Michael Todd-First Impressions

Over the past few years, my relationship with all things skincare has truly blossomed. I've found that discovery sets, such as this one are a great way to discover brands and try lots of different products without parting with too much cash. For years I've heard some of my favourite American youtubers rave about Michael Todd products, and general reviews on the world wide web are positively gleaming. 

Last month I decided to bite the bullet and purchase the Sensitive skin kit which retailed at around £26. May I also add that shipping was incredibly quick this arrived within 3 days. Anyway here are my thoughts.

First things first if you've got sensitive skin you may want to give this kit a miss, despite the name I found every single product to be extremely harsh on my skin, to the point of causing rashes and really bad breakouts. My skin is never usually sensitive and I rarely have breakouts so this came as a bit of a surprise.

Honey and Oat deep pore cleanser 

I was surprised to find that this had a gel like consistency (something I tend to steer clear off) never one to judge I tried this with an open mind but sadly my original fears were confirmed. This stripped my skin, dry tight skin was my end result. I did actually find that this broke my skin out (under the skin clusters of spots) I think this happened purely because of how dehydrated this made my skin. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone even those with extremely oily skin. I didn't find this particular good at removing make up, dirt or grime. Oh, but it smelt lovely!

Cranberry antioxidant anti-ageing toner 

As a recent toner convert, this toner simply reminded me why I used to hate them! Again this stripped like nothing else. My skin just felt so dry, tight and sore after using this. This doesn't contain alcohol or any nasty ingredients so I'm unsure as to how this stripped my skin so much. Again dehydrated parched skin is what I was left with. This did how ever do a great job of removing the makeup and grime that the above cleanser hadn't removed

Tropical fruit enzyme scrub 

So, perhaps the only product that didn't strip my skin. This smells fruity (as the name would suggest) and really refreshed my skin. Sadly my bad reaction/ breakout to the two products above did make using this difficult. Unlike the other two products though I've hung onto this one as I think it'll work really well with my skin once the spots have gone down. My skin did look that little bit brighter and felt smoother (well not the spots) 

Citrus cream moisturiser with hyaluronic acid

For those who have tried the LUSH Gorgeous moisturiser this smells exactly the same (Lush's offering has a nicer texture.) Again this didn't aggravate my skin, or make it unhappy. In total honesty this didn't really do anything no added moisturise to my skin this also lacks in SPF so wouldn't be suitable for day time use. 

Charcoal detoxifying face mask 

Cat pee. No seriously this stuff smelt so bad I literally had to wash it off as soon as I applied it. Emerging into my living room my dad literally winced at the smell- yes it's really that strong! I'm not sure if I've received a dudd, or if someones literally just bottled up cat pee. Okay cat pee smell aside this mask well....oh dear it was just poo. Watery, slimy texture the kind of clay mask that doesn't turn stiff or try hard.

So there we have it, I can truly say I was left feeling very underwhelmed, spotty, sore and dehydrated after trying the products from this range. If your in the UK, and wonder about Michael Todd products I seriously wouldn't as your not missing out on much. I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying new products, just because something didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for you, but I'd genuinely give the cat pee I mean detox mask a miss...

Have you tried any Michael Todd products,what were your thoughts?  

P.S Don't forget to enter my 300 followers giveaway lots of goodies up for grabs!

300 Followers Giveaway!

At beginning of the year ‘Subject Beauty’ hit 300 followers on bloglovin! Which was totally unexpected, overwhelming but very appreciated I’m so grateful for anyone that reads my posts, takes the time to comment or even goes that extra mile to follow me on bloglovin. Without sounding too smushy it really does make my day. I always take the time to reply to readers, and I check out your blog links too, I must say I truly have some of the most amazing beautiful followers (with great blogs too!)

To celebrate hitting 300 followers (I'm so close to 400 now too) I decided to do a little giveaway. I was a bit worried about doing this giveaway as I wasn't sure if anyone would like/want to try the products I have picked hopefully these prizes are a little appealing- 

NARS Creamy Concealer (winner will need to let me know shade) – This is sleep in a tube. Amazing for covering dark circles, and imperfections –by far one of the best concealers that I own! 

Origins Drink Up Overnight Mask – This works on so many different skin types, just the hydration and nourishment your skin needs after this cold wintery weather.

Soap & Glory Pulp Friction – I’ve raved about this far too much on my blog! This scrub has overtaken my S&G favourites (Breakfast scrub and sugar crush) simply for the added ease of use – no clumpy bits down the drain! 

Clinique High Impact Mascara - My favourite mascara of all time, me and my bank balance don’t even want to think about how many times I’ve repurchased this mascara. 

(If the winner happens to be a blogger, you will also win 1 month free advertising on the side bar of 'Subject Beauty') 

Terms and conditions 

1. All prizes are non-refundable and non-transferable.
2. No cash alternative will be offered for any prizes.
3.Prizes can only be delivered to a valid UK address.

4.This competition will be open for 4 weeks, the closing date for entering is Monday 3rd March 12am

5. I will endear to ship this giveaway prize within 2 weeks after the closing date

6. Entry is open to UK residents only (sorry guys international shipping is so expensive!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Topic 3: Once Upon A Time...

