Mothers day and more makeup...

I know this is a week late but I've been really busy and forgot to put it up earlier, ahh damn dissertation and essays! One month left and then it's all over, forgive me if I don't post as often over the next few weeks but stick with me and I'll be back soon.Promise!

Anyway I woke up on Mother's Day to breakfast in bed and a Starbucks latte, yummy. And Lily carrying this gorgeous bunch of flowers, so pretty, felt so spoilt.

If that wasn't enough Lily had bought me a few treats from Hello Kitty! The rest of the other goodies in the picture were from a mini shopping expedition that day.

I already had Pink Fish TLC so she cleverly chose the other one for me, Popster, I really want to love this colour but it's a bit bright for me. I'm really into pinky corals at the moment but I'm not brave enough to pull this one off yet.

She also got me a lipgloss from the collection in Mimmy which I love and do wear. Its a peachy coral and is pretty over peachy toned lipsticks such as Mac's Peachstock, Shy Girl and my all time fave NYX India.

Due to my recent obsession with all things Givenchy I couldn't leave without a quick dash to the counter, I just love their lipstick packaging but unfortunately there aren't many great colours. The only one I liked is ofcourse, a nude but they were out so I ordered some and they had arrives, yay!

This is No26, Voluptuous Nude, so gorgeous, my new makeup bag staple. I also ordered one for Hele as knew she would appreciate another neutral lippie and she indeed loves it!

It's such a subtle nude, kind of like my own lips but better, it does smell a little like my granny's perfume but is surprisingly moisturising and long lasting. Givenchy please make a wider range of pretty colours!

I also popped into Boots to get some more of their Botanics range which I love, similar to Liz Earle but without the hefty price tag and a great range of products. I spotted this lipgloss by Elizabeth Arden and had to have it, not only was it half price at £6 but its beautiful!

This is Pink Frost, a really nice pale lilacy,pink with a hint of shimmer and great pigmentation.

Swatches below, Voluptuous Nude(looks better in real life,bad lighting), oh oops I also got a NYX lipgloss in a nude, Barely There, smells like sweets and nice consistancy. Then it's Pink Frost followed by Mimmy.

Loving anything for the lips at the moment what is everyone else into? Also has anyone found a clever way to make Popster wearable, I so want to love it!?

Introducing the conical wand!

Introducing to all you lovely beauty addicts my new best friend, the conical wand! I saw this a few days ago on Lollipop26's YT channel and I had to get it, this is what I've been looking for for so long.

I ordered this on wednesday and amazingly it came yesterday morning, now thats good service for you. I purchased it from an amazing website which I recently discovered called Look Fantastic, it sells loads of great discounted brands, Kerastase, Korres, Bare Minerals, Fake Bake etc etc the list goes on.

Anyway I've wanted to get the beachy, natural, wavy hair look for so long but nothing I've bought seemed to work (heated rollers, giant Chi tongs) until this!

This hot pink lightsaber is amazing, it's so easy to use, super quick and makes the most gorgeous looking wavy hair. Ok so I've had this just over a day now but I'm in love. To do my whole hair takes max 10 mins.

It cost £28 and came with a heat proof mat and some wicked looking gloves, all the other sites I looked at didn't include these so nice bonus!

Wicked!Love the cool gloves, got the whole Micheal Jackson thing going on here, haha!Chamone!

Just really natural wavy hair, does what it says on the box. I prefer this look to giant curls especially during the day.

If you put them right to the root you can get some good volume.

I got the largest size as I have quite a lot of longish hair and they work really well. Here's a random photo below, Hele came round for a late lunch at Wagamama's and a super quick shop. These are my fortnight early birthday gift, she couldn't wait! So gorgeous thanks Hel!!

She's so good at buying me presents, everyone else things I'm the worst person to buy for but not Hel she always gets it spot on. If you recognize them they were in last weeks Grazia by french jewellers Raffia and Bossa.


Anyone else tried a conical wand?!Gotta love that name!

Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes = Wow

Here are some photos I took yesterday to proove just how amazing Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes really is!

Mascarawise, the one I reach for on a daily basis is MaxFactor's False Lash effect, I've tried loads of mascara's along the way and this is one of my faves. So yesterday I applied this to both eyes and did not use a curler as did not want to over enhance the results.

I applied Phenomen'Eyes to my left eyelashes in the picture, just one coat and the results are amazing! It grabs all your lashes and lifts them root to tip!

Left is with Phenomen'Eyes and right without, look at the difference!
How strange does it look to do just one eye, please excuse my hair complete mess, didn't style it!

A downward look!

From the side.

And up!

I hope these photos helped, this mascara really is amazing, I've found it works much better over the top of another mascara for maximum effect. I wouldn't wear this mascara every day but for special occasions it rocks, I'd opt for this over falsies any day!

After doing these photos for this post silly me went out and completely forgot that one eye had massive lashes and the other was normal! Must of looked so strange, luckily for me I just chilled out at my parents and took the dogs and Lily for a walk!

What do you guys think? Impressive or not?!

Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes mascara Review!

