..while I've been gone

Hello Darlings,

I have been absent for a few months due to a few personal issues which have been taken up my time, so I thought I'd update my blog with a few pictures of the beauty purchases I made from the beginning of July through to mid September. (Will update new beauty purchases at the end of October)

I have a few more of these blog posts coming up because I have been naughty and bought some more beauty bits, it's a exciting (and expensive) period of me at the moment, I seem to be just as excited by beauty as I am fashion, every high street shop or beauty brand seems to have something I want! 

However back to the products!

MAC 'Centre Of The Universe' MSF (Heavenly Creatures Collection), 'Something Special' Cremeblend Blush (Permanent), 'Cut a Caper' Lipstick (Heavenly Creatures Collection), 'Insanely It' Lipstick (Permanent) , 'Pleasureseeker' Lipstick (Heavenly Creatures Collection) & 'Fashion Circuit' Eyeshadow (Electric Cool Collection)

'Centre Of The Universe' MSF - Heavenly Creatures Collection

Cut a Caper is my all time favourite lipstick, I bought it with the Tartan Tales Collection two years ago and nearly screamed with delight when I went to a MAC counter (out of pure chance - don't you love it when that happens) and realised it had been re-released with the Heavenly Creatures Collection, and got two back ups. I'm still scared to use them as often as I'd like as they won't last forever!! :(

Oh and the Pleasureseeker lipstick isn't great, but I'm determined to make it work for me!

I shall review these properly over the next few weeks.

I also picked up a Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser and a few of the L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipsticks but I want to dedicate a post to those separately. 

Hope you're having a great day!

I have been so naughty! (again)

Hello Darlings!

Yet again I have been very naughty! I don't have time to tell you too much about my purchases, but thought I would share them anyway.

Jumper: As you can see I have purchased my first winter-ish item, I tried to keep it as fun as possible, this jumper is rose gold and just beautiful, although not really keeping in tune with all the bright tops I have been buying lately, I think it's time to face facts, it's no longer summer...boo hoo!!! It's lurex so it'll be probably be a bit itchy but it's so yummy it'll be worth the public humiliation!

Necklace: I got a smaller dipped dyed version of this from Topshop, it's gold with bits of black which is so unique and pretty with all the bright items I have been buying, but couldn't find it on polyvore so picked the nearest item! However have linked the one I really bought! It's so pretty! Plus love studs and spikes so it's perfect for me!

Lipstick: Topshop Lipstick in 'Idol' - I have heard a lot about Topshop Lipsticks, and after checking them out, and the quite limited collection at my local Topshop I shall be ordering some more online! I love the consistency and they feel so good on my lips! (Yayyy!!)

Dress : I had to check and recheck the price of this dress, I intially saw it online and wanted it, but as there wasn't anything else that I wanted so couldn't justify the delivery charges! Anyway after I picked it up, got it home and stuck it on (I didn't want to try it on in-store as didn't want to ruin my hair ha ha) I am a bit umm and urr as whether to keep it. WHY YOU ASK? well arm cut outs come to forward so the sides of my bra show! I only stopped breast feeding four months ago, and these babies need holding up!!! So might need to invest in a new bra if I keep this lovely dress. Oh and if I do keep it I'll probably get the other colours too. bla bla bla!

I have a lipstick post coming up too, I purchased four lipsticks this weekend (including the beauty we see above) so can't wait to share them with you.

Much love!

New Purchases...

Hello Darlings!

These are a few of my latest purchases while taking advantage of Topshops free delivery charge.

Topshop Petite Peplum in 'Sea Blue' - I love my coral version of this, and although the 'sea blue' peplum only seems to come in petite, I had to have it! I am being so much braver with the colours I wear so get really excited making such fun yet unusual (for me anyway!) purchases

Topshop Kristen Jeans in Black - The light blue version of these jeans are really flattering, and seeing that I need a nice black pair, it would only be silly for me to ignore the Kristen Jeans in Black. These jeans are great for girls that are 'hippy' or have a tum and want to be able to get away with shorter tops. I love the shape it gives me, and recommend it to anyone wanting to give high waisted a shot!

H&M Basic Red Vest - I can't find the one I purchased on Polyvore, or online, so I attached the one that looks most like it, although the one I purchased it a lot more vibrant. I have been buying a lot of bright red tops, mostly chiffon, that are sea through, so needed a vest I could team them up with, without losing a great deal or dignity...or cash.

