Oh Hey Stanger! ♥

Helloooo! Oh my gosh, it's been a while hasn't it? Do you even remember me?! Well I thought I'd return after a long time away from this blog. I have been on holiday, moved into a new house, work, general life and trying to lose weight. I'd love to continue with this and I aim to! I am always interested to read blogs that have posts on weight loss on them, so even though this isn't one of those, I thought I'd pop in a 'before and now' picture. I am not calling it 'after' because I'm not at goal yet, but just in case you want a peek, here is a picture.

      March 2011         October 2012 

To keep this post make-up related, I thought I'd just share a couple of make up looks I have had over the last few weeks!

This is a pin up look I did for a Charity Lunch we went to. I did a white waterline, smokey eye and a red gradient lip, although that doesn't show too well on this picture! I am loving MAC Diva lipstick at the moment, it is such a great autumnal deep red. In the centre of the lips. I used MUA Shade 13 I think, great combo! I also have on Primark lashes, £1.00 bargains.

Here is the witchy witch look I did for our Halloween party. I used Snazaroo face paints, and MAC Diva on the lips. Contact lenses from Beautifeye.

And on actual Halloween, to creep out the trick or treaters, was a 'dead doll' inspired look. Snazaroo paints again, and MAC Diva.

Some more posts coming soon, sorry for my absence! 

A Creative Weekend ♥

Oh Hey! How be you? Everyone have a good bank holiday weekend? Apologies for the departure again, I've got a lot cracking on at the moment, such as I'm about to go on holiday, moving house, weight watchers and just got a new bunny! So sorry for that. I have got plenty of things to review and chinwag about before holiday! So, lets crack on.

This weekend was the last date to enter a competition I heard about, which was a Make Up one! I didn't really think I'd got a chance which is why I've left it so late, but I suppose you have to be in it to win it. I've got nothing to lose. So I thought I'd take a shot at it. I had to do a make up look under 'Beauty' and one under 'Fantasy'. Whenever I do anything like this, I borrow Ed's sisters face because she is perfect for it!

This was just a small section of the havoc created at the in laws to get the make up right!

So the first look I named 'Au Naturale'. I wanted to go for a simple look that accentuated Maria's natural beauty, and add a beauty spot for a bit of depth to the look. I just popped her hair in a bun to get that polished natural look, and this way, all the hair was out of her face. This is the natural look.

The next look was a 'Fantasy' one. I wanted to do something along the lines of Cleopatra meets alien - as weird as it is, I had the image in my head using turquoise and gold colours, and really hoped it came out right. I feel like it did turn out ok and I was pleased with the result, not for the competition but just for Maria and I as we got some nice pictures out of it anyway. It took a couple of hours but it was really enjoyable.

This look is named 'Unable To Identify', a take on UFO!

 So there we have it. If I could do that as a job everyday I'd be in my element! It isn't very often I get to do other people's make up, so it was good practice anyway!

Ciao for now XxX

Label Love and Cheap as Chips ♥

Bonjour mes amis. Today is a beauty post, Yaaay! I thought I would just give you an idea of two products that I am loving at the moment, one a higher end buy, and the other a cheap as chips buy. Apologies for the rubbish pictures again, I don't have time to carry around my big SLR and do fandangled pics, I wish I did! 

So the first product is the Clinique Chubby Stick! These are floating around blogs like nobody's business, and so here it arrives on mine. I got my first one for my birthday Monday, and is actually the first product from Clinique I have ever purchased. Their brand is never somewhere I gravitate towards, but since these Chubby Sticks have come around, I want them all. 

For my first one, it was a toss between Watermelon or Curvy Candy, but I went for the Curvy Candy because it was more pink toned than the others. It is a lovely 'rosey' pink, and definitely my favourite after swatching nearly the entire collection at the counter.

It has a twisty-uppy bottom so no need to sharpen too, nice and easy.

I love it. I love the colour pay off, sheer but definitely noticeable and what a great pink it is! It is 100% fragrance free and allergy tested, but I do get a teeny tiny scent of wax crayons, and it took me right back to being at primary school. That is only when applying it though, once it's on the lips you can't sniff a thing.

It is so moisturising, not sticky in the slightest, and my lips feel really soft with it on. I've also found it does last a good while, couple of hours really, which is great for a lip balm. The Chubby Sticks retail at £16.00 and are available at any Clinique counter - who, might I say that the ladies are very friendly at, in Derby anyway!

For my cheap as chips product that I am loving at the moment, I am picking the Primark Very Fluttering Lashes. I love these babies! They are only one whole pound, and come in a few different varieties. These pictured, are by far my favourite. I use my own eyelash glue because I know I can trust it, so I don't know how the glue that comes with them shapes up. The lashes themselves are lovely though, quite feathery but full, and I like to add a lot of volume with false lashes, but look like natural strands rather than the blocked 'spikey' type. 

Have a little peak in good old Primarni if you haven't had these before, they are worth a try. If you don't want to use the glue that comes with them, try Duo Eyelash adhesive available at MAC stores or counters. 

So there we go. Just a couple of different recommendations either end of the beauty scale.

Ciao for now XxX

Previous Week Update ♥

Hello Everyone! Hope you are all well, it's been a while. I have been doing all sorts over the last week with the Jubilee and going down to London etc, which is why I haven't been continuously blogging. However I am back, and although this post isn't beauty related, I'm just going to put it up anyway, and that should be it for non beauty posts this week!

I went down to see my Grandad in London this week, who is a Chelsea Pensioner. Once a year Founders Day happens at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and it's a big old bash with a parade. Read more about it HERE. It is a special event where a member of the Royal family comes to the Hospital and reviews each in-pensioner. I felt really grateful to be able to attend such an event, and here are a few pictures of my time there.

My Grandad and I...I don't think he was expecting a picture somehow!

This was on the actual Founders Day, with some of my family.

Me and my Dad thinking he's a dude with his shades on!

Nails for the day (slightly beauty related =D )

Beginning of the Parade with Chelsea Pensioners, Sergeant Majors and Generals. 

Royal Family - Sophie Countess of Wessex.

My Dad and Grandad.

Me and my Grandad.

Quick snap of the London Eye while I was in a taxi!

So it was a nice few days and something different to do. It was a great experience and hope to go back with Ed next year. He couldn't come this year, so as a nice surprise he booked a night away at Coombe Abbey Hotel, which is one of my favourite places to go ever! He really is so sweet! The food is to die for and the rooms are amazing! What a treat! It was a lovely end to the week, and then we went shopping in Birmingham and took Peanut to the vets for a check up. So it was a busy busy week, but a good one. 

So that was a different blog, slightly picture heavy but never mind, I actually prefer blogs that are because I love looking at images!

Ciao for now XxX

Jubilee Make Up and Celebrations ♥

Oh Hello! I feel like I haven't blogged for SO long, it is because I have been at home or being a busy bee. So we have just celebrated the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and it really does make you feel all patriotic and proud to be British AND gives us make up nuts a great excuse to experiment! 

I had already sort of planned it out in my head how I was going to crazy-up my face, so it was just a case of doing it! I used my 120 palette from Ebay that I totally love, and know when I need a colour I don't have, I have that to fall back on. You can purchase it HERE. For my brows I used MUA Royal Blue pencil, white pencil and then a random unbranded red lipstick, set with a reddy-orangey eyeshadow, because I actually don't have a red eyeshadow! On my lips I used a lip tattoo, which I actually found pretty difficult to do. I bought a cheap one for about a quid off Ebay, whereas I wish I had spent the money and got a Violent Lips one now because I ended up peeling this off after about two hours because it was driving me mad. It gave the effect I wanted for a little while I guess, but at least I will know now for next time.

This is Eds sister Maria and I, attacking her with my Deely Boppers!

These shoes I got for £3.00 from Primark which was a total bargain, and the stickers were also from Primark for a pound. So Jubilee shoes for £4.00! Not bad, apart from they really hurt and I soon changed to flats...

I made some jubilee cupcakes too, and it was actually a pretty good recipe, the cakes were perfecto! Get the recipe HERE. I use 'Goodtoknow' for nearly every recipe I do, it's such a great website and definitely worth checking out.

Maria, Jonny, Ed and Me! <3 

Pair of Union Jacks =)

Ed and I, and he is also getting attacked by my Deely Boppers. 

It was a good day, and ended up with us all watching Aladdin, as you do! I am literally off to London in about two hours, so I'll get to see the aftermath of the Jubilee down there. If you haven't read my post about why I am going, my Grandad is a Chelsea Pensioner and it is his Founders Day tomorrow, where a member of the Royal Family comes to review them. Fingers crossed it is Kate! I think I would die if it was! 

Also, I must try and keep away from Carnaby Street, or else my purse shall die too!

