Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10

Vichy's LiftActiv Serum 10 is a powerful anti-ageing treatment that has shown great results in clinical trials. After just 10 minutes wrinkles begin to fade by 10%, while skin is 32% softer and its texture instantly smoother and more refined, and after 1 month of daily use wrinkles appear to be reduced by 27%.

LiftActiv Serum 10 contains a 10% concentration of the breakthrough anti-ageing ingredient Rhamnose, combined with Vichy Thermal Spa Water, which is rich in soothing and regenerating minerals. The addition of 0.4% hyaluronic acid also helps to hydrate and plump the skin, whilst a ceramide based texture (of which 180 formulations were trialled) aids in accelerating the penetration
of the active ingredients into the dermis.

The result is a powerful lifting, re-plumping anti-ageing serum specially formulated for
sensitive skins! After reading so many positive reviews I shall be trialing the serum for myself over the next few weeks and will let you know how I get on!

Vichy's LiftActiv Serum 10 (£29.50) is available from independent pharmacies and selected Boots stores nationwide, as well as the Boots website here.

Are you a fan of Vichy products? Have you tried this serum? What are your thoughts? 

*This is a sponsored post*

Belinda OOTD

Although I do love a bit of leopard print I sometimes feel like it has been 'overworked' in all too many a store. Nevertheless, I was immediately drawn to this dress at a recent Motel blogger event! The Belinda dress (£52) offers a more sophisticated leopard print pattern paired with an (almost) full sleeve, longer length and a very deep v neck... so much so that I had to pin mine to protect a little modesty ;).

My dress had it's first outing a few weeks ago when the bf and I went on a double date. However, as well as being comfortable enough for long winter evening it's equally work friendly with a little camisole or vest worn underneath. I chose to keep it pretty simple with patent black and brown Kurt Geiger ankle boots, my Michael Kors rose gold watch (£199) and Les Nereides ring.

Have you seen Motel's new collection? What are your favourite pieces? Are you a fan of leopard print? xxx

Schwarzkopf partnership with LIVE Salon Style home hair colour

Remember Louise Redknapp from Eternal? The gorgeous yummy mummy and wife of equally yummy Jamie Redknapp has been announced as the new face of Schwarzkopf LIVE Salon Style.

 Her blonde locks have been transformed into a gorgeous, rich chocolate brown shade using LIVE Salon Style’s Chocolate Brown.

If you want some tips on choosing the right shade for your the video below is really helpful! It shows you some of the colour results you can expect, lists the selection of colours available as well as recommending different colours, or colour families for different skin tones.


You can also check out the the Live Salon Style Colour Booth Ap, which allows you to upload a picture of yourself to try out different hair colours. This is my before and after (using the dark brown shade). What do you guys think?

Schwarzkopf LIVE Salon Style is available nationwide now from Superdrug, Tesco,
Boots (where it is currently on offer for £3.99 here!), Sainsbury's and all leading pharmacies. Plus at RRP £5.99 it makes an affordable treat to get your tresses ready for the party season.

Have you tried the new shades from LIVE Salon Style? Are you thinking of changing your hair colour? xxx

*This is a sponsored post* 

Babyliss Wave Envy - Giveaway

Whether you are after big party hair, a retro up-do or loose, tousled beachy waves this party season the Babyliss Wave Envy styler makes gorgeous waves so easy and quick to create!



I was surprised by how light this tool is, given it is much larger than your average hair curler. It was also very simple to use and quick to move down the hair. I managed to create this look in just over 10minutes, which is pretty speedy for a first attempt! I chose to create very 'crimped' waves, by using the styler on the highest of its three settings. For a more relaxed, beachy wave I would recommend using a lower heat setting and only holding the hair in place for a few seconds.

For your chance to win a Babyliss Wave Envy please leave a comment below! Good luck my lovelies!! xxx

 *This is a sponsored post*

Treats for Winter Skin

With Christmas parties being penciled in to all the corners of my already full diary the time has come to prepare for battle... with my skin!

Over the last few weeks my skin has not been looking its best - in part due to poor health, but I am sure that the harsh weather contrasted with the toasty warmth of central heating at home and air con at work has made a valid contribution. So to perk up my complexion I will be investing some time into my skin over the next few days and thought I would share with you some of my favourite skin treats!

