London Blow Dry and Beauty Bar | Blush + Blow

Last week I was delighted to be invited to the launch event of a new London blow dry beauty bar –Blush & Blow– located in Fulham.

After work I made my way across London to Fulham to check out the new Blush + Blow beauty bar. Despite the heavy thundery showers the city had witnessed a couple of hours before, the sun was back out and a lovely summers evening had settled in.

Blush + Blow London

Situated literally five minutes’ walk from the Parsons Green underground station, the London blow dry beauty bar Blush & Blow is well positioned and very easy to find. Upon arrival I was warmly greeted and welcomed inside where I was handed a glass of champagne and given a quick tour. 

London blow dry beauty bar

London blow dry beauty bar

London blow dry beauty bar

London blow dry beauty bar

The interior of Blush & Blow is definite goals. Down the right hand side of the front area is the blow dry bar – big mirrors, comfy seats and a long work station. On the left upon entering is a waiting area; the till/reception and then a manicure station where you can have both a blow dry AND a manicure at the same time for those with less time to spare.

The middle part of this London blow dry beauty bar is dedicated to manicures; a children’s play area which folds away when not in use (more on this in a moment); and then you’re in the back of the salon which has quite honestly, the most gorgeous pedicure set up I have ever seen. There are also basins opposite for hair washing.

Hair washing basins London

Glass of chanpagne

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MAC Smoked Purple Lipstick and Nightmoth lipliner review

If there is one thing I love more than a bold lip, it’s a strikingly bold dark lip and when I first noticed the Mac Smoked Purple Lipstick a few weeks ago, I knew it was for me.

Mac beauty review

MAC Smoked Purple lipstick and nightmoth lipliner

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Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet Review from The Body Shop

Hey Sweeties,

I’m excited to review for you today The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet, which I have been using for the past month or two and totally love it!

The Body Shop Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet

The Body Shop Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet

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Beauty Review | Rimmel London Provocalips 16hr Kiss Proof Lip Colour

Hey Sweeties,

I’ll be honest, I put off buying the Rimmel London Provocalips 16hr Kiss Proof Lip Colour product(s) to the point where it just wasn’t on my radar following Lily Pebbles saying she hated it because its staying power was basically just too good. But then months on, it dawned on me that actually for all the reasons she hates it, could be all the reasons I love it; I want something that lasts all day and doesn’t budge, even after eating and drinking. Conveniently, Asda had them on sale and I seized the opportunity to make up my own mind and purchased it in shade 410 Not Guilty which is a gorgeous deep berry red.

Rimmel London Provocalips 16hr kiss proof lip colour

As you know, I am getting married next year and skincare preparation and makeup on the day is high on my agenda and I have ruled out wearing traditional lipstick quite early on because I just cannot bear to wear something that will need regular retouching or will require my Bridesmaids to be on constant lipstick-on-teeth watch. So at the moment, the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet lipsticks (review here) are currently top of the shortlist because they dry down, stain and don’t budge and I was hoping Rimmel’s Provocalips Lip Colour will do the same… but better.

This product differs to other liquid lipsticks owing to it having a two-step application process, the first step is the lip colour, the second step is ‘lock and shine’ which most simply put, is like a clear gloss that goes over the top of the main product.

Rimmel London Provocalips 16hr kiss proof lip colour

So what do I think? Well, the first time I tried applying the product it was a total disaster and I gave up, the product just did not apply well and so nearly ruined the rest of my makeup that I had sent ages applying. However, I persisted and the following day, I tried again with much better results and have done so since. I think the problem the first time was that I had applied lip balm a short while prior to product application (as I routinely do so), whereas the following day I deliberately chose not to, therefore applying Provacalips directly to a dry lip which it definitely seems to prefer. However, initial problems aside, once it has applied correctly it does stick around and lasts well when the contributing factors are on side.

I wonder if the reason Lily (Pebbles) had with removal was because she tried doing so too soon? Sounds strange but I have tried other products with the same conclusion, the one that springs to mind the most is Benefit’s Push Up Liner (review here) as if you try and remove it say after only an evening’s wear, then it’s a struggle. However, wear it all day and it’s a lot easier to remove come bed time. Products like this have been designed to last all day and so it’s not for use of only a couple of hours. It’s just my thoughts, personally.

The ultimate question though is has Rimmel’s Provocalips 16hr Kiss Proof Lip Colour made it onto my short list for my wedding makeup? Unfortunately, while I like it, at the moment Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet lipsticks are just too unbeatable right now, but I haven’t ruled Provocalips out completely as things may change over time the more I continue to use the product.

Have any of you guys tried this?

Until next time x

Elizabeth Arden Intervene Serum | Review

Hey Sweeties,

As I am in my late twenties with thirty on the horizon but still a good couple of years away, I acknowledge that I need to begin upping my skincare, particularly when I cross that next significant milestone. At the moment I would say my skin is fairly good and needs little maintenance but certainly cheap(er) products, although still perfectly decent, will eventually not be enough and I should start investing more heavily in quality products.

With this in mind, I thought it was about time I gave you some long overdue feedback on the Elizabeth Arden intervene serum I purchased from TK MAXX (quite spontaneously) a few months ago (here).

Before using this particular serum, I was using a Clinique sample I got from Instyle magazine and loved it (here), but the hefty price tag while no doubt worth it, is still more than I am looking to pay for a product at this time of my life. Do ask me again though when I am mid-thirties!

Elizabeth Arden Serum

So, what do I think of this serum from Elizabeth Arden that claims to tighten and improve radiance? While I don’t have skin yet showing signs of sagging or aging, I feel I am still trying my luck by being ahead of science because after all, it is only time! So even though tightening effects are still a bit lost on me, I appreciate that I am taking care of myself in this way. As for radiance, again I think this is hard to properly measure, particularly as we’re just coming out of the summer months and heading into autumn. That being said, I do still that my face is really appreciating me having a proper skincare routine in the mornings where I cleanse, apply serum, moisturiser and primer before makeup. I think that alone has vastly improved my complexion.

Secondly I really like the packaging. Visually it’s nothing to get excited about but the bottle has a good strong pump which makes product distribution a breeze, and it’s just the one pump needed to adequately apply enough onto my face.

In regards to the product itself, it is slightly runnier in consistency than the Clinique serum but this doesn’t detract from my enjoyment of using it.

Would I purchase it again? If I was to see it again discounted in somewhere like TK MAXX, yes I think I would as currently I have no real complaints and in my mind, it comfortably holds its position in my skincare routine so until I try something really super duper wow, this stays.

Until next time x

 

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