MUA Lipstick Shade 8

Introducing the token festive lipstick in my collection. I don't think I've ever worn this out the house and I've had it for ages now! This needs to rectified as it really is very pretty. It's a dark pinky red that is full of sparkles. Now because of this it is not the smoothest lippie out there, and you can feel the glitter slightly, but it is still comfortable to wear. This sort of rich shade is very versatile as you can either dab it on or apply it straight from the bullet for a subtle or bold look.

Sorry for the blurred pic! But you get the gist hopefully! I have to say it's very depressing taking up close pics-always end up looking somewhat mutant!

So there you have it. One rather unloved lipstick that is hopefully going to be getting a lot more attention in the following weeks!

Winter Wonderland Nails

I'm loving the design I did last night- I say design but it was very simple! I applied three coats of Barry M Blue Moon polish (it goes on quite sheer and patchy so needs a good few coats to reach opacity-the end result is gorgeous though) then applied a coat of Miss Sporty Sparkle Touch top coat and finished with two coats of a Color Club silver glitter polish on the tips. There's no name on it but after a bit of googling I believe it's called Sex Symbol.  This polish is jam packed full of glitter and gave great coverage. If you see any Color Club glitter polishes then they are definitely worth trying. I got my set (Glitter Vixen) from TK Maxx for £7.99 for 7. Bargain!

Awww, Twinnies!

Ah, the good old days! Just thought I would share with you one of my fave pictures from my room. Love it! 

Love you Cara!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Cosmetics 4 Less Chirpy Chirpy Cheap Cheap

Internet shopping is very dangerous when I'm bored! I bought all of this on impulse and truthfully most of it isn't even that good. I did know it would be a gamble though and I specifically chose bits from the cheapy ranges that I've never tried before. My expectations really weren't high to begin with. You do generally get what you pay for!
I got two eyeshadow palettes. One from Constance Carroll and the other from La Femme. The 'CCUK' (how cool...) one is pretty poor pigmentation wise and they are very soft and dusty. Even with a primer underneath they hardly show up. At a push the middle shade is the strongest and I could use it for a sheer wash of colour...But I probably won't. Grr I don't even have a younger family member I can foist it on!  Now the La Femme 'Domino' palette is much much better and is the star item in my cheapo haul. These shadows are really pigmented, even without a primer, and are buttery soft. This one is in the shade 06 and whilst I probably have copies of them all somewhere in my collection they are really pretty and wearable. This would be perfect to take away if I ever went anywhere! Only downside is that they are scented- you that powdery old lady type smell a lot of cheap makeup has. I've not actually tested these on my eyes yet so I hope they don't end up being irritating. If they don't I will be tempted to have a look at the other colour variations. I think they stock this brand at my local market so I'll look there first to cut out p&p.

La Femme Domino Eyeshadow Palette-£2.25 CCUK Trio Eyeshadow- Shade 78 - 99p

Over primer they are really intense. Impressive for the price!

I also picked up a few lipsticks- big mistake!  These are pretty pants. They are all fairly waxy and hard with a frosty finish.Not too keen on the colours either, especially the pale pink one. Reminds of when I was a tween and loved 17's 'Sweet Sizzle' frosty pale pink lippy!

La Femme shade 3- Vanilla-99p, Coco Lipstick-Pretty Pink Becomes Dehli Pink (no I don't get the name either)- 75p. La Femme shade 35- Be-Gone-99p

La Femme shade 35 Be-Gone (3rd stripe) is my fave out of a bad bunch. It at least has the virtue of being much softer.

As always I was tempted by the nail polish and got two glitter ones. One has pink hearts and the other has silver stars. Both are suspended in a slightly sparkly clear base. I've not tried these yet but I'd imagine it will take a fair amount of dabbing to get them onto the nail!

Both 99p

So yeah.. not very successful on the whole! But hey, least now I know! I also used a 10% discount code- FACEBOOK30. Have you tried any of the cheapy stuff and been pleasantly surprised? Or has it lived up to your low expectations!

