Barry M Matte Me Up Liquid Lip Paints Review

Hey everyone,

I'm back! I got a new camera which I am completely obsessed with and hoping to get more fashion posts done in the near future. Today I am doing a review on the new matte me up liquid lip paints by Barry M. Barry M is one of the best high street beauty brands in my opinion. I love their lip liners, lipsticks and nail paints, so I was super excited when they announced they were going to join the trend of liquid lipsticks and couldn't wait to try some of them out.

They have 5 staple shades available: Embellish (a deep purple), Paparazzi (a cherry red), Pop up (a strawberry red), Minimalist (light pinky nude) and On the Scene (medium peachy nude). They also have 3 lip kits which come with a lip paint and lip liner in Go to Nude, Pose Pink and Runway Berry.

From left to right: Pop Up, Paparazzi, Minimalist & On the Scene

The shades I picked up were Paparazzi, Pop up, Minimalist and On the Scene - which I got 2 of to give one to my sister. They currently retail for £4.99 each however, Superdrug had a special offer on their website where you could buy 5 for £15 and get a free contour kit which I thought was a nice deal.

                                                                          On the Scene, Minimalist, Pop up & Paparazzi

The liquid lip paints come in a gorgeous travel friendly plastic casing with a standard doe-foot applicator.

They have a non-drying formula and they apply super light and liquidy; they do take a while to dry so you have plenty of time to get a nice even coverage on the lips. The finish is super matte and kiss-proof and does not flake or peel throughout wear or if you want to top up. 

I am very impressed with these lip paints! I would say they are on par with high end liquid lipsticks. They are extremely long lasting, opaque and have a nice subtle vanilla scent to them. They are very comparable to the Kylie Jenner liquid lipsticks and for the price point, I would definitely say these are better.

wearing 'on the scene' liquid matte lip paint

I haven't got round to using all the shades but I will update this post as and when I do. So far, my favourites are On the Scene and Pop up. I love On the Scene because it's an everyday nude for my skintone (for reference, I am an NC42 in MAC). If you're paler, this will probably look more like a nude brown which is equally beautiful. 

I would definitely check out Superdrug if you are interested in purchasing one of these amazing liquid lip paints! They always have offers on so it's worth checking out the website.

Have you tried out these liquid lipsticks? Let me know in the comments! Also, let me know what you're favourite liquid lipstick brand is.

Facetox Face Mask Review

Hey everyone, 

I hope you're all well. It's been a while since I've updated on my blog, there's been a lot going on but I'll talk about that in another post. Today I'm reviewing the Factox face mask* that was kindly gifted to me a few weeks ago. I actually took photos with my Canon 70D but I lost them and then had to retake them with my old camera which is why the quality is so bad so I do apologise for that!

Facetox is an organic, cruelty free vegan face mask that comes in two different sachets - one contains the powder which is kind of like an aztec clay with the other being rose water. Together the combination is like magic on the skin! The clay pulls the toxins out of the skin while the rose water repairs and nourishes the skin.

Besides the sachets, the box comes with a mixing try and applicator which makes it super easy to mix and apply the mask to your face. 

Just before applying the face mask with clean skin.

#nomakeup #nofilter #crazybun

I applied the face mask to my face and neck and one sachet of each was more than enough to cover the whole entire area. I left it on for about 30 minutes and I instantly noticed a difference. My skin was a lot softer and as nasty as it sounds, I could see my blackheads come to the surface so it definitely does pull out the toxins! I tend to get blackheads/whiteheads and I have large pores. My complexion just appeared brighter in general and my pores had also noticeably tightened. I was pleasantly surprised by how pleased I was with the results, I have tried so many face masks and this is definitely one of the better ones for acne/oily skin. 

If you have oily skin like me or tend to get a lot of acne and blemishes, I would highly recommend you give this a try as it is fantastic and delivers the results it says it does. The masks aren't too pricey and work out to be £3.57 each.

You can purchase this on the Facetox website.

Have you tried Facetox before? If you have, let me know in the comments! Or if you've tried other face masks you think are amazing don't forget to also mention them in the comments.