I am being a lot more sensible with my spending (although it must not seem like it) as I am only purchasing items I know I shall wear. Gone have the days that I fill my wardrobe with the same old tops that scream 'I am stuck in a rut', so feel much better about myself since making the change. I trust myself a lot more when heading out with my cards now!

x

My every day skin care routine.

Hello Darlings,

Today I am going to talk about the skin care products I use every day and how I feel they benefit my skin.

I have used Dermalogica for 8 years, the products I have used have changed as my skin has, which is what I adore about these products, it's like mix and match and finding the combination that works for you.

I am really sorry for the unclear picture, I didn't have much time to spend on perfecting its focus!

Before I start talk about each one, I should really give you background summery of my skin. My skin was always combination before getting pregnant, (oily t-zones, and dry-ish patches, but never anything I couldn't control) but over the 9 month duration and post pregnancy my skin became very dehydrated, and still to this day continues to be.

TIP ONE: GET SKIN MAPPED!! (It's a special magnifying glass that can see what is happening with your face, see where you are congested, dry, oily, patchy etc etc) They tell you what to use and give you a plan, even if you take away a few testers, most of the things I now use are due to falling love with the testers!

What I use:

Essential Cleansing Solution - I used The Special Cleansing Gel for 7 years, and never found it to be drying, however 4 months into my pregnancy my skin started to be dull and dry so I was recommended this and I have never looked back. It is a cream cleanser, very moisturising and leaves your skin feeling soft and very clean!  The natural reaction to dry, dehydrated skin is to change how much you drink and to change your moisturiser to something more moisturising, never did I think that it could be the cleanser that is wrong for my skin at that point, so do consider whether the cleanser you use is right for you if your skin changes for whatever reason.

Daily Microfoliant - I use this once a day (usually the morning) and my skin does not feel ready for the day unless I have used it, it removed any dead skin and clears congestion, for me it has especially helped around the nose and forehead. It leaves it smooth and you feel the difference immediately.

Multi Active Toner- In comes in a spray bottle so you just spray it on your face, so no waste and you get as much as your want, on wherever you need it. I smells natural but in a good way, no stinky scents here! I love this product. (Just don't get it in your eyes!)

Intensive Moisture Balance - I have used SO many moisturisers by Dermalogica, Skin Smoothing Moisturiser, Active Moist etc etc, but they all worked well because I didn't really have problem skin, I found this moisturiser worked to it's optimum when matched with the Essential Cleansing Solution, together they both leave my skin feeling nourished and hydrated.

I also use the Multivitamin Power Recover Masque and the Skin Hydrating Booster which I both find pick my skin up on days that it's feeling extra drab, but as I don't use these every day I shall do a separate blog post on them as Dermalogicas Masques and Boosters are amazing. 

All orders from the Dermalogica website have free delivery and come with recommended samples. 

I went shopping....

Hiya darlings,

Last weekend I went out and hit the shops, I thought the sales would all be over but thankfully got a few items I had been after for a while, and the rest from this season, so I happily paid full price for a lot of what I wanted because being a mummy to a young demanding baby means I don't get out much, and currently being in-between sizes, ordering online can be a bit of a bother. 

I recently mentioned that I was sticking to investment pieces, and although in my head I had been, this usually meant my wardrobe was choc-a-bloc with black and boring dark colours, so I decided that investment pieces do not mean 'blah' colours. 

This are the items I picked up. 

From Zara:

(Non-Sale Item) Zara cat top, with the cute little collar detail, I thought it would be a beautiful piece for my collection. I saw that Stacie from MissyElz had the longer white version, and I just loved the print, and simplicity of the top but they didn't stock it when I went to Zara. I love Stacies website, she never fails to inspire me, with her wearable day-to-day outfits. 

(Sale Item) Zara Green Peplum Top with Stud Detailing, I really love the colour and studs on this top, but wish it's material was slightly more forgiving, I don't find it very flattering. I am going to keep it and have it altered as it's just too beautiful to reject!

(Sale Item) Zara Studded skirt. Oh how I love studded items, and although this skirt has already started to shed (I have not even worn it yet!!) I know I can team it up with so many things, it's fit isn't very flattering 'up top' but as long as I wear it with an adequate top it should be fine. I am a big fan of simple yet interesting items. It's nice how a few studs can make something so classic seem so 'wow'.

