Thursday Thoughties - Garnier B.B Cream ♥

Hola Senoritas! I hope everyone is having a good week so far!

Thursday thoughties time again, and this week it's on the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector B.B Cream. 

There is a lot of sceptical-ness regarding BB creams, and plenty of battles on which is the best one. I have read SO many reviews on different ones, and tried the Vivo one which I actually disliked in the end for being far to cakey. However, it appeared unanimous that the Garnier perfector was one of the finer things in life on the old  B.B front.

Garnier are currently sending out free samples of the stuff, wehey! Get yours HERE. Everyone loves something for nothing if we are all being open and honest now. The full sized product is around a tenner and because I am on the fence about B.B creams, it wasn't something I wanted to just go out and buy. I received my samples two days ago, and was only expecting one sachet but you get three! Also one sachet is enough for two applications, so six faces worth! 

This is what the full sized bottle looks like, and because I am a dope I left the bottle at home, so image resourced from Google.

This was my little sample pack. It explains all what a B.B cream is and what it does. If you don't know still then narrowed down it is a hybrid between skincare and make up, and I would personally place it between a tinted moisturiser and a foundation. For me, when I want to spend minimal time on my make up before work, and don't want to use my nice foundation up for work days that not many people see me, it's the perfect choice!

As soon as I tried it I absolutely loved it! It is not at all cakey like others, not too dark for me although I doubt anyone paler would really get away with it, and this is in shade light. I used it with a Real Techniques Buffing Brush and It gives you plenty of time to work with it before it sinks in and dries. It smells really nice and fresh and after a couple of hours I can still smell it on my skin - Ed says it smells like the seaside, good or bad thing???

Sorry for the awful picture yet again, you wouldn't think I was a qualified photographer would you haha! Good old Iphone bloggy pics. Anyway, this is my skin after six hours today, and really it doesn't look much different to this morning, so it has good staying power too. I went straight out and bought the full sized bottle because I need this in my life now, as I am running out of my NARS Sheer Glow so I'm savouring every little drop of the stuff.

Overall, best B.B cream for me, and I don't think I am going to bother trying any more because I have found my love in this department!

Have you tried it? Tell me if you don't like it too!

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

Kreativ Blogger Award ♥

Wehey! Thanks to Amiiee from AMIIEELICIOUSXO for awarding me the Kreativ Blogger Award! She has a brill blog about all things girly and great, and definitely needs checking out! Click on her name above to go to her blog, she's lovely!

The rules for the Kreativ Blogger Award are simple.

Post a link of your Kreativ Blogger Award post to the person who awarded you it.

Share seven random facts about yourself.

Pass it on to other bloggers.

My seven random facts about myself are:

1. My real name isn't Tilly, it's short for Natalie but Shhh because I hate it!

2. My job is out of the ordinary as I work for my fiance at his Funeral Directors.

3.  I would love to set up a sideline in Make Up Artistry when I have the money.

4. I have a triple distinction diploma in photography, but don't have enough confidence to use it.

5. I have three tattoos.

6. I have jumped out of a plane at 15,000 feet.

7. I wrote off my Moms car on the first day of driving after passing my test!

So there you have it! I award the Kreativ Blogger Award to:

Rachel from Lipstick and Coffee

Gemma from MUA Gemma

Jess from A Beautiful Secret

Heather from The Glambulance

All well worth a check out including who picked me =)

Ciao for now XxX

Weekend Antics ♥

Hi Peeps. Good weekend? I hope so, and that everyone was out enjoying the sun! My weekend posts are increasing because I have no money at the moment to buy beauty products *sob sob*, so for today this will have to do. I might do some make up collection posts over the next few days to keep going until I get some more bits and bobs.

Firstly, on Friday we went up to the Lake District to go and look round our chosen venue for our wedding, and put the deposit down. We had a tour and the wedding co-ordinator was so helpful and answered every question I needed to know. We like it just as much - if not more than when we went before, and so we put the deposit down. So after nearly eight years more or less, it's finally been done and it's all officially booked! Yay! I'm so excited and can't wait to see what the next 23 months bring.

Quick picture taken while we were on the road, but you can see why we have chosen to get married 150 miles away!

In Kendal, the main town near the hotel, there was a little Owl display on. I've never been up close to any before really, and didn't realise how tame they were! They are so cute, look at the eyes on this fella though, wouldn't upset him would you? I didn't believe he was even real at first but he sure is!

On the Sunday, it was a great day weather wise so we decided to go for a picnic in the park. We don't get to do things like that very often because work and things, so we jumped at the chance. We packed a load of healthy goodies and went and lay out in the sun. It was tres romantique and Ed even fell asleep, snores and all bless him.

At the picnic. I've given Ed a squishy eye, haha!

