'My Lips But Better' Collection

Whilst I do love the brighter colours in my collection it has to be said that my favourites are the colours I can just chuck on and not worry too much about how they look- the soft pinks, the pinky browns and the peachy shades. Here are some swatches I've done (excuse the awkward arm poses- I didn't really think it through!) of the 'my lips but better' shades of my collection. Some do look quite bright but as I have fairly pigmented lips to begin with they still look pretty natural. 

 

L-R: Look Beauty Petal Nude, Elf Nicely Nude, Revlon Balm Stain Honey, Natural Collection Rose Bud, Beauty UK In The Buff, 17 Mirror Shine Belle 

 L-R: Maybelline Color Sensational Pink Brown, MAC Fanfare, Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Pink Blossom, Collection 2000 Vintage Rose, 17 Mirror Shine Nudist Peach, 17 Mirror Shine Beehive 

 Some lipglosses! L-R: Beauty UK Lip Lust Date Night, MUA Intense Kisses Sealed With A Kiss, Collection 2000 Cream Puff Cotton Candy (not actually a gloss, oops), MUA Plumping Lip Gloss Buff, The Body Shop Lip Gloss Lychee (this smells delicious!!)

Looking at this now it's plain to see I really don't need any more 'natural' colours. Brights on the other hand... :-P

Speckle Nails

I saw this tutorial over at Makeup Savvy and just had to have a go at it. I have been lusting over Illamasqua's speckle polishes of late but at £14.50 they are a little on the pricey side for me right now, so a budget version using polishes I already own was a very welcome idea. 

These were so easy to do and I love the effect. I'll be checking my collection for more sheer colours so I can do it again another time in a different shade. Really hoping I've got a suitable lilac one! 

Here I have used Essie Muchi Muchi and Poundland's Chit Chat polish in Rio. Muchi Muchi is very sheer so I used about 3 coats before putting on the glitter. Plus my nails are horribly stained so I needed a good base to make them look less zombie-fied. After the glitter was dry just the one coat was needed again then I finished with my trusty NYC topcoat.

Cute and really Spring like!

My Valentine's Weekend Away

So yesterday evening I returned from my weekend away with my boyfriend. He is very lovely and had treated me to a 2 night hotel break. I could choose from loads of hotels but in the end we chose to stay in the Aston hotel in Sheffield. I might have been swayed by it's close proximity to Meadowhall shopping centre... The hotel was great and I'm mourning over the loss of the king sized bed and shower with the little seat. I'm easily pleased. Seriously though, this would be so handy for leg shaving! We shopped (of course) ate lots-probably far too much! went to the cinema and visited  the Tropical Butterfly House ,Wildlife and Falconry Centre. After checking out we also headed into Sheffield city centre for a mosey. And a bit more shopping. We did see some nice stainless steel cutlery also. 
Here are some pics of the cute animals we saw. I forgot to take pics of anything else!

Parrot that intermittently talked. Or so Stuart thinks. 'Alright?'..

Goats have weird eyes has to be said.

Cute chipmunks. I want.

Everyone loves a meerkat. Here you could feed them meal worms but I reckon they were a bit stuffed. 

Stuart fell in love with this happy chappy.

If you look closely you can see a falcon chillin on his perch. He looked a tad melancholic.

 I did manage to take a pic of a load of empty plates at Las Iquanas where we had some nom tapas. And equally gorgeous cocktails. Least I did, I wasn't driving. Ha.

Key West Cooler. Moar please.

I had a really good time, I don't often get to go away so it made a nice change. Plus I was in amazing company and very spoilt! Best Valentine's ever.

Nspa Melting Cleansing Gel

I've been meaning to post about this for a good while now but blogging has sort of taken a back seat. This is my third post today though so I am working on getting my blogging mojo back!
I've been using this cleanser for around a month now after getting it in Asda for about £6. I didn't really need another cleanser but I thought it might be a good cheaper alternative to Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel which I have been lusting after after seeing it on The Sunday Girl.
This cleanser is described as a 'Luxurious gel that turns to a cleansing milk'. It contains grapeseed oil and Neroli essential oil and is dermatologically approved and suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin. You massage this gel into dry skin where it turns more oily in texture. It is then turned into a cleansing milk when massaged again with warm water and rinsed off. This does indeed feel rather luxurious and is perfect for when my skin is feeling a little dry. The scent is also very pleasant. I do find though that I need to use this twice when I am wearing a lot of foundation in order to fully shift it. I sometimes use this with a muslin cloth too to make sure every scrap of makeup is removed. Contact with the eyes should be avoided so I use a separate eye makeup remover, which I do anyway with most cleansers.
This hasn't been my sole cleanser as I'm using about 3 on rotation, but I am really happy with it and would definitely recommend it.

