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.

Read more →

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.

Read more →

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.

Read more →

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.

Read more →

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

Read more →

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

Read more →

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.

Read more →

Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Mothers Day is slightly later this year - helpful as at least we have another pay day.

I wanted to find a few ideas and websites to help you find the perfect gift for your Mum.

For the make-up loving Mothers out there I always think a palette is a lovely gift. There are a few knocking about that I certainly have my eye on.

The Nars At First Sight Cheek and Eye Palette £45 is stunning.  It contains a blush and a bronzer in the famous shades Deep Throat and Laguna and then 4 eye shades.

Laura Mercier has a similar offering with the Enlightenment Eye and Cheek Palette £42.40 Equally as stunning.  Both perfect for travelling and both gorgeous gifts.  I know for my Mum its very rare she would splash out on herself, and would just settle for drug store alternatives so I think its nice to give that more luxurious gift. 

Another great idea, which I recently just got for my friends birthday is to create a Mac Quad £46.  Creating it yourself makes it more personal and more thoughtful.  You've just got to make sure they don't already have the shades! - easier said than done in some cases. 

Not On The Highstreet is one of my favourite websites for those special, interesting gifts. Here are a couple of my favourites:

Personalised Mothers Day Papercut Print £35.  You can personalise the names and choose from a number of colours to suit different interiors. 

Personalised Little Mum Kit £12.50.  This is a little box containing words and objects to celebrate a wonderful mother.  It's a cute little idea, extremely thoughtful, and cheap on the purse strings. 

 

Finally, the obvious and fool proof is Flowers.  A lot of you may not know that Next actually do a flower delivery service and the prices are really reasonable.  I've had their flowers before and they've always been good quality and long lasting. Prices for a standard bouquet start from about £26 - £30 and delivery is only £3.99 or for Mothers Day Sunday £6.99.  Moonpig also do lovely flowers, and I have used them before, however they aren't offering Mothers Day delivery, which is a shame.

Read more →

November Favourites

So this month has probably been the biggest change in make-up for me this year.  I finally gave up clinging onto Summer and went full force into Christmas.

So the biggest change for me and my first November favourite has to be my foundation.  For a good year or two I've always used Clinique even better, but for this winter I wanted to try something else and picked up after numerous recommendations, Estee Lauder Double Wear £27.50. I was matched to the shade 2C1 Pure Beige.

How I ever lived without this I have absolutely no idea.  The coverage is amazing, it lasts all day, there is no sign of oil at the end of the day, it isn't at all cakey, it doesn't feel or look like I've got a full face of make up on. It's just perfect.

Next up is a primer.  I have always had bad relationships with primers, aside from Porefessional, which even then I ended up mixing with my foundation, I have never found anything that didn't end up doing something to my make up which I didn't want. Until now.
Smashbox Photofinish Primer Light £25.00  is an oil free primer and this one is ideal for oily, acne-prone skin. It helps to reduce the appearance of pores and it has oil absorbers for a smooth matte finish.  I think this works so well for me because its specifically for oily skin which is something I suffer with.  I apply a small pea sized amount of this first before anything else and my make-up lasts all day, and there are no signs of oil or shine. I could not recommend this product enough for anyone who has problems with oily skin or shine. Smashbox have a range of primers for all different skin types/needs and I really would recommend trying one out.  Boots now stock the travel sized versions if you didn't want to splash out on a full size product.

Now for eyes, and I have two favourites.  Benefit's eye bright, which I have already blogged about here so won't bore you again, and Soap and Glory's Supercat Eyeliner Pen in Carbon Black Extreme. I have always always struggled with perfecting the lash line eye liner look.  I hardly ever would attempt to wear it because it would either go completely wrong,  it would smudged all over my eye lid or it would wear off and after a few hours just look like a bad eye shadow job.  Occasionally on nights out I would use a gel eye liner which did work better for me but liquid eye-liner has always been a no go.

