Nails for the weekend ♥

Heylooo, hope everyone is well, and the horrible rain and floods haven't affected you too much. Depressing isn't it? We were meant to be going on holiday this Wednesday, but unfortunately we have had to cancel due to work being busy etc, so it's moved to September now. I bet it's gonna be so worth the wait!

So tonight we are going to see Marina and the Diamonds for the third time! I am super excited and I've seen she has been coming out after the gigs have ended so we are going to hang around and aim to meet her! I'd love to get her autograph on me somewhere, and may have it tattooed! Sad? Maybe, but I like to think of tattoos as building a story of your life. I think Kat Von D said it once, and it's a mantra I like to stick to so maybe I could justify it! I don't know, might not happen yet. Anywho.

I have done my nails for the weekend now, and they are actually pretty rubbish but I haven't got any nail polish remover with me so I can't redo it, oh well. I have a lilac on the nails, which took two coats (see products in last picture), and then drew a diamond with a black nail art pen, filled it in with glitter and then drew the diamond lines in. Bit of a fail, but it can just be worked out as a little diamond! Also I drew a little heart on my thumbnail as Marina always has a heart on her face, which I shall also be doing!

I don't think nail art is particularly my forte! It's the effort that counts though, isn't it?

Here are the products used. Ciate Nail Varnish in Purple Sherbet, which I absolutely love! OPI Glitter polish in Servin' Up Sparkle, and Models Own Nail art pen in Black. The Ciate Polish was free in Marie Claire and the consistency, drying time and finish are all brilliant, and I definitely think I'll be purchasing more Ciate polishes in the future!

Right, I better go and pick up 200 false nails that have just fell out their box into my handbag. Major fail. Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Ciao for now XxX

Thursday Thoughties - Illamasqua Skin Base ♥

Hi and Happy Thursday Thoughties! This week, as I mentioned in my previous post, I purchased Illamasqua Skin Base foundation as opposed to NARS Sheer Glow. This was not because I don't love the NARS Sheer Glow, but there are so many high end foundations out there that I haven't even thought about trying yet, so my mission is to work my way through them all until I come across one to stick to.

As I briefly mentioned yesterday, I went to the Illamasqua counter in Selfridges to get the correct shade matched to my skin. The make up artist on the counter only put this shade over half of my face, whereas the NARS lady put three different colour lines on my forehead so I could see which blended in perfectly. I wasn't convinced this was the right shade, and that it was oh-so-slightly too dark, but the girl on the counter was pretty much horrified that I had counteracted her expertise. So in the end I agreed with her and purchased it anyway! I am a world class donut, because I have got it home and I still think it is slightly off.

This is what the bottle looks like and it is in shade 3.5. I honestly think I must be a 3, if that is a touch lighter. I also found that this seems to have more pinky undertones, whereas the NARS had yellow undertones which I think suited me better. Make sure when getting matched you can go out into daylight and have a glance in a mirror, because £25.00 is a lot of money to get the incorrect shade. 

While writing this I just checked on the Illamasqua web page to see if this 3.5 shade is pink or yellow undertoned, and it is pink! So I was right, whereas shade 03 is yellow. I can put up with it after blending with powders and bronzers, but it's a bit of a pain, so do make sure you speak up - unlike moi, I'm just a weakling.

These are my pyjama bottoms in the pictures by the way...aristocats ftw!!

This is what a little bloberino looks like, I guess the same as any would when I put it on my hand like that...Anywho, onto coverage and things that matter. I found I have to work quicker with this foundation as it does start to dry. However I do think this is an advantage as it is a buildable foundation, so if it dries quicker, the more layers for coverage I can pile on. I must say all colour quibbles aside, I do very much like the coverage of the skin base and it is pretty flawless. I am less shiny as the day goes on with this foundation, as I have oily to combination skin, this is a plus.

Here is how it looks on the old boat race. My skin has cleared up over the last few days too thanks to a really cheap skincare routine I am currently doing! I shall share more about that soon, but it is like a miracle. 

It's a good foundation, but I don't know if I would rush out and buy it again soon, OR that it is just because of the colour that I am disappointed...maybe I'll try again with a different shade, but it doesn't look to bad here after bronzing and setting so I'll stop moaning now!

Random quickie...how amazeballs is this jumper??! I want it so bad but I would throw up if I spent £100 English Pounds on a jumper! I fully love it though.

Overall a nice foundation, with a good coverage. Would like to try it in the correct shade!

