What's In My Bag #1

My handbag goes everywhere with me. It is my pride and joy.  It also carries around with it a lot of unnecessary things the hoarder/messy/lazy person in me doesn't do much to help with.

I thought I'd do a quick 'what's in my bag' post before I pop out to visit my sister in Newcastle.

My Bag and purse are both Vivienne Westood.  The purse was a birthday present off my friend- he did good :) and the bag was a post Christmas sale treat to myself.

My keys take up a lot of space - too many key-rings I know but there is a reason behind every one.  I have two 'DASH' key-rings from both of my trips to America.  Yes I need both, for any Kardashian fans out there how amaze??  My 'D' has snapped off my heart one though, still can't bring myself to not carry it around with me.

Then I have my Hollywood Walk of Fame Princess keyring because, I've been there and well, I'm a Princess. ( I have actually been good and taken off my princess Vegas and New York ones).
Finally there's my gorgeous Viv heart keyring.  This is actually a practical item it has nothing to do with how pretty it is.  Something this big makes finding my keys in my bag so much easier.

I have my Umbrella, which I think is like a vintage Union Jack pattern and I think this was from ASOS for about £10.

To completely counter-act that I have my sunnies.  These come everywhere with me - mainly for driving, it can be freezing cold out side but still blinding sunshine.  These are my RayBan wayfarers and I picked these up from America a couple of years ago.

I've got a couple of gift cards, one from Christmas, one as a bonus from work.  Really need to try and spend these but does anyone else find it so difficult to find anything when you have a voucher??

Next up is all my lip products.. Why do I have so many????  - A serious sort out will be happening after I've finished this post!

So I have 3 Mac Lippy's - all of which I've worn this week which explains why they're in there; Rihanna Viva Glam, Shy Girl and Lady Danger.  Today I'm wearing Shy Girl so I'm going to leave the other two at home.

Accompanying these lipsticks is also my Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub, no Matte lipstick is complete without a little help from this beauty.

I also have, which I'd forgot about a Collection Lipstick in a Nude colour - I haven't used this for months but I remember it being more like a balm but it was a nice simple nude colour and very moisturising.

Lip-gloss wise I have 2, Tanya Burr in Just Peachy, which is a really light pinky colour, and a travel size Urban Decay Naked Lip Junkie which I got with one of my palettes.  I'm not a huge lip gloss wearer but sometimes I need a change.  I really like both of these formulas especially the plumping effect of the Urban Decay. Both however do not need to be in my handbag and will also be removed after this post.

I have a few lip balms - I'm not even a massive lip balm user really, apparently my bag is where I keep all my lip balms?  I have Maybelline Baby Lips, Soap and Glory - in peach, it smells so nice, and obviously a trusty Vaseline.  I also have a tube of Homeoplasmine, which my friend picked up for me on a trip to London from Topshop's Beauty Mart - you can also order online from them now.  It's a French lip product that I find really good at getting rid of dry skin and also has a nice moisturising base for some lipsticks.

I have two moisturisers? I didn't even know I had that Body Shop one I think it was from a Glossy Box, and S&G Hand Food, which needs no explanation - another holy grail for me.

There is a small bottle of my Bamboo Style Boho Waves Tousled Texture Mist.  This again is from a Glossy Box but I really like it.  Whenever I curl my hair I spritz a bit of this on my hands and then scrunch for some added texture and volume.

And finally, life's utmost essentials - A compact, a pen and some mints.  My pen and mirror are both from Dash - yeah I went a bit souvenir crazy but everything was just so exciting and pretty.

So that's my life, in a bag.  It's quite ridiculous actually now that I've listed everything and a bag de-clutter has been added to my to do list.

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March Favourites

This month has seen a few cheeky new additions to my make up collection, along with a couple of rediscoveries that I've now started to love.  I like nothing better than finding an old gem you forgot you had, or finding a need for something you've always had but never used.

My first March Favourite is a couple of Mac  eye shadows.

