Tuesday 11 March 2014

Review | Origins Gin Zing Moisturiser

 
Hi Ladies. I'm sure this isn't the first review of Origins Gin Zing Moisturiser that you have read, and it probably won't be the last. I have recently read so many good reviews of this moisturiser over the past few months and I can certainly see why. I had wanted to try this moisturiser for a really long time, so I popped it on my Christmas wishlist last year, and Mum bought it for me in my stocking. I used it on Christmas Day, fell in love, and I've used it everyday since.
 
It's safe to say that Origins is one of my favourite skincare brands. I swear by the Super Spot Remover, and also love the Modern Friction Exfoliator and Clear Improvement Mask. Their products just seem to work really well with my skin and last a really long time. Having quite dull, oily skin with a lot of scarring (I know I go on about it all the time) so when I heard this moisturiser was a gel formula that promised to energise tired looking skin while still hydrating it, I knew I had to try it.
 
I adore the formula of this moisturiser. Before this, I was using the La Roche Possay Effaclar Duo, (which I still love) and that is a gel. The consistency of the Gin Zing moisturiser is a very thin lotion with a very wobbly almost 'jelly' like formula. Because it is so light weight, it is perfect for oily/ combination skin as it is not too heavy and thick. I use it both in the mornings and at night and find it works really well at both times. Another thing that I love about it is the scent. It is just heavenly. It smells of fresh oranges, but not artificial, like real oranges. This makes it great to apply in the mornings, as it really wakes me up! It brightens up my whole face and makes my skin look glowing. I haven't noticed a change in my skin but it really is lovely to apply.
 
As I stated earlier, this is definitely a product more suited to oily/ combination skin. I don't think it would be hydrating enough for those with dry skin, although it works perfectly for me.
 
Overall, I really can't fault this moisturiser and I will 100% be repurchasing it. And that is saying something as usually when I finish a skincare product I like to try something new. As Origins is a renowned brand, I think £23 is quite reasonable. You get a big pot and you don't need a lot to cover your whole face. There is also a Gin Zing eye cream and under eye concealer. Origins is available from Debenhams and John Lewis to name a few!
 
What are your thoughts on Origins as a brand? Have you tried anything from the Gin Zing range?
 
Love,
Eleanor
xxx

Sunday 2 March 2014

Review | MAC Pigment in Tan

 
Hi Ladies. Today I am reviewing one of my current favourite eye shadows. As a total eye shadow junkie, I am always extremely excited to try out new colours and formulations. MAC pigments (or pigments in general) are something that I have never really tried in depth. In my early makeup years I remember using the Barry M pigments, but if truth be told, I didn't have much idea what I was doing back then. As an extremely clumsy person, pigments seemed a bad idea, but after seeing Gabriella from velvetgh0st talk about this product, and describe it as rose gold, I was pretty much sold. I had it on my wishlist for a long time, but I just never got round to buying it. Then Christmas came, and my lovely Godparent's bought it for me. It is not a product that I wear on an every day basis, but if I am going somewhere special or out at night, it is my go to eye colour.
 
The wonderful thing about this product is that it looks gorgeous on its own. When I wear it, I apply my Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Pink Gold (do you see a theme?) so the pigment has something to stick to and boosts the longevity of it. The pigment itself is incredibly fine and seems to contain small glitter particles when first applied, but when it is blended, it just looks shimmery. I usually add a bit of black eyeliner when I wear it too.
 
On the MAC website, Tan is described as a 'muted pinky brown bronze' and I have to say I absolutely agree. I find this looks really flattering with my eye colour and skin tone. Bronze hues pretty much suit anyone. Some bronze shades have really strong orange undertones and can not really work with paler complexions, but this is an exception. I'm quite pale and it looks really lovely. I can see this looking especially gorgeous on darker skin.
 
If you have never tried MAC Pigments before, I highly recommend Tan as a starting point as it is so versatile. I would really like to try some more and have my eye on Vanilla as I have heard amazing things about it. They are quite pricy at £17, but you get 4.5g, and you only need the tiniest amount on your brush to cover your whole lid.
 
You can find pigments on the MAC website here, or I like to buy MAC from the Debenhams website as then I can earn point on my beauty club card!
 
Have you tried MAC Pigments? What are your thoughts?
 
Love,
Eleanor
xxx