Why Mini Beauty Is The Best

The aisle of doom in Sephora is every beauty lovers guilty please and I know we all love those beauty mini's whether they are deluxe samples (win), or travel sizes. I have a stash of them kept hidden especially for traveling and they are a great way to try out new products. Let's be honest we have all said 'ahhh' when we see our favourite concealer in miniature size or get very excited when that cry worthy expensive primer comes in a slightly more purse friendly size.

Skincare can be rather tricky to transfer into your suitcase so any travel sizes you can pick up on the way are so helpful, whether it's through complimentary samples or those wonderful mini's you can buy for a few pounds. I always like to keep a mini bottle of Micellar Water around for when I go away and a great tip with a product like this is just to refill it from your big bottle to reuse. If you are going away for the weekend then taking away you normal bottle of facial SPF can be a bit of a pain, this mini Clarins number or the Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shelid is perfect for a few days of use. Face Masks are another treat I like to take away with me to have a little pamper evening but the big tubs or tubes aren't always the most convenient. To combat this issue see if you can get your favourite in a smaller jar like this GlamGlow number or rely on the good ol' Nugg masks in a variety of skin treating options for their friendly size. One of the hardest products in mini size to find is a good facial mist but this cute little Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist is perfect to use as a toner or a fresh mist in hot climates. Makeup mini's can also be amazing for you handbag and touch up's, from concealer to primers you can pretty much just about get anything. Samples are a great thing to try and get hold of when you shop online especially, mini mascara's, eye creams, and tester blushes can all be so convenient in your travel bag.  Lastly you have hair, now these can be a little more tricky to get proper samples of, so you may have to spend a few pennies. Shampoo and Conditioner in travel sizes are a must have if you are traveling carry on only and you can by great little sets by brands like Living Proof if you like a little hair pamper. A great way to try out treatments is through the Sephora VIB point system, I got these mini Living Proof and Dry Bar samples for 100 points, aka free. You can also use your points for cute little makeup items like this YSL Tint in Oil. Basically mini is THE best and they can be used for a variety of reasons, whether you want to give a product a road test, need something travel friendly, or just love their cuteness. Love...

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Beauty Expert Collection- The Rose Edition

Earlier this week I went along for a lovely lunch with the Beauty Expert Team to launch their brand new line of themed beauty bags. The first one is The Rose Edition and what a delight it is. Before I go into detail on each product I will give you a little overview of our day and what we learnt. So we headed down to the Ivy at Covent Garden to very yummy lunch and some great presentations from a few of the brands which are featured in this first bag. It was lovely to lear about their product ranges and I hope to share more of that information with you all in separate posts coming up.

The bag is completely skincare focused which I love, as you guys know I am all about the skincare. I also love that it is a bag and not a box, which means the cute case is totally reusable and the best part is that you get six, yes six full sized products.

The six full sized items in this bag come from some of the best skincare brands out there like REN, Pai, and Balance Me. For only £50 you get over £130 of value and some amazing skin and body care items. The specialty rose items have been picked for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, of course they all also offer that wonderful rose scent that is oh so feminine but not overpowering. Everything is set to hydrate, brighten, restore, and soften the skin. Ok so on to the products...

Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil- This is one of Pai's most famous products and rightly so as it is packed full of good for you, natural ingredients. They brand it as the 'ultimate skin healer and anti-ager'. The very orange oil uses not only the oil from the seed but also the fruit which contains five times the carotenoids of the seed oil alone. Applied before bed it leaves you with beautifully soft skin come morning.

Balance Me Rose Otto Body Cream- I have yet to try this as I have only had it a couple of days but I can tell you it smells amazing! The Rose Otto helps reduce the appearance of scars and broken capillaries and of course is what gives it that wonderful scent. It is said to be incredibly gentle with organic aloe and hydrating with the very clever arctic cloudberry which can hold moisture up to -40C.

REN Instant Brightening Eye Lift- This 'miracle' eye serum was based on their best selling facial beauty shot and instantly gives the eyes the only lift they will ever need. I haven't given this a go myself yet but I may rope in my wonderful mum to give it a full on test.

ARK Skincare Conditioning Oil- I love a good body oil so can't wait to give this a go and I have also loved what I have tried form ARK in the past so I have high expectations. Again it smells incredible....blah blah blah. Really you guys it all just smells the best if you are a rose lover like me. This oil can be used on the body or hair for added hydration and to revive your senses.

