Review: Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

Review: Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

Let me begin by saying that I got this product free (along with many other Clairns products that I will also review at some point) when I bought a Clarins foundation (ended up being amazing value). 

I've always seemed to just walk passed Clarins when I was in a department store, because in the back of my mind, I always seemed to think it was for an older generation - like my mums age; probably because I have fond thoughts of her using their products when I was a child. But let me just say - Clarins is totally under-rated. The cosmetics and skin care products they have are actually really funky and innovative. The Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch is no exception.

I am only in my early 20's, and unfortunately I am starting to form some fine expression lines on my forehead. This product is FANTASTIC for temporarily filling these in. Let me stress - this is only temporary, and purely cosmetic - it is not wrinkle or line treatment. You use it either underneath your make up, or on top (or even without any make up), sort of like you would use a primer. It fills in those fine lines, wrinkles, and pores, as well as smoothing out skin tone (which can also be great for acne scarring).

It comes in a little 15ml red jar (which is super cute), and smells devine. Also included is a little tiny spatula for those of us who have nails and don't want the product going underneath them. More importantly, a little goes a long way...

Sounds all too good to be true, right? Well check out the pics below and see how it worked on the fine line on the palms of my hands. You be the judge...

BEFORE:

 AFTER:

Will definitely purchase this once I run out of my current tub :)

- Karene x

Health & Fitness: Cellucor Super HD and T7

Stacking Cellucor Super HD and T7 Extreme

So, I have recently started going hard with the fitness buzz - gym almost everyday, and [trying] to eat healthier.

A friend of mine referred me to the above Cellucor products, explaining they are a godsend to anyone who wants to be a machine at the gym and it aids in dropping the clicks. Of course, by recommendation, I went out and bought them.

Why don't I start by filling you in on how Cellucor explains each.

Super HD is described by Cellucor as a 'High Definition Fat Targeting and Sculpting Agent'. 'Super HD combines powerful fat-burning ingredients and potent nootropic compounds to deliver a powerful energy, focus, and 'feel-good' weight loss product'.

...whatever that all means. Below are the supp facts...

T7 Extreme is described as 'Fat Loss - Metabolism Support - Mood Enhancement', and 'promotes fat burning and weight loss without the stimulants'.

Supp facts below:

So in short, Super HD is a stimulant with A LOT of caffeine in it. T7 Extreme is not a stimulant but promotes an increase in metabolism with the White Willow Bark extract. This also means they are AMAZING stacked together.

And hey! What do you know - they aren't just placebo's in futuristic bottles! They actually work, and bodybuilding.com has actually given the Super HD awards for being the best fat burning supplement for 2012.

I feel a lot more energy when I am using this product, especially at the gym, where I can run faster for longer, and lift heavier with more reps. And you sweat like crazy when you work out (thats an understatement). The muscle is really starting to show, and I am losing the pudge, and I am only 2 weeks in. These two supplements are my holy grail for fitness at the moment.

So, how do I take them?

I take two of the Super HD as soon as I get out of bed (on an empty stomach) and about an hour later I take two of the T7 (on a full stomach). About 5-6 hours later, I will take another 1 Super HD, and an hour after that I will take another 1 T7.

You MUST make sure you take this product correctly and follow the direction's on the bottle. Also, drink A LOT of water with it. If you are caffeine sensitive, I would stay away from Super HD and stick with the T7, it is awesome in itself anyway. These are also appetite suppressants, so make sure you are still eating meals throughout the day.

I will keep you all updated through my progress :)

 - Karene x

Trending: Statement pieces

Trending: Coloured bags

Take a look at this little beauty I bought recently from Wayne by Wayne Cooper J ♥

Coloured bags are taking the world by storm. They are the perfect accessory to 'jazz' up any outfit - casual/work/evening - anything! Take a look at some of the below to get inspiration for your next purchase.

From left to right (starting at the top):

1. Tory Burch Robinson Textured tote

2. Skin Imagine Deluxe clutch

3. Paul's Boutique Maisy bag

4. Zatchels leather satchel



From left to right (starting at the top):

1. Paul's Boutique Victoria bag

2. Miu Miu Calf Leather tote

3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Natasha leather bag

4. Prada leather satchel

YSL lipstick - #13 Peach Passion

Review: Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Lipstick - #13 Peach Passion

One word - WOW.

I am not usually a lipstick person and tend to stick to my trusty lip balm/lipglosses. This is due to the fact I tend to have chronic 'dry-lip' syndrome. Also, you need to get a really good one that doesn't bleed (I'm way too lazy for lipliner) and rub off easily - and that can be pretty hit and miss.

I had eyed this lipstick for a long time before I decided to take the plunge and buy it. I won't lie, it is expensive for a lipstick, at $54 AUD (Mecca Cosmetica), but gosh is it worth it.

While their whole range of colours are gorgeous, I ended up buying #13 (Peach Passion), purely because we (Australia) are in Spring and going into Summer, and this colour is really trending right now, and gives a fresh look to your face. The texture is ah-maze-ing! It is really creamy and mousturizing, and even gives me, miss dry lips, a smooth finish (with only minimal visability of lines). Oh and it doesn't bleed (plus plus plus...TICK!). And the packaging is so sleek and classy.

The colour goes on really opaque, so you really don't need to use a lot of it to get the coverage and colour you need (see swatch below).

This colour may seem a little daring for some (especially those who have pretty pale skin), but the trick is just do what you would do with any other lipstick...blot! Use a tissue and blot until your desired colour. What also works is dusting a little bit of transluscent powder over your lips (not too much though) to dull out the colour. This can also help with the staying power of this lipstick. However, if you are looking for a YSL lipstick that is not so peachy, my next pick would be going for the #7 Lingerie Pink (which will probably be my next purchase).

The only downfall of this lipstick would be how long it lasts. For the price, I was half hoping for something that was a lot more longlasting wear. However, I find myself having to re-apply this throughout the day to keep the colour I want.

Apart from that, if you are looking for an amazing lipstick, I definitely recommend the YSL Rouge Volupte range! Every girls needs to have one of these golden bullets in their beauty collection.

 - Karene x