This is a long overdue review I've been meaning to do but I wanted to do it with some good photos so you guys can see how great this mascara is. Unfortunately I deleted them from my camara by mistake but will take some more tomorrow and post them!

I've been wanting to get my hands on this crazy looking mascara for quite some time, I tried to purchase it when it was first released but it sold out pretty fast!

I know what your thinking, this bad boy looks pretty scary and I thought this too, initially the thought of putting this near my eyes put me right off but I plucked up the courage and gave it a go! WOW!

Quite literally as the name suggests this stuff is PHENOMENAL! This baby is my new secret weapon, I thought Chanel's Exceptionnel de Chanel was amazing but this is even better!

The unique shape of the ball end allows you to grip every lash from root to tip, curling and lengthening as it goes. My lashes have never looked so long and full.

I've tried various application methods and the one that works best for me is to wear it over another mascara, I find on it's own it makes my lashes too separated and spidery. But over MaxFactor's false lash effect mascara which acts as a base to volumise it is AMAZING!

Application is not atall difficult and it's so easy to get a great false lash effect without any false lashes. I don't use this everyday as the effect is so intense but on night's out it looks fantastic, so many random people have stopped to ask me about my lashes!

Pictures to come, I'll do some with and without ones so you can see how much difference a lashing of this magic mascara makes!

Has anyone else tried this? What did you think?

Phone call haulin!

This was my first Mac haul done from the comfort of my sofa, I never knew how easy it was to dial the number and make an order without having to step foot outside my front door. I will definately be doing this again, it came super quick and eliminated the guilt of real shopping, similar to internet shopping!

Plus as you know I love getting parcels! So this little lot came last week, I didn't get a lot as I've spent quite a bit recently thanks to Hello Kitty!!

Adding to my neutral eyeshadow collection I picked up a trio of shades!

On the top we have Soft Brown which I LOVE, I've used this every day since it's a matte chesnut brown similar to Texture but without sparkles! On the left is Kid a matte beige, good wash colour and on the right is Brown Down, a deep matte chocolate brown.

If you love neutrals and browns as much as I do then Soft Brown is a must for your collection, probably one of my Mac faves so far!

I also picked up a clear brow set gel, I'm really into the whole groomed brow thing at the moment and thought this would help. On first impressions this stuff STINKS, of toxic chemicals, not a fan but this baby does work!

After applying my brow shader and shaping I brush the hairs into shape and voila!they stay all day!

I also ordered Lip erase in Pale, I've talked about this product before in an older post but for those of you that haven't read it I'll elaborate! This little pot is the same size as a tinted lip balm and is basically a concealer for your lips!

It applys like a balm but not as moisturising and is the undercoat for your lipstick, it mutes the true colour of your lips leaving a blank canvas for the lipstick. It can alter the colour of the lippie completely, so clever, you can make a bright lipstick paler etc.

Will definately order over the phone again, I feel enlightened and completely guilt free!

xxx

Surprise Parcel...

Don't you just love getting post, I do, it doesn't happen that often but when it does it's so exciting, apart from when it's bills!! I got this big parcel delivered to my door last week, I tried to think if I'd ordered anything recently, hmm nothing so what can it be!

Yay,it was a surprise package from Hele, we've decided every few weeks to send each other little parcels of goodies! Fun and this was full of goodies!!

She totally spoilt me, thanks Hel! She recently bought several makeup storage items from Muji to keep all her loot organised and knowing I don't have a store near me she sent me one, love it!I've put all my Mac Lipsticks in this upside down so I can see the labels, so good holds around 30!

She also sent me a little spray bottle to put brush cleaner in so I don't waste as much as I do! A little cinnamon candle which smells amazing and a gorgeous box of luxury Charbonnel and Walker chocs!!polished them of pretty quickly!YUM!

Wow!!I saw the little black box and my heart started racing, yay Nars, really didn't expect that! She chose me a single eyeshadow in China blue which is a gorgeous matte royal blue!

She also sent me the most amazing lip butter by greek brand Korres, its Guava flavoured and smells gorgeous!

This stuff is amazing, so moisturing and silky, it also is white and mutes the colour of the lips out which is so unique and I love!!

Thanks again Hel and your parcel is on it's way!!

XOXO

My blog rocks but your blog rocks harder TAG!

So I was nominated for this award by the fabulous and beautiful Muhsine from the blog Bubblegarm, check her great blog out, thanks for the nomination!!

Here's a list of blogs that I nominate, that I think Rock and a few of the many I love to read! (not in any particular order)

1. Kandee from Kandee the makeup artist blog.

2. Lorraine (Current Custom on YT) from Lorraine! blog

3. Tiffany from Kiss and Makeup.

4. Helen from Hele says!

5. Natalya of Filthy Gorgeous Makeup.

6. Saskia from Saskia the Salsa fairy blog.

7. Kelly from We are glitter.

8. Aleksis from Aleksis loves beauty.

So now that your nominated I pass it on to you, here are the rules!