Sleek Makeup Cleopatra's Kiss Highlighting Palette Review

Hey everyone,

I was immensely excited when I heard Sleek Makeup were coming out with a new highlighting palette full of golden tones called Cleopatra's Kiss. Their top selling highlighting palette 'Solstice' has been talked about all over social media and has gained even more international success following popular YouTuber Jaclyn Hill's snapchat raving about the palette. As I am quite tanned and of a medium dark complexion, Solstice just didn't work for me but I loved the formula of the highlights - which is why I was super excited to try out Cleopatra's Kiss. 

I bought mine in store from Superdrug yesterday (22/09/16) and there were only 2 left so I decided to get both since they were doing 2 for £12. This palette is part of their Halloween collection so I'm not sure if it's limited edition or permanent. I swatched the shades in store and was super impressed with the pigmentation and the shade range. The shades will look particularly flattering on medium to deeper complexions.

Top Left to right: Sphinx, Delta, Dynasty and Goddess

The palette comes with 2 cream highlighters; Delta - a light bronze shade and Dynasty - a light gold shade, and 2 powder highlighters; Sphinx - a true bronzed gold shade with glitter and Goddess - a light champagne shade with a bit of sparkle. Upon first swatch Dynasty and Sphinx are my favourites as I love the shades and they are the most pigmented. The texture of the powder highlights are a little bit chunky but still really beautiful. The packaging is the same for all of their highlighters, it comes in a sturdy sleek gold packaging with a mirror and mini brush which is perfect if you're on the go.

Here's a swatch of all the shades on my arm. For reference as most of you will know I'm an NC42 in MAC.

From left to right: Sphinx, Goddess, Dynasty and Delta

I am definitely going to test the products on my face and will post a photo on snapchat and instagram so make sure you are following me on both! I will also be using the palette in an upcoming makeup tutorial on my YouTube channel.

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful. Please leave comments below and let me know if you have got this highlighting palette or plan on getting one - make sure you get it fast as I'm sure this palette is going to sell out.

Vatika Naturals Hair Oil and Hair Mask

Hey everyone,

I hope you're all well! It's been a while since I've put up a blog post but today I wanted to share something that I have been testing out the past 2 weeks, which is the Vatika Naturals Olive enriched hair oil and the Egg Protein deep conditioning hair mask. I have tried out Vatika Naturals before as its quite easily accessible - a lot of Indian shops tend to stock the brand. It is one of the most popular brands amongst South Asian and Middle Eastern women, known for its use of natural ingredients that promote healthy hair and skin.

Product

Firstly, the Olive enriched hair oil is very nourishing on the scalp and hair which is due to the fact it has olive, almond and cactus which all work together to protect your hair from daily wear and tear. It definitely provides my hair with shine and strengthens the hair follicles, as I notice my hair doesn't fall out as much. The Egg Protein hair mask noticeable softens my hair and makes it easier to manage, It also provides my hair with a lot of much needed moisture. Both products have a strong herbal smell which I personally really like.

Packaging

The Hair oil comes in a nice plastic squeezy tube which I always prefer over glass bottles as it's less messy and easier to use. The Hair mask comes in a plastic tub which is great as you can fit in more product and easily take out as much product as you need.

Price

The hair oil retails for about £3.99 while the hair mask is £5.99 which is pretty standard for the high street. Vatika Naturals is also available in a number of high street stores and supermarkets such as Superdrug, Wilko, Asda and Tesco.


Overall I highly recommend Vatika Naturals as I am a long time user myself and their products never let me down. I particularly enjoy the hair mask as it really does deep treat your hair.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know what else you'd like to see on my blog and youtube channel. I have been lacking creativity on my youtube so your suggestions would really help :)

Lancôme Juicy Shakers Review

Hey everyone,

It's been all about the lips lately with many lip products being released on the market recently, from liquid lipsticks to lip collagen infusions. Most people want plump lips including me, which is why I was so excited to receive 2 of the new Lancôme Juicy Shakers in the post. Even though the Juicy Shakers aren't explicitly targeted to those who want fuller or plump lips, I find these do help in creating a nice healthy wash of colour with an added boost to the appearance of the lips. I received the shades 142 freedom of peach and 151 cherry symphony. 


142 freedom of peach and 151 cherry symphony. 

