My New New Favourite Self Tan- Vita Liberata

Im a self  confessed fake tan addict and have tried out the majority of brands from Garnier to Xen Tan, my old favourite self tan WhitetoBrown (review here) only has about one application left in the bottle so while I was having a browse through the tans online I spotted a luxury set from Irish brand Vita Liberata containing Rich Siken Chocolate tan, Rich Silken Chocolate and 24ct Silken Shimmer wash off tan I knew I had to have it!




This brand has some big seeling points- it boasts that its the 'A' List tanning range, that the tan dries instantly, it has no smell and is both organic and paraben free. The Rich Silken Chocolate contains only organic DHA (the chemical that changes the colour of skin), no parabens or alcohol and no fragrance at all. One of the things I hate about fake tanning is that I am often left sticky and have to hang around in a towel for a few hours before bed to allow the tan to dry and not stick or streak when I put my pyjamas on. I also cant stand smelly fake tans, one of the worst offenders for me was Xen Tan which I felt left me smelling like a sweet orange yoghurt (I tried Xen Tan a while ago so they may have changed their formula since then).


Each of the three products is housed in a plastic pump bottle- allowing you to see how much product is left and not slipping out of your mitted hand like some squeezy bottles do. The Rich Silken Chocolate is a deep dark brown without a hint of orange, while the 24ct Silken Shimmer is the same rich colour with tiny light catching gold flecks. As promised both the Rich Silken Chocolate body and face are completely fragrance free but the Silken Shimmer has a faint slightly melony smell, very fresh and definitely not off putting.


The tans are full of natural nourishing ingredients and glide easily over the skin. They blend to a streak free finish and the claims were right- they do dry instantly, perfect for me but you have to be quite quick blending out any uneven bits. I find that even though they dry quickly the formulas are very moisturising and leave my skin feeling smooth without any bumps or flakiness. As with many tans the guide colour on the Rich Silken Chocolate is quite dark and the tan fully develops in 4-6 hours so is perfect for leaving on overnight and showering off the next day. The 24ct Shimmer is great if you want a quick sunkissed look but without the faff of a full self tan routine, the colour applies easily and makes me look lovely and bronzed. I was a bit sceptical about the shimmer in this product but once on the skin it leaves a nice glow without making me look like a glitterball!
All the products in this set came with a little leaflet that includes info about the brand and advice and directions for applying tan to every part of the body. This set usually retails for £57.50 but I bought mine from Cheap Smells for £26.45, you can find the set here and the full range here.


Overall Vita Liberata is definitely my new new favourite self tan and next on my list to try from the range is the Intense Silken Mousse for body. My one complaint is that the bottles aren't big enough for me! Ive used the tans for a few weeks now and almost half is gone from the Rich Silken Chocolate bottle but maybe its just because I get a little tan-happy at times and smother myself like its going out of fashion. All in all, im a very happy (and brown) bunny.



Have you tried any products from Vita Liberata?

My Week In Pictures

Ive only recently discovered Instagram after having an iPhone for like 2 years (have I been living under a rock??) and Ive fallen in love with it so these are a few snaps from my week.

Me looking daft with my dad at my sister's superheroes and supervillians party (he's from the matrix/MIB and I'm the Black Canary) excuse the random bit of fringe!, # sexy black wedges in New Look that I couldn't buy as even the size 5s were slipping off my feet, # really lovely snake ring- it has red jewels for eyes, # Vita Liberata rich silken chocolate/24ct shimmer set- my new favourite tan and review coming soon!, # my work phone- possibly the worst rip off of a blackberry you've ever seen with stupid lack of features, an impossible keyboard and a charger that only works when its taped to the phone grrr!, # the birthday card I made for my sister, # moving dinosaurs at Paradise Park, #  shoes I have been lusting over soo much this week- I don't know who they're by or where to get them but I bet they cost an absolute bomb! I am lusting nonetheless.

So You Clean your Brushes, But Do You Clean Your Cosmetics?

