Summer Ready Feet in Five Easy Steps

Here is my guide to getting Summer ready feet in just five easy steps.

I must confess the idea of going to a salon and having a pedicure is not my idea of fun, I much prefer to do it in the comfort of my home and using these tools it takes just a few minutes.

1. Soak feet.
2. Trim nails, going in a straight line (if you have thicker, more problematic nails use *Boots          Pharmaceuticals Toe Nail Clippers (£8.49) these are just brilliant as I can vouch)
3. Buff off hard skin from the soles of your feet - I like the Scholl Pedi Express which makes light work of it.
4. Deeply moisturise those feet - I am currently loving *Boots Intensive Foot Softener 150ml (5.99). It smelly lovely (no lavender here!) and really softens skin leaving it silky soft and it heals cracked heals thanks to the ingredient UREA.
5. Finally, choose a fabulously bright coloured nail polish and paint away! I hate waiting for polish to dry so I am using 60 Seconds Super Shine by Rita Ora for RimmelLondon in shade Bestival. One application is all you need for super shiny nails and it dries fast. Perfect!

Now dig out those sandals and show off those feet!

Nail polish - 60 Seconds Super Shine - Rita Ora for RimmelLondon - Bestival 

*PR Samples 

No7 Youthful Replenishing Facial Oil Review

No7 say

The experts at No7 know that keeping a beautifully radiant, healthy and moisturised complexion in the cooler weather can be tough. That's why we have developed the NEW No7 Youthful Replenishing Facial Oil; a perfect blend of natural oils and vitamins that keep skin soft, nourished and radiant, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

100% of women agreed that adding a few drops of the product to their usual day cream gave their skin an added moisture boost.*

*Consumer trial on 119 women (UK)

- An extra boost of moisture for more radiant & youthful skin in just in week
- Helps the skin look more radiant & maintain a healthy skin barrier (vitamins C & E)
- Helps to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (vitamin A)
- Intensively nourishes and helps to lock-in moisture (Rosehip and Jojoba Oil)
- Contains a blend of skin identical oils to prevent future dryness

My thoughts 

This oil smells wonderfully delicate and sweet. I have been using it for over four weeks now and it is a real addition to my skincare regime. My skin has really suffered this winter, and as I have had 3 patches of psoriasis on my face I have avoided anything deep cleansing or too harsh, scrubs and only using gentle moisture boost masks. It hasn't had its usual bright look and I was ready to add an oil to the mix. This one from No7 came just in time. The scent makes it a pleasure to use and I have kept it up nightly, following with my nighttime moisturiser. I use one large drop which does leave my face a little oily but I don't mind it at all.

The results - In the morning there is no sign of oiliness. My skin feels softer, looks more radiant and brighter. I really like this product and it has made a huge difference to the look and feel of my skin.

No7 Youthful Replenishing Facial Oil costs £23 and will be available from Boots stores and Boots.com later this month. 

*PR Sample

New Makeup Brushes From No7 - Reviewed

This February No7 is relaunching its range of Cosmetic Brushes, including five brand new products, to make it even easier to achieve professional make up results at home. The NEW No7 Cosmetic Brushes will help you become an expert in contouring,  create the perfect smokey eye and give you a gorgeous flawless base.

Well I am all for creating a professional result at home and so I put a couple of the new brushes to the test...

No7 Stippling Brush (£14.50): 

No7 say - The ultimate tool for a professional-looking and flawless make up base. The layered bristles of the brush ensure an even application of your favourite foundation, enabling you to create the perfect, airbrushed look at home. No7 Advisor, Samantha Catt suggests “Load the brush with a liquid or powder foundation and then apply by dabbing the brush on the face creating a dot effect. Finish off by blending the products into the skin using light circular motions for an immaculate base.”

My thoughts 

I have never used a stippling brush before I was sent this one to try and so I cannot compare it to any others on the market already. I was curious to see how it would compare to a standard foundation brush which resembles a paint brush and can (if you are not careful) result in streaks of foundation from the brush strokes. I tend to use my fingers as it is quicker  then trying to use a foundation brush to achieve a nice finish. I had no such problems with the stippling brush and I think I am a convert to be honest. 

