Bye Bye Bronzer

I absolutely love The Body Shop Bronzing Powders. I have a couple of them, one in matte and one with a subtle shimmer.
I have been using them for years and my current one's I have had since I was working there. That has been over a year so thats how long they have lasted me!!



Im sure all of you have experienced when you go to open up your bronzer to use and find it in a big pile of mess.

Well today, thats what happened to me.

Some of this went all over my bedroom carpet as I opened it and this is what I managed to save.

I had been quite low on my matte bronzer for a while and you know that its going to happen, but its still so annoying when it does!! It probably didn't help that I had been carrying this around in my make up bag for the last couple of days.

My remaining shimmer bronzer is starting to look like its going to go any day now too.


Overall, my bronzer did me proud and lasted a lot longer than I thought it would and I think its actually the first product in YEAR'S that i've actually hit pan on and finished. (Even though not intentionally!!)

Does anyone have any tips on stopping this from happening or is there just no possible way known to us girlies to stop this?! (I now obviously know NOT to carry it around with me when it starts to run out!!)

Hope everyone is having a fab Bank Holiday!!

x x

Bargain Scarf and Summer Hair

I absolutely love scarf's and think that they can make any outfit look brighter and more interesting!! If im not sure on a certain top or jacket I just add a scarf and it instantly looks a lot better.

I found my latest bargain's from Primark for just £4.00 each!!


I love that they are oversized and lightweight so they can be worn in the summer too. My favourite is the pink/purple feather print one. I think it looks more expensive that it actually is!!

Top: Topshop
Jeans: New Look
Scarf: Primark
Shoes: Primark

I've also found my perfect hair styler that i've been searching for, for age's!! I have tried and tried to master my Conical Wand and it just doesn't give me the results that im looking for. (Loose, natural waves)

So after watching a few YouTube video's, I decided to try the Babyliss Waving Wand. Im so glad I did as this is everything that I wanted my conical wand to be!!


This give's me gorgeous, loose, natural waves that last all day!! I think this works better for me as the barrell is the same width all the way down and doesn't get thinner like the conical wand does. It works in exactly the same way so you still don't have that annoying clasp. It also heats up really fast and has a piece of plastic so it can stand on a hard surface so you don't need a heat mat!!

My new scarf and new hair!!

What do you think of the results from my Waving Wand?!

x x

Laughter Really Is The Best Medicine

As I briefly mentioned in yesterday's post, last night I went to see Comedian Stephen K Amos. I had bought the tickets for the boyfriends birthday as he love's comedians. I had initially bought the tickets as he was the comedian that was on in our area, nearest to my boyf's birthday and i'd only heard a little bit about Stephen K Amos.

My Brother reassured me that he was funny and that he would love to see him!!

Im SO glad that I chose him as he was AMAZING!!

He was the first comedian that i'd seen live and he was so funny that I actually had a tummy ache and could hardly breathe!!

Tonight is his last night of the tour but he will be starting it again later in the year so definately look out for tickets as he was hilarious!!

At the end of the show he announced that he would be in the foyer of the theatre signing dvd's if you wanted to say hi so of course I had to!!


He was lovely and made sure that he saw everyone and even got up from behind his desk for photo's!! (I know a lot of celebs don't budge from behind their little table once they're sat down!!)

He even made a joke when posing for this pic, making a kind of hmm hmmm sound as he put his hand around my waist and kinda tickled me hehe!!

Im not very happy with this photo of me as i'd laughed and cried most of my make up off during the show and I didn't have my nice colourful scraf on in the pic as it was so hot so I look very "plain jane" here but I had to post it!!

My signed dvd and tickets.

He participated with the audience a lot and adapted his set to the City he was in which made it nice and personal.

If you get a chance to catch his Tour later in the year, my advice would be to definately go if you want a good laugh.

Has anyone else seen Stephen live?!

x x

New Shoe's Courtesy Of...

Matalan!!

I couldn't believe my gorgeous find when I recently popped in to my local Matalan. I had originally gone in to get boring things like underwear and pyjamas, but couldn't resist these when I saw them!!





