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Thou Shalt Not Covet | Norwich Beauty, Lifestyle and Fashion Blog - Beauty & Care
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MAC Cosmetics Launch MACximal Silky Matte Lipsticks - Thou Shalt Not Covet...
Affiliate Links PR Sample There’s no doubt that MAC has stood the test of time where a plethora of makeup brands have come and gone, and one of their most loved, classic products has finally been given a revamp. MAC’s classic matte lipsticks are no more, now the collection has been reformulated and revamped for 2024, promising more colour, more comfort and more wear. I must admit, as a long term fan of MAC lipsticks, their matte lipstick formula was one I struggled to get along with. As someone with chronically dry lips, I found the Matte formulas to be just too drying to wear often. Pigmentation was fantastic, but the way it made my lips feel just wasn’t my favourite. So I’m pleased to hear that MAC have reformulated this collection – but are the MACximal Silky Matte Lipsticks any good? Swatches from top to bottom – 603 Diva, 660 Avant Garnet, 675 Over-Statement, 612 Russian Red, 686 Lipstick Snob. Promising full coverage and pigment rich colour, the brand new MACximal Silky Matte Lipsticks also condition and nourish the lips, with a silkier, smoother texture than before – they feature a creamy blend of coconut oil, organic shea butter and organic cocoa butter that conditions and nourishes lips, without feathering, bleeding, flaking or fading, for up to 12 hours. Are the MACximal Silky Matte Lipsticks worth purchasing? In my opinion, yes they are! The new formula is SO good! They still have the amazing pigmentation we love and expect from MAC, but the improved formula is so much better than before. Dry matte lips be gone! The MACximal Silky Matte Lipsticks really have more of a satin-matte finish than a full on matte. You can see on my swatches above that they have a very slight sheen. I should also mention, these are weighty products! The packaging feels sturdy, heavy and just very good quality. If you’re looking for a true ‘flat’ matte finish, MAC still have their Retro Matte range available in their liquid lipstick formula, and not forgetting the Powder Kiss collection too. The MACximal Silky Matte lipsticks are £25 and available at MAC Cosmetics now. Comments comments
The TSNC Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2024 - Thou Shalt Not Covet...
The 2024 TSNC Valentine’s Day Gift guide is finally here – enjoy! Liquid London Pheromone Fragrances Let’s start things off today with what I think is one of the more interesting items in my gift guide. If you haven’t heard of pheromone fragrances, essentially these scents are created to blend with your natural pheromones to boost your sex appeal and make you irresistible! I find the concept really interesting, and while it’s not exactly possible to prove these fragrances actually work, I can tell you I really enjoyed the wonderfully juicy, fruity scent of the female fragrance Liquid London offers, and my husband loved it on me too! Liquid London offer three fragrance options, for him, for her and for everyone – For Him – Notes: Pepper. Bergamot. Rose. Mint. Sandalwood. Vetiver. For Her – Notes: Mango. Bergamot. Jasmine. Olibanum. Vanilla. Sandalwood. For Everyone – Notes: Juniper. Lemon. Bergamot. Pepper. Pine needles. Incense. Orris Root. Vanilla. Sandalwood. Amber. Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oils Everyone and their nan is raving about Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oils which have recently launched. Available in four wearable shades, the Dream Lip Oils are packed full of skin loving ingredients, including a blend of nine moisturising plant-based oils and hydrating plant-derived vegan collagen, leaving lips feeling smooth and supple, with a hint of colour. Parfums de Marly Delina EDP I’ve really been loving Delina lately, this is one of those fragrances that I can’t get enough of and always end up going back to. Delina is a beautifully bright and juicy scent, opening with tart notes of lychee and rhubarb blended with sparkling bergamot and nutmeg. The heart includes beautiful floral notes of Turkish rose, lily of the valley and peony, leading to a smooth base of cashmeran, musk, vetiver and vanilla. After a while the top notes subside, leaving you with a bouquet of intense fresh roses layered over a smooth cashmere base – it really is so pretty, and it has great lasting power too! Beauty Bay Reckless Romance 20 Colour Palette The brand new Beauty Bay Reckless Romance Eyeshadow palette is just stunning! Including 20 matte and shimmer shades from grungy greys to pops of berry. Reckless Romance is giving dark, sultry, gothic energy, with a romantic vibe – I’m just in love with the colour story! Astrid & Miyu Heart Signet Ring Of course I had to include a jewellery item for Valentine’s Day. The beautifully simple Heart Signet Ring from Astrid & Miyu is made from 18k gold plated sterling silver, I think it’s really simple and pretty. The Merchant of Venice Red Potion EDP I recently tried a few fragrances from The Merchant of Venice, and fell in love with the brand. Red Potion is a warm floral fragrance opening with a caramelised accord of golden immortelle, paired with bright facets of orange, tagete, and a tangy blend of florals including orange flower, rosemary and sweet honeysuckle. The warm scent clings to the skin, revealing an inviting base of creamy tonka bean, blended with sharp lichen, and a woody sandalwood accord. Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Who wouldn’t want a luxurious Dior product for Valentine’s Day? The Dior Addict Lip Maximizer is Dior’s iconic, must-have gloss, providing hydrating and plumping lip care with a maximum volume effect. It’s infused with cherry oil and hyaluronic acid, leaving lips looking glossy, visibly smoothed and plumped. Dior Addict Lip Maximizer is now available in intense, holographic and shimmering versions too. Gucci Blush de Beaute Cheeks & Eyes Powder Gucci really does come up with the prettiest beauty products. I have my eye on their Gucci Blush De Beauté – the House’s first powder blush. Available in many shades, this multi-use product can be worn on the cheeks and eyes. It’s easily buildable so you can go from a light flush of colour to an intense and daring look in no time. Tom Ford Soleil Niege Sunlit Rose Lip Balm It doesn’t get much more luxurious than Tom Ford where it comes to beauty. The Tom Ford Sunlit Rose Lip Balm provides immediate moisture and shine while giving a sheer-to-pink plump look. The balm lavishes lips in decadent sheer moisture, and then delivers a sultry pink hue that complements your natural lip colour. Diptyque Baies & Roses Candle Duo I absolutely love Diptyque candles, and fans of the brand will be excited to get their hands on this gorgeous limited edition set. This valentine’s duo features a harmony of flowers and leaves, combining the tangy green accents of Baies (Berries) with the floral notes of Roses. Charbonnel et Walker Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles What could be a better gift for Valentine’s Day than champagne truffles!? This beautiful gift box is filled with iconic Pink Marc de Champagne chocolate Truffles. These tasty treats feature a luxurious white chocolate truffle with a hint of strawberry, and a creamy milk chocolate Marc de Champagne centre, rolled in powdered sugar for an extra touch of elegance. (These are also suitable for vegetarians) YSL Libre EDP Gift Set Last but not least, YSL Libre is one of my favourite fragrance ranges, and this Libre gift set would make a fantastic Valentine’s gift. (You can find out more about the Libre fragrance collection here). This lovely gift set includes a 50ml bottle of the original Libre fragrance with a travel size Libre fragrance and a red compact YSL mirror. Comments comments
Akro Rise: The Perfect Fruity Pick-Me-Up Fragrance - Thou Shalt Not Covet...
