The BeautyButterfly

Tube and Packaging of IT Cosmetics CC+ 50 SPF Illuminating Cream Who for: Anyone who wants a natural base and SPF in one First impressions: A light dark for me After one week: Love it! After one month: The best foundation/CC+ cream I have every used Stockists: IT Cosmetics UK, QVC UK, Selfridges, Boots I must admit something straight off I had purchased this product through a website called Wish and wasn’t sure it was the real deal but as far as I can tell it is.   I have been using the shade Light which is too dark for me – it might be because it oxidises on my skin.   It does everything that I have seen and read about the range.   It covers my red cheeks, nose, forehead and chin perfectly without my freckles being hidden.   For a natural look I would use one pump to cover my whole face, if I wanted a fuller coverage I would use two pumps.   It stays in place all day, doesn’t sit in the fine lines and wrinkles I have around my eyes and mouth.   Where I n

Benefit Hoola Quickie Contour Stick and packaging Product: Benefit Hoola Quickie Contour Stick Who for: Anyone who wants to contour their face quickly First impressions: Very dark not sure it will blend into my skin After one week: One word – brilliant After one month: I love it Stockists: Benefit, Debenhams, QVC UK I got this free when buying a copy of Elle Magazine.   I am so glad I did.   This works brilliant both under and over foundation depending on what type of finish you want.   It is easy to apply as it is a stick and blends wonderfully as it is a cream.   This is the cream version of their powder bronzer Hoola.   It works well with Hoola as a blusher and eye shadow and other powder blushers you may have.   I have tried it with liquid foundations and not powder foundations so I cannot comment on how it would work with it.   I will be buying this again as it is great to use when you want more definition and a healthy glow.

Bottle of Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Coconut Oil Conditioning Shampoo Who for: Anyone that has dry, damaged hair First impressions: Smells lovely and is thick and creamy After one week: My hair didn’t like it I love Palmer’s Coco Butter Body Lotion and hoped that this would help me with my dry hair.   Maybe I should have bought the conditioner to go with it.   I only used it the once as my hair while I was rinsing out the shampoo actually felt worse than before I used it.   Once I had left it to dry naturally it actually felt like straw, was not its bouncy controllable self.   This is one product I will not be buying again.

P roducts received in box : Your Skin But Better CC+ 50SPF in Fair, Bye Bye Pores Illuminating, Tightline 3-in-1 Black Primer, Eyeliner & Mascara, Je Ne Sais Quoi Lip Treatment, Airbrush Essential Brush and IT Girl Cosmetics Bag Your Skin But Better CC+ 50SPF in Fair I have found the perfect foundation, SPF and anti-redness cream.  I have been using the Light version until I purchased this – I am glad I did as this is more my colour; this Light was a little too dark (it may have oxidised on my skin).  This covers the redness on my cheeks, forehead and chin with ease but doesn’t hide my freckles which I like.  If I want a light coverage I will use one pump or if I want a fuller coverage I will use two pumps.  It blends easily into my skin and I love the smell. Bye Bye Pores Illuminating To be honest I am not a fan of powder as previous powders felt dry on my skin after an hour.  This doesn’t feel like that or cake in the fine lines that I have around m

Products received in box: Polaar Polar Night Cream, Sand & Sky Brilliant Purifying Pink Mask, Dr PawPaw Original Balm, SpaceMask, Manna Kadar Diamond Dust Rollerball - Enchanted Polaar Polar Night Cream This lovely cream is perfect for those nights after cleansing your skin you feel you need to give your skin tender loving care.  Smells wonderful and massages into the skin.  My skin felt soft and hydrated when I woke the next morning. Sand & Sky Brilliant Purifying Pink Mask The mask has an almond fragrance which some may not like.  It goes on smoothly and is translucent as it is applied to the skin.  After 10 minutes it had turned white which showed areas that I had missed.  Once warm water was applied to it, it turned pink.  My skin felt soft and my pores were less noticeable. Dr PawPaw Original Balm A little goes a long way.  I massage the product into my lips and the area around my lips.  I put it on after my morning and night cleansing

Product: Poundland Micellar Water Who for: Anyone who wants a quick way of removing make-post Stockists: Poundland I had hoped that this would be a great alternative to Garnier and Nivea, but it wasn’t for me.   This felt my skin feeling on fire and itchy so much so that I had wash my face and put on my most rich creams just to make my skin feel normal.   I won’t be buying it again.

Mini of Benefit They're Real Tinted Primer Who for: Anyone who wants a natural look when worn on its own or to help define and length lashes when worn underneath They’re Real or Roller Lash mascara. Stockists: Benefit, QVCUK, Boots, Debenhams This product is amazing on its own or worn underneath mascara.  I have worn this primer on its own if I want a natural look.  I must admit I am not a fan of brown mascaras, but this product changed my mind.  I have, when I wanted a more dramatic look, worn the primer then roller lash and a final coat of They’re Real.  I got compliments galore on how amazing my lashes look – someone even asked what false lashes I was using.  

