Get Your Glow On INC.redible You Glow Girl Cosmic Blur Gift Set

Well there are last minute Christmas gift ideas, and there are last minute Christmas gift ideas - Can you believe that there is just one shopping day to go before the big day? I'm still in denial if I'm being honest, it's ages away and you feel as though you have all the time in the world to get things done, then wham it's nearly here and your to do list is still way longer than you would have liked - argh!

At least though I don't have to brave the shops tomorrow, my shopping is done and it's all wrapped and ready, if though you are looking for a gift for the beauty lover or party animal in your life then this kit from Nails Inc is a great last minute option. Not only that but if you're heading to any late Christmas or New Year parties, and you want a bit of sparkle to go with your outfit, then this could be a perfect pressie for yourself.

Now Nails Inc are obviously famous for their nail polishes, nail treatments, and their nail bars but did you know that they've now branched out into skin care and make up, with a range of face masks and cosmetic products. I actually reviewed one of their Christmas gift sets last year which contained both a face mask, and a lipstick (read it here), and I have to say I was pretty impressed with the lipstick, but somehow I never really got round to trying anything else from their INC.redible range, but what do you know? beauty products are like buses, you don't try something and then somehow you end up trying two things in pretty quick succession. I going to talk a little bit more about another INC.redible products in tomorrows post but first I'm going to talk about a kit that contains everything that you need to get your glow on!

Packaged in an amazing silver, holographic cardboard pouch the Nails Inc / INC.redible You Glow Girl Cosmic Blur Gift Set, contains two fabulous coordinating products, a full size Nails Inc nail polish, and a mini INC.redible Jelly Highlighter.

I've been a fan of Nails Inc nail polishes for the longest time, the quality is excellent but probably the main reason why I love them is that they are so innovative, as well as coming up with some really unusual colours, and scientific formulations, they also regularly bring out new polish textures and finishes. I'm a huge fan of their glitters, and iridescent polishes and of course their holographic shades, and the minute I saw this shade, I knew that I had to give it a go.

Nails Inc Nail Polish in Cosmic Blur, is probably one of the most fabulous shades that I've ever seen. At first glance in the bottle it just looks like a sort or pearlised white, but move the bottle around in your hands, or give your hands a little bit of a wiggle and it turns into an iridescent, multi coloured shimmer and sparkle fest.

Equipped with the familiar Nails Inc easy to grip cap, and their fabulous slightly curved wide brush it is a dream to apply even on my little stubby nails, it dries quickly, feels smooth and it looks super glossy. I'm not doing this colour justice on my little stubs, but here are two coats onto just base coated nails.

With Flash

Natural Light 

Now if you ignore the state of the nails themselves and focus purely on the amazingness of the colour I'm sure that you'll agree that it is super pretty. Depending on the lighting and movement it can change from an almost invisible nude to an explosion of multicoloured flashes. As I say this is just two coats on top of a base coat, and it looks fine as it is and to be honest since I want something super simple, this might be my Christmas Day manicure, because it's quite sheer though Cosmic Blur makes an amazing top coat, instantly transforming any colour in an instant x I thought I'd try it out on two shades at the opposite end of the colour spectrum, completely different shades, a dark and a light, but still classic and wearable shades, the classic dark berry red of Nails Inc Victoria and, the perfect French nude of Nails Inc Elizabeth Street.

Nails Inc - Victoria

With Flash

Natural Light

Nails Inc - Elizabeth Street 

With Flash

Natural Light 

Again, ignore the nails and cuticles and focus on the pretties x Both of these nails colours look fab in their own right, and I'll be showcasing both of them in their own individual blog posts in the new year, but add a couple of coats of Cosmic Blur and you've gone from chic and classy, to blingy and, well cosmic in minutes ! I've applied two coats here for a full on look, but you can be a bit subtle and apply one coat for a little less sparkle.

Cosmic Blur is definitely one of those polishes that you can experiment with, you apply it over different shades, try a bit of nail art, and stare it in different lights to absorb it's real beauty. My pictures haven't done it justice at all, it's a gorgeous shade, and perfect from transforming your nails from desk to dance floor in a matter of minutes. I've searched the internet high and low and the only place that I can find this shade is in this kit. Nails Inc polishes normally retail between £11 and £15 and since the kit is only £15 it's already a bargain even without the other item.

