Manicure Monday #8

It's officially only 10 days until Christmas! Who's excited!? ME!!! Haha, just kidding. I'm freaking out and haven't started my Christmas shopping yet, so obviously I'm going to procrastinate even further by writing this post.

I do love me some festive nails though which I can do when I'm not doing all that shopping...

Today's nails are Barry M...aren't they pretty? I recently purchased nail dotting tools, so I've gone a little bit mad polka-dotting everything. But I think this colour combo is really wintery, yet chic.

What do you think?

Barry M - Red Black. £2.99
Barry M - Instant Nail Effects Magnetic - Moon Dust. £4.99

 

Happy Monday 

L x

Baker Days + Personalised cake giveaway!

Tis' the season to eat cake! Ok, so that's not the saying but for the purpose of this post let's pretend.

For those of you that have never heard of Baker Days, they create, design and bake beautiful personalised cakes for practically every occasion imaginable: most recently introducing the 'Letterbox Cake'! Now, I imagine this conjures up a few questions...so let me explain.

It's a little occasion cake, in this instance Christmas themed, to be enjoyed by one if two people that actually gets posted to you - no need to wait in for those annoying couriers. To be honest I was slightly skeptical, how would it not break? Would I go to my letter box to be greeted by a pile of mush? Well..no.

Not only do you get an absolutely delicious cake, it's beautifully presented in a gorgeous tin. Not only that but you get a Christmas card and a miniature cracker. It couldn't be a more PERFECT gift!

I must also include that Baker Days are absolutely fantastic if you have any allergies - personally I don't eat dairy. So when Baker Days contacted me asking if I wanted to choose one of their lovely Christmas cakes, I advised them I couldn't eat "dairy" and it wasn't a problem at all.

For those of you that can enjoy dairy, Baker Days actually make their OWN Butter cream so you can be sure there is no hidden nasties in there.

The delightful people at Baker Days have allowed me to give away a Letter Box cake to TWO lucky winners.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dream Dots for Spots

It's party season and I don't know about you but I love getting dressed up and feeling glam. But you know what happens, you've planned your outfit, hair and make-up, and a few days before the party you wake up with a MASSIVE spot.

Oh yes, we've all been there. So what do you do; leave it...squeeze it in the hope it goes away? No, there's no time. If only there was a way to speed up the healing process. Well, look no further than Dream Dots - and doesn't the name sound so cute? For those that don't know what they are, think a 'plaster for your spots', although not just any old plaster...here's what Dream Dots say...

"It targets spots and breakouts overnight using no harsh ingredients, yet gives dramatically effective results. With a 100% waterproof, breathable, satin-smooth, wafer-thin surface, it acts seamlessly as a second skin, conforming to any contour of the face. On contact with the spot, the patented core locks in and absorbs the spot exudate. A moist healing environment is formed, maintaining ideal pH balance, temperature and hydration levels while sealing in repair factors, which leads to faster healing. Pain is reduced as nerve endings are cushioned and protected in this moist condition. The patch swells and turns white overnight as it absorbs exudate giving a visible reduction in redness and inflammation when removed in the morning."

For more information, check them out here.

But the question is, do they actually work? In one word...YES, they're amazing.

I'd been having some angry little spots recently, so I decided to bust out the Dream Dots. It couldn't have been any more simple. After cleansing, I simply popped the little circle onto the offending spot, got myself all snuggled up and in the morning I peeled it off to reveal my spot had significantly reduced in size and redness.

But don't just take my word for it, here are some pictures.

 Are you ok? Sorry you had to see pics of my horrible spots. But there's nothing like cold hard proof that these things are the best thing since sliced bread.

What do you think? Will you be trying these for the party season?

L x

 
 

Graze Box review

For those of you that don't know about Graze, they are an online company that are trying to reinvent snacking. How it works is, you go online and look through their endless selection of snacks - which range from sweet treats to olives and dried fruit or super seeds.

I think you'll agree that it's a lot more exciting than a plain ole' bag of crisps. If you're thinking, "YUK, I hate olives," no problem! That's the other really cool thing, you can go online and click on the section 'olives' for example and click 'bin', telling them to never send them to you. Equally, if you're an olive lover and you want them asap, then you can click 'Love' or 'send soon'. Probably the best thing is that you can bin a whole food group, like I, for example got rid of the group 'Contains Dairy.'

Once you've chosen everything, you then choose what day you want it and they post it through the letter box to wherever you want. I think this is pretty perfect for office snacks or even at home if you fancy a healthy snack.

Here's what I got:

 I also have some free codes for a limited number of friends. If you want your first box FREE! DM me on twitter if you want one :-)

L x

5 things I regret buying

There's nothing worse than being disappointed by a product! It's one thing when it simply doesn't 'suit' you, but it's another when the product just doesn't do what it promises! Here are a few things that I regret buying.