You can get more information about me and the products I am using on: Bloglovin' Facebook GlamGeek Influenster Instagram - Emma Soden The BeautyButterfly LinkedIn Pinterest Reddit Tumblr - The BeautyButterfly Twitter - Emma Soden (The BeautyButterfly) Please feel free to leave comments and I will reply to them.  

Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner - Blue Having tried this earlier in the year I finally bought it - and I am so pleased I have.  It makes the whites of my eyes look brighter and my irises look greener.  I wear this eyeliner on the days that I feel I need a pick-me-up due to not sleeping well.  I line my upper and lower waterline with Benefit BadGal Waterproof liner in Black and the Blue liner close to my upper eyelashes.

Benefit They’re Real Double the Lip in Bare Affair I love the Lusty Rose version of this lipstick and wanted to try one of the new colours.  This is my go-to colour of the season.  I wear it almost every day that I wear make-up - eyeliner, mascara and my IT Cosmetics CC+ cream and not forgetting Gimme Brow.  I am happy to see the outside world.

IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Having for some time, seen IT Cosmetics on QVC UK and QVC Beauty I was interested in seeing if it would cover my redness that I have on my cheeks, chin and nose.  Some foundations I have used in the past don’t cover these areas to my satisfaction without concealer.  I was also looking for a foundation that had SPF in it.  If you are not aware the founder of IT Cosmetics is an American television presenter who has hereditary rosacea (it predominantly affects fair-skinned people).  She had tried various foundations without success.  Being able to speak to the best dermatologist and plastic surgeons and with their help developed IT Cosmetics.  I must admit this is the best foundation I have found in a long time.  It covers my redness without the need of concealer, it doesn’t sit in my fine lines around my mouth and eyes.  One pump is enough to cover my whole face.  It has a lovely lemony smell which I was worried that might make my sensitive skin sore but it do

Bottle of OGX Macadamia Oil Conditioner As stated reviewing the shampoo, my hair needed a lot of TLC due to the hot weather the UK had in the summer.   I had thought I might need a richer conditioner to get rid of the crunchy patch of hair, but I didn’t.   I would use this in the shower, wash my hair twice with the shampoo then apply lots of conditioner.   Wash my face and body then wash the conditioner out – leaving the conditioner on my hair for at least ten minutes before rinsing it off.   My hair once I had left it to dry naturally was more manageable and softer.   The grey hairs were shiny and whiter, my natural brunette hair had the lovely coppery tones in it.   In other words, my hair didn’t look flat or lifeless.  

Bottle of OGX Macadamia Oil Shampoo During the lovely hot weather that the UK had in the summer, my poor hair suffered.  I had a dry patch, which felt crunchy and didn’t behave itself.  I bought this shampoo as I wanted something that would be moisturising and conditioning.  My hair loves this shampoo within one shampoo the crunchy dry patch had improved.  After two uses of this, it disappeared never to turn.  My hair feels soft, manageable and shiny.  Even my grey hair is shiny.  I have also managed to get two weeks before I need to wash my hair.

Packaging and Bottle of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% My hubby and I have used two other companies’ versions of Glycolic Acid Toner – Pixi and Marks & Spencer.  This product has a higher percentage of Glycolic Acid than the others we have used.  I have noticed there is a stronger tingly sensation when using this, but my hubby hasn’t.  We use it three times a week.  I have noticed that my skin looks and feels healthier, my make-up goes on evenly and lasts longer.  My hubby suffers from pimples and using this has helped reduce the severity and the duration of the pimple.  He has also noticed that his oil production is more under control when using this regularly.

Mini version of Benefit Dandelion Twinkle I purchased this item on an impulse.  I had seen it when I go to have my eyebrows waxed and tinted and thought it wasn’t for me – I was wrong I love it.  It is not as in your face as High Beam.  It gives the skin a lovely healthy shimmer on the tops of the cheeks.  There is a shimmer to it, but it is the shimmer that looks natural and for someone of my age is the nice shimmer not an old bat trying to recapture her youth.  I also like putting a small amount on the centre of my eyelid when I want to look more awake than I am.  A swipe under the arch of the eyebrow is fantastic at opening the eye.  If I am going for a more natural awake look I also apply a tiny amount to the inner corners of my eyes.

The MakeUp Club Matte Lipsticks - The Full Set These apply nicely from the bullet and are not drying as some matte lipsticks.   They last all day.   Even though they are matte, they are creamy in texture and very moisturising.   The colours are scary when viewed from the bullet but once applied to the lips they are subtle that can be built up for a more intense colour.   You do not need to use a lipliner as they do not bleed. Below is the colours and when I would choose to wear them: Knockout – every day wear. Hot Damn – special occasions when you want to feel vampy Alabama Slammer – smart casual look Purple Haze – scary not a me colour Kamikaze – when wearing a neutral palette – a jeans and jumper kind of day Snakebite – Date night