The difference is that instead of being flat the stippling brush is almost circular which helps with application. It is really easy to use, feels soft on the skin and foundation looks flawless and practically invisible in just a few easy circular motions, with no streaks! I have clearly been missing out.... 

Anyway, the No7 Stippling Brush is a great, affordable brush that gives a fantastic base.

No7 Contour & Highlighter Brush (£14)

No7 say - Innovative and versatile, this double-ended brush is the must-have tool for the contoured effect. The angled bristles of the brush allow you to add definition, whilst the dome-shaped brush is perfect for highlighting areas of the face that naturally catch the light.

My thoughts 

Contouring and highlighting the face is a real makeup trend at the moment and No7 have tapped into this by introducing their dual ended brush tailored for contouring and highlighting. 

Once again the brushes are soft but not too soft that they are ineffective and surprisingly small but actually it is perfect for precision contouring and defining. Highlighting is also easy to do with the other end. The brushes picks up product brilliantly and once the product is on the skin it is easy to blend beautifully. 

I can highly recommend both brushes. 

The new makeup brushes from Boots No7 are out in February 2015

*PR Samples

Soap & Glory The Next Big Thing Christmas Gift Set - Boots Star Gift

You know it's Christmas when Boots start doing their weekly Star Gift Bargains in the run up to Christmas, a time when you can bag yourself a mega bargain and you REALLY know it's Christmas when the big one from Soap & Glory comes up for sale.

I receive a lot of emails asking me when Soap & Glory are doing theirs so without further ado I can reveal that it is...

This Friday 12th December online and in Boots Stores while stocks last.

Soap & Glory's 'The Next Big Thing' will cost an extremely wallet friendly £29 (contents worth £76)

Containing everything you need for top to toe pampering and some make up favourites included too.

The hat box designs have been created in collaboration with illustrator Hattie Stewart. There is a choice of two box designs but the contents are exactly the same.

Gift Set Includes:

• HAND DREAM™ Super Cream 100ml

• ORANGEASM™ Body Wash 500ml

• BUTTER YOURSELF™ Moisture Lotion 500ml

• HEEL GENIUS™ Foot Cream 125ml

• SUGAR CRUSH™ Body Scrub 300ml

• WHIPPED CLEAN™ Shower Butter 250ml

• THE RIGHTEOUS BUTTER™ Body Butter 300ml

• OFF YOUR FACE™ 3 in 1 Daily Purifying Cloths (25 cloths)

• SEXY MOTHER PUCKER™ Lip Lacquer in Charm Offensive 7ml

• THICK & FAST™ Super Volume Mascara 10ml

Nails Inc Snowflake Whitechapel Over Navy Nail Polish

Today's Nails Of The Day features one of my favourite ever top coats from Nails Inc - Snowflake Whitechapel over No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Blue Patent. As I suspected it is utterly gorgeous!

*PR Sample

Boots No7 Christmas Look No3 - #TaDah

Today I am sharing my final Christmas Look - No3 from the contents of the blue package. This look features Navy & Nudes and I have to say a traditional smokey eye and nude lips is one of my favourite looks for going out in the evenings so I was only to happy to give this a go.

I wore this to an evening do last night and was incredibly impressed with its longevity. It lasted all evening (bar the lipstick).

For my base I used YSL Teint Touche Eclat Foundation in Shade BD40

Products Used 

No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow Trio in In The Navy
No7 Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil in Deepest Blue
No7 Natural Blush Tint Powder in Coral Flush
No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter
No7 Precision Lips Pencil in Nude (not pictured)
No7 Sheer Temptation Lipstick in Romantic
No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Blue Patent (patent effect)
No7 Extreme Length Mascara

I applied the shimmery shade from the eyeshadow trio all over my eye and then the navy powder, I lined my eyes with the pencil for a more intense colour but navy was a nice alternative to the usual smokey shades. I have tried various shades of the Blush Tint Powders and have to admit to being a bit in love with them, they are so natural looking on the face and Coral Flush in particular really brightened my face. I have to give a special mention to the Precision Lips Pencil in Nude, it applied so smoothly and made an excellent base for the sheer temptation to go over and leave a glossy finish.