I bought this eye-liner after reading a couple of reviews and it is the easiest thing to use.  It looks like a felt tip pen and it draws on so easy and effortlessly, you don't have to worry about having too much product unlike other liquid and gel eye-liners. The best thing is that it stays put and it doesn't fade. I love it and have since been wearing it for work- something I'd never have the time to do first thing on a morning.

My last two favourites are kind of linked together.  Firstly I bought a new Mac Lipstick in Saint Germain £15.00.  It's a perfect pinky liliacy wintery bright shade and have been sporting this on my lips most days.  It just reminds me of snow and glitter and fluffy jumpers and I love it.  To accommodate this I've been looking for a matching blusher and this was quite of a hard task. After so many swatches I finally found a good match with Accessorize Merged Blush in Wowzer £4.95.  I've never really tried any of Accessorize's cosmetics but I was pleasantly surprised. The colour is lovely and it does last.  Its very pigmented and applies really easily with my Real Techniques blusher brush.  It does suit a paler skin tone, I learnt this the hard way after trying to use it when I still had a little bit of fake tan on my face and it just looked like I had a shimmery cheek - not a good look.  But with the right skin tone this really is a lovely bright pinky candy coloured blush and it has since been upgraded to my everyday make up drawers knocking my usual Mac blush out.

I genuinely do love each of these products.  Have you tried anything new this month that you're wondering how you ever lived without?

Read more →

Hair Issues and Bumble and Bumble Mending Masque

Yesterday me and my friend made the trip up to Newcastle for a day of Christmas shopping - I say Christmas shopping, I'd actually finished all of mine but it was my excuse and we we're sticking to it.

I picked up quite a few new buys which I'm sure I'll mention on here soon but the first thing I've tried and want to tell you about is Bumble and Bumble's Mending Masque.

My hair (sigh) is just ruined.
A year ago I had long brown locks - always on the thin side, well extremely thin side, but long none the less. Throw in a super jealous short haired hairdresser, and a few bottles of Loreal Preference Lightest Blonde hair dye and I now have super short, even thinner, snaps at any occasion, blonde hair.   I didn't actually realise how bad my hair was until my Summer holidays.  It was SO SHORT.

I haven't died my hair since the beginning of August - I'm getting away with just a few sprit'z of John Freida's lightening spray to touch up my roots every now and again. I'm pretty sure if I put any more dye on my head I'd be bald.  I've also been trying really hard not to straighten my hair and just use my Friz-Ease serum to sort the ends out.

I've been using a lot of Lee Stafford breaking hair products, and I know that they have been helping, I've also been using his miracle oil heat defence spray for when I blow-dry, yet still my hair seems to be moulting more than my cat does.

Bumble and Bumble is a brand that I've heard over and over again but never ever tried.  After a bit of research I knew I wanted to try the masque and I think I might also give the mending complex ago but couldn't afford both in one go!

It retails at £29.00... pricey I know.. but its got to that point where I will try anything.  I picked mine up from John Lewis, however I did spot it in Boots afterwards and I didn't know they stocked it. I then had a little sulk that I'd missed out on a few boots points.

Bumble and Bumble claims to be an "intense repair, the must have weekly treat for truly damaged hair.  Tired and distressed hair will be left with renewed strength and shine."

You use this after shampooing and leave it on for 10 minutes.  Yes, this is a long time, but its only to be used once a week so I think I can just about make enough time.

At first I was really disappointed with this product.. I think for £29 I was actually expecting a miracle, however throughout the day my hair has felt thicker, it hasn't knotted at all and I can't stop combing my fingers through it - something usually I'd avoid like the plaque.

I know from this that it has done something to my hair, and I am really excited to see how it lasts and the results from using it a few more times.

Do you know of any good hair repair products?  Or have any tips you can give me to fix my snapping straw scarecrow head?

Lizzy
xx

Read more →

Benefit Eye Bright.

I pretty much own or have tried everything from Benefit.  I went through a phase last year where it was all I would ever use.  That being said there was a couple of things out there waiting for me to get my hands on.. One of them being Eye Bright.

