tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91120846070294544252024-03-13T18:29:22.528+00:00Shiny Pretty ThingsAlicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-87309449733188496792013-02-19T08:57:00.000+00:002013-02-19T08:57:02.207+00:00I'm still here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I miss blogging. I miss the people it let me chat with, and the hours it kept me entertained for, and so, I am making it my mission to find the time (maybe it's hiding under a rock somewhere) to come back to blogging, and to the lovely community here...if you'll have me?! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you're all well...I'll see you soon! </span></div>
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Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-65055471346640462482012-11-04T17:34:00.000+00:002012-11-04T17:34:13.103+00:00“When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching -- they are your family. ” ― Jim Butcher<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This post isn't about superficial beauty, this is the real deal. True beauty. My family. Don't get me wrong, as individuals we're loaded with imperfections, but as a whole I think it's pretty perfect. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday I spent the afternoon and evening sat in my Grandma and Grandad's lounge while 23 members of my family (that's not even all of us) came in and out to see the newest member, the truly beautiful Christopher. In my opinion he's pretty damn lucky to have been born into this family; it's taken me a while to get that people can love me because they want to not because they have to, but I finally get it, and more importantly, I feel it - there is always an open door, a shoulder, a slice of cake or a cup of tea, and I feel like at any point I could call on any or all of those services.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In one family, I've found; my best friend, my greatest inspirations, and pride. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sorry, this is mushy and not really what this blog is about usually but I hope you don't mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-66918155659341399712012-10-23T11:55:00.001+01:002012-10-23T12:02:31.001+01:00Favourites #1: Lips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sure we all have a bit of a go to feel good look when it comes to makeup, something that you know will pep up either your mood or your makeup...or preferably both! For me over the past few months it has got to be the lip combo I am about to share with you. It never fails to put a smile on my face (literally haha) and give me a little bit of confidence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please excuse the slight changes in the lighting of the photos in this post, I took some of them over time to try and show you the wear of the product and obviously that changes the amount and angle of the natural light...not a lot I can do about our position in the solar system! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My weapons of choice are;</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MAC Lip Pencil in <b>Beet</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MAC Lipstick in <b>Impassioned</b> (it's an Amplified Creme incase you were wondering)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MAC Tinted Lipglass in <b>Pink Lemonade</b></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without further ado, I give you my step by step application of my favourite fuchsia lips! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1</b> - I have to prepare my lips somehow because despite my best efforts they are as dry as the Sahara and at times flakier than puff pastry! I use any old lip balm I've got to hand, and slap it on before I do the rest of my makeup, or about five to ten minutes before if I'm just changing my lip colour not the whole face! </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wwFA05xkJYQ/UH16bTv8H5I/AAAAAAAABHE/cnAxhOt-0GM/s1600/P1000385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wwFA05xkJYQ/UH16bTv8H5I/AAAAAAAABHE/cnAxhOt-0GM/s400/P1000385.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2</b> - Using Beet I first line the outside of my lips, making sure I get right into the corners. Once I'm happy with the shape I use the lip pencil to fill in the majority of my lips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3</b> - Then, using a lip brush (my favourite is by Illamasqua) I apply Impassioned lipstick all over the lips. I sometimes leave it as it is, but if I fancy a bit of extra shine, or my lips are feeling particularly dry I'll add an extra step. The formulation of this lipstick, especially over the lip pencil means it does have a tendency to feel quite tight and drying on my already parched pout! </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3GcIgJWazwY/UH16jfPP6sI/AAAAAAAABHU/OisUZV9cnb4/s1600/P1000392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3GcIgJWazwY/UH16jfPP6sI/AAAAAAAABHU/OisUZV9cnb4/s400/P1000392.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4</b> - To add that extra sheen and injection of moisture I slick on Pink Lemonade, which has got to be my favourite Lipglass by a mile, and then I'm good to go!! </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvUX-QMwcGE/UH16xzwjMjI/AAAAAAAABHo/-MsoWRcuWEk/s1600/P1000417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvUX-QMwcGE/UH16xzwjMjI/AAAAAAAABHo/-MsoWRcuWEk/s400/P1000417.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see this lip finish looks quite different depending on the lighting...and I love it however it looks!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wear of this combination is incredible, you don't need to touch it up all day; and I mean all day. After six hours of drinking numerous cups of tea, stuffing my face with lunch (and maybe a little millionaire shortbread) and chatting away it puts up a damn good fight and begins to fade (see photo below). And the fade is something I love about this combo; it doesn't go patchy, it doesn't all vanish at once, but it slowly loses its intensity but at no point does the colour die completely. After I'd taken the photo below I went to an exercise class and did a flipping hard work out, and even after all the sweating (there was a lot) and wiping my face with a towel (again - quite a bit) the colour remained and took a damn good scrubbing to remove in the shower.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there you have it, my favourite lip to wear at the moment. Full reviews of the individual products are to follow if you're interested. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is your go to 'feel good' lip combo? I'd love to know so I can try them out and see if they can become my new favourite too! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you're all well lovely ladies</span></div>
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<br />Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-67369167686422903752012-10-16T17:30:00.000+01:002012-10-16T17:30:04.105+01:00Review (actually, it's a rave) Jessica's Phenomen Oil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwgz4798t-8/UH1v-Qssr0I/AAAAAAAABGI/nnQ2JWxGu0E/s1600/P1000349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwgz4798t-8/UH1v-Qssr0I/AAAAAAAABGI/nnQ2JWxGu0E/s640/P1000349.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't believe I've not written a post solely about this product yet, I know I've mentioned it before but it really </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">does deserve its very own slice of the interweb! I give you <b>Phenomen Oil</b> by <b>Jessica</b>. For those of you who </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">don't know, Jessica is a professional nail brand and they offer some really amazing products (GELerartion is </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my latest love from them) and this 'intensive moisturizer' is no exception.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ingredients such as <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;">Vitamin E, Jojoba, Sweet Almond Oil and Rice Oil really help to make this a wonder </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px;">product. It can be used on any areas that are crying out for some extra moisturisation (elbows and tough dry bits on the feet stand out to me as the areas that most need some TLC) but its original function is to act as a life saver for your cuticles and nails. I don't know how it does it, but this oil really does seem to penetrate right down into the cuticles and dramatically improve their appearance. Jessica also say that Phenomen Oil will help to strengthen your nails and keep them supple and healthy. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I wouldn't feel comfortable vouching for its effectiveness in terms of my nail strength, I am more than happy to sing the praises of this product with regard to the state of my cuticles. I've tested it out, and having used this every night for two months I decided to give it a break for a few weeks....man are my cuticles begging me to bring this puppy back into my nightly routine; they're dry, tight, hard and generally horrible and I do believe that this is all down to the fact that I've not been using Phenomen Oil. I know that the cold weather wont be helping but it's not as if I've been standing outside in a blizzard. I can now promise my poor little cuticles that this is now firmly back on the menu, and I shall once again resume my nightly application.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As for how to apply it; it's simples! It comes with a pipet (man I love them it makes me feel </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">like a scientist) and all you need to do is place one drop onto each nail (I tend to do this at </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the base of the nail to coat both the cuticle and nail) and then give that area a good old </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">massage and voila! The massage is important because it increases the circulation to the </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nail and promotes growth. If you have any excess oil on the tip of the finger just treat </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">yourself to a bit of a hand massage! By the morning the oil will have completely sunk in and </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you should wake up with soft mitts ready to start a new day!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phenomen Oil ranges from around £9 to £14 depending on the size bottle you get, but I </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">believe it is totally worth it and I will be repurchasing mine before it even has a chance to </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">run out! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are there any products that you swear by? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">♥</span></div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-67121237735340966232012-10-15T09:11:00.002+01:002012-10-15T09:11:58.322+01:00Brush Cleaning #3: The Deep Cleanse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now, for the final installment of my brush cleaning series, I give you the big guns...the DEEP CLEANSE! If you're interested in parts one and two then feel free to check them out <a href="http://shinyprettythings-alice.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/brush-cleaning-1-making-life-easy-for.html">HERE</a> and <a href="http://shinyprettythings-alice.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/brush-cleaning-2-spot-cleaning.html">HERE</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a fact of a makeup addict's life that all that slap creates a bit of a mess as far as brushes are concerned, and it's important that we treat those brushes well - they're the tools of our trade and must be looked after! So, unless you apply your makeup with a trowel (in which case I suggest you use surgical spirit to clean it), then you've got to choose a cleanser that will suit your brushes rather than damage them. A quick google or YouTube search will bring up a million and one different products which people wear are the best, and I have no doubt that maybe some are better than my method, but I'm just going to share with you my choice of product and method of giving my brushes a little tlc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Johnson's baby shampoo is my preferred cleansing agent; it's gentle but effective and it doesn't have too much extra fluff and stuff (by fluff and stuff I obviously mean nasty chemicals and exotic scents!) it's also cheap which is a massive bonus in my eyes! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before you begin 'the big cleanse' you might want to prepare the area that you're going to use to dry your brushes. Ideally you want to allocate the edge of a work top/dresser/table and place a towel along the edge, this way you can leave your brushes to dry really easily without waving around wet brushes as you fumble about one handedly trying to get your towel and then lay it out (<strike>I speak from experience </strike>or so I've been told)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next up, gather all your dirty brushes, I keep mine in an old mug (it was a sad day when the mammoth crack appeared but I knew it's life wasn't over yet!) and take them to your sink of choice along with the Johnson's baby shampoo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then for the fun part! Rinse your brush under <b>warm</b> water, not hot but warm - it's important because hot water could melt the glue in the ferrule (the metal bit between the handle and the bristles) and this would cause your brush hairs to shed or your whole brush to fall apart! Another important thing to note, is that you need to keep the brush angled down at all times, again this is to prevent water from going into the ferrule and ruining your brush.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once your brush is nicely wet take a pump of the shampoo (vary the amount based on what size brush you have and which products it has been used with - eyeshadow brush with light eyeshadow will require hardly any whereas kabuki style foundation brush that's been used for a week or so will use quite a lot of product) onto the palm of your spare hand (the one that doesn't have a brush in it!). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then gently start to swirl your brush in the shampoo so that it creates a nice foamy lather, the lather should be the colour of whatever product you're washing off the brush - it's ever so satisfying! You can rinse and repeat as many times as it takes before the lather is pure white, and believe me, some brushes will have you there for a while but don't give up because you'll get there in the end!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's very important to rinse all the shampoo from your brush once it's squeaky clean, so I rinse and then swirl it on my hand again to see if any soap bubbles appear and keep rinsing until when swirled nothing happens. With larger brushes, don't be afraid to pull the excess water from the brush, so run you hand in a clenched motion down the brush and over the hairs to get off any excess water, and just keep rinsing until the water is clear. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then give your brushes a final squeeze to get the bulk of the water out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're now ready to lay all your brushes out. It's important to give them room, they shouldn't be touching because this could effect the shape that they dry into and nobody wants a deformed brush if they can help it. This is also the reason why it's so important to leave the brushes overhanging the edge of a table, this way they don't end up with one flat side. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The drying time will depend on the size of the brush, the density of the hairs, and the material the hairs are made from. A small synthetic brush like the Real Techniques deluxe crease brush will only take about half an hour to dry, whereas the larger ones like The Body Shop face and body brush and the bdellium 957 will probably take a day or so.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wait until they're all completely dry before putting them back in their usual storage or using them, and then relax and enjoy how wonderfully soft they are (it's ok, I wont judge you for giving your face a bit of a stroke with them, we've all been there!!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope this was helpful, and I'm sorry it was such a long post!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-54394219073391321192012-10-07T16:22:00.001+01:002012-10-07T16:22:07.350+01:00Super Sleepy Sunday<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boy oh boy am I feeling ridiculously tired today. I'm finding it physically impossible to stop myself from yawning every five seconds...is there a cure for yawning? On <b>24 Hours in A&E</b> I saw a man who had gone to hospital with hiccups so maybe should take myself down there and see what they can do for my yawning?! Alternatively I could continue to do what I am doing right now, which is lying on my bed writing this post with the view to having a nap shortly afterwards! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roast - CHECK</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my defense, I have been fairly busy (not really) this morning; up and at body attack for 8.30 this morning, then coffee morning (eating pastries and drinking tea not only undoes all the hard work at attack but it's flipping exhausting - back me up here Grace!), following that I went straight to my Grandma and Grandad's where my brother had cooked up a mighty fine roast. I'm a little concerned that if I don't buck my ideas up soon though, I wont make it through <b>Strictly Come Dancing</b> which I recorded last night, and that would be a sin! I also need to tidy my room and do some homework but to be perfectly honest it all pales into insignificance when I weigh it up against the thought of sleeping through Strictly!