Pore Minimising.

Simple –

Kind To Skin Pore Minimising Toning Cleanser

My large pores have always been something that has bothered me about my skin. They look horrible, and lead to getting blackheads way too easily. I’ve been looking for something that reduces the size of my pores, rather then just covering them with make up. As its coming to summer, I wanted to cut down on how much make up I wear, therefore I thought trying to shrink my pores would be a good way forward.

Simple state, ‘Our Pore Minimising Toning Cleanser is a perfect blend of active ingredients and vitamin goodness to visibly reduce the size of pores. Leaves skin feeling refreshed and clarified.’

Ingredients wise it includes two vital vitamins; Pro-Vitamin B5, which actively restores, softens and smooth’s skin and Vitamin E, which moisturizes skin, helping improve skin condition. Along side these, it also includes 3 skin loving nutrients; Witch Hazel, which tones and tightens pores, Chamomile helping soften and smooth’s skin and Geranium, overall conditioning and regenerates skin.

I use this like a toner, at night after taking my make up off and washing my face. It doesn’t actually explain how to use it, and looking at reviews I know people use it in different ways. However, for me I find it works best at night before my nighttime moisturizer, helping make my skin feel really soft, smooth and refreshed. 

Packaging wise, like all Simple bottles, this was easy to use. It has a flip-top cap and although the actual bottle top doesn’t unscrew, it’s so easy to use. I find it to be quite a nice looking bottle to be honest; I certainly don’t mind it being on my side table with all my other skin-care products.

Consistency wise, it’s a very thick, clears liquid with no smell. It’s almost a gel, which I found to be quite unique. I use it on a cotton wool pad, and just wipe it over my whole face. It really helps my skin look and feel refreshed, without leaving it feeling tight. As of yet, it hasn’t upset my very sensitive skin, nor has it lead to a break out of spots, which is a great bonus.

I’ve been using this for about a week now, and I would go as far as saying this has revolutionised the appearance of my skin. I know skin care is completely subjective, as we all have such different skin types, however this product is a godsend. I absolutely love it. Its made my skin glow, and overall look much clearer, my pores look a lot smaller, overall a much better base for my make-up. If you have problem with large pores, this is definitely worth trying out.

Grow Stronger.

Essie Nails Base Coat –

Grow Stronger

Before Christmas I thought it was time to ditch the false nails, and attempt to get my natural nail back to good health. This I thought would be easy, however after wearing false nails non-stop for just over 4 years, my nails were in a pretty hideous state. Never the less they’ve started getting stronger and growing and at the moment look pretty decent. One thing I wanted was a base coat that would help my nail’s grow stronger. Due to 4 years of trauma, they often break, split or peel, therefore a good strengthener base coat was a must need. Therefore I thought I would turn to Essie to help me. It’s definitely one brand I thrust when it comes to my nails, this is proven by most of my nails varnishes been by Essie.

The description on the bottle reads, ‘Essie Grow Stronger is a nail treatment that "fortifies nails to optimise growth".  Key ingredients of this product include: "Gingko Biloba and Vitamin E hydrate to nourish, Mineral Strengtheners, Nail hardeners to strengthen weak nails".  It claims that it is "scientifically proven to reinforce and help promote health growth": "30% stronger nails in 5 days, up to 29% longer nails in 5 days, nails grow harder, more resilient".’

In short, I love this nail base-coat/treatment. It’s incredible. After one week of using this my nails looked so much healthier, they no longer were paper and they weren’t breaking, peeling or splitting. I was so impressed. Now after 3 weeks of use my nails are just incredibly strong, growing so much since first starting to use it.

The other thing I love about this is that you can wear it as a base coat, helping your nails become stronger, but also keeping my nail varnish lasting much longer then normal. Alternatively, its really pretty on its on. It slightly reminds me of Essie’s Sugar Daddy, however without the hint of white. I know some people think that Grow Stronger is too pink, but I think they’re just being heavy-handed with it. One thin coat will give you a clear, typical base coat. Good for strengthening and creating an even base for your colour. If you apply a thick coat, you get a very pretty sheer pink that dries within a few minutes. The thin coat dries even more quickly, obviously. A word of caution, however: don’t let this stuff get too warm. Like most nail polishes, it turns gummy if left in a hot place for too long

Overall, this is amazing, definitely worth the £8.99 price tag. Personally, I think it rivals other much more expensive nail strengtheners. When mine runs out, I will definitely be purchasing another bottle straight away.

