GLAMGLOW Face Mask - Review

Looking for a face mask that actually works? Look no further. I want to write (and rave) about the Glam Glow Super-Mud Clearing Treatment that I have recently purchased.

So, a bit more about Glam Glow. The company have a number of treatments for different problem areas and skin types including hydrating masks, anti-aging masks, treatments for eyes and cleansers (which I would love to get my paws on). To find out more information on the products go to the official website www.glamglowmud.com

You can purchase the mask on various websites - I got mine from www.feelunique.com for £40. (I know, it is a lot for a face mask - but well worth the money in my opinion!). If you simply Google 'Glam Glow Mask' a variety of sites will come up. 

Right, on to the review...

The Packaging - The product comes in a clean white and silver box with all the information and the product inside. Each Glam Glow treatment comes in different colour packaging depending on the concern the product is tackling. The box contains intructions of use, ingredients and the 34g SuperMud Cleansing Treatment.

The Product - As you can see the mask is dark grey in colour and rather thick in constancy. This is because it is a clay mask. I do prefer to use products on my skin but this mask contains a 6 acid blend which shows amazing results. The mask isn't all chemicals though, don't worry! It also uses bio-life-cell-science to ensure skin is smooth, tight and calm. See the Glam Glow website for a full list of ingredients. The mask has a distinct eucalyptus smell which is some-what refreshing.

Application- Personally I like to apply the treatment with a brush. I tend to use a flat foundation brush. I feel this is the best way to evenly apply a thin layer of the product on the skin. You can apply the mask as a full face mask, on problem areas such as the t-zone or as a spot treatment. When first applied the mask can feel quite cool and tingle - but this is completely normal.

This is my brother Zak. He suffers from acne and has done for years. As you can see in the first image he has some blemishes, mainly on the lower half of his face. We applied the mask on him to see what results he could see.

When the mask is frist applied it is a dark grey colour - like in the pot. When it begins to dry the majority of the mask begins to firm and turn a lighter grey colour.

The dark grey dots you can see in the images is where the treatment is drawing out excess oils from the skin. The main areas that build up these oils is Zak's nose and chin. As you can see from the images below that is where the majority of the dark grey remains.

As the mask drys it hardens over the face and is smooth to touch.

To remove the mask after the recommended 15-20 minutes just use water to rise. 

Results - Once taking the mask off myself, Zak and my mother Tracy all found our skin felt significantly smoother, fresher and rather tight (in a good way). The mask really does draw out the excess oil but doesn't seem to strip the skin of the natural oils - this ensures the skin does not feel dry or dehydrated after use. As the treatment removes the oils from the skin it allows the pores to tighten again giving your complexion a smoother appearance and feel. I find this is brilliant if you are going to apply makeup afterward as the makeup can glide onto the skin with ease giving you a 'airbrush' finish.

As this product does bring the oils and gunk to the surface it may cause some blemishes to appear a day or so after (I would always recommend applying a fresh layer of the mask on a problem area for an extra 5-10 minutes to ensure all of the oils are removed from the skin, not just brought to the surface). Because of this though, I would recommend using the SuperMud Cleansing treatment the night of an event or at least 3-4 days before to ensure you don't have any active blemishes. 

I hope this helps anyone who is looking for a clarifying mask that actually works.

Thank you for reading.

Bye for now x

Current Beauty Favourites

Today I thought I would blog about 15 beauty items that have really been impressing me lately and have become part of my everyday routine. I have written a very brief review of each item so… enjoy!

1. Tresemme Renewal Hair & Scalp

This range is amazing for those who suffer from a dry scalp. Flying as much as I do, my skin and lips can become very dry and this is the same with the skin on my scalp. I’ve tried other dandruff shampoo and conditions such as Head and Shoulders but the Tresemme range is working the best for me so far.

2. John Frieda Colour Renew Toning Conditioner

Having naturally brassy hair I find it can begin to look rather ginger in direct sunlight (not that there is anything wrong with red hair, just not my personal preference). I also had the ends of my hair lightened in the summer of last year and these areas can look particularly orange. To tone my hair I’ve been using this conditioner that is purple and it has been working brilliantly – I would highly recommend for coloured blondes.

3. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water for Combination Skin

Recently Garnier have released a new Micellar cleansing water for combination and sensitive skin that is packaged in a green bottle. It has a mattifying quality that is brilliant for those of us who have combination or oily skin types. It cleanses and removes makeup effortlessly and is very affordable.

4. Colgate Max White One Optic Toothpaste

I’ve been using this toothpaste for the last month or so and I have had complements on the whiteness of my teeth since. It has blue optic brighteners that activate while you’re brushing your teeth creating blue foam and giving your teeth a sheen that makes them appear whiter. The only downfall is that the blue particles get everywhere! They end up all over the sink!

5. Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Perfume

I received this perfume as a gift for Christmas from my boyfriend. It is a very sophisticated fragrance that I think works best in the night, but I do wear it on a day-to-day basis. The top note of the fragrance is Black Coffee, the heart note is White Florals and the base note, Vanilla – it sounds delicious doesn’t it? This too has gained me complements and can we just take a moment to appreciate the GORGEOUS packaging (seen above)! Hello!

6. Original Source Coconut Shower Wash

This body wash was a bargain – only £1 from Boots and I had to add it to my favourites purely because of its scent – I love coconut. Original Source have a huge range of scents in these shower gels and they are all vegan.

7. MAC lipstick – Brave

This is my go-to, lipstick that I wear on a day-to-day basis. It has a satin finish, which isn’t too drying on the lips and is just a beautiful colour. Despite the name, you do not have to be brave to wear this lipstick colour – for me it is the perfect my-lips-but-better colour and goes with any eye makeup look.

8. Maybelline Colour Tattoo – On and One Bronze

This cream eye shadow is my current go-to if I want to wear a colour on my lid during the day. I use a fully blending brush the blend the product all over my eyelid, up to my crease and pair it with lashings of mascara. The colour is perfect all year round and can be paired with a huge variety of lip colours from subtle pinks to dark burgundy’s. Although I have never worn it for 24-hours it does last the whole day until I need to remove my makeup.

9. Urban Decay Naked Basics Eye- shadow Palette

This is one product I could not miss out. I use my Naked Basics palette every day for work. I use every colour in the palette and it is so versatile. For work I use it to neutralise my lid, define my crease and line my eyes – it looks very natural. You could also use the darker shades to create a soft smoky look so it is great for beginners. The cool brown shade Naked 2 is perfect for contouring the cheekbones and nose. I mix that with my Harmony blush by MAC. The cool tones in that shade make the contour look very natural.

10. Urban Decay Naked 3 palette

I received this palette for my 19^th birthday from my best girlfriends. It is full of beautiful pink and rose neutrals that complement my green eyes. They are perfect colours for spring. With 12 shades in the palette the amount of looks you can create are endless and the quality of the product is amazing. I also have both the Naked 1 and 2 palettes but at the moment this one is my go-to for when I’m going out.

11. Real Techniques Bold Metals Flat Contour Brush

I have been a fan of the Real Techniques Brushes since Sam Chapman first launched them but the brushed in the Bold Metals range is are of a higher quality and look absolutely gorgeous. I purchased the flat contour brush after reading my friend Jaymee-Leigh’s blog post about it. I had been contemplating buying the Nars Ita Kabuki Brush but could after Real Techniques launched their new ranch I thought otherwise. I could purchase the brush here on island and it was cheaper. If you would like to read Jaymee’s brush review see the link at the bottom of this post.

12. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

I used to use duo fibre stippling brushes to blend my liquid foundation until I found this. You can use the sponge wet or dry (I choose to use it wet – I just feel it blends more effortlessly) and it makes makeup application really quick – which is great when I have to wake up before 5am for an early shift at work! The sponge gives my liquid foundation a skin-like finish that looks incredibly natural and it is the best way for me to achieve a flawless flawless base to my makeup.

13. Eylure Volume No. 100 Multipack Strip Lashes

I love to wear false eyelashes on a night out but I still want my lashes to look natural. These Eylure lashes add extra volume and some length to my lashes without the obvious heavy look some falsies can give. I always use my duo lash adhesive to apply these lashes and they stay on all night.