I remember in my teenage years and in my early twenties (and maybe even later than that ) playing with glitter gels; They are perfect for the party season but they aren't for everyone, they can be a bit out there, so if you fancy a bit of shimmer rather than full glitter though then then INC'redible You Glow Girl Iridescent Jelly in _Cosmic Blur is perfect!

The little pot really does contain a bit of magic, open it open and you're greeted with a slightly unassuming looking, white jelly like substance. 

As with it's name sake nail polish though, wiggle the pot or spread a small amount on your skin and oomph! ultra violet, colour flipping shimmer and sparkle!!

The jelly itself feels smooth to the touch and definitely isn't glittery or scratchy, this is iridescent shimmer not glitter. I haven't had a chance to try this properly yet but you can use it just about anywhere, from your eyes, to your cheeks, lips and even on your shoulders.  It adds a gorgeous, iridescent glow, without any chunky glitter or fallout.

This isn't a full sized pot but it's a good size and it would definitely last you the party season and maybe even beyond that depending on how generous you were with your application. The full 9.35g retails at around £10.

This sparkly set retails at £15 which as I say is excellent when you consider the usual price for a full size Nails Inc polish. This kit is available from most Nails Inc concessions and retailers including the Nails Inc website, and John Lewis, and I think it would make a lovely treat either for yourself or for someone else x Are you a shimmer fan? or do you like out and out glitter? or even both? Let me know in the comments x 

A Review Of The Benecos Natural Highlighting Powder In Stardust*

Thanks to celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham, layering on the highlighter has never been more popular. Whether you call it sculpting on strobing it all means the same thing, using a bronzer or darker shade to contour and shape your face, and a lighter shade of cream or powder, with or without shimmer to give you face a glow and that lit from within look.

I'm slightly obsessed with highlighters, and whilst yes, you can definitely over do it, a little bit of shimmer and light here and there, gives the face movement and texture and takes your make up to the next level. I probably have more highlighting powders and liquids than most department stores but I can't seem to stop adding to my already ridiculously large collection. I just can't help myself all that shimmer and sparkle just looks so pretty, it's no surprise therefore that for one of March's My Pure reviews I decided to try a pretty highlighting powder from one of the sites newest brands, Benecos.

I lost my Benecos virginity back in February when I tried their Natural Nail Care Pen (read my review here) and I have to say I was impressed not only by the brands philosophy but also by their very, friendly price point. This BDIH certified German brand produces a large range of affordable beauty products that contains predominantly organic natural ingredients and no nasty chemicals. There products are also cruelty free, and are free from genetically modified ingredients and gluten.

The product that I decided to try was the Benecos Natural Highlighting Powder in Stardust. Again Benecos are a brand that combines make up with skincare so this product is full of ingredients that are good for the skin including kaolin clay which is designed to absorb excess oil and aid wear time, natural light reflecting, mineral pigments including mica and organic moisturising oils including macadamia, sunflower, and castor seed.

Packaged in a basic but chic and practical, clear plastic compact, this is a solid, champagne, nude toned powder, packed full of tiny little sparkles There is a small floral design embossed on the top which isn't essential but it adds a nice touch to the product.

At first I found the powder quite hard and I didn't get a lot of pigmentation from it but once I'd used it for a while, and worn away the top layer it became a lot softer, and the pigmentation improved. I've tried to swatch it but to be honest I think it looks a bit flat in natural light and you really can't see the sparkle that well.

This isn't the most pigmented or sparkly highlighter on the market but if you're after a more subtle look then this could work for you. Your never going to achieve a shimmery, sharp  Kimmy K or Vicky B cheekbone with it but if you want a bit of glow it could work for you. I've been using this quite a bit over the last month, and I have found that you do need to put quite a bit on and blend it in well or at least I did. You can use it on the cheek bones, and the eyelids like I have here, and you can also use it on the decollete or the shoulders or anywhere the light naturally hits to give the skin a bit of a sheen. Again it didn't show up too well in the photographs but  strangely enough my huge pores did! Funny that but I've taken a few pics with the flash to try and give you some idea.

Because of the pale shade, and lack of pigmentation I don't think that this product would work on some skin tones but if you're after a subtle glow, you're on budget and you prefer to buy cruelty free, then this highlighter from Benecos could be something to try. The Benecos Natural Highlighting Powder in Stardust retails at £6.95 for 9g, from My Pure x  Are you a highlighter fan? Leave me a comment I'd love to hear your thoughts x

*Sample

Getting Your Shimmer On With Madara Flower Dust Shimmer Moisturiser*

Although I'm most definitely not a party girl, when the festive season arrives I normally make an exception and I don't need any excuse to dress up to the nines, and sparkle the night away. In the summer it makes perfect sense to care for our skin because it's going to be on show but come winter time we often forget and it's a mad dash, to primp and preen ourselves in time for that New Years Eve party. Over the last month  or so though, I've been trying out a product from My Pure that promises to make your skin look amazing no matter what the season.