Monu Skin Gentle Cleanser- Monu skin is a new brand to me but I have been seriously impressed by what I have tried so far, so much so you can expect a whole post on them within the next few weeks. The gentle cleanse which is included in the bag has a lovely creamy texture and is perfect for dry or sensitive skin like mine.

Korres Japanese Rose Shower Gel- There is nothing more I love than a good smelling shower gel, I find it can really brighten your day with your morning shower.  It has wheat proteins to protect the skin and help maintain moisture levels, as well as antioxidant enzymes to enhance the immune system of the skin.

With the bag being such great value and with such amazing products, I think any rose lover will be in paradise with this. Love...

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Highlighter on Fleek

We all know the saying and I think it's fair to say we all have a place in our makeup hearts for highlighter. As I love it so much I have collected a fair few pans of the stuff over the years but recently I had a bit of a declutter and the stash has been halved. What better time to share my favourites I ask, well today we are doing just that. So grab a cool drink (what is this crazy hot weather we are having all about?) and let's get our glow on.


MAC Mineralise Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle- This is the OG of highlighters, the big guy, the original, the one that started it all; well for me anyway. Way before highlighters became mainstream I was using this bad boy to strobe out the face, aka putting it bloody everywhere. The warm champagne tone looks wonderful on all skin types and while the formula may not be the creamiest, it sure is pigmented.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Moonstone- Forget Champagne Pop this light warm glow is my favourite highlighter for that intense sheen, but can also be used with a light hand for a natural look. The formula on this one is a lot creamier and intensely pigmented, it is also a great one for really pale complexions like my own. Becca just does highlight right.

Colourpop Highlighters in Lunch Money & Wisp- Coloupop now ships internationally! Everybody with me... YAY! Colourpop Cosmetics rock and their highlighters have to be my favourite product of theirs. Their texture is creamy and light, halfway between a cream and powder but without the chalky-ness; these are pure smoothness. Lunch Money is very similar to Becca Moonstone but a fraction of the price and then Wisp is a light bronze shade that works perfectly on tanned or darker skin tones or if you love a bronzer highlight hybrid.

Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Incandescent Strobe Light- So this little guy has a long ass name, but he is rather beautiful nonetheless. It is cooler in tone compared to the others and is a little more icy pink. It is the least shimmery of the bunch and therefor the most natural but I would say day to day it is my most worn. The powder is so finely milled it just looks so seamless on the skin.

Laura Geller Gelato Swirl Illuminator in Gilded Honey- If you have darker skin and you love a warm toned highlight then you need Gilded Honey. The gold highlighter looks amazing on the skin and I love it for a holiday glow when away. Certainly not the most subtle on paler skins but I can imagine it will looks amazing if you are dark.

Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Highlight 01- This last one is a little different as it is classed as matte, I am not sure you can call it that but it is certainly more natural looking than the others. Again like the Hourglass one it is cooler in tone and more pink which I really like for spring and summer. This is another one of my most used as well so I guess that says something.

What gets your glow on? Love...

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Beauty Trends Throughout The Ages

For hundreds of years women and men have been beautifying themselves in various ways and year after year, decade after decade trends emerge. Way back when they came about out of necessity but now days we tend to do some pretty odd beauty tricks for the sake of it. I thought it would be really fun if today I shared with you a few of my favourite and quirky trends throughout the ages. I think most of us know that back in the 16th to 18th century they were a huge fan of a pale white face. When I think of 'old fashioned' beauty this is what first pops into my head. While the look may of been fashionable it wasn't exactly good for you, the white paints and chalks where lead based which eventually broke down the skin and caused scarring. We are all about brows now days, but legend has it so were the Ancient Greeks, in fact women loved a good unibrow as a sign of purity. Of course when you think of where beauty and makeup began it is the kohl liner of Ancient Egypt, think Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra. Back then it was used for medical as well as aesthetic purposes by protecting the eyes. Fast Forward to the 1940's and WWII, there was a huge shortage of cosmetics and the ingredients to put in them in Europe but that didn't stop women using what they had or creating their perfect red lipstick at home. It was the era of bright lips and some even said the kiss mark of the bright hue bought moral to the troops. In the 60's gone were the days of bright lips and in came the spidery lash and liner trend, all thanks to the wonderful Twiggy. Whether it was a winged liner or cut crease, pretty much if it was black and thick it was on trend. When you think of Twiggy's iconic look you think of her baby doll spike-y lashes and it was certainly a look for the time. The 1980's were a time for all sorts of fashions and trends, some better than others. Eyeshadow was huge, especially in bright colours, and especially applied all the way up to the brow bone. Blue washes were applied across the lid and all the way up to the brow with little definition, just one fun pop of colour. Jump forward a few years and we are in the 90's, the era of the over plucked brow. Come on most of us have been there in out high school days, we went to town with the tweezers and now regret it. But hey it was a trend back then and some even shaved the whole lot of and drew stick lines back on, not one of our finest beauty moments. As we entered the 2000's matte skin really became a huge trend, in fact the matter the better. A velvety finish was perfect if you dreaded oily skin but if like me you were dry then you praised the day dewy skin became a thing. Lastly we have probably the biggest trend for many years, yes contouring. That game changing trick that slims down the face, adds some light and gives the perfect shape. Of course it took off because of the one and only Kim K but is now used by most make up lovers all over the world. The question is, that with the woman herself saying she is no longer such a fan will it die out?