1. Herbal Essences Dry Shampoo - £1.50, 65ml
I bought two different types, the first, their "Clearly Naked" and also the "Uplifting Volume." Both boast a lightweight fresh, first day feel but I have to say that these did not work for me at all! They not only made my hair feel awful, it made it look greasy and lank - quite the opposite of what dry shampoo should do. I certainly wouldn't buy again!

2. Bionsen Pump Spray Deodorant - £2.75
I had been struggling to find a good deodorant that would not leave white marks. I've tried them all, traditional spray, roll on, stick...I just wanted one that actually worked. So, I came across this one, a "pump spray", so there was no chance of it leaving white marks (?) something that definitely suited me. Anyway, I found that this packaging leaked constantly and...stung my underarms - which obviously isn't ideal! So annoying because it actually smelt really good.

3. Soap & Glory A Brush with Greatness - £6.50                                                                                    A double-sided facial brush to use with your cleanser. I thought this sounded like a great idea, however the brush side is far too harsh and I can't imagine any face skin would suit it. As for the other silicone side, it just feels as though it does nothing. My skin gained no benefit from using this brush.

4. Soap & Glory Fab Pore 2-in-1 Facial Pore Purifying Mask & Peel - £10.00
I'm sorry to list another one by Soap&Glory. This product actually boasts quite a lot, everything from reducing large pores, unclogging pores, spot prevention, face detoxing and it smoothes, cleanses and purifies!? Quite a lot wouldn't you say? Well, this product did absolutely NOTHING for me other than sting my skin, it even made my eyes water: quite disappointed given the price.

5. Revlon ColorStay ShadowLinks - £2.99 each
I couldn't wait to get my hands on these, the price was very reasonable and they "link together" - genius, simple yet innovative. I bought a couple of base colours and I could not be more disappointed. The shadows feel chalky and have such a light to non existent pigment, it seems pretty pointless if you ask me.

What things have you regret buying recently?

L x

No7 Stay Perfect Shade And Define

Now ladies, you'll all know what I mean when I say 'No7 Voucher'...yup! You've probably got at least two in your purse right now, not to mention the ones that have already expired floating around in the bottom of your bag.

Personally, for a long time I didn't entertain buying No7, I'm not sure why, I guess I saw it as a brand for the more "mature lady." Although in recent times they've really stepped-up their game in terms of variety, colours, products, etc. So, if you hadn't already figured, you can see where I'm going this, I had a voucher and I bought their Shade and Define eyeshadow sticks.

I was actually after a few eyeshadows for either a good base colour, or a very easy, on-the-go colour. I picked up the shades 'Cool Mink' which is a brown,  taupe colour and 'Pink Pearl' which is a shimmery pink.

I was initially a little apprehensive about the cream element, would it smudge, would it last all day? Seriously, once it dries, there is NO smudging these babies, seriously, after swatching them for this post, I washed my hands a few times and they didn't budge, I was so impressed! The stick makes it perfect for quick application and it also comes with a sharpener so you can even use it as an eyeliner.

They are originally £8 each, however with the voucher they are £5, and at the moment it's buy one get one half price, basically you can get two shades for £9, who doesn't love a good bargain!

Have you got any of these shades? What do you buy with your vouchers?

L x

Manicure Monday #7

Mani Monday is back! Now I do love a good manicure, but I was giving my nails some much needed TLC after I got my Acrylics taken off - and we all know how ruined they are after those!

Anyway, it's Autumn and I do not need an excuse to wear dark colours on my nails. I absolutely love the Barry M Gelly range and I was even more excited to learn that they have new colours out now, so naturally I had to try them.

I love this colour, dare I say it's a pretty sophisticated autumn colour that isn't your typical Dark Red or Black (which I still love by the way)

What colours are your loving  for your nails this autumn?

 L x

The perfect Red and Nude Lipstick?

I'm talking about the L'Oreal Color Riche Collection lipsticks in Red and Nude. I've been waiting to get my hands on these beauties for a while now but inevitably, whenever I go into boots, they didn't have the shade I wanted. Personally, I was after the 'Julianne' range as her face was the one I could identify with the most: i.e. pale skin, freckles and Red hair - well in my case brunette with a tint of Auburn.

Anyway, when I finally swatched the Red, it scared me a little bit just because it was so bright, a very vibrant red. I'm not gonna lie, at this point I was in two minds about getting it, but it turns out it suits me pretty well - at least I think so!

The nude however is gorgeous. On the website it's described as 'Barely Peach' I'd have to agree it's  super pretty, it has a slight shimmer quality to it, which I love, perfect for effortless daytime makeup.

Finally, the formula is lovely! I'd say it's pretty standard as far as lipsticks go, not too matte, not too glossy, feels somewhat powdery when it's on the lips, the Red especially, but it's not an unpleasant feeling. What I will say though is that the Red is so pigmented that it has a lot of staying power: it stayed on my hand for a full day before fading.

