Lip Fillers || My Experience

I had been wanting to get lip fillers for a good few years and then when Kylie Jenner started flaunting her perfectly plump lips 24/7, I got pretty obsessed with the idea. After doing A LOT of research, I finally bit the bullet.

If you are considering having fillers yourself, or any cosmetic procedure for that matter, I cannot express enough how important it is to do your research. Like I said previously this was something I had been mulling over for years, I had always had an idea of certain places I knew I wanted to avoid & other places whose results always matched the look I was trying to achieve. I spent a good month or so trying to decide where I wanted to go and after hours of stalking instagram accounts and the Internet, I made my mind up.

One of the reasons it did take me so long to finally get lip fillers was the cost. Fillers are more popular than ever now-a-days and a lot more accessible with many practitioners being mobile, but this also means the price they charge is more competitive. I have paid upto £190 for 0.5ml, I know that may be a fair bit more than other people pay for the exact same procedure, but this is something I am not willing to scrimp on.

The Procedure

I have had my lips done six times in total, the first time I got it done with a friend which is something I would definitely recommend, it's good to have a bit of moral support - let's be honest, having a needle in your face is pretty intimidating. We arranged to have the procedure done in my friends house and discussed with the practitioner what results we were looking for and how much filler we would need. A numbing cream was applied to our lips and while that was working its magic, we read and signed the consent forms. My friend went first so I got to see how long it would take which calmed me down a little bit, I wasn't overly nervous but I did feel apprehensive about what it would feel like. Within 10-15 minutes it was my turn. I decided to get 0.5ml Restylane in my top lip to balance it out with my lower lip. I was told when each injection was going to happen and told to take a deep breath in as the needle went in to my lip. I wouldn't say it was painful but it did make my eyes water and was quite uncomfortable. After about 10 minutes it was over with and I was eyeing my new lips up in the mirror. At this point they weren't too swollen and I was over the moon with how they looked. After being given some aftercare advice, I trotted off home to show my pout off. It didn't take long for the swelling to start and my mouth felt really tight but is wasn't unbearable. I then began getting my lips done at a popular clinic in Liverpool. Everything about the procedure has been the same except instead of using numbing cream, a dental block is used to numb the mouth which is just the same as when you go for a filling. I 100% prefer the dental block over the numbing cream as apart from the initial anaesthetic needle going in, the procedure is completely pain free. I continued to get 0.5ml of Restylane each time, but now that my top & bottom lip are in proportion I get the filler in both in order to build on the filler I already have.

I have recently changed aesthetic practitioners again and finally feel like i have found one who ticks all the boxes for me. It can be  a trial and error process when finding a clinician who is the perfect fit for you but the important thing to remember (which i will repeat until i am blue in the face) is to use a reputable practitioner who you have researched thoroughly initially, and as you become more experienced with the procedure and know what works for you, you will feel more comfortable and confident when shopping around. 

The Results

For a few days after there is always some slight bruising and significant swelling which normally subsides after around 5 days and then I'm left with perfectly plump lips. Our bodies naturally break filler down over time so it's advised to repeat the procedure every 6-8 months in order to maintain the shape & fullness, however the more you have your lips done the longer the filler lasts. It's good to remember that the product is broken down at different rates from person to person. Personally, my body breaks the product down quite slowly so i can go up to 2 years without needing a top up. Again if this is something you are considering do your research and if you have any questions I am happy to try and answer them for you. If you would like a more up to date lip filler experience focusing completely on the last time i had the procedure done please leave a comment below or let me know on instagram @oh_so_lillybelle. 

Review | Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mousse Ultra Dark

Like a lot of girls I love a good tan. Im forever on the hunt for new products that are going to give me a deep tan with as little hassle as possible. As you can probably imagine, this has led to a a few dodgy products being tested and I've been every shade of orange over the years. There has been some little treasures along the way but the road to finding the perfect faux glow has been a rocky one with so many failing to live up to expectations. 

