E.L.F Cover Everything Concealer

In my quest for the perfect contouring kit, I explored old faithful E.L.F. for some budget alternatives to the likes of the most famed but notoriously pricey Kevin Aucoin products to highlight and define.

One of my first steps was to purchase a yellow-tone concealer for the under eye area. Now I can't remember where I saw someone use a yellow under eye concealer during a contouring routine - it may have been Carli Bybel or Nicole Guerro - but it helped to even out and highlight the under eye area simultaneously.


I had already purchased the E.LF. Contouring Bronzer and Blusher Duo which I was really pleased with, and a highlighting Palette which I now always use for evening make up and apply with a sponge wedge. I'm looking at investing in one of those egg-shaped beauty sponges to upgrade my little packets of Superdrug sponges which I usually drop on the floor and then have to throw away.

E.L.F Cover Everything Concealer 'Corrective Yellow'

I use this after I have applied my usual foundation (currently Rimmel True Match in Ivory) and concealer (from Make Up Academy) on my spots (now, I don't know how another shade of this product would work for acne coverage purposes, I usually opt for a very heavy-duty stick as my spots can get a little unfortunate looking and I need industrial level coverage!) and just before I put on my powder (from Witch Witch Hazel). I tap it on under the eye, and it does a great job of covering any dark circles as well as giving a nice even highlight effect which adds to the contouring process. I'll often apply this even if I'm not doing the whole shebang with the contouring creams. Overall, this is fantastic for the price (£2.50) and I'd highly recommend all the E.L.F contouring products.

Vaseline Essential Moisture Cocoa Radiant Moisturising Body Oil Gel

After a hiatus I have returned to review my latest beauty purchases!
Expect an influx of queued posts as I get back down to business.

First up on the list is: Vaseline Essential Moisture Cocoa Radiant Moisturising Body Oil Gel (200ml, £4.99 from Boots)

Vaseline Essential Moisture Cocoa Radiant Moisturising Body Oil Gel

Now I originally bought this because not only was I obviously feeling very seche and needed a new moisturiser, but I had previously tried the Johnson's Baby Oil version of a 'body oil gel' that you apply to wet skin post-shower and it was such a pain to get out of the tube that I abandoned it in favour of this one. Now the Vaseline version comes out of the bottle very easily, almost too easily that at times I have ended up slathering myself with way too much and ended up looking a bit oily. It is much more intense than the Johnson's one, that's one of my only criticisms and I'm sure one could be a lot more sparing and less zealous in application than I. The smell is nice if you're a fan of cocoa, which I know not everyone is but I like a bit of the buttery chocolate smell here and there. It does make you very, very soft which is the aim of the game, and I enjoy using this type of moisturiser as they seem very effective and luxurious once you pat off after a shower. I don't usually opt for Vaseline products as the whole 'petroleum jelly' thing is a bit of an unusual choice to put on yourself, but I do like this as a heavier alternative to my trusty E45 (a glamorous choice). This was also on a half price offer when I purchased it so that's always a bonus to tempt me to try something! I'd also like to try the Aloe Vera one once this has all been used up for a fresher alternative, but this is a nice option for winter.

Jo Loves Gardenia & Mango Nectar

JO LOVES 'Mango Nectar' and 'Gardenia'*

Jo Loves is the brainchild of the eponymous 'Jo' formerly of Jo Malone. Jo is basically one of my favourite, (if not the favourite), nose in the fragrance game. You just can't beat the old skool Jo Malone fragrances made under her creative direction for an overall sophistication and the clarity of each note. Personal favourites of mine are Nectarine Blossom & Honey and French Lime Blossom. Jo Malone is my go to stop for perfume usually, so I was really exited to try out Jo Loves after Jo's departure from the Jo Malone mothership. 

Jo Loves fragrances carry the same beautifully crafted scent combinations that made Jo Malone creations so exquisite. In fact I like these just as much, if not more, than my usual fare. Gardenia is from the first line of Jo Loves scents, and is a rich and sophisticated floral with a green crispness. This would be perfect for evening do's in the summer. What I really love about it is how it has somehow captured something akin to when you pass a flower and its perfume hangs in the air. Mango Nectar is from the new Mango range and has made its way into the top of the roster, becoming my ideal summer fragrance. It's juicy, sweet and ripe without being cloying and is actually very fresh. I usually like my florals and fruits cut through with some citrus but this is full bodied mango and is so, so delectable.

Both of these scents get a massive thumbs up from me and a high recommendation. Jo Loves are hands down some of the best fragrances out there and you really can count on something with Jo's name behind it to be perfectly crafted.

