As some of you might remember, back in January, I was one of ten Thirty Plus bloggers selected to try out No7's revamped Lift & Luminate skincare range. I've now been using the products for just over a month, and I'm ready to share the results with you.
I talked about my first impressions of the range, as well as the ingredients and how they're designed to work in this post, but just in case you haven't got time to go rooting through old posts, here's a brief recap.
The range consists of a day cream, night cream, serum and eye cream. Based on the theory that skincare works #BetterTogether, No7 have taken the powerful technology from their Triple Action serum and added it to the other products, resulting in an anti-ageing range that's proven to deliver results against the three most common signs of ageing - by visibly reducing wrinkles, firming
skin and producing a more even skin tone.
So, in addition to the concentrated hit of anti-ageing goodness from the
serum - containing, among other things, hyaluronic acid to plump the
skin and powerful peptides to smooth wrinkles - you'll boost its effectiveness even further by following up with the day
or night cream. As if that wasn't enough, you also get No7's most
advanced protection against UV rays in the day cream, with SPF 15 and 5*
UVA, while the night cream is designed to work in harmony with skin's
night time renewal process to nourish and restore moisture. The eye
cream, especially formulated for the delicate skin around the eye area,
should soften crow's feet and reduce puffiness and dark circles.
As I mentioned, I've now been using the complete range for more than a month, and honestly, I couldn't be happier with the results. As a long time fan of No7's introductory anti-ageing range, Protect & Perfect, I was fairly confident that my now older skin would like Lift & Luminate too, and it certainly does. If you like to see instant results from your skincare, you should definitely check these products out, because just as the claims about the night cream state, my complexion looked plumped and refreshed from the morning after the very first use.
However, it's with continued use over several weeks that the range as a whole really comes into its own. I've been meticulous about applying eye cream, serum and day or night cream every morning and evening, conscious of the fact that I really wanted to test out this #BetterTogether theory. And you know what? I think it works!
My skin definitely feels firmer after several weeks of using these products. As for fine lines, you all know by now that I always feel the need to say how difficult I find this to judge, simply because I am always using skincare that claims to soften them! However, I feel that this range does a great job in this regard. They are all still there - it's not a miracle in a jar - but they are all still fairly faint. And here I feel I have to single out the eye cream for special praise, because I have noticed a more dramatic softening of fine lines in the eye area than anywhere else since using Lift & Luminate. Often, I find that eye creams are more disappointing when it comes to softening lines than face products are, so I will be holding onto this one for dear life.
However, it's the luminating aspect of this range, and the evening of skin tone, that I'm most impressed with. It contains a lightening complex including Indian gooseberry and Vitamin C and I think this has been something of a revelation for me. I've probably mentioned before that I'm not blessed with naturally clear and luminous skin. No product, no matter how fantastic, is going to transform me into someone who is, but after two to three weeks of using Lift & Luminate, I noticed that my skin was looking generally brighter, healthier and more even in tone. And goodness knows that's not down to my diet, because I have been very lazy on that front since Christmas! When you catch yourself in the mirror without makeup on, and you're pleasantly surprised - that to me is the sign of a skincare range that's doing well for you.
In terms of application, all these products are pleasant to use. They have the faintest hint of a clean, fresh fragrance, and the eye cream is light as a feather and absorbs pretty much instantly. The other products take a little longer, but none of them feel unduly heavy on the skin.
So, my final verdict? Well, if you wanted to try just one product, I'd say go for the eye cream, but the results I've had overall have come from using the range as a whole. So I guess that means I'm firmly in agreement with No7 - skincare really is #BetterTogether!
But don't just take my word for it. Everyone's skin is different, and if you're interested in finding out how my fellow Thirty Plus bloggers got on with the range, make sure you check out Hayley, Tracey, Alex, Jane, Louise, Lisa, Fritha, Jo and Sareta to find out their opinions.
And what about you? If you're one of the lucky winners of my giveaway, or if you've tried the products anyway, I'd love to know what you thought. Let me know in the comments! If you haven't tried the range but would like to, you can find the day cream and night cream on sale at Boots for £24.95, the serum for £27.00 and the eye cream for £17.00.