On a trip up to Newcastle to visit my sister I obviously made a pit stop in Fenwicks basement.  I was buying a quad for my best friend for her birthday but also had to pick up a new eye shadow for my palette. I really didn't know what colour I wanted and was recommended to try "Satin Taupe".  It would never have been a colour I'd of ever thought to buy until it was pointed out to me but as soon as I saw it I knew it was the one I was missing.  It's the perfect crease colour and really compliments a range of different colours.

  

My next favourite  "Amber Lights", a shade I've owned for a while now but have never been able to get to grips with, goes so well with Satin Taupe its like they were made for each other,  I now wear Amber Lights most days where before it never got to see outside of my make up drawers.  On their own both colours are quite scary looking but together they are a match made in heaven, and so easy to work with, even if your not very confident with eye shadows you can't really go wrong with this duo.

Mac seems to be a running theme throughout this favourites, apologies but is has been a very Mac month.
Two Lipsticks are next on the list, both Mac.

The first one I has been on my radar for a very long time, previously limited addition, and then only available in America, it has been on my friends shopping list for me, for her approaching NYC trip for months... that is until that day in Fenwicks, I was just casually browsing the lipsticks, when I notice this purpley shade that I know I don't own ( which I immediately find odd as I own like every purple shade going) Then it hits me, could it be, could it actually be?  YES IT COULD.  I picked it up and saw that name on the base "Heroine" IT WAS FINALLY HERE IN MY HAND. I squealed slightly and ran to tell my sister, who obviously bought one as well.  It's just so beautiful and bright and purple and matte and gorgeous and summery and lush.  I have dubbed it my holy grail of lipsticks.

Next up is a limited addition.  Mac's new Viva Glam Rihanna.  Now usually I'm not one to jump on a bandwagon, and that's how I normally look at the Viva Glam releases, however the money from them does go to a very good cause! I was actually buying a blush when my friend pointed it out at the counter, one small phrase off the assistant "If you don't get it now they will go, we've only got a few left" and I was sold.  The packaging just makes me so happy - I sound so sad I know but it is just beautiful, the colours not bad either, a blue based red with a frost finish.  I'm not really a huge red lips fan however this is perfect and the frost finish means it can be as subtle as you like.

 

I've had a really good month for lip products, and another has made my favourites.  It's by a brand called 'Lime Crime' and it's their Velventines collection in the shade "Suedeberry".  This formula goes on liquid but dries completely matte.  Its amazing, its so bright and long lasting and it just looks really different from anything I've ever used.  The colour is also what attracted me to it, as much as I love a purple lip, I love a coral lip just as much. Just search for the hashtah #suedeberry on Instagram and you'll see why I was drawn to it, I picked mine up from Amazon, as I think they are US only, but it got here fine with no nasty shipping charges.

Lastly a few random favourites.

Malteaser Bunnies.  Oh how happy am I that these are back.  I appear to be becoming slightly addicted, it doesn't help that they always appear to be on some kind of offer to buy two of them.  But they are just so cute and yummy, and also, Malteasers aren't that bad for you.. right?

Gossip Girl.  Yes, recently I watched the entire gossip girl from start to finish in about the space of two weeks.  I had never watched it before - why I don't know,  but I just have two words... Chuck. Bass.  What a beautiful human being.  Also I am now constantly dreaming of a life on the Upper East Side.   It will happen... One day.

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Revlon Parfumerie Review

Whilst on a recent trip to Meadowhall, browsing the aisles of Boots - as you do, I spotted these new releases from Revlon and was instantly intrigued.

What first attracted me to this product wasn't the colour, or the fact that it is a scented nail polish, it was the cute little shape and design of the bottle- obviously based on vintage perfume bottles, but at the time I was oblivious to this huge selling point. All I could think was how cute they would look sat on my nail varnish shelves and that was enough to make me pick up a bottle or two.