Ojon Rare Blend Oil

OJON Rare Blend Oil Total Hair Therapy (15ml)

Now since its launch in the US a couple of years back and the subsequent hype, I'd been pretty eager to try out the fabled Ojon on my thick and naturally curly/wavy hair. My hair can get really quite dry, and although I try not to run the GHD's over it everyday to keep it in check, it is very corse and so doesn't look shiny without a bit of help. I've tried basically every product out there to try to keep my hair smooth and from fluffing up at any hint of humidity or rain, from Frizz Ease to straight up olive oil, and so far everything has been moderately successful but not brilliant. Now, Ojon is something else. I'm really impressed at how smooth and shiny it makes my hair when I apply it to dry locks without leaving any greasy residue which I usually find with oils. When I run a pea-sized amount though wet hair it works even better, and in the morning I'm not so much left with a ridiculous clown barnet but a much more soft and manageable mane. It also manages to hold the effect of straightening really well, so much so as I only need to straighten once between washes which was basically unheard of before.

I can't wait to try out the other products in the Ojon range as I'm already sold on the Rare Blend Oil. As a range it is a bit more on the pricey side, but if it saves you buying 100 other serums and oils which you'll never get through its worth the investment. I got my Ojon from Boots. I'd definitely recommend the Rare Blend Oil to anyone with thick hair on the chaotic side of wavy/curly looking for something to condition and tame without greasiness.

Summer Beauty Booty

New Summer Beauty Purchases - JUNE

(left to right: ESSIE Nail Varnish in Cocktail Bling, ESSIE Nail Varnish in No More Film, SOAP & GLORY Sit Tight Intense x5, BOURJOIS Soleil BB Cream, SOAP & GLORY The Firminator Bikini Body, SOAP & GLORY The Firminator Arm Firming & Toning Formula)

In order to get as 'summer ready' as the adverts implore around this time of year, I made the most of the 3 for 2 on beauty and skincare at both Boots and Superdrug this week. Some of these goodies are purely decorative (some Essie nail varnishes that I'd been after for a while) and others more functional (the various Soap & Glory 'Firminators' I thought I'd give a go). 

Out of the nail varnishes I've given 'No More Film' a go on my hands this week:

Essie 'No More Film'

Essie 'No More Film' with Rococo Nail Apparel in 'Gold Leaf Lacquer' 

'No More Film' is a deep navy colour with an almost purple creamy tone to it. As with all Essie varnishes it is high quality with a smooth and even finish and quite a thick curved brush which ensures a neat application. This one is also impressively shiny and the above photo was taken without a top coat on, and as you can see the sun is pretty much ricocheting off of it. On my thumb I tried out Rococo Nail Apparel in 'Gold Leaf Lacquer' in Space NK earlier, so excuse the lack of continuity. I think this would make a lovely top coat and a nice change from glitter, but as a stand alone polish is maybe not substantial enough. 

I also purchased 'Cocktail Bling' which I'll be trying out later which is a blue-tinged grey neutral. It will hopefully be a good likeness to a grey Essie polish I had a while ago but which all dried up unfortunately and I found it shrivelled up in the bottom of my nail varnish designated cosmetics bag. I also threw in the Bourjois Soleil BB Cream as it was 3 for 2, which promises a sun kissed glow whilst evening skin tone as well as a handy SPF 15 so I'm excited to try that out. 

SOAP & GLORY Sit Tight Intense x 5, The Firminator Bikini Body and The Firminator Arm Toning and Firming Formula.

I'm a day into incorporating these bad boys into my skincare regimen to hopefully work some magic on my thighs and underarms. I'm a big fan of the Soap & Glory body scrubs and the eyeliners so I have high hopes for these. I'm using each on various parts of my bod twice a day as recommended. They all produce a very warm sensation about two minutes after application which hopefully should indicate some sort of firming activity! Scent-wise they are all pleasantly minty, particularly the two Firminator tubes. The Sit Tight Intense x5 is particularly novel, with a rollerball applicator which you basically roll around the tops of your legs and bum which is intended to stimulate circulation to help get rid of cellulite. The gel formula basically squeezes out around the roller balls whilst you apply (as long as you turn it to the 'on' position!). This also stays warm for a while after application as it claims to actually work more whilst you sit down (hence the name), which was an interesting sensation whilst I rode the Circle Line this morning. I'm only a day into it but so far so good, my skin does feel more toned and looks a bit smoother, but I haven't included pictures for obvious reasons! I wanted to try these as a cheaper alternative to the Cowshed Firming Body Butter which I recently got a sample of which I LOVED but couldn't quite stretch to at £25. As Boots were offering 3 for 2 I thought these would be a good substitute.

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