New discovery........Artistry Signature Colour Range *

Hey Dolls,

So todays post on a make up range I had never heard about and boy have I been missing out.Artistry is a make up range available exclusively from Amway.
Artistry is a range comprising of a complete line of makeup for face, eyes, cheeks and lips,with shades for every skintone.
I was lucky enough to recieve quite a few products to review,so lets get stuck in.

First up is the Artristry light up lipgloss,I got 2 of  the new shadeswhich are part of the Artistry Summer 2016 Pacific Lights Collection. 

They are limited edition shades that add a pop of colour and a big splash of summer to lips.I just want to take a moment to discuss the packaging on these. It is AMAZING. It is very high quality packaging which  has a mirror on the side of the tube and it has 2 LED lights in the wand.
This is genious especially if you like to touch up your lipgloss after eating or drinking etc.

OK back to the lipgloss itself, firstly it has a hint of peppermint which not only makes your lips tingle and plump a little but also helps to keep your breath fresh. Secondly  the colour lasts for hours and the range of colours is fantastic. Thirdly it feels very comfortable on the lipsand is not overly sticky or tacky.

I love love love these Lipglosses and that is a bold statement for The Lipglossaddict !!

Next up is the Artistry 3D Face Powder. This gorgeous little pallet provides you with five summer shades that can be used individually or blended twith these stunning shades.
The shades include a radiant, luxurious blend of shimmering bronze, pink and gold tones.These are beautifully soft and very finely milled.The colours can used individually to highlight and contour or can be used all together to give a stunning sexy shimmering  sheen to the skin.

Next up is the Artistry Signature Colour Blush which gives the skin a healthy look. Cheeks appear to be naturally defined thanks to the light reflecting technology. The colour pigment is excellent and the formula doesnt clog your pores on your cheeks.The packaging is also very sleek with a gold effect lid and it comes in a velvet pouch!

Overall I was very impressed with the range but for me the absolute winners were the lipglosses. They are amazing. I am definately going to try more from the Artistry range as what I tried so far was excellent quality.

The only 2 photos from the night wearing the makeup .....please excuse the crazy hair in the first photo that was after giving little man a hug !!!! The second photo was taken nearly 8 hours later and makeup still looked great.
Artistry is available exclusively  online here
 
Until next time
Love,
Claire ....The Lipglossaddict xxxxx

Uriage skincare range

Hey guys,
So for the last few weeks I have been trialling 2 products from the Uriage range. These products were kindly sent to be by Tom from Conefreys pharmacy. I will be honest and say i had never come across this range before so i was excited to try it out.

Uriage is a french range which is formulated with the help and input of pharmacists and dermatoligists from around the world. The range is sold in over 70 countries,and is designed to be suitable for all skin types including the most sensitive. The range is paraben free which I love as I'm trying to cut down to paraben loaded products.

The products i was sent were the Cream Cleanser and the Gommage Integral.

First up is the Cream Cleanser, Now as you'll know if you're a regular reader I have dry/dehydrated skin but still suffer breakouts.
This range is soap free,so I hoped it wasn't going to be drying. Normally I shy away from wash off cleanser for this reason,however,this cleanser was a revelation.
It is soap free but still foamed nicely to give a satisfying clean.It is very silky and milky in texture so it glides over the skin and feels very comfortable. It was very quick and effective,removed all my makeup except eye makeup as i didn't bring it up to my eyes. I have sensitive eyes...I'm a sensitive soul really lol.
The real wow factor for me was that after use my skin wasn't crying out for moisturiser. It felt comfortable and hydrated and not at all stripped and parched. This is down to the ingredients used in the range,including the Uriage Thermal water. This thermal water contains minerals to strenghten the skin barrier and prevent dehydration of the epidermis. I can confirm that this is definitely true,no tightness and no flaky patches.

 Next up is the Gommage Integral. This is a exfoliating scrub that is designed to be used once or twice a week. The texture of this is beautiful. It contains microparticles which just  gently but effectively buff away the dead skin cells and leave the skin glowing. I don't like scrubs that are rough and feel like they are damaging your skin,this is very different. Whilst you can feel the particles they are not rough, there are no sharp pieces yet it is very ìeffective. After use my fave was not red or angry looking which again obviously is a huge plus. I used the scrub twice a week and my make up glided on for a much more flawless look after a few uses. It is also great to use before fake tanning...i even used it on my elbows and knees.