I bought two different colours the first 'Surf Spray' a metallicy light blue colour and the second 'China Flower' which is quite a bright pink colour.  The formula and brush size are both just OK.  With the Surf Spray I needed 3 coats to get the colour how I wanted it to look, however the application was easy enough i.e easy to control how much product is on the brush/ easy to 'stay in the lines' so to speak.

As for the scent. I have spent all day sniffing my nails - how odd must I look, I don't even know I'm doing it. It does have some sort of smell to it- a bit blueberry-esque.  For most of the day I couldn't decide if I was just inhaling toxic fumes but after asking the family to have a good sniff as well the overall opinion is - yes they smell a bit different to nail polish.  Why would anyone want their nails to smell?  Who knows.

I've only tried Surf Spray for now, so I'll report back on China Flower's smelliness another time. My friend picked one up at the same time as me, a gorgeous green colour 'Lime Basil' - yeah the name put me off it as well.  She's said her nails smell that bad that it was making her feel a bit sick- trying to eat some toast was difficult without getting whiff, so choose your scents wisely girls.  I suggested putting on a top coat - something I hadn't done as I wanted to test out its scent, however she had done this- twice, and she claimed it had made it worse.

Would I buy any more? Probably, if only for the cute little bottle, but I am kinda intrigued after my friends little disaster what other smells are sat there waiting to be sniffed.

Have you tried any of these yet?  what is your favourite/worst smell?

Lizzy xx


Update : I've had this polish on for a few days now and there's not one sign of a chip. May have something to do with me having a week off work but either way, it is still rather impressive.

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What's on my Face #1

A quick little post today, I thought I'd do a 'what's on my face.'  This is a pretty standard make-up day for me.

First I've applied Collection's Lasting Perfection concealer  in medium 3 to a few red marks on my chin and my nose and blended this in with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, and then applied Rimmel's Wake Me Up Concealer in 020 True Ivory under my eyes and used a new brush I'm trying out which is the 'Ecotools airbrush concealer' and I'm really liking this so far.

Next is foundation, I'm currently trying out a few drug store foundations, as I'm finding my double-wear a bit too heavy now it's getting a little bit sunnier.  Today I used the 'Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum' in shade 53 and I applied that with my expert face brush.

I then added a little bit of my Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Beige under my eyes and some Benefit Boiing  in 02 to cover those pesky red marks on my chin.

Next I used my Real Techniques Buffing Brush and applied a little of Mac Mineralize Skin Finish in light plus.  I usually wear medium plus but felt this worked better with this foundation.

I then used my Sleek Contour Kit to add some definition to my cheeks using my Real Techniques Contour Brush.  I only ever use the brown shade from this kit but I've not found a better alternative to this yet.

Next was blush and for this look I used my Illamasqua Powder Blusher in the shade Lover.  This was a sale purchase just after Christmas and I absolutely love it.  I'd definitely try some other Illamasqua blushes if I could get to a shop to swatch them.  I apply all my bush with my Real Techniques Blusher Brush.

Then I added a little sweep of my Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle just above my cheek bones using again my Real Techniques Contour Brush.

For my eyes I used my 239 and 217 brush and applied Mac Amber Lights to my lid and Satin Taupe to the crease.

My daily go-to eyeliner is Loreal Infaillible 16 Hour in 301 night/day black and my mascara is always Benefit's They're Real.

For my eyebrows I use Benefit's Browzings and just use the brush that comes with the kit.

And finally my lips, I am wearing a Mac Lip Pencil in Lasting Sensation all over the lip and then on top I'm wearing Mac Costa Chic.

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The Polish Collection: Top 5 Blues

My nail polish collection is pretty.. well its pretty big.  I'm constantly getting nagged at for buying new nail polish but I just can't help it, there's still some shades I don't own!

I'm going to do a mini series of posts for you lot to delve into my nail varnish shelves and pick out my favourite and most wearable shades.

This weeks collection is the Blues, probably my biggest so whittling this down might be tricky.