From Topshop: 

(Non-Sale Item) Topshop Triangle Thong Collar. I love this necklace SO MUCH, I know I can team it up with so many things. It couldn't be more perfect for me! 

(Non-Sale Item) Topshop Basic Neppy Tee. Yes it's black BUT BUT BUT, I need a basic black t-shirt to team with lots of things (I also have this top in white too, I love it) 

(Non-Sale Item) Topshop Paisley Print Cigarette Trousers I usually walk straight past trousers like these as I think it's just not flattering for my bottom half, but I was brave and really thought the print was fun, yet still very me! The Cigarette trouser shape seems to work for me without making me look/feel mahoosive! I am always reading MediaMarmalade, and the beautiful print trousers never fail to amaze me, this blog is truly an inspiration and I am always shopping with the beautiful items on this blog in mind!

(Non-Sale Item) Topshop Sleeveless Peplum Top. Peplum tops have been, and are still everywhere, and I finally got my hands on a Topshop one, it's pretty basic, but love how fitted the top is, yet flattering for those that suffer from 'muffin top syndrome'

Picking up these items, which I really think are essentials (yeah right!!) for someone like me who doesn't have too much time to think about what she is going to wear today and really help me work out what other items would be invaluable to my collection.

Zara Embellished Sequin Clutch

I was umming and erring about whether or not to keep this clutch for two weeks, I don't go out too often and when I do I have a bag full of bottles and nappies, times I go out alone or with friends are not enough that I justify keeping a clutch that fits very little and is covered in pretty multi coloured sequins...but did I??? YES!!!

 Me being me and slightly OCD about things like this, I did look through about four or five of the same clutch to pick the best one! I have not used it yet though so it's all tagged up and new looking :)

It seems big enough to carry the baby free essentials.

Phone, make up essentials (a few bits) and keys, I wouldn't say anymore than that as if it's too full it'd wouldn't look as nice being held.

Flash!

I love anything with gold zip detail

I adore Zara the last few months and after constantly checking online and don't think the love story is going to end soon!

I am going to try and pick up more of these clutches as they come out, Zara like to release them in different colours and I'm quite upset that I missed bough the blue and gold versions! The black was pretty but I wear too much black therefore wouldn't stand out like the others....MAN I WAFFLE!

I can't seem to find the clutch online any more, however it was £29.99 and was still in my local Zara when I went last week so look out for it!

Have any of Zaras sequin clutches, which has been your favourite?

Zara Basic Soft Denim Shirt : it's Love love love

I, like many, have been looking for the perfect denim short for a very long time, and although my local Zara is relatively large, it's not as big as the branch in Westfield, so when in doubt I always try and go there as they have a larger range.

I instantly fell in love with this shirt, it's soft denim, the colour and the pearl pop buttons, it was everything I was looking for.

This is a slightly more true to colour picture of the shirt as the others show it to be a lot lighter.

 

 Zara Basic Denim Shirt

 Pearly Pop Buttons

Cute pockets (one on each side)

Sadly I did not try on the shirt before ripping the tags off (it looked my size!!) when rushing to the doctors the next day as although this says medium it was very fitted. I'm a size 8 on top so not sure what is going on there, but a fitted denim shirt is better than no denim shirt (I'm deluded)

I can't wait for it to be warmer so I can wear it more, it's too chilly to wear alone and It can't really be worn with anything else on top (in my opinion).

I love my shirt!!!!

 It's available on the Zara website here and free to deliver instore if you want to save a few pounds.

 

 Have you found the perfect denim shirt? What are you teaming it up with to give it a more girly look?

New Zara studded 'day to day' bag.

Like everyone else, I love Zara at the moment, and I can't stop myself visiting practically every few days! I love their bags, the range is ridiculous! So many to choose from and every single one I love. 

I have picked up a few bags from Zara in the last month however one has terribly discoloured so shall not be showing it! 

This is my favourite day to day back that I have bought from Zara by far.

I wore it out for the first time yesterday and it's so easy, you can just chuck thing in whenever you need to and it's big enough to fit random bottles and things you want to put away quickly! It's black so colour will not transfer, I don't have enough time to worry about that! Although it's not leather I wouldn't say it looks cheap as those are the kind of bags I tend to avoid.The only down side is there is no zip!

