YvesSaintLaurent - Haul & Review

Hello Ladies,

Hope you are all well! So, I've decided to do something a little different for today's post... a haul. If you follow me on Twitter, you will know I tweeted recently about an incident that may or may not have happened at the YSL counter in Debenhams, the incident in question was me spending WAY too much money. I will try and defend my actions by saying that it was really sunny that day and the way the light hit the products and brought out my inner magpie.

I don't mind admitting that I have a slight obsession with all things YSL. It's an incredible brand, and every item I have in my collection is a little piece of luxury. The packaging is amazing and the quality of the products are fantastic. I have yet to buy a product from YSL that has not lived up to my expectations.

Let's start with the Rouge Volupte in Fetish Pink, just a stunning colour, it's an almost barbie pink, but not too much.

I have to say I am just in love with these. The packaging is so luxurious with the gold tube and the intricately designed ring that overlays the lipsticks shade. A quirky little feature. These lipsticks knock any other I have ever tried out of the park. They are so creamy and pigmented and you are left with the most stunning gloss finish.

This is Lingerie Pink, it's just beautiful, It's a very pale pink and I just adore it. Even as I type I am distracted by the amazing packaging. It's just incredible. Want to hear the best part?! Of course you do! On the top of the lid is a mirror to help with touch up's! How great is that?!

This is the Volupte Sheer Candy in Iced Plum, these are basically the same as the Rouge Volupte but with a sheer twist, it is of course more of a balm than a lipstick, but I adore it. It gives a perfect tint and its beautifully moisturising.

Next up are the Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stains. This shade is Encre Rose is a really pretty lilac purple.

This shade is Violet Edition, a plum purple. There is a knack to how you apply these. You paint the first coat and let it sit for about 30 seconds. The second coat gives you more gloss, more coverage and the colour will deepen. The product applies sticky, and then it turns into something else, and what you're left with is the most beautiful non sticky gloss effect.

I've saved the best until last. This is Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils Shocking. Now, the wand on this mascara is a little different to that of the original. This one is twisted with longer bristles that twists in a helter skeltor kind of effect (worst terminology ever). This is the most dramatic mascara I have ever used and to be quite honest, the effect it gave really shocked me (no pun intended) It's just incredible. It gives the length, the volume, the curl and the drama, it's the perfect way to frame the eyes. On a final note about this mascara, it smells... divine! I'm not used to having a mascara that smells so good, like most YvesSaintLaurent products it's ever so subtly scented with a hint of mango. If you are going to try one high end mascara this year, this should be it. It's perfection in a gold tube!

So, that's it for now ladies.

I hope you enjoyed my little haul,

Is there anything here you would consider trying?

Let me know what you've been buying!

Until next time

xoxo

Aundrea

Max Factor - Flipsticks & False Lash Effect 24

Hey Ladies,

Hope this weekend is treating you well! So, my post today is a review on MaxFactor's new delights the Colour Effect Flipsticks and the new False Lash Effect 24 mascara. Back in the day MaxFactor was my go to cosmetics brand for mascara. They are unbeatable for high street/drugstore quality. It's hard to believe that MF have been around for over 100 years. After all, Mr Max Factor was the creator of the very first high tech mascara brush!

I'm going to start with the Flipsticks. First of all, how adorable and fun are these?! I cannot tell you how much fun I have had experimenting with them! These are multi coloured lipstick duo's that allow you to get a little inventive and create your own look. There are 6 shades, so 12 lipstick's in total. Let me show you the colours...

Bloomy Pink

Folky Pink

Salsa Red

Gypsy Red

Swingy Brown

Boreal Pink

All in all I think these are fabulous little products, they are so much fun to experiment with. You can create so many different looks either individually or when you mix and match all 12 colours. These are definitely worth a look if you feel like indulging in your creativity.

Now, the mascara. I have always been a fan of the False Lash effect, I have tried every version that MaxFactor have released. I even rushed out to buy the limited edition purple version of the original when it was released 3 years ago (don't judge, I'm a purple fanatic!) Then we had the False Lash Effect Fusion, and now False Lash Effect 24, which is amazing, because lets face it a gal can never have too many versions of a fantastic mascara!

So. the first thing I noticed when applying the mascara was how it felt like you were applying nothing at all (in a good way!) The wand is so incredibly soft that it feels like you are combing through each individual lash with the softest almost, baby like brush, all the while applying the most amazingly formulated mascara to give you length, separation, volume and curl. Now I have put this mascara to the test on quite a few occasions, through rain, hail, and shine (quite literally). This is pretty amazing, it doesn't budge under any circumstances, it lasts me throughout the day and when it comes to removing it, I had no difficulty at all. Top marks for this little wonder!

So that's it ladies!

Will you be trying these little beauties?

What are your favourite MaxFactor products?