 

What is your favourite Red/Nude?

L x

Travel Beauty Essentials Challenge

I was recently asked to work with SACO on a little challenge that they had running. The rules are super simple; create two looks, one day time and one night time look. Here's the catch...you're only allowed five products!

I was really excited to get involved with this challenge for a few reasons. I love a challenge and on a daily basis and we tend not to count how many products we're putting onto our face - it turns out we use a lot! The other reason is that I stay in hotels pretty often and I either bring what feels like my entire makeup collection, or a few bits that I've just grabbed on my way out the door. Not very organised huh?

So onto the two looks I've created. You'll notice they are drastically different, however I have remained true to what looks I would create for my day/night time looks. What is one persons glam, is another persons everyday, it's all about how comfortable you feel.

Look One
This is a very natural look, one you'd wear in the daytime, out for coffee, maybe some sightseeing around the city. If you're exploring a large city, you don't really want to be wearing a lot of make-up as you'll want to cleanse your face before applying your evening makeup.

...and here's how I achieved it using only 5 products...

1. Apply your favourite foundation, I don't need to tell you how to do this. However if you do want a lighter coverage, mix some with your moisturiser. I used Revlon Colourstay, this is perfect as I don't need to use a powder.

2. Then I applied the blush from my Sleek Face Form, to the apple of my cheeks. From the same palette I used the highlight to areas where the sun would naturally hit; i.e. tops of cheek bones, the centre of the nose, just on the cupids bow. 

3. I like to fill in my brows, even for a day look. I used the matte brown colour 'Bark' in the Sleek Eyeshadow Palette. If you already have fabulous brows, feel free to skip this step!

4, 5 & 6. Now for some black liquid liner, or mascara... wipe the excess mascara from the wand on the back of your hand, take an angled brush and apply as you would your regular liner.

7. Curl those lashes and apply your favourite mascara.

8 & 9. A lip-stain is perfect for a day look, it adds a hint of colour without going over the top and usually means you won't have to touch it up too many times in in the day. Dab your lip colour in the centre of your lips, take your finger and pat it into the lips until you're happy with the coverage.

Voila!

Now onto the evening look!

Look Two

1. Apply your foundation. I wanted more coverage for the evening, and to focus on any 'problem areas' I achieved that by using my foundation brush, then using my finger to pat a little more under my eyes, around my nose and any spots that I had, then blended with a damp beauty sponge.

2. Again I filled in my brows using the matte brown colour 'Bark' from the Sleek Eyeshadow Palette.

3 & 4. I wanted to contour my face more than I would in the daytime, so used the Sleek Face Form bronzer down the sides of the nose, in the hollows of the cheeks and just underneath the jawline. I then then used the highlight and blush exactly the same as in the 'Day look'

5. I used a thin brush just in my natural crease with 'Regal' I then used a fluffy brush to blend that very well. I then went in with the same fluffy brush with 'Conker' mixed with 'Noir' again and blended well. I then extended this colour to underneath my eye.

6. On the rest of the lid I used 'Nougat' as a base and 'Taupe'.

7 & 8. I used the same techniques for liquid liner and mascara as in my day look.

9. I went a little darker with the lips in the evening, but again this is a personal preference but I'll show both looks.

Are you guilty of taking lots of products with you when traveling?

L x

How to be body confident

I've seen some statistics surrounding body confidence lately, most I have to say are really rather shocking. Women not going for an interview because of the way they feel about their body! Let me just tell you ladies I've been every where from a size 6 to a 16, so in-case you think I can't possibly relate - I can! ;-)

Ok, so what's the reason?

Others around you have made comments on your appearance
First up, you need to check who you're surrounding yourself with if it's one of your "friends" that has made such comments. Either, they aren't your friends OR they're more likely, in fact, to be projecting their insecurities onto you. A lot of the time, others make comments and assume that just because you're friends, you are automatically ok with what they're saying. If that's the case then you need to let them know and educate them and that you feel hurt by what they said, even if it was meant in good faith. You should find that if they're true friends, they will be horrified and never say it again!

Don't be subject to fad diets
If you're already feeling low, restricting your calories will NOT help: it will leave you feeling worse. Just make wise choices, this way you won't feel like you're on any kind of "diet".

Stop calling chocolate bad
Ok, so this one doesn't JUST apply to chocolate but in fact any foods that are high in calories or sugars, usually considered "bad food". A lot like my previous point, if you tell yourself you CAN'T have this food then you'll probably want it more...am I right?! We've all been there and it goes something like this;

"Today I'm going to eat well, no more chocolate."
You go to the shop to buy healthy groceries...and see chocolate EVERYWHERE.
You feel miserable that you can't have chocolate.
Who say's you couldn't have that chocolate...oh...you did? Don't you sound a bit crazy now, arguing with your own rules?