Kate x
*This post was sponsored by No7. All opinions, as always, are my own.
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I've been a fan of No7 for many years. Their philosophy that beauty is not just about looking good, but about feeling ready to take on the world, is one that I can wholeheartedly get behind, and in fact, their Protect and Perfect line was my first ever introduction to anti-ageing skincare. To this day, it's still my go-to if I'm ever stuck for what to buy. I've never tried Lift & Luminate before, but having read the press release about the recent improvements to this range, I can't wait to give it a go.
No7 have recently revolutionised the entire Lift & Luminate line, so there's no better time to test it out. Taking the powerful technology from their TRIPLE ACTION serum - the UK's number one serum brand - they've added it to their entire skincare range of day cream, night cream and eye cream. No7 believes that skincare works #BetterTogether, and the new and improved Lift & Luminate range is now the hardest working in their entire arsenal, proven to deliver results against the three most common signs of ageing by visibly reducing wrinkles, firming skin and producing a more even skin tone.
The technology in question comprises the following key ingredients:
Matrixyl 3000 PLUS - A powerful peptide blend which smoothes wrinkles to restore more youthful looking skin
Hyaluronic Acid - Provides skin firming benefits through its water retaining abilities
Hibiscus Extract - Rich in peptides and amino acids, helps support collagen production for smoother, firmer skin
Lightening Complex - Contains Emblica (Indian gooseberry) and Vitamin C, to even skin tone and fade pigmentation
In addition to this potent blend, the day cream contains SPF 15 and 5* UVA, offering No7's most advanced protection against damaging - and ageing - UV rays. No7 claims that use of the day cream will reveal younger looking skin in just two weeks, and will protect your skin for the future with regular use.
The night cream, which works in harmony with skin's night time renewal process to nourish and restore moisture, is supposed to offer immediately visible effects from the morning after the first use, reduced wrinkles and firmer skin after two weeks, and a more rested and radiant looking complexion after four weeks.
The eye cream is especially formulated for the delicate skin in this area, and, it's claimed, will reveal brighter looking eyes in just two weeks. With continued use, you should see crow's feet softened and dark circles and puffiness reduced.
In trials, 88% of women saw even better results from using the new day cream together with the serum, which would seem to suggest that No7 are onto something with their #BetterTogether theory. And now that the new range is available to buy in stores, they've decided to offer a group of Thirty Plus bloggers - and some of our readers - the opportunity to see for themselves. I only received the range a couple of days ago, so I'm going to give you my first impressions now. If you want to know how it works on my skin over the next few weeks, make sure you pop back at the beginning of February to find out, as I'll be posting all about it then.
I usually love the packaging of No7 skincare and this range is definitely no exception. It's neat, elegant and very easy to see which product is which thanks to the simple colour coding. The eye cream and serum have fine nozzles, making it a cinch to dispense the small amount of product you need without any waste. The day and night cream are housed in clear plastic jars. I know a lot of people worry about hygiene when you're constantly dipping your fingers into the product, but so long as your hands are clean there shouldn't really be a problem, and it certainly makes for ease of use.
My immediate impressions of these products are that they are all light to apply and quick to absorb. Fragrance is minimal, but what little is there is fresh and clean. If anything, the day cream feels slightly thicker than the night cream, but neither of them are at all heavy on the skin. I think I'm really going to enjoy using these products, and I can't wait to let you all know the results in a few weeks' time!
My immediate impressions of these products are that they are all light to apply and quick to absorb. Fragrance is minimal, but what little is there is fresh and clean. If anything, the day cream feels slightly thicker than the night cream, but neither of them are at all heavy on the skin. I think I'm really going to enjoy using these products, and I can't wait to let you all know the results in a few weeks' time!
Left - Serum, Right - Eye Cream
Left - Night Cream, Right - Day Cream
So, in the spirit of #BetterTogether, what could be more fitting than to try out these products alongside some of you? No7 are very kindly offering a full set to five of my UK based readers, so if you're interested in testing them out, make sure you enter the giveaway below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
As I mentioned, these products are available now, so if you don't win you can always head over to your local Boots (or Boots.com!) to pick them up. The day cream and night cream retail for £24.95, the eye cream for £17.00 and the 30 ml serum for £27.00. (They are also currently on 3 for 2, so now would be the perfect time to get your hands on them.)