Autumn winter might seem a pretty strange time to launch a fruity, summery scent. However when you think about it, it does make perfect sense. If you’re fed up with the dark mornings and cold weather and longing for warmer days, beach holidays and sun tans, then maybe a summery, joyful scent is just the thing you need! Akro’s latest fragrance launch, Rise, is exactly what you need to take to back to summer – think white sandy beaches lined with coconut trees, cocktails and fun in the sun. ‘RISE is informed by unforgettable summer nights drinking Pina Colada’s on faraway beaches, or exploring the city in search of new experiences and sensations. With notes of fresh coconut water, juicy pineapple and added depth from creamy sandalwood – RISE is a fragrance designed to transport you back to those magical summer moments, perfect for whenever you’re in need of a winter pick-me-up. – Akro.If Rise was a drink it would be a gorgeously fruity Pina colada, if it was a food, it would be a huge platter of tropical fruit – with emphasis on the main note, juicy pineapple. Akro Rise is the perfect mood-boosting pick-me-up scent, I love it! Top Notes: Coconut Water Heart Notes: Pina Colada, Toffee & Tiare Flower Base Notes: Ambrox & Sandalwood Akro Rise is available now at Lookfantastic, Harrods and Akro. Comments comments
The TSNC Christmas Drinks Guide 2023! - Thou Shalt Not Covet...
Christmas is just around the corner, and it’s finally time to share my annual TSNC Christmas Drinks Gift guide! This year I have a lovely selection of alcoholic drinks, as well as an alcohol-free spirit option to share with you – enjoy!Starting with my only non-alcohol option this year, CleanCo Clean R Non Alcoholic Rum is a bronze award winning drink in the International Wines and Spirits Competition 2021. Created by Spencer Matthews (from Made in Chelsea fame) Clean Co is described as a drink ‘not to preach about alcohol consumption, but to give you a choice when mixing a drink, without compromising on taste or social experience’. Clean R is a non-alcoholic Spiced Caribbean Rum, with no sugar or sweeteners, and only 12 calories per 50ml serving. Big flavoured Jamaican rum is mixed with Clean Co’s secretly guarded blend of spices. This boldly flavoured distillate is combined with other ingredients to create the finished non-alcoholic spirit. Warming spice, golden caramel and cayenne pepper make this a wonderfully delicious alcohol-free option.On the topic of rum, I also have the lovely Mermaid Spiced Rum – I love Mermaid drinks, and not just because their bottles are gorgeous! Mermaid Spiced Rum is created by the Isle of Wight Distillery, with a blend of aged sugar cane and molasses rum from Trinidad and the Dominican Republic. The drink is then infused with a whole host of botanicals from the Isle of Wight, including rock samphire, white cherry, apricot, honey, black salt, and warming spices, including local holy grass, cassia and vanilla. Mermaid Spiced Rum really is a beautiful premium rum, perfect for sharing with friends this Christmas.Continuing with spirits, if you’re a gin fan, Golden Road Premium Dry Gin needs to be on your radar this winter. Golden Road Gin is a premium small-batch gin handcrafted in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Inspired by the Golden Road trade routes across the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire, this fantastic gin is made with the finest blend of botanicals, including juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, orris root, lemon peel, and orange peel, which are carefully selected for their quality and flavour. Golden Road gin is distilled in a traditional copper still, resulting in a very smooth, well- rounded, and complex spirit, with a classic juniper flavour perfectly balanced with citrus and floral notes. This is definitely one to try for gin lovers!If you’re more or a vodka fan, then Kavka Tokaji Cask Aged Vodka should definitely be on your radar. Kavka Vodka is an award winning classic Polish vodka hailing from western Poland. This limited batch drink is created using traditional production techniques that date back to the 18th century. By ageing the vodka in Tokaji casks, it gains an additional richness and depth of flavour, oak and sweetness with underlying fruit notes. This 100% natural ingredient vodka combines premium Polish ingredients including wheat spirits with small amounts of aged apple and plum, giving it a lovely fruity undertone. For the wine lovers, Van Hunks Brut Sparkling Wine is definitely worth checking out. Created in South Africa, Van Hunks is a sparkling drinks brand inspired by the legend of Jan Van Hunks – ‘a man with a spirit for adventure. Pipe packed and drink in hand, he’d stroll through the Fynbos and scale the sandstone mountain cliffs in search of the perfect perch. Often he’d run into unexpected adventures. But on quieter days, he’d simply kick back and relax on the edge of Table Mountain and contemplate the world down below.’ Hand crafted using a traditional methods from the South African Cape, Van Hunks Brut Sparkling Wine is bottle fermented in small batches. Dry and aromatic, this wine is smooth, bold and just delightful.For something a little different, how about some premium Japanese liqueurs? The Choya Extra Series Mini Set includes 3x 50ml bottles, perfect for trying the brand. Choya was founded by the Kondo family in 1914, and their mission is to produce and promote only the finest Umeshu – this is a Japanese liqueur made by steeping ume plums, while still unripe and green, in liquor and sugar, giving a sweet, sour taste. Extra Years – This Umeshu is aged for longer – extra years – to ensure that essential ingredients are fully extracted from the ume fruit. Extra Years includes notes of almond and marzipan which are balanced by a natural vibrant acidity. This is perfect for creating a range of cocktails including Choya Kamikaze or the Choya Mojito. Royal Honey – This Fruit Liqueur is made with all natural honey. With notes of almond from the ume pit, you get a beautifully balanced sweet and tart taste of the ume fruit. This one is great for making cocktails including Choya Golden Bridge or the Choya Honey & Champagne. Extra Shiso – The Japanese Red Shiso Leaves provide an exceptional bitter, herbaceous taste to contrast the initial sweetness of marzipan and almond. This one is aged for 2 to 3 years to provide the best possible taste. You can make cocktails including Choya Red & Champagne or the Choya Sunrise with this one.For those that love cocktails, The Cocktail Society Tommy’s Spicy Margarita Cocktail is a fantastic ready made cocktail, created with premium ingredients. Offering the perfect blend of sweet, tart, and spicy, Tommy’s Spicy Margarita Cocktail is made with 100% agave Aqua Riva Reposado, lime juice, and infused with two varieties of fresh chilli. This margarita is an absolutely stunning cocktail, and each bottle contains 5 servings, perfect to serve this Christmas.Continuing with pre-bottled cocktails, Pergola Drinks have two fantastic options available – Sunset is an adaptation of the Tequila Sunrise. This margarita combines tequila with cognac and a blend of orange and lime juices, giving you a fruitier style margarita. Poolside is a Classic Margarita with a twist. This cocktail infuses yuzu and mint to create a drink that is the perfect pairing to spicy foods and salty snacks. It also includes blue curacao giving the drink a beautiful blue colour. These […]
