Sunday, June 30, 2013

June Favourites: Random Edition

So monthly favourites time and to make sure this isn't the longest post in the history of blogging I am going to split it each month into 3 posts, make up, skincare and randoms. So lets crack on with the random favourites!!

First up is a film. Now I am not normally a fan of kids films and I never go the cinema to see them but a couple of months ago my boyfriend convinced me to watch Despicable Me and I feel in love! So when I went to see Man of Steel a couple of weeks ago and saw the Despicable Me 2 trailer I got highly over excited. I went to see it last weekend and although we (me and my bf) were the only adults in the cinema I absolutely LOVED it. I would say that it is one of the best films that I have seen in ages and I laughed so so much. I really want to see it again and I think everyone should head down to the cinema and watch it as soon as they can!!!
Food from Ikea, not all mine!!

Next up is a shop. I have had an Ikea near me for ages but I have only ever been once. But I moved into a new house yesterday and a couple of weeks ago I headed to Ikea to look for some house bits and to be honest I was amazed!! I know everyone raves about it but I never really understood the hype, now I do. I got 2 amazing smelling candles for 95p each!! Literally amazing price as well as a really cute holder for my make up brushes which was about £2, such bargains!!! I then decided to head up to food place where my mind was just blown. Such good food and also so so cheap! Overall I love Ikea and everyone should go.

Finally a TV show. Now when it comes to TV shows I seem to find amazing shows pretty late. Both Breaking Bad and Dexter I have recently discovered and become obsessed with and now my new TV obsession is Mad Men. I know its an old show and I am about 2 years late to the Mad Men party but I'm here now and that's all that matters! I'm only half way through season 1 so I haven't exactly watched loads but I am already hooked. I have a crush on Don Draper and an even bigger girl crush on Joan Holloway. Love this show and I can not wait to watch more! If you haven't joined the party yet you really must attend!!

So that is part one of three, I hope you enjoyed and I shall be posting my make up edition tomorrow! Thanks for reading
                                                      
                                                              L xxx

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Body Shop and Boots Haul


I went shopping the other day to get a birthday present for one of my best friends and while doing that  I bought a few presents for myself!

First of all I headed to body shop as I had a voucher for 40% off any purchase over £5.(http://www.vouchercodes.co.uk/search/?q=body+shop) As well as having  voucher they had a great sale going on so if you were thinking of buying something I would head down there now whilst the sale is still on! So first thing I picked up was one of their body butters. I got the body butter for £5 but I think the normal price is £13, so was such a good deal! These are literally my favourite things and they smell so edible! I got the Papaya one which smells so lovely and fruity, one of the best flavours I have  ever owned. I had it on today and the smell lasted for ages and also kept me feeling moisturised all day. Next I picked up something I had been after for a while, the Vitamin E Face Mist (£8) this is a rose water smelling setting spray. I have heard on the grapevine that it is a dupe for the Urban Decay setting spray so I thought I would give it a go. I have used it for a couple of days now and I already really like it, very happy with this purchase! Finally I have been looking for a drugstore toner for a while and decided to try one of the body shop ones. My skin has been breaking out quite a lot recently so I wanted to get one that would help control that so I got the Tea Tree Facial Toner (£5).  I haven't used this yet so I can't review it but I'm really looking forward to trying it out!!

Next I popped into Boots and although there was so much stuff I wanted but I restrained myself and only bought 2 items! They are doing a buy one get another one half price at the moment so I thought it would be stupid to not take advantage of that deal! As I have mentioned before, I love the Maybelline Colour Tattoos (£4.99) so I picked up one of them in the shade Pink Gold. The other 2 shades I own I adore so I am sure this one will be the same! Finally and most excitingly I got the Bourjous Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder (£6.99)! I have wanted this for months and months and I thought I might as well just bite the bullet and buy it. I have used it couple of times and I am obsessed already. If you are looking for a bronzer I would definitely recommend this one!! It is perfect just warming your skin up, love love love it!!

So that's just a few bits I have picked up recently. Hope you enjoyed reading. Thanks!

                                                                         L xxx

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

MUA Undress Me Too Palette Review

In the last couple of months I have discovered a love for eyes hadow. I can waste hours sat in front of a mirror experimenting with everything from green shadow to a dark smokey eye. I'm a massive sleek fan and I just don't think you can beat their palettes but when i ventured into Superdrug last month I found this little palette for the amazing price of £4!! Yes £4!! That works out at about 33p per eye shadow (yes I am sad enough to have done the math). 

This palette is just the most perfect neutral collection, it's great for beginners but also just for anyone who loves a good neutral eye. Over the last month I have used at least one of the shades practically every day and it is fast becoming a make up bag must have. Some people have said that this is a dupe for the Urban Decay Naked Palette, I unfortunately don't own that palette (on my list of things I MUST buy) so I can't comment on that. 

I have two colours which I absolutely adore. Firstly is Shy this colour is a great base which you can easily build on but it is also a fabulous highlighter. I like to put it in the corners of my eyes after I've finished my make up look to make the eyes really pop. I have also discovered that this colour is great to put on your cupids bow to exaggerate the shape of you lips and make them look super shapely!

