Wednesday, 15 May 2013

Used up products




Things i love and shall buy again-
Eucerin Shampoo, Great for sore scalps.
Frizz Ease Moisture Barrier Hairspray, I've used this for over 15 years and it's the only hairspray i trust.
Vichy Idealia Pro, Feels great and makes my skin better.
Bioderma, love love love in everyway.
The Body Shop Strawberry body butter, smells like a Strawberry Shortcake doll (nice), cooling and keeps skin lush.

NAY-
Loved Pitrok but since found out that they test on animals so this shall not be purchased again.


FOTD- Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in LSD


Eyes - MAC paint in Bare Canvas,
Hard Candy eyeshadow (colour unknown/discontinued),
Urban Decay 24/7 in LSD,
Maybeline Mega Plush Mascara.

Face- Mix of Estee Lauder Double Wear max cover & Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua.
MAC Studio Concealer NC20,
MAC Studio Fix powder.
Cheeks- MAC Mocha Blush

Lips- MAC Modesty.









Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Shopping bits & bobs for big bertha.


Just got back from town. Got my eyebrows threaded ready for our holiday and managed to pick a few more odd and sods for my suitcase.

Bargain £1.50 flip flops from Primark. Ideal for around the pool and water parks and at that price i don't care if they get lost or binned to make room in the suitcase on the way back home.
A treat for my tiddlers when they get home from school. A Disney Princess and Spiderman goodie bag, £1.50 each.

Some black shorts from YOURS Clothing and another cotton top. 

49p L'Oreal spf50 Sun Lotion from the bargain bucket at Superdrug. They had loads, so if you're in Derby Westfield go 'ave a ganders.
MUA lipstick in shade 2, £1.00. This is much like Rimmel's Apocalips in Galaxy.

I nipped into Debehhams intending to just look, but came out with an Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in LSD, a beautiful oil slick deep blue. With 10% off Debenhams beauty department at the moment, i feel i've done a good deed.





Sorry about the slap dash eyeliner application. I did it on the bus on the way home. 


My first MUA lipstick. I had no idea they all had a small screw off lipstick pot on the bottom of each lipstick bullet. How neat!



Monday, 13 May 2013

USA Shopping List

Just a few items i must pick up when i'm over in the USA.
I plan to stock up on a few more of my MAC staple products such as their Brow Pencil and i might try out their Studio Sculpt foundation as MAC is much cheaper out there compared to here in the UK.
If anyone knows of any other brands that are much cheaper in the USA please let me know.

What are your must buy items from the USA?


Wednesday, 1 May 2013

Ojon Rare Blend Deep Conditioner


Looking for a deep conditioning treatment to help soothe sun/heat damaged hair? This might be just the product for you.
Ojon's NEW Rare Blend Deep conditioner £29.99, detangled and left my daughter's curls much more defined. It was a nice thick consistency to apply yet it didn't weight down her hair when the hair was dry. 
It's a bit pricey but if you're after something to remedy your hair when nothing else seems to work, i would put money on this being ideal. I'll be taking this on holiday and i might even use it in the hair scraped back under a hat to give my little girls fine curls an extra boost of conditioner.

Which conditioning products you love to use on sun scorched hair?





L'Oreal's Micellar Solution & Cleansing Oil

I've become quite obsessed with searching out and saving up to buy every sort of micellar water cleanser i have knowledge of to try and test. 
I like the feeling of cleansing off my eye makeup without feeling i'm using something that's going to leave an film of oil behind. When i noticed L'Oreal had released their take on micellar water i had to get it. 
Both products are currently half price at Superdrug and when i nipped into town to nosey the shelves of the beauty departments i noticed that alongside L'Oreal's micellar solution there was a cleansing oil in the new L'Oreal range also. 
I love the sound of DHC's Cleasning Oil, but i don't have the budget to justify spending DHC's prices at the moment. I really wanted to try a cleansing oil as an oil that transforms when water is added intrigues me. I didn't expect L'Oreal's version to be brilliant as i really do think better ingredients mean a better product. I was fine with putting an oil on my skin if it meant when i rinsed with warm water it dissolved totally. 
I haven't waited weeks to write a review. I do feel some products need a lengthy use to justify a review but it's my blog and i wanted to share what i think of these products after just two days of use as i'm impatient.


The L'Oreal skin perfection 3 in 1 micellar solution removes my eye makeup as good as Bioderma. It doesn't irritate my eyes at all, but for some reason i wouldn't class it as good as Bioderma and i have no way to describe why. Maybe Bioderma's packaging makes me think i'm applying a product that is more pure than L'Oreal's? Some times packaging really does subliminally force preferances.