Have you tried this? What did you think?

Tag!

Hannah at Midnight Violets (one of my favourite blogs!) tagged me a while back now but I've been very lazy with my blog lately. Shame on me. I've got some time on my hands today though, before I start work again tomorrow, so I thought I'd finally get around to doing it!  

1. Why did you start your blog? 

I started my blog initially when I was at uni. I think I have may have been on my little break then, in between leaving teacher training and starting my new Childhood Studies course.  I went as far as giving it a name then I seemed to have given up. I then picked it up again  properly last year as a distraction from my shitty relationship and shitty job hunting. 

2. What's your favourite lipstick? 

Hmm tricky as I have loads of lippies! At the moment though it is Elf's Nicely Nude. More often than not paired with MUA Intense Kisses gloss in Sealed With a Kiss. 

3. Where do you see yourself in 3 years time?

In 3 years I will be 27 and that scares me! I hope to be in a better, more stable job and living in my own place. I also hope I have won the lottery by then but I reckon that is wishful thinking. 

4. What's your favourite meal?

Again this is hard as I'm a bit food obsessed. That doesn't mean I have sophisticated tastes though so I'd probs say curry or pizza! I love a takeaway chicken tikka masala and Dominoes Texas BBQ.

5. How did you come up with the name for your blog? 

It was initially going to be a food blog, mostly based on junk and snack food and I'm very grub-ish on a lazy day- hence The Lardy Grub. 

6. Do you favour drugstore or highend products? 

Drugstore definitely. I don't have the funds for highend stuffs! 

7. What's your favourite film? 

Sad possibly but I'll always love the first 2 'Mummy' movies.

8. Who is your biggest beauty idol? 

I don't really have any idols in any area!

9. What's your current favourite skincare product?

Probably The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream 

10. If you could only drink one drink for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Boring but it would have to be water. Love fizzy drinks but that wouldn't be sensible!

11. And finally, name a few bloggers you're loving - share the love!
Cherry Gumdrops
Just Me, Leah
LaceyLoves
Miss Makeup Magpie 
Maliberry Makeup
Hope, freedom & love 

I read so many great blogs though, I could be writing this list all day! 

The Questions I'm setting...

1. What 3 makeup items could you not be without? 
2. Bath or showers?
3. What is the worst beauty item you have ever tried?
4. What is your signature dish?
5. What is your favourite way to de-stress after a rubbish day? 
6. What would be your dream holiday destination? 
7. What is your favourite perfume? 
8. What was your first ever makeup item? (I do believe mine was a lilac Rimmel eyeshadow!)
9. What spa treatment would you love to have? 
10. What song never fails to lift your spirits? 
11. Beauty wise what are you lusting after most right now? 

And I tag...

Anyone who wants to do it! :-D 

February Glossybox (Valentine's Day themed)

Yay! Mine finally arrived! Great timing too as I've got a touch of the sniffles and am feeling decidedly meh. Firstly I love the design of the box, it's so cute and fitting for Valentine's Day.This is also the first time since I've been subscribed to Glossybox that I have felt that the contents have been good value for money. Unfortunately I still may have to cancel soon due to lack of funds! I blame my car. The big money suck. :(

Heart lollipop was a cute touch also!

 Anyways, included was a Anatomicals rose scented shower gel. I've never tried anything from this brand so I'm pleased to be able to try it out. This contains 150ml whilst the full size contains 300ml but it's still very generous considering the weeny bottles that have been included in the past!
Next is a Docteur Renaud 'Raspberry Soft Cream' facial moisturiser. Apparently this is limited edition, which will be a shame if I actually like it, though on closer inspection it is £25 for 50ml so rather hoping I wont for the sake of my bank balance! It also claims to contain 4 complementary  raspberry extracts and phyto-endorphins to boost skin cell activity. Just what my skin needs I'm sure!

