Derma V10 Dry Skin Cream

My hands are looking vile. They are so dry at the moment, especially around the knuckles and in between my fingers, so much so that my skin is cracking and bleeding. Ouch. My hands often get like this though especially when I'm working in schools. I try and keep the kiddie germs away so I'm constantly using cheapo hand wash and drying hand gels but they leave my mitts looking a state. I've got a few hand creams on the go at the moment such as Soap & Glory's Hand Food and a Garnier one, but they are all highly scented and when they are cracking like this they just make the problem worse and it stings so badly. This is where I need a rich unscented cream to come and help save the day!
I used to use an emollient cream from Boots that contained lanolin and almond oil but when it ran out I thought I'd try something different so I picked this on up from Pound World. The Boots one is only 79p more and I do actually favour it, but this one has turned out to be a perfectly fine alternative. It takes a bit longer to sink in but as I usually apply it at night before bed that doesn't really matter. What's most important is that it helps soothe and heal my hands without irritating them further. If you're in need of a  gentle E45 esque cream then this is great cheap option.

What do you use when your hands are as dry as the desert and hating everything?

Mellor & Russell Miracle Moisture Hair Repair Mask with Argan Oil

I picked this up from Poundland as seeing it on the fab blog  Beauty on a budget. I thought for a mere pound it would be worth giving it a go! I've used it for a couple of weeks now and only have about one generous application left so I thought I have tested it long enough to review it. Overall it is ok. Nothing amazing but not terrible either. It's rather thin for a mask and I do prefer ones that are thicker as they cling to the hair better, however it helped to detangle my hair and made it softer. The smell was fine, pretty inoffensive and it has some good ingredients in it such as argan oil, shea butter extract, olive oil and avocado oil. That actually took a while as I had to google the names from the ingredients list! But for a pound it's pretty decent and I would get it again as well as check out the other items in the range.
*Just checked out the brand online and they have what looks like a good well thought out website so if you're interested you can find out more here.*

Have you tried anything from this range? What did you think?

Everyday Makeup

So it's been another manic week for me! I started my new job, albeit unpaid at the moment due to having to wait an absolute age for my second reference to come through-grr. I've enjoyed it though, even if I have felt a little frazzled with all the information overload! I have also spent most of the week living at my boyfriends house as the school is just minutes away from his. This causes a bit of a headache in terms of organising what I'll need to take for the week but I have managed to stash away some stuff there. Basically it's all the stuff that I need to use up or that I have forgotten about. With nothing else there I'll have to show it some love! I do have to cart about the makeup essentials though and every time I pack my little rucksack I always think I really should buy a decent makeup bag! My brushes are getting misshapen and powders crumbling as I'm just using old Joliebox bags. Anyways I've loved being able to snuggle up on the sofa of an evening even if I have been dropping off!
Back to makeup I thought I'd show you what has been adorning my face lately. It's nothing too exciting as I have to be in school by 8 and I'd rather spend more time in bed than faffing around!

As my skin has been pretty awful lately I have been using a bit of Pure BB cream before applying my Revlon foundation for a bit of extra coverage. I doubt it's making my skin any better in the long run but needs must and all! To help cover my spots I have been using Collection Lasting Perfection concealer in Fair and Light. It seems Fair is just a bit too pale on me at the moment so I mix in a smidge of the Light one and it seems to work. I have then been using my new MUA pressed powder to set it all. For a pound this is good but I think I prefer the Natural Collection one I was previously using.
On my lashes I have mostly been using the new Seventeen Doll'd Up mascara. Annoying spelling aside I really like this. I'd prefer more volume but it defines and separates really nicely and stays put. It's not waterproof but I do find it fairly hard to remove-I'm not too bothered though as it's better than it smudging during the day.
Lip wise I try and vary it usually but this week I have just used my 17 Mirrorshine lipstick in Belle as it's been ignored for the longest time! This is very glossy and moisturising but I still apply it over a little lip balm. The one that is currently in my handbag is a Crazy Rumors one in Banana Split. I doubt this would be to everyones taste but I love the mix of banana and walnut! Whilst Belle is a good choice for work as it a lovely subtle, natural colour it does have a tendency to melt, something I discovered on one of the more hotter days last week, so be careful where you leave it! You can see a swatch of it in this post.

For blusher I have been using my beloved Natural Collection one in Pink Cloud. However on Friday the pan fell out of the packaging, as they often do annoyingly, and got smashed to pieces. I saved some but most of it now resides in the hoover :( Until I pick up another one I'll be using another blush which I have been favouring lately, which is the MUA cream blush in Bittersweet. I use this with a stipple brush as it is bright and a little goes a long way. This way I can build it up gradually without messing up my foundation underneath.

So that's what makeup I have been using lately. Not very adventurous but does the job! I really should incorporate some eyeshadow though as I very rarely use it and it's a shame to see it going to waste after spending a considerable about of money on it all! I'm sure a simple wash of colour won't add too much time to my routine!