My other favourite colour is Reveal I think it's just the best colour! It's a lovely silvery taupe colour, it looks awesome on its own all over the lid but is also great blended with other colours in the palette. For me this is the best shade in the palette and a definite must have!! 

On the negative side there is a few colours which I'm not in love with! Corrupt, the black colour is my first dislike. Personally I'm just not a massive fan of black eye shadow and I find this black colour in particular hard to blend and work with. I will still use this colour, mostly as an eyeliner, but it won't be one I'm reaching too a lot. Secondly is Fiery. In the palette I was loving this colour but after putting it on my lids it just didn't really work for me unfortunately! Again I will still use it but it just isn't one of my favourites!!

Overall I absolutely adore this palette. I think it's rare to find a collection of shadows where there isn't one stand out horrible colour. I know I will use every single colour and for just £4 it's a complete bargain!! I would recommend this to everyone and I highly suggest if you are heading to a Superdrug you pick one up!!
Top row from left to right: Naked, Devotion, Shy, Fiery, Lavish,Dreamy
Bottom row from left to right: Tranquil, Exposed, Reveal, Wink,Obsessed, Corrupt

Hope you enjoyed and Thanks for reading!
                                                             
                                                                      L xxx

P.S. If you want more reviews like this please do let me know!!




Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Mini Collection Haul


So I was having lunch near a Superdrug the other day and I thought it would be rude to not go in and have a look around. I was initially going in to look at the new Sleek candy collection but that store (annoyingly) didnt stock Sleek so I settled for a few Collection items! I wasn't repurchasing any items so I can't give you a review on them just yet but one may follow soon. 

First up was Collection's Big Fake Ultimate false lash effect mascara in Ultra Black (£5.99). I am currently using Tanya Burr's favourite Maybellines False Lash Effect mascara but I fancied trying something new. I had heard some good things about this one and I thought I would give it a go. So far I have only used it a couple of times and I'm not liking it that much but I'm going to give it a few more tries before I completely rule it out. Next I decided to try the Blush and Highlight Cream Duo in Strawberries and Cream (£4.19). I am loving cream blushes at the moment and thought I would give this one a try, it's a really pretty matte light pink colour which I can't wait to try out. As for the highlighter, I have been searching for a good drugstore highlighter for ages and wanted to see if this could be it! Again I haven't tried it yet but from the swatches I have done on my hand I'm hoping its a gooden! 

Now the next product is definitely the one I am most excited about! This is a beauty bloggers favourite and I have heard so many bloggers and youtubers rave about it, its of course the Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer (£4.19). I am ashamed to say I have never ever tried it ( I know its shocking, I'm sorry!) but from the couple of times I have used it so far i LOVE it! I got it in the colour fair, which is the lightest of the 4 shades, and I was slightly worried it would be too light but it's actually a perfect match. The hype is right, it covers blemishes nicely without feeling cakey and it's also really good for covering up dark circles under the eyes. It is fast becoming my favourite concealer. Finally I got a free nail polish (yes FREE). Collection were offering a free Hot Looks 60 Seconds nail varnish with any purchase over £3.99 (the nail varnish is normally worth £1.99). I decided to purchase a really pretty greeny blue shimmery colour which doesn't appear to have a name on the bottle but says 15 on the bottom?? (sorry I can't tell you the name. I did look on the website but can't seem to find it). The colour is just gorgeous but I have to say I was only wearing it for a couple of hours before it began to chip! But as it was free I can't complain I guess

Anyway I hope you enjoyed my mini haul, and maybe it gave you some shopspiration! Thanks for reading 
                                                                       L xxx

Monday, June 24, 2013

Perfect Summer Polishes




One of my favourite parts of summer is being able to get out all my lovely pretty nail varnishes and this summer is no exception! I could list so many nail varnishes that I love for summer but I reckon that would be a bit boring for you all so I have managed to narrow it down to just the top 5! Also if you didn't already know I am obsessed with coral, you will now! 



1. Topshop Nails in Air Kisses- (£5 from Topshop or 2 for £8)
Now I have to admit I bought this colour solely because of the name! I know its bad and completely stupid but it actually turned out quite well for me because I really love the colour. This was one of the first blue nail varnishes I tried and it's just amazing. It's a beautiful baby blue and whenever I look at it it reminds me of lovely blue skies, so of course perfect for summer! But sorry to say it but this one chips so easily, and I mean easily!



2. Revlon Nail Enamel in Siren- (£6.99 from Boots)
My first coral colour and this one is quite an orange coral. It goes on quite sheer so to create a really nice colour you have to apply a couple of coats but after that it's just amazing. Also this hardly chips at all, I was wearing it for a good 4 or 5 days before it first chipped which I think is really good. It's just the most perfect coral and a definite staple for summer. 



