Search This Blog

Saturday, 28 February 2009

REVIEW: BENEFIT PRODUCTS (inspired by The Lush List!)


So sorry this one has been a while in the makings...I had to ponder over this entry for a fair while and also sift through drawers of make up to find specific products that were previously resigned to the abyss....

First off I don't have an awful lot of Benefit products and this is mostly down to the price. I just find the odd £20 for one item a bit too much, especially if the said item turns out to be pants!

The one good thing is that Benefit is available at Boots (UK drugstore to my overseas readers!Hello!) and Boots = Boots club card points which means points for free make up! It also means that Boots often does good deals like 3 for 2 or 500 Boots points if you buy 2 items...you get the picture!

So on to the favourite products!

First and foremost and a staple to my daily routine is Benetint. I love this product SO SO much. I love that it stains my cheeks a wonderful natural hue which lasts all day and I love the tint it gives my lips. This is definitely one item from Benefit worth purchasing as a little goes a long way..plus is smells DEVINE!

Secondly...I heart the hihglighter Moonbeam. I actually had a scare as I thought they were discontinuing it but I've checked the website and it's still there *phew*. I just love the apricot colour, it's a subtle shimmer and just perks my face up so perfect for the mornings! I've had many compliments when wearing this so it's got to be doing something right for me!

Other items on my list would have to be highbeam. Not as HUGE a fan of this as moonbeam as it's quite an obvious highlighter but again, great for early starts so you don't look so dull as dishwater.

I also am surprisingly fond of lip plump as a primer. It seems to work well with my lipsticks and fills in all the fine lines and gives me a good smooth base to work on.

Lastly, I do quite like BadGal eyeliner. This sits residence in my on-the-go make up bag. It's just super smooth is what!

*rubs hands together with glee* Now let's get on to the ROTTEN APPLES!

See, I love the Benefit catalogue they release every so often. I love to read the little entries about each product and what wonders it can do for me. I'm a sucker for PR blurb which is probably why I fell victim to the following:

Lemon Aid - YIKES this stuff creases...and it's so unnatural. They *points at Benefit ppl* said it would help with dark areas around my eyes and give a bright perky look to them...errrr NO..It doesn't. It actually sucks..and quite badly.

Dr Feel Good - OMGosh where do I start on this one. I love the packaging...I took it home, I sniffed it and it smelt yummy. I had pure belief that this was going to get cult status...but! Not so! No matter how much I willed the Doc to matte my skin, to sooth imperfections and all that jazz...it just didn't perform. Instead it gave me spots...and it dried my skin out...and it made my skin feel suffocated. NOO!!

Eye Bright - One sentence, it's just not worth the money honey.You can get something for a fraction of the price from Barry M. *nods*

F..Y..EYE! - This was terrible. It was the second to worst primer I have ever used and again a complete and utter rip off. I still got creases RAWR!

I've also indulged in products such as the following...which...nice idea if only the packaging wasn't so brittle..ARGH!!



Friday, 27 February 2009

TWO BLOGS IN ONE DAY...WAHHHEYY!

Ok so this technically isn't make up related but I just had to blog about the new necklace I just bought for myself!

Spent my day off strolling around the back lanes of London and stumbled across this beautiful little jewellery shop just off Carnaby Street.

I'm always on the look out for unique places to get presents and this store just had SO many adorable pieces I just feel like I have to tell everyone about it!

The store in question is called " Van Den Berg" click here for the website

Annddddd....here is my faery necklace...I am so so in love with it :)



Enormous Lash...the beginnings....

So I finally finally finished my 28 days with Talika Liposils and am now making my experimental way through the original formula of "Enormous Lash".

I've chosen to go with the original formula as every review I've read says that the new "improved" version doesn't do anything. There were however, much raving over this first formulation so I tracked one down.

I've tried to take better before photos of my lashes so you can kinda see what they are like...they are so dead straight it hurts.
SOOO this is what my lashes looked liked before I started:



Looking semi decent but not as bambino as I want!

So yes...I have started applying it twice a day and will continue to do so until my 10 days are up...and from then on just before bedtime.

My thoughts so far? This little devil STINGS!Oh gosh it does!Thankfully it doesn't last and the sensation is over in a few minutes. It's not unbearable put it that way...just a tad uncomfortable....

