No!No!8800 hair removal - week 4

So it's been a whole month since I started trialing the No!No!hair removal device and I've upped my usage to 3 times a week which has helped a lot in terms to hair growth and length!

Sarah from I Heart Cosmetics has just started trialing the 8800 too and I am super envious of her results so far. Shes only had to use hers once a week due to the fact that she has had such little hair growth. No fair! Am going to have to ask her what her tips are with the hopes that they will help me :) You can read her latest update here.


Now for the grim part...the photo update!

I still find myself using the No!No! over the same spot for a few times in order to get as close enough to the hair as possible but I've definitely improved my handling of the device :) 


Another thing worth noting about this No!No!8800 is that it has an incredibly long battery life. It's been 4 weeks and it still has 2 our of the 3 bars of battery life left. Very impressed.


Check back next week for another update!

MASCARA LOVE! COLLECTION 2000 BIG FAKE FALSE LASH EFFECT

I first saw this mascara whilst watching a pixiwoo youtube video (AMAZING tutorials go check them out here) and after seeing the effect it had on Nic's lashes I had to dash out and grab one for myself!

Available for the bargain price of £4.99 this mascara is fantastically cheap and makes my lashes super big.


If you are a regular reader you will know that I usually only purchase waterproof mascaras, finding that non waterproof has a tendency of weighing my lashes down.


However, with the help of a fantastic japanese primer (review to follow soon I PROMISE) I've since been able to use regular mascaras without any problem...horray!

The Big Fake False Lash Effect has a nice big fat brush with the formula on the dry side, applying smoothly, separating lashes and without any clumps. 

I love that you can easily build up the volume of your lashes with this and it doesn't dry all crunchy and hard...yay for soft flexible lashes :)
I've not experienced any smudging whilst using this and it lasts all day with ease.


Anyway, without further ado, here are the before and afters...!

I bought this from my local Boots but you can also find it in Superdrug.
Visit the Collection2000 website here

BEAUTY BLOG LINK LOVE :)

Rachel finds out if a body lotion can be energizing with Liz Earle.

Makeup Morsels finally tries out those famous Urban Decay Liners.

Looking for a similar powder to the Magic Cool Powder from MAC? Look no further - Sleek Makeup have one for half the price!

Check out Audrey Dao's review of Zoya's Spring 2011 Intimate Collection along with photos and swatches!

Daily Polish shows off sneak pictures of China Glaze's Holiday 2011 Collection Let It Snow!

Phyrra tells you about Shadow Transformation. She compares four products from Fyrinnae, Hi-Fi, Sobe Botanicals, and Medusa's Makeup. See which one comes out on top!

Kelly of Gouldylox Reviews finds a new love at the drugstore. It's quickly becoming a foundation favorite!

What do you do when your bosses go on leave? Why, wear crazy turquoise fishnet nails to work of course - Musicalhouses did it!

Retrodiva shares her five favorite tinted moisturizers that can be used even on oily skin.

One palette; how many looks can The Lip Print create? It's a Palette Challenge!

Sarah from IHeartCosmetics bypasses Bella Bamba and goes straight for Benefit's Prrrowl and Magic Ink.

Jo at Music and Makeup finally had a play with MAC Club eyeshadow and liked the results!

Are China Glaze Channelesque and China Glaze Below Deck dupes or not? Check out this post at Beauty addict's blog to find out!

Big pores? You need this! Hellcandy shares her love for Benefit's Porefessional.

Craving the new Make Up For Ever Lab Shine lip glosses? Well, you're in luck because Krasey Beauty has swatches of the full collection!

Mz. More of The Glamorous Gleam tries out OPI Shatter Nail Polish. Is it all it's "cracked" up to be?

Jenn over at Spiced beauty puts on her best glam face using BarryM Cosmetics!

theNotice chats about the new love in her life - that is, Clarins Rouge Hydra Nude lipsticks. Will you be picking up a tube before they're sold out?

