Empties

It is time to declutter and finally do an 'empties' post! These things have been hanging around for a week or so, and I keep trying to tidy up and being really frustrated that I can't put them all in the recycling because I haven't taken photos! But here are the photos so farewell products, thanks for being so good to me!

So, lets get to it...

Face related empties

L'Oreal Paris Triple Active Ideal Balance Cleansing Wipes - I do love a good face wipe, and these, my friends are rather lovely.  I purchased them in a 2 for 1 sale so it made them nice and cheap as well.  They aren't too exciting (I've never experienced an exciting face wipe, have you?) but they do the job or removing make up rather well! My housemate used them once and I quote "Oh, these are lovely, they just smell so posh" - and who wouldn't want a posh smelling face wipe I ask you?! 

These are available at Boots and Superdrug but I can't find them online, and also in large supermarkets.

Hair related empties

TIGI Bed Head Epic Volume Shampoo and Conditioner - I love these. They smell amazing, so regardless of their value I would always love them for that, it's the most girly strawberry delicious scent! (which unfortunately I've only smelt a couple of times because I have zero sense of smell 99.9% of the time! I don't know how well they boost the volume of my hair, because to be honest my hair tries its hardest to be flat as a pancake at all times, but it certainly doesn't weigh it down so I'm not complaining. I would definitely repurchase these! 

Get it at FeelUnique or CheapSmells

Toni & Guy Boost-it Mousse - They have actually discontined this product, and I am utterly gutted.  I love this stuff, it is so easy to use (just spray it directly onto the roots in sections around your head, then blow dry with your head upside down for max volume) and it really does deliver the 'volume boost with natural hold' that it claims - so it does just what it say on the tin! I got the Volume Plumping Mousse when I went to replace my Boost-it Mousse but after reading some awful reviews I'm scared to try it!  Why do companies do this - if it ain't broke, don't fix it!  

Now, onto Shower empties

Gillette Satin Care Shave Gel for Sensitive Skin - There isn't really much to say about this, other than that it does the job! A lot of my friends don't use a shaving gel, making do with shower gel, but I wouldn't be without it. 

At £3.25 from Boots I don't think you can go far wrong.  They often have it on sale too!

Treacle Moon The Raspberry Kiss - This deliciously scented exfoliator is lovely, and a little goes a long way so it has lasted me a long time.  I really like that the exfoliating particles are really small, so when you massage it in you can really feel it doing the work.  I love the cute little love story thing on the front as well, and I like to read it in the shower as it's at eye level! It's also cheap which is a bonus! 

I do believe I got this from Tesco! 

Original Source Vanilla Milk and Raspberry - I love the concept of Original Source products, and I'm always intrigued by how many fruits, or sunrises in this case, it takes to make one bottle. For me this is a little bit too sweet, I think it's the vanilla milk that's a little too sickly.  I like it none the less, and just as well because I got one in my stocking at Christmas (and the hand soap) so I've got plenty more to get through! 

I can't see this on either the Boots website or Superdrug, but have a look in store or in supermarkets if you fancy it! 

Nail empties

Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover for weak nails - Well my nails are most certainly weak, and to be perfectly honest they have remained weak throughout the time I've been using this.  I'm not blaming this product, and they might be a lot worse if it hadn't been for this, who knows - all I'm saying is don't expect a miracle cure if you have weak nails (not that I think many people would turn to a nail varnish remover to sort that out anyway!)

£1.60 from Boots or £1.59 from Superdrug - i've got to admit I tend to opt for Boots because despite the extra penny I'll do anything for my Boots points! 

I hope you're all well, and if anyone has a recommendation to replace my Toni & Guy Boost-it Mousse I would greatly appreciate it! 

x

Review: Sleek MakeUP Storm Palette

Behold my first sample of what Sleek MakeUP has to offer! 

I bought this palette ages ago from Superdrug for £6.49 which, for 12 eyeshadows has got to be a bit of a steal, but I've never got around to using it, or even swatching it - but the time has come to put it to the test! 

I've got to admit that I'm a bit phobic of eyeshadows that crease, or have a lot of fallout, and therefore I've become a little addicted to MAC eyeshadows; they are just so easy to work with, they are highly pigmented and they stay put, so I was a little apprehensive about this palette - you get 12 eyeshadows for half the price of one MAC eyeshadow so surely there has to be a quality compromise?

