There’s nothing better than having a good old rummage through Boots sometimes and emerging with a nice basket of goodies. I paid a visit there recently and here’s what I picked up:
I know I’ve said it before, but I really rate the Got2Be line – the products are great quality, colourful, affordable and smell great.
Usually, I buy their ‘Happy Hour’ hairspray, which gives great hold without even a hint of crispiness and also smells like pina coladas – winning! But they’ve recently launched a new line, Rise N Shine.
There’s a ‘hair souffle’ that I bought previously and also got in my June Glossybox, so when I saw there had been a hairspray launched to match I wanted to try it. The premise – boosted, shinier locks – is an alluring one.
At only £2.00, its very affordable, which so good for something you use a lot of. This smells beautiful and provides a long lasting, smooth finish – it easily competes with the pricey Tigi Catwalk Collection hairspray I had been using. What a find!
Confession time. I’ve gotten to the stage where I routinely wear false lashes for work, during the day. Is that terrible?
My reasoning is that I don’t get on with permanent extensions (tried them, hated them), and yet I want that boosted flutter every day. It’s a bit OTT, I know, but I pick natural looking ones.
I find it just as fast to pop a pair on as to spend ages on mascara in the morning, and you clean, care for and store them properly, a pair can last up to a fortnight – which is a lot more economical than permanent lash extensions. Or at least that’s my argument and I’m sticking to it.
It was three for two, so I picked up a pair of ‘31’s’ (which are extremely light and natural looking) and two pairs of ‘80’s, which are longer and a little more dramatic - a perfect desk-to-dancefloor lash.
Deodorant isn’t the most glamorous of purchase but as an everyday use item I love this one. Sure and Dove both recently released stronger formulas, and I like this one because it really works.
At around the £5.00 mark these are definitely more expensive than regular deodorants but I think the feeling of dryness and freshness they provide all day is worth it.
I walk into work and I run home, so I need something that can deliver and won’t leave me too hot and flustered, especially in warmer weather. I tried this and was impressed with it, so its now become my regular choice.
Plus its far more environmentally conscious than using an aerosol, so you get some eco points as well.
This was the first micellar solution I tried and it made me bin the remover wipes for good.
Since then I’ve been going back and forth between this and the Garnier version – which is cheaper gram for gram (same price but double the amount in the bottle). Both are equally good in my opinion, both cleanse easily, remove all traces of residue and leave skin toned and soft.
The L’Oreal was my choice this time because they didn’t have any of the Garnier option - and actually, I have some holidays coming up soon and this bottle is much less bulky and easier to transport.
If you haven’t tried this stuff – why not? You’ll be amazed at what a good job it does. A proper essential.
Popping pink pouts look great for summer, and wanting to get some of that magenta vibe, I started scouring the net for the brightest pink shade I could find from a drugstore brand – this one came up again and again, so I decided I had to check it out.
I’ve never owned a Maybelline lipstick before, but this has impressed me! The shade is ultra-punchy and will look heavenly with a tan.
The formula is smooth, creamy and moisturing, and its really long lasting as well. I can’t say I’m keen on the packaging, although its not too terrible, but the product itself is great quality.
I turned to my fellow bloggers for ideas on how to work a magenta pout - the result was a brilliant collaboration post with Kerry from KerryJustBeauty that you can read all about here.
I’m amazed at the quality of their offer – and there was me assuming that the pun-tastic names meant the results wouldn’t be serious. WRONG!
Peaches and Clean is a beautiful deep-cleansing face wash that helps me to get my gleam on. I tried this on a recommendation from KerryJustBeauty and was so impressed.
As for the serum – one look at the Boots website shows no one has a bad word to say about it. You can read an in-depth review of it and the matching CC Cream here.
For me, it stacks up favourably against pricier serums from Clinique and Vichy that were my previous choices. The results I’ve seen have made it a go-to item, so while the line was on offer, I took the chance to stock up.
Of course, with my insane amounts of love for this line, I wondered why I wasn’t using their anti-aging eye cream as well, so I took advantage of the offer to pop one in my basket to try out.
It boasts a 'Super Youth Complex', instant lifting technology, under-eye brightening 'Luminospheres', de-puffing agents and ginseng, ginger, guarana and caffeine - quite a list of actives!
If it works anywhere near as good as the Serum, its going to be a great product. Especially for someone like me, who's fine lines, dark circles and baggy undereyes is the bane of her life. I will report back on the results!
I know I’ve said it before, but I really rate the Got2Be line – the products are great quality, colourful, affordable and smell great.
Usually, I buy their ‘Happy Hour’ hairspray, which gives great hold without even a hint of crispiness and also smells like pina coladas – winning! But they’ve recently launched a new line, Rise N Shine.
There’s a ‘hair souffle’ that I bought previously and also got in my June Glossybox, so when I saw there had been a hairspray launched to match I wanted to try it. The premise – boosted, shinier locks – is an alluring one.