It's available from Zara here. It's free to be delivered instore if you want to save a couple of pounds :)

Dealing with the issue : Bliss Pore Perfecting Facial Polish

It's all very lovely buying products to shield the general public from my rather ridiculous pores, but wouldn't it be great if I could get rid of them completely? Well I have found a product that promises to give it a good go, or to at least to make them smaller, that in my eyes is worth the try!

 

It doesn't really tell me how often I should use it on the tube so I use it every two days as I feel it'd be too much for me to use daily. I have been using Bliss Pore Perfecting Facial Polish for about three weeks, I usually use the Dermalogica scrub or Clarins sample I picked up from Boots while I erm and err to whether or not I should purchase it. NOW first things first compared to the other two, this one is a lot harsher, I say this like it's a bad thing but what I mean is after you've used it, you know you've used it, and it leaves my tighter and my cheeks glowing. I use it around the sides of my nose and cheeks and lightly everywhere else. When wearing make up I don't see as many pores are previously, however I would be fibbing if I said they have disappeared completely, but hey it's only been three weeks!

I'm not a very big on facial scrubs, I always feel like my skin is too dry to handle it so avoid, but I can really see this scrub making a difference so I shall continue to use it.

It usually retails at £24.60 but It's £14.50 and free delivery on the Debenhams website at the moment, almost too good to miss!!

What skin products are you using at the moment?

Latest Nails Inc Polishes : Wellington Square and Tate

These are my latest polishes, I've not purchased any polishes from Nails Inc for a while and swatching these reminded me how much I enjoy using them, they apply like a dream and very rarely streak.

I was standing by the counter at Boots and although there were a million of colours I would of loved to buy, I either owned a similar colour or knew it would never get worn, so picked the ones I didn't have and the ones I know I would make the most use of.

Nails Inc Wellington Square and Tate Swatches (two coats)

Wellington Square is such a lovely nude/peachy tone with coral undertones, although the pictures don't show that (sorry!!) It would look so pretty with tanned skin, the application was slightly streaky and I would say it would take a third coat to achieve the colour you see through the bottle.

Tate applied like a dream, I would even go as far as to say one coat looks great, (I like two though) although it's a winter colour I can just see me wearing this all year round when I want more a classic and sexy look.

Have you purchases any polishes lately, what colours are you enjoying?

MAC Fashion Sets Collection : Impassioned Nail Lacquer and Swatches

I am a big fan of the Impassioned Lipstick and when I knew MAC were releasing a Nail Lacquer of the same colour I had to get it!

It was sold out online so I knew not popping to my local counter would be something I would regret.

 

 Impassioned Nail Lacquer

 Comparisons: Impassioned Lacquer and Impassioned Lipstick

Impassion Nail Lacquer Swatch (Two Coats)

I would say compared the Impassioned Nail Lacquer is slightly more neon that the actual lipstick, however it big a lover of the colour and neon polishes, there was no stopping me heading to the counter with it!

I have a few MAC polishes, and generally find that they are streaky and take a lot of layers to look like the colour in the bottle, however I was VERY impressed of Impassioned Nail Laquers consistency, it wasn't streaky and only took two coats to look like Impassioned should! I have heard they may be changing the formulas so if that's correct I shall certainly be getting more of their Lacquers.

Have you purchased anything from the MAC Fashion Set Collection -  any favourites?

MAC Fashion Set Collection : Impassioned Lipglass and Swatches

MACS Impassioned lipstick is one of my favourites, I wear it all year round and love how flattering the colour is on me as well is the consistency of the lipstick itself, it lasts all day and does not make my dry lips look flaky, which is pretty important in my book. When I knew that MAC were releasing a lipglass I got ever so excited...!

MAC Impassioned Lipglass

Comparison between lipglass and lipstick

Up close and personal

(T-B) Impassioned Lipglass and Impassioned Lipstick

Like the Nail Lacquer I would say that the Lipglass is more a more neon version of the lipstick, and has the same sticky consistency as all MAC Lipglasses do. They are not really much funny on windy days, but bright enough to make dull days bearable!

I'm very happy I managed to get this as it was sold out online and although I always get back ups of lip products I love, I don't think I will be wearing this enough to justify a back up!

Have you picked up anything from MACs Fashion Set Collection - Do you have any favourites?

Illamasqua Eurydice Lipstick - I'm Matte about you!

Introducing my new love!

Ever since I saw Zara from Mouldyfruit wearing this lipstick in a video, I couldn't stop wondering what lipstick she was wearing, and when I read what is was I googled swatches straight away - soon finding Sinead from Daintydollymixs post on it! So literally a few minutes later the order has been made and the rest is history. 

