Ciate Nail Polishes

I love Ciate nail polishes, I literally cannot get enough of them, from their wide variety of shades to the gorgeous packaging complete with pretty bow! They really do hit the spot when it comes to luxuary nail polishes. 

(Pocket Money)

I love the shade Pocket Money for a classy neutral nude look, and play date for a fun, sassy weekend look. 

(Play Date)

These polishes apply like a dream, look flawless even on ridged and uneven nail surfaces and are chip resistant. The pigmentation level is excellent and one coat is enough although I always do two. 

Ciate also do the 'Caviar' manicure which consists of applying thousands of tiny caviar sized beads on top of a base coat of nail polish. 

 

I apply some as an accent to the tip of the nail on the ring finger but then leave the rest of my nails just painted plain. I have seen people with every nail entirely covered in the caviar beads but I think it looks a little tacky not to mention impractical! The beads stay on long enough for a night out but certainly wouldn't survive day to day wear!

Tip: To give them more staying power apply a clear topcoat to seal them onto the nail. 

If you've not tried Ciate I recommend you do! They easily give Essie, Nails Inc, OPI and China Glaze a run for their money!  

Prices are from around £5 on eBay to £9 direct from Ciate but they are a large sized bottle at 13.5ml and well worth the money. 

Dove summer glow gradual tanning lotion

There are many self tanning products on the market, I've tried most of them over the years both drugstore and high end but I always end up going back to this product. 

Many are too orange, have a horrible scent, streak or don't give enough colour. This product does none of the fore mentioned. It simply gives a natural looking, buildable tan that really suits any skintone. It's not orangey or fake looking at all and it lasts for days! 

It retails for approximately £5 although you can regularly pick it up on promotion for as little as £3 in boots, superdrug and supermarkets. It comes in two shades; Fair to normal and normal to dark, Personally I prefer the normal to dark. It gives results faster. 

How to use it:

Take a shower or bath and exfoliate the skin using a scrub such as soap & glory flake away. Then dry the skin thoroughly. Apply a generous amount of product (as you would with your regular body lotion) and rub into the skin in circular motions to avoid streaks. Allow to dry (if you have to get dressed then try to wear loose clothing such as pyjamas for half an hour to allow it to soak into the skin) this is perfectly safe to also use on the face. It has never caused me to break out! I find it best to apply it of an evening an hour or so before bed, it works while I'm asleep and I wake up with a beautiful warm glow. It can take 8 hours to see any result so don't fret if you don't see results straight away! The other benefit of applying before bed is that although this has a pleasent scent it does eventually turn to the classic but annoying self tan scent of biscuits! At least when you awaken tanned you can shower and get rid of the smell before work. 

Apply daily until you reach the desired level of tan, this usually only takes 2-3 days. Then apply every other day to keep your tan. Once a week exfoliate thoroughly and start again from scratch. 

Tip: to avoid orange palms of hands simply wipe with a baby wipe after use! Don't wash your hands as then the backs of them won't be as tanned as your arms! 

 

Get Ready With Me Using Drugstore Makeup

My makeup look changes from day to day, depending on where I'm going, what I'm doing and how long I have to get ready before rushing out of the door! 

A typical get ready routine would take me approximately 30 minutes for hair and makeup. I think that's about the average length of time for most girls, so I'm quite happy with that. I don't feel that it's particularly high maintenance. 

My first step is always primer. The drugstore primer I favour is Nuance by Salma Hayek. A small amount worked into the skin with the hands really perfects your base. 

Next up is concealer, my favourite drugstore one is Rimmel Match Perfection in ivory. I use this under the eyes to cover any darkness and also on any imperfections or blemishes. 

I then apply my foundation. I have many favourites when it comes to drugstore foundations, but given that I was going to work and we are mid heatwave I opted for Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 hour. I apply this with a real techniques foundation brush then blend with a damp real techniques sponge. 

