Skin Doctors Skin Care

Skin Doctors Cosmeceuticals have a vast range of 'results focused' and 'problem specific' products that offer the alternative to surgery, and with solutions scientifically developed, they promise fast results. The products cover different concerns, from wrinkles and ageing to acne and stretch marks. I was kindly sent over the 'Zit Zapper' and the 'pH Balancing Cleanser' and got straight to using them. 

Packaging: I like the packaging and design, the cleanser is in a squeezy tube, a bit like a suncream tube, and has a small nib so you don't lose too much product when you squeeze it out. The Zit Zapper applicator I find a little hard to use as it is difficult to get enough of the product out at times and find I have to rub the pen like tube onto my already troubled skin, but this I can get past as I really love the product itself. 

pH Balancing Cleanser: This contains avocado extract and alpha hydroxy acid, a formula that removes dead skin cells, cleans, primes and ex-foliates as well as removing make up. It gives a fresher look to the skin, unclogging pores and maintains the skin's pH level. I also found that it helps the absorption of other products, my moisturiser would sink nicely into my skin and my make up does the same. I use this twice daily, applying it onto a damp face with my fingertips in a circular motion and my skin feels fresh and clean after use as opposed to tight and dry like some cleansers do, plus, this gives my skin a natural, luminosity. 

Zit Zapper: An overnight spot corrector, I am so impressed with this product. I suffer with acne prone skin, particularly around that time of the month, and I have never used a spot treatment before that gets to work as fast as this one does. As it works immediately after use the it is an intensive spot formula that gives a slight sting/tingle after use - something I don't mind as I feel it means the product is working quickly. It calms areas of inflammation and dries out spots, even catching them before they have fully developed, as well as ex-foliating the skin and deeply cleansing the problem areas. After the first use, I awoke the next morning and already found the redness and spot itself had decreased in size, and after using it for a few weeks it tackles my spots, if any, so quickly that the 'problem area' really becomes less of a 'problem.' 

Prices: pH Balancing Cleanser: £12.77 here  Zapper: £11.20 here To me this is a luxe skin care range that does not break the bank and I really cannot see myself without these products in the future. 

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I would highly recommend this skin care range! Visit their site http://skindoctors.co.uk/

Batiste Stylist Sprays

Batiste Stylist Texturising Spray and Heat & Shine Spray (£4.49)

I have been using and loving Batiste Dry Shampoo for a few years now and so I was so excited when I finally got my hands on a couple of the stylist sprays. I also adore the design and shiny packaging. I like products that help me to create a quick and easy look without the use of heat on a daily basis and the texturising spray helps me to achieve this, and when I do use heat products the heat and shine spray protects my hair. There are six different products in this range. 

Texturising Spray: Spray onto dry hair from root to tip for best results and immediately you can manipulate your hair and see volume and lift, it gives your hair a great boost without feeling heavy with too much product. It enables me to create quick styles really easily without drying out my hair.

Heat & Shine Spray: This is a two in one product for when using heat styling tools to protect your hair but also to give a healthy looking shine. Most heat protecting products I have used before come out like a hairspray and I was expecting the same for this one as it is in an aerosol can, but this one comes out more like a spritz and also feels light on the hair. 

Definitely products worth trying out! 

Sensationail Polish To Gel Kit

There are many do it yourself home kits available out there for creating salon perfect nails but I was unaware of any polish to gel transformer kits, until I was introduced to this one. Sensationail's kit turns any nail polish into a long-lasting gel with a shiny and non sticky, smudge free finish and is very new in the UK to purchase. 

The kit is priced at £49.99, (new in at Boots this month currently £34.99) and includes everything you need to turn your regular polish into a gel; gel cleanser, gel primer, polish to gel, lint-free wipes, mixing pot, double sided nail buffer, manicure stick,  LED lamp, USB and mains adaptor. 

There are two ways of using the kit to create a gel polish: 

Mixing Method: mix equal parts polish 2 gel and your own polish in the mixing pot and then paint this onto your nails and cure in the LED lamp for 30 seconds and repeat this 2/3 times. Then follow this by sealing in the colour and painting the tips of your nails and curing again for 15 seconds. Then wipe your nails with the cleanser and you're ready to go! 

