Champneys Spa Micro-Dermabrasion System (Cheap Clarisonic Dupe)

If you are on a budget and been lusting after a Clarisonic, Champneys Spa Mirco-Dermabrasion System is a much cheaper alternative, you can read my review here.

Champneys Spa Micro-Dermabrasion System RRP £19.99 now amazing £6.75!

Shatter Effect Nail Polishes from Beauty UK

Since Barry M launched their black shatter polish a lot of brands such as OPI have followed suit and it looks like they are still to be popular trend over the summer! Beauty UK have launched their own version of crackle polishes in pink, black and silver; and if you are on a budget priced at £2.99 each they seem to be the cheapest on the market. I am a big fan of Beauty UK's eyeshadow palettes - they are brilliant size for travel, excellent quality, highly pigmented and amazing value for money.

Shatter Polishes in Punk (Black) and Glam Rock (Silver)

The silver shatter polish was quite thick to apply compared to the black shade but dries almost instantly. From a little bit of experimentation I have found that the crackle effect polishes work better over the top of a polish with a less shiny finish, almost matte finish. I found that once the the shiny polish had the crackle polish over the top the shiny coloured undercoat tended to slide off. I also found that the black crackle polish looks best with nudes and neon brights underneath,whereas thesilver metallic crackle polish looks best with brights and darks underneath for a contrast.

Are you a fan of the Shatter effect?

Yellow Nail Trend Yey or Nay?

Chanel Mimosa

So its that time of the Year again when Chanel brings out its Limited Edition 'on trend' Nail Polish...and this Spring/Summer colour is yellow. Chanel Mimosa is a bright sunshine yellow with gold shimmer and its part of the LesFleaurs d'Ete Collection.  It is hot to be the colour of the season with lots of celebrities,such as Katy Perry, Rihanna, Gwen Stefani & Lady Gaga sporting yellow nails - the trick is choosing a bright neon shade to prevent your nails looking like you have had too many fags!

Rihanna sporting Yellow Nails and some funky Nail Art

If you don't want to splurge £17.50 for the Chanel version,there are many cheaper dupes out there such as Maybelline's Banana Bamba (£6), Orly Lemonade (£5), China Glaze Lemon Fizz (£5), OPI Buttercup Yellow (£10), Revlon Yellow Nail Polish (£6.49), Models Own  Lemon Sherbet (£5).


So whats the verdict on Yellow Nails, yey or nay? 

Champneys Spa Micro-Dermabrasion System (Cheap Clarisonic Dupe)

I have read some good reviews about the Clarisonic and have been tempted to buy one but quite frankly couldn’t justify splashing out £150+ for a glorified electric toothbrush for the face! I have used a facial brush (by Dermalogica) in the past when cleansing but I wasn’t very impressed and didn’t feel it gave a deep clean or made any difference to my complexion. I am very pleased to come across a much cheaper alternative to the Clarisonic : Champneys Spa Mirco-Dermabrasion System.

The Champney’s version promises to ‘take your skincare regime to the next level by refining, resurfacing and re-texturising. The re-surfacing action gently buffs skin banishing dead skin cells, oil and entrenched dirt giving deep exfoliation and improving skin imperfections revealing a youthful complexion. A brand new healthier, glowing and revitalised skin surface is revealed.’

The system is extremely simple to use: attach the brush or the exfoliating pads (I personally preferred using the brush), click the attachment into place, then apply a small amount of Champney's Radiance Boosting Facial Wash or Micro-Dermabrasion Facial Polish (recommended) onto the centre of the brush, hold the pad or brush against your face and press 'on' button. Use the brush in a circular motion all around your face for 60 seconds then rinse your face with water. It is recommended to follow with Champney's Every Day Moisture Lotion (not include in the pack). Rinse the tools well and spray with anti-bacterial spray ready for the next use. Simple as that!