Products received in box: Lumene Nordic Hydra (Lähde) Intense Hydration 24 hour Moisturiser, Winky Lux Strobing Balm – Radiant Pink, BeautyPro THERMOTHERAPY Warming Gold Foil Mask with Hyaluronic Acid & Q10, Amika SOULFOOD Nourishing Mask, Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant Stick – Bergamot & Lime, Daily Concepts Multi-Functional Soap Sponge Charcoal. BeautyPro THERMOTHERAPY Warming Gold Foil Mask with Hyaluronic Acid & Q10 This mask had quite a lot of serum that left a residue on my skin which I rubbed into my skin after taking the mask off.  My skin felt soft and hydrated, it didn’t irritate my sensitive skin. My one complaint is that I didn’t feel the heat from the mask. Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant Stick – Bergamot & Lime I like the idea of natural deodorants, but my skin doesn’t always like them.  My skin liked this one and the smell is lovely. Amika SOULFOOD Nourishing Mask I have short pixie hair cut and may have put too much on as I

; Products received: Roller Lash Mascara in Black, They're Real Double the Lip in Juicy Berry, Gimme Brow + in Shade 5, Gold Rush Blusher,  Make-up bag and Compact Mirror Make-up bag and Compact Mirror The make-up bag is a lovely glittery pink and can hold all the products received as part of the TSV plus more.  The mirror is the perfect size to see whatever area that you are touching up.  It has the same lovely glittery pink on the front and the name Benefit on the back.  It fits perfectly in the hand. They're Real Double the Lip in Juicy Berry If I am honest this is the reason why I ordered the TSV as I was not confident enough to go to a Benefit Concession/Store to purchase this colour.  I am glad I did, I love this shade as an alternative to the more neutral shades that I wear on my lips.  It is moisturising and nourishing, it does not cause my lips to peel or be dry which other brands have. Roller Lash Mascara in Black What can I say about this

Packaging and tube of BeautyPie Super Retinol (+ Vitamin C) Night Renewal Moisturiser  This is a light-weight cream that packs a mighty punch.   It is easily absorbed into the skin without leaving any residue.   I used one pump for my neck and one pump for my face.   When I woke up in the morning my skin felt soft and hydrated, fine lines looked reduced.   Over the month that I have been using it I have noticed that my skin elasticity had improved and seemed brighter.   It works well with the Superactive Capsules though I would wait for them to be absorbed into the skin before applying the cream.   This cream is in my top ten of night creams and will be re-purchased before I have finished this one as I don’t want to run out of it.

Packaging and bottle of BeautyPie Superactive Capsules Pure Double Vitamin C & Vitamin E Serum I have heard rave reviews of BeautyPie and wasn’t sure that it was for me – well I was wrong.   I love these capsules.   I like the serum that inside them, the idea that they are a measured dose.   I use two in the morning and evening.   One for neck and décolleté and the other is for my face.   There is a slight gritty texture to the serum that is the Vitamin C.   The serum massages into the skin without leaving residue or irritation.   After a week I noticed that my skin felt smoother and softer.   After a month the fine lines that I hate around my mouth and eyes have reduced – my foundation doesn’t sit in them anymore!   When I have used these up I will be re-purchasing them and trying other products from their range.

Products received in box: Benefit Box O’Powder in Gold Rush, Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Flash Perfection Exfoliating Treatment, Marcelle City 24H Anti-Pollution Day & Night Moisturising Emulsion, Eyeko Brow Liner, Pro Blo Group MaskMe Hydrating Hair Mask, Arrow Enhance Waterproof Eyeliner & Brightener Pro Blo Group MaskMe Hydrating Hair Mask I like hair masks and use them at least once a month.  This left my hair feeling soft and bouncy even though I left my hair to dry naturally.  It didn’t feel dry or oily after a few days which some masks have done in the past. Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Flash Perfection Exfoliating Treatment This is perfect for oily skin and suffer from blackheads and whiteheads.  Ingredients such as Macadamia and Bamboo will remove the dead skin cells from the surface and fruit acids will clear pores of oily debris.  Leaving skin smooth and soft. Arrow Enhance Waterproof Eyeliner & Brightener I lik

Packaging and tube of BeautyPie Transforming Cleanser This is a lovely balm cleanser that turns into an oily texture when massaged on to the skin and a milky lotion when water is added.  I have used this cleanser as a first cleanse when wearing make-up. It easily removes Benefit They’re Real Tinted Primer and Roller Lash Mascara along with Push Up Liner with minimal effect.  It removed all traces of my IT Cosmetics CC+ 50+ without leaving any residue of the foundation or the cleanser.  My skin felt and looked cleaning without being dry or needing to apply moisturiser straightaway.  I have also used it as a morning cleanse using a muslin cloth to remove the cleanser which again didn’t leave a residue on my skin.  I didn’t have any irritations, my skin felt soft and hydrated. I will be honest I wasn’t sure of the concept behind BeautyPie, using this product has made me realise that I don’t have to pay silly high prices to use quality products. I can’t wait to try other products that

The Carbon Theory Soap This is currently being used by my hubby as he has oily skin which is prone to breakouts.  This soap with the combination of using various brands of Glycolic Acid and Micellar Cleansing water my husband has found that there is a reduction in breakouts and they don’t last as long as they had previously along with not being as painful as they have been.  He uses the soap wen he is in the shower or having a shave.  His skin is not as oily as it has been and is not dry as some spot treatment soaps have left his skin.  He is so impressed with this product that he will be purchasing another one before his has finished his first bar.