We all clean our brushes, but how many of us actually clean our makeup? I have recently wondered whether I am doing enough to prevent contamination of my makeup, especially after short lived break outs- is washing my brushes in antibacterial soap really enough? I am guilty of using my fingers to apply my makeup- foundation is squeezed out onto my hand and dotted on my face, highlighter is blended with my fingers and I often dab lipstick on with my fingers as well.
The oil and bacteria on our hands and face can easily be transferred onto our cosmetics, you can sometimes see this on older pressed powder which have a 'glaze'- an oily area on the top of the powder that has been created by transferring the powder brush to the face and then back to the powder.
For the hygiene conscious of us there are a few products from a brand called Beauty So Clean that will sanitise and disinfect our makeup in just 10 seconds so we no longer need to worry about cross contamination and cosmetic bacteria. If you were at IMATS you may have seen the Beauty So Clean products, and they are currently running a special offer on their website if you happened to miss out.
 

The first product is the Cosmetic Sanitizer Mist that will disinfect both powder and cream based products.  This product is contained in a spray bottle and just one mist will, when left for 10 seconds, disinfect and leave products bacteria free and fresher for longer. The spray won't interfere with the fragrance or texture of the products and can be safely used on eyeshadows without any adverse effects. This is available in 8ml (£9.50) (perfect for carrying around to disinfect make up tester and samples when shopping- genius!), or pro sizes of 120ml (£10) and 200ml (£15).

The second product is the Cosmetic Sanitizer Wipes- these can be used on lipstick, lipgloss applicators, mascara wands, eyeliner pencils lip pencils. These wipes are designed to be used after every application, particularly on mascara wands and lipgloss applicators which can push bacteria from the face deep inside the cosmetic tube. The wipe is wrapped round the item and gently swiped from the base upwards. These wipes are available in a pack of 48 (£9.50) or a pro pack of 200 (£15).

The one thing about this brand that did make me slightly apprehensive is that they dont actually list the ingredients of their sanitising products anywhere on their website, after a bit of googling I found out that the mist and wipes both contain 5 ingredients: Ethyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl myristate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate. Most of these are emollients with the alcohol being the main disinfectant. I don't think one mist over each cosmetic product would do much harm but if you are sensitive to alcohol or any of the other ingredients then I would be careful about using this product.

I think these are a great idea and would be much more inclined to use them rather than just normal disinfectant spray as these are specifically created for cosmetic products.

Have you used Beauty So Clean or any other sanitising products on your makeup and cosmetics?

Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipstick in Rose Petal

I have a bit of a thing about light pink/nude coloured lipsticks and when I saw this in Boots for £1.99 I thought I might as well give it a try.
The packaging is pretty classic Natural Collection- nothing fancy or expensive looking here but it does its job so I can't complain. The colour I find quite hard to describe- in some lights it looks pinky and in others it looks peachy but in sunlight it is a cute light pink not that dessimilar to Topshop's Pillow Talk. On the lips this product starts off nice and shiny but does dry to more of a matte finish so balm or gloss is definitely needed. When Im tanned I feel that my face can't really take a full on coat of this colour as it is quite light and makes me look a bit like one of those orange Gypsy Wedding girls with some sort of concealer coloured lipstick! So I push it into my lips with my finger and it looks a lot more subtle. When Im not so tanned this colour suits me perfectly and looks like I've made a bit of an effort but definitely not over done.

For £1.99 I really cant complain too much about the formula and I think I'll definitely get some wear out of this shade. I do prefer matte-ish finish lipsticks as I tend to rub my lips together quite a lot and they get a strange lipstick line below the cupid's bow. I must say I liked this a lot more than my other recent nude purchase of ELF's Natural Nymph- I found that far too pale and drying for my winter lips. If you're darker skinned this colour may not be the best for you but definitely if youre paler and enjoy a light pinky lip.

Have you tried this or any other shades from this range?