Gel Top Coat Method: Paint your nails with your favourite nail polish and let it dry properly. Apply a thin layer of polish to gel and cure for 15 seconds. Wipe with the cleaner and there you go! 

I have used both methods and find that both give great results. The kit claims that nails will last up to ten days, and I have found that after about four to five days my nails have only just started to chip. When removing I found that soaking my nails was

 easier than rubbing the polish off with a cotton pad. However,  one time I used the kit I found that the polish peeled off in one piece, and although there was no damage to the nail underneath I would rather the polish was removed correctly without peeling. I find that this kit works really well with the correct nail polish so definitely test it out with different polishes to see what works best and furthermore make sure to use a thin layer of the polish to gel as instructed to achieve the best results. 

Everything you need is available in the kit, but once you have used the products Sensationail provide refill packs so you don't have to go back to a salon and pay to have your nails done each time. I completely recommend this kit as it provides you with gel,

 shiny, smooth, smudge free nails achievable from the comfort of your own home! 

Find the kit here and visit the Sensationail website: http://www.sensationail.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SensatioNailUK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SensatioNailUK

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensationailgel/?hl=en

4 You By You

This is a little different than the normal posts I would publish on my blog, but I am a student at university and had to share this service with you all. 4 You By You website:

 http://www.4youbyyou.com/ offers a service for students and beauty lovers combined. 4 You By You is a unisex beauty website with a focus on beauty products being sold to students at affordable student prices as well as offering other ways in supporting students by working with their student unions. Created by Scott Mears, it tackles the issues he faced whilst at University and that all students face today. 

Mission and Values

- to create a 'student centric' interactive/engaging/the source platform

- to gain long lasting, life relationships with student unions and students

- to maintain our values as a business 'for students by students'

- to enhance and engage student life

The company has a clear aim with the student at the centre, the voices of students being valued and listened to, factors that as a student myself really are favoured amongst us. Not only that, the service also offers jobs and placements, extra student deals, brand interaction and tips and tricks such as how to survive freshers flue (information I could have done with in my first year!)

Hair, face, hands, feet and body beauty products are all available on the site and I can offer you an exclusive discount; head to  http://www.4youbyyou.com/shop.html to browse the the products on sale and once at the checkout enter my code; 'LSblogs' to receive unlimited access to either 20% off or a gift with purchase worth £5 on most products. 

Check out their social media accounts here:

https://www.facebook.com/4youbyyou

https://twitter.com/4youbyyou

https://www.instagram.com/4youbyyou/

www.pinterest.com/4youbyyou

High End Make Up Wishlist

I have put together my high end beauty wishlist with Shop Style Collective. All products included are ones that I hope to have in my make up collection at some point in the future. I am lucky enough to own a few high end beauty products and there is nothing wrong with high street make up, in fact many of my favourite products are from the high street, but it is nice to splurge now and again on good quality products and beautiful packaging.

Charlotte Tilbury - The Retoucher

I haven't read many reviews about this but the description sounds great and after recently purchasing the eye shadow quad 'Dolce Vita' review and swatches here. Buildable coverage, treating skin with hydrating black tea, corrects imperfections. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills - Illuminator in Riviera

I love the design of this product and have heard great things. Highlighter.s are my favourite make up products and this is one that I really want to have in my collection. From what I've read, this sinks into the skin and gives a dewy luminosity to the skin. Riviera is a rose gold shade and I don't own a highlighter this colour yet. 

Giorgio Armani - Luminous Silk Foundation

Another product I have read many great things about. I have dry skin and as this give a luminous glow to the skin it is one that I really hope to try out at some point. It has so many shades to choose from and it states that although it is a buildable coverage it glides on nicely and is lightweight. 

Ciate - Olivia Palermo Smokey Suedes Eye Shadow Palette

Every single colour in this palette I think will suit my eye colour and the majority of shades are ones I like to use on my eyes on a regular basis. Reviews say they are pigmented, easily blendable and have a silky suede texture to them. The palette looks really pretty and the price is quite good for nine eyeshadows. 

