Valentines Top Picks 2015

Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick in Hot Pepper £8.99

Hearts Barely There iPhone 6 Plus Case £40.95

Lovers Chocolate Pizza £12.95

Personalised Nutella £3.99

Valentines Chocolate Box from Chococo £12.95

Pandora Valentines Love Letter Charm £35

Lush Two Hearts 17.50

Yankee Candle Valentines Gift Set £9.99

 

 

Three Easy Braids

So I filmed a thing...

 

I really want to get more into YouTube this year as I love the creative process of filming and editing.  My editing is by no means the best but I'm hoping the more I do, the better I get.  Check out my 3 Easy Braids video.

 

I'd love to hear you comments on what you think. Although, please try and be kind!! :)

 

Mascara Mission

 I'm a floozy when it comes to mascaras.  I swap and change all the time. I haven't found one that I really love and does everything I want it to do. I'm making it my mission to find my  perfect mascara.

All Those 'Best Of 2014' Videos | Lips

Finding the face and the eye products I want to try in 2015 was pretty easy. In fact, I could of picked about 20 for each but I've found lips slightly harder. 2014 was definitely a year of discovery for me as far as lip products go. I talked here about being brave and finally having the courage to wear a bold lip and it's been kinda a revelation as far as my make-up is concerned. 

Glossybox | January 2015

Januarys Glossybox has landed and this month there are an impressive five full sized products inside this beauty box.   The box is mainly a make-up box this month which is a nice little treat for January and there are several new brands that I've not heard of before including Nicka K New York, Kueshi (watch the video to hear me try & pronounce that one!) and Jelly Pong Pong.  This month everyone gets the same inside their Glossybox.

All Those 'Best of 2014' Videos | Eyes

 

Have you been watching all the 'Best of 2014' beauty videos on YouTube? It's pretty hard to miss them right? They've inspired me to get out of my make-up rut and try some new products in 2015.  If you want to see what face products I've chosen to give a try check them out here. But today lets take a peek at the eye products I want to try out.

All Those 'Best of 2014' Videos | Face

We've seen hundreds, thousands, heck probably millions of 'The Best Beauty Products of 2014' videos go live on YouTube over the past few weeks or so.  And I have to admit I love them.  But by watching them they've expanded my beauty/make-up shopping list ten fold.

New MAC Lip

So I've finally jumped on the MAC lipstick bandwagon...

So i didn't open my Advent calendar...

Is anyone else hopeless with Advent calendars? Excited for the first week or so but then completely forget you've got one...

Be Brave, Go Bold

I used to be a self confessed nude lip-gloss-aholic. This time last year nude/slightly pink shimmery lip glosses were the only product in the lip section of my make up collection.

Essie Sparkles

When I saw these Essie sparkly polishes glistening at me on the stand in Boots the other day I just knew I had to get one of them for Christmas time.  I don't really own any glittery nail polishes so I thought - what the heck, I'll buy them all! And I have to say I'm not disappointed in any of them.   

 

 

A Cut Above is a a pinky tone glitter varnish that is just so pretty and I think I will probably be wearing this one the most.  Summit of Style is a rose gold that looks beautiful over a white nail.  Set In Stones is a classic silver glitter polish that I'm currently wearing on my nails over a nude.  Rock At The Top is a gorgeous gold that I can't wait to try over a black or deep red.

 

I'm really pleased with the size of the glitter too (does that sound odd?) I feel that the glitter in some glitter polishes is too big but with these there are lots of tiny flecks of glitter with some larger pieces to really add colour.

 

 

 

I've had Set In Stones on my nails now for a week and it hasn't budged so in terms of lasting quality it definitely gets the thumbs up from me.

 

Do your wear glittery polishes?  Which ones would you recommend?

 

 

Glossybox Unboxing | December 2014

This month I'm trying something different for my Glossybox post - I've only gone and videoed it haven't I?

 

If you don't know, Glossybox is a subscription beauty box that I really do love receiving through my letterbox each month.  There are 5 full size and sample size beauty products to try each month and it costs between £8.50 and £10 depending upon which subscription you sign up for.  If you'd like to sign up and receive some fabulous beauty products to test out each month click here.

If this embedded video doesn't work for you click here.

  

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Selfridges Advent | Day 6, 7 & 8

So I forgot to open my calendar over the weekend so I have 3 doors worth of goodies to share with you today - days 6, 7 and 8. If you don't know I have the Selfridges Enchanted Spells Advent Calendar and I've really been enjoying opening it.  It's my first ever beauty advent calendar and I'll definitely be having one every year from now on. 