5 of the Best Low Cost Alternatives to the Clarisonic Mia (Updated)

The Clarisonic Mia has really taken the beauty world by storm, with lots of beauty bloggers and consumers either owning one or lusting after one. While some regard it as a 'glorified electric toothbrush', Clarisonic boast that the Mia has many benefits over traditional cleansing methods; they say 'Using Sonic Technology, Clarisonic’s patented micro-massage motion works within skin’s natural elasticity to gently remove the impurities traditional methods leave behind'. It does sound tempting, but isn't Sonic Technology just another word for vibration?

Many of us dont have a spare £100 lying around to spend on a vibrating face brush, but with the benefits of this technique widely reviewed, why should we miss out? Below I have compiled a list of 5 of the best alternatives to the Clarisonic Mia or Clarisonic Mia 2 (£105), including links to where you can purchase them in the UK, that won't leave you sobbing over your bank balance.


1. Rio Sonicleanse Exfoliating, Cleansing and Smoothing System RRP £49.99 (available for £47.99 with free UK and International delivery from BeautyExpert.co.uk)

When I think of the brand Rio I think of nail kits and hair removal products, in my experience all good quality and effective so why should their cleansing system be any different? The Rio Sonicleance uses micro-pulsating high frequency sonic cleaning to cleanse deep down into pores and helps 'reduce the appearance of pores, oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes'. This brush is designed to invigorate the skin by removing the dry epidermal facial layer and cleansing the pores to remove dirt and oil. The Rio Sonicleance is also water resistant and comes with two-year warranty. This system has a 3.5 out of 5 star rating on Amazon and reviewers have commented that their skin feels smoother, they have less spots and dry patches, and their moisturiser is better absorbed.

2. Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System RRP £24

While this system is more geared toward anti-aging, it promises to heighten the hydrating effects of your moisturiser and has been created by dermatologists. This system also comes with an extra head (usually you have to buy these in singles or packs once the original has worn out), exfoliating cleanser and batteries. This system has a 4.4 out of 5 star rating on Makeupalley and reviewers have commented that their skin is cleaner, the system removes all of their makeup, their face is softer and their pores are reduced. 

3. Skin Doctors Powerbrasion System 5-Piece Pack RRP £36

This system includes not only the powerbrasion unit but also exfoliating crystals, a 24 hour resurfacing cream and replacement sponge heads. While more a microdermabrasion system than a sonic cleansing system, the Skin Doctors product also works to remove the outer layer of skin and promises to reveal a glowing complexion while reducing the appearance of pores, blemishes and sun damage. This is the only system that combines dermabrasion with skin resurfacing and exfoliation from gentle yet powerful hydroxy acid contained in the exfoliating crystals. This system has a 3.5 out of 5 star rating on Amazon and reviewers have commented that their hyperpigmentation and scars have been reduced, their skin is smoother and their pores are less noticeable.

4. Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush RRP £79 

This brush features two different types of bristles to match different areas of the face, while the sonic action helps to remove dirt, grime and makeup. Designed to be gentle, just a couple of minutes a day is all this brush needs to reveal cleaner skin and it has a 4 out 5 star rating on Clinique's website. The Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush was developed with dermatologists and the sonic vibration system makes this a real contender for the best Clarisonic Mia alternative. 

5. Foreo LUNA Play RRP £29

Developed as a more affordable option to the LUNA, the Play is much smaller and offers up to 100 uses. This a non-rechargeable product, meaning you'll need to buy a new one once the battery runs out, but that isn't bad for £29. The small silicone brush has soft bristles that vibrate with T-sonic technology to cleanse, unclog pores and remove dirt and makeup in just one minute. With two types of bristles for different areas of the face, this brush is able to adapt to each area and it's available in seven fun and vibrant shades. With the original LUNA being out of lots of people's price range, this is a perfect alternative and it can rival the Clarisonic Mia to create smooth and radiant skin.


Have you tried any of these? If not, which appeals the most to you?

