I’ve found a new online store, selling what is one of my latest loves at a reasonable price- mineral makeup!

Mineral makeup lets your skin breath, and looks much more natural- it gives your skin a subtle glow. Cosminology is a well-organized, simple site that sells mineral makeup.

However, that’s not all! The site also sells skin shields and creams to prevent your skin from againg and protect you from skin damage. You may know that skin damage is a topic I feel very passionate about- it is so easily prevented! Cosminology’s Solar Eclipse™ allows women to protect their faces from sun damage while hydrating!

The site also has some amazing “Before & After” photos that show how well their specially formulated products work!

www.cosminology.com

Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Butter Maximum Moisture Cream

My dad recently went to stay in a hotel in London for some work. Needless to say, the free body butter samples didn’t appeal to him! But he brought a little tube home for me- it’s the Bliss lemon + sage body butter.

It’s only a sample, so it comes in a cute little tube. The packaging is simple, and attractive. Looking at the larger 250ml tube that can be bought in-store, my sample is much more convenient to slip into my bag and apply to dry skin.

I’ve tried loads of products for soft skin- but my elbows always seem to dry out within a week after applying the products I try. Since I found out about vaseline containing petrolatum I’ve been looking for a product that’s strong enough to soften my dry knees and elbows- Aqueous Cream isn’t strong enough!

Anyway, the first thing I noticed about the body butter was that it smells great! When I applied it in front of my friends, they all commented on the lovely smell (= Which isn’t at all the typical “cosmetic” smell, but, as promised, the smell of lemon and sage!

And does the cream actually work? Yes, yes, yes! It makes my skin soft and smooth, and I’ve started to use it all over my legs, too!

It really is like a miracle cure, and doesn’t contain petrolatum either.

There is one bad thing about this product. The price. It is £23($46) for 250ml, which really would burn a hole in my pocket, especially since I’d be using it so often!

However, as my little sample is starting to run out, I might buy it for myself as a special treat.

You can buy the product online here

Spoiled Pretty is giving away a Bridal Beauty Basket worth over $1400! It includes pampering tools, makeup, a gorgeous handbag, Vera Wang perfume, and a garter.

However, the contest ends tomorrow! Sunday, May 4th at 12pm EST. (US residents only)

Steeping Beauty is offering a Mum’s Spa Day. All you have to do is register on a site and upload a picture of your mom’s overstuffed handbag OR explain in 200 words or less why your mom of choice deserves some TLC from Leverage Inc.

Registrations for the contest end on May 7th, at which point one lucky reader will win a $100 WaySpa Gift Certificate, just in time for Mother’s Day!

This time of year means lots of exams for me- I’m just finishing up before I leave my university for good! It’s a stressful period of time, and for me that means not getting enough sleep.

Not getting enough sleep leaves my skin feeling tired and dry, but the most noticeable symptom of lack of sleep is the bags under my eyes.

Dark circles, or puffiness could have other symptoms- Lack of sleep, allergies, genes, over-exposure to the sun … etc.

You can try prevent or lessen puffy eyes by sleeping well, drinking 1.5-2 litres of water a day, eating plenty of health foods, and by covering up in the sun. But c’mon, lets be practical. Sometimes it’s not as easy as it sounds to stay healthy- and so here are a few natural remedies for the bags under your eyes.

Cold Milk

Fill a small bowl with fresh, cold milk and dip cotton buds in it. Then close your eyes and place the balls of milk-soaked cotton on your eyes. After 10-15 minutes, wash your face and follow your usual moisturizing routine.

Cucumbers

This is one of the best-known remedies for puffy eyes, and is very effective. It works because cucumbers contain a lot of water. They’ll sooth your eyes and lesson the darkness. Slice an ice-cold cucumber thickly, and relax somewhere for 10-15 minutes, eyes closed, with a cucumber slice over each eye. Rinse with water afterwards.

Teabags

Put 2 clean teabags in the fridge. When they’re cold, lay back and leave them on your eyes for 10-15 minutes. This will refresh the eyes and bags. Using a natural remedy such as chamomile tea will also lessen swelling.

image from http://www.freephotosbank.com

Learn how to be safe in the sun. Protect yourself from possible cancer and other skin damage, before it is too late.

Make sure you cover up in the sun! Your tan from the sunny holiday or sun bed might seem attractive now, but in 20 years time you’ll regret it.

Over time exposure to UV radiation speeds up aging skin. It can cause wrinkles, dry skin, loose skin and marks known as “sun spots” or “age spots”.

It can also cause skin cancer!