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a side note; how good is Autumn tv?! We've got <b>Downton Abbey</b>, <b>The Great British Bake Off</b>, <b>The Paradise</b> (love it!), and now <b>Strictly</b>...what more could you ask for (well, actually if they brought <b>Waking The Dead</b> and <b>Spooks</b> back I'd be over the moon)?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do apologise for the fact that this is a totally uninspiring post, but I don't particularly feel like I've got it in me to write anything too <strike>mediocre </strike>incredible today! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hot Chocolate - has been substituted for plenty of tea, but there is still time! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Primark's finest - coming right up! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you're all having wonderful Sundays! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-9400916024682896422012-10-04T09:21:00.002+01:002012-10-04T09:21:54.276+01:00Brush Cleaning #2: Spot Cleaning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In <a href="http://shinyprettythings-alice.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/brush-cleaning-1-making-life-easy-for.html">this post</a> I talked about my choices of brush cleanser, and how and why I have chosen to decant them. This post is on spot cleaning my brushes. Because it doesn't require the use of water it makes it a much quicker method, so it's great if you need to use that brush again quickly (between colours or clients say) and it's also great for keeping on top of all the dirt and bacteria build up of brushes that will still need a deep cleanse (foundation brushes for example). If you want to know more about the MAC brush cleanser that I use (price, why I decant it etc) do go and check <a href="http://shinyprettythings-alice.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/brush-cleaning-1-making-life-easy-for.html">my first brush cleaning post here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, first of all I need all my dirty brushes in one place! I seem to have developed a pretty large brush collection over the past couple of years (oops) so I don't store them all together, instead I get a selection that will do the job and put them all in this old (and cracked) Cath Kidston mug which lives in the bathroom which is wear I do my makeup. Then, once they're in need of a bit of a clean (this tends to be once a week) I bring them all into my room to get down to business!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because this is spot cleaning if there is one eye brush I'm particularly desperate to use but it's already covered in eye shadow I can get it back to working condition in a matter of minutes (particularly synthetic brushes) which is perfect! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A selection of brushes all ready for a good old clean!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are many different ways to spot clean your brushes, and if you'd like me to let you know some of the alternative methods please do let me know and I'll either explain to you personally or write another post. To save this from being uber long I'm just going to focus on one technique for now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I use an old towel to clean my brushes on, but you could use kitchen roll (I'd advice against toilet roll as it just isn't strong enough), couch roll if you have it (beauticians etc), an old flannel or muslin cloth, an old t-shirt or a bit of old sheet - you get the drift; it can be anything! I simply place this on my work surface of choice and get ready for cleaning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Place your brush on the towel or hold it slightly above, and then spray your cleanser onto the bristles. You can turn the brush over if it is particularly dirty to ensure you've coated both sides.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, simple swirl your brush around on the towel. Be very gentle with this, you don't want to end up scrubbing away at it, just use soft circular motions or gently sweep it one way and then the other in a line.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can repeat the process if you need to, simply apply more product and gently wipe it over a clean section of the towel. At the end of the process you should be able to wipe it over without leaving any makeup residue behind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once they're all squeaky clean you can either simply lay them flat on the towel, or place the towel near the edge of the surface and place it so the bristles are sticking just over, this prevents the brush from becoming misshapen as it dries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smaller brushes tend to dry in a matter of minutes using this method because they do not become too saturated in cleaning product, and the alcohol evaporates quickly, but do make sure your brushes are completely dry before you either put them back in their home (mug etc) or use them again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there you have it, my spot cleaning process. If you have any questions feel free to ask.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next up - the deep clean!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Brush Cleaning!!</span></div>
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<br />Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-7627676126154468562012-09-30T14:21:00.003+01:002012-09-30T14:21:40.239+01:00Review: Origins Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Pads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around a month ago I had a 'complimentary facial' at the Origins counter because it was my birthday; of course it turned out to be the most expensive facial of my life because I got suckered into buying nearly every product that the lovely girl on the counter used on me!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the fact that I already own the Super Spot Remover gel (post coming soon) I somehow managed to come away with the Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Pads. I'm still a bit annoyed with myself because I hate anything like this - essentially by selling you a prescribed amount of pads Origins are making sure you can't eek out the product for as long as you like, and at £22 (available <a href="http://www.origins.co.uk/product/6342/18375/Skincare/Concern/Blemish-Oil-Control/Spot-Remover/Blemish-treatment-pads/index.tmpl">here)</a> for 60 pads with the instructions of using a pad in the morning and evening, we're talking £22 a month for one element of your skincare regime. I think that that is daylight robbery, and I'm sorry Origins but that's just too much to ask! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully, I was advised to only use one pad per evening (despite this, I'm still tempted to cut them in half to get more out of them...is that taking it too far?!) and so that is what I've been doing for the past month once I've cleansed my face and applied toner to the areas where I'm not suffering from breakouts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Salicylic Acid, Oregano and Clove are meant to help fight spots and blemishes by exfoliating the area, unclogging the pores and helping to clear up and fade any current blemishes. To control the level of excess oil Saw Palmetto is used; which also helps to clear up any dirt left on the skin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After cleansing with Origins Pure Cream cleanser in the evening I pat my face dry and then sweep one of these pads over the areas that either have current breakouts or are prone to them (nose, hair line, jaw and chin...that's basically my whole face). More often than the sensation is just a cool feeling, but occasionally if there's a really big b*****d then it does sting/tingle a bit. Once I've given it a while to sink in (it probably doesn't do anything of the sort, but I feel as though it might need a moment to do whatever it is going to do), I apply my serum and night cream and then I'm good to go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, have they made a difference? The truth is, I don't know. My skin hasn't been particularly clear recently (but it isn't horrific - even though it feels like it is), but then I don't know if it would be worse if I wasn't using these, it's a tough call. I just keep hoping my skin will clear up of it's own accord soon because I don't know how much more money I can throw at it! I want clear skin damnit! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you tried this relatively new offering from Origins? What do you think of them? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you feel is your secret weapon to keeping spots at bay? </span></div>