Until next time

xoxo

Aundrea

Vichy - Idealia Range

Hey Ladies,

As I am sure you are aware by now, my search for the perfect skincare has been long and tedious. Vichy has always been the number 1 trusted skincare brand for many years, and with 3 products sold every second  I was excited to learn about their new Idealia range. This new range contains the revolutionary ingredient 'kombucha', Kombucha is a fermented tea that is used worldwide, as it is alleged to boast a number of medicinal properties. It is made by "incubating" the kombucha, a type of mushroom, in sweet black tea.

When it has fermented this miracle ingredient contains B vitamins, glucoronic and lactic-acid, that maintain the skins moisture and elasticity.

The active ingredients AHA, Vitamins, Probiotics, Polyphenols help skin regenerate, enhancing its texture and the overall appearance.

 

This little jar of wonder offers the chance to give you radiant, healthy and better looking skin.it also promises to smooth the look of wrinkles, fine lines and leave your skin feeling soft to the touch.

The Vichy Idealia Pro serum helps target dark spots in the dermis such as brown spots, sun spots, ageing spots, blemish marks, and blotchiness. I have been putting this to the test over the past few weeks as I wanted to be able to tell you if there were any visible results. I am pleased to report that this delivers on it's promise. I've recently had a teenage-esque breakout, which, at age 26 is mortifying! This dramatically reduced the healing time and I was left with minimum scaring. My freckles are less prominent and my skin is so much smoother and hydrated. It's lightly scented with an almost tea like fragrance. It's also paraben free which is a huge bonus! All in all, I have to say this serum has really impressed me.

That's it for now ladies.

Will you be trying the Idealia range?

What are your thoughts?

Until next time

xoxo

Aundrea

 

The Vichy Idealia range will be available in pharmacies nationwide from September 2012.
The Idealia Pro will retail at €34.50 and the Idealia Smoothing and Illuminating Cream will retail at €26.

La Vie est Belle - Lancome

Hey Ladies!

I have a treat for you today! I was invited to discover Lancôme's new feminine fragrance 'La Vie est Belle' in the presence of the lovely Anne Flipo, fine fragrance perfumer. The birth of Lancôme arose from the dream of an exceptional man with a love for women and French elegance. Armand Petitjean perfumer and cosmetician devoted his life to the dream of giving women the most beautiful things possible. So it comes as no surprise to me, that Lancôme's latest offering 'La Vie est Belle' which in literal translation means 'The beautiful life' proclaims everything I have come to expect from a Lancôme fragrance.

La Vie est Belle was created by the combined talent of three French masters of perfumery Oliver Polge, Anne Flipo and Dominique Ropion. Their aim was to create the first ever feminine tasty iris, a fragrance set somewhere between shadow and light. The notes of this fragrance are, iris, tonka bean, blackcurrant, orange blossom, patchouli, praline and jasmine. Pretty incredible. To me the notes of praline, jasmine and patchouli stand out the most. It is a very sensual perfume. This fragrance pulls you in, it's captivating. I am not kidding when I say a little of this goes a long way, I sprayed it on my wrist at 8pm last night and it was still there this morning. I have NEVER had a fragrance with staying power like this. I think this is thanks, in large part to the fact that it contains almost 50% natural ingredients, a proportion so huge it is scarcely attempted in perfumery nowadays, making this without a doubt Lancôme's most exceptional fragrance yet.

In 1949 Lancôme's founder Armand Petitjean challenged his artistic director to create a bottle that would symbolise the aura of women with that indefinable 'je ne sais quoi'. After many, many sketches George Delhomme finally captured the essence of happiness: the grace of a smile somehow cut into glass. The design would remain in Lancôme's archives for 63 years simply entitled 'Le sourire de cristal' (The crystal smile). Over half a century later we see it come to life in the form of  'La Vie est Belle' the finishing touch to the revered vessel is the most beautiful pearlescent grey organza ribbon tied around it's neck, like a dainty little neck scarf symbolising twin wings of freedom, which I feel is incredibly appropriate as the bottle has been waiting 63 years to reveal itself.

I think this fragrance is one of the most beautiful scents I have come across in a long time, the wear time is nothing short of incredible. It is very distinctive, I have not come across a fragrance like it before, and this coming from someone with well over 50 bottles of perfume is saying something. I wore it today and yesterday and received a multitude of compliments. I can't compare it to anything else Lancôme has released fragrance wise, this one stands out from the pack, it's deeply sensual and mysterious, and incredibly alluring. I am really impressed with what this fragrance has to offer.

So that's it for now ladies!

I hope you enjoyed...

Will you be sampling Lancôme's newest offering?

Tell me your fragrance of the moment!

Until next time

xoxo

Aundrea

La Vie est Belle (EDP), will be available as part of a worldwide exclusive from Brown Thomas on August 1st and from Lancôme counters nationwide from September 1st.