False eyelash tip: Always trim the width of the false eyelashes to fit your eye shape to prevent the strip overhanging.

14. Max Factor False Lash Affect Mascara

I use this mascara on a daily basis and I am currently on my 3^rd tube. I never thought I would stray from my Benefit They’re Real mascara but seeing this in Boots, I decided to give it a go. I wanted a more natural look than the benefit mascara gives so I chose the Max Factor mascara in a black/brown shade. Despite the name ‘False Lash Affect’ the finish is really natural after one coat. If I am going out I tent to layer an extra coat on top if I am not wearing falsies.

15. Soap & Glory Archery

After experimenting with powders, gels and pencils I have finally found my holy-grail brow product! I use the Archery brow pencil that has a retractable brow crayon on one side and on the other a small brow tint felt-tip. The felt-tip is perfect for sketching on individual hairs to give a really natural look. I use the pencil end to perfect the shape of my brow and lightly fill in any gaps.

Thank you for reading today's blog post. I hope you have enjoyed reading about my current beauty favourites as much as I have enjoyed writing about them. All products (barr the MAC lipstick and Urban Decay palettes depending on where you live) can be found in Boots.

At first I was stumped on how I could display this blog post so thank you to Steph for the inspiration. Check out Steph's current beauty favourites here:

http://www.stephslittleworld.com/2015/01/current-beauty-favourites.html

Also don't forget to read Jaymee's reviews on the Real Techniques brushes:

http://jaymee-littlethings.blogspot.com/2015/02/bloglovin-html-code-important-do-not.html

Bye for now x

Alpe d'Huez Ski and Snow Trip 2015 - Day 8

14/02/15

Happy Valentine’s Day!

We woke up this morning to a much whiter Alpe d’Huez. After 7 days of brilliant sunshine the snow mounds were beginning to look a little brown and the snow on the trees on the mountains was beginning to melt. The weather forecast shows it is meant to snow for the next 3 days, so the skiers and snowboarders will have some fresh powder to play on soon.

Today we just travelled back home. We waited outside in the heavy snow for BensBus to pick us back up again. The coach was so late we ended up waiting over an hour - the novelty of the snow wore thin after half-an-hour and we were all freezing. Finally the coach arrived and we made our way to Grenoble Airport. The drive there was excruciatingly long.

When we arrived at the airport we had to check-in and rush through security because the bus was so late. Security at Grenoble Airport was painfully slow but we got through and ready to board the flight. After all that, the flight was delayed for half-an-hour so we were able to grab a quick bite to eat. I slept the majority of the flight home.

I have enjoyed our holiday so much and I cannot wait to come snowboarding again soon. I would highly recommend visiting Alpe d’Huez, particularly if you are a learner as the green and blue runs are fabulous. There is plenty to do there – which I fully intend on doing next time I am there – including Husky sled rides, paragliding, driving snowmobiles and even a zip line. I am leaving with amazing memories with great company, a lot of bruises and even a horrendous goggle tan line (despite wearing sun-cream) but I wouldn’t change any of it.

I hope you have enjoyed reading the daily blogs of our Alpe d’Huez ski and snow trip as much as I have enjoyed writing them!

Thank you all, until my next blog post…

We woke to a much whiter Alpe d'Huez

We finally got to see some snow fall!

Bye for now x

Alpe d'Huez Ski and Snow Trip 2015 - Day 7

13/02/14

Friday the 13^th… No bones were broken, we all made it through the holiday in one piece!

Today was our last day snowboarding and skiing; it was a sad, sad day for all (although our bodies are in need of a well deserved rest). It was rather overcast which was a change after being beautiful sunshine all week but it was nice to have a day where we weren’t swamping after putting our boots on. The cloud did make it a bit harder to see the grooves and turns on the slopes though – we do have some goggles designed for the overcast weather but getting those would require too much effort so we just made do.