Oh, and if you're interested in seeing what some other bloggers think of this range, then make sure you check out Hayley, Tracey, Alex, Jane, Louise, Lisa, Fritha, Jo and Sareta who are also taking part in this trial.
Are you a fan of No7 skincare? Have you tried the Lift & Luminate range, and are you as intrigued by the re-vamp as I am? And do you believe that skincare is better together, or do you prefer to mix and match your products? I would love to know!
Are you a fan of No7 skincare? Have you tried the Lift & Luminate range, and are you as intrigued by the re-vamp as I am? And do you believe that skincare is better together, or do you prefer to mix and match your products? I would love to know!
Finally, don't forget to check back here at the beginning of February to find out how I get on!
Kate x
This post was sponsored by No7. All opinions, as always, are my own.
Well, hello! It's been a while. How is everyone? I've been so busy with work over the last couple of weeks that I haven't had time for my blog - definitely not the way I like things! But I'm back today, and seeing that it's now just over a month till Christmas (gulp!) I thought I'd throw a little gift guide your way.
I'm not sure how many of these I'm going to get around to doing this year, so I'm going to get a beauty list under my belt straight away. Can't go wrong with beauty, right?! This post has not been sponsored in any way - I've just had a nose around the festive offerings of some of my favourite makeup and beauty brands and collected a few ideas to show you. Let's start with the makeup, shall we?!
1. Urban Decay Full Spectrum Eyeshadow Palette - I spotted this at the launch party of the new Urban Decay flagship store in Carnaby Street the other week, and I couldn't take my eyes off it. It's so beautiful, like a rainbow! While it might not be as useful as the Naked Palettes, if you're a lover of brights this would make a wonderful gift. Urban Decay shadows are well known for their outstanding quality, and this palette contains 21 shades - more than any other UD palette, apparently. I'm particularly drawn to the mauve and burgundy shades.
2. Make Up Forever Artistic Smoky Eye Set - I'm a big fan of Make Up Forever's Excessive Lash mascara. It's fabulous for both length and volume, and fans out the lashes beautifully. This set gives you a mini tube of it, together with two mini Aqua XL eye pencils for £14. As one full size eye pencil retails for £15, I'd say this makes a great value gift.
3. Charlotte Tilbury Mini Lipstick Charms - For £29, you can get this adorable set of Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution travel size lipsticks in the shades Red Carpet Red, Very Victoria and Amazing Grace. As if that wasn't enough, each lipstick has a little bow on the lid so you can tie it to the Christmas tree. Sounds like my kind of ornament!
4. theBalm Balm Appetit Palette - I love my Nude 'Tude palette from theBalm and have been really impressed with its quality. The shades in this Balm Appetit palette look so pretty, and they're versatile too. There's a selection of mattes, shimmers and foils and they can be used wet or dry.
5. Mac Nutcracker Sweet Peach Face Palette - My next three picks are all from the Mac Nutcracker Sweet collection. It's fair to say I'm a little bit obsessed. How gorgeous is this face palette? It contains an Extra Dimension blush in At Dusk - a warm rose shade - and a stunning Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Tutu - a pearlescent pink-peach.
6. Mac Nutcracker Sweet Red Lipstick Kit - Mac lipsticks are always a winner, and the special edition packaging of these is just so cute. This kit comes with four minis, and in my opinion there's not a dud shade among them. The four on offer are Lady Danger, Diva, Rebel and Mac Red.
7. Mac Nutcracker Sweet Warm Eye Compact - I know, another eyeshadow palette. But this one really is a thing of beauty. Featuring nine eyeshadows in warm caramel shades, it literally looks good enough to eat and, I think, would be universally flattering. To be honest, the smoky palette from the same range is also stunning, but there was something about the warmth of this one that drew me in a little bit more.