The TSNC Christmas Gift Guide 2023: Beauty & Fragrance Gift Sets! - Thou Shalt Not Covet...
In today’s gift guide, I have a wonderful selection of beauty gift sets to share with you – I’ve included fragrance, skincare, makeup, and even a couple of lovely candles, and I’ve made to ensure there’s a mixture of treats here to cover a variety of budgets – enjoy! Kicking things off with fragrance, the Jimmy Choo Rose Passion Set includes the latest launch from Jimmy Choo. Rose Passion is described as a joyous ode to the optimism and vivacious allure of the free-spirited modern woman, living and loving life on her own terms… The Fragrance opens with fresh coconut water and rich exotic frangipani. The heart notes celebrate femininity with a pairing of orchids and seductive jasmine, while sandalwood and exotic vanilla then create a heady and captivating trail at the base. This lovely set Contains a Jimmy Choo Rose Passion Eau de Parfum Spray 60ml and a Jimmy Choo Rose Passion Eau de Parfum Body Lotion 100ml.Versace also have some amazing gift sets this year. The Versace Dylan Purple Gift Set would make a lovely gift for fans of the brand. Dylan Purple is a fruity floral scent, bursting with juicy fruits and floral notes. Radiant and uplifting, the fragrance opens with notes of sparkling bergamot, zesty orange and juicy pear. The floral heart includes notes of purple freesia, fruity Pomarose and fresh Mahonial, leading to a musky, woody dry down, including Belambre, Ambrofix, Iso E Super, Cedarwood Virginia Orpur and Sylkolide. This is such a fun and playful fragrance, it’s my favourite from the Dylan line! The Versace Dylan Purple Eau de Parfum 50ml gift set contains 50ml fragrance, 50ml shower gel and 50ml body lotion. Brazilian fragrance brand Granado have launched some lovely crackers this year – the Granado Infusao Botanica Cracker is beautifully decorated with tropical birds and includes a mini 25ml fragrance with a matching 50g hand cream. Infusao Botanica is an invigorating scent that’s fresh, woody and slightly spicy, with a distinct greenness, aromatic notes, cashmere and musk. The hand cream has 93% ingredients of natural origin, as well as being enriched with Brazil nut, sweet almond and grape vegetable oils, which have powerful moisturising, humectant and emollient properties.I know they’re not exactly gift sets, but I had to include a couple of gorgeous candles! The C.O Bigelow Citrea Candle is a beautiful citrus scented candle, perfect for those that enjoy fresh and invigorating scents. C.O. Bigelow pure soy candles are crafted using environmentally sustainable GMO-Free Soybeans and enviro-safe cotton wicks, and their candles are created with fragrance oils inspired by the brand’s historic archives dating back to 1838. The Citrea candle is inspired by the brand’s Lemon Body Cream recipe from 1870 – and their lemon fragrance remains a best-seller for the brand to date! I’m also in love with the Nest New York Holiday Candle. This is a candle that literally smells like Christmas! Created with a blend of pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, cloves, and cinnamon with a hint of vanilla and amber, the Nest New York Holiday Candle is the perfect candle to scent your space with, for the most beautiful festive aroma. This candle is meticulously crafted with a premium wax, formulated so the candle burns cleanly and evenly and infuses a room with exceptional scent.Moving on to skincare. The Byoma So Clear Set is a fantastic skincare set for those looking for something affordable. So Clear Kit combines three smaller versions of the brand’s best selling products – The Cream Jelly Cleanser 30ml is brimming with Byoma’s signature Tri-Ceramide Complex, antioxidant-rich licorice root and green tea extract, to effectively break down dirt, debris, excess oil and make up whilst keeping the skin barrier intact. There’s also a Clarifying Serum 15ml, featuring blue tansy, PHAs and zinc to balance and support spot-prone skin, promoting a calmer, clearer complexion. And finally the Moisturising Gel Cream 15ml, which is a deliciously creamy gel-like moisturiser that instantly absorbs into thirsty skin, thanks to ceramides, superstar actives, niacinamide and green tea.For K Beauty fans, the Innisfree Hydrate & Glow Set could make for the perfect gift. Including everything you need for beautiful hydrated skin this winter. The set includes a Green Tea Hydrating Amino Acid Cleansing Foam 30ml, Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Serum and a Dewy Glow Jelly Cream 50ml.Those with sensitive skin might enjoy the First Aid Beauty Brighten & Hydrate Set – this value set features sensitive skin-friendly essentials formulated to cleanse, brighten and hydrate. The set contains an Ultra Repair Cream 113g, which is a fast-absorbing, rich, hydrating moisturiser, for instant and long-term relief for dry, distressed skin. The Facial Radiance Pads x 28 are sensitive skin-friendly and gently exfoliate with a blend of AHAs designed for daily use to help brighten, smooth and prep skin for makeup. The Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Eye Cream 15ml is an illuminating eye cream that instantly brightens, hydrates and smooths the eye area while helping to reduce the appearance of dark circles over time, and the Pure Skin Face Cleanser 56.7g is a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser that’s safe for sensitive skin and effectively removes makeup, dirt, and impurities, leaving skin soft and supple.I also have the Kat Burki Vitamin C Daily Duo – this wonderful set includes two of Kat Burki’s best selling products, plus, a 3-D facial cloth. The set contains: Vitamin C Nourishing Cleansing Balm 30ml – this is an antioxidant-rich face cleanser that calms the skin as it brightens and protects. The balm is infused with Kat Burki’s proprietary KB5 Complex, to immediately address inflammation. It also includes 8% encapsulated Vitamin C to brighten and protect skin from oxidative stress, and seven cold-pressed oils to help calm inflammation, boost collagen production, and retain moisture. Vitamin C Intensive Face Cream 30ml – this lightweight and luxurious Vitamin C Intensive Face Cream glides onto skin and provides deep nourishment to help support collagen production while brightening, smoothing and firming. Featuring 15% Vitamin C, it calms and heals while delivering powerful benefits and protecting against free radical […]
