Kiehls Turmeric and Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque

There are a number of brands that I have wanted to try for ages now and when I was given the chance to try Kiehls, I jumped at the chance. In my entire lifetime, I have only ever used one Kiehl's products (here) and yet everyone raves about them. This time it was the turn of the Turmeric and Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque 75ml. Described by Kiehls as being an ‘instant facial’, the Turmeric and Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque works to brighten and energise the look of dull, fatigued skin whilst helping it to regain its natural, healthy appearance.

To look at, the mask is quite yellow looking and as Tumeric is one of the ingredients, this didn't surprise me at all. It is also quite a thick consistency, almost like a mud mask and one I find easier to apply with an old concealer brush than with my fingers, to ensure I get an equal covering on my face. Add to Tumeric, as the name suggests is Cranberry and it is this ingredient which adds the 'scrub' to the mask. Together, the cranberry and turmeric work to help visibly even the look of your skin tone whilst the crushed cranberry seeds gently exfoliate, giving that smoother, brighter, illuminated-looking skin.

The scent of this mask is what intrigued me the most, more so because Tumeric is an ingredient I associate with a good curry!  It doesn't smell like a Chicken Balti I am pleased to say, but there is a hint of spice with the cranberries that I find really quite pleasant.

As I apply the mask using an old concealer brush, I find it really easy to stand in front of the mirror and slap it on. You only need to apply a thin layer and remember that when doing so, be careful not too apply too much pressure because the cranberry seeds are there to exfoliate. Once on the face, the mask dries incredibly quickly and I like to leave it to work its magic for up to ten minutes, so again, perfect for use if you are a busy bee like me. After those ten minutes are up, you need a warm flannel/muslin cloth and then in circular movements, gently massage your face and let those cranberry seeds work their magic to gently buff the skin, removing surface dirt, grime and dead skin cells.

Once removed, the mask leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and smooth as well as hydrated, moisturised and I am glad to say there is no hint or sign of irritation or redness. For me this mask is such an amazing treat and it is one that works as well on its own or as part of your multi-masking pampering.

If you find your skin looks a tad dull and lacklustre, dry in parts and in need of a good exfoliation and cleansing, then at £28 this is an absolute steal and is worth hunting down to give a try!  As a first face mask that I have used from Kiehls, I am eager to work my way right through the entire collection, that is how impressed I am.

Let's Stop HIV with Kiehls, MTV Staying Alive and Tinie Tempah

I was sent this Kiehls package from Klout as one of their perks, infact this is my first perk I have ever received. As a blogger, Klout is important to me because it aims to represent how much influence I have, the higher your score (between 1-100) the more influential you obviously are. A Klout perk is a reward and they are given to you based on a variety of things, including where you live, your influential topics, or your Klout Score.  

Kiehls is a brand that I am aware of but have not used. So this is such a delightful treat for me because not only is this my first time using the product but it is also a limited edition put. Kiehls have released their limited edition

Ultra Facial Cream in collaboration with Tinie Tempah, who created the label on the pot and who is the MTV Staying Alive Foundation Ambassador. The Staying Alive Foundation is a global charity which produces ground-breaking, original content that delivers vital HIV prevention messaging to a young international audience, whether that is through documentaries, advertisements or simply reaching out to people. Figures show that over 78million people been infected with HIV since the start of epidemic and 39million people have died of HIV-related causes furthermore 42% Of all new HIV infections are in 15-24 year olds and I am sure you will agree they are quite shocking statistics, more of which you can find here.

Kiehls have been supporting the fight against HIV/Aids since the 1980s and to date have raised more than $2.5million. This year, they have chosen MTV Staying Alive Foundation as their official UK Charity partner for 2015 and these pots of Ultra Facial Cream featuring the limited edition label are on sale across Kiehls Boutiques and department stores and you can also find them online. For every pot that is purchased, Kiehls will make a donation of £2 to the charity. If you want to donate a little bit more, then Kiehl's and the MTV Staying Alive Foundation have also set up the option to text and all you need to do is simply text HIV1 to 70660 to donate £5 or you can text HIV1 £x to the same number to donate your chosen amount up to a maximum of £10.