Packaging:

The Juicy Shakers come in a little glass bottle which doesn't make it particularly travel friendly. The applicator is a very soft foamy cushion which I personally quite like; it's very unique and helps to control the amount of product you use.

Product:

You have to shake the bottle before applying. As you can see in the image it has a very liquidy formula. There is a slight fruity scent and the Juicy Shaker has a very oily finish which is both moisturising and nourishing. This lip gloss has a bi phased formula pairing nourishing lip oils with pigments for plump but natural looking, glossy lips. These nourishing oils contain sweet almond oil, omega 3 and cranberry oil. 

Price:

The Juicy Shakers retail for £18 which is a little expensive for the amount of product you get. There is 6.5ml and because the product is so oily I feel like it will be easy to get carried away and use it up very quickly.

Overall, if you do suffer from dry lips this could be a life saver for you. For me personally, I wouldn't wear this out as I feel it doesn't really do much for me apart from giving me a sheer wash of colour and oiliness to the lips. 

I hope you guys found this review helpful. Let me know if you've tried these Juicy Shakers and what you think of them.

Bloggers Hangout Fashion Week Party

Hey everyone,

On Monday I attended the Bloggers Hangout Fashion Week party in Shoreditch. I have been to a few fashion shows and after parties for London Fashion Week so I was excited to attend this particular one as it was during  the day. 

It was held at a small location in Hoxton where there were many amazing brand stalls. If you follow me on snapchat (@BhavnaNina) you might have already seen what it was like.

There were a lot of food brands there which was great for me as I have become a lot more health conscious in the last couple of months and I am therefore open to testing out new products to contribute to my healthy lifestyle. 

The brands that I enjoyed the most were definitely theproteindrinksco, Raw Gorilla, Pudology and Naturigin. I'll mention each of these brands in a lot more detail in upcoming posts but here is an overview:

Raw Gorilla offer grain free snacks that are as close to its natural state as possible. Everything is organic and offers so many nutritious ingredients like cacao and lucuma. I actually placed an order for their munchies on energise for life where they offer free delivery. Let me know if you'd like an in-depth review on these.

I was very intrigued by Naturigin because as a person who dyes her hair at home, though I use ammonia-free hair dye, there are still chemical ingredients that are damaging and cause a strong unpleasant smell. Naturigin offers hair dyes with all natural ingredients so I am excited to give it a try.

The Protein Drinks Co are a relatively new company taking on the big global brands with their UFit protein drinks. I spoke to Huw who is the sales director there and he said how one drink is equivalent to three eggs or a small chicken breast which left me curious to find out more.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I am hoping to include a lot more health & food posts on my blog so keep an eye out for them.

Barry M Spring Launch 2016

Hey Everyone,

Last Friday I was fortunate enough to go to the Barry M Spring launch at the beautiful St Martins Lane Hotel. They've released quite a few new products for the Spring along with a new 2016 face of the brand which is Lucy Mecklenburgh.

From left to right: In a Flash, Winning Streak, Freestyle & Personal Best

I have always loved Barry M products, especially their nail polishes as I think they are the best on the market. They are going to release a few new Gelly Hi Shines, Speedy Quick Dry and a completely new gel type polish called Daylight Curing which I am super excited to try out.

At the event we got the opportunity to get our nails done and I got mine done by nailsbymets - who was absolutely amazing! I chose the shade 'Butterscotch Sundae' from the Gelly Hi Shine range.

From left to right: Acai Smoothie, Pink Lemonade, Cream Soda & Butterscotch Sundae

From left to right: Topcoat, All the Things She Red, Bug a Blue, Empire State of Mint & Pinking Out Loud


As well as the new Spring collection of nail polishes, Barry M have also come out with some new makeup bits. The 'That's How I Roll' Mascara is specifically designed to lift and curl lashes - I'm excited to try this as I have very thick lashes that tend to stick to each other so I'm keen to see if this will do the job.

They also released a darker shade in their popular chisel cheek contour palette. I have tried this out since receiving it and I think its amazing. I will have a video up soon of me using it so I'll link it here when it's on my YouTube channel.

Another new release is their Shape & Define Brow Kit, which now comes in a lighter colour, this will work amazing with fairer complexions and/or those with lighter hair.

