Monday 23 December 2013

re.view: Urban Decay Naked 3 palette! **UPDATED**


The Naked 3 Urban Decay palette is here...and boy it's a beauty! I was actually going to hold off buying this until the initial frenzy was over it was back in stock after a few months (since it's not limited edition, sooner or later you'll be able to get your hands on one if you want one), however I was lucky that I received this one as an early Christmas gift! 

Sunday 22 December 2013

re.commend: Mascara mix-n-match!


Problem: Have a mascara I like, have also a mascara I don't like. The mascara I like is finished...what to do?     
Solution: Mix 'n' match!


Friday 20 December 2013

re.view: Dr Jart+ BB Beauty Balm (Platinum)

Oh the photos are on their sides again! Apologies for this persisting blip, but at least I bring you a positive review! The Dr Jart+ BB Water Fuse has been popular in the blogosphere for some time, but my preference is for the 'Platinum' formula.  Not only do I prefer the richer texture and glowing finish, and high spf (30) but it actually improves my skin!

Sunday 15 December 2013

re.commend: Naked 3 - out in UK stores

Thought I'd let you know quickly that I picked up my Naked 3 yesterday from House of Fraser but I also passed through Debenhams and they had released them too and only had three left that hadn't been reserved. They are due to be released online tomorrow in these stores and they may have more stock, but this will go quickly if you are hoping to grab one before Christmas.
Pictures and review coming soon!
DB
beautifulrecreations.blogspot.co.uk

Friday 13 December 2013

re.view: Rimmel Colour Rush lip pencils

A lovely little (pinky) nude.

I bought one of these Rimmel Colour Rush lip pencils to compare with the Bourjois, Soap and Glory and Clinique chubby pencils.

...and I like it!

Wednesday 11 December 2013

re.view: CND Sticky Base Coat

Apologies for the sideways pictures! My computer is playing up and not allowing me to swivel them. However, this product looks great any which way around and works even better. I am a real nail varnish fan and even more so of products that make my existing varnishes perform better. I read about CND Stikey* base coat somewhere on the World Wide Web and determined one day that it should be mine.... I got the opportunity to finally buy it recently to make up to a certain total to receive a discount and luckily I am rather pleased with it. 

Tuesday 10 December 2013

Follow me on Bloglovin'


Hi everyone!

If you enjoy these posts, you can get them delivered daily/weekly to your inbox or to your mobile device via Bloglovin' and the Bloglovin' app. Simply click the link on the sidebar and sign up for a free account if you don't already have one. I love to look at my feed at lunchtimes and in the morning to help wake myself up!

DB

Monday 9 December 2013

re.view: Sleek Blush by 3 Pink Sprint palette





My second Blush by 3 set from Sleek - the first being the popular Lace collection - I though this time I would brand out into some more plummy shades for Autumn. 

Saturday 7 December 2013

re.commend: Urban Decay Lip pencil in Ozone

Today's post recommends a product that looks rather uninspiring, but I couldn't do without it. I've seen a few brands make a lipliner, but I have this one, Ozone, from Urban Decay. 

Wednesday 4 December 2013

re.view: Urban Decay Revolution Lipsticks

As promised, I picked up another Urban Decay revolution lipstick in 'Fiend' a pinkish-taupe! And 'Streak' a coral-nude that you can see in my Urban Decay Haul post. 





Monday 2 December 2013

re.view: Urban Decay Revolution lipsticks


A little review on some Urban Decay revolution lipsticks that I've been enjoying! This review is for the shade 'Naked', but I've recently bought two more shades that I shall post pictures up for to follow this post. 

Sunday 1 December 2013

re.create: Make your own palette! Stage 1


A rather more adventurous re.create today! And a 2-part-er at that. Here is the first part of the DIY palette!

This is a actually easier than it looks, and would make quite a fun activity for an afternoon with friends of with a younger cousin or sibling. It makes a rather heavy palette, because of the materials used, but it would make a really unique and affordable gift for a friend.

In Part 2 we will fill in the palette with two options, ready made eyeshadow-blush-lipstick, or make your own of these too!

Friday 29 November 2013

re.view: Anastasia lavish palette

A bit later than promised, but after a really good road test - a review on the Anastasia Lavish Palette!

Wednesday 27 November 2013

re.commend: The (REAL!) Urban Decay Naked 2 palette

WARNING - Naked 2 fakes!
In the run up to Christmas, if you are thinking of treating someone special to that Naked 2 palette that they've had their eye on, please read this post first! 

