No7 Perfectly Bronzed Mosaic Bronzer | No7 Series |

I love a pigmented blusher and that's why this mosaic Bronzer/Blusher caught my eye on my recent visit to the No7 counter in Boots! The No7 Perfectly Bronzed Mosaic Bronzer allows you to "create a sunkissed glow by blending summer colours together to best suit you and your skin tone"

No7 Perfectly Bronzed Mosaic Bronzer - £12

The bronzer is packaged in a glamorous gold colour compact with a mirror included - perfect addition to a makeup bag or for travel touch ups! You would think metallic gold would look cheap, but I really it as it makes the bronzer look like a high end beauty product. The compact is also embossed with the No7 logo - a nice, simple touch.

Like a lot of No7 products, the mosaic bronzer is hypo-allergenic, so it's great for even the most sensitive skin and great for those worried about irritations. I do have quite sensitive skin myself and I haven't had any problems what so ever - very pleased.

The compact has a total of 8 'mosaic' sections. There are 6 brown and bronze shades which surround the 2 main shades of dusky pink and coral. The combination of 8 different shades allows you to create a different look everytime and enables you to add more of a specific pigment if you wish! 

The only thing I would say is that I am aware that whilst applying the mosaic bronzer to each cheek - one cheek application may be different to the other. For example, if you swish your blush brush differently to the previous time or on a specific colour more or less than last time, but I do think it comes with experience.

I will be repurchasing this mosaic bronzer as I love the way I can blend the shades I desire to create the look I desire! I also have the option to add more of a particular pigment if I wish!

Have you tried this mosaic bronzer or are there any other dupes on the high street? I am aware of MUA's mosaic blusher, but I thought it was a bit too shiny. What do you think?

RATING

Price: 4 STARS £13.50 This would be too expensive if it was juts one colour, but you get a mosaic of 8 shades in this compact and you can blend according to preference and your desired look! It is also included in the No7 multibuy offers that run throughout the year.

Promises: 4 STARS I love the sunkissed look that this mosaic bronzer creates - it blends all 8 shades and ti great for adding a certain pigment too!
Ease of Use: 4 STARS It's really easy to use - just swish your blush brush over the compact and apply over the cheekbones.
Would I Recommend to a Friend?: YES I will be repurchasing this mosaic bronzer as it allows me to create a great look which combines 8 shades -perfect for my skin as I hate a plain-jane look.

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No7 Beautiful Skin Blemish Serum | No7 Series |

As you've read previously, I suffer with quite bad skin and acne flare ups, but with the help of No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation with Salicylic Acid, I have seen dramatic improvements. Recently I went into my local Boots to make use of their promotions and the No7 consultant recommended using a blemish serum in conjunction with my foundation; No7's Beautiful Skin Blemish Defence Serum.

 

I've had good experiences with No7 skincare and makeup products, so I thought I'd give it a try! The Beautiful Skin Blemish Defence Serum is suitable for all skin types and is hypo-allergenic - perfect for those with sensitive skin and those with all type of skin combinations!

 

Beautiful Skin Blemish Defence Serum - 30ml - £16.00

The serum is oil-free, helps unblock pores and clear excess sebum to give smoother, blemish free skin. It's advised to be massaged into the skin after cleansing and to absorb fully before moisturising. It doesn't specify whether you have to use it in the morning or night but I find using it in the morning is best as I hate the feeling of anything other than micellar water at night.
The serum has a white tinge to it but doesn't smell bad and massages into my skin quite well. I haven't had any irritation whilst using it and my flare ups have been controlled. I also haven't had any issues using it with my Beautifully Matte Foundation. They both work well together and my skin doesn't feel heavy at all.
Since using it, I have seen an improvement and my skin also feels healthier for using it as part of a daily routine. Now, it is £16.00 for 30ml which I do find a bit expensive but if you're unsure, pop into your local Boots and ask for a sample and use it for a week or so and see what you think!. I did buy it on a promotion multi-buy so I didn't feel too bad buying it, but I would recommend buying No7 beauty and skincare products when there's a big promotion on as you save soo much and make it worth your while!

RATING

Price: 2 STARS £16.00  This is expensive for a serum, but once the serum has been used and if the results are positive then it justifies the price in my opinion and I will repurchase.

 
Promises: 4 STARS After a short period of using the serum, my skin feels healthier and I have noticed a positive difference in my skin.   Ease of Use: 5 STARS The serum is easy to massage into the skin and doesn't leave my skin feeling like it has a thick layer of product on it.   Would I Recommend to a Friend?: YES It is a lot of money but pop into Boots for a sample and see how you get on!