They are quite high but as long as im not on my feet for to long, then thats fine!! I love high heel's and I know they're not always practical and I always moan if my feet hurt, but I love them!!

They are a kind of grey/mauve colour in a suede kind of material and they cost £16. I originally saw them and thought they would be good for a summer wedding that i've got to go to but I don't think I can wait that long to wear them.

Im going to see comedian Stephen K Amos tonight with my boyfriend, I got him the tickets for his birthday a few weeks ago, so I might just have to wear them tonight with my skinny jeans!!

Don't you just love finding something amazing in an unexpected place?!

Have you found any bargains recently?!

x x

PS - DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY!!!!

Molly Moo

I think i've only introduced Molly briefly on my blog, so thought today I would share some pictures of her. She's my family dog and normally follows my mum around the house 24/7. However since i've moved back home, she's chosen to be my shadow!!


She's about 11 years old now and she's a poodle crossed with a bijon frise. My mum is allergic to cat and dog hair and this makes Molly perfect as she's wool and so doesn't shed any hair!! This is also good for cuddle's as you don't get hair all over you!!

She hates it when my mum or dad go out to work and spends most of her time sitting, waiting like this:

She can tell if your upset or down and last time I was feeling a bit rubbish, her little nose pushed my bedroom door open and she came and curled up by my side on my bed, bless her!!


She is starting to look old now but still gets mistaken, often for being a puppy!! She is spoilt rotten and probably eats more human food than she does dog food. If we have a sunday dinner then she gets the full works!!

She has become very yappy in her old age and goes mental at the post man, paper boy and if she see's anything move in the garden, cats, birds, leaves, it doesn't matter what!!

Hope she managed to put a smile on your face :-)

Does your pet cheer you up?!

x x

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation

Recently I have been trying out new drugstore foundations as appose to going and buying a high end one. I probobaly could have bought just one high end product with all the money i've spent on lower end one's but hey, maybe next time!!
I've been loving my newest addition, Rimmel's Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation.


I normally use Revlon's Colourstay Foundation in Buff for combination/oily skin as my skin can be quite oily. For this reason I like a matte finish and always use a powder too.
I love my Revlon one and have got through bottles of it so just thought it was time to try a new one. I was drawn to this one, obviously as it claims to last 25 hours.
Now I haven't tried it for quite that long but, I was naughty the other night and slept in my make up and the next morning, it still looked amazing!!

I also love the packaging of this product and for one main reason.


It has a pump!! I absolutely love it for having a pump as my Revlon pours out really fast and goes everywhere and so does my Estee Lauder Double Wear. This of course also means, hopefully i'll be able to get it all out of the bottle!! (Sorry for my grubby looking pump!!)

This foundation doesn't have an SPF either, which I personally love. I know its not very practical for the summer but it looks much better in photo's when im out for the night.

The only let down with this product is the colour. Im very pale and I bought the lightest one they do, 100 Ivory. Its not too dark for me but when applied, you can definately see a difference in my face and neck. I've found applying it with my Elf Stipple Brush helps to blend it better than my usual Mac 190.

I just apply some bronzer on my neck so it blends in, I just wish it was a bit lighter. I might try mixing it with my Double Wear.



The bottle states:

"Sweat, heat, humidity and transfer proof for up to 25 hours. Enriched with a revitalizing Mineral Complex and moisturizing Aqua Primer. Skin feels energized and hydrated all day."

This is a gorgeous foundation that doesn't feel heavy at all on the skin and it easily lasts a full day, out and about in all conditions with hardly any touch ups from my powder.

I would definately recommend giving this a go if you want something to last all day and not clog your skin up.

Its currently £6.99 in Boots so it won't break the bank!!

(I've also been practicing with my Conical Wand as you can tell!! Im slowly getting there!!)

Have you tried this yet?! What foundation do you recommend?!

x x

OPI and Barry M Dupe, Exact Match!!

For the last couple of days, i've been wearing OPI's Elephantastic Pink on my nails. I love it and think its such a nice, bright colour for summer.


However when I was looking through my colletion of nail polishes, I found one to be very, very similar so thought I would share it with you all!! It is Barry M's Pink Flamingo.


