bagsy - Meet your handbag's new best friends!

Today I am introducing bagsy to you, a new beauty collection of multi-tasking must-haves for the handbag. If you are anything like me then the make-up bag you carry around is probably full to the point of seam ripping because you need and want so many products with you on the go. Well bagsy is a British born collection of easy to use beauty essentials which let you be prepared for any event with their new collection.

The one thing that stands out to me with bagsy is the packaging, yes really. I was lucky enough to to go a preview event to see the collection for myself and it is stunning. Someone has clearly put a lot of thought and effort into making these items look aesthetically delightful, making you want them before you even know what it is. Created by a team of people who have for years worked alongside some of the worlds biggest brands, they have come together to launch their own collection, using their expert knowledge of formulas, shapes, shades, colours and popular selling products and this is what they have:

Wonder Wand - I absolutely loved this product from the first swatch. It is one pencil which doubles up to be a highlighting and concealing crayon (how clever is that!). This little 2-in-1 product is great for highlighting and concealing on the go, so whether it is blemishes or undereye circles - voila, toodle pip Wonder Wand has it dealt with. (£18).

Pretty Cheeks - The little blush is dome shaped and has a formula that looks like a cream, feels like a cream but it isn't a cream, it acts like a powder. The dome shape allows you to use it on those cheeks bones and then effortlessly blend it in, using your fingers or a brush with no effort at all. It is available in two shades - Velvet Rose and Velvet Coral and even I loved the look of Coral on my swatch. (£16)

Ray on Sunshine - This matte-finish bronzer is delightful. The packaging is slim rather than bulky and it has a mirror. It is engraved with "Sunshine is my favourite accessory" to make it even more amazing and it is sold in two shades - Light medium and Medium Dark which sounds a tad daunting, but the light medium works really well with my skin tone because again it is an effortless blender. (£18)

There are three types of lip products which are called Lip Velvet, Wow Lips and Lip Cocoon and all three are again items I feel like I need in my life.

Lip Velvet is a matte liquid lipstick which is lightweight, soft, hydrating and amazingly pigmented. Once applied it lasts for a good 4-5 hours before you need to re-apply it but as it does fade, it leave behind a lovely tint on the lips, which can be brightened with a bit of clear gloss. 

It is available in four different shades - No Frills, Spilling Plates, Rush Hour and Living the Dream. What I love about these is the packaging, some people on Instagram have compared them to the Opaque Rogue sticks from Hourglass, but you can judge for yourself what you think. The shade swatched below is Spilling Plates (£12)

Lip Cocoon - This is another product I loved as soon as I saw it. It is a lip balm but not just any lip balm, it is one of the prettiest designed lip balms I have come across. 

Available in Lemon and Raspberry, they are scented and smell like fresh Lemons and Raspberries and give a very subtle hint of colour. They glide onto the lips and are super hydrating. (£7)

Wow Lips is a chubby stick, something most people love, have and use. There are four different shades available - Killer Heels, Happy Days, Ready to Wear and Cocktail Hour and they are not only glossy but also again very pigmented. (£12)

The final piece of make-up is for the eyes and is called Beautiful Eyes. This lightweight eyeshader is easily blended and the feathery texture stays put throughout the day no matter what’s thrown at you. Available in Pearly Bird, Caffeine Fix, The Big Smoke and Take The Plunge.  The shade swatched below is Caffeine Switch.

Hair Wonder - (£5.00) An instant refresh for hair, this subtly scented dry shampoo mist volumises roots and absorbs oil with a blend of rice and tapioca. It smells absolutely amazing and in my view, you can never ever have too much dry shampoo at home because you never know when you might need it!

Heavenly Hands - (£6.00) Made with a blend of natural essential minerals of zinc, magnesium, iron and silicon, this soft-whipped cream leaves hands silky soft but never greasy.  Again, this is another definite handbag must for me and the cream for this is divine.

Make Up Bag - (£15.00) For all your bagsy treats, this amazing Flamingo designed pouch is roomy, it looks amazing, it is very cute and it looks amazing in any handbag.

So there you have it, bagsy!  A range which is beautifully packaged and one that has excited me enough to want to know what they have planned next!

The bagsy collection is launching on Monday 15th June on Feelunique.

What are your impressions of bagsy?

She Who Dares Perfume

I am a huge fan of perfume and whenever I am asked if I would like to try something new, I always jump at the chance. She Who Dares, very kindly sent me two of their fragrances Eminence and Dalliance.

Who are She Who Dares? She Who Dares has a vision is to see women of every age being recognised, acknowledged and celebrated for doing great things. The She Who Dares range offers the perfect gift for mums, sisters, grandmothers, friends, aunties, nieces, girlfriends, daughters and wives. Inspirational women deserve to be honoured, and at She Who Dares they aspire to do just that. Their goal is to become a brand where recognition blossoms, and one that is timeless throughout the ages. In 2009 Rachel Lowe (developer and creator) was awarded an MBE from the Queen for her services to business. This achievement ultimately inspired her luxury brand that would celebrate remarkable women: She Who Dares. The brand ethos – ‘Never give up, nothing is impossible’, is a symbolic statement for everything she has accomplished.

The first thing I love about these perfumes is the bottle, both similar in style, an almost teardrop shade with a lid that most definitely captures your attention, the one on Dalliance being white and Eminence being Red.

Eminence is described as being a scent that "will capture your confidence and your femininity, a beautiful fresh floral scent with a seductive base that is soft and sensuous, perfect for every-day wear". As a scent it is most definitely a fresh floral note that captures your attention and is one favoured by those who asked to choose between the two.  Using top notes of bergamot and pink peppercorn, at the heart sits a glamorous bouquet with rose, peony, forget me not and lily of the valley and a base of sandalwood, soft musk and sensuous patchouli, it makes for a really lovely scent.

Dalliance on the other hand was my personal favourite of the two.  Described as being a scent which is "Timeless, elegant and bold, dalliance is a sexy and dynamic evening scent, helping celebrate the most special moments in life". From the two scents, for me, this one if more feminine and possibly because it uses a mix of both fruit and floral to capture your attention. Using the tropical white flower notes of jasmine, tuberose and magnolia which are then entwined with luscious ripe pears before resting on a sensual musky base.

So whilst I prefer Dalliance, it is Eminence that lasted longer as the scent on my skin for 7 hours, pretty much the whole day at work.  Eminence was a good 5-6 hours but most definitely needed to be re-applied before leaving to go home.

Overall both are really lovely scents and costing around £32 for 50ml they are more than reasonably priced and definitely something to look out for.

Tatler For Birchbox - Limited Edition

The 'Tatler For Birchbox' Best of British Box is a limited edition box by Birchbox for April and you can pick up for £25 from their website. The box is absolutely beautiful and perfectly decorated for Spring. Best of British is the theme for this box and working closely with Tatler's beauty editor Francesca White, Birchbox have a box which is jam packed full of British Brands which showcase the best that our homegrown talent has to offer.

So inside this box you will find six different products, some of which are full sized and I have to say, this is one amazing box!

The First product is Percy & Reed London - Big, Bold and Beautiful Dry Instant Volumising Spray £14. This is described as follows - When your locks could do with a little lift, a spritz or two of this non-sticky spray will plump up your strands, boost volume and create a bounce that will turn heads. This is a full sized item.

Ciaté Paint Pot in shade Maybe Baby, I am quite a fan of Ciaté nail polishes because the brush is so easy to use. This shade is described by Ciate as "Deliciously delicate, this sumptuous truffle shade gives a beautifully understated look. If you love nude shades this is the perfect side step into neutral colour, which suit any occasion - from desk-side to date-night, Maybe Baby is a must". This is a full sized item.

Aromatherapy Associates Renewing Rose Body Cream is next and I am a huge fan of this brand and it has featured on my blog a few times now. I absolutely the scents that they use and the bath oils are some of the best I have ever tried.  If you have never tried anything from Aromatherapy Associates, you should!

This cream using an indulgent blend of Rose, Shea Butter and Evening Primrose to make what is most definitely a wonderfully scented, luxurious cream.

The next two products are from brands that I am not too familiar with, so it is quite exciting to discover something new.

Bamford Geranium Hand and Body Wash which smells absolutely delightful. It is described as being a product you use to cleanse and refresh, its gentle plant-based formula uses soothing aloe vera with a blend of floral geranium and lavender and invigorating peppermint oils to leave skin refreshed and raring to go. Now this is one great smelling product and is definitely a brand I would love to know more about.

Dr Jacksons Natural Products Face Oil 03 is the second brand I've never come across. This product is a 100% natural face oil which is formulated with a blend of Baobab and Marula oils, this nourishing oil helps to nourish, improve skin tone and elasticity, and smooth the complexion. Already packed with antioxidants, Dr Jackson also added Calendula and Arnica flower extracts for their refreshing, anti-inflammatory properties. Ahh. 

What I love about this is the bottle comes with a pipette, so it is really easy to use and I am really looking forward to trying it out.

The final item in my box is an absolute cult classic and one I have started using and absolutely love and that is Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish plus a Muslin Cloth. 

I am so chuffed to see this in my box because I have just about run out of mine and needed another one. What I love is that this cleanser is so gentle, you can open your eyes whilst using it to make sure you have removed all trace and when you have finished, oh my is your skin soft! Mine was a smooth as smooth can be. It also has an impressive list of ingredients which includes Chamomile, Rosemary, Cocoa butter and Eucalyptus Essential Oils along with Cocoa Butter and Beeswax all of which are just amazing to the skin.

Now I am sure you will agree with me that this is one of the best ever boxes to come from the lovely ladies at Birchbox, I think it is just brilliant and there are 6 products that I will use.

What did you think of this limited edition box?

YOSO Heated Eyelash Curler

Just before Christmas The Beauty Crowd was kind enough to send me the YOSO heated eyelash curler to try. Now I don't know about you, but I have zillions of pairs of eyelash curlers only for them to go blunt, not work or do a job which could be considered alright. I always have a pair in my main makeup bag, but never carry a pair around with me as they are quite bulky, but, when I saw this product, I was quite intrigued not only by its size but if it was in fact amazing, I could carry it around with me.

