Reviews

Sarah Chapman Instant Miracle Mask Review

If you haven’t already heard of Sarah Chapman then you are in for a treat. This renouned facialist has become one of the most talked about names in the beauty industry. I was introduced to her award winning skin care range about 6 months ago when I first tried her amazing Dynamic Defence daily moisturiser and Overnight facial. A few weeks ago the lovely Laura from Talented Talkers got in touch with me, asking me whether I would be interested in reviewing Sarah Chapman’s Instant Miracle Mask. I was very excited about the offer since I have heard so many good things about this mask. I’ve used 3 sachet to make sure I could properly review this product for you.

Usability and tips: The mask comes in 4 sachets and a shaker which you use for mixing the powder with water before applying it to your face. I opted for cool Evian water rather than tap water only because it gave the whole experience a more luxurious feel. You have to be quick to apply as the mask sets within minutes. The first thing you’ll notice is how much there is in each sachet and the mistake I made the first time around was applying a thin layer, trust me the thicker the layer the better as this mask sets into rubber. When you apply a generous amount the peel off becomes so much easier and less messy. Try to get an even coverage all over your face and neck and if any mask remains then use that for the decolletage or the back of your hands. The mask contains brown sea algae, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid and is designed to lift, smooth and help rejuvenate your skin, leaving it looking and feeling healthier.

Results: I tried this mask 3 times before writing this review, simply because I wanted it to be as honest as possible like every other review you’ll see on here. The application is a bit tricky but it’s most definitely worth it. Both myself and my friend Luna saw instant results with our skin feeling and looking softer and more radiant. I even noticed a difference in uneven colouring left by old pimples. The mask is pretty pricey for 4 applications but this is the ultimate red carpet mask and perfect for those special occasions. This mask has been added to my golden products list and I can truly recommend it.

QVC has an introductory offer on now for Sarah Chapman which you can find HERE.

Sunday 28th April 2013 | Leave a comment | Category: General, Reviews | Tags: Instant Miracle Mask, QVC, review, Sarah Chapman, Sarah Chapman Instant Miracle Mask review, skin care

Infrared Dome – tested

About a month back I got invited by Mydetoxdiet to try out their new Infrared Dome. I did my research before heading to Russel Square and felt quite nervous. 30 minute is this heated dome is meant to make you burn up to 600 calories, sweating out toxins and breaking down fat. It’s meant to work miracles on cellulitis as well. Would I cope with the heat?

I was left alone in a room with really atmosphere and music. I had a couple of glasses of water with lemon to make sure I was hydrated enough. There was access to a bathroom with make-up removers, deo’s and a shower. I stripped off and lay in the infrared dome, the first 15 minutes on my front. Now this was early January and it was very cold outside and my body felt achy and tired. As the dome heated up I could feel my muscles relaxing. After 15 minutes the lady knocked on the door meaning I should flip over to do the last fifteen minutes on my back and this is when I could feel how much I was sweating. Apparently you sweat as much as if you had run 22 km. When it was over I got to lay there and cool down slowly. I was feeling relaxed and full of energy.

So how does it work? The technology of the black carbon dome gradually heats up the body by emitting vibrations of far-infrared rays that are in line with the infrared naturally produced within the body. The heat penetrates up till 40 mm under the skin, which is purifying, in depth cleansing and cellulite fighting.

I can’t say I lost any weight because you simply don’t lose weight after one session of burning 600 calories, but I will say that my skin has never ever felt firmer. I noticed it the day after in the shower. Would I try it again? yes most certainly.

For more information visit www.mydetoxdiet.co.uk

A session normally costs £55 but if you quote: beingdena you get 2 sessions for the price of 1.

Thursday 23rd February 2012 | 1 comment | Category: Beauty and Health, Reviews | Tags: burn calories, cellulitis, diet, Infrared Dome, mydetoxdiet, sweating

Some of my favourite beauty products

While I was in Tenerife I stocked up on some of my favourite beauty products.