The Body Shop Candied Ginger Body Butter

I got this last year on offer and have been waiting for Autumn and Winter to come rolling around again to use it up. Of course you can use it all year round, and I have dipped in and out of it in the summer too, but the scent is very festive and seasonal. I like that it's not overly sweet or sickly. Rather it's spicey and 'zippy' for want of a much much better word! I also find it a comforting smell and like to use it before bed. I find butters a bit rich to use all over so I usually just stick to my arms and my lower legs. Lately I've also been using it on my hands too, really slathering it on actually, as a sort of overnight treatment. It's been redesigned this year I believe, it's now called Ginger Sparkle, but the scent is still the same. I tried out the Ginger Sparkle hand cream in-store today and it's just like the body butter only less rich. Tempted to get it though as a big body butter tub isn't exactly handbag friendly!

The range now also includes a body polish, a hand lotion as well as cream, bath crystals, shimmer body lotion, lip balm, shower gel and home fragrance. I want loads of it! I think I'll wait until after xmas though as it's all bound to be on sale.

Some Pound Shop Bargains

I had a nosey in some of the pound shops on Saturday and just thought I would share with you some of the things I picked up. Sorry for the poor pictures but I'm bored and needed something to do before Masterchef comes on!

In the 99p store I got a tube of Naked Detox Juniper Berry & Fennel Balancing Conditioner for all hair types. I've tried a Naked shampoo but never a conditioner so for 99p I couldn't say no. This conditioner is meant to help with tackling pollution and product build up and contains no sulphates, parabens or petrochemicals as well as naturally derived ingredients. The scent is pleasant enough but not one I'm overly fussed on. Reminds me of another hair care range but can't remember which one! 

I also got a bottle of Radox Bath Smoothies in Tropical Tranquillity - a blend of natural almond, coconut and myrrh. I used the shower smoothie version of this a good while back and really liked it so I'm looking forward to being able to bathe in the lovely scent and pretend I'm away on holiday somewhere hot! 

In Poundland I found this cute Eyeko cosmetics bag complete with a mirror. I picked up a couple to give as little presents to my friends who are not my bestest friends, if you get my gist! I think I'll fill them with something like a nail polish, a lipbalm and some chocolate coins. Something along those lines anyway! I really liked the holographic tag on these too, but then again I am easily pleased!

I also went into Home Bargains and found this Hello Kitty butty box. I can't remember the exact price but I think it was less than a quid. Should help liven up my lunch times at the various crappy staffrooms I visit anyway! Well as much as a lunchbox can do :-P 

Got to love bargain shopping!

Models Own Nude Beige- More Freebie!

I picked up this great freebie with More magazine at the weekend. I would have preferred the other shade of polish available but it was nowhere to be seen! Nude Beige in my opinion isn't very beige. More of a light brown really, like milky coffee. I can't say it's my favourite shade ever, it's a bit blah and I don't think the colour does me any favours. Application was ok but it is quite a thick formula and I noticed it getting a bit stringy whilst I was applying the second coat. Due to the thickness it took a while to dry but the finish is lovely. As I've said I wasn't that happy with the colour so I brightened it up with a few coats of Chit Chat polish in Rio. Such a steal from Poundland. Though it does smell a little funky! I really like the effect of layering glitters over nudes so I'm much more pleased with my nails now :) 

Introducing 'Powder' my mini My Little Pony. Came with a little pack of dolly mix and a comb. Can't go wrong. Less than 50p from Home Bargains if anyone is as sad as I am!

Sorry for not posting much of late, if anyone cares haha, but I've really been lacking in motivation as well as being quite busy with work. I've been working with the younger kids a lot lately and they really take it out of you! I've also been struggling with how I'm feeling and I've come to the conclusion that I can't go on feeling like I am much longer. I want to start feeling normal and I don't think I can do it myself. I've been reading into depression and I can relate to a lot of the symptoms so I've made the decision to go to the doctors and share my concerns. I'm just scared that they will tell me to suck it up and sod off so I'm very nervous. Anyways, I'll keep you posted.

