Kiehl's & Tinie Tempah Collab on Ultra Facial Cream for MTVs Staying Alive Foundation! #TINIExKIEHLs

Since its release in 2003, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream has graced the pages of countless beauty pages and moisturised many a visage with its lightweight yet heavy hitting formulation. It promises 24 Hour hydration, is not only a manna for dry skin but a salve for sensitive skin too. I've long been a fan of Kiehl's as a brand, a quick search through our back catalogue will tell you that but it's not only the products themselves that have impressed me. It's their charitable endeavors too. This latest collaboration with Tinie Tempah in aid of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation is no different. 

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream: €52 Here (LE Version available in store)

To date Kiehl's have raised $2,500,000 in the fight against HIV and AIDS, which is a literally life changing figure and speaks volumes to the difference the fraction of cost of product really can make. With this newest iteration of UFC, £2 from each sale of limited edition pot goes directly to the Foundation. Their choice of collab partner in Tinie Tempah is pretty inspired, it not only puts Kiehl's on the radar of a younger demographic but puts great skincare right up there too. 

I've been using UFC again for the past fortnight and remembering exactly what it is I love about it. Though I have normal skin, it feels completely hydrated, almost overnight from first use. There may not be an SPF included but this facial cream is light weight enough to offer intense hydration both day and night. I for one am loving it once more and have even spied Adam slathering it on post gym in the evenings. He's loving the difference it has made in such a short time too.  

Have you tried Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream? Do you rate it just as highly? 

July Faves ft Max Factor, Lancome, LORAC, Kiehl's, Dream Dots, L'Occitane, Vichy & Guardians of the Galaxy!

It feels like an age since I've done a beauty post on here, does it feel like an age to you? 

Quite possibly because I'm beautying up a storm over on the Dublin City Guide or bringing you sneak peeks of all things beauty over on Instagram but this little old corner of my world seems to be lacking in #bblogger posts - let's amend that, shall we? 

We'll kick it off with July Faves!

1. Max Factor Colour Elixir Glosses: €10.49 - Here

I intagrammed these beauties almost two months ago here and there has rarely been a day since that they've been further than an arms length away from me. 

Not only are they seriously high shine but they're non sticky and taste delicious too (v important). The range of colours means there's something to suit every skin tone and taste and for colour wusses, like me, the brights are a sheer yet vibrant delight. 

HIGHLY recommend. 

2. Lancome's Grandiose Mascara: €30 Here

I've shown you Lancome's Grandiose in action here and given it a full review here - spoiler alert - I am in the love. I'm still unsure if the swan necked wand is responsible, though I do have an interesting post coming up testing that theory, but whatever it is, it works. 

Fans of bigger, grander lashes will love this blacker than black formulation. It lifts, separates and gives more of a false lash effect than I've previously managed to garner from a tube. Even better? It holds the lash curl all day long without flaking or smudging. In. The. Love. 

3. Guardians of the Galaxy Awesome Mix - $10 Here or online Here

You might have caught Aaron's 5 Cherry review of Guardians of the Galaxy here. If you haven't managed to see it yet, please do. We're planning on going again this week just to catch the lines the entire audience laughed over. 

Without doubt though, The Awesome Mix Volume 1 is the soundtrack of the year so far for me - it's also quite possibly entered my all time top ten. Shoulder dancing, hairbrush singing, CARaoke crooning and all round Awesome - you need these songs in your life!

4. LORAC Unzipped - $40 Here

While I try very hard not to describe eyeshadows as buttery, the ten mattes and shimmers in LORAC Unzipped are the Kerrygold of the eyeshadow world. Have you ever used a palette a couple of times and already known you'll be buying another? That's Unzipped for me. 

On our recent trip to London it was the only palette I brought. The minimal, lightweight packaging was one factor, sure, but the endless, effortless looks you can create with these colours are the real WOW factor. I can't count the amount of questions I've had asking about the shadow I'm wearing. It's LORAC, baby!

5. Lancome Golden Riviera Kabuki Brush: €35 Here

This two toned, densely packed, synthetic fibred, bevel cut Kabuki is easily the softest brush I've ever used. It's from the limited edition Golden Riviera collection though, so if you quite fancy the look of this one you'll have to be quick. 

I've been loving the airbrush effect I can achieve with the Hourglass Ambient Lighting palette using this brush all over my visage. The bevel cut means it works perfectly with the contours of the face for bronzer too. 