I'll try and write an update every week so you can follow my progress...fingers crossed it works!

Thursday, 26 February 2009

REVIEW: GOSH & BARRY M PRODUCTS


I know it's THE word for blogs like this but I need an alternative word...the word haul just doesn't sit well with me...suggestions?

SOOoo as some of you may know, I twittered about my latest lunch time raid and I am pretty impressed that I can gather my lunch and a fist full of make up in an hour...*nods*

SO what did I get?

Well...Superdrug and Boots seem to be doing some good deals at the moment with 3 for 2 on Urban Decay, Too Faced, Gosh etc...and I went down the cheap and cheerful route and got myself a few Gosh goodies.

I'm not a major fan of their stuff as I tend to make a beeline for Barry M if I want high street stuff but 3 for 2, what the heck...

First off I got myself a few of the velvet touch eyeliners...I really like these because they are so ridiculous soft like butter. I happily doodled pretty much all the colours on my hand to try and find my favourite ones COMPLETELY forgetting they were waterproof...DOH!

Rising Sun - This is a golden orangy colour...again, great for perking up that smokey eye!

Funky Violet (flat, crap and nicht so gut! The tester looked shimmery! Am guessing someone dunked it in some loose eyeshadow or something...grrr)

Green Boost - I nice pearly mint green...I love green make up so this would be fab for inner eyes to make them bright!

I also got a lip gloss, can't remember the colour, it's ok...it smells of that yellow chewing gum *scratches head* what's it called? Someone help me out? To be honest this was a desperate grab at last minute when I realised I had to dash back to work! (In case you were wondering what the 6th product was it was a lipstick my brother's gf wanted so got her a pressie!)



BUT! the absolute highlight of this buy has to be the Perfect Lift N Shape waterproof mascara!
OMGosh I was not expecting anything...ANYTHING..from this baby...the packaging looks miserable and I'm a sucker for pretty designs...BUT...no clumps, lovely volume, holds curl and I can apply 3 coats and it's all good! Could this be the uber uber of mascaras for me?

Whilst in Superdrug I also picked up the Barry M lipstick/paint in 129...I know...I caved in! Actually I picked this up last week so I don't feel quite so terrible (yeah keep telling yourself that!).
I really like this product as it's smooth and feels quite moisturising...One thing though as it's quite pastelly it might have a tendancy to highlight all the nooks and crannies of your lips...how does it compare to Mac's Lavender Whip? I have no idea! This lippy cost me £4.25 so it's already a winner for me!

I wish I could tell you that I was good and my shopping this week stopped there but I also went to Mac and I also got a delivery of some Lily Lolo products...I think I will have a part 2 to this blog else this could quite easily turn into an essay!

Until next time!

Follow me on Twitter....plus what's to come!

Super quick entry here to let you know that I shall be uploading a new blog tomorrow...I've got two days off so I shall be scheduling in a few entries to last me through the weekend...will be blogging bout the following:

Benefit products...those that hit and those that are wayyy off target!

Enormous Lash...the first update and my COD is stings...yikes

Plunder, loot...anything but Haul...my latest purchases and there is a fair bit!

So yes! Please check back and don't forget I am also on Twitter as "Hellcandy"...I tend to update this every day with random mutterings about my loves and hates and how much I really am loving Naturtint hair dye...fantastic amazing stuff!

Monday, 23 February 2009

REVIEW: TALIKA LIPOSILS LASH CONDITIONER GEL RESULTS!

So my 28 days are up...in fact they were up quite a few days ago so I can now finally write my review on Talika Liposils!

First off have to apologise for my terrible photos...I have the world's worst camera...an Olympus digital thing...it's terrible for taking close up images. I know that photos are vital to a good review so I'm really sorry about this!

Anyway...So what did I think?

I'm actually really impressed with this product. I've never used any lash conditioners and as I use waterproof mascara on a daily basis I thought it was high time I tried to keep mine in a good condition.

What I really liked about this product was the fact that it didn't sting when I applied it. Ok so the wand is a bit of a nightmare to use when you're trying to apply the product to the lash line but it's no biggy!

And how do my lashes look?

