Review - Nanshy Makeup Brushes

A while back the lovely people at Nanshy sent me 4 Makeup Brushes to review and finally after a million and one hospital appointments and tests the review is going live for you all.

Anyone that knows me knows that I am a brush fiend, they are the most important and treasured part of my professional kit so, when Nanshy offered to send me some of their brushes of course I jumped at the chance.

I had heard of the brand before by seeing but, I have never tried their products. I was drawn to the brand because they pride themselves on being cruelty free with all of their brushes being synthetic and I love cruelty free brands.

I was sent 4 of their staple brushes, the F01 Flawless Foundation, the P01 Conceal Perfector, the stippling brush and finally the ultra fine Precise Bent Liner brush. I also received The Marvel 4 in 1 blending sponge which will feature in a future post.

First up is the F01 Flawless Foundation £9.95

This is a dense flat top foundation brush which leaves foundation looking airbrushed. The brush is packed with Nanshy's signature soft bristles. These types of foundation brushes are my absolute favourite as they buff foundation into the skin and leave application looking natural and this brush does not disappoint. I honestly would fill my kit with these foundation brushes which are also perfect for blending cream blushers and liquid highlighters. I love having a brush that can multitask which this brush does effortlessly.

Second up is the P01 Conceal Perfector £9.95

This beautifully soft brush with pointed tip is perfect for getting into those hard to reach areas such as around the nose and under the eyes. I found this brush worked fabulously used after the F01 brush for buffing out my concealer. This brush has just the right amount of density which you would expect from a blending brush.

Next is the Stippling Brush £9.95

Stippling brushes are predominately used for lighter applications of foundation, blending and setting. I use mine following a setting spray and blend all the makeup together in a circular motion for a long lasting finish alternatively, I will pick up a small amount of HD setting powder and dust this over the skin. This brush is particularly handy when using setting powders because of the delicate multi length bristles which, ensures that the application is properly blended with no streaks. Even if you have a heavy hand when applying makeup this brush will ensure that you don't over apply which, I absolutely love when using it with foundation and want a more natural look.

Finally we have the Precise Bent Eyeliner brush £5.95

This brush I would say is my absolute favourite out of the 4 brushes I have received as I always struggle to find a decent liner brush that is thin and dense enough for a flawless application. A lot of liner brushes are perfect until you wash them and then the bristles go in all different directions but, this brush dries into the same shape it was when removed from the packaging. If you haven't tried a bent liner grab yourself one of these especially if you struggle with liner application as the bend in the ferrules makes applying liner that little bit easier.

Overall, I absolutely love these brushes my only con with larger brushes is that they are a little too light to handle, however, this is a personal preference and the only con I could find. 

The brushes are very reasonably priced with the most expensive single brush being only £10.95 and sets ranging from £29.95 - £49.95 with free delivery on orders over £20 and a free gift over £30 . All of the brushes are cruelty free as mentioned before with some being completely Vegan friendly.

I will certainly invest in more of these brushes in the future for myself and for my kit.

Have you tried Nanshy? if so what did you think?

Review: Sk:n Cleanse and Anti Ageing Cream

A few weeks ago the  lovely people over at Sk:n sent me their popular Cleanser and Anti Ageing cream to review.

I had previously heard of the brand as there is a local Sk:n clinic in Brighton, However, I have never used their products or services prior to being sent the two products mentioned.

The brand have over 20 years experience in dealing with dermatological issues and work alongside the NHS and the British Skin Foundation. All of their clinic staff are medically trained so, when it comes to skin they really do know what they are talking about which made these products even more interesting.

As many of you know from previous skincare posts I suffer with eczema on my face predominantly around my nose and the corners of my lips so, I picked products specifically for dry skin.

From the Cleanse line I have the Vitamin-Rich Cleanser for dry or sensitive skin 200ml £14.75

Sk:n describes the cleanser as follows: "sk:n Vitamin-Rich Cleanser for dry or sensitive skin is fortified with age fighting vitamins and antioxidants to gently remove make-up and impurities. The skin is left feeling cleansed and purified and in perfect condition for further skincare products"

The cleanser is a luxurious lightly scented cream which is advised to be used on cotton wool. The scent is in no way over powering if anything its quite a relaxing scent.

