigmentation to give a fierce, bold look. 

The pencils come in 8 colours and the colour that I have is called Fierce Lime. The other colours below are Savage Silver, Vicious Moss, (Fierce Lime), Untamed Pink, Camel Rage, Bold Sapphire, Brazen Gold and Ice Fury.


I have to say that swatching this pencil, it does have a decent level of pigmentation as you can see from the below photograph. It's also very creamy in texture.


It's not the most wearable shade in the world, however I think when choosing a shadow pencil or liner, you really have to go for what shades best suit your eye colour. 

If you have blue eyes, Bold Sapphire would be nice because a darker shade than your eye colour will make your eyes look really blue. 

If your eyes are green or hazel, try Camel Rage, this will pick out the green and brown flecks in your eyes.

And for brown eyes, the Untamed Pink or Fierce Lime will make your eyes pop.

So here's how the shade I have, Fierce Lime, looks on me...


I've also teamed it with the Wild Mega Volume Mascara which was released by Max Factor at the same time, you can see my review on that here.  
 
This product was ridiculously easy to apply, easy to blend and it is very pigmented. I'd recommend picking up a colour and giving it a go. At £4.99 a pop, you can't go wrong.

If you're feeling bold, then why not pick up one of the more intense shades...

As always, be sure to let me know how you get on!


Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Sunday 14 July 2013

Max Factor Wild Mega Volume Mascara

Hello lovely! Today I'd like to talk about the brand new mascara from Max Factor. I'm sure you've seen the billboards and magazine posters for this in the last week.

It's called Wild Mega Volume. (Catchy...)


Max Factor claim to take your lash look to the next level with this new mascara. Apparently it blackens and plumps up the look of every lash because of the amplifier brush.

It has hollow, soft bristle fibres with an hourglass design, a waist of shorter bristles hold the formula; allowing it to be deposited on the lash base instantly. 

It's all a bit of make up engineering blurb isn't it? Let's cut to the chase, does it work?

Well, let's take a look at this wand and see what's different about it... 

You can see from the image below that it does have an hourglass brush which is really quite unique. I also instantly notice that the product doesn't seem to clump anywhere on the brush, it's all very evenly distributed.


The mascara goes on really easily and you'll see from the image below, it does a great job of separating the lashes. You can also see it's a very 'black' black, which I really like.


You only get 11ml of mascara in the tube however, which is slightly less than most mascaras will offer and as such, it's a little shorter than most mascara tubes.

Having said that, at £4.99, it's a bit of a steal and if you get chance to pick this up, I would recommend giving it a try.

A good option to pick up with your Boots Advantage Card points perhaps? 
  
Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Wednesday 10 July 2013

City Socializer Update


Hello lovely! Today is a quick update for you about www.citysocializer.com...



In case you missed my previous post about Citysocializer then you can read it here.

If you're looking to meet new drinking buddies, girls for a girly night in or just to expand your social circle, Citysocializer provides you with an online library of likeminded people in your local area. People who want to seize the day (carpe diem, if you're really posh...) and it gives you a platform in order to get in touch with those people. 

UPDATED NEWS: Citysocializer have just launched their new smartphone application - brilliant. 

To celebrate their new app, they've released this really cute little video which explains a little more about the concept and how it works. Check it out below.



My city, Derby, is sparsely populated on the site. So I'm hoping by getting a bit of publicity out there and hopefully with this new smartphone application too I can entice a few more members and see if we get get Derby rocking. 

I hosted a social a few weeks ago and it was great fun and I met some really lovely, like minded people. 

If you feel like getting out there and finding some cool new things to do and people to meet, then head on over to citysocializing.com or download the app. Hopefully see you at the next social!
  
Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Sunday 7 July 2013

Origins GinZing Trio, Part Three: Brightening Mascara.

Hello lovely! Today I'd like to talk about another product in the new 'Origins' GinZing range. 

It's the Brightening Mascara.


According to the product notes this is a brightening mascara to lengthen and lift your eyelashes - an exciting claim.

Unlike the rest of the 'in your face' packing for the Origins GinZing range, this is an incredibly and unexpectedly dull tube. Bit of a shame...

You'll get 14ml of mascara in this tube, which is about industry standard. 

I'm struggling to find anything exciting to say about the wand, it's pretty bog standard to be honest. It has a few different shaped bristles, but it's pretty normal. 


The mascara formula is quite thick and it's a nice dark black. 

As you can see from the picture below, my lashes look 'OK' but I just don't see anything that sets this mascara apart. My lashes don't look particularly lengthened or lifted. 