Monday 25 November 2013

re.commend: Top coats

A little review of my selection of top coats for you today! 

Seche Vite ('sesh veet') is my top coat of choice if I'm rushing to get ready, or more likely, I'm painting my nails in front of the TV before bed. It is a gloopy-textured nail varnish that does as it says - dries quickly! It does also give a nice gel-like shine to the nails, but I'd say that if this is your primary goal that there are other cheaper top coats available that will give you a good shine (see below).  

Sunday 10 November 2013

re.commed: Miss Sporty metals nail varnishes!

You might not know this about me yet, but I LOVE a good Miss Sporty nail varnish! Available in the UK (not sure about the rest of the world? let me know!), these are cheap and cheerful nail varnishes. I'll have a review of more of the range soon but suffice to say that they are (with the exception of a couple of duds) a nice opaque-in-one-coat formula and come with a good wide brush for neat and quick application. 

Thursday 7 November 2013

re.view: Del Sol Changing colour nail varnish!

A very quick review today on a novel little item! 

Del Sol, which I came across in Canada when I visited recently, makes a set of colour-changing nail varnishes that react to sunlight. Fun huh? I chose this little light pink number that changes to a light purple when in the sun, and picked out a green-to-cream version for a friend of mine.

It works very well and the colour change isn't so fast that you can't appreciate the magic, but fast enough that it will transform even if you're just popping outside.

I would say though that the formula is quite thin and requires a few coats to get an opaque layer, which is best for the colour-changing effect. I have found that the best way to achieve this is to apply a cream or white colour as a base then follow with two thin coats of this.

Friday 1 November 2013

re.commend: Urban Decay 'haul'!

A new Debenhams store opened up recently in my local area and I (just happened to be) passing by it so I thought I'd pop in to have a peruse of the beauty counters. I ended up buying a faux-leather jacket from Star by Julian MacDonald (not my usual content but can tell you more about this if you like - leave me a comment if you do!) and spending quite a bit of time at the Urban Decay counter. I was treated to a free makeover that was being offered that day and was given a lovely little makeup bag with free samples when I purchased the Naked 2 palette and a Revolution lipstick.


Wednesday 30 October 2013

re.commend: Bepanthen = cold-weather lip care hero



I struggle with dry flaky lips in the best of times, and in this cold weather I struggle to keep my lips from getting chapped underneath my lipstick. However, I've recently discovered this little beauty and it has completely changed the condition of my lips. Previously, I've had to stop wearing lipstick in the Autumn/Winter in favour of tinted lip balms exclusively, but this year I can wear whatever I want!

Monday 28 October 2013

re.view: Urban Decay Vice 2 palette

 What a stunner. THE 'holiday' palette of 2013.

I had actually resolved not to buy this palette despite seeing some reviews on YouTube and blogs that gave very favourable comments on both the quality and range of colours in it, because, really, who needs another palette? another pink, another bronze-brown? Well, me it turns out!


Thursday 10 October 2013

re.view: Percy and Reed No oil hair oil

I can't believe it's not hair oil! (If you've seen the butter ad. you'll love that...)

I received this mini-sized hair oil with a magazine (I forget which one...Elle, maybe?) and I must say that I'm impressed. I don't tend to go in for oils in general as I have very fine hair that needs as much volumising and as little weighing down as possible to look its best. This little thing seems to do the trick nicely and is comparable to the spritz-on volumising products that I have.

Sunday 6 October 2013

re.commend: Trusty tubes



Here you can see my well-worn tubes! I have another high re.commended set of products for you today. 

I was wondering how to start to group together my re.commendations for products that I've been using faithfully for a number of years. With little more rhyme of reason than type of packaging, I have two of them here for you today. 
There is something rather satisfying about a tube of product like this - easily squeezed to the right amount, easy to see when you're running low, lets you get the most product out possible, and most importantly keeps your product hygenic. You can see how much I have loved these two products (and I have already bought some more for when they finally run out!). 

Friday 4 October 2013

re.view: Milani Blush in Luminoso

This little blush is a bit of a blogger fave….and it doesn’t disappoint!