Superdrug Spending

I can never resist popping into Superdrug when I'm in town and Saturday was no exception! I've been wanting the MUA Intense Kisses gloss in Sealed with a Kiss for quite a while now but begrudged coughing up for p&p online so I was pleased to find it sitting there, in stock and waiting for me! It's a lovely natural pinky nude colour and I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of it. Oddly perhaps I also really like the glittery lips on the cap! I'm not that keen on the cheapy vanilla scent but I can live with it. For £2 it's such a bargain and I would get more shades if I didn't already have an obscene amount of lip products! Next I got the baked eyeshadow trio in Innocence. These shades are very wearable and whilst I think the darkest shade is a touch too warm, and could possibly make me look like I have sore eyes, the other two are just gorgeous. They have good colour pay off but they will definitely need to be applied over a primer to help them stick. My swatches could be easily dusted off with no water so I'd imagine they would fade quickly on their own. I also picked up a magnetic polish in Piccadilly Circus. I tested this last night and was pretty impressed. Unlike my Barry M one the magnet actual works so I can now use this lid for both. I do like the circle design but it does make my nails look like they have eyes! I may try one of the other effects too! Lastly I got a Cosmopolitan blending sponge as I am never happy with my foundation application. Especially when I try to use a primer underneath. I just find it pulls and flakes and generally makes my face look very messy! However I tried this out this afternoon and I'm in love! You just rinse it in water, wring it out, dab it in some foundation then stipple it on. It really does give a professional, flawless finish and I wish I'd bought it sooner. 

Sorry this is dark and blurry but I forgot to take a picture of it out of the packaging when I still had some light!

Fragrance Direct Let Down!

So I recently made a small order with Fragrance Direct and purchased a Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick in Hollywood Red as well as a MNY blush. The blush is great and I have no complaints. The same can't be said for the lipstick. This lipstick is truly awful and cannot be genuine! Firstly it smells disgusting! Like really strong, cheap crayons. Only ten times worse. The texture is also a joke. I tried to swatch it but it is so sticky and really pulled at my skin. No way am I putting this near my lips. I have another Color Sensational lipstick that I got from Boots, which I love, and this one is nothing like it. The real one smells sweet and has a gorgeous smooth texture that just glides on. The real one, as my new one must be a fake, I can't accept that it isn't, costs about £7 and this one cost me just £1.99. Really I should have thought it was too good to be true but I've bought products from the site before and never been let down. Plus they even claim that their stock is genuine in the FAQ's. This has to be bull. I'm going to write an email of complaint and hopefully get a refund. I know it's only £1.99 but that's not the point. 

Just tried to wash the swatches off and jeeeez! Now not only do I have a headache from the noxious smell but my hand has been scrubbed red raw. Had to use washing up liquid and it's still stained! I have no idea what this is but is shockingly bad and rather worrying! The packaging looks the same, as you can see but the product is worlds apart.

Left: Real one Right: Fake!

Fake Hollywood Red, Real Pink Brown. The effort that went into getting that swatch was unreal! So waxy and draggy.

Testing out the amazing stickiness!

Nicely gummed up after swatching.

Such a massive disappointing. Now I'm off to write my email and have a good rant! Have you ever had any duds from Fragrance Direct? I'm definitely going to be more cautious now in future!

Ritessens Velvet Cleansing Milk

I've been using this for quite a while now after getting it in the October JolieBox. This came at an ideal time as the colder weather has been making my skin more dry and my usual foaming cleansers have been feeling a little stripping. This is a french brand and as far as I'm aware is only available in France. This could be annoying but in truth whilst I do like this it's not something I would repurchase as I feel there are many similar products on the market. This one does however have the added benefit of containing argan oil. I say benefit but it's not like I can see a massive difference in my skin. It has a lovely creamy texture that feels very nourishing. It also smells very pleasant- sort of citrussy. I simply smooth this onto my skin, massage it in a bit, then remove with cotton pads. It does a good job of removing makeup but it can't be used on the eyes which is a bit annoying. As with a lot of cream cleanser it does leave a slight film on the skin. Some people may need the extra moisture but I still have to be careful to avoid even more spots so I do a final rinse with water. All in all this has been a great product to try out and I can see myself finishing the tube. 

