RAVPower Luster 3000mAh Gold Lipstick Charger Review

I was recently contacted by the lovely team at RAV Power to ask if I was willing to try out their new Luster Gold Lipstick Charger* and I said yes because it looked very pretty and I was keen to see how it compared with the Anker one which I had previously reviewed here.

Packaging

The packaging of any product, even if it is not a beauty item, just makes me happy and it makes me feel like the manufacturers actually care about their customers. It has an outer packaging which shows what product you receive, the colour and the specs. Inside the packaging, it has the warranty card, some instruction of use and other details about the product. Apart from the paper work, you also get a cable for charging it, the power pack itself and a clip which is a lovely touch especially for guys who don’t carry bags.

Luster Gold Lipstick Power Pack

Don’t you just love how attractive it looks? It’s just really pretty. There are other colours as well so if you are not a gold-y girl or guy, then you can choose from a selection of black, pink, blue, etc. I prefer the gold colour because it really stands out.

Specification

It has a capacity of 3000 mAH and an output DC of 5V/1A. It is really compact with a height of 4.33 inches and a width of 0.9 inches. Its weight is 2.57 oz which is pretty portable and it won’t weigh down your wallet or purse although it is described as a lipstick charger, it is definitely heavier than a lipstick. According to RAVPower, its external battery is LG grade A cell with premium chips to ensure consistent high quality.

What phones/devices are compatible?

It is compatible with virtually any device that uses a USB cable which is very handy. It works on all generations of the iPhone and iPads although you need to have your lightning cable as the USB cable attached will not work on it.  Other devices include HTC: One X, S, V/Sensation XE XL/EVO 4G/Radar 4G/Inspire 4G/ ThunderBolt  Samsung: Galaxy S4/S3/Note 3/Note 2/S2 /Nexus/Galaxy Note/Focus S/Infuse Google: Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Google glass Motorola: Droid Razr, Bionic/Atrix 2/riumph - Other cell phone, MP3, MP4, digital camera, and other with DC 5V input.

How does it work?

It works in a pretty straightforward way. When it is charging,  it shows a red light and once it is fully charged,  it shows a blue light.  Once it is fully charged, you attach your device and it charges it straight up. If you take off your phone, it automatically stops charging so you don’t have to worry about wasting the charge which is really good because many times I just take my phone off in a hurry..lol.

What else does it offer?

This is where things get as little more interesting. Would you believe this also doubles as a flash light? I know, I was surprised and the light that comes off this little device is really bright. It’s almost unbelievable! It has a small button to switch on the flash light and it has 3 settings. If press the button once, you get a bright consistent light which can act like a torch light, press the button twice, you get a dimmer light which is ideal if you hate sleeping in the dark and press it thrice, you get a strobe light which can also double as a disco light...I kid, I kid!! This means you can take this with you for camping, riding a bike at night and going to dark places and that’s really I think cool.

Comparison with Anker similar model
I thought it would be interesting to compare the RAV Power model with the Anker one. They are very similar as expected but the RAV Power one is slightly longer but weighs about the same. Of course, the added flash light gives it an edge over the Anker model. However, in terms of lasting power, I think I prefer the RAV Power model because it takes a shorter to time to charge and holds a good charge for my phone as well which is why it is my go-to power bank. I still love my Anker model but I find myself reaching for the RAV power model more these days for all the above reasons.

Cost

It is sold on Amazon which is brilliant so you can read other reviews on there by people who have purchased it. Also, it is sold both in the UK and USA and I believe they ship to other places. If you are in the UK, you can purchase it for $19.99 here on Amazon and if you live in the UK, you can purchase it on offer for £10.99 on Amazon UK. I think it’s an absolute bargain for the quality you get especially with free delivery on Amazon UK. I honestly can’t think of anything bad to say about this device but I have listed a few things which you may want to be aware of.

Cons

1  1. When you use the clip, there may be some scratches if you are not very careful.

2  2. It is slightly longer than the other power packs.

Personal thoughts

I have to say that I really like this charger because it charges my phone throughout when I am at work and that’s for a period of 8 hours which I think is brilliant. I only have to charge it in the evenings when I get home and it does not take long to charge which is even more brilliant! I particularly like the added flash light feature because it makes it a really practical device which can be used in a variety of situations and it shows that the folks at RAVPower took extra time to think about a product that will stand out against the other power banks that have flooded the market.  The clip which is attached makes it suitable for guys as well who are always on the move and it means you can never forget it as it’s clipped to your clothing. See you in my next post...x

*PR Samples: I was kindly sent this product for review but all opinions are mine as always!

Estee Lauder Stay-In-Place High Cover Concealer (5N Deep) Review

I am slowly beginning to fall in love with Estee Lauder as a brand. For some reason, I just think it’s for older women and I am not sure where that came from. My Holy Grail MAC Studio Finish Concealer finished and I was in dire need for a new one but there are no MAC Counters very close to my work place or even at home. I went into Debenhams and I saw their lovely Gifts With Purchase enticingly displayed and I decided to try the Estee Lauder Double Wear  Stay-in Place High Coverage Concealer which I had heard good things about.

Packaging

I really like how sleek and compact the packaging looks and I think the characteristic Estee Lauder  Navy Blue colour works really well with this packaging. Once you open it, you also have a small mirror which is a really good touch especially if you want to touch up on the go.

Shade

I am in the shade 5N Deep (Neutral) and I know it looks unnaturally dark in this picture and even in real life but it’s actually the best shade for me when I apply it and blend it in. I and the Sales lady were pretty sure it won’t match but when we tried the shade above this it was too light and we tried this and lo and behold! It was a perfect match.