The TSNC Christmas Gift Guide 2023: Beauty Stocking Fillers! - Thou Shalt Not Covet...
It’s December which means it’s Gift Guide time! My first guide includes a fabulous selection of beauty stocking fillers. I’ve included products from a large range of brands covering a variety of budgets – enjoy!Charlotte Tilbury have an amazing selection of Christmas gifts available this year. The Collagen Lip Bath Icons Kit includes 3x 2.6ml mini Collagen Lip Bath Glosses in shades Walk of No Shame, high-shine sheer berry, Pillow Talk, a sheer nude-pink, and Refresh Rose, the original, iconic, clear high-shine lip gloss. And if you love the look of Charlotte Tilbury’s mini gift sets, (aka trinkets) this year, you can grab a set of three with a discount! The Magic Trio of Trinkets includes a Mini Matte Revolution lipstick in Pillow Talk Original (1.5g) Travel-Sized Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! mascara (4ml) and a Travel-Sized Charlotte’s Magic Cream (15ml). Each trinket has a hook on top so you can even hang them from your tree!For nails, Earthy Nail Polish offers a selection of environmentally aware nail products using natural origin and bio-sourced materials, with sustainable packaging. Above I have a couple of treatment products – the Berry Oil and Nail Strengthener, as well as a couple of their newest shades, Bordeaux and Forever Green. The Berry Oil is a 70% natural origin and biosourced cuticle oil. It locks in hydration and provides deep nourishment to the cuticle and nail area. And the Earthy Strengthener is 72% Natural Origin and 80% bio-sourced. It contains bamboo extract to help restructure the nails’ keratin, and vitamin E to help provide stronger, healthier nails.Who wouldn’t love to find some luxury beauty products in their stocking this Christmas? The Tom Ford Satin Matte Lip Color Lipstick in Intimate Rose offers full coverage lip colour in a single stroke. It has a lightweight and long wearing formula infused with nourishing ingredients including soja seed extract, Brazilian murmuru butter and rosehip seed oil, to help smooth and nourish lips, plumping them with moisture to help create the ultimate voluptuous look. The Charlotte Tilbury Rocket Lips Duo are a pair of brand new, limited edition K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipsticks, featuring shades, Ready for Lust, a deep berry-red, and Rocket Girl, a cool nude pink. Each lipstick is presented in a fun, star print tube, and features Charlotte Tilbury’s favourite moisturising K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipstick formula.How about the beautiful YSL Couture Mini Clutch Palette in 500 Medina Glow? This eyeshadow palette looks so gorgeous, I’m obsessed with the leather-look packaging! There are six nude shade options available, and I have Medina Glow, which includes four gorgeous pinkish tones. The eyeshadow formula is smooth and highly pigmented, and it’s also enriched with precious oils for a weightless feel, including coffee seed oil, sweet almond oil and fig cactus oil.If you’re looking for longer, more luscious lashes, the Hairgredients Lash Oil would be perfect. This lash oil contains nine key nutrient-rich ingredients to nourish, strengthen and lengthen each individual lash, with just one sweep per day. This oil helps condition and strengthen the lashes, while hydrating and promoting growth.The Nudestix Hydra Peptide Lip Butters are perfect for anyone that loves super hydrating lip products. They include avocado and shea butters for moisture and hydration, and peptide complex to enhance lip volume up to 15%. Fans of Lancome will love the new Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Serum Concealer – available in 24 shades, this concealer offers medium buildable coverage. Enriched with 81% glow-boosting skincare serum with Ceramides and Hyaluronic acid, Lancome provides an ultra-caring formula that is gentle on the skin, perfect for all skin types, including dry, oily and sensitive skin.. The Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Blush in Nearly Rose is such a beautiful shade. This is a cream blush that won’t cake, crease or clog pores. Giving a natural looking flush to the skin, the Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Blush offers a lightweight formula combines spherical powders together with pigments and a blend of non-greasy and weightless oils. This cream blush is easy to work with and it melts into the skin on contact to help provide a smooth, satin finish.Huda Beauty’s latest launches would make wonderful gifts for fans of the brand. The Huda Beauty Pretty Grunge Eyeshadow Palette features a selection of beautiful matte and shimmer shades in cool, neutral tones. The formula is intensely pigmented, super smooth, and easy to work with on the eyes – perfect for creating a multitude of looks this winter. And the Huda Pretty Grunge Blush Gloss – this is such a fun product. Created with colour changing properties, this gel blush gloss starts off clear, but adapts to your skin tone to give a subtle glowing blush look to your complexion. It’s creamy, lightweight and non-sticky.The Stila Red-y to Rumble Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick Duo includes two travel size Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks in gorgeous red shades, perfect for Christmas. The finish is a full coverage, lightweight, and velvety matt. The set includes shades Beso, Stila’s iconic true red, and Rubino, a beautiful ruby red. The Mac Fizzy Feels Lip Balm is such a wonderfully festive lip balm. This limited edition product features a smooth, lightweight texture, pearlescent sparkle and a pH-reactive formula. I also had to include the beautiful Chantecaille Brilliant Lip Gloss in Blithe and Lip Cristal in Rose Quartz Chantecaille’s Precious Metal holiday collection is just stunning, and any beauty lover would becthrilled to find these products in their stocking on Christmas morning. The Lip Gloss in Blithe is a hydrating, high-shine lip gloss enriched with Green Tea, and the Lip Cristal in Rose Quartz ia a dazzling, pearl-infused shimmer lipstick that delivers smooth, comfortable colour with maximum metallic shine. The Rare Beauty Kind Words Lipstick in Worthy is also such a beautiful lip product. This long wearing lipstick nourishes and moisturises the lips, whilst offering a full coverage, matte finish. The Kind Words lipstick has a comfortable, pigment-rich formula that doesn’t leave lips feeling dry, and won’t feather or budge, whilst lasting for hours on […]
Carine Roitfeld Forgive Me Fragrance Review - Thou Shalt Not Covet...