After brekkie we went straight to the slopes and got going. We ventured over to the other side of the mountain for a few runs before stopping off for lunch at Marc and Marie’s local (they stopped there at least 6 times for a drink and/or something to eat during the holiday – the waiter even knew their drink order off by heart). Aimee, Richie, Mum, Dad and I then continued boarding for a couple of hours, even heading to the practice stunt park. Come 2 o’clock we decided to call it a day, after a great final run. We didn’t want to push ourselves to do too much more because it would be Sod’s Law that we would seriously injure ourselves on that ‘one last run’.

Instead Marc, Zak, Aimee, Richie and I all bought some ‘bum-boards’ and had a play around sliding down a man-made hollow in the snow – we must have been the oldest ones playing on the slope but it was such a laugh and worth the €2.50 for the bum-boards.

This evening we browsed around some shops, popped into O’Sharkey’s for a drink and made our way to Smithy’s for our dinner reservation. Again the food was absolutely phenomenal – if anyone reading this is going to Alpe d’Huez you NEED to eat at Smithy’s Tavern, there is no faulting it. While we were in Smithy’s it started to snow for the first time since we’ve been here. This was the first time Richie has seen snowfall and it was rather exciting.

One of the nicest runs, mum stalking

Zak falling off the bum-board

Richie also had a go

Nope, I didn't know I was that flexible either...

Marc was the biggest kid having the most fun!

Bye for now x

SKYPRO Cabin Crew Shoes Review (★★★★★)

As cabin crew, we spend a lot of time on our feet, walking to and from the airport, crew room, aircraft and up and down the aisles so having a pair of shoes that fit correctly and are comfortable is key. After only about 3 weeks of working in the skies I knew I had to buy new shoes as my first pair were leaving my feet aching after an eight-hour shift. Some colleagues had previously mentioned the shoes they wear from SKYPRO so I decided to dig a little deeper and do some research and evidently bought a pair.

The shoes I bought 

Name                   Amelia

Size                      41.5

Colour                   Navy

Heel height           7cm/2.8 inches

Leather lining        Super soft cald magic blue

Upper leather        High quality upper leather

Toe type               Round toe

Midsole                 Ambicork Midsole

Type                    Classic court shoe

Sole                     Anti-skid nitrile natural rubber sole             

 

Amelia Cabin shoes - the shoes I bought (see the super soft cushioning!!)

My opinion

I would recommend these shoes to all of my colleagues and anyone who wears heels on a day-to-day basis. They are super comfortable and look simple and professional.

In my experience the shoes are true to size but do need a few days to break them in. After the first day of wearing them my feet were aching but as soon as they have stretched to mimic the contours of your feet it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing heels at all.

All of the women’s shoes are named after a historical woman in aviation and has a small biography about who she was/is and what she achieved – amazing!

The shoes only come in Black or Navy which is a limited colour range but most airlines do require their crew to wear black or navy depending on the uniform.

About SKYPRO 

SKYPRO is the first company in the world to manufacture certified footwear for aviation professionals. ‘SKYPRO has highly specialized technical experts committed to provide the best airline crew shoes for flight attendants, pilots, and ground-handling users. A continuous research and development activity in footwear construction, together with a selection of top edge shoe materials, lead to high levels of comfort, well-being, safety, and reduced fatigue.’ – www.buyskypro.com

The shoes come with a range of features that make them stylish and, above all else, comfortable

• They have an anti-skid feature that protects the wearer from potential slipping hazards such as airplane oils, jet fuel, wet stairways and slippery airport floors.
• All shoes have ambicork built in which provides the wearer with protection either in cold (snow or ice) or hot environments, providing additional comfort to the feet, through a better thermal insulation. 
• They are antistatic ensures a controlled dissipation of electric discharges, leaving the body and reaching the ground in safer conditions, and ensuring users full protection against electrostatic discharges which are more evident on aircrafts then on the ground.
• They are alarm-free so you don’t have to remove your shoes at security.
• And above all else, they are extremely comfortable with features including shock absorption, breathable materials and extra padding

SKYPRO have a range of heels for women with different styles and heels heights and also men’s crew shoes that look very smart and have the same characteristics seen in the list above.

Buy SKYPRO shoes on their website:
http://www.buyskypro.com/

Check out the latest SKYPRO news and tips on their blog:

http://www.buyskypro.com/blog/

Bye for now x