Spectrum Collections Pink Brushes Review and Photos

Spectrum Brushes

Spectrum Collections is a brand I had always heard of but had never delved into before. However, last year I was lucky enough to be invited to the Birchbox* co-working space for a live podcast of The Emma Guns Show where I not only got to know more about the brand but I actually got to meet the sisters who started the Spectrum phenomena. (I have the inked the episode here if you fancy a listen!)

I was immediately captivated by their warm, genuine and honest personalities and having not known much about the brand before I came away feeling inspired, invested and in awe of their commitment and hard work that had made the company what it is today.

So with all that being said, I decided to pick up a few of the brushes to try out from one of the original core collections the 'Pink Brushes'. So here are my thoughts and everything you need to know about Spectrum Brushes.

Price
The Pink Brush Collection consists of 30 Brushes that can be bought separately or in multiple collections depending on your needs and wants with regards to makeup brushes. (I have linked a few examples at the end of this blog post).

To start my collection off I decided to pick up 3 types of brushes I use the most including the,
A04 Strong Finish - £7.99
A17 Brow Love - £4.99
B06 Blending Friend - £4.99
All of the Pink Brushes are reasonably priced at under £10 each and every Spectrum brush is Vegan, Cruelty-Free and made with a high-quality synthetic hair.

Spectrum Brushes can be found at many retailers including,
spectrumcollections.com
Birchbox*
ASOS*
Boots online and instore.

Packaging
Obviously, the pink brushes are pink! But what makes them stand out from a crowd is their baby pink handles and blue/purple ombre bristles. Each bush is also clearly labelled with a letter and number code so that can easily be identified. The A brushes are for application, B is for Blending and C is for Contouring.

If you're ordering the brushes directly from their website then you'll receive your brushes in the most beautiful holographic packaging. Even the postage bag is covered in Spectrum brushes! And if you're buying any of the brushes in Boots then the brushes are packed in a stunning clear pink package. It's also worth noting that all of the brush packagings can also be recycled too.

Application
The brushes themselves are beautifully soft and help make any make-up product apply and blend out like a dream! And thanks to their extensive selection and collection of brushes there's certainly a brush or two out there for you too!

Spectrum A04

Spectrum B06

Spectrum A17

Overall Thoughts
For me this is more than just a makeup brush brand, it's a company that cares about the environment, product and customer and whether you are after one brush or a set of brushes you can be reassured that these brushes are easy to use, affordable, accessible, vegan and cruelty-free. Plus they are totally on trend and look very lovely on display too!

So if you've been on the hunt for some affordable, high-quality new brushes to add to your collection, then Spectrum's extensive collection of more than just brushes could be right up your street!

I award the Spectrum Collection Pink Brushes a 4.9 out of 5

Makeup Revolution Giveaway and Thank you!

Makeup Revolution Giveaway

Hey guys, Happy Saturday! I wanted to share with you one of my first ever Makeup Revolution Giveaways happening right now over on my Instagram here. Really it's just my way of saying thank you for all your support over the years and to say I really appreciate you guys so much! To enter please see all the details down below and Good Luck!

GIVEAWAY! - Ok, guys, I’m giving away all of this beautiful Makeup Revolution Makeup including: 

- The Dead or Alive Eyeshadow Palette

- Golden Sugar 2 Rose Gold Blush & Highlighter Palette

- Redemption Palette Romantic Smoked

- Ghost Sculpt

- Makeup Obsession Single Eyeshadow E104 Denim 

- 2x Lipsticks (Red and Deep Red)

- Ultra Strobe Balm in Euphoria

- Strobe Highlighter in Flash

- Strobe Highlighter in Ever Glow Lights 

TO ENTER OVER ON INSTAGRAM: 

1. Re-post this photo only onto your profile and be sure to copy me back in at @laurappbeauty

2. Use the hashtag #laurappbeauty

3. You must be following me here on Instagram @laurappbeauty

4. The giveaway is open to the U.K. only.

5. One entry per person here on Instagram.

6. For a bonus, entry-Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here. 

7. The giveaway closes on Friday 30th March 2018

8. The Winner will be announced on Monday 2nd April 2018 on Insta Stories and contacted via DM here on Instagram. 

9. If the winner cannot be reached by Monday 9th April 2018 then a second winner will be chosen at random.

10. Good Luck! Xx

Pixi Matte Last Liquid Lip Swatches and Review

Pixi Matte Last Liquid Lipstick

Happy 1st day of Spring guys! Today in celebration of the start of the warmer weather and Spring blooms I thought I'd share with you these Pixi Matte Liquid Lipsticks that are infused with Rose Hip Seed Oil. Now don't get me wrong, Liquid Lipsticks are notorious for being dry and uncomfortable, but these sound promising because of the added oil factor. So without further ado here are my thoughts and everything you need to know about these Pixi beauties...