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm - (£21.50 here)

This is a recent purchase for me, and I can't believe I have waited so long to try it! It really is a miracle cream and I adore it for giving my skin a quick boost. Beauty Flash Balm brightens and tightens the skin (gently) with extracts of olive and Witch Hazel, while boosting radiance and softening. 

It can be used as a quick remedy before a night out - apply (without massaging) a very thin layer over the face, neck and eye area, following immediately with make-up. I have also enjoyed using it as a facial mask- apply a generous layer and leave to soak in for 15 minutes, then blot excess with a tissue.

Decleor Aromessence Ylang Ylang Purifying Concentrate - (£40.85 here)

This serum is a lovely treat for dehydrated skin. With 100% pure and natural essential oils specially formulated for the daily care of combination and oily skin it feels really soothing and comforting, as well as having an amazingly relaxing scent. As I have oily skin I have always been wary of using oils, but in the last year I have really learned how to make them work for me - little and often! I like to apply a couple of drops after cleansing and toning at night and either massage it in alone, or add it to my favourite moisturiser. Thanks to its natural affinity with the skin this serum penetrates efficiently to balance and purify, as well as reduce excess sebum production and clear impurities.

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil-in-Gel - (£24 here)

I'm probably one of the few beauty addicts who doesn't have a huge soft spot for Shu Uemura's cleansing oils. It's not that I don't like them, I just prefer to use a cream cleanser (Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish is my absolute favourite) and find oils a little too 'thin' to give me a thoroughly cleansed feeling. This is why I have really enjoyed using Shu's new Cleansing Oil-in-Gel, which gives the smooth feeling of an oil and effectively removes impurities while still leaving behind the fresh feeling of a gel wash. I also like the fact that it can be used both wet and dry, though I prefer to use a little luke warm water to create the perfect texture. 

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate - (£19 here)

The Superskin concentrate is a lovely serum that comes in a convenient rollerball dispenser, which is perfect for popping in your bag for use during the day or travel.

For optimal results Liz Earle's therapist recommends:
After cleansing, massage with Superskin Concentrate to help clear toxins, reduce puffiness, boost circulation, encourage cell renewal and aid lymphatic drainage.
Step 1: Warm a small amount in your hands and breathe in the divinely aromatic aroma. Then massage onto your skin with upward and outward movements using firm pressure.
Step 2: With your fingertips, lightly smooth in an outward circular direction along the cheekbones to above the eyebrows.
Step 3: Finish by gently sweeping your hands up the neck and over the décolletage.

 Neal's Yard Wild Rose Beauty Balm - (£35.35 here)

Anything rose scented wins favour with me and this wild rose beauty balm does not disappoint! This multi purpose product can be used as a rich cleanser, gentle exfoliant (with a muslin cloth) or deeply nourishing balm – to quench areas of dry or dehydrated skin. The high levels of wild rosehip oil (a potent antioxidant to help repair, firm and smooth the skin) are combined with geranium, starflower, hemp and rosemary seed oil, to help decongest and enrich the skin, restoring its natural radiance.

In the cold weather it's also important not to forget the rest of your skin. I know that my routine isn't quite as meticulous in the winter - my legs are hidden by opaque tights, and I don't like to think about my feet at the best of times! My favourite moisturiser at the moment is undeniably Kiehl's Creme de Corps (from £8.50 here).

This is an amazing cream. It's rich, without feeling greasy and sinks in quickly without leaving behind too much residue, leaving my skin like velvet. Due to its natural colouring and the inclusion of beta-carotene (a naturally derived antioxidant predominantly found in many orange/red vegetables such as carrots, it is used in Vitamin A production and gives an orange tint when used in skin care products) it can dye any clothes that come into contact with it. Heading the warning I like to wait a few minutes after application before dressing, but I haven't experienced any problems with staining myself.

Liz Earle Superskin Bodycream - (£28.75 here)

This super rich and indulgent aromatic cream contains 25% plant oils and is perfect for drier skin areas. It requires a little effort to rub into the skin and some time to become fully absorbed, but it is well worth it. With East African shea butter, organic rosehip oil, antioxidant cranberry seed oil and pomegranate extract, natural source vitamin E, plus the divine scent of neroli, this luxurious cream makes a great gift for anyone, and a fantastic skin treat for yourself!

