Friday 30 January 2015

Facemask Fails

 
     We've all been there at one point or another, and if you haven't yet, you will soon enough. It doesn't matter what makes you buy it; whether you've lusted after it for a lifetime, bought it on a whim or been pressured into buying it following a hard sell from a sales assistant; sometimes in life we just get hold of a product that just does not work for us, causing disappointment, financial loss and sometimes even pain!
     Today's two featured facemask are unfortunately guilty of this. 
     Now, it should be pointed out here that these are my own opinions based on my own experiences. Just because they don't work for me, does not mean they will not work for you! While some may find a product disappointing, others may consider it a favourite, and therefore you should not be put off from trying it for yourself! This is simply my own experiences of the products; a warning of what can possibly happen!
     For reference, it should also be pointed out I do not suffer from sensitive skin and therefore this reactions are highly irregular for me,
     Now that the housekeeping is out of the way, lets begin!
     So, first up, we have The Body Shop Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask. This product is, of course, a clay face mask for combination/oily skin. This product is actually a best seller for Bodyshop; grey in colour, the Bodyshop claims this mask draws out impurities, clarifying and refreshing the skin. A 100ml tub costs £13, which is big enough to provide a number of applications.  
     I actually bought this after reading some good reviews online, and tried it the very same night I bought it. However, within a few minutes of applying the mask to my face it started to sting. I persisted, leaving it on for the required time. However, once removed, my usually pale skin was very, very red. I have actually tried to use this product since then a few times, but each time has provided the same result, forcing me to shove it firmly to the back of the bathroom cabinet!
     This is the first product i've ever had a problem with; overall I am quite a fan of the Bodyshop, and so I assume that there is just a particular ingredient in this mask that irritates my skin.
     With this in mind and still looking for a nice face mask to use, I tried a Lush best seller next. The Mask of Magnaminty is a face and body mask containing peppermint, and Lush claim that it fights spots and blackheads, returning your skin back to 'top condition'.
     I was eager to try this because I love Lush products, and as I'd heard such good things about the mask already (Check Instagram, literally everyone is talking about how good it is) I decided to take the plunge and pay £5.50 for 125g of product. 
     I assumed that the irritation from the Bodyshop mask was caused by Seaweed, as I'd never used a product containing Seaweed before and therefore assumed this product was safe. However, my reaction to this product was actually worse than the Seaweed mask. And when I say worse, I mean horrifyingly bad.
     The first time I used it I followed the instructions as recommended to me by a sales assistant; I placed the product on my face for ten minutes and waited for the magic to happen, and actually to be fair at first it did. My skin looked noticeably cleaner, especially on my nose where I have a fair few pesky blackheads constantly lurking! Happy, I then used it as a cleanser the next time I used it, as I was advised is possible. I was, again, happy.
     This is where it gets terrifying. 
     A couple of days later my skin became really sore, dry, itchy and red. These words do not do it justice; I woke up and my skin, especially near my hairline on my forehead, was bright red like suburn, so dry and itchy that my skin was literally flaking off from my face (I know, gross!). The pain was pretty unbearable. I soothed it with cream, swapping my usual moisturiser for Nivea cream and absolutely piling it onto my face, which instantly drank it in.
     The next day, the dryness had disappeared somewhat, but my skin was still very red and flaky, looking especially inflamed around my lips creating a very unwanted appearance not too dissimilar to the look of facial herpes. Don't google it, it's gross. This is the inflammation around my lips, on my chin and some of the redness on my cheeks:
   I have since had to buy a hydrocortisone cream, which acts as a mild inflammatory, as well as continue to top my skin up with rich Nivea cream, 
     I don't know if these two masks share ingredients, one of which my skin was irritated by, but reading other reviews online i'm in a small minority of people who have reacted to these products badly. Don't let it put you off, i'm just urging you to be careful; perform a patch test on the inside of your elbow by placing a small amount of product on your skin a couple of times before you apply it to your face; if your elbow skin goes red and bumpy, it will save your actual face from going red and bumpy. I just wish I knew!

     Have you tried either of these products? What are your thoughts? Share your views in the comment section below!
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Thursday 29 January 2015

Dior Haute Couture Spring 2015 Show




Like most of the fashion world, I have been hooked on the Spring Haute Couture shows this week! I have to say we have been spoilt for choice in the fashion world this past month, just like every year. We have had LCM, the release of S/S campaigns and look books, The Fall '15 menswear shows, The Haute Couture shows and next it is the fashion weeks!

Focusing on Dior I have to say what's not to love!? Aside from those hideous pony tails...The glamour, that infamous pink carpet and can i mention the latex boots! With the weather showing no sign of picking up lately that rain coat is perfectly ideal and stylish. Above are a few of my favourite looks from the show, one day latex over the knee boots, you will be mine!


