June Empties

Empties are something that don't tend to happen very often in my household; by the time I am nearing the end of a product, I've already moved onto something new! However, last month I managed to finish a couple of items, and I actually feel really proud of myself- how sad is that!!! 

 

Lee Stafford Poker Straight Dry Shampoo (£5.49)

The Lee Stafford range has long been a favourite of mine, and I have tried quite afew different things. I much prefer this to the famous Batiste dry shampoo...this doesn't dry your hair out and leave that nasty white residue behind. As with all the Lee Stafford products, it has a very distinctive smell which really freshens up your tresses!!

Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub (£9.50)

This stuff is amazing! I love the retro packaging, and the play on words with the name. This oat, shea butter and sugar scrub literally smells good enough to eat, my mouth is watering just thinking about it! Apparantly it smells like maple syrup, but seen as I have never had maple syrup in my life I can't say! But hey, if maple syrup smells that good I am seriously tempted to go and buy some and smother myself in it! Breakfast Scrub sloughs away all your dead skin and leaves your skin beautifully soft. I was going to repurchase, but I won a new one in a giveaway from the Sabrina at http://www.alittleobsessed.co.uk/

Garnier Summer Body Gradual Tanner (£2.55)

I am really missing having super-tanned skin after years of travelling, at the moment I feel so pale and unhealthy! I use Garnier Summer Body to give me a very light wash of colour. Basically, it takes me from being white and ghostly, to a very pale golden tan. It sinks into your skin really easily and leaves it feeling very moisturised and supple.

Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Lotion (£17)

I am going to do a full review on the Clinique Anti-Blemish range, but for now I will just give you a quick overview. This is my favourite thing from the range, it is basically a toner with added benefits- those being it exfoliates the surface of the skin, soaks up excess oil and unclogs pores. This (along with the cleanser and moisturiser) has made my skin considerably better. Even after double-cleansing, when you use this it picks up lots of dirt hiding in your pores, and makes your face feel zingy and fresh. I suspect people with sensitive skin would find this too harsh as it does sting a little bit, but I take this as meaning its working its magic!  

Body Shop Satsuma Shower Gel (250ml £4)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!! I may bang on about things smelling amazing quite alot, but this blows everything else out of the water! I am not a morning person at all but when I use this in the shower, its wakes me up and makes me feel alive, the smell is out of this world! I have just ordered a 750ml bottle from the Body Shop (which is currently on offer for only £7.50 here and if you use the code TREATYOU, you get an extra 30% off!) because I cannot be without it!

Losing my NARS virginity!!

First off, I would like to apologise for not blogging in a while- been crazy busy the last few weeks with looking after my Mam after her big operation, and I have had lots of job interviews aswell! But I'm back now and plan to blog alot more regularly :)

Losing my Nars virginity has been a very long time coming! I have been lusting after Nars products for years, and for some unknown reason have never got round to purchasing anything. Until now!

There is only one place near me that sells Nars, and thats Space NK in Newcastle. I decided to go for something that I wouldn't normally go for, so avoided all the beautiful blushes, and instead of neutral eyeshadows, I went for this purple one, called Strada.

Nars describes it as 'amethyst infused with gold' and I think thats the perfect description. Upon first inspection it looks quite non-descript, but after swatcing you realise how truly unique this shadow is. Its the most beautiful smoky heather with flecks of shimmering gold running right through it. The consistancy is so buttery soft; it does blend nicely but there is a considerable amount of fallout.

I have been using Mac Paint Pot in Bare Study as a base over the eyelid, and then packing Strada on over the top. It does loose some of its shimmer once applied and blended out, but I've found if you use a slightly wet brush it creates a nice effect.

Nars Strada, £17.00, Space NK

Has anyone got any Nars reccomendations?



Rouge D'Armani Sheers

I decided to splash out and invest in a lipstick that would be easy to wear during the day. My lips get really dry, so its sometimes difficult for me to wear lipstick as it clings to any dry patches, and looks, quite frankly, horrific!

I stumbled across these in Fenwicks, and they turned out to be exactly what I was looking for and more! There is a really nice selection of colours in the Rouge D'Armani range...and I opted for 502, a really nice blush pink.

The formula is featherlight, does not feel like you are wearing a lipstick at all, more a really creamy, moisturising lipbalm. The colour payoff is actually pretty good, gives a really natural pink flush to the lips, and its also really long lasting.

One of the best things about this however, is the packaging! The glossy black finish makes it feel really classy and sophisticated, and sets it firmly into the high end lipstick category. In the lid is a really powerful magnet, which makes such a satisfying noise when you close it, I could happily sit for ages snapping away haha!