Next up i apply some Max Factor Creme puff powder with a real techniques buffing brush to my T'Zone to help prevent shine and set my foundation. 

Following that I applied ELF contouring blush blush in Antigua (cool toned pink) in circular motions to the apples of the cheeks and blended back towards the hairline using a real techniques large blush brush. 

To set my face makeup I used the NYX Matte setting spray and spritzed it evenly all over my face, allowing it to dry before continuing with my makeup. 

I filled in my eyebrows using a Jordana Fabuliner in Taupe. 

For eyeshadow I opted for the MUA Undressed Palette. I applied the lightest pearlescent pink shade to the eyelid then a taupe to blend out in the crease and a smoky brown to the outer corner. 

I lined the upper lash line with Soap and Glory Supercat liquid liner, and the lower lash line with Soap and Glory Smoulder pencil. Then smudged it out. 

For mascara I opted for CoverGirl Clump Crusher in Black. 

My lips were treated to a coat of CoverGirl LipPerfection jumbo Gloss Balm in Watermelon. A bright pink colour with a lovely glossy sheen. 

That completes my makeup look for today! Thanks so much for reading and I'll see you soon! 

Why not check out my youtube channel where you can view my video tutorials? 

Www.youtube.com/beautyandhelen and subscribe to be told when I make a new video xx

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Lancome Visionnaire Serum LR2412 4% The MIRACLE Serum!

Lancome have released a new highly concentrated serum in line with their Visionnaire range, containing 4% LR2412 designed to combat:

• Wrinkles
• Pores
• Uneven skintone

The product comes in a sleek teal green bottle in 30ml and 50ml sizes. 

Lancome tested this serum on ladies considering lasers, fillers and peels and after seeing the results over half of them said they will reconsider! No wonder its being called the 'Miracle Serum'.

What is it? 

LR2412 is a chemical derived from the Jasmine plant. It enables the serum to propel through layers of the skin and penetrate deeper than other products in order to create micro transformations within the cells deep down in the newer layers of the skin. No other cosmetics company can use LR2412 as Lancome have protected it with over 20 patents worldwide, meaning it simply cannot be reproduced!

Is it Clinically proven?

LR2412 was independently tested at Manchester University by Prof. Griffiths. She called the results Clinically Convincing and stated that the results were the same as with Retinoic Acid - which is a prescription only skin corrector and obviously not accessible to the masses! Whereas LR2412 has NO side effects and can be sold over the counter by Lancome! 

+4

How is it beneficial?

The deeper the skincare penetrates, the more work it can do! Simple as that really! Pair that with its ability to minimise the pores, even out the skin tone and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and the benefits are pretty huge! 

How do I use it?

Visionnaire serum is designed to be used morning and night. You simply apply 3 pumps with the fingertips in outward motions to freshly cleansed skin. Then apply your moisturiser. 

My Verdict!

I am a huge fan of Lancome skincare and their Advanced Genifique, so I was very excited to try out this new serum. I'd heard a LOT of hype about this product, which is a favourite among A listers like Kate Middleton, Pippa Middleton and Emma Watson.

This is a beautifully silky smooth serum, it smells amazing, it sinks into the skin quickly and doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy or oily. It doesn't irritate my sensitive skin at all.

I have noticed a huge difference since using this product, especially in my skin tone - it looks much more even. This is not an overly hyped product - it really does work miracles! 

Try it out for yourself! 

30ml of Lancome Visionnaire is £59 and available at Tyrers of St Helens. 

Lancôme Advanced Genifique Serum

Lancôme Advanced Genifique is a highly concentrated serum that uses biotechnology to encourage restoration of the 10 signs of youthful skin. 

Advanced Genifique is packaged in a sleek black jar with a pipette that auto doses. 3 drops is all that is needed! It is a whitish coloured silky serum that feels like heaven to touch, it spreads with ease and is absorbed quickly leaving no oily or greasy residue.

