Sales, sales, sales.....

January is a difficult month for my mild shopping addiction. You can't seem to walk around anywhere without noticing the huge SALE signs trying to lure you in, making it impossible for me to resist all the amazing bargains! And then these days it's not only on the street we have to resist temptation from, no, also the web shops are doing their best to tempt me to spend, spend, spend! FeelUnique recently had their big winter sale and I ended up caving to their 30-50% discounts and got the following beauty purchases!

Kérastase - Ciment Thermique

St Tropez - Gradual Tan

Narciso Rodriguez - For Her 

Kérastase Resistance Ciment Thermique Heat-Activated Reconstructor Milk (link) is an oldie but a goodie! I used to always use this product pre-blow dry on my hair but the last year I have hooked on Argan Oil. When I spotted this product in the sale it made me want to go back to an old favourite for a while. I seriously love this product! All I do is squeeze a small (coin size) amount in the palm of my hand, I then rub my hands together and run them through my hair to distribute the product. Then I just brush it to untangle and blow-dry as usual. Ciment Thermique a heat protector but also makes your hair shiny, smooth and super healthy looking! Oh and it smells pretty damn good too :)

The fragrance 'For Her' by Narciso Rodriguez (link) is one of my all time favourite perfumes. I always make sure I have a nice big bottle stashed at home but it's also convenient to have a smaller version that you can put in your handbag to refresh yourself with when on the go. For when I go out at night time I usually bring a perfume atomizer, which fits into my clutch nicely, but this 30ml bottle will be perfect to carry around with me anytime!

I wasn't so fond of the little white ghost I kept seeing in the mirror looking back at me in the recent months (Ahhh I need myself some SUNSHINE!) so I decided I could do with some gradual tanning lotion to give me a bit more of a healthy glow! I apply St Tropez Gradual Tanning Lotion (link) in Light/Medium about 1-2 a week only to my chest, arms and face area. Hey, its not like I'm parading around in a bikini anytime soon right...? I love this gradual tan because it doesn't have a very strong smell and doesn't stain my clothes but helps making me look a bit less vampire like during these cold winter months. 

Did you buy anything in the recent online beauty sales?

PureTan's light tanning range for a natural tan!

With summer on its way (well technically it should be here by now but let’s not get into the finer details of this (miserable) weather in London at the moment)…..I admit that I am definitely a girl that relies on a bit of ‘help’ to get myself looking more summer ready.

Living in the UK, there is a fine line between a nice and healthy summery glow and looking out of place 'oompa loompa' tanned. I like using the darker tanning mouses or lotions when it's the mids of summer or am going away somewhere hot but during the normal (average) weeks in summer I prefer a more natural light looking tan. Most of the time I use a gradual tanning daily moisturiser every few days to achieve that look. However recently I came across a new brand that offered a great light tanning range so I decided to give this go.

PureTan is a popular Australian brand loved by Miranda Kerr, the Minogue sisters and many other Aussie girls that prefer to fake it than burn in the strong Australian sun. PureTan provides light and dark tanning mouses and lotions that don't have that biscuity or coconut scent but actually smell more like a high-end body moisturiser!

Pure Bronze Light Instant Tanning Lotion -  £32.00

The Light Tanning Lotion is great for the fairer skinned amongst us for a nice buildable natural looking colour. The lotion has a slight shimmer to it and and moisturizes too,  leaving your skin feeling soft without any oily residue. I love that it has a super fast activating formula which means you can shower within an hour of applying, giving you speedy professional finish tanned skin.

Pure Bronze Light Instant Tanning Foam - £32.00

The The Pure Bronze Light Tanning Foam has an air-whipped moisturising formula that is super easy to apply (especially using a tanning mitt - link). This works more like a gradual tanner, but the natural colour forms quickly for a long-lasting sunless tan that is fast drying & streak-free.

Out of the two I probably prefer the mouse because I find this gives me a smoother and slightly faster natural finish. Overall I was really pleased with the results by the PureTan light tanning range. I think it's perfect for anyone that has quite a pale complexion because it is subtle enough not to look fake. So if you are quite fair skinned and have been too scared to try fake tanning in the past because of the dreaded orange look, I'd say give this a go :)

The full Pure Tan product range is available online at Cult Beauty now. 