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Lee Stafford Haircare Haul

Hi everyone, I have another Lee Stafford post for you! I recently received this bunch of haircare goodies from Lee Stafford's press office to review - how exciting! 
I was given the great opportunity to be able to receive products that would improve my current hair type, which is dead iron straight with not much volume! The goodies consisted of Lee's Big Fat Healthy Hair Shampoo and Conditioner, Breaking Hair Leave in Treatment and Double Blow Mousse. Lee's full range of haircare products including those mentioned in the blog are exclusive to Boots and can be viewed HERE.

Lee Stafford - Available online and in-store exclusively at Boots

Big Fat Healthy Hair Shampoo and Conditioner

Big Fat Healthy Hair Shampoo and Conditioner - RRP: £5.99 each - Boots - 250 ml

I used Lee Stafford's Big Fat Healthy Hair shampoo and conditioner for just over 3 weeks (until the product was all gone).

The shampoo and conditioner has a "combination of conditioning agents to really pump up the volume ... and can be used every day to keep hair looking thicker, fuller and natural. It boosts hair's body and texture, enhances gloss and shine and banishes dulling deposits that made hair go lank and limp"

You apply the products as you would any other shampoo or conditioner - very easy and convenient if you have a busy lifestyle! After blow-drying my hair, I didn't see a dramatic difference in the volume or body of my hair. I did see a slight improvement but I might have had high expectations - expecting a big and bouncy 'do like you see on the celebs on tv. In relation to my previous hair products, I felt that my hair needed washing more frequently and also smelt slightly clinical.

I wouldn't mind using this every now and then when I wanted a 'boost' but regarding the price at £5.99 each and the results it gave me, I probably wouldn't purchase it myself and stick to my usual shampoo and conditioning products.

Breaking Hair Leave In Treatment

Breaking Hair Leave in Treatment - RRP: £7.99 - Boots - 75 ml

Over the period of a few weeks, I tried the Breaking Hair Leave in Treatment. I had high hopes for this product but I was sadly disappointed.

The leave in treatment is a "deep conditioning treatment ... that reduces physical damage ... leaving it full of strength whilst smoothing the cuticle to make each and every strand of hair feel sensationally silky"

It's advised to apply the equivalent of a Brazil nut to the mid lengths and ends of towel dried hair, comb and blow dry as normal. I didn't find that the amount stated was enough but I remained hopeful as my hair is quite long anyway! I then combed my hair and blow dried it - as I do every time I wash my hair.

Every time I used the product and after drying my hair, my hair felt full of product, looked a tad greasy and didn't have any body or volume. I was quite disappointed as it didn't feel like it said it would and I couldn't wait to wash it out of my hair. I'm sorry to say I won't be purchasing this myself.

Double Blow Volumizing Mousse

Double Blow Volumizing Mousse - RRP: £5.99 - Boots - 200 ml

I haven't used mousse since I was about 12, when super slicked back pony tails were THE ONE. So you can imagine I was pretty out of sync how I should use the Double Blow Volumizing Mousse!

I usually think of mousse being crispy and giving you a wet kind of look but this mousse is described as "non sticky, non crispy for a tower of oomfness and body to die for..."

The normal application is to apply a handful of mousse evenly onto wet hair not forgetting the roots. Then blow dry as normal. It's advised if you want the double blow effect, once your hair is dry apply another handful of mousse onto the roots of your hair. It's claimed that this is only possible with this kind of product - a non sticky, non crispy mousse. 

I tried both looks and saw an improvement in the body and volume of my hair with both. I found the 'normal application' best or my hair as the 'double blow' effect quite heavy. It didn't add any more time onto my normal hair care routine and therefore ticked a box there, and although it didn't leave my hair crispy or sticky I did find I needed to wash my hair the day of or after the application as my hair didn't feel as fresh - but this could be normal? I would purchase it myself but I wouldn't use it everyday - only when I'm out for an occasion.

Overall, I will probably use the Big Fat Healthy Hair shampoo and conditioner and Volumizing Mousse every now and then when I needed a boost for my hair but I would definitely not use the Breaking Hair Leave In Treatment again.

Have you tried any of these products? What did you think?

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Ubuntu Oils from Africa Repairing Mist | Lee Stafford |

Here's another Lee Stafford post and today it features the repairing mist from his Ubuntu Oils from Africa range, exclusive to Boots. I was gifted this product at a blogger event last year and only just got round to using it in the New Year and thought it's time to tell you all what I think!