This is a peach-coloured blush with a golden shimmer to it. It falls on the orange-rose side of peach rather than rose-red or orange-yellow. I had a bit of a shock dipping my brush into this initially as it's very highly pigmented and dusts away so easily onto the brush that it's easy to disturb much more of the powder than you need. I've found that with highly pigmented products, in order to minimise the waste from 'tapping off' your brush all the time is to twirl the brush whilst laying it flat on it's side into the powder rather than swirling it point first (I hope that makes some sort of sense!).

Wednesday 2 October 2013

re.view: Samy Fat Hair volumising products


A little bit more ‘oomph’ for barely-there hair. 

OK, I exaggerate with the ‘barely-there hair’, but I do have quite fine hair that I’m always trying to plump up and the products from this range have done a pretty good job, when used together, at just giving me a bit more height and width to my barnet. The three products from this range that I own are the dry shampoo, a root-boosting spray, and the volumising mouse.

Monday 30 September 2013

re.view: Soap and Glory Supercat Liner



This is a lovely little liner and the price won’t make you cry neither.

I bought the Supercat liner as part of a three-for-two offer on Soap and Glory products (and during my...ohmygodwhydontIowneverythingbysoapandglory...phase i.e. two consecutive trips to Boots), and I’ve been very pleased with it. I do like a visible flick to the eye as a day-time appropriate alternative to the simple sweep of champagne, bronze or pink that usually fluff on in the morning but I’m a bit of a novice still with liquid and gel liner and I hoped that this would make my training days go a bit faster.

Tuesday 24 September 2013

re.commend: Anastasia Lavish palette available NOW

Hi everyone!
I'm still a bit poorly I'm afraid but just a quick post to let you know that the Anastasia Lavish palette has just become available on the Cult Beauty online store. They offer free international shipping for orders over £50 which should be easy to reach as the site also stocks Alpha H, Embryolisse and Jouer cosmetics.
Will be back re.viewing and re.creating very soon!
DB xxx

Update! I've just received my palette today and a review will be coming up asap 

Wednesday 18 September 2013

Short delay!

Hi everyone!

Apologies for the slight hiatus in posts to this blog - I've been feeling a bit under the weather this week. But hang in there, I have a cracking set of products (from Sleek, Urban Decay, YSL and Revlon to name but a few) and and a nifty re.create to share with you when I'm back on my feet!

DB xx

Sunday 15 September 2013

re.view: Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon

I popped into Superdrug to be pleasantly surprised at a buy-one-get-one-half-price offer on some of the makeup lines (Boots currently has this across all makeup lines). I'd just watched Essie Button's video that mentioned these as one of her favourites for August. I have really enjoyed the Soap and Glory lip crayons this summer that have a high gloss finish, as I can't be doing with a two-stage application of lip product with a lipstick then a gloss on a day-to-day basis.

Friday 13 September 2013

re.view: Rimmel Apocalips (new shades!)

New shades are available from Rimmel's Apocalips ('Show Off' in the US)

I already own a number of Apolocalips lip laquers, but haven't yet written a review of them so I'll combine both purposes in this post.


I own all the available colours, apart from the nude ones as these have a tendency not to show up well on my pigmented lips, and galaxy the purple-ish shade as these don't tend to suit my skin tone: Apocaliptic (bright fushia), Big Bang (true red), Stella (warm pink), Luna (peach), Nova (warm light pink) and Celestial (cool light pink). I love all of the shades that I own, aside from Luna that shows up OK but seems to stick to all the fine lines of my lips.

Wednesday 11 September 2013

re.view: Vo5 Give me Texture Dry Texturising Spray

I cannot believe this isn't all over the blogosphere! This is my best discovery of 2013.

I was perusing Boots (as usual) and there was a two-for-five-pound offer on Vo5 products, which I thought sounded like an excellent deal. I have long hair that falls just below my shoulders and have a good amount of it, but the texture is very fine and so it has a tendency to fall flat. I've been using the Schwartzkopf got2be Powder'ful silica powder sprinkled on my roots and dappled lightly through my layers hair in order to separate it them and beef them up a bit. This has been great and I'll still use it but it does leave an odd texture to the hair where you've put the product in.

Monday 9 September 2013

re.view: Soap and Glory Glow All Out










I've become a real fan of Soap and Glory cosmetics in a very short space of time.