1. Nails Inc.  Baker Street. £11

When this shade crept onto the scene last summer I had to have it.  Around the time there wasn't really a 'Drug Store' alternative so I made the plunge and spent a whole eleven pounds on this one.  Back then, well actually still, £11 is a lot for me to spend on Nail Polish, I think because I change my nails so often there's no need for me to spend a fortune on a lasting formula, also as I mentioned in a previous post, all you ever need is a coat of  Seche Vite and your sorted.

Anyway, Baker Street, its bright, its blue, it stands out and catches your eye, it goes with so many different colours clothes wise, its a good summer alternative to a pastel shade.  I now own the Essie version and another I got in a Glossy Box, however this was my original so it's my number one.

2. Loreal Color Riche Les Blancs in shade 852 Pistachio Dragee. £5

This is one of the newest additions to my collection, it is one of Loreal's new releases that you've probably seen around the blogging community.   It is a pastel blue/green colour and its just SO nice.  It's summery, it's simple, again it can be teamed with a number of different outfits and it is bang on trend right now.

3. Chanel Le Vernis in Azure 657 £17.35

Okay, yes I did just say I don't spend a lot on nail polish, this was a gift from my friend from his holiday to Mexico.
Azure is more on the turquoise side of the spectrum. It has a duochrome finish so can look different in different lights.  It has a metallic foil finish and it is just stunning.  I definitely don't own another polish like this, although the new BarryM aquarium range I think has just brought out a similar offering called Pacific. Whether or not I'd have splashed out on it at the time I don't know but I am so happy my friend did.  It's nice knowing there's a little bit of luxury on my nails too.

4. Ciate Power Dressing 063 £9

This was out of my Ciate Mini Mani Month Advent calender 2012.  It is a simple, but gorgeous navy blue shade.  Whenever I wear this I always get compliments, and until I got this it was never a colour I felt I was missing.  Anyone who doesn't have a navy in their collection really should go out and get one. It looks expensive, it's smart, simple, its a less boring version of a black nail.  Ciate's formula is fool proof.  The brush is the perfect size, you need about two coats and they dry pretty quickly too.

5. Barry M Gelly Hi Shine in Greenberry 303 £3.99

Okay, so I was debating if this was a green or a blue, decided on blue, then read the name of it. It's a turquoise so for this reason its a blue. I remember seeing this nail polish on a blog months before it was released and constantly checked the shelves in my local boots until that one day came where I got my hands on it.  I'm not the worlds biggest fan of the Gelly formula.  I find it really difficult to work with, and it takes AGES to dry, in the days before me and Seche Vite met it actually put me off wearing it, however the colour is gorgeous. It is so bright, and again you can wear it with a lot of different colours and it wont clash.  If anyone knows of a similar colour with a different formula I'd love it if you could leave it in the comments.

From left to right with 2 coats: Nails Inc, Loreal, Chanel, Ciate, Barry M

Do you have a favourite blue shade? What's your favourite colour to wear on your nails?

Lizzy 

xx

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My Daily Haircare

My hair is in a pretty bad way at the moment.  As you may have read before, I used to have really long brown hair.  Fast forward a year and I had bleach blonde short snapped off hair.  Now, well my hairs still blonde, but I've embraced the 'rooty' look underneath and its gradually getting to a more natural blonde colour and slowly but surely growing an inch or two.

I've always had thin hair, and not a lot of it at that so going blonde probably wasn't the brightest of ideas but it was a gradual thing, my hair was fine until one little mishap and a holiday to LA and Vegas.  Apparently peroxide blonde and a desert don't really go very well together.  Anyway its getting there, it's not snapping off any more, I haven't dyed it for eight months, and I can tell the quality of my hair underneath is in much better nick.

Before my little hair disaster I never really cared for my hair as well as I should have.  So at least something positive has come from it.  I have a few products that I use daily, and really do feel each one has made some sort of difference to the condition of my hair.

Shampoo and Conditioner.

