Liebster award

Not too long ago, Christy of CosmeticChaos tagged me in the Liebster award, it is basically a way to get to know me and some other lesser-known bloggers. After answering a set of questions that Christy has set, I will make up a different set and tag another 11 blogs, all with under 200 followers. Christy has a lovely blog so go and check it out!

The rules:

-  Each nominee should answer the 11 questions by the tagger. 

-  Choose 11 bloggers with under 200 followers to pass the award to and link them in your post. 

-  Create 11 new questions for the chosen bloggers. 

-  Go to their page and tell them about their nomination. 

-  No tag backs! 

and here are the questions put to me by Christy:

1. Lips or eyes?

Oooh this is a difficult one as I really do love to play with my lips and eyes. However, as I have a fringe atm I am going to go with lips, I feel like it balances out my face more when I have strong lips and a fringe.

2. Favourite drug store product?

Right this minute, is going to have to be Barry M gelly nail varnishes, though this will probably change tomorrow, I love drug store products too much!

3. Favourite high end product/ high end product you want?

I love MAC lipsticks but have only just started venturing into high end products so still have a lot more to discover! I really want to try out some Nars products

4. Dream job?

My dream job (which again, changes daily!) would probably be something to do with marketing/advertising in a fashion or cosmetics company

5. Favourite colour to wear on your lips?

During the day: anything neutral or pinky tones. For the evening: vamp it up with dark berry tones!

6. If you could live anywhere where would it be?

My brother is in Australia right now so I am feeling very jealous and would love to live there!

7. Skirts or trousers?

My legs are one of my lesser-hated parts of my body so going to go for a skirt!

8. Neons or pastels? 

Pastels for sure, though I am not opposed to trying out a bit of neon here and there.

9. You've won the lottery, what would you do?

Probably sit their pinching myself for hours convinced that I am dreaming.

10. Favourite concert you've been too?

I'm gonna cheat and say a collection of concerts, being Reading festival 2010

11. Summer or winter?

Summer, I get the most awful colds in winter.

Who I am nominating

Hannah at palindromeparty

Elizabeth at vintage-moon
Jessica at Jessicasjournalx
Elizabeth at beautysupergirl
Emily at Gilbsy
Abi at alittleabstract

Rosie at rosiealexandraa
Kayleigh at beautywish
Nicole at coleoftheball33
Katie at subtlecoral
Faith from faithsummerloves

And my 11 questions for you to answer?

1.Your top skin care tip?

2. Natural or Glam?

3. What are you most looking forward to this summer?

4. Is there a fashion or beauty trend you really dislike?

5. What was your best holiday?

6. Favourite drugstore/high street make up brand?

7. Favourite High-end/Luxury make up brand?

8. If you could only eat 1 meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

9. what makes you instantly feel glam?

10. favourite summer song right now?

11. are you off to any festivals this year?

Let me know in the comments if you take part so I can read your answers! 

What caught my eye...

All sourced from Tumblr

Benefit, Soap&Glory, Revlon and 17 mini reviews

A few weeks ago I went shopping in Boots, I checked what offers were available to me with my advantage card and saw that I could get the seventeen animal print bronzer and Soap and Glory the daily double for around half their RRP! I also got 100 points with any lipstick purchase so I ventured over to Revlon to pick from their vast collection. Then this week I was lucky enough to win a porefessional, coralista blush and they're real mascara from Benefit. I was ecstatic to own my first full size benefit products (I snapped up some magazine freebies) so decided to put all my new products on and give you mini reviews of each.

Revlon Kiss me coral and Benefit coralista

seventeen animal print bronzer: This is a massive pan of bronzer that when you get through the very sparkly top layer imparts a very subtle glow to skin, perfect for pale girls or those that worry about being too heavy handed, it will last you a long time too!

Soap and Glory the daily double: This double ended pencil seemed perfect for my streamlined travel make up bag. It sets very quickly to a stay-put-through-anything-finish, this means you have to blend fast. I love that this stayed put all day, however didn't find the texture very smooth or blend-able which bothered me.

Revlon lipstick Kiss me coral: I love the finish and colour of this lipstick, you can smudge it in like I did in the photo for a subtle wash of colour or layer it for a summer-bright coral. I will definitely be looking at more lipsticks from Revlon.

porefessional: I have previously had a tester of this from a magazine and I really do love it, it leaves such a smooth finish on my skin and holds my make up in place wonderfully.

coralista blush: This is a lovely shimmery coral blush which imparts a beautiful colour on the cheeks, doubling up as  a highlight too. I used the brush that comes with the product, the shape is just not for me so I will be sticking with my normal blush brush.

they're real mascara: I have heard so much about this mascara and was really looking forward to trying it. First impressions? I wasn't blown away, it is a good mascara but I just didn't find myself amazed by it. It did last really well though with no annoying flakes.

Have you tried any of these products, what did you think?

Blogsale bargains- Estee Lauder eyeshadow pallette

Ah blog sales, these little gems can be used to find products that have been discontinued, not available in the UK or those you just can’t justify the price on. Also though, you can pick up a bargain just because you feel like it, as I was browsing Sarah Elizabeth’s blog I saw that she had an 18 pan eye shadow palette by Estee Lauder for sale at a fiver. I am not the most experienced when it comes to eye shadow, but I do want to learn more, so this palette with its mix of colours and finishes seemed perfect. I have used it once and they are lovely and soft with no fall out, some shades do vary in colour intensity, but that's not really a big deal.  If anyone has any idea what looks would be good to do or what colours would go together then please let me know!

Sorry the picture's aren't the best, silly sun disappearing all the time!