I've spent the last 28 days peering at my lashes constantly, trying to judge if they have grown or not and I have to say I've definitely noticed an improvement....particularly on my lower lash line as there are a few rogue lashes which are super long. Plus I've also noticed my lashes are starting to tangle in the corners which never happened before.
My lashes also feel stronger and they are nice and shiny and don't fall out as much.

All in all I am pleasantly surprised at the results of this product. Whilst I don't have Bambi lashes and still envy everyone else's lashes, I've had a few people say they definitely seem longer so that's fab!

Talika Liposils costs £20 visit the website here

Next...Enormous Lash...original formula...I've already started this and already have formed some opinions already...watch out for the update coming soon!

Sunday, 22 February 2009

REVIEW: TOO FACED BEAUTY LASH INJECTION PINPOINT MASCARA


Yowzers it's been donkeys since I last wrote an entry, and for that...I am deeply sorry :(

Unfortunately life got in the way and blah blah blah....

BUT! I am back, I am blogging...and I bring with me a review on the last mascara to adorn my lashes (which are looking mighty fine, but on to that in another post)....

So I am always on the hunt for the uber uber of waterproof mascaras...have yet to find THE one, and when I read the review "The Lush List" posted, I simply had to try this baby out.

On the box it says "based on the world famous Lash Injection formula, Lash Injection's Pin Point's exclusive 3D Polymers build waterproof tubes around each lash"

Ooo! I've always wanted to try one of these but didn't want to get the L'Oreal one *shakes head*

It also says "Pinpoint was specifically created for length, separation and definition"

EEEKK! See this is where my problems start...the word "separation" only occurs when I am armed with a metal lash comb and brush! But having said that...looking at the photo below I have to admit my lashes do look nice!



I'm really saddened to say that I found this mascara really clumpy! You really can't wiggle this baby brush as it just makes it worse.

I've been using this product for 4 days now and I just can't seem to get it working.

The one thing I will say about this product though is that it doesn't make your lashes hard...if you know what I mean. They don't feel heavy or weighed down, and they don't feel crunchy either. So that's good *nods*

I had real high hopes for the baby brush as I thought it would be able to get all the teeny tiny lashes I have but it just wasn't cutting it.

I'm glad I tried this product and I will continue to use it...but I don't think I would buy it again! Lush List I am so sorry I didn't like this as much as you! :(

Thursday, 19 February 2009

What I Am Using Right Now (Lollipop26 inspired) REVAMPED

Ok So I didn't quite get tagged but as this one involves zero photos (so sorry am feeling all over the palce this week)...I thought I would have a very quick go at this...

SOOOO what am I using right now?

Let us commence....

*update...sorry guys I was a little bit tipsy when I first wrote this blog!* Doing it properly now!

HAIR

Shampoo: Lush's Karma Komba Solid Shampoo Bar...Am also using some Paul Mitchell stuff...can't remember the name

Conditioner: Fudge Conditioner...

Styling products: Chi Keratin Mist, Chi Silk Infusion and Bed Head After Party (smells sooo good)

Hair mask: Ermmm Oh! Bed Head Chocolate Head...It's ok..smells better than it works


Body


Shower gel: Lush's Snow Angel (I love this smell so much)

Body moisturiser: I am so so lazy at this so I prefer Lush massage bars and I am particularly loving "Nutts" But I also love "King Of Skin" etc etc

Deodorant: - Crystal one

Fake tan: Ziltch (I try to avoid the sun!)


Face

Cleanser: Lush "Angels On Bare Skin"...amazing for sensitive skin.

Eye makeup remover: Clinique Take the Day Off

Exfoliator: Lush "Hell's Angels"

Makeup

Primer: Don't use one...I know I should...BUT! I don't :P

Foundation: MUFEHD (I love this stuff...I was using Bare Escentuals ID mineral make up for a fair while before this but then during the winter months I felt like I just needed something else...and this is it!So light!)

Foundation brush: I absolutely adore my Mac 188 brush...it's small enough to get into all the nooks and crannies.

Concealer: I switch between the MUFE Oriental palette and also the CLinique line smoother one...(not sure what the proper name is!)

Powder: Not really using one right at this moment...