Application

Applying concealer depends on your preference. I use concealers to hide my dark blemishes from previous acne and spots. I usually apply my concealer after my foundation because I prefer it this way and I know a lot of people apply it the other way round. I feel applying it after foundation saves more time for me especially when I am rushing off to work. I use my fingers sometimes and other times I use a concealer brush to apply and blend it in.

Coverage

As the name implies, it is full coverage which means it really hides any pesky blemishes and it actually stays in place especially when you set it with a powder. I find that it can be a little drying when applied which is fine for me but if you have dry skin you may want to moisten your concealer brush before application. I would say the wear time is between 6-8 hours which I think is fair. Depending on how you much expertise you have, you may not need to touch up before the day ends but I do occasionally and other times, I can’t be bothered.

Cost
It costs £21 which is not the most expensive concealer out there but it is quite pricey and if they did not have a free Gift With Purchase (already reviewed here) and a 10% discount, I highly doubt I would have bought it. The packaging is so pretty though with a small mirror so I am guessing that's where the extra cost went to.

Cons

1.       It may be a little drying if you have dry skin which can also make it difficult to blend.

2.       It is quite an expensive concealer but you get a good amount of product and a little goes a long way.

3.       There are not a wide range of colours unlike the other Estee Lauder Concealers.

Personal Thoughts

I really like this concealer and I aim to finish it. It looks classy, compact and does the job really well. I am not sure I would repurchase only because I feel the MAC Studio Finish Concealer is better suited to my skin and more blendable than this but seeing that Estee Lauder owns MAC I guess the formulation may be the same. But MAC is cheaper than this so it’s a total winner...

Fashstyleliv's Feature on Jennypurr Blog

Forgive me for posting this late. The actual post went up on the 14th March but somehow a few things got in the way. A little introduction to Jen from Jennypurr. Her blog is one where you can get all the bumf on beauty, skincare, makeup, lifestyle and some personal posts. I love her blog because it is so easy to navigate, has a beautiful design and her photography is one that inspires me. She writes really well and her posts are honest; she even shares some personal posts on her blog which I think is very inspiring and I find real strength from people who have the courage to share some aspects of their personal life and struggles on their blogs. It is very easy to assume bloggers (especially if their blogs looks so beautifully designed and they have the latest products) have the perfect lives but they are just real human beings like everyone else. Okay, enough of my ramblings. Can I just say how organised she is? Don't believe me, check her post out on Blogging and Being Organised and her post on Blogging on a Budget. I was lucky to advertise with her for a month (it's ending in a few days) and that's how I came to know a little bit more about her. She is a truly lovely person and I have not met her but I do feel like I know her. I was featured here on her blog where I spoke about my Updated Peek into my Makeup Bag which you should check out because it's updated and I was also featured yesterday in her Monthly roundup of her advertisers. You can also find her on her Twitter @Jennypurrblog and Instagram Jennypurrs. I would appreciate it if you checked out her blog Jennypurr (and advertise if you are a blogger) and while you are there, say hi to her from me. See you in my next post...x

Marks and Spencer's Autograph Retractable Brush Review

It did not take me long to realise that if I wanted my makeup bag to be clean and devoid of brush marks, I needed to invest in a retractable powder brush which not only looks pretty and classy but it also ensure that your makeup bag is clean. I still want the Real Technique Retractable Brushes but I decided to get this for now while I get my acts together.

Packaging

I quite like the packaging of this little brush because black always looks so classy and sophisticated. It has Autograph and Powder embossed on the brush side and the lid. It is quite handy and fits nicely into my makeup bag which is where it lives permanently. I have never tried any makeup brushes from Marks and Spencer’s Autograph range so I was quite curious to see how it held up as Marks and Spencer is well known for its good quality.

Brush Material

It feels really fluffy to touch but not as fluffy as my beloved Real Techniques Brushes but it is soft enough. The bristles are black but with hues of dark brown and red which gives it an interesting look but then you don’t know when it is dirty or not as it looks like you have some make up on. The bristles are made of synthetic hairs which is good.

How I use it

I use it mainly with my Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Glow Powder and I find that it is perfect for an even distribution on my face. The bristles pick up a good amount of product and distribute it evenly. I just wish the brush was just a little bit smaller as that would have been perfect to pack the punch but it’s not too bad. Sometimes, when I wanted a more targeted application, I retract the brush a little and it works really fine. One thing I like about it is how it does not retain products or powder on its bristles. It picks it up well and distributes it with little residue left which makes it feel fluffy for each application.

Shedding and Washing

I just washed it a few days ago and lost a few hairs which was a little disappointing because I really did not expect that but I hope it does not happen again. It washed really well which was such a relief and dried really fast; I was impressed with that. I just wash it with any liquid soap nearby and let it air dry. I think one can actually get away with washing it every day because it will definitely dry but hey! Ain’t nobody gat time fo’ dat.

Cost

It costs £7.50 which in my cheapskate opinion is a little pricier than I expected. I think it should be £5. I think it’s just me but it’s easier for me to justify spending £5 as opposed to anything more. Even £5.50 stresses me; I feel like I am just spending £10...I am just weird don’t listen to me.

Personal Thoughts

I really like it despite the cost and the shedding I experienced. It is very good quality and it actually looks more expensive that it costs. It makes my touch ups easy peasy and mess-free and I am pleased with my purchase although Real Techniques Retractable Brushes, I have got my eyes on you still....