Bourjois Delice de Soleil Bronzer

 

I had been lusting over this bronzer for a while so when I saw it in Boots for £8.99 I knew I had to to grab it! I got the colour for fair/medium skin which suits me perfectly at the moment but it may be a little bit light for my skin tone in the summer.

First off, I love the packaging of this product! It is quite a large but slim plastic case with a big mirror in the flip top lid and a magnetic closure. The really clever thing is that the lid actually rotates so you can turn it to any angle which is perfect for touch ups on the go. The packaging is one of the things that sold this product to me over the Delice de Poudre, as well as the fact that I'm not sure how I feel about my face products looking like confectionary! The bronzer also comes with an angled cheek brush, it is very soft and good quality but I would only use it on the go as I prefer a much bigger fluffy brush for applying my bronzer.

Onto the product- the 'fair/medium' toned powder is a little darker when on the skin than in the pan and can be built up without looking patchy or cakey to create the perfect depth of colour for my skin tone. This powder is very fine and goes on smoothly to create a natural look, and can be easily blended as well as it isn't what I would call a chalky powder. As there is no shimmer in this bronzer it can also be used for contouring and I like to take it up past my temples to give my face even more shape. Another thing to mention is the smell- the powder contains cocoa bean and orange blossom extract and to me it smells lovely and sweet, almost like vanilla.

Delice de Soleil is another one of my new favourites this month! Whats your favourite bronzer, and have you tried any of the Bourjois range?

February Wishlist 2012

Left to Right:

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8



1. Liz Earle Cleane & Polish- need I say more??

2. L'Oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Luminizer for Blue Eyes- Ive seen this mascara on a few people and Im getting a bit bored of having to declump my lashes every time I use my trusty Maybelline Collossal/Falsies Volum' Express. Only problem with this mascara is they don't seem to do it in waterproof.

3. Clinique Even Better Makeup Foundation- Ive been looking at Clinique foundations ever since I ran out of Supermoisture Foundation last year and switched brands. This one has added minerals and promises to brighten the complexion.

4. Topshop Lipstick in Innocent- I can't get over my love for pale pink lipsticks, Im on a quest to find the absolute perfect shade.

5. Nail Rock Metallic Cheetah Nail Wraps- I missed out on the nail wrap beauty box samples and who can refuse a shiny cheetah print?

6. Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer- Studio Sculpt is my favourite foundation at the moment but there are a few things it just doesnt cover. Tanya of Pixi2woo has often claimed this as her favourite so I'll be looking out for it.

7. Stila Custom Colour Blush- This shade is 'Self Adjusting Coral', the blush claims to react to your skins pH to create the perfect shade for you. Sounds easy peasy!

8. Bourjois Delice de Soleil Bronzer- On the hunt for a new matte bronzer/contour shade I came across this little beauty but can't seem to find it in my local Boots (nor ebay, whats up with that??).

Whats on your February Wishlist, and have you tried any of these products?

January Carmine Box

  

  

Eldora False Eyelashes

Balance Me Radiance Face Oil

Korres Wild Rose 24 Hour Moisturiser

Westlab Himalayan Bath Salts

Eyeko Fat Eye Stick

  

I've gotta say this box wasnt really to my taste, I may leave Carmine for a while and possibly nip over to the Feel Unique box. The Korres moisturiser is really nice, but its such a small tube Ive just been using it on my lips to combat the winter dryness. I'm not into putting oil on my face and I much prefer a shower to a bath so those two products are a bit redundant for me. I do like the eyelashes, theyre not exactly subtle but Im sure i'll get a few uses out of them for special occassions. The Eyeko stick is a nice product, the silver is quite cold and frosty so i've been using it round the tear duct and under the eyes to add a bit of brightness, but would've much preferred a warmer gold shade.

Not the most positive post from me today! You realise when you sign up for beauty boxes that you're putting the samples in the hands of the gods and might end up with something you'd never use- unfortunately this has happened a lot for me! Maybe I'll just save the pounds and buy something I really want, we shall have to see for next month!

 

What's your favourite beauty box?