So as well as donating to charity, you can get yourself this amazing facial cream. Described as being a light-textured, 24-hour hydrator helps to retain moisture within the skin, leaving skin feeling comfortable and well-balanced and it is not tested on animals. It can also be used both morning and night to keep your skin hydrated and I have been using it every morning after applying my Body Shop Serum and I absolutely love it and it is perfect for this kind of weather to give your skin some extra TLC.

You can join in to help Kiehl's to spread the word about this great cause yourself by sharing the news of their collaboration on Twitter and Instagram. Let’s stop HIV before it starts with #TINIExKIEHLS @kiehlsuk @tinietempah @mtvstayingalive.

The best Beauty Advent Calendars 2014 + A giveaway

I don't know about you but my inbox is fairly quiet on the whole 'Christmas' thing right now, there was a flurry of activity around the beginning of the month and now, well not so much.

One thing I am seeing more and more of however is the launching of Beauty a advent Calendars, remember last there when there was a stampede into Benefit for their calendar, only for them to run out and be found on eBay for almost quadruple the price? Well this year it seems there has been an explosion in Beauty Advent Calendars and having spent a few days reading about them through various means, I thought I would share them with you - one thing to note... Why is there nothing for the men folk?  

Tesco - Costing just £50 instead of the actual retail value of a whopping £125, Tesco have announced they are to launch an advent calendar this year. Contents include Nip + Fab, Korres, Tanya Burr, and Dr Lewinn's plus many more.

The Benefit advent calendar is back and it is packed with mini products from the brand's bestsellers as well as some beauty accessories which look too cute. Priced at £60, it becomes available at benefitcosmetics.co.uk and debenhams.com from 16th October

For £85 you might want to look at the Selfridges Enchanted Spells advent calendar which has a selection of fragrances, makeup and skincare from some amazing beauty brands such as Lancôme, Yves Saint Laurent, Kiehl's and Victor & Rolf to name but a few. To get your hands on it, go to the Selfridges website and sign up for notifications of its release.

The advent calendar that I am excited comes from the Liberty. Designed to look just like the actual London department store, inside each of the drawers you will find the most amazing luxury beauty treats such as NARS, Diptyque, Dermalogica, Kiehls, Eve Lom and Laura Mercier to name just a few! This calendar is Available in store and at liberty.co.uk from November and costs £125

No.7 comes next and again, I am liking the look of this purse friendly advent calendar. The items inside are said to be worth a massive £130, this calendar is packed with skincare and makeup must-haves which is said to include the iconic No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Day Cream. Available at Boots stores and online from 29th October and is priced at £35

Elemis is next. I am a huge Elemis fan and this calendar Priced at £59.50 and is Available now from timetospa.co.uk.  It differs slightly to the other calendars in that it is. 12 days of Christmas calendar which means, you only get 12 doors to open.  That said inside you will find products such as 

• Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm 20g
• Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 15ml
• Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream 15ml
• Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm 7ml
• Papaya Enzyme Peel 15ml
• Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules 14 caps
• Revitalising Babassu Facial Wipes 4 sachets
• Frangipani Monoi Shower Cream 50ml
• Frangipani Monoi Body Oil 35ml
• Skin Nourishing Shower Cream 50ml
• Pro-Radiance Hand & Nail Cream 20ml
• Treat Your Feet Foot Cream 20ml

L'Occtaine is next and again there are not 25 or 24 doors to open but instead there are 13. Why? The holiday tradition in Provence is to have 13 deserts on the festival table, so with that in mind, this calendar has 13 treats waiting for you. From fragrance, body and skincare surprise are behind each door. Available at loccitane.co.uk from 3rd November this calendar is priced at £45

W7 advent Calendar - I have featured this already, but have to include because it is such good value for money costing just £19.99. Behind each of the doors you will find a sample sized treat from the W7 range such as nail polishes, mascara, lipstick and one or two other surprises. Date for release TBC.

