Sunday 11 January 2015

L'Oreal Color Riche Moisture Matte Lipstick

I found these lipsticks on Xtras, a site I love for little treats as it's free delivery on all orders. I frequently browse the site as you can find some real bargains such as these. They are listed as just Color Riche lipsticks but after doing a google search I've found they are the Moisture Matte ones. I don't think you can get them in the UK but they're on the Australian L'Oreal website when I had a browse. On here they are described as lipsticks that ' deliver intense moisture while providing a velvet matte vinish'. They contain jojoba oil as well as 'matte gel technology', whatever that may be! In any case it feels very smooth on application and is very pigmented. I've got the shade 'Spring Rosette' which is a pretty dusky pink that I think would suit a lot of people. I've not been able to wear it properly as of yet as my lips are very chapped, but going by the swatches I think it would be fairly long lasting as it has left a stain on my hand! As the name would suggest they are not properly matte but more of a satin finish. The other shades available at time of posting are Blaze of Red and Cherry Crush. They are £2.99 but if you use the code 'WELCOME20' (which has worked for absolutely ages now!) they are £2.39. Bargain!

The packaging is very pleasing with the shiny casing and the little 'window' showing the shade. It definitely doesn't feel cheap! 





I can't wait to wear this and I would definitely recommend Xtras if you're looking for a little pick me up!

Sunday 4 January 2015

The Day That Christmas Came Again!

So, as you may know, lately I've gotten into comping. I've had a fair few wins but just before Christmas I got a phone call that blew all the others out of the water! I had missed the call but I'm so glad they had left a message as I was told I had won a £1000 World Duty Free beauty hamper! I remember entering it a while back and thinking how amazing it would be to get it so I was so so chuffed! The lady who took my details had a bit of trouble writing down my address ('Oswestry' is pretty hard to get down I suppose if you don't know the place!) but thankfully it arrived on the 30th and it was like Christmas all over again! I feel very lucky and so grateful. I didn't know what I was getting as the comp never specified but it's all amazing. Some of the face creams aren't quite suitable for me so I'll probably end up gifting them. Though I've also been told I should try and sell them to start my wedding fund!
Now onto the pictures! Sorry for the poor quality. I just did them on the bathroom floor with my phone! They're probably worthy of much better photography!

This Clarins make up set is just gorgeous and the colours are so soft and pretty.



I love candles and this Molton Brown one smells so good. Very masculine so hopefully this will be a Stuart friendly one! 

I was so excited to see this Givenchy 'Les Mini Prismes' set! It really is a thing of beauty! I'm too scared to swatch it and spoil it! 





Extremely fancy anti-ageing creams! Sisley Global Anti-Age (and some sample tubes) and La Prairie Cellular Swiss Ice Crysyal Cream. I'm still reeling at how much these cost. How do people justify buying these for themselves?! I think if I used these I might well end up looking ten! 


I remember seeing this YSL palette on a blog a while back and lusting after it. What's not to like? It's bright pink and contains so many pretty shades. Again I don't really want to swatch it! 



I'm normally quite picky when it comes to perfumes but I adore this one and the bottle is gorgeous! It smells really similar to Narciso Rodriquez For Her which I love. The clutch bag it came with is adorable too! 


This Miller Harris 'Verger' perfume is massive! I've never had such a big perfume! Luckily it smells really fresh and zesty, and just generally 'luxe'.  I'm not sure but I think it could be unisex. 


This Shiseido Ultimune serum comes in the most gorgeous box and the bottle is very pretty! I'm looking forward to trying this as I've always wanted to try a really good serum. 


Another set of swanky creams! Lancome Absolue Precious Cells day, night and eye cream. Again when I looked these up I was shocked to say the least! I really wish I was older so I could fully appreciate these. 


Finally a lovely set of mini Armani perfumes. I particularly like the smell of Si and Acqua di Gioa.  



So there you have it. My extraordinary prize! Again I feel very lucky to have won these and I can't wait to give my sis and mum some things. 







Friday 2 January 2015

Christmas & New Year

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a fab time as well as a lovely Christmas. I've had such an amazing Christmas break this year, I really don't want to go back to work on Monday. Don't think I'm quite ready to face the kids again! I'm lucky I've had 2 weeks off though so I can't really complain.
This Christmas has been particularly special as Stuart proposed! I really wasn't expecting it and I think my reaction scared him quite a bit! I was opening my stocking presents and the last one was a pretty box filled with tinsel. I couldn't believe it when I saw the silver case with 'Laura Will You Marry Me?'' on it.  I asked him what it was (as if it wasn't obvious!) and he asked me the question himself. I still didn't believe it and I think I asked him if he was serious! The rest is a bit of blur as I then started bawling! My mum already knew so was all prepared with a camera to catch the moment. I still haven't seen these pics- I bet they're awful with me a big snivelling mess in a Christmas jumper! The ring is gorgeous and he did a good job getting the right size considering I don't own any other rings. I later found out he took one of his work mates into the jewellers as he thought we had similar sized fingers! Of course I was on a high for the rest of the day and I loved spending the day with him and my family, eating and drinking lots, relaxing and watching TV.
The next few days were spent visiting my dad and generally chilling out, then on the Sunday we had our second Christmas with Stu's family. This meant more prezzies and more yummy food! Christmas dinner was delicious (Stu did a great job cooking the turkey- he does get a bit obsessive about it, bless!) and after some dozy, post turkey time, we had fun playing Scattergories.
The following day I had breakfast out with Stu's sister and she kindly bought me my first wedding magazine. I know it'll be quite a long way off but it's so exciting being able to peruse them now and picture my dream wedding! In all honesty, the thought of it is a bit terrifying but luckily we both have fairly small families so it's not going to be a huge affair! I can't wait to try on dresses and feel all princessy!
On New Years Eve we went down to Stu's parents lodge and had a chilled out evening. His dad made biryani and we played Scattergories again. I also enjoyed some lovely wine based elderflower drinks as well as my favourite Kir Royale! We  brought some peach bellini too but we didn't get around to it! For Christmas I got Stu a voucher for a two night hotel break, so after we came home yesterday we spent some time looking up the hotels we can choose from. Last time we went to Devon and this time around Somerset is a possibility as well as Gloucester. I'm so glad I've got something to look forward to to get me through being back at school!
I feel very fortunate to have had such a good Christmas and New Year and I feel so incredibly lucky to have Stuart as my fiancé. Knowing that I'm going to marry him makes me so happy!



Ignore my scaly hands. If I had know I would have made more of an effort with hand cream!