I matched my eyeshadow with dark blue polish which only needed one application and applied the Nails Inc Snowflake Whitechapel polish on my ring finger as a statement nail for extra party bling.

I loved this look!

What do you think?

If you want to find out more about any of the 3 No7 looks that I have featured then click this link http://www.boots.com/en/No-7/No7-make-up-inspiration/Get-the-look/

*PR Samples

Boots No7 Christmas Look No 2 - #TaDah

Hot on the heels of Christmas Look No1 comes my Ta Dah moment with Look No2.

This Christmas Party Look comes from the contents of the Red Package. I do associate Christmas with a strong red lip and so I was happy to see a red lip product featured inside this parcel. It also came with the Golden Sands nail polish that I have already shown but I fancied teaming the red lips with red tips so I swapped the polish for a red one for this complete look.

Once again I used the Stay Perfect Foundation in Cool Vanilla as my base.

Products used

No7 Stay Perfect Shade & Define in Glistening Ray
No7 Stay Precise Liquid Liner in Brown/Black 
No7 Lash Impact Mascara in Black
No7 Natural Blush Cream in Maple Silk
No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter
No7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Statement
No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Devil's Delight

My thoughts 

I love this Christmas Party Look. The liquid liner frames and enhances my green eyes to stand out beautifully and it was easy to apply. The warm cream blush gives great definition to my cheeks. If you haven't tried the Lip Crayons from No7 I can highly recommend them. I have one in Daydreamer, a wonderful nude shade that is worn almost on a daily basis. If you are shy of a red lip or don't know where to start with wearing red lipstick I would say to get the Lip Crayon in Statement as it is so easy to wear without feeling self conscious.

Can't wait to try Look no3!

What do you think of this look?

*PR Samples

Sanctuary Spa Box Of Delights - Bargain Alert!

If you have already started your Christmas shopping and even if you haven't ... I think this is one unmissable gift idea.

This week's Star Gift at Boots is the amazing Sanctuary Spa Box of Delights reduced from £45 to less than half price at £22. 

Containing:

Cleansing Burst Body Wash (250ml)

Luxurious Body Butter (300ml)

Gentle Polish Body Scrub (200ml)

Velvety Hand Cream (75ml)

Intensive Heel Balm (75ml)

Foaming Creamy Bath Soak (250ml)

Luxury Bath Float (75ml)

Silky Smooth Body Lotion (75ml)

Radiance Exfoliator (15ml)

All housed in a pretty presentation keepsake box.

Sanctuary Spa Box of Delights £22 until 13th November. Available from Boots stores, Boots.com and Sanctuary.com while stocks last.

No7 Lash Impact Mascara Review

Boots No7 Lash Impact Mascara has been my go to mascara recently. Featuring a more traditional brush it promises Intense volume control.

No7 says 

Turn up the volume for dramatic looking lashes with maximum clump-free layers.

Hypo-allergenic.

My thoughts 

This fibre brush is easy to use and the mascara leaves lashes looking fuller. The brush lifts and coats every lash, giving the effect of more volume and very decent length and as my after shot shows without clumping. It doesn't flake or smudge.

I like this as a day mascara as for evenings I like a bit of thickness in my lashes but this mascara does exactly what it says.

Before 

After

Boots No7 Lash Impact Mascara in black costs £13.50

*PR Sample

No7 Extreme Length Mascara Review

No7 say

With No7 Extreme Length Mascara you can open your eyes to incredibly intense, fluttering lashes. Its smooth formula is perfect for building up your lashes without any clumps.

The exclusive, uniquely shaped flexible brush grips and extends each lash for maximum length and eye-opening definition. It is easy to build intensity by adding the mascara to individual lashes, even those in the corners of your eyes.

