Elemis Fresh Skin - Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash

Back in the day my entire knowledge of skincare was Simple moisturiser. I picked up my first bottle when I was about 12 years old after reading an interview in Top Of The Pops Magazine about Pop Star Beauty Secrets. The girls in Steps kept harping on about the importance of hydrating your skin, so me - being an uneducated child - started covering my face in water every 10 minutes. It wasn't until I saw an advert during SM:TV live a few weeks later for Simple (in which they repeatedly used the word "hydrating") that I finally latched on to what I was meant to be doing...

Which is why I'd have given anything to have had this range back then: Elemis Fresh Skin.

Aimed at consumers in their teenage years, this collection of cleansers, masks and moisturisers is without a doubt the perfect introduction to the world of skincare. I've been working my way through the entire ensemble and have been repeatedly blown away by the textures, scents and ingredients used. One item that has really caught my eye is the pore busting Skin Glow Exfoliating Wash - a radiance boosting scrub packed full of Jojoba beans, Mandarin and Cherry powder.

Skin Glow squeezed from tube/ blended out

Gentle enough to be used on a daily basis, this light textured gel is absolutely fool proof to apply. The particles within the mixture are neither too large or scratchy, meaning even exfoliator amateurs won't risk any surface damage to the skin. It removes easily with just a splash of warm water, instantly revealing a brighter and more radiant complexion - results I can't help but love.

Personally I think this product is too good to be left to the teens. Priced at £12 for a 100ml bottle, I think for a piece of Elemis' professional know-how this is great value for money. I know I'll definitely be repurchasing.

Elemis Fresh Skin - Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash is available from feelunique.com for £12.

*this product was a free sample obtained by the Beauty Bite*

New CID i-Volumise Mascara

When it comes to lashes my views are simple; I want them bloomin' big.

Whilst others may search for curl or definition, I constantly find myself attracted to tubes emblazoned with the words "1000% MORE LENGTH!", "FOR LASHES SO LONG YOU'LL NEED A TAPE MEASURE!" OR "CRIKEY! THIS FORMULA WILL MAKE YOU LOOK SO GOOD YOU'LL ACTUALLY FANCY YOURSELF!" Which is why it comes as no surprise to learn I was a right eager beaver to check out this root boosting affair...

i-Volumise by New CID is a chunky little thing. Packaged in a futuristic pearly white tube, this mascara sells itself on it's "revolutionary 2-in-1 brush". If you struggle with the size of Benefit's Bad Gal wand then this product will definitely test you further, mainly because it's bloody HUGE!

Whilst one side of the genius wand loads your lashes generously with thick helpings of formula, a svelte and nifty separating comb pulls through the hairs to insure your application stays free from unsightly clumps. Whilst the texture of the mascara is quite wet to begin with, I found the product dried moderately quickly, leaving my lashes light and lifted with a faint flirty curl.

Before:

After:

Claiming to offer both "huge volume" and "exceptional definition", I do feel a tad let down by the overall results. Don't get me wrong, I actually really, really like this mascara - it wears like a complete pro and gives the most gorgeous framing to the eyes - it just perhaps isn't quite the product I was expecting it to be.

For day to night use i-Volumise is definitely a contender for the make up bag; the brush is fun to use, the results are super speedy (the above picture is just 1 coat of product), plus it holds up remarkably well under warmer weather conditions (though it will need topping up occasionally to keep the 'Oomph!'). I'm just a bit sad it doesn't add a tad more thickness to the tips, then I'd be a seriously smitten.

i-Volumise Mascara is available from selected retailers worldwide and newcidcosmetics.co.uk for £18.

*this product was a free sample obtained by the Beauty Bite*

MAC Surf Baby!

Launching nationwide next month, MAC's Surf Baby range is looking very, very nice indeed....

Click image to enlarge

I'm trying to get hold of some high res images as we speak, but as first impressions go this collection is most definitely hitting the spot. After all, who doesn't love a good coral blush!

Windle & Moodie Speed Styling

If you live, work or play in London and need a quick follicle fix then there is only ONE hair care service you need: Speed Styling at Windle & Moodie.

My hair 6 hours after appointment

In just 20 minutes flat you'll be transformed thanks to the capable hands of a salon stylist pro. Specialising in editorial looks, this service allows you to rock up with any snap of your favourite model or celebrity, safe in the knowledge that the folks at this uber talented establishment will have you rocking that very same look within a matter of moments.