I hope you have enjoyed our little jaunt though beauty's history and I want to know your favourite trends throughout history, leave them in the comments for me. My inspiration for this post was through reading Lisa Eldridge's Face Paint book which is all about the history of makeup and one I'd really recommend you read if you enjoyed this. I also want to point out that my facts are from research but I am not saying they are 100% accurate and they may all be interrupted differently. Beauty and History are two of my favourite things so this was a real joy for me to do, I hope you enjoyed it too. Lastly I wanted to share Lisa's 'Best and Worst Makeup Moments in History' video which is a really fun watch. Love...

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Best Bronzers For 'That' Summer Glow

Whether you like a matte or shimmery finish, there is something that bronzer adds to your face that you can't quite get without it. Summer is the time to pile it on and I personally love nothing more than that tanned bronzed glow, so today I thought I would share a few of my favourite in all different formulas and finishes. So I couldn't do this post and not mention the ever so popular and rather famous NARS Laguna Bronzer, I remember when I first got into beauty hard core many years ago now this was all I wanted and on Christmas morning there it was; I can't remember ever being so excited. The large block of goodness in the beautiful NARS packaging is the perfect bronze shade on my skin during the summer time. I love that the finish as it isn't completely matte nor too shimmery making it very natural looking indeed, I have a whole post on this beauty HERE if you want to read more. If no shimmer at all is your thing then the Vincent Longo La Riviera Sun Matte Bronzer will be perfect for you. The shades in this one are on the deeper side making them perfect for darker skin tones or if you want that super bronzed look. Again I have a whole post on them HERE, and all I can say is that they are perfect for holiday/vacation season. Sometimes powders can be a bit heavy and I prefer something more natural, this is where a liquid or a cream comes in. Benefit has recently released a liquid version of their popular Hoola Bronzer, which is aptly named 'Dew The Hoola'. The liquid can be used on a bare face for that 'round the pool' glow or on top of makeup for a natural looking bronze tone. If you are on the fairer side like me then finding a bronzer that isn't too dark or orange can be hard. The light tone of the Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer lends its self perfectly to warming up fair skin adding just enough colour so you don't look like a bed sheet or that friendly ghost we all know. There is a whole post about this chocolaty goodness HERE. If something sheer and delicate is more your style then the Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder blends in the skin beautifully. It has a nice shimmer to it that adds some glow and of course the light sheer bronze shade adds just enough warmth without looking too bronzed, if thats not your thing. So you have your bronzed look sorted, time to head to the beach. Love...

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Blogging, Letting Go, & Living Life + I Need Your Help!