Lastly, I couldn't live without Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream (£18.50 here). If you haven't tried it, you need to! Lips, cuticles, knees, elbows, cuts, blisters, scrapes, blemishes, burns it works to soften, heal and protect any skin ailment you can think of!

I hope you find this little guide for winter skin indulgences useful. Let me know what your winter skin saviours are!! xxx

Winners: John Frieda Luxurious Volume Giveaway

Thank you all so much for entering my recent John Frieda giveaway! 

 The five lucky winners are:

• Nat (Seville oranges)
• Catriona - meltdown30@gmail.com
• Francesca (Freddie, Food, Fashion and Fun...)
• Lai Wah - ell.dubbleyu.tee@hotmail.co.uk
• sweet_diosa

Congratulations my lovelies!

Please e-mail me (filthygorgeousmakeup@gmail.com) at your earliest convenience with your UK postal address so that your wonderful prizes can be sent out to you ASAP! xxx

Cast Yourself: Please vote for me!! :)

Many of you have probably heard about the L'Oreal Cast Yourself Competition on Facebook to be the face of Casting Creme Gloss alongside Cheryl Cole. I have unashamedly entered and with only a few days left to vote I am so excited to be in the top 60 entries for my colour (red!) so far. Voting closes in two days so I am hoping for one more little push to get me into the lucky few who will audition for the part!

I would absolutely love the opportunity to meet the gorgeous Cheryl and it would mean so much if you could vote for me on facebook here!!!

Thanks so much my lovelies and fingers crossed! xxx

Thierry Mugler Angel Le Goût du Parfum (The Taste of Fragrance)

Thierry Mugler’s latest collection of limited edition perfumes ‘Le Goût du Parfum’ (The Taste of Fragrance) is a fun twist on the classic Mugler scents - Angel, Alien, A*Men and Womanity. The collection is indeed a sensorial collision between perfumery and haute cuisine with taste enhancers incorporated into each eau de parfum.

My favourite Thierry Mugler scent is probably his most popular - Angel (£51, 35ml). So I chose to sample the daring union of Angel and Haute Cuisine. The original formula is updated with bitter cocoa powder that acts as a taste enhancer to intensify the gourmand notes of Angel, making them intensely sensual.

At first the fragrance smells just like the original Angel, but quickly develops into a deep, bitter sweet chocolate scent. It really is delicious and enticing! I have also noticed that the creamy chocolate notes last really well on the skin throughout the day.

Top Notes: Bergamot and Mandarin

Heart: Passion Fruit, Peach and Apricot
Base: Patchouli, Vanilla, Chocolate and Caramel  

This fragrance is not one that I would normally purchase as I tend to gravitate towards more feminine flowery or sweet scents, but I am surprised by how much I have enjoyed wearing it! Angel The Taste of Fragrance makes a very welcome addition to my collection. A girl can never have too much choocolate!

I think this perfume would make a great gift for someone who enjoys the original Angel, as it gives a delightful and delicious twist on the classic scent.

Are you a fan of Thierry Mugler fragrances? Do you have a favourite? Have you tried the Gout du Parfum collection? xxx

Natalya's Christmas Gift Guide: Best Gift Sets!

It's December and the countdown to Christmas has officially begun! I will be the first to confess that this fills me with an equal measure of panic, as well as excitement. There is still so much to do - presents to buy, decorations to put up and perfect outfits to find!

Luckily, I am usually uber prepared when it comes to gifts as I absolutely love shopping for my loved ones, so I thought that I would share my little finds with you all in a series of Christmas Gift Guide posts!

Many brands put together amazing gift sets at this time of year, which not only look fantastic, but also create fantastic bundle savings. Sets or kits are usually my fall back for tricky customers (mother in law, family, colleagues, secret santas) or those who have it all! Everyone loves receiving sets and trying out a range of products, so I highly recommend checking some of these out.

Neal's Yard Aromatic Shower & Body Care Collection - (£28)

This set contains four mini products to cleanse, soften and smooth with their unique blend of natural skin-nourishing ingredients infused with pure aromatherapy essential oils, to lift the spirits while delicately scenting the skin. The Geranium and Orange shower Gel (100ml) has an amazing energising and fresh fragrance, which is the perfect pick me up in the morning. The Rose and Geranium body polish (50g) works hard to gently remove dull winter skin, while the body lotion (50g) moisturises and hydrates the skin. The Citrus Hand Wash (100ml) had an invigorating and zesty fragrance, leaving hands clean and soft.