I found when using the product that it removed the deepest set pore dirt and as its cream based its actually fairly moisturizing too. I have used this product as a hot cloth cleanser too applying evenly all over my skin and removing with a hot muslin cloth. The cleanser was perfect for my eczema prone skin and didn't cause a flare up like some products do.

From the Anti Ageing line I have Age-Delaying Cream for Younger Skin 30ml £33.75

Sk:n describes the cream as follows: "sk:n Age-Delaying Cream for younger skin hydrates the skin and helps delay the initial signs of ageing. Clinically proven peptides target fine lines and loss of firmness, Vitamin A helps regulate cell turnover and anti-oxidants fight free radicals"

The product focuses on addressing lines and wrinkles, brown marks, broken veins and loss of firmness according to their website.

The cream is of a medium consistency with an orangey scent which I find very refreshing. The cream does not leave the skin feeling or looking oily.

I have used this product every morning after cleansing for around 3 weeks and have noticed a significant change to the appearance of my skin. My skin appears brighter, smoother and the little fine lines around my eyes seem to have lessened. For my skin the only con with this cream is that initially my eczema does itch very slightly but, that said its not something that causes a massive outbreak of scales and dies down within around 10 minutes.


Sk:n have clinics nationwide offering a full range of treatments for specific skin issues, you can find out more information here.

Have you tried any of Sk:n's products or treatments? let me know in the comments what you thought.

Baby Ella Rose and The Willow Room Fund

Hi Lovelies,

Those of you that follow me on Twitter will know that 4 weeks ago my beautiful daughter Ella Rose was stillborn.

As I am sure all of you can understand this was absolutely devastating for myself and Pete especially following our miscarriage last June.

Ella was due on the 22nd of July but devastatingly had no heartbeat on 24th of July when we were due to have an induction.

We were admitted to be put into labour on 26th and she was finally born at 7.14am on 27th of July weighing 5 pounds 9 ounces with a mass of jet black hair. Our sleeping angel was the most beautiful and precious thing we have ever seen and we are so proud to be her parents.

In Ella's memory we wanted to raise money for the special room based at Haywards Heath's Princess Royal Hospital. The Willow Room is a special room that is purely for parents expecting a sleeping baby. When you arrive at the hospital you are given this private room which is much like a private hotel room it has a bed for both parents, TV, fridge, shower room etc 

The room is there too ensure that at the most heartbreaking time of a parents life they do not have to be on a ward with new mothers and babies.

With the use of this room the process is much less traumatic as your doctors and midwives see you in there, you start your labour in there and only move to the delivery suite when you require heavy drugs or birth is imminent.

If it wasn't for the use of this room myself and my partner would have found the process much more upsetting and traumatic.

As the Willow Room is run purely on donations we thought this was the best way to honor our little girl and to ensure that other parents going through this heartbreak would benefit.

If you feel you would like to donate please visit: http://igg.me/at/xP0-aqofdV4/x

Saying our final farewell -  Infinity Photographic

Ella was laid to rest on 5th August at a very beautiful ceremony in Brighton attended by very close family, friends and My Midwife. Although this has to be the most heartbreaking thing I have ever endured I know that she would not want me to be consumed by anger and I plan on making her very proud. Due to our experiences in the last 18 months I have decided I would like to do a degree in Midwifery and start this journey next month by doing an access course. I want my experiences to help other women in my position and if that is only 1 woman and her family then my job is done.

I would like to take this time to thank those of you who have reached out via Twitter and Facebook your messages really did help.

Important update

Hello Lovelies,

As some of you will be aware I am a week away from my due date hence why I have not blogged as I have had the pregnancy from hell.

I wanted to just drop you all a post to say the blog will be changing over the coming weeks and its very own domain which is www.thepromakeupblog.com (make sure you bookmark the new address). I am also considering a blog dedicated to just eye looks so, if this is something you would like to see comment below.

I will be blogging more regularly once I have the little miss into a routine so, I hope that you will continue to enjoy my blog.