What cream cleansers would you recommend? I've got the No7 Hot Cloth cleanser but I'm definitely interested in hunting out another one.

Happy Cat

Just thought I'd show you this cute little sketch my sis did in my notebook for me to find.

Miss Sporty Metal Flip Polishes

I popped into Boots after work this week and just couldn't resist getting these, even though the previous night I had organised and sorted out my nail polish collection. I really did think I was getting better... But at just £1.99 and a buy one get one half price offer on I couldn't just leave them there! Plus I had seen the blue one on 'Beauty on a budget' and had been intrigued! I have tested both shades and I am very impressed. I don't normally go for metallic polishes but these are a bit different. The formula is excellent. The first coat looks a little sheer but the second coat sorts it right out. I might have gone for three coats in the end, I can't quite remember, but it isn't a problem as they are fast drying and very buildable. I've been wearing Aurora Borealis for most of the week and I love it. It's so unusual and it lasted 4 days without chipping. Depending on the lighting it can look blue, purple or green. I've put on Beetle Wings this morning,on one hand so I could take pictures, but I think this will be my nail colour of choice for next week. This one changes from a greeny bronze to a dark purple. Beautiful!

Beetle Wings *, Aurora Borealis

For a mere £1.99 you just can't go wrong! *I believe this one is actually Fiery Blaze and not Beetle Wings! Oops!

JolieBox November 2012 - The End!

So this is the last JolieBox for me as I am unsubscribing. I've never been truly impressed with any of the boxes and this months just really takes the biscuit! There is no way the contents amass to the £12 I have coughed up. Its a box of plop. I'm sure I could buy a few mags for less and get better samples! This box is supposedly the 'Beauty in the City' one. Dedicated to all you busy city girls. This is another thing that grates me. Am I any less busy because I don't work in a city? Granted I have my days where my biggest achievement is sitting in my pink gown watching Bargain Hunt but a lot of the time I am driving around like a blue assed fly going to different bookings. Pfft. The contents are meant to reflect products recommended by each of their headquarters. I find it hard to believe the best they could get from Italy is toothpaste? And the best of British should surely go beyond granny's favourite Yardley. Anyways, enough of my ranting, here's what I got.

So firstly we have a little 15ml tube of Topicrem Sparkling Body 3D Effect body moisturiser. I don't really have much use for this. I may use it when I go out (on the odd occasion!) but I'm not really keen on being glittery! It is fairly subtle, but the pink/gold glitter is definitely there! Next there is a sachet of Vav Manucure Absolue hand cream. This is formulated from ingredients of natural origin, 80% of which are organic. It also contains Islandic lichen, sesame seed oil and pomegranate. I do like hand creams but this is a rather weeny sample. A little might go a long way though. The gold sachet is a sample of Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream. The shade is BB5 which is the middle shade out of 6 so it might be a little dark. Worth a go I suppose. Then there is a little vial of Yardley Royal Diamond. It smells nice enough but it's a touch mature for me. The product I thought might be ok is the Dead Sea Spa Magik Gentle Cleansing Facial Wash. I'm still on the hunt for something to help sort my skin out and at 25ml I should be able to give it a fair trial. Lastly there is a tube of Marvis Classic Strong Mint toothpaste. I really can't get excited about toothpaste. At all!
So there you have it. All in all a very disappointing box. I have now subscribed to Glossy Box and am hoping for a much better selection of products for my money.

Lots of Books!

Lately I have started to read again after not reading anything but magazines for ages! I go through phases and it would seem I'm feeling bookish again. Last night I finished a mystery novel that I got a little while ago from a discount book store. I think it only cost a pound or something, and for the price it was really quite good! Stanley Hastings, a private detective, is on a hiking holiday at a little inn in New England when a murder takes place during dinner one night-then it all escalates from there!  Though I do feel that it got a bit lost towards the end and wasn't as strong as it could have been. I was hoping for a good twist but I didn't really get it. Ah well! Up until then at least I did really enjoy it! I've just ordered another Parnell Hall book from Amazon, another 'Stanley Hastings' one called 'Hitman' so hoping that will have a more satisfactory ending!

