Beauty Blog

Review: bareMinerals Original SPF Foundation

Beauty Blog: Thursday, 17th May

The stress of a recent house move and a new skin care routine has sent my blemish-prone skin into overdrive, transforming it into a grimy oil slick and leaving me at a loose end over what to do. Cue a new, lighter, powder-based foundation by bareMinerals.

I have to admit, I was dubious about trying such a light foundation. As someone who prefers a heavy, matte coverage that doesn't sit in dry patches (I get those, too!) I wasn't all that convinced that this would be the product for me, but when the bareMinerals Original Foundation with SPF15 landed on my desk here at Boots, I was intrigued.

While I received the shade, 'Fairly Light', the product seemed to have a slight orange tinge to it when in its container. On application, however, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it blended into my pasty white skin.

Consistency-wise, it's not at all what you'd expect. It's almost creamy to the touch when rubbed in and doesn't leave any telltale tide lines.

In terms of coverage, this was, as I predicted, a little too sheer for my skin. But what I will say is how nice it feels and how well it lasts for a powder-based foundation.

If you're happy with your complexion, give this a go - I think you'll love it. Plus, there are eight shades to choose from so you should have no trouble selecting the one for you.

Review: Veet Easy Wax Electrical Roll-On Kit

Beauty blog: Wednesday, 16th May

As previously mentioned, Sukhi, our content manager, is all for getting her summer beauty preparation started (even torrential rain can't dampen her summer spirit) and recently volunteered to road-test this nifty new waxing gadget from Veet. It's a bit like the self-heating wax systems you see in salons, but this kit has a roll-on device so there's minimal mess! Plug it in, wait 20 minutes or so for the wax to heat up and you're good to go. Now she's got to grips with it, Sukhi's back to share her verdict with us.

Sukhi says: "I used Veet's new Easy Wax on my legs, which is a nice easy area (I probably wouldn't feel comfortable using it in more tricky places!). It's easy to use, it heats up really quickly and the wax glided on nicely. One quick pull of the wax strips and voila - I was totally hair free! I was also impressed with the amount of wax that came with the product - plenty for both legs."

Well, I'm sold on it! if I can get a salon-perfect waxing result at home, it'll definitely make me that little more organised to get set for summer.

If you've already got your summer routine on the go, let us know!

Review: Lancôme Renergie Multi-lift Eye Duo

Beauty blog: Friday, 11th May

As a Lancôme moisturiser devotee (I fell in love with Impactive, then Bienfait Multi-vital and now I love Primordiale Recharge), I had high hopes for the brand's latest eye product - Renergie Multi-lift Eye Duo. It's a pair of eye creams in one neat little tub - the first goes to work on firming and smoothing the appearance of lines, while the second is inspired by the light-diffusing properties of some BB creams and creates an instantly-illuminated under-eye area.

Sue, who works on our image team, was keen to try the product out. Here, she tells us all about it:
"It's a bit fiddly at first as there are two creams, so that does take a couple of applications to get used to. The instructions are clear, though. It feels great pretty much immediately - not heavy or sticky, but light and easily absorbed. It doesn't crease and you can apply make up almost straight away after application. After one week I noticed my lines were definitely smoother and my skin felt hydrated. After three weeks my lines are much smoother and less pronounced, and my skin feels much more supple with no dryness. All in all, I have to say that I LOVE it!"

Sounds like Lancôme has just found a new fan! Renergie Multi-lift Eye Duo is available online and at your nearest Lancôme counter.

The Man Corner: Searching for a new shaver

Beauty blog: Thursday, 10th May

One of our in-store consultants was nice enough to take me through some shavers recently, so I thought I might as well take a cameraman and a couple of microphones along to find out more. Making his Beauty Blog debut is Duncan Wood, our Electrical Beauty Consultant, who has an in-depth knowledge of all things electrical - whether they shave, brush or even floss. Here's what he told us:

Thanks Duncan, and don't forget you can find these shavers in selected Boots stores or online now.

Brighten up your make up for summer

Beauty blog: Wednesday, 9th May

The weather may have been a bit gloomy of late, but summer means a chance to try out some lighter make up shades. As a result, I've been all about gorgeous coral lips, pretty bronzers and fabulous new pedicure shades.

My first find: the recently launched Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters. My current go-to shade is the stunning coral/peach Tutti Frutti - just perfect for pairing with dewy skin and a slick of mascara. The great thing about these lip butters? You can wear them with or without lip liner and they're super moisturising - lovely if you suffer from dry lips like I do. If coral's not for you, try the uber wearable pink, Strawberry Shortcake, or Crème Brûlée if you're a fan of nude shades.

