Sleek Makeup Cream Contour Palettes

I adore Sleek Makeup and remember the rush to grab hold of Suede and Rose Gold blushes when they launched a few years ago. Since then, I have been lucky enough to be present for some amazing launches and last week saw the introduction of three cream contouring palettes. 

Contouring for me has been one of those things I just don't get. I have never really got what goes where and everyone seems to have their own interpretation, don't even get me started on Clown Contouring... is there a need? Anyway, these kits, which I was able to watch a live demonstation of being used and had a makeover using them, are designed to sculpt, define and enhance. Put bluntly, they work to create the illusion of refined features, higher cheekbones, a softer jawline or a slimmer nose. The cream formulas are velvety smooth which blend seamlessly onto the skin for a flawless, fade proof finish.

Available in three shades (light, medium & dark as shown below), the kit’s work with all skin tones and have two highlighting and four contouring ultra blendable shades. The palettes, are to keep in with the name, Sleek and the lid inside is a mirror. Unsurprisingly, I need the light shades for my skin tone, though I can also use the medium palette once I am more confident with contouring. What I love about these palettes is the easy to follow guide, especially for someone like me, who tried contouring once, looked like Ru-Paul and vowed never to do it again.

Now, I am slowly getting over my fear of contouring and am enjoying playing with each palette, who knows, in a few weeks time I might even be confident enough to show you a before and after shot, but until then, I have managed to perfect the sucking in of my cheeks without falling over in fits of giggles.

These palettes will be available in April from Boots and Superdrug as well as being online and will have a retail value of £10.99

Next Beauty Event and New Make Up

Last week I attended a beauty event by NEXT to come and be introduced to their beauty range and to have a play, swatch, photograph and do what bloggers do, drool over everything. Along with the champagne and amazing canapés, I was offered the chance to have a makeover or a manicure, before watching the lovely Lydia Millen use the products in two live tutorials. I am obsessed with watching people apply their make-up, so was totally in my element.

I have to admit, Next hasn't been on my list of places to run to, to get my make up, infact I had no idea the collection was so extensive and so affordable. The Make Me Beautiful range has Blushers Lip glosses, lipsticks, eyeshadows, make up brushes, nail polish, chubby sticks, eyelash curlers, eyeliners and bronzers which range in price from £4 right up to £20 for an entire 'Get the Look' palette. Alongside makeup there is also perfume, candles and skincare, some of which launches later.

Since the event, I have been lucky enough to play with some of the products on show that night from a very generous goody bag that I was given.

Make Me Beautiful Perfect Look Liquid Eye Pen (£8).  I have shade Praline Brown and it has a a fine nib to make creating that perfect line much easier and once applied, nothing budges it.

Make Me Beautiful Perfect Look Eyeshadows (£7.50).  I have what is called Blue and this quad is just stunning.  If you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen this feature.  The quad contains four individual baked shades which can be worn alone or together and you can apply them wet or dry.  Again, they are incredibly pigmented and just absolutely stunning shades.

When it comes to lips, Make Me Beautiful Perfect Lips are something to look out for.  I have Simply Peach which is a matte lip colour and whilst it isn't a shade I would or could wear, the amount of pigmentation it has, is amazing.  It glides onto the lips really easily and is really lovely and velevty smooth in texture.  At just £8, these are well worthy of looking at.

Staying with lips and everyone loves a good Chubby Stick and Next have their own Perfect Look Sheer Chubby Sticks (£8). I have shade Cherry Red which has a really incredible rich red colour which glides on to your lips with incredible ease and has a lovely glossy finish. The chubby sticks are enriched with a blend of natural plant waxes and oils to help moisturise lips. Retailing for just £8 they would more than definitely give some high end brands a run for their money.

The final two products are nail polishes and again I did share some of them on Instagram because there are so many shades to choose from. With a quick drying formula with a shine or matte finish, there is a shade for everyone to try. I have Molten Platinum which is a shiny black shade and one I like very much and the other is Frozen and as you can see, a colour and finish which very much represents its name and it dries matte!.  These nail polishes are currently on a 3 for 2 offer and retail at just £4 each.