All skincare at Lancôme is enhanced / accelerated by Genifique, so this is their go-to product! 

What does it do? 

Genifique uses bio ingredients to smooth fine lines and deep wrinkles, boosts radiance, clarifies and evens the skin tone, improves the skin's texture, elasticity, firmness and hydration.

Does it actually work though? 

My honest opinion is YES! It does. 

I may only be 30 years old but my skin is showing the first heartbreaking signs of ageing: fine lines, dullness, uneven skintone, sun damage and a soul destroying lack of elasticity! I have noticed a real difference with this product, it's definitely helping with firmness and less visible lines! Plus it feels like absolute heaven after a long day at work! I feel replenished and soothed. 

How do you use it?

I apply 3 drops of this with my fingertips  to freshly cleansed and toned skin (Lancôme Galateis Doucheur and Tonique Doucheur being my cleanser and toner of choice) I then apply Lancôme hydra zen yeux to the eyes, and Lancôme hydra zen neurocalm to the rest of the face. My entire skincare routine takes 5 minutes with Lancôme, and my skin has honestly never looked or felt better! 

94% of Lancôme customers would recommend this product to a friend! There IS a reason why!

Try it out for yourself and see the difference. 

Lancôme Advanced Genifique is available at Tyrers of St. Helens. 30ml is £59. 

Lancôme Douceuer Cleanser & Toner

Lancôme Skincare is simply incredible, it is luxurious, effective and innovative. All of lancome's products are patented so that they cannot be reproduced or imitated by other companies and you really understand why they've gone to the trouble to do that when you try it. They stand alone in terms of innovation! 

I am going to be reviewing Lancôme skincare in a series of blogs, today I am focusing on the very initial part, Cleansing and Toning. 

If you dont know why it is important to cleanse and tone the skin daily, here are just a few good reasons! 

1. It removes impurities.

2. It refines the skin.

3. It unblocks the pores.

4. It exfoliates, removes dead skin cells and and preps the skin. 

Needless to say that nobody's skin ever looks radiant without first being properly cleansed. That goes for makeup wearers too! Your makeup will look so much more flawless if you apply it to properly prepped skin. 

My Lancôme cleanser of choice is called:

GALATEIS DOUCHEUR

This gentle softening cleansing fluid is suitable for the face AND eyes! (No need for a seperate eye makeup remover!!) It is ideal for all skin types, contains papaya and pineapple extracts and helps to keep the skin supple! 

Ideal for taking off your makeup (even waterproof mascara, I've tried it and it did it with ease!) or just freshening up the skin after exposure to daily pollution, this product comes in a generous 200ml size. 

Apply with a cotton pad and wipe away the impurities, your skin will feel exceptionally clean! 

I LOVE this cleanser, I haven't had a single blemish since I've been using it, let alone a pimple! I guarantee your drugstore alternative won't even come close in terms of cleansing power, yet it is so gentle on my sensitive skin I have had no irritation whatsoever!

Some things just ARE worth the money, and a properly cleansed face is one of them! 

The Toner that goes alongside this is:

TONIQUE DOUCEUR

This blue coloured toner is both softening and hydrating but best of all it is alcohol free (so many toners aren't!) it is ideal for normal to combination skin. 

I find this toner fantastic, following up my cleanser with this my skin feels amazing, refined and luminous. A little goes a long way and this product will pick up any last lagging bits of grease or makeup the cleanser missed (and it doesn't miss much believe me!) 

It also rinses the cleanser off your face leaving your skin completely bare and ready to absorb your moisturiser. 

I recommend these products to ladies in their 20's to 40's with normal to combination skin. 

Both Galateis doucheur and tonique doucheur are available at Tyrers of St. Helens RRP £22.50 each for 200ml. 

Go and see the lovely Bev on the Lancôme counter and tell her I sent you! She's a world of knowledge. You won't be disappointed.