At only £2.00, its very affordable, which so good for something you use a lot of. This smells beautiful and provides a long lasting, smooth finish – it easily competes with the pricey Tigi Catwalk Collection hairspray I had been using. What a find!
Eyelure Naturals 031 and 080
Confession time. I’ve gotten to the stage where I routinely wear false lashes for work, during the day. Is that terrible?
My reasoning is that I don’t get on with permanent extensions (tried them, hated them), and yet I want that boosted flutter every day. It’s a bit OTT, I know, but I pick natural looking ones.
I find it just as fast to pop a pair on as to spend ages on mascara in the morning, and you clean, care for and store them properly, a pair can last up to a fortnight – which is a lot more economical than permanent lash extensions. Or at least that’s my argument and I’m sticking to it.
It was three for two, so I picked up a pair of ‘31’s’ (which are extremely light and natural looking) and two pairs of ‘80’s, which are longer and a little more dramatic - a perfect desk-to-dancefloor lash.
Sure Maximum Protection
Deodorant isn’t the most glamorous of purchase but as an everyday use item I love this one. Sure and Dove both recently released stronger formulas, and I like this one because it really works.
At around the £5.00 mark these are definitely more expensive than regular deodorants but I think the feeling of dryness and freshness they provide all day is worth it.
I walk into work and I run home, so I need something that can deliver and won’t leave me too hot and flustered, especially in warmer weather. I tried this and was impressed with it, so its now become my regular choice.
Plus its far more environmentally conscious than using an aerosol, so you get some eco points as well.
L’Oreal Skin Perfection Micellar Water
This was the first micellar solution I tried and it made me bin the remover wipes for good.
Since then I’ve been going back and forth between this and the Garnier version – which is cheaper gram for gram (same price but double the amount in the bottle). Both are equally good in my opinion, both cleanse easily, remove all traces of residue and leave skin toned and soft.
The L’Oreal was my choice this time because they didn’t have any of the Garnier option - and actually, I have some holidays coming up soon and this bottle is much less bulky and easier to transport.
If you haven’t tried this stuff – why not? You’ll be amazed at what a good job it does. A proper essential.
Maybelline ColorSensational Vivids – Fuschia Flash
Popping pink pouts look great for summer, and wanting to get some of that magenta vibe, I started scouring the net for the brightest pink shade I could find from a drugstore brand – this one came up again and again, so I decided I had to check it out.
The formula is smooth, creamy and moisturing, and its really long lasting as well. I can’t say I’m keen on the packaging, although its not too terrible, but the product itself is great quality.
I turned to my fellow bloggers for ideas on how to work a magenta pout - the result was a brilliant collaboration post with Kerry from KerryJustBeauty that you can read all about here.
Soap and Glory Make Yourself Youthful Rejuvenating Facial Serum and Peaches and Clean 3-in-1 Deep Purifying Cleanser
There’s no need to go into detail with these, mainly because I’ve heaped plenty of praise on them already! Soap and Glory has taken over my skincare regime lately.I’m amazed at the quality of their offer – and there was me assuming that the pun-tastic names meant the results wouldn’t be serious. WRONG!
Peaches and Clean is a beautiful deep-cleansing face wash that helps me to get my gleam on. I tried this on a recommendation from KerryJustBeauty and was so impressed.
As for the serum – one look at the Boots website shows no one has a bad word to say about it. You can read an in-depth review of it and the matching CC Cream here.
For me, it stacks up favourably against pricier serums from Clinique and Vichy that were my previous choices. The results I’ve seen have made it a go-to item, so while the line was on offer, I took the chance to stock up.
Soap and Glory Make Yourself Youthful Rejuvenating Eye Cream
Of course, with my insane amounts of love for this line, I wondered why I wasn’t using their anti-aging eye cream as well, so I took advantage of the offer to pop one in my basket to try out.
It boasts a 'Super Youth Complex', instant lifting technology, under-eye brightening 'Luminospheres', de-puffing agents and ginseng, ginger, guarana and caffeine - quite a list of actives!
If it works anywhere near as good as the Serum, its going to be a great product. Especially for someone like me, who's fine lines, dark circles and baggy undereyes is the bane of her life. I will report back on the results!
Maybelline Eyestudio 24hr Color Tattoo in ‘On and On Bronze’
This little beauty is a product much revered in blog land, so I was keen to give it a try. I picked this beautiful bronze shade as I've seen other people wearing it and it looked amazing.
On initial results, I have to say I'm a tad disappointed. The colour seems to come out as a dull, non-shimmery taupe on me. I'm not sure if its because its reacting with the primer I use, or whether its my skin tone, or even applying it with my fingers, but all the shimmer and the warm copper tones seem to drain out of this.
I've only used it a couple of times, but I wasn't overly impressed. It lasted okay, but it had definitely creased by the end of the day, which isn't what I expected. At the moment I'm struggling to see why its been such a smash hit with bloggers! Perhaps it will come into its own in a bit - let me know if you have any tips for using it.