Amy Antoinette reviews ELF's Studio Line blushes.

It’s all about glowing skin and pink hues this spring! Anita reviews (almost) the entire Guerlain spring collection over at Pleasureflush.

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Beauty Crazed wants to solve your winter hair woes with $200 worth of Marc Anthony products! So enter the contest already!

Start the new year with a new you. Win a La Mav anti-age skin care pack and enjoy your new skin.

Help Cindy celebrate the one year anniversary of Prime Beauty. At this celebration the presents are for you!

Come by Jeweled Thumb to read a review of the Eyeko My Coral Crush Peachy Keen blush and also win one! Enter now to be one of the 2 lucky winners!

Socialite Dreams is hosting a giveaway of socialite approved goodies!

NEW MELVITA PRODUCTS FOR SPRING & SUMMER 2011

On Wednesday night I attended the Melvita Spring press launch to check out the new products for Spring 2011.

Melvita is France's largest certified beauty brand where every product is certified by ECOCERT.
I've been using their cleanser and toner for over a month now and love how gentle they are on my skin...review to follow soon!

This Spring sees the launch of four ranges with the first being the "Quintessential Beauty Oils". Designed to give you a facial at home, they smell beautiful with three drops all that's need to really nourish your skin.

Available for dry, sensitive and combination skin, the oils will retail for £28 and will be available next month.

Spring also sees the launch of the Naturalift range which features four products to help target the signs of aging. With a face cream, skin serum, mask and eye & lip treatment, there is a product to treat all areas of the face. I was kindly given two products from this collection to try so will let you know how I get along :)  

Melvita have also turned to the east for the inspiration behind the new Floral Bouquet Collection which is available in July. The idea behind this range is a cleanse twice regime which involves cleansing with a soap followed by a cleansing milk. Will post more on this range closer to the release ;)

Last but not least is the "algascience" range for intensive slimming and toning with five products rich in energising minerals to help improve your skins appearance :)

At the event I got the chance to meet Melvita's founder Bernard Chevilliat who was on hand to talk through all the products available as well as answer any questions we had.

Have you tried any of the Melvita products? Which ones are your favourite?

A selected range of Melvita products are available in John Lewis and Whole Foods with the full range available from their Covent Garden store and the Melvita website.

CHANEL IN DISGUISE...IT'S THE ANIMATED ROBOTS!

Saw this recently on the Grazia website (UK ladies fashion/beauty mag) and thought I'd do a little post on it.

Chanel’s Global Creative Director of Makeup, Peter Philips, brings his beauty kit to life in this short animated video for LVMH's culture website, Nowness. Am particularly fond of the Chanel clouds :)

Animating Chanel from lionel bui on Vimeo.

FLUFFY FLYAWAY HAIR? INTRODUCING AVEDA'S SMOOTH INFUSION

If you are a regular reader of my blog you will know that I am guilty of hair abandonment. My hair is lucky if it sees a brush come near it let alone any gorgeous hair care goodies!

However, if I ever decide to tamper with my hair and have a play with hot styling tools then I will ALWAYS make sure I treat my tresses to ensure my barnet keeps it's style intact and to also make sure it it hydrated and as nourished as it can be under 200 degrees heat!

Last month I was kindly sent Aveda's Sooth Infusion and it's been a joy to use.
Am lucky to be blessed with naturally straight hair but given that I also have very fine hair, there are times when it's so fluffy and airy fairy it just floats. Not fun!

I've been using this product on damp hair just after I wash it to help tame my tresses and stop those annoying little baby hairs from sticking up and it seems to be doing the trick :)

As will all Aveda products the scent smells natural, with this particular product smelling like dried lemons.
Packed with plant extracts and organic tapioca for humidity and heat defending wheat protein it's not greasy, doesn't leave a tacky film on my hands after application which is big thumbs up and most importantly my hair doesn't FEEL like it has product in.