I actually look forward to using this each morning or to touch up in the evening. It's a little bit of luxury every day. We like daily luxury.   

6. Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum: €21.99 Here

Newly packaged and reformulated, Vichy's Aqualia line has once more been brought to the fore of my stash as a skincare staple. An increased concentration of hyaluronic acid and a blend of three sugars to capture water in the skin makes this iteration a sensitive or oily OR NORMAL skinned lass's best pal. 

Lightweight and with lightening fast absorption I've been using the Aqualia Thermal Serum after exfoliation this past month and it honestly feels like a cool drink for my visage with lasting moisture. There's something very comforting about the slightly floral scent of the serum, even more so that it doesn't irritate the skin as some scented products can. It's a hydrating winner.

7. L'Occitane Aromachologie Revitalizing Body Scrub: Coming August

I don't normally include products that have yet to launch in my monthly favourites but the truth of the matter is, this scrub will be gone before it's launch date even dawns. 

Me waxing lyrical about L'Occitane scents will come as a surprise to no one but the contents of this jar genuinely stopped me in my tracks. The zingy smash of sugar, orange, grapefruit, mint, lemon and rosemary is nothing like you've inhaled before. 

Ideal for morning showers, this has me bright eyed and bushy tailed regardless of the hour and the silky soft sheen left behind means I can forgo body oil altogether. Hurry up and launch, Aromachologie, I need a refill!

8. Dream Dots: €14.99 Here

You might have seen Dream Dots pop up all over your social media feed of late as they've been enjoying an Irish PR boost. We were sent a pack a couple of weeks back but having been very lucky with the products I'm using of late, I hadn't needed to use them. 

Our plan was (and is) for Adam to give them a trial and give me the low down. Problem being, when I went to pull one out last week, it was the last one! The little git has used every single dot, bar one, without a word. His words now? 'They take the sting out and stop me picking' that's something, right? 

I managed to use the final dot myself, a mini Compeed lookalike, and whether it's fluke or not, I'm hugely impressed. I popped it on a hormonal Vesuvius on Sunday morning at 10am (I'm a rebel) and didn't think of it again until that night. I have to agree with Adam, the pain in my jaw was relieved, the spot itself reduced and the healing time cut significantly. We'll be picking up more for an in depth review but they're getting four thumbs up from us!

9. Kiehl's Creme De Corps: €19  or €53 Here

Speaking of luck with trialling skincare products, my poor old arms haven't fared so well. I'm going to do a full whinge post to explain exactly why Cane & Austin's Retexture Glycolic Treatment Lotion hates me so very much but suffice to say here that my KP hasn't flared as badly in probably 5-6 years. Suddenly I was back to long sleeves in summer time and feeling very self conscious in company. Blahhdy nightmare. 

That's why props go out this month to my all time holy grail Kiehl's Creme De Corps for literally saving my skin once more. Within days my arms had calmed down, skin had begun to heal and tiny bumps disappeared as balance was restored. LUV U, Kiehl's. LUV U LONG TIME. 

Tell me, what's been tickling your pickle in July? Hmmm?

Kiehls x Haze Christmas Collab 2013

In the fifth annual Christmas collaboration, following on from the likes of Jeff Koons and Kenny Scharf, Kiehls have this time joined forces with Eric Haze, NY Artist of Beastie boys artwork fame. Four best selling products as well gift bags and boxes have been brightly adorned with Haze's signature style designs in the hopes of earning much needed funds for children's  charities worldwide. 

500ml: €52

Time after time when asked about my number one Holy Grail product I'll go back to Kiehl's Creme de Corps. Since long before I'd even heard of a blog, this Kiehl's wonder cream was on constant rotation in my house. It managed to tackle my KP with ease, literally changed my life because of it and to this day, remains one of the only brands that I would pay above the odds for because I know each product just works. 

To date the Kiehl's Christmas collabs have earned over $800k for children's  charities and this offering with Eric Haze at the helm hopes to add a healthy chunk to that total with all sales made in Ireland and the UK benefiting local children's causes. There will be more information in time about exactly how much is to be donated this time around but my last charity CdC purchase was for the Florence Welch collaboration and 100% of those net profits went directly to The Teenage Cancer Trust then. 