Blusher: A chanel blusher in "Secret"...I also love Benetint and my Mac MSF

Bronzer: Does Mac's MSF count? Otherwise none...

Highlighter: Moon Beam by Benefit as it's just a wonderful natural peachy shimmer..I much prefer it to High Beam but I also own this too.
Highlighter for eyes I use my mini Bourjois (mentioned in one of my previous blogs) and I also use Mac pigment in Vanilla and a palette of highlighter colours by Hard Candy...oh and sometimes Eye Bright by Benefit but I wouldn't say go out a get this...it's just cause it's there...

Eyeshadow base: Too Faced Shadow Insurance...it's ok...but I have a Pop Beauty "Glam Jam" which I think is SO MUCH better...perfect for my Reflects Glitter too (which I wore today)

Eyeshadows: I love Mac's Vapour at the moment..but I have such a HUGE amount of eyeshadow and fritter from a rainbow of colours each week...it's very hard for me to choose a few!I suppose I've been using my mini Bourjois a lot as well as a Face Front pigment in Octopus Ink. Too many to mention..Barry M and Mac pigments are my favourites!

Eyeliner: Mac Fluid Line in Black Track...Urban Decay's Liquid Eyeliner in Perversion

Eyelash curler: I have a heated Revlon curler which I love but it's dead on batteries so I am now back to my Shu Uemura ones which suck as they have stopped selling the replacement pads...gits!

Eyelash base: None am afraid...any suggestions?

Mascara: Too Faced Beauty Lash Injection Pin Point , just started to use this so expect a blog very soon!

Lipstick: Mac's Russian Red (have an obsession with 50s lips at the moment but too much for work me thinks)...otherwise it's Mac's Slim Shine in Bare but don't get too attached to this one...it disappears SO SO quickly!Go through a tube so quickly!

Lipgloss: Carmex lip balm...seems to do the trick for me.

Nail colour: I just took off OPI's Lourve Me Lourve Me Not...it didn't look as cool as it did in the bottle...sooo I might put on OPI's "Sheer! Your toys"...It's grey..I shouldn't like this...but it looks so nice on!

DONE!


Tuesday, 17 February 2009

LOOT & PLUNDER!

Ok so I didn't charge into the shops on pirate ship and screech "Avast YE!" and steal myself some treasure...but "loot and plunder" just sounded good *nods*

Am afraid this week is proving to be a rather testing one so apologies in advance if this week's blogs are particularly lame...*sigh*

Let's get cracking!

1) Too Faced Beauty Lash Injection Pin Point Mascara
I read about this in the Lush List's blog and simply had to try it! I've yet to find the uber uber of mascaras and as I have such straight laced lashes I have to unfortunately rely on waterproof mascaras to hold a curl. Will write a proper review on mascaras v soon.



2) OPI Nail Polishes in "Lourve me Lourve me not" and "Yes I Can Can".
I love dark polishes and Lourve me I was particularly drawn to because of it's teeny tiny glitter particles. Nice and subtle ;)


3) Revlon's "Cherries In The Snow" lustrous lip GLOSS.
The lipstick has yet to show itself in Boots or Superdrug so I decided to try the gloss out whilst I waited.
Am actually really taken with it...the colour is nice and subtle and it's not sticky.
My only concern is the smell and taste..ick *pulls face* Which leads me to...

4) Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush "Sugar Rush" Lip Gloss
OMG...SO aptly named! This gloss was given to me as a present and OMGosh the taste is SOOOOO SUGAR SWEET. Too sweet if you ask me..it's like lacing your lips with icing sugar! Yowzers!


Apologies for the crappy photos...am being lazy and taking photos using my macbook cam...don't know where my camera is let alone it's lead!

OH! and not make up related AT ALL, but a friend at work gave me this teeny tiny satsuma to cheer me up. How cute is this?!!

Sunday, 15 February 2009

MUTTERINGS...IT HAD TO HAPPEN SOONER OR LATER!

Anyone who has access to my private blog will know that I have a tendancy to ramble, so I fear I my must apologise in advance for this blog if it hops, skips and jumps all over the place. C'est Moi!

That out of the way...let us commence.