All in all I am very much enjoying this one :)

Visit the Aveda website for more info.

(pr sample no affiliate links)

AUSSIE PRODUCTS: LUCAS PAPAW OINTMENT

My bf recently brought back a haul of fab Aussie products for me and one of them was the infamous Lucas Papaw ointment.

Dubbed as the Aussie version of Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Cream, I've lost count of all the reviews and magazine raves that I've read about this product so was very keen to put it to the test.

Created by medical practitioner Dr. Thomas P. Lucas, the ointment has been around for years having first been created for the treatment of many ailments at the doctors Brisbane hospital.

After his death he gave his recipes to his wife who then made them available for purchase. The formula is exactly the same as when he first created it (a good 100 years ago!) and can be used to treat the following:

Minor Burns Chafing Cuts
Gravel Rash Minor Open Wounds
Nappy Rash Scalds
Sunburn Splinters and Thorns

I have been using this ever since I got it and it's really great for dry, chapped lips leaving them soft and supple! 

It doesn't have a scent or flavour which is a shame but it is non greasy..horray!

I've thankfully not had any of the above ailments to treat but I carry my tube everywhere so it will be on hand should I need to :)

The ingredients are as follows:

Fermented Fresh PawPaw Fruit, Rhus Succedanea Wax, Glycerine, Petrolatum, Canola Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Beeswax, Corn Starch, Potassium Sorbate (0.1 mg/g).

You can purchase Lucas Papaw from www.cultbeauty.co.uk or if you live in London I know the Australia Shop in Covent Garden stocks it.

LIZ EARLE ENERGISING BODY LOTION...SIMPLY INVIGORATING!

I've been a fan of Liz Earle for a good 10 years and I remember the second product I ever tried was the Energising Hip & Thigh Gel. At the time I loved it..the scent is incredible and so naturally intoxicating. So when Liz Earle announced that they were releasing an Energising Body Lotion I couldn't wait to try it.

The lotion shares the same deliciously invigorating scent as the Hip & Thigh gel...it's just heavenly. Packed with 19 naturally active botanicals including butchers broom, caffeine, geranium and rosemary to name a few it sinks in super fast, scenting the skin with a gorgeous fresh, clean herbal scent. You really need to smell it for yourself to understand why I love it so much :)

Designed to help smooth, firm and tone the skin, the lotion retails for £16.50 for a 150ml tube. You can also get a 30ml try me size for £4.75. Well worth checking out!

NO!NO! 8800 HAIR REMOVAL SYSTEM - week 3

It's been three weeks since I first started my No!No!8800 trial. The first few weeks have seen me struggle to get to grips with using it but this week I think I might have mastered it.

As you know I have been struggling with getting it to work properly when I use it under my arms but I've since found that if I grip it firmly, as if I were holding say a microphone, then it seems to roll much more smoothly without any juttering and I haven't had any surprise ouches either!

I still don't find that it gets close enough to the skin to give close enough hair removal when used on my underarms despite how much I stretch my arm, but that being said I have no trouble using it on my legs which is fab as it doesn't hurt one bit so is a much kinder alternative to epilating and waxing.

Here is the latest hair update.

Definitely think I need to use this device more than twice a week so from this week on I will be using it three times a week. Update on Sunday!

BIZARRE: ANIMAL HAIR!

I absolutely adore these beautifully bizarre hair hats created by the late Japanese pop artist Nagi Noda. 

My favourites are the moose and dog designs:

(image source: www.naginoda.com)

Aren't they just amazing?

You can visit her website here: www.naginoda.com

NAIL ART: DAZZLE DOTS & RINGS FROM SALLYS BEAUTY

A few people have asked me where I got my sparkly dots which I used in a few of my latest Nail of the Days.
After seeing so many nail art designs in Japanese magazines I really wanted to get my hands on some dots to try my own diy manicures.

