Tuesday 31 December 2013

A Happy New Year & the Road to Hell is paved with good Intentions!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and all the best for 2014!


Thank you very much for following me, reading & commenting. I am very grateful for my readers and love being part of the blogging community.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions - hence I don't really do New Year's Resolutions, however, below are a couple of the things I'll be trying to incorporate into my beauty routine which occured to me over the course of the last couple of weeks !

  • Venture into the world of the dark, smokey eye
  • Amping up my skin care to guard against signs of aging (I'm thinking in particular masks, serums & focused attention on the eye area)

                                     &

  • Really work on my fitness (out with the part-time gym routine and in with the full-time, hard-core commitment)

I think that is quite enough to be getting on with!


Thanks so much for reading this post.


It would be great if you subscribed to ensure that you are always the first to read my new posts!



See you soon!






Mountainbeauty2013


*All views expressed in this blog post are my own*



Sunday 29 December 2013

L'Oreal Color Infallible - 002 Hourglass Beige & 004 Forever Pink

I was very excited when I spotted The L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows in "002 Hourglass Beige" and "004 Forever Pink" when strolling through the beauty hall of a German department store.

L'Oreal Color Infallible Eyeshadow forever pink hourglass beige

I don't think I have seen those shades in England yet (and they do not appear to be available on either the Superdrug or Boots website).


I love shimmer (even bordering on glitter)  and as I'm especially drawn to paler eyeshadows I had to give these a try as they looked extremely tempting.


I'm envisaging using these as accent colours on the lid give extra sparkle to a look!

(I'm thining they might be perfect for combining with looks created with my new Urban Decay Naked 3 palette!)

They swatch beautifully, blend out easily and the intensity is definetively buildable.


These shadows are extremely smooth and glide on (I have got "Eternal White" and am hoping that their staying power prooves to be as good as that shade on me).

Lesson learned: Normally when abroad I only check out brands I can't get in England but after this great find, I'll make sure I check out the usual drugstore brands for different launches when visiting Continental Europe!

Have you found products not available in England you'd recommend?
  Thanks so much for reading this post.


It would be great if you subscribed to ensure that you are always the first to read my new posts!



See you soon!






Mountainbeauty2013


*All views expressed in this blog post are my own*




Friday 27 December 2013

The Balm - Nude'tude Palette

The Balm Nude'tude palette eyeshadow

I was very excited when got a message from Laura over at www.petitmoi-bigworld.co.uk (follow her on Twitter here) informing me that I had won her The Balm - Nude'tude Palette Giveaway - saying I was beyond excited is probably the understatement of the year!

I have now had time to play with it and experiment with creating different looks with it and thought I share my thoughts with you in case you are in the market for a new, beautifully pigmented, neutral palette!
 
The Balm Nude'tude palette eyeshadow


The Packaging


The palette comes in sturdy cardboard packaging with a pretty vintage look - designed  to reflect the nude colour theme of the palette  - with a magnetic closure mechanism keeping it securely closed.

The palette is very slim, so great for easy storage in your collection.

The Balm Nude'tude palette eyeshadowIt opens up to reveal 12 colours arranged from pale to dark, intense neutrals and a big mirror (super handy for on-the-go application). 

The Shadows

The Balm Nude'tude palette eyeshadow

The palette contains  12 powder shadows and a small double-ended brush (which I'm not currently using as I prefer my own selection of brushes).
 
The Balm Nude'tude palette eyeshadow



"Sassy" is a creamy, white shade which will work equally well as a brow-bone highlight as an accent shade.

"Stubborn" is a silky, shimmery champage shade with rosy undertones which looks amazingly pretty on the lid.

"Snobby" is a warm, golden, shimmery shade.

"Stand-off" is a subtley shimmery pale rose gold shade ideal to pretty up your eye look in an instant. 


The Balm Nude'tude palette eyeshadow

"Selfish" is a light, grey-toned taupe shade which would make a great accent colour and lends itself to a silvery smokey eye look.

"Sophisticated" is a glittery, intensive taupe shade - perfect for adding dark glamour.

"Sultry" is a mat, mid-brown great for emphasising the crease.

"Seductive" is a pretty, glittery, light bronze shade


The Balm Nude'tude palette eyeshadow

"Sexy" is a deep, matte burgundy shade perfect for emphasising the outer V area.

"Serious" is a matte, black shade ideal for a classic smokey eye look.

"Silly" is a sparkly bronze shade perfect for glitzing it up.

"Sleek" is a beautiful, dark brown matte shade great for adding extra emphasis to the crease.


