Uneeka Life's Glorious Grooming Range

Every man knows the awkward moment when you go to have a shave and then you realise you have no shaving foam, gel or cream!!! It is the worst thing and I know from experience it is properly frustrating!

Luckily this has only happened to me once, mainly because I swore to never let myself be stuck with stubble ever again.

Choosing shaving products can be tricky (look at older post on different types of shaving products here) but I have found a wonderful collection of products in Uneeka Life based in my hometown of Truro!

As well as selling gorgeous lifestyle products for your home and having a superb little café full of pretty good cake they also stock the premium quality men’s grooming brand; D. R. Harris and Co Ltd . I have been lucky enough to test the Arlington Shaving Cream as well as a new addition to the range, the Windsor Shaving Cream.

Before I go into my reviews, I have to say that the packaging of the products is exquisite, they look like they could be pulled of the hit ITV show; Mr Selfridge!

Arlington Shaving Cream

Accordinfg the brands website, the D. R. Harris Arlington Shaving Cream “is the very best 'Luxury Lather' concentrated shaving cream” and I have to admit I have loved using it! The product is really thick and is lightly fragranced with Arlington, a classic blend of citrus and fern. Although the product does lather it is not overly foaming which is nice as normally overly soapy or foamy products can dry out the skin. This doesn’t, the cream formula hydrates the skin whilst you shave.

Directions for use: Wet the beard with warm water, apply the cream to the face with your fingers or a brush and lather with warm water. This product can be used with or without a brush. Shave as you normally would (for more advice on shaving see my other post Smart Shaving)

Windsor Shaving Cream

The Windsor Shaving Cream is the latest addition to D. R. Harris’ extensive selection of shaving creams. Windsor is a fresh, complex fragrance, which has overtones of citrus and grapefruit but with more matured undertones of black pepper and vetiver (traditionally masculine yet refreshing zesty). The formula, like the Arlington hydrates the skin providing a smooth smoooooth shave. Follow the same directions

The D. R. Harris shaving creams are so hydrating due to the highly concentrated, glycerin enriched formulas. The added glycerin binds water to the skins surface meaning you get a super hydrated shave. After using these creams my skin feels so smooth with little razor burn. All D.R. Harris and Co Ltd shaving products are available in a plastic jar (150g) priced at £16.50 or tube (75g) for travel coming in at £9.85. 

Both are available at Uneeka Life right now!! Give them a like on Facebook now and pop into their shop on Boscowan Street Truro for more lovely goodies and a spot of coffee and cake!

Much love
R x

create those contours

Contouring is one of my favourite things and if I could muster the brain power to get it into that song from The Sound of Music (you know the one!) then I would. But I can’t so I thought I’d blog about it.

So, a few of my friends have asked me, WHAT IS CONTOURING?

Well, I will tell you.

Contouring is basically where you sculpt the face, creating shadows to make parts of your facial structure more prominent; normally the cheekbones, jaw-line and nose.

Like I've said contouring is about creating shadows. Now, shadows are cool in colour, having blue and purple undertones, SO, the most realistic contours should replicate this. therefore you choose products that are cooler in tone, rather than bronzers and blushes which can make your complexion look ruddy (redder than normal, almost dirty).

The contouring products that are out there come in creams and powders and choosing the right one for your skin is very important. I myself prefer to go for cream contouring products as I find them more easily blendable but I have been known to use the odd powder here or there, SO, these are some of the products I have used and I hope you might find these reviews useful.

1. M.A.C. Pro Sculpt Cream £18

Everyone knows how much I love MAC - almost as much as I love contouring so when I saw the MAC Pro Sculpt Cream online I just had to try it, so I took a trip to my nearest store and tested away.

MAC Pro Sculpting Cream

The product comes in two shades (one darker and one lighter) and they are so unbelievably creamy. This texture means they are easily blended into your base. However both shades are quite warm, which, for my skin tone is not ideal. However for warmer skin tones this would be perfect. Also the texture of these creams is perfect for dryer skin types, but when used with a translucent powder on top is perfect for all.

2. & Other Stories Contouring Cream £10

This was the first contouring cream that I used and I fell in love. I really cannot fault it. It has been carefully created to suit all (and I mean ALL) skin tones out there. 

& Other Stories Face Contouring Cream

Although the product looks very brown in the palette it is a perfect mix of pigments which means that it is not going to make you look like you’ve had a fight with a sunbed. The mix of tones creates a cooler/ashier toned contour which is flattering to all skin tones (pale through to dark). The texture is slightly less creamy than the MAC Cream but when applied with a brush it blends out beautifully to create gentle contours. It can also be built up to create a more dramatic effect.

3. MAC Pro Longwear Eye Shadow in Fashion Fix £17

An eye-shadow you say? YES! An eye-shadow! I've been looking for a taupe colour for contouring for ages and have I been able to find one? NO!!! 

MAC Pro Longwear Eye Shadow in Fashion Fix

But then I found this eyeshadow and I love it :D one you've put on your base, set it with a powder then apply your contour with this (otherwise the pigment will stick and clump awkwardly, not what you want!). So, one you're powdered, use an angled blush brush to define the cheekbones and jawline (if you want too), the angled brush will do all the work for you and you will be left with smoothly defined cheekbones!

4. Blush Professional Contouring Palette £11.44 (price correct at the time of publication)

This palette is wonderful - actually a lot of blush professional products are wonderful - but this was the first one I bought! For the price it is amazing value for money and has everything you need in it to sculpt the face.

Blush Professional 6 Colour Contouring Palette

The palette contains a white (highlighter), beige, flesh, brown and two pink powders. Use the brown powder for contouring - using your angled blush brush - but use it with caution, you don't need to use much as it is well pigmented. If you use too much you run the risk of looking slightly muddy. You can the gently use the flesh and beige tones to blend out and neutralise the colour for smooth contours. The pink shades can be flushed onto the apples of the cheeks for a healthy rosy glow! I did however find the white powder quite chalky and matte so I didn't like using it as a highlighter, but, all in all this palette is great for the price.

Well, I could talk about contouring all day so I will stop there! Let me know if there are any wonder products you would recommend and I may just test them out!

Much love

R x

hello AQUA

Finally, a premium hair and skincare and beauty clinic right in the centre of Truro.

AQUA - I welcome you!

“AQUA is like nothing you’ve ever seen”

AQUA specialise in premium skincare and beauty. Based next to Starbucks in Truro the clinic officially opened on April 9^th 2014 and I was in there as quickly as possible!

At the front of the clean and bright store is a range of high-end make-up and skincare products including Illamasqua make-up, O.P.I. Nail Lacquer, Millie Mackintosh (Made in Chelsea star) Lashes, HD Brows, Rodial Skincare and Skinceuticals. Well I couldn’t resist buying some product and went with an Illamasqua lip liner which I had been meaning to get for a while (the colour I got was Indecent - review to come) and I will definitely be going back for more. With products ranging in price there is something there for everyone who is looking to invest in their skin.

As well as selling wonderful skincare and beauty AQUA offer a wide range of beauty treatments. I chose to go with HD Brows (partly because I've always wanted to try HD Brows and also because my brows really needed doing!). The treatment involved an initial consultation to discuss how I wanted my brows to look. Then I went into the treatment room, it was bright with calming music. I lay down on the bed, which was so comfortable! The first part of the treatment was the tint (patch test required) that darkened my brows ever so slightly. Next came the shaping! HD Brows uses a mix of waxing, threading and tweezing to achieve flawlessly shaped brows. After the shaping was over and the calming gel was used to close my pores and soothe my skin they applied HD make-up to cover any redness. I really liked that as nobody wants the awkward red skinned walk of shame out of the salon now do they? I could actually leave without worrying about people seeing that I’d just had my brows done! Marvellous!

Overall I was so pleased with my time in AQUA. The staff were all so friendly and I really felt in safe hands with my beautician. It is safe to say I will be back there very soon to try out more of their treatments and to buy more products!

For more information on AQUA visit their website www.aquaskincare.co.uk, follow them on Twitter and Facebook @AquaCornwall.

Till next time

R x

micellar miracle water

Micellar water cleansers are one the latest beauty innovation - and I love them. Admittedly I've not used them for long, but the ones I have tried have ensured that I now have one close at hand in my bathroom cabinet.

Unlike most cleansers, micellar water is soap-free and you have no need to rinse once used. Dampen a cotton pad with micellar water and it will remove all traces of make-up and lift other impurities from the skin. For total skin decongestion and soothing hydration, it's the perfect option.

The solution contains molecules known as micelles, which have the perfect composition for trapping and removing make-up, dust and pollution on the skin. All-natural and completely fragrance-free, micellar water is the best on-the-go cleanser.