This highlighter from Soap and Glory is a pink-ish hued highlighter with a cream shimmer (white but warm) to it. It is very finely milled and so has a creamy consistence to the touch. It's very easy to apply this liberally but difficult to make yourself look like a disco ball as there is no glitter to it, only a beautiful shimmer like soft-focus lighting

Sunday 8 September 2013

re.view: Body Shop Mango Body Mist

Ooooh heavenly mango scent!

I just wanted to share this with you in a quick post today as it's been a real pick-me-up these summer few weeks. I got this as a free gift from the body shop on my birthday as part of the Love Your Body card scheme. Although it is normally more than the £5 limit for the free birthday gift, it was included in the sale at the time so it was allll mine!

Friday 6 September 2013

re.view: Kiko Vinyl Lips liquid lipstick


I bought this liquid lipstick when I was in France recently at a Kiko store. There were a few colour options in the sale and so I thought I'd give one a go. I've heard good reviews all round about Kiko products, and have really been enjoying a couple of other things that I bought at the same time, but I must say that I'm slightly disappointed by this one. 


Wednesday 4 September 2013

re.view: Soap and Glory One heck of a blot!

I love this powder.

I very simple review today. Despite being the owner of the far more expensive Make Up Forever HD powder, this is the powder that I use to keep my T-zone matte during the day. Although the MUFE powder does a good job of stopping my base turning into a slip 'n' slide, it doesn't do as good a job as this one in the matte department.

Monday 2 September 2013

re.view: La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo

One day popping into Boots after work (nothing to buy, no intention to buy...typical) I spotted this in stock and decided to try it out after hearing a number of bloggers, most notably Ruth at amodelrecommends giving this a 'highly recommended' seal of approval.
Although my skin has been fairly well behaved of late due to a few changes that I've made to my skincare and diet, I always feel that, on the skin front, it's a case of keeping things under control on a daily basis that makes a real difference. This gel-like cream is suitable to apply all over your face as a spot-fighting moisturiser. This is true if you buy it in Europe but apparently the US formula is stronger designed as a spot-treatment - applying this all over your face might be a little too much for sensitive skin!

Sunday 1 September 2013

re.view: benefit They're real! mascara

I received this as a sample at some point and hadn't got around to trying it as mascaras are often included in magazines, offers and subscription boxes, but on a recent trip abroad I thought I'd take this to try out as it was a nice compact size. There has been a lot of hype about this mascara with a lot of positive reviews and a smattering of not so glowing ones.


Friday 30 August 2013

re.create: Beautiful Movements Prime & Create Mixing Medium

I received this in a glossy box back in July (I think) as in a teeny tiny little pot of 2.5g. I thought that this was a little small for a sample, but a I still haven't used up this small amount.

This clear gel is designed for use as a primer for the face or eyes or as a mixing medium with powder products. I haven't yet tested this mixed with my mineral foundation (re.created myself - follow me for tutorial coming soon!) but I have been using it as a primer and it works a treat! It makes the colour of any eyeshadow appear far more vibrant because it 'grabs onto' more of the pigment. I haven't used it as an all-over face primer, mostly because I have been testing other things out but with a look at the ingredients it seems to be a nicely lighweight, silicone-based primer that should do the trick.

Wednesday 28 August 2013

re.view: L'Oreal Voluminous mascara Carbon Black

My new mascara of choice.

Holy grail, holy grail! OK, so I haven't tried that many perhaps for this mascara to warrant such an address but this is the mascara that I have been using every day despite having four other tubes of mascara open (one natural, one defining, one 'false lash' and one turned out to be rubbish).

Monday 26 August 2013

re.view: Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush

What a wonderful little blush!

Now, this is the most expensive blush that I've ever owned. Being a highstreet cosmetic fan, particularly for colour-cosmetic products, I had never really been tempted over to the dark side of high-end blushes, but after reading such rave reviews of this product again and again I finally couldn't help myself when I had access to a Sephora in North America (It's very difficult to get hold of Tarte products here in the UK, so I think the novelty value of it probably also tipped me over the edge!).

Sunday 25 August 2013

re.view: Make Up Forever HD Powder

I bought this little tester/travel pot of the Make Up Forever HD Powder from Sephora while I was in North America recently. I'd been wanting to get a decent make-up setting powder as the warm [read: oily] summer was approaching fast and my previous highstreet/drugstore powder wasn't doing the trick. I'd also read a lot about this and was really looking forward to giving a high-end product a try!

