Friction Free Shaving

If you're anything like me, you won't put much thought into your body hair removal tools or process. I jump in the bath once a week and do a big blitz then just keep on top of my underarms every other day. I really just don't have the patience, or money to be so hung up about it. I class myself as above average when it comes to body hair production, being mixed race and having polycystic ovaries doesn't bode well for me unfortunately, and I've found the easiest pain free method of dealing with this is shaving.

Known for trying to keep the same razor head going for about 4 months, when I heard about Friction Free Shaving, it sounded like a bit of me. A subscription service where you pick from one of their 3 sizes of razor - Faye (£3), Frankie (£5) or Samantha (£7). They then send you a monthly supply of razor head replacements to allow you to change your razor every week. If like me you don't need to change your blades so often, you can opt for the bi-monthly service where they send you a box every other month instead.

Should you find you a pile up of blades you're just not making your way through, you can choose to postpone your service for a month where you won't be charged or receive more blades. You are also free to cancel your subscription or change the size of blades you are receiving at any time. After ordering my razor I received my first box about 3-4 days later. Packaged in cardboard with little excess makes cutting through tough plastic a thing of the past. The box is completely recyclable and compact too. The blades are super easy to attach to the razor, just click them on at the head of the razor and tug away from the holding tray.

I may be a little bias but the first time I used my razor completely sold me on the concept. They aren't snazzy and over fiddly like the generic blade heads you get with moisture stripes that disintegrate after the first few uses, but they are super sharp. In fact, I had to teach myself to be less heavy handed after using blunt razors for years (I may have made a few cuts on the first attempt with such a sharp new razor). But I'm not sure if it was the placebo effect, but the closeness of the shave meant that my hairs didn't grow back as quick, which is always a huge bonus!

Overall, I'm a little on the fence about these razors. I do love the concept and the price is fabulous for the service you receive. But after using these for 2 months I've found the quality is quite poor compared its overpriced competitors, a lot of my razors have started to rust after only a few days of use. Even though I use shaving foam and exfoliate well beforehand, these razors can be pretty rough on sensitive skin and I'm often left with a razor rash or flaky bits of skin (not attractive). I do really like the idea, but I think Friction Free Shaving could possibly look at the quality and offer more pricier sensitive-friendly options to their range.

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

If you haven't heard of Nars Sheer Glow you've probably been hiding under a beauty rock somewhere. But if you've stumbled across this researching if it's worth shelling out your cash for or just because it's popped up in your notifications. I'm ready to tell you, the good, the bad and the ugly on the little bottle.

I'm quite fussy when it comes to foundations, I'll find one that really works for me (which is a miracle) and I'll just stick to using that for year, in fear anything else will break me out or simply look rubbish. I have quite oily skin, although a lot clearer in terms on blemishes compared to earlier years, I still need somewhat of a decent coverage to fix up my uneven complexion and tired face. Nars Sheer Glow promises a glowing, natural radiant finish with sheer and buildable coverage that immaculately evens skin tone. It is recommended normal to dry skin types due to it's hydrating properties.

I researched up a lot on this beforehand, and most people claimed it was suitable for everyone, even recommending it for oily skin types over the matte version. After using the matching tool on Findation it matched me to the colour Mont Blanc (although this is a little too light for me, and next time I'll go a shade darker). As it comes in a screw top glass bottle, I also brought a foundation pump, although it's £3 extra, it's well worth it in the amount of product save by dispensing it more economically.

It is a water-based foundation meaning it is very thin and runny in consistency, however a little of this goes a very long way and the medium coverage can be built up for a heavier coverage. I apply the foundation with a Sigma F80 Kabuki Brush, two pumps is enough for a moderate coverage and three for a more fuller coverage. The formula does require a fair amount of time and effort with blending but the results look great. The pay off is a slightly dewy, natural finish. It looks great on it's own but can also be teamed up with a setting powder for us oily skin types.

The foundation wears nicely on the skin throughout the day and doesn't leave me looking greasy. However, because the formula is so thin, it doesn't sit quite right around my eye area and can crease, but this isn't a deal breaker for me. In fact, it sits on drier patches and blemishes a lot better than heavy coverage foundations due to it's hydrating properties. It covers the redness around my nose and chin area well and provides a natural looking base.

I've included some before and after pictures showing my bare face and then a moderate application of the foundation (apologies for my bug eyes and redness).

I can go up to 4 hours before it requires any blotting or powder from me which is rare from even foundations targeted to oily skin types. Although it's £31 a bottle, after almost 3 months I am around a third through my first bottle so price per wear is relatively low. Overall, I'm really pleased I took the plunge in trying this after so many years. I can honestly recommend it to anyone of any skin type, looking for a light-above moderate coverage wanting a natural looking finish.