Do you think this would have happened if you just told yourself you can eat anything you want? Everything in moderation.





Don't stress 
Did you know that stress can actually stop you from losing weight, crazy huh? Cortisol (our stress hormone) is responsible for maintaining our blood sugar levels and insulin helps our cells absorb glucose. When we are stressed, both insulin and cortisol remain elevated in the blood, and the extra glucose is stored as fat - mostly in the abdomen. That's science people, so stop stressing and lose weight - easy!

Focus on features that you DO like about yourself.
Ok, so you might not like your thighs or tummy, but you do have other body parts you know! Usually we only dislike a couple of things such as, "oh I really don't like my tummy" or "I wish my thighs were slimmer."

So, I'd like you to tell me what you like about yourself...and I'll go first! I like my eyes, jawline, lips, my shoulders, elegant hands and the fact I'm really in proportion and tall.

Wishlist Wednesday #5 - A Face by Tom Ford

1. Traceless Perfecting Foundation - £62.00

2. Illuminating Protective Primer - £54.00 

3. Shade and Illuminate - £56.00

4. Eye Colour Quad - £63.00 

5. Eye Defining Pen Deeper - £42.00 

6. Lip Color - £37.00

7. Cream Foundation Brush - £58.00

8. Extreme Mascara Mocha Rush - £34.00

I want everything, I'm so in love with the Tom Ford packaging. What's your favourite Tom Ford product?

L x 

A drugstore foundation, better than Chanel?!

Seeing as autumn is here and that Summer glow feels like a thing of the past, I decided to make a start on shopping for my Autumn make-up.

Now, for all of us pale-skin girls, shopping for foundation can feel like a nightmare...especially if you're trying to shop drug-store. I've found that I always get the lightest possible shade, usually of a very limited colour range, and even then it's just that teeny bit too dark. So you can imagine my surprise when I came across the Revlon Colourstay Foundation. Not only are there 9 shades but they looked great and, as I mentioned before, I immediately went for the lightest shade...and it was TOO LIGHT!

Wow, this was a new experience! So, I opted for the second lightest shade 'Buff', tested it on my jawline and it blended in seamlessly. Now, I have to admit I did feel ever-so-slightly pessimistic about how it would look in daylight, would I still be impressed?! Yes, the shade looked absolutely flawless on my skin. I have been wearing Chanel for a while, and I can't believe I'm saying this but I will be swapping it for this £12.49 Revlon foundation!

Pros:
Lightweight but buildable
Dries quickly
Lasts all day
Suitable for dry skin without looking too dewy
Looks flawless
Good price
SPF 20

Cons:
Only the packaging, it doesn't come with a pump but this is a personal preference

Have you tried this range?

L x

Monu Professional Skincare

Recently I've been trying out two products from MONU. For those of you that don't know, MONU are a Professional Skincare company and their products are one of the most popular professional skincare brands used by beauty therapists’ worldwide! Now, as a former beauty therapist, this is something that I can really relate to. Professional Skincare is often overlooked in favour of products that focus more on their packaging than the actual quality of the product. However I must say that MONU have managed to do an excellent job at achieving both a sleek design, along with a fantastic quality product.

Ok, so moving on, what have I actually been trying out? MONU Recovery Balm which is designed for skin which is Sensitive and Stressed ­ perfect for post­ summer ­ and MONU Brightening Boost, a super lightweight serum. The great thing about these products is that they don't contain damaging chemicals, artificial perfumes or synthetic colours, and they're not tested on animals. Sounds good so far but...do they actually work? In a word, YES. My skin as a teenager was oily but acne free, but as an adult I have chronic dry skin on my nose and the top of my cheeks, with acne prone/oily on my chin and forehead: essentially ALL of the skin groups! I know, some of us just get all of the luck!!! I use both the recovery balm and brightening boost as part of my morning routine and just the Recovery Balm at night.

These products have changed my skin life, and although I'm at risk of sounding a little dramatic, but regardless of any products/processes I've used before, I just couldn't get rid of the dry flaky skin on my nose, and my whole face was just very 'unbalanced'. I've only been using these products daily for a little under 3 weeks and my skin looks glowing and generally more even.

Over and above all of this, they smell fantastic! The Recovery Balm smells like roses and whilst it's a little on the heavy moisturiser side, it doesn't sit on the skin. While the Brightening Boost has a light fresh smell, it doesn't have that oily­-type feel that you can sometimes get with other serums. I wear both of these products under make­up and I don't have any problems: actually, I find my foundation wears better because my skin is so hydrated.

I will without a doubt be re­purchasing these products and I find the prices are affordable given the high quality.

Have you tried any Monu Skincare?

L x