Wednesday 29 December 2010

Product Rave: Nude Miracle Mask

Just before Christmas I was I received a very nifty sample set of NUDE Skincare products in the post courtesy of The Beauty Bite and I gave them all a whirl, I will be honest, only one of them truly stood out to me and that was the Miracle Mask...I put in a request to Santa and low and behold It was waiting for me under the tree on Christmas morning.



The mask is a lightweight, gel formula that emulates a cantaloupe melon in colour but deceptively has no real scent.

NUDE's organic credentials are also a massive bonus, they don't contain parabens, sulphates, PEGs, TEA, DEA (R.E.S.P.E.C.T?), propylene glycol, phthalates, GMO, mineral oil and silicones...

Now if I can't pronounce them they can't be good for my skin, so good riddance!

It applies to the skin like a lightweight film and might be a tad unnerving to those of use who like to slather a mask on to feel it working, or just those who favour the swamp monster look to reassure us we're doing something good to our skin.



It's £38 price tag for a relatively small 40ml might seem steep but for a once weekly use it should last a good while.

The one thing is does mention on the bottle is that it might tingle as it works over the 5 minutes your supposed to leave it on, now it may just be me, or my hardened beauty blogger skin but I don't get any hint of discomfort just the slight sensation of tightness that you expect from most face masks...

Most importantly it leaves my skin smooth, clean and feeling all together more pleasant.

Overall, whether it's the sleek packaging, natural ingredients or the positive results on my skin it's a winner, Well done NUDE.

This is definitely Beauty Spark Approved...

Laura x

Tuesday 28 December 2010

Neal & Wolf Haircare...

When it comes to spending money on Shampoo and Conditioner I'm always dubious. If I'm honest I tend to pick up what's on offer or happens to be in the shower. 


 The Neal & Wolf Daily Ritual Shampoo & Conditioner first comes across as quite a low key product. It's sleek plumish brown packaging screams quiet sophistication and it has a pleasant subtle scent which may please your or leave you yearning for a more out there fragrance.

What Neal & Wolf Say....

Indulgence...shouldn't have to be an indulgence. Even daily routines like hair care should be made to feel special. With Neal & Wolf, indulgence is redefined. Combining the ultimate in science and glamour to form a unique, affordable hair care range, Neal & Wolf allows you to spoil yourself, everyday.

The Science Bit: The Shampoo contains Silk & Milk Proteins whilst the Conditioner spoils you with Silk Proteins and Shea Butter.

  The both lather up really well but make sure to wash them out really well as on a couple of occasions I felt like they left a bit of a residue, but strangely both of the products gave me an insane amount of volume without using any additional hair products which is always a bonus!!

Retailing at £10.95 each I wouldn't exactly call this an affordable everyday haircare range for the masses, but as an occasional buy I'm more than happy with it.

I've found the ultimate seal of approval is when the men in house start to 'borrow' it...and comment on how much they liked it!!

Neal & Wolf is available from http://www.nealandwolf.com/.

Laura xxx


Monday 27 December 2010

Sleeker Than Your Average?

I've held off from writing about this as I don't generally like to bring negative attention to brands if I can help it...

BUT

What the bloody hell is going on with Sleek?

You may recall back in Novemeber Sleek held a 50% off everything event and as expected, chaos ensued.

Now I'm not one to stamp my feet and I was more than prepared for the site being slow and having to hang around.

I was prepared to encounter a bit of madness and a bit of delay...

But the observant amongst you may have noticed that it is nearly January...and the sale was the middle of November...

I recieved a dispatch email/confirmation on the 26th November and I'm yet to recieve a bean.


Now the reason I've decided to talk to you about it is because I know i'm not alone by any means.

Despite my best efforts to repeatadly contact Sleek, I've recieved no constructive reply and had to resort to facebook group where I recieved the standard "it will be dispatched in a few days" answer...now I don't know about you but a few days doesn't equate to over a month, does it??

- I went to link the facebook page that was privy to many complaints but according to Sleek it was removed as all issues had been resolved...I highly doubt this -

You must excuse the overly negative tone to this unfortunate entry, but they've had the money and I've had nothing back, that's just bloody shoddy if you ask me.

They had the money on the 18th November to be exact.

NOW

Have any of you encountered any of the same problems??

Please let me know as it's getting beyond a joke.

The sad thing is I adore some of Sleek's products but feel slightly stung by the appauling customer service that I've encountered...

ALL OF THIS FOR TWO BLUSHERS!

It's left a bitter taste in my mouth and I just had to share!!

Laura x

(Normal Positive Blogging Will Resume Shortly!)

Sunday 26 December 2010

Christmas Winner

Just a very quick one...

The Winner of the mini giveaway is...


Well Done!

If you could email me at thebeautyspark@hotmail.co.uk I can send it out to you!

Laura xxx

Saturday 25 December 2010

Christmas Eve Eyes

The Christmas spirit really got me this morning when I was applying my make up, and I decided to actually make an effort...


This look distinctly none interesting on this photo but in the flesh it was a lot more exciting!!




FACE: NARS Sheer Glow in Mont Blanc & Vichy Dermablend in 15 Opal
MAC Tippy Blush

EYES: Urban Decay Naked Palette - Sin (Lid) Darkhorse (Crease) Virgin (Hightlight)
Ardell Flirty Black Lashes
Maybelline Lash Stiletto & L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara
MAC Espresso through brows.

Naked Lips...

Did you do something a bit different for Christmas Eve....

Lots of Love, Laura xxx

Friday 24 December 2010

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

Hi Guys,

Hope you're having a wonderful Christmas and are full of festive cheer...

Here are a few of my favourite things about Christmas...


Gingerbread





Eats and Treats...