Estee Lauder Gift With Purchase (Debenhams)

A few weeks ago, I was browsing around in Debenhams after work. I needed to buy my backup of the Clinique Anti-Blemish Foundation (review here) and I spied the Estee Lauder counter with this lovely Gift With Purchase. Normally, I never buy from them because they always have an attractive offer but you have to buy two products from their range and one has to be skin care which is never affordable. It was the same thing this time around. I had recently run out of my cleanser SK:N Vitamin Rich Cleanser (already reviewed here) so I thought "Oh well" I may as well give it a go seeing that they also had 10% discount. I ended up buying the Estee Lauder Multi-Action Gelee Cleanser and the Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer which I would be reviewing soon and I was quite happy with the discount I got and of course this Gift With Purchase (GWP). I have been using them for a little while now and I really like the range of products included so I thought a little review/first impression was due...

Packaging

As always, I really like how much effort these high end brands put in their sample sizes. It just makes a difference and you feel like you are using the full size which is exactly the feeling a sample size should evoke just so the customer can end up buying the full size if they had a good experience. I particularly love the Makeup bag and the Eyeshadow quad.

Contents

Can we just appreciate how colorful and spring-y the makeup bag looks? I love it. It is actually made of plastic/rubber and for some reason, I thought it would be cotton/canvas or whatever material normal makeup bags have. I have to say the names of their products are so looooooooooooong and I wonder whatever happened to having shorter names that actually stick better in a customer's memory. Long names aside, they were pretty generous with the range of products included inside. You are even allowed to choose what Eyeshadow Quad shade you wanted and the Lipstick shade as well which I think is commendable. Inside this beautiful bag, I received the following:

Estee Lauder Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15 (what a mouthful!)

This is now my go-to moisturiser because it is so easily absorbed and it does not leave an annoying greasiness on my face. It applies really well and keeps my skin hydrated and with the added SPF 15, it's a winner for Spring.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream

I already tried their Advanced Time Wise Eye cream and I loved it but I love this one even more. The texture feels rich but light when applied; it's really hard to explain. Once it hits under the eyes, it's also readily absorbed and I am slowly becoming a fan of eye creams because the two Estee Lauder ones I have tried are lovely.

Estee Lauder Stress Relief Eye Mask

I am saving this for when I go on holiday so I can use it on the plane because my eyes would definitely be needing it as my flight will be a long one. I am quite excited to try it because I don't think I have tried an eye mask before so I hope this is really good and I would report back after I have tried it.

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Eye Shadow Quad

You beautiful Quad....how I love you so! I was excited about this because its packaging is just beautiful and attractive. Inside the eye shadows are really tiny. Seriously, if you have big fingers and you forget your brush, you won't be able to apply this. At first, I thought the shades would look dodgy on me but they are actually good and the color pay off is fantastic but not as good as my beloved MAC. The shades are Ivory Slipper, Enchanted Forest, Nude Fresco  and Hot Cinnamon. If you are dark skinned or olive skinned, this would look pretty on you and you can get a few looks from this quad. 

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Mascara

The former non-mascara applier (moi) has been slowly converted to a die-hard mascara fan with the constant application (and practice) using some new high end mascara samples I have been trying. When I saw the wand/brush, I knew we would get on really well. I prefer lengthening mascaras to volumising ones but sometimes, it does not really matter. Although this falls under the volumising category, it's actually lengthening too and gives a very flattering length and volume to my lashes no matter how tiny they are. The trick is in the application which should be done from root to top with a slight wiggle. That always works for me and prevents clumping which is my pet peeve.

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Lipstick in Sugar Honey (83)

When I saw this shade, I thought it would be too dark but it's really flattering on my lips. It's like a nude with a hint of colour and lustre which would be suitable for olive and darker skinned ladies. I am not quite sure how flattering it would be on paler skin types but you never know. It is well pigmented and has a good lasting power on the lips sans eating/drinking. I have stuck this permanently in my makeup bag because it's the perfect nude for work.

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Intense Kajal Eyeliner Duo

Last but not least is the Kajal Eyeliner Duo which is my least favourite/used product and it's not because it's not great but mainly because I am rubbish at applying eye liner. No really, I am really bad at it and I end up with really watery and sometimes, red eyes. It's pathetic and when I rub my eyes, I look like a weeping Panda so this has been staring up at me from my makeup drawer daring me to use it. I will prevail one of these days....

That's it folks and I hope you have enjoyed it. This post was meant to go up when the offer was still on but it's ended now which is a real shame but you never know if it would be up in your local Debenhams but if if you wanted to try out any of these products, I hope this has helped however little and I will see you in my next post...x

Weekend Post #7: Beauty Discount/Loyalty Cards

Hi my lovelies,

It's unheard of me passing up on a discount. Not happening I can assure you. Many beauty brands offer lovely discounts every now and then especially towards festive times More importantly, some department stores also offer loyalty cards where you can earn points which can be converted to discounts. I thought to share my favourite discount cards ( I even threw in a few non-beauty ones). I am afraid these loyalty cards are only applicable to those who live in the UK. This year, I decided not to use any of my points until the end of the year. So help me Jah!