 Top swatches - natural lighting, Bottom swatches - with flash

To tell you the truth, I was shocked by the pigmentation of most of the shades in this Storm neutrals palette.  Of course there were a couple of exceptions - the matte shades were pretty powdery and lacking in any depth when swatched, which is a bit of a shame as these are really the staples to any good neutrals palette, and without them I worry how much use I would get. 

Matte colours aside, the pigmentation and texture of the shimmery/glittery shades was amazing, they feel really creamy and rich and the colour payoff is great.  I am really impressed with the range of colours as well, I think there is something there for everyone really. 

Despite my disappointment with the matte colours I decided to put them to the test this morning.  I applied my Urban Decay primer potion all over the lid, then I used the lightest matte shade all over the lid, up to the socket, and then the darker matte brown in a triangle on my outer corner (I finished up with Teddy eye pencil by MAC along my lash line and lashings of my favourite mascara L'Oreal Double Extension Beauty Tubes) to finish it off I popped a little bit of the champagney coloured shimmer in my inner corner to brighten my eyes a bit. I was pleasantly surprised by how well these applied and blended - I was expecting it to be a bit of a crumbly mess but it wasn't, and even more surprising is that 7 hours later it still looks ok! I don't know if this is due to using a primer or not, so maybe I will do a comparison another day.

All in all, for £6.49 I don't think you can go wrong.  Sure they're not high end quality, but neither is the price and they are certainly aren't BAD quality either. A thumbs up from me! 

x

Current Loves...

Book  White Wedding by Milly Johnson.  This woman writes the literary equivalent to chocolate, you just want to gobble them up and they make you feel soooo good (I think they're a smooth Galaxy...mmm Galaxy).  If you haven't read anything by her, you are missing out.  I read the whole book in a couple of days and then feel bereft once I've finished! 

Hand Product  Phenomen Oil by Jessica.  I love massaging this into my cuticles before I go to sleep so it can work its magic overnight.


Nail Varnish Essie Cute as a Button, it's just a gorgeous summery coral that lets me believe that it's June despite the torrential rain outside! Check out this post to see this nail varnish for more detail.

Face Product  Honey by Bees! Refer to this post if you want to know what I'm talking about!


Lip Product  Blistex Lip Massage This stuff smells absolutely divine and because it's Blistex you know it is doing you some good! I'm not sure that the 'massage' actually elevates the cracked and flakiness of my skin but for the smell I really do not care!

Hair Product Schwarzkopf got2b guardian angel 220C heat protection  it makes your hair feel so silky, and it sprays in a fine mist which is nice.

Food  Percy Pigs from M&S.  Enough said.

Website  YouTube  I spend hours watching beauty video after beauty video and never get bored! and Blogger.com of course, because I am officially addicted! 

Music  The Lateness of the Hour by Alex Clare this album is just amazing and has got to be played loud! Check out the YouTube video below! 

What are your current favourite things? 

x

Honey Face Mask

I was totally inspired by Alexandra, who writes the brilliant blog The Wallflower, to use honey as a face mask.  Alexandra does loads of posts which provide really easy step-by-step guides to creating your own luxury skin care for a fraction of the price you'd usually pay and  without all those horrible chemicals (a win win combination I think you'll find).  Her blog is a lovely slice of the internet, which I whole heartedly recommend you visit (if you do, mention that Alice sent you!). 

Anyway, back to the matter in hand.  Honey (that's right, the stuff you put on your toast or mix with hot lemon when you've got a sore throat) smeared all over your face!  I would never have thought of it, although when you cast your mind to the products you've encountered over time honey features in a lot of them - it's a very popular scent, and Alexandra explains the technical reasons as to why it's probably in those products...it's multi-purpose miracle gloop (thank you Bees)! Alexandra has suggested a few variations of the honey face mask, and I chose the one with Aspirin...I wanted to give my skin a thorough clean after all the stress and travel of the past week.

So, how to make the mask?

Simple, my friends, simple as can be.  All you need are some uncoated aspirin (I used the soluble ones, and I didn't have 10 which Alexandra suggests so I just crushed a couple) and half a tablespoon of honey.  Crush the aspirin, mix it into the honey, then slather it all over your face, wait 15+ minutes and then rinse it off with warm water, gently massaging your skin as you do so to softly exfoliate.

My experience.