For £17.50, I won't be repurchasing this mascara. I think that's a seriously hefty price tag for a mascara and I'd rather go for something like They're Real by Benefit or Zoom Lash by MAC. 

However if you'd like to give it a go, you can buy this product from Boots online or in store. As well as other retailers that sell the Origins range.

So that marks the end of my three-part Origins GinZing mini-series and sadly all of the products failed to find their place in my make up bag. Oh dear... Better luck next time Origins. 

If you're looking to make a purchase within this range, check out my reviews on the Origins Energy-Boosting Moisturizer & Refreshing Eye Cream too. 
  
Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Wednesday 3 July 2013

Origins GinZing Trio, Part Two: Refreshing Eye Cream.

Hello lovely! Today I'd like to talk about another product in the new 'Origins' GinZing range. Complete with it's bright orange packaging, you simply can't miss it.

Today I'm reviewing the Refreshing Eye Cream. 


According to the product notes it rapidly wakes up, refreshed and restores radiance to tired eyes. 

Before I review this product I do have to note that (fortunately) I don't suffer with particularly tired looking eyes. I have crease lines under my eyes when I smile, but my eyes look pretty similar on a day to day basis. 

Because of the above, I've never really invested in an eye cream that would de-puff or brighten, having said that, it does appeal to me to have brighter eyes; so I was excited to give this a try.

The pot holds 15ml of product, so it's only a little diddy pot - but that will go a pretty long way because you really only need a tiny amount of product under your eyes.

Unlike the Energy-Boosting Moisturizer from Origins that I reviewed last week (check out that blog post here) this eye cream doesn't really have a smell. 



It's a very thin texture and a few dots under the eye area is all it takes followed by a few swipes of your finger and the cream is absorbed.

It sinks into the skin really simply and voila, you're done.

Now to the disappointing part... For £23.00, I wouldn't be repurchasing this product. It's another item in the GinZing range that I just don't 'get' because it simply does nothing for me. I had to force myself to use this every day so that I could provide a review, because it simply made no difference whether I used this product or not. 

Having said that, I've seen some glowing reviews from beauty bloggers and on the Boots.com website. So if you have particularly puffy eyes and you're looking for something to help with that, perhaps it's still worth picking this up to see if it works for you...

You can buy this product from Boots online or in store. As well as other retailers that sell the Origins range.

If you're looking to make a purchase within this range, check out my reviews on the Origins Energy-Boosting Moisturizer & Brightening Mascara too. 
  
Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Sunday 30 June 2013

Origins GinZing Trio, Part One: Energy-Boosting Moisturizer.


Hello lovely! Today I'd like to talk about a new range from 'Origins' which is the GinZing range. Complete with it's bright orange packaging, you simply can't miss it.

Today I'm reviewing the Energy-Boosting Moisturizer. 

According to the product notes it's a facial cream to instantly hydrate the skin and 'rev up' radiance. Origins are clearly down with the kids..

As always, let me cut through the blurb for you and tell you a little more about this moisturizer...

Firstly, I'm not a big fan of pots of product. I don't like the thought of having to dig your hand in every time you want to use it - it's surely the most unhygienic of packaging styles. I much prefer my moisturizer to be in a tube, but that's a personal preference.

The pot is deceptively large as it contains 50ml of product. 

When taking off the lid you are met with something highly unexpected; the smell. Remember at Christmas when you had a tin of Roses and after a few days you go to open the tin and all that's left are the Orange Cremes? This moisturizer smells EXACTLY like an Orange Creme. 

As for the texture...


It's quite thick but very lightweight. As soon as you pop this on the skin, all it takes is a small fingertip massage and it's instantly absorbed. It's a nice feeling and it's pleasant to apply.

Considering the aforementioned smell, it actually doesn't leave your skin smelling like an Orange Creme, which is baffling.

This moisturizer isn't greasy and you can start to apply foundation without having to wait too long for it to soak into the skin. 

Having said all of the above; I'm sorry Origins but this product doesn't wow me. After a while of using the Energy-Boosting Moisturizer, I noticed no notable difference in my skin. So for £23.00, I wouldn't be rushing back to the shop to repurchase this product I'm afraid. 

I certainly didn't feel like my skin had any more energy and other than my bedroom smelling distinctly of Christmas, there was no other benefit to using this product. 

You can buy this product from Boots online or in store. As well as other retailers that sell the Origins range.

If you're looking to make a purchase within this range, check out my reviews on the Origins Refreshing Eye Cream & Brightening Mascara too. 
  
Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Wednesday 26 June 2013

Ruffle No Feathers Cruelty Free Beauty Mini-Series Part 2


Hello lovely! Today is the second post in my cruelty free beauty mini-series - yippee!