Find out is your skin is high-risk, how to use sun cream effectively and how to check your skin in my article… Be Sun Savvy

Sorry to have not have posted for a while- I’m as busy as ever!

Boots is offering loads of buy 1 get 1 free on selected suncare!

Make sure you cover up over summer, with a strong sun-cream- the glow you get now is poor reward for the skin damage you’ll have later! And if you’re fair-skinned like me, you’ll already see the warning signs now with skin spots! Watch out!

Plus, Boots is offering 3 for 2 on selected skincare products, and loads of half-price offers!

Grab your summer skincare kit now!

Always apply moisturizer before you apply foundation- but let the moisturizer sink in before you apply the makeup. This prepares your skin for the damage and protects it a little.

Plus, you can get brilliant moisturizers with protection from the sun- vital if you’re out and about at all! (Especially since the sun is getting stronger now)

There are loads of different kinds of moisturizer out on the market now- but make sure yours has sun protection if you want your skin to stay young-looking!

Looking for FREE cosmetics online? I’ve listed a few I’ve recently discovered…

Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power-Clear Scrub (US only)

Just sign up to become a my Neutrogena user and ask for the acne control scrub.

Maybelline Mineral Powder (US only)

Walmart is giving away lots of free samples of the Maybelline Mineral Powder.

Dove Hair Care (US only)

Receive one of two free hair care samples from the Dove website

Simple Derma Cream & Lotion (UK only)

A brilliant moisturing cream/lotion sample- free!

Chloe Parfum (UK only)

A new Chloe Parfum sample- free!

Anna Sui- Flight of Fancy Parfum (UK only)

Wait for the “get started” screen to load and then click “request a free sample”

After being away for nearly two weeks, I recieved two exciting looking packages through the post…

Everyday Minerals- 10/10

One was some semi-matte mineral powder foundation from Everyday Minerals. I heard about their free samples of foundation from another beauty blog, but I couldn’t find the place where the free samples could be redeemed. However, due to all the brilliant reviews I’d read about them, I bought some small compact powder in fawn. I have to say, the large range of shades means “fawn” was the closest match to my skin that I’ve ever seen.

The foundation really does make your skin “glow”. It stays all day, and it is not noticeable that you are wearing it, whilst it still gives you amazing coverage.

The powder was cheap, only $5.00, but the container was very small, and I can imagine myself using it up quickly if I use it every day. On the other hand, I need very little powder per appliance!

The powder isn’t very thick, which is why it feels so natural, and almost luxurious on your face.

One powder can be used for eyes, skin, cheeks, which is brilliantly cost-efficient and finally, there are only four essential ingredients! Which are free from “oils, plastics, fillers and talcs and other beauty destroying, cancer causing chemicals found in designer and supermarket brands”.

Also, as the ingredients are “non-comedogenic”, they don’t clog your pores and will never cause you to have blackheads or other blemishes!

So, not only does Everyday Minerals look and feel great (I’ve tried!), it won’t harm your skin or your health! The only thing thing that might put me off is the packaging- a cheap-looking, plasticy purple lid with the logo on. I guess you just can’t have everything…

Glow by J-Lo – 10/10

I never really thought I’d be the type who buys celebrity makeups and wears them every day. But soon I will be.

I sent off for a sample of J-Lo’s new frangrance Deseo, not expecting much. But with it, I received “Glow”, which must be the most beautiful frangrance I’ve ever smelt.

One word to describe it all? Romantic.

It smells like roses, soft cotton jumpers, wood, amber…

If I can, I’ll definitely be buying this- and it can be worn on special events in the evening. It’s just such a beautiful fragrance!

Click here to find about Glow by J-lo.

Deseo by J-Lo – 9/10

Deseo also came in the package, the original sample I ordered. I made me visualise a luxurious deserted island, beautiful houses made with bamboo, and so on.

I’d definitely wear Deseo in the summer- it is fruity and tropical, but sensual at the same time!

I’m sorry for two consecutive blog updates about getting rid of pimples, but I’ve been trying out every remedy possible before I go on holiday tomorrow! These stubborn spots just won’t disappear!

Dab some toothpaste on the pimple (not the area around it) before you go to bed and in the morning it should’ve gone.

Or, for instant relief, you can make a pimple go down by holding ice against it for 5-10 minutes.

I’ll be on holiday for the next two weeks, but you can e-mail me your beauty tips or product reviews at vintagexstyle[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk*! If your tip or review is chosen, it will be posted along with a link to your website!

*Or, you can post them as a comment response to this post