Rating out of five: ****

Ciao for now XxX

Beauty UK Birmingham NEC 2012 ♥

Howdy! Hope you are all well! As you may or may not know, I took a little venture to the NEC in Birmingham this weekend to the Beauty UK show. I had been once before a few years ago, but never really knew much of what I was on about then. Now I am so into make up and beauty, that I was unbelievably excited to go, and see what they had to offer.

Beauty UK is a trade only show, but if you register and put down what you do, it enables you free ticket entry into the show OR you can go on the day and pay ten pounds. I don't think they are too fussed about whether you have a company or not - at the end of the day they want to sell their products. It is more targeted at salons, and spas, but there are a few goodies for the general public like me! This year we found it was very much nail art based, as opposed to make up, which is OK because I am getting more and more into nail colours and I wanted to get me some O.P.I! And so I did.

These are the nail varnishes I picked up which are:

* Liquid Crystal - China Glaze *I'm not Lion - China Glaze * Servin' Up Sparkle - OPI * Significant Other Colour - OPI * Sure Shot - Essie

I LOVE all of these colours, and after I saw Louise's video on Sprinkle of Glitter with the Essie polish on it, I instantly loved it and so it was sold to moi! I think my fave out of all of them has to be Significant Other Colour which is the lilac duotone from OPI, it is stunning!

Significant Other Colour on the nails, with Servin' Up Sparkle on the accent nail. Sorry about the little claw thing going on here, dunno what that is all about! But hey ho, you get the idea!

I was also pretty excited for NYX too, as you can't get many of their products easily here in the UK so I made sure I got some! You can order online HERE but I hate paying for shipping because it just annoys me!

Firstly there are two Striper Polishes which aren't NYX but I just happened to photograph it all together. They are from a brand called Stripe Rite and they are the really thin brushes for nail art detail, and I got those in a Purple glitter and a gold, those were 99p!

For the NYX products then, I got 4 of the jumbo eye pencils in 'Cottage Cheese' (what a name, urgh!), 'Purple', 'Pacific' and 'Peacock'. I've never used any NYX products before so I will be sure to review them on a Thursday Thoughties post soon! Then there is the Matte Lipstick in 'Shocking Pink', a roll on shimmer in 'Purple', a lipgloss in 'Dolly Pink', Glitter powder in 'Luxurious Lavender', Cream blush in 'Hot Pink' and a Concealer in a jar in 'Light'. Phewwww take a breath! 

Check out the coolio China Glaze bag too! Although it is a more nail orientated show, I really do recommend trying to get tickets because it is free, and is a nice day out - maybe not for your purse though, certainly not for mine!

Lastly, just a few pieces from Peggy Sage. I had not heard of this brand before, but a lot of people were at it so I thought I might as well try a few bits. I got a new lip brush and a new liner brush as I was in need of those, a black eyeliner and a bright pink lip liner to go with the NYX lippy that I purchased. Then my friend Sarah who I was with spotted these gorgeous nail stickers with the Eiffel tower on! I'm mad about anything Eiffel tower, so these are perfect! She's a good'un! 

Finally, this is the make up I wore for the day! I'm not going to go into too much detail because I think I have bored you for long enough! But if you would like a post on what I used and how to do it, just let me know!

I also documented the day by video, so click play if you want to see more. It is super shaky so sorry about that, but maybe better than nout!

Did any of you go to Beauty UK? Or would you fancy going next year? Tell me your thoughts!

Ciao for now XxX

Make Up Haul, MUA, MAC, Illamasqua ♥

Ahoy there! Did everybody have a nice bank holiday weekend? I hope so! Even with less than a week to Beauty UK, unfortunately I could not fight the make up minions that live inside my brain, and well and truly overspent in Birmingham. Although I only got two higher end products, it all adds up and I ended up in Primark too! Man alive, am I paying for it now.

You only live once is one of my favourite sayings ;)

So I'll just whizz through, just to give you an idea of what is out there at the moment! As you may or may not know, MACs new 'Hello Sailor' collection was launched this week, and as only this year I have learnt about MAC *shock horror*, I haven't had any of the patterned, limited edition collections. I loved this one though,  so I had to get something from it! I picked up the Frost lipstick in 'To Catch a Sailor', and it is a gorgeous sheer gold colour. I know the frost lipsticks aren't the best for colour, but I find that this one is buildable, suitable for everyday wear, or build it up and it is a very metallic bronze gold. It is a different colour for me, but I'm all into trying new things! That was £14.00. 