You can even get your nails done by the extraordinary Zoe Pocock

I was lucky enough to get my hair done by Fran, an extremely funny and friendly individual who managed to make my very greasy, very knotted hair into a bouncy barnet of curls and cuteness. The styling was extremely quick and managed to hold up remarkably well throughout the rest of the evening. The top picture shows my tresses nearly 6 hours after the appointment - as you can see, still in pretty good shape! Because of this I honestly couldn't recommend a better place to go if you're looking for perfect party hair.

I absolutely love the idea of this concept and the team at Windle & Moodie are without a doubt the best hands for the job. If you want a sophisticated do for a works night out, a barnet of braids for a summer shindig, a cascade of curls for drinks with the girls then pop in for a bit of speed styling... not to mention how unbelievably awesome you'll look in all the Facebook snaps."TAG!"

You can learn more about Windle & Moodie Speed Styling by clicking here.

Free With InStyle UK - Murad Cleanser

It's back!

In case you missed out on this fab giveaway last year, the lovely folks at Murad and Instyle have once again teamed up to give you a superb free gift: a travel size tube of Murad's zingy fresh Essential C-Cleanser (rrp £10) - perfect for bank holiday getaways!

Designed to bind moisture to the skin, this vitamin enriched gel gently removes impurities and potential irritants from the facial surface. Packed full of orange peel to gently exfoliate the complexion, this product smells so good you'd be hard pushed not to want to eat it!

Essential C-Cleanser applied to skin

From what I can gather this freebie only comes with selected copies of the magazine, so hunt around your local shops to see who's got one in stock. With a scent made from basil, grapefruit and mandarins this makes a great early morning wake up treat; after all, who doesn't love a fruity face?!

InStyle UK is available nationwide for £3.70

MAC Miss Behave Mineralize Blush

MAC's latest collection - Quite Cute - launches in store later on this week, and whilst the pastel shades may not be suitable for all skin tones (me with a pale lilac lip is not a pretty sight...), you can't go wrong with a little bit of blusher, right?

It was love at first sight when I initially saw the promo pictures featuring these gorgeous limited edition blushes. As someone who finds it hard to resist a pretty cheek colour at the best of times, the added bonus of the adorable contrasting heart meant at least one of these mineralize beauties had to be mine.

In the end I opted for Miss Behave, a delicious pairing of light beige and pearly mint green. On application the powder feels soft against the cheek yet seems to settle on the skin with a slightly chalky finish. This can be quickly resolved with some rather liberal brush buffing, but I'd say in general this is the most powdery MAC mineralize product I've used.

Miss Behave Mineralize Blush applied to cheek

As you can see from the picture above, Miss Behave comes across more as a highlighter than a full blown colour adding blush. The mint green heart is packed full of small pieces of shimmer, which is great for adding a light sheen to the skin - yet I found both colours apply so sheerly, it's practically impossible to translate what you see in the pan onto the cheeks.

I'm not quite sure who this blush would work best on. As someone who is too pasty for MAC foundations I would guess those who fit in the NC/NW15 mark might have the best of luck. I do like the sweet and subtle glow this gives to the complexion, but at nearly £20 I was expecting more than a dusting of shimmer to the skin. If you're going to buy a blush from the Quite Cute range then Miss Behave perhaps isn't the best way to go,regardless of how lovely it'll look in your make up bag....

Miss Behave Mineralize blush is available from maccosmetics.co.uk for £18.00

*this product was purchased by the Beauty Bite*

Vaseline Marmite Lip Therapy

Too busy for toast in the mornings? Well don't panic, because now you can literally savour the flavour whilst on the run...

Lip brand Vaseline have teamed up with the king of spreads Marmite to release a balm that sees product flavours enter new realms of rankness - or yumminess - it's a love/hate thing, innit? Flavoured to both smell and taste like the yeasty snack, you can pick up this unusual pot from next week for a cheap, cheap £1.99. More expensive than a bag of Twiglets but infinitely more soothing, all I know is if I kissed my boyfriend with this on my lips he'd probably vomit and cry.

Vaseline Marmite LipTherapy costs £1.99. You can find out more about the collaboration at www.facebook.com/vaseline