L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution - RRP £4.99

If you are new to the micellar craze and are apprehensive about spending lots of money on them then this is the one for you! Coming in at just under a fiver it is fantastic value! 

L'Oreal's product aims to: 

1. Dissolve make-up, 

2. Unclog pores and remove impurities  

3. Tones and soothes the skin

I use this at the end of the day and it removes any product I may have had on, it even cuts through my make-up if I've been in drag (and that's a lot of make-up). A definite for my kit now!

La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution - RRP £11.50

I got a free sample of this one month and it is awesome! With an RRP of £11.50 it is on the expensive side 

La Roche-Posay give the following description of their product:

• Hypo-allergenic skincare formulations
• Non-comedogenic
• Optimum concentrations of dermatological active ingredients
• With soothing thermal spa water
• Simplified formulas for purity and tolerance
• All products tested on sensitive skin types
• Especially designed packaging to minimise any possible bacterial contamination
• Committed to preserving the environment through an eco-friendly packaging policy

I am not sure if all these 'beneifts' are noticeable in the effects of the product, and I didn't think it was that different to the L'Oreal Paris equivalent. 

Lancome Eau Micellaire Douceur - RRP £23 (200ml) £35.50 (400ml) 

This is the most premium product I have tried. I used it when I stayed at my friends one weekend and I had forgot to take my remover/cleanser/toner and I was horrified, but luckily, my friends mum let me use some of this for the evening.

Lancome's statement over this product reads as "this light-as-air foam activates with water to create a truly luxurious cleanser. It's fresh formula gently cleanses away make-up and impurities to clarify the complexion, leaving your skin soft, radiant and healthy-looking."

It definitely lived up to its claims, however for me it didn't differ from the cheaper alternatives.


If you are going to go with any Micellar water this spring then I'd say go for the L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution. It is effective and exceptional value for money, and as it's sold in local supermarkets you can even pick up your Clubcard points when you buy it too ;-P

Let me know if you have tried any wonderful Micellar waters, or, let me know how you get on with one if you haven't yet tried one!

Much love
R x

smart shaving

Shaving, for me, is one of my most daunted tasks. I hate it. So, anything that can make my shaving experience quicker and more pleasurable is always a bonus. This post will share some shaving tips I've picked up along with some products I have used and found useful.

Shaving Tips 101 (hopefully these will be helpful)

1. Prep: always shave after a hot shower/bath. The steam will open up pores and allow for a smooth shave. If pores are closed hairs can be pulled which will lead to skin irritation.

2. Prep 2.0: exfoliate with a good face scrub. This will force the hairs to stand in the right place. If the hairs aren't in the right place for shaving it can cause a pulling which can irritate the skin. Also, if the hairs are pulled in the wrong way when shaving they can 'spring' back under the pores and therefore cause ingrown hairs. So... EXFOLIATE.

3. Use a sharp razor: a sharp razor will ensure a quick, smooth shape with less irritation.

4. Lubricate: choose a good lubricant (yes lubricant) before shaving whether it be shaving foam, cream, gel or oil. Choose the right one for your skin too. I will break this down below!

5: Follow the hair growth: shave in the direction in which your hair grows. If you don't you are prone to ingrown hairs as well as irritation.

6: After shave wash: always remove any shaving cream, gel, foam or oil after shaving. If you don't these products can sit in pores and cause breakouts!

7. Dry properly: Pat your skin dry post shave. DON'T RUB! Rubbing will cause skin to becoming irritated.

The Products
There are so many products to choose from now-a-days so which one do you go for? I suggest choose the product best suited for your skin. There are four types; cream, gel, foam and oil.

1. Cream

Cream based products tend to be formulated with glycerine which prevents them drying out the skin. This means they are great for guys with dry skin.

Apply with fingers to create a lather, however, when used with a shaving brush these really lather, whilst also making the hair lift for a clean shave.

Taylor of Old Bond Street Coconut Shaving Cream

Taylor of Old Bond Street Coconut Shaving Cream comes in at £8.95 which I thought was relatively well priced. The coconut fragrance makes this product stand out as it smells much nicer than other shaving products out their. It lathers well, brilliantly in-fact when used with a brush. It rinses easily and leaves skin feeling smooth.

2. Gel

I use gel as my main shaving method as they combine all the pro's of creams and foams. They are formulated to keep skin hydrated as you shave so are great for men in a hurry or young guys who are new to shaving.

Apply with fingertips in circular motions.