 As i said i was completely new to this range but it really impressed me. The quality of the products is fantastic,fantastic ingredients,smells really fresh ,has unisex packaging and is suitable for all skin types. You cant go wrong with this brand,id highly recommend you give it a try. I for one cant wait to try more from the range.
Till the next time.....
Love Claire xxx
Check out the Uriage facebook page HERE
Check out Conefreys Pharmacy facebook page HERE

Perfectial 6 week trial

Hey guys,
In december I got a PR package which contained a 6 week trial of Perfectil supplements. These are the UK leading supplement for skin,hair and nails. They have been formulated with a range of over 20 micronutrients The dose is just one tablet a day with your main meal. They are suitable for vegetarians and are Gluten Free. This is great as a lot of coeliacs can struggle with hair and nail growth.

 I was excited to try them out to see if they would help my nails which had stopped growing. Now when I was younger I was a nail biter. I thankfully kicked that habit and had lovely nails. Then 2 back to back pregnancies put paid to that. They just stopped growing,no matter what I did. I started these on the first day of January with high hopes of having nice nails by valentines day. I was not disappointed.  My nails started to grow after about 2 and a half week,just a little bit,enough to file!!!! Then they kept on growing...success.Heres how they look after 6 weeks.....

I have to say whilst I am delighted with the results on my nails which was my concern,I didn't notice a change in my skin.
My hair on the other hand (not literally!!!) is growing like a weed. It has grown at a crazy rate way more than I was expecting actually. One thing worth noting,it encourages all hair growth, this is not limited to the hair on your head. You will need an appointment with your waxer! !!!! This I found hilarious,it was a very unexpected result. But seriously it has really grown out my hair...need to pay a visit to the hairdressers now too after a long while of my hair staying the same lenght.  I was very impressed with these and the results on my nails and hair.
If you are struggling to grow your hair or your nails I would definitely say give these a go.
Till next time,
Love Claire xxx

Wow me Wednesday.......Skincode Skincare range

Hey dolls,
So a while back the lovely people at Skincode sent me out at very generous box of products to try out for you guys. If you are not familiar with the brand it is a  Swiss based company. Based on the principle that the skin is an living organ and it's genetic "code"must be respected, the brand provide us with high performance innovative products that I was very excited to try.

The starting point with Skincare is the Essentials range. This targets the daily needs of the skin of both men and women. They are 100% free of fragrance,colours, preservatives making them suitable for even the most sensitive of skins. The entire collection is dermatologically tested and they do not test on animals or use any animal derivatives.
The key ingredient CM-GLUCON is in ALL the products across all ranges, protects the skins natural defences as well as stimulating collagen and elastin production. This is vital for anti aging benefit.
The brand caters for all skintypes, from normal,dry ,dehydrated and oily.

It is a very comprehensive brand with products individually formulated for each skin type. The textures are beautiful. The product sinks into the skin and gave me a gorgeous base on which I could apply my make up.
The essentials range was my starting point with the brand and i was very impressed.
I used the Protective Day Cream which really locks in moisture and deeply hydrates the skin. As I said a beautiful base for makeup.

I also used the Regenerating Night Cream,this works on improving skin elasticity and minimising wrinkles. In the morning my skin felt beautifully soft and supple.



From here I moved on to the Exclusive range. This is high end luxury orientated, revolutionary cellular skincare line designed to address the specific needs of mature skin. The Exclusive products are comprised of a peptide complex and a biologically active collagen booster which improves the skins structure.

I used the Exclusive Cellular Anti aging Cream and i freaking loved it. Seriously this feels like velvet on the skin....I wish they would bring this out for the whole body!!!!! This cream also contains Dermaxyl which smooths out wrinkles,vitamins C and E and Shea butter. It is luxury in a jar.

To complement the day cream I also used the Cellular Night Refine and Repair. This is amazing,seriously it is the only night cream i ever want to use. It is designed to help aging skin to look rejuvenated,smoother,brighter and younger. It contains a special peeling peptide to mimic the cell renewal of a much younger skin. It also contains Urea,Hyaluronic acid,Lactic acid, Vitamins A and E and Shea butter.