 

 

I received some nice products in my 3 days - a perfume, a face cream and a serum.

 

Day 6 was Lancome La Vie Est Belle L'Absolu in a mini 4ml bottle.  I initially didn't know what this perfume was as I couldn't find any markings on it and I didn't recognise the bottle.  But, after straining my eyes for a while I managed to read the teeny, tiny sticker underneath that said Lancôme and I managed to figure it out from there.  As you may know, I'm hopeless at describing scents so I'll just say: I suggest you head down to your nearest perfume shop and take a whiff - it's possibly the nicest scent I've smelled in a while. 

 

Day 7 was a Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream which I've heard some wonderful things about so I was really excited when I saw this one.  I've never tried a Kiehl's product before but they've always been on my wish lists.

 

 

Finally behind day 8 was a YSL Forever Youth Liberator which is a serum for the face and neck.  I've seen the YSL Forever range around but never thought to try it.  This 7ml sample size has a pipette which delivers the perfect amount and it will be a fun little addition to my skincare routine over the next few weeks.  

 

Have you got a beauty advent calendar? Or do you stick with the good old chocolate ones?

 

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Selfridges Advent | Day 5

It's day 5 of advent calendar opening and so far, I've opened some real beauty treats.  Day 1 was my spicy perfume, Day 2 was a Kiehl's cleanser, Day 3 was a Lancôme cream and Day 4 was another Lancôme treat.

 

Let's see what's inside day 5... 

Todays product is a miniature 15ml Shu Uemura Skin Purifier.  This was a product I'd never heard of so I had to do a little research to find out exactly what it was. I actually thought Shu Uemura only did make-up and had no idea they had a skincare range.

 

I couldn't actually find much information on the product to be honest.  I'm a tiny bit wiser in the fact it contains liquorice root derivative, amino botanical complex, and depsea water which claims to naturally provide moisture to the skin, enhance the skins transparency and improve the skins quality.

 

I'm unsure when I would use this product in my skin care routine.  Is says on the website to apply to a dry face and rinse thoroughly with warm water - is this used as a cleanser, after a cleanser? I dunnno? Do you own this product or know anything about it? Let me know in the comments if you know how I'm supposed to use it.

 

 

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Find Gemzicle Sprinkles on YouTube

Selfridges Advent | Day 4

It's Day 4 of my advent opening and I've gotta say I'm starting to stress a bit about Christmas.  I'm one of those that starts thinking about Christmas at the beginning of November and starts thinking about what to buy people and casually browsing around the internet but I never actually purchase anything for anyone until well into December.  Ah well, it will all get done in the end.  Let's get back to my advent calendar,

 

So far I've received a few little treasures behind my doors.

 

Day 1 was a wonderful perfume from Yves Saint Laurent

Day 2 was a facial cleanser from Kiehl's

Day 3 was an anti-wrinkle, firming moisturiser from Lancôme.

 

We're staying with Lancôme for day 4...

Initially I was quite disappointed to see another Lancôme product today as I enjoy a bit of variety.  The product I received was Lancôme Galateis Douceur Cleanser.  We received a Kiehl's cleanser on Day 2 so again I was slightly disappointed to receive another one.  This cleanser retails at £35.50 for 400ml and I received a 50ml. 

I've heard some good things about this product in the past so I'm looking forward to trying this out.  I've been using the Garnier Micellar Water to remove my make-up and I've really been loving it but it'll be nice to try something a bit more high end. It claims that all foundation, blush, mascara and lipstick will all dissolve on contact - I'm up for a bit of that.

Selfridges Advent | Day 3

Day 3 of my wonderful Selfridges Enchanted Spells Advent Calendar has certainly not disappointed! I've really been enjoying seeing what beauty goodies lye in wait behind each door and I'm only on day 3.

 

Day 1 saw a beautifully scented Yves Saint Laurent eau de toilette Opium.

Day 2 was a Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser which I'm really looking forward to trying out.

 

Let's see what was behind door number 3...

 

On the door for day 3 it says 'Open the door and reveal the uplifting appearance of youth: skin looks visibly smoother, boosted with moisture,' and when I opened the door I found a little blue tub of cream that I didn't recognise at all.  After further investigation I discovered it was Renergie Multi-Lift, an uplifting, anti-wrinkle moisturiser from Lancôme.

 

The cream is said to help replenish the surface of the skin with the energy it needs to repair and construct during the night.  I've never tried a really expensive moisturiser, as I tend to stick to products such as Simple, so I'm looking forward to trying this. A full size pot of 50ml retails for £64 and I received a respectable sample size of 15ml.