L'Oreal's 15 Second Miracle Cleansing Oil. A small pump of oil rubbed around my eyes and i could instantly feel the mascara being lifted off. It removed stubborn eye makeup brilliantly. Once rinsed it did dissolve totally and it left  my skin feeling as if it didn't need moisturiser. This may not be suited to be used over the entire face if you suffer from oily skin. If, like me you intend to use this only to remove eye makeup it's great.




Sunday, 21 April 2013

Haul and swatches


Carmex Lip balm £1.50 from Savers






The brow ink lasted ages. As did the pencil.  I even rubbed my finger over and over it and it didn't come off. I was brousing the Clinique eyebrow pencils when the sales assistant was curious as to what i had in my hand. She swatched it and indirectly said she preferred it to the Clinique one. Soap & Glory have an offer that if you spend over £12 on Soap & Glory cosmetics, you get a free Lid Stuff eyeshadow palette. Great deal. 



Beautiful pinky red. Reminds me a lot of the Lanolips Lip Ointment in Apples.



Both Nip & Fab products sent to me from Boots.com for me to test. I shall be posting reviews of these as soon as i give them a chance on my skin. I've tested out the eye roll on once and first impressions are good.


An SPF50 all day sun spray. I only thought it went up to SPF30, so when i saw this in SAVERS i nabbed some.


£3.00 in Superdrug. This is worth the try at that price. It's going to be £7.99 after the promo price finishes.


Thursday, 18 April 2013

I'm loving...



Bioderma Sensibio Micellaire 
Rimmel Accelerator Mascara*
Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation
MAC Studio Finish Concealer (my shade is NC20)
Seche Vite fast dry top coat
Pantene 24 hour Leave in Conditioner mousse for Fine Hair

I don't know why, but i didn't want to like Bioderma's Micelle Solution. I think because i didn't want to copy so many other bloggers opinions. But this is jolly good stuff. I only use this to remove my eye makeup. I do this by holding a small cotton pad soaked in the solution over my eye for a few seconds to give the stuff a chance to work, then i wipe away. It removes everything, even waterproof mascara. It's the best eye makeup remover i've ever tried. It is doesn't irritate my eyes at all. It's as gentle as normal tap water.
I have a stock pile of other brands of Micelle water to test and i shall post detailed reviews once i have the chance to use them. 

MAC's Studio Finish concealer is the best heavy concealer that covers everything, that i own. I have very dark purple circles and this covers them in an instant. The best part is that only a small amount of product is needed. I've owned and used this for around 8 months and used this daily and it's still half full. It's a deep pot of product so you get a lot for your money. 
It is a thick cream and it might crease on ladies who have severe wrinkles, but i have slight wrinkles in the under eye area and it doesn't crease at all.

PitRok deodrant. Bodily odour, everyone gets it at some point. I have decided that Non Parapen products around the breast area can't do any harm as i had a lump recently that thankfully was due to hormonal changes, but i'm now extra paranoid. Cancer Research can give you more information HERE 
I don't normally get enough protection with other Roll On Deodrants but this once is different and i don't get any nasty wiffy armpits all day, plus i love the smell of the product.

Seche Vite, some love it, some hate it. I decided to try for myself when Amazon.co.uk had it for sale for £5.50 recently. I love it. 
I didn't see how normal nail polish could get any more glossy than it already got. I didn't see the need for topcoats at all. But i have now seen the light!
Seche Vite gives another dimension of gloss to the nails. Super Gloss.
It also seems to give the nail a total level finish and it does dry super fast. Faster than any nail polish that claims to dry at top speed. Every time i've use it, the nail only shows wear directly at the tip and i've found that polish does last longer when i apply it.

I used to be so upset that i spent a small pocket of notes on Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua as it used to shift all over my face and it wouldn't last long without looking greasy. My skin condition must have changed as now i looks and feels great on my face.
I think the fact that the cold weather, wind and central heating has made my skin alot drier. Now it gives my ideal level of coverage and moisturises without causing any greasiness.
If you do suffer from dry skin i would certainly ask for a tester of this product before you buy as it could be perfect for you.

Vichy Idealia Pro* was given to me as i'm a product tester for Boots.com
I've just got around to try it and i've been using nothing else but this as a moisturiser, day and night.
It feels so silky when i apply and it smells so good. Importantly it's smoothing my complexion and saving my skin after a rotten virus which has left me with blotches and dry areas. I have age spots under my eye around my cheek bone, they haven't gone, but i feel that my skin tone has evened out more than if i hadn't used this at all.

Pantene leave in conditioner mousse for fine hair. I use this on my daughters long, fine and curly hair. It's brilliant stuff as it doesn't put any weight into the hair but makes the hair so easy to brush. When Robyn, my little girl likes to wear her hair down at the weekends i find her hair doesn't tangle and frizz up when this is used. It even defines her curls somewhat, which i don't normally achieve without a curl cream.