Ciate - Olivia Palermo Cheekbone Cheatduo

Another product from the Olivia Palermo range, this looks cute and compact and is a great two in one product. It defines and shapes as well as giving a pop of colour to your complexion. 

Hourglass - Ambient Lighting Palette 

A super pricey product but one that won't hurt being a part of my wish list. I love the concept of this palette; finishing powders that re create effects of a flattering light on skin and conceals perfections and minimises pores and lines. Do you  know of any good dupes for this product? 

Have you tried any of these products - what are your views? What products are in your high end make up wish list?

Mitonia & Beaute Mediterranea High Tech Skin Care

Mitonia (website) are a company that work alongside brands to distribute cosmetics and perfumes and further put the consumer first by offering them luxury and high quality products. They were kind enough to send me over a couple of products from the Beaute Mediterranea High Tech moisturising range perfect for me as I have dry skin that is always in need of a lift. The products shown above are paraben-free and made of quality ingredients

Packaging: I really like this packaging, straight away the products appear of high quality to me. A simple design with different colours for each individual product type, making them easily identifiable. The packaging has a pharmaceutical look to it, which is unusual when compared to other skincare brands but to me this is the appearance of high quality products.

The Hyaluronic Complex Cream (32.00) This has a thick consistency, which I love when applying a cream before bed, to settle into my skin over night. The cream has a scent which is sweet but not too overpowering and as soon as it's applied my skin feels smooth, without any stickiness as the cream sinks into the skin efficiently and nicely without leaving any greasiness. When I awake in the morning my skin is soft and smooth, and feels ready to tackle anything that comes its way throughout the day. I have found that my current foundation is blending into my skin nicely and no longer clings to any dry patches. Furthermore, this cream offers a firmness to the skin - a great plus for all skin types and I have noticed a difference in elasticity since using it. Well worth purchasing! 

The Hylauronic Eye Contour Cream (34.50) I have struggled with under eye circles, and laughter lines around my eyes for a while now and I am always interested when it comes to trying out new skincare products for the under eye area. The Hylauronic Eye Contour Cream also gets my approval! The packaging makes the product inside easily accessible; a small tube that gives just the right amount each time with a small squeeze. As well as the complex cream, this cream moisturises, tightens and blurs under the eyes and also leaves a soft and smooth finish to the skin. The aim is to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and honestly, after two weeks of use, I have found that this is very much the case for me - hoorah! When my concealer is applied, there are less lines for it to sit in, which means it blends much nicer, which is also a plus to this product, as many creams I have previously used did not pair well together with my concealer. Again, this product is definitely worth paying for. 

The Mitonia website has a great range of products suitable for every one, check them out on Instagram at mitoniauk. I hope to be trying out more products from them in the future! 

What are you favourite skin care products at the moment? 

Make Up Geek eyeshadows and Z Palette

L-F: Bitten, Cocoa Bear and Creme Brulee

As soon as I found out that Beauty Bay were stocking Make Up Geek and Z Palettes I went straight ahead and made an order. These products are raved about by instagrammers and bloggers and after reading so many great reviews for so long, I am so happy they are available for UK purchase. Make Up Geek have three types of eyeshadows available for purchase on Beauty Bay; 'eyeshadow pans' (£4.95), 'duochrome eyeshadow pans' (£4.95) and 'foiled eyeshadow pans.' (£7.95) I chose to start off my collection with a few from the 'eyeshadow pan' section. 

I pondered over shades of eyeshadows on the site for ages before I made my decision on three to start off my collection and fill my Z Palette with. I chose 'Bitten', 'Cocoa Bear' and 'Creme Brulee' all shades that I think suit my eye colour best, and all great for creating a natural or more heavy eye look. 

