La Roche-Posay - Effaclar M Moisturiser

This is a sebo regulating mattifying moisturiser for oily, shine prone skin.

Whilst I do not have oily skin,  I am prone to shine down my T-Zone so I was curious to try it and see if it could reduce the shine.

I have been using it for a couple of weeks now and have definitely noticed a difference. Whereas before I could have a tendency to develop a shiny nose through the day,  using Effaclar M has kept it at bay.

I like the consistency of the moisturiser - light, creamy gel-like. When it is applied it leaves the skin satin smooth. The only thing that I find off putting is the scent, and readers of BeautySwot will know that that is important to me. Effaclar M smells (to me) like a citrus cleaning product.

Personally this is not quite the moisturiser for me as I don't have oily skin,  I didn't feel it was moisturising enough. However, if you are looking for a mattifying moisturiser I think that La Roche-Posay Effaclar M is well worth considering.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar M 40ml costs £13.50 and is available to buy from www.escentual.com

Lush Rehab Shampoo and Retread Conditioner

Lush Rehab Shampoo - £9.45 for 250g 


This Shampoo is for dry/damaged hair so my hair fits the bill perfectly.. It is runny, green - in fact it resembles murky dirty pond water which if I am honest puts me off a little. The scent is quite minty and pleasant.

Claims - Oils for extra strength, enzymes for cleansing, seaweed for softness, essential oils for detoxing and toning your scalp. Suitable for daily use and won't strip the hair of colour.

I have relatively mild scalp psoriasis which flares up with stress and my head has felt quite itchy, stressed and uncomfortable lately. I have been using this shampoo and I have found it to be quite calming on my scalp. It lathers well (in my hard water area) and leaves my hair feeling clean and fresh. I

Ingredients include fruit juices, jojoba oil, extra virgin olive oil, almond oil, lavender oil and peppermint oil.

Directions for use - Shake the bottle , wet hair and shampoo once, rinse thoroughly. Use in conjunction with...


Lush Retread Conditioner - £8.99 for 245g


This comes in a yoghurt pot style container which I think is quite quirky. It looks just like set yoghurt which is novel for me,  I like it and find it appealing. It smells absolutely amazing and fresh, good enough to eat.

Claims - Deluxe, specially enhanced, triple strength conditioner.

It is so tempting to use lots of this and I must admit I put a nice handful of it on my hair. This conditioner contains soya milk, yoghurt and fresh melon! Like Rehab it contains jojoba oil, extra virgin olive oil and also contains avocado oil. The scent comes from neroli oil and violet absolute.

Directions for use - Shampoo as normal, apply to damp hair then rinse out thoroughly.


Result - Using both these products leaves my hair smelling wonderful,  feeling soft, manageable, shiny and sleek when styled and less frizzy than normal if I leave it to dry naturally.  

Available to purchase from Lush stores and their website.

The Oscars 2011

 Award ceremony time again and this time it is the turn of the 83rd Oscars

Hera are my pick of the Oscar beauties and my favourite dresses.

I think Michelle Williams looks stunning with her elfin crop, flawless face,  nude lips and pretty eyes.

Cate Blanchett also chose to play it down and show off her natural beauty 

I love the simplicity of Reese Witherspoon's choice of dress and overall look with up do and once again a pale lipstick

Sandra Bullock makes for a beautiful lady in red 

Jennifer Hudson looks sensational in her choice of dress, show stopping

Natalie Portman once again excels at doing glamour in pregnancy with this purple dress, wavy hair and soft make up

And I leave you with this gorgeous couple - Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves

All images ©A.M.P.A.S

Batiste Dry Shampoo - Blush

I love Batiste Dry Shampoo and Blush is another variety from the range.

It works in exactly the same way as the others..hold can 30cm from hair, spray at roots, massage with fingertips, wait a couple of minutes and brush out - easy!

Blush is fab, it smells lightly floral and so feminine. The scent is created from the following floral notes - Red Hibiscus, Freesia, Tuberose, Orange Blossom, Peony and Lily. I love its scent and it leaves my hair smelling very nice indeed, shiny and clean looking. Ideal for those times when I need to leave the house in a hurry.

Batiste Blush is available in 150ml and 50ml (handbag size) from your usual Batiste stockists.