My tan truth for wintertime...

In the cold winter months I hate looking white and pasty so my secret to getting some ‘sun’ during these months is using a daily gradual tan moisturiser. I have tried a few brands over time with some of my favourites being He-Shi, St Tropez and Garnier Summer Body.

Recently I got introduced to a brand called TanTruth  which have a lovely daily Gradual Tan called Secret Sun!

“Secret Sun is a luxurious body moisturiser containing just a hint of their dual tanning agents. Applied daily, it enhances your natural skin colour to leave a gorgeous sun kissed glow that can be achieve all year round. Enriched with Avocado and Shea butter, Secret Sun leaves skin soft, moisturised and hydrated. Excellent for daily use or after a holiday to help prolong your natural tan. Be gorgeous and glow all year round.”

Secret Sun is £5.19 per bottle (250ml) and can be purchased online here 

If I compare it to other daily gradual tan moisturisers I have used I found that the colour develops a bit deeper and stronger with Secret Sun but without looking a (dreaded) orange shade. The smell is very light and refreshing (not that horrible biscuity smelt that some fake tans can have!) and it actually is great as a moisturiser leaving your skin soft, hydrated and glowing.

The last few months I have just applied this lotion in the morning after my shower mainly to my chest, neck, arms and legs to give me a nice sun-kissed glow opposed to white vampire skin! Definitely liking this product :)

Do you use a gradual tan moisturiser in winter to get some ‘Secret Sun’; and if so, what products do you recommend? xoxo

Bourjois - Delice de Soleil Bronzing Collection

This month Bourjois launched their 2011 Bronzing Collection, perfect to create that gorgeous sun-kissed look for summer (without having to leave the country)! So let me introduce you to the Délice de Soleil Bronzing Collection. The range consists of a bronzer, bronzing foundation, bronzing mist and two effet 3D summer collection lip-glosses.

First up, Bourjois has designed this cool made-to-measure mineral powder foundation. Using a super clever two-in-one system it comes with two different shades of mineral powder so you can custom blend your own perfect colour. Each shade can be used separately or blended together. It has a movable flap to  allow you to dispense the exact quantity needed.

The mineral foundation has a formula of cocoa beans for radiance, orange blossom extract for moisturizing plus your skin is protected by the SPF 15 sunscreen. The powder gives you a light to medium coverage that feels soft and fresh, blends smoothly and gives your skin a lovely natural glow. I have used this as a foundation (on top of tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation as I prefer a slightly heavier coverage) but I also really liked using the darker shade on its own as a bronzer. This product is definitely one of my favourites from the collection. The foundation comes in two shades 'Fair/Medium' & 'Olive/Tanned' skin and is priced at £9.99/€14.99.

Next up,  is the Bronzing Powder (spray) for face and body. This spray allows you to deposit a light coating of bronzing powder onto your skin, without the need to blend! The powder is super fine, smells delicious and can be applied to face, chest and even arms & legs.

This product is perfect to get that last minute sun-kissed 'boost' all over, for when you have no time to 'fake tan'. You just spray it on, without minimal need to blend it in, and run out of the door. It gives you a natural bronzed glow (non shimmery) without rubbing off on your clothes and it washes off again easily when needed. The spray comes in two shades 'Fair/Medium' (12) & 'Olive/Tanned' (14) skin and is priced at £7.99/€11.99.

If, like me, you already are a huge fan of Bourjois' Délice de Poudre bronzing powder (with its yum chocolatey smell and look) then you are bound to also love the their latest bronzing compact!
This is the Délice de Soleil Bronzing Powder:The new bronzing powder now comes in a sophisticated and modern compact, complete with brush, panoramic mirror and a pivoting hinge which means the mirror can swivel 360 degrees. I’m personally not a huge fan of these kind of thin bronzer brushes so I tend not to use my contour or bronzer brushes instead but it’s handy to have it there for moments on-the-go. The powder has a highly pigmented ultra-fine texture, the same addictive cocoa smell and is excellent to use all over the face bronzing or as a contour because its matte finish (with a very subtle hint of gold shimmer). The Délice de Soleil bronzing powder comes in two shades; ‘Fair/Medium’ (12) & ‘Olive/Tanned’ (14) and is priced at £8.99/€12.49