Loving Tan is an Australian brand and seems to be dominating the "My Fake Tan Routine" videos on youtube lately, (yes, I love fake tan that much that I spend my time watching other people do theirs!) and being the green eyed little consumer that I am, I set out to find where I could get me a bottle of this liquid gold! Fast forward 3 days and my well travelled package landed into my pasty little hands. I opted for the Ultra Dark formula as like I said before, I love to be very dark, but there are shades to suit everybody's preferences on the website. Quick side note but if you are in the UK I 100% recommend purchasing through Princess Polly, I can't believe my parcel arrived in the UK so quickly, after being shipped from Australia. 

Loving Tan

One of the things about Loving Tan that initially caught my eye was the fact that it contains Erythrulose, this is an ingredient that helps to banish orange tones, leading to a natural olive tan. Also, many other self tanners contain around 3-5% DHA, Loving Tan Ultra Dark boasts a massive 13%. This is so exciting to me, DHA is the active ingredient that tans need to develop so the higher the percentage the deeper the tan. And lets be honest the most obvious attraction is the packaging. Who wouldn't want that pretty pink and white bottle sat on their dressing table?

Pre Tan Prep

Preparation is key to getting a good even tan. So prior to applying I jump in the shower to defuzz & exfoliate. Paying close attention to areas that the tan tends to cling to, the ankles, knees, elbows & underarms. I always like to wait for at least an hour after I've showered before I start the application, the heat of the shower causes our pores to open, so I like to give them time to close over again to prevent the tan from sinking into the pores and making my legs look like speckled eggs.  

Application

Before I start, I like to I completely cover my hands & feet with a lightweight body lotion and apply a thin layer to the areas I previously mentioned. This stops too much tan clinging to these areas & developing darker than everywhere else. I apply around 2-3 pumps of tan per limp and buff it in using a mitt, leaving my hands free of tan until later. To get a better control of the product, I use a buffing brush to really work the tan into my face, neck & hands. I personally like to apply a second coat to my legs, arms & chest once the first is dry but that's down to personal preference. After giving myself a few minutes to dry I throw on some loose fitting pj's and hop into bed. 

Results

Waking up the next morning I was quite alarmed at how dark the tan actually was, especially on my face. But after a quick rinse in the shower, I was left with a beautifully even tan. I didn't use any products at this point, allowing the water to rinse off the guide colour which came off nice and easy. With a lot of other self tanners, I feel that I have to repeat the process the following night but with Loving Tan Ultra Dark, one application was enough to give me a lovely natural yet deep colour. Another major bonus for me was the scent, most fake tans have a really distinct odour where as this particular product is very pleasantly fragranced and smells quite sweet. Now it is early days but I do feel like this could be my new holy grail tanner. Even the fact that I have to order it from Australia doesn't put me off as the shipping was so quick it's probably the same as ordering from a UK website. I really want to try Loving Tans 2 hour express tan next, the idea of only having to wait two hours for my tan to develop sounds like pure heaven to me!! I would love to know your opinions in the comments. 

Loving Tan Deluxe Bronzing Mouse Ultra Dark retails for £14.72 and can be purchased here.

My Everyday Makeup

BASE

PRIMER - Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water 

FOUNDATION - Estee Lauder Double Wear | Rattan

CONCEALER -  MAC Pro Longwear | NW15

CREAM CONTOUR - Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick | 07 Almond

POWDER CONTOUR & UNDER EYE HIGHLIGHT - Smashbox Step By Step Contour Kit

BRONZER - MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural | Give Me Sun

BLUSHER - MAC Powder Blush | Springsheen

HIGHLIGHT - MAC Mineralize Skin Finish | Lightscapade 

FINISHING SPRAY - MAC Fix+

EYES

PRIMER - MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot | Soft Ochre

INNER HALF LID & BROW BONE - Urban Decay Naked 3 | Stranger

OUTER HALF LID - Urban Decay Naked 3 | Nooner

OUTER V & LOWER LASH LINE - MAC Swiss | Chocolate

CREASE - Urban Decay | Limit

LINER & EYEBROWS- MAC Fluid Line | Dip Down

MASCARA - Clinique Lash Power Feathering | Black

FALSE LASHES - Ardell Demi Wispies

LIPS

LIPLINER - MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil | Staunchly Stylish

LIPSTICK - MAC | Peach Blossom

LIP GLOSS - MAC Tinted Lipglass | Nymphette 

Relaunch Giveaway

To celebrate the relaunch of Oh So Lillybelle, I am going to be hosting a giveaway for my Instagram followers. The winner can pick one lipstick & one eyeshadow from MACs permanent line (Subject to availability). To be in with a chance of winning, head over to my Instagram @ohsolillybelle & share my giveaway picture, tag me and use the hashtag #ohsolillybellegiveaway. 