Today I am pondering over the following:

* LIPSTICK - I slapped on Russian Red as a cheer-me-up-on-a-whim thing, no base, no liner, NADA..and it's frikking well staying put. Sods law that is...now if only my Valentine wasn't a dog...*sigh*

* MAC'S LAVENDER WHIP - Everyone is talking about this, whether it be makeup alley, YouTube, blogger...everyone. I pondered getting it but I saw Lollipop26's post on Barry M's cheapo version and decided to get that.
*face palm*
"hang on a minute..haven't I already got a Mac Lavender Lippy???".
A quick rummage and behold "Martooni" ! I swear I stash far too much Mac lipstick than I have sense for. My collection mostly consists of gothic colours so have no idea what made me buy this one! So yay! I can jump on the Lavender bandwagon too...(see below for a more accurate colour!)






* MY 188 BRUSH - this is SO good. I've not used it for a while as I was going through a mineral foundation phase but oh it's like being reunited with a dear friend (oh ok not so, not so).

* EYELASHES - oh for the love of cod...are they growing? Are they...no really, ARE THEY? Not long till I can jump boat to Enormous Lash!

* SEPHORA - I heart you...I wish you were still here in the UK. I want to purchase a ton of stuff *nods*

* MASCARA - I want Too Faced Beauty's Lash Injection Pin Point after reading the "Lush Lists" blog...I am still searching for THAT mascara.

* Cherries In The Snow - when are you going to show your face again? I search Boots and Superdrug almost daily waiting for your arrival!

C'est Fini!

That is all....

Saturday, 14 February 2009

REVIEW: B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful

So I was planning to actually film a vlog for this one but I am quite camera shy and erughhhh...maybe. I've got Monday off so I might film some things then...does that make me an extrovert? *smirks*

I thought I would blog about Lush's make up line "B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful".

The first thing you will notice is the packaging is super kawaii. They make for perfect presents for a make up addict as they are so unique. But I will just say...don't even attempt to travel with a lipgloss pot...mine leaked everywhere as the lids do not stay put! I have since depotted my fushia gloss to an Anna Sui rose ring...keeping the cute alive!

The experience of a store is something to behold...if Aladdin were gay the boudoir in his cave would be like this...*nods*

My favourite products include the eyeshadows and the red lipstick called "boudoir" which smells like roses and has a beautiful blue tint to it making it a fab rouge for that 50's look (although I have since decided Mac's Russian Red is more apt for me).

They also have this amazing eye kohl that comes in an intricate wooden pot...based on the arabic eye kohls. See!

The consistancy of this product is really quite surprising...it gives a very intense black that applies smoothly and makes for some seductive smokey eyes.

If you fancy trying out some of their products they are doing a lucky bag! You can only get one from the website for a strictly limited time only. Click here to nab one!
Am still pondering if I should get one...I've got a list of things I want to get this month...maybe that's the next blog!

Visit the website here

Friday, 13 February 2009

REVIEW: "DARK ANGELS" "HELL'S ANGELS" CLEANSER BY LUSH (NOT IN SHOPS YET)

Very exciting blog today (well I am v excited anyway).

I went to Lush during my lunch break (horray for Westfield!) to try and get my mitts on the new cleanser called "Dark Angels" as I absolutely adore the "Angels On Bare Skin" cleaner. Unfortunately it wasn't out yet so I asked them when they were likely to get some in stock. I was told it's still in it's testing stages but I am very excited to say that I was given a sample to try! (providing I fill out a review form for them).

SOOOOOOOOO...here is my exclusive review!

First impressions is it's very black...very very black. But it's incredibly enticing as the SCENT of it is delicious! It's not too dis similiar to the scent of Coalface, a gorgeous liqourice scent...like blackjack sweets *nods*

The texture was suprising as it was much softer than I was expecting it to be, like sticking my fingers into cake, and it spreads really nicely...you mix it up with a little bit of water to form a sticky black paste and then smudge it all over your face!

It gives a really good, generous scrub...not too harsh but not too soft either...just perfect. What gives this scrub it's exfoliating properties may come as a surprise but it's actually charcoal! Finely milled charcoal which is great for mopping up excess oils so this scrub would suit oily skins. I think they are going to market it for teenagers but scratch that...It's for YOU too! I have't got my Lush Times to hand so I can't tell you the exact ingredients but will add this info soon.