Clinique M Shave Aloe Gel

Coming in at RRP of £14 it is an expensive choice but Clinique's M Shave Aloe Gel is my favourite shaving product. Once lathered the product prevents razor drag so your blade will glide smoothly across the skin whilst holding in moisture and lifting hairs. Enriched with skin healing and protecting Aloe Vera, M Shave Aloe Gel soothes during and after shaving and helps reduce nicks and cuts. For a smooth, comfortable and close shave.

3. Foam
Foam is great for people in a rush as you don't have to spend time lathering it up yourself! However foams can have a drying affect on the skin so if you have sensitive skin choose one which is suited to this (I'd say even if you don't have sensitive skin go for a sensitive option).

Gillette Shaving Foam - Sensitive Skin

My favourite foam is by Gillette this can be picked up so cheaply at the supermarket, coming in at £1.70 at TESCO but it really is a steal, perfect for any students out there!!

4. Oil
I hadn't really heard of shaving oils until very recently and I was sceptical, but, they are great. The oil in the product means it won't dry out your skin and the oiliness of it will give tremendous razor glide for a superiorly clean, close shave!

King of Shaves Shaving Oil

I came across King of Shaves shaving oil when I was doing my grocery shopping! It was on offer in TESCO for £2.65 and retails at an RRP of about £4 so it is cheap in comparison to its premium brothers! The directions say 2 or 3 drops for your whole beard. Now anyone who knows me will know I don't suffer from huge facial hair growth but I would suggest using more than 2-3 drops as that small a quantity wasn't sufficient even for me!

You can use this product on its own or underneath a cream, foam or gel. I have used it both ways and have had brilliant shaves both times.

After use I'd suggest washing it off with a cleansing face wash, even though it says you needn't bother. Oil getting left on your skin can cause breakouts so was off just to be safe! I'd say try this if you want a super close shave, you won't be disappointed!

Let me know what you think, if you have any favourites yourselves! Comment below!
Much love
R x

find your foundation

A good base is key for all other make-up you wear. Also, the better your base the more youthful you will appear, after all no-one wants to have flaky or in contrast a shiny face. Just like choosing skincare, you should match your foundation too your skin type. This post will try to break down (hopefully) some key points on choosing the right foundation!

1. KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE!
There are lots of skin types, and much like choosing your skincare routine, you should be equally as aware of your skin when choosing foundation.

Normal - neither too dry nor too oily. If you have barely visible pores, a radiant complexion and little sensitivity you would have a 'normal' skin type. You are lucky as you can choose almost any foundation to wear (you lucky thing you!)

Combination - a skin type which is dryer in places and more oily in others. It tends to be that the cheeks are drier and the T zone (nose, forehead and chin) are oilier.  This skin can look shiny with overly dilated pores with increased risk of blackheads.

Dry - dry skin can look almost dull, with almost invisible pores. It can feel tight and there is greater risk of lines and wrinkles.

Oily - this skin type is prone to more blemishes. With more open pores and increased sebum production spots and blackheads are more easily formed. Excess oils mean skin can appear shiny.

Sensitive - sensitive skin can show up through redness, a burning sensation and itching. This may be due to a medical issue and if you are unsure of why your skin is so sensitive then seek medical advice.

2. CHOOSE A FOUNDATION TO MATCH YOUR SKIN

Cream Foundation - ideal for normal, combination and dry skin. Perfect for more uneven complexions as it provides heavier coverage. The finish of these foundations is dewy with a medium to full coverage. For application use a sponge or stippling brush. A brilliant cream foundation is the MaxFactor Whipped Creme Foundation which provides a demi-matte finish whilst also giving hydration as well. At £9.99 it is also decently priced.

Liquid Foundation - ideal for all skin types but best suited to dry and mature skin. With a light to medium coverage this foundation comes in a variety of finishes from matte to satin. If you have oily skin then choose a matte finish and if you have drier skin then go for a more satin finish as this will provide more moisture. Apply with a foundation brush. I love the MAC Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation. It is a creamy, gel-based foundation that provides medium buildable to high coverage with a natural satin finish. It is long-wearing and water-resistant. As with many premium brands this foundation is pricey at £25 but you do get 40ml for that which is 10ml more than most foundations so cost effective!

Pressed Powder - perfect for oily skin types. They provide a matte finish with light to medium coverage. They absorb excess oils whilst evening the complexion. Apply with a densely packed powder brush for great coverage. I don't tend to use these so this was hard for me to review, but the one powder foundation that keeps coming up is the Bobbi Brown Illuminating Finish Powder Compact Foundation. At £32 this product offers a lasting full coverage with no oil - so it is perfect for oily skin. It also has light reflective pigments which help mask imperfections thus evening out the complexion.