Eye Bright is a pink brightening eye pencil.  Benefit suggest using it on the corners of the eye to "look instantly wide awake, that it helps absorb dark shadows on the inner and outer corner of the eye"

I don't really own anything like this product, and I dont know why I've waited so long to buy it.   I absolutely love it.  For minimal effort you can really change your appearance.

Recently I've been doing a lot of early mornings at work.... and the side effects to this are starting to show.  I dot this on the inner corners of my eyes and blend with my finger tips and I really do look more awake and my eyes bigger and brighter.

I have also been using this on my waterline. For years I'd wear black eye liner on my waterline and that would be that, now I've found if I add a bit of liquid black eye liner to my upper lash line and then this to my waterline my eyes look bigger and more awake, it also compliments a lighter pink blush and lip that I have been wearing recently.

I picked mine up from ASOS,  as I took advantage of a 20% off code, I really love the selection of Benefit and other beauty products they now stock, especially as they usually have some discount code to use.

Read more →

Sunday's Bathtime Treat : Lush Christmas Snowman

I have decided to dedicate every Sunday evening to a full on pamper session.  As I said last week I rarely use face masks, and I'm definitely not one to spend time moisturising after a bath/shower, terrible I know but I hardly ever have a bath, and always shower on a morning therefore never leave myself enough time.  This is about to change.

As often as I can I am going to try a new bath product, face mask and body butter/lotion and treat myself to a little pamper every week.

This week I'd picked up the Lush Christmas Snowman.  I'm not normally one for Christmas, in fact I'm normally a complete Scrooge. I don't know what's happened to me this year but dare I say I'm liking the whole christmassy thing?

So anyway in-line with my new found Christmas spirit, I was drawn to the Snowman.  It has the same vanilla fragrance as Lush's butterball bath bomb and has 'skin softening cocoa butter.'  It was the cocoa butter that swayed my decision.  I know my skin could do with a good moisturise and I've always had good results with cocoa butter.

When I first popped it in the bath it fizzed like a bath bomb should do but surprisingly went a bright reddy orangey colour- it actually looked quite disturbing.  It left my skin really soft and smooth and smelling like a little cocoa butter vanilla cupcake.

For my face mask this week I just used up last weeks Quick Fix Mask as I really did like the results but I have got something new to try for next week and I used up the remainders of a little soap and glory body butter, which needs no reviewing- always does an amazing job.

What are your favourite pamper treats? Do you have any you keep going back to?

Lizzy
xx

Read more →

The purple lip. My favourites.

Anyone who knows me will know I love a good purple lip, and have done for quite a while now.  My collection of purple lipsticks has expanded somewhat since my first experience of the plummy tone.  I wanted to share with you my top 5 purple based lipsticks,  there's a couple of surprises in there that you may not have tried before.

First up is an obvious one.

Kate Moss for Rimmel in No4.
Most of you have probably got your hands on this shade at some point.  I really love the Kate Moss for Rimmel lipsticks.  They are possibly my favourite high street brand. They apply really easily, and last a long time and they work really well with the Rimmel Lipstick Lock, which has became an essential to every night out.  The formula is a lot better than others eg Lipcote as it doesnt alter the texture of the Lipstick at all, with Lipcote if you apply it with a matte lipstick it just makes it all cloggy and lumpy and horrible whereas Rimmel's its absolutely fine and stays on almost all night! anyway... back to the lipstick:

I like this purple shade as it is the darkest one I own so when I'm really wanting to vamp up my look its perfect. I'll definitely be using this more with the winter nights.

Second, I'll get the obvious out of the way first..

Mac - Rebel.. need I say more?

Next up is an absolutely lush holiday purchase of mine and its Marc Jacobs LoveMarc Lip Gel in No 130 Little Pretty. 

I was lucky enough to go to the launch of Marc Jacobs Beauty Range while I was in Las Vegas, and Marc himself even showed up! While I was there I picked up this lipstick and a gorgeous nail varnish which I'll post about another time.  I love this lipstick colour, its very similar to another one in this list that I'll get to next. The LoveMarc lipsticks are so shiny and long-wearing.  This shade, when you look at it, has a slight sparkle to it and what you could describe as glitter, but when you apply it this just makes the colour stand out and make it that bit more special.  I bought this for $30, which is on the pricey side for a lipstick however I was in Vegas, at the Marc Jacobs launch, with Marc Jacobs - I had an excuse.  I would definitely treat myself to another shade if I had the chance because I love it so much.