As someone with very pale skin, I've never been big on bronzer. But 17's new Instant Glow Oversized Animal Print Bronzer is just too beautiful to pass up. Delivering a healthy flush of colour to the cheeks, this brand new 17 addition is sure to be a hit. Don't forget to take a look at the brand's Instant Glow Bronzing Rocks and Instant Glow Bronzing Powder, too!

I've also been getting my feet ready for summer with an at-home pedicure. L'Oreal's Color Riche nail varnishes have been my weapon of choice. I love French Riviera (pale blue), Lush Tangerine (vivid orange) and Shocking Pink (Fuchsia) - all gorgeous for this time of year!

It's a big Boots hello from me!

Beauty blog: Friday 4th May

The introduction of The Beauty Update's summer content marks a new beginning for me, too! I've joined the beauty team here at Boots.com and I'm very much looking forward to getting stuck in. I'll be stepping in Kirsty's shoes, while she gets well and truly into the swing of motherhood.

Along with Meena I'll be working here on the blog and our Beauty Update section of the website, to bring you the very best beauty news - covering everything from hair and skin care saviours to the latest in make up and nails. And it really will be lovely to have a good excuse to spend my free time browsing the Boots shelves!

       

While I love budget brands like Barry M, Collection 2000 and Rimmel, look out for my thoughts on premium favourites like Benefit, Estée Lauder and Clinique (and everything in between). I can't wait to get going here at Boots; wish me luck!

Review: Dermablend Foundation

Beauty blog: Thursday 3rd May

So when this landed on my desk, I was a little bit dubious – would a foundation like this really compete with some of the other high-tech, all-singing-and-dancing offerings out there from brands that live and breathe make up?

In a word, yes. I was really impressed with the results when, in all honesty, I really wasn't expecting much from it.

When I first gave the foundation a go, I simply mixed a tiny amount with my usual moisturiser, applied it and didn't give it too much thought after that. Later on in the day, I caught a glimpse of my skin in a mirror and wondered why it looked good (considering I'd left out my usual heavy-duty concealer). Of course, I remembered the only product I was wearing was the foundation, with a little bit of bronzer. Feather-light with good coverage? Tick. Right then, it won a few points! Seeing how well it lasted through the day earned it a few more, and now I'm a devotee to shade 45 Gold. For those of us that need a little colour correction, it's a great choice.

New to Boots

Beauty blog: Wednesday 2nd May

Today, nail colour junkies, we've got another fab brand to introduce, and we're shouting about it right here:

Ladies (and beauty-loving gents), we'd like to welcome Essie to the Boots.com family!

For too long I've admired gorgeous, must-have Essie shades from afar. Now we can all get our hands on them right here! I've picked a couple of the stand-out shades to show you...

First up we've got Mint Candy Apple, which is a lovely blend of seafoam green and turned-up turquoise. I like this one for its versatility; it's a dainty pastel for the day or a punchy aqua number for a vibrant summer night out. Next, we've got the aptly-named Too Too Hot, a scorcher of a red that is a sure-fire hit for a pedicure colour (by the way, check out our guide to the perfect at-home pedicure - essential prep for when your summer sandals come out!) Their snappy shade names are great, too (special shout out to Chinchilly and Jamaica Me Crazy).

There's a lot more to come from Essie - hopefully we'll have some new shades to show you soon!

Summer scents with Rachael Turner

Beauty blog: Saturday 28th April

Continuing the summer theme, we've enlisted fragrance connoisseur Rachael Turner to take us through the scents that we'll be spritzing this season. Once again, Rachael's obsession with Bradley Cooper makes an appearance...

I'm so happy that Escada Rockin' Rio is back! This time, I'm stocking up. Check out these fragrances and many more at your nearest Boots fragrance counter.

Summer's nearly here!

Beauty blog: Friday 27th April

It's starting to feel like summer and you know what that means - yep, it's summer prep time! It feels like a mountain of a task until you actually get stuck into it - and then it becomes an enjoyable bit of prettifying.

A nifty little tool that's designed to take the effort out of an essential (but somewhat tedious) summer defuzzing ritual has caught my eye: I've discovered the Veet Electrical Roll On Kit, which is the perfect tool to get you feeling smooth in an instant. It's been on our radars for a little while now, but this is the perfect time to enjoy its full potential.

