Make-up review - Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss

Cards on the table - I LOVE Illamasqua. They do colour like no other brand, from the palest of shades of foundation (they even do a pure white), to intense brights and bold darks.  They do really good online product demos, showing the same lip colours on more than one skin tone, and in "moving swatch" videos rather than just those hopeless blobs which never truly represent how the product will actually look on you. And then there's all the textures they offer... a little more on that in an upcoming post on their nail varnishes.

I've been looking for an orangey shade of lipstick for a while, so when I spotted their Intense Lipgloss in Mistress in the sale for a meagre £6.60 (instead of £16.50 RRP), I had to give it a shot. It's more coral than orange, but a great way to work out whether orange suits me or not before I go full on tangerine.

I have only one complaint about this lipgloss, and that's the applicator. I hadn't seen a brush applicator in I don't know how long until I got this. And I wouldn't mind, except it arrived damaged - sometimes the brush gets a bit messed up towards the end of a tube of lipgloss when you replace it a little carelessly. This one arrived damaged and splayed, and it's like there's a tiny knot at the end of it scratching my lips when I apply it. I'm going to need to give it a wash and trim the splayed hairs.

That said, I love the product. It's a thick, gloopy gloss with the most amazing colour payoff. It's impossible to stop your hair sticking to your lipgloss in the wind, but this isn't nearly as sticky as you'd imagine for such a thick consistency, and it lasts really well. Plus, applied more sparingly, it gives a great sheer colour which usually gets me til near lunchtime before needing a top up (depending how many cups of tea I need to get me through the morning).

This would look fab with a tan, or pale skin and crisp black eyeliner - which luckily is my signature look.

Illamasqua's Intense Lipgloss costs £16.50 and is available in 18 shades (some of which are still on sale at £6.60!) ranging from traditional pinks and reds to black, lilac and lime green, with both traditional gloss and metallic finishes.

Ax

Haircare review - TIGI Bed Head Colour Combat Dumb Blonde shampoo and conditioner

I've always had decent hair. A little fine, sometimes flat, but always in good condition as I didn't heavily use heated appliances (instead leaving my waves to dry naturally) and only ever dying it dark shades which didn't contain bleach or the worst of the nasties.

I decided a few months ago that it would be a great idea to dye the ends of my hair blonde, a la the ombre trend that's been doing the rounds of late. BIG mistake. Everything that was blonde is now dry and split ends and frizzy and nasty. I've had to dye it back to dark brown as the blonde just highlighted how awful it was. And the vicious circle just continues as now that it's nasty and frizzy, it needs MORE straightening/curling to look decent. So I'm damaging it further.

So I decided to forego my usual Herbal Essences/L'Oreal Elvive/Tressemmee grade hair products and try something a bit more indulgent to try to get my hair back into shape ahead of my wedding in November.

I hotfooted it down to TK Maxx to see if I could pick up a bargain on their salon brands, and managed to get a double pack of this TIGI shampoo and conditioner, in the jumbo 750ml sizes, for £12.

Using a product meant for blonde hair, this should be ultra moisturising. Lathering up the shampoo, letting the scent wash over me, it smells AMAZING and I was SO excited to be using something that felt more indulgent and special than my usual products - and not to mention to have gotten such a bargain. The shampoo is a pearly pink creme and  a little goes a long way. It lathers up nicely, smells amazing, and rinses out easily.

Then comes the conditioner. A thicker, custardy yellow creme, it's got the same lovely scent as the shampoo, and it applies nicely, feels like it rinses out well and my wide toothed comb glides through my damp hair after use.

But then when I'm drying my hair, it all goes wrong. I can feel a tacky film on my hair, and with my hair in its current damaged state, it makes it look even more coarse and somehow makes the split ends even more pronounced. I've tried mixing it with another conditioner to dilute the effect so it wasn't a total waste of a purchase, but alas, it didn't really work.

I would post a photo of what my hair looked like after using this, but whenever I use it I end up either washing my hair again to get rid of the residue, or tying it up so no one can see it. It's that bad.

This one really pains me. I SO wanted to love this shampoo and conditioner. The shampoo is good, but not amazing. And the conditioner has been passed over to Will to try it out on his beard - but if he doesn't like it, it'll be heading for the bin.

Have you tried this conditioner? Did you find the same? And what should I be trying next?

Ax

Nailcare review - Sally Hansen Nail Rehab

I have absolutely terrible nails. I bit them for years, and even now I can't help but pick at them and play with them. And the second my nail varnish starts to chip and peel? I take great pleasure in peeling the rest of it off. And damaging my nails to boot.

So when I received a bottle of Sally Hansen's Nail Rehab in my advent calendar, I was really keen to give it a whirl.

Instructions say to shake gently, then apply 1-2 coats to bare nails either alone or as a base coat. Simple.