Price

Altogether there are 6 shades to choose from including, Au Naturelle, Matte Beige, Pastel Petal, Really Rose and Evening Rose. There is also a new edition called Prettiest Pink. Each retails for £16 for 6.9g of product.

Packaging
The wand is wrapped in Pixi's pretty mint green uniform, but this doesn't take away from the star of the show, the colour inside, which you can clearly see from the outside of the lipstick casing.

I also love the size of these as they're nice and compact to pop in your bag for on the go touch-ups.

Inside you'll find a lovely tear dropped shaped application for a more precise application.

Application
These have a super smooth and thin consistency which helps them glide on effortlessly. All of the shades are also intensely pigmented and dry down more or less straight away to reveal a natural and comfortable matte finish.

These are buildable but personally, I think one layer is enough, however, if you want to team them with your favourite lip liner then these work just as well on top of a lip pencil. I've been enjoying using Matte Beige combined with my favourite MUA Lip Liner in Desert Sand and if you love MAC's Mehr and Brave then Really Rose and Evening Rose are the Liquid Lipsticks for you!

Pixi Matte Last Au Naturelle

Pixi Matte Last Matte Beige

Pixie Matte Last Pastel Petal

Pixi Matte Last Really Rose

Pixi Matte Last Evening Rose

Longevity
Despite a bit of transfer these certainly have staying power, even after eating. I only had to touch up once in the early evening.

An added bonus is the liquid lipsticks come off really easily with either just a cotton pad and some makeup remover or a regular face wipe.


Overall Thoughts
Although they're only being six shades to choose from each shade is totally wearable for everyone and anyone and I definitely think the added oil aspect really helps these liquid lipsticks feel so much more comfortable on the lips overall.

Price wise these are a little more expensive than a drugstore liquid lip however you are getting more for your money which is always a bonus, plus the applicator makes for an all-around easy and quick application process.

If you've read my reviews on liquid lips in the past you'll know I kind of have a love-hate relationship with them, I think mainly because of the fact they can be so drying and uncomfortable on the lips! Nevertheless, these Matte Last Liquid Lips from Pixi have helped me fall back in love with this kind of lipstick thanks to their well thought out formula and applicator.

Have you guys tried these, I would love to know your thoughts also?

I award the Pixi MatteLast Liquid Lip a 4.8 out of 5

*These were sent to me but as always all opinions are my own.

Aldi Hot Cloth Cleanser Review and Photos - Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Dupe

Aldi Hot Cloth Cleanser

If you've seen my 5 Aldi Skincare Dupes You Need to Know here then you'll already appreciate how obsessed I am with this cleanser, however, today I wanted to share with you in a bit more detail on why this has become a staple within my daily skincare routine and why you need to get your hands on this Aldi Hot Cloth Cleanser too!

Price 
The Aldi Lacura Hot Cloth Cleanser retails for an amazing £3.99 for 200ml of product. This cleanser is for all skin tips and is packed with some amazing ingredients including, rosemary, eucalyptus oil and cocoa butter to name but a few. Now, this isn't a regular stock item at Aldi, but... right now while I'm writing this post I know Aldi do still have this available, but hurry as once it's gone it's gone!

Packaging
Not only does this come in an informative box but you'll also find a muslin cloth inside.

Application
This works just like any other hot cloth cleanser in the sense that you can use this in the morning to cleanse your skin or in the evening to take off your makeup. I prefer to use this in the evening after I removed the bulk of my makeup with a micellar water, I then go in with this cleanser to remove any last remnants of makeup. I always love double cleansing with this too. Finally, I have tried this alone to remove all of my makeup and I'm happy to report it works wonderfully as it's gently melts away your makeup with ease. It also smells divine, just like your in a spa!