The guy at the store said he had trouble washing it off but I found that it rinsed off easily and left my face feeling deliciously soft and cleansed.

I would highly recommend this product for anyone to try. I love it when I find a fab product and I am pleasantly surprised with the results this product gave!

Unfortunately I have no idea when Dark Angels will hit the stores as it's not on the website yet but I'll go pester the guy again tomorrow when I hand in my review form so fingers crossed it's soon!

Thursday, 12 February 2009

REVIEW: MAC MINERALIZE SKINFINISH DEGRADE

So I caved in and bought the "redhead" version of the MSD...I didn't really have any plans to get anything from this Mac collection but when I went to purchase my Vapour eyeshadow last week (yes I still have to review this..sorry!), the oriental girl who served me had amazing cheek colour and when I asked her what it was she told me it was the MSD.

So I pondered over it and decided to get one!

At first I was a bit worried about it the first time I tried it out as I felt like it was just sitting on the skin, much too shimmery, and not fine milled enough...but then that might have been something to do with my swishing it on at around midnight!

I tried it properly on Tuesday morning and I have to say I am so impressed with it! It gives a lovely luster to the skin and just makes my face look lovely and awake.

I am a huge fan of pink blusher but I decided to get the redhead colour which is slightly golden/bronze just for a change. I use a smaller brush to contour my cheeks and then use the highlighter colour on the apples and brow bone.

Whilst it's not as pink as I am usually use to, I think this is a wonderful alternative if you want a natural glow and just to give your skin a luminous shimmer.

This is a limited item so get yours quick if you want to try it out!
Click here for full collection info

Wednesday, 11 February 2009

Hello Kitty Mac Collection...

Just in case you haven’t seen this video doing the rounds, this is Mac’s “Hello Kitty” launch video. I have to agree with everyone, this is very Gwen “What You Waitin For?”…and I can see it’s trying to be all Harajuku-esque but being the Lolita Loon as I am, I think it would have been nicer if the outfit was from Baby, The Stars Shine Bright…but I do like the wrist cuffs *nods*

And what’s with the gimpy Hello Kitty boys? *
sigh* I would have liked little Gothic Lolita kitties with parasols instead *dreams*

Mac launches the HK collection in the UK next month.

Tuesday, 10 February 2009

REVIEW: FUDGE WET HED CONDITIONER

So I mentioned in one of my previous posts that I had purchased a "Fudge Wet Hed" Conditioner from TKMAXX for a bargain price of £3.99 for 500ml.

I said I would review it and as promised...I am :)

First off let me say it would never cross my mind to purchase a Fudge conditioner. I generally get all my hair stuff from Sally's hair and beauty supplies as I am sick of buying products from Boots or Superdrug and being disappointed with them. Plus I have a better choice of animal friendly items in Sally's.


The product description says this conditioner is for seriously damaged hair...splendid! Right up my alley!

I fought against my usual routine of spraying my hair with my Chi Keratin Mist so that I could give you an honest review and I have to say, now my hair has dried (I let it dry naturally)...the results are really impressive. My hair feels really nice and silky and it's lovely and shiny. I have long hair and I often find that conditioners stating they are for dry damaged hair just don't cut it so I am very impressed with this one. The ends of my hair are tangle free and frizz free too...horray!

My only cons with it would be the smell. It's like a cross between Flash and Kalpol...grim *pulls face*.

I can get around that though, and for the price I am very very happy. If you can get to a TKMAXX I would definitely recommend it. £3.99 for 500ml is a bargain and I will definitely be looking out for more.

Monday, 9 February 2009

ROUGE LIP UPDATE...

So a few days ago I wrote a blog about how I was looking for 3 specific lipsticks and was having a NIGHTMARE at tracking them down.

To recap they were as follows:
1) Revlon Super Lustrous Black Cherry
2) Revlon Super Lustrous Cherries In The Snow
3) Mac Russian Red

See, thing is...I don't really wear lipstick. The whole check in mirror thing and touch lippy up every 10 minutes doesn't really apply to me, plus I have a much higher love for eyeshadows *nods*

But lately I have had a strange desire to go 50's red...so I did a bit of research and found that Revlon's "Cherries In The Snow" was their number one selling red lippy in the 50's. Good enough for me!

