Because winter hates your lips?...

Back in January, I may have purchased a few bits in the feelunique sale, one of which was the much raved about Reve de Miel ultra nourishing lip balm by Nuxe.

Walking to and from work in the cold Aberdeen air can really take it's toll on your skin in general and I found that my lips were in desperate need of some nourishment rather than just a barrier (such as vaseline).

The product weighs in at 15g and comes in a rather nice , frosted glass tub.  Retrospective thinking here but I would have preferred to try the stick version as it's more hygienic than dipping my fingers in but as it's just me that uses it and I apply it after I have brushed my teeth and washed my hands, I shan't worry too much.

 

When I opened it, I was really surprised at how solid it is and that actually put me off a little.  I felt I really had to work to get the product out and then felt I was dragging it across my lips.  I've since seen somewhere that there is almost like a skin across the top and once you get past that, it's a bit easier to use.  

 

Containing honey, plant oils, shea butter and grapefruit essence, this is a heavy duty lip balm.  What I really quite like about this is that it is matte and it doesn't change the colour of your lips nor does it give them that white look that can happen if you put on a tad too much (probably because it's too stiff to put on too much!).

I can put this on at night time and still feel it on my lips in the morning, it's not sticky as such but it does make your lips feel coated.  I'm not so fond of it as a slick on after lunch kinda thing but as an overnight 'treatment' if you like, it is very effective.

Tested in the extreme weather conditions in Canada, I would recommend this if you are going to bracing the elements whether it be walking to work or going ski-ing, this balm offers long lasting protection and nourishment and the scent isn't too overpowering either.

Do you have a  favourite cold weather lip balm?

Have you tried any of Nuxe's products?

Hugs,

Jodi

xxx

So...about that 'no buy'...

I failed my self imposed 'no buy'.  Several times.  I went to TK Maxx and I failed.  I went to Boots and I failed.  I went to Semi-Chem, yup, I failed and then I had the audacity to buy a few bits on feelunique.com.  Ach well, as they say, you can't take it with you. 

TK Maxx had these two opi's including a limited edition liquid sand for £12.99.  I saved £12.99 on my winter boots from sports direct though so that balances out... Right? I'm going to give this to my mum to give to my brother to give me for Christmas.  Guilt appeased! 

In Boots, I bought a Max Factor foundation.  I have heard these are quite good for folk with pink skintones so I'm going to give it a whirl, the shade is the lightest one, 100 fair, so hopefully that will do the trick.  I haven't linked it as that particular shade isn't on the Boots.com website.  Also, because you were getting a free gift if you spent over £15, I also bought the wild shadow 2-in-1 gel shadow and liner pencil in the shade 05 which seems to be a nice bronzey brown and called 'Caramel Rage on Boots.com.  The free gift includes a full size lipfinity, a full size polish and a full size mascara which I shall review at a later date.

Now to Semi-Chem, I only went in for ibuprofen on the way over to my chums and came out with ibuprofen, oven cleaner (?!?!?) and a new nail polish, as you do. I got my first NYC polish for less than £2. That has been my mid week mani.

And Feelunique brought me the renowned Dr Bronner's magic soap in peppermint and Caudalie's beauty elixir in a limited edition L'Wren Scott designed bottle.  I had a £5 credit to use for referring a friend to Feelunique and it would have been rude not to use it! 

And I still haven't done my Christmas shopping! Yikes! 

Have you ever tried a 'no buy'?

How's your Chrsitmas shopping going?

Hugs,

Jodi

xxx

Meet the Infamous Mary-Lou Manizer

Ooooh, I love me some cheeky packaging! Benefit, Soap & Glory and now theBalm cosmetics.

Wanted for being too pretty, meet Mary-Lou Manizer. This is a golden honey hued highlighter that is rather multi-talented. 

Love the packaging! I'm all for the cheeky, retro pin-up style so this is right up my street, so kitsch it hurts!!

The compact itself is a sturdy silver job complete with mirror and weighs in at 8.5 grams of product.  For £15 this is slightly more expensive than Soap & Glory's 'Glow all out' luminizing powder, which retails at £11 for 7.5 grams.  I got this as a pressie fromThe Boy, it was in the feelunique sale and he got 10% off too as a first time customer (he bought my Caudalie Eau Fraiche that I posted about here at the same time). 

The highlighter itself is a golden champagne colour, usually I would go for a more pearlescent type such as Benefit high beam but I find this actually adds a really lovely warmth to my face.  

It can be used as an eye-shadow, an all over shimmer or as a highlighter on cheekbones, brow bones etc.  I particularly like a really light dusting of this down the centre of the nose.  

Look at how pigmented it is! 

It has a buttery soft texture although there is a little fall out.  Personally, I feel the shimmer would be too much all over the face but as a highlighter, this really is lovely. it is also great as a shimmery base for a smokey eye as it really helps brighten up the inner corners of the eye.

I use my Real Techniques blush brush or contouring brush for this along with a very light hand.

I have got my eye on several other theBalm cosmetics offerings, first on my list is the Nude'Tude palette.

Have you tried theBalm cosmetics before?

Do you like gimmicky packaging?

Hugs,

Jodi

xxx