My Verdict
I love the quality of the shadows. They are creamy, pigmented, glide on and blend well - in short they deliver what I've come to expect from The Balm!

The shadows are very soft so accidental dropping of the palette should be avoided.

The colour selection is great for any lover of neutral shadows and I believe they will allow me to create a multitude of looks - especially as I am a fan of light and mid-tone shades (with the option of adding dark accents for a smokey look).


I'd love to hear your thoughts on this palette!
 
Thanks so much for reading this post.


It would be great if you subscribed to ensure that you are always the first to read my new posts!



See you soon!






Mountainbeauty2013


*All views expressed in this blog post are my own*











Thursday 26 December 2013

Review: Revlon - Lash Potion Mascara by Grow Lucious (in blackest black)

This month I cleared out my Mascara marmelade glass as I always make a point of not keeping mascara for longer than 8 weeks after I've first used them.

This of course meant that I had to get a couple of new additions to keep my faithful Maybelline The Rocket company.

My first choice was

Revlon Mascara Lash Potion Growth Grow Lucios Serum
Revlon Lash Potion Mascara by Grow Lucious



 
Revlon - Lash Potion Mascara by Grow Lucious (in blackest black)


because I had admired its amazingly pretty packaging for ages on blogs and in YouTube videos and was intrigued by the concept of merging a mascara with a serum promoting lash strength.

This mascara promises to:


"magically transform lashes to lush, long and lustrous. A potion with strengthening proteins drenches lashes for volume. Triple-groove wand combs through for clump-free length."


I like the mascara wand with a nod to a classic brush design with short bristles allowing for easy application and working in of product.

Revlon Mascara Lash Potion Growth Serum
Once coat creates a natural look intensifying my lashes and emphasising my light blue eyes nicely without looking artificial or clumpy.

Revlon Mascara Lash Potion Growth
Close Up of the densly brissled brush
 For extra length and added volume I added a second coat of this easily buildable mascara. The result was again clumpfree and left my lashes nicely curved.

What I loved most that after the mascara had dried my lashes still felt flexible to the touch and I did not have any issue with crumbling mascara throughout the day.

Revlon Lash Potion Mascara by Grow Lucious retails for 9.99 for 10ml of product (This product is also available in a waterproof formulation).


 My Verdict

I'm loving this mascara!

It is a great everyday mascara creating a beautifully natural yet enhanced look while at the same time caring for your lashes with the built-in serum.

(And it also looks fab on your dressing table!)

This mascara has become a staple in my make up routine for days where I want and easy yet subtley glam eye look!




I'd love to hear your thoughts on this mascara!
 
Thanks so much for reading this post.

It would be great if you subscribed to ensure that you are always the first to read my new posts!

See you soon!

Mountainbeauty2013


*All views expressed in this blog post are my own*






Wednesday 25 December 2013

Christmas Market Find - Embroidered Wallet/Clutch

Embroidered wallet/clutch - Christmas Market Essen, Germany
When perusing the Christmas Market in Essen, Germany this Sunday, I spotted this gorgeous wallet which I'm also planning to use as an evening clutch (should match any LBD nicely!).

The embroidery is incredibly detailed done on a black canvas material with a sateen sheen.

The slim wallet/clutch measures 20cm x 10cm and cost €19.

It is closed with gold-coloured zip and contains four inside compartments (one of which is again closeable with a zip).

On each side there are four slots to store debit/credit cards - making this a purchase which is as practical as it is pretty!


My only regret is really that I did not pick up the other wallet available at the stall which had a pretty, pink rose embroidery!

(There is hoping that next year the same stall will be there again!)




What's your favourite Christmas Market find?
 
Thanks so much for reading this post.

It would be great if you subscribed to ensure that you are always the first to read my new posts!

See you soon!

Mountainbeauty2013


*All views expressed in this blog post are my own*




Tuesday 24 December 2013

Merry Christmas!

Wishing a very happy Christmas to each and all!

I just wanted to share some Christmas impressions with all my lovely followers and readers and I am hoping you are all able to celebrate this festive season with your family, friends and loved ones!

Christmas Eve 2013


Thanks so much for reading this post.

It would be great if you subscribed to ensure that you are always the first to read my new posts!

See you soon!

Mountainbeauty2013


*All views expressed in this blog post are my own*

Friday 20 December 2013

Quick Telegram Style Update!

I'm now away for Christmas & my internet access is patchy to say the least...!