If you missed the first post, you can find it here

In this mini-series, I am featuring products that have been sourced only from BUAV (British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection) approved companies. 

The products are all from www.rufflenofeathers.co.uk - the first, and only, online retailer in the UK to offer a wide range of various companies' products that meet the strict standards of the BUAV and in turn have been awarded the Leaping Bunny logo.

I champion Ruffle No Feathers because it's ran by Rebecca, a passionate and smart entrepeneur who is based locally to me. Rebecca maintains that even the beautiful packaging that her customer's products are sent out in is made from paper that is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified; made from sustainably managed forests and tissue paper that is 100% acid free recycled tissue paper - smart lady!

On to the mini series: Part 2, Shangri La Organics Angels Kiss Lip Balm.  
According to the product notes this lip balm has a blend of Apricot, Jojoba, Orange and Palmarosa essential oils, combined with Shea Butter and Beeswax. 

Make no mistake, this is a very luxurious lip balm... It smells absolutely divine and the little brushed glass pot is so beautiful! I'm not sure how well it would travel, it seems pretty sturdy though. 

The Angels Kiss Lip Balm will provide you with a solution to dry, chapped lips and with continued use you'll find your lips become softer and smoother. The lip balm also has a very subtle tingle that you'll notice 30 seconds or so after you massage it into your lips.

BUAV approved (of course!) and 100% organic, as part of the Shangri La Organics label, this product has been certified by the Soil Association and is guaranteed to have passed stringent tests and meet the highest standard for organic products. You can thus rest assured that this product was never tested on animals, and it’s certified to be kind not only to your lips, but also to animals and the environment.

How to use: Apply a small amount onto your lips and re-apply as and when needed - simples!

One of the nice things about this lip balm is that you can still smell it once applied to the lips. This is only a good thing if the scent is pleasant and let me tell you, you simply have to smell this lip balm! It's a really difficult scent to describe, but it's heavenly.

I would recommend this lip balm to anyone who doesn't mind a balm that isn't fragrance free. Especially if BUAV approved, cruelty free products are important to you and you have very luxurious tastes. 

Shangri La Organics have a number of other products, including a foot balm, rescue balm and hand balm - the epitome of luxury. 

You can find the Shangri La Organics Angels Kiss Lip Balm on the Ruffle No Feathers website, here.
  
Stay tuned for Part 3 of our cruelty free beauty mini-series next week!

Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Sunday 23 June 2013

Amazon Locker


Hello lovely! Today I'd like to tell you about something that I'm quite excited about; Amazon Locker.


You may not know this but amazon have started a new delivery service called Amazon Locker. It's a self-service delivery location for you to collect parcels purchased from amazon.co.uk

So how does it work? Well, upon checkout instead of selecting to have your loot delivered to home or work, you can select a 'locker' location to pick up your parcel at a time that's convenient for you. Once your parcel is delivered to the Amazon locker, you'll receive a notification by email with a unique pick-up code.

Pop along to your amazon locker, use the touch screen and enter your pick-up code. You'll then be given a message with your parcel's locker number and the door will open. 

Here's my local amazon locker. Pretty cool, eh? 


 
You can search to see if there's a locker location in your area by going here. I believe that they are primarily in Co-Operative stores. And don't panic if you haven't seen a locker, a lot of the Co-Op stores are still offering a collection service even if there is no locker in store. They will just hold your parcels in storage on site. 

All you have to do to use the Amazon Locker service is select the option during checkout. If all the items in your shopping basket are eligible for delivery to a locker; then awesome!

You will have 3 working days to pick up your parcels from the Amazon Locker location, which is pretty cool. Let's face it there's little more frustrating than having to stay in for a delivery or indeed missing a delivery altogether. This is what makes the service so great.

You'll know when the item has been delivered to the locker location because you'll get an e-mail from Amazon to let you know. Then you can just swing by when it's convenient for you to do so and pick up your package.

How much does it cost? Well until June 30th, Amazon are offering a 'One-Day Amazon Locker Delivery' for £1.99 per delivery. After that, it will depend on the item(s) and prices will be displayed during the checkout process.

'Standard Amazon Locker Delivery' is also available. This service is comparable to First Class and until June 30th, Amazon are offering this delivery option for FREE. Woohoo!

Overall, I reckon this new service from Amazon is genius. Imagine you're going away across the country for a week and you order something - why not select an Amazon Locker delivery for the destination address and pick it up when you get there - brilliant! 

I'm sure you'll start to see and hear a lot more about Amazon Locker. What do you think?

Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.


Wednesday 19 June 2013

Pamper Morning at Francesco Group Derby


Hello lovely! Today I'd like to talk about my recent experience at Francesco Group Derby - where a friend and I had our hair done for a girly day out in London. Woohoo!


First things first, I have to say that I can't believe I've never been to this salon before. I thought I had been to most salons in Derby since I moved here 5 years ago but this one is quite the hidden gem.

Francesco Group in Derby is based on Victoria Street and once you head on up the lovely mirrored and lit staircase, you are met by a very 'vogue looking' reception area. This space is really modern, fresh and clean.


My friend and I decided on having curly hair for our special day out - got to love a bit of volume! The day out was actually in aid of my birthday and I have to say I was rather depressed at turning 28, so I was definitely in need of a pamper. 

We had our hair washed at the basin area which is to the one side of the salon, it's a lovely little secluded area and the chairs are insanely comfortable. Which is always a relief.

Here we are undergoing the grooming process. We were in the safe hands of the manager Christopher and his colleagues. The stylists were very friendly, attentive and keen to help out with our hair questions. I always make the most of hair appointments by asking my stylist questions. Don't be shy when you're in a salon - if you have any hair queries ask the experts while you have the chance!


My stylist also had the new Wella Luxe Oil which I was particularly excited about and she used it on my hair. It smells a-ma-zing, it's a really lightweight oil and having read up online about it, it's good for transforming and conditioning damaged hair. It contains Argan, Jojoba and Almond Oil. With ingredients like that, you can't go too wrong, can you!

Francesco Group salon prices start from £20.00 for a cut and finish, £15.00 for men's hair and colouring starts from £30.00. Always speak to your salon about the type of stylist too - if you're on a budget, you can always see a trainee or junior stylist and you'll benefit from the best price possible. You'll still get the luxury of the salon, with the same treatments and service.

 
Here's my finished result which I loved, my hair stayed really volumised all day and I felt really glamourous yet understated, which is a very good thing indeed.



Here is my friend Jayne's hair - her hair is really long and she never curls or straightens it, so it was really good for her to have a new 'do' for our day out. 



And for all you local Chic Geeks out there, Francesco salon has WiFi - so fear not, you won't have to miss reading your favourite posts on FromGeektoChic while you are pampered in the salon. Phew!

I also got to take a look at the new ghd Eclipse straighteners while I was in the salon, they look really sleek and from what I can see they boast a more even heat than previous ghd stylers. 

If you're local to Derby or visiting for the day and want to pop in to the salon for a new hair do, you can contact Francesco Group directly on 01332 340 532. 

You can also visit their blog on francescoderby.wordpress.com or the official Francesco group website on francescogroup.co.uk.
  
Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Sunday 16 June 2013

Ruffle No Feathers Cruelty Free Beauty Mini-Series Part 1


Hello lovely! Today is the first in my cruelty free beauty mini-series - yippee!

I'm going to be featuring products that have been sourced only from BUAV (British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection) approved companies. 

The products are all from www.rufflenofeathers.co.uk - the first, and only, online retailer in the UK to offer a wide range of various companies' products that meet the strict standards of the BUAV and in turn have been awarded the Leaping Bunny logo.

I champion Ruffle No Feathers because it's ran by Rebecca, a passionate and smart entrepeneur who is based locally to me. Rebecca maintains that even the beautiful packaging that her customer's products are sent out in is made from paper that is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified; made from sustainably managed forests and tissue paper that is 100% acid free recycled tissue paper - smart lady!

On to the mini series: Part 1, Amie New Bloom Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes.  
According to the product notes these fragrance-free wipes are suitable for all skin types, including sensitive.

They contain skin-friendly natural extracts of pomegranate, cranberry and green tea for clear, soft and radiant skin. They are also suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

These wipes have a really soft, pleasant smell and I have really enjoyed using them. They take off even the most stubborn of make up - which was a pleasant surprise. 

With make up wipes, I occasionally find myself running for the make up remover liquid to take the last parts of mascara or eyeliner off. But not with the Amie wipes. 

They are really soft on the skin and don't cause any irritation. They are free from parabens, mineral oils, petrochemicals and animal extracts. Awesome.

How to use them: Really simply just wipe them over your skin morning and evening whenever your skin needs a refreshing cleanse or to remove make up. After you've used a wipe, dispose of it in a waste bin in the proud knowledge that these wipes are biodegradable. Yay. 

I am very occasionally, I must admit, swayed by packaging. And I have to say that the packaging for these cleansing wipes is super cute. I'm always very proudly displaying them on my dressing table. Amie has really lovely branding. 