Over the past eighteen months of blogging I have certainly has some ups and downs. I have had some times where I have just wanted to throw the towel in; that's a little like what I have been feeling recently, but I won't give up. The biggest thing blogging has taught me is that it is not the end of the world if something doesn't get done, within reason of course. Back in August for fun I decided to push myself and try and post every weekday for the month, it was hard but I really enjoyed it and had a full flow of posts I wanted to do so made the decision to continue it when the month ended. At the time all I was doing was blogging and working, I had no life but it didn't really bother me and I loved what I was doing on Perfect Peonies. You may have noticed it has been a little quite round here and perhaps even lack lustre. I have been having a hard time balancing work, my new found life here in the UK, and blogging, I have also found it hard inspiration wise and I can't help but feel like I am just repeating myself. So hence the lack of posts recently. I have also noticed the change in my stats and social media following, which quite honestly makes me a little sad. Don't get me wrong, I still love blogging and I know that I should do it for myself, but at the same time I don't want to waste my time publishing posts you don't like. I had become so uptight about posting that at the end of last year the general stress physically made me ill and I knew I had to change. When it came to the time of us moving I had to make the decision of preplanning like mad and still posting like normal or just to chill out and give myself break, I chose the latter and haven't quite got back on track since. Don't fear though, I feel like I am in a place to start up again, I have met so many amazing people through blogging and some have even become great friends, so I couldn't give it up. So this is where you come in, I want to know what YOU want to see and what you like in a blog. I want Perfect Peonies to be place for everyone and a community where we can all share what we love about beauty. I want to connect with you guys, my readers and learn all about you. You are the most important people to me and I want to make you happy and be helpful when you come over to my corner of the internet for a little read. Do we need a redesign, more posts, less posts, more social media, or better content? Please do let me know your thoughts in the comments or tweet me @nicoldarita, I want to hear YOUR voices! As always Lot's of Love....

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The Limited Edition Orgasm- #WHATMAKESYOUBLUSH

You guys have no idea how much I wanted to title this post 'A Giant Orgasm' but I thought twice and came to the conclusion that may be a little inappropriate. Anyway it's an exciting time because NARS have released a Limited Edition bigger and rather beautiful version on their very popular and if I may say so beauty world renowned, Orgasm Blush!! It shines in all its beauty and I have to say I've become quite obsessed with the shade. I have never actually owned it before now, I know shock horror, but I have to say it's bloomin stunning and is especially fitting for summer. The beautiful peachy shade with golden glimmer was made to suit all skin tones and colours, and that it certainly does. On my fair skin it adds a golden peachy glow which looks stunning, but it looks equally as great when I am tanned, faux of course. The limited edition compact is traditionally NARS but with the little Orgasm twist, the adorable #WHATMAKESYOUBLUSH on the mirror and a beautifully embossed film making it the perfect collectors item. On the other hand if you have never tried Orgasm like me then this is the perfect time, I'm pretty sure you'll fall in love too. So have you tried the biggest Orgasm yet? Love...


*PR Samples, all opinions are my own. Refer to my disclaimer for more information.

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Fighting Frizz With John Frieda

The Portuguese blood I have gives me some of my wonderful features such as my frizzy hair and very bushy brows. I really do hope you can sense my sarcasm here but it does also give me my very dark hair and ability to tan well so thumbs up! That frizz though really does drive me up the wall so any easy solution I hear of I am open to. John Frieda created the Frizz Ease line many years ago now and I believe I read somewhere a bottle from the line is sold every minuet. I am pretty sure most girls and guys with the frizzy hair issue have thought about the Frizz Ease line and many other 'magical get rid of frizz' products on the drugstore shelves. But I have to say I am actually really impressed with the products I have given a go, I am usually quite skeptical when it comes to these 'miracle products' but trust me when I say the do kinda work. So of course you have the shampoo and conditioner in the line, which I can't say much on their de-frizzing properties alone (but they do leave your hair feeling very clean and super silky soft.) because I have been using the whole routine which includes the 10 day anti-frizz treatment. Basically you apply the treatment to dry hair, leave for 8 minuets then shampoo out with the matching shampoo in the shower and continuing to condition after. To really put the de frizz to the test I let my hair dry naturally and I have to say it was much less Hermione Granger than usual. The fluffiness and dry look of my hair had diminished and it was so much easier to style. I have also noticed throughout the past week that it has frizzed much less in times of humidity or when I've got the front wet from cleansing my face. We haven't quite got to the ten day mark yet but I do think it's still working its magic. The only down fall is that you only get two or three treatments per bottle so it's either a 'I have enough money to buy this every week' or 'I will only use this on special occasions' kind of product. Wow the word frizz was used a LOT in this. What have you tried from the Fizz Ease line? Love...


*PR Samples, all opinions are my own. Refer to my disclaimer for more information.