So Topic 3. I think this is the first topic of #2014Bloggerchallenge that I've felt a little nervous/apprehensive about but here it goes ladies and gents… 

So yes lets first address that I'm wearing glasses! Sadly these aren't for fashion I'm actually as blind as a bat (ssshh don't tell anyone) but yes I can't read small print, or anything long distance or short distance for that matter. Proclaimed by optician apparently my eyesight is the worst he had ever seen of someone my age (I have a lovely optician!) When topic three popped up in my inbox (and I put my glasses on) I was nervous to see that the topic was about all things bookey-not something we usually see on 'Subject Beauty' but all the same it's great to get out of my comfort zone and post something different...

So 'that book' the one every beauty blogger and there dog seems too own. I actually received this a leaving gift from some lovely thoughtful colleagues. So is it good? My answer yes and no. I truly enjoyed the skincare, and make up application tips. You can clearly see the book is very much marketed towards Bobbi Brown lovers and is heavily filled with Bobbi Brown make up and skincare. The imagery is beautiful, and the book is well written. I also like how the book shows a variety of skin tones, and is very tailored to each individual-a personal touch. 

Books, books and more books. So what you may not know about me is I'm a little bit of a bookworm. My favourite author of all time is Mo Hayder, I love her 'Jack Caffery' series which focuses on one detective 'DI Caffery' his story, and the story he is solving. I love how the main character DI Caffery isn't portrayed as the clean cut DI he should be, there's a deep darker side to him. Mo Hayder's writing style is gritty, dark, and urban with a touch of humour. If your into crime or thrillers I definitely recommend the series, seriously page turning, Mo has you hanging on too her every word. 

I also enjoy Neil White, Stuart Macbride and Karren Rose. Beware though all books by Mo hayder and these authors here are very gritty, and there's certainly no sugar coating, rainbows or unicorns. There all crime/thrillers which I love. And I personally love how 'real' they are. There's nothing like playing a guess game all the way through a book and finding out you were way off at the end. 

A little plug here too to Blogosphere magazine not necessarily a book as such but…if your a blogger or love reading blogs this magazine is a must. If you look in the second issue you may also notice 'Subject Beauty' makes a small appearance *wink wink*. Fantastic way of discovering new blogs and learning more about the people behind them. Everything is clean cut, well written with pretty images and photography throughout. 

Completely irrelevant but is anyone else a magazine hoarder pictured here is about a quarter of my collection. I just don't seem to get rid of them, I do often find myself browsing back at old issues for interesting articles I want to re-read and product reviews I wish to try. Cosmo, Company & Glamour magazine are my faves. 

So that's all. I hope this wasn't too rambly too read, I'm rubbish at describing a book in person never mind in writing so this really was a challenge.

What is your favourite genre of book to read? Who are your favourite authors? 

NARS Sheer Glow

After seeing this pop up in just about everyone's '2013 favourites posts and videos' I caved, I bought and by gosh it's worth the hype.

After a recent 'Bloggers chat' on twitter I discovered that quite a few of you still haven't tried sheer glow, there are many reviews on the world wide web, but I still thought this review may prove useful to anyone with a similar skin tone, concern or skin type as myself. 

Purchasing foundation online has never been a strong point of mine (I pick shades that are far too dark!) NARS Sheer glow is available in 19 shades, I must say visiting a counter is just essential for this foundation. The shade pictures on the NARS website differ to the actual foundation swatched hugely. Too prove I originally matched myself online too 'New Orleans' (see picture below) when I reached a counter I turned out to be 'Syracuse' which look at the pictures it's on a total different shade range and I would have never have picked 'Syracuse' online for the simple fact that it just looks too light for my skin tone.

Shade matching aside this truly is a beautiful foundation, I have no idea how it does it or the science behind it but it just gives me perfect skin. You can apply this with finger tips which I find to be the best application, you can also use a foundation or buffing brush (I opt for my trusty RT buffing brush) and again this applies like a dream. The primary reason I wear foundation is too improve the appearance of my skin, and to cover up my really bad pigmentation. This foundation manages to do both but maintains a natural, radiant, flawless undetectable finish on the skin, this never looks cakey, however much you build. The foundation has a semi-matte finish, manages to look radiant but never greasy or wet like some foundations I have tried. 

The picture you see above has no filter or editing- nothing. I got my make up done around 12pm and this picture was taken at around 9pm I didn't do anything to my face except add a lip colour as it just didn't need it! *Too see what I'm working with before foundation view these post pics here*

I have combination skin, that can get real oily through out the day. Regular powder touch ups, blotting, mattifying it just got happen. But with this foundation I literally do nothing all day. I'm usually a 'matte' kinda girl. Any foundation with the name sheer, radiant, glow I avoid! For the simple fact of not wanting to look like a grease ball. But this foundation is so long wearing and even at the end of the day skin still looks flawless, natural and not greasy. 

I can't recommend this enough guys, if your fortunate enough to live near a counter (I'm not I picked mine up on a recent London trip) I'd definitely make your way to a NARS counter and request a sample of this beautiful foundation.

Have you tried NARS Sheer glow? Any NARS recommendations I'm loving the brand at the moment?