1. Lush Christmas Bathtime Favourites - My favourite products from Lush are definitely the bath bombs, bubble bars and melts, so a box packed full of them makes the ideal Christmas present in my opinion! This one boasts some real gems, including Butterbear, Golden Wonder, Mistletoe, Northern Lights and lots more.
2. The Body Shop Spa Of The World Luxurious Body Collection - The Body Shop's Spa of the World range feels deliciously indulgent to use, and this gorgeous box would make the perfect gift for anyone who loves a good pamper night. It contains Japanese Camellia Cream (one of my favourites - light and velvety on the skin with a beautiful, subtle fragrance), French Lavender Massage Oil, Egyptian Milk and Honey Bath Milk and African Ximenia Scrub. I would have a hard job handing this over if I bought it as a gift for someone!
3. Caudalie Mix And Mask Trio - Face masks are an essential part of any pamper night, and this Caudalie set has everything you need for a nice little multi-masking session. There's a natural clay detoxing mask, a glycolic peel to brighten and a moisturising mask too.
4. Zoeva Rose Golden Luxury Brush Set - Wouldn't this be lovely to open on Christmas morning? I don't own any Zoeva brushes, but always admire them whenever I see them online. Every brush in this set looks really useful, and they're so pretty too! I love the addition of the handy and oh so attractive rose gold bag.
5. The Best Of L'Occitane Gift Set - Consistently one of my favourite brands, this gift box from L'Occitane contains a selection of their best selling products, including the Shea Butter Hand Cream, Almond Milk Concentrate and Cherry Blossom Shower Gel. A lovely present for any L'Occitane fan or the perfect introduction for a beauty lover who might not be familiar with the brand.
So there we have it - my first Christmas Gift Guide of 2016! Anything here you might ask Santa for?
Kate x
3. Caudalie Mix And Mask Trio - Face masks are an essential part of any pamper night, and this Caudalie set has everything you need for a nice little multi-masking session. There's a natural clay detoxing mask, a glycolic peel to brighten and a moisturising mask too.
4. Zoeva Rose Golden Luxury Brush Set - Wouldn't this be lovely to open on Christmas morning? I don't own any Zoeva brushes, but always admire them whenever I see them online. Every brush in this set looks really useful, and they're so pretty too! I love the addition of the handy and oh so attractive rose gold bag.
5. The Best Of L'Occitane Gift Set - Consistently one of my favourite brands, this gift box from L'Occitane contains a selection of their best selling products, including the Shea Butter Hand Cream, Almond Milk Concentrate and Cherry Blossom Shower Gel. A lovely present for any L'Occitane fan or the perfect introduction for a beauty lover who might not be familiar with the brand.
So there we have it - my first Christmas Gift Guide of 2016! Anything here you might ask Santa for?
Kate x
Ah, September. That back to school buzz of brand new stationery, a year full of promise and of course, new clothes. I find that no matter how old I get, I still seem to catch these excited feelings about this time of year. Now it's obviously been several millennia a while since I had to prepare for going back to school, but updating my wardrobe for the new season is something I still get to do year after year, and as far as I'm concerned, I'll probably never tire of it!
I've noticed a few trends coming through to the high street in the new autumn collections that have my pulse quickening, and one of them is over the knee boots. While they've been a fixture in autumn/winter fashion for a while now, this year I'm seeing so many more and in so many different variations than in recent seasons. And guess what - I kind of want them all. Predictable, aren't I?! I've compiled a little wishlist of some of my favourites, so take a look and see which ones you like the best!
1. River Island Studio Over the Knee Boots - These are so sleek, and the attention to detail makes them look, in my opinion, a lot more expensive than they actually are. The fact that they're sock boots is great for those of us with skinny calves, plus I love the contrast with the leather forepart and the gold trim on the heels. The only negative about these - for short girls like me - is that they really do look very long, more "thigh high" than just over the knee. Realistically, they'd probably come up to my waist. Oh well! Maybe these are just ones to lust over rather than actually buy.
2. Dune Lace Up Boots - I think these might be my favourites. I adore that lush black suede, and that fabulous lace up detail. Luckily, they have a zip fastening, otherwise it might take you a week to put them on, although quite frankly, the finished result is so fabulous that it would totally be worth the effort. The block heel and rounded toe are genius on this boot - anything pointier might have taken them into slutty territory, but as it is, they're just effortlessly cool. I simply cannot stop looking at them. Oh, and did I mention they're also available in khaki? Swoon.