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A Love Affair With Cover FX

I hadn't really given Cover FX much thought as a brand until the beginning of this year really. I had tried a few of their products but I guess there very simple marketing and almost plain products never really shouted BUY ME! Granted they are plain but actually I am a big believer in simple is often best and Cover FX certainly has that covered, see what I did there? So onto my point, over the past few months I've decided to give my makeup routine a shake up and try some products from a few new brands to me. I have been trying out a primer, foundation and 'skincare' item from the range, and I have to say I am rather impressed. So lets start with the primer, I deal with a little redness in my skin so I was interested in trying the Calming number and I have to say it is quite wonderful indeed. The creamy hydrating formula melts into the skin like a moisturiser but leaves a smooth feeling that isn't sticky or slick which I love. In terms of reducing the redness I think it does a little, but who knows how as it doesn't have any tint or colour correcting properties to it. I have also found it locks my makeup in a good few hours longer than if I weren't to use it. I love a good base and trying foundations is one of my favourite past times, yes yes I am sad. The Natural Finish Oil Free Foundation isn't something I would usually go for, i.e if it doesn't say glow in the title then I m not interested but I am so glad I tried it as it it something a little special. It has an amazing coverage with a natural finish that isn't to matte which my dry skin loves! It glides on without any effort and would make the perfect everyday foundation if you like something that covers but looks natural, oh and the staying power is superb. Basically in short a great all rounder foundation that will work on all skin types. Lastly we have my favourite product of the three and it's the Custom Infusion Drops in F+ Neroli Hydrating. This oil type of infusion product can be mixed with pretty much anything including skincare and makeup, but I love mixing it with foundations the most. Because of my dry skin I find some foundations a right pain in the bum to blend out without catching or looking streaky sometimes, especially if they are more on the matte side of things. One or two drops of this and any foundation blends like a dream, it may make them a little dewier but nothing noticeable. I believe they were designed to be mixed with the Custom Cover Drops to create your perfect base and so they come in a few different varieties from Radiance to Anti-Aging. Have you dipped your toe in the Cover FX pool, if so what shall I get next? Love...


*PR Samples, all opinions are my own. Refer to my disclaimer for more information.

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June Favourites 2016

So I may have been a little naughty and missed May Favourites, well that's a lie I filmed a May Favourites but then it corrupted and I got to sick to film it again, so all in all YT is on the back burner. Anyway June has been pretty crap, I have been sick for most of it so that sucked and I even missed out on my Paris trip because I was too ill. I've finally found out I have a chest infection though so hopefully with some antibiotics I'm on the mend. For my favourites this month it is a mixed bunch from the past six or so weeks as makeup wearing has been thin on the ground.

Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow in Tasoleil- This peachy cream blush is perfect for summer and I have been wearing pretty much every time I can be bothered to put makeup on. The texture of these blushes is just beautifully light and creamy without being to slick. I have a full review on them HERE if you would like to read a little more.

Clinique Moisture Surge Moisturiser- I have talked about this glorious moisturiser a few times before but in short it hydrates the skin but feels like you are applying nothing. The lightweight gel texture melts into the skin leaving it feeling fresh day or night. It is perfect for my dry-ish summer skin as it isn't to heavy.

Shu Uemura Eye Lash Curlers- I never really used lash curlers before now as I have always found them a bit of a faff but when good ol Hannah picked these up on our trip to Liberty's I felt obliged to try them too, after all they are dubbed the best lash curlers ever. I have to say I really like them and I can tell a massive difference when I don't use them. They hold a curl in place all day and just add umpf and lift.

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk- I have been pairing this lip liner with pretty much every nude or pink lipstick I wear and I just love how it looks. It makes the lipsticks last 10000x longer and it is just such a pretty colour. My favourite pairing with Very Victoria matte revolution lipstick!

Cover FX Custom Infusion Drops in Hydrating- I am only briefly touch on this one as I have a whole Cover FX post coming up later this week but can we just say this shit is amazing. With my dry skin I find some foundation a little hard to blend sometimes but by adding a few drops of this magic it just adds a little dewyness and allows the makeup to be blended beautifully.

Zoeva 110 Face Shape Brush- This brush is made to be used for contour, both cream and powder but personally that's not what I use it for. Firstly I think it works with cream products better so a nice bit of cream contour with his is a dream but I really love to use it for foundation. I actually saw the ever so wonderful Lisa Eldridge using this for foundation in one of her amazing tutorials and I thought what a good idea. To get precise coverage it is great, it may not be the quickest way of blending your base out but it does leave it pretty perfected.

Love...

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