LUSH and MAC Haul

So I'm sitting here munching on Cadbury's but wishing it was Hershey's reflecting on a somewhat successful, somewhat unsuccessful day of beauty shopping. I'm loving my LUSH and MAC goodies, but I'm actually really, really disappointed with the quality and performance of the YSL Gloss Volupte I purchased.

So I'll start with the bum-out performance of the YSL Gloss Volupte. I went to House of Fraser with the full intention of buying it as I had seen it on several blogs and loved the look of it. The sales assistant put the shade I chose on me (Shade 6) just to check I liked it, which I did, so I purchased it straight away. However, on my train journey homemy lips started to feel cakey and dry, which I was really suprised about given that she had raved about how moisturising the product was supposed to me. By the time I got home, all the 'gloss' was gone and I was left with ugly, dry, pinkish-reddy stained lips. All the colour had gathered in the creases in my lips and bled out to the edges, honestly making it look like I had cheap lipstick on. I didn't take a picture, I just couldn't get it off fast enough. I'll be returning this asap, all I can say is it may be just me, I've seen mediocre and rave reviews, but for £20.00 there's no way I feel it's worth that.

Well.. now that rant is out of the way:

I picked up a bunch of free samples at LUSH and bought a new cleanser that has been reccomended to me.I basically went in completely blind and took the advice of the sales assistant, I explained I had dry patches across my cheeks yet the rest of my face is reasonably oily. She put together a moisturiser, mask and exfoliator for me to try and I also purchased a full size cleanser/makeup remover.

So first of all, I just thought the little face was so damn cute! I can see why the call it Baby Face! I would have bought it just for that :) 

Lush say:

Natural butter bar for effective cleansing. It melts on the skin, so you can softly smooth it all over the bits that need cleansing (it’s an excellent make-up remover). Each smiling bar has four different natural plant butters in it to remove dirt and restore moisture. Its scent comes from toning tangerine oil and everlasting flower, which might grant you everlasting beauty.

I can't wait to try it :) and at £4.10 and the prospect that it looks like it will last for a while, if it works I'll say good value!
 

 

My first sample is The Sacred Truth face mask. This smells wonderful, and just from trying it in the shop for a few minutes, the back of my hand is silky smooth!


Lush say:

The truth is, we all need protection from ageing. The vital antioxidant action of wheatgrass, ginseng and green tea, enzymic fresh papaya, cleansing clays and nutritious butters, all combine to defend the skin. This mask delivers live, fresh, active ingredients, which enhance and revive the complexion. Apply to clean skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave for five to ten minutes, then rinse away with warm water. Keep chilled.

I think this will really compliment the other products I'm trying!

The Angels On Bare Skin cleanser and exfoliator is another product with a simply divine scent! The lavender flowers which help to exfoliate the skin envelope you in their aroma, and I'm a sucker for lavender.

Lush say:

Angelic and medieval cleansing wash with rose and lavender. Angels on Bare Skin is the Lush version of an expensive medieval skincare recipe. Rare, precious essential oils were first brought to Europe by the crusaders who encountered Arabian medicine. They were immediately banned by the church because their ability to alter states of mind was considered the devil's work! But the final result was Cosmetics 1, Church 0. Rose oil and lavender oil were discovered to do wonderful things for the skin, too. Almost a thousand years later you'd be hard pressed to find a better all round cleanser and exfoliator than Angels.

I really hope this works, because I really like the smell of this and I've never actually found an exfoliator that works and smells great!

My last sample is the Celestial moisturiser. This is the only one where I'm not so keen on the scent, it's okay, I'm not bothered by it, but it could be nicer.

Lush say:

Heavenly moisturiser to make sensitive skin happy. Although it’s true that some perfumes can irritate sensitive skin, like stronger spice oils, others are really good for preventing redness and reactions. Natural vanilla absolute is one of them. We use it in Celestial for its soothing effect and intoxicating scent. The dove orchid is used in Chinese herbalism to prevent inflammation; it is the only orchid with a delicate and delightful scent. Almond milk is also wonderful for calming the skin. So, there’s really no need to use an odourless skin cream when you can happily wear Celestial.

To be honest, I can't smell the vanilla at all. I love vanilla, all my bath products are vanilla, I know what it smells like, and this definately doesn't. I think the best ingredient is the almond milk simply because I can completely feel it working; even on the back of my hand, I can feel it calming my skin.




And this is a MAC haul I have been waiting for for a long time...

These colours are sooooo beautiful, I'm so glad I finally have them! And all the money from them goes to charity. I'm determined to collect all the Viva Glam colours and I think these are a good way to start! The swatches I've done don't do the shades justice at all, I promise I'll do some on my lips soon!

Viva Glam Gaga; Viva Glam Cyndi

They both look really sheer in the photo, and this was only about 2-3 swipes, but they aren't as sheer as they look, but they are buildable. I'd be worried if they weren't because of the intensity they have in the promo shots. I'll be trying these out over the next few days for sure!