I am so impressed with how pigmented these are (unfortunately the image above doesn't pick up the colour that well), the colour pay off is super, but also really easy to blend and build up. All three shades I picked are matte, 'Bitten' although a matte shade, feels so creamy you would not think it was a matte eyeshadow, it is a deep purple, burgundy shade, the more pigmented of the three in my opinion. 'Cocoa Bear' is my favourite, it is a warm red toned brown and I think it is complimentary for every eye colour. 'Creme Brulee' is a neutral shade but does have warmth to it, I like using it as a transitional or outer corner colour, but I also think it looks lovely on its own.

Have you tried Make Up Geek? What are your favourite shades and which ones should I get next? 

January Favourites

I went on a mad one in January and purchased so many new beauty products,some that I haven't even had the chance to use properly yet, but a few I have been using non stop and have been absolutely loving them and so I had to include them in my favourites for the month of January.

Tanya Burr Cosmetics Peachy Glow Cheek Palette £8- Super affordable, pigmented and with beautiful details, I have been using this palette from Tanya's range non stop. The bronze shade has a subtle shimmer in it, but not too much that it is still suitable to use to contour, the blush is the perfect shade for any skin tone I think, but really does compliment a fairer skin. The highlight is a lovely champagne colour and although it is quite shimmery and glittery, when applied to the skin it gives a natural healthy glow, and so all round this a great three in one palette that offers both a subtle definition to the face, or more of a strong contoured look. 

Coconut Lane Marble Phone Case £13 -  http://www.coconut-lane.com/accessories/marble-phone-case - Marble accessories are all the range and I particularly love marble phone cases as they look sophisticated and elegant. I chose this one from Coconut Lane as they offer super cute accessories at affordable prices. You can get 20% off your order by using my code 'lelizaxo20' at the checkout. 

Nivea Post Shave Balm £3.52 Superdrug - If you aren't aware of this product being used as a primer then one, where have you been?! Two, you need to purchase this. Yes this is a man's product and has a more masculine scent, but once covered with foundation you can't smell it at all. It isn't as effective as a high end primer, and doesn't minimise pores, but it smooths out the skin and make up has long staying power as the foundation sticks to the balm and so it makes for a great primer. 

Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator in Ballerina £21- I love the design of this product, its small and compact and so perfect for travelling. Also the 3D design means you don't lose the cute ice cream swirl effect. The product itself is really pigmented, applies like a powder but feels like cream which makes it great for blending and building up, and even though it's highlighy pigmented it doesn't go on too glittery and so offers a lovely healthy looking glow. I chose the shade 'ballerina' over the ever popular 'gilded honey' as I already own a highlight in this shade. Ballerina is a more dusky rose gold shade which I think looks lovely on my pale skin. 

Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Invasion and Serenity £9.50 - Having quite dry lips means I have a love hate relationship with liquid lipsticks. These I find are not drying on my skin but are still pigmented. I love the frosted tubes and sleek gold lids  and the doe foot applicator. I chose the shades 'Serenity' a pink nude shade and 'Invasion' a great dupe for Lime Crime's Cashmere, a grey toned purple. They also smell of frosting! 

So these have been my favourites during January! What products have you been enjoying lately? 

Charlotte Tilbury Dolce Vita Palette

L-R: Prime, Enhance, Pop and Smoke

I am finally the proud owner of my first Charlotte Tilbury product! I decided to go with one of the beautiful colour-coded eye shadow palettes and after debating between 'Dolce Vita' and 'Vintage Vamp' I chose 'Dolce Vita' and I am so chuffed with my choice. 

Not only is the packaging beautiful- light and compact, but the product itself is so lovely that it is definitely the most luxurious product in my make up collection - which is expected for the rather hefty price tag! 

The four shades help to create such versatile looks such as a glam and golden glittery eye to a smoky burgundy look. All four shades  have a lovely texture and are so pigmented as well as easily blend-able and build-able. I have green eyes and I personally think this palette compliments them so well. 

The press on golden pigment is like no other shade I own, great for creating a look perfect for going out! 

This palette really does make me swoon and is pretty much perfection. I wouldn't say it's a palette you need in your collection in terms of being an essential item, but for what it is and the price you pay (£38) it is super luxurious and beautiful.