The product applies like a dream - the brush is just the right size - easy to apply in a couple of strokes, but not so big that you use too much product, and the product is just the right consistency. Thick enough to feel like it will have some benefit, but thin enough to layer up with coloured polish and a top coat without going all thick and peeling. And it's lovely and smooth - filling in ridges, with no strands or bits (unlike another base coat I've been testing of late).

The big question is really the long term benefits. I've been using this for about 4 weeks now, and have probably applied it 6-8 times in that period - I change my nail polish A LOT. There has been a slight improvement to the strength of my nails, but they have been weak, brittle and peeling since before I started using it, so it's really not the fairest trial. But on the other hand, to have any positive effect on nails which were in such bad condition to start with, this really must be doing something right.

Worn alone this gives a lovely natural glossy pink sheen - perfect for the base of a French manicure, or just a fuss-free, natural but polished look.

Or it also helps my favourite dark polishes apply more evenly and they probably stay chip-free a day or two longer using this as a base coat, combined with a decent top coat.

All in all, a winner for me.

Ax

Skincare review - GLAMGLOW YOUTHMUD mask

I treated myself to an advent present in November, in the form of a beauty advent calendar that contained about £250 of products for a bargainous £50. One of the first products to catch my eye was GLAMGLOW's YOUTHMUD mask, a mask that constantly pops up when I'm searching for new mud masks, but I've never gone ahead and purchased - so you can imagine my joy when I got a 15g sample in my advent calendar. I love treating myself to a face mask, and mud masks are highly recommended to absorb oil and calm and balance blemish-prone skin like mine, so I'm always looking for new ones - and this one promised a lot. More on that later.

First things first, on trying the product out, my initial reaction was confusion - as I was trying to squeeze the product out of the tube, it was getting all clogged up with only the tiniest bit of product coming out. I couldn't work out why, until a firmer squeeze sent a long black strand of tea leaf out. I don't know enough about the "science" of the product to know if having these large pieces of tea leaf left in the product is actually beneficial, or just for show. I imagine all the goodness has been extracted from the leaves by the time the mask is packaged and they're just left in for aesthetic purposes. Personally, I find the large pieces annoying, as they clog up the hole in the tube, and fall off my face when I apply the mask.

Ignoring the oversized tea leaves, the mask does go on really nicely - a thin layer is all that's needed. As an exfoliating mask, there are also exfoliating beads in the formulation. Usually I prefer to exfoliate with acids than scrubs, but the beads in this mask are tiny, much finer than any of the facial scrubs I've used previously, so while I'm no expert, they don't feel scratchy or potentially damaging.

The official marketing promises A LOT:

There's nothing GLAMGLOW doesn't do - feel the tingle as it works its magic on your skin:
> Skin Collagen Synthesis for a noticeable 3 day glow.
> Brighter, radiant skin in minutes.
> Leaves skin noticeably soft and smooth.
> Multi-level resurfacing exfoliation.
> Penetrates into the deepest layers of the skin to soften fine lines and wrinkles.
> Tightens, tones and lifts the skin.
> Relieves dark circles and minimises pores.
> Absorbs impurities without removing natural oils.
> Helps protect against everyday environmental aggressors.
> Suitable for all skin types, all ages and for both women and men.
> Contains no artificial colours or fragrances.
> 99% paraben-free, cruelty-free, and suitable for vegans.

I wouldn't say I noticed a glow lasting 3 days, and I can't speak for any of the long-term benefits, but after using it there is a noticeable glow, and my skin is particularly soft and smooth. I've been using it to revitalise my skin after the indulgent Christmas period, and it's helped fight the effects of January. With the instant glow it gives, it's also a good mask for using before a big date or night out.

Until I've seen some long-term benefits, I'm not sure I could recommend it at the RRP of £50 for 50g, but you can find it on various beauty websites for around £35 which I'll probably treat myself to at some point. Plus, my little 15g sample tube has done at least 5 or 6 treatments, and there's probably still one more use left in the tube, so a 50g tub should last a LONG time.

Have you tried GLAMGLOW products? What do you think?

Ax

Skincare review - Lancôme Galateis Douceur

It's an oldie, but a goodie.

I've always avoided cleansing lotions and milks like the plague, knowing many of them (though not this one) contain shea butter - a nightmare for my oily, spot-prone skin - and preferring the safety of balms and clay based cleansers. But after spending a small fortune on Lancôme's Génifique and Visionnaire serums a few months back, I was given a rather generous free gift set including mascara, lipstick, perfume, miniature serums, and this wondrous little cleanser.

I put off using it for months, terrified it might break me out, but finally cracked it open in November, and boy am I glad I did.

It's a thin lotion, which smooths across the skin easily (meaning you really don't need much), gives enough slip to massage in, and then is easily removed with a damp flannel. It removes light make up easily, but heavy eye make up or sunscreen would need a separate make up remover. Resultantly, I tend to use it as a second cleanse after an oily balm has taken care of my make up.