My thoughts

I was given this mascara as part of the #MyNo7Feeling challenge and liked it so much that I have found myself reaching for it more often than not.

The brush/wand is rubber based and the bristles are short. I find that that particular wand suits my lashes. It lengthens and defines my lashes beautifully in two coats. There is no clumping, no flaking and no smudging all day.

Impressive. The perfect day mascara.

And finally, the obligatory before and after pics!

Before 

After 

No7 Extreme Length Mascara costs £12.50 

*PR Sample

#MyNo7Feeling Look 7 - Seven Days Of Makeup

Today is the final day of the Boots No7 #MyNo7Feeling makeup challenge and I must admit I am a little sad. It was great fun trying out all the looks and yes at times I was pushed out of my comfort zone and none more so than today. I call this the Monday Blues as the trio of items are all Blue.

Having green eyes I am not altogether convinced that blue is really a shade for me and I have to confess to having a real aversion to Teal that started 7 years ago when I was pregnant with my son, just the thought of the shade made me feel nauseous and that feeling hasn't really left!

Makeup For Look 7 

The trio is made up of the following

Boots No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Cruising £6
Boots No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in Turquoise £7
Boots No Stay Precise Liquid Eye Liner in Sky High £7.50

Cruising is a Teal shade of nail polish which I know is hugely popular but just not for me, however it is highly pigmented so you could get away with a single application if time is short.
I didn't apply the eye shadow to the whole eye lid as I felt it would be too much for my small eyes, so it sat just above the lash line where I had applied the liquid liner and in the inner corners as a brightener.
The liquid liner was my favourite product in this trio, the applicator brush was sturdy yet soft for precision application. It was so easy to get a neat line, I was very impressed. The colour was an electric blue which provided a cute flash of colour and its vibrancy lasted all day. I would definitely take a look at other shades in this range.

For the blush I used the Cool Pink that featured in one of my previous looks and a nude lipstick.

Look 7 

The Nail Polish 

So there it is, the final look. I hope you have enjoyed this series of posts.

*PR Samples

#MyNo7Feeling Look 6 - Seven days Of Makeup

Today Hurricane Bertha was due to hit the UK in some shape or form. Torrential rain and high winds were predicted and so it only seemed right to choose the following trio for Look 6.

Makeup For Look 6

Boots No7 Extreme Length Mascara in Black 
Boots No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Blackcurrant 
Boots No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow Quad in Purple Haze

Ooh these purples shades are really quite juicy, the blackcurrant nail polish is wonderfully dark and rich and only required 2 coats for full opacity. Purple Haze eyeshadow quad has 3 purple shades as well as a gorgeous grey and the mascara lengthens and separates, no smudging or flaking.

Purples and greys also really make my green eyes stand out so I know I will be getting a lot of use of this quad. Very pretty and the nail polish will take me right into Autumn and Winter. Love, love, love the Look 6 collection.

To complete the look I used the Spice blusher from earlier this week to bring warmth to my cheeks and paired it with a peachy nude on my lips.

Look 6 

Face

Blackcurrant Nails

*PR Samples

#MyNo7Feeling Look 5 - Seven Days of Makeup

Day 5 of the Boots #MyNo7Feeling challenge and today it is full on glamour with a red lipstick. I call this Siren Saturday...

Now I already have the red lipstick that was included in this trio of items so I was quite comfortable wearing it, however I wore it all day and normally I would just wear a red lipstick for an evening out.

Makeup for Look 5

Boots No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in Love Red £9.75
Boots No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Devils Delight £6
Boots No7 Natural Blush Tint Powder in Cool Pink £8

Look 5

I kept the look very simple as the red packs a powerful punch and is a real statement shade. I just applied foundation, a touch of the cool pink blush, mascara and a creamy liner on my waterline to widen my eyes.

I loved this look. Love Red is such a beautiful red shade that really does brighten and open up my face and surprisingly once I hit the shops I felt confident and I found people really responded to it. Will I wear it during the day again? Definitely!