I also received 3 make up items in this box which I'm very pleased about-makes a change from skincare samples and sachets! The first being a ModelCo eyeshadow duo in 'Bronzed Goddess' with the shades Maldives and Jamaica. I've not heard of this brand before but a quick look on the website reveals it is an Australian brand based in Sydney. You can buy 'Bronzed Goddess' on the site as a trio rather than a duo for £18. I do think this is a little steep, especially as I'm not wowed by the quality. You can definitely get better for cheaper. Though that is not to say these are awful in any way as they are very wearable shades with good pigmentation. Just a shame that the goldy one in particular feels rather gritty and isn't as smooth as I'd like. I'd imagine there would be quite a bit of fallout with these so a primer would be a must. Still I'm looking forward to trying them out properly.

I also got a little pot of Micabella Cosmetics mineral blush powder in the shade Siera Suede. Wow, just looked and the full size of this is £34. 95! This will be nice to try but I think I can safely safe I won't be repurchasing. Whilst this looks like it would be too orange for me now, applied with a light touch in the summer with a tan, I think this could look good. The pigmentation is great so a little will go a long way and it has a gorgeous soft texture.

Lastly I received a Helen E Cosmetics moisturising lipstick in 'Raspberry'. I've only tried one other item from this brand, a lovely bronze eyeliner, which I loved until I managed to snap it in half, so I had high hopes that this would be just as good. I've only just tested it but my initial thoughts are that it is indeed a good product. It glides on and has great pigmentation. It really does feel moisturising too as my lips are rather scaly at the moment but it hasn't clung to any flakes. The shade 'Raspberry' is darker and more mature than what I'd normally go for but I have been pleasantly surprised with how much I like it.

Overall an excellent box- they should be like this every month!

Miss Sporty Perfect Colour Lipstick- Read My Lips

I didn't need this at all- this was a complete impulse buy. Actually most of my purchases are..But it was only £1.59! At that price it would have been rude not too. I think they are normally £2.59 which is still ridiculously cheap. The shade 'Read My Lips' is an amazing bright pink. Sort of strawberryish? It's a pretty unusual shade, I don't own anything like it and I'm not too sure how to describe it so I'll let the pics do the writing as it were.

Bargain!

With flash

Without

Can be worn bright and bold or sheered out and delicate

This has a lovely glossy texture, and whilst it does dry down a bit once on, I haven't found it to be drying in the slightest.  I haven't worn this for any length of time as of yet, so I can't comment on the longevity of it, but I reckon it'll make a good stain rubbed on and blotted.
Possible Valentines Day shade? :D

Angelica Nail Colour- Angel

I went shopping yesterday and was very pleased to find the Angelica nail polish stand in Primark as I'd heard about them on blogs but had yet to see them in my local store. I picked up the shade 'Angel' as I'd read it was a dupe for Models Own Indian Ocean. I don't own that one but after looking up pics I'd say they are practically identical- least colour wise. Plus the Angelica polishes are only £2.50 rather than a fiver which makes them very bargainous indeed.
Now this shade is very sheer, it took 5 coats to reach the opacity shown but it dried fairly quickly and I used a fast drying topcoat so it wasn't an issue really. You could layer this over a stronger blue shade, or a pink even, which I'm looking forward to trying. On it's own it's a very interesting colour, gleaming more blue or pink depending on the lighting. I only wish my nails and cuticles were in better shape to do it justice!

Gorgeousness!

I may have to go back to Primark to check the others out...

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure- Green Tea

First things first, I love these polishes! I also love the fact they are dirt cheap and I have gotten most of mine from pound shops. For a quid you just can't go wrong! Fragrance Direct have also got a load in stock for just £1.49. I'm toying with the idea of getting a few more but I need to be good. Boo hoo. I might add that I should be boycotting them as they never replied to my complaint about the fake lippie but a bargains a bargain.
These have a great formula, a bit on the thick side but still really easy to apply. The brush is a wide nail shaped one if that makes sense which makes for speedy application, though those with more narrow nails may find it too big. They usually take 2 coats but this one, as with a lot of pastel shades, took 4 in the end. I could have gotten away with three though. Each coat dried quickly though so it wasn't that much of an issue. Plus I've been using an amazing top coat lately-NYC Turbo Dry topcoat. I think I said previously that I wasn't a fan, but that was when I used it as a basecoat as well. Not a good idea as it made it all peel off, but used as intended it dries almost straight away. No more duvet imprints or smudges! I got this for just 99p from Fragrance Direct and it's still in stock.
Green Tea is the perfect colour for Spring. When it eventually arrives. It also has the virtue of being the only pastel green polish that hasn't been a nightmare to apply-Barry M I'm looking at you!

What do you think of the Complete Salon Manicure range?