My last two lipsticks were a bit of a shock to me.  I've had these two lipsticks in a white tube? anyway, for ages and I always always end up using these two colours when I can't decide what to go for.  One of them the brand has rubbed off and I've never really paid attention to where they were from.. until now.

Avon. My two absolute favourite lipsticks are from good old Avon.  I was amazed, more amazed when I went onto their website, 1 to find that they still sold both shades - SCORE. The other to find that they were a mere £2.50.  I've literally just ordered nearly every colour of them and I'm waiting in anticipation for the post man.

So why do I love them?  They are so creamy and so easy to apply and the colour is so pigmented and they last.  I've never had any problems with them being too dry on my lips and I've worn them at all times of the year.

The shades that I have them in are Deluxe, which is more on the darker purple side, and Intimate.  Both of them are from Avon's Colortrend range.  Intimate is my all time favourite shade for a lipstick.  Its more on the pinky side but still more of a purple.  Its my go to shade in the summer, in fact I'm wearing it in my Blogger profile picture. For anyone who loves a good purple lip, but sometimes feels its too dark for the Summer months, this shade is perfect all year round. I've just bought another one as mine is running low, and god forbid I ever lost it! I can't rave about them enough, especially for only £2.50.

Wearing Intimate Avon Colortrend.

From Left (watch) to Right - (that was more for my benefit not yours.. useless!) anyway..

Kate Moss No 04, Avon Colortrend Deluxe, Mac Rebel, Marc Jacobs Little Pretty, Avon Colortrend Intimate.

Do you have any favourite purple Lipsticks that I haven't mentioned? or any secret 'highstreet' beauties you just keep going back to?

Lizzy
x

Read more →

Sunday Treats

I popped out with a friend to do a little bit of Christmas shopping this Sunday, but of course I had to get a few little treats for me.

I actually didn't go overboard for once in my life and only picked up two things- hurrah!

Firstly, while buying a million Christmas bath bombs for my friends from Lush, I picked up the Tea Tree Water £3.95.  I've heard about this off a few people, and at only £3.95 it won't be the end of the world if I don't see any difference.

It claims to 'come to the aid of skin that has emergencies.'  It says it is a wonder antibacterial, antiseptic and antimicrobial ingredient for anyone with oily or spot prone skin.

My skin isn't the greatest.  If I don't moisturise I suffer from a dry forehead, however sed moisturiser doesn't help my oily nose. It's a constant battle that I always appear to be losing.  I bought this toner not for help with spots but to try and combat my oily nose.  After using my Clinique 1 + 2 step I sprayed this onto my face and left it soak in for a few minutes before applying my moisturiser.  I was dubious about how well this would work, but I have woken up with a visibly less oiler nose than normal - gross I know.  It will be interesting to try it  before applying any make-up and see if oiliness is kept at bay.

The second thing I picked up was Quick Fix Facials Exfoliating Scrub Mask for Blackheads and Blocked Pores £5. This was an impulse buy.  I don't even know if I have even read reviews on this but the packaging looked appealing and they had about 4 different masks and this one sounded perfect for me.  I picked this up from my local Tesco.  It has just had a big makeover- primarily to install a gym ( ruins the whole Krispy Kreme thing now though) however the beauty aisle is also now a dream, its like its own mini beauty department store - also very dangerous for me as I go there almost every day eeeek.

This is a Pink Rose Clay mask which claims to help deep cleanse and de-congest the skin .  It has Glycolic Acid which is effective at balancing out uneven skin tone and Pomegranate extract which has antioxidant and anti-ageing properties to encourage radiant skin.  It is targeted at stubborn and reoccurring blackheads, clogged pores and skin in need of a deep and thorough clean.