Witch Skincare Bloggers Event

On Saturday afternoon I was invited to an event held by Witch Skincare. It was an opportunity to try out their new anti-blemish cosmetics range, get a bit more acquainted with the existing skincare range, meet the team and other bloggers.

I had a thoroughly enjoyable time, there were many things to do and I met some lovely friendly bloggers - Palm/Tarot readings, Reiki, massages, makeovers and manicures. On the naughty side were lessons in playing poker, Wii games, A history of Burlesque and a mini lesson. Plenty of food and drink was provided, chocolate foundations, smoothies, pizza, wraps, cookies, popcorn, sweets pick and mix , endless Champagne, Corona, soft drinks and lots, lots more!

The afternoon kicked up with an introduction to the new cosmetics range and a makeover on one of the Witch team. Available now are a tinted moisturiser, a redness relief moisturiser, skin clearing primer and a pressed powder. First impression from the range are good, they smell nice and feel moisturising. I am lucky to have been given samples of these to try out,  so look out for a future review post on the range including the skincare products.

I then opted for my palm to be read - the lady who read my palm got my character spot on, mentioned the past pretty accurately and told me a few things that are to come. It was a very enjoyable session.

A blogger in the palmistry corner

Learning to perfect our poker faces

I have never had a Reiki session and I was treated to a mini introduction to it, I felt an intense heat from the hands of the lady who was giving it and at the end of the session I felt like I had floated away and a real sense of calm.... Unfortunately yesterday I had what is called a 'healing crisis' which made me feel extremely ill! However this can be remedied by plenty of water and rest. I believe that when this passes I will feel great.

After all the various activites, eating and chatting we ended the day with some Burlesque tips... Fun was had by all and I headed home. I think my husband was surprised when I would just randomly strike a pose!

I ate my yummy cake the next day

I am lucky to have been given samples of these products to try out,  so look out for a future review post on the range including the skincare products.

Product Trial - Bliss Fat Girl Slim

I am not wholly taken by the name of this Bliss product - Fat Girl Slim BUT  I must admit with these claims I found it hard to resist!!

The lean, mean skin firming, dimple diminshing cream - fatgirlslim!

This advanced-technology adipose antagonist (which, in layman's terms, means it visibly diminishes those dastardly dimples) features QuSome-encapsulated caffeine molecules for quick and targeted delivery of the skin-slimming stuff of choice of supermodels, spokespeople and other celebs.

clinical studies show:*
• 87% saw a firming effect
• 85% felt a slimming effect
• 73% noticed a reduction in the appearance of cellulite

So I am going to put this to the test for 28 days starting from tomorrow  - applying twice a day!

Would you like to see weekly updates ?

Wish me luck!

Naked - Up Tone Girl Gentle Toner

I rarely venture from my beloved Boots Traditional Glycerin and Rosewater Toner but as I was very kindly sent this to try along with the Naked Thirst Aid 12 Hour Moisturiser I was willing to give it a go.

Naked Up Tone Girl Toner is suitable for sensitive skin, is fragrance and alcohol free. Main ingredients are Witch Hazel (wasn't that the stuff they used when you grazed your skin at Primary School ?) and Glycerin. Also contains Calendula extract (a flower) which is known for treating some skin conditions in a cream form..

I also love that the toner is 97% natural - free of SLS and Parabens.

My first impressions were that the packaging was a bit dull and industrial looking but of course if the product works, it doesn't matter too much!

The second impression was that I loved the scent, now it says that it is fragrance free which I now know means that there may be a scent from the natural ingredients used. That has baffled me in the past...The scent is lovely, actually reminds me of Persian sweets provided at weddings!

Easy to use bottle that means you can squeeze the right amount out

Using this toner leaves me feeling refreshed, clean and my skin soft, very nice indeed.

All in all, I recommend this toner and I will definitely be purchasing it. I am looking forward to trying other products in the range, especially the bath products.

Unfortunately the moisturiser was too rich for me :-( Which is a real shame as it has the same gorgeous scent that the toner has. I have given it to my sister to try so she will be doing a guest post on it shortly..

Naked Up Tone Girl Toner costs £4.49 for 200ml and is available from Boots stores.

Have you tried any products from the Naked range ?