Profusion Beauty Books...

Profusion Cosmetics are a US brand, recently launched in the UK and I was kindly sent two of their Professional Beauty Books to review - the Pro Face & the Pro Highlight.

I was instantly amazed at just how much product you get for your pound - and how versatile and 'user friendly' the shades are.

Although it was all positive so far, I knew the proof would be in the pudding, and I had to get them on my face!

The Pro Face Beauty Book contains 20 Eyeshadows, 2 Dual Brow Powders, 1 Brow Wax, 2 Highlighters, 3 Blushes, 2 Bronzers and 2 Pro Series Brushes.


I feel I can use every single shade in this palette, all the eyeshadow shades are buttery, blendable and the glitter shades are highly pigmented. The 'Medium Bronzer' shade is heaven and reminds me a lot of my Marc Jacobs O!Mega bronzer, one of those bronzers that never, ever looks too much.

The eyeshadows lasted well throughout the day and here's one of the looks I created;

Now onto the Pro Highlight Beauty Book...

After 1 use I had my ultimate highlight shade, 'Obsessed' & 'Tempting' mixed together - perfect!
I was notably impressed at the pigmentation and the range of shades in the palette. With 12 Highlighters (4 of them cream) and 3 Pro Series Brushes.

Overall, I have say I am completely blown away with the palettes - the quality for £14.95 is amazing. I love the fact that you have everything you need all in one place, the Pro Face Book would be ideal to take away on holiday.
Naturally, the US have more products available than we currently do in the UK, but I'm hoping that this changes soon as there's a few others that I have my eye on!

Both Beauty Books are available direct from the Profusion Cosmetics UK site, here.
Have you ever tried Profusion Cosmetics?

Lauren x

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An evening with The Body Shop...

So last week I was invited to a VIP event at The Body Shop in Leeds city centre. It was my first one, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. No sooner had I and a few other girls arrived, we had our coats taken and a glass of fizz in our hand!

We had a chance to browse the store and ask the staff any questions, we then had some short presentations from various member of the team to introduce some new launches - their Roots of Strength range (which I was super impressed with) Lip Juicers, Matte Clay Concealer and the Japanese Cherry Blossom Strawberry Kiss products.

After that we were free to test products and spend some time with various staff members. There was their skincare specialist offering advice and facials, their makeup artist doing full faces or just testing out specific products and the Spa of The World specialist who gives THE best hand massages ever!

I had the matte clay concealer applied by Jane, the makeup artist and she touched up my eyeshadow using one of the Shimmer Wave compacts.

We were given 30% off store wide (even Spa Of The World!) - the only product excluded was the ginger shampoo. We were also given a gift with purchase which wwas 2 full size skin care products - Vitamin E Face Mist & the Aloe Soothing Rescue Cream Mask.

I decided to purchase a few items from the Spa of The World range, as let's face it, they smell insane and they are NEVER on any offer or promotion. I picked up the Thai Lemongrass Massage Oil and the Balkan Juniper Body Wash - they both smell amazing.


It was a great event, all the staff were so friendly and helpful and they were checking all the guests had enough to drink and were offering nibbles and snacks round too.

I can't wait to see the team again, either when I next pop in to top up on some skincare, or at the next event!

What's you favourite Body Shop product?

Lauren x

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Rita Hazan; The Queen of Hair

I could write this blog post in a couple of lines; every time I wash my hair with this duo I get asked if I've had my hair dyed. If you have coloured hair, this is a game changer.
There you go... blog post done...

Not being one to publish such a short blog post, I will go on and tell you a bit more about the products and the absolute hair goddess that is Rita.

Beyonce, JLo, Jessica Simpson are just a few of the celebs that have their locks looked after by Rita so when I was sent the 'True Color' range to try, I couldn't wait to try it all.

After first wash with the shampoo and conditioner, I knew this was a match made in hair heaven...

The True Color line is aimed at keeping coloured hair as healthy and radiant as the day it was dyed and it addresses grey roots, colour fading and damage.
The products combine natural ingredients with advanced technology - the perfect mix for beautiful hair.

Firstly, the shampoo and conditioner smell incredible (Rita, when will you be releasing a hair perfume please?!) The packaging feels and looks super luxe and you can just tell when you squeeze the product out that it's nothing like that bottle in your gym bag that you bought for £1.. On hair wash day, if i'm not sniffing my hair, I'm stroking it.

The shampoo works to remove the build up of products without weighing hair down or stripping colour. With rice proteins and moringa seed leaving hair completely clean and nourished.

The conditioner again doesn't weigh hair down or leave hair feeling like it has any reside in - even with it being richly nourishing.
The Japanese camelia oil leaves hair looking and feeling silky and shiny.


Overall my hair is left looking so healthy, and manageable. I barely need to brush it after washing, which is practically unheard of with my birds nest! Haha.

While this review has been aimed at the Shampoo & Conditioner from this line, I also have the Ultimate Shine Gloss(which I am yet to try) and the Split End Remedy which I took on holiday and also love.

The line has recently launched at Selfridges (here) Will you be giving it a go?

Lauren x

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Lescale Cosmetics Luxe Lash - An eyelash serum that ACTUALLY works

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll probably remember that for the last half of 2017 I had Russian lashes done, and while I loved them, the last time I had them infilled, my eyes were super itchy and puffy for a few days afterwards, so I decided to have them taken off.

After having them on for 6 months, it's fair to say (and as I had anticipated) my lashes were very thin, short and straight, as if by magic, Lescale Cosmetics had sent me their lash & brow serum not too long before so it was the perfect time to put it to the test.

Like the good little blogger that I am (LOL) I took before and after photos. I am very sceptical when it comes to things like this and if I was parting with my hard earned cash, I wouldn't be trusting simply words for it - I want photos, and power point presentations ;-)

So, behold my lashes before - mid December...