At just £49 Ciaté's Mini Mani Manor is exceptionally cute. Behind each door you are likely to find this seasons must haves, some best-selling shades, texture polishes and even festive transfers. Nailed it. Available now at Selfridges, John Lewis, ASOS and www.ciate.co.uk and if you go to your local TK Maxx you can find them for just £19.99!

The latest release to reach my inbox, is the Jo Malone Calendar, just look at how pretty it all is/ Costing an eye-watering £250, it is sure to sell out quickly, so keep your eyes peeled if you want it! This calendar is filled with 24 fragrances and mini body lotions.  

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a candle or five would it? Well this years Yankee Candle advent Calendar is one on my short list of calendars I'd like, I mean how cute. Priced at around £23 (prices differ on a few sites) and available now, this 3D shaped calendar is packed full of Yankee a Candles, some of those scents include Candy Cane Lane, Christmas Memories, Christmas Garland, Spiced Orange and Snowflake Cookie to name just a few and....there is an added surprise behind one of the doors, but you will find no spoiler here telling you what it is!

The Body Shop which will retail for £55, with total contents are valued at £80

I am sure over the next free weeks other beauty calendars will be announced... Over the last few years there has been Liz Earle, Boots and even Lancôme and L'Oreal which I've managed to find mentioned online.

With all of that in mind and in celebration of the fact Beautyqueenuk has just hit 500,000 page views, yes that is Half a Million... Woah! I thought it would be a good idea to create my own Beauty Advent Calendar for someone to open...it will be filled with things that I love and use. All you need to do is complete the Rafflecopter form below to take part - Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So which a Advent Calendar are you hoping to get your hands on this year if any?

Cosme-De.com - Have you heard of them?

Have you ever come across a site called Cosme-de.com? No? Well me neither until very recently and they have around for over 10 years!.  Cosme-de is a leading online shopping store which sells make-up, skincare, bodycare, hair care, fragrance, travel products, a male range and much more.  Many of the brands available are what we would consider to be high end brands as well as high-street brands and they include:

• Anna Sui
• Avène
• Benefit
• Bioderma
• Bobbi Brown
• Caudalie
• Chanel
• Christain Doir
• Clinique
• Dermalogica
• Giorgio Armani
• Givenchy
• Glamglow
• Kiehls
• NYX

To name just a few and they are priced at really amazing prices, plus they offer free worldwide shopping... now before you rush off to start spending, let me share with you some of their products which I was very kindly sent!

Anna Sui Rouge Jar** - This is simply stunning to look at. I love everything about the design, the packaging, it is like nothing I have ever seen.  Inside the jar is a deeply hydrating and moisturizing lip gloss with vinyl-like luster for unbelievably shiny and glossy lips. This is priced at £11 whereas you would usually pay around £20.

Benefit Dandelion**- This is a blusher from Benefit which is described as being a "finely spun with delicate mauves and pinks, this exquisite brightening face powder leave a petal like finish".  This is priced at £24 which is around the same price as you would find in the UK.

NARS Sin**- This is a blush from NARS which is absolutely stunning.  Described as being a Berry with Gold Shimmer blush, it is one of those winter time products I need to go with my darker lipsticks.  Priced at £19 it is slightly cheaper than here in the UK.

The final item in my package is a Japanese product made by Kose which contains two Called AQMW**, one is a brightening mask and the other a balancing mask and they are which I have researched a little bit about online and I am looking forward to trying both products.  As yet I have no price for these.

Now as you can see, I am one very lucky girl right now because these products are simply amazing and the prices are equally good!  All of the products are 100% genuine and only branded items are stocked, there are no imitations.

One part of the site I am always looks at is the Best Value section and it is here you can find some real bargains! There are so many things that I have got my eye on such as the Marc Jacobs Mini Fragrance set which you can see HERE, I haven't seen it anywhere and just how cute are those bottles? Plus everyone will know I have a DKNY obsession and just HERE they have everything I need on my wishlist and all the items are just so reasonably priced. I also have my eye on a Clinique Buttershine lipstick in Pink Goddess shade.  Infact there is just so much I have got my eye on right now.

Now I have a treat for you all by way of a discount when you shop with Cosme-de and here it is:

*You need to spend £35 or more for the discount