I also used the Exclusive Cellular Perfect Skin Capsules. These little guys are suitable for all skin types. I used them at night under the refine and repair cream. Each capsule contains a silky serum which protects the skin from free radical damage and improves skin elasticity. The skin is left feeling super soft and glowing.Extra ingredients include Phospholipids, Hydraulic acid,Ginseng root extract, Centella Asiatica and evening primrose extract.

I was so so impressed with this brand. It is the first brand that I have seen visible results on my deep forehead wrinkles. I am in my mid/late 30's but have very deep forehead lines. This is a result of grimacing for months on end in pain after a horrendous car accident in in my early 20's. I have tried so many creams in the hope of diminishing  these lines and i really feel this is the range to do it. After just a few nights the difference was massive, even my hubby noticed( and that's saying something!!!) I highly highly recommend this range..please check it out.

Till next time,

Love Claire xxx

Winter proof your skin with Ziaja

Winter is swiftly approaching, along with all those annoying skin issues that come with it – dry patches, flaky skin, dullness, broken capillaries, chapped hands and lips.  The combination of cold weather, indoor heating and seasonal irritants can cause skin to loose moisture, tonicity and elasticity.  

 

Ensure your skin is prepared for the colder season with ziaja’s moisture-infused and revitalising argan oil range.  Argan oil, has been used for centuries to transform the skin, thanks to its high content of omega fatty acids and antioxidants.  Extracted from the kernels found in the fruit of Moroccan argan trees, argan oil has high levels of vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants.  In simple terms, it improves the skin's barrier function, protects against ageing free radicals and improves elasticity in one hit. 

 

All ziaja argan oil products are easily absorbed to leave skin feeling hydrated and nourished, and are boosted with Vitamin A and provitamin B5 (D-panthenol) to ensure skin is 100% winter proofed.

Ziaja Revitalising Argan Face Cream 75ml (rrp€6.99)

A light and ultra absorbent face cream that instantly improves skin tone as well as hydrating, smoothing and protecting the skin.  The Argan oil base strengthens the skin barrier, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and combats DNA damaging free radicals, repairing skin cells to reveal a fresher complexion.  Suitable for all skin types.

Ziaja Protective Argan Oil Body Butter 200ml (rrp€7.99)

Protective body butter with natural argan oil for very dry, irritated skin. This creamy body butter absorbs easily, helping to condition, soften and smooth the skin.  The nutrient-rich extracts assist with hydrating and protecting dry, sensitive skin whilst improving firmness and vitality. Leaves skin delicately scented.  It is easy to apply and it absorbs quickly.  Suitable for use all over the body but great for dry knees, ankles and elbows.

Ziaja Soothing Argan Oil Hand Cream 100ml (rrp€3.99)

A super daily use hand cream that’s small enough to tuck into handbags so you know that soft, moisturised hands are always within reach.  The argan oil formula sinks right into dry and rough skin to sooth redness and protect over exposed skin.  Strengthen the hydro-lipid skin barrier, leaving hands hydrated and feeling supple and soft.

Ziaja Moisturising Argan Oil Shower Soap 500ml (rrp€3.99)

A sensual shower soap that contains ultra-moisturising and nourishing argan oil to gently cleanse and restore the skin's essential moisture levels.  Natural argan oil is rapidly absorbed into skin locking in hydration while the formula gently cleanses and leaves skin noticeably glowing, conditioned and delicately scented.  The soothing and gentle cleansing properties make it perfect for daily use and suitable for all the family. 


Ziaja is available from pharmacies and I for one will be stocking up.

New product launch from Clinique

Beauty brand Clinique has today launched its new All About Oils Collection.

The new Deep Comfort Body Oil (€32.00) is a lightweight oil that instantly conditions, comforts and nourishes. The product harnesses a blend of ingredients such as jojoba seed oil and chia seed oil to soothe dry skin and helping to restore radiance while delivering a healthy glow. 