So anyway, I discovered that "Cherries In The Snow" isn't available here in the UK. RAWR! They only had a lip gloss which was a bit of a disappointment.

Anyway! Get this...I'm reading Grazia over the weekend and they have this article about "Cherry Lips"....and in the last sentence they mention "Cherries In the Snow" is making a return! HOW WEIRD??! Talk about luck in a random self indulgent way!

So yes...very very excited about that! So excited. Hopefully it will hit the shops this week? *fingers crossed*

BUT the week did end good as I finally managed to hand over 6 mac empty pots in exchange for a free Russian Red..YAY! Love freebies, especially when they are as glamorous as a rouge lip...although I have to comment that the High Street Kensington Mac Customer Service could do with an improvement. Aloofness really doesn't sit well with me.

I have to say Russian Red is a beautiful colour. It suits my oriental skin wonderfully and the matte texture goes on smoothly and smells incredible like all Mac lipsticks do. It's such a seductive colour.

I also managed to nab the Last Black Cherry at Westfield's Superdrug and they had an offer of £1.50 off...got to love a discount!
This lipstick is incredibly light, it doesn't really feel like you have a lipstick on and don't be put off by the dark near black colour of it. You can get a lovely berry stain if you apply it lightly or if you want to go full whack the colour is a wonderful deep cherry red. It also feels very moisturising. Think Femme Fatale...

Black Cherry Applied lightly:






Black Cherry full whack:

Sunday, 8 February 2009

DOING MY BIT FOR RED NOSE DAY & FUDGE CONDITIONER


Sunday afternoon was spent with my family stuffing my chops with a hearty lunch...I swear 6 hours on I am still uncomfortably full.

I later drove to TKMAXX for a quick peruse of their shoes (sometimes...only SOMETIMES you can find a special pair). Unfortunately, today was not one of those days but I did get my mitts on Stella McCartney Madonna Red Nose Day vest...which I heart very much. I was a obsessed with Madonna when I was younger with her "True Blue" album being the first one I bought, so I had to get this super cute vest.
You can purchase them here

I have very fond memories of RED NOSE DAY at school...loved all the new noses they would bring out. Must get one this year!

I also got myself a fudge conditioner...will use it tonight so will let you know what it's like tomorrow! Only cost me £3.99 which was a goody. Sometimes you can find some decent hair products in TKMAXX...wish they had Aveda stuff though!

Thursday, 5 February 2009

TALIKA LIPOSILS UPDATE DAY 15

WOW I can't believe it's already 15 days! Yikes!

So first off...apologies, this blog has got a rubbish photo...I really need to start taking photos during the day as oppose to the evening when it's so dark *sigh* I blame the clocks still being backwards.

So yes...it's day 15 and the main thing I am noticing is that my bottom lashes seem to be getting longer and that my lashes are starting to tangle in the corners...and proving quite annoying really! Especially after a coat of mascara!

But does this mean that it's working?
Hmmm well the changes are there but they are very subtle. I definitely think that they feel stronger and the tangling thing is something I haven't had before.

Still have another 13 days left so maybe there will be more to report then!

But in the meantime I have already invested in my next experiment which is the Enormous Lash original formula...very exciting! I think when I start that experiment I shall measure my lashes first and get some help with my before photos *nods*

Wednesday, 4 February 2009

1 OUT OF 3 IS RATHER MEH!


I'm a bit disappointed today.

It's really really silly.

I've had my beady eye on a few lippys I've been wanting to purchase and today I finally got to go back to work and also to the super massive big shopping centre right opposite work (aka Westfield).

I was all ready to trade in my 6 empty MAC containers for a free "Russian Red" only to be told they have sold out. BOO!

So I trudged to Boots to try and purchase a few lipsticks by Revlon which they didn't have....but Superdrug did have one which I wanted which was "Black Cherry".

I use to be OBSESSED with dark gothic lipstick. I wore in religiously throughout my art foundation years so you can see why this particular colour appeals to me.

My only thing is, as much as I want to wear lipstick...I just can't keep it on for longer than 5 minutes before I have to wipe the damn thing off! *sigh* I'm wearing it more as a stain at the moment...think I am pretty much over my gothic stage!