They are so similar, its almost impossible to tell the difference when they are on!! I took all of these photo's without flash so you can see just how alike they are!!

My index finger is Barry M Pink Flamingo and the rest are OPI Elephantastic Pink.

Can you spot the difference?!

I think if your finding it hard to get hold of the OPI version, or even just for the price difference, the Barry M version is an amazing dupe!!

Have you got any other dupe's that you would recommend?!

x x

John Frieda Live – Haircare Academy, Very Exciting!!

I know this will be my second post of the day but I just wanted to share with you all this amazing information i've just received from the lovely people over at John Frieda.

On 27th May at 1pm, the John Frieda Live Hair Academy will be broadcasting a live show where we can all tune in.

As viewers, we will be able to watch the John Frieda Haircare Professionals demonstrate the latest hot summer styles and they will answer fans hair related questions, while we can join in from home to learn how to achieve salon hair from our bedroom!!






I love John Frieda and am always looking to try their new products.

I think this is a great idea and think it will be amazing to get tips from the professionals, learn how to use brand new products and get summer haircare advice from the John Frieda® Haircare Experts.

I'll be tuning in, hope you do too!!

x x

Spot Saviour!!

Now I know that us ladies occasionally get the odd break out, even if our make up does an amazing job at letting us think otherwise.
So today I thought I would share with everyone, what I think is a spot treatment product that actually works!!

These are just a few that I normally use when I get the occasional breakout.

L to R - Clean & Clear Advantage Quick Clear Gel, Sudocrem, Clearasil Ultra Rapid Action Treatment Cream and The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil.

Recently with a few worries and stresses, I had a breakout and had about 8 big, sore, spots and they were not a pretty sight. They had managed to space themselves out all over my face so I looked terrible!!
For years, I swore by The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil as this used to dry up a spot even if it does have a strong smell.
However I had been applying this for a few days and there was no difference what so ever. I then decided to give good old Sudocrem a try as i've read a few bloggers swear by this for treating spots.
No such luck here either im afraid, if anything, this just made my skin more greasy feeling.

I then remembered a little product that I had bought a while ago but forgotton all about. This is the magic product that I wanted to share with you all.

Its Clean & Clear's Advantage Quick Clear Spot Treatment Gel. This is meant to reduce spots in 4 hours. Now I don't know about the 4 hours claim but I applied this before I went to bed one night and by the next morning, my skin already looked better.

The packaging claims that you can use the invisible gel directly on the spot and its suitable to use under AND over make up, whenever it is needed.

"The unique formula containing spot-fighting ingredients quickly rebalances the level of oil, helps fight problems causing bacteria and effectively purifies the skin all without irritating or over drying."

I use mine at night time as i've found when I use it in the morning, it kind of flakes off underneath my make up. It slightly tingles when I first apply it but as far as im concerned that just means its working!!
I was slighlty apprehensive about this to start with, as its a gel and not a cream, I didn't think it would work as well but I was very wrong!!

It is by far the best spot treatment that i've used and it completely cleared my skin up in no time at all. I would recommend it to everyone next time you get a troublesome spot that just wont go away!!

It is available from Boots for just £4.48.

Have you tried this before?! Did it work for you?!

x x

Second Interview!!

So after getting through the initial telephone interview for Estee Lauder, I got an actual interview. I updated all of you last week on how this went.
Then, this morning I got a call from the lovely lady who interviewed me to say that I had been successful in getting through to a second interview!!

Im kind of feeling a bit like this right now....

Happy, nervous, stressed and worried about what they're now going to ask me!!

The first interview that I had was a very general, where have you worked before, how did you overcome obstacles etc etc and now I honestly don't know what to expect as i've never had a "second interview" before.
Im not sure if they are going to want role play or just more product knowledge, or even how many people will actually interview me!!

The only available slot that the lady had left was tomorrow morning so I don't have that much time to prepare eeek!!

Has anyone got any tips, even if its just how to stay calm hehe?!

x x

FOTD using Creme Cup

Its been a while since I did a FOTD post, so thought I would do one as I was experimenting with my new love - Mac Creme Cup.