How does this compare to the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish?
Well, for a start the price saving is phenomenal as if you were to pick up the 200ml Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish this would set you back £26 whereas the Aldi version saves you a whopping £22.01 for the same amount of product! Then there are the ingredients... It's actually crazy how much of the same ingredients are used in both. I've listed all the Aldi ingredients that are the same as the LE Hot Cloth Cleanser below. This even smells very similar and if I'm being honest I can't tell much difference between the two!

Aqua, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Citric Acid, Ethyhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract,  Limonene and similar is Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract.

Overall Thoughts
So if you're after a gentle cleanser that removes makeup and is suited to all skin types, then this is the cleanser for you! Also, the fact that it's under £5 comes with a muslin cloth and is pretty much the best dupe I've ever found for the Liz Earle version is an added bonus! It's just a shame this isn't a permanent stock item at Aldi all year round.

I award the Aldi Hot Cloth Cleanser a 4.9 out of 5

5 Aldi Skin Care Dupes You Need To Know Under £10!

Aldi Skin Care 

If you've seen any of my recent skincare videos then you'll know I've become a bit obsessed and fascinated with supermarket skincare. Today I wanted to share with you some truly amazing finds I picked up from Aldi recently. These five products are actually wonderful dupes for some of my more expensive skincare favourites and so I had to share them with you while they are still available to buy as a lot of these items are released in small quantities and once they are gone you can't always guarantee they will bring them back in stock again.

Aldi Hot Cloth Cleanser

DUPE 1 - Aldi Lacura Hot Cloth Cleanser 200ml £3.99
ORIGINAL - Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish 200ml £26 
The Aldi Hot Cloth Cleanser I first discovered back in December when my mum gifted me one for Christmas. I've been using this now for 2 months and I have to say this is one of the best dupes I've come across so far. The tube contains 200ml of product just like the original 200ml Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, however, you are saving a whopping £22.01 on the Aldi version which also comes with a muslin cloth too. And... not only does this smell so similar but virtually most of the ingredients bar a few extra in each are identical! I've listed the Aldi ingredients below that are the same as the Liz Earle version.

Aqua, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Citric Acid, Ethyhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract,  Limonene and similar is Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract.

Aldi Charcoal Clearing Mudmask

DUPE 2 - Lacura Charcoal Clearing Mudmask 50ml £5.99
ORIGINAL - Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment 50g £42 
The Aldi Charcoal Clearing Mudmask I already have a full First Impression here so I won't go into too much detail. Nonetheless, this is a fantastic dupe for the Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment as it not only looks very similar but this works in the same way at helping draw out impurities, minimising pores and mattifying the skin. Again I've listed below which ingredients are identical in both.

Aqua, Kaolin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Glycolic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexyglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf, Limonene, Linalool and CI 77499.

Aldi Charcoal Mud to Foam Cleanser

DUPE 3 - ALDI Charcoal Mud to Foam Cleanser 150ml £5.99 
ORIGINAL - Glamglow Supercleanse Clearing Cream to Foam Cleanser £24 150ml
The Lacura Charcoal Mud to Foam Cleanser is also included in my First Impression video here, so if you would like to see a more detailed review and demo then feel free to check out this video also.

So if you haven't already guessed this is another amazing Glamglow dupe, this time for the Supercleanse Clearing Cream to Foam Cleanser. Now although I can't compare this fully to the original Glamglow Supercleanse as I've never tried this, what I can tell you is this does include many of the same ingredients and the Aldi version does perform in much the same way. So if you are after a charcoal cleanser that removes face makeup like a dream and you're a fan of an exfoliating cleanser then why not save yourself the £18.01 and give the Aldi one a go instead! Below are the ingredients that can be found in both the Glamglow and Aldi version.

Aqua, Kaolin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Glycolic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Charcoal Powder, Parfum, Lactic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin and Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil.

Aldi Miracle Cream

DUPE 4 - Lacura Miracle Cream Skin Protection 50ml £3.99
ORIGINAL - Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream 50ml £22
The Lacura Miracle Cream is very comparable to my beloved Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream that has been one of my holy grails for years now. I've never actually seen anything so similar to the Elizabeth Arden version before and I was truly excited when I discovered this as not only is it a steal at £3.99 but, it looks the same and contains the same amount as the original!

If you're are unfamiliar with what this kind of cream does, then it's one of those wonder balms that can be used anywhere from spots to sunburn, chapped lips to eyebrows. Below is a list of ingredients that can be found in both.