If there are any posts you would like to see in particular let me know in the comments.

For now my hiatus will continue until the screaming cherub arrives.

Much love

Exciting News...

Hey Dolls, 

Yes that's right I'm pregnant, 13 weeks to be exact. So, I obviously don't need to explain why I've been missing.

I've been quite poorly and lost interest in everything including the blog. I know i say it all the time but, now that I'm feeling better I hope to be back blogging more regularly as I have a ridiculous amount of products to review.

I hope you'll continue to pop by my little blog and enjoy the content.

I love you all

Ems

Finally The IMATS and UMAexpo Haul

Well Hello, Long time no see!

Yes I am still alive its been a very busy few months getting myself back to normality following the Miscarriage but, I am pleased to say I think I am coming out of the other side. There are lots of great new things happening in my world and things are pretty good :)

On to the IMATS and UMAexpo  as some of you know I work for the lovely Love Makeup most shows which I thoroughly enjoy, If I had to pick a Makeup Family it would be the show team as its always the same people and what a great and talented team they are.

I brought a ton of stuff at both shows. I am going to list the items below and then over the coming weeks I plan on giving you full on reviews of each item.

What did i get?

A selection of Zoeva Brushes
A Zoeva Set Bag
Shadow Sheilds
Japonesque Brush Belt
Makeup Forever HD Primer
Makeup Forever Mist & Fix
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Cherub and Flush
Limecrime Lipsticks in Centrifuchsia, Geradium, Countessa Fluorescent, Great Pink Planet, Babette
HD Brows Brow Palette, Vamp, Bombshell and Foxy Shadow Palettes, Brow Colour Fix, Browtec and Brow Define
NARS Black Eye set, Orgasm/Laguna Bronzer Duo and Orgasm Nail set, Mini Monoi Body Glow and South Beach Multiple set, Velvet Matte Lips set, Full Size Super Orgasm
Make-up Atelier Paris T-zone Gel
Sugarpill Kitten Parade, Acidberry and Dollipop
Bobbi Brown Long-wear Gel Liner, Extreme Party Mascara,  Navy and Nude Eye Palette and Bobbi Brown Pro Card

I actually haven't opened anything its been sat in my wardrobe since both shows!

I cant wait to swatch everything for you guys and as I love you all so much I have a giveaway coming up including one item from above.

I hope you are all well and enjoy my haul.

Bleach London Super Cool Colours Violet Skies

Hey Lovelies,

I got a little bored with the red hair so, I decided to go back blonde but as I was doing it myself and had long roots with only a light wash of bleach on them I decided to temporarily go purple while my hair relaxes from the bleach. Last time I lightened my hair i did it all so quickly and ended up with broken hair so, I wasn't going to repeat that mistake.

Anyway back to the dye, I had always wanted to try Parma Violets when I was blonde before but, it was always sold out and then it was recalled :( I have no idea why it was recalled as it was a beautiful colour with lots of different colour shades in it.

I opted for Violet Skies which I am assuming is the replacement of Parma Violets the shade in the bottle looks like a very dark purple but, don't be scared off this is not how it comes out.

When you put the colour into a mixing bowl it appears to be a pink toned purple and this is apparent in the finished look but very subtle. 

The only issue I had with this product is that it didn't take to some of the light areas of my hair and obviously  my roots, however, I think this may be partly my fault with not lightening it enough but, I have a very sensitive scalp and bleach can burn me quite quickly so, I had to take it off quite quick this time.

I really like the final colour, I think it really suits my skin tone and actually brings some colour to my face where as the red made me look quite pale. The price of £5.00 is perfect for all of us and I could have got away with using half the bottle but, I always use a bit more to ensure i get the product everywhere. 

The brand on a whole is very affordable and I have had no bad experiences with any of their products which for lighter shades is now my go to brand. I would like to try Blullini, Awkward Peach and Sea Punk but, after stumbling across that's so yesterday's blog I want to try her mermaid hair which is linked, her hair is super amazing! 

What have your experiences with Bleach London been? Would you try Violet Skies? Let me know in the comments.