I also wanted to try out a new foundation, I just got a sample of Studio Sculpt to try over the next few days to see if I like it. I got NC15 (pale, pale, pale I know!) for my face and NW25 to contour and bronze.

So far I like them, they're much better for my current dry skin condition so I hope it lasts!


Well, that's all for tonight folks!


xoxo

YouTube?

Just a shortie for today, I'm wondering whether to start doing YouTube tutorials?

I'd probably have to start with pictures and a voice over since I don't really have something to video with.. but maybe it would be a way to get my blog out there?

Thoughts anyone?

xoxo

Review: MAC Green Gel Cleanser

Well this is just a quick little review of my current cleanser.. I need a new one because mine is almost gone, and I may try something new so I wanted to review this one now while I'm still using it :)

The packaging is pretty good, but to be totally honest, I expect more from MAC. The bottle is good quality and the screw top has a nice feel, however, the dispenser is just a small hole in the top of the bottle. Since many of MAC's products come with pump tops, or you can buy them and fit them yourself, I don't see why this one doesn't. It would make this a whole lot easier to use and eliminate my biggest issue.

This issue is using the gel in the shower, because of the 'squeezie top' every time I opened it while in the shower water got in. Over time this has built up and I think affected the quality of the product. However, I just used a little more of the diluted cleanser than I would have of the original product and it works fine.

At £14 I'd say it's a fairly reasonable price. It does the job well, I rarely have breakouts and always have sliky smooth skin after I use it.

I'm going to talk about the gel as it was when I bought it, since I doubt many of you will be using this in the shower everyday as I do. The actual gel foams up well when mixed with water and you don't need a lot to cover your whole face and neck. As a result of using this gel for about 6-8 months I've had about 3 bad breakouts and the occasional spot here and there. I've also only bought 2 bottles of this, so realistically a bottle can last 3-4 months using the gel sparingly once a day (I just wash my face with clean water in the morning and use this in the evening. And by sparingly I mean a blob about the 1 1/2 to 2 times the size of a penny, you really don't need much more if you foam it properly). My skin doesn't feel tight or in any way unpleasant after using this product, all I do is spritz with Fix+ Rose, moisturise and go to bed. I sometimes even feel like I don't need to moisturise because my skin feels so hydrated from using this in the shower, but I always do as your moisturiser acts as a barrier to any dirt particles that can get into your pores while you are sleeping (I totally believe in this given my spot/breakout track record). I really reccomend this cleanser for all you dry-skinned beauties as I have found it clears up any severe dry spots I may get from exposure to the elements (thanks winter for the cold wind killing my face and lips!!). MAC Green Gel Cleanser totally gets my seal of approval!

Have any of you lovely readers tried this product? What did you think?

xoxo

I am determined...

...to post 5 times per week on my blog for the whole of May.

Hmm.. relistic? Maybe.. Maybe not. As you may have noticed I've been struggling to put looks up while I have been working full time. Eeekkk I have 37 hours from Monday to Friday this week :S lots of money but so little free time! So my solution is: to create a look when I get home from work everyday I work early, and to  make an effort to get up that little bit earlier to create a look before work everyday I work late. Since I've started working so much I have become a foundation and mascara case. BORING.

Anyway, just to update you all, I recently did a 10K power walk (in my sailor themed bra no less!) for the charity Walk The Walk and I'll be completing (hopefully) a marathon power walk in June (Tinkerbell bra outfit in the making!). If anyone would like to donate to this amazing cause please visit my Donation Page.

My lovely mum and I pre-walk

Hundreds of pink-hatted walkers

I'll post some more pictures soon, we're supposed to be emailed the pictures that were taken by the organiser so I may actually get some of me walking :)

xoxo

Alligatorrrr

Just a quickie post as I'm off to bed in a sec! I wasn't planning a review of this or anything but I have gone crazy for my GOSH Velvet Touch Eyeliner!! It has everything: staying power, pigment, ease of use.. the list goes on!

The day I bought this I swatched it for you guys, what I didn't say in the post was that after swatching I tested it's staying power, I figured if it could really stand up to handwashing, sanitizing, showering, blah, blah, blah then it would be worth the money. Well, this took 3 DAYS to come off properly, and now I've started using it regularly I have to use a heavy duty oil-based removed to get it off. The colour is gorgeous (see below!). It applies fully pigmented first time with great coverage. I can't praise this product enough and I'm so happy I just happened to grab it off the GOSH counter! I love wearing this in my lower lash line for work as a quick snap of colour, but it worked amazingly well as an eyeshadow base too!