The giveaway will end at 11pm 13/10/2015 & is open to UK residents only. Any applicants under 16 will have to get permission from a parent or guardian. In the event of an unclaimed prize a new winner will be selected.

Good luck xox

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Clinique Sonic Cleansing Brush

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With so many facial brushes on the market, its hard to know which one to go for. I was lucky enough to receive the Clinique Sonic Cleansing Brush recently and decided to test it out.

As is the case with all Clinique products the Sonic Cleansing Brush has been developed by dermatologists. Its gentle sonic vibrations cleanse the skin four times more effectively than hand washing alone and remove impurities for cleaner, clearer looking skin. The flat white bristles are ideal for cleansing the cheeks, while the green bristles are designed to unclog pores in the t zone so are firmer and slightly angled

As opposed to some of the other electronic facial brushes on the market, the design of the Clinique Sonic Cleansing Brush is super sleek and lightweight. The size is really compact so it wont be too much of a nuisance to pack away if you are travelling. The fact that it generally only needs charging 3 times a year is an added bonus too.

I love the fact that the brush shuts off after 30 seconds, no need to worry about overdoing it if your skin is quite sensitive. I tend to use it for 1 minute so i just press the on button to start it up again. 

As the brush is waterproof I just take it into the shower with me and dampen both my face and the bristles. I apply a small amount of Clinique's Liquid Facial soap directly to the brush and buff  it in using circular motions. Although the head doesn't rotate, there is no need to apply pressure its best to just let the brush glide over the skin. After rinsing off the excess soap I lightly dry the bristles on a clean towel, replace the cap and pop it back on its stand. 

Using the brush has definitely improved the overall texture and radiance in my skin. I have a nice healthy glow after cleansing and my skin has never felt to smooth! I was quite surprised  with how much makeup was on the brush that my makeup remover had left behind! I normally find cleansing such a chore but using the brush adds a little bit of fun and I actually look forward to my nightly skincare routine!

Cliniques Sonic Cleansing Brush retails for £79 and can be purchased here.

GLOSSYBOX | April 2015

First off, how has it been a month since my last Glossybox review all ready? Having absolutely loved the March box, I was so excited when my April box arrived yesterday.  Aprils " The Iconic Edit" box contains three full size products and is a mix of makeup, nails and skin care.

The Lord & Berry Lipstick Pencil is the probably my favorite product in this months box. The shade kiss is supposed to be a modern take on Marilyn Monroe's classic pillar box pout. Im looking forward to seeing if it is easier to apply due to it being a pencil rather than a regular lipstick. This is a full size product that retails for £10.

I like that a retro product has been included in the Iconic Edit. Astrals Original Face and Body Moisturizer is said to have been a favorite of hollywood stars & makeup artists since the 1950s. As well as hydrating deep below the skin's surface, it can also be used  to remove makeup. A 200ml tub retails for £3.89.

The next full size product pays homage to Elizabeth Taylor's iconic cat eye. The POP Beauty Kajal Eyeliner Pen can be used to create a bang on trend winged liner or a smokey smudged liner look thanks to it having a smudger on one end of the pencil. At £6.50 it isn't going to break the bank either.

This Color Club Barely There Nail Polish is perfect for the nude nails trend this spring/summer. This shade is supposed to compliment any skin tone and dries to a glossy finish. This is another full size product that retails for £4.10

Lastly is the product that disappointed me this month, purely because I have no use for it. These Nougat London Soothing Bath Pearls contain a subtle shimmer that creates a "limb lengthening" sheen. Sadly, I'm from a shower only home (something that pains me everyday!) so I won't get to use these and find out how limb lengthening they really are. 35mls cost £6 

Aside from the bath pearls Im happy with this months box and cant wait to test everything out! Glossybox is a monthly subscription that costs £10 per month plus postage and can be purchased here.

What are your opinions on this months Glossybox?

Catch up soon. 

With Love ... A x
♥