I would really reccomend these if you're looking to treat yourself to something that you can use everyday. I know I will be getting an awful lot of use from mine!

£25, Fenwicks

Summer Nail Selection

Left-Right: Rimmel Peppermint, Models Own Pink Punch, Topshop Green Room, Revlon Charming and Essie Tart Deco


 Summer is well and truly here!!

The weather has been stunning pretty much all week, and what better way to compliment it than to wear brights on your nails! I have quite a large nail varnish collection, but I have picked out the 5 colours that I seem to be reaching for most frequently.

Rimmel Peppermint £4.59, Boots

Mint is my favourite colour at the moment, I can't seem to get enough of it! I like this because its a muted mint, its not bright and in your face. Rimmel Lycro Pro formula claims to be long lasting and chip resistant, and I do think this lives up to it. I wore it for well over a week with only very slight chipping. The only negative about this is the way it applies- it is very thick (which is not helped by the thick brush, making application abit messy) and quite streaky, so requires afew coats to even it out.

Model's Own Pink Punch £5.00, Boots

I really cannot fault Model's Own as a brand. At £5 I think they are very reasonably priced, with a large range of shades to choose from and a brilliant formula, and a decent sized bottle. Every single one of their polishes that I own apply like a dream, and last for ages. I am wearing 'Pink Punch' today as I wanted something blindingly bright that screamed summer...the pictures above do not translate the true colour very well, its more of a neon hot pink, not orange toned like in the photos.

Topshop Green Room £5, Topshop

'Green Room' is a beautiful, intense turquoise, in some lights it is more of a bright jade green. This goes on quite thinly, so requires about 3 coats, but its worth the wait! Its very eye-catching and I recieved alot of compliments wearing it. Topshop nails are fast becoming my top-loved nail brand along with Model's Own; although the bottle is smaller, I think its a cute size. Besides, when do you ever finish a nail varnish!?!?

Revlon Charming £6.49, Boots

'Charming' is the most subtle, soft pastel lilac. It reminds me of those disgusting sweets you used to get, parma violets!! I really like how pale it is, very pretty and girly. I have been wearing this with Model's Own Ibiza Mix over the top which makes for a beautiful combination. Quite a runny, liquidy formula, with a very long, thin brush, but it actually goes on very nicely. I have found this does have a tendancy to chip, so make sure you wear a topcoat with it!

Essie Tart Deco £7.99, Boots

This is my first foray into the brand Essie. I decided to give them a try when they launched their diffusion line in Boots and Superdrug. So far I am really impressed!! Tart Deco is a coral/orange with a cream finish, and I found it covered my nail fine with just one coat. I also picked up 'Flawless' which is a muted pinky-mauve, which does not suit my skin tone unfortunately.  

Hope you liked my summer nail picks! What are your favourite colours?

Wish I could say that I have been enjoying the sun, but I have been looking after my poorly Mum who has just had major surgery, so hoping the sun decides to stick around for a while longer!!

 

Rainbow Makeup Storage Solution

Quick post for you today on how I store my makeup. Anyone that knows me will know that I am a huge fan of bright colours, so as soon as I saw this I knew it had to be mine!

I got it from Hobbycraft, I can't remember the exact price but it was around the £50 mark. I do think this is abit pricey, but it is really big, height wise it comes upto just below my shoulders, and there are 11 drawers, each of which are 8cms deep. Its made of a plastic which is really easy to wipe clean if there are any makeup accidents! 

So pleased I got it, it fits in with my room perfectly, and who doesn't like rainbow colours?? My room is so bright you practically need sunglasses just to stick your head round the door! Some of you might think this is abit too much seen as I am 22, but I just love being surrounded by bright colours, it makes me happy! I am eventually going to get drawer dividers or something to make each drawer super organised!

Can anyone recommend anywhere that sells them??

MAC Hey, Sailor!

 

I could not resist giving in to temptation and picking up something from the recent MAC Hey, Sailor! collection. I love all things nautical and to do with the sea, so this was right up my street!

 

 

The first thing that caught my eye was 'Fleet Fast' a pink-toned golden coral in a satin finish (£18.00). I do really like this colour, but I wish I had gone for 'Launch Away' as I already have similar coloured blushers in my collection to 'Fleet Fast'. Leopard never changes its spots, or blusher for that matter!!

 

The second item I chose was abit of a curveball for me. I am not a lipgloss person at all, but for some reason I had a change of heart and decided to give 'Orange Tempera' a go (£13.50). After wearing this a couple of times, I think I have been converted! Its quite a pale peachy orange nude, but looks really natural on the lips. It also lasts quite a long time, so its definately one for everyday wear, or over the top of lipstick for a more glam look.  

Hope you are all having a nice day :)