Creme de Corps 250ml: €31 - Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter 226g: €42

Although I picked up the large Creme de Corps on launch night, this here pot of Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter will be mine. I'm currently on my third tube of the body polish in the same scent and it truly is addictive. 

Ultra Facial Cream: 50ml: 28

In addition to Kiehl’s individual offerings, customers have the option of customizing their own gift sets, personalising their Christmas gifting with the Kiehl’s products of their choice. All gift collections, including custom gift-wrapping service with Limited Edition Kiehl’s Haze gift boxes, are available at Kiehl’s stores worldwide.

For more information on this and past collaborations, check out http://www.kiehls.co.uk/. Unfortunately the UK site no longer post to ROI but with stores on Wicklow St, Dublin, in Arnott's Department Store (& online here) and in Dundrum Town Centre, you can get easily your Kiehl's fix. (They're ridiculously generous with samples btw). 

Are you a Kiehl's Skincare fan? Any stand out products for you? 

**Giveaway** Kiehl's Actively Correcting BB Cream Reader Giveaway

Didn't I say I had something a little bit special to share with you all? 

I mentioned this newest iteration of BB cream from my HG skincare brand Kiehl's in this Five Minute Face post for Mum's on the run and it also breezed into my 

April Favourites this morning. 

With word on the street saying that stocks are already running low, 

I thought what better prize for an international reader giveaway. 

As always with CherrySue comps entry is ridiculously simple and more often than not 

you're already entitled to a bajillion entries since you're reading this post. 

If you'd like to throw your name in the virtual fez then just click the relevant buttons in the doohickey below and I'll press 'Select Lucky Winner' on the 31st. 

Good luck, everyone! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Limited Edition Kiehl's Creme de Corps Launch

I was delighted to be invited along to the launch of this limited edition Creme de Corps in one of my beauty meccas, Kiehl's, in Dublin City last night. There was wall to wall beauty, in every sense of the word to spread the good word about this collaboration.

This isn't the first time that the cult favourite, Creme de Corps, have released limited edition labels in association with celebrities or charities to fund raise and knowing the ethos behind Kiehl's it certainly won't be the last. (I have an almost loved to death bottle from the Florence Welsh LE version that raised funds for Teenage Cancer Trust).

Some snaps from the night

This time round it's Pearl & Daisy Lowe that have designed the label and lent their names in aid of Temple Street Children's Hospital and there couldn't be a worthier cause. You only need to search 'Kiehl's' on this little old blog to see the depth of my grá for them and Creme de Corps, my HG body cream. It's the only spendy (€53) product that I would and do gladly repurchase time after time.

Every bottle sold will donate €2.50 + VAT to Temple Street, which is fantastic, but if I'm completely honest? I would have liked to see a 100% donation as was the case with The Jeff Koons Family Institute LE offering or likewise with the Florence & the Machine version. 

Either way, this is a fabulous cause and one that's close to my heart (My very own 14 year old Evil Kenevil has spent more time than I care to remember being looked after by the trojan workers in Temple St). 

If you're looking for a body cream with a bit of oomph that could literally change a life, yours included, then get your good self into Kiehl's to pick one of these lovelies up (Psst, they ROCK at samples too) 

Kiehl's Lip Gloss - Pink Rider

I've spoken before about my grá for all things Kiehl's and at length about my obsession with lipgloss. But what happens when you combine the two?

My personal gloss Nirvana. That's what.

Kiehl's Lip Gloss is light, non sticky and because its made with grape seed extract, rose extract and apricot kernel oil it smells and tastes delicious. (Yep, I know I'm not meant to be eating it).

Ingredients that make the deliciousness

My choice, the unfortunately named Pink Rider, is a creamy, dusky pink that wears as a sheer hint of blush pink. The vitamin E has done wonders for my poor winter lips (when I don't lick it straight off).

A lot of hesitation to buy Kiehl's comes from the fact that this stuff ain't cheap. Even with their recent lowering of prices in Ireland their products are still on the steep side. At €16 a tube for one of 10 colours, these glosses certainly aren't throwaways but I've said it before & I will again, I've always found with this brand you're getting the quality you pay for. I'm obviously not alone in that mindset as these glosses have been intermittently sold out online for weeks now but are restocked continuously. 

Sheer pink with subtle micro glitter for shine

The only downside I can find with this gloss is the need to reapply a little bit more than I'm happy with, if I could stop licking the shaggin' thing that might be rectified.