Now the honey I used was a little bit crystalized, and so it was kind of runny yet had chunks in it too.  This proved to be messy but also gave the added bonus of extra exfoliation. I made up too much of the mask but I intend to use the rest tomorrow as I've stored it in the fridge so it's not a problem. 

I did find that it tried to escape my face and run everywhere so I simply held some kitchen roll around my neck to avoid the sticky winnie the pooh after he's had his hand in the honey pot look! For this reason I wouldn't recommend you wear your finest frock (not that many people are likely to do that while applying a face mask but you never can tell!). I left my mask on for approximately half an hour, and while I was watching tv patiently waiting I massaged the crystalized granules into my skin which I think really benefitted the final result...which was amazing! My skin feels so soft! I am amazed by how well this mask worked, so much so that I got my mum and dad to both stroke my face to appreciate the softness (they needed to feel the proof after they'd both laughed at me as I sat there dripping in honey!). 

As you can see I didn't look all that beautiful during this beautifying process but believe me when I say it is 100% worth it, and if you've read this post then you'll know why I have no problem sporting such a fetching look whenever I like! 

After I had rinsed the honey off (I was surprised by how easily it washed off actually, I'd been expecting it to be like removing tar!) I used my Liz Earle toner and moisturiser and I am now the proud owner of the softest face in the South West! 

Alexandra, I can't thank you enough! 

Does anyone else have any DIY beauty creations that I ought to try?

xxx

My first try of O.P.I

So as you may know if you read (this post), I recently made my first OPI Nail Polish purchases! I have always been put off by the extremely high price, and the fact that I haven't found many places that stock it, so I have been left to lust over it via the internet (wow that sounds so wrong!).  This all changed when I went to Sally's which is a trade only beauty supplier...you have to take proof of your college course and ID and all sorts, it feels a bit like getting into MI5 rather than a shop!

These pretty awful pictures are of I Eat Mainely Lobster which a a gorgeous bright orangey coral with a gold shimmer.  I've got to admit that the shimmer is more visible in the bottle than it is on the actual nails but hey ho, you can't have it all! I always think a good way to test a nail varnish (or any beauty product for that matter) is to see if anyone comments on it, so I was thrilled when the lady at Boots told me she loved my nail varnish - it was an automatic winner in my eyes!

I have to admit that it did take three coats to reach a full opacity and even then I'm not sure if that there were no 'dark patches' (do you know what I mean, when it looks a little thinner in places), but overall I loved the finish, and I felt like I was walking around with a little bit of summer attached to my nails.

I love the packaging of O.P.I nail varnishes, they just look so luxurious because I associate them with beauty salons, so it feels like a real treat to have some of these bottles nestled among my collection of pretty regular varnishes.

What do you think of O.P.I? Are there any colours that I really ought to get my hands on?

x

Oops I went to MAC.

After watching Amarixe do a tutorial with MAC Stars & Rockets, which you can see here, I knew I needed to get my hands on this gorgeous shade. It is just such a gorgeous shimmery pinky mauve with a slightly bluey silver sheen, and it is just so pretty.  I've included photos in natural sunlight and also with the flash on so you can see how the colour translates.

It most certainly lives up to its name! 

This particular trip to MAC also saw my first dip into the Pro Palette ocean, and boy oh boy was that probably a mistake because now all I want to do is fill it! 

Amerixe uses Cornflower pigment to add depth to Stars & Rockets, but I didn't fancy getting a pigment so I went for Freshwater instead, which I think will compliment it fantastically, and is just a beautiful stand alone colour anyway! 

The pigmentation of these eyeshadows really is incredible, this is the colour pay-off with just one sweep of my finger so you can only imagine how amazing it could look if you really packed it on to the lid. 

I wanted this in the pan so I could add it to my palette, but they didn't have it in stock so I had to go for it like this.  I should have waited but I just couldn't help myself! 

In natural daylight it looks so fresh! 

The next purchase was from the Reel Sexy collection, and it is the The Dynamic Duo 3.  On the left we have Pearled Earth which is a gorgeous shimmery grey which MAC describe as a 'dirty-toned purple', which has a hint of warmth which I really like.  I have also found it really morphs into different colours in certain lights which I think helps to make it a really wearable colour.  On the right is a limited edition colour, Teal, this is a matte colour which means it is the perfect partner to the frosty Pearled Earth. When I bought this duo the lovely makeup artist at MAC used Pearled Earth all over my lid and then ran a shot of Teal along my lower lash line, and it looked gorgeous and was so simple to do.  I can't wait to try them out properly! 