My only downside with this is that I'm not the biggest fan of glass bottles as I travel a lot, but it's pretty thick and durable and I haven't experienced any breakages yet. Also the fact it doesn't come with a pump for the price is pretty rubbish too, but if you purchase one, you can reuse it with each new bottle, so it isn't all doom and gloom. Apart from this, there aren't any quibbles from me!

Tom Ford Orchid Soleil

On the hunt for a new perfume to dabble in after my beloved Marc Jacobs Decadence (amazing, amazing fragrance) is coming to an end, I stumbled across something I thought I'd never try. Tom Ford perfumes are something I've never been the biggest fan of, the men's offerings are pretty good but I find the women's are very dark, musky and overpowering at times. However in July 2016 this little rose gold beauty hit the shelves and promises to bring a more floral, girly and summery addition to the current collection.

The bottle is gorgeous and would sit beautifully on any dressing table with pride. Simple but eye catching, the rose gold bottle with matching topper is accompanied by the classic Tom Ford branding taking centre position in a gold finish. The older I get the more I'm drawn to simple more classic perfume bottles, as much as I love Marc Jacobs huge toppers and details, they just aren't practical and take up a lot more space, especially when it comes to throwing it in your handbag.

I'll be honest, on first spritz I really wasn't too keen on this. I actually sprayed it onto a card and went for a walk around House of Fraser hoping it'd mute down a little. It is very strong, the sillage is heavy to say the least. It's spicy notes include pink pepper, bitter orange, cypress. It's heart notes include red spider lily and tuberose and finally it's base notes are chestnut cream, vanilla patchouli and orchid. I love that Tom Ford always go the extra mile to create something slightly different to the generic offerings by designers on the perfume market, picking more unique notes, and although very floral and sweet, Orchid Soleil is no exception to this.

Once it had settled down, I thought I'd just give it a go. The longevity of this perfume is incredible and although the price tag is a little more on the expensive side, a little of this goes a long way. I can usually still smell this on me at the end of the day and I rarely find myself having to top up throughout the day either. I decided to purchase the smallest bottle first, in case I fell out of love with it quickly, but it's probably earned a repurchase. I've had so many compliments on this and although classed as a summer fragrance, I definitely find it wearable throughout the colder seasons too.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

I guess it's time to talk about what's happening, rather than hiding from the obvious. So things haven't really gone to plan this year, and if I'm honest, I think I would have needed a miracle to them to do so in the first place. So I've just found out I may not be able to continue onto the last year of my degree, and considering it's been an emotional rocky road for the past 3 years, to say I'm devastated would be an understatement.

So here I am seeing the positives rather than the negatives of the situation, and seeing it as an opportunity to do what I love most, which is of course social media marketing. I plan on continuing with my degree and retaking a few things but it's really opened my eyes to where I am right now and what I really want to be doing. With that in mind, every year I say I'm going to focus on my channel and blog, and I never ever do. Well, this is the end of those days, if you've all noticed I've started posting on my YouTube channel again which you can find here. I've also been posting a little bit more on my blog, bare with me on that one though, I've been suffering with serious bloggers block lately.

There's been some huge changes in my life recently, and I'll probably be writing some more specific posts on those soon so watch out for them! If there's anything else you really want to see, leave me a comment or drop me an email, I get round to replying to all of those eventually. But on the whole, things are 'okay' right now. It's time to embrace some changes and move along with things. Here's to the future!

Soap And Glory Wonderbronze

I'm been using Benefit Hoola religiously for bronzing on contouring everyday for over a year now, and I've finally come to the end. Although I love that bronzer (like serious, it's incredible) I'm always happy to try something else. Soap & Glory have been my go to drugstore brand of choice over the past year, and after loving Solar Powder, I decided to give it's more shimmery counterpart a whirl. It retails at £11 which is over half the price of my Hoola, bonus.

Let's start with the packaging; unlike Solar Powder, Wonderbronze is a plastic compact. Inside it has a large mirror which is handy for people like me who don't ever carry mirrors in their handbag. The compact clicks shut easily and seems to take a good battering being bumped about in my bag on a daily basis. The bronzer itself is incredibly shimmery, which usually is the opposite of what I'd go for. However, it does have a multi wheel of shimmery tones from more deeper bronzers to the brightest of highlighting tones.

So how does it apply then? I expected this to be strongly pigmented and glittery when applied but it's actually surprised me. It quite sheer although you can build it up obviously, but I wouldn't recommend it for contouring if you like a stronger contour like myself. When the colours are mixed together on a brush, it leaves you with a golden toned bronze which is perfect for adding some glow and sun kissed colour onto the face. It doesn't look over shiny or have large shimmer partials, making it quite natural and very wearable. Overall, I really like this bronzer, but just as that, I think Hoola will have to get a repurchase to satisfy my contouring needs.