If you're in the market for some TLC for your kisser or looking for a little Valentines self gift I'll heartily (geddit) recommend a Kiehl's Lip Gloss. You could either keep an eye on the online store or pop into one of their gorgeous shops in Wicklow St or now in Dundrum Town Centre. The staff are always super helpful and even very generous with the samples. What's not to love?

Have you tried this gloss before? Or do you have a HG gloss that you'd recommend?
 

Kiehl's - Loving Their Work!

The washbag of loveliness featured above was a gift from Dan (obviously) as an apology for shoddy service form UPS (yup, obvious too).

Can I just start by saying that I love Kiehl's? I love their ethos, their products (mostly), their samples and now, more than ever, their Customer Service. 
BackStory
My last order with Kiehls.co.uk was taking a little longer than expected when I got a strange text. From a 'neighbour'. That lives 10 minutes away. Turns out UPS delivered my package to him days before, believing him to live close to me. Why the delivery dude couldn't use my mobile number on the shipping label as this good Samaritan had, I'll never know. Anyway, an inquisitive email to Kiehl's Customer Service to highlight the issue resulted in this little gift. So I thought I'd let you have a looksie at what was included: - 

These 3 creams are scent free and fairly gawjus. I found the Line Reducing Eye Brightening Concentrate to be too sticky though, put me in a mind of when it was the fashion to wear vaseline instead of shadow and everyone went round with their eyelids gummed open. Not for me. The Ultra Facial cream though, I will be buying post haste. It has a light hydrating texture and my face drank it up. 

Fuzzy Pics - everyone's favourite 

The Ultra Facial Oil Free Lotion is meant to visibly reduce excess oil on the skins surface. Meant for normal to oily types. This smelled a little too astringent for my liking, the label full of '-oxyls' and '-anthyns' explained why. To be honest I've been testing this on the eldest teen's fizzog and it's really working. He had oily prone skin (Hullo he's a teen), but I have a feeling this would be too harsh on normal faces. He shall enjoy this sample and no more! It's far from Kiehl's The Ultra Facial Oil Free Lotion we were raised! Seriously though, I think you can get just as good a product for a lot cheaper. 

Citrus Delicious

This Liquid Body Cleanser is exactly that, a body cleanser. Not thick enough to be a gel or foamy enough to be a wash but it does smell delicious. I'm a big fan of the Body Shop's grapefruit offerings so this was a treat. I do prefer my body washes a bit more luxurious (read sudsy) so this has been left in the bathroom for general  washage. My current fave being Kiehl's Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish. There are no words for how lush that body polish is, not even Lush!

Hallelujah, Hallelujah... repeat to fade

At this stage I am considering writing to Mr Kiehl to request commission, the amount of recommendations I give for this product is ridiculous albeit well founded. I have been using this product for about 2 years now and never, ever found a body cream to do what this does. Having suffered from the dread chuck feed arms most of my adult life I have spent a fortune on potions & lotions that this baby eliminated in 10 days. My skin is lighter, brighter and almost completely even toned. With little or no bumps. This is without doubt my HG product to end all HG products & this sample has already been re gifted. 

Beeyooriful

I think of all of the samples this is the one I'll be repurchasing on my next order. This Ultra Facial Cleanser, smells slightly medicinal but is formulated with a sugar derived glycoside, dont'cha know. It's thick, viscous and leaves your mush squeaky, squeaky clean without stripping any natural oils. I used this before reapplying my gradual facial tanner (Xen Tan) and the difference it made for the following 2 days was fantastic. Get into my number one slot for cleansers immediately!

So there we have it, some good, some meh and one or two 'Oh Yeshs'. The very fact I had the opportunity, Thanks to Dan, to do this post shows why I reckon Kiehl's Customer Service Team are second to none.

I pay €52 for the 500ml pump of Creme de Corps, its certainly not cheap but considering the money I’ve shelled out over the years I’d pay this every time, gladly & do. I believe when it comes to skincare you get what you pay for.

Kiehl’s.co.uk no longer ship to Ireland (I hope not because of UPS effing up) but have a Wicklow St Store in Dublin that's lovely for a wander round or you can order over the phone. They're hugely generous with samples if you let them know what you're interested in before shelling out. Always a bonus.

Anything here tempt you lovelies?