My first experience with Carine Roitfeld fragrances is the brand’s latest launch, Forgive Me. I’ve been wanting to try Carine Roitfeld fragrances for a while so I was excited to find out what was in store with Forgive Me. Inspired by her daughter Julia, Carine Roitfeld teamed up with famous French perfumer Dominique Ropion to create her latest scent – “Forgive me is a timeless perfume with allure and intensity. It is wild , bold, almost irreverent like a black bouquet of voluptuous white flowers. It’s a fragrance expressing feelings duality, passion, irresistible attraction as well as unexpected urge to escape.” Firstly let’s take a look at the bottle. I love the intense purple colour – to me at least it implies a bold and daring scent. But does the fragrance inside live up to its striking packaging? I love how the bottle feels ergonomic to hold, whilst also being aesthetically pleasing, and the heavy, magnetised lid offers an additional luxurious touch. Forgive Me opens with notes of tangerine, pink pepper and orange blossom, or so I’m told, as interestingly I don’t really pick up on any of these notes specifically, maybe a hint of pink pepper, but my initial impression is this is a very well blended fragrance, it’s intense, heady, and heavy, projecting what can only be described as a huge bouquet of white flowers and woody patchouli. After a while, often in scent the top notes will start to disappear, but I feel the notes don’t really change in Forgive Me, however the scent definitely intensifies. This is a fragrance that’s heavy on the white flowers, they bloom and envelop you in heady notes of tuberose, ylang ylang and gardenia through the longevity of the scent. There’s something quite indolic about these florals, they demand attention and have an almost animalic element to them. The base notes are very apparent too, especially patchouli, giving the fragrance an added layer of richness. I have to say Forgive Me really is a powerhouse of a fragrance, and it’s this intensity that gives Forgive Me an edge. This is a perfume not for the faint of heart. Forgive Me is seductive, dark and voluptuous, and I find it incredibly addictive. I’d say this is definitely more of a feminine leaning scent, it feels thick and all enveloping. There’s an underlying darkness here, something slightly off – but not in a bad way, it’s incredibly alluring. This is a scent that’s intriguing, captivating and really a must try if you love heavy white florals. Top Notes: Tangerine, Pink Pepper & Orange Blossom Heart Notes: Tuberose, Ylang Ylang & Gardenia Base Notes: Patchouli, Cashmeran, Olibanum & Labdanum Carine Roitfeld Forgive Me is available now at Harrods and carineroitfeld.com Comments comments
The Lookfantastic Christmas Present Limited Edition Box - Thou Shalt Not Covet...
Happy Monday Friends! Today I have the wonderful Lookfantastic Christmas Present Limited Edition Box 2023 to share with you! This fantastic box of goodies contains seven Lookfantastic beauty picks, with five of them being full size products. The contents are worth over £150, but can be yours for just £50! Here’s what’s in the box – Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer 200ml (full-size) – worth £24 Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist 30ml (deluxe size) – worth £10 EVE LOM Foaming Cream Cleanser 120ml (full-size) – worth £50 Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Body Scrub 300g (full-size) – worth £18.90 Shiseido Ultimune Eye Concentrate 3ml (deluxe size) – worth £10 bareMinerals Maximist Volumizing Phyto-Fiber Mascara 9ml (full-size) – worth £23 West Barn Co Soap Brows and Spoolie 25g (full-size) – worth £15 I’m so impressed with the products here – I’m particularly excited about the Eve Lom Cleanser, bareMinerals Mascara and Rituals Body Scrub, I can’t wait to try these out! You can purchase the Lookfantastic Christmas Present Box now at Lookfantastic. Comments comments
Testing a Full Skincare Routine with Paula's Choice - Thou Shalt Not Covet...