So just a little update about some products I'll blog about once normal service is resumed:

Urban Decay - Naked 2 & 3

The Balm - NudeTude

Revlon - Lash Potion Mascara by Grow Lucious

Gosh - Blush in Electric Pink

Have a great Christmas & a happy New Year!!!!

Saturday 7 December 2013

November 2013 - My Monthly Favourites!

My fave products November 2013!

Click here to enter my Premae Giveaway!


MUA Undressed Too Benefit Rockateur Bourjois Java Rice Powder Max Factor Whipped Creme Foundation Light Ivory Revlon Naked Skin Ivory YSL Youth Liberator Foundation Maybelline Dreamfinish BB Cream


Last month my focus was on trying to achieve the most flawless complexion possible - and I think this pretty much reflected in my favourite products for November 2013!


Left to right: YSL Youth Liberator Foundation, Revlon Naked Skin Foundation . Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream & Max Factor Whipped Creme Foundation

I really enjoyed using the  YSL Forever Youth Liberator Foundation in "BR20 Beige Rose" for which I got colour-matched at the beginning of November. On me this foundation was really long-wearing (even without a primer) and created a luminous, super even complexion. Despite the fact that I used this foundation regularly throughout the month the bottle still looks completely full - two to three pumps were usually sufficient for a full face of make up.

For beautifully flawless natural skin my "Go To" combination was Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream in "Light" worn underneath Revlon's "Nearly Naked" Foundation in the shade  "110 Ivory".  This was my absolute perfect combination matching my pale winter skin perfectly creating a super natural yet perfected look. Outstanding quality for Drugstore/Highstreet Make Up!

I've been loving Max Factor's Whipped Creme Foundation in "Light Ivory" since I got it about two months ago.  Applied with a brush it creates a beautiful, airbrushed-looking finish which lasts all day on me. Whilst "Light Ivory" looks scarily dark in the glass flacon once applied and sheered out and buffed in with a stippling brush it seamlessly blends into my skin.  I'm really enjoying the whipped creme texture!


Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Eraser Eye Bourjois Poudre de Riz Java Rice Powder Benefit Rockateur boxed powder blush
Left to right: Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Eraser Eye Concealer, Bourjois  Poudre de Riz Java & Benefit Rockateur

Ever since I got the Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Eraser Eye Concealer in "Light" - I have not touched any other concealing product for use on my under-eye area (which really says it all). It lightens up the area beautifully without looking artificial, blends in like a dream and doesn't crease on me at all - basically perfection in concealer form!

I have really been loving Bourjois's Java Rice Powder (translucent so great for all skin tones) as a light illuminating finishing powder which set my make up beautifully without looking to powdery or cakey.   (And can I just mention the uber-cute vintage-look packaging)

Benefit's Rocketeur has never been far from my cheeks this month - adding a subtle, mauvey hint of colour to them! I found this blush blendable and it wore well on me throughout the day!


MUA Undressed Too Palette

This month I used my MUA "Undressed Too" palette almost exclusively throughout the month (unfortunately again out of stock on the MUA website).

My favourite shades were Naked, Devotion, Shy, Fierty, Tranquil, Reveal & Wink (as I don't go in for super dark eye looks). I found the shades really blendable and - considering the £4 price point for the palette - they have amazing staying power and look beautifully when applied.


Which products did you enjoy this month?

Thanks so much for reading this post.

It would be great if you subscribed to ensure that you are always the first to read my new posts!

See you soon!

Mountainbeauty2013






The Enummi 3-Day Skincare Challenge (stretched out to 5)!

I was kindly provided with a set of skin care samples to do "The Enummi 3-Day Skincare Challenge" by the very nice Heather Findlay (check out her Twitter here ).

Enummi sums up their skin care goal succintly as follows:

"Enummi Skin Care products cleanse, tone, target, and moisturize to reveal your most vibrant and luminous complexion."

Picture courtesy of Enumi
(as I a bit over-enthusiastically used the samples without taking pictures...)


My experience with the products included in the sample pack:

Challenge period: Monday, 25 November - Friday, 29 November 2013
(I found that there was enough product in the samples provided to slightly extends the 3-Day Challenge to get a better idea of how the products performed for me)

Gentle Facial Cleanser
The cleanser is a gel based cleanser which I used all over my face (excluding the eye area). I lathered it up with water and washed it off with the same.

It did remove make up effectively and left me with extremely clean skin (in fact I found with my skin having some dry areas, it was possibly a touch to efficient leaving it feeling a bit to dry for my personal liking and it didn't quite feel gentle enough for my skin - I can, however, see this working well for somebody with really oily skin or acne issues).