Face:

• Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation (Review to come soon!!)
• Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
  
• Benefit Boi-ing Concealer
• The Body Shop Eyebrow Kit
• Elf Tickled Pink Blusher

Eye's:

• Urban Decay Shadows in Sin and Smog
• Urban Decay Liquid Liner in Perversion
• Bourjois Volume Glamour Ultra Black Mascara
• No7 Exquisite Curl Mascara

Lip's:

• Mac Lipstick in Creme Cup

I am loving my new lippie and can't wait to try more from Mac.

Im thinking of getting Hue to try next. Can anyone recommend Hue or not?!

x x

NOTD OPI Windy City Pretty

Hey girlies, just thought I would share with everyone my little discovery from today. I found this colour in my mum's collection of OPI's and its not normally a colour that I would even look at. I normally prefer bright colours, but I decided to try this and I really like it!!

OPI - Windy City Pretty

This colour looks good against my pale skin, which a lot of shades similar to this don't. Its kind of an unusual pink with a little mocha colour to it.
Im really starting to love OPI polishes and am very impressed with the formulations. They're not streaky or dull in the slightest, I don't bother putting a top coat on top of these as they are really shiny anyway and don't seem to chip for days!!


I originally had my nail extensions taken off to try and save money, but since discovering all of these gorgeous polishes, I can see my bank balance dwindling again!!

Have you tried this colour?! Hope everyone is having a good weekend!!

x x

Lee Stafford Arganoil Review and Rave

I mentioned that i'd bought this product a few weeks ago and i've been using it everyday since then to see if I like it.

Let me just tell you know, I LOVE this product!!

It is of course Lee Stafford's Arganoil from Morocco, Nourishing Miracle Oil. This product is amazing and I can't believe how quickly i've seen the results.


What it says on the box:

Nourishing Miracle Oil with Pro-Argan complex. A light weight oil treatment for all hair types. Enriches and nurtures natural shine for the smoothest, silkiest, healthiest hair yet!!
It also promises to deliver all of this without any product build up!!

You can apply this to wet or dry hair. I've been using mine after i've washed my hair, while its still damp and towel dried, just before I dry it. It states on the box to rub a couple of drops of oil between your hands and apply to the mid-lengths to ends of damp hair and then style as normal. This is what i've been doing and then still using my usual heat protector spray on my dry hair before styling.


This was my hair this morning. Im in need of a trim at the mo so please ignore the ends (eeek) but I did have a lot of split ends on my layers which the oil seems to have miraculously fixed.
This also has a lovely smell, a bit like the usual Lee Stafford smell but a bit more subtle, almost like a kind of rose smell but gorgeous none the less.


The box also says:

Argan Oil is a rich, nourishing oil, native to Morocco. It contains many of the ingredients associated with repairing hair and the creation of luxurious healthy hair.
The Berber women of Morocco have used Argan Oil as part of their daily beauty regime for hundreds of years and consider it to have many benefits, including preventing moisture loss in their unforgiving desert surroundings. Now these beauty secrets, proven for centuries, are spreading worldwide!!

This is currently available from Boots for £11.99 which seems a bit pricey but as you only use a little bit at a time, it will last for age's!!

I would definately recommend this to everyone as its amazing to me how an oil can be so lightweight and not weigh my hair down and make it so shiny and healthy looking!!

Have you tried this yet?!

x x

Interview Treat (In the form of MAC Creme Cup)

So yesterday was my interview with Estee Lauder. I think it went well but the lady said she had had lots of people apply and that IF I am successful, it would be for a second interview so im keeping my fingers crossed that I get a call!!

After my interview, I decided to visit Selfridges as im not very often in Birmingham City Centre and I wanted to have a look on the MAC counter (lethal I know).


I decided to treat myself to just one product (as I still don't have a job yet) and in the end I chose a lipstick in Creme Cup. It was so hard to just buy one thing, especially as the girl that was helping me looked amazing with her bright and vibrant make up.


I've always wanted a nudey lipstick that I can actually wear, because im so pale, they always make me look ill. I'd heard quite a few people rave over this colour so I thought i'd try it.

I am so glad that I chose this lipstick as I already love it!!

I think because this one is quite pinky, it suits me a lot better and I love the fact that its a cremesheen too!!