I’ve recently been trying out a full skincare regime from science-backed skincare brand, Paula’s Choice. I haven’t used Paula’s Choice products for a while now, so I was excited to be given the opportunity to try them and share my thoughts with you. I went through the site carefully to choose a routine I thought would be best for my skin type. My skin has been a bit all over the place recently, with it sometimes being dry in areas, sometimes combination, and it can also be sensitive on occasion, so I decided to go with some products from the Calm range for sensitive skin, as well as a few others that sounded like they would be perfect for me. Also, from now until 27th November, there’s 20% off the entire site, plus a free mini product when you spend over £55! And – a limited edition gold cap FULL SIZE Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant when spending £85 or more! Let’s take a look at the products –Starting with the Calm collection products – the Calm Ultra Gentle Cleanser, as I’m sure you can guess, is designed specifically for sensitive skin. It promises to remove makeup and impurities, whilst protecting the skin’s barrier – and it does just that. It has a soothing formula created with a new and improved blend of extra mild surfactants to melt away makeup and impurities, whilst looking after your skin. The formula includes soothing triglycerides and hydrating glycerine to leave a silky-soft finish while prebiotic sugars support skin’s microbiome to help sensitivity over time. This is a fantastic cleanser, it does the job, cleanses skin well and removes makeup, without leaving skin feeling dry or tight. The Calm Nourishing Milky Toner is another product with a new and improved formula. This light, milky toner has a gently formula created specifically for sensitive and rosacea prone skin. It includes Ophiopogum Japonicus root to supports the skin’s microbiome and barrier to help prevent signs of sensitivity while Marshmallow root shields skin from irritants and provides emollient and skin-healing benefits. The toner aims to soothe and hydrate, whilst calming redness and strengthening the skin’s barrier to help prevent future sensitivity. I’m a big fan of milky toners, my skin just loves these, and the Calm Nourishing Milky Toner is now one of my favourites! It leaves my skin feeling really soothed, calm and soft, I love this. The Calm 1% Sensitive Skin BHA Exfoliant is a gentle, non abrasive, leave-on exfoliant, that’s perfect for sensitive skin. Another product with a new and improved formula, this hydrating exfoliator is packed with skin-soothing ingredients that target the underlying causes of sensitivity. The Calm 1% Sensitive Skin BHA Exfoliant smooths away build-up and unclogs pores while preserving the skin’s delicate barrier. It also visibly refines pores, soothes skin and reduces redness. Another winner here, my skin can be sensitive to exfoliators so I do have to be careful, but I had no problems with this one. It left my skin feeling smooth, clean and refreshed. The last of the Calm range I have is the Calm Repairing Serum – this award winning serum is packed full of antioxidants and skin-replenishing ingredients to immediately soothe sensitive skin, visibly calms redness, hydrate the skin and fortify skin’s barrier against irritation. Its concentrated anti-ageing formula also promises to minimise the appearance of wrinkles, leaving skin soft, hydrated and calmed. I love a good, effective serum, and my skin just loves the Calm Repairing Serum, it leaves my complexion feeling super nourished and hydrated.I also have the Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster – I’m sure fans of Paula’s Choice will be well aware of this one. The Pro-Collagen Multi Peptide Booster is suitable for all skin types, and the perfect choice for targeting fine lines and wrinkles. Promising to visibly smooth fine lines in 15 minutes, and clinically proven to visibly firm, plump & reduce wrinkles in 4 weeks, the Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster rebuilds, strengthens and firms the skin on a deeper level with the latest in peptide technology. I can’t tell you how much I love this! I’m approaching 40 now and I do have a few fine lines, I’m amazed with how the Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster really does help them appear smoother and make my skin look more radiant. I’m really hoping to see even more improved results the longer I use this!The Ceramide-Enriched Firming Eye Cream contains 5 skin- identical ceramides, 4 types of vitamin C and 0.01% retinol, together called the CollagenSupport Complex, to moisturise and strengthen the delicate skin around the eyes, whilst visibly reducing fine lines, leaving skin firmer, more radiant and healthy looking. This cream is perfect for all skin types, and also helps improve skin’s tone and texture. This eye cream feels soothing and hydrating on the eye area, you only need a tiny amount – I haven’t been using this long and I can already tell my eye area is starting to feel more nourished and look slightly brighter!The Resist Youth Extending Daily hydration Fluid SPF 50 is the perfect multi-tasking moisturiser for those with normal to dry skin. The anti-ageing formula contains shea butter to leave skin soft and hydrated, as well as tone-improving ingredients including niacinamide and liquorice, to give more even-toned and younger-looking skin, whilst SPF50 protects skin from premature signs of ageing and sun damage. I love how hydrating this moisturiser is, it has a light, liquid consistency and I also have to mention it doesn’t leave a white cast, like you can get with some sunscreens. And finally, the Hyaluronic Acid + Peptide Lip Booster – this anti-ageing lip treatment includes hyaluronic acid filling spheres, which work like a sponge to hold moisture and expand it to improve lip volume, as well as firming peptides help to reduce fine lines, and squalane to reduce moisture loss. This powerful blend of advanced ingredients counteract thinning, loss of volume, and fine lines, to keep lips looking youthful for longer. I love […]
Over 50% off Foreo Products in the Black Friday Sale! - Thou Shalt Not Covet...
Black Friday deals have already started at FOREO, and they have some truly amazing offers on right now! If you’ve been thinking of treating yourself to something from FOREO, now’s the time! They have some fantastic Black Friday deals on, in what is quite literally their biggest sale of the year. With up to 53% off certain products, this is a sale not to be missed. This is the perfect time to stock up on your favourite products, try something new, or of course, get stuck in with some early Christmas shopping! I’ve used many FOREO products in the past, and I’ve always been impressed with them. I now have the BEAR 2 Microcurrent Toning Device + Serum Kit – which has an amazing 30% off right now! Described as a safe, painless, non-invasive alternative to surgery, the BEAR 2 is clinically proven to significantly improve wrinkles, skin firmness and elasticity in just 1 week. The BEAR 2 is designed to tone the muscles in your face and neck (all 69 of them) leaving you with a beautifully contoured and firm complexion. The BEAR 2 device uses up to 680 uA of microcurrent to tone the face and neck muscles. Microcurrent has been shown to increase the production of collagen and elastin, to firm skin and combat fine lines & wrinkles, and T-Sonic massage improves lymphatic drainage, which helps to reduce fluid retention and eliminate toxins, decreasing puffiness. The BEAR 2 stimulates microcirculation and plumps skin by delivering oxygen and essential nutrients to cells, to accelerate the skin renewal process, fade pigmentation, and boost radiance. This device has been clinically proven to significantly improve skin firmness and elasticity, and deep wrinkles and fine lines in just 1 week. And over 90% of users reported improvement in pigmentation and the appearance of pores, puffiness and sagging, as well as advising their skin looks healthier, younger, brighter, plumper & more nourished, and cheekbones look more lifted – amazing!And here’s some info about the Supercharged Serum 2.0 which comes in the set – This luxurious youth-preserving formula combines the power of Hyaluronic Acid, Electrolytes, Ceramides, and Squalane to firm, renew, and replenish skin – leaving you with a timeless radiance. Developed specifically for use with FOREO’s microcurrent devices, FOREO Supercharged Serum 2.0 is the key to getting the most out of your favourite skin-tech treatments. Clinically proven to significantly increase collagen production. Clinically proven to boost skin moisture by 46% in 2 hours. Formula with innovative Electrolytes Complex for increased microcurrent transfer. Nourishing formula with 5 Hyaluronic Acids, Squalane, Vitamin E, Ceramides, Amino Acids, and Panthenol. Pairs perfectly with microcurrent devices – such as FOREO’S BEAR and LUNA plus devices. You can also save 50% on the UFO 2 Anti-Ageing Facial Device And there’s a massive 53% off the Iris 2 Rejuvenating Eye Massager too! Foreo have confirmed these are the best deals they will have all year! Had over to FOREO.com now to check them out x Comments comments
Ladies Designer Fragrances Everyone Should Own - Thou Shalt Not Covet...