And fast forward to mid Jan...

I applied the serum as the last step in my skincare routine at night, and the instructions say to run the serum just along the top of your eyelid, above your lash line, you don't apply it directly to the lashes.
It can also be used for your eyebrows and applied in the same way, by running the brush just above your eyebrows.

I have to say I am pretty impressed with the results - my lashes I appreciate would have grown naturally over that time, but I think using the serum has made them grow quicker, and I have to admit that I forgot to apply it some nights too with it being a new step in my routine.

I'll definitely continue to use this and maybe give an update in another 4 weeks.

The serum is available here, for £32.50

Have you tried an eyelash serum? What results have you had?

Lauren x

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Brand Focus; Absolutely Blendid

The ever so lovely owner of Absolutely Blendid, Nimisha contacted me via Instagram and asked if I'd like to try some of her handmade, natural beauty products - the rest, they say, is history.

You will all know if you've read previous blogposts, that I love to support local independant brands when I can, so being able to review and share Nimishas products with you all gives me great pleasure.
The story behind her wanting to create her own products is really inspiring, and shows you that if you want to do something and put your mind to it, you can!

Here's the box of goodies I was sent;

If you know me, you'll know I love anything cinnamon scented, so the body scrub, and lip products instantly caught my attention.

After using these products for a few weeks now my favourites are the Blendid Balm which is the most wonderful first cleanse and removes all traces of makeup, including eye makeup.
It is infused with sweet orange oil and has multiple uses. It can be used as a moisturising balm for stubborn dry areas, like elbows, knees or heels, or as I have been using it to cleanse and melt makeup away.

You need the smallest amount to cleanse with and it's only £5 for the cute little pot, which is ideal for holidays travel as it's small it can be packed and not take up too much room- this balm comes highly recommended by me!

All the products can be purchased online, here and if you're local to Yorkshire, you may see Nimisha with her Absolutely Blendid at some fares, shows etc - definitely go say hi and check out her products!

What's your favourite natural / handmade brand?

Lauren x

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Review & Swatches; Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte & Shine Lipsticks

I was kindly sent a selection of the Mary Kay lipsticks - a mixture of their gel semi-matte and semi-shine formulas.

This was a new brand to my makeup radar, so I was excited to give them a go.

The packaging is worth a mention - with the lipstick encased in a curvy black tube with a shiny silver emblem as the 'clasp' - it's all pretty elegant and sleek. I also like the feature of the lids having clear tops, so depending on how you store your lipsticks, you can see the shade through the lid.

From left to right (on the swatch photo) I was sent the shades;

Mauve Moment (matte) Haute Pink (shine) Powerful Pink (matte) Red Smolder (shine) Crushed Berry (matte)

I'm definitely more of a matte person when it comes to lipsticks and I found the formula to be very comfortable to wear, they were also highly pigmented and the colour pay off was impressive.
With them formula not being a matte matte, the wear time was approx 4 - 5 hours, but I'd rather sacrifice the wear time and have a lipstick that's comfortable to wear.

The lipsticks are priced at £14 each and available here

Have you tried anything from Mary Kay?

Lauren x

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Pink Parcel: Review

Ladies, we're talking periods today, and if you're anything like me, it's often a case of being unprepared, hormonal and Mr Makeup Maestro knows to give me a wide berth for a few days!

Anything that helps me get through those 4/5 days each month is hugely welcomed so when Pink Parcel offered to send me the November box, I was over the moon.

The box comes discreetly packaged and is slim enough to fit through most letterboxes, which is great - if I had to make a special trip to the post office depot for it, it might go against everything the box stood for!

Once opened, this is what greeted me;

Everything is neatly boxed / bagged up into sections which I think is a really nice touch - I popped the little black drawstring bag straight into my handbag as it's really easy and discreet way to carry what you need around while you're out and about / at work etc.

The "For Night", "For Now" and "For Later" all contain sanitary products, I was sent a mix of both pads and tampons - but this can be tailored to suit - more about that later.
The most exciting box is "For You" and it's packed full of those little pick me ups that we all need and just give us that virtual hug that we need at that time of the month.

The treats in Novembers box were;

Cuppanut Tea - Ginger & Tumeric flavour - erm, yum!
Cocoba truffles - Do I even need to comment? Anyone that sends / brings chocolates to me is a legend
Lipcote Lipstick Sealer - I did try this years ago- helpful for turning a non matte lipstick into one and making lipstick last longer
Swiss Clinic Cleansing Spray - I have been using these to keep my hands and beauty brushes cleansed and free from germs
Nail HQ All In One Oil - I've just had Shellac done, so this is ideal timing to keep my cuticles hydrated for the next few weeks.
The Beauty Crop Glamazon Stick - brightens, highlights and smooths - straight into my makeup bag!
Beautaniq Beauty Radiant Glow Face Mask - packed with vitamin C, this mask is exactly what my skin needs during the colder winter months.

I love the element of surprise with the "For You" box, and a mixture of goodies, skincare and makeup is perfect.

Having read the subscription details, Pink Parcel will allow you to completely tailor the box to suit you and your needs at that time of the month - you can choose to receive pads, tampons or a mixture of both. You can then even select the absorbency level and brand you want. These can then be amended at any point.
You can select the best shipping date to suit your cycle and best of all, you're not locked in and you can cancel at any point.
The cost of the box is £12.99 each month and this includes postage - I think it's really good value for money and to avoid getting caught short, to have had this delivered and know I'm covered is totally worth it.

It's definitely one of my favourite ideas for a monthly subscription box.

Have you ladies tried anything like this, do you think its a good idea?

Lauren x

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