3.Essie Mojito- (£7.99 from Boots)
I'm going to say this right from the beginning but I think essie nail varnishes are really overhyped! They are quite expensive and also chip so easily on me. I do like the colour selection and the names are normally really cute but I just don't like the actually product. Sorry rant over. But this is one of the very few Essie nail varnishes I actually don't dislike. It's a super pretty green that looks lovely on the nails, like all Essie nail varnishes I own it chips pretty quick but I think its worth it for the colour.


4. Maybelline Colour Show in Electric Yellow- (£2.99 from Boots)
This summer I am loving summer (I'm thinking of doing a post just on yellow items, any thoughts?) and this is a great yellow nail polish. Like the Revlon one it needs a couple of coats to create a substantial colour but once you have applied them you get an amazing almost neon yellow. I think this nail varnish is perfect to wear with other yellow items but also on its own with a plain outfit to create a pop of colour. This is the only colour show nail varnish I own but I really like the finish, any colour show recommendations?


5. Rimmel 60 Seconds in Coralicious- (£3.69 from Boots)*
This is quite a new find but one that I am in love with already. As the name suggests it's a coral colour but is more pink than orange toned. In the bottle it looks almost red but when applied to the nail the colour changes quite a lot and is even prettier than I first expected. It looks amazing with a tan and is a colour that I'm going to be using loads over summer.


All this talk of nail varnishes has made me want to go paint my nails every colour under the sun so that's what I'm going to do! I believe there is no such thing as too many nail varnishes so let me know your summer picks so I can go out and buy even more!! Thanks for reading.
                                                                 L xxx



P.S: I love love love love love Barry M nail varnishes and I'm amazed I haven't got some of them in my top favourites! If anyone wants a post just on Barry M nail polishes let me know!



*- I got these nail varnishes from a website called Fragrance Direct. My friend told me about this website about 6 monthes ago and basically it sells make up, skincare and perfume really discounted. I think most of the stuff on there is being discontinued but it's really good and I have bought some great stuff from there so go check it out. I think I got the Essie nail varnish on there for about £2.99!!



Sunday, June 23, 2013

High Street Summer Beauty Essentials

My summer essentials (make up bag from Marks and Spencer)


We are over half way through June and although we have had a few hot days summer isn't really here yet! But in preparation for the hot months (which I'm sure are coming) here are my summer beauty essentials and they are all under a tenner!



Bourjois Radiance Reveal Healthy Mix Foundation- (£9.99 from Boots)
This foundation is just amazing! Mine is in the shade 52 (Vanilla) which is probably a shade to dark for me, but it works. I would say this foundation is a light to medium coverage which for me is perfect for summer evenings and nights. It has such a nice dewy finish and just makes your skin look beautiful! If you are looking for a good drugstore foundation I would really recommend this one.



Topshop Lips in Brighton Rock- (£8.00 from Topshop)
Your summer make up just wouldn't be complete without a bright pink lipstick and this is my firm favourite (as you might be able to tell from the disheveled packaging!). So many brands do amazing lipsticks but for me this colour is just amazing. Although the colour is great for summer I wear it all year round as it is one of my all time favourites. I have nearly finished mine and I will be purchasing a new one very soon as I just can't be without it. 



Rimmel 9 in 1 BB Cream- (£6.99 from Boots)
In summer the last thing you want is a cakey full face of heavy foundation and in these sunny months I think BB cream is a great alternative to foundation. I have been using this BB cream almost everyday since the end of April and it's just amazing. For a BB cream, it provides quite good coverage and has a really nice finish. It's also so lightweight, it literally feels like I'm wearing no make up at all which I just love. The high street is full of BB creams at the moment but for me this is definitely one of the better ones I have tried. At the moment I'm getting to the very end of my bottle so I'm not sure whether to repurchase or try a new one, any recommendations??


Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blush in Pinched- (£7.99 from Boots)
Cream blushes have definitely become my new beauty obsession and this one from Revlon is my stand out favourite! Pinched is a perfect peachy coral pink which blends beautifully into your skin and provides a lovely summer glow. I wear this practically everyday and I just can't say enough good things about it! I think for a blush £7.99 is fairly pricey but I think its worth every penny and I can't wait to get my hands on the other colours in the collection.


Maybelline EyeStudio Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Eyeshadow- (£4.99 from Boots)
This a recent purchase, but its become a make up bag essential. I have the colours permanent taupe and on and on bronze (which in the USA is bad to the bronze I think?) and I really adore both the colours. For me on and on bronze is my favourite, it's a really nice bronzey brown colour with some really pretty shimmer in it. It's a great base for other shadows but it's also great on its own. For lazy make up days just apply it to your lids with your finger tips and you are good to go. Perfect for so many occasions, a must have! 



Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain in Rendezvous- (£7.99 from Boots)
If a full on lipstick isn't your thing, or you are looking for a more casual day look these lip balm stains from Revlon are great. I only have Rendezvous which is a corally orange colour but there is a great colour selection and I'm sure there will be a shade for you. They are so soft and balmy on the lips and not only do they provide super pigmented colour but they also keep your lips really nicely hydrated. Just perfect for summer days.






So that is just a selection of the make up I shall be using over summer but I hope it has helped and provided some summer inspiration for you all. Thanks for reading!

                                                                       L xxx