Talking of new things, I have been lusting after Illamasqua's Apocalips since the Human Fundamentalism collection came out! As you know, my hair is turquoise so this is a must have! Obviously not for everyday wear, but it's just something I need in my life! It is a little darker than the advertisement photos, but with a blue lip/eyeliner, or a white one underneath, that soon brightens it up. The make up artist in Selfridges put it on me so I was walking around town with blue lips, which made me look like a drag queen because she extended my cupids bow, and didn't do the best job. I don't want to tell my grandmother how to suck eggs, but I soon wiped it off. That was £15.50.

Primark have bought out their own lipbalms! They smell a bit dodgy I must admit, like more clinical than the smell they are meant to be, but for £1.00 I got two, just to shove in my bag!

I have got a fancy dress party for Ed's brothers birthday in June, which doubles as our Queen's jubilee date so we have to dress all patriotic! Most people are going as the Royals, so I thought I would be different and go as a Union Jack! I have a Union Jack dress, deely boppers, lip tattoo...the list goes on! In Primark I found these nail wraps for £1.00! I have never tried nail wraps before, but they are perfect so I will give them a go! 

I then came across this spray rapid dry for nails. It was on the test table at Superdrug and I was extremely sceptical about it. I had a go however, and it works like a dream! It's a bit wet at first but I felt the nail after about 30 seconds and it was already pretty much dry. I am looking forward to properly trying it out, and I shall later review it. This was £3.59. Next up, MUA.

We all know and love MUA, and I have tons of the stuff, but I hadn't got the red lipstick yet! Louise at Sprinkle of Glitter always says how much she loves it, and I have four other pink shades but not the red, so for £1.00 I had to get it! I am yet to try, but I'm sure it shall be fabulous!

I also naughtily got a couple of other bits while I was there. I am actually determined to have the whole collection. I got the face powder in shade 1, because I usually use the Sleek Luminous face powder, but this is £1.00 so I thought I should try it, and compare. I got the two remaining blushers that I don't have, in shade  2 and shade 6. I absolutely love the MUA blushers, I couldn't recommend them more because the colours, application and price are all beautiful.

I then picked up the new brush on concealer. I don't think this is going to be a product I stick with, as my 'go-to' concealer is of course the Collection 2000 lasting perfection. It is in one of those applicators that have the twisty, clicky bit on the bottom, to which you have to wait a lightyear for the product to come out - then it all comes out at once! Does that happen to you? It seems to dry quickly too so not that easy to blend, and although it is the light shade, it is still a few shades dark for me. That was £2.00.

And finally the last few items. Eyeliners and plumping lip gloss. In Illamasqua, when I had Apocalips put on, the Make up artist lined my lips with a blue liner, and then put on the lipstick. Of course, she tried to sell it to me, but I knew I could get the exact colour from MUA for a pound!! And lets face it, I'm not gonna wear it everyday. It is in shade 'Turquoise' and is a very close dupe to 'Debonair' from Illamasqua, just £12.00 cheaper. I got the 'Royal Blue' shade also, and the Illamasqua dupe is called 'Paddle'. I can't believe how close it is really!

For the lippies, I got two of the plumping 'Out There' glosses, which were £2.00 each. I got them in 'Shocking Pink' and 'Buff'. They do sting a tad! But no pain, no gain!

So I hope you liked my little haul, please go out and try the MUA products yourselves if you haven't already, I think you would be pleasantly surprised! 

If you are still with me, here is an adorably cute picture of our bunny, Peanut. She is the most spoilt bunny in the world, and I wouldn't have it any other way! 

Ciao for now XxX

Mini Haul & Dress! ♥

Hai Bloggeroonies! (It's getting worse isn't it?) Today I have a little diddy haul for you, just with a few things I got yesterday. Ed and I popped over to the Fort shopping centre in Birmingham, as there was a dress I had seen online and that was the only place they had it in stock.

If you have stayed with me for this long, you may know I could be dousing with the royals next month! So I have been on a mission to find a dress, read that post HERE. I had been searching far and wide across the interweb desperately trying to find something that is simple, but would be effective with the right accessories. When you are a bigger woman like myself, a lot has to be considered, such as nipping in all the right places, covering all the wrong places, length perfection and the curse of the cling. I knew I wanted something along the lines of a peplum dress, and I finally came across the one I had my heart set on, on the Dorothy Perkins website.