I've also got another private detective book lined up-The Spellmans Strike Again. I think this is no 4 in the series, in any case I really enjoyed the previous ones and can't wait  to get stuck in it. Lisa Lutz has got an excellent writing style and the characters are all well developed and interesting. These are the books I have to thank for wanting to be a P.I! But I do genuinely think it is possibly my calling in life :-p 
I also have the sequel to 'It happened in Paris' which I read last year. I've been waiting for this for what feel like an age! It's fun and rather fluffy but hey, it's good easy to read escapism! Though it does make me a bit jealous that I don't have a love life at the moment!

I also need to read these ones which I got earlier in the summer. Anything to do with sweets I love so I have high hopes for Sweet Shop of Dreams! I've also read a few Jill Mansell books before and enjoyed them so I'm sure this one will be just as good. I'm definitely well stocked for the foreseeable future!

Been reading anything good of late yourselves?

Feel like a change...

I'm bored of my hair! I'm debating whether to go darker but I'm really not sure! I've been blonde always (bar a short while at University-I'll add a piccie below)and have been having highlights since I was about 11 or 12, but I'm thinking now is a good time for a bit of a revamp. If I do decide on a colour change, even if it is just a few more lowlights to 'bring it down' for winter, I'll definitely get it done at a salon. My last go at home dying went horribly wrong. I enlisted my friend to do my highlights, as she had actually done it well previosly, and O.M.G words cannot describe how much of a tit I looked! It was so uneven. Worst thing was I had my graduation a week later and was going on holiday the next day! Nightmare! Thankfully I was able to be fitted in at the last minute and got it corrected. Phew. In the end we blamed the rubbishy cap! Anyways, just a bit of random babbling to while away my Saturday night! Have you had any hair disasters or planning any changes?

This was about 2 years ago now. I do believe it was a Casting Creme Gloss colour!

Some Recent Purchases...

I went to Birmingham yesterday with my dad for a little day out and I had a lovely time. We went to the museum and gallery and of course had a mooch around the Bullring. I also had to stop by Cybercandy again. It was essential! I bought a few things from Superdrug (as always!) as it was 3 for 2. Firstly I picked up a Fashionista eyeshadow in School Days, a gorgeous almost taupey grey. I always go to this stand first as it's not available in my local ones. I was really tempted to make a palette up but for one I was dragging my dad around and probably boring him to pieces and secondly I really do need to stop spending so much! I also checked out the Famous by Sue Moxley stand and got a First Date Blush in the shade Keira. I picked this one up as I already have quite a few pinks but no peachier colours. This one also has some subtle golden shimmer in it. Swatched it looks a bit scary (though I did load it on!) but applied more sparingly I'm hoping it will be very wearable and make a nice change! Lastly I picked up a Loreal Volume Million Lashes mascara as I'm going to have to chuck a fair few soon due to them being older than I realised! Fingers crossed this will be a good one, I've never tried any Loreal mascaras before so I'm looking forward to trying it out.

Pa with The Lady Of Shallot. I love this painting and was much bigger in real life than I thought it would be!

Blusher-£4.99 Eyeshadow-£4.00 (but was free here) Mascara- £10.99
Oo that eyeshadow matches the floor perfectly. 

My Cybercandy haul. I could spend forever in there! Sorry everything is opened I couldn't wait and I had to keep myself occupied in some way on the train back! Really looking forward to the Tootsie Roll-they're yum!

I've also got a new Ojon shampoo and conditioner thanks to my dad who went and traded in an empty shampoo bottle for me on Thursday. I'm so glad I got them as I've heard that some places sold out stupidly fast! But bless my pa and his early bird nature! Together they're meant to cost £41.50 so I'm pretty chuffed. I'll tell you more once I've tried them out.

A bit random but I also thought I'd include these slippers I got from Primark. They're too cute and I love this kind - I always stock up around this time. Plus at £1.50 you can't go wrong!

Have you tried any of my new stuffs? I'd love to read your opinions!