I wash my hair almost every day - I know I know this is really bad but my hair gets so greasy and I wake up with the worst bed heads! nothing else helps.  I also find that when I don't wash it the ends are too dry and straw like and it just looks horrible.  I switched my shampoo and conditioner about a month or so ago and picked up the TIGI Bed Head Dumb Blonde Shampoo and Re-constructor.  I'd heard good things about TIGI and initially wanted to try the S Factor range but it was sold out, then I found this.  Specifically aimed at hair like mine. It smells lovely - strawberries and cream, and I like how the re-constructor is a different colour to the shampoo as it really feels like there's something in there working on my hair.  My hair is definitely in better condition since using this, it feels stronger and definitely doesn't snap any where near as much as it used to.  I bought the salon size bottles 2x750ml in a twin pack for only £26.95 from Feel Unique.  It is such good value, I'm not even half way through them yet.

Leave in Treatments
Before I blow dry my hair I use a few products.   The first is Redken Extreme Anti Snap Treatment £15. This provides my hair with heat protection, reduces the friction from brushing and it hleps to prevent breakage and split ends.  Again I do feel like this has made a difference to the strength of my hair, and I can tell when I am brushing it that there is less hair snapping off.

Next I use the Bumble and Bumble Mending Complex £25.50. This claims to seal the cuticle for sustained repair, shine protection and fly away control.  Its a similar formula and consistency to the Redken Anti Snap I just find that I only need a tiny amount.  Along with this I also treat my hair weekly with their mending masque.

Heat Defence
Just before I blow-dry I give my hair a good spritz of the Lee Stafford Argan Oil Heat Defence Spray £12.99. This is a heat defence spray with a pro-argen complex.  Not entirely sure what that means, but its extra protection, it smells nice, and apparently will leave my hair that bit shinier.

Brushes
This I think is the main reason why my hair is in a better condition.  Before I used a wide paddle brush, then I used a simple comb.  Both would collect up snapped hair on a daily basis.  Now I use Tangle Teezers.  For when my hair is wet I use the Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash £13.99.  I can brush through my hair easily when it is wet, with no damage to my hair or any strands pulled out.  For brushing through dry hair I use the Tangle Teezer Compact Styler £12.49.  I found the compact styler easier to handle and also, as usually on a morning I'll be dealing with my hair wet it made more sense to pick up a brush that I can keep in my hand bag.

Finishing
I don't straighten my hair these days, so to finish it off and calm those dead strawy ends I use the John Freida Secret Agent Perfecting Crème.  I can't seem to find a link to this any more, however there is something similar on the Boots website.  This is a shame as I used to use a Charles Worthington frizz cream and that was discontinued, now it looks like I'm going to have to find another alternative.   I just run a pea size amount through my hair particularly on the ends and it smooths out any frizz and keeps it straight.

Do you have any hair products you love?  Or any ideas to help get my hair back to a healthier condition?

Lizzy
xx

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Seche Vite: The Top Coat Miracle

Seche Vite. How did I ever live without it? It is simply amazing.  Its miraculous formula was sent down from heaven and put in a little pot.

Any girl with any form of interest in nail polish needs to own this top coat.  It is advertised as a 'dry fast top coat.' So what's so special? loads of top coats are for faster drying nails.  Yes, they are, but no other top coat dries your nails in literally seconds where you don't even get a finger print when you swipe your finger across to check on it, not even after 30 seconds.  Perfectly dry, shiny, glossy nails. AMAZING.

Gone are the days where you would spend a good twenty minutes getting your polish perfect, only to smudge a nail while updating your Instagram whilst waiting for them to dry and having to start all over again.

I have been using this top coat for a few months now, I use it with all different kinds of nail polish from my £1.99 Sinful Nails, Bourjois, Essie, Ciate, Chanel, it doesn't matter.  I get the same result regardless.  It has put me off splashing out on more expensive polishes, as this makes any polish last longer and look so much more higher quality.  I'd only now ever buy an expensive polish if I couldn't find the colour anywhere else.

I picked my bottle up from Fenwicks in Newcastle for around £11 however they are stocked on Feel Unique here £9.85.  I also think Boots stock them but I have never seen them in any of my local stores, just online.

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