Swatcharoos in natural sunlight

I then picked up something that is essential for me, I have very unruly brows and thought it was about time I brought them in to line (literally) once and for all! I got the Clear Brow Set because I use a pencil or powder to add definition to my brows anyway so I don't need a coloured gel. 

And finally I picked up a short handled 129 Blush Brush, which I've been wanting for ages.  I went for the short handle mainly because it came in a re-sealable pouch that would make it ideal for traveling but in all honesty I wish I'd gone for the regular length handle because I never take brushes out and about with me and if I am going somewhere I take my brush roll with me anyway...I'm a moron I know! 

I'm sorry this is just a photo heavy post but I hope you can enjoy the visuals as much as I'll enjoy using the products. 

I'll do full reviews and show you how I'm wearing the colours and how I'm getting on with the products once I've given them a fair try! 

Have you got anything from the Reel Sexy collection? What is your favourite eyeshadow duo? 

xxx

Garnier Intensive 7 Days

Garnier Body : Intensive 7 Days Hydrating Lotion with L-Bifidus 

I'm not going to lie and say that I bought this because I've heard great things or that I was drawn to it because of it's amazing claims - quite simply, I bought it because it was on offer in Boots, and I can't refuse a bargain.  I was after a nice everyday moitsuriser and this fitted the bill.

It makes some pretty impressive claims, I don't think I've come across a product that tries to sell you seven days worth of soft skin (although if you read the small print this is after four weeks of application morning and night) and although I've not been using it for long enough to truly put it to the test I really like it so far.  It has a really luxurious thick gel-like formula and it smoothes into the skin like a dream, and is quickly absorbed.  It smells delicious as well, I can't tell you what it smells of exactly but the scent lingers and I've been complimented on my scent and it's all been down to this (which I always think it the telling sign of a good moisturiser).  And now to the really important part - does it do the job? Yes, yes it does! My skin feels like silk all day long, so much so that I caught myself stroking my arms randomly throughout the day (thankfully I was alone as doing this in public might lead to social expulsion!).  Like I said, I haven't given this a proper trial in terms of morning and evening use for four weeks to see if it really does live up to its claim, but really I don't need something that will moisturise me for that long, I'm happy to use it once daily (or whenever I can be bothered more like) and let it work its magic for me then.  I'm also not going to pretend I was wowed by the fact it's got L-Bifidus in it, if I'm honest I haven't got a clue what it is even though I read the back of the bottle...if it's what makes this moisturiser lovely then thank you little L-Bifidus but to be honest I don't care what it is that's done the trick, as long as it can do it! 

So all in all, a lovely product that also had a lovely price tag thanks to the offer here, but even without a pound off it's only £2.99 which I thinks a very reasonable price.  Garnier always seems to have some kind of offer on so I would really recommend checking this product out if you fancy something that feels and smells luxurious and makes you silky smooth but doesn't carry a hefty price tag!  

What do you think's important in a moisturiser? Is it the packaging? The smell? How quickly it absorbs? Or how long the effects seem to last? What's your favourite lotion to slather yourself in?


As always the background that this product was photographed on is a beautiful blanket by the amazing Gabrielle Vary, check her stuff out here, she is so talented and creates some amazing pieces...I want it all! 

xxx

Naked Palette. Big Love.

In my manic rampage of beauty counters this week I purchased the Urban Decay Naked Palette.  I can't have spent longer than 30 seconds at the counter, I probably spend longer choosing a bunch of bananas (in fact I definitely spend longer choosing bananas because it's tricky to get the perfect bunch, but that's another story!). 

Other than on nights out (which are pretty rare these days) I'm quite unadventurous as far as my eye make up goes, usually I slick on some eyeliner (L'Oreal Super Liner in Carbon Gloss) and some mascara and I'm good to go but I really want to change this and I thought the Naked palette would be the perfect way to do this.  It provides a good range of neutrals (mostly shimmery ones but there are a couple of matte colours) and they are all there for you to choose from which I like as I hate rooting around in my make up bag because I always forget I have certain colours. 

Virgin is a really delicate slightly peachy vanilla.  These shadows are so finely milled that it feels like applying silk. This shade gives a subtle sheen as I think it makes for a beautiful highlight, base colour or works amazingly in the tear duct to really brighten the eyes.

