17 Instant Glow Tanning Range

17 Cosmetics launched a new tanning range that really caught my eye recently. I think my local Boots just got ther products in as they had no stand for anything.

 There was so much to choose from, I finally decided on these two products.

First up there's the Instant Glow Bronzing Powder for Face and Body. I had a Gosh Sun Powder like this last year, which I unfortunately broke. The difference between the two products was the price, Gosh's offering was €20 while this cost me €7.49. Not bad at all! The powder is described as a "animal print maxi bronzer" as it's covered in leopard print. The shimmer design on the product is a overspray and comes off after one use. For people that don't like glitter in bronzers, I found that underneath the overspray there was hardly any (almost matte). I also buy bronzers that are always way too dark for me, this shade was perfect. A big thing that I hate about this product is the chalkiness, like it's the worst I've probably seen. You can see in the picture above how bad it is! After two swipes of a brush, that is the amount you get. This factor alone is why I won't be purchasing this product again.

Instant Glow Gold Bronze Shimmer Brick is so beautiful. I've never tried a Bobbi Brown Shimmer brick but I presume this is a cheaper alternative. Straightforward to use, you swirl all four of the shades over your cheekbones and woola your left with a gorgeous glow. Each of the four shades in the brick would make great eyeshadows as they are also very pigmented. I just don't know how well they'll work as shadows after I swirl them altogether. 17 Instant Gold Bronze Shimmer Brick cost €6.59 which in my opinion was a bargain. I seen that it's also available in Pink Bronze shade, I'm going to pick that up on my next visit to Boots.

 Both prices are very reasonable so I can definitely see myself buying more from this range. I have my eye on the bronzing rocks. Only weird thing I seen with both products is that it says "Wash Off" on the front (common sense don't you think?).

Will you be purchasing anything out of 17's new range?

Laura<3

NOTD - Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips in Frock Star

I was trying to get my hands on Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips for  ages until I spotted them in my local pharmacy. I have never tried nail strips before, so I was intrigued to see how they'd work. 

I picked up the shade Frock Star which you can see is a multi coloured glitter affair. I used these nail strips over Christmas as I thought they'd look great.

In each set of Salon Effects you get the following:

16 Nail Polish Strips

Cuticle Stick 

Mini File/Buffer

I like how you get 16 nail polish strips in the set. As being quite clumsy I needed to use more than ten strips. It did take me a while to get the hang of applying them, even buffing the excess strip off was a nightmare. This resulted in the loss of some polish off my nails which you can see in the picture below.

Being real polish strips they can be removed using a nail polish remover. As Frock Star is mainly glitter it did take a while to remove from my nails. I'm left undecided whether I'd purchase these again, maybe I would for upcoming holidays or a night out.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips retail for €8.95 and are available to buy in selected stores.

Have you tried these nail strips? What are your thoughts?

Laura<3

Revlon Lip Butters

After hearing so much about the Revlon Lip Butters all over the blogosphere, of course I was delighted when MakeupLand2011 sent me three as part of my Christmas presents.

 The shades Chia sent me are Cotton Candy, Peach Parfait and Sugar Frosting. I've been using them all so much, they've never been out of my bag. All three lip butters are so wearable and look well with any makeup look. I apply them to my lips daily especially when I'm not in the mood for lipsticks. The shade names are also really nice and sweet, which I like alot.

As you can see from the picture above I've used these good bit already. I was surprised at how pigmented these lip butters were especially Sugar Frosting, it's definitely a my lips but better shade. They may not be as moisturising as some lip butters I've used in the past. That said I'd much prefer them when I'm having a dry lip moment as they do give a nice pop of colour.

The packaging itself is very sleek, I like how the case has a see through top letting you see the product inside. I know on occasion I've bought a lipstick after relying on the colour of the packaging, never a good idea. The only tiny problem I have with the packaging is that the product does tend to smudge like the Carmex Lip Balms did.

Cotton Candy, Peach Parfait, Sugar Frosting

Here is a picture of me wearing my favourite lip butter, Cotton Candy. It's such a gorgeous pink shade. The foundation I'm wearing in this picture is Revlon Colour Stay foundation, I purchased it after I reading so many great reviews. So far so good I love it. How does it look? Excuse my shelves in the background, still in the process of reorganising everything.

Revlon Lip Butters are going to be available in Ireland/United Kingdom on Thursday 23rd February. There are twenty shades to choose from, so I can see myself purchasing some more of these!

What do you think of the Revlon Lip Butters? Will you be purchasing some in February?

Laura<3