It just irritates me when it needs touching up...RAWR.

SO yes...today's blog is rather fruitless...apparently they will have Russian Red back in stock on Friday so hopefully I can write my red lippy blog over the weekend...fingers crossed!

Tuesday, 3 February 2009

CHERRIES IN THE SNOW

Quite literally!

Confused? Let me explain :)

See this week my task was to find the perfect red lipstick.
I know I know...everyone is doing it, everyone is blogging about it...yadda yadda...but I am dying to find the perfect red lipstick for my oriental skintone and I want that delicious berry red wartime colour...oh yes indeedy I do!

So yes...the plan was to hunt down Revlon's "Cherries In The Snow". Apparently this was their number one selling red lippy in the 50s...sounds perfect!

The plan was to head to the shops at lunchtime and hunt down this li[ppy but get this! I can't get to the shops or work because I was confronted by this in the morning!

Typical! I said CHERRIES IN THE SNOW not literal SNOW!

I am also going to join the masses and invest in Mac's "Russian Red" which is the same red that Gwen Stefani and my LOVE Dita Von Teese wear.

I've also got a few others I am going to check out but will leave it for another blog.

Happy snowball fighting!

Monday, 2 February 2009

HOW TO MAKE YOUR NAIL POLISH LAST THE WEEK!

This year I decided I needed to try and focus my beauty regime to include the following:

* looking after my hair (I am TERRIBLE at getting it cut)
* moisturising my body
* Manicures!

So today I thought I would write about manicures and my attempts at making nail polish last the whole week (something I am not very good at!).

Where I work there are a few girls who have the most fabulous nails...always polished and never chipped. Then I found out it was down to acrylics so that explained it all! You'd think it as obvious but doh..not to me.

I toyed with the idea of getting false nails but as my attendance of any appointment is a chore for me I decided against it. Plus I use to have some years ago and the recovery time it took for my normal nails to get back to a semi decent appearance just wasn't worth it.

Instead I decided to master the art of the one week manicure....DIY!

One fabulous friend always had natural nails with polish that lasted forever and she told me her secret was to apply a coat every day after your initial manicure.

So I did this and was impressed that my nails seemed to go the distance but the coating was getting a bit thick and TBH a CHORE!

So I did a bit of googling and researching until I found the perfect "formula" for me...and here it is...simple I know but it works!

1)Clean your nails and use some nail polish remover to remove all traces of old polish and oil.

2)Next get yourself one of those 3 way nail buffers and follow the instructions until your nails are shiny like glass!

3)Invest in a good base coat. I swear by OPI's Natural Base Coat. Apply 2 layers making sure you let each one dry first. Make sure you go slightly over the ridge...this might mean you get it on your finger tips but that's easy to remove afterwards.

4)Invest in a good nail polish. I love OPI again (fab colours and not tested on animals). Apply 2-3 coats depending on the pigment.

5)Invest in a good top coat..again for me it's all about OPI!

When I follow this method my manicure will last me a whole week. I paint my nails on a Sunday and remove the polish on a Saturday so my nails have a little breather before applying next week's coat.

Admittedly my nails are short...and I prefer them that way. But I think it has something to do with buffing the nails first so that the surface of the nail is prepped and ready for the polish...plus painting over the ridge too...something like that anyway!

Anyway...I hope this works for you...I'd be intrigued to know.

Sunday, 1 February 2009

LASHES UPDATE

So if anyone is wondering how my lashes are doing...here's a little update.

I'm now on day 11 of using Talika Liposils...I've been using it morning and evening and whilst they feel much stronger and not as dry, I'm not noticing a HUGE amount of difference.

I've been coating my bottom lashes in it too and I THINK there is a bit of growth to it, but of course this might just all be in my head and a result of wishful thinking.

Other notable bit's worth mentioning...if you use it in the morning make sure you really let it dry before applying mascara. I tend to put it on after I moisturise, that way after my foundation etc has been applied it's definitely dried. Otherwise your lashes will just uncurl and look super straight...not good.

I do have a back up plan though..I bought the original formula of Enormous Lash off Ebay over the weekend. SO after my 28 days are up I'm hitting this bad boy and let's hope I get doe eyed lashes!