I've tried a few products from award winning, Latvian brand, Madara now and bar a couple of minor quirks I've been pretty impressed; Up until recently though I'd only tried  some of their skincare products, one of their new editions though give me the opportunity to branch out into their body care range

The Madara Flower Dust Lotion Shimmering Moisturiser like all of the products in the Madara range is certified organic, and 100 percent of the ingredients are natural in origin.Their products are also suitable for vegans and they aren't tested on animals. This body lotion contains a host of natural ingredients including sunflower seed oil, cocoa butter, rose hip and algae extracts, and something called titanium dioxide, but more on that later.

This lotion comes boxed and it comes in a pump action airtight bottle. It takes a couple of pumps to prime the bottle but after that the product comes out easily. I found the one pump was more than enough for both arms as a little goes a long way, making this product both hygienic and economical.

Although it's described as a lotion this actually has a lovely, rich and creamy texture, Just dispense a little bit of this lotion into your hand and you can see what makes it so special.

It's crammed full of titanium dioxide, and other natural minerals, this isn't just a normal body lotion, it is in fact a shimmering body lotion. It's not that easy to see in most of these pictures but this lotion leaves a beautiful golden, shimmery glow on the skin.

This isn't a chunky glitter by any means, it's a fine subtle shimmer that is perfect for when you want to show a bit of skin. Apply a little bit to your arms, legs and your collar bones and you're party ready in an instant. It goes without saying that this product would look beautiful on tanned and darker skin tones, but even if you're pale and pasty, this will definitely give your skin a bit of warmth and a healthier appearance.

The shimmery aspect is without a doubt this products biggest selling point, but this isn't just a cosmetic or make up product, this is a serious body lotion, with lots of natural oils and butters to smooth and care for the skin. It takes a little while to absorb but it leaves the skin feeling smooth, soothed, and looking fabulous.

I absolutely love this product and I think it's a real must have for the festive season, it adds a subtle sparkle to the skin, and it adds a good dose of moisture when the skin needs it most. The only tiny drawback could be the the scent ,it has the same distinctive very green fragrance that the Tinting Fluid has - I think that this is probably a love / hate scent, but if this doesn't sound very you, don't worry, in this case it doesn't linger and it definitely won't interfere with your perfume. If you have a party to go to this winter then you need this lotion in your life, even if you're not planning on flashing any flesh, I'm sure a tiny little bit applied to the cheek bones would give you that party feel even if you're just wearing your Christmas jumper. The Madara Flower Dust Lotion Shimmering Moisturiser retails at £19 for 150ml from My Pure. If you have any questions please let me know x  Thanks for reading x

*Sample

Beauty Goodies - Shopping Trip Part 2

Hey I'm back I felt pretty awful last night so I decided to do this today - so sorry for any delay :) I am going to divide it in to what I picked up in each shop
to make it easier ;)

Primark

All the beauty items in my local Primark were half price so I picked up a few bits to try

Blend and Stretch Eyeshadow - Lightening 9079



These are supposedly long lasting a bit like the Bourjois ones - I haven't tried it yet but its a lovely silver / grey which is surprisingly pigmented



Trust Dust Mineral Eyeshadow - Lily 9120
A loose mineral eyeshadow in a dipstick like applicator in a shimmery silver / white



Superdrug

Barry M Lipgloss Wand in LGW2 - Toffee
Yummy is all I can say


Barry M Dazzle Dusts


DD27 Gold Iridescent


DD8 Silver Iridescent


DD44 Bronze


GOSH Soft N Shine Lip Balm- 30 Barbie
This looks so strong in the tube but its actually a really sheer pink




Sleek Chaos Palette



ME ME ME Shimmy Shimmers - Gold Shimmer
Exactly like Bobbi Brown Shimmerbricks - love these x



Collection 2000 Hot Looks Nail Polish - 12 Minx


GOSH Nail Lacquer 550 Purple Heart
This pic in no way does this justice an iridescent dark purple with green shot through it amazing


This post is getting a bit long and pic heavy now so I am going to do another post later to finish off my haul - Boots, Body Shop and Victoria Jackson to come x