It's designed to apply warm wax evenly and easily for an easy defuzzing session that doesn't require a trip to the salon - this sounds amazing, seeing as application seems to be the trickiest part of at-home waxing.

Sukhi, our digital content manager, is spearheading the team's pre-summer preparation and is giving it a whirl - check back soon for her thoughts on the gadget!

Real Techniques event

Beauty Blog: Thursday 26th April

We recently nipped down to London to attend an event put on by the lovely Real Techniques team and Sam Chapman of Pixiwoo fame. Watch the video to see how we got on...

Look at all the pleased fans! Sam certainly knows her make up and brushes. I'm still loving my brushes after first trying them in Feb. Why? To be honest, they rival some of my go-to brushes that cost almost twice as much - they blend beautifully without shedding little fibres everywhere and they're sturdy. Try them out for yourselves - they're available online now.

Latest Finds Bust Serum

Beauty Blog: Friday 20th April

Here's a fab video from Rachel, our beauty buying maestro - today she's going to tell us a bit about Talika Bust Phytoserum, the newest beauty product to get a taste of the spotlight at Boots.

Interesting product, no? You can check it out for yourself in selected larger stores and on Boots.com now.

New goodies from Soap & Glory

Beauty Blog: Thursday 19th April

Our favourite tongue-in-cheek brand Soap & Glory have a trio of new additions and I had to show you what these are like on video, so take a look-see...

How cool does Sit Tight intense look? The little rollerballs seem like they mean business! It'll be available online and in larger stores from 19th April.

New from No7...

Beauty Blog: Wednesday 18th April

Today sees the launch of No7's latest skin care product. This is bound to get the beauty world in a tizz...

Meet the new Lift & Luminate Serum, which is the third clinically proven serum to come from No7. It's designed to tackle age spots and wrinkles to leave skin feeling firmer (that's the "lift" part) and looking more even (and that's the "luminate" bit). After the astounding success of the Protect & Perfect products, we think this serum's going to prove to be a beauty favourite for a lot of ladies.

Once you've managed to get your hands on Lift & Luminate Serum let us know what you think via email.

Nail saviour from Bourjois

Beauty Blog: Friday 13th April

Just a quick one today - had to introduce you to this dressing table must-have from Bourjois. I know, you' re probably thinking, "of all the lush beauty goodies you could get at Boots, you chose nail polish remover?" but what this lacks in high-octane glamour, it makes up in beauty-based practicality!

I don' t think this is a new, never-seen-before product, but it' s a pretty great idea. To remove old nail polish, you just take off the lid, stick your nail into the bottle and swipe it a couple of times. Voila! Quick and easy nail colour removal without heaps of wasted cotton pads. The scent' s seriously lovely, too - red fruit and vanilla. There' s no spills either - I' ll definitely be picking up a couple of these soon.

Find this in selected larger stores next week.

PS! No7 is back in the media spotlight thanks to the unveiling of Lift & Luminate Day and Night Serum, as seen in yesterday's Daily Mail. Curious? You can find out more about the serums and what makes them so special with our guide. Plus, you can get exclusive updates and secure your order* 24 hours before launch when you 'Like' the No7 Facebook page.

*While stocks last

Micellar cleansers

Beauty Blog: Thursday 12th April

More skin-beautifying goodness today as I'm interested in the latest trend to hit the beauty scene: micellar cleansers. They're supposed to be the super-gentle way to cleanse and refresh sensitive skin. Sounds pretty standard, right? There's a lot more to it, science-wise...

The science
Traditional micellar formulas contain particles which dislike water, and when the formula is applied to skin (on a cotton pad), will grab all that isn't water - like make up, daily grime and impurities. Sounds impressive, no? It's different to your usual cleansing milk, which helps to break down the bonds between make up and skin, making it easier to wipe off. I figured it'd be best put to the test so I had a go using Vichy's offering, Purete Thermal Calming Micellar Solution.

The trial
My first impressions of the cleanser were good - I loved the water-like consistency and delicate scent. I took to my usual daytime look (BB cream, concealer, gel eyeliner, mascara and blusher) to see if the cleanser could make easy work of it that evening. It was great at cutting right through my blusher and concealer without leaving a greasy or sticky film behind - there was no need to go over with a toner, as I usually do. The only downside was that my eye make up was a little bit tougher to budge, so waterproof mascara-laced lashes might need something a little more heavy-duty. Other than that, I loved this cleanser for a really quick bedtime routine.