Boots Advantage Card

I love, love this card because the points are very generous; it's about 4 points to every £1 spent which I think is amazing. Each of those points are equivalent to 1p. So, let's say you spent £25 that would be equal to 100 points which means you have £1 to spend in store or online. Boots is one of the department stores I always go to for my beauty and health essentials so it's very easy for the points to add up. The only snag is that you cannot use it as part payment e.g. if you have 100 points which is equivalent to £1, you have to buy something that's £1 or less so you can't use it as part payment for something that's worth £2. I hope that makes sense but as I said, it's a very generous loyalty card and many times they have bonus point offers which you can get as a print out from a big pink attractive machine in some stores and sometimes, they send you some offers in the post. You also get the Boots Monthly Magazine free if you are an advantage card holder which is a real advantage (no pun intended) and this magazine also has some nice discounts/coupons inside as well.

Debenhams Beauty Club Card

This is also another favourite of mine because I usually get my high end beauty stuff from here especially my MAC goodies. In store, you get 3 points per £1 spent in store and 5 points per £1 online. When your points accumulate up to 500 points, you can have a £5 voucher off your next purchase. Also, as a Debenhams Beauty Club Card holder, you get free delivery always when you buy online. They even send you monthly statements every month to let you know your transactions and how many more points you need to get a voucher. I really like this card because they send some really nice exclusive offers and how to get samples via email so all you need to do is show your email or print it out and you get nice samples without having to purchase anything which is amazing.

Superdrug Beauty Card
I remember using this when I was a student because there was a nice large Superdrug store near me. There are just a little stingy with their points though. You get 1 point per £1 spent and if you have 100 points then you can have £1. It's just looks a bit annoying that you have to spend £100 pounds to get £1 off. The good thing is sometimes they do some bonus points offers where you get 10 points per pound which is a much better. On the bright side, the card has a small mirror on it so if you ever need to touch up and you forgot your mirror, you have a spare mirror in your card.

House of Fraser Recognition Card
Out of all the cards, this looks the prettiest but it is also the least used. I find that they don't offer a lot of bonus points like their other competitor Debenhams who seems to always have bonus points offers or one offer to entice you to go shopping. It's the same 1 point per £1 spent but it's easier to get hundred points here because most of the items sold here are high end brands. One good thing is they always send emails to get samples and some exclusive offers which I think makes up for their lack of generous points. You also get bonus points on your birthday.

Body Shop "Love Your Body" Card
I forgot to mention that all the other cards above are free of charge except this one. *rolls eyes* I know but they have very good benefits. It's a little different to most of the other cards. You pay a sum of £5 for the card and it is valid for 1 year (All the other cards are valid as long as you spend and accumulate points I think). With this card, you get 10% discount off your shopping. They also operate the stamp system where you get a stamp for every purchase you make of over £10 after any discounts have been applied. If you get 4 stamps, you receive a gift worth £5 and if you get 8 stamps, you also get a gift worth £10. Lastly, you are entitled to a free birthday gift which you can claim on your birthday month in store. I actually like this card despite having to pay for it simply because their system is very user-friendly and it's  very hard not to get any points because they always have amazing offers in Body Shop and most of their beauty items are quite affordable

Bentalls Beauty Loyalty Card
This is not a very common beauty card but I got it when Le BF lived quite close to a Bentalls. Accumulating points is straight forward but it's quite expensive. It's not like all the other plastic cards rather it's just a small paper card which has a stamp system. You get one stamp for every £25 spent in store which is very easily done because all the high end brands pitched their tents in Bentalls and let me tell you, their beauty hall is just so beautiful, I just go there for a browse every now and then. On your tenth stamp (by then you would have spent a whooping £250), you get £10 off your next purchase. I am still on my second stamp but that's because I only got the card but I am in no hurry to accumulate all those other stamps as it's quite a pretty expensive hobby/venture. The good thing is they send you a lovely email on your birthday which entitles you to 10% off all brands including Chanel which was how I was able to buy my Chanel Les Beiges featured here already.

Space NK Card
I don't have my Space NK card here but it's also another generous loyalty card. You get 1 point for every pound spent and when you get up to 100 points, it is converted to a £5 reward/voucher which you can spend on your next purchase. If you spend a whooping sum of £1000 or more in a year, you get upgraded to N.Indulge deluxe where you then get £10 off every 100 points which seems even more enticing. However, you need to spend your rewards regardless of what category you are within 3 months before they expire.

Wondering how I store all these cards; well my little purse from Primark sorts it all out. I hope you have learned a thing or two about these cards and how they work. I am sorry all these cards are just exclusive to the UK but I think the Body Shop one has similar cards in other countries where they have Body Shop stores. I am thinking of doing a non-beauty discount card; what do you think? leave me a comment below and see you in my next post...x

The Samples: Clarins Toning Lotion with Iris and Gentle Exfoliating Toner with Tamarind

                                  

 

I love sample size products because they just look so cute and it gives you a cheap chance to try out products. I went in to try out the Clinique Brow Pencil as there were no MAC counters near to me. You all know I love my MAC Brow Pencil in Stud. The Clinique Sales Lady was not in but the Clarins Sales Lady was there and she helped me with my Clinique purchase and we started chatting and she was really helpful and friendly. Although, I did not buy anything from Clarins, she gave me these samples to try out. What a jolly lady she was!!! She gave me the Clarins Toning Lotion with Iris (for combination to oily skin) and the Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Brightening Toner. I really like Clarins because most of the ingredients used in their formulation are derived from plant products and natural derivatives. Can we just take a moment to appreciate how dainty these samples look? I think they look so cute! Now this is not a full review because I believe a full review should be with a full size product so I would say this is more of a first impression and thoughts kind of post....let's dive in

Clarins Toning Lotion with Iris

Now, this has a slight fragrance which I really don't mind at all; in fact I actually find it pleasant. I use a cotton pad with this and I find that it has a slight hydrating effect on my skin. It refreshes my skin and you can tell that something different is happening after you apply it. It does not contain alcohol so there is no fear of drying out the skin. It might be my imagination but it does feel really cooling when it hits my skin but not in a "minty" way just in a really nice refreshing way (I am aware I have mentioned that it's refreshing already). I think this may be down to the Iris content; just maybe. When I run out of my current toning lotions, I may buy the full size of this because it's really lovely.

Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Brigthening Toner

This was the sample I was originally after and I am glad the Clarins lady had one left in her stash. I had heard about this toner from quite a few blogs so I was naturally interested. Anything that says exfoliating gets me excited because as you may know by now, I am looking to clear my hyperpigmentation left from some evil acne I once had. I am glad at least my breakouts are now under control (hallelujah). I like the fact that it says gentle which means even people with sensitive skin can use this. It contains Tamarind and White Nettle which have exfoliating and brightening abilities. It also says on the tiny packaging that it contains AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) which are known for its exfoliating, brightening and cell renewal properties. This also means you have to use a sunscreen to protect your skin as the AHAs make it more sensitive to sunlight. I really like this toner because I feel it has helped my skin despite the tiny amount and short time I have used it. It has a distinct smell of citrus which I really like as well and you can tell I like fragrances in skin care and I am lucky my skin does not mind. This toner is definitely one on my wish list having tried it now. That's it folks and see you in my next post...x

Blog Anniversary: FashStyleLiv is 1

Hi My Lovelies,

I cannot believe it has been one full year today since I started blogging. It's amazing and a huge milestone for me. I am sure you may have heard me talk about the whole blogging beginning in a few posts here and there but as it is the anniversary; I think it's perfect time for a story.

Blogging Background/Foray
Many of you may not know but I started blogging at first in 2008 or so when I first heard about blogging (although, I think blogging may have been in the radar way before I even got wind of it). I started a blog and only uploaded one post (the shame!!). I didn't even understand what blogging meant so I never continued. Fast forward to 2010, I started blogging again although I was not very serious with it. I just posted every very few moons and I really wonder how on earth my readers still stayed put. But they did-the amazing lot they were. These other blogs are still alive (sorta) but they are all private blogs now.

Starting Afresh

I would say a series of events are linked to my blogging and moving to London played a big part in it. In 2013, I moved to London from Manchester to start a new job and I was really excited. You see, 2013 was a special year to me because it was the start of many new beginnings for me. Moving and living in London was amazing  and a new experience for me although I had been there (or is it here as I am writing this from London) so many times I can't even count but visiting is not the same as actually living here and soaking in everything that makes London tick. I also got my iPhone and I discovered how much I loved taking pictures on it. I was so pleased I could download many photo editing apps and bloglovin which kept me in sync with all my favorite blogs. I was intrigued to see that blogging had changed immensely and it was a whole new world which I was even more interested in. It slowly started replacing my love for buying magazines and now I just buy the odd one if it has freebies or download straight to my iPad. Although there is still something special about reading a hard copy magazine I just don’t buy them as often as I used to.

Fashstyleliv was borne

I had been seriously thinking about starting my own blog but I really wanted to get it right or at least make fewer mistakes so I could be consistent and regular. I thought of so many things I liked about blogging and topics to blog about and I settled for beauty and skin care with random lifestyle, photography and hair care posts. I thought of a name and settled with Fash Style Liv because I wanted to incorporate my name with Fashion and Style although I don't really have many fashion posts (hehehe). I got my domain name because I didn't want to have a blogpost.com or .co.uk and I felt a domain was more professional. I bought a template, took a few pictures and I wrote my first blog post and hit publish. It was a beautiful feeling which I wanted to get over and over again hence why I have been posting ever since then.....

Keeping on

For a long time, I didn't have many views and I won't say that did not bother me but I was not obsessive about it. I loved to blog so I kept on blogging because I actually just enjoyed reading my blog posts after a few days and it just seemed like a little accomplishment. Slowly but surely, I started getting more views and even subscribers, it was incredible to me. I got some social media links like Twitter for my blog, Instagram (personal and for my blog all rolled into one), Facebook,  Pinterest, Glipho, Reddit all to share my blog posts and I started getting more views, readers and even comments. Fashstyleliv also has its own bloglovin link here (notice how I am shamelessly promoting all my links!!)

A little recognition

Then, one day I went to ITSU restaurant in London (post here), I took some photos and blogged about it. They loved it; shared it on their social media pages, left me comments and thanked me on twitter. I was so pleased and my views even doubled and that post is still one of my favourite posts. One day, I stumbled upon Gamila Secret Cleansing Bar (post here) and tried it. I loved it and reviewed it. Gamila Secret got in touch with me about my post saying how much they loved it and offered to sponsor a Giveaway for my readers. It was amazing to feel appreciated for what you do even if you love doing it. More brands started getting in touch for reviews of their products; some I have said Yes to and I have loved working with them e.g Nanshy Brushes, Leonie Skincare, iPromise, The Photography Show UK, RavPower, etc. Many I have turned down because I felt it didn't fit the scope of my blog but always with a polite email. During this time, I have hosted a few giveaways in conjunction with other brands and two other ones by myself and I have been very pleased with the response. Thank you so much to everyone who participated and the brands who sponsored it. I am planning a big giveaway to celebrate my blog's one year anniversary so watch this space for more on that.