What did you think to the Dior Show? What do you think to all of the Spring Haute Couture shows this year? Let us know your opinions and favourite show in the comments below x



Photos courtesy of www.Dior.com
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Wednesday 28 January 2015

Haute Couture Catchup - Close ups from Valentino

Haute Couture really is what dreams are made of, the clothing to make any lady feel like a queen; images from the Valentino collection- It's clear that this collection has taken some inspiration from the Russian culture, poetry and medieval fairy tales.





 Photos Courtesy of Vogue Paris, Hamish Bowles, Now Fashion and Susie Bubble
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Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm


                                    

     The Christian Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm (Yes, it really is that long a name!) is a luxury product, but with a 4.5/5 star rating it is certainly a popular one. 
     That is because, as Dior boasts, this lip balm not only moisturises and protects lips (with SPF 10), but contains colour reviver technology that reacts directly with the unique chemistry of the lips, giving the wearer a colour unique to them. 
     So, is it worth the hype - and the price tag?
     Well, lets first look at the packaging as lets be honest, its the first thing that draws us in to any beauty product. The lip balm comes in a pretty, pink hard plastic case engraved with 'Dior' down one side and the name of the product on the other; the balm then pulls out of this case to reveal an elegant silver casing.


     All in all, the packaging looks pretty, luxurious and classic Dior. It is instantly recognisable, adding a touch of glamour and stares of envy any and every time it is pulled out of a handbag. I myself have pulled this out of my bag to the envy of a friend who called me a 'Lucky beggar'!
      The formula of the product itself is an absolute dream; lightweight and non sticky, it feels like it is barely there, but adds just the right amount of colour to the lips, perfect for Spring. The colour reviver technology provides the perfect colour match shade for every woman's lips, and is a luxury edition to everyday makeup routines, the 'i'm not wearing any makeup' makeup routines or swished across the lips as the only makeup you wear for the day, just to make sure you don't look like a ghost (Pale skinned ladies will feel my pain here, amirite?)
     At around the £23, it's not the most affordable lip balm on the market, but it is a great first step into luxury makeup, and the price is justified by the gorgeous (as ever!) Dior packaging and the initiative technology that the balm contains.
     What are your thoughts? Have you tried this product? Would you consider buying it? Let us know in the comments below! x
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Armani


                           
     Hi! My name is Chelsea Armani May Barnes; I am a beauty fanatic quickly approaching my 20's and one half of the blogging duo, Armani Leigh! I have had various blogs in the past, but have finally set up this little corner of the internet with one of my best friends, Leigh.
     I met Leigh aged 11, and we've been firm friends since then, regularly travelling together and indulging in each others passions. While I am obsessed with beauty, Leigh loves fashion, and together we make not only the perfect team in personalities but tastes too!
     I work in retail, in a huge shopping centre, which is not good for my finances! You can literally always, always find me in any shop that sells makeup, and i'm absolutely obsessed with skincare; I will talk to anyone who will listen about it!
     I do not just like beauty of course! My other obsessions are television, food and like most women, shopping!
     I am part irish, a keen instagrammer, a pug lover, a bad singer and all round funny gal!
I am also highly accident prone and find it near impossible to paint my nails right but hey we all have flaws!
                                                       

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Leigh


                           

Hi my name is Robyn Leigh Hill and I am one half of the blogging duo Armani Leigh.
I am a lover of all things fashion! Honestly the obsession is real... I am currently a student at Manchester Metropolitan University studying International Fashion Promotion and I have a part time job at H&M. Armani and I have been friends for a good nine years now, we often travel to various cities together. We always find ourselves talking about the latest happenings in fashion and beauty, helping each other in either field. So we decided, whats better than to start expressing our views and opinions to everyone, about the things we love.
A few other facts about me are: I am 19, 20 in February! I am 5'11 and have been in a relationship for four years. I am from Nottingham but currently live in Manchester for University. Anyone that knows me will know I am obsessed with four things; magazines, disney, cheese and tea.
I am an avid lover of Instagram, I am constantly on my phone checking whats happening in the fashion world. I can't say that my boyfriend or friends love this but what do they expect its fashion! 



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Getting to know the names behind the blog.



Armani Leigh is going to be a blog focusing mainly on fashion and beauty, with a few lifestyle posts thrown in too! We're starting things off with a "getting to know who's behind the blog" post, separate post introductions will follow from the both of us. The names behind this blog are Robyn Leigh Hill (blonde) and Chelsea Armani May Barnes (brunette).

We hope that you will enjoy reading our posts and respect that all of the opinions are our own! Stay tuned, Armani Leigh x
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Tuesday 27 January 2015

Contact Information

For enquires, you can email us at:
armanileighh@gmail.com

Or find us online!
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We look forward to hearing from you!
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Music

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