However, they are not easy to find! I searched online and ordered some but they were far too small. After a huge hunt I pretty much gave up hope until last month when I decided to walk into Sallys on Shaftesbury Avenue in the Westend...and that's where I found these! I often frequent this store and have never seen them before so they must be pretty new.
They cost something like £7.80 and you get lots of lovely colours:

I'm not particularly fond of the rings but the dots themselves are just super pretty:

I need to find some free time to experiment with them so I can create art like the following:

Here are the designs I've created so far:

BIZZARE: THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS – SMELL ME THE MONEY!

(image source: www.liquidmoney.com)

Ever wanted to smell of money? Well now you literally can.
One of my  work colleagues sent me an article about the new fragrance aptly entitled “Money”, which is available in his and her versions and comes in boxes stuffed with real shreaded dollars...kerching!

Created by Patrick MaCarthy, a Microsoft VP of sales by day and money perfuming making guy by night, each bottle retails at $35.
McCarthy told AOL news: "I really feel that people who wear this will feel more confident ...I got the idea after reading a story about a Japanese study that showed a significant increase in worker productivity when the smell of money was pumped through vents into factories."

Hmmm...interesting. You can read the full AOL article here

So how bout you? Fancy parfum de l'argent? If you do you can visit the website here

BENEFIT ULTRASHINE & BELLA BAMBA BLOGGERS EVENT!

Last night I joined a host of UK bloggers for the launch of Benefit’s latest Ultrashine lipglosses and blusher, “Bella Bamba”.

Upon arrival we were greeted by the fantastic Benefit team who went all out with sushi and cocktails aplenty!

It was fantastic to catch up with lovely bloggers such as 6inchstillettos and the London Beauty Queen, both of whom are fantastic.

We were given an introduction to the Benefit brow bar by the charming Darren who is a Brow and Body grooming expert. He demonstrated the process of achieving the perfect arch and dismissed the “no plucking, waxing above the brow” as a myth, creating perfect brows for 6inchstilettos.

 

Afterwards  Lisa Benefit’s talented Head make up artist introduced us to the new products which included four gorgeous Ultrashine lipglosses and the beautiful Bella Bamba. She also demonstrated the meaning behind the "3D Pink" of Bella Bamba, meaning it's brightening, sculpting and defining.

Bella Bamba is Benefit's ninth blusher and is the first blusher to contain a mirror! YAY! The lid lifts up like a compact, and shuts securely thanks to the magnetic closure.

I was watching everyone try it on during the event and it flattered each and every skintone. It also brightens the face and gives a lovely flush to the cheeks that's very natural and girly.

I know some people have asked if it's similar to Nars Orgasm and to that I have to say no. Orgasm has a lot of golden shimmer to it which I find quite difficult to wear, whereas Bella Bamba is pinker with a fine subtle shimmer. You can see the difference between the two below:

Here is what it looks like on me:

Huge thanks to the lovely Jasmine for inviting me, Jane & Jean Ford, benefit's hilarious founders for creating the quirky video for us and to Nora Rothrock for taking the time out to give a short talk on the importance of bloggers in the digital realm. Had a good chat with her about new media and she's very inspirational.

For more information on the new products visit the Benefit website: www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk

NOTD: KIT AUSTRALIA NAIL POLISH IN "LET GO"

My boyfriend recently brought back a lovely haul of Australian makeup and skincare with a few products from the brand "Kit".
I LOVE this bright, fun nail polish in "let go" and I've had lots of compliments :) I don't own many pink polishes but after trying this one I think I shall have to add more to my collection!

The formula is really smooth and two coats was enough for full coverage that was streak free. Very impressed with it.

I jazzed my ring finger up with a little bit of nail art. Was tempted to do all of my fingers but yeah...took a bit of time to get them right so settled for just the two!

I also got a matching pink lipgloss in my haul which I will review soon.
You can visit the Kit website here: www.kitcosmetics.com.au

Have you ever tried this brand? What's your favourite product? Would love to know!