What I have learnt

I wish I could write all I have learnt but it is impossible. I have learned so much from you my readers, from Google (my best friend), other blogs and tutorials. I have a few posts here, here and here if you would like some blogging tips. Personally, I feel like I have grown within myself and become more confident in many areas because of my blog. Believe it or not, my blog has influenced my working ethics because I write many work reports better now and many publications that I have been involved with at work have benefited from all the knowledge gained from blogging. I have become more confident especially during interviews , presentations and meetings with people at work. I have improved my photography skills and editing skills as well. I have learned so many technicalities that happen at the back office of blogging that it's incredible to think of all I can do now because of my tiny blog. I am grateful and feel very blessed to have accomplished a few things in my personal life, education and career but this blog is one of my favourite accomplishment...I feel it’s that needed topping on ice cream-the salted caramel on the ice-cream of life.

Future

Who knows what the future holds but I can say for sure that it's very bright, promising and hopeful. I will continue to blog and take many crazy pictures as much as I can because this blog is like my baby whom I nurture to achieve above and beyond consistently. I got my blog a birthday present- A Canon 600D Camera and it was a huge spend for me (and the blog) but I have wanted it for almost 2 years now and I think this is the right time to get it especially after blogging for a year so expect better pictures moving forward. Photography is a constant love for me and all the pictures on this blog were taken with either my trusty iPhone or my Nikon Cool Pix. Others were taken with my FujiFilm Bridge Camera. At the moment, I have had almost 100,000 page views within this first year and it's amazing!!! Thank you so much for all your support, comments, likes, shares, sweet words. You can never understand how much you mean to me and how helpful everyone has been in one way or the other. Times when I have felt low, I just receive this lovely comment, tweet, message or repost from one of you and it's so beautiful. Thank you once again and this is to many more years to come..xx

Clinique Anti-Blemish Foundation Review in (Fresh Golden)

Hi Me Loves,
I hope your week is churning out all well and good. I can't believe how long it has taken me to review my favourite foundation especially when I am getting near the end of the bottle and I have even purchased a backup. If I purchase a backup of any product, then I must really love it and this, my dears, is a perfect example of a foundation that has stolen my heart. I got the first bottle during the Christmas Sales/Boxing Day Haul which seems like it was yesterday but in reality, it's been almost three months. As usual with all my purchases, there is always a little story that goes with it. I received a tiny tub of this foundation sample when I bought the Clinique Anti-Blemish Solution Skincare (review here) and I was really impressed with it so I decided to give it a go which is why I keep wishing brands keep up with providing free samples of their products at their counters because it's the quickest ways to drive up sales and of course, get more customers. Ramble over, let's get into the details..

 Packaging
For the first time, I am actually not impressed with the packaging of this foundation and I really think Clinique should look into it and make it look at least luxurious. In all fairness it's a practical package but more for a drug store foundation and not a high end one that's not particularly cheap. It comes in a "small" plastic (*widens eyes*--> what ever happened to glass packaging?) bottle with a plastic lid/screw which has a metal/silver plating to it (thank goodness for that little touch). Yes, it is very light and can be carried around easily but I would prefer a better looking packaging. If I had not tried this foundation as a sample, I seriously doubt if I would have purchased it based on its appearance but as the saying goes "Don't judge a book by its covers". It looks and feels really small and light and I had to ask the sales guy (yes, it was a guy) if it was really the standard 30 ml even though it said so on the packaging and he confirmed it was. I can also confirm it really is as mine has lasted for almost 3 months.

Shade
My shade is Fresh Golden 07 which is really perfect for my shade. At first when applying it, it seemed a little dark but once my whole face is finished, it blends in really nicely and I have been wearing it without any concealer for a really long time up until 2 weeks ago. The good thing with Clinique is the variety of shades that they have with their foundation which is really surprising because I never expected them to have such a wide range and I am really and truly impressed. I recommend testing out this foundation in store so you can get well matched or better still, try and get a small sample so you can test it in the comfort of your room and when you are out and about. When I have looked at this shade online, it looks nothing like its true nature so the store is your best friend for the first time you want to get a foundation and then you can make subsequent purchases online.

Coverage and Application
I have always worn this with a primer because I just know my bare skin and foundation are not good friends at all. I apply this with my Real Techniques Buffer Brush because I find that it's the best brush for buffing this smoothly onto my skin for a flawless finish. Once well applied, it dries matte on my face which is perfect and to be honest, you don't really need a powder and I absolutely love it for that. If you have oily skin/combination skin, run to your nearest Clinique Counter for this foundation because it is brilliant. The best thing is Clinique has incorporated salicylic acid which is known for its acne/spot/blemish blasting powers into this foundation which is the reason why it is unheard of for this foundation to break you out. It's perfect for acne-prone skin.

Lasting Power
As mentioned earlier, I have never worn it without a primer so I can't really say how long it would last without one but it lasts from 5-7 hours for me which is fantastic. I find that the best primer I have used with foundation is the Benefit Porefessional Primer. I am currently testing out the Clinique Universal Primer (review up soon) which was a free when I purchased a back up of this foundation in Debenhams so if you are thinking of buying this foundation, this is best time because you get a free primer with your purchase. My T-zones begin to get oily as the end of day approaches but my foundation is still intact. It provides a medium-full coverage depending on what look you are after but it always gives a very good coverage. I just love this foundation honestly and it has to be one of the few foundations I have bought a back up for even when the current one is not even finished.

Cost
It retails for £24 which I think is reasonable for a high end brand and it works out cheaper than some MAC foundations and so many other high end ones like Lancome, YSL , Chanel, etc although I think this may be so because of the cheap plastic packaging. (No, I won't stop whining about it). As always, keep your eyes peeled for discounts in the popular Department Stores or other online beauty stores for offers because it's always best to get a discount with any high end products. Heck, I don't even mind getting discounts for drug store products.
 