 

What did you get in your advent calendar this morning?

 

 

Selfridges Advent | Day 2

 

It's Day 2 of my Selfridges Advent opening. Behind Day 1 was a spicy, oriental perfume by Yves Saint Laurent which I loved.  I was really looking forward to opening day 2 and I wasn't disappointed... 

 

 

 

Kiehl's is a brand that I love reading about but I just find it too expensive to add to my daily routine (I'm a real bargain, drugstore girl at heart!) and today I received a wonderful Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser behind my enchanted door.  

 

I am hopeless at a skincare routine and I know, I know I really should make the effort to cleanse so I'm gonna give this a little try and see if it makes a difference to my skin. 

 

This cleanser is suitable for all skin types and claims to not over dry or strip skin of it's natural moistures.  My skin can feel quite tight after cleansing so I'm looking forward to seeing if this has a different effect.

 

 

Have you tried the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser?  Do you like it?

 

 

 

 

 

Selfridges Advent | Day 1

 It's December already! When did that sneak up on me? I love when December hits and the house is all decorated with trees and various other decorations and sparkly lights seem to appear on every window and tree in the neighbourhood.  I've really treated myself this year with a special Selfridges Advent Calendar so I figured I'd do a special Blogmas featuring what I received each day behind those magical, little enchanted doors.  

Behind todays door was a miniature Opium by Yves Saint Laurent which is a scent I've never tried before. I'm useless at describing smells but according to Selfridges website it has notes of  mandarin, bergamont, myrrh and jasmine.  I find it quite an oriental, spicy perfume but with a fruity kinda layer to it.  I really enjoy the smell and will definitely be using up all of this handy little miniature.



Sparky certainly enjoyed trying to have a little sniff of the perfume and just generally getting in the way whilst I was trying to photograph!

What did you get in your Advent Calendar this morning?

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Cohorted | A Different Type Of Shopping

 

I love a bit of shopping (who doesn't) and I especially love finding a good bargain.  It makes me feel all warm and happy inside.  I especially love sitting in on a cold winters evening all cosy on the sofa with a big baggy jumper or my onesie and do some online shopping.  I don't even have to move my lazy butt off the sofa to find bargains. Perfection.  Cohorted is a new type of shopping that I've discovered in the past few months. Cohorted? I hear you ask. Lemme explain...

 

 

 

Cohorted is social shopping. The idea behind a 'Cohort' is that a product becomes available and you join the cohort to buy the product with the other shoppers. There is a starting price for the product, a current % off and a potential % off, you will pay an amount in between the two percentages depending upon how many people join the cohort to buy. The more shoppers, the cheaper the price will end up being.

 

New products go up on Cohorted 6pm GMT each Monday and let me tell you, sometimes you've really got to be on there at 6pm or you'll miss out on that high end product you've been lusting after.

 

The products I've purchased in the past few weeks are

 

Skin Doctors Instant Face Lift £9

Soap & Glory Supercat Eye Liner Pen Carbon Black £4.20

Real Techniques Combination Pack £12.78

D&G Combination Pack £12.75

Perversion Mascara & Deluxe Set £9.60
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (I've lost the receipt but it was around £3)

Naked Basics 2 Palette £15.40

   

 

As you can see from the prices I paid there really are some fantastic bargains to be had and I'd recommend anyone heading on over to Cohorted and checking out the products each Monday.  Coming up in the next few weeks they have products such as the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Raw Sugar & Pink Opal, Benefit Rockateur and Chanel Lipstick Rouge Allure. 

 

Do you do Cohorted shopping? What products have you purchased from them?

 

 

 

What's On My Nails #4

This week on my nails I've been wearing Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in the shade Chia and I have to say I've been very impressed.  When I initially bought it I thought it had a purple undertone but it hasn't at all (damn shop lighting).  It's a gorgeous shiny mid grey tone that looks particularly good with a monotone outfit. 

 

It's a shade that I feel is unlike anything else I have in my collection so for that reason I think it's definitely a keeper.

 

I've been really impressed with the lasting quality of this varnish, as I have mentioned in the past that I feel Barry M varnishes just don't have that staying power of other more expensive brands (which btw, I don't mind as I like to change my polish quite often anyway) This one though has been going strong since Sunday night and it's now Friday morning - I think that's really good for such an inexpensive product. I have only one teeny, tiny chip on my right index nail.

 

What do you think of this shade?

 

Are you a Barry M fan or do you prefer a more expensive nail polish?