Sin is a rich shimmery rose gold.  It's just a beautiful colour!! Worn alone I think this is the perfect subtle summer shimmer!  

Naked (sorry my fat finger is covering the name), is a simple matte base colour, it can be used to create a lovely base for other colours or to soften the insensity of other more vibrant colours (Stars N Rockets for example).

Sidecar is a warm toned pinky gold, and it's just beautiful.  End of. I've used this over the inner half of my eyes in the images at the bottom of this post. 

Buck is a warm tan colour, a soft brown if you will, and can be used to add definition in the crease for a sophisticated simply day look or to add definition and depth to basically any other shadow! 

Half Baked.  What a colour! This is just a beautiful gold with a slightly bronze tone running through it! Applied to the tear duct, this colour will just make your eyes look incredible! 

Smog is, as the name suggests, a bit of a dirty goldy with a bit of a rusty edge to it. Like the other true shimmers in this palette it is just so finely milled and highly pigmented, and the colour pay off is so full and luxurious.

Darkhorse has a really subdued shimmer to it that is only picked up in certain lights and it creates a pretty good seductive smouldering look (get my trying to be sexy!)

Toasted is a shimmery pinky brown.  I love it.  This is used in the middle of my eye in the look at the bottom of this post. 

Hustle is a purply brown, and is the third colour I used on my eyes in the photos featured at the end of this post! 

Creep is a deep grey shot through with silver glitter.  The colour can be used boldly to create the intense colour shown in the swatch above, or it can be blended right out to give quite a sheer coverage, and therefore it's really versatile. 

And last but not least, Gunmetal is a gorgeous pewter shimmer.

The photos below are of my first ever time using my Naked palette, and I'm pleased as punch! I used Tanya Burr's tutorial  which you can view here as my instruction, and obviously mine is nowhere near Tanya's (mainly because I screwed up my eyeliner big time) but I'm hoping with practice it'll improve! 

Products - Eyes

Urban Decay Primer Potion (comes with the palette) all over the lid

Using a 217 apply Sidecar to the inner half, right into the inner corner

On a 239 pack Toasted onto the centre section of the lid

On the other side of the 239 combine Toasted and Hustle and draw that out from the lash line to create the wing, then pack more Hustle in the outer corner to create depth

Then using the leftover product on the 239 draw the shadow under the eye.

Use a 217 or another fluffy brush to blend all the colours and soften the edges

I used Sin as a brow highlight

I then used L'Oreal Gel Intenza to line the water line, my upper lash line and to create a wing

Finally lashings of L'Oreal Telescopic mascara adds great definition

On my brows - No. 7 Perfect Brows pencil in Black

Products - Face

Benefit Erase Paste in Medium

Mac Pro Longwear in NW20 and NC25

Mac Studio Sculpt in NW25

Mac Magically Cool Liquid Powder in Truth & Light

Nars bronzer in Laguna

Mac blush in Plum Foolery

Benefit Highbeam to highlight

Lips

Clarins Joli Rouge Brilliant Perfect Shine lipstick in 06 Fig

If you have made it to the end of this blog post then thank you so much, and congratulations, it's a bit of a mammoth post!! 

The Urban Decay Naked palette is available here or at a zillion other places either on-line or at Urban Decay counters in Debenhams etc

What are your feelings on the Naked palette? What are your favourite looks to create using it? 

If you'd like me to provide links to the other products just ask in the comments and I will willingly do so :) 

As always the beautiful back drop to my product shots is by Gabrielle Vary, she makes incredible luxury knit-ware items which are available here. 

xxx

I ruddy well won something!!

I'm not what one would call one of life's winners, don't get me wrong, I've achieved and I've achieved highly, but I haven't won - sports day, definitely not my thing, raffle prizes also allude me, as do lucky dips and competitions. But my luck has changed, and okay I have won the item that holds the least monetary value of anything I've ever entered but I don't care, I did a squeal of excitement both when I found out and when my prize was delivered today!! I also know that other people won as well but I simply do not care!! 

Look at how beautifully they were wrapped - it felt too nice to open...

...But I did... and now all my Real Techniques brushes have their own special home, which, for someone like me who likes everything in it's rightful place, is perfect. 

Thank you Real Techniques! 

Click here for my review of the Stippling Brush! More reviews coming soon! 

xxx