Using a tool such as this can apparently remove 6x more makeup than manual cleansing, Cleanses so well that products absorb better, Helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes, helps reduce the appearance of visible pores and can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

My thoughts: The brush attachment is relaxing to use and gives a more thorough clean than my usual exfoliation products and cleanser, my skin feels squeaky clean and refreshed after use and I feel as if the brush cleans and lifts all the dirt from every pore. I’m hoping with continued use it will help to shift all my blackheads (not found a good product to remove these completely). The brush is very soft and doesn’t feel at all scratchy on the skin. I’m impressed with the results; my complexion appears clearer and brighter. I would describe my skin-type as normal/combination, I’m not terribly oily but I get the odd hormonal spot and dry patches (especially more common in the winter months).

I’m not sure if the micro-dermabrasion pads would be suitable for very sensitive skin, but are perfect if you are spot-prone or suffer with oily or combination skin. Not only does this clever device prevent the emergence of new blemishes, but it actually helps reduce scarring from previous breakouts. The system comes with 4 interchangeable heads: large soft brush, exfoliating brush, and 2 x sponge heads. The device is compact and waterproof so can be used in the shower, and can be used on the body as well as the face. My only niggle would be it is battery powered so could become pricey unless you use re-chargeable batteries.

My top tip: You don’t have to use the Champney’s range of skincare in conjunction with the brush and pads; you can substitute the Champneys products for your own face wash, polish and moisturiser if you wish. I can’t compare this to the Clairsonic, as I have not had the opportunity to try one unfortunately, but this is definitely a more affordable alternative and I would definitely recommend to someone on a budget. It works brilliantly for the price and would make a lovely Christmas gift.

Champneys Spa Micro-Dermabrasion System RRP £19.99 and is available from Champneys, Amazon, House of Fraser and Selfridges. It is currently on offer below for £8.60 - Amazing Bargain!

Dupe for Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer

Hello Ladies,

I hope your all well. As you will know from my last post im loving the He-Shi tanning range! They also do a line of makeup which I have been trying over the past few weeks and loving. I used to love the St Tropez bronzer but in comparision I prefer the He Shi version, it is much less chalky looking to the St Tropez and leaves more of a healthy glow.

I have been loving the He-Shi Quick + Easy Fusion Multi-Bronzer (£14.50 ) since my beloved NARS Luguna Bronzer has smashed :( It gives a matt finish with a hint of pearl which blends perfectly into the skin and creates a nautral bronzey glow for a perfect sun-kissed look.

It reminds me very much of the more expensive Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer (£32.50) :

The only difference would be the packaging is very cheap looking on the He Shi bronzer, but the product its self is gorgeous, a perfect dupe and cheaper alternative to Guerlain.

It glides onto the face and decollete area leaving a soft velvety finish, gold shimmer, add luminosity. Brush is made from super soft goat hair (£6.50) I really like this to apply the bronzer on my decollete area but prefer to use my trusty MAC 150 powder brush to apply to my face. I lightly swirl the brush around the different shades and blend on my cheekbones, temples, forehead nose lightly in those places where the sun would naturally hit.

What is your favourite bronzer?

I hope you all have a lovely sunny weekend - im off to Brighton for a long weekend :)

X

NOTD - Nails Inc London (Greige Trend)

Todays Nail of the Day is Nails Inc/Diet Coke in London from the limited edition City Collection. I absoutely love this colour, it is bang on trend with all these 'greige' shades at the moment (thats grey and beige mixed together!). London is so similar to and perfect dupes: Chanel's Particuliere; Nails Inc's own Jermyn Street, Essie's Mink Muff or OPI’s Tickle My France-y, to the cheaper brands: Barry M's Mushroom or Eyeko Posh Polish. 

London glides on perfectly, but quite sheer with one coat so two coats are definately needed. On face value you would probably think this murky muddy dirty grey/brown colour would be dull and boring and not do anything for anyones skin tone, but the colour is fabulous, so chic and I think is so wearable compliments pale skin as well as those tanned ladies. It makes a strong statement without being too garish. This colour goes with anything and is a perfect colour to wear to a wedding. 

This shade is fast overtaking my usual hot pinks! I need to go and buy back ups...Funny thing is I dont like Diet Coke! :P

So do you think Greige is the new pink?