3. H&M Tan Over the Knee Boots - A super affordable (£39.99!) offering from H&M, which easily holds its own against a lot of much pricier boots. These come in black as well, but I think the tan pair looks more expensive, and creates more of a contrast with the heel, adding that little something extra. These are a great shape and have a little tie up detail at the back - just on the top section. They'd look fab with some blue jeans, a soft white polo neck jumper and a shearling jacket.
4. Asos Tortoiseshell Heel Boots - Another tan pair, these are super simple. There's almost nothing to them, apart from a simple drawstring fastening at the back and, of course, that gorgeous tortoiseshell heel. These are a great casual option, but again they're probably more suited to taller girls than me. I'll just have to settle for wearing them in my fantasy life, where I'm actually Gigi Hadid.
5. Kurt Geiger Tassled Boots - Now these are quite different from any of the others, and quite the statement piece. I love the fringe detailing and think it gives off a cool, boho vibe. These boots would make the ideal partner for any fedora and gilet combo.
6. Zara Flat Over the Knee Boots - Chic and minimal, I'd pair these with something classic and sophisticated, like a tailored coat and a ladylike handbag. The flat, stacked heel makes them ideal for running around in, but they're sleek enough to look smart at the same time. They're also available in tan and are another great affordable option, coming in at £49.99.
7. Kendall and Kylie Grey Stiletto Boots - Available via Asos, these could be difficult to style, but done right they'd look sensational. As suggested in the photo here, they'd work really well with a simple little black dress, but I'd go for something quite demure (high neck, long sleeves) to balance out the overt sexiness of the boots.
What are your feelings on over the knee boots? Yay or nay? And are there any on my wishlist that have caught your eye?
Kate x
2. Dune Lace Up Boots - I think these might be my favourites. I adore that lush black suede, and that fabulous lace up detail. Luckily, they have a zip fastening, otherwise it might take you a week to put them on, although quite frankly, the finished result is so fabulous that it would totally be worth the effort. The block heel and rounded toe are genius on this boot - anything pointier might have taken them into slutty territory, but as it is, they're just effortlessly cool. I simply cannot stop looking at them. Oh, and did I mention they're also available in khaki? Swoon.
3. H&M Tan Over the Knee Boots - A super affordable (£39.99!) offering from H&M, which easily holds its own against a lot of much pricier boots. These come in black as well, but I think the tan pair looks more expensive, and creates more of a contrast with the heel, adding that little something extra. These are a great shape and have a little tie up detail at the back - just on the top section. They'd look fab with some blue jeans, a soft white polo neck jumper and a shearling jacket.
4. Asos Tortoiseshell Heel Boots - Another tan pair, these are super simple. There's almost nothing to them, apart from a simple drawstring fastening at the back and, of course, that gorgeous tortoiseshell heel. These are a great casual option, but again they're probably more suited to taller girls than me. I'll just have to settle for wearing them in my fantasy life, where I'm actually Gigi Hadid.
5. Kurt Geiger Tassled Boots - Now these are quite different from any of the others, and quite the statement piece. I love the fringe detailing and think it gives off a cool, boho vibe. These boots would make the ideal partner for any fedora and gilet combo.
6. Zara Flat Over the Knee Boots - Chic and minimal, I'd pair these with something classic and sophisticated, like a tailored coat and a ladylike handbag. The flat, stacked heel makes them ideal for running around in, but they're sleek enough to look smart at the same time. They're also available in tan and are another great affordable option, coming in at £49.99.
7. Kendall and Kylie Grey Stiletto Boots - Available via Asos, these could be difficult to style, but done right they'd look sensational. As suggested in the photo here, they'd work really well with a simple little black dress, but I'd go for something quite demure (high neck, long sleeves) to balance out the overt sexiness of the boots.
What are your feelings on over the knee boots? Yay or nay? And are there any on my wishlist that have caught your eye?
Kate x
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