Foreo Luna Mini Review

For a while I've been pondering getting the Clarisonic but then I have erratic skin and have read mixed reviews. It also looked a little clunky and perhaps not great to travel with. 

The idea of giving my skin a really deep cleanse every time I wash it really appealed to me and that's when the Foreo Luna Mini entered my life! It's small, light and has a sensitive skin setting. It's also purple - winner! 

This is a small device that fits in your hand, you charge it by plugging the USB into your laptop and the battery lasts for yonks (I charged it once and a month later it's still fine!).

It has a small button at the front with two settings: normal and sensitive. It is a waterproof silicone and you can get the whole thing wet with no problem. It has a semi circle of small brushes that are finer on the side of the button and chunkier on the back. It also lights up on the bottom when you turn it on which is a nice touch.

You wet your face, and smother on your favourite cleanser / face wash (not exfoliator or anything with any beads etc) then you take the luna mini in your palm, wet it under the tap, turn it on and the device vibrates. 

Using circular motions I move it around my jawline, then chin, cheeks, nose, forehead and then I turn over to the back and quickly go up my neck. Then I switch it to the sensitive setting and very gently sweep under my eyes and just go over any areas where I have any blemishes. Then wash it off, wash your face and ta da! All thoroughly cleansed. You shouldn't be using it for longer than one minute. 

I've been using this Foreo Luna mini nearly every evening for the last month whenever I've had make up to remove. I have sensitive skin that tends to be dry and I never use cleanser in the morning, just splash my face with water, so I only used at night to remove make up. I used with creamy cleansers including Dermalogica ultra calming cleanser, Yllume ultimate illuminating complex cleanser and Decleor aroma cleanse 3 in 1 hydra radiance cleansing mousse. 

Although it doesn't clear up my usual couple of spots, it didn't prompt any more and my skin feels thoroughly cleansed and happy every time I use it. I always use toner after I cleanse and often there are still small traces of make up left to remove, however there wasn't a trace of make up remaining after using the Foreo Luna mini. 

All in all I'm really happy with this product- easy to use, looks sleek as compact and stands up and is easy to transport around. It doesn't over stimulate my sensitive and spot prone skin, just gives it a thorough clean. Perfect if you wear light or heavy make up, easy to keep clean and no fuss with changing any parts etc. I'm in Luna love :-) 

Sally Hansen mega shine top coat review

Manicures don't last very long on me, within hours I have chips and within a day I have to take off as looks so scratty so I barely wear polish on my nails now unless it is gellish or shellac etc. 

However I was incredibly surprised by the Sally Hansen mega shine top coat in 3460 clear. It claims to extend manicures for up to ten days and also to dry in 60 seconds. 

It also has a 'micro-diamond' formula that 'features light-refractive diamond particles that add mirror shine and strength'. 

Firstly: it made my manicure last almost chip free for four days! I was very impressed and then it chipped off in tiny bits only at the very tips of the nail so could wear the polish for another two days - amazing! 

Secondly: it did not dry in 60 seconds... I took this to posh nails in tecom and I was sat with my nails under the dryer for ten minutes! Seriously! Perhaps it was the polish underneath but defo not 1 min drying time when I used it.

Thirdly: it did have a brilliant shine with very fine light reflecting particles which made my manicure really glossy. 

Ultimately I was really impressed with this stuff and will definitely be using and buying again :-) 

The polish underneath is OPI Eiffel for this tower, a lovely rich burgundy. 

Olay total effects stretch n fit cloth mask review

I have used Olay Total Effects 7 in one night firming moisturiser on and off now for years. It's a moisturiser that I always come back to as it smells divine and just seems to suit my skin. 

So I was intrigued to try this Olay total effects stretch n fit cloth mask which claims to fight the '7 signs of ageing with 15 minute application' and is the first cloth mask I've used.

The seven signs, according to Olay, are:

1) lines and wrinkles

2) uneven skin texture

3) uneven skin tone

4) dull skin that doesn't have a healthy glow

5) large pores

6) age spots

7) dehydrated skin 

So this mask comes in packs of three and in individual sachets. The cloth mask comes folded and soaked in product, you place it on your face and pull to fit your face. It has eye, nose and mouth holes and is super soft.

