Beauty: the POREfessional

I've been using this product for about a month after seeing some great reviews online and I have to say it is one of the best products I own and an absolute must-have.

the POREfessional is a Benefit product and to start with has the quirky and cute Benefit-look packaging I personally love. The product itself is a balm and it feels really soft when applied and works brilliantly as a primer for foundation/powder. When the balm is applied it blurs your pores so they aren't as visible, so when you then add makeup they completely disappear.

I have quite visible on my nose, forehead and chin, and I really do find the the POREfessional makes these far less noticeable than any other primer/makeup combination I have used before. I tend to use a powder (more on this tomorrow) over this to even out my skintone, but if I wasn't bothered about a full face of makeup I would use this on its own and feel comfortable.

Have you used the POREfessional? What did you think?

Beauty: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - £14.50

I first used the Urban Decay Primer Potion when I received an Urban Decay gift box which included a sample size. I rarely wear eyeshadow now, apart from for special occasions or maybe client meetings when I want my makeup to look a bit better than normal, so the sample size lasted me ages, but late last year I ran out, and I decided to treat myself to a full size tube.

I have to say, I love this product, it makes my eyeshadow stay put for so much longer than any other primer I've used (although I haven't used that many, mainly benefit products) and it makes the colours pop more, which is great for me, as I'd much rather use colour on my eyes than wear a heavy lipstick. I wouldn't say my eyelids are overly oily, as I have very dry skin on my face so I think this is the only place I have any oil at all! Maybe for ladies with much oilier eyelids this wouldn't work as well, but I find it goes on smoothly and evenly and my eyeshadow lasts for a night out or a day in the office. Really pleased I bought a full size tube, and I will definitely be buying it again when this runs out.

I was also really impressed with the service at the Urban Decay counter I went to in Debenhams, as there are now multiple versions of the Primer Potion available, the assistant talked me through each one and recommended the two she thought would work best with my complexion, these were the original potion (the one I bought) and the 'Sin' version of the potion. Really great service, and it's definitely encouraged me to go back to Urban Decay when I'm looking for new makeup products.

Do you use the Primer Potion? Do you use any other Urban Decay products? What would you recommend?

The Muppets by O.P.I

I love The Muppets and am so excited for the new film to be released, even though it isn't released in the UK until February 2012. When I heard that O.P.I had released a Muppets inspired line of varnishes I thought I had to treat myself, and because O.P.I is such good quality the full size pots are around the £10 mark, but this set of four mini-varnishes was only £12.95 from ASOS and I think it's probably cheaper elsewhere.

In the mini-set you get Wocka Wocka, Excuse Moi!, Designer... de Better! and Warm and Fozzie. These four colours give you a great idea of what the collection is all about, as it varies from deep, strong colours to sparkly polishes perfect for a night out.

Clockwise from top left: Wocka Wocka, Excuse Moi!, Warm and Fozzie, Designer...de Better!

For my first try I went for Designer...de Better! as it looks quite understated while also having a hint of sparkle (and we all know I love a bit of sparkle). The colour built up quickly, and I only used two coats here (apologies for the awful photo, how do people get these to look good?) and was really pleased with the result. It's a silvery-coloured polish with reddy-pink glitter, but it has a really smooth finish. I haven't even put a top coat on these because my clear polish has gone all gooey.

I'm looking forward to using Excuse Moi! over the festive season as it will be the perfect accompaniment to a party dress. I'm also looking forward to using Warm and Fozzie as I don't have any polishes this colour, and I think it will go well with my leopard faux fur coat when it gets chilly out. The rest of the collection looks amazing, and I wish I could buy everything! The only other polish I'm really tempted to buy is Rainbow Collection, which I saw used on llymlrs and fell in love with - so many sparkles!

What do you think of O.P.I polishes and their special collections? Do you have any of The Muppets polishes?

The Lazy Girl's Skincare Regime

As part of my blog I've thought more and more about branching into 'Beauty' posts, and I did write this one a few weeks ago, but as I was about to write a review of the Lush moisturiser I've been using recently I wondered how I could possibly give it a fair review as I always forget to use it, even though it's been making my skin feel lovely a soft, i don't use it properly.

Since I was little I've suffered with dry skin and eczema, and ever since I can remember I've been utterly useless at looking after my skin. I always moisturise my skin after a shower, but as I only wash my hair every other day that hardly ever works out as every night. When I buy a new product I use it loads, morning and evening, every single day, but after a while the novelty wears off and I go back to forgetting to take my mascara off and leaving my skin alone.

This morning I noticed that my skin has started to get more dry and look more red, I'm guessing due to the cold, and I was so frustrated at myself for not looking after it more. I've had a stressful week with my theory test (which I passed - woo!) and a busy one at work before three days off this week and my skin has once again slipped to the back of my mind.

Basically, I don't know how to change. I have always been the same, and even though I'm 22, I feel like I'm never going to be able to sort out this bad habit. I'm always so tired on an evening, so I'm thinking maybe I take off my makeup and moisturise as soon as I get in from work? Maybe that will make it better?

So yeah, I'm sat here, frustrated and begging for some advice? How do you keep skincare as a number one priority when life tried to take over?

Image via weheartit.com

Beauty: Club Cleo Probiotic Skin Sheer & Radiance Polish

I work for the PR agency that handles Club Cleo's PR activity, however, I bought this product with my own money and was not asked to buy the product or write a review. 

I've been looking for an exfoliator for a while, one which isn't too harsh but would help the flaky skin I suffer from on my forehead and nose. I was after something natural, as my skin tends to dislike perfume and chemicals, and that wouldn't aggravate my eczema.

When I first started working at my agency I was introduced to the healthy and beauty brand Club Cleo and was quickly intrigued by its Probiotic range of skincare essentials. Although the whole range looked interesting, I particularly liked the look of the exfoliator and decided to treat myself to some come payday.

I've been using the product for about a month now, twice a week (usually a Thursday and Sunday night), specifically focusing on my problem areas. The polish looks a bit like hair gel, it's a very smooth consistency and unlike many exfoliators it doesn't feel bitty or rough. As you rub it into damp skin it does start to feel bitty, and you can actually see bits of skin on your fingertips during the process - it's a bit horrible looking but guarantees that it's doing it's job!

I've found that my skin has felt smoother since I started using this polish, and it helps even out my flaky skin (although hasn't banished it completely). I would definitely recommend the product to anyone looking for a gentle exfoliator, which doesn't dry out the skin.

You can buy the Probiotic Skin Sheer & Radiance Polish on the Club Cleo website here for £19.99