Is is too early to talk about Christmas? Today I’ve gathered together five beautiful designer women’s fragrances that I believe everyone should own, or at least try! They would all make wonderful Christmas gifts for fragrance lovers. Most are classic and well loved scents, but I’ve also included a brand new release from Chloe that I’ve been enjoying recently.YSL Libre YSL launched their original Libre fragrance only a few years ago in 2019, and it’s soon become one of the most popular designer ladies fragrances (as well as it’s flankers) Described as ‘the fragrance of freedom’, Libre cleverly balances masculine and feminine notes to create a beautifully wearable, sweet lavender scent. Libre feels striking and indulgent, with notes of orange blossom, lavender and vanilla – I don’t think you’ll find another fragrance similar to this. Libre is a compelling scent that will definitely get you noticed, with a distinctive lavender note, traditionally used in masculine scents, which has been given a unique, feminine twist with the addition of orange blossom. Top Notes: Mandarin oil, Petit grain oil, Lavandine France oil & Blackcurrant accord Heart Notes: Lavender oil, Jasmine Sambac absolute, Jasmine Grandiflorum India absolute & Orange Flower Absolute Base Notes: Vanilla Extract Madagascar, Cedarwood Oil, Ambergris Accord & Muscs If you’re interested in hearing more about the Libre range of fragrances, check out my writeup on of the YSL Libre collection.Prada Paradoxe Paradoxe was a brand new launch for Prada in 2022, and the brand has also recently launched Paradoxe Intense which is on my wish list! The original Paradoxe fragrance, based on the theme of self-expression. Paradoxe is a floral amber scent, opening with fresh bergamot, juicy tangerine and pear. The heart of light, crisp neroli, blends with floral notes of orange flower and sensual jasmine, leading to a base of amber accords blended with a new musk molecule, Serenolide, giving vibrant warmth and depth to the scent. Paradoxe is and all-round fantastic fragrance, it’s feminine and sensuous, yet still fun and playful. It’s a crowd-pleaser than many will enjoy, and would make a fantastic Christmas gift. Top Notes: Bergamot, Tangerine & Pear Heart Notes: Neroli Essence and Neroli Bud Essence, Tunisian Orange Flower Heart Absolute Blossom & Jasmine Sambac Absolute Base Notes: Amber Accord (Ambrofix™), Laos Benzoin Resinoid, Madagascar Premium Bourbon Vanilla Infusion & White Musk Accord (Serenolide™) Armani Si EDP Armani Si is such a beautiful classic designer fragrance. First launched in 2013, there are now many flankers in the Si line. The original Is however, is a beautiful Chypre fragrance. Modern and sultry, the scent opens with bright and sparkling notes bergamot, juicy mandarin oil and blackcurrant liqueur, leading to a floral heart of rose de mai absolute, freesia and jasmine. The base includes woods, patchouli, amber, musk and vanilla, for a beautifully sweet dry down. Top Notes: Blackcurrant Liqueur Heart Notes: Rose de mai Absolute & Freesia Base Notes: Patchouli & Oakmoss Miss Dior (2021) If you’re wondering why there’s 2021 is in the title, it’s because Dior have launched many Miss Dior fragrances over the years, which are similar to each other, but not the same. The latest Miss Dior flanker from 2021 is really lovely. This is definitely a scent for floral lovers. The opening of Miss Dior 2021 is sweet and tart, straight away you notice the floral notes of peony, iris and lily of the valley, blended with fruity juicy notes of peach and apricot. You also pick up a hint of what’s to come in the dry down, with vanilla and tonka noticeable from first sniff. As the fragrance settles, you experience the smooth, warm base notes of vanilla, benzoin, tonka, and sandalwood, with a hint of musk. Top Notes: Lily of the Valley, Peony & Iris Heart Notes: Apricot, Rose & Peach Base Notes: Musk, Vanilla, Benzoin, Tonka Bean & Sandalwood If you want to find out more about the different Miss Dior fragrances, head over to the Fragrantica site for all the details.Chloe L’Eau Lumineuse And finally, I also had to include the latest launch from Chloe, L’eau Lumineuse. This one really is a stunner! Chloe L’eau Lumineuse is a beautifully delicate rose scent, opening with a really silky, smooth and creamy note of velvety jasmine, blended with elegant rose. The scent is joyful, uplifting, and ultra feminine. The base includes amber and vanilla for a really beautiful warm and sweet dry down. This one is a must have for fans of Chloe fragrances! Top Notes: Jasmine Sambac Heart Notes: Rose Base Notes: Balsamic Notes, Amber & Vanilla Comments comments
Lush Launches Two Reusable Advent Calendars - Thou Shalt Not Covet...
