Sunday 17 March 2013

Benefit Swag

It was an exciting day when this bunch of goodies landed on my door mat....

 
 
I was super excited to receive all 3 of these products but I NEED to tell the world about one of these in particular....
 
I have seen loads of hype about these World Famous Neutrals palettes and after humming and haaahhing over which to try (there's 3 collections to choose from), I opted for the 'Most Easiest Neutrals Ever'.  This gorgeous group consists of  2 creaseless cream shadows in r.v.s.p and no pressure! and 4 longwear powder shadows in call my buff, thanks a latte, pinky sweat and quick, look busy.
 

 
So did these beauties live up to their gorgeous packaging and the blogger hype???  In a word....YES!!!  The cream and powder shadows apply like an absolute dream and I can confirm that the 'long-wear' tagline rings true.  Although I didn't find them to have quite the same longevity as their Bobbi Brown counterparts, I got a good 6 hour wear without a single pigment shifting.  That's good going in my books!  The colours are soft and sexy (and not done any justice in these photos!) and can be mixed and matched easily.  The cherry on the cake for me is the 'tips and tricks' advice sheet that comes with the box - it advises on day wear and night wear application and both create the most GORGEOUS looks! 
 
Wearing RSVP // Call my Buff // Thanks a Latte
 
Retailing at £23.50 on Feel Unique, I find this to be excellent value for money and recommend you go out and purchase one, two or three of these collections before they inevitably sell out!
 
 
Have you guys tried any Benefit products?  What's your favourite?  Any recommendations for my expanding collection?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!
 
 
X  x  x


Monday 11 March 2013

Shed Seven....


Firstly, apologies for the AWFUL composition of this photo.  I literally threw the iPhone at my lovely husband and forced him to take a picture as I was running very late for a train.  Which we then missed.  Oopppsss!!

I've been waiting for a few weeks for this tee to arrive all the way from China.  I know  that designer dupes aren't to everyones taste but I see no harm - I love designer treats but they are just that....treats!  I paired it with my ever faithful AA Disco Pants and my River Island bargain boots which I picked up the other week.  It's not really the weather for peep toes but it was time to suck it up in the name of fashion!

Sadly this outfit didn't get the outing it deserved as we ended up sqaushed in a car to London.  Fab weekend mind you...seeing Cyril Hahn was a definite highlight (sadly I was too tipsy to get an outfit post in my new Topshop dress!)

Did you guys have a good weekend?  What buys do you recommend for SS '13?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

X x x

Wednesday 27 February 2013

Daily Make Up Essentials #1




 
Estee Lauder Matt Perfecting Primer // Clarins Limited Edition Odyssey Face Powder //


Real Techniques Expert Face Brush // Real Techniques Stippling Brush //
Real Techniques Blush Brush // Real Techniques Powder Brush
 
 
These are my current make up bag essentials that ensure I have the best possible base for my every day wear.  Can you tell I'm a slave to Double Wear...LOVE LOVE LOVE!!  If you're a maximum coverage girl then snap this bad boy up now!
 
What beauty products can't you live without?  I'd love to nose inside you make up bag!
 





Saturday 23 February 2013

Essie Mink Muffs (Yes, really!)

 
Despite it's questionable title, I couldn't resist snapping up this gorgeous Essie varnish on a recent Boots jaunt. For me, 'affordable' high street varnish doesn't get any better than Essie and with Mink Muffs retailing at around £7.99, it's high quality at a fairly low price.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Described as "a smoky, plush taupe", this rich neutral shade from Essie Fall Collection is the perfect accompaniement to any outfit in this weather.  Think warm, rosy hot chocolate!  Mmmmm.....While SS '13 promised pretty pastel shades, I just don't think the British weather and freezing temperatures suits candy coloured nails at present!!  I'll need a few more layers of fake tan before I don anything light and bright!
 
 

Nail varnish is a rare treat for me as I don't get to wear it to work.  The NHS just doesn't cater for us beauty lovers so this is strictly weekend wear only.  It'll be a sad Sunday night tomorrow when I've got to remove this glossy beauty!

What do you think of this shade?  What's your favourite varnish?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

 

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Chocolatey Brownie Goodness....

 
Cooking aka. Baking (!) is another passion of mine, second to clothes and make-up of course!  I whipped up these calorific beauts for tomorrow.  We NHS girls like to do a bring and eat in style!
If you fancy it then recipe is as follows:
 
INGREDIENTS:
200g dark chocolate
100g milk chocolate
250g salted butter
400g light soft brown sugar
140g plain flour
50g cocoa powder
4 large eggs
 
METHOD:
Melt the chocolate and butter together in a bowl.
Stir in the sugar and dissolve to ensure no lumps.
Whisk in the eggs, 1 at a time.
Slowly fold in the sieved flour and cocoa to form your browie batter.
Pour into a lined casserole dish.
Cook at 180 degrees C for 35 - 40mins.
Allow to cool and serve....YUM!!!!
 
 
Do you like to bake?  What's your favourite recipe?  I'd love some new ideas!

Tuesday 19 February 2013

Backcomb in a bottle?! Too good to be true?!


On a trip to the hairdresser for a fringe chop, I stumbled across what I believed could be my dream product.... Umberto Giannini (is it just me or is that super hard to spell?!) Backcomb in a Bottle.  WOWSERS!!!  Could this product really boost my thin hair to a beautiful mass of thick locks without the need to backcomb the beejeesus out of my roots?!  Like the marketers dream that I am, I of course snapped up a bottle and scurried home to try.

And what did I find you ask?  Well, this product is basically a 'thick' hairspray that you direct at the roots and then 'jooje' the hair into place.  Sounds great in theory and while it's not a total fail, it's not so great in practice.  The hold of this shizzle is fab but to maintain any volume I still had to backcomb.  Okay, maybe it's just me being frugle and refusing to use the whole can in one go but I certainly didn't find it had a super hold.  I would classify this product as more of a texturising spray, and a good one at that.  Or a really good hairspray.  For me, it wasn't back comb in a bottle.  I find my trusty Osis dust it has a more effective hold but thankfully this Umberto spray is a LOT nicer to your hair, washes out well and doesn't feel like glue.

So overall, if you're after a good texturising spray or a strong hairspray then give this product a whirl.  But don't throw out the backcomb brush just yet!

Can you guys recommend any good backcomb products?  I'd love to read your comments :)

Sunday 17 February 2013

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

Laura Mercier Silk Creme foundation is a product that's mega hyped in the Blogisphere and as such, I've had my beady eye on it for a while!  A trip into Brum yesterday led to an accidental Harvey Nics jaunt and an even more accidental make up purchase.  What can I say, the Space NK sales girl was just too darn lovely and convincing.....




I went for the Cream Ivory shade although admittedly I wasn't shade matched.  However when I got the product home and away from the fluoro shop lights, I'm pretty chuffed with my selection.
 
I applied the product for the first time today and used my trust Real Techniques stippling brush to provide an even inital application.  I then used my new Real Techniques expert face brush to even out those tricky spots around nose and eyes.  I found the product didn't lie - it applied like a silky creme dream!!  The coverage is medium to full (as a  ELDW lover I can safely say the coverage is no where as full as this). and glides on without going cakey.  A dab of concealer and some powder to set and.....VOILA!!!


(Excuse the shameless selfie.  Bad light + crap camera = rubbeesh photo!)
 
Have you used this product, what do you think?  Can I really be converted from an Estee Lauder girl?! I'd love to hear your thoughts!
 
UPDATE: Okay, so after first application I've found it lacks a bit of lasting power. However this could be a clash with my Clarins Primer so will have a play with the base and see how we go.  Any recommendations?!