To Prime Or Not To Prime?

 

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer - £6.99

 

I've been toying with the idea of buying a primer for quite some time now. I was dubious whether it would make a difference to the finish of my makeup, or just act like a moisturiser. After trying my friends Smashbox primer a few times, and loving the long lasting effect it had on my makeup, I decided to look out for a cheap primer to try. Whilst browsing in Superdrug, I came across this Rimmel primer, which claims to smooth, resurface, brighten, mattify, protect and prolong foundation wear. I thought this was a lot to ask from a budget, drugstore primer but I was pleasantly surprised with the results it gave me. I applied it after allowing my moisturiser to soak in and it left my face feeling silky soft and hydrated. My foundation seemed to glide on more smoothly over the primer and although I used the same amount of foundation as usual, my makeup somehow felt lighter, pores appeared reduced, my makeup had a much better finish to it and stayed matte for longer. Needless to say I'm very impressed with the product, especially considering the price tag!

 

Do you use a primer? Are high end brands better in your opinion?

 

 

Rachel - x



 

Glamour Magazine Freebies #1

 

My favourite magazine AND a Percy & Reed freebie? Would be rude not to right?

 

I love Glamour; I buy it almost every month, so how could I refuse this month when it included a Percy & Reed freebie for the usual cost of only £2? There is a choice of Volumising No Oil Oil for fine hair, Colour & Shine Shampoo, Colour & Shine Conditioner or Finishing Polish. Or if you feel spoilt for choice you can collect all four products for only £8!

 

I chose the Percy & Reed Colour & Shine 100ml Conditioner, as I have many oils/ serums and finishing products already, and you can never have too much conditioner in my opinion. Especially if you suffer with dry, damaged hair like myself :( The conditioner promises to 'give coloured hair spectacular shine and glorious glossiness.' It contains raspberry oil, white grape seed oil and aloe vera gel. I haven't tried the conditioner yet but I'm really looking forward to it. I've previously tried the Percy & Reed Totally TLC Hydrating Mask, an indulgent, nourishing hair mask, that I also purchased as a Glamour freebie last year and loved it! It made my hair feel soft, moisturised and much more manageable - great value for just £2!

 

Will you be purachasing glamour this month? Which freebie will you choose?

 

 

Rachel - x

Soap & Glory Haul

I have been lusting after Soap & Glory products since the very first time I passed the section in Boots. I was drawn in by its pretty, retro packaging, gimmicky product names and humorous branding. However, I refrained from purchasing and continued to use my cheaper branded lotions and potions. Until... At Christmas I received the 'Soap & Glory Best Of All' set, containing 9 full sized products. So here's what was included in the set, along with my thoughts on each product.

 

Clean On Me Creamy Shower Gel

A thick, fruity scented showel gel which can be lathered all over the body or poured into a hot, running bath. The shower gel has 'natural mandarin peel extract and bonus built-in body lotion', which leaves you feeling super clean, moisturised and smelling gorgeous!

Smoothie Star Deep Moisture Body Milk

I have been smothering myself in this every day since Christmas! It has an irresistable almonds, oats and brown sugar scent and soaks into the skin super fast leaving it feeling soft and moisturised but not greasy. The pump mechanism makes for fast and easy application and is also more economical, as one pump goes a long way!

 Sugar Crush Body Scrub

There's nothing like a good scrub to leave you feeling exceptionally clean and soft. I like to use this scrub once a week with an exfoliating glove to get rid of dry/dead skin (ew)! Key ingredients include smashed brown sugar & sweet lime, almond oil and macadamia grains. I love the refreshing, citrus scent of this product - definitely the best scrub I've tried.

 

The Righteous Butter

Another gorgeous scented Soap & Glory product which smells good enough to eat! 'With softening shea butter and aloe vera'. I find this one to be more rich than the body milk and the consistency is thicker and slightly greasier - good for the days when your skin might need a little extra TLC. I usually use this body butter once a week after having a good old scrub.

 

 

Hand Food Hydrating Hand Cream

This sweet smelling, hydrating, non-greasy hand cream has been a saviour for my dry, thirsty hands over the cold winter months. The cream instantly soaks in, leaving silky soft hands, even after washing! 'With shea butter, macadamia oil and marshmallow.'

 

Heel Genius Foot Cream

Key ingredients in this potion are allantion, glycerin, macadamia oil, menthol, bilberry, orange & lemon fruit acid smoothers. The smell is hard to describe but doesn't resemble the usual fruity Soap & Glory scent. Nevertheless, the scent isn't bad and the cream works magic!

 

 

Peaches And Clean Deep Cleansing Milk

As the name suggests, this cleanser smells just like peaches! It claims to purify, energize and melt away makeup - and it does exactly that. It melts away makeup with just one pump and leaves skin feeling clean, soft and completely refreshed.

 

Thick & Fast Super Volume Mascara

I love a fat mascara brush and this is one of my favourites. I have quite short, fine lashes and this mascara definitely helps to give the illusion of longer, thicker, jet black lashes. I also find that my mascaras tend to dry out quickly and I end up dipping the brushes I like into other mascaras to prolong their lifespan. Not this one! It seems to be lasting forever! (Not that I'm complaining) :)

 

Sexy Mother Pucker Lipgloss

I have to be honest, I'm not a fan of this lipgloss. The colour is lovely; a bright, summery pink, but the gloss is very sticky and uncomfortable. The 'superfill lip plumping speres and lipswell volume boost technology' create a tingling sensation that I find really uncomfortable and therefore have not used this lipgloss again. Good job I don't need a lip plumping gloss ey?

 

 

 All in all I was hugely impressed by this Soap & Glory gift set and will definitely be continuing to use these amazing scented, high quality lotions and potions!

 

What's your favourite Soap & Glory product?

 

 

Rachel - x