Lush are launching not one, but two fantastic advent calendars this year! Both calendars feature 25 products including best sellers, Christmas retro products, and calendar exclusives. They will be available from 23rd August on the Lush app, from 24th August online, and 21st September in store. Both calendars are reusable too – they’re made from recycled board, and the ribbons are made from recycled plastic bottles. First up, the Lush Advent Calendar – The box has been designed by Andre Williams from Intoart, a London based studio for people with learning disabilities. Andre’s Advent Calendar design also features the word ‘Celebrate’ in 23 different languages including English. ‘This box is a big party. It’s dancing feet, a shimmy shake, a boogie boogie and a celebration. It’s the good time for everyone’ – Andre Williams, Intoart. This calendar includes 25 fantastic vegan products, packaged in a limited edition box. Inside you’ll find more retro and exclusive products than ever before – and not available to purchase anywhere else. The Lush Advent Calendar includes: All Is Full Of Love fragrance (Advent Calendar Exclusive) Penguin Bath bomb, Cinders Shower gel (Retro) Boogie Woogie soap (Advent Calendar Exclusive) Groovy Fairy bath bomb, Snowman Bubbleroon (Retro) Dream Cream (SP), Magical Santa bath bomb, Gingerbread Lip Scrub, Marzibain bubble bar (Retro) Snow Fairy Shower Gel, Candy Cane Lip Butter, Strawberry Santa Shower Foam, Jingle Shower Jelly (Retro) Once Upon A Time Body lotion, Twinkle Bath bomb (Retro) Bob Soap (Retro) Sleepy Bubble bar, Snow Drift Bath bomb Fairy Tail Sugar Scrub (Retro) Berry Berry Christmas Shower gel Reindeer Bubble Bar, Snow Angel Bath Melt (Retro) Christmas Eve Candle (Advent Calendar Exclusive) Christmas Morning bubble bar (Retro) And Lush’s brand new for 2023 Christmas Buds Advent Calendar – This interactive Advent Calendar takes inspiration from dolls houses and Santa’s workshop, and it contains 25 bathing treats that will leave the entire family feeling festive! It features Lush classics, as well as festive exclusives and returning retro favourites, such as Chocolate Santa Bath Bomb, Snow Angel Bath Melt and Snowman Bubbleroon. The Lush Christmas Buds Advent Calendar includes: Lump of Coal bath bomb Groovy Fairy bath bomb Candy Cane Reusable bubble bar Penguin Bath bomb, Gold Fun The Comforter mini bubble bar Toby’s Magic Cow bath bomb Snowman Bubbleroon (Retro) Snow Fairy Roll mini bubble bar Catch me if you can bath bomb Blue Fun, Rainbow bubble bar Snowy bath bomb, Neon Sunset fun Chocolate Santa bath bomb (Retro) Sleepy mini bubble bar Bronze Fun Butterbear bath bomb Snow Dragon bath bomb Glow Worm Fun, Snow Angel bath melt (Retro) Unicorn Horn bubble bar Sleepy Bear bath bomb Reindeer bubble bar Magical Santa bath bomb You can find both calendars on the Lush website from 24th August. Comments comments
The New Aldi Lip Oil Rivalling Dior's Best Seller! - Thou Shalt Not Covet...
Aldi have just launched a collection of brand new beauty products for summer, including a duo of new lip oils, set to rival Dior’s luxury Lip Glow Oil collection. The Lacura Luminous Lip Oil comes in two shades; clear, and cherry. These are obvious dupes for the most popular shades of Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil in 000 Universal Clear and 015 Cherry – and Aldi’s version are only £3.99 each!How does the Aldi version compare? Firstly, the ingredients are very similar, they’re not exactly the same but I’d say at least 75% similar. In terms of the actual product – well actually Lacura’s lip oils are really good! I’m obsessed with lip oils and have quite a few of them, so compared to Dior, and also compared to others on the market, Lacura are really giving these brands a run for their money! Compared to Dior, the Lacura Lip Oils are very similar in consistency as well as how they look and feel on the lips. The only real difference is the scent, where Dior’s does smell better, but it’s still only a very faint scent. The Lacura Luminous Lip Oils are dermatologically tested and cruelty free, and they contain antioxidants and vitamin E to nourish the lips, leaving them feeling moisturised and full of shine. Aldi’s Luminous Lip Oil are a real bargain for only £3.99, so if you’re a fan of lip oils, this is definitely worth trying out!Aldi’s Lacura Lip Oils and Summer Beauty products are available now in store. Comments comments
Pre-Order The 2023 Harrods Fragrance Advent Calendar Now! - Thou Shalt Not Covet...
The much anticipated 2023 Harrods Fragrance Advent Calendar is now available for pre-order! This year’s calendar is worth a massive £1009 and includes an amazing selection of sought after fragrances. Last year’s calendar sold out FAST, so snap this up while you can! ‘Already well-acquainted with the selection or en route to discovering a new signature scent? The Harrods fragrance advent calendar provides 12 opportunities for spritzes that will last well beyond the festive season. Whether you wait patiently for each morning or dive into the full line-up upon arrival, you can expect an enviable selection of fragrances – including full-sized iterations of Parfums de Marly Delina, Tiziana Terenzi Kuma, Les Eaux Priomordiales Superose, Ormonde Jayne Montabaco Verano, Montale Arabians Tonka and Escentric Molecules Molecule 04 – many of which you won’t find anywhere else.’ Contents Include: Byredo Gypsy Water (8ml) Escentric Molecules Molecule 04 Eau de Toilette (30ml) Parfums de Marly Delina (30ml Montale Arabians Tonka (20ml Tiziana Terenzi Kuma (50ml Ormonde Jayne Montabaco Verano (30ml Roja Elysium Eau Intense (10ml) Thameen Carved Oud (10ml) Bulgari Spettacolore and Baciami Eau de Parfum (2 x 10ml) Xerjoff Starlight (15ml) Les Eaux Primordiales Superose (30ml) Maison Francis Kurkdjian Gentle Fluidity Gold and Gentle Fluidity Silver (2 x 11ml) Pre-Order now at Harrods! Comments comments