Mineral Foundations - great for all apart from oily skin. These foundations are great for those with sensitive skin. They provide a demi-matte finish in a light to medium coverage. For best application I would suggest using a kabuki brush to buff it onto the skin. Bare Minerals has the best mineral foundations out there. The "weightless foundation provides adjustable sheer-to-full coverage for a flawless look". It is, like the MAC foundation £25 for a 8g. It is definitely worth the money though. Your skin will look great. 

Tinted Moisturiser - for normal to dry skin. Suitable for those who need extra hydration with a hint of colour. A sheer to light finish with giving a 'no make-up' look. Apply with a foundation brush. The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 20 is a great tinted moisturiser. It evens the complexion without hiding the skin beneath. Coming in at £33 for 50ml it is the priciest product on my list but after trying a sample of it I would definitely recommend it as it feels and looks great on the skin. 

BB Cream - ideal for all skin types, but especially good for blemish prone skin. The active ingredients in BB creams help to reduce blemishes whilst providing a light to medium coverage. Apply with a foundation brush. Garnier have produced (and correct me if I am wrong) the first British BB Cream. At £9.99 at Boots this product instantly ‘perfects’ the skin giving a light and sheer coverage meaning imperfections look blurred with fine lines being softened. Your skin will look luminous, smoother and more even. Definitely a more dash than cash product - it is brilliant value for money!

3. COLOUR

Pink Undertones - choose a yellow based foundation to counter-balance the cooler tones in your skin.

Yellow Undertones - and (surprise surprise) in contrast choose a pink toned foundation to counter the warmer tones.

It may also seem obvious but don's choose a shade too pale, or too dark. This will look false, the perfect base should just disappear into your skin.

Most premium brands will stock more shades than high-street brands. If you cannot justify or afford a premium brand and can't find the right shade from a high-street make then buy a couple a mix them! I am a firm believer in mixing foundations, this was you will get a truly personalised shade to match your skin. 

Always test a foundation on your jaw, as this is the 'truest' representation of your skin colour. Always double check this in daylight, shop lights skew colour terribly! If in doubt ask a friend you trust!


Well, I think I could go on and on but I will leave it there. I hope this has been helpful, let me know of any products you like and I will try and review them if I can.
Comment below. Much love,
R x

dry eyes?

If like me you suffer from dry eyes, especially in the morning, you'll know how painful and irritating it can be. I use an eye cream during the day and that works brilliantly but I'm yet to find one that I can use of a night time that provide moisture all night.

But.... I have found a surprising miracle wonder that you will most definitely be surprised by.

Vaseline. Yes that's right, Vaseline.

Not so long ago Alexa Chung and many models were using Vaseline as a minimalist eye shadow but this is now my number one go to for dry eyes.

Before you go to bed apply a thin layer of Vaseline around the under eye area through to the outer corner of the eye - the under eye is the most likely place to become dry and irritated. Dry skin around the eyes is one of the most noticeable signs of ageing as well.  

When you wake up the skin around you eyes should feel smooth and hydrated, follow in the morning with your usual eye cream and you should have beautifully moisturised skin 24/7. Let me know how you get on.

R x 

moisture moisture moisture

With the summer over and winter steadily approaching it is time to take care of your skin. Increasingly cooler temperatures can cause skin to become dry and flaky, and this in turn makes skin look old. To combat this you need to invest in a good moisturiser to use after your face wash/cleanser routine.

My recommendation would be Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion (or Gel) +. 

A friend recommended me this product when I first started university 2 years ago and I have been using this product for two years now and I don't think I could use anything else. 

They recently have created a new formula which "Helps strengthen skin's own moisture barrier. More moisture stays in. Skin feels soft, springy. Has a healthy-looking glow." The product also come with no added oils so your skin will not feel greasy. There is also a gel formula for those who have oily skin and this also provides superior hydration without any oil at all.

You should use this product twice daily after you have used your face wash and toner of choice. Clinique recommend that "for best results use after Facial Soap and Clarifying Lotion."

I have to admit that this product is quite expensive at £28 for 100ml but it really is worth it, my skin has been so soft since I have been using it so it is a definite investment.

If anyone has any more marvellous moisturisers that they have tried and tested please comment below as I would love to try them! R x