So there it is Look 5, a classic red lip, I didn't apply the nail polish as I ran out of time before I went out but I will be posting it as a nails of the day very soon.

*PR Samples

#MyNo7Feeling Look 4 - Seven Days Of Makeup

Day 4 of the Boots No7 #MyNo7Feeling challenge and today we move into the Berry shades which I am right at home with, they really bring out my green eyes.

I already have the lip crayon from this trio and needless to say I adore it. If you haven't tried the lip crayons from No7, I strongly recommend them.

Look 4

This look consists of the following items

No7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Berry £9
No7  Natural Blush Tint Powder in Spice £8
No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Temptress £6

The blusher is really fine and soft and a really gorgeous warm yet natural shade. I found it really light but buildable and I may have been tempted to apply a bit stronger but that is just because I like really defined cheeks :)

The disappointment for me was the nail polish, I found it watery, streaky and uneven which made it hard to apply. I had to apply 3 coats to get that rich colour that the bottle promises. It is a shame as the pink I tried earlier in the week from the same range was fantastic.

Anyway here is the finished Look 4

*PR Samples

Soltan In Shower After Sun Cooling Lotion with Cucumber

Almost 20 years ago my mum bought a fantastic After Sun Shower Gel at the airport just as we were flying to Crete. It was a fantastic product as it smelt so good and did a brilliant job of washing AND being an excellent After Sun.

Sadly I didn't make a note of the brand and we never saw it in the shops again, such a pity as it was a genius idea, especially good for children who don't want to waste time applying After Sun...

Roll on 20 years and whilst I still haven't managed to find a similar product.. the development team at Boots Soltan have come up with the next best thing - Soltan In Shower After Sun Cooling Lotion with Cucumber.

I took this away with me on my recent holiday to Turkey and put it to the test.

Boots Soltan say 

The quick and easy way to moisturise your skin after being out in the sun.

This cooling in shower after sun will leave your skin feeling soft and moisturised up to 11 hours. With extract of cucumber and Aloe Vera to help cool and soothe.

To use

Use your normal shower product and rinse off. Apply Soltan in shower after sun lotion while still in the shower. Rinse off then dry yourself.

My thoughts 

This product works in the same way as the Nivea In Shower Moisturiser but has the added benefit of being an after sun product. The cucumber scent smells amazing and refreshing, so good after a day in the hot sun. I found it soothing, cooling and it certainly did leave my skin feeling incredibly soft. I had to keep stroking my legs as I couldn't believe what a great job of moisturising my legs it did!

The In Shower After Sun is a brilliant idea as you don't have to faff with a lotion after showering and can get dressed straight away. 

However, I would say that you may need a separate cream/lotion at bedtime if you have got a little sunburnt. 

Personally I thought this was an ace product and it is currently half price in Boots so go buy!

Boots Soltan In Shower After Sun Cooling Lotion with Cucumber 200ml costs £6.50 (currently £3.25)

*PR Sample

No7 Peony Petals Blush Palette - Spring/Summer Blusher

No7 Peony Petals Blush Palette

I am loving this pretty blush palette from No7 - Peony Petals Blush Palette. It has 3 shades, 2 pinks and cute gold highlighting petals. It is rather subtle as you will see from the swatches but can be built up for a stronger colour. I like to blend all three for a shimmery, radiant look or swish my brush in the two pinks and add the gold highlight shade on the tops of my cheeks.

No7 Peony Petals Blush Palette Swatch

Wearing it below with a strong lip, I think it is really flattering. I think it is a really versatile blush, apply the purple/pink for a cooler tone, warm it up with the softer pink or swirl in all three.

No7 Peony Petals Blush Palette is available from Boots and costs £12

*PR Sample

Boots Star Gift - Sanctuary Spa Ultimate Glow Pamper Tin!

You know Christmas is fast approaching when Boots launch their weekly Star Gift bargain and this week's one from Sanctuary Spa is a cracker!