There's a few micellar cleansers to choose from on Boots.com, so check them out and let me know how you got on.

Trilogy Helping Hand Wash

Beauty Blog: Wednesday 11th April

Lately I've been all about the brightness of spring colours, but I had to make space for some skin care from all-natural brand Trilogy.

The brand celebrates its 10th birthday this year with the launch of the aptly-named Helping Hand Wash, a concoction of elderberry and burdock (known for their naturally antibacterial goodness) and natural vegetable oils. It's laced with Trilogy's signature scent of frankincense, rose geranium and lavender. It also contains a dose of their much-loved rosehip oil, which is a hit on Boots.com.

The handwash comes with Trilogy's impressive green credentials as well as the feel-good factor of donating to a good cause, as 100 per cent of the profits from the sale of each product goes to the Child's i Foundation, which is committed to tackling Uganda's child abandonment issues. This charity was set up by former TV producer Lucy Buck, who was spurred into action after finding an abandoned baby in a car park in Kampala, Uganda. She's also opened her own orphanage in the city.

It's a great cause so if you're low on handwash, take a look for a touch of everyday luxury with good intentions.

Hed Kandi and Models Own

Beauty Blog: Friday 6th April

So it's Easter and usually that would mean I'd be raving about dainty pastel hues for the occasion - and trust me, there are some lovely shades out there - but I've just spied these and now I'm having second thoughts...

Left to right: Beach party, Balearic Cool, Disco Heaven, Ibiza Mix and Hedonist

Introducing Hed Kandi for Models Own! These shades aren't your usual Easter-friendly fare, but I've fallen for them anyway. You might be wondering why Models Own has teamed up with Hed Kandi on this range; seems obvious the good folks at the brand realised that party-fabulous tunes and amped-up nail colour go hand in hand.

Left: Balearic Cool with two coats of Ibiza Mix. Right: Beach party

The holographic glitter polish, aptly named Ibiza Mix, is stunning. Beach Party, the fluoro orange shade, is a go-to summer colour that really speaks for itself. I've always been fond of Models Own's neons - they're quick to dry and one coat is nearly always enough for bright-as-you-like colour.

If ever there was a reason to give the pastels a rest, this range is it. Check out the colours for yourself - you'll find them here on Boots.com now.

New from Lancôme

Beauty Blog: Thursday 5th April

Today we've got a visual feast for you. I'm so excited about these springtime newbies from Lancôme that I just had to pick a few of my favourites to show to you in all their glory.

First up we've got the nail colour collection, Vernis in Love...

Left to right: Aquamarine 501B, Bleu De Flore 573B, Jolie Matins 220B, Rose Pitimini 343B, Corail in Love 105M and Rouge in Love 112B.

My favourite shade has to be Aquamarine - I'm really loving the way this looks with gold accessories. I bet it'd look stunning teamed with a red lip, too. Meanwhile, Rouge In Love is a gorgeous on-trend tangerine that has just enough red to make it an all-year classic. The polishes deliver an impressively glossy finish and the wide brush makes it easy to get an even coat in a couple of swipes.

Next, we've got the lipstick collection, Rouge In Love.

Left to right: Rose Sulfureuse 379B, Rouge in Love 159B, Rose Boudoir 340B and Corail in Love 322M.

These lipsticks are all kinds of lush - for one, the formula is unbelievably light but still gives great colour pay-off. These are my favourite shades and what a little collection they are: you've got Rose Sulfureuse, a deep burgundy for the ultimate vampy lip, and at the other end of the spectrum, there's Rose Boudoir, a creamy pop of fuschia-pink that embodies springtime prettiness.

So, what do you think? Let me know via email.

Revlon Lip Butters are here!

Beauty Blog: Wednesday 4rd April

The anticipation is over - Revlon's Lip Butters have finally made their way to the UK and you can get your hands on them at Boots! How fab is that? Our make up team have been blown away by the demand for these lip goodies and I can see why - just take a look at these three gorgeous colours that I've picked out from the 14 shades available.

Left to right: Sweet Tart, Strawberry Shortcake and Candy Apple

Sweet Tart is definitely a candidate for go-to daytime pink - it's a gorgeous veil of colour that's super lightweight, non-sticky and moisturising. Strawberry Shortcake is a little too light to show up on my pigmented lips but is perfect for a sheen of pink. For a fab low-maintenance red, Candy Apple is the one.

PS I've just spoken to the make up team who say they've just restocked, so take a look at these lip butter lovelies!