Last but not least are the two Effet 3D Summer Collection lip-glosses:

For this collection Bourjois have released two glistening new shades (with speckles of gold) that do not only look great, but also protect your lips (SPF 15) and they have the Effet 3D’s lovely non-sticky moisturising balm formula. Best of all is that they smell so summery – the tropical coconut fragrance transports my mind directly to a scene of sun bathing on the beach sipping pina coladas!:)
The two new shades are: Rose Pacific (49); my favourite, a STUNNING sheer coral gloss & Brun Exotic (50). Brun Exotic looks quite dark in the tube but once applied it’s a lovely sheer, bronzed shimmery gloss. Both glosses are priced at £6.99/€10.49.

So what do you think of the new Bourjois Summer Bronzing Collection? Any products you have your little eye on or have already purchased? I really like how even though they are a cheaper drug store brand, Bourjois, still launches new collections for different seasons and trends. This one is perfect for summer. Bring on the hot sunny weather I say and thanks to Bourjois I am ready for it! ;) The collection is available now at most local drugstores or for more stockist information visit the Bourjois website. xoxo

Happy Hump Day & the winner is....

It's Hump Day! One of my favourite movies of all time is 'The Notebook' - I'm such a girly girl aren't I haha!

There are just so many cute & romantic quotes in the movie/book. Here some more of my faves:

”Summer romances end for all kinds of reasons. But when all is said and done, they have one thing in common: They are shooting stars-a spectacular moment of light in the heavens, a fleeting glimpse of eternity. And in a flash, they're gone."

"The way I see it, I got three choices. One, I can shoot him. Two, I can kick the crap out of him. Or three, I leave you. Well, all that's no good. You see, 'cause none of those options get me you."

"I am no one special, just a common man with common thoughts. I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me, and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect, I've succeeded as gloriously as anyone who ever lived. I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and for me, that has always been enough."

"So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, for ever, you and me, every day. Will you do something for me, please? Just picture your life for me? 30 years from now, 40 years from now? What's it look like? If it's with him, go. Go! I lost you once, I think I can do it again. If I thought that's what you really wanted. But don't you take the easy way out. "

How can anyone (...well a girl anyway) not love this movie right? ♥
Oh and if you have never seen it - you are so missing out haha, get it out NOW! :)

Now onto more exciting news; announcing the winners of my He-Shi Travel Collection Giveaway!!
Up for grabs were two fabulous He-Shi Travel tanning kits which include:
♥ 50ml Exfoliating Body Wash.
♥ 50ml Express Liquid Tan.
♥ Mini Mitt.
♥ 50ml Day to Day Gradual Tan.

So without any further ado, the lucky winners are......

Comment #4 which is Daniella aka Madame Gourmand and Comment #12 which is Steph aka BeautyRambles! Congrats to both of you ladies! I will be in touch to arrange delivery of your fabulous prize. Thank you to everyone who entered.  Enjoy your Hump Day! Lots of love xoxo

He-Shi Travel Collection‏ & Giveaway!

As you might know, I'm a big fan of He-Shi's Tanning products (you can read my review here). So when I found out they have now launched a travel mini collection, I got very excited! The travel collection is perfect for when traveling, especially for holidays where required to pack light.  Now you will never be without your sun-kissed tan: whatever the weather, wherever you are! 

This comprehensive travel range contains mini sizes of your essential tanning needs;  it’s as easy as 1 (exfoliate), 2 (tan), 3 (maintain)! I think it's such a clever idea to have mini bottles because often when I have been going on a trip, and only allowed cabin luggage, you can't pack anything over 100ml. This meant that up until now I wasn't able to pack any tanning products because other brands don't provide any small sizes! So clever thinking He-Shi, love it! :)

The He-Shi Travel Collection includes:

♥ 50ml Exfoliating Body Wash.
A luxurious, strawberry-scented, light moisturising body scrub, packed with AHAs that prepares the skin for a perfect self-tan. Ideal for removing every last trace of any previous self tan and any rough, dry patches, leaving a perfectly smooth canvas.
♥ 50ml Express Liquid Tan.
Using the He-Shi Tanning Mitt (supplied), this tinted formula is fool-proof, does not streak or leave patches, dries immediately and lasts 5 days. Can be built in layers for a darker finish if desired.
♥ Mini Mitt.
Assures no tell-tale orange-coloured palms; the ideal way to achieve an even, professional-looking finish.
♥ 50ml Day to Day Gradual Tan.
A triple action lotion that evens out skin tone and gradually builds a light bronzed complexion.