Yep you look scary, like something out of a horror movie, but oh my, does this deliver! Firstly it smelt lovely and was hugely refreshing on my face being quite cool straight from the pack. Would be blissful to keep a sachet in the fridge and use on your hot face after a day in the sun. 

Secondly it doesn't budge! I really thought I'd have to sit very very still for 15minutes (hard work for me!) but I was still moving about. Ok you probs can't be flinging your head around and expect it to stay on, but gentle movement seemed to be fine. 

The 15mins flew by and I then peeled off and massaged in the remaining product (as the instructions recommend) and then  once the product had sunk in, I looked in the mirror.

Pow! My skin looked refreshed, hydrated, glowing - I could really see a difference and was super impressed. The biggest think I noticed was that my skin looked really well hydrated which in turn meant my fine lines were reduced- happy days.

I will definitely be buying these again. Well done Olay!

Mascara magic: five reviews

Recently I've switched up my mascara after religiously using maybelline's great lash for yonks, until the brush was 'updated' for the worse (sob). 

So I have been trying out these five new black mascaras and I think I have found a replacement (well one that I'll buy again at least!). 

From left to right...

Giorgio Armani eyes to kill mascara review: 

This was a sample size I was given when I purchased a foundation and I'm hopeful that the full size has exactly the same wand and no-nonsense brush as it's lovely stuff! It is the only mascara of the bunch that made my lashes almost feathery and seemed to coat every last one of them. It lasted all day and keep the curl. It was the lightest black of them all, so great for everyday rather than if you wanted to make a statement.

Would I buy again? Maybe, I always think paying a lot of money for mascara is a waste as there are so many cheaper ones that do exactly the same thing!

Rimmel scandaleyes rocking curves mascara review: 

This mascara has a fascinating brush - kinda curvy! It was a bit fiddly to apply and I kept blobbing mascara on my eyelids and undereye so definitely not precision application. It did seem to lengthen my lashes but made them quite spidery. 

Would I buy again? No. Yes the wand is novel but it doesn't actually add anything to the product and I found it awkward to try to position correctly to coat the lashes on the inner corners of the eye. I love Rimmel lipsticks but have never been all that enamoured with the mascaras and this product doesn't change my mind on that point!

Max Factor excess volume mascara review: 

This is a dual application mascara, first you put on the 'extreme volume' and then you put on the 'dark lacquer'. The wand feels chunky and cumbersome due to the double ends. The product was a lovely shiny black, it definitely lengthened and thickened my lashes and lasted well all day- so well that I couldn't get it off! I had to really scrub with my eye make up remover soaked pad as it went kind of bitty and didn't want to budge. Horrid! 

Would I buy this again? No! I really don't get the dual mascara idea- what a time consuming effort for a product that is no different than any other mascaras. Just mix it all together in one tube I say! Plus I don't want to have to be brutal around the delicate eye area trying to get it off every time. 

Step 1

Step 2

Benefit they're real mascara review: 

Lovely silver packaging with an interesting spiky applicator that's not really a brush. It is easy and quick to apply, thickens and lengthens and the spiky end of the applicator makes it easy to get right into the corners. 

Would I buy this again? Yes!!!! This is now my new favourite! Great mascara, lovely to apply, lovely lashes.

Boots 17 blow out volumise sculpt tease mascara review:

I like the bright yellow packaging, cheap as chips price and also that the product is a matte black rather than looking quite glossy like the Benefit mascara. The brush is fat and it is a little clunky to manage but it delivers some great thickened and lengthened lashes. I like how the brush gets thinner at the top as made it easy to apply to lashes on inner corners. 

Would I buy again? Maybe, it's definitely one that I'd consider purchasing again as I like that it's more matte for a more gothy, undone look.

So there you have it, clear winner = Benefit they're real :-) 

Oh and here are my lashes after being curled for ten seconds on each side and before any mascara so you can see the difference... They are v blond at the tips but naturally quite long. 

Any recommendations for mascaras I should try? Let me know! X