I would recommend these cleansing wipes to anyone. Especially if BUAV approved, cruelty free products are important to you or if you have particularly sensitive skin. (Or both!) 

You can find the Amie New Bloom Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes on the Ruffle No Feathers website, here.
  
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our cruelty free beauty mini-series next week!

Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Wednesday 12 June 2013

Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks


Hello lovely! Today I'd like to talk about my all time favourite product for a quick beauty fix, a pick me up or a 'girls night in' - it's Montagne Jeunesse's face masks. 



The main thing I love about Montagne Jeunesse products is that they are full of natural ingredients and are as eco-friendly as possible. They are also cruelty free. 

They are a massive staple in my beauty regime and I like to try and use a face mask once a week on a Sunday. (Let's face it, it's the best day of the week to pamper yourself.)

The range of face masks can be broken down into the following sections: 

  • Clay Spa's
  • Creams
  • Exotic Fruits
  • Fabric
  • Face Food
  • Non Drying
  • Muds
  • Peel Offs
  • Scrubs
  • Self Heating
  • Skin Heroes

Each range contains products that perform in slightly different ways to help your skin with it's particular 'SOS' or with your particular desired end result. 

Fancy a 'pick me up'?

A 'Fabric' is always my go to face mask for a quick pick me up. These are great if you only have 5 minutes to spare but really want your skin to look like it's had a beauty treatment at a salon. 

Recommendation: Try the Aloe Vera fabric face spa. It smells lovely and contains aloe vera and green tea. 
Good for all skin types, just lean back and place the fabric mask over your face for 5-10 minutes, remove, splash your face with cold water and you are good to go! For £1.29 your skin will LOVE you for it.

Girly night indulgence?

A 'Mud' mask is always super when you've got much more time and you want a long and relaxing treatment. They will open your pores, then draw out impurities and dirt for a full on cleanse - don't worry, it's not as gross as it sounds.

Recommendation: Give the Virgin Olive Face mask a whirl. It contains olive oil and shea & cocoa butter to leave your skin deeply cleansed and really smooth. Best for dry, normal and sensitive skin. 
If you've got combination or oily skin, try the Dark Chocolate Deep Cleansing Mud mask. These mud masks are an absolute steal at £1.09 each.

Need a good scrub?

The Montagne Jeunesse scrubs are super exfoliating facial scrubs which are great to buff your way to clean and cleansed skin, a much more intense way of getting rid of those impurities. And the buffing is quite theraputic.

Recommendation: I like the Apricot Scrub, containing crushed apricot kernels and sweet mango. This is brilliant for removing dead skin cells and as it contains aloe vera - your skin is left feeling really soft.
At just £1.09 each for the scrubs, this range will be sure to make your dull skin look brighter and healthier in just 10 minutes. (Or longer if you're in the bath and fall asleep with them on occasionally, like I tend to. Don't do this at home...) 


Where can you buy them: Directly via the Montagne Jeunesse website, Boots online or in store and many other beauty, drug and department stores. 

Have you tried any Montagne Jeunesse face masks? Which is your favourite?
  
Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.

Sunday 9 June 2013

The Best High Street Foundation?


Hello lovely! Today I'd like to talk about my current favourite high street foundation which I truly believe rivals many high end counterparts...


It's Rimmel's Wake Me Up Foundation.

According to the product notes it has a light moisturising texture that applies smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft and comfortable all day. 

Let me cut through the blurb for you and tell you a little more about this foundation...

Shades: This foundation has a 6 shade range. (Kate Moss wears shade 200 Soft Beige and I wear shade 100 True Ivory.)


As you can see from the above graphic, the shade range does leave a lot to be desired, which is a massive shame. 

Coverage: I would say that this is a medium coverage foundation and it's buildable for full coverage. It blends really nicely into the skin and if you get the right match for you, it will melt right into the skin and make your face look virtually flawless.

Other Important Info: The foundation has SPF 15, which is really handy. Also keep your eye out in Boots because this product is regularly on 3 for 2. 

And more excitingly, I have found myself leaving my Chanel Aqua Lumier foundation on the side and reaching for this foundation time and time again. I know, right?!

Price: At £8.99 it's an absolute steal! I'd highly recommend this foundation if you're looking for a new 'holy grail' - forget how affordable this is, it can definitely pack a punch when directly compared to a high end foundation.

Where can I buy it: Boots online or in store. As well as other retailers that sell Rimmel products.

Have you tried this cult foundation from Rimmel?
  
Always Geek, Forever Chic,
Laura.
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