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<br />Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-63318076679251835172012-09-27T18:00:00.002+01:002012-09-27T18:00:30.345+01:00Is it time to tan? <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've got a bit of a fear of awful looking fake tan. I notice it really easily on other people, and I would be so critical and paranoid if I wore fake tan that looked, well, fake, but I'm in a bit of a quandary because right now I'm just feeling a bit fed up with my pale skin, I don't think it does me any favours and seeing as I have to get various limbs out for my course (beauty therapy) I feel as though I'd be more comfortable doing so if I had a bit of a glow instead of the dull flubber that currently has to be uncovered! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, where do I start?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've bought fake tans in the past but I've never really used them - I get the fear and never commit! Does anyone have any tips for me? Which tan should I go for, how and when is best to apply it? Do they all stain the sheets? How do I avoid looking like an oompa loompa? How do you do your back if you just can't reach it?! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If anyone has got any tips I'd be really grateful. I know it's something people do day in, day out but I don't and I'm not sure where to start!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-17689933946712262222012-09-26T07:21:00.000+01:002012-09-26T07:21:02.869+01:00Current Loves<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Book </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've got to admit that since I moved and started my new college course I've barely had any time to read and I've been just so exhausted that one page has sent my straight to sleep. I'm lusting after Dorothy Koomson's new release though!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nail Varnish </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Essie Watermelon </b>I've had this on my toes for a week and I just love the colour, it's so bright and summery which is nice when all I can see is pouring rain!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Face Product </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Origins Pure Cream </b>cleanser. It's gentle and it does the job, what more can I say?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lip Product </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream </b>I have the fragrance free version (in case you care) and have been slathering it on before bed every night...I've still got dry lips though, damn you cold weather!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hair Product </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a tricky one because right now I'm not loving my hair...it's probably my <b>Tangle Teezer </b>again, I may not be liking it but at least it's kept knot free!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drink </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not the most exciting answer but boy oh boy have I been loving chugging back the ice cold </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Water, </b>don't get me wrong though I've stayed faithful to my one true love <b>tea!</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Food </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Muesli</b> has been keeping me going recently, and I know people argue about how good it really is for you because it's crammed with nuts and seeds and fruit but hey I don't care!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Website </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>YouTube</b>, I just can't get enough of beauty videos, I swear I could watch them all day every day!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Place </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Shoreham (home) </b>I've moved back to the place I was born, and it feels good! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd love to know what you're current loves are, let me know in a comment!! </span></div>
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Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-2480221623198162932012-09-25T10:19:00.001+01:002012-09-25T10:19:29.651+01:00Brush Cleaning #1 - Making life easy for yourself<br />
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Cleaning your makeup brushes is essential if you want to look after your brushes, care for your skin, and get the best from your makeup. That said, it's a bit of a chore and although I find it therapeutic and love the feeling of looking at all your clean brushes drying, it's still sometimes just something I'd rather not have to do!</div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, if we've got to do it, and honestly, we really do, then I like to make it as easy as possible. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To spot clean my brushes I like to use MAC Brush Cleanser. But it's expensive <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/135/307/Products/Kit-Essentials/Tools/Brush-Cleanser/index.tmpl">at £9.50 a pop</a> so I don't want to waste it. I used to pour out some of the fluid on to my towel/kitchen roll and then wipe the brushes, but I don't think it's very efficient, then I went for the 'pour some in the lid (make sure the lid is closes!) and dip small brushes in' but to be honest it was all becoming a bit of a palava, so in the end I chose to decant...and I've never looked back!! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I picked up this <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Travel-Spray-Bottle-100ml_1228697/">spray bottle from Boots for £1.55</a> although you can get smaller ones for around 50p, they just didn't have any in stock at the Boots I went to and it's perfect, because not only is it small enough to make it easy to travel with, it's also a spray top and that is the really important bit! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simply pour some of the cleanser into your spray bottle of choice, screw the lid on tight, and you're good to go! A post is coming up very soon on how I actually use the cleanser, so keep your eyes peeled!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now we come to deep cleansing. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My weapon of choice for this task is Johnson's baby shampoo because it is cheap and very kind to your brushes because of course it's designed for little bambinos so it's gentle formula hasn't got anything horrid in it that could damage your baby or your make up brush!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When giving brushes a deep cleanse it is important that the brush remains angled down, so that no water gets into the ferrule (the metal bit that holds the brush hairs together and separates the handle from the brush head) as this can melt or break down the glue that holds the brush together and you'll end up with a brush that sheds and eventually falls apart. When you're trying to tip product out of a big bottle at the same time it can all become a bit tricky! I know that you can buy Johnson's baby shampoo in a pump bottle form, but I don't have it so I improvised! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All you need is an empty hand soap dispenser (or any thing with a pump lid), I've used this Original Source one *lovely hand soap by the way*, and after a good wash, all that's required is to pour the shampoo in, screw on the lid and bob's your uncle! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're worried that other people may mistake your brush cleanser for a hand wash, or you're worried you'll forget which container you put it in, you could always use a clear bottle like I have to make it easier to tell, or you can remove the label (I think it looks nicer like this anyway) or even add your own label either with a Sharpie or a sticker...simples! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pump makes it so much easier to get the right amount of product without faffing around trying to keep everything at the right angle! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now you're good to go! A full brush cleaning post detailing the way I do it is coming up so if you're interested check back to see how I keep my brushes squeaky clean! </span></div>