Best of L'Occitane Collection - (£60)

My mama and I both adore L'Occitane for their amazing, luxurious quality products that use the best ingredients. This is an amazing set that contains a collection of L'Occitane's most popular products and some of my absolute favourites! With a value of £93.50, but at an RRP of £60 this set is also a great saving. The set contains full size products that include Almond Shower Oil (250ml), which is my most highly recommended product. It smells amazing and cleans the skin so gently, while leaving it soft and moisturised. The Pivoine Flora Body Milk (250ml) has a delicate, feminine peiony scent and a gorgeous, soft texture that effortlessly sinks into the skin. The Shea Butter Hand Cream (150ml) is a classic product that works hard to deeply moisturise and soothe winter skin. The set also contains Almond Milk Concentrate (100ml), Fleur Chérie Soap (75g), Shea Butter Foot Cream (30ml) and Verbena Eau de Toilette (20ml).

L'Occitane Shower Gel Quatro - (£20)

A more affordable set from L'Occitane - this pretty little quartet contains beautifully scented shower and bath gels in Cherry Blossom and Fleur Chérie, as well as shower jellies in Délice des Fleurs and Délice des Fruits. 

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Christmas Gift - (£16)

Many of you have already heard me wax lyrical about Liz Earle's Botanical Shine Shampoo and Conditioner (if not you can read more in my review here). The shampoo is suitable for any hair type and smells absolutely amazing, filling my whole shower with a sweet yet invigorating and uplifting fresh fragrance. It lathers well, given that it is SLS free, and cleanses my sensitive scalp without any drying or irritation. From the selection of three conditioners available (normal, dry or damaged, oily or fine hair) I prefer the one for dry hair as it is rich and moistuirising without feeling too thick and leaving behind a noticeable residue on my hair. This set leaves my hair feeling super clean and shiny and it feels much more smooth and manageable, while still retaining a 'natural' feel, instead of that slippery silicone coated texture. This is one of my absolute favourite hair products and after having discussed it with ladies of many different hair and skin types I have never heard a bad word uttered about it, so am confident in recommending it to everyone!

Neal & Wolf Shine Gift Set - (£25.15)

Neal & Wolf is a professional hair care range, developed by Neil Capstick that focuses on glamour, effectiveness and affordability. The range aims to provide salon quality at a reasonable price. You can tell a lot of thought has gone into each product, with even the fragrances being created by the perfume house behind some of the world's finest scents, and I can testify that after trying the majority (while filming a tutorial for Glossybox, which you can watch here) they all smell absolutely amazing. The set contains three full size products: RITUAL Daily Shampoo (250ml), RITUAL Daily Conditioner (200ml) and GLOW Super Shine Spray (100ml), in a stylish cylindrical gift box.

Soap and Gloary Yum at Heart Skincare Gift Set - (£16)

This cute little set is presented in a fun cookie tin and contains two of my favourote Soap and Glory products - delicious, maple scented Breakfast Scrub Sugar Body Smoother (300ml), Hand Food Hand Cream (125ml), and a pretty, practical Soap & Glory print apron.

FCUK The Woman Travels Toiletries Bag - (£18)

I absolutely adore FCUK's seasonal gift sets as they cram in lots of products at a great price. The bags they come with are also great quality and I have collected quite a few over the years for use as washbags, and even clutches for going out. This toiletries bag comes packed with some of FCUK's most popular products including:

FCUK Signature Bodywash (300ml)

FCUK Signature Bodyspray (150ml), which smells delicious

FCUK Signature Body Butter (200ml)

Body Polisher

Last on my Christmas list is not a gift set per se, but a subscription to a beauty box service!

This would make an ideal gift for any girlie girl, or perhaps someone who doesn't spend too much time treating herself and really deserves to be pampered and reminded how special she is each month! My favourite is Glossybox -£10 per month + P&P (you can read my review here). I have been an avid supporter since their beginning and think the range of brands and products they bring to your door is absolutely fabulous. I'm also excited to tell you all that they will be launching a Glossybox for Men this month, which will be sent quarterly and contain 7 luxury samples. Other beauty boxes worth checking out are:

• Boudoir Prive £10 per month + free P&P (my review here)
• Feel Unique £9.95 per month/ £109.45 per year + free P&P
• Carmine £10 per month + £2.75 P&P, £110 per year + P&P

I hope you find this gift guide useful! Let me know what gift sets you recommend and are lusting after this Christmas! xxx

Sexy Victoria's Secret Waves w/ the InStyler

I am a huge fan of Victoria's Secret! The underwear, the girls, the show, the hair, the makeup and those amazing wings. As ever this year's show was spectacular and my favourite angel Adriana Lima looked as beautiful as ever. Though I would not often want to put my picture next to hers needs must

for the greater good... good hair!