The good
I find it to be super gentle, so good for sensitive skin and not an issue around the eyes, and I've had no new break outs when using it - even less occasional spots than when I've been using Ren Clearcalm which was always my safest cleanser.

The bad
It does contain mineral oil (find out more from Caroline Hirons here), but while I know it's not *good* for my skin, it hasn't clogged it up in the slightest, and I'd say it's as clear as it's been in recent months.

It won't be for everyone, but for me - especially given my aversion to milky lotions - it was an unexpected success. At £23 for 200ml / £35.50 for 400ml (though often on offer), it's not the cheapest, but nor is it particularly expensive, and it's a small price to pay for the soft, clear skin I'm currently sporting.

Have you tried it? What did you think?

Ax

Restaurant review - Caravan, Exmouth Market

One of my lifelong passions is theatre. Having started dancing when I was just 3, and continuing right up until I could no longer juggle work, uni and training about 17 years later, theatre has always been a huge part of my life. So as huge film (and Tim Burton) fans, Will and I figured that we simply had to see Matthew Bourne's ballet, Edward Scissorhands. If you can get a ticket, GO! It's an absolutely magical production which had me in pieces. But I digress... one of my absolute favourite things about theatre trips? Pre-theatre meals!

We plumped for Caravan - a short walk away in foodie hotspot Exmouth Market, and serving modern tapas style sharing plates inspired by a range of global cuisines. I'd wanted to try it for a while since a foodie friend of a friend (which said friend very kindly sat me next to at his wedding) raved about it, and it did not disappoint.

Me with my new buddy, Horatio

We were eating early - 17.30 - but the restaurant still had quite a few diners and a decent buzz. It's quite sparsely decked out, with clean white walls, but enough wood (and taxidermy) to give it some real character. We were sat next to Horatio, a rather fine peacock, and ordered a bottle of Tempranillo - the cheapest wine on the menu, but mostly selected as it was suitably light and juicy for pre-theatre so we didn't snooze through the ballet. 

The menu is updated daily, using the best seasonal produce, and designed to be shared - with both small tapas style plates, and larger, main course style plates - but whatever you order it all comes as and when it's ready. This might not be for everyone, but suited us just fine - though we did go for a traditional one small and one large plate each. 

Mullet, curried granola, mint & apple yoghurt, cucumber

Salt pork belly, taro, beansprouts, shrimp dressing

I started with the mullet, which was beautifully cooked, though the skin could have been a tad crispier and the granola wasn't as strongly curried as I expected. But it really was a delight - sweet with hazelnuts, tender flesh, on a bed of fresh apple and cucumber, tzatziki style. Will went for the salt pork belly. I could only get him to spare a tiny taste for me, but it was packed with flavour, rich and salty, with a delicious crunch from the beansprouts. I couldn't have eaten much of it, but Will devoured it and my little bite had me salivating.  

Chermoula grilled Welsh lamb, butternut hummus, green beans, broad beans, dukkah

Will's not a huge fan of lamb, so I often pick it in restaurants, and this was some of the best I've had in recent memory. Gloriously pink and delicately spiced, with a crunch from the dukkah, on a soft, sweet hummus which complemented it perfectly. The greens were cooked just right to retain some texture, and there was a little surprise of goats cheese through the greens - great for me, but I know a few people who wouldn't have been so happy with that as it wasn't on the menu. 

Jerk pork chop, coconut & plantain slaw, crispy shallots 

Will went for yet more pork (ironically after having ruled out a pork-only restaurant earlier that same evening...) and it was good enough he'd only let me have a tiny taste again. I'd say the jerk seasoning could have done with more of a kick, but I'm a bit of a chilli fiend. And the slaw and shallots gave a lovely crunch. 

Chestnut cake, milk chocolate ice cream, bitter orange syrup

Dark chocolate mousse, mint sorbet, pistachio nuts

The food was very generous, but we couldn't stop ourselves from trying a couple of the desserts - a dark chocolate mousse with a creamy sorbet and pistachios for me, and a moist chestnut cake (though could have been a tiny bit lighter) with a sweet milk chocolate ice cream and zingy orange for Will.

As for the little extras, fresh tap water was topped up regularly, and proper salt and pepper grinders were on every table - hurrah! Not that the food needed any additional seasoning, but there's nothing like freshly cracked black pepper and sea salt - the powdered stuff just isn't the same, and more chefs wouldn't cook with it, so why let us mere diners add it to our food?

Total bill for wine, three courses, a side dish (deliciously buttery kale with almonds) and tip was around £46 a head - not bad for central London, and given you can easily spend a similar amount on one of the many high street chain restaurants, it's a small price to pay to try something genuinely interesting.

Food: 4/5

Service: 5/5

Value: 4/5
Would I return? Absolutely.

What do you think? Have you been? Where else would you recommend for pre-theatre?

Ax