This is (if you have not already guessed from the title) is Eurydice, the bright pink from the Human Fundamentalism Collection.

 I love Illamasqua packaging!

I'm a big fan of bright lipsticks, I'd say two thirds of my lipstick collection are brights which I enjoy wearing because they stick a smile on my face.

It's a very bright pink lipstick, and in my opinion has very subtle purple undertones which I think will make it suit a lot more people than the usual bright pinks.

I'm not a big fan of Matte lipsticks due to having very dry lips, but knowing this lipstick was on it's way to me I decided to up my lip regime in preperation, and even with my dry lips I didn't find it to be too drying as long as you pop on a decent lip moisturiser. I didn't find it stained too much because of that.

All in all...I love you Eurydice!

I am looking for a new darling red so shall certainly be trying 'Liable' the other lipstick from the Human Fundamentalism collection.

Eurydice can be purchased straight from the Illamasqua website, or from ASOS if you want free delivery!

Have you tried either, what do you think of them? What are your favourite products from Illamasqua?

Benefit They're Real Mascara : Do they make my ultra short lashes look longer?

 Benefit They're Real Mascara

I don't know about your local boots, but in mine the benefit beauty staff practically cling to anyone they see taking an interest in their stock. I wasn't looking for a mascara neither was I really intending to buy anything (I walked away with three...) but she caught me on a 'bluergh' day when I was just needing a bit of attention!

Firstly, she wanted to try out the tester on me, which I can imagine had been used many times on others so I said no thank you (I sound like such a cow but I have a baby to think of!!), however she dragged across another beauty girl from another till to show me what it does and oh my lordy, I just had to have it, the lashes went from straight to curled and longer, I have always had such long lashes and something inside me said 'this might be it' (cue lights breaking in from heaven scene).

Like I said my lashes are really short, and theyve started falling out due to the hormonal changes from being pregnant to not being pregnant to breastfeeding, to not breastfeeding, this all has an impact on your hair, including your eyelashes.

Looks like a usual mascara brush doesn't it?

This mascara makes my lashes feel and look so much longer, I have to admit I still have to add a few singles to fill them in as Benefit They're Real Mascara doesn't make me look like I have more lashes. I have to warn you though, he brush looks pretty regular, I didn't believe the beauty girl, but it's really (really!!) in the formula! So if you have short lashes and want length with very little effort, give Benefit They're Real Mascara a shot.

It's £18.50 Feel Unique - currently (when attaching this link) comes free with a free 2.5ml tester of Benefits lastest lip & cheek stain 'Cha Cha Tint Mango'

 What Benefit products do you use?

Benefit The Porefessional PRO Balm : Did it work for my big pores?

I am a big lover of blusher, I like them shimmery, matte and down right creamy, but for the last few months I have noted something quite odd happening with my cheeks when I wear blusher, only what can be described as little dots, quite unpleasant looking, although unless you're looking closely I can't imagine seeing it. BUT I can see it and that's enough!

I have dry combination skin, which means my dry areas are very dry but my oily areas are mild. I try and use products that wouldn't offend either issue!

There was already a lot of chat chatter about Benefit The Porefessional PRO Balm on twitter and youtube so I thought why not, I had put off buying it for a while as I already owned products that supposedly would do a similar job (although they didn't) so I decided to purchase.

 

Benefit The Porefessional PRO Balm

 

Love the picture!

It looks slightly tinted when it's squeezed out the tube

goes on clear though.

Like all benefit products this has a really cute packaging and the lady in the picture reminds me of moi - always buzzing around!

You apply it like primer around the areas your pores (it says over or under make up) suffer the most and ta da, once applied and make up is applied over it, the pores disappear....well...I can't exactly say they disappear but they are certainly not as visible.

The balm comes out looking quite tinted although once applied looks clear. I find it slightly drying as I ave dry skin so do have to moisturise accordingly before application.

Although it's not amahhhh-zing, it's the best I've tried so far, so until I can work out how to get rid of these ugly pores, or at least make them smaller, I shall be using and using this again!

Do you own Benefit The Porefessional PRO Balm - Yay or Nay?
OR do you use anything else similar that works?

£23.50 Feel Unique - currently (when attaching this link) comes free with a free 2.5ml tester of Benefits latest lip & cheek stain 'Cha Cha Tint Mango'