For just £19* (value £40) this top to toe pamper tin contains the following

Body Wash (250ml)
Body Lotion (250ml)
Spa Skin Body Polisher
Radiance Exfoliator (100ml)
Fresh Faced Purifying Wash (140ml)
Spa Facial Headband
Pumice Foot Scrub (50ml)
Moisture Rich Foot Butter (50ml)
Spa Pedicure Foot File

A delightful box of gorgeous goodies for some home pampering I think you will agree!

Snap it up fast from today in store and on the Boots website, whilst stocks last.

*£19 price is for one week only when it will revert back to £40

Bolder Lips - Boots Let's Give It A Go

For the most part I am a nude lip kind of girl, that is not to say I like wearing nothing on my lips but I am always on the search for my perfect nude lippie or gloss. That is my everyday look and I don't think I can be parted from it ... However at a recent Boots beauty event I was invited to take an Autumn/Winter trend and "give it a go" I rarely touch red lipsticks as as a statement they are pretty much out there. So what would I make of it... well I have to say I am glad I gave it go as I loved it! Wearing a bold, bright red lipstick far from making me want to run away and hide actually gave me a new found confidence!

No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in shade Love Red is highly pigmented to provide intense colour, is a long lasting lipstick with up to 8 hours staying power and gives a matte/ semi satin finish and has a creamy texture.

Swatch of Love Red

Wearing Love Red 

For more tips and tricks on how to give the hottest Autumn/Winter Trends a go for yourself visit www.autumnwintertrends.co.uk #bootsgiveitago

*PR Sample

No7 Stay Perfect Liquid Foundation - Foundation Match

I was recently at a Boots event and the chance to get myself foundation matched with the No7 Foundation Match Made Service came up so I decided to do it. It literally took just seconds .. my existing foundation was cleared away and this nifty gadget was applied to my skin and then the No7 Consultant declared my perfect match to be ... Cool Ivory. A few questions later about what I am looking for in a foundation and the match was made with No7 Stay Perfect Liquid Foundation.

Unfortunately they were out of stock of the Cool Ivory but the consultant said that the closest match would be Cool Vanilla.

No7 say 

Natural/Semi Matte finish
Medium Cover

For Lasting Coverage
Hypo-allergenic

No7 Stay Perfect Liquid Foundation helps your skin to resist the signs of make-up meltdown and gives non-stop complexion perfection.

Soft, silky and flattering in any light. It will not rub or fade away, keeping your make-up looking freshly applied for retouch free for 24 hours.

Available in 17 shades

My thoughts

I was given the new formula which promises to be retouch free for 24 hours (the previous version promised 16hrs). I found Cool Vanilla to be a really good match but obviously have yet to try the Cool Ivory.

The foundation comes in a bottle with a pump that dispenses the perfect amount needed. It feels quite thick but soon melts into the skin and feels light on the skin. It is easily blended to become virtually undetectable and really natural looking. The finish is silky looking, fresh and bright. Coverage wise it is excellent, It isn't full coverage but evens out the skin wonderfully and I need just a touch more over my redness to look flawless. The staying power is impressive, I haven't tested it for the full 24 hours but certainly if I apply it at 7am it still looks good at 7pm... My only niggle was that after a few hours my nose started to look a bit shiny and oily but I soon realised a touch of powder after application solved this problem (I am loving Cargo HD Translucent Powder ) Other than that this foundation is perfect for me.
Would I buy it? Absolutely!

Swatched 

Wearing No7 Stay Perfect Liquid Foundation in Cool Vanilla 

No7 Stay Perfect Liquid Foundation costs £14 for 30ml

*PR Sample

Boots No7 High Shine Lip Crayon - Berry - Easy Way To Embrace Autumn Trends

No7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Berry shade is the perfect product to dip into the A/W trends for a warm and wearable berry lip without committing fully..

I love lip crayons and this one is really good, featuring just the right amount of pigment and glossiness to enhance the lips without feeling heavy and sticky. The berry colour is very flattering tone.

Swatch of Berry 

Wearing Berry 

Boots No7 High Shine Lip Crayon - £9

*PR Sample