What product are you most excited to try out from the Barry M Spring 2016 collection? Let me know in the comments below! 

L'Oreal True Match Foundation - W6.5 Golden Caramel

Hey everyone,

It's been a minute since I have done a review on my blog but today I am doing a foundation review on the newly reformulated L'Oreal True Match Foundation.

I wasn't too sure on what shade I'd be as I had struggled with the old formula shades. W7 was a bit dark and the next shade up was too light. However, I saw there was a w6.5 shade and I naturally thought it would be a shade in between so I was excited to try it. 

It turned out the shade was a bit dark for me, even slightly darker than w7 which meant I had to do a lot of highlighting but I'm going to give you guys my honest thoughts on the new reformulated foundation.

Packaging

The packaging is more sleek, thinner and looks more appealing. It still comes with a pump - which to me is the most important factor at the end of my day, in terms of packaging. Its in a plastic bottle similar to the original packaging and has the usual 30ml of product.

Coverage

I was hoping the new formula meant that it wouldn't sag into my pores and have a more flawless coverage, however, though the new formula is a lot lighter on the skin, it is also a lot more dewy -  which my oily skin really doesn't agree with. It doesn't really cover much on my skin, even though my skin is in pretty good condition right now. I would say it gives a light coverage that can possibly be built up to medium with more layers. 

Price

The price is about the same for all drugstore/high street foundations. The introductory price was £7.99 and the typical price is £9.99. 

Heres me with the foundation on

Overall, I didn't particularly enjoy this foundation so I gave it to my sister who has dry skin and she really likes it. If you're unsure about this foundation I'd recommend trying it on in-store - as difficult as it may be - just so you know what sort of foundation it really is.

I hope you found this review helpful. Let me know if you'd like to see any more foundation reviews on my blog and my YouTube channel. Thanks for reading!

Oxygenetix Breathable Foundation Review

Hey everyone!

What a busy bank holiday weekend its been for me! On Saturday I attended Beautycon London, which was amazing by the way - (a full blog post will be coming up!) I had to leave early though because I was heading off on a mini bank holiday weekend getaway with family. I did vlog a bit of beautycon and the holiday but I have yet decided if I will be uploading this to my YouTube channel. Let me know if that's something you'd like to see.

Today's post is about a new discovery for me. I had been eyeing up the Oxygenetix Breathable Foundation* for a while now. So when I was offered the opportunity to review this popular foundation, I jumped at the chance.

Oxygenetix is renowned for its amazing skin benefits in their products. The foundation was originally developed to heal and conceal skin after cosmetic surgery and procedures such as laser and peels. Oxygenetix is based in Beverly Hills and has now taken the UK by storm - it was released here in late 2014 and the foundation has been marketed as a high end foundation that helps promote the healing process of a number of skin conditions, whilst being the ideal foundation for everyday wear.

Oxygenetix has gained a lot of celebrity fans, with Makeup artist Patty Bunch using the foundation on a number of celebrity clients. 

The foundation is available in 14 shades, seven yellow base colours and seven blue base colours so there is bound to be a colour that suits most skin tones.

I have been testing out this foundation for a couple of weeks now to fully see how great it really is, and I must say I am very pleased with the results.

Me with the foundation on in natural lighting

Application:

• I apply one pump of the Oxygenetix foundation and this seems to be enough as a little goes a long way. The shade I got is in Almond, which is unfortunately a little pale for me and I think a shade up (honey) would have been a perfect fit. For reference I am an NC42 in MAC.

• The coverage is good, it gives a light to medium buildable coverage which makes it perfect for any occasion. It can be worn everyday, for a night out or a wedding for the desired coverage.

• The finish is semi matte without looking dull or overly drying, which makes it ideal for most skin types. I have oily skin and this seems to work for me.

• You get an even coverage and it's very light on the skin.

Packaging:

The packaging is quite different to usual foundations, it comes in a 15ml plastic bottle that looks like medicine packaging, which is to be expected considering it originated as foundation for medical purposes. The foundation has a pump which is a bonus - I can't cope with foundations without a pump!