It was in the sale £30.00 down to £17.00! Too good to be true, as it was out of stock online, and everywhere in Birmingham but the Fort apparently. So we shot down there because I never thought I would be so lucky and actually get it. I couldn't find it when I walked in, but the shop assistants helped me look and found two in both sizes I needed to try on! Couldn't believe my luck! Tried on the smaller size and it fits like a glove which I am also pleased about!

So here it is, it isn't much to look at I know, but teamed with an eclectic fascinator, a pashmina and killer patent black heels, I think it might look rather smart! Got to be prepared if I'm hangin' out with the Duchess of Cambridge - know what I'm sayin'? I'll post a picture of me in it when I actually go. I can half relax now, just the fascinator to find. Bargainous Bargains. To view this dress with a better picture, you can go to the Dorothy Perkins webpage HERE.

Also I picked up this gold peter pan collar necklace for the good old faithful Dotty P's, £10.00 reduced to £2.00. Then we went into Topshop, which isn't very big at the Fort, but still! I picked up an ear cuff which isn't something I would usually go for but I was pretty drawn to it. It is silver and has a little skull to go in the pierced part of your ear, then a skeleton hand to clip around the higher part of your ear, and that was £6.50 reduced to £2.50.

I had originally gone into Topshop to try and find a necklace that has been swimming around the Youtube and blog world, and I actually managed to get it, I was pretty shocked. It is so cute though, it is gold and silver with a moon, eye and sun on it. It is quirky which is what I am all about, so I couldn't not get it especially at £3.50! Then I also got these large skull studs, which are duo chrome pink and gold. Again, something I wouldn't usually go for, but I thought they were quite nice, and would go with my MAC force of love lippy beautifully!

Then we had a quick mooch around our local ASDA (or Walmart) and of course I can never walk out of there empty handed when it comes to make up, so I got a couple of bits. I am having a major breakout for me at the moment! I hate it, spotty spot spot! So I am trying this clean and clear advantage spot treatment gel, it claims it is fast acting and £3.50, so I will let you know how that goes. Then I saw Collection 2000 has bought out a matt foundation, and my skin seems to be becoming oh-so-oily at the moment so I thought I would try it for £2.98. I hated the 17 matte foundation, so it could only get better? I am going to do a full review on this because I have tried it this morning, so I shall let you know my thoughts.

Next was the Rimmel lasting finish nail polish in 500 Disco Ball, and it is a gorgeous turquoise, purple glitter polish which I can't wait to try! Finally, after a little rummage through the bargain bin, I came across a Rimmel Mousse Eyeshadow. It was reduced from £4.98 to £2.49, and in the shade 'Splash'. The pigmentation is lovely and it is a turquoise, gold colour.

I am looking forward to using all of the products and jewellery, and will give a more in depth review when I use them! Hope this has given you an idea of what is about at the moment, and if you would like a more in depth review on any of the products, let me know!

Ciao for now xXx

A Beauty Secret? And Beauty UK 2012! ♥

Hi Guys, so as you know I have been back from Cyprus a few weeks now. I think I may have discovered something magical! It all started out when it was kinda cloudy in the usually oh-so-sunny land of Cyprus, thus meaning I never put on any sun cream... Little to my knowledge, the sun briefly shifting in and out burnt me to a total singe. Also throughout the last few days, all I wore was a factor 10 sun oil which actually cooked me. I was in so much pain and I was literally bright red like a lobster! I know, I am stupid but I actually didn't realise I was getting so burnt!

So, we had briefly been chatting to another nice family while we were over there, and they had certainly noticed my pain and redness! They explained to me that a member of their family spends a lot of time in America, and if he gets burnt there is a particular product he uses. They then introduced me to Hawaiian Tropics Aloe Vera after sun gel.

They kindly gave me a travel sized bottle of the stuff, and it was literally like liquid heaven! I had burnt all my face and neck, so it was the most soothing, cooling gel I could ever of asked for. It helped immensely and really toned down the peeling when I returned to the UK. When I did get home, I continued to use the gel but all over my face before I applied my make up. It has quite a sticky consistency and then it dries in about ten seconds. To touch when dry, the stickiness disappears, but somehow it clings to my foundation like a badboy! I have discovered it is an amazing primer! For me, I have been using it every day since I returned and I actually love it. I am dreading it running out because you can't actually get this product in the UK. 

I have had a look round and there is one in Tesco I have seen but I can't remember the name, but it was a yellow bottle and retailed at about £2.99 which was also an aloe vera gel. Also, in Superdrug there was a Malibu one for around £4.00. 