None of the products within the Next Beauty range are tested on animals and are designed and developed in the UK.  So the next time you head to your local branch of Next, keep an eye out for the Make Up range, you might just find a gem or two!

Bronnley Zealous Flower Fragrance

Bronnley is brand that I have only just been introduced too, but it is one which is steeped in History which I find absolutely fascinating and it is well worth a read. Started by James Bronnley in the late 880's, James is said to have had a dream to create homemade English fragrances, this quickly expanded to soaps, dry shampoo, hand creams and toiletries. He sadly died leaving the business to his daughter and her husband and after the second World War, the Bronnley brand was awarded its first Royal Warrant from King George VI and later from HRH Queen Elizabeth II. Bronnley still retains its Royal Warrant today. Such a great inspirational history behind an amazing man and brand, I felt that it is only right I share with you, Zealous Flower on National Fragrance Day.

Zealous Flower* is the latest release from Bronnley in their ever growing scent line. When this arrived with me, I was awestruck by the stunning box which is white but decorated with this amazingly bright geometric pattern, finished with gold lettering, totally not what I had expected and there was more to come. Inside the box, I was expecting to find a bottle which followed the same pattern of the box, but was surprised to find an elegant yet chic black bottle, the only connection it has with the box is the name of the fragrance being in gold.

Described as being a truly innovative fragrance, created for the aspirational, imaginative woman in tune with her identities and desires, Zealous Flower is an enchanting complex. Quite an introduction to a scent which when spritzed uses a base of amber, suede, patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood and cedarwood create depth and maturity, before notes of mandarin, soft pear and plum help add a distinct lightness to the fragrance.  SO what you have with Zealous flower is a scent which is quite woody, but with the floral notes being present and not too overpowering. Once it settled on my skin, the scent of jasmine was the most noticeable to me alongside the woody notes of sandalwood and cedarwood.

A scent which I could wear all year round, it is just absolutely stunning.  A 50ml bottle retails for just £35, so it is not expensive and would most certainly make an amazing gift.

National Fragrance Day with Les Couvert de Minimes

To mark National Fragrance Day, tomorrow, on 21st March, Le Couvent Des Minimes invite you to take a trip back in time and celebrate with the authentic, botanical cologne recipes which are inspired by the tradition of care and well-being that was practiced at the Convent in the 17th century, these recipes are known as ‘miraculous waters’ and combine plants, citrus fruits and ‘eau de vie’ (water of life) to create natural, curative scents, perfect for everyday wear.

Le Couvent Des Minimes is a range of Simple, Authentic and Natural French products that are true to their monastic tradition of care and well-being. Le Couvent des Minimes is named after a convent located in Mane, in the south of France and you can read more about its fascinating history right here.  

With five different fragrances which are perfect for everyday wear there is:

Botanical Cologne of Serenity Fruity floral scent. Bergamot and lavender create a spritz of harmony on first impact whilst rose, blackberry and lily of the valley offer a delicate sweet twist. Cedar then lifts the base with an energising, uplifting scent.

Botanical Cologne of the Morning. Citrus scent. Inspired by the refreshing scent of morning dew, this fragrance opens with zesty notes of orange and lemon, followed by a delicate touch of energising fresh basil and woody cedar. 

Botanical Cologne of Love Citrus scent. This recipe combines Orange Blossom with five plants extracts, including balancing wild rose and zesty mandarin to perfume skin with a delicate, comforting fragrance.

Botanical Cologne of the Minims. This recipe combines Orange Blossom with five plants extracts, including balancing wild rose and zesty mandarin to perfume skin with a delicate, comforting fragrance. Suitable for both men and women, this scent is fresh from the first spritz and is very much how you would imagine a walk through an orangery to be, for me the scent is just stunning and as it settles on the skin, it becomes much more delicate.

Botanical Cologne of the Cloister Fresh, floral scent. A joyful, light fragrance with a sparkling scent of blooming sundrenched roses contrasted by a shady coolness of woody notes to evoke the feeling of purity and well-being

All Botanical Colognes are priced at £19 (100ml) and available at Boots stores nationwide and www.lecouventdesminimes.co.uk