The YOSO Heated Eyelash Curler costs just £15.99 to purchase and before I go any further with this review, I am going to say that they are worth every penny! I have loved using them and here is why. Whilst being battery operated, the gold wand is slim and lightweight to hold not to mention easy to use. It is accompanied by an extensive instruction manual which details evrything you need to know about your eyelash curler. There are three parts to this curler. One side of the wand features a comb and the opposote side is the heater, then on too of the wand is a smaller heater which is designed to get to those hard to reach lashes in the corner of your eyes. All these parts working together to give you fluttering eyelashes.

YOSO say: This heated eyelash curler creates a dramatic uplift and a long lasting curl for your lashes. The main heater allows lashes to be swept up and curled, whilst the unique small point heater tackles the tricky corner lashes for maximised dramatic volume. Finish the look by combing through to add precise definition. The compact and slim design makes this beauty pen a suitable addition to any make-up bag and also features a handy heat indicator, letting you know when the pen is ready to use. The YOSO LASHES will ensure your eyelashes stay defined and curled for longer than usual; perfect for your special night out or simply to keep you looking bright eyed through a busy day.

Once you have set up your wand, it takes around a minute to heat up and at the top of the wand there is a purple spot which changes colour to alert you to the fact it is ready to use and if you are holding the wand in your hand, you should feel it become slightly warm, obviously as it going to go near your eye, we are not talking GHD temperatures. 

So, once it is warm the instructions tell you to use the comb as close as you can to the roots of your lashes for around 3 seconds and turn it 90 degrees outwards, now I was never any good at maths, but I use the wand by using the comb side first to brush my lashes, then as I turn the comb over to the heated side, rather than dwell on the 90 degrees, turn it slightly at a right angle so I it feels as though I am lifting my lashes, hold it for a few seconds and then move to my other eye.

It takes 4-5 minutes the first time you use it and then with a bit of practice and a lot less faffing (a subject I excel at) you can be done in a couple of minutes. I personally think it takes the same amount of time to use as it does a normal eyelash curler once heated up and for me it does a far better job and poses less of a risk of ripping or cutting off your eyelashes, as I've read about some people doing.

Once you have finished using the eyelash curler, you should find that the results last pretty much all day and if you are going out in an evening because the wand is so lightweight, you can just repeat the process if you feel it is necessary. Naturally, my photos show results without adding mascara which is really where you can see the difference, I just ran the comb through my eyelashes once and then added some heat. This for me is the perfect little gadget, I am hopeless with false eyelashes and do find some of them quite creepy, I'm far too impatient to sit and attempt to stick things to my eyes, so this is a happy medium because I get the look that I want.

You can get your own from The Beauty Crowd and at only £15.99 and it is an absolute bargain.

Do you use a gadget like this?

Airmotion Hairbrush

Airmotion is a new, multi-use hairbrush which has been developed by experts who have over 27 years experience within the hair industry, these experts understand those contributing factors which lead to daily stress and strain on your hair.  Specifically designed to reduce daily ear and tear on your hair, Airmotion uses superlite materials to glide along the contours of your head.

The man behind Airmotion, Grange Snell said:

"As a professionally trained hairstylist by trade, I wanted to invent and design a brush which incorporated revolutionary design, high-quality materials with outstanding performance: the result is a precision engineered multi-use hairbrush"

I was kindly sent the Airmotion to try, I am one of those people who has dozens of hairbrushes but can never locate them, so I was looking forward to trying the brush. Mine is a lovely black and white coloured brush and there was a helpful little factsheet to tell me more about it, for example:

The brush is made up of unique Tri-bristle technology which combines 3 different lengths and diameters of bristle, which in turn provide the ultimate penetration for any hair type.  This means no hair is left untouched and as it glides through your hair, it leaves it smooth, detangled and stress free. 

The tri-bristle formation is said to actually help smooth and straighten hair, helping to remove frizz while you brush to leave your hair soft and glossy.

The brush is said to be perfectly balanced in shape and size with an ergnomically friendly handle to make Airmotion suitable for even the smallest of hands and it won't slip out of your hand if you use it with wet hands or even in the shower!  It can be used by people who are left or right handed.

When I first started using this brush, I was surprised at how lightweight it is in my hands. Most of the brushes I own have a fair bit of weight in them, with this, you hardly know it is there.  My hair is never knotty and tangled, but I do sometimes suffer from frizz and static, so using this hairbrush, whilst you can feel it running through your hair, there isn't that dragging sensation, where you can feel your hair being pulled from the root, especially after it has just been dried. I have also noticed that there are less hairs in the brush after using and a lot less static, which means I don't have to run for the serum constantly - another massive bonus.

The AirMotion Pro Hairbrush retails at £11.95, which I think is such a good price for a product that is such good quality, gentle on my hair and one which actually feels like it is brushing all of my hair and not just the hair that the brush can get too, by that I mean right to the scalp without scratching it. 

Oh and can I mention how fab the black and white monochrome colouring of the brush is!

Have you tried the AirMotion Pro Hairbrush?

There is currently an amazing 20% offer off the final price, simply quote AIRMOTION20 at the checkout