Rimmel Accelerator Mascara* is a nice surprise as every single other Rimmel mascara i've bought has dried out within a couple of weeks and/or takes more than two layers to make my lashes look like they have any mascara on them at all. Two layers of this and i have thick lashes. It is true black, not dull grey the brush gets right down to the root of the lashes. Good stuff.

Sally Hansen cuticle Remover gel. This was found in TKMaxx and bought not knowing if i needed to remove any cuticles but i now see how much neater my nail polish looks now i use this every time i have a manicure. It's super easy and quick to use. I rub a small amount around each cuticle, wait a mintute and personally i use a nail brush to scrub the area than i wash my hands as normal. Bob's yer ancle, fancy's yer father...neat nails.




How do you spend your money?



Do you spend your money on the first new release of a bargain drug store brand or are you a more mindful shopper who also tends to invest in makeup that you know shall be worn for years thus you don't mind spending more money and going for high end products?


Recently i've had a massive de-clutter of my makeup. I've sold lots of new and unused items i had bought from the drug store and given away over 3 GlossyBoxes worth of slap to my family that had been laying un-used for months/years.
Doing this made me realise that i spend/spent far too much money on things i don't really need or use.
I'm not the type of woman who chooses to wear different shades of eyeshadow on a daily basis. I stick to what i like and if i do stray it's only because i've bought yet another 'bargain drug store' new release then in a few days i go back to my old faithful products.
There are some drug store items that i class staple in my collection. For example, MUA's eyeshadow primer is always used alongside my XL tube of Urban Decay's Primer Potion. 

As i'm a big ol' whore for packaging i do like my collection to be more high end. It's a bit like knowing you need a piece of furniture that needs to last a lifetime so you'll be happy to spend more on it knowing it shall get the use it was made for, rather than a bargain from some Swedish chain store that shall look weathered and worn within half of it's expected lifespan. 


I'm not mega rich, well not rich at all. I save my pennies and choose carefully. When i was a teenager or in my very early 20's i wanted to experiment with new things so spending little on items i wasn't sure i would use much was wise. 

One item i'll always invest in is foundation. I have both high end and drug store. I don't think high end foundation is always the best just because you spend more, but if i know it is a good product i don't frown upon parting with my cash.

Lipstick and lipgloss isn't a product i compare in the same way. I don't think any high end lipstick is outstanding in it's formula and colour range to justify me spending extra as i think cheaper brands have long lasting, comfortable on the lips and great colour range. But i contradict myself as beautiful lipstick packaging draws me in like a bee to flower.

I justify the need for beautiful or quality packaging with lipstick because i don't just use it behind closed doors. I have lipstick and gloss tubes that rattle around in my handbag and all around the house. They need to be sturdy and i like pretty things. It's always much nicer to re-apply a lippy in the ladies toilets when it isn't from a cracked plastic tube.


The act of applying lipstick almost makes me feel more feminine. In film and cinema the vision of a siren impeccably dressed and groomed applying lipstick/gloss is part way to allure the viewer. Not that i stand in the ladies' loos wanting to make the toilet attendant to watch me and want to rip my clothes off, but like i said, it make me feel good about myself and although i know i'm more Waynetta Slob than a Scarlett Johnsson for a moment i feel that i'm exerting my natural womanliness and that makes me feel good.





Tuesday, 16 April 2013

I Love Rainbows


This isn't another what i shall be wearing for spring blog post. I really don't follow seasonal trends. I'll wear blood red if i fancy it, no matter what month the calendar is on, and the same goes for any other shade of lipstick, eyeshadow or nail polish.

Colour choice depends on my mood, i don't match my clothes to my lippy.
My daughter's most recent trip to Build a Bear Workshop to reward her good work at school meant we now have a new addition to the cuddly collection, Rainbow Dash. 

I never fail to adore anything that reminds me of my childhood. I still think they don't make toys like they used to, yeah i sound like an ol' fogey.
Who can not fail to feel more cheerful whilst wearing a bit or a lot of colour.
My nails shall be sporting these shades to boost my mood and give me a welcome non medicinal pick me up.



Left to right-

Essie Mint Candy Apple
Maybelline Ceramic Blue 610
Barry M Berry Ice-cream 308
Barry M Bright Pink 279
Barry M Gelly Papaya 311
Essie Peach Daiquiri 76
Essie Lacquered Up 678


Monday, 15 April 2013

Makeup storage

My beloved Muji wide storage draws, which house most of my collection of makeup.

Blushers, bronzers and highlighters.



Eyeshadows, powder & cream.

 Palettes and mineral powders.


Glosses and new products i haven't got around to use yet.


Concealers and eye primers.


Lip balms and odds n sods.


Face powders

The eye palettes


Foundations


Some of my NARS brushes


New products i've hoarded and not yet used. Yes i need to stop shopping.


My small but humble lipstick collection.


Nail products