The new Moisture Surge Melting Mask Balm (€32.00) This limited edition 15ml is a silky, solid balm that melts into skin to restore comfort and radiance. Using a triple blend of apricot oil, sunflower seed oil andmacadamia oil, the non-greasy formula helps to nourish and relieve dry spots and can be used as an all-overface treatment or as a 10-minute or leave-on overnight mask

The collection is available at Clinique counters nationwide...Ill be popping in Brown Thomas for a nosey xx

Mememe Boho balm

Hey guys so during the summer the very nice Nathalie at RDCommunications sent me out  a sample of the Boho balm from Mememe cosmetics.  
This is gorgeous in its floral tin, but even prettier on your cheeks and lips, MeMeMe’s Boho Balm is a cheek-lip combo, comprising two blendable colours to instantly brighten lips and cheeks.
 
Enriched with jojoba oil, the colour is both moisturising and buildable, allowing you to achieve a sheer, illuminating effect or deeper flush of colour. 
Available in two divine shades - Coral Taupe or Pink Rouge – both colours are designed to be interchangeable and can be worn on cheeks and lips.
I was lucky enough to receive my sample in the shade Pink Rouge which is absolutely beautiful.

I was lucky enough to receive my sample in the shade Pink Rouge which is absolutely beautiful. I used it mainly on my cheeks because to be honest my lips are typically very dry. I find it hard to get lip/cheek combos to work on my lips without going 'bitty'  but this is down to my lips and not the product. I found when used lightly as a blush it gave a very natural flush which you can build to good strong colour without it going clumpy or dirty looking. I absolutely love this little guy...so much product in it too I'm using it almost daily and have barely made a dent in it. It is priced at €7.99 which is fantastic value as essentially you are getting a 4 in1 product. 2 shades that you can use on lips or cheeks ...highly recommend it xx
Mememe cosmetics are available in selected  pharmacies nationwide 
Check out Mememe cosmetics on facebook here

Eyebrow Threading at The Body Shop Ireland

Hey Guys,
So a few weeks ago I posted that I was invited into the Body Shop in Cork to have my eyebrows threaded and tinted if I wanted. My eyebrows are naturally dark but bushy so I  declined the tint but was excited to try out the threading.

Eyebrows are the main focus right now and you need to have them 'on point'. I normally pluck (when i have time ) and then every 6 months or so get them waxed to give the definition that i maintain by plucking. I had heard of Threading but never got around to trying it out ...until now.Threading has many advantages over waxing,its fast.suitable for all skin types even sensitive,its relatively painless ( i found it quite relaxing) and it does not cause ingrown hairs !!!.
Threading has been done for centuries in countries like India,Egypt but its relatively new practise here in Ireland.It is done using a cotton thread which is twisted and pulled along the hairs grabbing  the unwanted ones in a twisted loop if you will. It removes the hair follicle and results can last longer than waxing (depending on your own hair growth)
Now my eyebrows grow like weeds..seriously its ridiculous how fast those buggers grow so i deliberately held off on this review so i could tell you guys how long it lasted.
I was threaded on the 9th June and i did not see any pesky hairs poking out until the 27 June and even then it was just a few. Its now the 1st July and ok they need to be done but nothing like how bad they would normally be after this lenght of time (caterpillars spring to mind!!!)
I was threaded by Uma who was so lovely and professional.  There is a separate area of the shop designated for the threading which is nice and private .The first thing Uma did was to sanitise her hand and mine..I loved this because I am a clean freak..( I did used to work in a sterile environment so I've been conditioned lol) . We then discussed the look i was after and Uma set to work. Uma kept showing me in a mirror to check i was happy which I was..very happy indeed. It was all over very fast, and some cooling aloe vera was applied not that i need it to be honest there was no pain or stinging  and wow the result was fantastic. A huge plus for me is that there was no redness, You know how after waxing you have 2 red blotchy strips across your face not with threading.

The threading bar at  offers threading for a variety of areas and i will definitely be going back . On that note they also offer a loyalty card so if you are in there be sure and pick one up . Also while you just walk in and get threaded you can also book online here. Webite is so easy to use and you even get a reminder text the day before which i like beause we are all busy and appointments can be forgotton
 I would highly recommend the thebodyshop for threading and i will be booking my next  appoinment  this week
Let me know if youve been threaded and how you found it xx

Tight Ass Tuesday with Aldi!!!

Hey guys so we've just had the May bank holiday complete with crappy weather but that means the June bank holiday is fast approaching. Along with that will come some hopefully warm weather so its time to start thinking about protecting our skin in the sun.