We then took a quick trip to Ikea, because we needed a wardrobe and a bin, but we came out with everything but. Instead we got these nice plant pots to hang on our balcony, and then an outdoor table and chairs to be able to eat outside when the weather is ever nice. It looks much nicer out there now.

So that was my weekend really! Did you get up to anything nice? I always like to hear!

Ciao for now XxX

May Glossybox and Wedding Bells ♥

Howdy! So it's almost the weekend time again, and I'm super excited, especially with all this good weather that I haven't yet been able to have a share of.

First off, I just had to include this picture of my little Bunnykins! I cleaned up all our bedroom so she can have a good run about now, so we decided to shut our door and leave her out through the night so she can hop in and out of her cage if she wanted. I think she really enjoyed her little self, and as we were settling down for bed, this is the position she got herself in! How sweet is that! We love her to pieces, she couldn't get much cuter.

So it was the one year anniversary Glossybox this month, and I was excited to receive it, as always! But across the board I get the feeling everyone was expecting something a lot more this month, but I suppose we have to remember it IS a sample testing service, and not everybody is going to like what goes into it, so I guess the guys at Glossybox HQ have their work cut out. I love the pretty paper packaging this month.

I won't waffle on too long, but for a quick overview I'll put what I got, and briefly what I think.

Noble Isle Shower Gel = Smells actually like fairy liquid, doesn't do anything for me but I'll use it as a tide-me-over, or give it to the hubby because it does smell a little masculine.

Express Beauty Mask with Honey = I got two of these sachets, and I didn't know if it was a face or hair mask because half of the packaging is in a different language! It is a face mask and I do like them however, I am still yet to try this so I'll let you know.

Si Lolita and Lolita Lempicka Perfume Samples = I have never smelt a Lolita Lempicka fragrance before, but they are ones I always see in the airport duty frees. I think the Si Lolita does smell a little bit old lady - I'm gonna put it out there!! But the Lolita Lempicka, oh my gosh I love it. It is super sweet - just how I like frangrances, and I'm thinking of purchasing it or asking for it for my birthday.

OSMO Berber Oil hair treatment = I have actually never tried a hair oil before, so I was pleased to see this. I'm not really into hair care much apart from dying it to buggeration, but I'll definitely try it. My hair is pretty long and thick so I don't know if it would cover mine but we shall see!

Eldora False Eyelashes = I got some with gold streaks in! I am very pleased with these because I am currently planning on doing a few self portrait shoots for my make up portfolio and these go exactly with a look I am going to be trying out, so surprisingly good for me.

Lastly a Glossybox mirror and Balloon, I love the mirror, can never have to many because I always lose them! And its double sided so that's good. And then there's the balloon. Well, when am I ever going to use that?

Overal an OK box, nothing I totally love in there besides the Lolita Lempicka perfume, so there we go. Bring on the next one!

Just a quickie, anyone else noticed Tesco have started doing these acrylic spinney pen holder majigys? This was only around £3.00 so I thought it would be good to put just my everyday pencils and brushes in. All they need to start doing now are those clear Muji drawers and my prayers would be answered!

Finally, on to the weekend! If you follow me on twitter - @misswicktilleth - you may know that I am off to the lake district with Ed, his sister Maria and her boyfriend Jonny tonight. We have a meeting with a wedding co-ordinator at the hotel we want to get married in up there at 10am tomorrow morning (Saturday 26th), and she is going to show us around then we are putting our deposit down! I'm so excited, it is all becoming pretty real now and once we have got this down, we can really start to plan things. Hopefully I will get some pictures up there so I shall pop them on next week.

These are some roses Ed got me last night as a surprise! Aww he is so cute, I'm a lucky woman!

Have a great weekend guys!

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

Weekend Antics ♥

Hi everyone! Had a good weekend?

I have nothing particularly specific to tell you about today, so I am going to warble on about things I managed to do over the weekend! Probably not interesting, so if you feel like clicking that lil' cross at the top of the page, I probably wouldn't blame you! If you choose to stay, then hai! Hope this is at least mildly entertaining!

So Friday night I met up with my lovely chums from my old work, Lucy and Becky, and just went for some pub grub and a good old natter. It was great to see them as I miss them lots, had a good chinwag and a good chocolate sundae - whoops. This was the make up I had to go and meet them, and I really love the NYX lipstick! It is super bright! I got it from the Beauty UK show, and this is a combo of a Peggy Sage lipliner all over, the NYX lippy and then a NYX lipgloss in the same pink over the top. The names should by in my Beauty UK post if you wanna know! Earrings are from Primarni, necklace from Topshop.

Me and the hubby to be wanted to spend some quality time together this weekend, as we felt we hadn't been able to over the last few weeks, as work has been pretty busy etc. So we made sure we had a nice weekend to ourselves, and had a little look round the shopping centre in Tamworth. This wasn't everything I came out with but I just want to share with you two of the bargains, just in case you are looking for any!