♥ Biotherm – Biomains Age Delaying Hand & Nail Treatment. This is one of my favourite hand creams. It absorbs into the skin really quickly, leaving soft without feeling greasy. It has a wonderful scent SFP 8 and nice packaging. £10 for 50ml

♥ Biotherm- Beurre De Lèvres Lip Balm. I have so many lip balms but this is really one of the best. It contains 5 nourishing oils (jojoba, apricot, coriander, passionflower and macadamia) and Acacia Biosugar gently eliminates the dead skin cells from chapped lips. I love this melting balm and it’s matte finish. Highly recommend this! £9 for13ml

♥ Bioderma Crealine H20 Micelle Solution- I first heard about this product through Gwyneth Paltrow’s site GOOP. It’s hard to find in the UK unless you order online so I bought a bottle in France at the pharmacy. I can’t express how amazing this make-up remover is. It gets rid of all your make-up, even water-resistant ones, while maintaining the skin’s balance. My skin feels soft and clean, ready for my favourite moisturizer. Approx £10 for 500 ml.

Monday 6th February 2012 | 7 comments | Category: Beauty and Health, Reviews | Tags: Beurre De Levres, Bioderma, Biomains Age Delaying hand cream, Biotherm, Crealine H20 Micelle Solution, Hand & Nail, lip balm, Make Up Store, review

Love Brownies

A week back I had the most delicious delivery. I couldn’t believe my eyes or taste buds as I opened the amazing packaging to discover freshly baked brownies that seriously blew me away. The lovely Chantal is behind this Yorkshire brand Love Brownies, they’re fairtrade and organic and most importantly freshly hand-made to order.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day one of my favourite web shops for gifts, Ella Georgia, has got together with Love Brownies to help make your 14th Feb even sweeter. Here’s how it works:

1. Pick the occasion – the box can say anything from Happy Birthday to a simple Thinking of You.

2. Select your brownies.

3. And tell Chantal what you’d like hand-written on the band hidden inside the box.

That’s it! 8 Brownies, hand baked, delivered to your door or anyone else you would like to spoil for £19.95. To order click HERE.

Friday 27th January 2012 | 9 comments | Category: Reviews, Shopping | Tags: bake, brownies, Chantal, delivery, Ella georgia, fairtrade, handmade, Love Brownies, organic, webshop

Pureberg

A few months back I discovered Pureberg- a hand sanitizer for those like myself who love everyday luxuries. I’m a proper germ-freak, my colleagues can tell you stories about my work desk cleaning ritual. I’m always carrying around either wipes or gel sanitizers, but always find myself disappointed with their packaging and the fact that they leave my hands looking and feeling extremely dry.

This luxe prouct is the brainchild of three friends from Denmark. It kills over 99.99% of germs but leaves your hands feeling super soft thanks to the blend of shea butter and vitamin E. It also has a lovely scent. The price tag is £11.95 which you might find a bit pricey, but my bottle has lasted me over 3 months now. This elegant bottle looks perfect next to my favourite Chanel compact and lipstick. I can really recommend this product.

Friday 20th January 2012 | 1 comment | Category: Reviews | Tags: Clean, Denmark, Kopenhagen, Pureberg, sanitizer, Shea Butter, vitamin e

Review of Cote Brasserie

When I relaunched the blog I added the category “Around Notting Hill”. This is for people visiting London but also those already living here looking discover new gems in our city. I will be reviewing resturants, bars, beauty salons and more. Most of them will be around Notting Hill area, some elsewhere in central London. My reviews will be based on my own experiences and I promise to be unbiased. So let’s start with the first review in this category:

Cote Brasserie is a British owned chain of French-style bistros. It mirrors the trend in Paris where locals are turning away from over complicated cooking and returning to the basics of French cuisine. Cote promises classic dishes such as steak frites, corn fed chicken, chargrilled fresh tuna steak and more at medium prices. The chain that won the Good Food Guide award for “Best Value Restaurant in the UK for 2009, is open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I visited the Westbourne Grove branch for lunch. They do a great set menu during the weekdays between 12-7pm: 2 courses for £9.95 or – 3 courses for £11.90. I ordered the steak frites for main and Creme Brulee for desert and I was delighted with my choice. The food was absolutely delicious and desert to die for. The bistro has a lovely atmosphere. The only thing I wasn’t happy with was the service. The girl serving us had such an attitude and it took her forever to get our order. Perhaps this was a one-off, I am willing to find out only because the food was so good.

Wednesday 23rd November 2011 | 7 comments | Category: Around Notting Hill, Reviews | Tags: bistro, branch, chain, Cote Brasserie, Creme brulee, desert, french, frites, Good Food Award, restaurant, review, revuew, set menu, steak, Westbourne Grove

Lubatti

As I’ve mentioned before I have very sensitive skin. My legs are very dry so I need to make sure I use good hydrating products. I’ve spent a fortune on body creams and lotions in my life time, most of them I get rid off after a few applications because they simply disappoint. I hate lotions that are sticky and take forever to sink in, or that smell too strongly. I want something light and extremely hydrating, that’s not too much to ask for is it?