This powder works very well indeed. It's imperceptible on the skin once applied and finely-milled so you can't see the particles of powder on the skin unless you apply it very liberally indeed (if you do, just give it a spritz of a toner to bring it back to normal!). It famously can give a white cast to the skin under flashlight photography, so I reserve this for daytime wear and tend not to wear this in the evening events. For the evening and for touch-ups throughout the day I go for the Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot powder that I am a real fan of.

Friday 23 August 2013

re.commend: Toners

What do toners do?

I've noticed a bit of confusion recently on beauty forums such as Beautylish around what toners are for and whether they are a bit outdated with the range of today's skincare available.

For me, there are a couple of different toners that I still find useful for two different purposes:

Wednesday 21 August 2013

re.create: MAC Fix+

This re.create is more of a re.dupe (except unfortunately that isn't a word...if you can think of something more appropriate please let me know!).

MAC Fix+ is a spritz for your face that is best for refreshing makeup if you've been a bit over-enthusiastic with the powder, or just throughout the day when your makeup needs a bit of re-blending or feels a bit tired. So, it's not a setting spray in the way that some of the spritzes are from Skindanavia and Urban Decay (also made by Skindanavia).

Tuesday 20 August 2013

re.view: Laura Mercier Radiance Primer

I was excited to buy the trial/travel size of this radiance primer from Sephora when I was in Canada recently as I'd been looking for a primer and prefer a luminous finish to a completely matte one.


It comes out of the tube as a peach-coloured cream and the shimmer is quite subtle once you blend it out with none of the peach tint. It glides over the skin nice and smoothly. I can't really tell on my skin the degree to which it is able to smooth over fine lines and pores but it certainly didn't highlight any dry patches.

Monday 5 August 2013

re.view: Dove summer glow nourishing lotion

Short re.view today on a gradual self tanner from Dove.

It's been lovely weather here and I've been so excited to get my summer wardrobe out. I like to wear dresses but my legs don't get much exposure in the wintery months (we have many of them here in the UK) and I don't like sunbathing so sometimes they need a little bit of a kick start on their way to a healthy colour.

Sunday 4 August 2013

re.view: L'Oreal Infallible eyeshadow

I've been ignoring these eyeshadows on the L'Oreal shelves since they came out. Despite glowing reviews from all fronts, I just couldn't help thinking to myself....do I really need any more eyeshadows? Well, during the Boots 3 for 2 offer I caved in and since I now have this blog I thought I could/should/this is just an excuse review them for you. Verdict: yes. I did need more eyeshadows and I needed these ones in particular. 


Saturday 3 August 2013

re.view: Khiels Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50

Sun calls for suncream!

I bought this in duty free at Heathrow Airport a few weeks ago before I went abroad to mainland Europe for a week. I'd heard a little bit about this and have been looking for a higher SPF cream for my face. I'd been using the No.7 SPF 30 face cream here in the UK and, while I find it well priced and very wearable under makeup, in the hot hot weather I feel like this might make my makeup slip off my face and go from 'dewy' to 'sweaty' pretty quickly...

Friday 2 August 2013

re.commend: Clean and Clear dual action moisturiser

My moisturiser!

I've tried a moisturizers few over the years and in the past have preferred to buy one with some sun protection in, but I've been buying or 'repurchasing' this again and again this year. When it's on sale in Boots I'll pick up a few to store under my dresser at home.

Thursday 1 August 2013

re.view: Alpha H Liquid Gold

Ode to Alpha H Liquid Gold....

I have come across this product on a number of blogs but I first bought it after reading a glowing review on amodelrecommends . I used to have a problem with small cystic-type spots in my skin, the type that hang around for up to a month and then leave a nice little dark scar afterwards (particularly if you get frustrated after week 3 and desperately try to squeeze it...). I've managed to figure out how to keep this fairly under control but I still have a few dark spots on my face that I'd like to get rid of.

Tuesday 23 July 2013

re.commend: Soap and Glory Kick Ass Concealer

Reflecting on my recent foray into Soap and Glory cosmetics, I remembered suddenly that I've actually bought from this line before! A much loved concealer palette-come-compact has been tucked away in my handbag's mini-makeup bag for quite some months.



The compact contains one yellow-toned concealer for blemishes and one pink-toned corrector for under the eyes. These can be mixed to depending on what you want to disguise. The compact also contains a translucent setting powder and mini puff. I find both the concealer and corrector to give a good amount of coverage, and their lasting power is acceptable once set with some of the powder.