No matter what skincare you use be it Creme De La Mer or La Prairie or Aldi's finest or somewhere in between, it will make no difference if you don't look after and protect your skin from sun damage.
The sun is the cause of  most of the damage to our skin.. Sure environmental factors and lifestyle play a part but sun damage causes lines,wrinkles,pigmentation,crepeness....etc...etc... and they are not the worst effect.
The cause can be detrimental to our health if abused but if you look after your skin you can safely have fun in the sun this summer.

Which brings me to Aldi no less..They do a range of sun protection that is actually very good.

It is from their Lacura range and they do a wide range of factors ranging from 10 to 50+.
They are available in a milk formula and an oil formula in some of the factors.
I use the Extra sensitive Sun Spray Kids 50+ on my family. I use the factor 30 in a spray formula on myself.
I am dark haired and sallow skinned so i tan very well given half a chance(with 2 kids under 3 i don't see that happening this year) but i don't go lower than factor 30 on my body and 50+ on my face.
Obviously with kids I'm not going lower than 50+ and my hubby is very pale and freckly so he uses the 50+ too.
The formula is very lightweight for a 50+ they can tend to be very thick with some brands and can leave you looking like you are covered in Dulex brilliant white. This doesn't happen with Aldi sun protection. It is not sticky either once its rubbed in you can go about your day very quickly. 

One thing worth mentioning is that  as well as high UVB protection they have an excellent UVA rating ..they all have 5 star rating which is the highest you can get. Why is this important..the UVA rays are the ageing rays the ones that cause lines wrinkles premature ageing etc. The 5 star rating means the product has maximum filters in the product to stop those rays reaching the epidermis and into the deeper  layers of your skin.

There is a misconception that around a LONG time about sun cream and that is that it will stop me tanning...NOT TRUE . You will get a beautiful tan if that's what you want but it will be a safe tan.
I worked in pharmacy for 10 years and the amount of people that refused to buy high sun protection because 'it will stop me tanning ' was frightening.  I always use high factors now...not the case in my teens and early 20's but the dangers were not well known then..they are now.Guys please if you want to look after your skin use protection!!! You will still tan just do it the right way please.

Make up Monday Benefit

Hey guys welcome back to Make up Monday...Todays brand is Benefit cosmetics and I freaking love it .Such cute packaging and products that really deliver..have some fun putting on your face .
Here are my current favs from the range

Benefit Cosmetics - Hello Flawless TOASTED BEIGE

Flawless face now who doesnt want that???
This give a beautiful flawless appearance to the skin..it really helps to brighten and grey skin and makes you look alive and healthy!!
Available in Debenhams.

Benefit Cosmetics - Hello Flawless..I use TOASTED BEIGE

Benefit Cosmetics - Pocket Pal Lip Gloss

Love this little guy a must have for your make up bag
Benefit Cosmetics - Pocket Pal Lip Gloss

Benefit Cosmetics - BADgal Waterproof Mascara

BADgal waterproof is one amazing , black waterproof mascara  .The waterproof & smudge-proof formula keeps mascara intact no matter what elements eyelashes may face. No more smudging or lingering on lids... this stuff doesn't move!

Benefit Cosmetics - BADgal Waterproof Mascara

Make up Monday...Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

What can I say...I love this primer.

I fell in love with Smashbox in 2004 when I went stateside and it is an obsession i have carried with me.I was so happy when Debenhams in Cork began to stock smashbox and so gutted last year when they stopped.I am always on the look out for new stockists up and down the country the latest one i discovered is https://www.facebook.com/mcguirespharmacy

Back to the primer...it is silicone based so it glides onto the skin like silk.It leaves the skin super soft which i love.I will use the primer even if i am having a 'no make up' day as it gives a beautiful finish to the skin and helps to blur fine lines and wrinkles. 

You really do only need a very small amount . I smoothed the product all over my face, and fell in love with the feel on my skin. So silky. So smooth. Lovely Matt finish.  When you  check your makeup half  way through the afternoon it looks freshly applied which is what we all want.

One tip I will give is this... wait a few minutes after applying the primer before you go ahead with your foundation, or you will find your foundation kinda rolls off as you are applying it.
This can also happen if you use too much of the product,you really only need a pea size amount.
Have you tried it..let me know in the comments below what you thought.
If you haven't tried it I have a competition on my facebook page check it out  here