This is an aztec print dress, in my favourite ever material - being the sheer chiffon. I have so many shirts and clothes in this material, I just love it. So I saw this dress and was already happy that it buttoned right up to the top, which equals being able to add a pretty necklace! It is also long sleeved which is a win win, and when I looked at the label it had been reduced from £20.00 to a tenner! Bargalicious in Matalan!

I have ran out of perfume recently so I was wondering around the mahoosive Marks and Spencers they have in Tamworth. I'm not a Marks and Sparks kinda woman usually, but they took me by surprise! I was standing at the perfumes sniffing them all like a moron, when I cam across this. It is called dreamy days and OH MY LIFE is it good! There was a 100ml bottle for £15.00, or the 100ml bottle with shower gel for £15.00, so I thought I'll have the free shower gel please! It is gorgeous, I can't get enough of the smell, it's super sweet and I can't stop sniffing myself all day - which couldn't sound any weirder but you know what I mean! Go sniff it! And if you don't like this one, Marks have loads of lovely fragrances for a slash of the price of your Gucci's and Dior's. Great for a tide-me-over perfume until a birthday or Chrimbo!

After shopping, I wanted to do a nice meal for Ed because all our dinners had been rushed over the last week! On come dine with me, I saw someone do Asparagus with hollandaise sauce and a crispy poached egg and thought it looked yummy, so I had a go. Thinking I'd got more eggs than I had, I didn't buy any when I went shopping but it turned out I only had six. One I had to whisk up to be an eggwash to stick breadcrumbs to the poached egg, two had to be poached eggs and two for the hollandaise! 

On the hob I put a saucepan of boiling oil ton the front to deep fry, and boiling water to poach on the back hob. I always crack eggs onto a plate to slide them into the water to poach them so as not to break them, and the went into the water. Cut a long story short, I poached them both, split on one the way out so only one egg was left! I cracked the remaining egg onto the plate, and blummin' well slid it into the oil by accident instead. Numpty much? So we only had half an egg each, but oh well, it turned out OK! Click HERE for the recipe.

I had also seen on Louise from Sprinkle of Glitter's blog, that she had found Disco Baths on Pinterest! What a great idea! It's good for kids aswell as us big'uns, safer than candles too! The idea is to put glow sticks in the bath. I got some and then Ed made my name out of them! How cute! 

(Sorry about the image placing, I can't get it centred for some reason.)

Finally we took a little venture to somewhere called Barton Marina, which isn't too far from us, and we haven't been before. It is where canal boats moor up and there are a few little boutique shops and a gorgeous pub/restaurant. We went to get some grub, and this was the view from our table. It is very picturesque and the food was totes amaze! If you are around Staffordshire or Birmingham it is definitely worth a little visit!

So that was my weekend really, bit of a rambly post, but better than nout. My next one should have a little more structure!

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

Thursday Thoughties - MUA vs Sleek Pressed Powder ♥

Hello! It's Thursday again and time for a Thursday Thoughties review post. This week seems to have gone pretty quick I think! 

I've got the MUA pressed powder, and the Sleek Luminous Pressed Powder which are both products I have purchased recently. I had the Sleek Powder before the MUA, and it was priced around £6.00, available in larger Superdrug stores. This is a luminous pressed powder with SPF15 in it, and is very fine with a slight shimmer to it. The MUA pressed powder is only £1.00 and it is a completely matt powder, and has a slightly 'chalkier' texture - that is the only way I can think to describe it!

Both very reasonably priced products, especially the MUA powder, as you can see I have hit pan on the Sleek one. They are both great for the money and I use them both as setting powders over my foundation. They are both great for different reasons, I think the MUA is a perfect everyday powder, it seems to be long lasting in the pan and lasts around three to four hours before my super oily T-zone gets the better of it. 

The sleek powder I prefer for nights out, as it adds a lovely 'satin' finish on the skin, rather than being so mattifying. It seems to last around the same time as the MUA powder, maybe oh-so-slightly longer! Packaging wise, MUA is very basic and it is literally the product you are paying for, but I don't mind that for a pound! Sleek however does come with a mirror, and a sponge applicator so it is great for carrying around on the go.

This is how they both look swatched. The left is Shade 1 by MUA and the right is 01 by Sleek. As you can see, the colours are very much the same, it is just the added shimmer in the Sleek powder. As an overall thought, I don't think I shall purchase the Sleek powder again, as I prefer the matt look of the MUA, and I'm saving myself a fiver! Win win! Still, they are both great products for drugstore brands and worth a try!

Rating out of five

Sleek ****

MUA *****

Ciao for now! XxX

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