Getting Lippy

Here is just a little selection of some of the reds in my collection, there should be something for everyone! I apologise for the less than perfect skin, it was one of those days where I just wasn't feeling make up.

As can be seen we have a glossy pink toned red, a matte pillarbox red and a gorgeous shimmer lipgloss to either layer on top or use alone as I did. A colour and finish to suit everyone.

The Yves Rocher was a dream to apply, very smooth and slick, though I found it highlighted imperfections and flaky skin. With it's sheer finish it would be perfect for those trying to build up their confidence with bold lips.

 Next up is an offering from Rimmel, a bold lip for the bold vixen in all of us, this is sure to get you noticed. As with all matte lipsticks a good slick of balm is handy to put on before.

 Lastly we have a lipgloss from No. 7, complete with hefty dose of shimmer and a soft-not-too-sticky consistency this is sure to add some glam to any look.

Tassle bag and Neon nails

Bag: Tkmaxx Shorts: customised jeans from ebay Top: Topshop Bracelet: present Nail varnish: in a Birchbox

What caught my eye...

All sourced from tumblr

Red/Ginger ombre

So I know I am a little (very) late to the party with this, but I jumped on the bandwagon eventually and I now have a ginger-y ombre hair colour! I went to a salon for this but went on a training day so it was considerably cheaper than it was meant to be. As my hair was bleached I have been taking extra care to try and replenish lost moisture with masks and oils. So what do you think? and any recommendation for me to get it to a better condition?

Tesco beauty bargains!

As I was whizzing around Tesco's, getting some last minute food bits, my eye caught on a make up sale rack. As I rummaged amongst the sludge coloured lip-glosses and shattered eye-shadows I saw an eco tools brush and a pair of Revlon lashes, for half price! So in my basket they went alongside my mushrooms and goats cheese.  As my lash extensions are due to come out soon I thought it would be good to invest in a pair of lashes in case I feel a little bare, especially on nights out. These look natural and fluttery, the only downside is they come without glue, but I have plenty left over from various other lashes. I have only ever used eco tools before when I bought a pack of mini brushes, which I consequently lost very quickly! however I love the 'green' look of the brush and it also feels incredibly soft, can't wait to use it!

Michael Kors giveaway

Do you remember when everybody wanted that rose gold Michael Kors watch? well I remember, and I haven't forgot, I still stare longingly at it every time I pass a Jewellers/watch shop. Luckily thanks to e-tailwebstores you have a chance to win one! just go here and fill in the rafflecopter, good luck!

Good things come in small packages...

The small packages in question? samples of course! most companies are more than happy to give you dinky portions of their products for you take away and trial in your own time, before you commit to the usually very high price tags which they have. I have recently decided that I want to upgrade my skincare, my usual thought process of "I'll just get what ever is on sale" is not really cutting it any more. So, I went into town with Kiehl's and Origins in my sights, both brands I have heard a lot about in terms of their skin care. I came away with a nice selection of samples;

My first stop was Kiehls, the lady on the shop floor was ever so helpful!  She gave me a skin consultation which included having 2 tabs stuck on my face for 10 seconds, they then confirmed what I knew of my skin being the combination type. Along with that and information I told her she proceeded to pick out a skin care routine that she thought would suit my skin. I then got 3 lovely samples; the Ultra facial oil free toner, Acai damage repairing serum and Ultra facial moisturiser. Then I moved on to Origins where yet another awesome sales lady gave me a sample of their Modern friction scrub. I managed to eek out just under a weeks use from the sachets, the modern friction is still going strong as I have only used it twice, and my skin is loving it!! 

Although it is hard to pinpoint a favourite when they are all new and all used everyday I am seriously loving Kiehl's Acai serum, it sinks in so quickly with no greasy residue and leaves such a gorgeous smell. The origins Modern friction scrub is also worming it's way onto my must have list. Rubbed onto dry skin and massaged off with warm water,  It leaves my skin feeling so soft, bright and clear. I use this 1-2 times a week as an exfoliating treatment. Since using these products all together my pores are less visible, my skin is bright, nourished and just looks lush! None of these products come in cheap but I certainly think they will be a worthwhile investment, especially when you only need such a small amount of product. And if I hadn't  used these samples I never would of known what I was missing out on.

nspa Hot Cloth Polish review

So everyone and their dog has heard of Liz Earle's Hot Cloth Cleanser. Unfortunately that is a little out of my price range. However, nspa, which can be easily sourced at Asda, offer a much more purse friendly alternative with their own Hot Cloth Polish. 

This luxurious feeling cream contains skin loving ingredients such as cocoa butter and essential oils. 1 pump is enough for me to massage into my face and down onto my neck. Although this is marketed as an exfoliator it feels smooth, and not gritty at all, perfect for my skin that can get irritated with very 'bitty' exfoliators. After some massaging I use the muslin cloth that comes with it to gently buff away the product. I really feel like my skin is left brighter, cleansed and refreshed. Sometimes it can feel a little tight, but continuing with my serum/moisturiser routine sorts this out perfectly.

As I have never used the Liz Earle product I cannot compare, but I do know that I really enjoy using this product and would definitely recommend it.

My eyelash extensions

I just thought I would take a moment (well, a post) to show you my new eyelash extensions! They took some getting used to at first as they are so long, even though these were the shortest extensions. However, I now really like them, I feel like I don't even have to wear any eye make-up, as these do it all for me! if I fancy a bit of colour I just pop an eye liner along my bottom lash line. I am wearing Rimmel's shadow stick in Paranoid Purple in these pictures.