Pretty Decorations...



Frosty Trees and Sparkling Lights!

I hope you have a magical Christmas and get some well earned rest!!

Lots of Love, Laura xxx

Friday 17 December 2010

The Glam Kit

There are a few items a girl simply cannot live without, they make her feel smart, groomed and altogether human...I have my own key set of products that are with me through thick and thin that always do the job...

Inside my glam kit is....


Tweezerman Tweezers: I get my brows waxed once every two months and keep them tidy with these tweezers. Believe the hype because they really are the king of tweezers.

Otylia Roberts Wax Strips: I was turned on to these by British Beauty Blogger who raved about them over summer and they really are the best thing for any waxing emergency, by far the easiest home waxing system i've ever tried, quick easy and with great results. I usually leave this to the professionals but if you're in a jam, these are lifesavers.

Mascara: If I could only keep one make up product it would be without doubt be mascara, it makes the world of difference. My all time favourites are Dior Iconic & Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous. 

False Tan: I haven't fake tanned for months, BUT it does give me such a lift when I do! I've been embracing the pale partly because it's winter and partly because I just haven't got the time at the moment but when I use it I adore Xen-Tan and St Tropez Everyday Spray which is a godsend for use pale paulines!

Indavidual False Lashes: If you don't want to go all out with strips of false lashes, adding a couple of these to your outer corners will make you feel a little bit more "done", You can get these from a range of brands but I'm making my way through some Ardell ones at the moment.

Lip Balm: If I want to look polished in a hurry I avoid some lipsticks like the plauge, my lips can get really dry throughout winter and I don't always have the time to prep and prime them to wear a bit of lippie, Burts Bees always does the trick and if I want a bit of a colour Snow Fairy lip tint from Lush is a winner.

Finally...

Sort your hair out!!


However polished my face is looking, if my hair is looking less than groomed I'll walk around feeling blurgh all day.

Straighteners are my lifeline as I've been "blessed" with crazy curly hair that has been beaten into submission for years now.

I'm using Cloud Nines at the moment...

I'm hopefully being treated to a new hairdryer this Christmas and I've asked Santa for a Parlux 3000, hello faster drying time!

Finally I cannot get enough of Charles Worthington Dream Hair, I know i've talked about it before but it really does leave me with amazing shine.

Last but not least in my Glam Kit is Elnette Hairspray...It's an oldie, but god is it a goodie!!


What would go into your Glam Kit?

Laura xxx



Wednesday 15 December 2010

Favourites of 2010

I was watching a lovely video from Fleur and was really inspired to share my top products of 2010 with you all!    
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation 


Urban Decay Afterglow Blush in Quickie

Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara
Cloud Nine Straighteners (how to use them)

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat



Barry M Nail Paints

MAC 130 Brush (close up here)

What are your favourites of 2010?

xxx

Monday 6 December 2010

Christmas NOTD & MINI GIVEAWAY -CLOSED-

I don't know what it is about this time of year but my magpie tendencies tend to be magnified...
If it's gold, glittery or sparkly I'm like a moth to a flame.

All of this usually manifests itself on my nails...



Dior Vernis - 708 Gold Nugget 
Girls With Attitude Stick on Rhinestones....I know RHINESTONES!  

It's ridiculous and I probably should have grown out of it by now but hey!!

MINI (or mani?) GIVEAWAY

What's Christmas without a little bit of giving??
To Continue with the theme of the post.

Up for grabs...


1 x Girls With Attitude Press On Nails
1 x Girls With Attitude Nail Stickers

RULES:

NOW CLOSED

1: You must be a follower of 'The Beauty Spark' and Twitter 
2: Comment below with what's top of your list this Christmas!
3: Open Internationally
4: One Entry Only Please!

I'm going to run this up until Midnight Christmas Eve, that's the 24th December if you didn't know already!!
I'll pick the winner at random as always...

Laura xxx 

Saturday 4 December 2010

Jingle 'Belles'...Christmas Beauty Buys!

A LITTLE BIT OF LUXURY...

Neal & Wolf Tranquility Collection


rrp. £23.95 from http://www.nealandwolf.com/

This would be the perfect present for a friend or family member who likes the best in life, this candle smells AMAZING and I can't stop smelling it!!

GIRLY GIRLS...

Soap & Glory Mini Series

 I adore this lovely little set and it's full of mini Soap & Glory to tickle your tastebuds!!

I found this for £8.00 at http://www.asos.com/ who are offering 20% of a wide range of christmas treats at the moment!!

GET SOME ATTITUDE...

These gorgeous goodies will make the perfect stocking fillers, adorable nail gems, stickers, lashes and nails for some ultimate christmas glam!!


Ranging from £2.50 for nail gems to £5.00 for fluttery lashes, any self respecting girly girl will adore these little gems...

http://www.girlswithattitude.co.uk/ or Boots or Superdrug!!

Also, get 25% off when you spend over £10 until the 11th December!  


GO ALL OUT...

Cloud Nine Gift of Christmas Volume


rrp £199.95  from http://www.cloudninehair.com/

This is TOP of my Christmas Wish List this year, I'm a volume addict and would urge anybody whose after huge hair to give this a whirl, it's not cheap but would be the ultimate hair indulgence!!

I hope this has helped any Christmas gift dilemmas and happy shopping!!

Laura xxx

Thursday 2 December 2010

Hot Shots 001.

Just a few things that have tickled my fancy this week.

- Beautiful Cupcakes from an AMAZING cupcake shop near to where I live.



- The Snow...Partially...


- Red Nail Polish...



- This adorable key necklace my clever sister made for me out of an old broken necklace!


- Ma Kitteh: Chillin' Like A Villain...


What have you been loving this week?

Laura xxx
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