Glo & Ray Cosmetics

Until recently Glo&Ray Cosmetics has alluded me, ive seen it on social media channels but have never tried it. Sold in BeautyMart, which you can also find in Topshop if you live in London, Gloy&Ray is a British company which draws inspiration from the natural wonder of light. The name Glo & Ray is derived from ‘Glo’, a gentle luminance; and ‘Ray’, a vibrant beam of light. Making their debut back in September 2012, the range is quite impressive with everything you need for your eyes, lips and face as well as one or two extra products for makeup removal and cleansing.

I was very kindly given an introduction to Gloy&Ray with three products which I absolutely love and ones that I have now used for the last 2 months constantly. 

The Nuage Solo Blush in shade Dawn Seed which is a really lovely soft peach tinted shade with slight golden hues and it is ideal for being used as a contour bronzer or cheekbone highlighter as well as a blush. 

Encased in what can only be described as a luxurious compact, it comes with an accompanying brush, which is just fabulous and perfect for using on the go. The compact lid holds a mirror which is a nice addition. At £11 it isn't going to break the bank, but it does make you think twice about some of those high end brands which charge almost double!

I do love my eyeshadows and have mentioned frequently that I am a nude/neutral kind of girl and it is rare I leave my comfort zone. The Mirage eyeshadow pots have a mousse consistancy and they work like a cream, so ideal for dipping your finger in the pot if you don't have a brush to hand. 

I have the shade Olive Garden which I can best describe as being a forest green but with blue/green shimmer and it is just stunning. This one I have worn quite a few times now and it is quite striking, more so because I have bright blue eyes. Again at £11 a pot it is money well spent, it doesn't crease or smudge whether it is worn with or without a primer, however using a primer ensures it does last all night without the need to touch up.

Lipsticks, you can never ever have too many in my opinion and this La Amo Creamy Shimmer Lip Colour in shade Seduce is just absolutely stunning. Seduce is a deep red lipstick which is super pigmented and the colour payoff is amazing, one swipe across the lips gives a full burst of colour. All of the La Amo creamy shimmer collection features a Light Colour Fitness Complex alongside Micro-Shine Particles to provide a dazzling effect for irresistibly fuller looking lips. 

Enriched with pigment and with a shimmer finish, lips are left soft, moisturised and with a flash of colour and if you do look close enough at the lipstick bullet you can see some slight shimmer within the colour but this doesn't transfer to the lips so that they sparkle, it just adds to the finished look. Impressively once applied, this lipstick lasted around 6 hours because it had faded to the point a touch up was required. Priced at £12 this is more than reasonable a price and it definitely does give some high end brands a run for their money.

Swatched below with each products this is just one swipe of the finger for the blush and eyeshadow and one swipe of the lipstick bullet, so you can see the amazing colour payoff.

As an introduction to Glo&Ray these are three amazing products and ones that I just absolutely adore and ones that I have used, infact one needs replacing already I have loved it that much. I am now keen to try more products from the range and to definitely work my way through the lipsticks!

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

REN Evercalm™ Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask

The festive season is over, the alarm is back on and the dread of getting out of bed before lunchtime has become a reality once again as we trudge off back to become desk warriors. I have enjoyed having ten days off work, not doing a lot, barely leaving the house and living in PJ's, so going back to work has come as a slap back into reality.

Meet REN Evercalm Ultra Comfort Rescue Mask it is the new kid on the block and available right now (here). Specifically developed with a REN exclusive complex of original ingredients to combat over-sensitivity.

As a rescue mask, it is designed to calm, soothe and moisturise whilst helping to alleviate the key signs of sensitive skin. REN state it will also increase the skin's ability to cope with stress, aid recovery and strengthen the protective moisture barrier, leading to long term well-being of your skin.

Using four main ingredients, the treatment works to treat the key symptoms of sensitivity which can include redness, irritation, itchiness and dryness. 

• White Mushroom Extract: Calms and comforts.
• Yeast Compound: Accelerates recovery after stress with potent antibacterial and antihistamine effects.
• Arnica: Reduces redness. 
• Roman Chamomile Scent: Offers a warm, sweet, relaxing, and calming feeling for both body and mind.

This mask should be used up to three times a week or at anytime when you feel your skin is in need of urgent rescue.  Having cleansed your face to remove surface grime and dirt, apple a generous amount, avoiding the eye area and leave on for 10 minutes.  After those 10 minutes, using a damp but warm cloth gently remove any excess and then follow up with your usual skin care routine.  So this mask is a great quick go to rather than something which is laborious. You can use it in a morning or an evening depending upon your preference.

What I love about this mask is how it feels on the skin, it sinks in when you apply it. The cream is thick and luxurious and  the Chamomile scent is there very notably. Given the bottle is pump action you only need two possibly three pumps to have more than enough to cover your entire face 'generously' as advised. Once the excess has been removed there is no greasy residue or tackiness to the skin, what I did find was my skin felt smooth, it felt cooled and it felt moisturised.  Was the redness on my cheeks reduced, yes it was and possibly only I would notice the difference, but to me that is all that counts.

Available now this rescue mask is priced at £28 for 50ml and it is a great product, though I expect nothing less from REN.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise