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

August Glossybox ♥

Bonjourno! I haven't swung by this neck of the woods for a little while, apologies for that! I missed out on July's Glossybox post, I loved it though and I am super impressed with the HD Brow kit, probably my favourite ever product from a Glossybox so far. 

This months is all about International Superstars, you know, with the Olympics n' all that. I was pleased to see an Eiffel Tower on the front of the card, that makes me happy inside being a Paris obsessive!

So what did we get in this little boxey?

So this month, I got in my little box of tricks...

* A Valentina sample, with a little pump on - win!

* DHC Cleansing oil, make up remover.

* Alessandro Pro White brightening nail polish.

* Lipcote Lipstick Sealer - looking forward to trying this out!

* Glossybox Lipstick in Glossy Pink.

* Vera Valenti Eyeshadow Palette.

This little eyeshadow palette has ten eyeshadows in, mostly nudes and neutrals and a couple of greens. They are not too badly pigmented, but it just looks like a pretty cheap and tacky palette unfortunately. It might be OK to use on the go, but this is probably my least favourite of the box, although the biggest!

A Glossybox lipstick in Glossy Pink. I actually really like the colour and is something I would definitely wear. I don't know about you, but do you think these Glossybox products are a cop-out to bulk out the boxes or do you think that it's something you would purchase anyway? I'm a little on the fence, but as a product I do like it. 

I'm really looking forward to trying this Deep Cleansing oil, it states to be the 'best make up remover you have ever tried', so I'm looking forward to seeing if it lives up to that. I'm also pleased to get the Lipcote lipstick sealer, this will be great for my holiday and I'm looking forward to seeing if it works. Also the nail brightening polish seems like it could be good, I have the worst nails on the planet as I bite them terribly, so anything to help! 

Overall a fairly good box, a few products worth trying I think! 

Ciao for now XxX

32 Brushes For £8.00??

Bonjourno, long time no blog! This is because I have been doing some blogologging on my wedding, over on my other page! If you want to check that out, click HERE. I am have also began a weight loss journey on there, so if you'd like to follow that, please do! Right, back to the world of beauty, I have missed it! I've got a few products to share over the next few posts, and also my July Glossybox post isn't up yet, so that will be very soon.

So today I just wanted to show you a little bargain. Basically, I have had the same brushes for about 3 years, and they have done really well. They were from the Birmingham Holistic health show, and were great quality. However, with finding that I don't have time to wash eyeshadow brushes everyday, when I want to use a new colour I end up with rainbow eyes. So It was really eyeshadow brushes I was after, ideally I'd love a couple of MAC 217's, but at £17.00 a pop, it's just not the right time!

So I had a little scout on Ebay, and this is what I found.

This wrap of make up brushes, was a mere £8.59! Link to the product is HERE.

There are 32 goats hair brushes, including plenty of eyeshadow ones! So just to tide me over, I think they are a complete bargain. There is an eyelash/brow brush, spooly, fan, eyebrow, eyeshadow, various fluffy face brushes and a HUGE mega fan brush that literally covers my whole cheek. 

Obviously, the quality isn't the best I've ever seen and there's been slight shedding on the large fan brush, but apart from that I can't really complain. What do you expect for eight quid? I haven't put them to the test yet, because they look all nice and pretty in their packets, plus I wanted to do this post first. So maybe if you are just starting out experimenting with make up, or just want to save a bit of dough for the mo, like me, they might be worth a clickety-click.

Super Mega HUGE fan brush!

The Ebay Seller was extremely quick dispatching, with me receiving them two days after I ordered them, so I can definitely recommend them!

Happy spending!

Ciao for now XxX

Nails for the weekend ♥

Helloo, sorry it's been a little post free lately, this is because I have a NEW blog! I've just been getting it up and running and then I shall be able to pay attention to both. As you may or may not know, I get married in 2014, and although it's far away, I am posting the events and encounters along the way! Also, the main focus of it is that I am mostly DIY-ing everything, or getting a lot of things off Ebay, so it's a place to share and acquire inspiration and tips! Obviously, weddings aren't for everyone which is why I'm doing it separately.

The blog is called Confessions of the DIY Bride. Naturally, I would of wanted Confessions of 'A' DIY Bride, but it's already taken. Here's the linkyplink! confessionsofthediybride.blogspot.com .

So, nails for the weekend. I fancied something shimmery and spangly, so that's what I did. Excuse my bite ridden fingers, I have a terrible habit and I'm sure I'm not the only one! 

For this I did two coats of Models Own Indian Ocean, which is an amazing duotone blue to pink. On the accent nail I did two coats of Razzamatazz by Topshop, which is my first Topshop polish and I love it! It's so glittery in the light!

I think they compliment each other pretty well. I am looking forward to getting more Topshop polishes, they dry pretty quick and this on is chokker-block full with glitter!

What nails are you sporting this weekend? Any Olympic themes? I'm not into the Olympics whatsoever but lets just say I've got blue nails for the Diving events ;)

Ciao for now XxX

Freebies ♥

Gooooood Day everybody! The sun is shining, the weather is sweet, and I'm in the office, like many people at the minute! So as soon as I finish, I need to try and catch some rays! 

Today I'm going to do a little post on a couple of recent freebies. I must admit I did have one more product to put in, but I've forgotten to bring the item with me to photograph it which is a little irritating, but more on that in a little while.

So I popped into Birmingham with my friend Sarah and I have been on a spending ban. However, this weekend that did seem to fail quite miserably. Thumbs up to me huh? I had a voucher given to me by two of my friends Lucy & Becky, from when I worked at a hotel, for my birthday for House of Fraser. As you can imagine I was super excited so we headed there. Cue decent quality photos... ;)

Chubby Sticks! I LOVE these little guys, they are amazing. For just being at work when I don't need something super colourful, but just a hint of a tint, and a moisturising one at that - these fit the bill! They are £16.00 each from Clinique as mentioned in a previous post, but I think they are so worth it. So I went to buy one as I'd already bought a Chanel Lip Gloss (post coming soon) with the remainder of the voucher. The lady on Clinique then informed me that if you buy two products you can get a freebie!

That word is lethal to me, if it's free, I'm there. I'm all for a bargain and proud! So another Chubby Stick it had to be, so I got them in Pudgy Peony and Oversized Orange and I love them both. Free with them, there was a choice of two make up bags, but this one is a limited edition version for the Olympics/Jubilee and it's SO gorgeous! It's a bright, chic, city style print with London emblems on and little Clinique make up bottles. UhMazeBalls.

If you thought that was nice enough, it was full of goodies! A Superbalm moisturising lip gloss in Raspberry, a rinse-off Foaming Cleanser, a Dramatically Different moisturiser for dry skin, a Super Defense SPF 25 anti age cream, and a mini high impact mascara in Brightening Black. I haven't managed to try the products yet, but it's a great feeling getting such a pretty make up bag with all these products to try in it! Get yourselves to Clinique!

In Glamour magazine this month, they are giving a free sample of Balance Me products. I got hold of the face wash, worth £11.00! The magazine is £2.00, I haven't yet tried the wash, but I've heard a lot of good things about it. Also in Birmingham, a little Nivea concession had been set up in the Bullring, and I got four samples of the Nivea Soft moisturiser. This is because fashion designer Nicola De Main (no, I don't know either) has designed the new pots that it comes in. I forgot to bring the samples with me to photograph which is annoying, but they are small enough to take on the plane with me to keep hydrated through the flight.

I've also had an Urban Decay lip gloss free with a palette I bought, as mentioned in a previous post. Don't hesitate to ask for samples, they can only say no. However, with spending nearly £40.00 on one product, surely a little sample wouldn't hurt. A little bit of charm mixed with a little bit of cheek should get you everywhere! That's what I learn of my Nan anyway, she's the Queen of bartering. 

Ciao for now XxX

P.S. I'm going to be starting a new blog, all things wedding related, if that interests you then watch this space!

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