And that was my haul complete - what have you been buying recently?
Other girls who share my total addiction to all things beauty and can spend hours debating the merits of a palette or comparing lipgloss shades!
Two of my favourite bloggers, Sonya from Once Upon A Glam and Kerry from KerryJustBeauty helped me out with some advice recently.
We got talking on Twitter about what to pair magenta lipstick with - and we decided that each of us would do a neon pink lip look, styled up our own way and post the results.
So, here is my post - you can read Kerry's here and Sonya's here.
I decided to go for a nude cat eye and dewy skin to bring out the fun, youthful vibe of a bright magenta lip.
So, here is my post - you can read Kerry's here and Sonya's here.
I decided to go for a nude cat eye and dewy skin to bring out the fun, youthful vibe of a bright magenta lip.
Even if you usually like your job, its that feeling that all your liberty is over for another week, or just a general sensation of dread at dealing with the overflowing inbox and insane demands that are a standard part of modern working life.
Despite its stresses, I’m generally happy with my job. I’ve had bad experiences in the past at work that have taught me the immense value of having a job and colleagues that you’re pleased with. But Mondays can still be challenge.
I lay in bed last Monday, waiting for my alarm to go off, and I just felt so flat, so worn out already by the prospect of the week ahead. No one wants to start a busy week off like that, so how do you get over the Monday blues and pep yourself up?
I began to think about all the little things that were in my power to control, and how I could use those to give the ‘worst day of the week’ a little lift.
A while back, I started an occasional series of posts about my fashion idols - a sort of greatest hits of their best looks and trying to pin down the ‘formula’ to their great style.
I covered Zooey Deschanel, Mollie King and Millie Mackintosh in preious posts, but today I’ll be writing about a ‘hall of famer’, which is what I call the style icons I’ve added into the sidebar of this blog!
Today I’m posting about Leigh Lezark, who is an enduring fashion icon for me.
I'm a little late on this month's Glossybox post - because my box came late, and then the postie kept it hostage for a few days in the sorting office, so by the time I could go and collect it, I had already seen the contents in other blog posts! But still, here we go....
This month's box was a Stars and Stripes special to celebrate the Fourth of July, and packed with US cult classics. I was quite excited by that - the idea of a box themed by country. I'd love to try a Japanese-themed box - or perhaps they should have done a Brazilian one for the World Cup?
As a Brit, I don't really think we should be celebrating Independence Day (farewell empire!) but if it means a box of nice beauty treats I guess I can put that aside. So easily bought!
The box came in red and blue stars and stripes packaging, which was a cute touch. Here's what was inside...
Oooh, new bag alert. I had to share my latest purchase because its just oh-so-delicious!
Look at the glossy, burgundy leather, the gorgeous pewter hardware....I'm in love. You're either a bag lady or a shoe lady I think, and bags are definitely my poison!
Makeup Revolution have done it again! Produced another brilliant palette, that is. After placing an order with them when they first launched, I was so pleased to discover what great quality their cosmetics are, and they’re amazing value. Since then, several of their products have become make-up bag essentials for me, and I’m always eager to see what new launches they have.
So when I spotted this #Selfie palette, I had to get in on the act. I mean, how could you resist with a name like that? The ultimate act of internet self-love (or an unavoidable evil for blogging girls), immortalised in a make-up product. Genius.
This product is much raved about, but it hasn't really been available in the UK until very recently - and then Cult Beauty and BeautyBay both got it in stock.
Having never ordered from BeautyBay before, my default position was to go to Cult Beauty, but when I had a look into it BeautyBay actually had a much wider selection of brands, so I ended up ordering from there and picking up a few other items I'd been lusting after.
Almost didn't do an outfit post to show what I wore on Saturday, as my outfit was a little bit on the 'safe' side and wasn't especially well thought out -but then I thought, oh what the heck! After all, I'm a normal person that sometimes goes for comfort over style - guilty as charged!
Saturday was the surprise 30th birthday of our good friend Richard. His lovely girlfriend Kati organised it. We were all meeting in town at The Living Room for some drinks and celebrations.
Hello beauty lovers!
As an enthusiastic reader of beauty blogs, I love a good collection post, perhaps because I'm so damn nosey about what other people have in their bags/cases/drawers. I know, such a voyeur! I'm aware they aren't everyone's cup of tea, so you have been warned...but if you love them like me, welcome in...
For some reason I decided to do a nail polish collection post. Now, before writing this, I wouldn't have considered myself that into nail stuff. I never attempt 'nail art', I'm not good at painting my nails and I make a mess of it, and I don't feel like I have that much of a collection...but this post has really proved otherwise. Ooops. I'm just a shopaholic in all areas it seems.
So, I wrote here about how one of my best friends came up for a visit recently (read about our night out here), and she brought me the most wonderful birthday present.
I was so excited when she presented me with a little Chanel bag. You know that the contents are going to be amazing. Just the rustle of that luxe white tissue paper embossed with little interlinked C's...
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