I may try and blog from my phone tomorrow, so I'll update then!

Ciao for now XxX

Nails for the weekend ♥

Bonjour Mes Amis! It's Fridayyyy! Wahooo! The Jubilee is fast approaching, and I must admit I am feeling rather patriotic with all the Union Jacks everywhere. Despite the current status of our country, we are lucky to be able to celebrate something like this to bring everyone together. Anyway, my nails today couldn't be any less patriotic, but they will be changed in time for the Jubilee party I am going to!

I fancied a change, and something funky for the weekend so I decided to go for a blue leopard print.

The products I used were:

Primark's own brand sky blue colour - available in a pack of four pastel shades.

China Glaze Liquid Crystal.

Models Own Black Nail art pen.

I've never done any nail art before, only regular painting so I thought I'd give it a go!

I used two coats of the blue Primark polish which is quick drying, but does start to gloop up in the bottle with the lid off for a bit, so be wary of that if you have it. Then I used the pen tip of the nail art pen to create the 'leopard' black lines. Make sure these are dry before continuing. I then got an eyeliner brush and dipped it in the Liquid Crystal polish to fill in the gaps, when this was dry I just went over the glitter that had gone over the black lines with the nail art pen. Finish with your favourite clear top coat, or leave bare for textured glitter.

Please excuse bitten fingers! Terrible habit!

I'm quite pleased at how this looks for my first attempt! Will have to get practising to perfect this and do some different designs. What's your manicure for the weekend or Jubilee?

Have a great one! Ciao for now XxX

What's in my work make up bag? ♥

Hi lovers! So today I thought I would enlighten you with a 'What's in my work make up bag' post today, because as you probably have gathered, I haven't bought many beauty items this week because I am unbelievably skint due to different events going on! 

My work make up bag is much different to the weekend collection, because I can't wear much make up due to the nature of my job, and I do tend to sit leaning my face on my hands most of the day, therefore transferring most of my make up onto them, and leaving at the end of the day with nothing on. Because of this, I don't wear my proper foundation during the week, and none of the products are anything fancy because there is no point. These products are all well loved by the way, so sorry about the state of them. I just thought this may be helpful if you are in a similar situation to me with work, and don't want to splash out for not many people to see you!

So here goes. My make up bag is a little chocolate one my in laws got me for chrimbo, it's by N.SPA which is available at larger ASDA stores. For a base, I have got a sample of the Garnier Light BB Cream which I received yesterday but I shall review this tomorrow as it's Thursday Thoughties time again. Then I have an MUA bronzer, which I do actually use every single day because it is matte and amazing, it is shade 3. For a highlight I have Number 17 Instant Glow, and I tend to swirl my brush just in the top two stripes in the block, and it gives a lovely shimmer. For my powder to set my face I have the MUA powder in shade 1, great for oil control throughout the day and doesn't look ashy on the skin.

For blushers, I have two MUA ones in shade 2 and shade 4, one is a dark pink colour and one is a burnt coral so I can change it up depending on what mood I am in!

I then carry a few brushes with me which are:

* Real Techniques Pointed Foundation brush which I use for concealer - part of the core collection.

* Real Techniques Buffing Brush - I use for foundation/BB cream, it is my holy grail brush - part of the core collection.

*A W7 small blush brush - not a great brush but does the job when I'm in a hurry.

*Unbranded Powder Brush - I use this for bronzer and to set my make up, but I got it at Beauty UK a few years back and it's still a great brush!

*A W7 large powder brush - used for blush or highlight.

*Models own angled brush - for brows, I love this brush, it is soft yet sturdy.

*Peggy Sage Liner brush - I use this for Gel liner but that shouldn't be in this bag!

Other bits and pieces include:

*MUA Lipstick in Shade five - a subtle shimmery pink.

*Lasting perfection concealer in Fair - a staple in anyone's kit!

*MUA single matt shadow in shade 19 - My everyday brow colour.

*Maybelline Falsies Flared Mascara - A nice everyday mascara with a multifunctional brush.

*Clean and Clear spot treatment - to zap those pesky zits!

*Peggy Sage kohl eyeliner - A great black liner for everyday use.

*MUA Clear mascara - Used as brow gel (excuse the colour!)

And finally some bag essentials! Some hair grips or bobby pins, a bobble and a spikey necklace of course!

So that was an insight into my work make up bag, hope it was helpful if you are looking to put together an inexpensive one.