Pros:

• Looks like skin if you get the correct shade.
• Flattering in photos even though it contains an SPF of 20.
• Lives up to its claim of being breathable; doesn't clog pores or cause breakouts.
• The foundation is great for those with acne prone skin.

Cons:

• Is a little expensive for £45 for a 15ml bottle, but I think it is definitely worth the investment.
• Might be difficult to colour match.
• Can be hard to get a hold of in-store, however, it can be purchased through Cult Beauty or beauty is skin deep.

Overall, I think this foundation is great for everyday as it contains SPF 20, which is an important factor for me. I will probably purchase the foundation in honey, especially because the Summer months are coming up and I'll definitely be getting more tanned.

I highly recommend this foundation if you're looking for something medium coverage whilst being light on the skin with sun protection.

If you have this foundation, or would like to try it out let me know in the comments section :) I might also do a review + demo on YouTube if anyone is interested.

Roots & Rituals (R&R) Hair Product Review

Hey everyone,

A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to attend the Bloggers London Fashion Week event that was held in East London, and during my visit I came across many interesting brands. One of my favourites was the brand 'Roots & Rituals' who specialise in haircare products. What I loved most about this brand was the innovative package of their products and the natural ingredients like essential oils in their hair treatments.

My hair is quite oily at the scalp and dry towards the mid-lengths and ends and this is largely due to the fact that it's been damaged by hair colouring. Therefore I am always looking for products that are going to help get my hair back to the way it was.

I was lucky enough to get a sample of the hair conditioner, the deep conditioning hair oil and the heated towel to test out and review. The heated towel will not be reviewed in this post as I have not tried it out just just. So lets get straight into it shall we?

Deep Conditioning Hair Oil

This hair oil contains a lot of great beneficial oils in it like avocado oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, olive oil, argan oil and almond oil all into one nifty little product. What I love about this is you get all the benefits of different oils - that are great for different reasons - all in one hair oil treatment. You are advised to apply a small amount into the scalp in circular motions and spread evenly throughout hair. It says to leave it on for 30-40 minutes, however, I left it on for an hour as my hair has been suffering a lot since I had it highlighted. The product itself is very runny as you would expect it to be for a hail oil, it has a lovely scent and smells like essential oils; like a spa treatment, which helps you feel relaxed.

Results

The hair oil lived up to my expectations. It made my hair very soft, smooth and silky. I found it was easier to comb through my hair and my hair felt more nourished and hydrated.

Pros:

Great mix of essential oils
Nourishing weekly treatment
Relaxing scent
Doesn't leave your hair greasy after washing it out
Free from artificial fragrance, silicones and parabens

Cons

Comes in a 100ml bottle, which I am probably going to use up quickly

Hair Conditioner

Like the conditioning hair oil, the conditioner is packed full of beneficial ingredients that are really going to penetrate the hair shaft and make your hair more healthy. I applied the conditioner after shampoo and left it on for about 5 minutes. This conditioner was really intense and I could see a difference almost straight away. My hair felt really soft and nourished. R&R have actually just reformulated the conditioner into a hair mask due to popular demand, which I personally think is a great idea since its so intense.

Pros:

Great mix of essential oils
Moisturising effect
Leaves hair soft and supple
Free from artificial fragrance, silicones and parabens

Cons:

The strong essential oil smell can linger after washing it out (which isn't that much of a big deal for me)


I still have yet to test out the heated towel but I am sure that it will make the hair oil even better than it already is. I will keep you guys updated.

You can check out R&R haircare products here: http://www.rootsandrituals.co.uk/

I hope you enjoyed this review, let me know if you have tried any R&R products.

Kim Kardashian Prom Makeup

Hey everyone,

It's approaching that time of year where we have one or two special occasions to attend to; whether it's prom, a wedding or reception it's always fun to get glammed up! I filmed this Kim Kardashian inspired smokey eye Prom makeup tutorial that I thought would be a great glamorous look to wear to a special outing. Let me know what you think of it and I'll have another video up on Sunday - as well as a new blog post :)

Top 5 Luxury Beauty Christmas Gift Guide

Hey everyone! 