Sinful Colors Timbleberry

Hmm, 2 whole weeks and I haven't blogged at all! Tut tut. I've still been reading them but I've been so busy lately that I just haven't had the time or energy to do my own posts. And to be honest I haven't really bought anything of late, least not anything blog worthy, as I'm trying to save my money-my bank balance has been looking quite unhealthy!  This should change soon though as I've recently been offered a new job. I start on Monday as a learning support assistant at a primary school and I'm looking forward to a new challenge. Plus it'll be good to finally be working regular hours after all this time on supply. Saying that for the last few weeks I have actually been working full time in a Reception class (as many hours you can do in a school anyway!) but it's definitely not always like that!
Taking up this job will also mean I get to spend more time with my boyfriend -the school is about 10 mins away from his place so hopefully I will get to crash at his a lot and slowly move myself in!
Anyways, updates aside, I just wanted to show you one of my new Sinful Colors polishes in the shade Timbleberry (I read this as Tinkleberry at first and I'm a bit disappointed that it actually isn't!). I love this shade as it's so summery and cheerful! I found the formula to be good too-it was easy to work with and took two coats to reach opacity. I finished it with a quick drying top coat so I can't comment on the time it takes to dry on it's own but the individual coats seemed to be touch dry within a few minutes. This reminds me I need to stock up on my beloved NYC turbo dry top coat- I nearly always paint my nails quite late at night and since using this I haven't had the dreaded sheet marks once!

Ignore the chip on my pinky- that was me picking at it in a bored moment! 

This is a gorgeous bright corally pinky red creme. The shade is hard to describe but is definitely one I will be reaching for a lot in the Summer.

A couple of bargains...

I'm not working again until Thursday so today I went into town with my sis to kill some time. I didn't really need anything but I wanted to use my Boots voucher to get the new Seventeen Doll'd Up mascara for just £2 as opposed to £6.29. I managed to get the last one in 'Black' so I was rather happy! The excessive amount of sellotape wrapped around it made me less happy though. I know it stops the dirty peoples from opening it and smearing it about but it annoys me! I've tried this out and whilst I don't think it curls or adds real volume to my lashes it does add some length and definition. I also like that the brush isn't stupidly oversized and I can get to all my lashes. Overall a good choice for a natural, defined effect but I would have liked more volume.
 I also had a little look in Savers and picked up the Pure BB cream in Ultra Light. I remembered seeing this in a youtube vid so thought I'd give it a go. Especially as it was only £1.99. Is a bit dinky though at just 30ml.  I've gone back to using my Maybelline BB cream lately as I'm finding it difficult to get foundations to look good on my skin. My skins texture isn't great at the moment and they all seem to be clinging and looking patchy. It's causing much grrr-ness! So as much as I love that one I thought I'd see if this would work just as well at a lower price. The box has lots of spiel on it but basically it contains mineral pigments as well as collagen, avocado oil, aloe vera and something called Allantoin. It's fragrance and paraben free and contains UV filters but no SPF is given. I slapped it on when I got home and my initial thoughts are that it's pretty decent for the price. The colour isn't too orange and blends in nicely. It doesn't have as much 'slip' as other BB creams I've tried and I think it would benefit from being layered over moisturiser. I like that it isn't heavy and tacky feeling. Some have made me look very greasy which isn't an attractive look! Coverage is light but buildable. I know some people like to wear BB creams under foundation but I think this alone would be enough alongside a little concealer. I shall be putting this to the test properly soon and I'll let you know how it fares!

Have you tried any of these? I'd love to hear your thoughts on them if you have :)

Sinful Colors

I was so excited when I heard these were now being stocked in Boots. I'd previously got the odd one from a poundshop and liked them so I was very pleased to see the extensive range of colours and finishes now widely available for a mere £1.99 . I've been taking advantage of the 3 for 2 offer on at the moment and have bought 6 of them. I've yet to try any of them but I thought I'd just show you what colours I've chosen. It took me ages to decide!

From left to right I got Verbena, Pistache, Pink Forever, Boogie Nights, Timbleberry and Let's Talk.

Expect to see a NOTD with one of these soon!

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation

This foundation is all over the blogosphere at the moment but I thought I'd put my two bits in. I actually won mine in their Facebook competition alongside a poster which I'm not entirely sure what to do with.. In any case it saved me £8.99! I've got it in the shade 'Ivory' which is a really good colour match however I do find that it can make my skin look a little flat and I don't get any dewiness. My skin can be quite oily but a matte finish isn't completely flattering either. I  find it gives medium to full coverage when applied with a beauty blender sponge which is good when I need to conceal some problem areas but I have to go easy over my nose- I think too much foundation here is what causes the 'flatness'.  I've tried to apply it with my fingers but my skin is being difficult lately and I couldn't get the finish I wanted- I could see it would give lighter coverage though so it is versatile. A lot of people are a bit miffed that it doesn't have a pump but I'm really not that fussed! Just got to be a bit careful when pouring.
All in all for me it's a decent foundation but not amazing.