Personal Thoughts
I am in love with this foundation and it's perfect for my shade and my skin. It has also helped in keeping my breakouts at bay because I find that sometimes some foundations are the chief culprits for breaking out my skin and this is one of the few that don't break me out but still looks fantastic. It's my Holy Grail foundation although I am open to try other ones. Next on my wish list is the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation which has made its rounds within the blogging and beauty world..See you in my next post..x

Lancome La Vie est Belle Perfume Review

Hi My Lovelies,
It's really bizarre how I have not been reviewing my most cherished products. It's obviously not done intentionally; it's just that I have been so busy enjoying them that I have forgotten to share the love. The first time I smelt this fragrance was sometime in 2011 as a free sample given to me at the Lancome counter with a purchase I made (I think it was the Lancome Teint Idole Foundation I bought). I was enchanted with its fragrance, longevity, sensuality and just everything about it except the price tag which was a bummer so I was content with using the sample and spritzing myself any time I found myself in Debenhams, House of Fraser and Boots. But I still really wanted it and I was contemplating asking someone to buy it for me from Duty Free. However, in my Christmas and Boxing Day Haul (post here), I was finally able to lay my mitts on it and I got an even better deal in a gift set which housed The Lancome La Vie Est Belle (30ml) EDP, La Vie est Belle Body Lotion (looks tiny so it may be a hand lotion), Lancome Vernis in Love Madame Tulipe and Lancome Hypnose Mascara sample. I got it all for £28 and if that's not a bargain, I don't know what is. I was thrilled.

Packaging

The packaging of the perfume itself is exquisite as expected from Lancome who always go out of their way to make luxurious packaging for their products and even samples ...Ohh how much I love you Lancome!! The bottle is just beautiful..almost as pretty as the Marc Jacobs Daisy Perfume (reviewed here) but it’s more classy and elegant. It has a small grey ribbon round the neck of the bottle which contrasts well with the light pink tone going on. It just whispers Paris Chic/Elegance (I was going to write screams Paris Chic but hey! I can’t imagine Parisians screaming as they all seem so composed and put together).

Notes/Ingredients

If you have read most of my perfume reviews, you would know I am utterly rubbish at describing scents/fragrances so I am just copying what Lancome says about the notes of this fragrance. Top notes are Blackcurrant and Pear which gives way to its middle notes of Iris, Jasmine and Orange Blossom before settling to its final/base notes of Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Praline and Patchouli. The notes I recognise are the Vanilla and Praline and the mix is just gorgeous. It is a sweet scent but not in a girly way if you get my drift. It’s more of a sophisticated sweet smell as expected from anything with a mix of vanilla, praline and the lovely smell of patchouli. 

Who is this fragrance for?

For. Me. Only. I am kidding; it’s a scent for anyone who likes sweet or flowery scents/fragrances. If you also like a sweet smell with that  ever so light hint of muskiness, then this is a scent for you. If you are a French wanna-be *ahem*, then this is perfect. I would love to wear this everyday but I only have 30 ml and I really do not want it to get finished so I save it for alternate days and for outings . I have received numerous compliments from various people any time I wear this fragrance because it is just so pleasant.

Cost

It comes in form of an Eau de Parfum (EDP) and Eau de Toilette but mine is EDP. 30 ml retails from £44, 50 ml costs £59 and 75 ml retails for £70. It’s a quite pricey so I suggest waiting to buy it when Debenhams, John Lewis and House of Fraser have discounts and If you are in the USA, keep your eyes peeled for when Sephora have some discounts. That's it folks. What fragrance are you lusting after?  See you in my next post...x

Weekend Post #6: Desk/Working Space Organisation feat IKEA Micke Desk

Hi my Lovelies,

If you remember my post on behind the blogging scenes, I mentioned that I blogged in a variety of places with my bed being my favourite which it still is. But let's face it, hands up if you are able to work efficiently and productively on your bed? Yeah, me neither; I am not just one of those lucky people who can do so much on their bed which is why I wanted to get a desk. My room is an average size so I was not sure a desk would fit in well but I was rather pleasantly surprised that it did and it really makes my room even cosier. I got the desk from IKEA and it's from the Micke Range. Thank goodness Le BF drove me to IKEA because their locations are just always so out of town which is really annoying if you have to take public transport. I already knew the model number of the table so I just picked it up and took it straight to check out. I had no time for wandering which would have bankrupted me if I did because IKEA just has so many beautiful things *sigh*.

Sadly, Le BF had to leave early so there was no time for him to help me assemble it (he promised to do it next week) but the excited little DIY girl in me could not wait. So, I got down to business and I prayed first because I really didn't want to mess it up as I have seen a few examples of "dislocated and disjointed" IKEA furniture. The assembly instructions were pretty straightforward but you have to be careful and follow it to T. When it was all done, I felt so proud and super accomplished. I know it's silly right but it just meant a lot that I actually put it together all by myself. I have never, ever assembled anything major...(I once put together my IKEA clothes rack though but that was biscuits compared to this). Next on the list was organising my desk. I personally like an organized spacious space because an organized space greatly influences my mood and work demeanour. The main reason for buying this desk was to have a personal space to do some work/reading both on my normal job and for blogging.