I recently received a package from Lubatti.com to test out their best selling products: The Wild Violet bath oil and body lotion. Of course like all other product reviews here on my blog, I allow a month of use before giving my verdict.

I must admit that I had almost finished the body lotion by week 2. I can honestly say it’s the best one I have ever used. It’s so very light yet extremely moisturizing and contains Shea Butter, Vitamin E and Almond Oil. The light Wild Violet scent is heavenly hence why I kept re-applying- I simply couldn’t get enough of it.

The bath oil which contains Sweet Almond oil, Jojoba (my favourite oil), Avocado oil and Vitamin E, is also very lovely and you get out of the bath with the silkiest skin. When the oil comes into contact with water it turned into a milky sea.

Both products come in three other delicate fragrances: Scented Rose, Tuberose & Mimosa and Bergamot & Grapefruit.

Monday 14th November 2011 | 6 comments | Category: Reviews | Tags: Bath oil, body lotion, Lubatti, Wild Violet

Mytights.com review

Mytights.com is UK’s leading fashion hosiery store online. It stock tights, shapewear, stockings and more. I love playing with tights during autumn and winter, trying out different colours and patterns. Nice tights can complete or even make an outfit. I will definitely be wearing polka dot tights this winter a la Mark Jacobs knit fall collection.

Mytights team contacted me and kindly offered me the chance to review an item from their website. I decided to go for something my mum says every woman should have in their wardrobe: Spanx. Ten years ago I would have connected the name with something my grandmother would wear under her dresses, but Spanx have come a long way since then. You see celebrities and bloggers wearing them and they look so modern that you don’t feel the need to hide them from your boyfriend anymore :) The Spanx slips are great for smoothing out your body under dresses and especially good to hold you in under very light or sheer clothes.

I ordered the Slim Cognito shape slip in nude, and when it arrived I was so eager to try it on. This version offers the strongest level of control and body shaping. I admit it was a little hard to get it on but once it was one I loved the effect, I have never had a more pronounced hour-shaped figure. It really sculpts your body into the desired shape, especially around the stomach and waist area. What I love about it is that it’s seamless so almost invisible under my fitted dress. The biggest surprise of all: bf told me he loved it on me, and that it reminded him of something Marilyn Monroe would have worn.

If you’re looking for a lighter version of the Slim Cognito then I recommend the Spanx Simplicity which looks silky enough to be a normal piece of underwear. It’s ultralight and therefore perfect for the summer. I see these slips as an investment now, they will last you for ever. Plus a girl always needs a nude or black coloured slip for under those see-through dresses.

Tuesday 18th October 2011 | 12 comments | Category: Reviews | Tags: dress, Mark Jacobs, mytights, nude, polka dots, review, Slim cognito, slip, Spanx, Spanx Simplicity, tights

Zalando

A week ago I got an email from Zalando offering me a voucher to spend on their website. I like these kind of offers because it allows you to properly review a web-shop as you go through the same process any other costumer would when placing an order. I was really happy to discover Zalando because they stock any brand you could think of, even Scandinavian ones such as Ganni, By Malene Birger and of course Vagabond. I was delighted to see my beloved Leslie boots on their site and clicked them home without any hesitation. Placing the order was very easy and fast and 4 days later the package arrived. I’m really happy with Zalando and their service and will definitely be ordering from them again.

Dress: H&M, Jacket: Noa Noa, scarf: Wild Swans, hat: via dad, boots: Vagabond

Photos by my lovely and talented colleague Saeed. Visit his flickr here.

Sunday 16th October 2011 | 14 comments | Category: Reviews | Tags: boots, By Malene Birger, Ganni, Leslie, Scandinavian, shoes, Vagabond, webshop, Zalando

Chanel obsession

I know it’s been awfully quiet here on the blog but I do have a good excuse. I’m working on a new layout and that’s all I can think about now days. I just want to get it done and over with so I can start fresh :)

Here’s my latest obsession: Chanel’s Illusion d’ombre eyeshadows. I love their beautiful shimmer and gel-like texture. I got all the shades now but my favourite one is the 83 Illusoire which is a purple metallic colour. Also I really recommend the Sublime De Chanel Mascara. It has such an amazing brush- my lashes have never looked longer or more separated.