I love this mask.  I used it on Sunday night, and sat while watching old episodes of Made in Chelsea, probably left it on a bit too long as I was once again caught up in the Caggie/Spencer will they wont they, even though I know.. they wont. Anyway, loved it.  Once on my skin it hardened, as expected.  It was still easy to wash off and left my skin so soft and smooth, with absolutely no signs of oiliness.  I couldn't stop stroking my face.

I think out of one tube you would probably get about 3 generous masks.  which is great value for money.  I am going to try and do a face mask  every Sunday, as they are something I rarely use, but know I should.

Ps. please ignore the bags under my eyes, I've had three 7 am starts at work this week and it is starting to show.. boooo

Do you have any great face masks you would recommend?

Lizzy
xx

Read more →

Mac Brush Cleanser Review

Every girl loves their make-up brushes but do we take as much care of them as we should?

Mac's Brush Cleanser £10 is a fool proof easy way of keeping your brushes clean and in excellent condition.

It is described as a product that will disinfect and condition the brush fibres so that your brushes will last longer and that it is designed to extend the life of high quality brushes.  It will leave your brushes smelling fresh and clean and it helps shorten their drying time.

I absolutely love this product.  I try to use it two times a week.  I just pour a few drops onto some kitchen roll and swirl my brushes around and they are clean in a few seconds.  Its perfect for when you don't have the time in your week to give them a good shampoo ( although I do try to do this at least once every fortnight.)

For £10 I think it is really good value, and my brushes are dry really quickly.  I have also found myself using it when I've wanted to change my lip colour or trying out new eye shadow ideas, a quick clean and they are dry and ready to use again in minutes.

I have recently just bought a cute new glass trinket box for my brushes.  You can pick this up from next for £10.  It comes with a cute lid I've chose to use it without for my brushes.

Read more →

E.l.f Haul

I've always been one to browse elf but never actually buy anything... Until now...

A late night browse the other week.. And a 40% off code (wowee) resulted in a little elf haul.

I really wanted to try some of their eye shadow so I purchased the Festive Little Black Beautybook £8 and the Baked Eye Shadow Pallet £10
I was really disappointed with the little black book.  The colours aren't pigmented and it took a lot of effort to get to a colour I was happy with.   I like the idea of a little black book and it's great for travelling ... If it had the right product inside of it.

 

The baked eye shadow pallet was a different story.  It applied really well and with my Mac 217 brush the colours blend like a dream.  It's perfect for everyday wear.  I've only ever applied it with Benefit's Stay Don't Stray as a primer and it has lasted all day.  I can't comment on its longevity on its own.   The packaging of this is great too.  It's compact enough to take away and the large mirror is an added bonus!

I've been eyeing up the Urban Decay Black Market 24/7 set, so for now I thought I'd try some Elf alternatives.  I bought the Shimmer Eye Liner Pencil in Grassy Green and Plum Passion.  At only £1.35 each I thought these were a great alternative, they are quite creamy and apply really easily.  They're great for trying out new eye make up ideas without breaking the bank.  I also loved that they came with a sharpener on the lid, this is great for me as I am always battling with blunt pencils and sharpeners never seem to want me to find them!

My last bits I ordered were some new blushers.  I've recently bought Mac's Saint Germain lipstick and fell in love with its wintery pink colour, I've been on the hunt for a winter pink blush to accompany it.

I bought Elf's Baked Blush in Peachy Cheeky £3.75 and Studio Cream Blush in Flirt £5.85 .

The baked blush unfortunately  is more of a highlighter than a blush.  It is really illuminating and shimmery.

The cream blush is something I've never tried before but I thought it would be good to try especially for the winter months.  The colour is a bit too much of a bright pink for what I was looking for but it did last all through my Tapas feast and a few drinks with friends.  It is on the pricey side for Elf, however I did have 40% off and buying it qualified for free delivery so it kind of paid for itself...

My first experience with Elf was kind of 50/50.  I would buy from them again but probably only with a discount if it was on products I'd never tried before as I found it a bit hit or miss with what I bought.

Do you have any elf favourites?
Lizzy
xx

Read more →