Petrolatum, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Lanolin, Salicylic Acid, Tocopherol, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, BHT, Parfum, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol and Limonene, Linalool.

Aldi Glycolic Pads

DUPE 5 - Lacura Daily Cleansing Glycolic Pads 60 Pads £2.49
ORIGINAL - Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Cleansing Pads 60 pads £12.95 
This final Aldi Skincare Dupe is a recent release which resembles the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Cleansing Pads. (I have the Extreme pictured, but the original is the most similar to the Aldo version).

I would say out of all the dupes I've featured this has the least amount of identical ingredients, however, listed below is still a fair few ingredients that are identical in both. The Aldi Daily Cleansing Pads contain 60 just like the Nip + Fab ones the only other difference being you're saving a massive £10.46 on the Lacura ones! And honestly for £2.49, these are worth picking up just to try out if you're already a fan of Glycolic pads anyway.

Aqua, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Parfum, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Panthenol, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid.

Lidl Face Mask Maker Review and Demo

Lidl Face Mask Maker First Impression

You guys know I love sharing with you not only beauty steals but interesting new beauty launches and let me tell you the Lidl Face Mask Maker is no exception! But... is this just a total gimmick or a genius idea?? Let's find out...

Price 
The Lidl Face Mask Maker retails for a not so bad £34.99, it also comes with a 3 Year Warranty as well. Nonetheless, if you are interested in this I do recommend picking one up asap as I can't confirm if Lidl will bring this back in stock in the future.

What's Inside?
Inside you get,
- An Informative Booklet with your Warranty in.
- The Face Mask Maker and Mains Plug
- A Face Mask Mould
- Measuring Cup
- Small Cleaning Brush
- 24 Collagen Tablets

To make the masks you will also need some distilled water* and either, milk, fruit juice or yoghurt.

How does it work?
Firstly I suggest you watch the full and detailed step by step demo that I have linked below as I explain how and what to use, however, I will just give you a simplified overview below on how this works if you're looking to snap one up quickly.

The Face Mask Maker will allow you to make gel face masks with only a few ingredients in minutes!

1. Once you have the mask maker set up as I mentioned above you will need distilled water (I used Smart Water), any kind of fruit juice, yoghurt or milk (I used some Berry Smoothie diluted with distilled water) and the one collagen tablet (included, you can also re-purchase these if you run out).

2. Inside the booklet is plenty of tips and suggestions on what to use in your face masks depending on your skin type and what you want to achieve overall.

3. The booklet will additionally give you a step by step guide on exactly how to make your masks including measurements etc.

4. Once you have everything ready to go you place the juice, milk or yoghurt in the top of the maker along with the distilled water and one collagen tablet. Then all you need to do is press the start button and let the maker do it's magic! The whole process takes about 6 minutes.

5. When the mask is ready, the liquid is then poured directly into the mould. Once this is done you can then either place the mould in the fridge if you want a cooling mask or you can wait 5 minutes for it to set if you would prefer a warmer mask. I placed mine in the fridge as I love a more refreshing mask.

6. Finally, once your mask has fully set you can lift this out easily with a spoon and apply it to the face. It's recommended you leave the mask on for around 10-15 minutes, I left mine on for 15 minutes.

After I had removed the mask, I would say my skin looked a little glowy but it also felt a bit dry at the same time, however, I do recommend putting yours in the fridge as it did feel lovely and refreshing on the skin. The mask is also quite thick, heavy and delicate therefore I do recommend either laying down or cutting the face mask in half so that you can apply it in two parts.

Overall Thoughts
Overall I did really love the concept of this product and this is for sure unlike anything I've ever seen before, all the same, I do want to play around with this a bit more and test it out further with some different ingredients as I feel honestly it's not about the mask maker but more about what the masks can do for your skin and so I will keep you updated on this post over the next few weeks.

I also consider this pretty good value for money considering you get a 3-year warranty and you can make endless face masks from this, however the only thing I would say is that once you have used up your 24 collagen tablets you would need to re-order some more to be able to make further face masks and as of right now on the kompernass website where you order the tablets, I cannot see how much a new pot would cost.

So what do you guys think, would you buy this yourself or do you think this is just another gimmicky gadget!? Let me know your thought in the comments down below?...

I award the Lidl Face Mask Maker a 4.5 out of 5