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Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-655542175193211992012-09-19T14:00:00.000+01:002012-09-19T14:00:04.514+01:00First Impressions: Tigi Catwalk Your Highness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a massive fan of Tigi hair products and have been using them for about six years on and off (you've got to switch it up every now and again). In terms of shampoo and conditioners so far I've used</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Brunette Goddess</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Styleshots Epic Volume</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- A Rockaholic one that I can't remember the name of...(helpful I know)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of them I've repurchased and some I've been glad to finish to be honest (I always get the tweens and at 750ml per bottle that's a lot of hair washes!!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the first set from the Catwalk range that I've every tried and I've got very mixed feelings I've got to admit. After my first use of this I was astounded, it really did give me great volume and once I'd styled it my hair seemed to keep it's shape and volume for ages, which is very rare with my pancake flat locks! Sadly, after my second wash I was left with limp hair that felt heavy and ladened with product still. I thought that maybe I was being an idiot and had suffered temporary amnesia and forgotten how to wash my hair properly, but this turned out not to be the case as I've made a mental note to be super super extra thorough when washing the product out but still more often than not my hair feels a bit lank and product laden. I'm hoping that this will miraculously change, and I'll fall in love with this tween, but until then I'm staying put on the fence! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll let you know if my thoughts change!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever used this range? If so, what did you think of it? What's your favourite shampoo and conditioner? </span></div>
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<br />Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-53064617357258875402012-09-19T08:00:00.000+01:002012-09-19T08:00:17.788+01:00A bit of a hairy situation<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adios dear Venus, I miss you already!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hair removal, or even admitting that we have hair anywhere other than our heads, eyebrows and eye lashes is something that is seldom spoken of in the blogging community, but I wanted to share with you my latest hurdle in the hair removal stakes; to not remove it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been categorically told to step away from the razor, the tweezers and the way and let all hair that I'd usually remove grow! The reason for this is because as some of you may know, I'm doing a beauty therapy course and we've got to do waxing, and you can't practice on hair free skin; so, for the sake of my course I am about to become some kind of wolverine (highly unlikely I'll snag myself a boyfriend this month hey?!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personally, I do not care about other people's hair removal preferences, whether the keep it or get rid is totally up to them, but it could take a while for the urge to grab the razor when I'm heading to the shower to subside. I wax my legs, bikini and eyebrows so I'm used to having regrowth in those areas, but what I'm really struggling with is my underarms, not shaving them daily or every other day is just such an alien feeling to me and I've got to be honest so far I'm not loving it. At the gym particularly it's making me feel uncomfortable, and I'm now scared to raise my arms when socialising in a top without sleeves. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be honest, it's also made me feel a bit pissed off with our society and culture...why the feck do I feel this pressure? It's not dirty, it's not unhealthy, in fact, hair removal probably creates more permanent problems compared to it's relatively short term gains (ingrown hairs, shaving rash, irritated skin, sensitive follicles, and even razor cuts: I'm looking at you!) yes we feel temporarily silky smooth but is it sodding worth it, and why do we bother in the first place? I want to ask a question, if you do remove hair, who do you do it for, is it yourself, your partner, or just to fit in?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I may sound a bit like a raging feminist here, but don't get me wrong - I'm a slave to hair removal, and I hate to think how much I've spent over the years on waxes, tweezers, razors, hair removal creams etc and I can't see that changing any time soon, but I also suffer from awful ingrown hairs, and I do sometimes wonder why on earth I still go through it!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sorry that this isn't a particularly thrilling post, but hey, it's still a pretty big deal in the world of beauty! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lots of love,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alice and her hairy pits (lovely mental image for you there...and they're not even more than stubble yet!)</span></div>
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<br />Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-86574850942011053222012-09-18T11:28:00.000+01:002012-09-18T22:31:30.870+01:00Review: The Breakfast Scrub<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've got to admit that I'm a bit of a flake *honestly there was no pun intended* when it comes to using body exfoliating products. I definitely go through phases, one minute I just can't get enough, and then the next I've shoved the poor things back on the shelf for another stint of dust collecting! I think that in summer I'm the worst, but I can't bear the thought of shedding any of my skin while I've got a tan...I can't afford to lose any of colour I've managed to grab!! Another reason is sheer laziness (coupled with a bit of shower OCD), but scrubs in pots are just a bit of an effort; I hate it when they get water in them, so you've got to be really careful about where you put them, and then you've got to make sure they're screwed tight, but then you've got product all over your hands so it becomes a massive mess - urrrggghhhh! It's safe to say that I'm much better with a tube of scrub... so naturally I've bought myself yet another pot!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For this though, I will make an exception! Soap & Glory's The Breakfast Scrub is bloodly wonderful!! First off, it smells (to me anyway) just like the Butterscotch Angels Delight (a very seldom enjoyed guilty pleasure of mine!) so I just want to scoff my face with it rather than see it go to waste on my body!! Once I've resisted the temptation to lick it off my fingers and have actually applied it to my skin I suddenly understand its true purpose. It is everything you would want a scrub to be; it's got enough scrubbing particles (oats, almond, organic cupuacu bio scrubs and sugar) to make your skin silky smooth and really get it all covered, but at no point do you think you're actually causing yourself harm and scratching your skin off!! The shea butter really moisturises but there is no film of oily residue left once you've rinsed it all away which makes it a great all rounder, because you really don't miss out on any of the uber luxurious qualities that a more oily body scrub may have. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After only a couple of uses my skin is thanking me (yeah, we talk, and?!). It has really helped to smooth out the bumps that I get on the back of my arms, and I'm hoping with more use it will rid me off my horrible ingrown hairs on my legs...we shall have to wait and see! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've found applying this before I get in the shower the easiest way (just dampen your skin a bit with a handful of water one limb at a time and then scoop some of this out and slap it on, massaging in circular motions - preferably in upwards motions towards the heart to help circulation) and then just rinse it off once you're under the water. Having said that, it worked perfectly well just turning the water off and then applying it, so really it's just about personal choice! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At <span style="color: #c27ba0;"><a href="http://www.boots.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?langId=-1&Ntk=DIM_PARENT_CATEGORY_IDS&Nr=AND%28DIM_PREMIUM_BRAND_FLAG%3aN%2cDIM_PARENT_PRODUCT_ID%3aIS_PARENT%29&catalogId=11051&categoryParentId=14412866&Ne=13&Rpp=12&Ntt=43347&storeId=10052&Ntx=mode%2bmatchall&Ns=P_IS_HERO_PRODUCT%7c1%7c%7cCAT_SEQ_43347&N=4294956503&categoryId=43347&st=category">£9.50 from Boots</a> </span>it's not the cheapest scrub on the market but I really do think if you've got the money to treat yourself, do it because you wont regret it! Luxury skincare is currently on a 3 for 2 in Boots, so I managed to sneak this in with some purchases my mum was making for a present so that's a real bonus!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't know what more I can say really, but honestly even if you only get to go any give it a wiff...do it and I'll be shocked if you don't fall in love!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope all you lovely ladies are well! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-39126568536211403392012-09-13T09:44:00.005+01:002012-09-18T12:34:54.682+01:00Suffering for a case of blogger's block<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm suffering from a case of 'blogger's blog' and I thought that instead of waiting for some great spark of inspiration, I've decided to just blog about it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So much has gone on over the past week and a bit; I've turned 23, I've moved 220miles away and into a new room in a new house, I went to the Paralympics closing ceremony and I've started a new course at a new college with new people...it has been absolutely insane! Mostly I am feeling exhausted this morning, but I am also content. I finally feel like I am in the right place, doing the right thing and let me tell you, I haven't felt that for a long time! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here I am, ten minutes from Brighton, surrounded by family and friends, I think I've already made a new friend at college, without sounding too cheesy or lame I'm really hoping that now is my time! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's ok, I know I look crazy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my mum, brother and dad! Love those guys! x</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I hope I'll now be back into the swing of things and be able to blog blog blog! </span></div>
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Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-34374375683992793672012-09-04T18:44:00.002+01:002012-09-04T18:44:30.578+01:00Sod you technology!! <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I get utterly bamboozeled (and quite frankly really pissed off) by technology. The reason for my annoyance today is that I took a gazillion pictures of me wearing Redd lipliner and Russian Red lipstick (because they'd been requested and I simply love them) - I'd got my lighting right, I'd taken the pictures from loads of different angles and all the rest, I then looked back over them and they seemed fine. Now, here I am ready to insert them into my blog post about these products, the camera is plugged into my laptop and I'm ready to import the pictures but sadly the pictures are not ready to be imported. And why is that? Oh, because THEY HAVE DISAPPEARED. They have gone without a trace never to be seen again!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm finding this extra annoying because a) the weather is now rubbish so lighting will be awful b) it is more effort to take photos of me actually wearing makeup than just images of products and I'm exhausted and c) I haven't posted in what feels like ages because my house has been like a hotel recently and I've not had five seconds to myself let alone long enough to write a post!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can only apologise that instead of a post about some truly beautiful makeup, you've got the rantings and ravings of a frazzled mentalist. I truly am sorry, and maybe after tomorrow I'll be more mature and able to deal with these things seeing as I'll be a whole year older and the grand old age of 23! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Am I the only one who gets well and truly screwed over by electronic devices? </span></div>
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Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-37987762194817214472012-08-31T19:36:00.000+01:002012-08-31T19:36:09.874+01:00MAC Painterly Paint Pot: Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For £14.50 I was initially a bit disappointed with this product. I don't know what I really expected, I knew it wasn't going to be anything exceptional to look at, but opening this product to see a bland paste play dough/putty kind of thing made me feel a bit *meh*. It may not look like a star product but believe you me, it's superb!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I own Urban Decay's Primer Potion, and nice as it is (and it is great), it does sometimes go a bit weird where it meets my foundation at the very edge of my eye (which seems impossible to budge). Painterly on the other hand, applies really easily; I just pat it on with my ring finger, and then I slap my eye shadow on! It gets rid of the horrible red that rims my eyes, and it makes applying eyeshadow an absolute dream; the colour of the shadows appears intensified and your eyelids become the smoothest canvas to apply product.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Worn alone, this Paint Pot can be used to just even out the eyelid. For me personally, this is a nice extra step when I just want to wear eyeliner and mascara, or mascara on it's own (this is very often) because the discolouration is taken away and it makes the liner/mascara stand out more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've found that the best way to store Paint Pots is lid down, as this helps to prevent the product from drying out. It's also very important to make sure the lid is securely fastened because you don't want any of that moisture escaping, and if you're using this for a long period of time (on a shoot for example) then just put it face down on a clean table top in between uses for the same reason.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are your favourite eye shadow primers? Or are you lucky enough to get away without needing it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
<br />Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-63873684393409694222012-08-30T16:53:00.001+01:002012-08-30T18:32:42.618+01:00Bdellium Tools 957<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A post about the Foundation Brush Set by bdellium tools is coming up soon, but in the mean time I thought I'd tell you about the little beauty that is the 957 from the aforementioned set. My favourite way to use this <span style="color: #38761d;">precision kabuki</span> is with my <b>Chanel Soleil De Chanel Bronze Universel</b>. I've found that the 957 buffs this product into the skin, both before foundation, and after, like an absolute dream. With this brush you can guarantee that you won't end up with overloaded patchily bronzed skin (I'm not sure anyone can pull that look off) because you can both lightly sweep it over your face, and or load it on and buff it in with ease.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also love this brush for applying foundation. I apply it directly onto the brush, then spot it onto my face, next I just buff like crazy to even the product out, adding more coverage where necessary. <b>Chanel</b> <b>Vitalumiere Aqua</b> and <b>Illamasqua Skin Base</b> apply like a dream with this brush! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These brushes was perfectly, both using MAC brush cleanser, and with a good old deep clean with Johnson's Baby Shampoo. I always get scared when I deep clean my brushes that they'll lose some of their softness, or something, but rest assured this doesn't happen with these bdellium brushes (well so far so good anyway)! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out my review of their <a href="http://shinyprettythings-alice.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/review-bdellium-tools-smoky-eyes-brush.html">Smokey Eyes Brush Set here</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you have any favourite brush/foundation combos?</span></div>
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Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-23751964619930564812012-08-29T08:21:00.000+01:002012-08-29T08:22:45.652+01:00Current Loves<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">Book </span><b>Stieg Larsson The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo</b> I tried to read this a while ago but I just couldn't get into it, I've given it another go though and I'm loving it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Nail Varnish </span><b>Jessica Geleration French Manicure </b>I love Geleration manicures, they're long lasting, quite drying and brilliant. Having said this though, I have got a chip in one of my nails after only a couple of days though - not cool after two days of its 2 week expected lifespan!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Face Product </span><b>Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronze Universel </b>I've got a whole blog post coming up about this very soon, it's been a beautiful product to use this summer - lightweight, beautiful and it smells delicious! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Lip Product </span>It's got to be <span style="color: black;"><b><a href="http://shinyprettythings-alice.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/clarins-colour-quench-lip-balm.html">Clarins Colour Quench Lip Balm</a>, </b>this is probably my most favourite summer product, click on the product name above and read my full review of it! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Hair Product </span><b>Tangle Teezer </b>running this little beauty through my hair after a shower just makes it so easy to work with. I've been using this on my 11 year old God daughter's hair and I'm the only one who has been able to brush her gorgeous long hair without making her cry, so that's got to be a winner! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Drink </span><b>Morrisons Apple and Elderflower High Juice </b>plenty of ice and a nice tall glass is summer drink perfection! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Food </span><b>Homemade Butternut Squash Soup with Chilli and Ginger </b>If you'd be interested I'll do a blog post on this recipe? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">Website </span><b>twitter.com </b>I've become a twitter addict recently and I never thought that would happen to me because I couldn't get why people loved twitter so much until relatively recently! If you want to follow me its @martinalice22</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">Place </span><b>The beach </b>living in North Cornwall has disadvantages (being an hour and a bit drive away from any decent shops) and advantages, and the beaches are a massive advantage. Rain or shine they're always impressive but on those days of brilliant sunshine they are incredible and I feel so lucky to live where I do, and I honestly wouldn't want to be anywhere else while I'm admiring the area that's on my doorstep! </span>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-27805169682014962452012-08-28T18:41:00.000+01:002012-08-28T19:28:09.943+01:00Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Creme<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the beginning the end in terms of my failure to stick to my spending ban. In my defense I'm going to pass the blame on to somebody else, and that somebody is <a href="http://www.viviannadoesmakeup.com/">Anna</a>, who mentioned that this was on sale on BeautyBay. I was forced to pause the video and make my purchase in a frantic dash <a href="http://shinyprettythings-alice.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/panic-buying-guilty.html">(it appears to be becoming a bit of a habit)</a> before I resumed watching her wonderful video! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be perfectly honest I don't know why it has taken me so long to get my hands on this wonderful product, it has been on my list of products I've lusted over for years and years (that's a slight exaggeration but you get my drift!). Having said that, highlighter is one of the products that I tend to neglect, highlighter and prime. I think the reason for this is a fear of 'the glitter-ball face' crossed with 'the so much grease you could fry an egg face' - yes, I'm phobic of shine, and looking back over my makeup history, it has been a good five or six years since I gave up the shine and shimmer in favour of matte products. As I'm a week away from the grand old age of 23 I thought it was time I faced up to this particular fear and embrace the subtle and lovely shine (cue Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Creme). The word dewy appeals to me, having said that it is frightfully close to the word wet - not a look I look I wish to sport! And wet is something I think I look scarily close to sometimes when I use Benefit High Beam (and I just hate the way it applies - it just looks like a smear *vile word* that smudges all my foundation!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hmm, I got a little sidetracked...back to this wonderful product! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is available in two shades, Ice Gold and Rose Gold; I chose Ice Gold basically because Tanya Burr and Anna and the like use it, and I'm on a quest to look like them!! I would like to get the warmer toned Rose Gold too but all in good time hey! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The photos really do not do this product justice but I don't think it's possible to capture it very well without seeing it in the person.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I use the Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush from the Core Collection to dab this onto the high points of my face and it seems to work a treat, although I think you could use any number of brushes with this wonder product and still get a great result. It sits perfectly on to of your existing makeup, without smudging it or making a mess, yet it looks natural and blends in nicely just leaving you looking healthy and radiant - it certainly lives up to its name! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, I think I've babbled on about this product for long enough, and I'm sure by now you can tell that I am a dedicated fan. I'm hoping that having this will encourage me to incorporate highlighter into my daily routine! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are your thoughts on highlighter? Love it or loathe it? Which is your favourite? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-81271194757190863582012-08-27T19:46:00.002+01:002012-08-28T14:00:18.743+01:00Monday Questionnaire <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.962963104248047px;">Again this is nabbed from Amarixe. I love reading these questionnaires, they're a nice insight into people's lives and being a nosey parker that suits me just fine!! </span></span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>1.</b> <b>Mood</b>:</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Content, I've done lots of cooking which makes me feel good.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>2. What is your favorite article of clothing to shop for?</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To be perfectly honest I'm not a massive fan of clothes shopping at all any more.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>3. Three hours ago, I was ____________.</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Eating a very late lunch after a walk to the beach</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>4. Current nail polish:</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A Jessica Geleration French Manicure</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>5. When is the last time you read an actual paper newspaper (not digital)?</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ohh too long - I feel shamed. It was during the Olympics</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>6. Current outfit:</b></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Superdry trackie bottoms, Topshop vest top and a big slouchy Topshop jumper</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>7. What is your natural hair texture?</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've got pretty fine wavy hair.</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>8. Would you rather go a week without your phone or a week without your computer?</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Probably my computer seeing as I can basically do everything I need to on my phone. </span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>9. What is your favorite musical?</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ohh that's a tricky one, maybe Chicago...</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>10. Weekly goals:</b></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blog lots, plan my packing for my move and keep up my skin routine (i've been so busy that it's slipped a bit recently)</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'd love to read your answers to these questions (posted below) so either leave them as a comment, or post a link to your blog if you write a post.</span></span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">xxx</span></i><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.) Mood:</i><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2.) What is your favorite article of clothing to shop for?</i><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">3.) Three hours ago, I was ____________.</i><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">4.) Current nail polish:</i><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">5.) When is the last time you read an actual paper newspaper (not digital)?</i><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">6.) Current outfit:</i><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">7.) What is your natural hair texture?</i><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">8.) Would you rather go a week without your phone or a week without your computer?</i><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">9.) What is your favorite musical?</i><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Nobile; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">10.) Weekly goals:</i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-61520260824973972532012-08-27T16:29:00.002+01:002012-08-27T16:29:23.575+01:00Because obviously I needed another blush...Illamasqua Nymph<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the fact that I was able to resist the Illamasqua sale a month or so ago for some reason I was incapable to hold back when they offered free Liquid Metals with purchases over a certain amount...and of course I felt it was essential to order an excessive amount. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First off is Nymph, which is a gorgeous pale bubblegum baby pink. This is a first for me, I'm usually a peachy pink blush kinda gal, but I'd been after MAC's Well Dressed but thought I'd try this instead. Comparing the two in terms of price makes me sound like a bit of a fool, Nymph set me back £16.50 (<a href="http://www.illamasqua.com/shop/nymph-powder-blusher">from Illamasqua online</a>) for 4.5g, whereas <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/products/spp/shaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT156&PRODUCT_ID=PROD329&SKU_ID=SKU1556">Well Dressed</a> comes in at £17.50 but you get an extra 1.5g. I'm not too worried though as blushes tend to last me a long time, so fingers crossed the same can be said for Nymph.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a beautifully pigmented blush that feels like silk when you swatch it. I've noticed that Illamasqua blushes do throw up a quite a bit of powder when you swirl your brush in them, and I've got to admit that this does annoy me. I hate messy products and I also hate waste...grrr!! I'm sure this wouldn't bug most people but hey, it's my blush and I'll cry over it if I want to haha.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've not worn it yet but as soon as I do I'll update this post or include it in a FOTD (something I've only done once before I think!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are your favourite tones of blusher? Are you a candy pink, a peach, or a bright magenta kind of gal?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-7460686384594403242012-08-25T10:19:00.001+01:002012-08-28T19:39:43.974+01:00MAC Supernova <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a classic tale of love at first sight. As soon as I lay eyes on the rich glittery magenta with a swirl of burnt bronzy gold I knew we'd get on just fine, and let me tell you, this little beauty does not disappoint.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a Mineralize Blush from the Heavenly Creature collection, and at £19 a pop it is very much a luxury product, but sometimes you just can't say no to the urge to splurge and knowing that this is a limited edition product I just didn't want to take the risk of never having this in my collection! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Typically I don't opt for super shimmery blush colours being a bit phobic of looking like a glitter ball (moon face and sparkle are rarely a match made in heaven) but for a colour so gorgeous I really don't give a stuff. I needn't have really worried though, because although it looks like super shimmery on first swatch it does actually blend into a wearable colour in which the glitter takes a back seat which pleases me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The swatches don't do it justice at all, and they really don't help me argue my next point, but please believe me when I say USE THIS SPARINGLY AND WITH A LIGHT HAND because boy oh boy is this only highly pigmented mo fo! On first application I thought I'd dusted off enough of the excess product. I was wrong, and subsequently looked like I was having an allergic reaction to something immediately after being punched in the face during something like a cross country run. This may sound like I'm being dramatic, and maybe I am (me after cross country running isn't something even the most skilled makeup artist could recreate - vile beyond believe) but seriously, this blush turned out as more of a reddish tinge and I think it would be easy to make yourself look like you're in serious need of some aloe vera after too long in the sun! Panic not though, because after some vigorous buffing with my foundation brush harmony was restored and I was left with a gorgeous flush of colour that gave my cheeks a healthy looking flush of colour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These swatches really don't do the product justice, so I promise I'll post a photo of me wearing the blush with a full face of makeup (looks so different over foundation)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't know if you can tell, but I like this blush, I like it a lot. It's sold out on line but if you get a chance to swatch this in store I urge you to do so, but only if you're prepared to part with the cash because I suspect that if you try it, you'll love it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's your favourite blush? Do you have any blushes that you find you need to use with a very light hand to avoid looking like a clown? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
<br />Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-25345469955874983102012-08-23T19:14:00.002+01:002012-08-23T19:14:42.275+01:00NOTD: China Glaze and Essie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this colour from <b>China Glaze</b> (although it looks totally different in this picture) it's called <b>Turned Up Turquoise</b> and it's a bold neon turquoise which is absolutely stunning on the nails. It's a matte finish which I adore and I just couldn't stop looking at my nails - it's a colour and texture which I've never seen in a polish before and I simply loved it (can you tell?). I say loved as opposed to love, as after about a day and a half it chipped (big time - see picture) and this just isn't cool. It wasn't just the one chip either, the whole lot just decided to start jumping ship and leaving my nails! This makes me wonder...was it the lack of top coat? If it was, then can anyone recommend a good matte topcoat? I didn't apply one because I didn't want to add any shine, so if anyone has any favourites please let me know. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was my first try of a China Glaze polish, and in terms of colour, texture and application I couldn't be more happy, but staying power has so far earned a big fat zero...please tell me this isn't the case with all the colours?!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">On my toes, I opted for <b>Essie</b> </span><a href="http://shinyprettythings-alice.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/essie-super-bossa-nova-vs-rimmel.html"><span style="color: magenta;"><b>Super Bossa Nova</b></span></a><span style="color: #444444;"> which looked great against the turquoise of my nails! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112084607029454425.post-31345077219580772572012-08-23T08:30:00.000+01:002012-08-23T08:30:21.451+01:00Ok, I caved! MAC haul! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NATTjB8aMw0/UDUH-wLaLoI/AAAAAAAAAxE/BYREtviwrUI/s1600/P1050688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NATTjB8aMw0/UDUH-wLaLoI/AAAAAAAAAxE/BYREtviwrUI/s640/P1050688.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, the spending ban, anyone remember that? No, clearly I didn't either! In my defense *lame excuse coming up - wouldn't hold up in a court of law* I see this more as a reward after a stressful day, and a present from myself for completing another step on the new path my life is taking...told you it was lame! Basically, I was in Brighton finalising some stuff with college and I actually felt pretty excited and proud of myself, and the sun was shining and I must have got lost because I mysteriously found myself in the MAC shop! As ever, I went in with my eye on one thing Supernova from the Heavenly Creature collection and came out with an additional six products...how does this happen (I blame the really lovely MUA who was helping me!)?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a round up of what I got...</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Supernova Mineralize Blush</b> (Heavenly Creatures Colour collection)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Russian Red</b> lipstick </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Redd</b> lip pencil (obviously needed it to compliment Russian Red)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Spiked</b> eye brow pencil</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mineralize Skinfinish Natural </b>in <b>Medium Plus</b> to try to take the vile shine away</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mineralize Eye Shadow</b> in <b>Earthly</b> (Heavenly Creatures Eyes collection)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>263</b> angled brush, the synthetic cousin if you will of the 266 </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, I went crazy. I'm sorry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want I'm going to do full reviews and swatchy swatches of each product in the near future?! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">x</span></div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01028513985563537204noreply@blogger.com10