I might be sounding crazy right now, but I totally love this product as a primer. It is moisturising and soothing for the skin, and like a magnet for foundation! I might be mad, but give it a go - it might start a trend!

Last but certainly not least, is anyone going to beauty UK at the Birmingham NEC on Sunday 13th April? I am going to be there and I am soooo excited! I would love to know if anyone is going, and if you want to know more about it click here.

Ciao for now XxX

Mini Make Up Haul ♥

Bonjour mes amis! Over the weekend I had the pleasure of meeting up with my very lovely friend Sarah, and we had a little mooch around Birmingham. I was going in with pretty much empty pockets, but of course I just can't come out with nothing; why break the habit of a lifetime?

I got the train into Birmingham for the first time in ages! I usually hate hate hate public transport, but this time around I felt that it was actually much easier than battling through the Sunday traffic, losing my car in Selfridges as I do every single time, and it gives me a good walk either side of the journey. Win win situation.

SO, onto the bedlam of the every burning hole in my pocket!

This is what my hand looked like after we decided to venture into Selfridges at the end of our trip. I told myself not to go in there and risk buying anything, but I can't actually do it. Anyone else suffer with the same issue?

Ok, so first I headed into Boots, and after recently trying out Models Own nail polish in Tropical Sun, I was very impressed! So of course I went back, and they are currently on offer at Boots 2 for £8.00. I had seen on a few beauty bloggers/vloggers channels that Indian Ocean is one that is majorly sought after, and I can see why! Oh my life it is absolutely stunning! I found it and there were only about 2 bottles left on the shelf, so I snapped me one right up!!! It is a beautiful iridescent pale blue with an added pink tone running through it. It dries super quick in seconds, and here's what it looks like with two coats, and what I currently have on! 

(Used with Boots falsies)

I also got the Models Own nail polish in Aqua Violet, which is part of the Beetlejuice collection. I always go for colours like this because my favourite colour in the whole world is Turquoise, and my hair is this colour so it's great to match! Aqua violet is quite a deep teal colour, and is a duotone with purple running through it.  I haven't tried it out yet, but I can't wait to! Also as you can see there, is another duotone iridescent colour from Barry M called Silvery Purple. In the light you can see purples, greens, blues and silver flecks in the bottle. I have only done a little test coat on my natural nails and it is quite sheer, but I think after two coats it would be perfecto. It's another gorgeous colour from Barry M and for £2.99 it's another bargainous buy. 

I also got the magnetic varnish in the black shade from Barry M, but I need to have a proper fiddle about with it first!

I finally got my first Illamasqua product! And my gosh I am excited about it! Sarah and I spent a good old while rummaging through their collection, with plenty of 'Ooo's' and 'Aaah's'. I actually couldn't come out of there empty handed, I think it is my new lust brand. I always love bright and wacky make up and they fit my every need! I think I am going to find myself going there every week getting a new product. This is a pure pigment, which is priced at £15.50 which I don't think is too bad as I think this will be a product that lasts a hell of a long time. This shade is called Static, and is a glittery iridescent (can you feel a theme here?) pinky purple. It is amazing and looks just like fairy dust! It can be used on the eyes, cheeks or mixed with an existing product. I can't wait to have a go with it!

Then we headed into Primark because we had heard they were doing nail art pens, but unfortunately ours had ran out! However they are doing a few beauty products so I picked up one of their lipsticks. They aren't named or numbered but it is the spotty one in the picture below, and is priced at £1.00. It is a light muted pink, and actually isn't the best product in the world and smells a bit like playdough. It's quite drying, but over lip balm it's actually a nice colour on the lips. For a pound I guess I can't grumble, but I doubt I would re-purchase.

Next was MUA at Superdrug which you know I love, and for a pound each these lipsticks are no comparison to the Primark one. They are just great! So moisturising and glossy with such a great range of shades! The colours don't pick up too well on my Iphone camera but it gives you an idea. The second from the left is 'Shade 12' and is a shimmery pink (not coral like it looks here), the next is 'Shade 5' and is a shimmery very light pink (gorgeous for everyday wear!) and the last is a deep pink with bluey undertones, and is 'Shade 3'. All gorgeous and I don't ever have a bad word to say about MUA really!

Swatched from top to bottom: Shade 3, Shade 12, Shade 5 and the Primark muted pink.

So here we are in Birmingham Bullring after we got attacked by Illamasqua! It was a lovely day and nice to see Sarah and I look forward to catching up again soon!

Have you bought anything new recently? Anything I should try? I would love to know!

Ciao for now XxX