Collide.

Illamasqua -

Nail Varnish in Collide

Ever since getting my acrylic nails taken off, and going back natural I’ve been really interested in trying different nail varnishes, both brands and colours. It is no secrete, that I have recently become obsessed by the make up brand Illamasqua. Their products are incredibly and impeccably made, there is definitely something for everyone within their collection. The one thing so many bloggers rave about is there amazing nail varnishes, and how their formula is as good as you can get, therefore I thought I would go and look at what colours they had. The website describes their nail varnishes as, ‘a spectrum of bold shades with a range of finishes including matt, rubber and high-gloss. Award winning, extremely hardwearing and chip-resistant, there's an Illamasqua Nail Varnish for every shade of humanity.’

Due to it coming up to spring/summer, (something you wouldn’t know with the current weather), I thought I would look for very bright colours. When I came across Collide I knew it was a definite must have. The website describes the colour as ‘a bright neon pink, satin finish nail varnish’ and trust me…it is definitely neon. It’s a stunning, striking neon pink cream, something definitely not for the fain hearted. It’s opaque in just about two coats, (which is pictured), but you could easily get away with three coats or two thick coats. This varnish applies like a dream. It’s so smooth and the colour applies evenly and richly; there is no streaking at all, just an even layer of colour. The brush could be a little wider and flatter, but that’s just me being picky. It dries super quick; therefore there is no need to allocate a whole evening to painting your nails. The wear is incredible; there is only minor top wear after a week of wearing it. I’m really impressed with the quality of Illamasqua nail polishes. I’m impressed with everything Illamasqua does, but nail polishes are one area where you can be a bit crazy and go wild with your colours. Their range suits this perfectly.

Overall, Collide is classy, not brassy neon that you can pull of in both day and night. It has a creamy, glossy, salon finish and is everything you want in a nail polish. It does retail for £13.50, which I know is rather expensive for a nail varnish, but its definitely worth it.

Dangerously Exotic.

Illamasqua –Freak Eau De Parfum

As Illamasqua is known for their bold take on makeup, I expected no less from their fragrance. Honestly, if anything at all, Freak Eau de Parfum sounded positively enchanting and dare I say...scary, thanks to notes like Frankincense and Myrrh. Freak is the first fragrance from Illamasqua and is a unisex fragrance, with exotic completely unconventional flower notes. It’ll smell differently on everyone, but the master notes will remain the same. It’s definitely not for everyone, but I find it incredible and enchanting, as does my boyfriend.

TOP NOTES: 
Black Davana, Opium Flower and Belladonna bewitch the senses into uncontrollable lust and passion.

HEART NOTES: 
Poison Hemlock, Datura and Queen of the Night blossom, caress and kiss.

BASE NOTES: Aromas of Frankincense, Oud and Myrrh, addictively mesmerises and captures the senses.

I’m not going to pretend that I know how to describe fragrances, because I know if I try, its just going to go all wrong. However, what I do know is this fragrance is incredible. The scent is clean, something I think is due to it being a unisex fragrance, and is truly intoxicating. The website states ‘Freak is a concoction of dangerously exotic unconventional flowers that Illamasqua has unashamedly blended together to celebrate the night’ and in my opinion that sums it up perfectly. 

For me, I wouldn’t wear it during the day, it’s definitely a nighttime/going out fragrance and something I’ve has so many compliments on. Personally, the fragrance last for such a long time, and I much prefer the scent when it’s warmed a little. I would definitely advise if your wanting to try this, spray it in store on your wrist, leave it for a little bit…then smell it. Trust me, you will be mesmerised by it. I bought the 30ml version, however the 70ml bottle is just stunning. Never the less, I think the 30ml is also very pretty, and much more handy for traveling, which I do often.

Overall, with a name like Freak I was expecting something dark, but what I got was a mysteriously, exotic fragrance that’s very unique and innovative. Obviously a lot of time and love went into the make up of this fragrance and it shows.