Well... I have to sleep! Hope you all had a great Sunday and well done to all you marathon runners!


xoxo

Jeweled Eyes

So here's the second installment in my Rae Morris Series :) 

I used my Sleek Original and Sunset Palettes so all the colours you need can be found there, obviously MAC, NARS, NYX, etc., etc. do the same colours so you can use whatever you want! This look is super easy so have a go and email me pics or blog about how you did!! I love seeing what you guys can do! So here we go...

Prime your eyes as you normally would, with whatever you personally use. Here I have used a MAC Paint Pot in Painterly and dusted MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium over the top to aid blending later on.

Using a fluffy dome brush (like a MAC 217) to blend a light coral into your crease. I've used one from the Sunset Palette.

Pack an intense purple all over your lid, you could use pigment or eyeshadow for this. Use a clean brush to blend this into the coral, then intensify the purple towards the lash line if necessary. If you want a really intense colour wet your brush before applying the colour.

Line your lower lash line with an aqua green, again wet the brush first if you want a more precise and intense line but leave it dry if you want a smudged look.

Next line your waterline with a green liner, I used a Gosh Velvet Touch in Alligator.

Finish the look with a champagne coloured highlight, falsies and mascara.

And there you have beautiful Jeweled Eyes :)

xoxo

Illamasqua & MAC Mini-Haul

So here are the results of my little shopping expedition to Selfridges & Co. last Saturday.. After reading all your raves about Illamasqua I decided to go ahead and try out a few bits and bobs!

Illamasqua Medium Pencil in Spell

Illamasqua Lipstick in Ignite 

MAC Lustreglass in Flusterose

Definately a mini-haul.. I also bought MAC Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage :) I ran out in Disneyland so I had to get some more, it's my go to product & I use it everyday without fail!

And some swatches:

Illamasqua Medium Pencil in Spell

Illamasqua Lipstick in Ignite

MAC Lustreglass in Flusterose

I'm really, really, really impressed with these products. I'm new to Illamasqua, but the staying power of the pencil and lipstick is insane, especially since I don't have a lip primer or anything. And as much of a MAC Addict as I am, this is my first lipgloss, as I've never really been a fan. One of my biggest makeup peeves is sticky lippy, but I've heard really good things about MAC and I'm not disappointed at all! Plus this colour is gorgeous!! Lip swatches to come I promise!!

Oooohhh and I got a job at Starbucks today!! Wooohoooo!! I've been trying for Benefit for ages, but the keep screwing me around and not returning my calls. Do I really want to work for a manager who leaves me a message to call her, then doesn't pick up her phone for 4 days.. no maybe not. Well sorry for the rant, I'm sick of being mucked around, but I'm happy I have a full time job now! But I promise I won't neglect all you lovlies!!

xoxo

Ocean Sunset

Hey girls!

So today I had my second driving lesson.. and there were lovely clear blue skies and I was inspired! For a long time I have wanted to re-create my Orange look that I did last year. Apparently since then I've gotten worse at eyeliner :( so this isn't quite the same, I also can't find my Liquidlast Liner so treat this more as an 'interpretation'. I also headed into London to get my hair cut and hit up Selfridges & Co. to shop around Illamasqua and MAC (haul to come!!) so this is what I wore :)

(excuse the stupid face pleasee)

(still getting used to my new camera and it's crazy flash!)

Well I hope you like it :) I never thought I could really pull off Orange! But I might try more of this kind of thing!

What else do you guys want to see? Tutorials.. Looks.. Themed Looks..??

Welllll.. My friends parents are stranded in Switzerland due to the volcanic ash airspace closure over the UK so I'm off over to hers to cook dinner and stay the night because she's out of money and lonely! Happy Saturday!

xoxo

Interview MakeUp

As promised here is the makeup I wore to my interview today. I just did neutral shading with a bit of shimmer on the lid because I didn't want to go overboard!

I should have used my new camera.. but my boyfriend stole the USB cable (well, stole meaning accidentally put it in his luggage) I need to put the pictures on my laptop, so I just took a few quick snaps on PhotoBooth. Hope you guys like.. any questions/comments/lalala just message or write below :)


xoxo

Seventeen ♥

Hellooo again my lovelies!!

Wow I feel like I've been gone forever! I just thought I'd do I quick catch up of Disneyland! Between my mum and I we took over 700 pictures!! I promise I won't post anywhere near that many on here.. but just a few to show you what I got up to :) I'm going to apologise for the makeup in advance of the pictures.. It's pretty plain and boring, I basically had no time in the mornings because we got into the park at 8am.. and we had to eat before then.. sooo foundation, liner and lashes was the routine :(

my love and I on the castle balcony :)

Chip fancied me haha

front row seats :)

fun fun fun fun fun

I'm not going to bore you all with my pictures and blabber.. I had fun :) and I had my first driving lesson yesterday and I loooovvveeee driving!! Anyway.. I have an interview at Benefit tomorrow :) yay :D So I'll post whatever makeup I come up with for that tomorrow night maybe..

How've you all been?! Catch me up :)

xoxo