Bourjois Java Rice Powder Review

There are so many things to love about the Bourjois Java Rice Powder. From the whimsical pistachio macaroon coloured vintage packaging through to the finely milled illuminating powder inside, the Poudre de Riz De Java is one pretty addition to my make up stash that I've become rather partial to.

First released in 1879 (!), the Java Powder illuminates and evens the complexion in one fell swoop, making it one of those handy multi-use products that's just as at home in your handbag as it is on the dressing table.

Finely milled and translucent, the Java Rice Powder is designed to complement and pep -up every skin tone and I've found it to be useful as both an all-over finishing powder and highlighter.

When using this as a finishing powder, a small amount goes a long way so the 3.5g jar should last for quite some time. To top it all off, the powder has the same sweet rose fragrance as the iconic Little Round Pots, making it extra special to use. I sort of wish they'd release a little compact version of this as I find loose powders a little tricky to use sometimes, but that's a very small bugbear for a very pretty product.

The Bourjois Java Rice Powder retails for £9.99.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Giveaway- Win 3 Barry M Eye & Cheek Palettes

 I'm feeling a bit festive and in the mood to have a little giveaway, so here it is - the opportunity to win all 3 of the Barry M Eye & Cheek Palettes!

Included in the prize:

Natural Glow Palete

Smokin' Hot Palette

Glamour Puss Palette

Each Barry M palette contains six shadows, a blush and a rather generous mirror. Glamour Puss is perfect for creating party looks, Smokin' Hot is a little bit sultry and Natural Glow contains gorgeous neutrals perfect for day and night time looks.

Want to win all three of these? Just enter via the Rafflecopter below and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! Good Luck! xxx

EDIT: Since GFC has disappeared today (17/12/13) please follow on Bloglovin' but tick the GFC and Bloglovin' boxes in the rafflecopter form below for 15 entries

*This giveaway is open to UK residents only 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

French Pharmacy Goodies

This time last month I was sitting in a beautiful restaurant near Gare De Lyon eating a crepe that had just been flambéd in front of me and thinking about how much I didn't want to come back to London.

Alas, return I did but not before I'd visited every pharmacy I could find and sought out a few French skincare goodies.

Thank you to everyone who tweeted me with suggestions of products I should look out for!

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre - I am obsessed with this thick, fresh smelling cream. This stuff was the most recommended product on my twitter feed and now I know why! It literally makes my face feel baby-soft and nicely hydrated without the grease factor. Embyolisse Lait-Creme Concentre is a beautiful blend of natural ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, aloe vera and soy. I've been using it morning and evening and it's been perfect in this moisture-sapping weather.

Sanoflore Miel aux mille vertus (Thousand Virtue Honey Soothing & Repairing Absolute Balm) - I am a shameless fan of skincare that contains honey so when I spotted this balm at the Pharmacie Anglais Des Champs Elysees, I sort of had to have it. The Thousand Virtue Honey is basically a multi-purpose balm that can be used practically anywhere - I've used it on my face and it's soothed my boyfriend's cracked hands more than once. It also smells absolutely beautiful - pretty much like a gentle floral honey scent.

Bioderma Crealine- I'd never tried this famous micellar water before so I bought a small bottle in case I hated it. Rookie error! This takes off eye make up and base like a dream. I'm jumping on the Biorderma fan-wagon immediately. (fan wagon?)

Nuxe Reve de Miel - I found this for €6.50 in Paris which was obviously cheaper than the £9.50 price tag it has here in the UK. That was my excuse for purchasing it anyway, and I'm sticking with it. I was secretly hoping I wouldn't like it because it's so raved about (and I'm an individual, like everyone else) but I love it. It's all honey-ish and orange-y and soothing and delicious. Plus, it's matte, which is a true rarity in the realm of lip balms.

CicaBiafine Creme Mains Reparation Intense - I sort of bought this by accident because we were in a hurry and I remembered Biafine been mentioned in a few French Pharmacy hauls I'd 'researched' before the trip. It turns out I picked up the hand cream rather than the much loved multi purpose balm but worry not - this is a lovely, deeply nourishing tube of goodness that shall live in my handbag through the cruel winter.

Caudalie Soap Free Shower Gel - I got this free (unwittingly) in a little para pharmacy near Gare De Lyon. It has a very delicate grape scent and does the job nicely! Decent sized tube too.

Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream - Another gift with purchase, (I've discovered these are much more fun when you don't actually know what's going on) this cream does a pretty good job at exfoliating - a little bit like a microdermabrasion product without the sting. The only thing I don't like about it is that it's a little difficult to rinse off and the exfoliating bits get stuck in my eyebrows! Ha.

I bought a few other bits and pieces during the trip but I couldn't feature them because they are presents! Have you got any suggestions of what I should search for next time?

Thanks for reading x

My Beautiful Broken Brain

"Everyone loves a story and this is a really, really good one." - Lotje Sodderland

This is a beauty blog, yes, but this is a post about a different kind of beauty. I want to share the story of Lotje Sodderland, a family friend who is experiencing something extraordinary.

In November 2011, Lotje suffered a brain haemorrhage that literally changed her world. Two days after the haemorrhage, she woke up in hospital to an unfamiliar, alien world - her vision was skewed, her hearing was distorted and she experienced incomprehensible, terrifying hallucinations. Despite her fear and confusion, Lotje knew that something incredible was occurring and began recording her experiences on her iPhone. Soon afterwards, she asked her family to get in touch with Film Maker Sophie Robinson in the hope that she would be interested in helping her document her life as it changed. Now, over two years later the women are ready to share Lotje's story and have added their documentary project 'My Beautiful Brain' to Kickstarter in order to raise funds required to create a very unique, insightful and above all beautiful film. 

When I watched the trailer for this the other day, I was completely touched and intrigued at the same time. I want to know more about Lotje and her incredible story and I hope you do too. Please watch the trailer for My Beautiful Brain below and visit the Kickstarter page HERE if you'd like to help out in any way. You can also follow the Twitter for the project @MYBBB2014, visit the website HERE and find them on Facebook HERE.

Thank you so much for reading/ watching! x