I can't believe it's almost Christmas! Like many others, Christmas is my favourite time of year (along with Halloween) as its a great excuse for spending time with family and watching Christmas themed movies. It's also that time of year where you have to go shopping for all those near and dear - which can be quite a challenge, especially if you've left it a bit last minute. But fear not as I have gathered up all my favourite beauty products that I feel would make a perfect present for any beauty lovers out there.

Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette

I couldn't possibly have a beauty gift guide without including this incredible eyeshadow palette from Urban Decay. This palette is stunning. There is a whole variety of colours and they are so pigmented and pretty. This palette includes your neutrals, smokey colours and some brighter jewel tone shades to suit a day or night look. The palette includes a humongous mirror, eyeshadow brush and fancy packaging.  This is without a doubt my favourite palette at the moment and it would honestly be a godsend to any makeup junkies out there. It currently retails for £42 which is quite a reasonable price for 20 eyeshadows.

Nars Virtual Domination Cheek Palette

This cheek palette has a lot of sparkly pinky shades that are perfect for Christmas. This is one of Nars' best seasonal palettes as it contains a mix of permanent and limited edition shades. The palette includes some blusher shades, contour & bronzer shades as well highlighting blush shades that would suit most skin tones. It costs £45 and it is still available to purchase at Space NK.

Benefit Skincare Gift Set

This is an amazing budget friendly gift set from Benefit. It includes 6 products for only £14.50! Benefit are renowned for their skincare products and this gift set would be perfect for those with dry/normal skin.

MAC Lipstick - Sin (Matte)

A gorgeous matte deep dark red from MAC. This is the most perfect 'fall' lipstick and is such a universally flattering colour. I like to wear this with a neutral or smokey eye and it goes with both looks so well. If you have a friend/sibling or family member that loves their lippies, this is hands down the best deep lipstick colour I've tried. 

Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara Christmas Gift Set*

This is my favourite gift set from the list. It includes a mascara, eye liner pencil and cleanser and it is such great value for the quality. I've been using the mascara non-stop since I got it and I haven't seen my lashes look more long and voluminous as they do with this mascara. I will be doing a full in-depth review on this on my blog or YouTube channel as I'm so impressed with it. A definite must-have for mascara lovers!

I hope you enjoyed this luxury beauty Christmas gift guide. As it's the season to be jolly - House of Fraser are embracing the Christmas spirit with a 12 Days of Christmas offer which will see big beauty names being reduced for the next week and a half from the 24th December. So if you haven't yet bought all your presents, or if you want to enjoy discounted beauty goodies, keep an eye out on the House of Fraser website for more info closer to the time. 

Remember, these beauty products are only discounted for a limited time only so make the most of it and keep your eyes peeled!

I hope you all have an amazing Christmas day and pig out on all the trimmings. I should have a video up on YouTube before Christmas if everything goes to plan so I'll see you then.

Foryou SuperGel Moisturiser for Oily Skin

Hey everyone!

I hope you've all had an amazing week! It's been really busy at work due to the Christmas rush but I've really been enjoying it so far. I'm faced with different (sometimes challenging) people everyday and it's been a real learning experience. 

Today's blog post is a mini review on the SuperGel Moisturiser by Foryou Skincare. I received some samples of this moisturiser at the Bloggers tea party hosted by Nadja and Olivia over a month ago and I have been using this product every night ever since.

Foryou Skincare is a startup company who offer a range of skincare for all skin types. I have the supergel moisturiser for oily skin and it really has improved the condition of my skin.

The moisturiser itself is quite thick and you really do have to work with it to blend it in nicely, but I feel like this allows the product to really melt into the skin. The product itself does an amazing job at providing hydration whilst combating shine. I like to use this moisturiser at night because it can be quite heavy for the day time under makeup. There is no scent to these moisturisers which gets another thumbs up from me and it hasn't made a huge difference to any small blemishes but it noticeably makes my skin smoother and soft, which is fantastic!

Foryou Skincare have a range of other products available on their website if you'd like to check them out and preorder: http://www.foryouskincare.com/ 

I hope you guys have been enojoying my blog posts instead of my usual YouTube videos lately, I really do need to invest in some good old lighting as it's impossible to film in this depressing London weather! I will hopefully have another video up next week. In the meantime, check out my facebook page here to keep up to date with me :)

Have a lovely weekend xo