This week I have been experimenting with a new hair tool - the InStyler. I first spotted this styling tool in a commercial and was intrigued by it's innovative design, which features a rotating curling iron and a brush.

The InStyler is a multi functional tool that can both curl and straighten the hair, as well as adding volume and shine. The bristles separate individual strands while the rotating cylinder straightens and polishes. As the heat is spread evenly along the hair with the rotating motion the InStyler uses less heat than traditional tools, which is encouraging as I always worry about using too much heat on my hair! The three heat settings available are 196 °C (for thick, coarse hair),  157 °C (for thin to medium-textured hair) and 140 °C (for fine, thin hair).

To see how I used the InStyler to create sexy, soft curls and sleek, straight hair just watch the video below!


I really like the idea of the InStyler as it creates beautiful, soft curls/waves in an innovative way. However, I did find it a little tricky to use at first, especially as you have to be quite careful with the hot cylinder not to burn your fingers. This tool does come with a heat guard for this purpose, but I found it easier to remove it when curling the hair.

Being accustomed to my Babyliss Big Hair I did find it a little annoying that I could not control the direction of the spin, meaning that you always have to hold it in a certain direction to get the best results, which can be a little awkward if you are not ambidextrous. Though this is a tool that takes a little practice for me it is worth the effort as I absolutely love the shape of the curls created by the InStyler - the perfect big, bouncy, shiny Victoria's Secret waves!

The InStyler retails at £99 on their website here and is also available from Boots here... with 396 clubcard points too ;). For more information, as well as tips and tricks for creating a range of styles you can also visit InStyler's Twitter, Facebook and YouTube channel, which also has a great range of tutorial videos!

Have you seen the InStyler? Are you a fan of multipurpose hair styling tools? Are you tempted to try it? What hair style would you create with it? xxx

**This is a sponsored post.**

Look!

 The beauty brains behind Look magazine have developed their own beauty range in support of cancer charity Look Good... Feel Better, which helps ladies combat the visible side-effects of their cancer treatment. With over 100 beauty essentials including 32 eyeshadow and nail polish colours, lipsticks, glosses, foundation, bronzers and much more it is definitely a range that will make an impact with its imminent launch in Superdrug stores!

At just £4 each the single eyeshadows come in a great range of colours and finishes. I particularly like the fact that all the shadows have individual names and numbers too, which is not often the case with many affordable collections.

Left: Suede (no. 25). Right: Acid Wash (no.1).

The shadows have great pigmentation and colour pay off, though they are a little powdery, so I would recommend using them with a good base to prevent fall out.

Of all the products I have been lucky enough to play with the lipsticks (£7) are probably my favourite. I love the selection of fun colours and the creamy, moisturising texture that leaves lips feeling smooth and glossy. Pictured above is Toffee Cup (shade no. 4) a beautiful, milky and oh so wearable nude, which was kindly chosen for me by the lovely Zoe.

The Double Hit Lip (£7) is a clever double ended lipstick and gloss in a selection of bright, punchy colours. These lippies are extremely pigmented and they smell delicious too!

 Red Alert shade 4

L to R: Lipstick, Gloss, Combination.

I was also very much excited to see the selection of nail varnishes (£5) Look has an offer. A massive 32 shades encompassing some gorgeous brights, as well as bling glitters and modern nudes/ taupes. Of the two shades I received I was most drawn to Pearl Effect (shade 20).

I immediately applied this over my current nail polish (OPI Russian navy) and loved the subtle, multi dimensional effect it created. I can't wait to experiment with it as a top coat over contrasting colours!

Sophie Beresiner, the Beauty Editor of Look magazine, is such a strong, beautiful lady and an absolute inspiration. I highly recommend checking out her blog here and reading her story.


Are you a Look magazine reader? Will you be supporting Look Good... Feel Better and purchasing any products from Look Beauty? What products are you most excited about in the range? xxx