With this at the back of my mind, I was able to plan out my personal desk staples which include the following:

1. Laptop: That's where all the work needs to be done including blogging, editing my photos, browsing, doing some research for work and just planning. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have a laptop.. Nah!! I can't even imagine it right now.

2. iPad: It's essential for my blogging as I can always check out a few things while still working and iPads are just so beautiful to browse on.
3. Lamp: There is just something relaxing about having a lamp rather than a big bright light.
4. Candles: I like the idea of having candles in a room because it is very calming but I find it really hard to splurge on really expensive candles (Diptique and Jo Malone, I am looking at you) so I settled for one from IKEA (95p) and a small Yankee Candle which was £1.
5. Flowers: To be honest, I have not always been a flower girl but towards the end of last year, I had to buy some flowers for an occasion and I fell in love with flowers. They are so beautiful and can really change the atmosphere of a room. However, I decided to get artificial ones for now which look really pretty and you can't even tell (I know it's silly but I put some water in the vase...don't judge me)
6. Vase: I wanted a nice long and simple vase and I chose this one from Wilkinson because it just appealed to me. I tested the flowers inside it and it looked amazing so I got it.
7. Pen Holder: I got mine from Wilkinson to store my pens, pencils, scissors and other random stationery.
8. Power Sockets: The best location for your table would ideally be near a power source so you can charge and connect your laptop, lamps and other devices.
9. Notebook/Diary: I love to write and take notes, in fact, my mum calls me secretary..lol. I have always loved writing with a pen and paper because it just makes me happy :-)
Other random things on my table which are not really essential but can make a desk look really snazzy.
1. Magazines: I love to have my magazines near me because they also add some inspiration when I am blogging and they could act as props as well.
2. Makeup and Storage: Yes, I love to put my makeup and storage on top of my desk (I have also started doing my makeup here too)  because it looks nice there and it also makes a good backdrop for pictures. All storage are from Muji and the red box on top was from a Lancome Gift set I got last year and I have converted it to a box for samples that need to be tested/used. My brush holders are just normal glass cups which I have had for ages. I think I got them from Sainsbury and they have come with me through my many moves across the UK and this is one way to ensure they never get broken.
3. Teacup and Saucer:  The Teacup and Saucer are from TK Maxx and it cost only £1 altogether. I love to have a cup of green tea when I get back from work because it has many health benefits including boosting the body's metabolism and it makes me feel relaxed. I just love how it tastes especially when I add some honey and lemon. That's it folks!! My desk space is now one of my new favourite places to be and it has helped me stay more focused and organised in more ways than I imagined. Hope you had a wonderful weekend and see you in my next post...x

Lush Tea Tree Toner and Lush Grease Lightning Spot Treatment Review

Hi My Lovelies,

I popped into Lush after almost 2 years because I wanted to stock up on an old favorite. Back then, I bought the Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner and I really liked it and I kept saying to myself I would stock up but I had other toners to use so it didn't happen until a few weeks ago.  This time around I didn't end up buying it rather I was convinced by the ladies who work there to try the Tea Tree Toner as my skin is prone to acne and it is a bit on the oily side. I listened to them and also picked up the Lush Grease Lightning Spot Treatment which I had heard many good things about.

Lush Background

I am pretty sure you have already heard about Lush but it won't stop me from rambling a little bit about their background in case there is an off chance that someone here has never heard of them. They are a cruelty free beauty and skin care brand which specialise in mainly skin care items ranging from Bath soaps, Bath Bombs, Spot Removers, Toners, etc. All products are handmade is brilliant.

Lush Tea Tree Toner

As mentioned earlier, I had already tried the Breath of Fresh Air Toner which I really liked but I was keen to try something new and this toner was highly recommended by the Sales ladies.I like the packaging because it’s black and really stands out from all other packaging. However, as expected with all black/opaque packaging, you can’t see how much product you have left so you have to guess or estimate. It smells of Tea Tree Oil which is its main ingredient but it’s not an over powering scent. I use this straight after cleansing and it is really refreshing. Sometimes, I spray it directly on my face and other times, I spray it on a cotton pad and swipe it across my face. Tea Tree oil in itself has numerous benefits for the skin including reducing inflammation and redness that accompany acne and it also helps clear the acne. It does exactly what it says but I won’t go as far as saying it works really fast. It is an effective and natural way to help keep the skin free from nasties and I find it really refreshing on my skin.

Lush Grease Lightning Spot Treatment

I have seen this floating around a few blogs and I thought it was about time I tried it for myself. I was not disappointed. It come in a smaller bottle compare to the toner but it also has a pump which is really handy. In addition to it Tea Tree Oil content, it also contains Grape Juice, Aloe Vera , Seawater, Rosemary and Thyme which all have various functions ranging from antibacterial to antiseptic to acne/spot blasters. I really love the combination of ingredients because it treats the acne and also helps nourish the skin around. many spot removers end up drying out the spot and the skin around the area but that;s not the case with the Lush Grease Lightning as it leaves the area really smooth and soft while effectively treating the spot. The only snag is it may take a longer time to clear the spot completely compared to other fast acting spot treatment gels. The product itself has a gel-like consistency so it is rather easy to apply. I rally don't have anything bad to say except the length of time it takes to work compared to others I have tried but the fact that the ingredients are natural and handmade scores it really high points in my books.

Personal Thoughts

I am really pleased with my purchase and I think Lush products are fantastic. Their Tea Tree Oil range is super for acne and combination/oily skin which is what I have so I have no complaints with it. I guess they are never going to change their packaging because it 's their signature look so I can stop complaining about not knowing when the product finishes or not. See you in my next post..toodles...x