What do you you have for work? Any good recommendations to try? 

Ciao for now XxX

Thursday Thoughties - M&S Limited Lipstick ♥

Bonjourno! My apologies, I have been a somewhat absent blogger this week. It is really because I am desperately trying to save my pennies which means I don't have much wonga for beauty items *cries*, therefore not a fat lot to blog about either! However, I did have a sneaky little purchase over last weekend of one of the Marks and Spencers new Limited Collection of cosmetics. I had heard Pixiwoo go on about it and it all looked so pretty when I walked by, I couldn't not try it, and they had an offer for a percentage off all make up which was great when I got to the till!

So the colour I had picked was a fairly bright orange, which isn't like me really but I'm always up for trying new colours! Sorry about the picture, it's been well loved already. The shade is Melba Blush, and is a dusky kind of orange with a very super fine shimmer to it. They retail at five pounds each, but as I say it was a little cheaper due to the offer they had on, but forgive me I have forgotten it!

Swatched on my hand it doesn't look as zingy, but it really is a lovely colour. The formulation is so moisturising, it just glides on the lips so smoothly! The texture definitely reminds me of the Revlon Lip Butters but with a bit more of a colour pay off. Longevity wise, I keep re-applying it every one to two hours if I really want it to stay vibrant, but it does fade out nicely if you haven't got time to keep re-applying - you aren't left with a big orange line around the edges of your lips.

This is how it looks on the lips, it can look nice and bright but the further away you are it seems it isn't that bright. I actually really love the colour, I don't know if it's great with my blue hair, but when my eyes are done to match it kind of takes away the attention from that. This is a moisturising satin finish I would say. Another rubbish picture sorry, I'm a freckly speckly at the moment with all this sun!

This is how it looks with an overall make up look I did - and a mini outfit of the day for you! So the look was inspired by the dress I had from Matalan, which I mentioned in an earlier post, so I matched my face to suit because I am weird like that. I did a sort of sunset eye with the colours of the aztec print on the dress, and the Melba Blush lipstick was the perfect combination. See, it doesn't look overly bright here either, must depend on what light you are in.

Overall I really love this lipstick and will definitely be getting some more!

Rating out of five: *****

Ciao for now XxX

Nails for the weekend ♥

Howdy lovelies! Just thought I would do a quick post to end the week, on my nails I am sporting for the weekend! As you may or may not know, I am an avid user of the Boots falsies, which are a pack of 200 nails for £8.50 with glue! I think they are super duper, and worth a try. 

If you've got big ol' nails like me, they fit like a treat. They are also anti chip, and I have very very rarely seen any on mine, no matter what polish I use. They can stay on around 5 days if you glue them on well in the first place, but I always carry the glue round with me for those just-in-case days! I have had to repurchase the glue a couple of times, because with all those nails it does run out pretty quick, but its super strong, so don't go attaching fingers to thumbs like I do, and you end up with a delightful print of skin on top of your nail. Anyone else do that?

SO, onto the nails! I have got a gorgeous polish from Essie, and a lovely textured glitter from China Glaze. I got them from the Beauty UK show a few days back (read the post HERE). I have been desperado to try out all my polishes since then, but due to work and things it's not always suitable! With the weekend on the way, I have been let lose! 

So the Essie polish is called Sure Shot, which is a deep raspberry pink with a blue undertone, and the China Glaze on the accent nail is called I'm not Lion. I really like these colours together, and the accent nail is a textured glitter, which isn't something I have actually had before but I really love the effect - feels like sandpaper!

So there we have it. What nails are you sporting for the weekend? And do you have any of these polishes, if so what do you think??

Have a fab weekend guys,

Ciao for now XxxX

Heyy! I have just been awarded the Laine Blogger award by the lovely Amiiee from Amiieeliciousxo, who has a gorgeous blog about all things beauty and girly!! A massive thank you to her because this is my first one - wahoo!! You can check out her blog HERE

The Laine Blogger Award

The rules are simple:

 1) Link back to the blogger who awarded you.

2) Blog about your award.

3) Give the award to five bloggers.

4) Let them know about it

Ok, so it is my turn to award five lovely bloggers! I have picked these five because I always read their blogs and love their stuff! They are as follows...

Emma from The Glittery Details

Katie from Retro Love19

Sarah from Ohh So Glam

Rachel from Lipstick and Coffee

Gemma from MUA Gemma

So there you go! Thanks again to Amiiee for my first award!

Ciao for now XxX