The He Shi Quick + Easy 3-Step Travel Collection, will be available from June at selected salons and spas across the UK, selected House of Fraser stores and http://www.he-shi.co.uk/ priced at £17.50.

But wait, it gets better - I am giving YOU (my lovely followers) the chance to WIN a He-Shi Travel Kit!
There will be two kits up for grabs! All you need to do to be in to win is:
1) Be a follower (through Google Friend Connect) of www.dutchessroz.com 
2) Receive extra entry points for 'liking' my Facebook Fan Page or following me on Twitter
3) Leave a comment below to enter the giveaway
3) Provide your email address in the comment so I can contact you, if you are one of the chosen two lucky winners (Sorry entry is only open to UK & Ireland residents)

Entry starts NOW and will close in two weeks time (14 June). 
So what are you waiting for, enter now to be in to win :) Good luck xoxo

Fake Tanning with He-Shi

With all this increasing sunny weather, which means showing off more skin I am ALL about looking tanned! I'm definitely a big fake tanning fanatic and I normally use St Tropez Tanning Mousse, Garnier Ambre Solaire spray or Garnier Summer Body daily moisturiser. Recently I got offered to try a brand I hadn't heard of before which promised 'no streaks, no patches and no chemical smells'. This all sounded fab so I said, where do I sign up? ;) Introducing the He-Shi Tanning Range:

♥ What they say:
He-Shi is a leading professional tanning brand of Irish origin. Their comprehensive range of easy-to-use face and body products is designed to give a natural and hassle-free tan for both men and women. He-Shi gives sun-kissed colour on contact with the skin so you can see where you go and there is no risk of unsightly streaking or tell-tale white patches.

♥ How to use:

Ready to Bare in just 3 simple steps which prepare the skin and achieve the perfect and most natural tan, He-Shi is designed for both summer and winter use, for an all year round natural tan.

♥ What do I think?
Firstly I have to say, I love the exfoliator! I have tried different exfoliators over the years and I never really like the effect or feeling they give my skin so tend not to use them that often. However, the He-Shi exfoliator is lovely, its smells deliciously of strawberries and isn't too harsh on my skin. It truly leaves my body feeling refreshed, smooth, cleansed and moisturised. 

The dark tanning mousse is quick drying and easy to apply. It has a tinted formula (like St Tropez) which prevents streaks and patchiness, because you can see exactly what areas you may have missed to get an overall natural looking tan. I'm also a big fan of the He-Shi tanning mitt. I normally use my St Tropez mitt but bonus points to the He-Shi mitt because it has a fab lotion proof barrier which ensures your hands remain stain free! Brilliant stuff! 

Smell wise, the He-Shi Dark Foaming mousse is pretty good. Initially when you apply it you don't get any of the usual fake tan smells but I did find that after say an hour you can smell it, but only lightly!
When I woke up the next morning I was impressed with my smooth deep dark tan. It's probably a little bit dark for me at the moment but it would be perfect for summer time. You can see what the tan looked like on me here, here and here. A few of you actually commented on my tan and summer 'glow' in the pics! Another thing: the tan was really long lasting, it lasted almost a whole week, which is especially amazing considering the fact that I was useless at moisturising regularly. The tan never started flaking, it just slowly faded which is so nice because I hate the flaky effect that some fake tans get after a few days!
So overall I think this is a great tanning range and am keen to try their express liquid tan or gradual tanning moisturiser!

I also got their Fusion Multi Bronzing Powder plus a handy sized kabuki bronzing brush. I have been using this light bronzer all over the face and chest quite a lot and love the sheer natural bronzed glow it gives me! 

The full He-Shi range of products is available at House of Frasers, Harvey Nichols, selected salons and spa's across Ireland and the UK plus online at www.he-shi.eu. Happy fake tanning! xoxo