1. When you recieve the award give thanks to the person who nominated you!

2. Nominate atleast 5 blogs yourself.

3. Let them know you nominated them by posting a comment on their blog.

Simple and easy!

xxx

Chinglaze IV = LOVE

Introducing my new addiction and love, IV by Chinaglaze, I picked this up at Sally's a few weeks ago and have been wearing it since! It's the most gorgeous bright, coral pink, it's really similar to my favourite ever lipstick, India by NYX!

The picture underneath really does not do this amazing shade justice, bad lighting, but trust me it's gorgeous, check it out next time you pass Sally's. I can't wait to have a tan, it will look even better against bronzed skin.

On the same day I also picked up a Mavala nail polish in Miami which is also a new fave, loving the lilacs at the moment.It's really similar to Fashion Mews lipstick by Mac, a pinky purple!

Not too sure what Ridge filler really does but I picked this up too along with a new top coat called Gelous which is amazing! It's a unique gel based clear varnish that really makes your colour stay on for days, no chipping. Being a busy mum my nail varnish never looks perfect but this stuff really works!! And a bargain at around £4!

Corals/lilacs are definately my spring/summer colour, what shade are your nails rocking?!!

Givenchy Sari Glow shows!

A few weeks ago in one of many haul posts I bought my very first Givenchy item, it's a blusher from their spring collection which is inspired by India. If I'm honest I fell in love with the packaging first, take a look at my older post for more pics.

Anyway, I know this is really late but I forgot to put these pics up of it on me as requested by a fellow blogger so here they are.

It's the most gorgeous pale, rose pink and gives a lovely sheen, similar to the effect Grand Duos give.

Really nice subtle pinky sheen!

Excuse the messy hair, not styled and not much makeup!!

The colour is Maharani Pink number 43, I have no highlighter on here, it's only the blush!

The formulation contains crushed Mother of Pearls which gives it that radiant sheen and makes it so easy and soft to apply!

I bought Moon River from Grand Duos last week and it is similar in colour and effect, so if you like this I'd get that for £16 rather than this for £26!

xxx

A perfect combo...

I know all you girlies are sick to the back teeth of seeing this cat but just a quick tip for you. I'm loving this at the moment and have been rocking it every day since I got my mits on the collection.

If anyone purchased both Fashion Mews and Pink Fish lip conditioner have a go and mix them, it makes the most gorgeous pinky lilac!

I would of never thought to do this but when I bought them the MA told my to give it a go, she was wearing it and looked amazing.

I took so many photos to try and show you this but unfortunately they weren't that great, believe it or not these were the best of the bunch.

This is Fashion Mews on its own, a pretty, light lavender.I usually opt for really simple in the day and I don't think I'd wear this except for in the evening(wimp).

Funny pose I know, trying to emphasise lips!

Haha even worse! I apologise!

Anyway mixed together it makes such a lovely and unique colour, I love it and have been pairing these two every day! If you got these give it a go!

What combo's have you discovered?!

Grand Duo Haul!

Last week I went Mac mad, Thursday was all about Hello Kitty and Friday was Grand Duos all the way!

I got a few other bits aswell as I went specially to a freestanding shop, another palette, onto my third one,yay! Hello Kitty corner lashes, mattifying gel (love this already) and a lipgloss I'd never seen before which is just gorgeous!

Florabundance, similar to Underage but with a peachy twist, this is going to be my new addiction, I know it, swatch below.

And the reason for the trip, to grab some Grand Duo blushes, these are soo pretty to look at and I love mineralize anything so I had to have a few!

First impressions at £16 bit steep but with Pro discount I didn't mind so much, so I ended up with two. Moon River (reminds me every time of Breakfast at Tiffanys) the lightest of the bunch.

I was a bit scared of the shimmery effect at first but when you apply it's hardly visable, phew! The pinky/peach colour is really pretty but I can't see it much on my apples but makes a great highlighter/eyeshadow!

The second I purchased is Grand Duo, a plum with a hint of gold, wore this today and is really pigmented a lot of buffing required!

My verdict on Grand Duos, I thought most of the colours in the collection are really similar and of a red tone which I'm not keen on hence I opted for the above colours. Pictures on the website are not true to swatch colour so if your going to order online, check in person first.

Don't be scared of the initial shimmery look as it doesn't show when on much, just gives a healthy glow! Overall nice but don't think I'll use them as much as I thought I would.

Anyone else invested in Grand Duos? What do you think?!!

Sweet Treats

Today Hele and I went on one of our regular shopping trips to Nottingham. We received a tip off from a friend to visit The Walk Cafe- an amazing teashop/cafe/patisserie serving, cake, afternoon teas and delicious sandwiches. Tea is served in amazing teapots and mismatched chintzy cups and saucers. It even has its own blog, check it out here.

It does amazing cupcakes and we couldn't resist picking up a box on the way out.



Another of my favourite Nottingham shops is the Tokenhouse- a gift shop crammed full of cards, jewellery and hundreds of beautiful things for the home.

I'm a long-standing fan of Pilgrim jewellery and these cute gold heart earrings caught my beady eye.



No trip to Nottingham would be complete without a trip to the MAC shop- more about that later!