I used the cleanser in the morning and in the evening.

Refreshing Toner
I applied this twice daily using a cotton pad to remove any left over traces of the Gentle Facial Cleanser and refreshing the skin.

The Refreshing Toner worked very well for balancing my skin and removed any feeling of dryness after using the Gentle Facial Cleanser.

It felt great on my skin and I really liked it.

Life C Energizing Serum
I absolutely loved the serum right from the first application. It felt silky yet rich on application and was immediately absorbed by my skin adding an extra layer of moisture and making it feel super smooth and nicely plumped.

I also found that only a small amount was needed to cover my face and neck as it was very easy to spread.

I used this twice daily.

Protective Day Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF15
I loved the consistency of this moisturiser and having an in-built SPF is always great! 

I felt it provided my skin with a great moisture hit while at the same time sinking into my skin quickly and providing a good base for make-up application.

My skin felt moisturised throughout the day and I did not feel the need to top up moisture levels during the day.

Night Recovery Cream
The night recovery cream felt very moisturising without being overly heavy and I felt it worked very well together with the Life C Energizing Serum to create night-time appropriate moisture levels.

My skin still felt nicely supple when waking up in the morning.

Restoring Eye Cream
The Restoring Eye Cream was absolutely amazing!

As a contact lense wearer I'm always on the lookout for a good, moisture-intensive eye cream which does not irritate my eyes or interferes with my contact lenses.

The Restoring Eye Cream is super rich and I found I needed to use very little product to fully moisturise my entire eye area.

I really enjoyed this product because I felt it really worked well for my dry, under-eye area!


My Overall Verdict!

I felt that the products performed well during the  period of the Skincare Challenge. The least favourite for me being the cleaner as I found it a little bit too harsh for my skin.

However, the rest of the range balanced this out.

The toner and the day and night moisturiser worked well together and I would be happy to use them again.

My favourite products were definitively the Life C Energizing Serum and the Restoring Eye Cream as I felt they respecticely left my skin glowing and it eradicated dryness from my under-eye area.

The products did not cause any irritation and my skin was well moisturised throughout (furthermore it did not cause any breakouts).

I think this range would be great to try if you want to step up your skin care regime and feel that you want to try out a range whose focus is on improving the complexion to achieve a natural glow.


If you want to check out Enummi go to their website here or just tweet Heather and I'm sure she'll be super happy to answer her any questions you may have!

Click here to enter my Premae Giveaway!




Thanks so much for reading this post.

It would be great if you subscribed to ensure that you are always the first to read my new posts!

See you soon!

Mountainbeauty2013


*All views expressed in this blog post are my own*


Friday 29 November 2013

The Skin Project - My Skin

I'm excited to be part of The Skin Project blog series created by the lovely Lianne over at The Brunette Says!

I have found that in the last couple of years I've come much more aware of how skin care and make up are affecting my skin.

This awareness is not just restricted to watching out for and hopefully preventing signs of ageing but also making sure that sun damage is guarded against and that skin care and make up are chosen to suit my skin and promote skin health.

My Skin Type
My skin is quite pale with a warm undertone.

Consequently, products with an SPF are  a must! 

If I go anywhere with serious sun exposure SPF50 is a must and I have found for me frequent re-application is key to preventing sun burn e.g. when I go skiing I apply one layer before breakfast, one after and then re-apply at least every 90 minutes (that's what lift rides are for).

I'd describe 80% of my skin as dry with the exception of my nose which is sometimes slightly oilier so I'm conscious of having to strike a balance with my skin care!

Problem Areas
As I have got older I have become more prone towards redness around the nose area which in my case is triggered by sudden temperature change. (When I'm going skiing I'm always wearing a sunscreen with in-built wind and cold protection to guard against this).

I sometimes suffer from hormonal break outs in my chin area.

Wrinkle Alert
My key focus in terms of first signs of aging are my eyes!

As a contact lense wearer I'm aware that the regular wear of the same puts about five years on your skin age in the eye are due to the increased blinking frequency.

If I put my nose directly against the mirror I can see fine lines now so caring for my eye are is a must!

I also make sure that my neck area is always very well moisturised to keep the skin as supple as possible!

My Skin in Zones
Forehead: Dry
Cheeks:    Normal to dry
Nose:       Normal to oily
Chin:         Normal but prone to hormonal break outs



Thanks so much for reading this post.

It would be great if you subscribed to ensure that you are always the first to read my new posts!

See you soon!

Mountainbeauty2013


*All views expressed in this blog post are my own*









Skimlinks Test