Ubuntu Oils Light Oil Repairing Mist from Boots - 100 ml - £10.99

Lee Stafford's Ubuntu Oils from Africa range claim to "leave hair pampered, repaired, restored and full of juicy goodness ... formulated with Marula Oil ... one of the rarest healing oils from Africa and can be easily absorbed" 
You can apply the repairing mist to wet or dry hair - so it's not at all an inconvenience to use. You apply the mist by applying a few sprays to your hands first and then rubbing it through the mid-lengths to the ends of the hair. I found that a few more sprays worked well due the thickness of my hair so you can adapt the amount suited to you but it is noted that you can add but can't take away. It's also advised to avoid application nearer to your roots to allow for natural body and movement. 
The mist smells soo nice and fruity! It's totally different from a lot of hair products that stick down your throat or smell quite clinical. It's not at all sticky and doesn't leave a residue or look on your hair after the application. I can't say 100% that I've seen an improvement of my hair but I do think something has happened. The only thing I would say is that it's quite expensive! The repairing mist is £10.99 and therefore I won't choose to buy it myself and would probably either choose a cheaper and similar product or not bother at all.

RATING Price: 2 STARS £10.99 This is too expensive for me and therefore I won' be purchasing it myself
Promises: 3 STARS I cannot say 1005 that there has been improvements to my hair, but something has happened!
Ease of Use: 5 STARS It's soo easy to apply and use. It doesn't leave my hair sticky or heavy.
Would I Recommend to a Friend?: MAYBE If you wanted to spend £10.99 on something like this then fine, but I find it's too expensive for what I experienced. 
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No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation | No7 Series |

Todays post is dedicated to my ongoing journey with my bad skin and when I decided to finally *try* to help myself.
When I was a young teen, I had very bad skin, worse than what I have now. It's part of the reason why I hated testing foundations because I had to see what a state my skin was in which then meant my foundations were obviously the wrong colour. Turning 21 (I know, way too late), I plucked up the courage and decided to sort my face out. Some girls love getting new makeup, but it was a massive step for me knowing I'd have to look in the mirror properly and find a shade that was perfect.
I decided to try out Boots Match Made Foundation Service. The lady on the No7 counter was amazing. Seriously, she was soo helpful explaining all the different types and what they will do to help my acne and flare ups. She recommended my correct shade with the help of the Match Made Reader - Warm Ivory in their Beautifully Matte Foundation which contains Salicylic Acid which helps fight against bacteria which cause spots. 

Boots No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation - 30ml - £13.50

The Beautifully Matte Foundation is for Normal/Oily skin - the moisturising formula helps to balance oily and dry areas, leaving you shine free for up to 14 hours and leaves you with a soft, even finish. It is hypo-allergenic so it's kind to sensitive skin, built in SPF 15 and has a Medium/Full coverage. This is the main reason why I love using this foundation as it's perfect to try and make blemishes and spots less visible!
Some people get scared about the word 'Matte' and to be honest - I was too at first! I understand it may take the shine away, but it does still have a natural look. Even though I have acne, I have combination skin where it can be oily one minute and the next day it could be quite dry. It's a nightmare, but the combination of this matte foundation and the salicylic acid balances out my skin whilst preventing and helping my current blemishes and spots.

I must say, hats off to Boots Match Made Foundation Service! I finally have a foundation that isn't orange. My face is naturally whiter than my neck and therefore my foundation shade Warm Ivory, matches my neck. If you haven't tried it, go ahead - I personally love the service Boots No7 offer - I am so happy with it. I have definitely noticed an improvement in my skin since using it. Of course it won't happen overnight, but it has made a positive difference on my skin and confidence. 
Have you tried Boots Match Made Service? I've heard mixed reviews, but my personal experiences have been amazing - 10/10 for me! What about foundations? What do you use when you're having a bad skin day?

RATING

Price: 4 STARS £13.50 To me this is a reasonable price for what it helps do and also the service I receive everytime I go into Boots and purchase something at their No7 counters. I would begrudge paying this for a standard high street foundation if I am honest.

Promises: 4 STARS Everytime I put my foundation on, I feel confident that the majority of my blemished and scared skin is covered but still looking natural and the same colour as my neck. At the same time it has and continues to help my skin - very happy. 
Ease of Use: 4 STARS It's easy to blend in and the foundation pump keeps the application mess free.
Would I Recommend to a Friend?: YES I have recommended Boots Match Made service to a lot of people but I get mixed responses - but try it, they're only a guide but my experience with the service and this foundation is brilliant - it really has helped my skin and confidence. 

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