This is what my make up looked like for my interview. I wanted to keep it quite natural but decided to wear my Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation and my Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess perfume, just in case they recognised it!! And guess what, I actually used my Elf Tickled Pink Blusher which I now love, even though I wasn't so keen at first!!
This photo was taken about ten hours after I applied my make up and I know I look tired but thought i'd show you all.

I didn't get a photo of my outfit but it was pretty basic, black jacket, black skirt and white shirt. But, these were the shoes that I went to my interview in....

Nice, smart, black court heels from New Look. (They are black even though they look kind of grey/blue in this pic)

And these are the shoes I came home from my inteview in....

Nice, but not so smart, comfy flats from Primark, or Primarni as I like to call it hehe!!

My poor feet were so sore from walking round Birmingham all day that i literally couldn't take one more step so I headed in to Primark to pick up the first pair of shoes in my size that didn't have a heel.

My mum had told me to take some flats in my bag but I thought I knew better and didn't bother but i'll make sure I do from now on!!

Lesson learnt, always take flats everywhere and always listen to mum!!

*This was my second attempt at this post as im sure most of you will know, Blogger was down all day yesterday and deleted everything that was posted after Wednesday night so sorry if you comented on my first attempt, I blame Blogger!!*

How was everyone's day?! Have you tried Creme Cup?!

x x

Exciting NEW Elf Products!!

So the other week, I was a bit naughty. I think I was having spending withdrawal symptons so I went online to have a look at the Elf website to see what I could treat myself to.
I love Elf as its so affordable (hence you dont feel guilty when your buying a lot!!) and everything I have bought from there in the past I have been very pleased with.

This is what I ended up with!!

L - R Studio Blusher X 2, New Conditioning Lip Balm X 3, New Studio Stipple Brush X 2 and a free Nail Polish

I was really pleased to see some new products on there and couldn't resist trying them. The first was their version of a duo fibre brush which they have called Stipple Brush from their Studio range. I got two of these as I thought I could use one for foundation and one for blusher.
I have a few of their other Studio Brushes and they have lasted age's and I love them.


Im pleased to announce that this is no different, its amazing!! I haven't tried a duo fibre brush before so I can't really compare it to another brand but I have used it for both liquid foundation and powder blusher and am so impressed with the results. I would recommend thhis brush to everyone!! The bristles are super soft and i've had no shedding as yet.

The next new product I noticed was the Conditioning Lip Balm's with SPF 15 which I think is a fab idea and great for holidays.


I got two different shades. I bought two pots of the Peaceful Pink, as I loved the colour instantly and one pot of Mellow Melon.

I am loving these!! I haven't had chance to test the SPF (obviously in this country) but they feel amazing on my lips, not sticky, not gloopy or drying and they actually give a lovely sheen of colour. Mellow Melon is slightly darker than Peaceful Pink which is the perfect shade of pale pink.

I would definately recommend everyone to try these too. They come in a varirty of colours, with about six to choose from and have a very sweet smell to them, almost like sweets!!

Swatches: Top is Mellow Melon, bottom is Peaceful Pink.

The next two products, im a bit in two minds about them. They are of course the famous dupe of Nars Blushers, the blushers from the Studio Blush range.

I got Tickled Pink and Fuchsia Fusion. I have to say, I really wanted these products to be good and be a much cheaper version of the Nars Blushers and I wasn't let down!!

L - R Tickled Pink and Fuchsia fusion, With Flash

L - R Tickled Pink and Fuchsia Fusion Without Flash

Swatches: Top Tickled Pink, bottom Fuchsia Fusion.

Tickled Pink is slightly more of a wearable colour for me as its more matte and blends slightly easier on my skin. Fuchsia Fusion is a very bad colour for me and is very, very shimmery and pigmented. I thought it was going to give me a lovely flush of pink but I was wrong. It might just be my colourings but im not so keen on this shade at all.

The nail polish that I got for free is called Light Red. It looks a lovely colour but I haven't had the chance to try that yet so im still unsure as to what this product is like.

Overall, im loving my new products from Elf and think i'll definately be back to buy more when these run out!!

Has anyone tried any of these products yet?! What do you think of them?!

x x